While Lu Zhengjing and others, and Chen Xihua were busy coordinating the design drawings.

On the other side of Beijing, beside the central lake on the west side of the Forbidden City, lies the southern courtyard, heavily guarded and exuding a solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

"Mr. Qin, Professor Qin has been back in Beijing for some time now!" Liang Qing, the secretary-general in his forties or fifties, said respectfully to the elderly man in his sixties or seventies who was engrossed in his work at his desk.

The elderly man wore reading glasses, had a full head of white hair, was of medium height and rather thin, but was in very good spirits.

He looked slightly tired, raised his head, and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Finally, you're willing to go home!"

"Old Qin..." Liang Qing hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

"What? Is there something else? Just say it." The old man asked, puzzled. Liang Qing had always been a straightforward and efficient person, when had he become so hesitant?

"Professor Qin did not go back to the Qin residence; he stayed at his student's home."

"Is that Chen student? Nonsense! He doesn't go home. Does he not want to acknowledge me as his cousin, or what?" Old Qin's voice was neither warm nor cold.

"Professor Qin does indeed live in Chen's courtyard house. After all, his calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting students are all there, making teaching convenient."

Also, only your wife's family lives in the Qin residence, and you are often away from home. He probably feels uncomfortable going back!

"The Qin residence is his home too, so why is he not used to it? My second uncle and aunt asked me to take care of him back then, but... never mind, let him be."

"At least you're back in Beijing now, so it's easier to see you. But you're still so stubborn, even though you're a grown man!" The old man said, a mix of amusement and exasperation, with a touch of indulgence.

"Liang Qing, have you been giving him special treatment all these years?" The old man suddenly looked sternly at his secretary.

"No, Elder Qin, haven't you always repeatedly told us that the leaders are all fair, honest, and set an example for the country and the people?"

You've worked so hard for it, how could I possibly bring shame upon you?

"What about the county magistrate and the police chief who were transferred to Gaoyang County before?" Old Qin wasn't someone who only cared about his work and was oblivious to what was going on outside.

He had heard some rumors before, but since nothing bad was reported, he didn't inquire about them.

"I wouldn't dare. Back then, you asked me to find someone to pick up Professor Qin, but we failed. The higher-ups know about that."

They even asked me if it would be appropriate to show concern for Professor Qin, but I dared not, as they would surely disagree.

But I'm also worried that some people might not be dedicated enough and that some people who only care about appearances might be sent there to take up positions.

That's why I mentioned it; the leaders and the others already know about it.

Moreover, when selecting and appointing talents, we must be fair and honest, adhere to principles, and do practical things for the people.

They didn't ask for special treatment, they didn't cause you any trouble, they were all just doing their jobs normally!

"That's good!" Old Qin's attitude softened, but he was still a little angry. "If he's really been wronged, he can come home. I'm here, his sister-in-law is here, and his nephews and nieces are here too!"

"Yes, yes, but as you know, it's just a small county town, with high mountains and long roads."

If something really happens, you can't attend to him immediately, and afterwards you'll have to worry about him again.

Liang Qing thought to herself, "Isn't it what you always say, that Professor Qin had a bad temper and a strange personality when he was young, and you're worried that he'll get into arguments with people?"

"Are you going to see him? I can make arrangements for you in advance," Liang Qing asked again.

"No, he won't even come to see me, why should I go to see him?" Old Qin blurted out, somewhat displeased.

"It's not convenient for him to come in here to see you, is it? Even your wife and family members are not usually allowed to come in."

“Then he can go back to the Qin residence first, and then see his sister-in-law, nephews and nieces, and grand-nephews. Then I can go back and see him, right?” Old Qin’s face rarely showed some emotional changes.

"Okay, then I won't arrange your schedule for now." Liang Qing said helplessly. Her younger brother had already returned to Beijing, but she didn't go to see him and was throwing a tantrum like a child. Before, she had been nagging and worrying about him every day.

He also said that Professor Qin had a strange temper. Only then did Liang Qing realize that Professor Qin, whom he had followed for more than 30 years, also had a very strange temper. They were indeed brothers.

"Liang Qing, you've been with me for decades now, haven't you?" Old Qin asked suddenly with a touch of emotion.

"Yes, it's been thirty-five years," Liang Qing replied respectfully, then listened quietly.

"Did I tell you about my brother?"

"He didn't say anything in detail, just some bits and pieces." Liang Qing wouldn't say that while Old Qin complained about how stubborn Professor Qin was, he was actually very worried.

“Ah Xian is three years younger than me. When I was eight, my second uncle and aunt sacrificed their lives. Before they went on a mission, they entrusted him to my parents.”

He entrusted it to me; we brothers have a very good relationship, and he listens to me a lot.

He was very intelligent from a young age and loved reading, especially classical literature, poetry, calligraphy, and history.

He said he wanted to be a historian, but he was also a bookish and unrestrained person who wanted to live a carefree and unrestrained life.

Although he was very young when his second uncle and aunt passed away, it was a great blow to him.

Ten years later, my parents also passed away, and I basically raised him single-handedly.

Originally, my brother and I agreed that neither of us would join the military or politics, and that we would both become teachers or other easy jobs.

But later, I still went into politics, so he deliberately went to a university in the southern province and stayed there to teach. He rarely returned to Beijing because he was angry with me.

Later, during that special period, he and his teacher were sent to different places, and his teacher died in the Northwest.

He had an insurmountable obstacle in his heart, so even 77 years later, he did not return to Nansheng University to continue teaching.

As for 1983, when I asked you to pick him up and bring him back to Beijing, he still refused.

I think it's because he's worried that his usual carefree attitude might accidentally affect my career.

In 1982, because he liked rare books, paintings and calligraphy, he asked someone to buy some of them.

However, he was exploited by unscrupulous individuals who used his name to collect antiques and cultural relics on a large scale.

In the end, they said it was because they accepted bribes while doing favors for me, which affected me.

Because of this, I spent some time inside and was investigated.

He must have felt guilty and worried a lot, fearing that I would end up like his teacher.

After that, he became even more reluctant to return to Beijing, fearing that his return would bring me more trouble.

"It's possible that he actually enjoys that kind of life. Didn't you say he likes freedom?"

"Is that so?" Old Qin murmured. He didn't think so. Then he stood up, picked up his coat, and walked out.

"Old Qin, where are you going?" Liang Qing hurriedly caught up and asked.

"Back to the Qin family!"

"You have a debriefing meeting this afternoon, how about we postpone it to tomorrow?"

"Oh, right, thank goodness you reminded me. Never mind, I'll go back tomorrow. Let's go eat now." Old Qin realized that he had almost been influenced by that old rascal.

As Old Qin stepped out into the courtyard, the two leaders above him also happened to walk out from the opposite side.

"Greetings, leaders!" Old Qin immediately bowed respectfully, and Liang Qing followed suit.

"Old Qin, there's no one else here, you don't need to be so formal. I heard your professor brother went home?" one of the old men asked jokingly.

He had heard that Professor Qin, Old Qin's younger brother, was a smart person from a young age, with the talent to be a top scholar, but his temper seemed a bit strange.

"Yes, Lao Qin, but no matter where he is, he's a teacher. For the sake of the students, don't say anything to him."

Moreover, Professor Qin took on an extraordinary student.

The hemostatic drug developed has provided great help to the troops and our comrades.

This greatly reduced injuries such as excessive bleeding among comrades and also lowered casualties.

And that cold medicine—they're all doing things that benefit the country and its people!

Another leader praised it highly.

"That's right, Lao Qin, don't argue with your brother. Go see him first and have a good time with him. I heard he's been living away from home and hasn't come home yet, is that right?"

"Student Chen is also a filial student, you should thank the young man properly!" the first elderly man said solemnly.

During that special period, things were indeed not very friendly to some comrades, but we have already gone too far in correcting the situation.

The parents of the Qin brothers were heroes who dedicated their lives to the country, and they should have shown more care and concern for Qin Xian.

In particular, Qin Xian's parents were secret agents of the Party. They sacrificed their lives to complete their mission at a critical moment for the liberation of the whole country.

"Thank you for your concern, sir. My brother has troubled you all!" Old Qin's face was a little embarrassed.

Even the higher-ups know about it. That old rascal of a younger brother, isn't he just making a fool of himself?

They've lost all face; they're in Beijing and still not going home.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Old Man Qin sneezed several times, unaware that his brother had already learned of his return to Beijing and was scolding him.

Even if he knew, Old Man Qin would not go back to live in the Qin residence.

The Qin family is no longer the Qin family he was when he was a child, when his parents, uncle, and aunt were still alive.

Besides, my cousin himself doesn't live at the Qin family home very often, so what would he do there?

I'd rather stay with Chen Xiaowu; it's more comfortable there.

For the past two or three decades, Old Man Qin had been the principal of Shanghe Village in Gaoyang County, and it wasn't that he didn't care about his cousin.

Information is now quite advanced; besides newspapers, there are telephones, radios, and television broadcasts.

Old Man Qin kept a close eye on his cousin's news every moment.

Old Qin usually reads newspapers the most, and his cousin certainly knows that he is doing well, whether he is in Gaoyang County or back in Beijing.