Old Master Liu picked up the paper and beckoned him into the study. Books, old and new, lined the walls of the room. A painting hung on the wall. As they entered, Old Master Liu smiled mysteriously, spread out the paper, and with a fine brush, he marked a small dot near the bedroom and a dark dot at the far end of the study. After a moment's thought, he picked up a blank sheet of paper and wrote, "These secret places are known only to the two of us, old man, and can be used without fear."

Zhou Xiaozheng understood the old man's intentions the moment he entered the study. After reading it, he nodded and bowed to the old man in thanks. He took the paper, folded it carefully, and placed it in his underwear pocket.

The old man nodded with satisfaction, signaling that he could leave. He took out an ancient book from the bookshelf and said with a smile, "Take this book to your son-in-law. I guess he will have it too, but this is the earliest edition. Tell him to take a good look at it and give me an answer. I want to test him."

Zhou Xiaozheng took it with both hands and read the four large characters on it: "Zizhi Tongjian". Although his expression remained unchanged, he was shocked. This old man was truly no ordinary person. He had seen Xiaowu's future path and planned to keep in touch with him. However, no matter what, the question still needed to be answered. "Does the old man know who we are?"

Old Master Liu smiled and nodded. "I didn't know at first because you kept calling me Xiaowu. So don't worry, I'm intentionally selling your yard at a low price. I'm doing it to find a good owner. When the transfer is made, fill in "Xiaowu" as Zhou Jiao. Look at the staff's attitude. Then compare it with your military uniform, and you'll understand. You're a golden doll. Zhao Dashan brought you here today, and I understand even more. Haha, I'm not senile yet."

Zhou Xiaozheng smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, old man. It's just my envy."

The old man waved his hand and said kindly, "No, this is the most normal reaction as a father. You have a good daughter and a good son-in-law. You must be curious why I would give you this book? Your child is not interested in the military. He is still immature and needs to be polished. He is a good material, but unfortunately his background was too low at the beginning. It is not easy for a child like this to appear in a farming family. Some people are born with good plans. If they go astray, they will be heroes.

Zhang Guoqing is well-known throughout the county, not because of the golden child, but because of him. Everyone who has interacted with this child is full of praise. Several of my old friends lament that he dropped out of school, started a family early, and is stuck in the countryside. But he is a man of destiny; when it's time to rise, it will rise. What's even more precious is that this child has a heart as open as a valley, treats others with sincerity, and has a pure heart. There are many excellent people, but not everyone recognizes their way of dealing with people.

Zhou Xiaozheng pondered to himself, this old man before him was calm, wise, and experienced. It would be a good thing if he could give guidance to Xiaowu and the others, but hadn't he encountered many people who were good at pretending over the years? Judging from his family background and his conversation, he was more than just a professor. Many things can only be understood after a long time. However, "Old man, since you are optimistic about my child, are you planning to become your disciple?"

Old Master Liu gestured for him to sit down, then said, "I can't be his master. You can come to discuss things from time to time. I'll advise him not to accept anyone as his master if he wants to go further, and I'm even less so. You, Zhou Xiaozheng, a Siberian tiger, should understand that no one should form gangs unless they're tired of living."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded. "I'm in this situation, I have no choice. How can I stay out of it?"

"Be upright, speak less, observe more, and go with the flow—your Golden Baby has achieved this," the old man said to him. He paused, then sighed, "Several of us old folks, including Dai Xiaozi from the county, all saw Golden Baby's potential. According to Dai Xiaozi, Golden Baby has a brilliant mind, a keen eye, and is adept at concealing herself. She's very low-key. Isn't Wang Baiwan from the county excellent? He started from scratch, acted high-profile, and ended up in trouble. His wife always advised him to blend in. He couldn't tolerate any injustice, was stubborn, and uncompromising. In the end, when his beloved wife passed away, he realized it too late, and his efforts were undone.

Today's little ones are incredible. Go back and tell your daughter not to forget to study calligraphy and chess. Calligraphy nourishes the mind, and chess calms the heart. Don't feel guilty. This child is honed through practice, not spoiled. Look at me. I returned from the capital with the goal of raising two sons. But I was unable to do so. Their aptitude and talent were not up to par."

"Xiaozheng must keep in mind what grandpa said. Grandpa, my husband and I can't stay in the Northeast for long, so I'll have to ask you to guide them in the future." Zhou Xiaozheng said.

Old Man Liu nodded with a smile. "They won't stay long. This county town can't hold them back. They'll be reunited with you soon." A few days ago, Dai was so happy he drank a whole jar of wine, saying his student had woken up. He's just confused. Zhang Guoqing and his wife would stay in the countryside after having a child? Zhao Dashan offered Zhang Guoqing a place in the army, but he refused, causing a sensation throughout the school. Zuo Lin, that kid, had been drinking with Zhang Guoqing a few times and had secretly been trying to get him to do something about it. Such people never fall asleep.

They all have their own paths to take. Just because your family has golden children is no exaggeration. Without your father-in-law, the Lin family, and without you behind them, they all have their own paths to follow. These two children are ambitious. Most people from aristocratic families only take shortcuts, but those who follow your path will have a smooth journey ahead.

Zhou Xiaozheng laughed heartily and said to the old man proudly, "That's right. My father-in-law wanted to bring him to Beijing, but they decisively refused. When I came back, the child told me that he wanted to go out on his own."

"Don't be sad or happy because of things. Okay, you, the Siberian tiger, have a successor. Let's go, don't make them wait too long." The old man led Zhou Xiaozheng out first.

Zhao Dashan saw them finally come out and shouted, "Old man, you're really slow. I've already had three cups of tea. How's it going? Did you agree on the deal?"

The old man laughed and scolded, "You still can't change your impatience. What a waste of my good tea. You're just wasting it like a cow chewing on a peony. This little bit of tea was also borrowed from an old friend."

Zhou Xiaozheng saw that Lin Lishan and the old lady were having a pleasant chat, so he didn't rush to say goodbye. Suddenly, he remembered that there was something he hadn't asked the old man. "Grandpa, you need to introduce someone you know to clean the yard. It's best if they know how to do it, and they won't ruin the furniture."

"Long-term, or just for a few days?"

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head and said regretfully, "We'd like to find someone long-term, but my Jiaojiao definitely won't agree. Let's just find someone for the next two days. The sooner the better. We plan to pack up first and then go back. This will save the two children the inconvenience of moving."

Old Master Liu nodded and said to the old lady, "My dear, please see if Liu Yatou and her mother are at home. If they are, please ask them to come over and meet the people. Then follow them to the yard."