After Gu Hanting left, Jiang Qiao contacted Song Shutian. He was fine, so Jiang Qiao asked about Song's eldest brother and Ning Hao.

"Everything is fine. My older brother has almost recovered. Ning Hao is doing well, there are no problems."

"Did you manage to keep track of the Japanese?"

When Song Shutian saw Jiang Qiao's telegram, he couldn't help but laugh. This girl, even after going home, still hasn't forgotten about work.

"Don't worry, it won't run away. Everything is going according to plan. Have a peaceful New Year. When you have time, make some snacks for my son."

Upon seeing the last sentence, even Jiang Qiao couldn't help but laugh, replying, "Just wait, I'll make your son remember how good I am."

Since nothing was wrong on the other end, Jiang Qiao wasn't worried. She quickly tidied up her room and went out to prepare dinner.

When Hou Diankui learned that Jiang Qiao had returned, the old man readily agreed to come over for dinner that evening.

"Old Gu, remember to tell Jiang Qiao to cook more meat. I like to eat meat."

Gu Hanting handed the gift he brought to Hou Diankui, saying, "This is what Jiang Qiao brought for you. It's probably all your favorite foods. I'll head back now. Remember to go there early."

Hou Diankui waved his hand, "I won't see you off, I'm busy right now."

When Gu Hanting returned, Jiang Qiao was already busy in the kitchen.

When Qiao Jie and the others returned after taking a shower, they came out with Ma Liu carrying a bag of things.

"Girl, I'm going to sit at your Grandpa Ning's house for a while. Just make a few dishes, not too many."

Jiang Qiao nodded. "Everything is ready. Grandpa Qiao, you see, since the two of them are willing to come, you can let them come and have a simple meal together."

Ma Liu waved his hand and said, "Brother, you go ahead. I'll prepare food for Jiang Qiao. Since we're treating, we can't just serve whatever we can. Old Hou is a picky eater, just as picky as I am."

As Qiao Jie left, he said, "You two are pretty much the same."

Ma Liu offered to help, but Jiang Qiao declined, saying, "They're all simple things, just stir-fry them. Grandpa Liu, you should go back to your room and rest. I can manage on my own here."

Jiang Qiao didn't want to go, and Ma Liu didn't insist either. They went back to their room to have some tea. The main reason was that he didn't really want to go to Ning Zhengtao's house. He didn't have much to talk about with that old man.

Well, the two of them are not on the same page. He might as well lie down for a while instead of using that free time.

Jiang Qiao wasn't really that busy. She knew what Hou Diankui liked to eat. This old man couldn't live without meat, so preparing more meat dishes would definitely please him. Not only the old man, but even the young people felt the same way.

There was no shortage of meat in the space, and she had prepared some in advance. Anyway, her younger brother had bought meat back in the morning, and with her grandfather as an excuse, taking out some of her stock was definitely not a problem.

When Hou Diankui arrived, Jiang Qiao had already prepared the meal, just waiting for the master and apprentice to come.

As for Ning Zhengtao and his wife, they didn't come; they have children at home.

"Your grandson and granddaughter are here? Which grandson and granddaughter?"

Chunming sighed, "Who else could it be? Ning Hao's half-siblings, they came over during winter break."

Hou Diankui's eyes lit up when he saw the dishes on the table. "Hehe, Jiang Qiao really understands me. You're such a good traveler. How come you're only just getting back? You've had more fun than the two of us. Come on, hurry up, get on the kang (heated brick bed). I can't wait."

Chunming filled the old men's glasses with wine, and Jiang Qiao and the others ate and talked about the Ning family's grandsons.

She really couldn't understand what Ning Boyuan was trying to do. Was he planning to abandon these children?

Qiao Jie knew a bit about the situation. "Your Grandma Ning said that if you leave the children with them, don't even think about it. They'll be here during summer and winter vacations. How old are they? Why should we raise their children?"

Besides, these children aren't that close to their grandparents. Before Tong Yun was arrested, she didn't bring the children back very often. There's nothing we can do about it. Even though they are the grandparents, we can't refuse the children's request to come over during summer and winter vacations, can we?

"Alright, let's not talk about their family anymore. Come on, let's drink! This is something our Qiao'er brought back from the south; it's really good."

Hou Diankui took a sip, his eyes lighting up. "Wow, little girl, you managed to get your hands on this?"

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "What's so difficult about that? They have some Daughter's Red wine buried underground. They're short of money at home, so let me buy it. When you leave, you can take a small jar with you as a token of my respect."

Hou Diankui gave a thumbs-up. "Good job! You're worthy of being my half-apprentice. I'm going to start eating now—"

With meat bones on hand, Hou Diankui was truly unreserved, holding meat bones in one hand and a wine glass in the other, displaying an air of eating meat in large mouthfuls and drinking wine in large bowls.

Chunming, along with the brothers Gu Zhixuan and Gu Zhihong, were equally impressive; they were all big eaters.

They ate with more gusto than anyone else.

Hou Diankui ate so much that he was stuffed. Jiang Qiao made some herbal tea for the old man and said, "Come on, everyone, help yourselves digest. Master Hou, what's going on with you two? Why did you go out to do archaeological research?"

Hou Diankui loosened his belt. "Girl, you don't know this, do you? Those of us in this line of work can't do without this, which is why I brought Chunming to do this job."

Besides, the salary isn't low, I can travel around, and I can learn as I go—what a great opportunity!

Without Jiang Qiao even needing to say anything, Ma Liu immediately understood what was going on: "So, you two are making things convenient for each other. With you around, finding some ancient tomb shouldn't be a problem. You can also take on apprentices to learn from. Wouldn't the archaeological department be fighting over you?"

Chunming chuckled, "That's right. My master approached them, revealed his identity, and they immediately agreed. My master is truly amazing."

Speaking of this, Jiang Qiao thought of Chu Laosan's matter, "Have you investigated what Chu Laosan said?"

Hou Diankui nodded. "I've already sent people to investigate. However, the Tong family is elusive and quite xenophobic, so we'll have to wait to get more information."

Qiao Jie and Gu Hanting didn't understand what Jiang Qiao and Hou Diankui were saying, so they guessed that the two of them had run into someone outside.

Ma Liu suddenly spoke up, "Wait a minute, is the Tong family the same Tong family that studies some kind of formation as Old Hou?"

Not to mention Jiang Qiao, even Hou Diankui was surprised: "Old Ma, do you know this Tong family?"

Ma Liu nodded. "I've heard a bit about it. Back when I was in the palace, there were all sorts of people there, a real mixed bag. And coincidentally, I just happened to have heard about the Tong family."

Hou Diankui pressed on urgently, "What exactly happened to the Tong family? Tell me quickly, why are you speaking in such a halting manner?"

Ma Liu slowly took a sip of water. "You have such a short temper. You still need to cultivate. What's the rush? I'm right here. Do you think I can run away?"

A major event occurred in the Tong family back then—