Seeing that neither of them reacted much, Zhang Hongmei understood the situation. She realized that speaking up was a wise move; if it weren't for Zhou Yuanqing, she could have kept it a secret. This risky gamble had paid off.

“It was a ring. I found it after they sacrificed themselves. There were a lot of valuables inside, and I also found my mother’s background among her belongings.”

“Hongmei, this matter ends here. You know, I know, Shouyi knows. We can’t let a fourth person know, not even Zhang Xingguo. Do you understand?”

"I understand. I'm a little scared of Zhou Yuanqing; it seems like he knows something."

Zhang Hongmei was genuinely touched; she hadn't expected her new grandfather, whom she had only known for a day, to defend her like this. She hoped he truly cared about her and wasn't acting out of ulterior motives.

Zhang Shouyi suddenly spoke up, "Hongmei, don't be afraid. Zhou Yuanqing is back this time too. I guess he's probably going to have his confinement lifted, and he's probably looking for the treasure he mentioned. I'll deal with him when the time is right."

"Shouyi, don't worry, I'll cover for Datou." Gu Chuanming reassured Zhang Shouyi once again.

"Old Gu, I'm relieved to have you here. I was worried that Da Tou wouldn't be able to accept it and would take it out on me. Besides, Da Tou also knows about Cui Lin's background. He's also sending people to keep an eye on Hong Mei."

"It's alright. I've been with Hongmei ever since I came back. You might doubt my motives, but my grandfather was once the tutor of Cui Lin's father, the former crown prince. When I left home, I swore to him that I would help the Cui family whenever I encountered them."

"Grandpa, do we have such a connection? Did you already know about me all along?"

“Yes, I knew after you came to the capital. I started paying attention to you because I only received news about Cui Lin this year. I followed the trail and that's how I found out about you. Also, that old woman always brags to me, asking if I can make her happy?”

Zhang Hongmei was exasperated; they were talking about serious matters, but the conversation had veered off-topic into a dispute.

Grandpa, is there anyone else in your family?

"No, the Japanese killed them all, they even killed my nephew who was just a month old."

"I'm sorry, I don't know."

"It's alright. It's been decades. Although I didn't kill his whole family in our country, I sent people to R country and spared no one who was related to them by blood."

"Grandpa, I love you so much, that's how it has to be, well done."

"Hehe, how about we, father and son, become a family?"

Zhang Shouyi laughed too, "Old Gu, you've been doing this your whole lives, and you still haven't had a moment's peace?" He changed the subject, admitting he was a little jealous.

"Hmph, who told her to always bully me? Hongmei, let me tell you, that old woman is a real scoundrel. When I first joined the army, I was under her command, and she always beat me. I couldn't stand it, so I fought back, but I couldn't beat her back then, and she always beat me."

When I finally became her equal, she still hit me. At that time, I thought, "A good man doesn't fight with a woman," and since she was so old, I treated her with respect. But the last time she returned from the battlefield, her husband had been killed, and she didn't say a word to me. She just dumped her two divisions under my command on me and ran away. That was so irresponsible.

Zhang Hongmei chuckled to herself. This wasn't an enemy; it was clearly family.

Zhang Shouyi smiled too. Gu Chuanming, however, fell into deep thought.

“Hongmei, if Zhou Yuanqing goes out, I’m prepared to go with him.”

“I’m going too, Brother Zhang. I want to take revenge myself.”

“Okay, I’ll take you there. Let Old Master Gu stay home and oversee things.”

"Are you two planning to abandon me? I'm going too," Gu Chuanming said angrily.

“Old Gu, if you don’t stay at home to oversee things, how can I go out? Yes, you can, but the money I took out last time should be the treasure Zhou Yuanqing mentioned. I want to know how he suddenly found out.”

"Hmph, you're right. After you come back and finish your business, you have to come play with me."

"Grandpa, Grandpa, where are we going? I'll go with you."

"Don't you go to school?"

"It's okay, I can get good grades even without going to school. I just need to study more on my own. Where are we going? We can't stay too long. I want to go to the border during summer vacation."

"Then let's go to the border, you and me."

"You're all being ridiculous. The border is dangerous, and Mr. Gu, your status doesn't allow you to go."

"I'm going. I'm going to deliver supplies, I'm going to offer my condolences." Gu Chuanming started his shameless act.

Although Zhang Hongmei didn't speak, her expression was very resolute.

"Then what should I do?"

"You'll be treated like a slave," Zhang Hongmei laughed. Zhang Shouyi couldn't stop her, but it was inconvenient to bring Gu Chuanming along. Besides, Gu Chuanming might not even be able to go; given his status, he might not be able to make it.

"Hongmei, won't you feel guilty abandoning me like this?"

"No, you don't feel anything, right, Grandpa?"

"Yes, that's it. My granddaughter and I are going." Gu Chuanming didn't care about anything else. As long as he wanted to go and his granddaughter was with him, he would go.

"You're so heartless! How could you abandon me?" Zhang Shouyi joked and laughed along with the two men, singing and reciting.

"Grandpa, let me tell you, I'll make you something delicious when we get home. Let's go to Shuren Hutong. There are still three big wild boars in the ring. And I brought back fresh shrimp, squid, and sea cucumber."

"Wow, this has this function too?"

"Yes, whatever you put in will come out the same way. But you can't put a live one in."

“Wild boar, I haven’t eaten it in ages. Let’s let it out and let Chengzi slaughter it.”

“Okay, let’s have Xiao Li go back to Xinyuan to unload the truck first, then we’ll take a walk around outside before releasing him at Shuren Hutong.” Zhang Shouyi also joined the discussion.

“Brother Zhang, this isn’t a good idea. Let’s find some time to go to the mountainside and catch some wild boar. Also, I have a feeling that Zhou Yuanqing will definitely send someone to monitor me.”

“Okay, let’s go on Monday afternoon. I can’t wait.” Gu Chuanming felt younger when he was with the two kids.

"Okay, I'll ask for leave. I won't have class this afternoon."

"You two are really kindred spirits!" Zhang Shouyi exclaimed.

“Hongmei, don’t be afraid. I’m here, and Shouyi is here. You won’t be in danger. What does Zhou Yuanqing have to do with it? Don’t take him seriously.” Gu Chuanming solemnly instructed Zhang Hongmei.

“Yes, Hongmei, Zhou Yuanqing is really nothing. I’m worried about Datou’s health, otherwise I wouldn’t have given him a way to survive.” Zhang Shouyi also comforted Zhang Hongmei.

"I understand. Besides, I'm not really that scared, just a little worried."

"It's alright, can't I protect you? Don't hesitate, you can really do whatever you want now." Zhang Shouyi joked with Zhang Hongmei to keep her from getting nervous.

Zhang Hongmei glared at Zhang Shouyi and said, "You can walk around like that all the time. I've never seen that before."