At six o'clock in the evening, Zhang Hongmei woke Gu Chuanming up, saying that he had slept too much and wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

"Grandpa, try this sea cucumber porridge. I think it tastes even better than what the chef at the retirement home makes."

Gu Chuanming obligingly ate a couple of bites and said, "Hmm, I think it's about the same. You like seafood, huh?"

"Yes, of course we're looking forward to it if we haven't tried it before. What do you think, Brother Zhang?"

"It's alright, as long as you like it. Ms. Wang is mainly here to take care of you, so as long as it suits your taste, that's fine."

After the three finished their meal, they sat in the courtyard drinking tea.

"Grandpa, why haven't Xiao Li Chengzi and the others come back yet?"

"They'll be back with the meat in a bit. Do you really want to slaughter a pig in this yard?"

"Huh? How come I didn't think of that?" Zhang Shouyi patted Zhang Hongmei's head and smiled indulgently.

"By the way, Grandpa, shall we invite Professor Kong over for dinner alone tomorrow?"

"Yeah, just him is enough. We can save the good food for ourselves. It's a waste to give it to those ungrateful bastards."

Zhang Hongmei had no choice but to change the subject, seeing the old man making a fuss over nothing.

"Aunt Li, what are we going to do with so much pork?"

"Marinate it."

"Hongmei, I need 200 jin of this. Come with me tonight to deliver it."

Zhang Hongmei instantly understood Zhang Shouyi's meaning: he wanted her to be put into the ring.

"Okay. I'll go with you when they get back." We also need to find a way to kill the two pigs in the ring, so it will be easier to eat them later. I really can't handle a whole pig myself.

They returned an hour and a half later, carrying down the cleaned pork, which looked delightful.

Zhang Shouyi had two men carry half a bundle of pork, cut it into pieces, and put it in the cart. The two men then set off under the cover of night.

"Brother Zhang, where are we going?"

"Hehe, do you think I'd sell you for leaving it here? I just acquired a new batch of antiques and calligraphy; go and collect them."

"Giving gifts? Shouldn't you be a shining public servant serving the people? How can you accept gifts?" Zhang Hongmei exclaimed.

"Hehe, do you think I'm that great? I'm human too. Some people won't feel at ease if you don't take them in, and they'll turn around and go find someone else. Besides, they're not asking me for favors, they just want some peace of mind. If they were really wicked, I wouldn't take them in either. Can you accept this explanation?"

"Gray income?"

“I’ve given you everything, so you’re now getting some under-the-table income. Don’t be envious,” Zhang Shouyi teased the girl.

"How could that be? I'm just an ordinary citizen, no one gives me any under-the-table income."

Zhang Shouyi suddenly became serious and said, "Hongmei, if I don't take these, they might end up abroad. Keep them safe. Maybe you can open a museum someday and become the curator."

“That’s a good idea. You can collect more, but they all have to be good items, especially those from famous people. I really want to open a museum someday.” Zhang Hongmei also thought this idea was feasible, so that future generations wouldn’t regret not having left behind the masterpieces of their ancestors.

"Hehe, has my image in your mind been restored now?"

"Yes, yes, yes, even more glorious and lofty, far-sighted, for the country and the people." Zhang Hongmei quickly flattered him.

Zhang Shouyi suppressed a laugh. "Anything else? Can't you praise me from a woman's perspective?"

"Yes, yes! You are gentle and refined, handsome and dashing, with a face like jade—you are simply the epitome of a man. Is that alright?"

"It's barely passable, but what about my face?"

“How would I know where you’ve lost face?” Zhang Hongmei said, then burst into laughter.

Zhang Shouyi smiled too; such a lovable little girl.

"Brother Zhang, how much longer?"

"Don't rush. It's in the suburbs. We'll be there soon."

"I just feel like you're hiding too far away."

"You didn't even see the property certificate I gave you, did you? We have a house in the suburbs."

"I didn't look at it. I'll have to return it to you sooner or later. What use would it be for me to look at it? It's not mine anyway."

"Now it's yours."

"Hehe, I don't want to. Brother Zhang, do you think it's possible to skip meeting the big boss on Friday?"

"Why? Are you scared or something? This is what Da Tou told Old Gu himself, so I guess he has no choice but to go."

"I hate social engagements."

"Hehe, you're overthinking it. There won't be any social engagements. Da Tou isn't feeling well right now and doesn't see any outsiders. You can go without worry."

Zhang Hongmei couldn't explain why she didn't want to go. Meeting the founding fathers would be an unparalleled honor, but she just didn't want to go.

Looking at Zhang Hongmei, who had suddenly fallen silent, Zhang Shouyi felt a pang of sympathy. "If you really don't want to go, I'll find a way to avoid leaving a bad impression on you, so you don't have to go."

"Forget it, I'll still go. I'm not a child anymore. I can't just back down when I encounter something I don't want to do, right? Don't worry, I just don't want to interact with too many people."

“Just tell me if you don’t want to, and I will help you unconditionally, without reason, and without distinguishing right from wrong.” Zhang Shouyi said this very seriously, and it was his true thought.

"Hehe, Brother Zhang, you treat me even better than my dad."

Yes, I will always be good to you.

"Hehe, that will spoil me. I want to be a rational and sensible woman."

"Hehe, that's too tiring. It's better to be a little girl, carefree, and can do whatever you want. I support you." Zhang Shouyi stopped at a courtyard that was semi-enclosed in the mountains.

"arrive?"

"yes?"

"Is no one living here?"

"No, this is an empty house. I was hoping you would come and visit during the summer vacation."

"I'm not coming. I'll definitely go to the border to take a look. There are many things I need to inquire about, and I also need to bring Uncle Zhang some good food."

"If you want to know how, I can find it for you. I'll give you a few people, all professionally trained, you can use them."

"No, I'm not going to do anything important, you should keep it for yourself."

When the two arrived at the courtyard, Zhang Shouyi led him to a room that had been uninhabited for a long time and was devoid of any human presence.

Zhang Shouyi pushed back the chair, revealing the entrance to the cellar below.

Zhang Hongmei handed over a flashlight, and Zhang Shouyi led the way down the steps. The place was indeed quite spacious.

There were more than a dozen large boxes on the ground. "Hongmei, would you like to take a look?"

"I don't want it anymore, I'll just put it away? After putting this in, there will be two-thirds of the space left."

"Hehe, then you should find a place to hide."

"Where else can I put it? It's safest here. I don't want others to benefit from it."

"Okay, you decide for yourself. I'll entrust any good things to you for safekeeping in the future."