This was the first time Lao Zeng had mentioned his unusual nature. "Didn't you ever think I was some kind of monster or something?"
In the darkness, Old Zeng's expression was unclear, but his tone revealed deep dissatisfaction. "Do you think I'm that ignorant? The world is vast and full of wonders. Not everything can be explained in detail."
Once, when our troops were stationed at a Taoist temple, the old Taoist priest told me, "I've never had a son in my life, so don't count on him." See, isn't he right?
If I wanted to carry on the family line, I would rely on my sisters. That was truly what I thought back then; I was counting on my younger sister.
He said whether or not I can have a son with my sister depends on my fate. If I can't, then I can forget about having any descendants. He said I'll have a daughter.
He said... "If I continue, it will sound like I'm promoting feudal superstition." But he was right. Old Zeng stopped again.
"Hurry up and tell me what you're talking about!" Song Yan asked, curious about such a talented and extraordinary person.
"My chance of survival lies in the East. If I go west, I will surely die."
Actually, my plan was to lead the troops westward.
Seeing my hesitation, he said that I had hidden my vast wealth underground. I believed him after hearing that.
I later learned that there was an ambush to the west...
"That's getting off-topic. Now, let's talk about you."
Song Yan: "It seems like there's nothing that can't be hidden. There should be a lot of things that can be hidden."
"Keep this and take a closer look when you have time." Old Zeng stuffed a piece of paper into Song Yan's hand.
"What's this?"
"You called me Dad now. I'm poor, but your mother had a dowry, so consider it a gift from her! It's a two-courtyard house in Beijing..."
"You own a courtyard house?" How could that be? Given Old Zeng's status, even if he did, it would have been confiscated.
"It's gone! It was confiscated, it's not mine anymore!" Old Zeng said with some regret.
"In a few years, when the policies are more relaxed, it will definitely be refunded. Then you can show me around properly."
"You like it? If you can return it, I'll give it to you." Old Zeng didn't take Song Yan's words seriously.
"No! That's a two-courtyard house. Don't say that again next time, I can't resist that temptation. You absolutely can't say that again! I'll buy one myself. I'll buy it myself!" Song Yan was saving money to buy a courtyard house, and if he couldn't buy a courtyard house, he would buy a house. This was something he had to do.
"This child is letting me finish. I've written down the detailed address. I've drawn the layout of the courtyard house, as well as the layout around this house. The marked area in the courtyard house is a small garden that has been converted into a vegetable garden. Once you've found the location, dig down. There's something good there. It would be such a waste to leave it buried underground forever."
"What is it? Is it gold or antiques?" Song Yan didn't take it seriously. If there was a chance, she would help dig out Old Zeng's things and keep them for him.
Old Zeng: "Don't you understand the saying 'antiques in prosperous times, gold in chaotic times'? Su Lin is a very shrewd person. When she sold off her assets, she only wanted gold. I saw her even buy antiques at low prices."
With your current skills, retrieving these things shouldn't be a problem. You also have the ability to hide things; keep these safe and don't sell them easily. Don't bring trouble upon yourself.
“Old Zeng, no, Dad, I have quite a few good things too. You don’t need to give them to me. If these things are hidden well, don’t touch them. Maybe the yard can be returned in a few years. Good days are yet to come,” Song Yan said.
"Su Zhaohai had someone dig it up back then, but they couldn't find it."
He only thought of digging underground. He didn't think to look up. He should have looked closely at the blueprints, at the location of the toilet. On the toilet's roof beams, there were several reinforcing wooden planks that looked like painted wood. Actually, they were gold. The place was inconspicuous, and nobody noticed it. He could easily remove them whenever he wanted.
I still have some things with Shen Changchuan. They were originally given to my nephew by my wife. But my nephew is gone. I don't want these things to go to the child he had with that woman. That's what we agreed on before.” Old Zeng continued.
“Old Zeng!” Song Yan immediately became serious. “Don’t you know that money can be a powerful motivator? I’m not trying to be malicious. Commander Shen has been very kind to you because of your relationship and his ex-wife’s influence. That’s already very kind of him. You can’t take worldly possessions with you when you die. Since you don’t need them, you should just let them go.”
Song Yan's meaning was practically stated: everything must be returned. Shen Changchuan was furious and embarrassed. What are you going to do?
Song Yan's attitude made Lao Zeng feel more at ease.
Old Zeng: I know exactly what kind of relationship we have.
How could Song Yan be at ease? "No matter what you agreed on back then, he would never refuse to give these things to his own daughter and instead let you give them to an outsider."
Haven't you seen enough of the coldness and indifference of the world these days? Even brothers can fight to the death over a few acres of land. What you're asking for back certainly isn't just a small amount, is it?
Old Zeng: "This is none of your business. Remember, carry on my family line. Even if you only adopt a child with the Zeng surname, I'll have done right by my father and fulfilled my wife's wish! Oh, and here, this is for you! These are pendants your mother gave to me and your aunt; they're gold bullets. The gold is plated with copper so it's not conspicuous. One for each of us! It's getting late, go home!"
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