Chapter 100
The next morning, Dujuan kept making noise outside Chu Jiujiu's window. Chu Jiujiu woke up and saw that it was only 6:20. She usually got up at 6:30. She felt annoyed, so she turned over and covered her ears with the quilt.
Her bed was right next to the window. The cuckoo might have caught some very delicious insects today, so it kept chirping. The window was originally open, and its chirping was as if it was standing next to Chu Jiujiu's ear. After being tortured for two minutes, Chu Jiujiu got up from the bed helplessly, and then went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face.
It was a little after six in the morning, and the air outside the window was very fresh. The whole city hadn't fully woken up yet, so the streets were very quiet. Chu Jiujiu moved quickly today. After changing her clothes and packing her schoolbag, she went downstairs and walked around, but didn't see anyone else at home.
Tilting her head, Chu Jiujiu ran upstairs again. She pushed open Chu Shao's door and walked in.
When Chu Jiujiu was outside, she knew to knock on the door, but at home, no one taught her these rules, and other people didn't care about this little thing. So when Chu Jiujiu came in, Chu Shao was caught off guard. He was sitting on the bed with messy hair and a thoughtful look on his face.
Chu Jiujiu didn't notice his strangeness and just walked over to him. "The sun is shining on your butt, why don't you get up? Hurry up, I want to get there early today——"
Having said this, Chu Jiujiu had already walked to Chu Shao's bedside, closed her mouth, shrugged her nose in confusion, and then took two steps back in shock.
She covered her nose and screamed, "What's that smell?"
"It stinks! Are you... are you drunk?!"
Chu Shao was recalling what happened yesterday. He slept in bed all night without taking off his clothes, but his shoes and socks were left on the carpet, and his coat was hung behind the door. So, this must have been done by someone else.
Frowning, Chu Shao said, a little overwhelmed, "Why are you yelling? I'm going to be deafened by you."
Chu Jiujiu pinched her nose. She moved closer to Chu Shao and looked him up and down. "Did you really drink? Didn't you go to dinner with Weiwei yesterday? Did Weiwei drink too?"
Chu Shao was a little confused. He thought for a moment and said, "Probably not..."
Chu Jiujiu: “…”
She looked at Chu Shao with disdain: "How much did you drink yesterday? You don't even remember anything."
Hearing her words, Chu Shao fell into deep thought again, while Chu Jiujiu looked around and said, "What should we do now? You stink so badly that the teacher will know what you did yesterday just by smelling you. Can you still go to school?"
Coming back to his senses, Chu Shao paused for a moment, then he lifted the quilt and walked down. "Yes, I'll change my clothes and take a shower, and I'll be fine."
Chu Jiujiu didn't quite believe it. In her opinion, Chu Shao was no different from a mobile trash can.
"Can it really be washed off?"
Chu Shao: "If I say I can, then I can. You go out first."
Chu Jiujiu curled her lips and said, "Okay, then hurry up. I'll go check on Weiwei. She hasn't gotten up today either. Maybe she's drunk as much as you."
As she spoke, she walked out. Chu Shao paused in his movement to enter the bathroom, keeping the posture of taking a step out. Chu Shao stood by the window. The early morning sun just happened to shine in this position. It was not hot, but a little dazzling.
——Your dad is such a heavy drinker, how come you didn’t inherit his habit at all?
——Hair, you caught my hair!
——You don’t look good when you frown.
——Are you angry?
Chu Shao stood there, motionless. After a while, he finally took another step, but his walking speed was much faster than before. Before he closed the bathroom door, the mirror on the wall reflected a suspicious red color on his face.
Chu Jiujiu left Chu Shao's room and went to Wen Xiuwei's room. She thought Wen Xiuwei, like Chu Shao, had not gotten up yet. When she went in, she found that Wen Xiuwei was already dressed and even had her bag packed. However, she did not go downstairs and was sitting in front of the dressing table, staring blankly.
She didn't even hear Chu Jiujiu coming in. It was not until Chu Jiujiu came to her and waved her hands strangely that she came to her senses.
“…Huh? What did you say?”
Chu Jiujiu straightened up and looked at her strangely. "What happened to you guys today? Did the studio treat you to a meal yesterday and give you some drugs?"
Wen Xiuwei opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Chu Jiujiu bent down again and sniffed Wen Xiuwei, "Didn't you drink yesterday?"
Wen Xiuwei was stunned for a moment, then shook her head, "No."
"Well, it seems Chu Shao is the only one who drank. Humph, I'll complain to Dad when he comes back. He's not even an adult yet, and he's so unrestrained. Really, aren't you afraid of drinking himself silly?"
After mumbling this, Chu Jiujiu looked at Wen Xiuwei. Her expression changed instantly and she asked with a smile, "Weiwei, what are we having for breakfast this morning?"
…
Sitting on the steps in front of the state-owned restaurant, Chu Jiujiu took a bite of the sugar cake and took a sip of soy milk.
The sugar on the sugar cake was crispy and crunchy, which was Chu Jiujiu's favorite part to eat. To avoid the crumbs falling off, Chu Jiujiu tilted her head back and stuffed the sugar cake into her mouth.
Many people nearby eat this way. When the state-owned restaurant sells breakfast, the interior is closed. There are only a few stools outside, and they are all occupied by people who come early. The rest of the people either eat while walking or find a step to sit down and eat like Chu Jiujiu.
Han Shengyi had already had breakfast at home, but after arriving here, he bought himself a cup of light soy milk. Next to him, on his left sat Chu Jiujiu, who was wolfing down his food, and on his right sat Chu Shao, who was chewing on fried dough sticks.
Han Shengyi drank two sips of soy milk and asked them, "Sister Xiuwei, what are you going to do today? Isn't the filming finished?"
Chu Jiujiu took a sip of soy milk from the bowl at the state-owned restaurant and swallowed the sugar cake. Then she replied vaguely, "Who knows? She left early this morning. I asked her, but she didn't tell me clearly."
At this point, she turned around and asked Chu Shao beside her: "Do you know?"
Chu Shao bought four fried dough sticks, which made Chu Jiujiu feel greasy even before he ate them. However, he didn't feel anything and quickly finished the four fried dough sticks. Then he picked up a bowl of tofu pudding and guzzled it down.
After finishing the drinking, Chu Shao replied: "I don't know."
Han Shengyi: “…”
Looking at the two people in silence, Han Shengyi didn't know what to say.
I've only ever heard of gaining weight in autumn, but never in summer. Recently, the two members of the Chu family have been eating more and more, so much so that Grandma Han has begun to suspect that Han Shengyi has anorexia.
I swear to God, his appetite is normal, it’s these two who are abnormal.
Chu Jiujiu ate the slowest. After she finished eating, they didn't leave immediately. Instead, they waited for two minutes before standing up.
When they arrived at school, Chu Jiujiu separated from the two of them and entered her own class. Chu Jiujiu greeted Qi Baozhu with a smile.
——
The week passed very quickly, and in a few days, it was Saturday. Chu Jiujiu came to Han's house early in the morning and didn't even have breakfast at home. The museum didn't open that early, and they would still have time to go in an hour.
Chu Jiujiu kept eating the pickles pickled by Grandma Han, one bite at a time. When Han Shengyi sat down at the dining table, she had almost finished.
Grandpa Han held up the newspaper but didn't read the bold words on it. He looked at Chu Jiujiu in surprise and sighed, "Our Jiujiu's appetite is really getting bigger and bigger every day. My goodness, he eats so much, where did the meat go?"
Grandma Han knocked him and told him not to worry about the child eating. "Let her eat if she wants! If she wants to eat, it means her body is lacking it. Jiujiu is still growing, so it's normal for her to have a big appetite."
Finally feeling full, Chu Jiujiu put down her chopsticks and smiled sheepishly, "I guess I haven't grown much. My height hasn't changed much. It seems like every year with the change of seasons, my appetite gets bigger. Last night, my dad brought back two Sun's roast chickens, and I ate one by myself."
Everyone in the Han family: ...
ox.
It's not the hard times of the past. The family is rich now and the child can eat whatever she wants. Grandma Han sat next to her and said that she would stew pork ribs for her tonight and buy six or seven pounds so that everyone could eat their fill at once.
Han Shengyi stirred the rice porridge in his bowl and asked Chu Jiujiu, "Are we the only two going? Neither of them is going?"
Chu Jiujiu wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and took a sip of boiled water. "I didn't ask. Weiwei has been going out early and coming back late lately. She's too tired. Let her rest at home."
After she finished speaking, she lowered her eyes and concentrated on drinking water. The three people next to her were waiting, and when they realized that she really had nothing to say, they couldn't help but fall silent.
It was Grandma Han who asked first: "What about Chu Shao? Isn't Chu Shao also at home?"
Chu Jiujiu: "Oh, him, he's at home. That's perfect. He's at home, and Weiwei is at home too. Let them keep each other company."
Grandpa Han shook the newspaper in his hand and chuckled.
Chu Jiujiu is always keen on creating opportunities for Chu Shao and Wen Xiuwei to be alone together. After so many times, everyone has noticed it. However, everyone doesn't know that she is trying to bring them together. They think Chu Jiujiu simply wants to make their relationship better.
After Han Shengyi finished his meal, the two of them went out. Grandma Han was sitting in the living room when she suddenly remembered something. She turned around and asked, "Do you want to ride a bike?"
Han Shengyi replied: "Ride, don't worry, the tires are already inflated."
Only then did Grandma Han nod.
Standing in the Han family's yard, looking at the only bicycle, Chu Jiujiu suddenly had an idea, "How about I take you?"
Han Shengyi smiled and said, "Take me with you next time."
Chu Jiujiu: "...You always say that. You're just trying to fool me."
Of course it was perfunctory. Han Shengyi had seen how Chu Jiujiu rode a bike. To be honest, Han Shengyi wasn't very reassured about letting her ride alone, and then asking her to take him...
Life was good, he still had many tasks to complete, and he didn't want to go see his father so early.
…
The National Museum is not far from here, just on Qianmen Street. It takes about ten minutes to walk there, or three or four minutes to ride a bike. The temperature in early summer is fluctuating, and Chu Jiujiu was too lazy to walk, so they rode their bikes there.
The Han family is in the alley, and the Chu family is outside the alley. The Han family's land is high, and the Chu family's land is slightly lower. Every time Han Shengyi rides past here, he will show off a little. He rides fast for a while, and when it comes to downhill, he releases one hand, steadily controls the direction of the car, and lets the car go downhill by itself. At this time, the speed will be very fast. If Qi Baozhu was sitting here, she would have been scared to death, but Chu Jiujiu really likes this feeling of speeding.
Sometimes she would even scream.
“Wuhu!”
When Wen Xiuwei heard the voice, she walked to the window and happened to see Chu Jiujiu sitting behind Han Shengyi with her hands raised and an excited look on her face.
Holding onto the white European-style railing, Wen Xiuwei shouted to the people below: "Be careful, hold on tight!"
Suddenly hearing Wen Xiuwei's voice, Chu Jiujiu was so scared that she quickly retracted her arm. She wanted to look up, but they had already ridden out of the alley.
Chu Jiujiu stuck out her tongue, not daring to indulge herself anymore, and obediently placed her paw on Han Shengyi's waist.
Wen Xiuwei was still standing by the window. She shook her head helplessly and turned to go back to the room, but just when she turned halfway, a tall figure appeared in her sight.
Wen Xiuwei was stunned. Right next to her, Chu Shao was also standing on the balcony of his room. He had his arms resting on the railing, looking relaxed and at ease. Noticing Wen Xiuwei's gaze, Chu Shao raised his head and looked at her.
Awkward.
Capital Awkward.
Although several days had passed, she had never spoken a formal word to Chu Shao, and had not even eaten a meal with him at the same table. She always went out these days under the pretext of being busy, and she did not tell anyone where she was going, so Chu Shao had no way to pick her up.
In reality, she was only busy half the time. The other half, with nowhere to go, she wandered aimlessly, sometimes visiting the homes of her colleagues at the film studio, sometimes visiting Guan Jinqiao at the garment factory. When she couldn't find anywhere else to go, she would work for free at the studio, which was a good thing. Now she even knew how to project a movie.
She couldn't say she was busy today, but she could say she had an appointment with someone else.
Wen Xiuwei opened her mouth, smiled, and said, "I'll be out soon, I..."
Chu Shao interrupted her, "I'm a little hungry. Can you make me an egg and scallion pancake?"
Wen Xiuwei was stunned for a moment. Before her brain could think clearly, her body reacted reflexively, "Okay, how many eggs do you want?"
Egg and scallion pancakes are Wen Xiuwei's specialty. Whenever Chu Jiujiu wants to eat it, she will come and pester her to make it. This is the first time that Chu Shao made this request to her.
Standing in the kitchen, Wen Xiuwei silently beat eggs and added flour. She didn't eat breakfast, so she added a little more. Chu Shao was chopped green onions on the side. After chopping, he took out the sweet noodle sauce bought from Liubiju from the cupboard and poured out half a bowl. Then he washed the cucumbers and blanched the potatoes.
Chu Shao was very good at knife skills, and the cucumber and potato shreds he cut were almost the same size. Wen Xiuwei glanced to the side while frying the omelet and found that he was focused and skilled. After two seconds of silence, Wen Xiuwei retracted her gaze and turned the omelet over in the pan.
Unlike the two of them who only started eating breakfast at nine in the morning, Chu Liqiang went out early in the morning. He was the real busy man in the family. Even coming back to see the children had to be done in his spare time.
The omelet was fried, and the vegetables to be stuffed in it were also prepared. They were placed on the dining table, and the two sat down facing each other. Wen Xiuwei didn't say anything, but just used chopsticks to pick up a pancake for herself and put it on the plate.
While she was applying the sauce, Chu Shao suddenly stretched out his chopsticks. He picked up one chopstick of potato and two chopsticks of cucumber for Wen Xiuwei.
This is Wen Xiuwei's eating habit. She likes a lighter taste.
When Wen Xiuwei saw this, she didn't look touched at all. Instead, she seemed to want to grit her teeth.
…
She felt that she was almost at the limit of her patience. No one who had experienced a night like that would remain calm. Wen Xiuwei was like that. Although she had been avoiding Chu Shao for the past few days, she actually wanted to explain things to Chu Shao, or at least ask him what he meant that day.
But Wen Xiuwei was afraid that if she asked clearly, there would be unpredictable consequences.
She didn't want to become estranged from Chu Shao, and even more so, she didn't want to have a rift with the Chu family.
She was almost confused. Why could Chu Shao still pick up food for her so calmly? Moreover, didn’t he know that doing these things at this time would cause her to misunderstand?
After Chu Shao picked up the dishes, he went to roll his egg and scallion pancake. When he was about to put the rolled pancake into his mouth, there was a click and Wen Xiuwei put down her chopsticks.
Chu Shao's heart skipped a beat as he kept his mouth open. He raised his eyes and looked at Wen Xiuwei. Chu Shao paused and asked, "What's wrong?"
Wen Xiuwei's heart was almost beating out of her throat. She had so much to say and so many questions to ask, but when she looked into Chu Shao's eyes, she couldn't utter a single word.
This is Chu Shao, the younger brother she has always taken good care of. Although Chu Shao does not allow her to take care of him, and although he has never called him sister, his age is there, and their status and seniority are also there.
Chu Shao likes her?
Or, does Chu Shao just care about her a lot?
He said so many inappropriate words that night, but not a single one of them could really express his meaning. Wen Xiuwei was afraid that she would misunderstand him, but at the same time, she was also afraid that she would get his meaning right.
Thinking of this, Wen Xiuwei's head was about to smoke. Under Chu Shao's gaze, Wen Xiuwei became more and more tormented. Finally, she gave up and lost all her anger.
Picking up the chopsticks again, Wen Xiuwei said softly, "It's okay, eat it. If it's not enough, I'll fry more."
She said so, but Chu Shao didn't really continue eating. He paused for a moment and spoke again: "Do I make it difficult for you?"
Wen Xiuwei's hand holding the chopsticks froze.
She slowly raised her head and uttered a syllable carefully: "Ah?"
Chu Shao put the rolled omelet back on the plate and pursed his lips. "You don't want to see me these days. Do you mean you are rejecting me?"
Wen Xiuwei: “…”
How did it get to the point of rejection?!
She stared blankly at Chu Shao, who didn't get her answer and his expression remained unchanged. He lowered his eyes and said to himself, "It doesn't matter. I'll wait for the day you change your mind."
Wen Xiuwei: "...What are you talking about?"
Chu Shao looked up at Wen Xiuwei. He was silent for a second and continued, "I've thought about it. This is very sudden news for you. You always treated me as a younger brother and never thought about that aspect, so it's normal for you to want to reject me. It's okay, I can wait. I lack everything, but not patience."
At this point, he curled his lips at Wen Xiuwei, "You've treated me like a brother for four years, and I can wait another four years for you to treat me like a man."
Wen Xiuwei looked at him in a daze.
In Wen Xiuwei's life, there are always suitors. Chu Shao is not the first one, and will definitely not be the last one.
But it was the one that Wen Xiuwei found most difficult.
Like a piece of charcoal, if you don't touch it, it will burn quietly there, always attracting your attention, but if you touch it, you will be burned by the high temperature on the surface. If you are lucky, you will only get a small blister, but if you are unlucky, you will lose your life.
To Wen Xiuwei, Chu Shao is such a dangerous person.
But this didn't make sense. Chu Shao was clearly harmless. He was filial to his elders, caring for his sister, and even Han Shengyi, with whom he often bickered, held a very important place in his heart. He looked tough, but at heart he was the kindest person.
He's quiet, reserved, and full of enthusiasm. He loves reading and mechanics, and even a few parts are enough to keep him entertained for hours. He's smart and hardworking, and before he even reached adulthood, he's already the man of his family. He's done many good things, silently caring for those he cares about, without asking for anything in return or reward.
Wen Xiuwei could list Chu Shao's strengths for three days and three nights. When she was with her colleagues at the studio, she always praised Chu Shao to the skies. Her colleagues didn't believe her, thinking she was exaggerating. Only she knew that every word she said was the truth, and Chu Shao really was that good.
But because he was so good, Wen Xiuwei felt a little scared.
This is another illogical statement. Wen Xiuwei thought about it, but she didn't know why she had this idea.
If Chu Jiujiu were here, she could answer her with a sentence she had seen a long time ago.
Thrill and fear appear in your heart at the same time, and your brain desperately sounds the alarm. In the first second, you sense danger, and in the second second, you sense love.
…
Wen Xiuwei still said nothing. She and Chu Shao sat face to face, eating omelets in silence. When they both finished eating and Wen Xiuwei was about to clear the plates, Chu Shao stood up first and also went to get the plates, and their fingers accidentally touched each other.
Wen Xiuwei instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand. Chu Shao had already seen her fingers curled up, but for some reason, she still didn't retract her fingers.
Chu Shao was stunned for a moment, and at this moment, Wen Xiuwei had already taken the plate away.
Looking at Wen Xiuwei's back, Chu Shao fell into the confusion that every boy who is just beginning to fall in love would experience.
What did she mean by this? Was she rejecting him again, or tacitly approving of his behavior, or encouraging him to go further?
Chu Shao thought for a long time and slowly nodded.
Well, I must have rejected him again. Alas, I feel sad. The feeling of being rejected is like taking Coptis chinensis when you are sick. Not only is it extremely bitter, but you can't spit it out and have to swallow it carefully.
No, he can't be discouraged. Wen Xiuwei is his, and no one else can take her away. Think about what the prophet said, there is no problem, as long as he persists, sooner or later, he will be able to impress Wen Xiuwei.
As for now, I should go over and wash the dishes. Grandpa Han once said that a man who can help with housework is the most popular man.
…
The prophet Chu Jiujiu had no idea that when she was not paying attention, the relationship between her grandparents had made rapid progress. She was lying on the red cloth, looking at the collection in the glass cabinet with bright eyes.
Most of the newly opened collections were from the Neolithic Age, with some bronze artifacts. Chu Jiujiu was slow to look through them, so Han Shengyi stayed by her side. She finished looking at the new collection quickly, and after following the tour route, she arrived at the dimly lit bronze exhibition hall. After a complete circuit, she realized she didn't have what she wanted to see.
After a moment's pause, Chu Jiujiu asked Han Shengyi in bewilderment, "Strange, why don't I see the Four Sheep Square Tripod here?"
Han Shengyi asked, "What is that?"
When Chu Jiujiu heard this question, she opened her mouth and described the specific image of the Four-Ram Square Tripod. Of course, these were not her own words, but words she had read in a book, and she just repeated them mechanically.
Han Shengyi didn't understand much about this. After listening to her machine gun-like chatter, he looked around and said, "If there's nothing, maybe they put it away."
Chu Jiujiu thought the same thing, "Well, I'll have to come back next time."
As she walked, she kept saying, "What a shame! That's one of our ten national treasures. It's such a shame that we can't see it."
Han Shengyi asked her, "The Four Sheep Square Tripod is one, what are the remaining nine?"
"Five Oxen Painting, Stone Drum Inscriptions, Li Gui of the Western Zhou Dynasty..."
Chu Jiujiu was concentrating on memorizing the pictures she had seen in her memory when someone suddenly stopped her and said, "Wait, little girl, what is this Western Zhou Dynasty Li Gui you are talking about?"
Chu Jiujiu was stunned for a moment. She looked at the person who stopped her. Han Shengyi also looked over. He didn't recognize who this person was, but Chu Jiujiu quickly remembered, "You... I've seen you before. The last time we went to the Forbidden City, in the Treasure House, you were the uncle who kept looking at the Golden Cup."
At this point, Chu Jiujiu laughed, "What a coincidence, we meet again today."
Director Ma recalled for a moment before matching the talkative girl in his memory with Chu Jiujiu in front of him. He was very surprised, "You still remember me?"
Chu Jiujiu nodded repeatedly, "Amazing people, I can never forget them after just one look!"
Han Shengyimo, even though he doesn't seem very powerful, you can't forget him after just one look at him.
Director Ma also laughed, "It seems that we are indeed destined to be together. But little girl, you still need to tell me what the Western Zhou Dynasty Li Gui you just mentioned is."
Chu Jiujiu had only seen the ten national treasures on the color pages of magazines. Each page had a clear photo of the national treasure and an introduction of two to three hundred words. With such a small number of words, it naturally did not mention in which year these national treasures were unearthed or in which museum they were stored.
So, Chu Jiujiu didn't know that she had made a mistake invisibly. The Western Zhou Li Gui was still buried well in the soil during this era and was not finally unearthed until 1976.
Chu Jiujiu didn't know all this, and she was a kind-hearted person. She opened her mouth and was about to recite the information she had read to the person in front of her, but Han Shengyi couldn't help frowning when he saw her smiling face.
Before Chu Jiujiu could speak, he pulled her behind him, and then he spoke for her: "These are all hearsay. When we lived in the countryside, the old people loved to tell these stories. Please don't mind if we are wrong."
Chu Jiujiu looked at him in confusion, and only after hearing his last sentence did she suddenly react.
Some things are not exhibited in museums, not necessarily because they have been put away, but it is also possible that these things did not exist in this era.
After a moment of silence, Chu Jiujiu laughed again, "Yeah, I just said it casually. You'd better not ask me. What I said is half right and half wrong. If I tell you the wrong part, then I would be spreading fake news."
Director Ma looked at the two children and laughed. "You look so nervous. We're just talking. I'm not a police officer."
Fortunately, Director Ma is the director of the Institute of World History, and bronze ware is not within the scope of his research, so Chu Jiujiu was not really exposed.
The last time Director Ma saw Chu Jiujiu, he felt that her conversation was different from that of ordinary children. After chatting with her again today, he discovered that Chu Jiujiu not only had a high level of knowledge, but also had insights into history and cultural relics that were beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"Archaeology is like a person with amnesia searching for their memories. No one wants to be without a past, and certainly no nation wants to be without its heritage. Culture is the root, and cultural relics are the soil and nutrients surrounding the root. Missing one or two might not be a big deal, but if none are left, it will be a disaster."
Chu Jiujiu stood beside the exhibits with longing, and said with great anticipation, "It would be great if I could go on an archaeological expedition in the future. I would definitely treasure the artifacts I unearth as if they were my own children!"
Her words still evoked a childish air, but beneath that childish surface lay a profound sentiment that even adults couldn't fathom. Some things truly require talent, just as those who don't understand art can't appreciate world-famous paintings, and those who don't understand history can't understand these dull, lifeless things—what's so worth buying a ticket to see?
Director Ma talked to her for a long time, and later invited her out for lunch. At the dinner table, Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi learned that Director Ma was the director of the Institute of World History. Their institute was affiliated with the National Academy of History, and this museum was their institute's temporary office.
Starting in 1966, the institute's research progress came to a complete halt. Many of the comrades were transferred elsewhere, while others, even worse, were demoted. Director Ma was the first to return, only to discover that the institute had been destroyed, its entire unit requisitioned by another organization. After a long wait, authorities finally found them two small rooms within the museum, allowing them to resume their work.
However, everything must be done step by step, and the overall environment is still quite tense. Director Ma cannot pick up his previous research project immediately. Now he is busy with the research of ancient bronzes and gold artifacts with his colleagues from the Institute of Ancient History.
Director Ma spoke in a rather tactful way, so Chu Jiujiu couldn't understand the deeper meaning of Director Ma's words. Han Shengyi, who was standing next to him, understood what he meant, and he suddenly felt that he and Chu Jiujiu shouldn't sit at this table.
Director Ma's job was too sensitive, and Han Shengyi couldn't be sure that he wouldn't get into trouble again in the future.
Han Shengyi was in a state of panic. He wasn't Chu Jiujiu, and he didn't know there would be a day when a hundred flowers would bloom and a hundred schools of thought would contend. That's why he was always extra cautious. Chu Jiujiu didn't have as many concerns as he did. When she heard Director Ma's distress, she immediately straightened up and said, "Are you looking for a place to work? Come to my house! My dad is worried about who to rent the house to!"
Director Ma was stunned. "Your family wants to rent a house?"
Chu Jiujiu nodded with bright eyes. "Yeah, my courtyard house has just been cleaned up, and my father doesn't want to rent it to ordinary tenants anymore. You don't know, before our family was not in the capital, the house was rented to more than a dozen families, with more than a hundred people living together. The walls are all blackened, and some tiles have been stolen. My father loves the house, so he wants to rent it out again. He wants to rent it to the company. The rent is negotiable, as long as no one cooks in it!"
Director Ma did not invite her to dinner for nothing. He was impressed by Chu Jiujiu's talent and wanted her to be an apprentice in his research institute. She was too young to be an assistant, but being an apprentice was almost the same.
The research institute is currently extremely short of staff. Not only Chu Jiujiu, he even wants to recruit Han Shengyi.
Hearing Chu Jiujiu say this, he put the matter of apprenticeship aside. He asked for the address and found out that it was in that area. Director Ma asked again: "Who is your father?"
Chu Jiujiu had heard this question so many times that she smiled and replied, "Chu Liqiang, you probably haven't heard of him. He works in the military district and is the political commissar of the XX Division."
In fact, she didn't need to mention his position. As soon as she mentioned Chu Liqiang, Director Ma remembered him. However, he was still not sure. He needed to ask in person: "Chu Liqiang... is he the son of the old commander Chu Xinghua who was rehabilitated some time ago?"
Chu Jiujiu nodded, "Yes, he's my dad too!"
Director Ma: “…”
Good job.
It seems that she can't be kidnapped. How could the old commander's granddaughter go to the research institute to be his apprentice for free?
There was no more fun here, so he looked at Han Shengyi again, "Who is your father?"
Han Shengyi: "My father's name is Han Jixin, he has passed away."
Before Director Ma could say a word of comfort, Chu Jiujiu thoughtfully added, "Brother Shengyi lives with his grandparents now. His grandfather, as you should know, is Minister Han."
Director Ma: “…”
Well, he can forget about kidnapping.
The research institute is still in a wandering state. Even if he had ten times the courage, he would not dare to bring Minister Han's grandson there to work for free.
This matter was no longer a possibility, so Director Ma focused on discussing the rent with Chu Jiujiu. Chu Jiujiu said, "Why don't you come home with me? My father came back from the military yesterday. I'll take you to see the courtyard, and then you can talk to him about the rent when he comes back."
Director Ma thought it was feasible and nodded. "Thank you. If this works out, I'll treat you to dinner again."
Chu Jiujiu smiled embarrassedly, "No need for dinner, that's too expensive, I want something else."
Director Ma: “…???”
Very good, it turns out he is not the only one with ulterior motives.
Director Ma secretly wanted to increase the labor force of the institute, while Chu Jiujiu secretly wanted to rely on Director Ma and get some small benefits for herself.
Actually, it was not a big deal. She just wanted to enter the archives of the institute and take a look at the precious books and cultural relics inside.
The research institute is gone, and the archives are certainly gone too. However, all the things from their research institute have been moved to a special cultural relics archive, and Director Ma can come and go freely. He felt that taking Chu Jiujiu with him was no big deal, so he readily agreed.
He didn't know that Chu Jiujiu had a photographic memory. He thought he was just bringing a little girl in to broaden her horizons, but in fact, he was the one who was about to broaden her horizons.
Cultural Relics Archives, these five words already sound very impressive, not to mention that there are two words "China" in front of this Cultural Relics Archives.
As long as these two words are added, everyone will know that this is a place where the best and highest quality things are brought together with the efforts of the entire country, and the word "authority" is fully reflected.
Chu Jiujiu was just an ordinary person. She had no idea that the Cultural Relics Archives was such a remarkable place. She only wanted to read new books and see new cultural relics. So, after dinner, she didn't want to go anywhere else. After all, the museum was here and she wouldn't leave. She and Han Shengyi brought Director Ma to the courtyard. Because they didn't have the key, they first went to the neighboring Wang family.
Grandpa Wang happened to be at home. Chu Jiujiu borrowed the key left by Chu Liqiang from him, and then ran out to open the door.
Director Ma almost fell over, "Mr. Wang?!"
Grandpa Wang looked at him blankly, not remembering who he was. "Who are you?"
"I, I'm Xiao Ma. You forgot that when our research institute was completed, we invited you to attend the ceremony."
After all, it was a national-level research institute. On the day of its official establishment, many senior leaders were invited. Wang Chunsheng's position at the time was related to culture, so he went over to show up. He had done this more than once or twice, so even if he said so, Grandpa Wang could not remember who he was.
Fortunately, his acting skills are good.
After clapping his hands, Grandpa Wang almost burst into tears. "It's you! I was wondering why you looked so familiar, it turns out to be you! Oh, how have you been all these years?"
Director Ma and Grandpa Wang were very friendly and concerned. Chu Jiujiu waited for a long time but no one showed up. Frustrated, she ran back and found them both standing in the yard. She walked over, took Grandpa Wang's hand, and asked him to come with her. "Okay, after we finish looking at the house, you can catch up anytime you want. If Director Ma really rents my house, you can see each other every day."
At this point, she asked Grandpa Wang again, "By the way, where is Brother Hongye? Is he not at home?"
Grandpa Wang: "He went out to see a movie, alone. This kid, how can he go to the movies alone? Jiujiu, do me a favor, next time you go with him, I'll pay for you."
Chu Jiujiu immediately agreed, "No problem."
Han Shengyi glanced at her from the side. Chu Jiujiu noticed it and smiled at him.
How great it would be. Grandpa Wang would pay for it, and then she would call Weiwei, Chu Shao, and Brother Shengyi, and a group of people would go to the movies together. Not only would this complete Grandpa Wang's task, but she would also save money for her family.
She is such a clever little girl!
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