Chapter 81
After the deafening four words were spoken, the air fell into a dead silence. It was now Grandma Han's turn to answer, so no one dared to speak. However, Grandma Han stared at the dozens of soldiers armed with live ammunition outside and refused to speak.
Normally, when people suddenly learn that they have been rehabilitated, they should cry with joy and be extremely excited. However, Grandma Han's reaction was really beyond everyone's expectations.
Just when the atmosphere began to become weird, Grandpa Han, who had finished his walk, finally came back. Looking at the People's Liberation Army soldiers standing in front of the cowshed, Grandpa Han hurried to his door. He looked at everyone, seemingly natural, but in fact his heart was full of vigilance.
"What's going on, comrade? Who are you looking for?"
The person in the lead didn't know Grandpa Han and Grandma Han, he had only seen their old photos. Grandma Han had a more recognizable appearance, so he recognized her at a glance. As for Grandpa Han, he was handsome and charming when he was young, but when he got old, he had a very typical kind-hearted old grandfather appearance. Although he was also very elegant, to put it bluntly, he looked a bit ordinary.
…
The leader looked at him in strange silence for two seconds. Finally, he recognized that this was the most important person among the people they were escorting. He quickly saluted again.
"Comrade Han Tinghui, your grievances have been redressed. We are here to take you and your family back to Beijing. The special car is on the road ahead, and the plane has landed at the airport. Please pack your things and leave with us!"
Grandpa Han slowly opened his eyes. He did not answer the man first, but turned his head and looked at his wife. He found that his wife was not very happy. He then looked at Han Shengyi behind him. Although Han Shengyi's expression was not unhappy, it was definitely not happy. His expression was very complicated, so complicated that he did not look like a teenager.
Seeing his family's reaction, Grandpa Han's instantly excited heart suddenly calmed down. He was silent for two seconds, then said to the leading soldier, "Okay, I understand. Please wait a moment, we need to discuss this."
The soldiers at the door: "..."
Is this something we need to discuss?! The last person they escorted didn't even pack their belongings, just dropped their carrying pole and left with them!
They couldn't understand it in their hearts, but they wouldn't say anything on the surface. What did the word "rehabilitation" mean? It meant that Grandpa Han was no longer a sinner, and he had returned to the ranks of important figures. Even if he was never reinstated, he was still someone that ordinary people could only look up to. With just a few words, he could decide the fate of many people.
The soldiers waited obediently outside the door, and Grandpa Han closed the door. In an instant, the room became lively.
Chu Jiujiu: "This is a good thing! In the first half of the year, I kept seeing families being rehabilitated, and now it's finally Grandpa Han's turn. Grandma Han, why are you still not happy?"
Wen Xiuwei: "Yes, the clouds have parted and the sun has appeared. All these hardships are finally over."
Chu Shao looked at Grandma Han in confusion, "Grandma Han, are you so happy that you've gone crazy?"
Grandma Han: "...You are stupid. How can you talk about your elders like that?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they finally heard Grandma Han speak. Although only Chu Shao said it, Chu Jiujiu and Wen Xiuwei had similar thoughts. They all felt that Grandma Han was not unexcited, but too excited to react.
After saying this, Grandma Han fell silent again. She pursed her lips and sat down on the bed, feeling a mixture of emotions, as if a bottle of seasoning had been overturned.
When she was first sent down to the countryside, Grandma Han felt that this was the most difficult thing in life. She dreamed of her days in the capital every day. At that time, no one wanted to go back to the capital more than she did.
But after a few years, life gradually became dull, and after a few more years, life gradually improved. Especially now, Han Shengyi and Chu Jiujiu have grown up, and the children no longer need to be taken care of. Everyone can take care of the old couple in turn. Life in the countryside is still inconvenient, but Grandma Han feels from the bottom of her heart that this is the most peaceful time she has ever lived.
The capital has countless advantages, but there is one disadvantage: danger.
Once bitten by a snake, one will be afraid of ropes for ten years. Grandma Han was really afraid that after she returned, she would be beaten back to her original form soon. This time she had no son, only a grandson. If even her grandson got into trouble, she would really not be able to live anymore.
Grandma Han didn't say anything about her worries. These children were not her own children, so of course they couldn't guess what she was thinking. But Grandpa Han knew what she was thinking as soon as he saw her expression. He sat down next to her and was quiet for a while before he started to persuade her.
"Ying Ping, haven't you been watching the news these days? The tide has turned. More and more people are being rehabilitated. If you ask me, I think those things are over now."
Grandma Han still didn't respond. Grandpa Han paused for a second, then changed direction and continued to persuade her: "Besides, they've already picked her up at the door. If you say you won't go back, won't that attract attention? What if others think you're holding a grudge..."
Grandma Han thought to herself that she was full of resentment, and it was an awful lot. But when she raised her eyes a little and looked at the figures outside the house, her gaze paused.
In a nationwide revolution, some suffer, some rise to prominence, some seize the opportunity to vent their anger, and some go with the flow. Those who suffer are incredibly sensitive, terrified by the slightest sign of trouble, and those who rise to prominence are no different. Especially now, with the tide turning, many who were once repressed have risen again, and they worry deeply, fearing revenge.
With this mentality, they will pay extra attention to the words and actions of others. In addition, these people have criminal records and are not easy to deal with. If they really suspect you, they will find a reason to suppress you before you can do anything. In order to protect themselves, there is nothing they won't do.
How could one person fight with a group of people? Grandma Han began to hesitate. The children next to her saw this and understood why Grandma Han was unwilling to leave, so they also took advantage of the situation and started to strike while the iron was hot.
Wen Xiuwei: "Grandpa Han is right. Rehabilitation is a good thing. Everyone is scrambling to go back. The newspapers now only report which family has been rehabilitated, but no longer report which family has been overthrown again. You can rest assured that the situation before will not happen again."
Chu Jiujiu: "Yes, yes, I have the final say on this matter! Grandma Han, believe me, after you go back, you will be as successful as ever and will never fall again!"
Chu Shao glanced at Chu Jiujiu and recalled the prophetic words she had said before. There was no specific time, but they were slowly coming true.
Chu Shao smiled and said, "You should listen to Jiujiu. She said everything else was unreliable, but this one thing, coming from her mouth, is a done deal."
Grandma Han glanced at the group, who were like a round-robin battle, one after another. She had taken all the words in. To be honest, she also wanted to return to the capital, but she was afraid of further misfortunes after returning. Having been persuaded enough, Grandma Han raised her head and looked at Han Shengyi, who had remained silent.
"Shengyi, what do you think?"
Han Shengyi blinked lightly, and he and Grandma Han looked at each other. After two seconds, he replied, "Grandma, I want to go home."
go home.
These two simple words touched Grandma Han's heart more than all the previous words. Their home is in the capital, where three generations of their family have lived for decades, especially her son, who was born and died in the capital. Everyone says that the scene makes them sad, but sometimes, people just want to chase after the things that make them sad.
It is better to be sad than to forget.
Taking a deep breath, Grandma Han patted her thigh and nodded heavily, "Okay, let's go home, let's go home!"
Chu Jiujiu cheered as soon as she heard it. "Yeah! Grandpa Han and Grandma Han are going home. Don't forget me after you leave. When I grow up, I'll go to the capital to see you. Then I'll ask you, do you remember Chu Jiujiu by the Qingshi River? You must answer yes!"
Chu Shao: “…”
What a mess.
Everyone burst into laughter. The serious atmosphere just passed and was instantly filled with laughter again. Han Shengyi frowned. He opened his mouth and was about to say something, but Grandma Han interrupted everyone even faster.
"Why should I remember you, little brat? You and Chu Shao have to come with us."
After she finished speaking, she ignored Chu Shao and Chu Jiujiu's stunned expressions and looked at Grandpa Han. "Old Han, let these two children stay with us. There's been no news from Chu Liqiang yet. If we leave too, they'll be left here alone. That's not going to work."
Grandpa Han had the same idea. He nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Jiujiu, Chu Shao, we haven't heard from your father in half a year. Waiting here all the time is not a solution. You should have registered for school in July this year. Now is the perfect time. Go to the capital. The schools there are better. And with your Grandma Han around, you two won't have to worry about family matters."
Chu Jiujiu opened her mouth, and after several seconds, she replied blankly: "But, we still have to wait..."
Han Shengyi: "We can also wait in the capital. After Uncle Chu completes his mission, he will definitely call Section Chief Feng or Uncle Nie first. Just tell them that the two of you have arrived in the capital, and he will naturally come to find you. Besides, for Uncle Chu, whether you live in Qingzhu Village or the capital, you are just as far away. Qingzhu Village is difficult to get to, but the capital is easier to find."
Grandpa Han: "I know you are worried about your father, but it's useless for you two kids to worry. Chu Liqiang's allowance is sent to you monthly. It used to be more than 80 yuan, but now it's 102. Since even the allowance can be increased, it shows that he is fine, just his mission has been postponed. Once the mission is postponed, it is really hard to say when he will be released. You are waiting for half a year now, and then a year later. But if he is still in there performing his mission, do you think you will keep waiting? Listen to grandpa, follow grandpa, go to the capital to go to school, and when your father comes back, he will see that you haven't delayed your studies, and he will definitely be happier."
After listening to this, Chu Jiujiu turned her head and looked at Chu Shao. Chu Shao has always been the real decision-maker in the family. No matter what others say, it is useless. If Chu Shao is unwilling to leave, then she will definitely stay here with him.
Chu Jiujiu has no attachment to any place. She does not miss the city where she was born, nor does she miss the village where she has lived for nearly five years. To her, the people around her are the most important. Even if she moves her home to the Taklamakan Desert, as long as her family is still there, she can quickly integrate herself into it.
In comparison, Chu Shao was not so willing to move. Qingzhu Village held many memories for him. More importantly, this was where his mother died, and her body had never been found. Chu Shao did not really want to leave.
Five years had passed, and all that remained of Zhang Fengjuan was probably a pile of earth. The search was hopeless, and the cenotaph seemed meaningless. Chu Shao still wanted to stay here because he wanted Chu Liqiang to visit Zhang Fengjuan's cenotaph when he returned. Chu Shao didn't understand why he wanted to do this, but he felt that only by letting Chu Liqiang say goodbye to Zhang Fengjuan could his mother's soul finally rest in peace.
Superstition is not acceptable. Whether a person has a soul or not is something that can only be known after death. While we are alive, we still have to focus on the living.
The difference between attending school in Qingshi Town and attending school in the capital was truly enormous. More importantly, Chu Jiujiu had said that people would be rehabilitated, the country would become stronger and richer, technology would advance rapidly, and the college entrance examination would become more important every year. The first two might not be achieved overnight, but now that people had begun to rehabilitate their rights, it was likely that the college entrance examination would be reinstated soon.
This is what Chu Shao cares about most. He wants to take Chu Jiujiu to apply to a university in the capital.
Everyone was waiting for Chu Shao to speak, but when he did, he didn't say whether he agreed or not. He turned around and asked, "Wen Zhiqing, are you going?"
Wen Xiuwei stayed aside the whole time. She felt that she had nothing to do today. Whether Chu Jiujiu and the others left or not, she supported them. Although she would be left alone in the future, there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn't ask others to stay for her sake. Hearing Chu Shao's question, Wen Xiuwei was stunned.
She pointed at herself, "...me?"
Chu Jiujiu: "What kind of weird question are you asking? Of course Wen Zhiqing has to go too. If we all leave, she can't possibly stay here alone, right? Wen Zhiqing, am I right?"
Wen Xiuwei: "This..."
Han Shengyi knew that Chu Jiujiu cared about Wen Xiuwei very much. Although, after three years, he still didn't understand why she had such a good impression of Wen Xiuwei.
"Wen is an educated youth. She needs a job when she returns to the city. It's okay. After we get to the capital, we'll first find her a factory with a nominal position. Then, whether it's taking exams or spending money, we can get it done within two months."
Chu Jiujiu was curious: "Can I still spend money to find a job? How much does it cost?"
Han Shengyi thought for a moment and said, "A few hundred yuan, a job in Qingshi Town can buy one for four or five hundred yuan. The capital should be a little more expensive, six or seven hundred yuan."
When Chu Jiujiu heard this, she immediately became happy. "It's only six or seven hundred. That's no problem. Chu Shao, hurry up and pay!"
Chu Shao: "...We'll decide who to give the money to once we get to the capital."
Grandpa Han looked at Chu Jiujiu, the most beautiful woman in the world, and couldn't help but laugh. Grandma Han didn't want to waste time talking to them, so she let them discuss the details on their own. She had to pack up her things quickly. Chu Jiujiu became more and more excited as she talked. She was already thirteen, but her noisy personality hadn't changed. After making sure everyone was leaving together, she opened the door and trotted back home. She didn't care about anything else. She had a small wooden box full of her treasures, and she wanted to check it carefully before taking it away.
Chu Jiujiu went back to pack her things, Han Shengyi went to report to the captain, and Chu Shaoze had to find a way to deal with the things left behind in his family. Grandpa Han went out to greet the People's Liberation Army. Grandma Han was halfway through packing when she was called out by Xiao Ning and expressed her feelings with Xiao Ning.
In the blink of an eye, Wen Xiuwei was the only one left.
She wanted to say that there was no need to go through so much trouble and she could just stay in Qingzhu Village.
She also wanted to say, don't bother with her, as long as you are all well, that's better than anything else.
Wen Xiuwei wanted to say these words, and she had many opportunities to say them when everyone was discussing, but in the end, she didn't say a word.
Sitting in the Han family's house, Wen Xiuwei realized that she was not as generous as she had imagined. It turned out that she didn't want to say any of those words full of courtesy and etiquette.
Her last name wasn't Chu or Han, so she always felt like an outsider among these people. She kept telling herself that if someone treated you well, it was their business, and if one day they stopped being nice to you, you had to accept it. Because these were favors, not your duty.
She has no family. During the three years she spent in Qingzhu Village, this place that was not her home, gave her the warmth of home that she had not felt for a long time. So, if possible, she really didn't want to give up at all.
You could say she was taking advantage or that she was trying to curry favor with someone, but just this once, she didn't want to worry about what outsiders thought of her.
Let them talk all they want, anyway, she wants to leave with them.
Chu Shao has his concerns, and Wen Xiuwei actually has her own concerns. According to Wen Xiuwei's situation, she should stay in Qingzhu Village. If her parents come back, the first person they will look for is her uncle. Only her uncle knows that she is now an educated youth in Qingshi Town. If she leaves, even if her parents come back, they will definitely not be able to find her in the vast crowd.
On one side were her parents whom she hadn't seen for a long time, and on the other side were Chu Jiujiu and others whom she had just known for three years. Wen Xiuwei only thought for half a second before making a decision.
Curling her lips, Wen Xiuwei pushed open the door, walked past the PLA soldiers who were staring at her in stunned silence, and returned to the Chu family with brisk steps.
As soon as she entered the room, she shouted to Chu Jiujiu in the bedroom, "Don't just pack your toys. Take your winter and summer clothes with you. Don't take your books. You can sell those in the capital."
Soon, Chu Jiujiu's response came from the bedroom: "I know!"
——
When other people heard that they had been rehabilitated, they packed up at the speed of light. However, the Han family took several hours to finish. At around nine o'clock in the evening, they finally finished everything. Then, the leading soldier looked at the six people, old and young, who were carrying large and small bags as if they were fleeing as a family. What made him speechless the most was that the strongest teenager at the back was actually holding two chickens in his hands!
This is the first time I've brought a live chicken on a plane...
Chu Jiujiu saw that his eyes were always on Da Huang and Er Huang, and she was still a little nervous. Chu Shao went to the team leader's house and gave him everything he couldn't take away from his own home. The house was still Chu Shao's, and he locked the door so that no one else could get in. Everything else was fine, but the problem was the two hens in the yard. Chu Jiujiu had already developed feelings for them, and now Er Huang didn't lay eggs. If he gave them to the team leader, he would definitely turn around and kill Er Huang and eat her. Chu Jiujiu was reluctant, so Chu Shao had to take them both with him.
Being able to retire in the capital means that Dahuang and Erhuang’s lives have been worth it.
Fortunately, although the man looked for a long time, he didn't say anything. One car could not fit six people, so Grandpa Han and Grandma Han sat in the leading black car, and Chu Jiujiu and others, as well as the two chickens, sat in the military vehicle at the back.
The airport is inside the military area. Civilian airports have not been built yet, so they can only board the plane in the military area. Chu Jiujiu has not yet realized that this is the legendary private jet. She just thinks that this plane is a bit shabby and is completely different from the luxurious first-class cabins she has seen in TV dramas.
She had never been on a plane when she was a child, so this was her first experience. Chu Jiujiu fastened her seat belt, then supported her chin and looked outside.
It was now twelve o'clock in the evening. It was pitch black outside the window and nothing could be seen. Only after the plane took off did Chu Jiujiu see the dots of lights on the ground. There were very few, twinkling, just like the tiny stars dotted in the night sky on a clear day.
As the thought came to her mind, Chu Jiujiu suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion flowing through her heart, which lasted only for a moment and then disappeared.
There are some things that the body won't react to until they actually happen. Chu Jiujiu thought she wouldn't miss the place that had raised her for five years, but in reality, the moment the plane took off, the moment she looked down at the land from above, she couldn't help but sense something.
It seemed that the land beneath her feet was saying goodbye to her.
Chu Jiujiu blinked very slowly and pursed her lips. Han Shengyi, who was sitting next to her, saw the subtle change of emotion on Chu Jiujiu's face and couldn't help asking, "What's wrong?"
Chu Jiujiu turned her head and looked at Han Shengyi. She smiled and said, "I just suddenly remembered that I have lived here for such a long time, but I have never climbed to the top of the mountain."
Han Shengyi's expression changed. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything. Then, Chu Jiujiu smiled at him again and said, "It's okay. You can climb again when you come back later."
Looking at the corners of her lips curled up, Han Shengyi also smiled gently, "Well, I will come back to visit sooner or later."
Qingshi Town.
Qingzhu Village.
These six words represent the first half of their youth and childhood, a mixture of bitterness and spiciness, sweetness and saltiness. The waters of the Qingshi River never turn back, and their lives are always moving forward. The river eventually returns to the sea, but people will always meet again.
Chu Jiujiu didn't know when she fell asleep. She leaned on Han Shengyi's shoulder. Han Shengyi's head was against the back of the chair. Over Chu Jiujiu's profile, his eyes fell on the window. It was obviously dark, but he seemed to be able to see very far away.
After a long time, Han Shengyi slowly raised the corners of his mouth. His expression at the moment was reflected on the reflective glass. It couldn't be said to be scary, but it made people feel very cold.
The plane was buzzing, and Chu Jiujiu couldn't sleep well. She moved a little, but her eyes didn't open. She rubbed her, and Han Shengyi withdrew his gaze. It was very late, and he also felt a little sleepy. Slowly, he closed his eyes.
…
Planes nowadays are not that fast. It took more than four hours to fly from Qingshi Town to the capital. When Chu Jiujiu and others got off, it was already five o'clock in the morning and the sky was bright.
No one slept well on the plane, especially Grandpa Han and Grandma Han, who were so excited that they didn't sleep for even a minute. When they walked down the stairs, Grandpa Han and Grandma Han held each other's hands tightly. They were both very excited and wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Han Shengyi was behind them, supporting them to prevent them from falling due to their inconvenience in walking.
After seven years, Chu Shao returned to the capital. He had complicated feelings. As for Wen Xiuwei, she had never been to the capital, but looking at the expressions of the people around her, she couldn't help but sigh for them. She was happy for them and also felt emotional for them.
As a result, Chu Jiujiu was the only one who felt like she was on a picnic. She had been looking around since she got off the plane. If everyone could hear what she was thinking, it must be this.
Wow, the capital!
Wow, what a building!
Wow, a Zhongshan suit!
…
Some people had been waiting here for a long time. They were a group of middle-aged men, all wearing similar clothes, all Mao suits. They were all very excited when they saw Grandpa Han walking out of the plane. Grandpa Han shook hands and greeted them one by one. Some of them were so excited that they shed tears.
Chu Jiujiu watched from the side. Grandpa Han talked to them for a while, and then those people wanted to take Grandpa Han away, saying that he was going to meet someone. Grandpa Han agreed, and then he turned around and said to Grandma Han, "You go home first and rest up. I'll be back in the evening."
Among the people who came to greet Grandpa Han this time were faces familiar to Grandma Han. In the past, when she saw these people, she would always smile no matter what she was thinking, but now, she just glanced at them casually and then greeted the children behind her.
"Let's go back."
This is Grandma Han's attitude, but no one blames her. Anyone who has experienced that kind of treatment will never be able to smile at everyone the same way as before.
After the rehabilitation, the Han family's house was immediately confiscated. They were lucky because the house was not distributed to others and had been left there gathering dust, so it was returned so quickly.
The house was back, but the things inside had long been moved out. When they were led to the door, he said apologetically, "There's still some furniture, including the bed, but all your furnishings have been taken away. I've reported it to the higher-ups, but I don't know how long it will take to find them. Please make do with what you have for now. I'll buy anything you need right now."
This is a three-story building. It doesn't cover a particularly large area and has a yard. The yard wall is a European-style iron fence. Chu Jiujiu became excited when she saw the house. She looked around and touched the bricks on the outer wall as if she was touching the head of a three-year-old child. She was so affectionate.
…
This house has a history, and Chu Jiujiu likes things with history. Everyone knows it, and no one cares about her. Chu Shao and Han Shengyi put the things into the house. As soon as they opened the door, the smell of decay and dust hit them in the face. The house had obviously been cleaned in a hurry, so the floor was not messy, but it was empty, very empty.
The huanghuali bench and the chaise longue are gone. The off-white square bricks that originally covered the floor are now all gone. I don’t know why those people pried away the tiles. Did they think they were too capitalist, or did they want to cover up the fact that this place had been smashed and looted?
This was Han Shengyi's former home, but when he came in again, he felt extremely unfamiliar. Pursing his lips, he walked in first, found a place that was not so dirty, and then put down his bag. Seeing this, Chu Shao also followed in.
Grandma Han was still talking to the host, who gave her a rundown of the house. Overall, it was habitable, though it would require a lot of extra space. He also specifically told her not to worry about the money; everything confiscated during the raid would be returned, including the money.
Grandma Han listened for a long time. Then they walked into the kitchen, which was also covered in a thick layer of dirt. Looking out the window, they saw Chu Jiujiu and Wen Xiuwei standing in the yard, chatting about something. After confirming that they were the only ones left, Grandma Han asked, "Thank you, comrade. I know everything you said. I want to ask you about someone else. Do you know Ruan Mengru?"
The man was stunned. He knew it, and it was because he knew it that he felt embarrassed.
"Madam, I know what you want to ask. This..." After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his voice, "She has remarried and given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. She has no relationship with your family anymore."
This is just a word of comfort. How could there be no connection at all? As long as Han Shengyi is still alive, she will always be related to the Han family.
She remarried and had two children. It seems she is living a good life.
Grandma Han wanted to yell, but at this moment, Chu Jiujiu pushed the door open and ran in, "Grandma Han, let's keep Da Huang and Er Huang in the yard. By the way, are you hungry? Haha, no need to tell me, you must be hungry so early in the morning. I'll go buy breakfast for everyone, the traditional breakfast, I've been wanting to try it for a long time, big buns, fried dough sticks, bean juice, fried cakes, fried cakes..."
Chu Jiujiu rushed in and out in a hurry, counting and looking for people at the same time. Seeing Han Shengyi, she quickly called out, "Brother Shengyi, leave everything to Chu Shao to clean up. Don't move. Let's go out and buy breakfast. You used to live here, so you must know the way."
Chu Jiujiu's voice was very loud and her voice was very fast. Grandma Han heard her voice getting farther and farther away. When she turned around, she saw that she had already dragged Han Shengyi out. She looked at the window without saying a word. After a while, someone called her again.
"Madam?"
Grandma Han came back to her senses, and the hatred that had suddenly emerged in her heart disappeared. She smiled kindly, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you. The children at home are young and make such a fuss every day. They don't know the rules. Well, let's go out. There's nothing at home, and I can't make you a cup of tea. I won't bother you with shopping. Let my grandchildren go. Come on, let's go out and wait. You must have missed breakfast if you've been busy. Don't worry, they will be back soon."
Grandma Han walked out first, and the remaining person was very surprised. He scratched his head and wondered, doesn't Comrade Han Tinghui have only one grandson, Han Shengyi? How come there is another one, and two granddaughters so old.
After he returns, he will ask carefully. If nothing unexpected happens, he will have to work for Minister Han. How can he do that if he doesn't even know how many people are in Minister Han's family?
Walking along the streets of the capital, Chu Jiujiu was delighted. She told Han Shengyi what she had just observed, "The courtyard wall is very classical in style. This house must be at least fifty or sixty years old. Fifty or sixty years ago, New China hadn't even been founded yet!"
Han Shengyi smiled. "It was built in 1902 and rebuilt several times later. Originally, this house was used by a Beiyang warlord to house his fifth concubine. The fifth concubine had studied abroad and liked the European style. The house has changed owners several times, but this part has never been touched."
Chu Jiujiu was amazed. "Wow, Fifth Concubine, this guy is really good at marrying. Wait, in 1902, the Qing government hadn't fallen yet, and even Emperor Guangxu was still alive! This house is an antique, it can't be moved, absolutely not again. Leave it for another 40 or 50 years, and then the government will pay for its repairs, and they'll even hang a small plaque on your door saying, 'Former Residence of So-and-So.'"
Han Shengyi hummed, "Now it is the former residence of the Fifth Concubine. If we wait another forty or fifty years, it will most likely be the former residence of Han Tinghui."
Chu Jiujiu: "That's not necessarily true. Grandpa Han is in good health. Living for a hundred years is not a problem. For a hundred and one, I'd probably have to work hard."
Grandpa Han is now in his early sixties. He has been well maintained and with the help of Chu Jiujiu's necklace, it's not surprising that he will live to be a centenarian in the near future.
The state-owned restaurant was a bit far from the alley where they lived, and there were no breakfast stalls on the roadside. They only met two people secretly selling flatbreads and steamed buns. Chu Jiujiu was not interested in dry food, so they did not buy any.
I went to a state-owned restaurant and had to wait in a long line. But as long as there was someone to chat with, no matter how long the line was, it wouldn't be boring.
In Chu Jiujiu's eyes, Han Shengyi was a complete insider, even though he'd been gone for six years. Chu Jiujiu had a lot of questions for him. She asked about a few famous attractions, but after realizing Han Shengyi hadn't been there much, she paused for a moment and thought of another question. "Brother Shengyi, what's the location of Nanshikou Hutong like? Is it considered part of the city?"
She wasn't familiar with the capital's area at all, so when she heard the Han family lived in Nanshikou Hutong, she had no idea which ring road that was considered. Chu Jiujiu blinked, and Han Shengyi knew at a glance that this wasn't what she was specifically asking about.
"Forget it, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
Chu Jiujiu pursed her lips. People say that housing prices in the capital are expensive. She wanted to see how many tens of millions the Han family's small Western-style building could be worth. If it was within the Second Ring Road, then the bricks she had just touched would be worth gold.
Thinking of the famous landmark, Chu Jiujiu said, "I finally made it to the capital and want to visit the Forbidden City. Brother Shengyi, how do I get there from here? Is it within an hour?"
The team ahead started to move. Han Shengyi casually replied as he walked forward, "It won't take an hour. Leave home and walk east. Turn when you see the river. That red wall is the Forbidden City. Even if you stay at home, you can still see the corner of the Donghuamen Tower. If you want to go, I'll take you in a few days when there are fewer people around."
Han Shengyi followed the team forward and didn't hear Chu Jiujiu's response for a long time. He couldn't help but turn around and found that Chu Jiujiu was looking at him in shock. Her mouth was half open, and an egg could fit in her mouth.
Han Shengyi: "...Why do you look like that?"
After a long time, Chu Jiujiu suppressed the urge to scream and showed a tired smile.
"nothing."
She felt that poverty had suppressed her imagination. She had tried very hard to imagine the housing price, but her guess was only around tens of millions. She had underestimated the value of the small building.
More than tens of millions...definitely hundreds of millions!
Thinking of this, she no longer even felt the fragrance of the fried dough sticks and soy milk that she was about to eat. Chu Jiujiu silently shed tears in her heart, wondering why their family didn't have such a house where every inch of land was worth a lot of money.
Chu Jiujiu was queuing up to buy breakfast with ordinary people, while on the other side, Grandpa Han was quietly enjoying morning tea with some old friends.
There are not many Cantonese restaurants in the capital, and this is one of the best. Although it is also state-owned, many of the customers who come to eat there are high-ranking officials, so the service staff are very friendly.
They were talking about someone, and it was Grandpa Han who mentioned him. He wanted to ask about him for Chu Shao and Chu Jiujiu.
"Do any of you know Chu Xinghua? I met his grandchildren when I was in Qingzhu Village. They also took refuge there. Chu Xinghua's son is promising, but he's just too busy, so he basically left the two children in the care of us old couple. Now, in my wife's eyes, these two children are as precious as pearls in her palm. I have to stand aside."
Others thought Grandpa Han was joking and laughed a few times, but they didn't know that he was telling the truth.
At the dinner table, someone knew Chu Xinghua, but not very well. "I know him. He used to be the commander-in-chief of a military region. I haven't heard from him recently. Maybe the higher-ups haven't remembered him yet. Old Han, you know the Wang family, right? Wang Chunsheng was his partner many years ago. Go ask him, maybe he can give you some information."
When Wang Chunsheng was mentioned, another person also responded, "Oh, Chu Xinghua, why does it sound so familiar? It turns out to be the partner that Mr. Wang mentioned. Yes, yes, yes, I remember now. Their family lives in Shichahai. I've been to their courtyard. It's very big. There's a tree in the yard that's so big that people can't hug it. I wonder if it's still there."
Why would anyone bother with the tree when they couldn't find the person? Grandpa Han turned around and asked the last person who had spoken, "Wang Chunsheng? Wasn't he sent down earlier than me? Is he back too? But I didn't see any news about him in the newspaper."
The man replied, "What a coincidence! He was rehabilitated right around the same time as you, about two days ago. He just came back. If you want to see him, go in the next two days. After a while, neither you nor he will have time."
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