Chapter 757
The safe was much heavier than expected, and it took the father and daughter a lot of effort to put it in place after they returned.
One was stuffed into the secret compartment, and the other was placed under Su Miao's desk.
The one that was stuffed into the secret compartment was indeed about the same size. Although it was not as tight as a custom-made one, it was almost the same.
Su Yuan was excitedly taking out all his valuables and putting them all in:
In addition to the newly acquired paintings, there was also a bag of gold that was taken out from the old house in Ning County;
Several property certificates and land certificates, with red covers and bright red seals;
There was also a large stack of stock certificates, company documents and several passbooks.
The door of the safe closed with a slight click and the lock tongue returned to its place.
Su Yuanzheng tried to pull the door handle, but it didn't budge. He then punched in the code and confirmed it was locked, then he breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good. We used to hide our things under the bed, which was always unsafe. Now we feel much safer putting them here. Let's fix the bookshelf and put all the books on it. It's safer this way, and no one can tell there's a secret compartment here."
"Okay, Dad. We're going back to Yongcheng in a few days. We need to lock the doors of this study and all the other rooms. It's a good precaution."
"Okay, such a big yard can't be left alone. I've already told Ah Sui that he can stay here while we're away. At least he can help us guard the yard at night."
After staying in Beijing for half a month, with less than a month left in the summer vacation, the father and daughter had to return to Nanning.
Before leaving, they went to Qin's house to say goodbye, and Qin Xue was there too.
Grandpa Qin said happily:
"Xiaoxue said she wanted to cook for herself today, and it's a good thing you're here, so why not play chess with me?"
Su Yuanzheng said hurriedly:
"How about I cook? I'm used to cooking and my hands and feet are very quick."
"Oh, no, no, Xiaoxue is researching new dishes, so we don't need to worry about her. Miaomiao, if you think watching grandpa play chess is boring, you can go watch TV or find other people to play with in the yard. Just say you are my granddaughter."
"Let me help Aunt Qin cook. I also like to study food."
Su Miao followed Qin Xue into the kitchen, where a lot of ingredients had already been prepared on the table.
Qin Xue put on an apron and said to Su Miao a little embarrassedly:
"Miao Miao, do you usually cook at home? Actually, I rarely have the opportunity to cook. I usually eat in the cafeteria. So the new dishes your Grandpa Qin mentioned are actually ordinary home-cooked dishes. I'm just starting to learn them."
"Aunt Qin, I seldom have the chance to cook. I usually eat in the cafeteria at school, and my father cooks at home. I just explore new things when I'm in the mood, so I'm not very good at it." Su Miao said modestly.
"Then let's do it together today. I've prepared the ingredients. We're going to make stuffed meat with mushrooms, beef brisket with radish, and steamed short ribs."
Gradually, a faint fragrance wafted from the kitchen, and the two chatted while busying themselves.
In the living room, Old Master Qin was holding a chess piece and pondering.
On the mahogany chessboard, the chess pieces of both sides have been fighting fiercely.
The old man's wrinkled hands hovered in the air, and he suddenly laughed and said, "Yuanzheng, your 'hindsight' trick was brilliant. It caught me off guard."
Su Yuanzheng picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea soup was clear and it was the best Longjing tea.
"Uncle Qin, please forgive me for laughing. My little tricks are no match for your sharp eyes. I can only fight guerrilla warfare."
Amidst the aroma of tea, Mr. Qin held the "car" in his hand with a distant gaze:
"Remember that year on the other side of the river, your father was just like that. He was in a desperate situation, yet he managed to find a way out."
The chess pieces landed on the board with a crisp sound.
Old Master Qin and Su Yuanzheng were playing chess and drinking tea while chatting back and forth. After all, there were several decades between them, so there were many things they could talk about and ask.
Speaking of Su Miao's mother, Su Yuanzheng acted nonchalant:
"She... doesn't like me. She remarried a few years ago. She wanted to come and recognize Miaomiao before, but Miaomiao didn't want to. Now we have no contact. Judging from her previous appearance, she seems to be living a good life. It's good that way. She won't bother Miaomiao anymore."
Mr. Qin sighed and said:
"Everyone has their own aspirations, and they can't be forced. After all, we were husband and wife. Even if it's hard to be friends after we separate, it's okay to be strangers. It's enough for us to live our lives in peace and stability.
Fortunately, you still have Miaomiao. This girl will have a great future. Poor Xiaoxue... Alas..."
Su Yuanzheng hesitated for a moment and asked:
"Qin Xue, are you married?"
The old man answered with a hint of melancholy in his voice:
"We were married before. After I left Ning County, I went to Xingcheng. I stayed there for only a year before moving to Zhucheng. Then I went to northern Shaanxi. I didn't stay there for long. I returned to the capital after the situation eased in 1977.
Half a year after returning, Xiaoxue was introduced to a soldier and married. Her son-in-law was a leader and had a good family background. He could indeed be called a young talent.
It’s a pity that the two have been married for ten years but still haven’t been able to have children.
It's also my fault. I dragged Xiaoxue down. She accompanied me through thick and thin all those years and worked very hard. Her health was ruined at such a young age.
After returning, I saw many famous doctors and took good care of my body. My immunity and everything else improved, but it was still difficult to conceive."
Although the two families were reconciled, Su Yuanzheng didn't know how to react when he suddenly heard such a private matter about other people's families. He could only drink tea.
Grandpa Qin, perhaps because there were too few younger generations who could listen to his nagging, was immersed in his own thoughts and continued to talk:
"My ex-son-in-law has several older sisters, and he's the only son. The elders in the family are very anxious. You said we can't drag others down, right? In the end, we got divorced for this reason.
Two years ago, my ex-son-in-law was transferred to the Jinling Military Region. He came to see me before leaving. He has since remarried and has children. Although it is regrettable, there is nothing we can do about our lack of destiny.
Seeing Mr. Qin sighing, Su Yuanzheng advised:
"Everyone has their own destiny. Breaking up if it's not suitable is not a bad thing. I think Qin Xue is living a good life now. She has such a good job and can spend more time with you when she has free time. In life, being happy is the most important thing."
Mr. Qin leaned back in his chair and said with a smile:
"That's right. Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. I'm already at this age, so I can't worry about anything. I just need to let everything take its course. After all, a family like ours will not be bad whether we get married or not."
Suddenly, he looked up out the window. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the grapevines and fell into the yard, casting tiny spots of light.
"Just like the pomegranates in this yard, some branches bear fruit, while others are just blooming, but aren't they all growing well?"
When Su Yuanzheng looked up, he saw his daughter coming out of the kitchen carrying a casserole. The aroma of beef brisket mixed with the sweetness of radish filled the room.
He felt that the daily life of ordinary days was more reassuring than winning or losing on the chessboard.
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