They decided to begin searching every corner of Beijing the next day, no longer limiting themselves to scrap metal yards. They believed that as long as they searched carefully, they would surely find the mysterious jade pendant.
Over the next few days, Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun explored every street and alley of Beijing, even asking some local elders for advice. Although they didn't find the jade pendant, their journey was full of adventure and discoveries.
Just when they were about to give up, they arrived at a village on the outskirts of Beijing. The village had a strange name: Stone Village.
"Sir, we're here for sightseeing in this area. We'd like to ask why this village is called Stone Village?"
“Our ancestors migrated from other places during a year of famine. Our original village was called Stone Village, and we called it Stone Village after we moved here.”
When the old man heard Lin Qing's question, he chuckled and replied.
"Then why was your original village called Stone Village?"
Lin Qing continued to ask curiously.
"According to my grandfather, most of the residents in our original village were surnamed Yu, and it is said that they were descendants of a certain historical figure. Our original village had a unique architectural style, with stone as the main building material. Stone houses, streets, wells, cellars, stone terraces, etc., all our buildings were built with stone, so our village was also called Stone Village."
"Oh, I see. The ancients were truly wise."
Lin Qing flattered with a smile.
Then Lin Qing asked the old man if he knew any stories from the past.
When the old man saw that Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun were interested in these ancient stories, he happily told them the stories he knew. People like to tell stories as they get older, but none of the children in the family are patient enough to listen. Today, the old man finally met a young couple who also love to listen to stories.
The old man and Lin Qing chatted for a long time, and the more they talked, the happier they became. They even felt that they had known each other for a long time. So when Lin Qing mentioned that she liked to collect old books, the old man immediately said that he had some at home.
So Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun immediately followed the old man to his house.
The old man carried a box of old books out from a corner of the storage room.
"These are all, take a look! I don't know what's written in these books. These books have been around for as long as I can remember, probably many years ago."
The old man tossed a box of books from his arms directly in front of Lin Qing and said with a smile.
"Grandpa, slow down, slow down, don't ruin the book!"
Lin Qing watched the old man's rude actions, her eyes twitching as she kept shouting.
"You silly child, they're just some books, they won't break so easily!"
Seeing Lin Qing carefully inspecting the books in the box, the old man shook his head and walked into the house, saying, "Kids, you keep an eye on this for now. I'll go boil some water for you."
"Okay, sir!" Lin Qing replied to the old man without even looking up from the book in her hand.
Seeing this, the old man shook his head again, said nothing, and walked towards the kitchen.
"Brother Nanxun, look at this." Lin Qing suddenly said excitedly to Gu Nanxun.
Upon hearing this, Gu Nanxun looked at the book in Lin Qing's hand.
Seeing that Lin Qing was holding an ancient book, with a seemingly ordinary stone embedded on the cover, she vaguely felt an unusual warmth when she touched it.
"Brother Nanxun, look at this rock!"
Lin Qing handed the book to Gu Nanxun, then looked at him expectantly.
Gu Nanxun took the book from Lin Qing and carefully examined the stone. When he touched the stone, it seemed to come alive and flow in his hand. Gu Nanxun's eyes lit up: "Could this be the jade pendant we've been looking for?"
Lin Qing nodded expectantly.
"Kids, stop staring and come have some water!"
Just as Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun were enjoying themselves, the old man suddenly came out of the kitchen and called out to them.
"Grandpa, where is the rest of your family?" Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun asked the old man as they walked toward him.
"I'm in the city! I don't like living there, so I didn't go. It's more comfortable living in the countryside." The city the old man was referring to was within the Third Ring Road of Beijing.
"Grandpa, are you selling these books?"
Lin Qing took the bowl from the old man, drank some water, and then asked.
"Why would I sell them? If you like them, I'll give them to you. These books are just taking up space at home and they're not worth much."
The old man shook his head and said with a smile that he really didn't understand what was so good about this book, since it couldn't be eaten or drunk.
"No, sir, how can I just take your things!"
Lin Qing shook her head and refused.
"Then just give me 50 cents! That's probably the price I'd get at the scrap yard. You can take it; it'll save me the trouble of going to the scrap yard!"
The old man said with an indifferent expression.
Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun exchanged a glance. "We'll give you ten yuan! You sold them to the recycling center as scrap, but we bought these books because we really like them."
Gu Nanxun thought for a moment and then spoke.
"You kids, why are you adding more to the price yourselves! Fine? Since you're willing to pay, I can't stop you."
After saying that, the old man reached out and took the large bill that Gu Nanxun handed him.
"Alright, these are yours, take them!"
Next, Lin Qing and Gu Nanxun said goodbye to the old man with the book in their arms. The two returned home and couldn't wait to take out the book.
"How do you use this, Xun-ge? Do you have to pry the stone off?"
Lin Qing shook the book in her hand and asked Gu Nanxun a question.
"Why don't we take out that jade pendant and have a look at it?"
Gu Nanxun thought for a moment and then offered his suggestion.
"Yeah! Who knows what kind of reaction the two will have? Nanxun, you're so smart."
Lin Qing rewarded Gu Nanxun with a kiss on the cheek and said with a smile.
Gu Nanxun reached out and grabbed Lin Qing as she retreated, and then the two engaged in a five-minute exchange of saliva.
Gu Nanxun only let Lin Qing go after she was exhausted and panting.
"Are you sure you don't want it?"
Lin Qing looked at the small tent bulging on Gu Nanxun's pants with amusement, and then said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Gu Nanxun's eyes darkened.
"I was going to let you go! Don't blame me now."
...
Two hours later.
After eating and drinking her fill, Lin Qing leaned lazily against Gu Nanxun on the bed, took out the book again, and also took out the jade pendant.
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