"Shall we try moving it?"
"Okay, which side do you think we should move it from?"
"How about we see if we can lift it up?"
The two tried but it didn't work. "Never mind, we'll try again another time." Zhang Hongmei was particularly persistent in her treasure hunt. Although she said she would try again later, she kept touching this and that.
She examined and touched every layer of the support planks. When she was too short, she simply took off her shoes and climbed onto the soft couch. Although it was called a soft couch, it wasn't made of rattan; it was made of wood and was just a bed for the director to rest on temporarily.
I couldn't reach the top layer even after stepping on it, so I gave up and will try again later.
Zhang Shouyi watched Zhang Hongmei's movements, but still couldn't reach her. He took off his shoes, climbed onto the soft couch, squatted down, and picked her up from behind.
Zhang Hongmei was startled. "Oh my god! Put me down! You scared me to death!"
"There's one last floor left, hurry up and check it. If it's not there, we'll talk about it next time."
Zhang Hongmei almost reached the roof, just enough to see the top floor clearly. Only an arm could fit inside the roof. There was some dust on it, but nothing special. Undeterred, she reached out to touch it.
Zhang Hongmei's hand suddenly touched a protrusion, and she became excited. She tried pressing down, and to her surprise, it actually worked. She heard a "click" sound.
"Brother Zhang, is it open yet?"
"I couldn't figure it out. But I heard a sound. It must be some kind of mechanism."
"Put me down. Let's go take a look."
Zhang Shouyi was extremely reluctant to part with her and decided to hold her a little longer. With one long stride, he stepped off the soft couch and placed Zhang Hongmei on it.
Disgusted by the dirt on her hands, Zhang Hongmei slipped on her shoes and looked around.
"Brother Zhang, take a look, has there been any change in Houfangshan?"
Zhang Shouyi bent down to put on his shoes. "Go wash your hands first, I'll go take a look."
Zhang Hongmei slipped on her shoes and went to the living room, where there was a washbasin. She carried it to the washroom, but found there was no water. So she went to the kitchen and finally found water to wash her hands.
She had just entered the living room and put down the basin when she heard Zhang Shouyi calling her.
Zhang Hongmei walked up to Zhang Shouyi and asked, "Brother Zhang, have you discovered something?"
“There’s a mezzanine in the back of this house,” Zhang Shouyi said, pulling open the fake wall to reveal ten boxes, two stories high inside.
The two exchanged a glance, and Zhang Shouyi smiled, thinking about the girl's good fortune.
Zhang Hongmei squinted, revealing her dimples. Zhang Shouyi, watching from the side, couldn't resist the urge to poke her with his finger.
"You're annoying, so boring."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."
Zhang Hongmei glanced at him sideways and reached for the topmost box.
Zhang Shouyi stopped her, saying, "I'll take care of it; you can just watch."
Upon opening the box, Zhang Hongmei was somewhat disappointed; it was simply a box full of silver ingots.
The remaining five chests on the upper level were also filled with silver.
Zhang Hongmei pouted. "What! Not satisfied? This whole box costs five thousand taels."
"I thought it was ancient books and paintings! What's the money for?"
"This is a windfall!"
"Yes, that should be enough. The rest should probably be silver."
"When Xiao Li comes over in a bit, the two of us will lift it up and take a look."
"No need, just leave it like this. Can we just use this mechanism to close this door?"
"Why don't you try and see?"
When the two came out of the bedroom, Xiao Li had just returned.
"Brother Zhang, let's go back."
"It's still early, why don't you take a proper look at your own home?"
Zhang Hongmei felt a lack of belonging.
"Come on, take a look at the study I've prepared for you. I think you'll like it."
Zhang Hongmei reluctantly followed Zhang Shouyi into the study.
It's very simple and straightforward: a bookcase covering half a wall, all inlaid with glass; an extra-large desk with the Four Treasures of the Study on it; calligraphy brushes hanging on a pen holder; and a jade mountain-shaped ornament.
Behind the table was a display shelf, filled with unusual stones, ceramic jars, and other decorative items. On the left wall hung calligraphy and paintings, but Zhang Hongmei didn't understand them and didn't bother to examine them closely to see which master had created them.
Zhang Hongmei's favorite thing was the soft couch placed by the door, on which there was also a tea set.
Do you like it?
"I like it. I like ancient books and I like this set of furniture."
Don't you like the calligraphy and paintings?
"I don't understand."
"They are all famous writers from the Tang and Song dynasties."
"It's better not to hang it up. It needs to be properly preserved. Just hang some works by modern masters."
"Okay, I'll have someone come and pack it up. Put the box in your room."
"Brother Zhang, I want to lock my bedroom and study. I don't usually have time to come over, so I'll clean them myself."
"Sure, Xiao Li, go buy ten new locks and see which room still needs them. Don't worry, even if someone does stay in the gatehouse in the first courtyard."
“That’s not what I’m worried about. The yard is too big, and people might come in without us knowing. It’s better to lock everything up to keep honest people out, not scoundrels.”
Xiao Li went out to buy locks again.
"Isn't it a bit much for Brother Zhang to trouble them like this?"
"What's wrong with him? It's his job. Hongmei, I'm also thinking of finding you a bodyguard to live with you. There are several girls like that; do you have time to meet them?"
"No, I can manage on my own. I feel uncomfortable with other people around. Besides, I'm just a poor student. Why make it known to everyone? As if I'm very rich or very powerful?"
"Really don't want to? I'm worried. Maybe I'll find someone to stay here and not be around you most of the time."
"No, I really don't want to." Zhang Hongmei said earnestly and firmly to Zhang Shouyi, expressing her stance.
"Fine, if you don't want it, then don't. How about the two of us move in with you?"
“That won’t work. First of all, it’s your job, and secondly, I’m not used to it. Let’s get together every Saturday and Sunday.”
Zhang Shouyi didn't know how to persuade Zhang Hongmei. He himself didn't like her, and he couldn't force her.
"Whatever you say, but I've actually prepared rooms for myself and my dad here, so we'll have somewhere to stay on weekends."
"Sure, I'll prepare it even if you don't. I'll even prepare the courtyard, it's just that there are only two rooms left."
"It's alright, Xiao Li and Xiao Shun won't be staying there."
"There's no furniture yet. I reckon Uncle Zhang will find a carpenter to come over tomorrow."
“Okay, my dad has plenty of good wood, and he’s used it all.”
"No, I feel bad about taking advantage of you."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We don't need to be so clear about it. All I can tell you is that what's mine is also yours, and what's yours is still yours."
"Don't scare me, I wouldn't dare. I accept every item you give me, and I'll remember every bit of help you give me. I don't want to owe anyone favors; favors are the hardest debts to repay," Zhang Hongmei said righteously.
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