Another 10,000-word update! I personally think this is a mini-climax!
"Heh, do you know what 40% of military power represents?"
Zhang Hongmei shaking her head means that she is not interested in anything.
Gu Chuanming laughed heartily at Zhang Hongmei's timid little expression.
"Alright. I won't make things difficult for you, but we have an agreement."
Zhang Hongmei looked distressed; the mention of an agreement was definitely not a good thing. "What agreement?"
“You can go abroad, but I’m only giving you three years. You must come back by the end of 2065 at the latest. There’s no room for negotiation.” Gu Chuanming cut off Zhang Hongmei’s attempt to delay.
"Why? Grandpa? Why is there a time limit?" Zhang Hongmei was really unwilling; the time was too tight.
"Cough! I don't want to force you like this, but you need to know that I don't have much time left. I don't want to die without seeing you." Actually, Gu Chuanming wanted to say that he couldn't see the next generation of the Gu family before he died, but he was afraid that the girl would be offended, so he didn't dare to say it. With Zhang Shouyi's personality, there was no way he would let the girl delay.
Let Zhang Shouyi handle this himself; he'll definitely get to see this kid make a lot of fools.
"Grandpa, you'll be alright, but I still promise you I'll definitely come back before the end of 1965."
"Sigh! I know time is very tight and you will suffer, but think about my age and that old woman's age. Sometimes we can't afford to wait."
"Grandpa, don't say that. I mean what I say." At worst, I won't rest; I'll just keep studying and make sure I'm back by the agreed time. Yes, the two elders are getting old and can't wait any longer. I can't let them not have fulfilled their filial duties; otherwise, I'll have regrets.
"Okay, Grandpa promises you too, I will take good care of myself and my health, and I will be healthy when you come back."
"Alright, then it's settled between us, right?"
"Yes. We made a promise." Having achieved his goal, Gu Chuanming felt relieved and much more relaxed.
The father and son went to rest. Zhang Hongmei fell asleep the moment she lay down on the bed. She was so tired, both mentally and physically. She finally got home and relaxed, and only then did she realize how exhausted she was.
The next morning, Zhang Hongmei got up early and the three of them were still practicing Tai Chi. She watched as Uncle Li was in the yard tinkering with the furniture he had bought.
Before the three of them had even finished one round, Uncle Li came over carrying a round stool.
Seeing that the three had not finished yet, he stood aside and waited.
Finally, the trip was over. Zhang Hongmei wiped her sweat and came over. "Uncle Li? What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this stool?"
"Hmm, there seems to be a hidden compartment here. Should I open it?"
Zhang Hongmei became interested; could she possibly obtain a treasure by chance? At this moment, Gu Chuanming also arrived.
"Uncle Li, open it quickly, is there any unexpected wealth? Hehe."
Opening the round stool revealed a hidden compartment containing a deerskin package.
"Uncle Li, how did you know this had a hidden compartment?" Zhang Hongmei asked, puzzled, as she took the bundle.
"I used to study carpentry, and just now I was trying to reinforce all the chairs and stools, but this one didn't wobble at all. When I turned it over and looked closely, I could see that it was different from the others."
My former carpenter master once told me that ladies from wealthy families would make furniture with hidden compartments to conceal things, which is why I paid attention to that.
Zhang Hongmei, carrying her bundle, stood to the side, listening with a smile as Uncle Li spoke so much in one breath. "Thank you, Uncle Li," she said, then happily went into the living room with her bundle.
The others smiled and shook their heads, then went about their business.
Zhang Hongmei sat down, opened the bundle, and inside were a few ancient books. Zhang Hongmei was still wondering, "Is that all?"
He picked up a book from above and opened it. It turned out to be the diary of a favored concubine.
Zhang Hongmei glanced through it briefly, put it aside, and picked up another book, which was also a diary. It seems she was quite talented.
The third book contained a map. Zhang Hongmei perked up immediately; could it be a treasure map?
"Hongmei, it's time to eat."
"Okay, right away." Zhang Hongmei got up, picked up the books, went back to her study, put them down, and then went to take a shower.
It was twenty minutes later when Zhang Hongmei came out.
“Grandpa, you eat first, don’t wait for me. There were a few books in that bag, just the diary of a favored concubine. But there was a map in there, Grandpa, you can take a look in a bit. I have to go see my friends.” Zhang Hongmei said as she sat down and took the eight-treasure porridge that Aunt Li handed her.
"I don't have the patience to look at it. You can wait for Shouyi to come back and see."
"Okay, I got it. I'll go to school after I finish eating."
"Hongmei, just invite your friend home for lunch. There's braised duck and braised pork today. It's a waste not to eat them," Aunt Li instructed Zhang Hongmei.
"Okay, I'll tell him to come home for dinner. I really hope that Sister Er Ya and Brother Zhu can come next year, and that Shi Tou and San Ya can come in a few years. That would be great."
Just as Zhang Hongmei finished her meal and was about to leave, Wang Xinyi called her back, "Hongmei, come back to the room with me. I made you a dress; it's hot, so it'll be perfect for you right now."
Perhaps because Zhang Hongmei has a spatial dimension, she rarely sweats. Although it's hot, she can still tolerate it. So she doesn't expose her arms and legs as early as in her previous life. Well, in this era, even if you wanted to expose yourself, you'd probably only be able to do it alone at home, otherwise you wouldn't be able to stand the strange looks from others.
"No, I don't want it. My family members wear it all the time. I feel like people will notice me if I wear a skirt out."
Gu Chuanming was very satisfied with Zhang Hongmei's answer. Essentially, Gu Chuanming was a man, and he wouldn't be happy to see his juniors dressed inappropriately.
Zhang Hongmei rode her bicycle there this time. Suddenly, she wondered why Liu Jingze hadn't returned yet. He had said on the phone last time that he would be back around the time of the exam; she wondered what had happened.
I wonder if Shan Mianzhi knows Liu Jingze's contact information. It's true that raising a son is not caring at all. Daughters are much better. He's been away for a year and doesn't even contact his family. Liu Aimin and his wife have raised their son for nothing.
When they got off the bus at the school gate, the gatekeeper recognized Zhang Hongmei and let them through with a smile.
The school is much more popular this year than it was before I enrolled last year, probably because it's summer now.
Zhang Hongmei arrived at the boys' dormitory first and stopped a young boy who looked unfamiliar. "Excuse me, do you know Song Zigan? He's a freshman this year."
"I know, we're in the same department."
"Could you please call him out for me?"
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