As night fell, Mr. Xu arrived in the city center of the capital.
He was holding a painting tube tightly in his arms.
"Xiao, drive more steadily."
Old Xu instructed that he himself was fine if he got injured, but he should avoid a car accident that would damage the painting he was carrying.
"Okay, Mr. Xu."
Driver Xiao slowed down slightly.
Around eight o'clock, the car entered an old residential area, where armed police officers were stationed and guarding the area.
"Xiao Xiao, wait in the car."
Old Xu got out of the car with the painting in his hand.
"Knock knock!"
Not long after, Old Xu knocked on a door.
An elderly man in his seventies opened the door for him: "Old Xu, what treasure have you found? You couldn't wait until tomorrow and had to come over today."
Old Xu chuckled and said, "Brother Gu, even if I come tomorrow, I'll have to wait until you get off work, right? Besides, this is really a treasure of mine; I don't feel comfortable leaving it in a hotel room."
"Come in quickly."
This is what the 70-year-old man said.
Normally, someone of this age would have already retired.
But he is of a high enough rank to not have retired yet.
He and Mr. Xu had fought in the same war and both loved traditional Chinese painting, so they had always had a good relationship. However, Mr. Xu never made any demands of him.
A gentleman's friendship is as pure as water.
Of course, although there was no ulterior motive involved in the relationship, it was naturally related to Xu Lao's previous promotion.
Wherever Mr. Gu is, even if he says nothing or does nothing, this relationship will still have some impact.
Brew a pot of the finest Longjing tea.
"This is what Old Master Gu instructed the housekeeper."
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Gu led Mr. Xu into the study. The neighborhood was quite old, but the room itself was still very nice. The study was quite large and bright.
"Brother Gu, let me make a statement first."
"I borrowed this with an IOU. If you want to borrow it for a while to enjoy it, you'll also have to write an IOU."
Old Xu said with a smile.
Old Gu became interested: "What kind of treasure is it that you need to borrow it and even have to write an IOU?"
Old Xu carefully poured the painting out: "Brother Gu, this painting hasn't been framed yet. I'm afraid that if I ask someone to frame it, they'll ruin it."
Mr. Xu slowly unfolded the painting.
Then paperweights were used to hold both ends in place.
Old Gu looked at the painting that Old Xu had unfolded, and he quickly became engrossed in it. At his age, he felt a deep connection to such paintings.
It took five minutes for Old Gu to regain his senses.
"Old Xu, how much time has passed?"
Old Gu glanced at the clock on the wall and asked.
Mr. Xu: "About five minutes."
Mr. Gu exclaimed in amazement: "Who painted this? This painting surpasses even the finest works of ancient times. The only thing it lacks is the passage of time."
"Brother Gu, look at the poem above."
Old Xu reminded him.
Old Gu looked at the poem inscribed above, and soon he was immersed in it again.
A few more minutes passed and Mr. Gu regained consciousness. This time, he looked at the clock hanging on the wall.
"Beautiful painting, beautiful calligraphy!"
"Is this a work by Master Lin Yu?"
"Old Gu exclaimed in admiration."
The younger generation gave him a signed book by Lin Chen. Lin Chen's signature wasn't as strong, but it was still captivating.
"Um."
Old Xu nodded.
Old Master Gu said, "Both the painting and calligraphy are from the hand of Master Lin Yu?"
"Yes... he drew it at my house."
He also gave me some pointers.
Old Gu looked at Old Xu in surprise: "I'm quite curious about what Master Lin Yu looks like, but I haven't had anyone look it up."
Old Xu chuckled and said, "Brother Gu, his name is Lin Chen, and he is not yet twenty-five years old."
"Um?"
Old Master Gu was shocked.
"So young and already so good at calligraphy and painting? Oh, and his fairy tales are amazing too."
Old Xu nodded: "He is a top genius. Or rather, his talent has surpassed the category of genius."
Old Gu was all smiles.
"China should prosper!"
"Our country's military strength is quite good now, but our cultural influence is far behind. And then God sent us such a genius!"
Old Xu: "Brother Gu, I have a little concern."
The smile on Old Gu's face faded: "Are you worried something might happen to him?"
"yes."
"A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind."
"Can some foreign powers just sit back and watch his influence grow? Such a genius is one in a thousand years, but destroying such a genius is easy."
A look of worry appeared in Old Xu's eyes.
Old Gu: "I will communicate with some comrades. A genius like Lin Chen can enjoy special protection."
He was unaware that the National Security Bureau was already protecting Lin Chen.
"Brother Gu, this is for the best."
Old Master Xu.
Old Gu continued to admire the painting: "Old Xu, we've been painting for decades, but compared to Lin Chen, we're just scribbling blindly. The skill level is far too different."
What did Lin Chen teach you?
Old Xu began to speak.
...
At Lin Chen's home.
Lin Chen and Xu Mengyao were watching TV on the sofa. Xu Mengyao rested her head on Lin Chen's shoulder, and Lin Chen had his arm around her waist.
"Honey, should we hire a nanny?"
"You have to take care of Xixi, and you also have to cook and clean."
Xu Mengyao asked.
She also wipes things when she has time, but now she spends about half her time at work, mainly with Lin Chen.
"Need not."
Lin Chen shook his head.
How can his physical condition improve if he doesn't work?
With his current physical condition, that kind of work won't tire him out.
"Honey, but I'm afraid you'll get tired."
Xu Mengyao said softly.
Lin Chen chuckled and said, "Don't worry, your husband is in great physical condition. You'll find out about that later."
Xu Mengyao: "..."
"Are you sure you don't want to invite me?"
Lin Chen: "I don't like having outsiders in the house. Our house isn't very big, so we can manage to clean it ourselves."
"Um."
Xu Mengyao nodded gently.
"Honey, your birthday is in two days. How do you want to celebrate? What kind of birthday present would you like?"
Xu Mengyao asked.
Lin Chen: "Didn't you already give me a birthday present?"
The private kitchen courtyard was a birthday gift from Xu Mengyao.
Xu Mengyao giggled and said, "Who said I can only give one gift? If you want other gifts, I'll grant your wish too."
"elder sister?"
"Wife, can't you tell the difference between the king and the queen?"
Lin Chen reached out and tickled Xu Mengyao.
"Giggle."
"It itches, honey, please stop."
Xu Mengyao twisted her body to avoid Lin Chen's hand.
Suddenly, Lin Chen felt something very soft to the touch.
Xu Mengyao's body stiffened.
Her face quickly turned red.
"Think carefully about what kind of birthday present you want."
I'm going to bed.
After speaking, Xu Mengyao got up and quickly walked towards the bedroom.
"The revolution has not yet succeeded; comrades must continue to strive."
Lin Chen muttered to himself.
He returned to his study; he had to begin his evening work and studies.
It's worth mentioning that Lin Chen's study now has even more books.
Xu Mengyao found him more books, and Lin Chen also bought some books he wanted online.
"Professor Liu, I came across a small problem while reading one of your books, and I'd like to discuss it with you—"
A few hours later, Lin Chen sent another message to a professor.
Including this, he has already emailed five professors.
He also discovered other problems, but he couldn't find the authors' contact information, or the authors were foreign and he was too lazy to contact them.
"dad."
The door was pushed open at 2 a.m.
Lin Xiaoqian walked in.
"Sisi, why aren't you asleep? Did you wet the bed again?"
Lin Chen asked.
No.
Lin Xiaoqian shook her head.
Lin Chen got up and went outside to take a look. The master bedroom door was open, but the lights in the master bedroom were off, and Xu Mengyao was still asleep.