Age: My Small World

Upon first meeting the curator, Yang Jun felt that the old man was more like a scholar or professor.

Wu Shaoyou wore glasses, his temples were already gray, but his eyes were quite wise, giving him a scholarly air.

"Director Wu, we have successfully completed your task. The item is right here."

Zhu Yong gestured, and Yang Jun took out the jade tripod and handed it to Wu Shaoyou.

"He is indeed a promising young man."

The curator glanced at Yang Jun and nodded.

He was naturally aware of Yang Jun's dual identities, but he didn't mind that Yang Jun was working part-time at the office.

He then took the jade cauldron and examined it carefully.

A few minutes later, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The items are intact, very good, very good."

He glanced at Zhu Yong again: "Director Zhu, you should ask Researcher Yang to do less in the future. His work in the research department is much more important than your shady dealings."

Zhu Yong never expected that Lao Wu would take advantage of him and then turn his back on him.

“Director Wu, you should know that Yang Jun was initially a staff member of the office before joining the museum. To be precise, he was more of an office staff member, and now he has officially joined us.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Shaoyou frowned, glanced at Yang Jun, and shook his head helplessly.

"Alright, but you can't interrupt him while he's in the research phase. This work is more important than going on a mission."

"Don't worry, I always notify you every time I send him on a mission."

Zhu Yong was helpless, but what could he do when Wu Shaoyou's rank was much higher than his?

"Okay, you can go back by yourself. I'd like to have a private talk with Comrade Yang."

Zhu Yong raised an eyebrow at Yang Jun before leaving.

Yang Jun understood what he meant; it was probably that he should never listen to nonsense.

Sure enough, Director Wu immediately said to Yang Jun, "Comrade Yang Jun, if you don't like the work assigned by the office, you can tell me directly. I will communicate with their leaders and try to get you to do the work of the museum on your own."

He has the authority to do so.

"Director, I don't really care, but sometimes the office really needs me, and I should go and help out."

Understanding Yang Jun's meaning, Wu Shaoyou shook his head and sighed.

"Alright, let's just keep things as they are. For now, focus on mastering the work on classical documents. There are important tasks waiting for you later, and you might not even have time to help them yourself."

He respects Yang Jun's decision.

In this way, Yang Jun successfully completed two jobs simultaneously and received two salaries.

He naturally had no intention of continuing to work today and hurried home.

Arriving at Maxian Hutong, Yang Jun looked at the willow leaves by the roadside, which were at their most lush and vibrant, and his mood improved considerably.

To his surprise, some people were picking willow leaves under the willow tree and putting them in a winnowing basket, clearly intending to eat them.

Arriving at Compound No. 46 further confirmed this idea.

At this moment, many families in the courtyard were making pancakes using willow leaf flour.

"Comrade Yang Jun is back."

Teacher Li greeted Yang Jun as always.

As for the others, he was still somewhat unfamiliar with them and could only nod.

There were quite a few children in the courtyard, much more than in my second sister's courtyard, perhaps because it was close to the primary school.

"Teacher Li, you're cooking." Yang Jun greeted her.

"How about we come inside for a bite?" Teacher Li suggested after thinking for a moment, though it was clear from his expression that he didn't really mean it. These days, it's not easy to invite someone to eat; if you happen to find someone with a big appetite, a lot of the family's surplus food will probably be eaten up.

Yang Jun shook his head: "I haven't been home in a long time. I'll just eat at home. I'll invite you over for drinks next time."

Teacher Li breathed a sigh of relief, but then couldn't help but think about the wine Yang Jun had mentioned. If he really wanted to drink some, he could bring his own dish.

It wasn't easy for him to raise two children; he had to be very frugal. He only drank alcohol once every ten days or so, and even then, he never drank to his heart's content.

Yang Jun had no idea that Teacher Li had already planned this drinking session; he just kept going home.

Soon, he arrived at the front of the house in the backyard.

Like everyone else, my mother and Cheng Xiaoyu, who had already finished get off work, were making willow leaf cakes.

"Mom, Little Fish, what delicious food are you making?"

Yang Jun's words made the two of them look up, and they were both pleasantly surprised.

I've missed you quite a bit after not seeing you for a few days.

Cheng Xiaoyu looked at him, her eyes red, and she almost burst into tears.

This girl is very emotional.

"We're making willow leaf pancakes. The willow tree has sprouted new buds these past few days, and everyone is rushing to pick the new buds to make pancakes. Little Fish and I picked some too."

Willow trees typically sprout in spring, when the buds are at their tenderest and most delicious.

Therefore, many families often make willow leaf cakes to eat during the Qingming Festival.

Others used elm seeds or mugwort to make Qingming dumplings, which tasted better, but the dough had to be better, unlike nowadays where you can just add corn flour or a mixture of flour and water to make pancakes.

"Alright, you just got back, go inside and sit down. We'll be ready soon, just wait for dinner."

His mother didn't let him say much, nor did she ask him any questions; she just kept asking him if he was tired.

Yang Jun readily agreed, nodded to the little girl, and then went inside.

At the stove, Li Xiaohua said to Cheng Xiaoyu with a smile, "Hurry up and go inside. You two haven't seen each other for so long. I know you're thinking about Xiaoshan."

Cheng Xiaoyu blushed slightly, but smiled and said, "I know, Mother. You go ahead and do your work. I'll come and help you later."

After saying that, she went inside.

Li Xiaohua shook her head and smiled. This girl...

"Brother Xiaoshan, where did you go this time?"

After entering the house, Cheng Xiaoyu didn't immediately become affectionate with Yang Jun. Instead, she was quite curious about what secret mission he had gone on to carry out.

Of course, she was just curious about where he would go; she wasn't interested in the specifics of his mission, and she knew he couldn't say.

"I went to the coast."

He had told Cheng Xiaoyu about his trip to Hong Kong last time, so there was nothing wrong with telling her about the place he was going. Besides, he didn't have that many secrets to hide from her.

Yes, that's a lot.

"Oh? You went to the coast? Are you alright?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaoyu was surprised, and then quickly checked if he was injured.

Everyone's impression of the coast was still based on what it was ten years ago, so they thought he would get hurt or something if he went there.

"I'm fine, I'm perfectly alright. Sit down first, and I'll talk to you properly."

He mentioned some less important details to the little girl, giving her a brief overview of the city's scenery, which she seemed to find quite interesting. (End of Chapter)