My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 168 Favors on the First Day of the Lunar New Year (Part 1)
On Lunar New Year's Eve, the sky over the capital was unusually blue.

Chen Xiaomiao got up early, fed Lu Yang, and changed into a bright red onesie.

The little guy was wrapped up like a New Year's picture doll, lying in the enclosure, struggling with the rattle by himself.

Around noon, the doorbell rang, and the house finally welcomed a flurry of activity.

Bai Jing led the three children in, with Lü Jiaxin taking the lead and speaking in a loud voice.

"Master! Grandmaster! Happy New Year!"

She changed into a bright red cotton dress, tied her hair in a high ponytail, and looked energetic and neat. As soon as she entered the room, she looked around and asked, "Where's idiot?"

Before he could finish speaking, the idiot who had just strolled in from the backyard twitched his ears. Seeing that it was this little devil, he tucked his tail between his legs and tried to sneak back.

"stop!"

Lü Jiaxin took three steps in two and grabbed the idiot by the neck.

Erbaiwu froze, resignedly turned around, and let out a wronged "woo-woo" sound from his throat.

Lü Jiaxin didn't care whether the dog liked it or not. She grabbed the dog's head with both hands and gave it a good rub. Then she called Niu Niu to take the idiot to the backyard to run around. Huang Jietao followed behind, watching the two younger sisters.

Bai Jing stayed in the living room and looked at Lu Yang in Chen Xiaomiao's arms: "Xiaomiao is quite good at taking care of children. The little guy is in good spirits."

Chen Xiaomiao grinned and said, "I just woke up and I'm full of energy. Sister Jing, come and give me a hug."

The two mothers naturally started exchanging parenting tips, leaving Lu Yuan as the only bored person left in the room.

The entire Lunar New Year's Eve was spent with Bai Jing and several children, so it wasn't too lonely.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Yuan got up very early.

Upon entering the study, one finds a hot tea prepared in advance by the butler, Uncle Qian, and a list on the desk.

Lu Yuan picked up the hot tea and casually turned to the first page.

Gao Jianmin, male, 78 years old, former professor of the History Department of Capital University, is now retired.

Gao Jianmin came from a scholarly family and was one of Chen Shu's most outstanding students.

Later, Chen Shu was forced to resign due to the scandal of his "teacher-student relationship" with his grandmother. Unlike others, Gao Jianmin did not kick him while he was down, but he chose to protect himself and gradually lost contact with his mentor.

Lu Yuan tapped his fingers lightly on the four characters "wise self-preservation".

As my maternal grandfather's direct student, it wasn't easy to protect oneself in those days...

There are many people like Gao Jianmin in this world.

Not bad, not good either, just an ordinary member of the masses. In the torrent of the times, the priority is always the survival of himself and his family.

Lu Yuan continued scrolling down.

The subject of the second document, surnamed Dong, is from the maternal grandmother's family.

Dong Junhao, the older brother of his maternal grandmother Dong Yinghua, is called "uncle" by Lu Yuande.

When my grandmother married Chen Shu without hesitation, the whole family felt ashamed and almost cut off all contact.

It wasn't until Chen Shu went into business and made his fortune that this kinship was rekindled, and for decades they maintained a relationship that was neither too close nor too distant.

……

There were five or six more people behind him, all of whom were likely to come and wish Lu Yuan a Happy New Year today.

It was 9:00 AM on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The first guest rang the doorbell on time.

Gao Jianmin came alone, wearing a slightly worn dark blue woolen overcoat over a neat gray sweater, and his white hair was combed meticulously.

"Professor Gao, Happy New Year. You can just call me Xiao Yuan."

Lu Yuan opened the door himself, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

Gao Jianmin smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Xiao Yuan, Happy New Year."

He was carrying a cloth bag, which seemed to contain several books that looked quite old.

Uncle Qian stepped forward and tried to take the cloth bag from his hand, but Gao Jianmin instinctively gripped it tightly and protected it behind his back.

Uncle Qian smiled and withdrew his hand without any embarrassment, then led the people inside.

"Professor Gao, please have a seat."

Lu Yuan led him to sit on the sofa for guests, and Uncle Qian served him some hot tea.

Gao Jianmin picked up the warm teacup, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

Chen Xiaomiao hugged Lu Yang and quietly sat down on a single sofa some distance away, trying to minimize her presence.

After a long pause, Gao Jianmin finally spoke: "I am here today on behalf of some old colleagues and friends, and I would like to talk to you about my teacher's posthumous academic manuscripts."

He opened the cloth bag he had been holding and carefully took out several books wrapped in kraft paper, then pushed them onto the coffee table in front of Lu Yuan.

"Our teacher's academic achievements back then are still beyond our reach. But later... something happened, and many precious manuscripts and research materials were not put to use."

We students have always regretted this.

Gao Jianmin paused, looked up at Lu Yuan, and said earnestly, "We old folks want to take advantage of our still being able to reorganize, proofread, and publish our teacher's manuscripts... It would be a way to fulfill a long-cherished wish and comfort our beloved teacher's spirit in heaven." His words were grand and sincere.

Lu Yuan picked up a book and turned to its yellowed pages.

Chen Xiaomiao recognized Chen Shu's handwriting at a glance and subconsciously wanted to say something, but considering that she was a woman, she ultimately did not say anything.

Lu Yuan said politely, "Professor Gao, you're too kind. Please don't hesitate to ask for my help with funding. I will do my best to support you."

For the late Chen Shu, this was nothing more than an academic title; it's highly likely that once it's done, the name "Chen Shu" will appear in university textbooks.

But this was the only bargaining chip Gao Jianmin could offer.

Lu Lei arranged for Gao Jianmin to meet Lu Yuan, also considering the need to secure a posthumous title for Chen Shu.

Gao Jianmin said righteously, "Don't worry about it, Xiao Yuan. Funding isn't a problem. The reputation of us old guys is still worth something."

"I'm an old man, and I don't know how much longer I have to live. If I don't do this, I'm afraid I won't have the face to face my teacher after I'm buried."

After saying that, he coughed for a while, as if he had caught a chill.

Lu Yuan exchanged a few polite words, then deliberately steered the conversation downwards: "Professor Gao, it's kind of you to make the trip during the Spring Festival, in this freezing weather. You're also quite old. Next time, you can just make a phone call. It would be so much better to stay home and enjoy your grandchildren."

Lu Yuan knew why Gao Jianmin had come to pay his respects for the New Year, so he took the initiative to speak to him to avoid embarrassing the old man.

Upon hearing this, Gao Jianmin first sighed, then continued, "Don't mention it. My grandson is ambitious and wants to study abroad. He applied for a master's degree at Cambridge and passed both the professional courses and the language exam, but unfortunately, he was rejected in the interview."

They said it was the original advisor, but there were no spots available for international students this year.

Xiao Yuan, we're just an ordinary family, we don't have any connections... The teacher had a lot of connections before he passed away, do you think you could help us find a way?"

After saying that, Gao Jianmin looked at Lu Yuan nervously, afraid that the other party would refuse outright.

Lu Yuan didn't answer immediately, his gaze falling on the tea leaves floating in the teacup.

This matter is neither simple nor troublesome; it's just a matter of having Lü Lei make a few more phone calls.

He raised his head and looked at Gao Jianmin: "Professor Gao, you were my grandfather's most outstanding student back then."

Gao Jianmin froze, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his aged, cloudy eyes, which finally turned into a long sigh.

"I am ashamed... My teacher... He treated me with such kindness back then, yet I..."

He lowered his head, his voice hoarse: "Back then, I had just been granted a position at the university, and my whole family was counting on me. I... I didn't dare..."

"Professor Gao, the past is the past..."

Lu Yuan put down his teacup, looking relieved: "I will ask someone about your grandson's matter. As for the outcome, I can't guarantee anything. After all, academic matters still depend on real talent and learning."

But if he truly has talent, I guarantee he won't be overlooked because of nationality or quotas.

He neither agreed nor refused directly, speaking flawlessly before abruptly changing the subject.

"In addition, there are very specific issues regarding my grandfather's matter, such as how much funding is needed, which publishing house to contact, how to assemble the editorial team, and how to supervise the later revenue."

You are all highly respected scholars, and I do not wish for these mundane matters to disturb your peace and quiet.

Gao Jianmin was stunned, realizing that Lu Yuan had not completely trusted him after all, and the already limited teacher-student relationship had been completely exhausted today.

However, he is already content that he can find a way out for his grandson.

After the conversation ended, Uncle Qian personally escorted Gao Jianming to the door and then turned back.

"Sir, the tea has gone cold. Let me get you a fresh pot."

Lu Yuan waved his hand, indicating that it was not necessary.

He leaned back on the sofa, his fingertips tapping lightly on his knees, his gaze falling on the few books left behind by Gao Jianmin.

Beneath the kraft paper cover lies the hard work of my grandfather, Chen Shu, which has now become the stepping stone for someone else's grandson to get into Cambridge.

In this world, the debts of gratitude owed to others are the hardest to repay.

Gao Jianmin came to visit today, ostensibly to comfort his mentor, but in reality to plead for his grandson's future.

He humbled himself greatly, even going so far as to reopen old wounds and frankly admit his "fear," hoping to gain Lu Yuan's sympathy with a belated sense of guilt.

Lu Yuan did not object to this exchange.

Since inheriting his grandfather's estate, he has seen far too many transactions with clearly marked prices.

Chen Xiaomiao carried Lu Yang over and asked softly, "Has the old man left?"

"gone."

"He doesn't seem very happy to me."

Chen Xiaomiao recalled the complex expression on Gao Jianmin's face when he left, a mixture of loneliness and relief.

"He got everything he wanted, so what's there to be unhappy about?"

Lu Yuan smiled, turned around and pinched his son's cheek: "It's just that little bit of lingering thought in my heart has been completely put to rest."

Chen Xiaomiao nodded as if she understood, but didn't ask any further questions.

She didn't understand social etiquette, but she could tell that her husband was exhausted from exchanging pleasantries with that old man.

(End of this chapter)