Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

After a while, Huang Qiuyun came in.

The old man lit another cigarette and then threw the cigarette case in front of Chu Shijun.

Smelling the smoke in the room, Huang Qiuyun frowned, quickly walked to the old man's side, and sniffed.

"Qiuyun, I didn't smoke. It was Shijun who smoked. Look, the cigarette pack and lighter are with him." The old man shifted the blame.

"Hmph, Shijun just got back today, so I won't argue with you. But starting tomorrow, you absolutely must limit your intake, or I'll call the old lady." After talking about the old man, she brought up Chu Shijun again, "Shijun, you're so young, yet you've already gone astray as your brother Yuan. I remember you didn't smoke before, was it him who taught you?"

"Yes, yes, that's what Brother Yuan taught me."

"If you don't learn to smoke properly, smoke less in the future. Now that you're back, you should also help keep an eye on the old man. He's getting old, and in Beijing, the old lady takes care of him. Now that we're back, we have to take on this responsibility as well," Huang Qiuyun said earnestly.

"Hehe, Aunt Huang, don't worry, I will definitely keep a close eye on the old man." Chu Shijun quickly assured him, and while Huang Qiuyun turned around, he winked at the old man, the two of them understanding each other without saying a word.

It's not that he doesn't care about the old man's health, but as people get older, sometimes it's better to guide than to suppress. As for his health, he's been smoking for so many years, and it's not like he'll suddenly become healthy by smoking a couple less cigarettes. It's best to be content.

"Come on, Grandpa, let's go eat."

Chu Shijun stepped forward, helped the old man, and led him towards the dining room.

On the table, ten dishes were laid out, several of which were Chu Shijun's favorites, along with a bottle of old-fashioned Moutai.

At this moment, Chu Shijun also saw the other three people: two burly men and one short man. The impression Chu Shijun got from them was the same as the one who entered through the gate.

"Please sit down. Where's Xiao Zhou? Let him come in too," the old man said, gesturing for everyone to sit.

"Director Qi, Xiao Zhou needs to stay on duty. We'll take over after we finish eating," the short man replied.

Seeing this, the old man said no more. After all, this was for his safety and was a matter of principle; he couldn't allow anyone to violate the rules.

"Alright, you guys help yourselves. This isn't Beijing, so just treat it like home. I'm sorry to trouble you comrades to come back with me this year, since you can't go home for the New Year either."

"Director Qi, you flatter us. This is our responsibility, and also our honor."

After the two finished speaking, Chu Shijun had already opened the wine and poured two glasses. After thinking for a moment, he took another glass and poured half a glass. "Aunt Huang, you should have some too."

"Okay, I'll have a little to drink today too," Huang Qiuyun nodded, reaching out to take the bottle to herself. "I'll pour you some later."

The old man looked regretful, but when he saw the full glass that Chu Shijun had poured for him, he smiled again. There's still more to drink, not bad, not bad.

……

During the meal, Huang Qiuyun was ultimately unable to stop the old man from drinking two more small cups, and he exclaimed that he was satisfied.

After the meal, the old man went to rest.

Chu Shijun didn't stay long. He helped Huang Qiuyun clear the dishes and returned home.

The fire he was burning was still burning, and the room was warm.

He stood in the hall, looking at the photograph hanging on the wall directly opposite the main entrance.

In the photo, his grandfather is wearing an old military uniform and is smiling happily; he looks to be in his thirties.

Beside him stood the man who proclaimed "Long live the people!"—the source of Chu Shijun's lofty ideals and the spiritual belief he would follow for the rest of his life.

According to what the old man had told him before, his grandfather was injured in a bombing on the battlefield and was unable to fight for long, so he became a bodyguard and a life assistant.

It was precisely because of that injury that left him with chronic health problems, which led to his early death.

Chu Shijun took out incense from his bag, lit it, bowed respectfully, and placed it in the incense burner on the table.

……

Time always flies when you're on vacation, especially when you're back home.

The Lunar New Year arrived in the blink of an eye.

The village was filled with joy and excitement.

During the past two days of the Lunar New Year, several members of the old man's family have returned home, but the old lady is still in Beijing, looking after her grandson.

Today is the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and the old man is returning to Beijing. Chu Shijun came to our house for a farewell dinner.

He sat in a chair in the study.

The old man was holding a key and taking out a small wooden box.

Inside, there was a brightly polished pistol with a vintage look, and two pieces of paper were pressed under the gun.

One of them is a gun ownership certificate, signed nearly forty years ago, and the name of the person on it is his grandfather, Chu Tianxiong.

The old man picked up another yellowed piece of paper, rubbed it, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"Shijun, Old Chu said back then that he was uneducated, but he hoped that some of his descendants would be successful. For this reason, he asked his old leader to write a message to advise and encourage them. I thought your father and mother were promising, so I kept them."

"After that, you came along. When you were little, you were naughty and didn't use your clever brain for studying. I originally planned to talk to you about it after you grew up, but I didn't expect you to suddenly become so insightful. Now you think you can satisfy Old Chu. I can't predict your future achievements, so I'm giving this to you in the hope that you will always be mindful of yourself and never forget where you came from."

Chu Shijun did not speak, but respectfully and carefully took the paper, looked down and saw that it said:

The child is determined to leave his hometown.

I vow not to return until I have achieved fame through my studies.

Why must one's bones be buried in one's hometown?

Where in life is there no green hills?

The poem concludes with the inscription: "Long live the people." (I cannot write this, but I dedicate this poem as a tribute, and also to all readers, and to myself.)

"Shijun, it seems you're destined for politics. Let me give you another piece of advice: come from the people, and go back to the people," the old man said with a smile.

"Grandpa, don't worry, Shijun has remembered it."

Chu Shijun nodded heavily, carefully placed the papers into the wooden box, then glanced at the gun and hesitated, "Grandpa, this?"

"Take it. Before your grandfather passed away, that person approved it. Part of the device has already been dismantled. When we get back to Beijing, I'll talk to General Manager Zhao and get you another approval slip." The old man waved his hand.

After Chu Shijun finished packing, the old man spoke again: "You're a junior now, and you'll be starting work soon after your senior year. You talked to your Uncle Qi earlier, and I heard you were hesitating about whether to stay in Handong or go somewhere else?"

"Yes, Grandpa, I've been thinking about that too, whether to stay in Handong or go somewhere else." Chu Shijun nodded.

After thinking for a moment, the old man decided, "Go to your Uncle Qi's place. His secretary's term will end in two years at the latest. Your manuscript is well written. Young people have broad ideas and can adapt quickly. The coastal areas are developing well. Go and learn from their experience. When you are sent down to the countryside, you can go to the central and western regions to put your knowledge into practice. As for Handong, you can go back when the time is right."

Handong, influenced by historical and geographical factors, has been highly valued by the top leadership, especially since the reform and opening up.

Li Zhiguo and Tian Yushen were both veterans and pragmatists. Even Zhao Lichun, who later served as the "King of Handong" for more than ten years, was chosen by the top leadership. During this critical period, we only looked at development and results. As for how you were as a person, we would make our own judgment.

"Alright, I'll listen to you, Grandpa. Before you assign me a job, you should make sure to give the school a heads-up. I'm in high demand in Handong." Chu Shijun agreed readily, adding with a touch of pride.

"Haha, you wrote a good article and report, those old comrades like people like you," the old man shook his head, stood up and instructed, "Your Uncle Qi is in Haixi Province, you can learn about that place at school first."

"Okay, Grandpa, please take care of yourself when you go to the capital. I'm going to visit you there," Chu Shijun said, supporting him.

"When you came to the capital last year, you stayed at that Zheng family's place, and you didn't come to see me. It was Zheng who came to see me and told me." The old man glared at him.

"As you know, I'm unfamiliar with the capital, so it's not easy for me to contact you," Chu Shijun said with an awkward smile. He really didn't dare to make that call.

"Alright, next time you get off the bus, I'll have someone tie you up and bring you here," the old man said, adding, "You two should keep a close eye on that girl Pei Qianqian you found. Don't let her suffer any grievances. When she starts working in the future, you should be even more wary of all kinds of temptations. Don't let her get caught doing something wrong and make this old man go to her house to clean up her mess."

"Don't worry."

Chu Shijun understood that this was a warning to be careful not to make mistakes in his relationships with women.

Once outside, the old man got into the car, followed by several other cars that were escorting him.

After the taillights disappeared from sight, Huang Qiuyun became somewhat depressed. "Shijun, Grandpa is gone. You'll be going to school soon, and I'll be all alone at home again."

"Aunt Huang, I'll stay with you until the fifteenth of the lunar month."

"Really?" Huang Qiuyun asked in surprise.

"More real than real gold."

Chu Shijun nodded with a smile.

In the past few days, he has called Pei Qianqian, Gao Yuliang, Jiang Tiankuo and others to say hello and to say everything that needed to be said.

School starts on the 20th, so he doesn't need to rush over.

"Alright, alright, there are still a few days left. You need to gain two more pounds before you leave." Huang Qiuyun was overjoyed.

Her husband and son came back during the Spring Festival, but they left after the holiday. It would be great if Chu Shijun could spend a few more days with her now.