Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

"Da Mao, you're offering such a high price, do you have evidence against him?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? This Li Huaide used to be the head of the steel mill. He was really nice to me in the early years. Although he is not a very good person, I have to repay him for his kindness. Besides, he is over 70 years old, so what can he do? This set of gold and jade headpieces, plus two paintings, we are at a disadvantage today, but what about tomorrow? Next year? Ten years later? Good things in hand, both sides should not regret it. I am not exaggerating to say that for this set of twelve headpieces, the price will quadruple next year, not to mention ten or eight years. I am a little tempted when I see it. However, lady, this set of things is definitely not for sale in our family. I will share it among my daughters in the future. It is too precious."

"It has to be you. With your honeycomb mind, you still want to do a losing business?! I also think it's worth buying at a premium."

"Well, let's go to the street outside the front gate and show it to my master. It will definitely shock him."

As expected, Pu Yulin, who was 76 years old, was really impressed by the whole set of gold and jade headgear. There was also the painting by Lang Shining: The Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui in Court Dress.

Pu Yulin couldn't tell whether the painting was real or not, but it was almost certainly real. It really shocked him, but it was not surprising that many of Tang Bohu's paintings of ladies were circulated.

"Da Mao, you bought it for 21? That's reasonable, but it's really a treasure. These things are hard to come by. Even if the seller said a million, I still want to buy it. How about leaving it in the store so I can play with it for a while?"

"Master, I brought this for you to look at and play with. But, Master, this is not for sale and I will never buy it. You can pick one for Dandan and keep it."

"I don't get involved in these things, I just appreciate them."

Xu Damao did not comment, knowing that Pu Yulin had only bought and not sold in Rumao Baozhai over the years, and had collected a lot of good stuff, so he felt it was worth it. Xu Damao knew that the spring of antique value had not yet arrived, and now was the dawn. Collecting is profit.

After returning to Fang Xiaoru's residence, the two of them bought some cooked food along the way, went home to have a drink together, and had another lively physical and mental exchange.

"Da Mao, guess who I met at Xinjiekou Department Store the other day?"

"Who is it? Do I know him?"

"Nonsense, I'm asking you if I don't know you."

"I really can't guess it. Stop guessing. Who is it?"

"Lihua, no, you don't forget Lihua, do you?"

"He Lihua, what a coincidence? How can we meet in Xinjiekou Shopping Mall in such a big city like Kyoto?!"

"She still lives in that house on Xishiku Street. How can we not run into her? Why? Did it bring back memories deep in your heart?"

"Xiao Ru, if you hadn't mentioned Lihua, I really wouldn't have remembered her. Of course, now that you've brought her up, it's impossible for me to say I don't remember her. I'm not a cold-blooded animal."

"Don't you want to know how she's doing?"

"Everyone has the right to choose how to live their lives. Life is like a train. The train stops at many stations along the way. At each station, some people get off and some get on. I am still in the carriage, passing by people coming and going. It really doesn't matter whether I know you or not."

"I told you. She's still the same. But your illegitimate son was admitted to university last year. But Lihua said that the child asked to change his surname. Now his name is Qu Dongyue instead of He Dongyue. He is from Kyoto Iron and Steel Institute. I guess Qi will follow his adoptive father into the steel industry in the future."

"That's great. Kyoto Iron and Steel Institute is a school directly under the Ministry of Metallurgy. Graduates will be assistant engineers, so the future is promising."

"That's right. Lihua's husband is now the director of a rolling mill. He's very powerful. So she's living a very good life. She's young and beautiful. Really, the years haven't left any marks on her face. Is this related to practicing your Five Elements Qi Refining Technique?"

"I don't know, I think so. I can't remember the year she and I met. I met her once at a Youth League event in the Metallurgical System, and I haven't seen her since. I think so, right? I'm young, you're young, and Meifang is young because of the effects of the Qi Refining Technique and the Beauty Pills. She should be the same."

"You really won't contact Lihua anymore? What about Qu Dongyue? Lihua said he is your biological son."

“Whether you are close or not sometimes has little to do with blood. The most important thing is the closeness of heart to heart. For example, are the three sisters Handan and Shuying close? They are very close. It’s not about blood, but about the closeness in their hearts.”

"Don't you think Lihua has you in her heart?"

"Xiao Ru, sometimes people need to make decisions with each other. In the midst of material desires, let go of things and keep the pure land in your heart. Find peace in the chaos, let go of things and find a place for your soul. Let go of obsessions, let your heart follow the wind, and soar freely in the vast world. Just like the wind sweeping away fallen leaves, your mind suddenly becomes clear. When the relationship is over, let go of it in a chic way. This can be done not only for things, but for everything. This is the desire of letting go. Therefore, it is better to forget than to remember. Forgetting is the highest realm that people pursue in life. Although I cannot reach this level yet, I will work hard."

Fang Xiaoru listened to Xu Damao's long speech, and she seemed to understand it, but she didn't quite understand it. But she still believed that Xu Damao had really let go of He Lihua. She was a little happy, but also a little confused. As a woman, she felt that He Lihua's natural beauty was unforgettable, let alone a man!

"Xiao Ru, are you going to retire this year?"

"Yes, I have already submitted the report. But I will probably retire at the end of this semester. Otherwise, there will be no one to take over my course for the time being. I will go through the formalities first, and the work should be finished by the end of June."

"Very good, then retire and live your own life. When we have time, let's go to the northwest this year. First, to celebrate your glorious retirement, and second, I want to go to Bingshan to try out the cultivation situation."

"Really? When are you going?"

"Maybe July or August. It depends on how you prepare for retirement! The sooner you prepare, the sooner we can go. July to October is the best season in the northwest, not too cold or too hot, especially in the beautiful Xinjiang."

"Okay, I'll do it as soon as possible. I'll try to make the trip in July."

Indeed, Xu Damao wanted to go to the plateau, especially the extremely cold areas, to test the thinness of spiritual energy. This was because of the many Liang Yusheng martial arts novels left by Xu Zhilu that aroused Xu Damao's thoughts. Tianshan School, Kunlun School, Glacier Goddess...

What if this is true? If not, just think of it as a trip to beautiful Xinjiang and magical Qinghai.

After receiving such an exquisite set of gold and jade headpieces today and having a lively conversation with Fang Xiaoru, Xu Damao looked so happy and cheerful that Gu Meifang noticed it when he got home.

It's not jealousy, it's concern.

"Boss, did you find a treasure today?"

Xu Damao directly hugged Gu Meifang's slender waist and said, "Wife, you really found a treasure. It's not just an ordinary treasure. That thing is so beautiful, it's as beautiful as you."

"Go, stop teasing me. I'm a yellow-faced woman in my fifties, almost sixty. How can I be so beautiful?"

"That's really strange. Why are you still so strong, with a thin waist and a perky butt? Have you become a spirit? The new society does not allow spirits." He picked up Gu Meifang and spun her around.

"Boss, you are so shameless. Let me go. The children are going to school now."

Gu Meifang's shy and fair face suddenly became hot...