Chapter 197.2

When Han Cheng finally finished his exams, he felt relatively good about his performance, but whether he could secure the top spot was uncertain. After all, there were always other people who could be more capable than him. He believed in doing his best and leaving the rest to fate, letting things take their natural course.

The country was in dire need of talent as it was rebuilding. The college entrance exams of 1977 and 1978 were separated by just over six months. In two months, a new round of exams will take place, giving candidates little time to prepare.

Han Cheng’s mentor gave him a few days off. During the weekend, Su Xiaoxiao also didn’t have to attend classes, so the entire family gathered to discuss how to dig up the gold.

Su Xiaoxiao said, “That Fengyu Bridge is in good condition, and the piers are quite large. We’d need a professional team to dismantle it, right?”

However, hiring a professional team might expose their intentions, which wasn’t the best choice.

Han Cheng said, “Let Hongtu borrow the tools and we can dismantle them ourselves. The few piers are just decorations. I believe they were built specifically to hide the gold and aren’t the main supporting structures. Damaging the piers won’t affect the bridge’s stability.”

“Oh,” Su Xiaoxiao said, not understanding much about construction. “So, we just need to break the piers with tools and retrieve the gold without affecting any structures?”

Han Cheng nodded. “Theoretically, yes, assuming the gold is indeed hidden in the piers. It would be best if we could borrow a metal detector to confirm, but that’s too conspicuous and might arouse suspicion. Let’s just break the piers.”

Su Xiaoxiao agreed. “Alright, we’ll do as you say. Kids, remember not to share our family secrets with anyone, okay?”

The couple rarely kept secrets from their children, no matter the size of the issue. They always included them in discussions, and this time was no exception.

The children nodded obediently. Xiao Roubao said, “We know. If we have gold, we can buy meat. I heard Dongdong’s family only eats meat a few times a month. I wouldn’t tell him that we eat meat every day. What if he wants to come over for meals?”

Everyone: “…”

Xiao Tangyuan, clutching her little jade pendant, tilted her head and asked, “Mommy, can we not tell Tiantian and Brother Zhuzi either? But we never lie to Brother Zhuzi.”

Xiao Tangyuan had fair skin, big eyes, and a heart-shaped face, with shoulder-length, smooth black hair, making her a particularly pretty little girl.

Su Xiaoxiao patted her head. “You can tell Brother Zhuzi, but not Tiantian.”

Xiao Tangyuan nodded. “I understand. Brother Zhuzi is family, and Tiantian is a good friend. We can tell family, but not friends.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “That’s right. Brother Zhuzi would never spill our secret, but good friends might. The fewer people who know our secret, the better.”

“Han Cheng, do you have any leads on the paintings Uncle mentioned?” Su Xiaoxiao asked.

Han Cheng thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, “Those things are prone to mold and rot, making them hard to preserve. I don’t think they’re at home. They might be in a specific place. I’ll look through the things Father left behind for clues.”

Su Xiaoxiao frowned for a moment and thought. “Did your parents leave you any safe deposit box keys or anything? They might have stored them in a bank or some other safe place.”

Han Cheng shook his head. “They never mentioned it. We’re not even sure if these things exist. We’ll have to unravel this mystery ourselves. For now, the priority is to dig up the gold.”

Fantuan suddenly asked, “Mom, did I tell you about a man named Gu Zhanwang who comes to the restaurant every day?”

Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng had been busy lately, and Fantuan wasn’t sure if he had mentioned it.

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “You did. He’s the overseas returnee who wanted you to help him paint murals for his shopping mall, right? Why bring him up now? Did something happen?”

Fantuan shook his head. “Nothing happened. I just remembered him. He talks about auctions and paintings at the restaurant and seems very interested in those topics. He seems sincere, too. Even though you haven’t been to the restaurant lately, he bought a monthly card and comes for lunch and dinner every day, always asking about you. I think he really wants to meet you.”

Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng exchanged glances.

“He’s been asking about us? Every day?” Su Xiaoxiao had practically handed over the restaurant to Fantuan, who managed the accounts and reported to her weekly.

Fantuan was very interested in this. The restaurant’s customers now thought Fantuan was the owner and went to him for any issues.

Speaking of this, Su Xiaoxiao felt a bit embarrassed. At the “Halal Pavilion,” she only receives a small portion of the dividends, and the operations are all managed by Mu Xiaocao. Mu Xiaocao is also a practitioner. In her words, she is preparing for the future construction of her hometown. Mu Xiaocao consults her if necessary, but Su Xiaoxiao generally doesn’t interfere as long as there are no losses.

Fantuan nodded and said, “He would always say he wants to see what kind of parents can raise children like us. He has been coming almost every day lately, and even Xiao Doubao asks why he doesn’t come if he misses a day.”

Xiao Doubao said, “Because he’s very skilled and speaks foreign languages well. Sometimes he teaches me. Oh, and Mom, he’s been talking about selling gold recently.”

Su Xiaoxiao blinked. “Selling gold?”

Fantuan shook his head. “I didn’t hear that. He prefers talking to Xiao Doubao and Xiao Roubao.”

Xiao Doubao nodded. “He and another man were speaking in a foreign language. I heard them say something about selling gold abroad for a high price.”

Han Cheng tapped the table and asked, “Was the other man a foreigner?”

Xiao Doubao shook his head. “No, he looked like us. They usually spoke Chinese but occasionally switched to other languages. I understand some English, but some languages I don’t understand at all.”

Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng smiled at each other; it was interesting. It seemed they would need to meet this overseas returnee, Mr. Gu Zhanwang, after digging up the gold. They might need his help.