Chapter 196

When Jiang Qiulan returned, Han Songbai was still fiddling with the chessboard.

Jiang Qiulan asked, “Brother Han, what would you like for lunch today? I’ll go prepare it.”

Han Songbai casually tossed the chess pieces back onto the board and asked abruptly, “Finished talking?”

Jiang Qiulan instinctively replied, “Huh?”

Han Songbai said, “I know your purpose for marrying, but I don’t care. I trust my judgment. I married you because I see you as someone I can live with. Before we got married, I told you that besides some money, I have nothing else.” Han Songbai glanced around the house. “I also told you that everything passed down from our ancestors, whether it’s the house or the gold, all belong to Han Cheng. I won’t take a penny.”

Jiang Qiulan covered her lips and stared at Han Songbai in astonishment. “You—you know everything?”

Han Songbai took a sip of tea leisurely and asked in return, “Surprised? Your so-called good brother has a small-minded mentality. Despite having everything he needs, he has been coveting our family’s possessions for decades. I just can’t understand him.

Now, let me ask you one thing. If you are willing to continue living with me like this, even if I die, I’ll ensure you have a worry-free life. I can buy another yard that you like and register it under your name. We can move to a new yard, and the yard will be yours after I die, along with enough money to live comfortably.”

Han Songbai never thought of living in the old house for a long time. When he first returned, he felt life had lost its meaning, and each day was just passing by. However, after eating familiar food, hearing the familiar dialect, seeing Han Cheng’s family, and seeing hope for the Han family, he felt much better. He started to think that clinging to life was better than death. The idea of buying a property arose at that time.

Later, when he met Jiang Qiulan, to be honest, before meeting her, he had never considered remarrying. He knew about Jiang Huai’s scheming nature and Jiang Qiulan’s ulterior motives, but none of that stopped Jiang Qiulan from being a suitable life partner. Especially after spending time together recently, he was right. She took care of his daily life very well. He didn’t mind giving her a status, nor did he mind leaving all his money to her after he died, provided she was willing to continue living with him.

“If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. I’ll compensate you with some money, and we’ll part ways amicably. Go back and tell your so-called good brother not to covet things that don’t belong to him anymore. No matter how much effort he puts in, it’s all in vain. Even when Jiang Xue married into our Han family, the Han family’s belongings had nothing to do with him. What do you think?”

Jiang Qiulan felt as if she had just met Han Songbai today. She used to think that this gentle and refined man hid his true self deeply, and she couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. Now, hearing him say these words, she felt a sense of clarity, and he seemed more genuine.

“Brother Han, so you knew everything. Do you really not blame me?”

Han Songbai shook his head. “If I blamed you, I wouldn’t have let you step into this courtyard in the first place. As people age, they fear loneliness. I didn’t have this idea before, but after getting to know you, I thought it would be nice to have a companion to spend the rest of our days together. It depends on your decision. I’ve already said everything. If you still have doubts, there’s no need for us to continue.”

Jiang Qiulan nodded continuously. “Brother Han, I’m willing. If it weren’t for valuing you as a person, I wouldn’t have married you at all. Aside from that, when my husband passed away, he left me a large amount of compensation. I always have enough for my old age. There were people who wanted to be with me in these years, but I never considered remarriage. If I were purely after money, there would be no need to marry you. Also, it seems like my good brother doesn’t intend to pursue this further. I won’t bring this up again in the future. If you don’t want to live here, we can buy another property, but there’s no need to put it in my name. I don’t lack a place to live.”

Han Songbai nodded contentedly and said, “Alright, since we’ve talked about everything, we’ve all reached this age. In the future, we’ll enjoy our old age together. We’ll go grocery shopping together, cook and wash dishes, clean the table and sweep the floor, and share the household chores. I won’t let you take care of me like a nanny. If we have the opportunity, let’s travel in the future and see the beauty of our country.”

Jiang Qiulan smiled bitterly and said, “So you were testing my patience before?”

Han Songbai has lived abroad, and his ideas are more open-minded than most Chinese people. Jiang Qiulan is naturally very tempted by what he says. At this age, people do not seek anything romantic but rather good health and a good life. If they can take another look at the beautiful scenery of their motherland, then they will truly have no regrets.

Han Songbai didn’t hide it. “Yes, I wanted to see how long you could endure before exploding. I didn’t expect you to be so patient.”

Jiang Qiulan looked at him with annoyance. “I used to feel guilty for having impure intentions when marrying you; that’s why I had worked so hard to repent. Of course, I won’t do so in the future.”

Han Songbai laughed heartily. “Alright, pack up your things and move back to the master bedroom tonight.”

Jiang Qiulan blushed. “I think it’s fine like this for now. Let’s talk about it later. I’ll go cook first.”

Han Songbai nodded. “As you wish. Today, I feel like having chicken stew with mushrooms. I’ll help you with the vegetables.”

…………

On Han Cheng’s side, they had also investigated Jiang Qiulan’s background. She was Jiang Huai’s fifth cousin and had just retired this year. She had a good reputation as a martyr’s widow and had never remarried after her husband’s death. Her background was impeccable, which made her sudden marriage to Han Songbai inexplicable.

Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng had been busy lately, especially Han Cheng, who was about to take the postgraduate entrance exam. They planned to deal with these matters after the exam. Han Songbai took the initiative to come and hand over the keys to the old house, saying he had bought a new property and had already moved out with Jiang Qiulan.

Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng exchanged glances.

“Uncle is living well here; why did you suddenly want to move out?” Su Xiaoxiao asked.

Han Songbai said, “Han Cheng, have you mentioned what happened in the old house? I won’t hide it from you. Since coming back, I’ve been restless every day, thinking about the past, thinking about what-ifs, and living in endless regret. If only I hadn’t been so stubborn back then if only I hadn’t insisted on finding the gold, if only I hadn’t made that mistake.”

Han Songbai looked at his trembling hands and said, “Do you see that? My hands are red, stained with your aunt’s blood. I can’t wash them off in my life, but I don’t have the courage to redeem myself with death. I promised her back then that I would live well. I’m just trying to cling to life for a few more years. I’ll make amends with them later.

Han Cheng, I’ve talked to Qiulan. This old fox, Jiang Huai, has been coveting our family’s possessions for years. He knows our family has more than just gold; we also have valuable calligraphy, paintings, and jewelry passed down from our ancestors. The bracelet I gave Xiaoxiao last time was just the most ordinary accessory from our ancestors. If we could find them all, our family would be as rich as ancient kings and modern tycoons.

I was deeply obsessed when I was young, but now that I’m older, I see things more lightly. Life is just three meals and a bed. It’s all things that won’t go with us when we die. If we can sell the old house and keep these things intact to pass on to the next generation, we’ll have fulfilled our duty as a generation. Whether we can find them or not doesn’t matter much. Gold doesn’t deteriorate easily, but I’m worried that if the calligraphy and paintings aren’t preserved properly, they’ll end up as scraps of paper.”

Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng glanced at each other again.

Han Cheng said, “I can probably guess where the gold is. I plan to take advantage of the good price of the gold and discuss with you some time to dig it up and convert it into other assets. But as for the calligraphy, paintings, and jewelry you mentioned, I’ve never heard my grandfather or father talk about them.”

Hearing that Han Cheng might find the gold, Han Songbai remained calm. He waved his hand and said, “I don’t want to be involved in these matters anymore. I’m handing these keys over to you, and thus, the entire Han family is in your hands. I consider my generation’s duty fulfilled. I know about these things. They do exist. They were hidden by your grandfather back then. It’s just that their sudden passing prevented them from telling us where they were hidden. As for what to do in the future, whether they can be found or not, it’s up to you to decide.”

Han Songbai handed Han Cheng a new address. “This is my new address. I have a selfish motive. I live not far from you, within walking distance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to disturb you, nor will I disrupt your life. I just feel that in case something happens, it’s convenient to inform me without having to travel so far. Occasionally seeing the kids from afar is more than enough for me.” 

Su Xiaoxiao felt sentimental listening to this. “Uncle, you are our uncle, the blood relative of the children. If you want to see them, just come over anytime. Go to ‘Three Meals and Four Seasons’ around mealtime; they’ll be there.”

Han Songbai’s eyes were moist as he nodded and said, “Okay, I understand. If there’s something you don’t understand, just let me know. I told Qiulan that all the things in the Han family are left to Han Cheng and the children. If you find something, you don’t have to let me know. You can handle it yourself.”

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the elderly man’s unsteady figure and felt very sad. She chased after him and said with a smile, “Uncle, it’s almost time for lunch. You can go to ‘Three Meals and Four Seasons’ and have a meal with the children before leaving.”

Han Songbai waved his hand without looking back and said, “No, not today. Maybe next time. Qiulan is waiting for me to go back to eat at our new home.”

Su Xiaoxiao hugged Han Cheng tightly and rubbed against him. “Han Cheng, is this Uncle’s best outcome?”

Han Cheng nodded and said, “Well, I didn’t know how to face him or serve him in his old age. Now that he has found a new companion in life and started a new life, this is the best arrangement.”