Yang Zichun said excitedly:
"Pa, let's go to Qudu."
Zhou Di smiled and reassured him:
"Chun'er, You and your aunt can go back to Qudu. You should spend more time with your grandparents and talk to your youngest uncle. Pa has a lot of tasks to handle here so I can't accompany you to Qudu, right, Chen Ge?"
Yang Chen followed Zhou Di's words:
"Yes. Sanhua, I'm glad you're here. I need your help with something. I have marked out a piece of land to build the Yucheng Museum so I need your help with manpower and materials. I have discussed this with Dizi about the museum. Don't be afraid. We don't use your money. Originally I intended to fund it myself but Dizi insisted on donating all of his money to build this museum. As you know I will be leaving for Yichun soon and Dizi's health is not good, he can't handle everything on his own. I have to entrust it to you. Please, Sanhua, please help us!"
Yang Sanhua was taken aback and said:
"What? Build a museum? Are you both crazy? Don't you realize how much criticism you'll face? There are still many people in Yucheng who have no place to live or are living in military tents without proper housing. I don't believe that you're unaware of this situation. If we don't prioritize building residential houses for the people instead of building a museum, aren't you afraid of public outcry?"
"That's precisely why I need you to focus on this project personally and carefully." Yang Chen continued explaining, "I understand that Dizi and I are walking on a knife's edge right now because of the rumors but this museum is urgently needed. We need someone we trusted to help Dizi. We don't need state funding. If Dizi's funds aren't enough, I'll contribute some as well. Dizi, I have already instructed Zhang Tianming and Guan Zhengtao to stay here under your command. I've asked Zhang Tianming to contact his father, who can find a talented architectural designer in Qudu. The soldiers in Xishan and at the hotel are all at your disposal."
Sanhua was still skeptical and asked:
"But, eldest bro., why are you in such a hurry to build a museum? I don't understand."
Yang Chen's expression turned serious:
"Do you know how crazy An Yuanxi is, who stationed in Yucheng. He plundered a lot of cultural treasure from our Midlands while he was on the way towards the south. We seized many valuable relics when we annihilated him this time. These things can't just be left casually in the hotel, which isn't safe or appropriate. They are too valuable. Some pieces are damaged and need restoration, which also requires more space. Dizi, listen to me. Now you are not in good health. Please don't overexert yourself and I have spoken to Zhang Tianming to keep an eye on things and assist you."
Yang Sanhua said:
"If that's the case, I will rush back immediately after dropping Chun'er off in Qudu. It is an important matter and I will take care of it myself personally. Once this museum is completed, I believe it will greatly uplift the national pride of our people."
Yang Zichun suddenly declared:
"In that case, I won't go to Qudu either. I want to help too. My soldier has been left here. Being his commander, I have no reason to flee. If I leave, it would be too irresponsible."
Yang Sanhua patted Yang Zichun on the head and chuckled:
"You have soldiers now, do you? My little rascal!"
Meanwhile, Zhou Aichen tugged at Zhou Di's sleeve and said:
"Pa, I'm hungry."
Yang Chen chimed in:
"Right, what time is it now? Why is there no lunch to be sent to us yet? I'm hungry too. We've been talking so much that we forgot to have our lunch."
Yang Sanhua responded:
"I asked Bro. Zaihua to bring lunch here later. I'll go and ask him to hurry up. Do you mind if I join you for lunch?"
Yang Chen rolled his eyes at Yang Sanhua playfully while Zhou Di smiled warmly at her.
At night, instead of staying at the hotel, Yang Chen insisted on sleeping with Zhou Di in his small hospital bed. Yang Chen asked:
"I'm not squashing you, am I? Just tell me if you feel uncomfortable."
Zhou Di urged anxiously:
"No, it is quite comfortable. Chen Ge, you must promise me to have a nice talk with the Grand Marshal. You don't know How worried I am about the conflict between the Grand Marshal and you."
Yang Chen explained:
"I understand. Dizi, I've told you not to worry about this so many times. Listen, Dizi, it is not your burden to bear this time. It is completely my problem. The main problem is that my father can't accept the fact that I'm a gay. Even if it weren't you, there might still be someone else, like Chen Di, Zhang Di or another person. I am not sure whether my father truly understands this or not. What I'm worried about is he will vent his anger on you for my sake, transferring his anger from his own son onto others. If that happens, I won't be able to tolerate it. Actually I hope he can come to terms with this. But if he can't accept me for who I am, please leave me alone and don't get involved in my affairs. I also know he is a man who cares more about the reputation so I have to do something to maintain both his reputation and my family's reputation. That is why I must go to Yichun. I'm also thinking about the position of my family among the four warlords in the future and our family's power after the country's reconstruction. So I have to bring more glory for the Yang family and gain advantages for our Yang family after the war. These are what my father cares about but not me. However, it is something I must do."
Zhou Di, looking worried, asked:
"You don't care? But you've fought so hard for all of these."
Yang Chen teased with a smile:
"So what? To tell you the truth, what I do is always for my father and my family. I tell you one more thing that I plan to resign from all my official positions once everything is settled. I want to be free, to be with you without any constraints. When I quit all my jobs, you'll have to support me and pay for everything. I have to tell you I am quite expensive."
Zhou Di said jokingly:
"Okay, as long as you don't mind being with a disabled person, I will definitely support you. It is true that you must be quite expensive when you, being such a valuable person, completely belong to me. It seems that I'll have to carve more things to sell at the auction house. Chen Ge, it is just a joke. Are you really planning to resign from all your official positions? What about your career and future?"
"Dizi, these are not neither what I want nor what I care about. They are only what my father wants me to do. From childhood until now, I have always been expected to meet his expectations. Gradually it's become my responsibility and obligation. But no one ever asked me what I wanted to do and what I needed. Do you understand my point?" Seeing Zhou Di nod with a hint of heartache in his eyes, Yang Chen continued, his smile deepening, "That means that I have never truly been myself. I have never lived for myself. Do you know what I need? To spend the rest of my life with you."
After saying this, he kissed Zhou Di deeply and Zhou Di returned his kiss, murmuring:
"I see. Chen Ge, you can rest assured. I will work hard to support you, my precious man. I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life doing what you love as long as you are happy."
"Is that a promise? At that time you can focus on carving your jade and I'll help you sell them. Oh, by the way, what about our jade carving company? We just started this company before the war but everything had to stop when the war began. Once you are in good health, let's revive it and continue our business. I know you don't have more money after donating all your money. Here is one of my bankbooks and I have given Sanhua another one. Most of my savings are in these two bankbooks. You can spend them however you like."
He handed Zhou Di a bankbook while saying. Zhou Di, without hesitated, took it and asked curiously:
"Where did your money come from? Did you exploit the normal people?"
Yang Chen laughed and said:
"Do you really think I am that kind of person? You know that my family has been in charge of the entire eastern region, a prosperous place. Actually the other three warlords are quite jealous of us for this reason. When my great-grandfather began his career to rise his power, he established a proper system of management departments to govern this region. If there was a war, we fought it. When it was time to take over, the right management departments were established. The reasonable tax were collected. The infrastructure was developen. The economic was developed. Every matter related to the people's livelihood must be managed by the professional personnel. Most importantly, our family has always adhered to the principle of separating public and private interests. The private property of our family's had to be earned through our private business. We have never used our position and influence to make profits for our own family. This is the core motto of our family. As for my property, first it is from my military salary. After all, in the army, my rank is only one level lower than my Dad's. 'Young Marshal' is not just an empty title. Besieds my salary, I have also made some smart investments in some business. Sun Jiancheng is specifically responsible for managing that aspect for me. My wife, as you know, was quite skilled at spending money so I had to support her. Of course, she also had a lot of her own money because her dowry is very generous. I intend to leave it to Chun'er directly. In addition, our family also has our own business. All of us siblings, including me, receive shares from these enterprises without needing to invest our own money. Even Chun'er also holds the share though he gets it from mine. We have managed these assets generation by generation. When my grandpa passed away, he allocated part of his property to our generation. And my father, being the only son, inherited everything else from my grandpa's"
Zhou Di nodded thoughtfully:
"The rich people truly know how to make their money grow, unlike us, the common people who spend whatever we earn on daily expenses. But I must say, your family's governance in the eastern region seems to be very effective. The people here live more comfortably and happily compared to those in other districts."
Yang Chen replied with a smile:
"That's true. My family has indeed been wise in managing the region. Dizi, there is one more thing to consider, that is, the items in Xishan. You can take these items from Cultural Relics Bureau. As for my personal collection, if you want to donate some pieces to the museum, it is no problem for me but can you keep some for me? You know how much I love collecting antiques."
Zhou Di reassured:
"Chen ge, I would never touch your personal collection without your consent. It took you so much time and money to gather these items. If you decide to donate some, it is your choice. I know how passionate you are about antiques and I would never want to take your hobby away. "
"You're really considerate, my baby. Sun Jiancheng told me that he has prepared plenty of stones for you. I've already discussed this with Sanhua that when she begins building the museum, you can choose a nearby location for our comany. I know you still want to keep watching over your ancestors, Zhou Chuyu and Nie Huanzhang, close to your heart. Additionally you can help the museum restore antiques when needed. Your restoration skills are indeed superior to others. Oh, I have another idea. I want to hold a public auction when the museum opens. I can sell some of the porcelain items you've repaired and all the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the post-war reconstruction in Yucheng. What do you think?"
Zhou Di leaned in to kiss Yang Chen and said with a smile:
"You are such a kind-hearted person. I'm so lucky to have found you. Yes, you are my treasure. But as I've told you before, I would never touch your collection. Your idea is excellent. The porcelain items you gave me are still there so I plan to sell them at the public auction under your name. I don't think we need to separate things so rigidly between us, right?"
"Of course, just do what you want. It is just my suggestion."
Zhou Di continued:
"Let me tell you one more thing. The Guan family also has some antiques at home. Before Guan Yunkai passed away, he told me where his family's antiques were hidden. I have already informed Guan Zhengtao about it. He said he plans to visit the location when he escorts Guan Yunkai's corpse to Yichun. As you know, Chen Qing took advantage of his power to seize the Guan family's house. Guan Zhengtao also has to deal with that as well. I think he might handle Chen Qing and his son under your name. If Guan Zhengtao wants to revive his house, he will definitely auction off some of his antiques too. I told him that I want to go and have a look at his collections first if he decides to do this."
Yang Chen responded:
"It's up to you. I don't care about this anymore since the money is in your pocket. You can spend it however you like."
Zhou Di added with a grin:
"Additionally, for our company's future business, I propose producing high-quality replicas of cultural relics to sell. While the museum exhibits can't be sold to the public, there will be many collectors eager to acquire such artifacts. By offering high-quality replicas, I can satisfy these collectors' desires and earn more money to support you, my precious treasure. What do you think?"
Yang Chen proposed:
"So I could handle the business side of selling the replicas you make. No, I won't let you make money alone so I will have something to focus on after I resign. Good idea! Baby, let's stop talking now. You know I will be leaving for Yichun soon. I'm not sure when I'll come back. I think it is time for us to enjoy our time together now. I asked the doctor about how we make love without aggravating your injury. As long as I'm careful and avoid your wound, it is no problem for us to sex."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Di blushed and exclaimed anxiously:
"How shameless of you! How could you ask the doctor about something like this? You are indeed not afraid of the people finding out you have a boyfriend."
Yang Chen retorted:
"Are you afraid? I don't think so."
Zhou Di hesitated:
"But this..."
Yang Chen interrupted with a smirk:
"Shut up, my love , please! Let's just enjoy this moment."
In the quiet room, there burst into the heavy breathing of two people in a short time. After half of the night, Yang Chen, drenched in sweat, asked:
"Was it okay? Comfortable?"
Zhou Di replied with satisfaction:
"Yes, I'm enjoying it. Oh, where are the children?"
"They're with Sanhua. Focus!"
Zhou Di murmured:
"Yes, my darling!"
In an ordinary hotel, Yang Tianhu asked:
"Has Chen'er left?"
His adjutant responded:
"Yes, Young Marshal had left. He took the train to Yichun this morning."