Chen Lan, upon hearing that Elder Qian's concerns were about this matter, smiled and said, "Grandpa, you really don't need to worry about this. The valley where we live is deep within the Changbai Mountains. It's no exaggeration to call it a paradise. If you want to go there, it's incredibly hard to find without a guide. Living there means living a life free from strife, peaceful and tranquil."
At this point, Grandma spoke up, "Daughter, to be honest, my husband and I just want to live a simple life, free from conflict and suspicion. We also want a pure and harmonious environment to teach and educate, so we can focus on our studies."
Chen Lan nodded with a smile, showing understanding, and continued her persuasion, "In our valley, people are not divided into ranks. It can truly be said that everyone is equal. However, in the valley, everyone has something to do, except for the children in kindergarten. You could say everyone has a work assignment."
Grandma then interjected, "Of course, work must be done. How can anyone just eat without working? That would be like waiting for pies to fall from the sky!"
Chen Lan explained with a smile, "Of course, by 'doing things' I don't mean everyone has to go out and farm. Farming in our valley is the easiest job. There are dedicated people for planting and specific farm managers for daily upkeep. It's only during the autumn harvest, when we need to gather the crops under good weather, that everyone in the entire valley comes together to help on the threshing grounds."
Grandma chimed in, "Of course, we have to help. After all the hard work put into growing the grain, it must all be stored."
Elder Qian also nodded in agreement, "The autumn harvest certainly requires help. It's a matter of whether everyone can eat their fill."
Chen Lan continued to explain, "The work assignments in our valley are not mandatory. Instead, they are based on individual abilities, allowing everyone to do what they do best. For instance, your skills in teaching and educating are highly valued. Just like outside, teaching and educating would be your work in the valley. You would only need to focus on teaching your students well, and you wouldn't have to worry about anything else. For meals, there's a large communal kitchen that prepares food for everyone, and the chefs in our valley can prepare dishes that are no worse than those at the state-run restaurants in Changchun. If your clothes get dirty, you wouldn't have to wash them yourself, as every household in the valley is equipped with washing machines. If you fall ill, there are experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctors and Western doctors in the valley, so there's no issue of not being able to afford medical care. And for clothes that need replacing with the changing seasons, the tailor shop will make them specifically for everyone, based on their needs and with the principle of not wasting resources."
Upon hearing this, Elder Qian suddenly spoke, "Alright! Daughter, we know you mean well and want to take care of us, planning for us to leave this place of trouble. That's why we said what we did. But just based on what you've said so far, I, Qian Yongfu, know that you are considering us. I also believe you have our best interests at heart. Besides, I don't want your mother and I to starve to death in this room this winter. I promise you, we'll go with you."
Chen Lan's mouth gaped open in astonishment, but she couldn't utter a word. In her heart, she thought, 'So, all this talking I've been doing, Elder Qian thought I was bragging all along?'
However, Chen Lan didn't want to dwell on this matter anymore. So, she stopped explaining. Since Elder Qian was willing to go with her to the valley, her goal had been achieved! It didn't matter what he thought. Whether Elder Qian believed it or not, once he and his wife arrived in the valley, the truth would naturally be revealed.
With this thought, Chen Lan smiled and said, "Elder Qian, Grandma Qian, please take some time to pack your belongings. I'll go out to prepare the car to return and also get food for lunch and dinner. Since there aren't many people around to know now, we'll leave tonight. You two only need to bring important and valuable items. Don't bring anything else. The valley has everything."
With that said, Chen Lan stood up, gathered her things, and prepared to head out.
At this moment, Elder Qian called out to stop Chen Lan, pushed the wooden box on the broken table towards her, and said, "Daughter, this box of things is for you."
Chen Lan quickly waved her hands, "No, no, we don't need these things in the valley. You should keep them for yourself! They can be a keepsake."
Unexpectedly, Elder Qian chuckled and said, "Keepsake? What keepsake? Your Grandpa is poor and penniless. Your mother and I don't have anything valuable. Our only wealth is the knowledge from the books we've read. These things in the box are what I found when I was sorting through scrap. I felt they were quite good, and it would be a shame to just discard them as scrap, so I kept them."
Chen Lan still waved her hands in refusal, "Elder Qian, since they are good things, I absolutely cannot take them. You should keep them for yourself to enjoy in your leisure time!"
Elder Qian then smiled again and said, "Daughter, enjoy? Enjoy what? Do you think there's anything valuable in this box? Let me tell you, it's all ancient books that are difficult to understand, and there seem to be two ancient medical texts. I can't understand what they say, so it's better to give them to you as a welcoming gift."
When Chen Lan heard this, she no longer refused. She repeatedly thanked him. Then she opened the wooden box and looked. Indeed, they were all thread-bound ancient books and manuscripts that Chen Lan herself couldn't understand.
So, Chen Lan closed the box again and then asked, "Elder Qian, were all these things found at this scrap yard?"
Elder Qian nodded and replied, "Yes, most of them were found in the first couple of years. The majority here were discovered then. In recent years, fewer have been found. What's wrong?"
Chen Lan didn't answer Elder Qian's question, but instead asked again, "Elder Qian, have the items delivered earlier years been moved? Do you mind if I take a look in the warehouse?"
Elder Qian smiled and said, "What is there to mind? What's collected at a scrap yard is all waste. You can look wherever you want. Most of the things delivered in the earlier years have been transported away, but there's one warehouse with things nobody wanted, mostly old furniture, broken pots, and such. In short, it's a room full of junk. However, daughter, it's very dirty in there. If you don't mind, feel free to take a look!" Su Dan Novel Network
Hearing Elder Qian agree, Chen Lan didn't hesitate and said, "Then I'll go take a look. Elder Qian, Grandma Qian, you two should also hurry and pack. After saying this, she placed the items on the table, slung her military canvas bag over her shoulder, and immediately got up and walked out of the gatehouse.