"But I really like that gramophone just now. Can I buy it?" Xu Qingqing negotiated with the old woman.
The old woman's cloudy eyes showed contentment when she saw that Xu Qingqing was willing to return the silver coins. She nodded happily in agreement, her eyes filled with joy.
The old woman took out a handkerchief embroidered with blue and white flowers to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. Then she happily held the silver coins returned by Xu Qingqing and carefully wrapped them in the handkerchief.
Xu Qingqing went back with the old woman, while Lu Chuanbai helped her and the shopkeeper carry the gramophone towards the car.
The old woman told Xu Qingqing about her scoundrel grandson, with tears glistening in her eyes.
Her scoundrel grandson spent his days drinking, eating, and having fun. At first, the old woman would give him money when he asked.
But later, he dropped out of school and became a good - for - nothing, even indulging in drinking, whoring, and gambling. So she stopped giving him money.
However, the old woman never expected that he would steal and sell the treasures she and her late husband had collected.
By the time the old woman found out, it was too late. All the items had been sold.
Hearing this, Xu Qingqing couldn't help but sigh. She also became more curious about the old woman's identity and asked tentatively, "Grandma, your family has a gramophone from the Republic of China era and so many Yuan Datou silver coins. Your family background must be extraordinary, right?"
Hearing Xu Qingqing's question about her identity, the old woman sighed, her expression neither sad nor happy. "My father was a well - known corrupt official during the Republic of China. Later, after the liberation, my father's family was raided. The gramophone and the silver coins are the only things I brought out from home, and I've cherished them until now."
Hearing this, Xu Qingqing thought no wonder the old woman exuded an air of nobility and had the grace of a gentlewoman. It turned out her life had been so rough.
When Xu Qingqing was about to part with the old woman, she saw Lu's father coming up with the two children to help Lu Chuanbai carry the table.
The old woman cast a reluctant glance at the gramophone. She was a reasonable person and knew that these items now belonged to Xu Qingqing. She couldn't interfere unreasonably.
"Thank you. Otherwise, I might never have gotten my silver coins back," the old woman said seriously to express her gratitude to Xu Qingqing.
Xu Qingqing's clear peach - blossom eyes were filled with a smile. She waved her hand, indicating it was no big deal.
On the way back, Xu Qingqing asked Lu's father to drive to Lu Qi's shop first. She asked Lu Qi to help polish the gramophone she liked.
After it was polished, it could be placed at home.
When Lu Qi saw the treasure Xu Qingqing had brought, his eyes were full of envy. He sighed, "Qingqing, why can you always stumble upon treasures so easily while I can't?"
Xu Qingqing shrugged and said playfully, "Maybe it's because I'm lucky."
Of course, it was thanks to the system's blessing. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so lucky every time.
"Okay," Lu Qi said, full of envy and helplessness at Xu Qingqing's answer.
This kind of extraordinary talent was beyond his reach. He might as well cling to Xu Qingqing and benefit from her good fortune.
Xu Qingqing looked around Lu Qi's shop, which was decorated with colorful lights, red window decorations, and red lanterns.
"How many days off do you have for the Chinese New Year?" Xu Qingqing asked, looking around the shop.
Lu Qi turned to look at the masters who were doing restoration work and smiled faintly. "There's not much work this year. We'll start our holiday on Chinese New Year's Eve and have ten days off."
"Why, does your husband still want you to work?" Lu Qi raised his eyebrows and looked at the car outside that was waiting for Xu Qingqing, joking.
Now that Xu Qingqing had officially married into the Lu family, Lu Chuanbai didn't have to worry about her being snatched away anymore, right?
Xu Qingqing snorted and looked at Lu Chuanbai, who was waving at her while pressing his face against the car window. Her peach - blossom eyes were full of happiness.
"Okay, I won't talk to you anymore. My husband is watching me. I have to go quickly."
Lu Qi nodded and watched Xu Qingqing get into the car with a smile. "I'll call you when the gramophone is polished."
As days passed and the Chinese New Year drew closer, the two children's kindergarten also had a holiday.
To have a good New Year, Lu Chuanbai decided to take Xu Qingqing and the two children to his tropical island.
The climate there was warm and humid, making it a good place to spend the winter. They would return home during the Chinese New Year.
Lu Chuanbai's proposal was supported by Xu Qingqing and the two children.
This was their family's first proper trip since they started living together.
The two children excitedly went to pack their luggage. They were very independent.
They could pack all the things they needed in an orderly manner without much help from Xu Qingqing and Lu Chuanbai.
After packing, the family went to the airport, planning to take a plane to the port near Lu Chuanbai's island and then take a cruise to the island.
In the VIP lounge of the airport, Xu Qingqing was having free desserts with the two children.
Lu Chuanbai received a call from Gao Bo. Gao Bo's tone on the phone was a bit anxious. He started asking a long string of questions in a rush.
"Mr. Lu, have you been targeted by someone recently? Did you do anything to a woman other than Miss Xu yesterday?"
Hearing Gao Bo's question, Lu Chuanbai pursed his thin lips slightly. His lazy expression became a bit more serious, and his voice was deep and solemn.
"Don't you know what kind of person I am? Asking me such a naive question."
Only then did Gao Bo realize his mistake. He let out a long sigh and told Lu Chuanbai what had happened in the company today.
"Mr. Lu, a woman called me today saying that you bumped into her and her ankle was seriously sprained. She asked you to go to the hospital to take care of her."
Hearing this, a hint of displeasure flashed in Lu Chuanbai's eyes.
He knew the woman he bumped into. He didn't use that much force. The woman didn't even fall, let alone have a seriously sprained ankle.
"Ask her how much the medical expenses are and just compensate her," Lu Chuanbai said. Then he turned to look at the mother and the two children who were still eating and drinking. The sunlight outside the glass cast a golden glow on their black hair. His deep eyes looked at them tenderly.
His casual suit didn't hide his good figure at all. Instead, it made him look a few years younger, sunny and refreshing.
On the other end of the phone, Gao Bo scratched his head helplessly at Lu Chuanbai's order.
"Mr. Lu, I arranged it that way too. But she called all day long. Even after I blocked her number, she would use a new one.
"I'm afraid of missing a call from a client, so I can't not answer her calls.
"She even came to the company to make a scene, insisting that you injured her and had improper intentions towards her. She said she must see you.
"I was worried, so I called to ask you."
Thinking of the woman's description of Lu Chuanbai looking at her lecherously just now, Gao Bo felt goosebumps all over his body.