189: Chapter 189: The Art of Conversation 189: Chapter 189: The Art of Conversation Seeing Qiao Hongyi smile without speaking, his demeanor calm and composed, Mu Yuming suddenly understood.
“You’ve already identified it?
In Edo?”
“It probably wasn’t just for me alone that they made such a big fuss.
Are there other issues on the Cosmos?”
Qiao Hongyi shook his head, “There are some other issues.
We just happened to come across your personal file, but you don’t need to worry about that.
Let’s talk about your situation here.
I see you’ve returned with your wife and daughter.
How old is your daughter this year?”
“14 years old.
She doesn’t know my real identity.”
Mu Yuming spoke seriously, “I don’t have a son, my daughter…
she has severe schizophrenia, a hereditary disease from her mother’s side of the family.
So I don’t plan for her to inherit my work.
Commander Qiao, the new government doesn’t have the Former Dynasty’s ‘Hereditary Military Household’ regulation, does it?”
“Of course not, don’t worry.
I just wanted to understand the situation.”
Qiao Hongyi smiled, “Let’s talk about your wife.
What does your sister-in-law do?”
“She is a witch.”
Mu Yuming observed Qiao Hongyi’s expression, “It seems even if I don’t report it, you already have information on her?”
“Yes, famous Chinese witches with notable surnames are rare.
Ms.
Li Ya’s papers on String Theory published overseas, we have collected them all.
You mentioned hereditary diseases just now, does that mean she has issues in this aspect as well?”
Facing Qiao Hongyi’s inquiry, Mu Yuming did not immediately answer this time but hesitated before counter-questioning, “Commander Qiao, is there a higher education institution named ‘Penglai’ domestically?”
“No.”
Qiao Hongyi shook his head, “I haven’t heard of it.”
“Good, that’s best.”
Mu Yuming watched the changes in Qiao Hongyi’s expression carefully and said softly, “I also can’t find any information through various channels.
If it truly doesn’t exist, that would mean my wife simply had a psychotic episode, showing mild delusional symptoms.”
“If it does exist, then how my wife learned about it from the Witch Sisterhood would be a question worth considering.”
“I see…
it’s also possible I’m unaware of it.
I’ll ask around for you later.”
Qiao Hongyi nodded, seemingly not placing much importance on the matter.
“The current domestic situation can be described as in dire need of rebuilding.
Things are a bit better here in Tianmen City, but 90 percent of towns and villages in the inland areas are still not modernized.
We welcome every overseas Chinese returning home to help build our homeland.
Both you and your sister-in-law are talented individuals.
I wonder if you have any long-term plans after returning?
If you don’t mind, I can help you arrange for more suitable positions.”
Seeing the hesitant expression on Mu Yuming’s face, Qiao Hongyi added, “I will help you with the issues at the Four Seas Commerce Guild.
Normally, they wouldn’t expect you to bring back any secret intelligence the moment you return.
Rather than espionage skills, the country now hopes you can demonstrate your talents in other more important areas.”
“Alright, I will follow the arrangements,” Mu Yuming nodded and said.
“But about my wife and daughter…
it might sound silly, but my wife doesn’t like working, and my daughter doesn’t like school either.”
“These are small matters.
Do you have a place to stay here in Tianmen?”
“Well…
I thought of staying in a hotel initially…”
“Staying in a hotel is not a long-term solution.”
Qiao Hongyi pulled out a newspaper from the drawer and handed it to Mu Yuming, “Below the advertisement area, fourth line, third slot, there’s a two-bedroom, one-living room apartment for rent.
I know the landlord.
If you take this newspaper to him, he can give you a discount.
The conditions certainly can’t match those of the overseas mansions or villas, but at least it’s clean and quiet, no disturbances, suitable for your family of three.
Renting this won’t raise any suspicions.”
“Once you get accustomed to the domestic environment, you can slowly pick on your own later.”
“Thank you.”
Mu Yuming did not refuse, and took the item, folding it neatly into his pocket.
“There’s another thing…
about King Mu’s Mansion…”
“I’m not familiar with them; relations were severed since my father’s generation.”
Qiao Hongyi smiled and said, “Okay, then it’s your family’s own business, we won’t interfere.
But I must remind you, the old master who’s in charge at King Mu’s Mansion now likes to stir up trouble.
You better be prepared when you encounter anyone from the Mu Family.”
Mu Yuming remained composed, “Alright, I understand.”
Qiao Hongyi stood up, reaching out his hand with a smile, “Even though I’ve just said it, I want to say it again, welcome back home, Comrade Jiansui.”
Mu Yuming also smiled, got up and the two men grasped each other’s hands firmly.
…
“What do you mean there’s no ‘Penglai’?”
Li Ya looked bewildered at the blindfolded woman in front of her.
“It means exactly what it says on the surface.”
“Impossible, I’ve clearly seen Mumu studying in Penglai…”
“And what did this Penglai you saw look like?”
Yaoqin asked curiously.
Li Ya faltered, her gaze flitting.
“I can responsibly tell you that, at present, there is indeed no such school as you described in our country, nor is there any institution dedicated to nurturing ‘Immortals.’ In fact, we haven’t even managed to fully implement compulsory education nationwide yet.
Even in Tianmen City, there are still lots of children from poor families who cannot afford to attend school.”
“What we urgently need now is to cultivate a large number of technical workers to contribute to national construction.
Elite education like what you mentioned, although necessary, is not our primary need at this stage.”
As Li Ya looked crestfallen as if her dream had been shattered, Yaoqin pushed forward a cup of freshly brewed chrysanthemum tea and smiled, “However, I think your ideas are very valuable, Ms.
Li.
Previously, there were quite a few people in the country who proposed similar suggestions.
Once you and your family settle down, find a suitable opportunity, I will call others out, and we could have a place to drink tea and talk about this topic seriously.”
“Wait!”
Li Ya suddenly sat up straight, staring at Yaoqin, and asked, “Did you just say…
there definitely isn’t one…
right now?”
“That’s correct.”
“And what about in the future?”
“How can we say what will happen in the future?”
Yaoqin’s face broke into an innocently benign smile.
“After all, your daughter is only 14 this year, still young.
And you, Ms.
Li, are a renowned scholar in the Modern Magic World yourself.
If you believe Penglai should exist, why not find some like-minded friends and establish the school yourself?”
“The future you predict might come a few years from now; it’s entirely possible to achieve.
Isn’t that right, Teacher Li?”