Chen Lan leaned back comfortably against the headboard and nodded. "Yes! There was a hexagon, and it looked quite special. What's up? Mingxuan, does this hexagon contain any special meaning?"
Xu Mingxuan gave Chen Lan a thumbs-up and chuckled softly. "You're so smart, Lan'er. Do you know, that rather special hexagon is also called a Star of David. The Star of David symbolizes protection, security, and blessings, as well as beauty, divinity, and purity. It is the sole emblem of Judaism and Jewish culture. Its other names are the Shield of David and the Seal of Solomon. Don't you think those names sound mystical? And it's precisely the Jewish people who believe in the world's oldest religion, Judaism. The God Jehovah is the only deity they worship in Judaism. Therefore, the Jews believe in only one God. They believe only Jehovah can give them hope, which is why I'm so confident this drawing was left by Jewish people."
Chen Lan found Xu Mingxuan's explanation quite reasonable. She then asked, "Mingxuan, what's the difference between Jehovah and Jesus? Aren't they the same person?"
Xu Mingxuan leaned back against the headboard next to Chen Lan and explained softly with a smile, "Of course, they are not the same person. The relationship between them is quite complex, and there are many versions of the story! One theory is that they are father and son. God Jehovah is the father, the supreme, almighty, righteous, holy, and loving God. People call God Jehovah the Lord God, meaning everlasting. Jesus is the Son of God, also known as Christ. Legend has it that God, in order to save all sentient beings, impregnated Mary through the Holy Spirit, and thus Jesus was born, becoming the so-called savior of mankind, the redeemer believed by Christians."
Chen Lan was genuinely surprised to learn that God Jehovah and Jesus Christ were not the same, and that their relationship was so ambiguously complex. She lost further interest in the topic.
Chen Lan continued, "But, Mingxuan, even if we determine that Jewish people drew this map, how can we prove it's a real treasure map?"
Xu Mingxuan smiled and continued to explain in a low voice, "Lan'er, you're right about that. Regarding the authenticity of this map, I think we need to judge it based on the personality traits of Jewish people. Their personality is what we often call being rather stubborn. Moreover, Jewish people are generally conservative and meticulous. They wouldn't engage in the foolish and childish act of drawing a fake treasure map and then hiding it. And when you consider how well it was hidden, and also the fact that no one knows how many years this map has been in that dressing table, you can see the paper has yellowed. That's why I'm confident this is a real treasure map. I even suspect that the place where the large ingots are drawn might be the treasure's location."
Chen Lan knew nothing about Jewish people or Jewish culture. However, she found Xu Mingxuan's analysis quite convincing. She suggested, "Mingxuan, why don't we take our bicycles to the Jewish synagogue in Harbin tomorrow and see if we can find the place depicted in the drawing? If we do, we'll find an opportunity to investigate. If not, then so be it."
Xu Mingxuan thought for a moment and finally shook his head. "Lan'er, I think we should let it be. Let's take things as they come. If we truly stumble upon it, we'll find a suitable time to hand it over to the country. If not, then so be it. Tomorrow, our family will stick to the original plan: accompany Er Zhuang around the city and buy some gifts to bring back to Jiamusi for colleagues. Besides, I still need to go to the police station to get a temporary residence permit. If I don't transfer my household registration and grain ration status, I won't have any food supply in Harbin! When you and the children return to the valley, what will I eat and drink here? This is a crucial matter, and I need to get it done before school starts."
Chen Lan immediately realized the truth of it. The household registration system in the 1970s was quite strict. Without a household registration, there would be no food supply or other ration coupons. In that case, Xu Mingxuan would truly be in a desperate situation in Harbin.
So, Chen Lan said, "Mingxuan, transferring your household registration and grain ration status is the most important thing. Tomorrow, after breakfast, we'll go to the police station here to get the temporary permit. Then, Er Zhuang can take it back to Jiamusi for you and help with the transfer of your household registration and grain ration. Once it's done, we'll see if you go back to Jiamusi to pick it up yourself, or if he runs another trip to deliver it to you."
Xu Mingxuan replied, "We'll figure out picking up the household registration and grain ration later. Lan'er, I have to say, suddenly having to handle these matters myself, I'm really not used to it. Thinking about how I've been entirely focused on work all these years, leaving all these trivial matters and the affairs of our comrades to Er Zhuang to manage, it's really been tough on him."
Chen Lan teased him with a smile, "Mingxuan, that's a classic case of not knowing the value of rice and oil until you manage a household yourself. You've been a hands-off manager for so many years, and it's time you learned to worry a bit. However, before you and the children return to the valley, I'll definitely finish tidying up this old house completely, and I'll have plenty of food, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar ready for you, so you won't have any worries."
Hearing Chen Lan say this, Xu Mingxuan felt a pang of reluctance. He took Chen Lan's hand and asked softly, "Lan'er, when can you and the children come to Harbin again? I haven't seen the triplets and Mother for a long time. I really miss them. Lan'er, after the autumn harvest, can you bring the children to Harbin again?"
Chen Lan replied with a smile, "Mingxuan, it might not be possible after this year's autumn harvest because I promised everyone in the valley that we would hold a collective wedding there this year. Everyone in the valley is looking forward to this day! I can't break my promise. Besides, if I and the children can't come to Harbin, you can return to the valley! You're studying at the Party School now, as a university student. You have winter and summer breaks. When your winter break starts this time, you can completely go back to the valley to celebrate the New Year!"
Xu Mingxuan thought, "That's right! How could I forget that? Although my job has been transferred to Harbin, I'm currently studying at the Party School."