Chapter 2706 The Sacred War

The phonograph, or record player, was too advanced for Gao Yang; he really didn’t know how to use it.

Holding a vinyl record, standing beside the record player and staring blankly for a while, Gao Yang finally said softly, "I don’t know how to use this..."

Yarebin smiled as he stood up, walked to the phonograph, took the record from Gao Yang’s hand, stared at it for a moment, then said softly, "This phonograph was bought by my father, a thirty-three RPM from East Germany, it was expensive, and this record is in stereo, which was quite a rare item back then."

Gao Yang exclaimed, "This was actually left by your father!"

Looking at Yarebin’s face, one couldn’t tell he was holding something left by his father, because Yarebin was so calm, showing no signs of excitement, leading Gao Yang to always think this was something left behind by the families after Yarebin’s parents passed away and were moved in.

Yarebin nodded, saying softly, "Yes, it was left by my father; it was his lifeline, he wouldn’t let me touch it."

Yarebin took the record out of its protective sleeve, looked at it with a pensive expression, and finally shook his head, placed it on the turntable, unlocked the tonearm, and when he saw the record start to spin, he gently placed the needle down.

"Ah-ha, it still works."

Joseph let out a breath and said, "The previous owner wanted to take this away, thinking it was an antique that might be worth some money. I bought it for two hundred dollars, thank goodness."

A rich male choral sound started playing, making Yarebin’s body stiffen, and his face looked incredulous.

It’s "The Sacred War," a song Gao Yang is very familiar with.

Yarebin said with surprise, "Hey, it’s ’The Sacred War.’ I understand now; this record is the first stereo edition recorded by the Red Flag Song and Dance Ensemble. This was the apple of my father’s eye!"

Gao Yang looked at Joseph and gave him a thumbs-up.

Yarebin looked at Joseph and laughed, "You got a good deal. This kind of first edition record is very expensive. Two hundred dollars for the phonograph and the record, you made a fortune!"

Joseph shrugged and said, "It originally belonged to your family."

Yarebin shook his head and smiled, "Not anymore, so you really did score big."

Yarebin sat back on the sofa and then said with a smile, "Let’s enjoy the music. No denying that music has evolved, but the ones from our time still have a special charm."

Yarebin closed his eyes, tapping to the rhythm, engrossed in the music.

Since it’s a special first edition single, the record has only one song, "The Sacred War." Now, Gao Yang also knew how to operate the turntable, and after listening to it three more times, Yarebin finally opened his eyes.

Yarebin stood up, smiled, and said, "You guys stay seated, I’m going to take a stroll and look around."

Gao Yang said, "I’ll accompany you..."

"No, no, I’ll walk around by myself."

Smiling, Yarebin declined Gao Yang’s offer, starting to walk around and look into each room. At this moment, Joseph whispered to Gao Yang, "We’ve tried to restore everything as much as possible. Of course, it can’t be a hundred percent, but it’s about seventy to eighty percent. Most of the furniture has been kept, but that sofa was bought from someone else’s house. It’s a style many families had during the Soviet era, kept by those less affluent."

Gao Yang glanced at the sofa Yarebin had just sat on and said softly, "Well done."

"The upstairs has been restored to its original state. Will it surprise the old man?"

"No, he’s incredibly strong-minded."

"We tried to get old-style sheets and blankets, which are a bit different but were the best we could find on short notice. All electronic products have been removed. I figured there was no point in keeping them."

"Very good, handled very well."

About ten minutes later, Yarebin came out from one of the rooms and then opened his arms to Gao Yang, smiling, "This is much better than I expected. I’ve come home, back to the home in my memories."

Gao Yang laughed, whispering, "As long as you’re satisfied."

Yarebin breathed out and then pointed to a room behind him, saying, "Could you help me move the lounge chair out from there?"

Gao Yang and Joseph immediately went in to move out a large, heavy, old lounge chair, placing it in the living room. One must admit, Soviet items were indeed bulky and heavy, but also incredibly sturdy, remaining perfect after decades.

Yarebin slowly sat in the lounge chair, leaning back gradually, then closed his eyes, smiling, "When my father came back, he loved to lie here, asking about my studies. He liked listening to music on this chair, though back then we had many more records at home than now. Gao, play the music."

The music started up again, and Yarebin slowly rocked the lounge chair. Once "The Sacred War" finished playing, Yarebin opened his eyes, sighed softly, and said, "I’m getting a little sleepy. I want to go upstairs and rest. Originally, I thought of sleeping in my father and mother’s room, but on second thought, I should return to my own room."

Gao Yang laughed, "You haven’t had dinner yet, teacher."

Joseph chimed in, "I had the hostess prepare dinner: borscht, beef stew, and rye bread, all ready in the kitchen. I’ll bring it right out."

Yarebin patted his stomach, smiling, "I am a bit hungry. I’ll eat a little; at my age, eating too much isn’t good."

Joseph quickly brought out dinner.

Yarebin didn’t speak while eating, and he ate slowly. After finishing, he looked around and sighed, "The taste is quite good, really good. Gao, if possible, please have the hostess come back to cook for me."

Gao Yang laughed, "Sure, no problem!"

Yarebin nodded, stood up, smiling, "I should get some sleep, Gao, help me upstairs."

Gao Yang supported Yarebin as they slowly climbed the stairs, returning to Yarebin’s own room. Seeing the newly furnished house, Yarebin smiled, sat at the edge of the bed, patted it, and said softly, "Sit down."

Gao Yang sat beside Yarebin.

"Gao, Baskov will become a valuable asset for you. With him, there’s nothing more I can help you with."

Gao Yang felt a bit unsettled in his heart. He immediately said anxiously, "No, teacher, you know me. I’m far from ready to lead the Black Demon independently."

Yarebin laughed, "The era of the Black Demon is over, and the system for cultivating them no longer exists. Silly child, you can never become a Black Demon yourself. What you need is to command and lead them."

Gao Yang felt parched; he murmured, "You must help me, teacher. Teach me more."

Yarebin shook his head, smiling, "No, it’s time for me to rest, Gao. I’ve come home, and I’m staying here, not leaving."