Chapter 609: Zhao Shuzhuo is confused

"Thinking back then, when you just came back from the army, you were full of enthusiasm for the welfare of everyone."

"At that time, life was very difficult around us, and supplies were scarce, but whenever our neighbors encountered difficulties, the first thing they thought of was to ask you for help."

"And you always agreed without hesitation, no matter how busy you were or how much it would cost, you just wanted to get the job done."

Grandma Dong raised her hand and gently smoothed the white hair on her temples with her slightly trembling fingers, her thoughts becoming more and more immersed in memories.

"I remember it very clearly. One winter, the Zhao family in the village ran out of food and the whole family was about to starve."

"After you learned about the situation, you gave away more than half of the only half bag of food in your home and sent it over without saying a word. You know, our family was not having an easy time at the time, but you just couldn't bear to see others suffer."

"Later, Lao Zhao came to thank you with a basket of eggs, but you refused to accept them. You kept saying that we were all from the same village and it was only right for us to help each other. You were just afraid that you would owe others a favor and you couldn't repay it."

Grandma Dong's gaze once again focused on Wang Jianguo. At this moment, her eyes were full of love and admiration.

"Look at Jianguo now. He has been running all the way to find medicine for Yang Xiaohua's father. His feet are covered with blisters."

"It was the middle of the night. He would rather freeze on the cold bench in the hospital corridor than come into the room and disturb us."

"I just don't want you to go to the army and cause trouble for others. This child is kind-hearted and honest, just like you when you were young. It warms my heart to see him."

Secretary Dong sat on the hospital bed, listening quietly to his mother's story, with tears in his eyes, which was a remembrance of the difficult yet warm years in the past.

He nodded slightly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he looked at Wang Jianguo with deep affection, as if he saw in him the self who was once high-spirited and dedicated to the people.

In the ward, warm yellow light poured down softly, as if covering the entire space with a layer of warm gauze.

Secretary Dong was half leaning on the hospital bed. Although his face still showed some haggardness after a long illness, his eyes were shining brightly because of the good news brought by Wang Jianguo. He was talking enthusiastically with Grandma Dong who was sitting on a chair beside the bed.

Grandma Dong's wrinkled face was filled with satisfaction. She nodded frequently and uttered a few words of praise for Wang Jianguo from time to time.

The voices carried the mellowness and warmth that had come from the accumulation of years. The laughter of the three people intertwined and echoed, making the originally somewhat cold ward instantly filled with warmth.

At this warm moment, the door of the ward opened quietly, making an almost inaudible "creak" sound.

Zhao Shuzhuo's figure seemed to be gently pushed in by the morning light, and the first ray of light in the early morning playfully outlined his tall and agile figure.

He held several lunch boxes steadily in his hands. Hot steam was rising from the outer walls of the boxes. It was obvious that he had just rushed all the way from the cafeteria just to let everyone have a hot breakfast.

Zhao Shuzhuo walked into the ward with steady steps. With a casual glance, he saw Wang Jianguo, wearing Secretary Dong's slightly heavy military coat, curled up in a chair in the corner, looking a little tired.

He was slightly startled, and his steps subconsciously paused for a moment. Then a smile as bright as the warm spring sun blossomed on his face. He took a few steps to stand in front of Wang Jianguo, his eyes full of concern and confusion, and asked:

"Jianguo, why are you here so early? It's freezing cold outside so early in the morning. You must have suffered a lot on the way."

As he spoke, he gently placed the steaming breakfast in his hand on the table beside him, moving extremely carefully for fear of disturbing the tranquility in the ward.

Then, he opened the lunch box neatly and continued:

"Just in time, come and have breakfast. Yang Xiaohua has been so exhausted from worrying about her father's affairs these past two days, so I specially prepared a portion for her."

"Eat this first. It will at least fill your stomach. I'll go to the cafeteria later and get her another portion. Don't go hungry."

The lids of the lunch boxes were opened one by one, and in an instant, an enticing aroma spread out, lingering in every corner of the ward.

The steaming white rice porridge looks like warm jade liquid in the morning light, with a delicate luster. Several refreshing and delicious side dishes are neatly arranged next to it.

The emerald green cold cucumber looks like it was carved from the freshest jade in spring, the tempting pickled radish is bright red, and the thinly shredded braised eggs exude a mellow aroma of the braised sauce.

Zhao Shuzhuo handed the chopsticks to Wang Jianguo, and carefully helped him pull up his military coat and tuck in his collar, muttering to himself:

"Eat quickly. Only when you are full can you have strength. We still have a lot of things to do today."

However, Wang Jianguo did not take over the conversation and express his gratitude as usual. Instead, he looked a little solemn and slowly took out an exquisite brocade box from his arms.

The brocade box was not big, but it was polished to a shine, gleaming faintly under the light, exuding a mysterious atmosphere.

He held the brocade box in both hands and gently placed it on the table. His movements were somewhat solemn. He looked up at Zhao Shuzhuo, with a barely perceptible expectation flashing in his eyes, and said:

"Here, this is for you. Take it."

Zhao Shuzhuo was confused by this sudden action. His eyes moved away from Wang Jianguo's face and fell on the exquisite brocade box.

His eyes were full of curiosity and surprise. He subconsciously reached out and picked up the brocade box, shook it to weigh it, and asked again:

"For me? What's in this?"

As he asked, he tried to find some clues from the appearance of the brocade box. His fingers gently stroked the texture of the box. His heart was full of doubts, and he didn't understand what Wang Jianguo was up to.

Zhao Shuzhuo was full of curiosity. He gently placed his fingers on the lock of the brocade box. With a slight "click", the lid of the box slowly opened.

A ray of light filtered through the gap, and the first thing that caught the eye was the soft silk lining of the brocade box, which glowed softly under the light, as if it was carefully protecting something precious.

Zhao Shuzhuo looked closely and saw a pill lying quietly in the center of the silk. The pill was dark brown in color, with a round and smooth surface, and it was particularly eye-catching against the dark silk surrounding it.

For a moment, Zhao Shuzhuo's brows slightly furrowed, his eyes full of doubt. He subconsciously brought the brocade box closer to his eyes, carefully examining the pill that suddenly appeared, trying to find some clues from its appearance and color.

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