Chapter 0411: Welfare Home

It is said that when parting, both sides should be at ease and find their own joy. Zhao Fusheng did not know the meaning of this saying, but he understood very well that sometimes, between people, getting along is not easy, and parting is also not easy.

Therefore, when it came to matters of the heart, he was very cautious. He had even thought that if he never married, perhaps he would avoid this or that kind of trouble.

Of course, he naturally did not dare to tell his parents about this idea.

If Mother Zhao knew that her son actually had thoughts of staying single, she would certainly be furious. Not to mention singles matches or doubles matches, it might even turn into a mixed family match involving young and old.

After all, although Grandpa was in the countryside, he was also hoping for four generations under one roof.

The idea of carrying on the family line is all the more deeply ingrained the older one gets.

Though unwilling to admit it, the truth is that we are born human and often do not live only for ourselves. Some words cannot be said, some things dare not be done, and thus they fester, either slowly digesting or becoming permanently painful stones.

But no one can do anything about it, because this is life.

Carrying things and following behind his mother and Li Yuan, just as he walked out of the ward, Zhao Fusheng saw a figure standing there.

"Hmm?"

Li Yuan and Mother Zhao looked at each other in confusion. Mother Zhao asked curiously, "Um, young man, who are you looking for?"

As she spoke, she frowned slightly: "You seem to be..."

"Mom, this is my friend, Zhang Qian." Zhao Fusheng smiled and spoke first: "He and I were elementary school classmates. Later he joined the army."

"Oh oh oh, hello, hello." Mother Zhao was momentarily startled, then gave her son a meaningful look.

She was not stupid; she certainly recognized the young man before her. A few days ago, she had personally seen Zhang Qian kneeling before Chen Jianmin, begging him to treat Grandpa.

In Mother Zhao's view, Zhao Fusheng's not letting her speak was probably to save face for Zhang Qian.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng said that only because he needed to come up with an excuse to explain how he and Zhang Qian knew each other. After all, if he told his mother that he had almost been robbed before, the old lady might faint on the spot.

That was his own mother; let alone being robbed, even when her son went on a long trip, she would worry.

"Hello, Auntie." Although Zhang Qian was taciturn, that depended on who he was dealing with. In front of elders, he was still very polite.

He reached out and took the bundle from Zhao Fusheng's left hand, but did not speak.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. This guy's personality was really quiet.

Zhang Qian helped Zhao Fusheng take the things downstairs. Just as he was about to get into the car, Zhao Fusheng shook his head at him: "Go back and take care of the old man. I'll come see him later."

Hearing this, Zhang Qian was taken aback, then nodded, did not insist further, and turned to go upstairs.

After Zhang Qian had gone far, Mother Zhao, sitting in the minivan sent by her husband, said to Zhao Fusheng: "If you have the chance, help this kid."

"Ah?" Zhao Fusheng was stunned, completely not expecting his mother to say that to him.

Mother Zhao gave him a look: "You brat, do you think your mother is a fool who doesn't understand anything?"

"How would I dare? Mom, you are the wisest person in the world." Zhao Fusheng quickly flattered her, sweet words pouring out of his mouth as if they cost nothing. His fawning look, if Fan Baobao were here, she would say Zhao Fusheng had gone crazy.

Li Yuan, holding Fan Beibei on the side, watched with great interest, wishing she could take out a video camera and record the scene.

"Mom knows you have many friends now. After all, you're working and meet a lot of people. But remember, friends like Zhang Qian are worth making and helping. But those with bad natures, you must not associate with them. Got it?" Mother Zhao admonished her son.

At her age, it was impossible for her to have no life experience; it was just that sometimes she saw through things but didn't necessarily point them out.

In her view, her son probably saw Zhang Qian as pitiful and wanted to help.

Mother Zhao was not opposed to this. Helping others when within one's ability is not a bad thing.

Remembering his mother's words, Zhao Fusheng saw them upstairs before returning to the hospital.

After buying some fruit downstairs, he went up. Zhang Qian was in the ward with the old man, and beside him was a girl of seventeen or eighteen.

"Zhang Xue, stay with Grandpa." Zhang Qian said to the girl, then stood up, picked up the fruit, and walked out with Zhao Fusheng.

"Thank you."

Once outside, Zhang Qian said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "No need to be so polite. You saved my life; we're even."

Zhang Qian hesitated, then asked: "Can you come with me somewhere?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded, guessing something in his mind, but still followed Zhang Qian downstairs.

The two walked one after the other, like a silent film with only two youthful faces as the protagonists.

Vehicles kept passing by Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian, but neither stopped. Zhang Qian walked silently ahead, and Zhao Fusheng followed silently behind.

Through the jungle of steel and concrete, they arrived at a shabby bungalow surrounded by a row of fences. This courtyard, set against the backdrop of tall buildings, looked particularly poignant.

Zhang Qian pushed open the door, and several children around eight or nine years old rushed out, boys and girls alike. Seeing Zhang Qian, they were clearly excited: "Brother is back! Brother is back!"

"Brother, what goodies did you bring today?"

"Brother, brother, I got a little red flower at school today!"

A group of children gathered around Zhang Qian, chattering nonstop. It was clear they were familiar with him and very close.

Zhao Fusheng stood there, watching Zhang Qian smile warmly as he patiently distributed the fruit he had brought from the hospital to the children. He looked up and glanced at the plaque above the door—Red Star Welfare Home.

Suppressing his doubts, Zhao Fusheng said nothing and just watched.

After a while, two elderly people with white hair came out from inside, their faces full of wrinkles and kind smiles. Seeing Zhang Qian, they were delighted: "Xiao Qian is back! How is the director?"

Zhang Qian looked up: "It's fine. The doctor said after a bit more rest, he can go home."

"And this is?" The old man wearing an apron noticed Zhao Fusheng standing beside Zhang Qian, frowned slightly, and asked with confusion.

Zhang Qian was startled, not knowing how to introduce Zhao Fusheng, but Zhao Fusheng had already stepped forward, smiled, and said: "Hello, Grandma. I'm Zhang Qian's friend. I came with him to have a look."

"Oh? A friend of Xiao Qian's." A meaningful smile appeared on the old man's face. He extended his hand to invite Zhao Fusheng: "Come, come, come inside and sit."

Zhang Qian looked at Zhao Fusheng with some surprise, but found Zhao Fusheng calm and composed, following the old man inside.

"Xiao Qian is a good kid. He's been sensible since childhood. After being discharged from the army, he's been helping us old bones take care of these children." The old man chatted to Zhao Fusheng as they walked.

Perhaps due to age, the old man walked very slowly. Even when Zhao Fusheng deliberately slowed his pace, they couldn't keep a distance. Zhao Fusheng could tell she had been here for many years, familiar with every blade of grass, every tree, and every corner, because when she spoke, the genuine emotion was impossible to fake.

"This place has been here for nearly fifty years. Alas, it's too old."

"These children are all abandoned infants, or ones I picked up from the hospital entrance."

"Their parents didn't want them, but we couldn't just ignore them."

"I've told the director many times, and I've urged Xiao Qian: since he left, he shouldn't come back. After all, this isn't the place he should be."

The old man's words were a bit rambling, but Zhao Fusheng understood a lot. He smiled and said: "I think it's good. It shows he's not someone who forgets his roots. People, the worst thing is to forget their roots, forget who they are and where they came from. Then they're finished."

The old man was startled, stopped walking, turned to look at Zhao Fusheng, and nodded slightly: "You're an interesting kid."

Zhao Fusheng's smile remained unchanged as he said to the old man: "Grandma, take it slow. Watch your step."

For him, today's trip had truly been worthwhile.