He spoke while gently patting her back.

Really?

Zhenzhen asked, sniffling, her little face still wet with tears.

"Really! Look, the bleeding has stopped."

Su Mingdong's voice was sweet and warm.

He pulled his trousers up, revealing the scabbed wound.

"Hoo-hoo, baby hoo-hoo..."

Zhenzhen twisted her body and struggled out of his arms.

She stuck out her little bottom, leaned close to his calf again, and blew air into it.

Zhu Xiuqin felt a pang of sadness as she watched this scene.

If she were the one who got hurt, would she also hear that soft "Whoosh~" sound?

She silently clenched her fists.

My fingernails dug slightly into my palm, letting the slight stinging sensation remind me of my own pain.

She is the grandmother, not the grandfather.

This love may never be shared equally.

But she is still grateful to this family for having a grandfather who is willing to give everything for his children.

Only then did Su Qingzhi remember Zhenzhen in the corner.

The child stood there all alone, head down, eyes filled with confusion.

At this time, I should have comforted him and spent more time with him.

But with that commotion just now, no one paid any attention.

Zhu Xiuqin had long suspected that something was wrong with the child.

She softly asked him how old he was and what his parents' names were...

But Zhenzhen just shook her head.

Until Su Qingzhi whispered something.

"He is the son of Lin Qingshan, a border guard who... sacrificed his life in a surprise attack last month."

Zhu Xiuqin then realized that the child was an orphan left behind by a martyr.

Her nose suddenly stung, and she almost burst into tears.

A father risked his life to protect his country, leaving his young child alone in the world.

This world can be really cruel sometimes.

The nation won, and the enemy surrendered.

The radio broadcast news of victory, and colorful flags were hung in the streets.

But who doesn't know that the border regions haven't had a single day of peace in recent years?

The Sakura Demons did back down and sign a ceasefire agreement, but they only retreated temporarily.

And what about other countries?

Those who fear our rise have long been eyeing us covetously.

They take advantage of our rest period to launch sneak attacks, and this has never stopped.

From the day they joined the army, Shen Zhiyu and others had already entrusted their lives to the country.

They were always ready to leave.

As family members, who wouldn't want their child to be safe and sound?

But the battlefield is ruthless; it won't show mercy just because someone is someone's parents' support.

So many young lives have been lost silently.

Even his belongings consisted of only a set of factory clothes and a medal stained with the smell of gunpowder.

There are too many orphans like Zhenzhen.

You can see children like this in almost every factory compound.

They were placed in temporary shelters, briefly adopted by kind-hearted people, and then moved around amidst the turmoil.

This time, when they heard that Su Qingzhi and her family wanted to adopt Zhenzhen, the couple felt only joy.

"Good child, don't be afraid."

Zhu Xiuqin squatted down, her gaze level with Zhenzhen's.

She reached out and gently patted Zhenzhen's head.

"From today onwards, you are part of our family. We will love you just as much as we love Zhenzhen."

Zhenzhen lowered her head and called out softly.

"Grandma...Grandma."

Those two words, spoken with a tremor, carried a hint of longing.

Does he know what "grandmother" means?

Perhaps you don't understand yet.

But he instinctively chose to believe.

His previously stiff body gradually softened.

The tension on his face gradually eased.

Zhu Xiuqin subconsciously touched her pocket, wanting to give the child a small gift.

But no matter how much he turned his pockets over, they were empty.

She sighed, then stood up with a smile.

"Wait a minute, Grandma will go find you something nice."

Then they started rummaging through drawers and cabinets.

In the end, they only found a crumpled one-yuan bill.

"Grandma, Zhenzhen doesn't want to."

When Zhenzhen saw the money, she immediately withdrew her hand.

"This...this is too much."

"Keep it."

Zhu Xiuqin stuffed the money into his small hand.

"If we don't accept it, Grandma will be really sad."

She wasn't giving him charity; she wanted him to know that he was valued.

Zhenzhen panicked and looked up at Su Qingzhi.

"Take it."

Su Qingzhi spoke softly, a gentle smile on her face.

"This is my grandmother's heartfelt gift."

Zhenzhen pursed her lips and carefully pinched the banknote.

Zhu Xiuqin grasped his small hand tightly.

"Great job, Zhenzhen! You did a wonderful job. Grandma is so happy for you."

Zhenzhen's face was flushed, and her eyes gradually welled up with tears.

He was always afraid that no one would want him, that the people here would find him a burden.

But now, he heard gentle words and touched warm hands.

He knew he was not a burden.

Someone was willing to bend down, take his hand, and say, "Great job."

Someone filled his empty stomach with warm food, and also filled his empty heart.

"Aunt Su."

Zhenzhen suddenly stuffed the money into Su Qingzhi's palm.

"Please keep this for me. I won't spend it; I'll take it when I need it later."

Su Qingzhi was taken aback and looked up at Zhenzhen's serious face.

He then laughed.

"Okay, Auntie will keep it for you. If you need it, just come to me anytime. Not a penny will be missing, and I'll keep it safe for you."

"Okay!"

Zhenzhen nodded vigorously, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Shen Zhiyu was still inside talking to Su Mingdong.

The two lowered their voices and looked serious, as if they were discussing something important.

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