"You're a worker. You should understand that we shouldn't let heroes die with regrets."
He knew that Zhenzhen was not their biological daughter.
These words sound a bit harsh, and might even make people uncomfortable.
But he also knew that adoption was never a spur-of-the-moment impulse.
If one day they feel he's a burden, they might just casually say, "Never mind."
That child's life is truly ruined.
He will forever bear the mark of being "abandoned".
Countless nights I lay awake asking myself, am I not good enough?
Some harms are silent and insidious, leaving a child's heart riddled with holes.
Shen Zhiyu slowly straightened up.
He raised his right hand and gave He Zaizhou a standard military salute.
"Section Chief, please rest assured. Since we decided to adopt Zhenzhen, we didn't intend to just say it casually. We will raise this child as our own, providing her with everything she needs, and teaching her and caring for her in every way."
“I will teach him to walk the right path and protect him as he grows up safely. If one day I fall, I will also protect him behind me.”
He Zaizhou looked at him, and the weight in his heart finally lifted.
He personally trained these soldiers.
He knows his temper, his personality, and his character better than anyone else.
"Alright, you can rest now."
He Zaizhou nodded.
“I’m going to handle the adoption procedures and report to my superiors. The necessary procedures can’t be skipped; we need to give the child a proper status and also give you an explanation.”
After he finished speaking, he didn't say anything more and turned to push open the door.
Inside the room, Zhenzhen was still sitting on the floor, her small body huddled in a corner of the carpet.
He was holding several colorful building blocks in his arms, helping Zhouzhou "build a house".
His movements were clumsy but earnest.
"This place needs to be higher up; Zhouzhou needs to live in the highest spot..."
At this moment, he stopped building.
The corners of his mouth turned up uncontrollably, higher and higher, almost reaching his ears.
Su Qingzhi gently squatted down, her gaze falling tenderly on Zhenzhen, and then she exchanged a glance with Shen Zhiyu.
She got up and slowly walked towards the kitchen.
He said it casually as he walked.
"Keep an eye on the two kids and don't let them run around."
"Aunt Su, let me help you!"
Zhenzhen immediately stood up from the floor.
He knew that if he wanted to stay in this house, he couldn't just eat and play; that would only make people think he was there to cause trouble.
Su Qingzhi walked over, bent down, and looked at him tenderly.
"Thank you, Zhenzhen. You're such a thoughtful child."
"But now, can you help Auntie watch over your little sister? Your Uncle Chen's wound hasn't healed yet, so he can't be stressed or worried. If Zhouzhou gets lost, we'll all be frantic."
Zhenzhen paused for a moment, then turned to look at her younger sister.
He looked up at Su Qingzhi again, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes.
"Then...then I'll stay with my sister. I won't go to the kitchen."
"That's great."
Su Qingzhi smiled.
She turned and nodded to Shen Zhiyu, indicating that everything was alright.
Then, she picked up the basket and stepped into the kitchen.
Today is the day Zhenzhen officially entered our family, a day worth commemorating.
She thought to herself that she must put her heart into making this meal.
At the dinner table, she specially added two extra dishes.
She pulled one out when the radishes in the space were ripe.
Next, she stewed a pot of braised pork ribs, simmering them over low heat until the bones were tender and the meat was soft enough to melt in your mouth.
Finally, she also stir-fried a plate of water spinach, cooking it to perfection.
The meal was cooked to a piping hot and fragrant finish.
This meal wasn't extravagant, but it was warm enough.
Master Liu stood at the restaurant entrance, staring at the sumptuous dishes on the table, his eyes filled with envy and amazement.
Su Qingzhi really used up all her savings to help Shen Zhiyu recover.
However, he also knew that Shen Zhiyu was, after all, the factory's battalion commander.
Even if you eat something more refined or particular, it's not considered overstepping the bounds or violating discipline.
But this dish smells ridiculously good!
It's absolutely irresistible with its aroma!
"Master Liu, I'm late today. My child is crying from hunger. Could you please rinse the pot for me?"
Su Qingzhi stood at the kitchen doorway, slightly out of breath.
"I'm so sorry, something came up on the way and I was delayed. My child has been crying for food at home, and I was so worried."
Master Liu was wiping the stove with his head down when he heard the sound and looked up.
"Go quickly, don't let the child go hungry. I'll clean the pot for you right away, and the water has just boiled. You can take it and use it in a bit."
"Thank you so much! Thank you so much!"
Su Qingzhi nodded gratefully.
She didn't say anything more, but thanked me again, turned around, picked up her things, and hurriedly left.
After she left, Master Liu quietly moved to the stove, squatted down, and started poking at the pot that had just been rinsed.
After hesitating for a moment, he picked up the smallest piece of fish and put it in his mouth.
The taste was so familiar; it was the taste he had secretly eaten countless times these past few days.
He ate absentmindedly, his mind filled with scenes from the past few years.
Despite being heavily pregnant, Su Qingzhi would appear in the kitchen on time, braving the cold wind or scorching sun.
And what about myself?
Every time I saw her occupying the stove for too long, I would frown and mutter, "She doesn't know the rules" and "She doesn't follow the order."
But in reality, who is it that freeloads her meals every day?
Thinking of this, Mr. Liu's face flushed.
As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of the workday, he grabbed his package and ran home without saying a word.
As soon as I entered, I put down my tool bag and went straight to the chicken coop in the backyard without even changing my shoes.
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