His voice was extremely weak, yet exceptionally clear, carrying his usual fortitude and unquestionable authority:
"Don't cry...you are...a soldier..."
His voice was broken and intermittent, but it was from the last of his strength.
With difficulty, she turned her head and looked at Xiao Yanqing with reluctance. "Child... Xiao family, I... I'm at ease entrusting it to you!"
"Great-grandfather..." Xiao Yanqing sobbed uncontrollably, clutching his hand tightly, not wanting him to leave.
The old man paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the slowly rising sun outside the window, seemingly looking beyond the people in front of him to a distant place, perhaps where the battlefields he had fought on were, and the mountains and rivers he had protected all his life.
And the person he longed for day and night...
His lips twitched up very slightly, as if he had seen a scene that brought him peace and comfort.
He uttered the last two words almost as a sigh:
"It was worth it..."
On the monitoring instrument, the curve representing the heartbeat eventually stretched into a flat and merciless line.
"Beep————"
A piercing alarm sounded, signaling the end of life.
Inside the ward, the suppressed sobs could no longer be held back and began to spread softly.
"dad!"
"grandfather!"
"Old Xiao!"
Xiao Che didn't cry out immediately; he still held his grandfather's hand tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
He remembered his grandfather's words, straightened his back, and let the tears silently slide down his cheeks, but he clenched his teeth and did not utter a single sob.
Bai Yajing covered her face in grief. This old man, who had come from the smoke of war, dedicated his life to the military, and held firm to the last moment of his life with an iron will, peacefully bid farewell to the country and family he loved and protected all his life.
Outside the window, a gust of wind blew by, rustling the leaves as if they too were whispering farewell to the old soldier.
His life was one of loyalty, dedication, and perseverance, right up to the end.
"Let's take Grandpa home!"
After Xiao Che finished speaking, he stood up, staggered a bit before regaining his composure, and picked up the old man's thin body.
Everyone silently followed him home.
Upon arriving home, Xiao's father, Xiao Che, and Xiao Yanqing worked together to wash, change, and prepare the old man's remains.
His white hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing his beloved military uniform.
Just as I finished tidying up, the people sent by the organization to pick me up arrived at the gate of the courtyard.
Mr. Xiao personally went out to greet him.
The leading officer took the lead in saluting him.
"Comrade Xiao, please accept my condolences!"
"We are officers sent by the military to escort Commander Xiao to the Baoshan Cemetery auditorium. Please come along with us."
Despite his grief, Mr. Xiao shook hands with the visitor and said, "Thank you! Thank you, organization!"
Everyone brought everything they needed and went to the auditorium with the staff.
A solemn banner reading "Deepest condolences to Comrade Xiao Zhengyue" was hung at the entrance of the auditorium.
The mourning hall was also set up, with a portrait of the old man in military uniform and wearing medals hanging in the center.
This photo was taken by the old man himself, who knew his days were numbered.
The body was laid out among flowers and cypress trees, and covered with the Party flag.
Wreaths presented by various leaders, government agencies at all levels, and relatives and friends were placed around the area.
The Xiao family members greeted the people who came to see them off.
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