Chapter 269 Put on the Uniform
The hallucination scene changed and the scene was a hospital.
The doctor announced that the rescue was ineffective and allowed the patient's family to see the patient for the last time.
Mr. Shen’s children and grandchildren gathered around his bed, crying bitterly.
A man who looked to be in his sixties or seventies leaned over the bed and said, "Dad, you can't leave! We haven't done our best to be filial to you yet! You still have many students who want to see you..."
Another elegantly dressed woman burst into tears, "Dad! I gave you the best imported medicine! It costs 28,000 yuan a day! How could you...how could you not wait for the specialist consultation next month?!"
A man in his twenties or thirties clutched the edge of the bed tightly, his whole body looking as if he had lost his soul: "Grandpa! You promised to see me get married! Now you're gone..."
There were cries of grief in the ward, and the old man on the bed had a gentle and peaceful look on his face.
The last scene of the hallucination is still a funeral.
What Xia Lili didn't expect was that she saw many people at the funeral that she had only seen on TV news.
There were also CCTV reporters reporting on the scene:
"At 5:27 p.m. on December 18, Mr. Shen Molin, a distinguished engineer and water conservancy expert, passed away..."
The reporter's voice trembled slightly. "Mr. Shen has made outstanding contributions throughout his life. He has led the construction of many national key water conservancy projects..."
The camera panned across the kindly black-and-white photo in the center of the mourning hall, and the reporter continued, "In his later years, Mr. Shen waged a tenacious battle against illness."
"He also suffers from severe heart and lung failure, late-stage Parkinson's syndrome, severe osteoporosis, and early-stage dementia..."
"Due to his extremely frail body, Mr. Shen has been bedridden or dependent on a wheelchair for a long time..."
"Around 3:15 p.m. on December 18th, an accident occurred. While Mr. Shen was resting in Yunze Park, he was hit by a suddenly falling sycamore tree. Despite all efforts to save him..."
At this point, the reporter could no longer control his emotions and tears welled up in his eyes.
She took a deep breath and choked up, saying, "Let us bid farewell to this meritorious figure who dedicated his life to the country with the highest respect..."
The illusion slowly faded away, and the world before my eyes became clear and real again.
What caught my eye was Mr. Shen’s old figure and the sycamore tree.
Xia Lili recalled the double shadows and sap flowing out of the sycamore tree she noticed when she first saw it. This sycamore tree must have been corroded from the inside by termites and was on the verge of collapse.
There are still some charred marks on the sycamore tree, probably because it was struck by lightning during the heavy rain last night.
In the illusion, when the tree fell, there was a gust of wind, and the tree suddenly broke from the most rotten roots and fell to the place where the old man usually sat.
This battered tree now has rotten roots and only needs a strong wind from outside to cause it to fall, which is very dangerous.
The tree fell at 3:15 this afternoon!
Xia Lili has always had an excellent memory. She suddenly remembered that she had seen the management office's contact information on the park's bulletin board.
When I closed my eyes and thought about it for a while, the string of numbers came to my mind clearly.
She immediately took out her cell phone and dialed the number.
"Hello, is this the Yunze Park Management Office?" Xia Lili's voice was a little anxious.
A deep male voice came from the other end of the phone: "Yes, this is the management office. How can I help you?"
"The largest sycamore tree numbered 0176 in Yunze Park," Xia Lili spoke a little quickly but with clear pronunciation.
"I found that it's severely infested with termites, and it was struck by lightning last night. The trunk is in danger of collapsing at any moment. Please send someone over to set up a fence as soon as possible."
The other party obviously realized the seriousness of the matter and immediately responded: "Understood! We will arrange for staff to handle it immediately. Thank you for your timely response."
Xia Lili hung up the phone, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the phone.
She looked at the lonely figure under the sycamore tree - Shen Molin was still sitting quietly in the wheelchair, as if isolated from the world.
Taking a deep breath, she walked forward as usual.
"Good morning, Mr. Shen!" She deliberately made her voice lighter than usual.
Shen Molin slowly turned his head, his cloudy eyes slightly lit up when he saw her: "Little girl, you are here for your morning run again."
His voice was as hoarse as the rubbing of dead leaves.
Xia Lili squatted down and looked the old man in the eye. "Mr. Shen, I found that this sycamore tree was severely infested by termites, and the heavy rain last night made the roots looser."
She pointed to the hideous cracks on the tree trunk and said, "I've already notified the city government. You'd better not sit under here today."
The old man looked in the direction of her finger, then turned back to stare at her, a thoughtful smile appearing on his wrinkled face: "Okay... I understand."
Seeing the old man's indifferent reaction, Xia Lili leaned forward anxiously: "Especially after three o'clock in the afternoon, the weather forecast says there will be strong winds, you must not -"
"Don't worry." Shen Molin patted her sleeve gently. "I'm going to rest at home this afternoon. I haven't been feeling well these days."
As he said this he coughed twice.
Xia Lili finally breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say goodbye when the old man suddenly said, "Little girl."
He shakily pulled out a yellowed notepaper from his pocket and said, "Leave me your phone number. I'll have my family come pick up the painting you drew tomorrow."
"Okay." Xia Lili was a little surprised. She took the note and left her phone number.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the old man, Xia Lili's phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed Leng Xiaohe's name: "Lili, there's a Coast Guard Operations Commendation Conference this morning at 10:00. The provincial leaders specifically requested you attend. Can you make it?"
Xia Lili glanced at her watch and saw that there was still time: "No problem, I'll be there now."
After hanging up the phone, Xia Lili smiled apologetically at Shen Molin and said, "Mr. Shen, there's an emergency at work. I have to leave first."
The old man waved his hand in understanding, and she walked quickly towards the parking lot.
Twenty minutes later, Xia Lili's electric car did a beautiful drift and stopped in front of the gate of Yangcheng General Administration.
When she swiped her ID and entered the hall, she happened to see Li Qihan talking to several uniformed colleagues at the door of the disciplinary office.
Today's criminal investigation team leader was particularly eye-catching. His navy blue uniform perfectly outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He listened to the report with his chin slightly raised, and his whole body exuded an aura of majesty without anger.
"Officer Xia."
Li Qihan was keenly aware of her arrival. He handed her a paper bag with a police badge printed on it and said, "We need to wear a uniform for the commendation ceremony."
"This is for you."
"Okay, I'll change now."
Xia Lili was surprised and excited. This was her first time wearing a uniform to attend such an important occasion.
Entering the locker room, she unfolded her uniform, every detail of which exuded solemnity.
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