eurekapd Chapter 226 The Bonfire Gradually Dies Out
Chapter 226 The Bonfire Gradually Dies Out
Xinghan's voice gradually became serious and deep:
"You must remember that true strength comes from inner firmness and selflessness. It requires you not to be trapped by emotions, to not fall into the whirlpool of personal emotions and forget the greater good; it requires you to act in a just way, to walk the right path, and to always take the well-being of the people of the world as your own responsibility; it also requires you to share the same fate with the people, to eat what they eat, and to wear what they wear. Only in this way can you truly integrate into their community, feel their sufferings and joys, and find the real way to solve their problems."
"City Master Gu, you are a capable person, and even more so a loving person. I believe that as long as you can stick to your original aspirations and not be seduced by the worldly vanity, you will be able to lead the capital out of its predicament and usher in a brighter future."
Xinghan's words were like a clear spring, nourishing Gu Chengjin's dry heart and helping him regain the direction and motivation to move forward.
Gu Chengjin's eyes turned red when he heard this. He knew the heavy responsibility he shouldered and understood the deep meaning of Xinghan's words. "Senior Xinghan, I... I just feel that I haven't done enough. Seeing the people suffer, my heart aches."
"That's enough. You've done very well." Xinghan interrupted him, his tone full of affirmation and encouragement, "But you have to understand that real power does not lie in how many gorgeous carriages you own, whether you can eat and drink to your heart's content, or how many wives and concubines you have. It lies in whether you can share the joys and sorrows of the people, and whether you are willing to humble yourself and feel their joys and sorrows."
Xinghan paused and continued:
"If you can do that, I am willing to leave my doctor Eryi to you. He has superb medical skills and will definitely help you with disaster relief and treatment, and save more lives."
Gu Chengjin felt a warm current in his heart when he heard this. He thanked Xinghan for his generosity and trust, turned around and left with firm and powerful steps. From then on, he went deeper into the people, lived and ate with them, and faced disasters together.
He is no longer the high and mighty city lord, but has become the guardian in the hearts of the people.
As time went by, Xinghan's physical condition deteriorated, but his spirit seemed to become stronger because of his vision for the future.
On that starry night, Shen Li specially prepared a bonfire barbecue party for Xinghan, just for the two of them.
She carefully selected the best ingredients, including tender lamb, sweet corn, green vegetables, and Xinghan's favorite mushrooms, and skewered them one by one and placed them aside.
The bonfire danced in the night sky, reflecting Shen Li's busy and focused figure. She added firewood to the fire from time to time, adjusting the temperature to ensure that each skewer of food was roasted just right.
The air is filled with an enticing aroma, a unique flavor intertwined with food and fire, which makes people salivate.
When everything was ready, Shen Li gently helped Xinghan up and let him lean on the soft cushion so that he could comfortably enjoy this special night.
She picked up a skewer of freshly grilled meat, blew it cool carefully, and passed it to Xinghan's mouth. Xinghan smiled, although he could only eat a small bite, his satisfied expression was as if he had tasted the most delicious food in the world.
"Is it delicious?" Shen Li asked expectantly.
Xinghan nodded, his voice weak but full of gratitude: "This is the most delicious barbecue I have ever eaten."
Shen Li's eyes were moist, but she tried to keep smiling and continued to serve Xinghan a variety of delicacies. They tasted the delicious food while chatting, from the bits and pieces of the past to their vision for the future.
Although Xinghan's body was weakening, their hearts were unusually close on this warm night.
As time went by, the bonfire gradually died down and the night became darker. Shen Li knew that such nights were becoming more and more precious to them. But she also understood that as long as there was love in the heart, every moment could become eternal.
Finally, when all the food was eaten up, Shen Li gently hugged Xinghan and let him fall asleep peacefully in her arms.
She looked at Xinghan's calm and peaceful face, her heart filled with gratitude and happiness. On this night of campfire barbecue with only two people, she felt unprecedented warmth and satisfaction.
She knew that no matter how the future changed, this beautiful memory would be forever engraved in her heart and become the most precious treasure in her life.
However, fate is cruel after all. On a moonlit night, when Shen Li once again described the moon that Xinghan could never see with his own eyes, Xinghan's hands slowly dropped, his breathing gradually stopped, and a satisfied smile still hung on the corners of his mouth.
Shen Li also fell into a deep sleep and did not notice Xinghan's departure.
At this moment, only the bright moon was still shining quietly, and a dazzling meteor fell from the sky, witnessing the departure of this hero.
When the night passed peacefully, I suddenly woke up from my dream, my heart pounding like a drum, as if I had a premonition of something ominous.
In a hurry, she lit the candle beside the bed. The faint but firm light illuminated a corner of the room, but also reflected the heartbreaking emptiness on Xinghan's bed.
Shen Li's gaze quickly swept across the room and finally landed on the place where Xinghan had originally slept. In addition to a 12-color gem necklace shining with soft light, there was also a colorful little ball of fur lying quietly beside the pillow. Its eyes, which seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, were staring at Shen Li intently, with both curiosity and a hint of imperceptible sadness in its eyes.
Shen Li reached out and picked up the necklace with trembling hands. She didn't say anything.
Each gem seems to contain the deep affection and warmth of the stars, and they are even more dazzling under the candlelight.
She remembered that this was the one Xinghan once wore on his wrist, and it seemed to be a little smaller.
She thought of Xinghan’s death, but she didn’t expect that this would be the last thought he left for her.
Tears welled up without warning at this moment. Shen Li's vision was blurred by tears and she couldn't believe what she saw.
She didn't speak, only silent tears obscured her vision.
Xinghan, the person who had always been by her side and given her endless love and support, left quietly like that.
She tried to call out his name, but the only response she got was the silent night and the occasional sound of wind outside the window.
Grief overwhelmed Shen Li like a tide, and she could not accept this cruel fact.
In the following days, Shen Li hardly ate or drank. She just sat quietly by the bed, holding the necklace tightly in her hand. Tears seemed to be her only companion.
She recalled every moment with Xinghan, the laughter, tears, quarrels and reconciliations, which have now turned into the deepest pain in her heart.
The little ball of fur was bouncing around and taking care of itself, constantly shuttling between the yard and Xinghan's bed, bringing back flowers, fruits, etc.
But Shen Li never looked at him straight in the eye.
Those days were extremely long.
People come and go, but Shen Li feels that the world is empty and she is the only one left.
Day after day, all she heard was the sound of breathing.
No speech.