AWB Chapter 1999 You haven't forgotten your original intention, and neither have I!
Chapter 1999 You haven't forgotten your original intention, and neither have I!
The wind of the snowy night rushed in through the open door, making everyone in the room shiver.
Li Xiangnan stared at the snow-covered man outside the door for a full three seconds before suddenly realizing what was happening. He quickly stepped aside and exclaimed with delight, "Uncle Shen, it really is you!"
Shen Qianzhong nodded slightly before taking off his felt hat and gently tapping it against the door frame, causing snowflakes to fall softly.
Everyone in the room stood up immediately.
Song Cijiu was the first to react, recognizing the person who had come. He almost dropped the cigarette in his hand and hurriedly went to greet him, his voice trembling with excitement: "Minister Shen, what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, a collective gasp filled the room.
Minister Shen!
These three words carry special weight in Yanjing City.
The former Minister of Health, now a figure who has entered the core circle of Zhongnanhai, actually appeared in the courtyard of an ordinary family in Nanluoguxiang on this snowy night.
Li Dequan glanced at the doorway with surprise, then thoughtfully observed the person who had entered.
Song Ziming and Wang Defa laughed heartily, their faces beaming with excitement. Cui Xingjian, Ma Ying, and the others, on the other hand, were somewhat at a loss, wringing their hands and wanting to go forward to greet them but not daring to.
Jiang Qitao and Ding Yuqiu stopped what they were doing, looked at each other, and both saw shock in each other's eyes.
Lin Muyu's hand, which was picking vegetables, stopped in mid-air. Lin Chuqiao's movement of untying her apron also froze. Lin Youwei, who was holding Xiao Xitang, also seemed to sense the change in atmosphere.
Song Yi stood behind Li Xiangnan and smiled gently at the newcomer.
Before Li Xiangnan could invite the visitor into the house, Shen Qianzhong spoke up, his voice clear and steady with the wisdom of years: "Ci Jiu, long time no see! Just call me Lao Shen, don't mention your position after work!"
Song Ci nodded, smiled, and offered him a cigarette, still respectfully calling him "Brother Shen!"
The tone was incredibly warm, and the attitude had become quite intimate.
Shen Qianzhong smiled, his dignified demeanor now softened with a touch of humanity. His gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes calm, and everyone he looked at unconsciously straightened their backs.
Finally, his gaze fell on Li Xiangnan. "Xiangnan, are you stunned? Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"
Li Xiangnan finally snapped out of his shock and quickly said, "Uncle, please come in, it's cold outside!"
He led Shen Qianzhong into the house, closed the door, and a path automatically opened up for everyone.
"Team Leader Shen!" There were still many team members from the time when he was sent to support the medical team in Sanduhe. As soon as they saw him, they greeted him excitedly and warmly, still using the same enthusiastic address as before.
Shen Qianzhong patted them on the shoulder, glanced at the sumptuous and exquisite banquet on the table, and apologized with a smile, "I'm sorry to have disturbed your meal!"
"No, no, no, Brother Shen, you're too kind!" Given Song Ci's old status, it was clearly more appropriate for him to step forward and maintain order than Li Xiangnan. "It's a great honor for us that you're here! Quick, Xiao Wang, get us an extra seat!"
"Put it here!" Li Dequan smiled.
Several young people hurriedly moved a chair over and even wiped it with their sleeves.
Shen Qianzhong strode over and said very solemnly, "Grandpa, I am Shen Qianzhong! I apologize for visiting so late. I am here to congratulate the Li family in advance!"
"Little Song said it himself, your presence is already a great honor for the Li family, and you've had a tough time too!" Although Li Dequan was highly respected, he stood up to shake hands with him, and warmly pulled him to his seat, saying, "Sit down, let's talk slowly! Have you eaten yet?"
Shen Qianzhong pursed his lips, somewhat regretfully: "Sigh, I'm too busy with work. I have to leave after sitting for a while! I don't have time to eat!"
Li Dequan didn't try to dissuade him. He knew Shen Qianzhong's status, and it was already extremely difficult for him to come all this way.
Shen Qianzhong took off his military overcoat and sat down in the seat next to him. Underneath, he wore a crisp Zhongshan suit with the collar buttoned up meticulously, and a gold fountain pen was pinned to his left breast.
The room was eerily quiet.
The only sounds were the crackling of the fire in the stove and the occasional whistling of the wind outside.
Everyone looked at Shen Qianzhong, then at Li Xiangnan, their eyes filled with envy and confusion.
Normally, the main banquet would be tomorrow!
Why did he come today?
Li Xiangnan took the hot tea his mother poured and presented it to Shen Qianzhong with both hands, saying, "Uncle, why are you..."
"Why are you so late? Or did you arrive so early?" Shen Qianzhong took the teacup and warmed it in his hands, then smiled and said, "I just got off work and rushed over! If you say it's late, it really is late; the sun has already set before I came to visit! If you say it's early, then I'm definitely a whole day earlier than the guests who arrive tomorrow!"
"Hahaha!"
His words amused everyone, and the atmosphere eased considerably.
Shen Qianzhong took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, which was dry from the cool breeze. His gaze swept around the room and landed on the photos hanging on the wall.
There is a group photo taken there during the medical support mission of the Sanduhe Brigade.
His gaze lingered on it for a long time.
"Time flies!" Shen Qianzhong said softly, "In the blink of an eye, you're a father now!"
A complex mix of emotions welled up in Li Xiangnan's heart.
He recalled his days in the Sanduhe Brigade, his all-night discussions with Shen Qianzhong about rural medical reform plans, and the two of them huddled together on a makeshift earthen bed, eating cornbread and discussing medical cases.
Those were passionate years.
Back then, Shen Qianzhong was not yet the awe-inspiring "Minister Shen" he is today.
Later, with the data, cases, reform plans, and repeated support and assistance provided by Li Xiangnan, Shen Qianzhong promoted a number of policies in the ministry, completed several crisis public relations operations, and gradually rose from deputy minister to minister, and now to one of the seven.
Li Xiangnan took the bowl from his mother and quickly handed it to Shen Qianzhong, saying, "Uncle, please have a simple meal. It won't take up much time!"
Shen Qianzhong immediately checked his watch, put down his teacup, took out three items from the bag he had brought with him, and sighed, "Tomorrow is your big day. I should have come openly and honestly, but as you know, in my position, being too ostentatious is not good! So I came early tonight to present my gift while there are fewer people around!"
He handed the package to Li Xiangnan.
Li Xiangnan felt a deep sense of emotion; it was a profound feeling.
Upon opening, the first thing you see is a whole pack of tobacco, exuding a charred aroma.
"This is tobacco for the old man. I specially had someone buy it for me from Yunnan. I used a ration coupon, so it wasn't a bribe!" Shen Qianzhong smiled.
The crowd burst into laughter, finding him surprisingly approachable.
"Thank you so much, you're so kind!" Li Dequan said gratefully.
Li Xiangnan opened another package, which contained a bright red woolen felt hat, which was extremely cute.
Shen Qianzhong said gently, "This was knitted by my mother for Xiao Xitang; it's quite warm!"
Qin Ruobai, who was standing to the side, immediately said gratefully, "Thank you, Uncle Shen!"
Shen Qianzhong smiled.
Li Xiangnan had already opened the third item when he suddenly paused, startled.
Inside is a yellowed copy of the "Barefoot Doctor's Manual".
The book is very old, with worn edges and yellowed pages, but it has been carefully preserved.
Turn to the title page.
There are two lines of text on it. One line reads "Presented to comrade-in-arms Shen Qianzhong," and the other is signed by Li Xiangnan, July 1978, at Sanduhe.
The other line is written in pen: "A doctor's heart is benevolent, never forget the original intention." It is signed by Shen Qianzhong and dated winter 1980 in Yanjing.
Two lines of text, two different handwriting styles, spanning more than two years.
Li Xiangnan's hands trembled slightly.
This manual was a legacy he inherited from his father, which he always carried with him, from Hongshan County to Yanjing. It was the most direct way for him to understand the world and medical skills, and sometimes he would study it late into the night by the light of a kerosene lamp.
Later, he met Shen Qianzhong, who was like a kindred spirit to him. They discussed many examples together and wrote many notes and insights in the blank spaces.
When leaving Sanduhe, Li Xiangnan gave him this book, saying, "Captain Shen, take this with you, and don't forget what we saw in the countryside!"
Now, Shen Qianzhong has returned the book.
“Xiang Nan,” Shen Qianzhong looked into his eyes, “you gave me this book back then because you wanted me to remember the hardships of grassroots healthcare! Over the years, every time I make a decision, I flip through this book and think about those fellow villagers waiting to see a doctor!”
His voice was calm, but every word carried immense weight: "Now, I'm returning the book to you to tell you—you haven't forgotten your original aspirations, and neither have I!"
Li Xiangnan was startled.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone understood the weight of those words.
This is not an ordinary book; it is a promise, a recognition, and a weighty responsibility.
It is far more valuable than any other gift.