Chapter 75.2

Capital City, at a state banquet venue.

Director Han, as the youngest medical representative, delivered an academic speech in his native language to medical professionals from various countries. He then repeated it in a fluent British English accent, receiving the warmest applause from the audience.

Han Cheng modestly stepped down from the podium, and many people approached him to shake hands and greet him. Chen Bingyang, the head of the city’s healthcare system, patted his shoulder and said, “Impressive young talent, boundless future.”

Han Cheng shook his head when he looked at the room filled with people who had better qualifications and experience than himself: “The sea of learning knows no bounds, and a single grain of sand in the vast ocean.” ^[1]This phrase expresses the idea that knowledge is vast and limitless, while an individual’s contribution or understanding may seem small in comparison.

This was not Han Cheng’s self-deprecation. After attending this exchange conference, he became even more determined to return to school for further education.

After the meeting, Han Cheng brought five preserved vegetable pancakes and half a box of smoked fish made by Su Xiaoxiao to a courtyard in an old alley.

In the late autumn of Beijing, fallen leaves drifted about, and the city was adorned with golden armor. The old locust tree in the alley hurried to add a touch of autumn color, and even the rustling leaves underfoot seemed golden in this golden autumn.

Han Cheng knocked on the gate of one of the dilapidated courtyard houses.

At the entrance, the crooked-necked locust tree still stood, and the triangle plums in the corner remained, with bare branches.

After a while, the door opened with a creaking sound. The crumbling, ancient gate opened, revealing a white-haired man. Upon seeing Han Cheng, a faint surprise flashed through his dim old eyes, and it quickly disappeared. The old man put on a stern face and said, “Is this a place you can casually walk into? What are you doing here? Go away! I don’t want to see you!”

When the old man was about to close the door, Han Cheng stopped him by holding the door with one hand and saying, “Senior Commander, I’m here for a meeting. I took the opportunity to visit you. Our Commander also wants to send his regards.”

The old man sneered stubbornly and insisted on closing the door. “I don’t know who you are! Go away!”

Han Cheng had no choice but to extend the lunchbox in his hand. “These are preserved vegetable pancakes and smoked fish made by my wife. Take them and taste her cooking.”

The old man’s turbid eyes suddenly brightened and he said: “Preserved vegetable pancakes? Smoked fish? How did she know I love these? Did you tell her?”

Han Cheng: “…” This is really a beautiful misunderstanding.  He only found out that she made these dishes after he returned home.

“No, wait,” the old man said again. “Didn’t Yang Mei pass away? What wife? Did you marry someone else?”

Han Cheng nodded slightly and said, “Yes, her name is Su Xiaoxiao, and she treats me and the children very well.”

The old man nodded and said: “Naturally, you have a good eye.”

As he spoke, he opened the lunchbox and sniffed the aroma of the preserved vegetable pancakes. His old eyes became clearer. Then he opened the smoked fish lunchbox and eagerly took a whiff. He looked at Han Cheng in astonishment and asked, “Is your new wife from Huishi or Hushi?”

Han Cheng has already explained this once. It was quite exhausting to describe his wife’s culinary skills. “No, she enjoys experimenting with different cuisines. She can cook dishes from various places.”

The old man picked up a piece of smoked fish and bit it. He couldn’t stop nodding his head as he spoke. “Delicious, delicious! The taste is especially authentic. You’ve married a great wife. It would be great if she could live next door.”

Han Cheng couldn’t help but feel sad when he saw that the old leader’s clothes were all torn, his hands were dirty, and his hair seemed to have been unwashed for a long time. “Senior Commander, are you doing alright?”

“Me?” The old man looked up at Han Cheng and said. “I’m fine. Just wait there for a moment. Move your hand.”

Han Cheng withdrew his hand, and the old man slammed the door shut. The door shook a few times, and Han Cheng was worried that it would fall.

After a while, the door creaked open again, and Han Cheng’s lunch box was thrown out of that crack. The old man’s voice came out from inside, “Don’t come again if you have no reason for going here! The things in the lunch box are not for you, I’m giving them to your wife. Now go away and don’t linger around my door; it’ll be bad if someone sees you standing there.”

Han Cheng bowed towards the door and said, “Take care of yourself, senior commander. Next time, if I have the opportunity, I will bring Xiaoxiao and the children to see you.

With no concrete plans made yet for returning to the capital, Han Cheng didn’t dare make assumptions. There would be opportunities in the future.

The old man’s voice gradually faded away as he said: “Don’t come; I don’t want to see you!”

Han Cheng knew that the senior commander didn’t want to cause trouble for them. He didn’t linger any longer and picked up the lunchbox, turning to leave.

Back at the hotel, Han Cheng was preparing to wash the lunchbox when he realized that it felt heavier than before. He opened it and was surprised to find a gleaming gold bar inside. Han Cheng sighed and rubbed his forehead. This kind of gift…