radicalducati Chapter 45 Meeting Grandfather: Zhenshan's Considerations
Chapter 45 Meeting Grandfather: Zhenshan's Considerations
Chapter 45 Meeting Grandfather: Zhenshan's Considerations
1. Dress neatly and visit elders.
To put Wanjing at ease and to properly obtain the elders' permission, Chen Shanhe suppressed all his restlessness, calmed down, and carefully tidied his clothes.
He stretched his cloth clothes out perfectly, without a single wrinkle, and combed his hair meticulously. His expression was solemn and composed, and his brows were full of sincerity, without the slightest hint of frivolity.
He turned to the side, gently took Su Wanjing's hand, their palms firmly clasped, the strength gentle yet firm, silently comforting and reassuring her.
Su Wanjing felt uneasy, her fingertips trembling slightly. But when he grasped her hand, her panic subsided a little.
The two walked side by side, their steps steady and orderly, towards the old house where Su Zhenshan lived.
Su Zhenshan's hair was completely white, and his face was deeply lined with wrinkles, each one etched with the marks of time. He had spent his entire life rooted in the land of Qinglong Town, guarding his old house, his homeland, and his family, never once considering leaving the land that gave him birth and nurtured him.
The old man was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). When he saw Chen Shanhe walking over solemnly with his granddaughter, he slightly raised his cloudy eyes, his gaze calm, and he had already guessed seven or eight parts of their intentions.
As Chen Shanhe approached, he dared not be negligent in the slightest. He stepped forward, bowed deeply to Su Zhenshan, and showed the utmost respect.
He raised his head, his eyes open and honest, his tone sincere and earnest, and began to speak:
"Grandpa, Shanhe has brought Wanjing here today because there is something important I need to tell you in person. Please listen to me patiently."
After he finished speaking, the room fell silent, leaving only a solemn atmosphere.
Poems as proof:
I straightened my clothes and bowed respectfully before the honored one.
A sincere heart speaks with devotion.
In order to seek permission for his future,
Deep affection binds us together.
II. Bowing and Presenting His Words on His Way to the Provincial Capital
Chen Shanhe slowly straightened up, his back upright, his eyes open and bright, neither humble nor arrogant, with a calm and composed demeanor.
He looked at Su Zhenshan in front of him, without a word of falsehood or concealment, and slowly and clearly explained his long-planned scheme.
"Grandpa, I have studied folk medicine since I was a child. I know that this skill can relieve suffering and protect the safety of my fellow villagers."
"But nowadays, in the eyes of outsiders, rural medical skills are always looked down upon and despised, and I am really unwilling to accept this."
"I don't want my fellow villagers to have no access to medical care, and I don't want my skills to be buried in the fields. I want to go out and make a name for myself."
He continued, his tone firm and his words sincere:
"I want to go to the provincial capital, make a name for myself, practice medicine well, save lives diligently, and make a name for myself."
"I want more people to know that traditional Chinese medicine can cure diseases, save lives, and support a community."
At this point, he glanced at Su Wanjing beside him, his eyes softening instantly, and his tone becoming more responsible.
"I also want to use my two hands and my skills to give Wanjing a stable, dignified life, free from being wronged."
"She is completely devoted to me, and I, Chen Shanhe, must never betray her."
His words were sincere and well-organized, demonstrating both a desire to help the world and a sense of responsibility to protect his loved ones; every word came from the bottom of his heart.
Su Wanjing stood to the side, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white.
She felt nervous and uneasy, her eyes fixed on her grandfather, quietly waiting for his decision.
The room fell silent instantly, with only the soft rustling of the breeze through the windowpanes.
The atmosphere was heavy; you could hear a pin drop. Even breathing was done with extreme softness.
Poems as proof:
He bowed low and spoke softly, revealing his innermost feelings.
With ambition and high spirits, they set their sights on the provincial capital.
Desiring to use benevolence to help the world,
Daring to brave wind and rain to protect the beautiful bride.
III. Gazing intently, a heart full of worries
Su Zhenshan sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), his brows furrowed tightly, his face ashen and unyielding, and he didn't utter a single word for a long time.
His eyes, clouded by the passage of time, remained fixed on Chen Shanhe.
He examined her from top to bottom, from head to toe, over and over again, carefully and repeatedly.
That gaze wasn't fierce, but it was extremely deep, steady, and accurate.
Like weighing a piece of iron to see if it's hard enough;
It's like examining a beam to see if it can bear the weight;
It's like looking through a heart, seeing if it's genuine and sincere.
The old man sat there, silent and motionless, yet his aura made the air in the room feel tense.
His mind was in turmoil, a jumble of concerns all rushing to his head at once.
First and foremost, I can't bear to leave Qinglong Town, and I can't bear to leave this old house and my homeland.
I've spent my whole life here, enduring wind and rain, and now that I'm old, I have to leave. I can't bear to leave, and I'm afraid of being lonely and desolate in my old age.
The second thing is that I feel sorry for my granddaughter, Wanjing.
He raised his granddaughter single-handedly, spoiling her and she had never suffered any hardship.
The provincial capital is so big, and the people are so diverse and unpredictable. If she goes there and gets bullied or suffers, who will support her? Who will stand up for her?
The third, and most important, matter—
He wanted to entrust his granddaughter's entire life to this young man.
You must read this carefully:
Is this kid steady in character? Is he inherently kind? Is he resilient?
Can he handle things? Can he protect people? Can he be good to Wanjing for the rest of his life?
These thoughts swirled in the old man's mind.
He remained silent, his face grave, and the room was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat.
The atmosphere grew heavier and heavier, more and more oppressive, as if even breathing became a cautious exercise.
Poems as proof:
His gaze was deep and thoughtful.
He kept his worries to himself.
Fearing it would ruin his grandson's future,
I also pity the wanderer whose ambition soars to the clouds.
IV. Reflecting on and weighing options for one's future
Su Zhenshan remained seated on the edge of the kang, his posture as steady as an old pine tree, his gaze deep and unmoving, silently pondering and weighing the matter in his heart.
He had lived most of his life, met countless people, experienced many ups and downs, seen both treachery and sincerity, and always had a clear understanding of people and things, never being ambiguous.
At this moment, he focused all his attention on Chen Shanhe.
Look into his eyes; see if they remain steadfast and unwavering.
Listen to his words to see if they come from the heart and are not at all pretentious;
Judging from his demeanor, he appears calm and composed, without a trace of impetuosity.
He needed to ask himself the question:
Was this trip to the provincial capital a rash, impulsive act, or a well-thought-out, long-term plan?
Along the way, were you only thinking about making a name for yourself, or were you filled with gentleness, responsibility, and commitment?
My granddaughter's marriage is a matter of utmost importance.
He had to confirm whether the young man before him was truly reliable, trustworthy, capable, and conscientious, able to protect Wanjing throughout her life and ensure she suffered no injustice.
The room was eerily quiet, so quiet that you could hear each other breathing.
Su Zhenshan remained silent throughout, his face expressionless, as he weighed the situation in his mind over and over again.
Su Wanjing stood to the side, her palms sweating with nervousness, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes tightly, her heart in her throat, barely daring to breathe.
Chen Shanhe stood ramrod straight, his back upright, his expression calm, his gaze peaceful, quietly awaiting the old man's final decision, without the slightest hint of anxiety.
This silent deliberation, though seemingly unspoken, carries immense weight.
It concerns the expectations of two generations, a lifelong relationship, and even more so, a girl's lifelong stability and happiness.
Poems as proof:
Silent contemplation carries a thousand layers of meaning.
He carefully considered the future of his grandson.
I wish to find a good man to whom I can entrust myself.
A peaceful life with few hardships.