462: Chapter 462: Founding Merit 462: Chapter 462: Founding Merit The illness that had tormented Zhang Xiaodong for many years was finally cured, and the Zhang Family was immersed in boundless joy.
Especially the old Mr.
Zhang, whose smile never faded from his face.
Through their conversation, Tangyu learned that Zhang Xiaodong and Zhang Xiaoxi’s parents had died in an accident over a decade ago, leaving them as orphans at a young age, which was quite pitiable.
However, something that caught Tangyu’s attention was that shortly after their parents’ death, Zhang Xiaodong began to develop a strange illness.
Tangyu vaguely felt that there was more to it, but couldn’t quite figure it out at the moment.
At noon, Tangyu naturally stayed for lunch.
The Zhang Family’s warmth made it impossible for him to decline, and the meal was indeed lavish.
It had been years since the family could sit together for lunch, so the atmosphere at the table was very warm and harmonious.
Old Mr.
Zhang was so happy that he had a few drinks, and would have drunk more if Zhang Xiaoxi hadn’t stopped him.
His body wasn’t as strong as it used to be, so he certainly couldn’t indulge in alcohol like before.
Zhang Xiaodong hadn’t left her small wooden house for many years, and today, being able to eat with her grandfather and sister felt like a reunion after many years.
A smile even appeared on her face, albeit a bit cold, likely due to years of seclusion making it hard for her to change suddenly.
Tangyu, being a great benefactor, naturally received much favor.
The Zhang Family was very warm, polite, and grateful towards him, all three constantly adding food to his bowl until it piled up like a small mountain.
Zhang Xiaoxi and Tangyu were quite familiar, and now her feelings for him had transcended those of ordinary friends.
First curing her illness, and now saving her sister’s life, these dual gratitudes caused Tangyu’s image to grow incredibly tall in her heart.
Moreover, Tangyu himself was quite charismatic, so in Zhang Xiaoxi’s eyes, he could now compare to a prince on a white horse.
Zhang Xiaoxi was no longer young, turning twenty this year and a top student at Donglin University.
Most girls her age probably had several boyfriends by then, yet she remained single, a rarity indeed.
Strictly speaking, she hadn’t even dated before.
It was impossible to say she never fantasized about romance, so the emergence of Tangyu, her Prince Charming, naturally struck a chord in her heart, evoking an indescribable feeling.
After the meal, Zhang Xiaoxi attended to Tangyu by serving tea, pouring water, and cutting fruit, taking care of him thoroughly, which made Tangyu somewhat embarrassed, feeling as if he were being cared for by Lin Feifei.
Although Zhang Xiaodong was not very talkative, she was obviously very polite to Tangyu.
“Tangyu, the old man has a few words he’d like to say to you alone,” Old Mr.
Zhang suddenly said.
Tangyu nodded, “Okay, Grandpa Zhang.”
Old Mr.
Zhang smiled and nodded, then said to the two women, “You girls play downstairs.
I’ll take Tangyu upstairs for a while.” After speaking, Old Mr.
Zhang led Tangyu upstairs to his study and stopped.
Once inside, he began searching for something, which was evidently well-hidden; it took quite a while before he extracted a gold-edged brocade box from a hidden compartment, holding it distractedly and staring at it, a strange light flickering in his eyes as his thoughts seemed to drift far away, standing there lost in thought and momentarily forgetting about Tangyu.
Tangyu did not disturb Old Mr.
Zhang, remaining quietly standing there and waiting.
However, he was somewhat puzzled.
What exactly had Old Mr.
Zhang called him over for?
What was inside the brocade box he held that made him look so solemn?
It was clear that whatever was inside was far from ordinary.
Could it be that Old Mr.
Zhang’s words were related to this brocade box?
After a while, Old Mr.
Zhang finally withdrew his gaze, sighed deeply, and walked over to Tangyu, his voice growing incredibly somber as he handed over the brocade box, “Tangyu, you cured Xiaoxi and Xiaodong.
You are a great benefactor to the Zhang Family.
I, as an old man, don’t have much with which to repay you.
I can’t keep this item any longer, so I’m giving it to you.” At the end, Old Mr.
Zhang was clearly sad, even displaying a bit of helplessness and loss.
Tangyu hesitated a moment, looking at the brocade box in Old Mr.
Zhang’s hands.
Though he knew whatever was inside must be extraordinary, he wondered what precious item it contained that made Old Mr.
Zhang so serious.
“Grandpa Zhang, this was just me lending a helping hand; you have already been too courteous.
Talking about repayment seems a bit too serious, and I cannot accept your items,” Tangyu said.
Old Mr.
Zhang smiled, “Take it, Tangyu, as a final wish of this old man.
I am old and don’t know how many years I have left.
Death is nothing to fear for me; I’ve been waiting for that day for a long time, which might actually be a release for me.
What I worry about most is Xiaoxi and Xiaodong.
Xiaoxi is still young, very innocent and kind-hearted, I fear she might be deceived by others in the future.
Xiaodong has suffered from her illness for so many years, affecting both her body and mind.
You’ve seen her current state; it will probably be difficult for her to fit in.
If I pass away, I worry they won’t manage well.
I’m giving you this item in the hopes that you will look after them in my stead,” he said.
Tangyu was also moved, feeling Old Mr.
Zhang’s paternal emotions.
“Rest assured, Grandpa Zhang, Xiaoxi and Xiaodong are good girls.
Xiaoxi and I are good friends at the Ministry of State Security, so even without your words, I will definitely take care of them,” Tangyu replied.
Old Master Zhang shook his head and said, “The care I speak of is not just any care.
I mean to entrust Xiaoxi to you.
I can tell, she seems to have a certain fondness for you.
You are someone who can wholly put my mind at ease.
My days in this world are surely numbered, and I can’t take this item with me into the coffin.”
Tangyu was startled.
Old Master Zhang actually wanted to entrust Zhang Xiaoxi to him?
This—although Tangyu could accept it, such an arranged marriage seemed rather drastic.
Tangyu was even more curious, what treasure could possibly be inside the brocade box?
“What, you don’t want to, don’t like our Xiaoxi?” Old Master Zhang asked.
Tangyu immediately shook his head and said, “No, not at all, Grandpa Zhang, you misunderstand.
Xiaoxi is quite nice, but—I already have a girlfriend.”
Old Master Zhang’s face froze, then after a moment of silence, he sighed deeply, “Well, that’s alright.
For someone as outstanding as you, how could you not have a girlfriend?
It seems our Xiaoxi is not so blessed.
But, as an old man, may I be nosy and ask which family’s lucky girl it is?”
Feeling flattered by such a high praise from Old Master Zhang, Tangyu smiled shyly and said, “It’s Lin Feifei from the Lin Group; you might know a bit about her, Grandpa Zhang.”
“Oh, Lin Guotai’s daughter, I know a bit.
Indeed, very good, really good.
Then I must congratulate you.
After all, it’s all fate, all fate.
Alas, Xiaoxi and Xiaodong, such pitiful children, destiny has never favored them.
If their parents had not passed away in that accident, they too would be happy children, would also be ladies of wealthy families.
Alas, here, take this.
Consider it a small token from this old man.
Just hope, in the future, you could look after them somewhat.” Old Master Zhang waved his hand, his voice suddenly filled with weariness, creating a quite pitiable sight.
Tangyu took the brocade box, unable to resist asking, “Grandpa Zhang, what exactly is inside this box?”
Old Master Zhang pointed at the box and said, “You’ll know once you open it.”
Tangyu opened the brocade box and found inside a badge made of a peculiar metal about half the size of a palm.
The metal was strange because its color was very special; Tangyu could see that the color was not due to any processing or paint, but was the inherent color of the metal itself, a color for which Tangyu could find no appropriate words to describe.
Moreover, it felt slightly warm to the touch, almost as if the metal were a living thing.
It was very heavy, perhaps even heavier than an equal-sized chunk of gold.
Fortunately, it was not too large; otherwise, it would have been difficult to handle.
The front of the badge bore a vividly engraved dragon, and the back a grandly carved sword.
This kind of pattern seemed familiar to Tangyu.
After some reflection, he realized it resembled the badge he had seen on Minister He, similar to the Ministry of State Security’s emblem which also had a dragon and a sword, though combined together, whereas on this badge they were separate.
Around the edge, a row of small characters starkly read: “Founders’ Medal.”
“Founders’ Medal!” Tangyu was slightly shocked, seeing these words and understanding the formidable origin of this badge—the meaning was the owner of this badge was a founding contributor.
That indeed was a significant legacy.
“Yes, this badge is the Founders’ Medal,” Old Master Zhang nodded and said.
Tangyu thought for a moment then asked, “Grandpa Zhang, it sounds extremely impressive, but I still don’t quite understand, what is the use of this badge?”
Old Master Zhang looked at Tangyu, then started to explain, “You should know that our Huaxia Country was established just over sixty years ago, right?
At the time, there were ten great generals, as well as many founding seniors.
And this Founders’ Medal was originally issued only nine copies, symbolizing the protection of the country by nine dragons.
These nine Founders’ Medals were made from an extraterrestrial metal, unique and impossible to counterfeit.
My father, Xiaoxi’s great-grandfather, was one of the founding contributors and received one of these medals, which passed down generation by generation, unfortunately stopping with mine as it cannot be passed further.
This medal is traditionally inherited only by males.
My son left us too early, and I have no way to pass it on, but I couldn’t bear to see this badge enter the coffin with me.
Of course, I also have my selfish motives; originally, I should have let this medal disappear from the world with me, but I still want it to continue protecting my two poor granddaughters, no matter what others say, I am willing to bear the infamy.
This Founders’ Medal is given to you in hopes that you might have the capability, should Xiaoxi and Xiaodong ever encounter danger or difficulty, to stand up and assist them, so I can rest peacefully.
This is also my last wish, and perhaps a request.”