A young boy from the 1970s, separated from his family, fled famine and led his younger brother into

"I can't accept this money."

A seemingly casual remark struck the hearts of everyone present like a boulder!

don't want?!

That's fifty or sixty yuan! That's two months' wages for an ordinary worker! And this little beggar girl actually said she didn't want it?!

Everyone looked at Su Nian-Ci as if she were an idiot, completely unable to understand her behavior.

Even Wang Dazhu, who had always praised her highly, became anxious at this moment. He tugged at Su Nianci's sleeve and whispered, "Nianci, what... what are you doing? This is someone's kind gesture, you..."

Su Nianci seemed not to hear her. She still looked up at Zhao Jianguo, a high-ranking municipal official, with her dusty little face, neither humble nor arrogant, and said, word by word, "My uncle taught me that saving lives is a doctor's duty, not a transaction to be made for money. If I take your money today, I will be letting down my father's teachings and the word 'doctor'."

She deliberately blurred the titles "uncle" and "father," filling her words with the unique spirit and pride of a descendant of a hero, who would not bow down for a pittance!

These words were spoken with resounding force and conviction!

The entire waiting room fell into a deathly silence once again!

If Su Nianci's medical skills, as displayed earlier, had shocked and impressed people, then at this moment, the character and integrity she displayed that transcended her age completely won over everyone present!

"Good! Well said!"

In the crowd, someone started clapping first!

Immediately afterwards, thunderous applause resounded throughout the entire waiting hall!

"These are the descendants of heroes! They have integrity!"

Compared to her, we adults have all wasted our lives!

Those who had previously mocked Su Nian-Ci, believing she had ulterior motives, were now blushing with shame, wishing they could disappear into the ground. They clapped their hands louder than anyone else, as if trying to cover up their shallowness and embarrassment.

As Zhao Jianguo looked at Su Nianci, who stood straight amidst the applause, her eyes clear as water, his usually calm face revealed a genuine expression of emotion for the first time.

Having long held a high position, he was accustomed to sycophants and opportunists, and had seen many people sell their dignity for petty gains. This was the first time he had ever met someone who could remain calm and firmly refuse a large sum of money.

And this person was just a five-year-old child!

He took back the wad of money, and the scrutiny and aloofness in his eyes completely disappeared, replaced by genuine, equal respect.

"Young student, it was my... I was presumptuous." He said solemnly to Su Nianci, his tone even carrying a hint of apology. "You're right, a life-saving grace cannot be measured in money. I apologize for my abruptness."

A high-ranking official in the city actually apologized to a five-year-old beggar!

This scene has once again shattered everyone's understanding!

Su Nianci knew that she had achieved her goal.

She didn't refuse the money, not because she was noble. She understood the importance of money better than anyone. But she also knew that what was more important than money was human relationships! It was about connections!

Especially the favors bestowed upon a municipal government official!

If she accepts the money today, then their relationship will be a "cash on delivery" transaction. From then on, there will be no further connection.

But if she doesn't accept the money, then the Zhao family will owe her an enormous favor! This favor, which cannot be repaid with money, will play a role a thousand or even ten thousand times greater than those few dozen yuan at crucial moments in the future!

This is what she truly wants!

"Uncle, you don't need to apologize." Su Nianci gave a perfectly timed, shy smile. "As long as my little brother is alright, that's all that matters."

A smile of appreciation appeared on Zhao Jianguo's face. The more he looked at the girl before him, the more he realized she was extraordinary. It wasn't just intelligence, but a kind of… profound wisdom!

"Good child, truly a good child!" he exclaimed sincerely. "Your name is Su Nianci, right? Where are you from? Where are you going? Why are you here alone with your younger brother?"

He began to genuinely care about Su Nianci's background and situation.

The opportunity is coming!

Su Nianci's eyes instantly reddened. She pulled out the same act she had performed in front of the train station patrol officers before.

Instead of immediately bursting into tears, she carefully took out the somewhat crumpled letter left by her father from her inner pocket.

She held the letter in both hands and handed it to Zhao Jianguo, her voice choked with suppressed, heartbreaking sobs: "Uncle, my name is Su Nianci. This is my younger brother, Xiao Shitou. We...we come from the Red Star Commune in the south. My father's name is Su Weiguo, he was a martyr...we...we want to go to Harbin in the north to find my father's comrade-in-arms, Uncle Lu Zhenhua..."

She recounted her tragic life story in fits and starts: "I was abused by my wicked uncle, who embezzled my pension, and I had no choice but to take my younger brother and travel thousands of miles to seek refuge with my relatives."

Of course, she omitted the "fierce" details of her resistance, escape, and battles of wits with human traffickers and thugs, portraying herself only as a helpless, pitiful, yet heartbreakingly strong orphan.

This tearful plea, combined with her earlier declaration of "treating money like dirt," amplified its destructive power exponentially!

Everyone present was filled with righteous indignation, their eyes reddening.

"Damn it! What a beast! How dare they bully the orphan of a martyr like this!"

"Is there no law anymore?! This must be severely punished!"

Wang Dazhu was trembling with rage. He slammed his fist on a nearby pillar and roared, "Red Star Commune, is that it? Fine! When I get back, I'll write to the military region and ask them if this is how they treat their heroes!"

As a leader in the city, Zhao Jianguo's face darkened considerably after hearing these words.

Abusing the orphans of martyrs! Embezzling martyrs' pensions!

In the 1970s, this was an absolute political issue! A matter of utter magnitude!

Especially since this happened near his jurisdiction! If word gets out, he, as the leader, will lose face!

"Outrageous!" He slapped his thigh hard, his eyes blazing with anger. "How could something like this happen in broad daylight! It's a disgrace to our government!"

He paused, then looked at Su Nianci and asked, "You... haven't bought your train tickets to Harbin yet, have you?"

Su Nianci shook her head and said softly, somewhat embarrassed, "We...we're still a little short of money..."

She didn't say "almost," only "a little bit," in order to preserve her last shred of dignity.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jianguo felt a pang of sadness. He finally understood why this child had come to the train station to "tell stories" and earn money.

"Weidong!" he called out to his son as he turned around.

"Dad, I'm here!" Zhao Weidong immediately stepped forward.

"Go to the ticket office right now! By any means necessary, buy me two tickets for the fastest train to Harbin this afternoon! Sleeper berths! Do you hear me?!" Zhao Jianguo said in an unquestionable commanding tone.

A sleeper berth?!

These two words made everyone present gasp in shock!

In this day and age, being able to sit in a hard seat is already a remarkable thing! Sleeper berths are a privilege that only cadres or people with special connections can enjoy!

Zhao Jianguo is truly treating Su Nianci as a benefactor to his family!

"Yes!" Zhao Weidong did not hesitate at all, immediately turned around, and ran quickly toward the ticket office.

As Su Nianci watched Zhao Weidong's departing figure, a huge, warm feeling of relief welled up in her heart.

She knew that from this moment on, the biggest problem on their journey north had finally been solved.

And all of this stemmed from her act of kindness last night, when she threw out a steamed bun in a moment of impulse.