The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

"I'm sorry, old commander, it's because I'm incompetent in building the army."

Huang Jianjun took off his glasses, had his assistant hold them for him, and then squatted down in front of the two elderly people.

He never expected that Xu Xi would be able to establish a relationship with these two former leaders.

Even though he managed to establish a relationship with the Jade Emperor, he was still helpless against this incurable illness.

All he could do was to plead guilty with a bundle of thorns on his back.

"Jianjun, tell me the truth, is little Xu's illness still curable?"

Grandpa Deng, his hands trembling, grasped his hand and asked, his voice choked with emotion.

Huang Jianjun sighed and shook his head.

"Whether it can be cured or not is not up to Jianjun, nor is it up to the general hospital in the capital."

"A European medical institution is researching a technology that can cure Xu Xi's illness. If they can develop it, Xu Xi will be able to get a cure."

"What's the name of that organization?"

"Grandpa Liu asked."

"Rhine River Gene Research Center"

"Rest assured, both of you senior leaders, Jianjun will personally oversee the latest developments. Once there are results, he will immediately arrange for Xu Xi to go abroad for medical treatment."

Huang Jianjun made a solemn pledge in front of the two elderly men, which finally put Grandpa Deng and Grandpa Liu at ease.

After he left, Grandpa Deng held Xu Nian's hand and said many comforting words.

Grandpa Liu tried different ways to make the little girl in the hospital bed happy.

This old man, who once killed without blinking an eye on the battlefield, actually knows how to sing a few opera songs.

He took out several masks and, in the hospital room, with the background noise from the radio malfunctioning, started singing "The Empty City Stratagem."

"Prepare lamb and fine wine to reward your troops."

"You should enter the city now that you've arrived."

Why are you hesitating and caught in a dilemma?

"What is the reason for this?"

......

When the song ended, it made the girl burst into silvery laughter.

"Grandpa Liu, I used to watch you and Grandpa Deng play chess, and I've learned quite a bit from it."

"Could we play a game of chess?"

The old man perked up instantly when chess was mentioned.

"Little Xu, that's exactly what I've been waiting to hear!"

Huang Jianjun, who was outside the ward, immediately sent someone to bring him a chess set from his office.

"Little Xu, let me tell you, when it comes to fighting, there are plenty of people better than me, but when it comes to chess, I've never been afraid of anyone!"

Grandpa Liu set up the chessboard with a smile.

"You'd better take this seriously!"

"Haha, Grandpa Liu, don't underestimate me!"

Xu Xi, as the player who goes first, immediately moves into the carriage.

She recalled the moves she had seen in chess before, and moved her pieces one by one, arranging them into a formation that allowed her to attack or defend.

However, due to carelessness, when the flying cannon crossed the river to capture the pawn, it was swallowed by Grandpa Liu's horse.

"Little Xu, do not fire the cannon rashly, do not advance the horse hastily, and do not delay the departure of the chariot."

"You're still too green!"

Grandpa Liu, having gotten the better deal, chuckled and joked.

Xu Xi waved her little fist unwillingly, pouted, and calmly considered her next move.

As he made his moves, Grandpa Liu's smile gradually faded, replaced by a serious expression.

On the chessboard, Grandpa Liu's black pieces kept being eliminated, while Xu Xi's red pieces gradually took over the entire board.

"General! A decisive blow!"

The little girl stuck out her pink tongue and placed the river-crossing pawn between the only remaining red cannon and black general.

At this moment, the black general cannot avoid the red cannon flying across whether it moves forward or backward. If it moves to the left, it will be trampled underfoot by the red horse, and if it moves to the right, the red chariot is watching it covetously.

The defeat is already a foregone conclusion.

"Wow! Little Xu, you've got some skills!"

Grandpa Liu stroked his white beard, shook his head and chuckled.

"Old Liu, look at you! You've been playing chess for half your life, and you still can't beat a greenhorn like her? Aren't you ashamed?"

Grandpa Deng jokingly remarked.

"Come on, if you can do it, then you do it!"

Grandpa Liu rolled his eyes.

"Hey! Let's go, you old codger!"

Grandpa Deng shifted his position and switched places with Grandpa Liu.

He rearranged the chessboard and played another game with Xu Xi.

Xu Xi used the same strategy as in the previous game. After setting up her formation, she began to attempt an attack.

At first, Deng Xiaoping gained a lot of benefits, always managing to take Xu Xi's henchmen for free or make advantageous exchanges.

But gradually, just like Grandpa Liu in the previous game, he was beaten back step by step, and finally he was defeated by a flying general and was completely routed.

"Oh dear! I have to admit I'm getting old!"

He chuckled and shook his head, exchanging a smile with Grandpa Liu.

These two old men have been playing chess for half their lives and can even compete with AI in chess software.

How could he possibly be outmatched by a little girl who doesn't even know how to ride a horse?

Even when playing basketball against strong and robust young men, they were always given the ball by others, resulting in them never losing a game.

For the first time today, I lost to this adorable little girl in my best game, chess.

"Hehe! Grandpa Deng, Grandpa Liu, after I'm discharged from the hospital, I'll find you two to play chess again, and we'll have another three hundred rounds!"

Xu Xi smiled sweetly and unconsciously yawned.

After concentrating for so long, her low energy made it hard to resist the overwhelming drowsiness.

Upon hearing this, the two elders' eyes gradually welled up with tears.

How they longed to sit at the chess table again with the little girl after she was discharged from the hospital!

Even if they keep losing, they are extremely happy.

Will we ever really see this quirky and lively girl again?

......

Before leaving, Grandpa Deng gave Xu Nian a meaningful look.

Xu Nian understood and followed him out of the ward.

"Xiao Xu, you must take good care of your sister."

"I will, Grandpa Deng and Grandpa Liu, please don't worry."

Xu Nian patted her chest and assured him.

Even without this instruction, he would still take meticulous care of Xu Xi.

She was not only his only relative, but also the girl he loved most.

He is the kind of person who, even when he is reduced to ashes, will still shine with warmth.

Grandpa Deng unzipped his coat and took out a heavy envelope from the inside pocket.

"Grandpa Deng, what's going on?"

"Old Liu and I aren't capable enough to help you much."

"Grandpa Deng, I can't accept it!"

Xu Nian quickly pushed the envelope back.

Deng Xiaoping often said that he was not short of money, not because he was extremely wealthy, but because he lived a frugal life.

The money here is the money he and Grandpa Liu had saved for their coffins.

These two veterans of the War of Resistance Against Japan dedicated their lives to their country and never used their achievements for personal gain or to add to the burden of the people.

How could he bring himself to take away their life savings?

"Xiao Xu, I know what you're thinking."

Grandpa Deng smiled and stuffed the envelope back into Xu Nian's hand.

"My son died young, and when I'm gone, none of my children will be there to see me off in my old age. What's the use of keeping money for my funeral?"

"If this money could save little Xu's life and let her live."

"I'm entrusting my wife and I to you after we pass away."

"Old Liu has children and grandchildren, but they don't get along with his bad temper."

"Little Xu is closer to him than his own granddaughter!"

Having said that, he tilted his head back and commanded in an unyielding tone.

"Comrade Xu Nian! Take the money and take good care of little Xu! This is an order!"

As Xu Nian listened, she silently clenched her fists, her eyes already brimming with tears.

He bit his lip and nodded slightly.

Bearing the expectations of so many people, he must ensure that Xu Xi can live a good life, no matter what!