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

After saying the last sentence, Xu Xi could no longer control her emotions.

She squatted on the ground, hugged her knees, and covered her face, weeping.

Meanwhile, countless viewers watching the live broadcast on their televisions, as well as various news discussion forums, were in an uproar, with barrages of comments and bullet screen messages refreshing rapidly.

"I checked, and what Xu Xi said is true! Public information on the China Judgments Online website shows that Xu Nian was convicted of intentional homicide 10 years ago. Initially, he was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, but the court later changed the sentence. The real culprit has already been executed. He was not a murderer at all!"

"Committing crimes for a better life is reprehensible; but committing crimes to survive or to save lives is something to reflect on. Xu Nian had no choice; he just wanted to keep the people he was fighting with all his might to protect."

"It's so touching. A child who was abandoned as a child and couldn't even get enough to eat or wear was able to reach out to help others in the same situation. They have no blood relation, but they are closer than family. This kind of greatness in the ordinary deserves to be remembered by everyone."

"May Mr. Xu Nian rest in peace! Every child and patient who has received help from Xu Xi should be grateful to him. If it weren't for his nurturing of Xu Xi's growth, they would never have received his help."

"I originally thought Xu Nian was a kept man, but I was wrong. I want to apologize to Xu Nian. He is the real hero. No one in this world is more qualified to lead the Sinian Group, and no one is more worthy of Miss Xu Xi!"

Comments continued to grow; some silently wiped away tears, some forwarded and shared the story, some were indignant about Xu Nian's plight, and others were moved by the deep affection between the two.

......

On the stage of the studio, the female host quickly walked to Xu Xi's side, gently helped her up, and handed her a tissue.

The male host wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, gripped the microphone tightly, and spoke with a strong and clear voice.

"He, as a child, braved the hardships of life and became a ray of light in the face of adversity; he and she were not related by blood, but with a promise of half a lifetime, he built a haven for her for the rest of her life."

"He was an ordinary wanderer, yet a great guardian. He had no earth-shattering feats, only silent dedication; no flowery words, only deep affection written in action."

"He is Xu Nian, a lover who gambled his youth on the future, a hero who traded his life for another, a 'shield of time' that illuminates Xu Xi's life and warms countless others."

"A tribute to Xu Nian: 'With love as her bones and perseverance as her soul, she weathered half a lifetime of storms and remained devoted to love throughout her life.'"

As soon as he finished speaking, the male host raised his voice, his tone full of sincerity.

"You protect the world, I protect you. Now, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome this year's 'Touching China' Person of the Year—Xu Nian!"

A dazzling display of lights flashed across the stage, then slowly swept across the bustling audience, illuminating the space with waves of applause that echoed throughout the studio.

Finally, countless spotlights, along with countless cameras and the gaze of everyone present, all focused on the man in the front row, in the very center of the audience.

Xu Nian's heart pounded, and her mind went blank.

He never expected that Xu Xi had gone to great lengths to build this stage, with the purpose of clearing his name.

He stood frozen in his seat, completely still, even forgetting to breathe.

"Come up on stage, Comrade Xu Nian, hurry up and come up on stage."

The TV station director sitting behind him quickly patted him on the back and urged him anxiously in his ear.

Xu Nian then realized what was happening. He stood up from his chair and, amidst the respectful and admiring gazes of countless people, walked onto the stage and headed towards Xu Xi.

The camera lens followed him closely, clearly showing his weathered face on the screen.

The man was not particularly handsome, lacking the dazzling looks of an entertainment star. His clothes were also very simple; the military overcoat he wore, covered in roses, was his usual attire, making him indistinguishable from the ordinary audience members.

But it is this unadorned simplicity, this pure appearance that has endured hardship, that touches the heartstrings of every viewer.

"Now I'm completely convinced. Xu Nian clearly has the means to wear the best clothes, but the total cost of all her clothes probably doesn't even amount to a hundred yuan. This isn't stinginess; it's frugality ingrained in her bones. She's used to hardship and knows how to cherish every hard-earned thing."

"Like my father, even though life is better now, he can't bear to throw away express delivery boxes and plastic bottles. He always says to save money whenever possible. The resilience and thrift in their bones have never changed."

"These two children have had it so tough. They were orphaned at a young age and endured all kinds of hardships. They went through half a lifetime of trials and tribulations, but thankfully they didn't let each other down in the end and had a happy ending. That's wonderful."

......

The melody of "Fairy Tale" played from the stage's sound system at just the right moment.

"I wish I could become the angel you love in a fairy tale."

"Spread your arms, and they will become wings to protect you."

"You must believe, believe that we will be like in fairy tales."

"Happiness and joy are the ending."

Let's write our ending together.

...

Amidst the anticipation of the crowd, several award presenters slowly entered the stage from one side, carrying gleaming gold trophies and gilded certificates.

With steady steps and solemn expressions, they walked up to Xu Nian and solemnly handed him the trophy and certificate.

Xu Nian reached out his hands and carefully accepted the trophy and certificate. The heavy weight of the trophy made him slowly trace the words "You protect the world, I protect you" on the back of the trophy, and his eyes gradually reddened.

It turns out that everything he did was not inferior or despicable, nor was it something that could be done in the light of day; rather, it was something worthy of praise and celebration.

The applause from the audience grew louder and louder. He looked at the camera, his self-consciousness and fear gone, and even his posture became much straighter.

Xu Xi broke free from the female host's support and jogged towards Xu Nian with small, quick steps.

Amidst flowers and applause, they embraced.

Countless cameras were pointed at them, freezing this scene forever.