Chapter 0527: Meaningful Things

In Zhao Fusheng's worldview, there were actually only two kinds of things: meaningful things and meaningless things. The former were worth doing at any cost, while for the latter, Zhao Fusheng was too lazy to spare even a bit of energy.

For example, Zhao Fusheng was willing to spend millions or even more to help those in need, because he felt that having come into this world anew, he needed to do something for it, leave some traces, change something. But he was too lazy to accept any media interviews and didn't want to become famous. Because Zhao Fusheng felt that doing so was meaningless.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, to live, if you want to gain something extra, you have to pay extra. To live your own life, just be yourself. The key is to know what you want.

True elegance is actually the extension of inner stories, using external slowness to organize inner rhythm. Let the inner and outer resonate on the same frequency as much as possible.

And pretenders are indeed pretending genuinely. Because their hearts are empty, and their exteriors are restless.

Zhao Fusheng didn't want to live unrealistically; he truly wanted to live this life well.

“Fusheng is here.”

At that moment, the grandmother from the welfare home walked out, happened to see Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian, and revealed a kind smile.

Zhao Fusheng respected these elderly people deeply. In his eyes, they were truly selfless good people, more worthy of respect than himself.

“Grandma Li.” Zhao Fusheng greeted the old woman respectfully, smiling. “It’s been so long since I last came; you look like your complexion has improved a lot.”

“Is that so?” Grandma Li was startled, then smiled kindly. “Isn’t that all because of you, child? If it weren’t for you, could the home have what it has today?”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and shook his head. “Don’t say that. It’s all what I should do.”

He meant it. For Zhao Fusheng, these matters at the welfare home were just things he thought he should do. Living, one should have at least a sense of social responsibility.

That line from Spider-Man, though seemingly pretentious, is indeed very true: with great power comes great responsibility.

“Come on, let’s talk inside.” Grandma Li said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and followed the old woman inside. Zhang Qian followed behind him, placing the fruit they had bought on the way at the door.

Elderly people usually talk a lot, especially when several old ladies gather. Even Zhang Qian sometimes couldn’t handle the old grandmothers at the welfare home, but to his surprise, Zhao Fusheng chatted happily with them. No matter what they said, he patiently listened.

It was nearly noon when Zhao Fusheng politely declined Grandma Li’s invitation to stay for lunch and left the welfare home with Zhang Qian.

“Goodbye, Brother Zhang Qian.”

“Goodbye, Brother Fusheng.”

At the entrance of the welfare home, a group of children waved goodbye to Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said goodbye to them, then turned and left.

“Let’s go see Grandpa,” Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Qian as he got into the car.

Zhang Qian was startled, then nodded. The two took the car to the hospital.

The director grandpa’s health was deteriorating. In fact, if he hadn’t met Zhao Fusheng that time, he might not have held on until now.

The old man had originally been in an ordinary ward, but after the previous incident, the media reported on the welfare home. At the suggestion of the kind-hearted director, the hospital moved him to a VIP ward. In the director’s words, since those retired cadres enjoyed good treatment and were healthy, the VIP ward was empty most of the year, so it might as well be used for this old gentleman.

For some reason, the hospital agreed, and the director grandpa was moved to the VIP ward.

So-called VIP wards are generally hospital wards specially provided for leading cadres. Compared to ordinary wards, VIP wards are not only larger and have a better environment but also come with dedicated nursing staff. Doctors treating VIP patients are usually at the associate chief physician level or above. They don’t have to queue for medical treatment, and medications not covered by ordinary medical insurance can be reimbursed—a series of preferential conditions.

Of course, wealthy people could also stay there if they were willing to spend the money.

But for the people at the welfare home, the medical expenses here were undoubtedly unaffordable.

Although some kind-hearted people donated money and goods to the welfare home during that period of media coverage, after the hype faded, everything returned to calm.

“This ward is nice,” Zhao Fusheng said quietly to Zhang Qian as he walked through the hospital corridor, looking at the surrounding wards.

Zhang Qian explained the specifics and nodded. “If Director Chen hadn’t spoken up, they would never have let us stay here.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said nothing.

In fact, he understood the hospital leadership’s intentions—they were after fame. Although the welfare home incident had subsided, the old man was staying here, and the welfare home was paying the medical fees normally. By providing a VIP ward, they not only gained a good reputation but also earned gratitude. Why not?

Most importantly, these VIP wards were empty most of the time. The hospital had nothing to lose by letting the director grandpa stay; on the contrary, they gained benefits. No one would play the villain.

Arriving at the ward door, Zhao Fusheng pushed it open. Inside, a young nurse was cleaning. Seeing Zhang Qian, she smiled sweetly. “You’re here.”

“Ah.” Zhang Qian nodded but said nothing more.

“The director grandpa is fine; he just fell asleep. He was talking with me a little while ago,” the nurse said to Zhang Qian, then glanced at Zhao Fusheng. “Well, I have things to do, so I’ll be going now.”

“Oh.” Zhang Qian nodded woodenly as before.

Zhao Fusheng could barely suppress a laugh. Zhang Qian might not have noticed, but as an observer, Zhao Fusheng saw clearly that the young nurse had taken a liking to Zhang Qian—the way she looked at him was unmistakable.

With decades of life experience, Zhao Fusheng was quite certain about this.

But judging by Zhang Qian’s demeanor, he clearly hadn’t sensed her feelings, or he was pretending to be oblivious.

Regardless, Zhao Fusheng found the scene quite amusing.

“What are you laughing at?” Noticing Zhao Fusheng’s strange expression, Zhang Qian asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and shook his head. “Nothing. I just think that nurse is pretty.”

“Her name is Yang Panpan,” Zhang Qian said. “She’s the dedicated nurse here, only responsible for patients in this room.”

“Oh.” Zhao Fusheng nodded. “You know that?”

Then he smiled. “What, it seems you’re quite close with her?”

“We just know each other,” Zhang Qian explained calmly. Even he didn’t notice that when mentioning Yang Panpan, his usually icy expression softened slightly.

Zhao Fusheng didn’t call him out on it. He smiled and walked over to sit beside the director grandpa’s bed.

The VIP ward was indeed excellent, both in environment and facilities. It even had a separate reception room and a rest room, and there was a bed beside the old man for the caregiver to rest.

As for the refrigerator and TV, they were all available.

“Sit down and rest. We’ll talk when Grandpa wakes up,” Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian nodded, and the two sat there waiting for the director grandpa to wake up.

Elderly people sleep lightly. Less than ten minutes later, the old man opened his eyes. Seeing Zhao Fusheng by his bed, he revealed a smile and parted his lips slightly.

Zhao Fusheng put his ear close to the old man’s mouth to hear what he said: “You’re here.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded. “I just got back from Beijing and came to see you.”

Although he hadn’t met the old man many times, that didn’t stop Zhao Fusheng from respecting him deeply. He always maintained a respectful attitude toward truly good people.

“You’ve worked hard,” the old man said.

Due to his health, he spoke very slowly and couldn’t say long phrases.

But Zhao Fusheng didn’t complain. Whenever the old man spoke to him, he would stand up, lean close to his mouth, and listen.

After a while, the old man beckoned Zhang Qian to come closer.

Zhang Qian was startled but nodded, walked over to the old man, and bent down.

“You go out first. I want to say a few words to Fusheng,” the old man said to Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian nodded and left the ward. He always obeyed the old man.

“I’ve always wanted to thank you. If it weren’t for you, I might have died long ago,” the old man said to Zhao Fusheng with a forced smile.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. “You don’t need to be polite. It’s all what I should do.”

“I don’t understand. Why do you go to such lengths to help the welfare home?” the old man suddenly asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then understood the old man’s meaning.

Having experienced too many ups and downs in life, even the hardest decade, the old man had a deeper understanding of human nature than anyone else.

In his view, for someone Zhao Fusheng’s age to behave like this was truly puzzling.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Fusheng smiled and slowly said to the old man, “Grandpa, sometimes I often dream. In my dreams, my life is a failure; everything around me seems hopeless. It’s a world where poverty is mocked but prostitution is not, money is paramount, and everyone seems to have abandoned their moral bottom line. When I wake up, I feel that this world always needs some warmth, even if it’s just a self-righteous memento. Like seeing sunlight in the dark night—maybe it’s hope that brings tears, or sorrow that turns into wild laughter.

This world is full of contradictions, and too many unexpected things always happen that leave us at a loss.

So, I regard living as a practice, until death do us part.”