Chapter 1291 Embrace 1
It was exactly six o'clock in the evening.
Fuxing Square—a newly rebuilt and named place on the ruins of the original Zhucheng Square—revealed its full appearance in the twilight.
The square covers an area of approximately 10 square meters and is a regular rectangle. The ground is paved with newly fired dark gray bricks from the post-war period, giving it a hard and solemn appearance.
The layout follows the classic axial symmetry design:
At the north end is the rebuilt, rock-solid rostrum and viewing platform; at the south end is a giant bronze torch sculpture symbolizing the "passing on of the torch".
The east and west sides are lined with colonnades, now adorned with huge victory banners that flutter slightly in the evening breeze.
For this unprecedented "victory feast," the entire square was redesigned, with thousands of rectangular tables arranged in a neat radial pattern around the viewing platform, resembling a giant, meticulous chessboard.
The dining tables were all covered with thick, dark green tablecloths—made from a patchwork of stock military blankets and brand-new canvas.
Each table was set with uniform tableware made of coarse pottery, and a small earthenware jar decorated with wildflowers and resilient mutated wormwood, exuding a tenacious vitality in its simplicity.
Around the square, dozens of large searchlight towers and strings of energy-saving light strips, which had been erected in advance, were already in place.
As the clock struck six, it was as if an invisible switch had been pressed—
"Shh!"
All the lighting equipment turned on simultaneously!
The blazing white light, like liquid mercury, poured into every corner of the square, completely dispelling the gradually deepening darkness. The entire Fuxing Square was instantly as bright as day, even more magnificent and solemn than daytime.
Under the lights, a huge red banner with gold lettering that read "Warmly celebrate the restoration of the night market" spanned the east and west sides of the square, making it particularly eye-catching.
At this moment, the square was filled with people. Survivor representatives from all walks of life who had been in the viewing area during the day had now completed strict secondary security checks and identity verifications according to the new zoning arrangements and sat down at their designated tables.
More than 15,000 people gathered here, their voices forming a low, expectant hum. The atmosphere was festive, yet shrouded in a veil of solemnity due to the formality of the occasion and the reverence in their hearts.
Chen Shitou and his companions from Qingyan Village were assigned to table number 47 in the third section on the east side—a spot that wasn't exactly central, but where the stage was clearly visible from the top of the table.
He sat awkwardly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his thighs, but his eyes seemed to take in everything, taking in the dreamlike scene.
He saw several worker representatives, their fingers roughened, dressed in "Factory 001" work clothes, sitting at the next table, excitedly pointing towards the podium and whispering something; on the other side, he saw several elderly teachers with white hair, specially invited, carefully adjusting their faded collars. Everyone, regardless of where they came from, had an almost sacred excitement and glory on their faces at that moment.
"Serve!"
A clear command came from some loudspeaker.
Immediately afterwards, the entrances to the passageways around the square opened like floodgates—hundreds of staff members dressed in uniform dark blue uniforms and white aprons pushed hundreds of stainless steel multi-tiered food carts, forming streams of silver that quietly and efficiently "flowed" into the passageways between the tables.
There was no noise, only the faint sound of the food cart wheels rolling over the floor tiles and the slight clinking of dishes.
But the next moment, the rich aroma of food, like a shockwave from an explosion, swept across the entire square!
That was a long-lost, complex, and soul-stirring fragrance!
The aroma of caramelized fat, the sweet scent of starch, the rich meaty fragrance of meat, and the unique aromas of various spices... all blend together to create a primal and deadly temptation.
"Gudong-"
Chen Shitou could clearly hear himself, as well as countless others around him, swallowing their saliva at the same time.
Many people's eyes widened instantly, staring intently at the dishes being served on their tables.
The first dishes served were the main courses and staple foods:
Braised Pork Belly in a Pot: A huge earthenware pot is brought out, and when the lid is lifted, large chunks of pork belly, glistening with a dark brown color and trembling slightly, are revealed inside, releasing a rich aroma of soy sauce.
Braised Mutant Horned Lamb with Potatoes: Horned lambs are gentle, herbivorous mutant beasts that appeared after the apocalypse. Their meat has a coarse texture but a unique aroma. When combined with well-cooked potato chunks, the broth is rich and flavorful.
...
Next came some "high-class dishes" that Chen Shitou found unfamiliar and even astonishing:
Steamed Silver Scaled Fish: A mutant fish that lives in purified waters and has shimmering silver scales. Its flesh is extremely tender and white. It is simply steamed with scallions and ginger, and exudes a pure and sweet aroma.
Charcoal-grilled Velociraptor Ribs: Taken from the most prized rib section of the "Swift Lizard," a small, swift, carnivorous, and dangerous mutant beast, it is brushed with a special honey sauce and grilled until fragrant and slightly wild.
Creamy Mushroom Soup: The soup is milky white and made with cultivated mutant white mushrooms and precious cream powder, with a rich and warm aroma.
......
Chen Shitou stared blankly at the glistening braised pork on his table, then at the exquisite dish on another table in the distance, a dish whose name he couldn't recall.
Just as he was feeling overwhelmed with emotion looking at the table full of dishes—
"Wow..."
A commotion, like waves crashing on the shore, came from the direction of the square entrance, growing louder as it approached.
The crowd rose in waves, like wheat fields swaying in the wind, their eyes all fixed on the same direction. Whispers, applause, and excited shouts of names began to rise.
Chen Shitou's heart skipped a beat, as if gripped by an invisible hand. He almost immediately understood the source of the commotion, hurriedly stood up, and stood on tiptoe to look.
It's him!
The man who sat atop the reviewing stand during the day, shining like the sun—Chairman Gu—has arrived!
At this moment, Gu Chengyuan changed out of his dark green general's uniform and into a more practical, well-tailored dark gray Zhongshan suit. He looked less solemn and dignified than during the military parade, but more composed and reserved, though his core aura remained undiminished.
At such close range, Chen Shitou finally saw his face clearly—younger than he had imagined, with short, spiky hair parted in a 3/7 ratio, a sharp and resolute profile, an unyielding composure between his brows, and eyes that appeared exceptionally deep and bright under the brilliant lights.
Surrounded by a group of distinguished senior officials, the other party was walking slowly along the reserved central passage towards the rostrum area in the center of the square.
With a gentle smile, he waved to the excited crowds on both sides from time to time, and occasionally stopped to shake hands briefly with representatives who reached out their hands.
The crowd erupted in cheers!
Everyone leaned forward desperately, reaching out their hands, hoping to make even a fleeting contact with this legendary leader.
