Chapter 1292 Embrace 2
Chen Shitou's heart pounded wildly in his chest, blood rushed to his head, and all he could hear was the pounding of his own heartbeat and the deafening cheers around him.
He watched him get closer and closer, fifty meters, thirty meters, ten meters... This was the closest Chen Shitou had ever been to a "national leader" in his entire life, and even in the three generations of his ancestors in his memory!
In the blink of an eye, Gu Chengyuan and his group had arrived at the east area, and table number 47, where Chen Shitou was, was right at the edge of the passage!
As the figure was about to pass in front of him, Chen Shitou's mind went blank. Relying entirely on instinct and the actions of those around him, he suddenly stretched out his right hand. Due to excessive excitement, his face and neck turned red and hot, and his arm even trembled slightly.
Gu Chengyuan's gaze swept over and saw the simple face that was almost distorted with excitement. He paused slightly and naturally reached out to grasp Chen Shitou's hands, which were covered with calluses from long-term labor.
A handshake, then separation.
The time was so short it was less than a single breath.
But for Chen Shitou, that moment felt infinitely stretched and solidified. He felt that Chairman Gu's palm was large, dry, and warmer than he had imagined, carrying a firm and steady strength.
The power penetrated his skin, seemingly instantly smoothing out all his tension and fear, leaving only a burning excitement called "being seen" and "being recognized".
Gu Chengyuan nodded slightly to him, giving him a faint, encouraging smile, then let go of his hand and continued walking forward.
Chen Shitou froze on the spot, his right hand still outstretched, as if the warmth and touch still lingered.
The deafening cheers around me and the envious clapping from my tablemates seemed to be blurred through a thick layer of glass.
His entire being was immersed in the indescribable warmth and strength conveyed by that brief handshake.
It wasn't until the announcement that the banquet had officially begun, and until Old Wu at the same table forcefully pulled him down to sit, whispering a reminder, "Hurry up and grab your seat!!", that Chen Shitou snapped out of his daze.
He sat down and carefully picked up the rough pottery bowl with the same hands that Chairman Gu had just held.
The bowl contained fragrant golden fried rice, and in front of him was glistening braised pork. He took a bite, and although it was incredibly delicious, his taste buds seemed to become somewhat dulled without him realizing it.
His thoughts lingered on that brief moment of contact.
It was more than just a handshake; it was a symbol, a bridge, that truly connected him, the leader of this small mountain village, with the enormous regime that he had once felt was unattainable and even harbored resentment towards.
On the brightly lit Fuxing Square, a banquet for ten thousand people officially began, with laughter and the aroma of food filling the air.
But in Chen Shitou's heart, something deeper and more solid was quietly taking root and sprouting.
......
Time flies, and as the lingering aroma of the last main course still fills the air, the stainless steel food cart once again flows into the room like a silver stream.
This time, what was served was a "dreamlike item" that could be considered a luxury in the post-apocalyptic world.
Basins of washed, mutated fruits of various colors were placed in the center of the table: fist-sized honey berries with a purplish sheen; rough-skinned but orange-yellow flesh with a sweet and sour taste; and small bunches of miniature grapes that looked like rubies.
Next came the desserts: a whole-grain cake with a slightly yellow color but a rich aroma of milk and eggs, and trembling jelly blocks made from plant gel and fruit juice.
At first, facing this final feast, many representatives at the tables were conflicted. They wanted to take some, but were afraid of losing face for their own organizations. If they didn't take any, they were afraid that they would miss out. As a result, everyone's muscles were subconsciously tense, with a sense of impending doom and impending conflict.
This subtle feeling is something that those who frequently attend banquets will understand.
However, when the on-site announcement came clearly and gently, declaring that "fruits and desserts are available in unlimited quantities and can be replenished as needed," that invisible layer of ice instantly melted away.
In a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce, the phrase "unlimited" possesses a magical power.
The restraint and probing were broken by a soft exclamation of surprise.
People wore smiles that were almost childlike in their purity, politely offering each other "Please go first" and pushing fruit bowls to their neighbors.
Chen Shitou couldn't resist taking a small piece of cake and a few berries. The sweet taste melted in his mouth, making him almost sigh.
His gaze involuntarily fell on the ruby-like grapes, and his daughter's pale, thin face appeared before his eyes.
He noticed that several simply dressed delegates around him were quickly stuffing a piece or two of fruit or a small piece of cake into the pockets of their baggy trousers or the inside pockets of their coats when no one was looking.
Their movements carried a hint of shame and panic, yet were incredibly resolute.
This scene made Chen Shitou's heart pound, and his fingers repeatedly and rapidly rubbed the rough seams of his trousers.
A fierce battle raged within him between his sense of morality, his dignity as a leader, and his deep love for his daughter.
To take it or not to take it? This small fruit is delicious to him, and for his daughter, it may be a long-lost memory of "sweetness" and "wonder".
Just as he was torn between his inner turmoil, his fingers trembling slightly, almost making a decision—
"Comrades, distinguished guests!"
The square's loudspeaker blared again, its familiar voice instantly drowning out all the whispers and the soft clatter of dishes.
"The grand finale of the celebration—the 'Fireworks Celebrating New Life' fireworks display—will begin in five minutes in the sky directly south of the square! Please get ready to enjoy it together!"
The broadcast sounded like a refreshing spring, jolting Chen Shitou awake and instantly pulling him out of his struggle.
A surge of intense excitement gripped him: Fireworks! There's a fireworks show!!
But the excitement lasted for less than two seconds, followed by a surge of cold, overwhelming sense of loss.
The start of the fireworks show means... it's really coming to an end.
Tonight, everything that is like a dream—the torrent of steel, the roar of the mountains and the tsunami, the grand banquet for thousands, the handshake of leaders, the unlimited desserts—will all come to an end as the last wisp of fireworks fades away.
Tomorrow, when the sun rises as usual, he will board the bus back to his remote, resource-poor Qingyan Village.
The dazzling brilliance before our eyes and the rough, desolate reality of tomorrow will create a huge, dizzying contrast.
He sensed that the aftereffects of this disparity would be like the strongest liquor, repeatedly burning his chest for a very long time to come.
As he stared blankly at the still-unlit southern sky, his heart filled with this complex and indescribable emotion—
“Swoosh—bang!!!”
Without warning, a sharp whistling sound ripped through the sky, followed by a deafening explosion!
