Chapter 1403: She was Everywhere
Gu Nianzhi looked up at the chandelier on the roof beam of the auditorium, tears welling up in her eyes.
But she tried her best to hold her head high and not let her tears fall.
General Ji finally said, “Although they didn’t ask for anything in return, we can’t ignore their efforts and simply enjoy the fruits of their labor.”
“I have already informed Speaker Long and Prime Minister Bai of the great contributions of these two martyrs. Our country will take full charge over their funerals. Their contributions will be recorded in our history books and pa.s.sed down through the generations.”
“Their daughters will also receive the best treatment from us.”
“Their deeds will not be unknown. We will never forget them!”
After General Ji finished speaking, the master of ceremony announced, “Attention! Salute! Sound the cannon of salute!”
Gu Nianzhi counted carefully. A twenty-one cannon salute was of the highest level.
The sound of the cannon salute reverberated in her mind. It was as if a hole had been pierced in her heart. The wind blew through the hole, and she could hear its echo.
…
After the ceremony, General Ji walked up to her and held her hand tightly. He said, “Child, don’t be too sad. We will take good care of you on behalf of your parents.”
Gu Nianzhi nodded silently and whispered, “Thank you, General Ji. You’ve already treated me very well.”
She had grown up safely under the protection of the Huaxia Empire’s military from the time she had come to Huo Shaoheng’s side at the age of 12 till her current age of 19.
If it hadn’t been for them, she thought, she would likely have died under the cold sea, just like her parents.
As she thought about it, she felt a sudden dizziness in her head. It was as if she had seen the blue sea cover the sky and land, cascading down on her…
She blinked and her body swayed as she leaned against the coffin behind her.
General Ji quickly supported her and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”
He knew everything about Gu Nianzhi running all night on the beach last night.
In the morning, Huo Shaoheng had requested for artificial rain to create a rainbow, and he had agreed without hesitation.
Even if they didn’t have the means or skills, he would have agreed to build a backdrop from scratch in the studio.
Gu Nianzhi closed her eyes, shook her head, and tried to control herself. She slowly straightened up and said, “I’m okay. I didn’t sleep well yesterday.”
General Ji patted her head and whispered, “Go back and rest early. A dead person can’t be brought back to life. You have my condolences for your loss.”
Gu Nianzhi lowered her head and lightly nodded.
Then Speaker Long walked over.
He held Gu Nianzhi’s hand with emotion and said, “Nianzhi, I really didn’t expect your parents to be so great. I originally wanted to take you in as my G.o.ddaughter, but now that I think about it, no one can replace your father and mother.”
Gu Nianzhi raised her head and looked at Speaker Long quietly.
After last night’s shock, she found that her heart had suddenly become stronger.
Although her parents were no longer in this world, their deep love gave her unlimited courage and confidence.
She had a sense of belonging, and knew who she was, where she came from, and where she would go in the future.
Unlike before, because she did not have the memories of her past twelve years and did not know who her parents were, the core of her heart had always been floating like duckweed. She did not know where her roots were.
And as a person, it was only when she knew where her roots were could she be able to grow towards the sky.
If it was in the past, hearing Speaker Long say this, she would be inexplicably grateful. She would want to repay them a hundredfold.
It was just like how old master Xie had wanted to hold an engagement party for her to support her.
But now, while she was still grateful for their kindness, she no longer needed these people to support her.
Her greatest source of confidence was her own parents, and more so herself.
Gu Nianzhi nodded at Speaker Long and said, “Speaker Long, you’re my boss. You just have to take care of me at work in the future.”
Speaker Long patted her on the shoulder. “I stole you from Old Ji, so of course I have to take good care of you. Anyone who goes against you is going against me, Old Long.”
Gu Nianzhi nodded quietly. Then, she shook hands with the prime minister who walked up to her.
Among the four big shots, Gu Nianzhi was less familiar with the prime minister.
So they didn’t exchange pleasantries.
Prime Minister Bai nodded at her and said, “My condolences.”
Gu Nianzhi also nodded in return.
Old Master Xie was the last to walk up.
He said very seriously, “Nianzhi, my condolences. Your parents are very great, and I’m proud of them.”
Gu Nianzhi bowed slightly to express her grat.i.tude.
Old Master Xie continued, “… I’m sorry about the engagement party. I’ve already spoke to them. It was our fault that we were not mindful enough about manners. I’ve already told them to pack up and leave.”
This was probably the result of He Zhichu’s communication with Old Master Xie.
Gu Nianzhi said lightly, “It’s not their fault. You’re too polite.” She paused before continuing, “It’s a pity that I’m going to attend my parents’ funeral, so I can’t attend the engagement party.”
From the moment he heard about Gu Xiangwen and his wife, Old Master Xie knew that Gu Nianzhi wouldn’t come to the engagement party.
Not to mention the displeasure they had caused when they changed the date, but as children, when their parents had just been buried, it was impossible for them to immediately celebrate their engagement.
Old Master Xie nodded in understanding. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Since you and Shaoheng are both busy, then cancel the engagement party. When you get married next year, remember to send an invitation to this old man. I’ll definitely be there!”
Gu Nianzhi agreed. “Of course, of course.”
The big shots shook hands with her one by one and then left the auditorium.
They were all very important people who had a lot on their plate. It was already rare for them to spare a day and night to attend her parents’ funeral.
The Honor Guard also left. The crowd gradually dispersed, and the crowded auditorium quickly became empty.
However, Huo Shaoheng, Song Jinning, Chen Lie, Yin s.h.i.+xiong, and Xiao Ye were still by her side.
Huo Shaoheng walked over and placed a hand on Gu Nianzhi’s shoulder. “Would you like to see your parents?”
Gu Nianzhi came back to her senses and recalled what Huo Shaoheng and her father’s holographic avatar had said. Her heart skipped a beat.
“… If the submarine was filled with nitrogen, then their bodies should be well preserved, right?”
Huo Shaoheng nodded and took a step forward, pressing a b.u.t.ton on the coffin.
The lid of the coffin opened halfway, revealing the transparent inner coffin.
Gu Xiangwen and his wife’s faces were clearly displayed in front of them.
Gu Nianzhi suddenly covered her mouth with her hand and swallowed a whimper.
Although the two of them had their eyes closed, they were still as lifelike as when they were alive.
Gu Nianzhi stared blankly at their faces and slowly knelt down.
Huo Shaoheng also knelt down with her.
Song Jinning wiped away her tears at the side.
Yin s.h.i.+xiong and Xiao Ye lowered their heads, not daring to look at such a scene.
Chen Lie took off his round gla.s.ses and wiped them, feeling very uncomfortable.
Gu Nianzhi kowtowed three times to her parents, and Huo Shaoheng finally closed the coffin.
“Nianzhi, where do you want to bury your parents?” Huo Shaoheng helped her up. “With their status, they can be buried in the National Martyrs’ Cemetery in the imperial capital.”
Gu Nianzhi had originally wanted to bury her parents back at the hometown of her grandfather Gu Haize. However, after thinking about it, her parents had both been born and raised abroad, and had only set foot in Huaxia after their deaths.
What was the point of burying them in their hometown?
Moreover, her father had said that he had spent the rest of his life hiding from the j.a.panese right wing. What he wanted most should be to live a safe and peaceful life, right?
A life where he didn’t have to worry about being discovered every day…
Therefore, it was better to bury them in the National Martyrs’ Cemetery. No one would disturb them there, and no one would dare to disturb them.
The country would provide them with the greatest protection and final peace.
Gu Nianzhi nodded. “Let’s bury them in the National Martyrs’ Cemetery. It will be easier for us to pay our respects to them in the future.”
Huo Shaoheng thought the same. “Okay, then let’s bury them in the National Martyrs’ Cemetery.”
After deciding on the location of the two martyrs’ graves, everyone split up and busied themselves.
Huo Shaoheng handed the task over to Yin s.h.i.+xiong and asked him to start transporting the coffin back to the capital.
At the same time, he had to deal with Gu Xiangwen’s submarine.
“Your father’s last words were that everything he owned belonged to you, including this submarine.” Huo Shaoheng turned on his phone and showed Gu Nianzhi the video they had taken of the submarine.
Gu Nianzhi was moved when she saw the words “Cereus I” appear on the top of the submarine.
In her father’s heart, she was everywhere.
She would no longer feel that she was inferior, an orphan girl without her parents and always lacking confidence in front of others.
Her parents’ love gave her the confidence to settle down and live her life.
She took the phone from Huo Shaoheng and stroked the “Cereus I” on the display screen. Her mind seemed to flash, as if she had seen something. She said, “Cereus I? Is there a Cereus II…”
Huo Shaoheng: “…”