Cangmang Asks the Way 1: Guardian of the Lamp

Inside the hospital room, Cang Xiaohua leaned against her second brother, Xiangyang, wiping away her tears with her sleeve. But the tears flowed like a broken string of pearls, impossible to dry, only making her pale face even redder. Cang Xiangyang stood at the front. This young man, who could lift heavy valves in the factory, now had red eyes and flared nostrils, struggling to hold back his tears. He just stared at his eldest brother on the hospital bed, as if trying to confirm that this wasn't a nightmare.

Lin Wei stood quietly in the corner, a fruit knife still in her hand. She didn't disturb this poignant family reunion, but simply watched with tender eyes. As a reporter, she should record this touching scene. But at this moment, as a deeply moved bystander, she felt for the first time that some genuine emotions shouldn't be completely put into print.

"Brother, I'm asking for a long leave from the factory. I'll stay and take care of you. You're injured like this, you can't be left alone." Cang Xiangyang's voice was thick with nasal tone.

"Yes, someone needs to stay by my brother's side. I... I'll stay. I... I may be slow, but... I'm careful, and I can keep watch at night..." Cang Xiaohua's voice was not loud, but it was unusually firm.

Cang Lifeng looked at his younger brother and sister-in-law, at the undried tear stains on their faces, and felt a surge of warmth and pain in his heart, as if branded with a hot iron. He took a soft breath and, steeling his heart, refused:

"No, everyone go back."

"Brother! You're in such a state—" Xiangyang said anxiously, taking a step forward.

"What's wrong with me?" Cang Lifeng interrupted him. "It's just a flesh wound, you won't die. Xiangyang, listen carefully. The factory is doing year-end maintenance, and a ton of work is going to be done by key personnel like you. You've only just gotten your footing, and now you're giving up? Who are you going to face? Your parents are waiting for you to bring money home for the New Year. That's what you should be doing."

Xiangyang opened his mouth, wanting to say that he could coordinate and come back later, but under his elder brother's unfathomable, tired yet still authoritative gaze, all the words stuck in his throat.

His gaze fell on Cang Xiaohua, his eyes filled with a deeper pity: "Xiaohua, you're even worse off. Listen to me, there are too many germs in hospitals. Your health isn't as good as others to begin with. What if you ruin it? That job of yours is hard-earned... The end of the year is when we're rushing to close deals. If you take leave, you might lose your position." He paused, his voice softening. "Go back, work hard, and make sure you get your wages. Don't let Mom and Dad worry about us any more. Only when you're all well can I focus on recovering here."

Cang Xiaohua's body trembled slightly, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just lowered her head deeply, and a hot tear silently fell onto the cold floor.

Seeing his younger siblings' heads bowed and their undisguised disappointment after being persuaded, Cang Lifeng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed the lump in his throat and the throbbing pain in his wounds. When he spoke again, he added a deliberately relaxed tone: "Don't look so miserable. The doctor said that if you recover well, you might be able to go home for a hot meal of dumplings during the New Year."

His tone abruptly shifted, becoming unusually serious: "And another thing, when you go back to see your parents, keep your mouths shut! Don't mention a single word about what happened in Nancheng! Just say I was busy at the construction site and couldn't go home for the New Year, so I had someone send the money back! Do you hear me? If your parents find out and start worrying, I won't let you off the hook!"

"I heard you..." the brother and sister replied in a low voice.

In the corner of the ward, Lin Wei watched this scene quietly, her heart churning violently like a lake tossed with a boulder. She looked at the man, his face as pale as paper, leaning weakly against the headboard, yet with an almost forceful demeanor, he sheltered his younger siblings from all worries. He pushed away every helping hand offered to him, swallowing his pain and risks alone, just to give that insignificant sense of "stability" and "reunion" to those behind him without reservation. A mixture of admiration and heartache gripped her heart.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the ward door.

A nurse poked her head in: "Comrade Cang Lifeng, we have two visitors, representatives elected by the rescued people outside. They want to thank you in person. Is that alright?"

Cang Lifeng paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Please invite them in."

The door opened.

Wang Lide helped Ayun in. Wang Lide carried a bulging cloth bag and a fruit basket. Ayun held a swaddled baby in her arms; her face was still pale, but her eyes were filled with gratitude.

When they saw that in addition to Cang Lifeng, there were two simply dressed young men and an elegant woman in the ward, they were all taken aback.

"Brother Cang, A-Yun is feeling better and is clamoring to come see you again. However," Wang Lide paused, then said with some pride, "this time we are the representatives chosen by everyone. Outside... there are more than twenty people you saved that day, along with their families, all here. Everyone pooled their money, made a banner, and wanted to thank you in person, but the hospital won't let so many people in..."

As he spoke, he carefully placed the large cloth bag on the chair beside the bed: "This is a small token of everyone's appreciation; you must accept it. It's not much money, but it represents the goodwill of over twenty families. They all said that once you recover, they will definitely hold a banquet to thank you."

Ayun stepped forward, hugged the child, and bowed deeply: "Brother Cang, this time I thank you on behalf of everyone. You not only saved my child and me, but also everyone in the bank that day. Everyone will remember your kindness."

Cang Xiangyang and Cang Xiaohua stood aside, listening to these words and looking at the heavy cloth bag, their hearts churning. They knew their elder brother had done something remarkable, but only now, seeing the representatives chosen by these rescued people and hearing these words, did they truly feel the weight of this "remarkable" act.

"I can't take this money." Cang Lifeng immediately shook his head, his tone resolute. "I appreciate everyone's kindness, but the money must be taken back. Anyone would have done the same in that situation."

"Brother Cang, you absolutely have to accept it!" Wang Lide said anxiously, "If you don't accept it, we won't be able to explain to everyone! There are still many people you saved outside, and everyone wants to express their gratitude, but the hospital won't let them in, so their gifts are all piled up at the nurses' station..."

Just then, the nurse came in again, this time carrying a banner, followed by two caregivers carrying several fruit baskets, boxes of nutritional supplements, flowers, and so on.

The nurse walking ahead said, "Mr. Cang, these are all gifts from citizens. There are so many that the ward can't hold them all, so we'll register them and accept them. And these flowers..." She placed the bouquet of wild chrysanthemums on the bedside table. "An old lady brought them with her granddaughter, saying thank you for saving her daughter and granddaughter."

The two caregivers then unfurled the banner, its red background and gold lettering gleaming under the lights: "True Heroes of Righteousness and Courage, Selflessly Saving Others and Setting a New Standard—Presented by All the People Rescued in the Nancheng Bank Robbery Case."

"Mr. Cang, this banner was made with funds from everyone, and every family that was rescued signed it," the nurse added.

The small hospital room was instantly filled with this profound gratitude. Cang Lifeng watched all this, his throat tightening. He hadn't thought about any of this when he did those things.

Lin Wei stepped forward at the opportune moment and said, "Brother Lifeng, this is a token of everyone's sincerity. You can accept the money first, and give back to society in other ways when you have the chance. The most important thing now is to recover from your injury."

Cang Lifeng was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I'll keep the money for now. Brother Wang, Sister-in-law Ayun, please thank everyone for me. I'll definitely come to see you all when I'm better."

Wang Lide breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I will definitely pass on the message. Everyone will be happy to know that you accepted it."

Ayun smiled too. She looked down at the child in her arms and said softly, "Nianfeng, when you grow up, be a strong and upright man like Uncle Cang."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Lin Wei checked the time and said to Wang Lide and his wife, "Brother Lifeng needs to rest. You should also go back early; the people outside are still waiting for news."

Wang Lide nodded, and he and Ayun bowed to Cang Lifeng again before leaving the ward.

After Wang Lide and his wife left, the ward fell silent. But the warmth from more than twenty families still lingered in the air.

Looking at the banner and the bulging money bag, Cang Xiangyang finally couldn't hold back and choked up, saying, "Brother...you really saved so many people."

"What's this talk about saving them?" Cang Lifeng shook his head and said gently, "We just happened to run into them, so we can't just ignore them. Remember, as long as you act in accordance with your conscience, that's enough."

He then looked at Lin Wei: "Reporter Lin, thank you for today..."

Lin Wei smiled and said, "Of course. It's rare for you siblings to see each other, so chat a little longer. I'll head out now."

She picked up her bag, nodded to Cang Xiangyang and Cang Xiaohua, and gently closed the door.

Only the three siblings remained in the ward.

Cang Xiaohua slowly walked to the bedside, looked at her older brother's shoulder wrapped in thick bandages, and tears welled up in her eyes again: "Brother... does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt," Cang Lifeng said gently, patting Xiaohua's head. He felt genuine love and tenderness for his frail younger sister.

"Brother," Cang Xiangyang wiped his face, his voice firm, "Don't worry, Xiaohua and I will definitely listen to you, work hard, and take good care of Father and Mother. You must also take good care of yourself in Nancheng."

"Yes. I'm very happy that you could come. But remember what I said, go back quickly and don't delay your work. I'll come home to see you when I'm better." Cang Lifeng looked at his younger brother and sister-in-law with deep affection in his eyes.

Cang Xiangyang nodded emphatically. He took a small cloth bag from his pocket and stuffed it under his elder brother's pillow: "This is Xiaohua and my wages for this month. Use it first. We'll figure something out if it's not enough."

"Nonsense!" Cang Lifeng tried to sit up, but the pain made him lie back down. "Take it back to Mom and Dad, I have money here!"

"Brother, please accept it!" Cang Xiaohua said softly, her eyes pleading, "Otherwise, we won't feel at ease."

Looking at his younger siblings' stubborn eyes, Cang Lifeng finally sighed, "Fine, I'll accept it. But don't let it happen again."

We chatted about everyday things for a while longer, until it got dark.

Cang Xiangyang and Cang Xiaohua knew it was time to leave. Standing by the bed, they looked at their elder brother, their eyes reddening again.

"Brother, we're leaving," Xiangyang said.

"Brother, take good care of yourself and get well soon," Xiaohua said.

"Okay, be careful on the road."

The brother and sister left the ward, looking back every few steps.

The door closed. The ward fell completely silent.

Cang Lifeng leaned against the headboard, looking at the deepening night outside the window, and then at the flowers and gifts filling the room, a warm feeling slowly flowing through his heart.

He thought of his parents, the old house in Xiqiao Village, and the days when he ran with his younger siblings on the ridges of the fields when he was a child.

Then he remembered the copper coin—the one he'd seen in the bank, and deep in his memory, he thought his grandfather had a similar one too…

The thought flashed through his mind, only to be overwhelmed by his physical exhaustion. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

---

Lin Wei did not leave the corridor outside the ward.

She stood by the window, watching Cang Xiangyang help his sister limp out of the hospital gate, get into a tricycle, and gradually disappear into the night.

She returned to the newspaper office, where the internal phone rang. It was the editor-in-chief: "Xiao Lin, you're back? The city leaders read your report and had a very positive reaction; they want to use it as a model. Follow up on it closely these next few days and try to make it a series."

"Understood, Editor-in-Chief."

She hung up the phone and was about to organize her notes when her receptionist poked her head in: "Sister Lin, Professor Shen Moyuan from Nancheng University just called the switchboard. He said he read your report and some historical information might be helpful for your follow-up reports. He left his office phone number and meeting time so you can contact him when it's convenient for you."

A colleague handed me a note with a number and "Tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM, Room 304, School of Humanities, Nancheng University" written on it in ballpoint pen.

Lin Wei took the note, her heart skipping a beat. She had a keen sense that this transferred call was not simple. Her colleague added, "By the way, Sister Lin, Professor Shen sounded quite serious. He even said... 'It concerns some history that should not be forgotten and people who should be remembered.'"

After hanging up the phone, she looked out at the deep night.

This city, this man, and those emerging historical clues... everything seems to be converging in some unknown direction.

And she was standing at this intersection.

---

In a small guesthouse room across from the hospital, a young man in a dark jacket with sharp eyes put down his binoculars. He picked up the old-fashioned rotary dial telephone from the bedside table and dialed a number.

"Team Leader Chen, this is 'Mountain Eagle.' Cang Lifeng's siblings have left the hospital and returned safely. The visit by the community representatives went smoothly, and no suspicious individuals were found approaching the target ward. Reporter Lin Wei just reported back to the agency; there are no abnormalities at the moment. Over."

Chen Mo's calm voice came from the other end of the phone: "Received. Maintain observation, paying particular attention to any probing of the hospital area by Japanese personnel or unfamiliar faces. 'Bluebird' (codename Azure Willow) is processing family-related information; the target's safety is the top priority at this stage."

"Understood." The young national security investigator, codenamed "Mountain Eagle," put down the phone, raised his binoculars again, and scanned every corner of the hospital entrance and surrounding streets with the sharpness of a hawk. Outside his blind spot, another colleague, disguised as an electrician, was inspecting the electrical distribution box downstairs in the inpatient building. For this hero who had been unexpectedly caught in the eye of the storm, an invisible protective net had quietly been set in motion.

---

At the same time, in the dormitory of Jixian Sports School.

Cang Tianci lay on the hard wooden bed, tossing and turning.

The news of his elder brother being shot was like a red-hot iron, branded into his consciousness. The copy of the "Nancheng Daily," which had been passed through many hands and brought back from Nancheng, was right beside his pillow, but he no longer needed to read it—every word was etched into his mind.

A chilling fear washed over me again and again. If that bullet had been a fraction off... if my brother hadn't made it...

But another emotion was also growing—a mixture of pride, shock, and bewilderment. The eldest brother had become a hero, saving more than twenty people. The newspapers said the whole city was praying for him and sending him flowers.

hero.

This word was too heavy. So heavy that it made Cang Tianci feel a little breathless.

He remembered what his elder brother had said when he left home: "Tianci, I don't have any great skills, nor can I pave a golden road for you... You must remember my words: Practicing boxing is a technique, but understanding the Way is the root. Ask your heart, not your fists; when your heart is clear, your fists will be genuine. Only when you can understand the 'principles' of this world, and see through the weights that weigh down people, will you be considered someone of importance..."

Now, my elder brother has lived out his "way" with his life. What about myself?

Cang Tianci closed his eyes and began to circulate the Hidden Dragon Technique. His breath flowed slowly through his body, attempting to calm his turbulent emotions.

But this time, the warm energy in his dantian carried an unprecedented heaviness. It was as if a small part of what his elder brother carried on his shoulders had also quietly weighed on his heart.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the boy's increasingly angular face.

His "path" is still shrouded in mist. But he knows he must grow faster and stand stronger. So that one day he can truly understand his elder brother's choices and, when needed, step forward like his brother.

It's not about being a hero.

It is to be worthy of this body and blood, and to be worthy of this lit lamp in my heart.

The night is still long. But a faint glimmer of light is already appearing on the eastern horizon.