From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

"Brother Tang, sister... this sentiment is far too heavy."

I sat in the chair, feeling a little lost and confused. It took me a while to think before I could speak.

"To be honest, I was quite surprised. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to shoulder this responsibility; it was completely unexpected."

Tang Jianshan slowly shook his head, leaned forward slightly, and looked at my face with a serious and earnest gaze.

"We're having Hao Hao recognize you as his godfather not because we want you to provide him with material assistance. What we value is your character. It's more about cherishing a memory, a hard-won bond."

"You don't need to bear anything for him. In the future, when you have time, come to our house often, sit with him, talk to him, and teach him some principles of life. That's enough."

The eldest sister, sitting to the side, quickly chimed in to add to the discussion.

"Yes, it was just a token of our appreciation. If you hadn't saved Hao Hao that day, he probably wouldn't be in this world anymore, and our family would have been completely destroyed."

"We really can't find any other way to repay this great kindness. Only by establishing this kinship can my husband and I feel at ease. From now on, we'll visit each other more often and get along like a real family."

Hao Hao moved closer and gently tugged at my arm.

Her bright, dark eyes sparkled as she looked up at me with her little face full of expectation.

"Godfather, please? You have to teach me how to swim and tell me more stories about wilderness adventures."

I looked at the child's expectant eyes, then looked up at Tang Jianshan and his wife; their eyes were sincere.

I turned my head again to look at Su Qing beside me.

Su Qing met my gaze, a faint smile appearing on her face, and nodded at me subtly.

I let out a long breath.

To be honest, this happened so suddenly, but I felt very relaxed and at ease during the few hours I spent with this family.

In a daze, it felt as if we had known each other for a long time.

Perhaps there really is such a thing as fate in this world.

However, I still don't have much confidence. The heavy responsibility makes me feel uneasy.

After a brief silence, I composed myself, looked up at Tang Jianshan and his wife with a solemn expression, and slowly nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I agree."

Tang Jianshan's face instantly lit up with a broad smile. He reached for the glass of baijiu in front of him and raised it to me.

"Okay! Let's have a drink then."

Several cups on the table clinked together, the crisp, pleasant sound spreading throughout the warm room.

Hao Hao also raised his small glass full of orange juice high and excitedly came over, clinking his glass against ours.

This dinner started with a relaxed and casual chat.

The unexpected joy of recognizing relatives came out of nowhere, a surprise that came without warning.

After a satisfying meal, the eldest sister got up and went into the kitchen to clear the dishes, the sound of running water coming from the kitchen.

Hao Hao excitedly pulled Su Qing and me into the living room, pulled out all his thick stack of certificates and spread them out one by one.

He chattered on and on, constantly showing off the various honors he had received at school.

Tang Jianshan sat in the corner of the sofa with a cup of hot tea, quietly watching us joke and laugh, a faint smile always on his lips, his expression peaceful.

During a break in our conversation, the TV in the living room was turned down. Tang Jianshan took a sip of his tea and spoke to me in a soft voice, as if we were having a casual chat.

"Now that we've acknowledged this kinship, we're family from now on. Whether you plan to start your own business or encounter other obstacles, feel free to ask if there's anything I can do to lend a hand. Don't stand on ceremony with us."

I know perfectly well that this simple sentence carries immense weight.

But I didn't want to rely on others for protection in everything, so I didn't accept the favor. I just nodded sincerely.

"Thank you, Brother Tang. I appreciate your kindness. But I don't want to trouble you with anything I can handle myself."

Tang Jianshan smiled upon hearing this, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation.

I can see your personality, I won't force you.

I nodded slightly and thanked him.

Even now, I still don't know exactly what position Tang Jianshan holds.

But the confidence and composure with which he said those words were definitely not just empty polite remarks.

He poured me another cup of warm tea, handed it to me, and asked casually, as if in a casual conversation:

"Xiaolin, what's the situation at your home?"

I reached out and took the warm glass, smiled faintly, and said:

"My mother is the only family member left, and... she is seriously ill."

I am not deliberately trying to gain sympathy by playing the victim. Now that we have formed this kinship, I should lay out my true situation so that they can understand my situation.

Tang Jianshan frowned slightly and asked, "Excuse me for being nosy, but what illness does your mother have? Is it serious?"

"I had a stroke caused by high blood pressure before, and I was only saved by all-out rescue efforts. But the doctor said the risk is still very high, and I have to rely on medication every day to manage it."

After hearing my story, Tang Jianshan frowned even more and sighed heavily.

"With such a worry weighing on your mind at home, and you struggling alone in Jiangcheng, life must be very difficult for you."

I smiled, not wanting to exaggerate the suffering, and my tone was quite relaxed.

"It's alright, I've gotten used to it. Life goes on step by step, and I'm already very content with things as they are now."

My answer seemed to have been approved by Tang Jianshan. He nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping over Su Qing, who was helping Hao Hao look through the award certificates, before returning to me.

"Such admirable qualities. You must cherish having such a wonderful girl like Su Qing by your side."

I followed his gaze to Su Qing's back. The light fell on her hair, creating a soft halo.

A genuine sense of relief welled up inside me, and I spoke from the bottom of my heart:

"I will. She comes from a wealthy family, and the fact that she was willing to choose someone like me is truly my greatest fortune."

The older woman in the kitchen finished cleaning up and came over with a full plate of washed fruit. She sat down on the sofa and enthusiastically pushed the fruit plate towards me.

"Xiaolin, have some fruit. It's the kind you just brought over. I tasted a grape while washing it, and it was very sweet."

"Okay, thank you, sis."

"Don't be so polite with me, we're all family from now on. Come over and visit more often when you have time. My cooking skills aren't the best, but I can still make a few decent home-style dishes."

I quickly replied, my tone very sincere.

"Sister, don't be modest, the food really is delicious, I'm not just flattering you. Since leaving home to make a living, I've rarely had the chance to eat such home-cooked meals with such a warm, homely feel."

My older sister beamed with joy at my praise, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

"If you like it, come often. I'll cook for you anytime."

As soon as she finished speaking, her expression became slightly more serious, and she earnestly instructed:

"But next time you come, please don't spend money on anything. We'll be happy just to have you here."

I quickly nodded in agreement.