Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 972 - 968: Visiting a Comrade

At the moment the RV door opened, the elderly man couldn’t help but pause.

The interior was spacious and bright, decorated with elegance and comfort. It was equipped with a sofa, bed, and small dining table, completely unlike the cars he had imagined. It was more like a mobile home.

He felt a bit awkward at first, standing at the doorway, unsure where to place his hands and feet. He held the plastic bag tightly against his chest, fearing he might accidentally dirty the clean and tidy interior.

"Sir, please, have a seat. Don’t just stand there."

Taozi smiled at him, taking a bottle of mineral water from a cabinet beside her, unscrewing the cap, and handing it to him.

"Have a sip of water and take a break."

The elderly man took the water, thanking her profusely, then sat cautiously at the edge of the sofa, perched on half a seat, leaning forward slightly, exhibiting a noticeable restraint.

After drinking a few sips, his parched lips finally found relief, and the fatigue on his face seemed to subside a bit.

Taozi walked over to the driver’s seat and mentioned to Ruan Hongzhuang about the elderly man’s intention to visit Mayang Town.

Upon hearing this, Ruan Hongzhuang quickly searched "Mayang Town" on the navigation system, only to find that town was quite past their current route, and in the opposite direction.

It seemed the elderly man, due to his age, had made a mistake with directions, which was why he ended up walking in the wrong direction on the highway.

Things were now a bit troublesome. To take the man to Mayang Town, they had to turn around, leave the highway, and take a segment of a national road, which would take quite some time.

Ruan Hongzhuang hesitated briefly, but upon seeing the tired yet grateful expression in the rearview mirror, ultimately couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Considering his age and the distance he had traveled alone, it was really remarkable.

Since they weren’t on a tight schedule for this trip, spending a little extra time wasn’t an issue, and ensuring the elderly man’s safe arrival would be a good deed.

Thus, Ruan Hongzhuang did not reveal the error in direction to the elderly man, only nodded at Taozi, then turned the indicator light on, gradually steering the RV away from the emergency lane, heading toward the nearest highway exit, planning to turn back to Mayang Town.

Inside the vehicle, Shen Siyuan looked curiously at the elderly man sitting across from him and asked, "Sir, are you visiting relatives in Mayang Town?"

After regaining his breath and hearing the question, the elderly man replied, "I’m visiting a comrade."

"A comrade?" Shen Siyuan asked in surprise.

The elderly man’s face showed a hint of reminiscence as he smiled, "Yes, a comrade who enlisted with me, going on nearly sixty years ago now."

"Sixty years?" Shen Siyuan echoed in astonishment.

"That’s quite a long-time friendship! How old are you, sir?"

"Eighty-six," the elderly man said with a hearty smile, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

"I’m fairly healthy, but not as dexterous as I used to be."

"You’re truly in good health, traveling alone at eighty-six is quite impressive."

Shen Siyuan genuinely praised, "Where did you start your journey to Mayang Town from?"

"I came from Bali Town," replied the elderly man.

Shen Siyuan didn’t have much impression of Bali Town, but Taozi quickly checked her phone and found Bali Town on the map.

Looking at the map distance, Taozi couldn’t help but show a surprised expression, "Sir, it’s over thirty kilometers in a straight line from Bali Town to here. How did you make it here?"

"I took a coach to Yang County first, then walked here from there," the elderly man said casually.

Even so, it was enough to astonish anyone.

From Yang County to here, the highway segment alone was over ten kilometers. The elderly man walking step by step, leaning on a stick, must have expended a significant amount of energy and time.

The group inside the vehicle listened, admiration evident on their faces.

"It’s been years since I last saw him. When we were younger, we kept in touch often, but over time, with age and less mobility, we gradually lost contact."

The elderly man’s gaze carried a touch of nostalgia.

"A few years ago, I heard from someone that he wasn’t in great health. I don’t know how he is now, so I thought, while I’m still in good shape, I’d visit him before I potentially lose the chance."

When he spoke these words, there wasn’t much sorrow on his face, rather a sense of calmness, as if he was merely discussing the commonplace.

"I brought some specialties from our hometown for him, things he used to love."

The elderly man patted the large, tightly secured plastic bag he held, displaying an earnest smile.

His glance swept over the few children in the vehicle, his gaze turning especially gentle, seemingly reminded of something.

He paused, then promptly tried to untie the plastic bag, wanting to offer the children some of his hometown’s specialties, "Try some of our Bali Town’s specialties, all homegrown, very clean."

"Oh, no need, sir!"

Shen Siyuan quickly intervened as the elderly man attempted to untie the bag.

"We’ve plenty of food onboard, and your specialties are meant for your comrade. How could we eat them? Please, keep them safe."

"Yes, sir, please don’t trouble yourself," Taozi echoed in persuasion.

The elderly man, seeing their insistence, stopped his attempt, tying the bag back up tightly and holding it close to his chest.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, he suggested, "It’s been a trouble for you all; let me pay for the fuel."

"Sir, you’re being too formal."

Shen Siyuan waved his hand with a smile, "We’re just giving you a lift on our way, taking fuel money wouldn’t be right. If you insist, we’d be displeased."

The elderly man, hearing the sincerity in his words, no longer persisted, continuously expressing his thanks, gratitude clear in his eyes.

By then, Shen Siyuan noticed the RV had begun to turn around, understanding that Ruan Hongzhuang had altered their route specifically to help the elderly man.

Not mentioning this, he simply continued chatting with the elderly man, listening to stories of past military experiences.

Through conversation, he learned the elderly man’s name was Gao Jianjun, whose wife had passed away long ago. He had a son and a daughter, both living elsewhere, and they were unaware of his journey to visit his comrade in Mayang Town.

It was undeniable that the elderly man was truly remarkable.

Tang Tang and Dou Dou were still asleep, completely undisturbed by the conversations in the vehicle.

The RV glided smoothly onwards on the highway, heading for the nearest exit.

The landscape outside remained beautiful, but this unexpected encounter and warmth inside were far more touching than the scenic views.

Looking at the elderly man across from him, face weathered yet gaze unwavering, Shen Siyuan suddenly felt that some friendships endure through long years and remain steadfast.

Some kindness doesn’t require many words but can deeply warm the heart.

Soon, the RV exited the highway, driving toward Mayang Town.

Gao Jianjun leaned against his seat, watching the passing scenery outside the window, anticipation evident in his gaze.