Looking at the two extremely similar faces, one on his left and one on his right, both breathing softly beside him...
Jiang Cheng couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Sigh, is this how they test a cadre?
After coming to a halt, seeing Fang Yuan try to pull her hand away, Jiang Cheng instead tightened his grip on her more firmly.
Then he whispered, "Auntie, there are too many people here. You should be careful, lest you get separated in the crowd."
From Zhou Ying's perspective, she didn't notice that Jiang Cheng and Fang Yuan were holding hands.
So, she chimed in, "That's right, Mom, don't move around too much. It'll be safer standing next to Jiang Cheng."
Fang Yuan sighed helplessly and had no choice but to quietly hide her hand, which was tightly held by Jiang Cheng, behind her.
This feeling was as if she had returned to the mood she felt the last time she hugged Jiang Cheng.
Even through a layer of gloves, she could still feel the warmth coming from his palm.
This strange sensation made her heart race, and an itchy feeling welled up in her heart.
Before she could think more about it, she looked out from their position.
A sense of solemnity and gravity washed over them.
The dim sky and the Tiananmen Rostrum, filled with a sense of historical weight, complemented each other.
This made everyone present feel a surge of excitement.
Even someone like Jiang Cheng had no time at this moment to worry about the strange sensation of his body being tightly squeezed from both sides.
Instead, influenced by the surrounding environment, a feeling that couldn't be described in words welled up from deep within his heart.
Some people in the front row, as well as some standing behind them, saw Jiang Cheng holding onto two ladies with similar figures and couldn't help but take an extra look at the trio.
Especially some single dogs who came with friends; at this moment, they felt like they had suffered a hundred points of true damage.
This critical hit was only slightly alleviated with the appearance of the National Flag Guard.
Their uniform steps instantly ignited the people's passion, and the entire scene suddenly boiled over.
Listening to the people around him starting to cheer and shout—there were even some literary youth types shouting slogans like "Long Live China."
This high-spirited atmosphere caused the emotions of Jiang Cheng, Zhou Ying, and Fang Yuan to be stirred as well.
Watching the National Flag Squad march from the Jinshui Bridge with rhythmic, uniform goose-steps: swish, thud! Swish, thud!
At this moment, Jiang Cheng finally understood why so many people insisted on coming to Tiananmen to watch the flag-raising ceremony once.
In this situation, Jiang Cheng admitted that his previous voice regarding the flag-raising ceremony had been a bit too loud.
From now on, he would definitely recommend watching the flag-raising ceremony as the top priority for Kyoto tourism.
This solemn, grand, and shocking scene made everyone who shared the identity of being a part of China feel a sense of pride.
In this feeling, there was hardship, there was reflection, but more than anything, there was gratitude and appreciation.
The Honor Guard of the National Flag Squad not only had great momentum, but the entire process was devout and carried a hint of national faith.
Their movements were standard and firm, manifesting loyalty and responsibility to the country.
Every step carried deep respect for the motherland, making people feel moved.
Even though the sky today was gloomy and without sunlight.
But when that small Five-Star Red Flag was raised on the flagpole, accompanied by the solemn strains of the national anthem.
Many people watching couldn't help but have their eyes fill with hot tears.
Excited emotions were difficult to restrain.
Zhou Ying and Fang Yuan's eyes were also slightly red, and they couldn't help but hum along.
His hands, which had originally been holding theirs, now shifted to wrapping around their shoulders, one on each side.
As the song gradually reached its climax, Jiang Cheng couldn't even help but leave a gentle kiss on the tops of Zhou Ying's and Fang Yuan's heads respectively.
At this moment, the scene was permeated with a thick sense of patriotism; everyone's heart was surging with excitement and high spirits.
After the national anthem ended, Zhou Ying and Fang Yuan had already unconsciously snuggled into Jiang Cheng's embrace.
Thunderous applause rang out, and Fang Yuan seemed to suddenly snap back to her senses, slowly and inconspicuously leaving Jiang Cheng's embrace.
Although it was only for a short few minutes, the experience of those few minutes was unparalleled.
Only she knew the inexpressible pleasure and satisfaction those few minutes had brought her.
The crowd in the square began to gradually disperse, forming a sharp contrast with the three of them and their excited moods.
Those people lined up in the back who couldn't see clearly and could only watch with the help of selfie sticks didn't have much of a feeling about this ceremony.
Some even complained dissatisfiedly, revealing feelings of disappointment.
Seeing the way these people were, Zhou Ying said with emotion, "Fortunately we grabbed spots in the first row, otherwise we would be like them, leaving here with a hint of regret."
Fang Yuan walked to Zhou Ying's side and said somewhat evasively, "Watching the flag-raising from up close is indeed quite shocking."
Jiang Cheng chimed in, "I originally thought it was just a regular flag-raising like in school, I didn't expect it to feel so good after watching!"
Before, Jiang Cheng didn't have a very deep feeling regarding the two words 'the country'.
However, today, when he personally witnessed the Five-Star Red Flag slowly rising in the dawn, an unprecedented sense of pride spontaneously arose.
In that instant, Jiang Cheng admitted that at that time, he was patriotic.
He knew that the motherland was not just an abstract concept.
It was also an emotional bond that tightly connected every Chinese person together.
Even if, in his bones, he was still a complete egoist.
But that didn't stop his heart from occasionally holding the two words 'home and country'.
Especially after coming to Kyoto this time.
After talking with Great-Grandfather about some past events, Jiang Cheng already had a hint of respect for these predecessors who built the country.
After all, under such difficult circumstances back then.
If it were him, being asked to risk his life and sacrifice himself for the country, Jiang Cheng asked himself and knew he couldn't do it.
Precisely because he couldn't do it, he felt respect in his heart.
As the saying goes, "Only with a country can there be a home." This sentence applies not only to ordinary people.
It was even more so for a tycoon of Jiang Cheng's level.
It's just that people today, even including some tycoons, don't seem to deeply realize this point.
Particularly in recent years, many tycoons have quietly immigrated overseas one after another.
They even transferred large amounts of assets abroad.
As if they had forgotten the opportunities and wealth this land had given them.
Jiang Cheng remembered that before his rebirth.
Many wealthy people chose to immigrate abroad and transfer assets for tax evasion or other reasons.
But they didn't know that this move might put them at huge risk.
Some even naively thought that as long as they changed their nationality, they could get the protection and recognition of the new country.
But the reality was not that simple.
Once abroad, those so-called "foreign friends" wouldn't easily accept these "outsiders."
Instead, they would use various reasons to fine them, confiscate their property, and other means to plunder their wealth.
For these Chinese people who had already given up their original nationality, they were almost helpless in the face of such situations.
Because their nationality had changed, they no longer enjoyed the protection of the Chinese government.
They could only let others manipulate them.
This is why it's said that the country is your firm backing.
In a foreign land, even if you possess massive wealth.
But separated from the country, you will only be like rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly and liable to suffer losses at any time.
After watching the flag-raising, the three of them didn't continue to linger outside.
Once the excited mood passed, their bodies were still replaced by exhaustion.
All three of them went directly back to the Courtyard House to catch up on sleep without hesitation.