In 1979, I joined the army family with great enthusiasm.
When I was discharged from the army, I was ready to step into the palace of marriage with my first love.
was mercilessly humiliated by her, and it turned out that she got together with the local rich man.
Now I am the deputy minister, and she still lives in that small rural village.
01
In that era, hot-blooded men joined the military one after another, in order to leave their footprints on the road of defending their families and defending the country.
In 1979, a sunny day, a young man full of hope for the future.
With full enthusiasm for the country and society, he embarked on the road of joining the army without hesitation.
In the melting pot of the army, I went through rigorous military training and exercised my indomitable will.
Countless nights have been spent lying on my hard bed, full of thoughts.
Whenever I think of my distant family and hometown, I miss it a lot.
However, during these difficult days, I met the first one in my life - my first girlfriend.
Her name is Xiaofang, and she is a girl from a village near the army.
By chance, we met at a civil-military gala held by the army.
On that day, she wore a red dress and smiled like a flower, like a bright star that lit up my world.
After the party, we left each other's contact information and began a long correspondence.
In the letter, we share the details of each other's lives and talk about our hopes for the future.
I told her about my military experience, and she described to me the beauty of her hometown.
As time passed, the relationship between the two grew deeper.
On those lonely nights, I would take out her photo and stare at it stupidly, as if I felt her company in my heart.
However, fate always seems to play tricks on people.
When I was expecting to leave the army and plan to return to my hometown to propose to Xiaofang, a scene happened that I will never forget.
That day, I wore a brand new military uniform and came to Xiaofang's house with confidence.
When I confessed to her in public, expecting her to agree to the proposal, I was ruthlessly rejected.
Xiaofang said that I was poor and white, thinking that I was not worthy of her, and even said in front of me that she had agreed to the marriage proposal of a wealthy farmer in the village.
At that moment, it was as if my world had collapsed.
I can't accept the cruel fact that the girl I once loved so much should value material things and despise our feelings.
I departed gloomily, filled with endless pain.
This experience is engraved in my heart like a brand.
In the days that followed, I was determined to prove my worth and make those who looked down on me regret it.
And this failed first love has also become the motivation for me to move forward.
Under the training of the army, I studied hard and constantly improved myself.
After I was discharged from the army, I devoted myself to my career and with my own efforts, I stepped into the position of deputy minister.
However, in addition to my busy work, I always think of that young first love, and my heart is full of emotion.
Time has passed, and I am no longer the ignorant young man.
And that first love has also become a memory in my heart.
In the days to come, I will continue to work hard and strive to achieve my dreams.
And that experience that once made me miserable also made me cherish the happiness in front of me even more.
02
That humiliation has become an eternal imprint on my heart and a motivation for me to move forward.
In the days after I was discharged from the army, I immersed myself in work and study, determined to prove my worth with my strength.
I know that only through my own efforts can I make those who once looked down on me look down on me with admiration.
My life has become very simple and regular, and every day before dawn, I get up and start my day of study and work.
Whether it's a hot summer day or a cold wind, I've never slackened in the slightest.
I signed up for the training, learned about management and administration, and at the same time, I was always conscientious and brave in my work.
My efforts were not in vain.
With the cultivation of the organization and my own unremitting struggle, my position has been continuously improved.
From an ordinary clerk to the head of the department, to the deputy minister.
Along the way, I have encountered countless difficulties and challenges, but I have always gritted my teeth and risen to the occasion.
I remember one time, in order to complete an urgent project, I led the team to work overtime for a month.
During that time, I was the last to leave the office almost every day, and sometimes even slept directly on the couch in the office.
My dedication touched the team and won the respect and trust of my colleagues.
Behind the achievements is my unremitting efforts and countless sweats.
In the dead of night, when everyone else is asleep, I sit at my desk and read hard.
I know that every step I take is the best response to that humiliating experience in the past.
My story has become a good story in the workplace and has become a role model for many young people to follow.
My experience tells you that as long as you have dreams and perseverance, you can overcome all difficulties and realize your own value.
However, behind all this, there is still a wound deep inside me that cannot be healed.
I occasionally think of Xiao Fang, and think of that first love that ended without a problem.
I am not nostalgic for past feelings, but I am reflecting on the choices and values of life.
I began to realize that Xiaofang's original choice was not entirely based on the pursuit of material things, but was influenced by the social environment at that time.
At that time, many people believed that the life of a soldier after leaving the army was insecure, and that a stable material life was the most important thing.
Xiaofang's choice is just a reflection of social values.
This reflection has strengthened my convictions.
I decided to use my actions to change this misconception.
I want to make greater contributions to society in my own position and let more people realize it.
A person's worth is not only determined by my identity and status, but also by my hard work and dedication.
I have been working in the position of deputy minister for many years.
During this period, I promoted a number of reform measures and made outstanding contributions to the local economic and social development.
I have also used my experience to inspire generations of young people and make us believe that if we work hard, our dreams can come true.
This experience made me deeply realize that hard work and perseverance are the only way to change my destiny.
And those pain and frustrations in the past are just to achieve a better self.
I will continue to move forward and write a more wonderful chapter of my life with my own hands.
03
With the passage of time, the years have carved their marks on my face and also left a deep emotion in my heart.
Years later, I have become a respected official and my life has changed dramatically.
However, by chance, I learned about my first girlfriend, Xiaofang, who was still living in poverty in the countryside.
The news threw a pebble into my calm heart and caused ripples.
I recall that youthful love, and my heart is full of mixed emotions.
I can't imagine how Xiaofang, who was once so proud, is now facing the hardships of life.
One weekend, I decided to drive to that familiar and unfamiliar village to see Xiao Fang.
As the car drove on a winding mountain road, my mood fluctuated with it.
I don't know what this reunion will be like, but I know I need to give myself an account.
When I stood in front of Xiaofang's dilapidated door, and saw that once familiar figure become so haggard, my heart swelled with an indescribable taste.
When Xiao Fang saw me, she was stunned for a moment, and then showed a wry smile.
The years have left traces on her, and her smile no longer has the pride and confidence of the past.
We sat in the humble courtyard and talked about the changes over the years.
Xiaofang told me that the wealthy farmer she married back then was in the middle of the road because of a failed investment.
Her life has been in turmoil ever since, and her husband has recently passed away from illness.
Listening to Xiao Fang's narration, my heart was full of sighs.
I can't blame Xiaofang for her choice back then, and I can't change her current situation.
I could only listen silently, feeling the impermanence of time and the vicissitudes of fate.
As I was leaving, I handed Xiaofang an envelope with some money in it.
I told Xiaofang that this was not a charity, but a kind of compensation for my past, and I hoped that she would live better.
Xiao Fang didn't refuse, just looked at me deeply, her eyes full of complicated emotions.
On the way back, I couldn't calm down for a long time.
I know that I have let go of the past, but the memory left by that first love is still profound.
I began to reflect that if it weren't for that humiliation, I might not have worked so hard to pursue my dreams and would not be where I am today.
I realized that there are countless possibilities in everyone's life, and choices determine the trajectory of one's life.
Although Xiaofang's choice has put her in a difficult situation, it is also a part of her life.
I, on the other hand, found my own direction in the midst of setbacks and realized my own value.
This reunion made me cherish the life in front of me even more.
I understand that whatever happened in the past is an integral part of life's journey.
I decided to move on, never forget my original intention, and use my strength to help more people in need.
04
Time flies like a song.
After experiencing countless baptisms of wind and rain, I have gone through the prime of life and entered a calm middle age.
That first love, those pain and frustrations, have become a precious treasure in my heart.
I stand at the crossroads of my life, looking back on the past, I am full of emotion.
That day, I walked alone on the park trails, watching the sun set, and my heart welled up with endless emotion.
I think of the hardships I have had along the way, and I also think of the people and things that have accompanied me growing up.
Especially Xiaofang, the girl who once made me give everything for it, is now drifting away.
I began to reflect on my destiny and the value of life.
If it weren't for that humiliation, I probably wouldn't have pursued my goals so resolutely and wouldn't be where I am today.
I know that I have made great achievements on the road of life, but all this has not come easily.
I am grateful to those who have helped me, and to the experiences that have brought me frustration and pain.
It is these hardships that make me more mature and stronger.
At this moment, I have a deeper understanding in my heart:
Life is a process of constant pursuit and growth.
Everyone should cherish their choices and face life's challenges bravely.
Only in this way can we find the value of our life in continuous attempts and efforts.
I decided to continue working hard and make a greater contribution to society.
I want to share my experience and insights with more young people, so that we can avoid detours and pursue our dreams bravely.
I want to use practical actions to change those wrong concepts.
Let more people realize that a person's value does not depend on identity and status, but on my inner world and dedication.
In this period of reflection and reflection, I gradually let go of the pain and regret of the past.
I understand that there are no ifs in life, only consequences and results.
I want to embrace the future with a grateful heart and create more possibilities.
I firmly believe that as long as you have a dream in your heart and move forward bravely, you will be able to realize your own value.
And those pains and frustrations will eventually become the most precious treasures in my life.