"Brother Li, there is a comrade-in-arms meeting on the weekend, don't tell me you're going to be absent again!" On the other end of the phone, Lao Zhao's voice was as loud as ever, with a trace of momentum that could not be refused.
I smiled slightly, but my heart rippled, and I had long been resistant to this kind of gathering.
"Brother Zhao, it's not like you don't know, I've never liked to join in the fun. I responded with a pretense of lightheartedness, trying to hide my inner contradictions with my usual indifference.
After all, the former comrades-in-arms association was once the common spiritual sustenance of us retired veterans, carrying countless unforgettable military memories.
However, as time went on, the nature of the gathering gradually changed, and I, a veteran who had stayed true to my original intentions, felt helpless.
It was a sunny afternoon, and I stepped into the scene of the long-lost comrades-in-arms meeting with anticipation and apprehension.
As soon as I entered the door, I was shocked by a golden scene. In the spacious hall, precious red wine swayed in the glass, all kinds of delicacies are dazzling, clothes are fragrant, sideburns are shining, talking and laughing, just like a luxurious business dinner.
I froze in place, and secretly smiled bitterly in my heart: Is this still the comrade-in-arms meeting I am familiar with?
The party began, and former comrades-in-arms appeared one after another.
Da Liu, dressed in a brand-name suit and holding a limited-edition watch, shows off his company's achievements and luxury cars and mansions; Xiao Wang gushes about how he has made a lot of money in the business world; and even the always low-key grandson can hardly hide his smugness, showing off his son's admission letter to a prestigious university.
I sat in the corner, watching their eyebrows flutter, listening to the achievements that had nothing to do with their military careers, and my heart was mixed.
At that moment, I became an outsider, alien to the world around me. I can't help but think of those years, when we sweated like rain on the training ground, there was no difference in status between each other, only trust and tacit understanding to fight side by side.
Now, this precious comradeship-in-arms seems to have been eroded by worldly utilitarianism and impetuousness.
Another time, because of Lao Zhao's strong persuasion, I reluctantly participated in the comrades-in-arms meeting. I thought it would be a warm and nostalgic trip, but it turned out to be a business cooperation meeting.
Everyone took out business cards, exchanged resources, and some even discussed investment projects directly at the dinner table.
I watched their excitement and felt my chest clogged. I was just an ordinary factory technician, with no rich business contacts and no strong financial strength, so I could only sit awkwardly and listen to their conversation silently.
After that meeting, I walked the streets alone, confused and lost.
I miss the days when we carried guns together, sweated together, and laughed together about life and death in those years, when we had no material competition, only the persistence of faith.
And now, that pure comradeship-in-arms seems to have been tarnished by the smell of copper in reality.
Therefore, when Lao Zhao enthusiastically invited me to participate in the comrades-in-arms meeting again, I chose to decline politely.
It's not that I don't value the eventful years we had together, it's that I can't stand the kind of party that has changed its flavor.
In my opinion, the real comrades-in-arms should not be a stage for comparison and show-off, nor a platform for commercial cooperation, but a place where everyone can unload their social roles and return to their true nature.
There, we can talk freely about the past of the barracks, share the joys, sorrows and sorrows of life, and encourage and support each other, just like when we were in the army.
"Brother Zhao, you know, I'm not a person who likes to be lively, and I don't like that kind of vain scene.
If one day, our comrades-in-arms will be able to return to their original intentions, as they did back then, even if it is just to sit together, drink a little wine, and talk about the past, I will definitely be the first to be there. "I was honest about what was in my heart, even though I knew that it might disappoint Lao Zhao.
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment, and I could feel Lao Zhao's mood swings.
After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Brother Li, you are right. Maybe it's because I've been chasing the so-called success too much over the years and ignoring the essence of the Brothers-in-Arms. I have also thought about returning to the original intention you said, but it is just ...... Alas, forget it, forget it this time, next time, let's do as you say and get back to the feeling of the year, how about it?"
I smiled, a warmth welling up in my heart. I know that Lao Zhao is an emotional person, he can understand my choice, and he can also accept my advice.
Perhaps, this is the friendship between true comrades-in-arms, no matter how many ups and downs they have experienced, that understanding and tolerance have always been the same.
Hanging up the phone, I looked at the night sky outside the window, and silently made a wish in my heart: I hope that the future comrades-in-arms will no longer be overwhelmed by the glitz and glitz of the world, but become a harbor for the souls of our veterans, so that we can find a moment of tranquility and warmth in our busy lives, and find back the comradeship that belongs to us and will never fade.
In the period that followed, I received several invitations to the comrades-in-arms, but each time I firmly declined.
Until that early winter evening, Lao Zhao called, with a long-lost excitement in his voice: "Brother Li, you must come, this comrade-in-arms meeting is definitely beyond your imagination." ”
With a hint of curiosity and anticipation, I walked into the familiar venue. I was stunned by the sight in front of me: there were no splendid decorations, no extravagance of famous wine and delicacies, replaced by rows of folding tables and chairs, and simple but friendly smiling faces.
Everyone sat around in plain casual clothes, with beer in hand, talking about the interesting things of those years, and laughter, applause, and cheers were intertwined to form a moving symphony.
I stood in the doorway, watching this scene, and my eyes couldn't help but moisten. This is the comrade-in-arms in my mind, there is no flashy surface, no utilitarian competition, only the simple and sincere comrade-in-arms. I walked forward quickly, blending in with the laughter, filled with a long-lost sense of belonging.
Since then, the Brothers-in-Arms will be back on its rightful track. We no longer care about each other's status and wealth accumulation, but sincerely care about each other's lives and listen to each other's voices.
Those years of military service have once again become the theme of our gatherings, and the hardships and glory that we have experienced together have once again become the bond of our hearts.
Looking back, I am glad that I made the original choice, not blindly catering to the changed comrades-in-arms, but sticking to my original intention and insisting on waiting for the reunion to return to its true nature.
The real comrades-in-arms has nothing to do with status or wealth, but only about the comradeship that has gone through the baptism of the years and is still shining.
Finishing: The greens are long
Material: Li Chunhui