This article is a novel story, some of the plots are fictional, if there are similarities are purely coincidental, the picture comes from the Internet, invaded and deleted.
Text | Zero Seven Story Meeting
Edit | Zero Seven Story Meeting
When I took off my military uniform in 1995 and returned to my hometown, an obscure town with a sense of uncertainty about the future, my heart was full of apprehension. My father has passed away, my mother is old, and the burden of the family has suddenly weighed on my shoulders.
The picture comes from the Internet
After much thought, I decided to open a small restaurant and try to make a living in this familiar land by using the cooking skills I had honed in the army.
On the day the hotel opened, I stood in the humble doorway, watching the sparse number of customers come and go, as heavy as the often gloomy sky of the town.
My mother was silently helping on the sidelines, and her smile and encouragement were what kept me going. But in the middle of the night, looking at the ceiling, I often ask myself: can this road really be passed?
In those days, my restaurant business was not good. Most of the people in the town prefer home-cooked meals and don't buy my specialties. Every day when I look at the empty restaurant, my worries and confusion accumulate more and more.
Still, I insist on waking up early every day and preparing each dish carefully, hoping to keep the few customers who have tried it.
One afternoon, the sky suddenly began to pour rain, and the streets were almost devoid of pedestrians. Just as I was about to close early, the doorbell rang, bringing a bit of excitement that I hadn't seen in a long time.
Entering the door was a woman and her family, soaking wet, apparently looking for a place to hide from the rain. The lady's name is Zhao Xiaoli, and she introduced herself as a veteran, and she happened to hear that the dishes here have the flavor of the military, so she brought her family to try it.
The picture comes from the Internet
Zhao Xiaoli was full of praise for my hometown cuisine, and we talked happily at the dinner table. From days in the army to life back home, we have so many things in common.
Her laughter was warm and sincere, making this gloomy afternoon warm too. Before leaving, Zhao Xiaoli left her phone number and said that if I didn't mind, she would be willing to help promote my restaurant.
Since that day, Zhao Xiaoli has really helped a lot. She recommended my restaurant to friends and colleagues in the city, and many people began to come to her. With these new customers, my business is gradually improving.
She would occasionally call me to tell me about what's new in town, we would discuss new dishes together, and she would always give me a lot of creative suggestions.
As time went by, my contact with Zhao Xiaoli became more and more frequent. Sometimes, I would be busy in the kitchen late at night, and my phone would suddenly ring, and it was a message from her, asking if I was still working overtime, telling me not to work too hard.
Her concern made me feel a warmth that I had not felt in a long time. The relationship between us slowly transcended the boundaries of friends and began to take on some different emotions.
At Zhao Xiaoli's suggestion, we decided to hold a special event and invite our old comrades-in-arms to the hotel for a party. This gathering is not only an opportunity to thank Zhao Xiaoli, but also an attempt for me to let more people know about the hotel.
I started to prepare various specialties in the hope that I would impress everyone. On the day of the party, many old comrades-in-arms came to the town. Most of them were first-time visitors and were amazed by the novelty of this small military-style restaurant.
The picture comes from the Internet
After dinner, we sat down and shared our post-military lives. Laughter and stories filled the entire restaurant, and the long-lost sense of familiarity and belonging made everyone smile with satisfaction on their faces.
This gathering not only made my restaurant famous in the local area, but also deepened the relationship between me and Zhao Xiaoli. At that moment, I realized that this woman had played an integral role in my life.
As time went on, the reputation of the hotel grew, and the relationship between me and Zhao Xiaoli deepened. However, just when everything seemed to be going in a good direction, a sudden challenge lay ahead of us.
Zhao Xiaoli received an important job offer, a stable and promising position in a big city, far from this small town. This news is a heavy blow to all of us, and we are faced with a difficult choice.
One night, the restaurant had just closed, and we were sitting at a small wooden table in the backyard. The autumn breeze is light, bringing a little coolness. Zhao Xiaoli looked at me with unspoken worry in her eyes.
Her voice trembled a little, "Tianxiang, I don't know what to do. This opportunity is important to me, but I don't want to leave you either. I held her hand, my heart full of contradictions and struggles.
At that moment, we were all silent, and an indescribable tension and uneasiness filled the air. I know Zhao Xiaoli's career dreams very well, and I don't want her to give up such an opportunity for me.
The selfish part of my heart, how I wish she could stay and continue to run this restaurant with me and build our future together.
Eventually, I took a deep breath and plucked up the courage to say what was on my mind: "Xiaoli, I love you, and I hope to be with you, both here and anywhere.
If this job is really important to you, I would like to consider moving to the city together and we can find a new beginning together. After Zhao Xiaoli heard this, tears appeared in her eyes, she hugged me tightly, and the torrent of emotions exploded at that moment.
We decided to face the uncertainties and challenges of the future together, and to walk hand in hand no matter what. This decision is not only a test of our emotions, but also a commitment to our shared ideals.
As time passed, we moved hand in hand towards a new life. Although we decided to leave the hotel to my mother and a reliable friend, we both moved to the city together.
There, Zhao Xiaoli pursued her career dreams, and I discovered a new world of cooking, and our lives were full of new challenges and funs.
Through this experience, we learned that love is not just about the happiness of two people, but also about supporting each other to become a better version of themselves, even if it means facing unknown challenges.
Our story began with an accidental lunch, but it started a lifetime of peers, and each other was the most determined to rely on. This may be the most beautiful marriage.