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
In the spring of 1979, I made a momentous decision to join the People's Liberation Army. This choice meant glory for me and also heralded sacrifice, the heaviest of which was the breakup with my first love, Lingling.
The picture comes from the Internet
Lingling, the girl who always brings sunshine on cloudy days. Our love was as gorgeous as a flower in high school. The call of the nation and the aspirations of the individual forced me to make a choice, and I chose to obey.
On the day of the breakup, Lingling and I made an appointment at the train station in the small town. She was wearing that pale blue dress, with tears in her eyes, but she still tried to smile.
The train came slowly, and I knew that when the train took me away, it also took away our youth and dreams. At that moment, my heart was full of pain and reluctance, and Lingling's figure faded away in front of my eyes until it disappeared.
This seems to be the end of our story......
In the vibration of the train gradually moving away, I embarked on the journey of military life with firmness for the future and nostalgia for the past. Life in the barracks was strict and orderly, and every day exercised my mind and physical strength.
Year after year, I grew from a young man to a tough soldier. Despite the constant challenges and changes in my life, Lingling's smile is always on my mind, and her voice always seems to bring me comfort in the silence of the night.
After retiring, I didn't choose to go back to that small town, but started my second life in a new city. I joined social work and used the discipline and commitment I learned in the military to help more people solve problems and gain the respect of the community.
Over the years, I have been in love several times, but I always feel that no one can compare with Lingling. In the dead of night, I still think of her tenderness and understanding, those unfulfilled dreams.
The picture comes from the Internet
And Lingling's life trajectory is also full of ups and downs. After the breakup, she became a teacher as she wished, and the job she loved filled her life with brilliance. A few years later, she married an engineer and her life seemed smooth and happy.
Fate was not always as good as it was, and her husband died early due to illness, leaving Lingling to live with her young son. Since then, Lingling has never remarried, and she has devoted all her efforts to teaching and raising her son.
Despite the difficulties of life, she never lost that optimism and tenacity. Decades passed in a hurry, and I accidentally learned about Lingling's recent situation through an old comrade-in-arms.
Hearing that her son had started a family and was alone, the long-lost emotions in her heart were reawakened. I began to try to find Lingling's contact information, and my heart was filled with mixed emotions that were both expectant and afraid.
After much inquiry, I finally found her phone, and my fingers trembled as I dialed the familiar and unfamiliar number. After the phone rang a few times, a familiar voice rang, "Hey?" was Lingling's voice, although it was a little hoarse, but the gentleness still made my heart tremble.
After a brief greeting, I told her that I was Lin Zhiyuan, and there was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. When she realized it was me, her voice was filled with surprise and disbelief: "Zhiyuan, is that you, why did you suddenly contact me?"
I took a deep breath and whispered, "Lingling, yes, I haven't forgotten you, I want to know if you're doing well." "Our conversation started with reminiscences and slowly shared our life experiences and mental journeys over the years.
We spoke of our joys and pains, and it was as if time had stopped passing in this moment. Although we both have some regrets, we find a long-lost solace in each other's voices.
The picture comes from the Internet
This phone call undoubtedly opened the door to our communication and became the starting point for reconnection. As the Chinese New Year approaches, our phone calls and letters are becoming more and more frequent.
Every time we chat, I can feel Lingling's irrepressible emotional fluctuations, and I myself can hardly calm down. Although we are all in the twilight of our lives, the emotions of that youth are still stirring in our hearts.
We decided to meet at a community gathering, which will be our first reunion in decades. That day, I arrived at the meeting early, full of anticipation and nervousness.
Lingling arrived on time, she was wearing a simple but elegant long dress, and although the years had left marks on her face, those bright eyes and gentle smile had not changed.
We looked at each other and smiled, as if time had returned to that spring, the station where we waved goodbye with tears in our eyes. During the meeting, we found a relatively quiet corner and sat down and started an in-depth conversation.
Lingling confided in me about the loneliness and hardships of these years, and I deeply admired her strength and optimism. I also shared my experience in the military and my journey after I was discharged. Our conversation was full of understanding and empathy, and our hearts gradually drew closer to each other.
When we talked about the possibility of a fresh start, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Lingling expressed her concern that she wasn't sure she still had the courage and ability to commit to a relationship again, especially after so many years of living alone.
I know this is a difficult decision to accept, we are all no longer young, and the complexity of life and the uncertainty of the future make this issue even harder.
The picture comes from the Internet
Our conversation was interrupted by a long silence, and I could feel Lingling's struggle and uneasiness. Finally, I took her hand and whispered, "Whatever you decide, I'll understand."
But I want you to know that you're not alone. No matter how our relationship develops, I want to be by your side, at least as a friend. ”
Lingling looked at me with tears in her eyes and nodded slowly. At this moment, our hearts are once again tightly connected, and all distances and barriers seem to dissolve at this moment.
The hustle and bustle around us seems to have disappeared, and only the figures of us snuggling up to each other remain. This encounter, although we did not say the words promised, gave our hearts unprecedented comfort and strength.
At the party, our hearts finally found resonance with each other. At the end of the meeting, Lingling held my hand tightly, her eyes shining with determination.
She whispered: "Zhiyuan, let's go down together, no matter how difficult the road is." "At that moment, my heart was filled with warmth and hope, and I was grateful for the courage and trust she glew.
Since then, we have ceased to be passers-by in each other's lives. We started going on walks, community events, and even planning possible future trips together.
Our story proves to those around us that love can transcend the test of time and rejuvenate even in the twilight of life.