In 1995, as a company commander, I finally had the opportunity to return to my hometown to visit my family. It was a crisp autumn day, and I returned to my long-lost hometown with a full of anticipation and a hint of melancholy.
On my first night back in my hometown, I was warmly welcomed by my parents. At the dinner table, they asked questions and cared about my life in the army. Just then, a hurried knock on the door broke the warm atmosphere.
When I opened the door, it turned out to be my ex-girlfriend Xiaofang, whom I hadn't seen for many years. She was dressed in a red coat with a look of anticipation in her eyes. I was stunned, I didn't expect her to show up at my door at this time.
"Dajun, I heard that you are back, and I came to see you. Xiao Fang's voice was slightly nervous.
I politely invited her into the house, but my heart made waves. We broke up because of a misunderstanding, and when I joined the army, we broke off contact. Now she suddenly appeared, and I was very surprised.
Under the gaze of her parents, Xiao Fang suddenly knelt down, tears welling up in her eyes: "Dajun, I know it's wrong, I was too willful to lose you back then." I haven't forgotten you for all these years, shall we start over?"
I was stunned, I didn't expect her to come and propose. The parents also looked surprised, but they did not interfere and just left the room in silence.
I looked at Xiao Fang who was kneeling on the ground, and my heart was mixed. Over the years, I have become more mature and stable in the army, but I still can't let go of that youthful relationship in my heart.
"Xiaofang, get up. Let the past pass, we all have our own lives now, so why bring it up again?" I tried to get her to give up the idea.
However, Xiao Fang said firmly: "Dajun, I know you still have me in your heart. Give me a chance and let's start over. I am willing to give everything for you, even my life. ”
In the face of her persistence, my heart softened, but I still shook my head: "Xiaofang, you misunderstood." I did like you once, but that's in the past tense. Now, I just want to be filial to my parents and serve the country and the army. ”
Xiaofang cried bitterly and left my home. I looked at her departing back, and a sour feeling welled up in my heart. Perhaps, we really can't go back.
That night, I lay in bed with a lot of thoughts. This unexpected reunion made me realize that I was no longer the young teenager I was. And Xiaofang is no longer the innocent girl she was back then.
In the days that followed, I accompanied my parents to visit relatives and friends, enjoying a short vacation. And Xiaofang never showed up again, maybe she had understood my decision.
At the end of the vacation, I returned to the army. That reunion has become an eternal memory in my heart. I know that there will always be countless partings and reunions in life, and each time, it will make us more mature.
(ENDS)
Time flies, and years have passed in the blink of an eye. Over the years, I have been busy with the training and tasks of the army, and occasionally in the dead of night, I will think of Xiao Fang, her tears that night and her back when she left. But life always has to go on, and I tell myself to focus on the present, on my duty.
One spring in 2000, I was transferred to a remote city on a special mission. It's picturesque, but it's off the beaten track. One day, on my way back from a mission, I happened to pass by a small restaurant with a familiar sign hanging at the door - aromatic fragrance.
Curiosity drove me in, but I didn't expect to meet Xiaofang here. She looked much more mature, wearing an apron and busily greeting guests. When she saw me, she was stunned for a moment, and then smiled.
"Dajun, it's you, it's been a long time. Her voice was calm and kind.
I nodded and sat down by the window: "yes, I didn't expect to meet you here." ”
We briefly chatted about each other, and she told me that she was divorced, came back with her children, and opened this small restaurant.
"How have you been doing all these years?" she asked cautiously.
I was silent for a moment, and then said: "Life in the army is very fulfilling, but sometimes I remember some things from the past. ”
A trace of imperceptible emotion flashed in Xiao Fang's eyes, she lowered her head and sighed softly: "Yes, we are all old and can't go back." ”
That night, we talked for a long time until the restaurant closed. She sent me out, standing in the breeze, and she said, "Great, I have always wanted to tell you that what I said back then was sincere. ”
I looked at her, and a warm current welled up in my heart: "I know, Xiaofang. It's just that there are some things that are missed and missed. ”
None of us spoke again, just stood there quietly, feeling each other's presence. At that moment, I felt as if I was back in that autumn evening, back to that moment that once made my heart flutter.
After the mission, I returned to the army, and life returned to its usual rhythm. But that encounter was like a pebble thrown into the calm lake, and the lake in my heart rippled in circles.
Later, I heard that Xiaofang's restaurant business was getting better and better, and her children had grown up to be excellent doctors. I am very happy for her and admire her for her persistence and hard work over the years.
After a few more years, I retired and returned to my hometown. One day, I was walking alone through the streets of the town and passed by the aromatic restaurant. The restaurant's sign has been renewed, but the familiar scent is still there.
I walked in, and Fang was busy behind the cash register. When she saw me, she smiled in surprise: "Great army, you are here." ”
I nodded and sat down in my usual seat: "yes, I want to come and have a look." ”
We chatted like old friends and talked about how things have changed over the years. She told me that she planned to leave the restaurant to her son so that she could finally take a break.
"Dajun, you say, in this life, there are always some things that you can't let go?" she asked suddenly.
I looked at her and already had the answer in my heart: "Maybe, but sometimes, not being able to let go doesn't mean starting over, but learning to cherish and accept." ”
Xiao Fang nodded, a hint of relief flashed in her eyes: "You're right, Dajun." ”
We fell into silence again, but this time the silence was not embarrassing, but a kind of calmness and understanding after years of baptism.
(ENDS)
Time flies, and my life after retirement is calm and comfortable. I often go to Xiaofang's restaurant, sit by the window, order a bowl of steaming food, look at the pedestrians outside the window, and feel the tranquility of this small city.
One day, Xiaofang took out a letter and handed it to me and said, "Dajun, this is from my son, and he wants to invite me to live at his house for a while. Her eyes flashed with anticipation and nervousness.
I took the letter, read it carefully, and then looked at her: "That's a good thing, you should go and see him and let yourself relax." ”
Xiaofang smiled, but there was a hint of worry in her smile: "Of course I want to go, but this restaurant ......"
"Leave it to your son, I'm sure he'll take care of it well. I comforted her.
She nodded, as if she had made up her mind: "You're right, it's time for him to try." ”
On the day Xiaofang left, I went to the station to see her off. Her son, a tall and handsome young man, greeted me warmly. Looking at their mother and son, I felt a wave of warmth in my heart.
"Great Army, thank you for taking care of you all these years. Xiao Fang said to me before stepping on the train.
I smiled and shook my head: "Xiaofang, it should be me who says thank you, it is you who make me feel at home here." ”
The train slowly pulled out of the station, and I stood on the platform, watching Xiaofang leave. At that moment, I suddenly realized that Xiaofang had become an indispensable part of my life over the years.
In the days that followed, I continued to go to the restaurant every day, but the familiar figure was no longer there. I helped take care of the business, and I gradually became familiar with the young proprietress Xiaofang's son.
He told me that his mom always mentioned me in her letters, saying that I was her most trusted friend. When I listened, I was both moved and a little disappointed.
Time passed like this, until one day, Xiaofang's son handed me an invitation: "Uncle Dajun, my mother's birthday is coming, I want to surprise her, can you come and participate?"
I took the invitation with the words "Special Guest: Uncle Dajun". I smiled and nodded, "Of course, I'll be on time." ”
On his birthday, Xiaofang's son decorated the restaurant with extra warmth. I came to the scene with a bouquet of flowers, and the moment I saw Xiaofang, I was stunned. She wore a pale blue dress, and her hair was carefully combed, as if she had returned to the appearance of her youth.
"Great army, you are here. There was surprise in her voice.
I stepped forward and handed her the flowers: "Happy birthday, Xiaofang." ”
Her eyes glistened with tears of emotion, and we looked at each other and smiled, and at that moment, all words seemed superfluous.
That night, we sang and danced in the restaurant to celebrate Xiaofang's birthday. Xiao Fang's son played the guitar, and I sang an old song for her, and the song echoed in the small restaurant, as if to bring us back to that youthful era.
In the dead of night, when the party was over, Xiaofang sent me out. We stood at the door of the restaurant, and she whispered, "Thank you, Dajun, for giving me an unforgettable birthday." ”
I looked at her, and my heart was full of emotion: "Xiaofang, I should actually thank you, thank you for allowing me to feel such pure emotions at this age." ”
We fell into silence again, but this time the silence was filled with gratitude and cherishing for each other.
(ENDS)
As the days passed, Xiaofang's son gradually took over the business of the restaurant, and I got used to helping out in the restaurant. From time to time, Xiaofang would send me a letter from her son's home, which was always full of longing for her hometown and caring for me.
"Dajun, you also have to pay attention to your health, don't always be busy with the business of the restaurant, and also leave some time for yourself. Xiaofang wrote in the letter.
I would always write her back and tell her that I was all right here, that the restaurant was doing well, that the business was thriving, and that she didn't have to worry.
One day, I was helping out in a restaurant when I suddenly received an urgent letter from Xiaofang. In the letter, she said that she had decided to come back because her son had been able to manage the restaurant on his own, and she was relieved.
I looked at the letter, happy and a little uneasy. I'm happy because Xiaofang can finally return to her beloved hometown, and I'm uneasy because I don't know how our relationship will develop when she comes back this time.
The day Xiaofang came back, I went to pick her up at the station. She was wearing a plain dress and looked thinner than before. Seeing me, she showed a bright smile: "Dajun, I'm back." ”
I stepped forward and took her luggage: "Welcome back, Xiaofang." ”
Back at the restaurant, Xiaofang's son greeted her warmly. Looking at their mother and son, I felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction in my heart.
"Uncle Dajun, thank you for helping me take care of the restaurant while my mother is away. Xiao Fang's son said gratefully.
I smiled and shook my head: "This is what I should do, Xiaofang is my old friend, and you are all my family." ”
Xiao Fang listened to our conversation, and a trace of emotion flashed in her eyes. She looked at me and said, "Dajun, after all these years, you still take such good care of me." ”
I looked at her, and a warm current surged in my heart: "Xiaofang, we all rely on each other. ”
From that day on, Xiaofang returned to the restaurant, and the three of us ran the small shop together. Every day is busy and fulfilling, we take care of each other and support each other.
As the days passed, Xiaofang's son gradually grew into a wonderful restaurant owner with our help. And I, in the company of Xiaofang, spent one peaceful and happy old age after another.
Until one day, I was lying on a hospital bed, and Xiaofang sat on the edge of my bed, holding my hand tightly. I know I'm running out of time.
"Xiaofang, the luckiest thing in my life is to meet you. I whispered.
Xiao Fang's eyes flashed with tears, and she held my hand tightly: "Dajun, me too, you are the most important person in my life." ”
We sat there quietly until nightfall. At that moment, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and peace.
I know that no matter what the future holds, Xiaofang will be in my heart and accompany me through every moment.
(ENDS)