In 1988, I was a young man in the army. One day, the teacher's youngest daughter, that cute little girl, suddenly asked me out. Her big watery eyes seemed to be able to speak, and when she smiled, the dimples on her cheeks were even more charming.
"Xiao Li, tomorrow at seven o'clock in the evening, I'll wait for you at the gate of the army, let's go have a meal, how about it?" she blinked and looked at me expectantly with big eyes.
I was stunned for a moment, conflicted. The division commander is my boss, and his daughter is naturally not something I can afford to mess with. But is it appropriate for me, an ordinary soldier, to go out with her?
"This ...... I'll think about it. I replied hesitantly.
"Well, then you can give me an answer tomorrow!" she seemed a little disappointed, but still smiled and left.
That night, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. I knew in my heart that if this matter reached the ears of the division commander, I would definitely not be able to eat and walk around. But I don't want to disappoint that little girl.
The next day, I found my good brother, who was also my battalion commander, and asked him for advice.
"I said Lao Li, aren't you asking for trouble? The daughter of the division commander's family, you dare to touch it?" The battalion commander's eyes widened, and he looked incredulous.
"I just hesitated, after all, she was a good girl, and I didn't want her to be sad. I sighed.
"Come on, you kid should think about your future. If you let the division commander know about this, your military career will come to an end. The battalion commander said solemnly.
My heart tightened, yes, I can't ruin my future because of a momentary impulse. So, I decided to reject her.
In the evening, I found her and plucked up the courage to say, "I'm sorry, I have something to do and can't go." ”
The disappointment in her eyes flashed, and then she forced a smile and said, "It's okay, then you can be busy." ”
Later, I heard that she had returned to her hometown, and that I had left the unit because of a job transfer. A few years later, I saw her again, and she had become a mature woman with a little boy by her side.
"Xiao Li, long time no see. She greeted me with a smile.
"yes, long time no see. "I was full of emotion, but there was something wrong in my heart.
At this moment, the battalion commander came over, he was already retired and had a few more silver strands in his hair.
"Lao Li, have you ever regretted it?" he asked me.
I was silent for a moment, then shook my head: "No regrets, at least I saved my future." ”
The battalion commander patted me on the shoulder: "That's good, life is a gamble, since you have chosen, you must face it bravely." ”
The three of us looked at each other and smiled, and those contradictions and conflicts in the past were relieved at this moment. Time flies, we are no longer young, but that memory will always remain in the bottom of our hearts.
When I saw her again, those youthful memories came to my heart, as if I had returned to that era. Her smile is still as warm as sunshine, but with more maturity and stability. The little boy looked at me curiously, his eyes shining with curiosity about the unknown.
"Is this your child?" I tried to keep my tone calm.
She smiled and nodded: "Yes, his name is Xiao Ming, and he is five years old this year." ”
I looked at the little boy and felt an inexplicable emotion in my heart. If I had agreed, maybe everything would have been different now.
The battalion commander broke the silence, he squatted down and teased Xiao Ming: "Little friend, what's your name?"
Xiao Ming hid behind her mother and whispered her name.
"Xiao Ming, do you want to be a soldier when you grow up?" A hint of anticipation flashed in the battalion commander's eyes.
Xiao Ming shook his head and nodded again, his immature face full of confusion.
All three of us laughed. The future of children is always full of infinite possibilities.
After dinner, she suggested going for a walk in a small nearby park. On autumn afternoons, the sun shines through the leaves of the trees and casts dappled shadows on the ground. We walked side by side on the trail, with Xiao Ming bouncing in front of him, like a happy bird.
"Do you remember when you were in the army?" she asked me suddenly.
I nodded, that memory was too deep, how could I forget it?
"At that time, I really liked you. She looked into the distance, a little sentimental in her voice.
My heart tightened, and those dusty emotions began to surge again.
"Actually, I ...... It's just that at that time, I cared too much about the future. I replied cautiously.
She turned her head and gave me an understanding smile: "It's all gone, and now we're all doing well." ”
We continued walking, Xiao Ming stopped not far away, picked up a fallen leaf and handed it to her: "Mom, this is for you." ”
She took the fallen leaf and gently kissed Xiao Ming on the face: "Thank you, baby." ”
At that moment, I suddenly understood something. Life is always full of choices, and each choice will bring different results. I chose the future, and she chose love. We all find happiness in our choices.
It was getting late, and when we said goodbye, she held my hand tightly: "Xiao Li, take care." ”
I nodded, watching her and Xiao Ming's figures fade away, and a warm current surged in my heart.
When I got home, I pulled out those old photos of us smiling so brightly. I gently stroked the photo, silently thanking for the beautiful memory in my heart. Although the years cannot be turned back, what it leaves behind is the most precious gift.
The days passed quietly like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, the cold wind of winter had blown across the earth. That day, I received an invitation letter from her. In the letter, she said that she was going to have a small party at home this weekend, and she hoped I would attend. Looking at the pink invitation, my heart was mixed.
On the day of the meeting, I came to her house. It is a cozy little villa, the yard is full of flowers and plants, and even in winter, there are a few snowy cold plum trees blooming, exuding a faint fragrance.
She greeted me warmly, and her smile was still so warm: "Xiao Li, I'm really happy that you can come." ”
I smiled and responded, "Such a great opportunity, of course I want to come." ”
The party was very lively, with many old comrades-in-arms, as well as her family and friends. We sat around the living room, talking about the past, laughing.
"Xiao Li, I remember that you used to sing very well, can you sing a song for us today?" her eyes flashed with anticipation.
I was a little embarrassed, but nodded anyway. Picking up the guitar, I played and sang softly. Those familiar melodies take us back to the youthful years full of dreams.
After singing, she took the lead in applauding, with tears in the corners of her eyes: "Thank you, Xiao Li, this song has brought us back a lot of memories." ”
Halfway through the party, she suddenly mysteriously said that she had a surprise for everyone. She pulled a middle-aged man in, who was the division commander of the year.
The division commander looked a little older, but he was still in good spirits. When he saw me, he greeted me warmly: "Xiao Li, long time no see!"
I stood up and greeted respectfully: "Commander, are you okay?"
"Okay, okay, I'm relieved to see that you're all doing well. The division commander sat down with a smile.
That night, it was as if we had returned to the time of the army, and the division commander, the battalion commander, me and her, the four of us sat around and talked about the past. Time flies, and we are no longer the teenagers we were at the beginning, but the comradeship has always been the same.
When parting, she sent me to the door and whispered: "Xiao Li, in fact, the main reason for my gathering this time is to let everyone know that I have decided to hand over the family company to Xiao Ming to take care of with my teacher." ”
I was a little surprised: "You have decided on such a big thing?"
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, I've already thought it through." Life is short, I don't want to waste any more time in business, I want to do something I love. ”
I looked at her determined eyes, and my heart welled up with respect: "You are so brave, I admire you." ”
She smiled and patted me on the shoulder: "Thank you, Xiao Li." Hopefully, you can find the life you really want. ”
I nodded, already having the answer in my mind.
When I got home, I opened my diary and wrote down the following sentence: "Life is like a play, and it is all up to me to direct." I want to live my life to the fullest and no longer regret the past. "From that day on, I decided to be brave enough to pursue the life I really wanted and no longer be bound by the shadows of the past.
I decided to start by changing my life circumstances. I quit the job I no longer loved and moved to a small town with green mountains and waters, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I bought a cottage and started learning to draw and write, something I always dreamed of when I was young but never acted on.
Every day, I would paint in the early morning sun, recording the beautiful scenery of the town and those ordinary but warm daily life. At night, I would sit in front of the window and write down my moods and stories. I've found that when I really put in the things I love, I feel happier and more fulfilled than ever before.
Sometimes, I get letters from her. In her letters, she told me that she had traveled all over the world, seen many beautiful landscapes, and met many interesting people. Her letters were always so warm, as if they were filled with sunshine and the scent of flowers. I would share my paintings and stories in my reply, and although we were far apart, our hearts were connected.
One day, I received a call from her saying she was coming to town to see me. I was so excited that I could barely sleep all night, and I waited for her at the town station early the next morning. When she stepped out of the car, I could barely recognize her. Her hair grew long, and her eyes shone with the wisdom of travel and freedom.
"Xiao Li, you're getting more handsome!" she smiled and hugged me.
"You're getting prettier, too!" I said sincerely.
Like old friends, we walked around town together and shared each other's stories. She looked at my paintings and stories with admiration and encouragement in her eyes.
"Xiao Li, you are really great! You have found a life that truly belongs to you. She said from the bottom of her heart.
I smiled: "Actually, I was looking for it until I met you." ”
When she heard this, her eyes reddened slightly: "I'm also very happy to be able to walk this journey with you." ”
In the small town, we felt like we had returned to that youth. We drew together, we wrote together, and we looked for inspiration in the corners of the town together. Those days, simple and beautiful, are like our youth, although they have passed away, but the memories left behind will always shine brightly.
On the last day, she was leaving. We stood at the station, hugged tightly, reluctant to part.
"Xiao Li, you have to take care and you must continue to pursue your dreams. She whispered in my ear.
I nodded: "You too, I hope you can always be happy." ”
She smiled, waved her hand, and stepped on the departing train. I stood there and watched the train drift away, filled with gratitude and blessings.
I returned to the town and continued my drawing and writing. Whenever I encounter difficulties or confusion, I think of her words, her firm eyes and free smile. I know that no matter when and where, I have to be brave enough to pursue my dreams and live my life to the fullest. Because life is like a journey, every choice takes us to different places, and most importantly, we enjoy the process and live our own story.