It was a blazing summer in 1988. I had just been promoted to company commander, and I was overjoyed to take family leave, planning to go home for a major event in my life – getting engaged. My blind date was Xiaofang, a girl from a neighboring village that my mother had long taken a fancy to, who was handsome and gentle. However, just as I rushed home in a hurry, looking forward to a better future, Xiaofang actually proposed to withdraw from the marriage.
When I walked into the house that day, my mother was sitting in the hall with a sad face. When she saw me come in, she got up, took my hand and said, "Son, you're back, something big has happened at home." ”
My heart tightened, and I hurriedly asked, "Mom, what's wrong?" Is something happening to Xiaofang's family?"
The mother sighed and said, "Xiaofang is going to withdraw from the marriage, and her mother came to our house yesterday and returned all the bride price for the engagement." ”
My brain went blank and I couldn't believe my ears. Although Xiaofang and I haven't met a few times, we both have a good impression of each other, so why would she suddenly propose to withdraw from the marriage? I asked eagerly, "Mom, what the hell is going on?"
The mother hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, Xiaofang can't be blamed for this. A while ago, there was a rumor in the village that you had a good relationship outside, but Xiaofang didn't feel good in her heart, so she proposed to withdraw from the marriage. ”
I was trembling with rage, and this was pure nonsense. I hurriedly explained: "Mom, don't worry, I have never done anything to be sorry for Xiaofang." This must be someone chewing their tongue behind their back. ”
The mother nodded and said, "I know, my son still doesn't understand?"
I decided to go to Xiaofang and explain the matter in person. Early the next morning, I came to Xiaofang's house. When she saw me, her eyes were full of evasion. I said eagerly: "Xiaofang, listen to me, it's all rumors, and I've always been sincere to you." ”
Xiaofang bit her lip and said a sentence for a long time: "But, my mother just doesn't believe it." She said, you soldiers spend all day drinking outside, how can you live in peace?"
I was stunned, I didn't expect Xiaofang's mother to look at me like this. I took a deep breath and said firmly, "Xiaofang, I can swear that my feelings for you are true. If you don't believe me, I can take you to the person who spread the rumor right now and ask him to apologize to you in person. ”
Xiao Fang looked at me, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes. At this time, her mother walked in and said with a straight face, "I don't care about your young people's affairs. However, I can't let my daughter marry someone who is irresponsible. ”
I was anxious and said, "Auntie, please believe me, I will be good to Xiaofang." ”
Xiaofang's mother sighed and said, "Unless you can get that person to retract the rumors within a month, I won't agree to your marriage." ”
One month, time is pressing. I said goodbye to Xiaofang, returned to the army, and began a long investigation. After much inquiry, I finally found the person who spread the rumors. It turned out that he was the cousin of one of my comrades-in-arms, and he deliberately fabricated rumors because he was jealous of my promotion to company commander.
I took that comrade-in-arms and found his cousin and asked him to apologize to me in person. When his cousin saw that the matter was revealed, he bowed his head in shame. I took the opportunity to get him to write a letter of apology, promising to clarify the facts in the village as soon as possible.
A month later, I returned to my hometown with a letter of apology, and Xiaofang and her mother finally believed me. We got reengaged and were blessed by everyone. And this twists and turns experience also made me cherish my relationship with Xiaofang even more.
Now, we have gone through more than 30 spring and autumn together, and that misunderstanding has become a small episode in our memories. And our love has also become deeper in this turmoil.
As time passed, Xiaofang's life and I gradually returned to peace. The shadow of that rumor has gradually dissipated, and our lives have been re-illuminated by the sunshine of happiness. But life is always full of unknowns, and just when we thought everything was going to be smooth, new challenges appeared in front of us again.
It was a sunny afternoon, and I was helping my mother dry food at home, when Xiaofang hurriedly ran in from outside, with an anxious look on her face.
"What's wrong, Xiaofang?" I asked with concern, putting down my work.
Xiao Fang took a breath and said, "Just now, the village chief said that there is going to be conscription, and there are several places in our village, and my family is also on the list." ”
I was shocked that the conscription meant that I would be leaving my hometown again, leaving Xiaofang and my mother. I shook Xiaofang's hand and tried to comfort her: "Don't worry, it may just be a routine, and it may not be my turn." ”
Xiao Fang's eyes flashed with tears, and she held back her emotions and said, "I don't want you to go, we have just gone through so many twists and turns, and I don't want to lose you again." ”
I had mixed feelings and didn't know what to say. At this time, her mother came over, patted Xiao Fang's shoulder gently, and said earnestly: "Xiao Fang, as a soldier, it is my duty to obey orders. If he really needs to go, we have to support him. ”
Xiao Fang nodded, tears still hanging on her cheeks. For the next few days, I was busy dealing with recruitment. Eventually, the list was announced, and my name was on the list.
On the day of parting, Xiaofang and my mother sent me to the entrance of the village. I was dressed in a neat military uniform and carried luggage on my shoulders. Xiao Fang held my hand tightly and said reluctantly, "You must take care, I will wait for you at home." ”
I nodded, resisted the reluctance in my heart, and said in a relaxed tone as much as possible, "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as possible." You have to take care of yourself, and you have to take care of my mother for me. ”
The mother wiped her tears and said, "Go, child." The country needs you, and we are proud of you. ”
I turned and walked out of my home, my steps firm and heavy. I know that the road ahead is full of unknowns, but with the support and expectation of my loved ones behind me, I have the strength to move forward.
The days in the army were hard and fulfilling, and I always missed Xiaofang and my mother. Every time in the dead of night, I would take out a photo of Xiaofang and stare at that familiar smile. And in my hometown, Xiaofang has always been concerned about me, she wrote in the letter: "No matter where you are, my heart is with you." When you come back, we will live happily ever after. ”
Time passed slowly in waiting and longing, and finally, I completed my mission and returned to my hometown. It was a sunny morning, and I didn't tell Xiaofang and my mother in advance, I wanted to surprise them.
The moment I opened the door, Xiaofang and her mother screamed in surprise. Xiao Fang rushed forward and hugged me tightly, tears welling up in her eyes: "You're finally back, you're finally back." ”
I stroked her hair and said with a smile, "I promised you that I would definitely come back." ”
The mother was also smiling, but there were tears in her eyes. That night, our family of three sat around the dinner table, talking and laughing, enjoying the long-lost reunion time.
Life is always full of challenges and uncertainties, but as long as we have love in our hearts and hope for the future, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome. And the love between me and Xiaofang has become more indestructible in this test.
The day after I returned home, there was a grand celebration in the village in recognition of the heroic deeds of us veterans. I attended the celebration with Xiaofang, and she was wearing a red cheongsam, which looked particularly beautiful.
At the ceremony, I gave a short speech expressing my gratitude to my country and hometown. When I mentioned Xiaofang, she lowered her head shyly, but with a happy smile on her face.
In the evening, we walked through the village, the moonlight sprinkled on the path, and everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful. I looked at Xiaofang's side face, and a warmth welled up in my heart, and I couldn't help but hold her hand tightly.
"Xiaofang, would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?" I mustered up my courage and finally said the words hidden in my heart.
Xiaofang stopped and turned to look at me, her eyes shining with anticipation. She smiled and whispered, "I do." ”
We decided to have a wedding at the end of the year. Over the next few months, we started to prepare for our wedding. Xiao Fang's mother and my mother worked together to do everything for us, from choosing the day to the engagement reception, every detail was full of joy.
On the day of the wedding, the whole village was filled with a festive atmosphere. Xiaofang and I stood in front of the arch at the entrance of the village, welcoming our relatives and friends. As we walked down the red carpet and into the wedding hall, applause and blessings came one after another.
After the ceremony, we had a grand wedding reception. The men, women and children of the village came to congratulate us, and everyone had happy smiles on their faces. Xiaofang and I shuttled through the crowd to express our gratitude.
As night fell, Xiaofang and I returned to our new house. We snuggled up to each other in bed, looking out the window at the starry sky, our hearts filled with gratitude and happiness. I whispered to Xiaofang, "From now on, we will spend every day together and face the challenges of life together." ”
Xiao Fang held my hand tightly, and her eyes flashed with determination: "Yes, whether it is rain or shine, we will walk together." ”
And just like that, we started a new life. We work hard together and share the responsibilities of the family. We support each other and grow together. We have had many wonderful times together, but also faced the difficulties and challenges of life together.
Today, we are entering our old age. Our sons and daughters have grown up and have their own families. And the love between me and Xiaofang has also experienced the baptism of the years and has become deeper and precious.
When night falls, we stroll around the village hand in hand, reminiscing about the days we once walked. We snuggled up to each other, our hearts filled with gratitude and satisfaction. Because we know that as long as we are together, no matter what life throws us, we can face it bravely and go on with determination.
This is our story, a story about love, about life, about growing up. Our story continues because we believe that life is full of hope and happiness as long as there is love in our hearts.
As time passed, Xiaofang's life and I became more and more harmonious. Our children have also started their own families and have their own lives. We live a peaceful life in the village, but there are always some small waves in life.
It was a sunny morning, and I was trimming the flowers and plants in the yard, and Xiaofang hurriedly ran out of the house, with a hint of panic on her face.
"What's wrong, Xiaofang?" I asked with concern as I put down my tools.
Xiao Fang said breathlessly: "Just now the village chief said that the village is going to be built, and our house may have to be demolished. ”
I was stunned for a moment, the demolition meant that we had to leave the land where we had lived for most of our lives, and leave the environment we were familiar with. I shook Xiaofang's hand and tried to comfort her: "Don't worry, the demolition may only be temporary, and we will find a new place to live." ”
Xiao Fang's eyes flashed with tears, and she forced her emotions to say, "I don't want to leave here, our roots are here, and our memories are here." ”
I had mixed feelings and didn't know what to say. At this time, the village chief walked over, he looked at us, and said in a heavy tone: "Lao Zhang, Xiaofang, I know this is difficult for you to accept, but this is for the development of the village, I hope you can understand." ”
I took a deep breath, looked at the village chief, and said firmly, "We understand that we are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the development of the village. ”
Over the next few months, we began to prepare for the demolition. Xiao Fang sorted out the belongings in the house, and each one was full of our memories. I searched around the village looking for a new place to live. Eventually, we found a small courtyard not far from the village, which was small but large enough for us to spend our old age in peace.
On the day of the demolition, Xiaofang and I stood in front of the old house and watched the excavator slowly drive in. We snuggled up to each other, tears of reluctance glinted in our eyes. The excavator began to work, and the old house collapsed little by little in the dust. I held Xiaofang's hand tightly and whispered, "Although the house is gone, our memories are still there, and our love is still there." ”
Xiaofang leaned on my arms and burst into tears: "Yes, as long as we are together, everywhere is home." ”
We moved to a new place of residence, and although the environment has changed, our lives are still full of happiness. We have a yard full of flowers and plants, and every morning, we take a walk in the yard, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the peaceful life.
As the years go by, our hair gradually turns gray, but our love grows stronger. We support each other and face the bits and pieces of life together. Whenever we reminisce about the days of the past, our hearts are filled with gratitude and satisfaction.
This is our story, a story about love, about life, about growing up. Our story continues because we believe that life is full of hope and happiness as long as there is love in our hearts.