That year, I was twenty years old, young and vigorous, full of enthusiasm. I chose to enlist in the army, and my girlfriend Xiaofang has just been admitted to the secondary school. In our small mountain village, being admitted to a secondary school is a big deal, which means that she can have a good job and live a good life in the future. However, at this juncture, she was determined to marry me.
"Xiaoqiang, I want to marry you." Xiao Fang's eyes were full of determination.
"What? If you marry me now, then you won't be able to read secondary school? "My eyes widened and I couldn't believe my ears.
"What is the purpose of studying secondary school? Isn't it just to live a good life? But now I feel that being with you is the best day. Xiao Fang's eyes flashed with happiness.
I was moved to tears and hugged her tightly. However, happy days are always short-lived. Soon, I received an enlistment notice and was about to leave my hometown and Xiaofang.
Before leaving, Xiaofang held my hand, tears rippling: "Xiaoqiang, you must come back early, I'll wait for you." ”
I nodded heavily: "When I come back, we will get married." ”
The days of the recruit company are hard and fulfilling, and I always miss Xiaofang. However, during a mission, I accidentally injured myself and suffered a broken leg. The doctor told me to recuperate for at least half a year. At that moment, I felt more hopeless than I had ever felt before.
Just when I was feeling down, Xiaofang actually appeared in front of my hospital bed. She had tears in her eyes, but she forced a smile: "Xiaoqiang, I'm coming to see you." ”
"Why are you here? Who asked you to come? I grabbed her hand excitedly.
"I heard that you were injured, so I asked for leave. I want to tell you that no matter what you become, I will wait for you. Xiao Fang's eyes were full of determination.
I was so moved that I hugged her tightly. With Xiaofang by my side, I got through those difficult days. However, after returning from injury, I found that there was an additional identification in my file that I was "unfit to continue to serve".
I was confused, what the hell is going on? I looked for leadership theory, but I was told, "This is a decision from above, you can only accept it." ”
I felt so angry and desperate that I didn't know how to deal with Xiao Fang. However, Xiaofang supported me as always: "Xiaoqiang, it's okay, let's go home and live a good life." ”
In this way, I returned to my hometown full of anger and helplessness. And Xiaofang, sure enough, fulfilled her promise and resolutely married me.
On the day we got married, all the people from the village came. They looked at us enviously and said that we were a model couple in the village. However, only we know how much hardship has been paid behind this relationship.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, our children have grown up. And Xiaofang is still by my side and never abandons. Every time the night comes, I think of those years of burning passion, and the days we used to walk together.
"Xiaoqiang, do you remember what we said back then?" Xiao Fang snuggled up to me and asked softly.
"Of course, I said I wanted you to have a good life." I gazed at her affectionately.
"Did you do it?" Xiaofang asked me with a smile.
I held her hand tightly, and my heart was full of emotion: "Although life is hard, I have you and this home, and I feel that this is the best day." ”
Xiao Fang smiled and leaned on my arms, and we looked at the starry sky outside the window together, our hearts full of gratitude and happiness. Along the way, we have experienced too many ups and downs, but it is these ups and downs that make us cherish each other more and cherish the happiness in front of us.
As the days passed, our lives were calm and peaceful. The children have found their own jobs, and Xiaofang and I finally have more time for ourselves. The people in the village are still so kind, and everyone's life is better. Occasionally, I would take Xiaofang to the teahouse at the head of the village to listen to the stories of the old people and feel the long years.
One day, Lao Li Tou in the teahouse suddenly mentioned a name - Company Commander Zhang. My heart tightened, and the dusty memory seemed to be reawakened.
"Xiaoqiang, do you know Company Commander Zhang?" Xiao Fang noticed my strangeness and asked softly.
I nodded, with mixed feelings in my heart: "He was my company commander back then, and he helped me a lot." ”
"Then why did you never mention him?" Xiao Fang looked at me curiously.
I sighed: "Because I was found unfit to continue serving at the time, I feel ashamed of him." ”
Xiao Fang held my hand and looked firm: "Xiao Qiang, let the past pass." Are you having a good time now? ”
I looked at Xiao Fang, and my heart was warm: "Of course I'm happy to have you." ”
At this moment, the door of the teahouse was pushed open, and a familiar figure walked in. It was Company Commander Zhang.
"Xiaoqiang, is that you?" Company Commander Zhang's voice was still so loud.
I stood up and saluted excitedly: "Company commander, it's me." ”
Company Commander Zhang walked over and patted me on the shoulder: "I heard that you went back to the village, how are you doing?" ”
I smiled and replied, "It's okay, company commander." I have a family and my children are all grown up. ”
Company Commander Zhang smiled, his eyes full of relief: "Okay, good." I knew you kid could do it. ”
We sat down and talked about the past. It turned out that the appraisal of "unfit to continue service" was not due to my fault, but because of the reform of the army, which required the adjustment of personnel. Company Commander Zhang always felt guilty and didn't explain it to me clearly.
"Company commander, I never blamed you." I looked at him sincerely.
Company Commander Zhang patted me on the shoulder, with tears in his eyes: "Good brother, thank you." ”
That night, Xiaofang and I sent Company Commander Zhang home. The moonlight shone on the path, and the shadows of the three of us stretched long. At that moment, I felt the tolerance of the years and the weight of life.
In the days that followed, Xiaofang and I started a new journey. We decided to go around the country and see places that were once only aspiring on the map. Xiao Fang's smile became brighter and brighter during the journey, and I also regained the confidence and pride that I had lost for a long time.
"Xiaoqiang, look, how beautiful this world is." Xiao Fang stood on the top of the snow-capped mountain, with her arms outstretched, as if she wanted to embrace the whole world.
I walked over and hugged her tightly: "Yes, this world has become so beautiful with you." ”
Our footsteps have traveled all over the mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, and witnessed the changes of the years. And those former sufferings and laughter have become the most precious treasures in our lives. We have walked through the wind and rain hand in hand, and continue to write our own stories on the picture scroll of life.
On one trip, we came to a small town away from the hustle and bustle. The scenery here is picturesque, the air is fresh, and it is like a paradise. The hospitality of the residents of the town made us feel at home. We decided to stop here for a while and get a taste of the life of the town.
"Xiaoqiang, it's so beautiful here, can we stay here for a few more days?" Xiao Fang's eyes flashed with anticipation.
I smiled and nodded, "Since you like it, let's stay a little longer." ”
In the days of the small town, we seem to have found the feeling of being in love when we were young. During the day, we went to work in the fields together and sweated with the local farmers; In the evening, we walked the streets of the town and admired the beautiful starry sky. This kind of life is simple and happy, and it makes people yearn for it.
One day, we met an old man selling calligraphy and paintings on the street. His calligraphy and painting skills aroused my interest.
"Xiaoqiang, look at this old man's calligraphy and paintings, it really tastes." Xiao Fang pointed to a landscape painting hanging on the stall and said.
I nodded and walked up to the old man: "Old man, your calligraphy and painting are very meaningful, can you ask your name?" ”
The old man smiled and replied, "My surname is Wang, so you can call me Wang Lao." These are my hobbies in my spare time. ”
We had a great conversation with Mr. Wang, and he invited us to his home. Wang Lao's home is located in the depths of the town and is a quaint courtyard. The yard is full of all kinds of flowers and plants, and there is a well, and the environment is peaceful.
In Wang Lao's home, we have seen more of his works. His paintings are full of love for nature and a sense of life.
"Elder Wang, your paintings are so beautiful, they make people feel peaceful and harmonious." Xiao Fang praised sincerely.
Wang Lao smiled, his eyes kind: "This is my understanding of life, and it is also the emotion I want to convey to others." ”
We stayed in the town and became frequent visitors to Wang's home. Every day, we would go to Mr. Wang's home to discuss calligraphy and painting with him and taste life. Days like this fly by, and it's time to leave in a blink of an eye.
"Elder Wang, we're leaving, I'm really reluctant to be here." I said with emotion.
Elder Wang patted me on the shoulder: "There is no banquet in the world that will not be dispersed, and you young people still have a lot to do." Remember, no matter where you go, love life and cherish the happiness in front of you. ”
We bid farewell to Wang Lao, bid farewell to this beautiful town, and continue our journey. Along the way, we have met many people and learned a lot of life lessons. We understand that happiness is actually very simple, it is to be there for each other and spend it together.
In the following days, our footprints were all over the country, witnessing the customs and customs of various places. Everywhere we went, we would send a postcard to Mr. Wang, telling him what we had seen and heard. And Mr. Wang will also share his calligraphy and painting and life insights in his reply.
As the years go by, our hair gradually turns gray, but the love for life and the cherishing of each other remain the same. We have walked hand in hand for ten years, and the story continues, but there is more calmness and calmness on our faces that are no longer young.
We kept going, and along the way, every place left us with wonderful memories. We have supported each other and worked together to survive countless ups and downs. One sunny afternoon, we came to a small village surrounded by mountains and rivers. The inhabitants of the village are simple and kind, and life is quiet and harmonious.
"Xiaoqiang, look at the scenery here, it's so beautiful!" Xiao Fang excitedly pointed to the mountains in the distance.
I smiled and responded, "yes, it's beautiful, we could have stayed here longer." ”
In the village, we rented a cottage and started a new life. We got up every morning and walked along the river to feel the fresh air. During the day, we help the villagers with farm work, and at night we walk together by the river and enjoy the beautiful starry sky.
One day, we met an old entertainer in the village who was good at making all kinds of beautiful handicrafts. Xiao Fang fell in love with his work and decided to learn the craft from him.
"Xiaoqiang, I want to learn how to make handicrafts from this old artist, what do you think?" Xiao Fang's eyes flashed with anticipation.
I encouraged her: "Of course, it's your interest and you should pursue it." ”
Under the guidance of the old artist, Xiaofang gradually mastered the skills of making handicrafts. The handicrafts she makes are beautiful and unique, and they are loved by the villagers. I, on the other hand, continued to help out in the village, while also learning the skills of planting and breeding.
Time flies, and our lives are spent in peace. The children of the village got to know us, and they often came to our hut to play and listen to us talk about the outside world. We also became part of the village and built a deep bond with the villagers.
However, happy days are always short-lived. One day, I received a letter from afar, from my old friend Company Commander Zhang. In his letter, he told me that he was retiring and hoped that I would be able to go back to his retirement ceremony.
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to go back. Xiaofang also agreed with my decision, saying that she also wanted to meet Company Commander Zhang.
We said goodbye to the village and returned to the city we had not seen for a long time. The bustle of the city made me feel a little uncomfortable, but when I saw Lian Chang, all the strangeness disappeared.
"Xiaoqiang, you're finally back!" Company Commander Zhang hugged me warmly.
I was full of emotion: "Company commander, you are old, and I am also old." ”
Company Commander Zhang smiled, tears flashing in his eyes: "Yes, we are both old, but our friendship will never change." ”
At the retirement ceremony, Xiaofang and I met many old comrades-in-arms, and everyone gathered together to reminisce about the bits and pieces of the year. I was full of emotion, those years of youth seemed to be right in front of me.
After the ceremony, we returned to the village. We were greeted by cheers from the children of the village, who were full of curiosity and admiration for us. We told them that the outside world was big and that they had to study hard and that they could see it in the future.
The years are like a song, and our story continues. Although our hair has turned gray, our hearts are still young. We have walked hand in hand for ten years, and continue to write our own stories on the picture scroll of life.