In 1986, it was a blazing summer, and as a young officer who had just graduated from military school, I was assigned to an army camp in a remote area. At that time, my heart was full of ambition and expectation, and I wanted to display my talents in this vast land.
There was a small village near the camp, and I was fascinated by the beautiful daughter of the camp commander named Xiao Fang, whose bright eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky. We met at a civilian-military party, and she was warm and generous, and she made no secret of her affection for me. That day, she walked up to me, smiled and said, "Comrade of the People's Liberation Army, there is a party at my house on the weekend, I wonder if you have time to attend?" ”
I was stunned, surprised and conflicted. According to the regulations, soldiers are not allowed to leave the camp casually. But in the face of Xiaofang's expectant eyes, I really couldn't bear to refuse. After much thought, I agreed to her.
However, just the day before the party, a sudden emergency mission broke it all. The higher authorities ordered us to set off immediately to carry out an important exercise mission. I was forced to give up my agreement with Xiaofang and embarked on the journey with a heavy heart.
During the exercise, my mind was full of Xiaofang's disappointed expression. When the mission was over, I hesitated to explain it to her. However, fate played a trick on me again. Due to my excellent performance in the exercise, I was recommended to attend an advanced training course, which meant that I would be leaving this camp and leaving Xiaofang.
The day before I left, Fang found me. With tears in her eyes, she asked me why I didn't show up. My nose was sour, and a wave of guilt welled up in my heart. When I told her the truth, she was silent for a long time, and then said softly, "Since you're leaving, I'll wish you a smooth journey." ”
After the training course, I chose to change jobs and go home. Bidding farewell to the barracks and the unforgettable feelings, I stepped on the train home. However, fate doesn't seem to want me to forget this past easily.
When I returned to my hometown, I became a civil servant. A few years later, I received a letter from a remote area. The letter was written by Xiaofang, who said that her father was critically ill and wanted me to meet him. I didn't hesitate to say yes.
Seeing Xiaofang again, she is no longer the young and beautiful girl, but a mature and steady woman. Her father, the once dignified battalion commander, was also bedridden. He took my hand and said in a weak voice, "I know that you and your daughter once had a relationship, but unfortunately fate made people. After I'm gone, I hope you can take care of her. ”
I burst into tears and solemnly promised: "Battalion commander, don't worry, I will." ”
Since then, Xiaofang and I have reconnected. Although time has taken away that beautiful youth, we still retain that sincere feeling in our hearts. Today, we are gray-haired old people, but when we recall the summer of 1986, our hearts are still full of emotion.
(ENDS)
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the battalion commander's condition became more and more serious, and finally on a late autumn afternoon, he passed away quietly. Xiaofang and I stood in front of his grave, grieving. At that moment, I seemed to see the heroic battalion commander back then, his majestic eyes full of expectations for our future.
After dealing with the battalion commander's posthumous life, Xiaofang became even more taciturn. I know that the grief in her heart cannot be expressed in words. In order to let her out of the gloom, I decided to take her to the former site of the military-civilian celebration where we once met.
We wandered through the small villages near the camp and reminisced about those days. The sun shines through the leaves on Xiao Fang's face, and a soft light flashes in her eyes. Walking to the familiar little clearing, Xiaofang stopped, looked at me and said, "Do you remember that party?" The first time I saw you that day, I was attracted by your military temperament. ”
I smiled and nodded, filled with emotion. At that moment, we felt as if we had returned to those years of burning passion.
That night, we sat in a tavern at the head of the village, talking about the past. When the tavern owner saw us, he greeted us warmly: "Xiao Zhang, Xiao Fang, long time no see!" Today I will stir up a few specialty dishes for you to celebrate your reunion! ”
After a full meal, we walked under the stars. Xiaofang suddenly asked me, "How have you been doing all these years?" ”
I was silent for a moment, then replied, "It's not good, it's not bad." It's just that I always feel like something is missing in my heart. ”
Xiao Fang looked at me, and a trace of concern flashed in her eyes: "Then have you found it now?" ”
I smiled and shook her hand: "Perhaps, I've found it." ”
Since then, we have started a new life. Xiaofang opened a small shop in the village, and I contracted an orchard in a nearby hill. We supported each other, weathered the storm together, and lived a peaceful and fulfilling life.
One day, Xiaofang received a letter from the army. The letter told her that I had been awarded a medal for my outstanding performance in that exercise. She took the letter and looked at me with teary eyes: "It turns out that you have always been proud of me. ”
I hugged her softly, my heart full of gratitude. Over the years, we have gone through hardships and finally come together. Although we have reached the twilight of our lives, our hearts still burn with a love for life.
As the years go by, our hair gradually turns gray, but the memories of that youth are still as clear as yesterday. Every time the night came, we would snuggle together, look at the starry sky, and reminisce about the good times in the summer of 1986.
(ENDS)
Over time, our orchard and commissary have taken shape. The villagers are also very supportive of our business, and our life is becoming more and more fulfilling. However, life is always full of surprises.
It was a sunny afternoon, and I was pruning the branches in the orchard, when Xiaofang hurried from the village with a hint of anxiety on her face. "Just now, the village chief said that we were going to requisition our orchard, saying that they wanted to build a new school." There was a hint of unease in her voice.
I put down the scissors in my hand, my brow furrowed. This orchard is not only the source of our life, but also our common memory. "We can't just give up." I say.
Xiao Fang held my hand and nodded: "I'll go to the village chief and see if there is another solution." ”
We found the village chief, who was a kind old man, and when he heard our request, he sighed: "I know your difficulties too, but this school is too important for the children in the village. However, you can rest assured that the government will provide appropriate compensation. ”
Fang and I looked at each other, and we knew that this might be our only option. Eventually, we decided to accept the government's compensation, but on the condition that when the school was built, we would plant a tree on the campus to commemorate our former orchard.
On the day the school was built, Xiaofang and I stood under the tree that had just been planted, watching the children happily running around the new campus, and our hearts were filled with mixed emotions. Xiaofang held my hand tightly, with both reluctance and hope in her eyes: "Although our orchard is gone, the future of these children has begun. ”
I smiled, feeling her firmness. Yes, life always gives us new hope.
Soon after, we opened a small library in the village with government compensation, and we donated all the books left by the camp commander in the hope that these books would nourish the souls of the children. Xiaofang became the director of the library, and every day was busy and fulfilling.
One day, a young officer came to the library, he saw me and saluted: "Senior, I am a soldier in your camp back then, I heard your story, and I came to see you. "I looked at him as if I saw myself back then.
He handed me a medal and said, "This is your honor back then, and the tradition of our camp is to pass on the honor." Now, I'll give it back to you. ”
I took the medal and a warm current welled up in my heart. I know that this is not only a medal, but also a legacy of responsibility.
Xiao Fang walked over and patted me lightly on the shoulder. We looked at each other and smiled, although our youth is gone, our hearts are still young. In this small library, we continue to dream and pass on love and hope.
(ENDS)
The days passed quietly in our library, and every day was filled with the smell of books and the laughter of children. Xiaofang and I are like the guardians of this small world, guarding every book and every dream with our hearts.
One day, a strange young man walked into the library. He looked a little tired, but there was a determined glint in his eyes. He found Xiao Fang and said a little crampedly: "My name is Li Ming, and I am from the next village. I've heard that there are a lot of books here, and I want to ...... I want to borrow a few books. ”
Xiao Fang smiled and nodded, and took him through the bookshelves, picking out some books for him. Li Ming looked at Xiao Fang gratefully, his eyes full of admiration.
Soon after, Li Ming became a regular visitor to the library. He always sat in the corner and read intently. I found out that he had a special preference for history and military books, and I couldn't help but be curious.
One day, I walked up to him and asked softly, "Li Ming, is there any special reason why you are so interested in these books?" ”
He raised his head, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but quickly regained his composure: "I...... I just think these books will help me understand the world better. ”
I nodded, thoughtful. Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind and I decided to tell him a story, a story about courage and responsibility.
I told him about my past with Xiaofang, our youth, our dreams, and how we found new hope in this small village. Li Ming listened attentively, and his eyes flashed.
"The story...... It's so touching. He said with emotion, "Your story has taught me that as long as you have a dream, you will be able to find your own future." ”
I smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Li Ming, your future will definitely be full of hope." As long as you have a dream and have the courage to pursue it, nothing is impossible. ”
Since then, Li Ming has worked harder. Not only did he become a volunteer at the library, but he also volunteered to help the children in the village study. His change made me and Xiaofang feel extremely gratified.
As the years go by, our hair is graying, but our hearts are still young. In this small library, we continue to dream and pass on love and hope.
Every day, when the sun rises, I stand at the door of the library and watch Li Ming walk towards school with the children in the village, my heart full of hope. I know that our story continues, and in this small village, generations of dreams are blooming.
(ENDS)