1. Ruthless years, the lonely old man looks at the riverside and reminisces about the past years
When the remnant sun slowly sinks in the west, the sky is full of gorgeous colorful clouds dotted with the river, and the sparkling waves are flickering and uncertain. Yan Zhiguo, who was sitting alone by the river, stared at the beautiful scenery in front of him for a long time, and fell deeply into the whirlpool of memories.
A gentle breeze swept by, gently blowing his silver threads, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but glisten with tears.
Back in time to that night 41 years ago, it seems like yesterday. On July 27, 1976, the beautiful city of Tangshan was hit by a devastating earthquake. At that time, Yan Zhiguo and his wife Zhang Shenglan had just entered the marriage hall for five days, and they should have been immersed in the sweet honeymoon period, but a cruel fate was ruthlessly in front of them.
Disaster struck in an instant, and the storm-like shaking began to rage, the houses shook violently, and the bricks and tiles crumbled and collapsed. Just as Yan Zhiguo held his wife's hand tightly and was about to flee from danger, a boulder fell from the sky and smashed into Zhang Shenglan's body, burying her forever under the rubble.
Yan Zhiguo saw this scene, tears poured out like rain, and he desperately dug up the rubble pressing on his wife's body, his hands were bloody, but he didn't know the pain at all.
At this life-and-death moment, he firmly vowed that no matter what difficulties he would encounter in the future, he would use his life to protect and care for this once thin girl.
Second, the red dust is rolling, the beauties are dancing, and the brilliance of youth is blooming
Time goes back a few years ago, when Yan Zhiguo was in the prime of life and a heroic pilot in the Beijing Air Force. As an air force soldier, he was full of passion and eager to dedicate himself to the revolutionary cause of the motherland, and he always disdained personal feelings.
Zhang Shenglan is completely different, she is a gentle nurse in Fujian Air Force Hospital, she is kind to people, beautiful in appearance, known as "beautiful woman".
One day in 1974, the leaders of the Youth League found Yan Zhiguo with a photo of Zhang Shenglan, hoping to match him and introduce this young and beautiful woman to become his partner. Although Yan Zhiguo didn't have much interest in the opposite sex, when he saw Zhang Shenglan in the photo, he couldn't help but feel a strong throbbing in his heart.
So, with the enthusiasm of the leader, the two began a long and romantic correspondence romance. Yan Zhiguo poured all his enthusiasm into those letters, depicting the yearning for beautiful love word by word.
Zhang Shenglan also responded with sincerity, and the two soon established a deep tacit understanding.
Soon after, they were married and joined hands in a new chapter of their lives. Although the days were short, they were full of sweetness and happiness, and they often accompanied each other and talked about everything.
On that unforgettable night, the fish in the water struggled in the tank, disturbing them in their sleep. Immediately afterward, a strong tremor hit like a violent storm, the houses cracked, the masonry fell, and the whole world seemed to be plunged into endless darkness.
3. When life and death were at stake, his wife was seriously injured and wept
After a loud bang, the whole world was enveloped in darkness. Yan Zhiguo immediately realized that this was an earthquake! Without hesitation, he took his wife Zhang Shenglan's hand and quickly ran outside, hoping to escape from danger in the shortest possible time.
However, it was too late! The beams and bricks had already begun to fall, and a huge stone had mercilessly smashed down on Zhang Shenglan, burying her deep under the rubble.
Yan Zhiguo turned his head suddenly, and when he saw his wife's terrified face, tears instantly welled up in his eyes. He rushed forward desperately, pushing away the weight that was pressing on his wife, trying to free her from the rubble.
However, the weight of the ruins is so staggering that even with all your strength, you can't shake it in the slightest.
"Never give up!" Yan Zhiguo clenched his teeth, his hands left deep blood marks on the masonry, but he didn't know the pain at all, "We must escape together!" ”
At this moment, an even more violent tremor struck again, and the entire house collapsed in an instant, turning into a sea of rubble. Yan Zhiguo guarded his wife tightly and was able to survive.
The earth was finally quiet, but there was a dead air all around, only the sound of wailing echoed in my ears for a long time. Due to the large number of injured people and the severe shortage of medical resources, Zhang Shenglan's wounds were only treated with simple bandaging.
A few days later, with the joint efforts of the people of the whole country, a rescue channel was finally successfully opened. Yan Zhiguo did not hesitate to rush his wife to the Beijing Air Force Hospital. After a comprehensive and meticulous examination, the doctor announced with a grim face: "Zhang Shenglan suffered a comminuted fracture of the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, and the central nervous system was also damaged, and the lower half of the body may be permanently unable to walk."
Hearing this, Yan Zhiguo's heart was like a thunderbolt in the clear sky, and the whole world instantly fell into endless darkness. He pleaded with the doctor: "Please be sure to treat my wife, the happy word in the house has not yet been removed...... At this point, tears once again uncontrollably rolled down his cheeks.
Fourth, prosperity is like a dream, only true love is eternal
After three months of life and death, Zhang Shenglan passed the lowest point in his life, and Yan Zhiguo could finally take a breather. However, his wife's loss of the ability to walk and give birth was undoubtedly a heavy blow to her at the age of 25.
Zhang Shenglan fell into a deep abyss of self-condemnation and despair, believing that she had become a burden to Yan Zhiguo, and even tried to abandon her husband several times.
However, how could Yan Zhiguo agree? In his eyes, his wife is the most cherished existence in his life. Yan Zhiguo proved to Zhang Shenglan with practical actions that never giving up is the embodiment of true love.
Under Yan Zhiguo's careful care, Zhang Shenglan gradually got rid of the shadow of her soul and regained the courage and hope of life.
Looking at his wife's crooked, sloppy but affectionate letters, Yan Zhiguo couldn't help but wet his eyes with tears. Since then, he has been more dedicated to taking care of his wife's daily life.
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, they are young and have entered their old age. Although his temples are gray, Yan Zhiguo's love for his wife has never faded.
They depend on each other and support each other, as if they have returned to the sweet times of their first love.
Until the last moment of her life, Zhang Shenglan always adhered to her original intention. In 2017, when she passed away suddenly, she left her last words to Yan Zhiguo: "We once loved each other, and I feel extremely happy.
Hearing this, Yan Zhiguo burst into tears as he usually did when he stared at his wife.
Fifth, the years are wasted, and there is only enough love once in a lifetime
Originally, the marriage between Yan Zhiguo and Zhang Shenglan was a poetic story. The process of their acquaintance and love is like a warm and touching love fairy tale.
Yan Zhiguo, who is just in his early 20s, is already a pilot, and he is dedicated to serving the motherland and does not care about emotional matters. Until 1974, the leader of the army held a photo of Zhang Shenglan to introduce him to this beautiful woman from Fujian.
Zhang Shenglan is beautiful and of a similar age, and Yan Zhiguo became interested in the opposite sex for the first time.
Finally waited for the day when they met for the first time, the two seemed to have known each other for a long time, and there was no sense of strangeness, just like an old friend reuniting and talking freely.
Since then, the flower of love has quietly bloomed in their hearts, and the fragrance is overflowing.
In full swing, they have entered the holy hall of marriage hand in hand, and in the warm wishes of relatives and friends, happy love has been sublimated and a new chapter in life has been opened.
Let's go back to July 23, 1976, when the world-renowned wedding was held in the beautiful city of Tangshan.
However, fate always plays tricks on people, and just five days later, their newlywed honeymoon has suffered a heavy blow. They were supposed to be each other's lifelong companions, but they were almost separated by yin and yang, and the sky was separated.
If it weren't for Yan Zhiguo's quick decision, they would probably lose each other forever in that catastrophic catastrophe.
Sixth, the rest of his life is resentful, and people will die alone
In the end, the god of fate ruthlessly took Zhang Shenglan's life. In 2017, this strong and brave woman left this world due to illness, and when she was dying, she said to Yan Zhiguo affectionately: "We once loved each other deeply, and I feel extremely happy.
Hearing these words, Yan Zhiguo was just like when he looked at his wife who was in ruins many years ago, and tears poured out like rain. He endured the great grief in his heart, put on a solemn military uniform for his beloved wife, and saw her off for the last time alone.
In this way, their 41-year companionship, 41 years of perseverance and expectation, came to a successful end at this moment. Yan Zhiguo once vowed to spend his life cherishing and caring for his wife, and now, his promise has finally come true.
Since then, the seventy-four-year-old Yan Zhiguo has been alone, and his life has returned to normal. Whenever the sun sets, he always comes to the river alone, sits there quietly, and reminisces about the old days.
Along the way, he has experienced countless clutches and dispersions, tasted the flavors of life, and his wife Zhang Shenglan has become an eternal concern in his heart.
Now, Yan Zhiguo can only quietly wait for the end of his life with endless thoughts and regrets for his wife. People are not plants and trees, who can be ruthless? The only thing he was happy with was that they had loved each other sincerely, and that was the greatest happiness in this life.