Zhang Shufen simply smiled and nodded: "My last wish in this life is to see my grandchildren happy. Please take care of Qingyuan's marriage."

Duan Jiancheng waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't say that, it's only right."

So Zhang Shufen stood up.

"Comrade Jiancheng, there's no need to see him off."

Duan Jiancheng also wanted to stand up, but in the end he sat down again.

"I think your wife probably wouldn't really want to know about our past..."

Duan Jiancheng's heart skipped a beat: "Miss Zhang and I are just classmates, what past do we have?"

"Thanks."

Zhang Shufen: "In the smoke of war, we fought side by side. Comrade Jiancheng, there is no need for regret. Perhaps in the next life, we will meet again in each other's lives."

"goodbye."

After saying that, the old lady turned and left. Although her back looked desolate, her steps were firm.

They reunited this winter, but neither of them stood in the other's future anymore.

The reunion was, in fact, a prelude to another parting of old friends.

The private room was quiet. Duan Jiancheng smiled, just like he had said to Miss Zhang under the crabapple tree years ago: "Goodbye, Comrade Shufen."

Duan Jiancheng recalled the first letter he received from Shufen during his first year in the army.

He thought he had long forgotten, but now, recalling it, he still remembers every single word clearly.

—My dearest Jiancheng, it's like seeing you in person when I read this. I wonder if you find it presumptuous of me to address you like this, but my longing for you is like a worm clinging to my bone, which compels me to light a lamp in the dead of night and write for you.

After graduating, I became a journalist, not only because journalists can expose the enemy's ugly crimes, but also because I can receive your good news as soon as possible. I am worried about the soldiers on the front lines, and I am also worried about you.

Winter has arrived in Beijing. Winter is cold; it freezes all vibrant, joyful life. But my heart is burning hot. I seem to see victory coming next spring. My dear Jiancheng, don't be afraid of the harsh winter. Embrace each other, let our burning hearts and scalding blood touch.

My dear Jiancheng, I wish you all the best. When Beijing is liberated, we will finally meet again under the red flag.

That letter was the only thing he had left. The safety amulet was lost on the battlefield. He had gone to clean up the battlefield several times, but he could not find the safety amulet again.

Just like...

Even if they meet again in this life, they will never be able to love each other again.

The word "love" was too heavy, and he and Shufen never said it to each other in their lives. But in his school drawer that year, there was a marriage certificate he had written himself, but he rushed off to the battlefield before he could send it out.

A marriage certificate that could never be sent, a lucky charm that could never be found—the marriage of Qingyuan and Duanye.

Born in a chaotic world, one's life is not one's own.

At that moment, he even had a slight thought of hoping for the next life.