When the group returned to the Shen family home, they had barely sat down when Shen Jianqiu curiously approached Xu Xinghe and asked, "Xinghe, you've been going to the research institute every day for the past two weeks. Have you really been learning how to cultivate medicinal herbs?"
“Yes.” Xu Xinghe took out the notebook from her pocket, her eyes shining. “The research institute has many rare medicinal herbs. Those teachers have spent their whole lives dealing with medicinal herbs, just so that they can help more people. I never knew before that doing these things was so noble.”
Shen Jianqiu's eyes lit up as he listened, then dimmed again, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes. "I really envy you, finding something so meaningful. Your eyes are shining; it's obvious you've found your direction for the future."
She sighed softly, "But I still don't know what I want to do. My family arranged a job for me at a bank, so I went to work. Although it's more stable and comfortable than many people's jobs, I always feel empty inside and very lost."
Xu Xinghe held her hand. "Don't worry, it's normal to feel lost. You can try different things and see what you like. For example, if you like accounting, study bookkeeping; if you like interacting with people, learn more about communication. Anyway, you're still young, you have the chance to try and fail, and you'll eventually find something that moves you."
Lian Xiao, who was listening nearby, suddenly spoke up, "I have never been confused. My goal has always been very clear: to join the military, like my grandfather, and climb up the ranks in the army so that I can protect the people I want to protect and do something practical."
His tone was firm, and his eyes held the sharpness that only a young man possesses.
After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but look at Xu Xinghe.
This is the person he wants to protect...
Jiang Linchuan picked up his teacup and took a sip. "My vacation is almost over, and Grandpa Lian's health is much better now. We'll have to go back to Heilongjiang Province in a few days."
"Are you leaving?" Xu Xinghe's heart sank suddenly, overwhelmed with reluctance. She really didn't want to leave; she had a very fulfilling time here... But then she thought about it, and realized they had been in Shanghai for almost a month. The military couldn't keep giving them leave indefinitely, so she suppressed her emotions and looked at Lian Xiao, "Do you want to come with me?"
Lian Xiao nodded, "It's time to leave. Grandpa told me a few days ago that I shouldn't keep wandering around here, but go back to the army and train hard. We'll leave together then."
Upon hearing this, Shen Jianqiu's eyes instantly reddened, and his nose tingled with emotion. "Why are you leaving so soon... I finally got to know you all, and we've just gotten to know each other so well, and now we have to part ways. Otherwise, I'll go to Heilongjiang Province with you."
"Jianqiu, don't be impulsive." Xu Xinghe quickly comforted her, reaching out to wipe the corner of her eye. "Heilongjiang Province is cold, and life there isn't as convenient as in Shanghai. Not everyone is suited to that place. We're going back to work towards our respective goals. You should stay here and slowly find your direction. Once you find it, you'll naturally know where to go and what to do. If you really want to come to Heilongjiang Province then, we'll all welcome you."
Shen Jianqiu bit her lip and nodded, her reluctance undiminished, but she knew Xu Xinghe was right.
The atmosphere in the room became somewhat somber for a moment.
But everyone knows that parting is inevitable.
Just like Xu Xinghe said, they are all moving forward on their own paths... If anyone falls behind at this point, they will probably drift further and further apart in the future.
"Alright, let's not talk about sad things like parting." Xu Xinghe suddenly stood up and pulled out the Ludo game she had played a couple of days ago. "Let's play a few rounds. The loser has to peel an orange for the winner!"
Shen Jianqiu's eyes lit up, and his worries immediately vanished. "Count me in! Lian Xiao, don't just watch, come and join us!"
The four people sat around the table and started playing Ludo.
Lian Xiao had bad luck and watched helplessly as Jiang Linchuan's pieces took the lead. "There must be something wrong with these dice. Let's get a different one!"
Before they knew it, the four of them had played until night fell.
Shen Jianqiu tugged at Xu Xinghe's arm and said coquettishly, "Xinghe, don't leave tonight, sleep with me. We haven't had a proper talk in a long time."
Xu Xinghe turned to look at Jiang Linchuan.
He smiled and nodded, "Go ahead, I'll pick you up tomorrow."
...
After washing up, Xu Xinghe and Shen Jianqiu lay in the soft bedding.
The room was bright and cozy, with only a dim, yellowish lamp on.
Shen Jianqiu turned to look at Xu Xinghe and gently poked her arm with his fingertip. "Xinghe, I really think you're amazing. You have a fiancé who loves you so much, Jiang Linchuan, and things you want to do. You live a wonderful life every day and are also very loyal to your friends."
Her voice softened, "I really want to be your friend for life. Even though we've only known each other for such a short time, I don't want us to lose touch, and I don't want you to forget me."
Xu Xinghe felt a warmth in her heart and held her hand. "I won't forget, absolutely not. You've forgotten? We've been through thick and thin together. Besides, I don't have many female friends my age. You're the first one, both before and now."
Shen Jianqiu couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth and extend his little finger, "I'm a dog if I lie, come on, pinky swear! If you ever come back to Shanghai, you have to come find me right away. If I go to Heilongjiang Province, I'll come find you right away too. Whoever breaks their promise is a dog!"
"Okay, pinky promise!"
Xu Xinghe hooked her finger around his, feeling the warmth of his touch on her fingertips. "Don't change for a hundred years."
The two snuggled in bed, chatting about Shanghai snacks, interesting things at the research institute, and the interesting things Shen Jianqiu encountered at the bank. They occasionally let out low laughter, which eased the sadness of parting.
After talking for an unknown amount of time, Shen Jianqiu's voice gradually lowered, and his breathing became even.
She was asleep, a faint smile on her lips.
By the dim light, Xu Xinghe looked at her sleeping face, gently pulled the blanket that had slipped off to her shoulders, and whispered, "I mean it. In this life and the last, you are the first friend I have ever truly accepted from the bottom of my heart."
In both her past and present lives, she has never had any female friends her own age. It's not that she didn't want to meet them, but that she never had the opportunity.
Unexpectedly, during this trip back to Shanghai, I actually met someone; I can only say they were destined to meet.
Xu Xinghe lay down, closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep.
...
Time flies, and the day of parting has arrived in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Linchuan had booked train tickets in advance. Xu Xinghe carefully put the notes given to her by the experts into her canvas bag, neatly packed the local specialties she bought in Shanghai, and finally locked the gate after taking one last look at the courtyard.
The train platform was bustling with noise. Old Lian sat in a wheelchair, followed by Shen Jianqiu, whose eyes were red and swollen.
"Remember to let your family know you're safe when you get to Heilongjiang Province. Don't push yourself too hard in training." Old Lian patted Lian Xiao's arm, then turned to Xu Xinghe, "Xinghe, if you need anything, just ask Lian Xiao. You're a girl, you don't need to work too hard."
"Thank you, Grandpa Lian." Xu Xinghe nodded in response, but before she could finish speaking, Shen Jianqiu hugged her tightly.
"Xinghe..." Shen Jianqiu finally couldn't hold back his tears and cried, clutching her clothes tightly. "I can't bear to see you go. When will we see each other again?"
Xu Xinghe reached out and wiped away her tears. "When you find what you want to do, or when the medicinal herbs I cultivate are successful, I will come to see you and take you to eat the sweet and sour pork from Heilongjiang Province."
"Really?" Shen Jianqiu sniffed, looking at her with teary eyes.
"Really, we made a pinky promise. I'd be a dog if I lied."
Just then, the station's announcement came over the loudspeaker to let people in. Jiang Linchuan picked up his luggage and said, "It's time to go in."
Xu Xinghe gave Shen Jianqiu a final hug, bowed to Elder Lian, and then turned to follow Jiang Linchuan and Lian Xiao toward the ticket gate.
After walking a few steps, she couldn't help but turn back, waving her arm, "Jianqiu, Grandpa Lian, goodbye! We'll write to you!"
Shen Jianqiu waved his hand vigorously, tears streaming down his face, but he still forced a smile. "Goodbye, you must write to me!"
The three followed the flow of people into the ticket gate, their figures gradually disappearing around the corner of the platform.
Not long after, the train whistle rang out throughout the station and slowly pulled away from Shanghai.
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