Chapter 40 The Moon of Yesteryear
The afternoon sun was strong, and the sea was covered in golden waves, as if the chill of spring had vanished.
Old Mrs. Zhang held Xie Ning's hand and said goodbye, "I really hate to part with you, my child. Mingyuan is a quiet person, but he is also a good boy. If you have any difficulties in Shanghai, just go to him."
They still wouldn't give up, so Xie Ning could only smile and agree, while Zhang Mingyuan also looked helpless.
After saying her farewells, Madam Zhang pulled Xie Ning aside for a private conversation, "Now that you're gone, I don't know when we'll see each other again. Although we've only known each other for less than two months, you are one of the few true friends I can truly confide in..."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and tears were about to fall. Xie Ning quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them away. "The ancients wrote in a poem, 'A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near; there is no need to shed tears at a crossroads.' As long as there are true friends in the world, even if they are far away, they are like neighbors. So we don't need to imitate those young men and women who shed tears at a crossroads."
Madam Zhang glanced at Ruan Xue, who was sobbing uncontrollably in Zhang Congzhi's arms, and gave a cold snort, but stopped crying herself.
Xie Ning chuckled and asked softly, "Why didn't that person go to America with you?"
"Who knows what's wrong with her? A few days ago she made a huge scene, saying that Congzhi was a coward for running away abroad at this time, but she was different; she wanted to stay here and fight to the death with the Kuomintang and the Communist Party."
He spoke with great passion, and you know Congzhi's temperament. Although he was annoyed by Ruan Xue's extreme words, he was actually quite moved by them. After all, Ruan Xue had given up going to America to escape the war and enjoy a better life, choosing instead to stay here and endure hardship. He forgave her within two days and even opened an account for her, sending money in every month to help her live a better life.
At this point, Mrs. Zhang said with some disdain, "I don't believe what she said. You can tell her character just by what she did to her half-sister. Although Madam Ruan took the blame later, it's impossible for her to say that she knew nothing at all."
How can someone like that talk about patriotism at this critical juncture?
During the war, she didn't even leave her house. If she really did what she said, she should have gone out to help during the war. I heard that many people spontaneously went to the front lines and bombing zones to provide medical assistance. Why didn't she go?
They even called Congzhi a coward, but you should know that Congzhi was the one who ran around buying and delivering most of the medicine. What was she doing then? Wearing fashionable Western dresses, going to nightclubs and Western restaurants.
Mrs. Zhang was in charge of all the household expenses, and she knew them very well. However, since she was leaving anyway, she was too lazy to bother Zhang Congzhi with such trivial matters. It was also good that Ruan Xue wasn't going to America, as she wouldn't be in her way.
Xie Ning also found it strange, but didn't think much of it. He just assumed that Ruan Xue was using this trick to win Zhang Congzhi's favor. After all, America is a monogamous country. What would she be doing there? She might as well swindle more money to protect herself.
Seeing that Madam Zhang had greeted him, Xie Ning made his final farewell, saying, "In the past, carriages and horses were slow, and parting was a matter of life and death. But now we have ships, airplanes, and telegrams, and messengers are much faster than in ancient times. Why be so sentimental?"
After the war has ended in a few years, I will go to America to see you. Chinese people believe in returning to one's roots, and I know that you will come back one day.
Moreover, as compatriots of the same country, whether at home or abroad, we are all striving for a common goal. Even if we are separated by an ocean, our hearts are close. We are willing to dedicate our lives to serving our country, no matter where we are.
Mrs. Zhang pursed her lips slightly, her eyes gradually becoming firm. "I've opened a bank account, which belongs solely to me. From now on, a portion of my earnings will be deposited there. Will you help me use it for national salvation?"
"good."
As the ship sailed away, the salty sea breeze ruffled his hair. Xie Ning glanced at Zhang Mingyuan, who stood ramrod straight. "I have been busy with military affairs and have come here. I am exhausted and weary. I have sent letters home for two years, and I vow not to return until the Japanese pirates are wiped out."
A few days ago, China and Japan held armistice negotiations at the British Consulate General in Shanghai. I heard that the agreement required the suppression of the anti-Japanese movement throughout the country and the replacement of the 19th Army. Japanese troops could remain stationed in Wusong, Zhabei, Jiangwan Yinxiang Port and other places for a long time, while Chinese troops could not be stationed and defended around Shanghai.
How ridiculous, don't you think?
Zhang Mingyuan didn't speak, but the veins on his hands gripping the railing bulged. After a long silence, he finally said, "The international and domestic situation is complex, and under pressure from all sides, this is not something that the commander can decide alone. Changning, you should understand."
Xie Ning closed his eyes slightly. The wind, though under the warm sun, was chilling to the bone. "With the gates wide open, how can we defend against wolves? We cannot give up an inch of land or a blade of grass. This is what Commander Cai said when the war started. And now, what kind of ending has he suffered?"
My trip to Fuzhou was not unwilling, but the Party and the state are rotten to the core. You are all controlled by others, how can you protect me? In the end, will the guns be used against external forces or internal ones?
I believe in your hearts, but I also need to see your actions. Even if the commander doesn't think of himself, he should at least consider the brothers under his command. This old newspaper is my suggestion; please deliver it to the commander.
Perhaps it wasn't the right time before, but now, with the knife of shame at his throat, Xie Ning believed the other party would waver, after all, the authority of the person above him was insufficient.
Zhang Mingyuan was left alone in the cold wind, while Xie Ning, holding an umbrella, got into the car and went home.
However, she was unexpectedly stopped by Ruan Xue, who was wearing a white dress. "Miss Xie, are you going home? We happen to be going the same way. Could you give me a ride?"
The rule of not hitting a smiling face doesn't apply to Xie Ning, but she still nodded and let Ruan Xue get in the car. Before leaving, Zhang Congzhi asked her to take good care of Ruan Xue.
There's nothing wrong with letting her hitch a ride.
Throughout the journey, Ruan Xue tried to strike up a conversation with Xie Ning, but unfortunately, Xie Ning remained indifferent and eventually closed his eyes to rest, citing dizziness as the reason, and ignored Ruan Xue completely.
The Zhang family had all moved to the United States. Although Zhang Mingyuan was still alive, he was a grown man who spent all his time in the military camp. It was impossible for him to let Ruan Xue, an aunt, live with Zhang Mingyuan. So Zhang Congzhi sold the villa to raise capital and bought Ruan Xue a small villa near Xie Ning's villa. As for Zhang Mingyuan, Zhang Congzhi didn't need to worry about him.
After dropping the person off at their destination, Ruan Xue forced a smile as she got out of the car, wanting to say something to Xie Ning, but ended up inhaling a car full of exhaust fumes.
"Pah! What a piece of trash! She was just born into a good family. It's only because her older brother is capable that she's known as Xie Qing!"
Turning into the house, Ruan Xue saw the man busy in the kitchen and felt a surge of sweetness in her heart. She reached out and hugged the man's waist. "Fujita-kun, they're finally gone. No one can stop us anymore."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
