The old man lowered his head and remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Although he had already guessed something when he first met the old squad leader, Duan Jiancheng was still too depressed to speak when he actually heard it.
The old man said, "Jiancheng, don't blame them... They thought you wouldn't wake up again, but... Miss Shufen still has to live her life..."
Who can Duan Jiancheng blame? He can't blame anyone. The organization's consideration was correct. If he really didn't wake up and told Shufen, wouldn't that ruin that girl's life?
"So later, when I woke up, why didn't anyone tell me..."
He waited for Shufen in Kyoto for a very long time, so long that he couldn't even remember how many springs, summers, autumns, and winters had passed.
The old man said, "You woke up two years later. You couldn't get out of bed. By the time you could get out of bed, it was already the third year. When you went to find her again, Shufen had already moved to the United States."
"I already have someone by my side, so I'm keeping it a secret."
"I never expected that you would meet again in the capital after so many years."
"Back when China was newly established, Miss Shufen came from a wealthy family and was also a reporter. She could only stay safe if she didn't get involved with you."
"Once it's completed, don't blame the organization..."
Upon hearing this, Duan Jiancheng smiled, and even with his gray hair, his eyes welled up with tears.
The old man wanted to say a few words of comfort to him, but Duan Jiancheng said, "No one can be blamed for this. I don't blame the organization's decision. I will always obey the organization's arrangements."
"I can only blame...fate for playing tricks on me."
"I thought Shufen hadn't waited for me, and she thought I hadn't waited for her, but actually we were both waiting, just at the wrong time..."
Neither of them were cowards. They met in a chaotic world and pledged their lives to each other. At that time, a reporter's pen was worth three thousand Mauser rifles, but he abandoned his literary pursuits for military service, taking up arms to defend his country with the idea of ​​sacrificing himself for it.
They all gave their all for the same belief.
Finally, the dawn broke through the darkness, but in this peaceful and prosperous world, they could not wait for the one they loved.
The scene of meeting her seems like it was just yesterday; in an instant, it was a golden age, and in an instant, decades have passed.
The old man called out to him, "Jiancheng..."
Duan Jiancheng was somewhat dazed, but when he came to his senses, he had regained his usual composure.
"Thank you to my old squad leader for telling me the truth back then. I still owe her an apology."
The old man sighed, "If you had known back then, would you still have given up your degree from Kyoto University...?"
Duan Jiancheng: "Squad leader, I will regret my actions towards Shufen for the rest of my life, but for China, no matter how many times I can do it all over again, I will never regret joining the army. I joined the army to reclaim every inch of land that China lost, and I will never regret it."
Duan Jiancheng stood up, bowed deeply to the old squad leader, and then turned and left.
The old squad leader shakily reached out and put on his reading glasses, only then noticing Duan Jiancheng's slightly unsteady gait.
The snow was falling heavily again. The old squad leader was bent over and coughing softly. He wanted to call out to Duan Jiancheng, but he couldn't get the words out.
On the way back, Duan Jiancheng sat in the back seat, looking at the night sky outside. The old man inexplicably shed tears.
The driver called him several times, but Duan Jiancheng ignored him.
He has never regretted marrying his current wife; their love over the years is genuine. However, when he thinks of Shufen from that year, he can't help but shed tears.
Meanwhile, at the Luo family home, the old lady was being served her medicine by her nanny, Aunt Xue.
Aunt Xue: "Grandma, your illness is getting worse and worse. You should go to the hospital to get it checked out."
The old lady waved her hand: "It's just an old ailment. A little medicine will do the trick. There's no need to bother anyone else."
After taking her medicine, the old lady lay in bed and said with a smile, "Qingyuan has been very busy lately, and the New Year is coming soon, so let's not bring them bad luck..."
Aunt Xue looked worried: "But old lady, your amnesia is getting worse and worse."
The old lady pulled out a notebook from under her pillow, turned to a certain page, and Aunt Xue quickly brought her glasses and put them on her.
"Look, these are the last two things I need to do."
"One thing is to see my old friends."
"The other thing is to see Qingyuan get married in a grand and glorious way."
"I'm too old for that kind of suffering at the hospital..."
Aunt Xue quickly interjected, "Grandma, what nonsense are you talking about? You're in perfect health."
The old lady coughed a few times, pressed her throbbing head, and said, "Xiaoxue, you should go and rest too. I don't need anyone watching over me all the time."
Aunt Xue pulled the blanket up for the old lady, her face full of worry: "Grandma, why don't I stay with you tonight?"
The old lady waved her hand: "Alright, let's go."
Despite the old lady's easygoing appearance, she is actually quite shrewish and doesn't tolerate disobedience once she opens her mouth.
In the end, Aunt Xue could only sigh and say, "Grandma, I'll go and rest now. If you need anything, please call me."
The old lady already had her eyes closed. Upon hearing this, she simply nodded and turned over to sleep.
Seeing this, Aunt Xue had no choice but to turn off all the lights in the room and then tiptoe out.
The room was completely dark when the old lady opened her eyes, turned on the bedside lamp, and got out of bed.
In the dim light, the old lady still managed to find something she had been hiding under the bed: an old box that had been there for years and was covered in dust because she never allowed anyone to touch it.
Due to the passage of time, Zhang Shufen could no longer remember what was in the box, but since it had been kept there, she would think of it from time to time.
She found a damp cloth and carefully wiped away the dust before opening the box with trembling fingers.
Upon opening it, the first thing that catches the eye is a stack of well-preserved photos, although the photos are old and even the portraits are somewhat blurry.
Zhang Shufen flipped through them one by one, until she finally saw the photo lying quietly at the bottom of the box. It was a photo where the faces were not very clear, but Zhang Shufen picked it up.
There are two people in the picture. They are young people. This is the only photo of them together in their lives. She is wearing a blue school uniform, and he is wearing a blue long gown. It is just a simple photo of them standing together, but she has kept it for many years.
The past is too long ago, and she can no longer remember it clearly.
She only remembered waiting for someone, but she waited for a very long time and that person never came. She couldn't wait any longer, so she stopped waiting.
Zhang Shufen has never been a good sleeper. If she can't fall asleep after a certain time, she simply stops sleeping. However, the edges of that photo have long been worn smooth, and she has touched it countless times over the years.
And so, for the first time, the old lady of the Luo family tossed and turned until dawn.
Time flies, and two days passed peacefully and uneventfully.
Luo Qingyuan arrived at the old lady's courtyard.
It was a Saturday morning, and the weather looked lovely. The old lady was watering her flowers in her yard.
"Grandma, Grandpa Duan has made plans with you tonight at the New Moon Hotel. Is that alright?"
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