When Duan Jiancheng arrived at the Zhang family's house, white silk banners had already been hung up, and people were coming and going to attend the funeral in an endless stream, each wearing a small white flower on their chest. All of this proved that what the classmates said was true.
He's only been gone for two months, how could... such a big change have happened?
For a moment, Duan Jiancheng felt a lump in his throat.
As soon as he looked inside, he met the gaze of Zhang Shufen, who was dressed in mourning clothes, as she came out.
With just one glance, Duan Jiancheng sensed the sorrow and sadness in her eyes, and tears were already glistening in them.
Duan Jiancheng's heart tightened slightly. He had come travel-worn and hadn't even had time to change his clothes. Seeing that everyone else was dressed so well, he didn't even have the courage to step forward.
But soon, Zhang Shufen walked towards him.
Are you coming to see my mother?
Duan Jiancheng: "Yeah, I just got back to school and heard... how are you?"
Zhang Shufen wanted to laugh, but she couldn't manage it. She could only say, "Not good."
He arrived in a hurry and brought nothing with him. Seeing this, all he could say was, "Please accept my condolences, Shufen."
Zhang Shufen nodded sincerely: "Thank you."
"After this period is over, I really want to eat Liu Ji's braised noodles in the north of the city. Can you take me there?"
Duan Jiancheng: "Of course, anytime."
Zhang Shufen smiled slightly: "Let's go, I'll take you inside to meet my mother."
And so, Duan Jiancheng followed her to the mourning hall. After offering incense to his mother, Duan Jiancheng stood in the crowd, watching the people coming and going.
Many people came to pay their respects, but Zhang Shufen, accompanied by her younger brother, showed no particular emotion on her face.
The memorial service ended late at night.
Duan Jiancheng could only leave temporarily.
From that day on, he went back to school, while she didn't come to school for several days.
One day, Duan Jiancheng had just come out of the classroom when he saw Shufen waiting at the classroom door.
His classmates glanced at him and said, "Go quickly, don't keep Shufen waiting."
Duan Jiancheng did indeed walk towards her: "You're here for class?"
Zhang Shufen nodded: "Yes, are there any more classes?"
"It's gone."
"Let's go eat noodles together then."
"good."
The two left the school together and headed towards Liu's Braised Noodles.
By the time they arrived, it was already dusk.
Duan Jiancheng: "Boss, two bowls of braised noodles, please."
"Okay! Coming right away!"
The two sat facing each other.
Zhang Shufen looked at him: "Have you taken care of everything at home?"
Thinking of home, Duan Jiancheng felt a lump in his throat, but to avoid worrying Zhang Shufen, he nodded and said, "Mm."
Zhang Shufen smiled and said, "Judging from your expression, you can't even lie."
Duan Jiancheng closed his eyes tightly. His family's situation was indeed not good. They were now hiding and struggling to make ends meet. He had given them almost all the money he had, but it was still a drop in the bucket.
My father's leg was broken by the enemy during the escape. My mother's health is poor. My second sister became a medic and is now out of contact. My third brother joined the army. My third sister's husband died in the war. My third sister was pregnant, but she miscarried during the escape. My third sister's health is also much worse now. Now, only my fourth brother is left to support the family. My youngest brother is still young.
He wanted to stay home, but his mother beat him severely. He still remembers kneeling at the door and his mother's tearful admonition.
"Jiancheng, do you know why your whole family insisted on sending you to Kyoto University no matter what?"
"That's because our country doesn't lack people to fight, but it lacks people who are educated. Your eldest brother, second sister, and third brother have all gone to the front lines. Now your eldest brother is gone, and your third sister's husband is gone too. Your fourth brother injured his head when he was young and couldn't get into a good school. This family can only rely on you. Do you understand?"
"Now you're telling me you want to stay? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
His mother started crying in front of him.
Duan Jiancheng felt terrible, but in the end he could only compromise: "Mom, don't cry, I know."
On the night before he left, his third sister stuffed several steamed buns into his bag and looked at him with teary eyes, saying, "Jiancheng, you must study hard."
His fourth brother made him two pairs of straw sandals: "Jiancheng, your brother is here at home, so you can go without worry."
The younger brother secretly put his only piece of candy in his bag: "Fifth Brother, when I grow up, I want to be like you, go to Kyoto to study, and become a useful person for the country."
The father lay in bed, his aged eyes filled with longing for him.
In the end, Duan Jiancheng kowtowed three times and left that very night, watched by his entire family.
As he walked, even this grown man couldn't help but shed tears.
When he opened his eyes again, a steaming bowl of braised noodles was already placed in front of him. The two of them ate the noodles in silence without saying a word.
It wasn't until my stomach warmed up that my body felt less cold.
The sky darkened, and a gust of wind blew in the evening.
Zhang Shufen said, "Jiancheng, do you think we can live to see the day of victory?"
"Yes, I can." Duan Jiancheng answered almost without hesitation, looking up.
Their eyes met, and he saw her tearful eyes.
"Jiancheng, my...my second brother, is gone too..."
After saying that, Zhang Shufen could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Her mother had just passed away, and her father had already fallen ill. The news of her second brother's death in battle came last night. She kept all news under wraps and forbade anyone to mention it, fearing that her father would not be able to bear it.
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