Until the school was forced to close due to artillery fire, a group of people stayed in the air-raid shelter for more than half a month. The classrooms had been destroyed and they could not go back.
The students had limited resources; each student could only eat one cornbread or potato a day, and they studied with great difficulty under the guidance of their teachers.
Two weeks later, the school leadership decided that all teachers and students should prepare to go south to a place free from artillery fire to rebuild Kyoto University.
Professor Li: "Students, now there are two paths."
Inside the air-raid shelter, everyone fell silent.
Professor Li: "At a time when the nation is facing a crisis, our youth should be at the forefront. While academic studies are important, your choices are respected."
"Tomorrow morning, our Red Army will pass through Kyoto and head to the front lines. Students, if you want to join the army, this is your only chance right now."
"Students who wish to register can do so before tomorrow morning."
After this was said, the students became excited, and even the female students couldn't help but feel happy.
They wanted to leave, but the school wouldn't let them go, and they couldn't find their way.
Now, the opportunity has finally arrived.
So, as soon as Professor Li finished speaking, the students immediately erupted in excitement, unable to contain their emotions any longer.
Zhou Yuwen hugged Liu Enrang happily: "Enrang, did you hear that? We can join the army now!"
Liu Enrang was overjoyed: "Yes, I can realize my dream!"
"Quick! Let's go register together!"
"good!"
The two squeezed their way toward the registration area, Duan Jiancheng looking at them with intense eyes.
Zhang Shufen said, "Jiancheng, would you like to come for a walk with me?"
Duan Jiancheng snapped out of his daze: "Okay."
And so, the two of them walked out hand in hand.
During their time together at school, the two had secretly confirmed their relationship, but their happiness was short-lived, and they eventually had to face their own paths in life.
It was dusk, and the two of them walked until they reached the crabapple tree by the river.
It is currently the season when crabapple blossoms are in full bloom, and the petals are falling gracefully from the air.
Duan Jiancheng reached out and brushed the crabapple blossoms off her shoulder.
Zhang Shufen: "I know you've been holding it in for too long."
Duan Jiancheng's hand paused slightly, his eyes showing a hint of sadness, yet also a firm resolve.
Zhang Shufen smiled, but her smile was tinged with tears.
Since returning to Kyoto, Duan Jiancheng has received numerous letters from home. At first, it was from his father, then from his mother. He had lost contact with his brother and sister. He hadn't received a letter from home for two months. With the war raging, he couldn't go back, and he didn't even know if anyone in his family was still alive.
This feeling of helplessness was unbearable for him.
Duan Jiancheng looked at the golden sunset with sorrow in his eyes: "Shufen, home is no longer home, country is no longer country. I used to be able to comfort myself by thinking that I could finish my studies in Kyoto and that would be fine. But look, as far as the eye can see, Kyoto is devastated."
“We’re even being forced to move our school to the south. I can’t be cowardly any longer.”
So she reached out and hugged him, the most intimate gesture they had ever made since they met.
Duan Jiancheng's body stiffened slightly, his eyes reddened, but he couldn't bear to push her away.
"I know everything, Comrade Jiancheng. After today's farewell, I don't know when we will meet again. If in the future... when China is at peace and prosperous, we will still be here to fulfill the promise you made."
An agreement?
Duan Jiancheng was completely bewildered.
Zhang Shufen laughed, then released him and took off the necklace around her neck, which was a gold safety buckle.
Duan Jiancheng was bewildered, but Zhang Shufen said, "With this token as proof, heaven and earth can bear witness, Zhang Shufen and Duan Jiancheng hereby make a hundred-year pact."
"Comrade Jiancheng, from this day forward, I am your fiancée."
"No matter how difficult the battlefield is, I will wait for you to come back alive and marry me."
Under the setting sun, Zhang Shufen smiled sweetly: "Comrade Jiancheng, once this winter is over, it will be spring. After this harsh winter passes, we will surely meet under the red flag."
Duan Jiancheng felt a pang of sadness, and tears streamed down his face.
They embraced in the twilight, and he said, "If I can come back alive, I will never betray you in this life."
He took her hand and ran towards the school: "Shufen, I also have a gift for you."
Soon, they ran hand in hand to the school, only to find everyone dressed in military uniforms and lined up.
Duan Jiancheng was immediately stunned.
Liu Enrang: "Jiancheng, you're finally back! Do you still want to join the army?"
"Isn't it tomorrow? What's going on?"
Zhou Yuwen: "The troops arrived ahead of schedule and gave us an hour. After an hour, the army will set off."
An hour?
Duan Jiancheng's pupils contracted slightly.
Zhang Shufen pulled him back, saying, "Jiancheng, if you want to go, leave now. I'm fine with it..."
Duan Jiancheng: "No, I must give you the gift. There's still time..."
He ran towards the dormitory, where there was a marriage certificate he had written himself.
However, soon after, a deafening roar echoed in the sky.
"Quick! The plane is here! Students, scatter! Quick!"
As Zhang Shufen watched Duan Jiancheng's retreating figure, her heart leaped into her throat: "Jiancheng!!!"
"Bang--"
Duan Jiancheng instinctively backed away, but the entire dormitory turned to ashes before his eyes.
Zhang Shufen rushed up and pulled him into the air-raid shelter.
Duan Jiancheng turned around, but only saw scraps of paper flying in the air.
His eyes were bloodshot, his heart trembled, but he was helpless.
Finally, an hour later, the bombardment ended.
A Red Army officer walked in: "We can't wait any longer, students. Staying in Kyoto will only intensify the artillery fire. Those who want to join the army, come with me now and set off immediately! This is a military order!"
So, the students in military uniforms all stood up.
"Line up! Attention! At ease!"
"quick!"
"Run forward!"
Duan Jiancheng had no choice but to turn around and hug Zhang Shufen: "Shufen, no matter how hard it is, live on."
As long as you can survive, there will always be a day when you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Duan Jiancheng shed tears for the second time: "If Taiping Shengshi still can't wait for me, then find a good man and get married."
He knew his senior, Zhang Shufen. Though from a prominent family, she possessed an unyielding spirit. He was useless; he couldn't protect his family, nor could he protect the one he loved. Compared to Zhang Shufen's endless waiting for him over the years, he hoped...
She can marry someone who can protect her.
That was the only time Duan Jiancheng went too far; he lowered his head and planted a kiss on Zhang Shufen's forehead.
“Duan Jiancheng…Jiancheng…” Zhang Shufen cried uncontrollably.
But he still let go of her hand, caught up with the group, and never looked back.
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