Chapter 35: Sacrificing one's life to protect one's love, going to the United States to raise aid for the country
The Deyun Grand Auditorium, capable of seating over a thousand, was packed. Anyang's dignitaries, wealthy merchants, and wealthy individuals gathered. The Luo family was deeply beloved by the people of Anyang. Luo Guoyun had not been home for over a year, and his return coincided with wartime. The subsequent fall of Shanghai and Nanjing had left everyone in a state of panic, eager for Commander-in-Chief Luo to lead the army in resisting foreign aggression and maintaining peace.
The welcome ceremony was grand and warm. After representatives from all walks of life spoke one after another, the mayor of Anyang loudly announced that Commander-in-Chief Luo would come to the stage to deliver a speech.
Luo Guyun, dressed in military uniform, calmly ascended the podium amid enthusiastic applause. Xiao Xiangyue followed the imposing figure before her with a look of admiration and pride.
Heizhu ran in hurriedly and whispered a few words beside him. Xiao Xiangyue was startled and quickly stood up and followed Heizhu out of the hall.
Across the street, in a small two-story Western-style building facing the auditorium, a man in a gray suit, vest, and matching wide-brimmed hat stood by the window. Seeing Xiao Xiangyue, he removed his hat, revealing his handsome yet slightly sinister face. He said with a half-smile, "Young Master Xiangyue, how are you?" Xiao Xiangyue's mouth dropped open in surprise, "Young Master He! It's you... Why are you here?"
The man was He Qisheng. He had been imprisoned in Nanjing for several years. The Japanese invaded and Nanjing fell, leaving them no time to care for the prisoners. He Qisheng escaped from prison and defected to the Japanese, becoming a traitor. Seeing that he was a top student who had studied abroad and was both capable and shrewd, the Japanese entrusted him with a high-ranking position, making him the acting premier of the puppet provisional government.
Luo Guoyun once led a delegation to visit Japan. The traitors, believing him to be pro-Japanese, repeatedly sent agents to contact him, attempting to win him over. However, Luo Guoyun refused to listen and repeatedly gave public speeches urging the nation to resist the Japanese. The Japanese hated him to the core and were determined to eliminate him. They even brought in an ace sniper from Germany, determined to kill him.
He Qisheng hated Luo Guyun the most in his life. Not only had he stolen his lover, but he had also imprisoned him. The plan to assassinate Luo Guyun was exactly what he wanted, so he volunteered for the mission. He personally planned the operation, secretly traveling south with several spies and snipers, and deliberately timed it for Luo Guyun's public speech. His public death would surely deter the Japanese and accelerate the Japanese offensive. He specifically wanted Xiao Xiangyue to witness Luo Guyun's swift and brutal death, so that he would give up and willingly follow him.
He Qisheng said sinisterly, "It's me. Your lover won't live long, Master Xiangyue, you'd better come with me." Xiao Xiangyue's face turned pale, and she said in a trembling voice, "What do you want to do?" He Qisheng laughed wildly, "What?" Pointing at the sniper hidden behind the curtains, he said triumphantly, "Master Xiangyue, don't you understand? Today is the day Luo dies!"
Xiao Xiangyue retreated in fear. Heizhu and Afeng, seeing the situation was not good, stepped forward and dragged He Qisheng together, shouting, "Young Master, run!"
Luo Guoyun stood handsomely on the stage, his passionate and resounding speech winning rounds of applause.
Xiao Xiangyue rushed into the hall and without thinking too much, she pounced on the person standing on the podium.
Seeing Xiao Xiangyue escape, He Qisheng knew something was amiss. He desperately tried to shake off Heizhu and Afeng, then ran to the window to see him desperately lunging at Luo Guyun, attempting to use his body to block the gun's muzzle. He was terrified. The sniper had already zeroed in on his target and was about to pull the trigger. Without a word to stop him, He Qisheng reached for the barrel of his gun. A gunshot rang out, and the bullet deflected, glancing off the back of Xiao Xiangyue's shoulder and piercing diagonally under her armpit.
Everyone in the hall was stunned by the sudden incident and stood up. Luo Guyun held the person who had collapsed to the ground, his hands covered in blood. His voice trembled with shock as he called out, "Yue'er! Yue'er!" Xiao Xiangyue said intermittently, "Brother Yun... be careful... someone wants to kill you..." Her head tilted and she fainted.
Yi Shui, Sun Mu, and the others sitting in the front row were the first to react. Yi Shui shouted, "Capture the assassin and protect the commander-in-chief!" Sun Mu quickly rushed to the stage, took off his coat, bandaged the wound, and stopped the bleeding for Xiao Xiangyue. Luo Guyun was almost losing his mind and yelled, "Quick! Prepare the car! Go to the hospital!"
The car roared towards the hospital. Luo Guyun hugged the man with his eyes closed tightly, pressing his face against his pale face, tears streaming down his face, unable to speak: "Yue'er, hold on... Brother is here... Yue'er is fine... Yue'er will be fine..." The blood that continued to flow from his back soaked his clothes and pants.
Director Lin of Anyang Hospital had just been in the auditorium, having returned to the hospital with the car. Without wasting a second, he jumped out of the car, put the patient on a stretcher, and went straight into the operating room. Sun Mu followed him in.
Luo Guyun sat dejectedly on the cold cement floor outside the operating room, covering his face with his hands in pain, muttering to himself: "Yue'er...silly Yue'er...why did you take the bullet for your brother? Do you know that your brother would rather die ten thousand times than let you suffer the slightest harm..."
Yishui arrived with a group of adjutants and reported the situation to him: "Heizhu was killed and Afeng was seriously injured. According to Afeng, he and Heizhu had been waiting outside the venue. The commander-in-chief had just stepped onto the podium when a child ran over and said that there was a Mr. He from Nanjing who was an old friend of Master Xiangyue and wanted to see the master for an urgent matter. When Yue'er had an accident in Yangzhou, Heizhu and Afeng happened to return to Lizhuang, so they didn't know about He Qisheng. I heard that he was from Nanjing, and I was afraid that the young master was in the survivors' school. An old friend of his. Knowing that he valued friendship, they didn't dare delay and hurried in to report. After seeing him, the two men realized that the situation was not good and rushed over to hold He Qisheng. Yue'er took the opportunity to escape, ran into the venue, and blocked a bullet for the third brother! He Qisheng took advantage of the chaos to escape... and caught two little traitors. According to the confession, the Japanese hired the German army's ace sniper, vowing to put the third brother to death. If He Qisheng hadn't been unable to resist seeing Yue'er and leaked the plan. Heizhu and Afeng were loyal to their master, I'm afraid..."
Yi Shui lamented, "When we were in Hanchang, we were extremely careful. Returning to Anyang, we thought we were on our own territory, so our security wasn't tight enough. Alas... we were still careless!"
The operating room door opened, and Sun Mu and Dean Lin emerged side by side. Luo Guyun leaped up like a spring, his voice trembling, "How's Yue'er...?"
Sun Mu wiped the sweat from his forehead and frowned, saying, "The bullet was taken out. But the other party used a sniper rifle with great impact. The bullet entered from the right shoulder and injured the lung lobe. Yue'er's lungs were not in good condition to begin with, and this is undoubtedly making the situation worse. He is still in a coma. It depends on whether he can wake up tomorrow. If he can wake up, he will have escaped a disaster..." Dean Lin said, "The muzzle wound is too large. Even if he wakes up, we have to prevent the wound from getting infected. After two weeks, if there are no symptoms of inflammation, we can say that he is safe..."
In the ward, Luo Guyun stayed by Xiao Xiangyue's bed all night. Holding her hand, he whispered in her ear over and over again: "Listen up, Yue'er... Brother is going to break his promise! If anything happens to Yue'er, I won't live alone! Therefore, for me, Yue'er must wake up..."
Luo Gulan and her husband were present at the scene when the accident happened. They witnessed Xiao Xiangyue risking her life to block a bullet for her brother, and they were deeply moved. They visited the ward several times, but Luo Guyun remained stunned, simply holding Xiao Xiangyue's hand and mumbling to himself, ignoring everyone else. He feared that if anything happened to his foolish brother, he might not survive. He simply instructed Yishui and the others to take good care of the commander-in-chief and report any developments immediately, then shook his head and sighed as he left.
Perhaps it was Brother Yun's call that resonated with him, for on the second night, Xiao Xiangyue finally awoke. Luo Guyun, who hadn't slept a wink, burst into tears of joy, pulling his hand against her cheek, weeping like a child.
In the days that followed, Luo Guyun, besides attending to urgent military matters, remained by his bedside, caring for him day and night. Xiao Xiangyue gradually recovered. The wound was on his back, so he could only sleep on his stomach. Fortunately, he had been accustomed to sleeping on his brother Yun since childhood, so it wasn't uncomfortable. However, Luo Guyun, fearing that the wound would be disturbed, always remained motionless, letting him lie there, even when his arm was numb from the pressure.
The Spring Festival was also spent in the ward. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month passed in a flash, and we were supposed to set off together for the air force base in Jincheng as planned. From Anyang to Jincheng, we had to cross mountains and ridges, and the road was bumpy. Although Xiao Xiangyue had passed the infection period, her injuries were not yet fully healed, and Sun Mu suggested that she should not move him. How could Luo Guyun bear to let him stay alone in Anyang? The departure date was postponed for more than ten days, and a large amount of manpower and material resources were mobilized. They worked day and night, and finally repaired a runway at the end of the first lunar month. They also transferred a state-of-the-art transport plane from Hanchang, slightly modified it, and carried the person directly up on a stretcher.
The plane circled and took off. After more than a month of recuperation, Xiao Xiangyue's injuries had healed considerably, and he could barely sit up. Always fond of novelty and playfulness, this was his first time on a plane. He leaned against Luo Guoyun, gazing out the window at the blue sky and white clouds, a faint blush of excitement appearing on his pale, frail face.
Also boarding the plane were Sun Mu, Yi Shui, and about ten others. Sun Mu sighed, "I didn't agree with Yue'er going to Jincheng. Anyang Hospital has advanced facilities, Dean Lin is an excellent doctor, and Qionghua is caring for her at the mansion, which is conducive to her recovery. My dear brother insisted on taking Yue'er with him, and I was worried about something happening on the bumpy road. I didn't expect them to use a plane! Alas, only my dear brother could do such a thing!" He then said to Yi Shui, "Brother Yi has been working day and night on the construction site to supervise the runway construction. He's really worked hard!"
Yi Shui smiled and said, "Brother Sun, don't you know about my third brother? If Yue'er stayed in Anyang, how could he feel at ease? So... as soon as Yue'er got into trouble, I accelerated the construction of the runway, and it finally came in handy..."
Xiao Xiangyue said anxiously, "For Yue'er, all the brothers have worked hard during this period!"
Yi Shui said jokingly, "It's okay for us to be a little bit hard-working, but someone almost lost half his life! Fortunately, Yue'er is better now, otherwise..."
Luo Guyun quickly interrupted Yi Shui: "Brother said that he would never let Yue'er out of my sight for a moment, no matter what happened, I would protect you. This time, I watched Yue'er almost lose her life for my brother. Protecting you has become an empty promise! If I can't even protect you, I don't have the courage to live..."
Qionghua cared for Xiao Xiangyue with meticulous care, and Luo Guyun specifically asked her to serve him personally, bringing their three-year-old daughter, Daxue, to Jincheng as well. They all stayed at Baozhu Temple, not far from the air force base. The tranquil environment was perfect for recuperation. Xiao Xiangyue was deeply saddened upon learning of Heizhu's death. Luo Guyun consoled her, and she finally felt better. Afeng remained in Anyang to recuperate. The pharmaceutical factory that Sun Mu and Xiao Qin were planning to build was only a dozen miles away, and she often came to the temple to keep him company in her free time.
Jincheng has a warm and humid climate, with mostly cloudy days and the sun is rarely seen all year round.
Two months passed in a flash, and Xiao Xiangyue, already fair, looked even paler and frailer. Sun Mu told him he should get more sun. Luo Guoyun, deeply concerned, took him for walks whenever the weather improved, or drove to the suburbs for fishing and picnics by the river. Once, when they had more time, they even brought a tent and camped overnight, delighting Xiao Xiangyue like a child. After returning home, he repeatedly begged Luo Guoyun to take him camping again when he was free.
It was a sunny day, a rare fine one. Beneath the azure sky, two fighter planes alternately soared, swooped down, and somersaulted, like an aerial ballet. Xiao Xiangyue's face was filled with envy, her eyes fixed on the tangle of planes, her eyes brimming with joy.
Over the past few months, Luo Guoyun and Yi Shui had perfected their flying skills with an American instructor, so they took advantage of the good weather to test their skills. The plane landed smoothly on the runway, and Xiao Xiangyue trotted over to meet him. Luo Guoyun took off his helmet, kissed him on the cheek, and then held his hand as they began to walk back.
Xiao Xiangyue stood there, staring at him eagerly, pulling at his arm and refusing to move. Luo Guyun knew what he was thinking, so he smiled and coaxed, "Come on, brother will take Yue'er on a fighter jet! Let's have some fun!" Xiao Xiangyue was overjoyed, took the flight helmet, and happily climbed into the cockpit. The plane accelerated, took off, and soared steadily in the blue sky. Luo Guyun had just wanted to take him to have a fun time flying planes, but he couldn't resist his soft and hard requests and started to perform all kinds of thrilling stunts. The fighter jet rolled in the air like a big silver bird.
It happened that Sun Mu and Qin Xiao came back early from the pharmaceutical factory that day. After hearing Daxue say that Uncle Ye'er had gone to the air force base, they came to take a look. Looking up, they saw a silver fighter plane performing various thrilling flying maneuvers in the sky and asked hurriedly, "Where's Yue'er?" Yi Shui smiled and pointed to the sky: "Yes, my third brother is taking Yue'er to enjoy flying!" Sun Mu was shocked: "Yue'er has just recovered from her injuries. Her heart and lungs can't withstand such a violent impact. It may cause cerebral ischemia, and even ruptured blood vessels in severe cases! Hurry and get them back!" Yi Shui was also anxious when he heard this, and quickly called the command center on the ground to return immediately.
The plane glided down the runway for a short distance before coming to a stop. Xiao Xiangyue, who had been so excited just moments before, took off her helmet. Her face flushed unnaturally. Just as she was about to speak, she vomited blood and collapsed into Luo Guyun's arms. The base's medical staff, already on full alert, immediately carried the unconscious man onto a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Luo Guyun was filled with regret, repeatedly blaming himself for not taking the most serious action. Fortunately, Sun Mu knew Xiao Xiangyue's condition well, and after taking a few doses of Chinese medicine, she was fine. From now on, he would be even more cautious and careful, not daring to be careless at all.
The days in Jincheng were long and peaceful. After more than six months of recuperation, Xiao Xiangyue's injuries had fully recovered, and the construction of the air force base was beginning to take shape. By midsummer, the defenses along the Yangtze River were strained, and elite Japanese troops were gathering in central China. Luo Guoyun decided to return to Hanchang and personally command the war.
Previously, the two of them had stayed at the city government guesthouse in Hanchang. This time, after getting off the train, Luo Guoyun took Xiao Xiangyue straight to a mountainside in the eastern suburbs. The mountainside had been hollowed out, and even in the scorching summer, the cave was cool. Living room, parlor, study, piano room, guardhouse—everything was available, warm and tidy. Xiao Xiangyue opened her mouth wide in surprise, "When did Brother Yun arrange such a place?"
Xiao Xiangyue couldn't be disturbed by any noise while composing. When he was in Jincheng, because his residence was close to the air force base, the roar of planes during the day prevented him from composing peacefully, so he often stayed up late at night. The Baozhu Temple where he stayed was also bombed several times by the Japanese army. The most dangerous shelling blew up a Tang Dynasty pagoda next to the temple, which was only a dozen meters away from their residence. In the past, Xiao Xiangyue always slept on him, but since she was shot, Luo Guyun became a frightened bird, and he would protect Yue'er under his body at the slightest sign of trouble. Once, at dawn, a wedding procession passed by the temple gate. Luo Guyun was half asleep and heard the sound of firecrackers. Thinking that the Japanese army was bombing again, he turned over and hugged Xiao Xiangyue tightly, almost suffocating him.
Living in the cave offered protection from air raids and soundproofing, completely obscuring the outside noise. Xiao Xiangyue could concentrate on composing during the day. It was also warm in winter and cool in summer, making the scorching summer heat a pleasant experience. Luo Guyun was delighted with their arrangement, and the two of them settled down in the cave.
Time flies.
The Japanese army's original ambition to annihilate China in a short period of time was shattered by the resounding resistance of our people. The war entered a stalemate. Luo Guoyun, stationed at Hanchang, firmly defended the Yangtze River. He defeated enemy attacks again and again, occasionally launching brilliant counterattacks. The Luo family army became a formidable thorn in the side of the Japanese.
Xiao Xiangyue, along with Luo Guyun, had experienced the cruelty of war firsthand, and was no longer the young man who was terrified at the sight of corpses. However, Luo Guyun never let him take risks. Whenever there was a major battle, he would always find ways to protect him, not wanting him to witness the bloody scenes of war.
Besides accompanying Luo Guoyun, Xiao Xiangyue channeled his deep concern for the country's decline and the division of its land into music, composing numerous beloved anti-Japanese war songs. Songs imbued with profound emotion, such as "On the Qingyi River," "Asking the Sky," and "Spring Thoughts," were sung by the young and old. Songs like "Don't Be a Slave of a Conquered Nation" and "Defend My Hometown" were passionate and deeply inspiring, greatly boosting the morale of the soldiers. Together with Jianmei and Xiaoxin, he spearheaded the organization of the "People's Anti-Enemy Support Association" to rally patriots and actively promote the anti-Japanese war effort and raise funds. Last Spring Festival, he adapted the story of Xiao Shanling and his wife into an opera, staged by students from the Tiannian Conservatory of Music, to near-soldier performances. The Chairman and his wife specially invited him to Chongqing to perform for prominent Party and government officials, where the performance was a resounding success. The wives, in particular, were so moved that they wept bitterly, finding even the few handkerchiefs they had available at each performance insufficient to wipe their tears. Many expressed their desire to emulate Mrs. Xiao and remain with her husbands through thick and thin, should they sacrifice their lives for their country.
Whenever Xiao Xiangyue performed, Luo Guyun would dispatch a large number of guards for strict protection. He would personally accompany her whenever he could, never daring to let his guard down. During the war-torn years, the two of them stayed together, their lives, though difficult, stable and secure.
Autumn goes and winter comes.
On the winter solstice of 1942, thousands of miles of ice covered the land.
The fighting had slowed down a bit. It had been a while since everyone had gathered together. Everyone was present that day, even Yi Han had secretly returned to Hanchang from the Shanghai Concession.
This winter had been exceptionally cold, with several heavy snowfalls. Xiao Xiangyue's lungs were weak, and the cold air gave her shortness of breath. Sun Mu prescribed several nourishing dietary remedies, and Luo Guyun, who had finally found some free time, personally prepared them in the kitchen.
The housekeeper came to report that the lady from Chongqing called and was looking for Young Master Xiangyue.
Xiao Xiangyue was playing a newly composed piece with Dongdong in the piano room. Luo Guoyun took the phone. On the other end, his wife's pleasant voice came: "At the invitation of the President of the United States, I plan to visit the United States next month. I would like to invite Xiangyue to accompany me to seek international aid."
Xiao Xiangyue ran over happily, "Brother Yun, what's going on?" Luo Guoyun briefly explained his wife's intentions. Without hesitation, he said, "Yue'er said she wouldn't leave Brother Yun even a step away. How could Yue'er be willing to leave you alone in the United States for such a long time? You'd better go back."
The winter solstice dinner was particularly sumptuous, with dishes like quail stewed with Polygonatum, old duck stewed with scorpions, and soft-shelled turtle stewed with Fritillaria...all of which were nourishing meals that were good for the body. Xiao Xiangyue was still sitting between Luo Guoyun and Sun Mu, listening to everyone's discussions and criticisms of the current situation, with a gentle smile on his handsome face. When it came to the fact that the Japanese army had blocked all our sea, land, and air transportation routes, resulting in a shortage of supplies at home, backward equipment for the troops, and constant defeats, everyone shook their heads and sighed. Yi Han sighed, "Now that the sea routes are occupied by the Japanese army, it's harder for ocean-going cargo ships to enter and exit than to climb to the sky...especially military supplies. Without the help of European and American cargo ships, it would be impossible to transport them in! Last month, a batch of antibiotics that the army urgently needed were barely able to get through by being placed in an American cargo ship thanks to Dr. Jefferson's personal connections..."
Xiao Xiangyue, who had been listening silently to the conversation, suddenly interrupted and said, "If we could get more international aid, wouldn't our lives be better?" Yi Han said, "Of course. Our country is poor and weak, and our technology is backward. We have to import all our advanced aircraft and artillery. Only by forming an alliance with the European and American powers can we hope to destroy the Japanese devils!"
Luo Guyun poured a bowl of black chicken and astragalus soup, carefully skimmed off the floating oil, and placed it in front of him, saying with a smile: "Yue'er, are you also learning to worry about the country and the people like everyone else? Don't worry about it... You've caught a cold and are coughing these past two days... Come, drink the soup... In my eyes, Yue'er's health is more important than whether we can win the war..."
Xiao Xiangyue glared at him and said dissatisfiedly, "Brother Yun is not distinguishing the important from the unimportant! Yue'er thinks... since international aid is so important to us, I should accompany my wife to the United States! But... Yue'er is worried about Brother Yun..."
Yi Shui teased, "It's great that Yue'er is willing to go to America! As for Third Brother, you can leave him to me without worry! To be honest, the brothers are so envious and jealous watching you two being so inseparable all day long! How can we single guys feel? When you leave, everyone will drag him out for three days and three nights of drinking..."
Luo Guyun was furious: "It's better to demolish a temple than to ruin a marriage! How did my third brother offend my eldest brother? He actually urged Yue'er to go to America! Yue'er has been coughing and wheezing recently. How can my third brother feel at ease if she goes to the West?"
Sun Mu continued, "Dr. Jefferson has a laboratory at Columbia University that boasts the world's most advanced neuroscience technology. He's been inviting me to study there. Why don't I go with Yue'er this time? It would be convenient for me to take care of him while also allowing me access to advanced medical technology. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
With Sun Mu accompanying him, Luo Guyun naturally put his mind at ease and stopped objecting.
Qin Xiao, having stayed behind to manage several hospitals, was deeply regretful that he couldn't accompany her. Jianmei, Xiaoxin, Dongdong, and Daxue were both excited and reluctant to let Xiao Xiangyue go to America, each of them chatting with him. It was freezing cold outside, but warm inside, and they chatted late into the night, enjoying themselves until the wine flowed out.
The special plane to the United States took off secretly from Jincheng Airport.
Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue had been nearly inseparable for years, and parting, even for just a few short months, was truly heartbreaking. Under the night sky, the engines roared loudly, signaling the plane's departure. The two clung to each other, earnestly exhorting each other.
The lady laughed and said, "After all these years, Commander-in-Chief Luo and Xiangyue are still as inseparable as ever. I'm so envious!" Sun Mu laughed and said, "That's right! Our visit to the United States will only last a few months at most, and my third brother packed more than a dozen large suitcases for Yue'er. I think it's enough for us to stay in the United States for several years!"
Xiao Xiangyue, who was saying goodbye to Luo Guyun, turned her head away when she heard this and explained seriously: "Brother, you have wronged Brother Yun this time. Most of the things in the box are Yue'er's musical instruments, all of which are to be used in performances in the United States." Sun Mu shrugged and said helplessly: "See? I knew long ago that I can't say anything bad about his Brother Yun in front of Yue'er!" Everyone laughed.
The US tour was a huge success.
His wife delivered a speech to Congress, highlighting the hardships and greatness of China's war of resistance, which garnered worldwide sympathy and attention. Xiao Xiangyue was invited to perform at the National Concert Hall in the United States, where she adapted some of her own wartime pieces into symphonies. Her musical notes vividly portrayed the devastation afflicting the Chinese nation, deeply moving every listener.
The American people showed great friendliness and hospitality to visitors from Eastern countries. They were greeted with unprecedented warmth wherever they went. Donations poured in from all walks of life. The US government not only provided China with substantial financial aid but also donated a large number of new fighter planes and formed a volunteer air force to help China fight the Japanese invaders.
Every day, telegrams from across the ocean would arrive on Luo Guoyun's desk. For months, Xiao Xiangyue had accompanied his wife on trips to New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Newspapers and radio stations had covered the trip relentlessly. Even though Luo Guoyun was in China, he knew Xiao Xiangyue's whereabouts intimately.
Hanchang wartime command center.
Luo Guoyun was absorbed in reading a newspaper. Yi Shui entered the room and saw a pile of cigarette butts scattered in the ashtray. He glanced at him and said teasingly, "Are you missing Yue'er again?"
Luo Guoyun pointed at the newspaper, which reported on Xiao Xiangyue's concert in Chicago. He frowned and said, "Yue'er has been traveling back and forth all day, which is really tiring. I wonder if her body can handle it?" Yi Shui comforted him, "With Brother Sun here, you can rest assured. But you, on the other hand, have been working hard these past few months, and you've lost a lot of weight... I'll be heartbroken when Yue'er comes back!"
In the early summer of the following year, Xiao Xiangyue and his wife finally returned to China.
On the day the special plane arrived, Luo Guyun was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night and went to Jincheng Airport early to wait. As soon as they got off the gangway, they hugged each other tightly. After not seeing each other for several months, he looked at her carefully and said with concern, "Yue'er doesn't look well. Are you too tired?"
Xiao Xiangyue stared at him with clear eyes and said angrily, "Before Yue'er left, Brother Yun promised me that I would eat well and take good care of myself... but now his chin is so pointed! But he didn't keep his word?"
The two of them met again after a long separation and wished they could stick together all the time. Unfortunately, Luo Guoyun was busy with military affairs and Xiao Xiangyue was also busy with social engagements.
The Nationalist government vigorously publicized the achievements of this visit to the United States. In particular, Xiao Xiangyue's outstanding contributions were praised with great fanfare, and his reputation and fame reached an unprecedented height. He was invited to various events every few days, and out of consideration for his wife's face, he had to attend a few social events. Whenever he appeared in public, he was crowded with countless fans, asking for photos and autographs, and the crowds were often blocked. There were also fans who traveled thousands of miles from other places for several days just to see their idol from afar, waiting in Hanchang day and night. This gave Luo Guoyun a headache, and he had to take stricter precautions. Whenever Yue'er appeared, a large number of military and police would be sent to clear the scene in advance, disperse the crowd, and ensure that he would not be disturbed.
Fortunately, Xiao Xiangyue was naturally calm and indifferent to fame and fortune. Under Luo Guyun's careful protection, she felt no burden of fame. Apart from attending events and various performances, she spent almost all her free time with him.
As the war dragged on, the Japanese grew increasingly impatient and intensified their attacks on Hanchang City, engaging in several major battles. Luo Guoyun personally commanded the troops, fighting with composure and never losing the upper hand.
That day, the two of them were inspecting the trenches together and encountered a bombing by Japanese planes. Luo Guyun immediately lay down on the spot and protected Xiao Xiangyue tightly under him.
When the dust settled, Xiao Xiangyue exclaimed, "Brother Yun, you're bleeding!" A piece of shrapnel flew from nowhere and cut Luo Guyun's arm.
Everyone rushed to the hospital with the commander-in-chief. Xiao Xiangyue clutched his bleeding left arm tightly and insisted on going to the hospital. They went into the operating room together and watched Sun Mu remove the shrapnel with her own eyes before she breathed a sigh of relief.
Yi Shui arrived with his lieutenants shortly after. Seeing Xiao Xiangyue's hands still covered in blood, he asked curiously, "Isn't Yue'er prone to fainting from blood? How come she's fine this time?"
Sun Mu said, "I'm also a little confused... It seems that this disease is closely related to mental factors... Perhaps Yue'er's feelings for Yundi have overcome his fear of blood..."
Luo Guyun said proudly, "I remember now! When we were little, we were being hunted by Yang Laosi's men. I was injured in the thigh and was bleeding profusely. Yue'er bandaged it and didn't faint at the sight of blood! It seems that only my brother's blood won't make Yue'er sick! Could it be... this is the power of love? No, no... Yue'er was only ten years old at the time. Could it be that she had such thoughts about my brother?"
Xiao Xiangyue glared at him angrily. Luo Guyun was seduced by the enchanting look and moved closer to kiss him, accidentally touching the wound. If he was not in front of Yue'er, he would not even make a sound, but now he deliberately cried out in pain. Xiao Xiangyue was so frightened that she quickly hugged him and asked repeatedly: "Brother Yun, are you okay? Brother Yun, is it hurt? Does the wound hurt a lot..."
Luo Guyun winked at Sun Mu and Yi Shui with a smirk on his face. The two of them turned their heads away helplessly, pretending not to see anything.
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