You've worked hard.
Three days after Tan Yuanbo's telegram arrived, the Northeast region had completely fallen, and no one could do anything about it.
On that day, Zhang Chenglin met Zhang Shengmin in Shanghai.
Upon receiving news of the complete fall of Northeast China, and the heavy losses suffered by the Kuomintang personnel sent to defend the region, Zhang Shengmin convened a central meeting overnight and unanimously decided to relocate the Kuomintang's organizational headquarters to Taiwan, which faces the mainland across the sea, in order to seek temporary stability.
Before leaving, Zhang Shengmin wanted to take Zhang Chenglin with him to "avoid the limelight".
“I’ll ask you one last time,” Zhang Shengmin frowned at Zhang Chenglin sitting across from him, his tone anything but friendly: “Are you coming with me or not?”
Zhang Chenglin shook his head, his tone resolute: "I'm not leaving."
Zhang Shengmin narrowed his eyes, wanting to persuade him again, but for some reason he didn't speak, only saying, "You'll regret it."
"I will not regret it." Zhang Chenglin's expression was resolute and left no room for doubt.
Zhang Shengmin seemed to sigh, then said, "North China is vast enough to accommodate the future."
He was referring to the fact that after the Northeast fell to the Japanese, people in North China naturally fought to the death to defend it.
And there, new hope will emerge, and new hope will naturally give birth to a new future.
“But some people have to stay in the past,” Zhang Chenglin said, his coldness and resistance gone, replaced by a smile: “They are revolutionaries, predecessors, youth, and you and me.”
Zhang Shengmin looked at the smile on his face, a smile that showed no regrets and no remorse.
It also seemed to carry light and the future.
For many years afterward, Zhang Shengmin seemed trapped in Zhang Chenglin's smile at that moment, unable to escape it.
But he searched his whole life and still couldn't find the answer hidden in Zhang Chenglin's smile.
Zhang Shengmin, Zhuang Yanbin, and others led the troops left behind by Zhang Deyue and left the mainland for Taiwan overnight. Their departure caused great panic among the people of Shanghai.
Shanghai, which had just enjoyed a brief respite, has once again fallen into an inexplicable gloom.
The Communist Party Central Committee held one emergency meeting after another regarding this matter. At this time, it is even more necessary for a responsible political party to step forward, appease the people's emotions, and shoulder the responsibility of restoring peace to the land of China.
Therefore, despite the loss of the Northeast region, the Party Central Committee immediately dispatched a second group of patriots to the Northeast to lie in wait for an opportunity and build a solid defense line between the Northeast and Hebei.
Further back, in Shandong, there were still Tan Yuanbo, Ji Yuxing, and others, who were on high alert.
"The situation isn't too bad right now." Sheng Dongsheng stood by the window of his apartment in Xiangdong Alley, looking at the latest letter that had arrived from the Northeast.
Zhang Chenglin stood to his side and slightly behind him, lowered his eyes, and remained silent.
Sheng Dongsheng seemed to sense something and spoke up again: "At least there's still a chance to salvage it, isn't there?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chenglin nodded: "Yes."
Seeing his state, Sheng Dongsheng couldn't help but ask, "Is there something you want to say?"
"I want to go and support Hebei."
Zhang Chenglin didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"Have you thought it through?" Sheng Dongsheng asked, seemingly not intending to wait for an answer, only saying, "You are my last trump card for Shandong. If something happens to you in Hebei, I think Shandong..."
Before Sheng Dongsheng could finish speaking, Zhang Chenglin interrupted him, saying, "With Tan Yuanbo and Ji Yuxing in Shandong now, I think Shandong is the most stable place."
After hearing his words, Sheng Dongsheng turned and glanced at him. His gaze was so deep that Zhang Chenglin could see the doubt in his eyes without hesitation.
But he finally nodded: "Okay, I'll include you when this batch of Hebei support personnel starts to be arranged."
March, which should have been the best time of the year, was instead a time of suffering in the flames of war throughout Northeast China, and the Chinese nation was struggling to make progress amidst turmoil and instability.
But whether it's a country or a nation, spring will eventually come, won't it?
Even next spring.
In late March and early April, when the weather is still chilly despite the fluctuating temperatures, Shandong remains quite cold.
As usual, Ji Yuxing was with Tan Yuanbo, making arrangements for Shandong and planning to support Hebei.
"The situation in Northeast China is very unfavorable for us. This is no secret at this time, after all, Japanese newspapers have been flying all over the place for a long time."
"The Party Central Committee set up a tight defense line at the border between Hebei and Northeast China. The Japanese army fought for a month but failed to penetrate into Hebei. The line was also almost completely destroyed. We will need to contribute more in the future."
"If we hold this line in Hebei, it will be crucial for Shandong and Shanghai..." Tan Yuanbo analyzed point by point, and the people sitting at the same table all looked serious and tense.
The meeting ended an hour later.
The doorman of Tan Yuanbo's house suddenly came in, and Tan Yuanbo casually asked, "What is it?"
“There are a few people outside who say they want to see Mr. Ji.”
Tan Yuanbo and Ji Yuxing exchanged a glance, then asked, "Who is it?"
"They said they were from Northeast China, Mr. Ji's family."
This time, Ji Yuxing didn't look at Tan Yuanbo again, and followed the gatekeeper out first.
Outside the Tan residence, Chai Feixue and another maid from the household were helping Cheng Shulan wait for him.
“Ah Xing…” Cheng Shulan started crying as soon as she saw him, which made Ji Yuxing’s heart tremble.
"Why did you come here?" Ji Yuxing asked Cheng Shulan, taking Chai Feixue's help.
Chai Feixue pursed her lips, but in the end Ji Yongkang spoke: "The country is shattered, and our homes are gone."
Ji Yuxing's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at him, his lips moved but he said nothing.
Ji Yongkang took two steps forward, stood beside Ji Yuxing, and gently patted Ji Yuxing's shoulder. His voice was filled with vicissitudes and helplessness as he spoke:
"You've worked hard."
Ji Yu's upright figure in military uniform seemed to sway slightly. He lowered his eyes and said, "It's what a son should do."
"Well done." A smile appeared on Ji Yongkang's old and tired face: "My son is a great hero in times of national crisis."
Ji Yuxing took Chai Feixue and his parents home. After dinner, he settled Ji Yongkang and Cheng Shulan in. Ji Yuxing stood on the veranda outside the main hall, lost in thought.
Chai Feixue came out of Ji Yongkang and Cheng Shulan's room, quietly closed the door, and walked to Ji Yuxing's side.
What are you thinking about?
“Spring has arrived,” Ji Yuxing said, turning to look at Chai Feixue.
Chai Feixue followed his gaze to where it had fallen—several peach trees were planted in the not-so-large courtyard, and early April was the best time for the peach blossoms to bloom, their delicate red blossoms a sight to behold.
Looking at the few peach trees, Chai Feixue suddenly asked, "Is Fengyue still in Shandong?"
Her question came so suddenly that Ji Yuxing was taken aback for a moment before replying, "I think so."
"After Lao Zhang and I went to Shanghai, we never heard from her again."
“I thought…” Chai Feixue said, turning to look at him, her eyes filled with accusation and confusion: “Zhang Chenglin would take her away.”
“Old Zhang also had his own reasons.” Ji Yuxing understood the accusation in her eyes and helplessly offered an explanation.
"Can I go see her?" Chai Feixue looked at him, her question succinctly conveying an unwavering determination.
“Okay,” Ji Yuxing said, not daring to refuse after hearing her tone. “I’ll have someone find out where she is now, and then I’ll let you go see her, okay?”
"Um."
As the two were talking, the gate across the courtyard was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and Zhou Zhu hurriedly walked in.
Seeing his anxious expression, Chai Feixue spoke first before he reached Ji Yuxing, saying, "You go ahead and do your work, I'm going to rest for a while."
"Okay." Ji Yuxing nodded, turned his head to look at her back as she entered the door, his eyes slightly darkening.
"Mr. Ji." Zhou Zhu stopped in front of Ji Yuxing in a hurry, greeted him first, and said directly before Ji Yuxing could speak, "News has come from Hebei..."
Zhou Zhu explained the matter to Ji Yuxing in a few words, and then said, "Mr. Tan said that the higher-ups want you to go to Hebei."
Ji Yuxing naturally had no objection, but asked, "What about Shandong? Who will come?"
“Mr. Tan will stay here,” Zhou Zhu said after a moment’s thought. “Mr. Zhang will come later.”
Having received the answer he expected, Ji Yuxing nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
After finishing his business, Zhou Zhu turned to leave as usual.
But Ji Yuxing suddenly called out to him, "Wait a minute."
"What's wrong?" Zhou Zhu stopped and turned around, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Go and find out where Fengyue is now."
Zhou Zhu paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."
Long after Zhou Zhu left the Ji family, Ji Yuxing remained standing under the covered corridor, while Chai Feixue watched him through the window in the main room, lost in thought.
After a long while, Ji Yuxing turned around and met Chai Feixue's gaze by the window. Ji Yuxing, who had been looking solemn, suddenly smiled, took a few steps into the main room, stood in front of Chai Feixue, and looked down at her.
Chai Feixue sat on a chair by the window, tilting her head back and smiling at him.
"What are you looking at?" Ji Yuxing looked at her smile, a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
"Look at the handsome guy," Chai Feixue's smile deepened, even the most dazzling spring sun outside the window couldn't compare to the charm of her smile: "Is that not allowed?"
This statement carries a slightly provocative tone.
But Mr. Ji just falls for that.
Before Chai Feixue could say anything else, Ji Yuxing suddenly lowered his head and kissed her.
His lips, slightly chilled by the wind outside, pressed against her warm lips, slowly applying pressure, gently kissing and caressing them.
Having not seen each other for a long time, the young couple couldn't help but feel emotional.
Chai Feixue's breathing became erratic from his kisses. She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her and carried her to the bedroom.
The moment she was placed on the bed, Chai Feixue's cheeks flushed red, and she couldn't help but mutter a complaint in a low voice: "And this is in broad daylight."
Someone took off their belt and coat, leaned down on him, and asked nonchalantly, "So what?"
Chai Feixue was speechless at his question, but some things and some people always look forward to the same thing...
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