By mid-October, the autumn leaves in Fragrant Hills had turned red. Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue had arranged to climb Fragrant Hills over the weekend, along with their two dorm mates. It was all voluntary; anyone who wanted to go could go. Everyone had long admired the autumn leaves of Fragrant Hills and felt that a trip to Beijing meant seeing them at least once, so no one objected. Yu Youqing had no other plans, so she could join them.
Early on the weekend morning, everyone set off. When they arrived at the meeting point, Shen Xuyue said to Zhao Mingyue with a face full of apology, "Mingyue, something happened at home and I have to go back. I can't go with everyone. You go with everyone."
Zhao Mingyue was startled: "What happened?"
Shen Xuyue said, "My nephew is sick, and my brother-in-law brought him from our hometown. I have to go see him."
“Then I’ll go with you,” Zhao Mingyue said.
Shen Xuyue looked at Zhao Mingyue, then glanced at Yu Youqing: "Then let Youqing go with everyone?"
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Yes, I'll tell him."
Upon hearing that Zhao Mingyue couldn't go, Yu Youqing's disappointment was palpable: "Then I won't go either."
Zhao Mingyue called Mao Jianlan over: "Jianlan, something happened at Xuyue's house. We need to go visit him. Youqing is going to Xiangshan with you. Could you take care of him for me?"
Mao Jianlan readily agreed: "Sure, no problem."
Although Yu Youqing was somewhat reluctant, he still went with everyone.
Once in the car, Zhao Mingyue listened to Shen Xuyue talk about his nephew: "I went back last night, planning to come over this morning to go hiking with you, but I only found out about Jingjing's accident. I don't know the specifics, but my brother-in-law called long distance back and said that the child's leg was run over by a tractor and he's already been taken to Harbin for treatment. My sister is heartbroken for the child and insisted that my brother-in-law bring him to Beijing for treatment. He should arrive today."
"Oh no, being run over by a tractor, wouldn't that be very serious?" Zhao Mingyue felt terrified just thinking about it.
Shen Xuyue sighed: "I don't know either. I hope it's not serious. He's only five years old. If he gets any disability, it will be a lifelong problem. No wonder my sister insisted on sending him to Beijing."
Zhao Mingyue said worriedly, "It's so far away, won't it delay the child's treatment?" Sending the child all the way to Beijing, won't that delay the treatment?
Shen Xuyue said, "I also think my sister was inconsiderate in this regard. But I heard that the injury is still under observation and not yet time for surgery, and the doctor said that she can be transferred to another hospital."
The two arrived home with heavy hearts. Shen's parents were waiting, both sighing and lamenting. Shen's older sister was crying beside them. Zhao Mingyue offered a few words of comfort, but to no avail. Shen Xuyue rushed over and patted his sister's shoulder: "Don't worry, things will get better. Let's go pick them up now. Mingyue, my sister and I will go to the station to pick them up. You wait for news at my house. We'll come back as soon as we've picked them up and settled them in."
Shen's father's driver took them there. Shen Xuyue hadn't gotten his driver's license yet, so he couldn't drive. Shen Xuyue accompanied his older sister to the station, but there weren't enough seats on the train. If Zhao Mingyue went too, there wouldn't be any seats left after she picked up the person, so they could only wait at his house.
This was Zhao Mingyue's second visit to the Shen family. Last Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhao Mingyue refused to go to Shen Xuyue's house to celebrate the festival with Yu Youqing. After all, she was only Shen Xuyue's girlfriend and not yet a member of the Shen family. Without her presence, the Shen family members would obviously feel more comfortable together, at least they wouldn't upset Shen's mother.
She wouldn't have come if she hadn't heard about Shen Fuyu's son's accident. And if she had known she would have to face Shen's parents alone, she probably wouldn't have come either. But now, she has to face Shen's parents alone.
Unlike the previous two times she had met, Chen's mother was no longer as capable and arrogant. She looked like an ordinary old woman, her face filled with worry. She sighed and said, "It's such a tragedy. Such a young child has to suffer like this. What if he develops some kind of chronic illness later in life? Wouldn't his life be ruined?"
Mr. Shen had heard his wife say this countless times, and his already heavy mood was now made even worse. "Can't you just say less? It's definitely not as serious as you're making it out to be."
Zhao Mingyue quickly poured hot water for the two elders: "Uncle and Aunt, have some tea. Don't worry, the child is still young and has a very strong ability to recover. Moreover, Beijing has the best medical standards in the country, so the injury will definitely be healed."
No matter what the situation, people always hope to hear something comforting. Zhao Mingyue's words really struck a chord with Chen's mother, so she glanced at Zhao Mingyue and didn't say anything in rebuttal: "Yes, that's right. The child is still young and has such strong growth potential. Everything will be alright."
Father Shen also said, "That's right, why are you worrying about that? Don't overthink it."
Then, Zhao Mingyue didn't know what to say. Being with two completely unfamiliar elders, especially one of whom was a stranger who didn't like her, she really didn't know what to say.
Mr. Shen seemed to understand Zhao Mingyue's awkwardness, so he empathetically started talking to her about her hometown. Since he wasn't familiar with her hometown, the only thing they could talk about was Shen Xuyue. With something to talk about, Zhao Mingyue gradually relaxed. She told Mr. Shen what she knew about Shen Xuyue, and he told her what she didn't know. Together, they pieced together a complete and clear picture of Shen Xuyue.
Shen's mother was gradually drawn into their conversation. To be precise, she was drawn in by what Zhao Mingyue was saying, because she had been completely absent from her son's growth for those ten years, which was undoubtedly a regret.
Time flowed slowly through their memories, and Zhao Mingyue's understanding of Shen Xuyue became clearer and clearer. It turned out that Shen Xuyue was such a mischievous child when he was young. Shen's father was startled awake when the clock in the house suddenly rang: "It's eleven o'clock, old woman, go make lunch."
Mother Shen finally changed her posture. She didn't want to admit it, but she had been completely engrossed in listening: "I wonder if they've picked up the child yet?"
Mr. Shen said, "They should have picked us up a long time ago. Isn't the train at ten o'clock? They should be at the hospital by now. Go cook some food; we might have to deliver it to the child later."
Mother Shen stood up: "Okay."
Zhao Mingyue quickly said, "Let me help."
Mother Shen glanced at Zhao Mingyue but did not object.
They had just finished cooking when the car returned. Only Shen Xuyue and the driver came back; Shen Fuyu and her husband hadn't returned. Shen's mother stood in the yard: "Did you pick her up? How is she? Your sister hasn't come back?"
Shen Xuyue said, "I received the call. The child's left leg was run over by a tractor. Fortunately, the tractor wheel was a track, which caused a comminuted fracture, but it's not a particularly serious one. He needs surgery to set the bone. The doctor said that if he recovers well, there shouldn't be many aftereffects. My sister is with the child at the hospital."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Mr. Shen said, "Let's eat first, then go to the hospital to get checked out, and bring them some food on the way."
"Okay." Shen Xuyue looked at Zhao Mingyue and smiled at her apologetically.
Seeing Shen Xuyue, Zhao Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she couldn't bear to spend time alone with his parents like this anymore; it was too unbearable. Zhao Mingyue asked in a low voice, "Is the situation not too serious?"
Shen Xuyue said in a low voice, "It's not clear yet. The doctor said it depends on the surgery and the child's recovery."
After dinner, Zhao Mingyue went with the Shen family to the hospital to deliver food and visit the child. The child was lying in the hospital bed, waiting for surgery. He seemed quite happy, probably because he hadn't seen his mother for a long time. Now that his parents were with him, the pain didn't seem so unbearable.
Shen Fuyu's husband stood up and bowed to his parents-in-law. This was the first time the son-in-law had met his parents-in-law, even though they had been married for six or seven years.
Looking at Shen Fuyu's husband, Zhao Mingyue saw that he was indeed a typical Northeastern man, nearly 1.9 meters tall, with a square face, dark skin, and handsome features. By today's standards of beauty, he was very handsome. No wonder Shen Fuyu was willing to marry a young man from the countryside. He was good to her and good-looking; even if there was a difference between urban and rural areas, it wasn't something unbearable.
The child looks like Shen Fuyu, and is very well-behaved and cute. He is also very polite, which shows that Shen Fuyu and her husband have put a lot of effort into raising their child.
Shen Xuyue whispered in Zhao Mingyue's ear, "I was wondering why my sister married into a rural family. It must be because my brother-in-law is good-looking. Sure enough, women love good-looking men. My mom will definitely be convinced soon too, just you wait and see."
Zhao Mingyue turned her head away, a sly smile playing on her lips. Sure enough, Mr. Shen's attitude towards his son-in-law was quite normal, but Mrs. Shen looked him over and over again. Zhao Mingyue noticed that Mrs. Shen, who had been trying to maintain a stern expression, was now completely devoid of any seriousness, and was incredibly kind to her little grandson. Zhao Mingyue quietly gave Shen Xuyue a thumbs-up: "You're absolutely right." Women's attitudes towards their sons-in-law and daughters-in-law are truly drastically different.
Several people stayed with the child in the hospital room, chatting about their future plans. Shen's mother said, "Since you're all here, don't go back. Stay in Beijing. Your farm is so unsafe; you can't manage it all by yourself. Something will happen sooner or later. Jingjing is older now; she'll go to school in Beijing. Maolin, you should find a job in Beijing too." Shen Fuyu's husband was named Yang Maolin.
Yang Maolin hesitated for a moment, and Shen Fuyu said with a stern face, "If you want to go back, then go back. How can I feel at ease leaving Jingjing in Beijing with you?"
Yang Maolin sighed: "I don't know what I can do in Beijing. Besides, my parents are on the farm, and I'm worried about them."
“There’s always something to do, we’re all able-bodied,” Mr. Shen said. “Our parents aren’t in their seventies or eighties and can’t move around. You can settle down in Beijing now, and once things are settled, you can bring them over. These problems are easy to solve. What could be more important than the whole family being together?”
Yang Maolin lowered his head and said, "Dad, you're right. I'll wait until Jingjing's leg is healed before we talk about it."
Mr. Shen said, "Just be mentally prepared, and we'll arrange a job for you as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Dad."
Zhao Mingyue thought to herself, Yang Maolin really is a straightforward person. So many people want to stay in Beijing but can't, but he's the one who wants to turn down the opportunity.
The child's surgery was two days later. That weekend after the surgery, Zhao Mingyue went to the hospital with Shen Xuyue to visit the child again. This time, Shen's parents weren't there, and Yang Maolin was also out; only Shen Fuyu was at the hospital with her son. The surgery was successful, and the child was recovering very well. Jingjing, being a clever little boy, saw Zhao Mingyue giving him candy and snacks and happily called out, "Auntie!"
Zhao Mingyue was overjoyed by his words, and Shen Xuyue beamed with delight: "Jingjing is so smart, whatever you want, your uncle will buy it for you."
Jingjing said, "I want candy beans."
"What candy beans?" Shen Xuyue didn't react for a moment, but Zhao Mingyue knew because she saw a little patient in the ward eating colorful candy beans, so she nudged Shen Xuyue and said, "Is that it?"
Shen Xuyue realized what was going on: "Oh, that? I'll buy it for you later. Here, your uncle will buy you a comic book, Nezha Conquers the Dragon King, do you like it?"
"I like it, thank you, Uncle." Jingjing reached out and took the comic book from Shen Xuyue's hand.
Zhao Mingyue took a set of clothes out of her schoolbag and gave them to Shen Fuyu: "Big sister, I think Jingjing has come back to Beijing and may not have enough clothes to change into, so I made him a set of clothes."
Shen Fuyu took the clothes: "Thank you so much, Mingyue." She held up the clothes and said to her son, "Jingjing, your aunt made a navy uniform for you. Do you like it?"
Jingjing exclaimed happily, "I love it! Thank you, Auntie! Will I look as dashing as my uncle when I wear this outfit?"
Shen Xuyue's older brother, Shen Qixue, served in the South China Sea Fleet of the Navy. In those days, people's admiration for soldiers could only be described as fanatical. I guess Xiao Jingjing has boasted to many people about her uncle being a naval officer.
Shen Fuyu patted her son's head: "That's right. Jingjing, you must get well soon so that you can be a glorious People's Liberation Army soldier like your uncle in the future."
"I don't want to be a soldier in the People's Liberation Army, I want to be a navy soldier," Jingjing said in a child's voice.
Jingjing went off to read her comic book, while Zhao Mingyue and Xu Yue chatted.
Shen Xuyue said, "Sister, did Dad arrange for my brother-in-law to work at the street factory?"
Shen Fuyu sighed and said, "Yes. From now on, I'll be working with a bunch of old men and women at the factory pasting cardboard boxes. Your brother-in-law may not say it, but I know he's definitely not happy about it."
"Why?" Shen Xuyue asked.
Shen Fuyu said, "He finally became a tractor driver on our farm, and now he's come to Beijing and can't drive a tractor anymore. He has to do those other jobs. Do you think he'll be happy? He loves driving tractors the most."
Shen Xuyue sighed: "There's nothing we can do about it, otherwise you would have had to separate."
Shen Fuyu glanced at Jingjing, who was playing by himself, and sniffed: "I also feel quite sorry for him. If only we weren't together, I wouldn't have any worries without Jingjing."
Zhao Mingyue comforted Shen Fuyu: "Big sister, don't think like that. Look how cute Jingjing is. It's all worth it for the child. Your husband's situation is only temporary. He can't make cardboard boxes for the rest of his life. This is just a temporary transitional job. Didn't you say he's a tractor driver? It'll be easy for him to learn to drive other vehicles. He can learn to drive a car or a truck and become a driver in the future."
Shen Xuyue also said, "Yes, I've been learning to drive from Dad's driver recently. My brother-in-law can be his driver in the future."
Zhao Mingyue also wanted to say that she could run her own private transportation business in the future, but that time is not right now, so she won't mention it for now.
Shen Fuyu felt a little better after being persuaded by the two of them: "You're right, I'll go and talk to him. He'll definitely be happy if he can drive." She now really thought Zhao Mingyue was a very good girl, broad-minded and with extraordinary insight.
After the two left the hospital, Shen Xuyue sighed and said, "Mingyue, I really have to thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?" Zhao Mingyue raised her eyebrows to look at him.
"Thank you for working so hard and being there for me, which has saved me so much trouble."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "If I can't stand by your side, I won't date you, so you won't have any worries."
Shen Xuyue looked at Zhao Mingyue: "Why? Don't you love me?"
Zhao Mingyue replied, "Love is one thing, being together is another. Not everyone who gets together does so because they love each other. And not everyone who loves each other can be together. That's probably the helplessness of life." She was stating a fact: love may be unconditional, but marriage is definitely conditional. If she were an ordinary village girl unaware of her future, her affection for Shen Xuyue would have remained hidden in her heart, unexpressed. If she hadn't gotten into university, she and Shen Xuyue would likely have ended up breaking up.
Shen Xuyue remained silent for a long time. Zhao Mingyue was far more mature than he had imagined. After a while, he finally said, "You're right. So we should be lucky to love each other and be able to be together."
Zhao Mingyue smiled at Chen Xuyue, revealing her teeth: "Yes, we are very lucky."
Because of Jingjing's injury, the two of them did not go to Fragrant Hills for two consecutive weeks. On the third weekend, Shen Xuyue insisted that they must go to Fragrant Hills no matter what. If they did not go, the red leaves would be gone and they would have to wait until next year to see them.
Zhao Mingyue thought about it and decided to go; waiting another year would be too long. So the two of them went to Fragrant Hills the following weekend. It was already November, and after the frost, the smoke trees had unleashed their deepest passion. The entire forest seemed to be on fire. Although the colors were all red, they were not the same. The red leaves were layered upon layered, with pink, bright red, orange-red, deep red, and crimson hues, creating a dazzling and colorful scene, like a traditional Chinese painting splashed on silk, or like a beautiful woman who had drunk too much, alluring and captivating, making people linger.
Shen Xuyue laughed and said, "Fragrant Hills is at its most beautiful right now. It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. Moreover, we have the opportunity to come out alone without being disturbed by others. So, it's true that what we lose on one front can be gained on another."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "That's true."
Shen Xuyue sighed, "It's a pity the film is all black and white. If it were color, it would be so beautiful to take pictures of you and the red leaves."
"There will be opportunities in the future," Zhao Mingyue comforted Shen Xuyue, explaining that color film was not yet widespread and was relatively rare.
“Mingyue, let’s come back and take pictures again when we have color film, okay?” Shen Xuyue said.
“Okay,” Zhao Mingyue readily agreed.
Shen Xuyue asked, "Is there a talent show for your club next week?"
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Yes."
"Then I definitely have to go and see. I've been looking forward to your performance. I'll go and take pictures of you." Zhao Mingyue had been rehearsing for a long time, but she hadn't let Shen Xuyue watch the rehearsal. She was worried that she wouldn't perform well and that he would laugh at her. She was also worried that if he watched it now, the performance would lose its novelty.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Yes, it will definitely surprise you. By the way, don't come looking for me this week, I still have to go to make costumes. Our crew's costumes haven't been finished yet." Zhao Mingyue is not only the female lead, but also the crew's costume designer; she made all the clothes. This time, the school was willing to spend money and allocated some funds, so everyone could order some decent costumes. It's just that Zhao Mingyue has worked hard.
The two spent the whole day in Fragrant Hills, enjoying the beautiful scenery. With his beloved by his side, Shen Xuyue even held Zhao Mingyue's hand and strolled together in the secluded woods. This was something he had never dared to imagine before. Zhao Mingyue noticed that in just over six months, the strict separation between men and women had loosened considerably. More and more young men and women were boldly dating in public like them, showing that suppressed human nature was being liberated.
Back at school, Zhao Mingyue's lips were still curved in a smile, the sweet, blissful feeling lingering. Shen Xuyue was in a similar state, his eyebrows also adorned with a smile. After dinner, he accompanied her to evening self-study for a while before returning to his own school. After seeing him off, Zhao Mingyue didn't go back to the library but simply went back to her dormitory.
Her roommates hadn't returned yet; they were all studying in the library. The lights were on in the room, but no one was at the table except for Li Chunmei, who was lying on her bed, doing something. Zhao Mingyue, in a good mood, joked, "Third sister, are you secretly rereading your boyfriend's letter again?"
For the first time ever, Li Chunmei didn't reply. She just sniffed and then sat up: "That damn Wang bastard, how dare he dump me! When I get back, I'll beat him to death!"
Zhao Mingyue was startled: "What's wrong, Third Sister?" Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?
Li Chunmei wiped her eyes angrily: "Hmph, men are all the same, they're all like Chen Shimei! What's so great about that Wang guy? He only got a junior college diploma, and he dared to dump me, giving me all sorts of high-sounding reasons, saying he wasn't good enough for me, wouldn't hinder my future, and that it was a peaceful breakup. He's probably found another woman over there. Bah! If anyone should dump someone, it should be me dumping him! He's shameless. He chased after me so relentlessly, afraid I'd dump him, and now he dares to dump me? I should have dumped him first!"
Li Chunmei seemed genuinely furious, calling herself "old lady" repeatedly. Zhao Mingyue had never heard her refer to herself like that before. She comforted her, saying, "Third sister, is there some misunderstanding? You've had such a long-standing relationship, you can't just break up like that, can you?"
Li Chunmei sneered, "What misunderstanding? I thought he was terminally ill and didn't want to burden me, so he broke up with me in a noble way. If he was faking a terminal illness to break up with me, that coward would never do that. It's good enough if he doesn't make me stay faithful. He's clearly with that little bitch. I even saw that slut during summer vacation. My colleague told me they were always studying together, and I didn't even give her a second thought. Now they're in the same school. Tell me, were they studying or doing something shameful back then? I was so blind to have fallen for such a bastard! What a waste of my feelings! That damn bastard, I'll never be Li if I don't find someone a hundred times better than him!"
Zhao Mingyue could only comfort Li Chunmei: "Third sister, you will definitely find someone better than him in the future. Don't be angry. Getting angry will only make you suffer." Zhao Mingyue really didn't know what to say. Feelings are too fragile, especially unable to withstand the erosion of time and space. Is the kind of rock-solid love described in books really real?
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