Song Mingqian then shifted his attention and started chatting with him.
"Don't say that. We live in a new era now. Everyone is equal. Whether you're a researcher, a driver, or a salesperson, everyone is equally important."
"It is precisely because everyone performs their duties and responsibilities in their respective positions that the country can be built into a more harmonious and prosperous one."
"The words of cultured people are so comforting, and I should learn more from Comrade Song."
Although the two had different positions and responsibilities, they got along very well when they chatted.
As the driver rolled down the window, he casually turned on the cassette player.
"It's still a long way from the base to Beijing. If Comrade Song doesn't mind, let's listen to some music."
A gentle breeze blew by, and a melodious female voice came from the player.
The driver couldn't help but hum a few lines before continuing the conversation.
"When Comrade Song is not busy, how do you like to pass the time? My family loves listening to songs, especially this singer named Lin Banxia."
"Lin Banxia's songs are so energetic and inspiring, they make you feel full of power. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I rely on them to stay alert every time I drive!"
Upon hearing the name Lin Banxia, Song Mingqian couldn't help but clench his fingers.
"It's inconvenient to carry electronic devices in the base, so I only read books occasionally."
He smiled and responded to the driver, but his eyes betrayed his loneliness.
The man mentally counted the years, realizing that he hadn't seen his wife in many years.
The marriage of Song Mingqian and Lin Banxia was a rare example of free love in that era.
She is gentle, elegant, and beautiful, and also a high-achieving graduate of a drama school.
Song Mingqian fell in love with her at first sight, and he was overjoyed to be able to marry her.
He thought their marriage would be happy and harmonious for the rest of their lives.
Unexpectedly, such a huge change occurred later.
On the train that Lin Banxia brought her daughter to find him, her young daughter was abducted by human traffickers, and she herself was seriously injured.
Driven by reality, she was tormented to the point of exhaustion, both physically and mentally, and was on the verge of collapse.
Even after all these years, Song Mingqian could not forget the look of hatred and despair in Lin Banxia's eyes when they parted for the last time.
"Song Mingqian, let's break up."
“As long as our daughter doesn’t come back, I won’t be able to treat you with a normal mindset.”
"This kind of marriage is meaningless. Separation is the best choice for both of us."
Lin Banxia's gaze passed over Song Mingqian's shoulder and landed unfocused on the family photo hanging on the wall.
Her tone was clearly flat and without any fluctuation, yet it revealed a numbness born from extreme repression.
Song Mingqian sensed her seriousness and felt a great panic wash over him.
"Banxia, it's my fault. I've asked many people to help us find our daughter."
He staggered forward, embraced his wife, and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, tightening them again and again.
"Banxia, I really can't live without you. It was all my fault back then. Please give me another chance. I will definitely find our daughter."
Song Mingqian was willing to give up everything just to save this broken family.
"Banxia, you can't, you can't give up on her."
"Even more so..."
His eyes were red-rimmed, and when he finished speaking, his voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
He couldn't bring himself to say the part where he begged her not to give up on him.
Seeing Song Mingqian's tears slide down his cheeks, Lin Banxia felt as if she had been pricked by a needle, the pain so intense that her expression twisted in pain.
She shoved him away as if she had gone mad, yelling at him:
"Do you think I want to give up? Song Mingqian, don't think I'm stupid. If it were easy to find her, why haven't we heard from her after all this time? I know it's very difficult for our daughter to come back to us in this lifetime!"
"Really, I don't hate you. It was my fault for bringing my daughter to find you. I deserve to die."
The taut string, after being suppressed to the extreme, finally snapped completely.
Lin Banxia, who is usually good-tempered, picked up a vase next to her with red eyes and smashed it on the ground.
The sound of shattering was terrifying. Holding her breath, she smashed everything she could in the house.
Finally, as if utterly exhausted, she squatted amidst the shards on the floor, trembling as she desperately tore at her hair.
"I really can't live without my daughter, Song Mingqian. You're so amazing, please save her and bring her back to my side."
"Song Mingqian, please, I'm begging you..."
Lin Banxia went from breaking down in tears to sobbing uncontrollably.
She, who has always loved beauty and elegance, almost doesn't recognize herself anymore.
She's gone mad, she's really being driven insane.
She couldn't forgive herself, and she couldn't forgive Song Mingqian either.
"Do you know how I've struggled through these past few years?"
“Every night I dream of our daughter. She stretches out her little hand to me desperately, crying and asking me: Mommy, where are you and Daddy? Why didn't you save me? Don't you want me anymore!”
Lin Banxia covered her face and collapsed to the ground, unable to suppress a mournful cry.
“Song Mingqian, I know you are an expert, a rare talent in the country. I respect you and admire you. I am proud to have such a husband.”
"Even if you neglect your family for your research, that's fine, I can understand, and I must understand. But what about our daughter!"
"Where were you when she died? Where were you when she cried and called for her father? She was so young, how could she understand you!"
Lin Banxia lowered her head and cried until she was completely exhausted, finally managing to maintain a semblance of feigned calm.
"You, Song Mingqian, have been fair to everyone except your own family."
The shards on the ground cut her palm, and bright red blood flowed out.
She seemed not to feel any pain, only murmuring softly.
“I can’t accept having a husband like this. Song Mingqian, you should leave. From now on, you should be a pillar of society. I also have my own things to do.”
"I've had enough of the pain these past years, and I'd rather never have anything to do with you again."
Looking at Lin Banxia like this, Song Mingqian felt as if his heart was being torn apart.
He desperately squatted down, held her in his arms, and pleaded with her.
"I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong. I'll quit my job right now and find another one. I'll do anything you want."
"Banxia, our daughter is gone, I really can't live without you..."
Lin Banxia didn't say anything, but grabbed Song Mingqian's hand that was holding her and pried his fingers apart one by one.
Finally, they pushed him away.
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