Night enveloped the village, like a vast black silk ribbon gently spread across the tranquil land. Moonlight, like water, filtered through thin clouds, casting dappled shadows on the rooftops and winding village paths. The old locust tree at the village entrance appeared even more vigorous in the moonlight; its branches swayed gently in the breeze, rustling softly as if whispering ancient tales.
Lin Yue sat quietly on the stone bench under the old locust tree, her figure appearing somewhat slender in the moonlight. She wore a light blue cotton blouse with a small, delicate flower embroidered at the collar—embroidery she had made herself. The once exquisite stitches were now somewhat messy, mirroring her current state of mind. Her hair was casually draped over her shoulders, a few strands blowing against her cheeks in the night breeze, but she paid them no heed. Her head was slightly lowered, her brows furrowed, her eyes revealing deep worry and confusion, her lips slightly pursed, as if suppressing the complex emotions within her.
At this moment, in a warm home in the modern world, the dim, soft lighting could not dispel the heavy gloom. Lin Yue's parents sat on the sofa in the living room, the air around them seemingly frozen. The mother's face was haggard, her eyes red and swollen, tears welling up in them. She clutched Lin Yue's photograph tightly in her hand, her fingers turning white from the pressure. Lin Yue in the photograph smiled brightly, the most precious image in her parents' hearts, but now, it had become the source of their pain. The mother's lips trembled, her voice choked with sobs, each word seemingly squeezed out from her broken heart: "Husband, where is Yueyue? It's been so long, and there's been no news at all. Could something have happened to her?" As she spoke, large tears slid down her cheeks, dripping onto the photograph.
The father sat to one side, his face as somber as the sky before a storm. His brows were furrowed deeply, forming deep lines, and his eyes were filled with anxiety and helplessness. One hand kept stroking the sofa armrest, the rough back of his hand showing bulging veins, revealing his inner tension. His other hand was clenched into a fist, as if trying to grasp at a sliver of hope. "I don't know either," the father's voice was hoarse and heavy. "We've searched everywhere we can think of, and even the police haven't given us any information. What's wrong with this child?" His gaze was fixed on the endless darkness outside the window, his eyes revealing profound despair.
In a small village in the 1970s, Chen Yu walked heavily towards Lin Yue. He wore a faded military green shirt, a hallmark of that era, with several patches, but neatly mended, showing the wearer's care. He wore dark blue trousers, the cuffs slightly rolled up, revealing his strong ankles. His face was sharply defined in the moonlight, with a high, straight nose and deep eyes filled with concern for Lin Yue. He saw Lin Yue sitting alone on the stone bench, her lonely figure causing his heart to clench.
Chen Yu gently walked to Lin Yue's side, slowly squatted down, and looked directly into her eyes. He reached out and gently took Lin Yue's slightly trembling hands in his. His hands were large and warm, with rough calluses—the marks of long-term labor. "Yue'er, why are you here alone? It's such a happy day, yet you look so sad. Is something on your mind?" Chen Yu's voice was low and gentle, like a warm spring breeze trying to dispel the gloom in Lin Yue's heart. His eyes were filled with love and worry, his brows slightly furrowed as he gazed intently at Lin Yue.
Lin Yue trembled slightly upon hearing Chen Yu's voice. She looked up into his eyes, a complex mix of emotions flashing across them—gratitude, pain, and above all, confusion. Her lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't know where to begin. After a moment, she slowly spoke, her voice choked with emotion: "Chen Yu, I suddenly thought of my parents today. They must be frantically searching for me, worried sick. How much pain they must be in just because I've disappeared like this." As Lin Yue spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. She tried hard to hold them back, but they still streamed down her cheeks like beads from a broken string.
Chen Yu felt a pang of pain in his heart as he watched Lin Yue cry. He gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, his eyes filled with heartache. "Yue'er, I know you're worried about your parents. But we still have no way to find them, so don't be too sad." His voice was a little hoarse as he tried to comfort Lin Yue.
Lin Yue shook her head, her eyes deepening with pain. "It's not just this, Chen Yu. Our love… we come from different eras, the gap is too vast. I'm afraid, afraid our love will crumble in the face of this cruel reality." Lin Yue's voice trembled. She pulled her hand away from Chen Yu's grasp, hugging her arms as if to give herself strength. Her eyes were filled with fear and unease, her body trembling slightly, like a lost bird in a storm.
Hearing Lin Yue's words, Chen Yu's heart sank. He stood up and paced back and forth in front of Lin Yue, his brows furrowed, lost in thought. He knew Lin Yue was right; the generational difference between them was like an insurmountable mountain, standing in the way of their love. He stopped, looked at Lin Yue, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes: "Yue'er, I know we face great difficulties. But my feelings for you are real. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were the one I wanted to protect for the rest of my life. No matter how great the difficulties, I don't want to give up on you." Chen Yu's gaze was fervent and unwavering. He walked to Lin Yue's side and took her hand again, as if trying to transfer his strength to her through this gesture.
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