Chapter 6
A ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held in Tiananmen Square, Beijing on October 1, 2009.
Bathed in the golden autumn sun, Tiananmen Square was solemn and glorious. Along both sides of Chang'an Avenue, crowds of people surged, flowers clustered, and the air was filled with a near-frozen solemnity and incomparably fiery passion.
Zhao Jinglu stood in the assembly area, surrounded by a sea of blue. She wore a crisp blue dress, a symbol of hope and dreams. Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest, nearly pounding out of her throat. The morning coolness had long since been dispelled by the boiling heat of her blood. Her palms were sweating slightly from the tight grip she held on the props and the excitement. She repeatedly checked her outfit, ensuring every detail was flawless, just as countless days and nights of training had demanded.
This is not a rehearsal, not a preview. This is a real, upcoming historic moment.
The faces of the students around them all showed the same tension, solemnity, and uncontrollable pride. No one spoke, as a silent, immense energy gathered and surged within the formation.
As the solemn parade march resounded through the heavens, as the roaring fighter planes and the majestic array of equipment passed by, Zhao Jinglu, like everyone else, straightened her back, tears of excitement glistening in her eyes. She felt proud of her country's strength and immensely honored to be a part of it.
Finally, it was their turn to march in the mass parade.
"go ahead!"
At the command, a massive formation, like a blue tide awakened, began to surge toward the world-renowned city wall, accompanied by giant floats with diverse themes and vibrant colors. The music became cheerful and uplifting, and the models and slogans on the floats recounted the nation's achievements and future direction, weaving together with the marchers a flowing, joyous scroll of prosperity.
"One two one! One two one!"
The footsteps were more unified than ever before, pounding the ground with a heavy, rhythmic roar, like the heartbeat of the earth. Zhao Jinglu's muscle memory was fully mobilized. She held her head high, a brilliant, heartfelt smile on her face, and her gaze fixed firmly on the horizon. All the fatigue, sweat, and grievances, in this moment, transformed into a surge of motivation. She could feel the cameras scanning the surroundings, hear the cheers and applause from the viewing platform, and feel the vibrations and enthusiasm of the floats around her. But she could see nothing clearly. Her world was filled with her comrades, the music and commands in her ears, the glorious road beneath her feet, and the heart beating violently in her chest for her motherland and for this moment of youthful blossoming.
The brief minute she spent walking directly in front of Tiananmen seemed stretched to infinity. She tried to make her smile brighter, her movements more precise, her steps more resolute. This was a highlight moment for her, and for everyone in her generation.
…
At the same time, Ling Peng was sitting in front of the TV at home.
On the screen, a grand military parade and procession were being broadcast live simultaneously. The camera swept across the majestic formations and the exquisite floats, while the commentator excitedly introduced them. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the blue figures and parading floats, trying to find a single familiar face among the thousands of similar ones.
Although he knew it was impossible, he still searched persistently.
The camera switched, sometimes panning, sometimes close-ups. He saw young, plump faces brimming with pride and joy, sweat and smiles gleaming in the sunlight. His gaze softened, and his heart surged.
Although he couldn't find her, he knew she was there.
In that blue, surging wave, in this jubilant parade, she was an indispensable wave. He seemed to be able to feel her breathing and heartbeat through the screen, and feel the pure passion and glory she felt as she shouted for her country.
A strange empathy grew within him. He shared her nervousness, her excitement, her pride. He was equally proud that she was among those in such glory. The jealousy and frustration that had previously arisen from selfish motives seemed to be quietly washed away by this grand national narrative, transforming into deeper and more complex emotions.
When the TV announced the successful conclusion of the mass parade, Ling Peng leaned back on the sofa and breathed a long, silent sigh of relief. The corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up in a faint arc, filled with emotion and respect.
Awesome, he thought. She's awesome.
…
The day after the parade successfully concluded, Zhao Jinglu felt both excited and exhausted. However, she still had something else on her mind.
She found Sun Wei and asked directly with concern, "Brother Sun Wei, has Ling Peng... encountered anything recently? He seems to be in a bad mood."
Sun Wei was stunned by the question and thought for a moment. "Now that you mention it... it seems a little bit. Last time, he came to the school to help me move. After he was done, he said he wanted to watch the National Day training to broaden his horizons, so I took him to the training ground for a while." Sun Wei scratched his head, bewildered. "Then, after watching you train, he became listless on the way back. He didn't say a word and had a sullen look on his face. I thought he was feeling unwell. He didn't say a word when I asked him. It was strange."
Zhao Jinglu's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
He'd come to see her train?
When she was completely unaware, he was outside the barbed wire, watching her repeating boring movements under the scorching sun, looking exhausted and sweaty?
Why? Why did he feel… weird after watching it?
Her mind was filled with inexplicable questions, causing her thoughts to pause for a moment. An indescribable feeling of surprise, confusion, and a hint of inexplicable guilt quietly rose in her.
"Can you tell me his work address and approximate time he gets off work?" she asked, with a tone of unquestionable determination.
"Oh, sure. I'll send it to you." Sun Wei said as he took out his phone. "Young teacher, are you going to visit them in person?"
Zhao Jinglu didn't explain much, just nodded and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
After getting the address and time, she returned to her dorm and pulled a carefully wrapped small box from deep in a drawer. Inside was a gift she had been preparing for a long time—a flagship watch from the Casio Edifice series. She had spent considerable time selecting it, drawn to its technological and functional design. The deep blue dial, as deep as the night sky, paired with a cool stainless steel strap, gave it a sense of calm and strength. She felt it perfectly suited Ling Peng's temperament and hoped it would accompany him on his new journey, allowing him to grasp every moment with precision.
She looked at herself in the mirror. Her tanned skin had not yet recovered, but her eyes were brighter and more determined than ever.
Yet, at this moment, this determination was tinged with doubt. Was his abnormal behavior related to seeing her training? Did something special happen during her training? Or... did her appearance at that time disappoint him? Or perhaps...
She took a deep breath and carefully placed the gift into the paper bag.
Originally I was just worried, but now, I am more eager to find out the truth.
Well, it's time to go find him. I have to find out what's wrong with him.
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