In 1973, after graduating from high school, I stepped into the military, trained diligently, and was promoted to platoon commander in the fifth year of assessment with excellent performance and meritorious service. In order to share the good news, I couldn't wait to take a leave of absence to go home, but it was an unexpected blow - my partner was ready to marry a company commander.
I come from a rural area in the south, and my family has an older brother and a younger sister in addition to my parents. During the busy farming season, like many children growing up in the countryside, I worked hard, and I couldn't even straighten my waist because of the hard work of planting rice. Due to my family's difficult circumstances, it was difficult to enjoy hearty food for a year, so I looked dark and thin, and the children in the village affectionately called me "Skinny".
In our family, the traditional "rely on the eldest and love the third" does not seem to apply. Our parents treated all three of us siblings equally, and they wanted to make sure we received a good education, no matter how hard we worked. Although my father was just an ordinary farmer, he had a great vision and often taught us that only those who have knowledge can go further and higher in the future.
Although I didn't understand my father's teachings at the time, I look back and feel grateful for my father's inspiration. When I was in high school, like other classmates, I secretly had a relationship with Xiulan, a classmate in the next class.
Xiulan's name is the same as her appearance, delicate and cute, with bright eyes and a long ponytail that highlights her youthful vitality. Although we are very close, due to our thin skin, more often we choose to communicate with small pieces of paper, and we don't dare to walk together openly until we graduate.
Xiulan's parents were intellectuals and had relatively good living conditions, and sometimes she would secretly take me to her house to share fruits. Even though we couldn't help but get our shoes wet while walking along the river, her parents never blamed me. On the contrary, they kindly told me that as long as it did not affect our studies, they would not interfere in our relationship, and even invited me to go directly to Xiulan next time.
At this time, I made up my mind in my heart and decided to work harder, only in this way can I be worthy of Xiulan.
After graduating from high school, I voluntarily chose to join the army, on the one hand, for a monthly allowance to reduce the burden on my family; On the other hand, he took a fancy to his performance in the army and became a matter of glory to his ancestors.
The first three months of a recruit's training were very hard, and each day required a great deal of physical strength, far less than the previous level of working in the countryside. However, the canteen has enough meals, so as long as you eat quickly, you won't feel hungry.
In my free time from training, I often write letters to Xiulan to share my military experience and express my thoughts about her. At the same time, I also sent home the monthly allowance I received in the hope of improving the living situation of my family. Xiulan wrote back to tell me that she was studying at a normal school, and that she was under a lot of pressure and often cried secretly at night.
The instructor noticed that I had a high school education and was good at writing, so he invited me to join the clerical work. It was an opportunity to exercise, and I gladly accepted. A few years later, I was promoted from a recruit to a veteran, and on the recommendation of my instructor, I was qualified for the promotion assessment.
I prepared well before the exam, and finally I was successfully promoted to platoon commander with the comprehensive results of the top three. After receiving the notice, I stayed up all night excitedly, eager to tell my family and Xiulan.
Except for a trip home at the end of the two-year period, I have been in the army. The correspondence with Xiulan gradually decreased, and all I knew was that she became a teacher after graduation.
After applying for leave, I rushed home without telling my family beforehand. When I stood at the door of the house, even my little sister didn't recognize me. Thanks to the army's workouts and hearty diet, my physique was much bigger than before, and it was very different from the previous image of black and thin.
My family was overjoyed to hear that I was back, and at dinner, my mother took out the bacon that I was willing to eat during the New Year, and prepared a plate of fried bacon with garlic sprouts for me, warmly welcoming my return. At the dinner table, I announced the good news of Tigan, and my eldest brother patted me on the shoulder excitedly and praised me for my excellence. Tears flowed from my father's eyes, but my mother, though she could not understand them, was satisfied with the joy of her family.
Only the little sister kept picking up vegetables, eating bacon in a big gulp.
After the meal, I asked my eldest brother about Xiulan's situation. However, as soon as the name was mentioned, the eldest brother's smile disappeared, and after a few awkward replies, he pretended to have a stomachache and left.
sensed that something might be wrong with Xiulan, but the eldest brother avoided talking about it. The next day, I decided to go to Xiulan in person, return to the familiar street, and lament the passage of time. Now, I am more confident to stand by Xiulan's side.
The car came to the door of Xiulan's house and rang the doorbell. On weekends, I guess she should be home. Sure enough, the back door opened soon after, and Xiulan looked at me in surprise.
What are you doing here? Aren't you in the army? ”
She took me to a small park nearby, and there were relatives at home, so it was inconvenient for me to let me in.
On the park bench, we fell silent. I had planned to come back with a lot to tell Xiulan, but I couldn't say anything at the moment. Looking at her expression, I sensed that she had something on her mind and remained silent. After a long time, she finally spoke.
Yuanzhi, my family introduced me to a blind date. ”
Are you going to break up with me? ”
I felt heartache and couldn't cope with what was next. Instead of answering my question directly, Shirlan asked.
Can you marry me this year? ”
I was silent, and she came up with an answer.
I know your character, your life has just begun, but I can't wait, he's good to me, and he's still a company commander ......”
I can't remember the follow-up conversation, after the breakup, I returned home depressed, and the eldest brother shook his head and sighed when he saw this, our fate was over.
At the end of the vacation, I returned to the army, turned my grief into strength, and worked harder. In the past 20 years, from platoon commander to regiment commander, my family introduced a teacher from a rural area, and we became husband and wife and spent ups and downs together.
After returning to work in the local area, we occasionally met Xiulan and her husband shopping, and we smiled at each other and went to different lives.