Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
What she wanted to ask him was, “Can you come back?”
If she had just asked him that, perhaps it would have made him feel better; however, she stopped after the first two words, causing his heart to ache.
Gu Yusheng took a forceful drag on his cigarette and spoke without giving it much thought. “Tomorrow I’ll report to my superiors and return to Beijing at the end of the month so that I can accompany you.”
“Really?” Qin Zhi’ai’s question was filled with joy through the phone.
“Really.” Gu Yusheng’s answer was resolute and decisive.
Before he even finished answering, her laughter drifted over the line. It was like a warm ray of sunshine illuminating his heart and allowing his gloomy feelings to dissipate and take a turn for the better.
Gu Yusheng was at the hospital because a fellow comrade had passed away while executing the same mission as him, and another one was struggling between life and death after suffering serious injuries. When her call had reached him, he had been in the hospital ward. The injured comrade was still in a life-threatening condition.
The comrade who had passed away had fought on the frontline for more than 20 years. He had turned 45 years old this year and was still unmarried. Gu Yusheng had happened to sit beside him the previous day at breakfast, during which someone had asked why he had not retired from the military. The now deceased comrade had answered, “What do you mean retire? I still have the ability to contribute to this land, so that’s what I’m doing.”
And the person who had been seriously injured was the only son in his family. His family background was poor, which had resulted in him being sent into the military, but his outstanding performance was what had led to him being sent here instead.
I’ve only been here a few short months, but I’ve already seen a few deaths and a few comrades get seriously injured… Perhaps I’ll be the next person to encounter something like this.
He turned around and glanced at the building. He contemplated silently for a moment before calling her name. “Xiao’ai?”
“Hmm?”
“I have something for you.” The truth was that he had wanted to wait until they had gotten married before giving it to her as a wedding gift. He thought that she would surely be immensely moved after seeing it; however, with so many of his comrades meeting unfortunate ends, this situation called for an exception. He did not know if he would be able to continue talking to her on the phone in the near future, so he felt that certain things were better done sooner than later.
“What is it?” Qin Zhi’ai’s voice was thick with curiosity. There was still a trace of happiness from having heard that he planned to return to her soon.
“Go to my study…” Qin Zhi’ai swiftly walked out of the master bedroom per Gu Yusheng’s instructions. She made a detour to the study and let Gu Yusheng know she was there when she pushed open the door. Then, Gu Yusheng continued saying, “Go to the left side of the shelf and pull open the third drawer from the bottom…”
Qin Zhi’ai did as she was told. There was a container in the drawer.
Is this what he wants to give me?
Before Qin Zhi’ai could ask out loud, Gu Yusheng spoke again. “Do you see a container?” he asked.
“Yes…”
“Open it.”
“Okay.” Qin Zhi’ai activated the speakerphone on her phone as she placed it on the desk. Then, she took the container out of the drawer and opened the lid and saw a stack of familiar envelopes.
Qin Zhi’ai was momentarily taken aback before she placed the container down. She randomly chose an envelope and took out its letter. Her gaze fell upon her own familiar handwriting and words.
She tore open a few other envelopes, seemingly in disbelief.
These are all letters that I wrote to Mr. S… Why are they with Gu Yusheng?
Qin Zhi’ai’s eyes moved as she looked toward the phone on the desk. “Yusheng…”