Back Then, I Adored You

Why did I choose to enlist in the military? This is a question I find very difficult to answer. Every hot-blooded male once dreamed of saving the world. I guess I wanted to be a world hero back then. After entering the military, I watched the documentary on the Tangshan earthquake and witnessed the horrors of the Wenchuan earthquake on television. I also learned about the terrorists who killed innocent people at the Kunming Railway Station during Spring Festival two years ago…

We all live on this land and have the same nationality. Everyone has an obligation to protect the mountains and rivers that we live among. Thus, in the end, enlisting in the military was no longer a dream to save the world—It was responsibility, duty, loyalty, and faith.

When Qin Zhi’ai observed Gu Yusheng’s silence, she understood that he did not know how to respond. As such, she did not wait for him to speak. Instead, she said, “I was so afraid when I got the news that they had lost contact with you. I still get scared when I think about it. But there’s one point that I’m very sure about: If there ever comes a day that you’re needed by the military, I’ll still let you go…”

Because it’s just as you were thinking—You have your ways of protecting this land, and I have my ways to contribute, too.

As Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai were passing through the plaza, they both stopped to look at the water fountain. She had once sung the song “End Point” for him here, and it was like going back in time and experiencing everything again.

They were surrounded by the hubbub of pedestrians, and traffic could be heard not far away, but what Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai heard was the familiar music and that gentle singing.

“We’re back where we started. I remember it was also raining that night when you embraced me tightly and said that you would love me forever,” said Qin Zhi’ai.

Gu Yusheng chose a special route when he drove home. When they passed by the 24-hour store, he stopped the car before Qin Zhi’ai could say anything. The two of them didn’t talk, but they already knew what they both wanted to do.

Gu Yusheng went into the store, bought two pens, and handed one of them to Qin Zhi’ai when he returned. Qin Zhi’ai took out two bills from her wallet. She handed one to Gu Yusheng and kept the other one for herself.

Gu Yusheng wrote, “The most beautiful relationship is to be prosperous because of you.”

Qin Zhi’ai wrote, “The most beautiful relationship is to be prosperous because of you.”

The two of them left the car at the same time and headed to different stores. When Qin Zhi’ai emerged from the store she had gone into, Gu Yusheng was smoking by the car. She halted her footsteps and stared at Gu Yusheng from a distance before she resumed her pace and walked slowly to him.

He lifted his head when he sensed her approaching and gazed at her, as he put out his cigarette. He turned around to open the car door for her, but she suddenly said, “Yusheng.”

“Hm?” Gu Yusheng stopped what he was doing to look at Qin Zhi’ai.

The lights at night made his features even more elegant and handsome than in the day. Qin Zhi’ai blinked before saying, “Do you remember when you first visited my house in Hangzhou and what you said to me that night in the pavilion?”

Gu Yusheng did not speak, his gaze fixed resolutely on Qin Zhi’ai.

“You said that loving you must be difficult and that you’re sorry and you won’t let me feel wronged ever again.” Qin Zhi’ai lowered her eyes momentarily before she looked at Gu Yusheng again. This time, her tone was gentle, yet very determined. “In fact, I’ve been wanting to tell you since then that…