Chapter Fifty-two Weeping Willows

  He spent several days in anxiety, at a loss. Fortunately, the transfer order finally came four or five days before the troops departed, and his hanging heart was finally put down.

  Lin Xue is going to be transferred, the factory director and all the female workers in the factory are hard to believe, envying her to death. The little object was specially recruited into the army, and she herself was suddenly transferred to a state-owned large factory, this dead girl's backstage was originally so hard.

  Especially the factory director, he was shocked again. Fortunately, at first, she didn't treat her like other female workers and force her to do it. Otherwise, the consequences might have been disastrous. Thinking about it, he felt a wave of fear again.

  The textile mill is located in the county town, about four or five kilometers away from the county middle school. Mr. Liu personally took Lin Xue to report for duty, and the formalities were naturally completed quickly. Lin Xue was assigned to work in the cutting workshop as a cutter. In consideration of Mr. Liu's face, the factory specially arranged for Lin Xue's dormitory to be located in a staff family dormitory.

  This row of dormitories is an old house, with large rooms, over 20 square meters, all arranged for dual-income families. Only this room was assigned to Lin Xue. The conditions here are much better than the female workers' collective dormitory, with a public toilet and a shared kitchen. The two little girls in the same dormitory, one named Chen Wen and the other Zhang Ling, both 16 or 17 years old, would get close and playful whenever they saw Lin Xue, which made Yu Songyuan feel more at ease and comfortable.

  The day of departure is getting closer and closer, and his family is eagerly waiting for him. Yu Songyuan sent Lin Xue's luggage to the factory dormitory, and the two returned to the "ghost house" under the river embankment, where Da Jiang welcomed them with a gloomy face. Yu Songyuan packed up his own luggage and tied it to the cart, actually just a bedspread and a small wooden box for carrying miscellaneous items.

  They are about to leave the "haunted house" where they have lived for more than half a year. Hand in hand, they climbed up the river embankment and walked onto the wooden bridge, tightly embracing each other. A thousand words, yet unable to express themselves well. Lin Xue's tears flowed endlessly, crying until her face was covered with tears like a pear blossom in the rain. Yu Songyuan tightly hugged her shoulders that wouldn't stop shaking, constantly kissing her hair.

  They returned to the dormitory, holding hands and looking around the kitchen and two rooms separately, then quietly closed the door and left with Da Zhang. Seeing Lin Xue's tear-stained eyes, Yu Songyan couldn't bear it and said, "Why don't you come home with me and meet my parents?"

  Lin Xue shook her head firmly, "No, wait until I get into Dian Da or finish the self-study exam, then I'll go see them."

  Seeing her resolute attitude, Yu Songyuan also didn't want to persist. The three were about to hit the road when Da Jiang suddenly turned around and rushed back to the dormitory. Yu Songyuan knew that Da Jiang was reluctant to leave this row of old dormitories, couldn't forget the past half year's beautiful time, and he and Lin Xue weren't any different.

  He and Lin Xue returned to the dormitory together, but didn't see Da Jiang, so they found him on the riverbank again. They saw that Da Jiang was sitting dejectedly on a wooden bridge, staring at the rushing river water with a sorrowful expression.

  As the two walked, it didn't pay attention to them. Suddenly, it ran up to the high riverbank, lifted its head and let out a long, mournful howl. The sound was melodious, desolate and sorrowful. Da Jiang usually doesn't bark wildly, Yu Songyuan and Lin Xue had never heard it make such a wolf-like howl before, and they were startled.

  After howling, Da Jiang rushed down the river embankment again, ran back to the dormitory, and inspected the kitchen, dormitory, and even the toilet before waiting for the two of them together to walk back to the vegetable field. Lin Xue made Da Jiang's move so touching that tears flowed again, Yu Songyuan also felt heartbroken, Da Jiang was emotional and righteous, this was a farewell to the ghost house.

  Yu Songyuan pulled his luggage and Da Jiang sat in the back seat of the car. When they passed by the textile mill, Lin Xue insisted on sending them off again, only until they left the county town four or five kilometers away. Yu Songyuan said, "Can't send it anymore, if you send it again, you'll be home." Lin Xue got out of the car and hugged Da Jiang's neck, crying again.

  At last, they had to part, and the two of them held each other tightly. Yu Songyuan secretly put the remaining 130 yuan in his pocket into hers, "After I join the army, if you encounter any danger, be sure to let my parents and younger uncle and aunt know, they have seen the world and will protect you."

  Lin Xue simply nodded, she pulled Yu Songyuan's hand, speechless and choked. A thousand words, all in silence.

  ……

  At the end of July, the day for new recruits to depart arrived.

  In the morning, Yu Songyuan finished eating the dumplings made by his mother and three aunts to see him off. Then he bid farewell to everyone. Professor Nainai, his mother, and Xiao Shu were used to their children traveling far away, so they didn't take it too hard. On the other hand, Wang Feng and Yu Yueyue cried until they became tearful people.

  Father, uncle and elder brother, with Da Jiang, saw Yu Song Yuan off to the assembly point, which was beside the highway next to Nan Chao River lock. The new recruits had all arrived, Yu Song Yuan looked around in all directions, turned a circle, but only saw crowds of people everywhere, without any sign of Lin Xue.

  New recruits lined up for roll call, Lin Xue and two younger sisters rode three bicycles, rushing over with wind and dust. Yu Song stood far away in the queue, seeing her from afar, didn't know what to do. The big general saw the little master had arrived, "whoosh" sound went through the queue, playing with her together, being affectionate to an unbearable degree, attracting parents and new recruits to watch them.

  Director Chen walked over to tease Lin Xue, "How about it, you're also here to see off your little lover? Why don't you follow him and become a female soldier too?" Lin Xue was so embarrassed that she hid behind Zhang Ling and Chen Wen.

  Zhang Yinglong burst out laughing and loudly gave orders, "Dismissed! New recruits say goodbye to their families, assemble in 15 minutes."

  The new recruits all went to their parents, but Yu Songyuan walked up to the gentle and beautiful Lin Xue. Yu Xinhe and Yu Xinmin's faces turned iron-green with rage, and they both let out a hateful "hmmph" in unison before turning their heads away, sullenly smoking and sulking. Yu Songdong shook his head and snickered on the side.

  Zhang Yingchang saw the situation and, together with Armed Department Director Lü, called the five receiving officers to gather together. With a command from his mouth, "Pay respects to the anti-Japanese old heroes and old predecessors!" The five naval officers simultaneously gave a salute.

  Yu Xinhe and Yu Xinyi had no choice but to throw away their cigarettes and walk over to shake hands with them one by one.

  The battalion commander held the hands of Yu Xinhe and Yu Xinmin, saying, "I'm sorry I didn't get to see you last time I visited your home. You've cultivated a good seed for our country, thank you! I guarantee that after strict training in the army, he will become a true warrior! Don't be angry, old heroes, they are a pair of young lovers who have been through thick and thin together, give them some time."

  Yu Xinhe and Yu Xinmin grasped the commander's hand, demonstrating their strength. Yu Xinhe said, "The commander is a superior man, handing him over to you, we are at ease. We have only one request, strict discipline, less praise and more criticism, let him become useful material as soon as possible!"

  "Don't worry, old hero, the junior has remembered!" The battalion commander chatted with Yu Xiner and Yu Xinmin, and people such as Zhou Jianguo, the deputy secretary of the commune, Zhou Kun, the newly appointed secretary of the brigade, and the head of the commune's armed forces department also came over to chat.

  Yu Songyuan's cotton-padded package and luggage were placed at the foot of his elder brother. At this time, a reception officer named Du Pailang came over and squatted down to help sort out the backpack. It turned out that he saw Yu Songyuan's backpack was loose. Yu Songdong said: "Thank you, I can do it myself."

  Du Pai Chang was slightly surprised, Yu Song Dong said, "Six or seven years, the army." Du Pai Chang bowed and said, Thank you, old soldier!

  New recruits are only allowed to bring a quilt issued by the army, a small canvas luggage bag and a shoulder bag. Except for changing clothes, nothing else can be brought. However, Yu Songyuan's quilt bundle was extremely bulky, he tied up some textbooks and study notes in the quilt, and it took Yu Songdong a lot of effort to re-pack his backpack.

  The weeping willows, the beautiful scenery left people drunk. Lin Xue pulled Yu Song to the back of the crowd, and the two hid behind a large weeping willow tree. She pinned a brand new hero pen on his chest and helped him tidy up his navy blue winter uniform, exclaiming, "Wow, you're so handsome, Brother Yu."

  Lin Xue held Yu Songyuan's hand, chattering incessantly and whispering to him about her situation after being transferred to the textile mill, so that he could feel at ease. The willow branches drooped down, swaying gently in the wind, as if they too were paying attention. Everything seemed so natural, just like a gentle and virtuous young wife was helping her husband prepare for his journey.

  Chen Wen and Zhang Ling both covered their mouths and laughed, standing hand in hand to the side. Many people also curiously turned their heads, gazing at this pair of lovers who were reluctant to part with each other, as if no one else existed.

  Zhang Yingchang saw the reluctance in the eyes of the two old heroes, glanced at his watch and smiled, "I'll take care of this villain, let's disperse them!" After finishing speaking, he shook hands with Yu Xinhe and Yu Xinmin, walked to the front of the team, and suddenly said loudly, "There are still five minutes to gather on the bus, everyone hurry up and say goodbye to your parents."

  The squad leader's words scattered the young lovers, Yu Songyan patted Lin Xue's little head, "Remember to write me a letter, take care of yourself, and don't cry." Then, after saying goodbye to Zhang Ling and Chen Wen, he turned resolutely and walked towards his father and brother.

  Looking at Yu Songyuan being scolded by his father and brother, Lin Xue's tears flowed out. The camp commander walked in front of Lin Xue and said, "I took away your little lover, are you very angry with me? However, I guarantee that within a year, I will give you an iron warrior. But the prerequisite is that you cannot cry, so that he can leave with peace of mind."

  Lin Xue was teased by him until she burst into laughter and nodded desperately.

  On this side, Yu Songdong's elder brother smiled silently, while Yu Xinhai and Yu Xinmin took turns giving Yu Songyuan a heavy slap on the forehead. Yu Xinhai shouted in a low voice, "You've become arrogant, you've grown wings! You left 10 minutes for your little wife, but only 5 minutes for your old man. You're a thing that forgets righteousness when you see beauty, and you've forgotten your father before even marrying your wife. I wasted 20 years raising you!"

  Scolded, after all, he was his most beloved youngest son. Yu Xinhe still held his son in his arms and patted Yu Songyuan's back. Then pushed away his son, supporting Yu Songyuan's shoulders, looking into Yu Songyuan's eyes and saying, "Don't come back until you've made a name for yourself outside, write letters to the family regularly, Grandma, your mom and aunts will all miss you."

  Yu Xinmin also tightly hugged his nephew in his arms, "Don't worry at home, I will take good care of you, we are all waiting for your good news!"

  The big general pitifully hovered around them, constantly shaking his large tail and rubbing against Yu Song's trouser legs with his thick neck.

  Seeing the pitiful state of the general, Yu Xinmin let go of his nephew. Yu Songyuan had just turned around to face the general, and to their surprise, the general stood up like a human, putting its two front legs on Yu Songyuan's shoulders, wagging its tail, with tears flowing from its two shiny black eyes, looking at Yu Songyuan with a gloomy and reluctant expression.

  Yu Songyuan stroked the big dog's head with both hands, and his heart was also reluctant to gaze at the dog's tearful eyes. He said in a low voice, "General, I'm sorry for you. Our fate is not yet over, wait for me at home, and when I make a name for myself, I'll come back to pick you up."

  After the grand farewell ceremony, new recruits wearing red flowers boarded trucks one after another. Amidst the lively sound of gongs and drums and the reminders from their families, they set off on their journey.

  But then a shocking scene unfolded.

  Only to see, the big dog "whoosh" rushed out of the crowd, chasing after the car like crazy, running side by side with Yu Songyuan's military vehicle, still barking "wang wang".

  The elder brother saw the general chasing after the carriage and was worried about his safety, so he immediately mounted his horse and chased after him.

  The new recruits looked at the big wolf dog of their commander and were excited to shout. Yu Songyuan's eyes were filled with hot tears, shouting loudly, "General, listen! Go back, I'll have time to come back and see you!" But the general continued to chase after the car with all his might, and finally, he was slowly pulled away from the military vehicle.

  The military vehicle drove away, and the parents who came to see off still lingered for a long time without leaving.

  Lin Xue still waved goodbye with her small hand, and at the age of 15, she tasted the pain of parting from her lover for the first time. At this moment, she deeply felt that her heart was tightly connected to Yu Songyuan's, and she couldn't leave him behind. The sentimental have been hurt by separation since ancient times, Yu Songyuan rushed to the military camp, and her heart followed him, heading north.

  The car's shadow had already disappeared, and the general still chased after it in vain for a while before stopping with extreme sorrow, standing by the roadside, gazing infinitely desolately at the direction where the military vehicle had gone.

  After a long while, it stuck out its tongue to lick its lips. Then, with its large red tongue lolling and panting heavily, it slowly turned around. There stood Big Brother Yu Songdong, leaning against the car in front of it, looking at it with an admiring and smiling expression.

  The general let out two loud "Wang Wang" cries towards Yu Songdong, venting his discontent.

  Yu Songdong patted the general's neck, wiped away the general's tears, and carried him to the back seat of the car. Then he got on the car, and the two returned silently to the general's new home - Yujiacun Village.