Chapter Five: The Pain of Parting on a Wedding Night

  When a man is happy, his spirit is refreshed. On the way home, Xiao Kunling ran all the way, with many dreams in his heart. He dreamed of traveling across the ocean and broadening his horizons; he dreamed of achieving success and returning home in glory. He dreamed... In short, he had many dreams.

  Xiao Kunling returned home and told his parents the good news that he had been admitted to the youth special forces. His father listened without comment, while his mother's mood was heavy.

  "Child, you are the eldest in the family and the one we rely on. If you leave, who will take care of the farm work? You're leaving your newlywed wife behind, what's going to happen to her? You don't know when you'll be able to come back, can you bear to see your wife living alone in an empty house? Where has your conscience gone? Your father and I are old and can't do things like we used to, do you want us two old people to take care of this family? Ah, child...I don't know what to say to you." The mother said with a heavy heart.

  "Mother, don't be too sad. You don't want your son to spend his whole life cooped up at home, living a dull and uneventful life, do you? We're in a new era now, don't always look at things with old eyes. A man's ambition lies beyond his hometown; if he doesn't venture out, how will he ever make a name for himself? If he doesn't take action, what was the point of sending me to school in the first place? Now is the time when our country needs people like us, and we young folks shouldn't just sit back and wait for the old generals to take charge!" Xiao Kunling explained.

  "Son, you have your dreams and if you want to join the army, I won't stop you. But now the outside world is very chaotic, so be careful with everything and take care of yourself and your safety. After you leave, write letters back home often to let us know you're safe. As for your wife's thoughts, it's up to you to handle that yourself. If she agrees to let you go, then go; if she doesn't agree, then stay at home, work hard, take care of the family and live a simple farmer's life." The father said quietly after a moment.

  Xiao Kunling heard his father's words and was secretly delighted in his heart. What he worried about most was that his father would stop him, as long as his father agreed, his mother would definitely agree too, because his mother listened to everything his father said.

  "Child, you've just married your wife and now you're going on a long trip. Your wife's job is probably not easy to do. When you talk to her about this matter, be careful with your tone, don't make her angry. As long as she agrees, mother will have nothing more to say." Mother said with concern.

  The pity of all parents in the world. Xiao Kunling finally understood the true meaning of this sentence at this moment.

  At night, Xiao Kunling returned to his new home and calmly told his wife Sun that he had been admitted to the youth special forces, and he depicted his future in a grandiose manner.

  Sun listened to her husband's words and also filled with hope for her own future.

  "Husband, you're a good man with ambitions that stretch far and wide. You've read extensively and have grand aspirations in your heart. I don't want to see you spend your whole life stuck in this small plot of land, living an ordinary and mediocre life. Go abroad, create your own beautiful life, I agree, I support you, go ahead with peace of mind! As for household chores, I'll take on more responsibilities for your parents, and I'll also take good care of the two elderly."

  "Rong Mei, you've been too good to me. I, Xiao Kunling, will never forget your great kindness and virtue for the rest of my life. You're also a woman, but your thinking is much more open-minded than those ordinary women. No wonder you're a talented and versatile woman." Xiao Kunling said sincerely as he wrapped his arms around his wife's slender waist.

  "Brother Ling, you're overestimating me. I'm just an uneducated woman who didn't even finish elementary school, compared to you, the difference is too great. Being able to marry you is my good fortune, if you're happy, I'm happy. You've achieved success, and that makes me even happier." Sun's eyes were filled with emotion as she looked at her husband, smiling sweetly as she spoke, then buried her head in Xiao Kunling's chest, secretly shedding tears.

  Xiao Kunling quietly hugged his wife, and tears couldn't help but fall down.

  On August 11th, 1947, at the stroke of noon, Xiao Kunling arrived punctually at the Military and Political Affairs Office to report for duty. His father, mother, and newlywed wife all came together to see him off.

  In Taohong Town, it was exceptionally lively. One after another, large trucks fully loaded with young special forces cadets arrived from Huaihua and Qianyang, stopping on the main street. The row of parked large trucks stretched for a full mile. On both sides of the street, there were crowds of men, women, children and family members who came to see off the cadets.

  Xiao Kunling stood by and bid farewell to his parents and wife. Now he is about to leave his hometown, where he was born and raised, and cross the ocean. He doesn't know when he can reunite with his family and share a happy life together again. His heart really couldn't bear to leave. However, for a better future, he had no choice but to leave.

  "Ling'er, you must work hard outside and bring honor to our ancestors, it all depends on you." Father said.

  "Son! A thousand days at home are better than one day out. You must take good care of yourself. The weather is getting cooler, don't forget to wear more clothes. Also, be careful when making friends and don't get cheated. Don't drink too much wine, drinking leads to promiscuity..." Mother repeatedly reminded him.

  "Brother Ling, when you're away from home, write back often to let us know you're safe. Don't make the whole family worry about you." His newlywed wife sobbed.

  "Dad, Mom, don't worry! I'll work hard and take good care of myself. Rong Mei, you shouldn't be too sad either. A man's home is where his heart is, I can't stay in a comfortable nest forever, playing with things and losing my ambition. I have to make something of myself, bring honor to our ancestors, make our parents proud, and give you face. Don't worry! I'll write letters often to ask about the family, and I'll always remember you all. One day, we'll be reunited as a family." Xiao Kun Ling said this, his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife and pierced by needles. He turned away, secretly wiping away tears.

  The big truck started, and most of the young trainees had already boarded. Xiao Kunling walked to his parents' side, knelt down with a thud, and said with tears streaming down: "Father, Mother, I'm unfilial, can't serve you by your side, take good care of yourselves, don't exhaust your bodies." His father quickly helped Kunling up, unable to hold back his own tears.

  Xiao Kunling held his wife's hand and said sincerely: "Rongmei, after I leave, you must take good care of your parents. This feeling of yours will be etched in my heart forever. You also need to take good care of yourself and pay attention to your health."

  "Alright. My good husband, you must take care of yourself too." Sun Shi said with tears in her eyes.

  The air horn sounded a long whistle, Xiao Kunling turned around and ran towards the big truck, came to the front of the car, and jumped onto the truck.

  A large truck slowly drove down the main street, amidst a cacophony of firecrackers, cheers, and wails.