Touching Love Story
At the end of 20xx, a special wedding was held in a small village in a town in Mishan City, Heilongjiang Province. What made this wedding unique was not the couple getting married, but the groom’s unwavering pursuit of love and the poignant path of his romance. At this moment, it seemed as if I could once again see that unsung love and the fidelity and emotion hidden behind it…
This happened many years ago, yet even now, when Zhang Jinyu thinks about it, he still feels the lingering sweetness and the beauty of Qingmei at the window. Qingmei in Zhang Jinyu’s heart was named Zhang Yanfeng, a girl who lived in the same village as Zhang Jinyu. The two grew up together, often playing house, with Jinyu acting as the husband and Yanfeng as the wife.
Their childlike behavior often prompted the elderly to joke, “When Jinyu grows up, he should marry Yanfeng!” This would make the two children blush, while the adults laughed heartily.
Back then, Jinyu and Yanfeng attended the same elementary school in their hometown in Shandong, and they were even desk mates. Whether playing together or facing difficulties in their studies, young Jinyu always showed a little boy’s gallantry, taking great care of Yanfeng.
At that time, Yanfeng was the school’s beauty, although she was also known as a tomboy. So, whenever Jinyu went fishing or bird hunting, Yanfeng would tag along. Although Yanfeng was very close to Jinyu, she didn’t think much of it. It was her innocence and beauty that tugged at young Jinyu’s heartstrings. He secretly vowed that he would marry Yanfeng one day.
Jinyu was a kind-hearted and intelligent child but overly shy, which gave Yanfeng many opportunities to tease him.
Once, Yanfeng said, “Brother Jinyu, you’re such a pushover. When you get married, your wife will beat you eight times a day to fix that problem of yours where you can’t even squeak under pressure.”
Jinyu mistakenly thought Yanfeng was hinting at something and bashfully rubbed the back of his head, saying, “Whoever is willing, so be it!”
One was carefree and another clueless; one laughed heartily, and another laughed blissfully. Different states of mind, but both felt sweet in their hearts.
After graduating from junior high, Yanfeng failed to get into high school, and although Jinyu did well academically, his family’s financial situation forced him to give up on attending high school. They both returned to their village. In the daily toil of farming, they poured out their energy and passion.
When Jinyu’s parents began searching for a wife for him, the lovestruck Jinyu shyly uttered Yanfeng’s name.
However, when the matchmaker proposed, Yanfeng shook her head vigorously, laughing like silver bells and saying “no” three times in a row.
“It’s okay to be a brother, but being that is a bit too much…”
Yanfeng laughed so hard she could barely breathe.
Truth be told, it wasn’t that Yanfeng didn’t like Jinyu, but she preferred someone more eloquent and capable. Being with Jinyu meant she would always be tied to rural life with little hope of experiencing city life.
Yanfeng’s refusal hit Jinyu like a 12-pound bomb. He was stunned, never expecting that the girl who grew up with him didn’t have him in her heart. Tears streamed down his face.
Jinyu fell ill, bedridden for a week. Every time he saw Yanfeng pass by his window, he felt a pain in his heart. He couldn’t face Yanfeng or hear her cheerful voice because every time he did, tears would wet his shirt. So, the honest and kind Jinyu chose to escape, following his uncle to a small village in Mishan, leaving Shandong behind.
Before leaving, Jinyu wrote a poem:
Softly passing by
Are your steps and that moving smile
On winding mountain paths and by babbling rivers
Do you still remember
The birds your brother shot and the little shrimp in the river
Softly passing by again
Are your brother’s tearful eyes and those irreversible steps
Goodbye, mountains
Goodbye, rivers
Goodbye, you who dwell in my dreams…
The poem was immature, but when Yanfeng read it after Jinyu left, she couldn’t stop crying. The pain touched her deeply. Perhaps the most cherished thing in life was what she inadvertently hurt. But love is not sympathy.
In the mundane world, it is more than the music of the Butterfly Lovers or the dialogues of Romeo and Juliet. It is real life and deep-seated emotions.
“Don’t blame me, Brother Jinyu! Don’t hate me, Brother Jinyu!”
Facing north, Yanfeng cried out her heart, tears flowing freely.
Soon after, Yanfeng’s cousin in the city introduced her to a retired soldier named Gerimu, who worked for a transportation company in Xinjiang. Both the job and the young man met Yanfeng’s criteria, so she decided to marry him and pursue her happiness.
Before leaving, she heard that Jinyu was doing well in Mishan, which slightly comforted her, although he never talked about marriage. This news stirred something in Yanfeng’s heart, a mix of relief and a strange feeling.
West of Yangguan, there were no old friends but there was Gerimu who loved her.
Married life was sweet. Gerimu’s company implemented a contract system, and he leased a truck. Although Gerimu was often away, it made Yanfeng happy to see the money growing.
People say good things come in pairs. Just as their life was getting better, Yanfeng gave birth to a baby girl. Gerimu was overjoyed.
Whenever Gerimu came back from a trip, the family was happiest. They would dream of a bright future together.
Everything changed one afternoon.
It snowed heavily in the north that day. Gerimu had received a lucrative transportation job to Hebei. Despite the heavy snow, he decided to take the job, believing in his decade of driving experience. Yanfeng was worried, but he reassured her.
However, what she waited for was news of a fatal accident. Yanfeng fainted on the spot.
Without a job or source of income, how could Yanfeng face the future? She was lost.
After burying her husband, Yanfeng returned to her hometown in Shandong. With her parents deceased, she moved to her sister’s home in Weilou Village.
Life at her sister’s house was not easy, and as a widow with a child, staying there was not a long-term solution. Just as she was at a loss, Zhang Jinyu appeared.
Years had passed since Jinyu left their village. Those who knew him noticed he had become more silent and hardworking. Many matchmakers had proposed to him, but he always declined, leaving people puzzled. His uncle knew Jinyu couldn’t let go of Yanfeng, but with her married, he didn’t dare bring it up, fearing to reopen old wounds.
Jinyu, through hard work, had become well-off in the village, but he remained unmarried, confusing many.
As a rural girl, who wouldn’t want to marry well? Yet, many matchmakers were turned away by Jinyu.
There was a girl in the village named Zhong Xiaoling, known for her beauty. Seeing others rejected, she was confident she could win Jinyu’s heart.
But after trying both hints and direct approaches, she got no response. Unable to contain her feelings, she confronted Jinyu one evening, “Jinyu, you’re a capable man, why aren’t you looking for a wife? You might not love me, but you can’t reject love!”
Facing the beautiful, passionate girl, Jinyu couldn’t deceive her. He decided to reveal the deep love he had buried for years, a love as pure as nectar, giving the villagers an answer.
In the evening breeze, with melancholy sounds in the air, Jinyu shared his love story. Xiaoling was moved to tears by the depth of his emotions.
“Brother Jinyu, you should find her, no matter what!” Xiaoling said.
Facing the new-age, bold Xiaoling, Jinyu smiled, “Dear girl, you don’t understand my principles or my love.”
Finally, they parted, exchanging words of “take care.”
At that moment, Jinyu’s uncle brought good news: Yanfeng was back!
Though Yanfeng was not the same as before, love doesn’t change. This news was like a refreshing rain to Jinyu.
“Really?” Jinyu’s face lit up with a rare smile, recalling Xiaoling’s words, “No matter what, you should see your love through!”
“Who are you in love with, and who loves you?”
Yes, love is indescribable. But “who are you in love with” is something only you know.
Mountains and rivers can’t stop true love!
Barriers can’t stop Jinyu’s steps!
Riding felt too slow, walking was too short. With a heart burning with passion, he hurried to Weilou Village.
“Weilou Village is here!”
The familiar brick houses and voices of his childhood. He wanted to kiss the ground and embrace his people.
When Jinyu stood before Yanfeng, she was stunned.
This face was too familiar. Though time had etched lines on it, it was unforgettable.
“Brother Jinyu!”
“Sister Yanfeng!”
Thousands of words welled up in their
hearts. Two weathered hands clasped tightly.
When Yanfeng understood Jinyu’s purpose, she was moved to tears, choking, “No, Brother Jinyu, forget me!”
“No!” Jinyu’s voice boomed.
Never had Jinyu been so bold. He embraced Yanfeng passionately, “Yanfeng, don’t say you’ve been married or had a child. If you truly don’t love me, I’ll leave.”
At this point, who wouldn’t be moved?
Ten years of silence, one moment of release, love flowed like a torrent.
Let the torrents flow! Let the volcano erupt!
Though water and fire don’t mix, in this case, they fueled each other, making love burn brighter.
Returning to the black land, bringing back his love.
When the villagers saw the rejuvenated Jinyu with his bride, the village was abuzz. Everyone spread the news that Jinyu had found his love and home.
Green waters and mountains, love is timeless! A new version of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, not seeking transformation but real-life happiness.
Memories like smoke, love never ages!
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
