A Heart-Wrenching Short Love Story Part II: Only Dare to Say “I Loved Only You” at the End of Life
Grandma got married with a red veil over her head, tears on her youthful and beautiful face. She had not yet met her future husband; she was only 16.
On the wedding night, Grandpa was anxious. He was educated and influenced by both new and old cultures. He was only 14 and afraid he wouldn’t love the bride under the veil. As the candle was about to burn out, Grandpa trembled as he lifted the veil.
It was the tenderness in her lowered head that attracted Grandpa; Grandma was deeply moved by Grandpa’s gentleness and elegance. On their wedding night, they fell in love at first sight.
Grandpa asked, “Do you love me?” Grandma shyly nodded.
Grandpa asked, “Will you love me forever?”
Grandma thought for a moment and shook her head. Grandpa was a little disappointed.
To avoid being drafted by the Kuomintang, Grandpa escaped alone from the countryside in Sichuan to Chongqing. He found a place where he could fully showcase his talents, and in those turbulent times, he became a hero.
From a coal carrier to a foreman, from forming a transport team to founding a coal company, Grandpa’s business flourished.
Although Grandpa was in the prosperous “accompanying capital,” his heart remained with Grandma, who had never seen the world outside their rural home. At night, Grandma read the letters sent by her husband, and during the day, she diligently farmed and took care of her in-laws.
Grandpa’s friends laughed at him for not taking concubines, and even his parents subtly suggested he divorce Grandma and marry a city wife, despite Grandma’s day and night care for them.
Despite the temptations of the world, Grandpa remained unmoved, always remembering the tenderness in her lowered head.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Grandpa, as a patriotic industrialist, became a small official. He brought his wife and children from the countryside to the city, and the couple, separated for years, were finally reunited.
Grandma’s beautiful face was still covered in tears as before. Grandpa asked, “Do you still love me?” Grandma nodded vigorously.
Grandpa smiled and asked, “Will you forever love only me?” Grandma thought for a moment and gently shook her head. Grandpa was a bit disappointed.
They had four children. The eldest daughter was intelligent and studious, the eldest son was brave and capable, the two younger sons were smart and mischievous, often causing trouble for Grandpa and Grandma. They were a happy family. But this happiness didn’t last long, as Grandpa was labeled a rightist.
Faced with the choice between “drawing a clear line” and “collaborating,” Grandma resolutely chose the latter. As a result, she too was criticized, paraded through the streets, and endured humiliation.
Grandpa’s gratitude was buried in his heart, and Grandma’s care was cautious. Over a decade later, the couple finally endured that period quietly. Grandpa was rehabilitated, and their children had their own careers.
Their eldest grandson got married, and the wedding was held in a church.
The priest asked, “Do you take him as your husband?”
Grandpa also gently asked Grandma, who was leaning beside him, “Do you love me?”
Grandma raised her head, “I love you so much that wrinkles have formed on my forehead.”
Grandpa continued to ask, “Do you still love only me forever?” To his disappointment, Grandma shook her head just as she had before.
Grandma got sick, and it worsened. Grandpa stayed by her bedside day and night. The doctor said Grandma was too old.
Grandpa was very sad, but he knew it was inevitable—they had finally reached this day.
Grandma asked Grandpa to remove her oxygen mask and smiled, “Do you love me?”
Grandpa nodded tearfully. Grandma said, “I love you too. It is only now, at the end of my life, that I dare to say, ‘I have loved only you in this lifetime.'”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
