Fate of Yixin Garden

The plane descended under the clouds, and the sky and the sea suddenly became clear. The Matsu Islands, which were added with reefs, were dotted with them, like the green oil splashed on a blue canvas, and the white waves along the coast were like the surface tension of the oil. The long white water lines pulled out from the back of several ships, under the irradiation of the brilliant golden sunlight, show a patchwork of sparkling waves, like pieces of snow-white feathers, fluttering lightly in a blue sky. .

Before long, the Beigan Airport runway, sandwiched between the two mountains, quietly came to the front.

Years after his father's death, Nianzu finally returned to the place where he was born. And this day happened to be Nianzu's twenty-eighth birthday, and it was also the twenty-eighth birthday of his mother.

Recalling that when his father held his hand and stood at the observatory of Bishan, the highest point of Beigan, after looking at the land on the other side, his father bowed his head and remained silent, then choked up and wiped away tears. Looking at the usually serious father, the rickety figure is like a helpless child, which makes Nianzu still deeply impressed. His father told him that his childhood hometown was on the other side of the sea, and his current hometown is on this small island. This is also the place where his parents met, fell in love with each other until they got married and had children. I met my mother, and then I had him.

Walking out of the airport, Nianzu supported his pregnant wife Huimin and followed behind a group of noisy tour groups that came all the way. From a distance, I saw a slightly fat man with a small flat head, wearing a white shirt, black suit trousers, and leather shoes. He held up a sign with the words "Xia Nianzu" written in block letters on thick cardboard with both hands, and raised his head. Keep searching in the crowd. He is Chen Tianfu, a classmate of Nianzu Primary School. He is currently a teacher at Banli Elementary School. His father was the eldest of the boat, and he was the family who was cared for and helped the most when Nianzu was a child. After the two got in touch through the online social software, they planned to arrange this meaningful trip back to their hometown, and Chen Tianfu carefully arranged the food, accommodation and transportation for the two of them for the three days.

Walking on Tangqi Street, which has changed its appearance, there is no front-line battlefield atmosphere around, but there are more shops, homestays and souvenir shops. The karaoke and billiard shops that officers and soldiers liked to hang around on holidays have also disappeared, replaced by convenience stores and snacks. The four big characters "Return to my rivers and mountains" in red embossed characters on a white background still stand on the wall of an old house in the street. The vigorous and powerful charm is no longer there, but the mottled and weathered traces of the years can be seen in the gradually commercialized street scene. It seems very abrupt.

Just as Nianzu sighed softly with a sad face, the Detianquan bathroom, which he used to go to as a child, appeared in front of him, which made Nianzu's eyes suddenly light up again. This is the place where Beigan officers and soldiers can take a hot bath on holidays, and it is also a place where Nianzu often takes a bath and has fun before returning home after school when he was a child. Since 1994, when the war zone government was lifted and tourism was opened, many industries that were born in response to the current war zone atmosphere have gradually withered or even disappeared with the disarmament. "Perhaps the preservation of the Tianquan Bathhouse has the value of sightseeing and nostalgia." Thinking of this, Nianzu, who originally had a touch of melancholy, finally got a little comfort in his heart.

After passing an uphill bend at the end of the street, walk forward for about 200 meters and come to a building with an archway. Above the entrance archway is a leisure center for officers and soldiers, and a large "Huai Dao Building" is erected above the 50-meter archway in front. Three words. Before the renovation, it was called "Yixing Garden", which is exactly what Nianzu's father said when he was a child: the place where my mother worked when she was young, a place to create happiness. He remembered that there was a large group photo in his father's iron box. The building with white walls in the background of the photo had a wooden plaque engraved with the words "Yixing Garden" in red. He confirmed that this was the place in the photo. The mother in the photo has a big belly and clasps her hands in her belly; the father puts his right hand around his mother's right arm, and the two show a slight smile. Nianzu is relieved that he has also participated in this memorable historical moment - even though it is only in the womb of his mother. In fact, it was not until Nianzu became an adult that he knew all the truths that belonged here, but this did not affect Nianzu's love for his parents at all.

When he was young, his father devoted himself to the war of resistance against Japan with passion. After wandering for half his life, he finally made up his mind here. He also had a family and was able to continue the incense. Although Nianzu's impression of his mother's face is always the same as when his mother was young in the photos, the relationship between his young and beautiful mother at that time and his father, who has entered middle-aged and old age, always left him with an unreality in his mind. And the indescribable abruptness.

And those questions that had been hidden in Nianzu's heart for a long time gradually became clear after his father passed away.

Looking at the relics that his father gave him before his death-a rectangular iron box and a long letter, Nianzu remembered that when he was a child, he often saw his father standing alone in front of the window occasionally, his eyes looking into the distance for a long time; The key, from the locked drawer, took out the rectangular iron box, opened the iron lid, took out the items and photos in the box, put on reading glasses, and looked at it in detail for a long time. And kept wiping away tears. Nianzu repeatedly wanted to look forward to see what was in the box, and was also curious about why the items in the iron box caused his father's emotional fluctuations, but he was repeatedly reprimanded by his father for a while. But mysteriously put away the iron box, put it back in place and locked it.

Until one time, he couldn't resist Nianzu's tenderness offensive and a pitiful coquettish begging, and finally softened his father. But my father just said softly: "Don't worry, one day I will give you all these things and tell you something. Whether you want to keep these things in the future is up to you." Nianzu realized this. Inside the iron box, there should be items that are both mysterious and commemorative, and my heart is full of expectations.

In those days when he was guarding his father's spirit, Nianzu finally waited until the day when he had a glimpse of the secrets in the box.

Open the tin box and examine the items in the box one by one. On the one hand, Nianzu felt fresh and interesting about the items in the box, and on the other hand, he also had a series of question marks about the items in front of him. In addition to a letter and two photos, the contents of the box include a wooden sign with 3 engraved on it, an officer and soldier entertainment coupon with a face value of 200 yuan, a pair of copper rings each engraved with the date and the parents' names, and a string of Cross necklaces, etc., these relics treasured by my father, after years of erosion, have become mottled and yellowed, but what meaning does each represent, and why are they worth protecting with my father's life. These mysteries seem to be waiting for Nianzu to solve one by one.

When Nianzu was reading his father's upright calligraphy, he vaguely saw his father walking towards him with a smile, just as his father stretched out his hand and led him to explore the unknown when he was a child. He walked into the time tunnel with his father and entered a troubled life. In the story of a pair of men and women, watching how they went through trials and tribulations, how they survived one by one with willpower, and finally came together. Compared with the love and teaching he received since he was a child, he can't imagine how the courage and energy of his parents in the face of hardships were generated, and how should he be able to get through it safely? I thought, maybe this is the inspiration of the survival instinct hidden in the heart.

In February of that year, after the Lunar New Year. Xiaoyu met with the political and military officials of the Beigan Division who had agreed to lead the way at the McDonald's at the entrance of the Keelung Temple. The political and military officer was a second lieutenant of the pre-office officer, with black-rimmed glasses on his face, a shy and honest person. After the two had eaten, they went to Keelung West Bank Wharf to report together in the evening. Seeing that the pier is full of officers and soldiers who are about to take the warships to Matsu and Dongxiju, as well as a number of people returning to Matsu with large and small bags.

When the political and military officer led Xiaoyu through the crowd and entered the check-in counter in the waiting room, Xiaoyu faintly felt that a pair of eyes were looking at her, and someone whispered to the surrounding companions from time to time, and snickered frequently. Although Xiaoyu has seen countless people and has no fear, but for the first time facing the gazes of hundreds or even thousands of people, she still feels inexplicable pressure. Xiaoyu clearly knew what these curious eyes were on her, and what was on her mind. Suddenly, she picked up lipstick and powder and dressed up seriously. Because of this, it attracted more attention. The political and military officials were impressed by Xiaoyu's courage and wit. The two sat on the plastic chairs in the waiting room, turning their heads from time to time to exchange glances, and smiled at each other.

At 8 o'clock in the evening, the 526 troop carrier finally set sail and sailed towards the other side of the strait. After a day and night of sleepless voyage, we arrived at Nangan Fuao Port at 3 pm. As soon as they got out of the cabin, Dou Da's spiritual slogan "Waiting when you are ready" first came into view. In the unique reef terrain of the Matsu Islands, there are no towering trees, only acacia trees and casuarina are scattered, and low bushes and green vegetation are intertwined on the hills. The beautiful scenery is very different from the mountain scenery in Taiwan. its fun.

For Xiaoyu, this is a completely unfamiliar environment, and everything will start anew. Although the fate of the future is uncertain, it is also her own choice. Following the guidance of political and military officials, Xiaoyu boarded the barge of the boss of Beigan Ships - this is a transfer boat converted from a fishing boat. Looking at Beigan Island in front of him, where he is about to settle down, Xiaoyu has mixed feelings in her heart, and she was silent along the way.

After half an hour of bumpy voyage, the barge finally docked at Qiaozai Port. After landing, the political war officer led Xiaoyu to the taxi waiting for pickup on the shore. A row of scattered buildings are built against the mountains. The most special thing is that on both sides of the winding stone road, there are houses stacked with granite, which are extremely solid. On the stone walls of each house, there are patriotic and anti-communist slogans written in black on a black frame and a white background. It is a product of the period of tense confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and it is also the memory of the beacon fire branded on the wall. After passing through Tangqi Shopping Street, they passed an uphill bend and stopped after the dry training class. The two of them got off the car and walked into a row of white-walled buildings in front of them. Above the gate is a rectangular black-framed cement plaque on a white background. , the three characters "Yixingyuan" in regular script inlaid with red embossed characters.

After entering the house, a smell of mixed perfume and powder came out. There was a small red light bulb next to the doors of twelve rooms in a row, and a pressure number from 10 to 10 was pasted directly above the door. acrylic number plate. There is a service desk to the right of the entrance, with a very simple wooden table and a chair, a lamp and a telephone in the upper right corner of the table, a row of three-tier file racks on the left, and a row of numbers above the table. Photos of wait staff from one to ten.

A sturdy, flat-headed and protruding belly, wearing a blue tunic suit, a provincial veteran in his fifties, came over with a smile on his face.

"Master Chief, No. 3 Wu Xiuyu will be handed over to you!" The political and military officer finished the task, heaved a sigh of relief, and finally smiled, then turned to say goodbye to Xiaoyu: "Xiaoyu, you have worked hard this way, first take good care of you. Rest and see you again!"

Xiaoyu nodded, shook her hand, and reluctantly watched the handsome young man who escorted him to Beigan all the way. When Xiaoyu came back to her senses, she saw that the sergeant elder Tian Zheng was looking at her whole body from bottom to top, and finally her eyes were fixed on her round buttocks, and she kept nodding, opening her mouth with a drooling smirk.

"Cough cough—" There were several coughing sounds from behind Lao Tian, which brought Lao Tian back to reality and withdrew his smile. It was Ziwei No. 10, a middle-aged lady who looked in her 40s with heavy makeup.

"Could it be our good sister No. 3 to come and work together?" Ziwei, speaking fluent Taiwanese, stepped forward and took Xiaoyu's hand to hold it. "My name is Ziwei, the purple purple, the rose's Wei, I'm an old bird here. Hey brother, when I meet me, I will stand up and salute!" Ziwei showed a sophisticated lewd smile.

As soon as Ziwei finished speaking, all the young ladies who were leaning against the door of each room gathered around one after another, bending over and laughing together.

"This Master Chief's surname is Tian, and he is fifty-three years old this year. His peers call him Laotian. In our Yixin Garden, his name is Xiaotiantian. He is the administrator here, our boss. He is responsible for selling tickets, managing order, and also Let us eat, live, let us sleep..." Ziwei deliberately mocked Laotian in Taiwanese.

Ziwei's humorous introduction made people smile and eased Xiaoyu's uneasy mood.

"Hello, my surname is Wu and my name is Xiuyu, so everyone can call me Xiaoyu." Xiaoyu whispered softly and squeezed out a shy smile: "I am from Zhuangjiao who lives at the foot of Dawu Mountain in Pingtung, but I have lived in Taipei for more than a dozen years. year."

All the young ladies stepped forward to shake hands with Xiaoyu, hugged, and asked questions curiously.

"How old are you?"

"Looking at the deep contours of your face, you dare to be an aborigines, which race are you?"

"What did you do before, why did you come here?"

"How many siblings are there?"

......

"I am twenty-six years old this year. In addition to my parents, I have a younger brother in my hometown. After graduating from elementary school, I made bad friends and was tricked into going to the north..." Xiaoyu introduced herself lightly.

"Honestly speaking, ah, I was sold to a tea shop as a young prostitute by the housekeeper." Miss No. 5, who was short and fat, took a puff of cigarette and exhaled a smoke ring: "Ruanzhuang has a lot of feet. From a poor family, after selling a certain son, they will start a house..."

As soon as the words fell, Miss No. 5 was stared at by everyone.

"Boy No. 5, you are a noble Gan Youka standing on the wall? How dare you say such hurtful words." Ziwei jumped out to preside over justice: "The turtle laughs and the turtle has no tail! We have a past and a story. Only people come here. Don't talk about those May, Four, Three."

Time and space seemed to freeze suddenly, and everyone was silent. Xiaoyu remembered what she had been through since she was a child, the period of running away and being found again and again, and then the days when she was severely beaten. She couldn't help crying and lowered her head to sob. Ziwei hugged Xiaoyu, remembered the past, and cried together. Others also wiped away tears. Seeing this, Miss No. 5 immediately hid in her room and locked the door.

Xiaoyu did not expect that on the first day she came to Beigan, she and her sisters cried together. Is this a good omen or the beginning of bad luck? But take a step back and think: Compared with this remote frontline island, at least I should be thankful that I don’t have to continue to live in the shadow of violence to make a living. You can even save some savings and go back to your hometown in Pingtung to squander the money you earned from your flesh and blood.

Because Xiaoyu has the advantage of being young and beautiful, he quickly attracted the attention of the officers and soldiers. In addition, he had a glimpse of the day when he came to Malaysia by boat. After returning to the camp, the officers and soldiers rushed to tell each other. So the name and legend of the flower of Yixin Garden spread like wildfire and spread all over Beigan Island.

Before coming to Beigan, even though Xiaoyu had a rather graceful figure, with deep eyes and sharp facial features, she always felt that her body was ruined. But in the past month since I came to Beigan, among the non-commissioned officers and soldiers I have come into contact with, listening to them share the distress and homesickness of being a soldier in the outer islands, and relieve, release or balance their physiological energy, it is more like a kind of A mission, a kind of redemption, Xiaoyu finally feels that she can use her body to do something, no longer feel dirty and dirty in the past, but an interface to transmit and create happiness.

In April of the same year, Tang Qilian Sergeant Elder Xia went to Yixin Garden to buy Xiaoyu's ticket for the first time. Before that, Lao Xia had no fixed preferences and always felt that it was just a relationship between supply and demand. I thought to myself, at this age, a lonely and dry soul may never have the chance to be nourished again in this life.

Until I met Xiaoyu.

Undoubtedly, Xiaoyu's youth, coupled with her outstanding appearance, not only created a topic on this island, but also shocked Lao Xia.

One afternoon, Lao Xia came to Yixin Garden to find Laotian for a drink. Before entering the door, I saw the back of a young woman, sitting on a stone chair under the acacia tree, looking at the direction of Dawo Mountain, looking at the gray-white cement connecting the road that separates the sea from it, and the arc of the bay formed by the white sandy beach. The beauty of the scene took your breath away, and also fascinated Xiaoyu's sight.

Lao Xia walked over.

"The road connecting Tangqi and Houwo is called Tangwo Road." Lao Xia pointed to the white road at the foot of Dawo Mountain in front of him: "There used to be a beach road. Back then, it was the soldiers who used the low tide to fight against the sea. A cement road built with sea sand overnight.” Lao Xia continued: “When the tide is high, it is an outlying island of Beigan, and when the tide is low, it is a part of Beigan.”

"The scenery here is very different during the day and at night, and they are very unique. When you look at Tangwo Road at night, you will see blue fluorescent plankton surrounding the shore, which is quite beautiful!" Xia added.

Xiaoyu was really taken aback by the unexpected guest who suddenly appeared behind her. But under Lao Xia's emotional introduction, he finally let go of his guard. In addition to being amazed at this interesting and beautiful landscape, he also turned his head to look at this kind and sensual elder from time to time with admiring eyes. Lao Xia is about 175 cm tall and weighs about 80 kilograms. Like Lao Tian, he has a flat head, but only has a small beer belly. However, compared to Lao Tian, Lao Xia looks more serious and has a louder voice.

That day, in Xiaoyu's room, Lao Xia talked about his memories before joining the army. Recalling that his family in Sichuan was originally wealthy, he planned to take over the business of ancestral cloth village after finishing his studies, but unfortunately his studies were interrupted due to the war. The "Youth Army" of the Kuomintang government did not expect that this departure would be 41 years away from their hometown. The year before last, I went back to my hometown in Sichuan and learned that during the period of my military service, my home was liquidated by the Communist Party in the name of the black five, and now my hometown has no relatives. Thinking of the scene of my parents seeing off when I left home, I couldn't help crying, and I couldn't help myself for a long time. Lao Xia never imagined that the separation from his parents would become a goodbye forever.

For Lao Xia, this is a Weiyang war. It's not just the status quo of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, but also the constant battle with one's own heart along the way.

In the face of Lao Xia's pouring out, Xiaoyu accompanies her tears while holding Lao Xia's hands, allowing Lao Xia to vent her grievances on her shoulders. When it comes to herself, Xiaoyu calmly talks about the ups and downs. Life and experience.

That day was the day when the two first met, and it was also the day when the two cherished each other.

From then on, the sergeant elder Xia came to Yixin Garden, and only talked to Xiaoyu and confided. Xiaoyu is grateful for Lao Xia's concern and care, but facing Lao Xia who is 30 years older than herself, there is no love between men and women.

Master Chief Xia, Xia Yaozu, fifty-seven years old. A native of Jiang County in Sichuan Province. He came to Taiwan with the army in 1949, was stationed in Kinmen, and participated in the 823 Artillery Battle. In 1984, he moved with the army to defend Mazu Beigan, and because of this status, every division commander of the army had to bow and greet him when he saw him. Lao Xia was established in the armory room of Beigan Tangqi Company. He has superb skills in the maintenance of light weapons and artillery, which is a treasure of the company. In the annual high-level inspection, as soon as Lao Xia stood up, the inspectors treated each other with courtesy and did not dare to make things difficult.

Lao Xia usually lives alone in a five-ping-large hut on the mountainside behind the company and about fifty meters up the stone steps. There is a simple toilet ten meters behind the house; there is a single bed in the house, the quilt on the bed is folded into the shape of dried tofu, and the pillow is placed on the quilt; there is an iron military wardrobe by the end wall of the bed. To the right of the bed is a set of wooden tables and chairs, handmade by Lao Xia, and a lamp is placed on the table. Beside the table and chair, there is a gray-white old bitch Xiaohua, who accompanies him all the year round. There are scattered tombs scattered around the house, which is obviously a mass grave, which makes many supernatural stories spread here.

These days, the troops are busy with the maintenance of equipment before installation and inspection, often until the evening. After doing the math, Lao Xia has not been looking for Xiaoyu for two weeks.

On this day, Lao Tian suddenly hurried to the company to find Lao Xia.

"Lao Xia, you and Xiaoyu have something to talk about. Can you tell me what happened to Xiaoyu recently?" Laotian looked sad.

"Ah? You said what happened to Xiaoyu?" Lao Xia looked terrified, not knowing what was going on: "I haven't looked for Xiaoyu for two weeks, and she hasn't come to me!"

"Xiaoyu has been asking for leave for several days and has not been listed, and she is unhappy every day. I'm afraid there is something wrong with her hometown." Laotian recalled: "Xiaoyu has been in a bad mood since she received a call from her hometown a week ago. , I can't eat food. I'm worried that if this continues, my body will be in trouble. I think you should go over there to find out, and persuade her by the way."

"okay, I get it!"

When Lao Xia heard Lao Tian's words, he immediately jumped up from his chair, walked to the closet to put on his clothes, and immediately hurried towards Yixin Garden.

On the pile of stones under the acacia tree at dusk, the setting sun reflected Xiaoyu's haggard figure, looking towards the direction of Dawo Mountain with empty eyes. Anxious Lao Xia walked over quickly and sat beside Xiaoyu. When Xiaoyu saw Lao Xia appear, she immediately collapsed on Lao Xia's chest and burst into tears. After a while, Xiaoyu stopped sobbing, straightened up, and looked up at Lao Xia with tears in her eyes.

"My mother is seriously ill and may be dying, and the family can't raise the medical bills. My brother came to me with all his might. But I've only been here for more than a year, and I haven't saved much money yet, what should I do? Xiaoyu seemed to be dissatisfied in her grievances: "I was sold by them when I was twelve years old, and I came to a dark and messy place. Every day I lived a life that was not human. At this age, girls should not start to enjoy the colorful youth? Why should I sacrifice myself to let them live in a new house and live comfortably!”

"Although my family abandoned me, I still send money home every month. Do you know why?" Xiaoyu almost shouted and complained: "I send money home, which means I still have a home, and I'm not an orphan. Although they don't want to My daughter, but I can't deny the fact that I exist somewhere in this world. Unless I die!"

"I don't want anything in return from my family, and I don't need to feel guilty about hypocrisy, because that will only remind me of my broken and dirty body." Xiaoyu began to talk to herself: "Who doesn't want a complete home? Who can? Thinking of your own daughter, doing these things every day?!”

After a hysterical accusation, Xiaoyu's mood gradually eased and calmed down. Lao Xia stared at the poor and helpless girl in front of her, feeling extremely pity and reluctance, she picked up the handkerchief she was carrying, wiped away the tears on Xiao Yu's face, and her eyes were already full of tears.

"Xiaoyu, let me help you." Lao Xia finally said: "You don't have to worry, and you don't have to feel that you owe me, just take it as a little feedback for what you have done for me during this period of time. I can be with you and listen to me. I confide, I have no regrets."

"Promise me, no matter what, you must face it strong." Before leaving, Lao Xia said this paragraph.

Xiaoyu nodded and watched Lao Xia leave with tears in her eyes.

Lao Xia didn't tell Xiaoyu what he was going to do, but only had to call Xiaoyu's house.

In May, Lao Xia asked someone to arrange a voyage to visit relatives in Taiwan through the channel. After Keelung got off the boat, Lao Xia immediately contacted Xiaoyu's younger brother and the hospital's information, and then took the train south to Pingtung to meet.

Xiaoyu's younger brother, looks somewhat similar to Xiaoyu, with distinct facial features, slightly darker skin, and a height of about 180 cm. He is a motorcycle mechanic. After more than ten years of car repair, I still can't make money to start my own business.

Xiaoyu's younger brother led Lao Xia to the Provincial Pingtung Hospital. Entering the ward, Xiaoyu's father stood up from the folding bed, his hair was fluffy, and he stared at the veteran from other provinces in front of him, with a suspicious look on his face.

"Dad, this is the elder sister's neighbor and elder," Xiaoyu's younger brother didn't know how to introduce Lao Xia for a while, and the scene was a bit awkward: "He came to see his mother specially, and I'll take him to his hometown by the way."

"Elder? Why didn't Xiaoyu come by herself?" Xiaoyu's father asked inexplicably, "Where's the money? Didn't you tell her to bring money over here? In case your mother dies in a few days, you will also need some money!"

As soon as Lao Xia heard Qian, he immediately gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and glared angrily at Xiaoyu's father, his appearance was extremely intimidating. I saw Xiaoyu's father's eyes drooping, and he seemed to have a guilty conscience.

"What did you do to the eldest sister, you are so embarrassed to take this kind of money from her?" Xiaoyu's younger brother said excitedly, "Where has the money she sent home every month all these years gone? Isn't it because you gambled away? , Did you drink it?"

"Since I was an apprentice, you took away the money I earned every month. Now that I'm a master, I don't even have any money to open my own shop. What the hell is going on?" Xiaoyu's younger brother said aggrievedly, "Our money, please. You spit it out!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiaoyu's father raised the magazine in his hand and slammed it on the ground, and walked out in a hurry. Lao Xia then stepped forward to visit Xiaoyu's mother who was comatose in the sickbed - this middle-aged woman who seemed to have experienced the vicissitudes of life, the years ruthlessly engraved the bumpy growth rings on her face. Xiaoyu once mentioned to Lao Xia that her mother had to do odd jobs every day to make up for the family, and sometimes she would go to a wealthy family to take care of the elderly with limited mobility, help with cleaning, cooking and even laundry.

Lao Xia turned to face Xiaoyu's younger brother, and immediately took out a thick kraft paper bag from his carry-on handbag and handed it to Xiaoyu's younger brother: "There are half a million in this, your sister asked me to give it to you. , and she secretly saved it after her hard work. You must be grateful, and you must also make good use of the money. After dealing with your mother's affairs, use the remaining money to open a store." Lao Xia then reminded: "You can't let Your father knows that he has this money, understand?"

At the same time that Xiaoyu brother nodded, his body began to tremble, followed by a burst of sobbing......

Lao Xia followed Xiaoyu's younger brother to his hometown in the countryside of Pingtung. This is a three-story brick building that is more than ten years old. I heard that it was built with money from Xiaoyu's sales. Lao Xia picked up the camera and took a few pictures around, intending to take it back to Xiaoyu to relieve her nostalgia. Then take the train north.

Xiaoyu, who lives in Beigan, learned from his brother's phone that Lao Xia had disappeared for a while. It turned out that he had gone to his hometown in Pingtung, and solved the dilemma of the family's urgent need for money. To this end, Xiaoyu was moved and cried all night.

A week after Lao Xia left Taiwan and returned to Matsu, Xiaoyu's mother died at the age of fifty-one.

During the vacation of a voyage, Lao Xia visited several old comrades on the Shishan Mountain in Taidong. They were all good brothers who lived and died together with the army and shared weal and woe. After being discharged from the army, they came here to grow pears and apples together. Wait for fruit. Lao Xia also made a promise that after he is discharged from the army next year, he will come to Dongshi to fight with his comrades in arms.

In order to prevent Xiaoyu from having inappropriate associations, Lao Xia deliberately did not see Xiaoyu for a period of time, and also wanted to take the opportunity to measure his position in Xiaoyu's heart, so he concentrated on the things around him, and did not bother to think about romantic feelings and love between children thing.

Xiaoyu on the other side of Yixinyuan has just experienced a change in the death of her mother, and she feels sad and blames herself for not being able to return to Taiwan to go to the funeral. There are many things she wants to tell Lao Xia, but she can't wait for Lao Xia's presence. I thought to myself, maybe Lao Xia wanted to play down this relationship that had been contaminated by the smell of copper; maybe Lao Xia didn't want to feel that he owed him. Because his love house and Wu do not need any reason, even if he is deceived, he is willing. Thinking of this, Xiaoyu is even more eager to tell Lao Xia her thoughts, because she has never felt the happiness of being so dependent on people and being depended on.

So, she made up her mind to do something that might make people feel earth-shattering...  

That night, Xiaoyu suddenly appeared at the door of Lao Xia's hut.

"Why are you here?" Lao Xia was surprised and happy, forcing his composure: "I'm sorry, there's been a lot of things recently, and I'm preparing for the handover of the military. I want to say that I'll go to you after I'm busy..."

Before Lao Xia could finish explaining, Xiaoyu already used her mouth to occupy what Lao Xia wanted to say next. A passionate lingering, the hot and humid sweat of the two merged in the wriggling and dawdling of their bodies, smudged the sheets that had never been ravaged, and the pillows and quilts were also squeezed out of the bed, mixed with the clothes they had taken off. .

At this moment, these have become two naked, superfluous external objects......

In December of that year, the sergeant elder Xia was discharged from the army at the age of fifty-eight. Quan Lian set a table in Lianbu restaurant to say goodbye to Lao Xia, and Xiaoyu was also invited. The two made public the fact that they were together, and hoped to get everyone's approval and blessing. On the same day, Lao Xia took out the ring and proposed to Xiaoyu in public. It was a pair of copper imitation gold rings made by himself after cutting it with a five-zero machine gun shell and grinding it. The stacked heart pattern is very delicate and shiny, and Xiaoyu can't put it down.

That day, Lao Xia, who had a good appetite, fell drunk for the first time.

In June of the next year, Xiaoyu declared her good will, and at the same time married Lao Xia in the presence of the captain of the ship and the teacher. The venue for the banquet was the Guojun Hotel in Tangqi, and she invited all the old sergeants of Mazu, brothers Tangqilian, and all of Yixinyuan. Sisters and cadres above the company level in Beigan.

That day, Lao Xia fell drunk for the second time.

After the marriage, the two opened a snack bar in Banli, many people came here for Xiaoyu, and Lao Xia also welcomed all the guests generously and without any scruples. In fact, everyone admires Xiaoyu's decision and is happy to see this change. After all, a woman's life always needs a destination, and for Lao Xia, who has been a soldier all his life, he thought that he would be alone for life. It was Xiaoyu who made him have no regrets in the second half of his life. And prove that he can still love and love. All the officers and soldiers of Beigan have only full blessings in their hearts for Lao Xia to finally have a lifelong companion.

In October of the same year, Xiaoyu was pregnant by surprise. Lao Xia was overjoyed to have a son.

In that year, TV news reported that legislators believed that the existence of special teahouses in the military violated women's human rights, so they proposed to abolish it, which was approved by the Legislative Yuan in the third reading.

The news did not cause much backlash from Matsu and other outer islands. Everyone thinks that in recent years, the national army is changing. It used to be that officers and soldiers can only return to Taiwan for one voyage a year, but it was revised to be able to return to Taiwan for one voyage in half a year. If there is a wedding or funeral at home, they can also return to Taiwan. As a result, the survival and abolition of the special tea room in the military is a problem that must be seriously faced sooner or later. As for Yixin Garden in Beigan, after Xiaoyu got married, the business has also started to be light. Except for the laborers who leave the island once every six months, the square outside Yixin Garden is already in twos and threes. It is no longer as bad as in the past, which determines the future fate of Yixinyuan.

In February, Lao Xia and pregnant Xiaoyu returned to Yixin Garden to say goodbye to the good sisters. They also took pictures in the square in front of Yixin Garden, leaving a historical testimony. The crowd then drove to Qiaozi Port to take the boat boss's shuttle to Nangan Fuao Port. They were about to take the 526 warship back to Taiwan and start a new life in the future. Since then, it has existed in Beigan for more than 30 years. It has made a special contribution to adjusting the lives of officers and soldiers, preventing sexual disputes and sexual crimes between the army and the people, and has entered into history.

Beigan's "Yixing Garden" was abolished and rebuilt, and it was renamed "Huai Dao Building".

That day, when Xiaoyu was doing laundry, she suddenly felt a translucent liquid mixed with blood flowing down her thighs. She suspected that the amniotic fluid had broken, so she immediately called Lao Xia, who was cooking noodles.

Lao Xia waited for a long time for this day, skillfully organized the luggage that had already been prepared, and at the same time explained to Lao Tian, who helped contact Xiao Chen's taxi, and stayed in the store to take care of the business.

The news that Xiaoyu is about to give birth is a big event for the people of Beigan. All the resources and assistance that may be used must be achieved without any difficulties, because the old Xia couple are polite and courteous, and they are also envied partners. In particular, Lao Xia's gentleness and thoughtfulness is a model that Beigan women often use to compare with their husbands.

Xiao Chen's taxi arrived quickly, followed by the boat boss's car. The two cars came to Beigan Hospital in a mighty way, and it was only less than ten minutes away. With the help of everyone, Xiaoyu entered the delivery room. Lao Xia was both nervous and excited. After all, it was a rare and grateful thing to be a father at this age.

After waiting anxiously for about an hour, the baby's cry finally came from the delivery room, and the doctor came out and told it was a boy. So everyone congratulated Lao Xia one after another, and Lao Xia also cried with joy and thanked him one by one.

But the doctor seemed to have words left in his mouth, as if he had not finished speaking.

I saw the young doctor put his hands behind his back, and said with a serious expression, "The birth canal has been bleeding since Madam gave birth. We are helping her with blood transfusions, and we are looking for problems to see if the bleeding has improved."

When Lao Xia heard the doctor's words, he was completely helpless, with a look of panic and helplessness: "Doctor, you must find a way to let Xiaoyu watch the child grow up in a healthy way. Please!" After saying this, Lao Xia immediately knelt down. After going down, everyone saw this and immediately helped Lao Xia.

Lao Xia has a hard-necked personality. He never asks for help in his life, let alone kneels to people easily, but this time, he actually did this for Xiaoyu's sake.

"Master Chief, we all respect you, please rest assured, we will do our best." The doctor continued: "However, I still need to ask you to sign the first aid consent form at the counter."

When Lao Xia heard the word "first aid", her heart was half cold. Everyone watched Lao Xia's helpless back slowly walking towards the counter. This was never Lao Xia in everyone's eyes, but an old man's hunched body, staggering.

A few hours later, Xiaoyu was pushed into the emergency room. Lao Xia could vaguely see the busy scene inside the ward through the curtains drawn from the glass window of the ward.

At this time, the doctor came out again.

"Master Chief, we have tried our best to use all the resources here, but we still can't make Madam's condition get better..." The doctor said with a sad face, "Madam's lower extremities are swollen, accompanied by bleeding and difficulty breathing. Very critical. The Master Chief has to plan for the worst..."

Lao Xia was already slumped on the plastic chair, looking up at the sky, his body trembling, unable to speak.

After some rescue, Xiaoyu died at three in the morning. The medical staff, like defeated soldiers, walked out of the emergency ward in despair. A young nurse walked up to Lao Xia and motioned Lao Xia to enter the ward and take a last look at Xiaoyu. Lao Xia gathered up the courage to walk to Xiaoyu's side, knelt down immediately, held Xiaoyu's and Yu Wen's right hand, and burst into tears, in Lao Xia's shrill cry, accompanied by helpless cries, cut through the night Above the silent Beigan Hospital.

When Xiaoyu died, he was only twenty-eight years old.

Lao Xia, Lao Tian and only son Nianzu guarded the snack bar and depended on each other for life. Due to Lao Xia's strict discipline towards Nianzu, he sometimes even picked up a small stick to teach Nianzu, but he was blocked by Laotian many times. Under the doting of Lao Tian, Nianzu often talked back to Lao Xia without fear, causing Lao Xia and Lao Tian to quarrel several times over the issue of discipline. And whenever Nianzu was scolded or punished by Lao Xia, he always suspected that Lao Tian was his real father.

Nianzu entered elementary school when he was six years old. Lao Xia has read books, he is responsible for supervising Nianzu's homework, and Laotian is responsible for taking Nianzu to and from school, but after school, Laotian always takes Nianzu to play around, and when he is tired, he goes to the Tianquan bathroom to take a warm bath. Take a bath and go home, just because there is a bathtub that you don't have at home to take a bath.

In the year Nianzu graduated from elementary school, Lao Xia sorted out Xiaoyu's deceased relics, put them in a rectangular candy tin box, and returned to her hometown with Nianzu and Xiaoyu's ashes, and arranged for Nianzu to go to her uncle's house. Continue to receive education above middle school. Nianzu's uncle, because of his success in running a motorcycle shop, has also opened three branches one after another. This is thanks to his great benefactor, Lao Xia, who is also his brother-in-law. There will be today's achievements.

Lao Xia and Lao Tian put away Beigan's snack bar, and the two left Beigan together. They came to Taichung Shishan according to their appointment, and joined the ranks of fighting with their former comrades. As soon as Lao Tian arrived in Taiwan, he couldn't wait to meet Jinhua (original pseudonym: Ziwei) in the countryside of Nantou. After being separated for a long time, the old couple, who usually only rely on phone calls, finally registered their marriage under the witness of a group of old comrades in arms. Since Laotian and his wife had no children, under the witness of Lao Xia, Nianzu was officially accepted as his adopted son. Laotian and his wife treat Nianzu as their own and love them very much. Every summer vacation, they bring Nianzu to Dongshi to spend an unforgettable farm life with Lao Xia.

Years later, Lao Xia became seriously ill and was transferred to President Rong in Taipei. Nian Zu and Lao Tian and his wife accompanied him on the sick bed. During his illness, Lao Xia truthfully told his past Xiang Nianzu one by one. Recalling the encounters in his life, the old tears and choking are hard to say. The only thing that is gratifying is that he has been blessed by God, so that he has the bloodline of Nianzu to be passed down.

Lao Xia died in the winter of that year at the age of eighty-five, and the ashes and Xiaoyu were put together, and the two were finally able to be together forever.

The stone chair under the acacia tree next to the Huaidao Building is the place where the parents first met. Nianzu carefully supported Huimin, who was pregnant, and sat down on the stone chair under the tree, looking in the direction of Dawo Mountain, thinking about the past, changing times, seeing things and people, and his eyes filled with tears. The Tangwo Road connecting Tangqi and Houwo that separates the sea water from both sides has the same beauty, but beautiful concrete piers have been added on both sides; the left side of Tangwo Road is the busy Beigan Airport immigration hall and runway.

Nianzu took out the photo of his parents and everyone in Yixinyuan from the backpack, and carefully examined the interaction of the parents and the expressions on their faces in the photo: the father's right hand gently placed his mother's waist, with a serious expression on his face. Slightly sad; the mother has a sad face, a face that has just been crying, her head is slightly turned towards her father, and her hands are holding her pregnant belly. Nianzu turned his head to look at his wife Huimin, who also had a pregnant belly, stretched out her hand to gently stroke Huimin's belly, and leaned over to kiss, Huimin also put her head gently on Nianzu's shoulder and sobbed softly, with hot tears rustling. droop.