Chapter Fourteen: First Love

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Li Dazhi and Zhang Caiyun, lovers separated for fourteen long years, were overwhelmed with emotion at this moment.

One evening in 1944, Caiyun and Dazhi were digging for wild vegetables near the sorghum fields east of the village when Caiyun suddenly noticed a large group of Japanese soldiers approaching from behind. She shouted, “The enemy!” and stood up, grabbing Dazhi to run.

Dazhi turned around and saw the soldiers aiming their guns at them. Without hesitation, he threw Caiyun to the ground just as bullets whizzed past their heads and sides. One grazed the skin of his ear. They quickly took cover in the sorghum stalks.

Dazhi urged Caiyun to run north along the river bend as fast as she could, while he rushed back to the village to warn the others, as dozens of New Fourth Army soldiers lived there.

Later, Caiyun learned that Dazhi and the New Fourth Army, along with the villagers, had successfully broken through the encirclement without any civilian casualties; only a few soldiers were wounded defending the villagers.

After the breakout, Dazhi left with the army and vanished without a trace.

It wasn’t until after the Spring Festival of 1949 that news came of Dazhi’s death in the Huaihai Campaign. In 1950, Zhang Caiyun married Chen Facai.

Now, fourteen years later, Dazhi had miraculously returned alive. Caiyun felt as if she were dreaming as she led him home.

It was a Sunday. Caiyun’s eldest son, Yuqiang, was at home watching his younger brother. She called Yuqiang to bring their two younger sisters back.

Dou Dan, seeing Uncle Dazhi in his military uniform, was wildly excited, waving his arms and moving about energetically.

Yuqiang and his two sisters appeared a bit reserved. After greeting their uncle, they stood awkwardly to the side.

Dazhi asked each child’s name, age, and whether they were attending school.

He said, “The eldest looks like Facai, strong and sturdy; the second child has the best traits of both of you; the third and youngest resemble you but are a bit frailer.”

Caiyun replied, “Especially the youngest—he was born after a difficult labor. My health never fully recovered, and I had no milk, so I had to feed him porridge.”

“But you look even more beautiful and charming than before,” Dazhi said.

He carefully studied Caiyun’s face—her delicate oval shape, bright expressive eyes, glossy black hair, distinct nose, and gently arched eyebrows. Most captivating was her sweet, joyful smile, complemented by two perfectly placed dimples that radiated happiness and warmth. Her smooth, fair skin made her seem like a woman from the city.

“Stop flattering me. I’m a mother of four now, what charm do I have? Unlike you, still so spirited and handsome,” Caiyun teased.

Dazhi picked up Dou Dan and kissed him. The boy reached for his military cap, which Dazhi took off and placed on his head. The little fellow immediately became lively again.

Caiyun said, “This child seems to have a connection with you—he’s so happy to see you.”

“I think he likes the uniform. Maybe someday he’ll become a soldier.”

“He’s too young now; we’ll see when he grows up.”

“Caiyun, I don’t know how things stand, but here’s some money to buy something for the children.”

Dazhi pulled out ten yuan and handed it to Caiyun. After some hesitation and seeing that Dazhi was growing annoyed, she reluctantly accepted it.

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“When did you come back?”

“This morning.”

“Your parents must have been overjoyed to see you.”

“At first, they didn’t dare to believe it.”

“Why didn’t you write all these years?”

“It’s complicated. In 1950, I joined the Korean War. I wrote two letters from Korea, but neither was sent.”

“You should have sent a letter before coming home.”

“I just returned from Korea and was eager to get back. I feared the letter might arrive after me.”

“Are you married?”

“No. In my heart, you are still my wife.”

“You’re thirty-one now, right?”

“Yes, I’m three years older than you. Our unit counts age by the lunar year, so I’m officially thirty this year.”

Caiyun and Dazhi walked to a soybean field, the ripe beans crackling loudly under the scorching sun as the pods burst open, spilling round golden beans onto the earth.

“Caiyun, why haven’t these fine soybeans been harvested yet?” Dazhi bent down to pick a few golden beans.

“The top priority now is the Great Steel Campaign.”

“Steel is crucial—making planes, tanks, and cannons all depend on it. Our outdated weapons caused us heavy losses.”

“That’s why the commune demands we ‘take steel as the key’ and forge ahead with steel production.”

“Have the people ever seen a steel mill? Do they even know how to smelt steel?”

“Only some have had brief training; mostly, they learn as they work.”

They came to a place where they used to cut pigweed, dig for wild vegetables, fish, bathe, and play as children—reminiscing about their carefree, innocent youth.

Finally, they sat down on the very land Caiyun could never forget.

The sorghum had been harvested, leaving the field bare.

It was in this very sorghum field that Dazhi once promised Caiyun that when they grew up, he would join the army, avenge her by wiping out the Japanese invaders, and then return to marry her. Caiyun had nodded in agreement.

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It was here, in this sorghum field, that she first embraced and kissed the boy she loved, promising to marry him when they grew up.

It was also here that he saved her life before they parted for fourteen years.

Now, she was a mother of four, and Dazhi had become a company-grade officer.

“Dazhi, this land holds so many of our footprints. Do you remember?”

“I could never forget. For over a decade, whether on the battlefield or in my dreams at night, everything that happened here remains vivid,” Dazhi said with deep affection.

“War has taken so much from us; we can never return to the past. We must face reality,” Caiyun said sadly.

“But I will never forget this land. My love took root and sprouted here,” Dazhi said nostalgically.

“First love is pure and precious. Let’s cherish it and keep it as the most beautiful memory of our lives,” Caiyun said, tears glistening in her eyes.

“You’re smart and kind. I sincerely hope you find happiness.”

“I’m doing well. Facai treats me well. You’re not young anymore—find someone and settle down,” Caiyun said with concern.

“I just returned home. I’ll wait a while before thinking about that.”

“Where is your unit stationed?”

“In Yanbei City.”

“Come back often to visit.”

“Absolutely.”

After seeing Dazhi off, Caiyun returned to the canteen.

The others teased her, “Caiyun, I heard Dazhi isn’t married yet. He must be waiting for you. You should go enjoy life with him.”

“I’m just meant to farm—I can’t enjoy that kind of life.”

“Caiyun, remember when I caught you and Dazhi embracing and kissing in the sorghum field? He grabbed your hand and slipped into the denser sugarcane, never came out. Now tell me, what were you two doing in there?”

“With your loose mouth, the whole village knows about us.”

“You two loved each other so much—I envy you. If I were you, I’d hold onto Dazhi and kiss him this time. Look how handsome he is!”