In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Wen Anrong's gaze remained somewhat vacant, as if she had traversed eight long and heavy years, precisely returning to the day that had abruptly derailed her life.

Her voice carried a fleeting recollection of the past, as well as a deep-seated pain that had become ingrained in her very being; every word seemed to be soaked in bitter juice.

"That was in 1952, and that day happened to be the anniversary of Wenhan's death."

Her voice lowered, and when she mentioned her late husband's name, her nails dug deeply into her palms. "That day, I felt particularly bad. I felt like the whole world was gray, the air was like a sticky swamp, my chest felt tight and I couldn't breathe."

She slightly raised her head, her gaze not focused on anyone, as if she were speaking to an invisible shadow in the air, or to her painful and helpless self from eight years ago.

"I was in a daze all day that day, and I kept making mistakes at work. Yulian... she was my best friend at that time, Fang Yulian, she and I were both surgeons at the military hospital."

We joined the hospital in the same year, trained together, worked night shifts together, and our relationship is no less than that of blood sisters.

Yulian noticed something was wrong with me; my eyes were vacant, and I was always a beat slow in doing things. Worried that something might happen to me alone, she specially accompanied me after get off work, taking me back to the family compound together. She said she wanted to have dinner with me, talk to me, and help me clear my head.

She paused, as if trying to retrieve clear details from the swamp of memories blurred by sorrow. Her brows furrowed slightly, forming a shallow "川" shape.

"Yu Lian... as a surgeon, she may have emergency surgeries at any time. She needs to have a steady hand and a calm mind. She cannot drink alcohol. This is an ironclad rule."

But at that time... because my emotions had been unstable since Wenhan's death, I had been on the operating table several times, and my hands were shaking so badly that I almost had an accident. The organization took care of me and I was temporarily no longer performing surgeries. I was transferred to a management position to manage medical records and equipment.

Seeing how terrible I was, my face was as white as a sheet, and my eyes were lifeless, Yulian urged me to drink some, saying that getting drunk would be good, that I could temporarily forget the excruciating pain, and that getting a good night's sleep was better than being sober and suffering, and better than driving myself crazy.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Wen Anrong's mouth, a smile more heartbreaking than tears.

"At that time... I really wanted to get drunk, to temporarily forget those unforgettable memories, to forget the half-empty bed, to forget the child's cries for his father at night, so I didn't refuse."

Yulian somehow got hold of a bottle of sweet potato liquor. It was very strong, and I drank it cup after cup, like someone who was extremely thirsty drinking water. The spicy liquid burned my throat and stomach, which did make me forget my troubles for a while.

Before I knew it, the people and things in front of me started to sway and overlap; I knew I was drunk.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, capturing every subtle change in his mother's face.

He noticed that although his mother still had a stern face, like a taut stone sculpture, her tightly pursed lips seemed to have loosened slightly, and the hatred in her eyes that could almost hurt someone had been replaced by an emotion of confusion and inquiry.

Grandma Qin Lanying nodded slightly, her eyes, which had witnessed the joys and sorrows of life, were veiled with a faint mist.

"Comrade Jianxiong..."

When Wen Anrong mentioned Yang Jianxiong's name, her tone carried a deliberate distance and respect, "He knew that day was the anniversary of Wen Han's death, and he remembered it in his heart."

After finishing work, around nine o'clock, he came to visit me.

He is a man of great loyalty and affection, and he always remembered Wenhan's entrustment, regarding me and my child as his responsibility.

He didn't intend to stay long; he just wanted to check on me, say a few words of comfort, and then leave.

At the time, Yulian and I were drinking and chatting, the table was a mess of cups and plates. When Yulian saw him arrive, she warmly invited him to sit down and have a couple of drinks, to talk and comfort me.

Wen Anrong's voice was calm, as if she were recounting a report unrelated to herself, trying her best to recreate the scene at the time without mixing in any personal emotions.

"Comrade Jianxiong couldn't refuse, and he really wanted to enlighten me, afraid that I would get stuck in a rut, so he sat down, took a cup, and poured himself some wine."

He has a high alcohol tolerance and drank about a few glasses of wine.

He was mainly talking, reminiscing about his past with Wenhan, how they joined the army together, how they covered for each other on the battlefield, and how good Wenhan was—a good shot, educated, and kind-hearted… He told me to be strong for the sake of my child and for Wenhan…

When he spoke, his eyes were sincere, filled with deep longing for his comrades.

He sat there for about half an hour, then glanced at his watch, indicating he was about to leave.

She added, as if to clarify a key point, "We were drinking in Yulian's dormitory. Yulian was an unmarried girl, and her dormitory was tidy, but there wasn't much furniture, just a bed, a table, and two chairs."

Everyone listened intently, unconsciously adjusting their breathing, trying to visualize the scene in their minds—three people sitting around a small table in the dim light, men and women, but not alone together, in a friend's dormitory, everything seemed reasonable and within the bounds of propriety.

"Later, someone from the hospital suddenly came and said there was an emergency surgery for a seriously injured patient who had been transferred over, and that Yulian needed to go back immediately."

Yu Lian was the attending surgeon and couldn't afford to waste a moment. She grabbed her coat draped over the back of the chair, hurriedly said, "You all enjoy your drinks, I have to go right now," and left in a rush.

Wen Anrong's tone took a crucial turn, and her speaking speed slowed down slightly.

"Since the host has left, it's not appropriate for us two guests to stay any longer."

At that time, I was already half drunk, and my head was spinning. Everything seemed to be spinning in my eyes. When I stood up, my steps were unsteady, and I almost knocked over the chair.

Comrade Jianxiong quickly grabbed my arm and helped me back to the dormitory.

Yulian's dormitory and mine are very close, in the same courtyard, only a few steps apart.

She emphasized the distance, as if to prove something—to prove the brevity of the journey and that nothing out of line could possibly happen during it.

“My child was only two years old at the time. Usually, the kind-hearted Sister Li next door would help take care of him. When I entered the house, the child was already asleep.”

Comrade Jianxiong helped me into the dormitory, then turned and left without lingering.

Wen Anrong fell silent again at this point in her story, as if she were immersed in that vague and painful memory, unable to extricate herself.

Her shoulders slumped slightly, as if bearing an invisible weight.

The people in the room exchanged glances, their eyes conveying the same doubt and uncertainty.

Judging from Wen Anrong's account, the whole process did not seem to have anything that went against the rules.

The three of them were drinking together when one of the friends had to leave midway through due to work. The man took the intoxicated woman back to her nearby dormitory and left immediately, adhering to proper etiquette.

This sounds more like a normal act of care and visit out of camaraderie; in fact, it could be said that Yang Jianxiong did a very thoughtful and restrained job.

Tian Yufen's brows furrowed even more. The erotic scene of "seduction" and "secret affair" that she had imagined did not appear. This made her anger, which had been building up for eight years, feel like a punch hitting cotton. A feeling of frustration with nowhere to exert force welled up in her heart.

The old lady Qin Lanying was also deep in thought. Having lived most of her life, she had witnessed all kinds of human relationships, joys and sorrows. Her intuition told her that Wen Anrong's narration, at least at this stage, sounded logical and reasonable.

Yang Guangming observed Wen Anrong even more carefully, not missing any subtle expression on her face and capturing every signal in her body language.

After a long while, Wen Anrong seemed to have mustered enough courage, or rather, she was ready to reopen her wounds.

She raised her head again, her gaze slowly, with a heavy resolve, sweeping over Tian Yufen, the old lady, and Yang Guangming, her voice carrying a calmness as if she had given up all hope.

"Every word I just said is true. I didn't add or subtract anything."

At that time, the military family compound was very cramped, with doors right next to doors and each family having only one room. The soundproofing was poor, and neighbors were all very close, with many eyes watching and many ears listening; they can all testify to this.

She first emphasized the authenticity and verifiability of the narrative before getting to the point, her tone filled with deep self-reproach—a self-reproach that was not an act, but a deep-seated regret etched into her bones over the years.

"First, I need to examine myself."

Even if I'm feeling depressed or in pain, like my flesh is being cut by a dull knife, I shouldn't drink alcohol, let alone get drunk to the point where I need to be supported by someone of the opposite sex.

I was too young then, only in my twenties, with little experience of the world, and I didn't think things through. I was only immersed in my own sorrow, forgetting that I was a widow... I forgot how terrifying gossip can be, how even without wind, waves can rise three feet high, and how even spittle can drown a person.

This is my original sin, my greatest mistake.

Her self-blame sounded very sincere, carrying a regret that was too late to undo the damage but which she could not shake off.

"Originally... if things had ended there, the sun would have risen as usual the next day, and it would have just been an ordinary visit and care out of camaraderie, clean and innocent, with nothing to gossip about."

Wen Anrong's voice was tinged with an indescribable pain and a long-simmering, cold resentment.

The object of this resentment does not seem to be a specific person, but rather the capricious and cruel fate.

"Unfortunately, what happened next, coupled with the conjectures and slanders of a crazy woman whose reason was consumed by jealousy, and my mental state that was already on the verge of collapse, ultimately led to an irreversible result."

"Crazy woman?"

Tian Yufen subconsciously repeated the sentence, her eyes sharpening as if she had caught the trail of her prey. This suddenly appearing new character seemed to be the key to solving the mystery.

"Yes, a crazy woman."

Wen Anrong nodded firmly and began to introduce the person, her tone filled with obvious resentment, "Her name is Liu Yueqing. She was also a surgeon at the time, two years younger than me. She was... very beautiful, the kind of bright and flamboyant beauty. Many people pursued her back then, and she was also very ambitious."

Her tone was flat, revealing no emotion, but when she uttered the name "Liu Yueqing," it carried a chilling hatred.

"But this Liu Yueqing, she... she doesn't know what's wrong with her, as if she's bewitched, she just happens to like Comrade Jianxiong."

At that time, Comrade Jianxiong was just over thirty years old, the youngest regimental-level cadre in the division, with a bright future ahead of him. He was tall and spirited, standing there like a straight poplar tree, so it wasn't too surprising that he was liked by young women.

Wen Anrong abruptly changed the subject, her tone now filled with obvious disdain and contempt, an emotion rarely seen in her.

"The problem is that Comrade Jianxiong is a married man with a wife and children, which is common knowledge."

But Liu Yueqing disregarded all shame and, as if possessed, openly pursued a married man, sending him gifts, finding excuses to get close to him, and even saying ambiguous things in public.

Even after Comrade Jianxiong explicitly rejected her more than once, she remained persistent and kept pestering him, believing that Comrade Jianxiong was concerned about the impact on his relationship with her, rather than that he disliked her.

Her gaze fell on Tian Yufen, carrying a complex emotion of shared sorrow.

Instead of looking for the reasons within herself, she transferred her twisted resentment about not getting what she wanted onto me. The reason was that Comrade Jianxiong often came to see me, but ignored her, who was in the same office.

Liu Yueqing felt that I was the one stirring things up, or... or that Comrade Jianxiong had some special feelings for me.

Although we were colleagues, our personalities clashed, and our relationship was already strained. This incident made things even worse; she made many sarcastic and indirect remarks about me at the hospital.

Having laid the groundwork here, Wen Anrong finally connected the several scattered clues, pointing to that fatal dusk.

"That night, Comrade Jianxiong helped me back to the dormitory, and Liu Yueqing happened to see this scene when she returned from her night shift."

I don't know how much she saw or how much she imagined.

But I think that in the mind of that woman, blinded by jealousy, any normal interaction between us would be distorted into something unbearable.

Her voice lowered, carrying a sense of fatalistic helplessness and mockery.

"I don't know if that scene triggered her... The next afternoon after get off work, she mustered up her courage again, or rather, she had accumulated more resentment, and went to see Comrade Jianxiong to express her feelings again."

As a result... Comrade Jianxiong rejected him again without any mercy or sternness.

Perhaps this rejection will be more thorough and more embarrassing for her than any before.

It was almost dark when she got back to her dormitory.

I had calmed down a bit by then, and I was chatting with a few neighbor ladies under the shade of a tree in the yard.

I saw her looking distraught, her eyes red and swollen like peaches, and her face streaked with tears. Being a colleague, even though I didn't like her, I instinctively felt kind and went over to ask if something was wrong, whether she was having work troubles or if something was wrong at home.

Wen Anrong's cheek muscles twitched slightly, as if she had returned to that evening when she was unjustly humiliated and her life was completely changed.

"But I never expected... what I got in return was a barrage of foul language that she had been holding back for a long time!"

She was like a powder keg that had been lit; she suddenly raised her head, her eyes bloodshot and filled with frenzied hatred. Pointing her finger at my nose, she cursed, calling me a 'hypocritical vixen'! Calling me 'shameless'! Saying I 'have children and still play the victim to seduce men!'"

Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, and the strange tone became even more pronounced under the emotional fluctuations, like a taut string about to snap.

"I was completely stunned at the time, so angry that I was trembling all over. It felt like my blood rushed to my head and my ears were ringing."

There were other neighbors in the yard, all looking at us with surprise and curiosity.

After I realized what was happening, I started arguing with her. I said, "What nonsense are you talking about! I said my relationship with Commander Yang is completely innocent! I said, 'Don't assume everyone else is corrupt just because you have corrupt thoughts yourself!'"

Then...then she went crazy, completely lost her mind, and used the most vicious imagination to embellish and exaggerate the story of seeing Comrade Jianxiong help me back to the dormitory last night!
She used the most offensive and filthy words to slander and humiliate me!
They say I 'pretended to be drunk,' 'lured men back to my dorm,' 'did something shameful,' and yet I'm here 'pretending to be innocent and virtuous'...

Her words were like poisoned knives, cutting into my heart piece by piece, ripping away the last shred of my dignity and self-respect...

Wen Anrong's breathing became rapid, her chest heaved violently, and her face changed from pale to an abnormal flush, as if the immense humiliation and anger had not yet subsided and were still burning in her chest.

“I… I was already in a bad mental state at the time, and Wenhan’s death felt like it took away most of my life. Every day I was struggling on the verge of collapse, and I was only holding on by a bit of maternal instinct and the last bit of rationality…”

Being publicly and humiliated by her with such vile language, I... I felt dizzy for a moment, my mind went blank, and all the grievances, the pain of losing Wenhan, the hardship of raising a child alone, and the despair for the future... all erupted like a volcano...

I feel that life is too tiring and meaningless. This world is full of malice and misunderstanding, and there's nothing worth staying for..."

Her eyes became empty and desperate, her voice as soft as a gust of wind about to dissipate, yet carrying a chilling resolve.

"Then... I don't know what came over me, it was like I was possessed, there was only one thought in my mind - to prove my innocence, or to end this unbearable thing in the most tragic way!"
I whirled around and, with all my might, slammed my head against the wall beside me!

Several suppressed gasps rang out in the room.

Tian Yufen instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief and horror.

She could almost hear the dull, terrifying sound of flesh hitting the wall.

The old lady, Qin Lanying, was also shocked and horrified.

Yang Guangming's heart clenched. He could imagine the kind of tragic and fierce struggle that came from being driven to the brink of despair and losing all hope!

That was not a weak woman's escape, but a tragic self-affirmation at the cost of her life!
Wen Anrong raised her hand, her movements slow and stiff, and gently touched her smooth, flat head. There were no visible scars there, but her movements carried a numbness of lingering fear, as if the intense pain and shame still lingered there.

"If...if it were a brick wall or a stone wall, I might...I might have died then and there, with a bloody head, and all the pain and stigma would have vanished with death."

Her voice carried a calm aftermath, as if she were talking about someone else's life or death. "I believe that even if I die, Comrade Jianxiong will take good care of my son for Wenhan's sake, raise him to adulthood, and not let him suffer any injustice."

I had nothing to worry about... really, at that time, I was truly determined to die, I didn't care about anything else, the baby's cries, the responsibility of being a mother, nothing could pull me back from my resolute heart to face death.

She paused, a bitter smile, full of the mockery of fate, appearing on her lips.

"It's a pity... perhaps it's not my time to die, or perhaps my suffering is not yet over... it was just a mud wall... not strong enough."

I didn't die, but I hit my head and bled profusely. Blood covered my eyes and face. After the intense pain, I knew nothing more and passed out.

When I woke up... I wasn't dead, but... my brain seemed to have been damaged by that violent impact, turning me into an idiot... I just sit there blankly all day, afraid of strangers, and occasionally scream for no reason... I've become a complete cripple.

"Fool?"

Tian Yufen murmured in disbelief, her face filled with disbelief and immense shock.

She never imagined that the truth would be so tragic!
The "vixen" and "bad woman" she had always thought of, the woman who stole her husband, had such a painful and even tragic past that she was driven to the point of committing suicide by hitting her head against a wall, a situation where she was alive but dead!

The hatred she had accumulated over eight years seemed to be completely shattered by this cruel truth at this moment, leaving her only with endless bewilderment.

Whom has she hated for so long?
The old lady, Qin Lanying, let out a long, heavy sigh, a sigh filled with endless emotion, pity, and a deep sense of powerlessness in the face of the cruelty of fate.

She bent down and picked up the prayer beads that had fallen to the ground with some effort, holding them tightly in her hand as if trying to draw strength from them. She murmured, "What a tragedy... What has happened... How could such a good person... How could she have become like this..." Her eyes were filled with the sorrow of an elder as she looked at Wen Anrong.

Looking at Wen Anrong's pale yet serene profile, Yang Guangming felt a surge of emotions, a mix of feelings welling up inside him.

He originally thought it was just an ordinary emotional entanglement, perhaps mixed with some calculation, but he never expected that there was such a tragedy hidden behind it, involving human life, personal dignity, and mental trauma.

The image of his father, Yang Jianxiong, became more complex and difficult to describe in his mind. He was no longer a simple "heartless man," but was caught in the center of a huge tragic vortex woven by accidents, obsession, and responsibility.

Wen Anrong took a deep breath, as if recounting these events had exhausted her energy. Her face was even paler than before, and her lips had lost all color, like a flower that had been drained of its moisture. She needed to support herself on the edge of the bed to maintain her sitting posture.

"This incident caused a huge uproar."

Many people witnessed how Liu Yueqing insulted me, and they also saw my resolute decision to bang my head against the wall.

Liu Yueqing was severely punished for spreading rumors and slandering her comrades, causing extremely serious consequences and almost resulting in death. She was ordered to transfer to a low-ranking local unit. In a way, she received the punishment she deserved.

But this punishment came too late for me, and the price was too high.

Her tone was calm, as if she were stating a fact that had long been settled and had nothing to do with her.

Such a light punishment offers no sense of satisfaction from revenge. Faced with such a massive personal tragedy, this punishment seems utterly pale and insignificant.

"However... Comrade Jianxiong has been implicated by me."

Her eyes were filled with heavy and sincere guilt as she looked at Tian Yufen, her gaze seeming to say, "Look, I not only ruined myself, but I also ruined your life."

"I pieced these things together little by little after I regained my senses and heard Comrade Jianxiong and others talk about them intermittently."

My memories of that period are fragmented, chaotic, and like a bizarre nightmare.

After this incident, Comrade Jianxiong felt that... in dealing with Liu Yueqing's pursuit of him, his attitude was not firm enough, his methods were not decisive enough, and he had too many concerns, leaving hidden dangers, which ultimately led to this irreparable disaster.

He felt that he had failed Wenhan's trust, had not taken good care of me, and had instead caused me to suffer such an undeserved disaster because of him, turning me into that inhuman, ghostly state.

He felt deeply guilty, filled with remorse and immense shame.

Wen Anrong’s voice was deep and clear, attempting to recreate Yang Jianxiong’s mental journey at that time.

"So... he made a decision that, at the time, was perhaps the only way to solve the problem, but it was also the most resolute and hurtful one."

He decided to take on the responsibility of caring for me, not just temporarily, but long-term, until I recovered, or... indefinitely.

He said that Wenhan had entrusted his wife and children to him, and he couldn't just stand by and watch Wenhan's wife become mentally disabled and die in some corner without anyone to care for her, nor could he let Wenhan's son have a mentally disabled mother, be bullied, and be unable to grow up healthily.

She paused for a moment, then made the decision that would change the fate of everyone present.

"And he wanted to take care of me and my child legitimately and long-term, without being bothered by gossip. In those circumstances, it was suspicious for a single man to take care of a mentally unstable widow. The best way was to give me a title, a title that would silence all doubts and rumors."

Tian Yufen's body trembled violently. Although she already knew the outcome, hearing the reasons behind the decision, hearing this calm and cruel logic, still caused her a piercing pain and... an indescribable sense of absurdity. Could she sacrifice another woman, a complete family, for the sake of responsibility? This thought flashed through her mind, accompanied by sharp pain.

"So... he chose to divorce."

Wen Anrong's voice was filled with deep guilt, "He went back to his hometown and proposed a divorce to Comrade Yufen. He was worried... worried that Comrade Yufen would not agree, or that his family would strongly oppose it, so he... he may have exaggerated the situation a bit."

She took all the responsibility and pressure upon herself... and in the end... they still... divorced.

She lowered her head, not daring to look into Tian Yufen's eyes again, as if that gaze would burn her.

"After the divorce, he worked in the Northeast Military Region while also taking care of my son and me."

Those years... I heard from my friends that he had a very difficult time.

On one hand, there's the demanding military work that leaves no room for complacency; on the other hand, there's the responsibility of caring for a mentally challenged man who is almost completely dependent on others, sometimes quiet and sometimes agitated, and a child who needs a father's love and guidance...

As a grown man, he had to be a father, a mother, and a doctor all at the same time; the hardships he endured are unimaginable.

Tears welled up in Wen Anrong's eyes, and the emotions in those tears were complex and hard to discern.

"Perhaps even God felt that I was not meant to die, or perhaps... Wenhan's spirit in heaven couldn't bear to see me suffer like this and was silently protecting me."

Her voice was choked with sobs, and tears finally slid down her cheeks, dripping onto her tightly clasped hands.

"Comrade Jianxiong's patient and meticulous care worked, and my condition actually started to improve slowly."

Little by little, like ice and snow melting away, I began to recognize people, to remember some simple things, and to speak in complete sentences...

It took me almost three years, but I finally... basically recovered, except for this change in my speech tone and the occasional throbbing headache.

She pointed to her throat, a helpless expression on her face.

“My brain was seriously injured, damaging the nerves that control my voice. This accent… has left me with a problem, and it’s still like this now, strange and unnatural. I can’t change it. Sometimes, when I hear myself speak, I feel like a stranger, like a mannequin.”

Hearing this, many of my previous questions seemed to have been answered.

Wen Anrong's strange, monotone voice; the lingering melancholy and frailty about her, seemingly emanating from the depths of her soul; her almost numb, submissive acceptance of Tian Yufen's slap...

All of this seems to have found its cruel and real root.

She was not a victor, nor a "vixen" who schemed to steal someone else's husband.

She was just a pitiful person repeatedly tormented by fate, driven to the brink of suicide by the grief of losing her husband and the humiliation of unfounded slander. Although she survived by chance, she paid a heavy price.

Even her later marriage was not based on love, but on a tragic twist of fate, Yang Jianxiong's heavy sense of responsibility and inescapable guilt, and the considerations of the organization and the needs of reality.

A long, almost suffocating silence fell over the room.

Tian Yufen sat blankly on the edge of the bed, the anger and resentment on her face long gone, replaced by a great sense of bewilderment.

The pillars that had sustained her for eight years—her hatred for the "vixen" and her resentment towards the unfaithful man—collapsed and shattered into dust at this moment.

She suddenly felt weak all over, as if all her perseverance, suffering, raising her child with great difficulty, and standing tall under the strange looks of the villagers over the past eight years had become an absurd and cruel joke.

Did she hate the wrong person? It seems not; Wen Anrong was indeed the direct cause of her divorce.

But can she still hold onto that hatred with a clear conscience?
Looking at the pale, frail woman before her, who had narrowly escaped death and still bore permanent scars, she realized that her hatred was slipping away like sand in her hand, leaving only exhaustion and a desolate emptiness.

The old lady, Qin Lanying, remained silent for a long time, only constantly fiddling with the prayer beads in her hand. She looked at Wen Anrong with complicated eyes, then at her distraught daughter-in-law, and finally let out a heavy sigh, as if it carried too many stories.

The rights and wrongs, the grudges and entanglements involved are no longer something that can be simply judged as right or wrong.

Fate, with its capricious hand, brutally intertwined the lives of these individuals, each paying a heavy price, each caught in a bind, and each bearing countless wounds.

Yang Guangming's feelings were equally complex and hard to describe.

His perception of his father, Yang Jianxiong, underwent another radical change.

That man not only bore the promise to take care of the families of his fallen comrades, but also shouldered a huge responsibility that was not entirely his, caused by an accident triggered by a paranoid woman. He was even willing to sacrifice his own marriage and family, and the happiness of his wife and children.

Is he a true man who values ​​loyalty and keeps his word, or a fool who is pedantic, confused, and unable to distinguish between what is important and what is urgent?

Or perhaps, given the specific historical context and organizational pressures of the time, he had no other choice?

Yang Guangming couldn't easily draw a conclusion; he only felt a heavy weight in his heart and gained a deeper understanding of his father.

Wen Anrong seemed to have unloaded the heavy burden she had carried for eight years. Although her face was still pale and her body was still weak, the deep, almost tangible sense of guilt between her brows seemed to have lessened, and her tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

She looked at the silent Tian Yufen, who seemed to have all her strength drained away, and at the old lady filled with emotion, and continued to speak of the ultimate purpose of her trip, which she had struggled with for a long time before finally making up her mind.

Last year, when Comrade Jianxiong was transferred to another job, we came to the Kyoto Military Region together.

My physical and mental state have basically stabilized. I can take care of myself and even do some simple work... So... I mentioned to the organization that I wanted to divorce Comrade Jianxiong.

This news made Tian Yufen and the old lady look up again, their eyes filled with surprise and disbelief. They hadn't expected Wen Anrong to take the initiative to propose a divorce.

"I feel that... since the mistake has already been made, like an unhealable scar, it cannot continue."

Comrade Jianxiong has given and sacrificed so much for me and for my children.

He shouldn't, and can't, be bound for life by this marriage, which stems from responsibility and guilt rather than love.

He should have a chance... a chance to live the life he truly wants.

You...you are the real family, with children together and an unbreakable blood bond.

This mistake, which began with an accident and tragedy, should be ended by me.

Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable determination, as if this was the only conclusion she had reached after countless days and nights of contemplation.

"But... the organization did not agree."

Our superiors spoke with us separately, believing that our family is stable and there are no fundamental problems. They advised us to cherish our hard-won stable life, consider the impact, and disagreed with our divorce.

Comrade Jianxiong... perhaps he was also concerned about my health and afraid of upsetting me, or... perhaps he was still burdened by that sense of responsibility, and he accepted the organization's suggestion.

This matter... just dragged on like that, like a hard core that couldn't be swallowed or spat out, stuck there.

She looked at Tian Yufen with earnest and sincere eyes.

"I heard that Comrade Yufen and you have come to Kyoto and are staying at the guesthouse."

I'm really suffering inside, tossing and turning, unable to sleep soundly.

I have no face to see you, afraid of seeing your resentful eyes, afraid of stirring up those painful memories.

But after struggling for a long time and thinking it over and over again, I finally mustered up the courage to come.

I felt I had to come; I had to tell you the truth. I can't let you, especially Comrade Yufen, live in misunderstanding and resentment any longer. That's not fair to you.”

"I have three purposes for coming here."

She clearly listed them one by one: "First, I want to sincerely apologize to Comrade Yufen and the elderly."

Although it wasn't my intention, it was indeed because of my existence and my carelessness that your family broke apart, causing you to suffer for so many years, raising your child alone and enduring so much pressure and grievances.

I'm sorry, I'm really... sorry.

As she spoke, Wen Anrong struggled to stand up, her body swaying slightly due to her weak constitution and emotional distress.

She walked up to Tian Yufen and, before anyone could react, bowed deeply to her at a ninety-degree angle.

She performed this action with immense difficulty, yet with utmost devotion.

Tian Yufen looked at her bent, exceptionally thin back and her trembling hands supporting her body on her knees. Her lips moved, but her throat seemed to be blocked by something, and in the end, she couldn't say anything.

She didn't dodge, nor did she reach out to help, nor did she say anything of forgiveness. She just sat there stiffly, looking at the woman she had hated for eight years, who now seemed so fragile and helpless.

The hatred has disappeared, but forgiveness... that takes time, more digestion and understanding.

"second."

Wen Anrong straightened up, her face paling even more from the bending motion. Although her voice was still strange, it was unusually firm, carrying a do-or-die power.

"I reiterate my stance: I am willing to get a divorce, anytime."

As long as Comrade Yufen or Comrade Jianxiong, either of you still have this idea, or feel that it is good for everyone, I will actively cooperate, explain the situation to the organization, apply repeatedly, and strive for approval.

This mistake should be corrected by me; we can't let it continue to affect more people.

"third."

Her gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Tian Yufen's face. "I'll tell you the whole story of what happened back then, in its entirety, without any concealment."

All the blame lies with me. I shouldn't have drunk alcohol, shouldn't have gotten drunk, shouldn't have forgotten my place, and given others ammunition to spread rumors. I shouldn't have acted rashly. If I had been more rational, these serious consequences wouldn't have occurred.

Comrade Jianxiong... He may have made some mistakes, but he is definitely not an ungrateful, fickle Chen Shimei.

He values ​​loyalty and keeps his word, and he took this step to shoulder a responsibility that he felt he could not shirk.

Even if you still resent or hate him, I hope that after learning the truth, that resentment will lessen, and that you can understand his predicament and inner turmoil at the time.

After she finished speaking, it seemed as if she had used up all her strength. Her body swayed slightly, and she almost lost her balance. She quickly reached out and grabbed the edge of the table next to her to steady herself.

Silence fell over the room once again.

This silence is no longer filled with confrontation and tension, but rather with everyone's inner world processing and reflecting after the overwhelming influx of information.

Tian Yufen remained silent, her head bowed, making it impossible to see the expression on her face.

But Yang Guangming noticed that his mother's usually tense shoulders seemed to have relaxed slightly, and her spine, which had been straight for eight years, also revealed a hint of fatigue and a relaxed curve.

The truth was like a key that unlocked the rusty lock in her heart. Although the lock was open, the dust and gloom that had accumulated behind the door still needed time and sunlight to slowly sweep them away.

After a long while, the old lady Qin Lanying slowly stood up, walked unsteadily to Wen Anrong's side, and reached out her hand.

Those hands, covered in age spots and wrinkles, gently supported her arm, with a gentle strength that could not be refused, and helped her sit back on the edge of the bed.

The old woman's voice carried the hoarseness characteristic of the elderly, along with a weariness and serenity born from seeing through the vicissitudes of life: "Child, things have come to this... What's past is past, like water spilled, it can't be taken back."

In truth, the person most deserving of resentment is that foolish woman named Liu Yueqing; it was his jealousy and malice that led to all of this.

The others... in truth, are all victims of fate, all caught up in it, each with their own helplessness and hardships.

The old lady's words carried a kind of compassion that transcended personal grievances.

Having lived most of her life, she experienced war, famine, and the pain of separation. She witnessed firsthand the struggles and ups and downs of too many people under the torrent of the times and the tricks of fate. She deeply understood the cruelty and helplessness of fate, as well as the complexity of human nature.

The woman before me, pale-faced, frail, and with a perpetual sadness in her eyes, was certainly at fault, but the suffering she endured and the price she paid far exceeded what she should have had to bear, thus repaying for her unintentional mistake.

She was mainly worried that Wen Anrong's mental state had not fully recovered, so she dared not say anything harsh to upset her.

Moreover, Wen Anrong was indeed a victim in the whole incident, and even almost paid the price with her life, leaving her with permanent sequelae.

To criticize her further would be like rubbing salt into a wound, and would also seem heartless.

Tian Yufen then raised her head. She used the back of her hand to roughly wipe away the tears that had somehow slipped down her face and turned cold. She tried to make her voice sound calm and firm, so as not to reveal too much of her inner turmoil.

“You don’t need to do that,” Tian Yufen said to Wen Anrong.

Although her tone was no longer filled with sharp hatred, it was far from gentle, carrying a deliberate sense of distance: "I know the truth now... and actually, I feel... relieved."

Like a huge rock that had been weighing me down for eight years, it was finally moved away.

Although... although what was revealed underneath after the stone was moved wasn't a pleasant view, just an empty space.

She paused, as if trying to sort out her thoughts, which were somewhat chaotic from the shock of the truth.

Her tone gradually became clearer and firmer, carrying an inviolable self-respect and fortitude forged through hardship.

"After being divorced for so many years, I, Tian Yufen, have been raising the young and taking care of the old all by myself. I have endured all kinds of hardships and sufferings."
I've long been used to this life, used to being in charge of my own affairs, and used to taking responsibility for my own problems.

Even if... even if you and Yang Jianxiong are divorced now, I, Tian Yufen, will not remarry him.

Even if you mend a broken mirror, the cracks remain; you can barely glue it back together, and the reflection will be distorted. It's unnecessary, truly unnecessary.

Her words were resolute, leaving no room for negotiation. This was not only for Wen Anrong, but also a declaration to herself, a complete severance and farewell to the past years filled with resentment, grievances, and waiting.

"I now have a son and a daughter. My son was admitted to Peking University, which is a great honor for our family. Good days are just around the corner."

I can work in the fields, spin thread and weave cloth, support myself, support my daughter, and take good care of my mother-in-law.

I don't need to rely on anyone, and I don't have to live by anyone's approval. I'm doing quite well now, and I feel at peace."

These words were less directed at Wen Anrong and more a declaration of independence to herself, a reaffirmation of her own life's value.

She is no longer the abandoned, resentful woman who needs to depend on others, but a respectable woman who supports her family with her own hands and raises outstanding children.

“Now that things are clear, the children know about their father’s difficulties back then, and they know that he didn’t intentionally abandon his wife and children. They no longer have any resentment or bitterness in their hearts, which is good.”

Tian Yufen's gaze swept over her son, Yang Guangming, her eyes revealing a sense of relief and maternal tenderness. "From now on, our two families will live our own lives and not interfere with each other."

As for whether you two get a divorce or not, that's your own business, something you and the organization need to consider. From now on... don't bring it up with me again; it has nothing to do with me.

In her subconscious, Tian Yufen still felt that Wen Anrong might still have some mental issues, that her mental state was unstable, and that she couldn't withstand too much stimulation or repetition.

She didn't want to get entangled with someone who "might still have mental problems" any longer, and she didn't want to be dragged back into that painful and chaotic past.

Knowing the truth of the past and having lifted the huge weight that had been on her heart for eight years, was enough for her.

What she needs is to look forward and manage her and her child's future well.

Wen Anrong opened her mouth, her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something more, perhaps a deeper apology, or perhaps further assurances regarding the divorce.

But seeing Tian Yufen's firm expression, clearly refusing to discuss the matter further and drawing a clear line, and sensing the undeniable sense of finality in her words, he ultimately swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

She lowered her head and said softly, "I understand. This matter... doesn't need to be decided in a hurry, and it's not something I can decide alone."

The mistake was mine, and I should bear the consequences. I'm very grateful that you... listened to me.

Tian Yufen felt she had said everything that needed to be said and the truth had been revealed, so she gave him the order to leave, her tone polite but distant, as if she were treating a stranger with whom she would never see them again after the negotiations were over.
"Comrade Wen Anrong, you must be quite busy with your work, so we won't keep you any longer. Thank you for telling us all this today."

Wen Anrong understood the meaning behind the words, and she slowly stood up.

She came here today and revealed a secret that had been suppressed in her heart for eight years, a secret like a malignant tumor. Although she was met with Tian Yufen's indifference and estrangement, she seemed to feel much more relaxed.

The heavy, almost crushing sense of guilt that had been weighing on her brow had largely dissipated.

Although sadness and exhaustion remain, at least the heavy burden of self-reproach has lessened.

"I should be the one saying thank you... Thank you all for giving me this opportunity to listen to these old stories."

Wen Anrong bowed slightly to Tian Yufen and the old lady again, the bow was small but full of respect.

Then, he nodded to Yang Guangming, who had been listening silently with a complicated expression, as a farewell, before turning around and walking towards the door with slightly unsteady but unusually firm steps.

Yang Guangming silently got up and gently opened the door for her.

Wen Anrong didn't look back or hesitate at all. She walked straight out, and her figure quickly disappeared into the dim light at the corner of the corridor, like a drop of water merging into the sea, leaving only the faint sound of her footsteps fading into the distance.

Yang Guangming stood quietly at the door, watching her figure disappear before gently closing the door with a soft "click," as if temporarily putting an end to this eight-year-long feud.

Only their family remained in the room.

No one spoke. The air seemed to freeze, an extremely complex atmosphere—a mixture of relief, heaviness, sighs, bewilderment, and a vague uncertainty about the future—permeated the small guesthouse room, thick and unyielding.

Tian Yufen remained seated on the edge of the bed, head bowed, seemingly lost in thought.

But the spine that had stood straight for eight years seemed to have bent slightly, revealing a deep weariness that seeped from the bones after the burden was lifted.

Having harbored hatred for so long, the hatred suddenly vanished, and she needed to find a new anchor to support her life.

The old lady, Qin Lanying, sat back down on the edge of the bed, closed her eyes, and slowly but firmly twirled the smooth prayer beads in her hands. She muttered something silently, perhaps scriptures, or perhaps just an unconscious sigh. Her face was full of calm and sadness after experiencing the vicissitudes of life, as well as a trace of heartache for her daughter-in-law.

Yang Shanshan peeked out from behind her grandmother, blinking her large, clear eyes that were still untouched by the world. She looked at this person and then at that person, her little face filled with confusion and unease.

Yang Guangming leaned against the door, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

A feud that had dragged on for eight years and changed the fate of several people was suddenly revealed in a way that surprised everyone, and then temporarily came to a close in an almost mundane manner.

There were no heated arguments, no tearful reconciliations, only the immense impact of the truth itself and the silence that followed understanding it.

Yang Guangming knew perfectly well that all of this would require time to process and reassess. (End of Chapter)