Chapter 218: A Love Letter
“You’re really starting to read that book? Then I’ll go read mine too.”
Seeing that his sister was seriously sitting on her bunk by the carriage wall, holding a book and flipping through it, Ning Qingyuan also sat on his own bunk and opened one of his own books to read.
Ning Xiyue chuckled softly and shook her head, then focused her mind and turned another page.
The book’s cover was old, and the yellowed paper inside showed its age — clearly it had been around for some years.
But it was well taken care of: no dog-eared corners, clean and neat. Inside were neat, detailed notes written in a professional hand — clearly the handwriting of a doctor.
Judging by the annotations, she guessed this book must have belonged to a doctor from the military hospital. Somehow, Comrade Ji had gotten hold of it and then given it to her.
It was similar to a barefoot doctor’s manual, containing a variety of basic medical knowledge.
However, its content was far more complete and detailed, covering material from every hospital department. It was a thick volume — thicker than the two books her second brother had received combined.
Perfect for someone like her — a “halfway” barefoot doctor — to study from seriously.
But today, she hadn’t opened the book to study. Her goal wasn’t to read it.
She was looking for something else.
She had a hunch — Comrade Ji must have hidden something inside this book. Otherwise, why would he have so solemnly told her to read it carefully, to write back afterward, and to “hold it flat” when carrying it?
That was the kind of hint that set off alarms in her head.
So Ning Xiyue began flipping the pages, one by one.
When she had read about a fifth of the book, her fingers paused.
Her eyes curved with amusement as she spotted something.
Well, well — what had she just found?
A ten-yuan note — a big unity bill — was tightly wedged between the pages.
She carefully pulled it out, inspecting it. It was real.
So… was this Comrade Ji’s way of secretly giving her money?
She tucked the ten yuan into her inner pocket and kept turning.
Two pages later, another item appeared — a national food coupon.
Money and food stamps?
She pulled out the grain coupon too and kept flipping, now genuinely excited to see what else she might find.
Her instincts were right — nearly every few pages, there was another bill or ticket tucked in.
By the time she reached the end of the book, she had unearthed a small fortune: 110 yuan in cash and 21 different types of ration and supply coupons.
And one folded letter.
Or rather — to be precise — a confession letter.
Ning Xiyue unfolded the thin stationery and began to read it word by word.
[Yueyue: Hello!
This is a letter I’ve been composing in my mind for a long time. After our parting today, I don’t know when we’ll meet again, and that uncertainty drove me to make this decision — to finally write this letter.
By the time you read it, I’ll already be eagerly waiting for your reply. Please spare me a little of your time, and allow me to express the feelings in my heart.
The first time I saw you was in your brother’s wallet. He had a family photo that he often took out to show us, proudly pointing to his obedient and adorable little sister. You were only ten years old in that picture. Forgive me, but at that time I thought, “Aren’t all children cute? What’s the big deal?”
The second time I saw you was purely by chance, while I was on leave. You were lying in a pool of blood. The desperate will to live in your eyes struck me hard — it reminded me of comrades who had closed their eyes forever in my arms not long before. I rushed you to the hospital as fast as I possibly could, with only one thought in my mind: She must live.
You’ll never know how much it meant to me when the doctor announced you were out of danger. After losing comrades on the battlefield, a shadow had settled over my heart — the feeling of helplessness had been eating at me. But that day, I won. I wrestled you back from the hands of Death himself. It was your survival that lifted the gloom from my heart.
The third time I saw you was on the train. And that time, you surprised me. Seeing you alive, full of energy, filled me with joy. I watched you stay calm in the face of danger, saw you feign weakness with cleverness and courage, and skillfully turn the situation to your advantage. I admired you deeply, and I liked you very much.
As I got to know you more, I realized you’re a thoughtful, funny girl — very different from others. Without realizing it, wherever you were, my eyes would find you. I’d catch myself watching your every movement, and as time passed, I found I couldn’t look away anymore.
That’s when I thought — I’ve set my sights on Ah Zhi’s precious little sister. I felt guilty, but I didn’t regret it.
That day in your team’s infirmary, when you treated my wounds — it was then I finally understood my own heart. I realized how important you were to me, and I made up my mind that one day, I would bring you home.
Of course, this is all my own wishful thinking. But if possible, I’d like to always be the tree standing behind you — quietly watching over you for the rest of your life.
Now, I want to ask you something very important — something that concerns the most important thing in my life.
Would you give me a chance? A chance to openly and rightfully be that tree standing behind you? Would you?
Waiting for your reply.
Wishing you all the best, — Your Comrade Ji
Ning Xiyue lifted her head from the letter and rubbed her slightly sore eyes.
Reading it left her deeply moved. She had never expected this from Comrade Ji — who always seemed so reserved and serious. His words, though, were shockingly straightforward and bold — the kind of quiet passion that came from someone secretly intense.
He hadn’t written a single “I love you,” yet every line overflowed with love.
Ning Xiyue carefully refolded the letter along its original creases. Then, from her bag, she took out three blank envelopes: one for the letter, one for the stack of money and coupons. She sealed both and tucked them together into a third envelope, then placed it into her personal storage space — her treasured money box.
As for the book in her hands — she no longer had the mind to keep reading.
Her thoughts were now entirely occupied with one question:
How should she write her reply?
