- 1 day ago
After Rebirth, My Officer Husband’S First Love Returned. I Left—He Shocked Everyone Begging Me Back
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00found out I was pregnant. It was also at this time that my heroic battalion commander husband's
00:05first love came back from abroad. She was dressed in an elegant gown, standing out among the gray-blue
00:11uniforms like a proud peacock. Everyone whispered that if it weren't for me, she would have been
00:17the most honored officer's wife in the compound. Bookmark. My husband, Daniel Miller, looked at her
00:23with a burning gaze I had never seen before. I touched my belly, where little Neon Juan was
00:29quietly growing, and decided I wouldn't fight anymore. Whoever wanted to be the officer's wife
00:35could have that title. I would go back to the city with my unborn child, get an apartment, and build
00:41a career of my own. That had to be better than staying here, constantly weighed against others'
00:47eyes. But just as I stepped onto the train heading home, that usually calm, self-controlled man went
00:54mad, his eyes red as he clawed desperately at the train window. Sis-in-law, something big just
01:00happened. Linda from the performing troupe has come back. My neighbor, Jacob Brown, rushed into my house
01:06while I was still engrossed in a barefoot doctor's manual, reading with great interest. The sunshine
01:12outside the window was warm, almost overflowing, making me feel drowsy. Linda. I slowly lifted my
01:19eyelids. The name was like a pebble forgotten in some corner, stirring not the slightest ripple in
01:24my heart. Oh my dear sister-in-law, how can you not be anxious? She's that one. Jacob lowered his
01:31voice, eyes darting, afraid that the walls might have ears. Of course I knew exactly who that one was.
01:37Linda, the young medic Daniel had carried off the battlefield. She was the indelible mark on his heart,
01:43the name he must have whispered in his dreams. And I, Sarah Johnson, had been introduced to him by the
01:49organization, with our families arranging the match. We had only met three times before we became husband
01:55and wife on paper. I closed the book slowly and stroked my still flat stomach. There was already a
02:01small life here, Daniel's and mine. What's there to be anxious about? I chuckled softly, stood up,
02:08and walked to the window, gazing at the tall sycamore tree in the courtyard. What's meant to come will
02:14come. No sooner had I spoken than a stir rose at the compound gate. Following everyone's eyes,
02:21I saw Daniel's tall, commanding figure standing next to a woman in an off-white dress. The fabric was
02:27exquisite, gleaming softly in the sun, setting off her fair skin and refined grace. That woman was Linda,
02:34and indeed her reputation was well earned. She tilted her head slightly as she gazed at Daniel,
02:40her expression full of excitement and longing after their long separation. And my husband,
02:46who was known for his stern and solemn demeanor, was now looking at her with a gentleness and guilt I
02:52had never seen before. The officers' wives nearby whispered among themselves, their sympathetic yet
02:57gloating eyes pricking into me like fine needles. That's Linda, even prettier than her photos.
03:04They say if her family hadn't fallen on hard times back then, Sarah wouldn't even be here.
03:10Commander Daniel must still be thinking about her. Just look at his eyes. I listened to their talk.
03:16My heart calm as still water. After a year of marriage, Daniel had treated me with respect and
03:22courtesy, giving me everything an officer's wife should have. He handed over all his salary,
03:28remembered to buy me my favorite pastries on anniversaries, and when I was sick,
03:33clumsily tried to make a bowl of bland ginger soup. He was a good soldier and a competent husband,
03:39but not a man who loved me. His love had long ago been given to Linda, along with that fragile
03:44eggshell ring he had crafted with his own hands during the war. Now that the true one had returned,
03:51the substitute had no reason to stay. I turned back into the house, pulled out a locked wooden box from
03:57the bottom of my trunk, and opened it. Inside lay a black-and-white photograph. In it, a young
04:03Daniel in uniform looked valiant and full of life, while the girl beside him smiled like a blooming
04:09flower. It was Linda. I had stumbled upon this photo by accident in the pocket of his old uniform.
04:15On the back, written in Daniel's strong hand, were the words,
04:18to my beloved Linda. His love had always belonged to her. As I looked at the photo,
04:24a wave of clarity washed over me. Better to let go than to have all three of us suffer an
04:30endless
04:30entanglement. It would be better for me to walk away with dignity. That night, Daniel Miller came
04:37home very late, carrying a faint smell of alcohol and a trace of perfume that wasn't mine.
04:41It was Linda's scent. Distinct. Special. Nothing like the snow cream fragrance I always used.
04:48He sat on the edge of the bed, his tall frame looking a little worn.
04:52Sarah, there's something I need to tell you. His voice was hoarse, tinged with hesitation.
04:58I didn't look at him. I only pulled the blanket a little higher and said softly,
05:03Linda's back. He froze. He had finally said her name aloud. I already knew. I turned over,
05:09showing him my back. Everyone in the compound knows. The air fell into a long silence,
05:14broken only by our breathing. I could feel the weight of his gaze on my back,
05:18carrying curiosity and a complexity I couldn't read. She, back then, it was because of me that
05:24he seemed to want to explain. There's no need, I cut him off. Daniel, let's get a divorce.
05:31I felt the sudden jolt of his body behind me. What did you say? His voice was filled with
05:37disbelief. I slowly turned around to meet his dark eyes. They held shock and confusion,
05:42but not even a trace of pleading. The last flicker of hope in my heart went out. I said,
05:47let's get a divorce. I repeated clearly, word by word. I'll step aside for the two of you.
05:53I thought he would immediately agree, or at least breathe a sigh of relief. But he didn't. He just
05:58stared at me, his brows furrowed as if trying to see through me. Just because Linda's back?
06:03He asked. Not entirely. I shook my head and unconsciously placed a hand over my stomach.
06:10I'm tired. I've had enough of living like this. You're pregnant? His voice rose sharply,
06:16catching my gesture. He looked at my belly in shock. That reaction, at least, didn't surprise me.
06:22I didn't answer, only looked at him quietly. Would this news become a new chain between us?
06:27Or the last straw that broke the camel's back? Daniel's shock was like a boulder thrown into
06:33a still lake, sending ripples everywhere. The eyes that were always steady as a mountain now carried
06:38a storm. When? His voice trembled as he reached out, then hesitated midair, not touching my stomach.
06:45Over a month, I replied calmly, taking in all his hesitation. He didn't even know how to face this
06:51unexpected child. Why didn't you tell me sooner? He pressed. His tone edged with blame. I smiled
06:58faintly, but it didn't reach my eyes. Tell you what? Tell you that while your longed-for first
07:03love came back, the wife you never loved was carrying your child? Sorry for being an inconvenience.
07:09My voice wasn't loud, but each word struck deep. Daniel's face went pale instantly. He opened his
07:16mouth but couldn't utter a word. Guilt. Shock. Panic. All kinds of emotions crossed his usually
07:22steadfast face, making him look almost undone. I, he finally managed, his voice rough.
07:28Sarah, I never thought of you or the baby as an inconvenience. Really? I arched an eyebrow,
07:34imitating the way he usually interrogated soldiers. Then what's the expression on your face telling me?
07:39That you're thrilled? I pointed at my belly and continued. This is your child, Daniel.
07:46But he shouldn't be a chain binding the three of us. Linda's waited for you all these years.
07:50You owe her. Now that she's back, you should give her an answer. My words were like a surgeon's knife,
07:57cutting open the heart he'd wrapped for so long in duty and guilt. He fell silent for a long time
08:02before finally speaking hoarsely. And you? What about you and the baby? I gave a small laugh,
08:10reached under my pillow, and pulled out the divorce papers I had already prepared,
08:13handing them to him. I would go back to my city. My parents had long been waiting for me to
08:19return.
08:20As for the child, he would carry my surname Johnson and have nothing to do with the Miller
08:25family anymore. Daniel could rest assured, I, Sarah Johnson, wasn't anyone important,
08:31but I had more than enough ability to raise a child on my own. My decisiveness was clearly beyond
08:37Daniel Miller's expectations. He stared at the divorce papers, the black and white words throwing
08:43his thoughts into a tangled mess. Have you really thought this through? He asked. Never in my life
08:49have I been this clear. I met his eyes directly and spoke each word distinctly. Daniel Miller, sign it.
08:56It will be best for all of us. That night we slept in separate rooms. I stayed in the bedroom.
09:03He slept
09:04outside on the camp bed. In the middle of the night I was awakened by a stifled coughing fit. It
09:09was Daniel.
09:10I got up and poured him a glass of water, handing it to him. He leaned against the wall, his
09:15forehead
09:16beaded with sweat, his face deathly pale in the moonlight. It was his old battlefield injury. Whenever it
09:22rained or his emotions ran too high, it would flare up again. He accepted the cup, and his fingers
09:28brushed against mine. The burning heat of his skin made my heart tremble for just a second.
09:34Thank you, he rasped after drinking. You're welcome. I pulled my hand back, my tone distant.
09:40After all, until we have that divorce certificate, I'm still your legal wife. Taking care of you is my
09:46duty. My words pierced him like a thorn. He looked up sharply at me, his eyes carrying a flicker of
09:52hurt.
09:52Sarah, do we really have to go this far? I didn't answer. I only turned and went back into the
09:59bedroom. Some questions already had their answers written in stone. Why bother asking again? The
10:05next morning as I was packing my things, Linda showed up at my door. She looked as ethereal as
10:10ever, carrying a delicate mesh bag with several bright red apples inside. In the 1970s, those were rare
10:17treasures. Comrade Johnson, hello. She greeted me with a graceful practiced smile. My name is Linda.
10:25I'm Daniel's comrade-in-arms. She deliberately emphasized the words comrade-in-arms, as if
10:31declaring her claim. Leaning lazily against the doorframe, I gave her a cool glance. Miss Linda,
10:37what do you want? My indifference made her smile falter for a second, but she quickly recovered.
10:42I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to visit. These are snake apples I had someone bring
10:47from abroad. They're very sweet. No merit, no reward, I said evenly. Take them back, Miss Linda.
10:54After all, Commander Miller needs your care more than I do. I had purposely mentioned Daniel's name
11:00to see how she would react. Sure enough, Linda's eyes flickered for a moment before she put on a
11:05pitiful expression. Comrade Johnson, maybe you've misunderstood. Daniel and I, what we had was in
11:11the past. Now you're his wife. I won't interfere with you two. What a two-edged thing to say.
11:17Claiming innocence while twisting the knife. I sneered inside, though I kept my face calm.
11:23A misunderstanding? I don't think so. After all, Commander Miller coughed half the night last night
11:28because of the past. I deliberately emphasized the word. Linda's face finally changed. She clearly
11:35hadn't expected that I, the supposedly meek stand-in, would be this blunt, refusing to give her even a
11:41shred of face. You. Her lips trembled with anger, but she couldn't let it show. Just then, Daniel returned
11:49from outside. Seeing the two of us standing off at the door, his brows knit tightly. What's going on here?
11:55The moment Linda saw him, she found her anchor. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke in a wounded
12:01tone. Daniel, I only wanted to visit Comrade Johnson, but she seems to have misunderstood me.
12:07Her words were vague, yet enough to spark suspicion. Daniel Miller's gaze immediately shifted to me,
12:13carrying a hint of reproach. Sarah, Linda's a guest. That seemingly impartial remark landed on me like a
12:19slap in the face. I smiled, though tears stung at the corners of my eyes. A guest? That's a good
12:26one.
12:27I nodded, then turned back inside and pulled out the divorce papers. Right in front of Linda, I slapped
12:32them against Daniel's chest. Commander Miller, since your guest has arrived, then I, the unwanted wife,
12:39should leave. I want you to sign this divorce paper today. Otherwise, I'll hand it over to the
12:44political commissar of the military district and let everyone see how their mighty commander Miller
12:49carried on with his first love while his wife was pregnant. Without giving either of them another
12:57glance, I grabbed my already packed suitcase and walked out of the house that had suffocated me for
13:03a year. The sunlight in the courtyard stunned my eyes, but I knew that from the moment I stepped outside
13:08that door. Everything would change. Behind me came Daniel's low, furious growl, laced with shock.
13:16Sarah Johnson, stop right there. But how could I stop? Not only would I leave, I would leave with
13:22dignity, leave beautifully. I didn't stop. His angry shouts and Linda's faint sobs became nothing more
13:28than the backdrop to my departure. I straightened my back, dragged my heavy wooden trunk step by step,
13:34resolute with every stride. The officers' wives poked their heads out, pointing and whispering
13:39at me. Once, those stares would have blinded me. Now, I no longer cared. Their gossip had no power
13:46over my life. I went straight to the logistics office of the military district and found Officer
13:51Wong, who was in charge of vehicles. Officer Wong, I'd like to request a car to take me to the
13:58train
13:58station, I said, handing him a cigarette. It was one my father had sent me through a connection,
14:03usually meant for favors. Officer Wong, a man in his 40s who usually got along well with Daniel,
14:11looked at the cigarette, then at me, and hesitated. Sister-in-law, does Commander Miller know about
14:17this? You know military vehicles can't just... Soon I won't be anyone's sister-in-law. I cut him off,
14:24my tone Kong. I'm divorcing him. This is the last time I'll use my identity as his wife to ask
14:30the unit
14:30for help. It won't happen again. My bluntness stunned him. He had probably never met an officer's
14:36wife who could say the word divorce so lightly. He hesitated for a long moment, then finally took
14:41the cigarette and sighed. Sister-in-law, why put yourself through this? Commander Miller, he's a good
14:47man. I know, I said quietly, finishing his words for him. It's me who doesn't deserve him. Please just
14:54take care of the car, Officer Wong. Perhaps my resolve was too firm, because he didn't try to
15:00persuade me further. Soon, he arranged for me to ride in a supply truck heading to the county.
15:06Sitting in the rattling truck, I watched as the familiar compound grew smaller and smaller behind
15:11me. I felt no reluctance, only a rush of liberation. Goodbye, Daniel Miller. Goodbye, my short, suffocating
15:19marriage. At the train station, I bought the earliest ticket home, a hard seat. In the waiting
15:24hall, surrounded by the noise and bustle of travelers from all directions, I touched the
15:29money in my pocket, 327 yuan and 5 jou. It was the savings of two years of frugality, along with
15:36the
15:36wages Daniel had handed over every month. Enough for me and my child to start a new life. My hometown
15:42was in the provincial capital. Both of my parents worked in a state-owned factory. When I got back,
15:48I could live with them for a while and then find a job. I'd finished high school, and I was
15:53quick-witted.
15:54I wouldn't starve, and besides, the little one inside me was my future, my hope. Thinking about
16:00the life ahead, I even began to feel a trace of excitement. Sarah. A familiar voice thundered in my
16:07ears like a sudden storm. I whipped my head around and saw Daniel Miller, in his crisp military uniform,
16:14striding through the crowded hall toward me. Beneath his cap, Daniel Miller's handsome face was filled
16:19with anxiety and fury, the vein at his temple pulsing hard. How had he found me here?
16:26Instinctively, I tightened my grip on the ticket in my hand, my heartbeat racing out of control.
16:32In just a few strides, he was in front of me, his tall frame completely overshadowing me.
16:37He grabbed my wrist in a grip so strong it felt like he might crush the bones.
16:41Come back with me. His command was laced with barely contained rage.
16:46Let go. I struggled, but his hold was like iron shackles, impossible to break.
16:50Sarah. Stop this. His voice carried a hint of pleading.
16:54Whatever it is, let's talk at home, all right?
16:57Home? I laughed coldly, staring straight into his furious eyes.
17:01Which home, Daniel? The one with you and Linda? Sorry. I find it filthy.
17:06My words cut into him, and though the fire in his eyes grew, his grip on me inexplicably loosened.
17:12Commander Miller, please mind your behavior. We're about to be divorced.
17:15If you keep dragging me around like this, it won't look good.
17:19I shook off his hand and stepped back, putting space between us.
17:23By now, the commotion had drawn the attention of those around us.
17:27Curious eyes turned our way. Daniel seemed to realize it, too.
17:31He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
17:34Sarah, he said, his voice rough.
17:37I know you're angry. I didn't handle things with Linda well.
17:41Just give me a little time, I...
17:42Time? I cut him off.
17:44I gave you a year, Daniel Miller. Wasn't that enough?
17:47Ask yourself, did you love me, even for a day, an hour, a single minute?
17:52My questions were knives, driving straight into his heart.
17:55He fell silent, those deep eyes roiling with emotions I couldn't decipher.
18:00Pain, struggle, and even a trace of confusion.
18:02But he couldn't answer, because the truth was already clear to both of us.
18:06See? You can't answer.
18:08I gave a calm smile, waved the ticket in front of him.
18:11So don't feed me that nonsense about time.
18:14Let me go. It's better for you, for her, and for me.
18:17Just then, the train whistle blew.
18:19It was time to board.
18:21I didn't look at him again and turn toward the gate.
18:24Sarah?
18:24He grabbed me once more from behind.
18:26This time his voice carried unmistakable panic.
18:29You can't leave.
18:31He clutched my suitcase, stubborn as an ox.
18:33You're carrying my child.
18:35Child?
18:35I turned back, meeting his bloodshot eyes.
18:38Slowly, firmly, I said,
18:40From the moment you chose Linda,
18:43this child has had nothing to do with you.
18:45With that, I tore free from his grip
18:47and melted into the stream of passengers.
18:50I could feel his burning gaze chasing me
18:52until my figure disappeared into the train car.
18:55The train began to move.
18:57Leaning against the window,
18:58I watched as his tall, uniform silhouette on the platform
19:01grew smaller and blurrier.
19:03I thought I would cry.
19:05But I didn't.
19:06I only touched my belly gently and whispered inside,
19:09Baby, don't be afraid.
19:11From now on, Mommy will build a life for us.
19:14What I didn't know was that as the train pulled away,
19:17Daniel Miller ran after it like a madman,
19:20shouting my name.
19:21His anguished voice was swallowed by the roar of the engine.
19:24The train headed north,
19:26and with each mile, my heart grew calmer,
19:28like the passing scenery outside.
19:31When I returned home to the provincial capital,
19:33my parents were both startled and overjoyed.
19:36Sarah, why did you come back alone?
19:38Where's Daniel?
19:40My mother held my hand, fussing with concern.
19:42My father, meanwhile, wore a stern face,
19:46as if saying I knew this would happen.
19:47From the start, he hadn't been in favor of my marriage,
19:50warning me that life with a soldier
19:52meant long separations and inevitable suffering.
19:55I set down my suitcase and took a deep breath.
19:59Calmly, I announced to my parents,
20:00I'm divorcing Daniel Miller.
20:02The living room instantly fell silent.
20:05What?
20:06My mother dropped the hot water flask she was holding
20:08with a loud crash, scalding water splashing across the floor.
20:13Nonsense.
20:14My father slammed the table, his face flushed with anger.
20:17Why divorce for no reason?
20:19Did that boy Daniel mistreat you?
20:21I explained everything.
20:23The full story of Linda's return and my pregnancy.
20:26Of course, I spared them the most hurtful details,
20:29only saying that our personalities didn't match
20:31and we couldn't live together anymore.
20:33When I finished, my mother clutched me,
20:36tears streaming down her face.
20:38My poor daughter, why didn't you tell us sooner?
20:41My father stayed silent for a long time
20:43before letting out a heavy sigh.
20:45He patted my shoulder firmly.
20:47As long as you're back, that's all that matters.
20:51Leave the rest to me.
20:52I want to see if the Miller family thinks
20:54they can just trample over my daughter like this.
20:58I knew my father was simply heartbroken for me.
21:01Over the next few days, my family was extra careful with me,
21:05avoiding any mention of Daniel Miller.
21:07My mother cooked all sorts of dishes for me,
21:10trying to lift my spirits.
21:11My father went around calling in favors,
21:14trying to find me a light, easy job.
21:16I handed over all the money I had brought from the unit,
21:19keeping only a small part for myself.
21:21I didn't want to just sit at home, living off savings.
21:24It was the late 1970s,
21:26and the winds of reform were already stirring.
21:29I knew a massive new commercial era was coming.
21:32I refused to waste my life like in my past one,
21:35drifting aimlessly in a state-owned factory,
21:38only to end up laid off with nothing.
21:40Yes, I had been reborn.
21:43In my previous life, when Linda came back,
21:46I had chosen to endure.
21:47I thought that if I were virtuous enough,
21:49generous enough,
21:50one day I could warm Daniel's heart.
21:52But I was wrong.
21:53I endured for a lifetime,
21:56fought silently for decades,
21:57and in the end,
21:58all I got was his final,
22:00I'm sorry.
22:01But that apology was never meant for me,
22:04the wife who had worked herself ragged for him all those years.
22:07It was for Linda,
22:09the white moonlight he had carried in his heart,
22:11who had left for faraway places.
22:13Now that I was living again,
22:15I wouldn't repeat that mistake.
22:16This time,
22:18I would live for myself.
22:20One day,
22:20while strolling the streets
22:21looking for business opportunities,
22:23I unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure.
22:26It was Linda.
22:27She was no longer wearing that eye-catching dress,
22:30but a plain work outfit instead.
22:32Gone was the pitiful,
22:34delicate act she put on in the compound,
22:36in its place,
22:37with sharpness and efficiency.
22:39She was speaking to a man
22:41who looked like a black market dealer.
22:43The two of them exchanged money and goods
22:45with practice speed.
22:47My heart stirred,
22:48and I quietly followed.
22:49I saw Linda skillfully weave through a few alleys
22:52and finally enter a secluded courtyard.
22:55Inside were piles of fabrics and polyester shirts.
22:58So this was her so-called from abroad?
23:01In truth,
23:02she was dealing in speculative trade.
23:04In the 1970s,
23:05this was a serious crime,
23:07enough to get you arrested and branded
23:08with the tale of capitalism.
23:10I sneered inwardly.
23:12Linda,
23:12oh Linda,
23:13you act so pure and innocent,
23:15but behind everyone's back
23:17you'd dare to run such schemes.
23:18If Daniel knew that the woman he sees
23:21as pure and untouchable
23:22is actually a black market dealer,
23:24what would he think?
23:25I didn't expose her right away.
23:28Instead,
23:28I memorized the address carefully.
23:30This leverage might prove useful one day.
23:34When I returned home,
23:35I said to my father,
23:36Dad,
23:37you've been trying to find me a job,
23:39right?
23:39I've decided.
23:40I don't want to work in a state factory.
23:42I want to start a small business of my own.
23:45Business.
23:46My father frowned.
23:47You're a girl.
23:48What kind of business would you run?
23:50It's not respectable to be out there
23:52dealing with strangers.
23:54Dad,
23:55times are changing.
23:56I persuaded him patiently.
23:58The country's policies are loosening.
24:00In the future,
24:01private business will definitely be the trend.
24:03We have to seize the chance.
24:05To convince him,
24:06I repackaged my memories from my previous life
24:09as things I had supposedly read in newspapers
24:11or heard from others,
24:13analyzing for him
24:14the coming changes in the economy.
24:16My father looked doubtful,
24:18but when he saw how determined I was,
24:20he finally relented.
24:22What do you want to do?
24:24I want to set up a stall to sell clothes,
24:26I said,
24:27laying out my plan in full detail.
24:29I decided to start with the most fashionable items
24:32of the moment,
24:33bell-bottom pants and floral shirts.
24:35I knew it wouldn't be long
24:37before this wave of bold styles
24:38swept across the country.
24:40Whoever seized this chance
24:42would earn the first pot of gold.
24:44My father was moved by the future
24:46I painted for him
24:47and finally agreed to take out
24:49some of the family savings to support me.
24:51With startup money in hand,
24:53I wasted no time.
24:55I found someone to source
24:57the latest fabrics from the South,
24:59then hired a few skilled tailors.
25:01Using the patterns I sketched,
25:03they worked overnight
25:04to produce a batch of bell-bottoms
25:06and floral shirts.
25:07Everything was ready.
25:09All I needed was the final push.
25:10But the day before my stall was set to open,
25:13someone I never expected showed up at my door.
25:16It was Daniel Miller.
25:17He looked worn and travel-stained,
25:20thinner by a good deal.
25:21A rough stubble shadowed his chin
25:23and his uniform was wrinkled,
25:25stripped of its usual sharpness.
25:27When his eyes landed on me,
25:29they lit up instantly,
25:30like a parched traveler in the desert
25:31spotting an oasis.
25:33Sarah.
25:34His voice was hoarse,
25:36trembling slightly.
25:37My mother's face darkened at once.
25:39She grabbed a broom to drive him out.
25:41What are you doing here?
25:42You're not welcome in this house.
25:44Get out.
25:45I stopped her,
25:46keeping my gaze steady on him.
25:48Why are you here?
25:49He ignored my mother's anger,
25:51his eyes fixed only on me.
25:53From his pocket,
25:54he pulled out a document
25:55and handed it to me.
25:56I don't agree to the divorce,
25:59he said firmly,
26:00each word weighed down
26:01with unprecedented determination.
26:03I had the commissar reject your application.
26:06His words landed like a bomb
26:08in our living room.
26:09On what grounds?
26:10My father exploded,
26:12his beard bristling with rage.
26:13My daughter doesn't want to live with you anymore.
26:16Do you think you can force her?
26:17Daniel Miller.
26:19Daniel Miller,
26:19don't think being a commander
26:20makes you untouchable.
26:22This isn't over.
26:24Dad,
26:24don't get worked up,
26:25I soothed him.
26:26Then turned to Daniel
26:28with eyes gone cold.
26:29Commander Miller,
26:30what's the meaning of this?
26:32Haven't you heard the saying,
26:33a forced melon is never sweet?
26:36I know,
26:37he said,
26:37his gaze never leaving my face.
26:39But you're carrying my child.
26:40I can't let him be born without a father.
26:43Father?
26:44I laughed like I'd just heard
26:45the cruelest joke.
26:47Now you remember you're his father?
26:49When Linda came back,
26:50did it ever cross your mind
26:51that I was carrying your child?
26:53His face drained of color.
26:55His lips parted,
26:56but no words came out.
26:57Sarah,
26:58I was wrong before.
27:00His posture lowered
27:01and his voice carried
27:02a rare note of pleading.
27:04Just give me another chance.
27:06I'll take care of things
27:07with Linda.
27:08From now on,
27:08we'll live a good life together.
27:10A good life?
27:11I stared at him,
27:13suddenly finding it ridiculous.
27:15In my past life,
27:16he had said the exact same thing.
27:18And what happened?
27:19Linda was a thorn lodge
27:20between us,
27:21tormenting us for a lifetime.
27:24No need,
27:25Daniel Miller.
27:25I shook my head,
27:27my voice resolute.
27:28I've already made up my mind.
27:29This marriage is over.
27:31If you refuse,
27:32I'll file a lawsuit.
27:33I don't believe
27:34there isn't a place in this world
27:35that will stand up for justice.
27:37With that,
27:38I turned away,
27:39shut myself in my room,
27:40and slammed the door.
27:41Outside,
27:42I heard my mother scolding him,
27:44his muffled voice
27:45trying to explain.
27:46I leaned against the door,
27:48my heart cold as ice.
27:50Daniel Miller,
27:51did you really think
27:52one rejected application
27:53could keep me tied to you?
27:55You've underestimated me,
27:56Sarah Johnson.
27:57The very next day,
27:59my clothing stall opened
28:00at the busiest street corner
28:01in the city.
28:02I gave it a bold name,
28:04Sarah's New Trends.
28:05I hung up the bright,
28:07stylish bell-bottom pants
28:08and floral shirts,
28:09instantly catching the eyes
28:11of passersby.
28:12At the end of the 1970s,
28:14most people's tastes
28:15were still conservative.
28:16But young people's hunger
28:18for new things
28:19was already bubbling
28:20to the surface.
28:21Hey, comrade,
28:23why are the legs
28:24of these pants so wide?
28:25A bold young girl
28:26curiously touched
28:27the fabric of the bell-bottoms.
28:29They're called bell-bottoms,
28:31I explained with a smile.
28:32It's the most popular style
28:34in Hong Kong right now.
28:35With your figure,
28:36you'd look amazing in them.
28:38Want to try a pair?
28:40Encouraged by me,
28:41the girl blushed
28:42and stepped into
28:43the makeshift fitting room
28:44I had set up
28:45with a cloth partition.
28:46A few minutes later
28:47when she walked out again,
28:49everyone gasped
28:50in admiration.
28:51The dark green bell-bottoms
28:53perfectly showed off
28:54her long legs,
28:55making her look stylish
28:56and modern.
28:57Oh my God,
28:58this looks so good.
29:00The girl stared at herself
29:01in the mirror,
29:02her eyes sparkling.
29:04I'll take them.
29:05Without hesitation,
29:07she pulled out money
29:08and bought the pants.
29:09With the first brave customer
29:11breaking the ice,
29:12business came easily.
29:13Soon my stall
29:15was surrounded,
29:16especially by young people
29:17eager for fashion.
29:18By noon,
29:19I had sold more than half
29:21of the 30-plus items
29:22I'd brought.
29:23Counting the handful
29:24of scattered bills
29:25in my hand,
29:25I was bursting with joy.
29:27This was far better
29:28than earning a fixed wage
29:30at a state-owned factory.
29:31Just as I was swamped
29:33with customers,
29:34an uninvited guest
29:35appeared at my stall.
29:36It was Daniel Miller.
29:38He had shed
29:39his military uniform
29:40and was wearing
29:41a short-sleeved
29:42white shirt
29:42and blue work pants,
29:44blending in
29:45like an ordinary worker.
29:46He didn't step forward
29:48or interrupt,
29:49only stood quietly
29:50at the edge of the crowd,
29:52watching me.
29:53But I could feel
29:54his gaze resting on me
29:55the whole time.
29:56I pretended not to notice
29:58and kept cheerfully
29:59serving customers.
30:00It wasn't until
30:01I closed the stall
30:02that he came forward,
30:03silently helping me pack up,
30:05hoisting the heavy racks
30:06and fabric
30:07onto his shoulder.
30:08I'll walk you home,
30:10he said in a low voice.
30:11There's no need.
30:12I can manage myself,
30:14I replied coolly.
30:15It's dark.
30:16You're pregnant.
30:17It's not safe,
30:18he insisted stubbornly,
30:19leaving me no chance
30:20to refuse
30:21as he carried
30:22the load ahead of me.
30:23I looked at his broad back,
30:25my heart a tangle
30:26of emotions.
30:27We walked in silence.
30:29Nearing home,
30:30he finally stopped
30:30and turned to face me.
30:32Sarah,
30:32I know you're still angry.
30:34He pulled a waxed paper packet
30:35from his pocket
30:36and handed it to me.
30:38These are your favorite
30:39osmanthus cakes.
30:40I waited in line
30:41for a long time
30:42to buy them.
30:43Please have some.
30:44Under the dim streetlight,
30:46his eyes carried
30:47a trace of cautious hope,
30:48almost like he was
30:49trying to win me over.
30:51My chest tightened.
30:53Once,
30:54just one packet
30:54of osmanthus cakes
30:55from him was enough
30:56to make me happy all day.
30:58But now,
30:59everything was different.
31:00Daniel Miller,
31:01I said firmly,
31:02not taking it.
31:03You don't have to do this.
31:04It's over between us.
31:06No,
31:07it's not.
31:07He burst out suddenly,
31:09gripping my shoulders.
31:10Sarah,
31:11as long as I don't agree
31:12to a divorce,
31:13you're still my wife.
31:14Let go of me.
31:15I struggled against his hold.
31:17Just then,
31:18a few thuggish voices
31:19rang out
31:19from the end of the alley.
31:21Well, well,
31:22young couple having a fight,
31:23huh?
31:23Pretty girl,
31:24how about having
31:25some fun with us?
31:26The men swaggered toward us,
31:28their leering eyes
31:29crawling over me.
31:30In an instant,
31:32Daniel shoved me behind him,
31:33his gaze turning razor sharp
31:35like a lion provoked.
31:37Get lost,
31:38he growled,
31:39his voice carrying
31:39the undeniable force
31:40of a soldier's command.
31:42But the men only sneered,
31:44unfazed.
31:45Tough guy, huh?
31:46Do you know
31:46whose turf this is?
31:48Before the words
31:49were even finished,
31:50Daniel was already moving.
31:51I'd barely caught
31:52a blur of motion
31:53before screams
31:54split the air.
31:55In seconds,
31:56the arrogant gangsters
31:57were all on the ground,
31:58groaning in pain.
32:00Daniel hadn't even
32:00mussed his shirt.
32:01Dusting off his hands,
32:03he turned back,
32:04the fierceness in his eyes
32:05softening instantly
32:06into worry.
32:08Sarah,
32:08are you all right?
32:09Did I scare you?
32:11He asked.
32:12I shook my head,
32:14though inside me
32:15waves were crashing.
32:16I had known he could fight,
32:17but I hadn't expected this.
32:19Was this the strength
32:20of a soldier honed
32:21by years on the battlefield?
32:23He checked me nervously,
32:24and only after making sure
32:26I wasn't hurt
32:26did he breathe
32:27a sigh of relief.
32:28Don't walk alone
32:29at night anymore,
32:30he said firmly.
32:32I looked at him,
32:33and a thought
32:34suddenly crossed my mind.
32:36Daniel Miller,
32:37is everything you do
32:37for me really just
32:38out of responsibility
32:39and the child?
32:41If it's only duty,
32:43then why would you
32:43fight for me like that?
32:45The doubt planted itself
32:46in my heart like a seed,
32:48quietly beginning
32:48to sprout.
32:49After that night,
32:50Daniel became
32:51like my shadow.
32:52Every day when I set up
32:53my stall,
32:54he stayed not far away,
32:55watching silently.
32:56I ignored him,
32:58and he didn't come closer
32:59to disturb me,
33:00but when I packed up,
33:02he would wordlessly
33:03shoulder the heaviest things
33:04and walk me home.
33:05At first,
33:06my mother would still
33:07chase him off
33:08with a broom,
33:09but after seeing him
33:10take the scolding
33:11without fighting back
33:12or talking back,
33:13she eventually stopped.
33:15Still,
33:16every time she saw him,
33:18she couldn't help
33:18rolling her eyes.
33:20Meanwhile,
33:21my business grew better
33:22and better.
33:23Sarah's new trends
33:24had already become known
33:25among the young people
33:27of the provincial capital.
33:28With my earnings,
33:30the very first thing I did
33:31was pay off
33:32all the family's debts.
33:33After that,
33:34I bought my parents
33:35plenty of nice things.
33:37Seeing the smiles
33:38on their faces
33:39gave me a sense
33:40of satisfaction
33:40I had never felt before.
33:43One day,
33:44while I was busy
33:44at the stall,
33:45an unexpected customer
33:46arrived.
33:47It was Linda.
33:48She still wore
33:49that gentle,
33:50graceful look,
33:51but in her eyes
33:52there was a flicker
33:52of jealousy
33:53and resentment
33:54she couldn't hide.
33:55She looked at my
33:56simple but bustling stall,
33:58then glanced at Daniel
33:59standing nearby
34:00like a loyal watchdog,
34:02and the corner of her lips
34:03curled into a mocking smile.
34:05Sarah,
34:06I never thought
34:07you had this kind of ability.
34:09She stepped closer,
34:11her voice low
34:11but full of provocation.
34:13You gave up
34:14being a commander's wife
34:15just to stand out
34:16here in the streets?
34:17Aren't you afraid
34:18you'll embarrass Daniel?
34:21Commander's wife?
34:22I kept showing
34:23a customer a shirt,
34:24not even lifting my head.
34:26Sorry,
34:26I gave up that title
34:27long ago.
34:28If you want it,
34:29you can have it anytime.
34:31Linda's face went pale,
34:32then red.
34:33She was so choked,
34:34she couldn't get a word out.
34:36The customers around us
34:37looked on curiously.
34:38I put down
34:39what I was doing,
34:40looked straight at her
34:41and smiled.
34:42Miss Linda,
34:43this is a place
34:44for business.
34:45If you want to buy
34:46clothes,
34:47you're welcome.
34:48If you're here
34:48to stir up trouble,
34:49then I'm sorry,
34:50turn right at the door.
34:52I won't see you out.
34:54Don't get smug,
34:55Sarah,
34:55Linda hissed,
34:56lowering her voice
34:57as she leaned close
34:58so only the two of us
34:59could hear.
35:00Do you really think
35:01you've won?
35:02Let me tell you.
35:03The only person
35:04in Daniel's heart
35:05will always be me.
35:06The way he treats you now
35:08is only because
35:09of that child
35:10in your belly.
35:11Once the baby's born,
35:12just wait and see
35:13if he even bothers
35:13with you anymore.
35:15Is that so?
35:16I arched an eyebrow
35:17unbothered.
35:18Then let's wait
35:19and see.
35:20Frustrated at my indifference,
35:22Linda stamped her foot
35:23and stormed off.
35:24She stopped in front
35:25of Daniel
35:25as if she wanted
35:26to complain to him,
35:27but he only gave her
35:28a cold look
35:29without saying
35:29a single word.
35:31Left humiliated,
35:32she had no choice
35:33but to leave.
35:34Watching her retreating
35:35back in defeat,
35:36I felt a surge
35:37of satisfaction.
35:38That evening,
35:39after closing,
35:40Daniel as usual
35:41carried my things.
35:42Out of nowhere,
35:43he asked,
35:44Linda came to see you today.
35:46Yes.
35:47I answered lightly.
35:49She didn't do anything
35:50to you, did she?
35:51His tone carried concern.
35:53What could she possibly
35:54do to me?
35:55I countered,
35:56then added sharply.
35:57Tell me,
35:58Commander Miller,
35:59are you worried about me?
36:00Or worried about
36:01your white moonlight?
36:02Afraid she might be
36:03wronged at my hands?
36:05My words were barbed.
36:07Daniel stopped in his tracks,
36:08then turned around
36:09to face me.
36:09He stared at me,
36:11his eyes deep
36:11and conflicted
36:12under the moonlight.
36:13Sarah?
36:14His voice was hoarse.
36:16I know no matter
36:17what I say right now,
36:18you won't believe me.
36:19But between me and her,
36:21it's really over.
36:22Over?
36:23I let out a cold laugh.
36:25Then why does she still
36:26call you Daniel
36:26with such affection?
36:28Why does she still act
36:29like she's the only one
36:30in your heart?
36:31I'll cut ties
36:32with her completely,
36:33he promised,
36:34his gaze more serious
36:35than I had ever seen.
36:37Sarah,
36:37believe me.
36:38I said nothing.
36:40I only turned my head
36:41and kept walking.
36:42Trust?
36:43Once broken,
36:44is nearly impossible
36:45to piece back together.
36:46A few days later,
36:48trouble came
36:48to my clothing stall.
36:50A group of men
36:51in work uniforms
36:52suddenly stormed up
36:53and,
36:54without a word,
36:55began confiscating
36:55my things.
36:56What are you doing?
36:58I rushed forward
36:59to block them.
36:59We received a report
37:01that you're engaged
37:01in speculation
37:02and illegal business,
37:03their leader,
37:04a middle-aged man,
37:05said sternly.
37:06I am not.
37:07I argued back.
37:09I'm responding
37:10to the state's call
37:11to invigorate the economy.
37:13Enough talking.
37:14Come with us.
37:15They wouldn't listen
37:15to a word of explanation.
37:17Roughly,
37:18they began hauling
37:18my clothes and racks
37:20onto their truck.
37:21I was so anxious
37:22I nearly cried.
37:23Those goods
37:24were everything I had,
37:25all of my hard work
37:26and savings.
37:27Just then,
37:28Daniel Miller
37:29burst out from the crowd.
37:30Stop!
37:31His roar shook the air
37:32as he blocked
37:33the Bureau's truck.
37:34Who are you
37:35to interfere
37:36with law enforcement?
37:36The middle-aged leader
37:38sneered arrogantly.
37:40Daniel ignored him.
37:42Instead,
37:42he pulled out
37:43his officer's ID
37:44and held it up.
37:45Daniel Miller,
37:47People's Liberation Army.
37:48The moment
37:49that red booklet
37:49came into view,
37:51the man's expression
37:51collapsed.
37:52All his swagger
37:53evaporated.
37:54Oh!
37:55Commander Miller!
37:56This,
37:57this must be
37:58a misunderstanding.
37:59We were just
37:59following procedure?
38:01Following procedure?
38:02Daniel's eyes narrowed.
38:04Funny,
38:05because I heard
38:05someone paid you
38:06to come here
38:06and cause trouble.
38:08Cold sweat
38:09broke out instantly
38:10on the man's forehead.
38:11No,
38:11absolutely not.
38:12Nothing like that!
38:14He shook his head
38:15frantically.
38:15Good.
38:16For your sake,
38:17I hope not.
38:18Daniel's voice
38:19was icy.
38:20My wife's business
38:20is legal.
38:21If she loses
38:22even a single
38:23piece of clothing,
38:24I'll hold you
38:24personally accountable.
38:26Now put everything back.
38:27His tone left
38:28no room for argument.
38:29The officials scrambled
38:31to unload
38:31every item
38:32they had taken,
38:33setting it all
38:33back in place.
38:34Once the crisis
38:35had passed,
38:36Daniel came
38:37to my side.
38:38His eyes softened
38:39when he saw
38:40my reddened eyes.
38:41Reaching out,
38:42he brushed away
38:43my tears
38:43with his rough fingertip.
38:45Don't be afraid,
38:46he murmured.
38:47I'm here.
38:49At that moment,
38:50as I met his steady gaze
38:52and heard the strong
38:52rhythm of his heartbeat,
38:54I felt the ice wall
38:55in my heart
38:56crack just a little.
38:57The bureau men
38:58slunk away in shame,
39:00but my stall
39:01drew even more
39:01onlookers.
39:03People whispered
39:04in amazement
39:04about how the
39:05seemingly ordinary
39:06owner of a clothing
39:07stall had such
39:08a formidable commander
39:09as her husband
39:10standing behind her.
39:11But I couldn't
39:12feel happy.
39:12I looked at Daniel
39:14with mixed emotions,
39:15grateful for the way
39:17he had stepped in,
39:18but also resentful
39:19that I still had
39:19to rely on him
39:20to resolve such troubles.
39:22Thank you,
39:23I said quietly,
39:24my tone carrying
39:25a trace of distance.
39:26We're husband and wife.
39:28There's no need
39:28to thank me.
39:29His eyes held
39:30an emotion
39:31I couldn't read.
39:32Sarah,
39:33come back with me,
39:34he urged.
39:35It's too dangerous
39:36out here.
39:36I don't want you
39:37to ever face
39:38something like today
39:39again.
39:39Go back?
39:40I gave a bitter smile.
39:42Back to being
39:43your caged canary?
39:44Back to watching you
39:45and Linda put on
39:46your show of deep
39:47affection?
39:48Daniel Miller,
39:49let me tell you,
39:49never.
39:50I paused,
39:51then added coldly,
39:53today's incident
39:54was Linda's doing,
39:55wasn't it?
39:55Who else would
39:56stoop so low
39:56to target me?
39:58Daniel's face darkened.
39:59He didn't deny it.
40:01His silence
40:01was as good
40:02as an admission.
40:03I spread my hands.
40:04As long as she's around,
40:06we'll never have peace.
40:07The best ending
40:08between us is divorce.
40:10I won't have anything
40:10more to do with her.
40:12Daniel Miller
40:13looked at me
40:13and spoke slowly,
40:15word by word.
40:16Sarah,
40:17I'll only ask you
40:18one thing.
40:19Do you really not
40:19have any feelings
40:20left for me at all?
40:22His question hit me
40:23like a stone
40:23dropped into my heart.
40:25I froze.
40:26Did I truly have
40:27no feelings
40:28left for him?
40:29If not,
40:30then why had my heart
40:31skipped a beat
40:31when he stepped
40:32in front of me
40:33to shield me?
40:34If not,
40:35then why had my nose
40:36stung
40:36when he gently
40:37wiped away my tears?
40:38I didn't dare
40:39think too deeply.
40:40The pain of my
40:41previous life
40:42was like shackles
40:43wrapped tight around me.
40:44I was afraid,
40:46afraid that if I
40:46gave myself again,
40:48I would only end up
40:48scarred all over.
40:50No,
40:50I turned my face away,
40:52unable to meet
40:53his eyes.
40:53The word came out
40:54of my mouth
40:55cold and hard.
40:56I saw his body
40:57visibly sway.
40:58The eyes
40:59that had always
40:59held a spark
41:00went dull,
41:01like stars snuffed out.
41:02Okay,
41:03I understand.
41:04His voice was hoarse,
41:05heavy with exhaustion
41:06and disappointment.
41:08He quietly
41:08helped me
41:09pack up my things,
41:10then turned
41:11and walked away,
41:12step by step.
41:13In the glow
41:14of the setting sun,
41:15his back looked
41:16especially lonely
41:17and desolate.
41:18Watching him leave,
41:19my heart clenched
41:20painfully,
41:20as if something inside
41:21was being torn apart,
41:23leaving me breathless.
41:25Sarah,
41:25oh Sarah,
41:27are you really
41:27going to be this stubborn?
41:28In the days that followed,
41:30Daniel didn't show up again.
41:31My world became
41:33suddenly quiet.
41:34No more silent watchfulness,
41:36no more clumsy
41:36attempts to please me.
41:38I should have felt relieved,
41:39but for some reason,
41:40my heart felt empty.
41:42My mother noticed
41:42something was off.
41:44She asked tentatively,
41:45Sarah,
41:46do you still have feelings
41:47for Daniel?
41:48I shook my head,
41:49my voice stiff.
41:50No.
41:51Silly girl.
41:52My mother sighed,
41:54stroking my hair.
41:55Feelings aren't
41:56something you can lie about.
41:57You say no,
41:58but your absent-mindedness
41:59these past few days
42:00is written all over your face.
42:02Her words left me
42:04deep in thought.
42:05That day,
42:06an old comrade
42:07of my father's
42:08from the Public Security Bureau
42:09came to visit.
42:10The two of them
42:11talked in the study
42:12for a long time.
42:13When they came out,
42:14my father's face
42:15was unusually serious.
42:16He called me aside,
42:18lowered his voice,
42:18and said,
42:19Sarah,
42:19I just got word
42:20that Linda you mentioned,
42:22she's been reported
42:23for speculation
42:24and profiteering.
42:25The Public Security Bureau
42:26has opened a case.
42:27She'll probably
42:28be arrested soon.
42:30I was stunned.
42:31Reported?
42:32By who?
42:33My father gave me
42:35a complicated look.
42:36Daniel Miller.
42:38It was him.
42:39I froze completely.
42:41I had thought at most
42:42he would distance himself
42:43from Linda.
42:44I hadn't expected
42:45he would personally
42:46send his white moonlight
42:47to jail.
42:48That's not all,
42:49my father continued.
42:50I also heard that
42:52Daniel took a lot
42:53of pressure in the unit
42:54because of this.
42:55Linda's family
42:56seems to have
42:57some connections
42:57and has been putting
42:58heavy pressure on him,
43:00but he's borne it all.
43:01He paused,
43:02then looked at me seriously.
43:04Sarah,
43:05I know you've been wronged,
43:06but this time Daniel,
43:08he's acted like a man.
43:09He's risked everything
43:11for you.
43:11Maybe you should think again.
43:13My father's words
43:14landed like a heavy hammer
43:16on my heart.
43:17Daniel Miller
43:17had actually gone
43:18this far for me.
43:19My heart was in
43:20complete turmoil.
43:21Memories of our time
43:22together replayed
43:23in my mind.
43:24His clumsy care,
43:25his silent watch,
43:27the decisiveness
43:28with which he fought
43:29for me,
43:29the lonely figure
43:30when I rejected him.
43:32Without realizing it,
43:33this man had come
43:34to occupy such an
43:35important place
43:36in my heart.
43:37I couldn't sit still
43:39anymore.
43:39I bolted out of the house
43:41and ran like mad
43:42toward the train station.
43:43I had to find him.
43:45I had to ask him clearly.
43:47Daniel Miller,
43:48what are your true
43:49feelings for me?
43:50By the time I arrived
43:51at the military compound,
43:53panting for breath,
43:54the sky had already
43:55gone dark.
43:56The entire place
43:57was silent,
43:57with only a few houses
43:58glowing warmly
43:59from their windows.
44:00Guided by memory,
44:02I found the home
44:02Daniel Miller and I
44:03once shared.
44:04The door was unlocked.
44:06I pushed it open gently.
44:08The house was dark,
44:09no lights on,
44:10the living room
44:11swallowed in shadow.
44:12Through the faint
44:13moonlight streaming in,
44:14I saw that familiar figure.
44:16Daniel was sitting on the sofa,
44:19motionless like a statue.
44:20On the coffee table
44:21in front of him
44:22were several empty bottles,
44:23the sharp smell of alcohol
44:25filling the air.
44:26He had been drinking.
44:28In all the time
44:29I had known him,
44:30I had never seen him
44:31drink this much.
44:32My heart felt as if
44:33an invisible hand
44:34were gripping it tightly,
44:35squeezing until it hurt.
44:37I walked over
44:38and flicked on the light.
44:39The sudden brightness
44:40made him squint uncomfortably.
44:42When he realized it was me,
44:43he froze,
44:44his eyes full of disbelief.
44:47Sarah.
44:47He staggered to his feet.
44:49Too much alcohol
44:50had left him unsteady.
44:51Why?
44:52Why did you come back?
44:53His voice was hoarse,
44:55nearly broken.
44:56I looked at his weary face,
44:58his bloodshot eyes,
44:59the stubble on his chin,
45:00and I couldn't hold back
45:01my tears any longer.
45:03Why did you do all this?
45:05I sobbed.
45:06Why get involved
45:07with Linda's business?
45:08Don't you know
45:09it could ruin your future?
45:10He looked at me,
45:11then suddenly smiled.
45:13That smile carried bitterness,
45:15self-mockery,
45:16and something almost reverent.
45:17He swayed toward me,
45:19lifting his hand
45:20as if to touch my face,
45:21but it stopped
45:22halfway in the air.
45:23If my future requires
45:25being bought
45:26with my wife's tears,
45:27then I don't want it.
45:28He said.
45:29His words shattered me completely.
45:31I threw myself
45:32into his arms,
45:33crying my heart out,
45:34pouring every bit
45:35of grievance,
45:36fear,
45:36and gratitude
45:37I had been holding
45:38into tears.
45:38He held me tightly,
45:40as if trying to fuse me
45:41into his very bones.
45:43His chin pressed
45:44against the top of my head,
45:45and I felt warm drops
45:46fall onto my hair.
45:48He was crying.
45:50This iron soldier
45:51who never shed tears,
45:52even when bleeding.
45:53He was crying.
45:54I'm sorry, Sarah.
45:55I'm sorry.
45:56He repeated it
45:57over and over in my ear.
45:59It's my fault.
46:00I was a fool.
46:01I was a bastard.
46:02I pounded his chest
46:04with my fists,
46:05still sobbing.
46:05You are a bastard,
46:06a big bastard.
46:08He let me hit
46:09and curse him,
46:10only holding me tighter.
46:11We cried for a long time
46:12until at last
46:13my emotions settled.
46:14Lifting my head
46:15from his chest,
46:16I looked at him
46:16through tear-blurred eyes.
46:18Daniel Miller,
46:19tell me the truth.
46:20When did your feelings
46:21for me really begin?
46:23He brushed the tears
46:24from my face
46:25with his rough fingertips,
46:26his gaze full of tenderness
46:28and affection.
46:29I don't know,
46:30he admitted with a rasp.
46:32Maybe it was the time
46:33you awkwardly treated
46:34my wounds
46:35but couldn't bear
46:36to look at the blood.
46:37Maybe it was when
46:38you woke in the middle
46:39of the night
46:39just to pull a blanket
46:40over me.
46:41Or maybe it was when
46:42you, stubborn as ever,
46:44insisted on divorcing me
46:45while carrying our child.
46:47All I know is...
46:50The moment I saw you
46:51pulling your suitcase
46:52onto that train
46:53without looking back,
46:54my heart felt hollowed out.
46:56That's when I finally understood.
46:58Sarah Johnson
46:59had already taken root
47:00in my heart,
47:01grown,
47:02and become a towering tree.
47:04He paused,
47:05then looked straight
47:06into my eyes,
47:07speaking each word
47:08with clarity.
47:09Sarah,
47:09Linda was my responsibility
47:11and my guilt
47:12from the battlefield.
47:13But you,
47:14you are the woman
47:15I want to spend
47:15the rest of my life with.
47:17His confession
47:18rushed through me
47:19like a warm tide
47:20flooding every corner
47:21of my soul.
47:22Words I had waited
47:23for an entire lifetime
47:24in my previous life.
47:26This time,
47:27I had finally heard them.
47:29Rising on my toes,
47:30I kissed him,
47:31pouring every ounce
47:32of my desperate courage
47:33into it.
47:34Daniel stiffened
47:35for a moment,
47:36then pulled me
47:36into a deep,
47:37searing kiss in return.
47:39It wasn't driven
47:40by desire,
47:41but by the joy
47:41of losing and finding
47:42each other again,
47:44real and unshakable.
47:45Outside,
47:46the moonlight poured down
47:47like water,
47:48soft and gentle,
47:50wrapping around us both.
47:51I knew that
47:52from this moment on,
47:53all the misunderstandings
47:55and walls between us
47:56had dissolved
47:56into nothing.
47:58The happiness
47:58that belonged to me
48:00and Daniel Miller
48:01was only just beginning.
48:02Even after reconciling
48:04with Daniel,
48:05I didn't give up
48:05my clothing business.
48:07Sarah's new trends
48:08was my hard work,
48:09my independence,
48:10and my pride.
48:11Daniel gave me
48:12his full support.
48:13My wife is so capable,
48:15I couldn't be prouder,
48:16he said proudly
48:17as he peeled
48:18an apple for me.
48:19He even used
48:20his connections
48:21to help me secure
48:22an official business license,
48:24turning my little stall
48:25into a legitimate
48:26private enterprise.
48:28As for Linda,
48:29the evidence
48:30of her profiteering
48:31was undeniable.
48:32She was sentenced
48:33to three years in prison.
48:35Her family's connections
48:36crumbled under
48:37Daniel's firm stance
48:38and the weight
48:39of the evidence.
48:40That woman
48:41who had entangled me
48:42for a lifetime
48:43in my past life
48:44finally received
48:45the punishment
48:46she deserved
48:46in this one.
48:47With Linda gone,
48:49nothing stood
48:50in the way of me
48:50and Daniel anymore.
48:52Our feelings
48:53for each other
48:53grew quickly.
48:54He was no longer
48:55the silent,
48:56brooding husband
48:57weighed down
48:58by burdens.
48:59He became attentive,
49:00tender,
49:01even a little clingy.
49:02Every day
49:03he appeared
49:03at my stall
49:04on time,
49:05bringing me hot meals.
49:06He clumsily tried
49:07to massage
49:08my swollen legs
49:09after long hours
49:10standing.
49:11Like an eager child,
49:12he shared stories
49:13from the unit
49:14while listening
49:15with equal interest
49:16to my business chatter.
49:17The other military wives
49:19in the compound
49:20couldn't believe
49:20their eyes.
49:21Seeing us inseparable,
49:23loving,
49:23and devoted,
49:24they were left stunned.
49:26Sarah,
49:26you really have a gift.
49:28You even melted
49:29Commander Miller's
49:29block of ice,
49:30neighbor Mrs. Zhang said,
49:32clutching my hand
49:33in envy.
49:34I only smiled.
49:35I knew better
49:36than anyone,
49:36it wasn't tricks
49:37that melted the ice,
49:38but sincerity.
49:40A few months later,
49:41I gave birth
49:42to a healthy baby boy.
49:43On the day of delivery,
49:45Daniel paced
49:46outside the ward
49:47like an ant
49:47on a hot pan.
49:48When the nurse
49:49finally came out
49:50and told him
49:50both mother and child
49:51were safe,
49:52this tall,
49:53strong man's eyes
49:54turned red with emotion.
49:55He named our son
49:57Daniel Jr.,
49:58but gave him
49:58the affectionate name
49:59Nian Juan.
50:01Holding the baby,
50:02I whispered the name.
50:03Nian Juan.
50:04Does that mean
50:05longing for me?
50:06Daniel pressed my hand
50:08to his lips
50:08and kissed it,
50:09his eyes brimming
50:10with tenderness.
50:11It means I'll miss you
50:12for a lifetime.
50:14Love you for a lifetime.
50:16Looking into his eyes,
50:17then down at the rosy,
50:18chubby little boy
50:19in my arms,
50:20I felt as though
50:21I held the whole world.
50:23This was the happiness
50:24I had always wanted.
50:25Simple,
50:26real,
50:27within reach.
50:28After the baby's
50:29first month,
50:30I left the stall
50:30to my mother
50:31to manage
50:32while I focused
50:32on my family
50:33and planning new ventures.
50:35With the foresight
50:36my rebirth had given me,
50:37I caught the first waves
50:39of China's early
50:401980s economic reforms.
50:42I persuaded Daniel
50:43to use his
50:44demobilization stipend
50:45to buy several houses
50:47in the special
50:47economic zone.
50:48Everyone thought
50:49we were insane
50:50throwing money
50:51into a tiny fishing village.
50:53But just a few years later,
50:55when property prices
50:56multiplied dozens of times,
50:58everyone admired my vision.
51:00I also encouraged
51:02my father
51:02to leave his
51:03state-owned factory job
51:04and take over
51:05a failing little food plant.
51:07I provided him
51:08with several recipes
51:09for snacks
51:09I knew would explode
51:11in popularity,
51:12like spicy dried fish,
51:14instant noodles,
51:15and spicy strips.
51:16At first,
51:17he was doubtful.
51:18But when the first batch
51:19of spicy fish snacks
51:21hit the market,
51:21they instantly swept
51:23across the country.
51:24Orders poured in
51:25like snowflakes.
51:26Our family became
51:28one of the first
51:28to grow wealthy
51:29in the 1980s.
51:31Meanwhile,
51:32Daniel continued
51:33to rise steadily
51:34in the military,
51:35his ability and merits
51:36carrying him ever higher.
51:38We became the couple
51:39everyone envied,
51:40successful in career,
51:41fulfilled in family.
51:43I often thought,
51:44if in my past life
51:45I hadn't chosen to endure,
51:46but had lived bravely
51:47for myself,
51:48could I have had
51:49this life then?
51:50But life has no what-ifs.
51:53Fortunately,
51:53this time,
51:54I was given another chance.
51:56Time flew by.
51:57In the blink of an eye,
51:58twenty years had passed.
51:59Our son,
52:00Daniel Jr.,
52:01had grown into
52:01a tall and handsome
52:02young man.
52:03He hadn't followed
52:04his father's wish
52:05to become a soldier.
52:06But with his sharp
52:08business mind,
52:09he turned the
52:09small snack factory
52:10into a nationally
52:12renowned food corporation.
52:14My parents had long
52:15since retired,
52:16living quietly,
52:17tending flowers and birds
52:18in their peaceful old age.
52:20Daniel and I
52:21had stepped into middle age.
52:23His temples bore
52:24a few more wrinkles,
52:26his hair touched by frost,
52:27but the way he looked at me
52:29was still full of love
52:30and adoration,
52:31just like in the beginning.
52:33We had moved out
52:34of the military compound
52:35and into the seaside villa
52:36we bought years ago
52:37in the special zone.
52:39That day was
52:40our wedding anniversary.
52:41Daniel Miller
52:42looked at me mysteriously.
52:44I've prepared
52:44a surprise for you,
52:46he said,
52:46taking my hand
52:47and leading me
52:48to the beach.
52:49At sunset,
52:50on the sand,
52:51he had arranged
52:51rose petals
52:52in a giant heart.
52:53In the center of the heart
52:55sat an exquisite
52:56velvet box.
52:57What's this?
52:58I asked with a smile.
53:00Open it and see.
53:01His eyes were full
53:02of anticipation.
53:03I opened the box.
53:05Inside lay a ring.
53:06Not a huge diamond ring,
53:08but a slightly rough ring
53:09made from an eggshell.
53:11I froze.
53:12I recognized this ring.
53:13It was exactly the same
53:14as the one Daniel
53:15had given to Linda
53:16in my previous life.
53:17You?
53:18I lifted my eyes to him,
53:19a whirl of emotions
53:20rising in my chest.
53:22Sarah.
53:23Daniel knelt down
53:24on one knee,
53:25looking up at me
53:25with absolute sincerity.
53:27I know this ring
53:28was once a knot
53:29in your heart.
53:29In my last life,
53:31I gave it to someone
53:32I never should have,
53:33and I hurt you.
53:34In this life,
53:35I want to place it
53:36in the hands
53:37of its true owner.
53:38He took the eggshell ring
53:39and solemnly slipped it
53:41onto my ring finger.
53:42Comrade Sarah Johnson,
53:44he said as he lifted
53:45my hand to his lips,
53:46pressing a reverent kiss
53:47to it.
53:48I, Daniel Miller,
53:49have only one true love
53:51in this life.
53:52Will you marry me again?
53:54The glow of the setting sun
53:56stretched his shadow
53:57long across the sand.
53:58The sea breeze
53:59lifted my hair
54:00and blew away
54:01the last trace
54:02of gloom from my heart.
54:03The knot
54:04from my previous life
54:05finally unraveled
54:06completely at that moment.
54:07Looking at him,
54:08tears streamed down
54:10my face
54:10as I smiled.
54:11I will.
54:12Of course I will.
54:14A thousand times over,
54:15I will.
54:16He rose to his feet
54:17and pulled me
54:18tightly into his arms.
54:19In the distance,
54:20the waves rolled
54:21against the shore,
54:22their steady rhythm
54:23like the most beautiful
54:24symphony for us.
54:25I leaned against
54:26his solid chest,
54:28listening to the strong,
54:29steady beat of his heart,
54:30feeling a peace
54:31and happiness
54:32I had never known before.
54:33Reborn into this life,
54:35I had not only
54:36changed my fate,
54:37but had also found
54:38the truest love.
54:39How wonderful.
54:40Truly wonderful.
Comments