novelhk Chapter 297 The Dilemma of Family and Country (He Yanshen's Side Story)
Chapter 297 The Dilemma of Family and Country (He Yanshen's Side Story)
He Yanshen later thought countless times about whether he would have been so unwilling if he hadn't taken on the mission of infiltrating Shanghai.
For people like them, the worst thing is to have worries or attachments.
What we're doing is risking our lives; once we've survived today, we shouldn't expect anything more tomorrow.
But Xu Qing was his greatest wish.
The first time Xu Wan met the dignified young master was actually on the streets of Shanghai, at a pastry shop that had been there for a long time and was Xu Wan's favorite place.
That day, as he passed by the alley entrance, he immediately spotted Xu Qing, dressed in a trench coat, carefully selecting pastries.
Her figure was as graceful as jade, exuding elegance.
When chatting with the shop owner, he probably mentioned his younger sister. His expression showed a mixture of helplessness and doting. His eyes, which were like the first snow of winter, turned into a pool of spring water, very gentle.
As it brushes past, it exudes a calm and composed pine resin.
Just like this person, calm and composed.
Even when walking into a crowd, he stands out as an exceptionally outstanding person.
Without realizing it, He Yanshen glanced at her a couple more times.
It was at the banquet hosted by the Zhao family that He Yanshen met Xu Qing for the second time.
At the time, he had just become a detective in the French Concession, but he was still no match for the high-society banquet filled with celebrities.
He was happy to steal a moment of leisure.
He was invited, and he came; he made sure to save face.
Whether or not to pay attention to them is not something He Yanshen can decide.
He stood in the corner, took a glass of red wine from the waiter, but couldn't taste the rich aroma they had boasted about; all he tasted was bitterness.
He took only one sip and then put down the wine glass.
Bored out of his mind, he began to miss the scorching strong liquor.
Or perhaps it's the joy of "a single oar in the spring breeze, a single leaf-shaped boat, a single silken thread, a light hook. Flowers fill the islet, wine fills the cup, freedom is found amidst the vast waves."
It would definitely not be a situation like this, full of pretense and pretense.
He Yanshen sighed softly and looked around, but immediately spotted a familiar figure.
Today he was wearing a well-fitting suit, and even his hair was carefully styled.
He was as noble as a little prince.
However, he stood out awkwardly among the group of old men.
But his cunning, fox-like demeanor was exactly the same as everyone else's.
Perhaps out of sheer boredom, He Yanshen watched the whole thing with great interest, seeing how different she looked from when they first met.
When the banquet ended, he even felt a slight...regret.
This person is quite interesting. It's a pity that I don't know when I'll see him again.
But fate seemed to have guessed He Yanshen's thoughts, binding him and Xu Qing together tightly.
When He Yanshen stopped Xu Qing in front of the coffee shop, he looked at the person in front of him and didn't know how to start the conversation.
This is their first meeting, and I'm determined to leave a bad impression on him.
Later, they solved their first case together, and Xu Qing treated him to some bitter coffee from there.
When he grabbed that slightly slender wrist, he had a strange feeling of being burned. Looking at the bright smiling face in front of him, his heart was beating inexplicably erratically.
Looking back, that was probably what it meant to be moved.
He only realized this was the night of the shooting.
When he instinctively shielded Xu Qing behind him, he knew he was doomed.
In his hazy state of consciousness, he was actually somewhat relieved that he had only just realized what had happened.
Otherwise, what if it delays Xu Qing's time?
Xu Qing sat on the edge of the bed, her face as white as a ghost. When she saw He Yanshen wake up, she didn't say anything, but just held his hand tightly.
"He Yanshen, I hope you live to be a hundred years old, okay?"
Looking into the bloodshot eyes in front of him, He Yanshen lowered his head and stammered, "Okay."
But you know this is a scam.
How could someone like him dare to hope for living to a hundred years old?
He didn't want to hold Xu Qing back and wanted to keep his feelings to himself.
After all, he was a man with no future.
A young master like Xu Qing deserves to live a life of luxury.
Seeing Xu Qing laughing and chatting with a girl of equal social standing, he couldn't help but feel jealous. The red wine that he usually found so bitter suddenly became a remedy for his sorrows.
Smoked by alcohol, he looked at the two people leaning intimately together and felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if he were suffocating.
Adhering to the principle of "out of sight, out of mind," he went to the garden for some fresh air.
But he didn't expect Xu Qing to chase after him.
Looking at the red lips in front of me, opening and closing, glistening with the color of red wine, with a hint of water.
The waves are shimmering.
Beautiful.
He could no longer hear what Xu Qing was saying; he could only hear the person in front of him.
Before the brain could react, the body moved first.
He cornered the person and held them close, feeling an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.
It's like a drifting duckweed finding its roots.
He really wanted to kiss him without thinking, he wanted to see all the unknown aspects of this person's appearance.
But he couldn't bear to part with it.
From love comes sorrow, from love comes fear.
If you are separated from the lover, you will have no worries and no fear.
Unfortunately, he couldn't do the second half of the sentence.
He's just an ordinary person.
He expected to be reprimanded by the person in front of him, or worse, to see disgust on that face.
No, none at all.
Those clear, bright eyes held only a hint of helplessness.
He tugged at the corner of his sleeve.
In that instant, He Yan's desperate desires, which he could not obtain, reached out their devilish claws.
Perhaps, this person could belong to him?
Xu Qing sat on the edge of the bed and asked him if he was serious.
How can you say it's not serious?
Unfounded feelings were like oil being poured on a raging fire, constantly burning his anxious and uneasy heart.
His head was spinning.
That was the biggest dream He Yanshen had ever had.
The person I've been longing for day and night hums softly.
The delicate skin was tinged with a light red.
Those clear, bright eyes were also misty with tears.
……
Later, their relationship became so ambiguous.
Xu Qing never seemed to have ever said she liked him outside of their bedroom.
There was always a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
But weren't they in love with each other?
Later on, we also spent a sweet period together.
But everything went strange after he got involved in a murder case.
Xu Sang sat down in front of him and talked to him at length, but it was all about persuading him to leave Xu Qing.
He didn't answer.
Silence was the best answer for him.
Xu Sang seemed to have expected this, and sighed softly as she looked at the person in front of her who didn't even want to look up at her. "He Yanshen, if I agree to your relationship with Aqing..."
Can you give your entire life to Aqing?
Can you live only for Aqing?
Can you guarantee you won't abandon Aqing?
Xu Sang's three consecutive questions completely ripped open He Yanshen's deepest wound.
He already had the answer to this question in his heart.
He is a person without problems.
"Since you can't, then I'll be the bad guy. I'll threaten Aqing with your life. He'll marry that girl from the Xiao family and go to a safer country now. I just hope you won't stop him."
After all, we all hope that Aqing is doing well.
He Yanshen remained silent. Xu Sang, however, already knew that he had made his choice.
What does it feel like to watch your loved one get married?
He Yanshen no longer wanted to recall what happened that day.
My heart is breaking, the pain is excruciating.
Returning to this homeland after four years, the familiar sights still take my breath away.
Why go back to Shanghai?
Perhaps He Yanshen knew from the depths of his soul that he would not be able to return this time.
So you wanted to come back and take a look.
The courtyard, which he had expected to be dirty and dilapidated, was surprisingly tidy. After a moment's thought, He Yanshen realized that it was Xu Sang's doing.
When He Yanshen saw Xu Sang again, looking at the woman who was no longer beautiful and was now emaciated, he didn't know what to think.
Xu Sang, on the contrary, remained calm and composed.
"He Yanshen, would you like a cup of tea?"
Sitting in the familiar main hall.
He Yanshen sighed softly.
Xu Sang sat opposite him and casually asked, "How have you been these past few years?"
He Yanshen was taken aback, not expecting Xu Sang to show concern for him. He looked down at the teacup in his hand and felt a little awkward, stammering, "It's alright."
It's already incredibly fortunate that he hasn't died after all these years.
Thinking of his deceased friends, He Yanshen felt a heavy weight in his heart.
Xu Sang didn't ask any more questions, just nodded, changed the subject, and started chatting with He Yanshen about everyday things.
After being driven back to No. 33 Taiping Lane by the Xu family's driver, He Yanshen looked at the dark night, just like his current state of mind.
He doesn't have much time this time; he's leaving tomorrow.
Sitting at his desk, he picked up his pen, wanting to say a lot, but he didn't know where to begin.
He had no parents, and all his close friends were now dead. In the end, when he wanted to leave a will, he didn't even know who to leave it to.
After much thought, the only thing he was still concerned about was Xu Qing.
Many sheets of paper were wasted; a thousand words ultimately amounted to nothing more than a single sheet of paper.
He raised his hand to write, penning down his final few words.
"To Ah Qing: I apologize."
I don't know if you'll ever see this letter, but I'm still selfishly trying to leave something behind. After much thought, I've decided that this letter can only be written to you.
I once promised you that I would live to be a hundred, but now it seems I will have to break my promise. The battlefield is littered with corpses. The enemy is too powerful. Our army is outdated in terms of equipment and manpower. We desperately want to win, but alas, the artillery fire is merciless.
I don't know how long I can stay on this journey. From the day I swore an oath to the heavens, I was prepared to sacrifice myself for my country, but I have some unnecessary worries.
Your eyes are clear, full of beauty and purity, and I don't want your precious leather shoes to be stained with even a speck of blood.
I wonder if you've already forgotten me?
Now, as I pick up my pen, I have so many thoughts, yet I don't know where to begin.
After much thought, I still hope you are safe and happy.
You are different from me; you have endless possibilities.
My life, though seven feet tall, has already been dedicated to the country; I can no longer dedicate it to you.
So I chose to let go.
May Ah Qing have a wonderful year ahead and everything go smoothly for him.
May you meet a good man and live a harmonious life together.
He Yanshen
"Last Words"
He Yanshen handed the key to Xu Sang. Looking at the woman in front of him, who seemed to have lost even more weight, he sighed softly, "If you don't want Aqing to see what I left behind, then pretend you never saw it."
Ultimately, he owes the Xu family even more.
Xu Sang remained silent, watching the departing train, and quietly put the keys into her bag.
The battlefield was filled with the sounds of artillery fire and billowing smoke, making it seem as if there was never a sunny day in this war zone.
He Yanshen dragged himself behind a small hill, the wound in his abdomen making every breath painful.
With reinforcements failing to arrive, he and his brothers were truly at their breaking point.
Looking at the gradually gathering enemies, the arrogant expression on their faces was truly disgusting.
He Yan gritted his teeth, looked at the few people left, and with a final clench of his teeth, strapped all the remaining explosives to his body.
He charged straight into the enemy's encirclement, and looking at the circle of dark gun muzzles, He Yanshen smiled slightly.
When the explosives blew everyone away, including himself, he had only one thought in his mind.
I hope Xu Sang won't give the key to A Qing.
He ultimately broke his promise.