Flowers in full bloom

December 28th, the end of the Chou hour.

I dressed quietly, left the barracks, rode a fast horse, took a shortcut, and went to Qili Mountain outside Changlanzhou City, which is the only way back to Beijing.

When she arrived at Qili Mountain, it was the beginning of the morning. The sky was slightly bright, the morning breeze was blowing, she felt a little chilly, and her heart was a little sad. Today was the day she would return to Beijing.

She has been here for three years. Here, she has built water conservancy projects, promoted planting, established workshops, and brought many benefits to the people. Today, her three-year term has expired, and she is about to retire.

Sitting under a big tree, I let out a long sigh, my thoughts running wild.

My eldest brother and third brother have never understood why I have never gotten married. Even the two concubines that my mother specially sent to me from the capital, I never touched.

However, since she came to Xichang, since they ate watermelon and used ice cubes, they seemed to understand something.

What's more, there were too many "flower" goods in the military camp. So, they pieced together the whole story without knowing when.

But what would it matter if they knew? That smart woman would never belong to me again.

I didn't want to face their gazes, nor did I want to explain my thoughts. I seldom went back to the house in town and rarely saw them. Every time I had a day off, I would go back to the shop.

In the military camp, many of my comrades did not understand my behavior. Why did I not get married at such an old age? When they were my age, their sons were old enough to help with cooking.

I don’t care what others think of me. I just know that the person I’ve been thinking about is already married and has become someone else’s wife and the mother of someone else’s children.

I will never have a chance in my life. I thought that as long as I didn't go back to the capital, I wouldn't see her and would slowly forget her.

Unexpectedly, three years ago, she came to Xichang and served as the prefect of Xichang Prefecture. The prefecture was not far from the military camp, and although he wanted to see her, he did not dare to look for her.

However, one day, she suddenly handed a visiting card to her father, saying that she wanted her father's help with something.

It was originally my turn to patrol, but I temporarily switched shifts with my comrades and stayed in the barracks, waiting for her to come. I didn't dare to expect anything, I just wanted to see her.

She came, and he came too. When I saw the two of them riding together, I was envious and even hateful. I hated fate, which was so unfair to me. I was jealous of that person who was always by her side.

However, I didn't want to put her in a difficult position. In the camp, I saw that she was hesitant to speak in order to ask the Nufang Office to help her make water wheels and threshers. I took the initiative to speak up and helped her out.

Seeing her happy smile, I didn't care at all that my father looked at me with displeasure. As long as she was fine, I was fine. As long as she smiled, I was fine.

After the problem was solved, she went back, and I felt relieved. Later, when the corn seedlings were in trouble, my father sent her a message asking for her help, and she came in person again.

Unfortunately, I was not in the military camp that time and did not meet her. Later, I found a few opportunities to go to the government office, just to see her from afar in the crowd.

A few times, I didn't see him. One time, I did.

However, when I saw her through the crowd, I walked towards her without my control, even though he, her and his two sons were standing beside her.

I stood in front of her and gave her son a gift somewhat awkwardly. She and he invited me to have dinner together, but I refused.

At that time, I just felt jealousy bursting out of me, I was afraid that I couldn't suppress it, I was afraid that I would hurt her, so I ran away by myself.

Even if I spend my whole life trying, I still can't go back. Although I don't know what will happen in the future, I can only escape like an ostrich.

I saw her several times later. During the corn planting competition, I saw her standing on the podium, shining with confidence, and I was sincerely happy for her.

However, when I thought about her excellence and brilliance, which had nothing to do with me, I couldn't help but feel sad and unwilling.

But, no matter how unwilling I am, I have been walking alone for so many years, I watch the full moon alone, I watch the waning moon alone, there is always no one by my side.

Maybe, in my whole life, I will never find the person I want to be with. But as long as there is someone in my heart, I can go through the mountains and rivers and spend the long years together!

As long as I know you are here, everything is fine. The mountains and rivers are vast, the four seasons of life, you are the joy hidden in my heart. You are the beginning and the end!

Today is an end, or perhaps a beginning.

I thought I would be sitting on the top of the mountain for at least a few hours, but I didn't expect that a long line of carriages would appear on the official road at the middle of the morning. The view from the top of the mountain was very good, and I could see the carriages and pedestrians coming and going on the official road.

The official returned to Beijing, and there was a striking sign on the carriage. I knew that it was her carriage returning to Beijing. I stood up and looked down from a distance.

She did not ride in a carriage, but wore riding clothes and rode a horse. I could not see her eyes or hear her voice, but I could see her figure and feel her joy.

Dressed in red, she rode forward in the morning light, and it was obvious that she was eager to go home. He, who was half a horse's length behind her, followed closely with a protective attitude.

The wind gradually got stronger and sand got into my eyes.

If my fate with her in this life is as short as dew, then I will learn from the plants and trees around me, accepting the day and night without complaints or regrets.

Miss Hua, I wish you a safe journey and a smooth life!

This is a side story that doesn't look like a side story. I originally wanted to put it in the main text, but after thinking about it, I decided to put it after the main text in the form of a side story. When I wrote this chapter, it was a sunny day with a gentle breeze. I don't know if my readers can accept this ending for the second male lead, Bai Yunhe?

In fact, I feel a little sad inside, but I can no longer imagine what kind of ending would be suitable for this male second who was full of vigor and vitality at first, gradually became steady and introverted, and finally became silent and withdrawn.