The first time in history

"Yier..." Qian Mingduo murmured the name in a low and hoarse voice. He felt as if his head had been hit hard by a heavy hammer, and the pain was unbearable.

He slowly opened his eyes, but the strong light from the desk made him feel a sting, so he had to close his eyes immediately.

Qian Mingduo's eyelids blinked, and he suddenly opened his eyes. The neatly arranged bookcase and the ashtray right in front of him clearly told him that this was his study.

"I'm back again..." Qian Mingduo cursed in a low voice, his tone full of helplessness and exhaustion. He knew that he had returned to the familiar world, a place without danger and challenge.

Every time he comes back, he faces tremendous pressure and anxiety.

He slowly sat up straight, a wisp of smoke coming out of the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray. He picked up the cigarette and took a deep puff.

He rolled up the sleeve of his T-shirt on his left shoulder, which showed no wound. He then slowly rolled up the sleeve of his right shoulder, and Qian Mingduo's tears immediately rolled out.

Two rows of clear and neat tooth marks have been passed down for more than 2,500 years, which is the testimony of Qian Mingduo and Xi Shi's deep affection. Each line seems to be telling of Xi Shi's endless attachment and deep longing for him.

That was Xishi's most instinctive way of expressing her reluctance and attachment to him. The tooth marks reminded Qian Mingduo that there was once a beautiful girl who protected him with her life.

Qian Mingduo stretched out his trembling fingers and gently stroked the tooth marks, as if he could touch Xi Shi's warmth and feel her heartbeat.

The tooth marks were like an unbridgeable chasm between Qian Mingduo's present and past, making him unable to extricate himself from the whirlpool of longing. The pain and sweetness intertwined into a dense web that bound him tightly.

Qian Mingduo stood in the airport terminal, holding the ticket to Suzhou tightly in his hand, his eyes full of expectation and melancholy. His thoughts had already drifted to Suzhou, thousands of miles away, the place that carried his endless memories with Xi Shi.

The plane took off, Qian Qianyi looked out the window at the white clouds and the earth gradually going away, and his longing for Xi Shi became stronger. He thought of Xi Shi's stunning beauty, her gentle eyes, and her sweet smile.

They had experienced so many joys and sorrows together in that ancient era, but now, thousands of years apart, they can only trace each other's figures in memories.

Finally, the plane landed in Suzhou. Qian Mingduo couldn't wait to walk out of the airport and set foot on this familiar yet strange land.

He took a taxi and headed straight to Lingyan Mountain. Along the way, he was excited and nervous, as he didn't know whether he could find the remains of Guanwa Palace or feel Xi Shi's aura again.

When he arrived at the foot of Lingyan Mountain and saw the ancient buildings and winding mountain roads, he was inexplicably moved. He walked slowly up the mountain road, and every step seemed to be walking in the long river of history. Finally, he came to the ruins of Guanwa Palace.

Although the scene before him was a bit dilapidated, Qian Mingduo felt as if he was standing in the magnificent Guanwa Palace.

He stroked an ancient stone because it looked very much like Xi Shi's jade couch. His hands trembled slightly, as if he could feel Xi Shi's warmth. He closed his eyes, felt everything around him, and let the tears flow quietly.

"Yier, where are you? I miss you so much." Qian Mingduo called silently in his heart. He knew that Xi Shi had disappeared forever in the long river of history, but he could never forget her in his heart.

He will be here, in this land full of memories, silently remembering her forever.

After leaving Suzhou, Qian Mingduo went to Zhuluo Mountain in Zhuji without stopping. There is a village called Heron Bay at the foot of Zhuluo Mountain, which is the hometown of Xi Shi and Zheng Dan.

As night fell, the moonlight was like silver, sprinkling on this peaceful land. Qian Mingduo stood quietly beside a clear stream in Heron Bay, listening to the sound of the gurgling stream. His thoughts gradually drifted away, as if he had returned to that ancient and beautiful era.

On Qian Mingduo's desk, there is a wolf tooth necklace and a silk handkerchief embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks. The wolf tooth necklace flashes with mysterious light, as if telling a thrilling story; while the silk handkerchief is delicately embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks, lifelike, as if hinting at something.

This wolf-tooth necklace was made from the wolf teeth that Wang Zhaojun took from his hand, and she used her skillful hands to weave a beautiful knot; and this silk handkerchief was embroidered by Xi Shi herself, and every stitch was full of love and tenderness.

Qian Mingduo sat quietly at the desk, lit a cigarette, and looked at the two precious gifts with a faint smile. In the smoke, his eyes gradually became blurred, and his thoughts drifted away.

After putting out the cigarette butt in the ashtray, Qian Mingduo gently stroked the wolf tooth necklace and silk handkerchief, and then carefully put them into the drawer. He knew that these beautiful memories would always remain in his heart and accompany him through every stage of his life.

Another blind box was already on the desk. On a slightly yellowed piece of paper in front of the box were written four small characters in elegant handwriting: "Mulan joins the army."

Qian Mingduo stood by a winding river. In the afterglow of the setting sun, the river looked like a golden ribbon.

Behind him was a patchwork of tents of varying sizes, with wisps of smoke rising from between the tents.

The soldiers were extremely tired after a great battle. The aroma of the food attracted them to gather around the big pot, waiting anxiously.

"General," a soldier dressed as a personal soldier came up behind Qian Mingduo, bowed and said, "Please have your meal."

"Okay." Qian Mingduo nodded. He turned around and looked at the soldier. His face, hidden by his helmet, was dirty, as if covered with dust and dirt.

But Qian Mingduo couldn't help but become suspicious. "Why does this soldier's voice sound like a woman's?"

Inside the tent was a simple wooden bed covered with thick felt. There was no table or stool. There was only a suit of armor standing next to the bed.

"Bring me the list." Qian Mingduo said to his personal soldiers.

"Yes." The guard pulled out a wooden box from under the bed. After opening it, Qian Mingduo saw something wrapped in red cloth and a few candles inside.

The bodyguard found a tattered roster from the bottom of the box.

"I'm tired." Qian Mingduo lay on the bed and said to his guard, "I'm too lazy to read it. Read the name of Mulan to me."

Watching the guards flipping through the pages, Qian Mingduo asked, "How many people are there in our team?"

"General," the soldier said, "We only have 300 soldiers."