A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Lin Shuyao and Liang Wanyi returned to their home at the Lin Mansion on Yihe Road, an area filled with the residences of high-ranking officials, celebrities, and foreign envoys.

The Liang family's businesses are spread across Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, but they have no properties in Nanjing. Liang Wanyi is staying at her distant cousin's house during her trip to Nanjing.

Liang Wanyi opened the window and gazed absently at the golden leaves of the sycamore trees in the distance.

The officer's tall, imposing figure lingered in her mind again; she recalled his striking gaze just now, his burning eyes clearly filled with...

Liang Wanyi felt that the coldness outside the window seemed to have dissipated, replaced by an indescribable warmth.

"Ouch—" Lin Shuyao quietly walked in, deliberately exclaiming, "Is she reminiscing about love or just being nostalgic—"

Lin Shuyao's voice pulled her back to reality. Liang Wanyi hurriedly looked away, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Liang Wanyi feigned anger.

Lin Shuyao teased her, "You still won't admit it? Then why are you blushing?"

"No, I just opened the window to let some fresh air in."

"Oh—" Lin Shuyao glanced at the golden expanse outside the window and chuckled, "She's clearly reminiscing about someone while looking at something. A day apart feels like three autumns, but it hasn't even been two hours yet."

“If you keep talking nonsense,” Liang Wanyi pinched her.

"Oh, I was right."

The two girls were giggling and playing around.

Lin Shuyao's eyes darted around, and she exclaimed, "Oh no!"

"What's wrong?" Liang Wanyi asked.

"It's broken, it's broken."

"What's broken?"

Lin Shuyao stared at her playfully, a smile playing on her lips: "Who are you thinking about? Is it the eldest son of the Song family or the one you fell in love with at first sight? What should I do?"

"I don't want anyone. What young master of the Song family? He's just a peeing boy. I don't care for him at all!" Liang Wanyi would never admit it.

"Oh, still being stubborn? Who is it that traveled all the way from afar to find her husband?"

Liang Wanyi, her thoughts exposed, chased after Lin Shuyao, ready to hit her: "You woman, I think it's you who's in heat!"

"Oh, don't rush, don't rush," Lin Shuyao said, dodging while persisting, "Don't be impatient, you'll see him in a couple of days! He's from the Training Corps, who knows, you might just fall in love with him at first sight!"

A jolt went through her, and Liang Wanyi's pretty face turned genuinely red.

"What do you mean by love at first sight? You're talking about yourself, aren't you? You've got your eye on him, haven't you? Stop being so stubborn, don't deny it! Stop pretending, I can see right through you. Didn't you ask him about him? Right?" Liang Wanyi hurriedly covered up her feelings, launching a series of retorting questions, continuing to press her advantage.

This time, Lin Shuyao's ears also turned a little red.

Downstairs, Liang Wanyi's mother and Lin Shuyao's parents watched the two girls playing around and couldn't help but smile wryly, "These two crazy girls are still like they were when they were little."

That night, Liang Wanyi tossed and turned, her mind filled with the image of that tall figure and those deep eyes amidst the fluttering golden leaves. She had never imagined that she would be so captivated by a man she had never met.

"It's the Training Corps, who knows, it might be him."

Her cousin Lin Shuyao's words struck a chord deep within her heart. Yes, what if it was him? She tossed and turned all night, her mind preoccupied with this matter.

Song Hongfei was also recalling the figure that had brushed past him, her elegant and refined temperament, her clear and bright eyes—was it her?

He never imagined that, more than six years after he traveled through time, he would still feel his heart flutter when he saw her again. He didn't know if he regretted not chasing after her back then.

The world is full of mysteries, and fate plays tricks on us.

Perhaps this chance encounter will be our last.

Song Hongfei shook his head secretly, trying to shake off the distracting thoughts in his mind.

Let it remain buried in my heart forever, to be forgotten by time, let it be just a dream, he thought.

Because he knew that his family had arranged a blind date for him.

The marriage to the Liang family was arranged by Song Hongfei's mother, Shen Jinying, after he returned to China last year. However, the meeting was delayed several times because Song Hongfei was either busy with military affairs, visiting Europe, or participating in the Battle of Shanghai.

Song Hongfei knew that this had put the girl's side in a difficult position several times, and now that the girl had put aside her pride to come to Jinling, he couldn't afford to miss this opportunity again. He had to give her an answer, no matter what.

Therefore, Song Hongfei suppressed the thought that made his heart flutter.

If Song Hongfei knew what Liang Wanyi and Lin Shuyao meant by "peeing boy," he would be so shocked he wouldn't be able to speak.

This was an embarrassing incident from his childhood that he himself was unaware of; it was only mentioned to him by his family in casual conversation years ago.

He had just turned one year old at the time. Dr. Sun found the toddler Song Hongfei very cute, so he held him in his arms and teased him. Song Hongfei was not afraid of strangers and was amused by him in his arms, giggling.

Unexpectedly, after a while, a stream of boy's urine shot out. Dr. Sun, who was sprayed all over, was not angry. He laughed and said, "Interesting, interesting. It is quite an interesting thing."

This incident was a source of amusement and laughter among some close friends at the time, but no one mentioned it anymore as he grew up and went to school.

Moreover, this matter was kept absolutely secret. Only senior figures in the upper class at that time knew about it and talked about it with amusement. The principal was not qualified to do so at that time, even though he was a member of the Tongmenghui and the early Beiyang Army.

The fact that Liang Wanyi, the daughter of the Liang family, knew about this matter demonstrates the Liang family's considerable strength and influence.

The Liang family is one of the representatives of the Southeast financial group. Although it is not included by the so-called "five great families" of Shanghai, along with the Song, Yu, Sheng, Shen and Rong families, its family background is illustrious and long-standing, and its influence extends to both the political and business circles.

Not only in mainland China and Hong Kong and Macau, but also since the time of their voyages to the West, their family has continuously expanded into Southeast Asia, North America, Europe and other places, forming various branches. Their industries are vast, and their wealth is comparable to that of a country, involving finance, textiles, rubber, steel, oil, pharmaceuticals, grain, flour, tobacco, department stores, trade and many other aspects.

After careful selection, Song Hongfei's mother, Shen Jinying, chose Liang Wanyi, the daughter of the Liang family, who was beautiful, elegant, graceful, and well-mannered. She was deeply loved by Shen Jinying, who believed that the two were a perfect match in terms of family background, talent, character, appearance, and temperament.

The elders of both the Song and Liang families were very satisfied with the marriage alliance and took it very seriously. Both sides made several arrangements, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the two were unable to meet, and the elders on both sides were secretly anxious.

At first, Song Hongfei wasn't interested in this and didn't even give him a single photo.

Since his research achievements became famous, Song Hongfei rarely appeared in public unless necessary for reasons of confidentiality and security. He also didn't like taking pictures, and his mother, Shen Jinying, searched the whole house but could only find photos of him before high school.

So Liang Wanyi had no idea what this guy looked like. She only heard her mother describe him as handsome, dashing, talented, accomplished, and world-renowned, a rising star in the military and the like.

She had also seen many of Song Hongfei's achievements in newspapers and propaganda, especially after the war began, when newspapers and radio broadcasts reported extensively on how brilliant his achievements and meritorious deeds were.

However, all media outlets were explicitly instructed by relevant departments several years ago, so there have only been a few black and white photos, and the facial features cannot be distinguished.

After being stood up several times, Liang Wanyi couldn't help but feel annoyed. She had plenty of suitors, and no matter how much they boasted or how prestigious their family background was, she didn't care for a mere peeing boy!

Didn't we agree to meet? Let's meet then!

I want to see who you are, that you dare to show such disrespect to me!

Whether I like you or not depends on my mood! If I don't like you, I'll kick you away!

Therefore, Miss Liang did not provide any photos.

However, as the saying goes, good or bad impressions don't matter; the key is to make an impression first. From then on, Song Hongfei had such an impression in Miss Liang's mind.

"A fair maiden is sought after by gentlemen." Miss Liang, who is of marriageable age, is still unmarried, and matchmakers from various prestigious families come to propose marriage to her family in an endless stream.

When Liang's parents asked her about her feelings, the proud and arrogant Miss Liang rejected them all.

Seeing this, the parents of both families discussed it and agreed that the most urgent thing was to find a way to let the two of them meet.

Before and after the outbreak of war, both families gradually moved their businesses from Shanghai to the inland areas.

After the Battle of Shanghai, the situation became urgent, and the two sides agreed on a time to meet in Nanjing.

So when they met from afar that day, Liang Wanyi had no idea that it was him, that despicable guy who dared to stand her up several times.

So on that day, Song Hongfei didn't know that she was the Liang family girl.

Life is full of surprises, and that's how their destiny began.