Colorful years

A bus is speeding along a winding road. Along the way, ancient and exquisite watermills are scattered on both sides of the road, like a string of pearls specially adorned by nature.

The bus is traveling on the Xiangchuan Highway, a national highway of great importance, numbered 301. Construction of this road began during the turbulent War of Resistance against Japan, and after enduring the vicissitudes of time, it was finally expanded and completed in the early days of liberation.

At that time, the Xiangchuan Highway was of paramount importance to the transportation network in western Hunan, and was considered the best highway in the area.

It extends eastward, closely connecting with the bustling cities of Changde and Changsha; while to the west, it leads to the charming cities of Chongqing and Chengdu, becoming an important link connecting various regions.

It was the coldest time of the year, and the biting wind swept across the land like sharp blades, with the temperature hovering around zero degrees Celsius. Passengers huddled inside the carriages, and although the windows were tightly closed, the relentless north wind still howled through the gaps, relentlessly assaulting them.

People took various measures to ward off the biting cold: some wrapped their necks tightly with thick scarves, leaving only their eyes exposed; others wore large hats, covering their entire heads completely; and still others huddled together, drawing warmth from each other's body heat.

Due to the severe cold weather, roads were frequently icy. Fortunately, the bus driver was experienced and well aware of the dangers of driving in winter, so he took precautions before setting off by installing snow chains on all four tires as a solid safety measure.

As the bus moved smoothly across the ice, the clanging of the snow chains sounded like a pleasant melody, calming the passengers' nerves. After all, the presence of these snow chains, even if only psychologically, provided a sense of security.

Being young and full of vigor, Zhang Cong rarely wore cotton-padded clothes in winter, only putting on his military overcoat when going out in freezing weather.

Undoubtedly, he had specially changed into that military overcoat that he rarely wore, even a few times a year. Although the style of the overcoat was slightly outdated, the dark green fabric still exuded a calm and dignified aura.

Clinging to his skin, he wore a cotton fleece shirt, originally military supplies converted for civilian use, soft and warm. He paired it with black khaki winter trousers; though simple in appearance, they provided adequate protection from the winter chill. While his overall attire appeared somewhat thin, a sense of warmth radiated from him.

Time flies, and now he is twenty-four years old. Due to his family's poverty, he has never worn a sweater or woolen pants. For him, those brightly colored and soft sweaters and woolen pants are like luxuries, something he can never afford.

Logically speaking, his monthly salary of 59 yuan is not low, considering he is a wage earner. However, the burden of life has been relentlessly weighed on his shoulders. In addition to supporting his younger brother and paying for his schooling, the family's expenses for agricultural production materials such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides also depend entirely on him.

Every month, he was practically a "moonlight clan" (living paycheck to paycheck), with absolutely no means of squandering money or pursuing luxury.

Looking at Wang Li beside her, she was wearing the most fashionable plaid cotton coat of the season, with a sweater and long johns underneath—a rather impressive set of winter gear. But even so, perhaps because women are naturally more afraid of the cold, she still felt chilly and unconsciously leaned against Zhang Cong, hoping to draw some warmth from him.

Looking at the woman beside him with a bright smile, cheerful personality, and kind heart, Zhang Cong couldn't help but fall into deep thought, pondering the profound philosophy behind his choice.

The moment he boarded the bus to accompany her on her journey home for the Chinese New Year, he had already made a major decision concerning their relationship and marriage.

However, Zhang Cong seemed to understand why he had chosen her as his life partner. After all, Wang Li was not only exceptionally intelligent and kind-hearted, but also possessed extensive knowledge and profound cultural refinement.

With such an outstanding woman by their side, from a genetic point of view, their children will likely be intelligent and academically excellent, with no need to worry about any potential problems.

What's puzzling is how two people who were originally thousands of miles apart and complete strangers could so coincidentally meet in the publicity department?

Furthermore, why must we wait until this moment to choose each other to spend the rest of our lives together?

Faced with these two questions, Zhang Cong felt bewildered and unable to provide a definite answer, whether analyzed from a subjective perspective or from the standpoint of objective reality.

Therefore, marriage can be seen as a choice made autonomously by each of us, yet it also seems not to be a choice entirely autonomously.

It wasn't until four years later, when Zhang Cong returned to his hometown to work, that he gradually came to understand the true meaning of the matter after experiencing the heavy blows of two unforgettable emotional ordeals.

Analysis of the final results shows that his decision to take up a position in the Propaganda Department of the State Committee was not for personal career development, but more for marriage.

In his career, he did not achieve the goals and accomplishments he hoped for. Instead, he unexpectedly encountered a romantic relationship. It was as if some unseen and intangible yet real mysterious force was secretly guiding him down this path.

Upon closer reflection, this marriage seems to have been predestined, manipulated and controlled by the gods.

For Zhang Cong, every choice he made meant both gains and losses. Just like when faced with the same situation, choosing one option meant automatically forfeiting the possibility of choosing the other.