Lin Fang didn’t mention any of these details when giving his statement.
What was done was done; there was no use saying more.
He Yuan, on the other hand, no longer seemed as dejected as before.
After informing his superiors and arranging his work for the next few days, He Yuan boarded a boat with Ji Shuyu to a neighboring county.
Here, life moved at a leisurely pace, filled with the lively atmosphere of the streets.
Ji Shuyu held He Yuan’s hand as they strolled along the narrow, bustling streets.
The warm sunlight bathed them, while street vendors hawked candied hawthorns, the aroma of freshly baked sesame cakes filled the air, and an old cat dozed lazily in a doorway, soaking up the sun.
He Yuan, dressed in casual clothes, still seemed somewhat dazed and out of place.
Ji Shuyu was in no hurry. She simply held his arm, walking slowly, occasionally pointing out interesting trinkets or buying local snacks to put in his hand.
“Try this, it’s freshly fried. It smells amazing.”
She brought a piece of golden fried cake to his lips.
He Yuan took a bite almost instinctively. The outside was crispy, the inside soft and glutinous, and the sweet flavor melted in his mouth, seeming to ease a fraction of the bitterness in his heart.
He looked down at Ji Shuyu, who was gazing up at him with bright, encouraging eyes.
The sunlight cast a soft glow on her delicate skin, with a few strands of hair playfully brushing her cheeks.
The emptiness in He Yuan’s heart suddenly felt a little filled by this warmth.
He squeezed her hand gently and murmured, “Mm.”
Like any ordinary young couple, they wandered through the old streets and shared a steaming bowl of wontons at a roadside stall.
They listened as the boss lady, with her thick local accent, enthusiastically introduced them to the area’s specialties.
That evening, they stayed in a clean guesthouse facing the street.
With the window open, they could hear the faint sounds of the city below, and the night breeze carried in the scent of unknown flowers.
He Yuan fetched hot water for Ji Shuyu to soak her feet and relieve her fatigue.
Kneeling beside her, he scooped water with his hands and gently massaged her slightly swollen legs, a result of her pregnancy.
“Shuyu,” he said softly, his voice still a little hoarse, “Thank you.”
Thank you for still staying by my side. Thank you for pulling me out of that quagmire.
Ji Shuyu looked up and gave him a gentle smile, everything communicated without words.
She knew healing would take time, but she would stay with him through these difficult days.
The next morning, following directions they’d asked for, the two went to the natural hot springs at the edge of the county.
As the locals had said, the facilities were simple—just a few pools loosely enclosed by stones.
But the water was clear and steaming, surrounded by lush green mountains, creating a serene and quiet environment.
Soaking in the warm water, He Yuan felt the fatigue and heartache of the past days slowly soothing away.
Beside him, Ji Shuyu’s cheeks were flushed pink from the heat, her eyes closed as she relaxed in the moment.
However, the tranquility didn’t last long.
Just as they were preparing to leave, a commotion and raised voices came from the entrance to the springs.
A man dressed in military attire, who looked like a local farmer, was arguing heatedly with someone in cadre-style clothing, a small crowd gathering around them.
“…Why won’t you let me in? I fought in the war too! These hot springs belong to everyone!”
The farmer’s face was flushed, his voice rough with clear indignation and anger.
The man who looked like a cadre wore an impatient expression. “Old Sun, how many times do I have to tell you! It’s not that we won’t let you in, it’s that your paperwork is incomplete! There are rules from above. Your situation requires waiting for approval!”
“Approval, approval! It’s been half a year already! I just want to soak in this hot spring water to help my old rheumatic legs! An old injury from fighting the Japanese! Why is it so difficult!”
Old Sun grew more agitated as he spoke, his eyes beginning to glisten.
He Yuan’s brow subconsciously furrowed.
Just then, the cadre, seemingly annoyed by the old farmer’s persistence, shoved him. “Go on, get out of here! Stop making a nuisance of yourself! If you keep causing trouble, I’ll call the militia!”
The old farmer stumbled, nearly falling, the grief and indignation on his face deepening.
“Stop that!”
The low command erupted from He Yuan almost instinctively. Though not loud, it carried an undeniable authority.
He strode over quickly and steadied the old farmer.
The cadre was taken aback, staring at the suddenly intervening He Yuan. Even in plain clothes, He Yuan’s upright posture and sharp gaze instinctively made the man nervous.
“You… who are you? Mind your own business!”
Ignoring him, He Yuan first asked the old farmer, “Comrade, what’s going on?”
The old farmer, as if he’d found someone in authority, poured out the whole story. It turned out he was a disabled veteran from a nearby village. According to regulations, he was entitled to certain convalescence benefits, including access to this hot spring. But the process was stuck in some bureaucratic loop and couldn’t be completed for a long time. His legs were unbearably painful, so he couldn’t help but try to come for a soak first, only to be repeatedly turned away.
After listening, He Yuan’s face was calm but stern. He turned to the cadre.
“Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. This old comrade shed blood for our country. Shouldn’t such a reasonable request—a small matter of using the facility first while approval is finalized—be accommodated? Must we chill the heart of a veteran?”
His gaze wasn’t ferocious, but it held the pressure of someone accustomed to command, making the cadre sweat and stammer incoherently.
Bystanders began to chime in: “That’s right! Old Sun has had a hard time!” “He’s a hero!”
Ji Shuyu stepped forward at the right moment, her tone gentle yet firm. “Comrade, what do you think of this? Let Old Sun go in and soak for now. Regarding the paperwork, we can help him inquire, or perhaps you could help follow up and expedite it? He can’t just keep waiting indefinitely while suffering.”
Her words were logical and offered the man a way to back down.
The cadre looked at He Yuan, then at the surrounding crowd, and finally relented, muttering, “…Well… alright then. Old Sun, you can go in for now… I’ll… I’ll follow up on the paperwork…”
Old Sun thanked them profusely, gripping He Yuan’s hand excitedly. “Thank you! Thank you, comrades! You are good people!”
Watching the old farmer walk, albeit unsteadily but with hope, into the hot spring, He Yuan didn’t feel much relief. He silently took Ji Shuyu’s hand and left.
On the way back to the county town, He Yuan remained quiet.
Ji Shuyu knew his mind was troubled and didn’t disturb him.
Only as they neared the guesthouse entrance did He Yuan suddenly speak, his voice somewhat low. “Shuyu, just now… I suddenly understood Lin Fang a little.”
Ji Shuyu started slightly and looked at him.
He Yuan’s gaze was fixed on the bustling, preoccupied crowd ahead, his expression complex.
“I’m not saying his betrayal was right. I’m talking about that feeling… of being strangled by rules, by red tape, with nowhere to turn for help, watching someone you care about suffer… that despair and powerlessness.”
He paused, taking a deep breath.
“You saw that old comrade just now. He probably just wanted a little bit of the care he’s rightfully owed, and it was so difficult. And Lin Fang… he was facing the lives of his mother and sister.”
“That key… behind it might have been a force so vast that he, as an individual, couldn’t budge it, or even seek help. At that time… did he also feel he had no choice?”
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