Chapter 39: Declaration
As Xie Tingting gazed upon the handwritten fountain pen characters of Zhou Lin, she was deeply moved.
Three books, each character meticulously written, must have taken quite some time.
He did it all for her.
It signified that she occupied a special place in his heart.
Tingting felt a sweet warmth within her heart. However, the thought of their imminent separation brought tears to her eyes.
Zhou Lin noticed her teary eyes and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Zhou Lin..." Tingting hesitated for a moment but quickly became resolute.
She knew that once they parted ways, she might not have another chance to express her feelings.
Zhou Lin took Tingting's hand, "What's on your mind again?"
Tingting suddenly hugged Zhou Lin, "I can't bear to part with you!"
These words might sound ordinary, but coming from Tingting, it took great effort.
After uttering these words, she became limp, her entire body hanging onto Zhou Lin.
Zhou Lin sensed the fragrant breath of the young girl, and captivated, he embraced Tingting.
As they held each other, Zhou Lin's grip tightened.
Tingting felt an unprecedented sensation welling up from her heart.
She murmured, "Zhou Lin, I liked you back in school. But you always had a distant air. When you came to the Seventh Division, I liked you even more. Zhou Lin, do you like me?"
Zhou Lin's grip tightened again, "Yes, I do. Tingting, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes! Hold me tight!"
This time, they drew even closer.
In the end, their lips met.
After fifteen minutes, Tingting, almost breathless, pushed Zhou Lin away.
Taking a deep breath, Tingting sought Zhou Lin's lips again...
Fifteen minutes later, they finally parted.
Tingting kept holding onto Zhou Lin's hand, afraid that if she let go, he would leave.
Seated at the edge of the bed, Zhou Lin embraced Tingting's waist.
"Tingting, the Seventh Division is being transferred from Shanghai."
Tingting nodded, "When will I see you again?"
Zhou Lin said, "Trust me; I will arrange it. By then, I'll take you to meet my parents."
Tingting blushed, "Will they like me?"
"They will!"
After ten o'clock, Zhou Lin accompanied Tingting to leave.
All the way to Ting's house.
Both the teacher couple stood outside the house, as if they had been standing for a long time.
After Zhou Lin arrived, Teacher Xie said, "Come in; let's talk."
Tingting, holding Zhou Lin's hand, walked into the house as if making a statement.
Teacher Xie looked at Mrs. Xie and shook his head.
The little cotton-padded jacket, raised for more than twenty years, was now someone else's.
Four people sat inside.
Mrs. Xie spoke first, "Little Zhou, Tingting likes you, I knew it a long time ago. Now that you've decided to be together, we agree."
Teacher Xie immediately added, "But, you must treat Tingting well! We only have one child. Since childhood, we've cherished her, fearing she might get hurt. If you treat her poorly, no matter how powerful your family is, I won't let you off."
Tingting cried, tears falling like beans.
Zhou Lin held Tingting's hand and said, "Uncle, Aunt, please rest assured. I will treat Tingting well, for a lifetime."
Mrs. Xie repeatedly expressed her approval and immediately went to fetch sweets and snacks.
This was their family's tradition. When a son-in-law visits, sweets and snacks are prepared as a treat.
Zhou Lin and Tingting each took a bite of candy, conveying a meaning.
The four sat down for tea.
Zhou Lin said, "Uncle, the Seventh Division is being transferred."
Teacher Xie sighed, "Damn it, Kuang Chenggong has ruined the Seventh Division. Once we leave, who knows how others will view our Seventh Division."
Mrs. Xie said, "Good that they're leaving! Every battle, my heart is hanging. Worried about you two. If anything happens to you, I can't live either."
Teacher Xie said, "As a soldier, dying for the country is an honor!"
Zhou Lin said, "The current situation of the Seventh Division is not trusted above. Transferring the Seventh Division out for reorganization is a good thing."
Teacher Xie nodded, "Right! Reorganization is good. Do you know where the Seventh Division is going?"
"Wuhan!"
Teacher Xie was taken aback. Sent to that place.
"Wuhan, I know that place. If the Seventh Division goes there, it will be the first to be excluded."
Zhou Lin handed a cigarette, and Teacher Xie accepted.
Zhou Lin said, "I am also worried about that. So, through my father, I want to talk to my uncle. Transfer the Seventh Division to Chongqing."
Mrs. Xie was curious, "Chongqing? That's even more in the mountainous area."
Teacher Xie said, "Let's hear what Little Zhou has to say."
Zhou Lin lit a cigarette, "Uncle, guess the result of the Battle of Shanghai, what do you think?"
Teacher Xie took a puff of the cigarette, thought for a moment, and said, "The Japanese weapons are much stronger than ours. The Chinese army can't support for long."
Zhou Lin asked again, "If Shanghai is lost, what will the Japanese do?"
"Most likely, they will directly advance to Nanjing. After all, there are no natural barriers along this line."
Zhou Lin nodded, "If Shanghai is lost, Nanjing is in danger. So, discussions are underway to establish a wartime capital, preparing for a long-term resistance."
Teacher Xie took three puffs of smoke in succession, in a very bad mood.
Zhou Lin asked again, "Can you guess where the wartime capital will be?"
Teacher Xie had a map in his mind and said, "The Yangtze River is the best route, with the Yangtze, supplies can enter and exit. So, they might choose somewhere along the Yangtze. Wuhan is a possible consideration, but it's unlikely to be chosen. That place has no defensible positions."
"Exactly! This is also why I didn't want you to go to Wuhan. If the Seventh Division goes there, as a mixed army, it's difficult to compete with those trusted armies. When the battle begins, the first one to be sent to die is the Seventh Division."
Teacher Xie nodded, "If we go to Wuhan, our fate won't be good."
Mrs. Xie thought of another question, "Little Zhou, you said Wuhan can't be the wartime capital. Then who will be?"
Zhou Lin took a sip of tea, "Auntie is right. Chongqing will be the wartime capital. Before others even think about it, if the Seventh Division goes to Chongqing, it can stake a claim, expand its strength, and firmly establish itself in Chongqing. When the news of the wartime capital is announced, it will be difficult for others to encroach on your territory."
Teacher Xie's expression improved, "Chongqing is currently a backward mountainous area. If we go in, in less than three months, I can hold Chongqing in my hands. The key is whether the Seventh Division can be transferred to Chongqing?"
Zhou Lin said, "I'll use Uncle's phone to call home."
"Come with me."
Teacher Xie led Zhou Lin into the study. There was a secure phone in the study.
Zhou Lin reported the phone number of his family in Nanjing, and Teacher Xie got the phone number of Zhou Lin's home.
After a while, the phone was connected.
Zhou Lin's mother answered, "Who is it?"
Zhou Lin shouted, "Mom! It's me."
Zhou's mother was excited, "Is it Lin'er? Where are you calling from?"
Zhou Lin replied, "I'm calling from Teacher Xie's house. It's a secure line. Let Dad answer the phone."
Zhou's mother's voice increased, "Teacher Xie, is it the home of that girl Xie Tingting?"
Zhou Lin said, "Yes!"
"When will you bring the girl back?"
(End of this chapter)