Speaking of this, Wen Jianning hurriedly asked Feng Yi about the situation of those old friends in Kunming.

According to Feng Yi, Feng Xin is still working at the school, but she has tied the knot with her high-achieving boyfriend; Ruan Wenyun went to work as an editor at a local newspaper and entrusted her with the help of the house in Yuantong Temple before Feng Yi left Kunming again; Mr. Wen and several other teachers and commanders are still in good health, but they always have to confront the authorities for the sake of their students; the only gloomy thing is Zhang Tonghui, who suddenly broke off correspondence with Ruan Wenyun and Ruan Wenyun last year and has not been heard from again.

Feng Yi paused before he spoke: "See Ning, I'm afraid we won't be able to go back to Kunming." ”

Only then did Wen Jianning know that in the more than two years since she left, the situation in Kunming had slowly deteriorated again.

As early as the year Wen Jianning and her students graduated, the authorities began to tighten their control over speech at major universities. In the aftermath of the poster incident, some progressive students either disappeared or went underground in their propaganda work, and for a while no one dared to talk about current affairs. However, this does not mean that the resentment and dissatisfaction in everyone's hearts will disappear, on the contrary, everyone's resentment against the authorities is getting deeper and deeper, but under the high-pressure policy, they can only endure it. It was not until after the outbreak of the Battle for Hong Kong Island that this resentment instantly swept through Kunming like wildfire.

Speaking of which, this incident can be traced back to the plane that Wen Jianning sent his second uncle and Feng Ling on that day. At that time, due to the limited seats, there were too many people who fled, and there were very few people who could really board the plane, and even Wen Jianning and the others could only be left behind. It is said that a professor and his family happened to be at the airport that day, but unexpectedly, the old mother and foreign dog of a certain lady of the Kong family occupied a seat, and finally could not board the plane, so they could only be stranded on Hong Kong Island like them.

That professor is a highly respected teacher in the Chinese Department, and has also taught Wen Jianning and them, both at home and abroad, has a very high reputation. After hearing about this incident that day, the chief writer of Ta Kung Pao wrote an article for the flying dog of the Confucian family, satirizing the authorities' contempt for human life, and a famous scholar could not even compare with a foreign dog.

As soon as this article came out, it immediately ignited the emotions of the teachers and students of the United Nations. Countless people angrily took to the streets to march and demand an explanation from the authorities. Although some people tried to argue about it, the excitement of the crowd only increased the anger.

Wen Jianning just said lightly when he heard this: "Even if there are no flying dogs, there will always be trapeze, and the authorities have suffered a loss this time." ”

What she failed to export was that no matter where the war was, there were only a few people who could really run out, either rich or expensive, and the lives of more ordinary people were like mustard, and it was not a pity to die. But she also knew that she was not qualified to say such things.

On that day, she borrowed the Feng family's strength to send her second uncle to the plane, if she hadn't received a good education for many years and was lucky enough to write a few articles, she would not have found her so quickly in the previous rescue activity.

Perhaps one day in the future, when the authorities can take the lives of ordinary people to heart, their country will truly stand up. It's a pity that she has a lifetime, and I don't know if I can see this day coming.

Thinking of this, Wen Jianning sighed slightly, but fortunately, Feng Yi next to her seemed to see what she was thinking and held her hand, which made her feel some comfort in her heart.

Not only is the political atmosphere in Kunming unprecedentedly tense, but prices have skyrocketed to the point where even professors can stand it and protest en masse, making it unsuitable to go back. Moreover, if you go to the southwest by land, Guangdong and Guizhou are already occupied by the Japanese themselves, and by sea, you must also pass through Vietnam, Burma, and other places, which are also entrenched by the Japanese, and there are many difficulties along the way, so it is really not appropriate to risk yourself.

Although she has some regrets about not being able to go back to Kunming, with Feng Yi by her side, going to Shanghai is also a good way out, and maybe she can see Mr. Qi again.

At night, because it was inconvenient to return to the city tonight, Feng Yi temporarily stayed at the Taoist temple.

In addition to looking for Wen Jianning and them in the temple this time, he also asked people to help send a lot of rice noodles, sausages, bacon, etc., which undoubtedly allowed these people in the Taoist temple to have a hearty dinner.

The people in the Taoist temple may not be able to see a little meat for a few months, and suddenly saw the sharp rice and oily meat slices and bacon in the bowl, and they all immediately turned red, and as soon as the bowl came to their hands, they lowered their heads and ate it desperately.

Wen Jianning didn't eat much, and it didn't take long to put down his chopsticks.

When Feng Yi asked her with her eyes, she only shook her head, looked at Jianwan who was bowing her head and quickly picking up rice, almost burying her head in the bowl, and said in a low voice: "Don't look at her eating happily, I'm afraid I'm going to cry out for a stomachache at night." ”

Seeing that Wan didn't hear her words, she was still struggling to eat, her cheeks were bulging, and there were still a few grains of rice on her face, where could she still see the appearance of the delicate lady in the past.

In the past two years, there has been almost a constant famine on Hong Kong Island, and the grain has been looted by the Japanese themselves, leaving very little for ordinary people. When they are most hungry, they can only eat tree bark and wild vegetables to survive, and sometimes they may only have rice soup for several days in a row, and there is no oil and water at all. During the long period of starvation, both of them had some stomach problems to a greater or lesser extent.

If you can't control yourself like Jianwan, and suddenly eat hard, you will definitely suffer at night.

Wen Jianning was very calm when he talked about this, but Feng Yi next to him began to feel a faint pain in his heart when he heard it.

He knew in his heart that after leaving Hong Kong Island, Jianning's complexion might slowly improve, and her spirit could slowly cheer up, but the scars left by the cruel years in her body in the past two years did not know how long it would take to heal.

After everyone finished eating, they dispersed to rest, only Jianwan was still sitting beside them, talking endlessly, talking and burping from time to time, after all, she ate too much at dinner.

If it was usual, for the sake of her cousin Jianning, even if she said it for a long time, Feng Yi would listen patiently. But he saw that Wen Jianning's expression was a little tired, and he interrupted Jianwan's chatter at the right time: "It's not early today, everyone should rest early, and when we get up early tomorrow morning, we will think about how to leave Hong Kong Island." ”

Seeing Wan, she shut up stupidly.

The three of them walked together to the courtyard behind the Taoist temple, and seeing that they were about to reach the room where Jianwan lived, she suddenly widened her eyes and looked at Wen Jianning who was following her in disbelief: "Your men are here, do you still want to squeeze a room with me tonight?"

As soon as she said this, the other two were stunned for a moment.

Although they had lived together in Kunming, because they had not officially held a wedding, and both of them were conservative people, they neither slept in the same room, nor did they do anything out of bounds.

Seeing that Wancai didn't care so much, he pushed Wen Jianning hard: "Don't go quickly." ”

Her intentions have always been simple and rude, she has had enough of the hard life in the past two years, Feng Yi's sudden arrival undoubtedly made her see the hope of escaping, and now doing this, she just hopes that Wen Jianning can tie Feng Yi and don't let him escape.

Wen Jianning didn't bother to explain to her, so he simply pulled Feng Yi's sleeve and left.

Feng Yi was dragged into her room by her, and then she reacted: "You rest first, I'll go find someone and ask for another futon." ”

Wen Jianning sat on the edge of the bed and lowered his eyes, and said softly, "Why bother like this." ”

Feng Yi was stunned for a moment, and then slowly walked back to the bed and sat down.

The two talked before blowing out the lamp and lying down side by side. Although the warm and light breath of the other party was close at hand and within reach, the two of them did not have any thoughts in their hearts for a while, only infinite peace and steadfastness.

Wen Jianning opened his eyes and looked at the top of his dark head, and tears unconsciously crossed his cheeks, leaving wet marks on the pillow towel.

The cold wind outside the house rattled the doors and windows, and the people around her turned around and stretched out their arms to gently hug her.

Early the next morning, when the winter morning sun shone through the window paper and shone into the house, Wen Jianning woke up.

When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by that familiar face.

Feng Yi had already woken up, and was holding up his arms to look at her, looking at her posture as if he had been watching it for a long time. His eyebrows were warm and clear, and the expression he looked at her was gentle and focused, making her subconsciously raise her face and smile at him.

Feng Yi came to Hong Kong Island this time to take Wen Jianning and the others away, some preparations had already been made in advance, just wait for another inquiry about the situation, and make a fake identity certificate for Wen Jianning and them, and then they could leave by boat immediately.

Wen Jianning thought for a while, and suddenly asked him: "What about Chen Hanxiang, since she helped you find me, why can't you see her shadow?"

Feng Yi said: "Because of her father-in-law's identity, she said that she was afraid that she would not have the face to see you now." ”

It may be nothing to treat him as an outsider, but for Wen Jianning, an old classmate, Chen Hanxiang will inevitably be a little uncomfortable.

Wen Jianning sighed and said: "If she has this heart, it's still good, not to mention that I accepted her love so that I can meet you again I have been a classmate with Chen Hanxiang for three years, and once I leave this time, I don't know when I will be able to see you again." You help me pass a word to her, if you don't dislike it, let's meet again before leaving. ”

Feng Yi answered softly.

That night, Wen Jianning suddenly had a fever.

When Feng Yi slept until midnight, he vaguely felt that the person in his arms seemed to be getting hotter and hotter, so he subconsciously woke up. He lightly lit the kerosene lamp, and saw that the face of the person who was still asleep was red, and when he touched his forehead again, he really felt as hot as fire.

Fortunately, in addition to eating this time, he also sent some medicine to the people of the Taoist temple.

He hurriedly knocked on the door of the Lord, and after taking the medicine and hot water, he saw Wen Jianning take it with his own eyes, and Feng Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

It was late at night, and they were on the mountain again, and they were afraid that it would be too late to go to the doctor. Fortunately, the master of the view slightly understood the technique of Qi Huang, and also helped to check the pulse, but it was only said that he felt a little cold, and he was fine after a few days of resting after sweating.

In fact, Wen Jianning's physical foundation is not bad, and he has been sick a few times since he was a child. Although the life has been hard for more than two years, I have never had any illness. As soon as Feng Yi came, her tense nerves finally gradually relaxed.

Wen Jianning sighed slightly and said: "People are like this, that breath can't be loosened, and once it is relieved, any illness will be found." ”

Feng Yi didn't say anything, only raised his hand to straighten the broken hair that stuck to the side of her face due to sweat.

The next morning, he went down the mountain to see a doctor, and only after hearing that it was just a common cold, he was relieved.

Despite Wen Jianning's illness, their departure plan could not be delayed.

Three days later, they arrived at the pier to prepare to leave Hong Kong Island.

Chen Hanxiang and his wife finally came to see them off.

As soon as the two sides met, Chen Hanxiang showed a look of shame on her face, wiped her tears and said, "...... At that time, although I was not a hard-working student in school, I thought that I would not disgrace my alma mater. Now...... I'm afraid that I will never see my former teachers and friends again in this life. If it weren't for the fact that I could help you a little bit this time, I wouldn't have dared to come to see you. ”

Wen Jianning didn't know how to comfort her, so he could only hold her hand: "It's not what you want in your heart to bow your head to the Japanese invaders to survive, I can't say that you are completely innocent, but it's excusable." Mistakes have been made, but they are not without opportunities for remedy. Now that you are all staying on Hong Kong Island, and you have the convenience of status, there will always be a chance to serve your family and country again. As long as you have not really done anything to betray the country and seek glory, if you can be worthy of your heart, then you can also be worthy of others. ”

When she said this, Chen Hanxiang suddenly burst into tears again, and hurriedly wiped it away with a handkerchief.

Her husband Zheng Changjun next to him listened to it, and his eyes were silently red.

Since the Zheng family surrendered to the enemy to seek glory, although their lives are not much different from the past, only the husband and wife themselves know the taste of tossing and turning day and night.

The elders of the family kept talking about the difficulties of the family, talking about all kinds of unavoidable hardships, and the two juniors who relied on the blessing of the family had neither the courage to resist nor the ability to persuade the elders, so they could only endure the torment of conscience. If it weren't for the courage to finally muster up the courage to take the first step this time, no matter how reluctant they were, they could only continue to bow down to this traitor in the future.

As if he had made up his mind, Zheng Changjun promised: "Don't worry, as long as we are still on Hong Kong Island for a day, we will definitely find ways to privately find ways to help people stranded on Hong Kong Island like Miss Wen." ”

Wen Jianning suddenly perked up, and said solemnly: "Whether I can escape personally or not has no impact on the overall situation." But if you can be inspired by this, and be willing to help other people with lofty ideals, that will be a great achievement. ”

Chen Hanxiang said in a low voice: "Actually, before this time, we also wanted to help out more in private, but you also know that the Zheng family's reputation is ...... We, who are sons and daughters-in-law, will not be believed by anyone. ”

Wen Jianning also sighed: "If Zhong Hui is still here, maybe she can help you with this......

The Zhong family travels extensively, and in private, I'm afraid that I'm still doing something. It's a pity that the Zhong family has fled Hong Kong Island, and before Zhong Hui left, he only knew that the Zheng family had taken refuge in Japan, and he didn't know that Chen Hanxiang and her husband still had such sincere thoughts.

Zheng Changjun said arrogantly: "It's nothing, I believe that as long as we have this heart, sooner or later we can do something great for the country and the family, and wash away the shame on our bodies." ”

The cold wind sent a shrill whistle, and it was almost time to sail.

Feng Yi next to him finally said softly: "This time, I was able to successfully find Jianning back, thanks to the generosity of the two. I came in a hurry, and I had nothing to thank you for. Some of the antique calligraphy and paintings collected by the Feng family in the past are hidden in the church, you go to Mother Teresa to explain your identity, and they will pass these antique calligraphy and paintings to you. ”

Wen Jianning also answered in due course: "I also have some manuscripts stored in the church, those things may not be worth much, but I have no long things, so I can only use them as a little thought, if you don't dislike it, you can accept it." ”

Zheng Changjun hurriedly excused himself and said: "How can this be made, it is your family's heirloom." We are just helping out of conscience and morality, so as to relieve some of the psychological burden. If you are like this, I am afraid that we will not be able to be human beings in the future. ”

Feng Yi said mildly but unrefusably: "Although morality is priceless, the person being helped must also express his gratitude, otherwise I am afraid that no one will be willing to do such a good deed in the future." If you don't need those antique books for the time being, if you are in Chongqing or the United States, and your family members need help, please feel free to ask. ”

Wen Jianning also persuaded a few words beside him.

In the end, Chen Hanxiang glanced at her husband, but still insisted: "Those antique calligraphy and paintings of the Feng family, as long as we are alive for a day, will definitely be kept for you until you come to pick them up again." But if they do not wait for that day, they will be returned by our descendants. The same is true of your manuscript, and we will keep it for you until it can see the light of day. ”

The two sides agreed on everything, and it seemed that it was time to sail.

After Wen Jianning and others boarded the ship, they stood on the deck and waved goodbye to Zheng Changjun and Chen Hanxiang.

The sea breeze was very strong and bitterly cold, but in a matter of moments, it blew a person's cheeks unconscious. The turbid green waves churned in the distance, and the island that had carried so much of her past faded away until it disappeared into a small dot.

Feng Yi, who had already placed her luggage, pulled a scarf for Wen Jianning and took her back to the cabin.

Wen Jianning was still sick after all, and he was a little dizzy after blowing the wind on the deck just now, until Feng Yi asked the waiter to bring hot water, and drank it with a cup in both hands, and then he felt slowly relieved.

Feng Yi looked at the abnormal flush on her cheeks, raised her hand and touched her forehead to test the temperature, she was really worried about her condition, and asked her to take medicine early to rest. After all, waiting for the ship to sail to Shanghai will take at least a day and a night.

Wen Jianning obediently swallowed a handful of pills, and then lay down. After a while, the effects of the medicine began to kick in, and her head was dizzy, and there was a vague illusion of something, as if her whole body was floating and sinking on the waves like the ship.

Feng Yi sat on the edge of the bed with her, patted her on the back gently, and hummed a lullaby not very skillfully.

Although Wen Jianning's eyes were closed, he still smiled and said softly, "You treat me like a child." ”

Feng Yi's voice was full of smiles: "There is actually no difference between patients and children, they both need to be coaxed." ”

So, in his gentle, somewhat out-of-tune humming, Wen Jianning finally fell asleep peacefully. It's just that she didn't sleep as well as she imagined, and in the middle of the night she had a nightmare, until Feng Yi woke her up.

After Wen Jianning was woken up by him, he was stunned and saw the familiar outline of the facial features of the person in front of him, and then he slowly woke up.

She was helped up and drank a cup of hot water, and after asking Feng Yi, she found out that it was already midnight at this time.

Thinking that Feng Yi had been guarding her bedside like this, and finally took a nap and was disturbed by her dream, Wen Jianning couldn't help but feel a little guilty in her heart. But before she could say anything, Feng Yi first asked her what she dreamed of.

However, Wen Jianning also remembered exactly.

She had no choice but to say casually: "Maybe I dreamed about the first time I came to Hong Kong Island by boat when I was a child." ”

After telling Feng Yi about the incident that he and Wen Baiqing secretly saw traffickers throwing patients into the sea, Wen Jianning also laughed at himself: "I don't know why I am still frightened by the events of the past so many years, obviously I have seen a lot of dead people in my life." ”

Beiping, Kunming, Hong Kong Island, since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, no matter where she goes, she cannot escape the shadow of war. After the roar of planes and the explosion of shells, there was rubble and stumps everywhere. Even a few days before Feng Yi came to Hong Kong Island, she saw the frozen purple corpses of poor people when she passed by the streets.

Feng Yi frowned at her, knowing that she was thinking about those things again, and reached out to take her into his arms: "Don't think about it anymore." ”

Wen Jianning suppressed his thoughts and leaned lightly on his shoulder.

At this moment, the wind and waves outside were terrifying, and the whole room seemed to shake slightly. However, the sturdy hull of the ship stubbornly blocked the noise of the outside world, keeping everything out. The two quietly felt this rare and peaceful time, and did not speak for a long time.

Just when Feng Yi thought that Wen Jianning had fallen asleep and was about to gently put her on the bed, he suddenly heard her sighing.

His hand stopped in mid-air, subconsciously looking at her.

From his vantage point, he could see her dense hairline, smooth forehead, and beautifully contoured face.

Wen Jianning's eyes were half-closed, and her thin eyelids seemed to be trembling, but she didn't open her eyes in the end, she still leaned on his shoulder quietly, and said in a trembling voice: "Ah Yi, in fact, I didn't think you would come." ”

She didn't know what Feng Yi thought, but this was indeed her true thoughts.

For more than two years, she has also fantasized about how she can run away from Hong Kong Island and reunite with Feng Yi. But she never thought that there would be such a possibility, Feng Yi disregarded her own safety and ran to Hong Kong Island alone to find her.

Yes, they are indeed married couples, but even real couples may not be able to do Feng Yi's level, which makes Wen Jianning feel a little guilty while being moved.

After the death of the day, her emotions suddenly lost control, but she couldn't shed tears, and she only felt as if she was walking in the clouds all day long, as long as she stepped on the air, she fell into an endless abyss.

For the past year, she could not see a way out of the future, and she suddenly lost the courage to find a way out, and could only use the exhaustion of her body to numb her consciousness. If Feng Yi hadn't suddenly found her, I'm afraid she would have been in such a mess forever.

Feng Yi kissed her forehead gently: "But I'm still here, I believe that if you are replaced, you will also come to me." ”

Wen Jianning didn't speak, but tears slowly oozed out of the corners of his eyes, but they were carefully wiped away by Feng Yi with his hand.

He didn't say anything to comfort her, he didn't ask why, he just held her hand as fast as he always did, and stayed at her side.

The two have a heart-to-heart connection, even if the room is silent, they can feel each other's hearts.

After a long time, Wen Jianning slowly opened her eyes, her dark pupils were clear and translucent, and she stared at the person in front of her seriously: "Ah Yi, I know that you have been worried about my condition. No matter what happens, but since you have done your best to get me out of Hong Kong Island, I promise that I will at least live well for you. ”

Seeing her promise like this, Feng Yi just sighed lightly: "This is what you said." ”

(End of chapter)