In 1970, winter.
The first snow has arrived in the northwest region of the homeland. Silver and white at sunrise, it looked like an endless sheet of snow for as far as the eye could see.
Xiao Qingru was a dancer in the arts troupe, taking an unusual day off at home, but she had suddenly fallen seriously ill.
The symptoms arrived quickly and intensely, with lower abdominal pain, weakness in the legs, and fever, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
The only thought in Xiao Qingru's mind was that she needed to go to the hospital immediately.
But there was no one at home, even making it downstairs was a problem for her.
She curled up weakly on the bed, pain causing soft groans to escape her lips.
Jiang Chu came to Xiao's home to deliver dumplings, noticing the front door wide open while the house is eerily quiet.
He was puzzled, had everyone left?
That couldn't be right, the girl was off work today, she must be at home listening to the radio.
"Qingru?"
"Are you home?"
Xiao Qingru responded weakly, "I'm here."
Something's not right with her voice!
Jiang Chu placed the aluminium lunch box on the table and hurriedly ran up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
Not caring about anything else, he pushed open Xia Qingru's room door, seeing her curled up on the bed, looking agonizingly in pain.
With one knee on the ground beside the bed, he nervously reached out to touch Xiao Qingru's forehead, his hand was soaked in sweat.
"Qingru, what's wrong with you?"
"My stomach hurts."
She used up much energy just to utter those three words.
Being aware that girls have certain discomfort for a few days each month, Jiang Chuan thought she was having her period.
He was puzzled. This kind of situation hadn't happened before, what could've happened this time?
His expression abruptly became serious, "Hang in there, I'm taking you to the hospital."
Xiao Qingru's face was pale, her forehead glistening with tiny beads of sweat. At this moment, she could only nod in response, incapable of uttering another word.
He reached for the nearby army coat and put it on Xiao Qingru, wrapping her in a scarf and donning her with a hat.
Their residential compound wasn't far from the military hospital; Jiang Chuan scooped her up into his arms and started running.
The snow-covered roads were not easy to traverse. Jiang Chuan had to run as fast as he could, while also being mindful of the delicate girl in his arm avoiding any fall.
Qingru had lived a pampered life since young. If she were to get hurt from falling, she might even cry.
More importantly, he couldn't bear it if she suffered any pain.
Pressing against the man's broad back, the icy wind scraped against her face, carrying a sting, yet Xiao Qingru's heart was ablaze.
With Jiang Chuan by her side, it didn't seem like her body was feeling so bad anymore.
She put her arms around the man's neck, weakly laying on his back, "Jiang Chuan, thank you."
Her soft tone was full of dependence, and the man just hooked his lips, "You're my girlfriend, why are you being so courteous with me?"
Xiao Qingru silently smirked, "I am just saying this once."
"Hold onto me."
He hoists her up a bit, quickening his pace.
Under the nearby family building, Wang's sister-in-law was anxiously pacing back and forth. Her eyes instantly brightened when she saw them.
She ran over to them, "Comrade Jiang, Wanqiu is about to give birth! Everyone is at work right now, and I couldn't find anyone to help."
"You need to take her to the hospital immediately! If we're late and something goes wrong, it would be terrible."
Du Wanqiu was the widow of Jiang Chuan's good friend, carrying within her a posthumous child. On any ordinary day, whenever assistance was needed, Jiang Chuan would always lend a helping hand.
Providing money.
Getting train tickets.
Bringing food.
Sometimes, he even helped out with chores at their home.
Because of this, Xiao Qingru had several disputes with Jiang Chuan.
She felt that Jiangchuan should maintain a distance from Du Wanqiu, and she could step in when help was needed.
Deep down, she didn't want her fiancé to have too much contact with other women.
But Jiangchuan thought that she was a good friend's widow, pregnant and inconvenient in everything. He was merely lending a helping hand, there was no need to make a fuss about it.
Even if there were idle talks in the family compound, Jiangchuan insisted on standing tall with clean conscience, as long as he felt guilt-free, that's all good.
Xiao Qingru and Jiangchuan were childhood friends, grew up together in the family compound. Although there was disagreement on this matter, Xiao Qingru eventually compromised.
She couldn't bear to part with Jiangchuan, let alone the childhood friendship, and the budding love she harbarored.
Upon hearing Sister Wang's shout, Xiao Qingru's heart pounded.
What would Jiangchuan choose?
Would it be that she would be left behind again this time?
She forced a smile, "Sister Wang, we're kind of busy, try asking someone else for help. The sisters here in the compound are very warm-hearted; they're surely willing to lend a hand."
"This…" Sister Wang hesitated for a moment, "Women don't have the strength of men, they can't carry a pregnant woman. If someone gets hurt, we won't be able to bear the responsibility."
Perhaps sick people are all vulnerable, Xiao Qingru really wanted her way this time, "If there's a problem, Jiangchuan can't bear it either, why don't you ask a doctor?"
"Sister Xiao, I really have no other choice that's why I asked for Brother Jiang's help. Wanqiu lost her husband and she's very pitiful, all alone. Can't we do a good deed?"
Xiao Qingru stubbornly replied, "We have urgent matters, too. We can't help."
Jiangchuan turned his head to look at Xiao Qingru, opened his mouth hesitantly, "Qingru, let me first take Comrade Du to the hospital, then I'll come back to pick you up."
"Can't you take me there first?"
"Comrade Du's situation is critical."
Feeling wronged surged through her. Her eyes stung, and her vision instantly blurred. "I'm also in pain."
QedJiang Chu urgently said, "Giving birth is a major event that can't be delayed. If there's an issue, it could be a matter of life or death."
"Qingru, I will come back for you as soon as I can, I promise."
Tears formed from the moisture in her body and gushed out of her eyes.
Xiao Qingru didn't want to cry, but she couldn't stop herself. Her body ached, and her heart ached even more.
"Giving birth isn't instant. Du Wanqiu isn't alone. You're not a doctor, you're not her husband. What difference does it make whether you're there or not?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm simply taking care of a friend's widow."
Xiao Qingru tightened her arms around her. "I don't want you to leave! I want you to take me to the hospital first!"
"Stop being ridiculous."
"I'm not being ridiculous."
"I'm sorry."
Jiang Chu didn't dare to meet Xiao Qingru's eyes, afraid of seeing her tears.
Childbirth is a woman's passage through the gates of hell, and when compared to monthly menstrual pain, it’s clear which is more intense.
Jiang Chuan gently set Xiao Qingru down, taking off the scarf around his neck and placing it on the wooden bench beside them.
"Wait for me here, I'll be back soon."
Leaving with haste, the man rushed into a nearby apartment building. After some frantic shuffling, he emerged carrying a pregnant woman with a bulging abdomen.
From start to finish, he did not spare a glance for the woman seated on the bench, his fiancée, with a face so pale it was devoid of color.
His hurried footsteps gradually faded, and his retreating figure finally disappeared from Xiao Qingru’s sight.
Xiao Qingru had lost count of the number of times Jiang Chuan had abandoned her for Du Wanqiu.
Sweat started to bead on her forehead, and with great effort, she managed to stand up.
But she only managed a few steps before her body gave out, collapsing into a pile of freshly cleared snow nearby.
So cold.
So much pain.
This time, she didn't want Jiang Chuan anymore.
