Chapter 1: Choose One, Left Behind

In the winter of 1970, the northwest region of the country experienced its first snowfall, covering everything in a pure, white blanket.

Xiao Qingru, a dancer in the cultural troupe, was finally able to rest at home for a day but was suddenly struck by a severe illness.

The symptoms hit hard and fast abdominal pain, weakness in her legs, fever, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

She had only one thought she needed to get to the hospital urgently.

But with no one at home, even getting downstairs was a challenge.

Curled up weakly on her bed, soft, stifled groans escaped her lips from the pain.

Jiang Chuan arrived at Xiao’s house to deliver dumplings, finding the front door open but the house eerily quiet.

Puzzled, he thought, Did everyone go out?

That didn’t make sense. It was rare for her to get a day off she’d definitely be home, probably listening to the radio.

“Qingru?” he called out. “Are you here?”

A faint response came, “I’m here.”

Something was off with her voice!

Jiang Chuan set down the metal lunchbox on the table, then rushed upstairs in three quick strides.

Without a second thought, he pushed open her bedroom door, only to find her curled up weakly on the bed, looking extremely distressed.

Kneeling beside the bed, he nervously felt her forehead, his hand coming away damp with sweat.

“Qingru, what’s wrong?”

“Stomach hurts,” she managed to say, each word a struggle.

Assuming it might be her monthly pains, Jiang Chuan was perplexed, as this had never happened before. His expression turned serious. “Hold on. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Her face was pale, her forehead beaded with sweat. Unable to speak, she could only nod.

He took a military coat and wrapped it around her, adding a scarf and hat for warmth.

The family quarters weren’t far from the military hospital, so Jiang Chuan picked her up and dashed outside.

The snowy road was treacherous, but he focused on moving quickly while ensuring she wouldn’t fall.

Qingru had lived a sheltered life a fall would likely bring her to tears.

And he couldn’t bear to see her hurt.

Leaning on his broad back, feeling the biting wind sting her face, Qingru’s heart was ablaze with warmth.

Having Jiang Chuan by her side somehow made her feel less unwell.

She tightened her arms around his neck, weakly resting on his back. “Jiang Chuan, thank you.”

Her soft voice was full of reliance. The man’s lips curved slightly. “You’re my fiancée. Why so formal?”

She gave a faint smile. “Just this once.”

“Hold on tight.”

Adjusting her slightly, he picked up his pace.

Nearby, at the bottom of the family quarters, Sister Wang paced anxiously. Seeing them, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over.

“Comrade Jiang, Wanqiu is about to give birth! Everyone’s at work, and I can’t find anyone to help.”

“Quickly, take her to the hospital! If it’s delayed and something happens, it’ll be bad.”

Du Wanqiu was the widow of Jiang Chuan’s close comrade, pregnant with his posthumous child. Jiang Chuan often helped her however he could.

Money. Food vouchers. Meals. Sometimes even household chores.

This had caused a few arguments between Qingru and Jiang Chuan.

She felt he should keep his distance from Du Wanqiu and that if help was needed, she would step in instead.

Privately, she didn’t want her fiancé interacting too much with another woman.

But Jiang Chuan believed it was his duty to help his comrade’s widow, especially since she was pregnant and unable to manage everything alone. Idle gossip in the family quarters didn’t sway him he knew his intentions were honorable.

Qingru and Jiang Chuan had grown up together, childhood sweethearts who shared a lifetime of memories. Although they disagreed on this matter, she eventually yielded.

She couldn’t bear to part from Jiang Chuan, couldn’t bear to sever the bond of their shared past or their budding love.

Now, hearing Sister Wang’s urgent call, Qingru’s heart tightened.

What would Jiang Chuan choose?

Would she be left behind, once again?

Xiao Qingru forced a smile and said, “Sister Wang, we have our own matters to attend to. Please ask someone else for help. I’m sure the other ladies in the family quarters will gladly lend a hand.”

“But…” Sister Wang hesitated, “A woman doesn’t have the strength of a man. They might not be able to carry a pregnant woman properly, and if something goes wrong, we can’t take responsibility.”

Perhaps because illness made her feel more fragile, Xiao Qingru wanted to be a little selfish for once. “If something really happens, Jiang Chuan can’t take responsibility either. Why don’t you go get a doctor?”

“Comrade Xiao, I wouldn’t ask Comrade Jiang if I didn’t have to. Late Qiu’s husband is gone, and she’s all alone. Can’t we do a good deed and help her?”

Xiao Qingru stubbornly replied, “We’re in a hurry ourselves. We can’t help.”

Jiang Chuan turned to Xiao Qingru, looking conflicted. “Qingru, I’ll take Comrade Du to the hospital first, and then come right back for you.”

“Can’t you take me first?”

“Comrade Du’s situation is very urgent.”

A wave of hurt swept through her, her eyes stinging as her vision blurred. “I’m in pain too.”

Jiang Chuan, anxious, replied, “Childbirth is serious it can’t be delayed. If something goes wrong, it could be a matter of life and death.”

“Qingru, I promise I’ll be back for you very soon.”

Tears welled up and started streaming down her face. She hadn’t meant to cry, but she just couldn’t control it her body hurt, but her heart hurt even more.

“Labor doesn’t happen that quickly. Du Wanqiu isn’t alone there are other people nearby. You’re not a doctor, and you’re not her husband. What difference does it make if you’re there or not?”

“What are you even saying? I’m just helping a friend’s widow.”

Xiao Qingru clung tightly to his arm. “I don’t want you to go! I want you to take me to the hospital first!”

“Stop being unreasonable.”

“I’m not being unreasonable.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jiang Chuan avoided looking into her eyes, afraid to see her tears.

Childbirth was a life and death matter, and compared to her monthly pain, the choice was obvious.

He gently set Xiao Qingru down and removed his scarf, placing it on the nearby wooden bench for her to sit on.

“Wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”

Without a backward glance, he ran up the stairs of the family quarters, then soon returned carrying the heavily pregnant woman down. From beginning to end, he didn’t look once at his fiancée, sitting pale and drained on the bench.

His hurried footsteps gradually faded, and finally, his figure disappeared from Xiao Qingru’s view.

She had lost count of how many times Jiang Chuan had left her behind for Du Wanqiu.

Sweat gathered on her forehead, and using all her strength, Xiao Qingru forced herself to stand.

She had only taken a couple of steps before her body gave way, collapsing into a pile of cleared snow.

So cold.

So painful.

This time, she didn’t want Jiang Chuan anymore.