sjar Chapter 116 Developing Photos
Chapter 116 Developing Photos
Three months later.
Song Changzhou returned to the military district’s family compound. The moment he opened the door, it was as if his soul and spirit were taken away from him, leaving only an incomplete body and mind.
Looking at the withered plants in the garden, the dead leaves scattered on the ground, the thick dust on the stone platform, and layers of spider webs, there is no trace of human life.
He limped to the door, his hand on the doorknob, but he still didn't have the courage to push the door open.
With a creaky sound, after a long while, I finally mustered up the courage to push the door open. The moment I pushed it open, a rotten and musty smell hit me in the face, and the air was filled with an old and dilapidated atmosphere.
The sunlight came in, and dust flew in the air, as if telling us that no one had set foot here for a long time.
The layout of the house remained unchanged: dining chairs, sofa, coffee table, cabinets, piano, and a lantern in the corner.
He stroked the furniture with one hand, leaving a clear fingerprint on it.
Everything was there, but she was gone.
He tried hard to find any trace of her at home, and her voice, appearance and smile kept flashing in his mind.
He sat on the sofa, picked up a pink cup and stroked it gently. This was the cup she often used and she didn't take it away.
He walked woodenly to every corner, checking it bit by bit. This was the notebook she made while working at her desk. There was a poem he wrote on the cover, which he did not take away.
This vase was her favorite to place on the table, so she didn't take it away.
There are also the pens she often uses and the small objects she likes to play with in her hands...
Everything had the smell and traces of her use.
Song Changzhou came to the second floor and found that a lot of things were missing from the room. He opened the bedside table and found a paper bag inside. He opened it and saw that it contained his pension, which he did not take with him.
There was also a watch wrapped in a transparent plastic bag. It was his watch, a relic proving his death. The plastic wrapping had many scratches and some water marks, so he didn't take it away.
She must have grasped this watch repeatedly and forcefully before, filled with longing and hatred for him! I wonder how many times she cried while holding this watch.
She took away all her own things, leaving nothing behind, but left behind all the things they had in common, not even his pension.
Looking at the empty dressing table and the half-empty dressing room, there was only a small area for his own clothes to be hung and his shoes to be placed, and there was nothing of her own left.
Song Changzhou's heart seemed to be dug out bit by bit by Zhang Yuwan with a shovel.
Knowing he was "dead," she left without a second thought. Zhang Yuwan left behind everything related to him, not taking anything with her. Was she planning to completely break with him? Without any lingering thoughts? She left in a truly carefree manner.
She was gone, gone completely.
How could he miss her? What could he use to miss her?
Zhang Yuwan, you are so cruel!
Song Changzhou felt his blood surging and a sweet and fishy taste in his throat. He tried hard to steady his body and tried to calm the restless breath in his body.
He found a box of film in the cabinet, as if he had found some precious treasure.
These films were not developed. They should have been taken in the capital. Later, he was either on a mission or injured. Zhang Yuwan was not in the mood to develop them, so he just put them in the cabinet.
Maybe I forgot, maybe I don’t care.
This was the only thing she had left. Song Changzhou held it in his hand. It felt heavy, as if it weighed a thousand pounds.
He picked up the box of film, rushed out of the house immediately, and rode his bike to a photo studio in the city, regardless of his leg injury.
"Comrade, I want to develop the film, and I want it now!" He rushed into the photo studio and said anxiously to the photographer who was taking pictures.
"Hey, comrade, can't you see we are taking pictures?" The customer who was posing opposite was very angry and shouted at Song Changzhou.
"Comrade, don't disturb my work. Go out and wait first!" The photographer thought to himself, what an idiot!
Song Changzhou took out his own pension and handed it to the customer, "Sorry, comrade, please come back another day! I have something urgent to do!"
The customer across the street took a look and estimated it was 200 yuan. "Is this guy crazy?" The woman next to him was a little unhappy, "We're in a hurry too..."
"It's okay. If you are busy, we can come later. You go ahead and do your work...go ahead!" The man took the money with a smile, pulled the woman and turned away.
Song Changzhou took out all the remaining money, took out a few coins and put them in his pocket. Without counting how much money there was, he stuffed the rest to the photographer and said, "Please develop these films as soon as possible. I'm very anxious."
The photographer looked at the stack of money and didn't dare to take it. "It won't cost much to develop the photos. I can't take it. If you rush it, I can charge more, but this is too much."
The photographer looked at Song Changzhou's scary face and was afraid in his heart. This man looked so strange. I wonder if he would suddenly lose his mind and do something.
"It's okay. When you have good photos, please print a few more of them in various sizes. The larger ones can be framed." Song Changzhou's voice was unquestionable.
"But you want so many, I can't finish it in one day. Even if I develop it like this, it won't cost that much money." The photographer's blood was boiling. He must develop the photos well and match them with the best frames.
"It's okay, take them all! Develop the photos first, make them all six-inch. I'll take a look at the rest and decide on the size later. I need the six-inch ones first today. Don't take pictures of other people for the time being. Get all my photos ready first."
"It will be very late for you to get the photos. Why don't you go out for a walk first?" The photographer looked at Song Changzhou who seemed to be staring at him and stood still. He understood what he meant and didn't urge him to leave.
He quickly closed the door, packed up his things, took a box of film, walked into the dark little room and started developing photos.
Song Changzhou sat there for several hours before the photographer came out with several stacks of photos, so many that he could hardly hold them.
Song Changzhou hurriedly spread out all the photos and checked them one by one. Finally, he discovered in despair that Zhang Yuwan had taken countless photos of scenery and people in the capital, but had not taken a single selfie of himself.
Song Changzhou suddenly wanted to slap himself. Why didn’t he take more photos for Zhang Yuwan?
No matter how busy you are, can't you take pictures of her at home every day? Can't you take pictures of her when she's writing? Can't you take pictures of her when she's singing? Or when she's playing the piano? Can't you take her out for a walk and take pictures on the weekend?
It turns out that I have very little time to accompany her.
Song Changzhou sat on the chair, covering his face with his hands. He felt extremely guilty. Oh my God! What had he missed?
The photographer seemed to know the purpose of his developing the photos. He pulled out a photo from the bottom of the pile and asked with some concern, "Can you take a look at this one?"
Song Changzhou raised his head. Zhang Yuwan hugged his waist with both hands, tilted her face up and smiled wildly. The sunlight shone on her face, creating a halo and clearly illuminating her messy fluffy hair.
She sat and he stood.
The angle of this photo is not professional enough, it was just taken randomly.
Song Changzhou gently touched Zhang Yuwan's facial features in the photo with his fingers, and tears fell on the photo.
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, and thousands of houses were already lit. The moment Song Changzhou walked into the house, he saw a clean courtyard and a slim figure was visible in the light from the window.
Song Changzhou's heart started beating faster and faster. He felt a little dry in the mouth and dared not even blink, for fear of scaring the people in the house and afraid that the man would disappear.
The door opened, and a soft and gentle voice and a face full of affection looked at him and said, "You're back!"
It’s An Li!