With several creaks, dead branches fell piecemeal into the lake amid the wind and rain. The chill did not recede just because South Plum Garden was bustling and noisy. Liu Chang'an put an arm around Su Mei and entered the courtyard.
After winding along covered bridges and paths, they arrived at another pavilion extending over the lake. A bonfire burned on the waterside terrace outside, blazing fiercely despite the slanting wind and drizzle, radiating heat in every direction.
Opposite the pavilion stood the platform erected for tonight's fireworks. Piles of firecrackers and fireworks, heaped like small hills beneath waterproof tarps, waited to burst into bloom once the rain eased.
The pavilion windows glowed brightly. Through several clear panes of glass, Liu Chang'an saw Qin Peng speaking with Ye Jijin. He seemed somewhat agitated.
"That place... it was once burned, slaughtered, and looted by the Japanese devils. Later, someone else stripped it bare too. By the time we got there..."
"When the villagers saw us, they dropped to their knees and begged for mercy... They brought over a basin of leaves, broken rice stalks, and bran mixed together, trembling all over as they said, 'Soldier sir, there really isn't anything left in the house...'"
"We hurriedly took out our rations and shared them with the villagers... Only then did they finally believe we were different..."
As he spoke, Qin Peng slammed his fist down on the table. "I swear that when our people see our army, they will not tremble in fear and kneel to beg for mercy. They will smile with joy and treat us like family!"
"You've made too many vows. You must keep this one." Ye Jijin patted her cousin on the shoulder and sighed softly. There was simply too much to do, too much to change. They