Back in the 1980s, I quietly changed the person I most wanted to marry to the notorious playboy of the residential compound.
My father, a political commissar, was a little surprised, but he agreed to my choice.
In my previous life, my father asked me which of the many young men in the government compound I liked best.
Blushing, I said Shen Huaien's name.
Father nodded. "Huaien grew up with you. You're a good match."
"The two of you have known each other since childhood. I'm sure he'll treat you well."
After that, Shen Huaien and I got engaged, then married.
Our wedding caused a sensation. Even the commanding officer sent his congratulations.
But just six months after we married, Shen Huaien submitted a request to serve in Xinjiang, saying he wanted to serve his country.
He left me alone to care for his parents, and when my father was falsely accused of corruption, he cut off contact with me.
I had barely endured the grief of losing my father when I received the terrible news that Shen Huaien had died in a flash flood.
Struck by both tragedies, I hanged myself.
To my surprise, forty years after my death, an elderly white-haired couple came to visit my grave.
Shen Huaien, who should have been dead long ago, stood before my gravestone with my cousin in his arms.
"Yinqiu, I was wrong to fake my death and deceive you."
"I only married you because my parents demanded it. Xiaoxiao has always been the one I truly love."
"Everything was my fault. I only ask that you stop tormenting her. If you have any grievances, take them out on me."
So they had loved each other that much.
They had been willing to give up their identities and fake their deaths just to spend their lives together. They even superstitiously believed that my resentment as a ghost had caused my cousin's cancer.
After learning the truth, I let go of my fixation and dispersed into the world.
When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day my father asked who I liked best.
