For the first ten years of Zhou Yunxiao's life, he was the brightest star around: the village chief's only son, swaggering and domineering, with no one daring to cross him. Then, one winter day, he met Jiang Ruyuan.
Jiang Ruyuan had been sick since childhood and wasn't expected to live to eighteen. She came to the countryside to recuperate, where she met Zhou Yunxiao. Together, they did many things Jiang Ruyuan had never dared to do, and promised to live to ninety-nine. But in the end, their wish did not come true.
The night before Jiang Ruyuan's birthday, her illness returned. Resuscitation failed, and she passed away at 5:36 a.m. As she watched the clouds outside her window rise with the sun, Jiang Ruyuan thought, I'm sorry, Brother Yunxiao. I haven't told you my eighteenth birthday wish yet. I want to be with you, but it can never come true now.
Zhou Yunxiao couldn't find Jiang Ruyuan. He drank all day and changed his plans against everyone's objections. He was going back to Z Village. His Ruyuan still hadn't seen the village escape poverty and prosper. Once she came back and saw everyone living comfortably, she'd be so happy. But when he returned, his father, the village chief of Z Village, vehemently opposed him. Enraged, he beat Zhou Yunxiao and shouted, "Zhou Yunxiao, I named you Yunxiao because I hoped you'd live a carefree life, but in the end, you never did."
"His life wasn't carefree, and yet, in its own way, it was."
In the end, Zhou Yunxiao stayed and developed agriculture, driving reforms and innovation. The village grew prosperous, but he never saw his Ruyuan again. When he grew old, at last he learned the truth.
Zhou Yunxiao had never shed a tear in his life, but when he saw Jiang Ruyuan's grave, tears fell beyond his control. He touched the photograph of Jiang Ruyuan on the tombstone.
"Jiang Ruyuan, you little liar. You promised I'd get my birthday wish every year, but it never came true. This time, I'll make your wish come true for you."
"On the day the winter plum blossoms bloomed, Village Chief Zhou went to find his Ruyuan. All the villagers came to send him off with their blessings: Village Chief Zhou, may you be together forever and have all your wishes come true."
Theme: May all your wishes come true.
