C13 A Picture of a Boy

Sung Zhu's second letter was to a comrade of her late father's.

Upon seeing the salutation "Little Xin," she noted the simplicity of the message—just a friendly hello and well-wishes to the family.

"Grandpa's handwriting is really good."

After Sung Guodong finished, Sung Zhu feigned illiteracy, merely complimenting his penmanship.

"Oh, Sung Zhu, you can tell good handwriting? Hehe, not to boast, but among my comrades, my handwriting is the best!"

Sung Guodong swelled with pride when his granddaughter complimented his writing, and he began to share stories from the past with her.

Sung Zhu had already pulled up a stool next to Sung Guodong, listening intently to his tales.

Sung Guodong wasn't recounting the horrors of war, but rather the amusing anecdotes about his comrades.

"Ah, let me show you a photo!"

Suddenly remembering something, Sung Guodong retrieved a letter from his drawer and pulled out a photograph from the envelope.

"Look at this kid."

First boasting about his own handwriting, Sung Guodong then passed the photo to Sung Zhu.

Sung Zhu examined it. Hmm, the photo was quite old-fashioned.

It was a blurry black-and-white image featuring a boy, around thirteen or fourteen, in an oversized military uniform, standing tall and looking ahead.

"Who is he?"

Despite the blurry features, Sung Zhu could tell the boy in the photo had the makings of a heartthrob.

She was certain.

"That's Xin Jinzhou. Hehe, I got this a few days ago. This kid has a good look!"

Sung Guodong laughed, but Sung Zhu sensed an eagerness in her grandpa's eyes.

"Yeah, he does look good, and the uniform suits him."

Sung Zhu had an uneasy premonition. She might end up having some sort of connection with this boy who was bound to grow up handsome.

Oh dear, could it be what she was thinking?

Oh my goodness, she's only eight years old!

"Where is he, then? Does Zhu like him?"

Sung Guodong maintained his smile, but his question put Sung Zhu in a tough spot. It was a really difficult question to answer!

Grandpa, isn't it a bit too "progressive" to ask an eight-year-old girl such a question?

"Grandpa, I don't even know him."

Sung Zhu feigned indifference as she picked up the letter her father had written to his comrade.

What was she trying to prove? She just wanted to confirm the suspicion in her heart.

Sung Guodong didn't snatch the letter back; instead, he shared some basic details about the boy named Xin Jinzhou.

Sung Zhu quickly read through the letter, and after finishing, she felt a wave of unease wash over her.

Oh my goodness, this Xin Jinzhou is actually... her intended!

The letter from her father's old comrade didn't spell it out explicitly, but the implications were crystal clear!

Xin Jinzhou was the fiancé her father had chosen for her before he passed away. He was fourteen years old and had enlisted in the army just two days prior, hence the reason he had borrowed a photo of himself in uniform.

Sung Zhu realized why her grandpa had suddenly wanted to take her picture. It was the old principle of reciprocity.

The thought left Zhu in disbelief. Grandpa, I'm only eight years old, and you've already arranged my "marriage." Is that really okay?