第三十六章 (Chapter Thirty-Six)

The autumn in Hangzhou was cool and pleasant. Mulan and Sunya rented a small house by West Lake, living a peaceful rural life. Every day Mulan tended the garden and read, while Sunya taught in the city. They rarely attended social gatherings, only keeping in touch with a few close friends. Mulan felt that although this life was simple, it brought her more satisfaction than the bustling life in Beijing.

One evening, Mulan sat by the window, watching the sunset. She suddenly recalled her father's words: "Life is but a dream, and a dream is but life." She thought of all the hardships she had endured during the escape from Beijing to Hangzhou. Now, she and Sunya had finally settled down, yet a sense of unease lingered in her heart. She knew the war was still going on and the country remained in turmoil. This peace could be shattered at any moment.

Sure enough, soon afterward, the Japanese army began advancing toward the Yangtze River basin. Tension grew day by day in Hangzhou. Mulan started worrying about her loved ones far away in Beijing. She wrote to her father asking about the situation. He replied that Beijing was still relatively safe for now, but the situation was highly unstable. Mulan decided that if things worsened, they would have to flee again.

However, fate seemed to be playing tricks. Just one day before Mulan planned to leave Hangzhou, she received a letter from Mannia. In the letter, Mannia said that Pingya had passed away from illness, leaving her alone and helpless. After reading the letter, Mulan wept bitterly. She decided to change her plans: first go to Shandong to visit Mannia, and then decide what to do next.

Sunya supported Mulan's decision. They packed their belongings, bid farewell to their pastoral life in Hangzhou, and set out on the road to Shandong. Mulan's heart was filled with uncertainty about the future, but also with a deep appreciation for friendship. She knew, no matter how many difficulties lay ahead, she must not give up hope.