Necklace

After months of longing, their reunion finally fulfilled Tan Yang’s deepest wish, and while she was still immersed in happiness, Bi Qingtang unexpectedly proposed. Before she could recover from her shock, he slipped the ring onto her finger without another word. Admiring the diamond ring on her slender hand, Bi Qingtang boasted with a proud smile, “Look, it’s not too big, not too small—just right!”

When life’s most significant decisions strike without warning, people often lose sight of what truly matters. As Tan Yang tried to slide the ring off, she protested, “Brother, this won’t do. Jingye High doesn’t allow students to marry. I want to study.” Staring into her eyes with a hint of displeasure, Bi Qingtang asked, “Little sister, are you just making excuses to refuse me? That’s a terrible excuse.” “I’m not—I just think school is going well. I don’t want to give up my studies so easily.” Seeing her still entangled in this, Bi Qingtang laughed. “You don’t have to worry about that. Your school would never cast out the wife of Bi Qingtang. All I need to know is this: do you want to marry me? Do you want to spend your life with me?”

Gently stroking her hair, his voice softened with emotion. “I’m tired of saying goodnight to you over the phone every evening. I want to wake up every morning and see you beside me. I don’t want to condense the hardship of these three months into each day. When we miss each other, day or night, I want us to meet openly and rightfully. Little sister, think about it. Do you feel the same as I do, or does none of this matter to you? If it’s the former, say yes. If it’s the latter, then the timing isn’t right, and I’ll keep trying.”

He fell silent, watching her closely. Clutching the ring tightly in her palm, Tan Yang’s heart ached, and tears spilled over. She nodded vigorously, choking out, “I—I do. My father, mother, and uncle are all gone. I can’t bear this empty home. I want to live with you, brother.” With that, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing. Bi Qingtang held her, soothing her softly, then slipped the ring back onto her finger. “Wear this, little sister. With it, I give you a home.”

To give love a home, to grant longing a destination—such is the true purpose of marriage, not only blameless but worthy of praise. The era was ruthless, the Shanghai Bund chaotic. In such a world, even the strongest, wisest, most rational, or bravest struggled to live with peace as individuals. And yet, there was somehow still space for two people in love, for an ordinary husband and wife.

That evening, Mrs. Wu took advantage of Bi Qingtang’s presence to nag at Tan Yang, saying they ought to find someone to repair the house while the weather was still warm, lest the old place let in the winter winds. Her real intention was to get Bi Qingtang to arrange repairs, but he simply laughed and said to Tan Yang, “I say, you’d better get ready before the cold sets in—come be my wife!” True to his decisive nature, Bi Qingtang called that very night, announcing he’d chosen an auspicious date: September 8, 1928, by the Western calendar. Three months would be enough to prepare a splendid wedding if they hurried.

The following days coincided with Tan Yang’s summer break. Bi Qingtang, too, put aside his other affairs, and together, they busied themselves with wedding preparations. Tan Yang envisioned their future and home in loving detail, focusing on every small, beautiful thing, while Bi Qingtang conceived everything in broad, sweeping strokes. Their complementary natures gave them a sense of perfect harmony as they took their first steps into marriage’s sacred hall. With ample finances and a strong foundation of affection, planning the wedding was nothing but sweet joy.

A little over a month later, on a weekend, Bi Qingtang took Tan Yang to a foreign-owned department store in the International Settlement, buying plenty of things they’d need for the wedding. Leaving the store, their attendant loaded the car while Tan Yang, still chatting animatedly about how they’d use their new purchases, kept the car door open, reluctant to get in. Bi Qingtang listened and smiled. Suddenly, a jeep screeched to a halt across their path, blocking their way. Sensing danger, Bi Qingtang shoved Tan Yang into the car. Almost at the same moment, gunfire erupted.

Terror at its peak is numbness. Pushed beneath the seats, Tan Yang felt nothing but the pain in her back and the relentless gunshots. Shielded by the seat, Bi Qingtang pressed her down with his left hand and fired back with his right. His