Chapter 17: Reunion and the Years

Early autumn in Modu always carries a sticky heat; at the doorway of a western‑style house in the French Concession, the phoenix‑tree leaves have just turned light yellow. Li Yuxuan, lugging a suitcase, stands outside the carved iron gate, watching a figure inside that is both familiar and strange, and his throat suddenly tightens.

"Yuxuan, you're back!" Jiang Ruiyuan, dressed in a dark navy suit with his hair neatly combed, looks steadier than the flamboyant self he had in Japan, yet the tone he uses to call his name is exactly the same as back in Xikou.

He strides forward, grabs Li Yuxuan's arm with a force that seems afraid he might run away. "Yes, Young Master, I'm back." Li Yuxuan smiles, his eyes a little warm. From their parting in 1908 to their reunion in 1914, six years across countless rivers and mountains, they finally stand together again.

"How have these years in Germany been?" Jiang Ruiyuan pulls him inside; the pomegranate tree in the courtyard is heavy with red lantern‑shaped fruits, much like the one at the old house in Xikou from his memory.

"Still okay." Li Yuxuan replies offhand, his gaze sweeping over the living‑room furnishings—a phonograph, a Western mirror, a new‑style map on the wall—each exuding a foreign flair.

"Niang Xipi, what's 'still okay' supposed to mean?" Jiang Ruiyuan turns, glares at him, pinches his arm, "You've gotten so thin, you must have suffered a lot. Were the German instructors as fierce as wolves?"

Li Yuxuan recalls Guderian's perpetually scrutinizing face and can't help laughing: "They may be fierce, but you really can learn something. Their artillery tactics are indeed far more advanced than ours."

The two sit on the sofa, a servant brings tea, and Jiang Ruiyuan personally pours him a cup: "Ah, time really flies without a blink. The year you left, I was still at the Japanese Army Academy arguing with people until we were red‑faced, and now…" He gestures toward the inner room, "Your sister‑in‑law has given birth to a son again; I'm already a dad of a kid."

"Indeed, Young Master, in the blink of an eye you became a father." Li Yuxuan sincerely congratulates him, "When you get back, you must let me see the big nephew."

"Why the rush? There's plenty of time." Jiang Ruiyuan waves his hand, then shifts tone, "Don't talk about me—what about you? You're already 24 and don't even have a wife. By the way, you still haven't met your parents, right?"

Li Yuxuan pauses holding the teacup: "I have, Young Master. Didn't I come back just to see you?"

In his final year in Germany he received a letter from home saying his father had opened a small grocery shop in the town, his mother was still fairly robust but always thinking of him. This time returning to the country, he intended to go back to Xikou first, but upon arriving in Modu he heard Jiang Ruiyuan was here, and his feet felt as if nailed, insisting on seeing him first to feel at ease.

"Your parents have been mentioning you all these years." Jiang Ruiyuan sighs, "A while back I went back to Xikou, your mother kept pulling me, asking all sorts of questions, saying you must have suffered a lot in Germany, whether you can eat and dress warmly, and whether the instructors still punish you."

Li Yuxuan's nose tingles again. He has indeed lived frugally in Germany, and the instructors' scoldings were real, but none of that ever appeared in the letters; his mother somehow guessed. "After I report to the Army Department, I'll go back to Xikou to see them," he whispers. "I should go back and see them." Jiang Ruiyuan nods, then asks, "By the way, where do you plan to go next?"

"First go to the Beijing Army Department to report, after all it's a government‑funded Study Abroad, I have to finish the paperwork." Li Yuxuan says, "Let's see how they arrange it—whether I'm assigned to the New Army or return to the Military Academy as an instructor."

He actually wants to join a unit, to train with real guns and artillery, but these days official matters are unpredictable; he can only take one step at a time.

"I'll just stay in Modu then." Jiang Ruiyuan leans on the sofa, fingers tapping the armrest, "There are many Revolution members here, information flows quickly, I can make more friends. Besides, the Shanghai Arms Factory has just imported German machines; I'm watching them, and in the future we can produce good guns and cannons ourselves."

Li Yuxuan knows what kind of "friends" Jiang means. In recent years the country has been turbulent: the Wuchang Uprising's gunshot toppled the Qing Court, the Republic was founded, yet life didn't improve; Yuan Shikai rose to power, Revolution members fled abroad, and Jiang Ruiyuan managing to establish himself in Shanghai must have taken a lot of effort.

Modu is a mix of all sorts; take care of yourself. Li Yuxuan can't help warning.

"Don't worry, I know the situation." Jiang Ruiyuan smiles, a flash of shrewdness in his eyes, "As for you, don't be too straightforward when you go to Beijing. The folks at the Army Department all look down on others; you're a Study Abroad returnee, they may not treat you well."

"I know." Li Yuxuan nods. He had heard many overseas students in Germany talk about the twists and turns of the domestic official circles, so he was already mentally prepared.

The two chat some more about Germany; Li Yuxuan mentions Rommel's tactical genius… Jiang Ruiyuan's eyes light up, interjecting now and then, "This move will definitely work on the home battlefield," "Later we should try mechanization too."

The setting sun streams through the window, stretching their shadows long, just like the way they sat side by side on the riverbank at Xikou years ago.

"Alright, Young Master, I'll head back to the inn first; tomorrow morning I'll buy a ticket to Beijing." Li Yuxuan stands, "When I return from Beijing, I'll come see you again."

"Why the hurry? Just stay here." Jiang Ruiyuan tries to keep him.

"No, I still need to go back home to see my parents; my luggage is also at the inn." Li Yuxuan smiles, "Besides, you have a sister‑in‑law and a child here; it's inconvenient for me to stay."

Jiang Ruiyuan doesn't force him, escorts him to the doorway: "When you get to Beijing, write me; if anything comes up, find me anytime."

"Mm." Li Yuxuan nods, turns and walks out.

At the alley entrance he looks back; Jiang Ruiyuan is still standing at the doorway, waving. Phoenix‑tree leaves are blown down, drifting between them like a gentle barrier.

He suddenly feels that no matter what each has endured these years, no matter how many storms lie ahead, as long as he can still see such a figure when he looks back, he won't be lonely. Going to Yanjing, returning to Xikou, and then… he clenches his fist. Whether the road ahead is a hail of gunfire or hidden currents, he must keep moving. After all, he and Jiang Ruiyuan promised to tidy up this chaotic world together.

Night deepens, Modu's streetlights come on, reflecting his forward steps, firm and steady.