Chapter 42 – Play Within a Play (Part Two)

Yu Tang’s complexion was pale, his eyes fixed on the puddle of spilled wine on the floor, lost in thought for a moment.

“I…” Yu Tang managed to utter a single word before an icy cold gun barrel pressed against his temple.

His pupils constricted.

Chu Yu’s gun was aimed at him, his gaze colder than ever before.

The hand holding the gun was steady—a natural instinct for a general.

Yet, his fingertips trembled slightly.

It was the instinct of someone who loved him deeply.

Those hands had once washed dishes for him, taught him calligraphy and painting, held him countless nights, gently caressing every inch of his body. Whispering sweet nothings, tender moments of intimacy.

Never did he imagine a day like this…

Chu Yu wanted to kill him—

Yu Tang’s beautiful eyes stared at Chu Yu, misty with emotion, threatening to spill tears at any moment. But he held back, refusing to cry.

If he were killed, his sister would likely be safe. Let the young master misunderstand him as a heartless man, it would be best for him to forget about him.

That was what Yu Tang thought.

But still, he felt pain.

The three days and three nights of torture paled in comparison to the despair brought on by Chu Yu’s action.

This sight of him bearing the pain silently broke Chu Yu’s resolve; his hand shook, almost losing his grip on the gun.

He had killed countless people and was no longer the young and hot-headed young master from when he first met Yu Tang. Those who dared harm him or his family never met a good end.

Yet, it was Yu Tang.

His finger tightened and loosened on the trigger, ultimately releasing it. Chu Yu had intended to say, “I never want to see you again,” but found himself unable to utter those words.

Even at this point, he couldn’t bear to say anything that would hurt Yu Tang.

In the end, Chu Yu threw the gun to the ground, averted his gaze, and turned to leave.

He carried more than one gun with him, and since this one had been pointed at Yu Tang, he didn’t want it anymore.

That was the person he wanted to protect for life, how could he bear to harm him?—

Yu Tang watched as Chu Yu vanished through the doorway, his body swaying before finally collapsing onto the ground.

Shards of glass pierced his palm, blood seeping out, but Yu Tang paid it no mind. His head hung low, and the tears he’d held back now fell, merging with the poison-laced wine on the ground.

He glanced at the gun Chu Yu had discarded beside him, his fingers curling slightly before suddenly picking it up and pressing it to his own temple.

If he died like this… it would all be over.

His index finger twitched, but Yu Tang quickly released the gun.

No.

The young master hadn’t gone far.

If he heard the gunshot, he would be devastated. That person, even if he misunderstood Yu Tang’s intention to kill him, even if he believed Yu Tang betrayed the Chu family… would still grieve for him.

After a long while, perhaps after Chu Yu had moved far away, a figure emerged from the shadows.

A stranger.

“It was right for Third Master to have me watch over you. Knew you’d have something else in mind.” The person sneered, “Some low-class entertainer, pretending to be so devoted and loyal…”

Yu Tang lifted his head and asked softly, “You switched the wine?”

Shen Nian’s lackey gloated, “Of course. Just didn’t expect Chu Yu to be so alert, didn’t drink it obediently. Seems he didn’t trust you much either, otherwise he’d be dead by now… uh…”

“Pang!”

The person stared at Yu Tang in shock, a bloody hole in their forehead oozing blood: “How dare you…?” lay a hand on me, I’m Third Master’s man…

He didn’t finish his sentence, dying with eyes wide open as he fell onto the pool of poisoned wine.

Yu Tang stood up, the dark muzzle of the gun facing him. He pulled the trigger.

Yu Tang indifferently holstered the gun, showing none of the panic one might expect after their first kill.

“How dare you…” lay a hand on the young master?—Yu Tang murmured.

Yu Tang wasn’t weak. Since childhood, he learned more than just acting. Even female roles included martial arts and acrobatics, not necessarily mastering every skill, but at least having some familiarity.

He had nimble movements. As for using a gun, Chu Yu had once taught him self-defense. It was simply that he had never had the opportunity to use it before.

This was his first kill.

The young master was his bottom line—

Misunderstandings arose between Yu Tang and Chu Yu, and Chu Yu didn’t come to see him for a long time.

He had killed one of Third Master Shen’s men, yet Shen Nian didn’t send anyone to settle the score. It seemed Shen Nian was currently locked in a battle of wits with Chu Yu and had no time to waste on a minor player like him. Chu Yu had forsaken him, making him a pawn, not even worth mentioning.

He couldn’t enter Chu Yu’s residence; he would be stopped. He waited, for a long time, but no one came out.

Chu Yu didn’t want to see him.

Yu Tang waited alone in the cold wind for a whole day, returning afterward with a severe illness. He coughed up several mouthfuls of bright red blood, staining the snow-white handkerchief in a shocking display.

Tongli was frightened, his face drained of color: “Brother Tang, you… after being in the wind all day, how did you become so ill? I’ll go get a doctor!”

The doctor examined him and concluded that it was due to wind-cold entering his body, exacerbated by mental exhaustion and pent-up distress, leading to illness. Additionally, there was… old injuries that threatened to damage his foundation.

In simpler terms, the torture he endured at the Shen residence a few days ago had been too severe. Though it appeared he had recovered on the surface, it left irreversible damage to his body. Coupled with his poor mood and exposure to the wind, a minor ailment escalated into a serious one.

Yu Tang was now in such a state. With proper care, he could recover, but if he continued pushing himself, his life might be in danger.

Tongli was at a loss: “Then, then what should we do? What medicine is needed? I’ll go fetch it right away.”

“That’s secondary.” The doctor shook his head lightly, looking at the pale youth on the bed with a sigh, “A disease of the heart requires a remedy of the heart. Whatever heartache Mr. Yu has, he should resolve it soon.”

Yu Tang smiled faintly, lowering his gaze: “Thank you, Doctor. Tongli, please escort the doctor out.”

“Aye, alright, Doctor, this way.” Tongli saw the guest off, leaving with the doctor.

Yu Tang pressed his fingertips to his chest, pausing for a long moment.

There was only one illness he suffered from in his life, named Chu Yu, unable to let go, unwilling to seek relief.

A lifetime of longing, a posthumous memory—

Yu Tang’s condition worsened. The already frail youth rapidly lost weight. One day, Yu Tang looked at his pale visage in the mirror and suddenly asked, “Tongli, am I no longer attractive?”

Tongli hastily replied, “Brother Tang, you’re very attractive.”

For years, he couldn’t forget the astonishment he felt upon first meeting Yu Tang. Yu Tang had been a peerless beauty since his youth, his charm enduring until now, unmatched by anyone.

Oh, Green Peony across the river could rival him in beauty. Tongli had never seen Green Peony, but he believed Yu Tang was truly unparalleled.

Yu Tang gently touched the corner of his eye, whispering, “But why… does he no longer like me. Even meeting me… he doesn’t wish to.”

Back when they first met behind the theater stage, the blood-boiling young man said, “You’re really attractive,” turned around, and bumped into a door panel, his foolish appearance making him chuckle.

Time passed, evoking mixed feelings. Suddenly, Yu Tang understood the oft-repeated phrase in plays and poetry, “If only life remained as it was at first sight, why would autumn winds mourn the painted fan.”

Initially, he didn’t understand the meaning of the lyrics, but now, hearing them again, he was the one depicted in the song.

“Tongli.” Yu Tang frowned, his eyes dry, his tone calm yet inexplicably oppressive, “I’m so sad.”

“Brother Tang…” Tongli panicked. The Yu Tang he knew was always smiling, playing along with the scene, indifferent, never… so candidly expressing sadness.

Hearing him say this made Tongli feel sad too, his head lowered as he sniffled.

“Why are you crying?” Yu Tang, instead, smiled, “Don’t worry, I need to live on. I haven’t figured out life yet, how can I die first.”—

Chu Yu hadn’t seen Yu Tang for a while. First, he didn’t know how to face him, choosing to avoid thinking about it to prevent annoyance. Second, he had been busy planning to rescue his family, clashing with Shen Nian several times, facing perilous situations. Keeping a distance from Yu Tang at this time was actually protecting him.

He hadn’t withdrawn the people he had sent to secretly protect Yu Tang.

Shen Nian was too adept at exploiting people’s weaknesses, often targeting those close to his opponents. Chu Yu didn’t want to give Shen Nian a handle, involving Yu Tang’s safety.

Chu Yu was unaware that Yu Tang had already fallen into Shen Nian’s hands once. Miss Zhang had been cautious when she kidnapped Yu Tang, creating the illusion that he had merely gone out, even Tongli hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Later, when Yu Tang returned late at night and secluded himself to tend to his wounds, the people secretly protecting him were unaware of what happened to Yu Tang—they couldn’t reveal themselves to inquire.

So when Yu Tang disappeared for three days, Chu Yu received no news. He didn’t know what kind of torment his beloved, whom he couldn’t bear to harm, had endured at the hands of Shen Nian, barely surviving without revealing any information.

All he knew was that when he returned, the location of the Chus was exposed, and Yu Tang personally served him a cup of poisoned wine.

Love and hate intertwined, better unseen.

They cold-warred throughout December, the coldest winter. On New Year’s Eve, as snowflakes drifted outside, Yu Tang and Tongli sat inside, with three sets of chopsticks and bowls on the table.

“Brother Tang, why are there extra chopsticks and bowls? I’ll put them away.” Tongli tried to tidy up, but Yu Tang stopped him.

“There’s no excess.” Yu Tang looked at the empty bowl, his gaze unfocused, “Long ago… I thought I had no family left, spending each New Year’s Eve alone. Later, someone told me, he was my family. Every year from then on, he would spend it with me.”

“He really came every year.” Yu Tang spoke gently, “Tongli, do you think, will he come this year?”

Tongli knew who he was referring to.

Who else could it be… Young Master Chu.

But Brother Tang, this year is different from past years… Throughout the winter, your illness was so severe, he didn’t come to see you once.

Tongli looked at Yu Tang’s haggard appearance, unable to bring himself to say it—

Tonight was also an important night for Chu Yu.

He had planned for a month and finally succeeded in rescuing the Chus and simultaneously destroyed Shen Nian’s branch in Nanjing.

The family reunited on New Year’s Eve.

The Chus weren’t in good shape, having suffered greatly under Shen Nian. They didn’t possess the information Shen Nian sought, so they weren’t subjected to the same brutal interrogation as Yu Tang, but a warning was still necessary.

Chu Yu’s father and Chu Mu were still in their prime, but Old Master Chu’s health couldn’t withstand the strain, and he took to his sickbed immediately upon release.

Chu Yu personally served a bowl of medicine, sitting by the bedside to feed him: “Grandpa.”

Old Master Chu’s voice was hoarse, trying to say something but barely able to speak.

Chu Yu leaned in closer, “What does Grandpa want to say?”

Old Master Chu stuttered, “Yu Tang… is a good child, treat him well.”

Chu Yu was surprised.

Grandpa had always been opposed to him and Ah Tang, why would he suddenly say these words?

But Old Master Chu didn’t continue, closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

Chu Yu placed the medicine bowl on the table, deciding to ask his older brother.

Chu Mu informed him that they were captured due to Father Zhang’s betrayal, with the Zhang family already having defected to Shen Nian.

“What?” Chu Yu’s eyes flickered, “Not Ah Tang—”

“Yu Tang? How could it be him.” Chu Mu smiled bitterly, “Second Brother, it was Eldest Brother’s mistake in the past. Yu Tang is really good. We suffered greatly at the hands of that old scoundrel Shen Nian. They had many ways to torment people, even I, a grown man, couldn’t endure it. Do you know? The executioner said a sentence to me, that I wasn’t as resilient as that actor…”

Chu Yu’s body swayed.

“What did they do to Ah Tang?”

“You didn’t know?” Chu Mu was astonished, “Everyone in Nanjing knows about your relationship. He was captured by Shen Nian… they say he endured three days and three nights of torture without revealing our location… I’m ashamed of how I viewed him before…”

Before Chu Mu could finish, Chu Yu had rushed out the door—

Someone ran wildly through the cold night, pushing the door open, bringing a flurry of snow with him.

Tongli’s eyes widened in shock, his speech stammering: “Brother Tang, look, he, he’s here!”

Yu Tang turned to look at the door, without surprise or grievance, without sorrow or anger.

He simply smiled faintly.

“Mm.”

“I see it.”—

Tongli tactfully withdrew, leaving the space to the two of them.

Chu Yu removed his coat, covered in flying snow, and tightly embraced Yu Tang, burying his face in the crook of his neck without speaking for a long time.

Yu Tang grunted softly.

Chu Yu hurriedly released him, his sharp eyes catching a faint red mark on Yu Tang’s shoulder. His heart skipped a beat as he removed the youth’s shirt.

Yu Tang complied, allowing him to examine him.

With his shirt halfway off, the pale red marks covering the youth’s back became visible. Even after a month, the prominent traces suggested the severity of the beating.

Chu Yu’s eyes reddened as he looked at it, suddenly slapping himself.

It was a harsh blow, without holding back, blood immediately appearing.

“Why are you tormenting yourself?” Yu Tang lovingly wiped away the blood at the corner of his lips.

“I’m really a bastard.” Chu Yu’s voice was hoarse.

He couldn’t bear to imagine what Yu Tang experienced at Shen Nian’s hands. And what Yu Tang faced after returning battered and bruised, was…

Was him pointing a gun at his temple, his avoidance and refusal to see him.

Just thinking about it filled Chu Yu with a desire to shoot himself immediately.

“Yeah, you’re a bastard.” Yu Tang curved his eyebrows, “Don’t leave me again in the future. When you don’t see me, I miss you.”

Chu Yu held him, fighting back sobs.

“Never again.”—

The confrontation between Shen Nian and Chu Yu reached a conclusion. Shen Nian had touched Chu Yu’s sore spot and suffered a retaliatory strike, forcing him to withdraw from Nanjing and retreat to the northwest, severely weakened.

The people he left to protect the Zhang family were also recalled.

Miss Zhang’s efforts amounted to nothing, earning her the enmity of the Chus. Chu Yu directly caused the Zhang family’s shops to close down, forcing Father Zhang and his daughter to shrink into a back alley, living like rats in a gutter.

The Chus accepted Yu Tang. Yu Tang was welcomed into the Chu residence, receiving everyone’s blessings with Chu Yu.

Chu Yu felt both guilt and love for him, treating Yu Tang exceptionally well, giving him the moon if he asked for the stars, making anyone who saw them envious.

Seeing this, Chu Mu felt he could convince Father and Grandpa to set aside their concerns about social status and accept Green Peony. However, he still didn’t dare to openly declare it. Yu Tang gained recognition because he had done the Chus a favor. Green Peony wasn’t enough yet.

The start of the new year brought auspicious weather. Yu Tang’s emaciated body, nurtured carefully by the Chus, gradually improved, his complexion becoming rosy and healthy-looking.

Only during occasional periods of continuous rain, when he felt a dull ache in his body and occasionally vomited blood, did Yu Tang realize that his foundation was indeed damaged.

Old Master Chu didn’t survive the summer, passing away near the end of the first half of the year.

Yu Tang accompanied him through the funeral arrangements, staying up late to guard the spirit tablet, and midway through, suddenly felt dizzy, collapsing in a chair to catch his breath.

His frail body… he wondered how much longer it could hold out—

Nanjing was in turmoil.

After internal strife, external enemies arrived.

The Japanese invasion led to martial law throughout the city. Chu Yu defended Nanjing, resisting the enemy forces.

Times were turbulent.

Living in a chaotic world, those suffering were the unarmed civilians. The past prosperity seemed like a dream of decadence. In times of national crisis, everyone had their own responsibility.

As Chu Yu’s lover, Yu Tang was the primary target for the Japanese to control and eliminate.

And he was no longer the weak and fragile Yu Tang of the past.

The old director of the Pear Orchard Troupe had already left the city to avoid trouble, abandoning the troupe. With so many children in the troupe, if no one took charge, they wouldn’t know where to turn.

Yu Tang took over the management of the Pear Orchard, frequently returning to teach the children various skills.

The basic training they received could be used on stage or on the battlefield—it all depended on their courage and determination.

One day, Yu Tang and Tongli were chatting with a group of teenage boys at the Pear Orchard Troupe, reminiscing about his practice of walking on stilts.

“Walking on stilts, it’s certainly going to be tough, but once you’ve mastered it…” Yu Tang explained, holding a stilt in his hand.

“And then what?” a curious boy asked.

Suddenly, gunfire rang out from outside.

Panic spread instantly.

“The devils are here, run!”

“Quiet,” Yu Tang stood up, leaning on the stilt. “Once you’ve mastered it, you can defend yourself—and also, defend your country.”

As he spoke, an enemy had already evaded the guards outside and burst in.

The man held a gun, but before he could aim, a piece of wood struck him squarely, dazing him. Yu Tang grabbed another stilt and struck the man unconscious, then snatched the gun and fired a final shot.

The boys stared in amazement.

“Brother Tang is so amazing!”

“You can do it too,” Yu Tang swept his gaze over them. “Resistance may not always be effective, but non-resistance is certain to be futile. At the critical moment, pick up the weapons around you.”

He was naturally agile, and Chu Yu had taught him combat skills and how to handle a gun.

Yu Tang was never a parasitic vine clinging to others.

He was a crabapple blossom.

Gentle like water,

Fierce and brilliant like fire—

Yu Tang had grown into someone capable of fighting alongside Chu Yu, accompanying him on campaigns and traversing battlefields shrouded in smoke.

Chu Yu once believed that the battlefield was too dangerous, not wanting Yu Tang to risk his life.

Yu Tang said, “Ah Yu, I’m not just your lover. I’m a Nanjinger, a Chinese person, an ordinary individual who wants to defend his homeland.”

Chu Yu respected his decision.

During this time, Chu Mu had asked Chu Yu to help find someone.

Chu Mu confessed that he had fallen in love with a girl named Green Peony. She had recently disappeared, and he was very worried about her.

It was then that Yu Tang realized that Green Peony was actually his sister.

However, when they found Green Peony, she was on the brink of death.

She had protected a female student on the street from Japanese harassment, volunteering to take her place. Her seductive appearance and graceful figure were far more alluring than a scrawny schoolgirl.

Green Peony went with them, enduring unbearable suffering and forced to smoke opium. It wasn’t until she was reduced to a skeleton that she was discarded.

Afterward, she craved the drug but couldn’t obtain it. She endured the withdrawal symptoms alone in a dilapidated room, unwilling to contact Chu Mu.

She was too filthy and ugly now, far from the stunning beauty she once was in Jinling.

When Yu Tang and Chu Mu found her, Green Peony was already delirious, unresponsive even when her brother tried to identify her.

“Brother? I don’t have a brother,” Green Peony looked at Yu Tang. “You’re so handsome, how could you be my brother?”

If it were the former seductive Green Peony, she would have confidently laughed and said, “We’re both so attractive, we must be siblings.”

But now, she only felt inferior.

“Sister…” Yu Tang’s voice trembled. “You’re also very beautiful.”

Green Peony giggled. “You’re lying. I looked in the mirror and was so scared I smashed it. Who was that person? So ugly.”

“Not at all ugly,” Chu Mu clasped her hand. “Green Peony, you’re the most beautiful.”

He had met Green Peony, captivated by her beauty, awed by her talent, enthralled by her charm, and admired her character.

Green Peony was his beloved, but it was he who was too cowardly, unworthy of her.

Green Peony looked at Chu Mu, a green bracelet dangling from her emaciated wrist, a gift from Chu Mu.

“Smoke envelops the cold waters, the moon shrouds the sandy shore, moored at night near Qinhuai, by a wine shop…” Green Peony began to murmur softly, as if she was still the courtesan who recited poetry with her patrons, “Merchant girls… merchant girls…”

She frowned, seemingly unable to recall.

The talented woman who could discuss ancient and modern topics and recite poetry was now mentally unclear, unable to remember an entire poem.

“Oh, I remembered,” Green Peony said. “Our merchant girls, also aware of the sorrow of a fallen nation, refuse to sing the Song of the Rear Palace.”

Green Peony’s hand, adorned with the jade bracelet, fell limply. Chu Mu held her, sobbing uncontrollably.

Yu Tang was also in a daze for several days.

He had just discovered he had a relative in the world, only to find her and lose her immediately.

Such was life, unpredictable and impermanent.

Chu Yu was very concerned about Yu Tang’s state, but Yu Tang insisted he was fine. Chu Yu had his own matters to attend to—in the face of major events, how could his personal emotions interfere?

Chu Yu would secretly leave Nanjing in a few days to rendezvous with someone in Chongqing. Fighting alone was too difficult, and he needed to join forces with others.

Chu Mu was a businessman, not involved in military affairs. Chu Yu’s father, who had long retired from public life, was now forced to take up the mantle.

Yu Tang bore an even greater responsibility—

As Yu Tang walked past an alley, his eyes flickered, and he stopped.

Dozens of Japanese surrounded him from all directions, guns pointed at him.

Yu Tang was “invited” to the Pear Orchard Troupe—

The leader was clearly a high-ranking officer. He was cordial, speaking a string of Japanese.

Yu Tang replied coldly, “I don’t understand.”

The interpreter immediately said, “The Imperial Army orders you to reveal where Chu Yu has gone.”

Yu Tang: “I have nothing to tell you.”

The interpreter’s face darkened. “Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

Yu Tang smiled. “You also use Chinese idioms, why do you serve the Japanese?”

The Japanese officer launched into a lengthy speech, mostly threats and enticements. Yu Tang pretended not to understand.

The interpreter became furious. “Can’t you understand human speech?”

Yu Tang: “Are you human?”

The interpreter wanted to hit him, but the Japanese officer raised his hand, stopping him.

The officer said something else, and the interpreter glared at him fiercely. “You got off easy. The Imperial Army says you sing well, they want you to perform a play for the soldiers.”

Yu Tang understood. It was essentially a tactic of first courtesy, then force. Although he had once been an actor, he was now Madam Chu. Asking him to perform on stage for them was akin to a humiliation.

After the performance, they would ask him about Chu Yu’s movements. If he refused to answer, it would lead to another round of brutal interrogation.

It was identical to Shen Nian’s behavior back then.

But today, his body was too frail to withstand it. Over the years, he had pushed himself too hard, his inner vitality exhausted. He had relied on the doctor to hide this from Chu Yu.

Chu Yu’s current mission was crucial. If he successfully negotiated with the people in Chongqing, he could return with troops to repel the enemy. But with Yu Tang now in the hands of the Japanese, it would inevitably make Chu Yu hesitate.

Once again, he had become Chu Yu’s weakness.

To delay the greater cause for his sake?

…How could that be allowed?

Yu Tang said, “Fine, I’ll sing.”

He agreed too readily, causing the others to be taken aback.

A general’s wife being forced to sing wouldn’t feel humiliated?

Well, he was originally an actress, how much dignity could he have?

The last play Yu Tang performed was “The Farewell My Concubine.” He played the role of Lady Yu, and they needed a King Chu. Unable to find anyone else at the moment, they decided to have Tongli fill in.

Tongli had stayed at the Pear Orchard Troupe for a long time and could also sing.

“The Farewell My Concubine” was a famous segment in Peking Opera, and it was normal to perform this piece.

When Chu Yu first saw Yu Tang on stage, he sang this very play, opening the curtain on their life together.

So he would also end it with this play.

Young Master, can you hear me?—

“Han troops have conquered the land,

The four directions echo with Chu’s songs,

The great king’s spirit is exhausted,

What life remains for this humble concubine.”

The renowned actress, radiant and exquisite, sang mournfully and tragically, drawing his sword to commit suicide on stage as the final note faded. His robes fluttered gracefully, forming a perfect circle.

The audience erupted in applause.

“Bravo!”

Only Tongli, playing the role of King Chu, had his knees buckle, collapsing to the ground with a thud as he knelt beside Yu Tang, weeping uncontrollably.

“Brother Tang!”

A thin line of blood appeared on Yu Tang’s slender neck, slowly spreading.

The sword was real, razor-sharp!

Laughter around them gradually ceased.

“What happened?!”

When they realized that Yu Tang had truly committed suicide, they quickly became enraged.

No one pitied Yu Tang’s death. All they could think of was that with Yu Tang dead, their leverage was gone. How could they restrain Chu Yu? How could they learn Chu Yu’s plans?

In a room filled with laughter and curses, only Tongli’s cries of grief were drowned out by the commotion.

Brother Tang, the world is noisy and filthy, but you departed cleanly.

But how can the living cope with this?—

After Chu Yu returned and learned of Yu Tang’s death, he immediately went mad.

He nearly wanted to shoot himself, to follow Yu Tang into death.

But he couldn’t. Nanjing needed him.

Carrying the burning hatred, Chu Yu lived alone in the world for many years. He spent his entire life fighting on the front lines, using the blood of his enemies to honor Yu Tang’s soul and suppressing his rage through endless slaughter.

He guarded the city he had shared with Yu Tang, touching Yu Tang’s belongings and recalling scenes from their lives together.

Ah Tang had once said, “Don’t abandon me again.”

Ah Tang, wait, just wait a little longer—

In 1949, Nanjing was liberated.

Amidst the triumphant bugle calls, Chu Yu saved the last bullet for himself.

End of the play.