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The next morning, Uncle Shen saw Shen Yunfang and Li Hongjun off at the entrance to the village.

"Take care on your way, do well in the army, don't worry about home, we'll take good care of Yunfang for you, we absolutely won't let anything happen to her," Uncle Shen said with hands clasped behind his back.

"Thank you, uncle. I can rest easy knowing that you're looking after Yunfang. If anything comes up, please call me at the military unit," Li Hongjun said with a grateful smile.

"Go on, go on, you'll have to leave sooner or later, leave now or you might miss the bus," Uncle Shen urged.

So, with Uncle Shen's waving farewell, Li Hongjun set off on his bicycle with Shen Yunfang riding behind, clutching a huge black travel bag.

On the road, both of them were silent as if all that needed to be said had been said over the past two days; now that they were about to part, they seemed unsure of what to say.