Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

In early spring of 1999, the rain in Hong Kong carried a cool, damp chill, pattering against the glass doors of the Hong Kong Liaison Office. Zhou Jin had just finished a coordination meeting with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and was walking out of the office building when he saw Lin Xiaoman holding a white umbrella, her slender figure gazing at him from beside a black sedan parked by the roadside.

"Director Zhou, are you off work?" Lin Xiaoman walked up quickly, her face covered in exquisite makeup, carrying a beautifully packaged gift box. "I went to Europe for a business trip the other day and brought you a watch as a thank you for your guidance on business cooperation."

Zhou Jin stopped in her tracks, her gaze calmly sweeping over the gift box without reaching out to take it. "Ms. Lin, as I've already said, we're just business friends, there's no need for such formalities. I cannot accept this gift; please take it back."

"It's just a watch, nothing expensive, just a small token of my appreciation." Lin Xiaoman insisted on handing the gift box to him, her tone somewhat stubborn. "If you don't accept it, you're disrespecting me."

"Ms. Lin," Zhou Jin's tone became more serious, "I am a public official, and it is against regulations for me to accept private gifts. Moreover, I already have a fiancée, and I cannot accept valuable gifts from a woman. Please understand." He deliberately emphasized the words "fiancée," drawing a clear line again.

Lin Xiaoman's smile froze for a moment, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she still reluctantly took back the gift box: "Alright, I won't force you. Shall I take you back to your place? I was just thinking of talking to you about the new cooperation plan between the Lin Group and Huayao Capital."

"No need, I'll drive back myself." Zhou Jin nodded slightly, turned and walked to his car without hesitation. Watching his resolute back, Lin Xiaoman clenched the gift box in her hand, her eyes filled with resentment, but she could only watch the car merge into the traffic.

Even after that, Lin Xiaoman didn't give up. She would often wait for Zhou Jin outside his office building, or ask to meet him under the pretext of discussing work. She even sent him expensive calligraphy and paintings, as well as health products, but Zhou Jin always returned them unopened. Zhou Jin always maintained a clear sense of boundaries, communicating about work as much as possible through email or office phone, and never meeting her alone in private to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

At the same time, Zhou Jin immediately informed Chen Panpan about Lin Xiaoman's situation. Over the phone, he explained in detail Lin Xiaoman's pursuit and his rejection, his tone honest and firm: "Panpan, I know long-distance relationships can be unsettling, but please believe me, you're the only one in my heart, and I will never be swayed by any temptation."

Chen Panpan was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, then chuckled softly, "Brother Jin, I believe you. I'm relieved that you told me all this on your own initiative. Miss Lin is outstanding and persistent. You need to handle things well in Hong Kong and not make things difficult for yourself."

Chen Panpan's understanding and trust filled Zhou Jin's heart with warmth. From then on, he would call Chen Panpan every day to share his work and life in Hong Kong. Occasionally, when Lin Xiaoman's entanglement came up, he would truthfully tell her how he dealt with it, completely dispelling her concerns.

Time flew by, and it was now 2000. Chen Panpan graduated with honors from Huaguo University. With her solid professional skills and outstanding performance, she was admitted to the Cultural Affairs Department of the Kyoto Public Relations Bureau, becoming a public servant. Although the two were still in a long-distance relationship, the distance did not diminish their longing for each other; instead, it strengthened their bond. Zhou Jin would take time each month to return to Kyoto to visit relatives, even if it was only for two or three days, he would cancel all his work to spend time with Chen Panpan.

They would stroll through Kyoto's hutongs together, enjoying a bowl of steaming hot zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) at a time-honored restaurant; they would sit on benches by the moat, chatting about their work and future; Zhou Jin would tell her about Hong Kong's financial dynamics, and Chen Panpan would share anecdotes from her work in cultural promotion. Each time they parted, they were reluctant to leave, but their anticipation filled them with strength—they were both striving to reunite as soon as possible.

During the National Day holiday in 2001, Zhou Jin ended his work early and quietly returned to Kyoto. He didn't tell Chen Panpan in advance, but instead carefully prepared a surprise. On a crisp autumn afternoon, he took Chen Panpan to the beach where the two of them had made a promise years ago (Beidaihe, near Kyoto). Golden sunlight shone on the sea, making it sparkle.

Zhou Jin held Chen Panpan's hand and strolled slowly along the coastline, reminiscing about their youthful days and promises. When they reached a secluded rocky outcrop, he suddenly stopped, turned to face Chen Panpan, and looked at her with sincere and burning eyes.

"Panpan," Zhou Jin took a deep breath, took out a velvet box from her pocket, and knelt on one knee. "Since we parted ways in Hong Kong in 1997, we have been in a long-distance relationship for four years. In these four years, there has been longing, concern, and temptation, but my heart for you has never changed. You are the most precious person in my life, the original intention I have always held onto, and the partner I want to spend my life with."

He opened the box, inside which lay a simple yet dazzling diamond ring: "Now, I want to formally ask you, Ms. Chen Panpan, will you marry me?"

Chen Panpan looked at Zhou Jin kneeling on one knee, her eyes instantly filling with tears, yet a happy smile bloomed on her face. She nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion, "I do! Brother Jin, I do want to marry you!"

Zhou Jin was overjoyed. He stood up and slipped the diamond ring onto Chen Panpan's ring finger, then pulled her tightly into his arms. The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, seemed to be blessing them. Four years of long-distance relationship, countless moments of longing and waiting, had finally come to a perfect end at this moment.

After the successful proposal, the couple began preparing for the wedding. Zhou Jin entrusted most of the preparations to their parents, while he used his spare time to revise the wedding itinerary repeatedly, wanting to give Chen Panpan a perfect ceremony. Chen Panpan also spent her free time choosing a wedding dress and finalizing the guest list, her face always beaming with a happy smile.

Upon learning of Zhou Jin's proposal, Lin Xiaoman, far away in Hong Kong, finally gave up completely. She sent Zhou Jin a text message: "Mr. Zhou, congratulations on finding your true love. Please forgive me for bothering you before. I wish you and Ms. Chen a happy marriage and a long and happy life together." Zhou Jin replied with "Thank you," thus ending this entanglement that began with admiration and ended with respect.