Xiao Hong is one year older than Duanmu Hongliang. They met in Wuhan in June 1937. Before I met Duanmu Hongliang, Xiao Jun and I had a vigorous love affair. Duanmu Hongliang and Xiao Hong were both fellow villagers in Northeast China and literati. Duanmu Hongliang and Xiao Hong got along well from the beginning. Several people together are like brothers and sisters, like gay clubs, eating and living together, and the relationship is harmonious and casual. They often discuss literary creation and the development of the times, and also threaten to organize propaganda teams and open restaurants. Young people often laugh, sing, talk and make noise, and the roof is about to be torn off.
During this period, Xiao Hong had a good impression on Duanmu Hongliang, and they agreed on some issues. Duanmu Hongliang is tall and thin, dressed in foreign style, speaks softly, and is restrained and gentle, which is in sharp contrast with Xiao Jun's rough, aggressive, bold and wild style. When several people were arguing, Duanmu Hongliang generally stood on Xiao Hong's side, never confronted others, and only adopted circuitous tactics. All these made Xiao Hong have a good impression on him. Xiao Hong is particularly gratified that Duanmu Hongliang "not only respects her, but also boldly praises her works for surpassing Xiao Jun's achievements". This is something that other friends have never done.
Previously, only Lu Xun and Hu Feng appreciated Xiao Hong's talent. Xiao Jun said nothing, but he was unconvinced. So are other friends. Therefore, Duanmu Hongliang's appreciation of Xiao Hong's literary achievements is of special significance to Xiao Hong, which makes her feel the praise from a man for her talent. This makes the two Xiao's already cracked love life face a new test. Xiao Jun himself, Xiao Hong and Duanmu Hongliang all sensitively discovered the subtle changes in their relationship.
After being separated from Xiao Jun in Linfen, Xiao Hong had more contact with Duanmu Hongliang, and often took the initiative to talk to Duanmu Hongliang about her creation and her life experience. They got to know each other better, but it was not until Jun Xiao came to Xi 'an again that they decided on a relationship. When Xiaohong proposed to formally break up with Xiao Jun, Xiaohong and Duanmu Hongliang didn't really consider their relationship. However, after the two Xiao broke up, the situation took a turn for the worse and their feelings developed rapidly. The wedding was held in Wuhan in May 1938.