The house was completely deserted, with only the two of them left; the children all had their own families.
Lu Yan and Zhou Yuanyuan each gave birth to a son and a daughter in the past few years, making them maternal and paternal grandparents.
With nothing to do, Lu Zhixia looked at the photos in the album and couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time had passed.
Gu Lingxiao brought out the cooked noodles and said, "Come and try the noodles I made for you."
Lu Zhixia put the photo album aside, "This one looks good today."
Gu Lingxiao: "I made it for you based on what I learned from TV."
Lu Zhixia looked at him; his face was still pleasing to the eye, except for a few gray hairs sprouting on his head. Thinking of gray hair...
"When I washed my hair today, I noticed that I have more gray hairs."
"Isn't that normal? I have a white beard too," Gu Lingxiao said with a smile. "We're going to grow old together now."
Lu Zhixia looked at him and couldn't help but smile. Her married life over the years had been so happy; this man had given her all his love.
Gu Lingxiao: "What are you laughing at? Why are you so happy?"
Lu Zhixia said, "I just feel like I'm living too happily, and then I want to laugh. Now the children all have their own careers and families, and we finally have some free time."
Gu Lingxiao: "Oh right, I forgot to tell you, I've decided to take a break from our business and go on a trip."
Lu Zhixia thought about how her eldest son and son-in-law were doing quite well running the company.
"Okay, let them take over. I don't want to worry about it anymore."
Gu Lingxiao: "Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
Lu Zhixia thought of the mountains in the village, "I want to go hiking, and also to sweep my mother's grave!"
Gu Lingxiao: "You mean the mountain where I saved you?"
Lu Zhixia nodded, "It was that mountain. The scene from that day feels like it happened just yesterday. When I was being chased, you suddenly appeared, and then we rolled down the mountain together."
Gu Lingxiao had a picture in his mind. At the time, he just thought the woman was quite brave, and the defiant look in her eyes made her unforgettable.
"We should go check that out, but we still need to have dinner. It's been so long since we've had sex!"
"Is that all you can think of?"
"They're not home, so we can't just do whatever we want."
"Alright, alright, let's eat noodles, but it's a deal, only once."
"Okay, my dear wife!"
————
They acted quickly, packing their bags at home for three days before setting off, first going to the mountain where they had fallen in love.
Over the past few years, the village has undergone tremendous changes. Several surrounding villages have moved here, and every household now lives in a two- or three-story building.
The mountain was also fenced off; they were only allowed to enter after consulting the village chief.
I didn't climb very far, but just wandered around the area before heading down the mountain.
After the memories here ended, Lu Zhixia returned to her rural hometown. Actually, the two villages were not very far apart, only about five miles apart.
Otherwise, Grandpa wouldn't have found her in the cornfield.
I come to pay my respects every year when I have time. The village has changed a lot in the last two years, with many new houses built.
We arrived at a dilapidated but clean and tidy little courtyard at the very back of the village. Inside, we saw many vegetables planted in the yard, and a little black dog kept barking.
Hearing the noise, Lin Hongzhi turned around and saw them coming. He quickly scolded the dog, "Stop barking!"
The little black dog immediately stopped barking obediently.
Lu Zhixia noticed that in just a few months, this person seemed to have aged a lot, and his face lacked energy.
Lin Hongzhi was very happy to see them arrive and quickly welcomed them into the house.
"My life here is simple and self-sufficient."
Lu Zhixia looked around at the living environment, which could be described as extremely poor, but it was very clean.
"I came here to pay respects at my mother's grave, and also to ask you if you would like to come back with me."
Lin Hongzhi's hand trembled slightly as he poured water, then he said calmly, "I'm not going back with you. I'm doing quite well here, and I've made some friends. I'm not exactly idle."
Lu Zhixia didn't try to persuade her further; instead, she took out a wad of cash from her bag.
"These are for you to use, you don't need to work anymore."
“You won’t have any money. I was even thinking of giving you some money!” Lin Hongzhi turned and went back into the house. When he came out again, he had a lunchbox in his hand. When he opened it, he saw money neatly tied in leather sheaths.
"This is what I've earned in the village over the years. It's not much, but it can buy some clothes for the children."
Looking into his cloudy eyes, Lu Zhixia knew he had made a mistake, and he was willing to spend the rest of his life making amends. It seemed there was no reason for her to blame him anymore, so she spoke.
"Dad, I'm doing well now and don't need the money. You can keep this money."
"You called me?" Lin Hongzhi was extremely excited. "Could you call me again?"
"Dad," Lu Zhixia called out again.
Seeing the old woman's happy expression, she knew she had called the right thing.
As people reach middle age, they think more clearly than before, fearing that they might regret it later.
Lin Hongzhi laughed happily. The people he felt most sorry for in his life were the mother and daughter. Now that his daughter was willing to call him, it meant that she had forgiven him.
His life has been worthwhile!
Lu Zhixia said, "I want to go see my mother."
Lin Hongzhi nodded, then went back into the house, put on his best clothes, and went up the mountain with them to pay respects at the graves.
There were many flowers planted around, and Lu Zhixia could tell that the old man came here often.
Lin Hongzhi lit the incense and handed it to them. Then they bowed together and placed the incense in the offering bowl.
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