Arriving in the courtyard, I saw a small, exquisite stage set up in the center. Old Man Li sat steadily before it. Beside him, in a copper pot, syrup bubbling under the charcoal fire, exuded an alluring sweet aroma. The syrup, an amber hue, shimmered captivatingly in the flames.
"Dad, what are you doing..." Si Yan touched the abacus in his hand doubtfully, his eyes full of confusion. He really couldn't guess what his father was up to.
Jiang Yan smiled without saying anything. He walked to the front of the stage and personally picked up the copper spoon. He took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with confidence and anticipation as he said, "Today, I'm going to show you my skills at painting a phoenix." His voice was soft, but filled with determination, as if he were fulfilling a sacred mission.
"Come on, Grandpa!" Shen Xiaotang excitedly waved her sugar painting and shouted in cheers. Her voice was clear and resonant, echoing like a silver bell in the night sky. The other grandchildren also joined in the cheers, cheering for Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan's wrist flicked gently, and the sugar syrup slowly flowed from the copper spoon, drawing a series of glittering arcs across the bluestone slab. At first, everything went smoothly. The arcs seemed to come alive, gradually outlining the outline of the phoenix. However, just as he reached the tail feathers, Jiang Yan's hand suddenly shook, and the sugar thread snapped with a "snap." The originally beautiful phoenix image was instantly distorted. The tail feathers of the drawn phoenix were crooked and distorted, and it looked like a chicken with its feathers shed.
"Hahaha!" Pan'er couldn't help laughing and slapping her thigh. Her laughter was hearty and cheerful. "The phoenix painted by grandpa looks like an earthworm!" Her words caused everyone to laugh, and the whole yard was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Jiang Yan's old face flushed instantly. He put down the copper spoon awkwardly and said helplessly, "I'm getting old, my hands are shaking, it seems my skills are not so good anymore." There was a hint of self-mockery in his eyes, but he didn't feel embarrassed, because the happy atmosphere with his family at this moment was far more important than drawing a good sugar painting.
Seeing Jiang Yan's embarrassment, Su Jinli couldn't help but step forward and reach for the spoon. She confidently declared, "You're so stupid! Watch me!" With a flick of her wrist, her movements were deft and graceful. The sugar threads slid smoothly across the stone slab, as if imbued with magic. Soon, a lifelike phoenix appeared before her eyes. Its tail feathers split into five forks, exactly like the phoenix they'd fought over at the sugar painting stall.
"Grandma is amazing!" Jiang Nianzu cheered excitedly, his eyes full of admiration. The other grandchildren also applauded and praised Su Jinli's craftsmanship.
Jiang Yan watched Su Jinli's smug expression, his thoughts suddenly flashing back to fifty years ago. Back then, at a sugar painting stall, she'd easily captured his heart with a crooked sugar dragon. A happy smile crossed his face, and he clapped his hands, saying, "Madam, you're truly amazing! Your craftsmanship remains as strong as ever." His eyes were filled with love and admiration. In his eyes, Su Jinli would always be unique.
Su Jinli raised her chin slightly, rolled her eyes at Jiang Yan, and said with a little pride: "Of course, don't you see who taught you?" There was a hint of playfulness in her words, as if they were back to the time when they were young and flirting with each other.
Old man Li couldn't help laughing and said, "Madam's craftsmanship is better than mine! It's really admirable." His words were full of sincere praise, and he was amazed at Su Jinli's skills.
Laughter echoed in the courtyard, and the sweet fragrance of the sugar paintings, mixed with the gentle evening breeze, drifted slowly into the distance. Jiang Yan quietly looked at the white hair at Su Jinli's temples, feeling a surge of emotion. He suddenly felt that even if the sugar painting was ruined, it didn't matter; as long as she was by his side, every moment was the best. This happiness with her was far more precious than any perfect sugar painting.
Daily banter: Fifty years of sweet poison
Late at night, the moonlight gently streamed across the Jiang family's courtyard. The guests gradually dispersed, the lively atmosphere dissipating, leaving only a tranquility. Su Jinli sat quietly at the head of the bed, watching Jiang Yan carefully put away the phoenix sugar painting she had drawn, a hint of curiosity and tenderness in her eyes.
"Still keeping it?" She raised her eyebrows slightly, a faint smile on her lips, "Aren't you afraid it will melt?" Her voice was soft, and in the quiet night, it seemed to carry a hint of ridicule.
"Even if it melts, keep it." Jiang Yan gently placed the sugar painting into the brocade box, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure. He looked at Su Jinli, his eyes full of affection and said, "This is the first time you've made a sugar painting for me. It means a lot to me." His eyes were filled with memories. The years he and Su Jinli had known each other flashed through his mind like a movie.
"Nonsense," Su Jinli curled her lips slightly, but her eyes were full of smiles, "It was clearly you who snatched it from me the first time. Don't forget, how you acted like a cheater at that time." Her words were filled with nostalgia for the past. Those little bits and pieces in the past have now become the most precious memories between them.
"Yes, yes," Jiang Yan said, smiling as he sat down next to her and gently held her hand. "My greatest achievement in this life is finding you." His voice was low and gentle, as if he were uttering an eternal vow. Su Jinli's face flushed slightly. She feigned anger and tried to push Jiang Yan away, but he held her hand tightly. They smiled at each other. The wrinkles left by time in the corners of their eyes now transformed into sweet marks, witnessing the happiness they had walked together.
"Oh right," Jiang Yan seemed to suddenly remember something. He carefully took out a small paper bag from his sleeve and handed it to Su Jinli, his eyes full of anticipation as he said, "Would you like to try it?"
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