Jiang Yan, listening nearby, couldn't help but cough twice. Though the sound was soft, it seemed to carry a hint of inexplicable shyness. His ears flushed slightly, like peach blossoms just opening in spring, and he seemed even more boyishly shy. He lowered his head slightly and whispered in defense, "It really wasn't my choice... I was led astray at the time, and I don't know why I did that."
"You had no choice but to steal my sugar painting?" I deliberately raised my eyebrows slightly, looking at him with a half-smile, my eyes full of teasing. "I think you did it on purpose. Tell me, did you plan this all along?"
Jiang Yan's eyes instantly grew gentler, deep and affectionate, like a tranquil, profound lake, enveloping me completely. He leaned in closer, his gaze fixed on me, and whispered, "It was a necessary evil... Actually, the moment I saw you, I felt you were different, as if you radiated a unique light among the crowd. I was only thinking about talking to you a few more times, getting your attention, so I came up with this silly idea of snatching the sugar painting. Now that I think about it, it's really a bit childish and ridiculous."
Su Qingyao, who was listening from the side, couldn't help but snort, then rolled her eyes in disdain and said, "Oh, you two are so sloppy, it really makes me jealous. Brother-in-law, if you didn't have the skill of sugar painting back then, you'd probably still be a bachelor in the Hanlin Academy, all alone!"
The young man was already mesmerized by the story, his eyes sparkling like two bright stars twinkling in the night sky, filled with curiosity and anticipation. He clung to Jiang Yan tightly, coquettishly saying, "Grandpa, Grandpa, please tell me the story of the sugar painting robbery. I want to hear it, please." Jiang Yan couldn't persuade him, so he slowly began to tell the story. His voice seemed to carry the traces of time, taking us back to that youthful and beautiful past. When he mentioned that the dragon I drew looked like an earthworm, I pretended to be angry and pinched his arm without any hesitation, scolding him, "You are the only one who can say that. How can you describe it so badly? I think you did it on purpose."
"Grandma's dragon doesn't look like an earthworm!" Nian Tang ran over to me on her short legs, as swift as a happy little rabbit. She hugged my legs tightly, her little face full of seriousness and determination, and defended me in a baby voice, "Grandpa's eyesight is bad! Grandma's dragon must be majestic, a thousand times and ten thousand times more beautiful than what Grandpa said!"
Cheng Yan also nodded vigorously and echoed in a baby voice, "That's right! Grandpa's eyesight is dim and he can't even appreciate the dragons painted by grandma. Grandma's dragons are the best!"
Jiang Yan was left in a state of confusion by the two little kids' back-and-forth, a helpless yet doting smile on his face. He had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender, saying with a smile, "Yes, yes, yes, Grandpa's eyesight is not good, but Grandma's dragon paintings are majestic and awe-inspiring, the best in the world, no one can compare to them."
Looking at this warm and happy family in front of me, all laughing and joking, the annoyance that Lin Wanyue had just caused disappeared in an instant like smoke in the breeze. Su Qingyao smiled, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake from the plate beside her, and gently put it into my hand. The osmanthus cake exuded an alluring aroma, and that aroma seemed to carry the warmth and sweetness of the sun, going straight into people's hearts. She leaned closer to me, lowered her voice, and said as if sharing a precious secret: "Sister, look at Lin Wanyue. She has been fighting for power and profit all her life, and she has spent her whole life calculating others, but in the end she ended up being deserted by everyone. Look at us, the husband and wife live in harmony, support each other, and the children and grandchildren are well-behaved and sensible, surrounding us and enjoying our company. This is the real ability, this is the most beautiful form of life."
I nodded slightly, my heart filled with agreement. I took a gentle bite of the osmanthus cake, the sweet flavor slowly melting on my tongue, like a warm current flowing down my throat and into my heart. The rich sweetness, like the little bits of happiness in life, permeated every inch of my heart. Yes, true strength is never about putting others down to elevate oneself, nor is it about losing oneself in endless struggle and calculation. It is about cultivating one's life with heart, making it as sweet and fulfilling as honey. As for those as cold-hearted as Lin Wanyue, let them slowly taste the bitter fruit of their own carefully woven web of calculation. Life will ultimately give everyone the response they deserve in its unique and fair way. We only need to cherish the happiness we have now, carefully nurture this hard-earned beauty, and build our own wonderful lives.
In this warm and tranquil garden, the joyful laughter of loved ones blends together, like a melodious, moving melody, gently flowing through the air. Those cheerful notes, resonating with the beauty and happiness of life, immerse one in its intoxication, unable to extricate oneself. The vibrant "Zui Liuxia" rouge, as vibrant as the sunset glow, exudes captivating color; the sweet and delicious osmanthus cake permeates the air with its alluring aroma; the warm, spring-like smiles of family members overflow with endless love. All of this becomes the indispensable vibrant color in this beautiful picture of life, together sketching a picture of warmth, harmony, and happiness on earth, captivating one, deeply enchanted and lost in this overflowing bliss, unwilling to awaken.
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