I took a closer look and discovered he was the son of a colleague who had passed the imperial examination alongside Jiang Siyan. Time had flown by, and the shy young man had blossomed into a graceful and elegant man, his every gesture exuding a refined elegance. Seeing this, the young men behind him dismounted and saluted in unison, their movements meticulously executed. Their eyes, filled with curiosity and friendliness, looked towards Nian Tang and Cheng Yan, as if they were witnessing their youthful, frivolous, and energetic selves.
"Are these your grandchildren? They are so handsome!" the young man said with a smile, praising them sincerely. His smile was like the warm sunshine in autumn, making people feel extremely comfortable.
After hearing this, Cheng Yan seemed to have received great praise. He immediately hid the sugar painting behind him, puffed out his chest, and said proudly: "I am Jiang Cheng Yan! This is my sister Jiang Niantang!" He looked like a little guard guarding a treasure, full of pride and confidence.
Nian Tang raised the chrysanthemum in her hand gracefully and said sweetly, "For you!" Her smile was like the brightest sunshine in autumn, warm and bright, as if it could dispel all the haze in the world.
The young man burst into laughter, then pulled out a handful of peanut candy from his pocket and handed it to Nian Tang and Cheng Yan. Jiang Yan watched the scene quietly from the side, his eyes filled with relief and emotion, and said softly, "Time flies! It seems like in the blink of an eye, the children have grown up so much." His voice was full of vicissitudes of life and awe of the passing years.
I nodded slightly, my gaze gazing into the distance. The setting sun's afterglow, like a golden veil, gently shone across the rolling hills in the distance, painting them a brilliant golden hue. At that moment, it felt as if the entire world was bathed in a dreamlike hue, a dreamlike, poetic, picturesque scene. In the afterglow, the rolling mountain range resembled a golden dragon, winding and entwining, guarding this tranquil and beautiful land. A sense of peace settled within me. The grievances and suffering that once haunted me were now a passing cloud, drifting away in the long river of time. Now, I have my devoted lover by my side, his eyes always filled with deep affection and yearning for me; I have filial and sensible children by my side, their care and companionship warming me; and I am surrounded by my lively and adorable grandchildren, their laughter and joy like the sounds of nature, playing the most moving melody in life. With life like this, what could I possibly want?
On the way back, the carriage moved slowly forward. The wheels rolled over the path covered with fallen leaves, making a "crunching" sound, as if playing a soft and soothing lullaby. Each "crunch" was like nature's whisper to us, telling the story of autumn. Nian Tang and Cheng Yan sat in the carriage, and gradually fell asleep in this quiet and soothing rhythm. Their little faces were filled with satisfied smiles, and their little hands were still tightly holding sugar paintings and chrysanthemums. They were their most precious harvest of the day and the witness of their beautiful childhood memories. Jiang Yan gently held me in his arms. His arms were warm and solid, like a safe haven, making me feel extremely at ease. He lowered his head and whispered in my ear: "Ali, thank you for this life." His voice was soft and affectionate, like a melody flowing from the depths of his soul.
"What are you thanking me for?" I leaned on his shoulder, listening to the murmur of the wheels and the falling leaves, taking in this quiet and beautiful moment. At that moment, it was as if time had stopped for us, and the only thing left in the world was our breathing and heartbeat.
"Thank you for showing me what a true home is, what true happiness is." Jiang Yan's voice was soft and affectionate, as if he were expressing the most moving love words in the world. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. It was as soft as a feather, yet filled with endless affection, as if he had poured all his life's love into it. "In the next life, I'll still be waiting for you on the street, fighting with you for the sugar paintings." His eyes gleamed with determination and tenderness, as if promising me an eternal promise.
I couldn't help but smile, with a happy light in my eyes, and responded, "Then you have to hurry up, otherwise I will eat all the sugar painting." There was a hint of playfulness in my voice, as if I had returned to that youthful girlhood.
"I'll draw for you after you finish eating," Jiang Yan's voice was firm and gentle, like a gurgling stream in the mountains, never stopping, "I'll draw for you for the rest of my life." His words were like a warm spring breeze, blowing through my heart, making me feel endless happiness and sweetness.
The carriage slowly rolled along the leaf-strewn path, as if leisurely journeying through the long river of time. Behind me, a dazzling, poetic sunset filled the sky. Its vibrant colors, like an overturned paint box, painted the sky a dreamlike spectacle. Red, orange, yellow, purple, and other hues intertwined to form a breathtaking canvas, like a gift carefully prepared by nature. Before me, my beloved embraced me with warmth and support, offering me endless peace and security. After enduring many trials and tribulations in this life, I have finally transformed all my grievances into sweet honey. And the years ahead, like the endless road before us, will hold even more sweetness and beauty, waiting for us to discover and savor. Every sunrise and sunset, every bloom and withering of a flower, will become a precious chapter in our blessed lives, etched eternally in the river of time, becoming the most brilliant treasure of our lives, gleaming and radiant, never to fade.
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