Twenty years later.
Shanghai Stock Exchange.
midsummer.
In front of a detached villa covered in ivy.
The ornate iron gate slowly pushed inward.
Xu Xinghe led a handsome young man in.
The boy, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was already showing signs of growing tall and straight. He curiously turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the artificial hills, ponds, and century-old camphor trees in the courtyard. His tone was full of excitement, "Mom, is this where you grew up? It's so grand!"
Xu Xinghe smiled and nodded, her fingertips gently brushing against the stone table in the courtyard.
That was the place where she used to play chess with her parents when she was a child. Time has etched shallow marks on the stone surface, but it remains intact.
"Yes, this is where I was born and raised. Back then, the family property was handed over to other people to manage, and we've only been able to gradually get it back over the years. We'll come and stay here often from now on."
Xu Xinghe is thirty-eight years old this year. The naivety of her youth has faded from her eyes, but because she has been pampered for many years, she still retains a bit of girlish charm.
With fair skin and bright eyes, she shows no signs of aging.
"Wow! There are other properties too!" The boy's eyes lit up. He broke free from her hand and rushed into the living room, plopping down on the soft leather sofa and rubbing against it comfortably. "This sofa is so soft, even more comfortable than the one at home! Mom, when is Dad coming back? He said he's going to take us to eat pan-fried buns from a famous old Shanghai restaurant!"
"He'll be here soon. He said he'll come over once he's finished with what he's doing."
As soon as Xu Xinghe finished speaking, steady footsteps came from the entrance hall, and a tall and upright figure walked in, his shoulders and back still as straight as a pine tree. It was Jiang Linchuan.
Now a high-ranking military officer, his well-tailored uniform accentuated his composed demeanor, with two bodyguards standing upright behind him.
The guards stood at the entrance and saluted respectfully. "Sir, we are waiting at the door."
Jiang Linchuan nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Xu Xinghe in the living room. His cold and hard features softened instantly. He quickly stepped forward and grasped her hand. "Are you tired from the journey? I had someone clean it up a few days ago, but there's still some dust. Be careful not to choke on it."
"Dad! You're being so mushy!" The boy on the sofa immediately pouted, looking like he couldn't bear to look at him. "I've been inside for half a day and I haven't felt any dust at all!"
After saying that, he jumped up and ran upstairs to the second floor. "I'm going to see my room! Mom, can I choose any room? I want the best one!"
Xu Xinghe, still holding Jiang Linchuan's hand, gave him a light glare and said, "How old are you? Why are you making such a fuss?"
Jiang Linchuan pulled her to sit on the sofa, naturally putting his arm around her shoulder so she could lean against him, and said in a doting tone, "With me, you'll never have to compromise."
"By the way, where's Mengmeng? Why didn't she come back with you?"
Mengmeng is their daughter, thirteen years old this year. She is lively, charming, and very clingy.
Jiang Linchuan raised his hand to brush away a stray hair from her forehead and said softly, "That girl insists on going to the nearby department store to buy hair clips. I've had a guard accompany her, and she should be here soon. I've had someone order food from that old-established restaurant at the alley entrance; it's all your favorite dishes, so don't cook tonight."
"Okay." Xu Xinghe obediently replied, snuggling closer to him, the faint scent of cedar lingering around her nose, a scent that had remained unchanged for many years.
She closed her eyes, her face full of smiles.
In the twenty years of their marriage, Jiang Linchuan never let her suffer the slightest grievance.
He protected her and indulged her every whim.
He treasured her prescriptions and herbal medicine business, and even retired from the front line early to spend as much time as possible with her and the children in order to be with her.
Mom and Dad, did you see that?
I'm doing great. I married someone who loves me dearly, and we have two adorable children. Our home is back.
Xu Xinghe murmured to herself, her eyes slightly warm.
"Mom and Dad! I'm home!" A girl's silvery laughter suddenly rang out from outside the door. Then, a girl in a pink dress skipped and hopped in, holding up a delicate hair clip. "Mom, look at the hair clip I bought, isn't it pretty?"
"It looks great! My Mengmeng looks good in anything." Xu Xinghe smiled and stood up. Just as she was about to take the hair clip, the boy upstairs rushed down and grabbed the girl's hand. "Mengmeng, come upstairs with me! I found a little attic upstairs, and it looks like there are some fun things in there!"
"Really? Let's go, let's go!"
The girl immediately forgot the hair clip in her hand and let the boy pull her upstairs. The laughter of the brother and sister echoed in the villa.
Jiang Linchuan walked to Xu Xinghe's side, gently put his arm around her waist, and lowered his head to place a tender kiss on her forehead. "Look, how happy the children are."
Xu Xinghe leaned against him, watching the backs of the brother and sister running at the top of the stairs, and then looked at the lush camphor trees in the courtyard.
This familiar scene makes it feel like time has suddenly turned back to the past.
A moment later, a cute, clear voice called out from upstairs, filled with barely concealed excitement, "Mom and Dad! Come on up! We really found something fun upstairs! And also, I want to live in the innermost room on the second floor from now on, because that's where the sunlight is the best!"
Xu Xinghe smiled and agreed, "Okay! Mom and Dad are coming up now!"
As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Jiang Linchuan's wrist, tugging at it gently. "Come on, let's go up and see what fun thing is making the kids so happy."
Jiang Linchuan took her hand and squeezed it tighter. "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
The two walked up the stairs side by side.
The wooden stairs creak slightly underfoot, carrying the warm and gentle texture unique to old houses.
As Xu Xinghe walked, she glanced up at the walls of the stairwell.
The little sun she drew as a child is still on it.
Although the years have faded the colors somewhat, they are still clearly discernible, stirring up fragmented memories in her heart.
The boy and girl peeked out at the same time, "Mom and Dad, hurry up and go!"
Xu Xinghe smiled indulgently, "Coming right now."
This is the rest of her life she wants.
Three meals a day, four seasons a year, with family by my side.
May you have peace and joy, and be free from worries year after year.
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