"Uncle and Auntie," Meng Wan greeted them.
The woman was holding the man's arm; both of them looked somewhat haggard, and their hair was covered with silver strands.
"You must be Meng Wan?"
He Miao mentioned Meng Wan several times during phone calls with her family. If Meng Wan was with her, she would even pull her aside and introduce her to her parents.
"yes."
"So beautiful." The woman placed her hand on Meng Wan's face, her eyes filled with unyielding sorrow.
Meng Wan did not dodge; she pursed her lips and lowered her eyes.
"How's your hand? Are you feeling better?" Their story made the news, and Meng Wan was one of the more seriously injured among them, so naturally it was reported.
"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine now."
"It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright. They're all good children, they need to be well." The woman said, her eyes reddening and her voice choking with emotion.
Are you going back?
“Yes, her dad and I came to see Miaomiao. This little chatterbox must be bored by herself. If you come to see her and talk to her, she will definitely be happy. We've been here for quite a while, so we won't disturb you and Miaomiao’s conversation.”
"I'll see you off."
"No need, no need." The woman waved her hand, and Meng Wan could not refuse, so she could only watch the two of them support each other as they walked out of the park.
After the two left, Meng Wan placed the flowers next to the tombstone.
Beside the tombstone, there were many fresh flowers, which appeared to have been placed by different people.
The photo on the tombstone captures the girl's smile; even in black and white, it's clear she was a sunny and cheerful person.
When the school collapsed, He Miao, the young couple, their teacher, and even Principal Wang all perished. They gave their lives to save the other children.
All of the dozen or so children at the school survived.
According to the two children she sheltered, He Miao immediately pulled them under the podium when the ceiling collapsed, while she herself did not go in.
She gave her two children the hope of survival without the slightest hesitation.
A little girl whose eyes would well up with tears even from a scratch, shielded two children from a boulder with her body at the last moment.
“You are the bravest person now, He Miao,” Meng Wan whispered.
"You said you'd trick me when you got back to the capital, making me treat you to a big meal. What am I going to do? Because of you, I've broken my promise for the first time."
Meng Wan sighed and half-squatted down. Yan Nian just watched silently without interrupting.
The first thing Meng Wan did upon waking was to inquire about the condition of the others. The second thing was to invest 80 million yuan in the mountainous area so they could rebuild their homes. The third thing was to send someone to pick up Teacher Wang.
Unexpectedly, Teacher Wang decided to fulfill Village Chief Wang's last wish and stay in the village to continue contributing to it. She survived only because Village Chief Wang protected her, and perhaps it was fate that she also survived, along with her one-month-old baby.
Meng Wan didn't say anything, but she quickly reached a cooperation agreement with the local government, helping Teacher Wang to quickly take up the position of village chief and providing them with sufficient livelihood security.
Meng Wan visited her mentor's wife immediately after being discharged from the hospital, as her mentor had always been very kind to her.
The disaster took too many lives, but those who survived still have to go on living. All Meng Wan can do is try her best to make life more convenient for their families.
The two did not stay for long. As the sun set, they did not choose to drive away, but instead took a walk along the lake.
The two held hands, and even without speaking, the atmosphere wasn't awkward.
Suddenly, Meng Wan stopped. The two leaned against the railing by the lake, looking at the lake surface that shimmered in the sunlight.
"Yan Nian, what do you think is the meaning of life?"
There was confusion in Meng Wan's eyes.
She was only in her early twenties, yet she had experienced everything from life to death, and even came back from the brink of death herself.
Life is so fragile; she suddenly understood those who were afraid of death and dreaded dying.
She wasn't afraid of her own life passing away, but she was afraid of those around her leaving her. She considered herself carefree, but she was actually one of the most severely bound by the laws of nature.
Sometimes she wonders if being alone and unattached means you're not afraid of anything.
But when she is surrounded by love, she feels that she is truly indestructible.
So, what is the meaning of life?
"Wanwan, there are many meanings to life, but for me, your existence is the meaning of my life."
Meng Wan looked at Yan Nian, and the two locked eyes, their gazes meeting only for each other.
"You know, I thought about using marriage to tie you to my side forever, but I know it can't. You can fly freely, but no one else can be by your side, only me. So I have to become outstanding, so that no one else dares to approach you, so that everyone will think we are a match made in heaven."
“I am easily satisfied, but if you want to be a soaring eagle, I cannot be content with being a sparrow. I know you want to fly even further, so I choose to accompany you in your limited life. I am afraid you will feel that marriage is a constraint for you.”
"But when you were lying in the hospital bed, I regretted not tying you up earlier, so that when we died, our tombstones would prove our relationship to the world."
"If I hadn't survived, would you..."
"yes!"
Before Meng Wan could finish speaking, Yan Nian agreed. He looked directly into Meng Wan's eyes, his expression resolute.
"Are you stupid?" Meng Wan felt a wave of fear wash over her and punched Yan Nian with her fist.
Yan Nian did not dodge; after Meng Wan finished hitting him, he pulled her into his arms.
"I'll arrange a grand proposal party. Will you say yes then?"
Nevertheless, Yan Nian would still consult Meng Wan's opinion first.
In Yan Nian's case, Meng Wan always has the right to choose.
"Yes." Without further ado, Meng Wan agreed.
For two people, marriage simply makes more things legitimate; nothing else changes.
Meng Wan will continue to run towards her goals, and Yan Nian will always keep up with her and run towards a better future together.
As the sun set, the two embraced and kissed.
End of article
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