Chapter 110 The Long Years (The Finale)
Years later, Zhao Qingda was released from prison.
He spent more than ten years inside, and when he came out he was in his early fifties, with most of his hair already gray.
His back was severely hunched, the scar on his face looked even more ferocious, his eyes were unfocused, and he looked at everything with fear.
The prison gates were deserted; no one came to greet him.
He stood in the cold wind for a long time, carrying a worn-out canvas bag, before dragging his feet toward the city.
The city has been completely transformed.
The streets he remembered had all vanished, replaced by unfamiliar high-rise buildings and wide roads.
He wandered like a ghost in the new city, unable to find a place to settle down.
They finally settled down under a bridge in the west of the city.
He built a nest out of cardboard and tattered cotton wool that he found, and curled up inside during the day, occasionally coming out to rummage through the trash can for something to eat.
He changed; he became eccentric and unpredictable.
She would suddenly hug her own legs, trembling all over, and plead with the air, "I was wrong... I was really wrong... Let go of my legs... Please let go..."
Passersby, seeing his ragged clothes and seemingly insane appearance, would all give him a wide berth.
Someone kindly threw him a steamed bun, which he grabbed and started eating, choking so badly he had to stretch his neck out.
After finishing eating, he retreated back into the bridge arch, hugged his knees, and muttered to himself.
Nobody knows who he's apologizing to, and nobody cares.
This once spirited man, driving a bus, was crushed into dust by time and sin.
That winter was particularly cold.
Several heavy snowfalls occurred in December, and the river surface froze over with thick ice.
Early in the morning, a sanitation worker sweeping the streets found him under a bridge.
The person was already stiff, curled up, with their lower body naked and turning purple from the cold.
The look of terror lingered on his face, as if he was still trying to escape some kind of torment at the last moment.
When the police came, they looked through his tattered bag and found only a worn-out photograph inside—a vaguely recognizable picture of a young woman holding a child from many years ago.
The police followed procedure but were unable to contact any relatives. The body was eventually sent to the funeral home as an unidentified corpse.
There was no funeral, no tombstone.
Like a withered leaf blown away by the wind, it silently melts into the soil.
His life came to an end just like that.
Wu Jia and Hu Wanlin bought a house.
It's located in the old residential area behind "Xiaoxiao Clothing," on the second floor. It's not big, but it's sunny.
On the day of the move, Wen Xiaoxiao and Zhao Fei both came to help.
Seeing that the couple from Northeast China had finally settled down in this city, Wen Xiaoxiao felt at ease.
"Boss Wen, we've been so grateful to you all these years." Wu Jia held Wen Xiaoxiao's hand. "Without you, my husband and I would still be renting places everywhere."
“It’s because you’re willing to work hard.” Wen Xiaoxiao patted her hand. “From now on, this is your own home. Live a good life.”
Hu Wanlin became more talkative and cheerful.
He offered Zhao Fei a cigarette and smiled憨厚ly, "Boss Zhao, come over for dinner when you're all ready. I'll show off my Northeastern cooking skills."
"I'll definitely come." Zhao Fei took the cigarette and nodded.
Ma Chunying has passed away.
A letter arrived from my hometown; my mother-in-law is bedridden and needs someone to take care of her.
When she came to say goodbye, Wen Xiaoxiao gave her a thick red envelope.
"Sister Ma, you've worked so hard all these years," Wen Xiaoxiao said. "If you ever have any difficulties at home, remember to call me."
"Oh, thank you, Boss Wen." Ma Chunying wiped away her tears. "Please take good care of the old lady."
Zhou Lanying is becoming increasingly confused.
Most of the time, she sits in her wheelchair, staring blankly at the sycamore tree in the yard.
Sometimes she would mistake Wen Xiaoxiao for Li Rui, grab her hand and call out, "Rui, you're back?"
Wen Xiaoxiao squatted down and patiently corrected her: "Auntie, I am Xiaoxiao. Sister Rui is gone, I am Xiaoxiao."
The old lady paused for a moment, her eyes gradually clearing, then patted Wen Xiaoxiao's hand: "It's Xiaoxiao... Look at me, I've gotten confused again."
She is in relatively good health and can eat and sleep well.
Wen Xiaoxiao's newly hired nanny, Xiao Chen, is meticulous in her work. Every day, she pushes Wen Xiaoxiao around in the sun, reads the newspaper to her, and talks to her.
Wen Xiaoxiao now spends most of her time at home with him.
She knew that the old lady didn't have much time left, so she wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.
Director Xiao has retired.
His workplace held a simple farewell party. After returning home, he stood on the balcony and watched the sunset for a long time.
Fu Yunrou walked over and handed him a cup of tea: "What's wrong, are you reluctant to part with it?"
"No," Director Xiao said, taking the tea. "It just feels... really fast."
He became obsessed with growing flowers.
The balcony is filled with potted plants, which I water and prune every day, more punctually than I am for work.
The grandson, Xiao Mingze, loved to follow his grandfather around, asking in his childish voice, "Grandpa, what kind of flower is this?"
“This is a clivia.” Director Xiao picked up his grandson and pointed to the leaves. “Look, the leaves need to be wiped like this to make them shiny.”
Fu Yunrou now takes care of her grandson full-time, and occasionally meets up with Wen Xiaoxiao for tea and shopping.
Two women sat in the teahouse, talking about their children and the years that had passed, both feeling as if it were a dream.
“Yidi told me yesterday that there’s a kid in the class who looks just like Junkai when he was little—mischievous, but smart.” Fu Yunrou smiled and took a sip of tea. “What a coincidence.”
Wen Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "The children are all doing well, so we are content."
The children each flew off to the vast world.
After graduating from university, Yi Bao took over the wholesale business directly.
She's quick-witted and daring; not only did she keep her original stall, but she also started an e-commerce business.
“Mom, people buy things online now.” Yi Bao registered an online store, took photos as her own model, and stayed up late learning photo editing and copywriting.
The first batch of spring clothes sold out within a week of going online.
Han Jing studied accounting in college and after graduation, she joined her cousin's company, where she was in charge of the accounts.
The two cousins, one in charge of external affairs and the other in charge of internal affairs, work together seamlessly.
Yizhen went to France to study fashion design.
Before leaving, Wen Xiaoxiao took her to see Zheng Shangyu.
Zheng Shangyu is now a well-known big boss in the industry, but when he sees Wen Xiaoxiao, he is still as polite as he was back then.
“Yizhen has a natural talent.” He looked through Yizhen’s design drafts and nodded. “Study hard, and when you come back, I’ll save a position for you in my company’s design department.”
Yizhen worked very hard in Paris, often sending emails home late at night with her new works.
She sent Wen Xiaoxiao a silk scarf she designed herself, with a dark green background embroidered with golden sycamore leaves. Wen Xiaoxiao always wore it.
Wen Xiaogai's trajectory was unexpected by everyone.
He didn't go to work at Zhao Fei's cannery; instead, he started his own business.
I partnered with a college classmate to start a trading company, beginning with acting as an agent for imported food.
Zhao Fei initially disagreed: "Why don't you want an existing factory? Why do you insist on setting up your own?"
Wen Xiaogai insisted: "Dad, your factory is yours. If I'm going to do something, I'll do my own."
This kid is really talented.
The company has grown several times in size in the five years since it opened.
Last year, I bought land in the development zone and built my own factory and office building.
Now, he is Chairman Wen.
But at home, she's still the same Wen Xiaogai who would fight with her sister for the remote control and steal snacks her mother had hidden.
At a family gathering, Yi Bao teased him, "Mr. Wen, you're so busy these days!"
Wen Xiaogai scratched her head and laughed: "Second sister, please don't tease me. No matter how busy I am, I'll be there right away if you call home."
Zhao Fei and Wen Xiaoxiao looked at the children, their hearts filled with pride. Four children, four paths, all walking steadily and beautifully.
This spring, Zhao Fei handed over the cannery to a professional management team.
Wen Xiaoxiao's wholesale business was also handed over to Yi Bao and Han Manjuan.
The two have officially retired.
On the first morning, Wen Xiaoxiao woke up at six o'clock.
Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, I felt a little out of place.
A biological clock ingrained over decades cannot be changed overnight.
Zhao Fei also woke up and turned to look at her: "Awake?"
"Um."
"Sleep a little longer?"
"I can't sleep."
Zhao Fei smiled and took her hand: "So, what are we doing today?"
Wen Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, "Let's go for a walk in the park. It's been a long time since I've been there."
"good."
The two of them slowly got up, washed up, and ate breakfast.
Xiao Chen was feeding Zhou Lanying porridge. The old lady was in good spirits today. When she saw them, she mumbled, "Go...go out?"
Wen Xiaoxiao walked over and wiped her mouth: "Yes, Auntie, Zhao Fei and I are going to the park for a walk. We'll be back soon."
"well……"
In springtime, everything in the park comes back to life.
The peach blossoms are in full bloom, the willow branches are sprouting tender buds, the elderly are practicing Tai Chi, and the children are running and laughing.
Zhao Fei and Wen Xiaoxiao held hands and walked slowly along the lake.
When you get tired, sit down on a bench and watch the mandarin ducks swimming in pairs in the lake.
"Time flies," Wen Xiaoxiao said softly. "So many years have passed in the blink of an eye."
"Hmm." Zhao Fei squeezed her hand. "Do you remember when you first came to our house?"
"I remember," Wen Xiaoxiao laughed. "Back then, you always smelled like a pig farm."
“And you,” Zhao Fei laughed, “always have those innocent big eyes, like a little rabbit.”
They both laughed.
The hardships, exhaustion, grievances, and struggles of those years have now become faded fragments in my memories.
The sense of security they hold in their hands is the best gift that time has given them.
“Zhao Fei,” Wen Xiaoxiao leaned on his shoulder, “the thing I regret least in my life is following you.”
“I am.” Zhao Fei hugged her tighter. “Without you, there would be no family.”
The warm sunlight shone on them.
Two elderly people with gray hair leaned against each other on the bench, like two old trees with intertwined roots.
As the wind blows, peach petals flutter down.
Life goes on, ordinary and unchanging.
This is their life.
Only through loss can we appreciate what we have later.
Only after experiencing storms can one truly appreciate the value of sunny days.
Those who came and went, those wounds that were suffered and healed, have all become marks on the rings of life.
(End of article)
(The author has been criticized for being honest, and some of the more abusive parts of the story have been changed, so longtime readers shouldn't be surprised if they see new changes.)
Hello readers, the finale has arrived in the blink of an eye. Thank you all for your support over the past month.
Thank you to the friends who left comments and ratings that expressed their true feelings.
Some readers felt it was too heartbreaking in the early stages... Yes... I sometimes felt sorry for them too... and couldn't continue writing.
But what if I said this was based on a true story?
At least in my writing, the wicked all received their just deserts.
They also wove a beautiful dream for Wen Xiaoxiao.
The female protagonist never met Zhao Fei, who died one winter day.
The burial was hastily arranged due to the gloomy weather.
In real life, Zhao Qingda has already married.
hehe…
Who would care that "Wen Xiaoxiao" had ever been here?
Back then, "Wen Xiaoxiao" also got married in a red dress.
But it was precisely because of their weakness and vulnerability that they met their demise.
Back then, she came to my house to complain, and her body was covered in bruises from being twisted by pliers…
I saw that everyone in the comments said my writing was too angsty…
Too much bitterness and deep-seated hatred...
It seems she's not the female lead's biological mother...
Seeing everyone's comments... I was so touched...
There are still more people with a conscience...
Life, like a play, cannot have a perfect ending.
But everyone, no matter when or where...
No matter what situation you are in or who you are facing, you must be resilient.
Only by surviving can you become a winner.
Only by surviving can we turn what could have been the way it was...
Grateful for the encounter, may we meet again in the future.
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