Final Chapter
The winter snow melted, the spring breeze caressed our faces, new buds sprouted on the branches, and wildflowers dotted the grass, bringing the whole world to life. Song Linchuan scrolled through the spring activities on his phone, his eyes lighting up: "Brother, let's go fly kites! Look, so many people are flying kites on the lawn outside; it'll be so much fun!"
Song Mingye put down the book in his hand, smiled and ruffled his hair: "Great, it's a good time to feel the spring air." He has now fully recovered, his posture is upright, and his smile is gentle. There is no trace of his illness anymore.
The message reached the group chat, and Qi Zihao immediately sent an eager emoji: "Flying a kite! I want to fly the biggest dragon kite!" Chu Xiaoche quickly replied: "I'll go buy the kite and spool, and bring some snacks and drinks too." Jiang Ziyu sent a sketch of a kite: "I want to draw people flying kites in spring." Mu Nanjin added: "I'll carry your art supplies for you, and also prepare a picnic mat so you can rest when you're tired."
Early on a weekend morning, three cars drove together to a lawn in the suburbs. Outside the car windows, willows swayed gently, peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the spring breeze carried the fragrance of flowers. Song Linchuan leaned against the car window, pointed at the kites in the distance, and shouted, "Brother, look! So many kites!" Song Mingye smiled and nodded, reaching out to tuck the stray hairs that had fallen across his forehead behind his ear.
Qi Zihao, sitting in the back seat, couldn't contain himself any longer. Holding the dragon-shaped kite he had just bought, he kept urging Chu Xiaoche, "Xiaoche, hurry up, hurry up! We want to be the first to fly our kite!" Chu Xiaoche, with a helpless yet indulgent attitude, sped up the car, "I know, don't rush, be careful not to fall." Jiang Ziyu, meanwhile, quietly looked at the spring scenery outside the window, gently stroking his paintbrush, his eyes full of anticipation.
When they arrived at the lawn, it was already bustling with activity. Colorful kites danced in the blue sky like blooming flowers. Children ran and played on the lawn, their laughter ringing out. The group found an open space, and Chu Xiaoche and Song Mingye began assembling their kites, while Qi Zihao helped by handing them tools, excitedly waving his arms and legs.
Song Linchuan, holding the spool of string, was eager to try: "Brother, let me fly it!" Song Mingye smiled and nodded, helping him hold the kite: "Okay, I'll let go when the wind picks up, remember to run forward." The spring breeze was just right, Song Mingye let go, and Song Linchuan ran forward, pulling on the spool. The kite wobbled and rose higher and higher. "Brother, I did it!" Song Linchuan shouted excitedly, his face full of a bright smile.
On the other side, Qi Zihao, with Chu Xiaoche's help, also flew a dragon-shaped kite. The dragon kite spread its wings in the air, majestic and awe-inspiring. Qi Zihao, holding the spool, proudly said to Jiang Ziyu, "Brother Ziyu, look at my kite, it flies the highest!" Jiang Ziyu smiled and nodded, picked up a paintbrush, and began to depict the scene before him. Mu Nanjin stood beside him, shielding him from the glaring sunlight and occasionally handing him a paintbrush.
On the lawn, three couples were having their own fun. Song Mingye ran alongside Song Linchuan, occasionally helping him adjust the tension of the kite spool; Chu Xiaoche put his arm around Qi Zihao's shoulder, watching him excitedly control the kite, his eyes full of doting affection; Mu Nanjin sat on the picnic mat, watching Jiang Ziyu's focused drawing, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
Around noon, everyone sat on the picnic mat to rest. Chu Xiaoche took out the snacks and drinks he had prepared, and Song Linchuan cut the fruit into small pieces and distributed them to everyone. Qi Zihao ate a sandwich while looking through the photos on his camera: "Mingye, Achuan, look at this one, the kite is flying so high!" Song Mingye leaned over to look and nodded with a smile: "It's really good, send me one later." Jiang Ziyu then took out his finished sketch and handed it to everyone: "I'm done." The sketch depicted a kite in the blue sky, a crowd on the lawn, and the six of them laughing, all meticulously rendered, full of the vitality and warmth of spring.
After dinner, everyone continued flying kites. Song Mingye and Chu Xiaoche had a competition to see whose kite could fly higher, while Song Linchuan and Qi Zihao cheered them on. Jiang Ziyu leaned against Mu Nanjin, quietly watching the kites in the sky, occasionally whispering to him. The spring breeze carried the scent of grass and earth, as well as the sweetness between lovers.
As the sun set, the kites gradually fell to the ground, and everyone packed up their things, preparing to leave. Song Linchuan leaned on Song Mingye's shoulder and whispered, "Brother, I had a really fun day today." Song Mingye smiled and nodded, gently patting his back: "Yes, we'll come fly kites every spring from now on."
Qi Zihao, holding Chu Xiaoche's hand, skipped and hopped, saying, "Xiaoche, next year we'll fly an even bigger kite!" Chu Xiaoche smiled and nodded, "Okay, whatever you say." Jiang Ziyu, holding the completed sketch, said to Mu Nanjin, "Nanjin, let's hang this painting in the living room." Mu Nanjin gently replied, "Okay, whatever you say."
The car drove away from the lawn, the afterglow of the setting sun bathing him in warmth and comfort. Looking at his loved ones and friends beside him, Song Mingye felt a surge of happiness. He knew that after weathering the storms, these simple, warm days were the most precious.
The evening breeze kissed the old windowsill
Chapter Forty: The Evening Breeze is Always Warm, and Time Passes By in Peace
Time flies, and another ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.
For the past ten years, Song Mingye has been in good health and has never suffered from illness again. He and Song Linchuan are still as loving as ever. Song Mingye's company has grown bigger and bigger, but he always makes time to take Song Linchuan to see the beautiful scenery of the world. Song Linchuan has become a freelance illustrator. His paintings are always full of sunshine and warmth. Many of his works have been made into picture books and are loved by children.
Chu Xiaoche and Qi Zihao also tied the knot, holding a simple yet heartwarming wedding and inviting all their relatives and friends. Chu Xiaoche remained steady and reliable, managing the company impeccably and spoiling Qi Zihao like a child who would never grow up; Qi Zihao, on the other hand, became a renowned photographer, his lens capturing countless beautiful moments, most notably Chu Xiaoche's figure and the scenery they had traversed together.
Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin lived the life they had always dreamed of. They bought a house with a yard in the suburbs, filled with flowers and plants, and even had a small art studio. Jiang Ziyu became a professional painter, his paintings known for their fresh and elegant style, and he was quite famous in the industry. Mu Nanjin gave up her high-paying job to focus on accompanying Jiang Ziyu, tending to the flowers and plants in the yard, and occasionally helping Jiang Ziyu organize his paintings.
That spring, just like ten years ago, the sun shone brightly and the breeze was gentle. Three couples once again came to the lawn in the suburbs to fly kites, only this time, they were accompanied by several small figures.
Song Linchuan held a beautifully sculpted little girl in his arms. She was Song Mingye and Song Linchuan's daughter, named Song Nian'an, which means longing and peace. Song Nian'an held a small butterfly kite in her hand and excitedly said to Song Mingye, "Daddy, I want to fly a kite too!" Song Mingye smiled and took the kite, holding it for her, "Okay, Nian'an, be good. We'll fly it when the wind comes."
Beside Qi Zihao and Chu Xiaoche followed a chubby-cheeked little boy, their son, Chu Leyan. They hoped he would be happy throughout his life and speak with tact. Chu Leyan was just like Qi Zihao, lively and energetic. Pulling the spool of his dragon-shaped kite, he kept running forward, shouting, "Daddy, Daddy, look! My kite is flying so high!" Qi Zihao and Chu Xiaoche followed behind him, their eyes full of doting affection.
A quiet little boy sat beside Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin. He was their son, named Mu Zhihua, whom they hoped would grow up to be well-mannered and have a love for painting. Mu Zhihua was holding a paintbrush, diligently drawing a kite in the sky on the paper. Jiang Ziyu sat beside him, patiently guiding him: "Zhizhi, you can draw the kite's wings a little bigger; it will make it more dynamic." Mu Nanjin, meanwhile, was helping them tidy up their art supplies, occasionally handing them a glass of warm water.
On the lawn, children's laughter was crisp and clear, while adults' smiles were warm. Song Mingye looked at Song Linchuan beside him, his eyes full of tenderness: "Achuan, look how happy the children are." Song Linchuan smiled and nodded, leaning on his shoulder: "Yes, time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, we have children now."
Chu Xiaoche put his arm around Qi Zihao's shoulder, watching Chu Leyan run away, and said softly, "Do you remember the first time we came here to fly kites ten years ago? Back then, you were like a child, insisting on flying the biggest kite." Qi Zihao stuck out his tongue: "I'm still a child now, you have to spoil me for the rest of my life." Chu Xiaoche smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'll spoil you for the rest of my life."
Jiang Ziyu leaned against Mu Nanjin's chest, watching Mu Zhihua paint intently, and whispered, "Nanjin, these days are so good." Mu Nanjin gently held his hand and said tenderly, "Yes, with you, with the children, with friends, these are the best days."
As the sun set, the evening glow painted half the sky red. The children's kites gradually fell to the ground, and everyone packed up their things, preparing to go home. Song Mingye held Song Nian'an's hand, with Song Linchuan beside them; Chu Xiaoche carried Chu Leyan, and Qi Zihao helped them carry their kites; Mu Nanjin held Mu Zhihua's hand, and Jiang Ziyu followed behind, carrying the finished painting.
The shadows of three couples, three children, and six people were stretched long by the setting sun. A gentle evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and an atmosphere of happiness.
Back at the Song family's old house, the roses in the courtyard were in full bloom, and the seashell wind chimes that Song Linchuan had hung by the window ten years ago still tinkled crisply in the wind. Everyone sat around on the wicker chairs in the courtyard, the children chased and played, and Xiao Bai, now old, lay on the grass nearby, squinting in the sun.
Looking at everything before him, Song Mingye felt a surge of warmth and contentment. He knew that in these ten years, they had been through so much—storms and hardships, but even more so, sunshine and warmth. He was grateful to his loved ones and friends; it was they who had given his life meaning.
Chu Xiaoche raised his glass: "Come on, to our eternal friendship, to our happy life, cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses, the clinking of the glasses making a crisp sound, as if telling the story of their deep friendship.
Song Linchuan leaned against Song Mingye's chest and whispered, "Brother, I hope we can always be this happy." Song Mingye hugged him tightly and said gently, "Yes, Linchuan, we will always be this happy."
The evening breeze kissed the old windowsill, bringing the fragrance of roses and the gentle touch of time. The stars in the blue sky gradually brightened, like scattered diamonds on black velvet. Three couples nestled together, watching their children play and listening to Xiao Bai's snoring, their faces filled with happy smiles.
Their story, though lacking dramatic events, is filled with a gentle, enduring warmth. In the days to come, they will continue to watch spring turn to autumn, appreciate summer flowers and winter snow together, accompany their children as they grow up, and grow old together.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
