Chapter 64: Silver Years
Time flowed quietly like a stream. Under the leadership of Lin Chen and Canglan, the Silver Moon Alliance prospered, and the years quietly left their mark on the two leaders. One crisp autumn morning, Lin Chen stood before the mirror in the Knowledge Tower and noticed the silver strands quietly growing on his temples. Beside him, Canglan's once brilliant silver-gray hair was now tinged with more white.
"Time has left its mark on us." Lin Chen said softly, his fingers gently stroking a strand of white in Canglan's hair.
Canglan turned around and held his hand, her silver-gray eyes still as clear as ever: "Every wrinkle is a story, every gray hair is a memory. The story we wrote together."
As they grow older, their roles subtly change, gradually transitioning from frontline leaders to advisors and mentors, allowing younger Spark members to take on more responsibilities.
"It's not about quitting," Lin Chen said at the handover ceremony, "but about serving in different ways. Just like the cycle of seasons, each stage has its beauty and value."
Canglan added: "Young wolves need the opportunity to lead, and old wolves need the wisdom to guide."
They moved to the Heart Valley Research Station to live permanently, where it was quieter and more suitable for thinking and writing. However, they still returned to the Silver Moon Tribe three days a week to guide important decisions and projects.
The younger generation respectfully calls them "Silver Mentors", which refers to both their silver hair and their gentle and wise guidance like moonlight.
One winter afternoon, while Lin Chen was sorting through years of notes, he suddenly developed a cough. Canglan immediately put down his carving and brought him some herbal tea, his eyes filled with worry.
"It's just a minor problem caused by seasonal changes," Lin Chen comforted him, "Don't forget, I'm one of the founders of the alliance's medical system."
But Canglan still insisted on calling in Meiguo's successor, the young physician Yunlu. After the examination, Yunlu's expression was serious: "It's not a serious illness, but Instructor Lin Chen's health is no longer as strong as it was in his youth. He needs more rest and care."
From then on, Canglan became Lin Chen's full-time guardian. He learned all the knowledge about health preservation, carefully prepared medicinal meals, and ensured that Lin Chen did not overwork. Lin Chen also gladly accepted this care, because he knew it was his lover's way of expressing his concern.
"You once protected the entire alliance," Lin Chen whispered one night when Canglan was covering Lin Chen with a blanket. "Now you only protect me. Don't you feel wronged?"
Canglan placed a kiss on his forehead: "The Alliance has countless people protecting it. But you only have me."
As they've grown older, their communication style has changed. While they used to discuss league affairs passionately in their youth, they now more often sit quietly together, watching the sunrise and sunset over a cup of tea, their smiles conveying a thousand words.
In late autumn, Lin Chen began to organize his intellectual heritage. He decided to compile "Lin Chen's Notes," which would not only record technical knowledge but also his thinking process and lessons learned from failure.
“The most valuable thing is not the answer,” he explained to the young scholars he was assisting, “but the question and the process of exploration.”
Canglan began to impart wolf wisdom and hunting philosophy. The young hunter was surprised to find that this "ancient" knowledge was still applicable in modern times and could even solve some new problems.
"Wisdom is not limited by time," Canglan taught, "just like the basic laws of a wolf pack, they still hold true after a thousand years."
Though their physical strength declined, their wisdom deepened. They could discern the essence of a problem and propose simple yet effective solutions. Young leaders frequently sought their guidance, calling Heart Valley the "Fountain of Wisdom."
One spring morning, Lin Chen woke up to find Canglan not around. He walked out of the hut and saw Canglan carefully transplanting a new plant in the garden.
"This is a moonflower," Canglan explained. "It only blooms on full-moon nights. Its fragrance can soothe the mind and help you sleep. I planted it for you."
Lin Chen's eyes welled up. When they were young, Canglan had expressed his love with grand gestures: protecting him, supporting his plans, fighting alongside him. Now, love manifested itself in the smallest details: a flower, a perfectly cooked cup of tea, a blanket carefully tucked in at night.
The Alliance has not forgotten their contributions. On the anniversary of their acquaintance, the tribes jointly presented a special gift: a hardcover set of "History of the Development of the Alliance", which recorded in detail every progress under their leadership and was accompanied by a set of beautiful illustrations.
The most precious is the final volume, "Lin Chen and Cang Lan: The Legend of Wolf and Star," which not only records their public contributions but also their love story, becoming a living embodiment of the Alliance's values.
"We have become legends." Lin Chen sighed as he flipped through the pages.
Canglan hugged him from behind: "We have always been legends in each other's eyes."
As they grow older, the two cherish their time together even more. They can often be seen walking hand in hand in Heart Valley, walking slowly but in unison; sitting on the Double Star Observatory, draped in the same blanket, gazing at the stars; or sitting quietly, reading or working separately, occasionally looking up and exchanging a warm glance.
“Love in youth is like a raging fire,” Lin Chen wrote in his diary, “fervent and dazzling. Love in old age is like charcoal, warm and enduring.”
One snowy night, Lin Chen's old illness relapsed, and he coughed incessantly. Canglan stayed by his side all night, using ancient wolf methods to ease his discomfort. At dawn, when the symptoms finally subsided, Canglan leaned wearily against the headboard of the bed, and Lin Chen gently stroked his wrinkled face.
"Are you scared?" Lin Chen asked softly, "Facing the inevitable separation?"
Canglan held his hand and said, "Treat every day as a gift. Instead of fearing the future, be grateful for the present."
With the arrival of spring, their health seemed to improve as nature revived them, and they decided to complete one final collaborative project: a "Wisdom Garden" where they would plant various plants with medicinal and symbolic meanings, each with a sign explaining its purpose and the story behind it.
"In this way, wisdom can continue to grow even if we are not here," Lin Chen said at the opening ceremony.
The garden has become the most popular place in the alliance. People come here to learn about plants and experience the spirit of the two mentors.
One evening, the two sat in the Garden of Wisdom, watching the sunset. Lin Chen's head rested gently on Canglan's shoulder, and Canglan's arms were around him.
"Looking back," Lin Chen said softly, "what I'm most proud of isn't the Alliance's achievements, but every day I spent with you."
Canglan's voice was gentle: "And what I am most grateful for is that stranger who got lost in the Black Forest. He gave me the opportunity to love him for the rest of my life."
The starry sky gradually appeared, and the first star twinkled in the evening sky.
"Look," Canglan pointed at the star, "The Eye of the Wolf God is shining. It's protecting us."
Lin Chen smiled: "In my world, it's called the North Star. It always guides the way."
"Then it is the Eye of the Two Gods," Canglan said, "melding our worlds and guiding all who are lost."
They sat in silence until the sky was filled with stars, no words needed, their heartbeats, breathing, and even their thoughts seemed to be synchronized.
Age hasn't weakened their love; instead, it's deepened and deepened. It's no longer the passionate intensity of youth, but a deep understanding tempered by time; it's no longer filled with idealistic vows, but with the mutual support of daily life; it's no longer filled with ambition to change the world, but with gratitude for every moment spent together.
In the eyes of that soul from another world, this love that transcends worlds and cultures, after decades of trials and tribulations, has become the most precious gift in his life. In this primitive and pure world, he has found a deep connection and eternal commitment rarely seen in modern society.
The morning light illuminates the valley of their hearts again. Lin Chen and Canglan know that no matter how much time is left in the future, they will continue to accompany each other in this way: respect each other, cherish each other, and protect each other until the last moment.
The years not only record the process of aging, but also demonstrate the deepening of love and the maturity of wisdom. During this time, the two mentors continue to contribute light and heat to the alliance in their own way and at their own pace, proving that true leadership is not about power and control, but about service and wisdom; true love is not about passion and romance, but about commitment and companionship.
As the sunshine of a new day fills their hearts, Lin Chen and Cang Lan begin another day together. Their pace may be slow, but their direction remains clear; their physical strength may be weakened, but their wisdom is brighter; their appearance may age, but their love remains forever young.
In these glorious years, they continue to write their own legends—not grand epics, but daily perseverance; not astonishing feats, but subtle acts of care; not changing the world, but perfecting each other. And this, perhaps, is the most moving legend.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
