Chapter 74 Forever and Ever
The sound of a car engine shutting off came from outside the window. Cheng Cheng turned around almost immediately and hurried downstairs.
As soon as they entered the living room, the door opened, and there came Xiao Lingxiao, holding his father's hand. He had skipped and hopped all the way in, his fair little face beaming with excitement and joy.
Since she gradually became more sensible, she has rarely done such childish things.
The scene before her eyes surprised Cheng Cheng, but she smiled knowingly. It seemed that Xiao Xiao had truly encountered something that made her happy from the bottom of her heart today.
"Look, our Xiaoxiao is so happy today! Come here and let Great-Grandma see her." Qin Youyi smiled and beckoned to her great-granddaughter with a loving expression.
Little Lingxiao immediately let go of his father's hand, as happy as a little bird, and ran to the sofa where his great-grandmother was sitting. He affectionately leaned his whole body against his great-grandmother, his little face flushed and his eyes shining like stars.
"Great-Grandma, Grandpa Qian has so many interesting books and instruments. He even taught me today..."
The little girl chattered excitedly, gesturing wildly as she recounted her day's experiences and new knowledge. Her joy was almost overflowing, showing how genuinely happy and content she was.
I had a blast today!
Cheng Cheng's gaze passed over her excited daughter and landed on Zhou Yue, who walked in afterward. The couple exchanged a knowing look, and Cheng Cheng saw a bright gleam in his eyes that resembled her daughter's.
Zhou Yue sat down next to his wife and accepted the hot tea she offered. After his daughter's excitement subsided, he slowly spoke: "Today I heard some definite news from the teacher. In order not to bury the best talents, the country is preparing to establish a special class for gifted children, specifically to recruit children with exceptional intelligence like Xiaoxiao and provide them with intensive and systematic training."
He tried to use a calm and relaxed tone to explain, but the words "intensive and systematic training" still made Cheng Cheng's heart tighten, and she subconsciously looked at her daughter.
The image of Xiaoxiao leaving them and living alone in an unfamiliar environment flashed through her mind. She was never mentally prepared that Xiaoxiao might leave her side in this way so soon.
But when she saw Xiaoxiao's radiant face and bright eyes, and the girl's obvious anticipation for the gifted youth program, her feelings became even more complicated.
It was an excitement of finding her kindred spirits that she had never experienced at the base or among ordinary children. There would be more people there who could keep up with her pace of thought, companions who could understand her, souls that resonated with her. Xiaoxiao would no longer be alone.
Zhou Yue patted his wife's hand understandingly. He fully understood her worries and reluctance at this moment. He continued to explain, his tone serious: "The teacher said that the management of this class will be very strict, almost military-style. Once you enter, it means leaving home to live a collective life. It may not be so easy to see your family."
Upon hearing this, even the previously cheerful old lady's expression changed. Qin Youyi subconsciously hugged her great-granddaughter tighter: "Xiaoxiao is still so young, how can she leave home?"
Although the old man didn't speak, his furrowed brows showed his reservations about the matter.
They are naturally happy for their child who is promising, talented, and has a bright future, but she is too young, and they are worried about letting her leave them so early.
Ultimately, Xiaoxiao is still just an 8-year-old child whose mind is not yet mature. Their concern is not only that she will not be able to take good care of herself after leaving home, but more importantly, their worries about her personality development and healthy growth.
Silence fell over the living room.
At this moment, Zhou Yue broke the silence. He looked at his daughter nestled in her grandmother's arms, his voice gentle but with a hint of seriousness: "Xiaoxiao, you know what your father, mother, great-grandfather, and great-grandmother think about this matter. Now, your father wants to hear your own thoughts. What do you think?"
Immediately, everyone's eyes were focused on Xiao Lingxiao.
She raised her head, her previous excitement gone, replaced by a calmness, precociousness, and seriousness beyond her years.
The little girl first looked at her parents, then at her great-grandparents whose faces were full of worry, and said, word by word, "I'm glad to know that such a place exists, but I don't want to go there yet."
Xiao Lingxiao understood the worries her parents and great-grandparents had for her. She got up from her great-grandmother, sat up straight, and a serious look appeared between her brows: "Dad once said that I would only be a real big kid when I turned 10, and only then could I think about how to fly further."
At this point, Xiao Lingxiao revealed a hint of childlike dependence and added softly, "I don't want to leave home so early. I want to stay with my mom, dad, and great-grandparents."
These words relieved all the adults, especially Cheng Cheng, who felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.
Zhou Yue squeezed his wife's hand and said to her, and to the whole family, "Okay, then we'll remember this. Since Xiaoxiao herself agrees, we'll fully respect her wishes. We'll discuss this matter later."
The topic was temporarily put to rest, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.
Cheng Cheng tried to lighten the mood by smiling and changing the subject: "Alright, alright, let's not think about that anymore. Xiaoxiao, how about Mom teaches you how to use a camera? This is a foreign gadget that your second aunt sent back from abroad."
The suggestion immediately piqued the little girl's interest. She ran to her mother's side and watched curiously as her mother fiddled with the camera. Cheng Cheng patiently taught her how to frame the shot, adjust the focus, and press the shutter button.
The little girl quickly grasped the point, and holding up the somewhat heavy camera, she gave instructions in a clear voice: "Great-grandfather, great-grandfather! Please sit next to great-grandmother, yes, sit on that long sofa, and smile at me."
The old man, usually so dignified, was now being bossed around by his great-granddaughter like an obedient soldier, muttering, "This little girl!"
He obediently sat down next to his wife, forcing a somewhat unnatural smile at the camera.
Qin Youyi was very cooperative, smiling from ear to ear, her demeanor elegant and poised, enjoying the family time with great ease.
One "click" after another rang out. After taking photos of his great-grandparents, Xiao Lingxiao started bothering his parents, shouting in his little voice, "Mom and Dad, it's your turn."
After speaking, the little girl's bright eyes began to scan the entire living room. Her little head turned as if she was thinking about something. Finally, her gaze locked onto the window facing west.
At this moment, the winter sunset is shining obliquely through the glass window, casting small, warm shadows on the floor.
"There." She pointed with her little hand and immediately directed, "Mom and Dad, sit over there."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng and Zhou Yue exchanged a glance and smiled. Following their daughter's instructions, they walked to the window and squeezed together into the large rattan chair.
"Come closer, Daddy, tilt your head a little towards Mommy, that's right!" The little girl earnestly adjusted their sitting posture, her little face full of focus and seriousness.
Zhou Yue smiled helplessly, put his arm around his wife's shoulder, and Cheng Cheng leaned her head gently against him. Under their daughter's direction, the two of them showed a natural and happy smile to the camera.
The living room was filled with the clicking of camera shutters, the little girl's clear instructions, and the adults' laughter.
Little Lingxiao was having a great time taking pictures with her camera when suddenly she stopped, realizing a crucial question. She looked up at her with curiosity and asked, "Mommy, what happens after the 'click'? How can we see the photo?"
This question amused everyone. Upon hearing this, the old man straightened his back and volunteered, "This? Leave it to Great-Grandpa! I have an old friend who does this kind of work. He's worked in a photography studio his whole life. His darkroom has all sorts of chemicals that can transfer photos from film onto photographic paper."
"Tomorrow, your great-grandfather will take you there so you can see for yourself how these photos are developed."
The little girl's eyes lit up instantly at the prospect of learning a new craft she had never seen before, and she happily agreed, "Okay, thank you, Great-Grandpa!"
After saying that, the little girl had another idea and pulled the old man's hand to walk into the yard: "Great-Grandpa, shall we go into the yard now and practice that set of punches from this morning again? I want to take a picture of a martial arts manual for you."
The old man's usually dignified voice was now filled with a loving smile, and he cooperated perfectly: "Okay."
Seeing the interaction between the old woman and the child, the others were pleased. Cheng Cheng sat down next to her grandmother and asked softly, "Grandma, are Mom and Dad arriving tomorrow?"
Qin Youyi patted her hand: "Yes, their train will arrive tomorrow afternoon. Finally, our family can celebrate the New Year together this year."
Qin Youyi sighed softly, her gaze distant. Her eldest grandson's family was in Jiang Province, and her second granddaughter was far away abroad. The family could never be together, and the whole family was never complete.
However, they are all doing well, serving the country in their respective positions. The elderly couple stay at home to guard this base camp. No matter where their children are in the world, as long as they think of them, they still have a root in their hearts and a place to remember them, and that is enough.
At night, after washing up, only a dim bedside lamp was lit in the room.
Cheng Cheng leaned quietly against Zhou Yue's chest, feeling the steady heartbeat and reassuring warmth from his chest.
She reached out and played with the man's long, slender, and well-defined fingers. After a moment of silence, she softly recounted the astonishing discovery she had made that morning.
Cheng Cheng could feel Zhou Yue's arms around her tighten slightly.
Zhou Yue listened quietly without interrupting until his wife finished speaking. Only then did he close his fingers, hold her small hand that was playing with his fingers tightly, and completely envelop her in his palm.
He lowered his head slightly and placed a precious, lustless kiss on the top of her hair, which exuded a faint scent of soap.
"Ah Cheng, don't be afraid, I will always be by your side, no matter what happens in the future, I will be there for you."
"Um."
Cheng Cheng didn't say anything more, but snuggled deeper into his embrace, her arms wrapped around his waist, her cheek pressed tightly against his chest, and she hugged his body tightly.
Zhou Yue seemed to understand his wife's dependence at this moment. He tightened his arms, completely enclosing her within his protective range. He gently rested his chin on the top of her head and responded to his wife with an even firmer and stronger hug.
Don't be afraid, I'm here. I'm holding you. I've got you covered.
We will always be together, forever and ever, supporting each other, forever and ever.
No matter what happens in the future.
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Author's Note: This concludes the main text. Thank you for reading! Goodnight!
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