Challenges and Growth
During their time in Florence, Xiaofeng, Zhou Yang, and their children lived like a family of four, a simple yet peaceful life. During the day, they shared the children's care, changing diapers, feeding, and accompanying their babbling. It was a busy yet fulfilling experience. In the evenings, Xiaofeng would listen to Rao Haiyi's stories of the past, or go motorcycle riding—Zhou Yang had specially found a lot of racing information for her, always saying, "You should do something you enjoy."
While the children were taking a nap, the two of them were sorting through scattered toys in the living room. Xiaofeng suddenly looked up and said, "Brother Zhou Yang, I'm very content with being with Dad and the children now. I'm not as impulsive as before. Will your constant presence interfere with my work?"
"I want to stay with you, unless you chase me away." Zhou Yang picked up a grinning rag doll and gestured to his face. "Does my smile look like this one, with a row of prominent teeth?"
Xiao Feng laughed out loud at his amusement, but Zhou Yang's tone suddenly darkened, and he said seriously, "I'll take care of my parents' affairs. As for work and the future, I want to plan with you."
"It's not worth it." Xiaofeng shook his head slightly.
"It's worth it." Zhou Yang looked at her, his eyes shining brightly. "Remember the words in 'The Fault in Our Stars'? Some people are worth being brave enough to deal with regardless of the consequences, and you are one of them."
"Love may be a matter between two people, but life is mixed with too many things, interests, trade-offs... I just want it to be simple, always." There was a hint of melancholy in Xiaofeng's voice.
"You're already very brave." Zhou Yang patted her shoulder. "There are many things in life that are beyond our control, but we always move forward."
"Thank you." Xiao Feng's eyes flashed with joy. "If I want to participate in motorcycle racing again, will you support me?"
"Of course." Zhou Yang smiled, "I can be your sparring partner and also your babysitter."
"Thank you, Brother Zhou Yang!"
"When we were little, I promised you I'd take care of you forever. I didn't understand the weight of those words until all these years apart. Only then did I slowly realize how much I felt for you." Zhou Yang lined up several dolls on the sofa, frowning as he studied them. "They all have names, don't they?"
"Well, the one with the pointed ears is called... the one with the bunny ears is called... the one with the skirt is called... the purple one is called..."
Zhou Yang was overwhelmed by what she heard and raised her hands helplessly in surrender: "I'd better go see the kids. This is much harder than remembering lipstick colors."
"I'll go with you." Xiaofeng jumped up and grabbed his arm.
"Let's go to the top of the mountain to watch the sunset later?"
"OK!"
Zhou Yang had prepared beer and chips, and the two of them, holding their child, sat on the top of the mountain, enjoying the breeze. The setting sun dyed the sky a honey-colored hue, its afterglow cascading across the red rooftops of Florence, a breathtaking beauty. As dusk fell, the entire city was bathed in a hazy glow, becoming a veritable "Florence."
Xiao Feng buried her face in Zhou Yang's collar, which smelled of aftershave, and asked softly, "Brother Zhou Yang, what birthday gift do you want?"
"Your championship trophy, okay?"
Xiaofeng immediately pulled out his phone and looked through the race information he had saved. "Then let's go to South Africa. We've still got time!"
People say that the flowers in Luoyang are as beautiful as brocade, but it is not spring when I come.
Jiang Wenqing, rushing to Florence, learned that Xiaofeng and Zhou Yang had gone to South Africa, and instead went to visit Ferrari. Over twenty years had flown by, and upon reuniting, the white frost on Ferrari's temples overlapped with the warm smile in his memory. Jiang Wenqing tried to fill the void of these years with laughter, but in a moment of mutual gaze, he was caught off guard by a vortex of longing—ultimately, the saying "Once you've seen the sea, you'll never be impressed" became the most tender sigh in his heart.
Jiang Wenqing, returning to Ninghai, seemed lost. He sat at his desk, staring blankly at the computer screen, the coffee stains still etched on the keyboard as his fingers mechanically tapped away, typing and deleting, deleting and typing again, ultimately leaving nothing behind. His colleagues privately discussed his change, their voices filled with suspicion. After work, he would always stop by Xiaofeng's house first. Sometimes he would walk into the cake shop, pick up her favorite tiramisu, then stand for a long time at the cashier's counter, finally putting it back silently and walking out empty-handed. The streetlights stretched his shadow very long, like a black river drained of its soul, slowly flowing through the empty streets.
Meanwhile, Xiaofeng, competing in South Africa, ultimately failed to win any medals. She gazed at the podium and sighed softly, "There are always mountains beyond mountains, and there are always mountains beyond mountains."
"Then you have to work harder." Zhou Yang sat down next to her and handed her a bottle of water.
"Sorry, your birthday present..." Xiaofeng clenched his fists.
Zhou Yang smiled and ruffled her hair: "Little fool, this trip is already the best gift."
His hug had a faint scent of vanilla. Xiaofeng leaned in his arms and could hear the unspoken expectation hidden in his heartbeat.
"Next time, next time, I'll definitely win it back for you." Xiaofeng's promise, like a seed, quietly planted in Zhou Yang's heart. In the distance, the electronic screens on the field replayed the decisive moment, and the vows they exchanged under the streetlights embodied the true meaning of "companionship" more than any trophy.
On March 24, 2016, Zhou Yang commissioned two matching blazers for Lucas and Oscar. The asymmetrical cut, framed in navy blue, reveals a subtle touch: the left sleeve and right lapel are connected by a hidden magnetic clasp. When the two brothers stand side by side, the suits adhere naturally, as if they were born as one. The most striking feature is the chest embroidery: "1+1=∞."
This symbol is a blessing to the children, implying the infinite possibilities they will create together in the future; it is also his annotation of the relationship between himself and Xiaofeng - when two hearts truly resonate, the power of two people can give birth to an infinite future.
At the end of June 2016, the air in Florence began to feel as oppressive as wet cotton wool. Xiaofeng nestled in Rao Haiyi's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, her tears soaking through his shirt. Her voice trembled, "Dad, come back with us." There was a glimmer of hope in her tone, but more of a deep sense of helplessness.
Rao Haiyi gently stroked her hair, her eyes as complicated as crushed starlight: "It's good for Dad to live alone." Her voice was as light as a sigh, as if she was comforting her, and as if she was convincing herself.
"I will come back to see you when I get my diploma." Xiaofeng wiped away her tears and raised her red eyes stubbornly.
"Well, this will always be your home. Come back anytime." Rao Haiyi smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes revealing her fatigue. "When you go back, consult Uncle Zhou Yong more often if you encounter any problems."
"I know."
Rao Haiyi was silent for a moment, as if weighing the weight of her words, and finally spoke: "You are still young, and you have a long way to go." He sighed, and gently brushed his fingertips against her cheek. "The fact that you have a child cannot be changed. For other matters, you should listen to the voice of your heart."
"Then what do you think I should do?" Xiaofeng looked up at him, like a lost child looking for direction.
"No matter what you choose, Dad supports you." He paused, a glint in his eyes. "Also, don't waste your talent on motorcycles. Dad has high hopes for you."
On the day of departure, Rao Haiyi deliberately stayed home. He stood under a tree at the alley entrance, watching Zhou Yang load the last suitcase into the car, then Xiaofeng, clutching the child, climb into the back seat. The car slowly started, turning the corner and disappearing from view. He was afraid that if he looked any longer, he would be reluctant to leave, afraid that at the last moment, he would lose control and change his mind and chase after them. The wind picked up the fallen leaves, swirling them past his feet like a silent farewell.
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