The old houses stand in a corner of the town, with potted plants hanging under the eaves, and the sunlight shines on the green brick path, outlining dappled light and shadow. When you open the courtyard door, you can smell a faint woody fragrance, as if time has frozen your footsteps here.
In the courtyard, 89-year-old Wang Defu paced alone. His face is kind, his white hair flutters, and his eyebrows reveal the vicissitudes of time. Not far away, his wife, Zhang Shuxian, was tidying up the garden, her face was full of wrinkles, but she could still see the heroic spirit of the year. The two of them are in love with each other, and they grow old together, this is their greatest happiness.
"Grandpa, grandma, we're here!" A cheerful cry broke the silence in the courtyard.
Wang Dali and Wang Xiaohong walked in, they have entered middle age, have their own families and careers, but they still call their parents affectionately like children.
"Come in and sit down, grandma's new dim sum for you is delicious. Zhang Shuxian smiled and beckoned her children into the house.
"Dad, have you been thinking about anything lately?" Wang Xiaohong asked with concern.
"Oh, nothing, it's just that I'm old and a little forgetful. Wang Defu smiled and covered up the past.
Zhang Shuxian saw her husband's abnormality, but she just poured a cup of tea in silence and diverted the topic lightly. The children felt a little strange, but they didn't ask any more.
After lunch, Wang Defu came to the courtyard alone. He stopped and stared at the old photograph on the wall, his eyes darkened. It was a group photo of the family decades ago, and everyone had happy smiles on their faces.
At this moment, Wang Defu actually picked up a pair of scissors and wanted to cut off a figure in the photo. His hands trembled a little, as if he was making a difficult decision.
"Fauber, what are you going to do here?" Zhang Shuxian panicked when she found out and hurriedly snatched the scissors.
Wang Defu was stunned for a while, his eyes returned to clarity, as if he had just woken up from a dream. Zhang Shuxian pulled him to sit down and comforted him in a low voice. The children looked at each other, puzzled by what was happening.
"Mom, Dad, what's wrong? Are you hiding something?" Wang Dali finally couldn't hold it back and asked again and again.
Wang Defu's expression was gloomy, as if he was shrouded in the past in his memory. He spoke slowly: "In those turbulent times, I was involved in an accident that caused an innocent person to lose his life. Even though it was an unintentional mistake, I still can't forgive myself for my mistake. "
Hearing this heart-wrenching past, Wang Dali and Wang Xiaohong were shocked. They never expected that their loved ones would have such a heavy past. For a moment, the room was filled with unspeakable silence.
Wang Defu distorted his face and bitterly repented of his mistakes back then. "For more than 60 years, Xiao Fang's figure has always haunted my dreams and become my eternal nightmare. I've tried to make amends countless times, but I can't do it. He said in a choked voice.
Zhang Shuxian hugged her crying husband and comforted her softly: "Everything is over, you should let go of the past." I have been praying for Xiao Fang and that her spirit in heaven will forgive us. "
After some silence, Wang Dali and Wang Xiaohong finally opened their hearts. "It's heart-wrenching, but it's been so long since no one is what they used to be. We forgive you and will always love you. They said.
Under the liberation of his children, Wang Defu's heart finally unloaded the burden of a long time. His countenance was relieved, and his eyes were revitalized. "I feel very relieved to be able to tell you this secret. He said.
In this way, the family hugged each other and cried, and the long-relieved knot finally opened. Zhang Shuxian served a table of delicious food, and everyone was happy, as if they had returned to the warm scene of childhood. The room was filled with laughter again.
After experiencing this baptism of the soul, Wang Defu began to reflect on the meaning of life. "Life is short for decades, and the years fly by like a shuttle. We should live in the present moment and cherish the people in front of us. The past is over, and more importantly, how to spend the rest of your life. "
Zhang Shuxian also admitted frankly that the reason why she was able to go through all this is because of forgiveness. "No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. But only by learning to forgive can we truly be free in our hearts. To forgive others is to forgive oneself. "
Wang Dali and Wang Xiaohong also have new understandings in the process. "The past cannot be changed, but we can pass on the love. I am determined to honor my parents, cherish the current family affection, and not let regret spread again. Wang Xiaohong also nodded in agreement.
From that day on, Wang Defu's family seemed to have a new life. They buried the old memories in their hearts, and supported each other and froze each other for the rest of the years. Wang Dali and Wang Xiaohong are more sympathetic to their parents' feelings, and often come to accompany the two elders, and the family is happy.
A few months have passed, and the life of Wang Defu's family is full of laughter and laughter again. Whenever the children come to the house, the house is filled with a warm atmosphere.
One day, Wang Xiaohong brought her grandson Xiaoming to visit. The little boy is innocent and active, bringing new life to this old house.
"Grandpa, who's the person in this picture?" Xiao Ming pointed to the old photos on the wall and asked innocently.
Wang Defu was stunned for a moment, and then said gently: "That was a friend of my grandfather when he was young, and he is no longer in this world." "
"Why isn't she there? Xiao Ming asked, his eyes revealing childlike innocence.
Wang Defu was silent for a moment and slowly spoke: "She is a very kind person, but once she had a little accident and left us forever." "
Xiao Ming's eyes widened, and he nodded as if he didn't understand. Wang Defu looked at his grandson's innocent little face, and his eyes became a little gloomy.
Zhang Shuxian patted the back of her husband's hand and said comfortingly: "It's been so many years, you should let it go." We all have mistakes, but it's more important to learn to forgive ourselves. "
Wang Defu nodded, his expression softened a little. He held Xiao Ming in his arms and said softly: "Xiao Ming, you have to remember that no matter what happens, you must learn to forgive and forgive. Only then can your heart be truly free. "
Xiao Ming nodded as if he didn't understand, and then happily got out of his grandfather's arms and went to the yard to play.
Looking at his grandson's innocent appearance, Wang Defu was full of gratification. He turned around and solemnly said to the old photo on the wall: "Xiao Fang, if you are in the Heavenly Spirit, I hope you have forgiven us. I will cherish the loved ones in front of me, live in the moment, and spend the rest of my life. "
Zhang Shuxian stood aside, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. She knew that her husband had finally let go of the burden in his heart and gained forgiveness and relief in his heart.
Wang Dali and Wang Xiaohong listened to their father tell the past, and they also understood and cherished the family affection in front of them more. They often visit with gratitude and accompany their parents in their old age. With the filial piety of their children and the innocence and loveliness of their grandchildren, Wang Defu and Zhang Shuxian's lives have become full and happy.
In this way, in the love and understanding of their relatives, Wang Defu's family regained their happiness. The gloom of the past has dissipated, replaced by a clear sky. They have learned to forgive and cherish, support each other in the quiet years, and grow old together.