In 1987, the spring breeze swept through the streets of Shanghai, the catkins fluttered, and the sunlight sprinkled on the stone pavement through the gaps in the plane trees. 67-year-old Li Guifen, her hair has turned gray, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes have witnessed the ups and downs of her life. She sat down on a park bench and watched the children chase and play, a faint sadness welling up in her heart. Divorce, debt, depression, her life seems to have been clouded by a haze all these years.
It was on such a seemingly ordinary afternoon when a young man walked into her sight. His name was Zhang Qiang, he was dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, and he held a book in his hand, and he looked like he was no more than a college student. He sat down on the bench next to Li Guifen and began to read earnestly.
"Young man, what are you reading?" Li Guifen asked softly out of curiosity.
Zhang Qiang raised his head and showed a bright smile: "It's a book about modern Chinese history, are you interested in history?" ”
The two chatted like this, from history to literature, from art to life. Li Guifen found that the young man was not only knowledgeable, but also mature, and the age gap between them seemed to disappear in conversation.
As the sun set, the people in the park gradually dispersed, and Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang had to say goodbye. Before leaving, Zhang Qiang handed Li Guifen a note with his contact information.
"If you don't dislike it, we can talk about it again." Zhang Qiang said.
Li Guifen took the note, and a warm current surged in her heart. She knew that this could be another chance that fate had given her, a chance to start over.
Since that spring afternoon, the relationship between Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang has grown quietly like a new sprout on an old branch. They began to see each other frequently, sometimes in a café talking about their life experiences, sometimes in the library and flipping through dusty books together. During these exchanges, Li Guifen found that her mood gradually became clearer, and the depression that had plagued her for years seemed to be slowly dissipating.
One evening, they strolled along the banks of the Huangpu River, the breeze blowing and the water rippling. Zhang Qiang suddenly stopped and turned to Li Guifen, his eyes firm and sincere.
"Aunt Guifen, I don't know what the future holds, but I hope we can be a part of each other's lives." Zhang Qiang's voice was particularly clear in the river breeze.
Li Guifen's heart skipped a beat, she didn't expect this young man to express his feelings so directly. She looked into Zhang Qiang's eyes, which were full of anticipation and warmth.
"Hadron, I... I'm almost seventy years old, and you have a bright future ahead of you. Li Guifen's voice trembled slightly, but her eyes revealed deep emotion.
Zhang Qiang gently held Li Guifen's hand and said with a smile: "Aunt Guifen, age is not a problem, the important thing is that we can understand and support each other. I am willing to accompany you for the rest of your life. ”
At that moment, Li Guifen felt as if she had returned to a certain moment in her youth, and her heart was full of hope and courage. She held Zhang Qiang's hand tightly, tears flashing in her eyes.
"So, let's go down together." She said eventually.
Since then, two completely different life trajectories have been intertwined, and a friendship across the ages has begun, and it is also an unknown love.
As time passed, the lives of Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang seemed to the outside world to be full of controversy and incomprehension. Their love affair is like a flower swaying in the wind, not only to face the change of seasons, but also to resist the wind and frost from all directions.
Li Guifen's ex-husband Liu Ming was shocked and angry when he learned about this relationship. He was once a pillar of Li Guifen's life, and although they have been separated for many years, he still can't accept that his ex-wife is with a man who is younger than his son.
"Gui Fen, are you crazy? What's in it for you? Liu Ming questioned her during a chance encounter.
Li Guifen replied calmly: "Brother Ming, I know what I want. Zhang Qiang gave me hope and happiness, which I haven't felt in many years. ”
Liu Ming left angrily, but he didn't give up. He began to spread gossip about Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang, trying to use social pressure to force them to separate.
At the same time, Zhang Qiang's family began to put pressure on him. His parents could not understand their son's choice, and they feared that the relationship would affect Zhang's future and reputation.
"Hadron, have you really thought it through? This woman is so much older than you, are you really suitable? Zhang Qiang's mother said worriedly on the phone.
Zhang Qiang replied firmly: "Mom, I know what I'm doing. I love Aunt Guifen, she makes me feel warm and happy. ”
In the face of various doubts and challenges, Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang chose to rely on each other and face them together. They know that only mutual trust and support can get them through. In the process, their relationship becomes deeper, and their lives become more fulfilling and beautiful because of each other's presence.
With the passage of time, Li Guifen's body began to show some common health problems in the elderly. Her legs were no longer as flexible as they used to be, and the arthritis made her miserable in the wet weather. Zhang Qiang became her most solid support, he not only took care of her diet and daily life, but also accompanied her to the hospital for follow-up, patiently listening to every suggestion of the doctor.
Once, Li Guifen suddenly became dizzy because of high blood pressure and almost fell at home. Fortunately, Zhang Qiang supported her in time, and asked nervously and concernedly, "Aunt Guifen, are you okay?" Do you want to take you to the hospital now? ”
Li Guifen shook her head, trying to keep herself calm: "No, maybe you are standing too fast." I'm relieved to have you there. ”
Zhang Qiang was not at ease, he insisted on measuring Li Guifen's blood pressure, and only relaxed a little after confirming that there was no major problem. He gently helped Li Guifen massage her shoulders to relieve her tension.
"Hadron, why are you being so nice to me?" Li Guifen asked with emotion.
Zhang Qiang smiled and replied, "Because you deserve the best." I love you like family. ”
However, just as their lives were gradually getting on track, Liu Ming suddenly appeared in front of them. His attitude changed a hundred and eighty degrees, no longer accusations and ridicule, but with pleas.
"Guifen, I'm sick, and the doctor said it's not very good." Liu Ming's voice carried a hint of helplessness and pleading, "I know you have a new life now, but I still want to ask you to do me a favor." ”
Li Guifen was stunned, she didn't expect that her ex-husband, who was once so tough, would ask her for help in such a low voice one day. She looked at Zhang Qiang, who gave her an encouraging look.
"You say, I can help." Li Guifen said slowly.
From that day on, Zhang Qiang not only took care of Li Guifen, but also began to help take care of Liu Ming. This selfless dedication made Li Guifen deeply understand what true love and responsibility are.
As Liu Ming's condition worsened, Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang's lives fell into unprecedented busyness. Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight shine through the curtains in the room, Zhang Qiang has already begun his daily routine — preparing breakfast, helping Li Guifen wash and dress, and then going to Liu Ming's residence to help the old man who was once his rival in his daily care.
In this process, Zhang Qiang showed patience and kindness beyond ordinary people. He will carefully adjust Liu Ming's pillow to make sure he is comfortable; He would softly comfort Liu Ming's mood swings; He would even quietly sort out his clothes and clean the room for Liu Ming after he fell asleep.
"Hadron, you don't have to." Liu Ming once said weakly on the sickbed.
Zhang Qiang replied with a smile: "Uncle Liu, we are a family. The people that Aunt Gui Fen cares about, I naturally care about. ”
These words made a trace of complicated emotions flash in Liu Ming's eyes. He finally realized that the young man in front of him was not motivated by any interests, but was genuinely taking care of him.
Li Guifen quietly observed all this from the sidelines, her heart full of gratitude and guilt. She knew that without Zhang Qiang's company and support, she would not be able to face all this alone.
"Hadron, thank you." Li Guifen held Zhang Qiang's hand with tears in her eyes.
Zhang Qiang gently shook her hand back: "Aunt Guifen, this is what I should do." We are each other's family. ”
In this small family, love and care have become the warmest language. Although criticism and misunderstanding still exist, they proved the true meaning of home with their actions - not only the connection of blood, but also the fit of heart and the companionship of life.
Time flies, and a few years have passed in the blink of an eye. Li Guifen's hair was grayer, and the wrinkles on her face were more profound, but her eyes still shone with wisdom. Zhang Qiang is no longer the young college student, and his eyebrows are a little more calm and mature. Although their lives are ordinary, they are full of warmth and harmony.
One evening, the quiet atmosphere was shattered by the ringing of the phone in the home. Bad news came from the other end of the phone - Liu Ming passed away due to illness. The news plunged the otherwise peaceful home into a brief silence. Li Guifen's hand trembled slightly and put down the telephone receiver, her heart was both relieved and sad.
"Aunt Guifen, are you okay?" Zhang Qiang asked softly, his arms tightly wrapped around Li Guifen's shoulders.
"I'm fine, just a little emotional." Li Guifen's voice was low and calm, "After all, it was once a family. ”
A few days later, they attended Liu Ming's funeral together. On that solemn occasion, many relatives and friends came to the scene. They were surprised by the deep affection between Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang, and also expressed their admiration for Zhang Qiang's efforts over the years.
After the funeral, a relative walked up to Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang and said sincerely: "Sister Guifen, Qiangzi, I may have misunderstood your relationship before. But now I see how sincere and beautiful your love is. Please forgive me for my past ignorance. ”
Li Guifen smiled and shook her head: "It's okay, everyone has their own opinion." As long as we know what we live for, that's enough. ”
Since then, more people have come to understand and respect their relationship. Their story is like a symphony of life, although the melody is simple, it touches the heart. They proved the power of love in their own way, and also made the people around them feel the warmth of home and the meaning of life.
As the years go by, spring goes to autumn, and Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang's white hair reflects each other's smiles. Their love story has become a story told in the neighborhood. On a warm spring afternoon, they sat in their little garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and fresh green leaves, and the air filled the air with the fresh smell of earth and flowers.
"Hadron, look how beautiful these flowers are." Li Guifen pointed to the clusters of gorgeous flowers, and her voice was full of satisfaction and happiness.
Zhang Qiang held her hand and replied gently: "Yes, Auntie, they are just like our lives, they have experienced wind, frost, rain and snow, but in the end they still bloomed the most beautiful posture." ”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a child laughing. A few children chased and frolicked on the lawn not far away, and their laughter was crisp and pleasant, full of life and energy. Li Guifen and Zhang Qiang looked at each other and smiled, they knew that this was the truest form of life - simple, ordinary and full of hope.
"Hadron, what do you think of our past few years?" Li Guifen suddenly asked.
Zhang Qiang pondered for a while, and then said seriously: "I think it's very good. Although we don't have luxury cars and mansions, and we don't have a vigorous career, what we do have is each other's companionship and understanding. This is more important than anything else. ”
Li Guifen nodded, tears flashing in her eyes: "Yes, this is the life I have always wanted." ”
The sun is setting in the west, and the sunset on the horizon reflects a golden red. They sat quietly in the garden, enjoying the peace and quiet. The years are like a song, their life melody is melodious and affectionate, even if they face more challenges and difficulties, they always walk hand in hand. This combination of love and affection has become the most precious treasure in their lives.