Chapter 253 Extra: Old Age

Chapter 253 Extra: Old Age

Decades later, in spring, the roses in the capital were still blooming exceptionally brightly, and the sunshine outside was truly warm. Yesterday was the birthday of a younger member of the family, and Jiang Wang specially saved a piece of cake for Si Yuan.

Si Yuan is already eighty years old. She felt that today was her last day in this world, so she told Jiang Wang.

"I might have to go now."

Jiang Wang remained calm upon learning the news. In fact, he had been preparing for this all these years and knew that this day would eventually come.

He didn't let the children come back or let anyone disturb them, because Si Yuan said she wanted to sleep and he didn't want his wife to be disturbed.

She nestled in Jiang Wang's arms just like she had when she was young.

Jiang Wang's sharp features had long been worn away by time, leaving only a soft warmth and a slightly weary smile that put Si Yuan at ease.

"You should eat less sweets in the future, as high blood sugar is not good."

Jiang Wang sighed helplessly, "But why are your teeth falling out faster than mine?"

Si Yuan was unaware of this as well.

Only later did she realize that Jiang Wang was bullying her again.

He was still as annoying as ever. Just like so many years ago, in an elevator, during a moment of helplessness in her life, he suddenly appeared, brazenly and undeniably barging into her life.

But Si Yuan didn't have the strength to blame him.

Jiang Wang then said, as if trying to persuade him to stay, "You haven't finished your cake yet."

Si Yuan smiled and shook her head: "Actually, a long time ago, I didn't like eating cake at all."

Because Lin Shuangyu had bullied her with a cake.

She later rediscovered her love for cake because of Jiang Wang.

"Keep it for you; it's the last thing I'm leaving you."

How come life goes by so fast?

Oh, right, Song Yan... her brother.

He passed away last year.

He lived a lonely life and never set foot in the capital again. After their parting, they never saw each other again. Even in the long years that followed, when they had both let go and Si Yuan no longer hated him, he never appeared again.

But Si Yuan knew that the unsigned wedding gift, the bouquet of flowers Si Xingzhou received during his college entrance exams, and the blessings Si Xingzhou sent through someone else when he got married were all from him.

"Song Yan was probably still unhappy when he left."

Jiang Wang tidied her hair for her: "He got what he wanted. It's enough that he knows you're doing well."

Jiang Wang never expected that Song Yan would remain single his entire life, never marrying, and never having any contact with Si Yuan until his death.

Actually, I don't want to see myself even more.

That guy is really stubborn; he can't let go of it his whole life.

People get old, so old that they lose all their teeth, yet they remain the same.

Si Yuan smiled as well.

Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, but she didn't loosen her grip on his hand. Her voice softened: "Jiang Wang, I don't regret... I don't regret following you."

Jiang Wang nodded: "I know."

He asked, "Do you know why I was so nervous on my wedding day?"

Si Yuan shook her head slightly.

"I'm afraid, afraid that if I let go, you'll get lost again."

They had separated too many times.

Fortunately, after some twists and turns, the young man's wish was finally fulfilled.

“I won’t leave,” Si Yuan raised her hand, trembling as she grasped his. The two rings, worn smooth by time, were still burning hot when pressed together. “I’ve never lost you in this life, and I won’t in the next…”

"In the next life..."

Si Yuan's breathing gradually stopped, as if she were fast asleep in the warm spring sunshine, never to wake up again.

Jiang Wang still held her, sitting on the sun-drenched recliner, rambling on about the past, about the timidity in her eyes when they first met, about her reddened eyes at the wedding, and about the peaceful years they had spent together.

Until dusk seeped into the house, until the sun had set completely.

Jiang Wang lowered his head and placed a kiss on her wrinkled forehead, as sincere as all the kisses he had ever given in his life.

"Then wait for me to come and be with you. This time, I'll stay with you and we'll never be apart again."

Their fingers were always intertwined, their two polished rings pressed together.

Si Yuan knew that her life was fulfilling.

She met Jiang Wang.

She married Jiang Wang.

She and Jiang Wang have walked hand in hand for decades.

She now has a warm home.

She has a family who loves her.

She had no regrets in her life.

Moonlight streamed through the window and into the courtyard.

It was sprinkled on them.

Snowflakes at my temples, the moon in my heart.

One lifetime, one love.

This is their love.

From childhood to old age.

From love at first sight to a lifelong commitment.

It spans decades.

Still vibrant, still captivating.

We met in the early spring of the year Yi Si and parted in the late spring of the year Bing Wu. The roses have bloomed and faded for decades, fulfilling half a lifetime of entanglement and bringing gentleness to the years.

——

The children rushed over as night fell. The gate was unlocked, and the ground was covered with fallen roses, soft and silent underfoot.

When I opened the door, the warm light was still on.

Jiang Wang held Si Yuan close on the sofa, their silver hair intertwined, their hands clasped tightly, and their rings gleaming warmly under the light.

The cake on the table remained untouched, the cream at the edges slightly melted.

Si Xingzhou's eyes reddened. He squatted down beside the sofa and gently touched his mother's hand, which was already cold. Turning to look at Jiang Wang, he saw that his father's eyes were peaceful, but he too had passed away.

The younger generation stood aside, some began to cry, others were at a loss.

Only Si Xingzhou calmly gazed at the warmth filling the room and the rose petals scattered all over the windowsill.

My parents have spent their entire lives together, from their youthful days to their twilight years, walking hand in hand in such perfect harmony. It must have been a promise made long ago.

Finally, the epitaph he carved for his parents reads as follows:

Father Jiang Wang, Mother Si Yuan, they fell in love in their youth, and returned home together in their old age. They lived together in the same bed and died together in the same grave, guarding each other year after year. Their life was fulfilled, and they rested in peace without regrets.