Timeless love story
The story began that morning.
When the 13-year-old Chang Geng first stepped into the Feng family’s garden, he was stunned by the lush greenery. He followed behind his master, greedily taking in the beautiful scenery before him.
A faint, pleasant music floated out, attracting Chang Geng. Unknowingly, he found the room where the music was playing. Sunlight streamed through the window, and he saw a girl with a graceful, white neck dancing ballet.
It was the first time Chang Geng had heard such beautiful music, and the first time he had seen such a beautiful girl. He lay on the window, watching intently. Only when the music stopped did he remember where he was, thinking about the punishment he was about to face. Chang Geng became so anxious that he started crying.
The girl in the room was startled. She ran out and saw Chang Geng, asking gently, “Who are you? Why are you crying here?”
It was then that Chang Geng realized the girl was half a head taller than him. He explained that he had come with his master to make shoes for the women of the Feng family, but had somehow gotten lost.
The girl’s eyes curved into a smile as she said, “So you’re the new little shoemaker. I’m Qing Yao from the Feng family. Wait here while I change my clothes, then I’ll take you to them.”
When she came out again, she had a bottle of milk in her hand, which she handed to Chang Geng, saying, “Drink this, and you’ll grow taller.”
It was the first time he had ever drunk milk. The sweet yet slightly tangy taste made his stomach tingle with excitement, but what excited him even more was his heart, which had been beating especially hard ever since he saw the girl.
As he followed her and listened to her clear voice, he forgot all about the punishment he was about to face.
Every month, Chang Geng would come with his master to the Feng family to make shoes. That year, he grew rapidly in height. He wondered if it was because Qing Yao would sneak him a bottle of milk each time they came.
Qing Yao’s birthday was June 18th. That evening, Chang Geng waited on the path Qing Yao always took after school, holding a pair of new dance shoes he had carefully made for her. Anxiously, he hoped to give her the gift. Qing Yao appeared, but there was someone else with her, tall and elegant.
Qing Yao watched the young man walk away, and Chang Geng watched with her until the figure completely disappeared from sight. Only then did he step in front of Qing Yao. Startled, she scolded, “When did you get here?”
Chang Geng knew that Qing Yao’s eyes saw only that young man. She took the shoes from him, thanking him happily, but he knew her happiness wasn’t because of him.
That year, Chang Geng was 15, and Qing Yao was 16.
The One Who Always Stayed By Her Side
It was a time of chaos, and people’s fates were unpredictable in the long river of history.
Later, the Feng family fell into ruin. The family members not only had to do the dirtiest, most tiring jobs, but they were also dragged onto the stage every night to be publicly criticized. As an orphan like Chang Geng, who was seen as having proper revolutionary roots, he naturally could sit in the audience and watch the capitalists being denounced.
Chang Geng wanted to jump up and save Qing Yao, but in the end, he remained a coward. In that moment, he felt more humiliated than Qing Yao. After the criticism session ended, Chang Geng approached and handed Qing Yao a bun. At that time, food was precious, and Qing Yao refused to take it no matter what.
Chang Geng, eyes red, said urgently, “I drank so much milk you didn’t like. Can’t you eat a bun I don’t like just once?”
Qing Yao’s eyes reddened as well. She really didn’t like milk, but she knew how precious the bun was to Chang Geng.
The boy who once walked beside her had long since severed ties with her. But the little shoemaker in front of her was the only one who stayed by her side in her time of trouble.
That year, Chang Geng was 25, and Qing Yao was 26.
The One Who Always Stayed By Her Side Finally Stopped Waiting
Finally stopped waiting.
Years later, the world seemed to be rebuilt. The once little shoemaker had become an entrepreneur. The former pearl of the Feng family now taught children to dance every day. In his spare time, he often went to the place where she taught, standing outside the door listening to the piano music flowing like a clear spring.
Until that person reappeared. Chang Geng was happy for her happiness, but one day, an angry woman came and scolded her harshly. It turned out that the man had already married. He hid behind that woman, watching Qing Yao face the accusations alone.
Chang Geng pushed through the crowd to stand with her, his eyes blazing as he met the onlookers’ gazes, as if declaring his claim.
After that, no one sent their children to her classes anymore. In this world, Qing Yao was alone, feeling deeply tired. But a few days later, a group of children came back to class, and her school regained its vitality. She thought it was just a coincidence, not knowing that someone had promised to waive their tuition and asked them to keep it a secret.
The Feng family’s garden had long been confiscated by the government and was now up for auction, bought by a mysterious person. The buyer restored the garden to its original state, but no one ever moved in.
That year, Chang Geng was 38, and Qing Yao was 39. He remained unmarried, and she was still single, yet they never got together.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was 20xx. That year, Chang Geng was 69, and Qing Yao was 70.
The doctor said there was something in Chang Geng’s brain that had become life-threatening. His first thought was that he couldn’t protect her anymore. His second thought was to tell her all the words he hadn’t said.
Qing Yao knew his feelings well. He had guarded her for half a lifetime; now, it was her turn to guard him. They arranged to meet in the Feng family’s garden, but she waited a long time, and Chang Geng never came.
In the apartment building next to the garden, Chang Geng sat on the sofa in a neatly pressed suit, holding a pair of new dance shoes. His head had drooped, his eyes tightly shut, never to open again, but his face was peaceful. He had waited for her for so many years; this time, he finally didn’t have to wait anymore.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
