Stars Fall Into The Sea, Love Never Fades Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Staying together in old age and the tenderness of time

In their sixties, Ah Zhi and Qi’s hair has been stained by wind and frost, and the wrinkles at the corners of their eyes are the gentle marks left by the years.

They still live in a small villa by the sea. The white roses in the yard bloom every year, like a love that has never faded.Ah Zhi’s design studio has long been handed over to the younger generation, and he only occasionally draws a few sketches for charity cultural projects when inspiration strikes; Qi rarely holds art exhibitions, and more often sits on an old wicker chair in the yard, basking in the sun, painting Ah Zhi next to him, the roses in the yard, and the sea and starry sky outside the window.

Their movements slowed down, but they were still in perfect harmony.In the morning, Ah Zhi would support Qi and slowly walk to the beach to watch the sunrise. Qi’s legs and feet were a bit inconvenient, so Ah Zhi would patiently accompany him, step by step, just like when he was young; in the evening, Qi would make a cup of warm tea for Ah Zhi, put it in his hand, and watch him read old books, occasionally chatting softly about home affairs, or staying with him in silence, which made him feel at ease.

“Ah Zhi, look at this painting.” Qi pulled out a thick picture album, which contains paintings of Ah Zhi over the past decades – from the young man wearing a white shirt on campus, to the high-spirited young man in the workplace, to the old man with frost-stained temples now, each picture is filled with delicate love.

Ah Zhi leaned over and looked at himself in the album, his eyes slightly red: “Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, we are all old.”

“Yes,” Qi said with a smile, “but every day I am with you, I feel very at ease.”

Their lives are simple and regular, but they never feel boring.On weekends, the juniors of the “Starfall Project” will come to visit them, bringing the latest news about charity projects and the children’s paintings.Ah Zhi and Qi would sit on the sofa, listening to them talk about the progress of the project, and looking at the children’s paintings full of vitality, their eyes full of joy.

“Teacher, now the ‘Starfall Project’ has spread abroad, and many overseas Chinese have joined us.” The juniors said excitedly, “The seeds you planted back then have now grown into towering trees.”

Azhi smiled and nodded: “This is all your contribution. Remember, charity is not a temporary enthusiasm, but a long-term persistence, and it is about passing on love.”

Qi added: “We also need to let the children know that no matter what difficulties they encounter, there must be light in their hearts.”

The juniors nodded seriously and took their words to heart.

In the evening, after seeing off their juniors, the two of them sat on wicker chairs in the yard and looked at the stars in the sky.The moonlight shines on them, gentle and peaceful.

“Azhi, the luckiest thing in my life is to meet you.” Qi said softly, his voice a little hoarse, but still gentle.

Azhi held his hand. Although his fingertips were wrinkled, they were still strong: “Me too. Qi, thank you for accompanying me through so many years.”

The sea breeze blew gently, carrying the fragrance of white roses, as if it was sending the gentlest blessings to them to stay together in their old age.