daoxingyoustudent

Fang Chen naturally understood what Cai Jingjing meant—she, like him, also had to take care of the elderly at home. "But no matter what, it's more time than when I was working."

"Not necessarily." Cai Jingjing gently pushed the turntable, taking care of several elderly people getting their meals.

Li Bo nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's not always the case. For example, there's an elderly woman in our neighborhood who retired at 55 and has been taking care of her grandson since retirement. After he turned three, he finally started kindergarten. She's been taking care of her elderly mother, who suffers from hemiplegia, on her own for three or four years now. I've noticed she's busier than when she was working, even rushing out to buy groceries."

"It seems that the health of the elderly is a blessing for their children!" Fang Chen sighed.

"Yes, I envy Huang Tingjuan. Both of them are very healthy!" As she said that, Cai Jingjing stood up and served the soup to the elderly people one by one.

Fang Chen watched from the side and stood up to refill everyone's hot drinks. After everything was ready, he raised his glass at the right time: "Come, let's wish all the elderly people good health and longevity!"

"Aha, what a coincidence, I'm back too." Huang Tingjuan interrupted, holding up a wine glass, "I wish all the elderly people in the world good health and longevity." People clinked their glasses together, and amid the crisp sound of cups, several elderly people smiled so kindly and happily.

Grandma Qiangqiang said: "You must also stay healthy."

Cai Jingjing said: "Okay, we are all healthy."

Li Bo sighed, "Time flies. In a blink of an eye, we've grown old. In fact, according to age, we can be considered old now."

Cai Jingjing gently interjected, her tone carrying the calmness of time: "Getting old has its advantages. At least I don't have to worry about everyone's face to make a living like I did when I was young, rushing around anxiously for fame and profit. As I get older, my heart actually calms down. I can more clearly know what I want, like spending more time with my family and doing things that truly make me happy."

"Jingjing, what you said hits the nail on the head," Huang Tingjuan said, patting the hand of her old classmate Cai Jingjing. She was particularly touched by the public recognition she received from her in-laws today. "I used to think the word 'old' was so far away from us, but now my children have started their own families and careers, so we're old, aren't we? But I think the meaning of 'old' for our generation is different from that of our parents'. We're in good health, have a lot of experience, and have some spare money and time. It's the perfect time to do something we enjoy."

Fang Chen adjusted his glasses and said, "In terms of physical age, we are indeed entering old age. But our mental age and spiritual state are completely under our control. Confucius said, 'At sixty, one's ears are obedient; at seventy, one can follow one's heart's desires without transgressing the rules.' Aren't we pursuing this state of 'following one's heart's desires' right now? I want to travel, write, film web dramas, and promote cultural revival... these are all 'what the heart desires'."

Li Bo listened to everyone's discussion, and the slight melancholy she had felt at the passing of time dissipated. She smiled and nodded, "You're right! I'm narrow-minded. Aging is a natural process, but it doesn't mean stagnation, nor does it mean uselessness. We have accumulated a lifetime of experience, knowledge, and connections, and we can definitely continue to make our lives more colorful in a different way!"

"So," Huang Tingjuan raised her glass, using tea instead of wine, "let's toast to a 'youthful' old age! Not to lament lost youth, but to celebrate the wisdom and composure we possess! Let life continue to shine!"

"cheers!"

“Let life continue to shine!”

The cups clinked again, this time with a more expansive, more transparent laughter. They accepted the gray hair at their temples and the wrinkles at their eyes with equanimity, and gladly embraced the experience and composure that life has gifted them. The passage of time is inevitable, but how to depict this autumnal scene is in their own hands.

Fang Chen said enviously, "Now that your children have all started families, you can finally put your mind at ease. You can breathe a sigh of relief and not be afraid of getting old. My children are still single. I don't even dare to get old."

Huang Tingjuan smiled and said, "That's not difficult. We have so many people here, and they're all excellent parents. Their children won't be wrong. I'll ask around for you and see if anyone's daughter doesn't have a boyfriend. Haha, how about I be Jianjian's matchmaker?"

He stood up and walked towards the stage.

"No, no! Don't do that!" Fang Chen quickly stopped her.

"What's wrong? I'm sorry." Huang Tingjuan stopped and raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Everyone laughed.

Grandma Qiangqiang smiled and said, "Tingjuan is such a fierce child!"

Fang Chen waved his hand and explained, "No, Tingjuan is right. The parents here are definitely high-quality parents. If my child wants to find a partner and has difficulty finding a partner, it would be best if Tingjuan could introduce a blind date. However, my child doesn't want to be in a relationship right now."

Huang Tingjuan smiled slightly. "I understand. The child isn't anxious. It's you, the mother, who's anxious."

Fang Chen pretended to be unhappy and said angrily, "It's all because of you guys! I wasn't worried at first, my son is only 25 years old now. But seeing that all your children are married, I'm really worried!"

Fang Chen's words were seven parts joking and three parts sincere. After he finished speaking, he couldn't help laughing, but he deliberately kept a straight face and pointed at Huang Tingjuan and Cai Jingjing with his chopsticks.

Everyone at the table started laughing, and the atmosphere instantly became more lively.

"Oh my, Professor Fang!" Huang Tingjuan immediately took over the conversation, putting her arm around Fang Chen's shoulders affectionately, her tone full of the teasing of an experienced person. "So we're the ones irritating you? That's really our fault! But Fang Fang, your son has the right qualities: good looks, a successful career, and a lot of inner qualities. If you just give in a little, wouldn't the people who want to introduce your son to someone else be lined up from your house to the school gate?"

Cai Jingjing also smiled and said, "Yes, Chenchen, this matter really can't be rushed. When the destiny is there, it will naturally fall into place. Look at our girl, didn't she also quietly decide on a big thing? Young people nowadays are very determined. As parents, sometimes it's not good to push them too much."

Fang Chen was left in a state of confusion by their back-and-forth. He waved his hands and said, "Alright, alright. I know you're just trying to comfort me. I just said it casually. If I had to keep asking him about it, I wouldn't be able to do it. It's just that seeing how happy you all are today, I feel a little emotional."

Li Bo pushed her glasses up and, with the rationality that characterized her as an editor, analyzed, "Professor Fang, from a social psychology perspective, your mindset is quite common. The consistency of peers at key life milestones often creates a certain amount of reference pressure and urgency for individuals. But this precisely demonstrates that you value family and relationships, which is perfectly human."

Her elegant analysis amused everyone. Fang Chen also smiled and shook his head, "Editor Li, your occupational illness has struck again. But after your analysis, I think my 'anxiety' is quite scientific."

Qiangqiang's grandfather spoke slowly, with the insight of a philosopher: "Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. If you can live your lives wisely and brilliantly, that will be the greatest support you can give to your children."

"That's right!" Huang Tingjuan nodded vigorously. "You don't have to worry about your young master at all! He might give you a surprise one day."

This joking comfort and encouragement was like a warm breeze, blowing away the subtle anxiety in Fang Chen's heart caused by the comparison.

She picked up the teacup and smiled with relief. "Okay! I'll listen to you. No need to rush! I'll make my 'old age' a success first! Come on, let's drink to our peace of mind!"

Laughter and the sound of clinking glasses rang out again. At this warm and lively wedding banquet, the brief topic about children's marriages finally merged into good wishes for each other's broader future life.