Rebirth: Illuminating a Brilliant Life

Chapter 86 Su Xuan's Graduation Trip to Beijing: A Fun-Filled Trip for the Whole Family

On graduation day, the sun shone brightly, and the university campus was bustling with activity. Su Xuan, dressed in her graduation gown, stood ramrod straight, the tassel of her cap trembling slightly in front of her forehead, revealing her barely concealed joy. In her hand, the gold-embossed graduation certificate gleamed with the words "Outstanding Academic Achievement" on the title page—a badge of honor earned through her tireless study day and night.

The parents arrived early. The father was dressed in a suit and tie, which he hadn't worn in a long time. He nervously tugged at the corner of his shirt, but his eyes were full of pride. The mother was wearing an elegant dress, her hair was carefully styled, her eyes were slightly red, and her gaze was filled with love as she looked at her daughter.

The tassel-turning ceremony began. The instructor smiled and gently moved Su Xuan's tassel from right to left, whispering words of congratulations. Su Xuan bowed in thanks, and when she looked up again, tears welled up in her eyes. After stepping off the stage, her parents rushed to greet her. Her father patted her shoulder heavily, his voice hoarse and excited, "Daughter, well done!" Her mother hugged her tightly, patted her back gently, and murmured, "You've worked hard."

The family of three strolled around the campus. The father enthusiastically took photos of Su Xuan and her mother, capturing every beautiful moment. The mother repeatedly reminded them to eat well and sleep well in the future.

Su Xuan listened quietly, gazing at the distant teaching building, the images of those students burning the midnight oil flashing before her eyes. At this moment, with her parents by her side and her studies progressing smoothly, it was a precious fulfillment in her life, and the foundation for her to embark on the next journey.

The moment Su Xuan stepped out of the campus, she was filled with the pride accumulated from years of hard study. Beside her were her proud and smiling parents. The family of three, full of anticipation, plunged into Beijing, a city where ancient charm and modern trends intertwine, and a fun-filled graduation trip began.

The Forbidden City, this royal palace steeped in centuries of history, with its majestic red walls and gleaming yellow tiles, is like a quietly unfolding history book, waiting for people to read it.

Su Xuan specially rented an audio guide. The moment she put on the headphones, she felt as if she were possessed by history. She cleared her throat and solemnly became a "little tour guide": "Mom and Dad, we are now stepping into the Taihe Hall Square. In the past, the emperor received homage here during major festivals!" Her parents followed behind her like obedient students, their eyes full of curiosity and focus.

Passing by the Imperial Garden, the mother's eyes were immediately drawn to a strangely shaped, crooked old tree. Excitedly, she pulled the father and daughter along, shouting, "Come on, come on, let's take a picture in front of this old tree and absorb some of the auspicious aura of the royal family."

As she spoke, she personally arranged everyone's poses, sometimes straightening her father's shoulders, sometimes tidying up Su Xuan's clothes. When she pressed the shutter, Su Xuan laughed so hard she squatted on the ground looking at the quirky photos. Her father also laughed and said, "Your mother's taste is amazing!" This amused her mother, who pretended to be angry and pretended to hit her. The whole family was in a playful commotion.

Around noon, the three hungry people found an old Beijing-style fried sauce noodle shop. The father waved his hand and took on the task of mixing the noodles, confidently pouring on the fried sauce, but he used too much force and the sauce bubbled and overflowed.

After the first bite, the father's face contorted in disgust at the saltiness, and he smacked his lips. Su Xuan quickly handed him a water glass and teased, "Dad, this isn't just noodles, it's a challenge to your taste buds, a heavy-flavor challenge!"

The mother laughed until tears streamed down her face, patting the father's back to help him catch his breath, and saying, "Serves you right for showing off." The noodle shop was filled with the aroma of food and their laughter.

Jingshan Hill at dusk is a perfect spot to overlook Beijing. A family of three climbed the winding mountain path, the gentle evening breeze dispelling the daytime heat.

Standing atop the tower, the entire Forbidden City unfolds before your eyes. As dusk settles, the bustling traffic of Beijing transforms into a dazzling river of lights. Gazing at the scene before him, the father is suddenly inspired to compose a poem, belting out a few lines of broken classical Chinese poetry. Su Xuan and her mother exchange a glance, feigning disapproval, but the next second, they are infected by his spirited enthusiasm and join in, their recitations carried away on the evening breeze.

The next day, Su Xuan headed to the Great Wall. Young and spirited, she walked briskly, like a carefree fawn, leaving her parents far behind.

A moment later, she heard her father panting heavily behind her and shouting, "Girl, slow down! Good heavens, this Great Wall is built so steeply, it's deliberately testing your dad's stamina!" Su Xuan quickly turned back, holding her father's hand with one hand and her mother's arm with the other, and occasionally telling her parents some stories about the ancients building the Great Wall to encourage them.

The family of three supported each other, walking and stopping intermittently, their clothes soaked with sweat, until they finally reached the beacon tower. Su Xuan raised her arms and cheered against the fierce mountain wind, and her parents shouted along with her. Their joyful voices echoed through the valley, as if responding to their perseverance and victory.

In the days that followed, they admired the lotus blossoms at the Summer Palace, taking small boats to glide among the pink lotuses; they sampled local snacks in Nanluoguxiang, eating their way from one end of the alley to the other. Every place bore witness to their close bond, and every frame captured the deep warmth between family members.

As the trip drew to a close, Su Xuan's eyes reddened, and she murmured softly, "Mom and Dad, I will never forget this graduation trip."

Her father lovingly patted her head, while her mother held her hand tightly. The family of three embraced in the afterglow of the sunset over Beijing.

This trip is not just about sightseeing and checking off landmarks; it's an unforgettable journey that strengthens family bonds and creates cherished memories. In the long years to come, these wonderful experiences will become the softest corner of our hearts, continuously providing warmth and strength.

As the return trip drew near, Su Xuan and her family were still reluctant to miss any of Beijing's little surprises. Hearing that the hutongs of old Beijing held the most authentic local life, the family of three readily agreed and plunged into the crisscrossing alleyways.

The father rented two vintage bicycles. He carried his mother on one, while Su Xuan rode the other, slowly swaying into the depths of the alley.

Along the way, they encountered a sugar painting stall, and Su Xuan instantly transformed back into a gluttonous child. Her father, understanding her intentions, strode forward, chatted with the craftsman for a few moments, and then brought back a lifelike "phoenix" sugar painting. When he handed it to Su Xuan, he feigned jealousy, saying, "Oh, daughter, with this sugar painting, you probably won't be able to take pictures with your parents later." Su Xuan smiled and took her parents' arms, the three of them sharing the sweet treat.

As they passed by the courtyard house, the hospitable elderly men and women invited them in to rest and have some tea. Su Xuan's family accepted the invitation without hesitation, sitting on small stools and chatting with the old folks. They listened intently as the old man recounted amusing stories from the old alleyways, while the mother listened intently, occasionally asking for details. The father gestured with old objects, and the courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter, like a reunion of longtime neighbors.

The moment of farewell finally arrived. While waiting at the airport, her mother quietly slipped a small package into Su Xuan's hand and whispered, "Daughter, this is a scarf that Mom knitted for you. Wear it when you're cold while you're out on your own. It'll be just like Mom is by your side."

Su Xuan's eyes welled up with tears. She unfolded the scarf, revealing her mother's love through the fine stitches. Her father patted her shoulder and handed her a thick photo album filled with carefully selected prints from their trip. Each photo had a date and a brief summary of the fun moments written on the back. "Girl," he said, "look through these when you miss home. Don't forget our happy trip."

As the plane took off, gazing at the receding landscape of Beijing, Su Xuan clutched the gift in her hand, secretly vowing to use the confidence given to her by this family love to make her way in the world. In the years that followed, when Su Xuan was working hard in the workplace or working overtime late into the night, she would often look at her scarf and flip through photo albums when she was tired; when she called home, her parents would talk about the fun things that happened during their trip to Beijing, and their laughter could be heard clearly even through the receiver.

Another holiday arrived, and Su Xuan booked her flight home early. As soon as she entered, the familiar aroma of Beijing-style noodles wafted towards her. Her father, wearing an apron, poked his head out from the kitchen: "Daughter, we've been waiting for you! Today we're recreating the taste of Beijing!" The family sat around the table, eating and chatting, planning their next family trip. Years may pass, but the beauty of their Beijing trip will never fade, becoming a bond of kinship, firmly connecting the family, and promising joy and warmth for every journey together in the future.

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