Colorful years

Upon hearing this, Shi Daya's worries were like a thin mist blown away by a gust of wind; although they did not completely dissipate, they were greatly reduced.

She knew that Zhang Zhong was a man who had experienced countless storms and witnessed rainbows, and he always maintained a calm and composed attitude towards the setbacks and disasters his son might encounter on his path to adulthood.

In Zhang Zhong's view, these so-called "disasters" are simply necessary steps in his son's growth. They are valuable opportunities to temper his will and hone his character, enabling him to become stronger, braver, and better able to face life's challenges.

Shi Daya understood her husband's good intentions and the deeper meaning behind his words. As a mother, she naturally hoped that her child could grow up smoothly, safely, and healthily, but she also knew that life is never smooth sailing.

As Zhang Zhong said, only by experiencing wind and rain can one see the rainbow; only by experiencing setbacks and difficulties can one grow into a responsible and accountable person.

So she decided to let go of her excessive worries, choose to trust her husband's judgment, and also believe that her son was capable of coping with the various challenges in life.

She told herself that she needed to learn to let go and give her child enough freedom and space to develop his personality and explore the unknown world. Only in this way could her son truly become an independent, confident, and responsible person.

When his parents went to work in the fields, leaving only Congcong, his grandfather, and his two older sisters at home, Congcong felt a strong sense of freedom.

He felt he finally had the opportunity to explore this mysterious and unknown world, and to pursue those sights that he could only see in his dreams.

He took small, careful steps out of his house and into the sky tower outside.

The sunlight, like golden silk, gently shone on his face, reflecting his curious yet determined expression.

His eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky, sparkling with the light of exploring the unknown, and every blink seemed to announce his existence to the world.

Congcong's little hands were clenched tightly, as if he were cheering himself on. Although his steps were still a little unsteady, his determination was unwavering.

He carefully observed everything around him, not missing a single detail. The moss, the grass growing in the cracks of the rocks, the butterflies fluttering on the tower... all became treasures in his eyes.

As he reached the edge of the Tianjin Tower and gently touched the moss, a strange sense of emotion welled up within him. Though the moss was insignificant, it had taken root and grown on the tower with tenacious vitality, never giving up despite wind and rain.

Congcong seemed to see his own reflection in these mosses, and also felt the strength and courage from the depths of his heart.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, ruffling Congcong's hair. He stopped, tidied his hair with his little hands, and then continued walking forward.

His heart was filled with anticipation and curiosity, as if every step he took was on the road to an unknown world.

When he reached the top of the tower, the sight before him stunned him. It was a vast expanse of golden rice paddies, an endless golden sea. A gentle breeze rustled the rice, making a soft, whispering tales of a bountiful harvest.

The aroma of rice wafts through the air, a fresh yet rich scent that instantly captivates the senses.

Congcong took a deep breath, as if she wanted to keep this fragrance in her heart forever.

He looked out and saw dozens of people working busily in the golden fields. Their figures appeared and disappeared in the waves of rice, like a beautiful painting.

"That's Mommy! That's Daddy!" Congcong suddenly shouted excitedly. His eyes were fixed on the two familiar figures in the distance.

He saw his mother bending over, carefully cutting rice, every movement so skillful;

Father stood beside the large bucket, forcefully pulling at the rice stalks, his arm muscles taut and full of power.

A naive smile spread across Congcong's face, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

At that moment, he seemed to see the most beautiful sight in the world. He forgot all his troubles and worries, and his heart was filled only with longing for his parents and love for this bountiful field.

He imagined himself joining the busy fields, harvesting rice with his parents, and sharing the joy of the harvest.

He imagined himself becoming a brave little man who could help his parents with housework and take care of his younger siblings.

He imagined himself growing up to be a successful person who could give his parents a better life.

These wonderful imaginings, like colorful bubbles, kept appearing in Congcong's mind.

He felt as if he were already in that wonderful future, enjoying the sweetness and happiness of life with his parents.

However, when Congcong snapped out of his reverie, he found himself still standing on the edge of the Sky Tower. Several meters below lay a field.

He sighed with some regret, then carefully turned back to safety.

The so-called "sky tower" was just a large threshing ground paved with bluestone slabs, a common activity area in front of the mansions of wealthy families during the Ming and Qing dynasties, not a towering stone tower.

After returning home, he told his grandfather and two older sisters what he had seen and heard.

They all smiled with relief after hearing this, as if they could see the light and hope on Congcong's path to growth.