Colorful years

Nanzheng Street, the heart of Dayong County, was once synonymous with prosperity and bustle, attracting visitors from all directions.

The streets are wide, straight, and full of life. On both sides, all kinds of state-owned shops are lined up neatly like soldiers in formation, creating a vivid and interesting commercial ecosystem.

Among these shops are department stores selling all kinds of daily necessities, with a dazzling array of goods filling the shelves, from needles and thread to pots and pans, satisfying people's daily needs.

There are also general stores and specialty stores selling everyday items and southern products. The stores are filled with all kinds of unique goods, from southern tea to exquisite bamboo handicrafts, all of which exude a strong regional flavor.

In addition, there are three or four fragrant noodle shops and steaming bun shops on both sides of the street, with tempting aromas wafting in the wind, making people's mouths water.

As night falls and the lights come on, the entire Nanzheng Street seems to be enveloped in a dazzling light, as bright as day. The flashing neon lights and the colorful interplay of light and shadow add a touch of dreaminess and romance to this commercial street.

The streets were bustling with shoppers, shoulder to shoulder, a constant stream of voices, and a lively atmosphere.

They strolled in small groups among the shops, selecting their favorite items; others lingered at street food stalls, savoring local delicacies. The entire street was filled with laughter and joy, brimming with a festive atmosphere.

"Let's go to the general store. It's my treat today. I'll buy some special pastries for everyone to try." Li Hua smiled broadly, his tone full of generosity and enthusiasm.

At her suggestion, the four classmates—one boy and three girls—entered the general store together in high spirits.

The store was filled with all sorts of goods, from daily necessities to specialty snacks. They wandered among the shelves, selecting their favorite pastries.

As mentioned earlier, among these classmates, Li Hua's family was the most well-off. Her father was the director of the state education bureau, earning a monthly salary of over eighty yuan. At the price level at that time, this income was enough to support four or five people and allow them to live a relatively comfortable life.

Therefore, Li Hua always seemed to shop without hesitation. She generously took out a full five yuan from her pocket and then carefully selected a pound of crispy peanuts, a pound of cool and smooth ice cream, and a pound of sweet and crispy walnut shortbread.

These pastries are the shop's specialty products and are very popular with customers. When it came time to pay, Li Hua found that she actually had more than one yuan left. She smiled with satisfaction and put the remaining money back in her pocket.

And so, they left the general store with these three delicious pastries, ready to enjoy this rare sweetness and joy together.

Holding pastries in their hands, they strolled down the street, chatting and laughing, their youthful energy shining through. They talked about their dreams and futures, sharing their joys and sorrows.

However, time flies, and twelve years have passed in a flash. In these long years, Congcong has only tasted that mouthwatering ice cream once.

That precious experience, however, carried endless sorrow and warmth. It was a sweltering summer day, and Grandpa was critically ill and bedridden, his life hanging by a thread. In that difficult moment, Grandpa's only wish was to taste that cool, sweet ice cream one more time.

To fulfill Grandpa's last wish, Dad went to great lengths to travel to the inner city and buy half a pound of precious ice cream. When Dad happily delivered the ice cream to Grandpa's bedside, a relieved smile appeared on Grandpa's haggard face.

However, illness is merciless. Grandpa's ailing body could no longer handle much food. After only two bites of ice cream, he was too weak to swallow any more. Looking at the remaining half-eaten ice cream in his hand, Grandpa looked tenderly at Congcong and his sister beside him, and in a weak voice instructed their father, "Share this ice cream with the children..."

At that moment, Congcong's heart was filled with both emotion and sadness. He carefully took the ice cream his father offered and gently took a bite. The icy texture instantly melted on his tongue, accompanied by a rich milky aroma and sweet taste, making him feel as if he were in a dream world.

For Congcong, who had never seen anything so delicious, this ice cream was not only a treat for the taste buds, but also a memory deeply etched in his heart. It made Congcong feel his grandfather's love and care for him, and also made him understand the fragility and preciousness of life.

Besides ice cream, crispy peanuts and walnut cookies were delicacies Congcong had never seen before. The golden, crispy outer layer wrapped around the fragrant and crunchy nuts, and every bite released an enticing aroma. He was captivated by the unique flavor and couldn't forget it.

He savored the delightful sensation of each bite of pastry, as if the whole world had become sweeter.

Congcong and his classmates carried three kinds of delicious food as they walked towards the South Gate Wharf. Along the way, they were filled with laughter and joy, creating an unforgettable memory in their lives.

The stars twinkled in the sky, and a bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow.

The shimmering Lishui River, illuminated by the moonlight, resembles a flowing Milky Way, a breathtaking sight.

Congcong and his classmates stood quietly on the dock, captivated by the dreamlike night view before them, forgetting all their troubles and worries.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and all the noise and hustle and bustle faded away, leaving only inner peace and tranquility.