Colorful years

This world, long forgotten by the relentless passage of time, filled young Congcong with unprecedented excitement and exhilaration.

Because it not only greatly satisfied his curious mind, but also filled him with a deep sense of pride in the long history of his family.

Although Congcong is still young, his maturity is in no way inferior to that of those teenagers.

He realized from the family stories he learned from his grandfather that what he could see and hear was perhaps only the tip of the iceberg of the vast family history.

He knew that his family's history was long and profound, like a deep river containing countless little-known secrets and moving stories.

These family treasures, hidden deep within the years, are quietly waiting for him to bravely explore and discover them. This process will undoubtedly require him to devote more time, patience, and unwavering courage.

However, Congcong never showed the slightest intention to back down. On the contrary, he was filled with boundless anticipation and longing for the future, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of his family's past and draw valuable wisdom and strength from it.

He knew that only through unremitting learning and exploration could he truly understand the inheritance and development of the family, and thus better shoulder the heavy family responsibility and mission.

Before they knew it, the grandfather and grandson had already walked around the Zhang family's old courtyard.

Grandpa held Congcong's hand tightly as they returned home. From Grandpa's heartfelt narration, Congcong felt immense pride in the Zhang family's glorious past, but at the same time, he was filled with confusion and bewilderment about the family's later decline.

Grandpa slowly sat down, his eyes sparkling with deep reminiscence of the past, as if those stories forgotten by time had been revitalized at this moment.

His voice was deep and magnetic, like that of a weathered old man slowly recounting an ancient and long family legend:

"My child, the reason why the Zhang family declined so quickly is as intricate as a brocade."

Every thread carries the joys and sorrows of a family, every warp and weft weaves together the vicissitudes of the times.

The Zhang family's glory once shone like a brilliant star, illuminating the night sky of that era and inspiring countless people to look up to them.

However, just as stars eventually fall, the fate of the Zhang family also underwent a dramatic change without anyone noticing.

Grandpa's words were filled with endless emotion. He continued, "The decline of the Zhang family was not the result of a single day, but the inevitable outcome of a combination of factors. Among them, the sudden death of Zhang Xiangsong dealt a fatal blow to this family."

In the hearts of the Zhang family, the name Zhang Xiangsong is as lofty and solemn as a deity. He was not only the pillar of the family, but also a prominent figure of that era.

His wisdom and courage allowed the Zhang family to stand firm amidst turmoil; his kindness and generosity earned him the respect and love of countless people.

However, this legendary figure suddenly and inexplicably passed away, leaving his family with only endless grief and deep confusion.

"His departure was like a bolt from the blue, leaving the entire family without its pillar of support."

A trace of sadness flashed in Grandpa's eyes. "Without his guidance and protection, the Zhang family is like a giant ship that has lost its helmsman, lost in the turbulent sea."

However, the decline of the Zhang family was not solely due to the death of Zhang Xiangsong.

In the winter of 1902, the night was deep and the wind was biting. Suddenly, the sky was illuminated by an eerie red light, and a sudden fire, like a ferocious beast, lunged at the Zhang family's manor.

The raging flames devoured the entire manor, the flames licking every inch of the land, turning the buildings that carried the family's memories and emotions to ashes one by one.

Amidst the raging flames, the Zhang family watched in horror at the catastrophic scene before them, their eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

The grandfather, who was only nine years old at the time, stood on a high point of the manor, his figure appearing particularly small and helpless in the firelight.

He watched helplessly as his home was mercilessly consumed by fire, tears welling up in his eyes.

He recalled the wonderful times he had spent here, the laughter and joy still echoing in his ears.

"After the fire, the Zhang family never recovered." Grandpa's voice was full of helplessness and regret.

His gaze swept over the once-glorious buildings, now reduced to ruins and desolation, and his heart was filled with emotion.

The younger generation of the family either succumbed to excessive grief or became selfish and pleasure-seeking after losing the family's protection. They forgot the teachings of their ancestors and the glory of the family, caring only for immediate gains and personal comfort.

As Congcong listened to his grandfather's story, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart. He had never imagined that the decline of the Zhang family concealed so much hardship and twists and turns.

He seemed to see those once-glorious family members, now vanished like fleeting clouds in the long river of history.

Will those buildings that carry family memories and emotions still leave any trace in the long river of time? Congcong couldn't help but fall into deep thought.