Colorful years

Young Congcong is like a keen archaeologist, carefully unveiling the mysterious veil of time layer by layer.

Finally, those past events, deeply buried by time and evoking endless emotions, are like crystal-clear dewdrops in the morning light, slowly revealing their unique and captivating brilliance under the soft and warm sunlight.

The story unfolds in a turbulent and unsettling era.

The sky at that time always seemed to be shrouded in a thin layer of mist, as if foreshadowing all sorts of changes that were about to happen.

The marriage of my grandparents was not based on mutual affection in the traditional sense, but rather on an important connection within a long-standing and intricate network of marriage alliances between two families.

This was a meticulously planned arranged marriage, like two distant stars drawn together by some invisible force in the vast universe, eventually converging under the same dazzling starry sky.

The Zhang family, in the past, was like a dazzling star, hanging high above the pinnacle of power. Its glory and splendor were something that countless noble families dreamed of but could never reach.

Although the Xiong family had a solid foundation and a renowned reputation in the vast land of Baiheping, they were slightly inferior to the Zhang family, a prominent official family.

However, in an era when social class was deeply ingrained, it was by no means easy for the Zhang family to find a suitable marriage partner in a remote village.

Thus, the Xiong family, a wealthy landowning family, naturally became the ideal choice for a marriage alliance with the Zhang family.

Xiong Qiao'er, the only daughter of the Xiong family, was intelligent, clever, and adorable from a young age, like a beautiful flower blooming in spring, captivating all who saw her.

The Xiong family doted on her and took great care of her, allowing her to grow up freely in a carefree environment.

However, the wheel of fate quietly turned the moment she married into the Zhang family, propelling her into a completely different new world.

Ever since she was betrothed to Zhang Quan, the young master of the Zhang family, Xiong Qiao'er's status has skyrocketed like a rocket.

Her parents doted on her almost everything, hoping that she would find happiness and sweetness in this marriage.

However, excessive pampering and indulgence gradually planted a seed of selfishness and willfulness in Xiong Qiao'er's heart, which also laid a deep hidden danger for her future married life.

The good times didn't last long. When Zhang Quan, the young master of the Zhang family, was nine years old, the family encountered an unprecedented and enormous change.

The untimely death of Zhang Xiangsong, who rose to the rank of Daotai, shattered the Zhang family's fortunes like a bolt from the blue, leaving this once glorious family without a solid support in an instant.

Zhang Xiangsong's life was full of legendary stories. He took a firm stance and resolutely advocated war during the First Opium War, and actively participated in the opium embargo campaign. He was a capable assistant appreciated by Lin Boqu.

However, with Lin Boqu's fall from power and the disastrous defeat in the Second Opium War, he also suffered ruthless suppression and exclusion, and eventually died mysteriously. The cause of his death remains an unsolved mystery to this day.

His sudden death not only deprived the Zhang family of a strong support, but also damaged the family's reputation, plunging family members into a difficult predicament.

What followed was an even worse blow to the Zhang family.

A sudden and devastating fire turned the Zhang family manor into ruins, plunging the entire family from wealth into poverty overnight.

The truth behind this fire remains shrouded in mystery.

There are two completely different versions of the story circulating among the people: one version is that it was a retaliatory arson caused by internal family conflicts; the other version is that it was a retaliatory attack on the Zhang family by external forces.

But whatever the truth may be, this fire undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the Zhang family.

Family members struggled to survive amidst the ruins, their former glory and honor seemingly vanishing overnight.

However, on these ruins, a young boy, not yet ten years old, bravely stood up with astonishing tenacity and perseverance.

He is Congcong's grandfather, Zhang Quan.

Faced with family misfortunes and the heavy burden of life, he did not choose to escape or retreat, but resolutely took on the responsibility of supporting his family.

He dropped out of school and returned home, starting to create a better future for himself and his family with his own hands.

In just three years, through his unremitting efforts and outstanding talent, he learned the crafts of cutting and playing the suona, and achieved remarkable success in both fields.

His tailoring skills are superb. Whether it is the design of the style or the handling of the details, he has grasped it just right and is impeccable, which has won him high praise.

His suona music was melodious and beautiful, like heavenly music that deeply touched the hearts of countless people.

He used his own hands and wisdom to bring hope and light back to his family.

Finally, when Grandpa was fifteen, he realized his dream—to build three simple but loving and hopeful tile-roofed houses on the foundation of the old house.

Although the house is simple and unadorned, it embodies the hard work and dedication of my grandfather, and is also a testament to his unwavering commitment and responsibility to his family.

He then used a grand sedan chair carried by eight men to welcome his grandmother into his home, thus beginning their shared journey through life...