Colorful years

The scenery outside the car window was picturesque, with lush mountains rising and falling in layers, as if nature, the great painter, had created a magnificent scroll with its brushstrokes.

On the mountain peaks, lush vegetation, like a verdant velvet carpet, covers the earth, and the rich green makes one feel the vigor and vitality of life.

A mountain stream flows gently, its water crystal clear. Under the sunlight, it shimmers and sparkles, like a silver ribbon winding through the mountains.

In the azure sky, as blue as a jewel, a few pure white clouds drifted leisurely. The clouds were of various shapes; some were fluffy and soft, some galloped like horses, and others were as light and graceful as a fairy's skirt.

They freely changed shapes in the sky, like a beautiful painting slowly unfolding before his eyes, making him intoxicated by it.

Zhang Cong gazed out the car window as the scenery on both sides of the road rushed past. The trees that sped by were like rows of green guards protecting this land; on the road, vehicles flowed endlessly, and the busy figures of people appeared and disappeared in this fast-moving scene, as if time itself had sped up its passage.

As he drew ever closer to his destination—Yiyang Station—Zhang Cong felt a surge of complex emotions. His eyes held a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. After all, this was his first time meeting Wang Li's parents, and he didn't know what awaited him.

Just then, a slight noise came from beside her. It turned out that Wang Li, who was sitting in the next seat, had just woken up. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, which were still a little hazy. She looked like an adorable little kitten, extremely cute.

She stretched and yawned, then looked at Zhang Cong and asked softly, "Zhang Cong, you haven't closed your eyes for a moment the whole way? What have you been thinking about?"

Hearing Wang Li's question, Zhang Cong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a playful smile. A glint of intelligence shone in his eyes as he replied, "I've thought about quite a few things! But what I've thought about most is whether a penniless lad like me, so rashly going to meet my future mother-in-law, will be welcomed and accepted!" He then deliberately winked at Wang Li, a gesture that was undeniably amusing.

Hearing Zhang Cong's words, Wang Li couldn't help but laugh. She looked intently at Zhang Cong, her eyes filled with determination and love, and said, "Zhang Cong, you're really overthinking it. Since I dared to bring you home so openly, I must have made thorough preparations beforehand."

A long time ago, I informed my parents of your specific situation in detail through a letter, and I also made many necessary preparations.

Moreover, both my father and mother are excellent teachers. When it comes to choosing a son-in-law, what they value most is a person's character and talent. As for external conditions such as background, social status, and wealth, they don't care too much about them.

After all, as the saying goes, heroes come from all walks of life. So, you don't need to be nervous or worried at all. Just be yourself, be natural and confident as always! As Wang Li spoke, her big, watery eyes blinked incessantly, as bright and captivating as the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Hearing Wang Li's comforting words, Zhang Cong's slightly uneasy heart immediately calmed down. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Oh my, I really didn't expect this. It turns out you were prepared all along. If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have had anything to worry about. I feel much more relaxed now."

Taking this opportunity, Wang Li enthusiastically began to introduce her hometown to Zhang Cong: "Our hometown is Yiyang City in Hunan Province. It's a place with beautiful mountains and rivers, like a poem or a painting. Our Lanxi Town is especially stunning. Our home is located in the town's primary school in the center of the town."

My parents are both exceptionally easygoing and friendly people, and we get along very well with our neighbors. Our house isn't very big, but it's filled with warmth and happiness.

"Our Lanxi Town is such a wonderful place. It has an ancient street lined with quaint buildings that bear witness to its historical changes. The street is filled with all sorts of shops—selling snacks, handicrafts, and traditional clothing. During holidays, it becomes especially lively, with people coming from all directions to experience its unique charm..."

Listening to Wang Li's vivid description, memories from his past life began to surface. A beautiful picture of Yiyang, Lanxi, and Wang Li's warm little family slowly emerged in Zhang Cong's mind. He finally had a clearer and more complete understanding of the places he was about to visit and the people he was about to meet.

Yiyang City is a prefecture-level city in Hunan Province, located in the central part of the province. It borders Xiangtan City and Loudi City to the east, Ningxiang City and Yuhua District of Changsha City to the south, Anhua County and Taojiang County of Changde City to the west, and Yuanjiang City and Nanxian County to the north.

Yiyang City is located in the transitional zone between the Xuefeng Mountains and the Dongting Lake Plain. The terrain here is diverse, featuring majestic mountains, vast plains, and numerous lakes. This unique topography gives Yiyang City abundant natural resources and a diverse ecological environment.

Yiyang City belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate zone, with four distinct seasons and abundant sunshine. In spring, the earth awakens, all things grow, and Yiyang City is full of vitality. Peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and pear blossoms bloom in competition, decorating the entire city like a poem or a painting.

In summer, the sun is scorching and the rain is plentiful, causing the water levels of rivers and lakes in Yiyang City to rise, creating a series of beautiful waterside landscapes.

In autumn, the fields of Yiyang City are a scene of abundant harvest, with golden rice and fragrant fruits. Winter, though cold, offers a unique charm with its snow-covered landscape, a world transformed into a fairytale.

Yiyang has a long history, having been a county seat since the Western Han Dynasty. It boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage as well as numerous scenic spots and historical sites.

Many important historical events have taken place on the land of Yiyang City, leaving behind a wealth of precious historical and cultural heritage. Here you'll find ancient city walls, simple temples, solemn ancestral halls, as well as the former residences and memorial halls of many historical figures. These historical and cultural heritages are not only a valuable asset of Yiyang City but also an important part of the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation.

With the development and changes of the times, Yiyang has gradually grown into a modern city.

Lanxi Town, where Wang Li's family lives, belongs to Heishan District of Yiyang City and is located in the northeastern part of Heishan District. It borders Bazishao Town to the east, Bijia Mountain Township to the south, Heishan Subdistrict and Longling Industrial Park to the west, and the Zi River to the north. With a registered population of nearly 100,000, it is a large town in central Hunan.

Lanxi Town boasts a long history, being an ancient township. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Lanxi City already existed in the Lanxi area; during the Qing Dynasty, it belonged to the seventeenth and eighteenth li of Yiyang County; in the first year of the Republic of China, Lanxi Town was established; after liberation, it underwent several mergers and reforms before becoming the thriving Lanxi it is today. Throughout its long history, Lanxi Town has witnessed the changes of the times and accumulated a rich historical and cultural heritage.