Deep within the rear courtyard lay a tranquil little world.
Pavilions and towers stood exquisitely elegant, their upturned eaves half-hidden among lush ancient trees.
A winding path of blue bricks led to a stone table gently cherished by time.
Several towering old trees stretched out their branches, their dense canopies sifting fine flecks of golden light onto the verdant grass.
A breeze swept past, and the tree shadows danced.
Suddenly, a string of crisp, bell-like laughter shattered the tranquility.
Beside the stone table, six adorable young children were gathered around a vigorous middle-aged man, playing noisily.
Two sturdy little boys were there—one tugged and shook the middle-aged man's sleeve, while the other stood on tiptoe, trying to burrow into his arms.
The four pretty, lively little girls had their hair tied in twin buns or fastened with red ribbons.
Like a flock of chattering sparrows, they all crowded eagerly around the middle-aged man.
"Great-Grandpa—"
A little girl with twin buns tipped up her face, her dark, round eyes full of expectation as her tiny hand gently tugged at his robe.
"Yingying wants uppies!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
Seeing this, another little girl with red ribbons immediately began hopping.
Her rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, and she raised her chubby little hands high, as if she wanted to catch the clouds in the sky.
The remaining two girls clung tightly to Great-Grandpa's legs like mischievous little bear cubs.
They both raised their adorable faces and asked in childish voices.
"Great-Grandpa, why is your hair black?"
"But Grandpa An's hair is white?"
The middle-aged man surrounded by children was none other than Lu Jiahe.
When his great-granddaughter asked him this, a smile instantly reached Lu Jiahe's eyes, bathing even his faint crow's feet in soft light.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Lu Jiahe