In the season when the wisteria blooms in April, the largest wisteria tree in Bankshire has been growing at the Goodlife Orphanage for almost twenty years. Every year at this time, Elisa and Louis would visit the orphanage to prepare small gifts for the children.
In recent years, the orphanage has become quieter. While elsewhere bustle is a good thing, at the orphanage, the tranquility has become a beautiful sign that more and more children have loving families who will not abandon them.
When Elisa visits the children at the orphanage, she never brings Eli and Winnie with her. This year, the wisteria blossoms were particularly abundant, resembling a purple waterfall from afar, clusters of flowers drooping from the branches. In the stifling heat of summer, seeking shade under the wisteria pergola is the best choice. A gentle breeze rustles through, accompanied by the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers. For Elisa, the greatest happiness in the world lies in the present moment, where time is peaceful. There is no need for a tumultuous and extraordinary life. Peace is enough, and the endpoint of a person’s life is ultimately peace.
“Do you remember? Our second meeting was here,” Louis reminded Elisa as they sat together under the wisteria tree. In the same spot as before, with the same people, but different now, the fool Autumn had transformed into Louis.
Louis, who used to only have biscuits in his pocket, approached Elisa with caution, fearful of being too distant or too bothersome. But now, he could openly hold Elisa’s hand. Reflecting on the past, Elisa couldn’t help but smile, recalling how Louis insisted on giving her the biscuits he had saved up for days.
Louis scratched his head, acknowledging, “It was all I had to offer back then.” Wanting to give her everything, Louis posed a silly question, “Were the biscuits tasty?” In reality, they were just simple biscuits, and Elisa couldn’t quite remember their flavor. But at that moment, they warmed her heart, and the feeling lingered long after. Elisa nodded, “They were delicious.”
Louis chuckled, “How easily you’re pleased.” Indeed, during Elisa’s battle with gastric cancer, the people who cared for her were few, making her treasure every act of kindness she received. On the day she was diagnosed, the first person who showed her concern was a taxi driver, whose words she still remembered to this day: “There are no obstacles that can’t be overcome. Tomorrow when the sun rises, it’s a new day.” She realized that she had overcome that obstacle.
Sitting under the wisteria tree, Elisa reminisced, “I remember the second time I came here, and you took me to get gifts. When we entered the warehouse, a mouse scurried out, and you swiftly killed it with scissors. You said you’d solve any fears I had.” Louis curiously asked, “Were you scared of me back then?” Elisa smiled, “I wasn’t afraid because I knew you were protecting me, not harming me.” Whether it was the foolish Autumn or the smart Louis, he always thought of her well-being, never intending to harm her. How could she be afraid of such a person?
“It’s time to go back. Eli and Winnie must be getting impatient,” Elisa said, standing up and reaching out to pull Louis up. Walking closely together, their shadows intertwined.
Meanwhile, Eli and Winnie were under the care of Mrs. Rugger, sitting in a milk tea shop playing games outside. Upon seeing their parents return, the two children immediately abandoned their phones and ran over. Winnie hugged her mother’s leg, and Eli clung to his father’s, like pendulums swinging, impossible to dislodge.
Louis effortlessly lifted both children with his strength, as dinner plans were made to dine outside. Mrs. Rugger sat in the car with the driver, heading back. After dinner, the family of four wore masks as they took a walk outside, a fifteen-minute stroll back home to aid digestion.
“Dad, today a classmate asked me why my brother and I have different last names,” Winnie tilted her head, her big eyes filled with confusion, encountering a perplexing question. While other children shared the same surname as their fathers, Eli and Winnie’s last name was the same as their mother’s. Their classmates teased them, implying they weren’t siblings since they didn’t share a surname. Eli almost got into a fight because of this.
Louis reached out to pat Winnie’s head, saying, “It’s because Dad loves Mom.” “Dad loves Mom?” “Yes, very much so, for a lifetime.” “What’s a lifetime?” This concept seemed beyond Winnie’s comprehension. Eli patiently explained, “A lifetime is waiting for dawn together in the morning, waiting for twilight in the evening, watching the stars at night, and waiting for the next day’s sunrise. It’s waiting like this forever and ever, that’s a lifetime.” Winnie beamed with a toothy grin, saying, “Then I’ll love Mom for a lifetime, as well as Dad and brother.”
Elisa chuckled at her daughter’s innocence. Looking up, she met Louis’s gaze, the light in his eyes brighter than the street lamps, shining directly into her heart. Without words, Elisa silently conveyed, “I love you for a lifetime.”
In recent years, Louis had reduced his acting roles, only appearing in high-production films every two years to satisfy his wife and daughter. The rest of the time, he focused on managing the White Group, but his top priority in life was spending time with his loved ones.
Those who knew Louis were aware of his fear of missing out and his devotion to his wife. Regardless of his activities or tasks, one phone call from his wife would compel him to return home immediately.
A foreign director who came to study abroad wanted to meet Louis and arranged a lavish dinner with numerous industry beauties. Such gatherings were commonplace in the industry and often served as opportunities for unethical activities. Unfortunately, this foreign director unknowingly crossed the line from the start.
Upon hearing Louis arriving at the hotel, the director stood up to greet him, saying, “Mr. White, thank you for taking the time to come here today. I have prepared a surprise for you, hoping you’ll enjoy it.” Louis felt a faint sense of unease, but before he could react, the director pushed open the door to reveal a room filled with beautiful women, including some renowned actresses. Louis’s expression darkened.
Blissfully unaware of Louis’s discomfort, the director continued to inquire if Louis liked the selection of women before him. Accompanying Louis was his assistant, who, upon witnessing the scene, could only think, “You’re in big trouble.”