booktalesy Chapter 325 Some people, as they walk along, grow old with gray hair.
Chapter 325 Some people, as they walk along, grow old with gray hair.
Wu Zhiyuan said, "Teacher Liu, thank you for telling me all this. I understand Yunxi's feelings."
She is a wonderful girl—sunny, pure, and brave.
Her feelings for me were so genuine and pure; I knew in my heart how deep those feelings were.
That's precisely why I need to be even more cautious.
You're right, relationships are a matter between two people and can't be forced.
I admire Yunxi, I am moved by her, and I have a deep affection for her.
Teacher Liu, I don't know if you know, but Yunxi and I have a promise.
This agreement is to give myself a cooling-off period, a period of confirmation.
I need to be sure that my feelings for her are the kind that can withstand the test of time and that I can spend my whole life with her.
I also hope she can use these few years to see a wider world and confirm her choice. I don't want her to have any regrets in the future.
Wu Zhiyuan paused, then said firmly, "Teacher Liu, don't worry. I cherish Yunxi, so I will never be perfunctory with her, nor will I let her get hurt."
I will face her and my own heart with the utmost honesty.
At that moment, Xu Yunxi called.
Wu Zhiyuan immediately answered the phone: "Don't worry, Yunxi, we're waiting for you by that stone arch bridge."
A dozen minutes later, Xu Yunxi arrived.
……
The three of them strolled around the City God Temple, watched the lantern festival, and sampled local delicacies.
I got home after 10 p.m.
Xu Youwei sent a message to Liu Qingqing, saying that the explosion of fireworks and firecrackers had caused more than ten casualties, and the State Council's Safety Committee Office had placed the accident under its supervision. He would be on-site to direct the operation for the next few days.
Online discussions have already begun regarding the explosion of fireworks and firecrackers.
Some people support banning fireworks, while others say that without fireworks, the New Year celebrations are incomplete.
"Brother Zhiyuan, I just read the comments from netizens online, it's horrific. More than a dozen people died in this fireworks explosion accident."
The incident started when several children bought fireworks and set them off in a fireworks shop, which ignited other fireworks. People inside the shop were afraid that the fireworks outside would set off fire inside, so they closed the roller shutter door.
However, the fireworks and firecrackers inside were already lit, and the roller shutter door was out of power and couldn't be opened. There were people upstairs and downstairs…”
Wu Zhiyuan said with deep sorrow: "Lax safety management and perfunctory safety inspections ultimately led to a major disaster."
Especially in rural areas and towns, the situation of "shop in the front and residence in the back" or "shop downstairs and residence upstairs" is very common. Once an accident occurs, it often results in mass deaths and injuries.
During the holidays, everyone wants to enjoy the festive atmosphere, but we must never let our guard down when it comes to safety.
"Zhiyuan, this topic is too heavy. Want to watch me go practice yoga?"
"You practice yoga too?"
"Hehe, Aunt Qingqing is my teacher. Let's go upstairs and see if Aunt Qingqing is practicing yoga."
In recent years, she has become fascinated with yoga. Whenever possible, she makes time to practice.
Wu Zhiyuan followed Xu Yunxi up to the third floor.
Sure enough, the gym lights were on, and soft yoga music could be faintly heard.
Xu Yunxi gently pushed open the door and saw Liu Qingqing with her back to the door, performing a difficult backbend pose—the wheel pose—on the yoga mat.
She was wearing a light purple yoga outfit, her body bent backward into a beautiful arc, her hands and feet firmly supporting her on the ground, the lines of her waist, abdomen and back stretched and powerful.
Wu Zhiyuan stood at the door, unable to look away for a moment.
He had seen Liu Qingqing, the radiant Huangmei Opera star on stage, and Teacher Liu, the gentle and virtuous woman in the kitchen, but this was the first time he had seen her immersed in the world of yoga.
That state of focus, flexibility, and strength gave him a completely different kind of charm.
Xu Yunxi made a "shh" gesture to him, then pulled him in quietly and sat him down on a cushion to watch.
Liu Qingqing seemed completely absorbed in her practice and was unaware of their arrival.
She slowly returned to the starting position from Wheel Pose, her body flowing smoothly like water, before moving on to the next pose – Dancer Pose.
Stand on one leg, raise the other leg high behind you, lean your upper body forward, and stretch your arms back to grab the raised ankle, making you look like a bird gracefully spreading its wings.
After a series of smooth postures, Liu Qingqing finally finished her practice for the day with a standard movement, lying on her back on the mat, relaxing her whole body, and doing her final breathing exercises.
Only then did she slowly open her eyes, turn her head, and see Wu Zhiyuan and Xu Yunxi sitting beside her. She asked in surprise, "When did you two arrive? You didn't say anything."
"I just arrived a little while ago. I saw Aunt Qingqing practicing so beautifully and so intently that I didn't want to disturb her," Xu Yunxi said with a giggle. "Brother Zhiyuan, see? I wasn't wrong, was I? Isn't Aunt Qingqing amazing?"
Wu Zhiyuan nodded admiringly: "This is truly eye-opening. Teacher Liu, you've practiced so well, not only in terms of physical flexibility, but also in terms of mindset."
Liu Qingqing sat up, wiped her sweat with a towel, and smiled gently: "Yoga is not just about postures, but also a way to have a dialogue with yourself."
It allows people to find a moment of peace and strength amidst the hustle and bustle.
Yunxi also learned some basics from me. She's very talented and persistent.
Xu Yunxi replied, "That's because Aunt Qingqing taught me well! However, I'm still far from reaching your level."
Liu Qingqing looked at Wu Zhiyuan: "Zhiyuan, are you going back first thing tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, during the Spring Festival, there were several explosions in fireworks warehouses. The province has deployed a special inspection. Tomorrow, Qingshan County will also organize a major inspection, with county leaders leading teams to various townships. As the executive deputy county head, I cannot be absent."
Liu Qingqing nodded: "Safety is no small matter. Youwei is under tremendous pressure too, after the accident."
You grassroots leaders also bear a heavy responsibility.
She paused, then said with concern, "You need to focus on your work, but you also need to be careful, especially when you go to places where fireworks and firecrackers are stored."
Liu Qingqing's words were like a warm current, warming Wu Zhiyuan's heart.
He responded solemnly, "Thank you for your concern, Professor Liu. I will pay attention."
"Alright, it's getting late. You young people can chat. I'm going to take a shower first," Liu Qingqing said, and walked towards the door.
Xu Yunxi quickly called out to her, "Aunt Qingqing! Don't go!"
Liu Qingqing turned around and asked with some confusion, "Yunxi, what's wrong?"
"I'd like to practice for a bit too, could you give me some pointers?"
I'm practicing alone, and I'm not sure if my movements are correct. Could you help me correct them?
Liu Qingqing paused for a few seconds: "Okay, then you go change your clothes first, I'll wait for you here."
The gym has soft lighting and the air conditioning is at a comfortable temperature.
Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Teacher Liu, do you practice often?"
"Zhiyuan, I fell in love with yoga in the last few years."
I didn't practice yoga during my time in Longcheng.
Later, by chance, I went to a yoga class with my best friend and gradually became addicted.
For opera singers like us, there are very high requirements for physical form.
Moreover, yoga can help people calm down.
Whether it's performing opera or living life, sometimes when you're restless and agitated, you need a way to calm yourself down.
On the mat, following my breath, I felt my body stretch and open inch by inch, and all the chaotic thoughts slowly settled down, leaving only a clear and peaceful tranquility. This feeling is beautiful and precious.
Liu Qingqing paused for a moment, then continued, "Zhiyuan, you work at the grassroots level, which puts a lot of pressure on you. You need to learn to leave yourself some free time, even if it's just ten minutes a day, to be alone or to sit quietly. I think Youwei does just that."
Wu Zhiyuan quickly said, "Teacher Liu is right. I didn't do well in this aspect, and I will pay attention to it in the future."
Xu Yunxi came in after changing into her yoga clothes.
She was wearing a light pink yoga outfit, with a close-fitting sports vest on top and tight yoga pants on the bottom, which outlined her well-proportioned figure.
Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, revealing her slender neck.
Xu Yunxi is now a grown woman.
She has a great figure, with curves in all the right places, full where she should be and slender where she should be. Her youthful aura exudes a healthy and vibrant beauty.
"Aunt Qingqing, I'm ready!" She walked to the mat, took a deep breath, and composed herself.
"Let's do a few sun salutations to warm up first." Liu Qingqing sat down on the mat next to her. "Move slowly and pay attention to your breathing."
Xu Yunxi took a deep breath and began to move.
She stood at the front of the mat, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, then slowly inhaled, stretched her arms upwards, and bent her body slightly backwards.
Liu Qingqing offered reminders and guidance from time to time.
Wu Zhiyuan sat quietly to the side, his gaze fixed on Xu Yunxi.
He had seen many sides of her—lively, coquettish, stubborn, and sensitive.
But he had only ever seen Xu Yunxi so focused and serious when she was painting.
She performed each movement with great care, her brows slightly furrowed, her lips gently pursed, completely immersed in the practice.
"Yunxi, when you do a lunge, make sure your hips are aligned correctly, don't tilt to one side."
"Relax your shoulders in Downward-Facing Dog; don't shrug them."
"Deepen your exhale a little more..."
Xu Yunxi tried her best to adjust her movements.
Sometimes, if she didn't do it right, Liu Qingqing would get up and walk over to gently support her waist or help her adjust the angle of her arms.
After practicing several sets of movements, Xu Yunxi was drenched in sweat.
Liu Qingqing handed her a towel and water, encouraging her, "Your condition today is much better than last time, especially your stability; the improvement is very obvious."
Xu Yunxi wiped her sweat and laughed happily, "Really? I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it lately!"
"Persistence pays off." Liu Qingqing picked up her water glass. "Alright, you guys chat, I'm going back to my room."
Only Wu Zhiyuan and Xu Yunxi remained in the room.
"Yunxi, you are very serious about both painting and practicing yoga."
"Brother Zhiyuan, thank you for spending time with me today. And thank you for enjoying seeing me when I'm serious."
I will always be serious, whether it's about painting, yoga, or you.
Wu Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment.
"Brother Zhiyuan, do you remember that year when it snowed and we were strolling in the park, our hair was covered in snow?"
I once said something like this: Some people, as they walk along, just drift apart;
Some people, as they walk together, grow old together.
……