The Best Love

[Fu Nanzhi sees herself as imperfect, constantly battling with inner turmoil.]

[Your comfort has little effect; she loves you more than herself. The deeper your love, the more guilty she feels, which only intensifies her inner struggle.]

[You watch as Fu Nanzhi becomes increasingly silent, her temperament reverting to how she was when you first met.]

[Worried, you decide to find a way to heal her.]

[Through proper legal procedures, you adopt a baby girl. You let her take Fu Nanzhi's surname and name her Fu Xinyin, with the nickname "Little Bell."]

[When you bring Little Bell to Fu Nanzhi, her eyes finally regain their spark of life.]

[The tiny arms, chubby cheeks, delicate feet - the adorable baby is impossible not to love.]

[Fu Nanzhi, who already had a fondness for children, cannot resist and embraces her as her own.]

[Fu Nanzhi recovers, smiles return to her face. She keeps busy every day, learning and caring, afraid she won't be good enough as a mother.]

[As Little Bell grows stronger, your life gradually returns to normal.]

[Ten years later, you officially take over the Jinheng Law Firm from your father-in-law, inheriting all his connections and resources.]

[After years of management, you've earned an excellent reputation in the industry and respect across all sectors, reaching the peak of your career.]

[Fu Nanzhi, now in her forties, remains graceful like a well-aged wine - rich, lingering, and endless in its appeal. You still can't get enough of her.]

[Twenty years later, you bid farewell to both sets of parents, and suddenly realize you too have become elderly.]

[Little Bell has grown up and has her own life story.]

[Your love with Fu Nanzhi remains strong. She can recognize you by your presence alone. All past knots have dissolved with time like gentle rain, nurturing the field of life.]

[Fifty years later, you're in your twilight years, having lived over eighty years with few regrets.]

[Jinheng has been handed over to your daughter Fu Xinyin. The younger generation has their own fortune to make, and you neither want nor have the energy to manage it anymore.]

[A few years ago, you moved to an unnamed island to spend your retirement.]

It was a beautiful sunny morning.

The elderly sleep less, and Shen Yi opened his eyes at five or six, suddenly wide awake and unable to return to sleep.

Age had taken its toll; Shen Yi's mobility was now limited.

Fu Nanzhi, however, seemed to grow more vibrant with age. In her eighties, she could still run and jump, eat and sleep well, her health defying her years.

Shen Yi used to enjoy walking, but in recent years, he needed to be pushed in a wheelchair.

Refusing help from the live-in caregiver, Fu Nanzhi took control of the wheelchair and pushed Shen Yi outside.

The courtyard was filled with various flowers, a hobby they'd developed in their later years, a way to pass the endless time.

The warm sunlight and fragrant flowers created a drowsy atmosphere.

But today, Shen Yi was particularly alert. He turned back to look at Fu Nanzhi and suggested,

"Nanzhi, I want to go outside."

Fu Nanzhi, now with short hair, appeared spirited and alert, her eyes crinkled with smile lines, exuding a dignified and benevolent air.

"Outside where? Around the island?"

Seeing Shen Yi nod, Fu Nanzhi understood and agreed after giving some instructions,

"Alright, I'll have someone bring you a blanket, and we'll go right away."

Once lovers, now family - their love had evolved but remained just as strong.

In their youth, Shen Yi doted on Fu Nanzhi, but in old age, the roles had reversed. These years, Shen Yi was like a child, often willful.

Fu Nanzhi always smiled and accommodated him, allowing everything. Her indulgence made even their daughter tease them about being sickeningly sweet.

After tucking the blanket carefully around Shen Yi's legs, she began pushing him outside.

The seaside was windy, and although it was spring, Fu Nanzhi remained cautious about protecting her frail husband from the elements.

As the wheelchair rolled over the grass, the sea breeze cleared their minds, bringing back memories of half a lifetime.

Today, Shen Yi was particularly talkative, reminiscing about the past and making Fu Nanzhi laugh heartily.

"Your eldest grandson said he wants to visit you soon."

Fu Nanzhi shared details from last night's phone call with their daughter Fu Xinyin, who was too busy to visit often and wanted her son to spend some time with his grandparents.

Shen Yi waved his hand dismissively:

"No need to come, let them be."

Having been young once himself, Shen Yi knew this was the age for enjoying life, not spending time with old folks.

Fu Nanzhi didn't mind, smiling and saying, "Whatever you want."

They slowly made their way to the island's southern edge, where rocky outcrops forced them to stop.

The waves ceaselessly crashed against the shore, the vast ocean expanding their spirits.

Suddenly, Shen Yi sighed,

"You're still so healthy, but I'm failing. I won't be able to stay with you much longer."

Fu Nanzhi frowned and chided,

"Hush, don't talk nonsense. The doctor says you're fine."

They say people become more accepting with age, but Fu Nanzhi grew more anxious. She often avoided Shen Yi's mentions of death and separation, though they both knew that day would eventually come.

But Fu Nanzhi wished for that day to be as far away as possible.

"Are you some kind of spirit?" Shen Yi suddenly turned back, teasing her.

Fu Nanzhi couldn't understand his childish rambling,

"What spirit? How could I be a spirit?"

Shen Yi spoke mysteriously,

"I think you must be. When I was young, you must have absorbed my yang energy, that's why you're so healthy now..."

He couldn't continue and burst into laughter.

Fu Nanzhi grew increasingly flustered listening to him, a rare blush appearing on her face. She gently patted his age-spotted arm and said with mock annoyance:

"You old rascal, what nonsense are you talking about?!"

Suddenly, Fu Nanzhi's cheerful mood faltered, her smile slowly fading.

Without warning, Shen Yi's previously loud laughter had become inaudible.

Fu Nanzhi stumbled slightly, moving to face Shen Yi only to find him slumped over, peaceful as if in sleep.

First came grief, her eyes filled with bewilderment as she clutched his hand and caressed his face.

Then came a smile, her heart finding acceptance as she bent down to place a gentle kiss on his forehead.

[You passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-three.]

[In your final moment, you didn't forget your duty - to make her laugh every day.]

[You left your considerable estate to Fu Nanzhi; she gave half to the children and donated the other half, keeping nothing for herself.]

[Fu Nanzhi carefully arranged your funeral, burying you in a sea of gardenia flowers on the island's southern edge.]

[One month after your burial, Fu Nanzhi's robust health rapidly declined.]

[Unable to endure any night without you, she soon passed away.]

[Fu Nanzhi was buried beside you; only in your embrace could she find peaceful rest.]

[On the back of your tombstones was carved: "The best love isn't because we need to be together, but because we want to be together."]

[End of origin trace.]