Wealthy Beauty in the 60s-Chapter 659 - 661 The Only One in This Life

The funeral of the two elders was held with great grandeur, with each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild of Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao having red and swollen eyes, and their voices were hoarse.

Though Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong had lived almost a century and had a ’happy funeral’, their permanent departure from this world naturally saddened Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao.

A ’happy funeral’, colloquially known as a ’full life and joyous return’, signifies full blessings and full longevity.

Full blessings imply a large family prospering with all children present, without divorced or remarried sons or daughters.

Full longevity means passing away past the age of seventy.

A natural death without illness is referred to as a fortunate end.

Passing away in old age with all children present without any divorced or remarried sons or daughters is known as a ’grand life-long happiness’, termed ’old happy funeral’.

Missing one aspect is called a ’full life’ also termed ’happy funeral’.

Having four generations living together, or passing away at an old age, is called ’grand life-long happiness’ or ’old happy funeral’.

Though Gao Jiazhi was not Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong’s biological son, they always treated him as their own. Therefore, since Gao Jiazhi had remarried, the funeral of Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong was considered a ’full life’, termed a happy funeral.

In Gao Jiaxing’s heart, Gao Jiazhi was his real brother, so they never dwelt on trivial matters.

Life is never perfect in all aspects; no one can predict the future. If their children and grandchildren are doing well, Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong were fully satisfied and departed in peace.

Ning Hui and Yang Xuehua also came, Xia Xiao had just two close friends in life, and connection had never ceased. Ning Hui aside, the two became relatives.

Although Yang Xuehua lived in S city, she kept in touch with Xia Xiao, meeting several times each year.

Compared to Xia Xiao’s busy life, Yang Xuehua had taken it easy after retirement, looking after her grandson and often visiting Xia Xiao.

After the funeral, Xia Xiao visited the zoo, first observing the pandas. Eight-year-old Tuantuan and Yuanyuan had become a loving panda couple, and Tuantuan had given birth to twins this year, drawing widespread attention to Nanhua Mountain Wildlife Park.

After observing the pandas, Xia Xiao went to see the black bears. The older generation of black bears was gone, and the second and third generations were also aging, which made Xia Xiao reflective.

Thinking of the deceased Zheng Xianghong and Gao Guoqiang, and about herself and Gao Jiaxing, though fulfilled with her life, she still yearned for more.

Xia Xiao wished time would slow down, a day should have thirty-six hours, wanting her life to continue this way forever, to the very end of the earth.

"What are you thinking about?" Gao Jiaxing couldn’t help stepping forward and taking Xia Xiao’s hand, seeing her whole person become desolate, her gaze distant, and her spirits seemed to have flown away.

"I wish time would slow down; I used to think that a lifetime was very long, after all, a day has twenty-four hours, a year has three hundred sixty-five days, over eight thousand seven hundred hours. You see, it feels like a year is very long, but looking back now, decades seem just a moment, too fast. I greedily wish time would slow down and that we could continue like this."

Because once their eyes closed again, even if there is another life, they might not meet again.

"What you’re thinking is exactly what I’m thinking, but who knows about the future, let’s make the best of the present. This life won’t be in vain, let’s not leave any regrets for each other; living well is enough. Our parents did the same; they left without regrets. We hope to be content like them when we’re old."

Gao Jiaxing also sighed deeply, hoping he could live a long life and always be with Xia Xiao.

Then Gao Jiaxing looked at Xia Xiao with a smile on his face: "Don’t you always like that song, the biggest waste is to grow old with you? I like that song too, shall I sing it for you?"

"Sure," Xia Xiao’s hand was held by Gao Jiaxing, and they walked slowly together.

"Back to back on the carpet,

Listening to music, talking about wishes,

You hope I become gentler,

I hope you keep me in your heart,

You want to give me a romantic dream,

Thank me for bringing you to paradise,

Even if it takes a lifetime to fulfill."

"As long as I speak, you remember and never forget

The most romantic thing I can think of

is growing old with you

Collecting bits and pieces of laughter along the way

to reminisce slowly in rocking chairs later

The most romantic thing I can think of

is growing old with you

Until we’re so old we cannot go anywhere

you still treasure me as the jewel in your palm." — Excerpt from the song "The Most Romantic Thing"

When Gao Jiaxing sang, his voice carried a deep magnetism, effortless yet distinctly tender, soothing and rich, making you involuntarily bask in it.

This was different from his voice in the military, which was penetrating and explosive, capable of moving hearts.

Xia Xiao’s face lit up with a beautiful smile, "Brother Gao, I think if you weren’t a soldier, you could be a military singer. Your voice is very pleasant, and I like this kind of song too. How about we record it together when we get back?"

"Okay"

When their children learned that Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing were planning to record a song, Li Manzi, naturally being a diva, took on the task and even offered to compose music for Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing.

Xia Xiao smiled, "Let me write the lyrics."

This song was co-written by Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing with music by Li Manzi.

"Only in This Life"

Female: That year we met, we were young

Male: That year we got to know each other, our feelings were hazy

Female: Destiny brought us together

Male: Love blessed us for life

Female: Time flies, the path is long, but true love never changes

Male: Years rush by, love lingers, my love for you is everlasting

Female: You and I embrace true love

Male: You and I accompany each other sincerely

Both: Being together is the most enduring confession, only in this life

...

Li Manzi worked very efficiently, composing the music for "Only in This Life" in one night.

Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing were very happy since it was their collaborative lyrics, one line each, spoken outright. It might not have been very good, but it reflected their emotions.

However, what were ordinary lyrics were instantly elevated several notches as soon as Li Manzi composed the music.

Xia Xiao was truly impressed by her daughter-in-law. Worthy of being a diva, proficient in lyric-writing, composing, singing, playing instruments, dancing, and even playing the drums.

After spending half a day, Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing finished recording two songs, one was "The Most Romantic Thing" and the other was their co-written "Only in This Life."

Gao Jiaxing saved both songs on his MP4 and often listened to them in the army, never tiring of them.

After Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong were buried back at the Guangming Team, every year during Qingming Festival, Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao would visit to sweep the graves, or on Chinese New Year, or sometimes when visiting the wildlife park.