We came into this world crying, and it seems like just a blink of an eye. Looking back, we can no longer see where we were at the beginning.
Time that slips away from the tree rings, where will you take us in the end?
——Su Shaner

The original plan was to stay at the beach for a week, but the day after the fireworks night, Xu Chenxi received a call from home.
At that time, we were all sitting on the sofa, eating watermelons, when the phone in the villa rang. Xu Chenxi put down the watermelon and ran over to answer it, but after hanging up the phone, Xu Chenxi's expression was particularly quiet and very melancholy.
"Chenxi, what's wrong?" I asked her, "Did something happen?"
"Teacher Chen, Teacher Chen..." She said, her voice choking with sobs, "She was in critical condition at 10 o'clock last night and was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment, but she hasn't woken up yet."
"Huh?" Everyone was stunned.
At ten o'clock last night, I rushed out of the cave and fireworks bloomed in Jiang Huai's eyes. Teacher Chen was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment.
"Who is Teacher Chen?"
Ming Qinghe looked at us in confusion. He didn't grow up on Qingtang Street, so he didn't know this teacher.
"She was our elementary school teacher. She taught us from the first grade. From the first grade to the sixth grade, she was our homeroom teacher for six years. If you ask me who my favorite teacher is from kindergarten to now, I will definitely answer you that it is Teacher Chen." I said to him in a deep voice, "You don't know, she is a very lovely old lady."
After hearing what I said, Ming Qinghe still didn't quite understand. Even if our former teacher had passed away, it wouldn't have made us so depressed and sad.
"Let's go back now!" Dujuan's hand quickly passed over her eyes.
But I could still see that her eyes were red and misty.
"If we go back now, we will definitely have time to see the teacher for the last time." Du Juan continued.
"Yeah!" I nodded vigorously.
So we all stood up and went back to our rooms to pack our things without wasting a second. Only Ming Qinghe was still confused.
Actually, it’s not his fault. If you haven’t studied in that primary school, you won’t understand how we feel about Teacher Chen.
In fact, in today's metropolitan city with tall buildings, Qingtang Street is just a small street. If it were not for the title of a thousand-year-old street, it is estimated that such a street would have disappeared long ago.
There is a primary school on Qingtang Street, which is said to have been established during the Republic of China period and has been running until now. With the prevalence of the one-child policy, fewer and fewer children go there to study. In the end, all the children in Qingtang Street could only form one class in each grade. More parents would rather send their children to larger schools, thinking that their children's grades would be better in such places.
When Xu Chenxi, Du Juan, Jiang Huai and I went to school, there was only one class left in the school and there were only three teachers. Teacher Chen, who had been our class teacher since we enrolled, was the principal of Qingtang Primary School.
Teacher Chen was actually past retirement age a long time ago, but Qingtang Primary School was too small, so small that no teacher was willing to come here, so she stayed.
I still remember that in our first class, Teacher Chen did not teach the content in the textbook. She wrote these words on the blackboard: "I love my hometown."
She said: "I am proud that I was born and grew up on this street. Children, you will grow up one day and fly to a wider world, but don't forget that you are the children of Qingtang Street. Every blade of grass, every brick and every tile here has accumulated vicissitudes of life. No matter where you want to go in the future, if you can, please protect this place and don't let such a beautiful Qingtang Street be covered by cement."
We didn’t quite understand what she said at that time, but perhaps it was because the light in her eyes was so gentle that the words she said were imprinted in our hearts like a brand.
Teacher Chen really loves Qingtang Street and this small school. She carefully protects this place and us children.
Teacher Chen teaches Chinese. She always tells us the good or bad stories that happened on this street in the most beautiful words. Some of those stories are old and vague in memory, while some happened right now.
When we were in the fourth grade, we suddenly heard that our primary school was going to be closed because there were too few students and the teaching staff was too weak, so we had to go to a central primary school far away.
Upon hearing the news, the students in the class protested fiercely, and no one wanted to leave. Although they usually complained about the heavy homework and poor test scores, everyone had deep feelings for this beautiful school.
This is probably why Teacher Chen always tells us the stories about this place.
Our parents were reluctant to let us go to other places to study, because those who stayed on this street were either grandparents or people who loved this street. They all went to primary school here, and their feelings for this place may be deeper than ours.
Later, Teacher Chen's children came back from other places and came to pick her up to live with them. At that time, Teacher Chen did something. She rejected her children and went to the Education Department of the provincial capital alone.
Teacher Chen is already over 60 years old and has rarely traveled far in her life, but for us and Qingtang Street Primary School, she took a long-distance bus. We don’t know how she did it, but when she came back, she looked tired, but her eyes were bright.
"Good news, kids," she said to us standing on the podium. "You can study here until you graduate from primary school, and then I will leave with you. As the last batch of students at Qingtang Primary School, please join me in putting a perfect end to this place."
After hearing what the teacher said, I didn’t know who started crying first. When I came to my senses, all the students in the classroom were crying.
We are no longer children and can understand what Teacher Chen says.
She failed to save the school, but she protected the children who did not want to leave. Teacher Chen on the podium had gray hair, but she stood straight, with a firm look and soft eyes.
After that, we seemed to have grown up in an instant. No one needed the teacher to repeatedly urge us, and we all completed the homework assigned by the teacher consciously. Every corner of the school would be cleaned carefully because this is the place we love.
As a result, in the entrance examination two years later, all twenty-three students in our class graduated from Qingtang Street Primary School with excellent results.
On the day of graduation, Teacher Chen stood at the school gate and watched us leave.
She said: "You must grow up well. The children in Qingtang Street are all good."
Everything seemed to be just like yesterday, but when I turned around, the lovely old lady in my memory was lying in the cold hospital.
When I hurried home with my luggage, my parents looked a little serious. Everyone on Qingtang Street knew that Teacher Chen was critically ill.
"Fan'er." Mom came over and patted my shoulder, "I was planning to pick you up."
"It was Chenxi's mother who called to inform us." I still didn't quite believe it. "Is Teacher Chen really in critical condition?"
"Yeah." There was a hint of barely perceptible sadness in my mother's voice. My mother and father both grew up on Qingtang Street, and Teacher Chen had also taught them.
"I want to go see Teacher Chen." I put down my luggage and asked, "Mom, do you know which hospital Teacher Chen is in?"
"In the First People's Hospital," said my mother. "You have to be mentally prepared."
After talking to her mother for a while, Du Juan changed her clothes and came to find me. After we met up with Xu Chenxi, we waited for Jiang Huai at the bus stop, and the four of us got on the bus to Rongcheng together.
Ming Qinghe did not come because he did not know Teacher Chen.
After he returned to Qingtang Street with us, he went straight to his grandfather's house.
We hurried to the hospital and asked the front desk where Teacher Chen's ward was.
Five minutes later, we knocked on the door of the ward. It was Teacher Chen’s daughter who opened the door. She was a little surprised to see us and asked, “Who are you…”
"We are here to see Teacher Chen. We are the last class of students taught by Teacher Chen." I stepped forward and said to her, "Let's go see Teacher Chen ."
"Oh, it's you guys." She suddenly realized and stepped aside to let us in. "Come in, but your teacher Chen hasn't woken up since he fainted yesterday."
It has been six years since I graduated from Qingtang Street Primary School. Looking at Teacher Chen lying on the hospital bed, I felt for the first time that time was too cruel.
It makes a person's hair turn gray, makes a person old, or even kills him without him noticing.
Teacher Chen is really old. Her hair was gray then, but now it is completely white. She is so thin that only bones are left. She closes her eyes, but her expression is very peaceful.
I walked over, sat down beside her bed, held her skinny hand, and said with a sob, "Teacher Chen, we are here to see you. The children you taught are here to see you."
Xu Chenxi pressed my shoulder. Du Juan stood beside the bed and gently shook Teacher Chen's shoulder. She called out in a very soft voice, "Teacher, teacher, can you please wake up? Look at us. We have all grown up."
Jiang Huai stood aside without saying a word. When Teacher Chen's daughter heard what we said, her eyes turned red.
She said: "Thank you for coming to see her. Your teacher Chen likes you the most in her life."
"Teacher Chen!" Du Juan suddenly called out, and then grabbed my hand tightly, "Shan'er, look, are Teacher Chen's eyes moving?"
"Well?"
Everyone in the ward was stunned, and they all came to the bedside and stared at Teacher Chen. We didn't even dare to breathe, for fear of missing any unusual signs.
"It's really moving!" Even Xu Chenxi became excited, "Teacher Chen, Teacher Chen, can you hear us? We are all here, please wake up."
"Yes, teacher, please wake up."
Jiang Huai is a boy, and his emotions are more reserved than girls. However, although he appeared calm, his concerned eyes betrayed him, and he was no less nervous than the rest of us.
Finally, in our expectant eyes, Teacher Chen's eyes slowly opened a tiny slit.
"Teacher Chen!" I shouted, "Teacher Chen, are you awake? I am Shan'er, Su Shan'er!"
"Ka Ka..." Teacher Chen coughed hoarsely. She heard my voice and turned her head slightly to look at me. Her eyes were half open, but her expression was still gentle. She looked at me for a long time and finally recognized me. "Shan'er, you have grown into a big girl now."
"Teacher, there's me too!" Du Juan squeezed in front of me, "Teacher, do you still recognize me?"
"You naughty Du Juan girl." Teacher Chen seemed to be in a good mood. She smiled and said, "You are a little kid with a big heart."
"Who are you?" Teacher Chen looked at Xu Chenxi and couldn't remember for a moment. "Let me think about it again. I will definitely remember it."
"Teacher, I'm Xu Chenxi." Xu Chenxi's eyes were a little red.
"Oh, that's right." Teacher Chen said with sudden enlightenment, "I remember now. The little girl who never gave me any worries had excellent grades. And Jiang Huai, you kids have had a good relationship since you were young. After all these years, you still play together."
"Teacher, you remember everything." I held back my tears and tried hard to keep smiling because I didn't want Teacher Chen to see me crying.
"Remember, my last batch of students were all great." Teacher Chen was pleased. "I am very happy that you came to see me."
"Doctor, look, my mother is awake." Teacher Chen's daughter went to see a doctor after she opened her eyes .
A doctor in a white coat came over and we quickly stepped aside. The doctor gave Teacher Chen a simple examination and then went out, calling Teacher Chen's daughter out with him.
"When people get old, they will face death." Teacher Chen did not seem to feel any regret. "I thought I would never wake up, but I can see my lovely students again and say goodbye to this world with a smile."
"Teacher, please don't say that. You will definitely live a long life." Du Juan couldn't help crying. She was easily affected by other people's emotions, whether they were happy or sad. "I love you the most, teacher."
"Haha, don't cry." Teacher Chen reached out her hand and gently wiped away the tears on Dujuan's face. "Dujuan is a grown-up girl now. If a grown-up girl still cries, she will be laughed at."
"Well, I won't cry." Du Juan laughed, "The teacher told me not to cry, so I definitely won't cry."
"It's really the teacher who taught you." Teacher Chen said kindly, "You guys took the college entrance examination this year, have the scores come out? How did you do?"
"Teacher, the scores will come out in two days. Teacher, when the scores come out, can you help me decide which school to go to?" Xu Chenxi asked softly.
"Yes, teacher." I said, "When it comes to matters concerning the future, I really need your help."
"What a silly girl." Teacher Chen couldn't help but laugh. "Teachers can't help you with things like the future. No one else can help you draw a conclusion about what kind of life you want."
"No, no." Du Juan said stubbornly, "I just want the teacher to help me draw a conclusion. Teacher, we will come to see you the day after tomorrow, you must give us some advice, okay?"
"Haha, I can't resist you. If the teacher can still live to that day, I will definitely help you with reference, okay?" Teacher Chen said.
She said this with a smile, but everyone's eyes were red.
"Isn't the teacher awake? He must be fine." I said.
As we were talking, Teacher Chen suddenly turned pale and looked very painful. Jiang Huai left without saying a word, and soon Teacher Chen's daughter and the doctor came in.
Teacher Chen was pushed into the emergency room again. We stood outside, feeling very nervous.
Time seemed to pass very slowly, and every minute and every second seemed to be extremely long. Du Juan kept walking back and forth in front of me, Jiang Huai sat beside me without saying a word, and Xu Chenxi held my hand tightly, her palms were full of cold sweat.
Teacher Chen’s daughter poured each of us a glass of water. Compared to us, she was much calmer.
She said, "After your teacher Chen retired from school, her health has not been good. Last year, she was diagnosed with gastric cancer, and it was already in the late stage. It is also remarkable that she is still alive today, because every time she has an attack, the pain is not something that ordinary people can endure. Thank you for coming here today. I think your teacher Chen must be very pleased! When I was a child, I couldn't understand why she gave all her care to her students. At that time, I would rather be her student than her daughter." Teacher Chen's daughter smiled, her eyes were already wet, "She has taught many students in her life. Now that you come to see her, she must be very happy."
"Where is Teacher Chen?" A middle-aged man ran over in a hurry. He was sweating profusely and asked us when he saw us, "Excuse me, is there a Teacher Chen who is hospitalized here?"
"Are you also a graduate of Qingtang Street Primary School?" asked Teacher Chen's daughter.
"Yes." The middle-aged man nodded quickly. "I am Mr. Chen's student. When we heard that the teacher was critically ill, all of us students rushed over. I was the closest, so I arrived first."
"Teacher's student?"
Tears blurred my vision instantly. This man looked to be in his 40s or 50s, but he still missed his elementary school teacher. I have never felt this way before. I feel extremely proud and proud that I am the last class of students taught by Teacher Chen.
"Yes, I am the first batch of students taught by the teacher." The middle-aged uncle sat down next to us, "Are you also the teacher's students? You are so young."
"We are the last class of students that our teacher taught," Du Juan said while crying. "We graduated from Qingtang Street Primary School together with our teacher."
"So that's how it is. You are all my juniors." The middle-aged man said, "How old are you? What grade are you in now?"
"We have just finished the college entrance examination, and we want the teacher to help us decide which university to go to," I replied.
The middle-aged man nodded and said, "It is indeed a very important matter."
As we were chatting, a lot of people came to the hospital. They were of different ages. After asking, we found out that they were all students taught by Teacher Chen. I think only people like Teacher Chen can have so many students all over the world.
She dedicated her entire life to her students. Only by giving your heart can you win true respect.
When the "In Surgery" light went out, a lot of people had gathered outside, waiting for the doctor to come out.
However, when the doctor came out, his face did not look good.
He said, "Say goodbye to the patient."
After he finished speaking, he suddenly squatted down and covered his face with his hands. After a long while, I heard someone say, "This doctor is also our student. As far as I can remember, he should be a junior student of ours ."
I stared blankly at the doctor and at everyone standing here.
They leave Teacher Chen and experience all kinds of life. Just as Teacher Chen taught us, no matter where we are, we should never forget the place where we first grew up.
"I'm going to see the teacher. I have a lot of questions that I want to ask the teacher!" Du Juan suddenly stood up and ran into . Xu Chenxi and I looked at each other and hurriedly followed.
In the emergency room, everyone left and Teacher Chen lay there alone. Her face was very calm, as if she didn't know she was about to die.
"Teacher." Du Juan stood in front of Teacher Chen and said, "We agreed that I would come to see you with the scores the day after tomorrow. Can't you wait for me?"
"Dujuan, don't be like this." Xu Chenxi grabbed Dujuan's hand, turned his head, and his eyes were full of tears. "Don't make the teacher sad."
"Dujuan, come and tell the teacher what you are confused about." Teacher Chen was as kind as when she first taught us.
"Everything, everything is confusing!" Du Juan said, "I don't know what to do. The choice of the future is really difficult. I want to go to college like everyone else and experience a colorful life, but I have to shoulder other things and I can't be willful. Teacher, what should I do?"
"Dujuan, is there anyone you want to protect? Is there something you want to protect no matter what?" Teacher Chen said calmly, "In fact, everyone has different views on what a colorful life is like, and everyone lives differently. Putting aside those external things, everyone's life is actually very similar. They all carry something on their shoulders. Some people carry it to the end of their lives, while others lose it halfway. What is this thing, Dujuan? One day you will understand."
"Huh?" Du Juan was stunned, "But I still don't understand ."
"You are such a smart child, you will understand it one day." Teacher Chen said with a smile. She raised her hand with difficulty and rubbed Du Juan's hair, as if coaxing a child, "Don't be confused. No matter when, understand what you want, and then go forward firmly, you will definitely get the life you want."
Du Juan didn't say anything, as if she was thinking about what Teacher Chen said.
"Su Shan'er, I remember you were a little girl who loved to smile." Teacher Chen looked at me and said softly, "Do you still smile as innocently now? I like the way you smile, and I always feel warm. Shan'er, I hope you will never lose the ability to smile and be happy forever. Because that way, people around you can draw sunshine from you."
"Thank you, teacher." My vision blurred. Even though the teacher hadn't seen me for so many years, he still remembered me.
"Xu Chenxi's grades have always been good, and I think he will do very well in the college entrance examination. I still remember that Xu Chenxi always read quietly, and Shan'er's favorite thing to do was to make trouble for Xu Chenxi, and she would never let Xu Chenxi be alone." Teacher Chen couldn't help laughing, as if he remembered the scene at that time, "It is true that being alone can be very lonely. People always need friends to not feel lonely."
Xu Chenxi subconsciously looked back at me.
"And Jiang Huai has grown into a little man." Teacher Chen looked at the door, where Jiang Huai stood silently. "As a man, you must protect the girls around you. The children on Qingtang Street must help each other and love each other."
"I will, teacher." Jiang Huai smiled, his eyes firm.
"Teacher Chen, we're here to see you." The middle-aged man from before walked in, followed by a few people who were about the same age as him. They should be from the same class.
I pulled Du Juan and Xu Chenxi away from the bed so that the people behind them could say goodbye to Teacher Chen as close as possible.
The four of us walked into the corridor and stood there motionless like children being punished.
There were a lot of people standing in the corridor, and it seemed that the number was still increasing. Some were in a hurry and even carried bags. Some looked carefully prepared and held a bunch of daisies in their hands.
"Shan'er." Du Juan's voice was muffled. She said, "I don't think I've ever thought about someone dying. From the time I was born until now, I have never experienced death."
"That's why I find it hard to accept. I think it would be great if the person I love never died and there were no separations in life." I said, "But time is fair. When it grants new life, it will definitely create death."
"Where has the time gone?" Xu Chenxi murmured, "The old tree in front of the door has sprouted new buds, and the dead tree in the yard has bloomed again. I have lived for half my life and have said so many things, but they are now hidden in my white hair."
"Is this how the teacher feels? " Xu Chenxi said, tears rolling down and dripping onto the ground, turning into two brown dots. "At the end, the teacher is still teaching us the truth of life. Shan'er, I'm so sad."
"Yeah." I tried hard to hold back the tears in my eyes. I couldn't cry. Teacher Chen wanted me to keep smiling. She liked my smile, so I would use my smile to send her off for the last time.