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The Return Journey between the Valleys

In the arms of the mountains to find the home of the heart

By ze lianlianPublished 21 days ago 4 min read
1

Chapter One: The Lost Traveler

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Li Mingyuan looked up at the rolling mountains and felt an indescribable excitement in his heart. The hustle and bustle of the city was gone, and he looked forward to finding peace among the ancient mountains. The sun shone through the treetops and dappled his grated knapsack, reflecting his firm figure.

Set foot on the mountain road, Li Mingyuan took a deep breath of fresh air and walked briskly. As the day wore on, however, the mountain paths began to blur. He stopped, took out his map and compass, and found that the scene around him did not match the markings on the map. Anxiety began to spread within him, and he tried to turn back to find the way he had come, only to find that he could no longer tell where he was going.

The sun sank into the mountains, and the glow from the horizon lit up his face like a torch. Mr. Li realized he was lost. Trying to remain calm, he pulled out his phone, only to find that the signal had disappeared. The sounds of insects and wild animals in the woods around him made him nervous.

Just then, a faint light flickering among the trees not far away caught his attention. He walked cautiously toward the light, hoping to find help. In these uncharted mountains, any light could be the path to safety. Li Mingyuan clutched the flashlight in his hand and took a firm and cautious step toward that small hope.

Chapter Two: The Mysterious Valley

Through a dense thickets, Li Mingyuan finally came to the spot where the faint light source was. He was amazed at what he saw: a deep valley spread out quietly under his feet, the bottom of which was dotted with lights, as if the stars in the night sky had fallen to earth. The valley wafts the fragrance of flowers, and the fragrance of the earth, let people can not help but be intoxicated.

Just as he was about to explore down the steep path, a soft voice sounded behind him: "Who are you? Why did you come here?" Li Mingyuan turned to see a woman in a pale green dress standing in the shadow of a tree, her eyes wary and curious. The woman, Zhao Xiaomei, is a resident of this small village that the outside world has forgotten.

After some explanation, Zhao Xiaomei led Li Mingyuan into the village. The houses here are made of wood and stone, simple and strong. The villagers are sitting around the campfire, and the faces of the old people and children are filled with innocent smiles. They were full of curiosity for outsiders and surrounded to ask about Li Mingyuan's history.

In this isolated place, without modern means of communication, the villagers live a self-sufficient life. They grow all kinds of crops, raise poultry and livestock, and live a life of sunrise and sunset. Li Mingyuan was deeply attracted by the simple way of life and decided to stay temporarily to experience this back-to-basics life. Zhao Xiaomei smiled and agreed, a subtle gleam of joy in her eyes. As night fell, the starry sky in the valley was particularly bright. Li Mingyuan lay on the straw mat outside his house, looking at the stars, his heart was full of peace and satisfaction.

Chapter Three: Homecoming and Revelation

With the passage of time, Li Mingyuan, with the help of Zhao Xiaomei, gradually adapted to the rhythm of life in the village. He learned to identify various plants, participated in the cultivation of crops, and even tried his hand at bow hunting. At the end of each day, he would feel an unprecedented exhaustion, but his heart was full and satisfied.

However, there is always a voice in his heart calling, reminding him not to forget that he is a modern man, and there is a world waiting for his return. One evening, as the sun set over the valley, he told Zhao Xiaomei and the villagers that he was leaving. Although they all showed their grudges, they also understood and respected his choice.

The night before the departure, the village head gathered all the villagers and held a simple and warm farewell ceremony. They presented fruits they grew and hand-woven souvenirs as a blessing to Li Mingyuan. Zhao Xiaomei handed him a small sachet containing flower petals from the valley, hoping that the scent would remind him of this precious experience when he returned to the city.

The next morning, when the first rays of sunlight penetrated the valley, Li Mingyuan packed his bags and set foot on the way home. He is no longer confused, because he has the stars in his heart to guide him. He knows that this journey has given him a valuable revelation: in this fast-paced modern life, perhaps we all need to stop once in a while, listen to the sounds of nature, and feel the essence of life.

Mr. Li is back in the city, but his mindset has changed. He began to appreciate everything around him more and often shared his experiences in the valley with his friends. He knew that even though he was in the city, the memories of those days and the wisdom he had learned in the valley would always be with him and an integral part of his life.

Microfiction
1

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