The years when I was an old man

At night in Bahuang, the mountain wind is biting and freezing.

After dinner, I returned to the room, but I didn't feel sleepy at all.

Tomorrow is the semi-finals, and Huang Shigong's sudden arrival makes the star rankings even more important.

Standing in front of the window, I smoked.

All I was thinking about was what everyone had asked me to do during this period.

There is Lao Wu Tou'er, there is Zhang Fan, there is Su Mei, and there is Huo Yutong.

Most of what they said had the same meaning, and they all wanted me to leave Bahuang as soon as possible.

I also know that as soon as this star ranking is over.

Between me and Liu Yunxiu, it was a matter of life and death.

After thinking about it for a long time, I really couldn't sleep.

I put on my clothes and walked out, wanting to get some air.

Although it was only after eight o'clock, the entire mountain village was almost plunged into dark silence.

Only a few wooden buildings not far away were still illuminated.That's where the organizers live.

I walked aimlessly and was about to reach a wooden building.

Suddenly, I heard a voice coming from the courtyard of the wooden building.

I couldn't help but slow down and look towards the courtyard.

The night was gloomy, and the courtyard was densely covered with bamboo trees, so I couldn't see anything but human figures.

Just as he was about to walk forward, he suddenly heard a woman's voice not far behind him:

"Sixth day!"

Looking back, I saw Zhang Fan standing not far away.

Under the gusts of cold wind, she was wrapping herself tightly in her coat.

It looked like he had been standing here for a while.

She walked to me gently, put her finger to her lips, and made a shushing gesture.

"Don't go there yet..."

I glanced at her doubtfully, and she immediately whispered in my ear:

"That's my father's residence. The Huo brothers and sisters came to him for some reason. They seemed to be talking about something private, but I didn't dare to come forward and listen..."

I didn't say anything, just looked at her.

After a while, we both nodded at the same time.

Then, taking advantage of the darkness, he crept towards the yard.

There are thick trees everywhere along the small roads in the ancient village.

When we arrived at the tree at the door, we quietly hid behind the tree.

I don’t know why I chose to eavesdrop. Maybe it’s because I have too many doubts in my mind.

Then I heard Huo Yutong's resentful voice coming from the yard:

"Brother Zhang, you obviously received the words I left for you on the playing cards..."

Just listen to Zhaixing Zhang sigh heavily and say:

"I have been a guest in Yunnan for 15 years. I rely half on the sky and half on you. I'm sorry, I failed you and Mr. Mei..."

Zhang Fan and I looked at each other again in the darkness.I don’t understand why they brought it up again.

"You know, this is my only concern in the world. Everything I do is for this child. But you can obviously stop it, why do you let it enter this chaotic world..."

Huo Yutong's words gave me a chill down my spine and made my hair stand on end.

I clearly remember that when we were in Bashu, Huo Yutong asked Zhang Fan to hand over the playing card with the writing on it to Zhai Xing Zhang.

When I first met Zhaixing Zhang, he also recited these two lines of poetry.

Looking at it now, those two poems were actually Huo Yutong's Tuogu's poems.

And that lonely person is me?

Zhang Fan also looked at me. In the darkness, her expression was no less astonished than mine.

Neither of us dared to express our anger and listened silently.

"I don't want to either, but this kid is really a genius that is rare to see in thousands of schools. He has been an artist since he was a child, and he has reached this point. I can't make him give up halfway with just a few words..."

As soon as Star Reaching Zhang finished speaking, Huo Yutong also sighed.

After a while, he said slowly:

"Once the Star Reaching List is over, this bloody storm will be inevitable. I don't want anything to happen to this kid, Lao Zhang, please!"

Zhaixing Zhang just remained silent and didn't hear any of his answers.

"Huang Shigong is here, have you seen him?"

Huo Yutong changed the topic and continued to ask.

"No, no one saw him except Liu Yunxiu and the old accountant. I heard that he didn't see customers on purpose..."

"Where does he live?"

"You should stay in Liu Yunxiu's other courtyard!"

As soon as Zhang Zhaixing finished speaking, Huo Yutong immediately said:

"Take me there, I want to see him. He has nothing to do with what happened back then!"

Zhaixingzhang was silent again. After a while, he said:

"What do you think will happen if you just see him?"

In the dark night, Huo Yutong's sneer came.

"What can be done? My husband's death cannot be in vain. The mystery of the year must be solved. He, Huang Shigong, is also involved in this matter!"

"Okay, then I'll accompany you for a walk!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sound of footsteps in the yard.

Zhang Fan and I stayed close to each other for fear of being discovered.

But after a few people came out, they were obviously walking in our direction.

In desperation, I hugged Zhang Fan into my arms.

The two of us took advantage of the darkness and moved to the other side of the big tree.