my friend

Lin Xiao and Joyce came to a cafe near the museum. After they sat down, Joyce leaned forward and stared at Lin Xiao for a while.

"...Sister?" Lin Xiao was puzzled.

"It's nothing." Joyce sat down again and said while playing with the water glass.

"It just feels like you're avoiding me for a while."

Lin Xiao sighed softly, "Sister..."

Having known Joyce for many years, he never thought of hiding anything from her, but, guessing what she was going to talk about, he really didn't know how to speak.

"I'm just..." Lin Xiao seemed embarrassed.

Joyce knew Lin Xiao's character well, so she waved her hand to comfort him and said:

"Don't be uncomfortable, I knew that early on."

These words turned Lin Xiao's uneasiness into surprise.

"...Sister, I thought you were going to ask me about my senior..."

"It's just about you."

"What about us...?" Lin Xiaogang thought he might be talking to Joyce.

Joyce stared at Lin Xiao's sudden eyes, with a smile on his face.She patted the back of Lin Xiao's hand, and decided not to embarrass the poor junior, but to speak up by herself.

"I knew it when I was in college, but you, the client, were the last to know. Or did you know it when we had dinner together during the Chinese New Year?"

"En." Lin Xiao nodded honestly, no matter how much he thought about it, he never expected that this incident happened so long ago.

When Lin Xiao first entered university, Joyce was in the second grade and Chen Wei was in the third grade.Lin Xiao was taken to participate in two reunions of compatriots, and he was able to meet in some open classes, and gradually became familiar with Chen Wei, Joyce and others.Lin Xiao has lived in the United States, and it is not difficult to re-adapt to the environment. In addition, he has always been quiet and does nothing, but only studies blindly. He really looks like a very well-behaved boy next door.At that time, the few people got along well.However, in less than half a year, Lin Xiao's body began to turn up and down after a faint without warning.The United States and Taipei are separated by oceans. Although Lin Xiao misses home, the compatriots and seniors around him can sympathize with the collective feeling of homesickness.After accompanying Lin Xiao to seek medical treatment many times to no avail, they all agreed that Lin Xiao's illness was caused by acclimatization and missing his hometown too much.So everyone decided to take turns to accompany Lin Xiao.The starting point is very good, but it is a pity that young people are always active, and their schoolwork is not easy. In the end, Chen Wei, who usually does not talk much, accompanied Lin Xiao for a long time. Joyce is like the big sister of the two, who often comes to take care of them.The sincere friendship bloomed, Lin Xiao's health finally recovered, and the relationship between the three became better and better.

"You know! At that time, I felt that Chen Wei was very kind and gave people a sense of security, so I tried to date him." Joyce talked about the old things when he was young, and his capable eyes softened.

"He graduated a year before me. At that time, you had already left the school, and I tried to persuade you to stay, but he still insisted on going back to Taipei. In fact, I didn't realize it at all before, but I just wasn't sure. Maybe Chen Wei himself wasn't sure. It was at that time that I understood that there may be many reasons for Chen Wei's insistence on returning to Taipei, but one of them must be because you are in Taipei."

"I... I really never paid attention to it..." Hearing this, Lin Xiao let go of his eyes, trying to recall the campus life, but the pictures that flashed in his mind were all gray and white.

"Of course you don't pay attention to this kind of thing. That's why I want to talk to you." Joyce said slowly.

"In school, apart from studying, playing ball, and participating in necessary group activities, what else have you paid special attention to? Lin Xiao, you always look preoccupied. We probably guess that it has a lot to do with your family. , so I never ask you. But I really think your life is too calm and restrained. Lin Xiao..." Joyce held Lin Xiao's hand, "You are still so young, why don't you take it easy?"

"I... I'm afraid..." Lin Xiao felt touched deep in his heart for a moment.

"Are you afraid that accidents will come at any time, so you build a high wall so that you have nothing to worry about?" Joyce finished speaking for him.

The two fell silent.

"Have you ever thought about..." Joyce said in a deep voice, "In the kingdom of heaven, what would you say when you see Uncle Lin? Say that I have been meticulous in my studies and impeccable in my work in the past few decades. The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, and you are alone with no worries? Do you think Uncle Lin will be happy for you when he hears this? Is he giving you the chance of surgery to let you spend your life like this? "

"Stop talking, senior sister!" Lin Xiao couldn't help interrupting her.

"I'm sorry, I said it too harshly." Joyce knew that she had poked Lin Xiao's sore spot. She picked up the water glass and took a few sips slowly, but she couldn't help but said, "But who has more time? But it's all living For now."

Joyce's words are like a key, turning it gently, unlocking the carefulness hidden in Lin Xiao's box for many years, and the heart that he worked so hard to maintain is as still as water.

"I...I will always hurt..." Lin Xiao couldn't go on, he felt that he would suffer misfortune for those who cared about him.

"Lin Xiao, you are our cutest junior, a gift from God to each of us." Joyce said sincerely:

"Giving is also a kind of happiness, and you have no right to deprive those around you of the right to enjoy this kind of happiness."

"Heh..." Lin Xiao smiled.

"But, but I..."

"Let's talk about Chen Wei again?" Joyce interrupted him.

"Perhaps... It's really the distance that can produce beauty. During the time I came back, I found that apart from the advantages I thought before, he always seemed very cowardly at other times. Just looking at him for many years since he came back, he still has to be judged by me. Uncle and several directors lead by the nose, and he can discover his shortcomings in this area."

"Sister, you don't have to say that..."

"Ha, I didn't mean to tell you, but you must not tell him what you just said."

Joyce leaned back on the couch and said, "He's still a pretty good guy."

"En." Lin Xiao responded.

"So..." Joyce turned his gaze, "Where's Marvin?"

"Huh?" Lin Xiao suddenly recovered.

"I don't know much about Marvin, but I can see that he has a good personality."

"he..."

"Don't stress, I just hope he makes it easier for you."

"I'm afraid I don't have much time to think about these..." Lin Xiao lowered his head.

"We all live for hope, senior sister just wants you to be happy."

"Heh..." Lin Xiao raised his head with a smile.Thinking of Marvin made my heart feel lighter.

Joyce keenly caught the subtle changes in Lin Xiao's expression, and was very happy for him. She patted Lin Xiao's hand again, and suddenly noticed the strange color of Lin Xiao's fingertips, and her expression instantly turned serious.

"When did it start?"

Lin Xiao didn't answer, and put his hand under the table.

"Any other symptoms?"

Lin Xiao shook his head, "It will fall off after a night of sleep."

"That's... not a big problem, you have to pay more attention to yourself." Joyce remained calm, but felt sad in his heart.

"En." Lin Xiao didn't want to say any more.

This year there has been plenty of rain.

The spring rain began to fall continuously, for three days in a row, it always fell for a while, took a breath, and then continued, very generous.

Lin Xiao was active in the office area without feeling damp at all. When he got off work, he walked to the door of the building and saw people passing by holding umbrellas, and water drops dripping from the tip of the umbrellas. It's spring.

Lin Xiao stood quietly on the steps, feeling a little cold, so he buttoned up his shirt.A black car approached, slowed down as it approached the door, and sped away after passing the door of the building.For a moment, Lin Xiao felt that the car stopped, the door opened, and two long legs protruded. Marvin covered his head with one hand, and said loudly while running:

"Lin! I'll pick you up from get off work!"

"Heh..." Lin Xiao smiled self-deprecatingly, and walked to his car alone.

It's already eight o'clock in the evening, it's neither early nor late.Lin Xiao first went to the supermarket near the community to buy ingredients, and then drove home, and drove into the parking space at a leisurely pace.The community where Lin Xiao lives is very quiet. It is not too late at this moment. Pedestrians and vehicles are no longer visible on the street. The whole block is quiet, just like Lin Xiao's life for many years.

Lin Xiao got out of the car with the plastic bag, and saw a person standing in the orange light cast by the street lamp not far away.The sound of closing the door and locking the car did not disturb the other party, and the man was as motionless as a sculpture.

Lin Xiao felt his heart pounding in his chest.It was so quiet all around, so quiet that you could hear your heartbeat.

Lin Xiao walked over slowly.

The man stood there for an unknown amount of time, and the light rain just now wet his hair.His short hair was soaked in water, tangled into small strands and stood upright, looking a little embarrassed.

Lin Xiao didn't feel that the man was embarrassed, he just felt his heart skip a beat for a while.He wants to say:

How long have you been standing here?Why don't you open an umbrella?

What he said was: "Did Sixth Brother come with you?"

Hearing Lin Xiao's voice, the sculpture seemed to be activated by magic, and finally turned into a human.He smiled and said:

"Just came to see you."

"you..."

"you..."

The two spoke at the same time.

Lin Xiao smiled.

"How is Brother Six?" he said.

"Very good, lost some weight."

"It's good to have someone to accompany it, and to be more active."

"How are you?"

"very good."

The two fell silent.

"You...didn't drive here? Actually, if you have something to do, you can call me." Lin Xiao said.

After finishing speaking, I remembered that Marvin had called him, but he didn't answer.

Marvin also took this opportunity to laugh at himself, saying:

"I didn't drive it, I was afraid that you would find my car parked here and hide instead of going home."

"Why?" Lin Xiao smiled.

"We are friends. I didn't deliberately avoid it, it's just that I've been too busy recently."

"I know, I know." Marvin nodded repeatedly.

"You have something you want to do and your schedule, I understand. It's just that I haven't seen you for a week, and I'm here to see how you are. You... No matter how busy you are, you must pay attention to your body."

"thanks, I will."

. . . . . .

"do you want..."

"Then I'll go first..."

The two spoke at the same time again.

Then, Lin Xiao nodded.

He said, "Okay."

Marvin pulled his long legs, but Lin Xiao stopped him suddenly.

"Go in my car. The weather is bad."

He took out his car keys.

Marvin stretched out his hand, held Lin Xiao's hand holding the key, paused for a second, then gently pushed Lin Xiao's hand back.

He smiled at Lin Xiao.

"No, you go to bed early."

After speaking, he continued to move forward.

"Xiu Nian!" Lin Xiao suddenly called him from behind.

"Lin!" Marvin turned around, his wet face looked extremely soft against the street lamps.

"Be careful on the road. I... will visit Sixth Brother when I have time." Lin Xiao said.

"Good! Good!" Marvin nodded.

"Go in quickly!" He instructed Lin Xiao, and he took two steps back as he spoke, and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Some people say that it is especially good to sleep on rainy nights.

Not knowing what happened to others that night, Lin Xiao felt that he slept very peacefully.Wake up on time the next day, tidy up and go to work.

Walking to the street, Lin Xiao found that all the neighbors' cars were parked in the parking spaces, he was taken aback for a moment, and then remembered that today is a day off and he doesn't have to go to work.

"I'm really..." Lin Xiao smiled to himself.

However, he had already left the house, Lin Xiao thought about it, and he might as well go out.

He started the car, drove out slowly, and circled the community where he lived, slowly turning around, two times, three times.

Have lived in this neighborhood for many years and have never seen the street in this way.

If a friend wants to choose a place to settle down, Lin Xiao thinks he will strongly recommend this place.

The place is clean and tidy, and life is convenient. Sometimes when driving by, you can hear the neighbor's children practicing the piano, but otherwise it is very quiet.

During the day, children can ride strollers on the small road.

In the evening, the elderly can greet their children returning from get off work at the gate of the courtyard.

Lin Xiao drove the car slowly, thinking wildly.On the fourth lap, I finally drove the car out.If I go on like this, I'm afraid I will be stopped and questioned.

Lin Xiao drove from Dunhua South Road to Linsen North Road.

Today is not a working day, there are no motorcycles on the road, and there is no congestion.Lin Xiao deliberately drove to a very far place to have breakfast.After he had fed his stomach and looked at his watch, it was only ten o'clock in the morning.

It seems that passing the time is not an easy task.

Lin Xiao sat in the car and couldn't laugh or cry to himself.

Then I had to go home.

Lin Xiao started the car again, and suddenly his thoughts changed.

Maybe you can go and see Brother Six.

he thought.

The sunshine is rare today, so I can take Brother Six out for a walk.

Lin Xiao drove into the area where Marvin's villa was located. The security guard at the door looked drowsy in the sun, allowing Lin Xiao to easily enter.

Ding Dong!

Ding dong ding dong!

Lin Xiao pressed the doorbell, but no one came to answer the door for a long time.Embarrassed, he thought maybe he should call Marvin first.

Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly heard humming and chirping from inside the door.

"Brother Six?" Lin Xiao thought it sounded like Brother Six.

"Brother Six?" He called out.

"Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo."Then there was the sound of claws scratching.

"Who's there?" The sound of dragging footsteps approached, and finally someone came to answer the door.

The door is opened.

The person who opened the door seemed to be still awake, wearing only a pair of loose pajama pants.The sunlight pierced into the room, preventing him from fully opening his eyes.

"Uh..." Seeing that he had disturbed the master who was still resting, Lin Xiao suddenly became embarrassed.

"It's me, Lin Xiao."

"Huh?" Marvin blinked hard, and squeezed out two lines of tears.

The sixth brother reacted the fastest, and threw himself on Lin Xiao, his tail wagging uncontrollably.

Lin Xiao was hugged by the sixth brother, so he had no choice but to hold the sixth brother's head and couldn't help comforting him.

"Lin?" Marvin was overjoyed to finally open his eyes and see who was coming.

He opened the door completely, and then stood there blankly, saying over and over again:

"Lin? What are you...how are you..."

"Sorry, I came here without prior notice and interrupted your rest."

Lin Xiao looked at the shirtless Marvin and felt very sorry.

"How could it be! You are too...too..." Marvin wanted Lin Xiao not to be so polite, but as he spoke, his tall body suddenly swayed twice, and he quickly stretched out his hand to grab one side of the door frame. Unable to stop the shaking, he just wobbled backwards and fell down.

"Xiu Nian!" Seeing this, Lin Xiao hurriedly left Sixth Brother and stretched out his hand to hold Marvin.

Marvin is a robust adult male, even though Lin Xiao had quick eyes and quick hands, he couldn't prevent the back of his head from hitting the floor with a bang in the end.

woo~

The sound of water boiling, someone walked over and clicked to turn off the switch.Then came the sound of pouring water.The sound of screeching plastic bags.The teaspoon was stirred into the cup, clattering~clanging~, and after a while, it dinged twice on the rim of the cup.And finally there is the screeching of soles on the floor.

Marvin could hear clearly, but he just wasn't awake.He sank into the sofa, his body was covered with a blanket, and a wet towel was placed on his forehead, his whole body was warm and soft.He could still hear his own breathing, which was loud because his nose was constricted.

Marvin felt someone lift half of his body, and the edge of the water glass touched his lips, and he frowned reflexively.The cup was removed, and then someone was heard blowing softly.Put it next to his mouth, and he took a sip, feeling a little cold.He smacked his lips, took another swig, took another sip, and the glass was taken away.

Marvin's left leg lifted and straightened.Feeling sweet in his mouth, he turned over and suddenly felt bitter in his mouth again.He lay down on his back and found that all his senses were not very sensitive.He could move his whole body, but he moved as if his body was not his own, and his mouth seemed to be stuffed with cotton wool. He bit his lower lip, and he didn't even feel the pain.

What's going on here?He thought drowsily, and fell asleep drowsily.

Lin Xiao looked at the sleeping Marvin and sighed.Look at the time, it's already 12:30.

"Brother Six." Lin Xiao called softly.

"Have dinner?"

Sixth brother ran halfway, turned back and ran to a corner of the living room, and took out his own food bowl.With a bang, it was placed under Lin Xiao's feet.

Lin Xiao hurriedly held down the food bowl, and made a shush gesture to the sixth brother.

"What else?" Lin Xiao whispered, pointing to the empty food bowl.

Brother Six raised his front paws and tilted his head as if he was thinking. He was as smart as Brother Six and came to the result quickly.It arched Lin Xiao's hand, then ran to the side of the cabinet and sat down, waiting for Lin Xiao to come over.

Lin Xiao opened the door of the cupboard, and sure enough, it was Sixth Brother's grain depot.There are also cans of beef cubes, biscuits, calcium tablets, and teething sticks. . .

"You have a good life!" Lin Xiao smiled and patted Sixth Brother's head.

While Brother Six was eating, Lin Xiao checked the other compartments of the cupboard, as well as Marvin's refrigerator.

There is no shortage of ingredients. In addition to quick-frozen pizza, pasta, and steak, there are also many handmade dumplings.It must have been prepared by the aunt who helped the cook.

Lin Xiao picked out a pot, which was still very new. It seemed that Marvin didn't have many meals at home.

He took out a cup of rice and soaked it in water.

Cooked myself pasta for lunch.

After cleaning the kitchen, seeing Brother Six still in good spirits, he took him out for a walk.

When I came back and saw that Marvin was still sleeping, I wandered around in the living room and came to the place where Lin Zhou’s paintings were placed before. The wall was just like that. Lin Xiao looked at the time, and it was already four o’clock in the afternoon.

Time flies by now.

Marvin rolled over and sat up half-supported.

"Lin?" he called, nasally.

Lin Xiao put away his thoughts, walked quickly to the sofa, took out a thermometer and handed it to Marvin.

Marvin took it in a daze and put it in his mouth.

He said vaguely, "I have a fever?"

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Don't talk yet."

Take it out after a few minutes, and it shows 37.5°C.

"I'm leaving." Lin Xiao said.

"Do you have any appetite, have some porridge?"

"Yeah." Marvin nodded.

The preserved egg porridge is soft and smooth in the mouth.

Marvin really didn't say a word, and obediently finished his drink.

Lin Xiao took the bowl, but the inside was empty. He looked at the bowl and then at Marvin, and couldn't help laughing.

"What?" Marvin regained some energy, and he joked:

"Think I'm going to be emotional? I'm not a child."

"Children also know not to run around outside on rainy days." There was some blame in Lin Xiao's voice.

"I know, it won't happen in the future!" Marvin replied in a drawl.

After speaking, he wanted to lie down again.

"Wait first." Lin Xiao stopped him.

"Took the medicine."

Marvin threw two pills into his mouth, took a big sip of water from Lin Xiao's hand, and swallowed with his head up.

Seeing that he had taken the medicine, Lin Xiao stood up.

"Lin." Marvin pulled him back.

"Don't be too busy, sit with me for a while."

"Okay." Lin Xiaozhen put down the water glass and sat beside Marvin.

The two were separated by an arm's length, and Marvin didn't deliberately ask Lin Xiao to get closer.

Sixth Brother rushed onto the sofa and lay between the two of them, filling the gap.

"You also said that it has lost weight, and I think it is heavier than before." Lin Xiao said.

"It's thinner. I will take Brother Six with me when I run at night."

The two chatted one after another, and the atmosphere in the living room was relaxed and comfortable.

The sixth brother rested his head on Lin Xiao's lap, and his paws were held by Marvin. It was rare to live such a life of both sides.

The sky darkened, and the day passed like this.

Lin Xiao was not in a hurry to leave, and he felt very comfortable if time passed in this way.

Marvin let out a long yawn.

"Lin, what medicine did you give me? Why do I always want to sleep?"

"Dizzy?" Lin Xiao frowned.

"A little bit."

Lin Xiao put down Sixth Brother, stretched out his hand to fix Marvin's head, and pressed the back of his head with the other hand.

"Does it hurt?" Lin Xiao asked.

no feelings. Marvin had forgotten the scene where he passed out at the door.

Lin Xiao felt relieved.

"That should be the effect of the medicine, sleep if you want to sleep."

Marvin lay down, thinking about talking to Lin Xiao, but before he could figure it out, he fell asleep again.

It's eleven o'clock.

The sixth brother was walked around again, and when he came back, Lin Xiao took care of him and took a warm bath, and went to sleep feeling refreshed.

In the empty living room, Lin Xiao didn't turn on the light, and sat alone in the corner. In front of him was a small TV, and he didn't turn on the sound. He just watched the program silently. The light on the TV screen flickered on Lin Xiao. face, to make him look less lonely.

"Lin! Lin!" Marvin woke up suddenly and called.

"are you still there?"

Lin Xiao heard the sound, turned off the TV, walked over quickly, and turned on the floor lamp beside the sofa.

The living room was a little brighter, and Lin Xiao's clear figure fell into Marvin's eyes, and Marvin heaved a sigh of relief.

"What, did you have a nightmare?" Lin Xiao smiled and sat down.

"Still...are you afraid of the dark?"

"Heh..." Marvin put his hands behind his back and let out a dry laugh.

"It's not a child..."

Lin Xiao didn't continue talking to him, but picked up the thermometer.

So Marvin was also temporarily deprived of the right to speak.

After 10 minutes, Lin Xiao pronounced the sentence:

"37°C. It's already normal."

"Huh? Don't burn it?" Marvin felt a little unfinished.

"Don't burn, sleep again, and you should be fine tomorrow."

"It feels a bit wasteful to sleep at this time."

Lin Xiao didn't answer.

Marvin had to find a topic for himself.

"By the way," he said, "Why do you think of coming to see me today?"

Lin Xiao felt a little guilty when he was asked, he picked up the water glass to cover half of his face.

"This weekend...I'm here to see Brother Six..."

"Oh...it's already the weekend." Marvin nodded thoughtfully.

"Why is there no one in your house?" Lin Xiao said after taking a sip of water.

"It's just me on the weekends," Marvin replied.

"Weekend?" Marvin frowned suddenly, as if remembering something.

"What's the date today?"

Lin Xiao thought for a while, "It seems to be the 18th."

"The 18th... what time is it?"

Lin Xiao looked at his watch, "11:[-]."

Marvin jumped up from the couch.

"Hurry up, get up!" Marvin flopped on the sofa for a while, grabbed a piece of clothing and put it on.

The more anxious he was, the more Lin Xiao sat still.Lin Xiao was holding a water glass and seriously thinking about why Marvin suddenly had a fit of wind.

"Let's get out now!" Marvin said hastily.

"In the middle of the night, where are you going?"

"Go...go..." Marvin spun around on the ground with his bare feet.

"Go to Yangmingshan to see the night view!"

Lin Xiao rolled his eyes silently, confirming that Marvin had a daily convulsion and had nothing to do with fever.

"No!" Lin Xiao refused flatly.

"Go and go! Let's go together!" Marvin insisted.

"What are you doing up the mountain in the middle of the night?"

"Go and see the night scene! Don't sit still, Lin, it's almost 12 o'clock."

"What happened at 12 o'clock?"

"After 12 o'clock, it will be the 19th."

"so what?"

"Special!"

"What's so special?"

"The 19th is the [-]-day anniversary of our acquaintance!"

"Cough! Cough cough!" Lin Xiao choked on a mouthful of water.There was silence in the air, only the sound of Lin Xiao coughing.

At first, he was really choked, but later Lin Xiao couldn't think of what to say, so he had to cough all the way down.

Marvin also seemed to be shocked by what he said, holding a sock in his hand, standing on the ground in embarrassment.

After a few seconds, a few minutes, Lin Xiao couldn't cough anymore.He put down his glass and stood up.

"It's too late..." Lin Xiao broke the silence.

"You still... rest early."

"Okay...okay..." Marvin felt his cheeks go numb and his throat dry.

"That... I... I won't see you off... tomorrow..."

"I'm going to work overtime in the museum tomorrow." Lin Xiao lied without thinking.

"Well... I have a meeting tomorrow too." Marvin also lied without hesitation.

"Then... good night..."

"Okay...be careful on the road..."

Lin Xiao fled from the living room.

The next day is Sunday, where is there a meeting?Where do I have to work overtime?

The actual situation is that Lin Xiao stayed in the study all day, and Marvin and the sixth brother sat opposite each other until dark.