gentle fairy tale

When the car drove back to Yu's house, Yu Mian stepped out of the car, feeling dazed for a moment.

The first time was hasty, the second time was with Pei Songxi, and the third time... was her own choice.

Yu Wenqing took her blank look into his eyes, and smiled lovingly: "Go in, your grandma is waiting for you at home."

Yu Mian nodded, and walked into this home that was still unfamiliar to her.

But this time, probably because she came back last time, she was a little more at ease than before, not to mention that Fang Jintang was kind and amiable, and Yu Anqing had always treated her very well, so she relaxed quickly.

It's just that the little aunt Chen Shu I saw last time is not at home this time, nor is Yu Anzhou.

When Yu Mian asked this question suspiciously, the expressions of the two elderly people were obviously a bit gloomy, and it was Yu Anqing who told her in a low voice: "An Zhou is serving his sentence. Chen Shu returned to her natal home with her two children."

No matter how much, she stopped talking about it, as if she didn't want her to know.

Yu Mian nodded, but also very obediently did not ask further.

Fang Jintang asked the cook to cook a lot of dishes, and while serving Yu Mian, she said, "I heard that you like to eat beef and shrimp, come here, eat more."

Yu Mian whispered, "Thank you grandma."

Hear it, who did you hear it from?

Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Yu Wenqing shook his wife's hand quietly, signaling her to stop talking.The old gentleman occasionally talked a few things about the past, saying that she used to be very considerate when she was young, and when she saw an old gardener fall, she would run to help him up.

When Yu Mian listened to the past, she always felt strange and kind. Everything seemed too long ago, but it seemed to be gradually resurfaced by the time.She smiled slightly: "Then was I good before?"

Yu Wenqing stroked his beard: "You, do you know how much you like to tear down houses? You can also take a look at the balcony upstairs. At that time, half a bucket of red paint was put on it. You are so young, so you just picked up the paint and painted the whole balcony. Paint it all over, there are all your 'masterpieces', no wonder I'm studying architecture now, and I wanted to design when I was a child."

Yu Mian's cheeks were burning hot from what he said, and it was rare for a girl of this age to have a temper: "I don't believe it, I definitely didn't do it! I'm going to go up tomorrow to have a look, and I won't admit it if there is no proof!"

The old man laughed loudly: "Look at this unreasonable look, it's exactly the same as when you were a child!"

Yu Mian bit her lower lip, her expression was proud and bright: "Not really."

The atmosphere at home finally turned for the better. It seemed that as long as she didn't touch someone, she was just that warm and sunny little girl, like newborn dew, clean and bright.

She has lost her appetite tonight, probably because she has been in the car for too long.After eating only half a bowl of rice for dinner, I went back to my room first.

Pushing open the door, everything inside was still the same as when she left last time. The quilt was fluffy and fluffy, the sheets were clean and tidy, and the family portrait was still hanging in its original place.

Moonlight fell through the glass, but no one was sitting by the bed watching her fall asleep.

She took off her coat, quickly went into the bathroom to take a shower, and when she was about to go to bed, she unexpectedly found that she was hungry.

Hmm...she seems to have always been a good eater, she's been fed too much over the years.

The downstairs living room was quiet, it seemed that everyone had rested.

She went down with her slippers on and went to the kitchen to find the ingredients. There happened to be noodles, tomatoes and eggs. She didn't disturb anyone and cooked a bowl of noodles by herself.

A bowl of tomato and egg noodles was ready soon, she found another bottle of opened red wine, secretly poured out half a glass, and sat down at the dining table by herself.

She took a sip of wine first, as if she was clinking glasses with someone who didn't exist, and said softly: "Congratulations on your different winter vacation and different New Year."

She didn't need anyone to respond, she put down the wine glass, started to eat noodles, picked up a thin one with chopsticks, looked at it but was stunned... the night before she left Mingchuan, she also ate a bowl of tomatoes Egg noodles... No, I ate a bowl and a half, and Aunt Pei didn't finish the half bowl.

The clear moonlight fell through the window sill, as bright as frost.

Yu Mian sighed softly into the air, and remembered something after a while, suddenly picked up the chopsticks and poked in the bowl, and soon found the egg hidden in the bowl—it ​​was obviously buried by herself , but now I'm so happy to find out.

This is like a little game for self-entertainment.She smiled happily.

Ke laughed and laughed, tears fell into the bowl again.

The New Year's holiday was very short and passed quickly. On the [-]th day of the twelfth lunar month, Yu Mian was receiving and replying to messages from morning to night.The group has been lively and noisy.

Knowing but doing: Are you really not going back to Mingchuan for the New Year this year?

Weifeng Zhiyi: Liang Zhixing and I also said we were going to play with you.

Little Xu loves to eat lollipops: Yes, yes, although I'm not here, why don't you come back to drink your father and mother's wedding wine?

Weifeng Zhiyi: Xu Xiaoyan, get out!

Tao Rang: Happy New Year.

It's still a familiar person, with a familiar tone, which gave Yu Mian the illusion that everything hasn't changed.

After a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner, she sat on the sofa, with the corners of her lips slightly raised, chatting in the group: "I won't be back this year. If you want to play with me, you can come to Yongzhou to find me."

There are a bunch of emoticons in the group, talking some boring but friendly nonsense.

After a while, she exited the group chat window, only to see Xu Xiaoyan chatting with her privately: "If you don't come back, are you having trouble with your aunt Pei?"

Yu Mian replied: "No."

Xu Xiaoyan: "That's right... After all, Qingning is your home now, and it's normal for you to go back. Well, I just think it's pitiful for Auntie Pei to spend the New Year at home alone. It seems that she has a bad relationship with the family, and she doesn't." Many friends."

Yu Mian lowered her eyes and did not reply to her message.

She couldn't help thinking about her, thinking about what she was doing now, she should be at Pei's house now... Is she watching TV with grandma, or giving Pei Zhiyuan red envelopes, or hurting little uncle Lin Mo again? Yes... Or, are you talking on the phone with Uncle Wen?

Will she think of her?

"Xiao Mian, eat some fruit."

Yu Anqing came out of the kitchen with a fruit plate, called her, and put the fruit plate on the coffee table: "Why are you in a daze?"

Yu Mian shook her head: "No, I'm chatting with my classmates."

Yu Anqing looked at her with a hint of worry, and it happened that the two old men were away, so she spoke more freely: "Do you want to go back to Mingchuan?"

"I……"

"I can see that you want to. If you really want to go back, let the driver take you there tomorrow."

Yu Mian pursed her lower lips: "It still doesn't work."

"Is it... because of Miss Pei?"

"...No. Nothing to do with her. She's fine."

Yu Anqing had talked with Pei Songxi before. This person was more rational and indifferent than she imagined. She thought that Pei Songxi would not be able to handle this matter well, and thought that she would be reluctant to give up and keep him. There seems to be no objection to the point of view——Yu Mian is still too young, some things haven't started yet, so don't let it start.

But now, seeing Yu Mian staring at the air in a daze, she felt sad again, and considered her tone: "Xiao Mian, maybe you think that we adults don't understand your young people's thoughts. But...but..."

Yu Mian turned her head and interrupted her with a smile: "I know, aunt, you don't have to worry."

Her eyes may still be dazed, but they are clear and firm, and clearly reveal a strong determination, not allowing others to interfere with her choice.

Yu Anqing looked at her and suddenly thought of her father, who was exactly the same... He looked gentle and gentle, but he was the same tenacity in his bones. He had a strong belief and determination in everything he loved and cherished.

She stopped persuading her, and only patted her on the shoulder gently: "Okay, go to bed early."

Yu Mian hummed lightly: "I'm going back to my room."

The room was replaced with a bright red sheet and quilt cover, which was extraordinarily joyful, but the red was a bit dazzling.

It was still early, she turned on the computer and read the literature for a while, and waited until the sound of firecrackers and fireworks was heard outside the window before turning off the computer and getting ready to sleep.

She took off her gloves, turned off the lamp, and picked it up again before going to sleep.

It will be twelve o'clock soon...

She began to tense up.

She clicked on the top dialog box, the cursor stopped in the input box, and suddenly found that 'the other party is typing' began to be displayed at the top.

Her heart began to beat wildly, rising and falling like sea tides.

Just one second after the new year, a message popped up on the screen—a money transfer message.

A very large amount, just like the very thick red envelopes I got before.

This time, she didn't order it.

Soon, a new message came: "Happy New Year."

Yu Mian put the phone on her chest, and after a while, she also replied: "Happy New Year."

The winter vacation is too short, and school will start soon.

Entering the second semester of freshman year, the pace of life has become faster.There are more professional courses than last semester, and the design courses are getting more and more difficult; general education courses have credit requirements, Yu Mian sits in front of the computer with her roommate, opens the browser and rushes to take courses again and again; clubs The school's debate team began to organize competitions with other schools. They often organized mock debates in one week and formal competitions in two weeks. When she was the busiest, she was discussing debate topics with her teammates almost every day.

The gears of time are spinning crazily.

In this spring, Yu Mian saw many unique flowers in the north, felt the strong spring wind in the north, met many new friends, took many interesting courses, and gradually got used to the fact that everyone has their own life. I went to take general elective courses alone, stayed up late in the courtyard drawing pictures alone, ate alone and walked alone.

Especially... getting used to living without that person.

She went back to Mingchuan once during the Ching Ming holiday. It was because Xu Xiaoyan returned to China, and they hadn't seen each other for a long time.

But the house at No. 268 Anxi Road was empty. She stayed there for three days, and she was always the only one in the house.So she didn't go back during the May Day holiday, and stayed in the school to join a teacher's research group.

After May is the intense exam month. The front line of the university exam is very long. After the exam is over, it will be mid-July, and Ning University is already on vacation. Xu Xiaoyan is abroad, and she strongly invites them to visit her to play.

Jing Zhiyi and Liang Zhixing immediately agreed, but after agreeing, they began to worry about Tao Rang. After all, his parents had passed away, and he came here alone for so many years. I don't know if he has the money to play... Of course Liang Zhixing doesn't mind. Help him buy a plane ticket and book a hotel, but he is afraid of hurting Tao Rang's self-esteem.

Yu Mian also hesitated for a long time, but did not reply, until Xu Xiaoyan called and cried bitterly, she had no choice but to agree, and by the way, took over the job of asking Tao Rang.

Tao Rang agreed more readily than she imagined: "I have no plans for this summer vacation, I can do it anytime, you decide."

Yu Mian was a little surprised: "You... can you really do it?"

Tao Rang understood why she was confused, and his voice was clear and clear: "Don't worry, I got the highest-level freshman scholarship. I did two competitions and three events in my freshman year. The bonus is huge. Now I'm connecting with a community and a company. Responsible for the daily life security of the disabled, paid."

Yu Mian laughed when she heard this, and praised him sincerely: "Tao Rang, you have great mobility, very good."

Tao Rang laughed softly: "Thank you. You have always been excellent."

After hanging up the phone, Yu Mian reported the news in the group.

Liang Zhixing and Jing Zhiyi were in charge of selecting the route, starting from the northeast, taking a train across the Eurasian Continental Bridge to Russia, and then changing trains to cross the European continent. The itinerary along the way was compact and rich.

Yu Mian waited for them to meet in Yongzhou, took his friends to visit this elegant and simple campus, stepped on the sycamore leaves on the ground, and ate local special snacks, and then set off from Yongzhou to the northeast and took the train together.

Because the journey was very long, Liang Zhixing booked four soft sleeper tickets, which happened to be in a box, and when the door was opened, it became their exclusive little space.Friends who have been away for a long time finally meet, and there are endless topics to talk about.The two girls, in particular, would talk about the latest Maple Leaf Red lipstick from an art exhibition. Sometimes they would sit beside the train aisle and watch the train pass through the vast and boundless plains, and they would be amazed again and again.

They played cards and games in the carriage, and sometimes asked the flight attendant to take a group photo for them, with sunny smiles and no haze.

Yu Mian's mood also became very relaxed. In the first semester of university, she was at a loss and at a loss. Sometimes she would secretly observe others to see if she was the only one who wanted to go home and miss someone.Later, she stopped paying attention to this issue deliberately, and her studies and other spare time activities filled her up.

She only thought of that person during the busy breaks, and a vague idea was forming in her heart, but she didn't deliberately think about what it was.

But her heart became firmer day by day.

After the train passed through Russia and entered Western Europe, she began to hesitate. She often looked at her phone in a daze before going to bed, thinking about whether to send a message.

Before leaving, she talked to Yu Wenqing on the phone and said that she wanted to go out with friends.The old man was a little uneasy, but still respected her choice, and agreed after repeated exhortations.As for Pei Songxi... Yu Mian didn't tell her.

In the past six months, there has been very little communication between them.

Pei Songxi would call her regularly to ask her how her studies and life were, if she had encountered any unhappy things, to pay attention to safety in school, and whether she had enough money to spend...and so on.

Yu Mian slowly came up with a pattern - she would call at 2:7 am on the 35nd of every month, the chat time was about 8 minutes, the questions she asked were similar, and her tone was gentle and peaceful.

She no longer expects her to come to see her, and she will not call or send her a message anymore, as if she has grown up suddenly, she will no longer act like a baby with her, and she will no longer make requests to her.

When she received her call, her voice was also peaceful, and she would tell her about the little things in school, most of which were simple daily routines, but she never mentioned any troubles and unhappiness encountered.

Even this time, she came to Europe to play, but she didn't tell her.

Yu Mian looked at the bright and clear moon in the sky, turned over quietly in the darkness, reached out to grab a handful of the silent and deserted moonlight, and slowly held her in her arms.

Europe in July is not too hot, it is cooler in the morning and evening, and the temperature is a little higher at noon, but overall it is still comfortable.

Wearing an emerald cardigan, Pei Songxi stood in front of the flower garden, chatting with the housekeeper.

She spent more and more time abroad in the past six months. She didn't like the smell of hotels, so she bought a small villa and hired a housekeeper to take care of the small European-style villa behind her.

The housekeeper, surnamed Han, is a 50-year-old Chinese woman. She manages the house very well. In addition to hiring part-time workers to clean, she is also responsible for cooking. She even planted a small flower garden in the yard. Slices of roses.

At the moment, she is loosening the soil, planting and watering a few newly bought roses, with a peaceful and happy smile on her face: "Miss Pei, look at this flower, how beautiful it is blooming."

Pei Songxi gave a low hum, brushed her fingertips over the petals, lowered her eyelashes, and didn't know what to think of.

The phone vibrated slightly, and she took it out to take a look. It was a message from Wei Yi.

She said that Yu Mian chatted with her and asked her where the fun was in Europe.She seems to have come to Europe.

Pei Songxi was stunned for a moment, then frowned slightly, Mianmian is... came to find her?

She quickly clicked on the dialog box with Yu Mian, and the screen was clean. Their last conversation was in April, and it was Yu Mian who asked her if she was abroad.

Pei Songxi clicked on Yu Mian's profile picture, only to find a social feed within 5 minutes, posting nine photos, a majestic European-style church, a couple in a white wedding dress, a fountain and white doves on the square...

Her heart seemed to be gently pinched, and then quickly let go.

...It turned out that he didn't come to see her.

Her finger has slid to the last few pictures. It turned out that she came to see her friend, the little girl from the Xu family who loves to eat lollipops. She is holding Yu Mian's arms like a koala... and then , seems to be filmed on a train.

The thin and handsome boy intertwined with the short-haired girl, and beside them stood a clean and gentle boy with a smile in his eyes, looking at the handsome girl with long black hair and clean and bright eyes beside him.

Young children sit in the car.

The impending vitality.

The housekeeper also took a curious look, and said with a smile, "This is the little girl you mentioned, right? She looks so pretty. But, Miss Pei, you are more open than I imagined, and you actually agree to this kind of couple's trip." .”

Pei Songxi's fingertips froze, and his voice was a little unnatural: "What did you say...?"

The butler has turned around and continued to water: "Traveling for couples. Now young people like to come out to play in pairs. I think I am more traditional, but I can't accept it, especially for girls. Protect yourself, who knows what might happen on the road."

Pei Songxi's brows slowly frowned. She was silent for a few seconds before she walked to the edge of the flowerbed, looked at the bright and lively flowers, and suddenly asked, "If one day, the roses you planted are picked by others, what would you do? Will you be happy?"

The housekeeper felt that her tone was strange: "What? Someone picked my rose, I was going to be angry at that time, how could I be happy."

Pei Songxi smiled lightly, picked up a petal that fell on the soil, the corners of her lips curved slightly colder, and her voice became erratic, as if she was talking to herself: "Yes, Of course I'm going to be angry. I just want to... take it back."

"What did you say, Miss Pei?"

Pei Songxi pursed her lower lip, blew off the petal on her fingertip, and said in a flat voice, "I didn't say anything."

She suddenly turned around and walked back, went back to the room, stood by the window and looked at the blooming flowers in the garden in the yard downstairs, and thought of that photo again... She breathed a sigh of relief, and after a long time, her mind returned to calm.

That night, she tossed and turned in bed for a long time, unable to fall asleep, and had to take two sleeping pills.

Just as soon as I fell asleep, I started dreaming, dreaming that Yu Mian went to the studio in the third year of high school, the young teacher wearing a blue navy collar skirt, dreaming that Yu's family suddenly came, Yu Mian woke up and wanted to follow them...

She woke up in a dream.

The tension, anger, coercion... unprecedented possessiveness and control desire in the dream, intertwined into extremely complicated emotions, seemed to be still stirring in her heart, which was very strange and never before.

She couldn't fall asleep anymore, walked to the window with her shoes on, and pushed the window open.

The night wind blows in, and there is a fragrance of flowers in the wind.

Pei Songxi raised his hand, rubbed his astringent brows, and smiled lowly, remembering the conversation with the housekeeper during the day.

But those who have cherished with heart will always be sad when they lose.

This is a perfectly normal emotion.

The rose she planted is now warm and bright, but it seems that it no longer blooms for her.

The next day, early in the morning.

The housekeeper had just finished watering the rose, and saw her in the living room, and asked with a smile, "Miss Pei, good morning, did you sleep well last night?"

Pei Songxi liked her kind and cheerful personality, and replied with a smile: "I slept well."

"Oh... But I think your complexion is not very good. Remember to keep a good mood."

"Well, thank you."

The butler was busy walking around the room for a while. She cut a few roses and put them in the vase in the living room.

Looking at the warm and bright flowers, Pei Songxi was slightly absent-minded, but soon regained her composure.

There is an important business meeting today, and she can't be late.

She pushed open the door and went out. The summer sun was clear and clean, and the temperature was comfortable, but her emotional state was a bit wrong all day. Even Wei Yi, who accompanied her to the meeting, also noticed it, and asked her in a low voice during the meeting: "President Pei, do you need coffee?"

Pei Songxi said no, and was silent for a moment before asking her: "Wei Yi, you have almost been abroad with me this year. Have you thought about going back?"

Wei Yi lowered his head and smiled. She has been with her for many years, and she didn't hide her words: "I have thought about it, but I don't really want to. You said, after this business negotiation is over, I will be promoted to be the director of the Greater China Region when I go back. Deputy chief, of course I have to work hard."

Pei Songxi listened quietly, then suddenly asked her: "What about Ming Ran?"

Wei Yi's smile froze for a moment: "She...she seems to be getting married."

Pei Songxi didn't ask any further questions, because the meeting resumed.

The day's work ended very early, she drove back, and when she passed the flower shop, she got up on the spur of the moment and bought a bouquet of frangipani jasmine, planning to go back and replace the roses in the living room.When she got home, she got out of the car with flowers in her hands, but she was surprised to see the housekeeper standing behind the iron gate, seeming to be talking, with a troubled look on her face.

Outside the door was a tall, slender young girl.The white cotton skirt, with a waist design, is simple in style, and outlines the beautiful waistline of a young girl, which is beautiful and moving.

The bouquet in her hand tightened, and she subconsciously took a step forward.

The two people who were talking were startled, and the girl standing outside the door quickly turned around, because Pei Songxi couldn't see her face clearly against the light, but she recognized her with just one glance, recognized... ...Long time no see.

Yu Mian bit her lower lip forcefully, and walked towards her, she exhausted all her courage to come to her.She was afraid that she would ask her why she came here, why she didn't tell her in advance, why...

But she didn't.

Pei Songxi only looked at her, at the person she hadn't seen for a year.

It turned out that she had changed so much. After the baby fat on her cheeks gradually faded, the contours of her facial features became clearer, her eyes seemed to become thinner and elongated, and the end of her eyes slightly curved upwards.

This is a hazy beauty between a girl and a woman, green and innocent, which is a little strange to her.

Pei Songxi finally spoke, his voice was low and gentle in the evening wind, and infinitely long: "Have you eaten yet?"

Yu Mian was almost speechless, she didn't ask her why she came to look for her, she didn't tell her to go back, she just asked her if she had eaten.

It was as if they hadn't seen each other for a year, as if all the indifference between them had disappeared, as if it was still the countless dull but happy evenings in the past, she just went out to play, came home, and talked casually.

Yu Mian recovered her voice: "I haven't eaten yet."

"Okay, let's go out for dinner then."