Find him in the crowd

After the military training, Xiang Sixi moved out of the dormitory. The school was about a half-hour drive away from the apartment. An Mingye usually sent him off, occasionally came to pick him up, but most of the time he took the bus back by himself.

Probably because An Mingye's car was too conspicuous, there were some rumors about Xiang Sixi in the school.However, most of the content is that he is a rich second generation, has a background in his family, and went through the back door. Xiang Sixi was quietly relieved, and said to An Mingye when he went back, "I don't need to pick me up to school in the future. I can just take the bus, which is very convenient." .Besides, you are not on the way, and you have to make a big detour to get to the company."

An Mingye should be fine.So when I came to pick him up again, I changed to an unremarkable car and parked at the corner of the school's side entrance.

Even so, anywhere in the school, you will still hear people discussing "Do you know Xiang Sixi from the Chinese Academy..." Probably his character design at that time was more in line with people's yearning for "tall, rich and handsome", and I don't know who gave it to him. He added the title of school grass, which immediately became the headline of the school forum.

An Mingye said with a smile, "Children at this age want to be the center of attention and attract attention. This is not good. As long as your grades can keep up, you will get many opportunities that others dream of. This is undoubtedly a win. At the starting line, what are you worrying about?"

What are you worried about?He is afraid.If he was a girl, I'm afraid that the headlines would become the scandal of "female college students being adopted by college students".Everyone is willing to pay attention to him, not because "good-looking and rich" gossip, as long as it attracts attention, so many people will pay attention to him and be curious about him. If he had to add "homosexuality" before "nurturing", his college career would probably be over.

Therefore, he dared not respond at all to everyone's attention.Go to class every day, eat, go to the library, and go home as soon as school is over.With a cold attitude of "don't enter strangers", although there are often some gossips on the forum, because there is no real evidence, the heat gradually dissipates.Occasionally, when asked about An Mingye by good people, they always responded with "a relative at home, my parents asked him to take care of me."It's a pity that there are also some people in the school who have contacts with An Mingye's circle. Xiang Sixi, who asked only a few words, almost revealed his secrets, and he risked it perfunctorily. In the future, he will have to behave with his tail between his legs.Therefore, although he is a celebrity in the school, he actually has no friends. Fortunately, the school library is large enough, and he doesn't feel lonely when he goes for an afternoon soak when there is no class.I just want to be able to spend these four years in peace.

Of course, he didn't tell An Mingye any of this.

An Mingye has been very busy recently, either on a business trip or abroad for a week or two, but he calls every day.It was only later that Xiang Sixi found out that An Mingye always sacrificed his rest time to call himself due to jet lag.Afterwards, Xiang Sixi began to send emails with him, and agreed that "you will reply when you see it, and you don't have to wait."

Xiang Sixi's dream of college life, the first semester was spent in "writing every email like a love letter" and "how to reduce the sense of existence and be a little transparent".

An Mingye finally finished his running around on Christmas Eve and could rest at home for a few days.On Christmas Eve, the two watched a movie and had dinner together.It's a pity that the snow came too late this year, only the cold wind mixed with dust, and the bright decorations of the merchants.

Vehicles were banned in several business districts in the urban area on this day, but it still couldn't bear the enthusiasm of the people for this festival.An Mingye and Xiang Sixi only wanted to go back after dinner and take a walk.Unexpectedly, it was easy to get out, but difficult to go back. They were caught in the crowd, clasped their hands tightly to avoid getting lost, and had no time to care about other people's eyes at this time.

At twelve o'clock in the middle of the night, clusters of gorgeous fireworks rose in the center of the square, pushing the atmosphere of the night to the climax. I was spared from being sprayed with snow and dyed colorfully. I only regret that I didn’t buy a few bottles just now, so it’s good to reciprocate.

Someone confessed loudly at this moment, someone blessed loudly at this moment...Xiang Sixi was probably also affected by this atmosphere, turned around and saw An Mingye smiling at him with colorful hair, Xiang Sixi couldn't help but to him Confession, but his voice was dissipated in the screams of the crowd, but An Mingye seemed to hear it, and responded with a kiss.It was a short moment, but it seemed infinitely long. It seemed that only they and the fireworks exploding in the air were left in the whole square.

After Christmas, An Mingye started the last busy work of the year, and when he was free, it was time for the New Year.Xiang Sixi insisted on procrastinating so much that she couldn't procrastinate any longer, so she reluctantly got on the train with her luggage.

For people in love, lovers are always more important than parents.

The train ticket was bought by Xiang Sixi himself, and An Mingye originally wanted to book a ticket for him.But Xiang Sixi felt that the air ticket was too expensive, and didn't want to spend too much money, so he insisted on buying a train ticket, and An Mingye didn't force it.This is Xiang Sixi's first experience of "Spring Festival travel", because of An Mingye, he was lucky to get a sleeper ticket.It was later that Xiang Sixi learned that buying a sleeper ticket during the peak hours a few days before New Year's Eve might be more troublesome than buying a plane ticket.

The train can only go to the city, and after getting off the train, you have to take a bus to the town and take a ride back to the village to go back.When An Mingye arrived in the town, there was a rally just in time.It can't be compared with big cities. There are no supermarkets or 24-hour convenience stores here. Residents of Shili Bacun come here to trade and buy every once in a while.As the Chinese New Year is approaching, we are rushing to buy new year's goods in these few days. When there are too many people, the narrow roads are completely blocked, let alone cars, and it is difficult for people to walk.Xiang Sixi was struggling to move forward by the crowd when he heard someone calling him at the top of his voice.Before finding the source, he was dragged out of the crowd by his arm, "It's really you, when did you come back?"

Xiang Sixi stood on the side of the road at a tented stall, straightened her clothes, and realized that her "savior" was actually her playmate who grew up in the same village, "Sun Cheng? Why are you here?"

Sun Cheng pointed to the tricycle behind the small stall, "The chickens raised at home, bring them to sell for some money, isn't it the Chinese New Year? What about you, you just arrived today?"

"Well, I just got out of the car. I didn't expect so many people, thanks to you, thank you." Xiang Sixi was wearing a white turtleneck sweater and a black horn button coat outside, and a camel long scarf squeezed through the crowd The tassels on the scarf were tangled together, the boots were covered with mud marks, and the suitcase was scratched by something. This box was given to him by An Mingye, although he didn't tell him. The price is definitely not cheap, seeing Xiang Sixi's heart dripping with blood.

Sun Cheng looked him over, "It's different after entering the city."

Xiang Sixi's outfit was not cheap, the scarf alone cost several hundred yuan, he didn't dare to look at it, but An Mingye insisted on buying it for him to wear.What Sun Cheng said made him feel a little guilty.Not wanting to continue this topic, he casually replied, "Do as the Romans do. By the way, when are you going back? Can you take me with you?"

"There is nothing we can do about our relationship. I only have two chickens left, and we will leave after selling them."

"Don't be in a hurry, don't delay your earning money. Since you're all back, it's not too late."

After Sun Cheng finished his business, he drove Xiang Sixi back to the village in his electric tricycle.Sitting in the tricycle, Xiang Sixi was surrounded by wind, so he had no choice but to wrap himself in a scarf until only his eyes were left. The expensive coat with horn buttons was no different from a fishing net at the moment, and the wind was leaking from every gap. Overcoat and locomotive hat, while shivering in the cold wind.However, his wardrobe has been completely changed by An Mingye. Coats and sweaters are the standard equipment in winter. Even his cotton trousers have been replaced with slim-fitting leggings, because there are heating in the classroom, heating in the apartment, and even the bus. Air conditioning, so he didn't feel cold.Now that I am back in the mountains, I realize that there is a temperature difference of more than ten degrees between here and the city, and there is no heating.

"Our village also has a car. It goes directly from the town to the village. But today there is a market in the town, and the car can't get through. You can take the car directly when you want to come back." Sun Cheng can only speak by shouting amidst the noise of the tricycle. "Do you remember this road? It used to be full of potholes."

When he said this, Xiang Sixi noticed that the road was flat and wide, and guardrails were installed on the side of the road. It was here that Mr. Li had an accident.

"There is a monument to the teacher in front of it, and a reporter from the TV station came to interview it last year. Do you remember the lilies we planted where the teacher fell? Later, a large area grew along the cliff. When you spring Look at it again, it’s so beautiful. The village chief said that there will be a scenic spot in that place in the future, and we can also make a farmhouse to make money.”

Xiang Sixi: "This is a good thing."

"It's a good thing, but it was said two years ago, and there is still no sign of it. When will we make money? In the village, young people are still working and old people are farming."

The two chatted all the way to the village, but Sun Cheng insisted on sending Xiang Sixi to the door of his house before leaving.In order to express his gratitude, his mother insisted on packing a bowl of dumplings for Sun Cheng to take back.

Home is still the same home, nothing has changed.An earthen stove, a brick kang, a table with two wooden planks for balance, the only sofa in the house is older than Xiang Sixi, and the spring inside has been broken long ago, and it is barely supported by stuffing some broken sponges. It is still the "status symbol" in this family that his father can only sit on. There are a few stools left, even though they have been repaired several times, they are still rickety when sitting up. On the low table in the middle is a recycled stool Color TV, can only receive a central channel.This house where he had lived for more than ten years, suddenly discovered today that there was no place to stay.

Because it was Xiang Sixi who came back, and the Chinese New Year is coming soon, there is meat in the dumpling filling, meat and eggs on the table, this was a good meal in his childhood, and this year there is an extra plate of shrimp, which can taste delicious Not too fresh.Because there is not much meat, the dumplings are only for two people. Parents share one portion, and the rest is given to Xiang Sixi. The same goes for shrimp. There are not many. His father.

Xiang Sixi put the shrimp tails and dumplings into the mother's bowl again, "Give me whatever you want, you can eat too. I'm not our guest, so you have to let me go."

Mother refused to ask, "It's rare for you to come back once, and I will make up for you if you didn't come back last year."

"You don't want me, and neither do I." Xiang Sixi moved the bowl away. "I can't eat anything in the city. There are big fish and meat in the school cafeteria every day. It's not bad. You should eat quickly."

"Why are you still eating too much fish and meat every day? How much does that meal cost?" My father asked with a frown.

Xiang Sixi then made nonsense, "The school cafeteria is free for the students, and there is no money."

His father believed his words, "Then you have to eat enough money. After paying so much tuition, it's not a waste of money from him."

"Yeah." Xiang Sixi picked up a piece of cabbage pickled by his mother, and it was unexpectedly refreshing, why didn't he feel it before.

After dinner, the family gathered around the stove and watched TV for a while on the TV with snowflakes shining. Xiang Sixi nestled on the stool, and after a while her back ached and she couldn't support herself on the bed.

The boxy house of his family was divided into three parts by wooden boards. The living room in the middle, the bedrooms on both sides, and the parents' bedroom were divided into two parts, and one part became the kitchen.The house is quite big, and a stove is useless at all. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, the windows were opened slits, and the wind came in from time to time.

The ceiling was patched with wooden boards and plastic paper. The cracked walls showed cracks in the bricks, and insects made their homes inside. The concrete floor was missing a piece, and rainwater accumulated inside it at some point and turned into mud.Simmons slept for a few days, and his waist became delicate. He only felt that the wooden bed hurt his bones, and the damp musty smell on the bedding mixed with the pine wood perfume smell on his body. Everything has become a torment.Strangely enough, I couldn't help worrying at this moment—would there be fleas?It's not convenient to take a shower here.Thinking of this, I feel uncomfortable all over, let alone falling asleep.

This is his home. He was born and raised here, and he has lived here for more than ten years. How has he ever thought about this?But now everything here is challenging his ability to bear.When did he also contract this clean-loving rich man's disease?Every plant, tree, brick, and tile here is pinching his neck to remind him, "This is your home! It's your roots." The damp and moldy smell that has settled in his bones for many years, no matter how much No expensive perfume can hide it.

He felt that he needed such a reminder.His education did not allow him to deny his native land for the sake of vanity.To prove to himself how much he loves this place, he covered his head with the quilt and inhaled heavily, smelling the musty smell, choking him to tears.

What is this doing……

He suddenly wanted to hear An Mingye's voice and talk to him.

Put on a coat, sit on the tree stump at the door, and look at the night sky in the mountains, which is full of stars.Fortunately, there is a signal here.

"I wanted to call you just now, but I was afraid you were asleep, so I didn't dare to disturb you." An Mingye's deep voice came from the other end of the phone.

"I can't sleep." Xiang Sixi didn't want to tell the other party her distress, and said casually, "I can't sleep because of you."

"How come you have learned the tricks of rhetoric." An Mingye's laughter came from the other end with the noise of radio waves.

"Thinking of you is just flattery? Then I won't miss you from now on." Faced with An Mingye's questioning, Xiang Sixi was surprised that he could respond calmly, and no longer explained in panic like before, "That can't be done, you have to Think of me, all the time."

"Thinking about it but not being able to touch it, it's too painful."

"Sixi, I'm suffering just like you." An Mingye's voice came from thousands of miles away, falling on his ears, stirring his nerves one after another. "We've only been separated for a few days and we're suffering like this. What's more, parents, spend more time with them, we will have plenty of time in the future. Call me in advance when you come back, and I will pick you up. I want to see you sooner."

"Okay." The reply was nasal. "Ming Ye, the starry sky in my hometown is very beautiful. I want to take a picture to show you, but the resolution of the mobile phone is too low, and the pictures are all black and blurry."

"Then I'll buy you a camera later."

Xiang Sixi felt annoyed for such a response for no reason.As if he was just An Mingye's little lover, all problems can be dismissed with "buy you a dress", "buy you a watch", "buy you a camera".He suppressed the irritability in his heart——

"I'm not asking you for something. This is where I grew up. Although it is poor, the environment is good. There are no famous specialties, but there are many flowers, the sky is blue, and the stars are very bright at night. So if there is a chance, I would like to bring Come and see, see my hometown."

I don’t know which book Xiang Sixi read, it seems that after falling in love with someone, you should go to see the place where he grew up, the tree he climbed when he was a child, the river he waded through, and the walls full of awards. One by one, I visited those years that I had never participated in, and listened to him tell the interesting stories of childhood. It was a romantic ceremony that was not grand.Xiang Sixi firmly believed in it, and only hoped that the place would develop better and not be so dilapidated.

"Okay." An Mingye was as gentle as usual.

He didn't ask anything, just said hello, which made Xiang Sixi even more disappointed.For no reason, he had a feeling in his heart that An Mingye would probably not ask about this matter again after he went back, and Xiang Sixi would not bring it up for fun.

"What about you? What's your hometown like?" Xiang Sixi asked.

"Me? My hometown is China. But I grew up abroad, so I have no concept of my hometown." An Mingye paused, "But I will have a concept in the future. Xiang Sixi is my hometown."

Xiang Sixi was stunned by the sudden love words, and the emotions that were still lost just now rose instantly. Every cell collided with each other and exploded the most brilliant fireworks to celebrate the carnival.All worries are most fully comforted at this moment.

"You still talk sweetly about me!"

"I learn it from you."

After hanging up the phone, Xiang Sixi went back to the room, lying on the kang, recalling the movies messily in her mind, and gradually fell asleep after a while.

During the year, Xiang Sixi accompanied his mother to visit relatives and friends.Because my father's legs and feet are not good, he dare not go out this season, so he donated his military coat for Xiang Sixi, "Look at your clothes, they look fancy but not useful, put them on, it's cold in the mountains."

It was very cold in the mountains, so Xiang Sixi gritted his teeth and put his father's military coat on his body.His mission today is to give his mother a face and make her proud.Say to everyone——

"Xixi is studying at Yanda University now. That school is great. You don't need money for food, and you can have fish and shrimp every day. You can earn your own money to go to university..."

Even though my mother knew that these people still looked disdainful when they turned their heads, she was happy to be able to express her anger no matter what.

There was no entertainment in the mountains, and the days passed very slowly, Xiang Sixi insisted on being kept after the Lantern Festival before leaving.Before leaving, I packed several cans of my mother’s pickled cabbage and chili sauce in glass jars at home, saying that I wanted to bring them to my classmates so that I could get along with them.Xiang Sixi had no choice but to take all these bottles and cans with him, leaving one or two bottles for An Mingye, and giving the rest to the people in the same compartment on the train.

It is impossible to bring these things to classmates, but I feel a little guilty for giving them to passers-by so casually.Although it is not worth the money, adding a steamed bun is a meal at home.

The mountain outside the window was getting farther and farther away, Xiang Sixi thought that it was really a demon mirror, illuminating the shady thoughts in his heart, leaving him nowhere to hide.

Still a good city.