paddock

In the afternoon, Zhang Xiuyan took Yuan Ning to Xie's hometown according to his words.

Knowing that it wasn't Zhang's child, Mr. Xie sighed and said, "I don't know whose family it is."

Zhang Xiuyan said: "It was discovered in the mountains. There was an empty village over there. The houses collapsed after being washed away by the flood. It was only discovered by someone who went to investigate a few days ago. There were people who knew our family in the inspection team. If you see the longevity lock, let us know immediately."

Yuan Ning didn't know these things either, so he listened intently.

"People from the inspection team said that the child seemed to have been buried, but it was only buried shallowly. It has been raining heavily over the past few days, and the covered soil has been washed away." Zhang Xiuyan sighed, " I went to check, and it seems that there was a "plague" over there. Most of the people in the village died of illness, and the rest have all moved away. I couldn't find half of the villagers in that village. We had to buy it at the cemetery. Bury the child in the cemetery."

Mr. Xie put things on the bright side: "Could it be that your brother met that child and became friends with that child, but the child died of illness, and your brother buried the longevity lock with the child in grief? "

Zhang Xiuyan's heart shrank.

Zhang Xiuyan had thought about this possibility thousands of times.It's just that his younger brother was so young at that time, if such a thing happened to him after escaping, would his younger brother be able to bear it?

Even he might break down.

And how far can such a small child go in that kind of place?When the results came out, he went there himself. The endless wilderness and mountain roads seemed endless. It would take at least three or four hours to walk from the nearest town.

Zhang Xiuyan said: "My father and I have asked people to search around, but there is no news yet." No news is actually good news.

Xie Lao said: "Your brother is a good boy, a lucky person has his own appearance."

Both the speaker and the listener know that these are actually empty words used to comfort themselves.If a child who has never lived independently and never left his family is really washed into such a remote and terrifying place, how likely is it to survive?

The atmosphere was a little tense for a while.

Yuan Ning felt a little tight in his chest.

He knows how terrible darkness and loneliness can be.

If he was left alone in such a place, there must be no way to find his way home, right?

But maybe the fourth brother is smarter than him?

Yuan Ning couldn't help but grab Zhang Xiuyan's hand.

Even though Zhang Xiuyan didn't say anything, he somehow knew that Zhang Xiuyan was sad at this moment and needed comfort.

Zhang Xiuyan glanced at Yuan Ning, not wanting Yuan Ning to realize his weakness.He stabilized his tone and said, "Aren't you going to cook noodles for Grandpa Xie?"

Yuan Ning said: "Yes! Thank you, Grandpa, I have learned how to cook noodles. Can I cook for you?"

Mr. Xie nodded slightly, and asked the hourly worker who came to prepare dinner to watch Yuan Ning beside him.

Yuan Ning followed the part-time worker to the kitchen, turned around quietly when he reached the corner, and saw Zhang Xiuyan resting his hands on his eyes, as if trying to stop the tears that were pouring out.His nose was sore, and his heart felt very uncomfortable. He couldn't help but sincerely prayed for the fourth brother who had never met——

Fourth brother must live and come back!

Otherwise, big brother, they will all be sad!

Yuan Ning concentrated on cooking the noodles.

Yuan Ning didn't learn any tricks, and the noodles were ready quickly. He personally gave a bowl of music to Mr. Xie, and he and Zhang Xiuyan also shared a bowl. finish eating.When the noodles were gone, Mr. Xie also drank most of the soup.

Yuan Ning was a little embarrassed: "Thank you grandpa, I have never tasted the soup..."

Mr. Xie said: "It doesn't matter. It is your habit to thank grandma for drinking the noodle soup. She was used to being poor when she was a child, and even a few sips of noodle soup felt delicious, let alone this kind of soup with eggs. I used to always Laughing that she can't get rid of this poor problem, but she said that drinking some warm soup is good for the stomach..." He was also a little lost in speaking.

Yuan Ning also took a few sips, remembering that Second Aunt never fried eggs, only boiled egg custard or made soup, so that everyone could taste a little.

Although there are so many things that make people happy in this world, why are there so many things that make people sad?

He really hopes that no one will die, no one will be separated, and everyone will be happy and healthy together.

But what if you can't?

"The stomach is really warm after drinking." Yuan Ning touched the place where his stomach was, "Brother, is the stomach here?"

Zhang Xiuyan carefully looked at the place Yuan Ning touched, shook his head and said, "It needs to be a little lower."

Yuan Ning said: "It must be running down, I think it's warm here!"

Zhang Xiuyan said, "It should be."

One of them is serious and the other is childish. Listening to them, Mr. Xie felt a little less sad just now.

Soon, he heard Yuan Ning stammering and shouting: "Big, big brother!"

Zhang Xiuyan looked at him.

Yuan Ning bravely said: "You drink and watch too!"

Zhang Xiuyan glanced at the noodle soup with egg flowers floating in it.This soup looks a little different from the one at noon, probably because after being hit by him, Yuan Ning went to Aunt Shen to "learn art" again?

Seeing that Zhang Xiuyan didn't move, Yuan Ning continued to encourage him: "Third Brother said you had a stomachache, and Grandma Xie said that drinking some warm soup is good for your stomach."

Old Xie frowned slightly, and also helped Yuan Ning persuade: "Ning Ning is good at cooking, and the soup is delicious."

Zhang Xiuyan also picked up the noodle bowl and took a few sips.Yuan Ning put minced ginger in the egg, and the soup has a bit of spicy taste of ginger, which is a bit spicy in the mouth. If the weather is not cool enough, you might sweat a lot after drinking it.

Zhang Xiuyan commented objectively: "It's really warm."

All three drank up the noodle soup.

Mr. Xie said: "I want to take Zhaofu to the ranch for a walk in the next few days. It has not been out for a long time, so it must be bored."Mr. Xie also wanted to go to the ranch to collect wind, so he has been preparing for the past two days.

Yuan Ning didn't quite understand: "What is a pasture?" He was born in a remote place, there is no continuous grassland, and there are no continuous fields. There are many mountains around, and the paddy fields are intermittent. No one runs a pasture there. , Of course, no one has heard of it.

Mr. Xie patiently explained: "There are large tracts of green grass, where cattle, sheep and other animals can live freely." He recalled the appearance of his pasture, "There is a small river running through the pasture on the other side of my pasture. , like a shiny silver belt, split the pasture in half. The small river flows into a small lake in the middle of the pasture. It is not very big, and much smaller than our lake. There are water lilies growing in the lake, and there should be some The frogs are croaking on it, and the tadpoles are swimming around hiding at the bottom. The house on the ranch is built by the small lake, with a red roof and warm yellow walls. You thank grandma for picking everything there. Surround the house A whole circle of fence, immediately covered with morning glory, at first it was only red, then slowly white, blue, purple, no fragrance, but thank you grandma likes them very much, said they It is very tenacious, as long as there is a place to grow, and the sun can climb up.”

Yuan Ning was fascinated by what he heard, as if he had already walked in front of the house with red roof and yellow walls, and saw the morning glory struggling to climb up against the sun.He couldn't help asking: "Which side of the lake is the house on?"

Xie Lao waved his right hand: "It's on the right."

Yuan Ning continued to ask: "Then what is on the left side of the lake?"

Mr. Xie said: "The left side of the lake is a stretch of grassland. It was very flat at first, but after walking for a few minutes, you will see a slowly rising slope. The slope is sunny and there are many wild flowers growing. They will bloom in spring and summer. They are all over the place, thank you grandma likes them very much. But the uncle who is in charge of the ranch annoys them, because some wild flowers are not edible for cattle, sheep or horses, and he has to clear them every year."

"That's it!" Yuan Ning also likes wild flowers, but he also likes cattle, sheep and horses. It would be bad if the cattle, sheep and horses accidentally eat their stomachs.

"Walking up this slope, you can see a birch forest. They stand tall and straight, and they are as white as snow. In autumn, the leaves will turn yellow. They are very beautiful and can be used as bookmarks." The more Mr. Xie said, the more he felt that It is a place full of memories, and it strengthens the mood to live with Zhaofu.

"I really want such a bookmark!" Yuan Ning was very envious.

Mr. Xie said so much to Yuan Ning because of the current situation of the Zhang family.He said: "If your family agrees, I can take you there together. Although Zhaofu is much better, I am not in good spirits and can't play with it for too long. If you go there too, it will definitely be able to play." It was a lot of fun."

Yuan Ning should have been happy when he heard Mr. Xie's words, but the light in his eyes suddenly faded.He opened his mouth, wondering if he should ask Zhang Xiuyan for his opinion.

Zhang Xiuyan has been listening by the side.He could see that Yuan Ning had clearly been seduced by Mr. Xie's words, but when Mr. Xie proposed the invitation, Yuan Ning's eyes dimmed instead, and he actually forcibly suppressed the desire just now.

Zhang Xiuyan knew that since the accident, Mr. Xie hired professional nurses to follow around the clock, and there must be reliable people guarding the ranch, so there should be no need to worry about safety issues.What happened during this period was too heavy for Yuan Ning, so going to relax is a good choice.

Zhang Xiuyan said: "Children always like to run around, and they will definitely cause you a lot of trouble, Mr. Xie."

Mr. Xie said: "It doesn't matter, if you can give me some trouble, I'm still happy." He offered another thing, "I'm about to ask someone to find a driver. If you have someone you know, you can give me a driver." Recommend one, but after sending us there, we have to stay there for a few days, and then send us back. If we need to go out to buy anything during the period, he has to drive."

Zhang Xiuyan said, "No problem."

Yuan Ning listened carefully to their conversation, but found that she could not understand.

Until leaving Xie's hometown, Yuan Ning has not recovered.

Brother, this is... Is this agreeing to let him go to the pasture with Mr. Xie?

When he was about to reach the gate of Zhang's house, Yuan Ning grabbed Zhang Xiuyan's clothes and said cautiously, "Brother, brother!"

Zhang Xiu looked at him strictly.

Yuan Ning's eyes were bright, and he looked straight at Zhang Xiuyan: "Can I really go to his ranch with Grandpa Xie?"

Zhang Xiuyan said, "Yes."

Yuan Ning said, "Yes, but at home..."

Zhang Xiuyan said, "Can you help me?"

Yuan Ning's excitement was extinguished in an instant.He really can't help much, and it will irritate my mother...My mother passed out after seeing him that day...

It's better if he's not here...

Thinking of this, Yuan Ning couldn't help but tighten Zhang Xiuyan's hand.Although Zhang Xiuyan had already promised that he would not send him away, Yuan Ning still couldn't help asking nervously: "Then, big brother, will you come to pick me up?"

Zhang Xiuyan: "..."

Why does this little stutterer always think so easily?

Zhang Xiuyan realized that he couldn't talk to Yuan Ning in the same way he talked to Zhang Xiuwen and Zhang Xiuling.

This guy takes it seriously and takes it seriously.

Zhang Xiuyan bent over and hugged Yuan Ning: "I said before, you will always be a part of our family."

Yuan Ning felt that she was getting used to Zhang Xiuyan's embrace more and more.He couldn't help but put his arms around Zhang Xiuyan's neck: "I asked my parents before if they wanted to throw me at grandma's house and not want me anymore. My parents also said that they would love me forever and would never leave me," he said His hands tightened, and his head was buried in Zhang Xiuyan's neck, "When they lived in the school building, they always said they would come back early, but I know they were coaxing me, because they have a lot of things to do every day... , Brother, are you coaxing me too?"

Zhang Xiuyan's throat felt astringent.Yuan Ning's parents gave too much, and left too little for their children. Even the promises to their children became deceitful, but they didn't know that it would make it difficult for their children to believe what other people said.

"No, how could it be coaxing you." Zhang Xiuyan stretched out his hand and patted Yuan Ning's back, "If the elder brother lied to you, the nose would become longer. Can you feel if my nose has become longer?"

This is the fairy tale that Yuan Ning just read a few days ago.

Yuan Ning froze for a moment, then raised his hand to touch it.

Soft, fleshy hands wrapped around Zhang Xiuyan's nose.

Zhang Xiuyan felt that his breathing became a little difficult.

"It hasn't changed!" Yuan Ning said happily.

"So I didn't lie to you." Zhang Xiuyan said.

Yuan Ning raised his head to meet Zhang Xiu's serious eyes, his face was inexplicably hot.Big brother is actually very good looking!And the eldest brother is very, very good!He likes Big Brother!

Looking at the flushed face, Zhang Xiuyan felt very satisfied. Although he had only been here for more than half a month, Yuan Ning's complexion was much better.

Children should eat and sleep well.

Zhang Xiuyan said: "But even if you go there, you must not forget to read books and practice calligraphy. Your teacher Meng will come over tomorrow morning, and I will ask him to arrange for you the next few days. If you don't understand If there is anything you don’t understand, just call me.” He paused, “Even if there is nothing you don’t understand, you should call back regularly.”

Yuan Ning said obediently, "Okay."

Zhang Xiuyan put Yuan Ning down, and seeing Yuan Ning trotting behind him, he slowed down and took Yuan Ning's hand.

The sunset is slowly going down.

A golden glow shone on the balcony.

Mr. Zhang is standing beside Ms. Xue.He said, "Xiu Yan likes him very much."

Ms. Xue watched quietly.It is precisely because Zhang Xiuyan and Yuan Ning are getting closer that she wonders, if the youngest son is still there, will he follow his elder brother like this, and will he become his elder brother's little tail like this— ——I will also laugh so happily, and talk happily like this.This thought was like a needle piercing her heart, she wanted to pull it out, but couldn't.

Mr. Zhang said: "After Xiu Ming's accident, Xiu Yan has been blaming himself—he always felt that it would have been better if he followed his father-in-law." He paused, "Although he has always had a cold personality, but the two You should have noticed his changes in the past few years, right?"

Ms. Xue said: "Xiuxiu and Wenwen are both afraid of him." Zhang Xiuyan is more and more like his father, especially when it comes to things that may be dangerous, Zhang Xiuyan is almost strict with Zhang Xiuwen and Zhang Xiuling. requirements.Once they step on the line a little bit, Zhang Xiuyan will definitely teach them an unforgettable lesson, so that they dare not commit the same crime again.

Mr. Zhang said: "And that child also saved Xiuling."

Ms. Xue thought of the timid look in Yuan Ning's eyes when she first arrived at home, as if she didn't even dare to breathe hard.But the child who looked so cowardly dared to push Zhang Xiuling away and face the mad dog alone.

Such a good child, how could she have the heart to hurt him like that?

If her Ming Ming was still alive, how would others treat an unaccompanied child?

Ms. Xue took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice, "I know. Even if Ming Ming is really gone, I will still be the mother of four children. They are all my children...all of them."

Mr. Zhang didn't speak any more, and silently embraced his wife in his arms.He doesn't allocate much time to his family, let alone his wife, but he knows that "mother" is always the weakest and strongest creature.As long as she realizes that the family needs her and the four children need her, she will naturally come out of the shadows.

Although Zhang Xiuyan and Yuan Ning had eaten dinner, they still went downstairs to share dessert and fruit after dinner.

Zhang Xiuyan mentioned Mr. Xie's invitation by the way.

Yuan Ning looked at Mr. Zhang and Ms. Xue, trying to control his tongue that was about to tie up, so that he could not stutter when he shouted: "Father, Mom... Mom, can I go?"

Mr. Zhang nodded.

Ms. Xue said: "Are you going tomorrow?" She wanted to be more friendly, but found that she couldn't be as enthusiastic as usual, and even her voice was a little cautious, "Mom, can you pack your luggage for me later? It may be too late to clean up alone."

Yuan Ning stared blankly at Ms. Xue's gentle eyes, and obediently said, "Thank you, Mom."

Ms. Xue couldn't tell what it was like.

Zhang Xiuyan looked at Mr. Zhang.

Mr. Zhang is reading a newspaper.

Ms. Xue and Yuan Ning went upstairs together. She fetched a suitcase and said, "Driver Li will come to help you with it tomorrow, so you can fill it up. If you have something to do over there, remember to ask Driver Li. You can carry the suitcase at home." Got a phone number? Do you remember your home address?"

Yuan Ning nodded repeatedly.

Ms. Xue said: "That's good." She opened the suitcase, opened the closet, and was about to put clothes in it, when she suddenly thought that the type of Yuan Ning's usual clothes seemed to be different from the one she picked.Ms. Xue asked Yuan Ning, "What clothes do you like?"

Yuan Ning hesitated.

The clothes in the closet were carefully prepared by Ms. Xue and the others.

Yuan Ning said, "I like them all."

Ms. Xue's eyes darkened.How can such a small child be so considerate?She reached out and touched the set of clothes she bought, and found that the style was cute, but it was too cumbersome to wear, and the material was not particularly comfortable. It was not suitable for children who often run around, and the others were similar.

Ms. Xue said: "If you go to the ranch, the clothes bought by elder brother are suitable. You must bring the two sets you wear in the morning jogging."

Yuan Ning nodded hurriedly.

Ms. Xue had a good idea, and she packed it up quickly. After folding the clothes, she put the toiletries and commonly used medicines into the suitcase.Seeing that there was still space in the suitcase, Ms. Xue said, "I'll get up tomorrow morning and bake some biscuits. I'll let you take them and share them with you, thank you grandpa and the others for eating."

Yuan Ning's nose was sour: "Thank you, Mom."

Ms. Xue felt sore, she squatted in front of Yuan Ning, and stretched out her arms to hug Yuan Ning.Sensing Yuan Ning's body froze, she said, "Ning Ning, I'm sorry, I've scared you for the past two days."

Yuan Ning cautiously reached out to hug Ms. Xue, and said clumsily, "I, I wasn't frightened. Mom, mom is fine, fine..."

Ms. Xue quietly wiped away the tears overflowing from the corners of her eyes, and repeated what Zhang Xiuyan had told Yuan Ning.After making sure that all her luggage was packed, and Yuan Ning memorized her phone number and address, she went back to her room to study what biscuits to make for Yuan Ning to take with her tomorrow.

After reading the book for a while, Yuan Ning couldn't help reaching out and touching his nose, and he was relieved when he found that his nose showed no sign of getting longer.He ran into the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth, and went to bed early.

Before dawn the next day, Yuan Ning changed into clothes suitable for morning exercises, and ran to Zhang Xiuyan's gate to wait.He calculated the time very accurately, and Zhang Xiuyan's door creaked open after a short wait.

Yuan Ning shouted happily: "Brother!"

Zhang Xiuyan's heart seemed to be hit by something.

This little stutterer got up too early.

Zhang Xiuyan said: "Let's go." He likes to live a planned life, but he has never felt that this kind of life is happy.But when he opened the door in the morning and saw this little Douding, he couldn't deny that he began to like this kind of day - the day when he went to see this little stutter before going to bed, and took this little stutter out for morning exercises after waking up.

Yuan Ning trotted downstairs behind Zhang Xiuyan.

The two walked out the door, the sun hadn't risen yet, and there was only a slight whiteness on the horizon.The dark blue sky was cloudless, with only one morning star hanging there, and it looked like it would be fine weather.

The morning is always fresh and beautiful. Yuan Ning took a deep breath of the damp air, feeling that the surroundings were full of the fragrance of the earth.He chased Zhang Xiuyan forward: "Big brother, wait for me!"

"Ah."

"Big brother, the weather is fine!"

"Ah."

"When I go to the ranch, I will call my elder brother." Yuan Ning said, "Has your elder brother ever been to the ranch?"

"No." He didn't have much free time to go on vacation.

"Then I'll tell Big Brother what the ranch is like." Knowing that Zhang Xiuyan had never been there, Yuan Ning suddenly felt a sense of responsibility that "I must take a good look for Big Brother."

"……it is good."

The author has something to say:

Ranch: Ah, I finally took a bubble.

Space: What about me?And me?

Brother: You are all small supporting roles (sneering)