Reborn Petty Citizen

When he saw his son, Du Rusong's lost popularity seemed to recover a little.Through the bars, he traced his son's face as if he had any substance, and suddenly sighed: "You have grown up."

Du Xingzhi had indeed grown up. The young man who would only stare gloomily at Du Rusong in the corner quickly raised his head, his angular facial features and sharper eyesight. From the outside to the inside, there have been earth-shaking changes.

The father and son looked at each other, and Du Rusong seemed a little anxious: "How is your mother...how?"

"She's fine." Du Xingzhi sighed softly, watching his father falter quickly after getting his answer, and couldn't help frowning, "I won't tell her your news."

Du Rusong lowered his head, the handsomeness of his youth was quickly taken over by his old age, he arched his back like a person of this age, his temples were black hair speckled with gray.Averting his eyes, he seemed very reluctant to meet Du Xingzhi's gaze, Hao Ran's face was indifferent, he clenched his fist and said softly, "Thank you."

Du Xingzhi didn't know what to say, he was sad, but when he saw this man with his own eyes, the hatred from the past ten years seemed to suddenly emerge again.

"Do you regret it?" He still couldn't help asking, the ruthless things the other party did to his mother were a thorn in the end.If this incident hadn't happened, the father and son might never see each other again, and the family relationship between them was pitifully small.The only remaining details of Du Xingzhi's relationship with him have been blurred. More often than not, Du Rusong prefers to stay with Du Yuan's mother and daughter, and praises Du Yuan's cuteness and kindness in front of Du Xingzhi and Zhang Su without hesitation. Dou Shunjuan's virtuousness... But now, in just a few years, everything has changed. Du Rusong personally killed the two real family members he said.It wasn't until now that Du Xingzhi realized that he really didn't know his father well enough.

Du Rusong was stunned, do you regret it?regret what?From being detained when the case was detected to when the trial was issued and entered the prison, he was always in a daze, his mind was clear, but he didn't know what he should do.No one asked him this question, regret it?

He was subconsciously avoiding the memories of the past, Du Rusong was not the kind of man who could not extricate himself from being immersed in the scenery of the past.There are some things that cannot be turned back after a decision is made, even though he knew it was wrong, he still chose that path.Do you regret killing Dou Shunjuan and Du Yuan?Seems like a little bit.If he hadn't killed them, he could have resigned early and left the unit, sold the house on Jiefang Road and left Huaixing to go anywhere. Even if he was no longer the leader of the unit who kept his promises, it would not be difficult for him to live well in his life.However, when he returned to Huaixing from Beijing in despair, everyone around him seemed to be ostracizing him tacitly. He had never felt the feeling of struggling in the work unit even when he was just divorced.Du Rusong, who knew very well that he was already on Mr. Zhang's blacklist, was immersed in the dark shadow of the road ahead. He didn't have more energy to think about his future, so he cherished what he had in his hands even more.

But who is to blame for such a result?Everything is his own choice.Marrying Zhang Su, taking Zhang Su to leave Beijing, and even having contacts with Dou Shunjuan during the wedding period, all of these are his own choices, and no one has ever forced him to go any way.

His nose suddenly became sore, and Du Rusong, who had never shed tears since weaning, suddenly had a sob in his heart.For a moment, he asked himself, if given another choice, would he not cherish the person in front of him?

If he hadn't cheated, if he turned around in time, the young man with a cold expression like a stranger opposite him was his intimate child.Zhang Su's bad temper will gradually become smooth and angular in the running-in of marriage, and his career will gradually rise steadily and calmly. The family of three lives a warm and prosperous life.Such a life awaits him.

Du Rusong lowered his head, tears dripped on the prison uniform, his shoulders trembled slightly.He didn't speak, but the answer was tacit to everyone.

Du Xingzhi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly stood up.

"Goodbye." The voice was like the sound of a piano being pulled slowly, and it was hard to hear how many thoughts were in it. Before Du Rusong raised his head, Du Xingzhi turned and left.

Du Rusong didn't hold back, the corner of his mouth trembled, and the sob escaped, which was quickly blocked by the biting finger that was stuffed into his mouth.

******

Zhang Ze knew that Du Xingzhi had some personal matters to deal with, and he had no objection to being taken alone to visit the child.

On the way, he chatted with the little policeman who led the way, and he also knew something about the child's recent situation.

When she opened the first fried bun shop in Huaixing, Dou Shunjuan was not divorced, and Zhang Ze helped take care of her child in the shop for a few days.After New Year's Eve that year, Zhang Ze never saw him again, and the only memory left was that little milk baby who was babbling in the swaddle.

The little milk baby didn't have a big name at that time, and everyone called it baby.The child is precocious, with lively eyes and does not like to cry. When put on the bed, his eyes will roll around looking for someone.Zhang Ze still likes him very much, and the child is relatively close to him. Zhang Ze's way of holding the child is very unfamiliar, but the baby is never distressed when he is in his arms.Except for his annoying mother and unknown father, he is actually just an ordinary or even cuter child.

I haven't seen him for a few years, and I don't know what he has become.

"Poor thing," the little policeman shook his head and sighed, "the adults don't take good care of the child, and the child has been abandoned several times. In a small county town, everyone knew each other well, and when they lost it, they were sent home. His mother didn’t know how to take care of him. The child was dry and skinny as if he had nothing to eat. We didn’t find the child at first after we found out that his mother was dead. Later, we heard that he was sent back to the county seat by his relatives. The county seat The people in the house are still missing, and the police station over there sent them to the door, and they all refused to adopt them, saying that they were not related by blood. We have no choice but to contact you.”

Zhang Ze felt a little uncomfortable when he heard it, and when he was taken to the little policeman's house who temporarily raised the child, he felt even more depressed.

The little policeman's house is not big, and the family gave up the master bedroom facing the best for the children. When the policeman's old mother opened the door, she still stared at Zhang Ze with some distrust, and refused to leave even more.

The little policeman sighed, pulled her mother out, and apologized softly to Zhang Ze: "Sorry, my mother is old, she is close to the child..."

The old lady shook off his hand and wiped her tears: "This child is pitiful enough, you still bring a stranger to see him."

The small room was very quiet, the bedding on the bed was neat and tidy, and the books on the table did not seem to have been tampered with. Zhang Ze couldn't see anyone, so he took a few steps closer and turned his head to look in the corner of the closet against the wall. Arrived a child.

The child was wearing a suit of old clothes that obviously didn't fit but had been washed clean. Because he was too thin, his shoulders were only a little wider than his ears, making his head, which was originally a normal size, so abrupt and unreasonable.He was shrinking in the corner and looking in the direction of the door in horror. Zhang Ze's footsteps made him extremely frightened, and his whole body began to tremble visibly.The child is actually very beautiful, with delicate features and big eyes, but the rough and chapped skin completely destroys the beauty.The baby fat all over the child's face is hard to find on his face, probably because he has been under unstable oppression for a long time, and his eyes are full of fear of the unknown.

Zhang Ze opened his mouth, wanting to get closer, but stopped because he suddenly began to tremble violently.The child didn't dare to cry, his eyes were wide open, and tears fell silently on his face, like a skinny little rabbit waiting to be slaughtered.

The little policeman said behind Zhang Ze: "The child has many scars on his body. He probably grew up being beaten and scolded. He is very afraid of people. When he was sent home, he refused to eat or meet people. Now he kisses my mother. I am now I can also get close to him slowly, but after all, you guys... um."

Zhang Ze waved his hand, signaling him not to speak yet, remembering similar reports he had seen in some newspapers in his later generations.He vaguely remembered that the reporters called on the society to pay more attention to special children, because their hearts were fragile and weak, and a little trouble could break them down.

He tried to get two steps closer, and the child almost collapsed because of his approach, which can only be described as terrified.Zhang Ze didn't dare to get closer, so he could only stop and sigh helplessly, and exited the room.The old lady hurried into the house after him, and glanced sideways before going out. The child was sobbing softly, hugging the old lady's neck tightly.

The little policeman was a little embarrassed for a while: "I'm sorry...my mother used to teach, and I can't see the pity of children..."

He lowered his eyes, feeling a little uncomfortable in his heart, and Du Xingzhi was brought here by another policeman the next moment.

His temperament was even tougher than Zhang Ze's. As soon as he entered the room, the child who was so frightened that he was about to faint was already shaking like a sieve. The policeman squatted in the corridor and lit a cigarette.

He didn't have a very special impression of this child. When the conflict with Dou Shunjuan and the others escalated to a fever pitch, this child was just a baby who couldn't even speak.After being separated for so many years, his impression of the other party has faded away. He is not sick enough to be angry because he hates Dou Shunjuan and is happy because a child has been abused.Dou Shunjuan's mother and daughter who died, Du Rusong who was about to be shot, and this emaciated five-year-old child.His life of more than ten years was completely overthrown, except for him and his mother, everyone did not end well.

It's easy to get what happens, he has a little bit of it, but it's not enough to resist the complicated thoughts.

Zhang Ze hesitated for a moment, but instead of taking away his cigarette, he stretched out a hand and gently put it on Du Xingzhi's shoulder.Although he didn't know why Du Xingzhi was in such a bad mood all of a sudden, he still didn't ask any further questions.There are some things that Du Xingzhi will naturally say when he wants to tell him, but usually what can keep him silent is only the unspeakable secrets.

The heat from the palm on his shoulder made Du Xingzhi relax a lot.

He stood up and hugged Zhang Ze, buried his head in Zhang Ze's shoulder socket, threw the cigarette under his feet and stamped it out, his arms tightened more and more, wishing to embed Zhang Ze firmly into his body.

Only this person, as always, was by his side.He never gave up in times of difficulty and times of prosperity.Even with a hug without words like this, they can feel the depression that the other party cannot express.Without chattering questions, Zhang Ze's thoughtfulness allowed his constricted heart to slowly relax.

Zhang Ze was startled, but he didn't struggle. He only hesitated for a second before embracing him. He patted Du Xingzhi's back lightly, in exchange for Du Xingzhi's heavy gasp.

"He never cared about me." Du Xingzhi's voice seemed to be directly pressed from his chest, and it rang in Zhang Ze's ears, making his heart tighten.

Hugging Du Xingzhi tightly with the same strength, Zhang Ze comforted softly: "Did something happen to your father?"

Du Xingzhi shook his head and refused to say more, but Zhang Ze vaguely guessed something, his eyes widened slightly for a moment.

"Don't be sad." He hesitated for a long time, and could only pick out some words that were as neutral as possible, so that Du Xingzhi would not be too shocked.

But Du Xingzhi smiled slightly, leaned his head and kissed Zhang Ze's face, and cursed in a low voice, "You're not smart when you should be smart, and your brain is so flexible at this time....I'm not sad...I'm just a little disappointed. Because he Some things in the past... but I don't feel happy in my heart."

"I understand." Zhang Ze comforted him, "Stop talking."

Du Xingzhi smiled softly, and after a while, Zhang Ze noticed the wetness coming from his shoulders through the thin fabric, and frowned slightly, feeling pity in his heart.

Du Xingzhi quickly returned to normal, his expression as calm as ever, as if the person who lost his composure just now was not him at all.

"Go and solve the things in the house." He patted Zhang Ze's head, "Have you seen it, child? How is it?"

Zhang Ze shook his head: "It's very bad. I have been abused, scared of others, and nervous. In such a situation, it is not a good choice to leave it to anyone."

Du Xingzhi was silent for a moment, his eyes darkened: "I don't want to bring him in front of my mother."

Zhang Ze, who is well versed in the past history, is not surprised. Even though Zhang Su never raised his grievances to the juniors after the divorce, Zhang Ze is not a fool.The family and blood behind this child will inevitably hurt the woman who has escaped the sea of ​​suffering.

Zhang Ze thought for a while, and his face became firm: "I won't tell her."

Du Xingzhi nodded: "I have someone in mind to arrange for him."

"Who?"

Du Xingzhi smiled at him, pulled him into the house, and asked gently to the little policeman who opened the door and saw them embracing each other, who immediately shrank back and seemed a little at a loss at the moment: "Officer Lu, this child is living in your house." For so many days, I have caused you trouble."

The little policeman blushed and waved his hands again and again: "Don't dare to do it, don't dare to do it."

"I heard that Police Officer Lu has been unable to have children for so many years after marriage, is that true?"

The little policeman's expression froze. The news of his infertility was only recently known. This man... But he still nodded hesitantly: "It's true..." Because he probably heard a little bit of what Du Xingzhi said, He became more and more anxious, "You mean..."

"The old lady seems to like this child very much." Du Xingzhi curled his lips slightly, his expression was softer than before, with a little embarrassment, "To be honest, this child is not related to me by blood, and I am not married now. I don’t have my own family, so I don’t have the conditions to adopt him. Now that he is very repulsive to all strangers and only puts down his guard against you and your mother, it would be a good choice for you to adopt him.”

The little policeman touched his head, lowered his eyes, and showed imperceptible joy: "You can see...my wife also loves this child very much. To be honest, before you came, my mother and I were very worried .”

Du Xingzhi glanced around the cramped living room, then turned his gaze back to the policeman, and said with a sense of gratitude: "If this is the case, then I will find someone to complete the adoption procedures as soon as possible. I will pay part of the child's nutrition , also counted as my thanks to you."

The little policeman was taken aback, waved his hands again and again, his face flushed red: "Don't do this... don't do this..."

"The children's education expenses will be a big expense in the future." Seeing Du Xingzhi frowned, Zhang Ze stepped forward with a smile and pressed the policeman's shoulder, and said sincerely, "It's also part of our heart." , has nothing to do with interests."

*******

Du Xingzhi tossed and turned that night.

Du Rusong's sobs and the tears that fell on the prison uniform echoed in his mind.The man behind the bars looked 20 years older, his bent spine weighed heavily by the years.

The heartless Zhang Ze beside him had already started snoring lightly, Du Xingzhi sat up slightly with his body propped up, turned on the wall lamp and looked down at Zhang Ze in a daze.It was as if a sinking area in my heart began to gradually fill up, and that bottomless pit was not as scary as before.

Bowing his head and placing a kiss on Zhang Ze's face, he muttered to himself, "Really... when can we get married?"

Zhang Ze was kissed in his dream, uttered a raving, and shook slightly.Du Xingzhi stared at him for at least half an hour before closing his eyes slightly and turning off the wall lamp.

When Zhang Ze got up the next day, he frowned and complained to Du Xingzhi: "This hotel is not good at all. I always feel itchy when I fall asleep. Something is touching me. Could it be that there are mice and fleas?"

"Really?" Du Xingzhi raised his eyebrows slightly, with an innocent look on his face: "It's really too much, such a high price, and the sanitary conditions are not up to standard."

The two of them didn't go to see the child anymore, and Du Xingzhi directly entrusted the adoption procedures to an old friend in Huaixing.He did not disclose his identity information to the adoptive family, but before he left, he bought a house with three bedrooms and one living room near the police station for them.The price is not expensive, and the housing prices in small cities are pitifully low these days, but he used this house to bid farewell to all the past and future between himself and this child.

From the moment the adoption procedures took effect, the child had no relationship with Du Xingzhi.

The little policeman's family are simple and good people, he can see that.Among the people of this era, such pure and kind people are the majority.Even though the family was not well-off before, they still gave the child the best things they said they could give. The skinny child with milk powder and cod liver oil ate very well. The infertile person in this family is the head of the family. There should be no disputes such as biological children and adopted children.

He could leave with peace of mind, after all, it was never this child who was sorry for them.Throwing a child who could grow up healthy into an orphanage for the purpose of revenge is not in line with Du Xingzhi's style.

Three days later, Du Xingzhi went to the prison to get Du Rusong's ashes.It is placed in a dark brown wooden box, which has no patterns and words such as prisoner and prison have never appeared in the wooden box. This is probably the last respect given by humanitarianism.Du Xingzhi once hesitated about how to place Du Rusong's ashes, but after receiving the actual ashes, he suddenly became enlightened.

He sold the villa on Jiefang Road that he would never live in, and then bought a place for Du Rusong in the cemetery. He was wearing a black suit with Zhang Ze and watched the urn fall into the grave. His expression was indistinguishable. happiness.Du Xingzhi could not claim the victim's body and did not want to claim it. Until his death, Du Rusong was not able to be buried with Du Yuan and Dou Shunjuan.

Bye now.

The sound in the chest was soft, with a buzzing vibration.

my father.

*******

Du Xingzhi seemed to have let go of a big burden, and the light shining from the depths of his eyes began to brighten.

He had been gloomy for so long that he suddenly smiled like an ordinary person, but it became strange to Zhang Ze.

Catch the morning flight back to Beijing, Zhang Ze firmly bought the economy class for a few hours' journey, and it feels good to be squeezed by the bed with Zhang Ze.Du Xingzhi looked out at the sky from the narrow window, feeling an unspeakable warmth in his heart.

Because it is an international flight, the meals provided in the morning are fried buns and soy milk.The pan-fried buns are naturally Dushi’s brand, and the people in the cabin are obviously accustomed to the pan-fried buns without any complaints, and everyone is chewing quietly.

Du Xingzhi took two bites, tasted the taste, and remembered that Zhang Ze was the supplier of this product, so he was curious about Zhang Ze's career development: "I heard that you have revised the new contract with Ben, is the company's business good? "

Zhang Ze is always a little proud when he mentions this: "Of course. In the first issue, we only asked us to supply them with a total of about 200 million goods per week. Later, the supply exceeded demand, and it was increased to 1000 million per week. Now it is 300 per week. Mando is a little hard to digest. The purchasing power of foreigners is greater than I thought, and it is said that many people buy a whole trunk at a time, and spend money more readily than us.”

Du Xingzhi laughed: "Your factory doesn't have enough reserves, right? Be careful that the backyard catches fire when you're concentrating on fighting the world."

Zhang Ze gave him a white look: "Just kidding, am I unprepared? The factory in Guangzhou has been expanded a long time ago, and the second phase of the factory in Shanghai will start construction next week. I have already approved a very large one in Sichuan." After the factory site, all the branches have started to get on the right track, okay? Don't underestimate me, our business is really not as easy as real estate, and the profits are not as good as yours."

Du Xingzhi smiled and listened carefully, and he noticed that Zhang Ze seemed to be eagerly wanting to stand side by side with him.He also had this kind of feeling a long time ago, and he has been trying to overwhelm Zhang Ze in his career until now.This is the motivation for him to expand his territory.

"The office building I'm in Shanghai will give you two floors at that time." Du Xingzhi gently brushed Zhang Ze's hair, the short and soft hair was swaying in the palm of his hand, and he asked softly: "When do you plan to go with me?" I got married?"

"...Marriage?" Zhang Ze was stunned for a moment, his face turned red immediately, "Why did you suddenly think of this?"

"I can't help it." Du Xingzhi grabbed Zhang Ze's hand and pressed it against his beating heart: "I'm worried that one day I won't be able to catch you, even if it's for my peace of mind, let's go get a certificate." That's fine too."

Zhang Ze withdrew his hand and refused, "No."

"Why!" Du Xingzhi was very hurt.

"I haven't had a successful career yet."

"I don't mind!"

"But I don't mind!" Zhang Ze's serious eyes instantly forced Du Xingzhi's unspoken words back into his stomach, "You have so much dowry, and I don't have a gift of equal value. Why should I marry you? You Don't try to persuade me anymore, our grades are not very old, and two years later will not be too late."

Du Xingzhi opened his mouth, wishing he could punch himself twice.

He now knows what it's like to lift a rock and shoot himself in the foot.

Because he was so worried about gains and losses, his plan to come out became more and more urgent.Zhang Su has accepted his relationship with Zhang Ze, and there is only one terrible mother left in the family who is likely to be ungrateful.But here lies the advantage of each attack. He can make a special plan for one person to deal with the opponent. Precise and thoughtful moves are more brain-intensive than group attacks, but the possibility of killing the opponent in seconds is definitely better than blindfolded. skills are much greater.

In the few days since they left, Zhang's mother has slowly recovered from her uneasiness.The two children left Beijing without a sound. They didn't call home, and Zhang's mother didn't want to take the initiative to contact each other because of her doubts.Where did they go alone for so many days?What to do is unknown.Zhang's mother is not curious about that at all now, she wants to teach these two bastards a lesson!

The two children bumped into the disheveled-haired mother in pajamas head-on in the living room. Du Xingzhi immediately understood that the onslaught was coming, and quickly handed the luggage to Zhang Ze, asking him to take it back to the room.

He himself grabbed Zhang's mother's palm and pulled it towards the sofa before Zhang's mother was about to speak: "Auntie, come here, I want to talk to you."

Mother Zhang's expression was as cold as ice: "Where have you been these few days?"

"That's exactly what I want to tell you." Du Xingzhi sighed, with an indescribably sad expression, "We're going to Huaixing."

Zhang's mother couldn't help frowning at the unexpected answer: "What are you doing in Huaixing?"

Du Xingzhi lowered his voice as if he was about to tell a shocking secret: "After I tell you, you can go and don't tell my mother."

Zhang's mother originally wanted to ask the teacher about the crime, but now she couldn't help but become curious.Huaixing has no acquaintances left for her, and she doesn't understand why the two children want to go back to that place.

However, what Du Xingzhi said the next moment completely stunned her——

"Du Yuan is dead."

Having dealt with Du Yuan several times, she turned pale with shock: "This...how...how did you die?!"

Du Xingzhi stared at her expression and hesitated for a moment, as if he had made a big decision: "Dou Shunjuan is also dead. Both of them were killed by my father. He has also been sentenced now and has already been shot."

Such an unexpected answer was completely beyond Zhang's mother's ability to bear. She was stunned for a long time, as if she still couldn't accept it. This kind of thing? It's incredible..."

Although she is old, if it is really counted, her endurance is not as great as that of Zhang Ze.Zhang Ze witnessed and experienced death in his previous life, while Zhang's mother has never been exposed to real death except for the natural death of Grandpa Zhang Ze.She still has an innate fear and awe of death, and life is too heavy for her to measure.She even witnessed the fierce dispute between Zhang Su and Dou Shunjuan's mother and son. Such arrogant two people died suddenly? !

Then she realized Du Xingzhi's other words, and she was horrified: "You said...it was your father..."

Du Xingzhi nodded, staring into her eyes, unable to find any emotions other than surprise and disbelief, finally relaxed, and took Zhang's mother's hand: "Auntie." He shouted.

Zhang's mother had already forgotten about being rude to Du Xingzhi, her eyes were wide open, and she stared at Du Xingzhi very intently: "Ah?"

Du Xingzhi was very sincere: "I didn't tell anyone about this except you. I mean my father... Can you keep it a secret for me? Don't tell Ozawa, and don't tell my mother either."

Zhang's mother opened her mouth, thinking that Zhang Su would feel uncomfortable for a long time once she found out about this matter, so she nodded immediately: "I will definitely not tell her!"

After she said this, she couldn't help but look at Du Xingzhi's expression.Du Xingzhi's face was quite pale, because he hadn't been able to sleep well for several days, and now he had thick dark circles under his eyes.The young man who had always been particular about his appearance even had a slight stubble of beard on his cheeks. Such a small-scale sloppiness was impossible for Du Xingzhi in the past.It is conceivable how much he was hit by this incident.

After all, they have lived together for so long, Zhang's mother has long regarded Du Xingzhi as her own son, and she feels very uncomfortable after such a thing happened, let alone Du Xingzhi whose biological father was sentenced to death?She couldn't help feeling pity in her heart.

The feeling of sharing a shocking secret together made Zhang's mother draw closer to Du Xingzhi in her heart.She patted Du Xingzhi's hand, and her complexion became softer and softer: "Xingzhi..." She just started speaking, and she suddenly became active, and her eyes suddenly became clear.

Realizing that she was being distracted so quickly, Zhang's mother was so ashamed and indignant, she couldn't help but stood up and shouted sharply: "No, I didn't come to ask you this today! Tell me, what's going on with you and Ozawa? I've been there You’ve checked your room, and there’s actually… there’s still…”

She gritted her teeth, took out a box of condoms and a box of lubricating oil from her pocket, and threw them on the coffee table, rather aggressively: "Why did you prepare this!"

Du Xingzhi knew that he couldn't escape, but he quickly realized that the anger of the woman who was really angry just now was more of a feign, which showed that his previous strategy of getting closer to the comrades in the same trench still played a lot of role.For a moment, the old god was there, and he confessed quickly without hesitation: "Yes, I am with Zhang Ze."