recession

Tao Liyang opened his eyes when the spot of light from the sun falling on the ground through the curtains slid from the corner of the wall to the edge of the bed.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and reached for the phone on the bedside table.This movement woke up the person in his arms, Xu Yunqing pressed half of his face against his arm: "What time is it?"

"A quarter past three." Tao Liyang put down his phone, "Get up? I'll go get something to eat."

Xu Yunqing was still sleepy, and his mind was still a little unclear. He rubbed his forehead on his shoulder, and muttered casually.

Seeing that he seemed to be still awake, Tao Liyang gently stroked his hair, and discussed with his ear: "Why don't you sleep a little longer, and I'll call you later."

Tao Liyang's breath passing by his ears made Xu Yunqing a little itchy, he hummed, turned his head and kissed Tao Liyang's face, grabbed the quilt and half covered his face, and closed his eyes again in a daze.

In fact, he didn't fall asleep much, how Tao Liyang got up and got out of bed, put on his clothes and walked out lightly, and then carefully closed the door, but the subtle movements were clear.

Xu Yunqing originally planned to go to bed again, but he hasn't had a good rest since the filming was finished, and it's a rare opportunity to stay in bed, so he really didn't want to move for a while.But maybe because there is suddenly no one around, the bed seems to be cooling down very quickly, and my heart is not so at ease. I am half dreamy and half awake, and I can't help but listen to the voice outside the door, wondering what Tao Liyang is doing outside the wall. .He squinted like this for a while, but couldn't continue to fall asleep after all, and vaguely heard the hour hand of the wall clock seem to ring, raised his hand to press the center of his eyebrows, and got up too.

Xu Yun cleaned up the quilt and went out, but he didn't see Tao Liyang, he searched around before seeing him in the study.

"How long have you been sleeping, why did you wake up?" Tao Liyang stopped the pen in his hand and raised his head.

Xu Yunqing didn't talk about his thoughts, but walked over with a smile: "What are you writing?"

"I want to write a Spring Festival couplet. I haven't held a brush for a long time, and my hands are a little raw."

Tao Liyang moved aside a little to show him that the word "Fu" had already been written on the red paper hanging aside.

Xu Yunqing looked at him with great interest: "What do you write? Every year, the prosperity and wealth are abundant?"

Tao Liyang didn't respond to his jokes, thought for a while, and handed the brush to him.

"I won't, you know." Xu Yunqing said so, but still took it.He really can't write, he only learned how to hold a pen while filming.

"It's okay." Tao Liyang stood behind him and held his hand, pondered for a moment, and wrote the first word with ink.

It's not what Xu Yunqing read casually, it's just a five-character poem.

The concubine protects the poor and the vegetarian, and is happy with the old. ①

After writing, the two of them didn't move for a while, but Tao Liyang's other hand wrapped around his waist at some point, and hugged him very tightly.Xu Yunqing said: "There is no such thing. Aren't the Spring Festival couplets all written auspicious words to win prizes?"

"Is there anything more auspicious than this?" Tao Liyang asked him.

"Then it's not well written."

This is the truth, I am somewhat uncertain about the strength of my handwriting.Tao Liyang just shook his head: "It's not good, I think it's good."

Xu Yunqing smiled and pushed him: "Then you post it."

"I was going to post it at first." Tao Liyang let go of his hand, "There is some snacks in the kitchen, you can eat some first to make a cushion."

The steamer on the stove was steaming, Xu Yunqing turned off the fire, took out a quicksand bag, poured another glass of milk and put it in the microwave.

The kitchen window faced the courtyard door obliquely, and there were two lanterns hanging under the eaves. None of them were there last night, and they were probably hung out early in the morning.Xu Yunqing leaned against the counter to see the figure of Tao Liyang who was pasting the Spring Festival couplets by the door. He was in a daze for a moment, and his lips unconsciously bent deeper.It wasn't until I heard the microwave ding that I came back to my senses.

He took out the warm milk, picked off the top layer of milk skin, drank it in two gulps, and went to check the ingredients in the refrigerator.

The refrigerator is so full of melons, fruits and meat that it is dazzling at first glance. There are all kinds of canned food and wine beside it.There are two large boxes full of vegetables next to the refrigerator. There are two layers of seasonings in the cabinet above the counter. A neat row of hooks are nailed on the wall. There are various cured goods and even a whole ham hanging there.

"Did you move halfway to the market?" He heard Tao Liyang's approaching footsteps, shook his head and smiled.

Tao Liyang squatted down next to him: "I haven't been to the market for a long time, and I walked around with my eyes darkened, and I bought too much before I knew it."

This is not entirely true.Tao Liyang usually does not live at home. In order to buy things to go up the mountain, he asked his aunt at home to help him make a list. When he entered the market, he only remembered what Xu Yunqing liked. Everything is included, and what is listed on the list has long been thrown out of the sky.

I filled the trunk in a daze and drove up the mountain. When I counted, I found that there were many necessary things that I didn’t buy even with the oil, salt, sauce and vinegar. Then the contact person sent them up, and naturally they piled up into a hill.He seemed to have no idea what to do, but he still had to go back to N City at night to meet with the investors of the next play to discuss the changes to the script, and in a hurry, he hurried to find the housekeeper to finally sort it out.

It was funny when Tao Liyang thought of the situation that day.But in the face of Xu Yunqing, he didn't mention this, and slid his thumb across the corner of his lips to wipe away the milk stains before: "You were also tired from filming a while ago, and you lost so much weight, it's rare to take a break, just to make up for it .”

"I'm used to losing weight as soon as I'm filming. In fact, you were in the last film, so you didn't feel tired at all."

The heating in the room was fully turned on. Xu Yunqing looked at the canned fruit in the refrigerator. He felt thirsty for a while, so he opened a canned yellow peach and scooped a spoonful of sugar water to drink: "What's for dinner? You choose. Let me declare first, home-cooked food is fine. , the complicated ones will be avoided, so don’t expect too much.”

Tao Liyang was taking out the pre-processed winter bamboo shoots, when he heard this, he paused: "You do it?"

"Did you come?" Xu Yunqing tilted his head in surprise, "I remember you don't know how to cook."

In fact, Xu Yunqing doesn't usually cook, but a few years ago when the role was needed for filming, he made a special trip to learn for half a month, and occasionally cooks two dishes. It is barely decent, but there is no chance to practice.

Tao Liyang pursed his lower lips: "No, we can heat up a dish. But it's just the two of us. I'm afraid you won't be too lazy to go into the kitchen, so I asked my aunt to give me a quick training... I should be able to cook it well."

"Then how about..." Xu Yunqing looked at him, and couldn't help laughing when he saw Tao Liyang was a little nervous: "Let me do it, you fight."

Hot air burst out from the stove and condensed into fine droplets on the glass.The steamer next to it is stacked three layers up, and the fire has not yet been turned on. At the bottom are cured fish and cured pork ribs with fermented soybeans, and in the middle is prepared steamed meat. I originally planned to serve it with fresh small taro, but turned over a bag of chestnuts. It was still very sweet, so I peeled off all of them to make the bottom.The upper layer is bream steamed with shredded ham and bamboo shoots.

Xu Yunqing was cutting water chestnuts, and when he saw the water boiling next to him, he said to Tao Liyang, "Turn off the fire, I can't move my hands. Rinse the chicken in cold water, put it in a casserole, and add a handful of herbs in it."

"What medicine to add?" Tao Liyang put the washed mushrooms on the table.

"There are several herbal packages for stewed soup on the grid next to the refrigerator. You can take one.... Choose the goji berries first and add them to the pot. Is there any fresh yam? I didn't notice it just now. I need some. So you can also pick out the yam inside and put the fresh ones in."

"It seems to be there, I remember buying it." Tao Liyang wiped his hands, searched in the box for a while and found two yams, "How much do you use?"

"Half is enough." Xu Yunqing glanced back, "You put it away first, I'll cut it."

"No, you cut yours." Tao Liyang waved his hand.

"Then remember to wear gloves."

Tao Liyang responded, seeing Xu Yunqing finished cutting the water chestnuts and peeling the shrimps, he asked him, "Do you make dumplings? Auntie has wrapped them in the refrigerator."

"How about egg dumpling?" Xu Yunqing picked out the shrimp threads with a needle, "I'll make a baby dish in high soup later, and add it to cook together."

Listening to what he said, Tao Liyang flipped out two salted duck eggs while taking out the gloves.After everything was ready, Fu stood by the sink and started scraping the yams.

The only sounds in the kitchen were chopping vegetables and soup boiling and tumbling.The steam rose slowly, filling the kitchen with a white mist like soft clouds.While Tao Liyang was scraping vegetables, he turned his head to look at Xu Yunqing, but he also met his gaze.Both of them froze for a moment, then laughed together again.

The last plate of green vegetables was fried, and it was already dark.

I didn't feel it during the cooking, but now I sat down and drank a bowl of soup, my stomach warmed up, and I still felt a little hungry.

The two of them chatted in the kitchen all afternoon, and when they got to the table, they fell silent for a while, and each immersed themselves in eating.Tao Liyang picked a piece of bream and put it into Xu Yunqing's bowl, and suddenly heard Xu Yunqing ask him: "Today is thirty, isn't it?"

"That's right." Tao Liyang picked up the cup and touched it lightly on the rim of his cup, looking at him amusedly, "Have you been awake all this time, the Spring Festival couplets have been posted, and the meal has been served, why did you just remember now?" .”

The wine is sweet-scented osmanthus rice wine, brewed by a friend of Tao Liyang's house, and it tastes very sweet.Xu Yunqing took a sip: "It's probably because I slept for too long, I forgot the date, so this is a New Year's Eve dinner."

"What?" Tao Liyang asked him, "Do you want to add two dishes?"

"That's what I wanted to say." Xu Yunqing said solemnly, "It's a pity that after looking around, everyone who meets is here... But I haven't had a serious New Year's Eve dinner for several years. At this time two years ago, They are still working on the set."

Tao Liyang raised his eyebrows when he heard the words: "I know you were filming Director Zhang's movie last year. At this point in the year before last, what were you filming? "Long Summer"?"

"Long Summer" is Xu Yunqing's literary film that has just been nominated for a film festival.Seeing him nodding, Tao Liyang remembered that the last time Du Futing mentioned in the film crew that Xu Yunqing didn't take his role, it seemed to be the year before last.Then he asked him: "I heard from Director Du that you were asked to act in "Lamb", but you turned it down later because you wanted to film "Long Summer"?"

This sounds really uneconomical.Although "Long Summer" has also been nominated now, judging from the situation at the time, one is the work of a well-known director, and the other is just a newcomer who just graduated from the film school. No matter in terms of experience or production team, it is easy to see which one is better... …

"It's not because of this that I didn't accept "Lamb." Xu Yunqing thought for a while: "It's because I don't like that character design... In short, there are various reasons. At first I thought I could act, but after trying it, I was still I thought it was too difficult, so I pushed."

Tao Liyang frowned subconsciously, Xu Yunqing's acting skills were among the best among the same batch of actors, Du Futing also recognized it as a director.If it is too difficult, it should not be a technical problem in the performance, but seeing that Xu Yunqing didn't want to mention it, he picked up the chopsticks and changed the topic to "Long Summer".

""Long Summer" is a script that I came across later. It has been about half a month." Xu Yunqing took out a chestnut. Although it was out of season, it still tasted glutinous and sweet. "Li Ren had just graduated , took the script and sent it around, and I didn’t know why it was transferred to me. After I read it, I asked him out to chat with him, and I thought it was okay, and there was still time for me. So I voted The money was given to him to shoot, and it didn't take long, probably more than two months."

"You voted?"

"That's right." Xu Yunqing smiled, "But it's not mine anymore. After being nominated for the film festival, a new investor came over and sold it. It's going to be screened later, and it's better for them to do things like publicity. major."

Tao Liyang was taken aback for a moment, Xu Yunqing's filming of "Long Summer" was unexpected enough, but he didn't expect that he was the first to invest.Even if you want to switch to production, you shouldn't, after all, literary films are really not a good choice.

Hearing his question, Xu Yunqing shook his head as expected: "Without this idea, I couldn't do it as a producer. However, under the circumstances at the time, I couldn't make this film without paying for it. Li Ren really wanted to Shooting, I also pushed many other opportunities, I couldn't bear to see it. Anyway, the cost is not too high, I just had such a sum of money, so I voted..."

Xu Yunqing spoke lightly and delicately, but if the film "Long Summer" hadn't been nominated, it would have been in vain, not to mention the other losses in those two months.Xu Yunqing's ability to vote was not due to his unique vision, but he was simply prepared to lose everything.

Tao Liyang was slightly puzzled in his heart, but he didn't ask any further questions. He just smiled on his face: "That Li Ren, you treat him so well? Then when do I have to meet him?"

"I'm not nice to him." Xu Yunqing didn't explain much, but just asked him, "Have you seen "Long Summer"?"

Tao Liyang shook his head.

Xu Yunqing lowered his head and took a sip of the soup, then said with a smile, "Then when it's released, let's find a time to watch it. I think it will be the style you like."

The two talked, laughed and finished their meal, and just as they put down their chopsticks, Tao Liyang's cell phone rang, and it was Xu Anru calling.

He got up and said to Xu Yunqing, leave the bowls and chopsticks to me, then walked to the living room to answer the phone.

They are always in contact, saying happy new year, and the rest are just a few words.Xu Anru heard that he was celebrating the New Year on the mountain, and asked a few more questions, Tao Liyang was vague, Xu Anru didn't know if he had guessed something, and didn't say much, just said that they returned to N City on the seventh day of the lunar new year.

Counting the days, Xu Yunqing had already gone to the film festival at that time, Tao Liyang said: "Then I will pick you up at the airport then."

Xu Anru said hello, and called Tao Cheng over to talk to him.As long as Tao Liyang and his father didn't talk about work matters, they didn't talk much. After a few words, the receiver returned to Xu Anru's hands, and they talked for about ten minutes before hanging up.

When he returned to the dining room, Xu Yunqing had already cleared the table.

"Didn't you tell me to come?" Tao Liyang walked into the kitchen.

"Just put it in the dishwasher, how troublesome it can be. If you want to clean it up, you will take care of the rest of the day." Xu Yunqing just washed his hands and touched his face.

Tao Liyang grabbed his palm and kissed him: "Okay, it's all mine."

The clock in the living room had slipped to nine, but neither of them liked to watch the Spring Festival Gala anyway—a bunch of acquaintances were wandering around anyway, and it was only turned on to add some noise, so it didn't matter if it was early or late.

Tao Liyang replied to the New Year's greeting text messages one by one, Xu Yunqing was half lying on the sofa, with his head resting on his legs, looking at the script one by one, and choosing the next play to take.The two gossiped or ate two nuts, and the time passed.

The room was too warm, Xu Yunqing gradually felt a little sleepy, he didn't know when he fell asleep, he always fell asleep, and suddenly he heard the sound of fireworks.He thought it was coming from the TV, but when he opened his eyes, he saw fireworks outside the window.

Xu Yunqing went to the door, Tao Liyang also just came back from the yard, took his hand, and led him to the French window in the living room.

The fireworks illuminated half of the sky, and also reflected the roses in the whole courtyard in front.

Tao Liyang did not tell Xu Yunqing that he went to the nursery to choose all the roses and planted them one by one.

On the evening when the last flower was planted, he watched the sun set in the distance, and at that time he thought that these flowers might never be seen by Xu Yunqing.

But so what, a rose is always a rose, even if you thank me, even if no one sees it, it doesn't matter.

"Next summer, the flowers will bloom, right?"

Tao Liyang thought that Xu Yunqing was just watching the fireworks, but he suddenly heard him asking.

Tao Liyang was stunned for a moment, then turned his head, Xu Yunqing was looking at him with a smile.

Tao Liyang felt that his eyes were swollen, his Adam's apple moved, and he hummed lightly.

But those words, those feelings, he never intends to say them out, and Xu Yunqing doesn't need to know, even now or in the future.He just hugged Xu Yunqing from behind: "The flowers will bloom every summer, and all the roses are for you."

He heard Xu Yunqing in his arms gave a low laugh, then turned around and hugged him too.

Everything happened naturally, and it should happen naturally.

After all, they knew each other so well, not only in the few months since they were together, but perhaps as early as 12 years ago when they first met.

The bed was covered with a thick and soft blanket, which was extremely warm, but not as warm as Tao Liyang's hands.

His fingers slid down the back of Xu Yunqing's neck, touched every inch of his skin, and then moved away slowly.All sounds in the darkness are amplified, gasps and lids being opened.

Soon, Tao Liyang half-pressed him, and put his hands on his body again.This time it slipped to the back, bringing a little chill, Xu Yunqing couldn't help trembling, but Tao Liyang's other hand gently pressed his chest.

"I won't run away." Xu Yunqing said softly, laughing too.Touching the other thing beside the pillow, he simply tore it apart and fumbled to put it on for Tao Liyang.

When he touched it, Tao Liyang's breathing became heavier. Xu Yunqing noticed that his hand behind her stopped, and he might make a mistake, so he stopped his hand, and touched his neck with the other hand, very simply. Said: "It's okay not to wear it."

"I'm not..." Tao Liyang smiled, and then lowered his head to kiss his face: "What are you doing so stupid?"

"Who's being stupid." He slightly changed the tone of the last word, because one of Tao Liyang's fingers had already penetrated into his body.He took a slight breath, feeling a little swollen, but didn't say anything...

The place where the lower abdomen was attached gradually became sticky, and Tao Liyang withdrew his fingers.Xu Yunqing gritted his teeth lightly, but Tao Liyang called his name again.

"Yun Qing." He touched his waist with his hand, and looked at him with dark eyes, "I gave you many chances, this is the last time, you can't regret it. You think about yourself. It can't be because Me, because of us."

Tao Liyang's voice was a little hoarse when he spoke, and beads of sweat on his forehead kept slipping over his Adam's apple, and landed on Xu Yunqing again.

Xu Yunqing also looked at him. There were many emotions in Tao Liyang's eyes, and he knew each of them clearly, so he couldn't help feeling sour.He thought Tao Liyang shouldn't love him so much.But Tao Liyang already loves him so much.

What chance is there for him?He didn't have to choose a long time ago, or, he should have chosen so long ago.

Maybe it was for Tao Liyang, but for him, it was for them.

People will always go to the place they love the most, even if they wake up in the middle of the night, it doesn't matter if there is a cliff behind them, at least they have eyes.

Tao Liyang was still waiting for his answer, but Xu Yunqing didn't speak.Looking at him, a smile appeared on his lips, he stretched out his hand to hook his neck, and kissed his lips hard...

The rain broke up overnight, and the clouds dispersed, and I couldn't tell the time.

Tao Liyang hugged him very hard, it was a little hot, but Xu Yunqing didn't want him to let go, so he leaned down and fell into his arms.

In fact, there is still some pain, even though Tao Liyang has been very patient, but his heart is always happy and satisfied.Xu Yunqing was very tired, but couldn't sleep for a while.It felt like Tao Liyang was touching his fingers, and then a cold ring wrapped around his knuckles.

He laughed silently, and sure enough, he also touched the same one in Tao Liyang's hand, so he pulled it up and looked at the moonlight coming in from the window.

"I originally planned to give it to you for the New Year." Tao Liyang wore the ring simply, but now he seemed a little embarrassed, "It's not because of..."

"I know." Xu Yunqing said, and asked him again, "Is it a marriage proposal? Did you cut corners?"

Tao Liyang was taken aback for a moment, then realized, "Then I'll make it up now."

He said that he was about to get out of bed, Xu Yunqing hugged his waist and said with a smile: "Forget it, stop kneeling. I don't have the strength to pull you up now."

"Then did you agree?" Tao Liyang lay down and hugged him again.

Xu Yunqing raised his face from his arms to look at him, and rubbed the tip of his nose: "Okay."

I can't remember what was said afterward.

I only remember that when they were about to fall asleep, their fingers were clasped tightly, and the two rings were firmly attached to each other.

"Happy New Year." Xu Yunqing said when he was about to fall asleep.

"Happy New Year." Tao Liyang waited for his breathing to calm down, leaned forward and kissed his forehead, "I love you."

Xu Yunqing didn't know if he heard it, but there was a stretched smile on his brows and eyes all the time in his sleep.

Tao Liyang quietly looked at his sleeping face, he felt that his life had never been so complete.

He figured this was their first New Years together, and there would be many to come.

He can always look at Xu Yunqing like this, in every night when the fireworks are in full bloom, and in every summer when the roses are in full bloom.

The author says:

①: From Bai Juyi's "Giving Inside", ②: Mentioned in Chapter 7