muddy boy

With the efforts of Duan Qiao, Chen Linhu and Zhang Xun worked together to successfully shatter the plan to turn over the password incident.

Until the three of them were stuffed into a vegetable basket by Mr. Chen and sat in the small courtyard to choose vegetables, they still hadn't recovered from the embarrassment.

Probably, he has never done such a shameful thing. Zhang Xun, who has always been a topic leader, is as silent as a padlock on his mouth. Duan Qiao winked at him for a long time, Zhang Xun cleared his throat, and acted like an adult to break the deadlock. .

"Little fat, where is your partner?"

Duan Qiao's winking expression froze, and she turned her back and said, "There was a quarrel."

Zhang Xun found another way to make a living: "What about the job? Didn't you say there was a promotion opportunity?"

Duan Qiao's expression was gloomy: "I was squeezed out by the vile things who went through the back door."

"...Then last week, didn't your partner plan to take you to meet the parents," Zhang Xun said, "Did you decide when to go?"

"Don't mention it," Duan Qiao burst into tears, "Her parents immediately persuaded me to split up when they heard about my family situation."

Chen Linhu couldn't listen anymore, and said to Zhang Xun, "Can you say something that won't poke his heart?"

Zhang Xun put down the vegetable leaves that were about to be crushed by him, touched the mouthpiece of a cigarette, and while rubbing his stomach, which was beginning to feel uncomfortable, he thought to his mother, what the hell are we talking about today.

What was originally an awkward atmosphere has now turned into a sad and heavy atmosphere for adults.Duan Qiao had tears in his eyes, and he picked the vegetable leaves like petals, pulling them down one by one.

Chen Linhu glanced at Zhang Xun from the corner of his eye, and the latter was sipping on a cigarette with a helpless expression on his face. This may be the day Zhang Xun was most embarrassed and critized, and he couldn't even hold back his usual squinting smile.One hand pressed against his stomach repeatedly.

"What?" Chen Linhu could only take on the difficult problem of saving the atmosphere by himself.

"It's okay." Zhang Xun didn't expect Chen Linhu to be quite observant, so he smiled, "I'll make Xiaopang worry."

Duan Qiao snorted as she pulled the vegetable leaves, "Don't fart, you're an old problem. Didn't you eat breakfast?"

"Misunderstand me," Zhang Xun said, "I didn't eat dinner last night."

"You just do it," Duan Qiao said angrily, "You will stop when your stomach is completely rotten."

Chen Linhu thought of the small buns, ham sausages and instant noodles on Zhang Xun's tea table, and his sleepless schedule in the middle of the night, and felt that Duan Qiao's description of "the stomach is completely rotten" was very likely to be an objective description.

This is far from Chen Linhu's evaluation of Zhang Xun as a "qualified adult".

If Zhang Xun's social skills can be rated as [-] points, then Chen Linhu thinks that his living skills are probably on par with elementary school students, even worse than old Chen Tou, who is in his seventies and needs to hire part-time workers.

Chen Linhu was too lazy to argue with Zhang Xun about the WIFI password, so he glanced at Zhang Xun, got up and walked into the house.

"Where are you going?" Duan Qiao asked.

Chen Linhu replied nonchalantly: "Look for my master."

With no emotion in her tone, Duan Qiao turned her head and bumped Zhang Xun with her leg: "Hey, do you think this is a repost or not?"

"You don't know how many articles you've read if you don't say a few words," Zhang Xun slowly chose dishes, "You can't stop talking too much. We only met a few times, and you are almost shaking his family."

Duan Qiao said embarrassingly: "You don't understand, this is called closing your eyes! I feel kind to him when I see him, and I feel the same way as the working people seeing the yellow land."

"Greeting," Zhang Xun smiled, "Is it his combat prowess that makes you feel kind, or his way of speaking with few words and ruthlessness makes you feel kind?"

"No, I warn you, don't speak ill of my little benefactor," Duan Qiao said, "I just saw him on the street that day and felt familiar, and I always felt like someone."

Zhang Xun didn't have time to talk to Duan Qiao about his eye problems, just lowered his head and pulled two vegetable leaves, when Duan Qiao suddenly realized: "Yes, just like you at that time!"

Zhang Xun has no memory of what he looked like when he was Chen Linhu's age, but what is certain is that his expressions are definitely much richer than Chen Linhu's.

"It's not that the way he speaks is similar to his appearance," Duan Qiao sighed, "I can't say where, anyway, I saw him standing on the road with a suitcase, and he didn't believe anyone, so I thought It was almost the same when you graduated.”

"Come on," Zhang Xun hesitated, "I am very popular, I take good care of everyone, and I am very loving."

Duan Qiao rolled her eyes wide with her small eyes, and was about to continue talking when she heard Old Chen shouting loudly in the room.

"What don't you want to eat?" Old Chen's voice almost pierced through the wall, "Don't eat spicy food? Who has a rotten stomach? If you have a rotten stomach, eat ass and send it to the hospital!"

Although they didn't hear Chen Linhu's voice, Zhang Xun and Duan Qiao could still guess what the grandfather and grandson were discussing.

"See?" Duan Qiao broke off the root of the vegetable and snorted, "It's not like you weren't taken care of at the time."

Zhang Xun ignored him, squinted his eyes and punched his sore stomach with his fist.

After a while, Chen Linhu came back expressionless and continued with the unfinished work, without mentioning what he did in the kitchen just now.

The meal hasn't been served yet, but Zhang Xun inexplicably feels a little warmer in his stomach.

Different from the rigid and polite dining table that Chen Linhu had expected, old Chen Tou and Duan Qiao got along very well, and the two discussed everything from fifteen ways to smoke bacon to what to wear to meet the object's parents.

Old Chen said the truth clearly, and said, "My seventy years of life experience is not in vain." Duan Qiao's eyes lit up when he said it, and he took out his mobile phone to record it, saying that he must take it home and listen to it before going to bed.

Chen Linhu and Zhang Xun couldn't get in the way at all, holding the job bowl in his hand, he was responsible for nodding and flattering, as well as cleaning the dishes and cleaning the table after the meal.

"Is he familiar with my grandfather?" Chen Linhu wiped the table, glanced at the old Chen who was talking to Duan Qiao while rubbing his head, and asked Zhang Xun who was pulling the stool beside him in a low voice.

Zhang Xun also said in a low voice: "Duan Qiao used to know Uncle Chen when he was doing community service. This house is due to the rent reduction he gave me. Usually you don't come back very often. Duan Qiao brings some barbecue every now and then. Pig's trotters, what kind of junk food, have a meal with the old men and old ladies, friends of the elderly, the relationship is good."

When Chen Linhu heard the phrase "you don't come back very often", his eardrum seemed to be punctured.

Because talking to Chen Xingye for more than three sentences would cause a quarrel, the old head Chen refused to live with Chen Xingye.When the relationship between Lin Hongyu and Chen Xingye was good, Old Chen would go to live in their city for a few months every year. Since the conflict between the two became more and more serious, Old Chen even saved those few months. Staying in Baoxiang City, guarding the two old houses and not moving.

When Chen Xingye got divorced and remarried, old Chen was even more reluctant to leave Baoxiang City.And Chen Linhu also entered high school. In order to meet the various indicators set by his father, he had to start a three-point and one-line life of being imprisoned in front of a desk and squatting in the studio. Baoxiang is playing.

Although Chen Xingye had mentioned to Chen Linhu more than once the plan to take the old man to live with him, and promised to fulfill it as soon as possible, but because the old man was not happy, he delayed it again and again. Busier than a year, this plan continued to be postponed, so that when Chen Linhu asked about it before the college entrance examination, it took Chen Xingye several seconds to remember.

To be honest, Chen Linhu was not even surprised that "my dad even forgot about this". Before he became an adult, he had learned to get used to accepting fruitless promises, holding a handful of empty checks.

Compared with Chen Xingye's disappointment, Chen Linhu was even more disappointed with himself.

His three years of summer tutoring and practice did not bring about leaps and bounds, but he sacrificed the opportunity to see Old Chen.

Thinking of the old man guarding the two empty apartments and the family courtyard where he was fighting in the middle of the night, Chen Linhu felt that his grandson was really not very authentic.

He suddenly understood why Old Chen rented out the second floor.

The second floor, which cannot wait for people to come, is too empty. Even if a stranger lives in it, Old Chen feels that it is at least full.

Someone lightly bumped Chen Linhu's shoulder, interrupting his thoughts.

"Hey," Zhang Xun whispered, "What I just said has no other meaning, don't take it seriously."

Chen Linhu froze for a moment, seeing Zhang Xun staring at his face, observing his expression.

This feeling of being carefully considered by others is actually not very good, but Zhang Xun's proper care in his tone barely balances the subtle feeling he brought to Chen Linhu.

Just as Chen Linhu was about to answer, the old Mr. Chen yelled loudly: "It's still early, hurry up, play two games of checkers!"

"I haven't finished painting yet, so I'll play with you tonight." Chen Linhu set up the chessboard for Old Chen, "I'll go back to my room, and you guys can play."

Without waiting for him to leave, Zhang Xun immediately said, "I am most yearning for art, and I just want to see people draw, walk around, you draw yours, I just squat down and watch."

Chen Linhu was keenly aware of the idea of ​​this stinky chess basket avoiding the war, but the old head Chen obviously agreed with the behavior of others admiring his grandson, touching his bald head and nodding repeatedly: "You are welcome, Mr. Zhang, there is a bed inside, you can sit on the bed look."

Without waiting for Chen Linhu to speak, Zhang Xun pushed him out of the living room, leaving only Duan Qiao, who couldn't find a reason, sweating profusely, and was pushed down on the chair by old Chen Tou, who started the first set involuntarily.

Chen Linhu was pushed into his bedroom. Zhang Xun quickly closed the door and put his ear on the door to listen to the movement. He was satisfied only after he was sure that his good brother had fallen and the flames of war had been ignited and that he could not reach himself. nodded.

Chen Linhu didn't say a word, and watched Zhang Xun's series of operations with folded arms.

When Zhang Xun turned his head, he almost bumped into Chen Linhu who was standing behind him.

The two are about the same height, Chen Linhu is a little one or two centimeters taller, and he usually doesn't feel it, but when he stands close, he looks a bit tall and straight, and with that unfriendly face, he is born with a sense of oppression.

"Longing for art?" Chen Linhu said, "Looking on the ground?"

Zhang Xun's usual polite smile appeared on his face again, and he pushed Chen Linhu away a little with one hand, "Uncle Chen just gave an order, I can sit on the bed and watch."

"Are you running errands to buy breakfast again?" Chen Linhu didn't block him anymore, walked to the desk and shook the mouse to wake up the sleeping computer.

Zhang Xun's stable appearance that an adult should have, collapsed after a few seconds, and sighed: "There are still three sets left."

The gamble between old Chentou and Zhang Xun is said to have lasted for less than half a year. Zhang Xun lost enough for fifteen games, so he wanted to buy old Chentou a fried bun from a hot breakfast shop on the corner for breakfast. Old Chentou lost enough Fifteen plates, including Zhang Xun's dinner for a week.

From the start of the game to the present, Zhang Xun has only eaten free dinners for a week, and the owner of the breakfast shop has already remembered Zhang Xun's appearance.

Chen Linhu smiled and didn't push Zhang Xun any more, turned around and opened his lame suitcase, and picked it up among the things Lin Hongyu had prepared for him.

"You don't know how many people are in that breakfast shop. I don't want to squeeze in early in the morning." Zhang Xun saw that he had revealed his secrets and stopped pretending. On the computer screen, "Can I see it?"

Chen Linhu nodded casually, and Zhang Xun went to take a closer look.

Compared with his desk full of messy books and papers, Chen Linhu's desk can be summed up as tidy.

The illustrations on the computer screen already have light and shadow color blocks, but have not yet begun to refine them. The hand-painted board in front of the computer has been used for a while, and the center of the film pasted in the drawing area has been rubbed smooth and flat, and the tip of the hand-painted board pen on the side is also bald. Little half.

There is also a sketchbook next to the computer. It can be seen that it has been used frequently. The cover is old, and the used inner pages swell with a small arc.

"Practice often?" Zhang Xun didn't get permission to flip through the sketchbook, so he just glanced at it and said with a smile, "Young landlord, you like to draw?"

Chen Linhu said vaguely: "That's right." Then he dug out a box from the box and threw it to Zhang Xun, "Take two if you need it."

Zhang Xun took the box and took a look. It was medicine for gastritis.

The gentleness of his squinted eyes faded a little, but there was a little smile in his eyes.

"Do you still have this kind of thing, and you have a stomach problem?" He didn't feel bad at the moment, but he still took a board out of the box, "Okay, I'll get some spares, thanks."

"No," Chen Linhu closed the box and pushed it back to its original place, "my mother stuffed it before going out."

Zhang Xun recognized this box as the one Chen Linhu mentioned when he first met him, and he couldn't help laughing: "You've lost a wheel and you're still in the military. Didn't you buy another one? Aren't you planning to carry it to report when school starts?"

Chen Linhu only remembered this after he reminded him.

"Really plan to take it with you?" Zhang Xun was also stunned, "Aren't you going to start school next week? Have you packed your luggage?"

Chen Linhu put the box on the ground, wiped off the dust from his hands and sat back on the chair in front of the desk, and said calmly, "Let's talk about it."

"Oh." From Chen Linhu's attitude, Zhang Xun could see that he didn't want to continue this topic. He couldn't answer for a while, so he just sat on the bed and watched Chen Linhu slide the pen on the hand-painted board. He didn't know how to blurt out Then asked, "You reported it yourself?"

"Well," Chen Linhu looked at the computer, his tone didn't fluctuate, "my grandfather is too old to go."

The start of the university term is actually a physical job, carrying luggage and going through the formalities to find a dormitory, it is better for old Chen to not toss about his old bones.

Chen Linhu held his hands and wrote casually on the hand-painted board. On the screen, a line that should be on the light-receiving side fell on the shadow. He was a little annoyed while canceling the operation.Zhang Xun's words reminded him of Lin Hongyu who changed his mind temporarily.

In fact, Chen Linhu didn't care if anyone followed the report, he just never understood how his parents made promises and changed so easily.

This kind of incomprehension ran through his entire teenage years, and he was gradually accustomed to accept the reality of "promises will not be fulfilled", but at the same time, what has bred at the same time and is still unaccustomed is "promises to me can be placed after other things casually" " thoughts.

Once this concept is formed, every subsequent disappointment seems to only strengthen it.

From the day Chen Linhu took the initiative to find reasons for his parents that "they are very busy", he is no longer a kid who rolls around all over the floor asking for an explanation, so he has never said this dispensable disappointment Pass.

Fortunately, Zhang Xun didn't continue talking, but leaned back with his arms behind his back, let out a "hmm", and suddenly laughed after a long while: "What Duan Qiao said seems to make sense, we are indeed a bit alike."

Chen Linhu didn't understand and looked at him sideways.

"I also went to the university to report by myself," Zhang Xun said slowly, "I just carried a bag and sunglasses and went to school. I bought a washbasin and a clothes drying pole on the way, and it spread in the department that night. It’s so inspiring to say that there is a blind freshman studying in the Chinese Department.”

Chen Linhu couldn't help it: "We don't look alike at all." Don't talk nonsense here.

"You knew it when you reported. Reporting by yourself has its own benefits." Zhang Xun said with a serious expression.

Although Chen Linhu already knew that this man couldn't spit out ivory, he still couldn't help asking, "What?"

Zhang Xun violently pulled the air-conditioning quilt on the bed: "You can choose the sheets and quilts you like."

He lifted the air conditioner and spread it out, the cartoon tiger head on it was facing Chen Linhu's face.

That day, Chen Linhu completely violated his "reticent and steady as a mountain" behavior style, grabbed the air-conditioning quilt from Zhang Xun's hand, and cursed several obscenities amidst his loud laughter.

The day before school started, Chen Linhu went to a nearby shopping mall to buy a new suitcase and some clothes at the urging of old Chen Tou.

Most of the things Lin Hongyu brought were useless, so she simply stayed at home and only brought some necessary medicines.

On the contrary, the neighbors in the second unit knew that he was going to start school soon after being yelled at by the old head Chen, so they told Chen Linhu to bring this and that to the school according to the frequency of three meals a day.

Ding Bifang, who hadn't seen her face since the late-night farce, sent her son Ding Yule to give Chen Linhu a box of chocolates.

"My mother said it was a gift from my work unit. It tastes good. I want you to share it with your classmates at school." Ding Yule's voice was as soft as a mosquito humming, and even though old Chen was so anxious, he still hummed quietly. , "Brother, take it, if you don't want my mother, you should beat me up."

Maybe it was because Chen Linhu was afraid that he would bring up what happened that night. As soon as the chocolates were handed over, Ding Yule disappeared with a slap in the face.

The high-end brand of chocolate tastes really good, and Chen Linhu only found out later that apart from himself, Zhang Xun and the young couple on the fourth floor were all given a box by Ding Bifang for a reason, so that Chen Linhu doubted whether it was a gift from his work unit or not. of.

On the contrary, Zhang Xun started his busy schedule again. Chen Linhu only occasionally saw the bamboo basket with cat food put down from his window. Several paw prints in the mud.

On the first day of school, Chen Linhu pulled his light suitcase and was sandwiched in the majestic and high-spirited school-off team, like the only one riding a donkey in the cavalry.

September is considered to be autumn, but the heat wave is still raging. The sidewalk on Daxue Road where Baoxiang Normal University is located is crowded with people. The annual off-campus market is set up along the street, selling most of the daily necessities.

Most of the freshmen came to report accompanied by their relatives. Chen Linhu looked at the parents who passed by with big bags and small bags wiping him, and many of them were carrying bedding brought from home. ran around.

Chen Linhu finally understood why Zhang Xun stopped halfway to buy clothes to dry.

Because others seemed to carry half of the house, but he seemed to be staying in a hotel on a business trip.

Because of the herd mentality, he wanted to buy a pot or bring something before entering school.

Chen Linhu pulled his suitcase and squeezed along the sidewalk. There were various shops around the university. Milk tea shops and mala tang shops were next to each other. The smell of oil from fried chicken shops lingered in the air in September.

If there are old Chen Tou and childhood memories in the family courtyard, then this time and this place are the real new map for Chen Linhu to develop.He smelled the messy smell in the air, heard the loud shouts in his ears, and tapped a finger on the handle of the luggage handle distractedly.

Chen Linhu's expression tensed even more when he thought that he had to find an application place among such a sea of ​​people.

The boy walking in front of him with a pot on his head said to the man beside him, "Dad, I'm thirsty, I want coffee."

"You still want to go to heaven," his father sneered while holding the mattress he brought with one hand, "I didn't see you grow two wings. The foreign eggs are so good, you can pee after drinking a bottle of mineral water that costs one yuan What's wrong with not coming out?"

"You bought a bag of mineral water, and I urinated all the way," the boy was not happy, "Drink something refreshing, and I will be refreshed when I see my seniors, sisters, teachers, etc., and I will make you look good."

His father was persuaded by the second part of the sentence, raised his big hand, removed the basin from his son's head, and gently kicked the other's calf with his foot affectionately: "Go, buy me some flavored drinks too, I will The mouth is frothy, and your mother won't let you buy a drink."

The boy saluted with peace of mind, but unloaded it to his father, and happily rushed into a nearby shop.

Chen Linhu was squeezed behind the father and son. He listened to the conversation of father's kindness and son's filial piety, and looked in the direction the boy ran to. It was a well-decorated book bar.

There is a very weak bell hanging on the door, and the sound it makes is not as loud as the peddler on the roadside yelling and selling pots.

After the boy entered, his father was standing by the side of the road waiting for his son with big and small bags on his shoulders. He followed his son into the door of the book bar, and then put down the mattress to catch his breath, and let Chen Linhu pass by wiping his sweat.

"Have you passed?" The man turned sideways and glanced at Chen Linhu's suitcase, "Is it just a few things? Why don't your parents carry the dormitory for you?"

Chen Linhu was accosted by the familiar, his tense face couldn't express much, and he was uttering a meaningless syllable vaguely, when he saw the bell at the door of the book cafe rang again, and someone pushed the door out .

"Hey," the person coming out shouted, "Chen Linhu!"

Hearing someone calling himself in the hot pot environment like dumpling, he seemed to have found an escape route suddenly. Chen Linhu followed the voice and looked over. Shouted: "You need to wear sunglasses, I reluctantly admit that you are more fashionable than me at that time."

Chen Linhu raised his eyebrows and said, "No need for sunglasses."

This means that he is very cool even without sunglasses.

Zhang Xun was amused by his ability to focus.

During this period of time, Zhang Xun can be regarded as understanding. Although Chen Linhu raised his eyebrows like [-] million, it actually didn't have any practical meaning. Training has regarded this expression as a habitual action.

People came and went on the street, Chen Linhu was nailed to the road like a road sign, and Zhang Xun recognized him at a glance through the glass in the book bar.

Chen Linhu's thick black hair raised his bangs due to sweating, revealing an eye-catching face. Because he looked a bit fierce, he had an aura that didn't get along well with anyone, but when he raised his eyebrows just now, his tense The expression immediately became lively, revealing a trace of youthful anger.

The eyes of the little girls passing by glanced at him back and forth, but Chen Linhu didn't notice it at all, he had the potential of a elm-headed head, and said to Zhang Xun: "What are you doing here?"

Zhang Xun tugged on his uniform, then pointed to the signboard above his head: "Part-time job."

He was wearing a shirt and an apron of the sort that coffee shop workers wear, with a little logo on the chest, exactly like the one on the sign.

"Zhang Xun, why did you come out here? I'm only halfway through what I've said." The girl wearing the same apron also opened the door and leaned halfway out. Try it."

Chen Linhu saw Zhang Xun backing back again and again, and while backing up, he said, "No, forget it, I have no plans to fall in love."

"Why forget it, forget about that female teacher in the physical institute last time, forget it this time, forget it this time," the girl sighed, "I promised her a match, and you don't look like you have all the emotions and desires dead. The kind of people who have."

Chen Linhu saw a bit of embarrassment from Zhang Xun's expression, and he couldn't help gloating, so he raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and met Zhang Xun's eyes.

"Let's talk about it later," Zhang Xun winked at Chen Linhu as if grasping for a life-saving straw, then tore off his apron and stuffed it into the girl's hand, "I'll send someone to report, you stay here first, night shift Can I do it for you?"

The girl was taken aback: "You? Who are you sending?"

Before Chen Linhu could react, Zhang Xun grabbed the suitcase in his hand, and the two brothers patted him on the shoulder: "Send him!"

Chen Linhu became Zhang Xun's shield for the second time, gloating at others' misfortune turned into a disaster for Chi Yu, and the corners of his raised mouth "whoosh" were suppressed.

"Yo, new student?" The girl's gaze paused on Chen Linhu's face for a while, she nodded her head in a friendly greeting, and then asked, "Is this your...relative or friend?"

Chen Linhu said: "Neighbor—"

"My brother!" Zhang Xun quickly replied, "The kind who loves brothers and sisters, and loves stronger than gold. I really feel sorry for not sending him away, really."

The girl expressed her understanding, smiled at Chen Linhu, and told him to come to the book bar for a while if he had nothing to do.

Before Chen Linhu could answer, Zhang Xun dragged his suitcase and walked two meters away.

The pace that has always been unhurried and unhurried now seems to be fleeing.

Chen Linhu caught up with two or three steps on his long legs, walked forward side by side with Zhang Xun, and said in a low voice, "Your brother?"

"You're welcome," Zhang Xun said, "We are all grandchildren in front of Uncle Chen, so it's pointless to worry about it."

Chen Linhu thought deeply, and felt that what Zhang Xun said had some truth.

"Let's go," Zhang Xun patted him on the back, "There's still a lot to do, I'll accompany you to report."

Chen Linhu didn't say anything more, and followed Zhang Xun forward, and the gate with the banner of Master Baoxiang gradually appeared in front of him.

The mood of the dumpling that was about to fall into the boiling water pot was completely disturbed at the moment, and the two walked into the gate together, naturally joining the joyful and lively crowd.

He suddenly patted Zhang Xun on the back.

"Why?" Zhang Xun couldn't find his way because of his iron sand palm.

"It's okay," Chen Linhu smiled, "I have a chance to catch toads for you."

I reward you for being willing to go to the boiling water pot with me.

The author has something to say:

Huzi, the cat thought the same way when it gave the mouse as a thank-you gift.