blowing clouds

Chen Xiyang had almost zero experience in helping out in the store, so he got twice the result with half the effort, and the sweat on his forehead never stopped. He was shaky on the way home after closing the store door at night, and lit a cigarette with a sad face under the moonlight.

Chen Li shivered as the whistling bleak night wind came, and looked along the drifting smoke.He was tired, and now he looked up at his son even more.

It has only been five years since he returned to the family, which is the same as the time he spent in prison, but it is completely different from a sensory perspective. Chen Li always feels that he does not spend enough time with his family, and there are too few pictures of Chen Xiyang in his eyes.

Based on this kind of emotion that suddenly came to my heart, and the fact that Chen Xiyang has performed very well recently, Chen Li can be regarded as amiable: "It's so fast, it's going to be Chinese New Year when it's cold."

Chen Xiyang could only see Lin Ji once a week, and six days passed like a year, he said honestly: "I think time is very slow."

"I also thought so when I was young. I thought the days were too long," Chen Li snorted with a half-smile, "When you start a family, especially after you have children, time is like a rabbit jumping out. Hurry up. Xiyang, it's time to think about the business."

Chen Xiyang thought to himself, I'm already one year older, do I still have to let you decide the major events in life?But in order not to anger his father and cause his recent good performance to go to waste, he didn't say anything, just smoked in silence.

Chen Xiyang didn't have the mood to look up at the starry sky, and Chen Li didn't have the idea of ​​looking up at the starry sky at all. The two returned home in silence, and the dinner that Lu Yan had prepared earlier was on the table, which had already been warmed up.

Xu Donghai said that he would come to visit today, and Chen Xiyang knew it was true when he saw his mother's absent-minded expression, but he didn't know the effect.

Although he didn't really approve of this method in his bones, Chen Xiyang had no other choice, after all, sometimes it would be miraculous to hand over such things to outsiders.

"his dad……"

After a hasty meal, Lu Yan couldn't hold back and called Chen Li to the bedroom, obviously holding back something to say, Chen Xiyang washed the dishes and cleaned up the table with a feeling of resignation, then lay down on the bed and continued to talk to Lin Ji poured out his feelings.

Chen Xiyang seemed to have had a dream that night, but he didn't seem to have it. He arrived at the unit accompanied by his mother early in the morning. As soon as he entered the door, he hurried to Xu Donghai to ask for the result.

"This matter... I don't dare to draw conclusions for you yet," Xu Donghai looked like an old god, and probably imagined himself as a brain truster who planned and won thousands of miles. Chen Xiyang wanted to slap him, "And I If people talk lightly and talk too much, the godmother will be annoying, so I just let my old mother do it on her own."

Chen Xiyang asked the most fundamental question: "The key is, can my godmother accept this kind of thing and let her be a lobbyist?"

"I told you when I got home last night, and her attitude is also unpredictable..." Xu Donghai replied honestly, and then added, "But based on what I know about my mother, she is willing to respect such things. Xiao Ding is fine."

Chen Xiyang finally felt a little relieved: "Okay, anyway, thank you this time, if it works, I... I don't know what I can do to help you, if I can't, I'll be your shooter."

"Get out!" Xu Donghai stared, "Brother is better than you in terms of qualifications, do I need your help? And Teacher Tang is sitting there, dare to say anything!"

Tang Lao took off his reading glasses and smiled like an old urchin: "I didn't hear that. But what are you two boys planning, why do you want your parents to participate?"

Xu Donghai blinked: "It's a lifelong event."

Tang Lao looked serious: "Here, Xiao Chen has someone to talk to? Okay, bring them here someday, and let us old antiques check it out for you."

Mr. Tang's joke won a lot of booing. Chen Xiyang suddenly remembered Ding Zhaoyan from before, and realized that there were people willing to accept him no matter what, so he smiled softly. According to the interpretation of everyone, this smile is naturally shy up.

Xu Donghai's visit was like a stone breaking the ripples on the lake, and then it gradually returned to calm. As for whether it will trigger a bigger wave when it falls to the bottom of the lake, no one can predict the result before it comes out.

The atmosphere at home has always been like that. Under the pressure, both parties maintain a peaceful atmosphere with ulterior motives. Parents and children avoid talking, and they are silently waiting for each other to give up. Only when Lin Ji comes back on weekends, the air will be a bit more Sweet tension.

In this situation, the stone jumped into the lake unwillingly last time——Xu Donghai came again, and this time he not only brought a gift, but also took an invitation card in a decent manner.

Everyone in Xu Donghai's family except Xia Jun's baby was married before. Obviously, this is not a wedding invitation, and in fact it is true. He is here to invite Chen Xiyang's family to attend his father's old Xu's birthday banquet.

"Hey, I'm ashamed to say that I don't even know when your parents' birthdays are." Chen Li rubbed his palms with some embarrassment. .”

"It's true that my parents didn't have birthdays in previous years," Xu Donghai smiled back, "but this year is special. My father knows his destiny this year, and his fiftieth birthday is always lively."

Lu Yan smiled and said: "It should be, you should just call and explain, why don't you go there in person again, we will definitely be there when the time comes!"

"Hey, other people's families have sent invitations in person, and my godmother's house is no exception! It's okay, godfather and godmother, you two sit down, I'll go first!"

Xu Donghai declined the second elder's persuasion with a smile on his face, and gave Chen Xiyang a meaningful look before going out, as if telling him that this birthday banquet was unusual.

In the days before the birthday banquet, the husband and wife were busy discussing and preparing the birthday gift. They must not be shabby, and they must not be tacky. He even kissed and whispered in private.

"Do you think parents can be persuaded to come down by godfather and godmother?" Lin Ji asked while touching Chen Xiyang's hand, and had to devote some energy to listening to the movement outside the house, and would run away if there was any trouble.

"It's hard to say," Chen Xiyang said truthfully, "How about we make a bet?"

"What's the bet?" Lin Ji asked.

"I can make a bet, but you can't make a bet. If I win, you will be at my mercy on the bed. If unfortunately you win, we will run away from home and be a pair of fateful mandarin ducks wandering around the world." Chen Xiyang said along with himself. The smile on his face got deeper and deeper.

Lin Ji's expression was complex, touched, smiling, and somewhat helpless: "Brother, you are gradually subverting your own image in my heart."

Having prepared for the worst, Chen Xiyang was able to calm down and joke: "What, is it because my brother is not good enough?"

Lin Ji gave a dry cough and distanced himself from him: "There are footsteps outside, parents seem to be approaching, I'll go first."

"Let's run," Chen Xiyang raised his eyebrows, which made Lin Ji's heart flutter, "When the time comes, you will even get profits."

After walking out of the bedroom, Lin Ji turned his head and stuck out his tongue at him very childishly.

On the day of the birthday banquet, the whole family arrived at Xu's house. It seemed that they were a happy family with a harmonious relationship, and they entered the gate under Gu Honghong's kind invitation.No matter how bad one can get in touch with the Xu family, they have to be businessmen who have made achievements. There are even wealthy businessmen and people from the government among the visitors. They couldn't hide it from the eyes of the group of people. Some people looked down on them secretly, some looked at them like monkeys, and some smiled at them kindly and even had a relationship with Chen Lila, but these people are obviously not important. .

After the banquet, Xu Donghai broke out in a sweat arranging to see off the guests. Chen Li pushed Chen Xiyang and Lin Ji to help them. He and Lu Yan followed the master's family away from the disheveled table and went to the brand-new living room.

"I've been busy recently, and I haven't seen my sister-in-law for a long time," Chen Li smiled and looked at the living room, "When will it be renovated again?"

"It's just scratched white, what did you say you used good paint, and you can move in after installation..." Gu Honghong held a bunch of shiny grapes and greeted the two of them to eat, "But I still smell it. All these years The environment in the city is worse, so I think it’s better to live in the countryside.”

Old birthday star Xu Xu also sighed while smoking a cigarette: "Yes, there are tall buildings everywhere in the big cities. If you say that if the water and electricity are cut off, can people survive? In my opinion, nowhere is as good as the countryside. "

Chen Li and Lu Yan were not good at words, they just nodded with a smile and said yes, Gu Honghong took the opportunity to introduce the topic to the children: "I think you two are similar to us, both of you are busy in business and don't know how to enjoy. Look My family, Donghai, studies those romantic poems and songs every day. I don’t touch the spring water with my ten fingers, and I don’t go out to earn money. When I get up, I go to the publishing house and enjoy my life purely.”

Lu Yan said with a smile: "This kind of fate is good. You don't have to worry about it every day. Parents just hope that their children will have a better life."

"Your family's children are fine too," Old Xu said with a smile, "People who engage in literature are simple, and your family's life is also easy. You don't need them to work hard for a few taels of silver, and you husband and wife don't have to push yourself too hard. , how happy we are together."

After hearing this, the corners of Lu Yan's mouth seemed to become heavy, and she smiled a little forcedly. Chen Li seemed to realize something, and habitually lowered his head.

Gu Honghong looked around, but the children were not there, so she cleared her throat and said, "Yan'er, Donghai went to your house a few days ago, and you told him about the troubles at home, and he also learned from me when he came back. I thought about it for a long time. , I think it’s good for us to talk together.”

Old Xu nodded: "We also attach great importance to it. If it weren't for this, I might not hold this banquet, but it's only fifty. What kind of birthday is it at a young age..."

"Shut up!" Gu Honghong gave old Comrade Xu a look, "I'm just afraid that calling Yan'er and the others over alone will put pressure on them, so I'm having a lot of trouble today, so why not take the opportunity to talk?"

Chen Li subconsciously wanted to apologize: "Brother, it's embarrassing to say it out loud, and this mess in my family made you bother..."

"You are my benefactor, won't it be far away if you say this? And can I ignore our godson?" Gu Honghong feigned anger, "Don't say such things when you come here, let's solve the problem properly."

Lu Yan held her hand and wanted to cry again: "Our lives are miserable, what do you think I can do about this..."

"Don't cry, don't cry, we women can't cry as soon as we encounter a problem, we can solve it anyway, why waste our feelings!" Gu Honghong stroked the back of her rough hand, "I know everything, what are you and big brother thinking now?"

Chen Li held his head anxiously, and said in a low voice, "What else can we do? Let the two boys separate, why can't we prepare for their wedding? I think, after Ah Ji graduates, let him go to the big city Let's develop."

Gu Honghong looked at Lu Yan: "What do you think?"

Thinking of Chen Xiyang's weak state of being bedridden and unable to eat a while ago, Lu Yan softened her heart: "When the time comes, Xiyang will look for death and life again, it would be best if someone can enlighten them, so that they will stop being stupid and continue to be brothers. "

"I think you're just dreaming." Chen Li didn't take his wife's words seriously.

Not to be outdone, Lu Yan fought back: "Then you go and force your own son to death, you go!"

"Don't make noise, let's think of a way, why are you two still bickering?" Gu Honghong couldn't laugh or cry.

Lu Yan looked at her for help: "Sister-in-law, please find a way for us!"

Old Xu pushed the cigarette case to Chen Li's hand and patted him on the back. Chen Li stared at it for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

Gu Honghong said, "Yan'er, I'm actually in a dilemma. First, I'm afraid you'll think I'm a dog picking on a mouse. Second, I think you won't accept the way I think. You'll say that I won't hurt my back when I stand and talk."

"Am I that kind of person?" Lu Yan asked anxiously, "If you have any ideas, just say it!"

"Is this right? To their parents, they are naturally rebellious. From the perspective of outsiders, most people will think they are crazy, but the key lies in the relationship. Outsiders' opinions are irrelevant. Even if you are a mother, you are forced to separate. You have also seen their results, the son is going to die, is it uncomfortable for you as a mother? So let's not worry about right or wrong, just think about what to do in the future."

Lu Yan completely regarded her as a life-saving straw, and kept nodding to urge him to continue.

Gu Honghong's next words were very simple: "Yan'er, you must have heard the story of Dayu's flood control. As the old saying goes, blocking is worse than sparse."

This was said when Xu Donghai first visited, and Lu Yan frowned: "You let me let it go?"

Old Xu said cautiously: "People have a rebellious psychology. Sometimes the relationship between two people is not so deep, but the greater the pressure from the outside world, the more firmly they will stand together to fight against everything. This is the rebellious psychology of people. , is also a characteristic of emotion.”

As if he had been caught by the police, Chen Li held his head with his face sullen and said nothing, while Lu Yan's eyes glistened with confused tears.

"That is to say, the more you force them, the more you use tough measures, it will be counterproductive." Gu Honghong concluded for Lao Xu, "Just leave them alone, and when they realize that this is not a problem, the problem will be solved naturally. .”

The other party made such an understatement, Lu Yan felt that she was making a big fuss by crying, but she still didn't want to see the two children continue to be confused: "But... what do outsiders think? What should I do if others make irresponsible remarks?"

"Good sister," Gu Honghong patted the back of her hand, "Everything depends on outsiders' saliva, aren't you going to die of exhaustion?"

Lu Yan suddenly thought of a few years ago, she brought her teenage son alone to make a living. The neighbors all knew that her man was a reform-through-labor prisoner, and rumors and rumors were flying everywhere. The only way for her was to pretend that she didn't care and stay strong. , and no one would point and point at her.

So these words hit Lu Yan's heart, and Chen Li's eyes gradually became serious.

But gossip is not what the couple cares about the most. Chen Li said slowly: "If they have been obsessed with obsession, and they will regret it when they get old and can't get up in bed, what should I do? I'm hurting them by letting them go. At that time, I will scold me as a father for conniving them."

Gu Honghong smiled: "Brother, if you are joking, do you think that with our family tradition, Xu Donghai's children will not solve the pension problem for them? If you are serious, even if you have children, he must be a filial person." ? Anyway, looking at it now, if you force them to separate and marry with the majesty of your parents, their married life will definitely not be happy. How can the children born in this environment be safe and healthy?"

Old Xu also said: "I said it at the beginning, this matter is not clear right or wrong, what we need to discuss is what to do. I think that as a parent, if you love your children, you should give them freedom. If you don’t break the law and commit crimes, chasing and intercepting will only make yourself and your children uncomfortable, and your children and grandchildren will have their own blessings, not to mention how many happy times people have in this short life, so dare not waste them.”

Now that the atmosphere is here, there is no need to say anything else. Gu Honghong changed the subject by pulling the material of Lu Yan's new clothes, while Old Xu glanced at Chen Li.

After a moment of silence, Chen Li slowly extended his hand to the cigarette case. He had indeed quit smoking for many years, but he did not seem to have lost his muscle memory. Although his movements were slow but methodical, he took a deep puff of the cigarette for the first time in nearly ten years. He didn't cough either.

The smoke was dense, Chen Li's eyes were sometimes solemn and sometimes cloudy, and his face was sometimes young and sometimes old.