Bamboo Horse Cultivation Manual [Rebirth]

The day passed quickly.In the evening, Ye Li packed his schoolbag and asked Qiu Mu and Gu Yu to go home from school together.

"Let's go."

Qiu Mu showed a sorry expression, and said to Ye Li: "Xiao Yu and I are going to a place and take a long detour."

Ye Li said: "It's okay, I will accompany you."

However, Gu Yu took Qiu Mu's arm and took a few steps back again and again, haha ​​said: "No need, Xiao Mu agreed to accompany me to get it—ahh, buy something for dinner, Xiao Li, you go back first! Ming, See you tomorrow!"

Different from Gu Yu's unscrupulous and guilty appearance, Qiu Mu said with a natural expression: "Auntie sent a text message just now, saying that the chicken legs in the nearby vegetable market are sold out, and asked Xiao Yu to go to the supermarket near the school to buy some back. I thought By the way, buy some snacks and go with him. You go home first."

"..." Ye Li most likely saw that something was wrong with Gu Yu.But because Qiu Mu cooperated with Gu Yu and confessed "you go back first", Ye Li chose not to ask.Nodded: "Okay."

Gu Yu heaved a sigh of relief, took Qiu Mu's hand and walked out as if fleeing: "Goodbye, see you tomorrow!"

Ye Li's attitude was the same as usual, without any special reaction.Standing still and watching the two leave, he said calmly, "See you tomorrow."

......

After walking out of the classroom door and running for a long distance, Gu Yu panted and said, "I, I act pretty well!"

"..." Gu Yu, who can't lie, is also quite cute, Qiu Muyan said insincerely, "Like."

Gu Yu said, "Xiao Li didn't see it, did he?"

I must have seen something wrong, but since I didn't say it on the spot, I definitely didn't mind.Qiu Mu said, "Go get something."

"Yeah!" Gu Yu said with a grin, "I ordered that cake a week ago, and there was a Tyrannosaurus drawn on it! It's so cool, you know that!"

Qiu Mu smiled and said, "I'm looking forward to it."

——A few months ago, when helping Ye Li's mother to move into the nursing home, Qiu Mu once borrowed Ye Li's household registration booklet.

At that time, Qiu Mu looked at Ye Li's date of birth. The date was the day of Li Qiu, which was very easy to remember, so Qiu Mu remembered it at a glance.

During a chat not long ago, Qiu Mu and Gu Yu talked about this matter.Gu Yu said something that Qiu Mu didn't think of at the time, "Is there no way for Xiao Li to celebrate his birthday this year?" Then he suggested, "Then let us celebrate his birthday this year", and began to actively talk about it behind Ye Li's back stand up.

Although he looks like a teenager on the outside, Qiu Mu, who has already passed the [-] mark in his heart, has not celebrated his own birthday for many years.

In his hometown, Grandpa Qiu maintained the style of the older generation and didn't pay much attention to celebrating his birthday. At most, he would give him a thicker red envelope, and he would not make a fuss about it.Qiu Mu's parents are very busy, immersed in career and work day and night, and sometimes they can't even tell what grade Qiu Mu is in, let alone remember the date to celebrate Qiu Mu's birthday.

That is to say, after going to university, Qiu Mu got to know Gu Yu, and gradually understood the meaning of "birthday" that everyone was looking forward to, and understood what it felt like to celebrate a birthday.

Later, they met for ten years, and there was no break in the past ten years. He could always see Gu Yu coming to him with cakes and food on his birthday, and the two of them had a meal together talking and laughing.

So when Gu Yu said, "Let's prepare for Xiaoli's birthday together", Qiu Mu was very moved.

It made him think back to the old days and relive the memories of the year.

Then I sighed again, "This is Xiao Yu, the gentle person I like."

"When Xiaoli's mother was at home, Xiaoli didn't celebrate his birthday very much." Gu Yu said, "I feel that Xiaoli is not the kind of person who is particular about it, and I don't think he will deliberately reward him on his birthday." Myself, maybe he even forgot that today is his birthday."

Qiu Mu recalled Ye Li's reaction just now, and felt that Gu Yu must be right.

"Otherwise, seeing the way you spoke just now, he should understand immediately."

Gu Yu was puzzled: "What did I say just now?"

Accidentally slipping the tongue, Qiu Mu quickly changed the subject: "I mean he must have forgotten his birthday - there is KFC over there, how about we go buy a family bucket."

Gu Yu nodded in agreement: "Yeah, let's go buy it!"

After half an hour.

"Cake, KFC, Coke..." Gu Yu counted the things on hand one by one with his fingers, wondering if there was anything he didn't prepare.After confirming that it was gone, he asked Qiu Mu again: "Do you think he will like the gift I gave Xiaoli?"

With Ye Li's temperament, no matter what Gu Yu gave him, he would take it well and keep it carefully.What's more, the gift that Gu Yu chose this time is indeed very meaningful, it is impossible for Ye Li not to like it.

"Don't worry." Qiu Mu said, "Actually, you don't need to do these things. You can just tell Ye Li and ask him to come to my house for dinner. There are so many people, and Aunt Huang's dishes are better than those bought outside. Ye Li is sure It would also feel better to do so.”

Gu Yu yelled and protested: "Isn't this no surprise at all? I'm used to eating at your house all the time, and I can't leave an impression at all. The three of us ate and drank together and spent the afternoon leisurely. Call it birthday."

Qiu Mu thought of Gu Yu in his previous life, who seemed to have done the same thing, so he smiled and said, "That's true."

Gu Yu: "Speaking of which, Xiaoli goes home and lives alone every day, won't he really feel bored?" After he comes home from school, if his parents are not there, he will feel that the house is empty, so he chooses to run to Qiu Mu's house is going to play.

"Perhaps Xiaoli thinks this kind of life is better." Qiu Mu said, "You may not know—the grandfather actually talked to Xiaoli once before school started, saying that it would be very dangerous for a freshly graduated primary school student to live outside alone. , suggested that Xiaoli should simply stay at my house. He also told Xiaoli that Aunt Huang would take care of everything in his life. It's okay, I can take care of myself by myself', I was rejected."

Gu Yu said: "That's right..."

"It's not good to just force people to live here, so Grandpa said it once and didn't persuade him again."

"It would be great if we stayed here, so we can see Xiaoli anytime whether we are going to school or after school. We can also call Xiaoli together when we are playing basketball..."

After talking about the latter part, Gu Yu's voice suddenly dropped.

"...I'm only telling you this, don't tell Xiaoli."

Looking down, looking at the ground, and walking side by side with Qiu Mu towards Ye Li's house, Gu Yu said: "Sometimes I feel that Xiao Li is really pitiful. My father is gone, and my mother is like that again. Everything needs to be done. Do it by yourself, no one can help him. Although Xiaoli is very strong and much more reliable than me, he will never say anything depressing, saying that he can’t do it, can’t hold on, etc. But in fact, he will definitely feel uncomfortable in his heart Bar."

If it wasn't for the things in his hands, Qiu Mu couldn't help but want to touch Gu Yu's head and give him a gentle hug.

Because Gu Yu, who was talking with his head down, was so considerate of others, it was so heart-wrenching.

"Not everyone's life is perfect." Qiu Mu said: "Although it is unfortunate, this is also a kind of life experience. Because it is Xiaoli's matter, so he will definitely not complain about it, but choose Let’s face it positively. We have no way to change the past, we can only do what we can do right now and help him as much as possible.”

"He's talking about those profound words again." Gu Yu shook his head, and then said, "Ah, we're here!"

Looking at the small house in front of her, Gu Yu turned her head and excitedly said, "Hurry up!"

Xiao Pao came to Ye Li's house in two steps, raised his hand and knocked on the door: "Xiao Li——Xiao Li, open the door quickly!"

Two seconds later, a voice came from inside: "Xiao Yu?"

After waiting quietly for a while, the iron door opened from the inside.Ye Li poked his head out with a puzzled expression: "Why do you..."

He saw the two people's hands full of things, and the square box that was clearly filled with cakes.

"what......"

His mind turned quickly, and he immediately connected today's date with Gu Yu's strange behavior after school just now.

Gu Yu laughed loudly: "Surprise! Happy birthday to Xiaoli~!!" After speaking, he threw his body forward, wanting to hug Ye Li.

Qiu Mu took Gu Yu's hand: "Be careful with the cake."

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Gu Yu stopped leaning forward dangerously, hugged the cake carefully like protecting a fragile object, and muttered: "My Tyrannosaurus can't be hurt... .”

Qiu Mu said to Ye Li: "We bought some food and put it on the table when we meet—"

Ye Li stood where he was, a little happy, but a little overwhelmed.

Birthday, he hasn't celebrated his own birthday for many years.

Turning around, seeing Qiu Mu standing still, Ye Li smiled and said, "What's wrong?"

"..."

Qiu Mu looked back at him, her face was stern, and she didn't speak.

Walking to the edge of the table in the living room, he threw the things on the ground with a bang, grabbed the canned pickles and white rice that were placed on the table with the lid open and half eaten with his free hands, and placed them in front of Ye Li.

With a deep voice, trying to suppress the color of anger, he said expressionlessly: "...you eat these things every day?"

Gu Yu ran over suspiciously, and studied the can in Qiu Mu's hand: "Pickles? What's wrong with the pickles?"

Ye Li immediately reacted, showing a "this is troublesome" expression, and resisted tenaciously: "...the taste is not bad."

Qiu Mu looked even angrier.

With a "bang", he pressed the can heavily on the table.The rude action startled both Gu Yu and Ye Li.

"Half-eaten canned food, and white rice? If I hadn't happened to catch it right, wouldn't I have had the chance to witness this 'rich' dinner?"

After the voice landed for a long time, Gu Yu, who was standing next to Qiu Mu, finally realized it.He opened his mouth wide and said in surprise, "So that's how it is!"

No wonder Qiu Mu was so angry.Gu Yu looked at Ye Li, saw Ye Li showed an embarrassed expression, lowered his head as if he had been caught doing something wrong, and let Qiu Mu loudly accuse him.

"You would rather eat these things every day than come to live in my house. Is 'take good care of yourself' so this is the way of taking care of yourself." Qiu Mu said angrily: "It's your birthday today, and you don't even have a hot dish , are you too poor to get rid of the pot or what!!"

What was even more irritating was the half-written homework spread out next to the pickle jar and white rice.This is more distressing than looking at Qiu Mu, how could he let the important people around him live like this.

Ye Li apologized: "I'm just lazy, really not..."

"Xiao Li, you don't really eat these every day, do you..." As he spoke, Gu Yu, a child in his early ten years, unexpectedly had a sore nose, and his mouth shrunk and sobbed: "Woo... ...how so."

Just when he was enjoying the fresh meals served by his parents carefree every day, and when they urged him to "eat two more bites, don't be picky eaters", he was reluctant to eat with his face pulled.His good friend can't even eat hot food, so he can only fill his stomach with rice and pickles.

The more I think about it, the more uncomfortable it becomes.

Qiu Mu pressed her forehead helplessly, and said tiredly: "I was negligent. I even forgot that you are such a temperamental person. My aunt was at home before, so even if I got up early, I had to go to the vegetable market to buy vegetables and prepare them before going to school. .Now I’m the only one at home, so I don’t even need to buy groceries. I buy breakfast outside, eat at school at noon, and just take care of dinner—you think so.”

Because what he said was basically correct, Ye Li, who couldn't refute it, lowered his head and said: "...Nutrition has been well replenished in the school cafeteria at noon, as long as you are full for dinner... .No problem."

He knew that Qiu Mu was a gentle and talkative person, and he never lost his temper.But it is also because of this that when he is angry, his appearance is particularly scary. He will never give up until he completely corrects what he dislikes, and no one can persuade him.

"No problem?" He asked back in a self-deprecating tone, and the next second Qiu Mu suddenly changed his face and scolded: "——The problem is serious!! Ye Li, what is in your head? Straw Do you do this to save money and trouble, what do you think of us people!"

Ye Li had never experienced this kind of "concern-style cursing", and wanted to refute, but reason told him that it would be better to shut up at this time, so he was at a loss when Qiu Mu pointed at his head and scolded him, and said half a sentence not come out.

Seeing Qiu Mu talking more and more angry, Gu Yu quickly stood up and stood in front of Ye Li: "Okay, Xiao Mu, stop talking, you see Xiao Li has made you so scared that you dare not speak."

Ye Li: "..."

"He?" Qiu Mu snorted, "Is he still afraid? Does he still care about the two of us? He would rather eat pickles for dinner than the guy who eats with us. How could he care about my words? if."

"Hey!" Ye Li finally couldn't bear it anymore, stood behind Gu Yu and said, "Even if I... umm!"

Gu Yu desperately covered Ye Li's mouth, not letting him speak. "Okay, okay, Xiao Mu, you are really serious. You are obviously worried that Xiao Li will show such an attitude. Can you speak up? Xiao Li is the same, but you already know that you are wrong, right? Don't be stubborn with Xiao Mu, and argue later It’s not good to wake up.”

"..." Ye Li, who finally escaped from Gu Yu's grasp and regained his freedom of speech, snorted, "——Who is going to quarrel with him?"

"..."

Seeing Gu Yu and Ye Li like this, Qiu Mu was silent for a long time, then suddenly sighed: "Forget it, let's not talk about it."

Gu Yu laughed: "That's right."

Ye Li awkwardly turned away from looking at Qiu Mu.

Gu Yu squatted down, picked up the bag on the ground and took out the contents one by one, mobilizing the atmosphere to ease the embarrassment: "Hey~ KFC is getting cold, Xiaoli, it's okay to just put it on the table."

"It's okay." Ye Li said, "I'll help you."

Seeing that the two of them had started to fight, Qiu Mu suppressed the unhappiness in his heart and said, "There is also Coke..."

Even if only briefly and superficially, the atmosphere finally returned to normal again.

The author has something to say:

---

Take this time to talk about the situation at Ye Li's house.

Without the help of relatives, and without government aid, all the money Ye Li used was the savings left by his mother, and it would be gone when it was used up.Since there is no way to make money, and he can only save money if he cannot increase income, Ye Li will try his best to reduce expenses in his daily life, which is the case today.

Although it is not written in the book, there are many, many similar details that happened to Ye Li where Qiu Mu could not see.

The reason why Qiu Mu was so angry just now was not only because Ye Li didn't eat well, but because of the detail that Ye Li didn't eat well. Qiu Mu finally understood that Ye Li's life was worse than he imagined. That's why it's so annoying.Then he became very angry, thinking that Ye Li's behavior of "torturing himself" rather than living in his house was too much.

Then Qiu Mu, whether in his previous life or in this life, belonged to a rich man who had never been short of money.In his previous life, until he graduated from university, he still firmly believed in the "very common sense" weird thinking concept of "no matter who is poorer, there must be a few million savings and an Audi A6".

It’s not that they don’t know there are poor people, but they can’t imagine how poor they can be—just as many people can’t imagine why rich people would rather throw tens of millions of cars away than bother to deal with violations.

Know the reason, but it is difficult to put yourself in the real understanding.So even after seeing Ye Li, Qiu Mu's standard of "poor people" dropped again and again, he still couldn't imagine how bad Ye Li's life could be.

These are the two extremes of society.