Battle of the Rhine

In Xia Li's view, Gabriel Roshua, as the name suggests, is an angel sent by God.The uninvited Frenchman is dependable, poised and well-spoken, always able to liven up a heavy atmosphere. "It's a miracle that Carl listened to him, isn't it? He was determined to have a lobotomy... After Gabriel persuaded him, Carl gave up."

Roshua graduated from medical school, but did not pursue the noble work of being a doctor to save the world.He had the money and the time to be by Quincy's side all day and night. "He didn't think the hospital was right for my brother," Charlie said. "It would only make it more stressful for Carl to be there. We got him out of the hospital with Carl's permission. I rebuilt the house by the lake, and Gabriel took Carl in." Go in and recuperate. I visit them every weekend. They are very happy there, fishing, walking, reading... Gradually, Carl's mood stabilized, and Gabriel taught him to speak like teaching a child. I joked that in case Carl forgot German, what should I do if I only learned it? Gabriel said, then he will take Karl back to France."

"As the months passed, Carl was finally able to talk. They were still very close, like children clinging together. It was good that Carl was clinging to Gabriel, and Gabriel loved having him around. Gabriel took Carl to Switzerland and Austria, filming A lot of photos were sent to me. After that, he offered to live in France for a while, and my brother agreed. Carl applied to Gabriel's school, so that when they got to France, they were still glued together." Charlie poured out the teacup He picked up some hot water and took a sip from the cup. "It wasn't long after Carl came back. He went back to his previous factory and continued to work. Gabriel came to accompany him on weekends or holidays. It's good, isn't it?" She looked at Michael, "Maybe you think their relationship is ridiculous, very... absurd, but I don't care. I'm just an older brother, Carl thinks about me in everything. I just hope he lives happily and lives to be a hundred years old."

Michael nodded.The coffee was cold, and he tugged at the wrinkled hem of his clothes again. "Originally, these things are Carl's privacy, and I shouldn't talk too much. However," Charlie hesitated, "Mike, what I mean...what I tell you is that no matter whether Carl has... Please forgive him for doing something you don't like. And... if possible, can you not... don't come to him again? At least don't come over suddenly. You see, when you come, he has a fever. Naturally , I can’t blame you, but he can’t be emotionally stimulated. How about just letting him stay in the house quietly? One day he will completely return to the same Karl he was a long time ago. If you still want to be with him Let's talk, we'll meet again later... okay?"

"Okay." Michael sniffed, "No problem."

"Thank you." Xia Li stretched out her hand, and Michael took that cold little hand and shook it lightly.He should try to be sincere, but he can't.His legs were limp, and he somehow got out of the house, out of the street... He walked along the Isar River, and the riverside was deserted.Michael found a place to sit down, staring in a daze at the small piece of yellow cast on the ground by the street lamp.He tried to clarify the cause and effect of the past few years, but his mind was empty.Finally, it was dawn.Michael bought a ticket for the earliest return journey and stepped onto the train in the gray morning mist.

Michael kept his promise and stayed in the town honestly.Work, work, work, he used work to fill the void in his heart.He kept the good habit of going to church, and spent most of his short rest time listening to the pastor's sermons.He joined the Workers Football Club and learned how to play as a defender.The young workers in the team enthusiastically explained to Michael, "—that is, when the opponent's striker runs over, you stop him and prevent him from scoring."

"Stop him," Michael said half-understanding, "the striker is the one scoring the goal, right?"

"Yes, the striker's duty is—"

"Just don't let them score anyway, I get it."

Michael practiced a few times, always subconsciously blocking the flying football with his arms. "Don't use your hands!" screamed his teammates. "This is a serious foul and a penalty will be awarded!"

"In America, the football is held in the arms," ​​Michael muttered despondently, "kicked with the feet... oh my god..."

He thinks he has no talent for football.The group of workers on the field were scrambling for a football, and Michael imagined that Quincy would play it differently, laughing and cursing.His college students—well, he could think of it this way, "his" college students, ironically, "his", that's all he could do sadly in his mind.Quincy was a man on his own, and even a beautiful piece of sculpture now belonged to the Frenchman Roshua, not to the vile nymphomaniac and coward Michael Fiennes.

"My college student..."

September passed, October passed.In November, the pearly mist dissipates and a thick white mist descends on the land.Work, work, work, work, work, work.Michael continued to practice football and finally got rid of his bad handball.He also developed the habit of drinking beer, and after running, or drinking two bottles after running.Germans especially like to drink beer. There are all kinds of beer in the grocery store. Even if you drink one every day, you may not be able to drink it for ten years.One night, Michael trudged wearily back to the dormitory and turned on the radio.He bought some bacon and bread, and made do with a supper.The corkscrew was gone, and he looked everywhere for the little thing, but couldn't find it.But no problem, there are ten thousand ways to uncap a beer bottle.Michael grabbed the beer and slammed it on the edge of the table, the bottle cap fell to the ground, and the liquor gushed out, dripping all over his hands.He went to wash his fingers, and when he came back, there was a new song on the radio, by a young singer.

"Love me tenderly,

love me sweetly,

Never let me go.

You make my life complete,

I love you so much.

love me tenderly,

love me sincerely,

All my dreams come true.

Because my dear I love you,

I will love you forever.

......"

This song is the kind of soft tone. Michael didn't like jazz or blues at first, but this song, this song with a gentle melody, every note, every letter is like a blade gently in his Repeated cuts on the heart.

"Love me tenderly,

love me forever.

take me to your heart.

because I belong there,

We will never be apart. "

Michael opened the drawer, there was no letter paper, he didn't have that thing.Trembling, he tore off a few pages of the workbook and wrote the letter L with the tip of a pencil.Too much force, the pencil tip broke and flew out.He found another ballpoint pen, stroked it a few times, and wrote as neatly as possible: "My dear——"

"Dear Carl, hello, I'm Mike. I don't know the rules of German letters, please forgive me. I wrote to you suddenly. Don't be angry. I just wanted to write to you. I told you No? I’m in Ingolstadt, a small town. It’s very beautiful. In the morning, there’s a lot of fog, but at noon, the wind blows away the fog, and the sun is pretty good. Fish is also served here on Fridays, and it’s terrible. .Are you okay? I always want to tell you, don't drink cold coffee and remember to wear gloves, but my memory is so bad that I keep forgetting. Winter is coming, you must remember to wear a hat and gloves, and drink more hot chocolate. Please Forgive me! It's okay not to forgive. Take care of your body. I wish you good health! Love you Mike."

The next day, while still drunk, Michael bought an envelope and stamps, and hurriedly mailed the note.