middle of the road

Cheng Yang put a stack of money on the table, looked at Cheng Linsheng who was sitting across from him, "That's all I can give you now."

Cheng Linsheng shrugged his shoulders, looked out the door with some hesitation, and when he turned back, his eyes were full of guard.

Cheng Yang didn't intend to explain to him, the room was a little cold, and he never wanted to stay here for a long time since he came in.

Cheng Linsheng stared at the pile of money, fingered it back and forth a few times, a trace of hesitation flashed in his ready-to-move eyes, as if he didn't believe that he would be so kind, "You mean to give all of these to me?"

"Don't forget it."

"Yes, of course, who can't live with money." He quickly took it in his hand, weighed it a little, and his brows that were still lifeless just now stretched, "It doesn't matter how much, you just have this filial piety." gone."

This is really not like what someone who can chase after his son for 1000 yuan would say.

But when you think about it, even high school students are not spared, it really doesn't matter how much.

Cheng Yang stood up, "Cheng Ying and Cheng Le are going to take the college entrance examination soon, and I will have a lot of money to spend in the future, so that's all I can do at most."

Cheng Linsheng looked at him.

"You take care of yourself." After leaving these words, Cheng Yang walked out of the room.

The low-slung folk houses are like shadows cast by high-rise buildings, nestled in dark and cramped corners, surrounded by fish and dragons, messy and messy.

The room was divided into countless small rooms by artificial partitions. The whole is narrow and cramped. It is difficult to turn around. It is cold and humid in winter. When he entered the door, he looked around and did not see any heating equipment. Cheng Linsheng was wrapped in Under the large and shabby cotton-padded clothes, he looked more and more dry and thin.

When Cheng Yang stepped over the threshold, he recalled the scene when he stumbled and followed Cheng Linsheng when he was a child. At that time, he felt that the man who was his father was so tall and strong, as if he was out of reach in his whole life.

However, who would have thought that after more than [-] years, the person who looked up at that time turned into such a sluggish and old look, who can't even lift his head up in front of his own children.

Cheng Yang had no intention of lamenting, he was not a person full of emotions, especially when it came to these old things, no one forced him, a thoughtful and rational adult, what he lived was his own choice Of course, the consequences can only be borne by himself.

Cheng Yang never felt that he owed Cheng Linsheng anything.

So for a person like him who doesn't even want to be grateful to him when he was brought into this world, it's completely benevolent to give him the last sum of money uninvited in such a day when there are only four or five days left before the Chinese New Year. .

With his hands in the pockets of his down jacket, he turned out of the alley, took a deep breath, and the icy air was poured into his lungs. The breath that was suppressed when he was in it became much easier. He walked forward, and footsteps came from behind him. When he turned around, it was Cheng Linsheng who chased him out again.

Cheng Yang stood still, frowning slightly.

He thought he just realized the meaning of his words and wanted to make more points, but Cheng Linsheng stuffed the stack of money back into his hands, "I have a job now, I quit gambling, and I won't die of hunger for the time being. If the money is useful to you, you should take it back first.”

Cheng Yang looked at him suspiciously, and it was hard to connect the urgency he felt when he took the money just now with the sudden generosity and righteousness in front of him.

Cheng Linsheng probably guessed what he was thinking, sniffed his nose habitually, and dodged a little bit in a sleepy look, "I have not given birth to you for so many years, I am sorry to you, since the twins are going to school now, this money is enough Treat it as a little contribution from me, and you can save it to pay their tuition fees, and I won’t come to you in the future.”

As he spoke, he touched his nose, his whole face seemed to collapse, and after shaking his shoulders unnaturally, he asked Cheng Yang, "Do you have any cigarettes?"

Cheng Yang took out the whole bag from his pocket and handed it to him, Cheng Linsheng stuffed it into his clothes, waved his hand and left.

Cheng Yang stood there for a while, and only looked away when his hunched figure, wrapped in clothes and hunched over, completely disappeared around the corner.

He called Cheng Le and asked if Cheng Linsheng had come to see him recently.

"No." Cheng Le said, "I haven't contacted you since last time."

"Really?" Cheng Yang asked.

"Really, brother, why did I lie to you?" Cheng Le said, "You... Did he come to you?"

There was a trace of nervousness in Cheng Le's words, Cheng Yang only thought he was worried about himself, "No."

Cheng Linsheng did not come to look for him, this time he took the initiative to look for him.

However, it was precisely because Cheng Linsheng hadn't moved since the last time that Cheng Yang felt it was strange. Given his way of doing things that he spared no effort to drain each of them even if his family was poor, it was impossible for him to be overwhelmed by his few words when he knew where his money came from. .

He is divided, and he is not peaceful like him, and it is also very abnormal.

So he went this time, firstly to give him some money before the Chinese New Year, and secondly to warn him, he was not sure whether Cheng Linsheng had really given up his gambling addiction as he said, but his strange appearance and his body were forever The unusual vigilance made Cheng Yang suspect that he might have touched drugs.

In this case, he returned the money, and his conscience found that such an explanation was obviously not very convincing for him.

It's just that it's different now.

What Cheng Yang wanted to tell him was that it was fine to take money from him, but he had to be willing to give it, otherwise he would have to deal with it himself. He didn't want to go too extreme, but he would never allow them to go on a normal track with difficulty. In the stable life in the world, there are any variables and possibilities that will be destroyed.

Cheng Yang hung up the phone, and a message popped up on his phone. It was from Chi Yu, telling him that it was very cloudy outside and that it might be snowing, and told him to wear more clothes if he went out.

Cheng Yang glanced at it but didn't return it. Since he passed out with a fever last time, he has been sending him similar unnutritious messages from time to time.

Sometimes it is about himself, what he did this day, who he met, and occasionally the plot continues, uninterrupted for three or two days.

Sometimes it is like this, reminding him to wear more clothes and remember to bring an umbrella. The bad weather in the past few days before the Chinese New Year has provided him with countless materials to play.

Cheng Yang often has the illusion that his mobile phone is actually a diary for elementary school students.

Occasionally, Chi Yu would follow up with a message and say that he missed him very much.

I don't know if it's because he talked too much and too smoothly, but Cheng Yang didn't feel uncomfortable.

But that's all, he never got back to him.

However, the other side doesn't seem to need him to comment on what he sees and feels every day like a Chinese teacher. His indifference is enough to get acquiescence, and then he will go crazy on the verge of being blacked out. I can send him seven or eight messages.

The reason behind this may be that Cheng Yang did not make a clear statement at the dinner table that day, worrying that he would use this as a reason to repent that he came to celebrate the New Year with them, or it may be simpler, using this method to desperately brush up his presence on his side, It was because he was afraid that he would forget him.

Cheng Yang no longer knew how to reject him.

How many sarcastic remarks, how many violent encounters, Chi Yu clearly understands and feels it, but he just doesn't let go, as if he will never remember the pain, and sticks to him tirelessly again and again, and now it is because of him A little tacit and self-righteous expectation.

He had never seen such persistence and patience in him.

He thought he would never see each other again, and kept forgetting that the boy in his memory had always stayed ten years ago, but who would have thought that he would appear again, standing in front of him with such a completely different face from the past , He kept saying that he liked him and couldn't forget him.

Cheng Yang didn't forget how he took care of him back then, that was the most difficult time for him.

But the lesson of leaving sadly in the end was too tragic, and he also did not forget the cruelty and indifference of his heart under his irritable appearance.

He hated his betrayal and use, and was only disappointed with what he did and their fragile relationship before, but that day when he saw him rolling down the stairs and lying there lifeless, his heart was full of pain. I grabbed it tightly and felt a severe pain, and it was in chaos for a moment.

Maybe Chi Yu felt that it was because of Yao Jinyuan that he couldn't let go of his cautiousness behind, because he didn't want him to feel guilty towards him for others.

But even Yao Jinyuan could see how nervous he was at such a critical moment.

Whether it's the fault of memory or the credit of his crazy harassment during this period, Cheng Yang doesn't have an iron wall, and he will actually soften his heart.

It's just that he didn't know how long Chi Yu could persist like this if he didn't nod his head all the time.

He didn't know...whether he could trust him again.

On the [-]th day, Chi Yu arrived downstairs at Cheng Yang's house at about five o'clock in the afternoon. He didn't dare to go too early for fear that Cheng Yang would bother him.

Cheng Ying came to open the door for him, and said with a smile that her brother was busy in the kitchen, let him sit on the sofa first, and dinner should be ready soon.

Chi Yu put down his things and went to the kitchen. Cheng Yang sensed the gaze from behind and looked back at him without saying a word.

"Want to help?" he asked. @无限好文, all in Jinjiang Literature City

Cheng Yang shook his head, Chi Yu then stood at the door and watched for a while, and suddenly had the urge to hug him from behind, like he did many times before, but he also knew that he was not qualified now, so after two more glances, he pressed Under the restlessness in his heart, he went back to the living room.

He bought a lot of things for Cheng Ying and Cheng Le, food and clothing, and he wrapped them a big red envelope for the New Year. He didn't have any scruples like he did when he was a child. .

Cheng Le refused to take it, Chi Yu forced it into his hand, "I gave it to you, it has nothing to do with your brother, don't let him know again."

"Too many." Even if you don't open it, you can feel that there should be tens of thousands inside.

"Not much, I haven't seen you for so many years, I should have made up for it long ago, until this year, and there will be no more in the future." Chi Yu patted him on the shoulder, "I keep it all by myself, and I will go to college next year, and I need money There are many places, so don’t save too much and be nice to yourself.”

As he said that, he winked at him, "This way your brother can relax a bit, and just treat it as helping me."

Cheng Le had to accept the offer when he heard the words, while Cheng Ying sighed, "Brother Chiyu, you are still so rich."

Chi Yu smiled, and instead of making dumplings, he asked Cheng Le to help Cheng Yang in the kitchen. He was a little afraid to go in. After all, he was able to sit here with a cheeky face entirely thanks to Cheng Ying and Cheng Le. He didn't know Cheng Le How Yang thinks of him now, he can only put his tail between his legs and try to be reserved.

Except that it was a bit richer than usual, this New Year's Eve dinner was actually not much different, but Chi Yu was extremely satisfied, not only because of the cook, but also because of the rare peace when the four of them sat together And An Yi made him think of the past, and then felt extremely relaxed.

During the chat with Cheng Le and the others, Chi Yu asked them which university they planned to take for the college entrance examination next year.

Cheng Yang didn't talk to them specifically about this matter. He thought it was still early, but three or four months after the new year passed quickly, and it was indeed almost the same.

Both of them have good grades, and there are many opportunities to choose from. Cheng Yang will not interfere with them. As long as he is interested in learning, he will support him, and he is also able to provide for him at present, unless they want to go abroad in the future, and they may need them themselves. Get some scholarships.

"I want to take the local exam." Cheng Le said.

Cheng Ying glanced at him, "Me too."

Chi Yu saw that Cheng Yang's face sank a little bit, and he didn't blame him for this. As far as he knew, there should be no good universities in the local area. The only one was applied for last year, and there were no key subjects. Even in the eyes of the locals, it is not taken seriously.

"Reason?" Cheng Yang put down his chopsticks, his voice unconsciously a little harsh.

Cheng Le didn't say a word, and took a bite of his meal, not knowing what to say, and seemed to know that his brother would be unhappy if he said it.

"It's so close to home." Cheng Ying smiled, "I don't want to go out of town, I just want to stay here forever, come back when I want to come back..."

Cheng Yang interrupted her and turned to Cheng Le, "You think so too?"

Cheng Le nodded.

"If you are staying here to accompany me, I want to say that there is no need for it, and I will not allow it." Cheng Yang didn't speak too seriously, but his tone was beyond words.

Cheng Le was pierced and subconsciously wanted to refute, "But..."

"But what?" Cheng Yang looked at him, "I have raised you for 18 years and haven't weaned yet?"

Cheng Ying was a little embarrassed by what he said, and lowered her voice, "If we all leave, you will be left alone. I don't want to do this."

"If there is no question about whether you want to or not, I will not keep you. There is no room for negotiation on this matter. Don't let me hear similar words in the future. Eat."

Cheng Le wanted to say something else, but Chi Yu motioned to him, he stopped, and lowered his head reluctantly.

As a result, the atmosphere at the dinner table became a bit dull. Cheng Yang returned to the room after eating, and outside Chi Yu didn't know what to say to them. He kept on intermittently, probably just trying to persuade them. Cheng Yang knew that they had a good intention. Yes, but the idea is too capricious and naive.

After eleven o'clock, Cheng Le knocked on their door, saying that Chi Yu had bought a lot of fireworks, and told them to go downstairs to set them off together.

Cheng Yang didn't want to go at first, but because of what happened just now, he was a little soft-hearted. After all, today is the Chinese New Year. He will find time to talk to the two of them after he is ready. After all, the matter of choosing a school is not trivial, and he can't just not interfere at all. Let their emotions run their course.

And he really didn't need to tie them to him again, there was nothing wrong with living alone.

When he went down, Cheng Ying and Chi Yu were already there, and the small city couldn't help setting firecrackers. It happened that there was a relatively large open space in front of the community, which was usually used for square dancing. Today, many people from their community came, most of them were with their children. Come out to set off fireworks, it is rare that it is still so lively at this point.

The temperature may have dropped to seven or eight below zero, and he felt numb from the cold after standing for a while. Cheng Yang hid in a leeward corner away from the crowd and watched Chi Yu arrange the fireworks. The children surrounded him. Throwing the lighter to Cheng Le, he rubbed his hands and stood aside.

As the flames rose into the sky, when lights of various colors intertwined and bloomed on the black screen, Cheng Yang suddenly remembered that year, beside the farmland under a viaduct, Chi Yu took him, and it was also filled like this. Fireworks, lights and shadows flickering all around, and in the sound of constant explosions, he heard him say that he wanted to stay for him.

He thought he had forgotten it a long time ago, but when he suddenly recalled it, he realized that he still clearly remembered the mood at that time.

He was full of joy, and for the first time even had the courage to be desperate...

Cheng Yang looked up into the distance, and his eye sockets were a little sore by maintaining a posture for a long time, until he felt someone standing next to him.

"Happy New Year." Chi Yu pulled his cold hands up and threw a pair of gloves to him, "A gift, for you."

Cheng Yang glanced at him and didn't move.

Chi Yu sighed, and soon laughed again, "When I came here, I bought it at the newsstand at the entrance of your community, and it only cost five yuan. The boss said that he was in a hurry to close the stall for Chinese New Year, otherwise it would usually sell for six yuan."

Cheng Yang's fingers moved slightly, and it felt very rough. He believed that even if Chi Yu wanted to lower the price, this item would not be able to exceed ten yuan.

"If you don't accept it like this, it will be too embarrassing to me. I didn't dare to buy the expensive ones. The expensive ones cost thirty." Chi Yu said a little aggrieved.

Cheng Yang smiled.

It was a long-lost smile, Chi Yu looked at it, a little dazed for a while, but when he couldn't help but hold Cheng Yang's hand, the smile slowly fell again.

Fortunately, Chi Yu's will has been tempered for a long time, he clenched it a little and then loosened it, forcing Cheng Yang to put on the gloves, and stuffed a handful of fireworks into his hand.

"I will always be by your side, and will always be with you." He turned his head to look at him, his eyes full of light and shadow were full of tenderness, "I love you, Cheng Yang."