Chapter 684 Next time (please vote!)
Walking all the way from the east gate to the south gate, the two of them walked down the city wall.
“In spring, many people come here for an outing. These are cherry blossoms, which are very beautiful when they bloom.”
Hong Xiaoyu, the “tour guide”, is very dedicated.
Okay.
Perhaps not as eloquent as other tour guides, but at least they are dedicated and have a very correct attitude.
Ai Qian glanced at the bare cherry blossom trees.
At the very beginning of winter, everything is withered. These trees have only branches left and look very depressed.
Of course.
When the flowers bloom, it should be really beautiful here.
This is true of everything.
There will be a flowering period.
The difference is the length of the flowering period.
“Look, I’m here at the wrong time.”
If you go to Dongda University, you won’t be able to wait until Nanshan is full of plum blossoms.
I missed the cherry blossoms again when I came to Shacheng.
It seems like there is no time to go anywhere.
Ai Qian is smiling.
Around the cherry blossom forest, there are many old men and women holding plastic benches and playing cards to pass the time.
Under the chair and stool where I was sitting, there was scattered money, the maximum face value of which was only ten yuan.
It is indeed a healthy activity that can both spend your old age and exercise your brain.
"Thank you for taking you so long."
"It's okay."
Hong Xiaoyu smiled insignificantly and subconsciously wanted to say something, but his lips moved Moved and endured it again.
“Go and do your own thing.”
Ai Qian said.
"What about you?"
Hong Xiaoyu asked instinctively. As soon as he finished speaking, the mobile phone in his pocket rang.
Take it out and take a look.
It’s my mother calling.
"...I'll take a call."
Ai Qian nodded.
Hong Xiaoyu walked aside and picked up the phone to connect.
“Mom.”
The sound of mahjong came from over there.
"Have you finished cleaning up?"
Maternal love is so great, even when sitting at the card table, she still cares about her son.
Hong Xiaoyu secretly looked at his cousin's ex-girlfriend, who was looking around at the scenery.
"Well... almost."
He whispered.
"Well, after cleaning up, come back for dinner, two bottles."
Hong Xiaoyu's lips moved, "Mom, let me tell you something. I met a friend, and I might..."
"All colors!"
"All touched?!"
It was noisy over there.
Then the sound of playing mahjong appeared.
“What did you say?”
My mother asked from the other end.
"No, it's nothing, Mom, you can call me."
Hong Xiaoyu hung up the phone, put the phone in his pocket, and walked over again.
"My mother called."
Ai Qian nodded.
The two continued to wander along the outside of the city wall.
"Are you his cousin?"
"Cousin."
"Then your mother is his aunt."
Hong Xiaoyu nodded, hesitated for a long time, and finally said, "How about we go to my house for dinner later?"
Ai Qian had a strange look on her face, obviously not expecting this invitation.
She tilted her head and looked at the somewhat embarrassed young man.
Obviously.
The other party probably didn't know how she and his brother broke up, otherwise, he wouldn't be so polite.
After all.
The other party doesn’t even know her name.
“Just walking around the city wall with me will make me bleed profusely.”
The corners of Ai Qian’s mouth turned up.
Hong Xiaoyu didn't reply at first, but then he realized it and hurriedly explained: "No, no, there is no need to buy gifts."
"That's not appropriate."
Hong Xiaoyu was at a loss for words and didn’t know what to say.
Although they are a family, the two brothers are different after all. That guy is not so shy.
"Thank you, but I won't go to your house. After all, your brother and I are no longer together."
Ai Qian chuckled.
This is the first time that the two of them have revealed this fact after shopping together for so long.
Hong Xiaoyu fell silent.
Same.
He was impulsive and didn't think carefully.
I only thought about being polite, but I didn’t think about how he would explain to his parents if he really agreed to go home.
How should I explain it to my cousin?
Fortunately, the other party did not let him fall into this dilemma.
Although he didn’t know why the two broke up, after spending about two hours together, he felt that this sister was a good person.
And Sister Sissi...are two types.
"Instead of going home to eat, I'll treat you to dinner."
Hong Xiaoyu thought of a compromise.
It's really not appropriate to take it home, but it's even worse to leave her alone here.
“Don’t be too polite.”
“Yes, my brother would do the same if he were here.”
Looking at the innocent smile raised by the other party, Ai Qian was quiet for a moment, and then asked: "How do you know?"
Hong Xiaoyu was stunned, seeming to find this question strange.
"Because...even though you broke up, you are still friends."
After breaking up, can we still be friends?
Or rather.
In the eyes of their brothers, there is no concept of turning against each other.
Looking at the young man who was taking it for granted, Ai Qianfu smiled again and changed the topic.
"No need to treat me. If you are not busy, why don't you take me to a place?"
"Where?"
Hong Xiaoyu asked subconsciously.
————
More than ten kilometers away from downtown Shacheng.
Baoshan Cemetery.
Hong Xiaoyu bent down and put down the flowers he bought, then walked aside.
Ai Qian from behind slowly stepped forward, stared at the tombstone for a while, then bent deeply, almost bowing, and gently placed the bunch of white lilies in front of the tombstone, which was obviously He paused for several seconds before straightening up again.
I don’t know if it’s an illusion.
Hong Xiaoyu felt inexplicably that the other party's behavior just now was a bit like
-apologizing.
The wind leaves rustle.
“When I was a child, I loved to eat the dishes cooked by my aunt. The fish she cooked was much more delicious than what my mother cooked.”
Hong Xiaoyu’s eyes moved to the photo on the tombstone. "And my uncle, every time I celebrate my birthday, he will take me to buy toys. He has never bought toys for my brother many times."
"No wonder your brother doesn't like to play with you."
Hong Xiaoyu couldn't help but laugh, as if he had realized it in hindsight and said in an epiphany: "Yes, that's the original reason."
The atmosphere became quiet.
Hong Xiaoyu looked at the woman wearing a peaked cap.
Because he was standing two steps back, he could only see a small part of the other person's face and couldn't see his expression clearly, just like he couldn't guess what the other person was thinking when facing his cousin's parents.
But just by having this heart, he felt that his cousin's ex-girlfriend was at least a very well-educated person.
So.
A question deep in my heart popped up again.
Why did my cousin and the other party break up?
Looking at the other party, he still did not dare to ask.
"Uncle and aunt are very married."
Ai Qian spoke up.
"Right." Hong Xiaoyu immediately answered, "I think so too, and has my brother inherited all their advantages?"
Ai Qian smiled and did not tease the other party. He boasted about his brother vigorously and looked at the tombstone, "If my uncle and aunt were still here, they would definitely be proud of your brother." "My brother has always been their pride."
Hong Xiaoyu was categorical, and finally there was a hint of sadness in his tone, "I think what makes my brother most sad is that his uncle and aunt left too early and could not wait to enjoy the blessings."
子If you want to be nourished, you will not be loved by others.
It sounds easy to say it, but in reality, it is so heavy.
Hong Xiaoyu clenched his hands, "Many people say that my brother's life is not good."
Ai Qian was silent for a long time.
No one knows what she is thinking at this time.
After a while, he said: "But your brother seems to be very happy all the time."
Hong Xiaoyu grinned, finally looking a little like Jiang Chen. He didn't smile, he just exhaled, "My brother has always been a very optimistic, positive, and uplifting person. In other words, he doesn't like to show his vulnerable side to others."
"Yeah, everyone sees him , seems to have a smile on his face, so everyone seems to think that he will never be sad or hurt.”
As he spoke, Hong Xiaoyu felt his chest feel heavier and heavier, and even felt suffocated, so he exhaled even more heavily.
"He was also forced. His uncle and aunt are gone. He is alone. He is vulnerable and sad. No matter how he shows it, no one will feel sorry for him."
Ai Qian's expression was dull, and her hands that no one noticed were clenched quietly.
"But my brother has grown up now. The saddest days are probably over. The future will only get better and better."
Hong Xiaoyu said excitedly.
“Yes, all the hardships will eventually be rewarded. People like your brother have suffered all their life’s hardships in the first twenty years, and the rest of their lives will only be filled with happiness.”
Hong Xiaoyu laughed.
“Let’s go, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
Ai Qian turned around.
“Real or fake?”
"After all, I'm still your sister. Why are you lying to me? Are there any good places to eat in Shacheng? The price doesn't matter, just take your pick."
"Then I'm not polite."
< br>"You're welcome, just this time, you have to seize the opportunity."
The voice gradually faded away.
Only the lilies in front of the monument are left waving slightly in the wind.
You’re welcome, Hong Xiaoyu finally took them to a barbecue restaurant in the city.
As for my mother, she just lied and said she was going to see Brother Tiejun.
"Is it a holiday?"
Barbecue restaurants usually serve late-night snacks. There are not many people at this time of dinner, so the boss personally entertains them.
“Well, come back and play for two days.”
"Look, let's have something to eat."
The lame boss handed the menu to Hong Xiaoyu while looking at Ai Qian.
Hong Xiaoyu subconsciously handed the menu to Ai Qian.
"Xiaoyu, why don't you introduce me?"
The boss looked at Ai Qian and then at Hong Xiaoyu, with a strange smile on his face, it was obviously a misunderstanding.
Same.
Ai Qian is young, and she is wearing fresh sportswear today. Sitting next to Hong Xiaoyu, it is really impossible to tell her age.
As an adult after all, Hong Xiaoyu is certainly not stupid. He immediately saw what the other person was thinking. His face tightened and he did not dare to neglect. He quickly explained: "Brother Jun, this is my brother..."
At this point, he stopped in vain.
Brother Tiejun and his cousin grew up together. There were some things that he couldn't just talk nonsense about, and he also had to consider whether the "sister" next to him, whose name he didn't even know yet, was willing.
"This is my friend."
Finally, Hong Xiaoyu made the introduction.
Tie Jun smiled and nodded. He didn’t know whether he believed it or not. After all, he was different from Fu Zili when he returned from the army. If Fu Zili were here, he would not give up easily and would catch this person no matter what. The kid was joking, but Tie Jun just said, "Call me when you're ready," and then walked away understandingly.
Ai Qian paddled the vegetables as if nothing had happened.
"This is the owner of this barbecue restaurant. His name is Tie Jun. I usually call him Brother Jun. He is my brother's childhood friend."
Hong Xiaoyu took the initiative to explain.
Hearing this, Ai Qian glanced at Tie Jun who was walking towards the kitchen.
"He was a soldier before. Because he injured his leg, he came back from the army and opened this store."
While introducing, Hong Xiaoyu couldn't help but ask: "My brother didn't Have you ever talked about his childhood?"
"No, but I can guess that you must have been wonderful when you were young."
"Yes, it will be fun. My brother, Brother Jun, and Sister Fang Qing..."
Hong Xiaoyu stopped and suddenly felt that he had said something wrong again. Fortunately, because the other party was ordering, Didn't pay attention.
"...I don't know yet, what is your name."
He forcefully changed the subject.
"Ai Qian."
"My name is Hong Xiaoyu."
"You said it before."
Ai Qian smiled slightly and lowered her head He continued to order with a pen in his head, and then handed it to Hong Xiaoyu: "Take a look."
Hong Xiaoyu took it and asked politely: "Would you like some wine?"
The other party was very polite. Bold, "I can only drink one bottle."
"Me too."
Hong Xiaoyu added two bottles of beer.
Because there were friends there, Tie Jun didn't come to talk. He just drank a glass of wine with the two of them while the food was being served.
“It tastes pretty good.”
“You and my brother have similar tastes and like spicy food.”
Hong Xiaoyu picked up the disposable plastic cup.
"Cheers." Ai Qian clinked glasses with him. Fortunately, Wei Chuyin was not here, otherwise she would have been nagging.
The cold drink offset the tingling sensation in the joints.
Ai Qian exhaled, "It's been a long time since I've eaten so happily."
Hong Xiaoyu looked surprised, "Isn't there even a Donghai BBQ?"
Ai Qian couldn't help laughing.
"Of course, but the food in big cities is really not as delicious as in small cities."
"Yeah!"
Hong Xiaoyu nodded with deep sympathy, "I I feel the same way! I go to school in Jiangcheng, and the food in the cafeteria is terrible, especially breakfast, it’s terrible..."
I almost couldn’t help but swear.
"Sister Ai Qian, how did you and my brother... separate?"
The two chatted while eating, and finally Hong Xiaoyu couldn't hold back the surging curiosity in his heart.
"Why don't you ask your brother?"
Hong Xiaoyu was speechless.
How dare he ask such a topic.
"Your brother is lucky to be separated from me."
Hong Xiaoyu didn't understand what he meant, but the other party had already picked up the cup.
He can only accompany me.
After dinner, it was already dark and the stars were shining.
Although Ai Qian said it was a treat, Hong Xiaoyu still went to pay the bill secretly under the guise of going to the toilet, but Tiejun wouldn't collect the money and gave the two of them free of charge.
“This hotel is not bad, and the price-performance ratio is relatively high.”
Hong Xiaoyu walked with Ai Qian to the entrance of a chain hotel near the east gate.
"Well, just stay here. I'm sorry to trouble you today."
Ai Qian thanked her again.
“Sister Ai Qian, how many days do you plan to stay in Shacheng?”
"I'll leave tomorrow."
Hong Xiaoyu was stunned, "Didn't you just come here?"
"I don't have much time, and I have already seen everything I should see."
Of course Hong Xiaoyu could not understand the meaning of this sentence. He only thought that the other party should be because he had to go to work.
"Okay, then welcome to visit us again next time."
Next time.
Ai Qian smiled, did not respond, and reached out her hand, "Nice to meet you."
Hong Xiaoyu also raised his hand, shook hands with the other person, and said shyly: "Ai Qian Sister, I don’t know what to say when you’re like this.”
“Boys, you have to be more generous. You can learn from your brother.”
Ai Qian. Put down your hands, "Go back."
"Then Sister Ai Qian...goodbye."
Ai Qian smiled slightly.
“Goodbye.”
Just when Hong Xiaoyu turned around, walked to the side of the road, and was about to stop the car, a shout came from behind.
“Can you do me a favor?”
Hong Xiaoyu turned around.
"Don't tell your brother what happened today, and don't say you have met me."
Hong Xiaoyu was stunned.
"If you promise me, I will treat you to a big dinner next time we meet."
Ai Qian smiled brightly.
Hong Xiaoyu hesitated for a while, and finally nodded slowly.
"Okay."
"Let's go."
Ai Qian waved her hand with a smile, then turned around and walked into the hotel.
(End of this chapter)