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As night fell, Uncle Liu returned. He took off his raincoat, carrying some fresh meat he had bought in town, and walked into the kitchen with a simple and honest look on his face. He watched his Aunt Luo cooking, and when he saw the two people in the small room, his expression changed instantly.
"Is that Xu Yu?"
Aunt Luo patted the back of his hand and said, "Change your clothes. You finally came back, don't lose your image."
Uncle Liu cheerfully went upstairs to change his clothes, glancing at the sofa as he left. Xu Yu was now whiter than before, with a delicate appearance, and looked well-cared for.
Zhu Wenxu had woken up long ago. He held his face up and didn't dare to look up until the footsteps sounded on the stairs again. Then he rubbed his wrist and greeted Uncle Liu: "Hello, Uncle."
Uncle Liu smiled and sat down. "Hello, hello. Did you come back with Xu Yu? It must have been a long journey, didn't it?"
"It's not hard." Zhu Wenxu took out a cigarette and said, "Uncle, have one."
Seeing that it was a good cigarette, Uncle Liu took another look at Zhu Wenxu. He had a good temperament and was the image of a city boy. He glanced at the sleeping Xu Yu and felt relieved. He put the cigarette behind his ear and asked, "How long will it take for you to come back this time?"
"I haven't decided yet. If something happens at home, I might go back first."
"That's good," Uncle Liu said. "I'm glad Xu Yu is back, but if he stays too long and someone recognizes him, they might start making a fuss in the group chat."
Zhu Wenxu didn't quite understand: "Before...?"
"Xu Yu was taken away by a middle-aged man. Rumors spread throughout the village that he had become a gigolo and that he had been sold to help count the money. Few people had a good word for him back then. It pissed me off that even now that I've contracted the orchard, I still don't give them a hard time. They're all gossipy guys." Uncle Liu was furious. "If I knew I'd come back now, those guys would be gossiping again. It's so frustrating. By the way, how is he doing in the city?"
Zhu Wenxu chuckled: "It's pretty good. I can eat, drink, and sleep well."
"That's great." Uncle Liu said with a melancholy pause, "Even if Shaohua can't see him like this, she might be very happy."
The conversation returned to a sentimental edge, and the air fell silent for a moment. Zhu Wenxu, not good at comforting older men, changed the subject: "Uncle, I just heard you say that you've contracted the orchard?"
Uncle Liu smiled naively, "Yes, there used to be an orchard in the village next to us, but it didn't take off. I thought I'd give it a try, so I bought it. This year the grape harvest was particularly good, so we sold it to a brewery and a winery."
"Of course you can." Zhu Wenxu was interested and was about to chat a little more when Xu Yu woke up from the sofa. He rubbed his eyes, too sleepy to tell up from down from left to right. He noticed Zhu Wenxu's face and instinctively wanted to hug him, but when he saw there was someone else beside him, he stopped.
Uncle Liu was a man of few words. He took Xu Yu's hand and patted it, a pleased smile on his face: "You've grown a lot taller."
Xu Yu reacted: "Uncle Liu."
"Hey." Uncle Liu was very happy, "You are finally back."
He opened his arms and hugged Xu Yu, patting her on the back twice. Xu Yu hugged Uncle Liu back, and neither of them said anything, but everything was unspoken.
Aunt Luo brought the dishes to the table: "Okay, time to eat."
Uncle Liu let go of Xu Yu and wiped his face. "Your aunt's chicken is really delicious. She saved some chicken feet a few days ago. I told her yesterday that they would be delicious braised, and she really did. Eat more."
He frantically served food to Zhu Wenxu and Xu Yu. All of the dishes were freshly made by Aunt Luo. They were neither salty nor bland, with a slight spice that was just the right amount of warmth. The four of them sat around a chair. Uncle Liu didn't bring any wine, but instead brought in a bottle of fresh orange juice. He washed his hands repeatedly before pouring them the drinks, fearing they might get dirty.
When Xu Yu saw the red corners of Uncle Liu's eyes and Aunt Luo's low voice, he suddenly felt that he was extremely happy at this moment.
"Can we stay here a few more days?"
Zhu Wenxu had no objection: "As you say."
The orange juice was poured over, and Xu Yu drank half of it first. Uncle Liu poured more for him and asked with a smile: "What kind of job do you do outside now? Can you support yourself?"
Xu Yu took two bites of rice and answered honestly, "I plan to go to school in the second half of the year."
"Studying is good!" Uncle Liu said, "Knowledge changes destiny. Getting an education will ensure a stable life in the future."
"That's right. Xu Yu has been smart since he was young. He will definitely be very good after he finishes his studies." Aunt Luo picked up some food and said, "Eat more. Don't starve. Treat yourself like you're at home."
"What about you?" Uncle Liu asked again.
Zhu Wenxu was unexpectedly nervous: "I'm currently unemployed."
"You can't be unemployed. You still have to find a job. Young people these days always have to spend money outside," said Uncle Liu. "Once this year is over, everyone's luck will be rolling in. I'm sure I'll find the right one."
Zhu Wenxu chuckled: "I will try my best."
"Don't be polite to me, come and have a drink."
Xu Yu and Zhu Wenxu finished two bowls of rice. Uncle Liu ate quickly, wiped his mouth, and went out to smoke. He lit the cigarette Zhu Wenxu had given him. The rain outside had stopped.
Uncle Liu finished his cigarette and went to grab some sunflower seeds and candy. He whispered, "Did you clear out a room for them?"
"What are you packing? Don't you know how cold it is upstairs?" Aunt Luo said helplessly, "The hotel in town has air conditioning. You can drive them there later."
Uncle Liu thought about it and realized that the young man who gave him the cigarette probably couldn't get used to sleeping in such a cold place. He exhaled a puff of cigarette, found a flashlight, and was ready to give it to someone at any time.
"Auntie, please stop struggling." Xu Yu stood up and pulled Auntie Luo to sit down. "We'll come back tomorrow."
Aunt Luo froze: "I thought you were leaving tomorrow..."
"I haven't seen Shaohua yet." Xu Yu said, "I have to go see him."
Aunt Luo patted his shoulder and said, "He must be very happy."
After sitting for half an hour, Aunt Luo packed some of Liu Shaohua's things in a bag and gave it to Xu Yu. Uncle Liu drove the tricycle to take them back to town. The wind on the road was cold, and Xu Yu looked around: "I remember that Uncle also drove your motorcycle to take Shaohua and me to school."
Uncle Liu said cheerfully, "That's not the case. Back then, you two were so playful that you almost got late. I used all my strength to get you to school."
"Has Xiaoyan returned to school?"
Liu Xiaoyan, Uncle Liu's youngest daughter and Liu Shaohua's younger sister, was a bit older than Xu Yu, so they didn't have much in common. They only knew that Xu Yu was a very good student.
"She's back. She's preparing for the postgraduate entrance exam next year and is busy studying. She says she doesn't want to waste time," Uncle Liu said. "She's also working hard to improve herself. She's studying hard and said she wants to buy a big house and bring your aunt and me to the city to live there in our old age."
Xu Yu said sincerely: "Xiao Yan can definitely do it."
"I think so."
When they arrived in town, Uncle Liu walked them to the hotel like an old father. Xu Yu leaned wearily against Zhu Wenxu. Zhu Wenxu opened the door, turned on the lights and the air conditioner. The damp, musty air gradually faded, so cold that he sneezed unexpectedly.
Zhu Wenxu took the clothes and gave them to Xu Yu: "Go wash them."
Xu Yu obediently took the clothes into the bathroom, rinsed casually, and got into bed. Zhu Wenxu opened the bottom of the suitcase and took out a box from it.
"What's this?"
“Aromatherapy.”
Xu Yu was slightly shocked: "When did you bring it with you?"
"I took it with me when I left. It's solid, small square, and within the quantity limit, so it won't be detected." Zhu Wenxu lit it. "Go to sleep. I want you to have a good sleep."
"I sleep soundly every day," Xu Yu said. "Isn't that a waste?"
"No, go to sleep."
Zhu Wenxu tried to comfort him to sleep, but he knew in his heart how heavy the things that happened during the day were. He took out his mobile phone and searched for the orchard that Uncle Liu mentioned. He found this store online. The fruits he bought there were very cheap. The good ones were provided online, and the ordinary ones were kept for wholesale.
He took a screenshot and sent it to Zhou Ming, then started making a PPT on his phone. It was concise and the content was clear at a glance, but it was filled with too much information, so he spent half a day deleting and cutting until late at night.
Xu Yu, who was soundly asleep, twisted in his bed, sweating profusely, as if having a nightmare. He kept mumbling Liu Shaohua's name, and only calmed down after repeatedly patting her back to comfort him.
Zhu Wenxu sighed, got out of bed and lit two small doses of aromatherapy, which made him drowsy. When he woke up, it was already half past eight. Xu Yu was brushing his teeth and checking the weather conditions on his mobile phone.
"It might rain today."
Zhu Wenxu hummed, "Are we leaving now?"
"Well, I want to go see Shaohua as soon as possible."
Aunt Luo only pointed out the location for them, her eyes reddened as she didn't dare lead the way. The two of them took the paper and candles and headed in the other direction. He was buried in the woods on the opposite mountain, so it was very easy to find. Xu Yu lit the fire while Zhu Wenxu lit a candle nearby. He stood up and walked out: "Talk to him more. I'll wait for you downstairs."
"Don't go too far." Xu Yu reminded.
Zhu Wenxu smiled and said, "Do you treat me like a child?"
When people leave, all that's left is the wind. Xu Yu squatted on the ground, throwing paper money into the fire. He recalled skipping classes with Liu Shaohua to hike up the mountain. Back then, studying was like a mystery, impossible to grasp. Their only thoughts were skipping classes, climbing over high walls, feeling the mountain wind, and letting out their cries.
They would hug each other and sing old songs about friends walking together for a lifetime, and they would also sing sad songs to each other and tag each other in their social media to show their sympathy.
They had bangs cut in the style of "Shamatte" and wore the same ripped shirt. Liu Shaohua also swore that Xu Yu would be his best man when they got married. If not, he would rather not get married in this life.
A joke that came true.
"I come to see you every year." Xu Yu's nose was blocked. "I will never, ever forget you. If I forget you again, I will end up like you."
The wind suddenly blew up, blowing out the candle. Xu Yu suppressed a sob and relit it: "Just kidding, are you angry?"
"I'm living a carefree life in the city. I don't have too many aspirations for life right now. I met someone I like, and he's very kind to me. I'm very happy now." Xu Yu said with a smile, "If you were still alive, I'd introduce you to him. You'd definitely be very happy, and you know him too."
Xu Yu sniffed: "Liu Shaohua, it would be great if you were here."
The wind picked up, swirling the dry branches. Zhu Wenxu hadn't walked far when he could hear Xu Yu's cries carried down to him.
Five minutes later, Xu Yu came down. Zhu Wenxu wiped his tears and led him downstairs. They went to town for a bowl of noodles and a basket of steamed buns. In the afternoon, they went to Aunt Luo's house again. Aunt Luo took them to pick vegetables in the fields. She talked about how most of the people here are left behind, including elderly and children, and how some families are struggling.
The next day, Uncle Liu came to pick him and Zhu Wenxu up, and took Aunt Luo to take them to a nearby scenic spot for a tour. However, the weather was bad, so they ate something, took some photos, and then returned.
On the third day, Uncle Liu and Aunt Luo took them to the resort to eat mutton and sing at a karaoke bar. The sound quality wasn't great, but it was still good enough. Uncle Liu sang several songs and even had a few more bottles of beer with Zhu Wenxu. He even vomited all the way back. Aunt Luo felt embarrassed and asked someone to help take Uncle Liu home.
Xu Yu took Zhu Wenxu, whose head felt heavy, for a walk on the street, and sang Jay Chou's "Sunny Day" together before returning to the hotel.
Unexpectedly, the fourth day turned out to be sunny. Xu Yu and Zhu Wenxu went to Uncle Liu's orchard. Under the greenhouse, the fruits were well protected, and some fruits that were not in season were sprouting. Zhu Wenxu took photos, and Xu Yu ate an apple and helped fertilize the orchard.
On the fifth day, Xu Yu and Zhu Wenxu packed up and prepared to leave. Aunt Luo came to see them off, bringing some baby carrots she had stored away, and told them to be safe on their journey: "You can come back anytime you want. This is your home, too."
Xu Yu hugged the two of them, holding back his sobs: "Yes, I will come back every year."
"Be careful." Uncle Liu waved like an old father, his face full of reluctance. "Call me when you get there."
Xu Yu and Zhu Wenxu waved goodbye, and the distance between them gradually increased. Coming here was a struggle, and leaving was only filled with nostalgia. Xu Yu believed that the moment he regained his memory, his bones and blood had already merged with this place, and leaving brought the pain of longing.
Zhu Wenxu warmed his hands and couldn't help sneezing a few times.
"Are you catching a cold?" Xu Yu came back to his senses.
"No, it's just windy."
Zhu Wenxu had actually been cold for two days, and one could guess it was caused by the night he got drunk. He had just landed at Tingfeng, and before he even entered his house, he was already hospitalized with a fever.
Xu Yu carried his suitcase to and from the hospital. It was already nine o'clock in the evening when he paid the bill and checked in. He didn't dare call Uncle Liu, but simply sent a WeChat message to reassure him. Zhu Wenxu was comatose, so Xu Yu stayed with him all night. His physical fitness was better than that of an average person, and his fever never returned after it subsided. He then ate plain porridge for a day and remained in the hospital for observation for a day before recovering.
Zhu Fuge had just returned home from work and before she could even go to the hospital, she learned that she had been discharged. She filmed a video silently giving a thumbs-up and invited the two of them to dinner together.
The location was the restaurant where Xu Yu and Zhu Fuge first met.
"Where are you two going next time?"
Xu Yu shook his head: "No plans yet."
"Maybe we'll go a little further." Zhu Wenxu said, "Are you and Xi Luoge getting married?"
Zhu Fuge almost spit out the mushroom soup in her mouth. "Didn't he just give me a ten-carat diamond ring? That's a New Year's gift, not a proposal. Besides, am I that easy to marry?"
During the years Xi Luo was abroad, he had been in private contact with Zhu Fuge. When Zhu Wenxu joined their team, their relationship went beyond lovers and friends, but neither of them broke the ice and just kept on going.
Now that both of them are grown up, it is normal for them to consider getting married.
Zhu Wenxu didn't intend to expose it: "You won't wear it?"
"It's inconvenient to eat." Zhu Fuge said jokingly, "Did you buy it for Xu Yu?"
Xu Yu was embarrassed: "It's not good for a boy to wear a diamond ring."
"It's too big for him to use," Zhu Wenxu said. "We like the pair you gave us."
Zhu Fuge was very satisfied: "What do I care about? As long as you two are satisfied, that's all."
"So my sister is going to marry Xi Luoge?" Xu Yu realized belatedly, "When? We have to stop traveling."
Zhu Wenxu was touched by his cuteness.
Zhu Fuge snorted, "You're such a bad boy! Why are you so gossipy? There's nothing to be done about this matter."
Xu Yu chuckled.
The meal lasted until nine o'clock, and Zhu Fuge was in a hurry to leave for work. Xu Yu followed Zhu Wenxu home. The city wasn't snowing, but it was still freezing cold. Her hands and feet were freezing cold, and a hot shower didn't warm them up immediately.
Zhu Wenxu, who had drunk a few glasses of red wine, closed his eyes and fell asleep. Xu Yu snuggled into his arms for warmth but couldn't fall asleep. She got up and read a book for a while, then remembered the aromatherapy that Zhu Wenxu brought last time, so she ordered one.
The effect was quick and he fell asleep quickly.
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