obvious
On the bus.
Pan Yue was driving, Yue Chunlan was in the passenger seat, and Pan's father, Pan Zhenguo, was in the back seat.
“You’re really going too far,” Yue Chunlan accused Pan Yue. “Mom can understand that you don’t want to go on blind dates, but you can’t be so long-faced. At least be a little more enthusiastic towards the girl. Did you not notice how long the girl’s mother’s face was hanging over her head?”
“I’ve already spoken with Ms. He,” Pan Yue said, ignoring her words. “I don’t want to hold her back.”
"Come on," Yue Chunlan complained, but a smile suddenly appeared on her lips. She moved closer to the driver's seat. "So... what you told Xiao He was true?"
“…” Pan Yue’s eyebrows twitched slightly. “Who told you that?”
Yue Chunlan immediately beamed with joy: "So it's true!"
Pan Yue glanced at the rearview mirror and met Pan Zhenguo's gaze.
Pan Yue sighed softly, turned his neck to the side, pursed his lips, and looked slightly annoyed.
Pan Zhenguo understood immediately: "The girl told her mother that you already have a girl you like, so don't try to match you up anymore. Her mother is definitely unhappy and thinks we've tricked her."
“So, to maintain proper etiquette, please don’t make me go on blind dates anymore,” Pan Yue said, his tone slightly firm.
The corners of her mouth fell away, and Yue Chunlan's eyes darkened: "I understand."
She sighed and leaned back in her chair: "Of course I know you don't want to go on blind dates. But your second aunt has helped us so much in the past. Eight or nine years ago, when your father was hospitalized, we had no money. If it weren't for your second aunt, we wouldn't know what to do."
Yue Chunlan began to reminisce about the bitter past and appreciate the sweet present.
Pan Yue frowned, but did not interrupt.
“Your second aunt is from Nandu, and her family is a little better off. Otherwise, your second uncle alone wouldn’t have enough money to help us. She’s retired now and earns her retirement money by acting as a matchmaker. Young He is a good catch, and your second aunt knows quite a few people, but you’re the only one who’s good enough for him. Your second aunt has already come to our door, so how can I refuse?”
Yue Chunlan became more and more animated as she spoke, her voice earnest and sincere, and she unconsciously switched to her local dialect: "Your mother and aunt aren't saying we want to use you to make money. Xiao He is good in every way, and we also want you to find a good girl, settle down early, and have a place to belong outside..."
Pan Yue remained silent, listening attentively, occasionally humming in response.
He'd heard those words so many times he was sick of them.
Mothers all over the world are alike; they always like to repeat the same things over and over again, without ever getting tired of it.
The child, unfortunately, couldn't argue back. Because the child was sensible, she understood her mother. She simply had something on her mind and wanted to confide in her; why interrupt her and upset her?
“I’m the only one talking here,” Yue Chunlan said, perhaps tired of talking. She turned around and rolled her eyes at Pan Zhenguo. “You too, you just listen during the meal and don’t say a word.”
Pan Zhenguo was caught in the crossfire: "The girl's father didn't say anything."
Yue Chunlan choked, turned her lips away, and didn't want to talk to Pan Zhenguo.
In a family where the mother is always nagging, the father is always silent.
It is said that a father's love is as strong as a mountain.
Some mountains are silent, yet they silently shelter from the fierce winds;
Some mountains, however, simply do nothing.
Pan Zhenguo's mountain is both the first and the second type:
In front of Pan Yue, he was the first type;
In front of Yue Chunlan, perhaps he falls into the second category.
“Why are you saying so much?” Pan Zhenguo changed the subject. “Isn’t it a good thing that Pan Yue has a girl he likes? Young people have their own pace. What’s the use of you worrying?”
"That's right!" Yue Chunlan's voice suddenly brightened, and she grabbed Pan Yue's arm. "Son, tell your mother the truth, do you really have a girl you like?"
That's a quick change of expression.
Pan Yue inwardly grumbled.
“I just felt you liked her,” Yue Chunlan suddenly said excitedly. “You kept looking at your phone while eating. Did that girl send you a WeChat message?”
Pan Yue: ......
How did you figure that out?
Is it obvious?
Whether Zhu Shiyi can tell or not.
Pan Yue showed no expression.
Yue Chunlan, however, discovered a new world.
Her increasingly taciturn son's brow twitched. His tense expression was definitely intentional.
When Pan Yue was a child, he always had a blank expression when he had something on his mind, and he still looks the same when he grows up.
Yue Chunlan understood. Feeling relieved, she let out a long sigh: "That's wonderful! Finally, I don't have to worry about your marriage anymore. I was afraid you wouldn't like girls. Ah—once you get married, and then have a baby in a few years, I can..."
Pan Yue: ......
"You're overthinking it." He retorted, not bothering to listen to what he was about to say.
"I want more heads!" Yue Chunlan didn't believe her. "Don't I know you well enough!"
I do know.
Pan Yue readily admitted defeat.
But no matter what, he couldn't admit it.
Given Yue Chunlan's personality, if he dares to admit it, she'll ask him ten times a day.
He couldn't say that he hadn't even picked up a pen to write the Eight Characters.
"Think what you want," Pan Yue said dismissively.
......
About half an hour.
Pan Yue finally replied to the message: [...]
Zhu Shiyi was puzzled.
She glanced at her own comment: "[Driving home? Did Mr. Pan just finish his blind date?]"
Zhu Shiyi: [How is the other party?]
Hmm... So what does it mean when Pan Yue uses ellipses?
Was what she said really that absurd?
Isn't this showing concern for him?
Pan Yue's latest message: [Just a meal, nothing else.]
Zhu Shiyi pursed his lips.
Thank goodness, I didn't find anyone I liked.
She felt a little better: "Oh."
Pan Yue: [Why did I suddenly decide to buy a new musical instrument?]
Why are we back to this topic again?
Zhu Shiyi: [I didn't buy it, it belongs to Sister Fan. I just used it to play around with, and it's quite fun.]
Pan Yue: [Do you like it?]
Zhu Shiyi: [Yes, Sister Fan even brought it to the meeting tonight. She sang two songs on the ukulele.]
Pan Yue: [You went to a bar?]
Zhu Shiyi: [Yes.]
Pan Yue: [Ordered wine again?]
This familiar conversation.
Zhu Shiyi quickly replied: 【No! Don't order me apple juice, I'll order it myself.】
Fearing Pan Yue wouldn't believe her, she took a picture.
She deliberately saved room for a late-night snack, and when she came to MEETING, she ordered some fruit juice and snacks.
This time, Zhu Shiyi was more careful and deliberately avoided using table numbers and QR codes.
Pan Yue: [Is that Lin Changren across from you?]
How did he know?
Zhu Shiyi clicked on the picture and accidentally captured Lin Changren's crossed legs.
Zhu Shiyi: [That's right. We're waiting for Sister Fan to get off work so we can celebrate the New Year together.]
Pan Yue was typing, but Zhu Shiyi hadn't received any response.
Hmph, men, always so hot and cold.
Five minutes later.
Pan Yue: [It's good.]
Pan Yue: [You three have fun.]
Pan Yue: [I need to take care of something.]
Zhu Shiyi: [Oh, okay.]
He's such a busy man, he couldn't even find peace on New Year's Eve.
......
After Yu Fan finished get off work, the three of them found a barbecue restaurant in the Meeting area and sat outside.
This cultural and creative street will host a New Year's Eve event on New Year's Day, located in an open space not far away.
Just in time for the New Year's Eve countdown, the three of them put down their skewers and squeezed into the crowd.
The cold wind, carrying the sounds of children playing, swept past my back, and my nostrils were filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts.
Zhu Shiyi held Yu Fan tightly, afraid of getting separated.
"Where's the other person?" Yu Fan shook his head, looking around.
"I don't know." Zhu Shiyi glanced around.
The crowd was surging. To the left and behind, a young couple nestled together; to the right and behind, a little girl rode on her mother's shoulders, holding a bunny balloon high in the air.
The mother was wearing a long suit. Time had added a few lines of weariness to her face. She looked a little tired, but her eyes held a sharper vigilance.
The little girl pointed to the sky: "Mommy, look, there are so many balloons over there!"
The mother's expression softened: "Yes, baby likes it. Mom will buy you another one tomorrow."
Zhu Shiyi, Hat Nuannuan.
The happiness of ordinary urban dwellers is, in itself, very simple.
All it takes is a touch of warmth from someone close to you.
Several people flashed through Zhu Shiyi's mind.
Mom, younger brother, Yu Fan...
The image is frozen in the center of the lake in my heart.
......
If Pan Yue were here, what would he do?
Suddenly, their arms were pulled apart, and Zhu Shiyi instinctively moved closer to Yu Fan.
"Brother!" A familiar voice came from her side. Zhu Shiyi turned her head, and Lin Changren put an arm across her and Yu Fan's back. "We're together, you can go past me."
"Sorry!" The stranger who had been shoving him from behind withdrew his hand and squeezed through the gap in the crowd on the other side.
"Brother Chang," Zhu Shiyi greeted, "where did you just go?"
"What?" The crowd was so noisy that Lin Changren couldn't hear clearly.
"Where did you just go?!" Yu Fan raised his voice, shifting his shoulders and neck. "I was squeezed to death."
Lin Changren's eyes suddenly lit up, and he stretched out his arm: "Here!"
He held three balloons in his hand, waved them, and handed them to Yu Fan: "Which one do you want?"
Yu Fan glanced at them and grabbed one at random.
Lin Changren smiled broadly, casually handing Zhu Shiyi a balloon, and then reaching into his down jacket.
"Here, take this!" He presented it to Yu Fan like a precious treasure.
Before he could even see what it looked like, Zhu Shiyi could smell it.
Roasted chestnuts!
Zhu Shiyi clicked his tongue silently, raised his head, stretched his neck, and took a deep breath.
She shouldn't be standing here; she's feeling really stifled!
The crowds surged, creating a scene of utter chaos.
Skyscrapers reflect colorful light.
"Five! Four!" The countdown to the New Year resounded loudly.
"Happy New Year!" Everyone released the balloons together. What they released was the sorrow and bad luck of the old year; what rose was the joy and happiness of the new year.
"Happy New Year." Lin Changren's voice was deep and resonant, and amidst the commotion, it was surprisingly captivating.
A hint of infatuation flashed in Yu Fan's eyes. She took a shallow breath and whispered, "Happy New Year."
As if fleeing, Yu Fan linked arms with Zhu Shiyi and nuzzled her, saying, "Happy New Year, Shiyi!"
Zhu Shiyi smiled: "Happy New Year!"
The world raises its head together, looking towards the most beautiful hope among all things.
Only Zhu Shiyi lowered his eyes.
She opened her phone and looked at the little red dot on her WeChat Moments.
At 00:00, Pan Yue replied to the comment: 【Happy New Year, Zhu Shiyi.】
Cupid, holding a long arrow, pierced the red heart directly beneath his left breast.
Feeling sweet and warm inside, Zhu Shiyi felt as if she had also eaten roasted chestnuts.
She sent Pan Yue a private message: 【Happy New Year!】
Pan Yue: [Is this a mass message?]
Zhu Shiyi was filled with questions.
Why are older people so good at spoiling the mood?
Zhu Shiyi: [Happy New Year, Pan Yue.]
She copied the following text from the internet: [(Unrolls a banner) Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! I congratulate you on your fortune! How wonderful! This humble lady is courteous! Give me a red envelope!]
Zhu Shiyi: [Does this still look like a mass text message?]
Half a minute later.
Pan Yue: [Red Envelope]
Zhu Shiyi: ?
No, she was just joking, why did she take it seriously?
Zhu Shiyi: [You should have said, "I won't send any red envelopes, I'm afraid you'll take them."]
Pan Yue: [Why be afraid?]
They have so much money they don't know what to do with it.
Zhu Shiyi surrenders: [You don't need to actually post it, I'm just doing an abstract one.]
Pan Yue: [Red envelopes sent by business people cannot be withdrawn.]
Zhu Shiyi: [Then I'll accept it and send it back to you.]
Pan Yue: [No need.]
Zhu Shiyi had already accepted 200 yuan, then used Alipay to return it to Pan Yue.
Zhu Shiyi: [Just send me a proletarian red envelope.]
Pan Yue: [?]
Zhu Shiyi: [The wealth of the proletariat must be created by themselves.]
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