Before I knew it, it was already nine o'clock at night. I was still sitting at the door of my room. In the time since Cao Xiaobei left, I hadn't done anything, not even lit a cigarette.
I thought I would think a lot, but in fact I didn't think about anything at all; I just sat there blankly. After emerging from this blank state, I felt like something was missing. I tried to think for a long time, but I couldn't remember what it was.
I was unwilling to give up, so I looked around... only to realize with a start that the motorcycle Yang Sisi had left behind had been taken away by Cao Xiaobei.
It suddenly dawned on me that this was probably what I was missing; and before this, many times when I sat here daydreaming, the car would be beside me... To me, this car symbolized freedom and unrestraint, because its two wheels would take me to the shores of Erhai Lake, to the foot of Cangshan Mountain, to farms surrounded by flowers...
It wasn't until I had these feelings that I lit a cigarette for myself.
...
After a while, the phone next to me finally rang. I thought it was Coach Ma and Bai Lu calling to let me know they had arrived, but it was Lao Mi calling instead.
A few days ago, I was having a fight with Ye Zhi, and I was quite afraid to answer his calls. But at this moment, I didn't care at all because I knew what was going on. I put out my cigarette and then answered the phone.
Old Mi sounded a bit accusatory as he said to me, "It's been a while since the New Year, why haven't you come back yet?... Quite a few people came back for the New Year, and they're already preparing to leave again."
"Would you believe me if I said we're all busy?"
"Stop using being busy to brush me off. It's not like I'm asking you to come back and stay for a long time. Can't you even spare four or five days?"
"If you don't believe me, just call Dai Qiang and ask him... He knows best whether Xiao Ye has a lot of things to do."
Old Mi was speechless for a moment before finally speaking, "I understand you're busy, but give me a definite answer on when you'll be back. Don't keep making your mother and me wait."
"If you really ask me for a specific date, I really can't give you an answer... but it's really coming soon. Now we're just waiting for her to come back from Kuala Lumpur. I've already made all the preparations."
"Alright..."
Old Mi had only spoken halfway when I heard my mother's voice on the phone again. She said to me, "Son, come back soon... Mom has cleaned up your rooms and bought groceries... Mom knows it's not easy for you out there, you have to rely on yourself in every way. As long as you can focus on your career, Mom will try her best not to bother you... But you haven't been back for so long this time, Mom really misses you... I don't know if you've gained or lost weight now."
My nose started to sting. Last year, Lao Mi did come to Dali, but she couldn't come because she wasn't feeling well. Counting the days, it's been more than a year since we last saw each other... I feel like I'm not a good son. Compared to love and career, I can only focus so little on family.
I'm like a bird whose wings have already hardened, wandering back and forth in this boundless world, often forgetting that there are two old birds who have been guarding the original nest, waiting through wind and rain for the bird that has flown away for a very long time.
For me, there is only the world in my eyes and my career in my heart; but for them, there is only me, this little bird that has left home, in their eyes and in their hearts.
I owe them something.
I sniffed and replied with a smile, "Mom, don't make it sound so sad. We're going back soon... What do you want? I'll buy it for you. As long as you're happy, I won't mind spending the money!"
"Would Mom still ask you for anything? It's enough that you're back."
I pinched the corner of my eye hard to hold back the tears that were about to fall before replying, "I have some good news for you. I bought a car... When we get back, I'll take you and Dad for a nice drive up the mountain."
"Our car?"
"My car, it's definitely our car..." After a slight pause, I said softly, "Mom, you and Dad need to take care of yourselves at home. Eat whatever you want for three meals a day, don't always eat leftovers, and don't be so frugal... Your son is now capable of giving you a good life, so don't always worry me. You need to improve your own quality of life too... understand?"
"Mom knows... I'm very happy with you now, and you're living with more energy... Your dad said that Xiao Ye is a very good girl in every way, and she didn't do anything to discredit you... This can be considered as fulfilling a dream for your dad and me!"
I replied with a smile, "Of course, how could your son have bad taste!"
"Not bad, not bad, how could my son's judgment be bad!" After a slight pause, the other end said, "Just focus on your work and career, Mom won't nag you anymore... You can hang up now."
"Can't my dad say a few more words?"
"Let's not talk about it anymore... Let's calm down and wait for you to come back at home."
My mom said that, but her tone revealed reluctance, and she still hung up the phone before I did.
I held the phone like that, and my eyes still welled up with tears... I haven't been home for over a year. It must be a huge blow to them, right?
...
After calming down for a while, I called Ye Zhi; firstly, to ask if she had arrived in Kuala Lumpur safely; and secondly, to talk to her about my trip back to my hometown.
After the phone rang a few times, Ye Zhi answered. Out of concern, I asked first, "Is your cold any better?"
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