Respect for the future
Praise is addictive. Jiang Yu put away his thorns and became as soft as a dandelion.
While waiting for the meal to start, Jiang Liu tapped the table lightly and said, "Tell me about your future plans." He looked calm, avoiding the suspicion of questioning, otherwise he would be too much like Jiang Chun.
The glass behind me was polished to a shine, with shimmering tides and a dazzling array of colors, like an eggshell membrane, endangered yet flexible, and the joining technique was so ingenious that it deceived the human eye.
Jiang Liu tied his hair into a ponytail on the side. Although his hair was thick, it was not frizzy. He pulled out a strand and combed it into a bun at the back of his head, and a flower-wrapped hairpin was sticking out.
The topic was serious, and Jiang Yu was in a trance. Behind the beautiful scenery, beautiful women and delicious food, there was always a set of inhuman logic.
"I have an idea. In my parents' gambling game, at least on the surface, my mom is missing a bargaining chip."
He looked around the table and saw that the two men were serious. Only then did he muster some courage and support himself to continue speaking smoothly.
"Brother Yu Ran, I told you before, 'They are a couple on paper, but they have many illegitimate children' is just a general statement."
Jiang Liu glanced at Yu Ran.
"Generally speaking, it's rare for a woman to have an illegitimate child. Besides, as far as I know, the mother has never been pregnant again. She wouldn't use a surrogate, if she insists on that."
"Yeah, I agree." Jiang Liu nodded. "Do you remember the third nanny you drove away? The one with the woolen curlers and headscarf. I ran into her head-on when I returned to the villa that day. I gave her extra money as compensation, but she later returned it to me. When I asked, I found out that my mother gave her the money and helped her find a place to live and a new job. It was because my mother felt sorry for her past experience."
Jiang Liu couldn't bear to reveal the scars of his "past experiences", but in this context, the answer was self-evident.
"So, Jiang Chun has an illegitimate child and has a successor, but Jiang Yueming does not. Let's not talk about what each side is hiding for now, at least this point is a foregone conclusion. And you can definitely use this to curry favor with her." Yu Ran looked at Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu nodded excitedly.
After dinner, three pairs of eyes read through Su Li's chat history one by one:
"Business is booming at the studio. Even after I get off work, the lights are still on. —Hey, you're still waiting for news from me at this hour? You should go to bed early."
"I'm sorry, grandma. Teacher Jiang hasn't been to our store for a long time, and I haven't seen him either. But he must be able to sense your concern."
"Grandma, his business has been so busy lately. I slipped in among the customers, and they kept praising him for his patience and responsibility. You must be very proud to have such a grandson, right?"
"He's always been looked after by someone, a boy, who also helps out in his studio. ——As for the rest, I don't know."
“…”
This information was of no use to "Grandma". She always responded indifferently and urged Su Li in disguise from time to time to visit the area more often.
It may be suspicious, but if you put yourself in the perspective of an elderly person who is not good at using electronic devices, everything becomes reasonable.
Jiang Liu recalled that during that period, every time his parents called, whether they were harsh words or earnest advice, it was precisely when business was slow, which was also the time when he was most easily shaken.
Now, through Su Li's speech, it's easy to see that she has woven a timeline of her business's rise and fall. Parents act on the fine line, like finding the right buttonhole on a button; kicking someone when they're down hits them hardest.
The next day, the three of them went to Yikoutian to find Su Li.
When Su Li saw Jiang Liu, she felt extremely ashamed and could not even stand steadily. The tenderness in her heart had turned into poison.
"Teacher Jiang, I'm sorry! You may not forgive me, but please accept my apology." Su Li behaved frankly, but only she knew how guilty she felt.
"Miss Su, don't worry. Let me tell you a story?"
Su Li's hazy five senses gradually became clear.
"When I was in my first year of high school, I always met a homeless man on the way to school. The first time, I gave him money, and then I didn't see him for the next two days. On the fourth day, he was wandering around the same place, and I met him again. I helped him as much as I could. The merchants nearby advised me that he was a fake beggar, with high expectations but poor skills, and he was begging because he was lazy. The real situation was not as pitiful as he appeared. He used to beg for little money, but after all, one person could feed the whole family. But after he met me, the money he gave me at a time was enough for him to squander for several days. Others told me to open my eyes and not be fooled by him. But honestly, when I heard the word "fake beggar", I was really glad. At least, at that time, there was no one more lonely person in the world."
After a pause, Jiang Liu continued:
"Similarly, fraud doesn't mean there's one more elderly person in the world who's been eliminated by the new era and is sick with longing for their grandchildren. They're wasting their own blessings, while we're just completing our own cultivation."
Su Li was baptized and was about to cry. Jiang Liu said slowly:
"Besides, I want to thank you. I never imagined what it would be like to share my daily life with my loved ones. Thank you for doing it for me."
Not to mention Su Li, even Jiang Yu, a complete bystander, burst into tears. They were the ones crying, but it was Jiang Liu who blushed. "Sorry, it wasn't my intention to make you cry."
Yu Ran was gentle and graceful, opening his arms and pressing his chest against her back, as if embedding his heart into her solid carapace, providing and sustaining her love. He said, "No wonder she likes you. No wonder I fall in love with you again and again."
Jiang Liu smiled and put Yu Ran's hand on his waist.
At this moment, everyone becomes a cigarette lamp, releasing emotions to the fullest, slightly bitter, deep and sweet. When it stops, the heart is empty and relaxed.
Jiang Liu asked Su Li to continue passing on information without alerting the enemy. Sometimes, fabricating something appropriately is more important than holding back. From time to time, he told the other party what they wanted to know. This was the only temporary solution.
Su Li understood it immediately.
After saying goodbye, Jiang Yu repeatedly begged to host a farewell banquet at home. Yu Ran: "Well, isn't it just that I'm designated to cook?"
The two brothers went back to their room and talked for a while. They came to the kitchen to help with good intentions, but Yu Ran was as nervous as if he was attacked by an enemy. He assigned Jiang Liu the task of getting the dishes and sent him away.
Jiang Yu was caught red-handed while trying to fish in troubled waters. "You are responsible for cleaning the stove and the stove."
"Can't you wipe it after eating?"
"Do you understand delayed gratification?"
Yu Ran felt that he was very humane, and this was the job that required the least amount of brainpower.
Seeing him fumbling around, Yu Ran felt a surge of anger. He stared at him as he finished, and the three of them ate happily.
We raised our glasses together at the dinner table, toasting our respective futures and the hearts that were connected at this moment.
Jiang Yu really needs to make a name for himself this time.
During the day, after seeing my younger brother off, what follows is the sweet affection between the adults.
Jiang Yu's stay lasted three days, but it left a deep psychological scar on his brothers. He hadn't recovered from the jet lag, and at night he was so energetic he could plow three acres of land without even breathing hard. Especially last night, when you could hear a pin drop, there were frequent sounds of flushing water and footsteps from the guest bedroom. Someone slowly crept into the kitchen, rummaging through boxes and cabinets, and tripped over a sliding rail...
Jiang Liu was having a sweet dream when it was disturbed invisibly, as if he were being bitten by rodents, making him extremely uneasy.
I can't even sleep well, let alone expect nighttime entertainment.
Therefore, we must make up for it during the day?
…
In the blink of an eye, October, November and December have passed. These three months starting with "ten" represent the oldest months and should be more stable. Why do the later generations follow in the footsteps of their predecessors hand in hand and spend their days in silence?
The calendar is torn thin, and expectations are like coldness, growing thicker and thicker.
On New Year's Eve, the two of them went to Xiaosheng Bamboo Garden for dinner. Yu Ran had booked the private room long in advance.
The restaurant has only one moon-shaped door, so it doesn't have to worry about strong winter winds. Many bamboos are planted as partitions according to the terrain. They are all real bamboos, and somehow they stay green all year round. Layer upon layer of bamboos lead to secluded paths.
We ordered the signature dish Golden Bell Changhong, a clay pot of matsutake mushroom and chicken soup, which was simmered on an open stove. The chicken was well-seasoned, juicy and delicious, and no dipping sauce was needed at all. The dessert was gilded apple pie, with a crispy crust and warm filling. For the vegetable, we ordered jade cauliflower in soup, which is commonly known as Shanghai green.
The restaurant was full of customers, string music was playing leisurely in the private room, and the rustling of bamboo leaves was pleasant to the ears, which was very pleasant.
Soon, both of them were sweating and took off their down jackets.
The lights were dim and a cold wind blew outside. They hurriedly put on their coats. Yu Ran put his hands in his pockets without zipping up his coat. Jiang Liu dressed himself and was about to tie his scarf.
Yu Ran happened to sneeze. Jiang Liu stopped, unfolded his scarf, and tried to put it around Yu Ran's neck, saying:
"Showing off? Without even zipping up?"
Jiang Liu's scarf is lavender purple, and it looks quite cute on Yu Ran, but it is a little inconsistent with his outfit. To passers-by, it must be his girlfriend's scarf.
He lowered his head and smelled the scent of soap close at hand.
Then, Jiang Liu also sneezed.
Yu Ran first took off one end of his scarf, then pulled Jiang Liu into his arms.
Adjust the length of the scarf carefully face to face.
One end was wrapped around her neck, the other around Jiang Liu's neck, and the corner of the scarf was tucked into the gap where their shoulders collided.
"How stupid!" Jiang Liu tilted his neck back to enjoy it. The two of them looked like penguins with their bulging bodies.
"Well, of course I'm the dumber one, knowing you're smart."
His fingers moved back and forth until they rubbed Jiang Liu's jaw, and they could hear each other's breathing. Yu Ran concentrated on dealing with the scarf.
Wearing it this way will keep two people together, and they will inevitably bump into each other's arms and shoulders when walking.
Before eight o'clock after dinner, they walked to the video game arcade and played for a long time.
When they came out, there was a pedestrian street. They took a quick look at the jewelry stores, snack shops, exhibition halls... everywhere was crowded with people. Except for taking off their scarves in the video game arcade, they tied them up properly when they came out.
Passersby looked sideways.
Yu Ran suddenly asked Jiang Liu what New Year's gift he wanted.
Jiang Liu answered without hesitation: "No, it's good now." He has a successful career, is free and unrestrained, and his loved ones can be seen by him whenever he turns his head. Even though the future is full of uncertainties, he is sincerely grateful for everything he has now.
"What about you? What gift do you want?" His fingers wandered over a row of rings, shining brightly.
"I'm the same as you." The two people stood facing each other.
Jiang Liu's heartbeat was disrupted by the rhythm of the music "Congratulations, congratulations to you". Although he knew that "same as you" meant that he didn't need anything, but what he had just said in his heart was clearly:
I want to propose to you.
Jiang Liu likes such coincidences.
The two of them bought milk tea and snacks, as shopping and eating were inseparable. Speaking of which, they were self-disciplined people who rarely touched these junk foods, and after living together, they had no intention of having them on the table. However, today they were allowed to make an exception.
People were still coming from all directions, and the night pushed people's restlessness to a climax. Jiang Liu said, "Let's play a game."
Yu Ran was curious and of course agreed.
"From now on, we are not allowed to look at the time, and then guess when it will be midnight. Let's see who can guess the most accurately."
Crossing the pedestrian street, I unknowingly arrived at the park, which was decorated with lights and colorful trees. The fountain in the center of the park changed its water columns and light and shadows with the endless music; everyone had a fairy wand in their hands, which burst out with new flames, burning the long night. Nowadays, people no longer set off fireworks in a big way, otherwise the sky would be full of colorful lights as soon as midnight came, and there would be no need to guess.
Jiang Liu sat on the bench, dangling his legs. To play this game, the most basic method was to calculate how much time they had spent on eating, drinking and having fun: it was not yet eight o'clock after dinner, they had been immersed in the arcade playing crazy games for almost two hours, and after shopping, eating and drinking, it was at least eleven o'clock now.
"What's the punishment for losing?" Yu Ran asked.
"Can the loser fulfill one wish of the winner?"
"Well, I guess I will win." Yu Ran raised his eyebrows, but his eyes passed over him, paying attention to the pedestrians behind him, and then retracted his gaze in an instant.
Jiang Liu rushed to say: "I also guess I will win!"
The wind carries the distant smell of fireworks, as if it is the sedimentation of the past. Quietly watching the stars and admiring the moon, the old year and the new year merge into a long and beautiful time.
…
"Happy New Year!" Jiang Liu said loudly.
"Happy New Year!" Yu Ran said word for word, and at exactly the same time.
"How do you calculate this?" Jiang Liu curved his eyebrows, hiding a bit of cleverness.
"We both win, right?"
"Okay, so what's your wish?"
"I hope you will always call me brother in the future..." When he said the word brother, his lips did not close, as if his meaning had not been completed yet, but he stopped talking.
"What's your wish?"
"Brother, let's take a picture together."
Jiang Liu had already unlocked his phone, and the time showed exactly 0:00, proving that both of them had guessed correctly. He turned on the camera and pressed the shutter.
Yu Ran had many questions to ask, such as why he called him "brother" just as he wished, why his wish was to take a photo, and how he calculated the time. In the end, he asked the latter question.
"Look at the fireworks lights behind you. I observed that they have been jumping back and forth between pink and purple from where we are. Only just now did they turn orange-red, and the flashing frequency was very fast." Jiang Liu said.
"Then how do you know the time?"
Yu Ran pretended to be profound and refused to answer. Jiang Liu pestered him and called him "brother" softly a few times, which made him very happy.
Yu Ran had noticed two boys walking aimlessly behind Jiang Liu, their bodies almost touching, then locked eyes and kissed in one breath. Yu Ran understood and offered a blessing to the people around him.
"Just now, there were two people behind you who said Happy New Year at the same time as us."
Yu Ran's answer was a little shy, as if he had returned to the ambiguous period.
Jiang Liu turned around and looked around, where was it? He asked him how his hearing was so good, this must be considered off-field assistance!
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