Father's Land Mother's River

Chapter 99

The winter vacation is coming soon, and Meng Xiangxiang's final grades are still in the top ten. Yue Xuelian applied for a scholarship for her.With a lot of harvest, Meng Xiangxiang said goodbye to her senior brother and Teacher Yue, and took a boat back to her hometown where she had been away for nearly half a year.

Liu Xiaonan lived in the dormitory of the textile factory and did not go home for the time being. He wanted to concentrate on writing the novel he had just begun.

It was almost New Year's Eve, and some brothers from the former dormitory brought red paper and asked him to write Spring Festival couplets, which he planned to take home.As soon as this head was opened, people asked him to write Spring Festival couplets day and night.

The novel could not be written anymore, so Liu Xiaonan simply went to the Youth League Committee to bring two large bottles of ink, moved the desk to the middle of the floor, and devoted herself to writing Spring Festival couplets for everyone.

After two days of writing, Yu Zhiyong came to the door.Every year before the Spring Festival, he makes a batch of printed Spring Festival couplets and sells them in residential areas and dormitories to earn some money for the new year.Liu Xiaonan set up a table in the dormitory to write Spring Festival couplets for free, which undoubtedly took away part of his business.

Liu Xiaonan smiled and said to Zhiyong: "There is no way, I am responsive, and I can't turn people away. You are a small boss and have a lot of business in your hands, so you don't care about such petty profits, do you?"

Yu Zhiyong didn't really come to Xingshi to inquire about the crime, he just felt worthless for Liu Xiaonan.I wasted a lot of time, put aside my own novels, and wrote Spring Festival couplets for everyone. What exactly are they drawing?
Liu Xiaonan said: "You sell yours, I write mine, we don't interfere with each other. If I have to give a reason, you won't understand."

Yu Zhiyong said: "You are noble, I am vulgar. Don't you just want to say that?"

Liu Xiaonan said: "It's really not what you think. People asked me to write Spring Festival couplets, and they didn't want to save some money. Handwritten Spring Festival couplets have changes and warmth, giving people a sense of participation and intimacy; printed Spring Festival couplets are the same, It lacks a bit of human touch and festive atmosphere. If you don’t believe me, I’ll write a few couplets and sell them with your printed materials. You can see which one people like to buy. As for me, everyone pays for paper , Let me practice calligraphy for free."

Yu Zhiyong scratched his head: "That's true. As a Spring Festival couplet seller, I also want to put your Spring Festival couplets on the door. You only studied for two years more than me. Why is there such a big difference?"

That night, Wang Aiqing and the elder brother from the village came to visit unexpectedly, without any red paper in their hands, obviously they did not come to ask him to write Spring Festival couplets.

Liu Xiaonan dismissed several people in the room, closed the door, poured tea and water, and said to Wang Aiqing who looked a little uneasy: "Master Wang, please speak up if you have anything to say."

Wang Aiqing glanced at the elder brother in the village, who nodded, and then she plucked up the courage to say, "Xiaonan, there is something I don't know whether I should tell you. I have discussed it with your elder brother, and I decided to go with you." Tell me. Your elder brother said it, but I’m sorry if you don’t say it.”

Could it be about Gu Yu?Apart from Gu Yu, Liu Xiaonan couldn't think of anything else that could make this weather-beaten couple so entangled and uneasy.He pretended to be relaxed and said, "What's the matter? Let Master Wang and elder brother worry about me."

"You still have the intention to play around here." Wang Aiqing slapped Liu Xiaonan hard, and blurted out: "I ask you, is Gu Yu also on winter vacation when you are on winter vacation? Did Gu Yu come to see you? What is going on between you two?" what happened?"

Sure enough.Liu Xiaonan didn't intend to hide it: "I'm done with Gu Yu, and whether she comes to see me or not won't change the fact."

Liu Xiaonan's expression didn't look like she was joking, besides, feelings can't be joked casually.

Wang Aiqing and her husband looked at each other, surprised with regret: "What a good couple, how could this happen? I took the child to buy clothes today, and accidentally saw Gu Yu walking with a strange young man in the mall , hold hands and be more affectionate. I dare not go forward and ask more. It stands to reason that Gu Yu is not a half-hearted person. How could she fall in love with someone else behind your back? That's why I came to ask you with your elder brother .”

"Thank you, Master Wang and Brother, for your concern." Liu Xiaonan didn't want to slander anyone: "It's not that Gu Yu and I have conflicts, but that we pursue different directions. I first proposed the breakup, and it was a decision we both made after careful consideration. .”

"Don't say good things for others." Wang Aiqing was indignant: "The two of you have such a deep relationship, and you will never break up for no reason. People with a little brain will understand why."

"Benevolence!" said the elder brother in the village, "I would rather be hurt than speak ill of others behind their backs. This is what our brothers excel at."

Liu Xiaonan said: "This matter is over. If I can't find a partner in the future, I have to ask Master Wang to help Zhang Luo introduce him."

"Do you still need my introduction?" Wang Aiqing smiled and said, "I'm afraid that once the news of your breakup with Gu Yu spreads, the girl following you will not be able to sweep away with a broom."

"So I asked Master Wang to keep it a secret for me. I don't want to fall in love for the time being. I just want to finish my university studies without any interference."

This is indeed Liu Xiaonan's truest thought at this stage.

After finishing her school affairs, Yue Xuelian didn't go on vacation until a few days later than the students.She immediately went to the dormitory of the textile factory to find Liu Xiaonan, and wanted to go home with him.

In the past, she was afraid of winter and summer vacations. During the long days, she was lonely and boring, and she had nothing else to do except stay at home and read a book.Occasionally go out for short trips, and I can't arouse any interest when I am alone.

This year's winter vacation is different, and I look forward to it because of a certain desire.On lonely nights, she often took out the Jade Guanyin from her chest, and looked at it for a long time with a hopeful heart.

The trip to Liuzi Street on New Year's Day made her understand that this is not a token of love, but just his sincere blessing.What does that matter?He is her student, and they will get along with each other for the next four years.

In the eyes of others, he is a promising literary youth; in her eyes, he is a different man.

Unexpectedly, Liu Xiaonan was busier than ever, with people coming and going in the small room, writing with a brush all the time.She helped cut the paper, and according to Liu Xiaonan's request, she cut a whole sheet of red paper into long strips of different widths to facilitate his writing.

She admired the Spring Festival couplets written by him, admired the inheritance on the stone tablet, and the simple manual work became extraordinarily meaningful.

Liu Xiaonan and Yue Xuelian agreed that they would go home together on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, and they had to set aside three days to write Spring Festival couplets for the villagers.This is his promise to Uncle Guan Deyu, and it is also an obligation he has set for himself.

After cutting all the paper, Yue Xuelian put down the paper cutter and said she was going out for a while.She was going to buy red paper. She planned to celebrate the New Year this year, and put the Spring Festival couplets written by Liu Xiaonan on the door of her house.

Living independently since she was in high school until now, she has never pasted Spring Festival couplets and blessing characters on the door of her house.There is no mood for Chinese New Year, no atmosphere of Chinese New Year, an incomplete home, pasting Spring Festival couplets will only increase troubles.

Life like a pool of stagnant water should be over, and pasting festive Spring Festival couplets is the first step.

Not long after Yue Xuelian left, Gu Yu pushed the door open and walked in.

The hut was bustling with laughter and laughter, while Liu Xiaonan was scribbling furiously while telling everyone relevant allusions.The clothesline is full of written Spring Festival couplets, like flags waving, and the small attic has the smell of the New Year in advance.

Gu Yu hesitated for a moment, quickly adjusted her mentality, and walked up to greet her warmly: "Long time no see, hello everyone."

The brush was stagnant in mid-air, and a drop of ink fell down the tip of the pen onto the table, breaking into radial black fragments.

Smile openly!Be sure to smile openly!Liu Xiaonan smiled with her mouth half-opened, wiped the ink on the table repeatedly with waste paper, and said dryly, "Here I come. I'll finish writing these Spring Festival couplets, and then I'll talk with you. It will be fine in a while."

Gu Yu stood in front of the table, took half of the Spring Festival couplets written by Liu Xiaonan and said, "I heard from people in the factory that you are writing Spring Festival couplets for the workers in full swing, so I came here to take a look. Don't say anything, the writing is better than before. Great progress."

Liu Xiaonan swallowed her bitterness and grinned, "Thank you for the compliment from the leader."

With Gu Yu's arrival, the atmosphere in the room cooled down a lot, and several people left one after another wisely.Gu Yu took out two cans of tea from her bag, put them on the table and said, "I stole it from my dad, it's the best tea. You often stay up late writing, I can only help you a little."

As if back in her teenage years, she secretly showed him the books of her brothers and sisters.Liu Xiaonan put away the tea leaves and said, "I don't drink much tea. I'll accept these two cans. Don't give them away anymore. It's a waste."

Gu Yu looked at Liu Xiaonan's somewhat unnatural expression: "Wasting feelings or wasting tea? Am I not even qualified to care about you? From the looks of you, I don't seem to welcome me."

"It's not your usual style to pick small words like a little woman." Liu Xiaonan asked Gu Yu to sit on her bed, leaned against the table with her arms folded, and pointed out sternly: "Some people say that a woman in love will Become silly. From this point of view, you have indeed changed a lot during this period of time. Congratulations, you have finally found the love that suits you. It is also a happy thing to change for one person."

"If you don't come here, I won't change for anyone. But you, you dare not even write a reply letter, let alone the courage to meet each other. What is it to write a note like a headless chicken? Show your integrity? You You have no right to judge me."

"What I want to tell you is in the novel I'm writing."

"You really want to write our story?"

"Yes, write our stories, many stories of 'us' who have moved from the countryside to the city."

The door was ajar, and Yue Xuelian pushed the door open with a piece of red paper and walked in.Suddenly seeing Gu Yu sitting on the bed, he was taken aback for a moment, then greeted warmly and shook hands politely.

Gu Yu didn't intend to leave, Yue Xuelian pushed Liu Xiaonan aside, picked up a paper knife and cut paper on the table, a piece of red paper was cut into four couplets by her.One pair on the door of my own house, one pair on the opposite door to Fang Juan's house, and one pair on the courtyard door and the front door of my father's house.

Liu Xiaonan picked up the brush and kept dipping the ink in the plate that served as an inkstone, staring blankly at the red paper in front of her, not sure how to write.

Yue Xuelian saw that he was restless, put away the cut paper and said: "Write it later, entertain the guests."

Gu Yu said: "Mr. Yue, in your university, there is no shortage of people who are good at pen and ink."

"That's true." Yue Xuelian said: "Some teachers' calligraphy can be called a calligrapher's level. My brother's calligraphy is not worth mentioning at all. It depends on personal preference."

Gu Yu said: "It seems that Teacher Yue has a soft spot for Xiaonan's calligraphy."

Yue Xuelian said: "Senior brother's calligraphy is difficult to be elegant, but it comes from the inheritance on that stone tablet and was practiced on the stone slab and concrete floor. His calligraphy is not for self-admiration, but for sharing with the public , so it has the meaning of the extraordinary in the ordinary.”

Gu Yu said: "Abandoning love and a bright future, Xiao Nan chose to study in a normal school. It was incomprehensible. I only realized now that there was another reason behind it."

Yue Xuelian said: "This only shows that you don't really understand him."

At the moment of sharp swords, Guan Xiaoyun rushed in and rescued Liu Xiaonan who was in trouble.

Guan Xiaoyun didn't bother to pay attention to Gu Yu, and glanced at the unfamiliar Yue Xuelian, but naturally he didn't pay attention.She said to Liu Xiaonan: "Go home and tell my dad that I will celebrate the New Year at Xiao Dong's house, and I will go back with Xiao Dong in the third year of junior high."

Liu Xiaonan asked: "So, the wedding date for you and Xiao Dong has been fixed?"

Guan Xiaoyun said: "Xiao Dong and I have tentatively agreed that we will get married on National Day, and then we will have to look at the opinions of the two elders."

Liu Xiaonan introduced Yue Xuelian to Guan Xiaoyun, Guan Xiaoyun looked at Yue Xuelian: "No wonder the room is so lively." Without waiting for Yue Xuelian to reply, he turned to Gu Yu and said, "Come out with me, I have something to do with you."

His tone was cold and tough.Gu Yu knew what Guan Xiaoyun was doing and could have ignored it, but wanted to find out how she knew it and what the people in the factory were talking about, so she followed her downstairs.

Breaking up with Liu Xiaonan is no small matter, if not handled well, it will affect his reputation.Did Liu Xiaonan say it himself, or did it come from other sources?
Guan Xiaoyun led Gu Yu into his dormitory, asked the companions in the room to avoid him for a while, closed the door and said bluntly, "Gu Yu, don't come here to harm Liu Xiaonan again."

"Disaster?" Gu Yu said, "Where did you start talking about this?"

Guan Xiaoyun said: "Xiaonan attaches great importance to feelings, you don't know that. When you left Liuzi Street, he didn't say anything, but he always remembered you. If it weren't for your existence, Xiaonan and I would have married and had children long ago. Now you After breaking up with Xiaonan, you still come to him, how can he let you go? Will he still find someone to marry in the future?"

"How did you know? Xiaonan told you?"

"Don't treat others as fools. Xiaonan didn't say anything, and the people in the factory and even the people in Liuzijie Village could see it. You only went back to Liuzijie, and Xiaonan didn't talk to the village anymore. When people talk about you, who doesn't understand what's going on? After the two of you studied separately, you didn't see you come to him, only a letter from you. Xiaonan's script writing is such a big deal, all There is a sensation in the factory, and you are not seen, who can't guess?"

"We broke up just because the careers we each chose were out of sync. There is no such thing as breaking up and hurting each other. Considering the future life, we can't make choices together. But our friendship is still there, isn't it? Should I not care about him?"

"In the past, I called you a villain. If you really wanted to do something for him, cut off all contact with him and let him give up completely. I still say that, I am not as harmful as you. A breakup is a breakup, don't say it What a nice thing to say, the friendship you speak of will only kill him."

"I'm afraid you can't let him go in your heart?"

"You are you, I am me. I am not good enough for him, I have self-knowledge. I am about to get married, and I will not eat what is in the bowl and think about what is in the pot. Happy, clean, and good to others, It’s also good for yourself.”

Coming out of Guan Xiaoyun's dormitory, Gu Yu walked directly out of the textile factory's dormitory building.After walking a long distance, he turned around and looked up at the familiar small window.The window reflected the sun's light, which was very dazzling.

(End of this chapter)