the time you love

Chapter 15 The Carousel Horse (1)
In mid-June, my internship period expired, and I met Fang Wenlin to return to school.Before I left, I made a phone call to Zhou Nuoyan. Jiang Enai answered it for him. The time was ten o'clock in the evening. I didn't know what that meant. Before I had time to think, I cut the line and turned off the phone.

The next day, I took the same flight back to school with Fang Wenlin, but Shen Su couldn’t go with me because of work. Early that morning, he took me to the airport, changed my boarding pass for me, watched me enter the ticket gate, and stood in the crowd for a long time .

Through the glass door, I waved at him to signal him to leave.He just smiled at me and stood stubbornly, his eyes chasing my figure.Fang Wenlin looked back, and said, "Bixi, I never thought that Shen Su would treat you like this."

I sighed, and said softly, "I didn't expect that either. I always thought that I was accommodating him, but now that I think about it, why not. Wen Lin, am I being selfish?"

Fang Wenlin answered irrelevantly, "Zhou Nuoyan approached me a while ago."

"Him? How did he know to find you?" I was a little confused, but quickly realized, "It turns out that you both have contacts."

"Yes, but it's not what you think. A few months ago, I fell ill because I stayed up late every day to write planning documents. I happened to meet him in the hospital and exchanged phone numbers with him." Shen Su glanced in the direction where he was.

I recalled the scene when he met Shen Su that day, and suddenly understood, "Did you tell him about Shen Su?"

Fang Wenlin hesitated for a moment, and said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't interrupt your private affairs, but I can't help it."

"It's not your fault. He always has a way to know what he wants to know."

"Do you regret leaving him?" Fang Wenlin stared at me, "If you didn't follow Shen Su, who would your heart be inclined to?"

"If Shen Su doesn't come to me, I will gradually forget about him, and then find someone to fall in love with and start again, no matter whether that person is Zhou Nuoyan or not." I walked into the cabin quickly, unwilling to discuss this hypothetical question with her. entanglement.

She caught up and smiled at the stewardess standing at the hatch, "You're avoiding the crux of the problem."

"I do not have."

"Okay, Shen Su and Zhou Nuoyan, who do you choose? Leaving aside all the causes and consequences, you only need to say one name."

"Shen Su." I didn't hesitate much.

Fang Wenlin showed an expected expression, "I knew you would say that."

"Then why ask!" I smiled and put on my seat belt, took out the blindfold from my bag, curled up on the seat and fell into a deep sleep.

Lying in bed in the school apartment at night, I remembered to turn on my phone.

There was a text message from Zhou Nuoyan asking me to call him back.I didn't reply, and fell asleep after reporting Shen Su's safety.For the next month, except for meeting with my supervisor when necessary, I locked myself in the dormitory, used that broken computer to write papers and do graduation projects, and talked to Shen Su on the phone once a week.Fang Wenlin watched coldly, saying that I was taking this opportunity to escape from reality.I didn't refute, since some things can't be figured out, it's better to put them aside for now.

I thought I had a lot of time to think slowly, so when I received a call from Shen Su's mother, I suddenly felt that everything around me would become impatient.

That day I was helping to sort out the materials in the tutor's office. Seeing that I was in a trance, she took the initiative to comfort me: "Don't worry, Principal Tong's style is a bit domineering, but what do you have to make her picky? To put it bluntly, you and Shen Su is still in the right family."

I knew what she meant, so I just laughed it off.This is really not true. Shen Su's mother, Tong Keshu, was the former principal of our school. She is now the deputy director of the local education bureau, and her official career is very strong.And when my parents were alive, they were just hard-working university professors. If you talk about the theory of the door, I think I'm still on the top.

Lingering in the dormitory until six o'clock in the evening, Fang Wenlin lay on the bed and flipped through magazines, protruding her head from time to time to urge her, "You should be quicker, it's not easy to be late to see your parents for the first time."

With a bitter face, I said slowly, "Wen Lin, I don't want to go."

"What silly words?" Fang Wenlin sat up straight suddenly, jumped down from the upper bunk in a heroic manner, and pushed me to the door, "If you want to be with Shen Su, you have to go through his mother first."

"His mother won't accept me." I don't know why, but I just have this premonition.

"How do you know if you haven't tried it? Go ahead, think about what Shen Su has done for you, at least try your best."

These words touched me, I nodded silently, pointed to the bag on the desk, "Give it to me, thank you."

Fang Wenlin handed it to me, and then asked: "Go and buy some bird's nest or something as a meeting gift. This is your future mother-in-law. Don't be too shabby, and be careful with your words. If you have to fawn, you will fawn... By the way, do you have enough cash? Without me Take it first."

I was so moved that I almost shed tears, I rubbed my shoulders against her, and said, "Wen Lin, you are so kind to me, why don't we make do with each other, what do you want those men to do."

"Fuck you!" Fang Wenlin kicked her bare foot across the air.

I laughed and ran away without a trace.

I can't afford bird's nest. I heard Shen Su mentioned that his mother only eats a certain brand. The price of the two makes me click my tongue just hearing it, not to mention that I have to spend money to buy it.After thinking about it on the way, I went into a large nearby supermarket, bought a basket of high-quality fruits and a bottle of Cabernet red wine, and then took a taxi.I think I'm probably the most active and independent girlfriend in all of China, but I have no position to blame Shen Su, he is homeless because of me.

He rang the bell, and the maid came to open the door.After reporting her name, she turned sideways to let me in.

Shen Su's parents were sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. His mother nodded when she saw me, put the newspaper aside, and said flatly, "Here we come, come and sit."

I handed the things to the maid and sat beside her as promised.I felt her gaze was sizing me up unscrupulously, from head to toe, not even letting go of my hair, it was embarrassingly direct and sent a chill down my spine.Lowering his head slightly, he caught a glimpse of Shen Su's father nudging her with his elbow from the corner of his eye.

Shen Su's home is very big, and the decoration is not gorgeous, but there is a kind of rich scholarly background invisibly.His father is probably in his early 60s, with gray hair. His mother is relatively young and well maintained. Because of her straight face, I can't see any wrinkles.After exchanging a few pleasantries, his mother went straight to the point.

"Shen Su said that you don't want to stay in this city after graduation. As far as I know, your parents are deceased, and one older sister is abroad. You don't have any immediate family members over there."

"Yes, no, a few relatives don't usually keep in touch."

"Then why do you want to go back? Is there anything there that attracts you?"

It is impossible for me to talk about my hometown complex with her, let alone tell her that because of Zhou Nuoyan, after weighing it up, I can only say: "I grew up there since I was a child, and I have deep feelings."

"It's the first time that Shen Su has traveled so far." His mother's face was originally cold, but after listening to what I said, she became cold, and then fell silent.

If I was still uneasy before I came here, now I am very calm. His mother doesn’t like me. I didn’t know this until today. I suddenly remembered Zhou Nuoyan’s advice that night. It’s just that he persuaded me to leave Shen Su because he knew me well. I can't bear such a relationship, not worrying about losing me.

"Tourmaline," his mother finally spoke again, "At the beginning when Shen Su told us to go to the south, we didn't agree. This child made a big fuss with me, and I think he told you too. He's grown up now The wings are stiff, and he can fly as far as he wants, without considering the feelings of being a parent at all. We are only one son, and his father is old and not in good health. He always needs to take care of him, I see You are a sensible person, your academic performance is excellent, and you receive scholarships every year, I think there are some reasons that make sense with you, don't you?"

"I'm sorry, Auntie, I know that this incident was caused by me and caused you a lot of trouble, but this is Shen Su's choice."

"That's because he has a pure heart." She turned her head and looked at Shen Su's father, as if to convey some kind of message.

The maid brought tea, and his father personally brought a cup of tea to me, "It's like this. During this period, we have never given up on Shen Su's work. From what he said, I knew that he was actually homesick, and He worked very hard over there, often staying up late and working overtime, you know that, right?"

I nodded, "Yes, the work of a newspaper office is not easy."

His mother's expression suddenly became impatient, and she said: "Bixi, let's get straight to the point, we hope you can take the initiative to break up with Shen Su, and help us persuade him to come back."

I didn't expect them to be so direct at all, I was taken aback for a moment, and simply said: "I can't do it."

"Why can't you do it? If you really like Shen Su, you should think about his future. There are a lot of job opportunities with good conditions for him to choose from. He is a master of journalism from a prestigious school. Why not Well, you just want to spoil yourself in a small newspaper, don't you feel any guilt?"

I felt that I couldn't continue talking with them. After thinking about it, I said: "I will convey your thoughts to him, but I will not break up with him. As for whether he is willing to come back, sorry, that is not up to me. .”

The first meeting broke up badly. On the way back, I didn't go directly to the dormitory. I sat on the stone steps next to the playground for a long time. I was bitten countless times by mosquitoes and didn't seem to know it. Finding that it was less than a quarter of an hour before twelve o'clock, I hurriedly got up and ran back.

Hurrying back to the dormitory before the housekeeper locked the door, Fang Wenlin looked at my face and didn't ask any more questions, but thoughtfully got out of bed and cooked a bowl of noodles for me.

I didn't find it strange that I saw Shen Su a week later, the day before the graduation group photo was taken.

As the sun sets, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkles through the leaves, leaving mottled light and shadow on the body.He looked at me quietly, as usual, but with a slight tiredness in his eyes.I couldn't help but twitched the corners of my lips, I can imagine how exhausting it is to be caught between me and his parents.Since I went to see his parents last week, I haven't called him again. I'm afraid that I'll complain in a hurry as soon as I open my mouth, and I'm even more afraid that I will accidentally slip the word breakup out of my mouth.

It's not that I haven't thought about it, but I am unwilling.

"Xixi, has my mother looked for you?" He asked knowingly.

I also nodded in agreement, "She wants us to break up."

"No, you misunderstood." His face was a little anxious, "My mother just wants me to come back to work, and she doesn't object to our dating."

"Really?" I don't know what the principal Tong told his son, but if Shen Su still thinks so wishfully, how can I blame his mother, "Then what do you think? You have resigned? "

He didn't answer me immediately. After a long silence, he said in a low voice: "Yes, I resigned."

I stared at him and said "Oh" as if nothing had happened, "You still regret it."

"Xixi, listen to my explanation, I have never regretted it." He paused, and then said, "I just came from the hospital."

My heart tightened, "What's wrong with you?"

"It's not me, it's my father. He was admitted to the hospital last weekend because of high blood pressure. My mother called me the night before and told me." He looked guilty and blamed himself, "When they needed me most, I unexpectedly not around."

I took a deep breath and said, "Shen Su, let's break up."

"Why?" He looked at me in surprise, "Just because I resigned and came back? Xixi, you're treating me so unfairly."

"Yes, it's unfair, but do we have other options? Instead of putting you in a dilemma, I might as well give up."

"Did my mother tell you something?"

"That's not important." I scratched my bangs that were blown by the wind. "Actually, I should have told you earlier. We've been accommodating each other all this time...It's not too late to separate now."

"What is mutual accommodation? You have been accommodating me?"

I suddenly wanted to laugh, "So you thought you were just accommodating me."

Shen Su was dumb, with a rare look of annoyance on his handsome face, "I didn't mean that!"

I don't want to argue with him. We have been dating for three years, and we have almost never blushed. I hope to keep this good memory until the end.He lowered his head and stared at the white sneakers on his feet in a daze.

"Xixi," he stretched out his hand and gently stroked my hair, "Let's not break up, okay?" His voice was full of pleading.

I couldn't bear to look up at him, those clear eyes once touched me so much, I couldn't find a trace of trouble in them, only happiness and warmth.Slowly leaning her head on his shoulder, hugging his waist tightly, the tip of her nose smelled the faint scent of green lemon.

"Xixi—" he whispered and hugged me, "Don't leave me, stay here, we'll get married."

My heart trembled slightly, and after a while, I smiled and pushed him away, "Then let's go see your mother now, as long as she doesn't object, we'll go to register right away."

"Really?" Shen Su took my hand in pleasant surprise, "Xixi, are you serious? Are you really willing?"

"I am willing." I smiled meekly, with infinite sadness in my heart.

This is the second time I saw Shen Su's mother, in the hospital.

Shen Su has been holding my hand all the way from school, and he never let go. Under his mother's sharp eyes, he still stubbornly refused to let go. At that moment, I really felt that I was his treasure.Since I was a child, no one has ever given me this feeling except my parents.As a result, ripples gradually appeared in my calm heart, and I felt extremely guilty when I thought of breaking up so easily half an hour ago.So, even though his mother looked at me with inexplicable hostility, I still chose to lower my head.I don't know if such a low profile can make Tong Keshu feel my sincerity, but it doesn't matter, the important thing is Shen Su, he understands.

"Xiao Su, what time is it, why are you still so self-willed?" His mother didn't even look at me, she just reprimanded Shen Su, "Your father is still lying in the bed, why can't you let mother save some time?"

"Mom, you misunderstood me. Today I brought Tourmaline to see Dad." After a pause, he said, "There is one more thing I want to discuss with you."

Shen Su's mother turned her head and stared at me: "Shen Su's father just fell asleep, as long as his son is filial and obedient, it is not a serious illness. You are not a doctor, so what's the use of dragging you here?"

This attitude is already obvious, but I can only smile at her cheekily.

"Mom, didn't the doctor say that Dad would be discharged from the hospital in two days? I decided to get married with Tourmaline to make Dad happy."

Shen Su's mother raised her eyebrows, "Married? You?" Then she glanced at me coldly.

That look was full of contempt and disgust, and it took me a lot of effort to restrain the thought of leaving, "Auntie, I know you don't like Shen Su leaving his hometown, so I'll stay..."

"Are you wronged?" She interrupted me mercilessly, and sneered, "I really can't see that you are so knowledgeable about current affairs at such a young age, it's no wonder that we Shen Su can't stand you."

My smiling face suddenly froze, "Auntie, what do you mean?"

Shen Su was also anxious: "Mom, what are you talking about? I and Bixi really love each other."

"If you are sincere to others, do they also treat you sincerely? Mom never interferes when you have a girlfriend, but you are my son, how many eyes are staring at you! What's the use of being beautiful? Live a good life style Integrity is key."

My face was completely cold, and I rushed ahead of Shen Su and said: "Do you think my life is rough and my style is not decent?"

"I don't want to comment on your private life, but please stay away from my son."

"Mom, what is it about Tourmaline that dissatisfies you?" Shen Su blushed with anger.

Shen Su's mother was very calm. She looked at me and said, "I don't mean to save face for you, but you are determined to keep entangled with us? Well, you might as well open the skylight today and speak honestly. Let me ask you , what is your relationship with Zhou Nuoyan?"

When I heard the name Zhou Nuoyan, I understood everything in an instant. It turned out that this was the so-called indiscretion and indecency.Shen Su squeezed my hand tightly, I turned my head and met his unbelievable gaze.

(End of this chapter)