preface
Words were like the water of the Mother River. It was a collection of bits and pieces from generations. For thousands of years, the stories of the past dynasties had been told. The Three Emperors and Five Emperors lived in humble homes. The dragon gave birth to nine sons, and the mortal world was a pawn. Every word and sentence, sometimes flowers bloomed and the sun shone brightly. At times, there would be bloody winds and rain of blood. Fighting and harmony, war and peace. Smoke filled the air with blood and flesh, and the spirit and flesh were intertwined. A corner with people was a corner with emotions. The sun and the moon shone on each other. Men and women depended on each other. The stars change, eating, dressing, doing, and doing are the main topics of life. Material wealth divided the world. The three, six, and nine ranks were different from wealth and splendor. Inevitably, there was some distance between them.
However, there was no standard division and measurement of things in the microscopic world. There were many wonderful things in the Greater World. Balance was only relative. Just like how there were no two identical leaves in the world. People and things are inseparable. For many years, the two intertwined with each other. When a person left the object, it declared the end of his life. Without people, things could only be lonely forever. God created humans and prepared all things at the same time. Generations multiplied, pushing out the old and creating the new. Generations after generations of ancestors finally created coins after painstaking efforts. Matter was a double-edged sword that was unpredictable. At one moment, it was an angel, and at another moment, it was a demon. Traveling through various fields, mysterious and sacred emotions were in front of money. Sometimes, they were also the weak. Many scholars had recorded many things in words. When you open a chapter of words, you will definitely find yourself. Because no one could leave this strange circle. No one could live without the mortal world. You and I are the same. When you open the long scroll of history, you will not only find yourself. Words were a huge treasure house. There was love, money, a golden house, a beautiful face, and everything in the world. It was huge and vast. When you understand words and possess them, this is your power. No matter how powerful you are, what you can take away and become yourself is just a snowflake on an iceberg. People with lofty aspirations had reason to be indignant and unrestrained. It was worth a try. In this sentimental world, we are all actors. Play the same or different characters. This was the story of Haichuan and his childhood friend. The world was really small. If there was any similarity, it was unintentional. Please look back and smile, a hundred years have passed.
(I) Coincidentally Encounter Little Fu
In the winter of 2000, Haichuan went to A City to handle some business. It was already dusk when the train arrived at the station. Haichuan walked out of the station, feeling a little hungry. He looked around and saw a food stall nearby. There was a simple shed against the wall and a large food cabinet. It was filled with alcohol and tobacco. Two rows of small wooden tables were placed neatly. Haichuan came to the stall and saw the boss standing in front of the stall. He seemed to be a man. She wore three big hats on her head and a big mask on her face. She hugged her tightly. He couldn't tell her appearance or age. There were many people eating, and there was also a woman. She was dressed very cleanly and wore a square yellow scarf on her head. She looked very simple. One look and one could tell that she came from the countryside. Her movements were very nimble as she shuttled back and forth to serve the guests.
Haichuan found an empty table and sat down. He placed his handbag at the corner of the table. The woman immediately came over and asked,"Sir, what do you want to eat?"”
"What do you have?”
The woman said,"Tea egg, meat pie, steamed buns, porridge." It's all hot."
Haichuan said,"Give me two steamed buns, two tea eggs, and one porridge."”
The woman said,"Master, please wait a moment." It'll be done in a while."
Soon, the woman held a small basket woven from rattan in each hand. There were two buns, two tea eggs, and a bottle of waiter. He placed the porridge in front of Haichuan with one hand.
The woman said,"Please enjoy your meal, Master."”He turned around and left.
Hai Chuan said half-jokingly," Wait, Lady Boss, I didn't order any wine. Do you give free wine when you eat here?”
The woman didn't even turn around and said,""It's a gift from our boss."
At that time, Haichuan didn't think too much about it. Just drink it and pay the bill. Haichuan liked to drink too. The weather was cold. After dinner, Haichuan wiped his mouth with a few napkins and came over to pay the bill.
Hai Chuan said,"Boss, check out. How much is it?" It wasn't easy to run a small business, so he had to include the money for the drinks.”
The man said in a low voice,"I don't want money. If you have something to do, go away."”This voice was much older, but it was still so familiar. Hai Chuan's heart skipped a beat as he blurted out a name.
"Ah Fu. Is it really you?"
Hearing Haichuan's cry, the man's eyes clearly flashed with tears. She wiped her hands with a clean towel and took off her mask. It was really Ah Fu.
Haichuan asked Ah Fu excitedly,"Ah Fu, why are you here?"”
The smile on Ah Fu's face seemed to have been waiting for centuries. His bleak and trembling voice was filled with joy."Chuanzi, it's me..."
Seeing Ah Fu, Hai Chuan was very happy, but his heart was sour. She reached out to grab Ah Fu's hand.
Ah Fu spread out his hands and said," Chuanzi, look, my hands are all oily. Come inside. Wait for me for a while. I'll close the stall now." Let's go back and have a good chat."
Haichuan went inside and sat down with an orange. He lit a cigarette, took a deep breath, and exhaled a stream of smoke. As she lingered, she thought of the past that had happened a long time ago. The past appeared in front of her eyes...
Haichuan and Ah Fu were childhood friends and neighbors. When she was young, she had Third Aunt's Little Mei. At that time, it was still the production team. The adults had to do farm work during the day and had no time to take care of the children. May played with Haichuan and Ah Fu all day. There was a small river next to the village. Haichuan and Ah Fu went to the river to play with water, and Mei looked after their clothes. They were children, and they didn't have any sense of gender. When they were seven or eight years old, their family sent them to the primary school in the village. There were two dilapidated houses on a flat ground on the hillside. The blackboard was a door, and the desk was supported by a stone. The seats were small wooden blocks, small stools, and a stone seat. The teacher was the accountant of the village. He rarely attended classes during the busy farming season. There were more than ten children of different ages. During the break, he was holding a basketball that had its skin blown off. The backboard was a piece of wood that was buried in the ground and tied with a wicker hoop. Later, they went to middle school together, then high school...
When they were in high school, they had to live on campus. They were not in the same class, and Haichuan and Ah Fu did not live in the same dormitory. Yet, they were still together often. As they slowly grew up, the three of them had subtle changes in their hearts. The school was far away from home, and they would go home once every two to three weeks. They also went home together. They brought some food from home to supplement their food. They couldn't afford to eat in the cafeteria. Mei was the best in her studies, while Haichuan was the worst. She could barely keep up. Haichuan loved sports and basketball. Haichuan and Ah Fu both liked Mei. They didn't know what Mei was thinking and didn't dare to say it out loud. Until the last year of high school, something unpleasant happened.
It was a Friday afternoon. Mei came to find Haichuan and asked him to accompany her home. The school was going to have a basketball match next week, and all the classes were actively training.
Haichuan said to Mei,"You have to train on Saturday and Sunday. Let Ah Fu accompany you back." Remember to go to my house and bring me pancakes.”
Mei looked unhappy. She didn't say anything and turned around to leave. On Sunday, Haichuan only saw Ah Fu in the cafeteria. He didn't see Ah Mei. They usually ate together.
"Where's Mei?" Haichuan asked Ah Fu.
Ah Fu looked at Haichuan and said unnaturally,""Mei might be in the dormitory. She brought some food from home. She might not come down. The pancakes your mother asked you to get are in my dormitory. Go get them.”
Haichuan did not think too much about it and did not care about it.
For breakfast on Monday, Ah Fu and Ah Mei did not come to the dining room. During lunch, Mei did not come to the restaurant again. When it was almost time for class, Haichuan went to Mei's dormitory and waited for her.
"Xiaomei, why didn't you go to the canteen to eat when you came back from home?" Haichuan asked Mei.”
Mei looked at Haichuan with a hint of resentment in her eyes, which made people feel uncomfortable.
Mei said to Haichuan in a low voice," I'm not hungry. I'll just eat some dried food and salted vegetables in the dormitory. Come to the field at night. I have something to tell you."”
At night, Haichuan met May next to the rockery in the corner of the field. Mei didn't say anything. Under Haichuan's repeated questioning, Mei stammered,""After I got home, Ah Fu asked me out for a walk by the river on Saturday night and bullied me.”
Hai Chuan was furious when he heard that. He turned around and wanted to go to Ah Fu's dormitory to find Ah Fu, but Ah Mei grabbed Hai Chuan's clothes tightly and almost begged Hai Chuan.
May said,"If my classmates knew about this, would I still have the face to stay in school?" Ah Fu couldn't stay any longer. I'm going to graduate soon. I'm feeling so aggrieved that I'm telling you this. If you don't want to harm me, then don't make a sound."
Haichuan was stunned. The two of them sat on the field for a long time without saying a word.
The next night, Haichuan asked Ah Fu to go to the field. Ah Fu asked Hai Chuan,"Chuan Zi, why did you call me here?"”Haichuan did not answer. After a long silence, Ah Fu asked again,"If there's anything, tell me quickly."”
Haichuan threw a punch at Ah Fu angrily, knocking him over. He went forward and grabbed Ah Fu's chest and lifted her up.
Haichuan asked Ah Fu,"How can you bully Mei?" What did you do to her?"
Ah Fu was a little incoherent as she panted heavily."Chuanzi, Chuanzi, I love Mei. I will treat her well for the rest of my life. I will do whatever she wants me to do. I swear to the moon…"
In the years to come. The three of them were still together often, but they felt strange and uncomfortable. Ah Fu didn't even dare to speak loudly to Ah Mei. Ah Fu listened to whatever Mei said. Time passed quickly. The college entrance examination was over. The three of them waited anxiously at home. The university admission scores were out. Ah Fu and Ah Mei did well, but Haichuan did not do well. Ah Fu followed Ah Mei to a city to study for her undergraduate degree. Haichuan went to another place far away to study.
The night they broke up, the three of them were together. Haichuan and Ah Fu were both drunk.
Haichuan shook his glass and said to May,""May, if Ah Fu bullies you, tell me. I'll settle the score with him.”
Mei didn't say anything. Haichuan said to Ah Fu,""Take good care of Mei. If anything goes wrong, be careful of your head. Come, cheers..."
All good things must come to an end. Let's go our separate ways. Although they were far apart, they still communicated frequently. In the first year, he would go home for the Spring Festival. There were no major changes. After the New Year, she hurried back to school. Haichuan was too far away from home and would not go home during the holidays. He would find a temporary job to earn some tuition fees. To help reduce the burden on the family, the tuition and miscellaneous fees were all saved by the family.
It was the annual leave again. As Haichuan packed his things, he felt that something was missing. Yes, it had been a long time since he had heard from Ah Fu and Ah Mei. On second thought, didn't she see him when she got home?
As soon as they entered the house, Haichuan asked his mother,"Mom, is Ah Mei and Ah Fu not back yet?”
Haichuan's mother took Haichuan's bag and said," Xiaomei's father died of illness this hot day. She sold her house and gave the corn to her uncle. She left with her mother. Ah Fu didn't come back either."”
"Hey, Chuanzi, what are you thinking about? He was so engrossed. Let's go." Ah Fu was calling Haichuan.
When Haichuan came back to his senses, Ah Fu and the woman had already loaded the tables and benches into two man-powered tricycles. Haichuan quickly got up to help, covering the car with a tarpaulin. Haichuan helped push the cart from behind and arrived at Ah Fu's residence. It was an exclusive small courtyard and was quite spacious. He went into the house to take a look. It looked like he was living.
Ah Fu said,"The rent is very cheap. It used to be rented by a young couple." For some reason, the woman died in this courtyard, and no one was willing to rent it.”
When they reached the house, Ah Fu introduced them."This is Ah Xiang."
"Hello," Haichuan said to the woman.
Ah Fu then said to Ah Xiang,"This is my good brother, Chuan Zi."”
Ah Xiang was busy preparing the dishes. She boiled water and made two cups of tea.
"Why are you here?" Haichuan asked Ah Fu impatiently. I haven't been able to contact you for so many years. What have you done? How did he get here? Are you in contact with Mei?"
"It's a long story," Ah Fu said with a bitter smile.”Ah Fu poured out the past.
Ah Fu said,"After the Spring Festival that year, not long after I returned to school. A fourth-year male student began to pursue Mei fanatically. He asked Mei out to play and often bought things for her. The boy was a southerner. He heard that his father was a big boss. He was very handsome, excellent in both conduct and studies, and was also a class committee member. He could tell that Mei did not hate him. I really couldn't compare to him, so I could only secretly feel sad. That summer, May's father had lung cancer and was found to be in the late stages. You know the economic conditions there. How could Mei still be in the mood to study? She had been out of her mind all day. Her house had been sold, so how could she have the money to send her tuition fees? Soon, the boy found out about Mei's family and called his family to tell them. He heard that his father had sent someone to bring the money over. Although Mei's father was dead, his medical expenses were all paid for by others. The boy had just graduated. He wanted to go back to his father's company to work and seek Mei's permission. Mei resolutely dropped out of school and left with him. Bringing her mother along was the only condition. After that, there was no news."
Ah Fu's expression was dark.
"Chuanzi, let's not talk about the past. I really didn't expect to see you here. I recognized you the moment you came to my stall. I didn't want to acknowledge you, but I couldn't help it. It's been a long time. Drink with me."
Haichuan was also at a loss. If Haichuan had been there, he wouldn't have been able to change anything!!!
Ah Xiang finished cooking. Ah Fu took out a bottle of white wine.
Ah Fu said to Ah Xiang," Chuanzi is not an outsider. We are brothers. Sit down and let's eat together."”
After Ah Xiang finished her meal, she nodded at Haichuan and said,"You two keep talking. The rice is in the pot. I still have to prepare things for tomorrow.”
Hai Chuan nodded and said,"Alright, go ahead."”
Haichuan didn't know how to address Ah Xiang. Ah Xiang went out.
"Ah Fu, who are you now?" Hai Chuan asked Ah Fu.”
Ah Fu did not shy away from saying,"We're living together now." Ah Xiang was also a poor person. She eloped with a part-time worker and came here. She was pregnant with that person's child. She had no money and nothing to do. After the man took her to the hospital for an abortion, he left her at the station and ran away. He did not leave her a single cent. She was a woman from the countryside. She didn't have any money on her and didn't know anyone. He was begging at the station. It was already the beginning of winter, so he was dressed very thinly and had a disheveled appearance. They came to my stall to ask for food and asked me if I wanted to work. As long as they were provided with food and shelter, they would be fine. They could do any dirty and tiring work. Coincidentally, my helper was leaving, so I left her behind. We've been together for a long time. She's very considerate to me. She's a good woman. I've also contacted her family. I'll bring her home for the New Year and we'll get married. She's very willing. I don't have much future in this life. I'll just make do with it.”
"Chuanzi, you've been talking nonsense for so long. You seem to be doing well. Tell me about you. How's your family? Are you married and have children?"
Hai Chuan said," I, I don't dare to think too highly of myself. In the last year of university, a very well-known publishing company went to our school to recruit. I was hired. The company's conditions are not bad. I'll finish my internship and university at the same time. The next year, I married a female classmate from university. The company took care of a small house. Not long after, his wife got pregnant. I had to go to work and often went on business trips. I had to have someone to take care of me. My parents are lonely in their hometown. My wife and I discussed it and decided to bring them over. The family is doing well."
Ah Fu said enviously,"Chuanzi, you're very lucky and happy."”
Looking at Ah Fu, Haichuan said sincerely,""You and Ah Xiang will also be very happy. "
The fine wine was hard to swallow. They didn't drink much. Haichuan urged Ah Fu to eat quickly. Haichuan didn't eat, and Ah Fu didn't force him to eat. This was a brother who grew up naked.
Ah Fu said while eating,"My landlord runs a hotel. I'll take you there later. The public transport here is also very convenient." I won't delay your business."
After Ah Fu finished eating, she thoughtfully said to me,"Chuanzi, I know you like to apply two strokes. Let me give you something.”
Haichuan said,"I don't lack anything. You can't spend money."”
Ah Fu said,"I don't have any precious ones. Take a look first before you decide if you want them."”
Ah Fu pulled out an old box from under the bed. When he opened it, there was not much inside. Ah Fu took out a thick diary and waved it in front of Haichuan."Do you still remember? Do you have more?"
"Ah Fu, mine is here too. I didn't expect you to still have this book. Sigh, I wonder if you still have Mei's book!”
The three of them had bought the diary together when they were in high school. Each of them had one. At that time, Mei's money was nine cents short, and it was given by Haichuan and Ah Fu. The first page of the diary was made of tin foil and folded into a triangle. It was a black-and-white photo of the three of them on the field. Haichuan took the notebook and opened the first page. As expected, it was a photo of them. The photo was a little yellow.
Ah Fu said lightly," Chuanzi, I've thrown away too many things. Only this diary. I won't throw it away no matter where I go." It recorded many of our good times and my bleak drifting. My emotional flesh. It might add some material to your pen. If you want to use it, don't use your real name.”
Ah Fu's literary talent was widely recognized in the school. A Chinese teacher once praised him for his accomplishments in the future. No one would associate him with a peddler.
Haichuan took the photo down and returned it to Ah Fu."You can keep this. It's also in my notebook.”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。