The 21st was the most lively day at home. Family, friends, and neighbors were all gathered at Xing Lan's house. Today was also the day when his parents were at their lowest because Xing Lan was leaving tomorrow. Originally, Xing Lan should have left on the 20th, but today was his birthday. Xing Lan did not want to make his family sad, so he stayed. Xing Lan did not have the habit of celebrating his birthday. He was also unwilling to tell anyone when his birthday was because Xing Lan felt that it was very normal. At the age of 19, it was Xing Lan's first time eating his own birthday cake. It was given to him by the soldiers he led in the army.
"You've only been back for a few days and you're leaving already. Since you're not working now, can't you stay for a few more days?”
It was already past nine o'clock. The friends and neighbors had already dispersed. His mother kept on nagging as she cleaned up the plates on the table. Xing Lan knew that his mother wanted him to stay a few more days to accompany her.
"It will be the same even if I stay for a few more days. Beijing is quite close to home, so it's easy to come back.”
Looking at his mother, Xing Lan replied with a smile.
"Sigh, why do you feel like time has passed so quickly since you came back?”
Her mother muttered as she wiped the table. Her tone carried a hint of helplessness. Xing Lan did not know how to comfort her mother.
"It's different at home. Remember to take good care of yourself…”
His mother gave him a lot of instructions, and Xing Lan nodded in response.
"Little brat, dye my hair.”
His father threw away the cigarette butt in his hand and said to Xing Lan. His father's voice was very calm, and Xing Lan could tell that his father was unwilling to let him go.
It was already past ten o'clock when she finished dyeing her father's hair. Her mother folded Xing Lan's clothes one by one. The atmosphere in the house was very quiet.
Every time she left home, Xing Lan could feel her parents 'deep love and reluctance to part. This made the neighbors very puzzled. Nowadays, many young people went out, and the transportation was very developed. They could come back whenever they wanted. The situation of sad separation had disappeared a long time ago.
At this moment, Hong Ye called, urging Xing Lan to return to Beijing. As the company was waiting for Xing Lan to complete the recruitment procedures, Xing Lan did not tell Hong Ye his birthday. He only said that he would be there tomorrow. After hanging up, it was almost 11 pm. Xing Lan turned around and his phone rang again. Xing Lan looked at the number. It was Gao Wei. Gao Wei was Xing Lan's comrade and had been in the same company as Xing Lan for five years. After returning home, Xing Lan had been alone outside. He did not contact Gao Wei much either. Calculating the time, The two of them had not seen each other for more than a year.
"Hello,"
After a moment of silence, Xing Lan picked up the call.
"It's really troublesome to find you. You're really something. It's been more than a year and you don't even know how to contact me.”
Gao Wei teased as soon as he picked up the call.
"Hehe, I was prepared to die, but looking back at you, I feel that I was too stupid.”
Xing Lan replied teasingly. Gao Wei, who was on the other end of the phone, laughed loudly.
"How did you find my number?"
Xing Lan asked in confusion. This was because his phone number was only known to his family members and a few people he often contacted.
"You still have the nerve to say that. You didn't even leave your phone number when you went out.”
Gao Wei pretended to be unhappy without answering Xing Lan.
"I'm really sorry. I have to change my phone number because of work. How about it? Where are you making a fortune now?”
Xing Lan immediately changed the topic.
"What money? I'm working for someone in Beijing now. I only have this much money a day.”
Gao Wei replied directly. From Gao Wei's tone, Xing Lan could tell that Gao Wei was not too satisfied with the current situation.
"Where is Beijing? I'm going to Beijing tomorrow too?”
Xing Lan said directly.
"You came to Beijing too? What are you doing here?”
Gao Wei asked.
"Real estate. My friend recommended it. I'm going to start work tomorrow.”
Xing Lan replied.
"Real estate. There are so many real estate companies in Beijing, like Lianjia Real Estate, I Love My Family…”
Gao Wei said a few names of real estate companies that Xing Lan did not know in one breath. Then, Gao Wei said,"You've never been to Beijing before, so you don't know. It's impossible to work in a real estate company in Beijing. A few of my friends have quit. Two of them have lost some money after staying for two months and are preparing to leave now.”
"It's your first time in Beijing, so you can't just do nothing. Where do your friends work?”
Xing Lan continued to ask. Gao Wei introduced a lot to Xing Lan and clearly told Xing Lan that real estate was not good.
"Where are you in Beijing? Do you have a place to stay?”
After talking for a long time, Gao Wei asked Xing Lan.
"My friend is in Madian. When I come to Beijing, I will stay at his place. However, it might be a little troublesome if I stay for a long time.”
Xing Lan replied.
"Since you're not employed, you can come to me directly. I haven't lived in the house I just rented yet. I originally planned to use it after I left my job. Now that I'm idle, it'll be easier for you to settle down.”
Gao Wei suggested.
Xing Lan was silent for a while, and his heart started to waver. Xing Lan knew that if he went to Hong Ye's place, he would definitely cause a lot of trouble. Xing Lan did not like to disturb others. The other Hong Ye also said that the real estate company needed to achieve a certain amount of results in a certain period of time. Hong Ye had yet to do so, and Hong Ye was also wavering about the work itself. He seriously considered Xing Lan's words and started to think about Gao Wei.
"Alright, I'll make a call. If I go, I'll tell you tomorrow.”
Xing Lan said after pondering for a while.
"Okay, I'll wait for your call. I'll send you the address later.”
"Alright, that's it for now."
After hanging up the phone, Xing Lan pondered for a while before dialing Hong Ye's number. Xing Lan told Hong Ye that he did not intend to go to his company, and Hong Ye did not stop him. Hong Ye had introduced the company's situation to Xing Lan before and had also advised Xing Lan to choose a real estate company. Hong Ye only told Xing Lan to contact him more when he arrived in Beijing and to look for him if there was anything.
After hanging up the phone, Xing Lan was determined to look for Gao Wei. Xing Lan did not tell his parents about his last minute decision. He was afraid that his parents would be more worried.
The parting with his parents was on a bright and sunny morning. His sister and brother-in-law had rushed over, causing the driver and passengers in the car to wonder when Xing Lan would be able to return from this parting. Xing Lan did not turn back because his mother's eyes were very red. This kind of parting seemed like a specially made up farce to outsiders. Xing Lan did not turn back because he could not accept his mother's tears. It was in the past, and it was even more so now.
It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived in Beijing. Xing Lan took a taxi to the address that Gao Wei had given her. The traffic on the road was very congested. By the time she saw Gao Wei, it was already six o'clock in the evening. Gao Wei had put on a lot of weight. Xing Lan wondered if she would become fat after getting married.
"How is it? How much money did you bring to Beijing this time?”
Gao Wei lit up a cigarette and handed it to Xing Lan. He knew Xing Lan well. Although they were both working, Xing Lan always had endless money to spend. If they didn't go to an unfamiliar city, Xing Lan would definitely play for more than a month before looking for a job.
"No way, this brother is so rich?”
There was another person beside Gao Wei. He looked older than Gao Wei and Xing Lan. Hearing Gao Wei's words, that person pointed at Xing Lan and said.
"My name is Xing Lan, how should I address you?”
Xing Lan extended his right hand and introduced himself.
"Did you see that, Gao Wei? I feel that your friend is much stronger than you. Hello, Xinglan. My name is Wang Bo. Gao Wei has mentioned you before, so we can be considered comrades.”
Wang Bo said as he shook Xing Lan's hand.
"Squad Leader Wang has been a soldier for eight years. He's my colleague, so we still have to call him Squad Leader.”
Gao Wei said.
"Let's go. The printing factory in front is my company. I'll take you to where you live.”
Gao Wei pointed at the factory gate 200 meters in front of him. After saying that, he flashed and walked into the street beside him. The street was very narrow and messy. There was a garbage pond every other section. The smell of the hot summer assailed his nose. There were restaurants and clothing stores on both sides of the street. There were also fruit stalls at the crossroads. It was Xing Lan's first time here, and she did not like it too much. Because there were so many people here and the roads were mottled, Xing Lan was not used to it.
Gao Wei explained to Xing Lan that this place was located at the edge of Beijing's Fifth Ring Road. Due to the low housing prices, many office workers chose to stay here. After a few turns, Gao Wei walked into one of the courtyards. Calling it a courtyard was a little exaggerated because the so-called courtyard was really too narrow. In addition, the tenant had to hang his clothes, and a single person had to turn sideways to pass through. Gao Wei went up the stairs and turned into the attic. There were four doors in the attic. Gao Wei took out the key and opened the innermost one. He put his luggage down and looked at the room. It was only about eight square meters, and a bed and a table were almost fully occupied. What Xing Lan found hard to accept was that there were no windows, and a fishy smell assaulted his nose.
"No matter what, I have a place to stay.”
Gao Wei looked at Xing Lan and said directly.
Xing Lan stood up and walked out of the room to the stairs. Standing on the stairs, he could scan the entire courtyard. He did not know if it was because he was the most guilty or because of his past professional habits, but every time Xing Lan went to a place, he would first look around to see if there were any cameras. After scanning the surroundings once, Xing Lan dispelled his worries. Because of this kind of accommodation, the landlord would not spend extra money to install cameras.
"Hey, hey."
While Xing Lan was thinking alone, Gao Wei pointed at the door opposite him and said to Xing Lan,"There are two little girls living here. They live in the same place as us. They have gone to work and will only rest tomorrow.”
"Tsk."
Xing Lan smiled.
"If you let Yabin know about this, he'll definitely fight you to the death. Yabin is currently in a very intimate relationship, aren't you ruining things?”
Wang Bo looked at Gao Wei and said.
"As the saying goes, keep the fertile water to yourself. Is Yabin as close as our family? Besides, they've just started, so it's not like they're snatching her away.”
Gao Wei looked indifferent.
Xing Lan did not listen to their conversation. He was thinking about Little Yao's words. Little Yao had been calling Xing Lan during this period of time, hoping that Xing Lan could help him manage the flower shop. Because of the distance and other reasons, Xing Lan had never agreed. However, looking at the current situation, Xing Lan was a little shaken. He just could not convince himself.
"Let's go eat."
Gao Wei lightly patted Xing Lan, who was deep in thought, and went downstairs first.
The first time they had a meal was at the restaurant closest to the bus stop. The boss was from Jiangsu, and the food gave Xing Lan a very ordinary feeling. The three of them drank a lot, but Xing Lan remained silent because he was already used to the silence after drinking. When he returned to his room, it was already past nine o'clock. Xing Lan washed up a little and fell asleep because he did not know what to do.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。