twenty-third
1
During the summer vacation, Abu went to the beach again. The surfing boys occupied the entire beach. This made him realize that the last time he was here was a few months ago. At that time, he was still immersed in love and could not extricate himself. Now, he was much calmer and more clear-headed. He didn't look for her, but kept that love deep in his heart.
The summer in Ying Country was short but beautiful. Many families went on a trip. Someone set up a grill by the shore and prepared to barbecue.
The beach volleyball player waved at Abu. Abu saw the ball rolling over, picked it up, and threw it over. He continued to stroll on the beach, letting his thoughts run wild.
At this moment, someone shouted at the seaside. The few of them jumped into the sea and swam out with all their might. They rescued a person and dragged him back to the sand. Abu ran over and was stunned when he saw that person's pale face.
The ambulance arrived ten minutes later. And that person was already dead. Some people cursed loudly, unable to hide their sadness. People covered their faces and walked away silently.
Abu was a little distracted. He went down the beach and looked at the teenagers cheering on the waves. The gathered crowd had already dispersed and returned to their respective positions. Abu turned his head and followed the trail of sand, hoping to recall what had just happened and figure out what had happened. In his memories, he saw that person rushing into the waves, being slapped down by the huge waves, and being submerged by the sea water. He began to shout. Then, what happened just now happened. At this moment, he thought he had entered an illusion. He turned to look at the people on the beach, looking for familiar faces. After a long time, he thought of someone. He took out his phone and made a call.
"Brother, why are you calling me now?”Aren said," We all miss you. How are you doing? Why didn't she pick up her phone? Also, how was the Ying Country? Isn't it great? Were there very few people in China? Also, Uncle said that you must have been charmed by a girl and forgotten all about us.”Aren said a lot in one breath.
"It's nighttime over there, right?" Abu asked.
"Yes, I am. At nine o'clock at night. And the time difference, I forgot. It couldn't be helped. The geography was too bad. Even the teachers found it strange that I was your younger brother. How could such a smart brother have a stupid younger brother?”Aren said.
"But they like you more." Abu said.
"Who is it? Mom and dad? That's because I'm stupid. They were worried about me. Her brother was so amazing, just like her father. He was even more powerful than his father. Brother, are you a doctor now?" Aren asked.
"Not yet." Abu stared at the surging white waves and said," Do you think Daddy is very impressive?”
"Of course. He brought everyone to work together and has such prestige in the village. Everyone listened to him. However, I like uncle more. He could roam freely in the sea. Daddy doesn't seem to like the sea." Aren said.
"Aren, Aren, listen up. Go out to sea less and don't run into the sea anymore.”Abu said.
"Why? I like it that way." Aren said.
"The sea is very dangerous. You're too young to understand the danger.”Abu said. He turned to look at the long drag marks on the sand.
Aren pushed open the window and stared at the dark sea."It's not dangerous. Why are you like Dad? If he didn't like going out to sea, he wouldn't let others go out to sea.”
"We are different. Remember what I said." Abu said.
"Brother, there's something I don't understand. Why do you hate Daddy?" Aren said.
"I don't hate him." Abu said.
"Maybe I'm thinking too much." Aren said.
"How's your studies?" Abu asked.
"Studying? Damn it, can you not ask? I feel sleepy in class, and I want to sleep when I listen to the teacher. Let me go.”Aren said.
"You can't. You can't give up. It was almost the third year of high school. You have to catch up." Abu said.
"I have a headache when I talk about the third year of high school. She still had to make up for her lessons during the summer break. She really didn't want to go. The most unbearable thing was English. I have no idea what the teacher is talking about.”Aren said.
"You must go to class. I don't care about the other classes, but you have to attend English. And you have to study hard. You can't slack off, understand?”Abu said.
"Why? Those damn things were simply unbearable.”Aren said.
"Don't talk like that, Aren. Aren't you very curious about what the Ying Country has? When you learn English well, I'll bring you over and let you experience it for yourself.”Abu said.
"Really? Big brother." Aren said.
"As long as you learn English well. Many things here were different from those in China. I can guarantee that you will like this place.”Abu said.
"Is there a sea over there?" Aren said.
"They are surfing at the beach. I'll bring you here when you come over.”Abu said.
"That's great. However, her mother would be very sad. After you went to Ying Country, I saw her crying secretly sometimes. If I followed her, she would be very sad.”Aren said.
"You can bring her along." Abu said.
"Where's Daddy?" "Where's Uncle?" Aren asked.
"They won't want to leave that place.”Abu said.
"Uncle always asks me when you're coming back. Brother, it's summer vacation over there too, right? Come back. If you don't have money, I can ask them to transfer money to you.”
Abu stared at the flickering sea and said,""I can't go back. He had to stay here and make up for the knowledge he had missed. I still have a lot of things to make up for."
"Brother is so smart. It won't take much time to make up for it. Even if you come back here, you can make up for it.”Aren said.
"I have to work harder. Otherwise, how could I bring you and Mom here?”Abu said.
"Everyone misses you. It's good that you're back for a while.”Abu said.
"Aren, let's not talk about this for now. Listen up, you have to work hard too. Learn English well, attend supplementary classes, and strive to get into university.”Abu said.
"It's really too difficult. I'd rather go out to sea with a boat." Aren said.
"This is not difficult at all. You can do it. You just need to spend some time to enter. Don't go into the sea too much. It's best if you stay away from the sea, understand?”Abu said.
"I know. You always say these things." Aren said.
"No, I can't. I want you to promise that you will do your best to do this.”Abu said.
"Got it." Aren said.
"Not enough. You have to make up your mind. Remember what I said, understand?" Abu said.
"Brother, what's wrong with you? Why are you so serious?" Aren asked.
"This is a serious matter. "I hope you won't go out to sea. Study hard and come to the Ying Country. As long as you study there for a year, you can come and find me. I've thought about all of this. Just do as I say." Abu said.
"Brother, if I didn't succeed or didn't want to do this, would you still care about me?”Aren said.
"Don't say such things. Just do as you're told." Abu said.
"Got it." Aren said.
"Then let's do it this way. I'll call the high school teachers and ask them to tutor you.”Abu said.
"Brother, don't you want to say a few words to Dad and Mom?”Aren asked.
"They're all asleep, right? No need. You must study hard.”Abu said.
"Got it." Aren said.
"Alright then. I'll call you again after a while.”Abu said.
"Remember to call. Every time I call, your phone is turned off.”Aren said.
"I will. You should rest early." Abu said.
Then, Abu hung up. The blazing sunlight dazzled him. He turned around and walked back. Smoke swirled around the shore. The smoke from the barbecue drifted over. A fire sprang up on the stove. The smoke sizzled. Abu stuffed his phone into his pocket and walked to the roadside to wait for the next bus. He wanted to return to the city immediately and soak himself in the library.
2
"They caught a few Dutchman, and the smugglers are still on the run.”Hong Ming said to Abu, who had just entered.
It had been more than a month since Abu last came to the restaurant. Once he arrived, he immediately noticed Hong Ming's change. Hong Ming was dressed in a chef's uniform. He stood by the stove and scrubbed the pot before turning to look at Abu. He had put on a lot of weight, and his originally thin face had also bulged. He was also much more energetic. On the contrary, Abu became thin and weak. His body was dry and his face was covered in dust.
Hong Ming waved his hand and pushed a plate of fried rice in front of Abu. He sat down and said,""How is it? In the Ying Country, did he not have enough to eat?”
Abu picked up a spoon and sat down. He scooped up a spoonful of rice and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed carefully without saying a word.
Hong Ming poured a cup of tea and glanced at the clean floor.""I really don't want to stay here any longer. Boring. If this goes on, I'm going to become a fatty.”
"Your cooking is better than Fatty's." said Nick, who was peeling peanuts.
Hong Ming reached out and grabbed a handful of peanuts. He giggled at Nick and said,""Nick, you can do it too. You can also catch up to the damn fatty after a few years of speculation.”
"That. I was scared. The pot was on fire. It was too scary.”said Nick. He waved his hand and gestured, imitating a chef throwing a pot.
"You brat, where did you go? It's been a month." Hong Ming said.
"I stayed in the library for a month." Abu said. He ate so fast that he almost choked. He closed his mouth and tried to swallow his food. After a while, he pounded his chest, coughed a few times, poured a cup of tea, and poured it into his mouth.
"You've indeed turned over a new leaf." Hong Ming clapped his hands and said," Good child. You have a bright future."”
Abu glanced at Hong Ming and turned to Nick. He pushed out the envelope and said,""Nick, here's your money back."
Nick clapped his hands and shook off the dust. He took the envelope and stuffed it into his pocket, smiling.
"They said that this matter is very serious. They wanted to catch these people. However, with so many people dead, it was only right to do so. Otherwise, it will be very embarrassing." Hong Ming said.
"There will still be people who want to come here. He wanted to earn money. The boss said that many people came here every year. Some of them succeeded. He didn't know where he had gone. I'm lucky. Boss will take you in." said Nick.
"Nick, maybe you'll do well outside.”Hong Ming said.
"It's too dangerous outside. There's nothing wrong with following the boss." said Nick.
"Of course, the old man always does things flawlessly. However, that would be too tiring." Hong Ming said.
Abu stood up, took the empty plate, and walked to the pool. He turned on the tap, washed the dish, and put it back in the cabinet.
"How is it? We are short of people here. Do you want to come back and help?" Hong Ming said.
Nick straightened up, looked at Abu, and smiled at him. He seemed to be welcoming Abu's return in this manner.
Abu shook his head." I'm here to study, not to cook." I want to get my identification."
Hong Ming stood up, seemingly angered by his words. He pushed Abu hard.
Abu took a step back and fell on the long table. He turned his head and saw the plastic toothpick box jump and fall. This person's temper was really hard to fathom. The two of them were still communicating harmoniously just now. Now, Hong Ming was like an aggressive rooster, puffing his cheeks and glaring at him.
"I said I want to get a certificate and not dawdle.”Abu patted the dust off his body. For some reason, Abu wanted to anger this rooster. Hong Ming grabbed Abu's hand and slammed it onto the steel plate of the long table.
Hong Ming pressed down on Abu and said,""You'd better make yourself clear. I hate it when people say that."
Abu did not resist. He stared at the toothpick box that had rolled to the edge of the long table and said,""I'm not here to dawdle."
Hong Ming punched Abu in the chest, grabbed his head, and smashed it against the steel plate. Abu felt like he was seeing stars, and his meaning was unclear.
"Young Master Hong, Abu is like this. He likes to talk nonsense." Nick rushed up and grabbed Hong Ming's hand.
"Nick, step back. He never spoke carelessly, not even much.”Hong Ming said.
Abu gritted his teeth and shook his head at Nick, telling him to leave. He turned around and saw the chandelier above his head flickering, like the twinkling stars, passing by.
"You better think carefully about what you should say and what you shouldn't say. You are the least qualified to say those words just now.”Hong Ming held down Abu's right hand and picked up a fork from the table." Do you know why you don't have the right to speak?"”
The fork shook in front of Abu's eyes. He blinked, unable to resist the silver light that kept flashing in front of his eyes, and shook his head.
Hong Ming squeezed Abu's right hand and said,""Because there is nothing in your eyes. You're nothing, do you know that? Alright, now, it's time for you to know the consequences of talking nonsense. It should make you see something.”
Abu twisted his waist and wanted to stand up to resist, but he felt weak all over. He collapsed on the table with his eyes closed. He could not tell where the flashing stars came from.
"Don't you want to get that certificate? I'll make you unable to lift a scalpel now.”Hong Ming said. He picked up the fork and was about to stab Abu's hand when Nick, who was rushing up, knocked him to the ground.
Abu shook his body and knelt down on the wet floor. He turned around and saw Nick pinning Hong Ming down and knocking the fork out of his hand. Hong Ming turned around and punched Nick. Nick screamed in pain.
"If I don't do it for a month, my place will become a slaughterhouse.”Old Li walked in with a big package. He placed the package on the table and turned around to kick Hong Ming. Hong Ming fell to the ground, hugging his stomach and moaning. Nick supported himself against the wall and stood up. He came to Abu's side and helped him up. Abu sat down and shook his head, regaining consciousness.
Seeing Hong Ming turn around, Old Li stopped and sat down.
"Nick, go and get some medicine.”Old Li raised his chin at Nick and said.
Abu shook his head, reached out to hold the toothpick box firmly, and looked elsewhere.
Hong Ming stood up and sat beside Old Li. He shook his neck, causing it to creak. After a few kicks, Hong Ming seemed to have sobered up a lot. He looked at the messy kitchen in a daze.
"You're like a f * cking bull.”Old Li said," You can be provoked at any time.”
"I'm just like this." Hong Ming said," How did you do it just now? I forgot about it!" Abu and Nick, who were standing at the side, were still fuming and in pain. However, because of Old Li, they could only remain silent. Just like that, the chaotic battle stopped.
Old Li opened the package and handed a large envelope to Hong Ming.""Don't ever ask me to do this kind of stupid thing again. Next time, you can send it yourself."
"What did they say?" Hong Ming supported himself with his hand and took the envelope. He weighed the letter in his hand and threw it on the table." F * ck, you didn't take a single cent, and you still stuffed it in?"”
"You dumped me so easily? If I could make that much money so easily, I'd wash my hands of it.”Old Li looked up at the kitchen and knocked on the table." Those stoves need to be cleaned."”
"What did they say?" Hong Ming said.
"They said that if you don't get a certificate, don't come back to China.”Old Li said.
Hong Ming hammered the table with his fist and leaned his head on the table, saying,""Damn it, the son of a professor should at least be a professor. They've already planned it out. They're waiting for me to graduate and go back to get me a place in the school. F * ck chemical engineering, f * ck professors.”
"Young Hong, they are your parents! Watch your mouth." Old Li said.
"F * ck, I don't want to go back to China yet.”Hong Ming said. He raised his head, his eyes red. He slammed the table and pushed the envelope away.
"Watch your mouth, okay?" Old Li said. He slowly stood up, entered the room, took out a mop, and began to clean the floor.
"I shouldn't have applied for chemical engineering in the first place. This is the only thing I did wrong.”Hong Ming said.
"This mistake has been made for a long time. It has been nine years. Your parents are really calm. Don't ask me to do this kind of thing next time. You should handle your own matters." Old Li stuffed the mop back into his seat and said.
Old Li poured a cup of tea and glanced at Abu with a smile.""Also, you shouldn't have been a good child in the first place. She's a good child to your parents. She became a bad child here. This change is too fast."
Abu turned his head and stared at the gloomy sky. His ribs were hurting faintly, as if some parts had cracked.
Old Li looked down and saw the knife and fork that had fallen on the table. He picked it up. He walked to the sink and washed the cutlery. He threw it into the box.
"You've been hanging out with those doodlers and musicians for too long. He had completely forgotten what he was supposed to do.”Old Li said.
"Did they tell you anything else?”Hong Ming said.
"They say you're a good kid. Hearing this, I almost laughed out loud.”Old Li poured a cup of tea and leaned against the stove." Over here, even if you were thrown into a smelly ditch, no one would ask. In fact, no one would even look at you.”
Hong Ming smiled, stood up, and took off his chef's uniform.
"You brat, where are you going?”Old Li asked.
"Fell into a smelly ditch." Hong Ming said.
"You should stay here. In a few days, I have to return to China.”Old Li said.
"It's boring. I'm afraid I can't last that long.”Hong Ming said.
"Do you have a reason to refuse?" Old Li said.
Hong Ming looked at Old Li and pointed at the envelope.""Keep this money."
Old Li threw the teacup on the floor and pressed Hong Ming down on the long table. He glared at him and said,""Do you really have a reason to refuse? I really want to cripple you and throw you into the stinking ditch. If you fool around with those people, you'll rot sooner or later.”
"It's useless to stay here. I don't want to be a chef." Hong Ming said.
Elder Li pushed Hong Ming away and said with a smile,""You don't want to be a chef, do you? If you want to leave, then leave. Anyway, it won't be long before you return.”
Hong Ming adjusted his clothes, sat down, and moved the teacup.
"You can ask Abu to help you." Hong Ming said.
Abu glanced at them and said nothing.
"You can stay here for a while. The lawyer would communicate with the hospital. It was all a misunderstanding. They will let you graduate." Old Li said.
"Can you not f * cking mention this?" Hong Ming said.
"The embassy has investigated Zhou Yang's case. It was indeed a suicide and had nothing to do with the professor. If you keep holding on to that matter, you'll only ruin yourself.”Old Li said.
"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" Hong Ming said.
"Your parents have also found someone to investigate this matter. The hospital had also contacted them before.”Old Li said.
"It's useless for you to investigate thoroughly. There is no evidence." Hong Ming said.
Bu saw Hong Ming lowering his head and crying, so he turned his face away and did not look at him.
"Next semester, you can go back and complete some procedures before you can get your diploma. When the time comes, you can go wherever you want.”Old Li said.
"Things are not over yet." Hong Ming said.
"It's over, Hong Ming. Your puberty has been long enough, a full nine years. It's time to end it. What those street kids taught you was nothing but anger. You should face reality. It's time to stop." Old Li said," You almost crippled that professor. What else do you want?”
Old Li's words seemed to have landed directly on Hong Ming's face. Hong Ming wiped his face and pushed Old Li away.
"Things won't end so quickly." Hong Ming said.
"Then what do you want?" Old Li asked.
"I only know that things won't end so quickly.”Hong Ming said.
"What do you want? What do you want?" Old Li asked.
Abu turned to look at the two of them, thinking that they would make a move. But they just stood face to face, their hands hanging weakly, their faces ashen, and their voices flat.。
"Hong Ming, that's all in the past." Old Li said.
"How is that possible?" Hong Ming pointed at his head and said," It's all here. It's as if it just happened. What did he mean by just happened? The bell rang once, but the sound was still there.”
"I don't know what bullshit you're talking about. But you've wasted enough time. All day long, he was neither human nor ghost. It was enough. Don't f * cking act cool here. This world doesn't owe you anything." Old Li said.
Hong Ming shook his head as if he was trying to shake off his dazed state. Then, without saying anything, he turned around and left.
Old Li sat down, feeling exhausted. He poured a cup of tea, squeezed the teacup, and drank it in one gulp.
"You'd better go back to school. This was a mental hospital. A place where patients should stay." Old Li suddenly said to Abu.
After saying that, Old Li put down his teacup and stood up to walk into the inner hall.
3
After Abu's phone call, Aren finally agreed to go to university. A week before school, he had been with Wen Xuan. They went out to sea together. Wen Xuan watched him throw the fishing net into the sea and smiled. He sat on the deck and turned his head to look at the gradually rising hot morning light.
Aren sat on the side of the boat, bent down, and reached out to pick up a handful of seawater. He rubbed his hands against the seawater and quietly faced the surging red clouds.
"If you don't want to go, you don't have to.”Wen Xuan said.
"I promised big brother. She had to go to university and learn English well. She couldn't embarrass him. He wants to bring me to the Ying country to take a look.”Aren said.
"Can you learn those westerners 'chicken intestines?”Wen Xuan said.
Aren smiled and threw out a shell. The shell jumped on the surface of the surging water and slid into the sea.
The seawater was glowing and hot, flashing with silver light.
"Do you really want to go to the Ying Country?”Wen Xuan asked.
Aren stood up, bent down, and threw out a shell. This time, the shell jumped farther, scattering the shining morning light.
"I don't want to." Aren said.
"You don't want to go anywhere. You just want to immerse yourself in the sea.”Wen Xuan said.
"How did you know?" Aren sat down and said.
The waves surged up, patting the hull and almost biting the side of the boat.
"When your brother comes back, even if you're still nothing, he won't despise you. Even if he came back from the ocean, he would still be just Abu. She was just a child who ran out of here.”Wen Xuan said.
"Brother is in the hospital now, helping patients. He could perform surgeries and save lives. He must be very powerful. I'm his younger brother. I want to become as powerful and amazing as him.”Aren said.
"Even so, he's still your brother.”Wen Xuan said.
"No, he's become great, even more powerful than before. Just like a strong person. He was stronger than me since we were young, and now he's even stronger.”Aren said.
"Everyone likes you more." Wen Xuan said.
"That's because I'm stupid, like a block of wood. It was precisely because of this. Did Mom and Dad ask you to protect me?”Aren said.
"You think this is protection?" Wen Xuan asked.
"Aren't we supposed to protect her? I asked you to bring me out to sea." Aren said.
"You are wrong. You protected me." Wen Xuan said," What do you need to do?" Everyone will like you too."
"But Abu doesn't think that way.”Aren said.
"What does Abu think?" Wen Xuan asked.
"Abu thinks that Daddy is biased." Aren said.
"Biased? Interesting!" Wen Xuan said," What do you think?"
Aren looked back at the sparkling sea and said,"That's worrying. I've never made things easier for my parents."
"If only Abu could be like you.”Wen Xuan said.
"How is it?" Aren asked.
"I can't explain it clearly. Sometimes, he would think too much.”Wen Xuan said.
"Is that smart?" Aren said," There are many things that I can't think of.”
"That's not it. Child, you are just naive." Wen Xuan said," If you can't stay in school, then come back.”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。