three
1
Guo Yuanzhi lay in bed for two weeks before he recovered. In fact, these two weeks felt like years to him. Luo Xuexin scolded him while taking care of him. She kept repeating the deduction. During the break, Guo Yuanzhi's salary deduction had become her favorite. Now, she was suffering from the pain of cutting her flesh. Her face was ashen, and she spoke coldly all day long. She had to put her family under high pressure.
Unless she went to work, there would be no peace at home. When she left during the day, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Wen Xuan stood by his father's bed, reading a book. The two of them no longer talked about the island or the strange past. Now, in Wen Xuan's heart, Guo Yuanzhi seemed to have returned, lying alive on the bed.
Wengui and Yongnian were running around like unruly children.
Luo Xuexin felt a headache whenever she saw them, especially when she saw Yongnian. When she saw Guo Yuanzhi lying on the bed, she cursed at Yongnian again and personally chased him back to the broken house. She turned around and picked up the crying and noisy Wen Gui.
"Let me go. I want to stay with him.”Wen Gui said.
Luo Xuexin hugged Wen Gui tightly and ran forward quickly.
"What's so good about a little beggar? Hurry up and go home." Luo Xue thought.
Wen Gui opened his mouth and bit Luo Xuexin's arm. He glared at her but didn't say anything.
"What an ingrate." Luo Xuexin threw Wen Gui aside and slapped her.
Wen Gui took the opportunity to run back into the house and stood beside Yongnian. He held his hand and glared at Luo Xuexin.
"Come back on your own. Why don't you follow me and become a beggar?" Luo Xue thought.
Wen Gui shook his head and gritted his teeth.
Luo Xuexin walked over and held Wen Gui's hand tightly.
"Let go, you filthy thing." Luo Xue shouted at Yongnian in her heart.
Yongnian lowered his head and let go of Wen Gui's hand.
"I don't want to." Wen Gui said.
Luo Xuexin picked up Wen Gui again and walked away quickly, ignoring her crying.
"What are you worried about? There would be food for him. I won't starve to death." Luo Xue thought. She dragged her face and finally got Wengui home.
Guo Yuanzhi understood what was going on when he saw the mother and daughter return. He tried to get up but was supported by Wen Xuan.
In order to prevent Wen Gui from escaping, Luo Xuexin tied her to the chair.
"Luo Xuexin, how could you do this? How can you be so cruel?" Guo Yuanzhi said," Wen Xuan, quickly let go of Wen Gui.”
"You're the cruelest, Guo Yuanzhi. Leaving us three behind." Luo Xue thought. "Wenxuan, don't come over. If you come over, you can be a beggar yourself and beg for food outside."
Wen Xuan was sandwiched between the two of them. He stood there helplessly, indifferent.
"Yes! It was me. It's my fault." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"Lying down is very comfortable, right? He even got someone to serve him." Luo Xue thought to herself," Even if we have an extra portion of food, we can't raise this wild child. Do you understand?”
Then, the couple started quarreling again. The child watched from the side. Everyone felt terrible inside, but there was no way to end this torment. Guo Yuanzhi sighed like a weak scholar. Luo Xue's heart was like a shrew cursing in the street, without any signs of stopping.
For the entire day, Wen Gui kept her mouth shut and refused to eat.
"It'll be fine in a few days. You have so many playmates, you can forget about that little beggar soon.”Luo Xue thought.
The next day, Wen Gui still refused to eat. She was weak and pale, and she collapsed in her chair without a word. Every time Luo Xuexin wanted to feed her, she would spit out the rice in her mouth and glare at her mother. In the beginning, she even pushed away the bowl in Luo Xuexin's hand.
Luo Xuexin stood up and looked at the broken pieces of porcelain on the ground, saying,""You even wasted one of my bowls. I really raised you for nothing.”
Then, Luo Xuexin walked out with another bowl of rice. She screamed when she saw Wen Gui scratching the porcelain piece on his wrist.
Left with no other choice, Luo Xuexin could only agree to bring Yongnian back. She swallowed those vicious words and stared at Yongnian without saying a word.
From then on, Luo Xuexin never chased this child away again. As the child grew up, she realized that this child could do a lot of work, so she stopped saying bad things. After that period of time, Guo Yuanzhi would lock himself in his room and rarely come into contact with the outside world, other than teaching. He was using this method to reduce the amount of time he had to face Luo Xuexin.
These children spent days and nights together and soon discovered some of each other's weaknesses. As the older brother, Wen Xuan also realized that Yongnian was very afraid of the sea. Once, he took them to the beach to pick scallops. Every time the seawater surged up, Yongnian would run back in fear.
"What a coward." Wen Xuan pointed at Yongnian's face and said.
Yongnian was angry and annoyed, his face flushed red. He squatted down, dug out a handful of wet sand, and threw it at Wen Xuan's face.
Wen Xuan was not to be outdone and rushed over. He wanted to grab Yongnian but was hit by Wen Gui with a branch.
"For this doll, you even hit your brother.”Wen Xuan said.
"You're the doll." Yongnian grabbed a handful of wet sand and threw it out, pulling Wengui away.
Sometimes, they would open up in the mud and roll around. Although Wen Xuan was older than them and was also sturdy, he was ultimately unable to withstand the two people's pincer attacks. After the fight, the three of them would be dirty and would be scolded when they returned.
Wen Xuan seemed to like to joke around with his younger siblings. Xiao Gui would always come up to him with a straight face and give him a tight slap. Yongnian would choose to throw something at him and then run away quickly. The three children were always making a scene, making Luo Xuexin unable to discipline them. However, as long as they worked as usual, she did not discipline them much. Although Wen Xuan often teased his younger brother and sister, he loved them very much. He would always do heavy work and give them delicious food first. However, they seemed to have formed an alliance to fight against their brother together.
2
The three children were growing up just in time for the restructuring period. Hearing this news, Luo Xuexin was the happiest one. She handed over the land to these children to take care of. In addition, she also planned to raise chickens and pigs. Wen Xuan had yet to go to junior high school and had to stay at home to work. As for Wengui and Yongnian, they had never been to junior high school. Because of these things, the husband and wife quarreled endlessly. The children were fine and continued to make a fuss. Luo Xuexin ignored Guo Yuanzhi. She had a small abacus in her heart, calculating the income and expenditure. She wanted more land to grow peanuts. She wanted to raise more pigs and chickens. She didn't care about anything but money.
Later, she felt that it was too slow to earn money this way. When Wen Xuan was in his teens, she wanted him to go out to sea with the boat. In this way, he could earn wages and take some sea goods home. As for the farm and pigs at home, Wen Gui and Yongnian would be in charge.
After Guo Yuanzhi found out, he tried to persuade Luo Xuexin to let the children go back to school.
"Bullsh * t. How many people don't study much, but aren't they living well? Everyone else has a decent pair of shoes to wear, what do you have?”Luo Xue thought.
"You're delaying the children." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"What are you delaying? I've thought it through. When Wen Xuan came back, he would let him go to work in the factory. He had already found a master. When the time came, he would just follow his master. I still want to find a partner for him in the guest house. I'm very familiar with the staff in the guest house. In the future, even if he screwed a screw, it would be better than you holding a pen.”Luo Xue thought.
"We should let him go to school and master cultural knowledge before talking about work.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
"Go to school? There was one less person at home to work, and they still had to support him. He might not even be able to enter the factory after he came out. Are you out of your mind?" Luo Xue thought.
"How short-sighted." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"I'm short-sighted, so what? Who was the one who supported this family when you were not around? So what if he had studied? In the end, she was even worse than me, a cooking granny who couldn't write.”Luo Xue thought.
"In the end, it's also a matter of money. How vulgar." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"It's not just money. I look down on you cultured people. What was so great about being able to write a few words?”Luo Xue thought.
Thus, the two of them continued to debate about these questions. In the end, Guo Yuanzhi retreated back into the pile of books. Luo Xuexin also held the power in the family.
A few years later, when Yongnian was old enough to go out to sea, Luo Xuexin requested him to go out to sea like Wen Xuan.
Yongnian is afraid of the sea. He had been thinking about his mother's words and had never gone to the sea. Therefore, at that time, he used the excuse of raising pigs to reject it.
"It's slow to earn money that way." Luo Xue thought.
Yongnian lowered his head and stared at the pig in the pen without saying a word.
"You can get paid for going out to sea." Luo Xue thought.
The pig howled and squeezed into a corner. The pig's tail was spinning in circles.
"Little Gui is also old now. Everything needs money.”Luo Xue thought.
Yongnian turned his head and stared at the pigs that were squeezing around.
"Little Gui is already a big girl now. You know that, right?”Luo Xue thought.
Yongnian thought of Lil Gui and understood what Luo Xuexin meant. In those days, Wengui was already a big girl. Occasionally, there would be other boys sneaking glances at her. Every time this happened, Yongnian always wanted to rush up and punch that person. He was a boy and understood what these boys were thinking. Now, Luo Xuexin used Wen Gui to talk to him, so he naturally gave in and said,""Alright then."
Thus, Yongnian followed Wen Xuan onto the boat.
Wen Gui was very reluctant to part with him and ran to the beach almost every day to wait for him to come back. Many times, she would only return home after the sky was completely dark. She went to the beach to wait before dawn. As a result, the work at home fell into Luo Xuexin's hands. Luo Xuexin lost her temper and had no choice but to work on her own. She hoped that the two boys would come back as soon as possible.
Not long after, there were ships returning one after another. The returning sailors also brought back rumors. They said that two people from Yongnian's boat fell into the sea, but they were not sure which two were the ones. Faced with such news, Wen Gui became even more anxious. He stayed on the shore almost day and night to wait for news. She seemed to have lost her soul as she became thinner and thinner.
Finally, the ship returned. Yongnian, who was much thinner, went ashore first. When he saw Wen Gui, who had been waiting for a long time, he turned around and left expressionlessly. Wen Gui felt strange and chased after him, following closely behind. Wen Gui knew that something had happened on his boat, but he didn't know what it was. First, she saw Yongnian's expression and knew that the situation was serious. She also hoped to learn something from Yongnian. However, she knew Yongnian very well. He would have kept his mouth shut from the beginning. Now, she knew that Yongnian would probably never mention his time at sea. She could only suppress her curiosity and follow in Yongnian's footsteps, thinking about what to do next.
They returned to the Liu family's old house. For the past ten years, this had been their small world. Many things in the house were well maintained.
This time, since Yongnian had returned, he did not plan to go back. In fact, he had been thinking about this house ever since he was at sea. This place was like his safe place. The time they spent here was like a lamp, illuminating his time at sea. In those difficult days, the only thing that kept him alive was the thought of returning to this place and returning to his home. Hence, he told Wen Gui about his decision.
"Alright, I won't go back either." Wen Gui said.
"You should go back." Yongnian said.
"If you are here, I will be here too." Wen Gui said.
"You can't stay here. Let's go back." Yongnian said.
"What happened? We used to stay here often. This is our other home." Wen Gui said.
"I only have one home. This is the place." Yongnian said.
"What about over there? Aren't you going back there?" Wen Gui said.
"I won't go back." Yongnian said.
"Then I'll follow you." Wen Gui said.
"What about them?" Yongnian asked.
"It's just Mom. Don't be afraid. We still have to do what we have to do. She only cared about how much money there was. She didn't notice anything else. If we pay her money every month, she won't care where we go at all.”Wen Gui said.
Yongnian got the answer he wanted and was very excited. But he didn't show it. Instead, he repeatedly advised Wen Gui to think it over. The more Yongnian behaved like this, the more determined Wen Gui was to follow him. In the end, they stayed here temporarily.
3
To Wen Xuan, time seemed to have stopped. He had been soaking in the sea for the past few years. Time seemed dull on the sea. Day and night no longer had the meaning of changing. He followed the rhythm of the others and worked hard. Every time he returned to Hong Kong, he would give his income to his parents and then plunge into the sea. Day and night, he looked at the surging sea and forgot the existence of time. Ever since Yongnian left this ship, he had not seen him again. Wen Gui did not contact him either. When he heard from the other crew members that Yongnian was working for a group of people with a bad reputation, he decided to go to the house to see them.
Wen Xuan stood outside the house and looked inside. This small house was still the same as in the image, but it seemed to have come alive.
Green bricks and green tiles. Water dripped from the eaves.
There was not much furniture in the room. A few wooden chairs surrounded a large, dilapidated table. Everywhere was simple and tidy.
When Wen Gui saw him, she let him in and poured him tea.
A popping sound came from the stove. The firewood was burning. The room was filled with the smell of smoke.
"What did Dad and Mom say?" Wen Gui asked.
Wen Xuan looked at the little sister and realized that she had lost a lot of weight. She was wearing a cotton robe that did not match her age and was leaning against the firewood, looking like a woman.
"If this matter gets blown up, it will only become a scandal. "Therefore, they hope that you can go back. Just pretend that nothing happened and go back. Especially you, Wengui. You're still a child. Why did you run out?”Wen Xuan said.
"We're not messing around. Yongnian wants to live here." Wen Gui said.
"Don't mention that little brat. I'm afraid after going out to sea. Should I come back and hug you and cry? He even took you away." Wen Xuan said.
"I followed him here myself." Wen Gui said.
"Xiao Gui, listen to me and go back. If you go back, he will follow you back. Dad and Mom are actually quite concerned about you. They were still children, what were they fooling around for?”Wen Xuan said.
"No, he won't follow. We're not going anywhere. Besides, Mom didn't really care. We all paid. We're not going anywhere, we're staying together.”Wen Gui said.
"Dad and Mom didn't say that they didn't want you to stay together. You're so young, they'll be worried. Besides, if it was someone else…They had already found someone to cause trouble. Liu Yongnian probably wouldn't be able to keep his life.”Wen Xuan said.
Wen Gui's face darkened. Her brother's words. Seeing this, Wen Xuan smiled. Now, her appearance reminded him of how Yongnian had been bullied. Every time, Wen Gui would make a move to stop her brother.
"Break his legs and throw him into the sea to feed the sharks.”Wen Xuan said.
Wen Gui couldn't hold back his temper and slapped Wen Xuan's face.
At this moment, a whirring sound came from the stove. Wen Gui turned around and removed the wooden block. She then sat on a small stool and stuffed firewood into the stove. Wen Xuan walked in and lowered his head to avoid the low door frame.
"Yo, Young Miss actually started a fire. Usually, this is done by my poor big brother.”Wen Xuan squatted down and threw some dry wood into the furnace. He turned to look at Wen Gui's darkened face and said," Go back." Dad and Mom miss you."
Wen Gui didn't say anything and broke off a piece of dry wood.
"What he did was too dangerous. I'm afraid I'll implicate you. Lil Gui, you are a sensible child. What's so good about following that brat?”Wen Xuan said.
"Brother, don't say anymore. It's useless. Wherever Yongnian goes, I will go.”Wen Gui said.
"Where are Dad and Mom? You don't want it anymore?" Wen Xuan asked.
"Mom and Dad? When I have money, I will repay them.”Wen Gui said.
"Did Liu Yongnian brainwash you? He said all this nonsense. Mom and Dad want you back now. What money? What repayment? It was all bullshit. Hurry up and come back with me. Don't play around here.”Wen Xuan said.
"No, I can't leave. If I leave, Yongnian will never come back.”Wen Gui shook his head and looked at Wen Xuan. Her tearful eyes glistened with tears.
Wen Xuan said,"It's really strange." You look like you've drunk some knockout powder. If he followed those people, he would not have a good ending. If he wants to die, do you want to follow him?”
Wen Gui nodded repeatedly as tears fell like rain.
"I really want to knock you unconscious and carry you away. Such an insensible girl. She actually didn't take such a dangerous thing to heart at all.”Wen Xuan said.
"Yongnian said that it's better than going out to sea. I'm not afraid if he's willing to do it." Wen Gui said.
"What a good-for-nothing who fears the sea." Wen Xuan said. Then, because of this sentence, he almost received another slap from Wen Gui. Although Wen Gui was thin and weak, his wrist was still quite strong. He had experienced many things since he was young. This time, he dodged quickly and retreated to the back.
"I still don't know you well enough. I asked my parents why they didn't stop you. Why didn't they send someone to capture Liu Yongnian? I'll lock you up and not let you out. Let's see how you two can still be together.”Wen Xuan said.
"Big brother." Wen Gui stared at the fire and said," What did Dad and Mom say? Are we really going to do this?”
"They refused. They were unwilling. Mom said that you will hurt yourself and starve yourself. Father said that you will resist even more.”
"Mommy." Wen Gui said.
"Look, they care so much about you. I told them that if they didn't change their ways, I would use force.”Wen Xuan said.
"What are you doing?" Wen Gui asked.
"It's useless against you. You're too hard to convince." Wen Xuan said.
"That good-for-nothing. It's easy to deal with him. Dad and Mom are too soft-hearted." Wen Xuan said. "However, if you are willing to go home obediently. Wouldn't it be fine? If he couldn't endure it anymore, he would naturally go home.”
"This time, he really won't go back.”Wen Gui said.
"Then beat him until he's on the ground and make him scram. You've protected him for too long. It's time for him to take a beating.”Wen Xuan said," You're as weak as a chick, yet you still want to kidnap my sister. You're too bold."”
Hearing Wen Xuan say this, Wen Gui became anxious. She knew that this was something her brother could do. She looked at her brother's strong body. He understood that his long years of living on the sea had tempered him into an unusually strong man. If her brother really wanted to do something to Yongnian, it would be a piece of cake. In a moment of desperation, she touched a porcelain bowl on the stove and pushed it toward the stove.
Bang! The porcelain bowl shattered.
Wen Gui picked up a sharp porcelain piece and pressed it under his neck, saying,""If you are willing to touch Liu Yongnian, I will die in front of you.”
Wen Xuan said,"Xiaogui, put that broken thing down quickly." Isn't he just a brat? Is it worth it?"
Wen Gui didn't say anything and continued to stare at him. A red mark appeared on his neck.
"Alright, alright. I won't touch that trash. You'd better be obedient. After this mess, go home. Dad and Mom are worried about you." Wen Xuan said.
Wen Gui turned his head and looked at the flickering fire without saying anything.
"Do you want to live like this?”Wen Xuan asked.
"I just want to stay with Liu Yongnian.”Wen Gui said.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Hui Wengui, Wen Xuan didn't stay any longer. He understood his sister and knew that she could not leave Liu Yongnian. This time, he just wanted to check on her current situation. However, he also knew that his sister would not be able to endure the hardships for long. Soon, she would go home on her own accord without anyone persuading her.
From then on, he did not go to that house again. He heard that Liu Yongnian was helping those people run errands and deliver things. He was just running errands, delivering letters, and so on. He was not even a hired thug. In that case, it was not a dangerous job. With such news, Wen Xuan was even more at ease and no longer interfered in the matters between his sister-in-law.
4
After that, Wen Xuan stayed at sea for another year. Day and night, he stood guard in front of the ship, working like a machine that never stopped. Every time the moon rose, he would always be alone looking at the undulating sea and listening to the sound of the waves hitting the boat. He knew that his lack of exhaustion was actually hiding his aimless numbness. Compared to his younger siblings, he felt that he was laughable. His younger brother and sister had a goal. They were building a small family of their own. However, he did not. He only came out to work according to his mother's request and went home to pay the fees. On so many dark nights, he wanted to jump into the sea and swim far away. However, where could he go in the vast sea?
When he returned, he found out that Wengui was pregnant. His mother secretly went to the cottage to take care of Wengui, but Yongnian was missing all day, as if he was running away from something.
After that, Wen Xuan asked around for some information. Those people were secretly selling drugs. Yongnian was also involved. After learning of this news, Wen Xuan did not go out to sea again. He felt guilty and blamed himself. Last time, he really should have brought Wengui home and taught Yongnian a lesson. Now, all he could do was wait quietly on the shore, looking for news of Yongnian everywhere, and finish what he had not finished last time.
Finally, one day, he intercepted Liu Yongnian at the seaside.
It looked like Yongnian had grown up a lot. He was tall, thin, and straight. His silence made him look old and cunning. Facing Wen Xuan's storm-like punches and kicks, he did not resist. He held onto a rock by the sea and panted. He leaned against the side and spat out the blood in his mouth.
"We all hope that you will stop as soon as possible. Xiaogui is pregnant, so you should wash your hands. Can't you do something serious?" Wen Xuan rushed forward and punched Yongnian in the chest again.
Yongnian turned around and collapsed on the rock, looking at the dark sea. The fishing boats in the distance had lights hanging from them, flickering with sparks.
"You fucking deserve a beating. All these years, if not for Xiao Gui protecting you. I should have beaten you flat. You trash." Wen Xuan pushed Yongnian onto the sand and kicked his waist a few times.
Yongnian coughed and spat out the blood. He wiped the wet sand off his face, turned around, and sat on the sand.
Wen Xuan squatted down and stared at Yongnian's purple face, saying," Can you even say half a sentence? Can you say something?"
"You guys can take Xiao Gui back." Yongnian said.
"Are you fucking speaking human language? You're a beast." Wen Xuan lifted his leg and kicked Yongnian's waist.
Yongnian knelt down, curled his body, and panted.
"I just haven't beaten you enough. I should have beaten you properly.”Wen Xuan said.
"Take good care of her. When I do something, I can raise her." Yongnian said.
"Do you have to do those things? Don't you know how dangerous that is? What are you going to do about Xiao Gui and the child in your stomach?”Wen Xuan said.
"Dangerous?" It's better than staying at sea."
"Those things are against the law and against the heavens.”Wen Xuan said.
"I can't care less. I'll leave Xiao Gui to you." Yongnian stood up and prepared to leave.
"I should have broken your legs." Wen Xuan said.
"You don't have to care about this because you don't know what to do. Look at you. You've been out at sea for so many years, but you have nothing. I, on the other hand, will have everything soon." Yongnian said.
Wen Xuan was stunned by his words. He stood still and looked at Yongnian's receding figure.
5
A few months later, Abu was born. This child cried less than other children, as if he was sensible from birth. Even if he was put aside by the adults, he rarely cried. He only knew how to kill time by himself, sleeping or daydreaming. Perhaps, he would still think.
Wen Xuan had been here once. Yongnian was not around at that time. Wen Gui sat on a chair by the door, leaning against it as he looked at the road outside. She saw a figure coming from afar, so she stretched her neck and continued looking into the distance. Wen Xuan raised his hand and greeted her, just like when he was young, with a little hippie smile. He thought that he could tease his little sister who was already a mother. But the effect was the opposite. Wen Gui's excited face darkened. Abu was in Wen Gui's arms and did not react to this uncle who was winking at him.
"Hey, isn't this Liu Yongnian? They looked exactly the same and had the same temperament.”Wen Xuan pinched Abu's face and said," How will he react when he sees himself?”
"He's always clumsy. It's very awkward to let him hug for a while.”Wen Gui said.
"Dad and Mom keep coming here. Is Liu Yongnian alright?”Wen Xuan asked.
"How is it? He left early and returned late. I don't see anyone often." Wengui patted Abu's back and pulled him into his arms.
"That kid just doesn't listen to advice and insists on doing those things.”Wen Xuan said.
"Don't worry about what he's doing. Brother, you're not young anymore. Don't keep running into the sea. Now, Mom and Dad are worried about you." Wen Gui said.
"How old are you? You're already blaming your brother.”Wen Xuan knocked Wen Gui's head and looked into the room. The originally gray and moldy walls turned pale white. The room was bright. The broken old furniture was nowhere to be found, replaced by brand new furniture. The television was placed on the wooden cabinet, and the small refrigerator was placed on the other side. He remembered that he had only recently bought these two things at home. Seeing these things, he suddenly understood why his mother no longer talked about the gossip of this young couple and stopped them from being together.
"Where are you going?" Wen Gui hugged Abu and stood up." Aren't we eating here?"”
"Don't worry about me. Take care of the child.”Wen Xuan said.
Then, Wen Xuan returned to the sea. He didn't want to go home because he was afraid that his parents would introduce him to someone. He had never thought of starting a family like Yongnian. He even found Yongnian's choice strange. However, he admitted that Yongnian had chosen the best option. Wengui was definitely a good girl. As for the rest, Wen Xuan did not feel anything. He rarely came into contact with other girls. On the one hand, he often went out to sea with a group of vulgar fishermen around him, so he could not get to know girls at all. On the other hand, he did not understand that kind of feeling, let alone feel anything. Every time he returned from the sea, his parents would always mention this matter. As soon as he heard that, he shook his head and waved his hand, refusing repeatedly. In order to prevent this from happening, he reduced the time he spent at home and often stayed outside.
He heard from the fishermen that a widow would entertain the fishermen at night. As long as she brought some seafood over, she would not refuse. So, he went to look for the widow. Every time, he was afraid of being seen by someone familiar, so he did not dare to stay in that place for too long. When he returned to the boat, he would hear the fishermen discussing these things, but he would pretend that he knew nothing. But every time he went ashore, he couldn't hold it in anymore and went to look for the widow. Just like that, he rejected the girl introduced by his parents while looking for the widow to satisfy his needs. In his eyes, everything would become troublesome once he got married. In his heart, that was asking for trouble. In addition, he was happy to live such a free life. He even felt that Yongnian was a big fool. He was so young, yet he had to bear such a heavy responsibility. Gradually, whenever his parents mentioned starting a family, he would run into the sea. There were a few times when he argued too fiercely with his mother and felt that it was boring on the shore, so he hurriedly boarded the fishing boat that was about to go out to sea. He had been on almost every fishing boat. As long as the ship was going out to sea, he was willing to follow. Because he was a serious and responsible worker, the captain was willing to take him along. Most of the time, he would even take shifts between several boats and never go ashore.
6
Two years later, Aren was born. This little fellow was extremely restless, crying and making a fuss, making everyone feel uneasy. Abu was a quiet child. He followed Wengui and stared at his brother without saying a word.
"This kid looks like you." Wen Xuan pinched Aren's face and said.
Aren burst into tears. The sound seemed to want to tear the room apart.
Abu stood at the side, sniffling as he quietly observed the world.
"Don't touch him." Wen Gui said.
"Where's Liu Yongnian?" Wen Xuan turned his head and looked into the room. The house was renovated again. A new mahogany sofa was leaning against the wall. There was even an ink painting hanging on the wall.
"Did he run away?" Wen Xuan asked.
"He just went out. Aren was so noisy that everyone could not sleep well.”Wen Gui shook Aren's hand and lowered his head to kiss him.
Wen Xuan squatted down and pinched Abu's face, saying,""Quickly call Uncle, Abu."
Abu turned his head and hid behind Wen Gui, secretly peeking at Wen Xuan.
"Don't touch him. He was very shy and didn't like to talk.”Wen Gui turned her head and looked at Abu." Hurry up and get a cup for Mommy."”
Abu ran into the kitchen, climbed onto the chair, and opened the cupboard. Then, he took out a blanket, jumped off the chair, and returned to Wen Gui's side.
"Pass it to Uncle." Wen Gui said.
Abu handed over the cup and buried his face between Wen Gui's legs, secretly looking at Wen Xuan.
"You can pour yourself some water." Wen Gui said.
Wen Xuan took the cup and patted Abu's head. He stood up and poured a cup of water.
"Brother, Dad and Mom told me everything." Wen Gui said.
"Don't say anymore. I've heard enough of your nonsense." Wen Xuan raised his head and drank a cup of tea.
At this moment, in Abu's eyes, his uncle was like a tall mountain.
"Now, isn't it your turn to make them worry? Besides, you're older than me, so you should be sensible. They all know where you went to look for that woman.”Wen Gui said.
Wen Xuan put down his cup. He turned his head and stared at the pitch-black sky outside the window, unable to speak for a moment.
Now, the mountain showed its dark side. Abu looked at his uncle thoughtfully.
"The girl they introduced to you. I know them all. They're all quite good. Why not pick one? You like children so much. Why don't you find a girl and have a child?”Wen Gui said.
"It's not your place to criticize me." Wen Xuan said.
"You're just a child," Wengui said. Yongnian and I are already the child's parents. Who do you think your parents are more worried about?”
"Wengui, I plan to go out for a while.”Wen Xuan lowered his head and looked at the tea leaves stuck to the wall of the cup." This time, I came to tell you this."”
"Go out? Are you running into the sea again? Brother, you've been soaking in the sea for the past five to six years. Haven't you had enough?”Wen Gui asked.
"This time, we're not going out to sea. I want to go outside and take a look. It was time to leave this small fishing village. Stay outside for a while." Wen Xuan said.
"Where are Dad and Mom? What about them?" Wen Gui asked.
Wen Xuan put down his cup and said nothing. The two little fellows looked at their uncle curiously, their eyes flickering. Looking at these two children, Wen Xuan's heart also warmed up. He wanted to reach out and touch them again. But when he glanced at his weathered, calloused, and cracked hands, he stopped. He could only smile at them, then turn around and leave.
Just like that, the mountain drifted away. Abu ran to the door and watched his uncle walk to the end of the winding path and disappear into the shadows of the trees.
Wen Xuan returned to his own home, took off the straw hat he wore on his head, and entered the house. The house was so quiet. Obviously, Luo Xuexin was not at home. He came to the room and stood outside the door, looking at Guo Yuanzhi, who was sitting at the table and writing. Sunlight shone through the window and onto the narrow wooden table. Guo Yuanzhi pushed up his glasses that had slipped to the tip of his nose. He looked up and saw his son by the door. He stopped writing.
"Your mother went out?" Guo Yuanzhi asked.
Wen Xuan nodded and walked into the room. He looked down at the neatly stacked books on the table. This was the first time he had entered this room in so many years. Although he did not know what his father was doing, he did not want to disturb him. Every time he went out to sea, he would stay outside the room for a while. Perhaps he was waiting for his father to say something to him. He needed guidance. However, his father was like him in some ways. As long as one was stuck in something, they would not be able to get out!
"Have a seat." Guo Yuanzhi said. He opened the ink cap and prepared to fill the fountain pen with ink.
Wen Xuan stretched out his hand to Guo Yuanzhi and looked at him.
"Alright then. Let you be a hero for once." Guo Yuanzhi handed over a fountain pen and watched as Wen Xuan filled it with ink.
"Hero." Wen Xuan touched the two words carved on the ink cover and smiled.
Guo Yuanzhi took the pen, drew on the paper, and wrote a few words. The handwriting was delicate and powerful.
"What are you writing?" Wen Xuan asked.
"Physics textbook." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"Don't you already have one?" Wen Xuan asked.
"Indeed, I already have one." Guo Yuanzhi took the teaching materials beside him and handed them to Wen Xuan, saying," It's just that the arrangement is not good. There were too many political words. It didn't matter at all. In addition, the content was messy, complicated, and difficult to understand. It was not clear enough.”
Wen Xuan took the book but didn't open it. He couldn't understand the tutorial. His entire study time was fragmented, and he was constantly brought home by Luo Xuexin to work. And his life at sea in recent years had crushed and scattered the remaining fragments of his life. These courses were all unfamiliar to him.
"This is for students. It's simple and easy to understand.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
Wen Xuan flipped through the stack of notes. Page after page, the delicate handwriting was very neat. There were many places with clear annotations. The words he used were also simple and easy to understand. Perhaps, if Wen Xuan spent some time to look, he could regain the past. However, he was not in the mood to do so now. He closed the notebook.
"What's wrong?" Guo Yuanzhi asked.
"I'm preparing to leave for a period of time." Wen Xuan said.
"Is Mom rushing you again?" Guo Yuanzhi asked.
"I just want to go out and take a look. He had stayed here for a long time.”Wen Xuan said.
Guo Yuanzhi put down his pen and turned around to face Wen Xuan.
"Do you have anything to say to me?" Wen Xuan asked.
"It seems that I should tell you about it.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
Time seemed to slow down as Guo Yuanzhi narrated. Wen Xuan had been watching his face, observing the changes in the light, waiting for him to tell him everything.
"This is really?" Wen Xuan suddenly couldn't continue.
"Ridiculous, right? He had just placed his bowl on a photo and his leg was broken. In fact, there was something more serious. Many people died inexplicably. At that time, the personal worship was very serious. Many of them are taboo." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"I only remember my mother telling me not to talk nonsense. However, at that time, other than being hungry, he had no impression of anything else.”Wen Xuan said," My stomach has been growling. That sound was louder than any other sound.”
Guo Yuanzhi smiled. This was a rare moment for the father and son to be alone. The two of them were carefully sensing each other.
"I didn't expect Liu Yongnian to be like this. This had nothing to do with him.”Wen Xuan said.
"It's all a complicated past." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"Then why? These movements, these ideologies?" Wen Xuan said.
"Child, it doesn't matter what ideology you have. That was just a cover. The important thing was who was on top. It was like the country marrying a wife. Whether his wife was good or not was not up to the husband, but the child.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
"Mommy." Wen Xuan whispered.
"It was my biggest mistake not to let you go to school.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
Wen Xuan did not deny that his father's words were true. But now, the manuscript was right in front of him, and he couldn't bring himself to read it.
Guo Yuanzhi turned around and picked up his pen to write something. Suddenly he said meaningfully,"It's dangerous to run around like this. Especially now."
"Do you still remember that we went to the island together?”Wen Xuan said.
"It's different. It was much more dangerous outside than there. I'm telling you this because I hope you understand that many things are beyond common sense. This place seemed to have been modified. But in fact, many old and rotten things were still here, and there was no way to erase them. Everything was being squeezed by the two whirlpools. At this time, people were in an awkward situation. This awkwardness was mixed with fear and vulnerability.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
"I don't understand." Wen Xuan said.
"I don't understand. That's normal. I don't know what I'm talking about. It seemed like I had expressed something but didn't say anything.”Guo Yuanzhi said," You said that you wanted to leave so suddenly. I don't know what I said. I was a little confused. The matter is very complicated and not something you can handle. After saying so much, I just want to say that it's very dangerous outside.”
"I understand." Wen Xuan said.
"But you still have to go, right?" Guo Yuanzhi said.
Wen Xuan stood up, put on his straw hat, and looked at the gloomy sky outside the window.
"Have you read those books?" Guo Yuanzhi asked.
"I can't watch it anymore." Wen Xuan said.
"It's not time yet." Guo Yuanzhi said.
The dark clouds were slowly moving in the same direction. They were gradually covering the last trace of sunlight.
" You must come back alive," Guo Yuanzhi said." Promise me.”
"Don't worry. I've even been out to sea many times. What's there to be afraid of?”Wen Xuan said.
"It's more dangerous outside than in the sea." Guo Yuanzhi said.
"I just stayed here for a long time and wanted to go out for a walk.”Wen Xuan said.
"Although this place is sealed, it is very safe.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
The sky had completely darkened. The last bit of light was devoured.
"Forgive me. All along, I didn't have the courage or the ability to do so. I can only do this here." Guo Yuanzhi repeated," I can only do this here.”
Wen Xuan smiled and said,"It's okay. You just married the wrong wife."”
"Now is really not the time to go out.”Guo Yuanzhi said.
"I know." Wen Xuan said," It's just that I should go.”
Guo Yuanzhi put down his fountain pen.
"I have to leave this place before the old woman returns.”Wen Xuan said.
Guo Yuanzhi stood up and opened the drawer with one hand on the wooden table.
"You don't have to give me anything." Wen Xuan pressed Guo Yuanzhi's shoulder and lowered his hand, saying," You don't have to send me off."”
Guo Yuanzhi didn't say anything. He waited for Wen Xuan to turn around and followed silently with a crippled leg. He came to the door and stood there, watching Wen Xuan walk to the front of the courtyard, put the bamboo railing aside, and walked out. Wen Xuan kept walking forward without looking back. It was as if he was walking towards a fishing boat waiting for him.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。