Lost (short story) Zhang Baotong

After a while, Zhao Jiping picked up a large branch from the forest, threw it on the flat ground in front of the cave, and began to make a fire. The branches are very wet and difficult to ignite. So he used a knife to peel off the outer skin of the pine branches and break them into thin branches. There was oil in the pine branches, so it was lit at one point, and soon, the fire was burning with smoke. The smoke was choking and made people cry. Zhao Jiping took off his shirt and pants, roasted them by the fire with a branch, and then asked Chen Yi to take off his dress. Chen Yi was a little embarrassed and refused to take it off. Zhao Jiping said that sleeping in wet clothes will cause you to freeze and get sick. In fact, she had a blue nose all the time. After listening to Zhao Jiping's words, she knew that it was very troublesome and dangerous to get sick at this time, so she got up and took off her dress and asked Zhao Jiping to help roast it.

Taking off her dress, Chen Yi sat by the fire in the leeward as if she was wearing a bikini in the pool. The light of the fire was vividly reflected on her face and body, making her feel a little warmer, but also a little more relaxed and comfortable.

She began to wonder what her husband would be doing now. She thought he wouldn't be playing cards, because she hadn't been back all day, and he must have been in a hurry, perhaps looking for her like crazy. He knew that she was going to climb the mountain with others, because she had followed others to climb the mountain, so he didn't have to ask him to take her to climb the mountain anymore. He can play cards with his colleagues with peace of mind. Now that she hasn't come back all day, can he still feel at ease? He deserves it, whoever wants him to know how to play cards all day. She wanted him to learn a good lesson.

Zhao Jiping was baking her dress and kept looking at her. The light of the fire shone on her face and body, reflecting a seductive light, which was very charming. She could clearly feel the burning and touch of his gaze. But she didn't feel embarrassed, but had a desire to show him and show off.

"Look at your gaze as if I were your work. Chen Yi tilted her head and smiled at him.

"Yes, the most beautiful work. Zhao Jiping smiled slightly, then moved his gaze to the fire and stared at it for a long time. After a while, he said, "Fire is the light of the human heart, it can fill people with warmth and warmth, full of love and aura." However, people in modern cities have turned off the fire in the stove and in the hood. Because there is no reflection of fire, people gradually become dull-eyed, indifferent, and lack fiery passion in their hearts. ”

Chen Yi smiled indifferently and said, "For me, passion is a distant and unfamiliar word, you think, get up at the same time every day, go home at the same time, walk the same road, go to the same class, see the same people, say the same words, at night my husband goes out to play cards as always, but I stay at home and watch TV very bored." It's like repeating the same action and the same thing every day. What kind of passion do you say about living like this?"

Zhao Jiping nodded very understandingly, and said, "That's right, urban life and fixed occupations have trained people into a kind of mechanical animal that only works for livelihood and enjoyment. They live in a small and noisy space for many years, unable to see nature, green, or the wonder and vitality of life, but only pass the time in a patterned false prosperity, helplessly resigned to the malaise of the mind, the numbness of the senses, and the degradation of the survival function. The more often people gather, the more they feel the emptiness and loneliness in their hearts, even when they lie at home on weekends and holidays, they don't feel the slightest leisure and relaxation, because people are drifting away from their hearts. ”

At this time, Zhao Jiping had already dried the dress, asked her to take off the bra and shorts on her body, and put the dress on. She crouched by the fire, took off her shorts and bra, and changed into a dress. It made her feel much more comfortable and warmer. She looked at the distant silent sky, looked up to the sky and sighed, and then said to Zhao Jiping, "This is the sorrow of my life." I spent the best time of my life weaving ideal flower baskets, but when I calmed down from years of pursuit and struggle, I found that the flower baskets contained some worldly fame and fortune. Ask yourself, I really lost a lot and gained a lot, but I often felt that what I lost was much more precious than what I gained. I wanted to be a writer since I was a child, so I chose the Chinese department of Northwest University when I was in college, and I also published some essays. However, after I got married, my husband no longer approved of me continuing to write, saying that people who write are easily obsessed and frivolous, and are incompatible with the leaders and colleagues around them, which will affect their popularity and promotion. In order to keep me from writing, he encouraged me to go out dancing, play cards, and even go to eat and drink with me. But I don't think it's my real life at all. We quarreled many times for this, and then, when I got bored, I gave up and stopped writing. Sometimes when I think about it, I feel lost and lost. ”

While baking her clothes, Zhao Jiping looked at her with understanding eyes, and said earnestly, "In the face of the world, we often feel a kind of helpless trouble, and this is the theme expressed in my painting called "Gaze". ”

"What is that painting of yours?" she asked with concern.

The painting depicts an urban woman standing on a meadow with small purple, yellow and white flowers in front of a hot spring resort, gazing at the mountains in the distance. The mountain breeze stirred her orange dress, making her present a picture of grace and arrogance and melancholy. The distant mountains heralded her unattainable dreams. Zhao Jiping said in a philosophical tone.

Chen Yi blinked, frowned, and said, "So you're drawing me." No wonder your eyes are always on me like that, but you think I'm your prey. ”

Zhao Jiping shook back the long hair that was blocking his eyes, couldn't help but smile mysteriously, and said, "However, except for me, no one knows that the woman is you." ”

The bra and shorts were dry, and Zhao Jiping turned his back and asked her to put the bra and shorts on. By this time, it was already the middle of the night, and the moon was running in the clouds without stars. Looking at the faintly flickering fire on the fire, Zhao Jiping felt that his eyes couldn't be opened, he yawned a long time, and said, "Let's sleep." ”

Chen Yi went into the cave on his stomach, put a stone under his head, and lay down, because the cave was not big, the remaining space was only enough for Zhao Jiping to lie on his side.

After a while, Chen Yi said, "It would be nice if I had something to eat, I'm very hungry." ”

Zhao Jiping's stomach was also growling, but where to find food now? He pondered for a while, and said, "Bear with me, when the morning comes, I will go pick some wild fruits, which are sour and sweet, and taste very good." ”