After Lu Xiaolin separated from Anna a few days ago, she returned to Beijing and no longer lived on campus, and went home to accompany her father every night.

My father is still a few years away from retirement.

His mother died when he was a child, and he has not remarried for so many years.

Now that she and her brother Lu Zhongjun have grown up, they are busy with their own affairs and rarely go home.

My father is also old, especially in the past few years, especially in the past few years. In the huge two-story small western-style building left over from before the liberation, it is quiet most of the time, day and night. Only Aunt Zhang, the wife of Lao Song, who has been with him for many years, takes care of his diet and daily life.

During those few days, the fate of my brother was uncertain, and as time passed, the hope of survival became more and more slim.

She knew that her father was in a very heavy mood. On the day she just came back, Aunt Zhang secretly told her that her father couldn't sleep for several nights in a row, and the light in the study was always on and not going out all night. But during the day, my father, who had been strong all his life, did not show much emotion in front of outsiders or subordinates, and even kept working in and out of the ministry as usual.

The only thing to be thankful for is that at about nine o'clock that night, the news finally came that my brother Lu Zhongjun had been successfully searched and rescued and had returned by special plane.

She was in the study with her father. After answering the phone, my father stood by the phone and did not leave.

After a while, he hung up the phone, then turned around and told her the good news in his usual steady tone.

Lu Xiaolin remembers very well that she really saw faint floating tears in the corners of her father's eyes at that time.

After being ecstatic, Lu Xiaolin began to look forward to her brother Lu Zhongjun coming home to visit his father as soon as possible.

She knew that her father must be very eager to see his son now.

It's just that my father didn't say it.

……

It has been three or four days since I heard the news of my brother's safe return.

Lu Xiaolin did not go back to school to live, and lived at home as usual these days.

There are constant visits to the house. Most of them are father's juniors or subordinates. After knowing the good news, I congratulated or rejoiced at my father.

But Lu Zhongjun never returned.

Lu Xiaolin hoped that her brother would come back as soon as possible, even if she couldn't come back from the college, even if she made a phone call.

During the day, she couldn't resist calling him. Brother took it. said that he was busy with things two days ago and couldn't get out, and he originally planned to go home tonight. But it may be a little late to get to Beijing. So that they don't have to wait for him to eat.

Lu Xiaolin was so excited that she went home and immediately told her father the good news.

Seeing it, my father was also very happy. instructed Aunt Zhang to cook a few more dishes for dinner, saying that Xiaojun would go home at night, and if it was really late, he could also eat it hot.

Usually, my father's diet and daily life are very simple. In the past few days, Lu Xiaolin has dinner at home, and there are only three or four soups on the table after adding vegetables.

Needless to say, Aunt Zhang was even happier. made the bamboo shoot meat and braised fish that Lu Zhongjun likes to eat, put seven or eight plates on the table, and stewed an old hen with wolfberry and reed ginseng, saying that he would make up for the body of Xiaojun, who had not seen him for a long time.

It's past eight o'clock, and my brother hasn't arrived home yet. My father didn't eat either, so he asked Aunt Zhang to heat up the dishes.

My father is getting older, and his stomach is a little bad. Lu Xiaolin was afraid that her father would be hungry, so she came to her father's study with another bowl of snacks made by Aunt Zhang. When he opened the door, he was found sitting in an old-fashioned wooden chair with a photo album in his hand. His expression was slightly apprehensive.

Seeing Lu Xiaolin coming in, his father put the album on the table.

Lu Xiaolin walked over and said with a smile: "Dad, Aunt Zhang was afraid that you would be hungry, so she burned a bowl of snacks for you." You eat some first. If you don't eat first, you don't have to wait for my brother. Anyway, he said let's not wait. Besides, he's not an outsider. ”

"It's fine. Lu Jianlin looked at his daughter with a smile, "Wait for your brother a little longer." If you're hungry, go eat first. ”

"I've already eaten some. Then you should also eat something to fill your stomach first. ”

Lu Xiaolin brought the bowl to her father, looked at the page of the photo album that her father was looking at just now, and saw that it was a family photo taken by her family when she was seven years old.

In the photo, the father is standing, heroic. The mother combed her neat sideburns, sat on her lap, sat beside her father, and her beautiful eyes showed a happy and gentle gaze. The elder brother Lu Zhongjun stood in front of his father, and he was only a teenager in the photo.

Lu Xiaolin remembers very well that this was the first and last family photo taken by their family.

Within two years of taking this photo, my mother died.

"I'm looking at old photos again!"

Lu Xiaolin said.

Lu Jianlin smiled slightly, did not speak, picked up the spoon and took a bite of snack.

"By the way, Xiao Lin, you have a good relationship with your brother, have you ever heard him mention emotional problems to you?"

Suddenly hearing her father's question, Lu Xiaolin was stunned and looked over.

“…… No, no......" she replied with a slight humility, "What's the matter, Dad, have you heard something?"

"I heard Lao Tian mention it before, saying that your brother has a partner, and it seems that he is still preparing to make a marriage report. Later, when I was hospitalized, he came to see me, and when I asked, he said it was gone, as if he had taken gunpowder. ”

"So—"

Lu Xiaolin stretched out her voice, and when she was still hesitating whether to say it, there was a sudden doorbell outside.

"My brother is back!"

Lu Xiaolin jumped up excitedly, turned around and rushed out.

Lu Jianlin paused slightly, also stood up from the chair, and walked out quickly. When he was about to reach the door of the study, he suddenly stopped again, turned around and walked back slowly.

……

Lu Xiaolin rushed to the living room and ran to the yard, and rushed to open the door with Aunt Zhang, who heard the doorbell to open the door, and when she opened the door, she found that it was not her brother, but Hua Lan and her brother Hua Yong. was stunned, forcibly suppressed the disappointment in his heart, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Sister Hua Lan, Brother Hua Yong, why are you here?"

Hua Lan and Hua Yong came in with the things in their hands, and said with a smile: "Xiao Lin, you are also at home, my brother and I have long wanted to come and see my uncle." No, I'm only here now, is my uncle at home?"

"Yes. In the study. I'm going to talk to him. ”

Lu Xiaolin let the two of them in, turned around and walked to the door of the study, and said to the father inside: "Dad, Sister Hua Lan and Brother Hua Yong have come to see you! I'll let them into the study, right?" Seeing his father nodding, he beckoned the two of them in, and after bringing in the tea, he came out and closed the door.

……

"Xiaolan, Xiaoyong, I haven't seen you for a while, how is your work and life lately?"

Lu Jianlin looked at these two nephews, who were the children of his former best friends, with a gentle and kind expression.

"We are all very good, thank you uncle for your continued care! If it weren't for your care, uncle, where would our brothers and sisters be today!"

Hua Yong has been in charge of external procurement in a certain department, which is a fat shortage. When he spoke, he had a look on his face.

Lu Jianlin glanced at him and didn't speak.

Hua Lan frowned imperceptibly, secretly pulled his brother's sleeve, silenced him, and said: "Uncle, Xiaojun had an accident before, and I was also anxious in the academy, knowing that you were even more worried, I wanted to come to see you at that time." I'm just afraid of disturbing you. Fortunately, Xiaojun came back safely and fine! You don't know how happy I was to hear the news at that time! I wanted to come to you at the first time. It's just that considering that you should be very busy, and there must have been a lot of people who came to see you a few days ago, I held back and came here with my brother at this time. Hope it doesn't disturb your rest. ”

Lu Jianlin smiled on his face, nodded and said, "I'm fine." Thank you for your concern. ”

"Didn't Xiaojun come back to see you in the past two days?" Hua Lan smiled, "I heard that our Director Tian is going to give him a month's vacation. Then I will have time to come back and accompany you, and your father and son will also have a good time. ”

"I should be back soon. Lu Jianlin smiled.

The Hualan brothers and sisters accompanied Lu Jianlin and said some more homely things, and in the end, Lu Jianlin's expression suddenly turned serious, and said: "Xiaoyong, what about you, call me uncle, your father and I are like brothers, after he is gone, I have always treated you as my own children, so there are some things that others may not be willing to say to you, I treat you as my own person, and I will remind you while you happen to come over now." I heard earlier that you are not very competent in terms of what you are doing now. I won't talk about the specifics, you should know better than me in your own heart. I believe that your foundation is still good, but you can't resist the temptation for a while. But some things need to be done in moderation. If one day you are transferred, that's what I mean, you don't have to look around for someone. You know what I mean?"

When Lu Jianlin spoke, sweat gradually broke out on Hua Yong's forehead, and when Lu Jianlin finished speaking, his face showed shame, and he lowered his eyes and didn't dare to respond.

Hua Lan glanced at his brother, and secretly scolded him in his heart for being a muddy mess that would drag him back if he didn't get on the wall, and said with a reluctant smile: "Uncle, you have taught you a great lesson! With your words, he will definitely keep it in mind, and he will definitely work harder in the future, and he will not discredit you! Brother, please make a statement to your uncle and make up your mind!"

Hua Yong was reminded by his sister, and hurriedly nodded and said that he remembered it, and he must do things well in the future.

Lu Jianlin smiled slightly, glanced at the time of the clock on the wall, and nodded, "That's okay." That's it for the night. I'm glad you came to see me. In the future, your brothers and sisters will come to the house to sit and sit when they are fine. ”

"Yes, yes, uncle, you don't have to send it, let's just go by ourselves-"

Hua Yong nodded and stepped back.

Hua Lan walked to the door, stopped, and motioned for Hua Yong to go out first. When he went out, he closed the door, turned around again, and said, "Uncle, there is something I don't know if I should tell you......

……

A moment later, Hua Lan came out of Lu Jianlin's study and left with Hua Yong.

When Lu Xiaolin saw them off, she didn't see her father come out of the study. When the two brothers and sisters left, seeing that it was almost nine o'clock, they returned to their father's study, pushed the door and went in, and said, "Dad, why don't you go eat......?"

As she spoke, she suddenly sensed that something was wrong with her father. He sat there with a solemn expression and a slightly furrowed brow.

"Dad, what's wrong with you?"

Lu Xiaolin was a little strange, remembering that Hua Lan stayed alone in the study for a while after Hua Yong came out just now.

"Did Sister Hua Lan tell you anything later?" she asked casually.

Just then, there was another sound of the doorbell ringing outside.

"I'm sure my brother is back this time!"

Lu Xiaolin jumped up, she couldn't care about her father, she turned her head and rushed out.

Aunt Zhang had already run out and opened the door.

Sure enough, outside the door, there was a landing of the Chinese army.

"The army is back!"

Aunt Zhang exclaimed in surprise.

"Aunt Zhang!" Lu Zhongjun grinned at Aunt Zhang and strode in.

"I seem to smell the smell of food. Did you make my favorite dish?"

"It's all in the kitchen! Your dad knows you're coming back in the evening, and he asks me to cook a few more of your favorite dishes! I haven't eaten them all, so I'm waiting for you to come back and eat them together! If you don't come back, the old hen in my pot will be stewed! Come in and wash your hands! My food is always hot, and I'll be ready to eat it right away! You give me more to eat! You must not be home for more than half a year, right? Look how thin you have been outside!"

Aunt Zhang happily took the things in Lu Zhongjun's hand, turned her head and hurriedly ran to the kitchen.

"Brother!"

Lu Xiaolin ran out of the house, rushed to Lu Zhongjun, and pounced like when he was a child, hugging his neck tightly.

"Brother!"

She screamed again, and her eyes turned red.

"What's the matter, cry when you see me!" Lu Zhongjun smiled and pointed his finger at his sister's nose, "The red nose is not good-looking, I'll tell you!"

"Nasty!"

Lu Xiaolin burst into tears and smiled, let go of him and wiped his eyes, "Brother, go see Dad and have dinner together!" When I didn't hear from you a few days ago, Dad didn't know how worried he was, and he didn't sleep for a few nights......

"Xiao Lin, tell your brother to come into my study!"

Suddenly, my father's voice came from inside the study door.

"Hey, it's coming!"

Lu Xiaolin turned her head in response and pushed Lu Zhongjun over.

"Go, go, go, I can tell you, I'm not allowed to stand up with my dad again this time, do you hear? I'm just guarding the door-"

When pushing his brother to the door of his father's study, Lu Xiaolin lowered his voice to warn him.

Lu Zhongjun smiled and rubbed his sister's short hair, pushed open the study door and walked in, with a smile on his face that had not faded just now, and called "Dad" to his father who was sitting behind the desk.