"Yes, I remember you! I see what you mean ... Brother, let's be honest. I've been to your house once and never want to go again. You know, we just took a little money and went up to your house to scare you. I really want us to do something. We're not going to do it either. Your situation is really special. You are a kind, optimistic, strong, and courageous person. I've been talking to you all night and I've learned a lot. I sympathize with you. But if you made this bitter wine yourself, then you have to drink it. There's no way around it. I don't really have any friendship with them. So it's useless for you to ask me to ask them to take a few days off. Brother, you know, if I don't go, they will find someone else. But if I know the person who is going, I will make sure that he does not embarrass you ... Brother, the money is not too much, let's find a way to pay it off as soon as possible. I've been dealing with these people for so many years, and I know very well that they won't sympathize with you, they won't give you peace. ”

I put down the phone, my heart heavy as if it had weighed on a big rock. When the bus arrived, I dragged my heavy body and got off the bus in a trance. Not far in front is my rented house, on the fifth floor. Rows of seven-storey buildings are built on a high slope. I live in the third building. Down the hill is the main road I'm on. In the middle of the night, when some mud trucks pass by, it feels like a tank rumbling down from afar.

It's not a good place to live, it's full of outsiders, and it's very complicated. However, rents here are notoriously cheap. It's very important for people like us. What's more: our family has been renting here for many years, and the landlord has barely raised my rent. So my rent is probably the cheapest of all the tenants. Another thing I have to mention is that I haven't paid my rent for months.

It was so close to home, but I didn't go back right away. I sat down on the side of the staircase on the high slope, and my thoughts were filled with thoughts. These painful days feel endless, and I don't know how many years or months will end. I regret that I shouldn't have done it in the first place, I regret that I shouldn't rush forward, and I shouldn't force it. I used to be so distrustful of fate. When the cruel ending comes after the wrong decision, it is discovered that the momentum is so pale in reality. Indeed, I brewed a cup of bitter wine, and the only person who drank it was myself.

I know that I have to be strong and I have to be strong. I know that I am not living alone, I have a family, a wife and children. In the face of difficulties, I must take responsibility. Even if I know that this life is over, I still have to live this life. To this day, I still vaguely believe that there are always more solutions than difficulties. I wondered if my daughter-in-law could bring up her children safely if anything happened to me, but I didn't dare to raise the question, I was afraid of the serious consequences it might bring.

The phone rang suddenly. As soon as I looked at the caller ID, I immediately pressed the answer button: "Lao Li!"

"Are you home?"

"Here we are... Downstairs. ”

"Is the matter settled?"

"No... I'm trying to figure it out. ”

"What can I do, I don't know about you yet... Just give us a call. You know who you're calling – one way or another, you're loved ones. You have to put down your steps and humbly ask for help. I'm sure you'll get help. ”

I grabbed the phone and didn't speak.

The other end of the phone sighed: "Lao Zhang, this is your only way out!"

I grabbed the phone and didn't speak.

"Lao Zhang!"

"Good!"

I answered right away and hung up.

My mind was starting to mess up again, like a nightmare, and I was sweating profusely, clogging my heart, and my mind was thinking violently. I flipped my phone to a number and stared at the screen. When I mustered up a great deal of courage, I dialed the number, tears streaming down my eyes.

(Life is like making a glass of wine, whether it is sweet, bitter, sour or spicy, in the end, you have to taste it.) ）