On Sunday afternoon, Juexin went to the office of Xishu Industrial Company as usual, where there was no Sunday holiday.

He had just sat down to take a few sips of tea when Kyaw Min and Kyaw Hui also came. They went to my brother's office almost every Sunday afternoon. As usual, they also bought a few new books.

In addition to the mall shops, the Xishu Industrial Company operated by Juexin Service also has a small power plant attached to it, which is dedicated to supplying electricity to the tenants of the mall and the shops one or two streets nearby. The shopping mall is very large, there are all kinds of shops in it, and the corporate office is the shopping mall shop leasing office, which is located in the shopping mall to manage the rental, charging and other businesses. The "Huayang Books and Newspapers Circulation Office", which sells new books and newspapers, is also located in the left corner of the back entrance of the mall. As a result, the bookstore and Brother Jue Xin became even closer.

"There were very few of the New Youth issues this time, and when we went, we only had one copy left, and after a few minutes, we took it for someone else," said Juehui, lying down on a wicker chair in front of the window, opening the sixteen-page magazine, and smiling as if holding a treasure.

"I've already instructed Boss Chen to keep me a copy every time a new book arrives," Juexin was flipping through the accounts when he heard Juehui's words and agreed carelessly.

"It's useless to ask, there are too many people who want it, and most of them have subscribed before. This time it was only three packs, and it was over in less than two days," Jue Hui explained excitedly, flipping through one of the papers inside and reading it with relish.

"The rest will arrive soon, didn't Boss Chen say that the parcel is already on the way? These three packs are expedited," Juemin interjected as soon as he sat down. He got up from his seat again, took a copy of "Young China" from his desk, and took it back to his seat to read it. He sat on the chair on the right against the wall, a row of three chairs, with two coffee tables in between. The chair he sat in was closest to the window, separated only by the movable round chair that Juexin used to sit in.

All three of them stopped talking. There was only the continuous, crisp sound of abacus beads in the room. The warm winter sunlight shone in obliquely through the windows, which were obscured by the curtains of pale blue cloth. There were footsteps outside, and the sound of one pair of leather shoes on the dirt road in Sanhe was louder and clearer than the rest, and it was getting closer and closer. The people in the room could hear the leather shoes walking up the stone steps and entering the door of the office, so the blue curtain of the room moved, and a slender young man lifted the curtain and walked in. All three people in the room looked up at him. Juexin called out with a smile: "Jian Yun." ”

It was Chen Jianyun who came in, and after greeting Brother Juexin, he took a copy of the "National Gazette" from the table and sat down on a chair next to Juemin. He flipped through the news of the province, put the newspaper on the coffee table, turned around and asked Juemin, "Is your school on winter vacation?" ”

"The class is over, and the exam will be next week," Juemin raised his head, glanced at him, said lightly, and buried his head to watch "Young China".

"I heard that today the Student Federation is acting in Wanchun Tea Garden to raise funds to set up a civilian school, right?" Jian Yun also asked earnestly.

Juemin raised his head slightly, and still replied coldly: "Yes, yes, I didn't pay attention, not necessarily the student association, maybe two or three schools hosted it." "He's telling the truth, because he doesn't pay much attention to these things. He goes to school every day and goes home after class. In the play at the spring amusement fair next year, he played the role of Dr. Li in "Treasure Island", and the British instructor assigned him to play it.

"So don't you go and see it? I heard that the performances are "Lifetime Events" [note 1] and "Puppet Family" [note 2]. I think it must be good. ”

"It's too far away, we're worried about exams these days, and we don't have the heart to watch the show," Kyawmin replied, and this time he didn't even lift his head.

"I'd like to see it. Both of these plays are good," Juexin suddenly interjected, and he was dialing the abacus beads at the same time, "It's a pity that I'm not free." ”

"Even if you're free, it's too late now," Jue Hui said after reading the article in the magazine, closing it on her lap and raising her head with a smile.

Jian Yun buried his head again, silently picked up the newspaper on the coffee table, and looked at it listlessly.

"Jian Yun, are you still teaching at the Wang family recently? Why haven't I seen you for so many days? Are you okay? Juexin calculated the account, and suddenly noticed that Jian Yun was a little cramped and uneasy, so he asked with concern.

"I had a cold and was sick for a few days, so I didn't come to see you for days. I was also teaching at the Wang family, and I often met Miss Qin. Whether Jianyun is called in person or mentioned behind his back, he always calls Qin "Miss Qin". He is a distant relative of the Gao family and an equal of Juexin, but he is younger than Juexin, so he is accustomed to following Brother Juemin to call Juexin to be his "big brother". His parents died early. He was fostered in his uncle's home. After graduating from middle school, he couldn't afford to go on to higher education, so he had to find a small thing to do: teaching the two children of the Wang family English and arithmetic. The Wang family was a relative of Mrs. Zhang, and lived in the same mansion with Mrs. Zhang, and he often met Qin at the Wang family.

"You don't have blood on your face, and you're much thinner. Your body has always been weak, you should take good care of it," Juexin comforted Jian Yundao sympathetically.

"Big brother, you're right," Jian Yun said with a grateful look, "I know it myself. ”

"Then why is your face always so gloomy?" Juexin asked with concern.

Jian Yun smiled, but no one could tell that his smile was very reluctant. "Everybody else says that, but I don't think so," he said. I think maybe it's because of my weak health, or maybe it's because my parents died very young. His lips twitched slightly, and he seemed to be about to cry, but he didn't shed tears.

"If you are weak, you should exercise more, it is useless to be sad alone," Juemin said disapprovingly, raising his head. Before he could finish his words, footsteps suddenly sounded outside, and a female voice called:

"Big cousin."

"Miss Qin is here," a glimmer of light swept across Jian Yun's face, and he whispered.

"Ah, please come in," Juexin quickly stood up and replied in a loud voice.

At this time, the curtain of the door moved, and it was Qin who came in, and her mother and servant Zhang Sheng followed, but Zhang Sheng immediately walked out again.

Qin wore a pale green lake crepe cotton jacket with a green skirt tied underneath. The sideburns hung down to the ears, making her goose-egg-shaped face look just right. Underneath the neat front bangs, between two eyebrow trims and a slightly higher nose, there is a pair of large eyes embedded neither high nor low. The pair of eyes were so bright that not only did they add to her smiling face, but as soon as she walked in, even the room seemed much brighter. All eyes were on her. She followed her mother and greeted the few people in the room with a smile.

Juexin also greeted their mother and daughter, and Juemin and Jianyun hurriedly stood up to give them seats, and they themselves sat down on the two chairs facing the window. Juexin rang the bell again and asked someone to make two bowls of tea.

"Mingxuan, I heard that Xinfa Xiang has a lot of clothes, and I want to buy one or two. I don't know if there is a fit? After Mrs. Zhang talked to them for a few words, she said to Juexin.

"Yes, there are many kinds, and they are Mao Ge," Juexin replied without hesitation.

"Then please come with me to have a look, okay?"

"My aunt wants to go and see it, so I'll just accompany my aunt to go. Go now? As he spoke, Juexin stood up, looking at Mrs. Zhang with two eyes pleasantly, waiting for her answer.

Mrs. Zhang said happily, "Are you okay now?" Then go now. She stood up and turned to look at the piano.

Jean said with a smile: "Mom, I'm not going." I'm waiting for you here. She also stood up and walked to the desk.

"It's fine," said Mrs. Zhang. She saw Juexin lift the curtain and let her go out first, so she stepped out of the threshold first. Juexin followed her outside.

"Third cousin, what are you reading?" Qin stood in front of the writing desk, looking at the magazine in Juehui's hand and asked.

"'New Youth', the new arrival," Jue Hui replied with a smug glance at her. He clenched the magazine tightly, as if he was afraid that the piano would snatch it away.

Seeing him like this, Qin smiled slightly: "Don't be afraid, I won't snatch it." ”

Juemin smiled and said, "Sister Qin, I have a new "Young China" here, you can watch it." ”

Juehui sat up, handed the magazine to Qin, and said one after another: "Look, look, lest you say that I treat the new magazine as a treasure after a while." ”

Jean didn't reach out to take it, she just said, "You guys take care of it first." When you're done, I'll borrow it and take it home. She said this to the two of their brethren.

Juehui withdrew her hand and lay down to read again. But after a while, he suddenly asked her with a smile: "Sister Qin, you are so happy today, is it because your aunt has already agreed to your matter?" ”

Jean shook her head and said, "I don't know why I'm happy." It doesn't matter if my mom agrees or not. My affairs should be up to me, because I am a human being just like you. As she spoke, she walked over to Juexin's seat and sat down, flipping through the books on the table.

"That's a good point," Juemin complimented him, "You're such a new woman!" ”

"Don't be sarcastic," Jean said with a smile. Suddenly, her face became serious, and she said in a different tone: "I tell you unusual news: your aunt of the Qian family has returned to the provincial capital. ”

This is indeed unusual news. "And what about Cousin Mei?" Jue Hui sat up and asked with concern.

"She's back, too. She was widowed less than a year after she got married, and because her in-laws treated her badly, she returned to your aunt's house, and this time she went to your aunt's house. ”

"How do you know that? Where did you get this news? Juemin asked in surprise, and a pair of eyes under the gold-rimmed glasses opened round.

"She came to our house yesterday," Jean replied in a low voice.

"Cousin Mei has been to your house? Is she still the same as before? Juemin asked with concern.

"She's a little emaciated, but she's not very thin, and she's better looking than she used to be. It's just that those eyes, watery, seem to contain a lot of things in them. I didn't dare to ask her more questions, I was afraid of making her remember. She had a few words to talk to. is only talking about Yibin's customs and her own recent situation. She didn't mention her big cousin. Qin's voice became melancholy, and when she said the last sentence, she suddenly changed her tone and asked Juemin, "How does the eldest cousin treat her now?" ”

"The eldest brother seems to have forgotten Cousin Mei for a long time, he never mentioned Cousin Mei's name, and he is very satisfied with his sister-in-law," Juemin replied bluntly.

Qin shook his head slightly, and said with a little sentimentality: "But Cousin Mei may not be easy to forget him." Just looking at her eyes, I knew she still remembered her eldest cousin. …… Mom told me not to tell my eldest cousin the news. ”

"Actually, it doesn't matter if you tell him. Cousin Mei and Aunt Mei will not come to our house, and they will not have a chance to meet. Big Brother has completely forgotten about that incident. A few years later, everything changed. Besides, he has a good relationship with his sister-in-law. What else are you afraid of? Juehui interjected.

"I guess it's better not to tell him. Since he has forgotten it, he should not be allowed to remember it again. Which one can Baoding Brother really forget Cousin Mei? Juemin cautiously expressed his opinion.

"I think it's better not to let him know," Jean replied with a nod.

Jian Yun sat on the chair in the corner of the room, his face not very good-looking. He seemed to want to speak, but only moved his lips a few times, but did not speak. He looked at Jean's face and listened attentively to her conversation. But Jean didn't pay attention to him. He looked at Juemin and Juehui with envy. At this time, Jean mentioned the past that deeply moved him (and there was another reason at the same time), and he couldn't help but sigh and say:

"If the eldest brother really marries Cousin Mei, it will be a happy thing in the world."

Jean gave him a gentle look, but immediately looked away again. As if he had been blessed once, he carefully recalled Qin's words: "Who doesn't think so? ”

"I don't know who was in the middle of the road, which caused a conflict between my mother and my eldest aunt, and ruined the happiness of my eldest brother and Cousin Mei!" Juehui said angrily.

"You don't know. I know, my mom told me. Even the eldest cousin himself doesn't know," Qin still said in a melancholy tone, "Originally, my uncle had already asked someone to be a matchmaker." Your eldest aunt first had permission, and it is said that she later took the eight characters of the eldest cousin and Cousin Mei to find someone to arrange them, saying that the fate of the two is mutually restrictive, and they cannot cooperate, otherwise the woman will die early. So she turned it down. Actually, there are other reasons. It turned out that one day she had an opinion with her current aunt at the card table, and she thought she had been wronged, so she took revenge for refusing to marry. The eldest aunt also likes Cousin Mei, but in fact, who in your family doesn't like Cousin Mei? The eldest aunt was very dissatisfied with the refusal to marry. Later, the news of the eldest cousin's engagement to Miss Li came out, and your eldest aunt was also very unhappy. The two of them fell out and even broke off contact. ”

"We didn't know about such a thing," said Juemin with a sudden realization, "We didn't know that their family affairs had already been mentioned." We only blame my father and current mother for not understanding the big brother's mind and not caring about the happiness of the big brother. It turned out that they were wrongly blamed. ”

"Yes, who didn't want the eldest brother to marry Cousin Mei in the first place? When we heard the news of our eldest brother's engagement, we always felt uncomfortable, we were very upset for Cousin Mei, and blamed the eldest brother for not resisting, so we agreed in a daze. Later, Cousin Mei did not come to our house, and soon she left the provincial capital. Later, the eldest brother picked up the sister-in-law, and we all sympathized with Cousin Mei and secretly complained about the eldest brother. It's funny to say, we seem to be more energetic than Big Brother himself. …… At that time, we all thought that it was a matter of course for the eldest brother to marry Cousin Mei," Juehui said at the end, laughing unconsciously.

"At that time, I was afraid that I couldn't talk about love, the two of them were just the same age, and their temperaments were compatible. So the eldest brother wasn't very sad after the separation," Juemin explained.

"You really are! …… Wasn't it enough at the time that the words 'the same age, the temperament is compatible'? Juehui asked rhetorically.

"Alas! Alas! ......" Jian Yun sighed alone in the corner of the house.

"Jianyun, what's the matter with you? You're sighing alone! Juemin asked in surprise. Jian Yun didn't answer, as if he hadn't heard.

"He's like that a lot," Jue Hui said with a smile.

The eyes of the three people were focused on Jian Yun's face. Jian Yun buried his head, but he immediately raised his head again, and his dark eyes looked at Qin's face timidly. Jean didn't dodge it at all, but his eyes immediately fell away again. He just shook his head and said, "You don't understand big brother. You don't understand. The eldest brother will never forget Cousin Mei. I have long seen it: the eldest brother often misses Cousin Mei. ”

Why, then, do we not see him at all? He rarely even mentioned Cousin Mei's name. According to you, isn't it true that the more love you have in your heart, the colder you will be on the surface? Juemin made this what he himself thought was a powerful rebuttal.

"It's not a question of whether it should or shouldn't. I thought it was true, and sometimes even he didn't understand it," Jian Yun explained.

"I don't believe it!" Jue Hui said resolutely.

"I think so," Jean said earnestly; "I thought that would not happen. This is a matter of fairness and there is no need to hide it. If your heart is warm, how can you be very cold on the surface? ”

Jian Yun seemed to have been hit hard, and his face suddenly turned blue. His lips twitched slightly, his eyes drooped, he lowered his head and said nothing.

Qin noticed Jian Yun's expression, stood up and asked in surprise:

"Mr. Chen, what's wrong with you?"

Jian Yun looked up at Qin's face, and a puzzled expression appeared on his face. Then he smiled. The eyes lit up, but they were still melancholy. And then the smile was gone. His complexion quickly darkened.

Brother Juemin's eyes fell on his face with Qin's eyes. The three of them saw the change in his facial expression, but they didn't understand the reason for the change.

"Mr. Chen, your face is not good-looking, are you uncomfortable?" Jean asked sympathetically. "Are you embarrassed?"

Jian Yun looked embarrassed, he looked at Qin's glowing face, and couldn't find a proper word. His tongue also became dull, and he labored to utter the following words: "Nothing, nothing." I don't have any thoughts. He shook his head and added, "I'm so bad at the brains that I can't express myself." He smiled sadly.

"Mr. Chen, why are you always so humble? We see each other a lot, and we can't compare to outsiders," Jean said gently.

"It's not modesty, I really can't. Compared to you, I always feel like I'm too far behind. I don't deserve to be with you. Jian Yun's face turned red, not because of shame, but because of his sincere, excited conversation. He was afraid that others would not believe these words, so he spoke out very hard.

"Don't say such things, let's not listen. Let's talk about something else," Qin said to Jian Yun in a tone that seemed to be commanding, but sympathetic.

Juemin didn't say anything beside him, his eyes sometimes fell on Qin's face, and sometimes looked at Jianyun's face. He listened attentively to their conversations, sometimes smiling smugly. Juehui opened "New Youth" again and read it, not paying attention to their conversation.

Jian Yun's facial expression was changing from time to time, and it was difficult for people to guess what was going on in his heart. Jean's word "we" seemed to make him sad.

"Miss Qin, let's talk about it another day, I'm leaving, I have other things," Jian Yun said and suddenly stood up and wanted to go outside.

Jean looked at him in surprise and didn't say anything. Instead, Juemin said, "Isn't it good to sit a little longer?" It's good to talk about it together. Big brother is coming back soon. ”

"Thank you, I'm leaving," he replied after a moment's hesitation. He nodded to them and walked out.

"What's on his mind?" Jean asked Juemin, a puzzled look on her face.

"Who knows anything about him!" Juemin replied briefly.

"He must have something on his mind, otherwise why did he become so weird! He seemed to be a little better before," Jean said with a deep groan.

"Yes, he's been getting weirder and weirder lately. Probably because his environment is not good, and he is stimulated too much, and people become weird," Juemin said.

"I would love to be nice to him. But every time I saw him and wanted to say a few more words to him, he shut up his heart," Jean said sincerely, as if to defend herself. When she saw that Brother Juemin did not answer, she continued: "He has shut his heart for fear that others will see his secrets, so how do you think others can get close to him?" Sometimes when he saw me, I talked to him seriously, but he tried to avoid me, as if he was afraid of something. ”

"It's a pity that the so-called sad man has no other arms, but it's a pity that he was born in the wrong era," Juemin said mockingly. "But he sometimes reads new books," he added.

"What the hell?" Jue Hui suddenly closed the magazine and clapped her knees and screamed. "People like this are everywhere right now, can you manage them all?"

The three of them were silent for a moment. An unfamiliar face reached into the door curtain, looked around, and said to himself, "Master Gao is out." And the face was gone.

Qin suddenly remembered something, so he said to Juemin solemnly, "My matter has been decided. All I have to do now is try to prepare for my homework. I want to tutor you in English, will you do it? ”

"Where is the reason for refusal!" Juemin said happily. "But time ......"

"Whatever you want, naturally at night and during the day we all have to go to class. …… I don't think it's a good idea to start right away without having to wait until next year when school starts. ”

"Okay, I'll go to your house in a moment and discuss it carefully. …… Auntie, they're back. Juemin added the latter sentence because he heard the sound of Juexin and Mrs. Zhang talking outside.

Sure enough, Juexin lifted the curtain outside and let Mrs. Zhang walk in first, and then he also came in. Zhang Sheng walked last, holding a bag of things in his hand.

"Qin'er, let's go back, it's not too early," Mrs. Zhang said to Qin as she had just sat down and took a sip of tea. She saw that Zhang Sheng was still in the room, and ordered, "You take out the things first." ”

Zhang Sheng said yes and went out. After a while, Jean and her mother also walked out. Juexin sent them to the door of the office, but Juemin and Juehui went all the way to the back door of the commercial mall, and saw their mother and daughter sitting in a sedan chair before returning to the office.

[Note 1] "Lifetime Events": A one-act play written by Hu Shi, published in "New Youth".

[note 2] "Puppet Family": Another translation of Norwegian playwright Ibsen (1828-1908) "Nala".