Li Yue'er

On the first day of the new year, I woke up very early, perhaps because I slept very lightly from insomnia last night, and a few scattered firecrackers easily woke me up. After turning over the bed a few times, he finally lost his sleepiness, so he got up and prepared to take his father to the street to buy him a few clothes to show his filial piety.

Pushing open the bedroom window, a gust of cold wind poured in, mixed with the sullen sulfur smell of firecrackers burning, faintly filled with the unique spicy and rich aroma of D County hot sauce, which penetrated into people's bodies in an ancient way, making people strange and familiar.

I remember that evening, the Xiuhe River flowed quietly in the earthly fireworks beside me, the lights and shadows on the sparkling river were swaying, I sat in the car with Chen Ran, recalling the joy of encountering the hot sauce of D County when I was in college, as if it was just yesterday, but I suddenly looked back and found that it was an old year.

Tonight, I will go to the most famous specialty restaurant in D County with my father for a banquet to complete the first blind date mission I never expected in my life. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, slowly exhaled it, but when I opened my eyes, I saw that it was already clear outside the window, and the sky showed a thin glow, lining the blue sky and clouds above my head to be more lofty, the new year and new atmosphere, in the blessings of a happy new year, I began to feel that tonight's dinner did not seem so reluctant.

My father got up early in the morning and was busy with the dinner, although it was Uncle Zhao's family who was the boss today, we couldn't lose our courtesy, and he thought about what to give each other for a long time and didn't decide. I could feel my father's nervousness today, for the first time he didn't refuse the new clothes I bought for him, and for the first time he started to pay attention to my dress, and he even wanted to drag me to the mall when there was only an hour left before the start of the meal, just to choose a pair of shoes that would go with the coat.

Obviously, my father had no experience with such a meeting, so he had to show his attention and importance to the matter with the utmost solemnity. He embarrassed me like this, I wanted to tell him to be casual, this dinner is just a task for me that is not particularly resistant, but seeing him in and out of thousands of instructions like he wants to send his daughter to the college entrance examination site, I had to swallow the words.

In the end, we finally appeared at the door of the "Yijiangchun" hotel on time in a deliberate dress with the prepared gifts.

As a time-honored restaurant in C province, the head office of "Yijiangchun" is in D County, it is said that the owner of the store was the first to develop a unique flavor on the basis of D County hot sauce, with the fame of D County Hot Sauce, the reputation of this store has also spread, and gradually become one of the famous local restaurants in D County and even C City, thousands of customers come to eat a meal every year, and the branches of "Yijiang Chun" have also opened all over the streets and alleys of C City, but this head office has remained in D County and has not moved away. Perhaps the dishes with life are also like people, and the taste of hometown is where the roots lie.

When I came to the reserved box, my father saw at a glance that the family of three had arrived inside, and he hurriedly stretched out his hand to greet him, and pushed me to him while handing over the gift, "Yue'er, come, say hello to your Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tang, this is their son Zhao Zhiqiang, don't you often play together when you are young?" Actually, it's all familiar! ”

I looked at the three people opposite, the middle-aged man was slightly chubby, his face was kind, the fine plaid cardigan with the black tweed coat looked elegant and gentle, and the woman was wearing a dark red long down jacket, embroidered flowers at the corners and cuffs, the gestures were very elegant, the hair was high and coiled, although he was over half a hundred years old, his appearance and temperament were still delicate. Behind them, a tall, lanky young man in a pullover turtleneck greeted us crampedly and reservedly. I tried my best to search for fragments in the depths of my memory, as if there were vague similar shadows and appearances, but I haven't seen them for many years, personnel changes, even if I had a relationship when I was a child, now standing in front of me is also strange.

But after all, I was no longer a child, so I showed a familiar smile and said politely, "Uncle Zhao, Aunt Tang, hello!" After speaking, he pretended to move his gaze to Zhao Zhiqiang easily, "Wow, Zhao Zhiqiang, you have changed a lot, do you remember me?" I'm Li Yue'er."

"Ah, hello" Zhao Zhiqiang actually blushed, his eyes fluttering, and he seemed to be a little overwhelmed by my familiarity.

I was slightly embarrassed, I thought I could liven up the atmosphere, but I didn't expect the words to be thrown out but the other party didn't intend to catch them, but it seemed that I was abrupt. Suddenly I thought that today was a blind date.,Like me, it seems like an old friend gathering style seems to be in the wrong situation.。

It's just that Zhao Zhiqiang has changed a little bit after so many years? Why is a young man in his twenties still shy and silent like a child who can't grow up?

How could such a person be my husband? I couldn't help but shake my head in my heart, thinking that I must have failed my father's elaborate dressing.

The parents of both sides had a tacit understanding, and greeted us warmly after greeting us, and they inevitably greeted each other politely, praising each other's children for their successful careers, young and promising, and from time to time creating some common topics for us, hoping that we would take this opportunity to get along as soon as possible, but their wishes.

It can be seen that Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tang should have a good impression of me, especially Aunt Tang, not only let me sit next to her, but also added soup to me during the banquet. She asked me about my work life on the one hand, and took care of her husband and son on the other side, soft-spoken and attentive, and it seemed that she had long been accustomed to such a proper care for her family, and her husband and son were obviously accustomed to such a division of roles. It's just that when I saw Aunt Tang remove the large fish bones for Zhao Zhiqiang and then put the fish meat into his bowl, peel off the roasted red skin for him before handing it to him, and he took it and put it in his mouth so calmly, as if he was doing a normal thing, my surprise was just like the fish bone that had been removed choked in his throat, and it was difficult to swallow it with a big sip of drink.

I don't know what kind of environment Zhao Zhiqiang grew up in today, in my memory he was already shy, I thought it was just an ignorant child with an introverted personality. But tonight he said very little, more in the greetings and inquiries of the parents on both sides, as if he was still the child who had not grown up occasionally went out to have a meal with his parents, I really can't imagine that he is actually a social person who has worked like me for almost two years!

Watching him unconsciously eat the food piled up in the bowl, I couldn't help but laugh dumbly, I don't know what my father should think, in the face of such a child who seems to be still in the swaddling clothes of his parents, I really don't want to even call him a man!

But thinking of this, I'm relaxed, such a blind date at least so that I don't have to worry about whether there will be a next decomposition with him, today's dinner may be the only memory I have with him except when I was a child, watching Uncle Zhao and his father talk and laugh, Aunt Tang's courtesy, only deep apologies in my heart, it is estimated that their first wish for the New Year will end in disappointment.

Thinking of this after all, I was a little unbearable, and I became more enthusiastic about Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tang between words, and even Zhao Zhiqiang seemed to be infected, and he talked a little more, but how much common language can the two who have not seen each other for more than ten years? After talking in three or two generalities, I can't say why I can no longer say it.

I ended the first blind date in my life in this entertainment that made people cry and laugh, and the group came out of the box, I saw that it was Aunt Tang who went to the cashier to pay the bill, Zhao Zhiqiang stayed motionless by his father's side, as if he had never been waiting for his parents to do everything for himself, I secretly couldn't help but feel a little pity for Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tang, such a son may indeed be well-behaved and obedient, but how can a person who is always under the protection of his parents face the turbulent waves of life alone? He's going to be a husband and a father, isn't he? When there is no one to shelter him, what can he do for those who need him?

I can no longer see Aunt Tang carrying the gift we gave in one hand, and the other side is still struggling to pay the bill, walking over in three steps and doing two steps, taking the things in her hand and saying, "Aunt Tang, I'll help you carry it." ”

"Ah, Xiao Li, it's okay, it's not heavy, I'll just take it." Aunt Tang excused herself enthusiastically, with a kind smile on her face.

I couldn't help but pick it up, "It's okay, Aunt Tang, I'll help you carry it, it's more convenient for you." ”

"Oh, that's so embarrassing, thank you, Xiao Li, look at that stupid boy in our family, he always has no eyes, don't be weird, ah? In fact, others are quite honest and honest," Aunt Tang patted the back of my hand and said with a pleasant face.

I smiled slightly and said generously, "It's okay, Aunt Tang, what is this." What should we do as juniors"

"Alas, Xiao Li, you are really a good and sensible boy, then you wait a minute" Aunt Tang quickly turned around and went to check out after speaking.

At this moment, I can see that the crow's feet in the corners of Aunt Tang's eyes are also very obvious, she is a woman who has worked hard for her family for half her life, no amount of carmine powder can hide the traces carved by the years, and it is full of vicissitudes.

"Xiao Li, is that you? It's really you! A familiar voice rang out, pulling me back from my thoughts. For a moment, I seemed to hear the echo that had echoed in my ears and in my mind countless times. I was in a trance, and I couldn't believe it.

On the other side of Aunt Tang, among the people queuing up to pay, there was a figure, tall as a pine; The British V-shaped sweater and khaki slacks set off his suaveness, as if coming from a painting, appearing in front of me sooner or later, everything is just right.

The voices of the people around him have become background music at this moment, and Ding Dong Qingling is like fairy music, only his voice is left and his people, a few meters away, smiling and waving at me. That smile, like a halo of hope and the sweetness of surprise, was directly imprinted in my heart through the time intertwined with human voices.

The sentence came to my mind for no reason - "The stones are like jade, the pines are like emeralds, Lang Yan is unique, and there is no other in the world."

As if frozen, I stared at him blankly, forgetting to speak. Today is the first day of the new year, I actually met Chen Ran in D County, after I decided not to guard the impossible tree, after my first blind date banquet, I met him, but at this moment why I don't feel contradictions and entanglements at all, but there is a murmuring and fine joy slowly overflowing from the bottom of my heart, flowing all over the body, as if every cell in the body is cheering for this lucky encounter.

What should I tell him? Happy New Year? Am I so happy to see you?

But when he opened his mouth, it became another sentence, "Ah, Mr. Chen, hello!" ”

"Why are you here?" After a few seconds of silence, the two of us spoke in unison. Then they were all stunned and laughed.

"Hmm~," I was hesitating how to explain, and then smiled, "I'm from County D, of course I'm here." What about you, Mr. Chen, why did you come to County D and didn't go back on New Year's Day? I subconsciously didn't want to mention "going home", but instead used "going back".

"Hehe" Chen Ran's face seemed to have a hint of hesitation, and then he said, "Well, D County hot sauce is so famous, I just came over to play during the holidays, and by the way, I tasted the most authentic taste of C Province cuisine." ”

I looked at him and nodded, the corners of my mouth involuntarily raised, and the rope of the heavy gift bag strangled my hands painfully, but I didn't realize that today was the first day of the new year, I actually met Chen Ran here, the chance encounter on the first day of the new year, did it imply anything in the dark?

Neither of us spoke for a while, as if there were a thousand words in our hearts, but it was like a big handful of beads falling into the jade plate, splashing and dripping, but it rolled down and lost its voice. The indescribable beauty flows in the warm spring air around me, which intoxicates my heart and my eyes. I didn't want to speak, I didn't want to do it at all, for fear of accidentally breaking this hard to condense the clear time.

"Chen Ran! Chen Ran! Where? Now that we've paid for it, let's go! "A voice I've never heard before, tactful and coquettish, slicing through the waves, as if coming from nowhere.

It was as if I had seen a dream castle like ice crystals collapse before my eyes.

In an instant, the fair girl in a red coat stood next to Chen Ran, with beautiful facial features, exquisite makeup, and long wavy hair that was even more amorous, she naturally held Chen Ran's arm, and on the other hand was a familiar navy blue men's coat, which was Chen Ran's coat, then she should be Chen Ran's wife, I understand.

I understand. She is Chen Ran's wife.

She is really a beautiful person, fashionable, beautiful, and knows how to dress herself. Even if I deliberately tried to find fault with her, I finally had to admit that she and Chen Ran were standing together, talented and beautiful, and they were really a good match.

Chen Ran and his wife came to D County to travel together, it turned out that he didn't go home, but his home came, his wife came, he just accompanied his wife to D County to travel, so it was!

I see!

All the joy and excitement stopped abruptly in an instant, as if I was still tender like water in the spring breeze one second, and the next second it was like snow drifting in the cold winter without anything to rely on, and my heart seemed to have fallen into an ice cellar of dozens of degrees below zero.

I saw the corners of Chen Ran's eyebrows raised slightly, and he pondered for a moment, and then calmly introduced to me, "Xiao Li, this is my lover Xiaojuan"

"Xiaojuan, this is Xiao Li from the administration department of our company, she is from County D. What a coincidence, I met here today."

I don't know if there is anything unusual in my expression in Chen Ran's eyes at this moment, I have tried my best to force myself to behave naturally, smile decently, greet warmly, and greet the proprietress politely when I meet the hostess, and even pat the sycophants.

So I raised my head and showed the warmest smile, and said to Chen Ran's wife in the most humble tone and gesture, "Hello Sister Xiaojuan, I am Li Yue'er, I am very happy to meet you, welcome to D County to play, Happy New Year." ”

Heh, fluent in speech, in one go, without a little flaw, well done, Li Yueer.

"Xiao Li? Hello, thank you, and Happy New Year. Chen Ran's wife responded simply with a smile, her expression calm, and she maintained the demeanor of the proprietress who was just right and not far away.

"Yue'er! Why? Met a friend? My father's voice sounded behind me, and when I looked back, Uncle Zhao's family saw this and came over.

I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, looking at Zhao Zhiqiang's face getting closer and closer, it was really a wave of unsettled waves, I knew that today was so embarrassing in the end, it was better not to meet.

"Oh, Dad, this is Mr. Chen of our company, and this is Sister Xiaojuan, Mr. Chen's lover." I bit my lip and said.

"Hello, uncle, it's a pleasure to meet you." After listening to me, Chen Ran took the initiative to stretch out his hand to greet his father, "Happy New Year!" ”

"Oh, it's Mr. Chen, I'm lucky, I'm lucky" My father looked at Chen Ran a few times, and then stretched out his hand to shake it back, "Is Mr. Chen's family here for a vacation in our D county?" ”

"Yes, my wife and I both like the dishes of Province C, so we came here to taste the authentic taste."

"Indeed, indeed, this Jiang Chun is our time-honored brand here!" Before my father could answer, Uncle Zhao praised him.

"Who are these three?" Chen Ran pointed at Uncle Zhao's family and looked at me.

I sighed in my heart, what should come will come after all, "Mr. Chen, this is my father's friends Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tang, this is their son Zhao Zhiqiang, today our two families are also here to eat and get together." ”

Chen Ran seemed to be stunned, his eyes swept over me and Zhao Zhiqiang, and his face changed slightly, "Oh, fortunately, fortunately" Chen Ran shook hands with them one by one, maintaining due etiquette, but when he shook hands with Zhao Zhiqiang, he looked at each other twice, I only pretended not to know.

But I felt so uncomfortable in my heart, as if I had done something bad and was caught, and I felt extremely embarrassed. Then I thought that my blind date was a righteous and bright thing, why did he care so much about being known by him. When he raised his eyes, he saw Chen Ran and his wife snuggling up to each other, standing like a pair of beautiful people, looking back at his immaturity and youth, even if he deliberately dressed up today, he was still thousands of miles different from his wife's appearance and temperament, and he was very discouraged.

The heating of the air conditioner in the hotel was turned on very much, and there was a warm wind blowing faintly, blowing the scattered hair of my sideburns onto my face, itching for a while, just like my hot and cold heart at the moment, squirming, holding on, silently, immersed in the switch between joy and sorrow, nowhere to be found. I just hope that this face can be like a KTV song table with a quick cut button, just press it lightly, and everything will be reset.

"Mr. Chen, it's rare for you to come to County D once, if we don't know if we will be the east later, please have a light meal with Mr. Chen and his wife!" I heard my father say politely to Chen Ran.

I understand that my father's self-assertive invitation to Chen Ran is of course because of me, but how can he understand that his daughter really doesn't know how to greet this form of banquet that she is extremely resistant to, and she really can't muster up the courage to face a private dinner with Chen Ran and his wife as the protagonists.

But I still had to pretend to be attentive and repeat mechanically according to my father's words, "Yes, yes, Mr. Chen, Sister Xiaojuan, let us do our best to be a landlord." ”

How did I get to such a different heart? Could it be that after following Wang Hao for a long time, he unconsciously changed his mind?

I don't know if my face reveals the uncertainty in my heart, but after Chen Ran glanced at me, he smiled politely, "Thank you, uncle, we will go back to City C tomorrow, you're welcome, next time I have a chance, I will definitely pay a few more glasses to my uncle." ”

With a sigh of relief, I finally don't have to struggle for this anymore, but there is also a little loss in my heart, Chen Ran, are you going to leave tomorrow?

"Oh, that's it," my father had to nod and say, "That's okay, it's really unfortunate this time, if I knew that Mr. Chen was coming over earlier, I would have to ask Mr. Chen to give me face anyway, thank you for taking care of Yue'er." This little girl in our family is young and ignorant, and if there is anything that is not done well at work, I have to ask Mr. Chen to bear with her. My father patted me on the shoulder and said to Chen Ran.

"Uncle is polite, Xiao Li is very good, and the company leaders value her very much." Chen Ran nodded to us sincerely, "Okay, then I won't bother you, let's go first, and we have to meet a friend." Chen Ran shook hands with everyone and said goodbye to everyone and sent New Year's greetings again. Everyone responded one by one.

"Happy New Year, Xiao Li!"

"Huh? Oh, Happy New Year, Mr. Chen! "I didn't expect Chen Ran to call my name in the end, I looked up in a daze, only to see him smiling and nodding to me, I seemed to see myself in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, Chen Ran and his wife turned around and quickly disappeared at the end of the night street.

My father was still talking to Uncle Zhao's family about my work, and let them know how capable and independent I was, but I didn't hear it at all, and only stupidly carried the things that were sent to Uncle Zhao's house and looked at the direction of Chen Ran's departure, my heart and eyes were foggy.