02

Meng Jia was slightly stunned.

Before he could introduce himself, Mr. Zhong, who looked as calm as a distant mountain, already knew that her surname was Meng.

Listening to his clear Beijing accent again, I vaguely guessed a few points, probably related to her father.

But she didn't ask, there are strict rules set by her grandmother at home, and she must maintain good manners in front of outsiders. Not much is the minimum.

Meng Jia looked at her grandmother, and Huang Wumei patted the back of her hand, "My granddaughter will go to Beijing in two days." ”

His voice was cold and cold, "Miss Meng is going to study?" ”

Meng Weijun once said that according to her age, his daughter will take the college entrance examination this year, and according to the arbitrary temperament of the old lady in the family, she will probably not be allowed to apply for a university in other places.

As for why you went to Beijing again?

Zhong Shushi raised her eyelids and looked at the beauty in front of her with a smile on her face, nine times out of ten she made her own decisions and went against the wishes of her elders.

"Yes, freshman year."

Probably Mr. Zhong is too noble, and he has a very different style from all the boys of the same age she has ever seen.

Across a short round table, Meng Jia's back stiffened, and the thin white fingers hidden under the table silently clutched the crimson curtain that fell down.

Her nervousness came with no trace.

Zhong Shushi realized the meaning of the old man. No matter how high his heart is, but his eyes are looking down, and when it comes to the heads of his children and grandchildren, there are only two points left of the nine points of arrogance, but he asks for a safe and sound.

He pondered and spoke, "I will return to Beijing in the next few days, if the old lady can be trusted, I can take Miss Meng with me." ”

Huang Wumei picked up the teacup, sipped lightly, and said reservedly, "Okay, it's annoying."

Meng Jia glanced at her grandmother and could see that she appreciated the person in front of her for being just right.

Standing quietly beside him, Zheng Ting, who had been serving as a background board, felt strange, and his face did not show it, he took the initiative to take a step forward and exchange numbers with Meng Jia to facilitate contact.

Zheng Tingyu was respectful, "Miss Meng, can you save your number?" ”

Meng Jia didn't twist at all, she spoke clearly and reported a string of numbers.

"Okay, you can remember mine too. We'll leave the morning after tomorrow, and I'll pick you up from home. ”

Meng Jia said wait a minute, she didn't have a mobile phone next to her. She glanced at Zhang's mother, and she understood and lightly handed over a pair of paper and pencils.

She stretched out her hand, gave a sweet smile, said thank you, and was about to take it.

Halfway through Zhang's mother's handover, she was stopped by a cold-skinned arm under the light.

Zhong Shushi intercepted the note, but did not ask for a pen. Not for anything else, but for the objects that I have never been accustomed to others.

Zhong Shushi stretched his palm back, Zheng Ting was surprised, he quickly understood, took out a silver fountain pen from his pocket, took off the cap, and put it firmly in his hand.

This is the second anomaly of the day.

There was silence in the living room, and Meng Jia heard the rustling sound of the sparkling and cold light of the pen tip rubbing against the plain white notepaper.

You don't have to snoop, you know that this Mr. Zhong has a strong pen.

"This is my number, Miss Wangmeng Save."

He pushed the note straight through, and under the ivory white sleeve, a piece of his arm was firm and neat.

Zhong Shushi's eyes were dark and clear. The formal and stern tone, in front of her grandmother, is very much like a blind date.

Meng Jia was taken aback by this strange thought that popped out of nowhere.

She snorted to herself, thinking about something.

This part of the trip back to Beijing is over, and there is nothing to talk about. In the end, Zhong Shushi is just a messenger, passing on a message for the teacher, whether he succeeds or not, his responsibilities have been fulfilled.

It is also difficult for Qing officials to cut off household chores. What's more, he is a young man in his twenties who has not yet started a family.

When his father came to prominence in Beijing, he was as big as Zhong Shushi, and there were constant warblers and swallows around him, and butterflies fluttered around him, so it was not lively. Mrs. Zhong is a strong-hearted and intelligent character, so she was transferred back from below, and she shot quickly and sharply, sorting out the goblins around her husband.

Up to now, even the elderly Mrs. Zhong sighed with emotion when she had nothing to do, and she also said frankly that the Zhong family can keep today's glory, and his daughter-in-law has great merit.

Mrs. Zhong once said loudly and arrogantly, and said frankly to her son, "Don't think that grandpa always praises you for being older than others, this is the way to govern the family, and the long and short of it, even if you concentrate on it for ten years, you can't compare to any hostess in this courtyard." ”

It's not an area where men are good at it.

Zhong Shushi sat with a cup of tea. He got up and buckled it and apologized, "This trip is busy and bothering the old lady to rest." The teacher's proposal, you can consider it for two more days, if there is a letter, Zhong is waiting for you at any time. ”

Huang Wumei wanted to send him out, but Zhong Shushi blocked him with his hand, "The old lady stays." ”

"That's fine, Jia Jia, you send Mr. Zhong."

The silver moonlight on the horizon is like a stream meandering down on the wide roof beams, bright and slight.

Meng Jia led him out of the main entrance, the girl's youthful dignity was still unstable, and she struggled to control the swing of her skirt.

This is someone from her father's side, and when she wants to go back and forth, she will inevitably go into detail. Meng Jia didn't want to leave an unruly impression on the white-faced Mr. Zhong beside her, and asked her father to blame her grandmother for raising her badly.

She's fine. The bad thing is Meng Weijun, who is a father.

Walk to the round and tall cedar tree by the copper gate. Meng Jia stopped in the beautiful tree, and she whispered, "The mountain road is steep, Mr. walk slowly." ”

Zhong Shushi stood still when she heard this, and when she turned around, a white flower shadow passed over her brittle cheeks, faintly vivid.

There was still no expression on his face, "Okay." ”

Zheng Ting was born in the deputy battalion, and he was transferred from the army, and no matter how steep the road is, let alone such a small hillside.

He remembered Meng Jia's advice, held the steering wheel and smiled, "Dean Meng's daughter seems to be very sensible. ”

"Not necessarily."

Zhong Shushi leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed, thinking of Meng Jia's pair of autumn watery eyes.

was obviously laughing, but when he saw all the silence and desolation, he raised his eyebrows.

But there are no mountains and rivers under her eyes, no flowers falling, no insects, everything that should be seen and can be seen, she can't see, and she can't even pretend to be the person who talks to her face.

Only the delicacy of ice and snow is self-interested.

Zhong Shushi studied classical philosophy under Meng Weijun, and later went to Germany for further study. He knew that it was useless for him to choose any major, and he was going to follow the road paved by his family, so he simply chose the most boring one.

Judging a girl after only meeting once, this is not his style. But if you have to describe it, Zhong Shushi is more inclined to think that Meng Jia is a big rebel hidden in the world.

Zheng Ting said in a somewhat ridiculous tone, "You gave your private number to Miss Meng?" ”

Zhong Shushi glanced at him, a smile looming on the corner of his lips, "You really know how to ask questions now." ”

After a few seconds, I found a reason for myself that sounded more appropriate, "She is my teacher's daughter, and it is not an exaggeration to count it in a private matter." ”

Zheng Ting smiled strangely, "Miss Xiaomin is your cousin, last time she asked you for a painting of Zheng Banqiao, saying that there is an important guest, borrow it and hang it at home for two days, and then send it back as it is, you give her my phone." It's a matter of business. ”

Zhong Shushi has been immersed in historical books for a long time, and he is not very accustomed to talking to people, and his temperament can be called taciturn.

Because of this, the body is always lingering, and there is a sense of unattainable unpredictability.

He compromised, "Uncle Ting, don't laugh at me." ”

The red taillights turned a corner and disappeared into a dark black mountain shadow, gradually becoming indistinguishable.

Meng Jia locked the door, patted the iron filings on her hands, and returned to the hall, Huang Wumei asked her, "People sent away?" ”

"Well, let's go."

There was a guest here, she drank the tea reservedly, took a small sip, and couldn't stand the hot weather, and her throat was itchy.

At this time, there were no outsiders, Meng Jia picked up the teacup and drank it, and the white-glazed hat cup was mostly shallow.

Huang Wumei was disgusted with her for being straightforward, and said to Zhang's mother, "Look at her like this, where can the rules get a quarter of an hour!" ”

Meng Jia originally wanted to say that just drinking water, no matter how well-bred a lady is, if she is about to die of thirst one day, she will also drink a ferocious cow.

But when I think about it, there are only a few days left at home, so I don't annoy my grandmother.

She wiped the corners of her mouth, put down the cup and vessel in hand, smoothed the hem of her skirt, sat down gracefully, and took a sip with a very teachable appearance.

Huang Wumei couldn't help her, so she only dropped a sentence, "Go to sleep." ”

Meng Jia quietly put away the paper on the table, turned around and retreated.

When I stepped out of the hospital, I heard Zhang's mother ask cautiously, "Old lady, do you really not plan to live in the city?" In the end, it was Dean Meng's kindness. ”

Huang Wumei had a cold face, "I'm old, I can't afford this blessing." ”

Zhang's mother plucked up the courage to say something in her heart, "You don't want to, it's okay to leave it to Jiajia, you have to plan for her future." ”

"According to her heart, she may not be willing to ask for it."

Zhang's mother didn't dare to persuade her further, she knew that the old lady couldn't break her arrogance, if it wasn't for the lack of manpower in the family, I was afraid that even she would not be left behind.

Meng Jia took a bath and sat on the edge of the soft bed with her hands propped up.

The night breeze of drums mixed with the fragrance of mountain fruits in the forest swept in from the window of the longevity, blowing her emerald silk suspender nightdress, and a pair of thin white ankles disappeared from time to time.

She held the note in her hand, looked at it for a while, saved the number in her mobile phone, and typed in the three words Mr. Zhong.

Slow footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Zhang's mother knocked on the door, "Have you slept?" Jiajia. ”

Meng Jia panicked and shoved the note under the pillow.

She said, "No, come in." ”

Zhang's mother put the hot milk at the head of her bed, "Drink it and go to bed early." ”

Meng Jia held the glass in her hand, "Thank you, Mama Zhang." ”

Zhang's mother told her, "When you go to school, Zhang's mother won't be able to take care of you, so you have to take care of yourself." ”

Meng Jia drank half a cup and put it down, "Mother Zhang, the one who came at night, have you seen it before?" ”

"That's the only grandson of the Zhong family, so easy for me to see? I'm the oldest, I'm the oldest. ”

Zhang's mother sighed, with a smile on her face, and closed the window for her.

Meng Jia lay down obediently, her long black brocade-like hair spread out on the pillow, closed her eyes slightly and asked, "Grandma is going to meditate one day?" ”

"The day after tomorrow."

"I'm with her."

"Okay, the old man will be happy, go to sleep."

Zhang's mother tucked the quilt for her, put away the empty bottles and put them in the wooden tray, and went downstairs.

Huang Wumei is one of the most frequent pilgrims of the Six Banyan Temple. On the day of the abbot's lecture, she would be present, sitting on a futon, folding her hands, and listening to the Buddhist proverbs.

Meng Jia followed and volunteered once.

She cleaned the courtyard with the novices, and then moved to the Bodhisattva, one by one, one from one hall to another, and the lights were lit in order.

At the end of the day, Meng Jia was so tired that he couldn't straighten his waist, and before he left the temple, he shouted that he wouldn't come next time, saying that he didn't want this merit.

Huang Wumei was so angry that she slapped her on the back with her palm and scolded her for talking nonsense. Meng Jia leaned against the wall and slandered her grandmother, "Don't, stop breathing." ”

Rao is the masters in the temple have cultivated deeply, and they can't help laughing.

When she got up early the day after tomorrow, Huang Wumei wore a navy blue dress, and after cleaning up, she personally rummaged through the incense sticks, candles and other things in the bamboo basket.

Seeing Meng Jia yawning again and again, leaning crookedly on the table to drink clear porridge, she walked over and knocked her granddaughter's back, "Sitting." ”

Not noticing that her grandmother had gotten up, Meng Jia rubbed her back and straightened her posture, "Grandma, I'll accompany you to incense today." But let's talk about it first, I don't do anything. ”

Huang Wumei pushed a plate of assorted side dishes to her, "No one dares to ask you to do things, since you were a child, have you ever washed a bowl?" ”

Meng Jia buried her head in stirring porridge and didn't say a word.

After Zhang's mother finished eating in the kitchen, she quickly came to the front hall to clean up the table, she kept her duty and never ate at the table. Huang Wumei invited her several times, but she refused, and Zhang's mother said, "Let people see it, it's not the same." ”

When Meng Jia went out with her grandmother in her arms, her uncle Huang Xing waited outside the iron gate, and when he saw them come out, his face was full of smiles.

As soon as she saw this standard scoundrel smile, she knew that her uncle had lost money in stock trading, and he was looking for a gap between her grandmother's going out to offer her hospitality and ask for a few taels of silver.

Over the years, Huang Wumei has helped them a lot.

Meng Jia still remembers that her grandmother had a box of burnt blue inlaid jade beads, a craft made in the late Qing Dynasty, which contained all kinds of gold and silver silk jewelry, as small as a pin with a silk scarf, as large as a ruby ring, round and smooth pearls and Burmese jade bracelets.

But over the years, in order to make up for the uncles who couldn't make up for it, and for Meng Jia, there are not many treasures in the box that have been sold.

Meng Jia's deepest impression was when she participated in the International Flute Competition held in Guangzhou in her sophomore year of high school, won the championship, and in addition to the trophy and certificate, as a reward, she also received a round-trip business class ticket to London.

She learned to play the flute at the age of eight, and it was not until the seventh year that she passed the tenth grade, so she was not considered a talented player.

The organizer only provides air tickets, and the rest of the costs, such as accommodation, have to be paid out of their own pockets.

Meng Jia knew that the price of goods in London was expensive, which was a lot of expenses, and she heard from her classmates who had traveled to Europe that their family spent 130,000 yuan in seven days.

She was speechless, and occasionally listened to Zhang's mother and grandmother reconcile accounts, and the family's food money for a year could not be used so much.

Meng Jia hid the ticket in her schoolbag, and when she went home, she ate and did her homework as if she had nothing to do. But after all, I am young, and I always have regrets if I can't go, and I have nowhere to solve it, and I can't sleep until midnight.

But within two days, my grandmother handed her a card and said that she would take it and follow the instructor to London to see the world.

Meng Jia was stunned for a moment, and then said no, "You keep the money yourself, I don't like to go to London." I really want to go, and I'll talk about it when I earn money later. ”

Huang Wumei forced it into her hand and scolded her, "You have to be more honest with your grandmother, right?" Although it is difficult at home, it is not difficult to this extent, what do you want to save! ”

Zhang's mother knew the reason, and when Meng Jia left, she said, "Old lady, it really doesn't matter whether you go to London or not." ”

Huang Wumei sat down on the circle chair, "Although I haven't been rich, but I am much stronger than Jia Jia, I'd rather hold on to it than wronged her." ”

On the way to the airport, Meng Jia heard from her aunt that the money in this card was made up by her grandmother who sold a jade ring.

My aunt shook her head and said, "It's a pity, how can you still find that kind of jade on the market?" Just sell it for a few bucks. ”

The expression on her uncle's face at that time, Meng Jia will never forget for the rest of her life. She clutched the ticket, held it in front of her uncle, and cried when she got on the plane.

However, looking out the window, Huang Xing drove the car, couldn't hold it anymore, and began to ask his sister for something.

"The lady left it, and the jade lock is with you, right? Lend me for two days. ”

Huang Wumei has been entangled by them for many years, and she is no longer surprised, and she also knows that this loan must have gone and never returned. She had a cold face that couldn't be splashed with water, "I don't know where I lost it, you want to, wait for me to find out and tell you." ”

Meng Jia was annoyed by her uncle, who always looked like a philistine, and she hadn't grown up for many years. But sitting in someone else's car, there is no junior discipline and respect, she doesn't look over, just looks out the window.

But Huang Xing just turned the conversation to her, "Jia Jia, it's about to start school, right?" When you go, your uncle will send you. ”

Meng Jia stubbornly didn't speak.

Huang Wumei answered for her, "She doesn't need you to send it, you just take care of yourself." ”

"Our Jia Jia is really promising, and if you are admitted to such a good university, don't forget your uncle in the future, I love you the most among the juniors."

Huang Xing drove the car, and when he said this, his hand was not pointed at Meng Jia's face.

Meng Jiaxin said, is it? stole her New Year's money and went to the bank, and it really hurt her.

She pulled the corners of her mouth and pinched the strange tone, "Yes, my uncle is good, I remember everything." ”

Huang Wumei glared at her in the rearview mirror. Meng Jia pursed her lower lip and looked down at the hem of her skirt.

Arrived at the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, did not enter the temple gate, I saw several monks standing in two rows from a distance, on a hot day, all of them were in Tibetan blue Buddha robes, holding beads, solemn and solemn.

Meng Jia thought that there was another major event held in the temple.

They stood still in the shade of the tree, Meng Jia's hand on the eyebrow bone to shade the shade, "Grandma, isn't the Baolian Cultural Festival just over?" ”

"I'm afraid there's some big guy coming." Huang Wumei said.

Zhang's mother shook her fan, "What can be welcomed by the masters is not small." ”

Soon, the person they were talking about appeared in sight.

Zhang's mother whispered, "It's Mr. Zhong." ”

Meng Jia raised her eyes. In front of the temple gate, a team of young and middle-aged people wearing white short-sleeved shirts and uniforms, not to mention a dozen, surrounded by a young man with an eye-catching face and figure, lifted his legs and got out of the car.

He also wears a white shirt with the hem tucked into trousers, but there is a kind of unattainable dignity. Obviously, he didn't do anything, so he easily lined the people around him with gray heads and grass faces, and behaved in a vulgar manner.