Karenin saw everything.
He had thought that such things should not be paid special attention at first. In his understanding before getting married, the so-called marriage is the union of two decent people. If he can live his life without quarreling, occasionally having a cup of tea and some conversations is already the most satisfying state.
As for his wife's social interactions, Karenin believed that, like his own essential ones, they were respectable and should not be suspected or paid too much attention to. He meant to watch his wife's every move with that possessive attitude.
Perhaps his actions were not as neurotic as he literally said, but Karenin knew that he did have a hint of that thought in every look he gave his wife.
This kind of thinking is like the fragrance factor in the air, which makes people unconscious until you suddenly wake up and realize that it has penetrated everywhere.
There is no doubt that Karenin would never do it if he was asked to worry about it.
But if you don't care about it at all, it seems that you can't do it all.
In the end, people didn't notice any difference in this high-ranking Russian official from the outside, not even his wife immediately.
After the tea banquet, in the carriage, Anna noticed her husband's subtle emotions.
"Alexey, you seem to be a little restless." Anna said hesitantly, although usually when they talk, Anna is always the one who talks more. But now, her husband is indeed a little silent, and there are gradually small wrinkles between his brows.
Karenin listened to Anna's words, looked at his wife for a while, and then said: "I am really troubled by one thing, but I think I can solve it."
"Then, that's fine." For some reason, Anna felt a little sad at this moment.
Of course she knew that Karenin could solve a lot of things by himself, and this sentence itself didn't have much meaning, but it still made people feel a little disappointed.
After Anna noticed his restlessness, Karenin focused more on his wife than on his own little problems.
It is not difficult to understand Anna's emotions, she hardly hides it in front of him, so much so that he is more or less used to showing emotions like this.
Generally speaking, Karenin doesn't like to tell others about his thoughts that he hasn't figured out yet, because it will easily expose his weaknesses. But now that he felt his wife's emotions, his instinct was telling him that it was best to speak out.
Karenin liked to judge.
Judge what effect this matter will have if it is spoken out, and then make a response decision in advance.
However, this time he didn't. He didn't think about this vague and irrational feeling, it was vague, and in the end he could only define it as "marriage". It won't be completely rational, but what it brings to him is always something on the good side.
"Actually, what bothered me was at Betsy's tea party," Karenin said calmly.
After the emotion at the beginning, until now, he was more thinking about why he had that emotion, rather than trying to seriously blame the boy named Vronsky for his excessive treatment of his wife. focus on.
Karenin knew he was right, because his wife's spirits had grown a little.
Anna moved closer to the other party, and asked with a smile: "What happened?"
Karenin was sure again that he liked to see the smiling face of the other party. The kind that looks like there is light in the eyes when he smiles, and the end of the eyes seems to be rolled up like stars.
"Mr. Vronsky, Betsy's cousin, seems to take a special interest in you."
Karenin did not use the ambiguous word "admiration". He chose the word "concern" carefully and carefully. There was a hint of deceit in the words, and some private emotions were vaguely erased.
A person like Anna, although not stupid, has always believed in her husband. She would not guess such a small cunning, because her focus was only on the essence of the matter.
With the most unique feeling of a woman, she perceived the cause of the matter.
A lovely husband is a little jealous.
Joy filled her heart. If she loved someone other than Karenin, Anna would rather tease him in a brighter way. But precisely because she loved Karenin, facing this matter, she just put her palm in the other's dry palm, and then gently held it.
"He may be. But how much of the attention is for me? If I was born ugly, I'm afraid no one will take a second look at me."
Ana fully understands Pi's attraction to other people.
It's not that she has any sharp thoughts, even she herself is always more patient with people who are pleasing to the eye, which is human nature. But whether it's a boy like Vronsky or other people in this circle, most people's eyes really only see this hue.
Although she never asked this question, she just believed that Karenin was not such a person.
After solving the problem he was concerned about, Anna smiled and asked, "What about you, dear Alexei, was it because of my appearance that you agreed to my proposal so quickly?"
Karenin took Anna's question very seriously.
"It's undeniable that's part of the reason. I mean, that momentary human ego inflated heart, but that won't be the reason why I finally tell you my decision. Anna, although I didn't know you very well at the time, I still don't know you well. It is impossible to fully explain the reasons that prompted me to agree to this proposal, but as I told you, it is not just because of appearance."
Finally, Karenin cited a very simple metaphor that best expresses his feelings.
"I don't like to say what if. But now I want to say that if someone else had made this offer to me that day, I think I would be one of the majority because that's the most logical and most correct and decent of."
"Oh, but you agreed. Maybe it's not logical, correct, or decent." Anna approached the other party with a smile, touched the other party's with the tip of her nose, and kissed the other party's thin lips with her lips.
"That's true." Karenin replied in a low voice, gently touching his wife's beautiful jawline with his left hand, and kissing her.
In the evening, the matter that bothered Karenin seemed to have been completely resolved, but when he was the only one reading in the study, Karenin knew that a feeling called jealousy had indeed grown in his heart.
That was not aimed at a boy like Vronsky, but simply, after spending six hours, Karenin himself learned the truth.
This kind of mood did not make Karenin feel at a loss, but made him more convinced of one thing.
Karenin did not choose to ignore and ignore this uncontrolled emotion, but classified it into another more responsible emotion.
It was a huge label with a correct name. It was a special label Karenin gave to his wife. The name of the label was just a simple name, but the content contained in it was like a colorful sphere. Karenin's serious and meticulous world began to become colorful.
Karenin has always been very good at handling his emotions. Before falling asleep, he had already sorted everything out.
When he came to their bedroom, he saw his wife in a familiar place with her right hand resting on his pillow. An emotion called "possessiveness" lingered in his heart again.
And Karenin did not stop them.
If the * were going to have substance, like vines, they must have grown luxuriant by now.
Karenin lay down under the quilt, and before his wife was looking for a heat source in her sleep to lean over, for the first time, a man who didn't like human contact and had never been too close to anyone had already taken the initiative to hug him into his arms inside.
His expression was calm and rational, but his embrace was as strong as a lion, as if he was declaring something forcefully like other predators.
In terms of comfort, that's totally irrational.
But logically speaking, that was the most correct and satisfying decision.
Karenin slept soundly that night. Later, because of this matter, he still understood a truth. The so-called marriage does require some strong means and determination when necessary.
As for a certain Madame Karenin, she knew nothing about it. After all, she is busy with how to love her husband more all day long. As long as this kind of intention does not change, she will still be that kind of blind little woman who can't see anything but her husband's goodness. As a result, many times, they would treat a male lion as if it were a kitten, for fear that its fragile heart would be hurt.
Although for Anna, this kind of sticky emotion may occupy most of the weight, but if someone starts to remind her that she has to find something she likes to do, she will not refuse .
This happened when Mrs. Massage came to say goodbye to Anna.
Those politics, fights, and men's affairs no longer belong entirely to these two noble ladies.
In this short period of less than half a month, a fairly deep friendship has been established between them.
Some people may not be able to find such a friend for half their life, while some people may be able to pick the other party out of the crowd in just a blink of an eye.
"Don't you want to use this talent of yours to do more things? I believe you have the potential, Anna." Mrs. Massage said softly.
"I am very grateful for your approval, Helen. But maybe I have some tricks that others don't know, but if you ask me to make a dress seriously, I can't do it."
Mrs. Massage misunderstood Anna's meaning, thinking that she thought that a lady should not be a tailor.
"I thought you wouldn't mind it. I mean, although we've been together for a short time, I think you're different from other people." Mrs. Massage said apologetically.
"No, you misunderstood, Helen." Knowing that the other party had misunderstood, Anna quickly explained, "I didn't mean to belittle the tailor in any way. Rather, in fact, I'm not even good at needlework, Anusch Kadu is better at this than I am."
After listening to Anna's explanation, Mrs. Massage's eyes cleared up again.
She smiled and said, "I don't think it's a big problem."
Mrs. Masage brushed her hair and said: "I shouldn't dwell on this matter any longer. But anyway, Anna, if you want to do this in the future, please don't forget to tell me, I am very happy Be the experiencer of those clothes.”
After Mrs. Massage left, Anna sat on the balcony and thought about it seriously.
Traveling to this era was not her own choice, but Anna had no complaints about meeting Karenin.
She used to live to fill her stomach. The career of a model is not as glamorous as it looks on the outside, but she is optimistic by nature, and she can always find one or two good places when her life is in trouble.
But now, she has no worries about food and clothing, and she is married to an excellent husband. For Anna, she is indeed facing a problem now.
If she didn't like those ladies' tea parties, she'd have to find something to do.
It's like when I was writing essays when I was a child, there was often a semi-propositional essay that started with "I want to be..." when I grow up.
Few people can be sure at that time what kind of person they will become when they grow up and what kind of occupation they will engage in. Most of them may be like Anna, just to fill their stomachs, and then find So one or two points of consolation.
Anna spent the afternoon thinking about this question until Karenin returned.
Karenin noticed his wife's distraction during the meal.
Before his marriage, the dinner table was always very quiet except for necessary noises. Karenin was used to such an atmosphere, he would eat seriously, spending an average of fifteen minutes to finish the food in front of him, and another three minutes to rest his full stomach.
After the meal, Karenin would go to his study to deal with the necessary official documents, and then free up time for
This habit has not changed since he had his own independent house as an adult until he got married.
After getting married, it's not as good as he originally thought. It's just a simple extra set of tableware, which means more.
Karenin may not be completely sure what other people's wives are like, but according to his observation, his wife loves to communicate with him, from what books she read to what desserts she studied with the cook today. Sometimes those things had nothing to do with them even as husband and wife, but she kept talking so that Karenin gradually listened to them.
There were too many unnecessary information in his head, but Karenin never stopped his wife from talking in this way.
His meal time has been extended by fifteen to twenty minutes, the speed of processing official documents needs to be strengthened, and the private time left for himself is getting less and less, but he never really wants to stop all these changes.
And now, at mealtimes, when he habitually wanted to hear those words from his wife and didn't get them, Karenin realized that maybe something was going on.
"What happened?"
asked Karenin when the servants brought up the grouse.
Anna, who was still immersed in her own thoughts, raised her head after hearing this, blinked her eyes, and asked with some doubts: "What?"
In this regard, Karenin knew clearly in his heart that he did not like his wife like this.
He controlled himself so that his tone would not reveal that childish tone, but asked calmly: "I think you seem to have encountered something, did something happen?"
Anna didn't answer the other party immediately, but asked, "I want to ask you a question, Alexey."
Karenin frowned inwardly when he didn't get a clear reply, but he still indicated that his wife could ask him.
"When you were a child, did you think about who you would become?"
This question is not difficult, but in Karenin's memory, no one has ever asked him this way, so he thought for a while before saying: "Actually, this is not within the scope of my consideration."
"My father, my grandfathers, they were all officials of the Russian government. The path left for us to choose is nothing more than whether you will be in the civil service or in the military."
"Then what you are doing now, do you like it?" When asking this question, Anna actually felt that she might know the answer.
Of course Karenin loved his work, and he did it from the bottom of his heart. She was a little frustrated that Karenin's next answer might not help her.
This frustration seemed to have accidentally poked Karenin's self-esteem.
He said: "I've always insisted that matters of preference should not interfere with your responsibilities or your job. However, I do like what I am doing."
Karenin's voice was not loud, but very firm.
Most of the time he spoke to his wife in a shorter and softer way, but now he picked up a bit of his official tone.
Karenin used two sentences to summarize his answer to Anna's question, and then said in a more relaxed manner: "For me at that time, the road ahead was not too confusing. I think that choosing a certain Afterwards, just move towards the established goal.”
"If so, is there a big difficulty in the middle?" Anna asked.
"If you have difficulties, find a way to solve them." Karenin said calmly, and finally looked at his wife again, and said: "I don't think that a person should give himself up before starting something. Put up all sorts of hypothetical obstacles. People who can't walk don't even have a chance to fall."
The last sentence actually exceeded Karenin's original assumption. After all, in the officialdom, he never said much.
Man is a very strange living being. Sometimes, if you point out his shortcomings to the weak, he will not appreciate you, but will be annoyed. It's as if the truth doesn't exist if you don't point it out.
But just as Karenin couldn't help but say more things that violated his principles of doing things when facing his wife, his wife would not let him down at all.
"I seem to understand." Anna said, feeling a little enlightened in front of her eyes.
After walking out of one thing, her not stupid little head seemed to perceive the whole thing.
She smiled and said, "Don't worry, nothing happened. May I talk to you when the dinner is over?"
Karenin nodded, although he still didn't understand what was bothering his wife, but with this assurance, he no longer bothered.
The ten conditions for marriage, husband and wife need to be honest with each other, share and communicate with each other, now it seems that it is indeed a very important one.
After dinner, in Karenin's study.
The official documents were left out, and the schedule was about to fall behind. The study, which was originally quiet, now began to have conversations.
Anna told Karenin what Madame Massacci had said in the afternoon.
"So, what do you think, Alexei?" she asked.
Anna hadn't had the opportunity before, like, to have someone to listen to when she was confused. When she needs to make a decision, someone can help her.
Maybe that's how it is in this world.
When someone decides for you and wants to restrain you, most people don't want to be restrained.
And some people, when they would like someone to make up their minds, they always need to find out by themselves.
This is probably the external reason why there are so many unsatisfactory things in the world. It is impossible to follow one's own mind in everything in life.
At Anna's age, she can live a happier and more cheerful life than ordinary people, probably because she understood this truth for herself too early.
Therefore, when there is no one to rely on, take care of yourself carefully and be responsible for yourself.
If there is such a trustworthy person by your side, you should seek advice from him more often, actively attribute yourself to this person's territory, and become "his" responsibility.
Karenin didn't see through his wife's little cunning right away, or maybe, because of trust, the same thing, when facing strangers, people would involuntarily care about and guess. And if one person already has great trust in another person, then you will just skip the step of guessing immediately and give the answer to the other person.
For Karenin, giving the answer was not a difficult thing.
After all, in his position, it's something he does pretty much every day. Approve the work that was asked to him for instructions, and handle the difficult problems assigned to him by the boss.
That kind of step is like instinct.
How difficult the problem is, how to solve it in one, two or three steps has always only involved interests and rationality, not sensibility, and has nothing to do with his personal emotions.
But Anna's problems were more complicated.
In other words, Karenin imagined it to be more complicated.
In Karenin's thinking, Anna was his wife, and whether intentionally or not, this label had already been affixed—Karenin's wife.
From the classification of attributes, it becomes someone's private property from the moment they get married.
If it is said stupidly, this matter will become overbearing, and if it is carefully studied, it will not be protected by law. But people's inner world is always more tolerant. Therefore, a person like Karenin, in this case and after that case, will inevitably be somewhat machismo.
From the perspective of usual self-interest, it must be the best way to dispel the idea of the wife. If so, Karenin can think of at least five reasons to convince the other party without any trouble, which is not difficult.
However, considering the wife's wishes and inclinations, the previous approach seemed too cunning and hateful.
This matter took Karenin half a minute, and his wife did not urge him. When he looked up at the other party, there was only peace in his blue eyes. No one would know the thousands of things he had thought about in his heart. .
"If it is possible, I will definitely persuade you to give up this idea, Anna. Given our identities and status, your idea must be extremely inappropriate."
He paused, and saw his wife's big eyes were looking at him intently, and she didn't show any frustration because of his negation of the first sentence.
Like, she's saying: Look, I believe in you, no matter what.
This kind of blind trust almost wants people to scold her, how can she trust others like this? But just because he was the one who was trusted, Karenin swallowed the emotion surging in his throat. The tentacle called rationality was firmly pressed down by his hand.
"But I understand that this is what you want to do too, so if you insist, go for it." Karenin finished speaking lightly.
"Can I hug you?" Anna made another request.
A faint blush appeared on Karenin's face, but he still nodded reservedly.
Anna sat on the other's lap, hugging her husband.
"Correctly speaking, this is beyond the scope of hugging." Karenin said in a low voice, with his left hand firmly supporting the other person's slender waist.
"do you mind?"
"No, I don't mind." Karenin said, stroking his wife's long black hair with his right hand.
His wife bent her back slightly and leaned close to him, her breath brushing against the skin of his neck. It's like a cat, or something, anyway, it's something that looks like a soft, small ball. Nestled in your arms, she sincerely expresses her emotions with her big eyes.
Anna snorted, then sighed contentedly.
"I knew you wouldn't stop me."
"Then I don't understand why you still ask for my opinion." Karenin said calmly, and the movements of his hands never stopped.
Some people say that men who like cats always have magical magic on their fingers. But Karenin did not like cats.
The reasons for not liking cats are so simple. Shedding, heat, difficult to tame. Most people have a feeling of avoidance towards cats, and so does Karenin.
If a cat lover recommends the advantages of cats to Karenin, he will most likely reject them with his faint words that do not allow anyone to speak again.
His time was allotted minute by minute, and there was no time for a cat in thirty-two years of his life.
Therefore, Karenin never had a cat, not any pets. The question of preference has hardly stayed with pets, but the slender fingers seem to have a natural magic power, and they know how to comfort their pets.
A wife is not a pet, Karenin fully understands this. But sometimes, when his mind is idle, he also thinks that there seems to be some connection between the two.
Just as Karenin would continue to discover more wonderful associations from his wife, so would Anna naturally.
Compared with Karenin who likes to imagine Anna as something else, like a different animal, and then carefully analyze and deliberate, constantly overturning his breeding rules, Anna is more intuitive.
She used her tolerant and kind heart to accept some of her husband's shortcomings and beautify them. Give the other party time and space, forgive the other party's clumsiness like a mother, love him like a wife, and care about him like a friend.
Just like this sentence he pretended to be puzzled. They all knew that he didn't really don't understand, but Anna also understood that he wanted her to say it herself.
She giggled, treating him as a child who had grown up on the outside and could deal with the dangers of the world, but was still as slender as a child on the inside. For this reason, she was not shy at all, but whispered in his ear: "Because I know you love me."