The author has something to say: Thank you Lin Zikui. I am your noodle treasure! mines
20190327, bug fix
The courier put several large boxes containing books on top of each other at the door, and Xu Ran opened all the doors of the book bar to facilitate their entry and exit.
"Please put these books in the corner over there." He said.
Buying goods is an important job in the store. Usually, parents will come to help clean up when they are free, but Xu Ran doesn't want them to bother, so he changes the time of buying goods to daytime on weekdays. He can tidy it up slowly by himself, even if it is tiring to go back and forth, it is considered fulfilling.
The ones who helped put the goods in today were new faces. The two young men didn't know much about the structure of the store, so they were a little slow in moving things. Xu Ran was on the sidelines to guide them.
They put the boxes next to the corresponding bookcases according to the classification of the goods. The boxes containing the books were too heavy, and Xu Ran was a little worried that they would be exhausted.
There was another large box of exercise books, Xu Ran backed the wheelchair, trying to make way for the courier, but unexpectedly, the back of his head hit the back edge of the truck, making a bang, and the pain dazzled him.
"Be careful!"
Someone was shouting beside his ear, Xu Ran couldn't see clearly with tears in his eyes, he just felt a shadow falling over his head. He wiped his eyes and looked again, and saw a man in a suit with his back turned to him, loading a heavy cardboard box back onto the truck.
"Ah, thanks..."
The man put down his things and walked away as if he didn't hear.
Xu Ran groaned and wanted to call him, but he knocked too hard just now, and his head hurt when he spoke loudly. He had no choice but to look at the back of the man who was drifting away, a thank you stuck in his throat, and he didn't have time to say it.
I didn't even see the face, Xu Ran rubbed his head thinking.
The courier ran over anxiously to ask about the situation, Xu Ran waved his hand embarrassingly, saying that he was careless and comforted the two frightened little brothers.
At the corner of the street, after confirming that he would not be noticed, the man crossed to the opposite side of the road, made a big circle from the side road, came to the back of the coffee shop, opened the door and entered.
Tong Fangfang, who was about to go out to take out the garbage, was taken aback, "Boss, why have you been so elusive these two days?"
"Let me take a look," the man said. "How's the store going?"
"It's very good. The turnover has increased this week, and it will reach the standard soon."
Tong Fangfang excitedly went to show him the account book, but when she came back, she found that the man was rubbing his right wrist and asked suspiciously, "Boss, is your right hand uncomfortable?"
The man paused, and said, "I twisted it just now, go and get some ice cubes for me."
Tong Fangfang put some ice in a plastic bag and put it on him. The man whispered thank you, and soon left through the back door.
Tong Fangfang was puzzled with the ledger, and after a while she suddenly slapped her forehead, "Oh, I forgot to tell Brother Xu."
In fact, Xu Ran couldn't keep up even if he said it. He is sorting out the goods, except for some that are already scheduled to go, the rest will be placed on the counter. The children changed batch after batch, the exercise books were replaced by new ones, and paper media were gradually replaced by electronic devices, so he had to constantly update the products.
When he was a child, Xu Ran always felt that the small shop next to the school was very magical, and there were many treasures he had never seen before. When he was in junior high school, his biggest wish was to save money to buy a 30 yuan pet machine, but unfortunately he didn’t buy it until he graduated, and now he can’t find that kind of novelty gadget in the market.
But now raising a little black is enough.
He wiped off his sweat and looked around, but there was no sign of Xiao Hei.
At the back door of the coffee shop, the man looked helplessly at the little black cat wrapped around his feet, and said in a low voice, "I don't have time to play with you today, another day, be good."
Xiao Hei meowed happily, wrapped his tail around his calf, and didn't understand what he was saying at all.
The man sighed, leaned over and picked it up, "Why are you so disobedient? You don't look like him at all."
He paused, as if talking to himself, "No... forget it, it's better not to be so obedient."
He scratched Xiao Hei's chin, and Xiao Hei immediately turned over in his arms and snored comfortably.
The man thought it was funny, "How clingy are you always, even on weekdays? He's not in good health, so don't make trouble with him, you know?"
Little Heipa tugged at his palm. Running around outside all the year round, its meat pads are a bit hard, scratching and prickling on the skin. The man sighed, squeezed a paw and rubbed it lightly.
"You help me take good care of him," the man said softly, revealing an imperceptible tenderness, "I'll bring you fish intestines tomorrow."
Xiao Hei was upset by being pinched, and Mimi wanted to catch him, but was easily dodged by the man.
The man was smiling, and the bright sunlight hit his handsome side face, which stunned Tong Fangfang, who wanted to continue throwing garbage. After thinking about it, she took the garbage back a second time.
Garbage can be thrown away at any time, but the scene just now, a man and a cat, was so beautiful that it made people want to cry, she couldn't bear to disturb it at all.
Xiao Hei came back early today, Xu Ran put the last book of Five Three on the shelf, opened his arms, and let the little black cat jump onto his lap.
"Where did you go to play again?" Xu Ran gently stroked it, "Don't cross the road, it's dangerous..."
He froze for a moment, picked up Xiao Hei and smelled it, "Are you taking a bath again?"
The fragrance is not the same as before, it is a light and fresh taste. Xu Ran didn't know if there was such a scented body wash, but he knew where he had smelled it.
It was the man in the suit in the morning. Although there were tears in his eyes and he couldn't see his face clearly, Xu Ran remembered the pleasant smell of green grass on his body.
"It's him?" Xu Ran wondered, does that person know that Xiao Hei is his cat
Or... just a coincidence
For some reason, Xu Ran suddenly remembered Lin Shen's ridicule that day - "Maybe it was a wonderful encounter".
Not likely. Xu Ran lowered his head and smiled, how could there be such a good thing in the world.
"You, you will cause me trouble."
He tapped Xiao Hei's nose, which made Xiao Hei sneezed loudly, jumped to the ground and flicked his tail, and ignored him.
Xu Ran never saw that man again.
As time went by, he gradually doubted his speculation, maybe it was really a coincidence, the person who took care of Xiao Hei was not him, otherwise he wouldn't have disappeared after so long. That person should live nearby, otherwise Xiao Hei wouldn't be able to come home happily every time.
He tried to communicate with that person. He took off the black metal plate and replaced it with a small box with a hook, which contained two milk candies and a note, which read: Thank you for taking care of me =^ ^=.
I don't know if the other party is a man or a woman. If it is milk candy, it should be acceptable.
Did not expect a quick response. When Xiao Hei came back, he brought two pine nut candies, which seemed to be handmade, wrapped in a layer of glutinous rice paper and a layer of simple packaging. There is also a note that says: You are welcome.
Holding the note, Xu Ran laughed. He opened a piece of pine nut candy and put it in his mouth. The not-so-sweet taste and the crunchy taste of pine nuts soon filled his entire mouth.
Xiao Hei was very unhappy about being treated as a carrier pigeon, so he quit the next day and hid far away. Helpless, Xu Ran had no choice but to replace the metal plate again, returning to the previous state of no contact.
But he still kept the note. The font on it is vigorous and powerful, it should be from the hand of a man.
Pine nut candies... Maybe it was made by his wife or children, Xu Ran imagined, the woman took the little girl to pack the candy, and the man wrote the reply letter with a pen, and then put it on for the awkward Xiao Hei. It should be a warm and sweet family.
very nice.
He put the note into the drawer. Although it was not a wonderful encounter, he was already satisfied to get such a response.
Being able to feel the happiness of others is another kind of happiness for him.
Tong Fangfang sent him a message saying that their boss has been busy with other things recently, so he probably won't be in the store for a while.
Xu Ran felt a little regretful. It was rare that he had several people he wanted to see recently, but he couldn't see any of them.
He opened the shop by himself three years ago, and he has always been alone. He also wanted to make some friends, but he always failed before he tried. Maybe he is not born to get along with others, otherwise he wouldn't have been so embarrassed before.
The rainy season is gradually passing, the sky clears up, and it is obvious that the temperature is gradually warming up. The balloon tied to the door of the store had deflated, and it was drooping and precarious all day long. Xu Ran was not willing to take it off, he had to wait for a year after throwing this one away, and he didn't know if the person in the bear doll costume would be around next year.
He learns to cherish all the things in front of him, because he doesn't know when they will disappear, just like the petals in spring, the evening wind in summer, like the students who come and go, and like the shadow in the youthful memory of a certain year. Bright and dazzling sunset.
The street has not been very safe recently. According to the chef of the noodle restaurant next door, someone saw a few hooligans hanging around. The school issued a notice to the students not to stay outside too late after school at night, and someone who looked like the dean came to the store to ask Xu Ran, if there are students staying here waiting for their parents, please take care of him.
Xu Ran naturally agreed. He is also very worried, and he has not let Xiao Hei go out for a while. There was a big cage in the store, so Xiao Hei could only be wronged to stay in it first.
The girl who came to the store said, "I haven't seen them. I heard that they are all wandering across the road. They should be from the university."
"That can't be taken lightly." Xu Ran taught her, "You can't walk alone at night at night."
The girl sticks out her tongue, laughing at his long-winded words.
At this age, it is natural to care about the juniors. It may be an instinct. Xu Ran hopes that every child who comes to his shop will be well and be admitted to university safely.
Sometimes he will also enlighten girls who are trapped in love, don't give up your ideals for a boy, then you will regret it for a lifetime.
Street gangsters are like the plot in a movie, Xu Ran paid attention to it for a week, but found no suspicious person, but unexpectedly saw the man in suit who helped him that day. The man was standing on the other side of the street, with his back to Xu Ran, talking on the phone.
It was far away, so Xu Ran couldn't see his appearance clearly, he only thought he looked familiar, but he couldn't tell where he had seen him. He wanted to thank the person, but he hesitated when he thought of that person's indifference that day.
Soon, the man finished talking on the phone, put the phone away, and disappeared around the corner in the distance.
Xiao Hei in the cage screamed uneasily, Xu Ran brought cat food, and coaxed the poor little guy softly.
The coffee shop recently ended its trial operation and is about to officially open. Tong Fangfang came to buy another batch of books and snacks, and said to Xu Ran, "If you have nothing to do that afternoon, come and sit down, and I will buy you a drink for free."
Xu Ran knew that she wanted her to bring Xiao Hei there, to help attract customers by showing off her cuteness. After Tong Fangfang left, he said to Xiao Hei, "You are the favorite of the group now."
Xiao Hei, who has no idol baggage, sleeps himself like a puddle of cats, drooling and snoring ugly.
On the day of the official opening, there was a sports meeting at the university, and the students surrounded the small coffee shop on three floors, and Xu Ran watched with emotion from outside the crowd, holding a pet box. Tong Fangfang and the others didn't expect to be so busy. No one saw that Xu Ran had arrived with Xiao Hei.
Xu Ran avoided the crowd and walked around the path to the back door. He is very familiar with this place. Three years ago, he walked back and forth to find a suitable store location.
The small road by the back door is obviously deserted than the main road. Occasionally, a young couple walks by holding hands. After passing by, the girl will point to the little black in Xu Ran's arms and say something to the boy in surprise. Xu Ran could see the sudden light in her eyes, so bright, it made others feel happy.
The joy of youth was so simple, Xu Ran stopped, Xiao Hei generously let the girl pat his head, and Mia acted like a baby to the little girl.
A figure in front of him moved, as if looking this way.
Xu Ran looked up, the man was standing in the shadow, Xu Ran couldn't see his face clearly with the light behind him. But that figure was very familiar, Xu Ran bid farewell to the young couple, and walked forward in the wheelchair.
"Hello, are you..."
Hearing his voice, the man paused, then suddenly turned and entered the back door of the coffee shop.
"Hey, please wait!"
Xu Ran quickly caught up and looked in through the back door, only to find that the man had disappeared into the crowd.
He should have left through the front door, Xu Ran frowned troubledly, he didn't know what kind of monster he was, he could make even a big man refuse to look at him.
His appearance in a wheelchair is not very beautiful, but... he can't hide like this.
Xu Ran felt a little depressed, handed Xiao Hei to the clerk, and said, "I'll pick it up at night."
At half past six in the evening, there were finally fewer people in the coffee shop. Xu Ran closed the door ahead of time to pick up Xiao Hei to go home. When he arrived at the coffee shop, he saw Tong Fangfang sitting by the door, breaking open a fish intestine.
Tong Fangfang's face was exhausted, and it seemed that she was very busy. When she saw Xu Ran, she only raised her hand to say hello, but she couldn't even stand up.
Xu Ran entered the store from the side slope. I don't know why there is a disabled passage at the door of this store, but it is convenient for him to get in and out.
The clerk offered a cup of apple tea. Fresh apple juice is mixed with green tea, which is cool and slightly bitter, bringing a mouthful of fragrance.
"By the way," he asked, "is there a man in a suit in your store? I saw him come in through the back door this afternoon, but left soon."
Tong Fangfang thought for a while and said, "Maybe it's our boss? He seems to have been here today, but I didn't pay attention. There are too many people in the afternoon."
He is the boss, Xu Ran thought, and it really fits everyone's description of him all the time.
Tong Fangfang was bored holding Xiao Hei to watch the sunset. Suddenly, Xiao Hei jumped off her lap and jumped into the back door path beside her.
"Hey?" Tong Fangfang probed to look, and was suddenly taken aback, "Boss? Why are you here?"
The man opened the back door with one hand, and was a little taken aback when he saw the little black cat suddenly appear.
Tong Fangfang immediately turned her head and said to the store, "Brother Xu, our boss is here! Just behind..."
She was stunned, and swallowed the words she hadn't said yet.
Xu Ran's expression was very strange, as if indifferent, but also faintly flickering with a faint light, his eyes were terribly calm, and she didn't dare to continue talking.
"I know." Xu Ran turned his back to the back door, his voice was cold, "Thank you."
He came out of the coffee shop, came to the intersection, and said, "Xiao Hei, come here."
Xiao Hei refused, pestering the man for a hug. The man leaned over and pushed it.
Xu Ran didn't rush, just waited quietly. His wheelchair was facing the path, and he didn't look at the man, but kept watching the people coming and going in the distance. There seems to be two worlds with them. The students are laughing and playing, and the sound reaches the ears from afar. It is very lively.
Finally, Xiao Hei realized that he couldn't get any delicious snacks today, and returned to Xu Ran's arms in some confusion.
"...Brother Xu?" Sensing something was wrong, Tong Fangfang called him cautiously.
Xu Ran lowered his head, smiled, and said to her, "I've worked hard today, so I'm leaving first."
"Ah good… "
Tong Fangfang stared blankly at his disappearing figure. The back of the wheelchair was covered with a layer of soft orange light by the afterglow of the setting sun. For some reason, a strong uneasiness suddenly rose in her heart.
"Boss!" She turned around after Xu Ran left, and asked in surprise, "Did you offend Brother Xu?"
Xu Ran has such a good temper, how could he leave without saying hello
The man's expression was complicated, and he nodded after a while.
Tong Fangfang frowned. Although she has no right to take care of the boss's personal affairs, if it affects the cooperation between the two stores, she will be the first to refuse.
"Didn't you ask me to take care of Brother Xu's business back then..." She murmured softly, not daring to say too much.
If there is a conflict, let's talk about it earlier, what will happen if she is caught between the two in the future.
From that day on, Xu Ran put Xiao Hei in a cage and forbade him to run around again.
"Hey, it's dangerous outside," Xu Ran gently coaxed the black cats running around in the cage, "What if they are caught by bad guys?"
There was a cat climbing frame in a cage that was as tall as a person, and Xiao Hei climbed to the top floor, condescendingly looking down on stupid humans.
"Don't look at me like that." Xu Ran said helplessly, "I don't want to lock you up either."
Xiao Hei pouted his butt and turned around to ignore him.
Xu Ran was speechless. He quietly looked at the back of the little black plush for a long time before returning to the back of the bar.
There were no customers in the store, so Xu Ran turned on the computer speakers, and the soft music flowed in the quiet little book bar, filling every empty corner, and then slipped away through the doors and windows, scattered under the warm spring sun.
Listening to the music, he slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"The manager?"
Xu Ran opened his eyes and saw a high school student standing in front of the bar, looking at him hesitantly.
After a pause of two seconds, Xu Ran showed a gentle smile, as if the emotions surging in his heart just now were all illusions, on the surface the clouds were calm, and there was no sign of wavering.
"Good afternoon," he said to the child with a smile, "What would you like to order?"
In any case, life still needs to be passed day by day, Xiao Hei gradually adapted to the life in the cage, lazily lying on the cat climbing frame to accept the crowds of guests. Xu Ran never went to the coffee shop again, but Tong Fangfang took the initiative to call and stammered an apology.
"Well, I didn't know that you and our boss...uh, know each other." She said in a low voice, "If I had known, I wouldn't have always made arrangements for you to meet. I'm really sorry."
Xu Ran played with the cat teasing stick, hooking Xiao Hei in the cage to jump up and down, and said softly, "It's okay, this is our own problem, and it's not your fault."
He paused and said, "Your boss, are you very concerned about this store?"
Tong Fangfang thumped in her heart, thinking, the fact that the boss asked her to go shopping in the book bar won't be discovered, right
Seeing that she was silent, Xu Ran didn't ask any more questions, but just said, "He is my former... friend."
That day in the coffee shop, he only saw the flashing face of the man behind the door. But he couldn't forget those eyes, sharp and deep, like a bright starlight in the night sky. In the depths of the starlight, there was a panic dodging in surprise, even if it only appeared for a few seconds, it did not escape Xu Ran's eyes.
Xu Ran's palm holding the phone trembled slightly, and then gradually regained his composure.
In fact, life did not change in any way because of the accident that evening. Xu Ran still guarded his one-acre three-point land, and never saw that man again.
Maybe it was just an accident, Xu Ran thought, it was a little joke life played on him, and after a while, it will automatically return to the normal track.
No one can affect his mood anymore, Xu Ran has always believed in this for the past three years.
The mid-term exam in high school is approaching, and the students are obviously in a restless mood, and their voices are much louder than usual, and they prefer to go to the book bar to buy things to relieve stress. When Xu Ran packed Xiao Hei's cage, the door wasn't closed properly, so Xiao Hei seized the opportunity and ran out with a whoosh.
Xu Ran couldn't go through the students to chase it, but when he got to the door, he found that several boys used the deflated balloon on the door as a cat teaser, pulled it over and threw it on the ground, making Xiao Hei dumbfounded.
A group of children are laughing. Their laughter was so contagious that Xu Ran couldn't help but twitch the corners of his lips.
"It's so silly," said a boy.
Another girl immediately retorted, "It's so cute." It caused a burst of agreement from the girls.
"Okay, okay," Xu Ran hurried out to smooth things over, "Thank you for your help."
The boy untied the balloon and handed it to Xu Ran. In fact, this is the balloon that lasted the longest in the past three years. The first two balloons were thrown away by Xu's mother when the air was halfway out. This one was just scratched by Xiao Hei, and it was finally scrapped completely.
Xu Ran rubbed the "wreckage" of the balloon, and was about to throw it away, when suddenly his hand paused, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
After a while, he returned to the bar and saw that the children around him were not paying attention, so he took out the scissors from the drawer and cut the balloon open.
In the center of the red shards, a folded piece of paper lay quietly in his palm.
The paper was yellow and rough to the touch. Xu Ran pinched it for a while, then raised his head and looked into the store.
The bookshelves are full of all kinds of books and stationery. The girls beside the desks are whispering about the new issue of comics. The boys are chatting about basketball and the flowers in the next class at the door of the store. Some parents are calling someone by name outside. , the child said goodbye to his friends, and ran to his close relatives with his heavy schoolbag.
It's like a small world here, busy, noisy, but fulfilling. The students bring a bookish atmosphere, mixed with a little bit of fresh warmth in the outside air, lighting up every corner of the small book bar.
In contrast, the piece of paper in the palm of Xu Ran's heart dropped a little cinnabar. He looked at its creases uncontrollably, imagining the scene of unfolding it, but his hands remained motionless.
Finally, he put the piece of paper and the fragments of the balloon in the deepest part of the drawer.
It's just an illusion.
He carried Xiao Hei into the cage, thinking quietly, this is an illusion that cannot happen, and even if it does happen, the ending cannot be happy.
Strong winds are the norm in coastal cities, and the weather has warmed up, but because of the wind, I have to wear a thick coat. Xu Ran simply put a thin blanket on his legs, sitting in front of the store every day, feeling like an old man who sees through the world.
Tong Fangfang came to get the ordered snacks, and smiled when she saw him like this, "Why are you so leisurely?"
Xu Ran smiled, "I can't get busy anymore."
"Well, indeed." She pinched her chin and looked at him, and said, "Your temperament is like this, very good."
Xu Ran really wanted to ask her what kind of temperament she was, but she always felt that she would get an unreliable answer, so she gave up.
It's really a bit too free, and a batch of seafood just started in spring, Xu Ran plans to send some to Dong Ziqi.
Dong Ziqi is a junior this year, and was admitted to his uncle Liu Ming's alma mater three years ago. Now he is preparing to go abroad for exchange with the school's project next year. He has already adapted to life with prosthetic limbs, and sometimes he would ask Xu Ran questions online, and the two have become good friends.
If it was sent to Dong Ziqi, Liu Ming would also send a copy. Liu Ming moved from the southernmost tip of his country to the inland this year. He is exploring new markets and running around all day. Xu Ran called him directly, so as not to change the place after the item was delivered.
I haven't seen you for a while, but Liu Ming is still as straightforward as before. After a few words, he suddenly asked, "Do you have something on your mind?"
Xu Ran was taken aback, and instinctively wanted to say no, but for some reason, he didn't say it all at once.
Liu Ming knew that he had guessed right, and said, "Is it still the same thing as before?"
"What happened before?" Xu Ran was a little unconvinced.
"You know it in your heart." Liu Ming said.
Xu Ran was suddenly discouraged by what he said.
That's right, he knew exactly what it was.
Xu Ran lowered his eyes, looked at the closed drawer, and said for a while, "Maybe."
"You have made progress in the past few years," Liu Ming said slowly after taking a sip of water, "but people can't be changed overnight. Three years is still too short."
Xu Ran didn't understand, "What did you say?"
"I mean, you have changed a lot, but you haven't changed deep down. You are still you. Sometimes, you don't have to completely overthrow the past self. You can try to face the past, maybe it will be better than you. It is more useful to just force yourself to escape."
After saying this, the two of them were silent for a long time at the same time.
Liu Ming sighed quietly and asked, "What's the date today?"
"Today?" Xu Ran looked at his watch and reported the date.
Suddenly, he was stunned, and memories swept over him like a torrent of rivers and seas.
He suddenly felt it was difficult to breathe, and he grabbed his chest hard to prevent himself from falling into the sudden emotion.
"Look, you can't forget." Liu Ming said, "I'm not telling you to look back, but you have to learn to accept this unforgettable self."
"I… "
Xu Ran stuttered for a long time, but did not say a complete sentence.
After a long time, he asked, "How do you know?"
"Why can't I know?" Liu Ming asked back.
Knowing that he couldn't get anything out of his mouth, Xu Ran took a few deep breaths and gradually made up his mind.
As if sensing what he was thinking, Liu Ming smiled, "Sometimes, accepting the past is not to forgive others, but to let yourself go."
"Or, the next time this happens again, are you sure you can continue? Next time, what about next time?"
Xu Ran touched the handle of the drawer, thinking about something quietly.
Liu Ming called him, "Same as three years ago, I'm on your side."
Xu Ran laughed.
"I know, thank you." There was a light orange light in his eyes, warm and strong.
After hanging up the phone, Xu Ran opened the drawer and took out the paper.
He took a deep breath and opened it slowly.
The words on it were very short, and he read them over and over again, and then looked at the time.
At nine o'clock in the evening, the small city has basically fallen into a deep sleep. The shops facing the street closed one after another, Xu Ran locked the door of the small book bar, and took Xiao Hei along the road all the way home.
He walked slowly, as if thinking about something, but he didn't stop.
In the square outside the community, the dancing uncles and aunts had already packed up and returned home, leaving an empty and lonely place. In the very center of the square, a man stood. The moonlight shone on his shoulders, casting a lonely shadow on the cold stone floor.
The man looked at him, and Xu Ran also looked at the man. They looked at each other from a distance, then Xu Ran lowered his head and opened the door of the pet box.
Xiao Hei jumped on the ground, shook his body, meowed happily, and ran towards the man.
The man squatted down and gently stroked the cat wrapped around his feet.
Xu Ran looked at the top of his hair quietly, then stepped forward and said softly, "Long time no see."
The man raised his head, his eyes were like torches.
Xu Ran handed him the paper, "Have you been waiting here for a long time?"
The time written on the note was five o'clock in the evening, four hours. Could this man have been standing here without leaving
The man didn't take the paper, but just shook his head.
"It's okay," his voice was a little hoarse, and his deep voice touched the listener's nerves. "How long I will wait for you."
"What if I don't come?"
Xu Ran looked at the side door, he could enter the community from that side without passing through the square.
The man paused for a moment, and then said firmly, "I'll wait."
Xu Ran looked up at him. In his memory, there were very few times when he looked up at men like this. In the past, they were all sitting, or one behind the other, one staring at the back, and the other refused to look back.
"He Cheng." Xu Ran seemed unable to hear his own voice, and paused, "What are you doing here?"
The man in suit and leather shoes in front of him was as energetic as he remembered, as if the last time he was injured in D City was in his previous life. He became calmer, at least for now, he didn't show the same impatient or irritable expression as before.
He Cheng gestured to the note in Xu Ran's hand with his eyes. Xu Ran spread out the paper again, exposing the words on it to the moonlight.
-Sorry. Five o'clock in the evening, the old place, I want to see you.
"You're the little bear who blows out the balloons." Xu Ran didn't know if he should be happy, but this man was wearing a silly cartoon suit? No matter how you think about it, the style of painting is weird.
He Cheng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but finally swallowed the words.
"Is this also in the balloons from the previous two years?" He asked holding up a note.
He Cheng nodded.
The previous balloon was thrown away before it was completely deflated, Xu Ran naturally had no chance to discover the clues inside.
"I know you might not have noticed," He Cheng said hoarsely, "but I'm here every year."
Today is the anniversary of their being together. Every year on this day, He Cheng would fly over without telling his family and wait in the small square.
You come, I will be there.
as long as you come.
Xu Ran hummed, and called to the ground, "Xiao Hei, you're home."
He Cheng became anxious all of a sudden, grabbed his wheelchair, and let it go quickly, "Let's... talk?"
"I don't know what you're here for, but I guess we have nothing to talk about."
Xu Ran embraced the warm Xiao Hei, and said calmly, "I came to see you because my friend taught me to face myself. It's not for you."
"...I know." He Cheng squeezed his numb palms, "I, I just..."
He took a deep breath, "Three years ago, I failed to invest here. Now that I'm back, I'll try to see if I can do it. It's a shame. The shop location was chosen by those in the coffee shop. I... I'm afraid I'll scare you. Don't worry about it. "
Xu Ran nodded, "Okay, I don't care."
He turned to leave, but stopped again, "It's a courtesy, anyway, I have to say, thank you for the balloon."
Then he left, with Xiao Hei meowing, and disappeared behind the warm orange light of the lobby of the community.
He Cheng stood in the dark small square and closed his eyes.
Xu Ran's fading back seems to be tearing at his heart, trying to take his flesh and blood away from his body and disappear together.
He remembered this heart-piercing feeling. Since three years ago, every time he waited here, he could clearly feel what it was from disappointment to despair. He has never waited for anyone, and he has experienced the pain, but even so, he will still wait stubbornly next year.
In contrast, it was much better when Xu Ran didn't show up, and he could still lie to himself that Xu Ran didn't see the note, not because he didn't want to see each other. But this time, he was completely sentenced to death for his careful thinking.
Afraid of scaring him, he could only use the shame as an excuse and carefully avoid opening his wounds. But Xu Ran said so naturally, I don't mind.
With a light and fluttering sentence, He Cheng's heart instantly fell to the bottom of the valley.
He stood there for a long time, until his body began to feel cold, he moved his stiff legs and walked away.
In fact, there is no difference between seeing and not seeing.
He had expected Xu Ran to have this kind of reaction, and he would not be too disappointed. It's normal, He Cheng thought, if Xu Ran could chat with him without hesitation, it would be abnormal.
In three years, Xu Ran has changed a lot, and he has also changed a lot.
The thirty-one-year-old waited silently, unable to move others, and could only deceive himself.
He walked faster and faster on the deserted street, the moonlight elongated his figure, leaving a hazy light.
Xu Ran is doing well, as he has confirmed all these years, he is really doing well.
Great.
He Cheng came to the front of the car, covered his face hard, and suppressed the choking in his throat.
"I'm sorry..." He murmured, facing the evening breeze in spring and the swaying shadows of the street trees.
I know it's pointless to say this now, but, really, I'm sorry.