During the dinner, the elders were chatting happily, and Xu Nanfang also took the initiative to bring up some topics with the elders. The men gathered together to talk about some anecdotes and interesting things they encountered in business, but I always felt that Nanfang looked lonely, as if he was from another world.
My sister, who arrived later, sat with me and took out the printed headscarf she had just bought on the street and asked us for our opinions. I smiled and replied, "It's very beautiful!"
The mother also praised, "You have good taste. Why don't you stay for a few days and let Qiuqiu take you around. There are many places worth visiting in Shancheng!"
The little sister giggled happily. Several girls were quite interested in the spicy dishes, panting as they ate. My mother hurriedly asked the waiter to bring ice water. The men opened a few bottles of "French" red wine, which my father used to entertain guests. The girls drank sparkling wine, which was amber in color, not as good as the rose champagne that Shuming took me to drink. It had a stronger astringent taste and was slightly sour.
Maybe it was because of the alcohol, my heart was beating wildly. I turned around and found that Nan Fang was also staring at me. We both turned away in panic.
The youngest sister pouted at him and teased, "Hey, hey, hey, when have you ever been embarrassed to look at pretty girls?"
Xu Nanfang raised his glass and nodded to us, "To the ladies present here!"
Several aunts laughed, and my mother laughed along. Nan Fang quickly avoided my gaze and returned to the topic of the men's circle.
The meal lasted a long time. The uncles came over to toast the ladies. Xu Nanfang also slowly stood up and walked around the table to pour wine for us. Mother raised her chin slightly and looked at him with a smile, "Hey, Nanfang, you are 26 this year, right? I heard that you are a top student who came back from the United States. You are very handsome and will be the successor of the Xu family in the future."
The aunts also said, "Yes, in two years it's time to get married and start a family, start a family and start a career."
Nanfang smiled respectfully at the elders and walked to the corner to pour wine for me. I tactfully held out the wine glass. White pearl-like bubbles rose continuously from the bottom of the glass, overflowed from the mouth of the glass, and flowed down my hand. He forgot to stop. Just as I was about to press the mouth of the glass and say to him, "It's full," I saw Xu Nanfang bend down, slightly hold my hand, take a deep sip from the edge of the glass, and half of the wine in the glass was gone.
"Wow!" exclaimed the youngest sister.
My mother also looked over here. I was quite embarrassed and startled by his strange behavior. Before I could react, he had already walked back to his seat slowly, and from a distance he gave me a mischievous look and a meaningful smile.
At this moment, I felt a little familiar, that boy whose laughter was like the sea and whose eyes were filled with sunshine.
I really wanted to ask, what happened to his leg? Where did he fall? But with so many people sitting across from him, I was too embarrassed to ask. The strange thing was that no one seemed to be very tactful and mentioned it. It seemed that it was a bit serious, and even the naughty sisters didn't mention it. I secretly became worried.
When the show was over, my father arranged a car to take them to the hotel. Xu Nanfang approached, waved to me, quickly walked around to the other side of the car, and sat in the back seat. I suddenly realized that when he walked slowly, it was not noticeable if you didn't pay attention. The faster he walked, the more obvious the imbalance of his legs became.
I had prepared the topic for the whole night, but I didn't say a word. I was just fooled by him again for no apparent reason, and I was still holding my breath.
On the way home, sitting in the silver Audi that my father had recently purchased, my mother looked out the window thoughtfully and said to herself, "No matter how capable and excellent he is, it's still a pity."
"Ah?" I turned my head to look at my mother.
She said with some regret, "Didn't you see it?... This family is really complicated. They seem to be harmonious on the surface, but I don't know what they are up to behind the scenes. Xu Yiran secretly told me that those legs are fake, just because they can't give birth to a boy, so there are few male offspring in this generation."
Ah! Why do I feel like I was hit by a club? The father in the passenger seat turned around and looked at the mother, "Xiaorong, why are you saying this? After all, our two families are relatives."
Is that fake? Ah! No, how could it be? The more I think about it, the more I regret that I didn't ask. As a friend, it's reasonable to show concern, right? Besides, we don't have anything. The past is over, and I have found a new home.
I felt really bad. I also wanted to tell him, Nan Fang, if you can leave during the New Year's Day, you are welcome to come to Chongqing to attend our wedding, and please bless me...
Why does my heart hurt
I went back home and put some hot water in it to soak in. In the mist, many past events gradually became clear to me. But when they were about to appear through the thick fog, they drifted away again. What is gone is still gone eventually, right
Shu Ming's routine call didn't come, and I couldn't wait any longer, so I called him, "You're such a busy man!"
"No, no, I was thinking of calling you to report the situation as soon as I get home. What makes you so excited today?" Shu Ming is worthy of being Shu Ming. He always understands my needs and is willing to talk to me.
"No, I had dinner with the Xu family tonight. I'm tired."
"Rest early if you are tired."
"I can't sleep. I feel upset."
Shu Ming laughed softly, very understandingly, "I guess, today, Qiuqiu must have met a god."
"What?"
"Some deity must have offended my girl, otherwise why would she be upset?"
I cried out in my heart. Li Shuming had seen through everything without making a sound. He quickly changed the subject, "I ordered a cheongsam a few days ago. Today, I went to the store and suddenly fell in love with another improved style, with light pink fabric and embroidered peonies on it."
"Why not come back and choose later."
Having said that, I can't help but be satisfied.
The next day when I went to work, I saw a few colleagues whispering in the lounge at noon. Qiufang was among them. Everyone knew that she had acquaintances in the head office and was well-informed. Everyone also liked to ask her for some gossip. Of course, she would reveal some irrelevant news from time to time, but she would keep the important things to herself.
"Hey, now it's his turn—" someone whispered.
Qiu Fang took a sip of water and said, "Not necessarily. There is a fight for it."
"Is there any news?" I also became interested in their topic.
Zhang Zhihui in the office laughed, "Didn't you know that the boss in charge of our department in Beijing has left?"
I shook my head. How could that be possible? I didn't hear Shuming mention it on the phone yesterday. I was about to ask again when the director happened to pass by. We quickly dispersed. The latest risk analysis report came out. The director asked everyone to read it carefully. Qiufang sent a message on MSN: You really don't know
Me: Any news
Qiufang: Ahem, at the head office, the head of our department suddenly resigned and joined a foreign bank.
Me: Really
I became suspicious, because I didn't hear him yesterday. He was busy talking about his own thoughts and didn't give him the chance to tell me these.
Qiufang: You didn't know? Muzi has a chance.
I:… ..
Qiufang: Ahem, you are such a tight-lipped guy.
I felt as if I was choked, and didn't know what to say for a moment. Someone actually knew about it, even though my relationship with Shuming had never been made public. The wedding invitation had not been sent out yet. He had planned to arrange a job for me there, and it would not be too late to talk about it when I got out of this circle.
There is no such thing as a wall that is impenetrable. (To be continued)