Living alone does not require too much sense of ritual. Christmas, New Year's Day, and Valentine's Day are all the same.
But after Lu Lin moved in, the special day seemed to suddenly feel grand.
Both of them are running fast, and they seldom deliberately romanticize.
Pei Zhuo likes to drink cabbage soup, so Lu Lin cooks cabbage tofu soup every now and then.
In winter, the windows are often covered with fog, and the wind howls outside, occasionally hitting the windows and making them ring.
The dog in the house is rolling around with a ball in its mouth, and the tofu and cabbage are stewed softly in the electric pot, which makes people feel very comfortable.
The dispensable customs gradually came back.
Eat dumplings at the winter solstice, eat apples at Christmas, go to the light show together during the New Year's Eve, kiss in the busy traffic on the streets in the early morning, hug each other and say happy new year with a low smile.
In a blink of an eye, it's winter vacation time.
A year ago, the students were looking forward to the stars and the moon and waiting for the holiday. This year, knowing that the college entrance examination is getting closer, they only hope that the time will slow down and slow down.
During the exam, the school building was in an empty and quiet atmosphere. Occasionally, second-year and first-year students passed by outside the cordon, and would tiptoe curiously to see what was going on inside.
Pei Zhuo became lazy in this atmosphere. He sat in a daze in the front row, occasionally greeted the patrolling teaching team leader, and propped his chin to listen to the rustling of pens in the room.
By the way, things for this year's Chinese New Year haven't been decided yet.
During the Chinese New Year last year, Lu Lin didn't even eat the New Year's Eve dinner. If he hadn't brought dumplings over, he might have dealt with it with a can of beer.
This year they finally fell in love, progressed quickly and moved in together, of course the nature is different.
When Pei Zhuo thought of this period of time, his heart suddenly jumped up, like a child waiting for candy.
He used to feel comfortable being pampered, but only after meeting Mr. Lu did he understand the essence of it, and he was happy to take care of each other and treat each other well all the time.
It's such a joy to be alive.
Pei Zhuo didn't think about the details, and temporarily decided to go to his father's house for a New Year's Eve dinner at noon, and the two of them will spend the New Year's Eve together in the evening.
When he planned these carefully, even if he couldn't see Lu Lin who was invigilating the exam next door, he still felt relaxed and happy.
The winter vacation is only for more than 20 days, and the school is estimated to organize teachers to study together, so there are not many days left.
After taking the English test for more than two hours, Pei Zhuo finally came back to his senses when the bell rang, thinking how the time passed so quickly.
The teacher from the next class was also there when he collected the papers, and looked puzzled: "This time the topic is a bit difficult, but Teacher Pei seems to be in a good mood?"
"Yes, the grades will be more realistic, and the teaching reference will be better." Pei Zhuo smoothed things over without changing his expression.
They put the papers back in the Academic Affairs Office, and as soon as they went out, they met Lu Lin and Teacher Wen walking side by side.
Pei Zhuo retreated to the side without saying a word, and nodded his greetings to them.
The man glanced at him indifferently, and quickly went to put the test paper bag.
When they walked back, there were only the two of them left.
Pei Zhuo speaks very softly in public so that his voice will not be heard and only the two of them can hear it.
"Ms. Lu, I was just thinking about Chinese New Year..."
Lu Lin paused, and suddenly smiled: "I'm thinking about it too."
"I've made several sets of recipes for the New Year's Eve dinner, and I'm not sure about your father's taste." He pinned his hair behind his ears, then turned and walked on: "I haven't decided what wine to pair with yet, so I'll take the exam. it's over."
"No," Pei Zhuo shook his head: "Eat with them at noon, just the two of us at night."
Lu Lin pretended not to understand: "Uncle and the others have an appointment tonight?"
Pei Zhuo knocked him on the head: "I'm the one who won't let him go."
The two turned around and walked down the stairs. A large number of students finished their exams and walked towards their class in groups.
"Teacher Pei is very greedy." Lu Lin said slowly: "We are together every day, why don't you want to part with it during the Chinese New Year?"
Pei Zhuo glanced at him: "You still owe me a plate of dumplings."
"Yes, yes." Lu Lin smiled and said, "It's better to be in debt all the time, so that you will always think of me."
The two returned to Class 1 around the corner, and in a blink of an eye they returned to serious high school teachers. The distance was opened without a trace, and they became very polite.
A small number of students roughly confirmed the test results this time, and it was rare for them to relax and hum songs and play on their mobile phones.
Lu Lin turned a blind eye to the small movements under the table, reiterated the holiday request, and signaled the monitor to send a notice.
As soon as the results of the final exam came out, it was a good start.
Pei Zhuo worked overtime on weekends to make up compulsory lessons for the students. The children made up their English shortcomings very quickly. This year's final grades were three points higher than last year's average, and they were firmly ranked first in the grade.
Several children who took the TOEFL test passed 145, and one of them got a full score directly, and the total score was also very good.
The teachers are like old farmers guarding the crop fields, who let out a sigh of relief when they see the harvest, and can finally spend the new year with peace of mind.
On the day of the holiday, parents came to the teacher with their report cards for confirmation.
They were originally scheduled to disband at 4:00 p.m., and after answering questions with their parents, it was 7:00 p.m. and they hadn't eaten yet.
When driving home again, Pei Zhuo's voice was smoky, and he leaned on Lu Lin to drink water.
While drinking, he let out a long sigh of relief: "It's finally a holiday."
Lu Lin turned the steering wheel and looked sideways at the road conditions: "Go back and get a good sleep, and you don't have to get up early tomorrow."
"I haven't eaten yet."
The man paused, then laughed and said, "I forgot in a hurry."
He turned the car around and took him to an old street not far away to drink mutton soup.
The location of the store is very small, it is a family business of local people, and the craftsmanship and materials are special.
When Pei Zhuo first saw this unremarkable shop, he still felt a little bit unappetizing, and then unknowingly drank three bowls of soup, feeling unsatisfied.
"It's so fresh." He took the tissue and said, "How did Teacher Lu find this place?"
"Actually, I knew it a long time ago, but I didn't know you well last year, so I'm sorry to bring you here."
Pei Zhuo said meaningfully: "That's it."
After paying the bill, Lu Lin put on his coat for him.
"Teacher Pei seldom takes the initiative," the man said in a gentle voice, "I feel that it is not respectful enough to invite rashly."
"What now?"
Lu Lin tucked the scarf for him before opening the door, and said seriously, "I just want to make you happy now."
It doesn't matter who takes the initiative.
Pei Zhuo smiled: "Very happy."
They slept for nearly ten hours, and when they woke up, there was heavy snow outside the window, and the sky was bright.
Pei Zhuo woke up once at six o'clock in the morning according to his biological clock, and took Amao down for a morning run, and when he came back, he put on his pajamas and slipped back into Lu Lin's arms to continue sleeping peacefully.
When I woke up again, the window frames were covered with thick white snow, and the fine fog covered the glass windows, and I couldn't see anything outside.
When Pei Zhuo moved, Lu Lin also moved, stroking his cheek subconsciously, as if to confirm whether he was there.
The two hugged for a while, half asleep and half awake, quietly enjoying the first day of the holiday.
"Why are you still a little unaccustomed." Pei Zhuo buried his face in his arms and whispered, "I may just be a hard worker."
Usually at this time, I have already led the students to read early in the class.
Lu Lin caressed his broken hair intermittently, as if comforting a pet.
"It's windy today, so it's better not to go out."
Pei Zhuo suddenly remembered something, and looked at him from under the quilt.
"The lake should be frozen by now, right?"
"It was frozen last month." Lu Lin kissed his forehead: "Want to go skating?"
"It's idle anyway." Pei Zhuo said energetically: "It's been a long time since I went to Beihai Park to play, shall we go there?"
In fact, today's weather is not suitable for going out.
Lu Lin didn't care. After drinking a bowl of red bean porridge with him, he took the keys and went down to warm up the car. The two drove westward through the wind and snow without hindrance.
The local children grew up skating and playing carts on the lake. Most of them dressed like cotton balls at this time, and had a lot of fun playing in the wild lake and the lake in the park.
Later, the management of the park continued to improve, more projects were launched, and the fees became more expensive.
When they arrived in Beihai, they happened to encounter a crew filming on the lake.
The entrance and exit are sealed by the staff, but the general situation can be seen from the side.
Under the continuous snowfall, there are many groups of performers wearing the armor and robes of the officers and soldiers of the Qing Dynasty, practicing running hard under the camera.
Pei Zhuo looked amused, but was a little disappointed.
"Ice skating is still available at Shichahai," Lu Lin comforted him, "Let's just go around there."
Pei Zhuo hummed, and said with a smile: "The last time I went to Chuan Hutong to play, I also met the film crew shooting scenes. It was quite fun."
They entered the square from the south gate, and had to walk against the wind all the way to the north gate.
In cold weather, children are reluctant to come and play, and they can't meet anyone when they walk inside.
Pei Zhuo put his right hand in his left pocket, and the two of them held tightly.
The north wind was pouring over their heads and faces, and they covered their scarves with disheveled hair, and they walked without grace.
When most of the journey was over, a few workers finally appeared in the distance, sprinkling salt on the ice of the lake on the other side.
Pei Zhuo didn't quite understand, and was led by Lu Lin to turn his head, pointing to a group of wild ducks and mandarin ducks huddled in the corner.
A small half of the corner has been almost melted, the ice melted to reveal the sparkling water, a pair of mandarin ducks slid down to play in the water, and pecked at the falling snowflakes.
Pei Zhuo took out his phone and took a picture, and asked him curiously, "Do you think this is raised in a park, or a wild mandarin duck?"
"It's not like a wild mandarin duck." Lu Lin looked at him sideways: "It's so beautiful, there must be an owner."
Pei Zhuo blinked and nodded frankly: "There is indeed a master."
When they walked out of the north gate, they happened to meet the old lady selling food by the coal stove with her hands covered.
The old man's hair was gray and his cotton-padded jacket had been patched several times. He looked seventy or eighty years old.
Pei Zhuo asked for a piece of sweet potato dripping with honey, and handed over Zhang Bai to confiscate the change.
They found a small shop sheltered from the wind and ate with spoons, resting their feet and watching the lively crowd on the Shichahai Sea.
Lu Lin bought the coffee and brought it over, reaching out and slowly smoothing his hair.
"Why do I feel like a child who was brought out to play?"
"I don't know." Lu Lin looked down at him: "I always want to spoil you like a child, and I was afraid that you would fall when I walked across the ice just now."
Pei Zhuo sighed leisurely: "I knew that falling in love is so good, I should have taken the initiative."
The man wiped his face with a tissue and smiled for a long time.