paddock

The sky was a little cloudy, as if it was about to rain, and the capital city was blowing with a slightly cold wind, bringing the coolness of early autumn.Yuan Ning went back to the dormitory, put on a thin coat, and went out.Even if Ms. Xue didn't say anything, he was still going to Zhang Xiuyan's side. After all, it was impossible not to see my brother when he came.It's just that I was busy reporting when I came here, and I went to the Chess Association with Zhou Yulin just now, so I delayed the phone call.

Yuan Ning reached into his pocket and found the key to Zhang Xiuyan's residence.In the past few years, he has been holding the key, and occasionally lived with Zhang Xiuwen and the others for two days, but he never went there by himself.In the presence of a third person, the strange atmosphere between them disappeared, as if it had never existed.

Thinking of the task given by Ms. Xue, Yuan Ning felt heavy in her heart, as if pressing on a big rock.He was standing in front of the door holding the key in his pocket in a daze when he suddenly heard Zhang Xiuyan's voice behind him: "Why don't you go in?"

Yuan Ning was taken aback.He turned his head to look at Zhang Xiuyan.Zhang Xiuyan was still half a head taller than him, and the gap seemed to never close.Compared with before, Zhang Xiuyan looked calmer and more silent. He seemed very quiet, but his deep and magnetic voice seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts.Yuan Ning lied: "Looking for the key."

Zhang Xiuyan took out the key from his pocket, stretched his hand forward from Yuan Ning's side, inserted it into the keyhole, and opened the door.

Yuan Ning felt Zhang Xiuyan's aura suddenly invaded, leaving him nowhere to escape.After the door in front of him opened, Yuan Ning strode in and took a deep breath.He looked at the furnishings in the house and found that it was no different from before.Some things were used up and worn out, so Zhang Xiuyan went to buy new ones. Zhang Xiuyan had a good memory, and the ones he bought were exactly the same as the ones he had picked back then.

The elder brother is a nostalgic person, and he will not easily replace the things he is used to.Yuan Ning regained his composure and said, "Did brother get off work so early?"

"Mm." Zhang Xiuyan stared at Yuan Ning's childish face.He left work early because he was going to find Yuan Ning.Since the relationship between them was disturbed by Ryan, they were no longer as close as before, and he hadn't even looked at Yuan Ning for a long time.He left work early because he wanted to find Yuan Ning.After all, Yuan Ning is his younger brother. If Yuan Ning came to report and he didn't go and take a look, it would seem a little strange——

In the past six years, when facing Yuan Ning, he has been thinking about how a "normal brother" should treat his younger brother - less closeness, less intimacy, less thoughts and concerns that are constantly cut and messed up, and how to treat Zhang Xiuwen. They are no different, and even if they have not seen each other for several months, they will not be missed too much.

Everything seemed to be back to normal.It's normal for him to feel for a moment that his life should be like this. Every day he is busy and moving forward alone, never stopping, never looking back, and never having any unrealistic thoughts.Maybe the infinite intimacy in those years was an accident, and this is the life he can't get rid of all his life.

If Yuan Ning never appeared, such a life seems to be fine.There is nothing wrong with being alone, and there is nothing wrong with being busy every day. He has his ideals and ambitions. Even if Mr. Zhang doesn't ask him to, he will never let himself relax.

If Yuan Ning never appeared.

Zhang Xiuyan looked away.The room seemed to become narrow, no matter which corner Yuan Ning went to in the room, there seemed to be no distance between them.Yuan Ning was right in front of his eyes, and he could feel the closeness of each other's breath.

No.

Zhang Xiuyan took a deep breath, and was about to say something to break the strangely quiet atmosphere, when Yuan Ning turned his head and said, "Brother, let's go out for dinner."

Zhang Xiu looked at Yuan Ning strictly.

Yuan Ning said: "Uncle Lian has a new dish, let us go over and try it!" Yuan Ning had a smile on his face, and his voice was very natural.

Zhang Xiuyan knew that Yuan Ning's ranch was cooperating with Mr. Lian, so he nodded when he heard that, took out a thin coat and put it on, and went out with Yuan Ning.Zhang Xiuyan already has a driver's license and a car.He had just started working for a few years, and it was too ostentatious to ask a driver to pick him up and drop him off every day, so he usually drove by himself.

Yuan Ning got into the car, fastened his seat belt, glanced at Zhang Xiuyan, who was about to concentrate on driving, and couldn't help but said, "Brother, if you usually work too late, you still have to ask Uncle Qian to pick you up. Fatigue driving is very difficult. dangerous."

Zhang Xiuyan nodded.He cherishes his body very much, no matter how busy he is at work, he will not keep himself busy until too late.

"Does elder brother have to socialize frequently?" Yuan Ning continued to ask.

"Occasionally." After all, it's not the same as before.He has not reached the level of Mr. Zhang who does not need to care about entertainment.

"Then ask Uncle Qian to pick him up after drinking." Yuan Ning seriously urged.

Zhang Xiuyan turned his head and met Yuan Ning's overly bright eyes.Yuan Ning has been worrying since he was a child, even if there is something wrong with a flower, he has to worry for a long time, let alone his big brother.Yuan Ning is sensitive, he only showed his intention to alienate a little, drew the line that didn't exist, and Yuan Ning obediently stood outside the line.

This is not fair to Yuan Ning.After all, the embarrassment between them has nothing to do with Yuan Ning.In Yuan Ning's eyes, he is a very good big brother, capable, reliable, and very nice to people—Yuan Ning thinks he is good in everything, so he wants to get close to him and get close to him.This is very natural.

It was he who didn't dare to let Yuan Ning get too close.

He was afraid that he would be greedy for warmth, he was afraid that he would become the perverted pedophile who was shot that fall, and he was afraid that he would really have the kind of evil thoughts towards his brother that Ryan guessed that he shouldn't have.Zhang Xiuyan's throat twitched slightly, and it took a while before he spoke to reassure Yuan Ning: "I will not drive while fatigued, let alone drink and drive."

"Brother naturally can't." Yuan Ning also realized that he was worrying blindly, "Brother has passed these tests when he took the driver's license test!"

Zhang Xiuyan nodded.

Yuan Ning counted and was a little disappointed: "I still have two years to get a driver's license." Before Zhang Xiuyan could speak, he comforted himself again, "However, the traffic in the capital is very convenient! Whether it is a bus or a taxi, it is very convenient. convenient!"

Zhang Xiuyan said, "If you need anything, you can find me and Uncle Qian."

Yuan Ning nodded vigorously, then looked at the scenery outside the window and stopped talking.There is a lot of estrangement between him and his elder brother. In the past, he couldn't help but tell his elder brother about whatever happened to him. It seemed that he had endless things to say every day, and he was reluctant to hang up the phone every time.Now that he has seen his elder brother for so long, he hasn't talked to him about going to the Chess Association today, nor about the various things that happened during the summer vacation——

It was eerily quiet.Yuan Ning was a little sad, looking at the yellowing leaves outside, his heart felt slightly astringent.

Even though his elder brother was sitting beside him, he still missed his elder brother very much.

He really misses that big brother that he can kiss and hug.

Obviously Zhang Xiuyan hasn't changed too much, and Mingming is still sitting beside him, but it feels like he is no longer his big brother.

So strange and so far away.

Make him want to be close and afraid to be close.

If he told his eldest brother his likes and desires unreservedly like before, his eldest brother would definitely hate him and stay away from him, thinking that he was ignorant and abnormal.Yuan Ning's nose was acidic, and he couldn't help taking a breath.

"Cold?" Zhang Xiuyan frowned and asked.

"A little bit." Yuan Ning took out a tissue, covered his nose, his voice was a little hoarse, "Maybe I'm not used to the weather in the capital, it's much drier here than at home, and my nose doesn't feel very comfortable."

Zhang Xiuyan looked at the signboard on the side of the road, stopped the car ahead, turned his head and told Yuan Ning, "Wait in the car." He got out of the car, went into the pharmacy and bought some cold medicine and cold granules, as well as some moisturizers. Throat lozenges, by the way, asked the clerk for a cup of hot water, took it back to the car and stuffed it for Yuan Ning, "It may be difficult to get used to it when you first come here, take some medicine after dinner at night, if your throat is uncomfortable, take a candy to moisten your throat .”

Yuan Ning held the warm cup and nodded obediently, but her nose became more sour for no reason.Fortunately, his eyes were not red, and his tears did not flow out obediently.

When Yuan Ning finished drinking the water, Shuiyunjian also arrived.Shuiyunjian still opened there quietly, completely different from the noisy environment around it, but it didn't seem abrupt at all.Yuan Ning walked two steps faster than Zhang Xiuyan, and reported the name of the room to the waiter.

Yuan Ning looked a little hurried, Zhang Xiuyan was suspicious, and followed the waiter inside.As soon as the door of the box opened, Zhang Xiuyan's suspicion became more serious.Even though there were only the two of them, the box was not too small, it looked like a gathering of many people.

Yuan Ning pulled Zhang Xiuyan to sit down with a guilty conscience, but before he could explain, the door was pushed open again.The waiter who pushed the door was followed by a few people, and in front of them was a couple. The man looked kind and walked steadily, and the woman was gentle and dignified. They looked like intellectuals.Behind them were two girls, one was about 20 years old, the other was only in his teens, about the same age as Yuan Ning, and they both looked good.The two girls had a bit of timidity on their faces, and the 20-year-old girl looked carefully at Zhang Xiuyan, and at the same time as her younger sister, with a little more shyness in her timidity.

Zhang Xiuyan's hand resting on the table tightened slightly.It's all like this, how can he not see what's going on?There was a burst of anger in his heart, and he wanted to get angry, but his good family education prevented him from doing this kind of thing.Zhang Xiuyan stood up, went up to shake hands with the man who walked into the box first: "Uncle Liang."

Seeing that Zhang Xiuyan stood up to greet him, Mr. Liang was very happy, and sat down under Zhang Xiuyan's greeting.He chatted enthusiastically with Zhang Xiuyan.Since Zhang Xiuyan stepped into the official career, many people have taken a fancy to the "son-in-law" of Zhang Xiuyan.His wife is one of them. His wife is Ms. Xue's classmate. The more she looks at Zhang Xiuyan, the more she is satisfied.

The child is not young anymore, and Ms. Xue was a little moved when she heard it.However, Ms. Xue also said that she has no way to interfere with Zhang Xiuyan's feelings - Zhang Xiuyan has had his own opinions since he was a child, and it is difficult to be influenced by others. It is better to see Zhang Xiuyan's own opinion.Zhang Xiuyan was also not happy about such a blind date. Fortunately, his younger brother just reported to the Capital University, so it should be no problem for his younger brother to call him out.

So there was this meeting.

Yuan Ning was also very disturbed.He knew Zhang Xiuyan very well, even if he was unhappy in his heart, Zhang Xiuyan would not show it in front of others.If Zhang Xiuyan would be angry, he would probably only be angry with him.Seeing Zhang Xiuyan talking with Mr. Liang, Yuan Ning couldn't help but look at the two girls.

It looks really good, and it makes people feel kind when they look at it.Yuan Ning smiled at them, and introduced the dishes here to the girl sitting closer to him.He is acquainted with Mr. Lian, and he can order many dishes that need to be ordered in line. Mrs. Liang, who is next to him, is a little surprised and admires the ability of Zhang's family even more.She noticed that Zhang Xiuyan didn't even look at her two beautiful daughters, and was a little disappointed.

Zhang Xiuyan's character is obviously not gentle and considerate at first glance. She only has two daughters, and she taught them carefully since she was a child, and they are all loved and loved as treasures.If you find an uncaring son-in-law, life might not be too happy!

Mrs. Liang's thoughts gradually rested, and when she turned her head and saw Yuan Ning was making tea for her youngest daughter, her eyes lit up.Although the little girl is still young, she is almost an adult!Mrs. Liang asked with a smile: "You are Ningning, right? Your mother often mentioned you to us, saying that you are the most considerate and meticulous."

Yuan Ning said embarrassedly: "No, my mother is our mother, so naturally I think we are good in everything."

Mrs. Liang liked it even more.She did often hear Ms. Xue mentioning Yuan Ning. This child is young, but he does things properly, has a sweet mouth and a good personality. There is nowhere to look for him with a lantern.Mrs. Liang thought of Ms. Xue saying that Yuan Ning had just reported at the Capital University, so she couldn't help but said, "Are you only 16 years old? Have you already been admitted to university?"

"Just went to report today."

"Wow, it's amazing, it's Capital University!" The girl sitting beside Yuan Ning was amazed.Compared with Zhang Xiuyan, who was more like their father with a sullen face, it was Yuan Ning who made her more relaxed.

"It's nothing." Yuan Ning looked at the girl, feeling that her personality was similar to Hao Xiaolan's, and unconsciously softened her tone, "The scented tea here is pretty good, try it, it's very good for girls."

Zhang Xiuyan withdrew his attention from the conversation.He looked over at Yuan Ning, and found that the girl asked Yuan Ning enthusiastically what the effects of these scented teas were, while Mrs. Liang next to her looked at Yuan Ning with admiration as a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law.

A nerve in Zhang Xiuyan's brain snapped.He constantly exudes low air pressure, making Yuan Ning quickly notice his sight.

Yuan Ning hurriedly said: "The dishes should be ready soon, I'll go and have a look!"

Mrs. Liang also looked away embarrassedly.She brought her little daughter with her and didn't think about making her a pair with Yuan Ning, after all, her little daughter is still young.Yuan Ning is still young, think about it in another way, if someone brings his son to see his underage daughter, he will be unhappy.Under the staring gaze of her husband, Mrs. Liang bit the bullet and introduced the eldest daughter to Zhang Xiuyan, knowing in her heart that this matter probably would not happen.

When Yuan Ning came in from the outside, the dishes began to be served one after another.Yuan Ning let the waiter not have to work around, and introduced various dishes to Mr. Liang's family.The delicious food made the atmosphere gradually liven up, and the two girls could finally ignore Zhang Xiuyan's low pressure and happily talked to Yuan Ning.When it was time to say goodbye, they took the initiative to ask Yuan Ning for the phone number of the dormitory, expressing that they wanted to find Yuan Ning to come out to play when they were free.

Yuan Ning was embarrassed to reject the girls, so he could only write them the phone number.

Zhang Xiuyan watched from the side without saying a word.

Yuan Ning said goodbye to Mr. Liang's family, and followed Zhang Xiuyan back to the car.Zhang Xiuyan's steps were big and fast, as if he didn't want to wait for Yuan Ning at all.

Yuan Ning trotted after him.

"Brother." Yuan Ning called out cautiously.

Zhang Xiuyan didn't stop, he bypassed the driver's seat, opened the car door and got in.

Yuan Ning's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Zhang Xiuyan was angry, she quickly opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat, staring at Zhang Xiuyan's cold profile and continued to shout: "Brother..."

Zhang Xiuyan thought of the scene of Yuan Ning getting acquainted with the two girls just now, and his heart seemed to be on fire.It's fine that this guy tricked him out on a blind date, but he still had such a good time chatting with girls!It's like this in front of his big brother, isn't this guy even more unscrupulous when he doesn't know it?

Zhang Xiuyan didn't start the car, but sat there quietly.

The air in the car seemed to stagnate all of a sudden.Yuan Ning's heart skipped a beat.He hadn't seen Zhang Xiuyan so angry for a long time.

Yuan Ning was a little flustered, and quickly said, "Brother, I didn't trick you out on purpose."

Zhang Xiuyan said nothing.

Yuan Ning said: "Mom asked me to ask you out." He felt sore, "Mom said that you are 22 years old and have reached the legal age of marriage. You should think about dating. Let's talk now and get to know each other well. Look at each other, it will take two years to get married. Brother, didn't you also say that you should get married when you reach the age. "

Zhang Xiu was stunned.He did say that to Yuan Ning, and he always thought so.When you reach the age when you should do something, you should do something—going forward in an orderly and step-by-step manner, and not letting anything deviate from the right track has always been his creed in life.

"I have my own plan." Zhang Xiuyan said firmly, "I will get married, but you don't need to worry about it."

Yuan Ning listened quietly.He also found that he did not do it right, and he would not be happy if it were him.No one likes being lied to, and no one likes other people meddling in their lives.

Yuan Ning suppressed the soreness of his nose: "I'm sorry."

Looking at Yuan Ning's red eyes, Zhang Xiuyan realized that his tone just now was too cold.He felt a little regretful, but he couldn't let Yuan Ning do this kind of thing again.He couldn't tell Yuan Ning how angry he was when he saw Mr. Liang's family walk in just now—that kind of anger was unreasonable—and it shouldn't exist.

That means that he hopes that Yuan Ning cares about him as much as he cares about Yuan Ning—they have been far apart over the years, and the anger that fills his heart reminds him of this rebellious ethics the existence of feelings.

Zhang Xiuyan suddenly realized this, and his throat was blocked all of a sudden.He actually had such terrible thoughts about his younger brother—he thought that after so many years of estrangement, everything would be different, but the solid defense line that had been built in the center of approaching again disappeared in an instant.Zhang Xiuyan clenched his fists, hating Ryan once again.If Ryan hadn't poked everything open—

Zhang Xiuyan came back to his senses.What was he thinking about?If Ryan didn't expose everything, he could continue to get close to Yuan Ning with peace of mind, and maintain a closeness with Yuan Ning that is far beyond that of a brother?This shameful thought made Zhang Xiuyan's whole portrait burn with fire.

this is not right.

He doesn't allow this to happen.

This kind of abnormal longing and abnormal emotion should be killed when it is just sprouting, and it should not be delusional to keep it.

Zhang Xiuyan took a deep breath, calmed down, and turned to look at Yuan Ning's worried face.He said, "This is not an example."

Yuan Ning breathed a sigh of relief.Brother is not angry anymore!Yuan Ning promised: "Next time I will never promise my mother again!" He was also very sad to take his eldest brother to meet a girl.If he can't see or hear, he can stay away silently and bless silently. If he sees and hears, he can't help being sad.Although the girl is very good, he will still be sad.

The eldest brother has reached the age of marriage.

In fact, during the Chinese New Year last year, many people expressed their intention to marry their daughter to Zhang Xiuyan.

The eldest brother said he would get married.

Yuan Ning's eyes were red, and his nose couldn't stop being sour. He didn't dare to look at Zhang Xiuyan, for fear that he would cry out sadly.

"I remember I said," Zhang Xiu's serious voice sounded in Yuan Ning's ears, "Children of the Zhang family are not allowed to fall in love early."

Yuan Ning was taken aback.

He quietly looked at Zhang Xiuyan, and found that Zhang Xiuyan was looking at him seriously.

Yuan Ning nodded blankly: "I remember!"

"Next time, don't be so nice to girls." Zhang Xiuyan understood that Yuan Ning didn't know that Mrs. Liang had a crush on him, and also knew that Yuan Ning didn't mean to please girls—Yuan Ning was just so likable by nature.Zhang Xiuyan said, "If you don't have that kind of thought about them, then don't do that."

"What 'that'?" Yuan Ning was confused.

"Don't smile so gently at them," Zhang Xiuyan said, "don't be so considerate to them. When you get along with the opposite sex, keep an appropriate distance—" Thinking of Jasvin back then, Zhang Xiuyan filled with worry He said, "Also, if someone of the same sex has an act of passing over you, you should also be vigilant."

Yuan Ning nodded, but was a little confused: "But mother said to take care of the girl."

"It can be taken care of," Zhang Xiu said sullenly, "but not too much. Didn't you realize that Mrs. Liang has fallen in love with you just now?"

"what?"

"I want you to be her little son-in-law."