Baizhou

The morning mist is receding, and the water vapor covered on the leaves of plants and trees condenses into elite dewdrops rolling gently.

The sun is getting stronger, the sky is clear, and there are no clouds in the sky. It seems that today will be a good weather.

Bai Zhou sat down against the wall around the tombstone, leaning towards the photo on the tombstone.After running all the way, Wan Dou was probably tired, so she came over and nestled beside the cypress boat.

"I want it to be with you when I'm not around."

In the past three years, Pea was the only one who accompanied her. It seemed that what Sang Yang said on the night when she brought Pea home that year became a prophecy.

Bai Zhou touched Pea, Pea let out a low whimper, and looked up at her.Bai Zhou smiled at it and let it lean on his lap.

The 26-year-old Bai Zhou has grown into an appearance that Sang Yang has never seen before. She has become withdrawn and gloomy. Her happiness seems to have been sucked away, and she becomes depressed.

But her eyes are still clean and pure, retaining Sang Yang's favorite look.

"Soon, Pea will be four years old on her birthday next month, and now she is a big dog." Bai Zhou said softly, as if they were chatting normally.

During the days when Sang Yang just left, Bai Zhou couldn't get used to it. She didn't seem to have accepted the bad news. Many trivial things surged up like seaweed in the water and entangled her to death.

She has to take care of Sang Yang's funeral, take care of Sang Yang's grieving parents, deal with condolences from relatives and friends, feed peas, and there are many paintings in her hand that have not yet been submitted.

Time moved forward in an orderly manner just like when Sang Yang was still there. Bai Zhou was engulfed by time and propelled forward, doing piecemeal things mechanically and numbly, without even the time to cry.

Until the past three months, the sadness seems to have settled down. Except for the house where they lived together, there are fewer and fewer traces of Sang Yang. Gradually, few people mention her, and few things related to her happen.

As if her existence didn't matter at all, and her leaving wouldn't affect anything.

Only Bai Zhou woke up one morning and saw that the place that belonged to Sang Yang was empty and cold as ice.

A thought suddenly exploded in her mind, Sang Yang left and would never come back.

At that moment, tears flowed down her face, her wooden expression was cracked like glass shattered by a punch, she curled up into a ball, and cried bitterly as she rubbed against Sang Yang's pillow.

After that day, she began to suffer from insomnia, frequent irritability, and inexplicable sudden tears. Her heart seemed to be completely dead, and she could not feel emotions.

Jiang Yuan and the others were very worried about her, so they made an appointment with a psychiatrist for her.

The doctor advised her to move out of the house she lived with Sang Yang and return after her grief subsided.

Bai Zhou couldn't do it.

The house was furnished by her and Sang Yang together, and there is the atmosphere of Sang Yang's existence there, which is the only thing Bai Zhou has now that can feel Sang Yang.

At first, she was obsessed with yin and yin, but then the doctor repeatedly mentioned it, and she got annoyed, so she simply released the doctor's pigeons and never went again.

She is also very curious, after losing Sang Yang, where will her end be in the future without Sang Yang's company.

Until one morning last fall, she took peas out for a walk.

They walked along the asphalt road in the forest, all the way, for an unknown amount of time, until they reached the outside of the cemetery.

She stood outside the cemetery for a long time.She doesn't dare to come here at ordinary times, and she only comes here with Sang Yang's parents every year on Sang Yang's death day and Qingming Festival.

She always felt that she would not be able to control her emotions here, in the place where Sang Yang died.

But that day, I don’t know why, maybe it was because the weather was so good, it reminded her of the autumn when she first met Sang Yang, or maybe she really missed her, thinking that it doesn’t matter if she loses control of her emotions, it doesn’t matter what happens, She couldn't hold it anymore, she just wanted to see Sang Yang.

She walked in leading Pea.

Sang Yang's tomb is in a corner because she likes to be quiet.Bai Zhou has only been here a few times, but she feels that everything here is very familiar. She found the location of the tombstone, saw the silent tomb without any sound, and the big smile on the tombstone.

Strangely, her heart was actually very calm, a long-lost peace, as if she had found a home.

She sat down in front of the tomb, talked a lot with Sang Yang, and then left.

After a few days, she couldn't help but come again, and then the third, fourth, fifth time...

She gradually calmed down and would bring Sang Yang a bouquet of flowers on the side of the road. Sang Yang likes flowers.

Now that she is able to work, she can laugh, she can talk well, she is no longer hysterical, she will take the place of Sang Yang to attend their class reunion, she will take care of Sang Yang's parents, and arrange her life in an orderly manner, just like Sang Yang is still there Same.

The friends were very relieved, but Bai Zhou didn't tell anyone that she would go to the cemetery to see Sang Yang almost every day.Because she knew it was just drinking poison to quench thirst, and others would disagree if they found out.

But she really couldn't find a better way.

"They're going to get together again on Saturday, and it's still that restaurant. I'm really worried that if that restaurant goes bankrupt, they won't be able to find a place to gather." Bai Zhou told a joke that wasn't funny at all, and laughed himself first.

"An art museum opened and sent me an invitation for the opening. The title given to me in the invitation was actually a painter." Bai Zhou said here, with a faint smile on her lips. Her dream since childhood was to be a painter. It was the first time she was called that on such a formal occasion.

Her eyes fell on the photo of the tombstone, as if she was looking at Sang Yang.

"Sister, will you be proud of me?" She asked softly.

The cemetery was silent, and the only answer to her was the wind.

The wind was so soft that it didn't feel like an autumn day, and it slowly blew across Bai Zhou's face, just like many times before, Sang Yang touched her face and looked at her with a gentle smile.

Bai Zhou didn't speak anymore, he was silent for a long time, his thoughts wandered to nowhere in his memory.

After sitting for another half an hour, she stood up: "I'm going back first, and I will come with my uncle and aunt tomorrow."

Speaking of this, she said again: "They are all very well, I will visit every week, you don't have to worry."

Sang Yang naturally wouldn't answer her, it was just her talking to herself from beginning to end.

Bai Zhou turned around and left. After taking a few steps, she stopped again and stared back at the photo on the tombstone.

The corners of her lips were slightly curved, but her eyes were so mournful, and her voice was as soft as the wind in the wilderness: "It's the third anniversary. We used to be seven years apart, but now we are only four years apart. Soon I will I'm catching up with you. Sister, I'm going to catch up with you."

When I got home at about ten o'clock, Bai Zhou gave Pea some water and let it play by itself.

She went into the studio to work until one o'clock in the afternoon, and when she came out, Pea was at the door of the storage room, dragging something backwards out of it.

Bai Zhou called out, "Pea."

When Pea heard the sound, she shook her body, and turned her head to look over in surprise, her dark eyes were still a little shocked and at a loss.

"What's the trouble again?" Bai Zhou said as he walked over.

Pea let out a low whine of guilt, and as soon as Bai Zhou approached, it ran away, leaving a picture frame on the ground.

The most indispensable thing in the house is painting, and there are many well-painted practice pens, and sometimes Bai Zhou will frame them for preservation.

She thought it was one of those brushworks, so she walked over and bent over to pick it up.

When he turned to the front, he was stunned.

This is an oil painting in space, but it is not a practice of her recent painting, but it was drawn when she was a child when she first learned oil painting.

At that time, concepts such as space, universe, and science fiction were just popular, and she was also very interested. She watched some movies on these subjects, and then drew this picture based on the universe she imagined.

The colors used in the painting are gorgeous, the celestial bodies are twinkling, the nebula is hovering, and the colors are very beautiful. In the middle is a flat and round black hole. The black hole looks black, but Bai Zhou remembers that he added some other colors when he was coloring, so that Black holes look like a deep, dark ink blue.

Because she thinks that black holes are not just swallowing, but also hope and mystery, which is very suitable for the vast and endless night sky.

Bai Zhou looked at it for a while, then went out, put the painting on the coffee table casually, and called Pea: "Come here, I will take you to the house of uncle and aunt."

Pea jumped out from a certain corner and ran to her, wagging her tail excitedly. She had already forgotten what she just caused, and only wanted to go to her uncle and aunt's house to play.

Bai Zhou didn't have the heart to scold it, he smiled and patted the dog's head, put a leash on it, opened the door, and took it out.

Sang Yang's parents' house is not far away, and Bai Zhou has been there frequently in the past three years, even more frequently than when Sang Yang was there.

The two of them have retired in the past two years, and they have nothing to do at home. The happiest thing every week is that Bai Zhou takes Pea to see them.

Knowing that Bai Zhou was coming today, I washed the fruits early, bought the ingredients, and waited at home.

When Bai Zhou arrived, it happened to be two or three o'clock in the afternoon. She usually came at this time, and sometimes stayed overnight, sleeping in Sang Yang's former bedroom. Sometimes she was busy with work and had to go home after dinner.

Sang Yang's parents always hoped that she could stay longer, but today she still has a painting to finish, so she has to go home tonight.

"Oh, Doudou is here too." Mama Sang likes Pea very much, and even gave it a pet name.

Pea stuck out her tongue happily, and her wagging tail never stopped. It sat beside Bai Zhou, looking at Mama Sang and Papa Sang with clear eyes, quite polite.

Bai Zhou changed his shoes and wiped Pea's paws before entering the house.

"Come in, I just made tea." Mother Sang said enthusiastically.

Papa Sang had already sat down and poured tea. Before he retired, he was a middle school Chinese teacher. He had a lifetime of occupational diseases, so he spoke seriously, and said involuntarily: "The weather is very dry, Xiaozhou, come and drink some tea to moisten your skin." Yirun, ask your aunt to pack a bag for you when you go back, and you have to drink it yourself at home."

Bai Zhou walked over, took the teacup, and handed some bags to Mama Sang: "I bought some winter clothes, you and uncle will see if you like them."

Mother Sang hurriedly said: "We all have clothes, you are so busy, don't worry about such trivial matters."

"Okay, I won't buy it next time, I'll buy it this time, just take a look." Bai Zhou followed her quickly.

"I say that every time." Sang's mother sighed and muttered, and gave her a sideways glance, but when she opened the bag, she was obviously happy, and went to the room to try it.

The clothes fit well, and the style was in line with Sang's mother's wishes.In the past, when Sang Yang bought clothes for her parents, Bai Zhou would always be there to help with advice. She had already memorized their sizes and preferences, and she had bought so many clothes in the past few years, and she never made a mistake.

"It looks good." Sang's mother had some joy on her face, and she urged Sang's father, "The child has bought clothes, so you can try them too."

Father Sang was not very interested in clothes, he was already setting up the chessboard, and said impatiently: "Xiao Zhou can't go wrong with the one you bought, you can put it away for me, and wear it when it's cold." After finishing speaking, He called Bai Zhou again, "Come and play chess with uncle."

"Okay." Bai Zhou smiled and sat across the chessboard.

As soon as the chess game was set up, it couldn't be over in a few 10 minutes.Mama Sang went to put away the new clothes, and moved a bench to sit next to them.

Papa Sang is a chess fan. He is good at Go and chess, and he is quite proficient.Bai Zhou didn't know how to play chess before, but when Sang Yang brought her home, she was so nervous, afraid that Sang Yang's parents would not like her, so she pestered Sang Yang to ask her uncles and aunts what hobbies they had, and she wanted to follow suit.

Sang Yang couldn't help comforting her at that time, saying that it's okay, if you go, they will all like you.

"My father is a teacher, and my mother is the editor-in-chief of the Children's Literature Publishing House. They love obedient children like you." Sang Yang comforted her with a smile.

How can Bai Zhou relax? She is going to live with Sang Yang for the rest of her life. Sooner or later, she will have to face her parents. The first impression she makes when she first meets her is very important.

She pestered Sang Yang for a long time before she learned that Sang Yang's father likes to play chess.

She didn't know how to play chess, so she went to learn it. It took a month, and she finally completed the process of chess from entry to proficiency and Go from entry to proficiency.

But even though she put in a lot of effort, the first time she played chess with Papa Sang, she still lost in a mess.That's right, after all, Papa Sang has been playing chess for decades, so how could he not be able to beat her, a rookie who has only been in contact with him for a month.

She was very depressed that day, and when she slept with Sang Yang in her room at night, she didn't even look at her room properly, so she asked Sang Yang dejectedly, "Does uncle think I'm not very smart?"

Sang Yang's eyes clearly said "Why is this child so stupid", but when he hugged her, he still comforted her softly: "My father and mother like you very much, don't worry."

That was the fourth year they were together, she turned 20 years old, they began to arrange their future life, and there were some ups and downs, but they never let go of holding hands.

At that time, she was sure that she would not leave Sang Yang, and she was sure that Sang Yang would never leave her.

Bai Zhou walked away for a while.

"Eat!" Papa Sang shouted.

The key move was eaten, and the whole game was lost immediately.

"Your level is not good today." Sang's father sorted out the chess pieces, and couldn't help but suffer from occupational diseases. He taught, "You must concentrate on playing chess, and you can't use it at the same time."

Bai Zhou smiled and said, "One more round."

"Okay." Papa Sang said happily.

The two set up the chess game again.

Bai Zhou still couldn't help but secretly miss Sang Yang, but over the years, she had learned to hide her miss in her heart, no matter how hard she was, she could still talk and laugh casually with others on the surface.

After fighting for more than half an hour, Bai Zhou narrowly won this time.

Dinner was ready, Mama Sang called them to eat, Papa Sang was still full of ideas, but he had to go to the dinner table first.

The dinner was very sumptuous, even the peas had a special food for him.

Sang's mother kept persuading Bai Zhou to eat more, and persuaded Bai Zhou to fill an extra bowl of rice.

After the meal, Bai Zhou helped clean up. After cleaning, Sang's mother was still busy, and arranged a lot of food for Bai Zhou to take away.

"You like crabs. Auntie packed a few live ones for you and brought them home. You can eat them by steaming them tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. There is also this tea, drink it with more water, and I pickled a small altar of pickles. You can eat them in the morning. Don't you like to eat rice, this is the best."

Bai Zhou followed behind her, didn't refuse, just said thank you auntie.

Mother Sang finished packing, stopped, looked at Bai Zhou, smiled slightly, and said, "Xiao Zhou, Auntie has prepared everything for the third anniversary festival tomorrow."