detour

Li Minhui and her sister lived in Daocheng for a week.For the first two days, the two of them stayed at the Home Inn near Huo Ying's school, and stayed at Xu You's house for the next few days.The two sisters lived in the bedroom, and Xu You added a foldable sofa bed in the study, which didn't look too crowded.

Although Xu You's residence is a bit messy, it still looks quite clean because part-time workers are hired to clean it regularly.Li Minhui looked at the foreign language materials in the room, feeling distressed and relieved at the same time.If a man wants to gain a foothold in society, how can he do it if he doesn't work hard.

After eating a few seafood feasts, Li Minhui found out the surrounding terrain, and the two old sisters began to go to the vegetable market with baskets, and bought live chicken and fish every day to cook for their son and daughter.Xu You hasn't eaten a meal made by his mother for a long time.He was only 19 years old when he was rejected by his family, and he will be 26 years later.Counting on your fingers, it is actually six or seven years, but for Xu You, it seems to be a long time from a teenager to an old age.Sometimes when I sit at the dinner table and look at my mother and aunt sitting next to me, I have the illusion that I am older than them.

The night before he left, Xu You gave his mother a passbook.It was done when he first started working, and he put some money into it every month.Save more when you earn more, and save more when you earn less.Over the past few years, I have also accumulated a considerable amount of money.He wanted to make his parents' old age more comfortable, but it was a pity that he never had the opportunity to send it to his parents.Taking it out now, Xu You was still a little apprehensive.

Li Minhui opened the passbook and carefully looked at the deposit records page by page, her eyes were slightly red.This is the son's wish, how could she not accept it?

Li Minhui put away the passbook, put her arms around her son's shoulder and said, "Let's go home for the New Year this year."

Xu You didn't refuse, but didn't nod either.

It's not that I don't want to, but I dare not go back.He knew that his father was a man who couldn't turn a corner, unless he could figure it out, otherwise Xu Youmao would rush to him and only make him angry.As for the current situation, Xu You was already very satisfied.

After seeing off his mother and aunt, Xu You began to think about meeting Zhuang Shaodong.He has been pretending to be confused for so long, it's time to speak clearly.He is not an ambiguous character, so he naturally doesn't like to be ambiguous about emotional matters.If this drags on like this, maybe others will think that he is playing hard to get.

Places like coffee shops or restaurants are not acceptable, places that are too relaxed are not suitable for such serious conversations.Xu You didn't want to give Zhuang Shaodong a hint that he was just chatting casually.

Xu You finally made an appointment to meet at Pearl Plaza.

This season, the leaves of the sycamore trees on Mingzhu Square have all fallen, and the bare branches are stretching towards the sky, like struggling and twisted hands. Just looking at it, you will feel a little bit depressed.Only the sea in the distance, reflecting the cloudless clear sky, presents a bright and dazzling blue.

The sea in winter is always more beautiful than in other seasons.

Xu You took out the cigarette case from his pocket, and when he was about to light it, he saw Zhuang Shaodong's figure appearing at the other end of the path.Xu You's hands paused, then he lowered his head as if nothing had happened and continued to light his cigarette.

From a distance, Xu You only felt that his body was tall and straight, and his walking posture seemed to be full of vigorous strength.Xu You was a little puzzled, why didn't he discover that there was something very energetic in him that Xu You didn't have?No wonder every time I'm with him, I feel uncomfortable. Now that I think about it, it's probably because the two are about the same age. Zhuang Shaodong's every move reveals the strength and vitality that this age should have. His foil makes it look even more lifeless.

This kid is actually pretty good.Xu You thought to herself, even though she pointed at her nose and scolded ugly words back then, she once stabbed the matter between herself and Zhuang Shijie to the owner of the dealer with ill intentions... But at that time, didn't she also dislike him? ?Anyway, he has apologized and regretted his actions.Compared with his unrepentant mother, I don't know how strong it is a few blocks away.

The heaviest blow I have suffered did not come from him.Xu You knew this very well from the very beginning.So for Zhuang Shaodong, he just hated him, but he didn't bother to hate him.He really doesn't hate him.It's just that when I see him, I can't help but think of the grievances and entanglements at the beginning, and the unforgivable things his mother did to me... Time is the ultimate killer, and it will bring all sad and happy experiences to life. Walk.But if one faces Zhuang Shaodong's face and forgets everything that happened with the dealer, Xu You can't do it.

"Sit down." Xu You handed over the cigarette case in his hand, seeing that he shook his head and put it back in his pocket, "Did you bring it?"

Zhuang Shaodong handed over an envelope with a sullen face.

Xu You ignored his expression, took the envelope and dumped the contents on his knees.It was a stack of color photos, the top one was Zhuang Shijie holding a baby.

It was still the man with a warm expression in his memory, the slight curve of his mouth was exactly the same as before, as if time had stood still on him, he was still the same for a year, two years, five years or ten years.

Xu You unconsciously held his breath.

He always thought that he would be emotional when he saw these photos, but that was not the case.What surged deep in his heart was only a tender feeling, calm and serene.Those tossing and turning, sleepless nights, those pains and struggles that have been clamoring in the soul all the time, in this late autumn afternoon, in the silent staring at the distant horizon, silently turned into a pool of still water, reflecting There is nothing more beautiful than autumn, with high clouds and light, bright sea and sky.

Xu You felt relieved.

"He's doing well." Xu You's fingers brushed lightly over the man in the photo, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly, "You can tell by his expression."

Zhuang Shaodong snorted, looking unhappy.

Xu You stacked the photos together and put them back in the envelope and handed them back to Zhuang Shaodong.

Zhuang Shaodong showed a slightly surprised expression, "Aren't you going to keep a few?"

Xu You smiled and shook his head.

Zhuang Shaodong felt that he couldn't see through him more and more.This person asked him to smuggle out the photo secretly, just to take a look at it?Didn't Zhuang Shaodong make up many excuses in vain, ready to explain why there are a few photos missing if someone asks...

"Why not?"

"What do you want to do here?" Xu You squinted his eyes and looked at the sea and sky in the distance quietly, only feeling a kind of relief from the whole body, "Do you miss it? Or continue...painting the ground as a prison?"

Zhuang Shaodong was stunned for a moment, and looked at Xu You dubiously, feeling that what he said was very...strange.However, Xu You's expression was very calm, and when he squinted over, there was even a bit of lightness in the corners of his brows and eyes, which made Zhuang Shaodong very surprised to find that he seemed to be... different.

"You went to find my mother. Although I think you are a little busy, but..." Xu You turned his head and smiled at him, "But I am still very grateful to you. Thank you."

Zhuang Shaodong suddenly felt a little heat in his ears, "Why are you being so polite."

"Thank you." Xu You slightly sighed with emotion, "After all, it's been so many years..."

Zhuang Shaodong suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart.He could guess Xu You's intention of asking him out to meet today, but before everything happened, he still had a bit of luck in his heart.

Zhuang Shaodong put away the photos, and smiled unnaturally, "It's best if your mother and son can understand..."

Xu You interrupted his absent-minded words, "Zhuang Shaodong, if I can help you with anything in the future, please don't be polite to me."

Zhuang Shaodong's face changed slightly, "Xu You..."

"Anyway, it wasn't you who came to my house to sow discord." Xu You said indifferently: "As for your stabbing our affairs to your grandfather... it was just a conflict between your uncles and nephews. What you really want to deal with is not me, an outsider, but I have been implicated a little. Since you have apologized, I will treat this page as having turned the page, and I will not mention it again. You don't need to apologize any more. "

Zhuang Shaodong listened to his words quietly, only feeling a chill creeping up his spine bit by bit.

"You don't need to feel guilty anymore." Xu You emphasized, "Since I have let go of Zhuang Shijie, I will never take anything related to him to heart from now on."

Zhuang Shaodong asked him back, "Am I also included in the things related to him?"

Xu You nodded, but his gaze involuntarily slipped away from his face.

Zhuang Shaodong took a deep breath, feeling that his breathing was trembling slightly.He really wanted to grab his neck so hard and shake it: I have put so much thought into you, so it's just a buy one get one free gift from you?Not even an independent entity? !

"I know this will make you uncomfortable. But Zhuang Shaodong, I really don't want to have anything to do with your dealer anymore. I'm just an ordinary person. I go to work, I'm lost in thought, and I play games and bubble bars in my spare time. , I don’t have any ambitions for money, status, or power. The two of us are not on the same side at all.”

"Are you and Zhuang Shijie the same people?"

Xu You shook her head, "Of course not. It's just that I was still young at the time, and I always felt that as long as two people were sincerely facing each other, there would be no difficulties that we couldn't overcome. It turns out... I'm a fool. So I won't make the same mistake again. "

Zhuang Shaodong didn't understand why he was so angry, he was rejected, shouldn't he be sad?What is the reason for this feeling of being tormented by the raging fire in his heart?

"What's more, you are still his nephew. I can't accept this alone." Xu You paused for a while, and his expression became subtle, like mocking, and also seemed a little unwilling, "The population of the world Half of them are men, why should I ask for trouble, I have to fight to the death with the men of your dealer. Besides, I don’t have any expectations about love now, I don’t have any thoughts about whether I love it or not Go think about it. It's not worthwhile for you to treat a heartless person like me with enthusiasm."

Zhuang Shaodong's hands on his knees had unconsciously clenched into two fists.

But Xu You showed a relaxed expression because he said such words in one breath, "You see, only when we have made the words clear can the relationship between you and me return to the original state. You are my client, and of course we can also A little bit of personal friendship, sending text messages to each other during Chinese New Year holidays... that's pretty good."

Zhuang Shaodong only felt his teeth itch, "Is this the future you sketched for me?"

Xu You nodded, "I think it's good for you and me. And I believe your mother will be very happy if she knows... It's almost a happy ending."

Zhuang Shaodong's anger was exhausted in his almost nonsensical defense.He found that Xu You's conversation had bypassed himself from the beginning to the end, as if he was just a symbol called "Zhuang Shijie's nephew" in the whole thing.He didn't want to think about whether Xu You did this on purpose or not, because the facts in front of him couldn't be more clear: this fellow called him out to show his cards, and to stop him from chasing after him with the cheek. with him running around...

"You really think so?" Zhuang Shaodong stared at him without blinking, trying to get some clues from the slightest expression on his face, "You said a lot of nonsense about my uncle, the banker, etc. , why don't you talk about my feelings for you?"

Xu You avoided his gaze, "I just want to live a simple life. I won't be disturbed by anyone, and I won't be tricked by anyone. Emotions are too tiring, and I can't afford it anymore." He Standing up, looking down at Zhuang Shaodong's almost angry expression, showing a pitiful expression, "Zhuang Shaodong, I think you are the one who is still deceiving yourself. You will not fail to realize that Xu You is just a An empty shell, with only a pile of ashes left inside. He is far older than you think. He simply can't afford the kind of things you want."

"Zhuang Shaodong, I don't want to continue pretending to be confused. That will only delay you."

Zhuang Shaodong's eyes suddenly became hot.He really wanted to hold Xu You's hand and tell him that no matter what attitude he had towards him, he didn't care, but unfortunately these words were blocked in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.So, he could only sit there quietly, watching his sweetheart go further and further away.

Xu You's heart was not as calm as he expressed.He said what he wanted to say, but he didn't feel easy.In his heart, he even felt a little regretful.What a pity, he is not yet willing to indulge himself and think deeply.He only knew that he had finally walked out of the threshold that had trapped him for several years, and he just needed to keep going.

"Xu You," Zhuang Shaodong's voice drifted over in the afternoon breeze, "Xu You, do you know that the day Su Chengze and I met for the first time, he was wearing light-colored jeans and a white shirt. I missed you. I followed him and walked three streets..."

"Xu You, I just... want to treat you well..."

Xu You paused for a moment, and continued walking without looking back.

Zhuang Shaodong was too far away, so he didn't see that Xu You's calm and almost numb expression finally showed a crack because of his words.

An almost sad look flashed across his eyes.Xu You left this place of extraordinary significance in his life without looking back.

For a moment, he even felt that he would never come here again in his life.