woman wearing irish linen shirt

As soon as I got out of the subway station, someone hugged me.The scent of the floral perfume behind her ears filled me first.

I patted her on the back and saw An Ning standing not far away with a helpless expression on her face.There are too many people in this area, and seeing that she still doesn't let go, I said, "If you miss me so much, you won't be afraid that I will be strangled, and you will go if you are not careful."

Hearing this, she let go of her hand, showed her face, and opened her mouth: "You haven't aged at all, I recognized you just now."

I took a deep breath, but I couldn't say anything good, and finally said, "Thank you so much."

Zhizhi didn't know what she was laughing at, she just looked very happy: "Hey Li Yao, how long has it been since we met? Ten years?"

"It's been so long," I glanced at her, "You only came to Boston to see me in 13 years."

The real situation is to meet netizens and meet me by the way.But this girl may have lost the part of meeting me in Java Island long ago.

"Ah..." She paused, and then said, "It's been a long time. Really! You don't look old at all!"

I really don't know how this topic has turned back in this direction.

Zhizhi's surname is Qu, and she was born in Helian. After graduation, she went to a university in the middle of the United States to study for a Ph.D. in pure arts. She spent eight years of her youth, and her courage was commendable.Our undergraduate colleges belong to the five-school alliance, and we can choose courses from each other. This is how this cheap student came.At the beginning of her freshman year, she would take the school bus to our school every week to attend classes. The winter in Massachusetts was very cold, and most of them came for a semester and then left, but she continued until her junior year.At that time, many girls were willing to go to other schools because they wanted to meet boys of the same age. As for why she insisted on coming to us when she was from a girls' school, thinking about it now, it can only be because of her love for academics.

She is the only international student in the same class I know who has read a Ph.D. in liberal arts and successfully obtained her degree.Now that he has landed successfully, he has obtained a teaching position in a university in his hometown in Zhejiang. This time he came to Singapore on his way back to China, and he is about to take up his post.

Sisters of the same father and mother, one surnamed Qu and the other surnamed An, I have never asked why.

"Originally, I wanted to pick you up with An Ning, but I was too busy yesterday and couldn't spare time." I decided to avoid the topic of whether I was getting old, "Tell me, what do you want to eat? The famous food in Singapore An unknown restaurant, as long as you, Ms. Qu, are willing to give you face, I will definitely get you a table today, and I have the right to make an apology."

"Miss Qu, you can't talk." Zhizhi greeted An Ning and said, "I'm a doctor now."

"Yes, yes, Dr. Qu, Dr. Qu, why do you think I forgot such a big thing?" I couldn't help but follow her words.

"What do we have for lunch? It's expensive." She looked at An Ning.

An Ning was very cooperative: "Then let's not eat local dishes. It would be a waste for three people to order too much. The company has a high per capita, so you can choose whatever you want."

"Where is the company?"

"right."

"East."

We both said at the same time.

I immediately changed my words: "Right, right. The weather is fine today, do you want to walk for a while? It will take about 15 minutes. I will raise a flag, Dr. Qu, you wear a little red hat, let's go for a tour along the river."

"Does she also do stand-up comedy in your company?" Zhizhi asked.

An Ning quickly shook her head: "Li Yao is very respected."

Qu Zhizhi was very shameless, he pulled me to stand still, looked me up and down, and said, "You look a lot like an executive."

——and then I'm still "not getting old at all"?I cursed.This person just wants me to praise her, everyone of the same age, although they are all up early and late at night, one is obsessed with scientific research, the other is up and down, one occasionally applies makeup, and the other wears makeup all day, it must be because she looks younger.This is determined by the different nature of the work!

I don't praise her.no way!

"She's an executive, sister." An Ning pulled Zhizhi's sleeve calmly.

Qu Zhizhi was stunned for a moment, but she didn't seem too surprised, she just looked at me and said, "It's hidden deep enough."

"Where are you talking, listen to her." I waved my hand and walked in front to lead the way, "Our Internet ranks are very low, engineer positions, whoever is an expert; our department is full of managers. How can we take it seriously?"

Zhizhi gave me a bitter look, and said, "Quick, An Ning, check which is the most expensive store, and book the box first."

I'm at a loss, how can I be fine when I first met, but now I've reached the level of a class enemy?

Dr. Qu asked for the most expensive one by name, so he must find the most expensive one.I made two phone calls to complete the reservation, but unfortunately, because it was a temporary stoppage, I couldn't walk in and eat, so I had to wait until a little later.An Ning suggested to go to a nearby Internet celebrity milk tea shop to pass the time. I rarely drink this kind of thing, I only order low-calorie drinks. Zhizhi laughed at me for being old-fashioned, and ordered a large cup of whole sugar.

As a result, as soon as I entered the store and ordered, and I hadn't even decided when the coffee would be served, I ran to the bathroom for strategic revision.

I ignored the embarrassment on the waiter's face, glanced at his badge, and said, "It would be nice before dessert. Thank you, Eric."

His professionalism reappeared on his face in an instant, he smiled back, took the menu and left.

"I haven't seen you for so long. My sister was worried at first, and she asked me to prepare some company matters to avoid embarrassment." An Ning looked at the direction where Zhizhi left, obviously a little dumbfounded, "Fortunately, you are here , Today suddenly feels like going back to the time when I went to play with you in my freshman year."

I nodded and said, "Your sister is thoughtful, otherwise she wouldn't be able to get a Ph.D. in social anthropology."

It wasn't until then that I suddenly realized: Zhizhi and I had been like this.The memory of my undergraduate days is really too long. Although I still remember the things we experienced together, I basically have no memory of how we got along at that time.It seems that the fate between people is hard to say, but I can't think of anything. Every time I go to the original track, I find that there are some arrangements in the dark.

"She just thinks too much." An Ning put down her phone, "But now I'm relieved, my sister is quite suitable for teaching."

I raised my glass and asked before drinking, "What have you prepared?"

"Oh, is it about the company?" She obviously thought it was just an ordinary chat, "Actually, it's nothing, it's all about some embarrassing things I just did at work, and we complained about our boss together."

"Kevin is a wonderful person." I simply commented.

An Ning smiled: "You are too tactful. But to be honest, Kevin is very capable, and he can learn a lot under his hands."

I just nodded with a smile and didn't answer.

This girl, when she grows up, she can speak well.

"That's right, Li Yao," she said suddenly, "I should be officially transferred next week or the next week, and I won't be doing a pure data job anymore. Then I will be promoted, and then I will treat you to dinner." ?"

"Hey, congratulations!" I laughed, "When did it happen?"

"I was notified only yesterday, and I haven't told Xiaoding and the others yet. What do you want to eat?"

"I'll definitely listen to you."

"Well, let me think about it again." An Ning said, "By the way, has Xiaoding changed to follow you now?"

I kept my composure, nodded affirmatively, and deliberately teased: "Okay, the news is so well-informed now?"

"No, no, I saw you having a meeting together that day."

"Would you like to come to our group? Just a little more, nothing else, the work is very challenging, you must like it."

An Ning smiled: "I think so too."

I pouted my chin toward the entrance: "Let's talk about it later, if she sees us chatting so passionately, she will cry later."

Zhizhi came back just in time.

I was very happy to see Zhizhi. After all, I was a friend from school days, and there will be no conflict of interest in the future.The reunion of old friends should be a pleasant thing, but after this meal, my nerves that have been tense for a week are hard to relax.

The importance of tranquility needs to be reassessed.

After the meal, Zhizhi wanted to see the landmarks of Singapore.We still went for a walk, and the Merlion had nothing to say. When we arrived at the Jinsha Hotel, Zhizhi asked us mysteriously, "Would you like to take a look underground?"

An Ning said, "I want an ID."

Zhizhi patted the bag: "I brought my passport."

An Ning said: "Li Yao and I have to pay tickets to go in, why don't you go, tourists don't charge money, and they can eat and drink for free."

Zhizhi squinted at her sister, and turned to me: "It's so boring for me to go alone."

In fact, I agree with An Ning.Until ten years ago, there was no such thing as "free food and drink" when traveling to Singapore. Most white people came for vacation, but the majority of Chinese people still shopped.It's just that the tax contribution from shopping is relatively limited. How can we expand the national treasury?A genius-like plan came into being, and the two major conglomerates, Genting and Sands, responded one after another. Specifically, when the Sands Hotel was built, it built a gold-absorbing pool underground.

I am very repulsed by this kind of place, but Dr. Qu is so looking forward to it, and he successively raised the two banners of "field research" and "everyone is here". There is an entrance tax of [-] new; of course tourists do not have to pay tax, this gold selling cave is specially built for tourists, and the free ones are always the most expensive.

Taking the horizon as the benchmark, the infinity pool of the Sands Hotel is the most famous above; below, there are shopping malls built around the canal. No other business in Vegas can match that.

Dr. Qu was preparing for a small test, and exchanged [-] new game coins for the two of us.This place is spacious and extravagant, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it was built with money.There are countless tables in the lobby on the first floor alone, crowded and lively: almost only Mandarin can be heard here, other than that, there are various dialects belonging to compatriots from all over the world.

Zhizhi walked in the front, studying and studying the gameplay with great interest at every table she passed by.It's my first time here, but I know all the basic tricks and procedures, so I explain a few words to her occasionally.

Passing another new table, Dr. Qu and An Ning were diverging their thinking, discussing their guesses in a low voice, not paying attention to the anomaly on my side.I just stood there motionless, staring in one direction.

There is my mother sitting there.