father - home

When the main course came, Mary felt a little strange. "Zhao, I remember you don't eat mutton, Ernie said you vomited once."

Zhaozheng was facing the mutton luck in front of him. Hearing what Mary said, he raised his head and gave her a bitter expression. "I don't eat it, but do you know how overbearing that man is? He said that mutton is rich in nutrition and easy to digest, so he insisted on using it to torture me."

"Is he always like this?"

"Well, as long as there is a chance."

Mary turned to me. "Marty, I didn't expect you to be so bad."

"What's wrong?" I shrugged. "He doesn't eat mutton because he can't stand the smell. Try it, Mary, does it smell?"

Mary took a sip, shaking her head gravely. "Very fragrant, no smell at all, very delicious."

"I said it. It seems that I always want to hurt him. I have no conscience."

"Okay, it's my fault." Zhao still had a bitter face, eating mutton like poison.

Seeing Zhao's funny appearance, Mary couldn't help laughing, and I laughed too.

Zhaozheng stuffed a piece of mutton into his mouth, and Mr. Kroger, who was passing by, just leaned over. "What? Isn't mutton bad?"

Zhao was startled, and quickly swallowed the mutton. "No! No! Very tasty, really, very good."

Seeing Zhao's embarrassing appearance made me very happy. "Mr. Kroger, you know that my friend doesn't eat mutton, but he not only ate it today, but also praised it. The mutton here really lives up to its reputation."

Mary nodded, too.

The potbellied boss laughed from ear to ear, and suddenly remembered something. "Marty, why didn't you order lamb? I remember you always ordered lamb, unless it happened to be unavailable."

"Mutton is the signature dish here, why not?"

"So, you always order mutton."

"Ah, I also want to try other dishes. I always eat mutton, and sometimes I get tired of it."

"Then give me some advice after you finish eating. You child, you have been picky since you were a child."

"Really? You mean I have the potential to be a gourmet?"

"Exactly. It's a pity that there are not so many delicacies for you to taste now."

"Fortunately, if I were a gourmet, I would be unemployed now."

Everyone laughed.The old man patted me on the shoulder and said earnestly: "It's better to be a doctor, I will need it anytime."

After Mr. Kroger left, Zhao gave him a knowing look.He knew in his heart that the reason why I didn't order mutton today was just in case. If he really doesn't want to eat mutton, I can change it with him.The tacit understanding of love can be conveyed between two people with just one look. This is really a supreme enjoyment.

Until the dessert was served, Zhaodu and Mary chatted about pleasant topics, such as Chinese cheongsam, Shanghai steamed buns, and wonton pickles in the alley.Finally, Mary asked, "Zhao, Marty said you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, it's a pity I couldn't come sooner." Zhao restrained his casual and courteous smile, and became serious and solemn. "Ernie has saved me many times. I respect and appreciate him very much. He left so suddenly that I haven't had time to say thank you to him. I still have a lot of things to say to him..."

Mary's eyes are always sad, even when she smiles, it is difficult for anyone to look into her eyes and say these words, Zhao lowered his eyes.

Zhao put the blue box on the table and opened it in front of Mary. The brand new medal reflected the unique luster of metal.

"This is yours?" Mary's hands trembled a little, her slender fingers stroked the edge of the box, with piety, admiration, and memories.She had no nail polish, but her nails were neatly manicured, and her pink fingers were cute and petite. "I remember that Ernie was very excited. He said that he saw the first batch of Iron Cross medals issued. He thought it was impossible, but he didn't expect a prisoner... He envied you very much and adored you."

"I wish to give it to you."

"Me?" Mary looked up, she had been looking at the medal.

"I've always wanted to give it to Ernie, but unfortunately there is no chance. So, please accept it."

Mary's nose was red, and then her eyes were red, and tears crept into her eyes.Because of her embarrassing status, Mary didn't get anything from Ernst, and she was so eager to leave something behind to accompany her through the cold and lonely nights in the future.I suddenly understood Mary's attitude towards me and Zhao.We were the only people she had access to with Ernst, and she wanted to keep that experience, that feeling.In a sense, I was Ernst's double for Marie.So, she has no relationship with me, we have nothing to do with each other.

Mary is thrilled not only to be reminded of Ernst, but also to finally get what she wanted so badly: recognition, respect, and Ernst's legacy.Zhao was the only one who admitted her relationship with Ernst without any intentions. Zhao left her the only Ernst souvenir—the Iron Cross, which Ernst liked and envied very much.

Tears did not flow, but her trembling voice showed her excitement.Women have always had a knack for not letting their beautiful makeup be ruined by tears, even though Mary wore it lightly. "Thank you! You are so kind."

Zhao took Mary's hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it.This hand kept stroking the blue box, but never touched the Iron Cross lying in the box.

I don't know when it started to rain outside, and it was getting heavier and heavier.I drove Mary home, but the alley was too narrow for an SUV to get in, so Zhao got out of the car and escorted her.

Zhao put his coat on Mary, and when he got back to the car, he was completely soaked, his white shirt stuck to his body, and his hair was dripping.

"Take off your shirt." I tossed my coat to him.

"Take off your pants too?"

"Row!"

"Are you serious?"

"Is that fake? You're wearing underwear." I started the car. "Why don't you take it off?"

"I'm afraid you can't control it and it's dangerous to drive."

"Bullshit!"

The car moved forward slowly, we closed the windows, and the rain beat heavily on the glass, making continuous beeping sounds, like singing and weeping.

Zhao leaned against the car window, looking out with all his attention.His face grew paler as the car drove through the wet leaves in the green light.In gazing at his still face and black eyes, I felt a certain relief, in which there was infinite love and indescribable tenderness.

"Zhao, I didn't expect you to give the medal to Mary."

"Oh, I think it's a good idea to do that."

"Yes, it's just...the last time you rejected Mary, I thought...she was Ernie's mistress, you might..."

"Mary doesn't know me. I'm Chinese. I'm a former prisoner. Mary is willing to do that because she loves Ernie. Ernie died to save you and save me. Now we need help and she will be like Ernie helped us as much. I think she has a deep bond with Ernie and she deserves to be recognized and respected, which I always wanted to be."

It rains all the time.We could hear the running water, the hiss of the gutters, and the howling of the wind on the plain and in the fields around the village.Zhao slightly closed his eyes, as if to better listen to the sound of gurgling water, and leaned his head against the window glass.Soon, among the sound of wind, rain, and the sound of the car engine, I heard the slight snoring sound that made me feel most at ease.