smoke like fire

For my father, Chinese New Year is probably a very troublesome thing. It used to be so, and it is even more so now.

My father was born after my grandparents came to Taiwan, and the difference between the siblings is nearly ten years.At that time, my grandfather worked in a small company and had just been promoted to a manager. He no longer needed to socialize constantly, so my father was like an only child, taking all the care of his grandparents.

My father graduated from high school and applied to study abroad in the United States. He stayed for four years, and then came back to work in a company. After less than a year, he faced the situation that the boss wanted to take away the company's immigrants.

My father thought that the company still had potential for development, so he took out the loan from the apartment in his hometown, and took over the business. Slowly, it really achieved some results, but the matter of taking the apartment loan made the uncle and aunt very unhappy; they had a quarrel.

The relationship between brothers and sisters is shallow, and after this incident, they have no contact with each other. When the father got married, the two families were not present.

It wasn't until my grandfather passed away a year after I was born that the relationship between the three of them broke through a little bit, but they couldn't speak a few words.

At that time, my grandmother was still there, but when I got older, my uncle and his family moved back to the apartment to take care of me. During the Chinese New Year, my father took my mother and me back, and the two parties were uncomfortable.

Later, during the holidays, when my father went back, he always left after eating the New Year's Eve dinner.After grandma left, my father still took my mother and me back to the apartment for the first year or two, but later, for some reason, we never went there again.

But what I remember from the beginning of the Chinese New Year is none of these things, it's my grandfather's house.For a long time, in the early morning of New Year's Eve, the whole family had to take a flight south to Kaohsiung.

Even if the relationship between the two is not good, I stayed in the United States and did not return, but he and I still went back as usual.

This is apart from the divorce, the mother compromises and compromises, and the rest does not back down.The father couldn't disagree, and the marriage between him and his mother was valid, and the other side was just a tender place in law.

But in the father-in-law's house, the father had to frown even more.

The grandfather's family is well-known in the local area, with many relatives, and they know each other everywhere they walk the whole street.Father is used to socializing, but in front of these relatives and friends, he seems to cherish words like gold.

My father insisted on showing off his posture because he couldn't speak Hokkien.In fact, over the years, it makes sense to some extent, but maybe he feels that he is not confident enough. In recent years, he has become much more silent.

In this case, the mother always treated it with indifference.

Maybe it was because back home, it was her fortress, and her father could no longer hurt her with emotion.

I am not very enthusiastic about returning to Kaohsiung during the Chinese New Year.

Of course, if I compare myself with my father, I would be more happy.

My mother has many brothers and sisters, and I have quite a few cousins, but their relationship is ordinary.

The main reason is that they are similar in age, so it is inevitable to be compared. When they are young, it is their grades. When they are older, they change their careers, and when it comes to marriage, the elders seem to be very talkative. They have to ask questions every year, and talk about long and short.

However, I was listless, but when the New Year's Eve came, I didn't make an appointment. As usual, I went out with my parents on the morning of New Year's Eve.

Instead of taking the plane this morning, I took the high-speed rail instead.

Since the opening of the high-speed rail, it is much more convenient to travel between the north and the south. There is no need to reserve a seat in advance, and it is not as laborious and crowded as taking a train.

Recently, many people return home on New Year's Eve, and the ordinary reserved seats are almost sold out. In order to ride more comfortably, I booked business seats early in the morning.

The distance is not far, and it will arrive in one and a half hours.Kaohsiung is not as gloomy and cold as Taipei, where there is sunlight melting, but after all, in winter, the oncoming wind still carries a little bit of coldness.

My mother had contacted her second uncle to pick her up, and she saw him as soon as she got out of the station.

Grandpa’s house is not in the city center, but it’s not too far away. It takes half an hour’s drive from the high-speed rail station. On the bus, my mother and second uncle spoke Hokkien proficiently.For Hokkien dialect, I am better than my father, and I can listen and speak a little bit. When my second uncle came to greet me, I could talk to him more or less.

The second uncle is younger than the father, and the two have a good relationship-in fact, not only the second uncle, but also all relatives and friends on the father and mother's side are good.

When they first met, the second uncle only nodded to his father as a greeting, and did not chat on the way.

When I arrived at my grandfather's place, I just entered the house, and there was a wave of greetings from all parties. Several aunts, uncles, and young people were all familiar, and they couldn't call out their names.

Grandpa and grandma are old and usually rest in the room. I went with my parents to say hello.My grandfather was still very clear-headed, so he asked me about my work in front of my father.

I could understand my grandfather's hint, and my mother on the side didn't need to look to know that she looked hopeful.She always felt that my father's company would eventually be taken over by me, and even if it wasn't, I wouldn't have to work hard to eat a mouthful of food, and the benefits would only be for others.

I have no intention of fighting for what she is looking forward to, whether it is entering my father's company or accepting better conditions from my grandfather.

What's more, it was not easy to eat a bite of rice given by Chen Liren.He wasn't that kind.

As for what my father thought...

He didn't mean to say anything, so why should I ask.

When I received Zhao Kuanyi's call, I had been pestering a cousin for nearly an hour.

This cousin is the youngest daughter of the fourth aunt, and she just went to university for a semester. Knowing that I had applied for an exchange student before, I had dinner before the New Year's Eve, and the whole family was chatting in the living room, so she came to ask me.

A few seniors were here, so I was ashamed to be too indifferent. After finishing the application experience talk with great difficulty, she was persistent and asked about the details of her life in the United States.

Just in time, the phone rang.

Whoever it was, I couldn't be more grateful—I picked it up without looking at it, getting up from the couch.

"Hey?"

"Cheng Jingcheng."

I was taken aback, and hurriedly moved towards the empty corridor, and my voice became a little lower: "Zhao Kuanyi?"

"are you home?"

Zhao Kuanyi asked, there was other movement behind him, it was very noisy, and the atmosphere seemed to be festive, which made his voice more peaceful and clear.

I suddenly meditated and answered him: "I'm not at home, I'm going back to Kaohsiung with my parents."

Zhao Kuanyi was silent for a while, but he vaguely heard him talking with someone. After a while, he asked again: "Last time, grandpa asked you to find a time to come. When is it convenient for you? Or, if there is nothing to do during the New Year's Day, let's see." Come or not?"

I froze, "What?"

Zhao Kuanyi said it again in a good temper, and I came back to my senses.

"Wouldn't it be too inconvenient?"

"What's the inconvenience?" Zhao Kuanyi said, "When will you come back?"

I have always returned to Taipei earlier than my parents, but usually it is the fourth day of junior high school no matter how early.

But in fact, it’s not impossible to be early. My brain turned sharply, and I said: "The third day of junior high school. I have nothing to do, you..."

Before I could finish speaking, Zhao Kuanyi quickly said, "Yes, can you drive?"

"I took the high-speed rail." I said, "Before I got off, the driver drove."

Zhao Kuanyi said casually: "Look at what time you take the bus to Taipei, send a message to tell me, I will pick you up then."

I had no other answer at all, "Okay."

"see you then."

"Okay." I said.

The other end hung up, and I stared at the phone in a daze for a while before my train of thought came into my head.This is real?I suddenly doubted, but couldn't help laughing at myself.

Just to visit, what can it mean?unable.

I turned around and bumped into a figure.

My little cousin, who had been pestering me all night, smiled and asked, "Who is my cousin talking on the phone with? It's so mysterious."

I put away my mobile phone and stood side by side with her, "I'm talking serious things to my friends."

"Oh, it must be a female friend."

said the voice behind me, and I couldn't help laughing.

If it is, that's fine, and I don't have to worry about it for many years.

When I left in the third day of junior high school, my little cousin still insisted on asking the person I was talking on the phone with.Thanks to her, I have to leave a day early, and my relatives and friends all guess that I have to rush back to the date.

It was indeed a date, but there was nothing charming about it.

Parents also heard about it.Father didn't ask any more questions, but mother's expression was somewhat interesting, but she didn't talk too much after all.She knows that I don't like being asked about my relationship.

After collecting my luggage, I also took my second uncle's car to the station, and returned to Taipei after three o'clock in the afternoon.

Beforehand, I sent a message to Zhao Kuanyi, and he and I made an appointment at the east exit.A black Bentley with a new Flying Spur V8 was parked and waiting as I went by.

I approached and knocked on the passenger window.

The window was lowered, and Zhao Kuanyi looked over.Even on holiday, he is still well-dressed and his slightly longer hair is neatly combed.

He said, "Come on, put your luggage in the rear compartment."

I nodded, put it away and opened the door to get in the car.

As soon as I got up, I smelled smoke, and I asked, "You arrived early?"

While driving, Zhao Kuanyi answered me: "It's because I left early, I sent a few people to the airport."

I said: "Then you just came over and waited? Isn't it impossible to park nearby for too long?"

"I went up to Breeze on the second floor to get wine, and the car was parked in the parking lot at that time," Zhao Kuanyi said.

"Oh." I couldn't help but glanced at the back seat, and saw a paper bag on the footrest behind the driver's seat: "What wine do you have?"

"Chateau Lagrange." Zhao Kuanyi said, "You don't have to go back at night, do you?"

I was taken aback by the last sentence, and said with a smile: "No, why? Are you telling me to stay?"

Zhao Kuanyi nodded and drove the car onto the Xinsheng Viaduct.

I was stunned, not knowing what to think, but I didn't want to be silent.

I had to ask, "Which way is this going?

"Tianmu, grandparents moved there ten years ago." Zhao Kuanyi said.

"Have you lived there?"

"Ah."

After Zhao Kuanyi responded, he fell silent, and I didn't know what to talk to him for a moment.It's been a long time since this happened, in a confined space, only two people alone.

I didn't feel bored at all before, and I don't feel bored now, but I can't help but feel anxious, and feel anxious when I fall silent.

I thought about it and asked, "How about listening to a song?"

"what ever."

I reached out and pressed the speaker.

There is a disc inside, and a Chasing Pavements is sung slowly.

If I'm wrong, I am right, Don't need to look no further, Thisain'tlust.

I know this is love.

But,, if It tells the world.

The earliest house the Zhao family lived in was assigned to the old general by the party, near Yuanshan.I went there when I was young. It is an old-fashioned two-storey bungalow with a small garden. From my impression, it looks like the villa where Ms. Zhao lives now.

Actually, apart from the living room, I remember Zhao Kuanyi's room the most.When I went, I always stayed with him. He lived in a room on the second floor, which was used by his aunt. There was an old wooden table by the window, with a few scratches on it, a string of French words.

Zhao Kuanyi knew French early at that time, and I asked him what that meant.

He looked at me and said: Jesuistombéamoureuxdetoi, I'm in love with you.

At that time, we were only children, and we didn’t know what love was. We just found French interesting, and I learned to say it once. If it is now, I can’t say it as an exercise.

The last large room on the second floor is the master room.Every time we go upstairs, the nursing aunt will remind us to keep our voice down.At that time, the old general was old and in poor health, Mr. Zhao and his wife had to be busy, so besides the servants, they also hired a nurse.

I never went to that house again after that.

After General Zhao passed away, the Zhao family still lived there, and moved to Tianmu when Zhao Kuanyi was about to graduate from university.They lived in a building complex in Fifty Alleys, Tianmu West Road.

The environment here is very good, quiet and secluded, close to the park, and the transportation is also convenient. You can't hear the noise of the commercial street outside, but once you step out of the alley, you will be bustling immediately.

Zhao Kuanyi drove the car directly into the underground parking lot.I took the luggage and took the elevator with him to the tenth floor. I heard from him that his grandfather bought two houses here, and they were connected to form a duplex.

It was Aunt Zhao invited by the Zhao family to open the door.After entering the door, there is a wide foyer, which is not very Chinese, but Western-style. There is a potted flower on a log carved high table, and a crystal collage painting is hung on the back wall.

I changed my shoes and walked inside with Zhao Kuanyi.

The people in the living room saw that it was Mr. Zhao. He was sitting on the single sofa next to a low table. His clothes were more casual than last time, but he was not rude.

Thinking about it, maybe the Zhao family is like this, not to mention Zhao Kuanyi, Ms. Zhao is the most casual look, and she has never been sloppy.

I called: "Old Zhao."

Mr. Zhao put down his book, took off his glasses, "Put down your luggage, come and sit down." Then he ordered, to the aunt who followed: "Make tea again, and cut a piece of cake, the one brought by Yuzhen the day before yesterday. "

I hurriedly said: "Don't be busy, I'll just drink tea."

"That's not good, it's rare." Mr. Zhao said, "Hongye's fresh cream cake is the only taste. Have you ever eaten it? You must not have it. You young people know that you are obsessed with macarons, and you don't know other delicacies."

Frankly speaking, I don't have a sweet tooth, and I don't like macarons that much-but I don't have much to explain.

The aunt hadn't left yet, so she asked, "Sir, which tea do you want to make?"

Elder Zhao said, "Tangning's Earl Grey."

"Ok."

Elder Zhao turned his attention to Zhao Kuanyi, "Did you get the wine back? Heather and the others called, they can't fly tonight, it's snowing heavily, and the airport is closed."

Zhao Kuanyi put the paper bag he was carrying on the coffee table, "Leave it alone, let's talk first."

After speaking, he walked up the corridor on one side.My eyes can't help but follow.

"pity--"

Elder Zhao's voice called my attention back, "Excuse me?"

Mr. Zhao waved his hand, expressing his indifference, "Heather is my niece's daughter, and she lives in France with her mother. I was supposed to take the plane tonight, but it was snowing there and I couldn't fly. Unfortunately, I wanted you to meet her. "

I was taken aback, "Meet me?"

Elder Zhao nodded, "She also graduated from Stanford, so you can definitely have something to talk about."

I felt that this was not a good answer, so I simply shifted it: "Why don't you see the old lady?"

"She slept late yesterday, so she got up early to see off the guests. She has almost woken up since her afternoon nap, and she might be upstairs to talk on the phone again," Zhao Lao said.

I laughed and glanced at the book he had put aside, "What book did you read just now?"

Veteran Zhao picked up the book, it looked a bit old, it was an English book.

"Just take it and read it to pass the time." He said, "By the way, I heard from Kuan Yi, you go back to Kaohsiung and go to your grandfather's house. Is everything okay there?"

He asked about the situation, but I knew he wasn't asking about the situation at home.

Because of his background, Mr. Zhao has a good relationship with the political circles, and his grandfather's family also has some political resources in the local area, no wonder he asked.I will only give a simple answer, mainly because I am not very clear about this aspect.

On the way of talking, my aunt brought tea and cakes.Mr. Zhao motioned for me to drink tea and taste the cake, and he ate some of it himself.

Frankly speaking, it is not easy to gossip with Mr. Zhao. Although he has retired, he has not retreated. Not to mention Liantian, he also has a directorship in other companies.

I talked with Mr. Zhao for a while, and the old lady came down from upstairs.She was wearing a woolen sweater and trousers. From a distance, she had the charm of Miss Zhao.

I rise to greet and give up my seat.

She hurriedly said: "No, you sit down." Then she glanced at Mr. Zhao, "Hey, there's someone here now, I'll wait tonight, I'll see you."

Mr. Zhao raised his eyebrows and drank tea without saying a word.

"Evening?" I don't understand.

The old lady smiled, "Let's play a few laps later, and I'll go see what's cooking in the kitchen."

How many laps do you play?Mahjong?After doing the math, and adding that there are really four of us, I was amused and surprised, it turned out that Zhao Kuanyi knew how to play cards, and I never knew it.

On the contrary, Zhao Kuanyi has never come downstairs since he went upstairs.

At this time, a phone call came suddenly, it was for Mr. Zhao.He got up to pick it up, I drank a few sips of tea, looked at the corridor, and got up to go.

As soon as you go up, it is an aisle.One side is a French window, the other side is a wall.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is the terrace, and I saw Zhao Kuanyi.

He turned his back to me, indeed changed clothes, and seemed to be talking on the phone.

I looked away and saw several paintings hanging on the wall.Those paintings have their origins, and most of them are genuine works.I appreciate them in order, and can't help but stop at the end.

Famous paintings were replaced by photographs.

In the black-and-white photos, there are the old mansion, the Yulon car parked in front of the garden, and a group photo of two people—the young General Zhao and his British wife, one in a military uniform, the other in a straw hat and a plain long dress.Yingting is handsome, sweet and youthful.

Gradually, more and more people took pictures together, including father and son, or daughter, or three people, and occasionally a family of four.A pair of General Zhao's sons and daughters all resemble him in eyebrows and eyes, and their overall outlines resemble foreign wives.

The photo was changed to color, showing Zhao's old and young appearance, together with his wife, the two shared a locomotive, a Vespa that was very common in those days.

In the next photo, the background was changed, and there are more years.

The general is old, and Mr. Zhao is not young. Some people never see each other, and then there are more others.

I've never seen Ms. Zhao's young appearance. She doesn't like to keep photos, and she doesn't even put one on the cabinet at home.

But in the picture in front of me, Miss Zhao is slim and beautiful, with a ponytail in a white uniform and a blue skirt, holding Mrs. Zhao on her arm, with a very sweet smile.

There was a date written in the corner of the photo, and after calculation, it was almost taken before she went abroad in high school.

After that it was gone.

The rest are family photos, and Miss Zhao is hardly seen in them, but Zhao Kuanyi can be found, and I don't know many others.

In one of them, Zhao Kuanyi is standing on the far left, and Ms. Zhao is beside him, and they are smiling.

I'm a little subtle.

I wonder how old Zhao Kuanyi was?He is taller than Ms. Zhao, and looks like a child and a teenager.

"This picture seems to be taken abroad." A voice came from behind.

I paused and turned to see Zhao Kuanyi.

He closed the floor-to-ceiling windows, took a step forward, and his eyes fell on the photo.He said: "Yes, look, the location is written here, in Switzerland, St. Moritz."

I took a closer look, "Really." After thinking for a while, I asked, "How old are you at this time?"

Zhao Kuanyi was silent for a moment before saying, "It should be 13 years old."

I was suddenly blessed, "Thirteen? Was this picture taken during the summer vacation?"

In the third year of their marriage, Ms. Zhao and Mr. Xiao took him to Switzerland during the school summer vacation.He came back and brought me a bag of Swiss sugar.

"probably."

Hearing his tone, I changed the subject: "There are rooms in the back?"

"Well, there is also a study room." Zhao Kuanyi said, "Would you like to see it?"

"Oh, no need." I laughed and remembered something: "By the way, your grandma just asked me to play cards at night."

Zhao Kuanyi signaled me to go downstairs, and said, "She played all night yesterday, and she lost a lot to grandpa, and she kept saying that she was not reconciled."

I said: "Your grandma has figured out that the four of us will play. So you know how to play?"

"Only a little." Zhao Kuanyi looked over and said, "You don't know?"

"Yes, but it's a little bit." I pretended to be worried: "Looking at your grandma, she is going to kill the Quartet."

Zhao Kuanyi slightly raised his eyebrows, "Oh, are you afraid of losing money?"

I smiled reservedly, "I don't like it."

Zhao Kuanyi said casually: "Don't worry, they play with a very small base."

Zhao's dinner is orthodox Chinese food.

Around the Chinese New Year, there are several dishes with festive names.The old lady doesn't go to the kitchen. Like Miss Zhao, she only gives verbal instructions, relying entirely on her aunt's ability.

Zhao Kuanyi opened the wine brought back in the afternoon. Chateau Lagrange is full-bodied, but smooth, which is a good match for a slightly greasy meal.

It didn't take long to eat this meal, and the old lady couldn't wait to rush everyone to the poker table.

I played thirteen cards, but I can't do this.

Zhao Kuanyi told me: "It's the same as playing sixteen cards, it's just a different calculation method."

"That's right, that's right, but remember, you can't play cards that you have discarded. Besides, here we play [-] yuan, [-] yuan." The old lady said while drawing cards.

I couldn't help but glance at Zhao Kuanyi, he looked at ease.All I had to say was, "No problem."

The old lady smiled, but glanced at Mr. Zhao: "It's agreed, don't renege on your debt."

Mr. Zhao snorted.

"I don't know who it is."

"Remember your words." The old lady said, playing a card first.

Just now the dinner was more serious than gossip, but now the two old people—especially the old lady, after fumbling for two rounds and playing cards, not only had fun, but also opened up their conversation boxes.

The two old men talked about everything except talking about family matters.

In the middle, Zhao Kuanyi didn't say much, and neither did I.

The old lady mentioned a few names, all of which I don't know, but there is one named Yuzhen, whom Mr. Zhao mentioned when I first came here.That was the old lady's niece, called her aunt.

I vaguely heard her mention an English name, Heather.

"—Speaking of which, she is the same age as Kuan Yi, oh, you are too, they are both young people, we can chat, if we meet each other. Speaking of you young, it seems that all of you are busy with your career, that's not good , to go out more and meet more people.”

I just smiled and didn't agree, my hands were a bit too busy.After two laps, the chips I gave were really considerable.I took a sip of the red wine and couldn't help but glance at Zhao Kuanyi, he is fine, he hasn't lost or won.

Zhao Kuanyi seemed to be aware of it, looked at it, and threw out a piece of seven pieces leisurely.

When I got off his house, I was startled, and immediately called for food, and got a card of four.

Mr. Zhao picked up the red wine, "You can't give it away as a card."

Zhao Kuanyi also took a sip of wine, and replied lightly: "I never do free business."

It is indeed true, after he finished speaking, I was grateful in my heart, and then I was bullshit by him afterwards.

It was hard to get to the fourth round. There was not a drop of two bottles of red wine left, and my chips were all gone.

Mrs. Zhao got up to move around, and the old lady couldn't stop thinking about it.

"It's only eleven o'clock? At least we can play four laps..."

"Let's take a break and play again." Zhao Kuanyi said, getting up, "I'm going to do some shopping."

The old lady raised her voice and asked: "There is no shortage of things at home, what do you buy?"

"Come back in a while."

Zhao Kuanyi only said that he gave me a hand and went to get the coat key.I understood, put on my coat, changed shoes with him and went out.

After closing the door and entering the elevator, I said, "You guys are really low in the game."

Looking at Zhao Kuanyi, he raised his eyebrows slightly, "Don't you say yes?"

I also raised my eyebrows, "Then don't you say you know a little bit?"

Zhao Kuanyi didn't reflect on himself: "Compared to my grandparents, I can only count as a little bit good at fighting. I didn't expect you to be so poor that you didn't even win."

I choked, and couldn't bear to criticize: "Since you know I'm about to lose everything, you still play my cards?"

Zhao Kuanyi answered me: "Who would put money away and not win?"

I really have nothing to say.

Stepping out of the elevator and walking in the hallway, with the wind blowing, I felt my head cleared up after being bored all night.I tightened my coat and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Just take a walk." Zhao Kuanyi said, taking out a cigarette, "Smoking?"

I took a look and took it.

Zhao Kuanyi lit a fire, leaned over to light it for me, and then he lit one himself.I took two puffs, and the smoke gradually cleared away my hard-won clear thoughts.

"Cigarettes do taste good." I said, "How many types of shredded tobacco did you mix?"

"At least three, I'll tell you next time." Zhao Kuanyi said.

I laughed, walked two or three steps, and said again: "Then teach me to roll cigarettes by the way?"

"Ah."

I didn't speak anymore, walked out of the alley with him, and smoked to the bottom.

"Are you back soon?" I asked.

"I talked about shopping." Zhao Kuanyi said, pointing to the 7-11 in front, "Go there."

I was taken aback, "What do you want to buy?"

Zhao Kuanyi was silent for a moment and said, "Just buy some wine."

I was taken aback, "Do you really want to buy it?"

"Ah."

I didn't move, saw him go in, was stunned for a while, and went in quickly. In 7-11, apart from us, there is only one customer who checks out at the counter.

At the freezer, Zhao Kuanyi was about to fetch wine.

My heart moved, I took two steps and asked with a smile, "You invite me?"

There was a smile in Zhao Kuanyi's eyes. He took two cans of wine and stuffed them into my hand: "When will I not invite you, huh?"