smoke like fire

The rain stopped shortly after.The ground was still wet, and there were large and small puddles of water on the road, and a paper cup that had been discarded from nowhere was completely soaked in it.Because of the rain, in addition to the damp, the street is also filled with a bad smell.Paris is an old city with its romance and beauty, and like other cities, it always has its bad side.

And seeing that the rain stopped, I went out early.

My old high school friend Huang Shiming and his wife live in an apartment near the Luxembourg Gardens.Huang Shiming and I had a good friendship in high school, but after he went abroad to study, we gradually lost contact and lost news until I went to Stanford to study for an MBA and we met again in California.He is also at Stanford, where he can do political research.

At that time, his girlfriend was now his wife. After he graduated, the two got married and settled in Paris.He went to Paris First University to continue his doctorate, and then stayed as a teacher.

I wasn't there when they got married.Fortunately, the battle of the French holding weddings, I have seen it once, and I dare not experience it for the second time.I feel tired just thinking about the scene of the day before yesterday.

This time, instead of meeting at his house, at a restaurant on the Rue Mouffetard road.That area is close to Notre Dame Cathedral, so it’s okay anyway, just take a walk and look around casually to pass the time.

The air was cold after the rain. Everyone on the road gathered their coats tightly, and put their hands firmly in their pockets, as if they couldn't take them out.But I was hot instead; maybe it was because of the crowds in the subway.The carriages are full of people, there are all kinds of smells, and the weather is cooler. In summer, you can't wait to walk everywhere.

I took Line [-], got out at cite, walked all the way, and bought coffee at a coffee shop on the way.There are coffee shops everywhere, and people in the open-air seats are reading books, dazed, or watching everything that is happening on the road.I walked along the bank again.Not long after, I saw the stalwart twin towers, which is Notre Dame.There were quite a lot of people in the square, and there was a long line of people who wanted to visit the interior.

I'm just outside.I wanted to drink coffee and sit on the steps in front of the door for a while, but I don’t know if it’s because of the crowds around me that I’m not very interested. What’s more, I feel hot all the time and I can’t breathe.So I finished my coffee and left, and walked up the bridge to the left bank.There are many newsstands and bookstores along the way, and the world-famous Shakespeare and Bookstore is also there.

Shakespeare's bookstore is not only about people, but also about books.The wooden shelves are placed upright or horizontally, layer upon layer, but it doesn’t take much effort to find the book you want, and the clerk always has a way to find it quickly.I bought two books here.A film magazine in French, and a collection of Rilke's roses; I'm not a loyal reader, I bought it because I bought it.

After leaving the bookstore, it was almost twelve o'clock, and I walked slowly to the agreed place. Rue Mouffetard is a very old road in Paris, or a stone road; it is very lively, there is a market, and there are many shops on both sides.I followed the restaurant name given by Huang Shiming to find it.

I didn't search for too long, because I ran into Huang Shiming on the way.

Long time no see, he shook my hand while leaning forward to give me a French greeting.Not too embarrassing, I've gotten used to it in the few days I've been here, and he's almost an old Parisian—Parisians are a real courtesy on this floor, just like a superficial one.

Mrs. Huang Shiming is also there.I also greet politely.His wife struck up a conversation with me, said a few words to him, nodded to me and walked away.

Seeing my confusion, Huang Shiming smiled wryly and said, "Corrine and her friend had an appointment today. She didn't come with me. I said I must let you meet, but she reluctantly agreed."

I smiled and said, "I'm the one to be embarrassed. But, isn't that what French women are all about? They can always pass the time by themselves, so we men don't have to worry about it."

Huang Shiming sighed, "It's good, but sometimes I'm too independent."

I couldn't help laughing, patted him on the shoulder, and pushed open the door of the restaurant together to go in.As soon as I entered, it was full of people, but the waiter came to inquire immediately, and because I had an appointment, I quickly went to the seat and sat down.

The heating inside was fully turned on. I took off my coat and started sweating after sitting for a long time.Before ordering food, I asked for a glass of water first.

The waiter brought it quickly.I was drinking water, Huang Shicheng seemed to be amused and said: "It's very cold today, why are you so hot? Your face is red."

I smiled and didn't care too much, "Maybe I'm wearing too much."

Huang Shiming didn't pay attention to it, so he turned over the meal book and enthusiastically recommended the grilled snails here to me. Because of the good quality of the meat, the price is more affordable than another restaurant specializing in grilled snails.It happened that someone was eating at the next table, I took a look, it should be delicious, but my appetite was not tempted at all.Not hungry either.

Due to the kindness of my old friend, I still ordered the grilled snails.

Of course the dishes are served one by one.Here, everyone takes their time.Some people came in even earlier and didn't want dessert until now.

Before the main course was served, the waiter came to recommend a wine, and Huang Shiming took it.Wine and grilled snails go well together.I think I've always been strong enough to drink, but now I only took a couple of sips and felt slightly tipsy.I didn't drink much after that, and the whole bottle went down in Huang Shiming's stomach.He is also a massive one.

As for the grilled snails, of course it was delicious, but I felt tired after a few bites and couldn't swallow it no matter what.When the waiter came to pour the wine, he repeatedly stared at my plate of almost complete grilled snails.

Fortunately, Huang Shiming has a good appetite, so he was obliged to solve it.

I chatted with him a lot on a daily basis.He only goes back to Taiwan twice a year. During the general strike and the Chinese New Year, each time he is in a hurry, and there are always too many people to meet.I also rarely show up in his itinerary.Mainly I am also busy, and the time is not right.

Somehow, the matter of marriage came up.

"When will you get married?"

When I was asked suddenly, I was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Then there must be someone."

Huang Shiming's eyes widened, as if he didn't believe it: "What about those girlfriends before you? You can always find one to marry."

I smiled and said, "Those girlfriends of mine? It makes me seem to have dated a lot of people." After a pause, "It's not suitable for those who will share, and I'm not looking for it specifically."

Huang Shiming asked: "Is your family not in a hurry?"

I smiled slightly, "They don't care."

Huang Shiming let out a big sigh, leaning on one of his cheeks with one hand, and said, "That's great. Back then, when I graduated, my family kept urging me to get married. They had no problem with me marrying a foreigner, they just hoped to have children sooner. Corrine It happens to be, otherwise, I have to make up my own mind and don't get married so early."

I said, "Aren't there many French people who have children and don't get married?"

"Yes." Huang Shiming said, looked at me and said, "Corrine didn't think it was necessary to get married. But there is no way in my family that we can't get married. They are still very old-fashioned. They think they have children. It's nothing to not get married."

I smiled, and suddenly remembered something, and said, "Didn't I come to attend a wedding this time? There, I met your mother-in-law."

Huang Shiming's eyes widened instantly, "Isn't it? What a coincidence? Did she say anything to you?"

But many—the old lady was not very satisfied with the job of the Chinese son-in-law.Of course I saved face for my old friend, I just smiled and said: "I didn't say anything, there were a lot of people at the wedding, so let's strike up a conversation."

Huang Shiming seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.He was quiet for a while, and then said: "Today we both go out, and the children go to Corrine's mother's place. Actually, I don't like children going to her mother's house. Her mother always criticizes me in front of the children. She How do you know about my school affairs—" He talked a lot, including dissatisfaction with his wife and children's problems.

Because I didn't understand it very well, I superficially said a few words of comfort.Huang Shiming seemed to have noticed it too, and seemed embarrassed, and then changed his mouth to talk about something else.

After drinking coffee, Huang Shiming suddenly asked, "How is Chen Limin?"

I was taken aback and said, "Oh, she's married."

Huang Shiming showed a regretful expression. He took a sip of coffee and said, "Just now, you said that there is no one suitable for marriage. When I thought about it, I thought of her. Didn't you two get together after graduating from high school? I thought, you just put her After chasing back, we have been together, and we all understand.”

I really want to laugh, "Thank you so much for caring about my marriage."

Huang Shiming smiled, "Isn't it because I can't see you free? I can't be the only one in dire straits in my marriage."

I smiled, but I got serious: "Even if I am willing, Chen Limin has always had a boyfriend and is married again. Besides, I didn't say that there must be something inappropriate for breaking up."

After Fang finished speaking, I was stunned.It was the first time I said that I had never thought of it, but now I said that I thought about Zhao Kuanyi and me.It was considered a breakup back then, so how should we count it now?

But if you think about it strictly, my relationship with him was not suitable from the beginning.Not to mention personality, there are many aspects.

However, such problems should be considered endlessly.I think, if you really want to count, no one will be suitable with anyone.

After sitting for a while, I went back to the bathroom.It was a bit uncomfortable, and it was always hot; I boiled water, splashed it on my face, and when I wiped my face with a tissue, I looked in the mirror and realized that my face was red.

As soon as I got back to my seat, Huang Shiming looked over with concern.

"Are you okay? I don't think you are wearing too much, do you have a cold?"

I didn't speak, just touched my face, it wasn't hot.

"I think you should go back and rest." Huang Shiming said, raising his hand to pay the bill, and then looked at me, "How many days are you going to stay in Paris?"

I thought for a while and said, "There are still three more days."

Huang Shiming nodded and said, "Before you leave, see if you have time. Why don't you come out again? Or come to my house for dinner? You can call the friends who came together this time, everyone knows each other."

I nodded casually, and between talking to him, the waiter had already brought the bill.Huang Shiming insisted on treating guests.After paying the bill, he walked with me to the subway station.

"Be careful, give me a call when you get back to the hotel," he said.

I smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "It's only now that I feel like a father."

Huang Shiming snorted, patted me on the shoulder, and left with a wave.

I took the metro back to the Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre station.Not long after leaving the station, it started to rain again, fortunately not too much.I hurried back to the hotel, holding my coat tightly together; at last I felt cold.

When I entered the hall, the heating was blowing on my face, and I should be comfortable, but I was shivering. It didn't take much effort to go back to the room, but I was exhausted.I took off my coat, threw it away, and entered the bedroom in a trance. When I saw the bed, I immediately lay on it, dragged the quilt cover, and my eyelids couldn't hold it anymore.

I don't know if I slept or not.People seem to be floating, like in the air, like in the water, always floating up and down.It also seemed that there was a voice chattering there. I thought the TV was on, but the next moment I remembered that it was not on at all, but I couldn't open my eyes to find out.I don't know how long it took, the surrounding suddenly became quiet, and I felt relaxed, and my consciousness sank.

Suddenly—or maybe after a long time, the bed near me sank.

Something touched his forehead, and it was a little cold.I opened my eyes at once, and met the familiar eyebrows and eyes, but the eyes seemed not very happy.I couldn't help blinking, still in a daze, but I was surprised in my heart.

Zhao Kuanyi suddenly turned on the light beside the bed.

The orange light brightened up, I squinted my eyes, and looked at him again, with normal eyes.Perhaps it was because there was no light in the bedroom, the skylight outside the window alone was not enough.Because of the illusion.

I was silent for a moment, but he spoke first.

"you're uncomfortable?"

I paused and said, "Probably there was some wind when I went out—it's nothing."

Zhao Kuanyi was still looking at me and said, "But you have a little fever."

I raised my hand to touch my face, it was slightly hot.But after sweating, I felt much better than before, so I said, "It's not too hot, just lie down." After a pause, seeing that he was still wearing his coat, "You came back so early?"

Zhao Kuanyi was silent before saying, "It's almost six o'clock."

I was taken aback, "Oh, then..."

"Do you want some water?" Zhao Kuanyi interrupted, stood up, walked away, and came back after a while.He has a glass of water in his hand.

I froze for a moment, then stood up and sat up.He gave me the water, moved closer, and helped adjust the pillow so that I could sit on it.

I stared blankly at him.He seemed strange, looked at it, and asked, "Is the water too cold? I asked the people from the hotel to boil hot water and bring it over."

I hurriedly said no, shook my head, and drank the water quickly.He took my cup away and put it aside, then reached out to me and touched my forehead.

I thought I didn't want to hide, but I was inexplicably awkward, so I didn't look at him very much for a while.

Zhao Kuanyi was talking, but stopped his hands: "I still feel very hot, I should go to the doctor."

I just looked at him and hurriedly said, "No, it's nothing."

Zhao Kuanyi did not speak.But the phone rang, and it was his.I remembered that he had dinner tonight.And the bell rang several times, and he seemed to be hesitant to pick it up.

He got up, but didn't move away, looking at me while talking.I should have heard him speak clearly, as if he was interested in not going to the appointment.

But that side didn't seem to be easy to deal with, he hung up the phone with a more obvious hesitation.I can see clearly, amazed in my heart, and feel rare.

I feel more novelty.

Zhao Kuanyi didn't mention the phone call, but said to me: "If you don't see a doctor, then buy some medicine and take it. You can't let it burn all the time."

I hurriedly said, "No need." With a smile, "You probably don't know, I have a fever even if I only have a headache. It's fine if the fever passes, it really doesn't matter." Seeing his silence, he said, "You still have an appointment, Is it almost time?"

Zhao Kuanyi said lightly: "It doesn't matter if you are late for a while."

I smiled, helped myself to the pillow and lay down, I couldn't sit still.Seeing that he was still standing, I thought about it and said, "I'll just sleep here, it really doesn't matter, you go out quickly."

Zhao Kuanyi was silent, and after a while he seemed to sigh. He looked at his watch and said, "Call me if you need anything."

I smiled and said, "You think I can't?"

Zhao Kuanyi seemed startled, then smiled slightly.

"Of course you just call."

I was alone in the bedroom again.

I was still lying on the bed, rolled up the quilt cover, facing the window, and the curtains were drawn.Because the lights were turned on inside, it was dark outside, unless you wanted to get closer.

I touched my forehead, and I still had a low fever.My body was sweating, and my shirt was wet and sticky. I planned to wait to take a shower, but I lay down for a while and still didn't get up.However, now this bed is not comfortable to lie on.

I moved the position of the pillow and thought about it just now.

When Zhao Kuanyi approached, he smelled a little smoke, which was very faint, but his body was uncomfortable and he was sensitive to all smells.But I'm not disgusted, but not because I smoke cigarettes myself.Why, of course I knew, I even wanted to hug him at that time.It seems to be able to find peace.

I rolled over and lay flat.

Then, I don't know when I fell asleep again.I have never dreamed, I wake up when I sleep, and the surroundings are always quiet.When I woke up, there was a sound in the living room.I was stunned, someone had already walked in.

It was Zhao Kuanyi, who took off his coat this time, and looked as if he had been back for a while.He looked at me, seemed startled, and said, "Are you awake?"

I was also stunned, gave a vague answer, turned over, wanted to check the time, but couldn't find the watch.Zhao Kuanyi came over, sat by my side, and touched my forehead.

"The heat seems to have subsided a little."

I breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great." Then I asked: "When is it?"

Zhao Kuanyi withdrew his hand and said, "Let's take some medicine."

Before I could react, I heard him ask again: "Are you hungry?"

I thought for a while and said, "A little bit." After a pause, "But I want to take a shower."

Zhao Kuanyi stood up and said, "Then get up, you go to the bathroom to wash. I brought back some food, you eat some, and then take medicine."

I was sitting up, startled, and couldn't help looking at him.He didn't notice it, and walked towards the living room.I didn't know what to think, so I took it easy, listened to him, took a shower, ate something, and took medicine.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Kuanyi went to buy porridge.It is a very light bowl of porridge, with only chopped green onions and eggs.The taste is not quite like Chinese.When I asked him, he poured water for me and said, "It's at Rue Sainte-Anne."

There are indeed many Japanese restaurants there, and I was curious: "How do you know which one to buy?"

Zhao Kuanyi glanced at me and said flatly: "This is a very simple thing, just ask."

I drank water, looked at him, but couldn't help but smile.He didn't talk much, just passed the pills.I won't ask any more questions this time.

Because the fever was still low and the medicine was taking effect, I was talking to him in the living room, yawning frequently.So I went to sleep in the bedroom again.During my sleep, I sweated again. I felt very hot and in a trance. I couldn't wake up very well, but I always felt that someone was approaching.

In the back, I can sleep peacefully again.

I woke up feeling very thirsty.

The lights in the bedroom were turned off, but the curtains were not drawn, and the night light came in, so it was still clear.I'm alone in the bedroom.

I got out of bed and saw a glass of water on the bedside table.Without thinking too much, I went to get a drink.The water is very cold, but it is not difficult to drink.I stood in front of the table, paused for a while, and then looked at the living room. There was light there, but it was also very quiet.

I thought about it, went over, saw the figure sleeping sideways on the sofa, and couldn't help but smile.When he was tired, Zhao Kuanyi would socialize sooner or later, and he didn't have much more rest time than me.

The sofa is not very big, Zhao Kuanyi sleeps there, it should not be very comfortable.I was thinking of calling him, when I suddenly saw an open magazine on the coffee table.A watch is pressed against that side.

I was about to take it when I saw the time, it was just after twelve o'clock in the morning.

After a pause, I couldn't help looking at Zhao Kuanyi who was sleeping with his eyes closed.Remember, listening to him talking on the phone, he and his aunt's family made an appointment at seven o'clock.It always takes a while to get there.Eating takes more time.

Did he leave early?Thinking, I looked at the open magazine, the movie magazine I bought this morning.This is a second-hand magazine. I bought it because of a movie review. I didn't pay much attention to the others at the time.

Unexpectedly, the movie Les Aments du Pout-Neuf was also mentioned in it.Where the watch rests is written Quelqu'unvousaime - someone loves you.

I looked at the words, slightly in a trance.My heart was suddenly filled with erratic happiness.It's too inexplicable.It doesn't really make sense that he does it.But he could just as well cover the magazine.Nor could he think of me wanting to see.

I put down the magazine, collected myself, and covered Zhao Kuanyi with the coat on the hanger.I went back to my bedroom and lay in bed, thinking about things all the time.There are some places that I can't think of moving until now.I have always followed my intuition, but I can't be sure about Zhao Kuanyi.At this time, I couldn't help but smile.I didn't think I could be so sensational; but I couldn't help it.