growing up

Gu Yuan's birthday happened to be Sunday.

In line with the "national conditions", the poor No. [-] Middle School and Senior Three experimental class shortened the students' rest day for the Nth time starting from September [-]st.Now, apart from the one-day rest after the monthly exam, they only have the benefit of not going to evening self-study every Sunday.

However, until noon on October 19th, Ling Chao still didn't dare to mention his birthday in front of Gu Yuan.

On Saturday afternoon, Zhang Yun sent a message to Gu Yuan, asking him to take Ling Chao home for dinner after school.

"Brother Chao, tell Aunt Chen not to make dinner." Gu Yuan told Ling Chao after reading the message.

"Ah?" Ling Chao looked up in confusion.

"My mother told you to come to our house for dinner later." Gu Yuan said.

"Oh, okay" Ling Chao said, put down his pen, took out his mobile phone and sent a message to Aunt Chen.

Gu Yuan has lived in Ling Chao's place for two months. In the past two months, they have been together except for meal time.The two of them woke up together in the morning, Ling Chao took him to do some exercise, and Gu Yuan made a simple breakfast for the two of them.In the evening, when Gu Yuan went back to work, Ling Chao was reading a book.

The days passed quietly in harmony and busyness, Gu Yuan's work has finished these few days, and he has relaxed a lot.Coupled with daily exercise and a regular diet, he even gained some weight. When he accidentally saw him take off his shirt, the bones on his body were no longer obvious.

Ling Chao was delighted with Gu Yuan's changes, and also wanted to give him some nutrition, so that he could reach a normal physique before the college entrance examination.

When they arrived at Gu Yuan's house, Grandma Gu was serving dishes, and Zhang Yun was still busy in the kitchen.

Grandma Gu heard the sound of the door opening, looked up to see the two of them, and greeted them with a smile: "Come back, hurry up, wash your hands and then you can eat."

"Hi, grandma." Ling Chao called out first after entering the room.

"Hey, okay, good boy." Grandma Gu smiled even deeper.

There were already seven or eight dishes on the table, all of which they liked. Ling Chao came out after washing his hands, and couldn't help sighing: "It smells so good! The stewed ribs must have been made by grandma herself."

"That's right," Grandma Gu said, "I just did this one and you can tell that it has a really good memory."

"Hey, that's my greed." Ling Chao rubbed his head in embarrassment.

Gu Yuan went to the kitchen and saw his mother cooking noodles.He actually knew why he called Ling Chao over for dinner today, and made such a big table of delicious food.

Birthday, Gu Yuan has always been reluctant to see this day.When I was in the country, my grandma would cook a bowl of longevity noodles for the two brothers and sisters every year the night before.Later, when he arrived in the city, and his birthdays were all in school time, he didn't go there on purpose.

This year, he is the only one left who is still growing a year old on this day.And my younger sister stayed at the age of 16 forever.

"Go and eat first, it will be ready soon." Zhang Yun watched Gu Yuan come in, and waved his hand to let him out.

Gu Yuan didn't move, he stood side by side with his mother, watching her stir the noodles in the boiling water with chopsticks.

He is now 1.8 meters tall, more than half a head taller than his mother, but at this moment, he just wants to lean on his mother's shoulder to suppress the emotions in his heart that he doesn't want to mention.

Feeling his son's dependence, Zhang Yun tilted his head to touch Gu Yuan's forehead, and asked in a gentle tone, "What's the matter? Such a young man wants to act like a baby with his mother?"

"It's okay, I just want to rely on you." Gu Yuan murmured in a low voice.

"Let's wait for a while, I haven't enjoyed the time when you acted like a baby in front of me." Zhang Yun picked up a chopstick and looked at it. He felt that it was almost done. He threw down the green vegetables on his hand and slowly said , "You have been very strong and mature since you were a child. You don't look like a child at all. But in fact, you are only 17 years old tomorrow, so you are still a child."

Listening to his mother's words, Gu Yuan was full of thoughts.It's not that he doesn't want to be a child, it's just that what he experienced since he was a child made him block the side of himself that belongs to a child.

His parents are not around, his sister is sick, and his grandmother is too old. He must be sensible so as not to worry his family.

What's more, his parents' careers have been filled with awe in his heart since he was a child. He can't be cowardly, but must also be strong.

Zhang Yun lifted his shoulders lightly and said, "Alright, let's go out for dinner."

The noodles in the pot are ready, and Zhang Yun is ready to serve them.

Gu Yuan helped his mother out with two bowls of noodles. Ling Chao was talking with grandma on the table. When he saw them coming out, he quickly got up and continued.

After they all sat down, Zhang Yun said, "According to the custom of my hometown, Xiaoyuan will eat longevity noodles today. Originally, you don't have to study by yourself tomorrow night, so you can celebrate your birthday together. But tomorrow, my grandma and I will go back to the countryside. , go to see Qingqing. So I ate longevity noodles with my birthday meal today, so you two can spend it alone tomorrow."

Ling Chao, who had never dared to take the initiative to mention his birthday, felt relieved when he heard Gu Yuan's mother speak so calmly. He glanced at Gu Yuan and found that he was in a good mood.

"In a blink of an eye, Xiao Yuan is seventeen. I haven't stayed at home for a few days in these years, and I missed a lot," Zhang Yun continued, "From now on, I will stay here with grandma, whether you are going to school or not. It’s still work, and when you want to go home, we’ll be here waiting for you to come back.”

Gu Yuan pursed his lips and listened to his mother.

"Come on," Zhang Yun picked up the juice that Ling Chao had poured earlier, and said, "Our family wishes Xiaoyuan a happy birthday!"

Four cups collided above the table, and all four of them smiled at this moment.

No matter how much you have lost, at least your home and love are still there, and you will not be lonely in the future.

After the evening self-study get out of class, the temperature at night is already very cold.

Ling Chao couldn't help but gathered up the woolen coat, and zipped up Gu Yuan's open zipper before walking home with him.

After leaving the school gate, Gu Yuan took Ling Chao's hand and put it in his coat pocket.The two were very close, and the loose clothes blocked the little movement between them.

The street lights on the street are surprisingly bright tonight, and the shops on both sides are still waiting for these students after night self-study, opening their doors for the last business of the day.

Students in twos and threes walked past quickly, only the two of them were walking slowly, as if walking under the lights of this road.

After the corner, there are fewer pedestrians, and the gate of the community is in front of you.Gu Yuan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said, "Brother Chao, I am very happy today."

Ling Chao knew in his heart that Gu Yuan was in a different state after dinner this afternoon.During the evening self-study, he even took the initiative to discuss a few math problems with Wang Tian.

He hasn't talked to his classmates for a long time. Those classmates who used to like to ask him questions automatically turned to Ling Chao or Chen Yu when they felt his low pressure.

"As long as you are happy." Ling Chao squeezed his fingers in his pocket and said.

"I shouldn't be too pessimistic. In the past two months, I can actually feel that my mother, grandma and even you are careful not to touch the wound in my heart," Gu Yuan spoke slowly, as if opening My heart said, "But in fact, Qingqing has been gone for two months. If she has perception, she will not want to see such a brother. Tomorrow is our birthday. I thought I still dare not face it until When I saw my mother cooking noodles for me, I knew that they all hoped that I could face it head-on."

Ling Chao didn't know what to say, so he could only hold Gu Yuan tighter.

There is a shadowy area at the gate of the community.Gu Yuan stopped, stood facing Ling Chao, and said as if he had made up his mind: "From now on, I will learn to let go of my previous obsessions and be truly happy. At least, I still have you, and I still have you." There's grandma and mom."

After hearing what he said, Ling Chao took out his hand from his pocket, and hugged the person in front of him into his arms.

During this period of time, he was indeed very cautious. When Gu Yuan was unwilling to face the reality, he could only watch him by his side and accompany him.

But now, being able to hear Gu Yuan utter these words with his own ears, at least, his waiting has hope.

"Let's go upstairs, I have something for you." Ling Chao let go of him and rubbed his head.

Ling Chao pulled Gu Yuan into the bedroom and asked him to sit down at the desk.Then dragged out the suitcase in the corner, opened it, and took out two boxes, one large and one small.

The big box was red, and there was a small lock on the seal. Ling Chao opened it carefully, and the collar appeared in front of Gu Yuan.

"Do you remember this?" Ling Chao looked at Gu Yuan and asked.

A momentary surprise flashed in Gu Yuan's eyes, and he nodded.

"Originally, I wanted to give it to Qingqing tomorrow," Ling Chao held up the collar with his hand, and slid his fingers across the bell under the tassel, making a crisp sound, "As a result, it has been staying in my neck since I came back to City D." It's in the trunk."

Gu Yuan took it with both hands, looked down for a while, and then slowly put it back into the box, and carefully tidied up the tassels that were messed up.

"Thank you," Gu Yuan said, "Let me speak for Qingqing."

Ling Chao closed the lock and gave the box to Gu Yuan: "I'll leave this to you. You can keep it yourself or give it to Aunt Zhang. Just keep it in mind."

He picked up the black box next to it and opened it: "This one was made by my father's friend when I went home during summer vacation."

The diamond earrings shone brilliantly under the light, this gift was somewhat beyond Gu Yuan's imagination.

"Isn't it a bit vulgar?" Ling Chao asked anxiously seeing Gu Yuan's expression that he didn't know how to describe.

"This," Gu Yuan put the box containing the collar on the table, pointed to the box in Ling Chao's hand and asked, "Is it a diamond?"

"...Yes," Ling Chao replied with some hesitation, and suddenly felt that giving diamonds between two boys seemed a bit strange, "It was the first time I saw you with pierced ears, and I wanted to give you a stud earring Well, the naked diamond doesn’t look exaggerated, and it’s quite beautiful, so it’s…”

"How much?" Gu Yuan asked, interrupting him.

"Huh?" Ling Chao didn't expect him to ask the price.

Gu Yuan suddenly felt that Ling Chao's appearance was a bit cute, and couldn't help laughing: "This is not cheap, is it? At least it is many times more expensive than Qingqing's collar."

"...Yes." Ling Chao replied instinctively, then thought again, now it's a gift, and the price shouldn't be discussed here.For Gu Yuan, as long as he can afford it, he is willing to pay as much as he wants.

Gu Yuan pinched one of them, twirled his fingers around, then moved closer to Ling Chao, kissed him on the face and said, "Thank you, I like it very much."

Ling Chao was completely bewildered by Gu Yuan's reaction, why were the reactions before and after this so wrong?Of course he knew that what Gu Yuan said had nothing to do with liking the price, and the expression on his asking price was obviously just to make fun of himself for being clichéd.

"As long as you like it." Ling Chao felt as if he was weak.

"Brother Chao," Gu Yuan called him, "You said, you gave me diamonds, do you mean a marriage proposal?"

Ling Chao opened his eyes wide: "...!"

"Haha," Gu Yuan laughed, "I'll take it."

Gu Yuan hadn't smiled so relaxedly in front of Ling Chao for a long time, Ling Chao never thought that a diamond would cause such a miraculous reaction.

"Are we one of us?" Gu Yuan asked, "But you haven't got your ears pierced yet. Besides, at our age, it's too ostentatious to wear them."

"I'm just..." Ling Chao said helplessly, "Forget it, I didn't intend to let you wear it now, I just wanted to give you such an item. I'll get my ears pierced tomorrow!"

"Oh," Gu Yuan put the earrings into the box with a smile, "Okay, I won't tease you. But I really like it, it's very beautiful."

"You don't need to comfort me," Ling Chao said, "I don't give gifts to people very much, and I don't know how to make things, so I just buy what I think about. Although diamonds are vulgar, they also have a good meaning ah."

"Not vulgar, not vulgar," Gu Yuan pretended to be serious, "I'll give you a really vulgar one next year, okay?"

"Okay," Ling Chao said, "Go take a shower, I'll heat the milk, the presents will be delivered here, and there's still a set of test papers to do."

After school the next day, Ling Chao really took Gu Yuan to find a place to get his ear pierced.Gu Yuan put on the tea stems he brought from home in advance and asked Ling Chao if it hurt.

"It doesn't hurt." Ling Chao really didn't feel the pain, but he was still not used to it, and always felt that there was something on his ear.

Gu Yuan looked again and confirmed that the tea stalk had penetrated the ear hole: "It's getting colder now, and the house is warmed up. One cold and one hot are prone to inflammation, so be careful."

"Isn't it because you're here, you definitely won't make it inflamed." Ling Chao put his arm around Gu Yuan's shoulder and said, "Let's go, we agreed to have dinner with He Nuo and the others tonight."

The author has something to say:

Hey, about the cliche diamond earrings, it's because a person I really like has a diamond earrings.Since then, diamond earrings for boys have become the number one accessory in my heart.It's a pity that my husband is unwilling to get his ears pierced, otherwise I can realize this little dream in reality.

Also, I really just typed the name of this novel randomly.At the beginning, I thought that I would post it slowly after I finished writing, and I would choose a name that I was satisfied with.As a result, I have not thought of a satisfactory name since I imagined it in March, from the manual coding to the major change to the serialization until now.It's also trash.