Dear Chen Jiu

After the rain, the small county town was a bit stuffy. On the day Chen Jiu finished his college entrance examination, we didn't go home by car, but walked side by side on the quiet and clean asphalt road.

After this summer vacation, I will not see him for a long time.

"Do you have any plans for the summer vacation?" I kicked the pebbles along the road, as if the whole county was scattered with the end of the college entrance examination.

"work to earn a living."

Unexpected answer.

******

When we went back to school for classes again, the campus was much empty. The most obvious change was that we didn’t have to wait in a long line to eat in the cafeteria at noon, and there were fewer students gathered outside the school.

June 6th was the graduation ceremony of the third year of high school. After class, I went to the small pavilion in the school forest early, and it took about a quarter of an hour to wait for the person I was waiting for.

"Have you brought your things?" I looked at the monitor who was late.

"Bring it with you, don't worry about the senior's work."

I opened the envelope and took out the plastic-sealed graduation photo of the art class inside.

This was taken three weeks before the college entrance examination. In the photo, Chen Jiu was standing on the far right of the last row, wearing a black T-shirt, with outstanding temperament.

Besides, people with good bones are more photogenic. Group photos like this are basically so blurry that parents don’t recognize them, but Chen Jiu is still very photogenic, and I found them at a glance.

Probably the teacher who took the photo emphasized the need to smile again and again, so Chen Jiu's expression in this photo is not serious, and even the corners of his mouth are slightly upturned, and I tugged the corners of his mouth unconsciously.

"Thank you, big brother."

I took out a red ticket and gave it to him.

"Are you burning too much money? It's only 20 for photos and plastic packaging. I don't have any change for you."

The squad leader said and pushed the money back to me, "There are many girls chasing Chen Jiu, but you are the only boy I know. Sometimes I think you are more attentive than girls. This photo should be used as a souvenir for you by the senior.

Primary school brother, sometimes people should not be too obsessed. "

The squad leader returned to the same way as when we first met, like a big brother. Regarding the matter of 'men like men', he never showed me ridicule or sarcasm from the beginning, and even gave me help in the past two years and rescue.

This is one of the few good people I met on the bumpy road of pursuing Chen Jiu, but I didn't know his name until the end.

Now that I think about it, this is probably one of the wonders of life.

On the evening of June 6th, the college entrance examination scores were issued, which happened to be Sunday.

Before it was my turn to call Chen Jiu, there was an explosion in the class group. Our school had a province-wide art college entrance examination champion.

In this small county-level city where the top three have cobbled together an art class, the news is simply overwhelming.

I don't even have to ask, who else could this person be?

I went to school the next day, and the good news and banners were ready overnight, 'Congratulations to Chen Jiu for becoming the number one student in the 2012 college entrance examination in our province. '

I sent Chen Jiu a congratulatory message, but he should be busy these days.

Lu Yuan's college entrance examination scores are also good. I found her name in the school's happy newsletter. It should not be a problem to go to Jiangnan University.

She also sent me a text message, saying that when we are on vacation, we must have a meal together.

After the last grueling month of my sophomore year in high school, I finally had my summer vacation.

Lao Xiao seamlessly started tutoring homework, this time his mother directly invited the teachers of various subjects to come home, and Lao Xiao warmly invited me to make up lessons with him.

I went there for two days and found that it was a bit difficult to learn. Lao Xiao had already entered the ranks of the top 200 in his grade, while I was ranked in the middle and lower reaches of the grade.

Old Xiao is gifted in learning, as long as he wants to learn, it is basically not a problem to take the second exam.

After he made up the basic part of mathematics, he made remarkable progress.

Taking advantage of the noon break, I asked Lao Xiao if he was free this week. I asked Chen Jiu and Lu Yuan to go camping by the Yangtze River with grandma, and Lao Xiao readily agreed.

I sent a text message to Chen Jiu in advance to confirm that he was going to have a rest that day. I also searched for some tips on the local forum, and prepared camping things in advance and put them in the rented commercial vehicle. The car rental company will provide a full-time driver.

Everything was ready, and Lao Xiao and I went to Chen Jiu's house in a commercial vehicle that day, and Wang Jin was also there.

I heard that Aunt Wu went out to take care of her fractured daughter-in-law this week, so Wang Jin stayed at Chen Jiu's house during this time.

Grandma was very happy to see us. Chen Jiu should have told her in advance that she had already put on a straw hat and a pair of sunglasses on her clothes, which was very trendy.

Our group arrived at the bank of the Yangtze River in a mighty car. There were already many people playing on the lawn with their dogs on picnic mats, and some took a nap under tents.

Lao Xiao and Lu Yuan were in charge of renting the grill, I helped the driver unload the car, and Chen Jiu was in charge of setting up the tent.

"Want me to help you?"

"It's fully automatic."

Chen Jiu raised the pole, and the tent was stretched out on the ground.

I spread the picnic mat I brought along in front of the tent, pressed the chairs and small benches against the corners, and took out the snacks.

I also specially brought a cushion to put on the chair, so grandma would be more comfortable to sit on.

But at this moment, grandma was leaning on a cane to look at the surrounding flowers and plants with great interest. She probably stayed at home for too long, and Chen Jiu was too busy studying and working. It should be rare for her to have the opportunity to play with grandma.

Wang Jin was carrying a bag of snacks to tease other people’s puppies, and I took the opportunity to go to Chen Jiu’s side, “Hee hee, your college entrance examination scores are quite good, and there are good news posted everywhere in the school.”

"The notes are for you."

Chen Jiu said and spread the moisture-proof mat into the tent.

I squatted down with him, "So polite."

After he laid the moisture-proof mat, he sat directly on the edge of the tent, and I sat down next to him.

Chen Jiu glanced at the chair I had padded not far away, "Thank you."

I understood what he meant, "You're welcome, just treat us to dinner after you get the admission letter."

"Ah."

"Chen Jiu."

I looked at him sideways, and he was staring at the children with shovels by the river, "I brought a shovel too, let's dig crabs."

At that time, the sun was just right. In fact, I want to say, can you go to college and stop dating?But when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say anything.

"Grandma, do you want to sit here for a while? I brought a huge pot of mung bean soup."

I held a bucket and a shovel in one hand, and pulled Chen Jiu's clothes with the other to pull him down together.

"Go and play, don't worry about me, I'm going for a walk."

"Ah, wait for me, Gu Zong, I want to go down too."

Wang Jin chased after him.

"Let's go."

Chen Jiu touched Wang Jin's head, and I also touched it. No wonder Chen Jiu likes to touch his head. This hair feels really good.

We walked down the stone steps in the middle of the stone fence, and Wang Jin slid down the gap and slide at the fracture in an unusual way.

"Be careful."

I took his hand.

"It's okay, everyone go like this."

Sure enough, a group of half-children can't walk up the steps well.

Although it is summer, the wind on the riverside is quite strong. Looking down, there are children gathered in the reeds and near the big rocks.

It was my first time digging crabs, and Wang Jin had already slipped down. He moved a small stone, "Wow, look, it's all here."

I handed him the bucket and shovel.

"Where do you work during summer vacation?" I asked Chen Jiu.

"Milk tea shop."

Chen Jiu's part-time job is unexpected every time.

"Then I'll cheer you on tomorrow."

I picked up a stone and threw it into the river, and it sank with a 'plop'.

"No, increase my workload."

Chen Jiu also picked up a stone, rubbed it across the water 'bang bang bang' and made several splashes in succession.

"..."

"Chen Jiu, you are amazing."

Wang Jin put down the shovel and walked over, "You teach me."

Chen Jiu picked up a flat pebble and handed it to him, "Low down and throw it horizontally..." He patiently explained the movements while helping Wang Jin adjust his posture.

The stone really hit the surface of the water for four or five splashes before sinking.

The three of us played in the bottom for quite a while, first we 'did in the water' and then we dug crabs, basically we didn't do much digging.

As long as Wang Jin moves small stones or digs a shovel according to what Chen Jiu said every time, he always hits the mark without accident.

We were almost done playing, Lao Xiao asked us to come up for a barbecue.

The grill is set up and the charcoal is lit.

Lu Yuan was wearing skewers next to him. Before we came, Lao Xiao and I thought that there were semi-finished products for sale nearby, but only after we came did we find that the ingredients needed to be skewered by ourselves.

Chen Jiu took over the task of grilling. Lu Yuan and Lao Xiao threaded the bought ingredients into skewers, while Wang Jin stood aside and waited to eat.

I took out the boiled corn I bought separately from the bag and gave it to grandma to eat. The smell of oily smoke in the barbecue area was too heavy, so grandma could only sit on a chair by the tent to watch the scenery. I sat on the picnic mat and chatted with her for a while God, she drove me to play.

"Lu Yuan, let me play along."

I think this work is also tiring, let the girl sit back and rest for a while.

……

Chen Jiuzhen never misses anything, the three of us took turns roasting for a while, but Lao Xiao's roasting was burnt, mine was not cooked, only Chen Jiu's roasted food was almost the same as the one in the barbecue shop .

We sat back on the picnic mat with two full pots and chatted, and unpacked the snacks we bought. Wang Jin took off his shoes and said that he would go into the tent and sleep first. In fact, it is rare for a child to be pure.

When the sun went down, the crowd gradually dispersed, and we also started to pack our things, clean up the garbage and prepare to leave.

We sent Lu Yuan home first, and then drove to the opposite of Chen Jiu's alley.

After getting off the car, Chen Jiuxian pushed grandma across the road.

Everyone was very tired after playing for a whole day. Wang Jin was already sleeping soundly in the back seat. I carried him out of the car and followed him to the alley.

After settling the old and the young, Chen Jiu stayed in the room for a while, and came out with a bag in his hand, "Let's go."

We walked side by side in the alley, and the summer night wind felt a little cold on our bodies.

"Thank you for today, they are very happy."

"Don't be a stranger, I really like grandma and Wang Jin, I have a lot of fun with them."

But the most important thing is that I hope that Chen Jiu can spend the holiday happily like all normal high school students.

When we reached the entrance of the alley, Chen Jiucai handed me the things in his hand.

"Huh? What is this?" I asked suspiciously.

"Review the materials."

"Then you still thank me? I should thank you well! No one else can borrow this thing even if they want to."

I really didn't expect Chen Jiu to sort out all the notes and give them to me so quickly.

When I crossed the road and got into the car, I couldn't see Chen Jiu from the car window.

"Don't look at it, as soon as you turn around, they will leave without mercy."

Old Xiao drifted over from the front row, "What did he give you?"

"notes."

"Damn, let me see."

Lao Xiao took the bag away, "Eh? What's in this note? A love letter written by a girl??"

"What?" I moved to the front row and glanced at it by the light outside.

"Fuck, it's money!" Lao Xiao yelled.

Chen Jiu would not leave out such an important thing as money in his notebook, so this is the money he originally forked to give me.

On the one hand, he sent me out to say thank you in person, and on the other hand, he gave me the expenses for today's camping.

"Hey, when will he stop seeing me?"

"Wait until he completely becomes your object."

Chapters 28-29

28. Working part-time

The four of us formed a group by the Yangtze River that day, and I sent all the photos I took into it.

After two years, I finally added Chen Jiu's QQ.

His profile picture is a sketch of a street scene. I clicked on it to save it first, and then zoomed in. It showed houses in Jiangnan water town, desolate streets, sycamore trees and fallen leaves...

Nickname is the name, click into the space to see nothing.

This is no different from the previous SMS communication. After I added it, I basically didn't see this person online.

I even suspect that Chen Jiu was forced to register for the convenience of taking painting jobs online.

I sent Lao Xiao a message: Do you want to go to the movies?

Lao Xiao: Which cinema?

Xiao Gu: Zhongtian.

Lao Xiao: No problem, wait for me at home for 10 minutes, I will be right there.

……

I was in the basement and heard the voice of my aunt upstairs greeting Lao Xiao.

"Isn't it good for us to lie down and watch it in your home theater? What are you doing outside? It's really hot outside! I finally took half a day off, and this teacher is really more responsible than my mother."

I don't care about drinking at first, and watching movies is not important. The important thing is that Chen Jiu works part-time at the milk tea shop next to the movie theater.

I was mainly going to see him, but it was too abrupt for me to go by myself, so I asked Lao Xiao to go with him.

"Let's go, let's go, the cinema has the latest movies, I really want to see them."

……

"So this is the movie you want to see?" Lao Xiao and I stood in front of the huge poster at the entrance of the cinema. It was a comedy cartoon that was very popular in the summer vacation that year. The parents of the movie, like me and Lao Xiao, seem out of place.

"Uh, actually I think this movie is pretty good, it can help bring back good childhood memories."

I tried my best to save my respect, didn't the movie theaters release all kinds of blockbuster movies during the winter and summer vacations, who knew that only this cartoon stood out that summer vacation, and finally became a dark horse.

"Come on, let me invite you to drink milk tea."

I'm going to go straight to today's topic.

"There's also fried chicken."

"sure, no problem."

We arrived at the milk tea shop where Chen Jiu worked, and there was a long line at the door. I saw from a distance that there was only one female shop assistant who was taking orders and cashiers.

In fact, there are many miscellaneous milk tea shops around here, but I don’t know why this unknown milk tea shop is the most popular.

Although Chen Jiu didn't specifically say which milk tea shop he worked in, but I couldn't stand the little intelligence agent Wang Jin, so I quickly got first-hand information.

Most of the people queuing up to buy milk tea are girls, probably coming to the cinema to watch this cartoon.

"Damn, my colleague said that the new little brother in this milk tea shop was tall and handsome, and it was very white.

"Indeed! It's 'beautiful'. I lost weight recently, but I lined up to buy milk tea every day to see him."

"Damn it, my sister asked for her contact information yesterday, but the other party didn't give it to her. She is going to fight a long-term battle, and she will come every day after get off work."

……

Old Xiao: "Do we have to line up to buy at this store? I'm hungry, can I go to another store? Do you also want to see handsome guys?"

"No, wait."

The person these people are talking about is who else but Chen Jiu, and he is also 'beautiful'!What a job!Although I know that people like Chen Jiu can attract the attention of others no matter where they go.

But there are no girls in school who dare to be so blatant, why are they just a bunch of wolves and leopards when they leave the school gate.

My sense of crisis came out all at once, and my face was not very good-looking.

Lao Xiao looked at his phone and then at me, "What's wrong with you, heatstroke? You look so bad."

"I'm fine."

"..."

After waiting in line for about 20 minutes, it was finally our turn. Lao Xiao had already taken a picture of the menu with his mobile phone and selected what he wanted to drink. Now he is eager to try it.

"Hello, what do you need?"

"I'm here to apply."

I turned the recruitment billboard on the table to her.

"Ok."

The female clerk was very friendly and shouted to the back, "Manager, someone is here to apply.

Please wait by the side, the store manager will come out in a while, let the customers behind us order first. "

Old Xiao looked at me with weird eyes, "What kind of monster are you?"

The curtain was lifted, and a boy in a black striped uniform and a mask came out of the operating room. The female shop assistant pointed at him and said, "He is the one who applied for the job."

There was a little commotion in the crowd because of the appearance of this person.

"Chen Jiu??" Old Xiao looked at me with crazy eyes for a second, and suddenly realized the next second, and then he flashed, "I'll go buy some fried chicken first, you guys talk, Chen Jiu, I'll bring you some too share."

Chen Jiu has a straight nose and is easy to recognize wearing a mask. He glanced at me, "Application?"

I lost half of my momentum right now, "Yeah, I didn't expect such a coincidence."

He took off his mask, "Follow me."

I followed him around to a remote alley, and the surroundings finally became quiet.

"Gu Zong," Chen Jiu took out the cigarette case from his pocket and lit a cigarette, "You know, I'm very busy and I don't have time to spend on other things."

The other things he said were probably dealing with me, a persistent suitor, who occupied his life in every way.

I thought I was smart enough to use grandma as a cover, but crossing the line again and again would still affect his life.

He saw through my clumsy lies at a glance, leaving me nowhere to escape.

But things have come to this, what else can I do, I am not willing to go back to the starting point.

"Hey, I thought you were going to say something."

I pretended to be indifferent, turned around and put my hands on the railing next to me, "Chen Jiu, I did say that I like you before, but you know, I just found out about my sexual orientation at that time, so it was easy There will be emotional illusions.

After such a long time of contact, I only regard you as a good friend now, just like Lao Xiao and the others, so you don't have to think too much. "

When I turned around to look at him again, I suppressed all my emotions and asked him with a smile, "Or will you reject me because of my sexuality?"

After staying with Lao Xiao for a long time, the ability to tell nonsense comes as soon as I open my mouth. If I hadn't met Chen Jiu, how could I like a man?But at the moment, I'd rather let Chen Jiu feel that I'm a gay who just figured out my sexual orientation, and I can't tell the difference between appreciation and liking.

He looked at me through the smoke. I was afraid that he would not believe me, so I still kept a nonchalant smile on my face, but maybe I was born with the talent to be an actor. When he finished smoking the cigarette in his hand, I heard him say lightly Say "no".

"Then is your milk tea shop still recruiting people? Manager Chen, give me a chance to exercise?" I asked after him.

……

Probably my words played a role, in short, I successfully joined this milk tea shop.

At the beginning of the trial job, I was a little bit flustered, and I was reciting the material list in bed at night when I went home, but I was full of energy when I thought of seeing Chen Jiu every day.

We work in morning and evening shifts, and the shift schedule is arranged by the boss himself.

Put me and Chen Jiu together, and the other two girls work in the morning shift.

This milk tea shop is full of people in the afternoon.

I am in charge of ordering at the counter, recommending new products and inquiring about adding small ingredients. Chen Jiu is in charge of making milk tea in the operating room.

The work was much more tiring than I imagined at the beginning, and there was no time to communicate with Chen Jiu at all.

But I know he's in the back room, which brings me great comfort.

My mother gave me a large amount of pocket money immediately after knowing that I was working in a milk tea shop, and told me to do nothing.

******

"Hello, what do you need?" Another day of mechanized ordering.

"I want a cup of pearl milk tea, three parts of sugar, no ice, a large cup, no additives."

I have to say, I really love this kind of customer who wants to say everything in one go, it's so easy, so I gave her a formulaic smile.

"Okay, wait a minute, a total of 8 yuan."

"Little brother, can I add your contact information?"

Here it is again, this is the first day of the month, "Sorry, it's working time, it's not convenient."

I'm glad that I'm not Chen Jiu who is in charge of ordering here, otherwise I wouldn't have to make milk tea every day, and just use it to deal with these girls.

By one o'clock at noon, there was no one in the store. This time period is the hottest time of the day, so Chen Jiu and I have a little time to catch our breath, but he is still very dedicated to cleaning the cups in the operation room , scrub the countertop.

"Chen Jiu, is your admission letter coming soon?"

Since I made it clear that day, I have become more reckless in talking to him, and I don't even know what I think.

Take your time, at least in the future I can look for him openly and honestly as a friend.

"almost."

Chen Jiu's attitude towards me is still the same. In fact, I think this person is naturally cold. He has never made any friends at all, and he doesn't know how to get along with friends.

"Hi, I'd like three cups of lychee black tea, big cups, without ice, with all sugar."

"Okay, the total is--" I looked up at the guest, "Lu Yuan?"

We haven't seen each other since the last riverside gathering, "Going to see a movie with friends?"

"No, come to see you and Chen Jiu."

Lu Yuan seemed to be in a particularly good mood today, "I have received the admission letter, when will you two be free, I invite you to dinner."

"Chen Jiu and I have a rest this Thursday."

After I placed the order, I asked Chen Jiu again, "Are you free on Thursday?"

Chen Jiu also came out when he heard Lu Yuan's voice, "OK."

"Which school did you enroll in?" I asked.

"Jiang Da."

"Congratulations."

This girl is really a top student, Jiang University is a double-first-class university, ranked in the top ten in China, it is indeed worth celebrating.

If Chen Jiu hadn't switched to art at that time, no matter whether he chose essays or rationale, he would definitely be more than enough to take the exam in this school.

It is estimated that Chen Jiu's admission is only a few days away, and getting the notice means that he is about to go to college, and my inner anxiety has faintly emerged again.

29. Farewell

Lao Xiao was the first person Lu Yuan notified about the meal, and it was Lao Xiao who told her that we worked part-time at this milk tea shop.

I feel that she has become a lot more cheerful now. She didn’t talk much when she saw me and Lao Xiao before, but this time she came to the milk tea shop to find us and treated us to drink lychee black tea before leaving.

me too

It was the first time I drank the fruit tea made by Chen Jiu. I don't know if it was because of the filter, but I always thought it was extra delicious.

When I first came to the milk tea shop, I once chatted with the female clerk, and she told me what happened when Chen Jiugang came.

At that time, Chen Jiu was in charge of ordering, and she was in charge of making milk tea. As a result, customers pestered Chen Jiu for contact information every day. He went home at night and memorized the list of materials and the milk tea making process. The next day, he went directly to the operation room. The first cup of milk tea I made was a success.

The shop assistant wentssip with me after knowing that we are classmates, does Chen Jiu have a girlfriend?

There is indeed no shortage, and there are still boys chasing after them. How about I be here?If you want me to say that Chen Jiu lacks a love muscle in his head, should I try my best to help him?

Forget it, if the match is wrong, it will be bad if he falls in love with other girls.

******

The four of us had a meal together on the rest day, and Chen Jiu's notice came within a few days.

The time for the second meal was set accordingly. After the two meals in a row, we got to know each other a little better. Chen Jiu didn't talk much, and I was basically looking for something to talk about.

I asked him how he would arrange his family after he went to college. Anyway, Lao Xiao and I are still in Qingjiang, so we can help.

Chen Jiu said that he had already hired a part-time worker, and Aunt Wu would come over when she was free.

I don’t know how much it costs to hire a part-time worker, but I only earn 1800 a month as a part-time job in a milk tea shop. The first pot of gold in my life made me understand that it is so difficult to make money.

I thought that Chen Jiu had to bear the living expenses of the family and his own tuition, and the money he earned must not be enough, but if I made a red envelope, he would definitely not accept it.

I looked at Lao Xiao and Lu Yuan who were facing each other again. I didn't know what Lao Xiao was talking about, so Lu Yuan laughed straight.

……

After returning home at night, I looked at Lao Xiao who was playing games in my room and worried, "Do you think you need to give red envelopes for the university entrance exam?"

"That's necessary. When you are admitted to university next year, brother will make a big one for you."

"Then did we both forget to give Lu Yuan a red envelope?"

Old Xiao looked back at me, "She won't accept it."

Hey, how about I could forcefully hand money to Chen Jiu with the excuse of 'you must get a red envelope when you go to college'.

"Then Chen Jiu won't accept it anymore. Where do you think he can earn so much money as a student?"

"You don't have to worry about that. I heard Lu Yuan say that like Chen Jiu, the school and the province will give out all kinds of scholarships, so don't worry about tuition fees."

Speaking of Lu Yuan, I remembered, "You and Lu Yuan, is there nothing going on between you?"

Why do I always feel weird, but I can't tell what's wrong.

"No, she has never given up on Chen Jiu."

Old Xiao put down the game console, "Chen Jiu saved her once when he was a freshman in high school, but those gangsters are like dog skin plaster.

Once after school, the group of gangsters came again, she was really scared and followed Chen Jiu back home. "

"As a result, they fought again in the alley, and they all lost.

Feeling sorry, Lu Yuan offered to take care of grandma.

But Chen Jiu didn't want to get involved.

But Lu Yuan's mother works in a traditional Chinese medicine shop and can help buy those hard-to-find medicinal materials. After a while, the two became a rumored couple. "

It's pretty much the same as I thought, they will go to university in the same city in the future, "Old Xiao, do you think they will be together in the future?"

In fact, I just want to hear a negative answer from others.

But Lao Xiao said, "I don't know."

After the one-month part-time job in the milk tea shop is over, the third year of high school is about to start.

Before school started, my grandma called me and said that Lao Xiao and I were invited to her house for dinner. Wang Jin, Aunt Wu and Lu Yuan were also eating this meal. We all understood that this was a breakup meal. Lu Yuan and Chen Jiu is about to leave Qingjiang to go to college.

On the day we went to his house for dinner, the part-time worker was also there. He was in his forties, and he seemed quite easy to get along with.

We have eaten many meals together, but it is rare that the atmosphere of this meal is different from the past.

Even Wang Jin was a little depressed.

"Chen Jiu, you must come back to see me often in the future."

Wang Jin acted like a baby while grilling rice.

"Don't listen to him, nonsense, your brother is going to a university in another place, not a vacation.

Xiaojiu, do well outside, learn and play, make more friends, don't worry about everything at home, I'm here. "

As she spoke, Aunt Wu put a piece of meat into Chen Jiu's bowl.

"Well, Xiao Wu is very careful in doing things, Xiao Jiu, enjoy your college life."

Xiao Wu is a part-time worker hired by Chen Jiu to take care of grandma.

After dinner, grandma asked us to go out and take a walk.

This was the last time the four of us met before Chen Jiu left. The four of us walked side by side in the alley.

It's been a long time since the beginning of autumn, and the night wind is mixed with gentle heat, which is very pleasant to blow on the face.

"Chen Jiu, Lao Xiao and I are always here if there is anything at home."

"It's the third year of high school, you study hard."

Chen Jiu walked against the wall and said casually.

"Chen Jiu, after you go to college, you have to study hard."

After I said this, I looked straight ahead with some guilty conscience. If it was Lao Xiao, I would say that the university should have a good relationship, but Chen Jiu would not be able to do it. What kind of relationship is it? Study hard! ! !

"Hey, I still say that, your grandma is my grandma."

Old Xiao took an apple before going out, and now he gnawed on it while talking.

"I have nothing to say, I have to go to Jiangzhou to go to university."

Lu Yuan said.

After saying this, I don't know who took the lead, but we all stopped at the same time.

There is nothing wrong with Lu Yuan's words. I stopped because I felt that these words pierced my heart. Why did they stop?

That day we pressed the road together along the alley, chatted with each other, and walked along the sidewalk when we were not talking.

This area is sparsely populated, and there are no people on the street until 9 o'clock.

……

On the day Chen Jiu went to Jiangyi, we sat in the classroom of the third year of high school to take the exam, which was a mock exam for the beginning of school.

I looked at the clock hanging on the blackboard. At this point, Chen Jiu should have been at the Qingjiang station.

In two and a half hours, he will arrive in Jiangzhou, and his college career will officially begin.

And with the end of this mock exam, my senior year in high school officially started.

Chapters 30-31

30. Senior Three Senior Three

This is a year where you don’t need to squeeze the bus, eat unpalatable noodles in the cafeteria, or ride an electric car to deliberately create chance encounters.

When I walked into the campus, there was Chen Jiu's name on the happy announcement, just like in the past, Lao Xiao and I stood in front of the senior three honor roll to see Chen Jiu's ranking, but in a flash the ranking list changed to our name.

The school has really become a school, a place to purely learn knowledge, there will be no chance encounters, no coincidences; the alley leading to grandma's house is just a road, and at the end of the road there is no Chen Jiu who I want to see so much.

From being unaccustomed to being forced to adapt, from being distracted in class to forcing myself to concentrate, the words Chen Jiu told us over and over in my mind, "It's the third year of high school, study hard."

A sentence he said unintentionally inspired me throughout my third year of high school.

In our QQ group, Lu Yuan would occasionally share interesting stories about the university with us. Chen Jiu also took a picture or two of scenery and posted it in the group. Let's talk about the luck of being a top student.

And Lao Xiao basically posted things from the cafeteria, and it was rare for Lu Yuan to resonate with him. He felt that the sweet and sour pork tenderloin in the cafeteria on the second floor of the school was delicious, and the taste was not the same in Jiangzhou.

Autumn is passing and winter is coming, and another cold winter has arrived.

Old Xiao Kong and I will make an appointment to see grandma together. Xiao Wu is indeed a very careful person and takes good care of grandma.

During the winter vacation of that year, my mother finally stopped the family trip because of school make-up classes.

On the afternoon of the New Year's Eve, I bought a bunch of fried seeds and gifts and went to grandma's house. When I turned the corner at the alley, I saw Chen Jiu.

He was wearing a smoky gray sweater and leaning against the wall to smoke. I haven't seen such a depressed Chen Jiu for a long time.

It reminded me of the scene when I saw him in that bookstore in the first year of high school. That should be the time when grandma was in the worst physical condition.

Could it be that something happened to grandma?

He looked up at me and said lightly, "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

I blurted it out, only to realize belatedly that Chen Jiu is back!But the huge surprise was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.

In fact, Chen Jiu came back halfway in the past six months, but because our third year of high school didn't have weekends, this was the first time we met after our summer break.

I haven't seen him for a semester, and I feel that he has become more depressed.

"Uh, when did you come back? You didn't tell us either."

I walked over to the wall and stood close to him, trying to smell the scent of saponins covered by the smell of tobacco on his body, which was deserted and fascinating.

"Just arrived yesterday."

I don't know if it was because of smoking, but his voice sounded a little hoarse.

"Chen Jiu, is something wrong?"

"It's okay, let's go in, grandma is in the room."

After delivering the New Year's goods that day, my grandma and I paid New Year's greetings. After chatting for a while, we were ready to leave. Before leaving, my grandma insisted on stuffing me with a red envelope. Chen Jiu was preparing the New Year's Eve dinner in the kitchen. This was the first time since I met Chen Jiu. Three Spring Festivals.

This year, I will go back to my grandma's house for the Spring Festival.

When I went back to my hometown in Lao Wang's car, I started to think about Chen Jiu again. Grandma seems to be in good spirits today.

So Chen Jiu should have encountered something else, but this doesn't seem to be trapped by love...

In the evening, I had a New Year’s Eve dinner with my family. I stood alone by the window of the bedroom on the third floor and looked into the yard. The red plum blossoms in the yard were quite bright, but I stood alone in the cold wind.

Before I came, my mother told me not to make grandma angry, just listen to me, and go home tomorrow after a night.

All afternoon, I was picked on by the old lady all kinds of slanders, and I was not pleasing to the eyes anyway.

I really don't understand, they are all elders, how come Grandma Chen Jiu makes people feel kind and kind, and my own grandma makes me tremble.

It's really a big Chinese New Year, and I sent it to my door to scold me.

I sent a message to the qq group: Everyone, happy new year, what do you eat for the New Year's Eve dinner