smoke like fire

So it was arranged.

But here, it is not easy to get up suddenly.The project that has been followed up has not met expectations, and I have held several review meetings with Chen Liren; the end of the month is coming to an end, and the person in charge is hospitalized due to a car accident due to fatigue driving.I went to see it. Fortunately, the injury was not serious, but I had to stay at home to recuperate for at least half a month.

The original three-person team became two, and the workload increased suddenly.The other is a girl who has always been busy with her family and career. She has been working overtime for a month to improve the project.Of course I was sympathetic, and I took over the rest of the work.

In the last review, Chen Liren was finally satisfied.I have always understood his official torture, but this time I really understand it more deeply.

As for Zhao Kuanyi, it won't be easier for him to get busy than me.But he is the boss after all, and most of the time he just needs to look at it and make a decision.

But the departure schedule was still delayed, because the strikes in France began at the end of June, and gradually became comprehensive, with protest marches everywhere.All the arrangements for the wedding of Mr. William's stepdaughter were affected, and September had to be moved.

In between, I went to see a few houses.I like one, it is located in the alley of Jihu Road, the house is only two or three years old, it is close to the Riverside Park, connected to the major traffic routes, and the surrounding living functions are also good.

The owner is going to sell it, but I'm not ready to buy it.While looking at the object, let the house agent negotiate.

Mother returned to Taipei in mid-July.It was evening when she arrived.Father was home at the time.When I went back, it seemed as if nothing had happened between the two of them, as before.

That night, my father drove out as well.My mother didn't seem to care too much, but she asked me about it, mainly about my moving out of the house.Her attitude is very ordinary, without the excitement that she used to have when talking about this aspect.She had to mention it before, but she never listened to it, and was very opposed to it.

I've always guessed why she objected.This family is too deserted, and if there is one less person, it will show her loneliness.She also has hopes that I will marry a wife and have children in this family, so that I can use the harmony to make up for the too deserted life in my life.She is too good at imagining, but she doesn't know it. She strives for a complete marriage in her marriage, but deliberately excludes her father from her future.

But this time, the mother said: "You can move out, and you and your wife can live alone in the future. I am at your fourth aunt's house. Seeing her daughter-in-law like that, I also have a headache for your fourth aunt. Thinking about the future situation, I can’t help but worry.”

I didn't express it, because I felt that she had something to say later.

Mother was quiet for a while.She sat on a corner of the sofa with her back straight, her posture was unnatural, as if she was sitting very uncomfortable, but she insisted on not moving.

She said suddenly, the words were not very coherent: "I'm going to separate from your father."

I froze for a moment.Didn't she want to have such a meaning? It's hard to say what kind of mood it is.I looked at my mother, she seemed to be very nervous, and finally mustered up the courage to speak out, her face was both relaxed and excited.

"Mom." I said, "Are you serious?"

Mother didn't speak, just put her hands on her chest.She lowered her face, as if she could no longer restrain herself, and choked up intermittently.She said to herself: "When your dad comes back, I will tell him. He must be very happy! He has been expecting me to bring it up by himself! It doesn't matter, but I'm sorry for you, I'm a mother Too useless to help you earn more—”

I looked at her without saying a word, and it took me a while to get up and sit beside her.She didn't raise her head all the time, and let go of her hands on her chest to cover her face.

I called her twice, but she didn't respond, and she fell into a heartbroken heart, some blamed her father, and some blamed me for being inconsiderate.

"Mom—" I finally raised my voice, looked at her for a while, and then said, "Don't think so. You didn't apologize to me, and it's something I don't want from Dad—I don't want him to give it at all, because it's not what I want."

Mother's crying stopped.

She raised her face and looked at me, her eyes were red with tears.She looked confused and didn't know why.I stopped talking, so I took out the tissue on the coffee table and gave it to her.

The mother opened her hand to take it, took it and covered her face, and began to cry.I sit the same.But he still couldn't reach out to wrap his arms around her shoulders.

Unexpectedly, the father did not agree.

In the past, when my father mentioned divorce, my mother was unwilling, but now it's the other way around.But the mother seemed to have really made up her mind to go all out, and actually revealed her infidelity in the marriage.It was an embarrassment to my father; men have double standards, and they can do whatever they want. If a wife or lover wants to do this, it must not be allowed.Father has always had multiple standards.

The two were arguing endlessly.One day, they all brought a lawyer to their home.There are several properties shared between them, but it is difficult to sort out for a while, or because of the presence of a lawyer, they can calm down and talk.I don't know how to talk about it-of course my mother still wants to divorce, but in the end it was only agreed to separate.

I knew that day.The three of them sat down to have dinner together after a long time.There is nothing to talk about, only this one thing.

I don't make a gesture—and take it as a gesture.

After that, everyone was silent.The mother seemed to have something to say, but she didn't speak in the end; as for the father, he kept frowning all the time, maintaining his poise, as if frustrated and unwilling to let others know.I don't know if it's because I'm silent and my expression is not very good.When they looked at me, they seemed to be expecting something from me.

Maybe there is something to talk about—and there is nothing to talk about.

Afterwards, it happened to be Sunday, at around ten o'clock in the morning, the eldest aunt came to the house.

The separation agreement between mother and father was not long, and they both still live in this place.However, my father has often gone to the other side since the end of the year, and stayed there when it was late, especially for a while.In a week, being at home three days is considered too much.In this way, it seems that there is a plan to let the mother live here.

I was going to go out later that day, but we met when I was still at home, so I couldn't help but sit down and greet each other.It doesn't matter if my relationship with my aunt is good or bad; relatives are all the same.

The aunt chatted a few words that were inconsequential, took a sip of tea, and as if remembering, she said to her mother, "Do you remember that cousin Li Hua? The one who lives in England with her daughter?"

The mother seemed to be startled, then smiled and said: "Why don't you remember, you were still talking on the phone two years ago... Hey, now that you think about it, what is she doing? You don't even have time to make phone calls?"

The eldest aunt smiled and said: "She joined the women's association at about that time, and now she is very busy. Before her daughter was still studying, now she is also doing things. She is more at ease, and often follows the people in the association. "

Mother nodded.The big aunt then asked: "Why don't you go to live with her for a while?" She glanced at me, but very hastily, still facing my mother.

I felt strange and glanced at my mother. After she heard this, her face seemed to be thoughtful.

The big aunt said again: "Don't blame me for talking too much. I told Li Hua, and after she heard it—you know, she understands your feelings very well. She wants to call to care about you, but she is afraid that you will be surprised. , first ask me to ask, see if you want to live there for a while, how about it? I think it’s okay, anyway, it’s like this now, it’s better to be far away, and go to her place, as a vacation good."

At the end of this sentence, my mother never said anything.The eldest aunt probably gave her time to think about it, and she finished talking when she finished speaking, and talked about other things as soon as the topic changed.

Mother began to talk about keeping people for lunch, checking the time, striking up a few words, then got up and went to the kitchen to tell Sister Xu what vegetables to buy when she came back.

In the living room, my aunt and I were left.

I should have walked away a long time ago, but I just sat there when I heard the words.As soon as my mother left, the eldest aunt looked at me and smiled.

"Your mother's cousin and I have divorced a long time ago. Let alone a woman at that time, besides, in a foreign country, that marriage was not easy to divorce." She said: "In your mother's Between you and your father, I'm still an outsider, so I can't say anything, but your mother's decision today is not easy. Although it's not easy to leave, but it's also in the agreement. The separation should be farther away. "

I smiled slightly and didn't speak,

Auntie's face is still calm, and she also smiles.

She said: "Your mother has never been straightforward in making decisions. I think you'd better talk to your mother. She will listen. Hey, don't think it's impossible. Your mother only has you as a son. In her heart Of course I value you, and now I can only rely on you, that—oh, I won’t talk about it with your father. Anyway, think about it and tell your mother about it.”

I don't want to, but my mother can't tell.

After lunch, she replied to the big aunt.Because it's good to go out, but it's not a place she's used to living in after all. Besides, she hasn't spoken English for a long time. Going out of the country is not a problem. After arriving in the local area, she will inevitably have to deal with it before leaving the airport.

The eldest aunt smiled, as if she didn't think it was a problem.

She looked at me with an encouraging look in her eyes.I was slightly annoyed, but thinking of her persuasion, it was not unwavering.Facing my mother, I sometimes have no choice but to feel helpless.

I said, "Mom, just go—" Seeing her coming, she paused, "See when we leave, I may fly to London, it's the company's business, we should be able to go together."

Mother didn't say a word, she just stood there in a daze.The eldest aunt encouraged her, "Yes, go, you are afraid of speaking English, but you have your son, and there will be Lihua after leaving the airport..."

My mother looked at me again, her expression still seemed hesitant, but she said yes.

I hesitated in my heart.It's okay.

Of course there was nothing in the company that required me to go to England.I wasn't going to go either.But so said.Looking back, I reported to Chen Liren that I wanted to leave.

Sitting at his desk, Chen Liren frowned at me because he had a one-month vacation.

Without him asking, I confessed: "Go out with friends." Thinking about it, I added tactfully: "I haven't had a big vacation for about two years."

Chen Li just smiled and looked at me, "You can talk straight when you go out with your girlfriend, you don't need to beat around the bush."

I pretended to sigh, "That's good, it's just a boy friend."

At this moment, Chen Liren stopped smiling, no matter how serious his expression was, he suddenly asked: "Could it be Zhao Kuanyi?"

I was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

"Chen Dong, I didn't know you could tell fortunes out of thin air."

Chen Liren didn't answer this sentence, but asked: "I know you have been very diligent with him recently, don't you always have dinner together?"

I paused in my heart, still smiling on my face.

"Where is it always?" I said: "It's not an exaggeration for friends to have a private meal and bond with each other?"

Chen Liren stared at me, "It's not an exaggeration, but eating for several nights in a row, the relationship is so good. How can I remember that you were not as good before."

I didn't say a word, but I hoped that his expression would suddenly remind me of it.I smiled and told him, "We are just friends. We never talk about business with him. I have no intention of leaving the company. Besides, your benefits are so good. How can I be willing to leave. If you are worried, Then I'll-"

Chen Liren immediately interrupted me and said, "Okay, it's not so serious!" After a pause, he smiled and looked at me seriously, "I didn't suspect you. He does things. You know, the company has always been unable to do without you. "

I looked at him and said with a smile, "Oh, thanks to you."

Chen Liren coughed lightly.

I made it clear to him again: "It is really impossible for me to go to his company." After thinking for a while, I said: "He is very good as a friend, but he is not so good as a boss."

When Chen Liren heard this, he raised his eyebrows, only seeing that I didn't speak.

I should know to compliment: "Of course, it goes without saying, you are very good whether you are a friend or a boss."

After hearing this, Chen Licai smiled happily.He raised his hand, waved it, lowered his head and continued to work, and said, "Okay, leave is allowed, let's go,"