smoke like fire

A few days after Zhao Kuanyi's grandmother's birthday reception, at six o'clock in the evening, I packed up and left the office.The car had just driven out of the company's underground parking lot when there was a call. It was Miss Zhao.I wasn't surprised, I guessed early on that she would definitely call.

On the phone, she asked me if I was free.

I smiled and said perfunctorily, "If it's you, of course I'm free."

Ms. Zhao snorted twice, and scolded at the other end: "You are right, I invited you twice before, and you didn't come both times."

I begged, "It was really busy at that time, and it was not easy to eat a mouthful of food."

Ms. Zhao smiled, and then changed the subject immediately: "I heard that Kuan Yi let you live with him? This is really... Your relationship is so good now."

I didn't expect her to know about it, so I was stunned for a moment before I thought of saying: "It's because I'm going to move out of the house and I haven't been able to find a good place. His place is also good, so I live there." After a pause, I couldn't help but ask: " How do you know?"

Ms. Zhao was smiling lowly, and said mysteriously, "Why don't I know."

I hesitated, then asked even though it was impossible: "Did he tell you?"

Miss Zhao snorted and sighed, "How do you want me to answer your question?"

I can't take anything right now.

Ms. Zhao continued: "Well, speaking of it—it's always like this. Some things about him are often found out through his grandparents." After a pause, she laughed, "Don't think I don't ask him, but Every time he asks, he doesn't necessarily want to talk. When I was a child, I could force it, but now I can't. I know him, and he will be unhappy."

I thought for a while, "Of course you understand him." After hesitating for a moment, I finally meant something, but I said politely: "However, we always have to talk to each other, and you don't seem to talk to him much."

Frankly speaking, between mother and child, I shouldn't talk too much, especially when I say this kind of thing.I felt uneasy, afraid that Ms. Zhao would be unhappy; she fell and injured a year ago-let's assume that it took a long time to coax her because of a lot of talking.However, she should know that if there was no accident, her relationship with Zhao Kuanyi would probably be better.

Ms. Zhao was not silent, but smiled, and said politely: "If you want to speak your mind, it depends on the opportunity and the environment. It's not just my cooperation—I will definitely cooperate."

I can pretend that I don't understand, and perfunctory a few words, but it's too difficult to do.I said, "You can call him."

Ms. Zhao said with a smile: "I dialed his mobile phone number today. I called him three times and only got through once. At that time, he said he was busy, so he couldn't say a word. As for calling home when he turned back—" smiled, "Now It’s not necessarily that he received it, it’s likely to embarrass you.”

It's really embarrassing now-I sigh in my heart.

But I can't help thinking that He Rongbao only succeeded once three times to meet Zhao Kuanyi.The same standard, different people, one is the mother.But I don't think I'm not optimistic, there are still opportunities.I said, "You have a point. It would be great to come out for a meal and meet each other."

Miss Zhao smiled, as if sighing: "It's no wonder I've always liked you so much."

I smiled wryly, and said seriously: "I may not be able to convince him anything."

Miss Zhao said: "I always open my mouth."

When I got home, I turned on the lights in the dining room.The bright light further revealed the emptiness of the room.When nothing is placed, it seems to be an atmosphere.

I took off my coat, threw it on the sofa in the living room, and looked at the wall in front of me.There are paintings hanging on it, which are large-scale sketches. I don't know where the sea scenery is painted, but it should be abroad.

This was drawn by Ms. Zhao. She didn't know it at first, and she never paid attention to it.I only found out a while ago, but I was very surprised, because it wasn't Miss Zhao's usual style.Zhao Kuanyi probably wouldn't have shown it if he wanted it to look like that; he never chooses things that are too bright in color.

I feel a kind of embarrassment.It's not the same as before.In the past, he was worried that Zhao Kuanyi would be unhappy, but now he was going against his will; he didn't care about it at first.

I sat on the sofa and took out a cigarette.Do nothing, just smoke quietly for a while.It was only when I was about to light a second or third cigarette that I noticed the smoke in the room, so I went to open the French windows on the balcony, and simply took the ashtray and stood on the balcony to smoke.

This time, I can feel the change of the weather. It is not very hot during the day, and when it is night, I have to add a thicker coat when I go out.

I smoked slowly, leaning on the wall with one hand, looking at the scenery below.

After an unknown amount of time, a sound was heard, the door opening and closing.I turned around and saw Zhao Kuanyi.He entered the living room and looked here too.

He walked over and asked, "Just came back?"

I put out the cigarette in my hand, "No, it's been a while." Then I asked: "By the way, have you eaten it? If not, let's eat together?"

Zhao Kuanyi looked at his watch, then glanced at the ashtray on the wall, and said with a smile: "It's already past seven o'clock, and now I'm thinking about eating. Isn't smoking enough to fill you up?"

I was slightly embarrassed, and said with a smile: "Don't just talk about me, do you want to eat?"

Zhao Kuanyi said: "Is that called Peng Yuan delivering food?"

Of course I am free, "You decide."

Zhao Kuanyi nodded, then turned around, probably going in to make a phone call.Looking at him, I suddenly felt that I should speak now.Wait a little longer, maybe you won't be able to speak.

I called to him: "Kuanyi."

Zhao Kuanyi turned around and cast a questioning look at me.

At this moment, I hesitated again.But in the end I had to speak, I pretended to cough, and said: "Today I received a call, and you should have received it, it was from the same number, but you don't have enough time to listen to it."

Zhao Kuanyi frowned slightly, he hugged his arms and didn't say a word.He must have thought of something.

I paused and said: "I don't mean anything, if I hadn't been asked, I wouldn't have mentioned this to you."

Zhao Kuanyi remained silent, let go of her hand after a while, and asked, "What did she say?"

I can't copy it, so I just said: "Auntie hopes that you can find time to have a light meal together." After thinking about it, I added: "Of course the decision is up to you."

Zhao Kuanyi didn't answer, but after a while, he said, "Why do you have to mention it, it's not good if you don't know about it."

I was stunned and fell silent, and he didn't speak.

But all of a sudden, I couldn't take it anymore, and said, "Frankly speaking, I'm very embarrassed, whether it's you, or—I know, you won't be very happy to hear it, because of the previous incident—"

"What's the matter that has already passed?" Zhao Kuanyi interrupted, then calmed down again, and glanced at me, "You don't need to worry about this matter."

When he said this, his tone seemed to be cold, but his eyes were not the same.I didn't feel afraid at all, but felt a sense of ease; there was something in my heart that I really wanted to say immediately.

I said, "Because it's your business."

Zhao Kuanyi stared at me with warmer eyes.He said: "I know, I will think about it carefully."