no longer ordinary friends

This was Jiang Xianghuai's first Spring Festival at Zhou's house.

On New Year's Eve, both Zhou Bingcheng and Jiang Xianghuai were busy in the kitchen, learning how to cook from Mr. Zhou.

Grandpa Zhou said: "With a good cooking skill, I am not afraid that my wife will run away with others. Even if she runs away, she will come back by herself when she thinks of your cooking."

Jiang Xianghuai didn't say anything, he was washing the pippi shrimp, Zhou Bingcheng said while chopping vegetables: "Grandpa, can you look forward to something good, we're all just getting married."

"It's about you. I checked that video posted by someone else. It said that you guys are flying in a mess."

"It's wrong. We are all very well-behaved. It's just what others say. There is no chaos in any industry. Our schedule system, the flight attendants who fly together every day are different, and we are all friendly colleagues."

"Who said it was your colleague? You always live in hotels outside."

Zhou Bingcheng immediately misunderstood: "Grandpa, you know Jiang Xianghuai and his lawyers often go to the project site to stay in a hotel..." He was halfway through talking, remembering that his wife is also a capital market lawyer, so he stopped talking immediately.

Grandpa Zhou stir-fried vegetables on high fire, and with a sound of "Zi La", he said through the noise of the range hood: "It's best if you don't have one. Grandpa just wanted to tell you that there is only one lover and only one wife. No matter how beautiful the women outside are, No matter how good you are, it's not yours, you should cherish the woman who started a family with you, when you get old, your children will not be by your side, and the only one who can support each other is your wife."

After Jiang Xianghuai washed the Pippi shrimp, he subconsciously looked out the kitchen window.

In the yard, Zhou Zhicheng and Jiang Li were setting off small fireworks, and their faces were faintly illuminated by the light of the fire.

Jiang Li gently twirled the fairy wand, and said: "My mother just came to ask me if I would go back to celebrate the New Year, and I told her no, she scolded me for being heartless, and I know she has a bad life in her life. I hated her more than I hated my dad. Although she beat and scolded me, at least she raised me. As for my dad, he thought about sending me away, forcing me to drop out of school, and go to work early. Just drunk and beat my mother, in my memory, he has never been kind to me, not once."

"I was admitted to a university in Beicheng, and I went so far away, just wanting to escape from this home. But sometimes when I receive a call from my mother crying after being domestically abused, I still want to help her softly. I let her Divorce, she was unwilling, so I called the police for her. After the police came, she still stood with my father and complained about me, saying that I was not filial, and even my own father dared to report. Later I realized that she came to me crying, just Want to get money from me so they can live a good life."

"Why can't she understand that it's useless for her to be nice to my brother and my dad?"

In the past few years of work, Zhou Zhicheng has come into contact with many such women.

She threw away the fairy wand that was extinguished in her hand, lit a new one, and gave it to Jiang Li. She said: "I filed a divorce case before, and a client repented in court, begging the domestic violence husband to get back together, and to talk to the judge." I told her husband that it was I who encouraged her to divorce... They had no education, and they had been exposed to the concept that men are the sky, daughters belong to other people's families, and only those who have sons have confidence, and men who beat women are petty beaters Xiao Nao, a woman will be beaten by a man if she is disobedient, and a woman is not good for anything, because the important positions in this world are held by men."

She turned her head to look at Jiang Li, and smiled softly: "I think it's outrageous. When someone questioned the existence of patriarchy in this era on the Internet, there are still many women who suffer from it."

Jiang Li propped her chin, the dim light cast a soft light on her face, and said, "Chengcheng, let me tell you a secret."

"what?"

She leaned into Zhou Zhicheng's ear with a small voice: "I liked your brother at first, just because I envied you, and I wanted to be a part of your family. I like the Zhou family, Grandpa Zhou, Grandma Cai, Dad Zhou, Mom Zhou, you don’t know how much I have been jealous of you since I was a child. When you are sad, your family is your last refuge, but I only have myself. I used to think that Han Jing was a safe haven given to me by God. But neither is he. However, if Zhou Bingcheng and I fail, I will still choose Han Jing in the end."

She leaned on Zhou Zhicheng's shoulder and said, "I just want to be a shader, not a tree planter. If I marry Han Jing, I will have a home in Beicheng. I will work hard as well, but I don't need to be trembling anymore." , I always worry that once I rest, I will be on the streets."

Zhou Zhicheng touched Jiang Li's face: "But Mr. Jiang still chose love. Zhou Bingcheng is not as rich as Han Jing."

Looking back on his life of more than 20 years, Jiang Li couldn't help feeling: "Do you still remember how the teacher and my mother stopped us when we decided to study law?"

"Remember." Zhou Zhicheng snorted.

"Girls and poor people are not suitable for studying law. Lawyers need contacts and family background. Poor girls in small places become lawyers, and they just wait to be unspoken." Jiang Li learned well. I couldn't help laughing.

She continued: "People with money and power will not be successful in what industry? A poor girl who can only study, wants to get a high salary after graduation and live a pretty good life. In addition to finance, law and IT, What other majors can you have? Capital market law firms only look at academic qualifications and abilities, and the opportunities are fair, as long as you are willing to work hard, you will definitely gain something."

Zhou Zhicheng nodded in agreement, then thought of himself, and sighed: "Except for small local litigation lawyers, if you don't have connections, you can't get a case and make money."

Jiang Li smiled: "It's okay, your husband is rich, can we live in your big house by the sea in a few days?"

Jiang Xianghuai, who came out with the dishes, just heard: "You can stay here tonight if you want."

Grandpa Zhou threatened dangerously: "I see who would dare not live at home tonight?"

This is the New Year's Eve dinner with the most people and the most orderly in the Zhou family in recent years.

Before the dinner, the county town had already heard the sound of firecrackers for the dinner one after another, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year was everywhere.

Zhou Zhicheng set up a tripod on the ground and set up the camera to take pictures at regular intervals. This is the New Year's Eve dinner habit that the Zhou family has maintained for many years.

Everyone was dressed in red. On the long benches in front sat Zhou's father, Zhou Grandpa, Cai Grandma and Zhou's mother, and behind stood Jiang Xianghuai, Zhou Zhicheng, Jiang Li and Zhou Bingcheng. Bright lights shrouded the In the 90s-style house of the Zhou family, the red lanterns under the eaves are shaking gently. The magnolia tree in the yard has sprouted new branches. It may bloom after the annual holiday. The magnolia tree is full of various gods of wealth. Red envelope.

Everyone looked at the camera, and there was a "click", and the picture froze.

Grandpa Zhou and Grandma Cai continued the tradition by giving red envelopes to their grandchildren during the New Year. Zhou Bingcheng and Zhou Zhicheng received them very happily. Zhou Bingcheng opened the red envelopes on the spot: "Grandpa, why do I only have one hundred for each? I still have two before I got married." Hundreds."

Zhou Zhicheng squeezed the thick red envelope, knowing that the money would not be exposed, so she didn't open it directly, but Zhou Bingcheng had already reached out to take her red envelope to see the amount, so she quickly dodged and patted his hand.

"Zhou Zhicheng, why do you have so much money?"

Zhou Agong ignored Zhou Bingcheng, he gave Jiang Li the red envelope that was about to burst, rubbed his hands, and smiled kindly: "Jiang Li, this is your first year in our house, grandpa wishes you happy every day ,Working smoothly!"

"Thank you grandpa."

Grandma Cai also smiled: "This is the lucky money I gave you alone, Zhou Bingcheng didn't have it."

Jiang Li smiled and held the two red envelopes tightly. Before she got married, she never received lucky money during Chinese New Year. According to the customs of Nanri County, married people can no longer receive lucky money, but Grandpa Zhou still gave them.

I don't know if she was stung by the flashing light, Jiang Li blinked, her eyelids were a little sore, and there was a little dizzy halo in front of her eyes, she looked at Grandpa Zhou and Grandma Cai, her heart felt sore in her chest.

Yes, I also want to cry when it is warm.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, the Zhou family sat in the living room to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Customers would come to buy some fireworks and firecrackers one after another in the canteen. No one was surprised to see that the person collecting the money was Jiang Xianghuai. Regular customers knew that this was old man Zhou. The grandson-in-law of Beicheng.

"Happy New Year's Eve." The young man who bought cigarettes chatted with Jiang Xianghuai, "This year's Lantern Festival, Zhou's family has two lottery tickets, and two coolies are required. Are you and Brother Bingcheng? My family is also me, and every son-in-law from other places They all have to lift up God."

Jiang Xianghuai didn't know what he meant, but he didn't ask specifically.

The young man didn't explain much, and left after buying the cigarettes.

The New Year's Eve in Nanri County is very lively. Every house is brightly lit. Even if people can't keep watch at night, they have to keep the lights on until dawn.

Just after twelve o'clock in the morning, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers sounded again and again on the streets. The elders all went to sleep, but the young people who were working outside and rarely returned home had to rush to the first incense stick of the Lunar New Year, praying for The coming year is safe and smooth.

Jiang Xianghuai took Zhou Zhicheng's hand, and walked into the hall amidst the din of people. Half of the upper hall was filled with connected incense tables, all of which were baskets arranged by various families on the New Year's Eve. In addition, there are all kinds of food offerings. Jiang Xianghuai didn't dare to look at those baskets, because there was a chicken or duck in each basket that scared him.

The two knelt on the futon, in front of them were the smoky incense and the Taoist priest who was releasing the lottery for the devout believers. Beside him is the lover he found after being separated.

If the Bodhisattva manifests his spirit, I only hope that everything will go well with him and that he will be safe every year, and that they will accompany each other every year and spend the rest of their lives together.

On the day Jiang Li and Zhou Bingcheng got engaged, Mother Jiang didn't make things difficult for them.

Jiang Li was sitting in the living room of his home, waiting for Zhou Bingcheng to bring someone to the door.

Jiang's mother talked to Jiang Li: "I told you a long time ago that Zhou Bingcheng is a good man, but you didn't listen to me. I went to Zhou's house at that time. If you were obedient, you would have married him and had children by now. .”

Jiang Li's tone was light: "I don't have a family plan for now."

"Hey, a lot of reading means a lot of confidence in your words. I don't think Cai Mei will skin you if you don't have children." Mother Jiang said sourly, and then said, "Don't say that my mother didn't teach you, give birth quickly." A child, catch Zhou Bingcheng."

Mother Jiang held a lot of red envelopes in her hand. According to the custom, they were supposed to be red envelopes prepared by the woman’s family and given to the relatives and friends of the man’s family. But Zhou Bingcheng was worried that Mother Jiang would not be willing to pay, so he wrapped the red envelopes and delivered them to Jiang’s family in person. , together with the firecrackers and pastries that the woman's family will use today.

Jiang Li only waited for a while before Zhou Bingcheng came. He was wearing a suit, holding a red lacquer plate in his hand, followed by Jiang Xianghuai, who was holding another red lacquer plate. Besides Cai Ama and Zhou Mama, there were others The four "good life" female relatives of the Zhou family were all dressed in festive red clothes and brought gift boxes.

Mother Jiang went out and set off a string of firecrackers.

The gate of Jiang's house was open, and the neighbors also came to join in the fun, wanting to see what engagement Zhou Bingcheng gave.

All the gifts were placed on the table. On the two red lacquer plates were gold rings, bracelets, necklaces and gold lock collars. Zhou Bingcheng looked down at Jiang Li and put them on for her one by one. Nouveau riche with gold.

Grandma Cai said: "Okay, hang the moon beans, the ceremony is over."

And several other people also opened the box one after another, bags, shoes, clothes, perfume, necklaces, earrings, everything.

Zhou Bingcheng cherished it very much: "Li Li, I want to give you both what you have and what you don't have."

In fact, Jiang Li knew it all. Zhou Bingcheng knew that she was despised since she was a child, and that she didn't want her to marry and was said to be shabby, so he spent money to buy so many flamboyant gold jewelry.

He touched her ring with his hand. Amidst the sound of firecrackers, his eyes were firm and gentle: "Jiang Li, will you come home with me? Let's get married."

"Okay." She also smiled, looking deeply into his eyes.

It was only on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year that Jiang Xianghuai knew what the young man who bought cigarettes meant.

The Lantern Festival in Nanri County has been lively from the tenth day of the new year to the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, and the area where the Zhou family is located is the turn of the fourteenth day of the first month for young and middle-aged laborers and school-age children to participate in the activities. Grandpa Zhou was unlucky this year and got a one-off Two lottery for carrying the statue of the gods on the sedan chair.

Aunt Cai complained to him: "Winning the lottery is a good thing. Not only is it lively, but the whole family will have good luck in the coming year, but you draw two at a time. If Xiang Huai or Bingcheng are not here this year, I see how you, an old man, will carry the sedan chair and sprint?"

Grandpa Zhou said stiffly: "Isn't there still my son here?"

Father Zhou: "Dad, my back hurts..."

"Useless things." Grandpa Zhou patted Jiang Xianghuai and Zhou Bingcheng on the shoulders, "Fortunately, there are two of you. You have trained well. You will definitely be able to lift the biggest statue and give our family a good reputation. When Grandpa was young, he was Carrying the biggest one, many girls looked at me at that time, it was very beautiful! At that time, there were many people in Nanri County, which was different from now, and it was all about physical strength. Whoever could run the best and had the strongest strength would get the turn to lift the sedan chair! "

On the fourteenth night of the first lunar month.

Zhao Yanjia brought his parents to Nanri County to watch. The news he received was that his brother was going to perform acrobatics, and he would regret it all his life if he didn't watch it.

My aunt and the others had dinner at Zhou's house, and Zhou Zhicheng led them to stand outside the door and wait for the wandering god team to pass by Zhou's house. The statue stayed in another area last night, and Jiang Xianghuai and Zhou Bingcheng were going to carry the statue here. Come on.

The sound of fireworks and cheers is getting closer and closer.

Zhou Zhicheng said, "They're coming soon."

Zhao Yanjia has already turned on the video recording mode of his mobile phone, and urged his parents: "You guys will be responsible for taking pictures later."

Grandpa Zhou lit the fireworks tube of the Zhou family, and the firecrackers sounded one after another. The fireworks suddenly rose into the sky and exploded, illuminating the sky. Slightly."

Followed by the colorful lantern team and lion dance team, the women's waist drum team with loud drums, and countless people who love to be lively, followed the parade. Shouting, "Run, run."

The young man carrying the sedan chair started to sprint faster.

Zhou Zhicheng and the others also followed the Wandering Gods team to the nearby empty square. The two bonfires in the center had already been lit, and the night was illuminated by the sky filled with fireworks and streams. Beside the bonfire were faint sparks and silver trees, and the golden light fell like meteors. Red lanterns are lined up in long rows, and the spring night is intoxicating.

Zhao Yanjia was quite frightened by the firecrackers that could explode under his feet anytime and anywhere, but his camera captured his elegant and elegant brother.

He laughed out loud.

"Is it really performing acrobatics?"

The four of them, Jiang Xianghuai and Zhou Bingcheng, were carrying the largest sedan chair with a statue of a god. They all wore bright yellow traditional Chinese martial arts uniforms, cloth belts around their waists, black cloth shoes on their feet, and long belts on their calves. They danced in circles around the two campfires. , with the dense drumming, the speed is getting faster and faster, and the flames are burning around them.

This is a traditional folk custom in Nanri County, praying for good weather, prosperity and peace.

Grandma Cai offered incense for everyone, and after she worshiped devoutly, she stepped forward and inserted the incense into the censer in the parade.

Zhao Yanjia zoomed in on the camera: "Brother Xiang Huai is so good."

But his mother didn't think so. She didn't know if she was smoked by the fireworks. She really wanted to cry, so she turned her head and lay on her husband's shoulder, wiping away her tears secretly: "Husband."

"what happened?"

"I am so happy."

She has always regarded Xiang Huai as her other son. She can see his pain, but she can't do anything about it.

But now he is willing to participate in these folk activities, to blend in here, and to enjoy the happiness of an ordinary person.

very nice.