To my dear Mr. Meng

Mr. Meng’s and I’s birthdays always coincided with the review week after classes were suspended at the end of the term. In order to avoid uneasy conscience, we continued to read and review during the day, and then took the bus to the city center for dinner at night.If you pass by a pastry shop and see a certain exquisite cake in the window, you should buy one and have a taste.We seem to have a tacit understanding and treat these two days as unshakable dating days, even though we usually go to each other's schools all day long.

In the blink of an eye, at the end of my sophomore year, my roommates asked why I hadn’t seen my birthday, and I realized that I hadn’t mentioned it to them.

At first, I was worried that I would delay finding Mr. Meng when I treated guests to dinner. Fortunately, my three roommates were reasonable and didn’t mean to make a fuss at all. Instead, I was embarrassed to say “Happy Birthday” in vain, so I ordered one in advance. Cake, ready to take it back on the 27th.

I was putting on my shoes by the bed when the phone in the dormitory rang loudly.I jumped to the table to pick it up, and tied the shoelace with the receiver between my hands: "Hello, who is it?"

"I'm looking for He Yujun."

I was taken aback: "Dad?"

My dad was also stunned for a while, and said after a while, "You didn't go to eat?"

The landline screen showed that it was now 11:46, and I said, "No, I'm going out soon, and I'm going to eat outside."

"Oh." He paused again, "Is the money enough?"

"Enough." My dad called me and I had almost half of the living expenses left every month. At the end of my freshman year, I simply transferred a fixed deposit, "What's the matter?"

"You don't have class today, right? I'm here on a business trip, and your mother asked to come and see you."

I was flattered, but my mind was clamoring for instructions to resist.He asked me if I could have dinner together in the evening, and I interrupted the unfinished sentence: "Otherwise, let's have lunch together, I may have something to do tonight. Have you eaten?"

"No, no." It was rare for him to be so meek, "I'm in People's Square right now, far away from your school?"

"I just want to go there to pick up something, and it will be very fast to take the subway directly."

There was silence for a while, and he agreed: "Okay, you come directly to the Dingrong Pavilion. Do you know the Dingrong Pavilion?"

"know."

When I hung up the phone, my neck felt inexplicably hot.

Coming out of the overcrowded subway station, I was sweating in the winter, and as soon as the cold wind blew outside, I immediately wrapped the loose scarf tightly.

The Dingrong Pavilion is located on Longjiang Road next to the People’s Square. It is said that it was rebuilt from a Western-style villa in the Republic of China. It is surrounded by tall evergreen trees and verdant verdant trees. The words "formerly known as a certain villa, built in [-]s" are engraved on the golden Han Li.On the left and right of the lavish gate, a row of high-end cars with shiny tiles lined up, proudly reflecting the ghostly shadows of the high leaves.

The waiter respectfully opened the door, and the warm and dry heat wave hit my face, and I was almost out of breath.The private rooms and the lobby on the second floor were full of seats. Stepping on the carpet and turning up to the third floor, the air was suddenly quiet, and the crystal lamps on the ceiling that looked like pagodas hung upside down became more and more radiant.There were several tables of customers scattered in the lobby, the waiter led me to a table in the corner, and left silently.

The round table was covered with a symmetrical and complex patterned muslin tablecloth, and a crimson carnation was in full bloom in the long-necked and thin-mouthed vase. The crystal glass cut the light into countless pieces, making me dizzy.A girl sat on the back seat, not as high as the back of the slender chair, staring straight at me.

There was a burst of thirst in my throat, and the waiter brought a cup of green tea and put it on the empty seat next to the girl for me.The light and pleasant tea smoke curled up, as if coaxing me to sit down and enjoy it as soon as possible.The palms of the hands holding the scarf were sweating, and the cashmere quilt was stuck upright, densely itchy. I looked at the man sitting on the other side, and the word "Dad" was repeated again and again, and finally melted into my saliva.

My dad avoided my gaze: "Sit down." Before I could move, he said to the girl, "Hey, call me brother."

Her gaze collided with mine, and she called out to her brother in a muffled voice.

Hundreds of thoughts rushed through my mind like a flood, and the next second it was empty again. I was silent for a long time, and I could only say: "It's so big."

The waiter brought the menu, just to resolve the awkward silence that was coming, and the three of them turned over the exquisite menu in front of them at the same time.My dad casually read two pages, and said nonchalantly: "Your mother is afraid that you will not eat well at school, so tell me what you want to eat, your body is important, don't think about saving money, or you will get sick later. "

I stared at the picture of shrimp floss that was almost printed on the menu in a daze, and said inattentively: "They came with you?"

"Just bring He Xing here and let her play here for two days."

"You at least tell me ahead of time on the phone."

"Family, what is there to see?" He buckled the menu, and the thick leather cover made a dull "snap", "When I called you, I was about to take He Xing out for dinner, so I couldn't leave her alone." at the hotel."

In my heart, I felt a slight irritation like a needle prick because of my clumsiness. I didn't know what else to say, so I asked instead, "What is your name?"

She heard her name and glanced up at me.My dad nodded and added: "My surname is Xuan."

Fortunately, a good name.I think.

The waiter came to order, and I took a sip of hot tea carefully, while Xuan Hexing was fiddling with the empty bowl and spoon.Occasionally, when the white porcelain tableware touched each other and made a cold sound, she immediately turned her eyes to look around, paying attention to whether anyone in the venue cast an unhappy look at her, as vigilant as some kind of herbivores who are terrified.While waiting for the dishes, my dad took out a pack of Zhonghua from his arms, and just took one out of it, before biting it into his mouth, Xuan Hexing suddenly said:

"Dad, you're smoking again! You just said it's the last one."

My dad stopped holding the cigarette, and said with a smile, "This is the last one, okay? Another one."

Xuan He fortunately turned his head away, and snorted, "Speaking is nothing. The smell of cigarettes stinks to death."

"Okay, okay, no more, no more." My dad put the cigarette back into the cigarette case and put it back in his pocket, "I promised you, Dad means what he says."

"I don't care." Xuan Hexing wrinkled his nose and grinned.

My dad and I met our eyes inadvertently. He calmly looked away, glanced at the scenery outside the window, turned back and said, "When are you on vacation?"

"January NO.14."

"Have you bought your train ticket?"

"Bought it."

"Are there any classmates going the same way?"

"Together with Guan Ting and Meng Qiansheng."

He stroked the cup, nodded and stopped talking.

Xuan He was lucky enough to eat eggs. My dad specially ordered a cup of stewed eggs with walnut juice for her. When the dish was served, it was placed by my hand. Pull it in front of yourself.There was a relaxing silence on the table, and the sound of bowls and chopsticks colliding was especially clear. In this strange atmosphere, I felt a kind of warmth that I had not seen for a long time, but then I thought that this warmth was searched for from other places, so I went It's like being exposed, but also taste the tingling pleasure.

After dinner, my dad took Xuan He Xing to the shopping mall, and said that he would buy her a favorite dress or doll as a reward for full marks in the exam.I didn't know whether I should follow or leave wisely. My dad saw hesitation and asked, "Are you busy now?"

"No." I confessed, "Go to Dongshan Road to pick up the cake later, and then go back to school."

He said "oh", picked up his coat, and suddenly remembered: "Today is your birthday?" I felt embarrassed for no reason, and before I could speak, he suddenly said: "Today is the 27th."

Fortunately, Xuan He, who ran away, turned back at this time and threw himself into his arms: "Dad, is your birthday?"

My dad pointed at me: "Today is your brother's birthday."

She crouched in his arms and looked at me, biting her lip before speaking.My dad patted her lightly: "What should I say?"

"Brother, happy birthday."

I smiled.My dad said: "That's right, let's go shopping together. If you want anything, I will give it to you as a birthday present."

Going to the mall with him to kill time, I never thought about it after high school.At this time, our father and son were walking side by side on the bright tiled floor of the shopping mall affectionately, but I felt unspeakably uncomfortable all over my body. On the contrary, it was unprecedentedly uncomfortable.

I found out that I was also a cheap bone.

My dad randomly asked some things about the school, and I told him one by one. He found that the current university life is different from his time, and he found it very interesting. He talked a lot more than when he was at home. It was the first time I heard about him when he was studying.Xuan He Xing has been following along step by step, listening to him say interesting things, she may not understand, but when she sees us laughing, she also makes a pleasing giggle.

My dad and I rarely have the time to talk calmly.He is not a loyal listener like my mother, who is not as enthusiastic about everything I say. It turns out that when I was at home, if I started some gossip on a whim and my mother happened to not hear it, he usually would not. Yes, I sat on the sofa without hearing anything, and watched the TV with empty eyes;Occasionally, I post up to talk to him, but he can't avoid it, so he just perfunctory a few words.Therefore, we either had questions without answers, or broke up unhappy without saying three sentences.

This indifference always chills me, but when it comes to serious business, it shows a straightforward side. I tried my best to let myself learn to deal with it calmly, and so far I have achieved a little success.

I don't know what to buy, and I don't want to spoil my dad's interest - I can see that he is in high spirits today and wants to play the role of a good father.Finally, I bought a knitted sweater made of rabbit wool, and the shopping guide lady eloquently recommended a cashmere scarf that matched the color.I flipped through the tag, the price was a bit overwhelming, but my dad quickly asked her to wrap it up.When he swiped the card, the corners of his mouth turned up, his eyes sparkled, as if he had made a deal with no loss, and let the money give him some satisfaction and comfort that he had been lacking for a long time as a "father".

I already have two such gray pinstriped scarves, and one was brought back to me when he and Guan Ting's father went abroad together.He probably forgot.

I thought about it and asked the shopping guide to take an extra empty paper bag.

As soon as I bought the doll for Xuan Hexing, my dad's phone rang.It is the tone I am most familiar with when talking about business affairs, it should be a business person.Sure enough, as soon as he hung up the phone, he said that he had an appointment with someone else at night, and he had to leave later.Before six o'clock, it was already dark outside. I was going to Dongshan Road to pick up cakes and then go back to school. He said he asked Secretary Jian Jun to drive me. I thought it was inconvenient to be too far away. I didn't insist anymore.Xuan He was not very happy, hugging the newly bought big plush doll, put down the corners of both mouths, and called daddy long and short in his arms.My dad had nothing to do, he held the doll for her, and asked Uncle Jian to take her to McDonald's, but she buried her head in his suit and didn't respond.

I was afraid that there would be too many people on the subway, so I turned around and left.

The roommates were playing poker in the dormitory. The weather was too cold, and no one wanted to go out. Before I had time to eat, I just took my cake as a tooth festival.I called Mr. Meng's dormitory, and it was his roommate who answered the phone, saying that Meng Qiansheng was not there. I thought he could not wait for me and came directly to Zhengda University.The roommates stared at the cake covetously, and they were too embarrassed to say anything. They asked me to put in candles. I blew out candles with Mr. Meng the day before yesterday. I didn’t even say that I would let them share the cake. I have to go out soon. .The three of them immediately smiled knowingly, and asked me if I had a girlfriend. I logically pulled Mr. Meng out as a cover, didn't sit down, drank half a glass of water and went out immediately.

As soon as I walked to the gate of Zhengda University, I saw him.I stood on the air vent, and the cold wind blew so hard that I couldn't open my eyes, I went up to him and called, "Meng Qiansheng!"

He lifted his chin from the scarf and said with a smile, "I thought you were going to let me go."

"Here." I handed over the pocket with the scarf. "Birthday present."

He took it in amazement: "Didn't you deliver it the day before yesterday?"

I was ashamed.A few days ago, I was so busy with other things that I lost my head. I remembered that it was already night before I bought a gift for Mr. Meng, so I had to pick two books in the bookstore.He turned out a piece of card and looked at it in the dim light of the street lamp, and then I remembered that I forgot to cut the hang tag.He was a little surprised: "Send such a heavy gift?"

This look made me blush, so I had no choice but to joke, "That's right, the betrothal gift."

He smiled when he heard it: "You want me to promise you a scarf?"

"Yes, just wait for you to make a promise with your body. When will you marry me?"

I didn't use my brain, so I blurted out, and after I finished speaking, I realized something was wrong, and I froze in place together with Mr. Meng.

Fortunately, the streetlights were dim and my embarrassment could not be seen clearly.Mr. Meng stuffed the scarf back into the paper bag, stopped laughing, and said, "Don't say such things casually."

This expression undoubtedly hit me with a sap, as if I had returned to the evening when I confessed to him for the first time in high school.I felt completely bewildered, but the shadow on the ground told me that I just stood still.

Obviously he said it first.I think.And, even if you talk about it casually, so what?He doesn't want to hear me say these words, is he taking the opportunity to express regret?

I licked my lips: "Where am I casual..."

Mr. Meng took a step closer, as if he wanted to look at my expression. I felt embarrassed, turned my head aside, and said bravely, "What's the point of making such a silly joke."

The right side of the coat sank, and his gloved hand reached in, and I ducked aside: "Why? You don't have pockets."

"Whether you're joking or not, I can easily take it seriously when you say this." He gently held my hand in his coat and said with a sigh, "Although I know it's impossible to get married, once you said it just now, I I can’t help but think about my life 30 years from now.”

My brain is going to be burnt out.

"You, what are you talking about..."

In the distant night, the voices of girls exclaimed faintly, and I subconsciously followed the sound, and a little coolness suddenly melted from the tip of my nose.Mr. Meng looked up, and suddenly approached, touched my right shoulder with his left shoulder, and said with a smile: "It's snowing."

This is the first snow this winter, and I didn't expect it to come so early.

That also became the winter I missed most often.

The author says:

Let me tell you, the main text is He Badger's [Single Person Limited Perspective] [Subjective Narrative], after finishing writing, I should write a side story from Meng Qiansheng's perspective.