River City Story

Cold and heat alternate, four seasons flow, and time moves forward rapidly.

Such a lively and happy Spring Festival, they lived one after another.

In a corner of Xicheng, there is a strange family of three, not rich but living a more stable and ordinary life.Every day seems to be getting better, and they even start to have some bolder expectations for the future.

In the days of the old ancestral hall on Linshui Street, He Zhengxi lived very comfortably. He didn't have to worry about where to eat his next meal, and no one planned to sell him to the mountains. Even except for the first time, He Zhengxi Zhengxi rarely even has a cold or fever.He is like a young seedling, in this old courtyard surrounded by tube buildings and camphor trees, he is desperately absorbing nutrients, and grows vigorously with all his strength.

And Lin Yan also unknowingly grew up, from a short child to a tall and slender boy.

Compulsory education in Xicheng is under the May Fourth system.When Lin Yansheng was in the graduating class of junior high school, He Zhengxi happened to be in the first year of junior high school, and it was rare for the two of them to have a whole year's intersection in the same school.The senior high school entrance examination graduating class of Experimental Middle School had evening self-study, but in the next semester, some caring person reported it, so the evening self-study had to be cancelled.He Zhengxi was happy about this, he could go home from school with Lin Yan every day.

After the period of ignorance when they were young, the two brothers gradually became enlightened in their studies.Lin Yan's Chinese performance is no longer low, and he has even participated in several composition competitions, but his goal is mostly for the prize money.Not much, dozens of dollars, and occasionally published in local newspapers and magazines, you can get an extra fee for the manuscript.Lin Yan's hard pen is quite beautiful, and this alone is already very popular with the teacher.It's just that He Zhengxi's handwriting is really hard to come by, and his writing is often criticized.But he has outstanding talent in other question types and subjects, and with enough hard work, every month when the exam results are released, He Zhengxi is definitely the first in the first-level department of the junior high school. Among the top three in the fourth-level division of the junior high school, Lin Yan also never fell off.

These two brothers, who don't go to cram school, don't play games, don't make troubles, and the parents never attend the parent-teacher meeting, have almost become the most magical existence in Xicheng Experimental Middle School.

"Tomorrow's weekend, dumplings or rice? I made dumplings last week, should I change to something else this week? Hmm... It's not impossible to eat dumplings, but what kind of stuffing should I choose, mutton? Beef? Pork? Leek and shrimp? " Lin Yan chattered as he walked in front, gesticulating with his palms non-stop.

His current accent has been completely taken away by He Zhengxi, but the "Er Hua Yin" is temporarily not standard, not so smooth, but it sounds very interesting, and it is very interesting when he pronounces the words.With his schoolbag on his back, He Zhengxi followed behind him step by step, stepping on his shadow while listening to Lin Yan's words.

Lin Yan has grown to more than 170 centimeters, successfully catching up with the height that ordinary middle school boys should have, and even has a faint tendency to surpass it.Although He Zhengxi is younger, he is only a centimeter or two shorter than Lin Yan, and it will be a matter of time before he is taller than his brother.Lin Yan has always been full of resentment towards He Zhengxi's height, He Zhengxi is only 12 years old, and at 12 years old, he is not even a few centimeters away from him?As an elder brother, Lin Yan also has dignity, and the sense of crisis of being overtaken by his younger brother is always accompanied by him.

The two walked back and forth on the street for a few minutes. Lin Yan stopped talking, turned his head suddenly, and frowned, "Are you taking some kind of height-enhancing agent? The pocket money I gave you is fine for eating and drinking. But you can't spend it in the wrong place, you know. Let me tell you, you can't believe the advertisements on TV, especially local TV stations. Many of them are scams. What I said may not be so beautiful, but you have to listen, understand? ?”

Before He Zhengxi bumped noses with Lin Yan, he almost stopped, his little heart beating violently.However, student He has also cultivated his own unique code of conduct over the years. No matter what the situation, he can accurately give just the right answer.He Zhengxi moved his eyes away from Lin Yan's constantly opening and closing mouth, looked at the road cone next to him, and said slowly, "Does our family have money to lie to?"

Lin Yan stood there for a few seconds, then nodded solemnly: "That's right."

He Zhengxi poked Lin Yan's lower back with his index finger, and Lin Yan followed the trend and continued to walk.Soon, he brought up the topic of saving money again.This is something that must be brought up every day. Is there enough pocket money today? What are the recent expenses? How many days are left in this month?

He Zhengxi was used to this, and when Lin Yan said something, he would hum or nod in response.Lin Yan made a very comprehensive monthly financial plan for his family, including eating, dressing, traveling, all kinds of school supplies and daily necessities, every expenditure, including Xu Jialin, must be consciously accounted for, and summed up at the end of the month. If there is any situation, he will go to make a spending plan for next month.

He Zhengxi would unconditionally respond to any of Lin Yan's suggestions, and he was also willing to be disciplined by this brother with a different surname.During the few years he lived in the old ancestral hall, he lived freely and happily, but He Zhengxi also gradually understood that without Lin Yan, he would not have been able to grow up to where he is now.Lin Yan regards money as extremely important, so that occasionally he appears a little stingy and caress too much.Most middle school students of his age don't bother with others for change, and if there is less, there will be less, a few cents, a few dollars, and they don't bother to look into it.But Lin Yan can do it. He can patiently deal with the grocery shopping lady back and forth for more than ten minutes in the vegetable market, and only counts himself an extra [-] cents for the other party.

"Don't say two cents, one cent and one cent, as long as it belongs to me, it must be taken back if it is reasonable, legal and safe." Lin Yan once said.He Zhengxi knew that he didn't have such firm and fearless qualities, and he only had the word "admiration" for Lin Yan.

The two walked talking and chatting, and soon arrived at the alley of Linshui Street, and happened to run into Lao Jiang who was out to dump the medicine residue.Lin Yan ran over to take the casserole in his hand, and leaned over to look at the trash can.

"Why are you drinking this again? Are you making an old mistake?"

Lao Jiang patted Lin Yan's shoulder with a smile: "How can it be, isn't this a precaution first?"

He has aged a lot in the past few years, and the wrinkles on his face have become deeper and deeper. Even when he is smiling, his eyes are always dull.Last year, Lao Jiang suddenly passed out in the clinic, and was met by He Zhengxi who passed by to say hello, and he called 120 before he was rescued.Since then, the sensitivity of Lao Jiang's hands and feet has not been as good as before, and he can't even stick a needle.When Lin Yan saw him holding the casserole just now, his hands were trembling, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

Before leaving, Lin Yan gave He Zhengxi a glance, He Zhengxi tilted his head with a dazed expression, Lin Yan gritted his teeth angrily, and then He Zhengxi gave him an "OK" gesture with a sudden realization.Then he walked up to Lao Jiang, put his head into Lao Jiang's arms, and turned into the posture of a real child.

"Grandpa Jiang, you can live in the old ancestral hall. It's boring to live in the clinic alone. You can go, go, go, go..."

He Zhengxi clings to others, shamelessly shameless, trying his best to be coquettish and greasy.This trick works best against Lao Jiang on weekdays, and Lin Yan is already immune.He stood against the wall, applauded and refueled a lot, and watched with great enthusiasm.

Lao Jiang waved his hands helplessly, took the casserole from Lin Yan, and planned to enter the house, but when He Zhengxi saw that he was about to leave, he immediately knelt down and hugged his legs.

"If Grandpa Jiang doesn't go, I'll roll around."

Lao Jiang turned around and said, "Hey, Zhengxi, you're 12, and you're still making trouble with me."

"If you leave with the two of us, I won't play this game long ago." He Zhengxi just didn't let go.

"Old Jiang, you can live with us as a partner. During the day, you will still open the clinic and stay at my house at night. A new room has been cleaned up in the ancestral hall. You will live next door to Uncle Xu, and there will be a caretaker when the time comes." Lin Yan followed suit. chime in.

Xu Jialin also knew about this little plan that was born between the two brothers.Lao Jiang has lived in Linshui Street for a long time. The old man is alone. If he falls down again, it will be difficult to stand up again.

Lao Jiang sighed, leaning on the door frame and squatting down, He Zhengxi let go of his hand and sat down on the steps as well.

"I understand what you mean, but although the old man is old, he doesn't want to drag others down. I can't stand asking people to take care of this kind of thing every day."

"Didn't you take care of us when we were young?" Lin Yan lowered his head and muttered.

"It's different. I'm an adult, and you two are still young." Lao Jiang is an old smoker, his lungs have been smoked to the brim, and now that he is old, he has to stop to catch his breath every time he says a word.

"We have grown up now, so we have to take care of you. If my brother hadn't seen it last time, you would have gone to the bridge by now!"

"You are not big or small!" Lao Jiang smiled and flicked Lin Yan's head through the air with his fingers, "I am a doctor and know my own situation best. You two come to persuade me every few days. I'm tired of listening. If you treat me as an elder, then listen to me too, don't mention this again, be obedient."

He Zhengxi was at a loss. He asked Lin Yan for help with his eyes. Lin Yan spread his shoulders, turned to Lao Jiang and said, "I always call you Lao Jiang, but the person next to him is your grandfather."

Lao Jiang laughed out loud after hearing this, and said out of breath, "You are the smartest, call me Lao Jiang, and I am also from your grandpa's generation. When you come to society, don't be like this, be careful of being put on small shoes!"

Lin Yan saw that Lao Jiang's words had reached this point, and he already knew very well in his heart that the old man really didn't want to live with them, and if he continued to persuade them, he might get angry.

Lao Jiang's character is not simply stubborn, but he is afraid of causing trouble to others. After all, Xu Jialin is not a rich man. No matter how sensible the two children are, they are still junior high school students.Lin Yan could sense Lao Jiang's thoughts.

"Then you should make fewer appointments and rest more. Anyway, you are a good person every day. This clinic will become a designated free clinic when it is opened again." Lin Yan walked over and said with a smile, "If you can't move things, just wait Let's come and make dumplings at home tomorrow, and I'll bring you a plate then, don't bother with your casserole porridge at noon."

After hearing this, Lao Jiang shook his head: "You child."

Lin Yan answered the words with a playful smile: "My child is really good, isn't he?" He stretched out his hand to lift He Zhengxi who was squatting on the door platform, and the two of them worked together to help Lao Jiang into the door, and went to the yard to help collect the clothes. Stack them one by one.Before leaving, Lin Yan thought about it, ran to the kitchen, and changed a bucket of water for Lao Jiang.

On the way back to the old ancestral hall, Lin Yan sighed, thinking that he could not compromise so quickly, but He Zhengxi didn't talk to him, and he followed behind, staring at Lin Yan's shaking head in a daze.

Entering adolescence, Lin Yan's appetite increased, not only did he grow in size, but his hair color also became much healthier, like the brown color that is sought after by his classmates nowadays.He Zhengxi likes Lin Yan's soft tea hair, but he doesn't dare to touch it directly, and he will be taught a lesson.

The head of a tyrant in Linshui Street cannot be touched casually, Lin Yan said.

When the two arrived home, Xu Jialin was still not there, and the yard was very quiet.

Over the years, Xu Jialin's energy to play around has become much less. Maybe it's because he's getting old, or maybe it's because of what happened at the General Assembly five years ago that made him determined to change his past.In short, Xu Jialin is becoming more and more like a normal parent. Although he is still hovering on the passing line, at least he is working hard in that direction.Shen Han helped Xu Jialin find a job as a driver in his father's logistics company, and he often had to travel to other places.Xu Jialin was a disobedient person in his heart, although he didn't like this job, but at least it would allow him to be on the road all year round without needing to clock in and go to and from get off work, so it suited him well.What's more, Xu Jialin can stabilize, and Lin Yan is already very satisfied.

After putting away his schoolbag, he moved the clothes that were not dry to the hangers in the main room.He still remembers the sentence he heard when he was a child - children's clothes should not touch the starlight at night.He Zhengxi followed him into puberty, and one day, this little boy who is a god-shock will grow into a rebellious boy, Lin Yan has no strength to control him.He stubbornly focused on countless weird details, hoping to prevent He Zhengxi from turning into a difficult boy.

He Zhengxi's life skills were far behind Lin Yan's alone, but among his peers, he was definitely considered the best.From the age of 10, except for having no money in his pocket, He Zhengxi can almost be completely independent in other aspects.

Xu Jialin went out to run goods from time to time, and he spent less time at home than in the past, so Lin Yan became busier, and all major and minor matters were left to him to decide.To a certain extent, the teenage Lin Yan is indeed considered a leader in Linshui Street. No child is so sensible at his age.

As Lin Yan's younger brother, He Zhengxi knew Lin Yan better than anyone else.He was very worried that one day Lin Yan's gear would suddenly lose power, what would they do then.

Lin Yan was pumping water to wash vegetables in the yard. He Zhengxi watched it for a long time, then got up and walked over.

"Brother, you rest, I'll come." He handed Lin Yan a wooden stool, and Lin Yan took it, sat next to He Zhengxi, and fiddled with the little thing soaking in the other water basin with his free hand. tomato.He Zhengxi sighed indistinctly, Lin Yan is such a person, he is too hardworking, if he does not do things in his spare time, he will feel uneasy.

The two sat side by side, one shredded the beans, and the other stalked the small tomatoes. The breeze brought up the smell of wet soil in the yard and wrapped them in it.

In summer and autumn, the old ancestral hall hardly needs to go to the vegetable market.Lin Yan's small vegetable garden now has a large scale. In the past, he couldn't do it alone. Now with the help of He Zhengxi, he directly divided the entire small courtyard into two large parts, leaving only a concrete road in the middle for people to pass.

Cucumbers, lentils, eggplants, potatoes, lettuce, and even honeysuckle and loofah were planted in the corners.He Zhengxi was very confused at the beginning, other people's yards were planted with roses or ling xiao, or even creepers, why Lin Yan had to plant honeysuckle.Lin Yan's expression when he answered this question was full of perseverance and disgust.

"Qiangwei, can you eat it? Ling Xiao, can you soak it in water to drink? If you are not afraid of snakes getting into your crotch when you fall asleep, you can raise creepers."

After He Zhengxi heard this, a wretched smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said, "You have a snake in your pants, brother, you are very knowledgeable."

Lin Yan nodded: "Young man, work hard, you are my younger brother, and you still have a lot to learn." When he raised his chin and chattered, he didn't look arrogant, but rather playful.He Zhengxi liked Lin Yan's energetic appearance, his eyes were full of spirits, which made people feel happy.

He Zhengxi stared at the honeysuckle on the wall and recalled the topic of "□□Diamond Snake", and laughed while thinking about it, and then he almost laughed out loud before realizing that his brother was sitting next to him, so he could only concentrate on fiddling with beans.

"How did I find out that the longer you grow, the more stupid you become." Lin Yan picked up a small tomato and handed it to He Zhengxi.

"How stupid." He Zhengxi didn't pick up the little tomato, "I ranked higher than you in the exam." He grabbed Lin Yan's hand and directly opened his mouth to bite it off.

Lin Yan immediately shook his arms in disgust: "Damn, you drool!"

He Zhengxi refused to accept it: "Why do you always dislike me, how can you drool, I use my teeth, but I don't use my tongue to lick them."

Lin Yan's obsession with cleanliness: "Lick it with your tongue? Are you dirty?"

He Zhengxi spread his hands innocently, relying on the accumulated familiarity, he could always accurately grasp the point that made Lin Yan jump.Although in terms of age and experience, Lin Yan is much older than He Zhengxi. The 12-year-old He Zhengxi has not yet been called an old fried dough stick. Currently, he is just a freshly baked, crispy little fried dough stick.

For dinner, He Zhengxi stewed a pot of long beans.Since he was allowed to cook by Lin Yan at the age of 10, he has learned many dishes by groping, both in the north and the south. He has changed from a plate-setting boy to the chef of the old ancestral hall, and has made rapid progress.However, Lin Yan only hoped that He Zhengxi would try it when he was free on weekends, and he would not be allowed to do it at other times.

"It feels like your technique has improved again, it's delicious." Lin Yan gave He Zhengxi a thumbs up.

"The vegetables you grow are of good quality." He Zhengxi scratched his head embarrassingly, "I have an appointment with Brother Bowen to play golf tonight." He Zhengxi got up to fill up the rice and started to finish the second bowl.

Lin Yan nodded and said, "Oh, don't make it too late, ask him to take you back then."

He Zhengxi: "No need, let him give it away, he is preparing for the college entrance examination."

"That's right." Lin Yan bit the tip of his chopsticks and thought for a while, then said, "I still have half of the test paper, I'll go find you when I'm done."

He Zhengxi slammed rice into his mouth, chewed and said, "I'm so old, don't keep treating me like a child."

After hearing this, Lin Yan put the bamboo chopsticks on the dining table and said:

"You are only in the first grade of junior high school, do you think you are a child? What if you really meet bad people at night?"

Seeing his posture, He Zhengxi knew that he would not be able to run away and would be reprimanded, so he just shut up and listened.If you don't listen, this class will definitely be postponed.

"You are so skilled, you are so courageous. The law and order in our area is incomparable with the past. If you don't pay attention, if something happens, it will be enough for you to drink a pot. Some time ago, a man was robbed on the street. , the head is open, how scary, don't make trouble for me..."

"Okay, okay, you just come." He Zhengxi said holding the bowl.

Lin Yan raised his eyelids, and added: "Be careful when you play, don't fight hard, the exam is coming soon, and you still have to get the scholarship."

He Zhengxi stuffed the last mouthful of rice into his stomach, stood up and shouted to Lin Yan: "Understood! Sir!"

Lin Yan rested his chin and shook his head helplessly.

He Zhengxi began to like playing basketball when he was just in the first year of junior high school. At that time, the school's basketball team recruited new players, and the captain immediately fell in love with He Zhengxi, who had long hands, long legs and full of explosive power.

Lin Yan heard about his playing in the team from the chat topics of the female students in the class.The girls bluffed during breaks and said that there was a new elementary school boy on the team, he was good-looking, and his playing posture was fierce and handsome.At that time, Lin Yan was sitting in the back row of them, thinking, what the hell is fierce and handsome, in his heart, Tyrannosaurus rex is considered fierce and handsome.As a result, a few minutes later, the "fierce and handsome" elementary school boy they called stood at the door openly.The elementary school boy pointed straight at Lin Yan and yelled a clear and resounding "Brother", and the girls in the class immediately boiled over.

Lin Yan was so shocked that his jaw almost dislocated.There are only four words in my heart - "what the hell".He wasn't interested in extracurricular activities, all he could do was study and save money, so he didn't know what He Zhengxi, who had just entered school, was busy with.His silly brother transformed into a little girl's Prince Charming?

Your little prince's family is extremely poor, if you marry him, you may not be able to become a queen, Lin Yan thought so.

However, although he has no interest in sports for the time being, as an elder brother, Lin Yan has always supported his younger brother's hobbies as much as possible.

After that, about two months later, when He Zhengxi came home one day, he found a big cardboard box on his side of the desk.Lin Yan sat opposite and smiled cheerfully at him.

"Open it and have a look, it's a gift from my brother."

"Ah? Oh..."

He Zhengxi was stunned by Lin Yan's golden eyes, and started tearing off the tape on the outside of the box in a daze.

Lin Yan couldn't bear his speed, and urged: "Hey! Why are you tearing it with your hands, isn't there scissors next to it, hurry up, cut it! What's your brain!"

He Zhengxi had come to his senses at this time, seeing Lin Yan in such a hurry, he wanted to make a fuss.He picked up the scissors in a slow-moving motion, and cut the tape slowly, watching Lin Yan's expression while doing it, feeling extremely satisfied.

When all the boxes were opened and the wrapping paper bags inside were exposed, He Zhengxi was stunned.

"Basketball?!" he exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Yan lay on the table, raised his chin towards He Zhengxi: "There is still a box underneath."

He Zhengxi immediately opened the second one, and the goal was two pairs of sneakers. The red uppers were particularly dazzling and handsome.

"This is not...I saw it in the mall..." He Zhengxi turned his head and met Lin Yan's eyes, "...this is

It's too expensive, bro, I've seen the price tag. He carefully put the sneakers back into the box, "I won't accept them, return them." "

"Hypocrisy, wrong words." Lin Yan smiled, "Do you know the purpose of saving pocket money and New Year's Eve? It's just to buy such things. You can't play without a few pairs of comfortable shoes."

He Zhengxi's mouth narrowed, and the circles around his eyes began to turn red, "...Brother, you obviously haven't worn any good shoes yourself."

"Me?" Lin Yan straightened up, leaned against the back of the chair, and dragged the back of his head with his hands, "I only run occasionally, and I don't play ball. Wearing good shoes is a waste. If you still wear sneakers and cloth shoes to run wildly on the court, time will be lost." After a long time, the legs will be injured, and the gains outweigh the losses."

He Zhengxi walked up to Lin Yan, stretched out his arms and hugged him, then got into Lin Yan's arms again, and whispered, "Brother, I love you so much."

Lin Yan's ears were flushed: "Do you think I'm still 7 years old? I'm not your mother, so get up."

He Zhengxi: "What's the matter, you are my favorite elder brother. It is always said on TV that an elder brother is like a father, and you are the same as my own father and mother." He put his head on Lin Yan's lap with a smile , the action is non-stop.

"One word says that I am dozens of years old, and I don't want to be your father." Lin Yan pushed He Zhengxi away, smoothed the folds on the clothes for about ten seconds, and suddenly said: "You You can play ball, don't fool around, don't participate in gang fights, and don't mess with little girls, you know?"

He Zhengxi raised his face and swore: "Believe me, your brother is a good young man with all-round development of morality, intelligence, physique, art and labor. Besides, it costs money to provoke a little girl. I will definitely not want to eat less meat." .”

His expression was sincere and his words were sincere. After hearing this, Lin Yan was quite satisfied, feeling that his money was not wasted.

With his own equipment, He Zhengxi went out to play every night.At first, he was alone, and Lin Yan would sit on the steps of the stadium to accompany him. Later, I don’t know when He Zhengxi hooked up with Feng Bowen again, and the players soon became the two of them. Taking advantage of the trend, there is an extra Song Rui.

Lin Yan doesn't like sports, Song Rui is so-so, and the two never play.

However, Lin Yan has a lot of test papers recently, so he can only shorten the rest time after meals.Feng Bowen and Song Rui are different. They seem to be able to do everything with ease. When their classmates are fighting for the college entrance examination, the two are still wandering in the street, playing ball, shopping, eating and drinking, and they have not missed all the things they should play. .

When He Zhengxi walked to the stadium, Feng Bowen was already warming up, and Song Rui next to him was listening to music with earphones on. Seeing him, Song Rui pulled off the earphones and yelled:

"Hey, here you are again wearing the love sneakers bought by your brother Lin Yan!"

He Zhengxi's face turned red, he stretched out his finger, and rubbed the tip of his nose uncomfortably.The light from the street lamp above his head fell on him. At this moment, he felt that he was exposed, and there was nothing to hide.