River City Story

The day when Xu Jialin's case was pronounced was Valentine's Day, the second day of school, and the weather was warm and humid.There is no exam, and the teacher has not yet had time to assign homework. The peaceful and peaceful campus atmosphere of No. [-] Middle School is full of sweetness.

At this age when everyone is quite rustic, foreign festivals make people feel novelty and excitement. Lin Yan even received several gifts early in the morning.There was an extraordinarily large box that was so obtrusive that it almost couldn't fit in the table hole.He opened it and took a look. There were rows of Meiji chocolates stacked together like a big brick, and there was a bright yellow post-it note with handwriting similar to that of the "total amount of energy" from before.

Lin Yan smiled helplessly, and stuffed it all into his schoolbag.These gifts were all unsigned, and he didn't need to rush to return the gift, nor did he plan to return it.Lin Yan had more important things to do, and his heart was suspended all day long.

Lu Chi said that he would come to him as soon as the result came out.Why don't you come, why don't you come, why don't you come?Lin Yan almost shook his legs frantically in the classroom.Qian Sheng asked him some time ago if he wanted to help him apply for a minor to sit in on the audition, but Lin Yan resolutely refused.He didn't want to see Xu Jialin standing in the dock in handcuffs, and he felt dizzy when he thought about it.

Who is Xu Jialin?Although he has always been poor and carefree, he has never really been down and out, and his surroundings are always lively, nightclubs, KTV, chess and card rooms, wherever he can have fun.Now that he is in jail, Lin Yan doesn't know what those cronies think. Anyway, from his point of view, old man Xu shouldn't be like this.

After Lin Yan finished his afternoon class, he waited anxiously in his seat, didn't eat dinner, and was reluctant to go to the bathroom.When some students gradually began to return to the classroom, Zhao Sheng finally appeared at the door. Lin Yan stood up suddenly, and the towering textbooks at the same table were knocked tottering by him.

"I'm in my office, I suggest you go have dinner first, otherwise the cafeteria will be closed." Zhao Sheng said.

"Okay, I'll go right away." Lin Yan was about to pull his legs as he spoke, but was pulled back by Zhao Sheng's collar, "I've asked for leave for the last two days, and I can relax the restrictions."

"No need!" Lin Yan shook his head, "Evening self-study is estimated to be half a class late, I will come back after I finish speaking, and I will not ask for leave."

Zhao Sheng let go of his hand and said, "Just know what you have in mind."

Lin Yan smiled and gestured to him that there was no problem, then turned around and ran away quickly.

Zhao Sheng watched Lin Yan's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and said in a low voice helplessly: "Bear boy..."

"Old Zhao? Something happened to Lin Yan's family?"

Cai Xusheng's voice suddenly came from behind, startling Zhao Sheng, "God, why don't you make a sound, kid! Call me Mr. Zhao! What can we learn from Lin Yan?"

Cai Xusheng said innocently: "It's not that you always say that everyone should look up to the benchmark students... I am very obedient.

"Don't do this."

In Zhao Sheng's eyes, Cai Xusheng and Lin Yan are both quite unique students, but their types are quite different, almost two extremes.He looked at Cai Xusheng and answered the previous question: "Brother Lin Yan is here, bring him something to eat."

"I know, Lu Chi, but isn't he always delivering on Wednesdays? He comes as soon as school starts?" Cai Xusheng pinched his chin and said seriously, "And it seems that most of the time, it is delivered by Lu's mother, she is a great beauty."

Zhao Sheng supported his forehead and frowned: "What are you doing to see if other people's mothers are beautiful or not! Hurry up and eat, and don't ask questions if you shouldn't!"

"Okay, old Zhao." Cai Xusheng turned around and passed by Zhao Sheng. Within half a second, he yelled, "Don't pull my ears! Men's ears are very sensitive!"

"When you graduate from high school, call me Lao Zhao again!" Zhao Sheng put down his hand.

"Oh, I see, Lao Zhao!"

"Learn something from Lin Yan, okay!!" Zhao Sheng angrily threw his textbook at the wall.

Lin Yan and Lu Chi were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria. There were a lot of people during the meal. Even if he just cried, no one would notice.

"Let's make an agreement, we'll just cry this time, and eat well when we're done, you know?" Lu Chi said.

"Understood." Lin Yan sniffed his nose and tried to calm his tone, "When things are settled, I will ask for leave to see old man Xu."

"Then you have to eat well during this period of time. I didn't say that Uncle Xu looks better than you. You have to know how to measure yourself." Lu Chi stretched out his hand and rubbed the space between Lin Yan's brows.

Lin Yan laughed sullenly, "You are so rare and serious, are you really Lu Chi?"

"Which one of us is older? What if we don't have points." Lu Chi also smiled.

"What is counted?" Lin Yan asked suddenly.

"Huh?" Lu Chi was taken aback.

"I said, what is counting? Teacher Zhao also said, you have to know it in your heart. To be honest, I don't know what counting I have to have."

Lin Yan was stirring the porridge in the bowl with a dazed look on his face. He thought for a while, and then said with a long sigh of relief: "Forget it, I don't want to think about it. I'm actually relaxed now. What can old man Xu do if he spends 12 years in prison?" Ah, at least I have a bottom line."

"It's pretty good if you think so. I've discussed with my family about the compensation. I'll help you first..."

"Don't do that." Lin Yan interrupted Lu Chi, "I have the money, He Zhengxi's family gave me 15, and I have some money myself, so I won't be in debt, and I won't become a poor household. "

"Wait." Lu Chi grabbed Lin Yan's wrist, "You can't take it all out. There are still two and a half years in high school, four years in college, and five years in some majors. After that, you can't take the postgraduate entrance examination? Rent one Room? Why don’t you need money?”

"According to what you said, I know it well." Lin Yan took a sip of the porridge, "I won't let myself drink Northwest Wind, the school has a scholarship, I'm still working part-time, and it doesn't cost much to live on campus. I've always In bookkeeping, balance of payments, health and order."

"Could this be the same thing?" Lu Chi was a little annoyed. The child Lin Yan was like a normal middle school student when he was crying just now, but now he turned his head, calm and orderly, and even shameless. There is nothing to say at all, and the road ahead is directly blocked.

"If you continue to yell, you will really get angry. Be careful of mouth ulcers." Lin Yan continued.

"I have a mouth ulcer now! I'm so angry with you!" Lu Chi leaned back in his chair, "I can't say no to you, I choose to give up."

Lin Yan pursed his lips and nodded, then took out a piece of paper from his schoolbag, wrote a line of words on it, folded it into a small letter, put it in Lu Chi's hand, and motioned him to read it.

"What? It looks disgusting." Lu Chi said.

"Don't look disgusting." Lin Yan smiled indifferently.

"Then I'll take a look." Lu Chi took apart the complicated little white heart layer by layer, and wrote a letter: Oral Ulcer Healing Dafa - Cut a piece of green lemon and stick it on the affected area. That's it ^_^.

"I think your last smiling face is full of subtle contempt." Lu Chi stuffed the paper into the bag.

"Why, I obviously smiled sincerely. If you don't believe me, go to our Class 6 and ask. I rarely smile like this." Lin Yan said frankly.

Lu Chi: "Then I still made money?"

Lin Yan: "What do you say?"

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then laughed together.

"No, what's so ridiculous..." Lu Chi said tremblingly.

"You laughed first, you asked me?" Lin Yan put away the plate and got up, "You continue to eat, I have to go to study by myself at night."

"Okay." Lu Chi nodded, "Weekend, you know?"

Lin Yan: "I know, I know, let's go to your house for dinner!"

Lu Chi said with satisfaction: "Okay, step back."

Lin Yan gave him a ninety-degree bow, and when he turned around to run away, Lu Chi said again, "Wait, there's one more thing."

Lin Yan sighed: "Big Brother..."

"Who is that, does your brother know? About the sentencing." Lu Chi asked.

"Why are you telling him this?" Lin Yan asked suspiciously.

"Hey... I'm not talking about you. It's better to tell him that he's in the second year of junior high. He's not too young anymore. Don't always treat him like a primary school student." He took out his mobile phone and handed it to Lin Yan , "A matter of a few minutes."

Lin Yan hesitated for a long time before taking it. He remembered He Zhengxi's number so well that he didn't need to recall it, but how should he say this?

He Zhengxi seemed to have evaporated recently, and there was no news from him. Lin Yan didn't have the habit of actively contacting each other.

During this winter vacation without He Zhengxi by his side, Lin Yan lived quite alone. Although he visited some people at home intermittently, he still felt uncomfortable.Lin Yan tried to turn on the desk lamp that belonged to He Zhengxi on the desk once. In the warm yellow light, he always felt that He Zhengxi was still sitting there doing homework, and would turn his head to Lin Yan while writing. Yan leaned on him.In the past, Lin Yan thought that He Zhengxi's habit was bad, but now, he began to miss that touch crazily.

Unknowingly, the pressed number has been dialed out, and when the notification tone of waiting for connection came out from the receiver, Lin Yan suddenly flinched, and in the battle between the hanging and the unhanging heaven and man, the other end spoke first.

"Hello?" He Zhengxi asked very politely.

Compared with Xia Tian, ​​his voice is less immature, probably because he has really reached puberty, Lin Yan thought.

"Don't talk? Are you...?" He Zhengxi asked again, "This number looks familiar, who are you looking for?"

"Ah! Oh...it's me." Lin Yan cleared his throat and said.

"Brother?" He Zhengxi seemed to be taken aback for a moment before speaking again, "What's wrong?"

His tone was subtly indifferent, which made Lin Yan feel a little shivering in his heart.

What's wrong?Can I call you?Lin Yan wanted to answer him like this.

"I'll let you know about Uncle Xu." Lin Yan said.

"...Well, how long was the sentence?" He Zhengxi asked.

"12."

"It's been so long, there will be less opportunities for him to roam around in the future." He Zhengxi said.

Lin Yan: "Yes, I hope old man Xu can make a good improvement inside."

……

There was a brief silence for a few seconds, Lin Yan felt that the conversation seemed to be unable to go on.He was a little nervous from the moment he heard He Zhengxi's voice, which he had never felt before.He doesn't know why.It was probably because what happened on Xiaonian's day caused some irreparable estrangement between the two, and He Zhengxi seemed to have matured. Although he didn't see his face, the atmosphere of speaking changed a lot.Lin Yan couldn't tell where this change manifested itself, but in short, He Zhengxi had indeed upgraded.

"Let's do this first, I'll go to study by myself last night." Lin Yan had no choice but to say.

"Yes." He Zhengxi returned.

Lin Yan looked at the darkened phone screen, his eyes flickered.

"You two...argued?" Lu Chi asked, "Talking like outsiders."

"That's right." Lin Yan picked up his schoolbag, "I really have to go."

Lu Chilan waved his hand on the chair.

After hanging up the phone, He Zhengxi stood in front of the window in a daze.Yancheng has been experiencing sleet and rain recently, the outside is gloomy, and the air is damp and cold.He suddenly felt a little regretful, regretting that he had said too little just now, his tone was too calm, his whole person was too cold and not enthusiastic enough.

That does not work.

He Zhengxi squatted down and leaned against the edge of the bed, covering his face in annoyance.

Lin Yan is excellent, and these excellences come from his unyielding innocence.But on the night of Xiaonian, as the younger brother, He Zhengxi said in person that those things that his elder brother relied on to move forward were not worth a dime.Lin Yan's heart was probably seriously hurt, He Zhengxi didn't dare to call or send text messages anymore.He knew that Lin Yan would definitely be the same as before, chatting nonsense with him without any grievances, but he was also afraid that Lin Yan would treat him gently as always, which would make him appear even more like a vexatious child.

He Zhengxi hated this state, he hoped that he could be placed on the same level as Lin Yan, he even hated his own age. 13 years old is definitely not mature in anyone's eyes, especially for Lin Yan.

In the past few months since he came back, the family has spoiled He Zhengxi almost to the limit.He also gradually recalled from other people's words that in fact, he was a very delicate child when he was a child. He ate well, dressed well, and used well. When things went wrong, he always liked to run outside.Being abducted to Xicheng was the result of his most violent run away from home.

The life in the old ancestral hall was indeed more difficult than most people, but He Zhengxi showed that he could endure it better than any of his peers, he looked very cheerful.Wear cheap sportswear bought in the market with Lin Yan, burn a wood stove in the open-air small courtyard, learn to cook, wash clothes, take care of your own bed and desk, arrange pocket money in a planned way, and even talk to Lin Yan Plant vegetables and catch insects together.When He Zhengxi was doing these things, he was in a happy mood.

However, if it is only out of instinct to adapt to the living environment, will he still feel happy?

On the day of skiing, Yang Lin's "like" made He Zhengxi tremble with fear.Ever since he was a child, he really had never had the idea of ​​wanting to get close to any little girl, and he didn't find any actress pleasing to his eyes when watching TV.He doesn't like to make friends at all, and he doesn't like to smile at everyone when he sees them. He doesn't know him well at all.But Lin Yan said, he has to be sensible, he has to make more friends, he can't be too dull, he has to be more like a child.He Zhengxi grew up according to Lin Yan's requirements step by step, and Lin Yan was always happy about these changes in him.

He Yi once said that thanks to Lin Yan's education, he did not expect that He Zhengxi's path would be quite right, even exceeding the family's original requirements for the child.After hearing it, He Zhengxi sat on the sofa with a strange expression.

educate?Maybe.He Zhengxi liked Lin Yan's request to him, and he liked the way Lin Yan smiled when he fulfilled the request.If it were He Yi or someone else to educate him, he might still have to run away from home.He is very good, and he is not convinced by anyone's discipline, even his parents and elders.When He Zhengxi saw Yang Lin smoking, he also had the urge to ask for one, but he said, "Smoking less".It's not because he thinks smoking is unhealthy, it's just that Lin Yan's words suddenly popped up in his mind.

Does this count as "like"?He Zhengxi took the key to open the desk drawer, and found out the manga that Yang Lin stole from his cousin's house, frowning, and quickly flipped through a few pages.It's a pure love story, but the protagonists of the story have become two men, which is awkward no matter how you look at it.

Not the same, they have a different way of getting along with the people in the story.He Zhengxi sat on the ground and thought hard for a long time, his head was tense, so he had to lock the book back, turned out this problem set and started to do it.He knew very well that these troubles of his were just trivial matters, and compared with Lin Yan's experiences, they were nothing worth mentioning.

One third of the way through the spring, Xu Jialin was officially transferred to the prison and began to serve his sentence.Lin Yan had been waiting for this process for a long time. Once the monthly exam was over, he got on the bus to the outskirts of the city alone. After bumping all the way for more than two hours, he saw the building with an outer wall higher than the main building through the window. Huge building.Entering inside, the prison guard held his ID in his hand and looked back and forth for a long time.It is estimated that there are very few middle school students among the people who usually visit the prison, and even the eyes they cast on Lin Yan are full of sympathy.

Lin Yan did some homework before coming here. He wanted to deposit money into Xu Jialin's prison account, but how much money would he need and where would the money be used? If he could rest assured, he had to ask in person.He also brought a few Yellow Crane Towers with him. He was not angry when he was detained, but only hoped that the cigarettes would not be disposed of.

The meeting room in the prison was quite large. Lin Yan glanced at the prison crowd, and then smiled.He walked to the window, picked up the phone through the glass.

"To be honest, I can't call you old man Xu anymore." Lin Yan said while shaking his shoulders.

Xu Jialin raised his eyebrows, "Take your smile away, young man. You awakened your consciousness too late, it doesn't matter whether it's big or small."

Lin Yan: "Brother Xu, this outfit and hairstyle suit you very well."

The prison guard behind him choked back his laughter. Compared with the people next to him, the atmosphere between the two of them was quite relaxed.Lin Yan didn't ask about Xu Jialin's case, and Xu Jialin didn't specifically mention He Zhengxi either.

"Uncle, what you did is not honest, the main thing is that you will suffer in the future." Xu Jialin said with guilt on his face, "You can study at school with peace of mind, don't think about my affairs, and eat well."

"Hey, it's rare to be a model parent." Lin Yan joked, "You can also serve your sentence with peace of mind, do more good deeds, come out a year and a half earlier, and then you can go out to flirt with the aunts and start the second spring .”

"You're right." Xu Jialin smacked his lips, "When I go out, you'll be on your way. You probably have a wife and children. Don't dislike the old man by then."

Lin Yan shook his head and refused: "I never thought about those things, making money is the first priority."

Xu Jialin: "Qian Sheng told me about your part-time job. You have your own ideas since you were a child. I won't say much. I don't worry about your grades. But you can't go too far. You have to know when to brake. Look at it. How thin have you become?"

These people love to mention this no matter what.Lin Yan scratched his hair and smiled, "I understand, the first priority is health; the second priority is to go to college."

After hearing this, Xu Jialin gave him a thumbs up.

Lin Yan went on to say: "You also have to pay attention to your body. When you fight for it, you will still be a charming old man."

Xu Jialin smiled and said, "Replace the old man, charming uncle."

Lin Yan nodded dog-leggedly: "Yes, yes, charming little boy!"

The two chatted nonchalantly for half an hour. Except for the few serious words at the beginning, the conversation almost turned into a double-word later on.Before leaving, the nearby prison guards smiled at them, and Lin Yan hurriedly slipped away in embarrassment.

His trip back and forth was almost rushed, and even the motion sickness stopped.In the afternoon, Lin Yan rushed to the school for the last two classes. As soon as he arrived in class, Cai Xusheng dragged him to the corner of the corridor before the bench was warmed up.

"Do you want to show forbidden love to the little girls again?" Lin Yan smiled and put Cai Xusheng on the shoulder.

"No!" Cai Xusheng was rarely in a hurry, "What did you ask for leave today?"

Lin Yan smiled and said, "Why should I tell you..."

Cai Xusheng approached him and said in a low voice, "Your Uncle Xu, has he been imprisoned for drug trafficking?"

Lin Yan's smile faded away, and he said coldly, "Who said that?"

"That's what you say." Cai Xusheng looked at Lin Yan awkwardly.

Lin Yan raised his face, took a deep breath, and said, "It's not like selling or transporting drugs."

"Damn it, awesome." Cai Xusheng had a look of admiration on his face, "Don't worry, I don't care about this kind of thing, I'm just a little worried about you."

His reaction seemed sincere, not pretending, Lin Yan couldn't help but relax, "It happened when I entered school last year, and the verdict was just pronounced recently, and I'm in a calm state now."

"Then I'll help you find out who sent it." Cai Xusheng waved his fist solemnly, "Let him be more sensible."

"Huh?" Lin Yan pressed his hand, "Stop making trouble, I didn't take it seriously, I was already mentally prepared."

Xu Jialin's case was heard in public and involved drugs, so it's normal for some people to know.Lin Yan didn't intend to keep it a secret, but he didn't know how to say this kind of thing. Now that someone has announced it to the world for him, he has the right to help.

Cai Xusheng said again: "The elites in our class all support and understand you. In the morning, Shen Wei almost got into a fight with someone. Old Zhao didn't develop into a gang fight when he came over."

"God, please don't, I really can't bear it." Lin Yan stroked his forehead, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "I'll pass a small note to Shen Wei later to thank her, this is all caused by me."

"Let me just say, Shen Wei definitely likes you." Cai Xusheng quickly changed the subject, "Why are you passing notes, let's just fall in love, what a romantic way to relieve stress!"

"There is something wrong with you." Lin Yan raised his foot and kicked Cai Xusheng's pure white sportswear.

In fact, from the moment he stepped into the prison, the emotions that had besieged Lin Yan for half a year had gradually disappeared.Although Xu Jialin was sentenced to 12 years, which sounds like too long, but he felt an unprecedented sense of security.

What will happen in the future depends on himself and the circumstances, he doesn't want to think about it anymore.

That evening, when He Zhengxi got home from school and opened his bedroom, the phone on the table rang suddenly.

He went to pick it up, and it was a text message from Lin Yan.

"I've seen old man Xu, he's alive and well. It's cold in Yancheng, wear more clothes. Study hard, don't need to send a message."

He Zhengxi shook his hand and quickly opened the reply box.

"Got it, I played golf today, it was very cool, I didn't take off my clothes casually, don't worry."