River City Story

Lin Yan said that he was not yet 20, but strictly speaking, few people knew when his birthday was. Even Xu Jialin, who had seen the materials, couldn't tell why, and he didn't care.As for He Zhengxi, he didn't fully understand his birthday until he returned to Yancheng, but he didn't tell Lin Yan about it.Therefore, in the past two years, the two of them still maintain the fine tradition of celebrating their birthday on whichever holiday is pleasing to the eye.Most of the time, this day is chosen during the winter and summer vacations.

When He Zhengxi was a child, he was very confused, because only his and his brother's birthdays fluctuated at any time.But after growing up, this little habit made He Zhengxi happy, because the way the two of them celebrated their birthday was unique and different from others.

As the sky was getting dark and the lights illuminated the street in the evening, He Zhengxi followed behind Lin Yan, staring at his straight back and soft hair fluttering in the wind, feeling itchy and happy in his heart.

Stepping into the gate of the community, He Zhengxi suddenly said: "Don't go to the restaurant at night, there are too many people in your restaurant, maybe you still have cold germs."

"It's almost better." Lin Yan locked the car, "I'll be back early, don't wait for me at night, don't come to pick me up, get enough sleep, and take the exam tomorrow."

He Zhengxi said: "All right, listen to you."

Lin Yan pinched his face: "I haven't cooked a good meal for you these two days."

He Zhengxi: "I have hands and feet, and my level is not bad. You don't have to worry about it."

Lin Yan smiled, took out his mobile phone to check the time, and said, "How did you chat with our counselor in the morning? They all said that you two had a good chat."

He Zhengxi hung his schoolbag on his chest, and said slyly: "I can't tell you yet, but I will know later, it won't be too long."

Lin Yan stretched out his hand and rubbed his rounded head again, and said, "Then it's up to you."

He Zhengxi hugged Lin Yan lightly, "Brother, what you said on the road just now is very good, I am very happy."

Lin Yan tilted his head to look at him, and said, "Your personality has softened a lot during this time."

He Zhengxi played with taste: "The place that should be hard is still very hard."

Lin Yan turned around and shrunk his neck, "Forget it, I'd better leave quickly."

The cooking class of their restaurant has been online for a few days, and recently there are trial classes every night. When Lin Yan went upstairs, he saw Cai Xusheng's friend Da Li was there.The two greeted each other briefly, Lin Yan glanced around briefly, and went downstairs quietly.

Cheng Qi walked towards him and said with a smile: "Xiaohe said on the phone that you were dying from a fever. I thought you would have to lie at home all day."

Lin Yan's eyes widened: "How is it possible! Hearing his nonsense, I attended four classes in the afternoon refreshed!"

Cheng Qi: "I think so too. He pays too much attention to your affairs and is very possessive."

Lin Yan passed him and said as he walked, "If you don't have a serious topic, I'll go get busy."

"Yes, why not!" Cheng Qi handed over two passports.

"What do you mean?" Lin Yan refused to answer.

Cheng Qi stuffed the drug into his hand and flattered him, "What else can I say, please help with the reimbursement, it's a formal process!"

Lin Yan picked up the gun, glanced at it quickly, and said, "I don't know what kind of filthy method I used to get a girl from other places to take this stupid photo for you." He put the gun away and continued. : "This method of chasing people is really not very good. Shouldn't you just buy it for them?"

Cheng Qi spread her hands innocently: "She didn't tell me her ID number, and the cash I used to pay the bill last time. Remember to ask her for a bank card number in the future. Nothing else will work. Transferring money is too easy."

Lin Yan squinted at him: "The bank transfer is not difficult."

Cheng Qi scratched her ears and muttered in a low voice: "It is said that the owner of the store is the one who manages the money. This is true."

Lin Yan said seriously: "I call it a reasonable arrangement of resources. You said that there is no one in Yancheng who can take pictures? I can help you get a part-time senior from the school's photography association. Your attitude towards love is also quite exaggerated. So If you keep chasing, I'm afraid no girl will like you in two years."

"You are an ascetic monk, and you don't understand happiness in the world." Cheng Qi said cheerfully.He seemed quite happy to be taught by a person ten years younger than himself.Lin Yan thought to himself, there is nothing to be pitiful about such a person who is falling in love all the time, after all, they are falling in love all the time.

Cheng Qiyu felt happy for a while, then pulled Lin Yan to the office, and started talking about business.

"Although we rejected Lu Cheng, we are not in a hurry, but the matter of opening a branch has to be put on the agenda. The proprietress means that it can not be so big." He said.

Lin Yan frowned: "Where is the place, does she have directions, opening time?"

Cheng Qi: "She's not sure about the location either. The opening time will probably be in the spring and summer of next year."

"For a long time, we still have to do it ourselves." Lin Yan said, "This is an ancestor."

Cheng Qi patted him on the shoulder and said, "Hey, it's about making money. I hope that in another 10 years, I can be as chic as her."

"It's a bit difficult." Lin Yan turned on the computer to read the email, "You'd better hurry up and study the two-color ball."

The business of opening a branch made them very busy. Every weekend, Lin Yan had to ride his second-hand bicycle around the streets, researching while looking for places, and almost visited the entire Yancheng.Occasionally, when I have time, I will go to other places with Cheng Qi to look at other people's stores.

Working and studying are two parallel lines, and Lin Yan's life is so fulfilling that he doesn't even realize that it's completely winter outside.It wasn't until one afternoon at the end of December, when Lu Chi came to Yancheng with big bags, that Lin Yan suddenly realized that the New Year was coming.

"You said you couldn't come for the time being, so I just put it aside, sorry, sorry!" Lin Yan helped Lu Chi drag his luggage out of the airport.

Lu Chi smiled and said, "What's there to be sorry about, where's your brother?"

"He's been so busy lately, and it's the same today. When I woke up, there was no one in his room. There might be exams or competitions." Lin Yan stood on the side of the road and held out his hand to stop the car.

"Don't worry, someone is coming to pick you up." Lu Chi pressed Lin Yan's hand down.

"Who? Do you still have acquaintances here?" Lin Yan asked suspiciously.

Lu Chi: "What's the matter with you, you've become stupid, didn't I study here, public university!"

Lin Yan patted his forehead, "Yes, yes, my brain is not working properly recently."

"But the one who came to pick me up is not an old classmate." Lu Chi then said.

"Huh? Who's that?"

"He's here." Lu Chi waved to an off-road vehicle in the distance, "This way!"

Lin Yan followed his gestures and looked over, exclaiming: "He Zhengxi, his cousin?!"

Lu Chi said calmly, "Why are you so surprised?"

Lin Yan retracted his head, "Your range of communication is amazing."

Lu Chi explained: "The case that stumbled me not long ago, thanks to Fang Jue's help, I became familiar with it after going back and forth."

Lin Yan nodded, and whispered, "I thought you would be better off with Qian Jin...but Fang Jue is more handsome."

Lu Chi held back a smile and knocked him on the back of the head: "What are you thinking? We are pure friendship."

Lin Yan: "I'm not thinking about it. After all, you're in your 30s and still haven't found a partner..." He was deeply influenced by He Zhengxi and Cai Xusheng, and he became more knowledgeable after going to university. He is no stranger to such things. I can't even help but turn a few more corners.

Fang Jue came over to join the conversation, he smiled and asked, "What object?"

Lin Yan looked at Fang Jue, who was dressed casually, and made up a lot of stories in his mind, but he didn't dare to speak, but Lu Chi was very generous.

"This silly brother thinks we are in a relationship." He laughed loudly.

Fang Jue also laughed, and the two of them laughed together for a full minute. Finally, Fang Jue covered his stomach with tears in his eyes and said, "Don't be influenced by those comic novels and movies, we are just staunch non-marriage advocates." , Not long ago, I happened to exchange how to deal with my parents, and now it is a revolutionary friendship on the same front!"

Lin Yan stood by the side of the road, his messy hair curled up in embarrassment.When they arrived in the car, the two of them were still laughing about this matter, so he had no choice but to close his eyes to catch up on sleep. After being in a daze for more than ten minutes, he vaguely heard Fang Jue talking to him, asking about He Zhengxi .

"Do you know what my cousin is up to lately? You can't catch anyone at a family gathering, and the children are always evasive."

Lin Yan opened his eyes, reacted for a while, and replied: "I'm studying. I also think he is quite mysterious recently, but I talked to his class teacher on the phone last week. Everything is normal, but I just struggled with my studies."

Fang Jue nodded and said, "They are quite at ease with you looking after them. But taking care of He Zhengxi is a technical job, isn't it hard?"

Hearing this, Lin Yan thought seriously for a while.In the past six months or so, He Zhengxi has been very motivated and his temper has improved. I have to say that there is really nothing worth working hard for.

"He is very obedient, there is nothing to worry about." Lin Yan replied.Even better than you guys, he thought to himself.

Fang Jue sighed, "Our whole family has nothing to do with him."

This made Lin Yan not very fond of hearing it.

Although they are a family, the concern of this group of people for He Zhengxi is always superficial, they don't communicate much, and they don't provide experience.Lin Yan knew too well what it was like to solve things alone in his teens, so he also understood He Zhengxi's stubbornness and rebellion, which definitely did not fall into the category of "difficult to discipline" or "disobedient".

But it was impossible for Lin Yan to ask them to care about He Zhengxi, even relatives have their own lives.Therefore, his care for He Zhengxi still had some sense of responsibility.

He Zhengxi was growing up, and Lin Yan himself kept correcting the way he treated his younger brother.It's just that in the final analysis, he is only three years older than He Zhengxi, they both have been confused and at a loss, and most things still need to rely on intuition.

"Lin Yan." Lin Yan in the co-pilot suddenly turned his face, "Show me your hands."

Lin Yan didn't react immediately: "Ah? What?"

Lu Chi: "Hand, the last time you got into the car with blood dripping on the ground, did you leave a scar? I didn't see it clearly in the video with you before."

Lin Yan handed his palm in front of him, "No more, look."

Lu Chi pinched his palms and looked back and forth for a while, and said with relief: "It's not too obvious, but I said, your hand... looks rough if you look closely."

Lin Yan pulled back and said, "That's because I'm hardworking, what's wrong with men's hands being rough."

Lu Chi: "Tsk, man, you have reached the age to say these two words."

Fang Jue interjected: "Young people like Lin Yan will be the most sought-after in the future after graduation. Look at the intern who just came to our company. He is 25 or 6 years old. He graduated from graduate school. He feels that he is still young. I find it tiring to work in the field, and it hurts my self-esteem to serve tea and water to others.”

"People who can still be treated as children by their families at the age of 25 or 6 are also very happy." Lin Yan said.

After Fang Jue heard this, he paused for a few seconds, and then realized that Lin Yan might have thought about his parents along the way, and immediately changed the subject: "It's getting late, let's go to your restaurant for dinner, I'll give my little one Hey, make a call."

Lin Yan focused on tearing off the barbs next to the nails one by one, rubbed his hands, raised his face and said, "You changed the subject, it's too blunt. Don't worry, I didn't think much about it, it's just a very pure emotion."

Fang Jue looked at Lin Yan's face through the endoscope, and asked shyly, "Really?"

"Really, and I have to be honest with you about one thing." He rubbed his nose and sighed, "Recently I met the legendary biological parents, and I have a younger brother who is one year younger than He Zhengxi ..."

"Ah?" Lu Chi turned his head in shock, "They recognize you? Let me tell you, if you ask for money, don't give it to me!"

Lin Yan pushed Lu Chi's face back, and said helplessly, "Why would someone ask me for money, my... my father, now he is a private entrepreneur, a leading enterprise, if he has the opportunity, he can go to the supermarket to buy a bottle of fruit from his family Canned and tasted."

"The plot is the same as a TV series." Fang Jue said, "If you need help, just let me know, and I'm sure his factory will be closed."

"Don't, don't, the workers are so innocent." Lin Yan stopped him with a smile, "My younger brother has a good character, and he should be fine when he grows up."

Lu Chi turned his head back again, "Then they have to give you the money, we can't ask for less than 100 million."

Fang Jue honked the car horn and shouted angrily, "100? 200 is too little! Society is developing, can you have some insight?"

Lin Yan signaled him to drive well, and continued: "Then who, the entrepreneur, wants to give me 120 million, saying that he will pay me regularly in the future."

Lu Chi nodded and said, "It's not too little."

Lin Yan: "Then I didn't ask for it and returned the card to him."

"No?!" The two shouted in unison.

"Drive hard! Focus on the road!" Lin Yan roared.

Fang Jue groaned, dissatisfied: "Why don't you? Let me tell you, ask him for half a factory."

"This kind of enterprise is hard to say. No matter how big the factory is, it might end one day." Lin Yan said calmly, "I don't want his money, and I don't want to be his son. I don't struggle, it's easy. "

Lu Chi pinched his chin, frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yan asked suspiciously.

"I laugh at you." Lu Chi said, "You kid, you've grown up from such a small age to now, you're really amazing. 99.9% of the people in this world will not refuse the 100 million in front of you."

"120 million!" Fang Jue corrected.

"Yes, 120 million." Lu Chi said, "It's not easy, it's really not easy. Lin Yan, it's not a bad thing for you to meet them this time. The days to come will definitely get better and better. Brother believes in you."

"Actually, I'm also reluctant to part with so much money." Lin Yan sighed melancholy, "How are Uncle Lu and Aunt Xin? They are old enough to not be too addicted to square dancing, so take it easy."

Lu Chi said: "I said why I went home early at night recently, but I dare you to get along very harmoniously and happily."

Lin Yan leaned on the back of the chair, sighed, and said: "Who made their own son dedicate himself to work and stay away from home every day, there is no way."

Lu Chi: "The world of adults is not that simple!"

Lin Yan: "I am also an adult."

Fang Jue: "Hahaha!"

The three of them chatted in the car for nearly an hour before escaping from the crowded traffic. When they found a parking space and walked to the entrance of the restaurant, the sun in the western sky had disappeared. Under the big orange red.

"Brother!" He Zhengxi spotted the target from the window earlier, and now he has come out to meet him, "You guys are finally here."

"Call me brother too!" Fang Jue shouted.

"Hello, cousin." He Zhengxi called politely.

"It's not bad." Fang Jue pushed him over with all his strength, put his arms around his shoulders, and said, "There are a bunch of clothes that grandma and the others bought for you in the trunk, remember to take them back after dinner."

"Then what, didn't you exceed it?" He Zhengxi asked in a low voice.

"Don't worry! Cousin, I'll take care of things, you can just rest assured." Fang Jue walked to the dining table, let go of his hand, and patted himself on the chest exaggeratedly, "I guarantee that the unit price of each piece will not exceed 300."

"Hey! You!" He Zhengxi hurriedly covered his mouth.

"What 300?" Lin Yan picked up the menu and handed it to them.

"It's nothing, let's order." He Zhengxi said.

"Is it free?" Fang Jue asked.

Lin Yan curled his mouth, smiled gently, and said slowly: "At most 6% off, don't think about anything else."

"Wow, the face of capitalism." Fang Jue said.

"Wow, the face of the exploiting class." Lin Yan replied.

Lu Chi flipped through the menu twice, his face full of confusion: "Can I order a round?"

Lin Yan smiled again: "If you can eat tonight."

Lu Chi: "Wow, the face of a profiteer."

Lin Yan picked up a tissue ball and threw it at it, "Get out!"

They are all acquaintances, so they didn't call the waiter over.Several people were making a fuss, He Zhengxi took the initiative to get up and help make tea and pour water, and he offered the first cup to Lin Yan: "After sitting in the car for so long, rinse your mouth first."

Lin Yan received it in his hand, and praised him: "It's quite winky. When I go out to work in the future, I won't be disgusted by my colleagues and leaders. I'm considerate."

He Zhengxi sat next to him on the chair, pursing his lips and chuckling.

Fang Jue on the opposite side said to He Zhengxi: "Your brother praised you quite a bit, saying that you are sensible. I don't think it's so irritating anymore."

He Zhengxi raised his eyebrows proudly.

"What kind of eyebrows?" Lin Yan patted his back, "Report to your cousin about the current situation."

He Zhengxi loosened his shoulders: "As you can see, there is nothing to say, everything is okay."

"Did you hear that?" Lin Yan looked at Fang Jue helplessly: "Don't force it, really, as long as he abides by the law, it will be fine."

Fang Jue: "...Your request is too low."

When a table of four people ate at around 7 o'clock, Cheng Qi finished her work and went downstairs. Lin Yan called him to come over and sit down. Cheng Qi waved her hand, "Why should I meddle in your family gathering?"

Lin Yan: "A patchwork family, I don't mind having another international friend." He turned his head and asked the other three, "What do you think?"

The three nodded together: "If the supervisor pays the bill."

Cheng Qi gritted her teeth hard, "You guys are waiting here, aren't you?" He pulled a chair and sat down, took out his wallet and slapped it on the table, "Please, please, our restaurant is very cost-effective, a few hundred yuan It's okay, we have money!"

Lu Chi reopened the menu and said sincerely, "Then I'll add two more dishes."

Cheng Qi broke down and shouted: "Is there anyone who treats his family like this?!"

Lin Yan leaned forward and back together happily, his eyes narrowed into a slit.

His hair has been cut a lot short recently, and he looks very lively and full of energy.He Zhengxi wanted to switch to the opposite side of the table, but he was reluctant to leave the position next to Lin Yan, so he could only use an extremely twisted posture that was trying to be natural, and stared at his elder brother intently and fervently.

"See what I'm doing?" Lin Yan turned his head and met He Zhengxi's gaze that was too late to withdraw, "Give the menu to the rear chef and say to add two dishes."

"Oh." He Zhengxi immediately stood up and quickly ran away.

At the end of the meal, only Fang Jue and Lu Chi were left on the table chatting nonsense.It was still in full swing after 9 o'clock, Lin Yan couldn't bear it anymore, walked over and knocked on the table and said, "Still chatting? Eat and drink enough, go back and rest."

"Wait until you get off work." Lu Chi said.

"Didn't you book a hotel? You don't live at my house anymore, so you don't have to wait." Lin Yan reached out to take away the plates and replaced them with two new ones.

"I also received a task when I came back. Let's see if you have worked hard. Go back and report to Uncle Xu and the two of my family." Lu Chi didn't drink, and he peeled boiled peanuts one by one. The plates quickly filled with shells again.Fang Jue didn't speak knowingly, and silently pushed his empty plate over, got up and chatted with Cheng Qi.

"How is old man Xu doing recently? It's the end of the year again in a blink of an eye." Lin Yan lowered his eyes, and unconsciously began to scratch the corner of the table with his fingers.

Lu Chi stuffed two peeled peanuts into Lin Yan's mouth and said, "It's pretty good. I'll go there on a monthly basis, but my blood pressure is a little high recently."

"Hypertension?" Lin Yan became nervous all of a sudden, and spat whole peanuts into his hands, "If the high blood pressure is not well controlled, something serious will happen!"

Lu Chi comforted him: "What are you in a hurry for? People of this age have more or less ailments, which is normal. Uncle Xu has made do with half his life and hasn't paid much attention to his body. Now his blood pressure is a little high, you have to be thankful. He patted Lin Yan on the shoulder, "It's nothing major. Someone is in charge of it. It's you, Uncle Xu, who is worried. This restaurant is a stable job with a good salary, but he is afraid that you will be too tired. Staying up so late every day, You still have to study during the day, don't get tired of getting sick at a young age, you are stubborn..."

"It's okay." Lin Yan said, "It's much better now than running part-time jobs around in the past, and the salary is good. When I graduate from college, I'll go back to Xicheng to buy a house. Although I can only pay a down payment, I'll make money later. .”

Lu Chile said: "You can think about it very well, but when I come back, I do have an important matter that I need to clarify with you first."

"Tell me." Lin Yan straightened his body and looked at Lu Chi seriously.

"Look at those innocent little eyes." Lu Chi turned his head to the side, "It's Linshui Street, there is going to be development over there, and your ancestral hall must be taken back."

"Old man Xu said he has a house deed." Lin Yan said.

"That's right! But according to what he said, I couldn't find it!"

"Old man Xu doesn't care about anything, it's the strangest thing to find it." Lin Yan said with a smile, "I'll go back and look it up, the house doesn't seem to have gone through any other procedures, what? When do you start work?"

Lu Chi: "The project has just been approved. It will be summer after the first year of construction. I inquired about it and said it was contracted to a foreign company. But don't worry, although there is no certificate, you can move around. There are many cases, if you press a few more proof stamps, you can still get money."

Lin Yan said guiltily, "I'll go run in person when I'm on vacation, it's too troublesome, you're so busy with work."

"When you go back sooner or later, Sanqiu, I've almost run away, I can't wait for this thing." Lu Chi said, "Anyway, we have been working for ten or eight years, and then go to your classmate Song Rui's father to find a relationship, no Disaster."

"That's all right?? You still know his dad?!"

"Look under me, how big do you think Xicheng is?"

"No..." Lin Yan lowered his head and pressed his lips tightly, "It must depend on the person's face."

"Hey, don't make such an expression." Lu Chi squeezed Lin Yan's face, "I really didn't encounter any difficulties. The government is eager to get rid of the nail households as soon as possible, otherwise you think I can do it alone? You must be called as well." Go back. This is the best way for your family to deal with it. When you go back at the end of the year, remember to go through the rest of the procedures."

"Really?" Lin Yan raised his face, his mouth slightly deflated.

"I came here this time, but I was waiting for someone to applaud me. Don't leave a plate of golden beans, brother." Lu Chi said.

"If you don't, then don't." Lin Yan turned his face to the side and snorted.

"I want what the gold mine makes." Lu Chi joked.

Lin Yan hooked his mouth: "Don't make me happy, I'm okay, but I'm very reluctant, but if it's a certainty, then there's nothing I can do. The main reason is that it's too bad to torment you..."

Lu Chi smiled and said, "Your reaction to your home being taken back for reconstruction is too plain."

Lin Yan shook his head: "It's not ordinary, but I have to think about where to put the pile of things at home. I can't buy a new house for the time being, or rent one?"

That's why I'm shocked that you treat 100 million as dung!Lu Chi thought sadly.But he knew it was not appropriate to say this again, so he said, "Your Uncle Lu and your Auntie Xin mean that the old house at home will be rented out by you first, and other things will be discussed after graduation."

"It was a great help." Lin Yan said, "I will pay your rent."

Lu Chi waved his hands again and again: "Don't, don't, that place is considered popular if you move in. It's already idle, don't give money, don't accept it. Besides, I don't think there is much demolition money, at most 5 to 6. You have a bottom line in your heart."

Lin Yan insisted: "If you don't accept it, you have to accept it."

Lu Chi rubbed his eyebrows with a smile: "Then go talk to my parents and don't give me the money."

Lin Yan said sincerely: "I know you are very good people, but I don't want to be a burden on your family. We don't take the demolition money, and leave it to you as rent. If it's not enough, I can make it up after I graduate. Is that okay? "

Lu Chi also looked at Lin Yan sincerely, and said seriously: "We didn't treat you as an outsider, if it's really not possible, you just pay the property fee and utility bills, and you really don't need to pay anything else."

Lin Yan shook his head again: "No, I must give it."

This kid is really...

Lu Chi was very helpless: "You are both reassuring and worrying."

Lin Yan lowered his head and stopped talking.

Seeing his appearance, Lu Chi had no choice but to shut up, and sat there for a while, feeling that there was something wrong with this kid.As for what was wrong, Lu Chi couldn't tell.

"Forget it, this chat, it's almost 10 o'clock, can you get off work now?" He asked.

Lin Yan looked around, and there were indeed no customers, "Wait for me to clean up with them, soon."

Lu Chi nodded, "Okay, you are busy."

Lin Yan responded and turned around to leave. Just as he raised his arm, he was suddenly grabbed by Lu Chi.

"Anything else?" He asked blankly.

"You didn't feel any pain when your fingernails were bleeding?"