River City Story

Lu Chi can be considered a very careful person. From the moment he talked about Xu Jialin, he has already noticed that Lin Yan is a bit unusual.It wasn't until the two of them finished chatting and the broken nails on Lin Yan's hand came into view that Lu Chi finally realized that there was indeed something wrong with the child.It's just that he couldn't figure out what was going on in Lin Yan's mind, so he didn't dare to ask more about it except calling for someone to bandage him with a medical kit.

In the small office on the second floor, Lin Yan was sitting on the sofa as a restaurant logistics aunt helping his fingers with lotion and wrapping gauze.In order to alleviate the seemingly empty void, he could only find a fulcrum for himself, and kept repeating the same movement.

Cheng Qi and Fang Jue didn't come in, and the aunt wrapped Lin Yan's fingers and quietly left with the medicine box.In the small space of less than 20 square meters, there were three big men left looking at each other.

He Zhengxi understood why Lin Yan picked his nails, so he chose to remain silent.

Lu Chi didn't understand why Lin Yan picked his nails, so he could only shut up cautiously.

Lin Yan hadn't slowed down yet, and he was even more reluctant to speak.

The room was so quiet that only the wind outside the window could be heard.

"I mean," Lu Chi couldn't hold back, he cleared his throat, "if you don't want to say..."

Lin Yan raised his head, looked at Lu Chi, and said hoarsely, "Don't mention it to Uncle Xu."

Lu Chi folded his arms and said seriously: "Then I have to see what's going on first."

Lin Yan pressed his chest and took a few deep breaths, and said slowly: "It's really hard to say, I hope you don't think I'm hypocritical."

"Brother..." He Zhengxi felt a pain in his heart. He turned on the water dispenser, took a cup of hot water and put it on the tea table in front of Lin Yan, and finally sat beside him, holding his hand tightly.

"It's okay, I guess you already knew." Lin Yan looked at him, "You secretly went to get the keys, right?"

He Zhengxi was astonished and said, "You...how do you..."

Lin Yan stretched out his hand and gestured in the air: "I always put the direction of the key ring to the left. When I went to get it that day, I found that the direction was wrong, and there were some traces of ink pad on it. My medical records are in that drawer. "

"I'm sorry bro, I just... want to know how you are doing now." He Zhengxi said angrily.

"No need to apologize." Lin Yan shook his head, "You care about me, I know that."

Lu Chi was a little confused by the conversation between the two brothers. He followed his logic and asked, "Lin Yan, are you sick?"

Lin Yan looked at him and blinked, "Simply speaking, there is something wrong with my psychology and physiology. It is endogenous depression, but the degree is relatively mild."

His tone was relaxed and casual, Lu Chi opened his mouth, and suddenly didn't know what to say, "So you cut your hand in the summer, and your fingernails bleed just now, all because of this disease? It's all like this, and it's still relatively mild ?” he asked angrily.

"Look, I'm afraid of your reaction." Lin Yan took a sip of hot water and felt more comfortable, and continued: "Actually, I'm already much better, especially in the second half of the year, compared with this time last year. He pointed to his head, "Do you see something wrong with me? I feel pretty normal."

"That's not the case!" Lu Chi scratched his hair anxiously, "I probably understand why you want to hide it, but you child... hey... I'm a little messed up right now, and I'm particularly upset. He raised his hand to hold his eyes, and rubbed them back and forth a few times, "What the hell, why did this disease come to you?"

"I can tell, you are praising me for being outstanding." Lin Yan laughed twice.

"You make a joke that makes me feel uncomfortable." Lu Chi said with red eyes.

He doesn't know the details of the disease, but he has dealt with two suicide cases of depressed patients. Among them, there is a very good and sunny little girl who looks very normal at ordinary times. Two days later, he hid at home and committed suicide by burning charcoal.The parents of the girl's family still refuse to accept the conclusion that their daughter committed suicide, and even refuse to delve into the suicide note she left behind.

"Anyway, I'm your big brother, Lin Yan. When you encounter something in the future, you must speak up and let's discuss it together." Lu Chi looked at Lin Yan, "I understand, sometimes you may not be able to do anything about it. .”

Lin Yan put down the water glass, walked up to Lu Chi, squeezed his hand, and said, "The doctor said that I am very good, and there is a possibility of recovery. Most of what you think will not happen."

Lu Chi couldn't believe it: "Really?"

Lin Yan's eyes were firm: "Really." He walked to the window, looked at the darkened street outside and said, "I can make up a lie about anything else, but I won't lie to you casually about this kind of thing. I also want to live a good life, I haven't earned enough money, I haven't eaten, drank and played." He turned around again, cast his eyes on He Zhengxi who was looking at him intently on the sofa, and then quickly passed, "The most important thing Yes, I haven't had a formal relationship yet."

"elder brother……"

A gust of wind blew up in He Zhengxi's heart, he wanted to rush up immediately and give Lin Yan a kiss or a hug, the kind without any charm.

The warm light in the room fell on Lin Yan, he curled his mouth and gave He Zhengxi a shallow smile.

At that moment, He Zhengxi almost shed tears.

Lu Chi didn't notice the other emotions secretly surging between the two brothers, he just bowed his head and remained silent.He knew that he had no position to blame or pity Lin Yan, what's more, Lin Yan didn't need these things.

Lin Yan is too strong.

He seldom confides his heart to others, and it is not easy to be able to say those words.

"This matter has to be classified as the number one secret. After all, you will definitely ask me to keep it a secret." Lu Chi rubbed his fingers, wanting to smoke a cigarette.

"I'm really sorry!" Lin Yan smiled and clapped his hands together.

Lu Chi thumped his shoulder and said, "What is there to be sorry for? Lin Yan, you have to remember." His voice was a little choked, and he even trembled slightly, "If something happens to you, it's not just Xiao He and I , as well as Uncle Xu, your Aunt Lu Shuxin, your head teacher in high school, and even those good friends you made, they will feel sad."

Lin Yan sighed deliberately: "It's really a lot of pressure... That's why I have to hide it."

Lu Chi's expression became a little soft, and he said, "Just take it as the pressure I put on you, okay, let's be okay every day, okay? I'm afraid that something will happen to you."

Lin Yan smiled mischievously: "I'm fine now, very good, and I think the days to come will get better and better." He moved his gauze-wrapped hand and swore, "I'm just a Barefoot, there is really nothing worth losing, even if I move forward an inch, I am earning."

He Zhengxi listened carefully beside Lin Yan, he wanted to say, you are not barefoot, you still have me...

But after hesitating, he finally gave up speaking. He knew that he was not qualified enough to talk about these things with confidence.

Lu Chi was also a little stuck. He didn't doubt the authenticity of Lin Yan's words, but what if this kind of "bloody incident" happened again?

Lin Yan sensed his doubts and said with a smile: "Although there are times when I lose control, it's okay. In fact, the degree is getting smaller and smaller, and the speed of my recovery is also accelerating." He raised his finger and pointed at them. Show, "I didn't really feel any pain when the nail was cut. Haven't you guys experienced this kind of experience? I didn't notice it later because I was thinking about Linshui Street."

Lin Yan didn't lie, at least not a single word he said was lying to them.He was indeed a little uncomfortable, but it was far from as serious as the two people in front of him imagined.The feeling of being overly cared for, how should I put it, I feel uncomfortable all over.

"Okay, I believe you." Lu Chi said, "I stumbled you, and talked so late all at once, let's go, and take you home."

"No need." He Zhengxi said first, "Let's go back by ourselves."

Lu Chi glanced at him worriedly, "A night with such a large amount of information, are you sure?"

Lin Yan pushed Lu Chi's back helplessly, and said as he walked, "Really, if you don't come, nothing will happen. Actually, we should have sent you off."

"Don't stop." Lu Chi refused again and again, "I'm still young, so I don't need the care of you two children."

Lin Yan said: "We are younger and don't need your care."

Lu Chi shouted angrily: "Besides, I'll beat you up!"

He Zhengxi walked out after the two of them, turned off the lights and locked the door.

Fang Jue drove Lu Chi to the hotel, while Lin Yan and He Zhengxi walked home slowly.

"Why do you want to move?" He Zhengxi asked before going upstairs.

Lin Yan tightened his coat, and let out a breath of white air, "Linshui Street is going to be rebuilt, and the ancestral hall has to be taken back."

"Then where shall we go back to live?" He Zhengxi felt a little happy in his heart, "Why don't we visit Uncle Xu first when we go back to winter vacation, and then come back? We can pack and send things here."

Lin Yan kicked him and said, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

He Zhengxi scratched his nose, hurried two steps to the front to open the door, Lin Yan entered the room, changed his shoes and said, "Brother Lu helped me run a few places, I will go back again during the winter vacation, some procedures have to be done by myself, Aunt Xin said that their house can be lent to us."

He Zhengxi said: "Isn't it better to give them the rent? I still have the money from Lao He, which I have been saving. In fact, it is also for you. I can go to the bank to transfer all the money during the holidays."

Lin Yan hung up the backpack, took off the scarf and put it on the drying rack next to the heater to dry, saying: "You save it yourself. There are many places to spend money when you go to college. There is demolition money on Linshui Street."

He Zhengxi's eyes widened and he clapped his hands: "Wow, I'm rich!"

"What are you thinking about!" Lin Yan laughed, "Just in that place, don't expect to get too much money. Brother Lu Chi is quite right, if you can give it, it's good."

He Zhengxi said: "Satisfied and always happy."

Lin Yan laughed twice: "That's right."

If it was last year, or earlier, he might not be too supportive of the so-called reconstruction or moving, but now he thinks it is quite good.

There is water and trees in Linshui Street, which is fresh and unique. If it can be made into a street by the water, and some small shops can be moved in, there should be room for development.It may be difficult to earn a lot of money for a while, but you can insist on using the words "Linshui Street" as a signboard to slowly gather popularity.

Only in this way, the old residents will not know where they will be scattered. Most of them do not have houses in Xicheng, so they have to look for cheap rent everywhere.Lin Yan thought about it in his mind for a while, and suddenly realized that those acquaintances, in fact, were gone, and he didn't have much reluctance to stay there.It's just the small courtyard of the old ancestral hall, I'm afraid there will be no chance to plant a new season of sunflowers.

Lu Chi returned to the hotel, lying on the bed in a daze.He originally only planned to stay in Yancheng for three days, but it was obviously impossible now.He didn't know at all when Lin Yan's problem started, maybe it was the time when he sent He Zhengxi to the airport shed tears, or maybe it was Xu Jialin's imprisonment, or even earlier.

Lin Yan is quite a child, but Lu Chi doesn't understand, nor does he understand.

The next morning, Lin Yan yawned and went downstairs to push the cart. When he walked to the gate of the community, he saw Lu Chi chatting enthusiastically with the owner of a nearby noodle shop.

"Good morning, Uncle Sun!" He greeted the noodle shop owner from a distance, then stepped on the pedal with one foot, walked over like the wind, and stopped firmly in front of Lu Chi.

"Why don't you go upstairs?"

Lu Chi said: "I think the breakfast here is good, I can't move my legs anymore."

Boss Sun said with a smile: "It's not a family, and if you don't enter a family, you young people are quite good at talking!"

"It's because your food is delicious." Lin Yan parked the car, pulled Lu Chi back into the store, and ordered a bowl of wontons and two meat pancakes.

Lu Chi still couldn't finish it, and ordered a bowl of wontons.

After dinner, Lin Yan was about to go to school by bike. Before leaving, Lu Chi remembered and asked, "Where's Xiaohe?"

Lin Yan said: "He left before 6 o'clock."

Lu Chi was shocked: "So hard? Isn't it a year before the college entrance examination?"

Lin Yan: "Although I'm also curious, it's good to be motivated. Take advantage of the passion and learn quickly, so that you can relax later."

Lu Chi sighed with emotion and said, "I don't understand the thinking of you outstanding young people."

Lin Yan stepped out at a faster speed, and said loudly: "Aren't you excellent in your public university?!"

Lu Chi thought to himself, I belong to the most unmotivated type of people in the public university, and there are some old classmates around who have become police inspectors. He is the only one who is still in the grassroots team.His family didn't have too many demands on him, and after a long time, he didn't care too much.

Lin Yan rode around, turned back, and said to Lu Chi, "Do you have any other missions this time?"

Lu Chi shook his head.

"Didn't I have an appointment with Fang Jue to eat, drink, or soak my feet?"

Lu Chi: "...he has a case recently."

Lin Yan braked and patted the back seat: "Why don't you go shopping near our school? Let's eat in the cafeteria at noon."

Lu Chi walked over, sat up with his buttocks up, and said, "Don't blame me for the flat tire."

Lin Yan said with a playful smile: "A flat tire just bought me a new one!"

The car rode unsteadily all the way to the gate of the school. Lu Chi stretched out his foot and landed. Lin Yan said, "Go to the left of this road for five or six minutes. There is a bookstore. I worked part-time there. The boss is very nice. You can It used to take time."

Lu Chi: "Me? Reading?" He waggled his fingers, "Why don't you let me fight black, evil, and forces."

"Why don't you come to our school to listen secretly? But there are only about 20 people in our class, so I'm not sure if you can get in."

Lu Chi waved his hand: "It's not that piece of material, you go to class, I'll just go shopping."

Lin Yan: "Okay, you can also go to my dormitory to catch up on sleep." Just as he was about to take out the keys, Lu Chi stopped him and said, "Don't think about things in your mind, and go to class quickly."

"Then I'm leaving." Lin Yan had no choice but to say goodbye to him at the door, and then rode back into the school.

Lin Yan was somewhat dependent on Lu Chi.He has always been He Zhengxi's elder brother, and he needs to be an example or take responsibility for many things, but it is different in front of Lu Chi.Lu Chi was almost ten years older than him, with a bright personality and quick workmanship. Most of the time he said unreliable childish words, but in those childish words, there were also some well-intentioned experience transmissions rather than preaching.Therefore, Lin Yan could have the courage to tell him about his illness.

Lin Yan looks forward to Lu Chi, and he hopes that when he is in his 30s, he can be like Lu Chi, even under pressure, he can let go and pursue the life he wants to live.

Lu Chi had nothing to do, so he wandered around the campus to eat, and even sneaked out of Lin Yan's classroom to perform a few rounds.Later, when he went to the playground and saw someone playing ball, his hands immediately itched.With a groan, he joined directly and seamlessly.Lu Chi is on the basketball team at work. As long as he can squeeze out the rest time from the cracks, he will definitely play a few games, and his skills are not rusted.He fought with those people for half the time, without blushing or panting, and before leaving, he had changed from "who is this" to "which university is the senior from, come back when you have time." Lu Chi was so proud of himself , Inadvertently, he played the second half again.When a group of people greeted each other and went to the cafeteria to eat, he realized that it might be time for Lin Yan to finish class.

"Oh, it's broken, it's broken." He packed up his coat, mobile phone and wallet, and hurried to the outside of the stadium. As soon as he came out, he saw Lin Yan standing helplessly on the steps and laughing.He immediately said seriously: "What kind of class do you have here? It's too short. Who is the principal? Let me talk to him."

Lin Yan said: "Fuck you, you can make an appointment and try."

Lu Chi snorted: "Anyway, we are the people's police! Don't bury me!"

A passing golfer interjected, "Dude, are you from OUHK? It's a bit far away. Do you want to leave your number and I'll call you when you play golf!"

"Don't listen to his nonsense." Lin Yan followed up to tear down the stage, "This guy is in his 30s, and there are only a bunch of idlers in the society. His wife and children are hot on the bed!"

"Yo! I can't tell, brother, you look very young!"

Lu Chi smiled heartily after hearing this.

Lin Yan covered his face and said, "Oh, I'm blind."

Lu Chi clicked his tongue: "Don't talk nonsense, walk around, eat and eat."

Lin Yan counted the dishes with his fingers: "There are too many delicious things in our school cafeteria, such as noodles with tomato sauce, duck racks, wontons in red oil, duck blood vermicelli soup, glutinous rice cakes, catfish tofu, fried squid with vegetables, stewed vegetables, etc. Stewed meat and vegetables..."

"Okay, stop, can I see the sky from now on?" Lu Chi interrupted him, "How about eating here in the afternoon?"

Lin Yan withdrew his finger and said sternly: "That won't work, He Zhengxi's time is not right."

"Hey!" He was still a brother, and he was a non-staff.

Lu Chi reports to duty every day.When Lin Yan had classes, he would follow him, play basketball in the morning, eat with Lin Yan at noon, and harass Fang Jue in the afternoon.When Lin Yan was not in class, Lu Chi would go to the shop with him and stay there, sitting in the office like a god.

Lin Yan didn't find it annoying, he enjoyed the feeling of having his brother by his side.

It's just that the more immersed in it, the harder it is to get out. Lu Chi will have to go back to Xicheng sooner or later.

On the day of the return journey, the temperature in Yancheng dropped sharply, and Lin Yan felt like the sky outside, filled with haze.He ran to the mall early, bought a coat, and handed it to Lu Chi in a hurry.

"The temperature rose all the way south." Lu Chi said tremblingly, "You keep the clothes for yourself."

Lin Yan picked up the jacket, opened his mouth to bite on the tag string, spat and said, "Don't shake if you have the ability."

"Then I'll wear it." Lu Chi quickly changed the woolen coat, folded it and put it in the bag, and put on new clothes, "Dried shrimp and bamboo shoots, if you can't eat them, share them with classmates and colleagues to exchange feelings. If you want to eat Tell me again and send it to you."

Just as Lin Yan was about to say no need to send it, Fang Jue took the lead and asked, "Why are there still dried bamboo shoots?"

Lu Chi lowered his eyes to Amitabha and said, "One cannot have too many desires."

Lin Yan and He Zhengxi were very happy beside the car. After laughing enough, Lin Yan said: "I can share half of the bag with you."

Fang Jue shouted angrily: "Half bag?!"

Lu Chi punched him, raised his wrist and looked at the time and said, "Go back and send it, okay? Master Fang, please drive me to the station. It's going to be late!" After speaking, he turned around and said to Lin Yan: " What are you two supposed to do, stop following."

Lin Yan groaned and said, "I also bought a few cotton-padded clothes for Uncle Xu, and prepared gifts for Uncle Lu and Aunt Xin, and I will send them back on the weekend. Please, brother, you will go there when the time comes. They are all close-fitting clothes. It should be sent in."

"Okay, both of you, take it easy at work and study, safety and happiness are the most important things, nothing else matters." Lu Chi zipped up his coat, jumped on the spot twice, lowered his head and muttered: "Don't say it, really warm."

He Zhengxi smiled and helped to stuff the luggage into the trunk.

Lu Chi touched his head one by one: "Okay, bro get in the car and leave, and send a text message to report that you are safe when you get home."

The two stood in a row and agreed in unison: "Got it!"

Lu Chi and Fang Jue laughed after hearing this, and the car drove forward slowly with the laughter.Lu Chi stuck his head out of the car window, waved the back of his hand a few times, and shouted, "Don't watch it, play a TV series! Let's go!"

Lin Yan also waved to him, and turned around, "Then let's go home."

He Zhengxi took Lin Yan's shoulders: "Go home."

This year's New Year's Eve, Lin Yan spent in the restaurant with a group of colleagues and regular customers.

At 9 o'clock in the evening, when the cold wind ravaged the streets and became lively due to the end of the year, Lin Yan and his restaurant also hung brand new and beautiful lights.In the cooking classroom on the third floor, a small buffet for their own people started.

The relationship between Cheng Qi and Da Li seems to have improved a lot, and the two of them are dancing a strange dance that originated from some unknown country.In the middle of the field, there were a few children running around while eating cakes. They were the young family members brought by the restaurant staff.There were only a dozen regular customers participating in this internal party, and because the space was limited, they could only be selected by lottery.Next year, more people should be invited, Lin Yan sat on the bar and rubbed his fingers thinking.

"It seems that after I left my bookstore, I did well!" A familiar voice suddenly sounded in his ear, Lin Yan immediately turned his face, put down the hot orange juice in his hand and exclaimed: "Old Uncle Zhao, you come too Already?! I didn’t even notice!”

"I'm so busy, I look down on this old bookstore. I'm old Uncle Zhao. You used to call me the boss. Maybe you call me the old man in private!"

Lin Yan immediately poured hot tea for him, delivered it to the original boss himself, and apologized with a smile: "In the new year, I wish you a happy and boundless life, old man!"

"Hmph!" Old Zhao blew on his beard and took a sip of tea, "Fill me up again!"

Lin Yan took back the teapot and said, "It's too late, a cup is enough, I'll replace it with plain water for you."

"Don't be busy." Old Zhao pressed his hand, "Sit down quietly."

"Okay." Lin Yan picked up the hot orange juice again, and sat obediently beside Old Zhao.

The two were silent for a while, as if they were separated from the excitement.After a long time, Lao Zhao said, "It's good, it's also a career."

Lin Yan nodded, and then looked at Lao Zhao suspiciously, "I don't seem to have seen you in the store much?"

Old Zhao snorted again: "In this event, you can participate in the lucky draw if you eat more than 3 times. Besides, I'm embarrassed to enjoy your discount, I have money!"

Lin Yan took Old Zhao's arm and said with a smile, "Yes, Old Zhao, you are rich! You are rich!"

The old and the young run on each other, and they are happy again.

Such a warm and beautiful scene made He Zhengxi, who came upstairs, feel hot in his heart.

He hopes that Lin Yan always has a smile on his face, that Lin Yan meets more good people, and that he can be the only one who walks with Lin Yan in life.

"Coming?" Lin Yan saw him, smiled and waved.

"Yeah." He Zhengxi walked over quickly with a thick coat on his arm.