camouflage

Shu Daqing is dead.

Shu Daqing actually... died?

The moment before hearing the news, Shu Xia was still debating whether to answer Mei Ting's call. He already knew what Mei Ting would say in his mind. Your father!...you unfilial son..." The familiar words were harsh, mixed with her roaring and crying, as well as the sobbing and decadence oppressed by life.

When he heard the words "Your father is gone", he didn't take it seriously. He felt that Mei Ting's words were becoming more and more false. He didn't know which sentence was true and which sentence was false, so he wanted him to go back.

But her calm made Shu Xia at a loss, she was so peaceful!

She just said lightly "Your father is gone" and then said nothing, and hung up the phone, just a routine notification.

Shu Xia stared blankly at the hung up phone, it was the first time Mei Ting hung up on him.

"What's wrong?" Ji Xi looked at him like he lost his soul.

Shu Xia stared at him blankly, and it took half a minute to react. He opened his mouth, as if unable to make a sound.

"I...Shu Daqing...he...gone?"

Uncertain, at a loss, and at a loss, Shu Xia looked at Ji Xi, not knowing what expression or tone to use.

Shu Daqing is dead?

He... Dad... died?

Ji Xi froze for a moment, pulled Shu Xia into his arms, stroked the back of his head, didn't know how to comfort him, and could only use the simplest words, "I'm here, don't be afraid, I'm here..."

Shu Xia swallowed, unable to recover.

Why... died?

That obnoxious, irresponsible, troublemaker, addicted to gambling... But the one who loved to buy him toys when he was a child... Dad... is dead?

Why do you think of the kindness he treated him when he was a child?There should be only those who hate, hate, irritate, and wish... He actually died.

"Ji Xi... is he really... dead?" Shu Xia asked hoarsely.

"I'll take you back." Ji Xi hugged him tightly and patted him gently.

"Isn't Mei Ting lying to me?" Shu Xia asked.

"Shu Xia, I'm here, don't be afraid." Ji Xi didn't want to comfort him with lies, how could such a thing be a joke?

"Let's go back, you send me back, she must have lied to me again...she always lied to me...just wanted me to go back..." Shu Xia stood up in a panic, the book fell on the floor, and he was not in the mood Pick it up and walk straight to the door.

Ji Xi hurriedly pulled him, looking at his face full of tears, like a lost lamb, panicked.

"Let's put on some clothes first, it's cold outside, okay?" Ji Xi whispered, and led him to the bedroom to find clothes.

Shu Xia only wore an unlined shirt. Because the air conditioner was turned on, he was still reading a book just now, and he was still complaining about it. He will have class tomorrow. At least give him some time to read the book, because the book is sticky, which delayed a lot time to study...

Ji Xi held Shu Xia with one hand, opened the closet with the other, and took out two coats, black ones, other colors didn't seem suitable.

"Come on, let's get dressed first, I'll take you back, don't be afraid!" Ji Xi put the clothes on him.

As if Shu Xia had reacted, she tidied up in a panic, making more and more messes, and Ji Xi helped him put it on.

He was silent and didn't cry any more, he just hurried downstairs and climbed into the car before Ji Xi came over, only to find that there was no key, he couldn't find where the key went in a hurry.

"Shu Xia." Ji Xi called him and supported his back, "Don't worry, I'll drive, you get down first."

Shu Xia got out of the car in a daze, watching Ji Xi ride up, he climbed up quickly, grabbed Ji Xi's waist, pursed his lips, his mind was blank.

Ji Xi drove very fast, honking the horn and speeding through the city, and he left the city in a short while.

The wind was strong, I forgot to wear my helmet, my hair was blown back, and my eyes couldn't be opened. The cold wind seemed to cut countless holes in my skin, causing pain!

"Ji Xi, slow down...I'm afraid." Shu Xia hugged his waist tightly, not daring to look at the backward sight, it was all phantom, and she couldn't see anything clearly.

"Okay." Ji Xi slowed down the car.

Silent all the way.

Only the sound of horns, wind, and cars echoed in my ears.

Lively, unprecedentedly lively.

Their house has never been so lively, so many people, occupying the yard, very noisy, children laughing, adults crying, laughing, chatting...

And that exclusive Revenant Song, which was arranged so quickly?

Shu Xia didn't even know what she was thinking, but she was sighing... How fast!

The speed of the car was fast, the mourning hall was set up quickly, Shu Daqing... died so fast...

too fast!

There are many motorcycles and small cars in front of the house. Ji Xi searched for a long time before riding to a corner and stopping.

Shu Xia got out of the car and staggered two steps before standing still.

People in the yard, familiar and unfamiliar, all looked at him, Shu Xia didn't bother to distinguish their expressions, sympathy, indifference, curiosity...

There are too many to see clearly.

He walked through the fence path in silence, the fence fell on one side, a few motorcycles were placed in the vegetable field, the camellias at the door began to decay, and there were a lot of firecracker papers on the ground, red ones.

There was a chirping sound in his ear, someone was calling him, talking about something, it was too noisy, he couldn't hear clearly, he just froze for a moment, followed the path into the courtyard, passed through plastic stools, and met a group of people he knew or didn't know people.

The two doors on the left and right that have not been opened all year round are fully opened today.

At a glance, I saw the ice coffin in the middle, covered with a familiar blanket, it was Shu Daqing's blanket, he had washed it before, and complained, it was too dirty, it couldn't be cleaned after several times of washing...

The room was full of crying, the whole room was full of crying, Shu Xia immediately saw Mei Ting sitting next to her with a calm face, no tears, just sitting blankly.

Who is crying so sad?

Even he and Mei Ting didn't cry, who would cry so sadly?

Shu Xia blinked and saw clearly the people crying on the ice coffin, but she really couldn't recognize who they were, they would cry for Shu Daqing, and they were still chanting incomprehensible words.

"Mom..." Shu Xia's voice was hoarse, looking at Mei Ting at the door, she suddenly wanted to cry at this moment, but she couldn't.

Mei Ting was stunned for a moment, glanced at him and moved away, staring at a place, ignored him, and was dumbfounded.

"Mom..." Shu Xia shouted again.

Mei Ting ignored him.

"Xiao Xia, your mother was stimulated and didn't even cry out." A grandma came over and took his hand, tears in her eyes, "Poor child, what a crime..."

Shu Xia glanced at her, she was the grandmother in the village, two generations older than him.

"Xiao Xia, people cannot be resurrected after death, don't cry, your mother still needs you, don't cry..."

He didn't cry, he couldn't cry at all, where did he cry?

It's just that the eyes are a little sore.

"Xiao Xia, the village chief is here for everything, and the old man will arrange everything. Don't worry, stay with your mother well, and commit crimes..."

"Xiao Xia, my condolences have changed."

"..."

There are all kinds of voices in my ears, it's too noisy!

Shu Xia looked up and looked around, where is Ji Xi?

Where did Ji Xi go?

His eyes were always foggy and he couldn't see clearly. He blinked vigorously, and saw Ji Xi who was three steps away from him clearly, and something scratched across his face.

Ji Xi didn't speak, just looked at him with comfort and worry.

Shu Xia suddenly felt that it was no big deal, everyone would die, he didn't have to suffer anymore, he didn't have to lie on the bed and couldn't move, now he was free, completely free, no one would care about him, no one would beat him, no one would scold him ...

How free!

Just leaving them with one last mess to clean up, and there will be no more messes in the future.

Shu Xia didn't know what he was going to do. He had attended funerals, but they belonged to others. He was just a relative, to give favors, to have a meal, and sometimes he didn't even eat, and turned around and left. He didn't even know what the host was doing. What, what needs to be done...

Standing beside Mei Ting, he heard a bunch of comforting voices, and looked at a busy group of people, all from the village.

Those who were beaten by him are now helping to move tables and stools, and those who have been scolded by him are now helping to peel garlic, boil water, and make tea...

Like friendly neighbors.

Shu Xia took a deep breath and glanced at Ji Xi.

He stood aside in embarrassment, someone was chatting with him, he didn't know what he was talking about, he was very embarrassed, his eyes looked at Shu Xia's position for a while, and when he saw Shu Xia looking at him, he immediately smiled, and seemed to realize that the occasion was wrong, restrained himself She smiled and looked at him quietly.

It's rare for Ji Xi to look at a person so quietly. He is always smiling, no matter what kind of smile it is, light smile, big laugh, sneer, contemptuous smile, happy smile... In short, he is just smiling.

He only saw Ji Xi cry twice, once when he was talking about himself, and once when they quarreled.

He should have laughed.

Shu Xia opened the corner of her mouth, looked at him, Ji Xi was stunned for a moment, and gave him a smile, not happy, not comforting, just a very comfortable smile.

like light.

It is a kind of smile of "one glance at ten thousand years, waiting for you in place".

"Xiao Xia, the village head is looking for you." A voice brought Shu Xia back to her senses, and she looked at the other person, it was Shu Ting, and the village head was her uncle.

"Oh, good." Shu Xia glanced at Ji Xi, and followed Shu Ting to the living room.

There is a circle of people in the living room, all of them are the "highly respected" old people in the village and the village head who manages a village. They look solemn, like a negotiation between two countries, and no one will give in to a stalemate.

"Grandpa, the village chief." Shu Xia picked out the oldest and most powerful two people and shouted.

"Shu Xia is here, come and sit down, let's discuss about your father's funeral." The village head waved.

About the same age as Shu Daqing, he should be richer, and he looks like an official at a glance, with a strong posture.

Shu Xia nodded, found a stool beside her and sat down, listening to their arrangement.

He doesn't understand anything.

"Shu Xia, it's a matter of God and man, and we are very sorry, but as for the man, even if he is gone, all we can do is send him away. Do you think this is the reason?" said the village chief.

"En." Shu Xia nodded.

"Your family...you can't do anything about your mother's appearance. You are still young and don't understand anything. We discussed it and decided to keep the funeral simple. What do you think?" the village chief asked.

"Listen..." Before she finished speaking, Mei Ting rushed in and shouted.

"Why should you keep it simple, why should you keep it simple? He didn't do you any good. He lived a useless life before he died, so why don't you make things better for him when he dies?"

"There is one thing that should be there. Even if you die, you have to go away in a good manner."

"How can this be? How... can this be?"

"Mom..." Shu Xia stood up and pulled her.

"Big sister, we are just suggesting, look at the conditions of your house, how beautiful is it? Daqing is also my brother, who is not sad, who is not sad when he dies, but be realistic." The village chief said helplessly, " It's decent to be beautiful, but you have to be realistic, you and Shu Xia have to live, don't you?"

"Isn't it just money? I have, I have money, I'm going to travel, I can't be simple, how can I be simple, he has never had a good time in his life, why can't he go away with dignity even after death?" Mei Ting At this moment, I was crying like a vexatious child, with tears and snot all over my face.

Shu Xia pursed her lips, took out a tissue and gave it to her, but didn't wipe it for her.

Mei Ting didn't answer, just wiped it with her sleeve, gritted her teeth, "Nothing less, nothing less!"

"Since we've said that, we can only do as you say, and we can do whatever we want, but Mei Ting, the cost is not low, and you can't get it for [-] to [-] yuan." The respected old man sighed and comforted .

"Mom, we..." Before she finished speaking, Mei Ting exploded.

"Are you going to let your father leave in such a humiliating way? Ah? He is your father, Shu Xia. I will take care of this family. What can you do as a child? Ah?"

"I told you, I will pay all the expenses, and let him go away in style!" Mei Ting growled.

"Okay, it's up to you, you can do whatever you want!" Shu Xia slammed the door and left. When she was alive, she had the heart to watch him die on the bed, and spend so much money on the burial after death, crazy!

All fucking crazy!

As soon as he went out, there were people coming and going, Shu Xia took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, let's do it, it's the last time, even if he thinks about it now and then, he might not be able to remember his face.

"Shu Xia, are you okay?" Ji Xi patted his shoulder and looked at him worriedly.

He stood outside the door and listened to it, only to find it ridiculous but understandable.

Shu Xia wiped away her tears, looked at him, and calmed down, "It's okay, it's just a little contradiction, it's gone now."

"Just tell me what you need. Although I don't understand, but if you tell me, I will." Ji Xi looked at him, not knowing what to say. It wasn't his relatives who died, so he couldn't empathize with him. Seeing Shu Xia sad also made him feel uncomfortable.

"It's fine if you stay here, you don't need to do anything." Shu Xia tried her best to smile, but it seemed to be difficult.

"Okay, then I will accompany you." Ji Xi said, "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know, it depends on their arrangements." Shu Xia shook her head, sighed and looked at the busy people, "I don't understand either."

"Oh."

"Ah."

The two fell silent, and the busy people around them were all neighbors, and all the grievances and grievances disappeared at this moment.

People are dead, so what else!

When you die, you take everything away, and even the memory will fade with time, become blurred, and you can't remember it anymore.

Only loved ones can remember.

But Shu Xia thinks that she should be able to forget him soon, people are dead, the grudges are gone, and the memory is gone.

Maybe Mei Ting will remember, after all, she can remember the fact that she didn't eat mooncakes in the year she gave birth to him for 17 years, so why don't you forget Shu Daqing!

Funerals are busy, but orderly.

According to Mei Ting's request, she should be beautiful and decent, and nothing less.

In the afternoon, all kinds of wreaths arrived, and the funeral director arrived, but within a few hours, white flags fluttered around, and the sound of mourning and music echoed in Dawanzi.

Shu Xia was so busy that she asked him about Shu Daqing's birthday, asked him to burn the paper money, asked him about the direction of the electrical wiring at home because she was the only child, and asked him to report the bills...

Mei Ting made a fuss and went back to sit beside the ice coffin, dazed.

Shu Xia looked at those crying people for a long time before realizing that they were Mei Ting's natal family, his grandmother and several aunts.

I haven't seen him for four or five years, and he doesn't even recognize him.

"Xiao Xia, poor child, that father of yours just left you two and left like this, it's a crime, God is really embarrassing..." His grandmother, a 70-year-old lady, hugged him and cried. Out of breath.

Shu Xia couldn't push her away, so she could only let her cry.

Back then, she didn't even look good when she sat on the sofa, thinking he was dirty, but now she hugged him and cried?It's... wonderful!

I don't have a good impression of his grandma and grandpa. Mei Ting is the third daughter in the family. It is understandable that the feudal ideology of patriarchy is not popular.

Not to mention him, those who are not welcome, let alone those who are not welcome.

"Mom, don't cry, Daqing can't do anything, but pity the two of them, how will they live in the future?" His aunt grabbed his arm.

irritable.

Shu Xia frowned, pushed the person away, and said, "Please forgive me."

These words should have been said by them, but in this situation, it is indeed them who are mourning.

Mei Ting gave him the card, saying not to be frugal, but to be decent, not to be inferior to others, and to let his father go away with peace of mind.

Are you at ease?

Shu Xia didn't see him for the last time, and didn't go to the ice coffin to take a look at his condition, for fear that she couldn't help crying.

It doesn't matter whether Shu Daqing is safe or not, he has already left anyway.

When he was wearing sackcloth and filial piety, he froze for a moment, a little uncomfortable, the last time he saw this kind of white cloth was when Meng Ke's grandma died.

Now, it's on him.

The world is really impermanent and ever-changing!

The yard was not big, and it was overcrowded at the moment. The chicken coop was dug away, a few camellias were cut off, and a large part of the fence was torn down to clean out a corner for cooking.

The courtyard is full of tables, because it's time for dinner.

The village head shouted with a microphone, more and more people gathered, Shu Xia stood at the door of the living room and looked at the strange faces one by one, feeling a little lost.

"Shu Xia, drink some water." Ji Xi handed over a bottle of mineral water, "You have been busy for a long time, and you didn't drink a sip of water."

"I..." His voice was hoarse, and his mouth was as dry as a desert. He swallowed the words of refusal, took the water, and took a sip.

"Ji Xi." He called out without saying anything.

"Well, what's the matter?" Ji Xi responded.

"No, I just want to call you." Shu Xia said in a muffled voice.

"Shu Xia." Ji Xi called out.

"Huh?" Shu Xia looked at him with puzzled eyes.

"I want to call you too." Ji Xi said.

Shu Xia looked at him, laughed through tears, looked at the crowded people eating, and felt that Ji Xi was not suitable to stay in this kind of place.

"Ji Xi, you can go back tonight, it's... a mess." Shu Xia said.

"Shu Xia, don't tell me that again, I'll be angry." Ji Xi looked at him seriously, "I'm here to accompany you."

"...Okay." Shu Xia smiled, and the dullness and gloom in her heart disappeared.

……