Absinthe

Hao Ai has lived in Nanchuan for two years, but he is still not quite used to the climate here. The city seems to have no concept of seasons. It has already entered winter, but the temperature is still more than ten degrees. Walking on campus, wearing short Girls in skirts are everywhere.In the past, Hao Ai would definitely wear a T-shirt in this weather, but now he honestly changed into a thin sweater, because he was going to the research institute to find Zhong Xiu, who saw him wearing a T-shirt in winter T-shirt, will be cut to death by his eye knife.

The New Year's Day holiday caught up with the weekend, and I took five days off in one breath, and the winter vacation is not far away. The end-of-course exams for some majors in University H have ended, and the students have been on vacation early, so the campus is much more empty than usual.

Hao Ai is going to Zheng Chuan to participate in a skateboarding exhibition competition tomorrow. In the past, he would push it whenever he could, but this time it was different. The organizer of the exhibition competition invited Lin Zhe.The name Lin Zhe is well-known in the skateboarding circle. He is the No.1 skateboarder in Zhengchuan City. He has won many international skateboarding championships and has a great influence in the skateboarding circle. Zhe has promoted the development of domestic skateboard culture by himself.

Lin Zhe is Hao Ai's idol, so when he heard from the coordinator of the organizer that Lin Zhe would also come to this performance, he immediately decided to participate, because Lin Zhe has not often participated in skateboard-related events in recent years. Events rarely appear in the public eye, and this opportunity to meet idols is very rare.

Hao Ai plans to tell Zhong Xiu about this, because Zhong Xiu's favorite skater is also Lin Zhe.He started skateboarding in junior high school, and the first thing he watched was Lin Zhe's videos. Taking Lin Zhe as an example, his competitive spirit inspired many newcomers to the skateboarding circle.

Hao Ai never came to see Zhong Xiu at noon, for fear of delaying his time.But he flew back to Zheng Chuan tomorrow morning, and now he came to see Zhong Xiu because he wanted to stay with him for a while longer.

When it was almost time to get off work, Hao Ai sent a message to Zhong Xiu, and then went to wait for him outside the laboratory.

Zhong Xiu came out quickly. "Why are you here at this time?" When he saw Hao Ai, his eyes were instantly stained with a smile.

"I miss you." Hao Ai Ni tilted her head.

"Have you had lunch yet?" Zhong Xiu asked.

Hao Ai looked around, saw no one, stepped forward and hugged Zhong Xiu's arm: "Not yet."

"What do you want to eat today?" Zhong Xiu asked naturally.

Hao Ai thought for a while and said, "Let's go to the cafeteria, I want to eat beef tenderloin on iron plate."

"it is good."

The two walked out of the research institute. As soon as Hao Ai went out, he let go of Zhong Xiu's arm and walked in a decent manner, but Zhong Xiu moved closer and put his arms around his shoulders.

There were not many people in the cafeteria, so Zhong Xiu used his staff card to pay for two servings of sizzling beef tenderloin. The two chatted while eating. Hao Ai told Zhong Xiu that he was going to Zheng Chuan to participate in the exhibition competition.

After Zhong Xiu finished listening, he said, "I want to go too."

Hao Ai's eyes lit up, and he asked with some expectation: "Then can you go?"

"I'm afraid I can't." Zhong Xiu also wanted to go, but he couldn't find the time, so he said regretfully, "Please help me get an autograph."

"No problem! When are you on vacation?" Hao Ai added, "Winter vacation."

"About a week later." Zhong Xiu said.

"It's so miserable," Hao Ai said, "I've already given myself a winter vacation."

One advantage of freelancing is that you can give yourself a vacation at any time.

"Don't irritate me, I have to continue working on my thesis during the holidays." Zhong Xiu said.

"That... Are your parents still in Zheng Chuan?" Hao Ai asked cautiously.

"Yes." Zhong Xiu said.

Father Zhong has been transferred and promoted several times over the years, and is now the top leader in the city.

"Then are you going back for the New Year?" Hao Ai asked again.

Zhong Xiu nodded: "Well, go back."

"Okay, I'll wait for you in Zheng Chuan." Hao Ai tilted his head and smiled.

Hao Ai is going back to his uncle's house for the New Year this year. Although he lives in Nanchuan now, he still has to go back to Zhengchuan for the New Year, so he can feel a sense of belonging there.

"When are you leaving?" Zhong Xiu asked.

"tomorrow morning."

That night, Hao Ai went to Zhong Xiu's house to eat with a small flowerpot in his arms.

"...Why did you give me a pot of soil?" Zhong Xiu took the flower pot in wonder.

"It looks like a pot of soil, but it actually has life." Hao Ai said mysteriously.

Zhong Xiu: "?"

Hao Ai said: "I planted seeds in it, trying to grow something, but it hasn't grown yet."

"What is it?" Zhong Xiu was curious.

"Absinthe wormwood," Hao Ai said, "Don't look at such a small pot. I read online that it can grow up to two meters."

Hao Ai saw Zhong Xiu staring at the pot of soil with a strange expression, so he said, "I think you should like wormwood."

I think you should still like me.This sounded shameless, Hao Ai didn't dare to say it.

"I like it very much." Zhong Xiu smiled, and then he asked again: "But are you sure...it still has life?"

"Not... sure, did I make a mistake in one of the steps? The seeds I bought online were obviously planted according to the instructions."

"..." Zhong Xiu was silent for a while, then calmly analyzed: "It's also possible, it's not its growth cycle now."

The impression is that this plant is usually sown in March and April.

"Ah?" Hao Ai began to doubt life: "Is that so? I'm so stupid!"

"It may also be a problem with the seeds." Zhong Xiu comforted.

"Oh," Hao Ai brought the small flowerpot over again, observed it for a while, and asked, "Then can you save it?"

"I'm studying chemistry, not botany." Zhong Xiu looked at him like an idiot.

"...I understand, you're disliking me again, I'll get out immediately," Hao Ai collapsed on the big sofa after speaking, and then started to roll over: "Okay, I'm getting out."

The spacious big sofa was messed up by Hao Ai.

"Don't push yourself too hard." Zhong Xiu bent down and grabbed his wrist.

"I'm confident." Hao Ai laughed and sat up, rubbing against Zhong Xiu's arms.

The two chatted a lot of unnutritious things about the cultivation of wormwood. Seeing that it was getting late, Hao Ai stood up and said, "I'll go back to take a shower first, and the building where I live is relatively well built when the water usage peaks later. It’s early, and the facilities are quite old, the water pressure is too low, and the people who use the water on higher floors often fail to go up.” He complained.

"My house's water supply is fine." Zhong Xiu also stood up.

Hao Ai nodded: "Well, your building was newly built two years ago, and the apartment type and facilities are the best."

"..." The idiot Hao Ai didn't understand his subtext.

"So," Zhong Xiu paused, and said, "You can wash at my place." You can also move here.

"Not so good..." Hao Ai scratched his head, a little in disbelief.

Zhong Xiu was silent for a few seconds and said, "Then pretend I didn't say anything."

"Ah?" Hao Ai turned the corner in his head and understood Zhong Xiu's intentions, "Don't, why don't we tonight..."

"It's late," Zhong Xiu chuckled, stood up and put his arms around Hao Ai's shoulders: "Go back quickly, pack your luggage, and go to the airport tomorrow morning, go to bed early."

Hao Ai still didn't give up, and wanted to struggle again: "I'm very willing, really!"

"Let's go, I'll take you back." Zhong Xiu turned and opened the door.

Hao Ai pouted, and followed him downstairs.

When they arrived at the building where Hao Ai lived, Zhong Xiu said, "Be careful."

"I will," Hao Ai nodded and said, "You must remember to miss me."

I will too.

The next morning, Hao Ai arrived in Zhengchuan, and in the afternoon he went to the skateboard park to participate in the exhibition competition.After the competition, he first showed off to Zhong Xiu on WeChat that he had exchanged contact information with Lin Zhe, and then sent Zhong Xiu many videos of Lin Zhe's skateboarding that he had recorded.

The exhibition match was held in Zheng Chuan's newly built skateboard park last year, and the scale was unprecedentedly grand.

Zhong Xiu opened the video one by one. Lin Zhe is over 40 years old this year, and his skateboard moves are not as difficult as before, but his movements are still chic and smooth, with ease, and his charm remains the same as before.

In the last short video, Hao Ai appeared. He paid tribute to his idol and performed Lin Zhe's most famous move - back foot chaos.

Hao Ai was wearing a blue sweater, which was a very bright color, and he was wearing a gray wool cap. His shoulder-length black hair was pressed behind his ears. He looked indifferent and looked cool, but Zhong Xiu knew that he was It's a sign of tension.

Hao Ai stepped on the board like a gust of wind and slid over from a high place not far away. He slid to the gray and orange slope, and jumped up with the board.The whole set of moves is smooth and flowing, beautifully completed.

After he came down from the slope, he slowed down and slid forward. When passing by the camera, he stopped, gestured v to the camera, and then showed a flamboyant and free-spirited smile.

In the end, Zhong Xiu watched the video many times, and his gaze was always fixed on that smiling face.

In the next few days, Hao Ai sent messages to Zhong Xiu every day, and the topics were always boring: What are you doing? Have you eaten? How are you feeling today? Let's get back together.

Zhong Xiu was lost in thought on the message he sent, haven't we reconciled yet?

*

Zhong Xiu booked a plane ticket back to Zheng Chuan.

He finished the work that would have taken a week ahead of schedule, two days earlier than expected.

Love makes work more efficient.

On the day Zhong Xiu returned to Zheng Chuan, Hao Ai came to pick him up at the airport.As soon as Hao Ai saw him, he flew over: "I miss you!"

There were hurried passengers everywhere, Zhong Xiu put down his suitcase, and hugged Hao Ai in the airport hall as if no one else was there.

"Are you going home later?" Hao Ai asked.

"Well, my dad is also at home today, I'll go back and have a look first." Zhong Xiu said.

"Then say hello to Uncle and...Auntie for me."

"Well, actually," Zhong Xiu said hesitantly, "I only found out later...my mother looked for you at that time."

"Ah?" Hao Ai responded for a moment, only to realize that he was talking about the breakup between the two six years ago.Yang Yingqiong was the indirect cause of the breakup between the two, and Hao Ai was not without resentment.

But she is Zhong Xiu's mother after all.

"Don't quarrel with Auntie, I think Auntie is pretty good at talking, you shouldn't have the upper hand in arguing with her," Hao Ai told Zhong Xiu and Yang Yingqiong worriedly knowing that the relationship between Zhong Xiu and Yang Yingqiong was not good, and then added: " I didn't mean to say Auntie was bad."

"Don't worry, there will be no quarrel now." Zhong Xiu said.

Zhong Xiu learned that Yang Yingqiong had gone to Hao Ai alone two months before going abroad. At that time, Yang Yingqiong was still arguing with Zhong Xiu about going abroad.Yang Yingqiong asked him, why did you insist on going abroad because everyone else broke up with you, and you still insisted on it?This gesture is really ugly.

Zhong Xiu was already very gloomy because of the breakup. Seeing that Yang Yingqiong provoked him so much, he also spoke angrily. He said, foreign countries are more open than here, you don't care, I will go abroad to engage in homosexuality.

Yang Yingqiong was very angry, and said that she had looked for Hao Ai before the two broke up.She said, your relationship is so fragile, you can't stand the slightest temptation and difficulty, the road of homosexuality is not easy, it's the same everywhere.

But Zhong Xiu became more determined to go abroad. He passed the language test and began to prepare the materials needed to apply for going abroad.

In the first two years in the United States, he excused that he was busy with his studies and had no time to return to China during the holidays.Yang Yingqiong asked him more than once about his future plans and when he would return to China. She said that staying abroad is not a long-term solution, and she will come back sooner or later after graduation.Zhong Xiu ignored them all.

In the third year, Father Zhong took time out of his busy schedule to fly from China to visit him, visited his school, learned about his life and professional research, and finally asked him gently why he didn’t want to go home. He was really busy. .

In front of Zhong's father, Zhong Xiu couldn't tell a lie, so he told him about himself, and they talked all afternoon in Zhong Xiu's apartment.

Zhong Xiu remembered that it was a sunny winter afternoon, the sunlight penetrated through the blinds, was cut into streaks of light and shadows and sprinkled on the desk.Everything is gentle, and Father Zhong seems to have lost his serious face at work.

Father Zhong was busy with work, rarely cared about Zhong Xiu, and never asked him for anything. The two of them rarely even had the chance to sit down and chat, but this didn't mean that the father didn't care about his son.

Father Zhong said that if your relationship is really deep enough, even if you are separated due to some obstacles now, you will still come together in the future.

He also said, this matter is your mother's wrong, she is like me, hope you live well, but she used the wrong method.You are an independent person, not someone's appendage, and your parents can't interfere too much, your future belongs to you.

As long as you feel that what you insist on is right, you don’t need to care about whether others approve it, just keep going, whether it’s ideals, love or anything else.

Later, Zhong Xiu gradually realized that the obstacle between him and Hao Ai was far more than Yang Yingqiong.

Society, family, studies, career, and different places are all obstacles.

It only took Zhong Xiu two years to complete the credits, and he would occasionally return to China during the long vacation.In the years since Zhong Xiu left home, Yang Yingqiong has become more tolerant and generous, and the relationship between him and Yang Yingqiong has also eased.

When talking about relationship status, Yang Yingqiong tentatively asked him, foreign countries are relatively open in this regard, so have you ever talked about a boyfriend.

Zhong Xiu just said to her in an extremely flat tone, no, I still like him.

Yang Yingqiong sighed wearily. Although you didn't say anything, I know you still blame me. Your father said that I did something wrong. Maybe I really did something wrong, but I was doing it for your own good.

How many people are bound by the phrase "for your own good", so that they cannot fly further.

During the years of breaking up with Hao Ai, whether it was paying attention to the other party’s dynamics or inquiring about him through others, Zhong Xiu was always moving forward without looking back. He worked hard to realize his ideals and pursue a better life.

No matter how far he flew, he never thought of giving up Hao Ai.

On the night when he returned to school from the holidays in China, Zhong Xiu sat in front of the computer to write an academic paper. Most of this paper was completed at home before, and now he only needs to finish it.

Hao Ai’s video was playing on the iPad next to the computer. Hao Ai finally released a new video of skateboarding after several months. pink.

At the end of that video, Hao Ai was rarely sensational. He said a lot, thanked everyone for their support, etc., and finally said, I want to be better and braver, at least not to be as bad as before. I hope everyone can be who they want to be.

It was already past three o'clock in the morning when Zhong Xiu finished his thesis. There was no moon that night. Zhong Xiu climbed to the roof alone and sat on the high steps of the roof. He stayed there for a long time until the sun came out and the sky The light is bright.

I'll be better too, I'll clear all obstacles and come to you again.

The author says:

The character Lin Zhe has a prototype. If you are interested, you can search for Che Lin, an outstanding skateboarder and an outstanding representative of extreme sports in my country. He is known as the No. 1 skateboarder in China. (dbq I’m late again! A friend in the comment area made sense before, when Zhong Xiu said that there is no need to chase after, it will be considered a reunion, but it seems that it is not very official, so let’s officially reunite in the next chapter)