spring dream

017

Daqie is driving on the rugged winding mountain road, and Wuliang Mountain is close at hand.Xiao Er told Lao Song to put down the car window, look in the rearview mirror, and said to Lu Xiaozhao who dozed off as soon as he got in the car: "The Cherry Blossom Valley is here."

There are three places in Yunnan Cherry Blossom Valley, and only here can the cherry blossoms bloom all over the mountain and form a continuous stretch.Lu Xiaozhao regained his energy, patted his face twice, held the window of the car and stretched his neck to look out, there was a cherry blossom tree a few meters apart in every mu of tea fields, but there was not even a single green leaf on the bare tree trunk.

Lu Xiaozhao put his chin on the window sill in frustration, and pouted his mouth depressedly.

Seeing his sullen look, Xiao E smiled slightly: "The flowering period is in November, and it only blooms for a dozen days a year. If you really want to see it, I will ask Lu Ran to bring you there again at the end of the year."

They made an appointment with Mr. Xu, the person in charge of the tea field, at three o'clock in the afternoon, and they entered the park two hours earlier.After parking the car, the four walked up the mountain road on foot. After passing a few stone steps, a tall bamboo building came into view.

Xu was waiting outside the door a long time ago, leaning on crutches, walking slowly, walking very hard.Xiao Er hurriedly stepped forward to help the old man over, and said respectfully, "Grandpa Xu, Xiao Er is here to see you."

Thick white beard flicked to both sides, Mr. Xu was very happy, patted Xiao E's broad shoulders with his hands behind his back, nodded vigorously and said: "Oh, they are so tall, good, good, don't worry about it anymore." Jump up, or I will have to jump up to catch you next time we meet."

Xiao Er suppressed a muffled laugh: "Understood."

Mr. Xu and Mr. Xiao used to work in the same workshop and have worked together for more than ten years.After parting, Mr. Xu went south and returned to his hometown. The two still kept in touch. They both quit their jobs in their early forties. One opened a teahouse and the other ran a tea shop. They also had business contacts.As soon as his age passed, Mr. Xu retired to the fields, accompanied by flowers, plants, mountains and rivers, and sent his children to live in big cities, leaving only a nanny who could cook and take care of his daily life.

"Your grandfather is in good health, isn't he?" Mr. Xu held Xiao E tightly with his skinny hands and spots.

Xiao Er led him to the mountain road on the other side of the bamboo building: "Okay, smoking opium all day long, humming a little tune, walking birds, raising fish and dumping stones, nothing will be delayed, and you will be very carefree."

"Hmph." Old Xu's voice was really full of confidence, "When I was young, I was stronger than me everywhere, and when I was old, I was stronger than me. It's irritating. Oh, it pissed me off."

Old Song behind him pinched his thigh with a smile.

The terrain of the descending mountain road is flat, and walking is effortless. In two steps, they came to a platform with a wide view in the middle of the mountain. There are two rows of mahogany benches in front of the half-person high fence. There are no traces, but the backrest is smooth and shiny.

On the side, there is a small road that is only enough for one person to pass. At the end, it is connected to several dense green tea fields like a cornucopia of the Xiao family, exuding a strong and intoxicating fragrance of Pu'er tea.

There were four bamboo baskets on the nanny's arms, one for Lu Ran, Lu Xiaozhao, and Lao Song. Xiao E waved his hand, indicating that he would stay here to drink tea with Lao Xu and bask in the sun.

Lu Xiaozhao bounced and dragged his brother down the steps, plunged straight into the tea field and took a deep breath, with his immature face facing the clear sky, smiling happily.

It is also the first time for Lao Song to come to Wuliang Mountain to pick tea. He is a rough man, and he talks about business or fame all day long. The smell filled the nose with a warm, mellow and refreshing fragrance.

The best time to pick "Spring Tips" is in March. They came half a month earlier, but the time is not much different.Lu Ran taught them how to pick tea leaves separately according to their growth level. Lu Xiaozhao watched carefully, carefully imitating his brother's every move, holding the middle of the young stalk between the leaves, and gently lifting his wrist. Resilience and patience.

"I'll give you the tea that grandpa asked for." Lu Ran turned around and held Lu Xiaozhao's hand, palms folded on the back of his hand, fingertips on fingertips, and taught him how to exert force.

Lu Xiaozhao was stunned for a moment, he and Lu Ran were extremely close, this kind of distance was normal for the two of them, but this time, for some reason, his heartbeat continued to accelerate uncontrollably, his face became hot, and two strands of hair spread out. Visible red color.

Lu Ran turned his head to face the light, and smiled at him gently: "What are you thinking?"

"Brother." Lu Xiaozhao held his hand subconsciously, stuttered before asking, "Sister Fang came last time and brought us a lot of dowry gifts for marrying a daughter-in-law, you...would you use those things? "

"Probably." Lu Ran straightened his half-bent waist, and tapped Lu Xiaozhao's head, "But I have to watch you get married first."

"Then..." Lu Xiaozhao focused on speaking, his eyes wandered, and his hands were restrained, and he pulled two handfuls into the basket stiffly: "Then what if I don't get married all my life?"

Lu Ran is an extremely smart person, and he knows how to read words and deeds best. Lu Xiaozhao was very attached to him in the orphanage, and followed him into Xiao's family. Besides, this is also the reason why he insisted on coming to Yunnan with them.

"Distance" is certainly desirable, but for Lu Xiaozhao, "people around him" are the most precious.

"Do you like me? Xiao Zhao." Lu Ran asked frankly and directly. This is his usual style. When I grow up, I can make rational judgments about my feelings. I don’t need you to give me an answer now. Think about it carefully, calm down and think about it. Once you have a choice, you must take it seriously, and I will not give you a way out And a second chance to choose."

Lu Xiaozhao's head was dizzy when he heard this, his temples were swollen, and Lao Song looked at them, and with a "huh" voice, he shouted: "Little brother, are you pulling weeds? Why don't you have me as a master?" Did you pick them carefully?"

Lu Xiaozhao looked down, closed his eyes, didn't he, the tea stems were pulled into the bamboo basket together, and there was still dirty mud hanging from the tail, when he heard Lu Ran's laughter, his little face blushed even more.

The sun is shining brightly, the fog between the mountains has dissipated, and the sight can be seen higher and farther.There is a purple sand teapot and two teacups on the movable table in front of the bench, and a well-crafted blue and white porcelain plate under it.

Xiao Er lifted the teapot up, lowered his hand a little, and poured the first cup for himself.Add some freshly boiled spring water to it, shake the pot body, the second cup will be for Xu Lao.

"This is raw tea." Mr. Xu held his cane with both hands, leaned his head, and looked at Xiao E, "Chen Fang hasn't been long, it's very bitter, and my taste is old and insensitive, so I dare not drink the first brew, you What are you drawing?"

"Maybe my sense of taste is even less sensitive." Xiao Er didn't even think about tasting it, and just took a sip, looking like he was drinking.After swallowing, the bitterness slowly emerges from the stomach and gradually climbs to the tip of the tongue, the taste is astringent and strong.

Mr. Xu knew a thing or two about him, and took a sip slowly with trembling hands: "Well, not bad." Then he drank half a cup, put it back on the tea tray, wiggled his beard and said with a smile, "Little er, there is no What things can last for a long time, this person will live for a hundred years at most, don't worry too much about gains and losses, don't get too entangled in right and wrong, and don't waste your whole life because of things that are irreparable."

Leaning back in the chair with a relaxed body, Xiao Er looked at the undulating mountains and rivers in the distance, and bent the corners of his eyes: "Do you want to be like my grandfather, and persuade me to let go?"

"No." Elder Xu raised his hand and answered very simply, "You are his grandson, he has selfishness and expectations for you, and of course he hopes that you can live a carefree life without any worries. I am an outsider, and I see you in the same way as ordinary people, and I will stand on your side and respect your choice."

"If 'seeking' is the only thing in your life that you can never regret, then it's not a waste."

Xiao Er slumped his shoulders, his mood was calm and his expression was soft.With the wind blowing in my ears, Elder Xu's voice became clearer: "In your life, if there is no one thing that can break your heart and shatter your bones, if there is no one who can make you lose your mind, and you are willing to walk in the ordinary world, What's the point? The most precious thing about a person is that he wants to be a fool even though he knows he's doing it, it's so pitiful and cute."

Xiao Er chuckled twice, his lips trembling slightly.

"Cutie." Elder Xu called Xiao E, and the people around him couldn't help laughing uncontrollably.The crutch was on the ground, and Mr. Xu glared at him with a changed face, and said angrily, "My tea is cold, when are you going to refill my cup?"

"Here's the continuation for you." Xiao Er picked up the teapot and filled it with tea. The two clinked glasses in the warm world. The bitter taste in their mouths gradually returned to sweetness, and a light sweet meaning.