Rust II

The night had not yet swallowed up all the peripheral light in the sky, but there was clearly something surging in the gusts of evening wind.

Lin An stood in the shadow of the tree, almost his whole body was hidden in the huge shadow. He held the mobile phone that had terminated the call, and waited quietly at a certain intersection diagonally.He couldn't tell which direction Xu Xin would come from, and he had no way of knowing which direction he would eventually go.But this unknown anxiety will not let the hope and joy hidden in my heart fade in the slightest.

The light beams of the headlights quickly came from behind, and Lin An noticed the movement, and raised his head slightly - a silver-gray car had already parked beside him.

The window was lowered slowly, gradually revealing the full view of the person sitting in the driver's seat.

Xu Xinchong was still staring blankly at Lin An with a smile, and said softly, "Get in the car."

Lin An moved the hand hanging by the side of the leg, but did not make any other unnecessary movements.

Seeing this, Xu Xin smiled again, opened the car door, walked around to him, lifted the suitcase at his feet and put it in the trunk for him, closed the car cover, turned back a few steps, opened the passenger door, and followed each other Looking at Zhongwen, he said in a warm voice, "I'll see you off."

Lin An looked at the other party, his eyes moved slightly, as if there were thousands of words hidden in it, but after a few seconds, he just lowered his face slightly and got into the car without saying a word.

On the eve of the holiday, there was a lot of traffic in City C. There were stops and starts, and cars of all sizes could be heard outside the window, but there was silence inside the car.

It wasn't until we got on the elevated road leading to the city station that the driving finally became smoother. Looking at the traffic ahead, Xu Xin suddenly said, "Something happened to the project this week."

Lin An, who was looking out the window, was slightly startled when he heard this.

The sudden words of the other party seemed to be an explanation, silently responding to his hesitation and helplessness this week, Lin An heard it, and for some reason, his heart beat faster.

So in a panic, he immediately shook his head, and then replied softly: "No, it's okay..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a chuckle from beside him.Only then did he realize that he blushed and felt ashamed for the hope and heart he had unintentionally revealed.

Fortunately, Xu Xin didn't get too entangled in this matter. After a moment of silence, he asked again: "Has Xu Yuan caused you any trouble these days?"

Lin An shook his head, before he could get out of the panic just now, he continued to answer in a low voice after a long while: "She...she is doing very well."

Xu Xin never spoke.

After a short pause, Lin An continued, "I also took an active part in the competition... The counselor and several school leaders praised her for being more sensible."

Lin An put his hands on his lap neatly, and his back was slightly stiff due to tension. He leaned almost straight on the back of the chair, and with a soft-spoken, low-faced and cautious appearance, he looked like he was carefully reporting work to his superiors in the company. Subordinates of the process.Xu Xin inadvertently turned his head to see, and there was an imperceptible smile in his eyes.

Xu Shi felt the half-seeing eyes sweeping towards him from time to time, and Lin An's "reporting voice" became weaker and weaker, until the carriage completely returned to silence.

Xu Xin seemed to have seen the right moment, and didn't give the opponent who had relaxed a bit a chance to catch his breath. After a short pause, he asked again: "What about you?"

Lin An seemed a little puzzled and didn't respond immediately.

Xu Xin followed the signs and turned into another lane. He rushed to the brand-new section of road ahead and asked with a smile, "How are you doing? How are you doing?"

Lin An was taken aback, and almost immediately remembered the tense, out-of-control and anxiety he had experienced every minute and every second in the past seven consecutive days.But he couldn't put it into words, so he could only sit in a daze, letting himself, who had just calmed down a little with the topic of work, turn red again.

He murmured, not knowing how to respond, but he didn't want to think about the next second, Xu Xin's voice sounded again: "I'm not doing well." After a short pause, he smiled again: "At least I didn't sleep well last night. .”

Lin An was startled, and couldn't help looking at him.

Xu Xin smiled and didn't look at him, but only seemed to focus on the vehicles driving ahead.

After a moment of silence, a half-sighing and teasing voice sounded in Lin An's ear as if he was helplessly mocking himself.

"I'm always worried, if the company's affairs are not handled properly in time, and the trip is delayed and I can't make it back to City C, what kind of excuse will I have to find..."

The low end sound disappeared into the hesitant murmur, and the car stopped at an unfamiliar intersection at some point.

Xu Xin put one hand on the steering wheel, finally turned his head at this moment, and said the remaining three words that were blocked in his throat just now: "Come to see you."

Lin An was stunned, and it took a few seconds to recover from the other party's scorching gaze.

He looked away with a beating heart, but he didn't want to turn his head. The sign "500m Qinglong Road Ahead" outside the car window suddenly jumped into his eyes.

That is the road leading directly to County X.

Lin An was startled, and immediately turned around, "You..."

Seeing his astonishment, Xu Xin still stared at him and said with a smile, "The way to Chengzhan has already passed."

Lin An's expression moved slightly.

Xu Xin paused, and then continued: "So I had to take you home directly." He lowered his eyes slightly and asked, "Would Mr. Lin mind if you wasted a bus ticket?"

Lin An looked at the other party without moving, and did not answer.

When the indicator light changed, Xu Xin looked at him and smiled, then turned left and entered Qinglong Road.

The night lights flashed by one by one, and the regular frequency calmed the frantic rhythm in my heart out of thin air.

The carriage that fell silent again sometimes shuttled through the turbulent traffic, and sometimes stopped at unfamiliar intersections.Xu Xin seemed to know the road to County X like the back of his hand, and drove forward steadily with a clear goal, without the slightest hesitation or hesitation.

Lin An sat quietly on the seat, without further questioning about this "abnormal" phenomenon, just staring out the window at the vehicles passing by from time to time, and quietly paying attention to Xu Xin through the blurred light and shadow reflected on the glass. reactions and actions.

County X is not far from City C. 12 years ago, it might have given people a sense of fatigue from "traveling and traveling". However, with the construction of the elevated road and the gradual development of the transportation system, the "running" in the past has become dull now. Not surprisingly, what's more, County X has long been acquired by City C and has become a part of the developed towns in the outskirts.

An hour later, the car drove away from the large bushes and farmland, and drove into the bustling market.

When passing by X County No. [-] Middle School, Lin An's gaze stayed on the familiar, still brightly lit high school teaching building of the third year of high school. When the car drove a considerable distance ahead, he still couldn't help but look back frequently.

Xu Xin noticed it, and suddenly asked: "What? Did you go wrong?"

Lin An withdrew his gaze, sat down again and shook his head, "No...no."

After a short pause, he explained softly: "The one I just passed by...is the school where I used to work..."

Xu Xin agreed, turned around, and completely got rid of the figure of X County No. [-] High School from behind - he was the one who tried to transfer from X County to C City, and what Lin An was concerned about just now, how could Xu Xin think about it? I really don't know?However, he still pretended to be fresh and chatted with the other party.

"Oh? It looks pretty good. How does it compare to X Zhong?"

Lin An smiled awkwardly, "From the perspective of the enrollment rate, it's worse...a lot worse..."

Xu Xin nodded and said with a smile: "So, our teacher Lin is considered a 'salary increase' this time."

Lin Anne hesitated and didn't answer.

Xu Xin smiled again, and continued: "I heard Xu Yuan mention that you were specially hired by X Zhong, saying that you became a 'thriller' in X Zhong as soon as you entered the school, and the limelight even overwhelmed you. The school grass that the students commented on in private?"

Lin An blushed again when he heard the other party's voice full of ridicule and laughter, he straightened his back unconsciously, and said embarrassingly: "No, nothing..." He was so nervous that his tongue was a little knotted.

Seeing this, Xu Xin raised his eyebrows, "I think it's very reliable."

Lin An was stunned for a moment, and after realizing the euphemistic compliment in the other party's words, even his ears and neck turned red.

Xu Xin glanced at him, smiled, and kindly let him go, not continuing to circle around on this topic.

The speed of the car was no longer as fast as before, and it slowed down significantly after entering County X.Xu Xin took a closer look at the bustling crowds along the street, as well as the large and small night stalls on the roadside, and said with emotion: "This place has changed a lot."

When Lin An heard this, he couldn't help thinking of the last time he had seen and parted with the other party in his memory. In 12 years, he never thought that he would have another chance to revisit the old place with this person beside him "peace of mind".

In County X at that time, there were only endless farmlands and lush bushes lined up on both sides of the muddy path; in County X at that time, once it got dark, all the bright colors in the daytime would be without exception. land, the followers sink into the boundless night.

But now, supermarkets, roadside stalls, and even a few sporadic hotels scattered among large and small shops, all of these are gradually awakened in the torrent of time, and they still emit their own brilliance even in the low night.

Lin An was not particularly unfamiliar with these earth-shaking changes. After all, before being transferred to City C, he had personally experienced and witnessed these changes bit by bit.

But now that Xu Xin is by his side, and the memories of the past can't stop flowing back, Lin An's mood can't break free from the depression and suffocation no matter what.

As a result, his complexion also became gloomy.

Xu Xin didn't get a response from him, and he didn't speak anymore.I just continued to focus on driving around one narrow and crowded street after another, and after more than ten minutes, I stopped at a small road that returned to silence.

Lin An raised his head and glanced out of the window. With the hazy moonlight and the illumination of the street lamp not far away, he knew that the two of them seemed to have arrived.This intersection is less than 100 meters away from the back door of my home.

Ahead is a slightly uneven path, no matter how much Xu Xin wants to send it off, he can't go any further.

Neither of them spoke tacitly, as if they were waiting for someone to break the sudden silence first.

Among the breathing of different depths, Xu Xin finally opened his mouth as usual.

Looking at the dark night outside, he whispered, "Here we are."

Lin An didn't reply.

Xu Xin waited for a while, then suddenly sighed softly, opened the door and got out of the car.Lin An was taken aback when he heard the movement, and then followed.

In the dim light, he watched the other party go around to the back of the car, open the trunk, take out the suitcase, and then walked towards him step by step.

"Go."

Lin An reached out to pick it up, but the handle stayed in the other hand, motionless.

"After a busy day, go back and have a good rest."

A few seconds later, Xu Xin's deep voice sounded again.

Lin An lowered his eyes slightly, and his eyes fell on the hands of the two who were close to each other, and nodded silently.

Afterwards, Xu Xin let go of his hand.

Lin An pulled the box and walked towards the fork in the road not far away, his eyes were a little sour for some reason, and after a few steps, he suddenly heard the other party calling him from behind.

"Lin An!"

Lin An paused, and immediately turned around.

Xu Xin stood under the tree, looked at him with a smile, and said softly after a while: "Happy National Day."

The corner of Lin An's mouth hooked reluctantly, and after a few steps forward, he turned a corner and completely disappeared into the night.

Xu Xin looked at the extremely quiet and dark path in front of him, and did not leave immediately.He leaned against the hood of the car and stood quietly for a while, took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, and smoked silently for a while at the intersection where Lin An disappeared. The smoke was gone, and I was about to turn around and go back to the car.

But I didn't want to turn around and open the car door, but suddenly there was a faint sound of footsteps behind me.

Short, hasty.

He turned his head and saw Lin An, who had just left in front of him a few minutes ago, reappeared in front of him while panting slightly.

Xu Xin didn't expect that the other party would go back and come back, and he couldn't help showing a trace of surprise in his eyes.

Lin An looked at him unsteadily, and after a long time, he mustered up the courage and said hoarsely: "You, would you like to..."

But there was a sudden silence again, only the uncontrollable panting diffused in the swaying evening wind, which was extremely clear.

Xu Xin looked at him without interrupting or urging him, just watched and waited without saying a word.

There seems to be light flowing in Lin An's eyes, coupled with the confusion of the night and the urging of the wind, everything seems to go back to the moment 12 years ago in an instant.

Lin An stood less than ten meters away from Xu Xin, and when he opened his mouth again, his voice gradually dropped due to fear and cowardice.

"Would you like to...go, go to my house and sit for a while..."

But Xu Xin, who was extremely focused, still caught the intermittent and extremely faint words that disappeared between the opponent's lips.

Those two long-lost words——

"Xu, Brother Xu."

Xu Xin looked at him inexplicably for a while, then walked to him without saying a word, silently responded to this rare "gracious" invitation.

The two walked towards Lin's direction one after the other, and within a few minutes, they came to a simple anti-theft door.

The light installed on the concrete wall outside the door was not turned on. In the darkness, a box was left outside the door. It was obvious that someone came here and turned back in a hurry. In the panic, they didn't even have time to open the door.

Lin An felt a little embarrassed by the unintentional impulsiveness and urgency, he hurriedly took out the key from his pocket, and inserted it into the keyhole with heat from the base of his ear.

The moment the door was pushed open, Mother Lin's voice came from the front hall.

"Who is it? Is Lin Zi back?"

As soon as the words were finished, a plainly dressed old woman turned on the light in the back room and quickly walked out of the kitchen with a half-dry rag.

Lin An took a few steps forward, smiled and replied to Mother Lin: "Mom, it's me."

Mother Lin was very happy. Just as she was about to say something, she turned her head and saw another tall figure standing at the door. She froze for a moment, then turned her gaze back to Lin An, "This is..."

Lin An inexplicably smiled nervously, but before he could speak, Xu Xin, who was waiting by the door, took the initiative to step over the threshold, smiled and greeted Lin's mother who was puzzled, "Hello, Auntie." Glancing at Lin An, he continued, "I'm Xiao Lin's friend, surnamed Xu. I happened to be in County X for some business, so I sent him back along the way."

Lin's mother obviously didn't recognize this young man who had met more than ten years ago. Also, Xu Xin has changed too much. No matter in terms of dress or demeanor, he is no longer the gangster he used to be.

Therefore, Lin's mother's doubts only flashed from her heart, and then she welcomed him in with great enthusiasm, "Oh, no wonder, no wonder, I said why my Lin Zi came back so early, I thought that at least I would arrive It won't be until □□."

Lin An saw that his mother was only talking about it and didn't recognize Xu Xinlai, so he couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief for no reason, and he closed the door and replied softly, "Well, so I'll just... bring him back for some tea and something to eat. "As he spoke, he looked at Xu Xin who was looking at him with a smile on his face, and then said: "My friend...my friend hasn't had dinner yet..."

Mother Lin was naturally unaware of the flirting of the two people behind her. She returned to the kitchen again, and her voice came through half the wall, "You should, you should, hey, Lin Zi, you take your friend to sit first. , Mom can cook a few more dishes, ah."

Lin An responded, put the suitcase in the corner, walked back to Xu Xin in a proper manner, and said in a low voice, "I'll take you to the living room."

After arriving at the living room, he said to the slightly outdated sofa, "Please, please sit down."

Seeing his cautious look, Xu Xin had the illusion that he was the host and the other party was the guest, so he couldn't help laughing: "Don't be nervous." He said softly.

Lin An's face became hot, and he stood under the warm yellow light for a moment before nodding his head. Then, as if trying to hide something, he turned around in a daze and went to the round table a few steps away to get the melon that Mother Lin had prepared early in the morning. fruit.

Xu Xin smiled, looked around for a while, then sat down casually, and asked his back: "Where's Uncle Lin?"

Lin An paused for picking the fruit, and after a while, he replied in a low voice: "My father...he left in 2000."

Xu Xin was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Sorry."

Lin An shook his head, and after a while, a plate full of fruit came over and gently placed it on the low table beside Xu Xin.

Xu Xin looked at his half-downcast eyes, thinking that the other party was poked by him in the painful past, and even his face became gloomy, so he didn't speak anymore, just took an orange that Lin Anshi just handed to him, and fell silent. It peeled off soundlessly.

In fact, Lin An didn't feel too sad about his father's death.

Lin's father was very hot-tempered when he was alive. Before Lin's mother married, she was able to pretend to cover up, but she couldn't restrain herself from time to time and would get angry easily. After being beaten, Lin's mother was weak and was often beaten all over her body, but she still had to carefully please and serve her every day, and forced a smile in front of the still young Lin An. Later, Lin An grew up, and Lin's father also became ill. It’s no secret in County X, but everyone seems to be used to it for a long time, and they only lament that Mother Lin’s situation is quite difficult and pitiful, but fortunately, she is still alive. There is a vigorous son who has top grades since he was a child, and is also calm and sensible.

And Lin's mother has long been numb, from crying bitterly when she was young to being indifferent at the end, except for the traces of the years that quickly developed on her body, there is nothing that can move her.Until Lin An had an accident when he was in college many years ago.

It was like the last straw that crushed her. Father Lin's beatings and scolding were second to none, and more, but it seemed that her life's hope was ruined.

Lin An watched her mother swallow her breath in tears and spend half of her life suppressed, until her father passed away due to illness, and her suffering in this life finally came to an end.Therefore, when facing the old corpse four years ago, Lin An didn't even know whether he had more pity and grief in his heart, or more joy and joy.

It's just that Mother Lin's face gradually began to smile after that, and the youth that was forcibly polished in her youth seemed to flow back a little, and she became less dull and dull. It is not an exaggeration to say that she has reborn and regained her new life .

The dinner was ready soon. Mother Lin took off her apron and brought two dishes over. She greeted Lin An and Xu Xin who were sitting silently on the sofa: "It's all ready, come, come and eat quickly Bar."

Lin An snapped back to his senses, stood up and wanted to help, but was stopped by Mother Lin.She hadn't seen her son for almost two months, and she was genuinely happy at this time, and said with a smile: "Oh, no, no, you can sit down with your friend, there are not many dishes in the kitchen, and it will be over after two more trips, Mom." It's time." As he spoke, he seemed to think of something again, looked at Xu Xin and said, "By the way, does your friend drink alcohol? Do you want to go to the nearby supermarket to buy some?"

Lin An suddenly remembered that Xu Xin used to be a drinker, so he turned his gaze to his side.Xu Xin smiled and refused, "Don't bother me, Auntie, I have to drive later," he said, looking at Lin An vaguely, "Go back to City C."

After Lin An heard this, for some reason, his expression suddenly became a little disappointed.

Mother Lin didn't realize that, a few minutes later, all three of them sat at the dinner table.

The Lin family has lived a lot better in recent years, and the house is more presentable than when Xu Xin came last time, with a lot of decorations. In addition, when Lin An's father was still alive many years ago, I did not know where I heard that this area of ​​County X was not long. Later, when the house was about to be demolished, he was eager for money and immediately tried every means to add more bricks and tiles to the remaining open space, which doubled the size of the house.

It's a pity that until now, this "hard work" has not been rewarded.

Mother Lin saw Xu Xin looking around thoughtfully from time to time at the table, and asked with a smile, "Are you still used to eating?"

Xu Xin looked away, smiled back, and praised: "Auntie is very skilled." He glanced at Lin An and joked: "No wonder Xiao Lin was raised so well, and was chased by female students in a swarm Run away, many female teachers are also secretly inquiring about him."

Mother Lin seemed a little unbelievable when she heard this, but she was very happy in her heart. Lin An is really not young. Most of the people in the village like his age have already married wives, and there are many people with children who are several years old. In her eyes, everything about Lin An was good and reassuring, but there was only one thing that worried her secretly—not being in a relationship.

Lin's mother had also hinted several times before. At that time, Lin An was still teaching in County X, and at first he was persuaded. He would try to meet Lin's mother whatever she said, but the good times always didn't last long, and the conversation didn't last long. It's nothing, there are only a few reasons, either the concept is inconsistent or the personality is inconsistent. Lin's mother has suffered for most of her life. She knows the importance of a harmonious marriage, so she doesn't force him. He wanted to, or he had a good character, so he found an opportunity for Lin An to try to find a place.

But later, Lin An seemed to be more and more resistant and disgusted with this matter, but he, who has always been mild-tempered, didn't have any particularly violent reactions. He only shirked that he was busy with work, and said that the school valued him recently, and asked him to take the third year of high school with him every year. , The future of the children is so important, he really can't separate his mind to consider personal issues.

Mother Lin didn't want to say much, but she was very anxious in her heart. Now that Lin An went to work in City C, she would have fewer chances to ask Lin An about life-long events, so when she heard Xu Xin say this, she couldn't help but To nag a few words.

She looked at Lin An who was only eating, smiled and sighed, then turned to Xu Xin and said, "What's the use? He doesn't care about himself, no matter how many people like him..."

He sighed again, "Oh, it's been so many years, and I'm not too young, so I don't know what this kid likes. If you want me to say, you don't need to be demanding on appearance, just being ordinary is fine. The key is the person." Good, good heart, when we get old in the future, we can take care of each other, the best, I can also feel at ease."

Lin An moved his chopsticks mechanically. He had heard Lin's mother say these words countless times. In the past, although he felt guilty, he could still deal with it calmly, but now Xu Xin was sitting beside him. It seemed as if he had transformed into invisible needles and thorns, making people feel flustered and short of breath, feeling like they were sitting on pins and needles.

Xu Xin nodded in agreement.

Mother Lin said a few words, feeling a lot better in her heart, then suddenly changed the subject and asked Xu Xin with a smile, "By the way, I heard you just said something about the school. Could it be that you and Lin Zi are colleagues?"

Xu Xin smiled and did not deny it.

Mother Lin thought about it too. Lin An used to work in County X, and only went to City C in the past two months. He was unfamiliar with the place, and he was introverted. It was so easy to make friends. If he was from the same school Colleagues, it makes sense.

Mother Lin thought about this, and saw that Xu Xin would look at Lin An from time to time, and occasionally would pick up some food to send over. When he was young, he had a hard life, so he was always worried that he would suffer from no one to take care of him when he was outside. Now that he has such a "caring" colleague and friend by his side, he can't help feeling more fond of Xu Xin in his heart. So when he spoke again, the words were more intimate.

Lin's mother looked at Xu Xin's exceptionally handsome features, and then asked like gossip: "Looking like Lin Zi is about the same age as my family, how is it? Have you settled your personal problems?"

Xu Xin was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head with a smile and said, "Not yet."

Lin An raised his heart when he heard his mother's question, and his hands holding the bowls and chopsticks froze in place. He couldn't even pretend to eat, and just stared at the soup on the table. Soup dishes until you hear the other person's answer.

But Lin An didn't expect that Xu Xin's answer was more than these few words. He seemed to be worried that someone would not fully understand the true meaning of what he said. After a short pause, he slowly said: "Xiao Lin and I Same," she said, turning her head away, meeting Lin An who did not know when to look at her, smiled and continued, "I am neither married nor have a girlfriend."