blowing clouds

Chapter 29 New Century

When the two brothers walked into the house carrying a big bag and a small bag, the aroma of fried food came to the face. The golden and crispy meatballs were piled up in the enamel tank, like a small golden mountain. Lu Yan was busy around the frying pan, Chen Li Sitting on the sofa in the living room making dumplings, he looked up at the two of them and had fun.

"Sit down and drink a bottle of soda to rest, and then post couplets... Hey, can you tell the difference between the upper and lower couplets?"

"Look at what you said, can the two ink-drinking students not be able to tell the difference?" Lu Yan's voice came from the kitchen with a smile, "I bought the firecrackers, and I must set one up tonight as a souvenir."

Lin Ji felt that his lips were numb, as if he hadn't tasted the spicy fried skewers just now, but after he picked up a bottle of soda from the table and unscrewed it, he handed it to his brother first.

Chen Xiyang took it back as a matter of course, without saying a word, Chen Li glanced at him, then turned to Lin Ji with a smile and said, "Ah Ji has grown a lot in the past two years, after another half a year, you don't have to do this when you go to university. You have worked hard...and you, Chen Xiyang, have passed the last half year of university in an stable manner, and then look for a job, find a partner, and start a family."

A while ago, Lu Yan was upset with her eldest son because of this topic, but the mother must still be partial to the child in her heart. After Chen Li said this, she was not happy: "It's a cliché on a special day. If you don't have anything to say, let it go!" Rest your mouth, don't talk so much today."

Chen Xiyang sat down without saying a word, his eyes were as natural as his movements, but Lin Ji sat down slowly, but was dazed for a while, and after a while, he remembered to open a bottle of drink again and took a sip.

After frying another pot of sesame chips, Lu Yan walked into the living room, wiped her hands on the apron, and then picked up the remote control: "Is the TV a decoration? On a good day, there is no sound at home. "

The large square TV made a buzzing sound and a faint signal sound, and then the screen quickly lit up with gradually clear pictures. Although it was a boring advertisement, the cheerful music served as the background of the family The sound is also good.

Amidst the sound of simulated firecrackers, Chen Xiyang got up from the sofa and picked up the lightest plastic bag they brought back: "Aji, go get the tape, let's stick couplets."

In the past, they used homemade paste to paste couplets, and according to the usual practice, they only posted couplets on New Year's Eve. In the Gregorian calendar, couplets were posted, and I am afraid that this will only happen in this most special year.But the reason is that this day has the most "new" meaning, which is the beginning of another millennium.

In fact, modern people have always had a little controversy over the method of posting Spring Festival couplets. According to the ancient customs, facing the main entrance, the upper right side is the upper line, and the left side is the lower line. But there is a voice saying that this is because the ancient writing method is from right to left. , according to the writing standards of modern Chinese, it should be in the order of horizontal batches, with the starting side, that is, the left side, as the top.Some people care about this and some don't, and there is no rule that everyone agrees with, so it doesn't matter how you post couplets. After all, what matters is the expectation and joy contained in this behavior.

Chen Xiyang was arty, and if he had to follow the traditional customs, Lin Ji would naturally not refuse to listen, but when he moved the chair over, he didn't give way to his brother, but stepped on the chair with adhesive tape in his mouth.

He didn't want Chen Xiyang to take such an insignificant risk.

Chen Xiyang didn't say anything, just sighed softly, and helped the other party arrange the bright red couplets that smelled like ink.

The process of posting couplets went smoothly. Of course, if two young guys can be stumped by posting couplets, they will probably be in the news.Only when the horizontal batch was posted at the end, Lin Ji raised his hands high and his center of gravity was unstable, and the concrete floor under the chair seemed to be uneven, but the chairs made a rattling sound. Chen Xiyang stretched out his arms silently, holding the back of the chair, And Lin Ji's legs.

Chen Xiyang could feel that Lin Ji's whole body was tense at the moment of contact, as if he was resisting, but he knew that it couldn't be resistance.

Strictly speaking, Chen Xiyang's actions at this moment will not only make Lin Ji more balanced, but even cause him to sway and fall directly. The two of them didn't move, and they listened to the festive music coming from the TV at home together.

Lin Ji maintained the posture of sticking to the horizontal batch. From Chen Xiyang's angle, he could just see his exposed waist. It was so white, it was hard to imagine that it exuded a comfortable warmth.

Chen Xiyang suddenly thought, was it here that he kissed that night?As long as he takes another step forward, or even half a step, he will be able to imprint the brand on his lips again.

Lin Ji also seemed to be inviting him, not moving at all, as if he was not cold at all.

A thought appeared in Chen Xiyang's mind.

From that painful experience that he couldn't help recalling, he knew that Lin Ji would not take the initiative to expose it, and no matter what he did as a brother, the other party would not embarrass him.That is to say, at this moment, Chen Xiyang can do as he pleases, the other party will not resist, won't get entangled with him, let alone hate him, just like a submissive little lamb, he can freely enjoy the forbidden pleasure without worrying about anything Liability or Consequences.

Kiss him as much as he wants, he seems to have nothing to worry about and fear.

Chen Xiyang admitted that this kind of shameless thought did appear in his mind, and it did make him yearn for it at a certain moment, but he did not put it into action, and after that moment of yearning, he felt deeply and long-term. Despise yourself, hate yourself.

People are either what they look like in the eyes of others, or what they look like in their own eyes. Other than that, there is no human likeness.

Chen Xiyang stretched out his hand to help Lin Ji pull his clothes, and said calmly, "Put it on quickly, don't suffer from the cold here."

Lin Ji didn't respond, his calm face didn't show any emotion, but his eyes were as clear as before.

After posting, Chen Xiyang took two steps back and took a look. The content was lacking in novelty. It was nothing more than some battles between mountains, rivers, lakes and seas. It seemed a bit rushed to use it on such a special day.But Chen Xiyang didn't worry about it, he read it back and forth silently twice, and stepped into the house contentedly.

At this time, the last day of the twentieth century was coming to an end, but the fiery atmosphere was getting hotter and hotter. From the time it got dark, there were firecrackers and children's laughter outside from time to time, and they had to rise again and again. The volume of the TV was so loud that they could only shout when they communicated with each other, and everyone laughed as they talked.

"Okay, come out, don't be so busy!" Chen Li shouted, taking out a sharp-edged wine bottle and pouring it into four glasses.

Lu Yan in the kitchen was making cold beef, and responded loudly with a smile: "Come here! Do you want soup? I'll make tomato and egg soup?"

"No need, no need, I can't finish the pile of ready-made ones at home!" Chen Li put down the wine bottle and rubbed his hands, the dazzling array of dishes, the family gathered together, the two together are the most beautiful picture in the world.

When Lu Yan came out of the kitchen, Chen Li stood up and took two steps to greet her, and helped her put the plates away: "It's okay, let's go to the kitchen now, the New Year's Eve party will start soon, sit down and eat and drink, let the children toast you first!"

Chinese people are reserved. No one in this family has officially stated what Lin Ji's identity is, but the terms "children" and "parents" have already been born naturally.

After sitting down and clinking glasses, Lu Yan's eye circles were a little red again, but there were no tears in her eyes. She smiled and kept pinching the two children, as if she didn't know what to say.

"You are the one who suffers the most in this family," Chen Li sighed, looking at his wife, "but fortunately, the children are obedient and hardworking, and I am willing to endure hardships. The family will be even better in the future!"

"Why are you talking about this? Whose women are not like this..." Lu Yan tilted her head unnaturally, "If you're done, hurry up and eat, why are you flattering me alone?"

Chen Li laughed, and looked at Chen Xiyang and Lin Ji: "Your mother is so shy, she's using her chopsticks, today I just want to have fun, don't say anything else!"

The New Year's Eve party is coming as promised. Although it is conceivable that few people will pay attention to the show at this once-in-a-thousand-year moment, both the host and the performers are very happy from the bottom of their hearts, and they are extremely proud to witness The arrival of a new era.

Along with the opening dance program, Chen Li, who was drunk, forced Lu Yan to stand up, and followed the rhythm they didn't understand in the spacious living room, shaking his uncoordinated body.Normally, she wouldn't make such a fool of herself in front of the children even if she killed Lu Yan, but today is always special. Although she was shy, she didn't resist, she twisted her body awkwardly and kicked her legs, no one here would laugh at her She will only be happy for her.

Not only young people will feel excited at the turn of the century, but also middle-aged and elderly people. The eyes of the old couple stay on each other most of the time, and they should forget the existence of the children in some moments.

"I've been thinking for a long time that I must dance with my wife on the New Year's Eve of the millennium." Chen Li panted and sat back at the dinner table, his eyes were full of joy, and he raised the wine cup and drank it down.

Lu Yan also blushed: "Is that also called dancing?"

"I say it's fine..." Chen Li looked around and smiled gratifiedly, "It's so good, how happy and lively, we will be people spanning two centuries from now on."

"Yes," Lu Yan seemed to be recalling the past, her eyes suddenly became soft and clear, "When I was young, I always counted on my fingers. As imagined, so happy. You ask me why, I don’t know, but I’m happy.”

"After all, it's the new century." Chen Li nodded. He couldn't explain what the new century was like, but this didn't prevent his heart from bursting with joy.

Chen Xiyang slowly put down his chopsticks, with a vague smile on his mouth, as if he was talking to the plate of braised pork in front of him: "People always say that the new year is new, and this crossing point across the centuries elevates this meaning to a new level. Ultimate, I hope, I hope there will be new and better changes in everything in the future.”

Chen Li obviously didn't understand what he was referring to, but he obviously thought he understood: "That's right! Yan'er, what kind of life do you think we lived when we were young? White flour buns are only eaten during the Chinese New Year. Look at the present , This table of chicken, duck and fish meat is also a blessing for our parents... so the days to come will definitely be more enjoyable, we are all happy, ah."

Lu Yan smiled softly, and suddenly a big teardrop rolled down her no longer smooth skin: "So, I think my life is pretty good..."

Chen Li's expression paused, but a relieved and hearty laugh followed. He knew that from this moment on, Lu Yan should be able to say that her man was once a prisoner in a labor camp.

Chen Xiyang felt that he was becoming superfluous, and just at this moment he suddenly wanted to smoke, so he got up and left silently.But as soon as he returned to the bedroom to light the cigarette, the door was pushed open again.

After Lin Ji entered the room, he closed the space, and the bedroom immediately became like a fairyland under Chen Xiyang's spit. They all only drank a few sips of wine, and they were still far away from drunk, but they all looked at the room without any concealment. The other party's eyes collided with each other without any intention of dodging, as if they had been bewitched.

Chen Xiyang felt the stimulation spreading from his lungs, and thought that he and Lin Ji would spend the millennium together. He thought before that he would be happy, excited, and even extremely painful, but when it really came this time On the contrary, his heart was extremely peaceful.

But this is a special kind of peace, not because this kind of experience is unimportant, but because he doesn't need to deliberately be in any emotional vortex, he just needs to feel it quietly and let it happen quietly.

In the past, when the new year just came, people would habitually make mistakes when writing the date, but from [-] to the new year, all four digits have changed, and perhaps people will not easily make mistakes .

Perhaps this is one of the new atmosphere.

Lin Ji waited for him to finish smoking a cigarette before saying calmly, "Brother, I'll sleep with you tonight, I want to sleep with you."

Chen Xiyang knew that there was no metaphor in this sentence, Lin Ji just thought so, but even so, shouldn't the other party think about the possibility that he might be misunderstood after saying this sentence?Why speak so naturally and without hesitation?

But perhaps it was this seemingly clear conscience that made Chen Xiyang temporarily put aside the pain in his heart, and nodded without any burden.

The sound of firecrackers near or far was almost uninterrupted, and the mother's urging suddenly sounded outside the house: "There must be a lot of people setting off firecrackers at twelve o'clock in a while, it's too dangerous, why don't you two go downstairs and set them off now!"

The sound of firecrackers at twelve o'clock is definitely more meaningful, but because Lin Ji is by his side, that meaning pales in comparison, so Chen Xiyang doesn't have to be stuck.

The two looked at each other without any verbal communication, took firecrackers and matches, pushed the door and walked into the dark corridor.

In the dark, Lin Ji whispered a happy new year to him suddenly, Chen Xiyang froze for a moment, then hummed lightly.

When I came downstairs, there were really not many people setting off firecrackers at this moment, and no one came to disturb them. The process of setting off firecrackers was smoother than pasting couplets.

Seeing the string of firecrackers detonating each other quickly, Chen Xiyang suddenly turned to the side. Lin Ji didn't cover his ears today, so he heard Chen Xiyang's words clearly.

"A Ji, Happy New Year."

They don't know how every new year will be spent in the future, but at least today, at this moment, they accompany each other into the new century.After the crackling firecrackers ended, there were a few moments when the world seemed to be extraordinarily empty and silent, as if only the two of them existed. They didn't urge each other to go upstairs and go home, and they didn't even communicate with each other. They just kept silent and stood there. In the dark and cold wind, it would be good to stay even a little longer.