Confluence

Chapter 14

Fifteen years later, the taste of the year completely dissipated, and the slowly returning work state began to occupy a lot of time with high intensity. When I finally got used to it, found the rules and learned to sneak in, it was already March when the peach blossoms were blooming and the bees and butterflies were flying.

After answering Da Luo's call, Wang Zheng relayed the content of the threat to Zhang Shuchen: "Da Luo said that if we don't show up this week, we will be blacklisted in the future."

Zhang Shuchen closed the book in his hand and said in surprise, "It's so serious!"

Wang Zheng shrugged: "He said, it's been two months, and we haven't even sent him a group text message during Chinese New Year, so we must have forgotten him..."

"It's not that he first posted a selfie in Moments, and then added some inexplicable words to say...'Blessings without blessings are not the blessings I want', isn't that the sentence?" Zhang Shuchen rolled his eyes in disgust, He smiled mercilessly and said, "At that time there was so much nonsense, and now I just leave it here and say that I don't value him? Then let him return the New Year's red envelope I sent him to me first. There are more than [-] people, and they are shy. I begged for New Year's money, and now I still threaten Lao Tzu, he really has face!"

Wang Zheng laughed loudly, and kissed him on the cheek: "Then let's go up and deal with him tonight?"

Zhang Shuchen raised his eyebrows: "Clean up! For sure, when the time comes, he will be cleaned up first when he enters the door."

Da Luo has a very handsome full name, but it's a pity that it doesn't match his well-developed muscles. Although he himself likes it very much, there are very few people in the circle who are willing to call him that.

Zhang Shuchen and him had known each other a long time ago, and Wang Zheng only met Da Luo after he was taken away by Zhang Shuchen.In the past, when the business of the bar was not good, Zhang Shuchen would often cheer him on. Ever since he found out that he can actually sell his beauty to attract many small customers to patronize, even if he can maintain his life without his own support, Zhang Shuchen basically didn't like him. I've ordered more expensive things than beer in the store.

There were more customers on weekends than before, and Wang Zheng and Zhang Shuchen didn't arrive there until nine o'clock in the evening, which coincided with the peak moment of the dance of demons.

The bartender was an old acquaintance. When he saw the two of them, he didn't stop moving his hands and only gave him a knowing smile.

Zhang Shuchen raised his hand in response, signaling him to leave the two of them alone.

The lighting is dazzling and uncomfortable, the background music is harsh, and with the cheers, it is irritating, but fortunately, the singer has a good voice, which perfectly eased everything as soon as he opened his mouth.

Standing outside the crowd, Zhang Shuchen raised his eyebrows: "Da Luo has dug a treasure."

"Well, he mentioned it to me..." Wang Zheng stopped talking and changed the subject, "Have you found him yet?"

Zhang Shuchen said: "No. I think he should be upstairs."

Wang Zheng nodded: "Then go up and have a look."

The second floor is more comfortable than the first floor. The combination of the light blue ceiling lamp and the warm-colored desk lamp on the table has a kind of romance of the deep sea.

They had just stepped on the last wooden stairs when they heard someone calling them.

Zhang Shuchen heard the reputation and looked over. Da Luo held a person with one arm, and raised the other hand to make it easier for them to find.

The table opposite Da Luo was empty, and Wang Zheng was not polite, and sat down directly opposite him: "Would you like to introduce me?"

"This is Xiaowan, Zheng Xiaowan, we were together during Chinese New Year. This is Wang Zheng, Dazheng, next to him is..." Da Luo turned his hand to the side and found that Zhang Shuchen was still standing, "Shuchen, why don't you sit down?"

"Don't dare to sit down." Zhang Shuchen said with a cold face, "I only gave five hundred red envelopes, so I don't deserve to sit in Boss Luo's bar. Boss Luo needs to get rid of the blacklist first."

Da Luo froze for a moment, then turned to look at Wang Zheng, who blinked and looked down at the lamp on the table.

Da Luo twitched the corners of his mouth, moved his Adam's apple up and down, and immediately admitted his grievances: "Dad, I was wronged. How could I say you, I just mean Dazheng..."

"His family and I, he is your mother," Zhang Shuchen interrupted him, unconditionally defending Wang Zheng, "Why did you talk to your mother?"

Da Luo: "..."

The atmosphere gradually became awkward. The boys around Daluo had never seen such a situation, and not only became nervous.

"Crap! Is it enough to take advantage of it?" Da Luo laughed loudly and broke the silence, "Can you guys show me some face? Don't scare my wife?"

Zhang Shuchen finally twitched the corner of his mouth, relaxed his expression, and finally sat down: "Then I will let you go this time for the sake of your lover."

Daluo then introduced to Xiaowan: "Zhang Shuchen, Shuchen, you can call him Mr. Zhang. I have known them for xx years, and we are good friends—these two used to be together, but they saw each other unexpectedly gone."

Zheng Xiaowan greeted them one by one, feeling timid, wondering if it was because of the dim light that made him look very young, but after asking, he found out that he was actually two months older than Zhang Shuchen. The oldest of the four...

Da Luo was very happy. When talking about the recent relationship between the two, Zheng Xiaowan looked at him quietly and said that he didn't take the initiative to speak, and he didn't look impatient at all.

The topic changed from Da Luo to Zhang Shuchen and the others, and then they talked about the two giving Da Luo red envelopes.Da Luo sent the same prank question to both of them. If they didn't answer correctly, they would be fined a red envelope. They discussed the answer together, and it turned out that they were all wrong, but the two people gave Da Luo different amounts.

Hearing this, Zhang Shuchen turned around and asked Wang Zheng, "How much did you send to Daluo?"

Wang Zheng didn't hide it either: "Five yuan."

Zhang Shuchen: "..."

Wang Zheng shook his head, and looked at Zhang Shuchen helplessly and affectionately: "Baby, you are really short-sighted, and you are so easy to deceive."

After Zhang Shuchen listened, he smiled, and reached out to pat his face: "It's okay, you go back and transfer [-] to me, and we will share it equally, so I will send [-] to Daluo as one person."

Da Luo: "Huh?" Am I being scolded?

Wang Zheng paused: "Three hundred...split equally?"

Zhang Shuchen said frankly: "Huh? Is there any problem?"

Wang Zheng immediately smiled back: "No, why don't I transfer it to you right away? I won't forget it when I go home."

Da Luo coughed and suppressed a smile: "Do you want something to drink?"

Zhang Shuchen said: "It's all right, you decide."

Wang Zheng said, "I'll drink whatever Teacher Zhang drinks."

Da Luo let out a "hmm", took out his mobile phone and directly sent a voice order to the staff.

The three of them were old friends, chatting naturally and casually, but Zheng Xiaowan was very reserved and never said a word.

Zhang Shuchen wanted to let him relax, so he took the initiative to talk to him: "Is that book Mr. Zheng's?"

Zheng Xiaowan slightly tightened the hand on the cup, a little embarrassed: "Yes."

Zhang Shuchen said gently: "Can you let me have a look?"

"Yes," Zheng Xiaowan explained and handed the book over, "Ayu accompanied me to the bookstore in the afternoon, and came directly tonight...I didn't put it back."

Da Luo interjected: "Speaking of Shuchen, Xiaowan and you are also traveling together."

"Oh? Mr. Zheng is also a teacher?"

"It's just a kindergarten teacher." Zheng Xiaowan lowered his head and looked at the cup, "I can't teach you anything, and I can't compare with Teacher Zhang..."

Zhang Shuchen smiled: "Children are harder to manage than older friends. Preschool education is very important, and Teacher Xiaowan works harder."

With the light of the desk lamp, Zhang Shuchen could see the name on the cover. It was a collection of short stories. It said five short stories were included on the waistband, and one of them was called "Looking for". Zhang Shuchen was taken aback.

He found the page number of "Looking" according to the table of contents, and turned to that page.

"Look for

I was born from the peak, and from the day I was formed, I was a river rushing forward.

Solitude crowns me with a mission, and I will cross borders and time without stopping.

I have flowed across the grass.

......"

Zhang Shuchen frowned gradually, and the smile disappeared from his mouth.

He couldn't be more familiar with this passage... The worst thought came to him involuntarily, and Zhang Shuchen hurriedly went to Lekou to check the author's information.

"Gold name: formerly known as Yu Jiahe..."

Zhang Shuchen watched intently, and suddenly felt relaxed, even a little surprised and gratified.

Gold name, Ming.It's Yu Ming.

He changed his name.

The boy who has not been heard from after transferring to another school.

The revised "Looking" has more content than before, and it is more like a fairy tale prose.But it still maintained the ending of the year, and the tired little paper boat left the creek forever.

After reading the ending, Zhang Shuchen smiled wryly: It seems that even after so many years, "Xiaoxiliu" is still lonely...

Zheng Xiaowan glanced at the chapter he was reading, and took the initiative to remind: "Ah, this... the author has written a sequel, with a different title, just behind."

Zhang Shuchen was surprised: "Is there a sequel?"

"Well, yes." Zheng Xiaowan smiled, "The children are going to rehearse for Children's Day. I'm looking for a story that I can refer to recently. This one is very interesting."

Zhang Shuchen turned a page, and the title of the next one was "Confluence".

"...

I came across a river, and at first neither of us knew the other existed until the difference in the sound of the splashes finally caught our attention.

He and I were separated by a distance of several meters, and for the first time in a quiet night, he took the initiative to speak: "Hello?"

'Hello. 'I said.

'Are you Xiaohe? '

'Um. '

' What a coincidence, me too. '

'Um. '

'Where are you going? '

'I have no idea. '

'I don't have a goal either?If we drop by, can we be friends? '

'Can. '

'It would be great. '

He didn't speak anymore, he seemed to be asleep, and the sound of water was soft.

I can't sleep.

I thought, did I act too coldly?

……

We became travelers traveling together.

He always likes to ask me: 'What are you looking for? '

My answer hasn't changed: 'I'm looking for a friend. '

'Aren't we friends? '

'No, what I'm looking for is someone who will never leave me. '

'I won't leave you. '

'We have never met, how can you guarantee that our river will not turn into two directions in the next moment? '

He stopped talking, and after a few minutes he would suddenly open his mouth to show me the clouds in the sky, as if nothing had happened.

Later, whenever this time came, I couldn't help but reflect, did I hurt him?

I obviously value him very much.

……

This summer, the rain was so fast and fierce that the river could no longer hold our bodies. Unfortunately, we passed two adjacent villages.

The village will suffer.I think.

But he is very optimistic: "If we overflow the flat ground, will we be able to meet each other?" '

He is a river of words without thinking.I think.

……

I thought people were going to divert us, but they took away the flat ground between me and him.

As the water level dropped, I suddenly felt his current.

It was the first time I met him, he smiled happily and said to me: 'We finally met! '

In this way, we merged, from two rivers to one river.

'We are all rivers, so our rivers mingle. ' He was very excited, and the splash was loud, 'No one can separate us from now on.we will be together forever. '

I have flowed through the shallows, over the hillsides, and over the fields.

I am a rushing river.

I was born at the peak, and from the day I took shape, I was looking for someone who could accompany me forever.

Now, I finally found it. "

Zhang Shuchen was filled with emotion, he let out a sigh of relief, closed the book and said with a smile, "That's great..."

Zheng Xiaowan also nodded: "Yes, I want to turn this into a script for a stage play. It's not too difficult, and children should be able to act."

Zhang Shuchen said: "Then I wish Teacher Xiaowan all the best."

"Thank you."

Looking at the phone, Da Luo suddenly said, "Ah, Xiaodong said it's done, but there are a lot of people downstairs, so I asked if it's convenient for us to go down and get it."

Zheng Xiaowan took the initiative and said, "Why don't I go get it!"

Da Luo didn't refuse, but just kissed him on the cheek: "Then it's hard work for Xiaowan, it doesn't matter if you slow down, the lights are dim and pay attention to the stairs."

Zheng Xiaowan gave a vague "um" and left with a blushing face.

As soon as he walked away, Da Luo sat upright and said seriously: "Xiaowan is simple, I won't say these things in front of him—Scholar Dazheng, you should keep an eye on it recently."

Wang Zheng quit the game: "What?"

"I was away two days ago, and Xiaodong told me that a man asked him about Shuchen's recent situation." Da Luo pointed to the position next to his right eyebrow, "Xiaodong said, it was a man with a mole here, The accent is not our local. I doubt..."

He didn't say what he said later, but the two people present had a certain name in their hearts——

Ye Xingchuan.

Wang Zheng also looked at Zhang Shuchen, feeling inexplicably restless and... unwilling.

If Ye Xingchuan could come out for Zhang Shuchen instead of running off to get married, then it should be impossible for him and Zhang Shuchen in this lifetime.To Zhang Shuchen, this person is not first love, but it is better than first love... The tenderness, love and tolerance that Zhang Shuchen has shown to him, even the harmony and beauty they are together now are incomparable.

Ye Xingchuan was eating what was in the bowl and looking at what was in the pot. He could say "Mr. Zhang, I love you" just a moment ago, and he could pick up other girls when he turned around. Strong sincerity——Although Wang Zheng didn't mention it, the thought of this person made his heart bubbling with sourness.

What is even more uncomfortable is that now people have returned from their hometown...

Wang Zheng secretly sounded the alarm, thinking that this person must be targeting his precious son, Teacher Zhang, and he must not be allowed to wander around Teacher Zhang.

Zhang Shuchen frowned, his expression was indescribably complicated, and he felt awkward.

Ye Xingchuan's farewell hit him hard at the beginning, if there was no idiot like Wang Zheng around to help him mediate the situation, it might have taken him a long time just to get out of the failure.

What are you doing now?The child can go to the ground to make soy sauce and come to ask him about his situation, and the frame of the mirror is burnt to ashes, and he expects the broken mirror to be reunited?

Too funny, impossible?Zhang Shuchen laughed.

"Anyway? Shuchen, please be careful," Da Luo said to Wang Zheng again, "Dazheng, you should also make mental preparations."

Wang Zheng was really on fire. Hearing the words, he turned to him: "Stop cursing me! What should I do to prepare? Can Teacher Zhang turn his back on you?"

Da Luo was completely unaware of Wang Zheng's emotions, raised his eyebrows, and leaned back: "Hey, I didn't say that."

Seeing Da Luo arching the fire, Zhang Shuchen's forehead twitched, his heart was in a bad mood, and as soon as he turned his eyes, he saw Wang Zheng opening his mouth to speak, he raised his hand, pressed Wang Zheng's head to his side, and directly blocked it with his mouth , caught off guard, without warning, Da Luo who was on the opposite side was so shocked that he scolded his mother.

After Wang Zheng's fire kiss was gone, Zhang Shuchen let go of him: "What's the matter? You have such a big temper, and you don't have confidence in yourself?"

Wang Zheng felt a lot better in his heart, leaned his head on his shoulder, and acted coquettishly aggrieved: "It's sour, old sesame seeds and rotten millet soaked in sour vinegar will make me sour."

Zhang Shuchen smiled lightly.

Da Luo narrowed his eyes and showed a disgusted expression: "Can you restrain yourself in public?"

Just at this moment, Zheng Xiaowan came up with a tray, and Da Luo hurriedly said, "I want to lean on your shoulders, Xiaowan, and I want to disgust them too!"

Zheng Xiaowan was at a loss, and finally obediently sent his shoulders over, causing Da Luo to hold him in his arms and kiss him twice, saying that sooner or later he would be so cute to death.

Before chatting for a while in the sticky atmosphere, Zhang Shuchen's cell phone rang.

When seeing the contact person, Zhang Shuchen was a little surprised and told them to leave.

When he came back after answering the phone, Zhang Shuchen smiled wryly and said that he was going back first. Wang Zheng was shocked and hurriedly asked him what happened.

Zhang Shuchen said embarrassingly: "Long Hao had a quarrel with his father... he ran away from home without any documents, and now he is squatting on the curb, saying that he won't be going back tonight, and asked if he could borrow him for a night."

Wang Zheng was unhappy: "Fuck, why does this kid have so much shit? Don't you have many brothers? Why do you want to sleep with us? You can open a hotel for him and let him stay in a hotel."

Zhang Shuchen said: "Would you be ashamed to ask him for the money spent on staying in the hotel? Anyway, the study room is empty. I will call Secretary Long to let him know that he can still owe me a favor—let's not talk about it. Go pick him up first."

"I'll go with you."

"No, just sit with Da Luo again and don't worry about me. I'll talk to him after I catch him, but he won't let you go when you're beside me."

After explaining, Zhang Shuchen said goodbye to Daluo Zheng Xiaowan and left in a hurry.

Wang Zheng was left here alone, and his mood fell instantly.

Da Luo couldn't help gossiping: "What is this dragon, who is it?"

"Long Hao." Wang Zheng explained unhappily, "Ms. Zhang's new student is forced by something, so annoying..."

Da Luo hit the nail on the head: "The resentment is so great, isn't it as simple as a student?"

Wang Zhengbai glanced at him: "Ah... I confessed my love to Mr. Zhang, but I was rejected."

Da Luo couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Wow, Dazheng, Mr. Zhang is a sweet potato, you are suffering from internal and external troubles! Don't blame my buddies for not reminding you, keep an eye on it."

Da Luo's EQ was low enough, and Wang Zheng's mood was made even worse by his words. He was filled with grief and indignation, and wished he could drop his glass and leave immediately, but in the end he sat for another half an hour before leaving.

When he got downstairs, he saw that the lights in the house had been turned on, and Wang Zheng felt extremely sad...

Zhang Shuchen has been 1 for so many years, and now the "first love level" Ye Xingchuan is back, and there is also a student in the school who occupies the "time, place, and harmony" Long Hao... If it is true that day, he suddenly feels that he is still pure 0 good……

Wang Zheng didn't dare to think anymore, and went upstairs in a muffled voice.

If I knew I wouldn't be going today, if I blacked out, I would black out, can Da Luo really break up the relationship?Now I'm making myself feel aggrieved... It's not worth it!

Wang Zheng was standing at the door, and was about to raise his hand to knock on it, but found that the door was only ajar—Zhang Shuchen had left the door open for him.

Wang Zheng suddenly felt a tinge of warmth in his heart.

There was a boy with red eyes sitting in the living room. When he saw Wang Zheng coming in, he quickly stood up and bowed: "You are Brother Wang, I'm sorry, because I'm going to disturb you today."

Wang Zheng also smiled back in embarrassment: "It's okay, it's okay... Uh, where's Shu, Shuchen?"

"Teacher Zhang is in the kitchen."

"Ah, okay...you sit down, if you want to watch TV, turn it on, I'll go and see Shuchen."

Zhang Shuchen heard the movement at the door, turned around and saw Wang Zheng coming in: "Are you back?"

"Hmm..." Wang Zheng asked, "What are you cooking?"

Zhang Shuchen kept picking up noodles: "Long Hao hasn't had dinner yet, I'll make him a bowl of noodles."

"Oh."

Zhang Shuchen untied the apron, lowered his voice and asked, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Wang Zheng shook his head, tugged at the corners of his mouth, and said weakly: "No, you can take the noodles out, I washed the pot."

Zhang Shuchen hesitated for a second, then nodded: "Okay."

Zhang Shuchen took the noodles out, and Wang Zheng was washing the pot absent-mindedly. The more he washed, the more he felt that he was making a big fuss, and there was no need to be so unhappy, but reason is one thing, emotion is another...

Will Mr. Zhang think I'm so hypocritical?he thinks.

"Wang Zheng, help boil the pot of water, and pour the water bottle for later—"

Wang Zheng replied, "I know!"

About five or six minutes later, Zhang Shuchen walked into the kitchen lightly. Wang Zheng was distracted and didn't notice him at all.

Until the kettle whistled loudly, Wang Zheng turned off the fire, took the kettle off the stove and put it on the countertop. Before he let go of the handle, he turned his head and opened his mouth before he saw Zhang Shuchen behind him, which scared him. A shiver.

"Oh shit!" Wang Zheng exclaimed, "Scared me, Mr. Zhang, what are you doing?"

Zhang Shuchen came over: "Is it hot?"

Wang Zheng took a few breaths, slowed down his heartbeat, and shook his head: "No."

Zhang Shuchen stretched out his hand: "Show me."

"Really not." Wang Zheng smiled.

Zhang Shuchen's attitude was firm: "Hand."

Wang Zheng stretched out his right hand helplessly: "Here, I'll show you."

Zhang Shuchen picked up his paws with both hands, carefully inspecting the knuckles of his fingers one by one.

Seeing his meticulous appearance, Wang Zheng couldn't help laughing: "Isn't that right, I told you I didn't get burned, and you still..."

His voice stopped abruptly.

Zhang Shuchen supported the fingers of his right hand with one hand, and with the other hand, he took out a ring and put it on his ring finger as if conjuring, and pushed it all the way to the root of the finger with gentle and serious movements.

After doing this, Zhang Shuchen raised his face and smiled at Wang Zheng: "Well, I believe it, it's not burnt."

All this happened so suddenly, a burst of fireworks suddenly exploded in Wang Zheng's mind. The loud noise made him unable to think. He just stared blankly at Zhang Shuchen, and it took him a long time to recover. His nasal cavity and eye sockets became hot together, and he spoke incoherently. : "...You, I...Damn it."

Zhang Shuchen raised his eyebrows: "Just this sentence?"

Wang Zheng took a deep breath, tried his best to calm down his trembling voice and asked, "Where's the other one?"

"Here." Zhang Shuchen spread out his other hand, and a simple and elegant platinum ring lay on his palm.

Wang Zheng stopped talking, just picked up the ring, took Zhang Shuchen's right hand, and put it on his finger quietly and solemnly.

"I originally wanted to find a time to arrange it and make it more romantic." Zhang Shuchen said softly, "But Da Luo called and said, you seem very unhappy, and asked me to coax you... How romantic is that?" It’s important to make you happy, why not give it now—”

After listening to him silently, Wang Zheng reached out and hugged him.

Zhang Shuchen hugged back obediently, raised his head, and put his chin on Wang Zheng's shoulder: "Wang Zheng, whether it is Ye Xingchuan or Long Hao, they are not worthy of your distraction and anxiety. I can't even compare myself to you."

Wang Zheng's body was still trembling slightly because of excessive joy, Zhang Shuchen asked softly in his ear: "Are you happy now?"

Wang Zheng tightened his arms, rubbed his face against his neck, and said vaguely, "I'm so fucking happy!"

Zhang Shuchen laughed.

No flowers, no candlelight, no music, this supposedly solemn and grand ceremony was even more casual and sudden than Wang Zheng's previous confession.

In a simple but intimate embrace, the ring's light announced their fresh start—

From this moment on, they are also like two rivers converging together, and in the years to come, no matter where the river flows, they will never be separated.