Chapter 4 Chapter Two

Mei Jiu fell asleep, breathing evenly.The wrinkles on his face stretched out, and his expression was very serene and kind.The dusk was deep, but the air was still heavy, as if it could draw water. Stepping into the hall, it was like returning to the greenhouse from the snow, and the stiffness and coldness of the whole body began to melt.Looking outside the house, there is still an afterglow at the corner of the eaves, and the sunset glow in the sky is so beautiful that it makes people sad.He wanted to go out into the yard and have a good bath before it disappeared. As soon as one foot stepped over the threshold, the other immediately stuck inside the door.

How can there be so many people in the yard, crow crows, maybe there are not half a hundred of them.All of them, big and small, suddenly turned their eyes towards him; some opened their mouths wide, and some stretched out their fingers, as if they had discovered monsters out of nowhere, and they hugged to watch the excitement. His daughter-in-law Jiufang was caught in the middle, busy gesticulating and smiling back and forth, apparently trying to keep the crowd in place. Dad, these are neighbors, here you come! Following everyone's gaze, she turned around and explained loudly. Don't dare to be!Don't dare to be!

The old man pulled his feet back, clasped his fists and bent over and nodded violently, followed by a loud thank you. After thanking him, he withdrew and hid in the living room, standing against the wall close to Mei Jiu's door.I secretly felt that it was ridiculous, and I became an animal trapped in a corner of the cage that was not used to the exhibition. He envied the people in the room.I am also very tired, the corners of my eyes are heavy, and the jet lag has not yet corrected.I wish I could go back to the hotel, straighten my limbs, and close my eyes safely. Please come and play again in two days

Jing Xian didn't know where he went, but he left his wife alone to deal with these watching neighbors. Fortunately, Yang Ci entered the room in time. Grandpa ignored them.People here are all like this, when a rare visitor comes, they don’t want to leave if they don’t see enough! She smiled and led the old man back to the round table. Grandpa don't wear a suit and tie tomorrow.Unlike overseas Chinese, they will not be followed when they walk on the street. good. He sat down obediently with his back outward.People in their seventies and eighties are actually afraid of being seen, and it's funny to think about it.

The old woman in the courtyard turned a blind eye to him. Grandma Hou, is she sick? he asked his granddaughter. No, Jiujiu told his grandfather sympathetically that Grandma Hou cried every day and didn't speak because her son had just been shot. oh?For what? Said it was rape of a niece. such a serious crime The old man felt incredible. Dad said, it shouldn't be dead, and it will be locked up for two or three years at most, but when it comes to sports, so Having said that, she suddenly reproachfully stretched out her hand to cover her mouth. Dad didn't tell me to say it.

Then don't say it, and neither will Grandpa. The old man did not want to talk about such things with a fourteen-year-old girl at this moment. Jiujiu, he changed the subject, do you have any paintings, can you show me? I'll get it.The painting is not good, grandpa, don't laugh. I must not laugh. She tiptoed to her grandmother's room. After a while, she came out with a roll of paper under her arm, and gently closed the door behind her. This is the Great Buddha of Shandao Temple. She pointed to the first one spread out on the table. Last year when I accompanied my grandma to pilgrimage, I sketched it with a pencil.Grandma liked it, so I enlarged it.But the painting is not good, torn several times.This is the last time, grandma didn't let it be torn, so I stayed.Still not good, what do you say, grandpa?

She raised her red face, waiting for the old man's opinion. Not a bad drawing, Jiujiu. This mentality of seeking perfection first pleases others.Quite like himself, the bad ones would rather be thrown away. The head, body and limbs of the Buddha statue are not realistic, slightly exaggerating the Buddha's obesity.I am not skilled in using the shades of watercolors, but she dared to use black, which made the picture rich and colorful.The brush strokes are still immature, but they are still vivid from the whole point of view.In particular, the smile on the corner of the mouth depicts the Buddha's compassionate and compassionate demeanor, which is quite pleasing to the eye, open-minded and detached.

I got a box of watercolors as a prize, so I messed around with it myself, and I haven't shown it to the teacher yet. good. He flipped through the others, crayon landscapes and pencil drawings of figures. Have you tried oil painting? He felt that if ink was used for Buddha statues, the texture would be stronger. No, the paint is too expensive to afford. Grandpa bought it for you. He was afraid that he would forget, so he wanted to write it down, but he checked his pocket, but it was a pity that he didn't bring a pen and paper. If only your dad had mentioned it earlier in the letter

Grandma forbids us to ask for things from abroad. Grandma is ambitious. This point, who knows me, Mei Jiu also.He never dared to ask Jing Xian what they needed, lest he would be embarrassed if he could not do it. What is your favorite thing to draw? He changed the subject. Drawing people and places I like, like Grandma and Dad, and Grandpa Qiu across the street squinting his eyes while smoking a pipe, it’s so much fun!I also like to draw frozen branches, like a crystal palace.And the rice fields in August, when the wind blows, they become the ocean, with rolling waves Just as she was talking, she emphasized again: People, I like to draw people.I want to draw the human body.

The old man narrowed his eyes and stared at her, feeling sympathy spontaneously.What she confides is exactly what was on her mind when she was a child. Body sketching may have to wait until you get to art school. At her age, what he dreamed of was to be admitted to the Western Painting Department of West Lake Academy of Art.Perhaps Yang Ci also had a similar wish.He estimates that in China at present, apart from school employment, it is very rare for private individuals to find models. If I have a room I can paint myself. certainly! He reached out and grabbed Jiujiu's little hand resting on the drawing, and squeezed it tightly.Like an accomplice, the two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

Comrades, please go back!Please go back! A loud and majestic baritone voice sounded in the courtyard. The old man turned and looked out. Jing Xian walked over with two middle-aged men.They were all white shirts and blue trousers.The plump one cut his hands behind his back and walked with his head held high.The other is shorter and thinner, wearing a blue cloth cap with a duck tongue, and carrying a briefcase in his hand. It was the big one who yelled.Before going up the steps, he turned his head and waved his hand again, angrily wrote the sad medton book: I said, go back quickly! The momentum was really effective, and the onlookers scattered one after another. Jing first introduced the visitors respectfully.The one wearing the hat is Director Yuan of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative of his work unit.The one with the loudest voice was Secretary Cui from the county government. Hu Lao has worked hard on the road! Guests take their seats after booing and inquiring. Jiujiu, make tea again. Jing first instructed his daughter, and helped her roll up the drawing. After she took away the remaining tea on the table, Secretary Cui solemnly represented the county government, welcoming Mr. Hu back to visit his relatives. Invitation list. It's the Mid-Autumn Festival, just a family reunion to enjoy the moon. The old man refused to accept: How can I disturb the county magistrate?Got it. Yes, the secretary insisted that Mr. Hu is the first foreign student in the history of our county, which is very meaningful.The county party committee has made a decision to celebrate and praise it at that time.Now, studying abroad is our national policy. Hearing the celebration and praise, the old man was even more unwilling to accept it. While giving way to each other, Director Yuan took out a box of mooncakes from his briefcase and placed them respectfully in front of the old man. A little meaning from the supply and marketing cooperative, he said with a sneer: We also want to invite Mr. Hu to dinner, so let’s make it the day after tomorrow, okay? The old man refused repeatedly, but the other party was very affectionate and stubborn.The son laughed along with him, and did not help the old father to refuse. It seemed that these two meals were a must.Helpless, he had to give in. The guest house of the county government was ready, and Secretary Cui said that Mr. Hu could live in tomorrow.You are welcome to stay for as long as you want, so it is convenient to reunite with your family nearby. He introduced the situation of the guest house, emphasizing that there are screen windows and modern sanitary equipment; no meals are provided, but three meals can be settled in nearby restaurants and snack bars; the transportation is also convenient, there is a bus to the town, and it takes a quarter of an hour to get there . The old man didn't want to deal with the county government, and he didn't want to be entertained for no reason, but the benefits that Secretary Cui said touched his heart.The rents of Jinjiang Hotel and Binhu Hotel are astonishingly expensive, and they will definitely overspend if they stay for a long time. However, they don't want to live in such a crowded and noisy courtyard. On balance, the county guest house is an ideal place. Mr. Hu, would you like to take a look first?Secretary Cui suggested kindly.Where there is room for improvement, just point it out, and the county will do its best to do it. The son was also encouraging: the guest house is very clean and spacious, and it is very convenient to pick up dad for three meals. He quickly said: Then don't read it, I will move in tomorrow due to the kindness of the county magistrate and Secretary Cui. Make an appointment immediately, Secretary Cui will pick you up at the Binhu Hotel at 2:00 pm tomorrow. Regarding this house, Director Yuan coughed twice, cleared his throat, and then spoke carefully, and I will report to Mr. Hu. Don't dare to be. When the old man heard the report, he couldn't help but straightened his sitting posture in surprise. I heard that Mr. Hu was coming back to visit his relatives, so our agency made active arrangements to relocate these families. Due to the continuous improvement of living standards, people's demand for housing has also continued to increase. However, in the past 30 years, the construction has not been enough. Far from meeting the requirements.Because of this, the goal of this migration cannot be completed for the time being, and I am really sorry. While Director Yuan was apologizing, Jiujiu came in with tea. Jing first stood up and offered tea to the guests and his father himself. When Jiujiu heard the talk about the house, she stood behind her father like a magnet, and at the same time stared at her grandfather with wide eyes.As the twilight deepened and thickened, those pupils became more and more radiant like diamonds. His eyes reminded his grandfather of his request to collect the house.I thought it was a matter of course, but after seeing how crowded the living space was, I found it hard to talk about it. Under the watchful eyes of the whole family, Director Yuan patted his chest and gave a guarantee: You will definitely want the house back, please wait with peace of mind!It will be repainted, Mr. Hu will come back to settle down, hey, that's spacious, isn't it, Old Cui? As soon as Secretary Cui said yes, yes, yes. The old man felt even more uneasy.I didn't come back to ask for real estate, and I didn't plan to settle down, so it seemed inappropriate to mobilize people. In fact, enough to live on, I myself Not only his granddaughter, but even his son cast warning eyes, so he could only stop talking vaguely. Don't worry, the housing problem will be solved, we are building a lot! Old Cui had sharp eyes, just took a sip of tea, put down his cup and comforted everyone. He especially invited the old man to take a walk in the countryside. Now farmers are most interested in building houses.Since the implementation of the responsibility system, their income has increased significantly, and many households with ten thousand yuan have been paid out.If farmers have money, they first want to build a house, and they build a building with six to eight rooms!Even the dormitory currently built in the county is also a three-room unit. How many rooms did Hu live in compared to the one he lived in before? Director Yuan hummed for a while, stretched out his hand and tugged at the brim of his hat, and then replied embarrassingly and apologetically: Two rooms. Looking at the scene, the old man saw that his son's family had obviously been expelled from this ancestral house once.Anyway, things have changed, and I don't bother to inquire about the details.These people in front of them didn't mean to reveal their scars. That was a matter of the Cultural Revolution era, the director hastened to add, cough, lawlessness!Not only Lao Hu, who of us has suffered less?Fortunately, it will be reversed soon.Right, old Cui? Secretary Cui not only nodded in agreement, but also waved his hand and announced happily: It was the time of the Gang of Four, and everything is fine now!During the Cultural Revolution, some bad guys who smashed, smashed and looted are now caught one by one, and all of them are sentenced to public punishment!Since the summer, the campaign against criminals has been launched, and it has become vigorous.I heard that foreign newspapers scolded us for killing people like crazy, hey, criminals are not suppressed and dishonest, huh? that is.The director immediately confirmed it: We held a mass meeting, and when we talked about fighting criminal activities, everyone agreed, didn't you, Lao Hu? Yes, Jing Xian replied respectfully, it has only been more than two months, and the law and order has indeed improved a lot.Now, Hangzhou and the county have changed, and women don't have to worry about going out alone at night. When old people hear about the movement, they feel disgusted with crimes and have their own laws to prosecute and decide, but they come to engage in mass movements. Wouldn't the court be set up in vain?He was also impatient with this kind of promotional noise, so he yawned openly. Seeing this, Lao Cui said a few more words about the county government's implementation of the policy on the relatives of overseas Chinese, and he got up to leave. Old Hu, can you see if there is anything else we can do for you? Tonight, my father is going back to Hangzhou All right, let's send a car. After making an appointment to come to the car at eight o'clock, they said goodbye and left. The old man wanted to relieve himself, and his son led him to the west wing to sit on the toilet. Back in the yard again, I found that the sky was already dark, but there was no light on anywhere.Under the eaves, there was another child bowing his head to do his homework, his face was almost glued to the textbook but he seemed unconscious. The hardest thing to do is at dusk, when the darkness is far away, making people disturbed in vain.He can't shine brightly, he would rather be in the dark without seeing his fingers, which is better than being so dim and vast, making people feel at a loss. Is electricity expensive? he asked his son. fine.Calculated by light bulbs, our family pays three yuan a month. Converted to U.S. dollars, it is only one and a half yuan, which is not expensive, which shows that every family is thrifty. I turned on the light for grandpa. Jiujiu has turned on the light bulb knowingly. The light was dim, estimated to be only forty candlepower. The old man was silent when he remembered the era of kerosene lamps. Soon, grandson Jianfeng came home. Only after meeting did I realize that the name Jianfeng was actually based on the sincere hope of my parents.I learned from the letter that this child was born in 1963 when there was a famine, and he was congenitally deficient and physically weak.He is quite tall, but very thin, with a gray overalls hunched over his shoulders, his head wrapped in a gray cloth cap, and his face is pale, so thin that he looks like a clothes hanger . Grandpa is here early!Why didn't you spend two days in Shanghai? In the whole family, he was the only one who felt sorry for his grandfather.He has been to Shanghai and still yearns for it. Hurry up and wash your face, and eat when you turn back. His mother rushed to urge her, and asked her daughter to help fetch water. When Jiufang entered the hall again, she was holding a brown double-breasted silk gown in her hand. I made a jacket for my dad, try to see if it fits or not. He took off his suit jacket and put on a double-breasted jacket.It's a bit wider, but it's soft and comfortable, and my daughter-in-law praised the fit.It can be seen that the fashion of the elderly here is loose and waistless clothing. Grandpa looks so good in a Chinese suit! When Jiujiu came back, she applauded when she saw her. The overseas Chinese in the movie are like this, with Chinese-style tops and suit pants, which are generous and stylish. As soon as she said it, the old man was reluctant to take it off.Everyone returns home with good clothes, but I only go back to my hometown with good clothes, which is also fresh. He thanked Jiufang.Thinking of the presents I brought them, I opened the handbag and took them out one by one.Two pounds of woolen thread for Jiufang, an American watch for her grandson, and a pocket radio for her granddaughter. When Jiujiu saw the Polaroid camera for her father, she immediately exclaimed: "It's getting dark, we forgot to take pictures!" Her father said: Tomorrow, wait for grandma to get up and take pictures together. Grandpa readily agreed. He had been secretly ashamed that his gifts were not rich enough, but now he was relieved when he saw his family members were overjoyed. Jianfeng, who just came back from washing up, immediately put on a new watch.It was the first time I saw an American watch, and it was very rare. I raised my hand and looked closely at it under the light. The young man is just at the age when he loves beauty, and in the blink of an eye, his whole body has been completely renewed.Leather shoes and flared trousers, beige pullover is unbuttoned, leaving the neckline open casually.Her curly hair is neatly arranged, and comb marks can be seen on her temples.This attire is really no different from the teenagers on the streets of Shanghai. Old Hu's?Here comes the food! Someone carried a two-story food box and shouted in the yard. Jing Xian hurriedly let him in. The box was opened, and there were four big dishes, fried shrimp with flour, chicken with scallion oil, braised duck and squirrel fish. The old man shook his head and sighed in defeat: Don't tell me what you said! Dad came home for the first time, which is not a big deal.The daughter-in-law is still with me, isn't it?Please eat some today, another day I will buy soft-shelled turtles and hens, and give Dad a stewed bowl of Farewell My Concubine.Dad likes to eat green vegetables, so I will cook. Hearing the soft-shelled turtle, the old man immediately felt sick to his stomach.He was about to protest when his quick-witted daughter-in-law had already led the delivery man away. Can your mother eat these dishes? He glanced at the neighbor, not without doubt. I cooked porridge for her alone, and I sent it right away. Jing Xian immediately took his daughter, and went in and out several times to arrange the bowls and chopsticks. What does dad drink?Jing asked him first.We have Jiafanjiu, Xiangxue from Shaoxing and Ruquan Daqu from Anhui. No drinking I quit drinking. Jing Xian didn't force it, saying that he himself didn't drink alcohol. Grandpa finally came back, how can we not celebrate?Jianfeng yelled, "If you don't drink, I will!" Then open a bottle of Xiangxue. Who drinks that syrup?If you want to drink it is a big song! Lao Tzu opened the big song for him along the way. Dad, Jiujiu's greedy request, let me take a sip of Xiangxue, okay? you are young Grandpa, let's have a drink with you. The old man would rather relapse than let his granddaughter down. Well, I will also drink Xiangxue with my father. In this way, three generations of grandparents and grandchildren drink wine and eat vegetables. Family love is indeed incomparably mysterious, it can lie dormant for decades, as silent as hibernation; once it wakes up, it lingers around the world, everywhere, and its fragrance and sweetness are no less than this Xiangxue, and much stronger and mellower than this Daqu.Under the dim light, the old man, who had always lived alone, found himself like a piece of ice, gradually melting into water surrounded by his family. Even he couldn't believe it, in order to please his children and grandchildren, he gave up the habits he had cultivated for many years without hesitation.Nutrition, health, longevity‧‧‧all left behind.He is willing to drink syrup, and even swallow greasy food that is usually taboo. Jiufang served three kinds of vegetables.He only likes green and refreshing water spinach with pods.The daughter-in-law was afraid that the hospitality would not be good, so she piled fish, shrimp and meat in his bowl, and said that there was no food. He didn't actually have an appetite, but he managed to eat what was in the bowl. Grandpa, I heard that chickens in the United States are too many and cheap, no one eats them, right? The granddaughter has sharp eyes and has already seen that he is avoiding the greasy chicken nuggets. It is true that it is cheap and good, but it is false if no one eats it.Most of the chickens are due to the continuous advancement of science and the rapid development of chicken breeding technology after the Second World War, which can be mass-produced.In the past, eating chicken once was also a big deal. He told his grandson that in the 1920s and 1930s, upper-middle-class families ate roast chicken at most once a week, and the remaining skeletons and various recipes taught people how to make delicious dishes. That situation is no different from here. This comparison seemed to spoil Jianfeng's interest, and for a while he just immersed himself in eating. Soon, Jiufang came out of her mother-in-law's room. Grandma was happy today and ate half a bowl of porridge. She told the father-in-law again: Mom is already in bed.She said, I won't see you off today. Don't send it away, let her rest a lot, and we will take pictures together tomorrow.You sit down and eat. When she was letting her daughter-in-law eat, she heard someone calling Lao Hu in the yard. It turned out that the driver from the county had arrived. Don't worry, I'll come to say hello. Jing first asked his father to eat slowly, and took the unopened bottle of rice wine to go out. Mom, wait a minute and I will accompany grandpa back to Hangzhou. The young man ate like the autumn wind sweeping the fallen leaves, and quickly put down the bowl and chopsticks, expressing his preparation first. Afraid that it would be too late to come back, his mother reminded her distressedly that you will have an early shift tomorrow. No problem!Who in the factory doesn't know that my grandfather will be back in the next two days?It doesn't matter if you don't go to work tomorrow, just ask for leave one day earlier. Grandpa put down his chopsticks and said repeatedly that he didn't need anyone to escort him. Just like eating vegetables, this is also free.After Jingxian came into the house again, he decided to send him back to the hotel by Jianfeng. There is a ready-made car to go back and forth, can I also take grandpa off? Jiujiu's request was not only rejected by his brother, but also by his mother. It's eight o'clock, and you are just in time for tutoring. Mom urged her. In the afternoon, I heard that a math teacher will come to Chen Xiaoming's house to make up lessons at eight o'clock tonight.Go and listen, you have been behind for two days, how can you catch up if you don't make up? When Jiujiu heard about tutoring math, her big black eyes darkened.But she didn't say a word, and only stepped up to pick up the rice. Nowadays, school entrance doctrine is popular everywhere, which puts a lot of pressure on children. Jing Xian explained to his father as if he felt ashamed. This year, none of the graduates in the county were admitted to regular universities.The principal was very anxious, so he encouraged the students in the first year of high school to start looking for opportunities to tutor their homework now. It is hard to find a good teacher in a small place. Jiufang then said that if a university teacher came back to the county during the winter and summer vacations and charged two yuan for an hour of lectures, how many students would rush to listen! When grandpa comes back, he will make a fortune just by opening English cram schools! Jianfeng patted his chest and promised, and the family members who provoked laughed. Jiujiu's homework is important, so let's go.Grandpa is tired, so he has to go on the road early. His daughter-in-law asked him to drink tea and eat moon cakes, but he declined for fear of delay.Asking Jianfeng to carry a suit jacket and a handbag, he was surrounded by his grandson and boarded the car back to Hangzhou without alarming the patient. Jianfeng, who looks thin and weak, has a rather impatient personality, has many ideas and dares to fight.On the way, he suggested to his grandfather that he would accompany him to pick up his aunt in Hankou. Dad and sister accompanied you from Shanghai. It’s my turn to go to Wuhan. I’ve never been to Wuhan. It’s time to open my eyes!Don't you think so, grandpa? The old man couldn't refute, and it was inconvenient to agree hastily, so he had to answer vaguely first. I'll discuss it with your father.People from my aunt's family, like my cousins, have you met them? How many times have you seen it?Never get in touch with each other!Even my father has never seen my aunt.In the past, such relatives also had overseas relations, and they were afraid of getting involved with each other!It wasn't until Grandpa sent a letter asking about them that Dad reported to the leader and asked the unit to try to investigate in Hubei Province.As a result, within three months, there was an echo, hurry up?Of course, the gang of four fell, and the situation changed.First of all, due to the needs of the United Front, overseas relations are not only not smelly, but are becoming more and more fragrant! In other words, before returning to the United States, let me bring your aunt to live at home for a few days, so that I can get to know my relatives. OK!Mom just wants to meet her, to see what she looks like, and Uncle Jing Han has been guarding her for more than thirty years.Grandpa, he is in Taiwan, does he really have no lover? The younger generation, whose minds are more complicated after all, obviously do not take this kind of widowhood-like behavior for granted. Isn't the lover Yang Lixing? Yes, why not?A woman who looks strong but sits in the kitchen and weeps.It is precisely because of her that Jing Han has a taller and richer image in his eyes.Before that, there was a time when I suspected that my nephew had lost his manhood. How can a man be without a woman?Men rely on women to set off and highlight. There are women who like him, but he refuses to marry. Fearing that Yang Lixing would blaspheme her, the old man babbled and closed his eyes and fell asleep at the same time. His concerns proved unfounded.Jianfeng only let out an ah, but did not pursue further.But from the crisp and high-pitched tone, a missed opportunity and incredible meaning can be heard. Fortunately, he wants to take his aunt to live in the United States, otherwise After a long while, Jianfeng persevered in saying something. Otherwise what's the matter? Grandfather opened his eyes, turned sideways and asked in a low voice, glancing at the driver in the front seat out of the corner of his eyes. The young driver with a crew cut was concentrating on driving an old Ford from the 1950s without squinting.After all, I am getting old, and the engine is breathing hoarsely all the way.Fortunately, driving in the dark is beneficial. There are no traces of people or animals on the road, and there are few vehicles. You don't have to overtake and you don't have to honk your horn.The windows were rolled up, shutting down the whistling wind and reducing the noise of the engine. Otherwise, it's hard to say! Jianfeng was out of sight, still talking loudly. I just heard a real story.An old man who came from Taiwan found his wife and children whom he had not seen for more than 30 years. He was so moved that he wept bitterly and decided to live here.As a result, I had nothing to say to the old woman in a month, and I was not used to living in the country, so I barely stayed for half a year, and finally left. This situation is actually expected. The old man was not surprised.How much can I talk to Mei Jiu?There is no regret for the past, and there is no way to make up for it.Come all the way, but do your best.I still remember the moment when I stepped out of her room, I felt infinitely relaxed and detached, as if I had lost a few pounds.Now that the debt is settled, whether to see Mei Jiu again is actually a secondary matter. Now on the train back to Hangzhou, although the body is tired, the spirit is excited and calm.Thinking of moving to the county seat tomorrow, I can't help feeling worried.I must meet Mei Jiu every day, and I promised to have a long talk with her, but what? He was afraid of aging and disease, but Mei Jiu was reminding him of his fear. If he had a choice, he would rather never see her again. Therefore, it’s okay to come back to see the older ones. Jianfeng continues to draw conclusions from his story. Settling down is not ideal, at least it is not convenient to benefit his family.People are overseas Chinese when they are abroad, and their family members are overseas Chinese dependents. When encountering school admissions, housing assignments, job transfers, etc., they are somewhat taken care of. Pay attention to overseas Chinese policies.When you come back and settle down, you become your own person, so it doesn't make much sense. This kind of practical opinion is commonplace in the United States, but when it is spoken by relatives in my hometown, it is harsh. The older generation of Chinese people pay attention to return to their roots, so when they think of returning to their hometown when they are old, my grandfather patiently explained that the current overseas Chinese in the United States are appealing to settle down and take root, and this problem is less and less existing.Even so, there are always some old people who come back to settle down every year. Unless you create a good living environment and arrange a decent job, you still won't be able to come back. Young people are not only confident, but also stubborn. Grandpa smiled and didn't bother to ask him who was going to count. Grandpa, can you take me to America? Grandfather was stunned: Okay, why did you think of going to the United States? If you don't come to the United States, will you die in a fertilizer factory all your life?The grandson asked back with confidence.He just became a first-class worker after becoming a full-time worker, and his monthly salary is 32 yuan. He can't care about clothes after eating.Smoking is out of the question, and you can only pick up hand cards, how miserable! Isn't there a bonus? There are, but not much, barely enough to buy a shirt. You have only been in for two years, and there will always be an upgrade in the future. upgrade? Jianfeng sneered before continuing to complain. I still don't know which year and which month I will be able to survive to the eighth level and become a teacher!If I want to go on like this step by step, I might as well go to the United States to work and do whatever I want! American workers are now losing their jobs, and it is not easy to find a job.Downstairs I lived a man surnamed Mi, who immigrated from Xi’an in June and has not been able to find a job.In a bad mood, the couple is arguing for a divorce.If you come to the United States to work, it is better to stay here, at least the job should be more secure.The status of workers is also higher than the title of Big Brother Workers, which is much louder! The grandfather was trying to enlighten him, but the child burst out laughing. Grandpa didn't know, but now the market has changed again! how The status of our working class has plummeted in the past two years.Deng Xiaoping admired intellectuals the most, and the central government has been calling for the implementation of intellectual policies all day long. It has not been enough for several years!Now, not only are the workers not the vanguard and leading class, they are even inferior to the peasants!If you don't believe me, ask the driver comrade.You said, is it still cool to be a worker? The driver, who had been silent all this time, actually answered the questions in the back seat in perfect time. Sure enough, it is not as delicious as before.However, each industry is different, and our drivers are okay.If you drive a taxi in a big city, you can earn two hundred yuan a month!There is a popular jingle for your reference: The boss stepped aside, The second child divided the field, Lao Jiu turned the sky upside down, Playing around and making money! The old people know that the boss refers to workers, the second refers to farmers, and the intellectuals are nicknamed the old nine, but who are they? Those who start small businesses and go to other places to run single gangs, in short, those who can come up with ideas and make a fortune, are now encouraged by the government! The driver's tone was full of envy and jealousy. Jianfeng, do you like doing business? Suddenly remembered, Mei Jiu said that this kid has a business mind. Doing business, where does the capital come from?In fact, capital is still a trivial matter, what is most needed is a backstage.We in Zhejiang have a mantra: age is a treasure, diplomas are indispensable, and background is more important. The driver interface said: Let's use the analogy of playing cards: age is the gold medal, diploma is the silver medal, and the backstage is the ace! Did you hear that, grandpa?Jianfeng is even more plausible.Only if you can open the back door.Many of the money earned from forming a company now comes from the children of cadres who have personnel connections and can obtain production materials.Where is the personnel relationship in our family?Since Dad took off his rightist hat, his mouth has been sealed and he will be three points shorter when he sees others, asking him to ask for help, hmph, that will be a matter in the next life! Grandfather still finds it hard to understand: what kind of business does it need to open the back door everywhere? For example, restaurants.If you want fish, meat and vegetables, you have to get through the joints from the market leaders to the specific vegetable sellers to ensure that the supply of goods is fresh and smooth, right?The housing management team has talents.As for the installation of electric lights and water pipes, you have to deal with the water and electricity department separately. It's like going through five stages and killing six generals, killing them one by one, what a waste of time! The old man admitted that it was difficult. The prosperity of the streets of Shanghai suddenly flashed into my mind.In the morning, when I drove by, I saw many vendors surrounded by customers. I couldn't see what they were selling for a while, but I felt that the business must not be bad. Restaurants are a big business, and it's best to do small business first. Unless it's a small tea stand, shoe repairing or something.Jianfeng sneered again in a disdainful tone.What's the point of that little thing?Looking for copper plates in pinholes is too unprofitable.No, you have to make a decent living if you want to do it, or you'd rather not do it! I said little brother, there are unemployed young people everywhere now, here, I just came back from a business trip in Shanghai, and the young people who are full of idlers in the streets, it can be seen that so many factories can't accommodate you. You can stay in the small town to eat commercial food and work regularly, which is very good Well!Business, I guess! The driver was at most 30 years old, probably thought that Jianfeng was too ambitious, so he tried to persuade him in an old-fashioned way. The old man also had this intention, but he was a little surprised to meet such a nosy driver for the first time in his life.Afraid of embarrassing his grandson, he eased up for him instead. You like to do business, you can take your time and pay attention.I believe that there will be more and more opportunities in the future. I think grandpa still managed to take me to study in the United States, the most popular international students!The United States is free and democratic, and that is the vast world! The grandfather glanced sideways at his grandson without refuting. The interior of the car was dim, but the young man's eyes were red and bright like burning sticks of fire. Such a persistent expectation is hardly a blessing or a curse.People's desires are always rising.It has been suppressed for decades, and once the policy is opened up, the people are happy and satisfied, and they also breed expectations.The expectation is gradually rising, and there will be a day of alienation and deterioration.Although this is an outdated political theory, it is still unsatisfactory to use it here, especially to prove it to my descendants. He couldn't bear to pour cold water on it.I had a similar paradise dream when I was young.The day after the ship arrived in San Francisco, he went to Berkeley to visit the University of California.I went to the street to get a haircut, but the owner of the barber shop blocked the door.It was a real blow to the head and a taste of racism. In the 1940s, I heard Chinese students studying in UC Berkeley say that they were still not allowed to enter barbershops run by white people.After the Second World War, China became a victorious country, and the situation of discrimination improved.Especially after the Korean War in the 1950s, the Americans finally looked at the Chinese differently after suffering from the losses of the Chinese soldiers. The dark side of heaven, of course, cannot be explained clearly in a few words.The democracy and freedom enjoyed by the overseas Chinese today has been achieved by the blood and tears of the Chinese over the past century.If there is a chance, he must tell Jianfeng.Not today, too tired, he has no interest in class. Do you have a girlfriend? He changed the subject to something lighter. It doesn't matter if you don't have one, you can't get married anyway. Then why, oh, is it advocating late marriage? I know! The driver fluently expressed the girl's desire to court: One-of-a-kind talent, The old man is rich, Three turns and two beeps, four seasons clothes, Five cabinets are complete, Six relatives have the right, seventy cents, Delicate in all directions, Do not drink or smoke, Very obedient. The driver was afraid that outsiders would not understand, and then explained that the three-turn finger refers to bicycles, fans and sewing machines, and the second-snap finger refers to the radio and TV. Only a monthly salary of 70 yuan is willing to marry. The old man is amazed, when will Shanghai girls become blind to money! Not only in Shanghai, but everywhere!The driver corrected him.Salary is one of the important considerations in choosing a spouse. There is also a jingle in this regard: Thirty foreign dollars don't need to be discussed Looking at the forty yuan, Fifty yuan is not enough, Sixty-seven is barely enough, Eighty-nine is ideal, There is nowhere to find a hundred yuan is too old! When the old man heard the last sentence, he couldn't help feeling stunned. It’s not serious here. Shanghai’s housing is tight. If a man has a room, even if it’s only big enough for a bed, he’s worth a lot, and it’s his turn to pick a woman! The driver's words were tantamount to enlightening the old man.The conditions of the Hu family were poor, except for the house, which still had room for improvement. This afternoon, Secretary Cui of the county and your father's immediate superior both agreed, and he told his grandson with great relief that he would continue to move out those residents and return the house to us after renovation.I don't think it's necessary to move all of them out, as long as two more rooms are made, one for your sister and one for you to use as a new house.I will rush them. Jianfeng didn't appreciate it and just shook his head vigorously. Grandpa, you don't understand the situation!Those who live in the compound are either party members and cadres, or family members of the People's Liberation Army.If you don't give them a full set of dormitories, how can you move?Unless Grandpa wants to settle down if he doesn't leave, maybe we can get one or two rooms back. At this time, the grandson was leaning against the window of the car, with his hands resting on the front and rear seatbacks, assuming a posture of lobbying. I said, it's better for grandpa to go back.You are in the United States, we still have the hope of going abroad; if you come back to settle down, it will cut off our way out, won't it?In the past, we were terrified of overseas relations, but now overseas relations are popular, and American relations are even more popular. Wouldn’t it be a pity not to take advantage of them? Grandpa said yes, but he didn't say yes or no, feeling deeply in his heart. There are two distinct views of one's own destination in a day.The son is retained, the grandson is farewell, the views and thoughts and feelings of the two generations are far apart!幸虧自己並沒有定居的打算，不至於品嘗月明星稀，烏鵲南飛，繞樹三匝，無枝可依的徬徨無適。然而，寂寞卻是客觀存在的。 儘管自己不承認，幾十年滯留異國，常有難以排遣的時刻。特別是午夜夢迴的剎那，家國情景依稀，卻似幽冥兩隔，徒增無奈和惆悵，也曾給自己尋找過各種各樣的拖延藉口，但都不及此刻的冠冕堂皇。如，漂泊海外是為了子孫下代的幸福，算不得自私或懶惰。 可惜，人的感受偏偏複雜到難以理喻，無法邏輯化。自甘流放是一回事，臨到有家歸不得，卻又是另一番滋味。被拒於門外的難堪，那才是最大的寂寞。一向自以為慣於孤獨，其實是倚仗自己有選擇餘地；一旦擺明了只此一家，孤獨便化為魔瓶，把人永遠禁錮了。 他感到車內空氣太窒悶，胸口鬱積得難受。於是搖下一扇車窗，探頭向外，迎著晚風飽吸了兩口新鮮空氣。 中秋季節，空氣溫潤爽滑，摻雜著清淡的茶葉香和溫暖的青草味。皓月當空，伴著疏星點點，撇下了滿天的清輝。稻田像一匹墨綠綢子，在和風中抖動舒展，有如微波蕩漾。蟲鳴被車聲蓋去，但這裏那裏閃著農家的燈火，把江南的秋夜點綴得寧謐安詳。 他手支著窗口，一路賞月進了杭州。 健豐神色亢奮，顯然言猶未盡。祖父卻藉口疲乏，一到旅館就把他和司機打發回去。 他確實倦怠，也渴望睡，但上床了卻遲遲無法入眠。白日的所聞所見，此時化成零碎的鏡頭，走馬燈似地在腦幕上閃現。孫女的笑靨和泠泠語聲，梅玖暗如黑房的臥室，她那骨嶙嶙如釘鈀的手掌，上海街頭的人潮，弄堂裏排列整齊的馬桶陣，女人的花裙子，媳婦的扁平胸脯，兩鬢斑白的兒子小老頭似地哈著腰，晚娘面孔是服務員，討債也似的健豐說話咄咄逼人 梅玖的形影最是頑固，飛蛾撲火似地前仆後繼。更有銀幕上的特寫鏡頭，逐步逼近放大，到了纖毫畢露的地步。顴骨高聳，鼻孔皺縮，乾癟的唇皮吃力地一張一翕著。我不怨你不怨你不怨你！先是氣若游絲，漸漸加強，終於響若洪鐘，在耳鼓內衝撞迴旋，有若萬馬奔騰。 他換個臥姿，同時考慮著是否動用安眠藥。雍雍去世那一陣子，曾經夜夜依賴它麻痺神經。但到舊金山以後，很快就戒掉了。此番回來，出於有備無患，臨時在藥房裏買了一瓶成藥。昨夜在上海睡得短，但是頗安穩。正以為克服了時差，誰知今夜竟會失眠。 室內影象幢幢，室外也不安靜。 由於旅館客滿，只剩下這間鄰近服務台的單人房，住進來時就耽心旅客往來比較嘈雜。果然到了夜深時刻，服務人員閒下來了，三五人聚在一起喝茶聊天，牆壁隔音差，人語雜音均斷斷續續地傳過來，有搶著給茶杯續水聲，有呼呼汲水聲，加上彼此招呼談笑的，不一而足。 老人倒轉了身子，想藉室外的談話來驅走滿腦的形象。 真要凝神諦聽，談話卻又不清晰連貫，他們彷彿在評論一個叫小鄧的，惋惜其被禁。 如此受擁戴，先還以為這小鄧恐或是鄧小平的兒子，後來卻發現是個唱歌的。那麼肯定是女的。男人對男人，除非是同性戀或球迷，不會如此感興趣！同性戀也得有一方裝扮女的才行。 有個服務員在眾人起哄中，盛意難卻地唱了一段曲子。溫柔軟綿，頗有幾分卅年代上海歌廳裏那些流行曲的韻味。這小鄧一定是臺灣的歌星無疑。 老人有些頭疼。摸摸太陽穴，青筋直跳。太勞累了，非休息不可。他毅然起床服了安眠藥片。 坐在床上揉眼睛時，他對自己說：我留下來了。 留下來陪梅玖，直到她撒手歸西。 這個念頭與睜開眼睛同時出現。似乎是經過一夜的熟慮深思，一覺醒來便水到渠成；來得悄無聲響，卻不覺突兀，更無痛苦。 留下來，不是落葉歸根，也非貪圖天倫之樂，純粹為了梅玖。 他懶得追究這個念頭從何而來。未經任何推理或掙扎，只知道一睡醒就發現它等在一側，沉默然而執著。秋日的清晨，陌生的旅舍房內，這種時刻的任何決定，他知道絕非感情用事。 他必須留下來。 這是為了報恩？抑或償債贖罪，或者是自我犧牲和憐憫呢？都說不上，但也都有那麼一點瓜葛，反正不關緊要。緊要的是，他要留下來。 不能說毫無遺憾，到底這個決定犧牲了一個美麗的憧憬，放棄了一個碰碰老運的賭徒機會。 回來前，他有過遐想，希望這一個月內有幸遇到一個合適的女子，可以再接連理。她最好年紀在五六十之間，長相不討人嫌，而且身體健康，略有文化。他計算過，以中國的龐大人口，五十左右的寡婦為數不會太少，其中一定有願意嫁到美國來的。自己雖然一貧如洗，但努力做事來養活一個妻子還是辦得到，而身後的社會保險金也足夠幫她度過餘年。這個年紀的中國婦女，他以為橫跨國共兩個時代，勤勞樸實外，當比較有共同的語言。 這個心事，他一直等著要到漢口時，才向綺華透露。讓她從中安排，可能便當許多。 其實，在舊金山也並非沒有機會。 金門橋公園內一位常在一起曬太陽的老頭，大家喊他高老，前年憑人通信介紹，老遠從山西娶來一個四十歲出頭的姑娘，見過的人說她具有幾分姿色呢。 高老頭比自己還大一歲，而且老得沒牙，特為新婚裝了一口假牙，見人笑得牙肉都露出來。說他老態龍鍾絕不誇大，走路像鴨子划水，說話嘴抖手也抖，活像患了柏金森病。婚後，他還是一個人出來曬太陽，只是次數少了。偶爾遇見，自己每每為這個高娘子嘆息一朵鮮花插在牛糞上。 他不能這麼做。就是老夫老妻，也得兩情相悅，才能結成和諧的伴侶。相親是必不可少的一環。不但他要看女方，也希望對方看清他。除了年歲一大把外，無論是儀表、談吐或健康，他都不必自慚形穢。而且他一定盡快把女方接到美國，像愛護自己的眼睛那般愛惜她。 一年多來，他編織著這個希望，從中得到陶醉和滿足。後來甚至幻想出具體的形象來。這個女的五官端正，盤著老式的髮髻，有雍雍的潔白皮膚，但體形略偏豐滿，撫之柔若無骨；話不多，但溫文體貼，家務更是一絲不茍。 隨著時日增加，她的臉譜不斷得到修正而漸趨生動完美。到後來，夜裡躺在床上最愉快的事，便是召喚她來相陪。和她說話，自由地假設各種反應和對白而無所顧忌。他像在玩遊戲。有時玩到入迷了也會高度亢奮，於是抱緊枕頭大聲嘶喊，等到全身舒解了，才沉沉睡去。 這個隱藏於內心的願望，一直不曾和任何人說過；就是鈕先立，也未漏過一點口風。 也罷，如今就整個加以封鎖，讓它胎死腹中。 現在是留下來了。沒有人會反對他的選擇；先立甚至會得意洋洋地吹噓他早知今日。也許健豐會有些失望，好在年輕人從來不會長久失望。 他甚至不必再回美國。只要把綺華送上飛機，讓她住自己的公寓，自己便可以放心地留下來守著梅玖。她一定喜歡，亡羊補牢，猶未為晚。 主意已定，他去洗個淋浴，對著嘩嘩而流的水喉，他忽然也放開喉嚨唱起來。 陶淵明彈無弦的琴，自己哼無調的曲，這個全在自得其樂。 人的思想變化，往往當局者迷。昨晚還怕再見梅玖，此刻卻盼望著親口向她說出自己的抉擇。是一夜好睡造成的轉變？他找不到答案。 他只相信，梅玖的眼睛會更加灼灼有神僅只看到他回來，她不是喜得吃了大半碗粥嗎？這輩子沒為他人做過什麼，現在就為梅玖留在中國吧。 走出浴室，他感到渾身暖和舒暢，就讓運動衫的前領大大敞開著。他不但拉開窗簾，又轉開了一扇鋁窗透空氣。 早安，西湖。 或許昨日晴過頭了，今朝竟飛來大片的烏雲，遮去了東邊的日頭，投下一湖的陰影。空氣呈休止符狀態，遠山近樹都綠得屏氣凝神，形同蠟雕，沒有金風送爽，但桂花香味仍然撲鼻而來，間有鳥鳴啁啾，真是久違的中秋氣氛。 西湖永遠是美的，哪怕是再傷感的回憶。 晴湖不及雨湖，雨湖不及雪湖。他偏不喜雨雪而獨鍾豔陽當空的日子，風光最是明媚富麗。記得景漢歡喜細雨霏霏的時刻，說有詩意，可能正當那為賦新詞強說愁的年紀吧。 最美的是和挹芬單獨坐船的一次，春日一個微陰的傍晚時刻。兩人避開了滬江大學的同學，雙雙徜徉在湖心亭，竊竊私語到月上柳梢頭。西湖的船座，那年剛從藤椅改裝成沙發，非常摩登而且舒適。兩人依偎在一起，挹芬的臉蛋粉潤緋紅，比那一彎新月還嬌媚。時髦的燙髮和新潮的高領旗袍撩撥得自己心潮起伏，也激起了寫詩的衝動。當晚送他回滬後，他伏案寫了一封自認最香豔奇絕的情書。不料事後被公佈出來，逼得他捲鋪蓋轉校。即使如此，那月下泛舟的情景，每次回憶起來，仍是溫柔浪漫得很。 眼下這種微陰的天氣，其實更切合老年人的心境，涼而不寒，又免卻炎日和風雨的威脅。正因無風不起浪，一湖碧波綠得格外清澈深沉，像揩拭得纖塵不染的鏡面，靜待日頭露臉，以供群峰攬鏡梳妝。 這種天氣適於長途步行。在美國每天晨走慣了，三天停頓下來，不覺腳癢。 他關上窗子，遊湖的路線大致擬好，從白堤出發，穿過孤山和西泠印社，最後踏著蘇堤的柳蔭回來。中間利用渡船繞過湖心亭，這是必經的路線，以示對挹芬的憑弔。她那銀行小開的丈夫，非但不曾放洋流學，而且在避難重慶時，又娶了個抗戰夫人。勝利後可以返回上海時，她本人竟在香港病故，一說氣死；迄未生育。同時代的人，她走得最早。得這消息已是一九四九年。當時十分感傷，以為她萬萬不該嫁錯了人，落個紅顏薄命的下場。然而悔恨哀悼的心情很快就淡忘，一眨眼已經幾年未曾想起她了。 記憶短，可能是長壽健康的秘訣。 這兩天沒見到甚麼老人，不禁納悶他們躲在何方。在美國，老人是公園長板凳的常客。一坐半天。印象中的中國老人並不孤單，常常和幼兒連在一起，今早可以實地印證一下。擬定的路程，也是對自己體力的考驗，因此更加躍躍欲試。 他穿上一雙愛迪達慢跑鞋，出門吃早點前，仔細檢視了自己的服裝，相當滿意。棗紅的翻毛衫配鐵灰西裝褲，色澤大方，身在西湖更襯得萬綠叢中一點紅，相得益彰。 餐廳已經打烊了，但服務員仍然殷勤地招呼他，拿菜端粥，幾個人圍著他打轉。他們可能閒得慌，也可能沒見過老年人穿紅衣服，就從這件臺灣製的運動衫問起，和他聊開了。 這些服務員年紀都在卅以下，樸實憨厚，但非常好奇，見客人隨和，他們的問話便連珠炮彈似地迸發出來。一頓飯功夫，客人的身世來歷被掏得一清二楚，只差沒查他銀行有多少存款而已。 簽完帳步出餐廳時，他覺得自己通體明亮，裡裡外外都被Ｘ光透視過了。 沒想到自己如此引人興趣，倒是新鮮有趣的經驗。昨晚還嫌那縣裡的司機好管閒事，原來是此地的正常現象。倒是自己家人非常克制，顯然是梅玖的教誨。 西湖遊客之多，大大超出他的觀察和估計。隔窗遠眺並不覺擁擠，一旦身臨其間，才知摩肩擦踵有多掃興。匆匆按著既定路線走了一圈後，他發覺最可愛的地方是旅館的窗口。 他踅向旅舍。 順著旅館大門的車道走，兩旁花木扶疏，不時飄來桂花香味，甜美得叫他想起加州的一種水果酒。 太久不見桂樹了，他駐足探望，卻又望不見一棵。 grandfather! 耳旁響起銀鈴也似的呼喊。 他循聲望去，竟是玖玖背著書包上坡來。 How did you come? 他快步迎過去。 爸爸讓我告訴爺爺，奶奶她 走急了，她一句一喘地說不下去。 奶奶會怎麼樣 走近孫女才發現她眼眶紅紅的。鼻翼一翕一地抽搐著。剛到舌尖的問題凍結了，心頭跟著一緊，像關上鐵門的電梯，迅速往下滑落。 奶奶過去了！ 說完，她一頭栽進爺爺懷裡，放聲哭出來。 他一時默然。 心已沉到底，反而鎮靜篤定。像那西湖水面，波平如鏡。更像早有預感，隱隱約約中有種釋懷的坦然。 昨天那沉重莫名的氣息，彷彿又在鼻尖。現在方知，那便是死亡的氣味。它早就等候在那裡。 不要哭吧，玖玖。 半晌，他才想起要安慰孫女，於是輕輕拍著她的肩膀。 年紀大的人去世，不必是最悲傷的事，因為生病更痛苦，死反而是個解脫，尤其是死得平安迅速所以，中國人說，它也是一種喜事，叫紅白喜事 他喃喃說了一陣，忽然懷疑玖玖理解多少。正當含苞待放的年紀，凋謝和死亡到底距離他們太遙遠。 玖玖抬起頭時依然淚流滿面，但臉色已平靜許多。 奶奶真好 是，好人也要離開我們。有時，他們走得最早。 扶著玖玖回房間的路上，他得知梅玖走得悄無聲息。 昨夜病人情況非常安穩，因此景先就沒有睡在母親房內。今早玖玖要上學時，久芳端臉水進房，才發現她已長眠不醒。 爸爸讓我來告訴爺爺，陪陪你。他下午自己來。 爺爺不用陪，你回去上學吧。現在十點半你一大早趕來，沒吃早飯吧？ 她搖搖頭，說她不餓。 飯一定要吃，你還在長身體哪。先去洗一把臉吧。 他打電話到餐廳，叫了一份西式早餐。 服務員這時進來打掃房間。四五個人一擁而進，拖地、抹桌、疊被一眨眼時間就全部做完，然後整批人馬轉到隔壁去了。 玖玖梳洗出來時。早點也送到。果