Chapter 2 one

Yu Zhiyun, who has always been confident, is not so confident when he flies off the plane.When the fuselage rushed up quickly and reached the sky high in the sky, her heart also rose into the air, swaying and uneasy.Her uneasiness is not her fear of flying, but her inexplicable fear of traveling alone.But when she changed into a Jumbo in Hong Kong that flew directly to Europe, she realized that the little anxiety was really insignificant.Only then did she feel the bewilderment, panic, confusion and fear she had never experienced before, as if she was heading towards a mysterious and strange wild world.

It was nine o'clock in the evening when I boarded the plane in Hong Kong. The weather was so good, the stars were shining on the cold clear sky, and the breeze brought a chilly breeze.She stepped onto the apron, and saw a lonely plane parked in a corner of the vast airport, with lights flashing all over it, and in the boundless night, it looked extremely large and menacing.Workers are loading luggage, busy checking and refueling.That scene made her shrink back suddenly, and she couldn't help asking herself secretly: where is this monster-like machine going to transport me?She almost forgot the sole purpose of this trip to study abroad.

The light in the cabin was very dark, and the passengers were all asleep. The sound of slight snoring, mixed with the sound of rumbling motors, vibrated the heavy and dull air.Zhiyun was covered with a blanket, lying quite comfortably.Originally, she was sitting in the middle seat, cramped and unable to sleep at all.When we arrived in Bangkok, all the guests on the left and right went down, and no new guests came.She took the armrests away, turned the three chairs into a berth, stretched out her body and lay down, ready to sleep for a while. A few days before leaving, she didn't have a good rest. After boarding the plane, the emotion of parting made her feel sore and excited, and she forgot about her physical and mental fatigue.When everyone else is safe and sound, leaning on the chair and dreaming, she has been excited like a sleepless night owl, and her mind is full of faces of family members and friends at the Taipei airport: mother's tears, The father's exhortation, the reluctance of younger siblings, the envious eyes of relatives and friends.This kind of farewell scene really made even hard-hearted people unbearable, not to mention her, who was nicknamed the crying girl by her elder brother Ling Yun, her eye sockets, which had been soaked in tears for too long, were still aching.Thinking of Ling Yun, she couldn't help feeling deeply bewildered, why everyone came to see him off, but he didn't come?Aren't they always the most speculative?Yes, he must still be blaming her, angry at her, thinking she shouldn't go abroad.

You study Chinese, what do you do when you go out?If you want to study further, it is not much better in China!You see, foreigners still come to us to study Chinese!Isn't it funny that you go out to study Sinology with foreigners?Ling Yun said this several times.He is so out of date, young, his views are so mature, and he is more conservative than the older generation.Today, is there anyone who doesn't think it's a matter of course to take a trip to a foreign country?He is the only one who sticks to culture at all times, with the national spirit of speaking and shutting up, a tall and handsome young man who looks very modern in jeans and a sweater, and behaves like an old master in a long robe.The two siblings, even though they have different ideas, can still talk because they both love literature and like to talk about life and ideas.Other sisters and younger brothers who are two or three years apart inevitably do not quarrel, but they have never quarreled.The two have played together affectionately since they were young. When other children of the same age were playing officers and soldiers catching robbers, hopscotch, reading comic books, or being Taibao Taimei, their siblings had already discussed literature together.They have all read countless Chinese and foreign novels, so they are not afraid of lack of information when talking about them. Later, when they got older, they talked about more and more extensively.Ancient Chinese, Tang Poetry and Song Ci, Red Chamber and Water Margin, from Tolstoy, Roman Rolland to Thomas Mann, from Goethe, Nietzsche, to the works of Camus and Sartre, as well as countless Chinese and foreign literary masterpieces, are all good subjects for two people to cover. .They have always been so close and understood each other. If there was any grievance, it was her going abroad.It's not that Zhiyun didn't know that Ling Yun didn't approve of her going abroad, but she didn't expect that she didn't approve to the point of refusing to go to the airport to see her off.This incident was like a hard knot, clogging her heart, making her heart, which was already not easy, even heavier.

Zhiyun twitched for a while, but still couldn't fall asleep.She gritted her teeth and simply sat up.Looking out of the window, my eyes are full of smoke and mist, gray clouds floating, and the small electric lights on the wings are as red as burning coals, blinking non-stop in the dark clouds.I couldn't see anything except the bright red stars that were twinkling.It makes people feel as if they are in the vast and boundless space, as if flying for another hundred years will not reach the end.This feeling made Zhiyun very uncomfortable. After staring blankly for a while, she finally turned around and vowed never to look out again. She lay down again, determined to sleep on it.

She turned to the left twice and turned to the right twice, but she just couldn't sleep, not only couldn't sleep, but some things became clearer. Since she was in middle school, Mrs. Yu kept telling Zhiyun: Study hard!You must be admitted to a good high school.Only by studying well in high school can you be admitted to a good university.Only by studying well in university can you be eligible to go abroad. Zhiyun has always been an obedient child. Although she doesn't study very hard, she never deviates from the standard. She went to a good school in high school, and the university she got into was not bad. There was no way to get into the science college they wanted her to attend.

When taking the college entrance examination, according to his parents' wishes, Zhiyun's first choice was the Foreign Languages ​​Department of National Taiwan University.But when the rankings were released, he was admitted to the Chinese Department of a liberal arts college of his fourth choice.Of course, her parents couldn't help worrying, lest she play this old-fashioned thing, and the school's name is not famous enough, which will affect her future study abroad. However, Mrs. Yu has always had more confidence in her daughter than her husband, Yu Huanzhang. She thinks that it is enough for a girl to pass her studies, and the important thing is her appearance.She often said: Who would like a female pedant, only a beautiful girl can make people fall in love.

Regarding Zhiyun's appearance, whether it is her mother, herself, or everyone who knows her, they all agree 100%: Yu Zhiyun is beautiful.Among the schoolgirl crowd in Taipei, she is a celebrity.Walking on campus, male students would cast admiring gazes from afar, and she was familiar with the envious eyes of female students. Beautiful girls should be proud, and Mrs. Yu repeatedly instilled Zhiyun with this thought.Tell her: You can't fall in love with any male classmate.In terms of knowledge, they are just like you, and in terms of other things, let alone, they have no foundation at all.For a man, it is worthless.If you have studied so much and look like this, and you marry an ordinary man in the future, then I will be so disappointed that I will cry blind.

Only a few days after Zhiyun went to college, her mother kept nagging like this every day.At first she was quite disgusted, but then she gradually felt that none of the male classmates in the same school were worthy of her.Of course, there are many male students from other universities who pursue her, but she has already had such a faint outline in her mind: very chic appearance, well-educated, has a doctorate title, has a noble career in a foreign country, etc.Therefore, although there are many people who pursue Zhiyun, she has never really had a boyfriend. At most, she just goes outing, picnics, dancing, and having fun with everyone. Do you want to further date?Just don't talk about it.She was seen as too high-sighted and proud.She didn't really care about this kind of words, she felt that she had the qualifications to be high-sighted and proud.

When she was in college, Zhiyun had three close buddies. Among them, Chen Lingling was a standard advocator of the United States. She talked about the United States and kept her mouth shut. Between her words, if she couldn’t go to the United States, her life would be in vain.Zeng Manlin's homework is excellent, and she claims that she must go abroad and become a female doctor to enjoy herself.Jian Yuying, who has always been quiet, said that her mother is not in good health, and her siblings are young, so she can't bear to be away from the family, and she doesn't want to dream of a country.

Of course Zhiyun belongs to the group who went abroad. What is the purpose of going abroad?She couldn't figure it out herself; she said it was for further study, she didn't dare to say that big talk, Ling Yun poured cold water on her: "It's funny that people who study Chinese go to foreign countries for further study?"The words are still in her ears, but she has not forgotten.Said to go out to find a qualified partner based on his qualifications for graduating from college and his appearance?It seemed too realistic, and she didn't want to admit it.Perhaps it is because of the lack of clear goals!When I really got on the plane going abroad, I felt dazed and uneasy, which on the contrary dilutes the joy. Although Zhiyun had dreamed of going abroad for a long time, he didn't dare to expect it to happen.She knew the family situation. Her father was only a mid-level employee in the bank. The family of six relied on that fixed salary. Mother always said in a complaining tone: The current bank is no longer a golden rice bowl, but an iron rice bowl, which cannot be broken even if it is beaten, but at most it can only hold rice. Having said that, in fact, because I live in a dormitory in the bank, there is no need to pay rent for a Japanese-style house of more than 30 square meters. The income of middle-level bank staff is still much higher than that of ordinary public and educational staff. , it seems that everyone is living well.Only their surname is Yu, and they are reluctant to buy this and that, even eating fried shrimp is a big deal, and in the family quarters, the Yu family has become a well-known Jewish family.It wasn't until Mrs. Yu announced in public that the eldest daughter Zhiyun was going to study in West Germany at her own expense, that everyone bowed down in unison. They couldn't help but respect the mother's foresight.Especially a few mothers who also have daughters and are not very handsome, they said sourly: Mrs. Yu, for a beautiful girl like you, Zhiyun, when she goes abroad, what kind of wealthy son-in-law will she find?Just wait to be an old lady! You don't have to go out to catch a wealthy son-in-law.But our Zhiyun child has always been obedient and willing to study.She didn't know how many people pursued her, but she ignored them.So, I made up my mind a long time ago, no matter what, I have to send her out for further studies.Mrs. Yu said proudly. yes!yes.Mrs. Yu is really a good mother, and she has far-sightedness. No wonder she gave birth to such a good daughter as Zhiyun.Everyone praised in unison. When Mrs. Yu told Zhiyun about her conversation with these ladies, Zhiyun couldn't talk to him or laugh, but felt a little embarrassing.Listening to the content of these conversations, it seemed that she, Yu Zhiyun, had a pretty face, and now she went out fishing for golden turtles with this face.Not only did she not feel that it was a compliment, but she felt humiliated instead.Does she only have good looks?It's a pity that they don't know the nickname of her talented woman. When Zhiyun was in high school, she wrote poems and essays in the school magazine. After she went to college, she was not only the editor of the school magazine, but also occasionally contributed articles to newspapers and magazines. The little false name of a talented woman.Eldest brother Ling Yun pays special attention to this talent of hers. Sister, in the future we will run magazines and write articles together to change people's thinking.Ling Yun once said so solemnly. Turn people's minds around?Zhiyun couldn't figure out what Lingyun was referring to! Today's people are too foreign and lack national thinking.Ling Yun said in a worried tone. How to say this!She doesn't understand anymore. You see, nowadays, no matter men, women or children, everyone wants to go to foreign countries, especially the United States. It seems that if you don’t go, you won’t be fashionable enough, and if you don’t go, you won’t even look like a Chinese.In fact, America is America, and we are us.What is it that we Chinese all go to the United States?This phenomenon is too abnormal.Ling Yun shook his head. The United States is better than us in many aspects, and it is good to go out and learn from it. If the purpose is just to learn and see, that's all, I don't think so.I don't think even these people themselves know why?This is the lack of national thinking and the lack of a big goal in life.Ling Yun had a bad temper since he was a child, and now he showed a very bad expression. Even if you speak well, what can you do?Zhiyun laughed. I naturally have a way, I have a pen, this pen can write, and can wake up those who are only busy for themselves.You also have a pen, we can work together.Ling Yun seemed to be serious about it. Ouch!My good brother, with our two broken pens, we can wake people up!How naive you are!This time it was Zhiyun's turn to shake his head. If everyone in the world thought so, no one would have to do anything.If one person's strength is small, isn't the strength of many people greater? Where did you go to find so many people?How to find the law?Her fantasy of Ling Yun really convinced him. Use my pen to find it, to find it in the whole Chinese people.Ling Yun is righteous and strict. My passionate, naive, imaginative brother! My theory belongs to theory, action belongs to action, my sister who can't match words and deeds! Even though Ling Yun made fun of him, Zhi Yun couldn't give up his idea of ​​going abroad.After graduation, seeing Chen Lingling and Zeng Manlin going to the United States one after another, how could she not be tempted?Which one of them is stronger than yourself?Why did they have such a good chance and I didn't?Zhiyun thought unconvinced.Of course, she will also go to the United States.There are many scholars, experts, doctors, and professors in the United States. If a girl with good conditions like her goes there, what kind of situation will it be like?Her parents are also urging her every day: go abroad, go abroad. Zhiyun has an uncle who studied philosophy in Germany when he was young. It is said that he did not understand philosophy, but he spent a lot of money on his grandfather.After returning to China for nearly 30 years, my uncle misses Germany very much. When we talk about it, we talk about how good the German beer is, how delicious the boiled sauerkraut and small white intestines are, and how strong and graceful German women are.The uncle has always been fascinated by the quick wit in his own head. Seeing that his niece was going to study abroad, the quick wit came to him, thinking that going to the United States would be better than going to Germany. Before 1939, 40% of the world's Nobel Prizes were awarded by Germans.What brains and energy the Germans have!Atom splitting, rockets, which one was not invented by the Germans?If it hadn't been for that brat Lao Xi's mischief, I am afraid that Germany will not swallow the whole world Who is Lao Xi?Zhiyun couldn't help interrupting his uncle's words.Because when the uncle talked about Lao Xi, his tone was too affectionate, and she couldn't help but be surprised that this uncle who had been living in a muddle all his life had such extraordinary friends in Germany, so extraordinary that if he didn't mess around, Germany would be in trouble. Swallow the whole world! Old Xi is Hitler!Uncle said. Oh Hitler!Everyone who listened suddenly realized. yes!If it wasn't for Hitler's kid messing around and bringing Germany down. After World War II, the United States hired a group of German scientists, and the Soviet Union also hired a group of scientists. I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to go to the moon today!Uncle continued. What I do is literature, so what does German science have to do with me?Zhiyun refuted uncle disapprovingly. If you want to engage in literature, you cannot go to the United States.How old is the United States?It's so superficial that the people don't even have a look at all. They chew gum all day long, and even the police can't stop chewing. Only their crooked-faced President Nixon didn't chew.It's just outrageous.The uncle, who has always emphasized the manners of a gentleman, was smoking his pipe heavily while shaking his perfectly combed hair.After shaking for a while, he said again: How can the cultural background of the United States be compared with that of Europe?To study literature, of course you have to go to Europe. In fact, to study Chinese literature, no matter whether you go to the United States or Europe, it will not be better than in China.Ling Yun, who had been reading a book with his head depressed, suddenly interrupted. Because Ling Yun, as a man, was also studying Chinese Literature. Although he was admitted to National Taiwan University as his first choice, he was not valued at home.He spoke lightly, his words, except for a small shock to his sister Zhiyun, did not attract anyone's attention, so it was a waste of words.Yi Lingyun's own description is: like letting out a quiet fart. According to my uncle, Germany is the greatest country in the world.Zhiyun and her parents couldn't make up their minds, where should they go?At that time, she read an article in a magazine, saying: Now it is too common to go to the United States, and it does not arouse our excitement. Europe is what we should explore. This further strengthened her desire to come to Europe. will.It happened that Liao Jinghui, Zhiyun’s friend from elementary school and a graduate of the Art Academy, was studying piano in Munich, Germany.Jinghui has been abroad for two years, and they often correspond with each other. Zhiyun also mentioned to Jinghui about their intention to go to Germany for further studies.Jing Hui wrote back and urged her to come to Germany, saying that she could help with school application, and that she could not apply for a scholarship at present, but she could find a way after she came here.Zhiyun also figured it out. With the Chinese she learned, even if she goes to the United States, she won’t get a scholarship. Germany’s tuition fees are cheap, as long as she has living expenses. In general, going to Germany saves money compared to the United States. She has to think about money The problem is that it is not easy to provide for an international student in the family environment. Thinking of spending money to go abroad, Zhiyun couldn't help thinking of Jinghui's situation.When they were classmates, Jinghui's mother set up a small stall selling rice noodles at the alley, and her father worked as a worker in a food canning factory. join.At that time, my mother always said to her: Why are you always with that Liao Jinghui?Making friends also has to be a level!Her mother drags a pair of wooden shoes all day long, carries a child on her back, and sells rice noodles at the alley. You are always with her, what is going on? What's wrong with selling rice noodles?The rice noodles cooked by Liao Jinghui's mother are delicious.She said unfairly.Jinghui's mother served her rice noodles several times. Zhiyun, how did you learn to talk back to your mother?In the future, I will seldom be with Liao Jinghui.You have to listen to what mom says.Mother ordered. Zhiyun didn't dare to disobey her mother, and really didn't bring Liao Jinghui to play at home anymore, but she still quietly walked with Jinghui when going to and from school.Many things are so unpredictable, Jinghui's father suddenly had the idea to grow mushrooms.Now that industry and commerce have taken off, foreign devils like to eat mushrooms, and they want to export them in large quantities. I will not do that job anymore, and I will switch to growing mushrooms.Jinghui once imitated her father's tone and said. Liao Jinghui's father grows mushrooms like banknotes. In a few years, he becomes rich and completely changes himself.He took off his blue trousers and jacket, put on a suit and tie.Liao Jinghui's mother's rice noodle stall is of course unnecessary.She also put on a new style of dress, she had shiny leather shoes on her wooden feet, and several shiny rings on her calloused hands.Then, the Liao family built a large house and bought new furniture, including a Stanvik grand piano. Soon, Liao Jinghui graduated from the Music Department of the Art College and went abroad to study abroad. The rise of the Liao family made Zhiyun's parents sigh. well!This world is really full of wonders. A canning worker can really start a family from nothing and develop into this.Her father Yu Huanzhang said with a sigh. No, Liao Jinghui went to study abroad so easily.Our Zhiyun wants to go abroad, but the whole family has to live frugally, and we have to come up with a ten-year plan.Mrs. Yu said it unfairly. This is the difference between today's society and the previous society. Everyone has equal opportunities and fair competition. Whoever has the ability and is willing to work hard will make a lot of money.There are a lot of self-made people these days.Ling Yun was talking on the sidelines again.His words are not very pleasant to listen to, and it is rare to attract the attention of his parents, so he talks and listens to himself as usual. In order for Zhiyun to go abroad, Mrs. Yu really implemented a ten-year plan.Over the years, the whole family has been reluctant to eat and wear, and has to think about how much money to spend. In this way, more than 200,000 Taiwan dollars have been accumulated.She used the money to buy a house and rent it out. After two years, she sold the house, added up the principal and interest to buy a bigger one, rented it out, sold it again, and bought it again. Snowball.The snowball kept getting bigger and bigger, until at the end, the snowball was a beautiful big house built in Tianmu, rented to a foreign businessman, and the monthly rent was only two hundred dollars.The cost of Zhiyun's going abroad was covered by Mrs. Yu's ten-year snowball. On the eve of leaving, Mrs. Yu called Zhiyun into the room, and as soon as she entered, Mrs. Yu closed the door.Obviously there is something important to say to her.She didn't want her father and younger siblings to hear.Zhiyun looked at his mother's serious, almost gloomy face, feeling a little uneasy in his heart, just waiting for her to speak, and Mrs. Yu finally said: Zhiyun, do you know?For how many years did your mother plan to go abroad for you?How much did you suffer?How much worry did you worry about?Mrs. Yu sighed heavily, looking tired. Mom, I know.Zhiyun said obediently.She has always followed her mother's lead. Do you know why I tried my best to send you out?Mrs. Yu looked at her. of course I know.My mother is good for me and hopes that I will have a good future. That's right.But only partly true.Mrs. Yu grabbed Zhiyun's hand, put it on her knee, and gently stroked it with the other hand.After a while, he said: Zhiyun, you are twenty-two years old, and you can see some of your mother's thoughts.You see, which family's children don't go abroad now?The men go out and get a Ph.D., earn a lot of money, live a good life, and some even accept their parents.Girls don't have to work so hard to study, but they can still live a good life and take care of the family.Like you, you are not my own daughter. I am pleasing to the eye. No one praises you as a beauty.You go abroad, the future must be very good.Mrs. Yu said with confidence.He patted the back of Zhiyun's hand twice. Mom, I'm not as good as Mom thinks.Zhiyun already felt uncomfortable. Don't argue with me, I said if you are so good, you must have it.Zhiyun, when you go so far in Europe, mom can't follow you. You have to take good care of yourself, but you have to know your responsibilities.When you choose someone in the future, you must study science and engineering or medicine. The title of doctor is a must, and it will also make your family follow the glory.Although Mrs. Yu smiled, her tone was commanding. Mom, who knows what will happen in the future.Zhiyun said softly.In fact, I also knew in my heart that a big white man who was not famous at all would never be her turn to be Yu Zhiyun's partner. Let me tell you, the most important thing in choosing a partner is his career foundation. If the career is good, the economy will naturally have a foundation.Mrs. Yu ignored Zhiyun's words, and continued to talk about her: appearance is not important, what literary talent!Cool!It's all useless than soap bubbles, so don't get carried away.She paused as she spoke, and was out of focus for a while, before she quietly said: If I hadn't lost my head in love at the beginning, why would I have lived such a life for the rest of my life. This sentence caused Zhiyun to be greatly shocked.She took her hand out of Mrs. Yu's hand, raised her eyes and studied her mother: Mom, aren't you satisfied with our life?Aren't you and dad on good terms? Good!Mrs. Yu sneered twice.The greatest tragedy for a woman is to marry a man with no ambitions.Look at your father, he just plays go, drinks two glasses of wine, recites some sour poems, hums a few lines of Beijing opera, and goes to work.Not positive at all, so he can't get promoted!Only at this age can I get an assistant.People who entered the bank later than him have become assistant managers.well!All in all, the most important thing for a woman is to marry a good husband, everything else is nonsense. Zhiyun was a little impatient, especially when his mother described his father so badly, he was even more disgusted.But because he was leaving tomorrow, he didn't want to refute his mother, so he lowered his head and remained silent.Mrs. Yu continued: You have to know, Zhiyun, your mission is not light. Every penny of our family is invested in you. After you go out, you have to find a way to get your younger siblings to go abroad.well!Your elder brother is really disgusting, he can't read anything, he prefers to read Chinese, and a family has two people who study ancient books. In this year, it is considered a miracle.You get Ling Yun's ideas out and tell him to start from the beginning and change his studies to computer management or something like that.That kid Zhengyun made me feel at ease. He is good at math, physics, chemistry, and English. He must be a promising person in the future. Your sister Banyun Zhiyun's mind was like a runaway wild horse, thinking east and west for a while, completely out of control. The plane bumped slightly for a while, like a cradle of turmoil.Zhiyun is also really tired, every penny of our family has been invested in you.Find a way to get your younger siblings to go abroad.These thoughts were like endless clouds in the sky outside, making her dizzy.Finally, she fell into a deep sleep.