Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Candle Shadow in the West Window

Mr. Li sighed because he couldn't help it.He has no restrictions on expressing his emotions.This alarmed the mother and daughter of the Yuan family in the house.Miss Yuan ran out first and looked at him.Li Nanquan was inconvenient to go away, so he asked: "Miss, is your father at home?" She said: "He is not at home every afternoon. He will not come back until late at night." Li Nanquan said: "I know He is teaching part-time at school, but how can he teach until late at night?" She pouted and said, "Dad always says something is wrong, but we don't know." Looking at the situation, Li Nanquan seemed to be a little dissatisfied with his father's actions .Then, Mrs. Yuan's attitude can be imagined.He said: "Then wait for him to come back, please tell him. Zhang Yufeng sent a letter yesterday, asking if the house is finished, and they plan to move in. I want to write a letter to answer him." In Li Nanquan's words , that is quite reasonable.But Mrs. Yuan, who was in the room, seemed to be taken aback.In the house, he answered first: "The house is finished, so it's still early." After confessing this sentence first, the talent came out.It seems that the people on the stage sang a sentence in the curtain of the door first, and then came out.Her face was red, and she was still panting a little, obviously from the indoor exercise fatigue, and she hadn't recovered yet.She supported the corner of the wall with her hand, and she settled down for a while, then said with a smile: "Mr. Li, please come and sit at home." Mr. Zhang told Mr. Zhang not to move here for the time being. First, the inside of the house is still damp, and it will take two to three weeks to dry. Second, this is a house built by shareholders, and everyone must act together." Hearing this, Li Nanquan said, Obviously a prevarication.Asked: "The so-called concerted action means that everyone will move if they want to move, and if one family does not move, then they will not move at all?" Who doesn’t want to move in after buying a house?”

Li Nanquan said: "Of course what Mrs. Yuan said is correct. However, according to the general situation in society, it seems that there is no precedent for moving and finding a common day to enter the house, and it is impossible. I I know that the new shareholders of this house are all bankers. They build a villa in the countryside and don’t come to live in it for three to five years. The corner of the wall, staring blankly at this side.Then she gave him a wry smile and said: "I can't decide this matter, let's talk about it when Siwei comes back." The more Li Nanquan listened to this voice, the more she felt that there was a lot to it, but she didn't care about it on the surface. The building regulations of this house are also true, so she nodded and said: "That's fine. But it's been a few days, and I haven't seen Mr. Yuan. Please inform him, my wife, and we can talk about it tomorrow morning." Of course, he agreed to this request, and Li Nanquan didn't want to talk to her too much.The next morning, it was a cloudy and rainy day.On rainy days in Sichuan, except for the heavy rain, it is usually misty and rainy, and the sky's overcast clouds form a piece and press down on the roof.Because there are too many rainy days, people in Sichuan do not stop any work because of the rain.People who are active outside are still active outside.Although Li Nanquan had seen the situation correctly, the rainy day was so dense that it completely turned into smog, and the houses and trees at the entrance of the village were all buried in the wet clouds.And there was wind, and the rain and smoke were blown by the wind, turning into cloud heads like gauze, rolling on the spot and running downwind.Those who walk with umbrellas have to hold the umbrellas at an angle, like the warriors in the painting, who use the umbrellas as shields to block them.That's it, the bottom half of everyone's clothes are still drenched in the rain.He thought of Mr. Yuan, without that special situation, he should not go out today.So there is no need to rush to find him.

On rainy days, it is more comfortable in the countryside than in the city, because you can always see some natural scenery when you open the doors and windows.Li Nanquan also felt lonely sitting in the room in such weather.With his hands behind his back, he walked from the room to the corridor, walking back and forth, looking at the mountain scenery in the rain.At this moment, I heard a strong cough in the room of Yuan Mansion. That was Yuan Siwei's movement, which proved that he was a person who had never gone out. When he walked to the end of the corridor, he saw the On the mountain road, someone walked calmly with an umbrella.There was a child from the Yuan family behind, carrying a bamboo basket and a wine bottle. It looked like Mr. Yuan's family was going to cook wine and cook meat to survive the cloudy day.Together, it can be thought that the person holding the umbrella in front is Mr. Yuan Siwei.He had no choice but to raise his voice, and shouted: "Brother Siwei, hurry up, we still have a few words to talk about." The man holding the umbrella turned around and looked at him when he was called out. , it was Yuan Siwei.He said: "Okay, let's cut the candles on the west window tonight, let's have a night talk about Bashanyu, I have two public international law classes now, I have to go to class. This is my magic weapon, it is very popular, if I don't Well, the students will be very disappointed. Moreover, the principal may come to the school today. If the principal does not come, three or four members of the school committee will come. There are two principals and three ministers. If they finish the meeting, I will definitely listen in. Among them, Minister Chen pays special attention to me. He talked with me for fifteen minutes last time when he came to school. Speaking of the word "Minister Chen", the voice was so loud that it was almost like a lion's roar, which could be heard in the whole village.Li Nanquan also claimed that his voice was not small, but it was lower than Mr. Yuan's now, so he really couldn't answer.

Li Nanquan's perception of this kind of person is ridiculous. If he continues to follow him, he may say that he himself will be a minister soon.Only looked at him from afar.He thought to himself, Mrs. Yuan didn't mention the matter of the house, and he didn't mention a word to him. Could it be that this matter can be let go?There is no need to discuss it with him, just go straight to inform Zhang Yufeng and let him come by himself.Thinking this way, I immediately wrote a letter.For the sake of speed, after writing it, I held up an umbrella myself, and sent the letter to the street for postage.There are markets here on both sides of the mountains and rivers.There is an old stone bridge spanning the two banks.Usually, boats can also pass under the bridge hole.There are stone railings on both sides of the bridge, and you can also overlook it by leaning on the railings.But on rainy days, no one on the bridge looks at the scenery.Mr. Li walked on the bridge today, and there was a special situation. Two women stood beside the stone railing with umbrellas, looking down at the flood water under the bridge. There was a sound, and it was raining smoke in the sky again, and the stone slabs on the bridge were all dripping with water.At this time, looking at the water scenery here, there is water above and below, it can be said that there are people in the mist, so I am particularly interested in the scenery.He was paying attention to those people. Under the umbrella, someone called out: "Mr. Li, I haven't seen you for a few days, aren't you in the country?" That voice was Yang Yanhua.He smiled and said, "Miss Yang is so elegant, why don't you open an umbrella to watch the rain scene?" She straightened her umbrella and smiled at him: "I'm still elegant, just because of ordinary things, it's hard to die, on a rainy day, I prefer to sit at home If you can’t stop, I’ll just come out and stand.” Li Nanquan said: “The price of rice has risen terribly these days. But your whole family is a producer, so you shouldn’t worry about rice, right? Even if it is, this is The trend of the times, what can we do?" She didn't answer this question, but just smiled.

The other girl who was holding an umbrella put it upright. She smiled at Li Nanquan and said, "She's not troubled, she's overjoyed. Mr. Li, you should ask her for a wedding wine." It is Yang Yanhua's female companion, Hu Yuhua.This statement is certainly believable.Then he smiled and said, "It's only a few days since I've seen you, and the good news is here. This is also a blitz. Miss Yang, can you tell me who the target is? It shouldn't be a sour scholar like Secretary Meng." She smiled. Before replying, Hu Yuhua smiled and said, "It's not sour, it's bitter." Li Nanquan said, "That's a manager who runs a pharmacy. Now Western medicine and hardware are the business of making a fortune. That's gratifying. Congratulations." When Yang Yanhua heard about it, she lightly patted Hu Yuhua's shoulder with one hand, stared and said, "You're such a fast-talking girl." Hu Yuhua said, "That's wrong. You're still at home You told me about it. You can hardly make up your own mind about this matter, and you still have to ask your teacher. Why are you denying it in front of the teacher now?" Li Nanquan said: "This is Miss Hu's misunderstanding The teacher he said is the teacher who taught her skills. I don’t dare to call it that.” Yang Yanhua straightened her face and said: “Mr. I have always regarded you as my teacher. Not only in terms of knowledge, I hope you can give me more advice, but also in terms of life, I also want to ask you for advice. I really want to ask you for advice. But..." Speaking of these two words, As soon as the following turned, I was a little embarrassed, and smiled again.

Hu Yuhua took her hand and said with a smile: "Since you are willing to discuss this matter with Mr. Li, you don't need to talk about it here. Make a pot of good tea at home, buy a bag of melon seeds, and discuss it with Mr. Li in detail. Indeed, you You have to ask someone to give you some advice. You seem to be crazy when you stand on the bridge in such a heavy rain, what does that mean?" Yang Yanhua looked at Li Nanquan and said, "Mr. Li can come to my Do you want to sit at home?" Li Nanquan stood and looked at her and said with a smile: "If you must ask me to talk, I can accompany you. But..." Hu Yuhua winked at him, shook her hand twice, and said with a smile "Mr. Li is willing to go, so you can go. No one will blackmail you. Let's wait at home first." Then he took Yang Yanhua's hand and left.Li Nanquan went to the post office to post the letter.However, he thought to himself that although Ms. Yang's family is small, her own problems are quite complicated.One can make ends meet by performing arts, but the age is getting older every year, this time will not be too long, and it will be too late to talk about marriage issues at that time.In the current situation, she really wants to marry an intellectual, but intellectuals have no money.Even though she can endure hardships with an intellectual, but when she gets married, the family can't take no money, even if the family doesn't want money, she also has a sixty-year-old mother who must support her.Which intellectual in the present day can take on the life of an idler?In this way, the only option is to marry a national crisis businessman who does business.But most of the businessmen in national crisis have family members.

In this contradictory situation, Yang Yanhua's marriage problem is very difficult.Standing on the sense of justice, she cannot be taught to marry a rich man.But if I really persuade her to marry an intellectual, it's okay to let her suffer, but it's not humane to ask her mother to suffer too.Then I went to persuade her to marry the big belly Jia.Let me ask, from the standpoint of being called a "teacher", should we preach like this?With such hesitation in his heart, his steps were inevitably slow, thinking and planning whether to go or not.At this moment, someone shouted in my ear: "Mr. Li, Yanhua is waiting for you. How are you going home?" When Li Nanquan looked, it was Miss Yang's mother, Mrs. Yang.She was wearing a black cloth gown, holding a bamboo hat in her hand, and stood under the eaves of someone else's house.Li Nanquan smiled and said: "Yes, thanks to Miss Yang's kindness, she has a big problem and wants to talk to me about it, but this problem is too big, so I can't make any decisions. I think it's the old lady herself Make the decision." Mrs. Yang said: "Oh! If I can be the master, I won't bother." Then, she took two steps closer, walked in front of Li Nanquan, frowned, and said in a low voice: "Mr. Li, you met her on the bridge. Didn't you stand with Hu Yuhua? I asked Yuhua to watch her. Guess what she's thinking? She wants to take advantage of the flood. Jump into the water, so that the family members can't find the body. What kind of hatred do we have to force her to commit suicide like this? If Mr. Li can persuade her, she may think about it."

Li Nanquan smiled and said: "That's because you paid too much attention. She is a very smart lady. Doesn't she know this? Marriage is a major matter. Now a young man who is over 20 years old can legally Self-determination. Whether you like it or not, it is all your own business, so why not seek short-sightedness!" Mrs. Yang said to him that a twenty-year-old youth can be more independent in marriage, which is most deaf to his ears.But she has always been very respectful to Mr. Li, and she invited him to be a lobbyist, so how can she say anything to him?But his face changed a bit, showing an unnatural smile, and at the same time, he took a breath in his throat, then shook his head slightly and said: "Mr. Li, you don't know much about my family affairs. Our whole family lives in opera theaters. Whatever you do, you can go wherever you want. When Yanhua was seven or eight years old, our old couple devoted all our time to teaching her opera. I'm afraid my skills are not enough. Please leave One master, if you hire another master, it will cost a lot of money. Her father passed away, so she and her two elder brothers are relied on to support the family. Of course, she is a bit capable of attracting attention. Let's not talk about this body, just talk about this Didn't I pay someone to teach me my own skills? If it wasn't for the war, I ran down to the river pier, maybe let her sing for three to five years, and I would have a coffin book. But I fled to Sichuan, except for a few things Clothes, all the family property, lost everything. In Chongqing, I can sing a few dollars, but I am afraid of bombing, and evacuated to the countryside. How much money can I sing in this country? I can’t say that, delay her youth, give me How many more years will I sing. But if you leave as soon as you say, just leave a few clothes for me, how will I live the rest of my life?" Li Nanquan knew what she meant after listening to her words, nodded and said: " That's natural. But you don't have to be too pessimistic, Yanhua still has two older brothers who can support you in your old age."

Old Madam Yang said: "Yes, she still has two older brothers. It's just that these two older brothers can't live up to their expectations. They are not as good as their sisters, and each has a family. With the current income and expenditure, they themselves may I can't make it through, can I still support my old lady? I have nowhere to go now, I can only talk a little bit of reason, Yanhua is willing to support me, if she wants to support me, if she doesn't want to support me, she must support me, I want her It's settled." Li Nanquan looked at the old lady's sharp face, although there were no deep wrinkles, but the cheeks were slightly sunken inwards, and there were few muscles. I don't know if it was the rainy day or she was a little cold. A little pale.With this typical look, it's hard to see her have emotion.What reason could there be to tell her?So he laughed and said: "This matter is indeed not very simple. If we go to your house to talk about it, then your mother and son will face each other. I can't say that." Mrs. Yang said: "Then what is there to say? It’s like this in front of your face, and it’s also like this behind your back.” After speaking, he stretched out his hand and pulled his sleeve, and said with a smile: “If such an old woman pulls people in the street, people will say that Ma Erniang has appeared.” Li Nanquan said "Scared! What is this?" Old lady Yang said: "It doesn't matter. We singers don't mind these things at all." Li Nanquan looked around and felt that the old lady had already said something. Here, if you don't go, you have to go with her.Otherwise, she can say anything when she is dragged on the street, what would it be like to be dragged by an opera singer on the street?So, I had to follow Mrs. Yang to her house.

They live in a building at the back of the town.Facing a row of mountain peaks, there is a small porch with railings. As far as rural buildings are concerned, this can be regarded as the upper middle class.Because Yang Yanhua is their family's mainstay of earning money, she lived in the best house—a building with railings.At this time, she was holding a cigarette between her fingers, leaning against the railing of the building, facing inward, as if she was talking to someone.Old Madam Yang said: "Yanhua, look, I insisted on waiting for your teacher on the street." Ms. Yang turned her head to see Li Nanquan, shook her head with a smile, and said, "I didn't bet on this treasure, but Mr. Li unexpectedly Here we come." Li Nanquan thought in his heart, this child is powerful enough, without mentioning a word of the plan in his heart, she guessed it completely, and smiled: "You come down and sit down, I will do my best." Mrs. Yang He led him into the room, and said with a smile: "Mr. Li, why are you avoiding suspicion? You are her teacher. But her room is cleaner. Please go upstairs." Mr. Li has not agreed yet, Miss Yang can be upstairs Shouting again and again, he felt that her mother and son hoped to have this transferer, even though it was difficult to say, the procedure had to be completed.Just reluctantly went upstairs.The two connected buildings here are painted white. Although there are only a few pieces of wooden furniture, they are wiped clean without any dust.Especially the bed on the right where Ms. Yang sleeps by herself. The bedding and pillows of the whole bed are all white, without even a trace of variegation.In this, it is also possible to know the personality of this person.Mr. Li said with a smile, "I'm finally here, but I can't say anything, you have to say it yourself." Hu Yuhua saw that the host and guest were very embarrassed, as if she couldn't speak, so she laughed softly: " Yanhua, Mr. Li will definitely help you. Don’t talk about theories with him, just speak out what’s in your heart, and let Mr. Li have an accurate draft in his mind, so he can talk to you.” Yang Yanhua still relied on He got off the railing and sat on a small square stool.She stretched her head to look downstairs, then turned her face back with a three-point smile, and said to Li Nanquan: "Yuhua told me to say what's in my heart, so I'll just say what's in my heart. But if I say it, you I may not believe it. To be honest, I have shown my color on the stage for many years, and there are not a few people who pursue me, but I have not taken anyone seriously, so until now I have not had a real one Object. So I can simply ignore the words of marriage, girls who sing operas, there is nothing they can’t say, and you think it’s my words to cover up." Li Nanquan patted his leg and said: "Then there is no problem. Your mother just wants you not to get married, so she will sing for her for a few more years. You don’t need to get married, and she doesn’t advocate for you to get married. Isn’t that great? Don’t mention anything, just sing with peace of mind.” Yang Yanhua said: “ But the fact is not like this. She thinks I have a partner now." She said with a faint smile: "That's just a fantasy. But she has these thoughts, she would like me to marry a rich man at this time, and put Her life problem is solved. This may be a pre-emptive strike for her." Li Nanquan said: "What is your impression of the person she mentioned to you?" She said: "It's not my mother who mentioned it, but myself I know him. But my original intention is to make friends with him." Li Nanquan said: "What's your impression of him?" She said: "Among businessmen, that's honest, right? This world, a bit unusual, very honest, that can't handle everything, my ideal husband is a man of accomplishment."

At this time, Mrs. Yang brought up two plates, which were melon seeds and peanuts.On the surface, she is of course hospitable and hospitable, but in fact she is also very willing to know the results of the discussion here.But as soon as she came upstairs.Everyone is silent.She had no choice but to put the plate on the table, and said with a smile to Li Nanquan: "Mr. Li, please use a little. It's rainy, you'll be fine when you go back. Sit a little longer." Li Nanquan took advantage of her opportunity to come upstairs, stood up.He smiled and said: "I have a rough idea of ​​your matter, that is, you want Miss to live at home for a few more years, and Miss, it's the same, she doesn't want to leave her mother at this time. I think you are suddenly bringing up this marriage issue , it’s superfluous.” Mrs. Yang didn’t expect to ask for a mediator, and this was the result.First she stood in a daze for a while, then sighed and said: "Our young lady, after becoming a character, I haven't mentioned these things to me. What can I do? According to what Mr. Li said. It seems that I, the mother, don't allow her to be at home." Yang Yanhua's face turned red when she heard this.She seems to follow up immediately, and there is a big reason to refute her mother.Suddenly there was a rescue—someone downstairs shouted: "Hurry up and pick up the things for me, I can't lift them a little bit." When Mrs. Yang heard this, a smile appeared on her face.She said to Hu Yuhua: "Xiao Chen is here, don't mention it for now." Saying that, she quickly walked downstairs.Li Nanquan looked at the two young ladies, but hadn't spoken yet.Hu Yuhua said: "This is the honest man that Yanhua said is here." Li Nanquan was silent for two or three minutes, and asked: "Miss Yang, should I go downstairs to see him? Or invite him to come upstairs? "She said casually, "It doesn't matter." These three words puzzled Li Nanquan.What is "it doesn't matter"?It is not good to stand up and walk, and it is not good not to walk. When hesitating and not knowing what to do, there is a sound of stairs.Hearing the heavy footsteps, of course it was someone wearing leather shoes coming.This made it difficult for him to block people on the stairs.Had to stand on the edge of the chair.With the sound of footsteps.Walking up was a man in his thirties, wearing a suit and a raincoat, and holding a rain-soaked felt hat in his hand.Although Li Nanquan didn't recognize him, he did recognize Li Nanquan. He bowed forward and said with a smile, "Mr. Li, I've always known him, but no one has introduced him. It's a pleasure to meet you today." He took out a business card from his suit pouch and handed it over with both hands.When Li Nanquan saw the words on it, it was Chen Xishi.There is a row of titles next to it, which is the deputy manager of the tea company.Now he understood that he was selling tea. No wonder Hu Yuhua said he was in the bitter business, so he laughed and said, "I have also heard Yanhua mention Mr. Chen many times. Is this heavy rain coming from the city? Hu Yuhua interjected beside her and said, "Not only is it a heavy rain day, but even if a knife falls from the sky, he will come." He rubbed his hands, showing hesitation, nodded to her and said with a smile, "Miss Hu is with me again." I'm just joking." Hu Yuhua laughed and said, "That's how it is." Li Nanquan laughed and said, "Mr. Chen came all the way, take a rest first, I have something to discuss with Mrs. Yang, please sit down." He said After the explanation, she immediately went downstairs without asking whether everyone agrees, and Mrs. Yang greeted him with a low laugh and said, "Mr. Li, don't you want to talk to Xiao Chen? Although he is very young, he is very personable." Honestly. And he also admires Mr. Li." Li Nanquan smiled and said: "It's very good, this is a long talk, let's talk about it another day." After speaking, he nodded and was about to go out.Mrs. Yang really didn't expect Li Nanquan to treat him so indifferently, so she stood at the door and smiled at him: "It's rainy, you don't have anything to do when you go back, just sit downstairs for a while longer." Li Nanquan Walking out of the door of her house, she turned around and smiled at her, "I'd better talk to you. In modern marriage issues, it is not up to parents to decide. What the old lady meant was not to recognize the Is Mr. Chen a son-in-law? It is best for you not to ask about this matter, and leave it to Mr. Chen to handle it himself. I don’t think Mr. Chen’s impression of Ms. Yang is not bad. You let everything go, don’t ask, even... "Speaking of this, he smiled and remained silent for a few minutes.Yin said: "Anyway, you don't have to ask about anything." Seeing the smile on his face, Mrs. Yang knew what he meant by what he said, so she smiled and said, "Of course I understand. But I have to take care of a girl's lifelong affairs. The current age is different after all." Li Nanquan nodded with a smile and said: "It is true. You know that the current age is different, so it is easy to say anything Yes. You act according to this sentence. I promise that you don’t need me to come forward, and your problem will be solved.” He said haha, holding his fists, bowing to each other, and walking away. The road outside is exactly Mud everywhere.He was talking to Mrs. Yang, but he forgot the path under his feet. He slipped and fell forward. Fortunately, there was an electric pole in front of him. He supported the wooden pillar with both hands at the same time, and finally he did not fall down.But upstairs and downstairs, just like the applause of the spectators under the stage, they all uttered "Oops" in unison, and the voice was still very loud. Li Nanquan stood still, looked downstairs, and found that the two ladies upstairs and the old lady downstairs were all staring at him, and he hadn't calmed down the panic.Then he smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. If I fall down, I'll just get covered in mud. There are two ladies upstairs who are idle. Are you afraid they won't wash my clothes?" That Mr. Chen also left When he got to the railing, he nodded again and again, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Li Nanquan didn't know why he apologized, and immediately didn't think about it, he just said, "It's okay, it's okay." With that said, he also walked away.It was only halfway on the way that he remembered his apology, which was not a reason.Or he would think this way, thinking that I came to match him.Thinking of this, he thought it was funny, and a smile came out on his face. Someone on the side of the road said with a smile: "Mr. Li, what's the matter? He started laughing while walking alone." When he looked, it was the neighbor Wu Chunpu who liked to chat. .He said: "Someone misunderstood that I was a matchmaker for him. Just show me your favor. I feel worthy of it. Brother Wu also went out on a rainy day?" At this time, Mr. Wu held an umbrella in his left hand and carried it on his shoulder superior.In his right hand, he held a bunch of beef that was tied with muscles.There is also a bunch of butter.He lifted this thing up to show the guest, and said with a smile: "I came here for a bargain. I haven't eaten meat for a long time, and I can't afford any meat. Only this kind of beef tendon is eaten by no one. , I asked for three catties of it, don’t eat meat, go home and cook radish to drink, and it can also satisfy children’s hunger.” Li Nanquan said: "Nowadays, it's not that meat-eaters are despised, but meat-eaters are more expensive. The way of eating meat like this, brother, can be said to be bitter. But how do you eat this butter?" Wu Chunpu laughed and said: "This is the cheapest of the cheap. Because this thing, except for the wax oil used by the candle workshop, I am afraid that few people use it. But no matter what, it is always a fat product. When I take it home, I always fry vegetables and fried noodles. You can use it. To tell you the truth, I didn’t distribute vegetable oil for two weeks because of the cooperative. Every week, I only eat half a catty of oil, and the average daily price is less than one or two yuan. Oil? Take this thing back, and it will be easy for a hungry man to eat, and no one will think it is tainted." Although he said it with a smile, Li Nanquan felt that the needle hit the nail on the head when he heard his words. My mind was greatly stimulated.I couldn't bear to joke with him, so I raised my head and let out a long sigh.Wu Chunpu said: "It's nothing to be sad about. Didn't my brother run back and forth for more than 30 miles and came back with two big buckets of rice?" Li Nanquan said: "This is a rumor. I am a powerless person. How can a rich man afford two big buckets of rice? Although he bought the rice, he was picked by someone else. Naturally, this kind of life is considered refined enough, but I have one thing to be proud of, I am better than my brother. It’s my wife, who can keep pace with the wives in the village, and has enough energy to touch eight laps a day. Your wife can only feed the soles of the children’s shoes at home and give you pancakes. That’s not my income. Is there any stronger evidence than yours?" At this time, a person on the side of the road interrupted and said with a smile: "Mr. Li will never forget his wife's card game. In fact, we are just messing around, and we can't talk about winning or losing." When Li Nanquan looked at that person, it was exactly Mrs. Xiajiang.The last time she sent Mrs. Bai to grab the horns in the middle of the night, she was really upset.And why on earth was the gambling interest so strong that night, playing two tables all night.It is still a mystery.Now that I saw her, I couldn't help asking.So he nodded and said with a smile: "I don't think the topic of wasting time is very appropriate. For example, that night, two tables in your house fought fiercely all night, so it can't be regarded as wasting time, right? Time is so easy to kill at this time." With the pillows stacked high and the quilt softly covered, eight hours can pass away. If you are happy, you can spend ten hours without any problem." Mrs. Xiajiang held an umbrella in her right hand and a square white cloth bag in her left hand, which looked heavy. Yes, the horns of a mahogany box protrude from it, and one can know that there are mahjong tiles without any thinking.While talking, he couldn't help looking at the white cloth bundle.Mrs. Xia Jiang did not hide anything.She held up the burden and said with a smile: "Don't look at it, here is a card. On a rainy day, if you don't touch eight times, how can you get through? Oh! You ask about that night, I can tell you. It was one of us. Secret. Our wives group, this term was chosen by you just now, and I honestly accept it. We once held a symposium to compete on who is not afraid of Mr. So we invited such a wild gambling. The wild gambling meeting, Whoever came home and caused her husband to question her is considered to be afraid of her husband. For those who are afraid of her husband, we will fine her to treat her once. In the end, no one went home without incident, and we proved the overall victory. We guessed, Mrs. Li It's a treat, so I deliberately invited her in the middle of the night. I didn't expect that Mr. Li couldn't do it either." Wu Chunpu laughed loudly and said: "It's great, it's great, everyone still has such a resolution. It's called dispatching generals rather than stimulating generals. My wife has been so stimulated. If you don't play cards, you have to play four laps." Li Nanquan said with a smile: "But it depends on the person. If someone like Mrs. Wu specially baked pancakes for Mr. Wu and put shoe soles on the children, you said she was afraid of him, and she was afraid of him. She would not lose her because of this." It's..." When he said this, he felt that he had said the following, and Mrs. Xiajiang might not be able to bear it.This made the conversation protracted, and he turned his face to look at Wu Chunpu and said with a smile: "After all, I am more objective, and what I said may not be all right. I would like to ask Mr. Wu to criticize it himself." Wu Chunpu smiled and shook his head a few times: "I am It's not easy to criticize. I'm a bit selfish, and I think her style is right." Mrs. Xiajiang looked at Wu and Li quickly, and then smiled.Li Nanquan said: "This laugh is very interesting. Because I think silence is the greatest irony." Mrs. Xia Jiang laughed: "How dare you! I mean, as a husband, you can also make plans. Like our village..." Speaking of this, she looked back and forth, and then said with a smile: "Like our three outstanding women, of course they help the family grow up. They don't play cards. But the husband's economic power is all on her, The misfortune of the husband is not good. Secondly, we don’t know how to put pancakes on the soles of our shoes, but we don’t work hard. In this regard, we should admit that it is a bit unequal to earn money with the husband. But this is a minority. Like For a person like Mrs. Bai, she runs several businesses and earns more money than her husband. As for me, of course I didn’t show it..." Li Nanquan then laughed and said, "This is the twist in the article, and I should use ' It's just the word '. This is the three-fold method of the article, and each turn advances to a higher level. There is also a conclusion, that is, the wives play eight rounds of hygienic mahjong, which is really what it should be." Mrs. Xia Jiang did not deny his explanation.Holding up the white bundle, he smiled at him and said, "I took up this part of the armed forces and set up battlefields everywhere, but I couldn't find any opponents. If Mr. Li is democratic, you can liberate the room behind for a day, and let us touch twelve people there." Circle." Li Nanquan laughed and said, "This method is called democracy? This method is called liberation?" Mrs. Xiajiang laughed and said, "From the looks of our wives who play cards, there should be no mistakes. Let me ask you one last question , Do you dare to be democratic?" Li Nanquan laughed and said: "Democracy is a good thing, how can you dare to say it? All the people in the world want democracy, and I am one of them." Mrs. Xiajiang pointed to Wu Chunpu He shook his head and said with a smile: "What Mr. Li said, with your testimony, he wants democracy. We will go to his house to test democracy when we get home. If Mr. Li objects, you have to come out and speak out." Li Nanquan said: "But ..." Without waiting for him to finish speaking, she immediately waved her hands and said, "This is not my article, so I can't rewrite it. See you later." As she spoke, she turned around and left.Li Nanquan waved his hands and said: "Come back, come back, I have something to discuss." She shook her head as she walked, and did not turn her head to say hello to him.Wu Chunpu smiled and said: "Brother, you have caused a bit of trouble. This lady must have taken the opportunity to come in. Bringing the cards and the horns to the mansion to go to the house for democracy, how are you going to deal with this situation?" Li Nanquan shook it twice. Shaking his head, he sighed again. - breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled: "I can't lose face like that and throw them out. However, I have a way of passive resistance. When they come, I will go out to find friends. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with rainy days 。”吴先生看了这情形，料着他也只有这个办法，沉默起来，不断地微笑。李先生到了家里，太太正是很无聊地靠了门框站定，呆望着天上飞的细雨烟子。李先生到了面前，她还是不像看到。 李先生笑问道：“看了这满天雨雾出神，有什么感想吗？”李太太以为他是正式发问，也就正式答道：“在江南，我们就觉得阴雨太多，有些讨厌。到在到了四川，这阴雨天竟是不分四季。除了夏天的阴雨天，解除了那一百度以上的温度，是我们欢迎的而外，其余的阴雨天，实在是腻人。尤其冬天，别地方总是整冬的晴着，这里是整冬的下雨。穿着棉衣服走泥浆地，打湿了没有地方晒，弄脏了没有地方洗，实在是别扭。”李南泉笑道：“这时算是杞人忧天吧？现在又不是冬天，你何必为了冬天的阴雨天发愁。我告诉你一个好消息，下江太太，要到我们家里来试验民主。”李太太对于这话不大理解，望了他道：“你这话什么意思？”他就把下江太太刚才说的话，重新述说了一遍。李太太笑道：“你听她胡说，她用的是激将法。想激动你答应在我家打牌。你自己上了她的圈套。”李南泉道：“那很好。回头下江太太来了，你可以给我解这个围。就说家里有事。”李太太道：“你作好人，答应民主，让我作法西斯拒绝人家到我们家打牌。”李先生道：“民主和法西斯，就是这样分别的？领教领教。”说着拱了两下手。吴春圃在走廊上看到，也是哈哈大笑。他们这里说笑着还没有完，山溪那边的人行路上有人说笑而来，而且提名叫着“老李”。看时，第一个就是下江太太。后面另跟着两位太太。下江太太手上还提着那个白布包袱。那自然是麻将牌了。这三位太太，全没有打伞，分明不是向远处走的样子。 李南泉真没有想到她们来得这样快。心里计划着和太太斗一斗法宝的措施，根本还没有预备好呢。这就只有含了笑容，呆呆地站在一边。下江太太一马当先，到了走廊下，见李氏夫妇都含了笑容站在这里，料着这形势并不会僵。这就向李先生笑道：“你回来对太太报告过了没有？我其实没有发动这闪击战。我提了布包袱，本就是个幌子。我一提到要在李公馆测验民主的话，她二位立刻起劲。白太太还说，李先生也许是勉强答应的，要去马上就去。去迟了会发生变化的。”李南泉点了头笑道：“你们要突破我这戒赌的防线，可说无所不用其极。”他说这话时，对来的三位太太看看，觉得有点失礼。因为最后那位太太还相当面生，不可以随便开玩笑的。而且，那位太太，也有点踌躇，正站在溪桥的那端，还不曾走过来呢。便低声问白太太道：“那位太太，我还面生呢。”白太太笑道：“你又不是近视眼。”那桥头上的太太，也就笑了，点着头道：“久违久违，有一个礼拜没有见面吗？”她一开口，李南泉认识了，原来是三杰之一的石正山太太。她已经烫了头发。这头发烫得和普通飞机式不同，乃是向上堆着波浪，而后脑还是挽了双尾辫子的环髻。她是很懂得化妆的，因为她是个圆脸，她不让头发增加头上的宽度。如此，脸上的胭脂，擦得特别的红。而这红晕，并未向两鬓伸去，只在鼻子左右作两块椭圆纹。唇膏涂的是大红色的，将牙齿衬托得更白。身上穿了件蓝白相间直条子的花布长衫，四周滚着细细的红镶边。光了两条雪白的膀子，十个手指甲，也染得通红，她是越发摩登了。 李南泉没想到石太太会变成这个样子，而且还肯加入太太群打牌，便点头笑道：“这是个奇迹。我没有想到石太太也要到我家里来试验民主的。”她缓缓地走过了那木板桥，笑道：“男子们的心理，我现在相当的了解，他们愿意的是这一套。那我们就做这一套罢。”说到这里，那边人行道上，又来了两位太太。老远地抬起手来，招了几招，就问民主测验得怎么样。李先生一看，今天太太群来了个左右联合阵线，这事情不好拦阻，充其量太太大输一场，也不过量半斗米罢。于是不置可否，缓步走到吴先生家去。吴春圃正坐在窗户里桌子上，架上老花眼镜，看一张旧地图。李南泉问道：“吴兄看报之后，关怀战局？”他双手取下老花眼镜，招招手，笑着让他进来。他低声笑道：“你就给你太太一个十全的面子，让她们在你家里摸十二圈。”李南泉坐在他对面木凳上，笑道：“我正是如此，不过这事实在有点欠着公允。我你这样吃苦，她们还要取乐。”吴春圃笑道：“天下不公的事多了，何必计较自己家里的事。我们谈谈天下事来消遣罢。我看看全国地图，心里实在有点难过，我们这自由天地，越来越小了。过几个月，我们这地图大小，就得变回样子。我们哪年哪月有恢复版图的希望？我快六十的人了，我眼睛能看到这地图恢复原状吗？人家想升官发财，我这思想全没有。我只希望有一天，牵着孩子的手，逛逛大明湖，让在外面生长的孩子，到济南老家去看看自己家里的风景。那时，在茶棚子里泡壶茶和孩子谈谈战前的事，我就乐死了。可是我想一想，这也许比升官发财还难。”说着，长叹了一口气。 两人说到此，都觉得心上有块沉重的石头，相对默然。李南泉笑道：“我们这样悲观，实在也是傻事。我总觉得中国有必亡之理，却无必亡之数，我们何必杞人忧天？你不看这些太太们的行为？她们会感到有亡国灭种的日子吗？”吴春圃咬着牙把短胡桩子笑得耸了起来，将手连连摇撼着。李南泉笑道：“我由她们在我家里造反，我眼不见为净，我走开了。吴兄的伞，借一把给我。”吴先生倒是赞成他这种举动，立刻取出一把伞交给他。他接过伞转身就向外走。吴春圃跟着出来，见他将收好的伞，当了手杖拿着，像是散步的样子走去。听得李家屋里，那几位太太像打翻鸭子笼似的，笑声、说话声、倒麻将牌声，闹成了一片。当然，这声音，李先生也是听到的，心里尽管有说不出来的一种苦恼。可是他头也不回，就这样从容地走过桥去，在人行路上徘徊回顾地走。他这时候，心里有点茫然，走向哪里去呢？早知道回家是这样的苦闷，倒不如在杨艳华家里多坐些时候。再看看村子里那些人家，屋顶的烟囱里，正向上冒着黑烟。阴雨的天，湿云在山谷里重重地向下压着，半山腰里就有像薄纱似的云片飞腾。所以，在人家屋顶上，相距不高，空气里就有很重的水分，把烟囱里的烟压得伸不直腰来。卷着圈圈儿向上冲。他猜想着，这是下面的饭灶，正大捆向灶里加着木柴。木柴上面那口饭锅，必是煮得水干饭熟，锅盖缝里冒着香味。他想到这里，便觉得肚子里有些饥荒，自己逞一时的气，牺牲了午饭走出来，这是十分失算的事了。 他慢慢走着，也就想着，这餐中饭在哪里吃？他心里踌躇着，脚下也跟了踌躇着，不知不觉就顺了一条石板路向前走。这个方向，不是到街上去的，正好背了去街头的方向。走往另一个村子口上。他始而是没有注意走错了，也就跟了向下错。阴雨的天，全山的青草都打湿了。长草缝里的小山沟，流着雪白的水，像一条银龙蜿蜒而下。在人行路的石板缝里，野草让雨洗得碧绿。铺在地上的绿耳朵草叶，开着紫色的花，非常的鲜艳，上面还绽着几个小白水珠子。这些小点缀，眼里看着，也很有意致。他那点剩余的诗意，就油然而生。他站在石板路上有点出神，忽然有人叫道：“李先生雅致得很，冒着雨游山玩水。”回头看时，便是那久不见的刘副官。因点头道：“久违久违！我以为刘先生不在这里住了。”他道：“请到家里喝杯茶罢。我正有事奉商。我到昆明去了一趟，也是前天才回来。”这个时候跑昆明，就是间接地跑国际路线。那是可欣慕的好生意。于是夹了伞，抱着拳头拱了两拱，笑道：“恭喜发财了。老兄！”刘副官笑道：“我是为公事去的，不是为做生意去的。不过也带有点土产。大头菜，火腿，普洱茶全有，到我家里喝杯普洱茶去，好不好？”李南泉仰了脸，不由得哈哈大笑。刘副官愕然地站着，问道：“李先生以为我是骗你的吗？”李南泉笑道：“你有所不明。我直到这时，还是一粒米不曾沾牙。今日所消化的，就是昨日的食粮。你这时候，还让我喝普洱茶，那不是打算把我肚子里这点存货，都要洗刷干净，那不是让我更难受吗？”刘副官笑道：“那末，请到我家吃火腿和大头菜。”说着拉了他的手就向家里引。 李南泉笑道：“老兄请客，可谓诚意之至。假如我有事的话……”刘副官道：“你根本无事。若是有事，你也不会在这阴雨天到人行路上赏玩风景。”他口里说着，手里还是拖了李先生向家里走。客人进了门，他首先就喊道：“快预备饭，切一块火腿蒸着。”说着，就在书桌子抽屉里取出一听烟来，笑道：“这也是由昆明带回来的成绩。”他说着这话，似乎是很高兴。将他脚上的皮鞋，抬起来放在凳子头上。他抬起了右手，中指按着大拇指，使劲一弹，就是“啪”的一声响。随了这个动作，他周身都是带劲的，身子闪动着，转了半个圈。李南泉笑道：“看刘副官这样子喜形于色，必是狠赚了几个钱吧？”刘副官笑道：“我实在没有作生意，是为了公事去的。不过既然走上了这条路，有现成的便宜东西，我当然就买它一些回来。来一支好烟！”说着，打开烟听的盖子，取出一支烟，送到他面前来。他接住烟，在嘴里抿着。刘副官就在口袋里掏出打火机，擦着了火和他点烟，笑道：“我说句最公道的话，像李先生这样有才学的人，一切享受都应该比我们高。而现在的情形，你们先生们是太清苦了。”他突然这样一阵恭维，教李南泉听着倒不明白他是什么用意，也只有微笑着。刘副官自己，也就取了一支烟吸着，两手抱了大腿，抿着烟微笑道：“的确的，我对李先生的学问道德，钦佩之至，若有工夫的话，我一定得在你面前多多讨教讨教。苦于我是没有时间。今天正好都闲着，好好地谈谈罢。” 李南泉对于这种人，多少存一点戒心。见他今天这样特别客气，料着有什么要求会提出来的，心里也就估计着，无论什么事，自己总向无能的一方面推诿，料着他也不能让人所难。可是刘副官尽谈闲话。不多一会，他家里开出饭来，除了云南的火腿和大头菜，还有几样很好的菜。饭后，他泡了一壶普洱茶请客，还是谈些闲话。直到李南泉告辞，他才笑问道：“李先生晚上在家吗？我要找李先生请教请教。”李南泉笑道：“住在这样的山缝里，晚上有哪里可以去？而况又是阴雨天。不过我家里今天让太太们开辟了战场，我得暂避一下。现在虽然是国难严重，可是大部分的中国人还是醉生梦死地过活着。”说完长叹了一口气。刘副官觉得他说的“醉生梦死过活着”，似乎有点扎耳。他将两手插在西服裤袋里，连连地扛了两个肩膀，笑道：“像我们这种人，实在也是不可救药。你说替国家出力吧？连当名大兵，也许都不够资格。不能替国家出力；而自己和家庭的生活，又要顾到。我们的生活，就是这样鬼混。”说着，他将手在裤子袋里掏出来，却带出了一张扑克牌，笑道：“你看，我们随身就带有武器。这不怪我，怪我们这环境不好。所有识得的朋友，都这样醉生梦死。也因为如此，所以我想到府上去长谈一番，我想我还年轻，可以改换环境的。”他这样说着，可以知道他要来请教，原是真话，这是人家的正当行为，就不能推辞了。便笑道：“谈谈是可以的。你要说我为人之道，我家里就在打牌过阴雨天，我这种家长，还值得学习吗？” 李先生别了刘副官，向回家的路上走。远隔了一条山溪，就听到家里麻将牌的擦弄声音。他站在路头上静听一下，其实不是。乃是山溪里的山洪，在石头上撞击之响。他想着，还不曾回家，神经就紧张起来，在家里也是坐不住，就撑着雨伞。在细雨烟子里，分别去拜访村里村外的朋友。到了天色将黑了，这餐晚饭，却不便去打搅朋友。因为所访的朋友，都是公教人员，留不起朋友吃便饭。于是绕道街上买了几个冷烧饼带回来。到家之后，在走廊上站着，这回听清楚了，家里的确是有麻将牌声。而且，还听到李太太带了叹息的声音说：“掀过来就是五筒，清一条龙，中心五，不求人，门前清，自摸双。十几个翻都有。唉！你这种小牌，和得好损。”听这话，自然屋子里还在鏖战，他也不用进去了。在厨房隔壁，有一间小草房，原来是堆柴草的，现在里面没有了柴草，放了一张竹板床，一张竹桌子，乃是邻居共有，预备谁家有客来，就临时在那里下榻。李先生很自知地向那里一溜。让孩子们取过茶壶凳子和书架上的几本书，就在这屋子里休息。女主人打牌，王嫂要管理孩子，灶下还没有烧火。不用提晚饭何时可吃，连开水都发生问题。好在邻居家都已做晚饭了，他暂且把烧饼放下，借了邻居家的开水，泡了一壶茶喝。孩子们原不知道他要看什么书，随便拿来的是一本，一本，两本《杨椒山集》。他将手拍了书页道：“这环境教人真积极不起来，看看侪物论》吧。”他拿起书来看时，这屋子只有尺来见方一个窗户眼，光线不够，搬了凳子靠着门拿了书来。看了两页，身上冰凉，原来是茅檐下的细雨烟子飞了满身。 他撩起蓝布长衫的小襟，在脸上擦抹了一下。把凳子移到竹桌子里，两手按了桌子沿，只管向那一尺见方的小窗户孔里出神。这时有人叫道：“李先生在家吗？”伸头一看，正是那刘副官，他是脱离了战时生活的人，身上披着雨衣，手里提着布伞就向廊子里走来。李南泉迎出来，引他到小屋子里坐下，笑道：“老兄真是信人，说到就到。”刘副官向屋子里周围看了一下，他也不脱雨衣，伸手到怀里去掏摸了一阵，先掏出一张支票，然后掏出一张寿事征文启，笑道：“我本来要和李先生谈谈的。不过我看到李先生自己都成了偏安之局，明天你有不明白的时候再问我吧。这里是一张征文的启事，里面写得相当的清楚。启事里面夹有一张字条，那就是送礼的人写着他的身份和关系。我很冒昧，代人家要求李先生代作一篇寿序。这里有一张一百五十元的支票，那就是文章的润笔，无论如何，请李先生赏个面子，大笔一挥。”李南泉这才明白他上午的那番殷勤，为的是这件事。这就笑道：“那没有问题，我是一个卖文为活的人，有这先付稿费的生意我还有什么不接受。”刘副官拱拱手道：“那很感谢。不过有一点不情之请。这文章明天上午就要。”李南泉道：“那可无法交卷。你都说了，我今天是偏安之局。这屋子里白天没有光线，晚上窗户没有纸，风吹进来，灯不好点。今天晚上，无论如何，我不能动笔。假如今晚睡得早的话，明天我可以起早来办，但是看这趋势，今天晚上是无法早睡的。” 刘副官站起来想了一想，笑道：“作文章是要好地方的。若是李先生不嫌弃的话，可以到我家里去写，我一定用好茶好烟招待。”李南泉笑道：“假如一定要有那些做派，那是太平文人，现在岂可以这样？好罢，我委屈一点，就在这小屋子里写。”说着也站了起来。刘副官看他有送客之意，主人是别扭在这屋子里，这时还要在这里多谈天，也许增加了主人的不便。于是向他伸着手，握了一握：“我家云南火腿还多，明天我亲自上街买点牛肉来烧，请李先生吃午饭，犒劳犒劳。明天见。”说着，抬起手来扬了一扬，就走去了。李南泉在廊子下站着很是出了一会神。李太太突然走出来了，向他笑道：“你肚子饿了吧？”李南泉道：“中饭在刘副官家里吃得很好。晚饭呢，我买了几个冷烧饼带回来了。”李太太近前一步，没说话，先又笑了一笑。李南泉挥着手道：“你去办公罢。倒不用关心我。”李太太笑道：“太太们起哄，难得的，下不为例。我马上就叫王嫂做饭了。刚才姓刘的来，找你什么事？”李南泉道：“他定货来了。约了明天交货。”李太太道：“定货？你有什么货交给他？”李先生将手拍了肚子笑道：“这里面的之乎者也。”李太太道：“这种人，你是向来不大愿意交往的，你为什么给他写文章？”李南泉道：“我当然不愿意。不过我想到，为了买二斗米，可以便宜上十块钱，我还来去走三十里路。现在有人送一百五十元上门来，我既不是强取豪夺，又不是贪污，不过就那征文启事敷衍几名人情话，有何不可？有这一百五十元，岂不够你输几场的吗？” 李太太一扭身子道：“我不和你说。只敷衍你，你还老是说，你简直不知好歹。”这时，屋子里也有太太们叫了：“老李呀，怎么回事？一去不来，我们正等着你呢，牌都理好了。”李太太听了这话，赶快向屋子里走。但是去不到五分钟，她又回转身来了，脸上已不是生气的样子，直奔那小屋里去。她取得了那张一百五十元的支票，在手上举着，向李先生笑道：“这个归我了。”李南泉道：“你还是和我说话。”李太太笑道：“得了，今天这场牌打完了，我准休息一个礼拜。今天这场牌，并不是我邀来的。明天早上，无论下雨天晴，我亲自上街和你买几样可口的菜。”李南泉点着头道：“我先谢谢。不过这一百五十元是人家定货的。我是不是愿意交卷，还在考虑中。而且你也反对我写这路文字。现在我一个字还没有写，你就把钱全数拿去了，那也太损一点。文从烟里出，至少你也得给我留下一包纸烟的钱吧？”李太太听了这话，走近一步，抓着他的手笑道：“我告诉你，我今天没有输钱。而且还多少赢了一点，纸烟不成问题，我马上教人和你去买，对不起，对不起，我还有四圈。”说着，她就把那张支票揣到衣袋里去了。李南泉只是笑笑，并没有说什么话。李太太笑着点了两点头，然后走回去了。不过这张支票，的确是发生了很大的效力。立刻王嫂就在牌桌上拿了一盒“小大英”纸烟，送到小屋子里去，接着是又送来一盏擦抹干净了的菜油灯和大半支洋蜡烛，这东西还是两个月前的存货，因为大后方的洋烛，已是珍贵物品了。 李南泉知道这是太太鼓励写文章的意思，而这写文章的地方，也就规定了是在这间小屋子里写，这无须多考虑了。他回到那小屋子里，发现纸笔墨砚都已陈设停当。他这就找了一张旧报纸，把窗户先糊上，然后掩上了房门，把灯烛全点了起来。先将这征文看了一看，却是一个极普通的老人，现在活到七十岁，四个儿子，两个务农，两个经商，不过家里相当富有而已。只有他的第二个女婿现在是一位抗战军人，已经达到少将阶级。其余就是这位老人，他为人忠厚勤俭，由一个中农之家，达到现在很富有的阶段。而且两个孙子，都因他这番血汗，考进大学了。这一切是平庸，丝毫无独特之处，这有什么法子用文字去夸张呢。他看了一遍，又把这寿启看上一遍。接连地看过几回之后，还是看不出也想不出独特之处。桌子那盒“小大英”纸烟，取了一支，吸着；又取一支吸着，不知不觉地去了小半盒。他凝着神在想如何找出这枯燥文字里面的灵感来。这时，他听到了茅檐外的雨，正“哗啦哗啦”地下着，而檐溜也跟了这响声，在窗子外面狂注。他提起笔来，就在纸上写了起来：“李子方剪烛西窗，烹茶把卷，有声如山崩海啸直压吾斗室者，则正巴山夜雨也。于时而不能悠然遐想，觅吾诗魂之所在，而乃搜索枯肠，为一小地主谋颂扬之词。此非吾自苦，乃一百五十元之支票一张为之，又米缸中之米为之，嗟夫，此岂人情乎哉？此七旬之老翁，何为而苦我，我固素昧平生也。” 他写到最后这句话，将笔放了下来，长叹了一声道：“一百五十元之支票为之。”窗子外这就有人问道：“怎么着，今晚上搬家了？”李南泉听到是吴春圃的声音，便打开门来笑道：“请进来谈谈罢。”吴先生进来，看到桌上放着一本征文启，李先生自己写的一张稿子，这就把身子向后一缩道：“你在工作，我不打断你的文思了。”李南泉笑道：“不忙，你看看我这是什么玩意。”说着，把这张稿子递到吴先生手上。吴先生接着看过，这就笑道：“这与寿序无关呀！”李南泉自己坐到竹床上，将那张小凳子让给吴先生坐了，把桌子上的烟，向客人去敬着。笑道：“我这脑筋太枯塞。我们剪烛西窗，谈一两小时罢。”吴春圃将烟支对着烛焰点着吸了。两手指夹了烟支，在嘴里抿着，深深地吸了一口。然后在口里冒烟的时候笑道：“这'小大英'的烟，竟是越吸越有味。在战前，这太不成问题了吧？”李南泉摇摇头笑道：“提起这支烟，这倒让我很着急。这篇寿序，一字未写，洋烛、油灯、茶叶、纸烟，所消耗的资本已经是很可观的了。从前写文章，决没有人估计资本的，现在可不能不估计。若写出来的文章，稿费不够本钱双倍，大可以不费这脑筋了。”吴春圃道：“我知道，你决不是写不出文章，你是满腹牢骚把你的文思扰乱了。别那么想，这年头能活着就是便宜。”李南泉听了这话，两手一拍，突然站了起来道：“吾得之矣！老兄这句话，就是我这篇寿序的骨干，文章写得成了。”吴先生倒不解所谓，只是吸了烟望着他。 李南泉笑道：“这当然要我给你解释一下。你不是说，现在能活着就是便宜吗？我就可以根据这点，加以发挥。我说，现在前方家庭破碎，骨肉流离的，固然不知多少；就是大后方，受生活压迫，过不去日子的人，也不知多少。而这位老先生就在这时代，还可以活到七十岁，这是幸运。而且七十岁的人，看了这几十年多少不同的事情。除了幸运，还饱享眼福。”吴春圃笑道：“你这样写，那简直是骂这个寿星翁了。”李南泉道：“当然我下笔不能那样笨，虽有这个意思，也得婉转地说了出来。”他说着话时，看到烛芯焦糊得很长，就取了两支笔，当筷子使用，把烛芯夹掉一小截。吴春圃笑道：“你别耗费烛油呀，等你写文章的时候再点罢。”李南泉笑道：“这必须谈话的时候剪蜡烛，才有意思，你不听到屋外面正是巴山夜雨？”吴春圃笑道：“原来是根据诗意来的。”这就顺着想到“君问归期未有期”了。李南泉笑道：“确是如此，我已打成了一首油，你看下面这三句罢。”于是拿起桌上的笔，就着这张稿纸，文不加点地写了几行字道：“巴山夜雨阻文思，何堪共剪西窗烛，正是夫人雀战时。”吴春圃哈哈笑道：“我兄始终不能对这事处之泰然吗？”李南泉笑道：“南宫歌舞北宫愁，我能处之泰然吗？而且我那张支票已经不翼而飞了。”这时，王嫂给李先生送了一碗面来。平常吃汤面，总是猪油、酱油作汤，搁点儿鲜菜，成为上品。这碗面特别，居然有两个溏心鸡蛋。 吴春圃笑道：“李先生还没有吃晚饭吗？我们吃过去一小时了。”他笑着点了两点头道：“所以我对于这事，就感到有些头疼。你再让我饿着肚子写文章，当然有点头疼了。”吴春圃笑道：“努力加餐罢。吃饱了也好写文章，我不打搅了。”说着，起身就向外走，李南泉对了鸡蛋面，略觉解除了胸中一些苦闷。既是吴先生走了，也就先来享受罢。他把面吃完了，不愿再耽误，也就开始写那篇寿序。直等到桌上菜油灯的灯光变得昏暗了，他抬起头来剔灯芯，才知道那半支洋蜡烛，又烧了一半。于是将茶杯子覆过来，把洋烛放在茶杯底上，重新将烛芯剪去一小截。再回头，看到竹床上放了一盆洗脸水。这才想起，吃了饭还没有洗脸，立刻伸手到脸盆里去捞毛巾，那水已是冰凉的了。他掏着手巾胡乱地洗了一把脸，就恢复到桌子上去写稿。因为是冷水洗脸的关系，脑筋比先前清醒些了，听到屋檐外面，大雨滂沱声已经停止，只有那“扑笃扑笃”的檐溜声未断。这时，山谷里的夜色已相当深沉了。他放下了笔，将那张征文启，又仔细地看了两遍。还是觉得这里面供给作文章的材料很少，他找了两根火柴棍，将灯草剔得长一点，又把烛芯的焦糊之处，用两只笔夹去一点，坐着