Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Submerged-1

If you meet an authentic Beijinger on the street, if you ask him what best represents ancient Beijing, he will definitely tell you that it is a courtyard house in Beijing. The same inquiry was also made in the recent Chinese high-level examination paper in Beijing, and more than half of the candidates gave the same firm response. The courtyard house in Beijing was first formed in the Shang Dynasty, developed in the Yuan Dynasty, and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. As a model of traditional Chinese residential architecture, it has long been recognized by the world.Its privacy and affinity, livability and ornamental harmony are irreplaceable; its long ideological origin and unique artistic charm are exciting; its supremacy in all kinds of top mansions in contemporary Beijing is no longer Controversy; its collection value and appreciation space are even more coveted!In particular, No. 3 Courtyard of Renli Hutong, a typical compound with three entrances and gardens, in the old place of the imperial city where every inch of land is precious, can be called a natural treasure, rare and rare, and of course it is a non-renewable wealth resource.

The morning when Zhou Xin's lawyer came to No. 3 Courtyard of Renli Hutong again, Cai Dongping was walking her dog in the garden.The nanny came over and bowed a few words before she gave the simple and honest Chow Chow to the nanny to take away.She walked out of the garden slowly, washed her hands in the bathroom first, and then looked at herself in the mirror.I don't know if it's because of the troubled times in this life, the face in the mirror stays unlucky, and the bags under the eyes are more obvious, which exaggerates her actual age. With such a state of mind, she came to the living room and sat across from two lawyers and an accountant who had been waiting for a long time. Both parties seemed to be in no hurry to speak, and there was no expression on their faces.

The topic was still started by a lawyer, who first explained the purpose of his visit: "We are here today to implement Mr. Cai Baike's will as soon as possible. What needs to be implemented in the will mainly involves the distribution of the estate, and the distribution of the estate, first of all What needs to be solved is to check the scope and amount of the inheritance. This is a power of attorney signed by Mr. Gao Chun, one of the heirs of the inheritance. He entrusts Zhongsheng Law Firm and Chunqiu Accounting Firm as his agents to handle it with full authority. I hope to get your cooperation regarding the heritage verification."

Cai Dongping spoke slowly, with the same arrogant attitude as always: "You go to the company to check the company's property, I don't know. I don't know what property my father has besides the company, and he didn't tell me about it." The accountant said: "It doesn't matter if he didn't tell you. Mr. Cai Baike has already given a general description of his estate. He mentioned in his will that the property of Baike Company will be inherited by you. One of the properties he owns is this A courtyard, and personal deposits of more than 8 million yuan, which will be inherited by his son, who is our client. The first thing we need to do now is to check and register this courtyard and its attached properties, and For the deposit of more than 8 million yuan, I hope you can..."

"I don't know that he has more than 8 million deposits. Don't ask me. I haven't seen any deposits from my father. His money is in the company's account. If you want money, go to Encyclopedia, and don't come to our house. want!" Cai Dongping finally stopped taking her time, and her tone became angrier, but the lawyer's attitude was the same as before, with a calm and businesslike expression. "It's all easy to handle. The yard is here. It's easy to stand up and lie down on the ground. If you really can't find the deposit certificate, it doesn't matter. We can apply for the court's approval to go to the relevant bank to find it. It's not difficult. Yes. Even if those deposits are transferred away, it doesn’t matter, the bank has a case to investigate, and we can recover them according to law.”

The lawyer's words obviously contained threats and warnings, and Cai Dongping could not fail to hear it. Her eye circles turned red, her chest heaved, and her voice trembled. It seemed that she couldn't swallow this breath no matter what. "My father... my father has been ill for so many years, and I have been taking care of him. My so-called... so-called younger brother has not even fulfilled his filial piety for a day, but he wants to take away all our family's property. You guys If you do this, I will never accept it, never accept it..." Another lawyer spoke tactfully, as a consolation to bystanders: "Your father handed over such a large encyclopedia company to you, and only left his personal house and a little savings to his son. It is also for his son's future medical treatment. And life has a basic guarantee..."

"What's the use of the company, the company has let them collapse! There is no money in the company's account, and it is close to declaring bankruptcy!" The lawyer waited for Cai Dongping to finish yelling, and continued to persuade him with reason: "Baidu Baike has nearly one billion book assets. Before your father died, he didn't know that the company was investigated by the tax authorities, and he didn't know the company's huge deficit. The bulk of the inheritance is left to you. As for this yard, it may be because it was left by the ancestors of the Cai family. According to Chinese customs, most of the property is left to the sons, because you don’t want the ancestral house to fall into the hands of a different surname. But you In the will, my father also specifically stated that once your brother is gone, you can enjoy the right to inherit the yard."

Cai Dongping burst into tears: "I have lived here for so many years, are you going to drive me away? Where do you want me to live! " The lawyer is confident: "As far as we know, you have an apartment in Chaoyang District and Haidian District. You don't have a house to live in. Of course, if our client agrees that you continue to live here, you don't have to move." "Do you know how much a courtyard like this in Beijing is worth now? Such a courtyard costs 60,000 to 70,000 yuan per square meter. This courtyard has 4,000 square meters including the garden. Do the math! Those two apartments are only worth a few dollars. money!"

"The market price of this courtyard is not our concern. What we want to verify on behalf of the principal is only the real objects of this courtyard and related ancillary facilities. This is the decision of the will, and no one can change it. Unless this will violates the Chinese people's The laws of the Republic, but judging from the current situation, the will left by Mr. Cai Baike does not conflict with the current laws of our country." Cai Dongping's anger quickly took away her patience. Before the lawyer finished speaking, she jumped up against the case. Although her voice was deliberately controlled, she couldn't control her panting breath: "My father is dead...but I'm not dead yet! I As long as you live for a day, you don’t want to make plans for this yard! Every plant and tree, don’t make plans for any of you! I won’t let you get it if I burn it..."

The lawyer was confident: "We act according to the law, I hope you respect the law..." "Don't scare me with the law. My father's body is still alive. Which law do you use to drive me out? Which law do you use to come here..." Cai Dongping got up and walked to the door, and turned back halfway to stop: " This is my home, I don’t want to go, you should go! Gentlemen, please go, stay where it’s cool, I don’t have time to accompany you. Sister Sun, see off the guests!” Two lawyers and an accountant probably rarely encountered such a hysterical woman, looked at each other, and the negotiation broke down.They left the yard without a word.When they walked out of the vertical flower gate, they saw Cai Dongping glaring at the courtyard alone, surrounded by roof tiles on all sides, like an enraged trapped animal.

In fact, Zhou Xin had expected that her married life would not only be joyless, but also quite difficult.Gao Chun's living and treatment expenses, her mother's food, clothing, and babysitting expenses are all borne by her alone.She has no income, and sees nothing.Fortunately, before the desperate situation came, the court made a verdict that Cai Baike's will was legal and valid and should be implemented.The Renli Hutong No. 3 Courtyard owned by Cai Baike and the bank savings of more than 8 million yuan should be inherited by Gao Chun. Cai Dongping did not appear in court on the day of the sentencing, and her lawyer may have predicted her defeat, so she still set her battle in the No. 3 courtyard of Renli Hutong.So when the lawyer and accountant returned to the yard again, they met with crazy resistance from Cai Dongping.She desperately pounced on the lawyer and accountant, trying to prevent them from entering the room, and the bailiff who came to enforce it dragged and dragged her away from the brink of physical assault, but allowed her to utter abuse and cry while struggling howl. "Dad, Dad, did you see it? You are still alive, and these bastards drove me out of this house! Dad! Open your eyes and see! Did you ask them to come here! Did you send them here!ah? " Zhou Xin also came this day, and this was the third time she walked into this courtyard.Her identity this time is no longer a "beggar", but a plenipotentiary representative of the new owner of this courtyard.Her appearance was a strong stimulus to Cai Dongping, and this stimulus actually made her stop crying. Regardless of the repeated persuasion of several cadres and maids of Baike Company, she rushed to Zhou Xin with tears all over her face: "You This devil, you killed my man, you ruined my family, you can’t solve my hatred even if you die a thousand times! I will never end with you in this life, just wait, you bitch! Fox..." It was the two female bailiffs who came forward to finally hold her back. The strong restraint and loud yelling forced her to give up struggling.When her assistant, Sister Sun, who always had a sullen expression, helped her to leave, she almost collapsed on Sister Sun's arms.In the end, what was reflected in Zhou Xin's pupils was only Sister Sun's sharp gaze when she looked back.That gaze was exactly the same as the moment when he launched the attack in the training room of the Guanhu Club a year ago, cruel, calm, and suffocating! With the court's decision, the handover of Cai Baike's estate progressed quite quickly.After the court arrived at the scene to forcibly inventory and seal up the property in No. 3 Courtyard of Renli Hutong, after Cai Dongping's hysteria exhausted her own physical strength, and after her lawyer persuaded her in some way, the details of the inheritance handover were discussed between the two parties. The lawyer's conference room quickly settled down.Cai Dongping's lawyer handed over more than 8 million yuan in bank deposit certificates, and at the same time produced a copy of Cai Baike's "dying instructions". This "dying instructions" that popped up out of nowhere is actually just a dictation, but it does have Cai Baike's old-fashioned autograph on it.Although this "dying order" did not overturn the previous will that the property in No. 3 Courtyard should be inherited by his son Gao Chun, it stipulated that if Gao Chun died without heirs, No. 3 Courtyard would be inherited by his sister Cai Dongping.According to this regulation, Gao Chun's future wife will not have the right to inherit the No. 3 courtyard.The deathbed instructions also reiterated: Since Gao Chun is seriously ill and cannot take care of himself, if Gao Chun is not married and has a family, No. 3 courtyard will still be managed by his sister Cai Dongping.Maybe Cai Dongping's lawyer has heard about it, or maybe it has been expected. When Gao Chun's lawyer immediately presented Gao Chun and Zhou Xin's marriage certificate, he immediately proposed on behalf of his client without changing his face, hoping that No. 3 Court The new owner was able to allow his half-sister, his client, to continue living in the compound.So far, all negotiations between the two parties on the handover of the inheritance have ended with Gao Chun's lawyer representing Gao Chun clearly refusing Cai Dongping's request. On the day when the negotiation ended, Zhou Xin had been waiting outside the lawyer's meeting room. After Gao Chun's lawyer asked for her opinion, in order to avoid further mishaps or further delays in the transfer of property, Zhou Xin agreed to give up the relationship with Renli in the form of a written promise. Inheritance of Hutong No. 3 Courtyard.After Cai Dongping's lawyer left with a gloomy expression, she was called into the conference room.Several semi-old passbooks and the real estate certificates of No. 3 Courtyard of Renli Hutong were placed on the table. These property certificates were not impressive on the outside, but Zhou Xin's inner feelings were beyond words. That afternoon, at Guzi's house, in Zhou Xin and Gao Chun's new house, under the witness of Zhou Xin, the two lawyers handed over these certificates to Gao Chun.Along with the passbook and real estate certificate, there is also a thick property list.The three limousines owned by the Cai family, as well as gold and silver items, have all been taken away by Cai Dongping. The facilities, trees and stone carvings in the courtyard were preserved because they could not be moved.The furniture, lamps, stoves, and sanitary ware in the house were also kept together with the house.The so-called prodigal family is worth tens of thousands of dollars. The list of furniture, lamps, stoves, sanitary ware and some half-worn electrical appliances is as long as dozens of pages. Facing these paperwork, a certificate and a pile of checklists, the lawyer explained the value of these pieces of paper in transactional language. Even Zhou Xin was overwhelmed when he heard it, but Gao Chun looked cold and indifferent. "This is all your inheritance. There are 8.56 million yuan in cash, a yard and the corresponding furniture and utensils. This yard is your family's old property and was returned to your family fifteen years ago. Over the past ten years, several It has been renovated several times to form the current three-entry courtyard with a garden pattern. Covering an area of ​​more than 4,100 square meters, this large courtyard with a garden should be worth about 200 million yuan according to the current market conditions. Your sister I hope you can agree to her continuing to live in the courtyard. We have already rejected this request on your behalf. As for whether you two can keep in touch with each other and rebuild your kinship, this is your own business. We As a lawyer in this case, I just want to inherit all the inheritance you deserve according to the law for you. Now our task has been completed." Gao Chun stared straight at the certificates, wondering what was going on in his mind—was he thinking about his father who was still dead, or his sister who was a stranger, or his mother who raised him?Still thinking about his partner—Jin Kui, who has long since become a wife and has not been heard from... Gao Chun's eyes were blurred, so Zhou Xin had no choice but to stand up and represent Gao Chun, her husband, and the recipient of these properties, to express to the lawyer Sincere gratitude and admiration. Overnight, Gao Chun, who was on the verge of extinction, became a billionaire with a net worth of hundreds of millions. What remained unchanged was his frail body and always dull face. On the day when Gao Chun entered Courtyard No. 3 of Renli Hutong as his master, a group of painters from Dumu Painting Workshop came to help.Gu Zi also came, and he and Zhou Xin hid their eyes when they met each other, their embarrassment and sorrow were self-evident. Gao Chun went home in the painters' cars.Gu Zi helped Zhou Xin carry Gao Chun out of the car door, put him in a wheelchair, and Zhou Xin pushed him into the vermilion lacquered gate with stone drums. The vertical flower gate enters the main courtyard, and the pillars of the main room and wing room are majestic.They stepped across the hall and entered the backyard. The courtyard is covered with golden bricks and surrounded by verandas, and the centuries-old pomegranate magnolias are flourishing. They are like tourists sightseeing from room to room, living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, The storage room and so on, the room does not fall.Cai Dongping took away all the antique calligraphy and paintings in the room, but most of the antique furniture is still there.Most of the painters can name the furniture, and those who can't can generally know the style of it.Since Cai Dongping didn't take these furniture away, they certainly weren't antiques from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Driving all the way, Zhou Xin could feel that Gao Chun was not happy that he had become the master here.She could still feel Gu Zi's eyes beside her, always seeking to communicate with her.She can only avoid it deliberately, and make a gesture of caring for Gao Chun wholeheartedly. Gao Chun in the wheelchair should be the only protagonist today. On the day when Gao Chun moved, in the evening of this day, Jin Kui was unexpectedly summoned by the Director of the Art Department of the Children's Palace. Talk to the director alone. The director asked: "Recently, you arranged a small program for the students in the dance class. What's the name of the program?" Jin Kui replied: "It's called 'Ice and Fire Love', and it's a pas de deux." The director nodded, with a pleasant face: "Oh, what theme does this program reflect?" Jin Kui didn't know how to answer, and had a vague feeling of bad premonition: "Reflecting... can be regarded as reflecting the theme of emotion." The director smiled lightly: "Family or friendship? 'Ice and Fire Love', the name should reflect love, right?" Jin Kui thought for a while, and replied: "It's not called 'Ice and Fire Love' anymore, it's now called 'Red Turban', and 'Ice and Fire Love' is the old name." The director nodded again, and said, "To teach children, it is better to teach the truth, kindness and beauty, ah. What about love or not, let the students know about this too early, and the parents will complain, and the influence will be bad. You have not been here for long , We haven’t told you enough about this, if we arrange any new programs for students in the future, we must first report to the Department of Literature and Art, and then implement them after approval, okay?” Jin Kui was stunned for a long time, then nodded: "Okay." Every day when I get off work, it is already dark outside.As usual, Jin Kui's dinner is simple and perfunctory in a small restaurant on the street.After the meal, as usual, she would call Yun Lang's family to say hello, and asked her mother to find out Fang Yuan's whereabouts for her.Although the Yunlang Song and Dance Troupe no longer exists, some old people in the troupe may still have contact with Fang Yuan from time to time. Jin Kui firmly believes that Fang Yuan must know Gao Chun's whereabouts, and Gao Chun can be found by finding Lao Fang. It seems that my mother worked very hard, but the Yunlang Song and Dance Troupe was disbanded and the descendants were separated, and the people who could be found had no contact with Lao Fang. So far, Jin Kui's search for Gao Chun has actually stopped, because the search has no realistic direction.Gao Chun also has no mailbox, QQ or MSN. She and Gao Chun have stopped playing the "Audition" game for a long time.She also posted notices of missing persons to many websites in Internet cafes, but the Internet is vast, and it is difficult to hear back. Fang Yuan came to visit Gao Chun three days after Gao Chun moved into the No. 3 courtyard, and left in the evening.After Zhou Xin delivered Fangyuan, he walked through the vertical flower gate, bypassed the Chaoshou corridor, and then entered the backyard from the hall of the main room.At night, Courtyard No. 3 of Renli Hutong always becomes darker, even a bit resentful.Zhou Xin is like the only vitality in this unpopular house, meandering through the silent courtyard.Gao Chun lay lifeless on the bed, no matter how Zhou Xin came in or out, he couldn't hear any sound from him. Zhou Xin closed the south window of the bedroom to block the strong wind from the garden.She helped Gao Chun take off his clothes, and when she saw the heart-shaped glass hanging from his neck, she persuaded again: "Don't wear this when you sleep, it's very fragile and easy to be crushed, let me put it away for you, just Put it in that cabinet, you can wear it again if you want." Gao Chun hesitated for a moment, then took it off obediently, watched Zhou Xin put away the token, then turned to him and said, "Lie down and sleep." He lay down and was more obedient and cooperative. The lights in the bedrooms were off, as were the lights in the garden.Compared with Guzi's big room, this bedroom has a larger space. In addition to Gao Chun's 2x2 double bed, there is also a large Arhat bed against the wall.Zhou Xin didn't share the bed with Gao Chun, she just slept on this arhat bed, and heard Gao Chun's breath.Gao Chun is a paralytic, and the couple have never had skin-to-skin contact after marriage.Zhou Xin has never met Gao Chun, and Gao Chun has never met Zhou Xin. The sleeping together in the past was just a formality. In the morning, Guzi came and brought Zhou Xin some kitchen utensils such as spatulas, pots and pans.Zhou Xin just moved here, and all the necessities of life are not complete.Zhou Xin needs to take control of the yard as soon as possible. He must be familiar with gas, water and electricity, and take care of Gao Chun who is bedridden.Gao Chun is crippled and can't do anything, so what Gu Zi sent in the morning, not to mention timely help, is at least very timely. Zhou Xin said, "Thank you." Gu Zi said, "No need." When Gu Zi came, Zhou Xin was preparing breakfast for Gao Chun in the kitchen, and Gu Zi was on the sidelines. The two of them did not talk about their feelings, and the topics involved were only ordinary and trivial aspects of life. Gu Zi said: "Why don't you bring your mother to live with you? This way the aunt who takes care of your mother can come with you, and can also take care of Gao Chun for you. Gao Chun can't do without people now, and you Just stay at home and don't go out?" Zhou Xin washed the spoon, but said nothing.Gu Zi continued: "Yesterday, I heard from Lao Suan that Mr. Cullis has faxed, and our European art exhibition may be completed soon. Gao Chun looks like this, can you leave?" Only then did Zhou Xin respond: "I can hire another worker for Gao Chun, but I can't bring my mother here to live and eat with Gao Chun. Some people are already gossiping, saying that Gao Chun and I got married. Chess took the risk and said that I finally succeeded." Gu Zi didn't believe it: "Who said that, no way, who did you listen to?" Zhou Xin looked calm and said, "Anyway, someone will say it. This is the logic of this era, and it is normal for someone to speculate like this." Guzi said: "Don't grow crops when you listen to Lala crickets, let them talk, you live your life. " Zhou Xin said: "Every plant, tree, brick, and tile in this yard belongs to Gaochun. I will not let my mother come to live in this yard and spend Gaochun's money. I will pay for my mother's living expenses and nanny fees When I find a nanny for Gao Chun, I will go back to the painting workshop, I paint to earn money, and I can support my mother." Gu Zi said: "Didn't Gao Chun offer to let you take your mother over? After all, you are his now...the wife he is marrying, so he should also think about you." Zhou Xin said: "He was just a child. After his leg was broken, he was always in a low mood. He hasn't passed the psychological setback period yet. He can't think so thoroughly." Gu Zi was silent for a moment, then stepped forward suddenly, and hugged Zhou Xin from behind, and he whispered in her ear, "I know, it's difficult for you, I want to help you." Zhou Xin quietly let Gu Zi hug her for a while, then walked away to the side, wiped away the moisture from the corners of her eyes, looked at Gu Zi with a forced smile, and said, "Thank you." Gu Zi didn't move forward again, he leaned against the stove, a little discouraged, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Does the nanny want me to help you find it?" Zhou Xin shook his head and said, "Gao Chun asked me to invite his former master. That person can drive and is familiar with Gao Chun. Someone has to take care of such a big yard. In addition, I have to find a nanny to wash it up. I entrusted Fangyuan with rinsing or something, and Gao Chun's master also agreed to help me find it." Gu Zi said: "How much do you pay for a nanny a month, and I will introduce you when I meet a suitable babysitter." Zhou Xin said: "The aunt I hired for my mother paid 900 yuan for board and lodging a month. It's about this price, and 1,000 yuan is fine if conditions are good. I gave 2,000 yuan a month to Gao Chun's master. It also includes accommodation for his family of three." Gu Zi said: "Two thousand includes accommodation for three people, which is quite good!" Zhou Xin said: "He is Gao Chun's teacher, and his family is also quite difficult. His wife is sick, and his daughter is going to college. And I guess Gao Chun will not ignore things like going to college for medical treatment in the future." Gu Zi nodded and said, "I've seen it for a long time. You are born to be a CEO. You are rational, calm, and show no signs of emotion. Your management skills seem to be born with you." Zhou Xin stopped what she was doing, was stunned for a while, and then said to herself: "In fact, I have only one ideal, and it is very small, and that is painting!" After breakfast was ready, Guzi said goodbye and left.Not long after Gu Zi left, Master Li came. Master Li brought all his belongings, as well as his sick wife and daughter.Zhou Xin settled Master Li's family of three in an inverted room in the front yard. The inverted room was four rooms in size. Master Li's family lived in a large room.There is also a smaller one, temporarily vacant. Xiao Jun and her mother were amazed by the grandeur of this yard, and looked around through the hanging flower door, just like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden.Master Li knew that Gao Chunzhen had made a fortune, although he was very excited, but he had the composure of a man after all, and his mentor was precious, so he soon looked like the master here.He told Xiaojun to help her mother pack the luggage and bed, and turned to Zhou Xin and said that he would go to see Gao Chun first.Zhou Xin took Master Li to the backyard. In the bedroom in the backyard, Gao Chun was still asleep, and the two didn't call him. They left the bedroom, walked through the study, and entered a spacious dining room.Zhou Xin said: "Master Li, before the babysitter is invited, you have to work harder. Gao Chun will entrust it to you when I am away. You should have experience in taking care of patients. You treat Gao Chun..." Before Zhou Xin finished speaking, Master Li interrupted: "Xiao Zhou, I have thought about this matter, this task is really not easy, you see, I have to take care of Xiaojun's mother here, and I have to take care of Gao Chun, there is still such a big yard, so I can’t finish the work. Xiaojun is about to go to university, I can’t let her be distracted, and my health is not very good, so I hope my monthly salary can be improved. Higher, 2500 per month, I don’t know if it’s okay. If you’re afraid that Gao Chun won’t agree, it’s okay, I’ll talk to Gao Chun.” Zhou Xin obviously did not expect that she would become a manager. Even if she manages only one person, she would have to face the usual unavoidable labor disputes.The issue of salary is always the first contradiction to surface, which makes Zhou Xin lose his judgment for a while and cannot be sure.She just nodded her head based on feeling, and under Master Li's persuasive gaze, she agreed. "Okay," she said, "Then two thousand and five will be included, and Junjun and your lover will be responsible for the food, is that okay?" "...Well, it's okay." Maybe it involves the issue of family meals, Master Li's response is a bit hesitant, but this matter is still decided, and the verbal agreement between the two parties has been reached. The world is unpredictable, the vicissitudes are true, everyone's life is changing, and no one knows where they will be tomorrow.Master Li's daughter, Jun Jun, has quit her job as a cashier at a restaurant to concentrate on preparing for the college entrance examination.As the only able-bodied man in the No. 3 courtyard, Master Li's burden was indeed heavy. On the night of his stay in the No. 3 courtyard, he started to cook and cook.After cooking dinner for Gao Chun in the kitchen in the backyard, he went to the kitchen in the front yard to cook for his wife and daughter. It was almost eight o'clock in the evening when they ate together.At eight o'clock in the evening, Lao Suan called Zhou Xin and told her that the Great Wall Art Exhibition had a fixed schedule for going to Europe. The first stop was Italy. Among the paintings selected by the organizer, two were Zhou Xin's Xin's.After Lao Suan congratulated him, he asked about Gao Chun's situation: "Is Gao Chun's leg getting better? Have you found someone to take care of him?" The implication was to ask Zhou Xin if he could get out of bed.Zhou Xin asked: "Didn't I only choose one of my paintings? How come there are two?" Lao Suan said: "The original "Jiankou Ridge" is still exhibiting. Female painter, I was quite surprised, so I asked to see your other works. We sent a few pieces to their mailbox, and they notified us today, and selected that one again." "car driver?" Zhou Xin was stunned for a long time, then turned his head subconsciously, glanced at Gao Chun who was on the bed, and walked out of the bedroom.Lao Suan thought she had forgotten, and reminded: "It's the portrait you painted of Gao Chun, they also liked it." Zhou Xin said, "What does this painting have to do with the Great Wall?" Lao Suan said: "They are going to put this painting on display in the World Youth Gallery in Rome." Lao Suan said bluntly: "They want you to go to these two art exhibitions, can you go?" Zhou Xin looked in the direction of the bedroom again, and said after a long time, "I, I'll think about it." After talking on the phone with Lao Suan, Zhou Xin stood still in the dark corridor.It should be said that she was very happy. She calmly savored her mood, and couldn't tell how excited that feeling was.This night's call undoubtedly made her see her future and achievements, which she had only dreamed of on this day. Zhou Xin returned to the bedroom, and said some irrelevant things to Gao Chun as usual before going to bed, such as: Have you taken the medicine, do you want to drink some water to rinse your mouth, are you sleepy?such as.Gao Chun didn't speak much, but he answered questions and asked Zhou Xin to wipe his face and body with a hot towel very cooperatively, and responded politely to Zhou Xin's care. He said, "Thank you." Zhou Xin said, "It's okay." The expressions and voices of the two were all flat, like a routine procedure. When he wiped his hands and arms, Gao Chun suddenly opened his mouth. He rarely initiates topics. "Zhou Xin, Junjun is about to take the university entrance exam. Master Li wants her to attend a remedial class. He needs to pay 1,000 yuan. I want to pay it to her." Zhou Xin wiped his hands slowly for a moment, and asked, "Master Li asked you for it?" Gao Chun hesitated for a moment, and said, "Ah... I want Junjun to attend that remedial class. It is said that anyone who attends this remedial class can be admitted to university." Zhou Xin continued to wipe Gao Chun's arm, nodded and said, "Okay, I'll withdraw money for him tomorrow. " Gao Chun said, "Thank you." Zhou Xin said, "Your money, what are you thanking me for?" The next day, Zhou Xin accompanied Gao Chun to the hospital for a physical examination, and entrusted Gu Zi to withdraw the money. After she and Gao Chun got home by taxi at noon, Gu Zi came to find Zhou Xin with the money she got back.Zhou Xin was cooking in the kitchen, and Gu Zi put the money, passbook and Gao Chun's ID card on the kitchen table, then leaned against the closet behind Zhou Xin and remained silent. "Have you eaten?" Zhou Xin looked back at him and asked. "No, I will go out to eat later." Gu Zi replied. "I'm sorry, it's not convenient for me to keep you for dinner." When Zhou Xin said this, he didn't look back.Gu Zi asked, "Where is Master Li, why doesn't he come to help you?" Zhou Xin said: "He asked for leave to buy tutoring books for his daughter, but he hasn't come back yet." Gu Zi asked: "Will you go to the art exhibition in Europe?" Zhou Xin said: "It depends on the situation. I can only leave after finding a suitable nanny for Gao Chun. Otherwise, do you think I can leave? Master Li's wife and children are too much of a drag on him, and Gao Chun cannot be relied on to take care of him." Gu Zi asked, "Then why do you have to hire such a person?" Zhou Xin said: "Gao Chun insisted on hiring him. A while ago when Gao Chun was hospitalized and had no money to hire someone, Master Li did help take care of him all the time." Gu Zi said: "But this art exhibition is too important to you. There are a total of 20 paintings selected this time, and you occupy two of them. You should go. This is an opportunity for your career." Zhou Xin didn't look back. She was silent for a while before responding: "Maybe I'm destined to live for others. I used to be my mother, but now I want to be Gao Chun. Maybe I'm destined to be locked up in this courtyard, I will never go out and spend my whole life to repay the favor I owe him." Gu Zi was moved by this, he hugged Zhou Xin from behind again, and confided softly again: "I don't want you to be like this, I feel very sad when you are like this, I am very sad..." Zhou Xin walked away from the stove, avoiding Guzi's embrace, she said: "I resigned to my fate, these days I have been thinking, I have to let myself like this yard, I have to let myself like Gao Chun, because this yard is my home. Because Gao Chun is my husband. If I can't leave, I have to like him, otherwise...otherwise I will live even more tired." Gu Zi approached Zhou Xin again, and he wanted to hold her hand: "Zhou Xin, would you really like him? You take care of him and marry him, I understand, but I know you did it out of sympathy, and It’s not love! He doesn’t love you either, and I love you! You know it in your heart! He is a useless person now, and if you marry him, it’s like being a widow, like guarding a log! You ruined yourself, You ruined me too!" Zhou Xin was in tears, and she wanted to break free from Gu Zi, but Gu Zi held her tightly and kissed her.Zhou Xin ran away crying.She resolutely pushed Guzi away from her, saying: "Guzi, my mother is also a useless person, but she gave birth to me and raised me, and I must guard her to repay her! Gao Chun is the same, he treats me well. Well, I have to repay him. Now that I'm his wife, I'm going to love him like a wife... so I can only say sorry to you now, to the promise we made to each other in the past, to say sorry. Sorry !" Zhou Xin actually bowed to Gu Zi, "I beg your forgiveness! Gu Zi, you treat me like this, it will only make me suffer more! Can you let me live my own life, okay?" Gu Zi's eyes were red, and Zhou Xin's farewell drove him into madness. He wanted to hold Zhou Xin in his arms, and wanted to use hugs and kisses to force Zhou Xin not to forget the past, but at this moment the kitchen door was blocked by someone. Pushing away, Master Li stepped in with one foot. He looked at the scene in the room in embarrassment, at Zhou Xin and Gu Zi unnaturally separating their bodies, and at the expression on their faces that couldn't be undone. In the evening, Xiao Hou from Dumu Painting Workshop rode a motorcycle to the No. 3 courtyard of Renli Hutong to find Zhou Xin, and asked Zhou Xin for her ID card and household registration book, saying that she needed to apply for a passport to go abroad.Xin Zhou said: "Should I still do it? I may not be able to go." Xiao Hou said: "Do it first, and then talk about it if you can't go. So Zhou Xin gave all the documents to Xiao Hou. After seeing off Xiaohou in the front yard, Zhou Xin returned to the backyard.Across the corridor, I saw Master Li pushing Gao Chun to enjoy the moon in the garden. Master Li and Gao Chun were gesticulating and talking, which made Gao Chun frown.Zhou Xin walked over, and Master Li also stopped talking, and looked at Zhou Xin together with Gao Chun, until Zhou Xin picked up the wheelchair and said, "Let me do it." Master Li let go without embarrassment. Zhou Xin told Master Li not to forget to go to the street to buy an electric card tomorrow, saying that the rice he bought last time was also finished.Master Li promised to turn around and wanted to leave, Zhou Xin stopped him again, and told him to keep the accounts when buying things.李师傅说：“都记了，上次的账我还没来得及给你，我都记着呢。”周欣说：“等你明天买完回来，连今天的账一块给我吧，我这边也记。” 李师傅走了。高纯说：“周欣，有个事，我想跟你商量一下。李师傅说君君要是考上大学了，一年的学杂费大概要一万块钱。他手里倒是准备了头一年的费用，但他老婆的病医生也建议动个手术，否则可能就治不好了。所以我想，一旦君君考上了，这第一年的学费咱们就借给李师傅吧。听说越是名牌大学收费越高，要是考上重点大学可能一年还不止一万呢。” 周欣没有马上表态，她顿了一下，才问：“李师傅又找你了？这钱……他是要呀还是借呀？” 高纯说：“噢，那咱们就给君君出了吧，李师傅说将来有钱就还给我们。他这几年运气太背了，他说他预感到自己就快时来运转了。 谁知道呢，将来君君毕了业肯定能给她爸挣些钱吧。 " 周欣点头：“噢。” 嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗。周欣现在才明白，她从小到大一向嘲笑和不屑的这句老话，竟成了自己如今身体力行的生活。在这样的生活中保持专注，净化心灵，培养对高纯的爱情，是她努力要做的事情，是她必须选择的归宿和决定。 每天晚上，在照顾高纯吃过晚饭之后，周欣都要用轮椅推着高纯在花园里散步透风。高纯与她的交流依然不多，但她的主动和友善还是让两人之间的言语动作多少有了些夫妻相，相濡以沫的那种。 她会体贴地问高纯：你冷吗？会说：晚上风硬，你把扣子扣上。 会边说边为高纯扣上衣领，会和高纯谈论花园里的花草竹木，叫什么名字什么季节开花好看之类。园里有一种细竹，周欣说那竹子要经常修剪，否则会成一堆乱叶，很难看的。高纯虽然对每一个话题都予以回应，但与周欣相比，多少有些被动和勉强，仅仅流于形式上的互动，通常只是一两句话，譬如：今天的月亮真亮，之类，常常说得没头没脑。但周欣仍然很高兴，马上附和着说：是啊，但愿人长久，千里共婵娟，这是我最喜欢的诗。How about you? 周欣当然问到痛处，高纯举头望明月，低头思故乡，不知故人何所在，只知自己成新人。 明月普照，金葵睡熟。 她梦见自己沿着一条月光小路，走进了云朗艺术学校的大门，她在排练厅里看到一群少年正在练功，一个头戴红巾的青年教师循循善诱，那年轻的教师就是高纯。 高纯的身姿飘逸俊朗，他为少年们做了一段舞蹈示范，金葵看出来了，他跳的就是“冰火之恋”。金葵情不自禁地与之共舞，但旋转中高纯忽然淡出，金葵张皇四顾，四处寻找，惊醒后四壁徒然，月冷风清。 她把电灯拉亮，让自己彻底清醒，下床拖出皮箱，在皮箱中翻出一双穿旧的练功鞋，那是高纯的练功鞋，是她从车库那里找回来的。 她把那双软底鞋捧在手里，反复摩挲，上面似乎还保留着高纯的一丝体温。皮箱里的许多物品，都代表着金葵的一段记忆，连她和王苦丁在小镇照相馆里拍下的“婚纱照”的底片，她也当个“文物”保存。 这是一只在夜深人静时才会打开的箱子，里面藏着她的历史，历史中的每个欢笑和痛苦，织成她人生的每段闪回……那一阵金葵的生活单纯稳定，每天周而复始地上班下班，其间她又去过那家出租汽车公司，期望高纯又在那里重操旧业；又去过那间变成了作坊的车库，期望高纯曾经回来，留下些许来痕去踪……但无论如何，高纯似乎离她越来越远了，连那段“冰火之恋”也离她越来越远了。“冰火之恋”已不被允许出现在少年宫的练功房里，那支曲子只能在下课之后偶尔听听，听来备感陌生。 她照例每天与家里人通一次电话，简短问安，不再问到高纯。她不让家里人给她打电话，从上次回家后父母就已知道了她在北京的工作单位和单位里的电话，但从没给她打过，都知道在单位里接私人电话影响不好。但在某个看上去极为寻常的周末，母亲突然把一个电话打到了少年宫的办公室里。母亲在这个异乎寻常的电话中，告诉了金葵一个电话号码，那是一个手机的号码，说是从云朗歌舞团一个退休的会计那儿偶然得到的，那正是金葵一直寻找的那个电话号码。 挂了母亲的电话，金葵就在这间办公室原地未动，就用桌上这部电话，迅速拨了那个号码。电话拨通后很快有人接了，仅仅一声询问，已足够让她激动。 “喂，哪位呀？” 金葵的兴奋，让她的声音有点走形：“老方……” 长城画展远赴欧洲的日期渐渐临近，周末上午，独木画坊的老酸小侯等人专程来访周欣。尽管谷子不在出国参展的名单之内，但因为涉及周欣，所以也跟着来了。和大家事前预想的结果不同，小侯刚刚把替周欣办好的护照摆在桌上，周欣就问起了长城画展的具体行程。 "When to set off?" 老酸大喜过望：“下周三出发。你走得了吗？” 周欣没有回答，但她的提问等于做了回答：“一共去多少天啊？ " 小侯也很高兴，说：“大概得两个月吧，不过中间你如果有事，可以随时回来。” 周欣看一眼谷子，问他：“谷子去吗？” 谷子一怔，没有答话。老酸解释：“谷子这次没有作品参展，限于对方提供的经费数额，谷子这次就不去了。” 谷子马上说：“我可以去，我自费不就行了。” 小侯说：“自费，那得多少钱呀？” 谷子说：“就是机票钱嘛，住我和你挤挤，吃饭又花不了多少。 " 小侯说：“护照也没办，来不及。” 谷子说：“没事，你们先去，我办好护照去找你们。” 老酸看看周欣，周欣没有作声。老酸想了一下，说：“也好，谷子虽然没有作品参展，但咱们这次去的人数不多，也需要有人做做行政事务。谷子年轻力壮，一起去也行，也需要。” 谷子笑了，看了周欣一眼，周欣把目光避开。 老酸一行走了以后，周欣到前院去找李师傅。李师傅正在厨房给老婆熬药，周欣就跟他说了过些天可能出国的事情。她说李师傅那高纯的事就得请你多费心了，医院那边我走前会安排好的，到时间你每周带高纯去做一次治疗。李师傅听到周欣要出国，马上问：那你多久回来？周欣说可能一个月，也可能两个月吧，我手机反正随时开着，你要有事……李师傅说：别的事倒没有，只有一件事我正想跟你说呢。下周小君就要回云朗参加高考了，我想请假陪她回去几天。可我老婆这身体也实在离不开人，我就想能不能先跟您借点钱，请个小时工来帮她几天。我找了一家家政服务公司打听了一下，小时工每小时收五块到八块，就是每天来的不一定是一个人……周欣打断李师傅，她说：李师傅，你来这儿帮忙有多长时间了，还不到一个月吧，不到一个月的时间你已经借了好几次钱了。你要涨工资我也答应了，高纯还准备给君君付学费。你也知道高纯这个情况现在离不开人，尽管我已经给高纯请了一个保姆，但是在我不在的时候这个家不可能都交给一个新来的保姆。钱我肯定不能借你了，我希望你也别再找高纯开口。 高纯的钱是他今后一辈子生活治病的钱，他没有劳动能力，他得靠这些钱生存下去，说难听点这是他的活命钱。你别一借再借了行不行？ 李师傅大概没想到周欣会拒绝得如此强硬，他呆怔了半晌一时无以回应。直到周欣转身走出厨房，李师傅才阴沉地从背后把她叫住。 “小周，这事我还是想再和高纯当面谈谈。我和高纯师徒一场，我们的交情不是一两天了，我家的情况他都知道，我家君君当他亲哥哥似的，论对高纯的感情，我们可能不比你……” “李师傅！”周欣回过头来，面目从未如此严肃：“你这话什么意思？” 李师傅迟疑了一下，像是在拿捏措辞，他说：“我知道你跟高纯结婚是为了救他，我很敬佩你。虽然高纯现在有钱了，但他毕竟残废了，所以你能嫁给他也不容易。可我们是在高纯穷得一分钱都没有的时候就一直帮他的，我们可不是……” “李师傅！”周欣厉声喝断：“您就帮到今天为止吧！”她看出李师傅并没有完全听懂这个终止令的含义，于是紧接着把话进一步挑明：“您这个月的工资我会全额支付，另外加付一个月的工资作为补偿，高纯答应君君第一年的学费，我到时候会付给君君。” 李师傅听明白了，周欣的果断出乎他的预料，他的第一反应是抗争不屈。 “你这是赶我走的意思？”李师傅脸孔涨红，也激烈了声音：“你，你没这个权力！我是高纯请来的，你没这权力！我找高纯说去！ " 李师傅说罢欲走，周欣在他身后又把他叫住：“李师傅！”她停顿了一下，冷冷地说道：“高纯还有点发烧，你说得简单一点！” 李师傅脚步迟疑了一下，还是急急地往后院走去。但周欣的决断和镇定，显然已经让他慌张挂脸，步伐也显得摇摆错乱起来。 这天晚上，谷子、小侯和另外几个独木画坊的哥们儿，一起来到仁里胡同三号院助阵周欣。他们站在前院客气地请李师傅交出院子的钥匙，声调不高但语气坚决。李师傅起初还试图抵抗，但画家们人多势众，众口一词，甚至威胁要叫警察，李师傅这才意识到情形有些不对了。 “不为什么，人家不用你了，你还拿人家大门钥匙干什么，赶快拿出来吧。” “拿出来把答应给你的钱给你，一分不少你的。” “你要非想赖在这儿那咱们去派出所谈吧，你不去我们可以叫警察来。这儿是北京，是有法律的地方，法律管得了你管不了你？” ……诸如此类。 君君没见过这类阵式，愣在自己的屋子门前。李师傅的妻子从床上挣扎起来，哭着让李师傅去求高纯。李师傅坐在垂花门的台阶上闷头抽烟，已经全然没有了白天的气焰。这时，大家都看见周欣闷声不响地出现在花园的门边。 李师傅的妻子马上把抽泣传递给周欣，她颤巍巍地过去恳求周欣大德大恩：“小周，老李不好我替他给您道歉啦，他太糊涂了，你有文化你就原谅他一次吧。以后你该骂该罚不用手软，这次你就原谅他一次，你看在我和君君的面上……” 周欣没有理会李师傅妻子的求告，她沉着声音对低头枯坐的李师傅说了句：“李师傅，你来一下。”然后转头径自走回花园。李师傅抬头愣了片刻，回过神来，在妻子的催促下跟着周欣的背影朝花园里走去。李师傅妻女的目光随在后面，也不知花园的月洞门里，这一去是凶是吉。十分钟后，当李师傅跟在周欣后面走出来时，连画家们都看得出来，他的脚步和腰身，都表达出前所未有的谦恭和本分。 画家们都有点意外，没想到事情会如此这般忽然解决。李师傅的妻子看看丈夫又看看周欣，担心与希望交替着主宰眼神。唯有站在门口的君君仍旧茫然，分不清该喜该忧孰是孰非。 第二天，谷子开了一辆车来，拉着周欣去买出国要用的箱包之类，买完后又把她送回了仁里胡同。在三号院的门外，周欣下车之前，谷子问她：你们月底就该走了，你请的保姆什么时候能到？周欣说： 这一两天就到。谷子又问：那姓李的那么讨厌。怎么又把他留下来了？周欣想了一下，叹口气说：他也不容易。一个男人，为了自己的妻子儿女，这么多年也够难的。男人能这样忠于家庭，也就算不错。谷子说：这么没规矩的人以后你怎么用啊？周欣说：他以为我和高纯结婚是看上了高纯的遗产，他以为他抓住了我的什么把柄。谷子问：什么把柄？周欣说：他以为我表面上和高纯结婚，实际上另有情人。谷子问：情人，谁呀？周欣看他一眼，没答。谷子明白了：他管得着吗，他就凭他看见的那点事就跟你开口借钱，真是利令智昏！周欣并不像谷子那样愤慨，她淡淡地说：他以为他看到了什么，其实他不明白，嫁鸡随鸡，嫁狗随狗，至少我不会对高纯不忠。 周欣说完，推门下车。谷子默默坐在车里，直到周欣进门，他也没有想起发动车子。 在周欣回家之前，李师傅已经带着女儿君君离开了三号院。离开时妻子支撑病体送到门口，千叮万嘱不能放心。女儿也很在乎母亲一个人留在北京生活，红着眼圈依依不舍：妈，我们都走了，你一个人行吗？李师傅也一再提醒妻子怎么热药热饭：这几天的药和饭菜我都放在冰箱里了，我一份一份都分好了，药放在杯子里，饭菜都放在碗里，你到时候取出来放在微波炉里热一下就行。微波炉怎么用我不是教你了吗，你要把东西热透啊。女儿君君搂着母亲不放：妈，不行你跟我们一块回去吧，你一个人在这儿我心里难受，也考不好呀。母亲含泪激励女儿：你考上了你妈的病就全好了。你考上了，你妈这一辈子，你爸这一辈子，就有依靠了……第十八章潜(11) 母女拥抱，洒泪作别。李师傅边走边回头小声嘱咐妻子：“有什么难事你给云朗老马家里打电话，轻易别找周欣，别让她觉得你事多。她对我请假陪君君回去本来就不高兴，你再麻烦她她非窝火不可。 " 李师傅妻子擦泪挥手：“我知道，我知道……” 丈夫和女儿走了。李师傅妻子扶着墙挪回院子，先去厨房看看冰箱里的东西，药和饭菜果然一份份用保鲜膜包好，分放整齐。李师傅妻子颤抖抖地取出一杯药液，还没关上冰箱就听见院门砰的一响，李师傅妻子大气不敢粗喘，周欣就是在这一刻回到家中。 李师傅和君君走了，这座三进带大花园的宅院里，人气更加荒凉起来。前院，一个病女人不声不响地躺在床上；后院，一个病男人躺在床上不声不响。唯一发出声音的只有周欣。周欣走路的响动在幽深的院落里，犹如山路夜行。 李师傅走后，高纯一天三顿饭食，都由周欣亲自操持。一日三餐也是夫妻二人最便于交谈的时间，多是由周欣主动，对家务事做些解释说明，起码的思想交流也不能忽略，比如，周欣出国参加画展的决定，就需要与高纯充分沟通，取得支持，达成互信。 “过几天，我托人请的小阿姨就来了，李师傅和君君大概最多回去七八天，也就该回来了。这样我走也能放心一点。” 高纯在床上慢慢喝汤，对周欣的安慰，并未明显回应。周欣放下手中收拾的衣物，走到床边帮他添汤，添完又说：“这次长城画展对我挺重要的，对我们这帮人都挺重要的，你能理解吗？” 高纯停下咀嚼，点了点头，说：“能。” 周欣淡淡地笑一下，说：“谢谢你。” 夫妻之间，能这样互相理解，言语之间，能这样相敬如宾，当然很好。但有点不太像生活中的夫妻，尤其不像新婚的夫妻，更尤其，不像这么年轻的夫妻。 照顾高纯吃过晚饭，周欣又把一份饭食送到前院，敲开了李师傅妻子的房门，说了声：“阿姨，吃饭啦。”李师傅妻子受宠若惊地接了饭食，只听周欣说了句：“趁热吃吧。”还没容她谢字出口，周欣已经转身，变成了一个匆匆的背影。 如此这般，周欣照顾前院后院两个病人，很辛苦地过了一周。一周后的一个上午，她终于等到了她一直在等的那个人，那个人就是方圆。方圆带来了他为周欣找来的保姆，那是一个朴素而清秀的女孩，目光单纯，穿着干净。周欣看了相当满意，简短交谈之后她领着方圆和那女孩一起去了后院，走进了高纯的房间。 接下来，可想而知发生了什么情形。 在窗边沙发上坐着的高纯第一眼看到方圆进来，马上露出一丝难得的笑容，但这笑容很快就在嘴角蓦然凝固，其形状之古怪难以形容。也许只有方圆才能明白高纯脸上突生的错愕，究竟表达了何等震惊。 周欣毫无意识，毫无戒心，微笑着向高纯介绍身后的女孩：“高纯，咱们请的小阿姨来了，是方圆专门从你们云朗找来的，会烧你最爱吃的云朗土菜。她叫金葵，你是叫金葵吧？” 女孩目视高纯，声音有点哑：“我是金葵！” 高纯也目视女孩，表情僵硬，他的声音在那一刻，也突然地哑了。 他说：“我是高纯！”