Chapter 13 Thirteen

Chen Keming met the owner of this family when he was studying in Japan.In the past ten years, the friendship between the two has been inseparable. Chen Keming knew that his "old friend" was a smart man who was good at self-seeking, but he didn't know that he was "the number one fool" in the mouth of this smart man. "August 13" fired the first shot, and the school where Chen Keming taught was immediately designated as a war zone; when he hurriedly withdrew from the school, Chen Keming was unable to find a place to live, so his "old friend" contributed this wing.Chen Keming couldn't think of any reason why he shouldn't accept it, so he stayed.However, it is ridiculous to say that it has been more than a month, and he has met the hosts at most three or four times; originally the three Weng, aunt and daughter-in-law of this family are busy with their own affairs all day long, and now they add a guest. He was also busy with his own affairs all day long——Chen Keming couldn't think of any reason to think there was anything wrong with this.

Today, Chen Keming came back very early.His expression was still so calm; his demeanor was still so dignified; but there was some tired shadow on his eye circles, and the redness of anger had not faded from the corners of his cheeks. Chen Keming opened the slit window wider, and sat down in the high-backed chair in front of the window.He remained motionless for a long time, staring at the ceiling.Then he shook his head and whispered to himself, "Unreliable... This guy's mind is becoming more and more unreliable." He was recalling the debate with Cui Daosheng just now.It was at the weekly editorial meeting of "Unity" weekly magazine. Chen Keming found that Cui Daosheng's views were not only wrong, but also revealed a very dangerous tendency when analyzing the current situation in Shanghai.But what angered Chen Keming the most was Cui Daosheng's domineering style.When the debate reached the end of the debate, Cui Daosheng suddenly said angrily: "Unless I am not an editor, otherwise, my authority is inviolable; I have the right to choose manuscripts, and I can naturally reject articles that disagree with me." .”

Chen Keming smiled coldly, and thought to himself: "This is a very bad attitude!" But then he frowned in pain, and blamed himself: "I also made mistakes, and I misjudged the person! At that time, only I saw that Cui Daosheng was very resolute against the Japanese, but I didn't see that his mind was so undemocratic... But what should I do now?" Chen Keming stood up anxiously, took his hat, and turned off the lights, but suddenly After a second thought, he put down his hat again, went to lean on the bed, and calmly considered the most appropriate solution. The sound of the rain outside the window has increased now, but the sky is much more cheerful than before.The wind changed direction again, and the wind flapped against the open glass window, and slanting rain feet also drifted in.Chen Keming got up and closed this window, then went to open the opposite one.He stood by the window, staring blankly at the sky.The issues he considered have not yet reached a conclusion, but he has a clearer view of Cui Daosheng's thoughts and behavior.

A light knock on the door interrupted Chen Keming's thoughts.He turned around and slowly opened the door, only to see the handsome maid handing over a small piece of paper with a half-smile.The handwriting on the paper was very scribbled, and it was conceivable that the man was impatient and flustered while writing.Chen Keming looked carefully for a long while before he recognized the words "Yan Jiexiu". "Oh!" Chen Keming's voice was also somewhat surprised. He looked at the handsome maid in a blink of an eye, and asked intentionally, "Is it a young lady?"

"Yes. Downstairs in the living room." Chen Keming pondered for a moment, then said: "Okay, let her come up." The handsome maid looked up at Chen Keming, and that half-smile look flashed across her fair face again; she turned around and left without saying a word. The rain was louder, and there was confusion outside the window.Chen Keming was walking back and forth in the room, he couldn't figure out why Yan Jiexiu came here on this heavy rainy day, and he was so flustered, it seemed that even the handsome maid felt strange. Chen Keming was thinking this way when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door.Yan Jiexiu jumped in the door, holding the dripping raincoat in his hand, looking around, not knowing where to put it, but he said in his mouth: "Ah, such a long and narrow one, the opposite window is in the middle, ah, it's funny. !” Finally, she found a coat hook on the back of the door, hung up the raincoat, and then went to sit in front of the small desk, stroking her heart with one hand, but did not speak.

"What? Did you run into some kind of dog again?" Chen Keming asked with a smile, as if saying to a frightened child: "Baby, don't be afraid!" "Whether it's a dog or a wolf, I'm not afraid!" Yan Jiexiu replied stubbornly. "But, Mr. Chen, you have repeatedly thought it was my nervousness, and I can't admit it." "Of course it doesn't mean that you are nervous every time." Chen Keming still said with a smile, sat down on the high-back chair in front of the window, and stared at Yan Jiexiu with very kind eyes. "I never said that someone nailed me anywhere at any time!" Yan Jiexiu argued and laughed. "Also, Mr. Chen, it was you who warned Su Xinjia and me to look behind us; it was you who first noticed that Xin Jia and I both had tails..."

"Forget it, forget it," Chen Keming laughed and shook his hand. "Jiexiu, you won, I can't argue with you." "I'm not arguing." Yan Jiexiu's face suddenly became serious, and he lowered his voice, "I have a question for you. After Xin Jia and I were released, let's not talk about Xin Jia's situation. As for me, the first ten or so years There are indeed people nailing my ends, and the nails are very tight. I believe there are three or four of them, and they take turns to deal with me. ——Mr. Chen, the last time I told you, didn’t you still laugh at my nervousness? But recently, I seem to have suddenly relaxed. Mr. Chen, please don’t laugh, it’s not my nervousness, I’m really relaxed. But today I discovered a strange thing!”

"You found it when you came here just now, didn't you?" Chen Keming asked, smiling knowingly.He guessed that Yan Jiexiu's "strange thing he discovered" probably referred to his "resident master".However, he guessed wrong!Yan Jiexiu said angrily: "I found Luo Qiuzhi sneakily nailing my ass!" Yan Jiexiu stared at Chen Keming with a pair of innocent and vigilant big eyes, as if asking: Is this unexpected to you?It seems to be sighing again: it's too complicated, too scary, I'm just confused. "Oh! Luo Qiuzhi!" Chen Keming nodded and said softly, recalling the impression Luo Qiuzhi gave him. "Oh, you found it?"

"When I arrived at the Su Mansion just now, Luo Qiuzhi was there; when I came out, it was raining heavily and I couldn't hire a car. As soon as I walked to the tram stop, I suddenly saw Luo Qiuzhi; I greeted him, but he walked into the crowd As soon as I drilled, it disappeared. The tram came, and I saw that the car was full, so I didn’t get on it. At that time, I saw Luo Qiuzhi again. He was evasive. Maybe I thought I hadn’t seen him yet, so I just I was suspicious, and instead of waiting for the tram, I walked in the rain, making detours on purpose. This proves that he was nailing me, indeed he was nailing me!"

Yan Jiexiu stopped here after speaking in one breath, and her big eyes kept looking at Chen Keming.However, Chen Keming listened silently, his expression as calm as usual. "I figured out his purpose," Yan Jiexiu continued, and suddenly smiled happily, "I'm going to show him some color. I'll walk and keep walking here. Isn't there a candy store on the corner not far from here?" A shop? I’ll go in and wait. If he follows, I’ll be rude—to pierce his mask. Luo Qiuzhi really didn’t know that I was hiding in that shop. He looked around all the way, thinking he was in a hurry. Suddenly disappeared? After a while, he walked to the door of the store and passed by. I jumped out and was about to call out to him to scare the guy, but a woman stopped him in person. Two pull Pulling and pulling, it seemed to be persuading customers, and it seemed to be arguing. In the end, the woman won the victory, and pulled Luo Qiuzhi back. It was my turn to nail them! Unfortunately, the rain was getting heavier and heavier at that time, and the two of them Hired a car and left, my plan didn't work out."

Yan Jiexiu ran to the door, took out a small bag of candy from the raincoat pocket, returned to the original place and sat down, handed the candy to Chen Keming, smiled and said, "If it wasn't for the rain, I would definitely be able to find out who the woman is." What kind of road is it; but there are almost no cars on the road. I can only see that the woman has a crab-shell face and is dressed up like a monster." Chen Keming chewed the candy and just murmured, thinking that Luo Qiuzhi was really stupid, and Yan Jiexiu was naughty enough, so he couldn't help laughing. At this moment, someone knocked lightly on the door again.Yan Jiexiu glanced at Chen Keming, and his expression was a little uncertain. "Come in!" Chen Keming yelled loudly. The door opened, and a foot wearing embroidered satin soft-soled shoes came in first, and then the whole body, holding a tea tray, turned out to be the handsome maid.She put down the tea tray and smiled at Yan Jiexiu intentionally or unintentionally. "Mr. Chen," Yan Jiexiu asked suddenly after the maid had left, "Did you take care of the servants here, that they would stop any visitors from visiting you?" Chen Keming raised his eyebrows in astonishment and shook his head. "Then, it's them who made trouble. First they said you were not at home, and then they asked me for a business card, but I didn't bring it with me today... How trivial, I almost lost my temper and cursed!" "I don't know why they are suddenly so cautious and thoughtful." Chen Keming said coldly with a smile, then changed his tone and raised his voice. "But, Jiexiu, you came to see me on a rainy day, what's the matter?" "Ah, what's the matter? First, Uncle Ji Zhen didn't get through with you on the phone, so I asked for this job. Second, I was so bored..." Yan Jiexiu said while handing Chen Keming a note Son, "I'm holding back my stomach, and my head is full of problems; but Uncle Ji Zhen is very busy. For two or three days, he has discussed important matters with the chief engineer of the factory, Mr. Zhou, and I dare not disturb him." "Okay, then tell me your sulking and problems..." Chen Keming looked at Yan Jizhen's note and said so. "However, what is Ji Zhen busy with?" Chen Keming put down the note, raised his eyes, and suddenly his tone became very solemn: "Jiexiu, tell Ji Zhen later that he is here to discuss the "Unity" weekly magazine. It is very inappropriate to come forward at this time, Cui Daosheng is trying to find an excuse to shirk his responsibility for tearing down the stage!" "How did he tear down the stage? Why did he have an excuse as soon as Uncle Ji Zhen came forward?" "He threatened to 'quit it'." "If you don't do it, let him quit! Anyway, he is just a name. Uncle Ji Zhen is in charge of the economy, you are in charge of writing articles, and running errands is..." Yan Jie Xiuxiu spoke happily, but Chen Keming had already laughed.He looked at Yan Jiexiu with praise, but said in a mocking tone: "Jiexiu, you are so straightforward and happy. But, you have forgotten that Cui Daosheng, who has never taken any responsibility, has his own calculations. Very shrewd; he has far more shrewdness for himself than you do for Unity! He knows that at this point, if we simply let him out of the titular role, it will be Unity "It's over! And he also knows that those of us who lose money and work hard, and are actually responsible, must be reluctant to let "Unity" end!" "But, Mr. Chen, I don't understand,..." "You don't understand why you asked him to be the editor-in-chief?" "No. I don't understand why "Unity" is over when he quits?" "Because the authorities have long intended to close this journal. You changed the editor, and they just took advantage of this to make things difficult." "It's up to them to stay in trouble, we'll still publish it, we're upright!" Yan Jiexiu said bravely with bright eyes. "Oh, oh! Good boy!" Chen Keming couldn't help laughing again, "If everyone is reasonable, then you and Su Xinjia won't go to jail!" Suddenly he withdrew his smile and stared at Yan Jiexiu.The eyes were kind, but also angry, like depression, but also tired, and at the same time so sharp that Yan Jiexiu lowered his head and didn't dare to look back at him. After a while, she heard Chen Keming's tone suddenly become sad and determined, saying almost word for word: "Jiexiu, you are still young, and your situation is too good. There are many things; you don't understand now, maybe you won't understand in the future. If you can understand in the future, you will know, not only us This generation, perhaps even your generation, is destined to bear the cross! People can be unreasonable, but we have to be reasonable everywhere; He gritted his teeth and endured the pain without even groaning. Jiexiu, do you think this is because we are cowardly and not brave? Do you think I am cowardly? Do you think your Uncle Ji Zhen is cowardly? But we all Endured, we would rather bear the cross! We want to avenge the enemies of the nation, and we have the overall situation in mind. We will bear the hardships and hardships, and others will enjoy the high officials and rich salaries; we are willing. Why? For the unanimous war against foreign countries! For our The next generation, the next generation, can be a free people and no longer carry the cross we carry today! Jiexiu, we must use our bravery and hatred to the outside world!" After Chen Keming finished speaking, he bit his lips and smiled, got up and took a step, but sat down again.Yan Jiexiu raised her head, her eyes were already red, seeing Chen Keming watching her attentively, she lowered her head again. "Good boy, Jiexiu," Chen Keming gently stroked Yan Jiexiu's shoulder, and said gently like a loving mother. "Without passionate feelings, we will not carry the cross, but if the feelings are weak, we will not be able to recite the cross. Jiexiu, I also have a girl who is about your age. I often think this way: China's problems should be We can solve it in the hands of our generation. Because we have experienced all kinds of hardships and hardships, we came from a pool of blood. The blood and sweat of your generation should be used in construction. But, Jiexiu, unfortunately, I am still too optimistic about this idea. !" At this moment, Yan Jiexiu's tears welled up in her eyes, but she suddenly held back her strength, raised her face and said, "Mr. Chen, let me tell you that Su Xinjia has a plan. But, don't tell Uncle Su, Xin Jia just quietly speak to me alone. She wants to go north! " "Oh!" Chen Keming smiled lightly, as if he had already known about Su Xinjia's so-called plan, and asked, "Shall we go to the Eighth Route Army?" "You don't agree? Mr. Chen." Chen Keming shook his head, but before answering, Yan Jiexiu said, "You want to criticize her for being impulsive? Cough, Uncle Ji Zhen also said the same thing. But you all don't understand. Xin Jia is not impulsive, she and I had a long conversation. " "When? I'm afraid it was the day before yesterday?" "So, Mr. Chen, she told you too?" Chen Keming nodded with a smile, but did not express his opinion. Yan Jiexiu looked at Chen Keming's face hesitantly, as if waiting for him to speak, but she was impatient, and suddenly sighed, she seemed to say to herself softly: "We help them collect donations, but we have brought things to the wounded soldiers' hospital Consolation, but they don’t welcome it. My father said that my fundraising is too troublesome. My uncle said that the fundraising is just soliciting donations, and the money should be handed over to the government. What he said, he just got angry with that cat-faced secretary, but I saw it The one with the cat face is a complete villain! Originally, I asked myself: I went to the hospital for the wounded to comfort the wounded, and went to the refugee shelter to have a look. Let’s do it, I think it’s all meaningful!” At this point, she jumped up excitedly, leaned on Chen Keming’s shoulder, and asked his ear, pretending to be very confidential: "Uncle Ji Zhen refused to tell me, but I can tell that he is doing something secret, and, Mr. Chen, you participated, do you agree or not that I come to help?" Chen Keming was startled, not knowing what to do, but he immediately realized that this might be Yan Jiexiu's nervous attack——this girl is more naughty than Su Xinjia.He smiled, and replied: "You know everything, so let me say it!" "Then you agree, and I will be one of them." "What kind of?" "Hey, hey, anyway, you agree, I don't care!" Yan Jiexiu said coquettishly, looked up out of the window, turned around and seemed to want to leave, but sat down again, and commented old-fashionedly: "I also oppose Xin Jia's idea. .If it’s interesting, it’s interesting everywhere; there are some things that don’t please your eyes, and some things don’t please your eyes when you go to the north. Mr. Chen, please advise me, is my opinion correct?” Chen Keming didn't answer, just smiled while looking at Yan Jiexiu. A middle-aged person's smile often has different meanings depending on the target. However, for young people, Chen Keming's smile usually has only one meaning. This is what Yan Jiexiu has always known. If translated into a sentence, this is "" Oh, you look like an experienced adult!" Of course, there is an element of praise here.But now Yan Jiexiu didn't think so, she immediately protested: "Mr. Chen, I don't approve of you always treating me like an ignorant child!" Unexpectedly, Yan Jiexiu would be disgusted, Chen Keming couldn't help laughing; but he immediately stopped his smile and replied solemnly: "No! Jiexiu, you are not an ignorant child, but you are too much like a sophisticated lady. Deep big boy!" "I don't admit it!" Yan Jiexiu pursed his lips and shook his head. "It's fine if you don't admit it. But, Jiexiu, to be honest, you haven't been to the north, how do you know that there are people who are pleasing to the eye, and there are also people who are not pleasing to the eye? This is probably someone else's opinion, I will pick it up for you." Arrived?" Yan Jiexiu's face turned a little red, she really picked up that opinion.This is what her father told Luo Renfu yesterday.The manager of the Dahua factory who had recently "saw" the industries in Hankou, Zhengzhou, and Xi'an, and had just returned to Shanghai, talked about his observations at the Yan Mansion last night. And there was a dispute with Yan's Kunzhong.In the end, it was Yan Zhongping who published his aphorism "Some are pleasing to the eye, and some are not pleasing to the eye".For her father's words, Yan Jiexiu thought it was right, so she remembered it; but now that Chen Keming pointed it out, she refused to admit it. "No matter whose opinion it is," Yan Jiexiu laughed mischievously on purpose to hide her coyness, "please criticize first, is that right?" "This sentence itself is correct. The universe still has shortcomings, and there is no omniscient and omnipotent God in the world. However, it is not so simple to apply this sentence to the facts. What are the things that are not pleasing to the eye? Who read Is it not pleasing to the eye? What is the reason for the dislike?" "Then, let me forget this sentence!" Yan Jiexiu said quickly.Obviously, this is not sincere admiration.This is just a tribute to Chen Keming, and she is not interested in discussing it in depth. Chen Keming also understood this meaning, he nodded slowly, but looked at Yan Jiexiu, and smiled again. "Mr. Chen!" Yan Jiexiu avoided Chen Keming's gaze, and said softly, "Why do you look at me like that?" "I suddenly remembered that my daughter was coming." "Ah! Is she here?" Yan Jiexiu jumped up happily.But immediately felt his recklessness, so he blushed and laughed. "But here's the letter," Chen Keming said slowly, looking at Yan Jiexiu. "They arrived in Zhengzhou. They walked for a month on the road, from Peiping. However, this month is worth a whole year, and this child has grown up." "Is Mrs. Chen also in Zhengzhou?" "It's also in Zhengzhou." After a pause, Chen Keming suddenly stood up and patted Yan Jiexiu on the shoulder, and said loudly, "Jiexiu, half a month ago, Zihe wrote the first letter that you just said was pleasing to the eye. The meaning is pleasing to the eye, but she also said that this is the discussion of several professors who are companions along the way. So I guess you also picked up other people's words, and the other people may have heard it from other places." "That's not true." Yan Jiexiu said in a low voice. "However, the letter came this time with a different tone. The hard work along the way and the hard facts taught her a lesson." While speaking, Chen Keming opened the drawer, picked out a photo and handed it to Yan Jiexiu. "It's funny, you look very familiar," Yan Jiexiu said with a chuckle while holding the photo, "I must have seen it somewhere." Chen Keming smiled and said nothing. "I think I should go," Yan Jiexiu put down the photo, then turned to look for her raincoat.Chen Keming walked to the door and took off the raincoat for her, and said, "Tell Ji Zhen, wait for me at home at eight o'clock in the evening." The rain had stopped long ago, the sky was bright, and a slanting sun shone on the window.Chen Keming was holding the photo in his hand, and he could hear Yan Jiexiu's footsteps gradually drifting away, and suddenly came back in a hurry.When Chen Keming put down the photo and turned to look at the door, Yan Jiexiu jumped in and closed the door casually. "I forgot an important sentence!" Yan Jiexiu leaned into Chen Keming's ear and said, his breath was still very short. "You have to move." Chen Keming seemed to be taken aback, and asked in a deep voice: "This is Ji Zhen too..." Yan Jiexiu nodded impatiently, and rushed to say: "The owner of the house is suspicious, no, he is a traitor!" "Are there any other entanglements?" "No." "Then, I have already seen this point." Chen Keming said with a faint smile. "But I can't think of a reason why I should move away." "Mr. Chen! Why..." "Why am I so confused?" Chen Keming pressed Yan Jiexiu's shoulder and told her to calm down. "It's actually not surprising. We still work in the same agency as the hidden traitors, standing on the same podium and shouting that they will fight to the end!" "But, Mr. Chen!..." Yan Jiexiu opened his eyes wide, almost shouting. "Listen to me," Chen Keming waved his hand again to tell Jie Xiu to be quieter, "The owner of the house is a traitor, and you find it annoying, so what will you do if your close relatives are traitors?" After speaking, Chen Keming gently pushed Yan Jiexiu out with both hands, and said as if teasing: "My child, you are so rare. Go home quickly. I will come at eight o'clock, don't forget!"