Chapter 18 Qiao Nianchao's New Era

He only wanted to find out one thing when he met Fang Wei this time, and that was whether there was any possibility of renewing the old relationship between them. If not, his heart would be clean from now on. On that moonless night, Qiao Nianchao fell in love with the atmosphere in the company's pigsty, as well as Veteran Zhao who was feeding the pigs.Veteran Zhao's real name was Zhao Xiaoman, and the man named him a woman. Qiao Nianchao was deeply impressed by Zhao Xiaoman's name. The reason why Qiao Nianchao made up his mind to feed the pigs, no one could tell what was in his heart at that moment, and he couldn't tell, anyway, at that moment, he felt that the environment here was very suitable for his mood.There are only a few pigs here, and Zhao Xiaoman, he likes the pigs and people here.Qiao Nianchao applied to feed the pigs, but he received almost no resistance. He was the second day after his father finished talking to him.Others naturally didn't know the content of their father's conversation. Under such circumstances, Qiao Nianchao wanted to go to the company to raise pigs. The company cadres thought it was the meaning of the chief. The level has made a great leap forward, and I voluntarily applied to work in the most difficult place in the company.

Perhaps the dirtiest and worst job in the company is feeding pigs.Young people who have just joined the army are full of ideals and ambitions when they enter the army. Of course, no one wants to feed pigs.The preparation of feeding pigs is placed in the cooking class.The cooking class is better, after all, it's cooking for people, so what's the point of feeding pigs! Qiao Nianchao didn't like these things. He moved to the small house next to the pigsty, and he felt at ease like never before.From now on, he won't have to do exercises or run anymore, he and Zhao Xiaoman will deal with pigs together.Soon, he fell in love with the business of feeding pigs.When it comes to liking, he is sincere.

In the morning, when the other soldiers of the company lined up for exercise, Zhao Xiaoman and he just got up and started to clean the pens and the surrounding area. The big pot, the swill is placed in the pot, it looks steaming, and then it is carried by a bucket and poured into the trough of the pigsty, and the pigs are humming happily while eating. Qiao Nianchao was a little moved by the scene in front of him. He squatted there with a cigarette in his mouth, staring at the pigs absorbedly.The pig quickly accepted him and already regarded him as a family member.No matter whether he feeds them or not, as soon as they hear his footsteps, they will always turn sideways, and even the laziest white pig will open its eyes and look at him sweetly and expectantly.He thinks that humans and pigs have feelings.

Veteran Zhao Zhao Xiaoman was also squatting there, he didn't look at the pig but at the ants under his feet, two ants were fighting for a grain of rice, you fought over it and it fought over it.From time to time, Zhao Xiaoman picked the grain of rice here and then there, teasing the two ants with each other, and struggling to find the food that had already reached their mouths. He looked busy.Zhao Xiaoman giggled. In the past, Qiao Nianchao could often see Zhao Xiaoman's dazed look from a distance.At that time, he imagined Zhao Xiaoman as a fool or retarded.In short, Zhao Xiaoman was far away from his own life at that time, and there was no boundary.Now, he and Zhao Xiaoman are the same kind of people, so they have a lot more savvy and understanding.He likes Zhao Xiaoman, he is so simple and cute.

At night, it was the longest time of the day. Sometimes the two of them squatted in the open space outside the pig house, and sometimes they sat on the bed inside the house, smoking with the lights off, and the cigarette butts were flickering around their mouths. Zhao Xiaoman said, "Qiao Nianchao, what kind of "husband" is your father in his hometown?" This question surprised Qiao Nianchao, his eyes widened in the dark, since the last time he talked with his father, he was most afraid of being mentioned about his father.In the past, he pretended that his father was a big tree that he could rely on, but in the end he found that it was not.

After Zhao Xiaoman chuckled, he said: My dad is a cowherd, and all the cows in the team belong to him.My dad has been that cowherd for as long as I can remember.When I first joined the army, the company commander asked me what specialties I had. I said I could be a cowherd. In the end, I came to feed pigs. I became today's pigherd. What is your father like? Qiao Nian was overjoyed, and he was so happy that he held his breath and said: My father is a shepherd, and he keeps the whole team of sheep, there are dozens of them. Zhao Xiaoman acted as if he met a close friend, patted his thigh and said: I'm right, this is called dragon begets dragon and phoenix begets phoenix, and the son of a mouse can make holes. If your father wasn't a shepherd, you wouldn't like it pig.Like the children who grew up in our countryside, they have liked pigs, sheep, cows and so on since they were young. Don’t you think so?

Qiao Nianchao looked at Zhao Xiaoman in the dark and nodded, this time he was not happy. Zhao Xiaoman said again: "What's your fate? My dad is a cowherd. Where do you think I can be?"I have been a soldier for a few years, raised pigs for a few years, and when I go back to my hometown, my dad can no longer handle the cattle, so I will take his place and graze the cattle for the whole village. Veteran Zhao's words were as calm as water, he didn't complain about life, let alone lament the injustice of fate. Zhao Xiaoman also said: I should have left last year. I couldn’t find anyone to feed the pigs in the company. The company commander advised me to work for another year, so I will work for another year. People can live to be dozens of years anyway, and this year is not bad, don’t you think?

At that moment, Qiao Nianchao seemed to approach Veteran Zhao all of a sudden.Veteran Zhao's attitude towards life surprised him, and at the same time, he admired Veteran Zhao sincerely in his heart.Veteran Zhao is not very old, he seems to have understood life thoroughly. By nature, Veteran Zhao is a person who does not compete with or rob others, and can think about and see through everything.As soon as Qiao Nianchao walked into Veteran Zhao, he immediately became quiet. Although he hadn't seen through his life and future, he was quiet at this moment.Slowly, he also began to like those pigs who couldn't talk but grunted.

He and Veteran Zhao lay on the bed at night, and they often talked incongruously. Veteran Zhao said: I have been a soldier for four years, and I have fed pigs for four years. No one wants to talk to me as a swineherd. When pigs talk, pigs don't dislike me. After a long time, I developed feelings for them.Every year on August 1st, New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, etc., the company kills pigs. I feel sad to see my fat pigs being captured and killed, and then I stop watching.When the company wants to butcher pigs, I will ask for leave to go to other companies to see the fellow villagers, and I will come back when they finish cleaning up.

Before Qiao Nianchao's eyes, the image of Veteran Zhao gradually became richer. In such a special environment, he liked Veteran Zhao. The cooking class had a class meeting every now and then, and before the class meeting, someone came to inform Veteran Zhao and Qiao Nianchao.The two of them took the Maza to the cooking class for a meeting. The meeting was nothing more than studying the newspaper or conveying some instructions or spirits of the company, and then expressing their determination one by one. The officers and soldiers of the whole company are satisfied.When it was Veteran Zhao's and Qiao Nianchao's turn to speak, Veteran Zhao's speech was crisp and quick, he didn't look at anyone, he just stared at the half of the cigarette in front of him, and said without chirping: Raise the pig well, it's over.

Qiao Nianchao also imitated the tone of veteran Zhao and said: raise the pigs well. The cooking squad leader laughed, and others laughed too, and the squad leader said: You are really your master's apprentice. Others still laughed, but Qiao Nianchao didn't. The cooking squad leader announced the end of the meeting. Qiao Nianchao didn't rush to leave, but walked around to the kitchen. He had already seen a pile of steamed buns in the big aluminum basin. He took some steamed buns, and the cooking squad leader saw him and asked, "No?" full? He replied: I am not full. The squad leader waved his hand generously and said: Take it, we are all from the cooking class, so we can do something special about it. The cooking squad leader is a southerner, and he talks about everything by talking about it, so the language has rhythm and shape.He often does it, and he does it very clearly and thoroughly. In the cooking class, Qiao Nianchao didn’t want to get steamed buns for himself, but for pigs. He came to the pen, took out steamed buns from his pocket, and said to the black pig: Old Heizi, come here and get a steamed bun. This is the head chef of the class. for you. He also said: Come on, little fat man, you can make one too, this is a gift from your squad leader. Zhao Xiaoman laughed when he heard it from the sidelines, bent over laughing, and his stomach hurt from laughing. So the two of them lay on the guardrail of the pigsty and watched the pigs making steamed buns. Veteran Zhao said: I can see you, you are not bad, and you are so kind to pigs, you will definitely be able to take over my class.By the end of the year, I can leave with peace of mind. As soon as Qiao Nianchao heard about Veteran Zhao's leaving, he flickered for a moment, he was really reluctant to leave Veteran Zhao.So, he said: Veteran Zhao, can you work for another year and stay with me. Veteran Zhao smiled, shook his body and went back to the dormitory humming a little tune.Qiao Nianchao also followed behind.Veteran Zhao took out a diary from the drawer, took out a photo from it and handed it to him, saying: "Look, this is your future sister-in-law, isn't she pretty?" Qiao Nianchao took the photo, it was a photo of a very sweet girl combing with two small brushes, looking forward innocently. Veteran Zhao said: This is the person I booked when I visited the house the year before last. She has been waiting for me for two years, and she will get married when I return this fall. Veteran Zhao had a look of happiness and longing. Qiao Nianchao thought of Fang Wei, and felt very uncomfortable in his heart.In a flash, I haven't seen Fang Wei for more than two weeks.What is she doing now?When Qiao Nianchao thought of Fang Wei, his mind was distracted. Veteran Zhao patted Qiao Nianchao on the shoulder and said, "When you visit the house next year, don't come back empty-handed. We are soldiers. It's the business of visiting the house with a hammer. If you want to get engaged, you can make an appointment. After passing this village, there will be no such shop." Qiao Nianchao smiled wryly at Veteran Zhao. Veteran Zhao didn't know why Qiao Nianchao smiled wryly. He admired the photo of his fiancée alone and hummed a fragmented song, looking like he was living a happy life for thousands of years. Qiao Nianchao asked again: Are you afraid that she will regret it later. Veteran Zhao opened his eyes wide: It depends on your ability. You are engaged, and you think of a way to cook raw rice. Are you afraid that she will run away?right? It seems that Veteran Zhao has already cooked the uncooked rice, otherwise he would not be so down-to-earth and happy.Qiao Nianchao thought to himself: I really can't see that such a listless person has a lot of ideas. Qiao Nianchao wanted to see Fang Weike but at the same time didn't want to see her, his heart was full of contradictions and confusion.Later, he made up his mind to meet Fang Wei once, no matter how Fang Wei treated him, he had to find out the truth, otherwise he would not be at ease.He only wanted to find out one thing when he met Fang Wei this time, and that was whether there was any possibility of renewing the old relationship between them. If not, his heart would be clean from now on. It was another Sunday at noon, and he came to the division hospital. The hospital is always so sunny, but there are still many people entering and leaving the hospital on Sunday.Most of these people come from grass-roots companies, and it is rare to see the opposite sex in the company. It is different in the hospital. There are not only doctors and nurses, but also many beautiful female soldiers. They also imitate the appearance of doctors and nurses. The white coat fluttered away, looking like a fairy came to the world.Therefore, the division hospital has become a paradise for soldiers.There are many veterans who have worked hard in the company for several years and are about to leave the army. Their biggest dream is to stay in the division hospital for a few days. No hesitation.Because their greatest wish is to have an intimate contact with the fairy in their hearts.Therefore, the Division Hospital is always crowded with people, bustling and lively. Qiao Nianchao went through quite a lot of trouble, running upstairs and downstairs several times, and finally found Fang Wei among a group of female soldiers and male soldiers at the gate of the division hospital.Fang Wei didn't wear a military uniform, but a casual outfit, and his hair was light and burnt, so Fang Wei looked very charming and fashionable.When he found Fang Wei in the crowd, Fang Wei also saw him. Fang Wei walked over, still in high spirits, and she said: Qiao Nianchao, why are you here? Did you come to see the sick too? Qiao Nian was very uncomfortable with such yin and yang questioning to Fang Wei, he frowned and said: I don't make appointments with the sick, and I won't call you here. She said coldly: Then what are you doing here? Qiao Nianzhao looked at Fang Wei coldly. Fang Wei said: If there is nothing else, I will leave. They are still waiting for me to go to the movies, why don't you go with me. He said: I didn't come to see a movie, I came here specifically to see you today. Fang Wei stood there, leaning forward gracefully, glanced at the watch on his wrist and said: Come on, I don't have much time. Someone from the crowd over there shouted: Fang Wei, are you still going?After a while the movie started. Fang Wei replied: "Wait a while, I'll be here right away." Qiao Nianchao had a lot to say to Fang Wei, but at this moment, he didn't want to say a word.He wanted to turn his head and leave, endured it and stood still, he hadn't figured out how to speak yet. Fang Wei said: I heard that you went to the company to feed pigs, why are you so worthless. Qiao Nianchao raised his head and said, "What's wrong with feeding the pigs?" Fang Wei laughed and said: Nothing, serve the people. His face had darkened. Fang Wei still said: Come on, what's the matter, it's okay, I'm really leaving. Qiao Nianchao already knew the answer without saying anything.He waved at Fang Wei and said, "Go, go and watch your movie." Fang Wei said: Then you can play again when you have time. After finishing speaking, he left and blended into the group of happy male and female soldiers. Qiao Nianchao lit a cigarette, and he watched Fang Wei disappear from his sight.Finally, he glanced at the door of the teacher's hospital behind him again, and said in his heart: I will never come here again. On the way back, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind: he must do something, and show Fang Wei what kind of person he is. In Fang Wei's eyes, he was just a stinking pig feeder.That day, he squatted at the door of the company's pigsty for a long time, smoking more than half a pack of cigarettes.Later, Veteran Zhao came over and squatted beside him, and Veteran Zhao said: I used to tell these pigs when I encountered something that didn't go my way. They understand human nature. Although they can't speak, they understand.When it's over, there's nothing left. Qiao Nianchao has already said what should be said.He said in his heart over and over again: I, Qiao Nianchao, must behave myself, otherwise I would not be Qiao Nianchao.He yelled over and over again in his heart.From that moment on, he fell in love with these pigs. He felt that pigs were the starting point of his career. He wanted to raise them well so that they could grow up healthy and strong. Every morning, he got up before dawn, took a broom, cleaned the pigsty inside and out, and then lit the fire to heat up the pig food, which was leftovers from the cooking class. Pick it up from the swill bucket of the cooking class, and when the swill pot is warm, put it into the bucket and lift it into the pigsty. The pigs were scrambling to eat in front of him, and he stood there watching sweetly, as if those who were eating were not the pigs, but himself. Veteran Zhao walked over sleepily, looked at it for a long time before saying: Qiao Nianchao, it seems that you are really a disciple, and it seems that I will really leave at the end of the year. The company cadres also often went to the pigsty to have a look. There were the deputy company commander and chief of staff in charge of logistics. When they saw the scene in front of them, they couldn't believe that it was Qiao Nianchao standing in front of them.The Qiao Nianchao in their eyes was gone, and a brand new Qiao Nianchao was born in their eyes. There is a company roll call every week, and the company commander or instructor summarizes the work of the previous week and assigns tasks for the next week.During the roll call of the company, Qiao Nianchao's name was ceremoniously spoken out of the company commander's mouth.In the past, Qiao Nianchao was the target of criticism. At that time, even the cadres did not mention his name, but said "certain people", but everyone knew clearly that "certain people" was synonymous with Qiao Nianchao.It was the first time in history that Qiao Nianchao was praised.The soldiers all looked sideways at him, his face was burning hot, and his face lifted up little by little. Only then did he feel that being praised was actually a very useful thing. That day when he and Veteran Zhao returned to the pigsty, he imitated Veteran Zhao and hummed a song. Veteran Zhao threw him a cigarette, and the two of them squatted in the open space in front of the pigsty again. Veteran Zhao said: It is easy for a person to do a good deed, but it is difficult to do a good deed for a lifetime. Qiao Nianchao raised his head and looked at Veteran Zhao, only to realize that Veteran Zhao had said a quote just now, but he thought that what Veteran Zhao said was just right. Veteran Zhao said again: It is easy to feed pigs, but difficult to feed them.I have been feeding pigs for four years, so I have to leave in the end? Qiao Nianchao's thinking is different from that of Zhao Laobing, what Zhao Laobing wants is "results".He doesn't want that result, what he wants is this process, no matter what he does, he doesn't want others to underestimate him.One day, even if he packed up his backpack and left like Veteran Zhao, he would have no regrets.He just didn't want people to make irresponsible remarks, saying that he, Qiao Nianchao, was not enterprising. He said from his heart: Veteran Zhao, I thank you. In the process of Qiao Nianchao's growth, Veteran Zhao undoubtedly played a key role. The key point is that Veteran Zhao made him fall in love with feeding pigs. In a blink of an eye, the end of the year was approaching, and Veteran Zhao was announced to be demobilized.The night before leaving, Veteran Zhao was saying goodbye to Qiao Nianchao. Veteran Zhao had tears in his eyes before he could speak, and he said: Qiao Nianchao, I will leave tomorrow, and you are the only one left here. Qiao Nianchao was also a little moved, and his heart was flooded. Veteran Zhao said again: For four years, I have been staying here and rarely left the gate of the company.I'm afraid people will say that I'm a pig feeder, and I just want to make a living as a soldier. Who wants to really feed pigs? It seems that what Veteran Zhao said before was not sincere. Veteran Zhao wiped his tears and said: In this life, if you believe in your fate, you have to believe in your fate. This is my fate in this life. Speaking of this, he patted Qiao Nianchao on the shoulder and said: In the future, if you have a chance, you still have to go to the combat squad, where you can show yourself.Dealing with pigs here, what can I do, but in the end, I still pack up and leave like me. It seems that Veteran Zhao still has a dream, but he never said it, so he endured it and fed pigs for four years.Qiao Nianchao looked at Veteran Zhao in surprise. From this point of view, he admired Veteran Zhao's perseverance and perseverance.In fact, Veteran Zhao had been looking forward to a miracle, but in the end, it still didn't appear. In the end, he could only go home with regrets. The next day, Qiao Nianchao sent Veteran Zhao to the truck, and the truck drove all the way to the train station.Veteran Zhao and other veterans were about to leave, with waving arms under the car.When getting into the car, Veteran Zhao was still calm, shaking hands with this one and saying goodbye to that one, but when the truck drove out of the company gate, Veteran Zhao suddenly squatted down in the car, covered his face with his hands and burst into tears.Carrying the cries of Veteran Zhao, the truck drove away little by little. Qiao Nianchao kept staring at Veteran Zhao on the truck. When Veteran Zhao cried bitterly, his tears also flowed out.He knew that Veteran Zhao left with regrets, he had a lot to say in his heart, but he only told Qiao Nianchao and those pigs.