Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

Chunhua peeked at the novel for a short time and kept it a secret, no one knew about it.I also feel that I am on guard everywhere, so that no news will be leaked.Now my father asked about this out of the blue, without any preparation in advance, so it was hard to answer.Tingdong straightened his face and asked: "What books did you get to read?" Chunhua whispered: "I haven't read any new books. The ones at home are not the ones I read." Tingdong said: "You The younger brother said: "There is a picture of a person in the book, what kind of book is that?" Chunhua said: "Unless it's the elementary school with some pictures on it, where else is there a picture book?" Although Tingdong was still worried, he couldn't figure out why.I had no choice but to change the subject and said: "I just found out today that you often don't eat. Young people are developing and often don't eat. What is that? You have to take a few bites, sit down and eat!" As he said, He pointed to the stool below with the tip of his chopsticks, which meant that he wanted her to sit down.Chunhua was not sick, and he could barely eat a few mouthfuls of rice. Now seeing his father's angry look, he didn't dare to disobey him, so he filled half a bowl of rice and sat down to eat.

Before the meal was over, Uncle Mao stumbled in again with a smile on his face, and shouted in the courtyard: "My husband, my business is over, and I came here to report to you, and I will move to Kazi tomorrow." Go up and live." He said in his mouth, and walked straight forward, forgetting to cross the threshold again, and stumbled with his right foot with a thud.This time he was somewhat on guard. When he turned forward, he quickly grabbed the door and managed not to fall. Although Tingdong didn't want to laugh, he couldn't help but changed his smile to a sneer, and then sighed: "Just because of your rash appearance, you shouldn't be in trouble, but Master Li is so tolerant that he actually hired you. What did Master Li send you for?" Uncle Mao said: "Master Li said: there is one less handyman on the boat, so let me do it on the boat (Neiheli Bureau) , The bureau is located on the shore, and it may be inconvenient to prohibit leakage. There is only one boat by the river, and some tax inspectors serve in it, which is called a daily boat), with a monthly salary of 60 yuan, and the food is still in the bureau."

Tingdong said: "You can do it. But why did Li Xiaoqiu recommend this to you? It must be because you couldn't find him, right?" Uncle Mao said, "I came in just now and saw him walking by the door. You If you don’t believe me, you can call him in and ask.” Ting Dong nodded his head and said, “It’s okay to ask, if he is at the door, you can call him in.” Now Uncle Mao is promoted by Xiaoqiu as a handyman on the boat He felt that Xiao Qiu was a living Buddha, so he immediately ran outside and went straight to Xiao Qiu, and smiled at him, "Master, please go and talk."

Xiaoqiu stood far away by a fence, staring at a corner of her husband's house in a daze.Because I heard Qu Yujian say that my junior sister lives in a room under the corner of that room.Third Uncle Mao suddenly ran over, saying that the husband wanted to see him, and immediately said with tongue-tied words: "Wh...what... what's the matter?"Third Uncle Mao laughed and said, "My husband told you to go and say a few words. It's irrelevant." Xiao Qiu didn't know how to hide, so he had to bite the bullet and follow him. Tingdong's family had already finished their meal, and everyone sat scattered in the main room.When Chunhua heard that Xiaoqiu was asked to go, he refused to leave and sat on a chair opposite his father.Xiaoqiu walked into the courtyard, feeling uncomfortable.If the husband has something to say, he is not in the school to say it, Chunhua is also here, maybe there is something to confront.His face was blushing, his back was sweating, and he couldn't move three inches, so he walked into the main room.Ting Dong straightened his face and held the hookah, staring at him from afar, and Xiao Qiu couldn't help jumping up in his heart.Ting Dong waited for him to come to the front, and then said: "I don't have any important matters. But you are kind enough to recommend Third Brother Mao to the card, are you not afraid that he will make trouble and hurt you?"

Xiaoqiu smiled and said, "I don't think so? As long as he doesn't drink, Third Uncle Mao is also very shrewd." Tingdong said: "He has been looking for you for a long time, so he wants you to recommend something?" Xiaoqiu said: "No, no, I figured it out with him. Because I saw that he didn't grow crops and had nothing else to do. It's a pity." These few words are most suitable for the kind old lady. .Mrs. Yao supported her crutches, sat behind Ting Dong, nodded repeatedly, expressing her approval, and said to Chunhua: "Senior brother is here, give me a chair to sit on, you are still studying, there is no etiquette at all." Understand."

Chunhua really couldn't have dreamed that grandma would issue such an imperial decree, and immediately a smile appeared on her face, and she brought a chair and sent her over.He also called out: "Brother Li, please sit down." Xiao Qiu quickly bent over and smiled and said: "Junior sister is still polite to me." Chunhua didn't say anything, and took a step back.The old lady Yao said: "Hey! This child is unique, pour a cup of tea for senior brother." Chunhua didn't know how his grandmother was so kind, so he just called to serve senior brother.With redoubled joy in his heart, he ran to the bedroom, filled his own teacup to the brim, and held it in front of Xiaoqiu with both hands.When Xiaoqiu stood up to take the tea, she glanced at her snow-white hands. Chunhua didn't understand why, so she lowered her eyes and pursed her lips slightly, and stood in front of him, pausing for a while.

Xiao Qiu didn't dare to look too much, so she immediately turned around and sat down in front of her husband.Tingdong said: "I don't have anything to say, you go to study." Xiaoqiu stood up and agreed, put the teacup on the table, without the slightest sound, called Taishimushimu, then turned around, from now on Went calmly.Old Mrs. Yao said: "After all, the sons and daughters of officials are always very polite. Unfortunately, I only have one granddaughter. If I have two granddaughters, I must betroth one to him." Tingdong said: "This kid is smart, but his talent is showing a little bit. If the imperial examinations are not stopped now, and scholars are promoted, there is no difficulty for this kid. If he goes up, he has to be more cautious." Mrs. Yao said with a smile: "You never Praise the student for being good, with such a good student, why don't you betroth your third-bedroom girl Xiaoqin to him?"

Chunhua was listening, and couldn't help but stare fiercely at her grandmother.Tingdong laughed and said: "His father came and went, some of them were daughters of rich gold, let their family choose slowly, why did he go to our Xingan village to meet relatives?" Uncle Mao was on the side, couldn't help it, so he interrupted Said: "It's a pity that our eldest girl has someone else, if it's not the case..." Song stopped him and said: "Brother Mao, have you drunk again? Stop talking nonsense." Uncle Mao stretched his arms towards everyone With a sharp tongue, I dare not continue to speak further.In the past, if anyone wanted to mention the important matter of marriage in front of many people, Chunhua would have blushed and wanted to talk about others, but today's situation is very special, and he just sat and listened in a daze.Now that everyone stopped talking, she took the cup and walked into the room with a very happy look.It's all for others, Song has been paying close attention to Chunhua's actions since she let her drop out of school. Of course she is puzzled in her heart, she must have other meanings.However, this meaning is grown on whom, but it is not yet known.Now watching Chunhua's situation with Xiaoqiu, I understand that there are nine out of nine.No wonder since this Young Master Li came to the school, the girl is not as obedient as before, and often talks back to the master.

At that time, Mrs. Song sat on the side with a serious face, just thinking about it for a while, but didn't say anything.Asked Uncle Mao, "When are you going to get on the card?" Uncle Mao said, "I'm here to carry my luggage when I go home." Mrs. Song said, "There are two people in a family, and now both of them are outside. Who will take care of these things in your house?" Uncle Mao said with a smile: "There is a box at home, I want to store it with my wife, and I want to take the bedding and tents with me. There is nothing left. That's it. I have something. I can leave it to General Tie, who is in charge of the door." Song thought for a while, then nodded and said, "Don't mess around, you can lead me to your house to have a look, and I can arrange it with you A little bit." Uncle Mao smiled and said, "Hey! How can that be?" Since Mrs. Song said it, she stood up without waiting for him to say more excuses.Uncle Mao had nothing to say, so he walked home with her.

When Mrs. Song arrived at his house, she looked around as if to observe, and then sat down on a chair in the main room, nodded and said, "It's nothing special." Uncle Mao stretched out one foot , stood in the middle of the main room, making a hesitant look, because he smiled and said: "Mrs. is here, and I don't have time to make a bowl of tea." Song looked at his face for a while, because she said: "Tea If I don't want to drink, I have two questions for you." Only then did Third Uncle Mao understand that the teacher's wife came here on purpose because she had something to ask.But what kind of question she asked, just depending on her background, it was a bit unkind, so I always had to be careful when answering.He smiled and said: "I don't understand anything, I'm afraid you, old man, can't ask why?" Song looked at it again, paused, and smiled reluctantly: "Ask and ask, and ask again." It must be something about you, tell me, Young Master Li recommended you to Kazi, did you beg him? Or did he beg you?" Third Uncle Mao thought to himself, if someone recommends you, why would you ask him instead? I came here to be recommended, it is clear that the teacher is suspicious that Young Master Li recommends me to work, and she bought me.So he smiled and said, "You are old, do you still need to ask? Of course I begged him, why did he still beg me?"

Mrs. Song was silent for a while, because she said: "You said just now that it would be a good thing if Chunhua hadn't betrothed to someone else. What do you mean?" Uncle Mao clasped his fists and made several bows : "Master, don't pursue it. Is it okay if I say something wrong?" Song smiled and said: "I'm not saying that you are wrong, just like me. Isn't that what I mean? I I want to ask you something, you must not tell others, do you think that Young Master Li also has the same meaning?" Although Uncle Mao never expressed any attitude on his face, his heart was beating wildly for a while, reluctantly He said with a smile, "I'm a person who reads well, so how can I have such random thoughts. I also answered the two sentences just because of my words, so don't take it to heart." When Mrs. Song was talking, she just looked at Third Uncle Mao's face. Although he had a forced smile on his face, he didn't look panicked at all.Just keep asking, it will startle him, and it will be difficult to inquire about this matter in the future.So he put away his smile, sighed and said: "Raising a son is easy and raising a daughter is difficult. There is a girl in the family. Parents are always afraid that they will lose their marriage. If there is a suitable family, they will make an appointment. Not good, if there is a real one, if there is a chance, I will just helplessly get another one." Saying this, he stood up and walked back home.Walking to the door, he turned his head again and said to Uncle Mao: "What we said just now, let it be said in the past, and there is no need to mention it in the future." Third Uncle Mao said: "Of course I know." As he said that, he decided in his heart that this teacher's wife's situation is a bit abnormal today, so I have to be on my guard.So she sent Mrs. Song to her own door, and followed slowly, as if there was something unfinished.Song looked back and said with a smile: "That's good. I will send you off, and you will send me off again. When will we send it back and forth like this?" Uncle Mao shrank back with a smile, but just I dare not leave.Mrs. Song was originally in a state of suspicion, but after seeing this situation, it was only more suspicious.She thought that before eating, her daughter said she was sick, but after eating, her daughter was no longer sick. This is also one of the strange things, but now she has to go and see, how is her attitude?So he relaxed his hands and feet and walked towards Chunhua's room. Sure enough, she didn't have any sickness on her face, she leaned on the table with her two arms, tightly holding the teacup that she just poured tea into, and looked at the sky outside the window, smiling from time to time, She didn't know if there was tea in the teacup or not, but after a while, she had to take a sip from the rim of the cup, as if the tea was very flavorful. Song felt that this was a bit strange, so she just stood at a distance to see how she was doing.After a long time, Chunhua suddenly sighed, and then it seemed to be talking and reading.Said a lot, but don't quite understand.Then she said to herself again: "It doesn't matter if you don't say it, it's useless to say it." When she said this, she put down her teacup and stretched her arms.Another sigh.Song thought she was going to get up, so she turned around and left to avoid her sight.Not wanting to turn around and turn faster, he slammed the door, which made Chunhua jump.Looking back, it turned out to be my mother, and she must have heard what I said just now.Immediately, those two pink cheeks were as if rouge had been smeared, and they were red to the base of the ears. He put his hand on the table, bowed his head, unable to speak.Song Shi said: "You are such a big girl, I have to worry about everything. You are always crazy like this. What's going on? Have you taken crazy medicine?" When Song Shi suddenly found out behind her, Chun Hua was a little surprised at first, but after she settled down, she thought, what are you afraid of, I am here alone thinking about my thoughts, it is turning around in my belly, and my mother has never got into my belly, so she knows what I am thinking .As for what I said, it was the above words, how would she know?If I showed panic, she would make even more guesses.So she straightened her face and said with a smile: "I'm sitting in the room alone reciting, how can I be crazy?" Mrs. Song couldn't catch her fault, but she couldn't say anything, so she said: "You always argue, Let me see how you are doing!" After saying this, he turned around and left.But although she couldn't name Chunhua's crime, from then on, she stepped up her attention to Chunhua.Especially Uncle Mao's actions, she thinks it is worth paying attention to.As for Uncle Mao himself, he also felt a little bit afraid to come to Tingdong's house, for fear that his preface and words would show his feet.On this day, after he went on business on the Kazi boat, he didn't come back to Yao's village for five or six days.But there was still a knot in his heart that couldn't get rid of, and that was his wife, Third Aunt Mao, who never came home.He thought in his heart, if the news about me getting an errand was to spread to Fengjiazhuang, she would not care about the relationship between husband and wife, and she should come back when she thought she could get my money.That's right, I came here in a hurry, and even the people in this village may not know it all, not to mention that Fengjiazhuang is more than ten miles away, how can this news be passed on?Because of this, on the seventh day of his employment, he took a half-afternoon leave and came back to Yaojiazhuang.And because it was the first time I came back, I couldn't forget the kindness of Xiaoqiu's recommendation, so I went to visit Xiaoqiu in the school before going home. After Xiaoqiu's lunch every day, he must go for a walk outside for a while. Uncle Mao couldn't see him in the school, so he followed him to the woods outside.When we met, there were only a few ordinary words of thanks, but Xiao Qiu was afraid that he would be worried about the woman, so he really comforted him.Third Uncle Mao was talking to him, but he remembered his home, which was entrusted to his wife, and the second place was to come to Tingdong's house.Xiaoqiu went out of the woods with him, and went back to school by himself. Uncle Mao walked forward happily.Suddenly someone shouted: "Brother Mao is coming home?" When he looked up, it was Mrs. Song standing at the door.Then she cupped her hands and said with a smile: "I came to see my wife." Song blushed and said, "I saw you and the Li family's children coming out of the woods together. If you want to see me, why don't you come first ? Let me tell you, don’t sneak around in front of me from now on.” Uncle Mao smiled and said, “Your old man has no doubts. How dare I join forces with people of other surnames to fool my own people?” Song said: “That’s not necessarily the case. , what do you have to say?" Mao Sanshu said: "Nothing to say, but to see you old." Song put on a faint smile on his face, and replied: "Okay, thank you, there is no one at home, You don't need to go in." Third Uncle Mao thought, although the teacher's wife is dignified, she shouldn't say such things to me, no one in the house, don't want me to go in, do you think I'm a thief?His face flushed, and he was so angry that he didn't say anything, and went to another house. Holding back his breath, he didn't want to stay in the village for a long time, so he returned to the street again.Just as he was about to go on a boat by the river, he saw his colleague, Cook Liu, carrying a long-handled basket with a scale pole inserted obliquely outside. He smiled and said, "Didn't you take half an afternoon off? Why did you come back?" So early?" Mao Sanshu said: "It's okay to go home, I think it's better to sit here than to sit around at home." Cook Liu said: "Today there is a treat in the bureau, and there is a banquet in the evening. I I have to go to the street to buy some vegetables, and have two bowls of water and wine together, okay?" Uncle Mao has never smelled alcohol since he came here to work.Now when I hear someone say to eat two bowls, my mouth is already salivating, so I smiled and said: "I have given up alcohol." Cook Liu said: "Don't talk nonsense. Alcohol is not opium, what is the addiction, why quit ?Even if you quit, eat once or twice to break the precept, then you have to eat forever? That’s not necessarily true? Let’s go.” When he said this, he stretched out a hand to hold Third Uncle Mao’s arm.At this time, Uncle Mao had no choice but to go with him.When he arrived at the hotel, before he could sit down, Chef Liu called out hungry: "Get a pot of old wine." It turns out that there are two kinds of wine in Jiangxi's water and wine shops: one kind of sweet wine, which is available to ordinary people for drink.One is old wine, the taste of which is not far from shochu.Third Uncle Mao couldn't help scratching his head with his hands and said, "Do you really drink such powerful wine?" Although he said humbly, the waiter had already brought the jug to the table.At the same time, four or five plates for serving wine were placed on the table.At this point, Third Uncle Mao could only smirk at the table, and couldn't say anything else.Chef Liu had lifted the jug, poured a large bowl into the big bowl, and said with a smile, "Drink." The jug was raised high, and the wine poured down, naturally there was a fragrance, reflecting the rushed into the nose.So he smiled at Chef Liu: "Since the wine is all poured, I will have to disturb you for a few drinks." He sat down and took a sip from the wine bowl first. I haven't drank alcohol for many days, but now I suddenly take a sip, it's really sweet.With a smile on his face, he said to Chef Liu: "Since the precepts have been opened, maybe I have to drink two more bowls with the chief minister." So the two of them drank and talked while drinking, and continued to drink like this.Making friends over a wine bowl is the easiest way to become a confidant. Cook Liu said: "Old Yao, although we have only worked together for a few days, I think you are a very good person. If you need my help in the future, just say, I'm doing my best." Third Uncle Mao laughed and said, "That's too little to be carried by the chief secretary. If you have anything to ask me for help, just say it. I dare not say anything else, if you want to I'm running, my two legs are very convenient, I can walk as soon as I say." As he said, it was true, he patted his legs twice. Chef Liu also squinted his eyes, and smiled at him, "I may ask you for something in the future. In fact, it doesn't matter if I say it now." Then, he picked up the wine bowl, took a sip, and took another A piece of dried stinky tofu was eaten in his hand.Uncle Mao said: "Just say what you have to say. If you can help, I will definitely help. If you are as serious as you and don't say it, it seems that I am not a good friend." Chef Liu smiled, picked up the bowl again, took a sip, thought for a while, and said with a smile, "To be honest, I want to get a woman." Uncle Mao said, "What's the matter? Hasn't Chief Siwu married yet? Do you want a girl, or a second son (widow)? I can visit with you." Chef Liu said with a smile: "It's not that I want to do something like that, I just want to get a woman to go." Saying, He squinted his drunken eyes again and laughed.Uncle Mao said: "Although I am doing everything on Sanhu Street, there is one floor. I don't recognize a ghost on this road. There are many sellers on the street, won't you look for them?" Cook Liu He laughed and said: "If you want this passer-by, what am I going to tell you? Chen Dequan on our boat, just to go this way and get rid of bayberry sores all over his body, I dare not try." Third Uncle Mao said: " Except for such people, I don’t know how to find them.” Cook Liu put his hand on the wine bowl and said, “You’re a local, so you don’t even know these things. I only know about the house of Ma’s mother-in-law behind the embankment. , is a place where people are hanged." Mao Sanshu said: "Why is it called a place where people are hanged?" Cook Liu said with a smile: "I don't believe it, a local like you doesn't even understand this. For example, every On the day of the market, if you see a woman from the country on the street selling eggs, straw sandals, or cloth, you think she is a good person, so please inform Ma's mother-in-law, and she will I can lure you and that woman to her house to have a great deal." As he spoke, he opened his mouth and smiled.Uncle Mao said: "This is not very reliable! Is it true that country women who come to the streets to do business are all street goods?" Cook Liu said: "Of course it is not. But you have to know that women who come to do business are nothing more than For a few dollars, if you have the money to seduce, plus Ma's mother-in-law can say, I'm not afraid that you are poor and won't take the bait." When Third Uncle Mao heard this, he couldn't help but aroused his thoughts. He took two sips of wine and remained silent.Chef Liu said with a smile: "I know there is another family in this alley, but no one introduced it, so I dare not run into it." Uncle Mao said, "Does the Chief Siwu recognize this Ma's wife's house?" Chef Liu said with a smile: "Yes, I know it, but I dare not go. Because several people in our card are going this way. How can we dare to compare with these deputy men when we are the kitchen staff? They are rich and spend three hangs Wu Diao, I don’t care at all, I don’t want to spend money like that.” Mao Sanshu said: “Oh! So there is such a road in this street. You see, I am a native, and I don’t know it at all. Where is the card on? Is the vice master going this way?" Cook Liu said: "The first thing to do is to count the former Ding Huang Shun. Do you recognize it? It's the one who is beautifully dressed. Now he has a woman surnamed Feng, and the fight is very hot Let’s meet every other day.” Uncle Mao’s heart almost jumped out of his mouth.Gripping the table tightly with his hands, he stared at Chef Liu.He was taken aback, looked at Third Uncle Mao and said, "Old Yao, why are you in a hurry?" Uncle Mao smiled and said, "It's not in a hurry, I'm a little strange." Then, he took a sip from the wine bowl, and Chef Liu said, "I think you're in a hurry?" Uncle put down the wine bowl, picked up a dozen grains of salty beans and put them into his mouth with the tip of his chopsticks. Naturally, he had some ideas.He smiled and replied: "Because I heard people say that there is a woman named Feng Zhuangyuan on this street, I am afraid it is her?" Cook Liu shook his head and said: "No, this woman is not from the street, but from Fengjia Village. "Third Uncle Mao felt as if someone had punched him in the chest, and he felt unbearably uncomfortable.But he still managed to remain calm, but he said with a smile, "Have you seen her, Chief Siwu? How do you know it's from Feng's Village?" Cook Liu said, "Huang Shun is a treasure. I'm afraid someone will snatch her away. How can I let her go?" People saw it!" Third Uncle Mao didn't ask anymore, he just felt like a fire was burning in his heart.The fire couldn't be quelled, so I had to take the wine and drank it down.Chef Liu said with a smile: "I don't agree with his nonsense. He said it's fine if he doesn't get a woman, but if he wants to get a good one. If I have a chance, I must find a woman surnamed Feng to see if it's good. What did it look like, anyway, it can't be more beautiful than Avalokitesvara." Uncle Mao snorted, lifted the pot and poured a bowl of wine, took a sip, and said with a smile: "Women who do bad things outside, where are you?" If you are willing to tell me your real name and surname, you may not be reliable if you say that the surname is Feng from the Feng family village." Cook Liu said: "I don't know what the real surname is, but Huang Shun even mentioned the woman's nickname, saying that she is called Cuiying .” Uncle Mao suddenly stood up and asked, "Her name is Cuiying?" Cook Liu asked, "Is she the number one female scholar on the street?" Uncle Mao was stunned for a moment, shook his head with a smile, and said, "No Yes." But he couldn't sit down any longer, he picked up the wine bowl in his hand, drank until the bottom of the bowl, and then put it down.Then he said with a serious face: "Siwu, it's getting late, you should go shopping." Chef Liu looked up at the shadow of the sun on the opposite wall, and said with a smile: "Actually, drink two more bowls , it doesn't matter." Third Uncle Mao said: "Anyway, I won't drink any more. I remembered something, and I must do it right away." As he spoke, he walked out of the shop. Chef Liu said something behind him. None heard.He thought to himself, my third uncle Mao has been a hero all his life, my woman will be a prostitute in secret, and my ancestors who sleep in the cemetery will also cry loudly.Although Chef Liu's words may not be very true, but no one knows my woman's name except the relatives of my mother-in-law's family, so how could it have spread to his ears?Based on this alone, there must be something unclean in here.Don't worry, the bastard surnamed Huang is always in my eyes. As long as I keep watch over him all night, I can always see traces of him.As the saying goes, catch a rape and catch a double, if I can't catch a double, I will endure it for a while; if I want to catch a double, hum!Then I'm sorry, I have to chop off both of his heads!The wine he drank had excited his nerves at this moment, and gradually exceeded the normal level. When he thought of chopping off the heads of two people with one knife, he stretched out his left hand, as if holding something, and moved it towards his bosom.He slapped his right hand horizontally, slashed down obliquely, and snorted at the same time.Chef Liu even asked twice, what's the matter, but he didn't answer.In the end, he ran forward, grabbed his shoulder and said, "Old Yao, what's the matter with you?" Uncle Mao rolled his eyes and said, "You ask me what to do, I want to kill people." Cook Liu said with a smile "You really can't do it. After drinking these two bowls of wine, you will be fooled." Mao Sanshu said: "Are you fooling around? I will kill someone in two days. Look, I am not easy to mess with, Mao Sanshu." On top of that, hearing him keep saying that he was going to kill someone, he softened for a while and didn't dare to ask.Third Uncle Mao held his head up and laughed loudly, and went straight to the trap, as if he was really going to kill someone, and the situation became even more tense.