Chapter 38 Chapter 02

The night air is soft.The deep blue sky is filled with the stars of the day. A temple-like building stood in a wide alley beside the main street.Several wooden signs were hung on the door wall, and the signboard of the trade union was hung in the middle.An electric lamp hangs under the eaves of the door, and the dim light makes it difficult to see the writing on the wooden sign. Two young women stepped inside through the threshold.They walked quickly, not paying attention to everything around them. They passed the courtyard, passed the newly built stage, and saw a few people standing on the stage, they still kept their mouths shut and walked inside without saying a word.They stopped in front of the door of the row of rooms on the right, and called out "K" softly.

There was no answer from inside, but the voices of several men talking continued to come out.The girl in the plaid blouse and green skirt went in first. It was the reception room. Ke was talking with three men who looked like workers. When he saw a woman coming in, he nodded to her and said, "Peizhu, Chen Qing is inside." The female student greeted in surprise: "Dehua." They agreed and walked into another room next to them. Chen Qing was leaning over to write something on the desk, when he saw them coming in, he stood up and asked with a smile: "Dehua, when did you come back?"

"This afternoon," Edward replied.She didn't smile, her melancholy eyes hovered on Chen Qing's triangular face for a while.Then she opened her small mouth slightly and asked, "How about Ming?" "It doesn't matter. We have negotiated several times. He will come out in two days," Chen Qing replied calmly. "Are you lying to me? Xian told me that Ming's affairs are not easy to handle, and that it is dangerous," Dehua hurriedly said, her eyes cutting Chen Qing's face like a knife. "Xian must be lying. If you don't believe me, read this official letter." Chen Qing smiled and picked up the documents on the table, "I am writing an official letter to the Public Security Bureau."

Dehua walked to the desk with a surprised expression.Peizhu watched quietly from the side, her face gradually unfolded. "Ming was not charged with any major crimes. He was arrested for the fight between the dock workers and the soldiers. The Public Security Bureau has already sent us an official letter to reply," Chen Qing continued to explain when he saw Dehua flipping through the documents. "Dehua, don't be confused. It is Hui who is playing tricks, and you have been fooled," Peizhu said with a smile beside her. "Hui? Why did you mention Hui?" Dehua looked at Peizhu's smiling face in surprise.

"You can rest assured. What Xian told you must have been taught by Hui," Peizhu said quietly. "Hui are you kidding me? Why?" Dehua put down the official letter and asked solemnly. "What does this have to do with me?" A familiar female voice entered the room first, and then they saw Hui's muscular body covered by a blue plaid blouse.Hui's attire is similar to Peizhu's, except that her loose hair hangs down to cover half of her face. "You want to test Dehua and Ming—" Peizhu only said half a sentence, and Dehua blushed and fell silent.

"Hui, you shouldn't be joking like this. Ming was arrested for everyone's affairs. And Ming is a very hardworking person among us." Chen Qing straightened his face and gave Hui Lai an advice.He has always been a bit of a moralist.He does more and talks less.But when he encounters something that he thinks is wrong, he will put on a straight face and say a few words, and forget it after speaking.So the friends were not offended when they heard his reproach. "I didn't make any big mistakes," Hui said with a smile. "Even if I said it was a joke, I didn't mean it maliciously. You should also know how much Ming suffered for Dehua? Who gave him his melancholy face? Dehua is too cruel. Why do you have to pretend So nonchalant."

Dehua didn't answer, but lowered his head and sighed in a low voice. Peizhu suppressed her smile, and gently reprimanded Hui, "Don't mention it. Don't you see Dehua sighing? She got anxious when she heard Xian's words when she came back. It's all caused by you. You love supremacist ." "You all laugh at me as a love supremacist. I'm not afraid. I don't believe that love is an immoral thing at all, and I don't believe that love is in conflict with career." Hui blushed vigorously argued, her A pair of eyes glowed across the room. "Speak softly, Hui, there are people outside." Chen Qing whispered to Hui with a gesture. "Let's go to the inner room." He led them inside, into a smaller room with only a table and a bed, and two stools.Chen Qing sat on a stool, and the three women sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Hui, you shouldn't blame me like this." Dehua sat in the middle, she turned her head to look at Hui, her soft but regretful eyes stopped on Hui's face, those two eyes caught Hui Sympathy was also aroused. "It's not my fault alone. Ming also kept his thoughts to himself and didn't let me know." Dehua's earnest voice trembled slightly in the room, leaving behind a faint lingering sound.There was distress in her voice. "Dehua, don't believe Hui's words. Her mouth seems to be born to blame people. No one will say you are wrong," Peizhu comforted her, stroking Dehua's shoulder pitifully.

Hui put one hand around Dehua's neck, and said kindly and apologetically, "Dehua, forgive me, I was just joking with you." The three women cuddled together, seeming to have forgotten that there was another Chen Qing in the room.However, Chen Qing smiled beside him. "Let's go, Peizhu, let's go back," Dehua stood up and said with a sighing voice. "Okay, let's go back," Peizhu also stood up and replied gently.She looked at Hui who was still sitting on the bed, and said, "Hui, do you want to go too?" "No, I won't go back, I'll just sleep at the Women's Association, and I'm on duty today," Hui replied and stood up.She added: "You go to the Women's Association and sit down."

"Stop sitting, I feel tired," Dehua replied listlessly, and she walked out across the threshold. "Peizhu, don't forget the article you promised me. It will be published the day after tomorrow." Hui said loudly from behind. "I've written half of it, and I'll definitely give it to you tomorrow," Peizhu replied without looking back.It has become an obligation for her to write articles for the "Women's Weekly" edited by Hui. She should submit a manuscript to Hui at least every two weeks. The weekly magazine is published on a regular basis and has never stopped.

"Can you see Renmin tonight?" Hui continued to ask from behind. "I want him to write for the weekly." Peizhu turned her head to look at Hui, and quickly replied, "No, I won't go to see him tonight." Just at this time Ke walked in from the living room and said in surprise, "You left?" "Ke, how's Ming's business?" Dehua rushed to ask, she looked at Ke with her eyes unmoving with concern, waiting for a definite answer. "No problem, he can come out in three to five days," Ke replied gently, and he saw Dehua's eyes softening slowly, as if a smile had crossed her face. "However," Ke looked at Peizhu and continued, his face suddenly changed into a serious expression, "there is a very strange thing. They already knew that Renmin had come here, and they suspected that Renmin had brought important things with him. The mission came. Renmin should be more careful." "Have you told Renmin?" Peizhu asked anxiously. "No, I haven't seen him this afternoon," K whispered back. "I'll go and tell him," Peizhu went on.She raised her head inadvertently, and saw Hui winking at her, she didn't care about Hui, so she hurriedly said to Hui: "Hui, you can go back with Dehua, she is very tired." "Then, Dehua can simply sleep in the Women's Association, I'm lonely there alone. Dehua, what do you think?" "Alright," Dehua replied hesitantly, but she finally agreed to Huihui's stay. Peizhu had already stepped out of the patio outside, but was overtaken by Ke.Ke handed her a flashlight and said, "You take this, the street where Zhiyuan lives is not easy to walk." "Thank you," Peizhu looked at the little face covered by the hot air from her mouth, smiled gratefully, and took the flashlight over.Ke sent her to the gate and stood there watching her back.But in an instant her shadow disappeared into the darkness.Ke silently stretched out his right hand and scratched his head twice, then turned back. When Ke returned to the room, De Hua had already followed Hui away.The clubhouse of the Women's Association is also part of this large building, just opposite, with a pool in the middle, but there is a stone bridge passing through.From this room one can see the lights on the other side. Ke went to Chen Qing to watch him copy the official letter.A familiar rough voice sounded outside the window: "K." Then Zhiyuan's footsteps sounded on the stone steps.Zhiyuan's leather shoes were studded with spikes, and his footsteps were easily recognizable.But at the same time there were other voices, not just one. Zhiyuan came in shouting, followed by Renmin.Walking together, the two were about the same size, like a pair of brothers.There was a smile on Zhiyuan's square face. "Did you see Peizhu?" Ke asked immediately when he saw Zhiyuan. "Peizhu, where is she?" Zhiyuan asked loudly in surprise. "She went to your place just now, and it's only been a few minutes, there's still time for you to go after her," Ke said anxiously. "Okay, let's go, don't make her go wrong. Those streets are hard to walk." Renmin said with concern that he was going to leave with Zhiyuan. "Renmin, wait a minute, let me talk to you a few words," Ke pulled Renmin into the inner room.After a while, the two came out together, their expressions were the same as usual, as if there was nothing important. "Let's go," Renmin said calmly, patting Zhiyuan on the shoulder.Zhiyuan looked at him in surprise, Zhiyuan didn't know what Ke had said to him, and why Peizhu went to find them at this time. Zhiyuan still wanted to ask Ke a few words, but Renmin urged him to leave.The two of them half-run and half-walked out of the gate, ran to the middle of the dark street, and started to walk in big strides. The street is still lively, with pedestrians, lights, and prostitutes in colorful clothes.But everything seems to be shrouded in a layer of fog.A young prostitute approached them, gave them a curious look, and let them pass. They turned into a winding alley, and after walking for a while, they saw the flames. A man in student uniform held a torch and walked ahead. The familiar figure was illuminated by the torch, shaking in front of their eyes. "It's Min, let's catch up." Zhiyuan said happily to Renmin, and walked quickly, calling "Min." The man stopped, turned to look at them, and asked, "Who? Is it Zhiyuan?" He heard the sound of spikes. Zhiyuan agreed, strode forward, grabbed Min's arm affectionately, and asked harshly, "Are you going home?" "What a coincidence. I was looking for you." Min showed a happy look. "What about Renmin?" He just said these three words, and when he saw Renmin coming, he whispered to Renmin solemnly: "You should be careful, I got—" "I see. Let's go, you go to our house. "Renmin hurriedly stopped Min, he took Min to walk together, he didn't want to stand on the street for a while, he was afraid that he would miss Peizhu because of this. "I'm not going, I'm still going to Ke Hehui's place," Min said resolutely.He looked at the torch in his hand, which was burning screamingly, throwing sparks in all directions.He handed the torch to Renmin and said, "This is for you, you can use it." Renmin smiled slightly and said, "You are all busy, and I am the only one free." Min also smiled: "Everyone is for the same goal, what kind words are you talking about?" He cast a friendly look at Renmin's plump face, and broke away from Zhiyuan's hand (at these times Zhiyuan grabbed He didn't let go of his arm), stepped into the darkness and disappeared.Only the sound of footsteps came back to Renmin and Zhiyuan's ears. Renmin stood in the middle of the street with a torch, and looked back at the darkness where the footsteps sounded, as if trying to see something in the darkness. "Let's go, Renmin, are you insane?" Zhiyuan laughed beside him. Renmin didn't answer, but followed him to the front. The two walked hurriedly, without saying a word, letting the darkness surround them.The red and yellow light from the head of the torch illuminated a short section of the stone road.Sparks fell to the ground from time to time, and went out when they turned red.They walked down one alley and turned into another, but met no one.Zhiyuan's boot spikes rang crisply in the still night.The light of the fire gradually dimmed. "Give me the torch," Zhiyuan said suddenly, snatched the torch, held it in his hand, shook it back, and shook it again, many sparks fell to the ground, and the torch ignited blazingly.They entered another alley. "Zhiyuan," Renmin's trembling voice suddenly sounded.Zhiyuan responded vaguely, but just walked forward. "I want to cry," Renmin said briefly. "You want to cry. What are you talking about?" Zhiyuan turned his head to look at Renmin, and said reproachfully, spraying his saliva on Renmin's face. "I was so happy that I was about to cry. I saw you all—" Renmin couldn't go on talking anymore, he felt his eyes began to blur, like a curtain was hung. Many faces appeared in turn across the curtain, each face was lively, young, and shrouded in a radiance; each smiled at him.The last oval-shaped face of a maiden hides everything.That face was familiar to him.He saw the face, but he couldn't see a ledge under his feet, kicked his foot on it, leaned forward, jumped up, and almost fell to the ground.But he stopped. "Be careful," Zhiyuan looked at him in surprise, then smiled, opened his mouth wide and said softly: "Renmin, you have too many emotions. You should laugh when you are happy, and you should not cry. I am here every day They all laughed." There was only a short section of the torch left, and the fire was about to burn his fingers.He threw the torches on the ground, and the torches scattered, and when the wind blew, sparks flew up, and he walked forward without stamping them out.There was still fire in his eyes, but slowly, slowly the road grew dark before his eyes. "Renmin, be careful. Can you see it? It's almost here." Zhiyuan said intermittently to Renmin, he could hear Renmin's footsteps, he could hear Renmin's breathing.He is familiar with the road, and he knows that he will reach home after another alley.The road is straight, and as long as he slows down, he can walk home without difficulty. There was indeed darkness in front of Renmin's eyes, and his unfamiliar eyes couldn't see anything.He grabbed Zhiyuan's arm and moved with difficulty.He endured without panic, knowing that this dark journey would soon be over. They arrived at Zhiyuan's house.Zhiyuan's eyes could distinguish the stone steps and the gate.He walked up the stone steps and thumped the door several times.There was a response from inside, and after a while a little girl opened the door with a kerosene lamp. "There are guests in the room," the little girl said in vernacular when she saw Zhiyuan, her eyelids drooping tiredly again. "It must be Peizhu," Renmin said happily, and hurried inside.Zhiyuan smiled kindly beside him. Renmin walked into the room first.Peizhu was sitting on the rattan chair in front of the desk, buried her head in the book, and turned the pages with her hands. When she heard footsteps, she raised her head and said in surprise, "You are back." She closed the book and stood up. "Peizhu, why did you come here so late at night?" Renmin said gratefully, looking at her face with a smile.The face looked even brighter against the light, and the soft eyes seemed to caress his face. "I'll tell you—" Peizhu came over to him, looked at him with concern, and began to whisper. "I already know, so it doesn't matter." Renmin said hurriedly, cutting off her words. "We just came from K." "I thought so too. But you have to be careful too," she said quietly, not taking her eyes off his face.She looked at him as if this face was unknown to her, although she had seen it countless times.It is still so round, but it is a little darker than before, and there are more wrinkles on the face, only the eyes are not old, and those eyes are very clear, as if to see through a person's heart.The eyes are soft, but firm.She knew that he was able to protect herself, and she knew that he was no longer as rough as before.Life tortured him, but instead tempered him into a strong man.She is relieved. "In fact, we are all in danger here, but those of us who have lived for a long time know more about ways to avoid danger." "Peizhu, you can see that Renmin has changed a lot now," Zhiyuan seemed to know her psychology, and then said to her, and he looked at the two of them with a satisfied smile. "Haven't you all changed too? Today's society is a big furnace." Renmin said with a smile.He looked at Peizhu, and Peizhu was no longer the girl who didn't talk much.Naturally, she was still young now, much younger than him, and her face was full of youthful vitality.But there was an attractive power in the well-balanced texture of her face which she had never had before.The power seized him.He said emotionally, "Peizhu, I hardly know you anymore." "Are you blaming me?" Peizhu asked with a smile. "Blame you? I don't deserve it. I should say praise you," Renmin argued quickly, and there was indeed praise from his eyes. "Zhiyuan, do you still remember our scene in S land?" He suddenly turned to look at Zhiyuan and asked. "Recently, I gradually forgot about it," Zhiyuan said, walking to the bed, and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Sometimes when I think about those things, it's like having a weird dream. Yet I awoke. "He shook his head and shook his body, looking very proud, his square face flushed. Peizhu sat down on the rattan chair. "Do you remember those words? You said that our lives are less than a match. We struggle and suffer until we die, without a chance to light anything." His face was not clear, only his serious voice was heard. "Who remembers those nonsense? At that time, the illness made my brain faint." Zhiyuan opened his mouth wide and let out a voice of reproach.He had already buried his past painful life.He sealed the tomb tightly, and did not want anyone to dig it for him. Renmin ignored him, and continued in a serious voice: "But I remember it very clearly. It's strange. When I came here, I saw Peizhu and you all, and I thought of Chen Zhen. Chen Zhen sacrificed for his ideal. Everything, he was always overworked like that, and his body was destroyed by lung disease. He was in his twenties, but he was worried that the Chinese nation was too old, and that the Chinese youth were too fragile. I didn’t see him happy until he died. Thinking about it, this is really a tragedy. He can't wake up and see the scene here," Renmin paused for a while when he said this, his eyes were wet, and his voice was a little rough.The room was dark, and the kerosene lamp on the desk was mostly covered by his broad back.He seemed to see Chen Zhen's thin face wearing wide-rimmed glasses, and Chen Zhen was sitting next to Zhi Yuan on the bed and listening to him.He raised his hand and rubbed his eyes. "He ridiculed Peizhu and called her a petty bourgeois woman. Now Peizhu is still here, and many young people are here, but it is a pity that Chen Zhen has disappeared forever. He has not even seen a glimmer of hope." Renmin closed his mouth, took out his handkerchief and blew his nose.No one answered.The room was very still.The dogs were barking in the street outside, getting louder. "Peizhu, can you forgive him? He misunderstood you." Renmin turned his head to look at Peizhu.When she heard his words, she looked up, and there were tears in the corners of her eyes. "He didn't misunderstand me. His criticism is good. I am indeed a petty bourgeois woman. But I hope I can be a useful person in the future. I will do my best. He has also given I can help. Don’t you remember those books and biographies he collected?” Peizhu’s voice was not high, but it was powerful, and every word was clearly printed on people’s hearts. "But you all have to teach me a lot. I need a severe reprimand." Speaking of these two sentences, she smiled humbly.She reached out and picked up the few strands of hair that were hanging down to cover her eyes. "Everyone here has treated me so well. If I can do anything, it is all thanks to everyone's help. Just ask Zhiyuan." At these times, Zhiyuan looked at Renmin and Peizhu without blinking, listening to them talking, his attention was attracted by them.Suddenly he saw Peizhu pointing at him to ask him to speak, he opened his mouth quickly, but something blocked his nostrils, and he sneezed loudly as soon as he struggled.It was loud and filled the room. "The only thing that hasn't changed about you," Renmin smiled kindly beside him.He then asked with concern: "Zhiyuan, is your body better than before?" "It's much better. I feel very healthy. I haven't had a stomachache once," Zhiyuan said, wiping his nose and raising his head. "Life goes by very quickly here. I only worry about not having enough time. Peizhu and I are very happy, and so is Yadan. Yadan will be back next week, and he is needed for the bee farm. He is also very happy." He mentioned Yadan who arrived is also Renmin's friend.When Zhiyuan came here, he came with Yadan.Yadan is now teaching in an elementary school in the countryside, among other things. "Ardan has written me many letters. In each letter, he said how happy he was, and he was with those innocent elementary school students all day long." When Renmin heard about Ardan, he thought of the elder College students of stature.Ardan has a long, thin face and a high nose.After arriving here, he likes to wear a long gray cloth gown, and people rarely see him changing into other clothes.Someone told Renmin about this situation yesterday.Renmin thought it was funny.He went on to say: "I really envy you, you all work hard." He immediately changed his tone and asked them: "Do you remember Xiao Chuan?" "Remember. Is he still teaching at the university?" Peizhu said. Renmin shook his head and said, "He got the principal fired. He spoke casually and offended people. He recently joined the Commercial Press as an editor. Now his attitude is much better. Dexian recently joined our group." "I know Dexian, she is Xiaochuan's aunt and Peizhu's good friend." Zhiyuan laughed. Peizhu's face glowed with joy, she opened her eyes wide and said, "Dexian sent a letter recently, and she didn't talk about these things." She smiled happily. "She wanted me to tell you face to face, she said, you will be happy when you know," Wu Renmin said with a smile. Peizhu smiled gratefully and said, "Thank you then." She stood up and said, "I should go." "You can sleep here tonight," Zhiyuan Wanliu said, and he also stood up. "I still have to write an article for Hui's weekly magazine. I've finished half of it and put it at home." Peizhu was about to go back, but she took out her watch to see that it was almost twelve o'clock. "It's so late, you don't have to leave. The article will be written tomorrow, isn't it the same?" Zhiyuan firmly prevented her from leaving. It's fine if you go back, the two of us will send you back. " Renmin suggested. "It's okay, I'll go alone, I'm not afraid," Peizhu said, shaking her head. Zhiyuan gave Renmin a reproachful look, and said harshly, "It's very dangerous to walk on a secluded street at this time. This place can't compare to S land. I can't let Peizhu go. We have a cot, which is very convenient to set up. "Zhiyuan became very stubborn, his saliva almost sprayed on Peizhu's face, she quickly avoided it.She understood his words.It's really not safe to walk on the street at this time.She agreed to stay. "Peizhu, are you hungry? I have a gas stove and some rice noodles. Renmin has canned beef left over. Let's get something to eat, shall we?" Zhiyuan opened the cabinet happily. "Okay, let me do it," Peizhu said rushing like a child.She went to find the gas stove, easily found it in the corner of the room, took it out and put it on the table.In-min handed her the alcohol bottle.She kindled the fire quickly. "Peizhu, I'm so happy to see you like this." Renmin watched her busy with interest, and said this with satisfaction, his eyes revealing admiration. Peizhu didn't answer, but turned her head and looked at him with a slight smile.