Chapter 10 chapter Ten
The winter passed like this.
On the day when the winter jasmine was in full bloom, Lin Jingran walked out of the heavily guarded building.The days in there were really unpleasant. Thinking about it, it was very bleak.
But Lin Jingran is very calm now. After experiencing this sudden blow, she seems to be in a different state of mind about life, the world, and fate.
Sometimes we have to face some difficult things, some inexplicable things, whether it is adversity or setback, after experiencing it, you can understand that life is originally such ups and downs.What you are destined to bear, you must bear.
Facing the surging fresh air and the fragrance of winter jasmine flowers all over the world, Lin Jingran took a deep breath.The past can no longer be repeated, and the past will never be repeated.Life seems to be suddenly enlightened because of this accident.Lin Jingran stretched her waist, and walked towards the depths of the city.
Faced with Meng Xiaozhou's desperate jumping over the wall, Lin Jingran did not defend herself at all. From the beginning to the end, she just said: "You check it out. I am willing to accept whatever you find out." This is a sad sentence, but it is also true.From the first day she entered, she never thought of defending herself. The truth is the truth and has nothing to do with excuses.A mad dog can kill a person, but a mad dog can't kill a person.Instead of confronting him tit for tat, it's better to let him use all his last tricks.
Problems will naturally be clarified. No one can change the truth, and the truth will not be covered under ice forever.Lin Jingran finally obtained her innocence, but this innocence finally made her understand that one cannot make a wrong step in life, and one wrong step may ruin her life.
There was a car parked in front, which was sent by Zhou Xiaozhe to pick her up.The security department had reported it to Zhou Xiaozhe before, and what Zhou Xiaozhe meant was to let her rest for a few days before thinking about it.
Lin Jingran didn't get in the car, and didn't explain to the driver, but said flatly: "Go back and tell the deputy governor that I'm fine, thank him."
She didn't go home, she went to the bathing center to take a hot bath, then went to the beauty parlor to have her hair done, and after enjoying it comfortably for an hour, she went to the fashion store to add two clothes for herself.Then, dressed up, she came to Binhe Road, and she wanted to listen to music in Tuo Tuo's bar for a while.
There were still so many people in the bar, and it was already three o'clock in the middle of the night, but the people who were attached to the bar obviously didn't want to leave.Tuo Tuo recruited two more singers. The female singer sang wildly and wore revealing clothes.According to Tuo Tuo, the two are from the Northeast, and they used to sing Errenzhuan.He invited them to come because of Erren Zhuan.After I didn't think about coming, I found that this woman would come to be more exciting, so I simply let her come, how lively she came. "I don't care anymore, as long as I can make money, I can do anything." Tuo Tuo said.
Lin Jingran didn't say anything, pure things don't exist, whether it's music or anything else, if you just want to be pure, you should go to a place where there are no people.As long as there are people, everything will change.Besides, Tuotuo needs money, and Zaohua is still in the hospital, and needs a lot of medical expenses every day. Based on this alone, Tuotuo is very pure.
Tuo Tuo didn't know where Lin Jingran had been during this time. Seeing her haggard face, she thought she was too tired from being a secretary, so she said, "Take it easy, women can't stand too much effort."
Lin Jingran smiled quietly, not letting Tuotuo see what was in her eyes.
The music started again, and the female singer's voice was almost hysterical.Someone went crazy and jumped on stage.Interact with female singers.Someone started throwing money at the songstress, yelling at her to take off.The female singer squirmed, as if being forced by money, she had to take it off, but she was reluctant to take it off completely.
Lin Jingran turned her gaze away, and took a sip of coffee lightly.Tuotuo said embarrassedly: "Why don't you go inside, it's quiet inside."
"No."
On the same day, there was an unpleasant incident between Jiang Changming and Wu Haiyun.
The tree last winter was not managed by Wu Haiyun's company in the end, because of the unhappiness with Li Yang, Wu Haiyun resolutely gave up the winter care.She wanted herself to be quiet, and she also wanted herself to seriously think about whether or not she should continue with the project in Sha County?The Forestry Bureau did not have a professional forest ranger team, so they had no choice but to chase after them, and the Sha County side entrusted them to Jiang Changming and the others.In the end, Chang Baguan led people to do the forest protection. Half of the salary was paid by the county and half by the desert.These are trivial matters, anyway, the trees in Shawopu are still growing well after winter.As soon as spring came, Shawopu got busy, and the matter of seedling cultivation had to be paid close attention to. Jiang Changming made a few more points, including Lao Fan's side, which was also in full swing.
Wu Haiyun came this time to sign a contract with Jiang Changming.She already wanted to understand that she must do this project, and she must do it successfully.But Jiang Changming hesitated again, not so happy.Jiang Changming was still worried about Li Yang, and he didn't want to have anything to do with Wu Haiyun until he fully figured out what kind of relationship Li Yang and Wu Haiyun had.
Others mean the same thing.
Jiang Changming shirked and refused to sign the contract, Wu Haiyun was angry, and she said in an interrogative tone: "Director Jiang, what should I do to make you feel at ease, the golden season of planting trees is coming, and the contract cannot be signed, what do you want me to do?" Ready for future work?"
"It's true that the season is here, but the firm hasn't come up with specific opinions yet, so push it, and push it later." Jiang Changming prevaricated.
"There is no specific opinion in the institute. Which play did you act in with me? You think I, Wu Haiyun, is an idiot, and you believe everything I say?"
"Look at you, don't you sign if you don't sign? How can you force someone to sign?" Liu Gen interjected.What is Liugan now? Don't tell him to mix it up. What else does he want to mix it up with? The whole thing has become an old fritters. "Take your sapling away!" Jiang Changming cursed at Liu Gen, who stuck out his tongue and left.After walking a few steps, he turned around and said, "Expert Jiang, tell Girl Sha that Zaohua and the others are coming back soon, and ask her to vacate the room."
Since Shasha handed over the materials, she has become more bullish. She can't live in the diwozi, but wants to live in Zaohua's mahogany house. If Liugen doesn't let her go, she has trouble with Liugen every day, and even goes to Xinjing to find a regular. eight senses.As soon as Chang Baguan heard that she was Old Zhengtou's girl, he patted his chest and said, "Don't leave him alone, girl, don't worry, with Chang Baguan here, if he dares to mess around, I'll tell him to go back to his hometown!"
As a result, Liu Gen obediently handed over the key.But this incident also made Chang Baguan regret it, he really didn't know about it at the time, he only knew that Old Zhengtou had a girl in the provincial capital, who was raised by his wife in the provincial capital.But I didn't expect this girl to be fake.Later, Liu Gen couldn't hold back, and quietly revealed the details to him. Chang Baguan was terrified. If things were really as Liu Gen said, when Zaohua came back, wouldn't he be buried alive?So he kept agitating the six roots behind his back, asking him to drive Rusha out.But with six roots, can rustle be driven away?Shang Limin couldn't even drive her away, so he could only watch her flirt in front of Jiang Changming all day long.Yes, Shang Limin is not pleasing to Shasha now, this girl is both coquettish and savage, Xiao Yiwen is no match for her, if this goes on, Xiao Yiwen and Jiang Changming are completely lost.Shang Limin was anxious and angry, so he almost went to fight for Xiao Yiwen himself.
Yuyin brought a letter, saying that her aunt would be discharged from the hospital in a few days and go back to Shawopu to recuperate, so the two were in a hurry.
Liu Gen hurriedly told Jiang Changming the letter.
"Understood." Jiang Changming responded.Talk to Wu Haiyun again.
Wu Haiyun complained for a while, and her tone softened: "Chang Ming, tell me the truth, is it because you are hesitant about my relationship with County Mayor Li that you are so hesitant?"
Jiang Changming did not evade, but nodded seriously.I thought Wu Haiyun would explain something to him, but I didn't think so, Wu Haiyun smiled lightly: "I really misjudged you, well, since you think so, I won't force it, 'Dayuan Three Generations' you find someone else to promote Let's go." After finishing speaking, Zhen turned around and walked to the sidewalk on the side of Shaliangzi.
Jiang Changming was stunned at first, but when he realized that there was something in Wu Haiyun's words.Hastily dropped the sapling in his hand, and chased after Wu Haiyun's buttocks.This scene just happened to be seen by Liu Gen, who came back to hug the sapling, and Liu Genxin said: "Why are people in the city like this. When I see the last woman, I can't get rid of it. I'm really useless."
Jiang Changming chased after Wu Haiyun, but he didn't know what he was doing in such a hurry, his lips were moving, but he couldn't find the right words.Wu Haiyun kept a straight face: "Go back, I know the way myself."
"Send off, I'll send you off." Jiang Changming said awkwardly.
In the distance, the driver saw Wu Haiyun passing Shaliangzi, hurried out of the woods, went to the car, Wu Haiyun stopped, and said, "Director Jiang, I want to do something with you wholeheartedly. I didn't expect that you couldn't see the sunshine in your heart."
This sentence confused Jiang Changming, until Wu Haiyun left in the car, he didn't recover from the word "sunshine".Could it be.I really suspect wrong?
The next day, when he came to the county seat, there was no mobile signal in Shawopu, so communication was really troublesome.If you want to communicate with the outside world, you have to spend a day and travel to the county seat.He spent a lot of effort in the hotel before dialing the mobile phone that Zhou Xiaozhe left for him. This matter must be reported to Zhou Xiaozhe. The tree is about to be planted. He neither dared to easily lose a partner, nor did he dare to be mistaken for a thief. Boat.When he explained the situation to Zhou Xiaozhe, Zhou Xiaozhe smiled and said: "I think you are a little too careful now. I have never met that Wu Haiyun, but someone mentioned her to me. I personally think that this person should It's reliable, it's not as dark as you think. As for whether you should cooperate or not, it's up to you to judge. By the way, hurry up on your work, the province may hold an on-site meeting in Shawopu, Chang Ming, the provincial party committee The provincial government and the provincial government are very determined, and the battle for the Huyang River Basin will soon begin."
Close the phone for a long time.Jiang Changming was still immersed in excitement. Zhou Xiaozhe's evaluation of Wu Haiyun passed in a flash in his heart. What excited him was Zhou Xiaozhe's last sentence.
Frankly speaking, Jiang Changming is not a very noble person, and he himself knows this very well.In terms of career, he is far less persistent and obsessed than his teacher Zheng Dayuan.Whether it is for the desert or the jujube flower, the teacher Zheng Dayuan finally dedicated his life to this land.As for him, he was shaken, hesitant, and even thought of running away.Otherwise, I would not have been so obsessed with going to the United States a few years ago.He can only be regarded as a person who turned back halfway, but this turning back made him understand a lot of things, and he also knew how to go about the rest of his life.In terms of feelings, he is even worse than his teacher Zheng Dayuan. Although Zheng Dayuan's life is full of absurdity, absurdity is not the same as absurdity.After all, he gave his whole life for the one he loves.What about him?Ever since Bai Yang left, his feelings have been a desert, not a desert where not a single blade of grass grows, but a desert full of weeds.Only now did he understand that emotionally, he could win but not lose.And full of indecision.He originally thought that he would be very persistent in developing with Xiao Yiwen, but he didn't expect that when Rusha attacked, he would lose his composure and mentality.Until now, he didn't dare to explain a few words to Xiao Yiwen, and he didn't even have the strength to completely refuse Rusha.
This kind of man disappointed himself.
However, for Shawopu and Tengger, Jiang Changming is serious this time, full of anxiety and worry.Unprecedented anxiety.
This is by no means pretending to be lofty. Anyone with a conscience, anyone with a sense of responsibility, just needs to take a walk in Tengger, and see the life of the people in Shaxiang with their own eyes, and look at the gaping mouth here. , This kind of worry will entangle you inexorably, making you sleepless and restless.
Zhou Xiaozhe's words finally reassured him.
During that drinking session, Lao Fan was full of doubts and said: "Every time I talk about governance, I just let it go. The wind is loud and the rain is small. I am tired of hearing such slogans." At that time, Jiang Changming He didn't dare to make any guarantees, but today, this guarantees that he dared to fight.
People's trust in people is actually very simple. It is completely a kind of self-feeling. If you feel good, your trust will be strong. If you feel bad, this level of trust may not be established in a lifetime.
Jiang Changming's relationship with Zhou Xiaozhe probably belonged to this situation.
Jiang Changming didn't feel wrong this time. On the second day after he finished the phone call with Zhou Xiaozhe, the provincial party committee fired the first shot in the battle for the comprehensive management of the Huyang River Basin.
Unexpectedly, the first shot hit the official first.
In other words, the provincial party committee's scalpel first moved on the officials' inaction.In several cities in the Huyang River Basin, personnel began to make major adjustments.Those who just say nothing, or say one thing and do another, and those who do less and say more, all of them are included in the adjustment list.Unexpectedly, Long Yong, the deputy mayor of Wuliang City, was exceptionally promoted to the top position of the municipal party committee.
It is said that this is related to the play that Long Yong sang to Zhou Xiaozhe back then.Long Yong was criticized for cutting off water in the desert reservoir, but this batch was worth it. It finally made people wake up. It is not nature that is taking revenge on us, but ourselves that are taking revenge on ourselves!
As soon as Long Yong took office, Li Yang became anxious. In Wuliang City, Li Yang was most worried about Long Yong taking power.This is a character that should not be underestimated. What he has done can be hidden from others, but it is difficult to hide it from Long Yong!
After thinking about it again and again, Li Yang decided to go to the provincial capital. He wanted to ask clearly, what did the above mean, and why did Long Yong become the mayor at this time?Before he arrived in the provincial capital, someone called.Tell him that someone is disappointed in him, and the caller advises him to restrain himself for the time being, and don't ask anyone, let alone expect to get a result from anyone.
Li Yang froze in the car, did the wind direction really change?Is it really going to be real?The rain is coming.
Li Yang felt a grayness that he had never felt before, no, it was darkness.Perhaps, his political career will also end in Sha County.On the second day after Long Yong took office, he rushed to Shawopu. He brought a guest to Jiang Changming. This guest was none other than Wu Haiyun.
On the day when Hongliu spit and green Haloxylon flopped and stretched towards the exhibition, a small car sent Niu Yuyin and Zaohua back to Shawopu.The car was found by Tuo Tuo, fearing that her aunt would not take it, Yuyin lied and said that it was the car sent by Dean Xiao.Along the way, Zaohua sighed and said that she had met a good person, if not for the Xiao family father and daughter, she might have lost her life in the provincial capital.In her aunt's nagging, Yuyin was full of emotions. She really owed a lot of favors during this trip to see a doctor. Yuyin thought to herself, this debt must be repaid, even if it is for a lifetime, she must pay it back.
Seeing Shawopu from a distance, tears came out of Zaohua's eyes, and she couldn't help herself.She originally thought that after this life and death, she would take Shawopu lightly.Unexpectedly, as soon as she smelled the rolling sand waves and smelled the smell of red willows, her heart skipped a beat.She grabbed Yuyin's hand and held it tightly, for fear that Yuyin would throw her halfway and she would not be able to reach Shawopu.
Seeing the dust, the shepherd threw down the bucket in his hand and ran towards the mahogany house, shouting as he ran, "Sha girl, Sha girl, come out quickly, they are here."
The rustle is lazy and listless.This spring, Shasha seldom went to work in the woods, first she said to help Shang Limin sort out the materials, after a few days of reading the materials, she complained of a headache.The things that Zheng Dayuan left behind are like heavenly books, which may only be understood by Shang Limin, anyway, the more Sha Sha reads, the more headaches he gets.Later, he said that he would follow Xiaochang to breed, and after a long time of breeding, his face developed skin.Although it was spring, the desert sun was far more poisonous than that of the provincial capital, and her skin, which was nourished by beauty cream, couldn't stand the sun.She looked in the mirror, yelled for an hour, and then yelled at Jiang Changming to go back to the provincial capital.Just as Jiang Changming said: "I'll come back right away, who do you think wants to keep you?" She then called out: "Jiang Changming, you can't treat me like this. They gave up everything for you. Why do you still have a vicious attitude? .”
Jiang Changming was too lazy to talk to her, and couldn't find any result. Seeing that there was nothing to do with the noise, Shasha quietly went to Chang Baguan again, hoping to find a job with Chang Baguan that didn't require sunbathing.Unexpectedly, as soon as Chang Baguan saw her coming, he was so frightened that he ran towards Shaliangzi.She stomped her feet in anger, "I'm not a ghost, why are you so afraid of me?"
"You're not a ghost, I'm still a ghost. Look, there's a sandbox shop, and you're going to be on the wall." Liu Gen said from behind.
"Die Liugen, can you say something nice? Chickens, dogs, show me!"
After yelling for a few days, Jiang Changming became discouraged, and said in an extremely disheartened voice: "Okay, you can do whatever you like, as long as you don't disturb others. But let's talk about it, don't work, and don't ask me for salary."
"Don't just don't!"
Rusha didn't come here for her salary. These years, she spent countless money extravagantly, so she was not interested in those small money.Anyway, she has entrusted her whole life to Jiang Changming, as long as she doesn't drive her away, it doesn't matter if she gets paid or not.In this way, she lay in the mahogany house with peace of mind, waiting for love to blossom and bear fruit.
Upon hearing Liugen's call, Shasha knew that Zaohua and the others had really come, she felt a little guilty, after all, this is their territory, not everyone in the world can tolerate her like Jiang Changming.She was thinking about whether to take her things and leave, but Zaohua and Yuyin had already entered the courtyard.
The moment she saw Zaohua, Rusha trembled a little, really trembling.For no reason, I developed a fear of Zaohua.It's a weird feeling.For many days afterwards, Shasha thought, why should she be afraid of her, what is so scary about her?I, Shasha, grew up so big, I thought I was not afraid of the sky and the earth, so why should I be afraid of a woman from the Sha village? !
Zaohua stared at Rusha's face, she saw her from a long distance, this young girl caught her eyes in a strange way, making her unable to look away for a short while.Maybe it was God's will, maybe she had always been worried that one day, a young city girl would suddenly find Shawopu and find her redwood courtyard.Zaohua has even subjectively determined that it is her, and she finally came, and finally came to her door.
"You..." Her lips trembled, and she asked in fear.
"She is Expert Jiang's girlfriend." Liu Gen hurriedly answered, imitating the tone of the people in the city, and changed the object to his girlfriend.
Zaohua snorted, a little impatiently, and looked away suspiciously.Yuyin was also a little surprised, she didn't understand why Shasha was in her aunt's house, and she met her eyes for a moment.She remembered the scene of the tragic Tengger.But Yuyin didn't dare to think too much, her mind was on her aunt, and since she got out of the car, she has been supporting her aunt with both hands, and her heart is also tight for her.Seeing Liu Gen stunned, she said, "Go into the house, what are you doing standing in the courtyard?"
"Go into the house, come in quickly, look at my pig's brain, I'm confused before I'm old." Liu Gen interrupted, went to the front to open the door, and winked with Sha Sha, signaling her to leave quickly.
The house is full of rustling things, in a mess, and I can't bear to see it.Suitcases, handbags, paper bags, and unwashed clothes, in short, are all over the room, as if she is the owner of the house, and Zaohua and Yuyin are the guests.While tidying up, Liugen covered up with words, but hated Rusha in his heart.Zao Hua didn't say anything, and glanced at the room, Yuan raised his eyes again, and slowly settled on Sha Sha who was standing in the courtyard.This time, she looked at it for a longer time. If Yuyin didn't keep urging her, she might have to look at it for a while.Shawopu was a bit lively that day, people came to the redwood yard in turn, one group after another, crowded the two rooms and the small courtyard.Liu Gen was busy greeting outsiders again.He kept asking Zaohua about the medical situation again, and by the time Fang Lizhi and others from Chang Baguan's side were all sent away, his body was already drenched in sweat.Later, when he was boiling water alone in the kitchen, he realized that his body was covered in cold sweat.
"It's so dangerous, I almost got caught." He thought. "But the fire can't be contained in the paper, so how can we cover it up in the future?" He thought again.
The night was dense and the stars were thick, and Liu Gen sat alone on the sand beam, his heart was full of worries.Liu Gen's worries are definitely not unfounded worries, nor are they "pig brains" or "crazy" as Shang Limin scolded, he is really worried, very worried, almost going crazy with worry.Liu Gen is not just worried about Shasha, a heartless woman like Shasha, he will not worry about it for a while, he is worried about Yin girl, and Yin girl is his biggest worry.
God, why doesn't she know?Six original thoughts, so long.Yin girl should know.But she didn't know, God, she didn't know.Now it's difficult.In the daytime, the six senses and the six spirits were in turmoil, either throwing things or falling, knocking over the cup several times, causing Yuyin to roll her eyes at him.Not because of the rustle, but because of Yuyin.Liu Gen can't see Yuyin now, and when he sees her, his heart is flustered, he stares blankly, and the things he saw in the mahogany house that night jumped out loudly, scaring him.This girl is stupid, she is too real, why can't she know how to look at her face at all?The lice on the bald head are obvious, why can't she see them?It's good for her to see, if she realizes it by herself and understands things by herself, Liugan will be more or less relaxed.At least, you don't have to worry about covering up anymore.
You really don't know how hard it is to cover up a thing.
Chang Baguan scolded him that day: "Liu Gen, you sheep day, you are free to find trouble yourself, this time I see how are you covering it up?" Chang Baguan was actually more afraid than him, he was responsible for the matter of Yin girl , He concealed it for decades, when he mentioned Yin girl, his scalp felt numb, and his bones felt cold. He was more afraid of facing reality than Liu Gen.
Sitting and sitting, before Liu Gen's eyes, what he saw that night popped up.
Also blame Liugen, he shouldn't be so greedy, shouldn't look into his eyes for everything.If he had been timid that night, hadn't rummaged around, and walked out with what he wanted, his heart wouldn't have been so heavy.If things don't work out, what are you still worrying about?You can't insist that girl Yin is the child of old Zhengtou, even if you doubt it, you can use it as a fart!There are a lot of doubts about things in the world, Chang Baguan is an old sheep, his mouth is as tight as an axle head, such a big matter, the wind did not get through to him at all, so he has to figure out everything by himself, Thinking about it for myself, no, it must be a disaster.
In fact, it is not a disaster.It's just a photo, hidden at the bottom of a cardboard box, wrapped in red cloth, and when the red cloth is taken apart, there is another layer of blue cloth, and when the blue cloth is taken apart, there is another layer of floral cloth. Make a frame.The six roots really can't be dismantled, Zaohua settled with him again and again, took the passbook, don't rummaging through it, if you dare to rummage through it, I can't spare you!But at that time, he really couldn't help it, always thinking that Zaohua had a secret to keep from him.Why should you hide it from him? He couldn't figure it out.You don't let me turn over randomly, but I turn over, anyway, you don't know if you turn over.Think so.He turned it over, and turned it over very patiently.As a result, I flipped through the photo, the photo in the frame.
It's an old photo, it's all turned yellow, it's strange if it doesn't turn yellow, I'm afraid it's more than twenty years old, at that time they were all black and white photos, and they didn't have a big pose, a bit rustic.When Liu Gen saw Zaohua's clothes, he almost laughed.Plaid clothes, inside is a big red linen shirt, and the collar is turned up.It was wrapped with a flowered kerchief, which was pretty. When he was young, he bought it for his wife, but unfortunately she ran away with someone wearing that turban.If you look closely, Liu Gen is stupid. The one sitting next to Zao Hua, no need to guess, is the head of Old Zheng, and he can recognize it even when it turns into ashes.In Old Zheng's arms, he was actually holding a broken girl, also wearing checkered clothes, with two braids.This is Yin girl, does she look like Yin girl at first glance? There is no difference between when I was young and now, is it very similar!
Liugen is stupid in this matter.Earlier, he also guessed, thought about, doubted, and heard rumors, but he was always not sure.Now, sure, really sure!
Yin girl, your dear father is Old Zhengtou!
Picking grass and the others watched jujube flowers come, and people in Shaxiang had this habit. Whenever they heard that someone was sick, they would always rush to look at it several times.If this person is not going to get better, you have to wait and see. If there are people who die in the middle, then cry in front of the coffin.The grievances with this person are over.
They didn't complain about picking up grass, but if they did, it was all kindness.
There are Shamil, Gouyangzi, Hongliu, and several others who came with the pickers.They are all about the same age as Yuyin, and Hongliu is younger.During the chatter, Yuyin learned that Hongliu was also married, to the Mao family in Suwu Township, the man was younger than her, he just graduated from high school the year before last, his eyes were short-sighted, he studied, but he was much better than Wang Simao.Zaohua praised Hongliu for being blessed, and she finally married a good man after marrying again and again. "What's the matter, if you don't work in the field, you're too lazy to be like a pig." Hongliu said.
"Hmph, let me do it in the dark, and let me do it in the daytime, and you still let Mao Xiucai die?" Shamil joked.Shamil got married early and gave birth early, and she heard that she was about to become a mother-in-law, so she naturally spoke a little rough.Yuyin just pretended not to understand, she lowered her head and pretended to be looking for something on the ground.
"That's right, Yuyin, it's time for you to start a family, don't patronize studying and become a bachelor." Shamil said whatever she wanted with her mouth, regardless of whether others could bear it or not.Sure enough, when Zaohua heard this, her face turned dark.
Zaohua was in a hurry to be discharged from the hospital, not because her illness was cured, but if she was not cured, she was still seriously ill.Dean Xiao said that surgery is only the first step, and further chemotherapy and radiotherapy will be needed in the future.But Zaohua couldn't live anymore, not even for a day, and if she stayed again, she might die in the hospital.Zaohua is not only worried about Yuyin's marriage.Perhaps, at this time, people are all the same.Zaohua wanted to leave something for Yuyin as much as she could before she died, but if she couldn't, she left the tree in Shawopu, so she came back desperately.Zaohua knows that her days in this world are numbered, that person is urging her, calling her, and dreaming of her every night.This is her fate, if she is not able to be with him in an upright manner, God is afraid that she will take the first step and rush there before Ye Ziqiu.
This time, Shicao has a good mouth. Good or bad, he didn't mention Ma Wuzi.Ma Wuzi was sentenced to seven years, and Yuhu was also sentenced to a lighter sentence of three years.I'm afraid that Yuyin and the others don't know about this, if they do, they will be worried to death.
After making a noise for a while, Shicao said: "Let's go, let Zaohuagu take care of you, sick people, don't make too much noise." Sha Mier still wanted to mention Su Jiaojiao.After Yuhu was imprisoned, her daughter-in-law got married soon, and she married into the second family without getting divorced. Su Jiaojiao couldn't fall asleep all day long, and if she slept again, she might fall asleep.Seeing that Shicao kept winking, Shamil stopped talking and said, "It's time to go, if I don't go, my man should go to Shaheba again."
Shaheba is not far from Shawan Village.Shamil was talking nonsense, her son was looking for someone in Shaheba, her in-laws were a young widow, very tender, since she got the right kiss, the man would run to Shaheba whenever he had something to do, which made her worry all day long, wanting to Back off this kiss.
A few people came out of the redwood yard, picking up grass and blamed Shamil: "Look at your mouth, you can't control it anywhere."
"I'll just take care of the bottom, and worry about the top." Shamil said with a smile.
"Who knows, only you know if you manage it well or not. No one will set up a memorial archway for you when you say this."
Red Willow interjected.As long as the women in Shaxiang get married, they can control the door with peace of mind, whether they are meat or vegetarian.Say it to your heart's content.
"Bah, shameless, you have only tasted the hammer for a few days, and the words you say hit people harder than forged iron."
A few people scolded me and scolded you, talked and laughed and walked forward. After walking not far, they saw Rusha.This day, Shasha was dressed up very dazzlingly. She was wearing a red dress, covering her shapely body. Her two calves were simply naked, revealing a large area of light. Every time she stood on the sand beam, the desert was instantly illuminated red.Several people stopped walking at the same time, straightened their eyes and looked at the sand beams.Looking at it, Shamil couldn't bear it any longer, and said, "Look at her, she dares to wear anything."
"Put it on even if you're greedy, no one tells you." Hongliu said.
"I want to wear it, but no one buys it."
"Let Carpenter Yang buy it, and if he doesn't buy it, don't let him go to the kang." Hongliu has really practiced, and she doesn't know how to say anything.
There was a burst of laughter in the sand nest.
If you leave again, everyone will have something on their minds, something about Rusha.In fact, about Shasha, about Old Zhengtou, about Zaohua and Yuyin, there have been gossips in Shawan village for a long time.Gossip spreads faster than government documents, but people stick to a line and never say it in Zaohua's face, and try not to let her listen to it behind her back.So today, probably only Yuyin and Zaohua's mother and daughter are the only ones who have really kept things hidden.
"It's her." Shicao said with certainty.
"Who else could it be if it wasn't her, I really dare not think, what is she doing here?" Gou Yangzi said.
"What else can I do? It must be because of Linzi. I heard that the higher-ups will pay for Linzi, which is a lot of money."
"Not sure, I'm just worried about Aunt Zaohua, tell me, does she know?" Hongliu asked.
"It looks like I don't know. If she knows, according to her temper, why don't you throw this wild girl away?"
Samir said.
"I figured it out, Aunt Zaohua seems to know. You look at her eyes, as if you know everything. Just pretend not to say anything." Shicao's tone darkened suddenly.
As I was walking, I ran into another group of people, who also came to see Zaohua together. They hurriedly changed their conversation and went to talk about other things.
On Shaliangzi, Sheepman Liugen and Chang Baguan were sitting head to head. The two old guys were mysterious these days, as if they were playing tricks together.From time to time, they get together, head to head, smacking the pipes, scheming and lying.
"Shepherd, did you hear it wrong? These days, why do I think your words are unreliable?" Chang Baguan said.
"Listen to me? Hehehe, can my shepherd listen to me? Chang Laoba, do you want to piss?" Peeing is also a local dialect of Shaxiang people.It means that this person can't hold on anymore and wants to sit on wax.
"Mom's day, piss, when did my old eighth do such a disgraceful thing? I mean, this girl Sha, looks like Old Zheng too. It's not that evil, right? One of them is raised by others. of."
"Like Old Zheng? God, you pig eyes, how do you look like Old Zheng? Don't say anything else, just talk about the clothes. If Old Zheng's, can you wear it like that? Look, the skirt is like that. The eggs are stretched, and they are about to collapse, and there is the front, so I dare not let people look at it. I don't understand why Expert Jiang likes her. I heard that Expert Jiang has a girlfriend in the hospital, but unfortunately I didn't meet her. If you meet him, you will be able to tell him who is high or low at a glance."
"You're worthless, you've known it all your life, what did you find out, it's not serious."
"You're serious, what's wrong with your serious, old-fashioned wife? I still wonder, is Xiu girl really old-fashioned?" Liu Gen loves to argue, and he was talking about rustling, but he dragged the topic elsewhere, so angry Chang Baguan picked up the cigarette pot and knocked him on the head.
Chang Baguan was not sure, whether this rustling was raised by Ye Ziqiu with someone else?Never heard of this before.He is not a fussy person, the last thing he likes to hear is gossip.It's the fault of Liugen. It's okay to play the ball in winter, but he is forced to make noise, and the shit comes out of his mouth.After Liugen finished talking, he didn't take it to heart. Can Liugen's mouth be a mouth?But recently, he had to believe it.Especially when he saw Yuyin and Shasha's awkward appearances, he thought, these two enemies may not know where they came from.Liugen saw that Chang Baguan was still frowning, and simply repeated what he heard and saw that night, and now, Chang Baguan believed it.The six will make up a lie again.And I won't make up the same lie twice.
What Liugen was talking about was that Shasha and Meng Xiaozhou ran to Shawopu to grab materials.
If you want to say that it's Shasha's fault, Shasha boarded Meng Xiaozhou's thief boat.certainly.At that time, Shasha didn't know that this was a thief boat. Shasha wanted to hold a model contest between Man and Desert, and was short of money.As for Ross, he said it very nicely, but he didn't take the money out.Shasha had no choice but to find Meng Xiaozhou, and Meng Xiaozhou agreed very happily, and said that this theme matched the work of the desert institute, and the desert institute could sponsor it.Shasha was really excited. This was the first time in many years that Meng Xiaozhou helped her happily, and it was in the form of sponsorship, and she was not allowed to pay back the money.But the days passed, and Meng Xiaozhou did not see that the money was actually transferred to her account.Shasha was a little angry, and ran to question Meng Xiaozhou, but Meng Xiaozhou stammered that it was Zheng Dayuan who disagreed.
"How does he know?" Sasha asked.
"The regulations in the institute require the signature of the director for more than 100,000 yuan."
The relationship between Shasha and Zheng Dayuan has always been bad, and the quarrel became more tense at that time.It's not that Shasha has mastered anything, their father and daughter have always been like this, hot and cold, capricious.It's no wonder that in Shasha's impression, she is no different from a child without a father. Anyway, Zheng Dayuan has never been affectionate to her since she was young, let alone doting on her like those fathers who dote on their children.沙沙能健康地活到现在，全靠了她自己，按她的话说，父亲属于沙漠，母亲属于工厂，只有冷冰冰的家属于她自己。进入沙漠所后，沙沙也想把父女关系往暖的方向努力一下，谁知不努力还好，一努力，郑达远反倒警惕地盯住她：“是不是你母亲教你这样做的？”这种话听久了，沙沙便明白，父亲郑达远心里，她永远是一个阴谋。
这个家到处是阴谋，这是沙沙自小就有的感觉。
那段日子，沙沙是为罗斯的事跟郑达远较劲儿。郑达远坚决不同意她跟罗斯来往，扬言说，她如果敢跟罗斯继续胡来，就永远不要叫他爸。
“不叫就不叫，你以为我爱叫啊。”沙沙藐视着郑达远，继续以她玩世不恭的方式惩罚着这一对夫妻，并且下定决心，一定要将这种惩罚进行到底。你们看不上谁，我就偏跟谁好！
郑达远真是气疯了，一次回省城开会，看见她跟罗斯亲密地挽着手，往沙漠所对面的咖啡屋去，竟然不顾自己的身份，跑过来就冲她吼：“你真是想毁掉自己吗，如果你想毁，我教你个方法，吸毒，卖身，做啥都行，就是不要跟这个外国佬在一起！”那一天沙沙哭了，世上哪有父亲这样骂女儿的？“吸毒”，“卖身”，听听，这些话他都骂得出来，可见，她的怀疑根本没有错。是的，怀疑。在这样的家庭长大，换上谁，都免不了怀疑。
现在，郑达远又阻止孟小舟给她提供赞助，这不是明摆着把她往绝路上逼吗？难道他不知道，她下海这些年，一分钱也没赚，她太想赚钱了，靠自己的能力赚钱，而不是总花他们的钱！
不用孟小舟教，她便说：“走，陪我去沙漠，我要亲自问问他。”
路上，孟小舟说：“沙沙，不是我多嘴，你爸对你，可真够保留的。上次我建议，让他把资料交给你，让你有空的时候，替他整理一下，你猜他怎么说？”
“怎么说？”沙沙没假思索就问。
“算了，还是不说的好。”
“有屁就放，我不喜欢玩这套。”
“好，还是你有个性。郑老说，他最怕的，就是你打资料的主意。现在我算是明白，当初你提出停薪留职，郑老为什么不拦你。”
沙沙咬了咬嘴唇，没接话，不过，她心里又发出一个毒誓，这次如果拿不到资料，就碰死在沙漠。
沙沙跟郑达远在地窝子里大吵大闹的时候，羊倌六根正好从自个儿的泥巴小屋往红木房去。他刚圈好羊，没心思做饭，就想到枣花那儿蹭一顿。经过郑达远的地窝子时。看见有个人站外头，神色很诡谲。羊倌六根咳嗽了声，就往跟前走，没走几步，就听地窝子里传出郑达远的恶骂：“你还想要啥？资料？你也配翻那些东西？”
“我是不配翻，但我今天拿定了。”
“你是想气死我啊，当初让你搞专业，你嫌枯燥，没劲儿，想下海赚钱。如今钱没赚到一分，又跑来要资料。我真是不明白，这辈子你到底想干啥？”
“我啥也不想干。我就想拿资料！”
吵架声越来越凶，六根心想该进去劝劝，刚走了两步，孟小舟走过来拦住他说：“没事儿，让他们吵，你忙你的去，这边有我哩，我是沙漠所的。”六根心里纳闷着，往红木房子那边去，走了几步，又停下。心想不对劲儿呀，老郑头平日把资料看得比命还值钱，枣花屋里都不放，就装在他那个铁箱子里。一年四季地守着。只有离开沙窝铺时，才喊几个人抬枣花那边，一回来，头件事儿，就是把铁箱子抬回来。现在他女儿要把资料拿走，这里面，不会有啥名堂吧？
六根跑进红木房子，将事儿跟枣花说了，枣花当下急出一头汗，不停地说：“作孽啊，咋就这么作孽。”急了半晌，冲六根吼：“你还愣着做啥，快去看呀，咋下了？”
等六根二次赶到地窝子，里面架已吵完，六根看见，孟小舟跟司机正抱着资料，往车上装，沙沙怀里，抱着郑达远花高价从沙乡人手里收集到的字画、家谱还有河西宝卷等。他站得远远的，没敢往跟前去，等沙沙他们装了东西，开车扬长而去后，才怯怯地摸进地窝子。没想刚钻进去个头，就被郑达远骂了出来：“滚！”
那天后晌，六根跟枣花都没吃饭，没心思吃。天黑尽后，枣花不放心，跟六根说：“这阵你过去看看，他的气该消些了，你把他喊过来，帮他宽宽心。”六根便又摸黑往那边去，刚越过沙梁子，就听郑达远疯子一般，冲黑苍苍的沙漠吼：“老天爷啊，你这是把我往绝路上逼啊！叶子秋，瞅瞅你生的野种，这哪是我郑达远的女儿！苍天负我啊，可怜我郑达远一片苦心。叶子秋，这下你满意了，你告诉姓向的，他的女儿真有种啊——”
喊声还没落地，六根吓得扑通一声，就给软倒在地。
旱。
老天爷算是跟人较上劲儿了，你越盼雨，它越不给你下。狗日的天爷，狠啊。去冬只可怜兮兮落了两场薄雪，其实就是一场，另一场，地皮都没染白，就给夹住不下了。你想想，几尺厚的干土，一场雪咋够？解个馋也不够吗。开了春，人们的眼睛全都干焦干焦的，天天盯着天爷望，一起点云，就寻思着天爷要开恩了。要救人了。哪知，它愣是不挤个尿珠子。
往年还来两场腾仓雨，对哄着人把种子撒地里，今年，哟嘿嘿，地干得跟拿火炒过一样，种子都不让撒。
眼下已过了播种季节，辛苦的沙乡人赶着驼，扛着犁，到地里，又回来，天天如此。种不进去啊，妈妈日，绝了，绝绝了，活不成了。
叹息声响成一片。
旱象的确非同一般，上上下下，全都陷入了焦灼中。种子撒不进去，这一沙漠的人，咋活？县上将情况汇报到市里，市里又将情况汇报到省里，汇报来汇报去，谁也想不出一个辙。天爷不下雨，水库又没水，喊两句抗旱的口号喊不来地的湿气，咋办？
县长李杨这阵子真是表现积极，空前的积极。半个月来，他几乎天天泡在沙漠里。
李杨毕竟是一个政治上极度敏感的人。静等了一段时间后，可怕的事并没有发生，李杨心想，兴许是自己太过敏感，能有啥事呢，自己毕竟不是白俊杰，在钱上，干干净净，没啥把柄让人抓着。用不着怕，真是用不着怕。再者，与其坐等，还不如抓住这一时机，好好表现一番。李杨的脑子就是好使，对官场的灵敏度，也远在白俊杰等人之上。再者，李杨也怕龙勇，他如果再没作为，龙勇绝不会听之任之。基于这些考虑，李杨决计将自己心里的事先放放，就算应景也要把这一关应掉。
具体事儿上，李杨有过几种考虑，但因种种原因都搁浅了。一开始他想再搞一场全县大抗旱，声势再造大点儿，比上次更大，人员再发动多点儿，甚至想过让机关一半的公务员下到基层，下到农户家中，帮农户想办法。但这个建议被否决了，新上任的县委书记说，不要老想着以运动的方式来解决问题，农民会烦，干部也会烦，搞运动搞不出水来。李杨对新来的书记，也是一肚子烦，书记比他年轻，小两岁，是从市委直接派下来的。一开始他也想试探性地摸摸此人的底子，那次会上，他就出其不意地说：“那你说咋办？”
没想到人家没跟他争，轻轻合上文件夹说：“我们在座的各位先下去，认认真真跑上几个点，回来再议。”
于是就跑，李杨算是跑得认真，到了哪儿，都住农户家，吃农户家，想着法子跟农户喧实话。没想，农户现在不稀罕这个了，去年那场大会战，轰轰烈烈，结果旱没抗掉，农户的羊却少了不少，鸡更是吃了个光。这次，有些人家索性把院门关紧，村支书喊死也不开门。
李杨犯愁了，他愁的，不只是跑不出办法，这样下去，他在沙县的地位，真是岌岌可危。
李杨的人生再次遇到黑暗，而且这一次，怕是没人帮他，是好是坏，只能凭借他自己的本事了。
因为曾经将他和吴海韵叫一起吃饭的那位领导，正风光时被突然弄到了人大。成了一位闲角。发生这样的变局，实属意外，看来一个沙漠水库，真是干掉了不少人的前途。
江长明再次被召进省城，现场会的日期已经定下，就在这个月底，还有许多准备工作，需要分头去做，江长明他们应该是最忙的人。
就在两周前，沙漠所的班子进行了大调整，派到所里当所长的，是院里一位中层领导，最早也是从沙漠所出去的，姓曾，很敬业的一位知识分子。交代完工作，曾所长笑着说：“长明，这位子应该是你的，你一推辞，院里只好赶着我这个鸭子上架了。”
“你千万别这么想，我这人，小打小闹还行，这么大的舵，真是不敢掌。”江长明半是玩笑半是认真地说。
曾所长告诉江长明，龙九苗的判决下来了，三年，两天前他去看了他，精神很差，像是一下老了许多。
江长明无言。
曾所长又说：“孟小舟那边的情况也清楚了，估计判得会重，毕竟性质不一样。”说完，很沉地叹了口气，“长明啊，你说人这一生，到底该怎么把握？这次重回沙漠所，我突然感觉到，时光这东西，真能改变掉太多东西。”曾所长说的是实话，他离开沙漠所时，刚刚三十岁，如今已年过半百了。二十年，这世界发生了多大变化？曾所长说，国际林业组织早就对罗斯产生怀疑，孟小舟走到这一步，跟罗斯有很大关系，不过罗斯跑了，他压根儿就没敢回美国，他把姓董的女人又给骗了一把，到目前为止，国际方面还没查到罗斯的下落。姓董的女人在国外待不下去，乖乖又回来了，目前已投案自首。
“你说，他哪来那么大唪事，骗谁谁上当，不就头上有顶美国帽子吗？”曾所长似乎是自言自语。
从所里出来，江长明本想去看看龙九苗，曾所长也告诉了他龙九苗服刑的地址。坐到车上他又想，见了面，咋说？再者，就算自己是诚心的，龙九苗会怎么想？
算了，犹豫来犹豫去，他还是跳下车。
这个空气里飘着淡淡花香的春末的下午，江长明的心情有些暗淡，不知是曾所长告诉他的那些事感染了他，还是省城灰蒙蒙的天空压抑了他，总之，很不好受。他拖着有点儿疲惫的心往滨河路那边走，想去驼驼的悲情腾格里坐坐。好长日子，他都没见到驼驼了，也不知他过得咋样。快到黄河铁桥时，江长明拐上了林荫小道，扑鼻的花香涌来，熏染着他的心，他感觉困倦稍稍退去了一些。他在黄河母亲雕塑前默站了一会儿。还冲两个玩耍的孩子扮了个鬼脸。那个鬼脸扮得真是难看，跟真鬼没啥两样，一定是龇牙咧嘴，吓跑了两个孩子。
再往前走，他的心情便又回到先前的状态，这种心情困扰他已是很久，他想调整，却总也调整不过来。相反，生活中不断发生的变故。总在影响着他，让他本来就不快乐的心情越发不快乐。这个下午他再次想到了白洋，想到了跟她在一起的日子，那才是充满快乐的日子。江长明停下脚，闭上眼，使锄儿想了一会儿，忽然就有一种叫做泪的东西湿了双眼。人真是一种怪动物啊，这么长时间，居然忘不掉一段日子！
刻骨铭心的日子！
再往前走，行人多起来，一到春天，滨河路便又繁忙起来，仿佛情人们总在迫不及待等着春天。可自己的春天在哪儿？Think so.脑子里闪出一些面孔，很模糊，却又带几分清晰。江长明摇摇头，将她们一个个驱赶走了。后来，他的眼前就闪出一个极为清晰的影子，思维也随之定格在肖依雯身上。他想了良久，终还是没有勇气拿出电话，打给她。
他更为沮丧地往前走，快走过儿童公园的时候，江长明猛地看见林静然。是林静然，披着一头长发，坐在柳树下那张长椅上，身边是位年轻英俊的男土。从两个人谈话的动作看，像是在恋爱。
江长明的步子僵住了，不知是该走过去，还是该悄无声息地绕开？
从那座楼走出来后，林静然主动提出离开省政府，周晓哲让她选单位，回沙漠所也行，去更好一些的单位也行。林静然既没选择回沙漠所，也没挑所谓的好单位，她出人意料地选择了孤儿院。
听到这个消息，江长明的心猛地一疼。这世上，怕是只有他能理解，林静然为什么要去孤儿院。
林静然是位孤儿。很小的时候，一场车祸夺去了她父母的生命，她先是被寄养在叔叔家，后来跟婶婶有了矛盾，没法在叔叔家生活下去，便去了孤儿院。上完小学，该上中学了，她在乡下的姥姥找到她，将她带到了乡下。那是一位慈祥的老人。江长明见过她，是白洋带他去的。姥姥靠着养猪还有到城里捡垃圾，供她念完了高中。然后就一蹬腿走了。林静然的大学念得很苦，一半靠自己打工，一半靠亲朋接济。有段时间，她是在白洋家度过的，这也是她为什么能那么早认识江长明的原因。可惜，后来发生了那样的事。江长明指的是感情，可感情这东西，实在由不得人，江长明还是能理解林静然，并不觉得她道德有什么问题。不能原谅的，恰恰是他自己。现在他终于承认。当初急着给林静然和孟小舟做媒，真是有种掩人耳目或找退水沟的心理，很卑鄙。林静然跟孟小舟恋爱，更是不能排除有报复心理在作怪。想想，他还是原罪的制造者，或叫祸根。
一股苦味泛上他的心头，江长明咽了一口唾沫，悄然走开了。
这个下午他是在悲情腾格里孤独地度过的，驼驼不在，又去演出了。眼下驼驼的名气已有点儿叫响，不少演出单位找他，听说他都有了经纪人。那个露胳膊露腿的女歌手倒是想陪他坐会，被他拒开了，他抱着一杯咖啡，一直喝得太阳落下去。
街上吃过饭，他来到师母家。叶子秋一看见他，立刻两眼放光，不过说出的话却令他扫兴：“你还跑来做什么，你不是早已把我忘了吗？”
江长明没敢回话，这时回过去，免不了还要挨数落，毕竟，这段日子他看师母的次数少多了。
叶子秋问他吃了没，江长明点头，叶子秋越发生气：“好啊，现在连饭都不在这儿吃了，怕我下毒是不？”师母的尖刻兴许是与生俱来的，只不过在目前这种处境下表现得更为强烈。江长明耐心地笑了笑，劝师母坐下，说给她敲敲背。
敲到中间，叶子秋突然问：“你跟沙沙，打算啥时办？”
“办？”江长明的手停下来，茫然地僵在空中。
“我说你们咋回事呀，要说不谈吧，两个人又分不开，要说谈吧，总也没个结果。我可告诉你，这一次，你休想玩花招，你要是不娶沙沙，我饶不了你！”
江长明的手更僵了，身子也僵了。他像是一条鱼，被人牢牢地网住了，动弹不得。半天，叶子秋扭过头，像是很伤心地说：“长明，甭怪师母，师母老了，这辈子，没啥寄托，师母就一个女儿，情况你可能也知道。你说，她老这么下去，我这心里，咋放得下？”
江长明不知说啥，呆呆的，站在叶子秋面前。“你倒是说句话呀，沙沙哪点儿配不上你？！”
“没，我没说配不上。”江长明赶忙答。
“配上就好，算你还有点儿自知之明。那就听我的，赶在我活着前，把事儿办了，听话，啊，长明？”
江长明不知道是该点头还是该摇头，他的心，似乎又跑到别处去了。这晚，江长明没离开，叶子秋不让他离开，非要他住在这。“这有啥不方便的，往后，这儿就是你的家，啥时想来，就来，想住，尽管住。”叶子秋说了好多话，后来竞精神焕发地拿出沙沙小时候的照片，非要江长明认真看。江长明看到中间，忽然发现叶子秋泪流满面。
“长明，我苦哇——”
现场会如期召开，之前发生了段小插曲，差点儿让现场会推迟。
会议想请牛枣花发言，这是经过反复研究了的。周晓哲提出这个意见。有两层考虑。一是眼下沙乡群众人心不稳，缺少战胜旱魔的信心，让牛枣花做现场发言，就是想鼓舞士气，增强斗志。另则，对牛枣花，周晓哲是打内心深处敬佩，一个女人，一辈子守在沙漠，一生只为树活着，这样的事，在今天听起来像神话，但它确确实实发生在我们的生活中。周晓哲曾几度想向省委建言，应该将牛枣花树为典型，新时期农民的典型，治沙种树保卫家园的典型，可又觉得这样做，会不会曲解了牛枣花？毕竟，他对牛枣花本人缺乏了解。牛枣花绝不是为了这点儿虚名而种树的，也绝不会为了一个典型把自己囚禁在沙窝铺。这件事必须慎重。后来他跟江长明探讨过，江长明的意思，也是希望不要打扰她。江长明还说，在她最需要关怀和帮助的时候，我们没能伸出手，政府没能把关怀送到位，现在给她荣誉，是不是有点儿太虚伪？周晓哲很难受，他知道江长明指什么，但那个时候他的确没想到这一层，他也是在确定要开现场会后，才猛然想起沙窝铺还有个牛枣花的。啥叫官僚，兴许这就是最大的官僚。
之所以最后把这项建议提出来，是吴海韵鼓动了他。周晓哲是在不久前因一项公益性投资跟吴海韵见面的，五佛跟苍浪要搞大地母亲水窖工程，就是义务帮农民建水窖，改善农民用水质量。缓解农民用水危机。这项目计划很久了，但资金一直不能落实到位。项目最初是由香港一位慈善家提出的，正要实施时这位慈善家不幸病故，中途搁浅了下来。不久前吴海韵提出，这项目由她来落实，县上省上都很高兴，经过一番磋商。项目终于启动。剪彩那天，周晓哲跟吴海韵得以认识，并交谈了很多。吴海韵的真诚打动了周晓哲，她对这片土地的热情还有远大抱负也感染了他，周晓哲终于相信，吴海韵是位有良知的企业家，她跟那位姓董的女人有本质的区别。谈到中间，吴海韵很直率地说：“政府每年评那么多先进，树那么多劳模。为什么就对牛枣花视而不见呢，难道她做得还不够多？”这话终于让周晓哲下定决心，对牛枣花，该是政府对她施以关怀的时候了。
没想，牛枣花坚决不同意在会上发言，而且也拒不接受政府提出的几项帮助。牛玉音更是如此，甚至骂着不让县上的干部进红木小院。周晓哲亲自到沙窝铺，门算是进去了，但，发言的事还是被拒绝了。
牛枣花不发言，现场会就会失掉很多魅力。将会址定在沙窝铺。说穿了就是奔那片林子去的，主人不露面，会议造的声势再大，又有何说服力？情急之下，周晓哲将此项工作安排给江长明，让他无论如何说服牛枣花跟玉音，要她们从大局出发，从沙乡的未来出发，站出来为会议呐喊几声。
江长明算是没负厚望，在他细致耐心的工作下，枣花终于点了头。
沙窝铺沉浸在一派喜庆中，几天前赶来的工作人员不分昼夜，早已搭起了会场，巨大的气球悬浮在空中，各色条幅迎风招展，将沙窝铺的天空染得五颜六色。九道拱门象征着九道沙梁子，将这片荒芜的土地渲染得更加夺目。天刚麻麻亮，睡不着觉的沙乡人便从四面八方赶来，有步行的，有骑着骆驼的，还有坐毛驴车和三码子来的，来了就都聚在五道梁子外，那儿有道红线，挡住了他们往里进的路。沙乡人也不生气，知道这是大事，不敢胡来，今儿个胡来是要吃亏的。反正外面照样有热闹，虽是在一个沙窝窝里住着，平日多是不照面的，为日子奔波哩。不如趁这机会，找熟人拉拉家常。就有老者想起若干年前，这儿也是红旗招展，人山人海，阵势得很。一提那场子运动，老者们便都欷欺不已，直叹没屁眼的事是不能做的，做下了，你就得心甘情愿受罚。
这罚，当然是老天爷的罚，谁让当年他们没明没黑地毁树哩。
常八官这一天格外的牛势，他被委了官，负责外围的安全。安全两个字让人别扭，其实就是先把老乡们劝在红线外，等领导们进了场后，再让他们有秩序地往里走。常八官说，我就当个跑腿的，腿跑好就行。羊倌六根这一天也抖了起来，会务组安排他一项好差事，站在五道梁子上吼王哥放羊。从八点吼到八点半，领导们进了场，就不用吼了。这主意不