Chapter 4 The first rose (4)

It's already cool in New York. Let's accompany Rose to find a house first, then a school, and go shopping when we have free time. Rose finally stopped her tears and followed us listlessly.I rented a car and the three of us traveled all over New York. At the beginning, I was worried about sending Rose to school, but foreigners have their own advantages. They turned a blind eye to Rose's beauty and treated her peacefully and kindly. Gengsheng found out that the oriental beauties in the minds of foreigners are flat noses, phoenix eyes, wide mouths, flat faces, sallow skin, and roses are too Western, so they almost regard them as the same kind, so naturally they will not cause a sensation.

From this point of view, New York is an ideal place for Rose to study. I bought her a small car, left a deposit in the bank, and planned to go home. I'm actually worried. I asked, "Just leave her alone in New York?" Gengsheng said: "It's all like this, she will find friends." "What if you get sick?" I said. "She's only seventeen and a half." "College students are all of this age." The rehabilitated reassurance, "Don't worry." Rose herself expressed her willingness to try a new life. I said to her: "Money makes ghosts grind, don't save me, make long-distance calls as you like, and you can come back if you have three days off, understand?"

At the airport, Rose sent the two of us back to Hong Kong. She was dressed very bloated, more like a doll. She hugged me tightly and called me big brother big brother, but also speechless. I promised her that I would come to see her whenever I was free, and then shed tears. On the plane, Gengsheng teased me gently, "I never thought you would become such a mother-in-law." "This rose is one thing on my mind for the rest of my life, and I can't let it go." I said. There are no roses in Hong Kong, and it suddenly became quiet. For the first three months, I had to call almost every other day to ask how Rose was doing.

Her whole person has changed, and her tone has grown. She told me the details of the report in a clear and logical manner, which gave me a lot of comfort.Like: "I got great grades..." "I gained ten pounds..." etc. What surprised me the most was that she changed the department, and I barely made it to New York and spent half an hour on the long-distance call. Rose said: "I don't miss business management. I switched to law. It's easy to read. Don't forget my camera memory. Don't be afraid. The procedures are very simple and have already been completed."

Ask "Do you have a boyfriend?" After a while, she said, "No." "Eighteenth birthday, do you want to come with you?" "No need." She cried. "Is there enough money?" I said. "That's enough. It will last until 1990." Rose said. "It's cold, wear more clothes, don't turn on the central heating." "It's the same words every time," she laughed, "Brother, when will you and Sister Su get married?" If you are in the mood to meddle in your own business, you can tell that you are cured. "Come home for Chinese New Year?"

"No, go to Florida for Chinese New Year." "Enjoy more and enjoy, big brother will be relieved." "I love you, brother." "Brother loves you too." Gengsheng always said that we were both disgusting.The advantage of rebirth is never to be jealous of me and roses. Mom expressed surprise that Rose had finally made progress. As a mother, my mother is always an outsider, and I admire her from the bottom of my heart. On Rose's eighteenth birthday, I wired roses to New York and attached a sum of cash. I worried about Rose, "How can she endure that loneliness?"

"She won't be lonely, foreign young people are having fun, and she's not in a barren place like Arkansas or Wisconsin, she's in New York." That night, the phone rang and I answered it. "Zhenhua?" said the other side, "I'm Zhou Shihui." "Aren't you dead yet?" I said angrily, "Don't tell me you still miss the yellow rose." "Zhenhua, I want to hear her voice." "Old Zhou, you have no information. Rose is not in Hong Kong now, but she is studying in New York." "New York?" Zhou Shihui murmured.

"Yes," I said, "New York, USA." "Where is New York?" "You think I'll tell you? She's really studying." "What do you read?" "law." "Ah." He fell silent. "Zhou Shihui, I don't want to hear your voice again. If you don't wake up from your nightmare, I don't want you as a friend either." "Zhenhua, how do you explain the story of Dante and Piatris?" "I want to sleep," I said, "I don't understand fairy tales. Go back to Hong Kong, Zhou Shihui. When I come back, I will greet you with the best brandy, drink with you and cry together, and listen to your complaints, really."

"Zhenhua," he choked up, "you don't dislike me?" "We are classmates in primary school and university, Shi Hui, if I dislike you, I will be a grandson." "In order not to recognize me, I think you would rather go to the Personnel Registration Office to change your surname to Sun." "Stop joking, Shi Hui, come back, okay?" I said, "I beg you, you can step down, even though it's fashionable to be a vagabond now, it's enough to hang out for two years." He hung up the phone and I sighed. This Zhou Shihui didn't realize until his death.

I have done my best to him, but if I want to tell him Rose’s address, I won’t do it, no matter what, I hope Rose will study hard until she graduates. Rose's letter: "... Passing by the second floor of the dormitory yesterday, I heard a Chinese student playing a song. She said it was sung by Bai Guang. Who is Bai Guang? I seem to have heard you mention it. The song sung by this female singer is called 'Without You' is mesmerizing to listen to, and I can't forget it for a long time, there is such a song! It makes my heart shrink." "...I spend all my time studying in the Metropolitan Museum. One day when I return to Hong Kong, I will be like the earl in the story of Monte Cristo, who knows everything and is famous all over the world."

I could see it and shed tears. Geng Sheng said: "Grass is like that kind of martial arts master. Once he misses, he goes back to his hometown and retires, and never set foot in the rivers and lakes." "She will make a comeback soon, don't worry." Zhou Shihui returned to Hong Kong before her. I went to the airport to pick him up, he didn't look haggard, he was just a lot fatter than before, wearing the wide-leg pants from two years ago, he looked very outdated. "To the hotel or to my house?" I shook his hand vigorously. He shook his head. "Or is it... Mrs. Hui?" I asked tentatively. "I don't have a wife," he said flatly, "I've been divorced a long time ago." "Where do you live?" "I've talked to my mother and she's taking care of me." "That's fine." I said. I took Shihui home and left him a check. He'll make a comeback soon, I said to myself.After a moment, I couldn't help but doubt it.He has lost the previous fighting spirit and upward heart, and it will be a hundred years old if he looks back. He didn't beg me. Not long after, he found a teaching position in a middle school and took up the post.Zhou Shihui was a different person. He was a bit like a down-and-out artist, his fingers turned yellow from smoking too much, and his shirt was always wrinkled.Strange to say, he has a kind of temperament instead, I respect him, and our relationship is farther than before. He never returned to his wife's house. I decided to go to New York to visit Rose and see how she would win glory for the country in a foreign country. It's been almost a year since we left. Mother said: "There is no news, maybe our ears are not long enough." "She's very nice now." "We have to wait for her to marry before we can make a conclusion. Divorce is so popular now, alas." I also think that Rose is the kind of woman who has been divorced three times and still has people queuing up to pursue her at the age of forty-nine and a half. Her fate is destined to be like this. It is also fate that a stunner who overwhelms the country and the city can't help but become a beauty. I will marry Gengsheng in New York. This is Gengsheng's idea. I have thought about it for a long time, but I can't think of the reason. She said: "I used to live a very romantic life. I was afraid that my ex-husbands would be dissatisfied and try to sabotage the wedding. I ran to New York and traveled far and wide to find peace." Rehabilitation can be abominable at times. I went to New York first, Rose came to pick me up in a small car, grabbed my luggage, threw it into the suitcase, and clapped my hands. I was stunned, "Chinese Kungfu?" I said, "It's so powerful, be careful, it's no fun to sprain your waist." She smiled cheerfully: "how come?" She was beautiful, with jet-black hair that fell to her shoulders and tanned skin, a bit like an Indian belle in a Western. "Did you go to Florida to bask in the sun?" I asked. "No, this was posted during my internship at the school's archaeological society." "Ah, it sounds very exciting, Rose, you have finally grown up, big brother is very relieved." She smiled and turned the car lightly. I asked, "Aren't you going back to school?" "I moved out of school, the dormitory is too expensive." "Why save? Where do you live now?" "Take you to see." She lives in Brooklyn.I objected, "Why did you live in a slum? The public security is not good, so we are worried." "No, many students live there." She comforted me. The small apartment was only 200 feet square, the living room and bedroom were connected together, it was shabby, the furniture was all old, a refrigerator was about to celebrate its thirtieth birthday, and the motor was as noisy as a locomotive.I whimpered, too frightened to speak. "Rose! How did you get here?" Looking out of the window, I saw a back alley full of garbage cans. "No, brother, this place is very nice," she said, "living in an apartment alone, how luxurious, and I have a private car, don't worry about it, okay?" "No air conditioner!" I yelled. "I promise it'll be thirty-six degrees here in hot summer. What are you doing, you're going to make steamed roses?" She laughed "haha", her temper was outrageously good. I felt distressed, "No, I ordered you to move." "Please sit down, please be safe and calm." She pushed me on a sofa, "You must be hungry, there is nothing delicious on the plane, I will make you a bowl of fried rice." "Rice?" I couldn't believe it, "What kind of rice? You cook?" "Don't underestimate me, your little sister, I am now a decathlon." She walked into the kitchen and let go of her hands several times. After that, I suddenly smelled the fragrant green onion in my nose. I couldn't help leaning forward, "Rose, what are you doing?" She brought out two plates of food, "Come and eat, Yangzhou fried rice and braised beef." I was salivating, and couldn't help holding up the chopsticks, "Gao Mei, it's amazing, how can you do this?" "I can even cook western dishes for twelve people." "Wow, you've kept a low profile, you've achieved outstanding results, very good." "Now I'm more than happy to eat, to drown all my sorrows in food." I ate all the food, touched my belly, and let out a long sigh. "Rose, you are too great." I said. She rested her head on her hands, but smiled silently. I whispered, "Rose, Rose, what are you thinking?" She raised her eyes, "Brother——" I held her hand, "Is there anything you don't like right now?" She didn't speak, and after a long time, she whispered: "No." "But why are your eyes no longer shining and jumping, and the corners of your mouth no longer smiling?" "I'm a bit tired." "So you want to go home?" I asked her. "No, no need, I'll be fine." She paused, "Don't worry, brother." "I have a feeling, Rose, that you haven't recovered from what happened last time," I said cautiously. "Ah, that matter," she casually picked up the dishes and went to wash them, and went to the kitchen door.Turning his head and said lightly: "I will never recover." I was shocked, "Rose—" Her big eyes are hollow, she said: "This kind of scar will never heal, it will always be bloody." The blue mole in front of her eyes is like a tear that will not fall. I panicked, "But Rose, after all this time, we thought you'd forgotten all about him—" "How long do you plan to stay this time?" She changed the subject. "I marry the Reborn, Rose—" "Married? That's great," she rushed to say, "I'll help you choose the wedding dress, I'm the best at dressing." When the doorbell rang, she wiped her hands and said, "I'll open the door first." The door opened, and an unremarkable young man came in. I glanced at him, but I couldn't guess who he was. Rose introduced: "Come to meet my elder brother, my future sister-in-law will come to New York every few days." She said to me again: "Brother, this is my classmate Fang Xiewen." I stared blankly at this person surnamed Fang. He was very well-proportioned, with well-arranged eyes, nose, and mouth, and everything was missing. But what is there that deserves Rose's special introduction for him? "Xiewen often accompanies me, big brother, he also helps me when I don't understand my homework." I don't believe that Rose will ask him to help?I don't believe it, and I can't help showing contempt on my face. But Rose treated him very well, poured him tea, asked him if he wanted to have a snack, and greeted him with a magazine.The more I look at it, the more unpleasant it becomes. How old is he?This kid looks stupid and looks like he has no future. The man Rose threw away before is much more decent than him. How did he start to enter the house? I do not like him. After the kid left, I honestly asked Rose, "What? Are you with that guy?" "Yes," said Rose, "almost a year." "What good is he?" "Fang Xiewen treats me well." "There are more than thousands of men who treat you well," I disapproved, "As long as you give them a chance, they will want it." Rose smiled: "Brother's words are too unreasonable, you mistook me for Carmen." "Who do you want to be? La Traviata? All living beings pick Aman? Aman is very handsome, unlike Fang Xiewen, who is simply an old piece of wood. You can move it." Rose was embarrassed, "Brother, you are simply blind and prejudiced." I asked her: "Why can't you be truly independent? Why do you rely on this silly boy? He doesn't know how to appreciate you, he just regards you as a slightly attractive woman." "Fang Xiewen really takes good care of me, brother, I am just a very ordinary woman, I don't want to fight the society with a machine gun, I feel very happy to get along with Fang Xiewen." I was disappointed, "So what are you studying law for? You're not going to be listed?" "Brother, I have already said that I have no ambitions." "Not promising." "yes." I sigh, or maybe this is just a transition period.In a little while, I thought, Rose would be able to resume her life-turning business—and I was a little relieved. I said, "Although your apartment is shabby, it is very tidy. Your servant is nice?" "Servant?" Rose took a deep breath, "I still use servants. I am someone else's servant. I spend my free time helping foreign wives with housework and babysitting." I groaned, "My God." I went to the airport to pick up the rehabilitated, and I told her about Rose's current situation. Rehabilitation listened carefully and nodded. I asked her, "People change, don't they?" She said: "Yes, everyone has two sides, and we now see the other side of the rose." I said: "I only have one side, I don't want to be a two-faced person." I touched my face. Rehabilitation but not a word. We went to the clothing store on Fifth Street to pick out wedding dresses and buy wedding rings. Everything was ready, and Rose wanted to call Fang Xiewen over for dinner. I refused, so I said: "Why, stay with elder brother for a few days, are you afraid of neglecting that kid?" Rose just laughed. Gengsheng said: "Don't fight against Rose, come and call him." Finally we meet in an Italian restaurant. Fang Xiewen came here in a foolish way and sat down. Before I had time to introduce him, he suddenly called out to the rehabilitated student: "Auntie, have you forgotten me? I'm Xiewen——" I said, "You've got the wrong person." He also yelled: "Auntie, I was still young at that time, how about you and uncle?" I was suspicious, and turned to look at Gengsheng, her face had changed drastically. Rose shouted to Fang Xiewen, "What are you arguing about?" Fang Xiewen was so wronged when he heard Rose drink him. I didn't like it in my heart, and I was about to scold him a few words—— Gengsheng suddenly said calmly: "Xiewen, I have already separated from your uncle, so there is no need to mention it in the future." I stood up with a "huo", "Rebirth—" I was like a thunderbolt, "You—you—" Rose became anxious and scolded Fang Xiewen, "What maggots are you chewing on?" "Me? I didn't say anything. This is obviously my cousin." Fang Xiewen said. I shouted violently, "Shut up, shut your stinking mouth! Get out of here, I won't look at your face again!" I rushed forward and grabbed his shirt collar, "You idiot!" I ruthlessly Slap him twice. He screamed and resisted instinctively. A table of pizza and red wine was overturned on the ground, and the guests around were staring at us. Rose screamed, "Big Brother! Big Brother!" Gengsheng stood up, "I'll take a step first." I pushed Fang Xiewen to the ground, chased after him, and screamed heart-rendingly, "Rebirth! Rebirth!" The rehabilitated had already jumped into a taxi and left. I jumped into another empty car and said to the driver, "Catch up, don't lose the car in front." The driver said, "Jesus Christ, more and more people are being poisoned by TV detective shows. Who are you? Charlie Chen?" I ignored him, and the car drove straight forward, chasing Xinsheng, and I found out that she was going back to the hotel, so I was relieved. I kept chasing her into the hotel, she seemed to have calmed down, and stood at the elevator waiting for me. We entered the room and there was a long silence. I finally asked, "You were married before." "yes." "How long ago?" "Ten years ago." "Why did you never tell me?" She doesn't ring. "You know I will forgive you," I raised my voice, "you know I will forgive you even if you were married." She stood up and said to me: "What can I ask you to forgive? What can I do to you and ask you to forgive? Everyone has a past, and this past is also a part of me. If you feel dissatisfied--too unfortunate Now, you can find another lady, but why do I ask you to forgive me? Your thoughts are very confused--girlfriend is not a virgin, and you can continue to be a man only after your great forgiveness, and your girlfriend has to be married. You have tried in court—who do you think you are? You think yourself too important and huge!" "Listen to me, rebirth—" "I've been listening to it for two years, Huang Zhenhua, I feel very tired, you can find another listener, I'm quitting." I stood there with my mouth open. She took out the suitcase and started packing. "But," I asked, "but why didn't you tell me?" "Because I have nothing to say, I fell and broke my leg when I was thirteen years old, and I never told you about it..." "I am an independent adult. I am not your little daughter. I will tell you everything and get your understanding and permission." Rehabilitation said. "It's a big thing that you were married, and as your husband, I have the right to know." "Everyone has some secrets in their hearts, why should you go too far?" She picks up her luggage. "Where are you going?" I said. "When I returned to Hong Kong, I didn't resign. My good job is still waiting for me." "You have no nostalgia?" I was angry and sad. She smiled softly, "There is too much difference in our views." "You are so special, rehabilitated." I said angrily, "Only you think this is a trivial matter." "I'm sorry, Zhenhua, I don't need your forgiveness, because I insist that I did nothing wrong." "But--" "Stop talking, Zhenhua, we've never quarreled, and I don't plan to start now." I opened the hotel door and left without a word. When I arrived at Rose's apartment, she was examining Fang Xiewen's injuries. Fang Xiewen was downcast. Seeing me, she was very scared and wanted to stand up and walk. Rose said angrily: "Sit down, you troublemaker, with me here, are you still afraid that big brother will kill you?" He sat down again timidly. I stared blankly and poured a glass of water to drink. "Your thirteen o'clock, big brother really didn't call you wrong, you are such an idiot, do you understand that Su Gengsheng is my future sister-in-law? When you see her, what kind of relative do you recognize, and you don't understand when you have something to say slowly?" "I...was happy for a while," Fang Xiewen stammered, "When she married my cousin, I was the flower girl..." This kid is so honest and pitiful and disgusting. "Okay, okay," I said, "Stop talking, where did it hit you? Does it hurt? Do you want to see a doctor?" "No need." The boy hummed. Rose put the tape on him. I said, "I'm sorry, I was in a hurry." "No, brother, I deserve to die, I deserve to die!" Fang Xiewen said. "Ten years ago? You said she married your cousin?" "Yes," Fang Xiewen said, "I really didn't expect to see her again in New York. I didn't know that she was separated from my cousin. At that time, everyone liked her and said that my cousin was lucky—ah!" Rose thumped his wound vigorously, "You still talk, you still talk!" She scolded coquettishly. Fang Xiewen flinched. I said: "I want to listen, it doesn't matter, just tell me." "Brother," Rose said, "if you really love her, her past is not important at all, why do you need to know? You should pay attention to the present and the future. If you fall out with her because of this, then sister Su and you will be strangers from now on , Why are you so interested in a stranger's past?" O Rose, I woke up like a thunderclap after hearing her words. "Rebirth! Where is she?" I stood up. "Go after her, brother, go after her," said the rose. I hugged Rose tightly, rushed out the door and rushed to the hotel.The shopkeeper of the hotel said that she had already left, so I hurried to the international airport, and saw her sitting on a bench in the waiting room, staring blankly at the air, there was no special sadness on her face, but her expression told I, she was most traumatized. I quietly walked in front of her, squatted down, and called her softly, "Rebirth." She woke up as if awakened from a dream, looked up and saw me, and suddenly collapsed from her calmness. Rehabilitation shed tears and we hugged each other. "I love you, I love you," I said, "I finally have a chance to prove that I love you." "Zhenhua!" She swallowed hard, "That matter..." "What about that? We have to find another hotel. Did you cancel the room? If you can't find a room, you have to go back to Rose to sleep on the floor..." We finally got married in New York. The past is not important, the present and the future are what matter. I never thought I would learn the true meaning of love from Rose. From that day on, I made up my mind to live the happiest life with Gengsheng.Our married life is simple and happy, and Xinsheng still goes to work, still wears white clothes, and still zigzags hopelessly on the highway in her little Japanese car.We didn't socialize, and occasionally there was a dinner or dance, and I always took her with me.In public places, she is always noble and elegant, and she always knows when to smile and when to speak. Usually we are like old friends, she treats me fairly and is better at grooming herself.She does all this on her own time, because I am her respected husband, not her long-term worker. We are recognized as the most compatible couple in the city, and no one knows that our love life has also had turmoil. My mother said: "Now that the Huang family is very happy, you have ended your life as a prodigal son, and Rose has also reformed. When will I go to New York to taste the Manchu banquet she made." But for roses, my heart is bleak.She has become so sensible and patient, she is only eighteen years old, she is already a little woman, and the flowers that bloom early will wither early.Don't tell me, the rose is already in full bloom, no, no, she is still beautiful, and it adds a touch of glamour.I will remember the emptiness in her big eyes when she talked about a previous relationship... Mother and Rose resumed friendship. She was full of praise for Fang Xiewen—— "He is really an impeccable boy. He is honest and sincere. He is a gentleman who says one is one and two is two. It is a blessing for our family to meet Rose. Xiewen is not only excellent in character and learning, but also in a good family environment. There are only two elder brothers , are all successful in their careers, their parents are still young, and the whole family has become an American citizen, so I can say that I have no worries." I couldn't help asking: "But is the rose happy?" Mom was stunned, "Why isn't she happy?" "You don't know Rose at all. Mother, you have treated Rose like a puppy in the house for the past eighteen years. You never considered whether she was happy or ignored her needs. You always thought It’s enough for a child to have enough to wear and eat.” I spoke fiercely. My mother's face changed color, like the color of ashes at the bottom of a pot, and she said sharply: "What are you talking about? You say that I treat roses like a dog? I don't know how to be a mother anymore, but you are still grown up Already!" Mothers are always in the upper hand, there is nothing they can do. Gengsheng tugged at the corner of my clothes suggestively, so I lost another battle to my mother. Rose is not angry, she said, "A person like my mother who climbed into the political arena is the female version of Komani. We should be thankful that she is only our mother and not the leader of our country-otherwise, things may be worse .” I almost had a stomach ache from laughing. She is still with Fang Xiewen. It's not Rose who hasn't changed players for so long. I muttered. Gengsheng said: "According to psychology, you hope that your sister will fulfill your secret desire in your heart and become a Casanova for you, turning all living beings upside down." Gengsheng said: "In the past, when you complained to her, you really regretted it, but you were really happy. Now that she is a down-to-earth person, you feel that your life lacks color, so you become impatient, don't you?" I said: "It's too complicated, I don't understand, what happened? I asked my sister to become a man, so as to fulfill my secret desire to be a man? But I am obviously a man, otherwise how would I marry you?" "Fuck you!" A hearty woman like Xinsheng was aroused by me and pushed me vigorously. On the day of Rose's engagement, I was full of grief and indignation. that kid? He deserves it? I know he is a good person, but there are many good people in this world, who is not a good person? How could she marry him? It's like a rose stuck in cow dung. After all these years of beauty, it should have been on this toad. How convincing is it. I was very irritable, and said to the rehabilitated students: "Being a man depends on fate. When luck comes, you can't push it away. What else is Fang Xiewen good at besides the horoscope? To be fair, Rose's previous boyfriends, a All of them are better than him, and he is an American. Rose married him, just like Zhaojun going out of the fortress, and never returned. That kid is very bad, and Rose will serve everything. Bad luck for Rose." The rehabilitated asked: "Do you want to use a tape recorder to record your speech? Huang Zhenhua, you are in menopause, you should listen to your own accent, long-winded." I was so angry with her that I jumped. However, Rose is finally engaged. At least for now, she is engaged to Fang Xiewen and moves to the Fang family's home in Staten Island. I still don't give up, and I don't believe that the story of Rose ends here. Gengsheng said: "I believe she will marry Fang Xiewen, the way of husband and wife is to make up for each other's deficiencies." I howled: "Su Gengsheng, how dare you go out of your way to contradict me? Be careful!" Rose soon married. Rehabilitation accompanied my parents to New York, and I stayed in Hong Kong because of a business. I plan to build several storeys of bungalows in the suburbs, novel white buildings, contrary to the Spanish fashion.But the real estate company has many difficulties and does not give me convenience.Under my protests several times, they sent a new sales representative to discuss with me, and asked me to come to the door in person. I was very angry, but I had to ask for help from others, and I couldn't give in. When I arrived at the office building, I lost my anger. A lady secretary received me first and explained the ins and outs to me clearly. I immediately felt that I was wrong. The lady said with a smile: "Mr. Huang, we can do it when you understand. I asked Mrs. Watson to see you. She just finished the meeting." Mrs. Watson pushed the door open and entered. She was a very fashionable young woman with short hair dyed golden and wearing a beautiful black and white suit. She was very eye-catching and eye-catching. I hurried up to meet. She was startled when she saw me, and immediately blurted out, "Zhenhua, it's you!" She seemed to meet an old friend, but I couldn't remember where I saw her. "Zhenhua, I'm Guan Zhizhi." I'm still staring, embarrassed. "Zhenhua," she approached and whispered, "I'm Zhou Shihui's former wife, you forgot." I lost my voice, "It's you," I said from the bottom of my heart, "You're much more beautiful, you look so good, I didn't recognize you, I'm sorry, how's it going? How's your life? Hi?" I shook hands with her warmly. Mrs. Watson signaled the female secretary to go out, and then sat down with me. She didn't know where to start, and I looked at her. She was wearing the right amount of jewelry, noble, generous, and gorgeous, and the makeup on her face was just right, fully showing the charm of a mature woman.Her posture is full of confidence. No wonder I didn't recognize her. I believe that even Zhou Tuhui cannot point out that this lady is the little woman who is wandering and suffering. I was so happy for her, and expressed my true feelings, "You've come out to work, are you used to it? You seem to be a successful person, and you should be a strong woman." She suddenly held my hand and said emotionally, "Zhenhua, you are so kind to us!" "I'm good to you?" I was baffled. "I met Shi Hui, and he said that you always treat him the same, not only supporting him spiritually, but also financially." I became ashamed, "Where the hell, it's my family's fault—" "No, it's not, it's Shihui who doesn't get along with me. He's actually a very romantic person...I'm not angry with him now, because of the children, we often see each other." "How are the kids?" I asked. "Very well, I went to kindergarten, you don't know, there are also famous schools in kindergarten now, it's scary." "When will you bring them out, you know? I'm married too," I said. "congratulations." "But we're not planning to have kids," I said again. "It doesn't matter if you don't want to. Being a human being is more painful and less joyful. Although I'm fine now, what happened to me after all..." "Are you married again?" "Yes, Watson treated me very well. He encouraged me and found me a job. He is well-known in the banking industry. He is...the director of the bank in Southeast Asia." "I'm so happy for you." "By the way, Zhenhua, you came to our company because of the land?" Mrs. Watson said. "Hey, I almost forgot! It's about the land." "you listen to me--" We talked about it all afternoon.She spoke clearly and logically, and I couldn't help being dissatisfied. Guan Zhizhi was a completely different person, she had already put Zhou Shihui behind her, just because she no longer had this person in her heart, so she didn't mind mentioning his name, naturally and peacefully. She was obviously very satisfied with her current life. At the end of the talk, she said that she would fight for my interests, and then Mr. Watson came to pick her up for lunch. She cordially invited me to go with her, and I was very happy. Watson is an Englishman with white hair and beard, pink skin, and blue eyes. At first glance, he looks very stylish, like Hemingway. If you look closely, you can see that he is not young.He made up his mind to enjoy a few lunches and evening blessings, and Guan Zhizhi could satisfy him. During the meal time, Watson put his arms on his little wife's shoulders, caring endlessly. They are so happy and happy, I am completely relieved, let go of the burden, and the disaster that Rose caused has such a perfect ending, which is unexpected. When I got home that day, before I had time to put down my briefcase, I told the rehabilitator about the incident from the beginning to the end. Gengsheng laughed and said, "You talk like a gossip." I ignored her, "I think if it wasn't for the failure of the marriage, Guan Zhizhi would never be as outstanding as she is today. She has a good demeanor and elegant conversation, so it's a blessing in disguise." Rehabilitation pondered for a while, and she said: "Women are very infatuated. Unless a woman encounters something unavoidable, she will not develop her career." "What about you, you won't be a strong woman anymore?" "Wouldn't it be easier to be a strong woman in a small family? Having two children, calling them around, just like the Empress Dowager Cixi, controlling and manipulating her husband... It's great, being a person in society, always being a supporting role!" Rehabilitation Road. "So you have a clear mind and don't want to make progress?" I also asked with a smile. "Of course, now that I have a backer, I can live a secure life. Whatever the boss says, I'll treat him as bullshit——are you ready?" She looked at me. I laughed. My one-story house in the suburbs was not successfully built. Guan Zhizhi did her best for me, but it wasn't her fault that the business failed. Mom came back from New York and kept praising Rose for being on the road now.Now she is Mrs. Fang, I thought at a loss.Jia Baoyu said that as soon as her daughter gets married, she will change from pearls to fish eyes. Heh, fish eyes are misleading, what does Rose look like now? I told Zhou Shihui the news about her, and Zhou listened stupidly, and then he said: "If you go to New York—you are very busy now, greet her for me." And then the radio was playing Dylan's North Country Girl: coc1 if you go to the beautiful Northland where the river freezes and summer ends Please see for me, is she wearing a heavy coat against the howling wind Please let me see if she let her hair loose Curly and vertical on the chest Please check for me if she let her hair down That's the way I remember her most coc2 Suddenly I felt unspeakably sad, Zhou Shihui will always remember Rose's mischievous appearance forever, he can't forget her, just like Rose will remember the person who made her sad, forever and ever. I saw roses in New York, in the middle of winter.Snowflakes are flying, the north wind is howling, the central heating in Fang's house is turned on to 75 degrees, and the room is a bit stuffy. I opened the window a little, and the cold air hit my face like a thin knife. 玫瑰正在怀孕初期，她仍然上学，周士辉的北国女郎现在微微有点双下巴，态度略为滞钝，却有种凝重的美，像尊石膏像。最碍眼的是她不断抽烟。 我说：“像个老枪，玫瑰，你现在完全像一个美国女人。” “美国人有什么不好？完全没有文化负担，过着他们粗糙的科技进步的自由自在的生活。” “且不管美国人如何，孕妇不应抽烟。” 她略为犹疑，按熄了烟。 我问道：“你打定主意要与方协文过一辈子？” She nodded. 我轻轻说：“早知如此，当初不必吃那么多苦。” 她对答如流：“人不吃苦是学不乖的。” “你不打算东山再起？” She shook her head. “那也不必挑方协文。” 她又燃起一支烟，“他给我安全感。” “你的安全百分率也不必那么高。” “我知道我能够完完全全控制方协文。” “爱情呢，你不再谈爱情了？” 她黯淡地笑，脸上那颗痣像随时要掉下来。 “一次失败，永记于心？”我问。 “一生一次也已经太多。”她结束了这次谈话，不愿意再谈下去。 “几时是预产期？”我问。 “明年夏天，约摸是我自己生日的时候。” “希望生男还是生女？”我说。 “生女孩子。”玫瑰说。 我看着玫瑰，她目无表情，我可以看到她那颗受伤的心尚未恢复，一直在滴血—— 回到香港，更生把屋子的露台整理过了，买了一种洋海棠，白花红蕊，一排地放在露台上。 更生说，这种花有个很好听的俗名，叫做“滴血的心”。呵，人们为爱情付出的代价…… 玫瑰产下一个女婴，与她同月同日生。 因夫家的人把她照顾得很好，所以我们并没有再赶到纽约去。 时间过得飞快，四周围的人已经忘记玫瑰，玫瑰的地位已被方协文太太取替。毕业后，玫瑰另外选了一门功课，继续做其终身学生。方氏则在一间银行中工作，从底层做起，赚着半死不活的月薪。 我因憎恨玫瑰那么甘于失败，故此对她不闻不问，生活得很自在。 等到玫瑰通知我们要来归家的时候，我拨拨手指，她已经有六七年没回过香港了。 更生说我毫不紧张，这么多日子没见过玫瑰，居然不挂心。 我半瞌着眼说：“太平盛世，紧张什么，你走着瞧，迟早要戒严备战的，届时再大哥出马未迟。” 更生说她从未见过希望妹妹闹事的大哥。 我把手抱在胸前说：“现在你见到了。” 玫瑰带着丈夫女儿回娘家，妈妈一早就兴奋地准备接飞机。我跟在她身后，一早到候机室等候。但等到玫瑰出来，我还坐在那里，因为我没有把她认出来。 我没有把玫瑰认出来。 她把女儿抱在手中，背上背着一只大大的旅行袋，头发用一条橡筋束住，身上穿一套猎装，脸上的化妆有点油。毫无疑问，在别人的眼中，她仍然是一个漂亮的少妇，但玫瑰！玫瑰以前拥有的美丽，是令人窒息的，这…… 我呆呆地看牢她。 她飞身过来，“大哥，大哥来看你的外甥女儿。” 我早已伤心欲绝，完全说不出话来，她是玫瑰？ “大哥，你怎么了？”她把一个粉妆玉琢的娃娃送到我面前。 我从来没有见过那么好看的婴儿，雪白粉嫩，左眼下也有一颗蓝痣，薄薄的小嘴是透明的。她伸出两只胖胖的小手臂，向我笑，示意要我抱。 我像着魔似的，双手不听控制，将她抱了过来，拥在怀中。 借尸还魂，玫瑰的重生。 这孩子一点都不像那愣小子，我看仔细她，心中害怕，这不就是玫瑰本人吗？我清楚记得那日放学，跟父亲到医院去探母亲，护士抱出来的娃娃，就是这个样子的。二十五年之后，我怀中又抱着个一模一样的宝宝，我困惑了，这就是生命最大的奥妙？ 玫瑰诧异，“大哥怎么了？” 更生大力拍着我的肩膀，“他有点糊涂，是这样的！他不明白怎么一下子就老了，快有人叫他舅舅了，男人也很怕老的，你知道。” 我白更生一眼。 我始终没有把婴儿让给其他的人抱，我把她紧紧拥着，如珠如宝，母亲想抱也不行，害得老妈大骂我贼腔。 那婴儿嘴中不住咿咿地与我说话，我每隔三分钟应她一声“啊”，她便笑，完全听得懂的样子。虽然才数个月大，头发已经又长又乌，打着一只蝴蝶结，我忍不住用自己的脸去贴她的脸。 更生微笑着摇头。 当夜，我们一家人大团聚，吃饭。 玫瑰把孩子交给佣人，与丈夫出席。 她穿很普通的一套衣服，戴着假金耳环，头发放下来了，非常油腻，不是很胖，但是脂肪足够，把她脸上所有具灵气的轮廓填满。 良久我都不知道应该与她说什么话才好。 然后我听见我自己虚伪地说：“怎么样？婚姻生活还好吗？” 玫瑰低声说：“很多人认为婚姻是一种逃避，结了婚就可以休息，事实上婚后战争才刚开始，夫妻之间也是一种非常虚伪的一项关系——” 我截断她，“然而你不会有这种烦恼，你与方协文之间的仗怎么打得起来。” she smiles. 我补充说：“我与更生也不打仗，我们地位与智力都相等，我们互不拖欠，只靠感情维持，感情消失那一日，我们会和平分手。” 一整夜方协文都为玫瑰递茶、布菜、拉椅子、穿外套、点香烟，服待她。 方协文没到中年，就长个啤酒肚，一副钝相，老皱着眉头，一额的汗，隔一些时候用手托一托眼镜框，嘴里不断抱怨香港的天气热、人挤、竞争太强。这个老土已经把美国认作他的家乡了。 我上下左右的用客观的眼光打量他，怎么看怎么不顺眼。 那日回家，更生换上睡衣的时候说：“玫瑰怎么会满足于那种毫无灵魂的生活？” “就是说呀。” “她真快乐吗？” “更生，快乐是一件很复杂的事，玫瑰变得今天这样糊涂，是因为她翻过筋斗，是她自己选择这条路走，因此我不能一下子否定她不快乐。” “但这简直令人伤心嘛，她试穿我的貂皮大衣，说也要做一件，你知道我的衣服都宽身，可是她还穿不上去，我看她足足胖了三十磅还不止。”我点点头。 “你想想她以前穿短裤穿溜冰鞋的样子！” “她自己不觉可惜，你替她担心，有什么用？快熄灯睡觉。” 更生熄了灯。 过了良久，正当我以为她已经睡着的时候，她又说：“简直可以把她的名字在'艳女录'上删除。” 我翻了个身，“周士辉现在若见了她，会后悔得吐血。” “周士辉只见到他要见的玫瑰。”她说，“人们就是这样。” 我说：“玫瑰的故事，至今算完结了。” “你知道她问我什么？她问我赤柱是否有七元一条的牛仔裤卖，她想买三十条回美国慢慢穿，又问什么皮鞋五十元一双，叫我怎么回答？”我不响。 又隔了良久，我推一推更生。“不要紧，希望在人间，玫瑰的女儿很快就长大，我们家又可以热闹了。”我说。 “神经病。” 那夜我怀有无限的希望，睡熟了。梦中我看见美丽的玫瑰成熟而美丽，穿黑色网孔裙子颠倒众生，后来醒来，不知是悲是喜。我们原本以为玫瑰可以美到四十九岁的。