Chapter 7 Chapter VII

Miao Hong returned to his hometown and met his younger brother. He is married and father of two babies at a young age. Seeing my sister, I just said coldly: "Sister, why are you back?" But the sister-in-law said: "Sister, we still want to go to Canada to naturalize with you." It wasn't that they didn't welcome her, but they didn't feel much joy when they saw her. In his younger brother's mind, she was already an outsider. Only then did Miao Hong realize that she didn't have many relatives and friends in her hometown. She went to Yadu Na's house.

Someone told her, "Moved, moved to a neighboring village." Undeterred, she finally found the person she wanted to meet. He is now in charge of a wood factory. When he received a notification and came out to meet customers, Miao Hong knew it was him at a glance. He was much thicker than when he was young, with a mustache and wearing local clothes. When he raised his head suddenly, he saw a beautiful woman with a fashionable dress and short hair, and couldn't help being taken aback. Miao Hong looked at him with a smile, "Hi, Yaduna." Yaduna didn't dare to do anything wrong, "What can you do with me, Miss?"

Only then did Miao Hong realize that he did not recognize her. She also froze unexpectedly. Somehow, she didn't say who she was, and she hoped he would remember her, so she accosted and whispered, "You inherited the mill." Yaduna was stunned, who is this and how did he know about him? "Are you married?" Yaduna had no choice but to hold back his doubts, and replied, "It's over." "The bride is Chinese?" "It is indeed Chinese." He still couldn't remember, Miao Hong saw that there was no delay, so she could only say sadly: "I wish you happiness."

Yaduna caught up, "Miss, who are you?" Miao Hong didn't answer and got into the car quietly. At that time, Yadu was still at a loss, inexplicable, who?He rubbed the back of his head and thought, who is that woman? The workers in the factory called him. He knew that there was something urgent to do, so he forgot about the people and things outside. Miao Hong got into the car, and the driver asked, "Miss, where are you going?" After a while, Miao Hong replied, "Go to the city." Only then did she know how good Li Zizhong was to her. But when she was young, because everything happened too easily and too quickly, she took everything for granted, and too much love suffocated her.

She went to a lawyer's office to sign a house sale contract. Lawyer Cui came out to greet her. She raised her head and asked the handsome young lawyer: "Are you entrusted by Li Zizhong, or do you really take care of me?" The young man knew that the opportunity must not be missed, and replied cautiously: "I knew you were the ideal partner in my mind the first time I saw you." Miao Hong smiled, "I'm afraid you will be disappointed." Lawyer Cui said, "Don't worry, I'm not a person who likes to fantasize." He didn't treat her like a princess.

I don't think she is anyone's accessory either. He takes her to meet friends, watch movies, dance, travel... just like normal people treat girlfriends. But Miao Hong was already extremely grateful. The most important thing is that he knows everything about her, so she doesn't need to choose an appropriate time, take a deep breath, tell him everything, and then wait for his reaction to see if he will forgive her. They were married the following year. The ceremony was very simple, and she only invited her younger brother's family to watch the ceremony. She heard her brother say, "My sister finally married an ideal husband."

My sister-in-law said, "My sister is beautiful." "No, many people are not as lucky as her to be more beautiful." Miao Hong was taken aback, was she lucky, at least in the eyes of others. She doesn't mind what other people think. After a few days, she saw Li Zihua, and when Cui Jun walked away, she asked softly, "Does he know about me?" "he knows." "Did he say anything?" "No." Miao Hong lowered her head, with no expression but a slight smile on the corner of her mouth. "He just asked me to see if you still had that ring on."

Miao Hong held out her left hand. Seeing that the ring was still on her ring finger, Li Zihua felt very comforted, and he could reply him reasonably. "Yes, I have good news for you too." Miao Hong raised her head, "Quickly tell me, there is very little good news in this world." "I'm going to be a father next February." "Zihua," Miao Hong was sincerely happy, "it's really wonderful." As I write this, someone opened the door and came in. "Sister, are you still awake?" Holding the pen, Ru Xin turned her head angrily and asked with a smile, "Are you guys asleep again?"

"Sister," said the two younger sisters, "you are pale, go to rest soon." Ru Xin said, "Aren't you all panda eyes?" "My sister is more eloquent than ever." "Didn't I learn from you, can't I protect myself?" The eldest sister nodded, "Look, how powerful it is, we can rest assured." "What," Ru Xin was in awe, "you ever worried about me?" "Of course," the little girl rushed to say, "At one time, you behaved like a heroine in a novelist's novel, and it didn't seem like you were living in the real world. Later, you went to live in a fantasy island, how terrible. ."

Ru Xin smiled. Yi Lushen is not Neverland, where every employee has to be paid regularly. Ru Xin picked up the pen again. The eldest sister put away the pen, "That's it for today." "Hey, hey, don't interrupt." The second sister had already turned off the lights, and simply changed her clothes in the dark. "Sister, we are so lucky to have you arrange it for us. Some students have to work for a few years to save money before they can go to school. They rely on themselves, and their family members don't care about their future. But for the virtues of the world, how hard it is."

Ru Xin smiled, "But if you treat you like babies, you will definitely resist." "That's true. Some of my classmates' parents are too thoughtful and never let go. They arrange their children's clothes in whatever color they want. It's all for their own good. They have to study medicine and play Buddhist dumbbells to marry their cousin. It's really terrible." Ru Xin laughed out in the dark. The younger sister sighed, "At least we have the freedom to wander around." "Yes, it doesn't matter whether you succeed or not, as long as the process is interesting, the trip is worthwhile." "But sister, don't worry, we will definitely graduate." No reply. "Sister, sister?" "She's asleep." "My sister has been writing something." "I don't know, a certain story." "Is she going to start school with us?" "Maybe she has other plans. She is so rich now that she doesn't have to follow the path of ordinary people and do what ordinary people do." "The best thing about Xu Zhongzhi is treating her like an ordinary person." "That's because my sister has a good personality and doesn't see herself as unusual at all." "Will they get married?" "It's too early to tell." "I'm afraid I won't talk about marriage until I'm past thirty." "Who asked you!" "Well, that's good, people don't ask girls when they get married these days." "Has anyone asked before?" "My mother said that since she was seventeen years old, she has always had relatives and friends who care about her and ask her questions." "What's the matter with them?" "It's as bad a practice as footbinding." "It's all free now." Finally both of them fell asleep. Ru Xin opened her eyes. She smiled slightly. She had never paid attention to the opinions of her sisters before, and always felt that they were noisy and naive. Has grown up unknowingly, and speaks very wisely. Indeed, since the generation of Miao Hong, the pressure on women has changed direction. In the past, getting married well was the only goal. It was best for the man to have a solid foundation in his career and love his wife and children. The next best thing was to be honest. If not, it would be the woman's lifelong imprint. Thirty years later, like my sisters, they will first care about their own careers, whether they can occupy a place in society, whether they can be respected, and where they can go... Marriage follows fate, it is dispensable, if you have it, you will cherish it, and if you don't, you will be equally happy. Ru Xin quietly walked to the living room, turned on the lights, spread out a pen and paper, and continued her story. Where did you write just now? Oh, yes, Li Zihua is going to be a father next year, and his child is Li Xuzhi. Miao Hong didn't expect that half a year later she would also get good news. She named her daughter Cui Bishan. Both mothers decided to take care of their children by themselves. The environment is similar, so they are very close, and they often exchange opinions and experiences with each other. The child's first laugh, first sentence, and first step, all surprise the mother. Every little movement of the child fascinates them. They are their own country, have an independent language, and are not humane. No longer care about other matters in the world. The two of them often made appointments to sit in the park, and the two children started school together, learned to play the piano, and tutored in arithmetic... The past seemed to no longer exist. Did she really forget everything? No one can tell. Cui's career is extremely successful, with both fame and fortune, and Miao Hong's life is very satisfying. After a while, she occasionally learned from her husband that many of his businesses were introduced by the Li family. She thanked Zihua. Zihua was surprised, "No, it's not me, it's Zizhong, don't you know?" It's Li Zizhong. After a while, Miao Hong asked, "How is he?" "This gentleman is a genius in business. No matter what line of business he is in, he can master a little bit and become a proficient master. He now has eighteen firms under his name, making money from time to time." "Is he still celibate?" "Yes, he said that married life is not suitable for him. He thinks that getting along with others is his weakest link. He has more than a thousand people under him, and he is used to giving orders. It is difficult to be equal to others." "Is he happy?" "I don't see any reason to be unhappy, the satisfaction of strategizing is great, and his social circle is wide." "Where's your girlfriend?" "Of course there are girlfriends, but I didn't introduce them to my family." Miao Hong smiled slightly, "It's good to know he's fine." "He said that too." "Really? Zizhong also asked about me?" "Of course, ask the child if he looks like you." "It's very similar," Miao Hong said with a smile, "everything is flat, nothing outstanding." "Isn't that good, it's better that way." Miao Hong remained silent, with a smile still on the corner of her mouth. After giving birth, she gained a little weight, but her face was still beautiful, but Zihua couldn't see why her cousin turned upside down for her like that. "Perhaps," he said, "we can meet up." Miao Hong shook her head, "No, let him make a good impression, I'm like a woman with children now." Zihua disagrees, "Women who are willing to take care of their children at home are the most beautiful." "If you are willing to say that, being your wife is the happiest." Zihua is really a good person. Miao Hong and Li Zizhong never met again. He wandered all over the world, and she stayed at home. The two lived in completely different worlds. It was difficult to meet without deliberate arrangements. The kids grow up and become good friends. Miao Hong said to Zihua and his wife: "Since I was a child, I most wanted to have a fixed residence, spacious, comfortable, and a permanent address. When I grow up, I can still find traces of graffiti in a certain corner when I was a child." "Our generation was more chaotic." "But when Bishan heard that her classmates were moving, she asked us when we would move too. She was greedy for novelties." "That's how kids are." "Everyone is like this, there is nothing to think about." "What about you?" Zihua asked, "Do you think it's best if you don't get it?" "No, I cherish the status quo, it's not easy." Zihua and his wife exchanged a wink, very relieved. It was night, and Miao Hong woke up in the middle of the night, as if hearing music in her ears. She got up from the bed and opened the window. Hey, it's strange, instead of a busy street, there is a swimming pool under the window. The shadows of the trees whirled, and there were shadows of people, and someone called her name. She felt that she was someone who was intensely loved, and so overjoyed, she cried out, "Wait, wait." Everyone by the pool raised their heads. Suddenly, a bright light shone on her face, and she raised her hands to cover her eyes. "Wake up, wake up." Miao Hong opened her eyes and remained silent for a while, ah, in her dream she went back to Yilushen Island. At that time, she was very young, and I believe she was very, very beautiful. Her husband asked her, "What's the matter with you?" "I am a little uncomfortable." It was then that she started getting sick. There was a hand on Ru Xin's shoulder. She raised her head suddenly and saw her eldest sister standing behind her. "Sister, you're still writing! The story won't run away, why do you have to do it right away, it's so frustrating." Ru Xin stood up and stretched. Every time I have to finish writing a chapter, I don't know how tired I am. "Have you finished writing?" "This is not a complete novel." "Then what are you writing for?" The younger sister also got up, "I'll tidy up after finishing writing." "That takes a lot of time." "It won't be any more strenuous than going to college." "Really, after these three years, we are the eldest." Ru Xinxiao, sisters have their own worries. "Sister, tell us what else you plan to do besides urge us to study." Ru Xin smiled again, "You two care about my future?" "My father always said that if you don't go to school, you will get married quickly." "Marriage should not be done as a single thing. Both married and unmarried people need to work and study." The eldest sister nodded, "This is our idea. The previous generation believed that marriage meant a break." "It has been proven dead wrong." "Then sister is planning to go back to Yuanyuanzhai." "Maybe maybe maybe not." The eldest sister smiled, "Not yet decided." "Before we tell the story in hand." "How long will it take?" "It's coming soon, it will be finished after you start school." The two sisters exchanged glances, "Sister, we want to buy a car—" Ru Xin's mind returned to the story, "Let Xu Zhongzhi accompany you to pick a solid car..." That day, she met Xu Zhongzhi and asked him, "How did the ashes end up on Yilushen Island?" Unexpectedly, Xiao Xu replied: "It's very simple." Ru Xin raised her eyebrows, "What?" Xiao Xu repeated, "It's very simple, I asked Cui Bishan, it was her mother's will, the ashes were sent to Yilushen Island for storage." Ru Xin slightly opened her mouth wide. "Now that Yuishima has changed owners, she intends to take the ashes back." Ru Xin lowered her head. "Do you have any questions?" "Yes, yes, yes," Ru Xin said, "Why are the ashes placed in such a hidden place? Why didn't someone as meticulous as Li Zizhong make proper arrangements for that box of ashes?" "You are very reasonable in asking. Perhaps, he has forgotten her." It was like hearing the funniest joke ever. Xu Zhongzhi admitted, "They will never forget each other." "Let's go back to Yilushen." "Is your illness all cured?" "Have you recovered yet?" "It's a pity those girls have no interest in Uishima." "That's great, no one will compete with me for that island." "You don't intend to transfer?" Xu Zhongzhi privately did not want Ru Xin to live on the island. "What's wrong with leaving it there?" "Taiwanese customers pay this price." Xu Zhongzhi showed Ru Xin a number. Ruthlessly thinking, "How about renting it to them?" "Hey, let me ask." "All the rent can be donated to the children's hospital." "You seem to have a special regard for children." If you think about it, "Children's misfortunes are probably not self-inflicted. Usually tragedies happen to them for no reason. They are truly pitiful and worthy of help." "You always want a place to live, so let's use the rent over there to supplement your rent, and donate what's left." Ru Xin was very grateful, he was always thinking of her. "Don't worry, I'm in good financial condition." Xu Zhongzhi no longer avoided suspicion, and asked, "Why?" "I just inherited an inheritance from my great-aunt." "Ah, you're a succession expert." "Yes, I am amazed myself." "You must be very popular with the old man." You are right, Ruxin has a calm personality and good patience, unlike girls of the same age, she lacks the ability to concentrate, she suddenly becomes sluggish, and her eyes wander. Not to mention the old man, Xu Zhongzhi also appreciates her advantage. "Is the story out of script?" "almost." "Is a writing career easy, or hard?" "Naturally it is extremely difficult." "Cui Bishan's request—" "She can come to the island anytime to retrieve the ashes." "Then, let's do it tomorrow, they seem to be very busy, they keep rushing from one side of the earth to the other, from one corner to another, going round and round, non-stop." "It's the hipster life." "I don't see you like this again." "Me? I'm not in tune with the times." "Cui Bishan and Li Xuzhi will be leaving in a few days." Ru Xin smiled, "I plan to return to the island to rest." "I see you off." "When are you going back to work?" Xu Zhongzhi was a little embarrassed, "Next week, the company is waiting for someone to use it, and they keep urging me." Ru Xin said: "A talent like you, why delay here, if you are interested, why not go back to the metropolis and find a job in a surveying company, your future is boundless." Xu Zhongzhi was amazed, "Ru Xin, how could you say such words?" Ru Xin smiled, "It can be seen that I can also be very economical and practical." "No, no, no, I am willing to live a relatively leisurely life here and save some time for myself. For me, fame and wealth are not everything. I don't yearn for fame and fortune. The most important thing in everything is happiness." Ru Xin looked at Xu Zhongzhi and smiled appreciatively. "I thought, I'll be a poor boy with no prospects for the rest of my life." Ru Xin barely blurted out, "It doesn't matter, I have money". Thankfully I could hold back my mouth. Back on the island, Ru Xin rests early. This was the first time she had slept so well on the island. Perhaps both Li Zizhong and Miao Hong understood that she had already known the truth and would not come to dream again. But is that really the truth? The next morning it was drizzling, Ru Xin woke up and opened the window to look, only to see a beautiful woman standing by the pool. Hey, is this a dream or is it real? The girl was wearing a sarong, her long hair was pulled back, she was slender, Ru Xin blurted out: "Miao Hong!" Miao Hong raised her head when she heard the sound, and smiled at Ru Xin, "Come down." Like the previous dream, Ru Xin ran downstairs. Don't ask anyone to interrupt this dream this time. She ran to the poolside smoothly, secretly happy in her heart, hey, it's a good day, no one came to wake her up. Ru Xin called Miao Hong, "Come this way." The drizzle hit Ru Xin's face, and she felt a bit of coolness, everything in this dream seemed real, very clear. Miao Hong walked around, "Ru Xin, you're awake." Ru Xin raised her head and looked at Miao Hong. She opened her mouth wide, this is not a dream, this is the real situation, the one standing in front of her is not Miao Hong, but Cui Bishan. Ru Xin was in a daze. Cui Bishan was surprised, "Ru Xin, why are you disappointed, who do you think I am, and who are you waiting for?" Ru Xin was speechless for a moment. Moments later, apologizing for her gaffe, Cui Bishan wore the fashionable sarong apron, designed by a master of Western fashion. Ru Xin finally said, "I thought it was Miao Hong." Cui Bishan said: "Even if we are similar, you have never met her." Ru Xin smiled, "I've seen her many times, and she always comes into my dreams." This was the first time that Cui Bishan showed a gloomy look, "So, she seems to care more about you than me." "No, Bishan, the Miao Hong I dreamed of was all young, and you were not even born then." Cui Bishan laughed, "Look at us, it seems that we really believe that the soul of a person will come back to visit the dead." Ru Xin pondered, "I won't say no." "But it can't be said that it will." "Come on, let me walk around the island with you." "Excuse me." Cui Bishan said, "You were still awake when I arrived." "The time was arranged by Xu Zhongzhi, right?" "He's very careful." Holding an umbrella, he walked to the other side of the island, pointing like a heart, "The ashes are over there." "The environment is so beautiful, no wonder my mother has this will." Ru Xin nodded. "The days of living on the island are always unforgettable for her." Ru Xin replied, "I think so." "But the island has changed hands, and I have to take it back." "She would approve." Ru Xin pushed open the door of the workshop, and pointed to the silver box. Cui Bishan restrained her smile, and held up the box respectfully and carefully. All of a sudden, the young girl sighed, "Thinking about him doing the same thing, what's there to argue about." Ru Xin replied softly: "It is absolutely." So she agreed with Xu Zhongzhi's view that the most important thing to be a human being is to be happy. There is another question that Ru Xin must ask, "Bishan, doesn't your father object to your mother's will?" Cui Bishan was straightforward, "He has nothing to object to, and besides, they broke up for a while at that time." Ru Xin had to accept a new surprise, "They broke up?" "Yes, when I was fifteen, they decided to divorce." Ru Xin was stunned, she really didn't expect that Miao Hong's love life is like peeling an onion layer by layer, and there is still a layer in the end. "Are you remarried?" "No, she and her father remain friends and care for each other." "Then why did you break up?" Cui Bishan smiled, "There must be a reason." Ru Xin further asked, "What do you think?" Cui Bishan replied: "I don't know. In order not to embarrass them, I never ask." Ru Xin blushed suddenly. Cui Bishan smiled, "No, I'm not talking about you, don't worry too much." "Sorry, I'm just too curious." Cui Bishan and Ru Xin sat down on a bench by the pond. They heard the crowing of frogs, and the air was filled with the fragrance of lotus flowers. Bishan discovered the new continent, "I just now understand why mother and you like this island." Ru Xin smiled, "There is also a Taiwanese family who miss me giving up this island." At this time, Ru Xin spread her palms, and the small green frog with the size of a thumb jumped into her palm and stayed for a while before jumping back into the water. Bishan was amazed. The unknown red-breasted bird sang non-stop at the top of the tree. Bishan asked, "Is there a nightingale?" "I didn't come out at night, I must have them." "How beautiful!" "I may come to die when I am old." "No, Ru Xin, the elderly live in a prosperous place, and this place is only suitable for honeymoon." Ru Xin smiled, Bi Shan made sense. Ru Xin raised her head, there seemed to be a figure flashing in the shade, she almost blurted out, Mr. Li, is that you? Bishan over there said, "Father never remarried either." Ru Xin nodded, "Look how much they love you." "Ru Xin, you are really smart. I was actually young at the time, even if they remarried, I took it for granted, but in order to give me the most care and the most time, even though they broke up, they are still like a family." "Then why break up?" Bishan said: "I also feel strange." They heard a slight cough. It turned out that there were real people in the shade. Xu Zhongzhi came out from the bushes, "I'm bothering you." Bishan smiled and said, "I should go too." A group of three people walked back to the pier the same way. Bishan held her mother's ashes, stood at the bow of the boat, and said goodbye to Ruxin. "Please stay in touch with me." "Definitely, I'm so lucky to have a friend like that." The boat sailed slowly away from the pier, and Bishan waved to them with fluttering clothes. Watching the yacht disappear on the horizon. Xu Zhongzhi said: "I have Bishan's address and phone number." Before he knew it, he had begun to take care of the details of her life. "Taiwanese customers said that it's okay to lease, but you need to sign a ten-year contract." "What," Ru Xin smiled, "so long?" "I was so amazed, but he said: Young man, ten years is not as long as you imagined. Ten years will pass in the blink of an eye. Let alone ten years, half a century will slip away in the blink of an eye." Ru Xin nodded, "This is their experience." "I roughly negotiated conditions with them, such as keeping all the staff in their jobs, not demolishing and modifying buildings, not cutting down trees, etc., and an annual rent increase of 15 percent." "That's fine." Xu Zhongzhi was very happy, "Then, I will draw up the lease." "What would he call the island?" "Chongming Island." "I think he must have had a very happy childhood in Chongming back then." "That's right. He told me how much his grandparents cherished him. They ordered leather shoes for him to wear to school in rainy days. Now he is someone else's grandfather, and his eldest grandson is studying chemistry at Stanford." "The stories of their generation are mostly touching." "With the great era as the background, it is naturally soul-stirring." "Li Zizhong's generation is not bad, at least they can fall in love freely." Xu Zhongzhi scratched his scalp, "We are the worst, we must not cross the threshold, everyone has to make achievements in their studies or careers, the competition is too strong, and there is too little free time, it is not a human life." Ru Xin bent down with a smile. They returned to the house and had a hearty lunch. Xu Zhongzhi said: "I have to go out and do something." "Please." "If you decide to stay, please let me know." "I will consider." Ruxin suddenly misses Yuanyuanzhai surprisingly.