Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Eating with Neighbors

At six o'clock the next day, Yu Mucheng went downstairs on time. Xie Nan's courtyard door was ajar. He walked in, and the umbrella that seemed a bit dazzling to him was put away and stood quietly in the twilight, which was much more pleasing to the eye. up.He knocked on the open floor-to-ceiling glass door, and Xie Nan quickly ran over and opened the screen door. This time the living room looked much more pleasing to the eye than last time. There was a brand new 21-inch TV set on the TV cabinet, and a shallow square rattan basket was placed on the coffee table, filled with red and yellow artificial wildflowers.The room was still empty, but there was a little more life in it.Looking at the dining room connected to the living room, several dishes have been set on the small glass dining table, and a large soup bowl is steaming.

Xie Nan invited him to sit down, and you are welcome: "Bingbing and I are not good at cooking, and we hate oily smoke. The easiest thing to do is to cook soup. All the ingredients are ready, just put it in a purple casserole and simmer for an afternoon." It was not the first time Yu Mucheng was invited to dinner by a girl, but it was the first time he saw such a veritable potluck.In addition to the soup, she fried a plate of tomato scrambled eggs with no technical content. There was also a plate of cucumbers, a plate of stewed beef and half a salted duck on the table. It was either the ready-made cooked food or the freshly made cold salad. As Xie Nan had predicted, there were no tricks, but it was very homely, so I couldn't help laughing.

Xie Nan helped him serve the soup: "Please, don't be too polite, or I'll think you're laughing at my poor hospitality." The scrambled eggs with tomatoes are very ordinary, and the cucumbers are added with pepper oil and chili oil. Yu Mucheng is intimidated, but the stewed beef and salted duck are delicious. Xie Nan specially bought them from a local shop that specializes in braised meat. She The stewed kelp pork rib soup was even more light and delicious. Yu Mucheng drank two bowls, and then Xie Nan served him rice, which he also ate deliciously.Xie Nan was naturally happy that he was so supportive.

While eating, Yu Mucheng's cell phone rang. He put down his chopsticks and said "I'm sorry", and walked to the side to answer the call. It was Zhou Lisha. "Kevin, it's me. I'm downstairs at your house, next to your car. Can you come down and pick me up?" Yu Mucheng was taken aback. He just mentioned which neighborhood and garden he lived in when Zhou Lisha asked yesterday. He didn't expect her to come here by himself, but it's hard to say anything. "Okay, you wait, I'll be right over." He turned to Xie Nan, "Sorry, I have a friend coming, I have to go over, thank you for the dinner, it's really delicious."

Xie Nan nodded: "It's okay, you can do your work." Yu Mucheng walked out of the yard and saw Zhou Lisha wearing a knitted sweater and jeans, standing next to his Passat with a big bag of things in her hand, talking to a security guard, who saw him come out, nodded and walked away. "Kevin, the security guard here is very responsible. After I reported the name of the garden, he kept sending me in. You live on the first floor. The bare yard is too ugly, and you still have such a tacky umbrella." Yu Mucheng was afraid that Xie Nan would hear it, so he hurriedly said, "No, I live on the fourth floor over there, let's go up."

Xie Nan chased him out suddenly, "Wait a minute." She stood at the gate of the courtyard: "Hey, your key." She raised her hand and tossed to Mu Cheng the key that was left on the dining table when he was eating. Yu Mucheng reached out to catch it. Xie Nan turned to go in, but Zhou Lisha stopped her. "Miss, please wait a moment." Xie Nan stopped, looked at her inexplicably, and recognized her as the woman who stood at the front desk of the hotel with Yu Mucheng yesterday.Zhou Lisha didn't look at her, but only looked at Yu Mucheng: "Kevin, didn't you say you don't have a girlfriend? What's the matter with her? I thought the two of us could still be honest with each other."

Before Mu Cheng could speak, Xie Nan put down his face first and quit: "Hey, miss, he and I are just neighbors, you don't have nothing to do and don't use your imagination casually, okay?" "Does the neighbor need to invite someone to dinner to show off his cooking skills?" Zhou Lisha looked at her with a half-smile. Xie Nan was stunned, before she could say anything, Yu Mucheng apologized awkwardly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Xie Nan, I'm sorry." He turned his head and said to Zhou Lisha, "It's not what you think, hurry up and apologize, Lisa. "

Zhou Lisha looked at Yu Mucheng and then at Xie Nan, but said nothing. Xie Nan waved her hands in annoyance: "Yes, you go into your house and remove the flower guns. Everyone lives here, and each avoids suspicion." She took it to the courtyard Guan Zi entered his home, closed the screen door, and drew the curtains with a swish. After Xie Nan lived here, every time she came in and out, and met neighbors, they would always politely nod and say hello, which was completely different from living in a downtown area, which surprised her at first, but soon got used to it and liked it. This kind of harmonious and friendly neighborhood relationship.Only after Yu Mucheng helped her twice did she take the initiative to invite him to dinner. Of course, being misunderstood like this made her unhappy.But she didn't bother to think too much, and sat back at the dining table to continue eating. This was the first meal she cooked here, and she didn't want to be disturbed by someone she didn't know.

After eating, she washed the dishes and put the extra soup into the new refrigerator.Looking at the brand new kitchen after cleaning, I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.She thinks that Ru Bing is right, she really screwed with herself for too long.Forgetting some things is actually easier than imagined; accepting a new life is not as difficult as expected. She nestled on the sofa and watched TV with relish, the new sofa was really comfortable. Her life has always been very regular. When she saw 10 o'clock, she remembered that she had to get up early to go to work tomorrow, so she took a shower and went to bed.The newly bought black wrought iron bed, with the brand Simmons that Gao Rubing insisted on specifying, feels completely different from the old bed with a collapse in the middle in the rental house.

She stretched her body, closed her eyes, and said in her heart again: Ru Bing is right. Yu Mucheng took the big shopping bag from Zhou Lisha's hand and found it was a bit heavy.He took her into his home: "What's in here, can we just put it in the porch?" "I went to the supermarket to buy vegetables on purpose to cook for you. When we were together before, you loved my dishes the most. It's a little late to talk about things with people today." Yu Mucheng was a little embarrassed, and stood there stiffly, not knowing what to do with the bag in his hand: "Thank you, Lisa, but no need, I just finished eating."

"Do you always eat with your neighbors? I didn't know that the relationship between the neighbors here is so good." Zhou Lisha said a little sharply. "Lisa, among other things, we all have our own lives, don't you think what you said is unfair to me?" Zhou Lisha was shocked by this sentence, she tried her best to hold on, but a little tear came out of her big eyes.After all, Yu Mucheng couldn't bear it, put the shopping bag on the kitchen counter, turned to her and said, "Sit down, what do you want to drink?" "Kevin, I'm serious. I said at noon yesterday that I wanted to start over with you. Yes, I shouldn't have tested you for an 'if'. I was doing it because of my pride. I was wrong." Yu Mucheng went to the sofa and sat down. After a moment of silence, he said, "Thank you, Lisa. I don't know what to say, but for me, breaking up is not a casual thing. We are all adults. It’s not suitable to play the game of split and join anymore.” Zhou Lisha came over, squatted in front of him, put her hands on his knees, and looked up at him with a sincere expression: "Kevin, I know I only sent you an email to say we broke up. I did it very hastily and hurt you. But Please understand my feelings, my original intention is to stay in the United States, but you said that you will definitely return to China after you get your degree, I think, well, I will go back to China to see if I can adapt.” "Your ability to adapt has always been good." "But have you ever thought that when I returned to China alone, I was alone in a big city like Shanghai, with a lot of work pressure and no friends. I just felt lonely and uncomfortably lonely. You never gave me any promises. have no confidence in their future.” Yu Mucheng smiled bitterly: "It's been a year and a half since we separated, will you suddenly have confidence in me?" "I can't forget you Kevin, I didn't know how stupid I was until we broke up. My mind was full of time with you. I cooked for you and you always ate deliciously. You took me skiing. We Driving to Yellowstone Park and camping, we went to the concert together... so many, such sweet memories, how can I forget." "That's a thing of the past, Lisa, now you have your career and your life, and I have mine, and I think you just glorified me in your memory, and when you calm down, you'll find that we're not really a good fit. " "Have you fallen in love with another woman? Is it the lady on the first floor just now? Please tell me frankly to make me give up." "She's my neighbor, and we haven't known each other for long. You've been rude to her today, so stop guessing now. I'll take you back to the hotel." Zhou Lisha stood up slowly, with a gloomy expression.Yu Mucheng couldn't bear to look at her, so he picked up the car keys and door keys and walked to the door first. Unexpectedly, Zhou Lisha suddenly caught up with him, hugged him tightly from behind, and pressed her face against his back. "Kevin, I said, don't reject me right away, give us a chance. I know you still care about me, yesterday you didn't even think about it, you took a credit card to open a room for me, in fact, I'm on business, and I can be reimbursed. This little money It's nothing to you to me, but I'm glad you treat me the same as before." Yu Mucheng was helpless, and gently patted her hand around his waist: "Lisa, don't be childish, even if we break up, we are still friends, and I should entertain you. You make me very embarrassed, and tomorrow If you think about what you said now, you will regret it." Zhou Lisha didn't say a word, she let go of her hand after a long time, and brushed her hair: "Let's go." Yu Mucheng sent Zhou Lisa back to the hotel, and Zhou Lisa was silent all the way.He parked the car at the door, the doorman came over and opened the door, Zhou Lisha looked back at him. "Promise me, Mu Cheng, will you think about it carefully?" "Go to bed early, what time is the plane tomorrow?" "Nine o'clock." "Okay, I'll call the driver later and ask him to wait for you at the entrance of the hotel at 7:30." Zhou Lisha nodded, got out of the car and entered the hotel. She had a graceful figure, her back was straight, and she didn't look back.Yu Mucheng sighed, called the company driver Xiao Yuan to explain the time and place, and then drove back to the community.He backed the car into the parking space and came down to look at the opposite yard. The light in the living room inside revealed a hazy light through the curtains. He was a little hesitant, not knowing whether he should go over and apologize, but remembering Xie Nan's words of "avoiding suspicion", he finally I went upstairs and went home by myself. He poured himself half a glass of brandy and leaned back on the sofa, lost in thought.Zhou Lisha's suggestion was beyond his expectation, but he could only honestly tell himself and her that there was no way to turn back. After graduating from university, Yu Mucheng helped his father take care of the family property. After a few years, he became tired of the job that only required him to keep his own and had little room for development. He was exhausted physically and mentally, and wanted to change his environment.After discussing with his parents, he decided to study abroad.He carefully selected, and after applying, he successfully entered Columbia University Business School. Although Columbia University Business School has the strongest finance major, considering his own interests and the needs of his family, he studied for an MBA.This school pays attention to students' practical work experience when recruiting students, and Yu Mucheng has enough advantages in this regard.He has always liked the inclusiveness and international feel of the metropolis of New York. Zhou Lisha, whom he met at the class reunion, is a very attractive girl who studies at the New York University School of Public Administration, but Qin Tao, Yu Mucheng's old classmate who first went to Columbia University to study for a master's degree in finance, does not seem to be Like her, he commented more tactfully: "She is too ambitious." Of course Yu Mucheng understood what he meant.When Zhou Lisha took the initiative to call Yu Mucheng, he was indeed a little surprised, but there was no reason to refuse her invitation.Alone in a foreign land, it seems that it is easy for two people to get close to each other.After dating for more than half a year, when Zhou Lisha offered to move into his rented apartment, he felt that he still had no reason to refuse. Zhou Lisha has a lively and cheerful personality, shows enthusiasm in bed, knows how to enjoy life, is very interesting, and cooks well. She is willing to cook in her spare time, knows how to be silent and give each other their own living space. Yu Mucheng feels that getting along is not easy. It took a lot of effort, and Qin Tao knew that the two of them were living together, so he just shook his head with a smile and didn't say anything else. Knowing that Zhou Lisha sent him a breakup email shortly after returning to China, Qin Tao was a little worried about his old classmate: "Fortunately, you didn't fall too deep. This girl is too shrewd and knows what she wants too much. .” "Don't hit me, and don't think too badly of her. She never asked about my family's situation. Besides, my family's environment can't be said to be rich." What Yu Mucheng said is the truth. There are not a few Chinese students who spend a lot of money here to drive luxury cars and even buy luxury apartments. , usually spending money is definitely not extravagant, if Zhou Lisha wants to hang a golden turtle, there should be a more suitable candidate. "Mu Cheng, I know that your vanity may not be able to stand it after saying this. But any girl with a heart understands that Columbia University's business school tuition is relatively high, and the apartment you rented to live alone in the city center is considered a luxury in New York." Now, do you still need you to put the list of property at home on your forehead?" Yu Mucheng was a little depressed: "Old Qin, you really spoil the scenery." "I'm telling the truth. You two are together. I wouldn't say that. If you love her, why bother to do bad things. New York University is famous for its high rent and food costs. Zhou Lisha's family must be ordinary," said New York University. It was true that students could not pay the dormitory rent and sleep in the library, which was a sensation in the United States at that time.Qin Tao said with a smile, "Since she moved to your side, she has never had a part-time job." Yu Mucheng is no longer a young man who just fell in love. Of course he knows that what Qin Tao said is true. The circle of Chinese students studying abroad is not big, and some other people have mentioned Zhou Lisha's past love history to him with a bit of malice.However, he has always been open-minded, and he felt that it was fate for the two to get along happily, and he didn't intend to care about those.As for the tuition fees paid to her, it was a trivial matter that didn't even need to be mentioned - since he regarded her as his girlfriend, of course he was willing to make her life easier and happier within his ability. He knew that Qin Tao had good intentions, but to be honest, he was not surprised when he received the email. The breakup only made him melancholy, and he was not too sad. No matter how young you are, even falling out of love can't hit you anymore, and you don't need to get drunk and beg to be forgotten.When I broke up with my girlfriend in college, it was really painful for a long time. Thinking about it, Qin Tao also remembered the old things in college, and smiled slightly: "In the past, Liu Jingqun and I both envied you, and you always attracted peach blossoms." "You make me so frivolous," Yu Mucheng smiled wryly, "I only had one girlfriend during my four years in college, and you two actually regarded me as a playboy." "I don't worry if you don't pretend to be a lover and a fool. You are still a playboy. Alas, we are all old, and I really want to find a girl from a good family to settle down, but the circle here is so small, come and go It’s all these faces, I think I have to learn from others and go back to China for a blind date.” Qin Tao has settled down on Wall Street with a good annual salary, and now he is starting to worry about life-long affairs, “You are going back to China, please help me pay attention on." After Yu Mucheng got his degree, he returned to China at the urging of his father.Right now he is almost living a more tense and monotonous life than when he was studying, and he doesn't even have time to take care of his own affairs, so he really doesn't have time to take care of Qin Tao's instructions. Zhou Lisha would suddenly propose to get back together. It was the first time he recalled the time when the two of them got together, and found that those past events had passed before they could be profound, and there was really no ripple in his heart. After he finished his glass of wine, he went to the terrace to have a look. The lights in the downstairs yard had been turned off, so he decided to go to bed too. He would go to work tomorrow, and he still had a lot to worry about. Xie Nan was almost late for work for two days in a row. May, the receptionist, watched in amazement as she rushed out of the elevator and went straight to the attendance machine to clock in: "Sister Xie, as long as you don't go on business, you always arrive at the company fifteen minutes earlier, which is more accurate than the attendance machine. There are also times when it is late." She had a hard time, and she no longer said "Ru Bing is right" in her heart. In the past, the house she rented was small and dark, but it was located in the city center, and it only took 15 minutes to walk to the company. She never tried to be late.Now she has to take the bus for 40 minutes, and she has to take the traffic jam factor into account, so she has to leave the house an hour earlier. Her work sometimes required overtime. After nine o'clock in the evening, she might not be able to catch the last bus back to the community, so she had to take a taxi, which greatly increased the travel cost. In addition, Xie Nan has a little secret that must not be known to the company. She is helping an advertising company to pay the bills in private when she is not working.The company was small in scale, and they were jointly founded by two people, both of whom were from her hometown and high school seniors.When the company was first established, they asked Xie Nan to help handle the accounts. In the blink of an eye, it has been more than three years, and the company is gradually getting on the right track. The two parties have always cooperated happily. Xie Nan's own company does not have express regulations on amateur part-time jobs, and the two companies' businesses have nothing to do with each other, but it doesn't take much to think about it, it's better not to make this matter public. Naturally, Xie Nan used the spare time squeezed out by Xie Nan to pay the bills, but when she moved, the time spent on the road severely squeezed her spare time, which made her complain endlessly in her heart. One day, she went to an advertising company to do the accounting after get off work. One of the bosses, Zhang Xin, told her that there was a small company next door who liked her meticulous work, and wanted to ask her to cover the accounts. She just shook her head and smiled bitterly: "I'm afraid I didn't." Time to pick up." Another boss, David Fan, was puzzled: "Hey, Xie Nan, you are usually very good at fighting, how could you refuse the money you came to ask for?" "I also have to live to earn that money, Second Senior Brother." Xie Nan always called Zhang Xin the senior brother and David Fan the second senior brother.Zhang Xin has no objection to this title, but David Fan, who is too handsome and has been spoiled by women, thinks that the second brother's name is clearly insinuating that he is a pig, so he protested N times, but Xie Nan ignored him, so he had no choice but to admit it. up.In return, he often ridiculed Xie Nan's love of money, Xie Nan of course ignored it, and just said straightforwardly: "A gentleman loves money and obtains it in a proper way. It is obviously a virtue, so why make a fuss about it." Zhang Xin said: "Their company is small and the accounts are simple, so it shouldn't take up much of your time." "I've moved far away now, so it's inconvenient." She only explained half of the reason. In addition, she was afraid that there would be a big commotion, and it would be troublesome if the company found out.Zhang Xin and David Fan are different, after all, they are both fellows and alumni, so they will definitely not reveal anything about her. David Fan ignored her, and turned to continue researching the car's information with Zhang Xin: "The panoramic sunroof is so beautiful, that's what I like." Zhang Xin said angrily: "You only have some money on hand, please stop, why are you in such a hurry to change cars?" Xie Nan knew that the two of them bought Fukang at the same time, but it had only been opened for two years, so he asked Zhang Xin with a smile: "Brother, aren't you a car fan? Why don't you make a fuss about changing cars?" "Your eldest brother is trying his best to save money for his wife," David Fan laughed, "I'm not married and I've decided to be celibate for the rest of my life, so I don't need to accompany him to save money." Xie Nan also laughed. She knew that Zhang Xin was very interested in his girlfriend Luo Yin who worked in the newspaper office. She had already looked at the house. Please refer to which bank is the most suitable repayment method.Zhang Xin glared at David Fan, and said disdainfully, "Old Dai, just keep your mouth shut, I think there will be a day when you will cry." "It's a talent to live among thousands of flowers without a single leaf touching your body. It's useless for you to be jealous, Lao Zhang. Quickly help me see how this configuration is." "This car is fine, but the replacement price for the old car offered by this 4S store is too low, so it's not worth it. Why don't you put the car in the second-hand car market to have a look first." "That's so troublesome. It's not the same as trying to lower the price of a car in the second-hand market. I don't want to bother." David Fan's family background is considered good. His parents have opened several restaurants in his hometown. He can't help it. Xie Nan's heart moved: "Hey, second senior brother, how much do you plan to sell your car for?" David Fan mentioned a price, and Xie Nan made a decision on the spot: "Don't let the fat and water flow to outsiders, sell it to me, and I promise not to delay your replacement."