six

Mutual generation and mutual restraint, in fact, also represent another form of interdependence.

But when I reached out to touch my cheek, it was damp

After I got out of the car, she looked at my silhouette. A few minutes later, she took out her phone to reply to the number she had been dismissing all afternoon. Her phone was a Nokia 8600, and when the shell slid down, there was a moment when it appeared transparent, which is why this model has a beautiful name: Moonlight Goddess

But she is truly wonderful; she gave me tissues to wipe my tears, quietly listened to me speak, and I noticed that her phone rang several times during this period, yet she discreetly silenced it.

They did not know that what we were saying became increasingly harsh; that woman's voice eventually turned truly hysterical: "Your daughter is a person, but my son is not. Why should you give her money, but I cannot give money to my son!"

Her voice was familiar, gentle, and calm, just like I had heard countless times on the radio. I said cheerfully, "Suran, I suddenly miss you a bit."

After a long time, my mother finally spoke: "It has come to this, so stop crying. To be honest, you brought this upon yourself. If you are still willing to continue your studies, I will find someone to help you transfer schools."

I walked in, and with each step, my legs felt weak; I did not know what would happen next

Kang Jie’s father is not a fool; upon hearing this, he understood the woman’s intentions. Their voices gradually lowered a bit. I thought they were getting ready to wash up and sleep, but unexpectedly, shortly after, a coarse male voice and a sharp female voice began to argue loudly

She covered her head with a pillow and said in a muffled voice, "It's nothing, it happens every day, I'm used to it"

If my mother finds out that I have committed such a heinous act, I would truly be left with no complete corpse

I did not know how long I had been crying; it was only that the guests around me had transitioned from having afternoon tea to eating dinner. She still showed no sign of annoyance, but instead said to me: "Come, let us eat first. Later, I will take you home. Make sure to talk to your mother. No matter what happens, one person cannot solve everything, do you understand?"

One cries more than the other, each appearing more delicate than the last, pitifully pleading with me for forgiveness. I am truly about to vomit: "Go away, go away, good dogs do not block the way"

However, on that day, I took out my phone, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately decided to call her.

I began to speak, recounting everything to her one by one, saying that I had hit someone, that Zhou Muchen had left me to take care of Kong Yan in the hospital, that Tan Siyao and Feng Yan had colluded with me to do bad things, yet in the end, I alone bore the consequences. I mentioned that later I learned about Kong Yan's background and felt sorry for her, that Kang Jie treated me well, but seeing her family's situation, I was unable to help at all. Finally, when it came to upholding school discipline and ethos, I was expelled just like that. I did not dare to go home, unsure of how to face my mother. In the end, I alone bore the consequences. I mentioned that later I learned about Kong Yan's background and felt sorry for her, that Kang Jie treated me well, but seeing her family's situation, I was unable to help at all. Finally, when it came to upholding school discipline and ethos, I was expelled just like that. I did not dare to go home, unsure of how to face my mother.

She drives a milk-white convertible Beetle, wearing a pair of brown CD sunglasses, but once she gets out of the car and takes off the sunglasses, she looks just like a college girl on campus

Just as I was about to refute her statement, "I am different from you; I am her first love!" the old iron gate of her house creaked. The voice of that man undoubtedly belonged to Kang Jie’s father, which I was not afraid of; it would be truly frightening if it were not her father.

When class was over, I walked out of the classroom with my backpack, and those two wretches performed a scene of "Eighteen Farewells".

Her number has been in my phone for a long time, but I have never called it, because she is someone I have always liked and admired. This feeling of admiration resides in my heart, making me hesitant to easily break it.

Under the moonlight, she had a blank expression. I stared at her seriously for a long time and for the first time realized that she was actually quite good-looking

After a moment, I pushed them away: "You said nothing, yet you assumed that everything was done by me. If I were in your position, I would not act this way"

I did not want to pay her any attention, so I could only quicken my pace to get away from her

Then forget it, my brother is a scoundrel who has already caused me enough trouble, so let's not involve the innocent. It would be better to introduce him to your son; they would be quite a match. She said this while laughing uncontrollably.

As night deepened, she slowly stood up and walked into her bedroom, and before closing the door, she said to me: "Go to sleep first, and if there is anything, we will think of a solution together"

When I pushed her to the ground and walked away, she cried as she called her boyfriend. As soon as he said "Hello," she choked up and was unable to speak.

When the school announced my expulsion, Feng Yan and Tan Siyao cried in the classroom as if they were performing in "My Fair Princess." I sat numbly in my seat packing my things, my mind in a chaotic tangle like a ball of yarn, unable to find the end of the thread

Russell Ran is more beautiful in person than in her photos. Her beauty aligns with traditional aesthetics: fair skin, large bright eyes, and straight black hair that is neither dyed nor permed, casually tied back. She wears a white shirt and jeans, looking only slightly older than I am

That night I ate steak, vegetables, and salad; as I swallowed those foods, it felt as though I was swallowing my own fears and hesitations

She conveyed to me with her eyes: Not bad, keep it up

Tan Siyao's face was so distorted from crying that she no longer resembled a beauty at all; she was on the verge of kneeling down to bow to me. When she spoke, her tone was so tragic: "I really didn't expect it to turn out this way. The teacher asked me if you were the one behind this, and I didn't say yes. I truly didn't say anything at all."

When she occasionally complained that I was not studying diligently, I once foolishly said, "Buy whatever you want, don't take it out on me." She merely glared at me and said, "If it weren't for you, of course I could buy whatever I wanted."

What people fear the most is not death, but the unknown

I will never forget the taste of my first cigarette

As I spoke, I found myself crying. In truth, I wished to maintain my composure, even if I had to cry, I wanted to do so in a more refined and graceful manner. To appear so grotesque in front of my idol, could this be my last date with them?

When I opened the door, I truly felt as if I were heading to the gallows, especially when I saw my mother sitting in the living room, looking at me with a gaze that seemed to want to tear me apart; at that moment, only two words occupied my mind

She is very easygoing, ordering ice cream and pancakes for me while she drinks rose tea herself. I used a small fork to poke holes in the pancake, yet I didn't know how to start a conversation with her

She allowed me to cry without hitting or scolding me

That was our 16 years, when we began to engage with tobacco, solely for that fleeting solace

The woman's voice carried both joy and calculation: "Indeed, just by looking at how his mother is dressed, one can tell she is a person of status and standing, and quite generous as well... That being said, the toys that children from wealthy families play with are simply different from those of families like ours. As for riding motorcycles, my son has never engaged in such things; he only knows how to study."

While waiting at the traffic light, she looked at the groups of pedestrians by the roadside and secretly laughed at her own overthinking: with a population of over 6 million in Changsha, what are the odds of such a coincidence

There is a deep and gentle male voice saying: "Why didn't you answer the phone in the afternoon? What mischief are you up to?"

After I finished speaking, they cried even harder. I sighed and turned to leave

Uncertain of how much time had passed, she gradually fell asleep, emitting faint sounds of breathing.

Over the years, for the first time, I carefully observed her; she has truly aged a lot. A woman raising her child alone, relying on that meager salary from her job, has spent decades unwilling to buy herself a new piece of clothing or a new pair of shoes, all while maintaining the household's livelihood

Tan Siyao chased after me for a long time, and she kept saying to me: "Luoxun, if there is anything else I can do for you, just let me know."

She chuckled softly: "Since it involves doing something wrong, I certainly won't let you know."

There is no need to face her sadness, disappointment, or, one might say, despair

I am neither not angry nor not sad, but I truly cannot say anything at all

As a radio host, she understands that a person should not be interrupted while expressing themselves; she is protecting my emotions in her own way

She softly said, "I have experienced heartbreak many times. Each time, I thought I was doomed, but every time I meet someone new, I find myself falling head over heels again."

Upon arriving near her home, she first took a stroll around the mahjong parlor run by her father, and only after confirming that both her father and stepmother were inside the parlor did she quietly lead me into the house

As we sat at the Miro, I felt as if I were dreaming

My son has a girlfriend. Today at dinner, he mentioned that the girl cried all day, saying that her good friend was expelled from school. He plans to go see her tonight

As I walked to Wangfujing, I looked up in confusion and saw the enormous billboard on the outer wall, featuring a poster for the world's most famous perfume, CHANEL NO. 5, endorsed by Nicole Kidman, her smile elegant and enchanting

Her beautiful and dignified appearance involuntarily reminds me of Russell Ran

The other party also smiled: "I saw your car this afternoon, but I had something to do at the time, so I didn't come to find you. Who are you on a date with?"

How long have you been back? Have you eaten?

After hanging up the phone, she put on her sunglasses and drove home, as she had a program to prepare for tonight

At that time, I truly felt that she was someone who loved to speak of her contributions.

After smoking three cigarettes downstairs, I finally mustered the courage to go upstairs

Then I will introduce her to your brother as his girlfriend, and from now on, we will be one family

Russell furrowed her brow, wanting to capture something, but in the blink of an eye, she found herself rather amusing

She smiled and said, "I actually do not approve of girls smoking, but the nicotine and alkaloids contained in cigarettes have a certain calming effect. You might need it during this time, but I hope you can exercise some moderation and not become addicted."

She sent me to my doorstep and took out a pack of premium Furongwang from her bag to give to me. I was quite puzzled: does she want me to sell it at a gift recycling store?

That male voice sounds more wild: "My daughter is my daughter, your son is your son with someone else, why should I help raise someone else's son..."

For many years, I have felt that I was born into the wrong family, as my relationship with my mother has always been one of mutual opposition. However, on this night, I suddenly understood.

This is the woman I have always idolized, and when she appeared before me in the flesh, I truly could not contain my anxiety and tremors

She sighed and said, "I have known a little girl for quite a while, and today is the first time we meet. She is quite beautiful, and I really like her"

Deceased

As I cried, I became choked up, and then I kept hiccuping, unable to stop no matter what I did

She thought seriously for a moment: "It is not terrifying; matters such as war should be avoided if possible"

The harsh fluorescent light illuminated my mother's face, making her appear as if she had aged ten years. Before I had the chance to explain, she spoke first. She was not scolding me; rather, she uttered a statement that was even more painful than a reprimand.

That evening, I followed Kang Jie to her home. Along the way, she guided me with her socially infused tone, saying: "There are countless men in the world; if one treats you poorly, change him every day. Try to be more open-minded."

The ice cream in front of me has almost melted, and usually, I am the type of person who would compete with Kang Jie for even a single ice cream. Today, despite having such a great advantage, I find that I cannot eat anything at all

In this world, only she will protect me at all costs, and only she will provide me with a refuge when I am left utterly wounded by external harm

That night, we lay side by side on her bed, covered with a thin blanket, while I gazed blankly at the starry sky outside the window

Russell Ran always smiled, and her smile alleviated all my restless emotions

In the midnight program, Russell Ran's voice remained as warm as ever. She said, "I met a very beautiful young girl today. She has been going through a very difficult time lately—heartbroken, dropped out of school, betrayed by friends. The disasters that followed almost destroyed her life. All I could do for her was to spare an afternoon to keep her company.

A person, carrying a backpack, aimlessly wanders the streets during others' class time, which I find somewhat amusing. I wonder which deity I have offended, as blows and injuries continue to strike me relentlessly

Her father is clearly in a good mood today, and his tone is a bit higher: "That kid with the surname Lin really comes from a wealthy family. I took him to the hospital, and his family came right away, shaking my hand repeatedly to thank me, and they even gave me so much money, haha"

Now that I think about it, I truly wish to crash my head against the wall

Eventually, I came to believe that there are indeed axioms in this world; what she owed me, she has repaid.

Although I am good friends with Kang Jie, as an outsider, I still find it quite awkward to hear these things

As soon as I heard her say those words, I began to sob uncontrollably. I sat on the cold floor, my mouth agape, like a broken rag doll, incoherently mumbling: "Mom... I was wrong... I'm sorry... It wasn't just me who did it..."

I buried my head in the blanket, crying silently yet intensely

I had no idea until I spoke; I was surprised myself to find that I could be so eloquent and talkative.

I was startled, where is it

She is much more relaxed than I am, casually saying: "Fortunately, my troublesome younger brother is not here today, so I can drive out; otherwise, how long would you have to wait?"

Climbing the stairs for just two or three minutes feels as if I have been climbing for a lifetime, how I wish my home were on Mount Everest in the Himalayas, how I wish I could never reach the top in my entire life

Kang Jie, who has always been as fierce as a female warrior, is surprisingly cautious and treading carefully, as if walking on thin ice. I was immediately enveloped by a chill, and I anxiously asked her: "Is it really that terrifying?"

In that case, I will not have to face my mother

I quietly climbed down from the bed and took a cigarette from her clothing pocket to smoke

I have given up on communicating with her, and my mind is filled with what she said today in the teacher's office about needing to carefully consider how to handle my situation

She paused for a second, then asked me: "Luoxun, have you been crying?"

I will never forget the taste of the first cigarette, a slight burning followed by dizziness, the scent of tar entering the body with each breath, deeply buried within the blood

After a long time, she finally squeezed out his name: "Your Excellency ... ... "

There is no way, Luoxun, we are just such people, and we cannot change.

Mother got up and poured a glass of water for me, and the cup featuring Doraemon was smiling at me cheerfully