Chapter 5

Xiang Xi Lian did not take a close look at the other person's face and immediately turned around and ran away

Just as Xiang Xi took two steps towards the distant supermarket, he heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind

This was proposed by you!" Mantou immediately pointed at him and shouted

Ah? Little stream?" He turned around and found that his two-year-old niece had somehow appeared behind him, tugging at his belt. He gently rubbed her nose and said, "Uncle will take you to the kitchen to sneak a snack, okay?

He originally intended to sing just one song, but an uncle who couldn't go home and had no one to accompany him in the hospital asked him to sing another one, so he sang again

There is a person across the street slowly walking this way, and Xiang Xi glanced at him before turning his head away. He found it quite remarkable that on such a cold day, the person could calmly walk step by step towards the warm internet café door ahead. If it were him, he would have rushed in long ago

Last year on the thirtieth, he was not at home, as he was on duty at the hospital and even sang two songs in the ward

The little stream nodded slightly, and Cheng Boyan squatted down, clasping her with his arm, and walked towards the kitchen

The aroma of dishes still lingered in the kitchen, and he stood by the window, where he could see the myriad lights of homes shrouded in swirling smoke, warm yet lonely

"... why do you always call me brother instead of uncle?" Cheng Boyan cut another small piece of meat for her to hold, "Eat it, finish eating before going out. If your mother sees you later, she will scold me."

"I have entered my rebellious phase, illiterate," Xiangxi replied

Every time he hears that soft, gentle voice, he feels a sense of discomfort.

"I am hungry," Xiang Xi said while holding a cigarette.

The little stream lowered its head and took a bite, then extended its hand towards his mouth: "Brother, eat."

In Xiangxi's long-running escape career, it is indeed rare to find someone like the one behind me who has pursued for five minutes without giving up and has not fallen behind.

"Grandma," Cheng Boyan leaned back in his chair and laughed for a long time, "Stop bothering my dad. He was on the operating table yesterday and hasn't fully recovered yet. If you keep messing with him, he'll be even more confused."

What happened? asked Mantou

"Your daughter is having a great time," Cheng Boyan said with a smile, looking down at Xiaoxi, "Are you having fun?"

Although it is usually a chaotic place with no normal people in sight, at least there is some liveliness. Once the tenants leave during the New Year, not only will Dawa be deserted, but even the area around Zhaojiakou will suddenly become a desolate and empty ruin

Xiang Xi and Mantou have been at the internet café for two days. The internet café, which opened for the New Year, offers a promotion where a recharge of 100 yuan comes with an additional 100 yuan.

"In the past couple of days... I and your mother are going to..." Dad said hesitantly, "Are you going this year?"

Cheng Boyan glanced at him, and he opened his mouth to shout a second time but could not utter a sound

In this life shrouded in darkness, this is the only way Xiangxi expresses his temper

"What does Da Jian count for?" Xiang Xi took another cigarette and lit it, exhaling a puff of smoke. "I don't have the time to analyze what he wants to do. If Uncle Ping wants to know, he will ask himself. Why should he rely on him to lick his backside?"

He wanted to take off a piece of Mantou's clothing in the internet café, but he was too lazy to go back upstairs. In the end, he simply tugged at the collar and hopped out onto the street, hugging his arms.

"I am tired," Xiangxi said

This woman is a waitress at a small restaurant, which is much better than them; at least she has a legitimate profession to engage with people.

Has your father given you your New Year's money yet? Grandma asked him

"You are not illiterate; you know fewer characters than I do!" Mantou sighed again, "I just feel uneasy, always sensing that something bad is going to happen. If Erpan dares to touch you, I feel that it won't end well..."

Xiang Xi took a shower and entered another room. This room had a bed, and he squeezed in with Mantou. The bedding on the bed was quite complete, but the bed board was hard. Xiang Xi had been unable to sleep soundly for several consecutive nights.

In a bad mood, he can still put on a long face for Uncle Ping to see

A few people huddled in the room for an afternoon, making dumplings, and the woman also prepared a few dishes, her skills being mediocre, akin to the level of leftover dishes from a restaurant.

"Call me uncle," Cheng Boyan corrected her. Ever since the little girl learned to speak, it was the first time she addressed him as 'brother,' and she could not revert back to the previous form.

A person. Xiang Xi sat on the sofa, feeling uncomfortable no matter how he positioned himself. The springs beneath the worn-out sofa were uneven and chaotic, and he could never find a suitable indentation to rest his bottom. After shifting a few more times, he feared the springs would burst forth, so he finally stood up and moved to sit on the nearby wooden stool

In the end, he attributed everything to his hairstyle, which he had just done today. He had the stylist trim the hair on the sides a bit longer and applied some hairspray to set the hair in the middle

"Are you being pursued by creditors again?" Cheng Boyan closed the car door and locked it

He does not know what kind of different life he would have if one day he were to leave this kind of life

He was raised by Uncle Ping, and he only gives face to Uncle Ping, only acknowledges Uncle Ping's accounts. Apart from Uncle Ping, everyone else in front of him is nothing more than a silent fart.

Boya's grandmother pushed him gently

Cheng Boyan did not speak; at least he did not fall.

"Be careful not to drop it, hold it steady, and don't run." Cheng Boyan observed that he was quite well-behaved today as he placed the plate into his hands

The sound of footsteps was rather unusual. He turned his head to take a glance, instinctively arching his back out of the habit of self-preservation developed during prolonged skirmishes. This posture ensured that if someone were to launch a surprise attack from behind, he would not be directly struck in the back of the head or shoulder.

"You have to like me before I give you two more bottles," Mom said with a smile, "This is something you can drink a little of on a regular basis"

I am not going," Cheng Boyan did not look at his father, picked up a piece of food and placed it in his bowl, "I am not going.

He rushed over and opened the passenger door, almost simultaneously sitting inside the car with Cheng Boyan, and then slammed the door shut with a bang.

"Really," Grandma clicked her tongue a few times, "at such an old age, aren't you afraid your body can't take it anymore"

Cheng Boyan smiled and said: "How old am I now to still be given this? I haven't received it."

The mound of earth held the plate, glanced at him, turned around and ran, shouting as he ran: "Just run, just run, just run!"

Uncle Ping has found me displeasing for quite some time now. Xiang Xi raised his head to look at the sky, biting on his cigarette; it was pitch black, with no stars and even less moonlight, and it was about to snow again

In my grandmother's living room, there are two tables set up, one for adults and a smaller one for children. This year, the family gathered in full force for the New Year celebration, including my family, my second uncle, my older uncle, and two aunts, with everyone from the eldest to the youngest present.

"How did I end up being so stingy?" Dad was taken aback by the remark

Cheng Boyan had just entered the kitchen after leaving the stream when he heard someone running in behind him

Ever since the day he mentioned wanting to leave, Mantou has often been in this state, staring blankly at a certain spot. Xiangxi is unaware of his thoughts, but seeing his demeanor, he has not dispelled the notion of wanting to leave.

Cheng Boyan stared at him for a few seconds, lightly tapping his fingers on the steering wheel: "Get out."

He is now unable to protect anything, not even a dog, as the facts have already proven.

I have been giving him New Year's money ever since you were born!" Grandma turned to look at Dad, who was sitting on the other side, and said, "Why are you so stingy?

"Where is the New Year's money?" Grandmother extended her hand

Something hit my arm

"Who is the person you sent over today?" Da Jian asked Xiang Xi while lying on the bed with a cigarette in his mouth

"On the second day of the second month," Cheng Boyan said, "However, I also plan to go over tomorrow, as I am afraid I will be too busy in the next few days"

At such times, it is inappropriate for someone like Xiang Xi, who exists as a symbol of what is not suitable for Uncle Ping, to remain there

"Xiao Zhan, what has been going on with you lately?" Mantou sighed and squatted down on the ground

In the end, he squatted face to face with the dog and listened to the sound of firecrackers for a while before turning around and leaving, fearing that the dog would follow him again

I came to get it! The mound of earth shouted as it entered the kitchen

"What I mean is, these people usually wouldn't dare to ask you like this. If he dares to ask, it must be because Uncle Pian has given his approval..." Mantou frowned

What I proposed, so what, "Xiang Xi smiled and turned to walk into the room, saying in a very low voice, "I just want to see how you seek your own demise."

Xiang Xi stood up directly and slammed the door as he left

You are about to elope, so take care of yourself; why worry so much, are you not afraid that the little hunchback from the *Picture* will not be able to handle it?" Xiang Xi lowered his head and exhaled a puff of smoke onto Mantou's head.

"I won't do it. What if I can't come down later?" Upon hearing this, Grandma immediately stood up, walked over to the children's table, and sat down. "Great-grandma will chat with you for a while."

Cheng Boyan poured them some wine, and Grandma called out that there were still dishes in the kitchen. He put down the wine bottle and said, "I will go get it"

He cut a small piece of meat with a knife for Xiaoxi to slowly eat, and took a plate to serve the braised pork.

Just as Xiang Xi was truly unwilling to run any longer and was planning to turn back to confront this person, a black car parked in a temporary parking space by the roadside caught his eye

Ah..." Xiang Xi closed his eyes and sighed, elongating his voice.

Dajian is a die-hard fan of Uncle Ping, the kind who must cheer and wave flowers wherever Uncle Ping goes, leaving Xiangxi and Mantou to stay with him, which makes Uncle Ping very at ease

Xiang Xi did not return to Dawa Li; during this period, he and Mantou are both staying at Da Jian's place

Upon returning to the room, Dajian was already lying on the bed, holding a phone and seemingly getting cozy with some woman.

He touched a piece of candy in his pocket, took two steps towards the trash can, and then stopped again

For example, someone like Cheng Boyan

"No need, your car can't run as fast as you can," Xiangxi said, "I just want to get some fresh air."

"I can't see, I am old." Grandmother swatted his hand away

Xiang Xi rested his arm on his head and gazed at the ceiling. Although he felt that Mantou was courting disaster, he could still understand that kind of anticipation, the longing for a different life, a desire to break free from the current situation

Thinking of this uncle, he suddenly thought of the father of Zhan Hongtu

Instant noodles?" Mantou glanced at him, knowing that Xiangxi did not like to eat that stuff, so he added, "There is nothing else to buy and eat now.

Cheng Boyan sat beside his grandmother, surrounded by the lively sounds of laughter and children's screams filling the room. His two aunts were chatting with his mother across the table, and he had to lean in close to hear his grandmother clearly.

"What father do I have! Where did I come from..." Xiang Xi stopped halfway, turning to look at Cheng Boyan.

Xiang Xi glanced at Da Jian without saying a word. In Da Jian's eyes, any vehicle that is not an electric bike could be considered a good vehicle.

Just as I was about to stand up, I felt my waistband being tugged. My reflex made me think it was that annoying mound of dirt belonging to Cheng Xuanyu. I reached back to grab it, only to catch hold of a soft, fluffy little hand

Everyone was enjoying their meal when the dish was brought out, and it was immediately met with enthusiastic acclaim. In any case, as long as it was made by the elderly lady, it would be warmly welcomed, with everyone surrounding the dish and offering their praises.

Cheng Boyan was clearly taken aback, his hand still gripping the door on the driver's side, staring at him and forgetting to close the car door.

"Don't mind him," Mom pushed Dad aside and handed her cup to Cheng Boyan, "Son, pour me some red wine."

While running, I felt that it was a mistake to come here to use the internet just for the sake of a discount on the internet fee. Thinking about it, I find this person truly remarkable; it is not even daytime, and the lighting is rather dim. When he came out, he was hunched over as if he were a thief, yet he was still able to be chased down by someone. It is simply incomprehensible.

"Close the door, close the door!" Xiang Xi shouted repeatedly, turning back as he shouted, "Drive, drive, drive!"

As soon as Xiang Xi stepped out of the internet café, he realized it had started snowing again. This year, the snowfall during the New Year is indeed quite substantial. He was only wearing an old down jacket and a thin sweater underneath, which made it a bit difficult for him to cope with the cold

However, for Xiang Xi, he has no point of comparison; since he can remember, this has been the life he has led—deception, lies, theft, and fighting—this is the only life that Uncle Ping has provided for him

Xiang Xi smiled, not knowing how he would think of Cheng Boyan. That person was from a completely different world than him. Even if he were to compare with his current life, he was at most just someone doing odd jobs on the street, pushing a cart to sell breakfast.

I will go get it again. Cheng Boyan held the small stream and went back to the kitchen

Xiang Xi originally thought that he would prepare a cardboard box for his dog during the New Year and place it in the backyard, but in the end, he had no opportunity to do so

"After the New Year, go ahead and have the cataract surgery," my mother said from the side, "Don't delay it, it's just a minor operation and there's nothing to worry about."

The supermarket has beef balls, "Xiangxi threw down the mouse and stood up, "Do you want to eat?"

"Uncle eats." The little stream then repeated it once more, and finally got it right

The New Year is approaching, and every year at this time, Ping Shu's mother, wife, and children all come back. Ping Shu's son is studying in high school in a neighboring city, and it is said that his grades are quite good. His mother and wife are accompanying him there, and during the New Year, they will all return together to Dawa.

People like them have to make up lies when they go out and talk about what they do

Behind me is probably a person with a donkey's face, or someone eager to achieve merit and receive rewards in front of that donkey-faced individual; in any case, they are persistently swinging their legs in pursuit.

Why bother, " Mantou took the cigarette and held it in his mouth, " He lives at Dajian's place, he can ask a couple of questions, maybe it was Uncle Ping who asked him to pay attention to it?

At night, when they were busy setting off firecrackers, Xiang Xi put on a coat and went out, wandering aimlessly on the street

"Yours? Didn't I just give it to you as soon as I walked in?" said Dad

I am not too old yet, " Dad smiled, raising the hand holding the chopsticks in front of Grandma, " still steady.

"Is there still one bowl left?" Grandma smiled proudly

Be cautious and do not panic

When Xiang Xi saw Cheng Boyan opening the car door while talking on the phone, she felt as if she had been saved

This car looks familiar, the license plate... that's right!

The result is that being too handsome may lead to being beaten up by others

This is his final struggle, a way to prove that he has not been consumed and drained by the darkness

"Aren't you taking care of your father in the hospital?" Cheng Boyan also turned to look back.

After cleaning the oil off Xiao Xi's hands and mouth, he returned to the living room with one hand holding the braised pork and the other hand holding her.

He lit a cigarette outside the door, and Mantou followed him out, swaying. He glanced at Mantou and offered him the cigarette.

As the sound of firecrackers began to echo all around, he saw a dog curled up next to a trash can, seemingly terrified by the noise, as it appeared to be experiencing the New Year for the first time.

"You drive a pretty nice car," Dajian looked at him and said, "When did you get to know someone like that?"

On New Year's Eve, Dajian brought back a bunch of fireworks and also brought back a woman, who was rather rustic. Xiangxi found her unappealing, but did not show it.

The steamed bun entered the room, holding a mobile phone while sitting on a chair, but its gaze did not fall on the phone; instead, it was lost in thought, staring at the floor.

Cheng Boyan looked at her greasy mouth and hands, feeling truly unappetized to eat this half piece of meat. However, he still took it, waved it near his mouth, then turned his head and threw it away.

Running so wildly on an empty stomach, Xiang Xi has already begun to feel tired. Moreover, Doctor Cheng had previously mentioned that he should not run like this all the time, as it has only been a few days since his leg was freed from the cast

He wants to turn back and ask you if you have fallen in love with me, endlessly pursuing it!

You ... ... '' Da Jian wanted to say something more, but did not finish.

Eat! The steamed bun nodded quickly, then thought for a moment and said, "It's quite a distance, let's take my car there."

This child becomes a little neurotic when she sees you! Grandmother pointed at the creek, saying, "Put her down, she's laughing so hard she can't catch her breath!"

In fact, during the New Year, Xiangxi is not very willing to stay in Dawa.

In the kitchen, two large bowls of braised pork with preserved vegetables were still steaming in the pot. Cheng Boyan couldn't help but smile at the sight, as this was his grandmother's favorite. On the table, there were also two large bowls of taro, and surprisingly, two bowls were still being steamed.

"Brother," the little stream tugged at his pants, "I want more."

"On duty tomorrow?" Dad turned his head to look at Cheng Boyan

The number of people in the internet café is significantly higher than usual, as those delinquent youths who are enrolled in school flock to the café during the holidays to compete for machines with their counterparts who are not attending school.

However, this action did not help him this time

"What a creditor! I just came out of an internet café and ran into this!" Xiang Xi urged him, "Hurry up and drive!"

I would like some as well," said Second Aunt, extending her glass. "Hey, sister-in-law, the red wine you brought this time is truly excellent!

Oh my, "Cousin" exclaimed as she looked at him, "Bo Yan, how many years have you been holding children? You haven't improved at all; can you even do this anymore?"

The little girl did not speak, she simply waved her arms and laughed heartily.