Chapter 8, The Red Room
I do not know
Su Jing easily lulled the child to sleep, tossed the dirty clothes into the basket, and said, "You sit here for a moment, I will go do the laundry, please keep an eye on Ning Ning."
A cry brought my thoughts back to my sister Su Jing's incessant nagging that had started early in the morning, "... even if I know what that woman's workplace is, what can I do? Ning Ning won't want him. After the divorce, he only has to pay a little child support each month, which is not enough for Ning Ning to buy diapers... I don't want it to be this way..." While speaking, she quickly tore off the diaper from the baby's bottom, "... toilet paper, pass it over." After receiving the toilet paper, "... even if I know what that woman's workplace is, what can I do? Ning Ning won't want him. After the divorce, he only has to pay a little child support each month, which is not enough for Ning Ning to buy diapers... I don't want it to be this way..." While speaking, she quickly tore off the diaper from the baby's bottom, "... toilet paper, pass it over." After receiving the toilet paper, she tore it into two pieces, wiped the baby's bottom, sprinkled some rash powder, placed a new diaper underneath, and layered the pants on top.
Our dormitory is not as large as your office
The cold wave has not yet dissipated, and under the sparse sunlight, several old trees are swaying precariously in the biting wind, with a ground covered in dry branches and fallen leaves
... ... Do not tell Mom, she tends to overthink and will end up worrying unnecessarily. Given my current situation, I only hope that Mom and Ning Ning are doing well ... ...
The rich fragrance fills the heart
In the rearview mirror, the foolish student holding flowers grew increasingly distant, until only a small red dot remained.
Oh, the Celebrity Exhibition Hall. It was built while you were away, and Mom likes to go there to cool off. You haven't been there? You can go take a look
The Maple City Cultural Celebrity Works Exhibition Hall, which was just approved for construction at the beginning of the year, opened last month. After the local residents rushed over for the initial excitement, it has since become deserted, with only a few young people occasionally visiting to take wedding photos.
S University Art Museum, Designers: Zhou Guanyuan, Yang Luo, Chen Zhiyu
Oh, so that is playing in the mud at the neighborhood committee
Carrying the enormous secret he had just glimpsed, Su Nan did not dare to look at him, "Did you come to Maple City to see the maple trees? The leaves have already fallen..."
In the past year, Su Nan has not returned to Qicheng, and the small town changes day by day. Those three red houses are the unfamiliar "surprises" that suddenly appeared while she was away.
You do not lack money
Sunan sent the transcript to Chen Zhiyu's email, slightly closing the lid of the notebook, "Teacher Chen, it is all done"
"... ... took it back." Attracting attention along the way, I was subjected to a barrage of questions from my roommates upon arriving at the dormitory
The baby stretched out her arms, wanting to crawl, but was pulled back. She pouted and was about to cry when a pacifier was quickly inserted into her mouth. The baby burped, grabbed the bottle, and began to suck eagerly.
At the entrance of the alley, a familiar sedan suddenly came into view
A moment of surprise, pulling down the scarf, squinting to take a closer look at the license plate of vehicle A
Before the words were finished, a sudden uproar of shouting was heard coming from the alley.
The fingers of my right hand seem to be a bit numb, not responding to my commands
I never attended kindergarten..." Su Nan replied softly, "...I went straight to elementary school.
He tugged at his tie and sighed, "Do you think it's clichéd or not"
Leaving the red house, Su Nan stopped by the supermarket to buy a new bottle of dishwashing liquid for Su Jing
Sister," Su Nan raised his head and pointed, "... what is that house used for?"
On the glass window, an unknown moth crawled over, gray and dusty, resting there motionless, resembling a large clump of mud
Su Nan wrapped himself in a down jacket and went to the office, the door was open, yet there was no one inside
You go ahead, I... my sister is waiting to use the dishwashing liquid
Since childhood, Su Nan has been afraid of this, quickly zipping up his down jacket and taking a detour.
Su Nan hesitated for a moment before slowly walking over. Before he could reach the front, the car window had already been rolled down, and Chen Zhiyu, whom he hadn't seen for more than half a month, leaned out with a hint of surprise: "Su Nan"
At the entrance of the exhibition hall, there is a notice stating that the hall will be closed from the 26th day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar to the 7th day of the first month of the lunar calendar
Su Nan repeatedly helped him check, but there wasn't even a small card. "Perhaps... it was given to you by some girl."
Su Nan got up, opened the cabinet door, and casually glanced at Chen Zhiyu's laptop screen.
No need to ... ...
Su Nan silently began to pack his computer bag
The exhibition hall is free of charge, and tickets can be collected with an identification card
After sitting down to do some work, I heard footsteps and looked up to see a bunch of vividly blooming roses.
Feiming
She slowly blinked her eyes, her arms embracing the flower
After a considerable amount of time, she slowly raised her finger and pointed to a short distance away, saying, "There, three red houses, very conspicuous"
Friday, office
Teacher Chen
Lifting my gaze, I could only meet a profoundly deep stare.
As usual, a bouquet of flowers was placed on the coffee table, and as usual, it was roses
... ... may simply be pure admiration for you
Su Nan, holding flowers, got into Chen Zhiyu's car
When he said the two words "materials," her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
I have come to understand why one would want a divorce. A divorce would only benefit that despicable person. If I do not move out, what can he do to me? Ning Ning has not yet turned one year old
As she reached the door, the figure in front paused and turned to remind her: "Flowers"
Hello, study well and do not follow my example
Hmm. Chen Zhiyu picked up the coat draped over the back of the chair and said, "Let's go, I will treat you to a meal"
Chen Zhiyu chuckled and said, "Thank you. I haven't been here for over ten years, and Maple City has changed so much that it's hard to find the way."
Su Nan usually sits on his small sofa, occasionally looking up at the pair of eyes behind the desk, which are fixed on the notebook screen, brows furrowed, as if reading some significant international news or reviewing the final assignment of some unfortunate student
Take a step forward and look down at the introduction of the model
Thursday, classroom
Take it yourself
Su Nan lowered his head, somewhat disdainfully pushing the flower aside.
Teacher Chen, may I take a book from your cabinet? There is a place that needs confirmation
Um ... ...
A cold wave has arrived, and in just one night, Dancheng has turned into an ice cellar
You students nowadays are quite something, daring to challenge the teacher's ideas
Chen Zhiyu glanced at her hand and asked, "Do you live nearby?"
"Flower, you forgot it." He opened the car door, took out the unfortunate bouquet of roses that the owner had refused, and stuffed it into her arms.
Today is the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, and the middle and high school students have not yet started their holiday
Upon getting into the car, there was a sense of restraint and hesitation, yet during the meal, one ate with a mind free of distractions. If it were not for the two meat dishes on the table, it would have been as solemn and dignified as sitting in meditation. This made Su Nan involuntarily begin to self-reproach, "The Bodhi tree is not a tree, the bright mirror is not a platform; like dew, like lightning, like a dream, like a bubble."
Amitabha Buddha
Throughout the entire morning, Su Nan hardly interjected a word
Su Nan held a thin piece of numbered paper as he walked into the red house
In the final class of "Trends in Communication Studies," all the students presented their course projects. As the class representative, Su Nan took notes diligently, observing everything around and listening attentively.
Without even thinking, "Yes, it can."
I am not lacking in flowers either. " Chen Zhiyu glanced at her, "What did you do with that bouquet from yesterday?"
Transfer money to me, it is more practical
Chen Zhiyu supported himself against the car body with his left arm, maintaining a distance of one step, and lowered his head to look at her: "Thank you for this semester."
Sunday, office
While wandering in the west hall, Su Nan felt a sense of boredom and was about to leave when he caught a glimpse of a pure white architectural model under a glass cover, prompting him to stop in his tracks
Upon careful consideration, it seems that when female students privately dine alone with male teachers, it hovers on the edge of ambiguity, almost crossing into openness. It is difficult to articulate clearly, resembling bait that entices her into a whirlwind of fanciful thoughts
He has settled into the chair, his legs crossed and resting on the desk, lazily leaning against the backrest. "What are you staring at me for? I became immune to such tricks twenty years ago."
Wishing you a happy New Year as well
Is there anything else, Teacher Chen
The deep crimson hue accentuated the vibrant color on her fair skin.
Did you not inquire about who sent it?
He stood still, as if he still had something to say
The next moment, Chen Zhiyu asked, "Do you know where the Celebrity Art Exhibition Hall is?"
Su Nan
Before the winter vacation, Su Nan was directed by Chen Zhiyu to the point of being overwhelmed
Looking up, at the end of the alley, the sister waiting to use the dishwashing liquid was tugging back and forth with a burly man in an extremely rough manner
The beautiful cellophane trembled twice, and the dewdrops on the petals hung precariously.
Sunan : `` ... ... ''
Returning it and leaving it at the bottom of the dormitory building is inappropriate
Three quizzes and one final exam have been completed, and all grades have been recorded; it is now noon
Twenty years ago ... ... were you still playing in the mud in kindergarten
A passerby casually tossed the flowers onto the coffee table in front of her, saying, "Take them to dry and brew tea with them—eating them is fine too"
Looking out of the window, my gaze traverses the winding and deep alleys, crosses the low buildings haphazardly constructed of concrete and gray, and passes over the snow-covered ground trampled into a mush by the passing vehicles. On the opposite side of the river, three small red houses rise up from the ground.
Who sent this to you
As the car door swung open, Chen Zhiyu stepped out. His clean and shiny leather shoes stepped onto the ground, instantly splattering with a bit of mud.
In the small town of Qicheng, after a thorough search, there are only a few so-called "celebrities". Even the overseas Chinese who donate to education are included just to make up the numbers, barely managing to fill three exhibition halls. The works on display are even more shabby and pitiful, with even the "old cadre poetry" dug up from some obscure corner being pasted and bound, prominently displayed in the showcase
Chen Zhiyu opened the car door, climbed into the vehicle, engaged the gear, and started the engine
what I should do
No, come over and deliver some materials
There was a hint of laughter in the voice, making it difficult to discern the exact meaning, "... ... Well then, I wish you a happy New Year in advance"
There are many words hidden in the heart, waiting for a person.
Saturday, office
How did you find out and still invite him to a meal
A certain well-known migrant worker comic, latest episode
At that time, Chen Zhiyu from Southern Jiangsu was smoking, not wearing his neatly tailored suit, but rather a loose-fitting pullover sweater, which hung loosely on him, with two buttons of his shirt collar undone. Meanwhile, the wide-open window was letting in a gust of cold air. It was unclear whether he felt cold or hot
I will return to Chongcheng tomorrow
The weather is cold, and pedestrians hurry along the road, except for a few middle school students who are laughing and throwing firecrackers under the wheels of cars.
Chen Zhiyu stood at the car door, not getting in, "I won't see you off. Can you go back by yourself?"
Then take it back. It takes up space here.
An arm reached over and placed a cup in front of her. When she looked up, a hint of sly amusement immediately appeared in her eyes, "Please pour me a cup of hot water."
Seemingly listening yet not truly, most of the time is spent observing that red house and the mud spots