The past winter in Beijing was definitely the season when dripping water turned into ice, and it was extremely cold.
Not only were the windows covered with frost, but also the chimney eaves were covered with icicles. Even the ground was so frozen that there was no sound when you stepped on it.
In such a cold capital, the temperature can reach as low as 20 degrees below zero, almost catching up with the Northeast. It is absolutely different from the current global warming. People who have not experienced that period will find it difficult to understand the deep Bone marrow cold.
At five o'clock in the morning on February 4, 1978, when Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan arrived in Beijing, it was the harshest time in winter. As soon as they left the Beijing Railway Station, they felt that it was even colder than Bincheng, and they froze faster. I was speechless.
But despite this, my two hearts are warm. Because what fills the air is the ubiquitous smell of winter cabbage, the smell of soot from the stove chimney, and the dust blown by the northwest wind. Taste. These are the unique undertones of winter in Beijing, the taste of home.
So as soon as a gust of cold wind blew by, the fishy smell of the sea that had been soaked in Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan for almost a whole year completely dissipated. Like a snake shedding its skin or a chicken breaking out of its shell, they recovered themselves and became their original self. Two alley boys breathing in the smell of sand and dust here.
Everything was familiar. The two of them went to the breakfast shop across the street and each ate two freshly baked "fried cypress sticks" (traditional preparation method of "fried cypress sticks". It is also called "fried cypress sticks" in the south. It was originally made by sticking them back to back. The noodles were fried together, which means deep-fried Qin Hui and his wife. Judging from the height, this kind of thing is shorter than today's "fried dough sticks". The real "fried dough sticks" have a relatively short history and appeared during the period of public-private partnership. The main reason is that for the sake of convenience, the children were deprived of their fun. "Fried ghosts" became simple "fried dough sticks". However, in the late 1970s in Beijing, old technicians with professional ethics had not yet Although they are all retired, they still occasionally adhere to the traditional method, that is, after putting two noodles together, they first use a knife to cut out the eyes, mouth and nose, and then fry them in a pot) drank a bowl of boiling soy milk, and then walked west After one stop, we started waiting for the bus to go home.
This time when I returned to the capital, there was still no one to pick me up. But Hong Yanwu's feelings were completely different from when he walked home alone from Beijing South Station in March last year.
Because this time, not only did he have Chen Liquan accompanying him all the way, but he also had expectations for the warmth of his family, and he felt no loneliness or guilt at all.
And compared with the tired and tired state of most of the passengers in the same car. The two of them, who had taken advantage of Yang Weifan and came back in the sleeper berth, had neither dirt nor dust on their bodies, and looked very relaxed. comfortable.
What's more, judging from their attire, not only did the two of them wear a brand-new navy cotton coat similar to the police uniform, and a pair of military three-jointed leather shoes. They also carried a bag full of banknotes in their hands and a bag full of money on their backs. Where are the sacks of seafood?
This appearance of glamorous appearance and affordable lining is completely different from the vast crowd of people whose clothes are full of patches and can only carry daily necessities and a small amount of agricultural products back to Beijing for the festival. If this is not a "return to hometown in rich clothes", I'm afraid this word will have to be used elsewhere.
The journey home was smooth, and there was almost no delay along the way. As soon as Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan put their luggage into Chen's house, they rushed straight into the house.
At that time, the Hong family was having breakfast. Hong Lucheng was in good health and could sit on a chair to eat by himself. So the whole family gathered at the Eight Immortals table in the main room with their rice bowls. When they saw Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan seeming to fall from the sky, everyone was stunned. He couldn't even move.
Especially Wang Yunlin and Hong Yanwu, before she could say "Dad, Mom", she dropped the bowl in her hand with a "dang" sound, and then started crying silently.
It must also be said that mom is mom and no one can replace her, not even anyone!
Hong Yanwu immediately felt that his mother seemed to have lost weight again, her chin was so pointed, and her face was not that good-looking. Perhaps, this was because she missed him. As a result, he felt that his nose was sore and he almost wanted to cry.
Unfortunately, his mother still acted like she did in the past, never scolding him, not reprimanding him, not even saying a word of complaint. This made him even more miserable and desperately wanted to admit his mistake.
He said that he was wrong and that he should come back earlier so that his mother would not be so worried. He also said that he would never leave his mother again and would be filial to her at home.
But he found that these words were useless. His mother didn't listen to a word. She just kept looking at him, and continued to shed tears while looking at him.
In the end, it was Hong Lucheng's intervention that stopped all this. His simple words of "I hope you come back safely, please sit down and have breakfast..." Wang Yunlin immediately came to her senses.
She no longer cared about crying, and while muttering "It's okay this time, we are reunited, we are all reunited", she quickly stood up to get bowls and chopsticks for Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan to serve porridge. Xu Manli and Hong Yanru also hurriedly helped move the chairs.
Something special to note here is that although Hong Lucheng's tone just now sounded plain and reserved, this was due to his introverted character and his status as the head of the family. In fact, the care and concern in his eyes were Tenderness cannot be concealed either.
Under such circumstances, Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan certainly would not say shamelessly that they had already eaten, so they called people together one by one, sat down obediently, and swallowed the warmth of family in one mouthful.
Although it is just simple steamed buns, pickles, and porridge cooked with cold rice, it has to be said that for a wandering prodigal who has been away from his family for a long time, only the simple meals at home are the most comfortable. Only family gatherings are the most at ease. Son.
This was the same feeling even for Chen Liquan, who no longer had a close relative. He also felt the long-lost warmth from the Hong family's incessant questions to him, and felt the happiness of having someone greet him.
Since this day is Saturday, everyone goes to work and goes to school. Even Hong Yanwen has to go to the old palace to continue to inquire about the news. So after having a warm breakfast, almost all the Hong family members left the house. They have not yet Satisfied curiosity can only wait until evening.
Only Wang Yunlin stayed on purpose, and as if she couldn't wait, she and Hong Lucheng carefully asked Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan about their experiences and situations in the past year.
Hong Yanwu was well prepared, and spoke like a lotus tongue, making the trip to Bincheng go smoothly. He also introduced how he got to know "Old Saury", "General", and Yang Weifan to ease his parents' worries. But his parents still couldn't believe his half-truths and kept questioning him over and over again.
Hong Yanwu finally felt a little thirsty, so he simply took out four wads of banknotes and placed them on the table, saying that he and Chen Liquan earned all the money. In addition, he also took out an employment certificate issued by the secretary of the "Oyster Bay" brigade.
, and the receipt for the state's purchase of "abalone shells" that was deliberately left behind as proof.
With these "evidences", I finally shocked my parents and at the same time made them feel at ease.
But at this time, Wang Yunlin was in trouble again.
Because she originally wanted to wait for Chen Liquan to return the thousand yuan that the Hong family had borrowed. But she didn't expect that Hong Yanwu and Chen Liquan wanted to give the four thousand yuan to her for safekeeping.
.
Of course it doesn't matter that Hong Yanwu is her own son. But if Chen Liquan received his share, it wouldn't sound good if word spread about it. It would inevitably be suspected of taking advantage of other people's wealth.
So Wang Yunlin thought about it again and again, but still felt that it couldn't be done, so he persuaded Chen Liquan to keep the money himself.
Chen Liquan couldn't help but be a little stunned, and also felt a sense of disappointment that he was an outsider after all.
Fortunately, Hong Yanwu understood his mother's concerns and said, "We are human beings with a clear conscience. Don't be afraid of outsiders gossiping. This will make you and Quanzi alienated. Otherwise, you might as well accept Quanzi as your godson..."
Chen Liquan is quite spiritual sometimes. When he heard this, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Hong Lucheng and Wang Yunlin on the spot. His attitude was very sincere and joyful. He is sincerely close to the Hong family and is more willing to become true brothers with Hong Yanwu.
.
Now, even Hong Lucheng was moved.
"Yunlin, I can save my life thanks to Quanzi's help. Such a kind-hearted child is really better than his own son, the third child. It's a blessing to accept us as parents. Don't let the child's heart be cold.
.Besides, for the sake of De and Yuan, we can’t let Quanzi be alone again..."
Wang Yunlin couldn't help but sigh. "I like this kid Quanzi too, but I don't actually recognize him as my godson. I will never treat him worse than my biological mother. But this money..."
Seeing his mother's relaxed attitude, Hong Yanwu saw the right opportunity and quickly made a half-truth joke.
"Mom, my dad is really thinking about Quanzi. Think about it, with me watching and greedy, can I still keep the money in Quanzi's hands? Sooner or later, we will have to turn into roast ducks for both of us.
It was ‘rubbed’…”
As soon as he said these words, Wang Yunlin spat in a fit of laughter and tears on the spot, but all the worries in her heart disappeared, and she instantly became free and easy.
It should be said that Wang Yunlin's vision has been determined by having good food and clothing for most of her life. After all, the Hong family has been rich, and neither she nor Hong Lucheng really think much of the "huge money" in the eyes of ordinary people, and they can still deal with it calmly.
So now that she had decided, she then let Chen Liquan stand up again. She said frankly that from today on, she treats him as her own son, and all the money will be saved for him to marry a wife.
At this point, Hong Lucheng and Wang Yunlin finally had a godson. Chen Liquan happily changed his name to mom and dad, and Hong Yanwu was even more happy to have a true brotherhood with Chen Liquan.
And don't think it's just acknowledgment of family ties, but in the eyes of the older generation, it is also a serious matter and cannot be ambiguous at all.
Therefore, completely beyond the expectations of the two boys, Hong Lucheng and his wife did not just give in verbally. In accordance with the traditional customs of the capital, they actually gave Chen Liquan a "marriage recognition gift" in a very formal way.
They are two small silver buttons on the front and back, which can be separated and connected by a silver needle in the middle. There is the word "三阳" on it and a fine pattern. But it has been oxidized to a black and yellow color.
Chen Liquan was flattered and took it, but after looking at it for a long time, he didn't know what it was for. He just thought it was good-looking and interesting, so he handed one to Hong Yanwu.
Unexpectedly, Hong Yanwu blurted out when he got it in his hand, saying that these are cufflinks, a men's accessory. They are usually used to match French shirts, because the sleeves of French shirts are folded in half, there are no buttons, and there are only two facing buttonholes. This depends on it.
Planting things can only be fixed by closing them from both sides.
But he didn't know the origin of the word "三阳".
At this time, both Hong Lucheng and Wang Yunlin were a little surprised.
A sigh. "I didn't expect you to know it, but you have some knowledge..."
Another explained in detail. "The things are not worth anything. They were originally made by the 'Sanyang Gold Store' in the jewelry market. It was a business of the Hong family back then. Now that the shop is gone, all that is left is this set of gadgets..."