After Chen Changsheng left the wine shop, he walked towards the southeast of Qiuyue Fang. According to shopkeeper Fei, Zhang Xiaoliu had rented a small house by the river and stayed there all year round.
In this world, it is difficult to move forward without household registration and money. This does not mean that you do not work hard, but that some things are insurmountable for people of this era.
There is an open space in the middle of the river, in which four or five ducks are walking. Behind the open space is an old house, which is quite old.
There was a man sitting by the river holding a bamboo pole, anxiously waiting for the fish to take the bait.
Chen Changsheng walked closer, glanced at the motionless river, and then at the people sitting by the river.
Compared to before, Zhang Xiaoliu's figure was much stooped, and even from the side, one could vaguely see the intertwined black and white hair.
He has aged a lot, probably not because of age, but because of hardship.
Zhang Xiaoliu took back his stick and took another half of the earthworm to play again.
This afternoon, I still found nothing.
"Is it easy to catch fish?" Chen Changsheng asked.
Zhang Xiaoliu was startled and quickly looked aside. His eyes widened, but he immediately came to his senses.
"When did Mr. Chen come back..."
Chen Changsheng ignored his surprise and sat down immediately, regardless of whether the floor was dirty or not.
He asked: "If you are so depressed, how can you still think about sending wine to the mountains every year?"
Zhang Xiaoliu pursed his lips, his eyes evasive.
"Sir, everything is known..."
Chen Changsheng nodded in agreement, and then asked: "You are not stupid, why don't you come to the mountain to find me? Even if I am not here, Mo Yuan is watching, how can I get justice for you? So depressed."
Zhang Xiaoliu opened his mouth, but then sighed helplessly and said, "Mr. Chen, I forgive you, but Xiaoliu... really can't open this mouth."
"When the old shopkeeper was still here, Xiaoliu owed Mr. Qi the favor of rescuing the siege. The old shopkeeper also received a glass of fairy wine due to Mr. Mo's kindness. Mr. Mo also gave Xiaoqi advice, but I, Zhang Xiaoliu, am an ordinary person. You can't be more ordinary, and even this kind of kindness is not enough."
Chen Changsheng looked at him and said: "You don't owe Chen, but Chen owes you. The account book says in black and white that Chen owes you four taels of silver. Now you don't want it?"
Xiaoliu opened his mouth. He didn't want it. It was definitely not the case. He just felt uncomfortable.
Chen Changsheng shook his head, turned to look at the ducks in the circle, and asked: "In these years, have you just raised some livestock and caught a few fish to make a living?"
Xiaoliu opened his mouth, shook his head and said: "No, no, I, I raised it for others."
Chen Changsheng glanced at him, then looked at the dilapidated house and asked, "What about the wooden house? Can it be sheltered from wind and rain?"
Xiao Liu wanted to retort, but fell silent.
The windows of that house were broken, and there were holes between the tiles. It had no shelter from the wind or rain, and was even worse than a ruined temple.
Chen Changsheng took another look at Zhang Xiaoliu's clothes. They were all tattered and patched. He didn't know how many years they were there.
Zhang Xiaoliu trembled and seemed about to speak. He thought about it again and again, but finally said it.
"actually……"
"Xiao Liu understands that if I tell him, Mr. Chen will definitely help me."
How could Zhang Xiaoliu not be able to figure it out clearly? His next words really made it clear.
"A few years ago, I went up the mountain to pay my respects. I heard Mr. Mo say that Xiao Qi has excellent qualifications, so I thought that one day I would meet Mr. Mo and hope that Mr. Mo could show him a clear path."
"This love only lasts a minute. My husband and I have already made plans. It will be tough, but we will get over it after a while."
Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment after hearing what he said.
"Are you afraid that this time will mean there will be no next time?"
Zhang Xiaoliu thought so, but he didn't dare to nod.
The fishing rod in his hand fell and he knelt down in front of Chen Changsheng.
"I hope Mr. Chen will forgive Xiao Liu for his offense."
"As the saying goes, it's hard to find immortality. I, Zhang Xiaoliu, have no skills, and I have never helped my husband in any way. I can only get some drinks."
"Xiao Qi is qualified. As a father, I also hope that he can have a different world in the future. Everything makes sense. Even if my husband and I suffer more, we don't want Xiao Qi to be buried."
Zhang Xiaoliu's eyes were cloudy and a little red.
"Xiao Liu, please, Mr. Chen."
Chen Changsheng did not look at him again, but asked: "Don't you think about yourself?"
Zhang Xiaoliu shook his head and said, "I don't dare."
"What do you mean you don't dare?"
"The old shopkeeper warned me at the beginning that some things are very difficult to obtain. If you are not careful, you will disappear completely. If you only have this chance, I hope you will leave it to Xiao Qi."
The distant dusk and sunset were reflected on the river, and half of the landscape seemed to be imprinted on the river.
Chen Changsheng never thought that Zhang Xiaoliu would kneel in front of him like this.
In his opinion, these are not actually needed. He is also a human being and is not superior to anyone in the world.
He has always regarded Zhang Xiaoliu as an old friend, just like the old shopkeeper back then.
But now it feels a little different.
Just like the autumn moon brew.
The fish in the river jumped up lightly, causing a wave of waves, and then disappeared into the river. The ducks in the circle opened their mouths and quacked, not knowing what they were saying.
Chen Changsheng said: "Chen promised you."
Zhang Xiaoliu raised his head and looked at Mr. Chen in front of him.
Chen Changsheng turned around and said suddenly: "But this matter needs to be discussed separately."
"Sir, please speak." Zhang Xiaoliu lowered his head.
Chen Changsheng said: "From now on, you need to go to Liuyun Temple to burn three sticks of incense every day, and then clean all the steps up the mountain for ten years, in exchange for your son's immortality."
Zhang Xiaoliu's anxious heart calmed down, and he kowtowed to the ground.
"Xiao Liu! Thank you sir for your kindness!"
He knocked his head heavily, sincerely.
Chen Changsheng said nothing, stood up and left.
After taking a few steps, he looked back.
Zhang Xiaoliu was still kneeling.
Chen Changsheng said: "Let him come to Liuyun Temple tomorrow. He doesn't have to kneel anymore."
After the words fell, his figure gradually disappeared by the river. In just the blink of an eye, he disappeared from Zhang Xiaoliu's eyes.
Zhang Xiaoliu kowtowed three times, blood gushed out from his forehead, and his knees were covered in mud.
He looked at the empty riverside, and with a sigh, his head slowly dropped.
He knew that this would displease his husband, but he still wanted to seek the immortal fate for his son. Even if the relationship was severed and he suffered for a lifetime, he would not regret it.
…
After leaving, Chen Changsheng came to Zhang Wudi's grave.
The two pine trees in front of the grave are now several feet high, providing shade and protection from the sun.
Chen Changsheng spilled the wine on Zhang Wudi's grave.
Chen Changsheng said to the tombstone: "...Xiao Liu has indeed made his mark."
The wind from Huaixu blew through this place, and along with the rustling sound, it also blew a wisp of weeds beside the grave.
The last twilight fell.
The hills in front of him also dimmed in Chen Changsheng's eyes.
"The feelings of wandering in the clouds, the feelings of old friends in the setting sun..."
"Chen took it for granted."
Chen Changsheng laughed at himself, raised his head and took a few gulps of wine.
Even so, it's still not fun.
