The shantytowns are all low wooden houses. They are messy everywhere, but they are full of life. Children run around naked, and women carefully wash thick clothes in muddy alleys. Usually, only one or two men in the family go out to work. Every time the clothes are washed and torn and patched, the life of the clothes is shortened a lot.
There were two other workers in the wooden house where Gao Xiaoli and his brother Gao Dali lived. One was a bachelor like Gao Dali, and the other was a couple living here. There were only thin curtains between the beds.
The wooden house was very clean today, and there was a steaming pot of cabbage stewed meat slices and boiled longevity noodles on the low table with a missing leg.
Several close co-workers were also called, and it was very lively and full of laughter.
Gao Dali was especially happy. He was very kind to his brother's two college classmates, and he was really like a distinguished guest at home.
Lu Ming originally wanted to prepare a gift, but in the end, he and Sun Jingjun jointly bought a birthday card. Now that he thinks about it, it is indeed a wise move. When people are happy, eating cabbage stew makes them even happier. I feel that the day is very promising. , but if you don’t mention preparing expensive gifts, you just want to bring a birthday cake. If you don’t mention it, it will change the taste of the family’s simple happiness.
There were also a bunch of children laughing nearby. In addition, there was a handsome girl named Gao Xiaoli, "Brother Xiaoli", who seemed particularly attracted to Gao Xiaoli.
They both come from the same village. The girl went out to work with her parents. She is one or two years younger than Gao Xiaoli. She looks about 17 or 18, wearing a red flowered jacket and blue trousers, with long braids. She looks like a typical simple girl from the countryside. In fact, except for her dark skin One thing, there are calluses on her hands, but she still looks very delicate, and she has the unique slenderness of a country girl.
At first glance, she knew that "Brother Xiao Li" who had been admitted to college was her admirer and secret crush, but an uneducated country girl naturally felt ashamed of herself.
To the country people, today's college students are just like top scholars.
At the table, Gao Xiaoli insisted on drinking a glass of wine, but his brother Dali indulged him and didn't care. Moreover, for this college student brother, it was obvious that he didn't have the confidence to be an older brother. Whatever the younger brother said would be whatever he said.
Gao Xiaoli was very happy and toasted to his brothers and uncles. He also toasted to Lu Ming and Sun Jingjun, thanking his two good friends for coming.
He also mentioned that he joined the school's performing arts club, and said that his original ideal was to be a big star, but unfortunately his family did not have the conditions, so he could only listen to his brother and take a major that can make money, but you don't understand, brother, this is bullshit I don’t know the majors, and all I learn are vain things. You can make money by studying economics. Brother, do you understand what economics means? This shabby school is patchwork, and my family has no backing. I will only be a clerk in a bank in the future. What if I study medicine or law?
"Stop talking, stop talking!" Sun Jingjun quickly stopped him, "You've drunk too much!"
"I, I don't have much..." Gao Xiaoli struggled, and suddenly he collapsed on the table, still muttering, "I want to make money, I want to make money..."
Gao Dali hurriedly helped Gao Xiaoli to the bed with others, and a woman took care of him.
When he came back, Gao Dali sighed, "Xiao Li, this kid, hasn't drunk much. I'm sorry, Mr. Sun, Mr. Zhang, you two are laughing!"
Although Lu Ming and Sun Jingjun are students, they always address college students, Gao Dali and others as "sir".
"Haha, Xiaohua, the gift you prepared is no longer needed. This child has been practicing singing for several days!" Gao Dali said to the little country girl. It was obvious that he liked Xiaohua very much.
"Brother Xiaoli, are you okay?" Xiaohua asked with concern.
"It's okay, come on, let's continue eating." Gao Dali smiled at Lu Ming and Sun Jingjun and said, "Do you want a drink?"
Sun Jingjun said: "Okay, come here, I'll pour you a drink. Today is not only Xiao Li's birthday, but also Brother Dali, who has worked hard for a year. Today is your holiday! Nineteen years ago today, God I sent a good brother to you, right?"
Lu Ming looked at Sun Jingjun in surprise. This army, hidden deep inside, turned out to be a talent with a high emotional intelligence.
Naturally, the atmosphere was very awkward. If they just broke up, it would be even more embarrassing. He was trying to smooth things over.
Without Gao Xiaoli as the center, Dajun and Gao Dali quickly became animated and started making noises, asking Xiaohua to sing.
Xiaohua sang a folk song, which was very clear and pleasant.
"A Ming, as the representative team of our business school, you also have a talent. You are sitting there with your head down. What are you doing!" Dajun pushed Lu Ming and blinked.
Gao Dali and others also cheered, "Mr. Zhang, come here!"
Lu Ming smiled and said, "Okay, let me hum a song!"
Picking up the chopsticks and tapping the bowl, he sang in a low voice: "Old men have to be steady, but who knows, sometimes they can be as naive as a naughty boy..."
In my previous life, I could feel my ears ringing from the Internet-famous songs, but at that time, I just felt annoyed when I listened to them.
Now two generations of people, today I am looking at the lives of Gao Dali and others, their joys, sorrows and joys, and suddenly I think of this song.
This song expresses the heartfelt feelings of middle-aged men under the pressure of life. Only those who are old can understand it, right?
"It's all your fault that time is rushing and letting the edge slip through your fingers. Time cannot be controlled by you. The choice may not be the one you have a soft spot for..."
"Who is not unwilling to be mediocre, cursing the tricks of fate, sweating profusely against the cold, afraid of the ridicule of reality, and feeling that he is almost different..."
Gao Dali and others gradually fell silent as they listened.
When you were young, who didn’t have great pride and felt that you were the protagonist in this world?
But gradually I will realize that I am just an ordinary member of all living beings.
But life must go on, and we must work hard to make the lives of those around us better.
I wallow in mud and water every day, hoping that there is still light ahead.
"...Strongness is a carefully arranged makeup..."
After Lu Ming finished humming, Gao Dali waited in silence for a long time before he came back to his senses.
"Mr. Zhang, don't say anything. Come on, I, I must have a drink with you!" Gao Dali's face was full of excitement, and his eye circles were a little red.
Lu Ming smiled and clinked glasses with him, drinking down the glass in one gulp.
Gao Xiaoli is lucky to have a good brother who protects him from wind and rain, but Gao Xiaoli is still young and does not yet understand what is most important to his life.
Soon, the army over there also started talking nonsense.
Lu Ming looked at it and smiled.
"Mr. Zhang is different from Da Jun and Xiao Li." Gao Dali suddenly said.
Lu Ming glanced at him, "Brother Dali, are you okay? Do you want to go to the hospital for a checkup?"
Gao Dali was startled, shook his head and said, "I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
Lu Ming thought for a while and said: "Brother Gao, you can't go to the construction site in Longbei, right? Have you ever thought about going to the Heishan concession area? There are a lot of projects there now, and the cotton spinning factory is also recruiting people."
Gao Dali smiled bitterly: "How can we from Anshan get into a big factory like that? No big factory wants us at all. Mr. Zhang, you are in school, so you probably don't know what's going on outside."
Lu Ming nodded, and the army over there stood up unsteadily, clamoring to go back to school now.
Lu Ming was funny, this guy only had his highlights for just a short while, even after drinking.
Then, he stood up and said goodbye.
(End of chapter)
