Chapter 40

Fan Xing's earliest impression of the country should be his impression of Jiangnan.

When he was a child, his grandmother often held him, hummed the melodious Jiangnan minor, and used soft and pleasant dialects to describe the beauty of his hometown to him.

At that time, he could imagine the scene in the country, it was apricot blossoms and spring rain, and it was a family of flowing water.

Later, when he grew up and read a lot of introductions about the country, he realized that Jiangnan was only a part of the country. In addition, the customs and cultural landscape of various places were different.

However, this did not prevent him from yearning for Jiangnan.

So when he really set foot on that land, his heart was excited and joyful, and even a little nervous.

In the car coming out of the airport, he stared out the window the whole time, looking at the scene outside the window and comparing it with his own imagination.

Differs greatly.

After all, the Jiangnan he imagined was what his grandmother saw 20 years ago, and it was only his hometown, a small village on the east bank of Taihu Lake.

He Qingmo was very efficient. He decided to come over last night, so he asked where Grandma Fan Xing's hometown was, and then let Song Yang take care of everything.

They went out to the airport early in the morning and arrived in Jiangnan from the north more than an hour later.

After getting off the plane, go straight to the destination at high speed.

Zhujia Village is my grandmother's hometown. Fan Xing has heard my grandmother say it countless times.

Grandma said that there is a small river at the entrance of the village, and there is a big persimmon tree by the river. It is said that it has been decades old. Every year when the persimmons are red, the children in the village will climb up to pick them secretly and eat them. There is a large yard in the back, which is full of various flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables, and you can find something to eat in it all year round, so the children in the village also like to patronize, and they say...

Grandma said a lot, so much that Fan Xing's mind sketched a complete picture, but the reality was completely different from that picture.

Now the Zhujia Village has been re-planned. Every house is built the same, and it is neatly arranged. Various facilities are also very complete and it looks very beautiful.

But the persimmon trees at the entrance of the village with the gurgling water are gone, and the house with the back garden at the end of the village is also gone, replaced by a row of fitness equipment.

Fan Xing stood there, watching a few old people and children playing there, feeling a little depressed, but felt that the depression was inexplicable.

In fact, before he came, he knew that it would definitely not be what it used to be. After all, my grandmother remembered what my hometown looked like 20 years ago, and these 20 years have been the fastest growing 20 years in China. In Zhujia Village, the whole country has undergone tremendous changes, and he was mentally prepared for it.

However, there are still some small expectations, want to see the persimmon tree, want to see the back garden built by grandma.

He Qingmo accompanied him all the way, watching the joy and excitement in his eyes turned into a touch of disappointment, he stepped forward and gently rubbed his hair, "No matter how big the change is, it is grandma's hometown after all."

Fan Xing looked back at him, the disappointment in his eyes turned into a sweet smile, "Thank you brother."

Yes, no matter how big the change is, it will always be home to grandma.

And seeing that her hometown has changed for the better, grandma must be very happy too.

Fan Xing's mood finally improved, he took out his mobile phone to take pictures and record a video, ready to send it to grandma when it was dawn.

At this time, an old man with a child from the fitness equipment walked towards them with a smile. He probably knew that they were not locals, so he spoke in non-standard Mandarin and asked Fan Xing: "Where are you from, young man? Seeing that you look a lot like the son of Sister Yufen's family, are you related to their family?"

Fan Xing was stunned with surprise, "Do you know my grandma? My grandma's name is Yufen."

The other party was also greatly surprised, "Sister Yufen's grandson? I said that you are exactly the same as Jun Wen, and I thought you were their relative's child. How are your grandmother and your parents? You are returning to China by yourself. Are you playing or the whole family is back?"

Fan Xing's eyes darkened, he ignored the other party's first question, and continued, "I came back alone."

The old man was very enthusiastic and didn't pay attention to Fan Xing's strangeness at all. He took Fan Xing's hand and sighed, "Oh, you said how fast this time has passed, and Jun Wen's son is so old in a blink of an eye. Your father was so old as you back then. At that time, he was a role model for all the children in the village. He did well in school, he was very obedient, he was handsome, and he was able to get a lot of awards every year. The teacher liked it very much. I was admitted to that...that..."

The old man has a poor memory and is not sure about the name of the university, so he simply waved his hand and said, "Anyway, it is a very good university. Later, I went to study abroad, and then I went with your grandmother and your mother within two years. We both Saying that your grandma can finally enjoy happiness. You don't even know, your grandfather died early and left a lot of debt, and how hard your grandma had to pay your father to go to school in order to repay the debt. In the village, she does not grow fields. Borrowing the past for planting, when the farming is busy, I often get up in the middle of the night to plant rice in the fields. for many years."

The old man always had endless interest in talking about the past, Fan Xing couldn't get in, and didn't want to speak, just smiled lightly.

Some of what she said, Fan Xing knew some, some didn't, but he heard it from other people's mouths, whether he knew it or not, the feeling was a little different.

After a while, the old man finally finished his memories, and warmly invited Fan Xing to be a guest at his house, saying that when he first got married, Grandma Fan Xing took good care of her. Now that Fan Xing is back, she must treat her well and be treated well. Fan Xing declined.

The old man was a little disappointed, but he still carried his granddaughter all the way to the car, and repeatedly told Fan Xing to help her bring it to her grandmother and parents.

Fan Xing smiled and thanked him.

But closing the door, the smile in his eyes was replaced by a deep sadness.

He Qingmo glanced at him, started the car, and accelerated away from Zhujia Village.

It wasn't until Zhujiacun was left far behind that He Qingmo reached out and squeezed his hand, and said softly, "My fault, I knew I wouldn't come."

The silent Fan Xing turned his head to look at him, his clear eyes had no time to retreat from the sadness, but he said, "Brother is kind, what's wrong?"

The man sighed, parked the car on the side of the road, turned around and pulled the child into his arms, holding him gently without speaking.

The child's body froze, then softened, reaching out and wrapping his arms around his waist, his face tightly buried in his chest.

After a long time, Fan Xing's voice came out from the man's chest, with a thick nasal voice, "My father is dead. Grandma has always regarded father as a pride, but father...but..."

Fan Xing's words got stuck. He held the man's hand and clenched it unconsciously.

He Qingmo gently followed his hair and said softly: "If you don't want to say it, don't say it. When you want to say it, let me hear it later, okay?"

Fan Xing's clenched hand gently loosened, and the little face buried in his chest lightly nodded, "Yeah." But he was still reluctant to raise his head.

He Qingmo didn't move, until the wet feeling in his chest gradually disappeared, Fan Xing finally moved, raised his head in his arms, his face has returned to normal, smiled sweetly at him, and thanked him softly: "Thank you brother."

If the red eyes were ignored, He Qingmo felt that the child's performance was flawless. After all, the soaked part of his chest was covered dry, and there was no evidence.

He gently squeezed the child's cheek, and said half-jokingly, "What's the use of thanking? What time do you see? We're just afraid we're going to sleep in the wild."

Only then did Fan Xing realize that the sun had set.

It was only after four o'clock when they came out, why...

He suddenly realized that He Qingmo was holding him like this, waiting for him to stabilize for almost two hours.

He couldn't help looking at the man and opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say. He only felt a strange feeling in his heart, some guilt, and gratitude, but it was not just these, the extra feeling he described as not Come out, a little warm and a little sweet.

The man started the car and said half-truth: "It's useless to look at me like this. If I can't find a place to stay, I'll throw you out to feed the wolves."

"Brother doesn't." Fan Xing retorted without thinking.

The man turned his head to look at him, raised his eyebrows lightly, "Oh? Why can't I?"

Fan Xing only whispered: "Anyway, my brother will not."

The man didn't speak anymore, just looked at him with a faint smile in his deep eyes.

Fan Xing only felt that his heart was beating faster and faster, his cheeks were a little hot, he staggered his eyes and looked forward uncomfortably, and clumsily made an excuse to change the topic, "Brother, please pay attention to safety while driving, look ahead."

The smile in the man's eyes deepened a bit, but his attention returned to the road conditions.

Saying that sleeping in the suburbs is a lie, Song Yang has already helped them arrange their itinerary properly.

Half an hour later, He Qingmo's car stopped in front of a single-family villa in a private club on the east bank of Tai Lake.

He Qingmo never liked having outsiders in his private territory, so the service staff just prepared all the supplies in the villa and never showed up at other times.

After Fan Xing entered the door, he glanced at the time, and went straight to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator. There was no shortage of ingredients and all kitchen utensils were complete. out.

The man was a little helpless, "Aren't you tired? Sit for a rest, or take a bath." Then he ordered the ordering service.

Fan Xing didn't really feel tired at first. After all, he had only been on the plane and followed the car for a day, but after being pushed by a man to sit on the sofa, he finally felt back pain. Dinner would not be delivered for a while, so he went upstairs to take a shower.

He Qingmo also took this opportunity to take a shower.

When the two of them changed into clean clothes and came downstairs refreshed, dinner had already been delivered.

All the chefs of this private clubhouse have carefully prepared local specialties. Needless to say, the taste is natural. In addition, two people have tossed for a whole day, and they have not eaten a meal seriously. I am really hungry and naturally feel more delicious.

After eating and drinking enough, Fan Xing felt even more weak and fell asleep on the sofa.

The man didn't know who he was talking to on the phone to talk about work. By the time the call was over, Fan Xing had narrowed his eyes and was about to fall asleep.

The man stepped forward and patted his gently quivering eyelashes, and said with a smile, "Go upstairs to sleep when you're sleepy."

The child's sleep was disturbed, he opened his eyes reluctantly, and tried to get up and go upstairs, but saw the man's tall body leaning over, his arms passed through his back and legs, and hit him horizontally. hugged.

Because of the slap, he instinctively wrapped around the man's neck, but because he didn't grasp the proportions, his arms were too tight, and his soft lips hit the man's cheek by accident.