Last night was another night of snow, fortunately not too much, like a handful of fine salt that was sprinkled by someone casually, loosely sprinkled, and fell all over the world.

So when Yan Qiu woke up in the morning, he saw silver and white everywhere, and the snowy sky seemed to be connected into one color.

He quickly moved in the pot of walnut branches outside the window.

Soon, the thin layer of snow on the branches melted in the warmth of the room, turning into crystal clear snow, falling drop by drop.

When Lu Ruan came in, this was what he saw.

She really didn't understand why Yan Qiu kept looking at this dead branch every day instead of looking at the precious flowers and plants at home?

The gray-brown bark and bare surface look like firewood burned by countrymen in winter.

People can't help but think of dirty and dilapidated.

But Yan Qiu treasured this broken branch so much, she couldn't say anything.

After all, he has changed a lot since he came back this time.

She was so old that she sometimes wondered if Fu Chenze picked up the wrong person?

But this idea only occasionally flashed through her mind.

After all, she knew that they were the cause of all this.

In the bottom of her heart, Lu Ruan owed it.

So she just took a look at the broken branch that was still dripping in the purple sand flower pot she used to grow flowers in the past, resisted the urge to throw it out, and sat down beside Yan Qiu.

Then cautiously probed: "Xiaoqiu, do you really not consider your father's proposal?"

Yan Qiu stopped what he was doing when he heard the words.

What he was holding in his hand was the piece of elm wood that hadn't been carved before. After a few days, he dug it out of his bag again, and would carve for a while if he had nothing to do.

Although his arm is still unable to use his strength, he has a lot of time to rest, stop when he is tired, and continue after resting.

It just stopped and stopped, and it was almost finished.

There is only one Diudiu left.

The outline has been carved, but no matter how detailed it is, he can't carve it out.

Obviously the appearance of Diudiu is in front of eyes, but seem to forget it when take the carving knife, and mind is blank.

Yan Qiu thought, maybe it was because it was angry with itself.

I was angry with myself for dropping it again and again, so I didn't want to let myself finish engraving it.

"Xiaoqiu?"

When Yan Qiu heard Lu Ruan calling him, he came back to his senses and replied slowly: "No, I don't want to go back."

On the day he just came back, he made it clear to them that he had no wishes, and he didn't need compensation.

But they don't seem convinced.

Fu Jianting just thought he was embarrassed to mention it, so he pondered for a long time, and said to him like a gift: "You can return to the company next month, and this time stay with me, starting as an assistant."

Everyone understands what this sentence means.

Fu Chenze on the opposite side reacted too much, and even uncharacteristically said to him with a completely different attitude from last time: "In the future, if you have any problems in the company, you can come to me."

Lu Ruan said to him with surprise on his face, "Thank you father soon."

Only the smile on Fu Shuangchi's face could no longer hold on, and just fell down.

Yan Qiu was looking down at the cake in front of him. The yellow mangoes decorated the cake very attractively, but unfortunately, he was allergic to mangoes.

So had to pick up a fork and pick out the mango pieces on the cake.

"No, I don't want to go back."

This sentence is like adding a spoonful of ice to boiling hot water, and the atmosphere that was still enthusiastic just now immediately cooled down.

Something flashed across Fu Jianting's face, but in the end he swallowed all the unhappiness back and said, "Let's eat."

Lu Ruan was also a little surprised, but in the end he didn't say anything.

It's just that at night I came to persuade him for a long time, seeing that he was still unmoved, I asked helplessly, "Xiao Qiu, are you still angry about what happened before?"

Three months after Yan Qiu returned to Fu's house, Fu Jianting arranged him into the company.

But because the Yan family and his wife were unwilling to invest in him after he graduated from high school, they tore up his admission letter from a key university, locked him up at home for three months, and did not allow him to continue studying.

So he only has a high school diploma.

This education is really not available in the Fu family, so Fu Jianting didn't expect much from him, and only arranged for him to start as the most ordinary employee.

Neither has their relationship been made public in the company.

However, Yan Qiu is very satisfied with this, and does his own thing well every day.

Until one day the team leader asked him to complete a document, and he worked overtime to finish it, but for some reason, the decimal point was wrong after handing it in.

Because of this mistake, nearly a million dollars were directly lost.

Even if Yan Qiu explained that he had checked it three times after finishing the work, there was no way he could have made a mistake, and even if he finally found out that the contract had been switched, all the evidence pointed to Fu Shuangchi.

But no one believed it.

Fu Jianting said that he was incompetent, overthinking, and needed to learn more, so he drove him back from the company.

Since then, Yan Qiu hasn't been to the company again, and they didn't expect that now they actively want him to go back.

"It's not because of what happened before." Yan Qiu shook his head.

In fact, neither the previous events nor the people of the Fu family could arouse him too much emotion, and he was not angry, he just didn't have the strength.

Perhaps people are really like the book says, come like wind and rain, go like dust.①

When you are about to leave, it will become a little bit empty from the inside to the outside.

More and more empty, more and more scattered.

Finally, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

"I'm just a little tired." Yan Qiu explained again.

Lu Ruan wanted to say something more after hearing the words, but suddenly stared at him carefully as if seeing him for the first time.

Then she saw Yan Qiu's slender neck, the protruding bones on his wrists, and the veins that were about to come out of his skin.

Lu Ruan suddenly realized, when did he become so thin?

The heating in the room was sufficient, but Yan Qiu still put on thick clothes, but even if he was wrapped three layers inside and three layers outside, he still felt empty to Lu Ruan, as if he would be blown away by the wind.

That's all.

Lu Ruan didn't want to force him anymore, so if he didn't want to go back, he shouldn't go back. Anyway, he was still young, so it would not be impossible to arrange a school for him to go to school.

She remembered that Yan Qiu's education was not high, only high school, and in a family like theirs, it was really difficult to do anything.

"Then I'll discuss it with your father and send you to school."

But she didn't expect Yan Qiu to still shake his head.

"Then is there anything else you want to do?" Lu Ruan lost his patience, but still restrained himself and kept his tone as calm as possible.

Yan Qiu didn't speak, but looked down at the elm-carved yard in his hand, then raised his hand and gently touched the woman sitting in the yard and the cat under her feet.

Suddenly something flashed in front of his eyes, and he stared intently for a long time before he realized that it was himself when he was a child.

At that time, he was not as high as the tabletop, and secretly carved a four-dimensional duckling with his aunt's carving knife, and ran over excitedly to show it to his aunt.

The aunt held the little duck whose outline could barely be seen and smiled for a long time, then touched his head and said proudly: "Yes, my nephew really follows me, it is much better than the first time I engraved it, as long as you persistKeep going, and you will definitely carve the best works in the future.”

"Really?" Yan Qiu raised his head, his heart bursting with joy.

"Really." The aunt said and put the duckling he carved on the most conspicuous cabinet in the living room, "In the future, we, Xiaoqiu, will definitely be the best wood carvers, and the things we carve will be sent to the world for exhibition.Remember to leave a ticket for Auntie, Auntie may not be able to snatch it."

"Okay." He was only a few years old at the time, convinced of his aunt's words, and immediately responded, "Auntie, I will take you to see it in person."

"Okay, aunt is waiting for Xiaoqiu."

The originally dead heart came alive again, Yan Qiu thought for a long time, and then said carefully: "I want to hold an exhibition."

"What exhibition?" Seeing that he was finally willing to say a few more words, Lu Ruan hurriedly continued to ask.

Then I heard Yan Qiu say: "Wood Sculpture Exhibition."

"Wood carving?" Fu Jianting pressed his temples with his fingers helplessly upon hearing this.

"He doesn't want to go to the company, he doesn't want to go to school, he just wants to play with those broken logs, really..."

The latter words were a bit hurtful, but he still didn't say them after all.

Although he knew it was wrong, sometimes Fu Jianting couldn't help but wonder, compared with the selflessness of mother's love, is father's love actually conditional?

Otherwise, how could he not love Yan Qiu?

His eldest son received a master's degree from an Ivy League school at a young age, and joined the company to help him. He has never made a mistake in so many years. Everyone in the company praised him and all recognized him.

Even though Fu Shuangchi was so pampered since he was a child, he never slacked off in his studies, and has always been a leader among his peers.

Only Yan Qiu.

I can't handle the company's affairs well, and can't watch studies. just study hard on a pile of wood every day.

He really doesn't understand, can flowers be carved out of a pile of wood?

but……

Fu Jianting sighed, and the picture of him lying on the stairs not far away from them at the scene of the fire appeared in his mind, looking at them quietly.

After all, he was still soft-hearted, so he could only wave his hands, and helplessly said to Lu Ruan: "Forget it, he can do it if he likes it."

Hearing that he wanted to hold an exhibition, almost the whole Fu family was mobilized. Fu Chenze contacted the exhibition hall for him, and Fu Jianting sent an invitation letter for him.

Lu Ruan spent a lot of money to buy him a piece of ebony.

Ebony is too precious, and there is a saying that "half a square of ebony at home is better than a box of treasures", so Yan Qiu doesn't want it, but Lu Ruan doesn't allow him to refuse.②

She said, "This is a gift from your mother." After speaking, she added, "I picked it just for you."

Yan Qiu took it, the ebony weight was very heavy, it seemed to be explaining something.

But whatever it was, it was a little too late.

In the days that followed, Yan Qiu received unprecedented attention from the Fu family.

Everyone is busy for his exhibition.

Yan Qiu said that there is actually no need for a large exhibition hall, all of which are carved by himself, and probably no one would like them except for the gentleman in the villa on the top of the hill.

But Fu Chenze did not agree, he said that since it was going to be done, it must be done well, and the Fu family would never lose face in any way.

Yan Qiu couldn't convince them, so he didn't get involved any more. He just found out all the things he had sculpted over the years, and then went to the exhibition hall to put them up one by one.

In the end, there is only one finale work that has not been placed yet.

Without any hesitation, Yan Qiu chose the courtyard that was about to be completed.

Yan Qiu thinks that there is no other work that can bear the theme of this exhibition like it.

What's more, his exhibition was originally for him and his aunt.

In fact, he doesn't care whether the exhibition hall is big or not, as long as his aunt can take a look, that's enough.

Therefore, he didn't go to the exhibition hall for the rest of the time, and just hunkered down in the bedroom every day, engraving his last unfinished work.

Yan Qiu had already thought of a name, "Hometown".

Although Yan Qiu worked very hard, his memory was getting worse and worse, and his injured hand was getting weaker and weaker.

In addition, "Diudiu" came to make trouble from time to time, so he couldn't finish carving even though there was only the last part left.

In the end, he could only put the pendant given to him by his aunt in front of his eyes. Every time he made a knife, he had to look up for a long time.

Even if the progress is very slow, there will still be a day when the engraving will be finished.

Yan Qiu looked at the wood carving in his hand, only the last part was left, Diu Diu's eyes.

This is also the part he avoids the most.

Every piece of woodcarving has its soul. Yan Qiu thinks that he is just a carrier, and he just uses a carving knife to restore their original appearance.

Therefore, he kept avoiding this part, for fear that Diu Diu, who was engraved at the end, would have hatred for him in his eyes.

Does it blame itself?

Whether on purpose or not, he did lose it time and time again.

Although this hurdle in his heart has never been crossed, Yan Qiu still picked up the carving knife. Tomorrow is the opening, and he has no time to hesitate any longer.

So Yan Qiu held the pendant and looked at it for a long time, then took a deep breath, picked up the carving knife and began to carve.

The carving knife moved nimbly in Yan Qiu's hands, and soon the two eyes of Diu Diu came to life, and the excess sawdust was wiped clean.

Then he saw a pair of round eyes.

Those were Diu Diu's eyes, lying at the aunt's feet with her head up, looking at them without blinking.

Obviously the cat has no expression, but he can feel its happiness from it.

Throw it away... doesn't seem to hate myself.

Yan Qiu held the carved courtyard in front of him.

For a moment, he seemed to have returned to a long time ago.

It was a sunny summer day, and the green walnut trees were full of shade.Aunt hugged him and sat in the yard, and Diudiu squatted at their feet.

Yan Qiusheng held on to her aunt's sleeve tightly as if she was afraid that she would disappear at any time, and couldn't wait to share the good news with her.

"Auntie, I promised you that the exhibition will be held tomorrow."

The aunt stroked his head, relieved and happy, "I know, you have always been the best child, be happy."

Diudiu couldn't speak, so he could only "meow meow" next to him.

They were all laughing at themselves, and no one blamed themselves.

After an unknown amount of time, a violent cough brought him back to reality, Yan Qiu took out a few pieces of paper as usual, and saw dark blood stains on it without any surprise.

After calming down, he rolled up the paper as usual and threw it into the trash can next to him.

The trash can was almost full, full of blood-stained tissues.

Yan Qiu pushed the trash can in, then continued to pick up the carving knife, and carved two small characters in the lower right corner of the yard.

hometown.

"Auntie." Yan Qiu hugged the yard and said, "I want to go back."

After Yan Qiu finished carving, he was going to send the "hometown" to the exhibition hall.

However, as soon as got up, found that there was someone behind me at some point.

It was actually Fu Shuangchi whom hadn't seen for many days.

Since coming back, Yan Qiu has been staying in his room, not even going out to eat, so he has no chance to meet Fu Shuangchi.

Coupled with the fact that he is busy with the exhibition recently, he has no time to take care of him.

Unexpectedly, he would take the initiative to find himself.

As long as Fu Shuang is late, it will definitely not be a good thing, so Yan Qiu immediately raised his vigilance.

"What's up?"

"What do you mean, I can't come and see you if I have nothing to do?" Fu Shuangchi said and walked towards him.

His eyes fell on the wood carving in his arms, and he seemed quite interested, "Is this the finale work of yours?"

Yan Qiu couldn't figure out his intention, but subconsciously tightened his fingers and hugged the things in his hands even tighter.

"Why are you so nervous?" Fu Shuangchi asked with a smile, "Can I still eat you?"

Yan Qiu didn't have the heart to chat with him here, so he asked directly, "What do you want to do?"

"I don't want to do anything. It's just that my family has been busy with your exhibition recently. I can't find anyone to accompany me. It's just boring. No, I just thought of you."

"Second brother." Fu Shuangchi sighed faintly when he said this, "You are really capable, you snatched them all away with one move, and now everyone is surrounding you, aren't you happy?"

"I didn't intend to rob anyone." Yan Qiu replied.

Fu Shuangchi smiled coldly when he heard this, "You don't think this answer is generous, do you? This answer will only make me more unhappy."

"What the hell are you trying to do?"

Fu Shuang didn't speak for a long time, but lowered her eyes again to look at the newly carved work in his arms.

"Yard, woman, boy, cat..." Fu Shuang read slowly.

"I've read your profile. This is your life before you were seven years old." He said, looking at the signing office, "My hometown, second brother, you are really artistic."

"Fu Shuangchi." The uneasiness in Yan Qiu's heart became more and more serious, and he called his name helplessly, "What do you mean?"

"Means nothing."

Fu Shuangchi said and took a step closer to him, "I just feel that this thing means something unusual to you."

"So?" Yan Qiu asked back.

"So..." Fu Shuangchi suddenly reached out and snatched the wood carving from his arms. Before Yan Qiu could react, he saw that he had already lifted the yard high.

Everything that followed seemed to be in slow motion.

He saw Fu Shuangchi show him a slightly sarcastic smile, and then slammed down the thing in his hand.

Yan Qiu hurriedly reached out to pick it up, but it was still a step too late.

The whole yard was torn apart in front of him, and the aunt who was holding him flew to the table. There was only a bare pole left in the walnut tree.

Yan Qiu knelt on the ground and looked at the torn woodcarving for a long time before he came back to his senses. He raised his head and saw Fu Shuangchi smiling at him.

Then, continue to finish what you have just said.

"So, I want to give it a try."

The author has something to say:

① come like wind and rain, go like dust.—— "Zeng Guang Xian Wen"

②Having half a square of ebony at home is better than a box of treasures, sourced from the Internet