I drove my white Fukang along the winding and rugged mountain road, constantly turning the steering wheel, and entered the foot of Dujuan Mountain, which I was very familiar with since childhood. I have walked this mountain road countless times in my childhood and youth. I think that nothing has changed since then. After ten years of wandering around the outside world, I finally set foot on the land where I was born and raised. In fact, the main reason I came back this time was because my career was in a slump recently. All the projects I was working on were shelved, and I had a big fight with my wife at home. She took our son back to her parents' home in a rage, leaving me staring at the mess on the floor and the ashtray full of cigarettes. Alas, when we first got married, she was not like this, gentle and lovely like a little bird. Could it be true that the saying "the seven-year itch" is true, that the left hand holds the right hand, but has already lost its meaning? I left the city alone, drove for two days and two nights, and returned to my hometown, this secluded mountain village, hoping that the mountain breeze would cool my body and mind, which had been tainted by the hustle and bustle of life.
It has been ten years since I last had a good reunion with my parents, the kind and simple old couple. When I was young, they always gave me all the dry rice from the big pot, and it was rare for me to have meat as a treat. At that time, my family was very poor, and my parents had to borrow money from everywhere to raise enough tuition for me to go to school. I was the only child in the family, and my father My mother was over 40 when she had me, so she loved me very much. Seeing other children have such good things, they would sell everything they had so that I would not be wronged in front of others. Children had to wear white shirts and black pants. I was selected to participate in the performance, but I didn’t have a white shirt at all. I went home and got angry at my mother, threw my schoolbag, and hid in the inner room. Someone called me to eat, but I turned over and covered my head with the quilt. The next day at noon, I came home and saw a brand new white shirt neatly folded on the table. I jumped for joy and put it on. Mother was standing by the door, smiling and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. I later learned that this was bought with the money my mother earned from selling blood in town. I still feel a little guilty when I think about this.
My Peugeot suddenly stalled. I tried again but it still wouldn't start. "Damn it," I cursed in my heart. It stalled in this remote place. It seems that sometimes people We really can't rely too much on modern civilization. There was a gentle tapping on my car window, I slowly rolled down the window, and a familiar face suddenly jumped into my sight. "Ah, it's you!" We almost said at the same time. After so many years, this familiar face has not changed at all. The knife of time seems to have left no trace on her.
"Xiao Lian, is it really you?" I was a little excited and almost hit my head on the roof of the car.
She pinned her short hair behind her ears, and a hint of smile flashed across her eyes on her quiet face, "It's me, Brother Minglei. We haven't seen each other for ten years. "
"Yes, so many years have passed unknowingly. I feel that I have aged a lot, but you are still so young. How are you doing?" I looked at her calm face.
"Why don't you get out of the car and talk? You haven't been home for a long time. Why don't you lock the car here and talk as we walk along the mountain road. You can stop by my house on the way. Look, my house is behind this mountain. "She pointed in a direction. I looked in the direction she pointed and vaguely saw a small white building hidden in the dense bushes of rhododendrons.
So I followed Xiaolian, walking slowly on the mountain path. In the dusk of mid-spring, her back looked a little frail. The past scenes emerged in front of me… Xiaolian was the adopted daughter of the Ye family in our village. She died when she was three years old. After Xiaolian passed away, her mother remarried. Her grandparents were too old to raise her, so they gave her to the childless Ye family. At first, the Ye family loved Xiaolian very much and treated her as their own flesh and blood. However, since Xiaolian When they had their own son when she was seven, Xiaolian's status became worse and worse. Her adoptive parents would always save the delicious food for her, but now it all went to her younger brother. Her adoptive parents never let her work. , but now he always urges her to work faster and complains that she is dawdling. She is only seven years old and has to get up before dawn to light the fire, feed the pigs, and wash diapers for her younger brother. The stove is high and she has to stand on a stool. When her younger brother cried, she had to rush over to comfort him, otherwise she would be looked down upon by her adoptive father and scolded by her adoptive mother. She told me all this later.
One day, when she was playing with her brother, she accidentally bumped his head against the door, breaking his skin. His brother burst into tears. His adoptive mother came over and scolded him when she saw the scene: "Well, I have raised you for so many years with good intentions, but you are still crying. I didn’t expect to raise an ungrateful person. You are so cruel! ” A hot slap hit her face. Xiaolian covered her numb face and dared not say a word. That night, her foster mother punished her by not allowing her to eat. She locked me in the dark pig shed. Coincidentally, I was playing slingshot with the boys at the entrance of the village right after school that day. When it was getting dark, my mother found me with an anxious look on her face: "Minglei, Minglei, Lei, you really made your parents anxious. It's getting dark, why don't you go home for dinner!" I reluctantly packed up my slingshot, and my mother helped me carry my schoolbag, and we went home one after the other. There was a quiet blue sky, and the sound of dogs barking could be heard faintly in the distance. When I came to the three-way intersection in the village and was about to catch up with my mother, I suddenly heard a series of faint sobbing sounds. I heard it clearly, it was a little girl My curiosity suddenly surged, and I tried to determine the direction of the sound, and finally I came to the door of an old and dark pig shed.
I knocked on the door gently and asked tentatively: "Who? Who is crying in there?"
The crying inside suddenly stopped, and after a while a girl's timid voice sounded: "You, who are you?"
I leaned over to the small window next to the door and tried to look inside through the steel bars. Unfortunately, it was pitch black and I couldn't see anything. I had no choice but to give up the attempt. "Hey, what's your name? "Why are you here? Why are you crying?" I asked. There was still silence inside the door. I paused and said, "Don't be afraid. Tell me what's the matter. I will find a way for you. ”
It was the same timid voice: "I, I'm so hungry. Do you… do you have anything to eat?" I also forgot to ask her why she was hungry. I immediately slapped my thigh and said, "Do you want to eat?" Yes, okay, wait, I'll get it for you right away."
I rushed home like a gust of wind, ate a few mouthfuls of rice in a hurry, and when my parents weren't paying attention, I secretly went to the kitchen to get two corn cakes, put them in my coat, and ran to the old shed. I heard my mother's anxious voice behind me. Called: "It's so late, where are you going?" "Oh, I just forgot something and I'm going to get it now." I made up an excuse.
I gently asked through the small window: "Hey, is anyone here? I brought you some food." There was a rustling sound, and a thin wrist stretched out from the window, shining in the moonlight. There was a pale green light. I could vaguely see two sparks of fire flashing in the darkness.
The sound of someone chewing food carefully came from the shed. After a while, the two sparks appeared in the window again: "I'm full. Thank you, little brother. You are so kind."
I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment. "Well, don't say that. It makes me feel embarrassed. My name is Minglei. I live on the other side of the path."
The girl sighed and said quietly, "My name is Xiaolian."
Xiaolian and I gradually became familiar with each other. We shared our thoughts with each other. The world of two children was pure without a single distraction. I knew that her adoptive parents were not kind to her, so whenever I saw her fetching water and walking When she was struggling to carry a large wooden bucket home on the path, I would take the initiative to help her. She was embarrassed at first, but then she got used to it and just glanced at me quickly with her bright eyes. Whenever she had free time, she would take me to school under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village. Sometimes she would secretly put an egg into my schoolbag. If her mother found out, I would definitely be beaten and scolded. She often looked at me with envy while I was carrying my schoolbag, and asked me, "Minglei, is school good? Are the teachers fierce?" I got excited and started to gesture, "School is great. There are many There are many classmates, and the teacher is not fierce at all. There are many stories in the textbooks, and the teacher tells us all. Hey, why don't you go to school? "Xiao Lian's face flashed a trace of sadness: "My parents said , Girls don't need to study, just let my brother go to school in the future, they won't let me go to school." She lowered her head and fiddled with my schoolbag, her tears wet my green army bag, this My mother sewed it for me. I was at a loss for a moment and wiped her eyes with the back of my hand. She shook her head and smiled, with tears still on her face: "It's okay, Brother Minglei, as long as you "If she lives well, Xiaolian will be happy." "Then, then you must promise me that you will not cry all the time, or you will be a puppy." We stretched out our hands and held them tightly together: "Pink, hang yourself, for a hundred years , Don't change! "
One summer day, we were playing games with our friends by the river. Someone suggested playing the game of "Catch the Bride" and everyone agreed. I played the groom and Xiaolian played the bride. We picked willow branches and wild flowers to make a wedding dress. A few friends make a flower crown and put it on the bride's head. A few friends use their hands to make a sedan chair for the bride to sit on. The groom holds a branch in front to clear the way. After walking back and forth along the river, the bride is considered to be taken into the family.
As I was walking, I felt a chill on the back of my foot. I looked down and saw a small snake crawling slowly onto my foot. I stomped my foot and the snake was probably frightened and actually It crawled into my trouser leg and bit my calf. My friends panicked and ran away, leaving Xiaolian alone. Her face turned pale with anxiety, and she ran to the river bank in a hurry. She picked up a broken brick and, who knows where Xiaolian, who was usually so timid that she wouldn't even step on an ant, got the courage to smash the snake's head with the brick. Love is harder to say than death , but the snake's body was still twitching rhythmically, and I took a breath of cold air. While I was still in a daze, Xiaolian suddenly tore open my trouser legs and leaned over The body bit my calf one after another, spitting out the blood onto the ground. I was so anxious that I broke out in a sweat: "Xiao Lian, Xiao Lian, stop doing this, you will die." But she ignored me.
Finally, my parents called Uncle Zhang from the village clinic. When he saw my wound and the dead snake on the ground, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, took out a cigarette and lit it: "Ah, it's okay, the little snake is not dead. "Poison, you all should put your hearts at ease."
I immediately felt relaxed, and I pulled Xiaolian over to the river and started spinning around, jumping for joy: "Oh, it's okay, I won't die, and Xiaolian won't die either."
Xiaolian turned her head and said softly with a thoughtful look: "Brother Minglei, I want to ask you something."
"What's the matter? Ask me."
"Brother Minglei, if we grow up, will you really ask me to be your bride?"
I said without hesitation: "Of course, I like Xiaolian."
The two sparks immediately fell into my eyes, and she had a firm look on her face: "Okay, wait for me."
Time flies like running water. I have been studying and learning on Dujuan Mountain. The barrier of the mountain cannot block my desire for the outside world. I finished primary school on the mountain road, and then went to the county town to attend middle school. Lian has been silently seeing me off at the entrance of the village, and guarding me when I return. Ten years have passed in this constant welcoming and seeing off. That July, I came to the store at the entrance of the village again and again, waiting for that I was looking forward to the envelope day and night, but the disappointment almost broke me.
I locked myself in the room again and didn't want to see anyone. Xiaolian came in quietly, holding a bowl of hot noodle soup in her hand: "Brother Minglei, eat something quickly, have you forgotten what day it is today? "I suddenly remembered that today is my 19th birthday, but I don't have the mood to do it. I finally squeezed onto the single-plank bridge, but I still lacked this step. Sigh.
Xiaolian seemed to have seen through my thoughts. She put down the bowl, smiled mysteriously, took something out of her pocket, and held it in front of me: "Brother Minglei, look, what is this?"
"Letter, my letter!" I jumped out of bed, not even bothering to put on my shoes, took the letter and tore open the seal. When I saw the two words "accepted" filled with joy, I couldn't help crying: "Great, great, I can finally go to college!" I excitedly picked up Xiaolian and spun her around. Xiaolian's face suddenly flushed. She was shy. He glanced at me with annoyance and said quickly, "You, you are so bad!" Then he turned around and ran out of the house.
The long and hot summer vacation is coming to an end. I am going to the provincial capital to start my new life. My mother helped me pack my luggage and my father sold his piglets to help me raise tuition. I am full of beautiful dreams and eager to live my youth in the struggle. That day, Xiaolian accompanied me to the foot of Dujuan Mountain, and she was surprisingly silent along the way.
I tried my best to lighten the atmosphere, so I said in a teasing tone: "Why aren't you talking, Xiaolian? Are you worried about something? Are you reluctant to let me go?"
She didn't laugh, but her breathing was a little rapid. After a long while, she finally spoke: "Brother Minglei, what is the city like, okay?"
"Oh, you mean this. The provincial capital has many tall buildings, wide and long roads, and planes fly through the white clouds every day." I described it to her with gestures. "Xiaolian, I will take you to the city to play in the future."
Xiaolian shook her head slowly and bit her lower lip gently: "As long as I can be with Brother Minglei, Xiaolian can be anywhere. Brother Minglei, I want to ask you something."
"What?" I put my luggage back on my shoulders.
"Brother Minglei, if you come back from the city in the future, will you still like Xiaolian? Will you ask Xiaolian to be your bride?" Her voice became softer and softer, and her tone became more and more hesitant. .
"Oh, silly girl, you are thinking about this. Don't worry, Xiaolian is so cute, how could I not like her? You are my bride after all." I looked at her expression half-jokingly and half-seriously.
Xiaolian seemed to have made up her mind. She quickly tucked her short hair behind her ears. Two balls of black sparks flashed with strange light. She said calmly but clearly: "I'll wait for you."
I walked a long way and turned around to see Xiaolian standing at the foot of the mountain, waving at me… I woke up from the past and found myself sitting in Xiaolian’s living room. The house looked very well decorated. Yes, everything is in good order. I can't help but sigh that life in the mountains has finally improved. It's just strange that it's so quiet here that I can't even hear a dog barking. I feel a little cold. Xiaolian came over. She changed into a pure white dress. , which made her face look even paler. I touched her hand carelessly and shuddered. She sat down opposite me and lit a candle. Night had quietly come, and the mountain wind was blowing. The sound of branches rustling in the wind swirled around my ears.
She finally spoke: "Brother Minglei, do you still remember what I asked you ten years ago?" Her tone was still so gentle.
I was very embarrassed. I met my current wife in school. She was the most beautiful girl in our department. I don't know why she fell in love with me, a boy from the mountains. I asked her this question and my wife winked slyly: "Because , you are not like others who cling to me shamelessly. "In fact, I know that my wife chose to start a business with me because she thought I was honest and reliable, and I had a strong fighting spirit. We got married right after graduation. After marriage, I devoted all my energy to my career. Seeing our small company grow little by little, my wife and I were able to mortgage our house, buy a car, and later have a son. When I have some free time, I will think of Xiaolian and wonder if she is doing well. When I think of what I said to her, I can't help but compare her with my wife: Xiaolian is indeed pure and lovely, but she is ignorant and , in this business society where the strong prey on the weak, I am destined to be out of tune; but my wife is different, she is smart and capable, although she is a materialistic girl belonging to the city, she has a business mind that constantly adapts to the times and is updated and integrated. She is an ideal lover who fully supports me in my hard work. I told Xiaolian everything about the fact that I was married, hoping she could understand my choice.
The air seemed to freeze in an instant. Xiaolian sighed and said, "I had expected this result, but I just couldn't give up. I had to wait for you to come back and hear everything from you in person. I have been waiting for ten years. "
I was speechless, looking at her frail figure rustling like a dead leaf in the night wind, a complex and indescribable emotion arose spontaneously. I walked over and stroked her shoulders, those two sparks She turned towards me, and my back felt like it was burning. I couldn't help but move closer to her face and kissed her two red lips deeply. The cold temperature penetrated into my bones.
Xiaolian pushed me away suddenly, with a look of panic and despair on her face: "No, Brother Minglei, don't do this, it will hurt you."
I turned her shoulders and stared at the sparks: "Why? Are you blaming me and hating me for not keeping my promise? I know I'm sorry for you, but I really feel guilty. I won't do anything to make it up to you. willing."
Xiaolian shook her head sadly: "No, I don't blame you. Take a closer look at me and see what I look like now." I looked at her carefully from head to toe. Suddenly, I found that Xiaolian There was nothing under her long skirt. So, she was… She seemed to have guessed what I was thinking and began to tell me everything: "Yes, Brother Minglei, I am not a human now. I died a long time ago. Years ago. That's why you think I haven't changed at all. Ghosts don't age. Ten years ago, the second month after you left, my adoptive mother arranged a marriage for me. The man was a farmer who sold mountain products. He was almost 20 years older than me. I refused to agree and had to wait for you to come back. I always remembered what you said. Later, a large group of people came and forced me to wear a mask. I stuffed the clothes into the truck and when the truck passed the foot of Dujuan Mountain, I I wanted to run away, to run to the city to find you. I opened the car door, and they dragged me back. I struggled too hard, and my whole body fell out of the wedding dress, and my feet stepped on the side of the mountain. The loose soil made me lose my balance and I fell down the deep cliff beside the mountain road. When they found me at the bottom of the cliff, I had my eyes open and three small stones tightly clenched in my hands. No one knew What does this mean? When they saw that I was dead, they buried me behind Dujuan Mountain. My adoptive mother was afraid that my ghost would come back to find her, so she built a grave for me and burned paper money and gold ingots for me. Paper room. I just lie down here at the foot of the mountain, watching the passers-by every day, waiting for you to come back. I thought, you won't lie to me, you will definitely come back. You finally came. "Said Xiaolian. Loosen your clenched hands, and there, three small stones are lying quietly.
I rushed over regardless of everything and held her in my arms. I stroked her silky short hair. My hand touched the deep hollow under her hair. I didn't know when, but tears were streaming down my face. : "Xiao Lian, Xiao Lian, I didn't know, I didn't know it would be like this, I, I…"
"Brother Minglei, don't be too sad. It's all Xiaolian's bad luck. Don't blame others. You are the only person who treats me sincerely in my 17 years in this world. Xiaolian is sad because of this. I will never be your bride again in this life. I have been waiting for you day and night for ten years at the foot of Dujuan Mountain. I just want to see you with my own eyes and hear your voice again . Love is harder than death . In this way, Xiaolian can rest in peace. "
The sky in the east gradually turned pale, and a rooster from somewhere began to crow. Xiaolian's breathing suddenly became rapid, and she broke free from my arms: "Brother Minglei, hurry up and leave this dark place before the sun comes out. Otherwise you won't be able to leave. Xiaolian, this life of love is over, I will never appear again, take care of yourself. "After saying this, her body gradually floated up, as if like a puff of green smoke, drifting away from me. The further we get, what I will never forget are those two eyes that burned in my heart like sparks, and that final desolation.
When I woke up again, I was in a hospital ward. The white ceiling and the IV bottle hanging above my head slowly became clear. My mother was sitting next to me. The fatigue of guarding all night was written on her bloodshot eyes. I opened my eyes weakly, and my mother secretly wiped away her tears and called me anxiously: "Minglei, Minglei, are you awake? Thank God, and thank the Buddha for blessing you, you finally woke up. Mom is very worried."
At this time, the door of the ward opened, and my father followed the doctor in. The doctor bent down and looked at me carefully, then turned back to my parents and said, "Don't worry, he has passed the critical period and is fine now. He just needs to stay in the hospital for a few days for observation. It's strange to say that after falling from such a high cliff, the car has become a pile of scrap metal, but this man actually survived. He is really lucky. Haha, he survived a disaster. You will have good fortune in the future, young man." The doctor began to joke lightheartedly.
I had just recovered a little, and the bandage on my head hadn't been removed yet, but I immediately completed the discharge procedures. I used an excuse to get my parents out of the way, and I went to the foot of Dujuan Mountain alone. The mountain road was still silent, with no one in sight. I thought I looked for the small white building but couldn't find it. When I was exhausted and discouraged and planned to sit down to rest for a while, my hand touched something hard. Experience told me that it was a stone tablet. I turned around and saw a small white stone tablet hidden in the dense clumps of azaleas. I brushed away the dust from the tablet, and saw five characters neatly engraved in Chinese characters: The words "Ye Xiaolian's Tomb" are written on the wall.
I rushed to the edge of the cliff like crazy and shouted loudly into the deep valley: "Xiao Lian, come back!" There was no echo in the silent Dujuan Mountain. The inviting wind lingers freely around my ears, and the pink rhododendrons all over the mountains sway slightly in the wind as if nodding.