Chapter 98: Life is hard to get drunk once (08)

  In the afternoon, Chen Haonan bid farewell to Li's parents, as well as Li Donglin and Li Jia, and took a ride back home.

  Ever since his father's death, the concept of "home" had become vague and numb in Chen Haonan's mind. When he was young, if he got into trouble outside, his first instinct would be to rush back home, because at that time, he had a sense of "home" - home was his safe haven. But now? It's hard to say, it's unclear. Although Chen Haonan would think of home when he felt lonely in his heart, but that home always seemed so elusive, distant, and even somewhat strange...

  Although he said so, Chen Haonan was still very mindful of his behavior because he knew that there were still his grandfather, grandmother, mother and little sister at home. He loved them and had to be serious about considering their feelings. Before going home, Chen Haonan washed his hair at Li Donglin's house and even used a hair dryer to dry it. Then, from head to toe, he tidied himself up until he felt refreshed and spirited before stopping. As soon as he got home, Chen Haonan smiled and greeted his grandparents. His grandparents saw that their grandson was back and looked refreshed, so they were naturally delighted. Of course, the two elderly people still didn't forget to ask about their grandson's situation at school.

  After lunch, Chen Haonan and his sister Chen Jiayi accompanied their mother to the vegetable garden to help pull out some wild grass. Afterwards, the two siblings started chasing each other on the small path in the fields, only stopping when they reached the riverbank. Suddenly, Chen Haonan remembered his childhood friends: Lin Mochao and Qin Kelan.

  Like her brother, the small river flowing through Midori-machi was also Chen Jiayi's playground when she was a child. At that time, she and Chen Haonan had a very stiff relationship, although they were siblings of two families, but every day they would quarrel, and when things happened, they would never give in to each other, sometimes even fighting to the point of no return.

  It was okay, at that time the children didn't have any other thoughts in their minds. If you don't play with me, I'll go find someone else to play with. Just like that, when Chen Haonan followed behind Lin Mouchao and Qin Kelan's buttocks, running around happily, Chen Jiayi also led a group of kids to frolic and wander around the green town. Naturally, the small river flowing slowly on the edge of the village was also their playground. On summer afternoons, they would play in the water with the boys, splashing and diving, and many girls developed good swimming skills at that time. Chen Jiayi was one of the best among them. Apart from these things, those girls could also catch shrimp and crabs, and make their own fishing rods to fish. Every time she talked about these things with others, Chen Jiayi couldn't help but feel excited and thrilled.

  Today, the brother and sister came to the small edge, without thinking, they went down to the river. The two of them rolled up their high pant legs, stepped on the stones that had been washed clean by the water, and slowly walked onto the riverbank on the other side.

  The riverbank on the other side is called "Luye Zhou" by local villagers. It was formed due to a change in the river's course, located between the new and old river channels, although most of the original river channel has silted up with very little water flow. Originally, there were large tracts of farmland on Luye Zhou, where farmers from nearby villages would often wade across to plant crops like soybeans and sweet potatoes, but now it's hard to see any signs of that. Year after year, the spring breeze blows by, accompanied by rainwater and river water nourishment, the original farmland has been replaced by a lush meadow - this grassland is as big as several football fields, stretching deep into the small island. The interior of the small island is a forest, with tall and short trees of all kinds; surrounding the small forest is a large expanse of reeds, extending all the way to the center of the river...

  Barefoot, Chen Haonan and Chen Jiayi hopped and jumped as they ran on the lush green grass. After a while, they ran straight into the small woods. This was because there was a small hut in the woods that they had built during their childhood.

  A small thatched hut was built deep in the woods, with its back against a large camphor tree and a low-lying small pond beside it.

  The thatched hut was built by Lin Mochao and a group of kids. At the time, he was only ** years old, leading a group of children who were slightly younger than him to mess around for several days. Chen Haonan and Qin Kelan were among them, and they were the leaders of the three. To build the thatched hut, Lin Mochao led Chen Haonan and Qin Kelan to steal several long wooden boards from his father's warehouse, as well as nails, iron wire, and other things. The other little devils also stole things from their homes, and Chen Haonan even dismantled two bed boards from his grandparents' bed and stole them out, for which his mother scolded him severely.

  Although it was a mess made by the kids, the small thatched hut was still built in a decent manner. Inside the hut, they had set up a small table, and there were pots, pans, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, etc., all of which were secretly taken from their own homes. Every summer day, these naughty kids would often cook and eat together in the hut, with dishes like fish, crabs, and simple farm vegetables; they even used a slingshot to shoot a duck that belonged to someone from a neighboring village who had let it swim in the river.

  Unfortunately, Chen Haonan and his sister excitedly rushed into the forest, but what they saw in front of them was just a pile of scattered things, with weeds growing wildly, and they couldn't see the original appearance of the small thatched cottage at all... The two people didn't say anything, only Chen Haonan let out a few deep sighs by himself.

  They slowly exited the forest, and Chen Haonan and his sister still didn't speak, but the setting sun gradually caught their attention. They found a sloping spot and both lay down without saying a word. Watching the gradually setting red sun, smelling the fresh grass fragrance, and blowing in the gentle river breeze, they slowly started chatting.

  The sky gradually darkened, and Chen Haonan and Chen Jiayi almost didn't notice until their mother called them from the other side of the river. They were a little frightened: Oh, it's almost dark! Hurriedly wading through the water to cross the river, they accompanied their mother back home. Along the way, Chen Jiayi held her mother's arm, laughing and talking, sometimes even jumping up and down...

  After dinner, Chen Haonan accompanied his grandparents and talked for a while until the two old people fell asleep. He didn't return to his own room until then. As soon as he lay down, Chen Haonan suddenly remembered the letter that Xiao Nie teacher had left for him, as well as the "Heart Pavilion" that Ouyang Yiweng had returned to him when they parted ways. He took out Xiao Nie's letter from his backpack and read it under the desk lamp:

  Hao Nan:

  By the time you read this letter, I may have already boarded the train...

  Honestly, I really wish you could see me off, because I still have too many worries about you. But I know that you must have gotten drunk last night and definitely couldn't get up early this morning, so I don't blame you at all - I also hope you won't feel any guilt about it.

  I have too many worries about you, but time is tight, so I won't elaborate and just leave you with three pieces of advice: Firstly, remember to drink less in the future, wine is a good thing, but don't be greedy, there are too many examples of people making mistakes and ruining their lives because of wine - I think you also know the measure; Secondly, be kind to yourself, don't always let yourself fall into sorrow and loneliness, communicate more with friends and talk heart-to-heart; Thirdly, treat various emotions correctly - this point you need to pay special attention to, you're a clever child, I think you should understand what I mean.

  Also, Yier has gone through a lot of twists and turns. On the surface, it seems like nothing is wrong with her, but I can feel that she's carrying a lot on her mind. Remember to chat with her often when you have time, take good care of her for me!

  Let's just stop here for now. You and Y'er don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine... I will pray for you both in a foreign land! Take care!

  Your teacher added you as a friend: Xiao Feng

  Slowly looking at Xiao Nie's letter, Chen Haonan's eyes gradually became moist, and tears dripped onto the paper... "Ah! Oh no!" He suddenly panicked, hurriedly using his sleeve to gently wipe away the tears, afraid that they would blur Xiao Nie's handwriting.

  Quietly, foolishly, and dazedly thinking for a while, Chen Haonan opened "Xīn Líng Xuān" again, searching for Ouyang Yiweng's new writing of "Passerby". This is "Passerby (Twenty-two)":

  Youth slipped away quietly between my fingers

  There is beauty

  There is also much regret...

  At night, I always like to gaze up at the sky

  The vast starry sky brings me endless thoughts

  Thinking of friends' concern, thinking of my future

  Suddenly I also had inspiration

  Then

  Occasionally writing a diary, occasionally expressing the feelings in one's heart...

  Every time I think of brilliance

  My heart is always in a state of confusion

  I stuck to my dreams

  But what is taken away and replaced is just a long sigh of the years

  There are really too many sighs

  So I want to have memories

  Memories? I will really go and slowly savor...

  Really unforgettable once

  Nor does he know if he is just a passerby

  What will happen next?

  After reading Ouyang Yiweng's "Passenger", Chen Haonan felt that she was sitting in front of him, softly pouring out the words hidden deep within her heart. He even seemed to see her eyes sparkling with crystal tears...

  Suddenly, thoughts surged in his heart, and poetic ideas unknowingly rose to his mind. Chen Haonan immediately took out his pen and quickly wrote down "Traveler's Song (Twenty-Three)":

  Occasional rapid heartbeat

  Occasional passion and grandeur

  In the midst of hurry

  I ran from one relay station of life to another

  There is a mood

  It's so indescribable in words

  In front of us was a muddy swamp, and retreating left no way back...

  Open the skylight of the heart

  I just found out that the sky is still beautiful

  However,

  When and where will we have a warm old nest for our guests?

  Maybe home is just up ahead

  I need to work hard

  You too — including him and her...

  He threw down his pen and let out a relaxed sigh, but couldn't help shouting excitedly.

  He stood up, stretched his legs and slowly walked out of the room. Suddenly, he remembered last night's drunkenness - Ah, life is hard to get drunk! However, at this time, Chen Haonan was thinking more about Little Nie teacher: what was she doing?

  On the balcony, the moonlight is dappled, and the gentle breeze stirs...

  Before long, Chen Jiayi also came out. Seeing her sister coming out too, Chen Haonan smiled and slowly started chatting with her.