Xu Hongdou was about to go out to the toilet when he suddenly saw Zhou Chen sitting on the platform where he usually meditates, silently looking at the stars.
Looking at Zhou Chen's lonely figure, she thought of what Zhou Chen said tonight, and suddenly felt inexplicable pity in her heart.
The night was a little cool, so she tightened her clothes and walked towards Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen heard the sound, turned around and saw Xu Hongdou, smiled slightly, and asked, "It's so late, why aren't you sleeping?"
Xu Hongdou sat down on the futon next to Zhou Chen and looked up at the stars like Zhou Chen.
"I can't sleep. You haven't slept either. You've been sitting here for a long time."
Zhou Chen said: "My sleep quality is very good. I can regain my energy by sleeping four or five hours a day."
The improvement of his mental attributes means that he recovers his energy quickly. It takes an average person seven or eight hours of sleep a day to ensure sleep and energy, but four or five hours is enough for him.
"Really? Then aren't you a good worker?" Xu Hongdou made a small joke.
"Yeah, I'm really good at work, and I've also done many different jobs." Zhou Chen also replied with a smile.
Xu Hongdou looked at the starry sky and murmured: "I remember when I was looking at the starry sky when I was a child, there were many stars in the sky. But just a few years ago, the number of stars that can be seen has become less and less. Who knows in a few decades?"
, will we not even be able to see the moon?”
"The possibility of this is still very low. It is rare to see stars in the sky now, mainly because of external factors such as light pollution and environmental pollution. But the moon is different. It is very close to us, so this should not happen.
Condition."
Regarding the matter of stargazing, he dared to say that he was the most knowledgeable person in the world, because he had traveled through countless film and television worlds, including the ancient world, and he had seen the difference between the ancient starry sky and the modern starry sky.
In ancient times, when you looked up at the starry sky, you could see countless bright stars. However, with the development of the times, especially after modern times, the number of stars that can be seen is really decreasing year by year, and sometimes you can’t even see a single star at night.
arrive.
"Grandma said that after people die, they will turn into stars in the sky. I have always thought this is true. What do you think?"
Zhou Chen said: "I think as long as you believe it, it is true."
People need faith to live, but this kind of faith does not necessarily have to be belief in God. It can also be belief in what you want, which is also faith.
Xu Hongdou smiled and said: "What you say is really interesting. You said before that it will exist if you remember it, and now you say that it is true if you believe it. But I still think what you said is very right, and I am willing to believe what you say."
Zhou Chen also smiled and said: "Believe me, you are right, Xu Hongdou, you have to remember, I will not lie to you."
Xu Hongdou looked at Zhou Chen in surprise. Zhou Chen suddenly said such words, which caught him off guard.
"Thank you, I believe you."
Zhou Chen asked: "You are traveling this time not just because you are tired from work, but you are here to relax, right?"
Xu Hongdou tilted his head, wrapped his hands around his knees, and rested his chin on his knees.
"What about you, here to find your destined person?"
Zhou Chen laughed dumbly: "I didn't lie about this. Before I came, I had a premonition that I would meet the person I was destined to be on this trip, and the result did not disappoint me. I really met this person.
"
While speaking, he stared at Xu Hongdou with sharp eyes, which made Xu Hongdou feel very uncomfortable. She looked away unconsciously, and her cheeks also turned a bright red.
In fact, at the party today, when Zhou Chen was mentioned about his destined person, he looked at her, and now he looks at her again. Even a slow-responsive person can spot something strange about Zhou Chen, let alone her.
The response has always been good.
She didn't dare to continue talking on this topic, so she could only change the topic.
"You said I didn't come here to relax, then why do you think I came here?"
"Relax a bit, and I guess it has something to do with the girl you were with back then, right?"
Xu Hongdou's expression suddenly changed: "Why do you think of her?"
Zhou Chen withdrew his gaze and said softly: "Because she left a deep impression on me at the beginning. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to add to your prestige."
"whee."
Xu Hongdou chuckled, obviously remembering that day when Chen Nanxing used her mobile phone to increase her prestige.
But the next moment, her expression became depressed again.
"I don't know how you guessed it, but you guessed it right. My coming here is indeed related to Chen Nanxing."
"Something happened to her?"
Xu Hongdou was surprised again: "How did you guess that?"
"When I saw her last year, I could see that her condition was not very good. I learned a lot of medical knowledge due to the death of relatives and friends, and also studied Chinese medicine on my own, so I could tell that she was not very ill at that time.
light."
"You are really versatile. You can only paint and sing. You have even taught yourself Chinese medicine. Do you have that much energy?"
Xu Hongdou had a strange look in her eyes. She felt that Zhou Chen was bragging, but Zhou Chen did notice something was wrong with Chen Nanxing at a glance.
"You're looking down on people, aren't you? You also know that there are geniuses in this world. Even if they are not talented, they are those geniuses who are unique among thousands."
Zhou Chen pretended to be exaggerated and boasted, making Xu Hongdou burst into laughter.
"Don't laugh, what I'm telling you is the truth. In a broad sense, I really am the kind of genius who is different from ordinary people."
Xu Hongdou said: "Okay, okay, okay, I understand, you are a genius, a genius different from ordinary people, okay."
In line with Zhou Chen's bragging, she smiled for a while and suddenly asked: "Do you want to know about me and Chen Nanxing?"
Zhou Chen nodded without hesitation: "Of course, I really want to know what happened between you and Chen Nanxing."
Xu Hongdou said: "Let's go to my room."
After saying that, she stood up and walked towards her room. Zhou Chen did not hesitate, got up and followed Xu Hongdou.
This was the first time Zhou Chen walked into Xu Hongdou's room. He had come to see Xu Hongdou before, but he always stood outside the door and never walked in.
Xu Hongdou's room was about the same size as his, but the layout was different and more feminine.
After Xu Hongdou walked into the room, she took off the shawl she was wearing, walked to the wall, and took off the large photo frame hanging on the wall. The photo frame was covered with various photos.
Holding a large photo frame in hand, she walked up to Zhou Chen.
"Close the door and don't let the mosquitoes in."
Then the two sat down on the sofa. Xu Hongdou put the photo frame on the table and looked at the photos.
"I want to share with you the story about my beloved, Chen Nanxing."
"Beloved, the word you use is really easy for people to misunderstand."
"It's just a misunderstanding. I don't care anyway. Besides, no one here knows about Chen Nanxing except you."
Xu Hongdou looked unconcerned, while Zhou Chen looked at the photos in Xu Hongdou's photo frame. He saw that there were many photos of him, as well as photos of other people in the courtyard and Xu Hongdou himself. Under his photo, he also wrote
Words, dates, reviews...
"Zhou Chen is a passionate and versatile person. Where did this photo of me playing guitar come from?"
"It was taken by Nana, I asked her to send it to me."
"These photos are good. It can be seen that I am very photogenic. I look handsome no matter how I take them."
"Don't brag, it's just because of my good photography skills."
Zhou Chen looked at the photos, and there were words on each photo.
"The words you write under these photos are also related to Chen Nanxing?"
"Well, wait."
Xu Hongdou stood up and went over to take the photo of herself and Chen Nanxing and handed it to Zhou Chen.
"You have met Chen Nanxing, but at that time Chen Nanxing was already sick. When she was not sick, she was really beautiful, even better than me."
Zhou Chen took the photo, looked at it carefully, and said: "Well, it is indeed slightly different from the one I saw last time. It is very beautiful, and it looks lively and laughs a lot. It is not the same type as you."
."
Xu Hongdou asked: "Then what type am I?"
"In my eyes, you are a unique type. You are beautiful, have a good personality, are very easy to get along with, and you feel like an intellectual big sister."
Xu Hongdou rolled his eyes: "It's my eldest sister's fault. It's not certain that either of us is better."
However, she was still very happy when Zhou Chen praised her for her beauty and good personality.
Zhou Chen looked at Chen Nanxing in the photo and suddenly asked in a low voice: "She is no longer here, is she?"
Xu Hongdou nodded silently: "Well, she passed away shortly after you painted us last year. Pancreatic cancer was in the advanced stage."
When she mentioned this matter again, her face was still full of sadness. Zhou Chen had experienced the death of relatives and friends many times, so he could understand her mood at this time, so he didn't say anything to comfort her, because he knew
, at this moment, silence is more appropriate than comfort.
"Chen Nanxing and I are best friends. We have known each other since college. She is really the one who has been with me all the way. It can even be said that she is the biggest pillar for me to persist in the capital. I said
She is the love of my life, and this is not an exaggeration. Apart from her, I am afraid I will never have such a true love again."
"When Chen Nanxing encountered such a sudden misfortune, our hearts trembled. It was like falling into a nightmare, like missing a step on a high step, like a plane disappearing from the radar, like being unable to find direction in the desert.
, and like a polar bear sitting on ice that is about to melt, unable to find land."
Speaking of this, she suddenly laughed at herself, but her eyes became red, her mood became particularly low, and even her voice became choked.
"My uneasiness, fear, and doubts about life are all unspeakable. Who am I? Even my best friend, her departure has not changed anything in my life. I still go to and from work as usual.
When I go shopping or watch movies, I will think of her only when a person is particularly sad."
Tears fell from Xu Hongdou's cheeks. As a listener, Zhou Chen silently listened to her narration.
"When her parents lose her, they lose everything. I feel that I don't have the right to grieve for so long because of losing her."
Seeing that Xu Hongdou was so sad and so painful and self-blame, Zhou Chen said: "I can understand you, really understand, because I have experienced the same thing as you."
"I used to have a very good friend, the kind of brother who can trust each other's support in life and death in a real sense. When he left, I was sad for a long time, so I can really understand your point.
Feel.”
"Really caring about a person is not just about ordinary people. Some people are willing to show their emotions, while others are used to burying them in their hearts. The fact that you haven't mentioned Chen Nanxing for so long shows that you are used to keeping sadness and pain away.
People buried in your heart; you won't show it when you are in front of others, but behind others, when you are alone, all your strength will collapse, but after one night, you will continue to live like a normal person.
"
Xu Hongdou looked at Zhou Chen blankly, because Zhou Chen was right, she was almost like this, smiling and welcoming when in front of others, but when she was alone, she would be uncontrollably sad.
Zhou Chen can really understand her.
She wiped her tears and said in a low tone: "Nan Nan said before that she really wanted to come to Yunnan Province with me to play, but at that time, I didn't want to delay work and wanted to get promoted. Now I'm here, you see.
, she can’t come yet.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt even more sad. She endured the grief, and her tears fell one drop at a time. Her eyes were fixed on Chen Nanxing in the photo.
Zhou Chen saw that Xu Hongdou, who had always been smiling and welcoming, suddenly became so pitiful and pitiful. He felt so much pity in his heart that he couldn't help but stretched out his hand and patted her back gently to express comfort.
"If Chen Nanxing knows that you are here, I think she will be very happy. You regard her as your true love, and she must also do the same, so she will definitely hope that you can live better and stronger while you are alive, and take her with you
Her share."
After crying for a while, Xu Hongdou covered her cheeks with her hands and wiped the tears from her face.
"Sorry, I made you laugh."
"Don't say that. I know these words must have been held in your heart for a long time. It will feel better if you say them. Chen Nanxing is gone, but if you still remember her, she will always exist. What's more, I know it now.
She, she will always exist in my memory. If you still want to talk about Chen Nanxing in the future, I am willing to accompany you."
Xu Hongdou looked at Zhou Chen blankly for a long time, and finally nodded silently.
"Thank you, Zhou Chen, you are really different."
After telling Zhou Chen this and listening to Zhou Chen comforting herself, she really felt a lot more comfortable. Now not only did she know about Chen Nanxing, but Zhou Chen also knew about it. She felt very at ease when she shared Chen Nanxing's story with Zhou Chen.
,Very comfortable.
She sobbed softly and put the photo and frame back to their original positions.
Zhou Chen didn't stay any longer and stood up and said: "Hongdou, you should have a good rest. I'll leave first. Good night and sweet dreams."
"You too, good night, sweet dreams." Xu Hongdou showed a smile, but the tears on his face coupled with the smile were somewhat discordant.
Zhou Chen left Xu Hongdou's room and gently closed the door for her.
"call!"
Taking a long breath, Zhou Chen understood that after tonight, his relationship with Xu Hongdou would take a further step. Although it was still far from what he wanted, it was not too far away.
As soon as Zhou Chen came downstairs from Xu Hongdou's room, he saw Nana and Damai staring at him with inquiring eyes.
"Uh, you two haven't slept yet?"
Nana pointed upstairs and asked, "You just came out of Hongdou's room, you two, huh?"
Zhou Chen replied calmly: "Don't think too much, I'm just talking to Hongdou about something, it's not what you think."
Nana shuddered: "Hongdou, you called me so intimate and you said it's okay."
Damai asked curiously: "Zhou Chen, Hongdou is the destined person you mentioned, right?"
"Huh?"
Nana also stared at Zhou Chen closely.
Zhou Chen grinned and said: "You guessed it right, she is my destined person, but don't publicize this kind of thing, I don't want to make mistakes halfway."
Nana and Damai both looked happy, and this answer made them very happy.
In their eyes, Zhou Chen is a very good man, and Hong Dou is also their favorite neighbor and friend. If Zhou Chen and Hong Dou can get together, they will be happy to see it.
"We promise not to talk nonsense, and we will help you. After all, we have a very good relationship with Hongdou."
"That's great. If we can do it, we will definitely invite you to take a seat."
"Okay, okay, then we agreed, we will be witnesses of your love."
"It must be said."
…………
Early the next morning, when Zhou Chen came to the platform to meditate, he was shocked to find that Xu Hongdou was already sitting where he usually sat.
"Are you up so early?"
Xu Hongdou said: "I just got up. I usually see you getting up early in the morning to meditate. I want to learn from you and see what's different."
Zhou Chen went to sit on the futon next to her and said, "Master Ma meditates to stop myself from thinking. I meditate to practice meditation. What about you, why?"
"Then I'm just like you. In order to meditate, I want to know whether I can calm down."
"Okay, let's go together then."
Zhou Chen naturally has no objection. He meditates every day just to develop his internal strength. But unfortunately, modern society may be really different, and internal strength that comes from within cannot be developed. Maybe it has something to do with heaven and earth, or maybe it’s not
It’s about people.
So, after Zhou Chen meditated with his eyes closed, Xu Hongdou followed Zhou Chen's example and started meditating in the same posture as Zhou Chen.
When Ma Qiu Shan got up and prepared to meditate, he found that his place had been occupied by someone.
"Hey, what's going on today? Xu Hongdou meditated too and took my seat."
Ma Qiushan was very strange and depressed, but he had no choice but to find another cushion and meditate at the door of the tea room.
After several other people in the small courtyard got up and saw this scene, they were all a little confused.
Good guy, in the past it was just Ma Qiushan who meditated alone, and then Ma Qiushan and Zhou Chen meditated together. Now it’s fine, and another member has been added. Are you planning to set up a meditation alliance?
Nana, who got up early to go to work, was used to this phenomenon. Even if there was an extra Xu Hongdou, she just shook her head, took a look at the excitement and left.
Hu Youyu and Damai, who rarely got up early, sat together and watched this scene with great curiosity.
In order to make the meditation trio more difficult, Hu Youyu even brought a guitar and played and sang in front of the trio.
It's just that his fingers hurt from playing and his throat was filled with smoke. The trio still didn't wake up, as if it had no impact. On the contrary, he couldn't bear it and fell asleep.
Back in the rest area, Hu Youyu and Damai sat together, looking at the three people meditating through the open wooden window.
"In the past, Zhou Chen only meditated for an hour or two in the morning and then ended it. Today, he didn't end it. Instead, he meditated with Xu Hongdou. Did they discuss it in advance?"
Hu Youyu still knew the time when Zhou Chen meditated, so today's unusual behavior made him feel strange.
Damai said: "I guess so."
Hu Youyu held his chin and said, "Da Mai, let's make a bet to see who among the three of them can't hold it in anymore. How about a hundred dollars?"
Damai thought for a while and replied: "No problem, I believe in Hongdou, so I choose Ma Ye to be the first to be unable to hold back."
Hu Youyu shook his head: "You don't have enough experience. You can't bet with emotional factors. Mr. Ma meditates every day and has already formed a habit. Habits are the most terrifying, so it is absolutely impossible for Mr. Ma.
The first one couldn't help it, Zhou Chen meditated often, and Xu Hongdou was the least experienced."
"So I choose Xu Hongdou, she will definitely be the first to be unable to hold it in."
Damai glanced at him and did not refute, but waited quietly.
Time passed by minute by second, and it was past ten o'clock in the morning in the blink of an eye. Zhou Chen and Xu Hongdou, who were sitting on the platform, were still silent, but Ma Qiu Shan, who was sitting at the door of the tea room, was beginning to be a little unbearable.
The hands he pinched began to tremble, and his expression even wrinkled. He secretly opened one eye and looked at Zhou Chen and Xu Hongdou.
Zhou Chen and Xu Hongdou were seen sitting there motionless, not moving at all.
Ma Qiushan couldn't help but sigh. He couldn't help it anymore and wanted to move, but found that his legs had long since lost all feeling.
He didn't care about his posture anymore and rubbed his feet with both hands. He didn't move for a long time. The lack of blood circulation caused his legs to become paralyzed and he lost consciousness. He only responded to movements.
But he had three urgent problems. He really couldn't hold it in anymore. He struggled to stand up before his legs could regain consciousness, but he still couldn't succeed. In the end, he had no choice but to use his hands to support his body.
He moved a little bit, tightened his legs with difficulty, and crawled forward with a painful and desperate expression.
Hu Youyu and Damai, who were watching this scene in the rest area, showed no sympathy at all, and had no intention of helping. Instead, they sighed and shook their heads.
Hu Youyu couldn't help but sigh: "At the critical moment, man, ugh."
Damai ignored him and stretched out his hand in front of Hu Youyu, meaning if he lost the bet, give me the money.
But Hu Youyu shook his head repeatedly, clapped his hand on Damai's, then stood up and left.
Damai looked at Hu Youyu in shock, where is the money? She won, where is the money?
After Ma Qiu Shan climbed to the toilet, Xu Hongdou opened his eyes, stretched out in relief, and unexpectedly looked at Zhou Chen beside him.
As if feeling Xu Hongdou's gaze, Zhou Chen also opened his eyes, looked at Xu Hongdou, and met Xu Hongdou's eyes.
Xu Hongdou said: "You are very good. I was the runner-up in holding back urine in our hotel, but you are no worse than me."
Zhou Chen smiled and said, "I didn't dare to move because you didn't move. In fact, I almost couldn't hold it in anymore."
Xu Hongdou rolled his eyes and said coquettishly: "I don't believe you. Master Ma just acted like that and couldn't hold it in anymore. As for you, I guess you can hold it in for a while."