Records of Strange People and Strange Events in the Old Mansion

Chapter 34 Liu

The willow trees by the Taiping Pond in front of the old house are the best memories of Zhu Badger's childhood. Many laughters come from these willow trees. Spring, summer, autumn and winter, all year round, each season has the joy of willows in every season.

"The willows are alive, playing spinning tops; the willows green, playing the bell; the willows dead, playing shuttlecocks; the willows sprouting, beating leeks." This nursery rhyme circulated in Lvbubu Village vividly sung the children's four seasons throughout the year Happy games around the willow tree.

"The grass is growing and the orioles are flying in February, and the willows are blowing in the dike and drunk with the spring smoke. Children come back early from school and are busy taking advantage of the east wind to fly kites." Zhu Badger's joy in spring comes from flying kites. The kites were made by Mr. Zhu and folded a few willow branches. , peel and split it, build it into the desired kite image, paste it with rice paper, Mr. Zhu has plenty of rice paper, and connect it with the quilt thread stolen from my mother’s sewing bag, and then he can lead his friends to fly in the warm spring breeze. Kite.

Children of similar age like to play with Zhu Badger, but Zhu Badger never allows Tian Da Lei, Tian Er Lei and Tian Xiao Lei to play together. There is only one year difference between the three brothers. Tian Xiao Lei and Zhu Badger are the same age. , Tian Erlei is only one year older than Zhu Badger, and Tian Daerei is only two years older than Zhu Badger, so they should be able to play together, but Zhu Badger just doesn't want to play with them, and would rather take the stumbling egg with him. Play.

The Taiping Pond in front of the old house had clear water when Zhu Badger was a child, and was surrounded by willow trees. In spring, kites made of willow branches were flown here, and tops made of willow trees were played here; in summer, at noon, he climbed the willow trees to catch cicadas. , catch fireflies at night, wear wicker hats and play war between the enemy and ourselves; in autumn, Ma Yaksha will hang two large ropes on the largest willow tree and press a wooden board on it, and the red badger can swing on it ; In winter, lure birds under the willow tree, sweep away the snow on a small area, sprinkle some grains, put a rice sieve on top, support it with a willow branch, and connect the willow branch to a rope. Catch it in your hand and hide behind the willow tree, waiting for the bird to come to look for food. When the rope is pulled, the willow branch falls down and the rice sieve covers the bird. If the bird is still too young, let it fly. Otherwise, it will be fried bird meat with pickles, and you will have several bowls of it for dinner.

Taipingtang is now a pool of stagnant water. It is estimated that the channels for fresh water in and out are blocked, but no one has stepped forward to clear it. Nowadays, everyone only cares about money. In the past, the village would clear the Taiping Pond every year before the Chinese New Year. On the day of dredging, everyone from every household was out in force. After the water is released, adults and children go down to the pond to catch fish together. No matter how many fish they catch, they will be put together first. When they are all caught, they will be evenly distributed according to the family size, old and young alike. The old people and children went back to collect the fish and cook it, and the strong laborers began to dig out the pond mud. The mud was dug up and piled up at the foot of the willow tree. The buds of the willow tree sprouted very early the next year, and the willow leaves were especially green in summer.

Alas, how can it be like now? The branches of the willow trees looked like those of Tian Leizi, and several of them were dead.

It was rare for Zhu Badger to get up early. After getting up today, she took eight thin dogs and went straight to Taiping Pond. She wanted to see if the willow branches had sprouted?
Unexpectedly, Blue Jade Liu got up earlier than Zhu Badger. She was standing under a willow tree taking pictures. Seeing Zhu Badger passing by, she enthusiastically took the lead in saying hello: "Hi, morning, fairy."

Humph, there is no benefit in getting up early. I must have gotten up so early because I wanted to explore the treasures of the old house. Zhu Badger didn't want to talk to Lan Yuliu at first, but he remembered what Mr. Zhu often said: "The reason why mortals are more valuable than animals is because they are polite." So he replied: "You were earlier."

Lan Yuliu was still dressed in black today, with a black hat, black scarf, black coat, black trousers, and only a pair of high-heeled leather boots on her feet that were dazzlingly red. After pressing the shutter, she called to Zhu Badger: "Fairy, such a beautiful morning scene in the mountain village will be even more beautiful with a fairy as beautiful as you. Come on, let me take some pictures for you."

"Thank you, I don't like taking pictures." Zhu Badger stared at the camera in Lan Yuliu's hand.

Lan Yuliu shook the camera and said, "What girl doesn't like taking pictures? Don't worry, my photography skills can be called professional."

"You must be professional. You are professional in all aspects, right?" Zhu Badger turned around and wanted to leave. Lan Yuliu stopped her, walked quickly to Zhu Badger, and explained sincerely, "Don't have any prejudice against me. I actually like the scenery here and the elegance of the old house. The treasure I told you before, It refers to the beautiful mountain village scenery, the ancient architectural culture of old houses, and I want to capture these treasures with my camera.”

"Really? Then why are you taking pictures of these willow trees?" Zhu Badger came out of the old house and saw Lan Yuliu taking pictures of the willow trees by Taiping Pond, so he didn't step forward to stop her. If she took pictures of the old house, she would definitely Will not allow it.

Lan Yuliu sighed and replied quietly: "Oh, I miss people when I see things." "I miss people when I see things?" Zhu Badger frowned.

"My name is Yuliu. Even in middle age, I am still alone. The so-called ruined flowers and ruined willows. Look, are my ruined flowers and the ruined willows in front of me the same? Looking at these ruined willows, can you stop me from seeing things and thinking about them? People with the same disease feel sympathy for each other, but they feel resentment in their hearts!" Lan Yuliu said more sadly, her eyes a little red.

When Zhu Badger heard what Lan Yuliu said, he felt a little pity for his rejection of others. He was much less wary of Lan Yuliu, but he still responded in a mocking tone: "You are beautiful, but don't come here now." I’m afraid the men in the village are all dreaming about you, right? Also, you are about to become this beautiful man who lives in the village, and becomes the man in the quaint old house. Isn’t it the beauty above beauty?”

"Zhu Badger, Fairy, the pain in my heart cannot be described in words. Do you know what the relationship between me and Zhu Hu is?" Lan Yuliu's tears fell down, and the red badger felt a little soft-hearted, so she bit her Ya, continued to ask in a sarcastic tone: "Aren't you and him lovers? Didn't Zhu Hu already announce the true love, the love between men? You have admitted it yourself."

"Fairy, Zhu Badger, I have a hard time telling you. I have no relatives in this world. What can I do as a weak woman? How can these losers in front of me still have these companions, and there are kind-hearted girls like you from time to time?" Thinking of them. But what about my failed willow? Who treats me sincerely? Who truly cares for me?" The blue jade willow shed even more tears. Zhu Badger wanted to choke her a few more words, but instead he spoke in a sympathetic tone: "Well, didn't Zhu Hu treat you very well? You are about to become a person who can't live in a village, and a person who lives in an old house. You should feel happy."

"Zhu Badger, Fairy, I can feel that you are a kind and upright good girl. My greatest happiness when I came to Donkeybu Village was to meet you. I have a merciless request. Of course, this is just my wishful thinking. You can completely refuse. If you refuse me, I won’t have any thoughts. I am still very grateful to you and thank you for speaking so many words with me." Lan Yuliu said so sincerely that Zhu Badger could not refuse, with a gentle tone Asked: "What happened? Tell me."

"Fairy, Zhu Badger, can you be patient and listen to me tell me everything about me? For decades, I have nowhere to complain and no one wants to listen. Now that I meet a kind and good girl like you, I am full of I really want to express my grievances to you. You, just treat it as a joke to relieve your boredom." Lan Yuliu's pitiful appearance made Zhu Badger sympathize even more than the defeated Lius in front of her. Her heart softened and she said, "I won't laugh at you. As long as you are sincere, I will be sincere. Just tell me."

"Zhu Badger, Fairy, I am an orphan. When I was born, my cruel parents abandoned me beside the trash can at the bus station. A grandma who swept the floor kindly picked me up and raised me with hard work until I was three years old. It was a pity that my grandma became ill from overwork and passed away. When I was three years old, I was sold to a human trafficker by a cruel neighbor, who then sold me to the county seat of your county. My adoptive mother treated me as if I were her own child, but my adoptive father, he, he, He..." Lan Yuliu burst into tears, hugged Zhu Badger and cried loudly.

Lan Yuliu hugged Zhu Badger and cried about her tragic past, and Zhu Badger burst into tears.

Lan Yuliu said that her adoptive father was a gangster. When he was young, he had a leg broken by another gangster when he was fighting for a woman. As a result, he became even more gangster, and later became an alcoholic, relying on his wife for all his food and drink. Even if he doesn't say anything, he will domestically abuse his wife, Lan Yuliu, at every turn. Lan Yuliu endured the humiliation and struggled to grow up in such an environment. When she graduated from junior high school, her adoptive father fell to his death due to drunkenness, and she finally lived a clean life for a few years.

Lan Yuliu said that although her life with her adoptive mother was difficult, it was very warm. This was the most comfortable time for her so far. Unexpectedly, the good times did not last long. Before she graduated from high school, her adoptive mother died of illness, leaving her alone and helpless in the world.

With the support of teachers and classmates, Lan Yuliu barely finished high school. She went out to work as soon as she graduated from high school. After working hard for more than ten years, she finally opened a photo studio in the county town. The business of the photo studio cannot be said to be prosperous, but there is no problem in supporting myself, and I can give full play to my hobby of photography in my spare time. At a photography exhibition, Lan Yuliu met a famous photographer and was immediately attracted by his elegant demeanor and talent. The photographer shot Cupid's arrow at Lan Yuliu, and Lan Yuliu immediately fell in love. No matter that he was already a married man, she devoted all her feelings and property to be good to him. Can such a man be a good person? It must be Playboy and Chen Shimei second. After the novelty wore off, she abandoned Lan Yuliu, not to mention taking away all the equipment in Lan Yuliu's photo studio and the little savings she had worked hard to save.

Lan Yuliu was heartbroken, hated the man so much that she wanted to commit suicide and end her life. One cold morning, she jumped into the cold river. It was Zhu Hu who saved her and patiently persuaded her: "You can keep the green hills without worrying about firewood. You are still young and good days are yet to come."

Zhu Hu not only saved Lan Yuliu, but also used all his savings to reopen a photo studio for himself, which moved her to tears. Zhu Hu was unattractive, even a little ugly, but he had a really good heart. He saved her and supported her. He never thought anything wrong about her and rarely even came to the photo studio. In order to thank her, Lan Yuliu always cooked meals and invited him to come to the photo studio when she was free on weekends. As time goes by, the relationship between the two people deepens day by day, but this relationship is by no means the relationship between a man and a woman, but the relationship between a family member and a brother and sister.

Later, Lan Yuliu and Zhu Hu talked about everything. Lan Yuliu knew that it was not easy for him to work in the county as a mountain man, and he was moved by his simplicity and sincerity, and slowly changed his view of men. Lan Yuliu wholeheartedly wanted to repay Zhu Hu for saving his life and repay Zhu Hu for his generous help, but what could she, a weak woman, do in return? She was willing to be his little lover as long as she gave her body to him. Zhu Hu refused and said, "My hometown has beautiful scenery and an old house. Why don't you go to our place to celebrate the New Year and relax, I believe your mind will change."

What Lan Yuliu is most afraid of is celebrating the New Year alone, with other people reunited and rejoicing; while she is alone and deserted. Zhu Hu kindly invited her, of course she was happy. When she arrived at Lvbubu Village, she was attracted by the beautiful scenery of the mountains and countryside, the old house, and even the people in the old house.

Lan Yuliu said to Zhu Badger that Zhu Hu told everyone that she was his lover. That was an angry talk. What man doesn't want to lose face? Especially in front of his neighbors, not to mention that Zhu Hu is still more or less a village official. As for why he admitted to being Zhu Hu's lover in front of Zhu Badger? That's because he doesn't want other men in the village to have any inappropriate thoughts. If Zhu Badger doesn't believe it, you can ask Granny Xieyan. She has been in Lvbui Village and lived in Zhu Hu's house for so many days. She has never shared a bed or room with Zhu Hu. She has lived in his house. In a small room.

After listening to Lan Yuliu's sincere confession, Zhu Badger went from disgust to sympathy, from sympathy to favorability, but her reason still reminded her to calm down and not easily believe the beautiful woman in front of her, so Zhu Badger asked Lan Yuliu: "Since you You and Zhu Hu don't share the same bed and room, so why would the squinty-eyed woman say that you have been sleeping together since you came back? Why didn't you go out for such a long time after you came back?"

Lan Yuliu replied: "I fell ill as soon as I arrived at your place, with vomiting and diarrhea. If Zhu Hu hadn't taken care of me day and night, I might never have been able to get up. If the donkey doesn't reach the west mountain of the village, there will be another lonely grave. As for the squinting eyes My mother-in-law scolded me like that. I completely understand. What woman doesn’t love her man? What woman doesn’t want her man to love her? What’s more, the couple spends less time together and separates more. After finally coming back to celebrate the New Year, the husband and wife can’t talk about their affection without talking about it. You have to take care of me, a woman with an unknown origin. You said, Zhu Badger, fairy, compare your feelings to others, if it were me or you, would you have the same reaction?"

"Well, that's true. I understand. Did you really open a photo studio in the county?" Zhu Badger had been basically convinced by Lan Yuliu at this time, and there was only a little doubt about his identity.

Lan Yuliu raised the camera hanging on her chest and said to Zhu Badger: "If you don't believe it, go to the county with me after the New Year and go to my photo studio to see. My business license is really written on it." Name. Look, this camera has the logo of my photo studio printed on it. Also, this is my ID card and business card."

Zhu Badger first glanced at Lan Yuliu's camera. Sure enough, there were five red words "Youth Photo Studio" on it. After taking the ID card and business card that Lan Yuliu took out from his coat pocket and looking at them carefully, Zhu Badger completely believed Lan Yuliu, believed everything she said, believed in her relationship with Zhu Hu, and believed that she would never come. The village is just to celebrate the New Year, and the old house is just to live in Zhu Hu's home.

"Zhu Badger, Fairy, let me take some photos for you while the sun is rising. I also have a camera that can print out the photos right away."

Faced with Lan Yuliu's sincerity, Zhu Badger couldn't refuse and nodded. Of course, Zhu Badger, like every girl, likes to take pictures. Zhu Badger had heard about a camera that could print out photos immediately when she was working in the provincial capital. She had always been curious about it. Lan Yuliu said she had it. Can Zhu Badger resist it?

After a while, Lan Yuliu returned with another camera in hand, followed by Lu Huan.

"Why are you here?" Zhu Badger asked Lu Huan.

Lu Huan jumped up to Zhu Badger and replied happily: "I got up because I was hungry, and my aunt asked me to call you back for breakfast. When I met this beautiful sister, she said she would take pictures of you and me. , I'm coming over." After Lu Huan said that, he turned around and ran towards Lan Yuliu, grabbed Lan Yuliu's arm with both hands, and begged: "Sister, take pictures for me first, okay? I want to take many, many pictures."

"Okay, I'll take a group photo of you first, and then one by one." Lan Yuliu agreed.

Zhu Badger did not expect that Lu Huan would get tired of Lan Yuliu, and Lan Yuliu would be so straightforward and enthusiastic, and hurriedly said: "Huanhuan, you should call me sister-in-law. Just take a few photos, don't waste sister-in-law's film."

"I brought a lot of film. I'm really worried that I can't take out the pictures. Also, I like it when you call me sister. My sister-in-law calls me old. If you don't dislike me, just call me Sister Liu." Lan Yuliu said it very naturally.

"Okay, okay, Sister Liu, let's start quickly." Lu Huan couldn't wait for Zhu Badger to respond to Lan Yuliu, and couldn't wait to pose.

"Badger, Huanhuan, come back for breakfast." Ma Yasha stood at the gate of the old house and shouted towards Taiping Pond.

"Here we come." Zhu Badger responded to his mother and said to Lu Huan and Lan Yuliu: "Huanhuan, let's go back for breakfast first. Sister Liu, I'm sorry, let's contact you again."

"Okay." Lu Huan agreed, took Lan Yuliu's hand and walked back, saying as he walked: "Sister Liu, let's go eat together."

(End of this chapter)