Shanghai Embroidery Lady

Chapter 115
After winter, although it never snows in Shanghai, it is still extremely cold.Ye Zijin was born in Beiping, and he has long been unaware of the heavy snow. He just laughed off the rich people who made a special trip to the north to enjoy the snow scenery.The elegance of fat horses and light furs is mostly available to the rich, and the poor only think about how to dress warmly to feed their stomachs.The wealthy family has wine and meat, and seeing beggars on the road still touched her a lot.

The winter when I first arrived in Shanghai is still deeply engraved in Ye Zijin's memory.

At that time, Aunt Zhou took her and her two younger brothers to Shanghai. Because they were not familiar with the place, they couldn't find a place to live for a while, so they could only squeeze in a broken house with some poor people.

Ye Zijin remembered that there was no bed in that house, and she could only sleep on straw mats and quilts on the floor. Every day when she opened her eyes, she could see the broken hole in the roof.With drafty walls and a leaky roof, that house was like an icehouse in winter.The biting cold penetrated directly into the bed, and even if I curled up to sleep every night, I would be woken up by the cold.

The two skinny younger brothers were so cold that their lips turned blue, and Zirong, the weakest, even had a fever a few times, but no matter how cold they were, they never complained.In order to support her family, Aunt Zhou went out against the cold wind every day to collect a lot of dirty clothes and wash them, but she could only earn a few copper dollars.Every time Ye Zijin saw that Auntie's hands were red and swollen from washing, and she couldn't even hold a needle and thread, she felt very distressed... It wasn't until Auntie Zhou found a job in a textile factory that they moved out of that nightmare place.

Thinking of the miserable days in the past, thinking of Aunt Zhou and her younger brothers, tears gradually blurred Ye Zijin's eyes, and it will be the end of the new year soon, she has been living in the old home until now, but now she is alone one person……

"Zijin, the batch of winter clothes donated to the Catholic Nursery has been delivered. There are a few reporters from Xinbao outside who want to interview you. Do you want to go?" Xiaoyue poked the fire in the charcoal basin and saw Ye Zi Jin quietly turned his face away and wiped the corners of his eyes.

Ye Zijin calmed down, and said: "You help me to reject them, just say that I am too busy, if they come to the shop to make clothes, I would welcome them."

As the Chinese New Year approached, it was the busiest time in the store. It was simply too busy to make new clothes for the New Year, but Ye Zijin asked the factory to focus on making the children's winter clothes.I originally wanted to send winter clothes to the Nursing Home anonymously, but I somehow leaked the news, which caused a lot of discussion in the outside world. Some people said that she was showing kindness, some said she wanted to take the opportunity to improve Shen Ji's reputation, some said Some say she is an upstart fake mercy.Ye Zijin simply ignored it, and the winter clothes were delivered correctly.

Xiaoyue said "hmm", and seeing the faint traces of tears on Ye Zijin's face, she also guessed one or two reasons, so she walked over and said, "This year's Chinese New Year, Xiaowu and I will go to your house to make dumplings, and call Boss Meng and He Sister-in-law, let Xiao Wu buy all the necessities for the New Year, and we can just enjoy leisure at home."

"Well, I remember to send some Shanghai New Year's goods to Master, and pack a little more of the bad meat and dim sum. His old man likes to eat Wufangzhai's red bean cake." Ye Zijin remembered the matter of buying New Year's goods after Xiaoyue reminded her.

"Okay, I've written it all down, and I'll post it with Xiao Wu later." Xiaoyue smiled.

"How are you and Ah Cheng?" Ye Zijin said casually.

Xiaoyue blushed and said in a low voice, "Very good..."

"Did he say when he will marry you? Haoxiang and I will organize the wedding banquet for you." Ye Zijin knew that Ah Cheng had always been very kind to Xiaoyue, and the two of them were in love with each other. She always regarded Xiaoyue as her younger sister. The elder sister is supposed to plan for the lifelong events of the younger sister.

Xiaoyue became even more embarrassed, her voice was like a gnat, "Not...not yet..."

"Since I don't have one, I'll bring it up to him. Forget it. Master has a wish. He told me to take good care of you when I went to Beiping last time, and help you find a reliable person." Ye Zijin acted like a big sister. Concerned about my sister's marriage.

Xiaoyue blushed, and said in a panic, "Don't mention it to Brother Ah Cheng, he said he wanted to help Boss Meng for a few more years, then quit the gang and take me back to my hometown to get married..."

Quit the gang!Ye Zijin was shocked.You must know that the procedure for joining a guild is very complicated, you need to open a incense hall, and make a alliance with blood, and it is not so easy to quit halfway. You have to withstand the test of blood sacrifice, which is simply unbearable physical pain for ordinary people.

"He is really willing to quit the gang for you?" Ye Zijin couldn't believe it.

Xiaoyue nodded, it seemed that she didn't understand the rules of the gang at all.Ye Zijin felt troubled in her heart, if this was the case, how could Xiaoyue have the heart to see Ah Cheng go through the pain of flesh and blood, the rules of the gang are like military orders, and Meng Haoxiang can't be lenient at that time...

Seeing Ye Zijin's serious expression, Xiaoyue comforted her, "Zijin, don't worry, I'm not in a hurry with Ah Cheng. He said that in a few years, Jin'antang will no longer be a gangster, and when he helps Boss Meng, Jinantang will no longer be a gangster." An Tang will take me away after he is completely on the right path."

"Well, then I'm relieved..." Ye Zijin breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly feeling a little bit sad in her heart, even Xiaoyue will be gone in a few years...

Ye Zijin would go to the flower market to buy a pot of narcissus at this time of year, which was their New Year's habit when Aunt Zhou was still alive.

When you walk outside the flower market, you can smell the fragrance of plum blossoms. The wintersweets in the city are all in bloom. Some flower vendors have inserted a few yellow or red plum blossoms to decorate the stalls in vases to add joy. All kinds of flowers are competing for splendor. The oranges hang among the green leaves like little lanterns.

Ye Zijin came to the bunk of the fat man with the bald head. Seeing that he was a regular customer and knowing the relationship between Ye Zijin and Meng Haoxiang, the fat man laughed tremblingly, and said, "Miss Ye is here to buy flowers. I am here this year. There are some new narcissus, you can take a look at them." He said, moving the pots of narcissus in front of Ye Zijin for him to choose.

Ye Zijin took a fancy to a pot of pure white double-petal Jade Linglong. The winter sun sprinkled sporadically on the petals, and the thin petals became more and more crystal clear, like ice and snow that would melt with one breath, Haosu Lingbo, It is also like the jade color of Su'e Qingnv shaking off, with a charming dew.Planted in blue and white porcelain with wide body and open mouth, it blooms gracefully and gracefully, just like little jade butterflies whispering.

"I want this pot, how much is it?" Ye Zijin asked.

The bald and fat man smiled and said, "Thirty Xiaoyang, the real Yu Linglong."

Ye Zijin smiled, "Boss won't be outrageous this time?"

The bald and fat man touched his forehead, his neck shrunk in from the cold, and said with a smile: "I can't hide it from an expert like Miss Ye. Just tell me what flowers you want in the future, and I can deliver them to you." You go to the shop."

"Well, when spring comes, there will be a pot of beautiful rhododendrons left for me." After paying the money, Ye Zijin picked up the narcissus and left the flower market.

After walking a few steps, she heard someone calling her name behind her.

"Zijin."

A deep and gentle voice floated from a distance, Ye Zijin looked back, saw that familiar figure, a warm current flowed from her heart suddenly, it seemed as if she met him here...

At that time, she was still a newspaper tomboy in men's clothes and a felt hat. In order to buy a pot of narcissus, she accidentally got involved in a gun battle between gangs and escaped death.At that time, Meng Haoxiang left her only a blurred profile and a resolute back...

"Go out along this alley and don't look back."

His voice was so calm but powerful, as if the calm water contained the power of the stormy sea.Ye Zijin stood at the intersection, staring blankly at the man striding towards her, the picture seemed to be frozen in that year.

Meng Haoxiang waved his hand in front of her eyes, "What are you smirking at?"

Ye Zijin came back to his senses, avoided his gaze, and said, "You...why are you here?"

Meng Haoxiang pointed to the narcissus in her hand, "I'll do whatever you want."

Seeing that his hands were empty, Ye Zijin asked, "Then why didn't you buy flowers?"

A gloomy look flashed across Meng Haoxiang's eyes, and he said calmly: "Actually, I went to the shop to look for you just now, and Xiaoyue said that you went to the flower market. Today is my mother's memorial day, can you help me pick some flowers?"

Ye Zijin's heart trembled, he hummed, and followed Meng Haoxiang silently.

The flower market at this time of year is very lively, but Ye Zijin's heart is quiet at this moment, the originally festive atmosphere of the New Year is mixed with a touch of sadness.Presumably in the past, he also spent every year in this kind of torment and loneliness, but the days of reunion were abruptly separated from his loved ones.

Ye Zijin walked a few quick steps to Meng Haoxiang's side, walked side by side with him, touched his hand lightly with her fingers intentionally or unintentionally, she took a deep breath, exhaled a puff of white air, and then slowly and slowly firmly hold his hand.His palm was very warm, but her hand was as cold as a piece of ice in winter, the moment she held it, her heart skipped a few beats, and the ice and snow on her fingertips seemed to be melted, warming her to the tip of her heart.

Meng Haoxiang lowered his head and glanced at Ye Zijin, a smile appeared on the corner of his lips, Ye Zijin's face was flushed, and he pretended to know nothing and tightened the scarf tightly.The two intertwined their fingers, warming each other's hands and hearts.

Chrysanthemums are rare in this season, and Ye Zijin accompanied Meng Haoxiang to a few stalls before buying a few bouquets of Chrysanthemums.The petals are as white as jade, and there is a hint of bitterness in the fragrance, just like the yearning and remembrance of relatives.

Meng Haoxiang was walking with the chrysanthemum in his hands, and suddenly asked Ye Zijin, "How dare you throw a gun at me at that time, aren't you afraid of death?"

Ye Zijin smiled, "Of course I was scared, I was really scared to death at that time, throwing a gun at you was purely scared and confused."

"Really? How do I see that you were still sober at the time, and I hesitated for a long time when I asked you to give me the narcissus in your hand." Meng Haoxiang recalled Ye Zijin's disheveled look, and found it very interesting.

Ye Zijin beamed with joy, and said: "That pot of narcissus costs 38 small ocean miles. I saved the money for a week, and you throw it away if you say so. By the way, I haven't asked you yet. After being shot, you can obviously run away by yourself, why did you come to my side again?"

Meng Haoxiang thought about it seriously, with sympathy in his eyes, he said: "Seeing how pitiful you were at that time, huddled in the corner like a stray cat, I felt compassion for a moment."

"Don't you have any other intentions?" Ye Zijin asked unwillingly.

Meng Haoxiang swept her cheeks with flowers, and said with a smile: "Don't forget that you were wearing men's clothes at the time, I wouldn't...cough cough, I am a normal man, otherwise I wouldn't have fallen in love with you... "

"Meng Haoxiang!" Ye Zijin stamped her feet angrily.

Before she could get angry, Meng Haoxiang ran a few steps first. Seeing her standing still, he smiled and said, "Let's go, I'd like to make dumplings to apologize to you."

Only then did Ye Zijin move towards her.

Ye Zijin wore a white coat today, with the collar turned up high, and a begonia red scarf around her neck, holding a fair and delicate oval face, bright eyes and red lips, and two shallow pear dimples when she smiled. People are as calm and flawless as the narcissus in her arms.

Meng Haoxiang was slightly stunned, as if in the past, the moment her hat slipped off, his heart had already been seized, what she left him was a pair of clear eyes and a lingering fragrance.
Holding her hand again, the two looked at each other and smiled.The years are silent, and the Iraqis are still the same.

On New Year's Eve, Ye Zijin's house was so lively for the first time since Zizheng left.

Xiaoyue and Mrs. He made two big bowls of dumpling stuffing, and Xiaowu helped to knead the noodles and boil the water.Ye Zijin also called Xiao Xia and Grandma Qin together, and a group of people sat around the table to make dumplings.Grandma Qin is an authentic Shanghainese, and she insisted on making eight-treasure rice and spring rolls by herself. Xiao Xia and Wang Xinyu became assistant cooks, and everyone talked and laughed happily.

At this time someone knocked on the door, Ye Zijin went to open the door, Meng Haoxiang walked in with two pots of wine and snacks.Ye Zijin was about to help him take off the sheepskin gloves, Meng Haoxiang gently pushed her hand away, and said with a smile: "My hands are cold, don't touch them, go inside and warm yourself."

Ye Zijin took the things in his hands and put them down, and the two came in together, and Mrs. He joked, "I really love my wife, I have raised you for so many years."

Meng Haoxiang took off his gloves and coat. The style of his woolen vest, shirt, and suit did not match the style of the plain room, but he went to the sink to wash his hands very naturally, then rolled up his sleeves and walked to the table, saying with a smile: "I Also come to help everyone make dumplings."

Mrs. He let out an "ouch" and said, "The sun is coming out from the west, but you have never made wontons for me. It seems that the dumplings from my wife's house are better."

Xiao Xia responded, "I'm afraid that only Miss Zijin would dare to eat the dumplings you made, Boss Meng."

Everyone laughed again, Ye Zijin's face turned red from the words, but Meng Haoxiang acted like he didn't hear anything, and awkwardly learned how to make dumplings.

It's just that he was knocked off the table by Mrs. He after he made a few dumplings. Meng Haoxiang couldn't even look at the dumplings, let alone eat them.Dumplings are made either as a big-bellied general whose skin is torn and the stuffing is exposed, or as a beggar from a famine that cannot stand upright. In short, they are strangely shaped, and they are more like gnocchi with stuffing.
"Why is it so difficult to make dumplings?" Meng Haoxiang simply put a lump of filling between two rolled out dumpling skins, and finished a meatloaf.

Ye Zijin directly pushed him to watch the fire, and for the first time, the dignified boss Meng tasted what it was like to be rejected by everyone. One moment he was in Baohui Yangxing, and he was reduced to a stove burner in Ye Zijin's house the next moment. fire worker...

The steaming dumplings were served on the table, and the authentic Shanghai-style Chinese New Year dishes prepared by Grandma Qin were also served at the same time.Although the small house seems a bit crowded, it is warm and harmonious, full of New Year's flavor.

The daffodils on the window sill stood quietly, the frost on the glass was gradually melted by the heat in the house, and small streams slid down the window.As twilight gradually falls, firecrackers burst out in the streets and alleys, and the gorgeous fireworks bloom in the night sky with dazzling brilliance, as if they are a blessing to the world.

"Happy New Year."

"May all go well with you."

Everyone ate dumplings and blessed each other.

"Oh, who of you is lucky enough to eat peanuts? Why didn't I eat any." Xiao Wu yelled, puffing his cheeks. It turned out that Xiaoyue wrapped peanuts in some dumplings when making dumplings. Good luck in the coming year.

Ye Zijin rubbed her mouth, but she didn't make a sound, but immediately lowered her head to chew and swallow the dumplings.

The little shrimp on the side saw the clue, and said with a smile: "Haha, sister Zijin has eaten it, congratulations!"

Grandma Qin smiled and said, "Peanuts are born. Girls who eat peanuts mean that they will get married early and have a baby early, ha ha..."

The discussion that followed closely revolved around Ye Zijin and Meng Haoxiang, Ye Zijin blushed, and Meng Haoxiang had no choice but to laugh and die with wine, thanking everyone for their "kindness" blessings.

Everyone gradually dispersed after dinner, Ye Zijin stood alone in front of the window looking up at the night sky, the room was filled with the fragrance of narcissus.One year spent similar, each year is different.She was concerned about her younger brother, and she couldn't help but feel a little sad when she recalled the previous New Year's Eve scene.

A newly cut shawl suddenly fell on his body. Meng Haoxiang gently hugged Ye Zijin from behind, wrapped his hands around her waist, and enjoyed the fireworks outside with her.

"Why, miss Zizheng?" Meng Haoxiang said gently, his eyes full of love.

Ye Zijin lowered her eyes and said "hmm", and Meng Haoxiang hugged her tighter.

"I will definitely accompany you at this time every year from now on, you won't be alone..."

"Okay, you are not allowed to break your promise..."

Ye Zijin smiled, and put her head against his warm chest, she could feel the beating of his heart.Meng Haoxiang bowed his head and kissed her forehead, and held her cold hand.It turned out that they were already so familiar with each other's aura that there was a silent tacit understanding in every move.

If possible, Ye Zijin hopes that time can stay at this moment, at the moment when the fireworks are in full bloom, there will be no disillusionment, no sadness, no separation, just her and him, and that exquisite jade-colored narcissus...

(End of this chapter)