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《逐光者》
《Chasers of Light》
第1节
Chapter 1
《逐光者》
作者:蔚空
Author: Wei Kong
文案:
Copy:
曾经,许煦和程放是校园里的金童玉女,年少情浓,以为一辈子都不会分开。
Once upon a time, Xu Xu and Cheng Fang were the golden boy and jade girl of the campus, their youthful love so intense they thought they would never part.
而柏冬青是程放的室友,勤奋刻苦,成绩优异,总是穿着廉价的旧t恤,洗得泛黄的白球鞋,头发剪得很短,眉目清朗,沉默寡言。
And Bai Dongqing was Cheng Fang's roommate, diligent and hardworking, with excellent grades. She always wore cheap old t-shirts, white sneakers that were faded from washing, had her hair cut very short, her features clear and bright, and was quiet and reserved.
后来,柏冬青成了许煦刻骨铭心的人。
Later, Bai Dongqing became Xu Xu's indelible person.
一个老实人“横刀夺爱”的故事。
A story of an honest man "stealing a lover with a sword."
阅读指南:
Reading Guide:
1、都市酸爽小狗血。
1. Urban Bitterness and Satisfaction Dog Blood.
2、小虐大甜?he。
2. Slight torture, great sweetness? he.
内容标签:都市情缘 情有独钟 天作之合 天之骄子
Content Tags: Urban Romantic Journey, Unique Affection, Perfect Match, Heavenly Pride
主角:许煦 ┃ 配角: ┃ 其它:
Protagonist: Xu Xu ┃ Supporting Characters: ┃ Others:
第1章
Chapter 1
许煦是下飞机时才接到的主任电话,一路风尘仆仆赶到这家五星酒店,富丽堂皇的宴厅里,正是觥筹交错时。
Xu Xu received a call from her boss just as she was getting off the plane, and she hurried all the way to this five-star hotel. In the grand banquet hall, people were clinking glasses and chatting.
她穿着一身还来不及换下的休闲装和有些脏了的运动鞋,身后背着一个大背包,看起来与这满是衣冠楚楚精英的宴厅,很有些违和。以至于连端着托盘的服务生,都忍不住带着奇怪的神色朝她多看了两眼,怀疑她是不是走错了地方。
She was wearing casual clothes that she hadn't had time to change out of, and her sneakers were a bit dirty. She had a large backpack slung over her back, which made her look out of place in the hall filled with well-dressed legal elites. Even the waiters carrying trays couldn't help but give her a curious glance, wondering if she had wandered into the wrong place.
这是市律协举办的一个行业酒会,也是一年一度本城法律精英的盛大聚会。这种场合自然会邀请一些相关的媒体。
This was a professional networking event organized by the city's bar association, also an annual gathering for the city's legal elite. Naturally, some media outlets were invited to this event.
许煦是一家法律刊物的采编,刚刚才从外地出差回来,舟车劳顿,本来是准备回家早早休息,哪知刚刚下飞机就被领导召唤了过来,连装备都没来得及换。
Xu Xu was an editor for a legal magazine and had just returned from a business trip out of town. She had been exhausted from the travel and had planned to go home and rest early. However, she was summoned by her boss as soon as she landed, and she hadn't even had time to change her equipment.
许煦撇撇嘴,目光在人群中穿梭,去寻找自己的同伴。不经意间扫到了前面的几张酒桌中,一道熟悉的身影。
Xu Xu pursed his lips and scanned the crowd, searching for his companions. By chance, his gaze fell upon a few tables in front, where a familiar figure was present.
她停下目光,遥遥看着那边。
He paused his gaze, looking over at them from afar.
那张桌上的人,她都有些印象,是华天律所的几个合伙人和高级律师。她看的那人穿着一身得体的黑色正装,短发干净利落,年轻英俊,气质沉稳,微微侧着头,和旁边一位年长的律师在说着话。看得出多数是在谦逊地倾听,嘴角带着点细微的笑意,间或点点头,神色温和,丝毫没有年少得志的锐利和锋芒。
The people at that table were somewhat familiar to her; they were a few partners and senior lawyers from Huatian Law Firm. The person she was looking at was dressed in a neat black suit, with short, tidy hair, looking young and handsome. He had a calm and steady demeanor, slightly tilting his head as he spoke with an older lawyer beside him. It was clear that he was mostly listening humbly, with a slight hint of a smile on his lips, nodding occasionally, his expression gentle, showing no trace of the sharpness and 锐利 that often come with youthful success.
但在这个汇聚了全市法律精英的宴厅里,仍旧显得有些鹤立鸡群,以至于许煦一眼就看到了他。
But in this banquet hall that gathered the city's legal elite, he still stood out, making Xu Xu spot him immediately.
他什么时候变得这么令人瞩目的呢?她有点想不起来了。
When did he become so eye-catching? She couldn't quite remember.
她将目光从年轻男人身上移开,很快在角落一桌找到了自己那几个虽然穿着正装,却不计形象大吃大喝的同事。比起这个宴厅里的大部分法律精英,他们这些只能算一脚跨进行业,月薪半万的小编辑小记者们,这种免费吃喝的酒会,就已经算是工作福利。
She turned her gaze away from the young man and quickly spotted her colleagues, who, despite their formal attire, were indulging in food and drink without any regard for their appearance, at a corner table. Compared to the majority of legal elites in the banquet hall, they were just small editors and reporters earning a monthly salary of five thousand, and this free feast was already considered a perk of their jobs.
许煦勾唇笑了笑,背着包走过去。
Xu Xu curled her lips into a smile and walked over with her bag on her back.
社里的领导自然是跟其他大人物坐在一块的,正好让他们这桌来蹭吃蹭喝的小角色可以肆无忌惮地吃喝八卦。除了自己三个同事,桌上其他几个也都是圈内年轻同行,大部分跟访案子的时候见过,抬头不见低头见,所以虽然是拼桌,也并没有什么不自在,看起来聊得很开心。
The leaders of the office naturally sat with other high-profile figures, allowing them, as small roles who could freely eat and gossip, to indulge without restraint. Besides her three colleagues, the others at the table were also young peers in the industry, most of whom she had met during case visits. Since they saw each other frequently, it wasn't awkward to share a table, and they seemed to be having a good time chatting.
“许煦,你来了!”同事杜小沐看到许煦走过来,赶紧拍拍身旁给她留的座位。
"Xu Xu, you're here!" Du Xiaomu, a colleague, saw Xu Xu approaching and quickly patted the seat beside her.
许煦随手将包放在地上,边和桌上的人打招呼边坐下。
Xu Xu casually placed her bag on the ground, greeted the people at the table, and sat down.
杜小沐看了看她,啧了一声:“我说这么大好机会,你就不能换身行头再来?”
Du Xiaomu looked at her and sighed, "I said, with such a great opportunity, can't you change into something more appropriate?"
许煦笑道:“什么大好机会?不就是免费吃吃喝喝么?带上嘴巴和肚子不就行了?”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "What great opportunity? Isn't it just free food and drinks? All I need to bring are my mouth and stomach."
杜小沐道:“出息!今天可是汇聚了全城顶级法律精英,随便抓一个就是钻石金龟。”
Du Xiaomu said, "Get some ambition! Today, the top legal elites from the entire city have gathered, and any one of them is a diamond beetle."
她刚说完就被旁边的赵昊踹了她一脚:“杜小沐同志,你能不能有点节操?许煦可是有男朋友的,又不跟你一样是单身狗。”
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Hao kicked her from the side, "Comrade Du Xiaomu, can you have some morals? Xu Xu already has a boyfriend, unlike you who is a single dog."
“有男朋友怎么了?就不能换啊?”
What's the problem with having a boyfriend? Can't you change?
赵昊啐了一口:“许煦男朋友也是律师,就算是要换,也不能吃窝边草吧!”
Zhao Hao spat, "Xu Xu's boyfriend is also a lawyer. Even if you want to change, can't you avoid eating the grass next to your own nest!"
杜小沐问许煦:“你男朋友今天在这里吗?”
Dum Xiaomu asked Xuxu, "Is your boyfriend here today?"
许煦犹疑了片刻,笑着摇头。
Xuxu hesitated for a moment and shook her head with a smile.
杜小沐朝赵昊得意挑挑眉:“人都不在这里,算什么窝边草?”
Dum Xiaomu raised her eyebrows triumphantly at Zhao Hao. "If nobody is here, how can you be considered a homebody?"
赵昊佯装义愤填膺:“你这个道德败坏的女人!”
Zhao Hao feigned righteous indignation. "You immoral woman!"
无伤大雅的玩笑,让众人笑开,包括刚落座的许煦。
Jokes that don't hurt anyone made everyone laugh, including Xu Xu who had just sat down.
杜小沐开了个好头,这些本来就擅长八卦行业内各种小道消息的家伙,自然是顺着这话题开始兴致勃勃地聊起来。
Du Xiaomu started well, and these guys, who were already skilled at gossiping about various insider stories in the industry, naturally picked up the topic with great interest.
“对了,你们知不知道?柏冬青已经升为华天的合伙人了。”有人忽然兴奋道。
"By the way, did you know? Bai Dongqing has been promoted to a partner at Huatian," someone suddenly said excitedly.
许煦听到这个名字,下意识抬头看向对面那说话的女孩,本来端起杯子的手也不由自主顿住。
Hearing this name, Xu Xu subconsciously looked up at the girl across from her who was speaking, and her hand, which had been about to raise a cup, paused of its own accord.
杜小沐睁大眼睛兴奋问:“什么时候的事?我怎么不知道。”
Du Xiaomu widened her eyes and asked excitedly, "When did this happen? How could I not know about it?"
那女孩道;“我也是刚刚听华天内部人员说的,今天才正式签的协议,华天还没公布消息呢!。”
The girl said, "I just heard it from an internal staff member of Huatian. The agreement was signed today, and Huatian hasn't announced it yet!"
杜小沐咂咂舌:“我天!他还不到三十吧!”
Du Xiaomu clicked her tongue, "My goodness! He's not even thirty, is he?"
华天是本市顶级律所,主打刑辩,本省一半以上大案要案,都是他们代理。几个合伙人无一不是从业多年的业界大牛。一个不到三十岁的年轻律师能做到合伙人,可以堪称奇迹了。
Huatian is the top law firm in the city, specializing in criminal defense. More than half of the major cases in the province are handled by them. None of their partners are ordinary; they are all industry giants with years of experience. For a lawyer under thirty to become a partner is nothing short of a miracle.
这样的男人,自然会成为今晚的八卦主角。
Such a man would naturally become the gossip star of the night.
“据可靠消息,刚刚年满二十八。”
According to reliable sources, he just turned twenty-eight.
许煦默默低头喝了一口水。
Xu Xu silently lowered her head to take a sip of water.
杜小沐感慨道:“我之前和这位大律师打过几次交道,长得帅不说,还特别绅士有教养,感觉是个性格非常温和的男人。”
Du Xia Mu said with a sigh, "I had dealings with this senior lawyer a few times before. Not only is he handsome, but he is also particularly gentlemanly and well-mannered, giving the impression of a very mild-mannered man."
赵昊毫不留情地打断她的少女心幻想:“醒醒吧!别被表象迷惑了!他代理的那些案子,有几个简直就是教科书版的缺德。他那就是典型为有钱坏人服务的代表,为虎作伥的代名词懂不懂!”
Zhao Hao mercilessly interrupted her daydreams: "Wake up! Don't be fooled by appearances! The cases he handles are almost textbook examples of wickedness. He's a typical representative of serving wealthy villains, a symbol of aiding the tiger in its prey. Do you understand?"
杜小沐泄气般叹了口气:“说的也是,他这个年纪做到这种成就,只怕不仅仅是业务水平高这么简单了。”
Du Xiamu sighed in disappointment: "That's true. For someone of his age to achieve such accomplishments, it's not just about high business skills."
许煦放下水杯,轻笑了声,不紧不慢道:“一个案子判决的依据是证据和事实,律师在这个范围内为当事人追求最大权益,只要不违背法律准则,做什么都无可厚非,因为这是他们的职业。”
Xu Xu put down her cup and chuckled lightly, speaking slowly: "The basis for a case's judgment is evidence and facts. Lawyers strive for their clients' maximum rights within this scope, as long as they don't violate legal principles, they can do whatever they want. After all, this is their profession."
赵昊不以为然道:“许煦,咱们做这行的又不是不知道里面水多深,哪有那么干净的?”
Zhao Hao disagreed: "Xu Xu, we all know how deep the water is in this field. There's no such thing as something so clean."
许煦道:“我觉得柏冬青应该挺干净的。”
Xu Xu said, "I think Bo Dongqing should be quite clean."
杜小沐转头看着她,眨眨眼睛,笑问:“煦儿,我看你这是以貌取人吧?”
Du Xiaomu turned to look at her, blinked, and asked with a smile, "Xu'er, I see you're judging by appearance?"
许煦也笑,挑挑眉:“嗯,以貌取人。”
Xu Xu also smiled and raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, judging by appearance."
众人笑着,又继续聊业内八卦。
Everyone laughed and continued chatting about industry gossip.
大概是舟车劳顿的关系,许煦吃了点东西,就觉得肚子有些不舒服,只得放下筷子起身去洗手间。
Probably due to the travel, Xu Xu felt a bit unwell after eating and had to put down her chopsticks to go to the restroom.
其实可能也不是肚子不舒服,而是整桌的聊天话题,柏冬青这三个字出现的频率实在是太多了。
Actually, it might not have been her stomach that was uncomfortable, but rather the frequency of discussions about Bai Dongqing at the table was just too high.
她本来也是个爱热闹爱说笑的女孩,可是关于柏冬青的话题,她却不知该如何插嘴。听到他们兴致勃勃分享交换着有关他的各种小道消息,各种隐私传闻,明知道大多都是以讹传讹,却让她有种无从反驳的荒谬感。
She was originally a lively and talkative girl, but when it came to talking about Bai Dongqing, she didn't know how to join in. Hearing them enthusiastically sharing and exchanging various rumors and private gossip about him, even though she knew most of it was hearsay, it gave her a sense of absurdity that she couldn't refute.
从隔间出来,走到盥洗台前,旁边正在洗手的年轻女人,抬头朝镜子里看了一眼,然后咦了一声,歪头看向她:“你是许煦?”
Coming out of the cubicle, she walked to the washbasin. A young woman next to her, who was washing her hands, looked up in the mirror and then exclaimed, "Are you Xu Xu?"
许煦转头,女人穿着价格不菲的名牌套装裙子,干练知性,那张化着精致妆容的面孔有些熟悉,但一时没让她想起来在哪里见过,只得笑着点头先回道:“我是。”
Xu Xu turned her head, and the woman was wearing an expensive brand-name suit skirt, looking neat and professional. Her face, delicately made up, was somewhat familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen it before. She smiled and nodded, saying, "I am."
女人确定自己没认错人后,站直身体,边抽出纸巾擦手边笑着道:“你变化不大,果然没认错。我是江大法学院毕业的,比你高两级,你还有印象吗?”
After confirming that she hadn't mistaken the person, the woman straightened up and, while wiping her hands with a tissue, smiled and said, "You haven't changed much, so I didn't mistake you. I graduated from Jiang Da Law School, two years ahead of you. Do you still remember me?"
“哦,是陈薇学姐。”许煦愣了下,总算想起来了,当初这位学姐是辩论社的成员,她看过几次她打辩论,当年也算是风云人物。
"Oh, you're Senior Chen Wei," Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment, but then she recalled. This senior was a member of the debate club back then, and she had seen her participate in debates a few times. She was indeed a prominent figure at the time.
陈薇笑:“当初我们准备辩论赛的时候,你总来找程放,我们还说过话呢!”
Chen Wei smiled, "When we were preparing for the debate competition back then, you always came to find Cheng Fang, and we even talked to each other!"
程放?如果不是前几天接到一条陌生号码的短信自称程放,她都已经快要记不起生命里曾经有过这样一个人了。
Cheng Fang? If it weren't for receiving a text message from an unknown number claiming to be Cheng Fang just a few days ago, she would have almost forgotten that such a person ever existed in her life.
可见这世上从来没有什么刻骨铭心和永垂不朽,人类本质不过就是趋利避害且善忘的动物。
It seems this world has never known anything truly profound or eternal. Human nature is merely that of an animal that seeks gain and avoids harm, and is prone to forgetfulness.
许煦没有打算和她叙这种已经毫无意义的旧事,笑着转移话题:“学姐在哪里高就?”
Xu Xu did not intend to reminisce about these matters that had lost all meaning, and instead smiled and changed the subject: "Where does Senior work?"
陈薇显然对于旧事也只是随口一提,回道:“之前在国外,去年回来进了华天。”
Chen Wei clearly only mentioned the past incident in passing and replied, "I was abroad before, and last year I returned to join Huatian."
华天的招牌之响亮,足以让这里的律师自我介绍时带着不加掩藏的骄傲。
Huatian's reputation is so prominent that it allows the lawyers here to introduce themselves with unhidden pride.
许煦点头由衷赞许:“很厉害啊!”
Xuxu nodded in genuine approval: "Impressive!"
陈薇问:“你呢?在哪个所?”
Wenwei asked: "And you? Which firm are you with?"
许煦道:“我不是律师,在《法治周刊》上班。”
Xuxu replied: "I'm not a lawyer; I work at The Legal Weekly."
“去媒体了?也挺好的,压力比我们小一点。”
Going to media? That's pretty good too. Less pressure than us.
“还行吧!”许煦玩笑道,“收入也比你少多了。”
Alright, I guess!" Xu Xu joked, "And his income is much less than yours.
陈薇笑了笑,忽然想到什么似的:“对了,我们所的柏冬青你肯定不陌生了,当初程放的室友,刚刚升了合伙人,绝对是我们江大之光,我这个老同学变成手下啦!”
Chen Wei smiled and suddenly thought of something: "Right, you definitely won't be unfamiliar with Bai Dongqing from our department. He was Cheng Fang's roommate back then. He just got promoted to partner, and he's definitely a source of pride for Jiang University. I, as an old classmate, have become his subordinate!"
许煦怔了片刻,才轻描淡写笑着回道:“圈子里的人应该都知道他吧!”
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment before lightly smiling back, "People in the industry should all know him!"
陈薇又道:“今天好有几个校友在,要不要去打个招呼?”
Chen Wei then said, "There are quite a few alumni here today. Should we go say hello?"
对于这个连认识都难称得上的学姐所表达的友好和热情,许煦很有些意外。其实她在法律媒体做了四年,对本城法律圈子,怎么可能比去年刚回来的陈薇陌生。只是她今天就是奉领导之命免费吃喝来的,加上在外奔波半个月,刚刚回来,累得要命,哪里有心思社交。
Xu Xu was quite surprised by the friendly and warm gesture from this senior whom she barely knew. In fact, after four years in a legal media company, how could she be more unfamiliar with the legal circle in this city than Chen Wei, who had just returned last year? However, she had come today as per her superior's orders to enjoy free food and drinks, and after traveling for half a month, she was extremely tired and had no energy for socializing.
但毕竟是学姐的一片好心,不好拂了人家的好意,便跟陈薇一起回了宴厅。
Still, since it was the senior's kind intention, it would be impolite to reject it. So, she went back to the banquet hall with Chen Wei.
宴厅这会儿已经很热闹,许多人离开本来的座位,却别桌敬酒寒暄热聊,过道也是人来人往,在金碧辉煌的大厅里,交织成一幅略显失真的浮华画面。
The banquet hall was already bustling with activity. Many people had left their original seats to toast and chat with others at different tables, and the hallway was filled with people coming and going. In the grand and opulent hall, it created a somewhat distorted and gaudy scene.
许煦跟着陈薇找到几个校友打招呼寒暄了一会儿后,正准备寻个借口回自己位子,陈薇忽然拉了拉她:“柏冬青在那边,我带你过去和他打个招呼。”
Xu Xu followed Chen Wei as she found a few alumni to greet and chat with for a while. Just as she was about to find an excuse to return to her seat, Chen Wei suddenly pulled her: "Bai Dongqing is over there. I'll take you over to say hello to him."
许煦寻声看过去,果然见着几米之遥的地方,一个年轻英俊的男人,正端着酒杯站在桌边,和两个人谈笑风生。他的酒杯颜色和其他人不一样,很明显是果汁,这是个不喝酒的男人。
Xu Xu looked in the direction of the sound and indeed saw a young and handsome man, a few meters away, standing by a table and chatting animatedly with two people. His wine glass was a different color from the others, clearly filled with juice. This was a man who didn't drink alcohol.
许煦还没回神,人已经被陈薇拉着走了过去。
Xu Xu was still dazed when she was already being pulled by Chen Wei and walked over.
……这位学姐是不是太热情了?
...Is this senior sister a bit too enthusiastic?
“柏大律师,许煦学妹来和你打招呼。”
Lawyer Bai, Xuxu, my fellow student, came to greet you.
柏冬青刚刚就已经看到了许煦,在她被陈薇拉着走过来时,他虽然还在听着旁边两位前辈说话,目光却已经落在她脸上,一错不错地看着她走过来。
Bai Dongqing had already seen Xuxu just now. As she was being pulled over by Chen Wei, his gaze had already landed on her face, watching her approach without missing a beat.
两个女人在他跟前站住,许煦对上他的目光,听到他开口问:“你什么时候回来的?”
The two women stopped in front of him. Xuxu met his gaze and heard him ask, "When did you get back?"
“……才下飞机没多久。”
…Not long after getting off the plane.
陈薇对他们的语气有些奇怪,似乎很熟稔,但又好像并没有那么熟悉,便随口问:“你们说什么?”
Chen Wei found their tone a bit strange, familiar yet not quite, and casually asked, "What are you talking about?"
许煦愣了下笑了,状似轻松道:“说出差呢,学长知道我这段时间出差。”
Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment before laughing, speaking as if it were no big deal, "Talking about my business trip, senior knows I've been on one recently."
第2节
Chapter 2
柏冬青的目光微微跳动了下,他的眼睛是薄薄的双眼皮,眼眸漆黑,看人的时候,有种人畜无害的柔软和真诚。许煦想,自己一开始被他打动,大概也就是因为这双眼睛。那么干净的眼神,好像很容易就能让人通往到他的内心。
Bai Dongqing's gaze flickered slightly. His eyes were thinly double-lidded, with dark irises that gave him a soft and genuine look when he looked at people. Xu Xu thought that he was probably drawn to those eyes from the start. Such a clean and clear gaze seemed to make it easy to reach his inner self.
但显然,这只是她的错觉。
But clearly, this was just her illusion.
陈薇笑:“我来华天半年了,也没见过许煦来所里,还说大家是校友熟悉熟悉,原来你们本来就熟啊。”
Chen Wei smiled: "I've been in Huatian for half a year, and I haven't seen Xu Xu come to the office. She said it was to get to know fellow alumni, but it turns out you two were already familiar with each other."
许煦语气轻松道:“我们杂志主要跟刑事案件,肯定得跟学长这样的刑辩大律师搞好关系啊!”
Xu Xu spoke with a light tone: "Our magazine mainly deals with criminal cases, so we definitely need to maintain good relations with lawyers like Senior Criminal Defense!"
柏冬青抿唇看着她,没有说话,眼睛在她的注视中,微微垂下来。华丽的灯光将他漆黑浓密的睫毛照得分明,微微跳动的眼皮,仿佛暗含着什么委屈。
Bai Dongqing pursed his lips and looked at her without saying anything. Under her gaze, his eyes slightly lowered. The brilliant lights illuminated his thick, dark eyelashes clearly, and his blinking eyelids seemed to carry some hidden grievance.
许煦将目光从他脸上移开,笑着朝陈薇道:“学姐,我同事还在等我,回座位了,你给我留张名片,我们以后有事联系。”
Xu Xu shifted her gaze from his face and smiled as she said to Chen Wei, "Senior, my colleague is still waiting for me. I'll go back to my seat. Leave me your business card, and we can contact each other in the future."
陈薇点头,将名片递给她:“好,再联系。”
Chen Wei nodded and handed her a business card, "Okay, we can contact each other again."
许煦回到座位,口袋里的手机震动了一下,她拿出来一看,是一条信息:一起回去。
Xu Xu returned to her seat, and her pocket phone vibrated. She took it out to see a message: "Let's go back together."
许煦怔愣了片刻,简短回复了一个“嗯”字。
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment before briefly replying with an "mm-hmm."
第2章
Chapter 2
这场酒会对于许煦和同桌免费来吃喝的同行们来说,有些过于漫长了,桌上已经开始无聊到吃第二轮,整个宴厅的喧声笑语仍旧没有减弱的趋势。这些站在职业领域金字塔上的拼命三郎们,在社交场上的精力显然也异于常人。
For Xu Xu and her colleagues who were dining for free at the table, the party felt unbearably long. The conversation at the table had already become dull enough to start on the second round of eating and drinking, but the din and laughter in the banquet hall showed no signs of diminishing. These hardworking professionals at the top of their field clearly had extraordinary social stamina.
许煦桌上的八卦已经从钻石精英到了某某大牛的正室小三如何和谐相处,她也从兴致勃勃渐渐听得有些兴趣缺缺了,百无聊赖转头扫了眼宴厅中央,很快就又看到了正在和人谈笑风生的柏冬青。
Xu Xu's gossip had moved from discussions about diamond elites to how the mistress and the third wife of a certain big shot were getting along harmoniously. She was gradually losing interest and turned her bored gaze to the center of the banquet hall, where she quickly spotted Bai Dongqing chatting and laughing with someone.
那一桌人正聊得热火朝天,显然是不知何时结束。
That table was still chatting animatedly, clearly without any end in sight.
许煦思忖片刻,拿起背包起身,找了个舟车劳顿赶回来太累的借口提前离席了。
Xu Xusisi pondered for a moment, picked up her backpack, and stood up, finding an excuse to leave early because she was too tired from the long journey.
她确实很累,这是她工作几年来,出差最久的一次,整整半个月。虽然工作让她拥有成就感和快乐,但她到底不是一个太能吃苦的人,所以这半个月一个人在外头,多少有些煎熬。
She was indeed very tired. This was the longest business trip she had ever taken, lasting a full two weeks. Although her work gave her a sense of achievement and joy, she was not a person who could endure hardship, so being alone for these two weeks had been somewhat of an ordeal.
柏冬青是二十分钟后和一众同僚们告别的,他见许煦那桌很热闹,只是自己要找的人不在座了,以为她是去了洗手间,便发了条信息给她:我在停车场等你。
Bai Dongqing bid farewell to his colleagues twenty minutes later. He saw that Xu Xusisi's table was lively, but the person he was looking for was not there. He assumed she had gone to the restroom and sent her a message: "I'll be waiting for you in the parking lot."
手机没有回应,他猜想可能她没看见,便一个人先去停车场等着了。
There was no response from her phone, so he guessed she might not have seen it and went to the parking lot alone to wait for her.
这个时候酒会的人,已经开始陆陆续续出来取车离开,有认识柏冬青的人看到他站在车边,笑着打招呼:“等人啊?柏律师。”
At this moment, people at the wine party began to 陆续陆续地 come out to retrieve their cars and leave. Someone who knew Bai Dongqing saw him standing by his car and greeted him with a smile, "Waiting for someone? Lawyer Bai."
“嗯。”柏冬青点头,放在裤子口袋里的手,在绒面小盒子上不由自主摩挲着。
"Uh-huh." Bai Dongqing nodded. His hand, which was in his trouser pocket, couldn't help but stroke the velvet small box.
等了一会儿,没等到许煦的回复,却看到几个熟悉的身影说说笑笑走出来。他将手从裤袋里拿出来,皱眉朝那几个人看了看,确定没有自己都要等的人,便迈开长腿走过去,和杜小沐打招呼:“杜记者!”
After a while, he didn't receive a reply from Xu Xu, but instead saw a few familiar figures walking out and chatting. He took his hand out of his pocket, frowned, and looked at those people. Confirming that none of them were the ones he was waiting for, he strode over and greeted Du Xiaomu, "Reporter Du!"
杜小沐刚刚喝了点酒,有些微醺,看到英俊的男人叫自己的名字,完全忘记了矜持,大喇喇回道:“柏大律师!”
Du Xiaomu had just had a little bit of wine and was slightly tipsy. Seeing the handsome man call her name, she completely forgot her reserve and boldly replied, "Big Lawyer Bai!"
柏冬青走过来,礼貌而温和问道:“许煦没跟你们一起吗?”
Bai Dongqing walked over and asked politely and gently, "Is Xu Xu not with you?"
“许煦?”杜小沐有些愕然,“她已经走一会儿了啊!你找她有事?”
Xu Xu?" Du Xiaomu was somewhat taken aback. "She's been gone for a while already! Do you need to find her for something?
柏冬青摇摇头:“那你们注意安全,再见。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head. "Then you should pay attention to your safety. Goodbye."
看着他折身走开,杜小沐摸摸头,看向旁边的赵昊:“听大律师语气,和煦儿挺熟的啊!怎么没听许煦提过?”
Watching him turn and walk away, Du Xiaomu 摸摸头, looked at Zhao Hao beside her. "From the lawyer's tone, it seems Xuhu'er is quite familiar with him. Why haven't I heard Xu Xu mention him?"
赵昊耸耸肩:“谁知道呢!可能是因为她男朋友也是华天的吧?”
Zhao Hao shrugged his shoulders: "Who knows! Maybe it's because her boyfriend is also from Huatian?"
坐上车子的柏冬青,从裤袋里拿出那个小小的红色绒面盒子。打开时,小盒子发出砰地一声轻响。
Bai Dongqing, sitting in the car, took out the small red velvet box from her pocket. When she opened it, the small box made a soft thud sound.
里面是一枚铂金钻戒,在车内暖黄的灯照下,闪着润泽剔透的光芒。确定自己升为律所合伙人那天,他就跑去了商场挑戒指,一连挑了三天,才选中了这款。
Inside was a platinum diamond ring. Under the warm yellow light in the car, it shone with a lustrous and transparent glow. On the day he was confirmed as a partner in the law firm, he had rushed to the mall to pick out a ring, spending three whole days before finally choosing this one.
饶是这样,他也还是有些忐忑,不确定她会不喜欢。
Even so, he was still a bit anxious, unsure if she would like it.
他盯着戒指看了会儿,低低吁了口气,将盒子小心翼翼收好。
He stared at the ring for a moment, let out a low sigh, and carefully put the box away.
回到家里,已经十一点多,屋子里一片黑暗,只有卧室散发出一点暖黄的光芒。柏冬青轻轻推开卧室门,默默看了会儿床上熟睡的女人,然后才蹑手蹑脚去了浴室。
Back at home, it was already after eleven, and the house was dark except for a warm yellow glow coming from the bedroom. Bai Dongqing gently pushed open the bedroom door, quietly looked at the sleeping woman on the bed for a moment, and then tiptoed to the bathroom.
许煦睡得并不是很熟,半梦半醒之间,感觉到有一双眼睛一直凝视着自己,刚迷迷糊糊睁开眼,便陷入咫尺间一道深幽而灼热的目光里。
Xu Xu did not sleep very deeply. In a half-dreaming state, she felt a pair of eyes staring at her. Just as she was about to open her eyes, she was met with a deep, intense gaze right in front of her.
“回来了?”她瓮声瓮气问。
"Back?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
柏冬青怕扰到她睡觉,上床时动作很轻,然后便这样一直一动不动看着她,也不知看了多久,仿佛时间都在在这凝视中静止了。
Ba Dongqing was afraid of disturbing her sleep and moved very lightly onto the bed. Then he just stared at her without moving, not knowing how long he had been doing so, as if time had stopped in this gaze.
他已经两个星期都没看到她了。
He hadn't seen her for two weeks already.
“吵醒你了?”见她睁眼,他终于抬起克制许久的手,轻轻碰了碰她的脸,柔声问,“出差很累?瘦了很多。”
Did I wake you up?" Seeing her open her eyes, he finally raised his hand, which he had been restraining for a long time, and gently touched her face, asking softly, "Did the business trip tire you out? You've lost some weight.
许煦半阖着眼睛任由他抚摸,胡乱点头:“有点。”
Xu Xu half-closed her eyes and let him stroke her, nodding randomly: "A little."
她睡着的样子乖顺得让柏冬青胸口发热,抚在她脸上的手,不由自主往下滑动。
She slept so peacefully that it made Bai Dongqing's chest warm, his hand involuntarily sliding down her face.
许煦本来是没有这方面意思的,但在外孤枕难眠半个月,这熟悉的温暖和气息,让她着迷又眷恋,在他的抚摸下,忍不住阖上双眼舒服地哼了哼,像是撒娇一般。
Xu Xu originally had no such feelings, but after sleeping alone for half a month, the familiar warmth and scent captivated and drew her in. Under his touch, she couldn't help but close her eyes and hum contentedly, as if pouting.
柏冬青不再犹豫,吻上那张他刚刚觊觎许久的红唇。
Bai Dongqing no longer hesitated, pressing his lips to the red ones he had coveted for so long.
这是他的女人。
This was his woman.
一个黏缠濡湿的吻结束,许煦白皙的脸潮红一片,嘴唇微微张开,急促地喘着气。
A sticky and wet kiss ended, turning Xu Xue's fair face a deep shade of red. Her lips were slightly parted, and she was breathing heavily.
柏冬青伸出大拇指,抚摸了摸她染上水迹的红唇,将她抱在怀中,轻车熟路地覆上去。
Bai Dongqing extended his thumb, stroking her lips that were stained with moisture, and embraced her, covering her with familiar tenderness.
*
这是半个月以来,许煦睡得最好的一觉,醒来已经快九点,坐起来睁开眼睛,久违的舒坦感,几乎让她有些不知今夕何夕的错觉。
This was the best sleep Xu Xue had had in half a month. When she woke up, it was almost nine o'clock. Sitting up and opening her eyes, the long-awaited comfort almost made her lose track of time.
她揉了揉乱糟糟的头发,下床趿着拖鞋来到客厅,安静的房内只有厨房内发出的声音。她默默走过去,靠在门框边,看着里面那道专注的背影。
She combed her messy hair and, wearing slippers, walked to the living room. The only sound came from the kitchen. She silently approached, leaning against the doorframe, watching the focused silhouette inside.
柏冬青个子很高,看起来有些清瘦,但许煦知道在他的衣服下,也有不算太单薄的腹肌,这得益于他良好的生活作息和运动习惯。
Ba Dongqing was tall and looked somewhat slender, but Xu Xu knew that beneath his clothes, he also had not-so-thin abs, which was due to his good living habits and exercise routine.
他应该是自己见过的自制力最好的男人,从学习工作到健康管理,自制力好得几乎有些刻板,以至于在经历种种后,她不得不开始怀疑,他的感情其实也不过是源自于良好的自制力和习惯。
He was probably the most self-disciplined man she had ever met, from studying and working to health management, his self-discipline was almost to the point of being rigid. This made her start to doubt after experiencing various things that his feelings might also stem from good self-discipline and habits.
习惯真不是一个好东西,就像是这半个月在外地,在孤枕难眠的长夜中,她已经打定主意要好好审视和思考这段太顺理成章的关系,但回来第一晚就又沉溺于他给的缱绻中。
Habits were truly not a good thing. Just these past two weeks away from home, in the long nights alone, she had already decided to carefully examine and think about this relationship that was too easy to take for granted. But on the first night back, she was once again ensnared in the 缠绵 (intimate and lingering) embrace he gave her.
忠诚于本能和欲望本身无可厚非,可她忠诚的欲望却只与他有关,在一千多个日子的亲密相处中,这已经成为她的习惯。
Being loyal to one's instincts and desires was not wrong in itself, but her loyalty was only to him. Over a thousand days of intimate companionship, this had become her habit.
同样成为习惯的还有他对她的关怀和照顾。这么久以来,她一直享受着这些习惯,心安理得,是因为这个人是柏冬青,是她愿意将生活分享给他的人。
It had also become a habit for him to care for and take care of her. For so long, she had enjoyed these habits, feeling justified, because this person was Bai Dongqing, the one she was willing to share her life with.
对于柏冬青来说,这应该也是他的习惯。但这种习惯大概也许应该并非得限定在她这个人,而很大程度上或许只是是源于他异于常人的责任心和良好的自制力。
For Bai Dongqing, this should also be his habit. But perhaps this habit should not be confined to her alone, and was largely due to his exceptional sense of responsibility and good self-control.
专心搅拌粥的柏冬青终于觉察门口的动静,转头看向她,微微弯起嘴角,柔声道:“早餐马上就好了,你快去洗漱。”
Bai Dongqing,专心 stirring the porridge, finally noticed the movement at the door, turned to look at her, slightly curled his lips, and spoke softly, "Breakfast will be ready soon. You'd better go wash up."
许煦朝他露出一个略带惺忪的笑容,点头。
Xu Xu looked at him with a slightly drowsy smile and nodded.
今天是周末,早餐丰富得有些让许煦咂舌,滑蛋牛肉粥,土豆丝饼,爽口的凉拌小菜,还有鲜榨果汁。
Today is the weekend, and the breakfast was so abundant that Xu Xu was left speechless. There was egg and beef porridge, potato shreds pancakes, refreshing cold-dressed small dishes, and fresh-squeezed juice.
“你几点起来的?早餐而已,做这么多你也不嫌麻烦。”许煦夹起两根凉拌青笋丝送入口中,微微笑着问。
"How early did you get up? It's just breakfast, and you didn't find it troublesome to make so much?" Xu Xu picked up two strands of pickled green bamboo shoots and put them in her mouth, smiling slightly as she asked.
柏冬青道:“很久没做了,今天正好周末有空。我看你出差半个月,瘦了很多,是不是在外面没吃好?”
Bai Dongqing said, "I haven't made it for a long time. Today is just the weekend and I have some free time. I noticed you've lost weight after being out on business for half a month. Did you not eat well outside?"
许煦心中微微一动,抬眼看他:“还好,就是毕竟在外面,饮食不太规律。”她转移话题,“对了,听说你升了合伙人。”
Xu Xu's heart stirred slightly as she looked at him. "It's fine, but the diet outside isn't very regular." She changed the subject. "By the way, I heard you became a partner."
柏冬青露出一个略显羞赧的笑容:“也是前几天才确定下来的,之前还没确定就一直没告诉你,怕空欢喜一场。”
Ba Dongqing gave a slightly bashful smile: "It was only confirmed a few days ago. I didn't tell you before because I was afraid it would be all for nothing."
“恭喜你啊!在咱们市里的几个大所,你应该是最年轻的合伙人了吧?”许煦笑着看他,她是真的替他高兴,那个聪明又努力却不争不抢的谦逊男孩,本来就该闪闪发光。
"Congratulations! You should be one of the youngest partners in the major firms in our city," Xu Xu smiled at him, genuinely happy for him. That smart, hardworking, and unassuming boy deserved to shine.
只是她习惯了这种熨帖而安稳的相处,以至于忽视了他什么时候早就在人群中变得耀眼。
She was used to this comfortable and stable companionship, but she had overlooked how he had already become dazzling in the crowd.
“运气好罢了!主要还是多亏了陈老师的栽培和提拔。”陈老师是华天的高级合伙人,也是之前一直带着柏冬青的金牌律师。
"It was just good luck! Mostly, it's all thanks to Teacher Chen's cultivation and promotion." Teacher Chen was a senior partner at Huatian and the top lawyer who had been mentoring Ba Dongqing.
他抬头看她,语气真诚道,“说起来我运气还真是挺好的,一路来总是遇到帮助我的人。”
He looked up at her and spoke sincerely, "I guess I've been quite lucky. All along, I've encountered people who have helped me."
运气好吗?许煦觉得,如果把他的人生际遇归结于运气好,实在是有些荒谬了。这几年他对工作的投入,别人不知道,她却看得一清二楚。
Was he really lucky? Xu Xu felt that attributing his life's experiences to good fortune was rather absurd. In recent years, the amount of time and effort he had put into his work, she saw very clearly.
可是他似乎一直是这样,总是习惯将世界给予他的那点其实很细微的善意扩大。
But he seemed to always be like this, always expanding the small acts of kindness the world had given him.
许煦笑:“反正我替你感到高兴。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "I'm just glad for you."
柏冬青嘴角弯了弯,神色莫辨地看了看她,低下头喝粥,手伸进家居裤的口袋里,摸了摸那个绒面小盒子:“做了合伙人收入会高很多,应该很快就能实现财务自由了,生活总算能安定下来了。”
Bai Dongqing's lips curled slightly, his expression unreadable as he glanced at her. He lowered his head to drink his porridge, his hand reaching into the pocket of his pajama pants to feel the soft velvet box: "As a partner, the income will be much higher, and I should be able to achieve financial freedom soon. Life can finally be stable."
许煦道:“那很好啊!”
Xu Xu said, "That's great!"
柏冬青沉默了片刻,试探开口:“许煦,你希望我们现在的关系能稍稍有一点不一样吗?”
Bai Dongqing fell silent for a moment before tentatively speaking, "Xu Xu, do you hope that our relationship can be a little different now?"
许煦怔了怔,放下勺子,抬头看他,冷不丁道:“我们单位下个月会搬到北区那边,我打算跟着搬过去,上班方便一点。”
Xu Xu was taken aback, putting down his spoon and looking up at him. He suddenly said, "Our company is moving to the northern district next month, and I plan to move there as well. It will be more convenient for work."
柏冬青对她的跳跃没有马上反应过来,片刻才回神:“是吗?那我们这段时间去看看房子,干脆买个大一点的,以后就住在那边。”
Bai Dongqing did not immediately react to her jump, and after a moment, she regained her composure: "Is that so? Then we can take this time to look at houses. Why don't we buy a bigger one? We can live there in the future."
许煦犹疑了片刻:“我的意思是我自己搬过去,你律所在这边,跟我搬去北区太麻烦。”说着顿了片刻,“房子我爸已经给我买好了。”
Xu Xu hesitated for a moment: "What I mean is that I will move over myself. Your law firm is here, and moving to the North District with me would be too much trouble." She paused for a moment and then continued, "The house my father has already bought for me."
柏冬青似乎没太听懂她的话,抬头定定看着她,黑沉沉的眼睛闪动了动,有些无措。
Bai Dongqing seemed not to fully understand her words, and she looked up at her with a steady gaze. Her dark, deep eyes flickered, and she appeared somewhat at a loss.
“是……不是我哪里做得不好?”他其实是隐隐知道的,几个月前她去华天遇到了姜毅,以及后来又去了姜毅的婚礼,她虽然没有说过什么,但对他应该是失望了。他本来想解释,但不可告人的私心,让他无从开口。
"Is... is it because I did something wrong?" He actually had a vague idea about it. A few months ago, when she went to Huatian and met Jiang Yi, and later attended his wedding, although she did not say anything, he should have been disappointed with her. He wanted to explain, but his unspoken selfishness prevented him from opening his mouth.
许煦看着他的眼睛,那干净诚恳的眼神,让她有种自己在欺负人的错觉。可就如他说的,是时候让两人的关系稍稍有点不一样了。正是因为他做得太好,好到她必须让他从这种惯性中跳脱出来去,然后忠于内心的去审视这段关系是否是他真的所要。
Xu Xu looked into his eyes, those clean and sincere eyes making her feel as if she was taking advantage of him. But, as he said, it was time for their relationship to be a little different. It was precisely because he had done so well that it was necessary for him to break out of this habit and truly examine whether this relationship was what he really wanted.
也许是她对于爱情还是有天真的幻想,她希望自己爱的人,亦是出自真心爱自己,而无关乎其他。
Perhaps she still had naive fantasies about love, hoping that the person she loved would truly love her, not for any other reason.
她摇摇头,沉默片刻,忽然冷不丁问道:“柏冬青,如果当初不是我主动,是不是现在坐在你对面的女人,换做其他任何人,也并没有差别?”
She shook her head, fell silent for a moment, and then suddenly asked, "Baodingqing, if it wasn't me who initiated it, would the woman sitting across from you now be anyone else, and it would make no difference?"
柏冬青抿唇看着她,然后垂下眼睛,放在裤子口袋里的手,慢慢从小盒子移开,抽了出来。
Baodingqing pursed his lips as he looked at her, then lowered his eyes. His hand, which had been in his pants pocket, slowly moved away from the small box and pulled it out.
许煦继续道:“我们在一起这么久,你连姜毅都没有告诉,不就是因为你内心对这段关系感到不确定吗?”她努力装作轻松的模样笑了笑,“这个世上男女之间一段恋爱或者一段亲密关系,并不代表什么,也不是睡过了就要负责,你不用把我当成你的责任。善良可以用在很多地方,但用在感情里,那肯定是错误的。”
Xu Xu continued, "We've been together for so long, and you didn't even tell Jiang Yi about it. Isn't it because you're uncertain about this relationship?" She forced a smile and said, "In this world, a romantic relationship between a man and a woman doesn't mean anything. Just because you've slept with someone, you don't have to take responsibility. You don't have to treat me as your burden. Kindness can be used in many places, but in the realm of emotions, it's definitely wrong."
柏冬青抬头看她:“不是这样的。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and said, "That's not the case."
但是后面的话却一句说不出。就在这时,他放在桌面的手机响起。他看了眼来电显示,拿起来接听。
But the words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't say them. At this moment, his phone on the table rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered it.
“好的,我马上来!”
Okay, I'll be right there!
简短两句就挂上了电话,他放下碗筷起身:“所里有点急事我得过去处理,你在家好好休息。”
He hung up the phone after a brief conversation and stood up, putting down his bowl and chopsticks: "There's an urgent matter at the station that I need to handle. You should rest at home."
柏冬青换了衣服,走到玄关处,许煦默默看了看他:“你刚刚说得对,我们的关系确实应该有点改变了。”
Bai Dongqing changed his clothes and walked to the entrance. Xu Xu looked at him silently: "You were right just now. Our relationship really does need to change."
柏冬青握着门把的手一顿,转过头看向餐厅的人,忽然开口问:“你今天说这些,是因为我让你失望了,还是因为程放回来了?”
Bai Dongqing's hand paused as he gripped the doorknob, then he turned to look at the person in the dining room and suddenly asked, "Did you say these things today because you were disappointed in me, or because Cheng Fang returned?"
“?”许煦愕然一怔,还没回神,柏冬青已经打开门离去。
"?" Xu Xu was taken aback and stunned, not yet having time to react, when Bai Dongqing opened the door and left.
程放,又是程放?好像某些尘封在旧时光里不再重要的人和事,非要郑重其事地跳出来一般。
Cheng Fang, is it Cheng Fang again? It's like some people and things from old times, long forgotten, insist on making a grand appearance.
许煦无奈地笑了笑,电话信息提示闪动了一下,她随手打开。
Xu Xu sighed helplessly and smiled. The phone notification flashed, and she opened it casually.
是一个陌生号码:小煦,你出差回来了吗?什么时候有空?方便一起吃个饭吗?
It was a 陌生号码: Xiao Xu, have you returned from your business trip? When are you free? Would it be convenient to have a meal together?
她想起这个号码,前几天给她发过短信,只简短说了自己身份,也是说想和她见面,得到她的回复在出差,便没有再打扰。
She remembered this number; a few days ago, it had sent her a text message, briefly mentioning its identity and expressing a desire to meet. After she replied that she was on a business trip, she didn't hear from it again.
许煦盯着那条短信怔愣了半晌,回过去:最近都有点忙。
Xu Xu stared at the text message for a moment, then replied: I've been a bit busy lately.
其实也才过去六年,可是为什么青春里曾经浓墨重彩的一笔,现在回过头去想,是那么陌生?
Actually, it has only been six years, but why does a once vivid chapter of her youth now feel so unfamiliar when she looks back on it?
程放!她是真的快要忘记了啊!
Cheng Fang! She is really on the verge of forgetting!
第3章
Chapter 3
八年前。
Eight years ago.
第3节
Section 3
刚刚过完十八岁生日,许煦就正式迎来了人生的新阶段——离家上大学。对于宣告成人做的第一件事,就是向父母争取到了独自去大学报道的权利。
Just after turning eighteen and celebrating her birthday, Xu Xu officially entered a new phase of her life—leaving home to attend university. As her first act of declaring adulthood, she successfully negotiated the right to travel to the university on her own without her parents.
爸爸妈妈到底不放心,无论如何要送她上火车,千叮嘱万嘱咐后还是担心,许爸爸甚至当场就要补张站票送女儿,最后因为列车员的催促,许煦不得不板着脸将这对红着眼睛的父母赶下了车。
Her parents were still not entirely at ease and insisted on seeing her off at the train station. Despite their numerous warnings and reassurances, they were still worried. Xu's father even wanted to buy a standing ticket to accompany his daughter, but in the end, Xu had to sternly push the tearful parents off the train due to the train attendant's urging.
她觉得父母真是太夸张了,虽然这是自己第一次独自出远门,但江城也就四个小时不到的车程,她这么大个人,还怕她丢了吗?她可是大学生了呢!
She thought her parents were being overly dramatic. Although this was her first time traveling far on her own, Jiangcheng was only a few hours away by train. She was a grown-up, a college student, and could take care of herself!
伴随着火车慢慢启动,是十八岁少女对新世界的兴奋期待。
As the train slowly pulled away, the eighteen-year-old girl was filled with excitement and anticipation for the new world.
然而四个小时后,当许煦满头大汗地拖着硕大行李箱,站在人潮蜂蛹的火车站出站口时,面对陌生的城市,壮志满满的少女整个人懵在原地,忘记了下一步该怎么走。
However, four hours later, when Xu Xu, drenched in sweat, dragged her large suitcase and stood at the exit of the bustling train station, the ambitious girl stood frozen in front of the unfamiliar city, unable to remember what to do next.
好在这时候,电话响起,是爸爸打来的。这是上了火车后,许煦第六次接到家里的电话,大概是怕一个人一直打会让她觉得烦,许爸许妈还刻意轮流着来。许煦接到第三次就烦了,后面几次都懒得接听,直接发短信报平安敷衍了事。
Fortunately, at this moment, her phone rang—it was her father calling. This was the sixth time Xu Xu had received a call from home since boarding the train. To avoid making her feel annoyed, her parents had deliberately taken turns. By the third call, Xu Xu was already annoyed and didn't bother answering the subsequent calls, sending text messages to reassure them instead.
但现下这个电话,却让她觉得实在是太及时了,于是赶紧接起来。
But this call felt too timely, so she quickly answered it.
“煦煦,你到了吧?”
Xuxu, you're here?
“到了到了,刚出了火车站。”
Here I am, here I am, just got out of the train station.
“哦,那你往右边走,那边是等出租的地方,你打到车,把车牌发给爸爸啊!”那头的许爸爸及时地解决了许煦独自闯世界遇到的第一个难题。
"Oh, then go to the right. That's where the taxi pick-up area is. You get a cab, and send the license plate number to Dad!" At the other end, Mr. Xu promptly solved the first 难题 Xuxu encountered when venturing out on her own.
“好嘞!”
Got it!
搞清楚了下一步怎么走,许煦如释重负地挂了电话,然后欢欢喜喜拖着箱子往右边走。走了没多远,一个黑黑壮壮的中年男人跑到他旁边,笑呵呵问:“小姑娘,要打车吗”
Figuring out the next step, Xu Xu released a breath of relief and hung up the phone. Then, she happily dragged her suitcase to the right. She hadn't walked far when a tall, sturdy middle-aged man caught up to her side and asked with a smile, "Little girl, do you want a taxi?"
许煦点头。
Xu Xu nodded.
男人道:“前面排队很长啊!我车就在对面,坐我的车不用排队,走过去就行。”
The man said, "There's a long queue ahead! My taxi is right across the street. You don't need to wait in line; just come over."
许煦转头看着他指的方向,确实是一辆出租车,虽然爸爸妈妈叮嘱了她千万不要坐黑车,但她对黑车的概念就是,只要是正规出租车应该就没有问题,于是没多想,拉着箱子准备跟着男人过马路。
Xu Xu turned to look in the direction he pointed, and indeed, there was a taxi. Although her parents had advised her never to take unlicensed taxis, she considered that as long as it was a regular taxi, it should be fine. Without much thought, she pulled her suitcase and prepared to cross the street with the man.
就在这时,忽然有个男生跑过来拍了她一下:“同学,你是新生吗?哪个学校的?”
At that moment, a boy suddenly ran over and tapped her: "Classmate, are you a new student? From which school?"
许煦转头:“是啊,江大的。”
Xu Xu turned her head: "Yes, from Jiangda."
在说话时,她已经看到男生身上穿着的t恤,上面写着“江城大学”四个字。
While speaking, she had already noticed that the t-shirt the boy was wearing was printed with the words "Jiangcheng University."
这是许煦第一次见到程放,九月初的天气还是很热。男孩的额头在艳阳下冒着一点汗珠,脸颊有些发红,整个人洋溢着让人一眼就能记住的阳光帅气。
This was Xu Xu's first encounter with Cheng Fang. The weather in early September was still quite hot. The boy's forehead was glistening with a bit of sweat under the bright sun, his cheeks slightly flushed, and he exuded a sunny and handsome charm that was unforgettable at first sight.
许煦想,她之前的同桌徐佩佩果然没有骗人,大学就是帅哥多。
Xu Xu thought that Xu Peipei, her previous deskmate, had not been lying; there were indeed more handsome guys in university.
程放不知道对面的新生在想什么,不过这两天他已经看惯了这种独属于新生的懵懂表情,他抬手拿起脖子上的牌子,朝她晃了晃,露出两排白牙,笑道:“学妹你好!欢迎来到我们江大,我是学校迎新的学长。”他转身朝火车站不远处的一张台子指了指,“那是我们的迎新点!主要是给从外地来的新生指路。”
Cheng Fang did not know what the new student opposite was thinking, but in the past two days, he had already gotten used to this kind of innocent expression unique to freshmen. He raised the badge around his neck and waved it at her, showing a row of white teeth and smiling, "Hello, little sister! Welcome to Jiang University. I am a senior here to greet new students." He turned and pointed to a table not far from the train station, "That's our welcome point! It mainly helps new students from other places find their way."
许煦朝他指的方向,果然看到一张台子上挂着的大学横幅,刚刚自己竟然没注意到。
Xu Xu saw the table in the direction he pointed, where a university banner was hanging. She had just not noticed it before.
旁边的黑出租司机见状,提醒她:“走不走啊!我车子不能停太久的。”
The black taxi driver next to her noticed and reminded her, "Are you going or not? My car can't stay parked for too long."
程放将许煦手中箱子拉过来,道:“这个时候正好有一趟校车,我带你去坐。”
Cheng Fang pulled the box from Xu Xu's hand and said, "There's a school bus right now. I'll take you to ride it."
听到有校车,许煦笑眯眯朝司机道:“大叔,我不打车了。”
Hearing about the school bus, Xu Xu smiled and said to the driver, "Uncle, I won't take a taxi anymore."
到嘴的肥肉没了,司机有些悻悻地走了。
With the fat chance gone, the driver left with some disappointment.
程放帮许煦拖着箱子,边朝停车场走,边对广场上迎新的同伴挥挥手:“这儿有个单独来上学的学妹,我送她去坐校车。”
Cheng Fang helped Xu Xu drag the box while walking towards the parking lot and waved to the classmates welcoming new students on the square, "There's a new student who came alone. I'll see her off to the school bus."
也不知是谁吹了声口哨,笑着调侃:“哟呵!在火车站待半天,一个能入眼的都没有,还说这一级新生质量不行,看来结论不能下太早啊!”
I wonder who whistled and laughed, jokingly saying, "Hey! After being at the train station for half a day, not a single one caught my eye, and you still say the quality of this year's freshmen is bad. Looks like you can't jump to conclusions too soon!"
许煦撇了撇嘴。
Xu Xu curled her lips.
程放对那玩笑话置若罔闻,笑着开口:“刚刚那是黑车。”
Cheng Fang ignored the joke and smiled, saying, "That was a black car just now."
“啊?”许煦抬头看他,有些费解,“我看是正规出租车啊!”
Ah?" Xu Xu looked up at him, somewhat puzzled, "I thought it was a regular taxi!
程放道:“来广场揽客的都是黑车,就算是出租车也是黑出租,说是打表,其实打表器做了手脚的,正常打车去学校就五六十块,但这种黑出租能打出两百多,昨天就有好几个新生中招了。”
Cheng Fang said, "All the cars picking up customers at the square are black cars. Even the taxis are black taxis. They claim to use the meter, but the meters are rigged. A normal ride to school would cost around fifty to sixty yuan, but these black taxis can charge over two hundred. Several freshmen fell for it yesterday."
许煦恍然大悟,笑道:“幸亏学长你拦住我,不然我就亏大了。”
Xu Xu suddenly understood and smiled, "Thankfully, Senior, you stopped me. Otherwise, I would have lost big."
她鼻头上闪着细细的汗珠,兴许是嘴角天生带着上翘的弧度,笑起来便显得有些俏皮。
Her nose was dotted with fine sweat, and perhaps because the corners of her mouth naturally curved upwards, her smile seemed a bit mischievous.
程放低头看向她,心里微微一动。
Cheng Fang lowered his head to look at her, a slight stir in his heart.
迎新的校车,一小时一趟,许煦正好赶上,还恰好有个座位。程放帮她放好行李,在她上车给自己道谢时,随口问:“对了,学妹哪个学院的?”
The welcoming school bus arrives every hour, and Xu Xu just managed to catch it, with a seat still available. Cheng Fang helped her settle her luggage and, as she thanked him for his help while getting on the bus, he casually asked, "By the way, which college are you in, junior sister?"
“法学院。”
Law College.
程放双眼一亮,似乎有些惊喜,笑道:“真是太巧了,我也是法学院的。”
Cheng Fang's eyes lit up, seeming a bit surprised, and he smiled, saying, "What a coincidence! I'm also in the Law College."
一下火车就遇到直系学长,许煦当然也很高兴,只可惜司机马上要开车,没有时间给他们两个人套近乎,程放赶紧从裤兜里掏出一个小小的便签本,拿起挂在胸口的笔,刷刷在上面写下自己的电话号码和名字,然后递给她:“有什么需要帮忙的,给我打电话。”
Meeting a direct senior right after getting off the train, Xu Xu was naturally very happy. Unfortunately, the driver was about to start the bus, leaving no time for them to get closer. Cheng Fang quickly took out a small notepad from his pocket, picked up the pen hanging from his chest, and quickly wrote down his phone number and name. Then he handed it to her, saying, "If you need any help, just give me a call."
许煦眉眼弯弯接过便签:“今天太谢谢学长了,等我安顿好再打电话好好感谢你。”
Xu Xumei accepted the note with a smile: "Today, I'm really grateful to Senior. I'll call you to thank you properly once I settle in."
然后在司机的催促下,随手将便签塞进牛仔裤袋里,急匆匆转身上车,找到了最后一个空着的座位。
Then, urged by the driver, she casually stuffed the note into her jeans pocket and hurriedly got back into the car, finding the last empty seat.
到了学校之后,便是手忙脚乱的报道找宿舍领床上用品,等累得像条狗一样在铺好的床上躺下,已经是晚上八点多,送孩子来上学的家长也都已经离开,只剩下四个新认识的室友。
Upon arriving at school, she was busy registering and finding a dorm room, picking up bedding. By the time she collapsed on the prepared bed, it was already after 8 PM, and the parents who had brought their children to school had already left. She was left with four new roommates she had just met.
等没了父母在旁,这些刚刚进入大学新生活的女孩们就跟脱了缰的野马一样,聊得热火朝天,聊得最多的自然是中学时代不能尽兴的话题——男朋友和谈恋爱。
Once her parents were no longer around, these girls who had just entered their new university life were like wild horses that had broken free, chatting animatedly. The topics they discussed the most were the things they couldn't talk about in middle school—boyfriends and dating.
四个女孩有两个已经有男朋友,还有一个则有暗恋了三年男生,只有许煦白纸一张,没男友也没有喜欢的人。所以听大家分享自己这种八卦事,听得兴致勃勃,两眼冒光。
Four of the girls already have boyfriends, and another has had a crush on a boy for three years. Only Xu Xuebai is a blank slate, with no boyfriend and no one she likes. So, she listened to her roommates share these gossip stories with great interest, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
其实她之前也有过情窦初开对某个男生动心的时候,但这种感觉似乎都没持续多久,就不知不觉消失了。现下听着几个室友满面飞霞的谈论自己喜欢的男孩,她忽然也就有点心痒难耐了。
Actually, she had also experienced the initial infatuation with a boy before, but these feelings seemed to fade away quickly. Now, hearing her roommates talk excitedly about their crushes, she suddenly felt a bit itchy to experience it herself.
话说回来,这个年龄的女孩,谁没想象过自己是言情小说的女主角呢?
To be honest, at this age, who hasn't imagined themselves as the heroine in a romance novel?
她想起徐佩佩说的,大学首要任务就是谈恋爱。她之前还嗤之以鼻,现在听着三个新室友说着恋爱的喜怒哀乐,她觉得这件事确实应该作为本阶段首要任务。毕竟青春短暂,不能留白。
She recalled what Xu Peipei had said: the primary task in university is to date. She used to scoff at this idea, but now, listening to the three new roommates talk about the joys and sorrows of love, she realized that this indeed should be the top priority. After all, youth is fleeting, and it shouldn't be left blank.
许煦对床的女孩叫王妍,就是暗恋一个男孩三年之久的那位,她见许煦从刚刚满腔八卦的热情陷入沉思,笑着问:“许煦,你喜欢什么样的男生?”
Xu Xu called the girl in the bed Wang Yan, who had been secretly admiring a boy for three years. Seeing Xu Xu shift from a bubbling interest to deep thought, she asked with a smile, "Xu Xu, what kind of boys do you like?"
许煦不假思索道:“帅的。”
Xu Xu replied without hesitation, "Cute."
她的答案并没有让其他人觉得好笑,实际上这个年龄的女孩,对于男生的喜欢,长相就是最大的因素,唯一的区别是哪种帅?比如金城武还是吴彦祖?
Her answer didn't amuse the others, as girls of this age usually base their preference on looks, with the only difference being what kind of cute—like Takeshi Kaneshiro or Louis Koo?
她说完,忽然想起今天在火车站遇到帅哥学长,赶紧去摸床尾牛仔裤的口袋,可里面除了几张零票子,哪里还有什么便签纸!
After saying this, she suddenly remembered encountering a handsome senior at the train station today and quickly reached for the back pocket of her jeans. But all she found were a few loose coins, where was the note paper!
“咦?”
Hey?
“怎么了?”王妍问。
"Wang Yan, what's wrong?"
许煦摇头:“没事。”
Xu Xu shook her head: "Nothing."
反正是一个学院的,以后肯定会遇到,就是之前忙得一团糟,连学长叫什么名字都没仔细看。
Since they were from the same academy, they would definitely meet again in the future. She had been too busy earlier to even pay attention to what her senior was called.
她旁边床尾的冯佳忽然老神在在坐起来,道:“说起帅哥,据说咱们学院大三大四帅哥云集,尤其是大三。等军训完毕,我就去教学楼蹲点去,看能不能蹲到个帅哥。”
She suddenly sat up at the foot of the bed next to her, saying, "Speaking of handsome guys, it's said that our college is full of them in the third and fourth years, especially the third year. After the military training is over, I'll go to the teaching building and wait there to see if I can spot a handsome guy."
许煦大笑:“你一个名花有主的跑去蹲帅哥,缺不缺啊?”
Xu Xu laughed loudly, "You, with a committed boyfriend, going to wait for handsome guys, are you missing something?"
冯佳道:“虽然我现在和我男朋友感情很好,但毕竟学校隔了大半个城市,没法儿经常见面。大学校园里这么五彩斑斓,就算我能一心一意,也不能保证对方跟我一样是不是?所以要一颗红心两种准备。再说谈恋爱本来靠得就是感觉,谁能不保证不对别人动心呢?”
Feng Jia replied, "Although my relationship with my boyfriend is very good now, the school is in a different half of the city, so we can't see each other often. With such a colorful university campus, even if I can be devoted, I can't guarantee that the other person will be the same, can I? So I have to be prepared for both scenarios. Besides, dating is all about feeling, who can guarantee that they won't be attracted to someone else?"
冯佳长得很漂亮,也会打扮,对比着还没脱离青涩学生气的其他三个,她的栗色长卷发,高挑的身材,举手投足的大气洒脱,走在校园里绝对是女神那一类。美女自然不缺乏追求者,她恋爱经历丰富,从初中开始到现在,已经交个三个男朋友,
Feng Jia was very beautiful and well-dressed. Compared to the other three who still had a touch of greenness, her long chestnut hair, tall figure, and the grace and ease in her movements made her stand out as a goddess in the campus. Naturally, she wasn't short of admirers. She had a rich dating history, having dated three boyfriends from junior high school to now.
王妍笑嘻嘻道:“也是,那赶紧出现一个帅哥,把我从前途无亮的暗恋解放出来吧!”
Wang Yan said with a smile, "That makes sense. Let's hope a handsome guy appears soon to free me from my hopeless crush!"
冯佳盘坐在床上,手指敲了敲膝盖:“我一个中学学姐是大三的,我跟她打听过了,咱们院头号帅哥就是院里的学生会长程放,据说刚刚恢复单身,好多女孩都在摩拳擦掌跃跃欲试补位呢,你们俩光棍儿,有机会啊!”
Feng Jia sat cross-legged on the bed, tapping her fingers on her knees, "One of my junior high school seniors is a third-year student. I asked her, and it turns out the top guy in our department is Cheng Fang, the student president. He's reportedly just single again, and many girls are eager to take his place. You two bachelors, you have a chance!"
王妍嘁了一声,摆摆手大笑:“又是头号帅哥,又是学生会长的,估计眼光高得很,咱们这种新手村出来的,就不去挑战那种高难度了。”
Wang Yan clicked her tongue and waved her hand, laughing: "Another top handsome guy, and also the student council president.估计 he has very high standards. We newbies from the newbie village don't need to challenge those high difficulties."
许煦不以为然笑道:“咱们也不差啊!而且谈恋爱就要找赏心悦目的,不然图个啥?”
Xu Xu smiled dismissively and said, "We're not lacking either! Besides, when dating, you should find someone who looks good to you. Otherwise, what's the point?"
王妍笑:“那你去挑战吧!我给你加油助威。”
Wang Yan smiled, "Then go challenge him! I'll cheer you on."
许煦自己也笑的乐不可支,笑过后又想起什么似的,道:“不过咱们院还真是有帅哥的,你们说的那个程放我不知道有多帅,不过今天在火车站,看到一个迎新的学长,长得特别帅。他还给我留了电话,说有什么需要帮忙的可以去找他,可惜被我弄丢了!”
Xu Xu couldn't help laughing himself. After the laughter, he seemed to remember something and said, "But our department does have some handsome guys. I don't know how handsome Cheng Fang is, but today at the train station, I saw a new student senior who was particularly handsome. He even left me his phone number, saying that if I need any help, I could find him. Unfortunately, I lost it!"
王妍捂脸道:“你说说你,本来拿了言情小说的剧本,大学第一天就遇到了帅哥学长,还留了电话,但竟然就被你生生给浪费掉了。算了算了,我对你挑战程放学长,是不抱希望了。”
Wang Yan covered her face and said, "You know, you had a romance novel script, and on your first day of university, you met a handsome senior and even got his phone number. But you somehow managed to waste it. Forget it, forget it. I don't have any hope for my challenge against Cheng Fang anymore."
许煦大笑,厚颜无耻道:“你怎么能对我这么没信心?我可是年方十八的无敌美少女!”
Xu Xu laughed loudly, shamelessly saying, "How can you have so little faith in me? I am an invincible beauty at eighteen!"
“呸!”
Ugh!
第4章
Chapter 4
许煦的大学生活,顺利地拉开了帷幕。虽然是第一次离家,但因为高中是封闭式管理的学校,有过三年的住校经历,加之家也不算太远,如果想家了,或者爸爸妈妈想自己了,来回也不麻烦。
Xu Xu's college life began smoothly. Although it was her first time away from home, she had three years of dormitory experience from her high school, which was a boarding school. Additionally, her home wasn't too far away, so if she missed home or her parents missed her, it wasn't much trouble to travel back and forth.
所以一切都很习惯,也对这种自由的生活充满了期待。
So everything felt very familiar, and I was full of anticipation for this free lifestyle.
宿舍里几个女生性格都不错,家境也没什么差距——至少表面看起来,几个女孩很快就成为朋友。新生活比想象中的还顺利,哪怕是接下里两个星期悲催的军训生活,也只是嘴上抱怨抱怨,然后继续痛并快乐着。
The girls in the dorm had good personalities and no significant differences in family background—at least, that's what it seemed from the surface. The girls quickly became friends. The new life was even more 顺利 than expected, even the next two weeks of unfortunate military training was just complained about verbally, and then continued to suffer and enjoy it.
军训之后就是国庆假期,许煦没有回家,也拒绝了许爸许妈的来校慰问请求,和宿舍其他两个非本市的室友,跟着冯佳这个本地人,来了一场说走就走的本城七日游。其实也就是逛街看电影吃吃喝喝。
After the military training, it was the National Day holiday. Xu Xu did not go home and refused her parents' request to visit the school. Together with the other two non-local roommates, she went on a spontaneous seven-day city tour with Feng Jia, a local. It was basically just shopping, watching movies, and eating and drinking.
在经过一个比军训还累的小长假后,大学生活才真正进入正轨。
After a long holiday that was even more exhausting than the military training, university life finally got back on track.
“许煦,待会儿在八角楼有校辩论赛决赛,咱们学院对传播学院,去不去看?”第一天上完课回到宿舍,刚刚加入院辩论社的王妍同学对许煦发出热情邀约。宿舍其他两个家伙晚上都要忙着在网上和男朋友打情骂俏,只有许煦在理论上有空。
Xu Xu, there's a final debate competition for the school debate tournament between our college and the Communication College in the Octagonal Pavilion later. Do you want to watch it? After finishing classes on the first day and returning to the dormitory, Wang Yan, a new member of the debate club, enthusiastically invited Xu Xu.
不等许煦回答,王妍又眨眨眼睛笑道:“我们辩论社社长是程放哦!”
Before Xu Xu could answer, Wang Yan blinked and smiled, saying, "Our debate club president is Cheng Fang!"
许煦虽然没加入辩论社,但对辩论也还有点兴趣,而且对传说中法院头号帅哥也很是好奇,便兴致勃勃地跟着王妍去看帅哥……不,看辩论赛了。
Although Xu Xu hadn't joined the debate club, she still had some interest in debates and was quite curious about the legendary top handsome lawyer. So, she enthusiastically followed Wang Yan to watch the handsome man... no, to watch the debate competition.
因为是校级比赛,来观看比赛的学生不少。许煦和王妍两人赶到八角楼这个学校最大的阶梯教室时,里面已经差不多坐满了人,好不容易才到后排找到两个连着的座位。
Since it was a school-level competition, many students came to watch. When Xu Xu and Wang Yan arrived at the Octagonal Pavilion, which was the largest 阶梯教室 on campus, the seats were almost full. They had to squeeze into the back row to find two consecutive seats.
双方辩手已经在台前坐好,因为辩手都是黑西装白衬衣这种统一着装,又隔得有些距离,一时很难分得清谁是谁。
Both debaters were already seated on the stage, as they were all dressed in black suits and white shirts, making it difficult to distinguish one from another at first glance.
王妍拉了拉她的手,凑到她耳旁小声道:“看到没有?正方四辩就是程放!”
Wang Yan pulled her hand and whispered in her ear, "See? The fourth debater for the affirmative side is Cheng Fang!"
许煦这才好奇地将目光停留在四辩男生身上,本来也只是带着随意一瞥,但却在看到那张微微低头的侧脸后,蓦地一怔,良久才道:“你说正方四辩是程放?”
Xu Xu only then directed her attention to the fourth debater, a male student, out of curiosity. She had only glanced at him casually, but upon seeing the slightly lowered profile, she was momentarily stunned. After a long pause, she asked, "You say the fourth debater for the affirmative side is Cheng Fang?"
王妍道:“可不是么?上次迎新大会他发言了的,你大姨妈来了待宿舍没见着。口才贼好,全程脱稿,一个结都没打,据说大会结束,就有大胆的新生去问他要电话号码了。”说着用手手肘戳了戳她,“是不是很帅?”
Wang Yan replied, "Of course! He spoke at the welcome assembly last time. You didn't see him because your aunt was on her period and you were staying in the dorm. He has excellent oratory skills; he spoke the entire time without notes, and didn't make a single mistake. It's said that after the assembly ended, some bold freshmen asked him for his phone number." She then nudged her, "Isn't he very handsome?"
因为从来没有将火车站那个热心的帅哥学长和程放联系起来,所以此时的许煦若说不意外,那肯定是假的。少女总是喜欢胡思乱想,这样奇妙的巧合,难免就让她忽然小鹿乱撞。
Because Xuyu had never associated the enthusiastic handsome senior at the train station with Cheng Fang, she definitely wouldn't have expected this, so her surprise was genuine. The girl always liked to daydream, and such a strange coincidence made her suddenly feel her heart fluttering.
她故意木着脸道:“看得不太清楚!”
She deliberately kept a blank expression and said, "I couldn't see clearly!"
王妍转头看她:“不是不近视么?哎?你脸怎么这么红?”
Wang Yan turned to look at her and said, "Didn't you say you weren't nearsighted? Huh? Why are you so red?"
“人太多,闷!”
There are too many people, and it's stuffy!
“是有点。”
There is a bit.
校级的辩论赛,而且还是决赛,每个人都是高手,水平自然很不一般。但程放的表现,也绝对算得上是最亮眼的,不仅仅是他的口才好,而是每当他站起来时,高大英俊的男孩便成了全场焦点,那身平淡无奇的白衬衣黑西装,再不能掩盖他作为一个少年人的锋芒和锐利。每次他发言完毕,观众席便会发出雷鸣的掌声和轻呼,多数来自于女生,这显然是一个极度受女孩子青睐的男生,人群中当之无愧的焦点。
The school-level debate competition, and it was the final round. Everyone was a top player, naturally at a very high level. But Cheng Fang's performance was undoubtedly the most eye-catching. It wasn't just his eloquence; every time he stood up, the tall and handsome boy became the center of attention. The plain white shirt and black suit could no longer conceal his youth's sharpness and acuteness. Whenever he finished speaking, the audience would erupt in thunderous applause and gasps, mostly from the girls. This was clearly a boy who was extremely favored by girls, the undisputed center of attention in the crowd.
“是不是很帅?”王妍问。
"Is he very handsome?" Wang Yan asked.
许煦含含糊糊唔了一声。
Xu Xu hummed indistinctly.
是很帅啊!
Wow, he is really handsome!
半个多小时的辩论赛在高潮迭起中很快结束。法学院不出意外地获胜,而程放也在众望所归中得到了最佳辩手。
The debate competition, reaching climax after climax, concluded rather quickly after more than half an hour. The Law School team won as expected, and Cheng Fang was named the Best Debater as anticipated.
教室里的观众慢慢散去,获胜的辩论队,正被一波学弟学妹们围住说话。王妍拉了拉许煦的手,兴奋道:“我去跟辩论队的学长学姐打了个招呼。”
The audience in the classroom slowly dispersed, with the winning debate team surrounded by a group of younger students who were chatting with them. Wang Yan tugged at Xu Xu's hand and excitedly said, "I went to greet the senior debaters."
两人磨磨蹭蹭来到前面时,人已经散得差不多,几个辩手也在说说笑笑收拾好起身。
When the two finally made their way to the front, most people had already left. The debaters were chatting and packing up to leave.
“学长学姐,恭喜你们获胜,作为辩论社的新学员,我要向你们学习。”
"Senior brothers and sisters, congratulations on your victory. As a new member of the debate club, I want to learn from you."
一辩陈薇认识王妍这个新社员,笑着道:“慢慢来!实践出真知,多打几场比赛水平自然就提高了。”说着又拍了拍旁边正在和学弟说话的程放,戏谑道,“不过呢,要是我们的最佳辩手社长大人能给你们言传身教,那肯定还是能事半功倍的。”
Chen Wei, who was the first debater, met Wang Yan, the new club member, and smiled, saying, "Take your time! Practice makes perfect. The more competitions you participate in, the better your skills will naturally become." As he spoke, he patted Cheng Fang, who was talking to a junior, and playfully added, "But, if our best debater club leader could give you both some personal guidance, it would definitely be twice the result with half the effort."
“你可别给我戴高帽子,理论上我这个社长马上就要退休了。”程放笑着转过来,本来是要去看问话的王妍,但是却先看到了她旁边的许煦。
"Don't give me compliments. Theoretically, I'm about to retire as the president of the club." Cheng Fang smiled as he turned around, originally intending to see Wang Yan who was being questioned, but instead saw Xu Xu beside her.
第4节
Section 4
他目光动了动,微微一怔,继而牵起唇角笑道:“是你?”
His eyes flickered, and he slightly paused, then a smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he said, "You?"
那天太匆忙,他甚至都没问许煦的名字,知道她是自己直系学妹,又是一个人来报道,秉着乐于助人的心思留了自己的电话。
That day was too rushed, and he hadn't even asked Xu Xu's name. Knowing she was his direct line junior and had come alone to register, he left his phone number out of a helpful heart.
她没打给他,过了几天他也就忘了这件事。但没想到时隔大半个月,再见到她,他一眼就认了出来。
She didn't call him, and after a few days, he also forgot about it. But he didn't expect to recognize her again after more than half a month.
许煦见他认出自己,多少有些惊喜,也就省去了扭捏,笑嘻嘻道:“学长,上次谢谢你的帮忙。”
Seeing him recognize her, Xu Xu felt a bit of surprise and thus spared the awkwardness, smiling and saying, "Senior, thank you for your help last time."
程放嘴角弯起,眉梢眼角还留着刚刚获胜后的春风得意,歪头故意道:“你这个谢谢有点迟啊!”
Cheng Fang's lips curled up, still showing the satisfaction from his recent victory, as he tilted his head and said intentionally, "Your 'thank you' is a bit late!"
许煦被说的有点不好意思了,虽然那天的事,对于程放来说,只是举手之劳,但对于她来说,确实是免于了被黑车宰一顿——哪怕两百块钱对她来说也并不算什么。
Xu Xu felt a bit embarrassed by this. Although that day's incident was just a minor favor for Cheng Fang, it had indeed saved her from being overcharged by a black car—two hundred dollars wasn't much to her either.
她不太自在地摸了摸耳朵:“本来是想打电话给你的,但我不小心把便签纸给弄丢了。”
She uncomfortably scratched her ear, "I was planning to call you, but I accidentally lost the note."
程放恍然大悟点点头,从书包里摸出一支笔,朝她道:“把手伸出来。”
Cheng Fang nodded in understanding and pulled out a pen from his backpack, saying, "Stick out your hand."
许煦懵懵然将手掌伸到她跟前。
Xu Xu hesitantly extended her palm in front of her.
程放朝她微微一笑,在众目睽睽之下,握着笔在她手掌心飞快写下一串手机号码:“这样应该不会掉了吧?”
Cheng Fang smiled slightly at her, and in full view of everyone, he grabbed a pen and quickly wrote a string of phone numbers on her palm: "This way it shouldn't fall off, right?"
笔尖在掌心滑动时,有点酥酥痒痒的感觉,好像有什么东西在许煦心中绽放开来。
As the pen tip slid across her palm, there was a tingling sensation, as if something had bloomed in her heart.
也许是春天里的一朵花。她想。
Perhaps it was a flower in the spring, she thought.
她怔怔得看了看手中的数字,又抬头看向程放,在他背着包准备离开时,她忽然叫住他:“学长,那次你帮我减少了两百块钱的损失,我请你吃夜宵当做感谢吧!”
She stared at the numbers in her hand for a moment, then looked up at Cheng Fang. As he was about to leave, carrying his backpack, she suddenly called out to him, "Senior, you helped me save two hundred yuan last time. Let me treat you to a night snack as a thank you!"
周围的人虽然已经不多,但都玩味地看着这一幕。程放性格开朗外向,女人缘很好,看起来有点花花公子的做派,但向来对主动的小女生没兴趣,刚刚就已经拒绝了好几个学妹的邀约,何况辩论队说好了去ktv庆祝的。
Although there weren't many people around, they all watched the scene with a sardonic expression. Cheng Fang was outgoing and sociable, and had a good reputation with women, giving him a bit of a playboy image. However, he had never shown interest in proactive girls, and had already turned down several invitations from junior girls just now. Moreover, the debate team had planned to celebrate at a KTV.
大家等着这个漂亮小学妹的玻璃心碎一地。就连许煦身旁的王妍都为她提了一颗心,忐忑地看着她。
Everyone was waiting for this pretty junior to shatter into pieces. Even Wang Yan, who was by Xu Xu's side, held her breath, anxiously watching her.
然而程放只是稍作犹豫,便笑着点头:“好啊!”
However, Cheng Fang only hesitated for a moment before smiling and nodding, "Sure!"
众人眼珠子掉落一地的同时,许煦刚刚悬着的心也落了下。
At the same time everyone's eyeballs dropped to the ground, Xu Xu's heart that had been hanging just fell down.
程放朝队友们挥挥手:“钱柜我不去了,账算我的。”
Cheng Fang waved his hand at his teammates: "I won't go to the money cabinet, I'll pay for it."
众人作鸟兽散,王妍对许煦用目光表达出滔滔江水般的敬佩之情后,也飞快跟着陈薇他们走了。
Everyone dispersed like birds and beasts. Wang Yan expressed boundless admiration for Xu Xu with her gaze and quickly followed Chen Wei and the others.
许煦和程放最后出门,此时已经九点多,上自习的学生陆陆续续从教室回宿舍。两人刚刚从八角楼里出来,程放忽然道:“你等一下,我看见我室友了,我让他帮我把包带回宿舍。”
Xu Xu and Cheng Fang were the last to leave. It was already after nine o'clock, and students who had been studying in class were gradually returning to their dormitories. Just as the two of them came out of the Octagonal Tower, Cheng Fang suddenly said, "Wait a moment, I saw my roommate, I'll ask him to bring my bag back to the dormitory for me."
他说完,便朝前方一个男生疾步走过去,走近后冷不丁在对方肩膀用力拍了一下。
He finished speaking and quickly walked over to a male student in front of him. As he got closer, he suddenly gave the other a hard slap on the shoulder.
那男生正专心走着路,被人这样一拍,似乎是吓了一跳,转过头看到来人后,松了口气微微一笑。
The male student was walking intently when he was slapped, seemingly jumping in surprise. After turning to see who it was, he let out a sigh of relief and smiled slightly.
两个人与许煦隔了一段距离,不过恰好站在路灯下方,所以她大致能看到程放这位室友的侧脸轮廓。头发很短,个子很高,看起来很清瘦,身上的旧t恤在夜风中空空荡荡地拂动。程放将书包交给他,又说了几句不知道什么话,那男生没开口,只是点点头,然后提着程放那个分量不轻的包转身走了。
Although Xu Xu and Cheng Fang were a bit apart, they were standing under a streetlight, so she could roughly see Cheng Fang's profile. His hair was very short, he was tall, and he looked quite thin. His old t-shirt fluttered loosely in the night breeze. Cheng Fang handed his backpack to him and said a few more words, but the male student didn't open his mouth; he just nodded. Then, he turned and walked away with the relatively heavy backpack.
程放跑回来,朝站在原地的许煦展颜一笑:“走吧!”
Cheng Fang ran back and smiled at Xu Xu, who was still standing there. "Let's go!"
许煦随口问:“你室友也是咱们专业的?”
Xu Xu casually asked, "Is your roommate also in our major?"
程放点头:“是啊!”
Cheng Fang nodded, "Yeah!"
许煦又道:“这才开学就上自习?”
Xu Xu then said, "You're already studying in the self-study room just after the start of the semester?"
虽然是从炼狱的高三刚刚走过来的,但开学这么一段时间,她已经听到了不少过来人的歪理,他们这种文科专业,就是考前等划重点背一背就好了。虽然她毫不怀疑这些过来人都是学渣,但对于开学不到一个月并且刚刚结束小长假就上晚自习这件事,她还是有点好奇。
Although she had just come out of the hell of senior year in high school, she had already heard quite a few pieces of dubious advice from seniors in this short period of time. For their humanities major, it was just a matter of waiting for the key points to be emphasized and memorizing them before the exam. Although she had no doubt that these seniors were all underachievers, she was still curious about the fact that they were attending evening self-study sessions less than a month into the semester and right after a short holiday.
程放道:“我室友学霸,年级第一拿国家奖学金的那种。”
Cheng Fang said, "My roommate is a top student, the type who gets national scholarships and is first in their grade."
“难怪。”许煦道。
Xu Xu said, "No wonder."
作者有话要说:
Author's note:
程放:纳尼!我竟然不是男主?所以作者你给我这么多小言男主标配是几个意思?
Cheng Fang: What the heck! I'm not the main male character? So what's the point of giving me all these OOC male lead 标配 (standard traits)?
第5章
Chapter 5
有关许煦和程放的恋情,在江大法学院那两年,一度有好几个版本流传。一种版本是女追男——刚入校的大一菜鸟许煦一顿夜宵将法学院风云人物程放搞定;还有一个版本是男追女——校辩赛获得最佳辩手后,程放在许煦手上写下自己的电话号码并且当晚成功表白。
During the two years that Xu Xu and Cheng Fang were in the law school at Jiang University, there were several versions of their romance circulating. One version was of a girl pursuing a boy—Xu Xu, a freshman who was a rookie at the school, managed to win over the campus's star, Cheng Fang, with a late-night snack. Another version was of a boy pursuing a girl—after winning the Best Debater award at the school debate competition, Cheng Fang left his phone number on Xu Xu's hand and successfully proposed that night.
两个版本虽然大相径庭,但相同的一点是,程放许煦两人第一天认识就看对了眼,并确定了关系,速度堪称神舟六号。
Although these two versions were vastly different, they shared one common point: Xu Xu and Cheng Fang recognized each other's appeal from the moment they met and quickly established a relationship, which was as fast as the Shenzhou VI spacecraft.
校园里风云人物的恋爱故事,对于看客来说,无疑是一段茶余饭后的谈资。尤其当一个是名声在外才貌双全且据说还是顶级富二代的风云学长,一个不过是刚刚入校虽然长得还算漂亮却并看不出有何过人之处的小学妹。这样的故事无疑有些王子和灰姑娘的浪漫味道——虽然许煦绝不认为自己是什么灰姑娘。
The love stories of campus celebrities are, for spectators, a delightful topic of conversation over tea and meals. Especially when one is a renowned, good-looking, and reportedly top-tier rich second-year student, and the other is a freshman who, although pretty, doesn't seem to stand out in any particular way. Such a story has a touch of the romance between a prince and a Cinderella—although Xu Xu did not consider herself a Cinderella.
当王妍将这些传闻笑着讲给已经开始恋爱的许煦时,许灰姑娘义愤填膺道:“什么叫一天就确定关系?我明明考虑了整整一个星期。”
When Wang Yan told Xu Xu, who had already fallen in love, about these rumors with a smile, Xu 灰姑娘 indignantly said, "What do you mean by 'settling things in a day'? I clearly thought about it for a whole week."
那天她和程放去的是校外的大排档,许煦很少吃这种路边垃圾食物,之前在家没机会,现在到了大学没人约束,自然是可以肆无忌惮。学校旁边的大排档,散发着浓郁的生活和青春气息,许煦心情大好,胃口大开,一顿夜宵又是麻小又是铁板烧,吃得不亦乐乎,甚至还喝了点啤酒。
That day, she and Cheng Fang went to an outdoor food stall outside the campus. Xu Xu rarely ate this kind of street food; she had no chance to do so at home before, and now that she was in university with no one to restrict her, she could indulge herself. The food stall near the school exuded a strong sense of life and youth, and Xu Xu was in high spirits, with a big appetite. She enjoyed a night snack of spicy crickets and iron plate cooking, thoroughly enjoying herself, and even had a few beers.
也许是一丢丢酒精作祟的缘故,一开始许煦还有些矜持,到后来就完全是轻轻松和程放谈笑风生。毕竟程放也是一个非常擅长与女孩聊天的男生。
Perhaps a little bit of alcohol was to blame, but at first, Xu Xu was still somewhat reserved. Later, she was completely at ease and chatting merrily with Cheng Fang. After all, Cheng Fang was also very skilled at chatting with girls.
夜宵结束回宿舍时,程学长很有绅士风度的将许学妹送到了她所在的女生楼下。
When they finished their night snack and returned to the dormitory, Senior Cheng showed a gentlemanly demeanor by escorting Junior Xu to the entrance of her female dormitory.
“对了,我有个问题,刚刚一直想问你来着!”当许煦告别准备转身离开时,程放忽然叫住她。
"By the way, I have a question. I've been meaning to ask you about it!" Cheng Fang called out to Xu Xu as she was about to say goodbye and turn around.
许煦转头:“什么问题?”
Xu Xu turned her head: "What question?"
程放摸摸鼻子,笑:“你有男朋友吗?”
Cheng Fang 摸摸鼻子, 笑道: "Do you have a boyfriend?"
许煦摇头:“没有啊!”
Xu Xu shook her head: "No!"
“真巧,我也没有。”
Coincidentally, I don't have one either.
“啊?”
Ah?
程放:“……我不是说我没男朋友,我的意思是,我也没有女朋友。”
Cheng Fang: "...I wasn't saying I don't have a boyfriend. What I meant is, I also don't have a girlfriend."
许煦:“……”
Xu Xu: "..."
程放清了清嗓子,眼含笑意,歪头看她:“那你想不想要一个男朋友?陪你上自习逛街,给你打饭提水带你玩的那种男朋友?”
Cheng cleared his throat and smiled, tilting his head to look at her. "Then, do you want a boyfriend? One who can accompany you to study sessions and shopping, bring you meals and water, and take you out to play?"
许煦耳根一下热起来,很快就蹿上了脸颊。面前的男生是那么英俊,路灯下含笑的眉眼像是被打了一层柔光,带着点勾人的邪气。许煦不敢再直接对着他那双让女孩难以招架的眼睛,红着脸低下头去看自己的鞋尖。
Xu Xi's ears turned hot, and the warmth quickly spread to her cheeks. The boy in front of her was so handsome; his smiling eyes under the streetlights seemed to be softly illuminated, with a hint of alluring wickedness. Xu Xi couldn't bear to look directly into his eyes, which girls often found irresistible, and she blushed, lowering her head to look at her shoes.
饶是从小到大,她有过好几次被人表白的经验,但面对一个女生宿舍卧谈会经常出现的主角,她还是有些无所适从。
Even though she had been proposed to several times before, facing a male figure who was a frequent topic of discussion in female dormitory chats, she still felt at a loss.
“我……”她支支吾吾。
"I..." she stammered.
程放笑:“给你一个星期慢慢考虑,如果需要的话,给我打电话。”
Cheng Fang smiled: "I'll give you a week to think about it. If you need anything, call me."
许煦“哦”了一声,一溜烟跑回了宿舍。
Xu Xu sighed, and darted back to her dormitory.
当然,与事实不符的传闻,并没有真的让许煦有什么不爽。因为无论是她和程放火车站的相遇,还是辩论赛他在自己手心写下电话号码,亦或是夜宵之后的婉转表白,都绝对称得上罗曼蒂克的范本——这可是经过了恋爱鼻祖冯佳的盖棺认证。
Of course, rumors that didn't match the facts didn't really bother Xu Xu. After all, her encounter with Cheng Fang at the train station, the time he wrote down his phone number on her palm during the debate, and his subtle confession after the late-night snack—these were all quintessential examples of romance, as certified by the love guru Feng Jia.
这如同小说的开始无疑满足了一个十八岁女孩对于恋爱的所有想象,而程放这个法学院头号帅哥男朋友,也足以符合许煦对初恋的所有要求。年少的恋爱,在春心萌动的背后,其实也有着不可忽视的虚荣心。无论什么样的女孩,如果拥有一个让人羡慕的男朋友,绝对是青春里值得炫耀的一件事。
This beginning, like the start of a novel, perfectly satisfied all the romantic fantasies of an eighteen-year-old girl. And Cheng Fang, the top handsome boy from the law school, was more than enough to meet Xu Xu's expectations for her first love. Youthful love, behind the budding of springtime desires, also had an undeniable element of vanity. For any girl, having a boyfriend that others envied was definitely something worth boasting about in her youth.
喜欢程放的女孩那么多,比许煦漂亮的有之,比她优秀的有之,但她一个刚入校的小女生,用一顿饭就把程放收入囊中。
There were so many girls who liked Cheng Fang, some prettier than Xu Xu, some more outstanding. But as a freshman girl just starting college, she managed to win Cheng Fang over with just one meal.
她自己都觉得:牛逼!
She herself thought: Impressive!
进入大学的第一个月,许煦以自认为完美的姿势开始了自己人生中第一段恋爱。
In the first month of university, Xu Xu began her first romance in what she believed to be the perfect way.
其实学生恋爱能做的是乏善可陈,无非吃饭看电影逛街。实际上因为要上课,而程放又是大忙人,就算每天能见面,相处的时间也并不多。但程放实在是个会讨女孩欢心的男生,尤其是许煦这种初出茅庐的新手,面对他的各种甜言蜜语和关怀照顾,很快就在这段恋爱里丢盔卸甲目眩神迷。
In fact, what students can do in a relationship is rather unremarkable, mostly just eating, watching movies, and going shopping. Actually, because of classes and Cheng Fang's busy schedule, even if they could see each other every day, the time they spent together was not much. But Cheng Fang was really good at pleasing girls, especially Xu Xu, a newcomer. Facing his various sweet words and care, she quickly lost her composure and was dazzled in this relationship.
和大部分初次陷入爱河的女孩一样,许煦在刚刚开始恋爱的那段时间里,整个人都处于亢奋状态,几乎有点神经兮兮,比如一天刷牙四五次,没事就拿出镜子照来照去,不到十分钟就会拿出手机看有没有新信息进来,就连上课的时候都不例外。晚上回到宿舍和程放打完电话,经常发癫似的又唱又跳,哪怕会遭到室友们“忍无可忍”的群殴。
Like most girls who fall in love for the first time, Xu Xu was in an excited state during the early days of her relationship, almost to the point of being neurotic. For example, she would brush her teeth four or five times a day, and would constantly check her reflection in the mirror. She would check her phone for new messages every ten minutes, even during class.
冯佳经常打趣她:“果然你跟歌里唱的一样,恋爱不但是一种病态,它还可能是一种变态。”
Feng Jia often joked about her: "Sure enough, you're just like the song says; love is not only a sickness, but it can also be a perversion."
许煦这种变态状一直持续了将近大半个月,兴奋才慢慢归于淡定。
Xu Xu's state of perversion lasted for nearly two weeks before her excitement gradually calmed down.
这天傍晚,许煦本来和程放约好了一起去校外吃饭,但他临时学生会有事,她只能一个人去。
That evening, Xu Xu had planned to go out to eat with Cheng Fang, but he had to cancel last minute due to student union duties, so she went alone.
十月份一过,这座城市的气温便骤降,等许煦吃完饭从餐厅出来回学校,萧瑟的凉风渐起,好在她听了程放的话,出门时多换了件挡风的外套。
After October, the temperature in the city dropped sharply. When Xu Xu finished eating at the restaurant and returned to school, a chilly breeze began to blow. Fortunately, she had listened to Cheng Fang's advice and had added a windproof coat when she left.
走了一段,忽然听到一阵悠扬的二胡声传来,她寻声看去,便看到前面路边一个卖艺乞讨者。这二胡拉得实在是不错,路过的学生大多会驻足片刻,许煦走上前,好奇地朝那人看去,原来是一个双腿截肢的残疾人,四五十岁的样子,拉琴的时候异常投入。
Walking for a while, she suddenly heard the melodious sound of a erhu. Following the sound, she saw a street performer and beggar by the roadside. The erhu playing was truly excellent; most passing students would stop to listen for a moment. Xu Xu approached, curiously looking at the man. He was a disabled person with both legs amputated, around forty or fifty years old, and was deeply engrossed in his performance.
城市里乞讨者多是残疾人,但像这种认真卖艺的却并不算多,许煦一来是觉得这人拉琴拉得不错,二来是觉得这种方式也算是自食其力,于是从钱包里掏出几张零票子,弯身放在前面的钱盒子里。
There were many beggars in the city, but those who seriously performed for a living were not common. Xu Xu, on one hand, thought the man played the erhu well, and on the other, felt that this was a way for him to earn his own living. Thus, she took out a few loose coins from her wallet and bent down to place them in the money box in front of him.
她放钱时,旁边有个人几乎和她同时弯身,两个人放钱的手,在盒子上方不小心碰撞了一下。
As she was putting in the money, another person bent down almost at the same time, and their hands accidentally bumped into each other above the money box.
许煦下意识转头,是一个头发短短的男生,见她朝自己看过来,微微弯了下嘴角,低低道了声“对不起”。
Xu Xu instinctively turned her head, and saw a boy with short hair. He slightly curled his lips and muttered an apology to her.
许煦不甚在意地摊摊手,站起来退后,准备再听完一首这卖艺者的曲子。不料这时风愈加大了,那卖艺者的琴弦已经受到影响,草草拉完手中的曲子便收了琴。旁边几个驻足的人四散开去,这小小的一方天地,只剩下卖艺者和还没离开的许煦,以及刚刚那个男生。
Xu Xu casually shrugged her hands and stood up, retreating a bit, preparing to listen to another song by the street performer. However, the wind had intensified, and the performer's strings were already affected. He hastily finished his piece and put away his lute. The few people who had stopped to watch dispersed, leaving only the performer, Xu Xu, and the boy from earlier in this small space.
许煦见状自然也是要离开,只是走了两步,也不知想到什么,忽然又停下来回头看过去。
Seeing this, Xu Xu naturally wanted to leave as well. But after taking two steps, she suddenly stopped and turned back to look.
那卖艺者已经收拾好一切,脖子前挂着一个包,身后背着他的胡琴,双手撑地,朝旁边一辆残疾人助力车挪过去。那人大概残疾已久,动作还算自如,车子不过几步之遥,很快就挪到。但车子毕竟不矮,要爬上去,对他这种双腿截肢的残障人士,就有点麻烦了。他伸手扶住车子,想先攀上座椅前的踏板,但不知是不是因为风渐大的关系,滑了一下没有成功。
The performer had already packed everything up. He had a bag hanging around his neck, his erhu slung over his back, and he was on his hands and knees, moving towards a disabled scooter. He seemed to have been disabled for a long time, and his movements were still relatively smooth. The scooter was just a few steps away, and he quickly reached it. However, the scooter was not short, and for a person with both legs amputated, climbing up was a bit troublesome. He reached out to support the scooter, intending to first climb onto the footrest in front of the seat, but for some reason, possibly due to the increasing wind, he slipped and failed to succeed.
许煦因为这轻轻的一滑,心里提了一下。就在这时,那个站在原地还没离开的男生,忽然走上前,从后面将那人抱起来,小心翼翼放在了车子上。
Xu Xu was slightly startled by the gentle slide. At this moment, the boy who had been standing there without moving suddenly walked forward, picked up the person from behind, and carefully placed them in the car.
“谢谢啊!”卖艺者笑着道。
"Thank you!" the performer said with a smile.
男生微笑回应:“不用谢。”
The boy smiled in response and said, "No need to thank me."
说完便转身离开,他转身时恰好对上许煦直矗矗的目光,大概是意识到自己在被别人看着,有点不太自在地低下了头。
After saying this, he turned to leave. As he turned, he happened to meet Xu Xu's direct gaze, and, realizing he was being watched, he lowered his head slightly, looking a bit uncomfortable.
许煦倒是没觉得有什么不对,她本来就不是害羞的女生。男生刚刚的举动足以让她这个旁观者觉得温暖,而且她总觉得他有点眼熟,好像在哪里见过,以至于被对方发现自己在看他,也没有收回目光,一直到人走远了一截,才抓抓头发准备转身。
Xu Xu didn't feel anything amiss; she wasn't a shy girl to begin with. The boy's previous actions were enough to make her, as an observer, feel warm. Moreover, she always felt that he looked somewhat familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before, so she didn't avert her gaze when he caught her looking at him, only to finally scratch her head and turn around after the person had walked a good distance away.
就在这时,她的目光不经意落在刚刚那卖艺者离开的地方,上面赫然掉了一张他们学校的校园卡。她疾步走过去拾起来,朝已经走远了好几步的男生叫道:“喂!前面那个男生你等一下!”
At this moment, her gaze inadvertently fell on where the performer had left, and there, lying on the ground, was their school's campus card. She quickly walked over to pick it up and called out to the boy who had already walked several steps ahead, "Hey! Wait up, that boy in front!"
如果没猜错,这校园卡应该是刚刚这男生抱那卖艺者上车时,动作太大,不小心从口袋里滑下的。
If her guess was correct, this campus card must have slipped out of the boy's pocket when he was holding the performer into the car, his movements being too vigorous.
男生似乎是犹疑了才停下脚步转头,看向她:“你叫我?”
The boy seemed to hesitate before he stopped and turned to face her, "You called me?"
许煦举着校园卡晃了晃:“你是不是掉东西了?”
Xu Xu held up the campus card and shook it: "Did you drop something?"
男生摸了下口袋,脸色微变,赶紧走上前:“是我掉得卡,谢谢你!”
The boy touched his pocket, his face changing slightly, and hurriedly walked up: "It's my card. Thank you!"
许煦却不马上给他,拿起校园卡正面看了看。学校的校园卡有照片和名字,卡片上小小的一寸照上,留着平头五官端正的男生正是面前的人,照片旁边写着三个字:柏冬青。
But Xu Xu didn't give it back right away. He picked up the campus card and looked at the front. The school's campus cards had photos and names. On the tiny one-inch photo, the boy with a buzz cut and 端正的五官 was the person in front of him. Beside the photo, it read three characters: Bai Dongqing.
许煦举起卡片对比了一下,点点头:“没错,是你的。”
Xu Xu held up the card to compare it and nodded: "Yes, it's yours."
然后将卡片还给他。
Then return the card to him.
“谢谢!”柏冬青郑重其事道。
"Thank you!" Bai Dongqing said earnestly.
“不用,就是恰好看到掉在地上。”她不甚在意道。
"No need, it's just that I happened to see it fall on the ground," she said with a slight lack of concern.
柏冬青似乎是很感激,但又不知该做点什么,以至于看起来有点局促,嘴唇翕张了片刻,又道了声“谢谢”。
Bai Dongqing seemed very grateful but didn't know what to do in return, appearing a bit awkward. After his lips moved for a moment, he said "Thank you" again.
许煦好笑般挥挥手:“小事小事。”
Xu Xuhao waved his hand with a smile: "Trivial matter, trivial matter."
柏冬青看了眼这满脸笑意的女孩,犹豫了片刻,准备离开。
Bai Dongqing looked at the girl with a full face of laughter and hesitated for a moment before preparing to leave.
可就在他转身时,忽然又被许煦叫住:“哎!我是不是在哪里见过你?”
But just as he turned around, Xu Xuhao called him back: "Hey! Have I seen you somewhere before?"
如果换做一个男生对女生说这话,那就是标准的搭讪嫌疑,但此时对两人来说,就只是一句再普通不过的询问。
If a boy said this to a girl, it would be a clear case of flirting, but for the two of them, it was just a routine inquiry.
柏冬青看着面前这个陌生的女孩,茫然地摇摇头。
Bai Dongqing looked at the unfamiliar girl in front of him and shook his head blankly.
许煦上下打量了他一眼,也许是穿着打扮太平淡无奇——头发只比板寸长一点点,个子倒是很高,但身上的旧t恤和脚下发黄的廉价运动鞋,即使是作为一个男生,也太过朴素了些,以至于连带着那张五官英挺的清朗面孔,都随之显得有些寡淡了。
Xu Xu looked him over from head to toe. Perhaps his appearance was too unremarkable—his hair was only slightly longer than a crew cut, and he was quite tall, but his old t-shirt and yellowed, cheap sneakers made him look too plain, even for a boy. As a result, his otherwise handsome and clear-cut face seemed somewhat dull.
这就是一个走在人群中不太会让人注意到的男生。所以许煦虽然觉得有点眼熟,却始终想不起来在哪里见过。
This was a boy who would easily go unnoticed in a crowd. So although Xu Xu felt a familiar connection, she couldn't recall where she had seen him.
“应该是我记错了。”她耸耸肩,不甚在意地朝他摆摆手,“走啦!”
Probably I'm mistaken," she shrugged, waving her hand nonchalantly. "Let's go!
站在原地的柏冬青,低头看了看手中的校园卡,又抬头看向已经走出几米远的女孩背影。一阵暮色中的凉风吹过,将女孩过肩长发卷起。大概是脖子灌进了风,她有些夸张地缩了缩肩膀。
Bai Dongqing stood still, looked down at the campus card in his hand, and then looked up at the girl's silhouette who had walked a few meters away. A cool evening breeze swept by, lifting the girl's shoulder-length hair. Perhaps the wind had chilled her neck, as she exaggeratedly shrugged her shoulders.
第5节
Chapter 5
柏冬青摸了摸耳朵,转身。
Bai Dongqing touched his ear and turned around.
作者有话要说: 男主男配拿错剧本啦~~
Author's Note: The main male and the sidekick have the wrong scripts!~~
第6章
Chapter 6
过了几天,程放的辩论队在八校联赛中夺冠,按着惯例请宿舍的人吃饭,顺便带许煦正式认识自己室友。
A few days later, Cheng Fang's debate team won the Eight Schools League, and as per tradition, they treated their dorm mates to a meal and introduced Xu Xu to his roommates.
学生恋人带男女朋友认识室友,从某种意义上来说,跟见家长差不多。虽然都是同一个院系的学生,但差了两级,许煦并不认识程放宿舍其他人,除了和程放在食堂吃饭见过一个叫做姜毅的男生,其他两个就一无所知。对了,还有第一次在八角楼外,远远看到的那个帮程放拎包回宿舍的男生。
When a student brings a boyfriend or girlfriend to meet their roommates, it's somewhat akin to meeting the parents. Although they are all from the same department, they are two years apart, and Xu Xu did not know Cheng Fang's other dorm mates except for a boy named Jiang Yi whom she had seen eating in the cafeteria with Cheng Fang. The other two were a mystery to her. By the way, there was also the boy she had seen helping Cheng Fang carry his bag back to the dormitory from far away outside the Octagonal Building for the first time.
程放和她在一起时,倒是经常提自己室友,听上去几个人关系很好。和很多男生宿舍一样,他们也是按着年龄大小排号。之前见过的姜毅是老大,程放是老二,还剩下不知名的老三老四没见过。
When Cheng Fang was with her, he often mentioned his roommates, and they seemed to have a good relationship. Like many male dormitories, they were numbered according to age. The one she had previously met, Jiang Yi, was the eldest, Cheng Fang was the second, and the third and fourth were still unknown to her.
“怎么样怎么样?”傍晚赴约前,许煦一连换了几身行头都不大满意。
"How about this one?" Before meeting up in the evening, Xu Xu tried on several outfits but was not satisfied with any of them.
“挺好啊。”坐在桌前吃饭的冯佳瞅了她一眼。
"It's pretty good." Feng Jia, sitting at the table eating, gave her a look.
许煦问:“就是和刚刚几身比起来,哪个看起来更正式点?”
Xu Xu asked, "Which one looks more formal compared to the previous ones?"
冯美人翻了个白眼:“你这有什么区别吗?无非是从红色帆布鞋换成白色帆布鞋再换成白色板鞋,裤子从没破洞的牛仔换成破一条缝的牛仔再换成两个洞的牛仔,衣服就别说了,你那衣服除了连帽衫就是套头衫,反正换来换去都是一个风格,标准都市学生妹打扮。不过你是去跟程放他们宿舍去吃饭,又不是要应聘,休闲装扮就好了。”
Feng Mei rolled her eyes: "What's the difference? You're just changing from red sneakers to white sneakers and then to white sneakers again, from jeans without any holes to jeans with one hole, and then to jeans with two holes. As for your clothes, apart from hoodies, they're all crew necks. In any case, you're always dressed in the same style—standard urban student attire. But you're going to have dinner at Cheng Fang's dormitory, not applying for a job, so casual wear would be fine."
许煦想了想也是,对着穿衣镜里的青春少女挤眉弄眼一番:“我觉得我还是很漂亮的,不至于给程放丢脸吧?”
Xu Xu thought about it and then made funny faces at the mirror image of the young girl: "I think I'm still pretty enough not to embarrass Cheng Fang, right?"
冯佳大笑:“那是!你可是一顿夜宵就拿下程院草的美少女呢!”
Feng Jia laughed loudly: "Of course! You're the beautiful girl who took down Cheng Yecao with just one night snack!"
许煦得意地昂昂头,背上双肩包出了门。
Xu Xu proudly raised her head and left the house with her backpack on.
冯佳看着她的背影,好笑地摇摇头:“小屁孩!”
Feng Jia shook her head, smiling at her back: "Little brat!"
到了楼下,许煦看到来接自己的程放,开心地跑过去挽住他的手臂,旁边有同院系的女生经过,虽然看过来的目光并无深意,但许煦就是会虚荣心爆棚地理解为是羡慕。
At the bottom of the stairs, Xu Xu saw Cheng Fang, who was there to pick her up, and happily ran over to take his arm. Although some girls from the same department passed by and looked at them without any deep meaning, Xu Xu would interpret their gazes as envy, her vanity soaring.
和风云学长谈恋爱,当然是值得羡慕的。
Dating with Senior Fengyun is definitely something to be envied.
程放低头看了看她,笑道:“去见我兄弟们,怎么不见你紧张?”
Cheng Fang looked down at her and smiled, saying, "Why aren't you nervous about meeting my brothers?"
相处一个月,程放已经了解她的性格,就是那种很典型开朗外向的小姑娘,兴许是刚刚从高中过来,还很有些天真和幼稚,什么都明晃晃写在脸上,善良且毫无心机,应该是家庭氛围极好被宠爱长大的孩子。
After a month of getting to know each other, Cheng Fang had already understood her personality—she was a typical cheerful and outgoing girl. Perhaps she had just come from high school, still quite innocent and naive, with everything written plainly on her face. She was kind and innocent, with no ulterior motives, and should be a child who grew up in a very loving family.
这是他第一次和这种女孩交往,好像也有点……意思。
This was his first time dating a girl like her, and it seemed to have some... potential.
许煦抬头看他:“有什么好紧张的?就是几个学长而已,他们又不会吃人。”
Xu Xu looked up at him. "What's the big deal? They're just seniors. They won't eat you."
程放弯眉笑:“他们挺喜欢开玩笑的,要是待会儿开咱们玩笑,你可别生气啊!”
Cheng Fang arched his eyebrows and smiled. "They really like to joke around. If they make jokes about us later, don't get mad, okay?"
许煦昂昂头:“谁开谁玩笑还不一定呢?”
Xu Xu lifted her head high. "Who knows who'll be making jokes?"
程放轻笑出声:“许同学,你挺厉害啊!”
Cheng Fang chuckled and said, "Xu student, you're quite impressive!"
“那当然。”
Of course.
不然也不会一顿夜宵就搞定了你,许煦心道。
Otherwise, he wouldn't have settled you with just a late-night snack, Xu Xuixin thought.
说说笑笑来到约定的餐厅包厢,里面已经坐了两人。
Chatting and laughing, they arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant 包厢, where two people were already seated inside.
程放拉着许煦走进去,笑道:“老大老四,我女朋友许煦。”
Cheng Fang pulled Xu Xu into the room and smiled, saying, "Big Brother and Big Brother Four, this is my girlfriend, Xu Xu."
姜毅和老四周楚河站起来,一个叫“弟妹”,一个叫“嫂子”。
Jiang Yi and Zhou Chuhé, Big Brother Four, stood up. One called her "Little Sister," and the other called her "Big Sister."
程放本以为许煦会被这两个家伙的玩笑称呼吓到,正虚指着两人要警告,许煦却笑嘻嘻打招呼:“学长好!”
Cheng Fang originally thought that Xu Xu would be scared by these guys' playful nicknames, but instead, she greeted with a smile, "Hello, Senior!"
程放笑着放下手,又介绍:“姜毅你见过的,还有我们宿舍老四周楚河。”说着又问俩室友,“老三呢?”
Cheng Fang laughed and put his hand down, then introduced, "Jiang Yi, you've met before, and Zhou Chuhé, our dorm mate." He then asked his two roommates, "Where's Big Brother Three?"
姜毅道:“青儿说有个师兄临时给他介绍了个兼职的活儿,来不了了,让我们自己吃。”
Jiang Yi said, "Qing'er said one of the senior brothers temporarily introduced him to a part-time job, but he can't come anymore, so we have to eat ourselves."
程放道:“大晚上的去干什么活儿?”
Cheng Fang said, "What are we doing at such a late hour?"
“不知道,应该就是帮忙送货什么的吧!”
Didn't know, should just be helping with deliveries or something like that!
程放摇摇头,拉着许煦坐下:“下次再给你介绍我们宿舍老三,咱们院里的大学霸。”
Cheng Fang shook his head and pulled Xu Xu to sit down: "Next time, I'll introduce you to our dorm's third brother. He's the top student in our college."
许煦道:“我知道,就是那次辩论赛后,你让人把书包带回去的那个学长吧?”
Xu Xu said, "I know, the senior who had someone bring back his backpack after that debate, right?"
程放似乎忘记了那天的事,想了会儿才点头:“就是他。”
Cheng Fang seemed to have forgotten about that day and nodded after a moment, "That's him."
少一个人并不影响今天的聚会,这是校外一家高档中餐厅,价格不菲,程放豪迈地一口气点了十来道菜。
The absence of one person did not affect the gathering today. This was an upscale Chinese restaurant outside the campus, with prices to match. Cheng Fang generously ordered over a dozen dishes in one go.
学生恋爱加上才刚刚交往没多久,彼此并不会去关注对方的家庭背景,但一个人家境如何,从平日里的吃穿用度就可窥见一斑。许煦看得出程放就如传言中所说,应该是个富二代,他不太喜欢在食堂吃饭,穿的运动鞋多为限量版,用最新的电子产品,两个人去外面逛街买东西,从来不看价签,也从来不让许煦买单。短短一个月,在许煦可见的范围内,他的花费远远超过普通大学生,应该比父母给自己的生活费还要多很多。
With a new relationship and only just starting to date, neither of them paid much attention to each other's family backgrounds. But one's background could be gauged from their daily habits, such as their eating, dressing, and spending. Xu Xu could tell that Cheng Fang, as rumored, was likely a rich second-generation, as he didn't often eat in the cafeteria, wore mostly limited-edition sports shoes, used the latest electronics, and when they went shopping together, never checked prices and never let Xu Xu pay. In just a month, within Xu Xu's visible range, his spending far exceeded that of an ordinary college student, likely more than what his parents provided for him.
程放的两位室友显然早就习惯他的慷慨,对于点这么多菜没有任何异议。几个人很快就聊得热火朝天,开始两个男生还调侃一下程放和许煦,但发觉许煦对玩笑很坦率大方,根本达不到看小姑娘害羞窘迫的结果,甚至还被她直来直往弄得节节败退,只得感叹常见后浪推前浪,最后去聊别的话题了。
Cheng Fang's two roommates clearly had long gotten used to his generosity, and had no objections to ordering so many dishes. The group quickly got into a lively discussion. At first, the two boys teased Cheng Fang and Xu Xu, but they soon realized that Xu Xu was very open and straightforward about the jokes, and didn't make the boys feel embarrassed or uncomfortable at all. In fact, she even made them feel a bit at a loss, so they could only sigh and change the topic.
吃到一半时,周楚河忽然感叹了一句:“对了,老三干了件事你们知不知道?”
Halfway through the meal, Zhou Chuhé suddenly sighed, "By the way, did you guys know what Old Three did?"
程放和姜毅异口同声问:“什么事?”
Cheng Fang and Jiang Yi asked in unison, "What did he do?"
周楚河道:“这学期不是有个什么助学金么?反正跟咱们没关系,就是专门资助优秀贫困生的,一个班只有一个名额,咱们班肯定就是老三。但是你们知道他干了什么吗?”这位学长很有些叙事天分,说到这里还像卖关子一般故意顿了顿,才揭晓谜底,“他把名额让给陈建民了。”
Zhou Chuhé replied, "This semester, wasn't there some kind of scholarship? Anyway, it's not related to us, it's specifically for outstanding poor students, with only one spot per class. Our class would definitely be for Old Three. But do you know what he did?"
This senior had a knack for storytelling and paused dramatically as if to build suspense before revealing the answer, "He gave his spot to Chen Jianmin."
姜毅惊讶:“他把名额让陈建民了?他脑子是不是进水了?”
Jiang Yi was surprised: "Did he give his spot to Chen Jianmin? Did his brain get flooded?"
周楚河道:“陈建民不也是贫困生么?好像他爸最近生了病,底下还有弟弟妹妹在上学。然后老三不是刚拿了国奖么?说自己也没负担,就把助学金让了,五千块呢,都够他半年生活费了。”
Zhou Chuhe said, "Chen Jianmin is also a poor student, right? It seems his father has been sick recently, and he has younger brothers and sisters still in school. Then, Third Brother just won a national scholarship. He said he didn't have any burdens, so he gave up his scholarship, which was five thousand yuan. That's enough for his living expenses for half a year."
程放无语地摇摇头:“他是没负担,反正是一人吃饱全家不饿。”
Cheng Fang shook his head in silence: "He doesn't have any burdens, anyway, one person eating enough to feed the whole family."
姜毅笑道:“青儿脑回路是有点跟正常人不一样,还记不记得当初入校军训升国旗时,他边跟着唱国歌边流泪的事,我当时心想这不会是个傻子吧?”
Jiang Yi smiled and said, "Qing'er's way of thinking is a bit different from normal people. Do you still remember when he was singing the national anthem during the school military training and crying? At the time, I thought he might be a fool."
周楚河似乎也觉得好笑,拍了拍桌子笑道:“对对对,还有大一下学期那次,他晚上兼职回来,在校门外遇到有人打劫一个女生,路见不平一声吼把人喝走了也就算了,非得去帮女生把包追回来,人家俩劫匪拿着刀,包是追回来了,人却被捅了两刀,在医院躺了大半个月。问题是那女生包里总共就几十块现金,一个旧手机。”
Zhou Chuhé seemed to find it amusing as well, and he tapped the table and smiled, saying, "Right right, there was also that time during his first semester of sophomore year. He came back from a night job and encountered someone robbing a girl on campus. He intervened and chased the robbers away, but he insisted on helping the girl retrieve her bag. The two robbers had knives, and although he got the bag back, he was stabbed twice. He ended up in the hospital for over half a month. The problem was, the girl only had a few dozen dollars and an old phone in her bag."
程放笑:“是啊!虽然那俩个劫匪抓到了,学校也给了个见义勇为的奖励,但这事传开,谁不笑他傻?这回让了助学金,肯定又得被人笑。”
Cheng Fang laughed, "Yeah! Although the two robbers were caught and the school gave him an award for bravery, this incident only made people laugh at him for being foolish. This time, he lost the scholarship, and he'll probably be laughed at again."
一直一言未发的许煦,忽然将筷子重重磕在桌面,冷不丁问道:“你们觉得这位学长很好笑吗?”
Xu Xu, who had remained silent until now, suddenly slammed his chopsticks on the table and asked abruptly, "Do you think this senior is funny?"
程放转头,发觉小女朋友不知何时脸色有点奇怪,不明所以问:“怎么了?”
Cheng Fang turned around and noticed that his little girlfriend's face had become a bit strange. He asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
“你们觉得很好笑吗?”许煦又问了一次。
"Do you think it's very funny?" Xu Xu asked again.
姜毅:“……就是觉得他的行为有点傻。”
Jiang Yi: "…Just think his behavior is a bit silly."
许煦语气凉凉诘问:“是爱国傻?还是见义勇为傻?或者是助人为乐傻?”
Xu Xu asked coolly, "Is it patriotic silliness? Or righteousness and bravery silliness? Or helping others silliness?"
第7章
Chapter 7
几个本来说笑调侃的男生,面面相觑,一时陷入不知如何应对小学妹诘问的尴尬之中。
Several boys, who had been joking and teasing, looked at each other awkwardly, unsure of how to respond to the freshman's serious questioning.
许煦继续道:“如果是别人嘲笑这些行为倒也算了,但你们都是法学生,如果连法学生都觉得正义和善良是一件很傻的事,那我觉得这是法律人的悲哀。”
Xu Xu continued, "While it might be acceptable if others were mocking these actions, since you are all law students, if even law students think that justice and kindness are foolish, I believe that is a sad state of affairs for legal professionals."
她知道自己说这些不仅听起来好笑,而且还很破坏气氛,但她毕竟只有十八岁,还没有来得及学会迂回和圆滑。当她刚刚听着他们调侃着另一个男生本应该受到赞誉的举动,实在是觉得很有些不舒服。
She knew that what she was saying sounded funny and was disrupting the mood, but at eighteen, she had yet to learn the art of being tactful and smooth. When she had just listened to them joking about another boy's actions that should have been praised, she had felt quite uncomfortable.
她也知道,自己刚刚这一番话,可能在程放几个人眼中,也跟那位没有出席的室友一样傻里傻气。
She also knew that her words might seem as silly as her absent roommate to Cheng Fang and the others.
意外的是,三个男生沉默了片刻后,收敛了之前的笑容。先是程放拍拍她的肩膀,用试图缓解气氛的轻松语气道:“你误会了,我们没有嘲笑的意思。”
Surprisingly, after a moment of silence, the three boys sobered up and stopped smiling. Cheng Fang patted her shoulder and spoke in a light tone to ease the atmosphere, "You misunderstood. We didn't mean to mock."
姜毅连连点头,清了清嗓子附和:“是啊是啊!我们和老三不仅是室友也是好兄弟,就是希望他能为自己多着想一点,他的情况跟我们不大一样。”
Jiang Yi nodded repeatedly and cleared his throat in agreement, "Yes, yes! We and Old Three are not only roommates but also good brothers. We just hope he can think more about himself. His situation is quite different from ours."
周楚河跟着道:“老三爸爸是军人,在他小学的时候因为执行任务殉职了,他是烈士家属,升国旗应该也是触景生情。他这人特别正直,大概就是受他爸的影响。”
Zhou Chuhé added, "Old Three's father was a soldier who died on duty when he was in elementary school. He is a family member of a martyr, and it's natural for him to be moved when the national flag is raised. He is very upright, and it's probably due to his father's influence."
程放歪头看向许煦,轻笑:“是啊!我们真不是嘲笑老三,主要他妈在他初三那会儿也过世了,这些年都是一个人生活长大,没有人抚养照顾,我们把他当家人呢。像类似让助学金的事,也不是第一次了,我们就是希望他能多想想自己,毕竟一个大学生养自己活自己也不是那么简单的事。”
Cheng Fang tilted his head towards Xu Xu and smiled lightly, "Yes! We truly didn't mock Old Three. The main reason is that his mother passed away when he was in junior high, and he has been living alone for many years without any care or support. We treat him like family. We've done similar things like this before with scholarship applications, and we just hope he can think more about himself. After all, it's not easy for a college student to support themselves."
其实刚刚他们确实是在调侃的,虽然没有带着任何恶意。但当许煦这样义愤填膺地质问,他才意识到这并不是一件应该调侃的事。
Actually, they were just joking around just now, although without any malice. But when Xu Xu questioned them with righteous indignation, he realized that this wasn't something that should be joked about.
面对一个小女生的义正言辞,他忽然就有点自惭形秽了。
Facing a little girl's stern words, he suddenly felt a bit ashamed of himself.
许煦从那个未曾蒙面的学长身世中回神,先是惊愕,然后意识到自己刚刚确实是太较真了点,有点不好意思笑道:“我知道你们是开玩笑,我就是觉得那位学长其实挺难得的。”
Xu Xu returned to her thoughts from the background of that unnamed senior, first in shock, then realizing that she had indeed been too serious just now, and she smiled a bit sheepishly, saying, "I know you were just joking. I just think that senior is quite rare."
姜毅笑呵呵道:“那当然,我长这么大就见过他这么一个。”
Jiang Yi smiled and said, "Of course, I've only met one like him in my life."
众人都笑,气氛总算又恢复了轻松。
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere finally returned to being 轻松.
漫长的晚餐结束,服务员来结账,姜毅指了桌上还剩下的菜:“麻烦帮我们打包。”
The long dinner was over, and the waiter came to settle the bill. Jiang Yi pointed to the dishes that were still on the table: "Could you help us pack these?"
许煦笑道:“你们还挺节约的嘛!”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "You guys are quite thrifty!"
程放道:“给老三带回去的。”
Cheng Fang said, "For the third one to take back."
许煦怔了一怔,皱眉问:“给人打包怎么不在开吃前就装好?带剩下的不好吧?”
Xu Xu was taken aback and frowned, asking, "Why don't you put the leftovers in the container before eating? Wouldn't it be better to bring the remaining food?"
姜毅不甚在意地笑道:“我们平时在外面都是这么干的,男生哪里会这么讲究!”
Jiang Yi smiled, not taking it too seriously, and said, "We usually do it this way when we're out. Boys aren't that particular about it!"
程放也道:“是啊。”
Cheng Fang also agreed, saying, "Right."
许煦本想问他“如果有人给你打包剩下的饭菜你会吃吗”,但到底没说出口,毕竟这是男生之间的相处方式,何况他们一个宿舍已经住了两年多,她的质疑显得不太恰当,于是也就抛到脑后了。
Xu Xu had wanted to ask him, "If someone packs your leftover food, would you eat it?" but ultimately didn't say it. After all, this was a way boys interacted with each other, and since they had been living in the same dorm for over two years, her doubts seemed inappropriate. So, she put it aside.
回到宿舍区,程放和许煦与另外两人道别后,便开始了小情侣的夜间日常——在校园里压马路。
Returning to the dormitory area, Cheng Fang and Xu Xu bid farewell to the other two and began their couple's nightly routine—strolling around the campus.
走了一会儿,两人在湖边长椅坐下。此时已经进入十一月份,夜晚的湖边很凉。程放将许煦抱在怀里相互取暖,也不知想到什么,伸手在她脸颊捏了捏,却没说话。
After walking for a while, the two sat down on a long bench by the lake. It was already November, and the evening by the lake was quite chilly. Cheng Fang held Xu Xu in his arms to share warmth, and for some reason, he reached out to pinch her cheek, though he didn't say anything.
许煦抬头看他,见他目光闪闪,略带笑意,看起来有些意味深长。她摸了摸自己的脸:“怎么了?我脸上有东西?”
Xu Xu looked up at him, noticing his sparkling eyes and the hint of a smile, which seemed to carry some deeper meaning. She touched her face and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
程放摇头。
Cheng Fang shook his head.
“那怎么了?”许煦一头雾水,也许是过了初恋的变态期,她不再像起初那样被他盯着就会心跳若狂。
"What's the problem with that?" Xu Xu was perplexed. Perhaps she had passed the stage of being overly infatuated with her first love, and she no longer experienced an accelerated heartbeat when he stared at her.
程放弯唇笑了笑:“我现在才发觉你真可爱!”
Cheng Fang curved his lips into a smile and laughed. "I only realize now how adorable you are!"
先前在饭桌上,当她义正言辞地诘问他们几个,他并没觉得不好意思,反倒是忽然觉得这小姑娘原来这么可爱。
Earlier at the dinner table, when she sternly questioned them, he hadn't felt embarrassed at all. Instead, he suddenly found this little girl so adorable.
许煦被夸得眉开眼笑,昂昂头道:“现在才发现?意思是之前不觉得咯?那为什么要做我男朋友?”
Xu Xu beamed with delight at the compliment and raised her head proudly. "Only now? So you didn't think so before? Then why did you want to be my boyfriend?"
程放一怔,摸了摸额头:“……就是越来越觉得你可爱。”
Cheng Fang was taken aback and touched his forehead: "…You're becoming cuter and cuter."
“这还差不多。”
That's better then.
这晚的小插曲,许煦倒是没放在心上,也没有去好奇程放那位未曾蒙面的室友,和所有热恋的女孩一样,每天满心满眼都是男朋友。和程放的约会越来越频繁,甚至还跟着他去社团,两个人几乎如胶似漆,连冯佳他们都天天嘲笑她每天春光满面,一看就是陷入爱河的恋爱狗。
Xu Xu didn't dwell on the small incident that night and didn't bother to wonder about Cheng Fang's unnamed roommate. Like all girls in love, she was consumed with thoughts of her boyfriend. Her dates with Cheng Fang became more frequent, and she even accompanied him to club activities. The two of them were practically inseparable, so much so that Feng Jia and others mocked her every day for her radiant appearance, clearly indicating she was deeply in love.
因为马上要期中考试,大忙人程放和非学霸许煦也不得不暂时把约会活动从逛街看电影诸如此类改成好好学习天天向上。
Since the mid-term exams were approaching, the busy Cheng Fang and non-A-student Xu Xu had to temporarily change their date activities from shopping and watching movies to studying diligently every day.
程放不喜欢去自习室,说容易犯困,两个人都没课的下午,他就拉着许煦去校门外的星巴克。
Cheng Fang doesn't like to go to the study room, saying it's easy to fall asleep. On afternoons when both of them are free, he pulls Xu Xu out to the Starbucks outside the campus.
校外这家星巴克下午人很少,环境确实算得上清静。程放第一次牵着许煦的手走进咖啡店时,里面只有零星几个顾客。
This Starbucks outside the campus is usually very quiet in the afternoon, and the environment is indeed quite peaceful. When Cheng Fang first held Xu Xu's hand and walked into the coffee shop, there were only a few scattered customers inside.
两人走到吧台,程放敲了敲台面,朝收银台后低着头的男生道:“老三!”
The two of them walked to the counter. Cheng Fang tapped the countertop and called out to the boy with his head down at the cash register, "Old Three!"
穿着星巴克绿色围裙制服的男生抬头,笑问:“来喝咖啡?”
The boy in the green Starbucks uniform looked up and asked with a smile, "Want to have a coffee?"
程放拉了拉旁边的许煦:“是啊,我女朋友许煦,你还没见过呢!”
Cheng Fang pulled on Xu Xu's side: "Yeah, this is my girlfriend, Xu Xu. You haven't met her yet!"
许煦震惊地看着吧台里的男生,满脸写着不可思议。柏冬青也看到了许煦,脸上的愕然一闪而过,然后很快反应过来,朝她微微一笑。
Xu Xu looked at the boy behind the bar in shock, her face full of disbelief. Bai Dongqing also saw Xu Xu, a moment of surprise flashed across his face before he quickly recovered and gave her a slight smile.
程放给许煦介绍:“这就是我们宿舍的老三柏冬青。”
Cheng Fang introduced Xu Xu: "This is our dorm's third-year resident, Bai Dongqing."
柏冬青!许煦还记得这个名字,是那天在校园卡上看到的,当然也认出了这张面孔。
Bai Dongqing! Xu Xu still remembered that name. She had seen it on the campus card that day, of course, and recognized that face.
柏冬青没有提那次的小插曲,只笑着问两人:“你们喝什么?”
Ba Dongqing did not mention that little incident, only smiling and asking the two, "What would you two like to drink?"
第6节
Section 6
程放道:“我要一杯摩卡。”又转头问许煦,“你呢?”
Cheng Fang said, "I'll have a mocha." Then he turned to ask Xu Xu, "And you?"
“拿铁吧。”
An espresso, please.
程放揉了把她的头:“你先去找座位坐好。”
Cheng Fang rubbed her head: "You go find a seat first."
许煦笑着点点头,不由自主看了眼已经低头专心打单子的柏冬青,转身去找座位。
Xu Xu smiled and nodded, involuntarily glancing at Bai Dongqing, who was already bent over,专心 typing orders. She turned to find a seat.
座位对着吧台,她放下书包抬头,正好看到靠在吧台前等待咖啡的程放朝她看过来,四目相对时,男孩帅气地挑眉朝她一笑,然后转头低声和吧台里做咖啡的柏冬青低语了几句不知什么。
The seats faced the bar. She put down her backpack and looked up, just catching Cheng Fang looking at her from the bar. Their eyes met, and the boy raised an eyebrow in a handsome gesture, then turned to whisper something to Bai Dongqing, who was making coffee behind the bar.
柏冬青没有说话,只面含微笑,间或点点头。一直到做好手中的咖啡,递给程放时,才抬头,似乎是不经意朝许煦这边看了眼,淡淡笑了笑。
Bai Dongqing didn't speak, only smiling and nodding occasionally. It wasn't until she handed the coffee to Cheng Fang that she looked over, seemingly by chance, and gave a faint smile.
许煦还没来得及给他一个回应,他已经又低头继续工作。
Xu Xu didn't have time to respond before he bent his head to continue working.
这回她终于知道为何那次在校外觉得他眼熟了,原来是真的见过,只不过是八角楼外的远远一瞥,也不怪她当时没想起来。
This time, she finally understood why she had felt familiar with him outside the school; she had indeed met him before, just a distant glance at the Eight Corner Tower. She couldn't blame herself for not remembering at the time.
平心而论,这个男生是长得帅的,与许煦想象中或者在校园里见过的贫困生也不大一样,不阳光也不阴郁,不时尚也绝不土气。就算是穿着和旁边服务生一样的绿色制服,也能感觉到他由内而外的干净和独属于少年人的青涩。
To be honest, this boy was quite handsome. He was different from the impoverished students Xu Xu had imagined or seen on campus—neither overly sunny nor gloomy, neither trendy nor unrefined. Even in a green uniform like the waiter next to him, one could sense his inner cleanliness and the fresh, youthful innocence that only a teenager could have.
这种气质让他很难被人注意,但注意到后大概就不会再忽视,毕竟他长得实在算是很好了。
This demeanor made it hard for people to notice him, but once noticed, it was unlikely to be forgotten, given how good-looking he was.
程放端着咖啡走过来,将拿铁放在她面前,笑道:“我的爱心咖啡。”
Cheng Fang carried the coffee over and placed the latte in front of her, smiling and saying, "My heartwarming coffee."
许煦低头看去,咖啡上面有漂亮的拉花,写着程放和自己的名字首字母,中间是一颗心形图案。小女生谁不喜欢这种简单的浪漫,她弯起嘴唇轻笑,心中喜悦,嘴上却故意道:“又不是你自己做的。”
Xu Xu looked down, seeing a beautiful latte art with her and Cheng Fang's initials in the middle of a heart. Who wouldn't like such simple romance? She curled her lips into a light smile, feeling happy inside but said deliberately, "It's not like you made it yourself."
程放:“我这是特意让老三帮我做的。”
Cheng Fang: "I had Third Brother specially make it for me."
许煦看着拉花,不舍得马上喝,瞅了眼在吧台工作的柏冬青:“柏学长是在这里打工吗?”
Xu Xu looked at the latte art, not wanting to drink it right away, and glanced at Bai Dongqing who was working at the counter: "Is Bai Senior working here as a part-time job?"
程放点头,笑着随口道:“他做咖啡特别好,拉花小能手,以后来喝咖啡专门让他给你做。”
Cheng Fang nodded and smiled, saying casually, "He makes coffee really well, a pro at latte art. In the future, if you want to drink coffee, just have him make it for you."
他的理所当然让许煦不以为然:“人家是在这里工作的,麻烦人家多不好。”
Xu Xu's assumption that he was being a bother made her doubt his logic: "He's working here, it's not nice to trouble him."
第8章
Chapter 8
跟大部分熬过高考后就放飞自我的大一生一样,许煦不再有学业压力,加上又投奔了恋爱大军,学习自然是靠后站,她没有拿奖学金的雄心壮志,只要成绩不难看就行。至于程放,虽然是风云人物,但他的风云不在学习上,而是在各种学校活动中的体现,自然也不会在学习上为许煦当榜样。
Like most freshmen who let loose after surviving the college entrance exam, Xu Xu no longer had academic pressure. With her joining the ranks of the dating crowd, her studies naturally took a back seat. She had no ambition to win scholarships; she just wanted her grades to look decent. As for Cheng Fang, although he was a figure of note, his fame didn't lie in his studies but in his various school activities. Naturally, he wouldn't serve as a role model for Xu Xu in terms of academics.
期中考试比较简单,两个人都是三天打鱼两天晒网,去过几次星巴克,说是复习,其实大多时候也还是聊天打瞌睡玩手机。
The mid-term exam was relatively simple, and the two of them were inconsistent, studying for three days and taking it easy for two. They went to Starbucks a few times, saying they were reviewing, but most of the time they were just chatting, dozing off, and playing with their phones.
去的时候,柏冬青几乎都在兼职,他似乎不爱说话,每次只是简短和程放打招呼,然后朝许煦微笑着点点头。
When leaving, Bai Dongqing was almost always working part-time. He seemed to be a quiet person, only briefly greeting Cheng Fang and nodding slightly to Xu Xu.
许煦没怎么和他说过话,偶尔坐在座位上不经意往吧台一看,他大多数时都在低头默默做咖啡,有客人点单,除了礼貌询问一两句客人需求,很少开口说话,但因为脸上一直带着浅淡的笑容,所以并不会让人感觉冷淡,反倒有种春风和煦的温和。
Xu Xu didn't talk much to him. Occasionally, when she sat at her seat and glanced over to the bar counter by chance, she found him mostly bent over, quietly making coffee. When customers placed orders, he would politely ask for their preferences, but rarely spoke. However, because his face always wore a gentle smile, he didn't come across as cold; instead, he had a warm and pleasant demeanor.
而自从认识后,除了星巴克,许煦在宿舍区三天两头也会见到柏冬青一次。宿舍区不大,法学院男生宿舍和女生宿舍也就隔了一栋楼,如果作息规律,中午傍晚在通往食堂和水房的路上,其实遇到的几率不会太小。
Since they became acquainted, Xu Xu would see Bai Dongqing in the dormitory area almost every other day, in addition to Starbucks. The dormitory area wasn't large; the male and female dormitories were only separated by one building. If their schedules were regular, the chances of encountering each other on the way to the canteen or the water room during lunch and dinner were quite high.
许煦想,也许之前和这位学长也擦肩而过很多次,只是他在人来人往的学生中太过平凡无奇,所以她从来没有注意到过这样一个男生。
Xu Xu thought that perhaps she had passed by this senior many times before, but he was just too unremarkable among the bustling student crowd, so she had never noticed him.
然而奇妙的是,如今无论隔多远,她总是能一眼看到他,毕竟他确实是一个模样生得很好的男生。有时候隔得近,她就会笑着和他打声招呼,他则会抿唇微微笑着点头回应。
However, strangely enough, no matter how far apart they are, she always manages to spot him at a glance. After all, he is indeed a good-looking boy. Sometimes, when they are close, she would smile and wave at him, to which he would respond with a slight smile and a nod.
他似乎总是行色匆匆,多数时候是从开水房和食堂回宿舍,不是提着四个暖水壶,就是抱着三四个饭盒。大学男生尤其是文科男生,哪怕是重点大学,到了大三课程不那么多的阶段,有很大一部分也是整日过着堕落生活,昼夜颠倒地在宿舍打游戏。程放宿舍几个家伙经常都是睡到中午才起来,想来也只有柏冬青这种优等生,才会如此作息规律。
He seemed to always be in a hurry, mostly returning to the dormitory from the boiler room and cafeteria, either carrying four hot water bottles or holding three or four lunch boxes. University boys, especially those in the humanities, even at prestigious universities, often lead a decadent life during their third year, staying up late and playing games in the dormitory day and night. Cheng Fang and his roommates often slept until noon, and it was only students like Bai Dongqing, who were top performers, who maintained such regular 作息.
一日傍晚,许煦和程放现在外面吃了晚饭回来,恰好撞见拎着四个热水壶的柏冬青回宿舍。
One evening, Xu Xu and Cheng Fang returned from dinner outside and happened to run into Bai Dongqing, who was carrying four hot water bottles, heading back to the dormitory.
程放隔了几米远就和他打招呼:“老三!你待会儿晚上是要去兼职吧?”
Cheng Fang greeted him from a few meters away, "Old Three! Are you going to do a part-time job tonight?"
柏冬青走过来,点头:“嗯。”
Bai Dongqing walked over and nodded: "Mm."
“那你回来的时候,顺便帮我在药店带盒喉宝,我常吃的那种,回头给你钱。”
Then when you come back, pick up a box of lozenges for me at the pharmacy, the kind I always take. I'll give you the money later.
“好嘞。”柏冬青微微笑着应道,擦身而过时,朝被程放牵着的许煦点点算是打招呼。
"Got it." Bai Dongqing smiled slightly in response and passed by, nodding at Xuyu who was being held by Cheng Fang.
待走了几米,许煦忍不住扯了扯程放的手臂:“我每次看到柏学长打水,都是拎着几瓶,是帮你们打的吧?”
After walking a few meters, Xuyu couldn't help tugging on Cheng Fang's arm: "Every time I see Senior Bai fetching water, he always carries a few bottles. Is he doing that for you guys?"
室友之间帮忙带饭打个水不足为奇,许煦宿舍几个也会经常干这种事,但从来是轮流着来,绝不对总是一个人。而这两个月下来,许煦是从来没看到程放去打过热水,不过帮自己倒是提过几回。
It's not surprising for roommates to help each other bring meals or fetch water. In Xu Xu's dorm, they often do such things, but they always take turns and never let one person do it all. But over these past two months, Xu Xu had never seen Cheng Fang go to fetch hot water, though he had helped her a few times.
程放听她问,点头道:“是啊!反正他每天去食堂吃完饭都是要打热水的,就顺手帮我们打了,免得我们这些懒得去食堂的,专门跑一趟。”
When she asked, Cheng Fang nodded and said, "Of course! He goes to the cafeteria every day and always gets hot water. He just helps us out since we're too lazy to go to the cafeteria ourselves."
“你们好意思啊?”许煦有些无语。
"You guys really have the nerve," Xu Xu couldn't help but say, feeling a bit speechless.
程放好笑地看了她一眼,不甚在意道:“这有什么不好意思的,你以为我们男生像你们女生一样斤斤计较。我们老三人特好,都主动帮我们干的。”
Cheng Fang smiled and looked at her, not taking it too seriously. "What's the big deal? Do you think we guys are as petty as you girls? We three are really good; we all take the initiative to help out."
许煦撇撇嘴:“刚带药不是你让人干的吗?”
Xu Xu pursed her lips: "Didn't you have someone do that just now with medicine?"
程放道:“那不是顺便么?”他吸了口气啧啧两声,歪头看她,笑道,“我说许小煦同学,你把我们想成什么人了?欺负同学的恶势力?”
Cheng Fang said, "That wasn't just a side task, was it?" He took a deep breath and clicked his tongue twice, tilting his head to look at her and smiled, "Xiao Xu, what kind of people do you think we are? A gang of bullies who bully classmates?"
许煦道:“我就是觉得你们这样不大好。”
Xu Xu said, "I just think it's not good for you guys to do that."
程放笑:“什么不太好?我们宿舍人关系好着呢!反正老三也不用谈恋爱,像我们一样为女朋友鞍前马后,帮兄弟们分担一点琐事就是举手之劳而已。”
Cheng Fang laughed, "What's not good? Our dorm gets along really well! Anyway, Third Brother doesn't need to date, and he can do things like we do for our girlfriends, helping out with little chores for our brothers."
“他为什么不用谈恋爱?”许煦下意识问。
"Why doesn't he date?" Xu Xu asked instinctively.
程放道:“他现在得学习打工挣钱养自己啊,怎么可能谈恋爱?他自己也说了工作后才会考虑这种事的。”
Cheng Fang said, "He needs to learn how to work and earn money to support himself right now. How could he possibly date? He himself said he would only consider such things after getting a job."
许煦想起之前在聚会中说的,柏冬青父母双亡,已经一个人生活多年。
Xu Xu recalled what Bo Dongqing had said at the gathering—his parents were deceased, and he had been living alone for many years.
程放揉了把她的头发:“放心吧,你男朋友绝对不是那种会欺负室友的男生。”
Cheng Fang patted her hair, "Rest assured, your boyfriend is definitely not the kind of guy who would bully roommates."
许煦对柏冬青不了解,但想到之前吃饭时,程放几个说他的事,以及那次在路边看到他将那位卖艺者抱上车子的举动,猜想可能真的是一个善良热心的男生。也许男生确实不太会计较这种细微末节的琐事。
Xu Xu did not know much about Bai Dongqing, but recalling how Cheng Fang had mentioned him during dinner and the time he had seen him help a street performer into a car, she guessed that he might indeed be a kind and 热心的男生. Perhaps the boy really did not care much about such minor details.
于是也就没再纠结这件事。
So she stopped worrying about it.
许煦和程放的恋爱和相处渐入佳境,虽然也许还没有到懂得爱情真谛的年纪,但谁都不能否认这就是爱情,是这个年纪快乐的源泉。
Xu Xu and Cheng Fang's relationship and interactions were gradually becoming more harmonious. Although they might not yet fully understand the essence of love, no one could deny that this was love, the source of happiness for their age.
到了十二月份,便正式进入了这个城市寒冷的冬季,没有暖气的宿舍,早上和被窝告别就成了一件高难度的事,尤其是周末,许煦不到十点肯定是不起来的。
By December, the city's cold winter officially began. Waking up in a dorm without heating in the morning was a challenge, especially on weekends, when Xu Xu was guaranteed to stay in bed until after ten.
这日早上九点多,她接到程放打来的电话。不等对方说话,许煦就瓮声瓮气笑道:“你今天怎么早?”
On that morning around nine o'clock, she received a call from Cheng Fang. Without waiting for the other party to speak, Xu Xu chuckled in a deep voice, "Why are you calling so early today?"
平时周末,程放的第一个电话基本上已经是十一点左右,因为这个时候他才刚起床。
On regular weekends, Cheng Fang's first call was usually around eleven o'clock, as that's when he would just wake up.
那头的男生唉声叹气道:“今天不是什么国际志愿者日么?我们辅导员把我们几个宿舍的男生挖起来去干义务劳动,我们宿舍被分配去西门外那个天桥清理小广告。大冬天的简直丧心病狂啊!”
The boy on the other end sighed and said, "Today is International Volunteer Day, isn't it? Our counselor dug up all the boys in our dorm to do voluntary labor. Our dorm was assigned to clean up small advertisements under the overpass outside the west gate. It's absolutely insane in the middle of winter!"
许煦幸灾乐祸地大笑:“多有意义的一天啊!行吧,待会儿我来慰问你的工作。”
Xu Xu laughed maliciously, "What a meaningful day! Alright, I'll come to console you later."
“别了,冷得要死,等我干完活儿给你打电话,咱们去吃好吃的。”
Goodbye, it's freezing. I'll call you after I finish my work, and then we can go eat something delicious.
许煦“嗯”了一声,两人又说笑了两句,才挂了电话。
Xu Xu "Mm-hmm"ed, and they chatted for a couple more minutes before hanging up.
说是这样说,但爱情的力量,让她在挂了电话后,坚强从温暖的被窝里钻了出来,洗漱后直接去了西门外找程放。
Though she said it was fine, the power of love made her get out of her warm bed after hanging up, wash up, and head straight to the western gate to find Cheng Fang.
西门外这座十字形天桥加起来得有几十米,深受小广告喜爱,从台阶到桥面再到栏杆,常年被各种办证找小姐的小广告覆盖,要清理干净还真不是件轻松的任务。
The crosswalk at the western gate, stretching for several dozen meters, was a favorite spot for small advertisements. From the steps to the bridge surface and even the railings, it was constantly covered in various "find a girl" and "get a license" ads. Cleaning them all up was no easy task.
因为是冬天上午,这会儿来往的人很少,只有稀稀拉拉几个身影。许煦跑上天桥,遥遥看到蹲在地上干活的男生。她认出来是柏冬青,而程放几个却不知在哪里。
Because it was early winter in the morning, there weren't many people around; only a few figures could be seen. Xu Xu ran up to the overpass and saw a boy working on the ground. She recognized him as Bai Dongqing, but Cheng Fang and the others were nowhere to be seen.
她狐疑地走过去,问:“学长,程放呢?”
She approached with suspicion and asked, "Senior, where's Cheng Fang?"
柏冬青大概是干活干得太投入,被突然闯入的声音吓得手顿了一下,抬头看到是许煦,朝她微微笑了笑,道:“他们出来穿太少,冷得受不了,去买热饮了。”
Bai Dongqing seemed to have been so engrossed in his work that he was startled by the sudden intrusion, his hand pausing for a moment. He looked up and gave her a slight smile, saying, "They went out because they were too cold in their thin clothes, so they went to buy hot drinks."
今天气温本来就低,天桥上更是有四面八方的寒风涌来,许煦才站了片刻就,就能感觉到寒风刺骨。她低头看着柏冬青身上单薄的旧夹克,忍不住问:“你怎么没跟他们一块去?你不冷吗?”
The temperature was already low today, and the overpass was hit by cold winds from all directions. Xu Xu could feel the chill just standing there for a moment. She looked down at Bai Dongqing's thin old jacket and couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you go with them? Don't you feel cold?"
柏冬青低下头继续干活,不甚在意道:“还行!”
Bai Dongqing lowered his head and continued working, shrugging slightly, "Not bad!"
许煦想了想,蹲下来拿起他旁边的一个小铲子:“那我等程放回来。”
Xu Xu thought for a moment, then squatted down and picked up a small shovel beside him, "Then I'll wait for Cheng Fang to come back."
柏冬青见她要干活,忙不迭道:“我弄就行了,这儿风大,你去下面的店里等着吧,程放来了我告诉他。”
Bai Dongqing, seeing that she wanted to work, hurriedly said, "I can handle it. It's windy here, so you go wait in the shop below. I'll tell Cheng Fang when he comes."
“没事!我穿得多,而且活动活动就暖和了。”许煦用铲子铲了两下地上的小广告,笑道,“还挺好玩儿的嘛!”
It's fine! I'm dressed warmly, and I'll get warm by moving around," Xu Xu used the shovel to scrape away some small advertisements, smiling, "It's actually quite fun!
柏冬青看了看那她,没再说什么,复又低下头继续专心干活。
Bai Dongqing looked at her, said nothing, and then lowered her head to continue working attentively.
许煦铲了几张小广告就有点无聊了,默默转头看向离自己不到两米的男生,风从栏杆缝隙吹过他的脸,脸颊和嘴唇在这寒风中有些干涸苍白。
Xu Xu shoveled a few pieces of small advertisements and found it a bit boring, silently turning her head to look at the male student less than two meters away from her. The wind blew through the gaps in the 栏杆, touching his face, making his cheeks and lips somewhat dry and pale in the cold wind.
他显然是冷的。
He was clearly cold.
她想了想问:“学长,程放是不是经常让你帮他干这干那的?”
She thought for a moment and asked, "Senior, does Cheng Fang often ask you to help him with various tasks?"
柏冬青愣了下,转头看她一眼,有些茫然地摇头:“没有啊。”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback for a moment, turned to look at her, and shook his head uncertainly: "No."
许煦道:“我经常看到你帮他们打水带饭。”
Xu Xu said, "I often see you helping them fetch water and carry meals."
柏冬青恍然大悟地勾了勾唇,不甚在意道:“就是顺便而已,打一份也是打,打三份四份也是打。程放他们也经常帮我的。”
Bai Dongqing gave a knowing smile and said indifferently, "It's just a 顺便 matter. Whether it's one, three, or four, I still have to write. Cheng Fang and the others also often help me."
“是吗?”许煦眼睛一亮,朝他挪过去一步,“程放帮过你什么?”
"Is that so?" Xu Xu's eyes lit up as she took a step closer to him. "What has Cheng Fang helped you with?"
柏冬青道:“很多啊,帮我介绍兼职什么的。”
Bai Dongqing said, "Quite a few. Help me introduce some part-time jobs."
许煦毕竟和人不熟,也不好具体多问,只笑眯眯道:“这样啊!”
Xu Xu, after all, didn't know many people and didn't want to pry too much, so she only smiled and said, "Oh!"
柏冬青点点头,抬头看她一眼,笑道:“程放人很好的。”
Bai Dongqing nodded and looked at her, smiling, "Cheng Fang is a very good person."
男朋友被人夸许煦当然很高兴,但也不好表现在脸上,只佯装平静地“嗯”了一声,没有再说话,和他一样,继续默默干活。
Xu Xu was naturally happy when her boyfriend was praised, but she didn't show it on her face. She only pretended to be calm by "mm-hmm"ing and didn't say anything else, continuing to work silently just like him.
然而这位人很好的男朋友,连同他两个室友,在许煦蹲在寒风中刮了快二十分钟小广告后,还是没有回来。
However, the nice boyfriend, along with his two roommates, still did not return after Xu Xu spent nearly twenty minutes scraping flyers in the cold wind.
她等得有点不耐烦了,掏出手机拨了程放的号码。没有人接听。
She grew a bit impatient and took out her phone to dial Cheng Fang's number. No one answered.
她挂了手机,瘪瘪嘴没好气道:“买个热饮是被人贩子打包拐走了吗?这么久都不回来?”
She hung up the phone, pouted, and said unkindly, "Did you get kidnapped by human traffickers and have your hot drink stolen? Why haven't you come back yet?"
“你要不然去下面的店里等着,他回来我告诉他。”柏冬青看了她一眼,道。
"Or you could wait downstairs in the store, and I'll tell him when he comes back," Bai Dongqing looked at her and said.
许煦其实也觉得待在这里有点冷了,但看了看还没刮到一半的小广告,又默默看了眼认真干活的男生,犹豫了一下:“没事,我就在这里等吧!”
Xu Xu actually felt a bit cold staying there, but after glancing at the half-finished advertisement, she quietly looked at the diligent boy and hesitated: "It's fine, I'll just wait here!"
就当是帮程放把他该干的活干了。
As a way to help Cheng Fang get his work done.
于是在接下来的半个多小时,人烟稀少的天桥上,一对隔着两米的年轻男女在寒风中吭哧吭哧劳动。
So, for the next half hour on the sparsely populated overpass, a young couple, separated by two meters, labored in the cold wind.
许煦是个嘴巴不太喜欢闲住的女孩,但毕竟和柏冬青不熟,也看得出这位学长不爱说话,想开口聊天完全不知道从何说起,暗搓搓偷瞄了默默干活的男生几回后,看了看手中的活儿,道:“学长,这张有点刮不掉。”
Xu Xu was a girl who didn't like idle talk much, but since she didn't know Bai Dongqing well, she could tell this senior didn't like to talk either. Not knowing how to start a conversation, she covertly glanced at the boy who was quietly working a few times before commenting, "Senior, this one is hard to scrape off."
柏冬青转头,朝她铲子下看了眼,走过来用力将顽强的小广告刮掉:“好了。”
Bai Dongqing turned her head and glanced at the small advertisement under the shovel, then walked over and forcefully scraped it off. "Done."
然后又默默走开去干自己的活儿。
Then she quietly walked away to continue her work.
“哦!”许煦抿抿唇。
"Oh!" Xu Xu pursed her lips.
第9章
Chapter 9
好在这样的静默,终于被姗姗来迟的声音打断:“老三,你的柚子茶来了。咦?小学妹也在呢!”
Fortunately, the silence was finally broken by a belated sound: "Old Three, your yuzu tea is here. Hey? Little Junior Sister is here too!"
说话的人姜毅,而走在他后面的程放看到许煦,笑嘻嘻跑上来,作势要抱她:“领导真来视察工作啊?”
The speaker, Jiang Yi, saw Cheng Fang approaching Xu Xu and smiled, running up to her with a playful expression, as if to hug her: "Is the leader really here to inspect work?"
许煦拍开他的手,将小铲往他身上一丢,哂笑道:“你这买个热饮还挺快啊?”
Xu Xu pushed his hand away and threw the small shovel at him, laughing sarcastically: "You're pretty quick at buying hot drinks, huh?"
程放看着她被风吹红的脸颊,料她来了应该有了一会儿,他笑着摸了摸额头:“……就有点冷,稍稍去网吧坐了会儿。”
Cheng Fang, looking at her cheeks flushed from the wind, guessed she had been there for a while. He smiled and touched his forehead: "…A little cold, so I just sat in the internet cafe for a bit."
许煦皮笑肉不笑问:“稍稍坐一会儿连电话都没听到?”
Xu Xu asked with a smile on the outside but not on the inside, "You didn't even hear the phone when you sat there for a while?"
程放从衣兜里掏出手机,看到未接来电,笑道:“……就坐着的时候正好戴着耳机,所以没听到。”
Cheng Fang took out his phone from his pocket and saw the missed call, then smiled and said, "…I was wearing headphones when I was sitting, so I didn't hear it."
许煦干笑两声:“然后戴着耳机顺便打了一局游戏?”
Xu Xu chuckled dryly, "And you were playing a game while wearing the headphones?"
程放嬉皮笑脸道:“我不是让你别来么?冷得要命,看看你脸都冻红了。”说着要伸手去捂她的脸。
Cheng Fang grinned mischievously, "I told you not to come. It was freezing, and look at your red face." As he said this, he reached out to cover her face.
第7节
Chapter 7
许煦躲开,指着掉在地上的铲子:“我和柏学长已经清理一半了,剩下的归你们了。”
Xu Xu dodged and pointed to the shovel on the ground. "Brother Bai and I have already cleaned half of it. The rest is for you."
拿了姜毅给的热饮正在喝的柏冬青接话道:“没事的,这里也没多少了,我弄完就行,你们去玩吧!”
Bai Dongqing, who had just taken a sip of the warm drink given by Jiang Yi, chimed in, "It's fine. There's not much left here. I'll finish it up, so you guys go play!"
程放朝许煦眨眼睛。
Cheng Fang winked at Xu Xu.
许煦不为所动,板着脸道:“你赶紧的,自己的事自己做,什么都让别人帮你弄,要不要脸啊?”
Xu Xu remained unmoved and said with a stern face, "Hurry up! Your own business should be done by yourself. Do you have any shame to let others do everything for you?"
一旁的姜毅和周楚河见程放被小女友训,乐不可支。程放瞪了他们一眼,拿起铲子道:“笑什么笑!赶紧干活!”
Qian Yi and Zhou Chuhé, on the side, found it hilarious to see Cheng Fang being scolded by his little girlfriend. Cheng Fang glared at them and picked up a shovel, saying, "Laughing at me? Get to work!"
姜毅拍拍柏冬青:“青儿,你歇会儿吧,剩下的我们来弄就行。”说着蹲在程放身旁小声戏谑,“你以前不这样的啊,看来我们小学妹很是与众不同啊!”
Qian Yi patted Bai Dongqing and said, "Qing'er, you rest for a while. We can handle the rest." As he said this, he squatted beside Cheng Fang and whispered playfully, "You weren't like this before. Looks like our little junior is quite unique!"
程放道:“废话!”
Cheng Fang said, "Nonsense!"
许煦没听到两人在说什么,拍拍手靠在栏杆边,一副地主婆督工的模样,见柏冬青喝完饮料,又要蹲下去跟他们一起干活,赶紧阻止:“哎!学长,你已经清理了那么多,剩下就让他们干吧!哪有干活五分钟偷懒两小时的道理,自己的事就得自己做。”
Xu Xu didn't hear what the two of them were saying. He clapped his hands and leaned against the railing, adopting a landlady's supervisory posture. Seeing Bai Dongqing about to squat down and join them in the work, he quickly stopped him: "Aye! Senior, you've already cleaned so much. Let them do the rest! There's no such thing as working for five minutes and then slacking off for two hours. Your own things should be done by yourself."
柏冬青还没说话,程放已经笑着啪啪鼓了两下掌:“许小煦同学批评得对,我坚决改正错误,剩下的我们仨干完就行,老三你回去吧!”说完又朝许煦眨眨眼就,“我这么知错能改,是不是得什么奖励啊?”
Before Bai Dongqing could speak, Cheng Fang had already laughed and clapped his hands twice: "Classmate Xu Xiao Xu's criticism is correct. I will definitely correct my mistakes. The rest of us three can finish it. Third Brother, you go back home!" After saying this, he winked at Xu Xu again, "Since I can admit my mistake, do I deserve some reward?"
程放天生哄女孩子的高手,一双桃花眼含情脉脉朝人一看,便能让人心花怒放,许煦自然也架不住他的魅力,眉眼弯弯一笑,凑上前弯身抱着蹲在地上帅气的大男孩,在他额头用力亲了一下。
Cheng Fang, born with the skill to flatter girls, with his peach-blossom eyes gazing at someone, could make their heart bloom. Xu Xu, naturally unable to resist his charm, smiled with a slight curve of his eyebrows and stepped forward to hug the handsome boy squatting on the ground, pressing a firm kiss on his forehead.
姜毅和周楚河故意捂着眼睛哇哇大叫:“这大冷天的,我们不仅得干苦力,还得被塞狗粮,有没有人性啊!”
Jiang Yi and Zhou Chuhua deliberately covered their eyes and wailed loudly: "In this freezing weather, not only do we have to do hard labor, but we also have to be fed dog food. Is there any humanity left?"
程放道:“得了吧,你俩又不是单身狗!”
Cheng Fang said, "Come on, you two aren't single people!"
姜毅笑:“那不是女朋友隔得远么?远水解不了近渴,哪里像你和小学妹,天天能黏在一起。”说着又感叹道,“还是老三好,一心学习,心无旁骛,不近女色。”
Jiang Yi smiled, "Then your girlfriend is far away, right? Long-distance relationships can't solve immediate needs. How is that like you and the little junior, who can stick together every day." He then sighed, "Old Three is still the best. He focuses solely on his studies, with no distractions, and has no interest in women."
许煦本来也是跟着在笑,听到冷不防说到柏冬青,下意识便朝几步之遥站着的男生看过去。
Xu Xu was also laughing along, but when he suddenly mentioned Bai Dongqing, he subconsciously looked over at the boy standing just a few steps away.
被人点名的柏冬青抿唇轻笑着,沉默不言,脸上并没有被人开玩笑的不自在,大概是觉察到她的视线,抬头看过来,那双干净的眸子里无波无澜,只带着点温和的笑意。目光对上她后,只微微停留,很快就移开。
Bai Dongqing, who was called out, pursed her lips and smiled lightly, remaining silent. She didn't seem uncomfortable at being joked about. Noticing her gaze, she looked up, her clear eyes calm and untroubled, with only a gentle smile. After meeting her gaze, her eyes lingered for a moment before quickly moving away.
柏冬青到底没有先离开,喝完了饮料,就又和大家一起干活,其他几个包括许煦在内,难免边做事边打闹,只有他一个人最专心,只偶尔应一声,或者默默笑一笑。
Bai Dongqing did not leave first. After finishing his drink, he continued working with everyone else. The others, including Xu Xu, inevitably teased and joked around as they worked, but he was the most focused, only occasionally responding or quietly smiling.
干完活,已经是中午,程放大手一挥要请大家去旁边新开的餐馆吃饭。一行人笑笑闹闹结伴而去。
By the time they finished working, it was already noon. Cheng Da waved his hand and invited everyone to the newly opened restaurant nearby for lunch. The group went off together, laughing and joking.
席间自是欢声笑语其乐融融,姜毅见许煦和程放黏黏糊糊,故意拉着周楚河开他俩的玩笑,许煦也不害羞,在两人架秧子起哄下,还大大方方和程放当众亲了嘴。然而不管大家闹得怎么夸张,柏冬青都很少说话,只是默默吃着饭,看着大家笑。
During the meal, there was laughter and joy all around. Jiang Yi saw that Xu Xu and Cheng Da were being particularly close, so he deliberately teased Zhou Chuhé about them. Xu Xu was not shy and, under the encouragement of the two, even publicly kissed Cheng Da in front of everyone. However, no matter how exaggerated everyone's antics were, Bai Dongqing rarely spoke, just quietly eating and watching everyone laugh.
快吃完时,程放的电话忽然响起,他看了眼号码起身笑道:“你们继续啊,我去接个电话。”
Just as they were finishing, Cheng Da's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the number, stood up, and smiled, "You guys keep going, I'll just take this call."
姜毅戏谑:“什么电话还出去接,不会是哪个美女打来的吧?学妹你可得看紧着啊!”
Jiang Yi teased, "What kind of call requires you to go out to answer it? Don't tell me it's from some beautiful lady? You should keep a close eye on your junior!"
许煦斜了眼神色闪躲的程放,笑道:“是美女吗?”
Xu Xu glanced at Cheng Fang's evasive expression and smiled, "A beautiful lady? Really?"
程放朝姜毅瞪了一眼:“什么美女?社团的辩友找我说比赛的事呢!你就多吃点吧,把嘴巴塞上。”说着朝许煦眨眨眼睛走出去将门带上。
Cheng Fang glared at Jiang Yi, "What beautiful lady? A fellow debater from the club is looking for me to discuss the competition! Just eat more, fill your mouth up." With that, he winked at Xu Xu and walked out, closing the door behind him.
过了十来分钟,大家都已经吃完放下筷子,出去打电话的程放还没回来,许煦心下奇怪,起身打开门去看,长长的走廊空空荡荡,哪里有程放的影子。
After about ten minutes, everyone had finished eating and put down their chopsticks. Cheng Fang, who had gone out to make a call, still hadn't returned, which puzzled Xu Xu. He got up and opened the door to check, but the long corridor was empty, with no sign of Cheng Fang.
她走回来刚拿出手机,程放的电话已经进来:“我有点急事先走了,单已经买了,吃完了你自己回去,不用等我了。”
She walked back just as she was about to take out her phone, and Cheng Fang's call had already come in: "I have a bit of an urgent matter and need to leave early. The single room is already booked, so eat and then go back on your own, no need to wait for me."
许煦有些不悦:“什么急事招呼不打一声就跑了。”
Xu Xu was a bit displeased: "What urgent matter that you didn't even give a heads up and ran off."
“就是有人来找我,你先回宿舍,我完事了给你打电话。”
It's because someone came looking for me. You go back to the dorm first, and I'll call you when I'm done.
“好吧。”
Alright then.
因为程放已经离开,许煦到底和这些人不算熟悉,一起出了餐馆大门,就笑着道别,没和他们一道回去,而是准备再外头一个人再瞎逛逛。
Since Cheng Fang had already left, Xu Xu was not very familiar with these people. After leaving the restaurant, she bid them a cheerful farewell and did not go back with them, instead preparing to wander around outside alone.
然而走了一小段路,她忽然看到前方拐角处有道熟悉的身影,因为被一棵大树挡着,又隔得有些远看不太清楚,正要走上前去确认。却见那身影和一个女孩拉拉扯扯着,上了路旁一辆红色的小车。
However, after walking a short distance, she suddenly saw a familiar figure at the corner ahead. Because a large tree was blocking her view and they were a bit far away, she could not see clearly. She was about to approach to confirm when she saw the figure tugging at a girl and getting into a red car parked by the roadside.
毕竟已经交往这么久,虽然那身影从大树后面到钻入车内,不过几秒的功夫,但许煦还是认出来那是程放。她急忙跑上前想去看究竟,可人还没跑近,一辆电动车从辅路急速骑过,几乎是擦着她的身体将她带倒在地,偏偏那骑车人明知撞到人,也不停下,直接肇事而逃。
Although they had been together for so long, it only took a few seconds for the figure to emerge from behind the tree and get into the car. Xu Xu still recognized it as Cheng Fang. She hurriedly ran forward to see what was happening, but before she could get close, an electric scooter zoomed past the side road, barely missing her and knocking her to the ground. The rider, knowing they had hit someone, did not stop but fled the scene.
许煦摔了一跤,慌乱中抬头朝前方叫了一声“程放”,可是已经坐进车子里的人,并没听到这声呼唤。她只能眼睁睁看着那辆红色车子绝尘而去,消失在拐角处。
Xu Xu fell to the ground, and in her panic, she called out "Cheng Fang" towards the front. However, the person inside the car did not hear her call. She could only watch helplessly as the red car sped away, disappearing around the corner.
许煦气急败坏地从地上爬起来,哪知脚下传来的剧痛差点让她再次摔倒,而没摔倒的原因是——她被人扶住了。
Xu Xu, in a fit of anger, struggled to get up from the ground. However, the intense pain from her feet nearly caused her to fall again. The reason she didn't fall was because she was supported by someone.
许煦转头,看到不知何时出现的柏冬青:“你还没走?”
Xu Xu turned around and saw Bao Dongqing, who had appeared at some point: "You haven't left yet?"
柏冬青道:“我取了单车从这边去星巴克打工。”他低头去看她的脚,“你没事吧?”
Bao Dongqing replied, "I took my bike and am going to Starbucks to work." He looked down at her foot and asked, "Are you okay?"
许煦提起那只扭到的脚,龇着牙道:“脚扭到了。”
Xu Xu lifted the twisted foot and gritted her teeth, saying, "I twisted my foot."
柏冬青微微蹙眉,冷不丁蹲下身体,拨开她的牛仔裤脚,去查看她的脚踝,他伸手按了下,正好按在痛处,许煦疼得倒吸一口冷气。
Ba Dongqing slightly furrowed his brows and suddenly crouched down, pushing aside her jeans to check her ankle. He pressed down, exactly on the sore spot, and Xu Xu gasped in pain.
柏冬青抬头看她:“应该是扭伤了,问题不大,揉点药就行了。”又站起身问,“你们宿舍有药吗?”
Ba Dongqing looked up at her and said, "It's probably a sprain. Not a big issue, just rub some medicine on it." He then stood up and asked, "Do you have any medicine in your dorm?"
许煦摇头。
Xu Xu shook her head.
“这样吧,你先在这儿等一下,前面有个药店,我去帮你买药,然后送你回宿舍。”
Alright, then you wait here for a moment. There's a pharmacy in front, I'll go get the medicine and then take you back to your dorm.
许煦被他扶着手臂往边上走,疼得边吸冷气边道:“谢谢你啊学长!”
Xu Xu was supported by him as he walked to the side, gasping for breath and saying, "Thank you so much, senior!"
柏冬青请笑了笑:“没事的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and said, "It's nothing."
许煦靠在路边他的旧单车上,看着他准备转身去药店,忽然想到什么似的叫住他:“等等等等!我给你钱。”
Xu Xu leaned against his old bicycle by the roadside, watching him prepare to turn and head to the pharmacy. Suddenly, he seemed to think of something and called out to him, "Wait, wait! I'll give you the money."
说着掏出一张一百的钞票递给他,柏冬青愣了下,接过来,朝前面小跑去。不过两分钟,他就去而复返,将药和找零的钱一起递给她。
As he said this, he pulled out a hundred-yuan note and handed it to him. Bai Dongqing was taken aback for a moment but took the money and ran back to the front. In just two minutes, he returned, handing her both the medicine and the change.
许煦也没看吗,一骨碌塞进包里:“真是太谢谢你。”
Xu Xu also didn't bother to look, rolling it into his bag: "Thank you so much."
柏冬青笑着摇头:“没事的,上回你还帮我捡到校园卡呢!”
Bai Dongqing smiled and shook her head: "No problem! Last time you even helped me find my campus card!"
许煦不甚在意地嘻嘻笑了笑,想了想又道:“对了,你是要去打工吧?我还是打电话让程放来接我。”
Xu Xu chuckled slightly, not taking it too seriously, and then added, "Oh, right, you're going to work, right? I'll just call Cheng Fang to pick me up."
她掏出手机,拨了程放的号码,电话是接通了,但是明显是响了几声就被人摁掉,试了几次都是如此。
She took out her phone and dialed Cheng Fang's number. The call connected, but it was obvious that it was hung up after a few rings, and this happened several times.
柏冬青见状,道:“没事,这里离宿舍区就几分钟,我来得及。”
Bai Dongqing said, "No need to worry, it's just a few minutes to the dormitory area, I'll make it."
许煦收了电话,一边腹诽程放,一边抬头看他:“那就麻烦你了。”
Xu Xu hung up the call, muttering under her breath about Cheng Fang as she looked up at him, "Then it's trouble for you."
到底是不熟悉,她没法像程放他们那样,将他习以为常的热心当做理所当然。
Since she wasn't as familiar, she couldn't take his usual kindness for granted like Cheng Fang and the others did.
柏冬青轻笑了笑,踏上车子,示意她坐好。
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly and got on the bike, gesturing for her to sit comfortably.
许煦笑嘻嘻坐上车后座,平时坐男友的单车,她可以轻轻松松靠在程放身后抱着他,但此时这个载着自己的男生,只是一个并不算熟悉的学长,她只能小心翼翼抓着他的外套衣摆上方。
Xu Xu smiled as she sat in the back seat of the car. Usually, when she rode her boyfriend Cheng Fang's bicycle, she could easily lean back and hug him. But now, this boy driving her was just an unfamiliar senior, so she could only cautiously grab the hem of his coat.
他骑车很稳,身体挺直,将迎面而来的寒风替身后的许煦挡开。
He rode very steadily, his body straight, shielding Xu Xu from the cold wind that came from the front.
短短几分钟的路程,遇到减速带,难免也有颠簸时候,许煦的手就会下意识靠近他的腰。虽然是冬天,但他穿得并不厚,隔着薄薄的棉外套,也能感觉到坚硬而劲瘦的腰身。明明都是偏瘦的男生,许煦却觉得柏冬青和程放截然不同,至于哪里不同,她却说不上来。
The short journey was bumpy due to the speed bumps, and Xu Xu's hand would subconsciously move closer to his waist. Although it was winter, he wasn't wearing much, and through the thin cotton coat, she could feel the firm and slender waist. Even though both boys were slim, Xu Xu felt that Bai Dongqing and Cheng Fang were completely different. However, she couldn't pinpoint exactly where the difference lay.
很快到宿舍楼下,单车停稳后,许煦单脚跳下车,再次给柏冬青道谢。
Soon, they arrived at the dormitory building. After the bicycle was parked, Xu Xu hopped off with one foot and thanked Bai Dongqing again.
柏冬青笑着摇摇头,温声叮嘱道:“对了,那个药你按着说明书擦,用点力气不要怕疼。我之前运动扭伤好多次,用这个药效果很好,顶多两三天就没事了。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and shook his head, speaking softly and giving instructions: "By the way, use that medicine according to the instructions and apply some force, don't be afraid of pain. I've twisted my ankle many times from sports, and this medicine works very well. It usually takes no more than two or three days to recover."
许煦算是第一次听到他说这么长电话,笑着抿嘴点点头:“我知道了,谢谢学长。”
Xu Xu was hearing him speak for such a long time for the first time, smiling and nodding: "I understand, thank you senior."
待他将单车掉头快速离去,她才拨了电话让冯佳下楼来接自己。
After he turned the bicycle around and left quickly, she called for Feng Jia to come downstairs to pick her up.
“你搞什么?不是去找程放么?怎么脚扭伤了?你俩打架了?”冯佳扶着她,小心翼翼上楼。
"What are you doing? Didn't you go to find Cheng Fang? Why did you twist your ankle? Did you two fight?" Feng Jia supported her as she carefully climbed the stairs.
许煦疼得龇牙咧嘴:“去你的!是被个电动车撞了,然后肇事者逃跑了。”
Xu Xu winced in pain: "Go to hell! I was hit by an electric scooter, and the driver fled."
“不是吧?这么缺德!”
Really? So unscrupulous!
许煦摆摆手:“算了,也就脚扭了一下。”她默了片刻,小声道,“不过我觉得程放确实有情况。”
Xu Xu waved her hand: "Forget it, I just twisted my ankle." She fell silent for a moment, then whispered, "But I think Cheng Fang is indeed up to something."
“啊?”冯佳做出惊讶状,“劈腿了?”
Ah?" Feng Jia made an expression of surprise. "Cheating?
许煦嘴角抽了抽:“不知道,反正我看到他和个女孩儿上了辆车,鬼鬼祟祟的。”
Xu Xu's lips twitched: "I don't know. Anyway, I saw him get into a car with a girl, acting suspiciously."
“我去!这还得了?”冯佳拍拍胸口,“放心,要是他真劈腿,姐替你去讨公道。”
Shit! What are we going to do about this?" Feng Jia patted her chest. "Don't worry, if he really cheated on you, I'll go get you justice.
美女室友的豪爽仗义取悦了许煦,她咧嘴笑道:“有你这句话就够了!”
Feng Jia's straightforward and generous nature pleased Xu Xu, who grinned and said, "That's enough from you!"
冯佳又问:“对了,那是谁送你回来的?”
Feng Jia asked again, "By the way, who brought you back?"
许煦道:“程放一室友。”
Xu Xu said: "Cheng Fang's roommate."
“哪个室友?”
Which roommate?
“柏冬青,你认识吗?”
Bai Dongqing, have you met him?
“听说过,他们年级每次第一个那位吧!不过不知道长什么样子。反正那种学生活动参加少,只知道埋头学习的男生,应该都长得比较安全。”
I've heard of him; he's usually the first one in their year! But I don't know what he looks like. Anyway, guys who participate in few school activities and just focus on studying should all look pretty safe.
“是挺安全的。”许煦说完才反应过来这安全的意思,连忙呸呸了两声,“什么叫长得安全?人家长得挺好的好吗?不积极是因为要打工,哪里有时间参加那么多活动。”
It's quite safe." Xu Xu only realized the meaning of "safe" after saying it. She quickly spat twice, "What do you mean by 'safe' looks? People have good looks, alright? We're not passive because we're working, where do we have the time to participate in so many activities?
冯佳大笑:“你急什么?你跟人很熟么?”
Feng Jia laughed loudly, "Why are you in such a hurry? Do you know the person?"
许煦翻了个白眼:“好歹人家助人为乐把我一个伤残人士送回宿舍。”
Xu Xu rolled her eyes, "At least the studious senior helped me, a disabled person, back to the dorm."
冯佳眨眼睛逗她:“不会那位学霸学长对咱们许煦同学也那什么……”
Feng Jia wiggled her eyebrows playfully, "Don't tell me that senior genius also did... something to our classmate Xu Xu?"
许煦啐了一口,有些不虞道:“你别胡说八道了。”
Xu Xu spat out, somewhat unprepared, "Stop talking nonsense."
她不是一个开不起玩笑的女孩,实际上宿舍几个人经常开一些乱七八糟无下限的玩笑,但是当这个玩笑的主角变成柏冬青和自己,她就觉得很不舒服,甚至有种说不出来的反感,当然不是反感柏冬青,而是觉得他那样的男生被当成玩笑,有些在侮辱人了。
She was not a girl who couldn't take a joke. In fact, the few people in their dorm often played some extremely low and bottomless jokes. However, when the target of these jokes became Bai Dongqing and herself, she felt uncomfortable, even a bit of an indescribable aversion. Of course, it wasn't that she disliked Bai Dongqing, but she felt that such a boy being made fun of was somewhat an insult to him.
作者有话要说: 女主以后绝对实力宠小青,还没喜欢人家就已经护犊子啦~试着想象一下场景:
Author's note: The main female character will definitely dote on Xiao Qing in the future, even before she likes him. Try to imagine the scene:
xx:程放好像傻逼哦~
xx: Cheng Fang seems like a fool~
嘘嘘:红红火火恍恍惚惚哈哈哈哈~
Pee pee: 红红火火恍恍惚惚哈哈哈哈~
xx:柏冬青好像傻逼哦~
xx: Ba Dongqing seems like a fuckwit~
嘘嘘:你才傻逼,你们全家都傻逼
Pee pee: You're the one who's a fuckwit, and your whole family is a bunch of fuckwits
第10章
Chapter 10
程放的电话过了快两个小时才通,不过这回是他打过来的。
Cheng Fang's phone call didn't connect for nearly two hours, but this time it was he who called.
听许煦说看到自己和一个女孩上车,还因此被电动车刮倒扭了脚,非常老实地交代了那女孩是前女友。
After Xu Xu saw him get into a car with a girl and was even knocked down by an electric scooter, twisting his ankle in the process, he confessed very honestly that the girl was his ex-girlfriend.
程放有前女友的事,许煦当然知道。实际上作为院里的风云人物,她不用亲自问他,就早从八卦中得知他之前的恋爱经历,知道他在大学期间,交过两个女朋友,在她之前分手的那位,是传媒大学的校花。
Xu Xu naturally knew about Cheng Fang's ex-girlfriend. In fact, as a figure of 风云人物 in the institute, she didn't need to ask him personally; she had already learned about his past relationships from gossip. She knew that during his university days, he had dated two girlfriends, and the one who broke up with him before her was the campus beauty of Communication University.
程放这样耀眼活跃的男生,别说在大学交过两任女友,就是再多几个也不奇怪。许煦对前女友这事还真没放在心上,她自己也不是一入校就谈恋爱了吗?
Such a dazzling and active male student, it wasn't strange for him to have dated two girlfriends in university, let alone a few more. Xu Xu wasn't really concerned about the ex-girlfriend thing. After all, hadn't she started dating right after entering school?
再说了,前女友是校花的风云学长,还不是一顿饭就落在她手里。嘻嘻!
Moreover, the ex-girlfriend of the 风云学长, who was the school beauty, didn't end up with her after just one meal. Haha!
然而当这个本来已经退场的校花前任,忽然又出现,还让程放对自己躲躲闪闪,并导致自己被电动车刮到,就有点让她很不爽了。
However, when this ex-girlfriend, who was supposed to have already left the scene, suddenly reappeared and made Cheng Fang act evasively towards her, causing her to get scratched by an electric scooter, it made her quite unhappy.
程放倒也坦白,说前女友是想找他复合,他背着她去和她见面,是为了彻底打发她,免得她阴魂不散去打扰她。至于这坦白真实度有多高就有待考证了。
Cheng Fang was also straightforward about it, saying that his ex-girlfriend wanted to reconcile with him, and he met with her secretly to completely get rid of her, so she wouldn't keep bothering him. The authenticity of this confession was still up for debate.
为这事,许煦连着三天没搭理程放,正好脚扭伤窝在宿舍没去上课,程放想逮人也逮不着,只能天天鞍前马后给她打水买饭,送到宿舍楼下,让冯佳他们帮忙带上去。
Over this matter, Xu Xu didn't talk to Cheng Fang for three consecutive days. Coincidentally, she had sprained her ankle and was staying in the dorm without going to class, so Cheng Fang couldn't catch her. He could only follow her around every day, fetching water and buying meals for her, delivering them to the dormitory entrance and having Feng Jia and the others help bring them up.
在三个室友几天的考察下,一致认为程放的表现很优秀,建议许煦酌情宽大处理——当然主要也是这三位没禁住程放糖衣炮弹的诱惑,收受了零食大礼包之类的贿赂。
After several days of observation by the three roommates, they unanimously agreed that Cheng Fang performed excellently and suggested that Xu Xu consider leniency—of course, the main reason was that these three couldn't resist the 诱惑 of Cheng Fang's sweet promises and accepted snack gift baskets.
许煦其实也没打算就这样分手,被个前女友就弄分手,太没面子。
Xu Xu actually didn't plan to break up so easily. Being dumped by a former girlfriend would be too much of a loss of face.
然而,她还没想好怎么原谅程放,便接到了那位前女友的电话。
However, before she could figure out how to forgive Cheng Fang, she received a call from that former girlfriend.
“你真去啊?”冯佳看她在在衣柜挑衣服,笑着问。
"Are you really going?" Feng Jia asked, smiling as she saw her rummaging through the closet to pick out clothes.
许煦道:“当然,要不去她还以为我怕她呢?而且我也想知道她和程放到底怎么回事?我可不会听信程放一面之词。”
Xu Xu said, "Of course, or she might think I'm afraid of her? Plus, I also want to know what's going on between her and Cheng Fang. I won't believe Cheng Fang's one-sided story."
冯佳瞅了她一眼,朝她招招手,将椅子滑到她旁边。
Feng Jia glanced at her and beckoned her over, sliding her chair next to hers.
第8节
Section 8
许煦奇怪问:“干嘛?”
Xu Xu asked curiously, "Why?"
“你就打算这么去?我可是听说了程放前女友是传媒大学校花。”冯佳笑,“情敌相见,你好歹化个妆吧!”
Are you really going like that?" Feng Jia laughed. "I heard Cheng Fang's ex-girlfriend was the school flower of Communication University. At least put on some makeup, you rivals should at least look your best!
许煦其实长得很不错,肤白大眼,笑起来眉眼弯弯,看起来很舒服,是最讨人喜欢不过的模样。只不过刚上大学几个月,还残留着高中生的青涩,清汤挂面的直发,休闲装帆布鞋,也从来不化妆,孩子气倒是不少,女人味确实半点都无。
Xu Xu actually looked quite good. She had fair skin and big eyes that curved into a gentle smile, making her look very pleasant. She was the most likable kind of person. However, she had only been in university for a few months and still retained the greenness of a high school student. Her straight, thin hair was like a bowl of clear noodles, and she wore casual clothes and sneakers. She never wore makeup and was quite childlike, with not a trace of womanly charm.
许煦想了想那日的匆匆一瞥,那位前女友好像确实很时尚靓丽。她笑嘻嘻凑到冯佳跟前:“那你给我弄弄。”
Xu Xu thought back to that quick glance she had that day. The ex-girlfriend did seem very fashionable and beautiful. She smiled and leaned in to Feng Jia: "Then you can do something for me."
冯美人将自己平日里化妆的装备拿出来,把她拉下坐好。修眉画眉,粉底口红眼影一整套弄下来,已经是二十分钟后。
Miss Feng took out her daily makeup tools and had her sit down. She carefully shaped her eyebrows, applied foundation, lipstick, and eyeshadow, and by the time she was done, it was twenty minutes later.
冯佳看着面前的少女,对自己的大作得意地吹声口哨,将镜子递给许煦,笑道:“这谁家的漂亮姑娘?我都不认识了。”
Feng Jia looked at the girl in front of her and whistled with satisfaction at her own masterpiece, then handed the mirror to Xu Xu and said with a smile, "Who's this pretty girl? I don't even recognize her."
不得不承认,三分天注定七分靠打扮确实是个真理,许煦从来都是自信的女孩,但这会儿也不得不感叹化妆这门邪术的厉害之处,对着镜子都有点舍不得拿开。
He couldn't help but admit that three parts are predetermined and seven parts depend on how you dress up is indeed a truth. Xu Xu had always been a confident girl, but at this moment, she couldn't help but marvel at the power of makeup, feeling a bit reluctant to take the mirror away.
冯佳看她那自恋的小模样,笑道:“行了别自恋了,祝你旗开得胜。要是打起来就赶紧打电话,姐去救你。”
Feng Jia smiled at her self-indulgent appearance and said, "Alright, stop being so self-indulgent. I wish you good luck. If you need to call for help, just give me a ring, I'll come save you."
许煦大笑:“这里可是我的主场,我还怕她不成?而且她约的是星巴克,不至于在那种地方撒泼吧!”
Xu Xu laughed loudly, "This is my home turf. I'm not afraid of her. Besides, she's meeting at Starbucks, so she won't be throwing a tantrum in such a place, right?"
冯佳点头:“也是。”
Feng Jia nodded: "Indeed."
于是,化了妆的许煦怀着一举击退前任的雄心壮志去赴约了。
Thus, Xǔ Xù, with the ambition to defeat her ex with one blow, went to meet him after getting dressed up.
星巴克里,柏冬青正在柜台内工作,看到她进来,朝她抿嘴笑笑打招呼。许煦也朝他笑了笑,唤了声“学长好”,然后也不知为什么有点心虚地低头匆匆去了里面。
At Starbucks, Bái Dōngqīng was working behind the counter. Seeing her enter, he gave her a small smile and greeted her. Xǔ Xù also smiled back and called him "Senior Brother good", then for some reason felt a bit guilty and quickly went inside.
还好,梁露坐的位置很靠内,离收银台很有些距离。
Fortunately, Liáng Luō sat quite far in, quite a distance from the cash register.
许煦本是信心满满而来,可先是见到打工的柏冬青莫名就虚了一下,在梁露面前坐下时,又虚了一大下。因为程放这位前女友确实不负传媒大学校花之名,不是因为脸有多美,而是整个人穿着打扮举手投足的气质,和她们这种女学生,尤其是大一女生,实在是截然不同。饶是自己化了妆,和梁露一比,也还是显得太学生气。她甚至觉得程放和这位前女友的气质都有些不搭,毕竟程放看起来也就是个帅气的大男孩。
Xu Xu originally came with full confidence, but he first felt a bit nervous when he saw Bo Dongqing working. When he sat down in front of Liang Lu, he felt even more nervous. Because Cheng Fang, this former girlfriend, truly lived up to the reputation of the beauty of Communication University, not because of her face, but because of her overall demeanor, her way of dressing, and her every move, which were worlds apart from theirs, especially freshmen girls. Even with her makeup on, she still seemed too much like a student compared to Liang Lu. She even felt that Cheng Fang and this former girlfriend didn't quite match, as Cheng Fang looked more like a handsome young man.
显然,梁露也是这样看待许煦的,她轻飘飘上下打量了她一眼,脸上的轻蔑几乎毫不掩饰:“你就是许煦?”
Clearly, Liang Lu also viewed Xu Xu this way. She gave him a light, disdainful once-over and said, "You're Xu Xu, right?"
输人不输阵,许煦板着脸道:“没错!你找我有什么事?”
Not backing down, Xu Xu said with a stern face, "That's right! What do you want from me?"
梁露勾唇笑了笑:“听说你和程放认识第一天,他就对你表白了?”
Liang Lu smiled and said, "I heard that on the first day he met you, Cheng Fang confessed to you?"
许煦:“这跟你没什么关系吧?”
Xu Xu: "This has nothing to do with you, right?"
梁露继续道:“你觉得他为什么对你表白?是不是以为自己美若天仙,让他一见钟情了?”
Liang Lu continued, "Why do you think he confessed to you? Isn't it because you think you're so beautiful that he fell in love with you at first sight?"
她语气明显的讥诮让许煦不由得皱眉,她压下心头的不快,不去接这话,转而道:“我猜猜你为什么来找我?是因为想找程放复合,但是他不答应,所以想从我这里下手,对吗?”
Her clearly mocking tone made Xu Xu frown. She suppressed her annoyance and didn't respond to that, instead saying, "I'll guess why you came to find me. You want to reconcile with Cheng Fang, but he won't agree, so you're trying to get to me, right?"
梁露到底年纪也不大,脸色微微一变,敛了笑容:“你以为程放真喜欢你?我实话告诉你吧,我们在一起快两年,开学那会儿两个人闹了点小矛盾赌气分手,他找你不过是为了气我。”
Liang Lu, though not very old, changed her expression slightly and put away her smile. "Do you really think Cheng Fang likes you? Let me tell you the truth. We've been together for almost two years. When we first started school, we had a little argument and broke up on a whim. He came to you just to upset me."
要说许煦不相信这话那肯定是假的,当初一顿夜宵程放就向自己表白,她起初也以为是一见钟情,还为此沾沾自喜多时,毕竟自己对程放也算是一见钟情了,看起来是实在是太符合她所有的少女幻想。
If Xu Xu didn't believe this, it would definitely be a lie. Back then, Cheng Fang confessed to her over a late-night snack, and at first, she thought it was love at first sight, which made her quite pleased with herself for a while. After all, she felt the same way about Cheng Fang, so it seemed to fit all her teenage fantasies perfectly.
但细想下来,程放已经大三,见过的女孩那么多,又不是自己这种初出茅庐的菜鸟,怎么可能那么容易一见钟情,何况一见钟情的对象还是对她这种菜鸟。
But upon further reflection, Cheng Fang was already a third-year student, having seen so many girls, and wasn't some greenhorn like herself. It was impossible for him to fall in love at first sight so easily, especially with someone like her, a greenhorn.
但毕竟在一起两个多月,程放对自己如何,她能感觉得到,她不相信一个男生随便找一个和前女友赌气的女友,会对她做那么多,带她玩给她送礼物让她认识自己的室友,而且无底线包容她的小脾气。
However, after being together for over two months, she could sense how Cheng Fang felt about her. She didn't believe that a guy would do all that for a girlfriend just because she was angry with his ex. He would take her out, give her gifts, introduce her to his roommates, and endlessly tolerate her little quirks.
虽然梁露的话让她很不舒服,但她还是笑着道:“所以呢?你觉得跟我说这个,我就会和他分手,让你们复合?坦白说,你又何必自欺欺人,就算我和他分手,程放也不会和你复合吧?不然你怎么会狗急跳墙来找我?”
Although Liang Lu's words made her uncomfortable, she still smiled and said, "So what? You think telling me this will make me break up with him and let you two get back together? Frankly, why do you deceive yourself? Even if I break up with him, Cheng Fang wouldn't get back with you, right? Otherwise, why would you come to me in such a desperate manner?"
“你……”梁露不料这个小女生如此尖牙利齿,偏偏又戳中她的痛处。
"You..." Liang Lu did not expect this little girl to be so sharp-tongued, and even more so, to hit right at her sore spot.
开学那会儿她和程放耍小脾气闹分手,他一怒之下说你信不信我马上就去找别人。她以为他只是说气话,没想过了没几天,他真的交了个新女友。她跟人打听后知道,他跟那女孩认识第一天就在一起了,用脚趾头想想也知道他是故意气自己,实际上他在电话里也没否认。哪想自此之后,他却没有再给自己打电话,打给他也不接,后来找到他,他只留一句“我们已经分手,以后别来找我”,就头也不回离开。
When they broke up over a tantrum at the beginning of the semester, he said, "Do you believe I'll go find someone else right away?" She thought he was just saying it to vent, but a few days later, he really did start dating a new girlfriend. After asking around, she found out that he had started dating that girl on their first day of knowing each other, and it was obvious he was just trying to upset her. In fact, he didn't deny it when she called him on the phone. However, since then, he never called her back, and when she tried to reach him, he only left a single message, "We've already broken up, so don't bother looking for me again," before walking away without a second glance.
她这才知道他跟那女孩来真的了。
She only realized then that he was serious about that girl.
许煦见她对自己怒目而视,拿出电话:“这样吧,我把程放叫来,看他选你还是选我?”
Xu Xu saw her glaring at her and took out her phone, "How about this? I call Cheng Fang over, and see if he chooses you or me?"
说着已经拨通电话,那头很快接起,传来程放欣喜的声音:“宝贝,你终于肯理我了!
Saying this, he dialed the number, and the other end picked up quickly, with Cheng Fang's delighted voice on the line: "Honey, you finally decided to talk to me!"
许煦冷声道:“你赶紧来星巴克,你前女友正劝我和你分手呢!”
Xu Xu said coldly, "Hurry to Starbucks, my ex-girlfriend is trying to convince me to break up with you!"
说完也不等那边有回应,立刻挂了电话。
He didn't wait for a response and immediately hung up the phone.
梁露气得脸色铁青,没料到她会来这一出,咬牙切齿道:“你别太得意!”
Liang Lu was so angry that her face turned ashen. She hadn't expected this, and gritted her teeth, saying, "You won't get away with this!"
许煦这会儿倒是冷静了,如果程放真的跟这位前女友还有什么藕断丝连不清不楚,她不会是这种反应。想到这里,她忽然就放松了,不甚在意地靠在椅背,等程放赶来。
Xu Xu is now calm. If Cheng Fang really still has some unresolved feelings for this ex-girlfriend, she wouldn't react this way. With this thought, she suddenly relaxed, leaning back in her chair, waiting for Cheng Fang to arrive.
梁露深呼吸一口气让自己冷静下来,睨了眼她身上国产运动棉服的标志,哂笑道:“你知道程放家境吗?你知道他一个月生活费多少吗?你知道他成年后,每年生日礼物是一辆新跑车吗?小姑娘,灰姑娘那是童话,在现实中是不存在的,跨阶级谈恋爱是不能长远的,你这种可能连车牌子都不懂的普通女孩,和程放根本不是一路人,你跟不上他的。”
Liang Lu took a deep breath to calm herself down, glanced at the logo on her Chinese sportswear, and sneered, "Do you know how wealthy the Cheng family is? Do you know how much Cheng Fang spends on living expenses each month? Do you know that every year on his birthday, he gets a new sports car? Little girl, Cinderella is a fairy tale; in reality, it doesn't exist. Inter-class dating can't last, and you, a common girl who probably doesn't even know the brand of the car, are not on the same level as Cheng Fang. You can't keep up with him."
许煦挑挑眉,朝落地窗外的红色小车看去,扬扬下巴问:“保时捷?”
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow and looked out the window at the red car, tilting her chin and asked, "Porsche?"
梁露轻蔑地哼了一声。
Liang Lu sniffed disdainfully.
许煦摊摊手:“我们家还真没有,只有奔驰s级和宾利。”
Xu Xu shrugged his shoulders: "We really don't have one. We only have a Mercedes S-Class and a Bentley."
梁露一愣,随即又讥诮一笑。
Liang Lu was taken aback, then sneered.
许煦靠回椅背,笑道:“谈个恋爱还要讲家庭背景,难怪程放要和你分手!”
Xu Xu leaned back in his chair and smiled. "Discussing a relationship based on family background? No wonder Cheng Fang wanted to break up with you!"
刚刚坐下来时,她看到这位前女友的长相,本来是有点没底气的。但现在听她这一番话下来,顿时就对这个人有点不以为意了。程放的家境富裕是全院皆知的事实,但除了吃穿用度比普通学生消费多一些,他其实并不算奢侈,他不是本市人,所以所谓的跑车这么多久也没见他开过,每天在学校只是骑着辆捷安特。他不止一次半开玩笑半认真地同自己说过,因为未来要做检察官,所以要提前走群众路线——虽然每个月至少两三双限量版球鞋这种作风,实在是不那么群众。
When she first sat down, she had been a bit unsure about this ex-girlfriend's appearance. But after hearing her words, she now found her rather unimpressive. It was well-known that Cheng Fang came from a wealthy family, but beyond spending a bit more on food, clothing, and necessities, he wasn't particularly extravagant. He wasn't from the city, so despite all the sports cars, she hadn't seen him drive one. He rode a Giant bicycle to school every day. He had mentioned more than once, half-jokingly and half-seriously, that as a future prosecutor, he needed to cultivate a more down-to-earth image—although his habit of buying at least two pairs of limited edition sneakers every month was far from down-to-earth.
但大体来说,程放确实和面前这位前女友不是一路人。
But overall, Cheng Fang was indeed not the same kind of person as this ex-girlfriend in front of him.
许煦这幅笃定的样子彻底激怒了梁露,忽然拿起面前的咖啡杯就要朝她泼过去,然而才刚刚将杯子端起来,手腕就被一只有力的手固住。
Xu Xu's confident demeanor completely infuriated Liang Lu, who suddenly picked up the coffee cup in front of her and was about to pour it over Cheng Fang. However, before she could raise the cup, her wrist was firmly held by a strong hand.
梁露惊愕抬头,看到旁边站着的男生,顿时沉下脸怒道:“柏冬青,你干什么?!”
Liang Lu was shocked and looked up, seeing the boy standing beside her. She immediately scowled and angrily asked, "Bai Dongqing, what are you doing?!"
柏冬青面色沉静,一言不发,伸出另一只手去拿她手中的咖啡杯,他的动作看似轻描淡写,可那力度却让梁露毫无反抗之力,只能眼睁睁看着他将咖啡杯从自己手中拿走,甚至都没洒落一滴,然后转身走开。
Bai Dongqing's expression remained calm, saying nothing. He reached out with his other hand to take the coffee cup from her. His actions seemed casual, but the force was enough to leave Liang Lu with no resistance, leaving her helplessly watching as he took the coffee cup from her without spilling a drop, then turned and walked away.
梁露本就憋着一股怒火无处发作,见状气急败坏站起来,一时风度全无,大声道:“柏冬青,你把咖啡还给我?信不信我投诉你,让你老板叫你滚蛋!”
Liang Lu was already harboring a burning anger with nowhere to vent it. Seeing this, she stood up in a fit of rage, her composure completely gone, and shouted, "Bai Dongqing, give me back the coffee? Do you think I'll report you to your boss and have him tell you to get lost!"
柏冬青停在原地,转头看她,面色有些犹豫,语气一如既往地平和:“除非你保证不乱泼人。”
Bai Dongqing paused where she stood, turning to look at her with a hesitant expression. Her tone remained as calm as ever, "Unless you promise not to spill it on anyone else."
梁露青着脸,轻蔑道:“你好好打你的工,少管闲事!我的闲事不是你这种人能管得起的!”
Liang Lu's face contorted in disdain, she retorted, "Mind your own business and do your job! This is not something you can interfere with!"
本来坐在原处还有点没反应过来的许煦,闻言蹭的起身,拿起手中的咖啡,毫不客气地泼向了趾高气昂的女人,怒道:“你以为你是谁?凭什么对学长这么说话!”
Xu Xu, who had been sitting there and hadn't quite processed what was happening, suddenly stood up and, grabbing the coffee in her hand, poured it with no hesitation onto the haughty woman, shouting, "Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to talk to the senior like that!"
第11章
Chapter 11
这突如其来的变故,不仅仅是梁露,就是还端着咖啡的柏冬青都愣住了,连带着本来就安静的咖啡厅一时也变得鸦雀无声,寥寥几个客人俱好奇朝这边看过来。
This sudden turn of events not only stunned Liang Lu, but even Bai Dongqing, who was holding a cup of coffee, was left speechless. As a result, the usually quiet coffee shop fell into an even more silent atmosphere, with a few curious customers glancing over.
还是柏冬青反应最快,迅速从旁边抽出几张纸巾。只是正要上前递给梁露时,却被匆匆跑进来的程放给挤开。
Bai Dongqing reacted the fastest, quickly grabbing a few napkins from the side. However, just as she was about to approach and hand them to Liang Lu, Cheng Fang rushed in and pushed her aside.
“你们干什么?”程放气喘吁吁的声音,打破了这一室寂静。
"What are you doing?" Cheng Fang's breathless voice broke the silence in the room.
梁露看到来人,顿时面露委屈,也不顾不得脸上的狼狈,哭着朝他跟前冲过去,然而却被程放避开,伸手将她挡住:“怎么回事?”
Liang Lu saw the person approaching and immediately looked distressed, ignoring her disheveled appearance, and ran towards him, crying. However, Cheng Fang avoided her, reaching out to block her: "What's going on?"
他皱眉看了看面前的梁露,又看向站在座位翻着白眼的许煦。
He frowned as he looked at Liang Lu in front of him, then glanced at Xu Xu standing at her seat with a blank expression.
梁露干脆顺势而下,可怜兮兮地指控:“你的好女朋友就是这个素质?!”
Liang Lu, taking the opportunity, plaintively accused, "So this is the quality of your so-called good girlfriend?!"
许煦先前本来自认站了上风是有些暗爽的,但方才见梁露对帮了自己的柏冬青出言不逊,顿时火气就冒上来,脑子一热便端起咖啡泼了人,而且竟然还不解气,听了她的控诉,恶声恶气道:“对你这种人不需要讲素质!”
Xu Xu had previously felt a bit smug about having the upper hand, but when she saw Liang Lu speaking disrespectfully about Bao Dongqing, who had helped her, her anger flared up. Without thinking, she poured coffee on someone, and even that wasn't enough to satisfy her. Hearing Liang Lu's accusation, she spoke in a harsh tone, "I don't need to deal with someone like you with any quality!"
“你!”梁露到底没沉住气,转身就要去扇许煦,却被程放及时拉住。
"You!" Liang Lu finally lost her composure and turned to slap Xu Xu, but was promptly held back by Cheng Fang.
“行了梁露,咱俩的事我已经跟你说得再清楚不过,谁让你来找许煦的?”他将她推开,走到许煦身旁,从桌上扯了两张纸巾丢给满脸咖啡残迹的人。
"Enough, Liang Lu. I've already made it clear to you what concerns us. Why did you go to find Xu Xu?" He pushed her away and walked to Xu Xu's side, pulling a handkerchief from the table and tossing it to the person covered in coffee stains.
梁露接过纸巾,不甘心地指着许煦道:“她……”
Liang Lu took the handkerchief, unwillingly pointing at Xu Xu and saying, "She..."
程放已经缓过劲儿,拉着许煦的手打断她:“她是我女朋友,该说的我已经和你说清楚,请你以后不要再来找我,更加不要来打扰我女朋友。”
Cheng Fang had recovered and, holding Xu Xu's hand, interrupted her, "She is my girlfriend. I've already explained everything to you. Please don't come looking for me again, and especially don't bother my girlfriend."
梁露本来就狼狈的脸,顿时血色全无,虽然之前程放已经说过这话,但她万万没想到他会当众这么不给自己面子。她自小众星捧月,放下身段求程放复合,已经是她人生第一回 ,却不料对方这么薄情。
Liang Lu's already disheveled face turned pale as she lost all her color. Although Cheng Fang had already said those words before, she never expected him to publicly humiliate her like this. She had always been the center of attention since childhood, and it was her first time lowering herself to beg for Cheng Fang's reconciliation, but she never anticipated such a cold-hearted response from him.
感觉到这咖啡屋里的客人,都在往这边看,梁露只觉得又羞又恼,随手抹了把脸,朝许煦哂笑一声:“你也别高兴太早,你的男朋友当初和我开房的时候,也是各种甜言蜜语哄过我的。”
Feeling the guests in the coffee shop staring at her, Liang Lu felt both ashamed and angry. She wiped her face and gave Xu Xu a mocking smile: "Don't get too excited yet. When he was with me, he was full of sweet words to deceive me."
说完哼了一声转身飞快离去,因为动作太大,还撞到了端着咖啡站在原地的柏冬青。
After saying this, she huffed and quickly left. Her movements were so large that she bumped into Bai Dongqing, who was holding a coffee and standing still.
“让开!”兴许是怒气无处发泄,朝他气急败坏吼了一句。
"Move!" Perhaps because her anger had nowhere to go, she shouted at him in frustration.
柏冬青表情依然平静,只顺势默默别开身体让开,倒是许煦没忍住又皱了皱眉。
Bai Dongqing's expression remained calm, and he only moved to the side silently, letting her pass. Xu Xu, however, couldn't help but frown again.
程放拉了拉许煦的手,小心翼翼笑着低声哄她:“你看!我真没干坏事儿。”
Cheng Fang pulled on Xu Xu's hand, smiling cautiously and whispering softly to comfort her, "Look! I really didn't do anything bad."
柏冬青见梁露出门,转头看了看留在原地的两人,端着咖啡默默回了收银台。
Seeing Liang leave the door, Bai Dongqing turned to look at the two people left behind, holding the coffee and silently returning to the cash register.
许煦瞪了程放一眼,将他推开,怒气冲冲飞快往外走。程放赶紧去追她,到了门口才算将人拉住:“许煦,梁露到底跟你说了什么?你别听她胡说八道。”
Xu Xu glared at Cheng Fang, pushed him away, and walked out angrily. Cheng Fang quickly chased after her, only managing to pull her back when they reached the door, "Xu Xu, what did Liang Lu actually say to you? Don't listen to her nonsense."
许煦停下脚步看向他,阴恻恻道:“我问你,你当初为什么刚认识就对我表白?”
Xu Xu stopped and looked at him with a sinister smile, saying, "I ask you, why did you confess your feelings to me the moment you met?"
程放心虚地干干一笑:“……当然是对你一见钟情。”
Cheng Fang nervously chuckled and said, "Of course, I was smitten at first sight."
许煦看着他冷笑不语。
Xu Xu looked at him and sneered without saying a word.
程放做投降状:“好吧,我承认当时确实是因为和梁露赌气要找个新女朋友。但喜欢我的女孩那么多,我为什么偏偏找了你?还不是因为第一眼见你就有好感,当时不觉得是一见钟情,现在回头看不就是么?而且比起肤浅的一见钟情,难道不是相处下来真正喜欢上你这个人更重要吗?咱们在一起也两个多月了,我不信你感觉不出来我有多喜欢你。”
Cheng Fang made a surrender gesture, "Alright, I admit that at the time, I was indeed upset with Liang Lu and wanted to find a new girlfriend. But with so many girls who like me, why did I choose you? It's because I had a good feeling about you the moment I saw you. I didn't think it was love at first sight at the time, but looking back now, isn't it? And isn't it more important that I truly like you as a person rather than just being infatuated? We've been together for over two months, and I don't think you can't feel how much I like you."
不得不说搞辩论的人确实会说话,语气诚挚有情有理,明明是在为自己辩解,却仿若在说情话。
It's undeniable that debaters do know how to speak; their tone is sincere and reasonable. They were defending themselves, yet it sounded like they were pleading.
许煦果然有些被说服了,但她可不愿意这么就放过他,瞪了他一眼,阴阳怪气道:“这些话你和你那位前女友开房的时候也说过很多次吧?”
Xu Xu was indeed somewhat convinced, but she wasn't willing to let him off that easily. She glared at him and said sarcastically, "Didn't you say these things to your ex-girlfriend when you were having affairs with her?"
程放讪笑着摸了摸鼻子,没皮没脸道:“谈恋爱开房不是很正常么?你要是想咱们现在就去!”
Cheng Fang chuckled and scratched his nose, shamelessly saying, "Isn't it normal to have affairs while dating? If you want, we can do it now!"
“程放!”许煦小脸一板,怒吼一声,抬手就是一顿猛揍。
"Cheng Fang!" Xu Xu's face turned serious, and she roared in anger, raising her hand to beat him.
程放也不躲,由着她打,等她解气了,一把将她抱住:“好啦!要打要骂随你,但因为一个不重要的前女友,我窦娥冤啊我!”
Cheng Fang didn't dodge and let her hit him, holding her when she was done: "Alright! Hit or scold me as you wish, but because of a trivial ex-girlfriend, I'm the wronged Dou E! I'm the wronged Dou E!"
许煦干笑两声:“你跟人谈恋爱的时候不也挺重要的么?男生翻脸还真快!我可得有前车之鉴。”
Xu Xu chuckled dryly: "You were also very important when you were dating someone else, weren't you? Boys can really change their minds quickly! I need to learn from this."
程放在她额头亲了一下:“之前那不是不懂事闹着玩的么?你怎么能一样?你看我多稀罕你啊!”
Cheng Fang kissed her forehead: "That wasn't just a playful prank before, was it? How can you compare? Look how much I cherish you!"
许煦哼了一声,将他推开往前走,程放又死皮赖脸黏上去,再推开,再黏上去,走了几米之后,两个人终于还是挽在一起。
Xu Xu harrumphed and pushed him away, walking forward. Cheng Fang then stuck to her like glue, only to be pushed away again. After walking a few meters, the two finally linked arms together.
“那是你室友吧?”星巴克柜台里,全程目睹小情侣打情骂俏的女孩,收回视线请笑了笑,朝身旁的柏冬青低声道,“帅哥就是好,前女友现女友都长得那么漂亮。冬青,你觉得哪个更好看?”
Is that your roommate?" Inside the Starbucks counter, the girl who had witnessed the couple's flirtatious exchange the entire time turned her gaze and smiled as she whispered to Badeqing, "A handsome guy is great; both his ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend are so beautiful. Dqing, which one do you think is prettier?
正低头给客人做咖啡的柏冬青抬头往玻璃门外看去,那两道相拥的身影已经走远,很快就看不见了。
Badeqing, who had been bent over making coffee for a customer, looked up and glanced out the glass door. The two figures hugging each other had already walked away and were soon out of sight.
他茫然地怔了片刻,复又低下头,过了会儿才回答女孩方才的问题:“……现女友吧!”
He stared blankly for a moment before lowering his head again. After a while, he answered the girl's question, "…The current girlfriend!"
女孩看了他一眼,点点头坏笑道:“原来冬青喜欢那种类型的女孩啊!”
The girl looked at him and nodded, then cackled, "So Dqing likes girls like that, huh!"
“不是——”柏冬青下意识否认,可也不知为何脸颊却有些莫名发热。
"Not exactly—", Bai Dongqing instinctively denied, yet for some reason his cheeks felt oddly warm.
也许是这种问题对他来说太陌生了罢,他想。
Perhaps this kind of question was too unfamiliar to him, he thought.
好在有客人来,女孩没再继续纠结这件事。
Fortunately, a guest arrived, and the girl didn't continue to dwell on the matter.
许煦和程放和好如初,这场风波不过是小情侣间的小打小闹罢了。许煦到底年纪小,有着许多小女孩初次恋爱的弊病,程放的态度和纵容让她开始得意忘形,就像是故意考验男友的真心和底线一般,时常就要无理取闹一番。
Xu Xu and Cheng Fang reconciled as if nothing had happened, this little storm merely being a minor tiff between a couple. Xu Xu, being younger, suffered from many of the drawbacks of a girl's first love. Cheng Fang's attitude and indulgence made her start to lose her sense of propriety, as if she was deliberately testing her boyfriend's sincerity and limits. She would often act unreasonable and pout.
冯佳她们有时候都忍不住吐槽她太作。但她却不以为然,程放越纵容她,她就越喜欢骑在他头上威作福。而对程放来说,喜欢一个人的时候,她做什么自然是都是可爱的。以至于在很长一段时间里,法学院女生宿舍楼下,三不五时就会看到学院之草,可怜兮兮地站在烈日或者寒风中等待闹脾气的女朋友下楼,然后求原谅。
Feng Jia and her friends couldn't help but tease her for being too dramatic. But she didn't mind. The more Cheng Fang indulged her, the more she enjoyed being the center of attention and acting like a spoiled brat. To Cheng Fang, when he liked someone, whatever she did was adorable. As a result, for a long time, outside the law school girls' dormitory, one could often see the so-called "grass of the academy" standing pitifully in the sun or the cold wind, waiting for his temperamental girlfriend to come down and beg for forgiveness.
两个人高调的恋爱,不能说轰轰烈烈,但也谈得风生水起,人人皆知。程放擅长甜言蜜语,精通吃喝玩乐,让许煦的大学生活在多姿多彩中徐徐展开,对于这个年纪的女孩来说,爱情无非就是快乐。
Their public relationship wasn't exactly passionate and dramatic, but it was certainly lively and well-known. Cheng Fang was skilled in sweet talk and knew how to enjoy life, making Xu Xu's college life colorful and fulfilling. For a girl of her age, love was simply about happiness.
一切都好,只欠烦恼。
Everything was perfect, except for the occasional worries.
她还是会经常看到柏冬青,有时候是在通往食堂和水房的路上,有时候是去星巴克看书的下午,有时候是和程放一块,有时候是她一个人。
She would still frequently see Bai Dongqing, sometimes on the way to the cafeteria and bathroom, sometimes in the afternoon when she was studying at Starbucks, sometimes with Cheng Fang, and sometimes alone.
每次去星巴克,她拿到的咖啡,都有别致的拉花,每次的拉花都不一样,有时候是一朵花,有时候是一片树叶,有时候是一只猫,有时候是云朵,有时候是海浪。
Every time she went to Starbucks, she would receive a coffee with a unique latte art, and each design was different. Sometimes it was a flower, sometimes a leaf, sometimes a cat, sometimes clouds, and sometimes waves.
惟妙惟肖,栩栩如生。
It was lifelike and vivid.
以至于许煦再去星巴克,开始对那杯咖啡有了莫名的期待,有时候就不由自主站在吧台前直勾勾盯着柏冬青的动作,看着那杯平淡无奇的咖啡在他手下开花。
This made Xu Xu begin to have an inexplicable anticipation for that cup of coffee whenever he went to Starbucks. Sometimes, she couldn't help but stand by the counter, staring intently at Bao Dongqing's movements, watching the ordinary coffee bloom under his hands.
而他从来低着头专心致志,一言不发,长长的睫毛遮挡住了黑眸中的色彩,只在做完后递过咖啡,才会抬头,面带微笑递给她。
And he would always keep his head down, focused and silent, his long eyelashes concealing the color in his dark eyes. Only after completing the design would he lift his head, smiling as he handed her the coffee.
第9节
Chapter 9
冬去春来,大一很快就过去大半,很快又是一年初夏。
Winter gave way to spring, and before they knew it, more than half of the first semester had passed. Soon enough, it was early summer again.
前几天程放告诉许煦他们宿舍准备给柏冬青过生日,让她一块去。许煦当然是欣然同意,不过否决了他们搓一顿的计划,而是提议在宿舍给柏冬青办一个生日派对。程放几个都是懒鬼,不过女朋友的提议自然不会反对。
A few days ago, Cheng Fang told Xu Xu that their dorm was planning to throw a birthday party for Bai Dongqing and invited her to join. Xu Xu naturally agreed, but she vetoed their plan to have a big meal and instead suggested throwing a birthday party in the dorm. Cheng Fang and the others were all lazy bones, but they wouldn't oppose their girlfriend's suggestion.
生日是周五,柏冬青拿了一个竞赛的名次,当日下午去参加领奖活动,晚上才回宿舍。趁着他不在,许煦招呼程放他们给自己打下手,一块布置宿舍。
The birthday was on a Friday. Bai Dongqing had won a prize in a competition and went to collect it in the afternoon, returning to the dorm only in the evening. Taking advantage of her absence, Xu Xu called Cheng Fang and the others to help her set up the dorm for the party.
“已经上来了!”快九点时,姜毅给柏冬青打了个电话,确定他已经到楼下后,赶紧从阳台溜进来,“快快快!把灯关了!”
Up he is already!" At almost nine o'clock, Jiang Yi called Bai Dongqing, confirming that he was already downstairs, and quickly slipped in through the balcony, "Hurry! Turn off the lights!
啪的一声!本来亮堂的男生宿舍瞬间漆黑一片。
Bang! The once brightly lit dormitory was instantly plunged into darkness.
两分钟后,敲门声响起,屋内屏声静气不回应,柏冬青在门外小声嘀咕:“都不在宿舍吗?”
Two minutes later, the sound of knocking on the door echoed inside. The occupants remained silent, and Bai Dongqing muttered softly from outside, "None of you are in the dorm?"
然后掏出钥匙开门,在门打开的那一刻,站在门边的姜毅迅速将灯打开,彩条气球,点了蜡烛的生日蛋糕,然后是许煦带头唱起的生日歌,光芒和热闹瞬间将整个宿舍填满。
Then, he fished out the key and opened the door. As soon as the door creaked open, Jiang Yi, standing by the door, quickly turned on the lights. Colorful balloons, a birthday cake lit with candles, and then Xu Xu leading everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" filled the dormitory with light and joy in an instant.
柏冬青愣愣站在进门处,半晌没反应过来,
Bai Dongqing stood dumbfounded at the entrance for a long while, not reacting.
程放笑着揽住他的肩膀:“老三,生日快乐!本来是想跟以前一样,大家去吃顿饭给你庆祝生日的,但小煦说给你在宿舍办个生日派对更好。宿舍这些花花绿绿的玩意儿,可都是她布置的,要是觉得幼稚,别怪我们啊!”
Cheng Fang smiled and put an arm around his shoulders: "Old Three, happy birthday! We originally planned to go out for a meal to celebrate your birthday, but Xiao Xu suggested having a birthday party in your dormitory. All these colorful decorations in the dormitory were set up by her. If you think it's childish, don't blame us!"
许煦龇牙咧嘴踹了他一脚。
Xu Xu gritted her teeth and kicked him.
柏冬青抬头看了看宿舍,又看了看自己的几位室友,最后将目光落在笑盈盈的许煦脸上。
Bai Dongqing looked up at the dormitory, then at his roommates, and finally settled his gaze on the smiling Xu Xu's face.
他漆黑的眸子里,如有星子般微微闪了闪,喉咙像是被人掐住,半晌才哑声开口:“谢谢!”
His eyes, dark as night, flashed like stars for a moment, and his throat felt constricted as he hoarsely said, "Thank you!"
第12章
Chapter 12
程放将柏冬青拉到桌前:“你可别感动哭了,赶紧吹蜡烛许愿,这蛋糕还是许煦同志亲自去挑的呢!”
Cheng Fang pulled Bai Dongqing to the table and said, "Don't get so emotional that you cry. Blow out the candles and make a wish! This cake was personally picked by Comrade Xu Xu!"
五彩缤纷的水果蛋糕散发着甜丝丝的香气,蛋糕上只点了一根粉红蜡烛,已经燃了一些,下方有一个彩色的数字,写着他的年龄——二十一。
The colorful fruit cake emitted a sweet fragrance. Only one pink candle was lit on the cake, and below it was a colorful number indicating his age—twenty-one.
带给他生命的父母离世多年,虽然每年都会有人给他送生日祝福,但其实他对生日早已经没有概念。而上一回属于自己的生日蛋糕,要追溯到七年前十四岁那年了。
His parents, who had given him life, had passed away many years ago. Although someone would always send him birthday wishes every year, he no longer had any concept of his birthday. The last birthday cake that belonged to him was seven years ago, when he was fourteen.
柏冬青看着蛋糕上跳动的烛光,半晌没有动作,还是程放按捺不住推了推他:“赶紧的啊!”
Bai Dongqing looked at the flickering candles on the cake and didn't move for a long time. Cheng Fang couldn't hold back and nudged him: "Hurry up!"
他反应过来,闭上眼睛许了个愿,然后将蜡烛吹灭。男生当然不会好奇他许了什么愿,实际上姜毅和周楚河觊觎蛋糕已久,见他吹了蜡烛,迫不及待拿起纸盘,嗷嗷叫唤:“分蛋糕!分蛋糕!”
He finally reacted, closed his eyes, and made a wish. Then he blew out the candles. Of course, the boys weren't curious about what he had wished for. In fact, Jiang Yi and Zhou Chuhé had been eyeing the cake for a long time. Seeing him blow out the candles, they couldn't wait to grab the paper plates and shouted: "Divide the cake! Divide the cake!"
柏冬青笑了笑,拿起塑料刀起开蛋糕,给他们一个一个装好。别人早已经开始吃,他才最后给自己装了一块,低下头慢条斯理品尝。
Bai Dongqing smiled and picked up a plastic knife to cut the cake, carefully packing it for each of them. While others had already started eating, he finally took a piece for himself and slowly savored it, lowering his head.
他其实对甜食不感兴趣,但是掺杂着水果清香和奶油滑腻的甜味,在口中往下蔓延开去,好像连心脏也沾染了那清甜的味道。
He actually had no interest in sweet foods, but the sweet taste mingled with the fragrance of fruits and the smoothness of cream spread through his mouth, as if even his heart was tainted by that clear sweetness.
他嘴角不由自主弯起,下意识抬头,恰好对上许煦带着笑意的清澈目光。他口中的“好吃”二字还没说出来,却见她本来笑着的脸,忽然神色一变,等他反应过来,已经躲闪不及,程放和姜毅手中的半块蛋糕稀里哗啦贴在了他脸上。
His lips involuntarily curved upward, and he instinctively looked up, just to meet Xu Xu's clear and smiling gaze. The words "tasty" that were on the tip of his tongue had not yet been spoken when he saw her smiling face suddenly change. Before he could react, she had already dodged, and the half-cake in Cheng Fang and Jiang Yi's hands splattered onto his face.
恶作剧得逞的两人,贱兮兮叉腰大笑。
The two who had succeeded in their prank laughed with a sneering glee as they crossed their arms.
只是还没得意三秒,两人脸上就啪啪两下被许煦砸成了两朵花。大功告成的女孩拍拍手得意地挑眉。
But before they could revel in their success for three seconds, Xu Xu's hands slapped their faces, leaving two red handprints. The girl who had just completed her prank clapped her hands and raised her eyebrows with a satisfied expression.
程放抹着脸哇哇大叫:“胳膊肘往外拐的家伙,你反了你!”
Cheng Fang wiped his face and yelled, "Elbow-out guy, you've gone too far!"
边叫又去捞蛋糕,宿舍顿时陷入一场混战,几个人闹作一团。柏冬青站在一旁,默默看着几个互砸打闹的家伙,嘴角的笑容不由自主荡开。
While yelling, he reached for the cake, and the dormitory instantly descended into chaos, with several people fighting and brawling. Bai Dongqing stood aside, watching the guys bicker and fight silently, a smile involuntarily spreading across his lips.
好在蛋糕一人吃了一块,剩下也不多,砸了几下就弹尽粮绝。
Fortunately, each person ate a piece of the cake, and there wasn't much left. After a few throws, they ran out of cake.
几个男生这才想起来生日礼物还没送,姜毅从桌下搬上来厚厚一堆书本,足有一尺多高,他笑着拍了拍:“青儿,哥几个送你的生日礼物,全套司考复习资料!”
The boys then remembered they hadn't given birthday gifts yet. Jiang Yi moved a stack of books from under the table, about a foot high, and laughed as he patted it. "Qing'er, this is the birthday gift from the guys—complete bar review materials!"
司考是下半年,大部分的学生已经开始着手准备,有钱的学生大多会去上高级的辅导班,但柏冬青这样的贫困优等生,自然就是全靠自己动手丰衣足食。
The Bar Exam was in the second half of the year, and most students had already started preparing. Wealthy students would typically sign up for advanced tutoring classes, but for a poor yet top-performing student like Bai Dongqing, it was naturally all about self-study.
复习资料作为生日礼物虽然有点奇葩,对他来说无疑却是再合适不过。
While study materials as birthday gifts might seem a bit odd, they were perfect for him.
他笑了笑:“谢谢你们啊!”
He smiled and said, "Thank you all!"
程放揽着他的肩膀,笑嘻嘻道:“你肯定考试没问题,就是看考多少分的事儿了,咱们哥几个复习的时候,还得靠你多给我们压压题划划重点呢!”
Cheng Fang put his arm around him and grinned, "You're definitely going to pass the exam, it's just a matter of how many points you'll get. When we review, we'll still need you to help us with practice questions and highlight key points!"
许煦啐道:“程放,你能要点脸吗?平时考试让柏学长给你划重点也就算了,司考还想麻烦人家,你烦不烦啊?”
Xu Xu spat out, "Cheng Fang, can you have a little dignity? It's one thing to have Senior Bai mark your study notes during regular exams, but to ask for help with the bar exam too? Are you annoying or what?"
程放大笑,摇了摇柏冬青的肩膀:“老三,你烦不烦?”
Cheng Fang laughed loudly and shook Bai Dongqing's shoulder, "Old Three, are you annoying or what?"
柏冬青笑着摇摇头,忽然想起什么似的,从书包里掏出两个泥塑公仔:“今天颁奖活动发的纪念品,你们谁要吗?可以送人的。”
Bai Dongqing laughed and shook his head, then suddenly remembered something, pulling out two clay figurines from his backpack, "These are souvenirs from today's award ceremony. Does anyone want them? They can be given away."
姜毅瞅了眼,笑道:“我女朋友倒是挺喜欢玩偶,不过喜欢的是sd娃娃,这种小东西她肯定是没兴趣的。”
Jiang Yi glanced at them and smiled, "My girlfriend would probably like dolls, but she prefers SD figures. She definitely wouldn't be interested in these small things."
周楚河耸耸肩:“要是我女朋友喜欢这小玩意儿就好了,不用我成天勒紧裤带省吃俭用,给她买口红了。”
Zhou Chuhé shrugged his shoulders: "If my girlfriend liked this little trinket, I wouldn't have to pinch every penny and save up just to buy her lipstick."
柏冬青有点不好意思地摸了摸头,笑道:“好像是没什么特别的。”
Bai Dongqing scratched his head a bit awkwardly and smiled, saying, "It doesn't seem to be anything special."
“等等等等!”见他要放回去,许煦赶紧拦住,然后将那两个泥塑小人拿过来,“你怎么不问我呢?我喜欢啊!”
Wait, wait!" Xu Xu hurriedly stopped him when he was about to put it back, then took the two clay figurines over, "Why didn't you ask me? I like it!
程放翻了个白眼:“我看也就你会喜欢这种小玩意儿,你学学人家女孩子,喜欢点高大上的行不行?包包啊口红啊什么的,要不然手办也行。你男朋友我又不是送不起。”
Cheng Fang rolled his eyes: "I think only you would like such a trinket. Learn to like something more upscale like a handbag or lipstick, or even a figurine. I'm not too broke to give your boyfriend one."
许煦小心翼翼捧着两个泥塑小人,瞥了眼他:“你懂什么?这是传统手工艺品,非物质文化遗产,很珍贵的。”
Xu Xu carefully held the two clay figurines and glanced at him: "What do you know? These are traditional handicrafts, intangible cultural heritage, very precious."
柏冬青目光闪了闪,笑道:“也没有很珍贵,就是一个手工艺人赞助的。”
Bai Dongqing's eyes flashed, and he smiled and said: "Not very precious, just a contribution from a craftsman."
许煦将泥塑小人放进自己包里:“反正我挺喜欢这种东西的,我家里还收藏剪纸皮影什么的呢!”
Xu Xu put the clay figurines into his bag: "Anyway, I really like this kind of thing. I even have paper-cuts and shadow puppets at home!"
程放双手抱拳调侃:“失敬失敬,原来许小煦同学是民间艺术家啊!”
Cheng Fang clasped his hands and joked: "Respect, respect. So Xu Xiaoxi is actually a folk artist!"
许煦踹了他一脚,忽然想起自己的礼物还没送出,赶紧从包里摸出一个小长盒子递给柏冬青:“学长,我也不知道你喜欢什么,上次看到你在程放笔记本上写得字很漂亮,想你应该喜欢书法,就挑了支钢笔送给你,希望你喜欢。”
Xu Xu kicked him and suddenly remembered that she hadn't given him her gift yet. She quickly pulled out a small long box from her bag and handed it to Bai Dongqing. "Senior, I don't know what you like, but last time I saw you writing on Cheng Fang's notebook, and it looked very nice. I thought you might like calligraphy, so I picked out a pen for you. I hope you like it."
柏冬青神色莫辨地看了她一眼,将盒子接过来,低声道:“谢谢!”
Bai Dongqing looked at her with a puzzled expression, took the box, and whispered, "Thank you!"
许煦不甚在意地摊摊手,看了下时间已经不早,不客气地踹了一脚程放:“我回宿舍了!”
Xu Xu shrugged nonchalantly, glanced at the time and, without being particularly polite, kicked Cheng Fang. "I'm going back to the dorm!"
程放连忙献殷勤:“我送你。”
Cheng Fang hurriedly offered to help: "I'll walk you."
许煦摆手,边往外走边道:“不用了,你们赶紧收拾,寿星最大,别什么都让柏学长一个人弄。”
Xu Xu waved his hand and walked out while saying, "No need, you guys should hurry up and clean up. The birthday person is the most important, so don't let Brother Bai do everything alone."
程放连连说是,但那晚凌乱的宿舍到底是谁收拾的,就不得而知了。
Cheng Fang agreed repeatedly, but who ended up cleaning up the messy dorm that night remained unknown.
*
生日派对后,许煦再见到柏冬青,已经是过了一个星期。那天下午上完课,正要回宿舍,她忽然接到老爸的电话,说来这边开会正好路过学校,时间紧迫来看她一眼就走。
After the birthday party, Xu Xu didn't see Bai Dongqing again until a week later. That afternoon, after finishing class, she was about to head back to the dorm when she suddenly received a call from her dad, who said he was in town for a meeting and would pass by the school to see her before leaving in a hurry.
许煦问了他的位置,正好在东门外,便让他去星巴克等着,然后匆匆赶了过去。
Xu Xu asked for his location, which happened to be outside the east gate, and told him to wait at Starbucks. Then, she rushed over.
许爸爸坐在离门不远的位置,许煦进门第一眼就看到,笑着朝他挥挥手,然后走到收银台前,朝正在工作的柏冬青笑眯眯道:“学长,一杯拿铁,一杯美式咖啡。”
Mr. Xu sat not far from the door, and Xu Xu saw him the moment he entered, smiling and waving at him. Then he walked to the cash register and smiled at Bo Dongqing, who was working, saying, "Senior, a latte and an Americano, please."
柏冬青笑着点头,见她说完就朝后面坐着的中年人看去,有些着急的样子,便道:“你去坐着吧,我做好咖啡给你们送过来。”
Bo Dongqing smiled and nodded. Seeing that she was done speaking, she glanced at the middle-aged man sitting behind her, who looked a bit anxious, and said, "You go sit down, I'll bring the coffee over to you."
许煦着急是因为爸爸赶时间,听他这么说,感激地道了声谢,跑到了许爸爸的座位。
Xu Xu was anxious because her father was in a hurry. Hearing this, she thanked him gratefully and ran to Mr. Xu's seat.
“爸!你怎么来看我也不提前打声招呼,还这么赶?一点诚意都没有。”许煦坐下后,对着爸爸佯装嗔道。
"Dad! You didn't even call to let me know you were coming and you're so rushed? Not even a bit of sincerity," Xu Xu said, pretending to be upset after sitting down, addressing her father.
许父四十多岁,器宇轩昂,有种与生俱来上位者的威严,但是面对三个月没见的女儿,脸上的严肃顷刻散开,眉梢眼角都是慈爱的笑意:“这段时间太忙了,来这边开会也是连轴转,这点时间还是挤出来的,马上还得去赶下个应酬呢!”顿了顿,又学着她的语气假装抱怨道,“你还说我呢!你自己还不是几个月不回家,你妈妈都怀疑你是不是有了男朋友就不想家了!”
Mr. Xu, in his forties, exuded an air of authority, radiating the kind of dignity that comes naturally to those in power. However, upon seeing his daughter after three months, the sternness on his face instantly melted away, replaced by a warm smile in his eyes: "I've been really busy lately, attending meetings non-stop, and managed to squeeze out some time for this. I have to rush to another social engagement soon!" Pausing, he mimicked her tone and pretended to complain, "You're criticizing me, right? You haven't been home in months either! Your mom even wonders if you've found a boyfriend and don't want to come home anymore!"
父母开明,许煦谈恋爱没多久就跟他们提过,但是爸爸这样当面说出来,她还是有点害羞的,梗着脖子道:“当然不是,就是很忙,要学习还得参加社团活动。”
Xu Xu had mentioned her dating to her parents not long ago, but her father saying it in front of her made her a bit embarrassed. She stiffened her neck and said, "Of course not, I'm just very busy. I have to study and participate in club activities."
嘴上这样说,心里却有些虚,因为上学期的成绩单,实在是不算太好看。她大部分的课外时间,确实是和程放吃喝玩乐瞎混。
Though she said this, she felt a bit guilty because her last semester's grades weren't particularly impressive. Most of her free time had indeed been spent eating, drinking, and having fun with Cheng Fang.
许爸爸倒也不拆穿,笑呵呵从椅子旁边拿起两个袋子:“这是你妈妈给你做的点心,让我给你带过来的,你拿去和同学们一块吃。”
Mr. Xu did not contradict her, smiling and picking up two bags from beside his chair. "These are some snacks your mom made for you. She asked me to bring them for you to share with your classmates."
许煦笑嘻嘻接过袋子,朝里面翻了翻:“嗯,都是我喜欢吃的。”
Xu Xu smiled and took the bag, flipping through it: "Mm, all of these are what I like to eat."
这时,端着两杯咖啡的柏冬青走过来,放在两人面前:“咖啡好了。”
At this moment, Duan Dongqing walked over with two cups of coffee, placing them in front of the two: "The coffee is ready."
许煦抬头看他,笑道:“谢谢学长!”
Xu Xu looked up at him and smiled, saying, "Thank you, senior!"
柏冬青笑着摇摇头。
Duan Dongqing smiled and shook his head.
许爸爸咦了一声,看了眼柏冬青,随口问女儿:“你同学吗?”
Mr. Xu exclaimed and glanced at Bai Dongqing before casually asking his daughter, "Are you classmates?"
许煦道:“我们学院的学长,在这里打工,他咖啡拉花特别厉害。”说着朝自己面前那杯拿铁上的麦穗图案指了指,颇有些骄傲地介绍道,“学长学习成绩也很好,每次都是年级第一。”
Xu Xu said, "He's an upperclassman from our college, working part-time here. He's particularly skilled at latte art." As he spoke, he pointed to the wheat-ear pattern on the latte in front of him and introduced proudly, "The upperclassman also has excellent grades, always topping the class."
许爸爸笑着看向柏冬青,目露赞许地点点头:“现在这么努力的年轻人不多了,咱们煦煦得向学长学习。”
Mr. Xu smiled at Bai Dongqing, nodding in approval, "Young people like this, who work so hard, are not common these days. Xu Xu should learn from the upperclassman."
“伯父过奖了,没有许煦说得这么夸张。”柏冬青面色微赧,“你们二位慢用,我去工作了。”
Uncle is being too kind," Bai Dongqing blushed slightly. "Please enjoy your time. I'll go to work now.
许煦点点头,转头目送他回到柜台,又才转回来和许爸爸小声说道:“这个学长真的很厉害的,而且人还特别好。”
Xu Xu nodded and turned to watch him return to the counter before turning back to his father and whispering, "This senior is really impressive, and he's also very nice."
许爸爸挑挑眉:“看出来了。”顿了顿又道,“对了,你怎么不把你男朋友带来让爸爸看看?”
Xu Dad raised an eyebrow. "I noticed that." After a pause, he added, "By the way, why didn't you bring your boyfriend for me to meet?"
许煦撇了撇嘴:“谈个恋爱又不是要结婚,见父母干什么,别把人吓到了。”
Xu Xu pursed her lips. "It's not like we're getting married just because we're dating. Why should we meet your parents? Don't scare him away."
许爸爸轻笑摇头,端起咖啡喝了两口,又稍微正了正色:“你也知道是谈恋爱不是结婚,爸爸妈妈向来是不反对这些的,但女孩子做事要有分寸,不然受伤害的还是自己。”
Xu Dad chuckled and shook his head, lifting his coffee to take a couple of sips before straightening his expression slightly. "You know it's not about marriage, and we've never opposed these things. But girls need to be careful with their actions; otherwise, they'll be the ones who get hurt."
许煦明白他的意思,耳根不由得有点发热,有些恼羞地哼哼唧唧道:“哎呀知道啦!”
Xu Xu understood his meaning, and her ears turned slightly red. She grumbled indignantly, "Oh, I get it!"
许爸爸看着女儿,心中感叹,不知不觉自己那个小小的姑娘就长这么大了。他再喝了口咖啡,抬手看了下腕表:“我得走了!你没事多给妈妈打电话。”
Xu Dad looked at his daughter and sighed. Unconsciously, his little girl had grown up. He took another sip of coffee and raised his hand to check his watch. "I really have to go! You should call Mom more often."
“明白!你自己也别老是这么忙,有空多和妈妈过过二人世界,旅旅行度度假什么的。”许煦提起手中的袋子,起身送他。
"Understood! You should also not be so busy. Make time for your own world with Mom, travel, and take a vacation." Xu Xu picked up her bag and stood up to see him off.
许爸爸苦笑:“我倒也是想啊,但现在真是身不由己,再等几年吧!”
Xu Dad smiled wryly. "I'd like to, but I'm really caught up right now. I'll wait a few more years!"
许煦撇撇嘴:“看你现在忙得跟什么似的,想想还不如小时候你做法官那几年,虽然也忙,但好歹业余时间是自己的。”
Xu Xu pursed his lips: "Look at you, so busy. Think about how much easier it was when you were a judge back when you were younger. Even though it was busy, at least you had some free time."
许爸爸轻笑:“行了行了,你一小孩子家家的,就别操心大人的事,也别光顾着玩儿,成绩还是别太难看,向你这位学长学习学习。”
Mr. Xu chuckled: "Alright, alright. You're just a kid, so don't worry about grown-up things. Don't just play all the time either. Try not to do too poorly on your grades. Learn from your senior."
说着朝旁边吧台里的柏冬青指了指。
He gestured towards the bar where Bai Dongqing was sitting.
“收到。”许煦朝柏冬青笑了笑,忽然想起什么似的,从手中的袋子里拿出一个小盒子递给他,“学长,这是我妈妈做得芙蓉糕,你尝尝。”
Got it." Xu Xu smiled at Bai Dongqing and, as if remembering something, took out a small box from the bag in his hand and handed it to him. "Senior, this is some yam cake my mom made. Try it.
也不等怔愣的柏冬青反应过来,许煦已经将盒子放在台面上,朝他挥挥手,笑嘻嘻挽着许爸爸出门了。
Xu Xu had already placed the box on the countertop and waved to him with a smile, leading Xu Dad out before Wintergreen could react.
柏冬青回神,将糕点盒子拿过来,低下头默默看着。
Wintergreen came to his senses and picked up the box of pastries, lowering his head to look at them silently.
还是旁边一起打工的年轻男孩“啧”了一声将他唤回神。
It was a young boy working alongside him who snapped his fingers and called him back to attention.
“怎么了?”柏冬青后知后觉回神,转头问他。
"What's wrong?" Wintergreen, realizing only later, turned to ask him.
男孩朝门外抬抬下巴,低声道:“奔驰s级,你这学妹原来是富二代啊,平时看不出来。”说着,又似是了然道,“不过经常能来这里喝咖啡的大学生,确实不太可能是工薪家庭的孩子。”
The boy nodded his chin toward the door and whispered, "Mercedes-Benz S-Class. I never would have guessed that your fellow student is a rich second-generation. You don't usually give that away."
一杯咖啡二三十块,对于上班族来说不过尔尔,但对普通学生来说,确实有些奢侈了。
A cup of coffee costs around twenty to thirty yuan, which is nothing to a white-collar worker, but it's quite a luxury for an ordinary student.
柏冬青微微眯眼朝玻璃门外看过去,许煦正站在路边送父亲上车。一个司机模样的男人,毕恭毕敬地替许父打开后车门。
Bai Dongqing slightly narrowed his eyes and looked out the glass door. Xu Xu was standing by the roadside, seeing off her father. A man who looked like a driver was respectfully opening the back door for Xu's father.
就算他对车不熟悉,也看得出那辆黑色的车子价值不菲。
Even if he wasn't familiar with cars, he could tell that the black vehicle was quite expensive.
许父坐上车后,笑着朝窗外的女儿挥手道别,眼中俱是宠溺,叮嘱道:“自己好好照顾自己,有什么事要及时打电话给家里。和同学们要好好相处,勿要攀比,戒骄戒躁,要时刻保持一颗正直善良的心。”
After getting into the car, Xu Fu smiled and waved goodbye to his daughter through the window, his eyes full of indulgence. He advised, "Take good care of yourself. If there's anything, make sure to call home promptly. Get along well with your classmates, don't compete, and stay humble. Always keep a straight and kind heart."
许煦眉眼弯弯笑着挺直身体,对父亲敬了一个标准的军礼:“收到!祝许团长工作顺利!”
Xu Xu smiled with her eyebrows arched and straightened her body, giving her father a standard military salute: "Received! Wishing Commander Xu a smooth career!"
作者有话要说: 男配:劳资都没见家长~
Author's note:
The male secondary character: Ha, haven't met the parents yet.
第13章
Chapter 13
柏冬青收工回到宿舍时,已经快十点。他将背包放在桌上,手指不经意间滑过书包薄薄的布料,触碰到了包里那个点心纸盒的棱角。
When Bai Dongqing returned to the dormitory after finishing his work, it was almost ten o'clock. He placed his backpack on the table, and his fingers inadvertently brushed against the thin fabric of the bag, touching the edge of the cracker box inside.
手在半空顿了下,将书包拉链打开,朝里面那个还没开封的盒子看了过去,怔了会儿,忽然想起什么似的,打开书桌抽屉,拿出那只安安静静躺在笔盒里的钢笔。
The hand paused mid-air, opened the zipper of the backpack, and looked inside at the unopened box. After a moment of hesitation, it suddenly seemed to remember something, opened the drawer of the desk, and took out the pen that was quietly lying in the pencil case.
崭新钢笔的金属触感明明很冰冷,但是握在手中,却有种莫名的灼热。他低头看了看那钢笔,转过头,正好见姜毅从椅子起身准备去厕所。
The metal texture of the brand new pen was clearly cold, but holding it felt strangely hot. He lowered his head to look at the pen and turned around just in time to see Jiang Yi stand up from his chair to go to the bathroom.
第10节
Section 10
“老大,用你电脑查个东西。”他开口道。
"Boss, can I use your computer to check something?" he said.
姜毅拉开椅子,爽快挥挥手:“随便用啊!”
Jiang Yi pulled out a chair and waved his hand cheerfully: "Go ahead and use it!"
宿舍几个人,只有柏冬青没有电脑,但他很少借用他们的电脑,需要有用的时候,大部分都是去学校机房。
Among the few people in the dorm, only Bai Dongqing didn't have a computer. However, he rarely borrowed theirs. When he needed to use one, he usually went to the school computer lab.
他走到姜毅桌前,点开电脑网页,将手中这只笔的牌子和型号输入搜索栏,按下回车键,相关信息立刻跳出来,最上面的几条就是跟价格有关。
He walked to Jiang Yi's desk, opened the computer's web browser, entered the brand and model of the pen in the search bar, pressed the enter key, and relevant information immediately popped up. The top few results were related to prices.
握着钢笔的柏冬青,看着网页上显示的价格,倒吸了口冷气,
Bai Dongqing, holding the pen, looked at the price displayed on the webpage and sucked in a cold breath.
几百块的钢笔对于奔驰s级家庭来说,可能不足一提,但是对他来说,实在是太贵重了,何况这还是一个没有任何关系的女孩送给他的生日礼物。
For a Mercedes S-Class family, a few hundred dollars for a pen might not be worth mentioning, but for him, it was too precious. Moreover, this was an unconnected girl's birthday gift to him.
他忽然觉得手中这冰冷的钢笔,变成了一块烫手山芋,又好像是一件不应该属于他的易碎珍宝。
He suddenly felt that this cold pen in his hand had become a hot potato, and it seemed like a fragile treasure that shouldn't belong to him.
“当当当当!我回来了!”虚掩的宿舍门,忽然被从外面踢开,满面春风的程放大喇喇走进来。
"Bang! Bang! Bang! I'm back!" The partially closed dormitory door was suddenly kicked open from the outside, and Cheng Da walked in with a spring in his step.
柏冬青拿着鼠标的手吓得一抖,迅速将网页浏览记录删掉,然后关了网页,另一只握着钢笔的手,默默背在了身后。
Bai Dongqing's hand holding the mouse trembled in fright, quickly deleting the browsing history, then closing the webpage. The other hand, holding the pen, was silently placed behind his back.
上完厕所的姜毅从阳台跳进来,朝程放调侃道:“瞧你那骚劲儿,肯定又带小学妹去哪里鬼混了!就你们这黏糊劲儿,这约会频率,你可注意点,千万别搞出人命了。”
After finishing his bathroom break, Jiang Yi jumped into the room from the balcony and teased Cheng Fang, "Look at you, all saucy. You must have taken a freshman somewhere to do who knows what! With your clingy nature and dating frequency, be careful, or you might end up killing someone."
程放呸了一声:“我和我家许小煦同学纯洁着呢!你少拿你肮脏的思想来揣度我们。”
Cheng Fang spat, "Me and my classmate Xu Xiaoxu are pure! Don't use your dirty thoughts to judge us."
姜毅道:“就你还纯洁?你丫以前和女朋友开房的时候,老子还是处男呢!”
Jiang Yi retorted, "And you're pure? You were having sex with your girlfriend when I was still a virgin!"
程放大笑:“你别玷污处男两个字好吗?咱们宿舍也就老三还能用这个词。”
Cheng Da laughed loudly: "Don't defile the words 'virgin' and 'maiden.' Old Three in our dorm is the only one who can use them."
被冷不丁点名的柏冬青,抿嘴笑了笑,默默挪到自己桌前。
Bai Dongqing, who was suddenly singled out, pursed her lips and smiled, then quietly moved to her own desk.
程放从包里掏出一把点心,丢在几个人桌上:“我未来丈母娘做的点心,你们尝尝!”
Cheng Da took out a handful of pastries from his bag and tossed them onto several tables: "Pastries made by my future mother-in-law, give them a try!"
姜毅跑过来,拿了块撕开,丢进嘴里,含含糊糊道:“我去!你这和小学妹都要定下终身了啊!以前说好的要游戏人间的呢?”
Jiang Yi ran over, tore off a piece, and popped it into his mouth, mumbled, "Wow! You're about to be engaged to a little sister! The one time you said you wanted to live life to the fullest?"
%%
程放托腮做深沉状:“哎!遇到真爱只能认命了!”
Cheng Fang put his chin in his hand and made a deep-thinking pose: "Ah! When you meet true love, you just have to accept your fate!"
姜毅嗤了一声,大笑。
Jiang Yi snorted and laughed loudly.
旁边一直没说话的柏冬青,将桌上的包拿起来:“……我出去跑步了!”
Bai Dongqing, who had been silent until now, picked up the bag on the table: "…I'm going for a run!"
程放看了他一眼,随口问:“跑步还背包?”
Cheng Fang glanced at him and casually asked, "Running with a bag?"
柏冬青:“再过几个月就司考了,我顺便去看看书,公派的英语成绩也得准备了。”
Bai Dongqing: "The bar exam is just a few months away. I'll take this opportunity to review some books, and I also need to prepare for the English test sponsored by my employer."
程放露出夸张的敬佩状,拍拍他的肩膀:“老三加油,等以后你留学回来当教授,我这个小小检察官,要有遇到问题还指望继续请教你呢!”
Cheng Fang showed exaggerated admiration, patting his shoulder: "Old Three, keep it up. When you return from studying abroad to become a professor, this little prosecutor will still rely on you for advice whenever I have problems!"
柏冬青笑了笑,没说话,背着包出了门。
Bai Dongqing smiled but said nothing, and left with his backpack.
此时早已经入夏,十点多的校园,晚归的学生们陆陆续续返回宿舍。柏冬青没有去操场跑步,而是随便找了个路边长椅坐下。长椅靠着路边大树,和人行道的路灯隔了点距离,于是他整个人便像是隐没在黑暗中,与校道中灯光下来来往往说笑着的学生,泾渭分明。
By this time, it was already early summer. Students returning to their dormitories one by one from the campus at around ten o'clock. Bai Dongqing didn't go to the playground for a run but instead sat down on a roadside bench. The bench was next to a tree by the roadside, with a small distance from the pedestrian street's streetlights. Thus, he seemed to blend into the darkness, standing out starkly from the students walking and chatting under the lights on the school path.
他低头看了看手中那支已经被自己握得带了体温的钢笔,小心翼翼放入书包内层夹袋,然后取出包里那个还没打开的点心盒子。
He lowered his head to look at the pen in his hand, which he had warmed with his grip, and carefully placed it in the inner pocket of his backpack. Then, he took out the untouched cookie box from his bag.
为女儿做的手工点心用纸盒精心包装着,这应该是个很用心生活的母亲,就像他的母亲一样。小的时候,妈妈也经常给他做各种好吃的,用保鲜袋和盒子精心装好,让他带去学校和同学们分享。
The homemade cookies were carefully packaged in a paper box for his daughter. This should be a very thoughtful mother, just like his own. When he was young, his mother also often made him various delicious treats, carefully packed in plastic bags and boxes to share with his classmates at school.
但是十四岁之后,那些出自母亲之手的美味,就再也没有了。
But after the age of fourteen, those delicious treats made by his mother never came again.
柏冬青将纸盒小心翼翼打开,拿出一块小袋子分装好的芙蓉糕,慢慢送入口中。带着清香的甜味在口中蔓延,比想象中的味道还要好。他一连吃了好几块,直到盒子里只剩下两块,他才停下,然后认真装好,放回了书包里。
Bai Dongqing carefully opened the paper box and took out a small bag of lotus paste cake. He slowly put it in his mouth. The sweet, fragrant taste spread in his mouth, even better than he had imagined. He ate several pieces until there were only two left in the box before he stopped, then carefully packed them back and put them back in his backpack.
人生四味酸甜苦辣,他十四岁后,就只剩下三味,今天却好像品尝到了暌违已久的甜意,也许不是今天,而是最近开始,好像生活中就多了一点带着酸涩的甜味。
The four tastes of life—sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy—left him with only three after the age of fourteen. Today, however, it seemed he had tasted a sweetness he had long been without, perhaps not today, but perhaps it had started recently, as if life had a hint of sourness mixed with sweetness.
这味道太陌生了,以至于他不都敢仔细去体会。
This taste was so unfamiliar that he dared not savor it carefully.
“你说我六点才吃饭,还吃了你给的点心,怎么又饿了?”
You say I only eat at six and had your snack, yet I'm hungry again?
“大概是你还在长身体吧!”
Maybe it's because you're still growing!
“横向么?”
Horizontal?
“这可不是我说的。”
This isn't what I said.
熟悉的声音,让坐在路边长椅的柏冬青抬头,夜色校道中,两个女孩说说笑笑地从他跟前走过,朝小卖部的方向走去。是许煦和她的一个室友。
The familiar voice made Bai Dongqing look up from the bench. In the dimly lit school path, two girls chatted as they walked past him, heading towards the convenience store. They were Xu Xu and one of her roommates.
柏冬青默默看着两人的背影走远了一段,鬼使神差般站起来,跟了上去。
Bai Dongqing watched the two girls' figures disappear for a while, and for some inexplicable reason, he stood up and followed them.
他走在人行道靠里的位置,沿着路边的绿荫大树内侧,路灯几乎照不到的地方。而两个女孩则走在人行道下,踏着路灯的光芒前行。
He walked along the inner side of the sidewalk, close to the shade of the green trees lining the street, in a spot where the streetlights barely reached. The two girls, on the other hand, walked below the streetlights, stepping in the glow of the lights.
相同的方向,其实只隔了几米的距离,可一个在路灯下,一个在夜影中,就像是隔了千山万水的两个世界。
Though they were walking in the same direction, only a few meters apart, it felt as if they were in two entirely different worlds, one bathed in light and the other shrouded in darkness.
两个女孩边走边说说笑笑,说到兴奋时,许煦就会笑盈盈扭过头看向自己的同伴。
As they walked and chatted, Xu Xu would turn her head with a smile whenever she got excited, looking at her companion.
柏冬青默默看着她的背影,年轻姣好的侧脸,一颦一笑,在夜灯下是如此生动不已,美好得有些失真。
Bai Dongqing silently watched her figure, her youthful and beautiful profile, every expression vivid and lifelike under the streetlights, almost unreal in its beauty.
小卖部不远,几分钟就到了。
The convenience store wasn't far away, and it took only a few minutes to get there.
两个女孩进了小店,柏冬青在一棵大树旁站定,目光依然看着许煦的方向。这会儿店里的学生不少,两个女孩挤进去之后就看不到了人。
The two girls entered the small store, and Bai Dongqing stood by a large tree, still looking in the direction of Xu Xu. There were quite a few students in the store at this moment, and the two girls could no longer be seen after they squeezed inside.
几分钟后,再出来时,许煦手中多了一盒冰淇淋。小卖部门口灯光明亮,她的面容在柏冬青眼中,忽然就清晰得仿佛触手可及。
A few minutes later, when she came out again, Xu Xu was holding a box of ice cream. The light outside the convenience store was bright, and her face seemed suddenly clear and close to touch in Bai Dongqing's eyes.
许煦不知道自己正被人注视着,她舀起一大勺冰激凌送入口中,满足地闭上眼睛,一副愉快的享受状。
Xu Xu was unaware that she was being watched. She scooped up a large spoonful of ice cream and put it in her mouth, closing her eyes contentedly, looking as if she was enjoying herself greatly.
王妍笑道:“我饿得肚子咕咕叫也只敢吃根烤肠,你竟然买这么大盒冰淇淋,真不怕胖了你家程帅哥嫌弃你啊?”
Wang Yan smiled and said, "I only dared to eat a grilled sausage because I was so hungry, and you actually bought such a big box of ice cream. Don't you fear gaining weight and having your handsome Cheng Xiaoer reject you?"
许煦又舀了一勺:“吃了再减,他要敢嫌弃我,我甩了他!”
Xu Xu scooped up another spoonful and said, "I'll lose weight after I eat. If he dares to reject me, I'll break up with him!"
王妍笑:“甩了他可就找不到这么帅的男朋友啦!”
Wang Yan laughed, "If you break up with him, you won't find such a handsome boyfriend!"
“谁说的?天涯何处无芳草。”
Who said that? There's always a flower for every season.
“那你倒是说说咱们院里还能找得出比你家那根草帅的男生吗?”
Then can you tell me if there's a more handsome boy in our courtyard than the one from your family?
许煦想了想,嘻嘻笑道:“好像是没有。”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and smiled mischievously, "I think there isn't."
“瞧把你得意的!”
Look how pleased you are with yourself!
两个人说说笑笑往回走,许煦一口一口吃着冰淇淋,时而满足地咂咂嘴巴,时而伸出舌头舔舔唇,是这个年纪的女孩再真实简单不过的快乐。
The two walked back chatting and laughing, with Xu Xu eating her ice cream one bite at a time. She would occasionally savor the taste with a contented lick of her lips, and at other times, she would stick out her tongue to lick her lips. It was the most genuine and simple happiness of a girl of her age.
站在阴影中遥遥看着她的柏冬青,喉咙微微滑动了下。
Standing in the shadows, Bade Qing watched her from afar. His throat moved slightly.
她好像总是很快乐。这样的女孩怎么会不快乐呢?有优渥幸福的家庭,宠爱自己的父母,有相互喜欢且英俊优秀的男友,足以让她能随心所欲的生活。
She seemed to always be so happy. How could such a girl not be happy? With a prosperous and happy family, parents who doted on her, and a boyfriend who was both handsome and excellent, she could live as she pleased.
她的人生是如此美好,就像是此时笼罩她周遭的温暖灯光,一切都是那么明朗。
Her life was so beautiful, like the warm lights that enveloped her at that moment, everything so clear and bright.
柏冬青将手伸进书包里,摸了摸夹袋中的钢笔,不知为何,有些怅然地叹了口气。
Bade Qing reached into his backpack, feeling the pen in the pocket folder, and for some reason, he sighed wistfully.
走出了大概十几米后,许煦吃了一口冰淇淋,忽然转过身朝后面扫了眼。柏冬青下意识挪了下脚步,将身体应藏在了树干后。
After walking about ten meters, Xu Xu took a bite of her ice cream and suddenly turned around to glance back. Bai Dongqing subconsciously moved her steps and hid her body behind the tree trunk.
“怎么了?”王妍见她停下脚步,奇怪问。
"Wang Yan, what's wrong?" she asked curiously when she noticed Xu Xu stop.
许煦舔了舔嘴唇:“我感觉有人在看我!”
Xu Xu licked her lips and said, "I feel like someone is watching me!"
王妍瞅了眼来去匆匆的学生:“没有吧?”
Wang Yan glanced at the students who were rushing past: "No, I don't see anyone."
许煦抿抿嘴问:“你没感觉到吗?”
Xu Xu pursed her lips and asked, "Don't you feel it?"
王妍摇头:“没有啊。”
Wang Yan shook her head. "No, I don't."
许煦狐疑地摸摸头,又看了眼周围:“现在是没有了,不过刚刚真是有种被人盯着的感觉。”
Xu Xu suspiciously touched her head and glanced around. "It's not there now, but I really did get the feeling like someone was watching me just now."
王妍道:“你别吓我,跟讲恐怖故事似的。”
Wang Yan said, "Don't scare me like you're telling a horror story."
许煦轻笑出声:“拜托!虽然是觉得有人在看我,但也能感觉出肯定是没恶意的。”
Xu Xu chuckled and said, "Please! Even though I feel like someone is watching me, I can tell it's not with any ill intent."
王妍嗤了一声,坏笑道:“所以是感觉哪个暗恋你的人,在偷偷看你吗?你都有程帅哥,还不满足?”
Wang Yan snorted and said with a wicked smile, "So, you think it's one of your secret admirers who's secretly watching you? You already have Handsome Cheng, and you're still not satisfied?"
“我就是刚刚莫名生出来的感觉。”许煦自己也觉得有点好笑,摆摆手道,“算啦,肯定是错觉啦!”
I just had this inexplicable feeling," Xu Xu said, finding it a bit amusing. She waved her hand and said, "Forget it, it must just be a hallucination!
这一次,直到两个女孩走远,渐渐消失在夜色中,柏冬青才从大树后面走出来,慢慢朝宿舍的方向走回去。
This time, it wasn't until the two girls had walked far away and gradually disappeared into the night that Bai Dongqing emerged from behind the tree and slowly walked back towards the dormitory.
第14章
Chapter 14
九月中旬司法考试,许煦难得起了个大早,跑到男生宿舍下等着给程放壮行打气。程放虽然在学习上有些吊儿郎当,但还算是一个目标明确的家伙,一个富二代不去继承家业,一门心思要当检察官,所以司考必须得过,于是刚刚过去的这个暑假,跟着柏冬青头悬梁锥刺股了整整两个月。
In mid-September, Xu Xu, who rarely got up early, went to the male dormitory building to see off and encourage Cheng Fang for the bar exam. Although Cheng Fang was somewhat casual about his studies, he was still a clear-minded fellow. As a second-generation wealthy individual, he was determined to become a prosecutor, so he had to pass the bar exam. Thus, he had been studying diligently for two months during the just-ended summer vacation, hanging a rooster by its tail and pricking his thigh with a awl, following Bao Dongqing's example.
他运气不错,考场就分在学校附中,骑车过去不到二十分钟,也就不需要找酒店,住在宿舍就已经很方便。
He was lucky that the exam venue was just at the affiliated middle school of their school, a ride of less than twenty minutes by bike, so he didn't need to find a hotel. Staying in the dorm was already convenient.
许煦没提前告诉他自己一大早跑到他楼下等他,待人出来,冷不防跳到他面前,吓了人一大跳。
Xu Xu hadn't told him in advance that she had run down to his dorm building early in the morning to wait for him. When he came out, she suddenly jumped in front of him, scaring him half to death.
程放笑着将她抱起来:“这是来给我爱的鼓励吗?”
Cheng Fang smiled as he picked her up: "Is this your way of giving me a loving encouragement?"
许煦见柏冬青在旁边,有点不好意思地将人推开,笑着和他打招呼:“学长,好久不见了,你和程放在一个考点吗?”
Xu Xu saw Bai Dongqing beside her and, feeling a bit embarrassed, pushed the person away, smiling as she greeted him: "Senior, it's been a while. Are you and Cheng Fang in the same exam group?"
从上个学期期末到现在,她好像就一直没看到过他,包括这开学的十来天,无论是学校星巴克,也都反常地没有遇到过,这会儿乍一看到,莫名有点兴奋。
From the end of the last semester to now, she seemed to have not seen him at all, including these past ten days of the new semester, even at the school Starbucks where she would usually run into him. Seeing him suddenly now, she felt inexplicably excited.
柏冬青微微笑着点头,一如既往地没有多话。
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly and nodded, as always without saying much more.
程放笑嘻嘻揉了把小女朋友的头发:“好久没参加过大型考试了,本来还有点紧张的,看到你专门来给我打气,我忽然就充满了信心。”
Cheng Fang smiled and gently tousled his little girlfriend's hair: "It's been a while since I last took a major exam. I was a bit nervous, but seeing you come to cheer me up, I suddenly felt very confident."
许煦这时候也不再吐槽他,笑着握了握拳:“虽然你学习没有柏学长这么厉害,不过我相信你也一定没问题的,加油!”说着从口袋里掏出两块巧克力,递给他一块,“考试时间长,下午精神容易不好,进去前吃块巧克力能补充能量。”
At this moment, Xu Xu no longer teased him, and smiled as he shook his fist: "Although you're not as good at studying as Brother Bai, I believe you'll be fine. Good luck!" He then took out two pieces of chocolate from his pocket and handed one to him, "The exam is long, and your energy might drop in the afternoon. Eating a piece of chocolate before going in can help boost your energy."
程放做出夸张的感动状:“我女朋友太贴心了。”
Cheng Fang made an exaggeratedly touched gesture: "My girlfriend is so thoughtful."
许煦笑着瞪他一眼,将另一块递给他旁边的柏冬青:“学长,你也拿一块下午补充能量吧。”
Xu Xu smiled and glared at him, then handed the other piece to Bai Dongqing next to him: "Brother, take one too to boost your energy in the afternoon."
柏冬青迟疑了下,才接过那块巧克力,轻声道:“谢谢!”
Bai Dongqing hesitated before taking the chocolate, saying softly, "Thank you!"
许煦摆摆手踹程放一脚:“赶紧去吧别迟到了,好好考,考不好拿人头来见我!”
Xu Xu waved his hand and kicked Cheng Fang in the leg: "Go already, don't be late. Do your best and bring your head to see me if you don't!"
程放大笑着说遵命,跟她挥挥手去去单车了。柏冬青比他慢一步,走了两米,忽然转头朝许煦看过来。
Cheng Fang laughed loudly and said "Yes, sir," before waving and riding off his bike. Bai Dongqing was a step behind, walking two meters before suddenly turning to look at Xu Xu.
晨光下的许煦怔了怔,抬手朝他笑着挥挥手:“学长,祝你考试顺利,为咱们学院争光。”
Under the morning light, Xu Xu was taken aback, raising his hand to wave and smile: "Senior, good luck with your exam. Bring glory to our college."
柏冬青嘴角微不可寻地弯了弯,对她点点头,将手中的巧克力握紧,转身离开。
Bai Dongqing's lips curled up in the slightest, nodding at her before tightening his grip on the chocolate in his hand and turning to leave.
*
司考之后,大四生就要正式为前途奔波,考研考公出国找工作,人生的另一阶段就要从这里开始分岔。程放还算轻松,他的目标就是当检察官,因为和许煦来自不同的城市,他已经计划留在江城,而本市的法检系统招考要等到明年春夏交际,准备时间绰绰有余。
After the bar exam, seniors would officially start their job hunt, whether for postgraduate studies, civil service exams, or job hunting abroad. Cheng Fang was relatively relaxed; his goal was to become a prosecutor. Since he and Xu Xu came from different cities, he had already planned to stay in Jiangcheng. However, the city's judicial and procuratorial system recruitment would not start until the spring and summer transition next year, giving him ample time to prepare.
就算是撇去家里的关系,程放对这种考试也很有信心,虽然学习成绩不算太突出,但毕竟他们是重点大学,当初高考也是真枪实弹考进来的。只不过上了大学,爱好太多,学习上就有些疏忽了。但底子在,用心准备,也绝对能考出一个好成绩。除此之外,他的履历也确实太漂亮了,光是全国辩论赛最佳辩手的头衔,就足以让他在这种招考中鹤立鸡群。
Even without considering his family's connections, Cheng Fang was confident in these exams. Although his academic performance wasn't particularly outstanding, they were key universities, and they had truly passed the college entrance exam. However, with too many hobbies in college, his studies had become somewhat neglected. But with a solid foundation, if he prepared diligently, he would definitely achieve good results. Moreover, his resume was indeed too impressive; the title of National Debate Champion alone was enough to make him stand out in such recruitment exams.
于是在大家都忙得不见人影时,就他一个人留在学校优哉游哉地陪女朋友。
So while everyone else was busy, he was the only one left at school, leisurely accompanying his girlfriend.
转眼就是两个月过去,司考成绩终于出来了,程放有惊无险地低空飘过,自然是拉着许煦出去胡吃海喝了一顿。
Two months passed in a blink, and finally, the LSAT scores were released. Cheng Fang barely scraped through, so he naturally dragged Xu Xu out for a feast.
当天下午许煦没有课,他又将人拉到自己宿舍陪他看片儿。他们宿舍如今常住人口就他一个,姜毅去实习,周楚河准备考研在校外租了房子,而柏冬青是本地人,基本上确定会走学校的公派项目出国读研,大四也没什么其他事,自然是住回了家里。
That afternoon, Xu Xu had no classes, and he dragged him to his dorm to watch movies. Currently, the only resident in their dorm was him. Jiang Yi was on an internship, Zhou Chuhuo was preparing for his postgraduate exams and had rented a house off-campus, and Bai Dongqing, being a local, was almost certain to participate in the school's overseas graduate program, so he naturally returned home for the fourth year.
其实程放一富家子弟,早就想住在外面,与小女朋友共筑爱巢,但被许煦严词拒绝后,只能继续可怜兮兮地窝在学校宿舍。
In fact, as a wealthy young man, Cheng Fang had long wanted to live outside, building a nest with his girlfriend. But after being sternly rejected by Xu Xu, he could only continue to miserably stay in the school dormitory.
今天看的片子是一部欧美的爱情电影,尺度颇大。影片播放到高潮处,那撩人的旖旎画面,让许煦耳根发热,心跳加速,尤其是程放逐渐粗重的呼吸在她耳边响起时,青春的荷尔蒙呼之欲出。
Today's movie was an American romance film with quite explicit scenes. When the film reached its climax, the alluring and seductive scenes made Xu Xu's ears heat up and her heart race. Especially when Cheng Fang's gradually heavy breathing reached her ear, her youthful hormones were practically bursting.
程放忍不住将她抱在腿上,胡乱地边亲她边将手伸进他的衣服内,低声呢喃道:“宝贝,给我好不好?就当给我司考通过的奖励,我会对你好的。”
Cheng Fang couldn't help but hold her on his lap, kissing her wildly while reaching his hand under her clothes, whispering, "Baby, please? Just as a reward for passing my exam. I'll be good to you."
许煦直觉不应该如此,至少不应该是在这种地方这种时候,但她毕竟是个未经世事的女孩,被这么一撩拨,脑子和身体都不太受自己控制,也就没再挣扎。
Xu Xu instinctively felt this was inappropriate, at least not in this place and at this time. However, as an inexperienced girl, she was easily stirred up, and her mind and body were no longer under her control, so she stopped struggling.
正在意乱情迷时,宿舍的门忽然被打开,有人走了进来。
Just when they were in a daze of passion, the door to the dormitory suddenly opened, and someone walked in.
两人猝不及防,顿时惊慌失措地分开,许煦吓得从程放腿上跳下来。
The two were caught off guard and immediately panicked, separating. Xu Xu was so scared that she jumped off Cheng Fang's lap.
第11节
Chapter 11
“……不……不好意思,我……我不知道,我拿个东西就走。”撞破了人好事的柏冬青,比他们两个还尴尬,眼睛落在许煦凌乱的头发和衣服上,瞬间移开,随手从抽屉里抓了几本书塞进书包,逃也般匆匆跑了出去,前后不过几秒。
"... N-no... Sorry, I... I didn't know, I just took something and left." Bai Dongqing, who had caught them in the act, was even more embarrassed than the two of them. Her eyes fell on Xu Xu's messy hair and clothes, and she quickly averted them. She grabbed a few books from the drawer and stuffed them into her backpack, fleeing as if she were running for her life, all within a few seconds.
待到屋内恢复安静,许煦才从刚刚的怔忡中回神,恼羞成怒在程放身上捶了几拳:“都怪你!丢死人了!”
When the room finally returned to silence, Xu Xu came back to her senses from her daze and, filled with anger and embarrassment, punched Cheng Fang several times: "It's all your fault! You've disgraced us!"
虽然刚刚其实也只是抱在一起,还没有做到少儿不宜的一步,但毕竟两个人刚刚并不只是打算亲亲抱抱。想到这种事被人撞见,还是柏冬青撞见,许煦就觉得难堪极了,恨不得挖了个地洞钻进去。
Although they had only been hugging and kissing and had not yet reached an inappropriate stage, the fact that they had not just planned to kiss and hug made Xu Xu feel extremely embarrassed, especially when it was Bai Dongqing who had caught them. She wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.
好好的气氛被打断,程放真是比窦娥还冤,他哭丧着脸道:“老三都已经好久没在学校出现过了,我哪里想到他会忽然回来!”说着又要将人往怀里拉,“再说了,咱俩郎情妾意的,他又不是不知道,被撞见也无所谓啊!”
The pleasant atmosphere was disrupted, and Cheng Fang was truly as innocent as Dou E. He said with a mournful face, "Third Brother hasn't shown up at school for a long time. How could I have thought he would suddenly return!" Then he tried to pull the person closer, "Besides, we're in love, and he knows it. It shouldn't matter if we get caught!"
许煦将他推开,气呼呼道:“我看男人都不是好东西,甜言蜜语说到底还是想骗女孩子做这种事。”
Xu Xu pushed him away and said angrily, "I think all men are no good, and sweet words are just a way to trick girls into doing this."
程放哭笑不得:“我要不想对你做这种事,你才该苦恼吧!”
Cheng Fang was at a loss for words, "If I didn't want to do this to you, you should be the one worried!"
许煦哼了一声:“我可是有前车之鉴的,等被你骗到手,肯定就跟你那位前女友一样,弃之如敝履了,我才不干!”
Xu Xu snorted, "I have a lesson from the past. Once you have me, I'll be discarded like your ex-girlfriend. I won't do that!"
程放失笑摇头,又正了正色,拉住她的手:“小煦,你不一样的,我对你如何你难道感觉不到吗?”他想了想,道,“这样吧,为了表示我对你的真心,我可以继续接受你的考验。和你在一起我真的很开心,也想把这份开心长长久久保持下去,所以我留在这里工作等着你毕业。虽然我确实想马上拥有你,但你不愿意我也绝不会强求。”
Cheng Fang chuckled and shook his head, then straightened his expression, holding her hand. "Xuxu, you're different. Can't you feel how I feel about you?" He thought for a moment and said, "Let's do this. To show you how sincere I am, I can continue to accept your test. Being with you makes me very happy, and I want to keep this happiness for a long time. So I will stay here to work and wait for you to graduate. Although I really want to have you right away, I will not force you if you don't want it."
不得不说,他英俊的模样,含情脉脉的眼神,以及娓娓道来的声音,确实是很有魅力,许煦自然是被他打动了。
It's undeniable that his handsome appearance, tender gaze, and gentle voice are indeed very charming. Xu Xuxu was naturally moved by him.
程放又试探道:“等明年我毕业怎么样?我看过了,毕业那天,应该正好是你二十岁生日,我的毕业礼,你的成人礼,怎么样?”
Cheng Fang then probed, "What about next year when I graduate? I've checked, and graduation day should be your 20th birthday. My graduation gift, your coming-of-age ceremony, how about it?"
许煦红着脸支支吾吾点头:“好吧!”
Xu Xuxu blushed and nodded hesitantly, "Okay!"
程放笑开,抱着她亲了一下:“说定了,到时候可不准反悔啊!”
Cheng Fang smiled and hugged her, kissing her: "We've agreed, so no backing out later, okay!"
许煦笑着掐他:“当然不会。”
Xu Xu smiled and pinched him: "Of course not."
宿舍里卧谈会其实会经常讨论这种事,冯佳是早就尝了禁果,吴小南和异地男友估计也快了。许煦并不排斥,相反还很有些跃跃欲试的好奇,之所以没有下定决心,确实是因为程放的前科问题。冯佳也告诫过她,可别让男生太容易得逞,因为男的通常都很现实,没得到的时候装孙子装得乐此不疲,得到后就成大爷了。她可不想程放也这样。
In fact, the dormitory chat sessions often discussed such matters. Feng Jia had already experienced the forbidden fruit, and Wu Xiaonan and her long-distance boyfriend were probably close to it too. Xu Xu wasn't opposed to it; in fact, she was quite curious and eager to try it. The reason she hadn't made up her mind was indeed due to Cheng Fang's past record. Feng Jia had also warned her not to let the boys get their way too easily, as they were usually very practical. They would pretend to be submissive when they hadn't gotten what they wanted, but once they did, they would act like they owned the world. She didn't want Cheng Fang to be like that either.
但她也知道,两个人谈恋爱久了,这种事肯定也会水到渠成。所以程放如此有诚意的提出来这个约定,她觉得没有任何理由拒绝。
But she also knew that after being in a relationship for a long time, such matters would naturally come to fruition. Therefore, she felt there was no reason to refuse Cheng Fang's sincere proposal of this agreement.
实际上她也知道,在这个时代,谈两年才突破最后的防线,足以证明这个男生的诚心。
In fact, she also knew that in this era, taking two years to break through the final barrier was enough to prove the boy's sincerity.
*
在两个人约定好未来的同时,刚刚撞破别人亲密的柏冬青一口气从宿舍跑出来,跑了好几分钟才停下。兴许是跑得太急,他这会儿一站定,只觉得有些天旋地转地发晕,胸口憋闷得厉害。
While the two had agreed on their future, Baodongqing, who had just witnessed someone else's intimacy, ran out of the dormitory for several minutes before finally stopping. Perhaps due to running too hastily, he felt dizzy and had a hard time catching his breath when he stood still.
趔趔趄趄往前走了几步,整个人有些迷迷糊糊,仿佛一下不知今夕何夕。迎面一个冒冒失失的男生跑过来也没注意,一不小心就被撞上了。
He stumbled forward a few steps, feeling somewhat disoriented, as if he had lost track of time. A careless boy ran towards him without noticing, and they bumped into each other.
他往后踉跄了一步,好不容易才站稳,手中的书包却掉在地上,一支钢笔从没有拉严实的拉链中跳出来,滚出了半米远。
He stumbled back a step, managing to stand still with difficulty, but his backpack fell to the ground. A pen, from the unzipped pocket, rolled out half a meter away.
他如梦初醒般回神,目光落在地上,脸色大变,蹲下身手忙脚乱将笔捡起来。光滑蹭亮的黑色笔身沾了一层灰,他赶紧用手去擦。沾上的灰是擦干净了,然而那笔帽上却赫然留下了两道刺眼的擦痕。
He came to his senses like someone waking from a dream, his gaze falling on the ground. His face changed dramatically, and he knelt down, frantically picking up the pen. The smooth, black body of the pen was covered in a layer of dust, and he hurriedly tried to wipe it off. While the dust was removed, the cap of the pen was left with two glaring scratch marks.
柏冬青惊慌失措般再次用手指擦了擦,然而痕迹依然在。他似乎有些不可置信,又小心翼翼哈了口气,再用衣袖轻轻擦了擦,然而那擦痕还是没有半点变化。
Bai Dongqing, in a state of panic, used his fingers to wipe at the marks again, but they remained. He seemed almost incredulous, and with great care, he blew on the pen and then gently wiped it with his sleeve, but the scratch marks did not budge in the slightest.
他停下动作,怔忡地看着手中的钢笔,一时似乎手足无措到不知该怎么办了!
He stopped his actions, staring blankly at the pen in his hand, momentarily at a loss as to what to do!
闯祸的家伙还没离开,看着蹲在地上的人奇怪的举止,有点怀疑这个男生是不是要哭了?
The culprit who caused the trouble had not left yet. Watching the strange behavior of the person crouched on the ground, the other person wondered if this boy was about to cry?
“那个……同学,你没事吧?”男生小心翼翼问。
"Um... classmate, are you okay?" the boy asked cautiously.
柏冬青这才回神,抬头看了眼男生,摇摇头:“没事。”
Bai Dongqing only then returned to reality, looked up at the boy, and shook his head: "I'm fine."
“哦!”男生这才慢慢离开,边走边回头朝依旧蹲在地上的人看了几眼,直到走出了一大段距离,才有些狐疑地摸摸头走了。
"Oh!" the boy slowly moved away, glancing back at the person still squatting on the ground a few times as he walked. It wasn't until he had walked a considerable distance that he suspiciously touched his head and continued on.
柏冬青用手指轻轻摩挲了几下钢笔上的擦痕,用力闭上眼睛,明明只是钢笔被留了两道痕迹,为什么却像是心脏被人刮了一块,隐隐在发疼。
Bai Dongqing gently ran his fingers over the scratches on the pen, tightly closing his eyes. Even though it was just a pen with two scratches, why did it feel as if his heart had been scraped and was aching faintly.
他很想自欺欺人装作不知道这是为什么,可是他骗不了自己,他很清楚这感觉是源于何故。
He very much wanted to deceive himself and pretend he didn't know why he felt this way, but he couldn't fool himself; he was well aware of the source of this feeling.
这让他感到从未有过的隐秘而羞耻。
This made him feel more secretive and ashamed than ever before.
从十四岁后,他的人生就得靠自己摸石头过河,跌倒时没有人扶,迷茫的时候没有人牵引,也不会再有人告诉他什么事该做不该做。所以他做任何事都小心翼翼又用尽全力,生怕行差踏错半步,给关心他的人们添麻烦,让去世的父母失望。
Since the age of fourteen, his life had been a matter of trial and error, with no one to help him when he fell or guide him when he was lost. No one would tell him what to do or what not to do. So, he did everything with great caution and all his might, afraid of making a single mistake that could cause trouble for those who cared about him and disappoint his deceased parents.
他也一直做得不错,日子久了,他都开始相信,只要自己认真努力,人生应该就不会出错。
He had done well for a long time, and eventually, he began to believe that as long as he worked hard and was serious, his life should not go wrong.
然而,他还是犯了错。
However, he still made a mistake.
当他意识到自己可怕的想法后,几乎立刻远离,这个学期甚至离开学校,住回了孤单冷清的家里。他以为自己已经拨乱反正,但是刚刚不小心撞见的一幕,让他明白,自己的这个错误还在继续,甚至已经在不知不觉中放大。
When he realized the terrifying thoughts in his mind, he almost immediately distanced himself, even leaving school for the rest of the semester to return to his lonely and cold home. He thought he had corrected his mistake, but a scene he accidentally witnessed just now made him realize that his error was still ongoing and had even grown unnoticed.
“冬青,你来学校啦?”一道突如而至的男声,将柏冬青唤回神。
"Qing, you're at school?" A sudden male voice called out, bringing Bai Qing back to her senses.
他抬头看到来人,赶紧收拾好情绪,站起来微微笑了笑,礼貌打招呼:“张老师!”
She looked up and saw the person approaching, quickly composing herself, stood up, and smiled slightly, politely greeting, "Teacher Zhang!"
这位张老师是他们的辅导员,笑着道:“我还正准备给你打电话呢!第一批公派名单已经下来了,你顺利通过,这下可以好好休息一会儿了,准备准备论文,然后就等着毕业出国深造吧!”
Teacher Zhang, who was their counselor, smiled and said, "I was just about to call you! The first batch of government-sent list has come down, and you've passed successfully. You can now rest a bit, prepare your thesis, and then just wait to graduate and go abroad for further studies!"
柏冬青愣了下,点点头:“谢谢张老师!”
Bai Dongqing was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Thank you, Teacher Zhang!"
张老师笑着拍拍他的肩膀:“加油吧,好好学习,争取回来留校,到时咱们就是同事了!”
Teacher Zhang smiled and patted his shoulder, "Work hard, study well, and try to stay at the school when you return. Then we'll be colleagues!"
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“我会的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly, "I will."
“那行,我走了,过几天开会再见。”
All right, I'll be going. See you at the meeting in a few days.
“再见,张老师。”
Goodbye, Teacher Zhang.
目送辅导员背影离开,柏冬青昂头,眯眼看了看天空的太阳,握紧手中的钢笔,重重舒了口气。
After watching the counselor's 背影 leave, Bai Dongqing raised his head, squinted to look at the sun in the sky, tightened his grip on the pen in his hand, and let out a deep breath.
是啊!离开了,就好了。
Yes! It's better this way.
离开后就可以断掉那些隐秘而羞耻的妄想了。
After leaving, one can cut off those secret and shameful fantasies.
作者有话要说: 今天也是一只可怜的小青青,差点就ntr了~
Author's Note: Today, Little Qingqing is also a 可怜 creature, almost got ntr'd~
程男配fg已立,马上就要下线咯~请鼓掌
Cheng Nan's partner fg is established, about to log off~ Please clap
程放:敲你奶奶滴~
Cheng Fang: Hit your grandmother~
第15章
Chapter 15
虽然那次在宿舍和程放亲热被柏冬青撞见,让许煦觉得很尴尬,但她到底心大,过了几天就没放在心上了。
Although Xu Xu felt embarrassed when Bao Dongqing caught her and Cheng Fang being intimate in the dormitory, she was broad-minded and didn't dwell on it after a few days.
柏冬青因为司考考了一个接近四百六的变态分数,这几日在院里一时名声大噪,不仅院办宣传栏里张贴着醒目的表扬通告,上课的时候几乎每个老师都会提起他的名字,打鸡血般动员许煦他们这些学弟学妹向他学习。除此之外,大四公派出国的第一批名单公示,柏冬青的名字赫然在列,是美国藤校知名的法学院。
Bao Dongqing's score on the bar exam was a bizarrely high 460, making him suddenly famous on campus in recent days. Not only was there a prominent commendation notice posted on the bulletin board of the office, but almost every teacher mentioned his name in class, motivating Xu Xu and her fellow junior and sophomore students to learn from him. Additionally, Bao Dongqing's name was prominently listed on the 公示 of the first batch of students going abroad for their senior year, indicating his admission to a well-known law school at an Ivy League university.
在这之前,柏冬青虽然成绩优异之外,但在院里的名气远远比不上其他诸如程放之类的活跃男生。大部分人对他也只是闻其名不见其人。柏冬青三个字自然也不会出现在女生卧谈会中。
Before this, although Bao Dongqing had excellent grades, his reputation in the department was far less than that of other active male students like Cheng Fang. Most people only knew his name without having seen him. Naturally, Bao Dongqing was not a topic of discussion in female dormitory chats.
但这几天大概是听得多了,晚上熄灯后,大家像往常一样聊天,也不知谁先提到了柏冬青的名字,然后他就成了这场卧谈会接下来的主角。
But over these past few days, the topic of Bai Dongqing's name came up during the nightly chats after the lights were turned off, and he became the main focus of the conversation.
冯佳道:“其实吧,如果男生像柏冬青学长那样学习优秀,就算家境不好长得一般,也无所谓。毕竟男生还是有上进心勤奋刻苦最重要。”
Feng Jia said, "Actually, if male students are as academically excellent as Senior Bai, their family background or looks don't matter. After all, it's still important for boys to have ambition and work hard."
王妍笑着接话:“是啊!不过我这个颜狗还是更喜欢长得帅的。虽然不知道柏冬青长得什么样子,不过那种家境不好,特别刻苦的男生,想想也猜得出是哪一类。”说着又道,“对了许煦,他不是你家程放室友吗?到底长什么样子?”
Wang Yan smiled and added, "That's true! But as a fan of good looks, I still prefer those who are handsome. Although I don't know what Senior Bai looks like, I can imagine that a boy from a poor background who works extra hard must fall into a certain category." She then said, "By the way, Xu Xu, isn't he Cheng Fang's roommate? What does he look like?"
许煦在黑暗中嗤了一声:“我之前跟你们说过吧!柏学长长得挺好的,绝对不是你们想的那样子。”
In the darkness, Xu Xu snorted, "I've told you before! Senior Bai is quite good-looking and definitely not what you think he is."
王妍来了劲儿:“真的还是假的?”
Wang Yan put on some energy: "For real or just pretending?"
许煦道:“我骗你干嘛?”
Xu Xu said, "Why would I lie to you?"
王妍笑嘻嘻问:“我有点不信,要真长得帅,怎么没听人说过。”
Wang Yan asked with a smile, "I'm a little skeptical. If he's really that handsome, why haven't I heard anyone mention it?"
许煦脑子里冒出柏冬青清朗的俊脸,撇撇嘴:“柏学长就是低调而已,主要是挺朴素的,第一眼看过去确实不显眼,但要是多看两眼,就会发现绝对是大帅哥。”
Xu Xu's mind flashed to Bai Dongqing's clear and handsome face, and he curled his lips. "Bai Senior is just low-key. The main thing is that he's quite simple and unassuming. At first glance, he might not stand out, but if you take a closer look, you'll definitely realize he's a real heartthrob."
“大帅哥?”王妍来了劲儿,“有没有这么夸张?跟你家程放比呢?”
Big handsomeman?" Wang Yan got excited, "Is it really that exaggerated? Compared to your home 程放?
许煦想了想:“这个没法比,两个人又不是同一类型的。”
Xu Xu thought for a moment, "This can't be compared, the two people aren't the same type."
王妍大惊:“程大帅哥竟然在你心里不是理所当然排第一。那柏冬青还真是长得帅啊!看来我哪天得去认识认识这位学长了。如果真像你说得长得帅,成绩还这么牛,我就要视他为偶像了。”
Wang Yan was greatly surprised, "Actually, Big Handsomeman Cheng isn't naturally considered first in your heart. That Bai Dongqing must really be handsome! It seems I need to meet this senior one day. If he really is as handsome as you say and has such impressive grades, I'll have to regard him as a role model."
许煦不甚在意道:“人家本来就长得很好,而且不仅长得好学习好,人也特别好。”
Xu Xu didn't take it too seriously, "He's naturally very good-looking, and not only is he good-looking and studious, but he's also an exceptionally good person."
冯佳笑嘻嘻插话:“煦煦,你要当你家程放面这么夸他室友,看他不吃醋!”
Feng Jia smiled and chimed in, "Xuxu, if you praise your roommate Cheng Fang like that in front of his family, watch him savor the sweetness of it!"
许煦不以为然道:“这是客观事实,我当程放面也夸啊,还让他向柏学长学习呢!”
Xu Xuxu disagreed, "This is an objective fact. I praise Cheng Fang too, and even encourage him to learn from Brother Bai!"
她语气理所当然,虽然并不算熟悉,但在她看来,柏冬青确实是自己见过得最好的男生。现在听大家聊起他,想到这个很好的学长马上要毕业去国外留学,以后不知道还有没有机会见面,她心里竟然有点失落。
Her tone was matter-of-fact, though she wasn't particularly familiar with him. In her eyes, Bai Dongqing was indeed the best boy she had ever met. Now, hearing everyone talk about him, she felt a tinge of sadness as she thought of this excellent senior about to graduate and go abroad for studies. She might not have the chance to meet him again.
嗯,有机会要当面恭喜他!
Yeah, I should congratulate him in person if I get the chance!
*
隔日中午下课回来,进入宿舍区后,正在和王妍说说笑笑的许煦,余光忽然瞥到前方不远处一道熟悉的身影。
The next day at noon after class, Xu Xu, who was chatting with Wang Yan as he returned to the dormitory area, suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure not far ahead.
她转头定睛一看,果然是柏冬青。不由得面上一喜,正要将人叫住,对他说声恭喜,哪知手都还没抬起来,只见明明已经看到她的柏冬青,忽然转身急匆匆走了,动作之迅速,就像是被什么可怕的东西追赶一般,一溜烟就不见了身影。
She turned to look closely and sure enough, it was Bai Dongqing. A smile involuntarily appeared on her face, and she was about to call out to him to congratulate him, but before she could lift her hand, she saw that Bai Dongqing, who had already seen her, suddenly turned around and walked off hurriedly, his movements so quick as if he was being chased by something terrifying, disappearing in an instant.
许煦一头雾水地放下手。
Xu Xu put down her hand in confusion.
“怎么了?”王妍见她怔愣着停下脚步,奇怪问。
"What's wrong?" Wang Yan, noticing her standing there in a daze, asked curiously.
许煦摇头:“没事。”
Xu Xu shook his head: "It's fine."
……应该不是觉得上次在宿舍撞见她和程放,觉得看到她尴尬才走开的吧?
… Shouldn't it be because he felt embarrassed to see her when he ran into her and Cheng Fang in the dormitory last time, and thus left?
一直到放寒假,许煦都没再见到柏冬青,恭喜的话自然也就没机会当面说给他听。
Xu Xu didn't see Bai Dongqing until the winter break, so he naturally didn't have the chance to convey his congratulations in person.
她随口问过程放,他也只是耸耸肩说学校没事了自然就不用过来,还顺便吐槽说让他来学校陪自己都不干,太不够哥们儿了。
She casually asked about Cheng Fang, who merely shrugged and said that since the school was fine, there was no need to come over. He also complained that he wouldn't even come to the school to keep him company, which wasn't very brotherly.
许煦倒也没多想,学校没事谁愿意住在宿舍啊?洗个澡还得去澡堂排队呢!
Xu Xu didn't think much of it. Who would want to live in the dorms when there's nothing going on at school? Even taking a shower meant queuing up at the bathhouse!
一个学期又很快在这种无忧无虑中结束,短暂的寒假也转瞬即逝。然而新学期开学了一个多星期,程放却没有如约返校。其实在寒假期间,许煦就觉得他就有些古怪,不仅不像之前那样一天和她联系好几次,甚至她主动给他打电话,他也通常是敷衍说几句就说有事挂掉。
The semester quickly came to an end in a carefree manner, and the short winter break passed in a flash. However, more than a week into the new semester, Cheng Fang had still not returned to school as agreed. In fact, during the winter break, Xu Xu had already sensed something odd about him. Not only did he no longer contact her several times a day as before, but even when she called him proactively, he would usually just 敷衍 say a few words and then claim he had something to do and hang up.
但是因为过年那会儿,在家里忙着走亲会友,各种各样的聚会占据了许煦大部分精力,也就没有多想。回到学校,程放还是这种状态,她才后知后觉事情不对。
But because he was busy with family gatherings and various parties during the New Year, most of Xu Xu's energy was consumed, so she didn't think much about it. When Cheng Fang was still in this state upon returning to school, she only realized something was wrong.
作为有着丰富恋爱经历的冯佳提醒她,是不是程放有情况了?
As Feng Jia, with extensive dating experience, reminded her, could it be that Cheng Fang was having some issues?
许煦恋爱经历贫乏,一听到这个就跟炸毛了一般,再打电话,免不了各种质问,那头的程放却始终否认,只是态度极为敷衍。
Xu Xu's dating experience was scarce, and upon hearing this, she reacted as if she had been electrocuted. When she called back, she inevitably launched into a series of interrogations, but Cheng Fang always denied it, his attitude being extremely perfunctory.
许煦这一年习惯了在他面前骄纵和任性,自然受不了他这种态度,两个人在电话里吵了好几次,可过几天,程放又会好声好气道歉,她自然又原谅他,两个人拉拉扯扯到了五月份,程放还是没有返校。
This year, Xu Xu had gotten used to being arrogant and capricious in front of him, so she naturally couldn't tolerate his attitude. They argued several times over the phone, but a few days later, Cheng Fang would apologize sincerely, and she would forgive him. They bickered and made up until May, but Cheng Fang still hadn't returned to school.
直到那天许煦从院办回来,看到大四当天的答辩名单,许煦才知道程放已经回了学校。
It wasn't until that day when Xu Xu returned from the office and saw the list of seniors' defense presentations that she realized Cheng Fang had already returned to school.
回了学校却没告诉她,她当即怒气冲冲跑去了他们宿舍。几声敲门声后,门从里面被打开,程放略显疲惫的脸出现在许煦眼前。
Upon returning to school without telling her, she immediately stormed to their dormitory. After a few knocks, the door opened from the inside, and Cheng Fang's slightly weary face appeared before her.
她微微一怔,旋即又被积累多时的愤怒淹没,瞅了眼他们宿舍只有他一个人,走进去将门大力关上,怒气冲冲问:“程放,你到底什么意思?想分手就直说!”
She was slightly taken aback, but was quickly overwhelmed by the anger that had built up over time. Glancing around and seeing that only he was in their dormitory, she walked in and slammed the door shut, asking angrily, "Cheng Fang, what do you really mean? If you want to break up, just say so!"
程放神色莫辨地看着她,沉默了片刻,才有气无力道:“那就分手吧!”
Cheng Fang looked at her with a unreadable expression, remaining silent for a moment before speaking in a listless voice, "Then let's break up!"
许煦一下怔住,似乎不太相信自己的耳朵:“你说什么?”
Xu Xu was momentarily stunned, seemingly not believing what she had heard, "What did you say?"
程放道:“你说分手,那就分手吧!”
Cheng Fang repeated, "You said you want to break up, so let's break up!"
许煦脾气瞬间被点燃,气急败坏质问:“你是不是移情别恋了?“
Xu Xu's temper flared instantly, and she angrily demanded, "Are you cheating on me?"
程放看着她生气的脸,道:“那就当我是吧!”顿了顿,又道,“你总是这么任性了,脾气一点都不好,什么都要我依着你,我累了!”
Cheng Fang looked at her angry face and said, "Then treat me as if I were." Pausing, he added, "You're always so capricious, with such a bad temper. You want everything your way, and I'm tired of it!"
满腔的愤怒让许煦忽视了对面的男生颓然而沮丧的语气,怒不可遏地用力推了他一把:“分手就分手,你以为我稀罕你!”
Her full rage ignored the despondent tone of the boy across from her, and she forcefully pushed him, "If you want to break up, then break up! Do you think I care about you?"
说完,摔门而出。
With that, she slammed the door and stormed out.
她跑得又急又快,压根儿就不看路,一口气刚刚跑出男生宿舍,冷不防就与迎面而来的一个男生撞了个满怀。本来是她撞了人家,但那人身体坚硬挺拔,她没把人怎么着,自己倒是差点被反弹力撞得差点跌倒,还是对方伸手及时将她扶住。
She ran so fast and so urgently that she didn't even look where she was going. Before she could even leave the male dormitory, she collided with a boy coming from the opposite direction. Although she was the one who had run into him, his body was firm and upright, and she didn't hurt him. However, she almost stumbled backward due to the rebound force, and it was his hand that steadied her in time.
“你没事吧?”柏冬青见她站稳,才将手慢慢松开。
"Are you alright?" Bai Dongqing slowly released his hand after she had regained her balance.
许煦抬头,看到这张许久未见的面孔,微微一怔,也不知为何,刚刚那种几欲发狂的怒气就莫名平静了几分,人也清醒了不少,她勉强朝他笑了笑:“没事,不好意思,撞到你了。”
Xu Xu looked up and saw a face she hadn't seen in a long time, which made her slightly startled. For some reason, the intense anger she had just felt seemed to subside, and she felt more alert. She 勉强 smiled and said, "I'm fine, sorry for bumping into you."
柏冬青俊秀的眉头微微蹙起,定定看着她,迟疑了片刻,才开口试探问道:“你……来找程放吗?”
Bai Dongqing's handsome brows furrowed slightly as he stared at her. After a moment of hesitation, he tentatively asked, "Are you looking for Cheng Fang?"
第12节
Chapter 12
程放的名字,让刚刚平静几分的许煦心中立马又涌上一股烦躁,她不想多说,语气也就有些不好:“我和他已经分手了。”说完绕开他走开,走了几步,又觉得自己和程放的破事干嘛迁怒别人,于是有些愧疚地转头道,“对了学长,恭喜你司考第一,拿到公派名额去藤校,之前就想当面恭喜的,但一直没遇到你。”
Cheng Fang's name immediately stirred up a wave of irritation in Xu Xu's heart, which had just calmed down. She didn't want to say more and her tone was a bit harsh: "We have already broken up." After saying this, she walked around him and walked a few steps before feeling a bit guilty for taking out her frustration on someone else. She then turned her head and said, "By the way, Senior, congratulations on being the top scorer in the bar exam and getting a scholarship to a prestigious university. I wanted to congratulate you in person before, but I never ran into you."
柏冬青点点头:“谢谢。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Thank you."
许煦扯了扯嘴角,朝他摆摆手:“那再见!”
Xu Xu tugged at the corner of her mouth and waved at him: "Then, goodbye!"
柏冬青抬起手,一声“再见”还没出口,许煦已经转身走开,再没有回头。
Bai Dongqing raised his hand, but before he could say "goodbye," Xu Xu had already turned and walked away, not looking back.
他站在原地,默默看着她的背影,直到消失不见,自己才转过身往宿舍走。
He stood there, silently watching her figure until it disappeared, then turned and walked towards the dormitory.
宿舍中,程放正在收拾行李。
In the dormitory, Cheng Fang was packing his luggage.
“今天就走了吗?”
Are you leaving today?
程放抬头看了进来的人一眼,低低嗯了一声:“我哥晚上来接我。”顿了顿,又道,“老三,你待会儿陪我去喝一杯吧!”
Cheng Fang looked up at the person who had come in and murmured, "My brother will pick me up tonight." Pausing, he added, "Old Three, will you accompany me for a drink later?"
柏冬青点头:“真的就这样和许煦分手了吗?”
Bai Dongqing nodded. "So you really broke up with Xu Xu like that?"
程放怔怔地看着地上的行李箱,神色黯然道:“不分能怎样?其实几个月前就该分的,一直拖到了现在。”
Cheng Fang stared blankly at the luggage on the ground, his expression somber. "What else could we do? We should have split up months ago, but we kept dragging it out."
“她什么都不知道,是吗?”
She knows nothing, right?
程放点头:“这是我自己的事,跟她无关,她不需要知道。”
Cheng Fang nodded: "This is my own business, and it has nothing to do with her. She doesn't need to know about it."
柏冬青看着他,沉默了良久,又才低声开口:“可是……她会很难过的。”
Bai Dongqing looked at him, silent for a long time, before speaking softly: "But... she will be very sad."
程放抬头对上他的眼睛:“如果真是这样,我应该高兴不是吗?这说明她在乎我。”他顿了顿,又才继续,“我其实特别自私,明明不想让她难过,可是又希望她能为我难过,因为只有这样,才能证明我对她来说很重要。”
Cheng Fang raised his head and met his eyes: "If that's the case, shouldn't I be happy? This means she cares about me." He paused, then continued, "I'm actually very selfish. Even though I don't want her to be sad, I still hope she will be sad for me, because only then can it prove that I am important to her."
他说完站起来,拍拍自己这个相处四年如兄弟的男生肩膀,对着他有些茫然不解的眼神,苦笑道:“跟你说这些,你可能也不懂。等你哪天遇到喜欢的女孩子,就明白了。”
After saying this, he stood up and patted the shoulder of this boy he had been with for four years as brothers. Looking at the confused and incomprehending expression, he smiled bitterly and said, "You might not understand this now. But one day, when you meet a girl you like, you will understand."
柏冬青神色莫辨地看着他,嘴唇嚅嗫了片刻,到底什么都没说,只微不可寻地点了点头。
Bai Dongqing looked at him with a complex expression, her lips moving for a moment before she ultimately said nothing, only nodding slightly.
*
虽然这回吵架升级到了说分手,但许煦大概真的是被程放纵容习惯了,她潜意识还是认为这跟之前无数次的小打小闹没什么差别,她还等着程放来跟自己道歉,只不过这回他实在是太过分了,即使他道歉了,她也要再晾他几天。
Although this time the argument had escalated to the point of breaking up, Xu Xu probably really had gotten used to being indulged by Cheng Fang, and subconsciously still believed that it was no different from the countless minor squabbles before. She was still waiting for Cheng Fang to apologize to her, but this time he had gone too far. Even if he did apologize, she would still need to give him a few more days.
然而几天过去了,她没能等来程放的任何消息。没有电话,没有短信,也没在宿舍楼下看到他徘徊的身影。
However, several days passed, and she didn't receive any news from Cheng Fang. No phone calls, no text messages, and no sight of him pacing around the dormitory building.
“煦儿,你和程放怎么回事?真分手了吗?”就这样快过了一个星期,中午在宿舍休息,冯佳风风火火从外面跑进来问。
"Xu'er, what's going on with you and Cheng Fang? Did you really break up?" It was almost a week later, and during her nap in the dormitory, Feng Jia ran in from outside, breathless and asking.
许煦这几天没等来程放的求和,正郁闷着,听了这话,便有些赌气道:“是啊!真分了。”
Xu Xu hasn't heard from Cheng Fang's request for reconciliation these days and was feeling depressed. Hearing this, he said with a pout, "Yes! We really did break up."
冯佳试探问:“那你没事吧?”
Feng Jia tentatively asked, "So you're okay with that?"
许煦不甚在意道:“分个手而已,我能有什么事!”
Xu Xu didn't take it seriously and said, "Just a breakup, what could I possibly be okay with!"
冯佳松了口气:“那就好,我听大四的学姐说,程放出国了,还想着你好像都不知道,怕你知道了难过呢!”
Feng Jia let out a sigh of relief, "That's good. I heard from a senior in the fourth year that Cheng Fang has gone abroad, and I was wondering if you knew about it. I was afraid you might be sad if you found out!"
许煦抬头震惊地看向她:“你说什么?”
Xu Xu looked up in shock and stared at her: "What did you say?"
冯佳:“……我说程放出国了,你……”
Feng Jia: "...I said Cheng Fang has gone abroad, you..."
她话还没说完,许煦已经蹭的一下从椅子上跳起,飞快跑出了宿舍。冯佳皱眉看向大开的门口消失的身影,忧心忡忡皱起了眉头。
Before she could finish speaking, Xu Xu had jumped up from his chair and ran out of the dormitory at a sprint. Feng Jia frowned at the open door, her expression worried as she watched the disappearing figure.
飞奔下楼的许煦满脑子都是惊愕和不可置信,程放从来没说过自己要出国,怎么可能忽然出国?
Running down the stairs, Xu Xu's mind was filled with shock and disbelief. Cheng Fang had never said he was going abroad, how could he suddenly leave?
她一口气跑到那间自己去过无数次的宿舍,还没抬手敲门,门已经从里面打开,这回开门的不是程放,而是柏冬青。
She ran all the way to the dormitory she had visited countless times. Before she could even raise her hand to knock, the door opened from inside, and this time it was not Cheng Fang but Bai Dongqing who opened it.
许煦看了他一眼,默默越过他走进屋内。那张原本属于程放的桌子和床位已经空空荡荡,这意味着什么,她不会不明白。
Xu Xu glanced at him, silently stepping over him to enter the room. The desk and bed that originally belonged to Cheng Fang were now empty, and what that meant, she was not unaware of.
她转头茫然地看向旁边的男生:“学长,程放呢?”
She turned her head and looked at the boy next to her blankly: "Senior, where is Cheng Fang?"
柏冬青漆黑如墨的眼睛微微闪了闪,犹豫了片刻,低声道:“……他走了。”
Bai Dongqing's eyes, dark as ink, flickered slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "…He's gone."
“去哪里了?”
Where have you been?
“和家人一起出国了。”
Abroad with my family.
许煦沉默了半晌,怔怔点头:“哦!”
Xu Xu fell silent for a moment, then nodded blankly: "Oh!"
她的脑子在这一刻彻底空白,这超出了她所能思考的范围。她想过和程放吵架和好,甚至也想过真的分手,但绝对没想到过他会不告而别。
Her mind went completely blank at that moment, exceeding the scope of her thoughts. She had thought about arguing with Cheng Fang and making up, and even considered a real breakup, but she never imagined he would leave without saying a word.
以至于她一时找不准现在该有什么情绪。难过?痛苦?还是愤怒?
She couldn't quite pinpoint what emotion she should be feeling—sadness? pain? or anger?
她完全不知道了,只是有些茫然地往外走,却也不晓得自己这是要哪里去。
She had no idea where she was going, just walking aimlessly out, though she didn't know the direction either.
柏冬青蹙眉看着她不紧不慢地出门,没有开口叫住她。在犹豫片刻后,默默跟着走了出去。
Bai Dongqing frowned as she watched her leave slowly without calling her back. After a moment's hesitation, he silently followed her out.
如今已经入夏,午后的阳光炙热,校道的学生们,都很聪明地走在树荫下,许煦却对似乎对这烈日浑然不觉,毫无顾忌地将自己暴露在明晃晃的阳光下。
It was already late spring, and the afternoon sun was scorching. Most students walked under the shade of the trees, but Xu Xu seemed oblivious to the heat, exposing herself to the bright sunlight without any concern.
路过一处篮球场时,一个篮球忽然飞过来,砸在肩膀,然后落在地上。
Passing by a basketball court, a basketball suddenly flew over and hit her shoulder before landing on the ground.
柏冬青明显看到她身体歪了一下,心里不由得跟着一紧,但被砸中的女孩却仿佛没什么感觉。
Bai Dongqing could clearly see her body tilt slightly, and his heart tightened involuntarily. But the girl who was hit seemed to have no reaction.
“美女!帮忙捡一下球!”球场挥汗如雨的男孩朝这边叫道。
"Beautiful lady! Could you help pick up the ball?" the boy sweating profusely on the court called out towards her.
许煦置若罔闻,跨过篮球继续往前走。
Xu Xu ignored him, stepped over the basketball, and continued walking forward.
柏冬青走上去,弯身将那颗已经停下的篮球,丢回了操场,然后又默默跟上去。
Bai Dongqing walked over, bent down, and tossed the basketball that had stopped back onto the playground, then followed silently.
许煦不知道自己走了多久,等她回过神,人已经不知不觉走到校外,她目光落在旁边的星巴克,走了进去,问服务生要了杯拿铁,也没在收银台等,直接去落地窗旁的位子坐下。
Xu Xu didn't know how long she had walked. When she came to her senses, she had unknowingly walked to the school's 校外 (校外 means "outside the school" and is kept as is). Her gaze fell on the Starbucks beside it, and she walked in, ordering a latte from the staff. She didn't wait at the counter but went straight to sit at a table by the floor-to-ceiling window.
跟进来的柏冬青看了她一眼,走到收银台前,随便要了杯美式咖啡,然后将许煦那杯已经做好的咖啡要过来,问相识的服务生要了工具,在上面拉了一朵漂亮的花,然后端着两杯咖啡来到了许煦桌前,拉花的拿铁放在她面前,另一杯放在她对面。
Bai Dongqing, who came after, glanced at her and walked to the counter. She ordered a regular Americano coffee and then took over Xu Xu's coffee that was already prepared. She asked the familiar barista for some tools and drew a beautiful flower on it. Then, she carried both cups of coffee to Xu Xu's table, placing the latte with the design in front of her and the other one on the opposite side.
许煦正怔怔看着玻璃窗外发呆,对于身旁的一切浑然不觉。直到柏冬青在她对面坐下,她才蓦地回神,表情却依旧有些茫然:“学长,你怎么在这里?”
Xu Xu was staring blankly out the window, not noticing anything around her. It wasn't until Bai Dongqing sat down across from her that she suddenly snapped back to attention, her expression still somewhat dazed: "Senior, how did you end up here?"
柏冬青望着她,喉咙微微滑动下:“……路过。”
Ba Dongqing looked at her and his throat moved slightly: "…Just passing by."
许煦低头看向面前咖啡上的拉花,那图案有些特别,她问:“这是向日葵吗?”
Xu Xu looked down at the latte art on the coffee in front of her. The pattern was a bit unusual, so she asked, "Is this a sunflower?"
柏冬青点头。
Ba Dongqing nodded.
许煦道:“很漂亮。”
Xu Xu said, "It's very pretty."
柏冬青弯唇笑了笑,没有说话。
Bai Dongqing curved his lips into a smile and did not speak.
很多人只知道向日葵象征着阳光,却不知它的花语是——沉默的爱。
Many people only know that sunflowers symbolize sunshine, but they do not know that their meaning is—silent love.
许煦心不在焉地盯着那朵花,看了许久才抬头,冷不丁问:“程放出国的事,早就告诉过你们吗?”
Xu Xixin stared absentmindedly at the flower for a long time before looking up and suddenly asked, "Did Cheng Fang tell you about his going abroad long ago?"
柏冬青迟疑了下,摇头:“也是回来答辩才知道的。”他认真看着他,默了片刻,又才道,“他不是故意瞒着你的。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "I only found out when he came back for the defense." He looked at him seriously, paused for a moment, and then added, "He didn't intentionally keep it from you."
许煦怔了片刻,回神,故作轻松地耸耸肩:“无所啦,反正我们已经分手。”
Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment, then regained her composure and shrugged nonchalantly: "No worries, anyway, we've already broken up."
柏冬青眉头微微蹙起,过了半晌,试探问:“你真的没事吗?”
Bai Dongqing's brow furrowed slightly. After a moment, she tentatively asked: "Are you really okay?"
“没事啊!”许煦摊摊手。
"Of course I'm fine!" Xu Xu shrugged her hands.
不过就是分手吗?当然不会有事。但她此刻一点都不愿意去想这个问题,看了眼柏冬青的杯子,转移话题:“你喜欢喝什么咖啡?”
It was just a breakup, after all, so naturally there was nothing wrong. But at that moment, she didn't want to think about it at all. She glanced at Bai Dongqing's cup and changed the subject: "What kind of coffee do you like?"
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“其实我很少喝咖啡,不是很了解。”
Bai Dongqing lightly smiled and said, "Actually, I don't drink coffee very often, so I'm not very familiar with it."
许煦奇怪问:“你在这里打工不是可以免费喝吗?”
Xu Xu asked curiously, "If you're working here, shouldn't you be able to drink it for free?"
柏冬青点头:“是可以免费喝,但是没有时间。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "I can drink it for free, but I don't have the time."
总是匆匆来匆匆去,哪里会有闲心品尝像小资们一样静坐下来品尝咖啡,说起来这竟是他人生头一次。
He was always rushing in and out, so he never had the leisure to sit and savor coffee like the bourgeoisie. In fact, this was his first time doing so.
许煦想了想道:“我听说公派给的奖学金很充裕,你以后可以专心学业,不用打工了。“
Xu Xu thought for a moment and said, "I heard that the scholarship provided by the public fund is quite generous. You can focus on your studies from now on and don't need to work part-time anymore."
柏冬青微微笑了笑:“是的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly. "Yes."
许煦平日里话多,每次遇到沉默寡言的柏冬青,都是主动找话说,但是现在脑子和心里空空荡荡,没有半点说话的欲望,勉强说完这几句,就低下头,看着咖啡表面那朵精致的拉花出神,过了片刻,终于还是拿起勺子搅拌开来,然后端起杯子一口气喝了半杯。
Xu Xu was usually talkative, and whenever he encountered the reserved Bai Dongqing, he would proactively start a conversation. But now, his mind and heart were empty, with no desire to speak. After forcing out those few words, he lowered his head, staring at the delicate latte art on the surface of his coffee, lost in thought. After a moment, he finally picked up a spoon to stir the coffee, then lifted the cup and drank half of it in one go.
放下杯子后,她也没想起擦嘴角,站起身朝柏冬青挤出一个笑容:“学长,你慢慢喝,我走了!”
After putting down the cup, she didn't even remember to wipe her mouth. She stood up and forced a smile at Bai Dongqing, saying, "Senior, you take your time. I'm leaving!"
柏冬青抬头对上她的眼睛,点点头没有说话,只是目送她走出咖啡厅,才又低下头。
Ba Dongqing looked up at her eyes and nodded, saying nothing. He merely watched her leave the coffee shop before lowering his head again.
他端起面前的咖啡慢慢呷了一口,没有加糖的黑咖啡,香气浓郁,却也苦味十足。
He picked up the coffee in front of him and took a slow sip, the unsweetened black coffee rich in aroma but also overwhelmingly bitter.
他一个人坐了片刻,将两只杯子端起来,来到收银台。
He sat alone for a moment, then carried the two cups to the cashier.
“小安,你帮我把这两个杯子装起来,我以后不来了,想留个纪念。”
Xiao An, help me pack these two cups. I won't be coming anymore, but I want to keep a memento.
叫小安的男生也是大学生,和他很熟,笑着道:“店里有售卖的杯子,你登记一下,拿一套回去就好啦,干嘛要用过的?”
The boy named Xiao An is also a college student and he knows him well. Smiling, he said, "There are cups for sale in the store. Just register and take a set home. Why use a used one?"
柏冬青微微笑了笑:“我就是拿回去作纪念,这个就好。”
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly: "I just want to take it back as a souvenir. This one is fine."
小安若有所思点点头:“我知道了,因为是自己喝过的更有意义,对不对?”
Xiao An nodded thoughtfully: "I see. Because it's more meaningful to use one you've drunk from, right?"
柏冬青勾了勾唇,不置可否。
Bai Dongqing curled her lips, remaining silent.
小安拿过杯子,边帮他清理打包,边随口问道:“冬青,听说你要出国了是吗?”
Xiao An took the cup and, while helping to clean and pack, casually asked, "Dongqing, I heard you're going to study abroad. Is that true?"
柏冬青点头:“嗯!”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Mm-hmm!"
小安露出羡慕的笑容:“真好啊!以后你肯定前途无量的。哪像我,读个三本学校,指不定毕业了还要继续在这里做咖啡呢”
Xiao An wore a look of envy: "That's great! You're definitely going to have a bright future. Unlike me, I'm just a third-tier school student, and I might still be making coffee here after graduation."
柏冬青默了片刻,似是想到什么似的,低声道:“……其实做咖啡也挺好的啊!”
Bai Dongqing fell silent for a moment, as if thinking of something, and then whispered, "Actually, making coffee is pretty good too!"
小安将杯子递给他,笑嘻嘻道:“你别安慰我了,做咖啡能有什么前途?”
Xiao An handed him the cup and smiled, saying, "Don't try to comfort me. What future could there be in making coffee?"
柏冬青没说话,只是抿唇笑了笑,接过杯子后道了声再见,转身离开。走到店门时,却又停下来,回过头朝收银台看去。
Bai Dongqing didn't say anything, just pursed his lips and smiled. After taking the cup, he said goodbye and turned to leave. When he reached the store door, he stopped and turned back to look at the cash register.
他想起之前好多个日子,他就站在小安的位置,低头做着咖啡,而在收银台外,有一个等咖啡的女孩,站在他对面认真看着他。
He recalled many days when he had stood where Xiao An was, bending down to make coffee, while a girl waiting for her coffee stood opposite him, looking at him intently.
他做咖啡其实很快,但却会故意一点一点放慢手上的动作。他虽然低着头,但是知道那一刻,她看向自己的眼神,一定是专注而欢喜的。他也知道,只有那一刻,自己真真切切地在她眼中。
He could actually make coffee quite quickly, but he would deliberately slow down his movements. Although he was looking down, he knew that at that moment, her gaze would be focused and joyful. He also knew that only at that moment, he truly existed in her eyes.
那些午后,总是有温暖的阳光,有咖啡的香味,偶尔还有舒缓动人的音乐。有自己,有她,没有孤独。
Those afternoons were always filled with warm sunlight, the aroma of coffee, and occasionally soothing and touching music. There was just himself and her, with no loneliness.
他有时候便想,时间如果凝固在那宁静的两分钟里,该多好!
Sometimes, he wished that time could freeze in those two minutes of tranquility!
也只有在那个时候,他才敢生出那么一点妄想。
It was only then that he dared to indulge in such fanciful thoughts.
所以,做咖啡是真的挺好的。
So, making coffee is really quite good.
收银台的小安觉察他的目光,抬头看去,正要开口说话,门口的人却又已经转身离开。
The cashier Xiao An noticed his gaze and looked up. Just as he was about to speak, the person at the door had already turned and left.
“冬青怎么有点怪怪的!”小安奇怪地嘀咕了一句。
"Something seems off with Dongqing!" Xiao An muttered curiously.
作者有话要说: 热烈欢送程男配下线~撒发发~
Author's Note: I warmly bid farewell to Cheng Nánpèi as he logs out~ sprinkling some joy!
程放放:我福汉三还会肥来的!!
Cheng Fàngfàng: Even Fú Hán Sān will come fat and healthy back in!!
第16章
Chapter 16
分手以及程放的不告而别,似乎并没有给许煦带来多大影响, 她几乎没有半点失恋人该有的状态。仍旧是该吃吃该喝喝, 每天与室友傻乐。因为不需要再谈恋爱约会, 还三不五时跟宿舍里的好学生吴小南去上自习, 荒废的学业竟然捡回了不少。
The breakup and Cheng Fang's sudden departure seemed to have had little impact on Xu Xu. She showed no signs of a broken-hearted person. She continued to eat and drink as usual, still laughing with her roommates every day. Since she no longer needed to date, she would sometimes go to the study room with her good student roommate, Wu Xiaonan, and surprisingly managed to reclaim much of her neglected studies.
以至于连最亲近的几个室友,都以为她是真的没把失恋当一回事。
To the point where even her closest roommates believed she truly didn't take the breakup seriously.
一次上课的间隙, 许煦和冯佳去安全楼梯的楼道透气, 还没进去, 便隐约听到两个女孩提起她的名字。
During a break in class, Xu Xu and Feng Jia went to the corridor of the safety stairs to get some fresh air. Before they even entered, they could vaguely hear two girls talking about her name.
“你瞧瞧许煦,当初和程放谈恋爱的时候多高调啊!整天在宿舍楼下秀恩爱,生怕人家不知道她男朋友是程放似的。我还当多情比金坚呢, 还不是毕业就分手。人家学长肯定也就是在大学的时候玩玩儿,毕业了就甩了。”
Look at Xu Xu back then when she was dating Cheng Fang! She was so loud about it, always showing off their love downstairs in the dormitory, as if she was afraid people wouldn't know her boyfriend was Cheng Fang. I thought being multi-loved was a sign of strength, but it ended in a breakup right after graduation. The seniors probably just played around in university and dumped their partners once they graduated.
第13节
Chapter 13
冯佳转头,紧张地看向许煦, 只见她扯扯嘴角, 一脸满不在乎的神色。
Feng Jia turned her head and nervously looked at Xu Xu. She saw Xu Xu pull at the corner of her mouth with a carefree expression.
冯佳眉头蹙起,大力将门推开, 朝里面两人冷笑道:“谁大学谈恋爱不是玩玩儿, 不过要找个程放那样的男友玩玩儿也还是要点资本的, 不是随便什么火柴妞都行。”
Feng Jia's eyebrows knitted together as she forcefully pushed the door open and coldly said to the two people inside, "Who doesn't play around in university when dating? But to play around with a boyfriend like Cheng Fang, you still need some capital, not just any matchstick girl will do."
两个女生是隔壁班的同学, 不过点头之交, 彼此完全不熟悉,见背后碎嘴编排人家被抓了个现行,一时尴尬的面红耳赤, 尤其是当冯佳这种大美人讥诮地说出“火柴妞”三个字,两人更是无地自容,支支吾吾着离开了。
Two girls were classmates from the neighboring class, but they were merely acquaintances, completely unfamiliar with each other. Caught in the act of gossiping behind someone's back, they felt awkward and blushed, especially when Feng Jia, this beautiful woman, mockingly said "Fire 柴 Girl." The two felt utterly humiliated and stammered as they left.
许煦跟着冯佳走进去,叹了口气道:“说实话,我其实觉得跟程放谈恋爱谈得挺亏的。”
Xu Xu followed Feng Jia inside and sighed, "To be honest, I actually feel like I've lost out dating Cheng Fang."
“啊?”冯佳疑惑地看向她,不知道她要说什么。
"Ah?" Feng Jia looked at her in confusion, not knowing what she meant.
许煦愤愤然道:“奶奶的!跟那么个大帅比谈了快两年,竟然没把他给睡了,我特么就是个白痴啊,简直亏大了!”
Xu Xu fumed, "Damnit! I dated such a handsome guy for almost two years and still didn't manage to sleep with him. I'm such an idiot, I've really lost out!"
说完就没心没肺大笑起来。
He finished speaking and burst out laughing without a care.
冯佳怔了下,在她肩膀轻轻揍了两拳,笑道:“看来你真没事啊!之前看你跟人分手了没半点反应,还想着你是不是憋着呢!”
Feng Jia was taken aback for a moment before gently punching her on the shoulder and smiling, "It seems you really are fine! Before, when I saw you break up with someone, you didn't react at all, and I was wondering if you were holding it in!"
许煦昂昂头,傲娇道:“当然没事,不就是分个手么?旧的不去新的不来,多得是帅哥在前方等我呢!”
Xu Xu raised her head high, speaking with a touch of petulance, "Of course I'm fine, it's just a breakup. The old should leave and the new should come, there are plenty of handsome guys waiting for me ahead!"
冯佳大笑,只是目光里却隐隐有些担忧。
Feng Jia laughed loudly, but there was a faint hint of concern in her eyes.
六月底是许煦的生日。二十岁,一个有着重大意义的生日,自然要过得隆重,父母虽然没有赶过来为她庆祝,但是提前寄了礼物,还给她拨了一笔生日基金,让她请室友们去腐败。
By the end of June, Xu Xu's birthday was approaching. At twenty years old, a milestone birthday naturally deserved to be celebrated grandly. Although her parents couldn't make it to celebrate with her, they had sent gifts in advance and even set aside a birthday fund for her to treat her roommates to a good time.
那天是周五,下午正好没课,许煦带着三个室友,跑出去吃喝玩乐半天,晚上还胡吃海喝了一顿生日大餐,又去唱歌,回到学校,已经快十点。
That day was a Friday, and there were no classes in the afternoon. Xu Xu took her three roommates out to eat, drink, and have fun for the whole day. In the evening, they indulged in a grand birthday dinner and went singing. By the time they returned to school, it was almost ten o'clock.
往常这个时间,学校虽然还有人来人往,但比起白天,已然宁静得像另一个世界。但是今晚,整个宿舍区,却出奇得喧嚣热闹,校道上大队大队的学生敲敲打打唱唱跳跳,仿佛是在过着什么狂欢日。
Usually, at this time, although there were still people coming and going on campus, it was already quiet, almost like another world compared to the daytime. But tonight, the entire dormitory area was unusually bustling and lively. Students were marching and dancing down the school paths, as if celebrating some kind of carnival day.
“对了,今天毕业典礼呢!这届大四今天正式毕业啦!”王妍最先反应过来。
"Right, today is the graduation ceremony! This year's seniors will officially graduate today!" Wang Yan was the first to realize.
江大有毕业夜游的传统,许煦在学校待了两年,见识过一次学校毕业夜的盛况,只是时隔一年,已经有些陌生了。
Jiang Da You has a tradition of night tours after graduation. Xu Xu had witnessed the grandeur of the school's graduation night party during her two years there, but it felt somewhat unfamiliar after a year.
现下看着不远处一队不知哪个学院的毕业生,拿着饭盒敲敲打打,还有人大声喊着心上人的名字表白,她忽然就怔忡在原地。
Now, seeing a group of graduates from an unknown college nearby, banging on their food boxes and loudly shouting out their loved ones' names to confess their feelings, she suddenly stood still in her place.
冯佳见她停下脚步,拉了拉她,笑道:“跟鬼哭狼嚎似的,咱们赶紧回去休息吧,累得不行了!”
Feng Jia noticed her pause and tugged at her, smiling and saying, "It sounds like a cacophony of ghosts and wolves wailing. Let's go back and rest. We're exhausted!"
许煦回神:“你们先回去吧,我在外面乘会儿凉。”
Xu Xu returned to her senses and said, "You guys go back first. I'll stay outside and enjoy the cool air for a while."
王妍:“你不累啊?”
Wang Yan: "You're not tired?"
“还行吧!”许煦挥挥手做出一个赶他们走的姿势,自己朝旁边长椅跑去。
"Alright, I guess!" Xu Xu waved his hand to gesture for them to leave and ran towards a nearby bench.
王妍也没在意,挽起另外两个小伙伴的手臂:“走吧走吧,让她一个人在这里思考人生。”
Wang Yan didn't pay much attention and linked arms with the other two companions: "Let's go, let's go. Let her think about life on her own here."
冯佳忧心忡忡朝许煦看了眼,微微叹了口气,跟着王妍走了。
Feng Jia looked worriedly at Xu Xu and sighed slightly before following Wang Yan.
六月末已经进入这个城市的炎夏,今天又是个大晴天,即使是到了夜晚,也还是热的厉害。
By the end of June, the city was already in the scorching summer, and today was another sunny day. Even at night, it was still unbearably hot.
许煦本来之前唱歌的时候就喝了点啤酒,这会儿还真是燥得很,也许不止是身体的热,而是心里头忽然生出的抓心挠肺般的焦躁。
Xu Xu had already had a few beers while singing before, and now she was really restless. It wasn't just the heat in her body, but a sudden, unbearable anxiety in her heart.
这时,一群夜游的毕业生从她跟前喧嚣而过,有男生敲着饭盒大叫:“莫云云,我爱你!我要和你永远在一起!”
At that moment, a group of night-wandering graduates passed by her, with a male student banging on his 饭盒 (metal food container) and shouting loudly: "Moyunyun, I love you! I want to be with you forever!"
许煦怔了片刻,脑子里一根不知绷了多久的弦,突然咔擦一声断掉了。好像有一股巨大的力量,瞬间将她的内心全部掏空。
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment. A string that had been tightly stretched in her mind for an unknown period of time suddenly snapped with a crack. It felt as if a massive force had instantly drained her inner self.
失恋该有的情绪,在经过一个多月后,忽然就后知后觉地袭来。痛苦、挫败、迷茫……
The emotions of a broken heart suddenly hit her after more than a month, overwhelming her with pain, defeat, and confusion...
铺天盖地,排山倒海,天崩地裂。
They came pouring in, like a tidal wave, shaking the very foundations of the earth.
她这个时候才意识到,那个陪伴他快两年,填满了她生活的男生,是真的已经离开了。
It was then that she realized the boy who had been by his side for nearly two years, filling her life, had truly left.
一时间无法承受的痛苦,让她心脏都疼起来,蓄积多时的泪水,决堤而下。
The pain was too much to bear at the moment, causing her heart to ache. The tears that had been building up for a long time finally overflowed.
她手忙脚乱掏出手机,拨通了那个已经好久没拨过的号码。
She frantically pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in a long time.
“您拨叫的电话暂时无法接通。”
Your call cannot be connected at the moment.
再拨。
She dialed again.
“您拨叫的电话暂时无法接通。”
Your call cannot be connected at the moment.
再拨。
Redial.
……
…
机械冰冷的女声始终重复着这句话。
The mechanical female voice continued to repeat those words.
魔怔般拨了十几遍之后,许煦终于放弃,然后又想到什么似的,调出手机那个很少用的男生宿舍号码。
After going through the gesture of dialing several dozen times in a trance-like state, Xu Xu finally gave up, then remembered something and pulled up the phone number of the male dormitory, which he rarely used.
电话响了七八声,许煦正要挂掉时,忽然有人接起。
The phone rang eight or nine times, and just as Xu Xu was about to hang up, someone suddenly picked up.
“喂!”一道清润的男声从电话中传来。
"Hello!" A clear and smooth male voice came from the phone.
许煦怔了一下,旋即情绪彻底崩溃,对着电话里大叫道:“程放!你这个王八蛋!你这个骗子!你说过要留在江城做检察官,和我永远在一起的,你说过要让我看到你的诚心,继续等我的。你说今天是你的毕业礼,我的成人礼!你为什么不讲信用,出尔反尔!你这个骗子!大骗子!”
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment, then her emotions completely broke down, and she shouted into the phone, "Cheng Fang! You bastard! You liar! You said you would stay in Jiangcheng to be a prosecutor and be with me forever. You said you would let me see your sincerity and continue to wait for you. You said today was your graduation ceremony and my coming-of-age ceremony! Why don't you keep your word and go back on your promise! You liar! Big liar!"
她边哭边骂,却词穷得厉害,翻来覆去只有这几个字,直到最后终于只剩下了上气不接下气的抽泣声。
She cried and cursed, but her words were exhausted, repeating only those few words until finally, all that was left was ragged sobs.
电话那头的人,沉默地听着她的控诉和哭声,直到她许久没再开口,才出声道:“许煦,我是柏冬青。”
The person on the phone listened silently to her accusations and sobs until she stopped speaking for a long time, then said softly, "Xu Xu, I am Bai Dongqing."
他的声音很轻,带着点小心翼翼。
His voice was very light, with a hint of caution.
许煦愣了下,挂掉电话,继续埋头痛哭。
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment, hung up the phone, and continued to sob deeply.
柏冬青是十分钟后,找到许煦的。
Bai Dongqing found Xu Xu ten minutes later.
他拖着一个行李箱,在长椅上的女孩跟前站住,却没有唤她,直到她哭得差不多抬起头抹脸时,才递上一张已经在手中攥了不知多久的纸巾。
He dragged a suitcase and stopped in front of a girl on a bench, but did not call out to her. Only when she had cried until she could barely lift her head to wipe her face did he offer her a handkerchief that he had been holding for an unknown duration.
许煦本来哭了这么久,已经后继无力,但抬头看到来人,接过他手中的纸巾后,也不知为何,再次悲从中来,又稀里哗啦哭起来。
Xu Xu had been crying for so long that she was now exhausted, but when she looked up and took the handkerchief from him, she inexplicably felt a surge of sorrow and began to cry again.
柏冬青默默看着她,仍旧一言不发。
Bai Dongqing watched her silently, still saying nothing.
宿舍里其他两个人都已经在毕业典礼后就离校。想到即将远离,他心中有些依依不舍,于是留守到了这个时候。
The other two people in the dormitory had already left after the graduation ceremony. Thinking about the impending separation, he felt a tinge of reluctance, so he stayed until this moment.
当他拉着行李箱出门,正要把封条贴在宿舍门上时,忽然听到宿舍里的电话响起。
When he pulled his suitcase out and was about to affix the seal to the dorm room door, he suddenly heard the phone ringing inside the dorm.
他本来是没打算接的,但是听着那电话锲而不舍地响了六七声,他犹豫了片刻,还是重新打开门,匆匆走进去将电话接起。
He had originally not planned to answer it, but as the phone persisted and rang six or seven times, he hesitated for a moment before re-opening the door and rushing in to pick up the call.
里面传来的声音,他再熟悉不过,只是那原本快乐的声音,这一次却是在电话中痛哭。
The voice on the other end was all too familiar to him, but this time it was crying in pain, something he had never heard before.
在他对她所有的记忆里,她总是快乐的,好像永远都是那么无忧无虑。可原来她也有这么难过的时候。
In all his memories of her, she was always happy, seemingly carefree and worry-free. But now he realized she had moments of such deep sorrow.
他知道她的眼泪,是为谁在流?所以他连走上去,替她擦干眼泪的资格都没有。
He knew whose tears they were for, so he didn't even have the right to walk up and wipe them away.
十几分钟后,将多年来没流过的眼泪都哭干的许煦,终于哭够了。她抽噎着抬起头,目光落在柏冬青身后的箱子,哽咽着问:“学长,你是回家吗?”
Several minutes later, Xu Xu, who hadn't cried in years, finally cried her fill. She hiccupped as she lifted her head, her gaze falling on the box behind Bai Dongqing, and she choked out, "Senior, are you going home?"
柏冬青点头:“嗯。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "Yes."
许煦抹着眼睛,站起来,颤抖着声音道:“学长,我今晚不想回宿舍,可不可以去你家借宿一晚?”
Xu Xu wiped her eyes and stood up, her voice trembling as she said, "Senior, I don't want to go back to the dorm tonight. Can I stay at your place for one night?"
因为先前喝过一点啤酒,又哭得太厉害,她脑子里这会儿已经混混沌沌,根本意识不到自己在说什么,只是想着自己这个样子太狼狈,不想让室友们看到,或者说想暂时逃离这块悲伤之地。
Because she had drunk a little beer earlier and cried so intensely, her mind was now a jumbled mess, and she was completely unaware of what she was saying. She just thought that her current state was too humiliating and did not want her roommates to see her, or perhaps she wanted to temporarily escape this place of sorrow.
柏冬青仍旧默默看着她。因为哭了太久,眼皮已经红肿,但她似乎浑然不觉,抬头对着他的眼睛,在等他的答案。
Bai Dongqing still looked at her silently. Her eyelids were already swollen from crying for too long, but she seemed completely unaware of it, lifting her head to meet his eyes, waiting for his answer.
他知道自己应该拒绝的,他们其实连朋友都算不上,甚至都不能说熟悉。一个女生跟着不熟悉的男生回家过夜,想想都很荒谬。
He knew he should refuse. They weren't even friends, let alone familiar with each other. A girl staying overnight with an unfamiliar boy—it was absurd to think about.
何况他心中那不为人知的心思,让他根本无法去坦然地答应。
Moreover, the secret feelings in his heart made it impossible for him to agree calmly.
但是对着那双红肿可怜的眼睛,他发觉拒绝的话无论如何都说不出口,良久,终于还是点了点头:“嗯。”
But facing those red, pitiful eyes, he found himself unable to utter a refusal, no matter how he tried. After a long moment, he finally nodded: "Mm."
许煦显然是松了口气,她擦了擦泪痕,将手中的纸巾丢在一旁的垃圾桶里,混混沌沌跟着柏冬青的脚步往校外走去。
Xu Xu clearly let out a sigh of relief. She wiped away her tears, threw the tissue into the nearby trash can, and followed Bai Dongqing out of the school in a daze.
两个人谁都没有说话,许煦是脑子混沌,心不在焉,而柏冬青向来就是如此沉默寡言,两人各有所思,倒也不算尴尬。
Neither of them said a word. Xu Xu's mind was foggy and she was absent-minded, while Bai Dongqing was always taciturn. Each lost in their own thoughts, they didn't find the silence awkward.
柏冬青家离学校很远,好在有一趟直达的公交车,这会儿已经是末班,车上只有寥寥几个人。两人找了位子坐好,许煦靠着窗,柏冬青坐在她旁边,仍旧没有说话,看过去就像是没有任何关系的乘客。
Bai Dongqing's home was far from the school, but fortunately, there was a direct bus. It was already the last bus, and there were only a few people on the bus. They found seats and sat down. Xu Xu leaned against the window, while Bai Dongqing sat next to her, still not speaking. They looked like any other passengers with no connection.
夜晚的道路畅通无阻,车子开得快而平稳。
The road was clear at night, and the car moved fast and smoothly.
兴许是真的累了,车内又有舒适的空调,许煦便在这摇摇晃晃中靠在窗边睡了过去。
Perhaps she was truly tired, and with the comfortable air conditioning in the car, Xu Xu leaned against the window and fell asleep.
柏冬青看了看她露在空气中的胳膊,从箱子里找出一件外套,小心翼翼搭在她身上。这细微的动静,没有让她醒过来,只是闭眼呢喃着稍稍换了个姿势。
Bai Dongqing looked at her exposed arm and carefully took out a coat from the box, placing it over her. This subtle movement did not wake her, and she merely closed her eyes and murmured, slightly adjusting her position.
车子偶有颠簸,她额头便会随之在玻璃窗上轻轻磕一下,然后眉头微微蹙起,大概还是有些疼。
When the car jolted, her forehead would gently bump against the glass, causing her to frown slightly, probably still feeling a bit of pain.
柏冬青思忖片刻,将手臂从她后方伸过去,手掌贴在窗户上,把她的脸和玻璃隔开,用手给她当枕头。
Ba Dongqing pondered for a moment, then extended his arm behind her, placing his palm against the window to separate her face from the glass, using it as a pillow for her.
那是一个类似于环抱的姿势,但他身体坐得笔直,除了垫在他脸侧的手掌,两人没有任何身体接触。
It was a hug-like posture, but his body was straight, and apart from the hand resting beside his face, there was no physical contact between the two of them.
然而手掌传来的温度,还是让他心猿意马,心乱如麻。
Still, the warmth transmitted through his hand was enough to make his mind wander and his thoughts chaotic.
脑袋不再因为车子颠簸被磕碰,许煦终于是沉沉睡去。
With the car's bumps no longer jarring his head, Xu Xu finally fell into a deep sleep.
柏冬青默默凝视着那张与自己只隔着咫尺距离的侧脸,皮肤白皙,眼皮微微红肿,偶尔有城市的霓虹从车窗外划过,便衬得这张脸愈发恬静又楚楚可怜。
Ba Dongqing silently stared at the side profile of the face just an arm's length away from her, skin pale and eyelids slightly puffy. Occasionally, the city's neon lights would flicker past the window, making the face appear even more serene and pitiful.
许煦无知无觉地睡了一路,柏冬青也就一直保持着这个姿势一动不动。
Xu Xu slept through the entire journey without any awareness, and Ba Dongqing remained in the same position, motionless.
整整四十分钟。
Full forty minutes.
第17章
Chapter 17
公交在终点站停下,空荡荡的车厢里只剩下了他们两人。许煦还睡得人事不知。柏冬青小心翼翼将手掌抽开, 又把她身上搭着的外套拿走收好, 这才轻声唤:“到了!”
The bus stopped at the terminal station, leaving the empty 车厢里只剩下了他们两人。许煦还睡得人事不知。柏冬青小心翼翼地抽开手掌,又把搭在她身上的外套拿走收好,这才轻声唤:“到了!”
没有反应。
No response.
他稍稍提高声音:“许煦, 到了!”
He slightly raised his voice: "许煦, 到了!"
许煦终于迷迷糊糊睁开眼睛, 惺忪地看了下周围,一时竟不知今夕何夕, 直到目光落在身旁柏冬青的脸上, 才稍稍清明。
许煦终于迷迷糊糊地睁开眼睛,惺忪地看了看周围,一时竟不知今夕何夕,直到目光落在身旁柏冬青的脸上,才稍稍清明。
公交车里的灯已经亮起, 暖黄的灯光让他本来就温润的面容,显得更加沉静柔和。许煦还未来得及升起的惶恐和无措,瞬间就消失殆尽。
The lights in the bus had already come on, casting warm yellow light that made Xu Xu's already gentle features appear even more serene. The fear and unease that had just begun to rise in her vanished instantly.
虽然这是深夜陌生的地方, 但只要是柏冬青,好像也就没有什么可不安的。
Even though it was the middle of the night in a strange place, as long as it was Bai Dongqing, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.
柏冬青见她本来朦胧的眼神逐渐清晰,起身拉起旁边的箱子, 淡声道:“下车吧!”
Seeing her eyes gradually becoming clearer, Bai Dongqing stood up and pulled the suitcase beside her, speaking in a calm voice, "Get off the bus!"
“哦。”许煦慢悠悠站起来, 刚刚睡了一路,这会儿才发觉半边身子发麻, 还没走出来, 就差点一个趔趄, 还是柏冬青眼明手快将她给扶住了。
"Oh," Xu Xu slowly stood up. After sleeping through the journey, she only just realized that half her body was numb. Before she could step out, she almost stumbled, but Bai Dongqing quickly caught her.
“谢谢!”许煦讷讷道。
"Thank you!" Xu Xu said hesitantly.
柏冬青微不可寻地“嗯”了一声, 慢慢走在她前面, 领着她下车。
Bai Dongqing murmured an "mm" almost imperceptibly and walked slowly in front of her, leading her out of the car.
这一块已经快接近市郊,比起学校所在的繁华区,几乎看不到任何霓虹闪烁, 到了这个时间,周遭早已经陷入沉睡的寂静中,只偶尔有路边草木中的虫鸣传来。
This area was nearly at the outskirts of the city, and compared to the bustling district where the school was located, there was hardly any neon light visible. By this time, the surroundings had already fallen into a deep silence, with only the occasional chirping of insects from the roadside vegetation.
许煦转头环顾了下四周,陌生的街道里,看不到任何人影。她有些忐忑地往前走了两步,与柏冬青并排而行。
Xu Xu turned her head to look around, and in the unfamiliar streets, she could not see any figures. She walked forward a few steps with some trepidation, walking alongside Bai Dongqing.
柏冬青转头,借着昏暗的路灯,看了她一眼,柔声道:“没事的,这里治安不算差,前面的就是小区门口。”
Bai Dongqing turned his head, and under the dim streetlight, he glanced at her softly, saying, "It's fine. The local security isn't bad, and that's the entrance to the neighborhood ahead."
许煦顺着他手指的方向看去,大概往前几十米的地方,便是一个小区的大门。听他这样说,她也就不再害怕了。
Xu Xu followed the direction of his finger. About fifty meters ahead was the entrance to a residential complex. Hearing him say this, she no longer felt afraid.
月朗星稀,夜色安宁,一路清风徐来,虽然心中还是像是被人挖了一块空空洞洞,但那种绞痛感却已经消失殆尽。
The moon was bright, the stars few and far between, and the night was peaceful. A gentle breeze blew along the way, though her heart still felt as if a void had been left behind, the intense pain had already subsided.
许煦默默跟着柏冬青,没有再说话,一路宁静的只有两人徐徐的脚步声,以及行李箱轮子在地面的滚动声。
Xu Xu silently followed Bai Dongqing, not saying a word. The only sounds were their slow footsteps and the rolling of the luggage wheels on the ground.
进了小区后,没多久就到了柏冬青家的单元楼。老式的低层楼房,没有门禁也没有电梯,脚步踏在楼梯的水泥地面,昏暗的声控灯随之亮起。
After entering the residential area, it didn't take long to reach the apartment building of Bai Dongqing. The old, low-rise building had no security gates or elevators. As footsteps echoed on the cement floor of the stairs, the dim motion sensors lights turned on.
“到了。”走到三楼,柏冬青停下脚步,低低道了一声,拿出钥匙,将老式的防盗铁门打开,又打开里面的木门,“进来吧!”
"Here we are." Walking to the third floor, Bai Dongqing stopped and softly said, took out the key, opened the old-fashioned anti-theft iron door, and then opened the wooden door inside. "Come in!"
他把箱子拉进去,放在玄关,从旁边的鞋架,拿了一双拖鞋,弯身放在许煦脚边。
He pulled the box in and placed it by the entrance. From the nearby shoe rack, he took a pair of slippers and bent down to place them by Xu Xu's feet.
第14节
Chapter 14
许煦默默脱了脚下的帆布鞋,穿上那双男式凉拖,跟着他进入屋内。
Xu Xu quietly took off his canvas shoes and put on the pair of men's flip-flops, following him into the house.
“你坐一会儿,我给你倒杯水。”
You can sit for a while. I'll get you a glass of water.
到底是忽然身处一个陌生的房间,许煦有些局促地点点头,然后在客厅的布沙发坐下。待柏冬青去厨房,她下意识环顾了一下周围,这是一间很小的客厅,不算明亮的灯光下,是再简单不过的装修,但房间很干净,干净得几乎没有一点烟火味。
Since he suddenly found himself in a strange room, Xu Xu nodded somewhat uneasily and sat down on the living room's cloth sofa. When Bai Dongqing went to the kitchen, she subconsciously looked around. The living room was quite small, and under the not-so-bright lights, the decoration was extremely simple. But the room was very clean, almost without any trace of home cooking.
柏冬青很快端了杯水出来,放在她面前的茶几,温声提醒她:“你今晚不回宿舍,还没电话告诉你室友吧?”
Bai Dongqing quickly brought a glass of water out and placed it on the coffee table in front of her, softly reminding her, "You won't be going back to your dorm tonight, right? Haven't you told your roommates yet?"
许煦这才反应过来,赶紧从包里掏出手机,手机也不知何时被她给关了机。刚刚开机,就有电话进来,她看到是冯佳的号码,迅速按下接听,还没说话,那边已经喘着气噼里啪啦问道:“你跑去哪里了?我跟王妍在学校找了你一圈都没找到,电话也打不通,都快吓死人了,差点就要去报警了 !”
Xu Xu only then realized what was happening and quickly pulled out her phone from her bag. The phone had apparently been turned off at some point. As soon as she turned it back on, she received a call. Seeing it was Feng Jia's number, she quickly pressed the button to answer. Before she could say anything, the other end was already panting and asking rapidly, "Where did you go? I looked all over the school for you and couldn't find you. I couldn't reach you on the phone either, and I was about to be so scared that I almost called the police!"
等她一口气说完这一串,许煦才有些没底气回道:“我到朋友家玩,今天不回宿舍了。”
After she finished her breathless rant, Xu Xu replied a bit uncertainly, "I went to a friend's place to play. I won't be returning to the dorm tonight."
“什么?什么朋友?大半夜就这么跟人跑了?”
What? What kind of friend? Running off with someone in the middle of the night like that?
许煦抬头看了眼站在一旁的柏冬青,低声道:“是很好的朋友,我没事的,你不用担心,明天一早就回宿舍。”
Xu Xu looked up at Bai Dongqing standing beside her and whispered, "It's a very good friend. I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'll be back at the dorm tomorrow morning."
“行吧!你自己当心点。”冯佳也知这个时候不可能让人回来,只能作罢,想了想又补充道,“有什么事情马上给我打电话。”
Alright! Take care of yourself." Feng Jia also knew that it was impossible to send someone back at this time, so he had to give up. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Call me immediately if there's anything.
许煦轻笑了一声:“能有什么事?都说了是很好的朋友。”
Xu Xu chuckled: "What could possibly happen? I've already said it's a good friend."
“好吧,那你休息,明天早上回来,周一还有最后一堂考试呢!”
Alright, then you rest. Come back tomorrow morning. There's still one final exam on Monday!
“明白。”
I understand.
挂了电话,许煦朝柏冬青道:“学长,给你添麻烦了!”
After hanging up, Xu Xu said to Bai Dongqing, "Senior, I'm sorry for the trouble!"
柏冬青摇摇头:“没事的,我给你找了身换洗衣服放在卫生间,你洗个澡好好睡一觉。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head. "It's fine. I've put some clothes for you to change in the bathroom. Go take a shower and get some rest."
许煦点头:“谢谢。”
Xu Xu nodded. "Thank you."
她将包丢在沙发,慢吞吞去了卫生间。
She threw her bag on the sofa and slowly went to the bathroom.
老房子的洗手间很小,不过两三平米,除了一个马桶和简易盥洗池,就什么都没有了。盥洗池旁的架子,放着一套整整齐齐的球衣,想来就是柏冬青为她准备的睡衣,盥洗池上有一只瓷杯,瓷杯上横搁着一支没有开封的牙刷,自然也是他为她准备的。
The bathroom of the old house was tiny, barely three square meters, containing only a toilet and a simple washbasin. Beside the washbasin was a shelf holding a neatly folded set of sports jerseys, which must have been Bao Dongqing's sleepwear for her. Above the washbasin was a porcelain cup, on which lay an unopened toothbrush, naturally also prepared by him.
许煦心中微动,将那支廉价的牙刷打开,又从另一只的杯子里拿出牙膏挤在上面,开始对着镜子刷牙。她这才发觉自己眼睛红肿得厉害,简直像个女鬼一样,好在这么狼狈的模样,只有柏冬青一个人看到。
Xu Xu's heart stirred slightly as she opened the cheap toothbrush, squeezed some toothpaste onto it from another cup, and began brushing her teeth in front of the mirror. She only then realized how swollen her eyes were, looking almost like a ghost. Fortunately, such a disheveled appearance was only seen by Bao Dongqing.
刷完牙,又迅速洗了个战斗澡。
After brushing her teeth, she quickly took a fighting shower.
柏冬青个子高,他的球衣穿在许煦身上,松松垮垮的一直盖在了大腿,裤衩就更夸张,许煦的两条细腿空空荡荡,裤子似乎随时都会掉下来。
Bao Dongqing was tall, and his jerseys hung loosely on Xu Xu, covering her thighs. His underpants were even more exaggerated, leaving Xu Xu's two slender legs hanging in the air, as if the pants could fall off at any moment.
“我洗好了!”她磨磨蹭蹭从卫生间走出来,有点不好意思。
"I'm done washing!" She finally emerged from the bathroom, moving slowly and feeling a bit embarrassed.
坐在沙发的柏冬青看了她一眼,很快不着痕迹地移开目光,朝一扇房门指了指:“床铺已经收拾好了,你去睡吧!”
Bai Dongqing, sitting on the sofa, glanced at her and quickly averted his gaze, pointing to a door. "The bed is already made. Go to sleep!"
“哦!”许煦攥了衣服挪到门口,朝里面看了眼。屋内虽然摆设简单,但看得出这就是一个男生的房间,她转头看向他,“我把你床睡了,你睡在哪里?“
Oh!" Xu Xu held her clothes and moved to the door, glancing inside. Although the room was simple, it was clear that it was a boy's room. She turned to him and asked, "I'll take your bed. Where will you sleep?
柏冬青道:“我在沙发睡就好了。”
Bai Dongqing replied, "I'll sleep on the sofa."
家里有两间卧室,但父母过世后,那间主卧就再没有住过人。
There are two bedrooms in the house, but after my parents passed away, the master bedroom hasn't been occupied by anyone.
许煦对自己的鸠占鹊巢有些犹豫:“学长……”
Xu Xu was hesitant about occupying the other person's bed: "Senior..."
柏冬青看她一眼,轻笑一声:“没事的,你睡吧,我平时看电视经常睡沙发的。”
Bai Dongqing gave her a look and chuckled lightly: "Don't worry, you can sleep. I usually fall asleep on the sofa when I watch TV."
许煦虽然心有愧疚,但也知道他那样的人,决然是不会让女生睡沙发的,于是点点头:“……晚安。”
Although Xu Xu felt guilty, she also knew that a person like him would never let a girl sleep on the sofa. So she nodded: "…Goodnight."
“晚安。”
Goodnight.
柏冬青的床不大,被子有些旧了,是再朴素不过的颜色,但是洗得很干净,没有半点让人反感的异味,反倒有种清新的香气。睡在这样的床上,许煦也就没有什么不安,只是明明很困很倦,可关了灯后,却辗转反侧,怎么都睡不着。
Bai Dongqing's bed was not large, and the quilt was somewhat old, in the simplest possible color. However, it was washed very clean and had no unpleasant odor; instead, it had a fresh scent. Lying on such a bed, Xu Xu did not feel particularly uneasy, yet despite being very tired, she tossed and turned after turning off the light, unable to fall asleep.
也不知道过了多久,她从床头柜上摸出手机打开,时间显示还有十分钟就到十二点。
She didn't know how much time had passed, but she reached out to her bedside table and opened her phone. The time showed that it was still ten minutes away from midnight.
十二点也就意味着她二十岁的生日过去了。心里头忽然就没来由的一阵焦躁,好像有什么亟待完成的事情,还没有完成,必须要今天做完才行。
Midnight meant that her twenty-first birthday had already passed. Suddenly, she felt a sense of urgency in her heart, as if there was something that needed to be completed today, and it had to be done tonight.
“我的毕业礼,你的成人礼。”
我的毕业礼,你的成人礼。
程放的话蓦地萦绕在她的脑子里,像是魔咒一样挥之不去。
Cheng Fang's words suddenly echoed in her mind, like a curse that wouldn't go away.
她大口呼吸了几下,还是无法平息身心的焦躁,烦躁地从床上爬起来,赤脚走到门口,将房门轻轻打开。
She took several deep breaths, but still couldn't calm her agitated mind and body. Annoyed, she got out of bed and walked to the door, gently opening it with bare feet.
客厅的灯已经关掉,小小的房间安静得似乎落根针都能听到,以至于沙发上男生的呼吸,在空气中都显得有些明显。
The living room lights were already off, and the small room was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard. As a result, the boy's breathing on the sofa stood out in the air.
窗外的月光打进来,落在柏冬青身上。因为沙发窄小,他双腿微微曲起,脸朝外侧着,胸口下半搭着一条毛巾被,一只手垂落在沙发下,一只手覆盖在眼睛上。
The moonlight from outside shone through the window, falling on Bai Dongqing's body. Since the sofa was narrow, he slightly curled his legs, facing outward, with a towel blanket draped over his lower chest. One hand hung beneath the sofa, while the other covered his eyes.
许煦怔怔地看着这个或许还并算不上熟悉的男生,身体里亟待释放的焦躁和压抑,让她的心中涌上一个疯狂而荒谬的念头,并迅速如泄洪般一发不可收拾,思想和行为很快就不受自己控制,只有个声音在叫嚣着驱使着她去完成这个疯狂的行为,为自己这段失败的恋情和二十岁的生日,画上一个句点。
Xu Xu stared at this boy who was perhaps still not entirely familiar to her, her body filled with a desperate and pent-up restlessness and suppression. This led to a 疯狂而荒谬的念头涌上心头, and it quickly spread like a flood, uncontrollable by her thoughts and actions. Only a voice was urging her to complete this crazy act, to put an end to her failed relationship and her twenty-first birthday.
她悄无声息地走过去,在沙发前蹲下,几乎没有半点犹豫,便伸出双手将上面的男生抱住。
She moved silently over, knelt down in front of the sofa, and without hesitation, she reached out and embraced the boy above.
本来就只是浅眠的柏冬青,被突然袭来的温热,吓得惊醒,下意识往沙发内侧躲开。
Bai Dongqing, who was already only lightly sleeping, was startled awake by the sudden warmth and instinctively moved towards the inner part of the sofa to avoid it.
许煦追过去,再次将他抱住,脸靠在他的脖颈。
Xu Xu chased after, hugging him tighter, a vulnerability of fear of rejection washing over him as tears streamed down his face, choked out, "Ple... please, don't reject me!"
柏冬青伸手想将她推开,低声道:“许煦,你别这样!”
Bai Dongqing reached out to push her away, whispering, "Xu Xu, don't do this!"
然而许煦却将他抱得更紧,一股害怕被人拒绝的脆弱袭来,顿时泪如雨下,哽咽道:“求……求你,别拒绝我!”
But Xu Xu held him even tighter, a sense of fear of rejection overwhelming him, tears falling as he choked out, "Ple... please, don't reject me!"
说着,嘴唇从他侧脸的弧线滑到他的唇角,边哭边将他后面要说的话堵住了。
As he spoke, his lips traced the curve of his cheek, sliding to his lips, the tears and sobs muffling the words he wanted to say behind him.
柔软温热的触感,让柏冬青浑身僵住,脑子一片空白,也忘了再将她推开。
The soft and warm touch made Bai Dongqing's body stiffen, his mind blank, and he forgot to push her away.
许煦却像是沙漠的旅人,一下寻到了绿洲一般,急切又用力地去吸允这张温暖湿润的唇,仿佛这里变成了她的生命之源,所有挫败和痛苦都要从这里发泄开去。
Xu Xu, however, was like a traveler in the desert who had found an oasis, eagerly and forcefully sucking on this warm and moist lip, as if it had become her source of life, where all her frustration and pain could be released.
她半压在他身体上,终于将他紧闭的唇撬开,勾出了里面更加湿润温暖的地方。
She half pressed herself onto his body, finally forcing his tightly closed lips apart, revealing the even more moist and warm interior.
柏冬青被她这样吻着,早已经失去思考能力,只有心脏擂鼓般狠狠在跳动着。
Bai Dongqing, kissed in this manner, had long lost the ability to think, only feeling his heart pounding fiercely.
不够!还不够!
Not enough! It's still not enough!
这样的吻还远远无法让她彻底解放,许煦急切地将手从柏冬青t恤下摆探进去。
Such a kiss was far from enough to completely liberate her. Xu Xu urgently inserted her hand into Bai Dongqing's t-shirt.
但是当她正要往下滑去时,却被一只有力的手,隔着单薄的衣料,紧紧攥住。
But just as she was about to slide down, a strong hand gripped her, holding her tightly through the thin fabric.
她用力几次想挣开,却没有成功,想要作乱的手动弹不了,便急得更加用力地亲吻着身下的人,咬他的耳朵,亲吻他的喉结,无所不用其极,想用这种方式软化他。
She struggled several times to break free but failed. Her restless hands couldn't move, so she kissed the person beneath her even more urgently, biting his ear and kissing his Adam's apple, using every means possible to soften him.
柏冬青没有躲开,但是抓着她的手,却始终没有松开,仅存的意志力坚守着最后这道岌岌可危的防线。
Bai Dongqing did not dodge, but even as he held her hand, he did not let go, holding on to the last fragile line of defense with his remaining willpower.
许煦亲了好久,还是没能让他顺从自己,不由得焦灼地抬起头,自上而下看着他。
Xu Xu kissed him for a long time, but still could not make him submit to her, and thus anxiously raised her head to look down at him from above.
她没有说话,只是抽噎着,满脸急切和哀求,眼泪如雨水般往下掉落。滴在柏冬青的脸上,眼睛和嘴唇。
She did not speak, only sobbing, her face filled with urgency and pleading, tears falling like rain. They dripped onto Bai Dongqing's face, his eyes, and his lips.
暗淡的月光下,他看不太清楚她的脸,但是却能看到眼泪落下时,一闪而过的晶莹。
In the dim moonlight, he could not see her face clearly, but he could see the fleeting sparkle of the tears as they fell.
眼睛睁不开了,因为她的眼泪落了进去;嘴中有苦涩的味道,亦是她的眼泪。
Her eyes couldn't stay open because her tears had fallen in; her mouth tasted bitter, also due to her tears.
他抵挡住了她的吻,却终于还是在她的眼泪中,丢盔卸甲。
He resisted her kiss, but in the end, he surrendered in her tears.
那只隔着衣服紧紧攥着许煦的手,终于一点一点松开。
That hand, which had gripped Xu Xu's through her clothes, finally loosened bit by bit.
……
第18章
Chapter 18
随着攥住自己的手缓缓卸力,许煦也稍稍松弛下来, 她有些委屈地抽噎了两声, 又有两滴泪水掉落下来。
As Xu Xu released the hand she was holding, she relaxed slightly. She sniffled a couple of times, and two more tears fell.
柏冬青抬手轻轻为她抹了抹脸上的水迹, 哑声道:“不要哭了!”
Bai Dongqing raised his hand and gently wiped the moisture from her face, whispering, "Don't cry!"
许煦点点头, 瓮声瓮气问:“你能抱着我吗?”
Xu Xu nodded and asked in a hoarse voice, "Can you hold me?"
柏冬青迟疑片刻,终于还是伸手将她抱在怀里。
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment before finally wrapping his arms around her.
许煦闭眼趴在他身上, 嘴唇摸索着向上, 再次寻到那张温暖的唇。这一次她没有向之前那样急躁, 只试探着吮了吮,慢慢探进去。
Xu Xu closed her eyes and lay on top of him, her lips searching upward until they found the warm ones again. This time, she did not rush as she had before; instead, she gently sucked and slowly explored.
柏冬青一开始还是有些犹豫,但很快便被这从未体会过的黏缠给击溃, 开始配合着她的唇舌,交缠在一起。
Bai Dongqing was initially hesitant, but soon the unfamiliar clinging broke through his doubts, and he began to cooperate with her lips and tongue, entwining with her.
他明知道这是错误的,明知道她这样做是为什么, 也知道明天醒来, 或许她就会后悔。可是仅存的理智,已经消失殆尽。他不知道到底因为她的哀求和眼泪, 还是……其实就是因为自己心中罪恶的念想作祟。
He knew it was wrong, knew why she was doing this, and knew that perhaps she would regret it when she woke up tomorrow. But the last shred of reason had already vanished. He didn't know if it was because of her pleading and tears, or... simply because of the sinful thoughts in his own heart.
总之, 从来不会犯错的柏冬青, 终于还是要犯错了。
In the end, the ever-perfect Bai Dongqing finally made a mistake.
相较于他的挣扎, 许煦倒是笃定许多, 明明是并不算熟悉的男生,她却发觉自己丝毫不排斥这样的亲密,甚至觉得只是和他接吻, 心里头的焦躁便慢慢被抚平。
Compared to his struggle, Xu Xu was much more certain. Although he was a boy she wasn't particularly familiar with, she found herself not at all averse to such intimacy, and even felt that her anxiety gradually subsided just from kissing him.
她停留在他体恤下解放了的手,轻轻在他薄薄的腹肌上移动,划过劲瘦的腰身,一路往下。
She paused her hand, which had been freed by his consideration, and gently moved it over his thin abdomen, tracing his slender waist, and continuing downward.
她没有经验,只是凭着自以为是的理论知识去操作,自然是一塌糊涂。不仅自己趴在柏冬青怀中疼得直吸气,被她压在身下的男生,也可怜地闷哼了几声。
She had no experience, and naturally, her attempt was a complete disaster. Not only was she gasping in pain as she lay on Bai Dongqing's chest, but the boy beneath her also let out a few pained grunts.
可即使这样,两个生涩的年轻男女也在兵荒马乱中渐渐意乱情迷。
Even so, the inexperienced young man and woman gradually fell under each other's spell amidst the chaos.
许煦不知道是什么时候结束的,只觉得自己像是飘荡在水上的小舟,一开始不过是清风浮动着,但很快就被卷入惊涛骇浪。过了许久,才卸力般趴在柏冬青身上迷迷糊糊喘息。
Xu Xu did not know when it ended, only feeling as if he was a small boat floating on water. At first, it was just a gentle breeze, but soon he was caught in a storm. After a long while, he finally collapsed on Bo Dongqing, breathing heavily and half-asleep.
她记得是柏冬青将她抱回卧室的床上,但他似乎并没有躺下,隐约是坐在床边看着自己。她不知道他看了多久,因为那压抑在心中的焦躁释放后,整个人就彻底松弛下来,沾上床很快就进入了黑甜乡,沉沉睡去。
She remembered that Bo Dongqing had carried her back to the bedroom bed, but he seemed not to have lain down, sitting by the edge of the bed looking at her. She did not know how long he had been looking, because after the pent-up anxiety was released, her entire body relaxed completely, and she fell into a deep sleep almost immediately.
许煦这一觉睡到天光大亮才转醒。
Xu Xu slept until the light of dawn before waking up.
她睁开眼睛,看着陌生的天花板,怔忡了许久,才慢慢想起自己置身何处。她没有失忆,昨晚的画面,也清清楚楚悉数回到她的脑子里。
She opened her eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, dazed for a long while before slowly recalling where she was. She hadn't lost her memory; the scenes from last night were vividly clear in her mind.
她懊恼得拍了下自己脑门。
She pounded her forehead in frustration.
这会儿她的脑子已经很清醒,她知道自己昨晚是因为毕业日触景生情情绪奔溃,才会做出这么冲动的事。但失个恋自己发疯去发泄也就罢了,为什么要去祸害别人?如果是其他人也就算了,为什么偏偏是柏冬青?
Now her mind was quite clear, and she knew that last night she had broken down emotionally on her graduation day, which had led to her acting impulsively. But it was one thing to go crazy and vent over a breakup, and quite another to harm others. If it had been anyone else, it would have been one thing, but why did it have to be Bai Dongqing?
她还很清楚地记得,他昨晚一开始是如何拒绝自己的。
She could still clearly remember how he had initially refused her last night.
呼!
Hmph!
她懊恼极了。
She was extremely frustrated.
现在想起来,宁愿是和什么陌生人发生一夜情,也不愿是柏冬青啊!
Now that she thinks about it, she would rather have had a one-night stand with a stranger than with Bai Dongqing!
虽然昨晚那种让她几欲爆炸的焦躁和挫败已经烟消云散,但懊悔、愧疚、难堪,一股脑涌上来。
Although the intense anxiety and frustration from last night had dissipated, regret, guilt, and embarrassment flooded her all at once.
她用力在床上滚了两下,深呼吸了口气坐起来,床头柜上整整齐齐放着她的衣服。她揉揉脑袋,拿过衣服换上,趿着拖鞋,蹑手蹑脚出门。
She rolled on the bed a couple of times, took a deep breath, and sat up. Her clothes were neatly placed on the bedside table. She rubbed her head, took the clothes, put them on, and tiptoed out in slippers.
刚刚走到门口,就撞上从餐厅过来的柏冬青,他眼下有些发青,显然是没睡好,一脸平静地看了她一眼,问:“起来了?”
Just as she reached the door, she bumped into Ba Dongqing coming from the dining room. He had dark circles under his eyes, clearly not having slept well, and looked at her calmly before asking, "You're up?"
许煦不自在地摸了摸耳朵,支支吾吾道:“学长,昨晚……对不起!”
Xu Xu fidgeted and mumbled, "Senior, last night... I'm sorry!"
柏冬青沉默地看了她片刻,温声道:“是我的错。”
Ba Dongqing looked at her silently for a moment before speaking softly, "It's my fault."
许煦睁大眼睛看他,她太了解他是什么样的人,所以明明是她的错,却还要揽在自己身上,怎么会有这么傻的男生?
Xu Xu opened her eyes wide at him. She knew him too well to believe that he would take the blame for her mistake, so how could there be such a silly boy?
她急忙道:“学长,我……”
She hurriedly said, "Senior, I..."
柏冬青露出一个淡淡的微笑,打断她:“我做了早餐,你去洗漱吧,吃了再回学校。”
Bai Dongqing gave her a faint smile and interrupted her, "I made breakfast. Go wash up, and come back to school after you've eaten."
“哦!”许煦点头,有些泄气。毕竟话题尴尬,她也不想再继续纠缠下去,就当什么都没发生好了。
"Oh!" Xu Xu nodded, feeling a bit deflated. After all, the topic was awkward, and she didn't want to continue the conversation. She might as well pretend nothing had happened.
早餐简单又不简单,摊得金黄的鸡蛋饼,熬好的小米粥,还有切得整整齐齐的水果。
Breakfast was simple yet not simple, with golden pancake eggs, well-cooked 小米粥, and neatly sliced fruits.
到底还是尴尬,两个人坐在餐桌吃饭时,除了许煦夸了一句“好吃”,谁都没有说话。
It was still awkward. When the two sat at the table to eat, apart from Xu Xu complimenting, "Tasty," no one else said a word.
直到吃完,柏冬青才站起来,将一个小药片递给她,轻声道:“以防万一,把这个吃了吧!”
It wasn't until they finished eating that Bai Dongqing stood up, handed her a small pill, and whispered, "Just in case, take this!"
许煦目光瞥了眼那药盒上的字,面红耳赤地接过来,“哦”了一声。
Xu Xu glanced at the words on the pill box, blushing as she took it, "Oh."
“你坐在沙发等我一会儿,我洗了碗,就送你出去坐车。”
Sit on the sofa and wait for me a moment, I'll wash the dishes and then send you out to catch your ride.
第15节
Chapter 15
“嗯。”
Okay.
许煦攥着药盒子,默默走到沙发,又悄悄朝厨房看了眼。那道清瘦挺拔的身体站在灶台前,正在认真地清理收拾。
Xu Xu held the medicine box tightly and walked silently to the sofa, glancing discreetly at the kitchen. A slender and tall figure stood in front of the stove, methodically cleaning and tidying up.
她收回目光,下意识环顾了下这昨晚没来得及仔细打量的房子。
She 收回 her gaze and subconsciously looked around the house she hadn't had time to inspect thoroughly last night.
现下有阳光照进来,一切便尽收眼底。
Now with the sunlight streaming in, everything was clearly visible.
这是老国企的福利房,应该很有些年头,客厅很小,无论是寥寥的家具,还是简单的几样电器,都是很老旧的款式,显然是用了很多年。
This was a welfare apartment from an old state-owned enterprise, likely quite old. The living room was small, and both the few pieces of furniture and the simple appliances were clearly outdated, having been used for many years.
这些东西,大概从他父母过世后,就没有换过吧!想到一个男生从十四岁就在这屋子里独自生活,许煦心里头不由自主涌上一股心酸。以至于觉得这简单干净的房间,莫名透着点凄凉和孤独感。
These items probably hadn't been replaced since his parents passed away! Thinking of a boy living alone in this house from the age of fourteen, Xu Xi couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness. As a result, she found this simple and clean room tinged with a sense of loneliness and desolation.
她想了想,从包里拿出钱包。
She thought for a moment and took out her wallet from her bag.
昨天过生日从银行取了很多钱,她将钱包里剩下的一叠百元钞票拿出来,偷摸摸朝厨房的方向看了眼,又转过头看了下四周,悄悄将这叠钱塞进了沙发扶手的缝隙里。
Yesterday, on her birthday, she had withdrawn a lot of money from the bank. She took out a stack of one-hundred-yuan bills from her wallet, glanced furtively in the direction of the kitchen, then turned her head to check her surroundings, and quietly slipped the money into the gap between the sofa armrests.
这房子这么干净,想必他经常打扫,等过两天他发现这笔钱,大概也不会想到是自己留下的,指不定是以为什么时候落在这沙发里的。
The house was so clean; she supposed he must clean it frequently. When he discovers this money in a couple of days, he probably won't think it's left by her, and might assume it fell there at some point.
许煦有点为自己的小聪明骄傲。
Xu Xu was a bit proud of her cleverness.
她放好钱,目光被电视上方的一幅照片吸引,那上面是一家三口,穿着军装的男人英武挺拔,靠在他身旁的女人清秀文气,两人中间是个七八岁的漂亮男孩,一看就是缩小版的柏冬青。
She placed the money and her gaze was drawn to a photo above the television. It showed a family of three: a man in military uniform standing tall and resolute, a woman by his side who was delicate and refined, and a beautiful boy around seven or eight years old, clearly a miniature version of Bai Dongqing.
“走吧!”柏冬青从厨房走出来道。
"Bai Dongqing, let's go!" she said as she came out of the kitchen.
许煦点点头站起身,指了指墙上的照片:“我们家也有一幅这样的全家福。”她顿了顿,“我爸爸以前也是军人。”
Xu Xu nodded and stood up, pointing to the photo on the wall. "We have one like this too." She paused. "My father used to be a soldier as well."
柏冬青微微笑了笑,点头。
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly and nodded.
两个人一前一后下楼,这会儿已经九点多,朝阳明晃晃挂在天空,有清风拂过,竟有些难得的舒爽。刚刚走出单元楼,迎面一个六十多岁的老太太,一手提着一袋米,一手拉着一个装菜的小拖车走过来,笑嘻嘻看着两人打招呼:“冬青,出门啊?这姑娘是你对象吗?什么时候有的,没听你说过呢!”
The two people walked down the stairs one behind the other. It was already after nine, and the sun was brightly shining in the sky. A gentle breeze blew, bringing a rare comfort. Just as they stepped out of the apartment building, a woman in her sixties approached them, holding a bag of rice in one hand and pulling a small cart with vegetables in the other. She smiled and greeted them, "Dongqing, going out? This young lady is your partner? When did you get her? I haven't heard you mention her!"
柏冬青笑了笑不置可否,朝许煦道:“你稍等我一下。”
Bai Dongqing smiled but didn't comment, turning to Xu Xu and saying, "Wait for me a moment."
许煦不明所以,只见他走到那老太太跟前,将她手中的米袋和拖车接过去提起:“王奶奶,我帮你送上去。”
Xu Xu was puzzled, but he saw Bai Dongqing walk up to the old lady and take the rice bag and the cart from her hands. "Aunt Wang, I'll help you carry it up," he said.
老太太笑呵呵道:“要是现在年轻人都像冬青这么懂事就好啦。”说着又转头朝许煦道,“小姑娘,冬青可是个好孩子,你要对他好好的啊!”
The old lady chuckled, "If all young people were as considerate as Dongqing, that would be wonderful." She then turned to Xu Xu and said, "Little girl, Dongqing is a good child. You should take good care of him!"
许煦抿嘴笑了笑,看着走在老人家前面,一手提米一手提小车的柏冬青,已经迅速进入单元楼。
Xu Xu pursed her lips and smiled, watching Bo Dongqing walk ahead of the elderly couple, carrying a bag of rice in one hand and a small cart in the other, already quickly entering the apartment building.
他穿着一件发旧的白t恤,看起来清瘦单薄。但她知道,他身体下也有分明的肌肉,这是一个如松柏般坚韧的男生。
He was wearing an old white t-shirt that looked slightly worn, giving him a slender and frail appearance. But she knew that beneath his body were distinct muscles, making him a boy as resilient as a pine tree.
待人进入楼梯看不见,许煦才转过头,目光不经意瞥到旁边的花坛,几朵黄色的野花,正在阳光下开得灿烂。
When the people ahead entered the staircase where they couldn't be seen, Xu Xu turned her head, her gaze inadvertently falling on a nearby flower bed. A few bright yellow wildflowers were blooming vibrantly in the sunlight.
她弯身闻了闻,摘下一朵朝天空举起来。看着这多在风中微微摇曳的小花,不知为何,心情忽然就豁然开朗,然后不由自主笑了。
She bent down to smell them, plucking one and holding it up to the sky. Looking at this small flower swaying gently in the wind, for some reason, her mood suddenly brightened, and she couldn't help but smile.
柏冬青下楼时,看到就是站在花坛边的女孩,手中握着一只小花,弯唇笑着的模样。
When Bai Dongqing went downstairs, he saw the girl standing by the flower bed, holding a small flower, smiling with her lips curved.
他微微一怔,停下了脚步,这画面太美好,以至于他不敢惊动。
He paused slightly, his steps halting. The scene was too beautiful, making him hesitate to disturb it.
还是许煦觉察到他下楼,转头看他,笑眯眯道:“好了吗?”
It was still Xu Xu who noticed his descent and turned to look at him, smiling and saying, "Are you ready?"
柏冬青点点头,心中提着的一口气,终于松下来。这是他再熟悉不过的笑容,属于那个无忧无虑的女孩。
Bai Dongqing nodded, the breath he had been holding finally released. This was the smile he knew best, belonging to that carefree girl.
他走过去,将手中的一个茶叶蛋递给她:“刚才那个王奶奶给的。”
He walked over and handed her a tea egg, "That old Mrs. Wang gave it to me just now."
许煦接过来,笑道:“你这么热心,邻居应该都很喜欢你。”
Xu Xu took it and smiled, "You're so enthusiastic. Neighbors should really like you."
柏冬青微微笑了笑:“就是举手之劳而已,都是老邻居,一直很照顾我。”
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly, "It was just a small favor. We're all old neighbors, and they've always taken good care of me."
许煦默默看了他一眼,这样好的男生,应该有很好的人生和未来,不应该被自己昨天的错误所困扰,她想了想,终于坦荡荡道:“学长,昨晚的事,你别放在心上。”
Xu Xu looked at him silently. Such a good boy should have a good life and future. He shouldn't be troubled by her mistake from yesterday. After thinking for a moment, she finally said frankly, "Senior, what happened last night, don't worry about it."
柏冬青迟疑了片刻,点头。
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment and nodded.
并肩走到小区外,恰好有一辆出租车,许煦拦下坐上去。柏冬青则让司机稍等,从副驾驶看了眼那驾驶员的名字,又转到后面拍了张车牌号,才走到后排窗边,递给许煦一张写着电话号码的便签:“到了给我发条短信报个平安。”
Walking side by side to the entrance of the residential area, Xu Xu stopped a taxi just in time. Bai Dongqing asked the driver to wait a moment, glanced at the name of the driver from the passenger seat, took a photo of the license plate number, and then walked to the back window, handing Xu Xu a note with a phone number written on it: "Send me a text when you arrive to let me know you're safe."
许煦为他这样的细心周全而动容,接过纸条,嗯了一声,抬头看向他,笑道:“学长,祝你出国一切顺利,为咱们江大法学院争光。”
Xu Xu was moved by his meticulous care and took the note, nodding and looking up at him with a smile. "Senior, I wish you a smooth journey abroad and success for our Jiang University Law School."
柏冬青神色莫辨地看着她的眼睛,微不可寻地点点头。
Bai Dongqing looked at her with a unreadable expression, barely nodding.
第19章
Chapter 19
出租车司机边启动车子,边朝后视镜看了眼, 笑道:“小姑娘, 你对象可真是细心, 现在的年轻男孩子这样子的可不多见啦!”
The taxi driver started the car and glanced in the rearview mirror, smiling and saying, "Little girl, your boyfriend is really considerate. Boys like this are quite rare these days!"
许煦愣了下, 失笑:“他不是我对象。”
Xu Xu was taken aback and chuckled, "He's not my boyfriend."
“啊?哦!“司机大叔为自己的乌龙不好意思地笑了笑。
"Oh? Oh!" The old driver sheepishly smiled at his gaffe.
许煦也笑,等车子开上马路, 下意识转过头朝挡风窗看去, 柏冬青还站在马路边, 温暖的阳光覆在他身上,虽然清瘦却身姿挺拔,如同山巅之上岿然而立的松柏。
Xu Xu smiled. As the car drove onto the road, he subconsciously turned his head to look at the windshield, where Bái Dōngqīng was still standing by the roadside. Warm sunlight covered him, though he was slender, his posture was erect, like a pine tree standing resolutely on the mountain peak.
许煦再次为昨晚的冲动, 幽幽叹了口气,却也只能默默祝福他在未来的日子,能够过得很好, 遇到一个爱他珍惜他的人。
Xu Xu sighed deeply for his impulsive actions the previous night, but could only silently wish that in the days to come, Bái Dōngqīng could live a good life and meet someone who loved and cherished him.
直到出租车消失在视线中好一会儿, 柏冬青才转身朝小区内走去。
It was only after the taxi had disappeared from sight for a while that Bái Dōngqīng turned and walked towards the residential area.
回到家里,他卸力般在沙发上坐了会儿, 好不容易才从混乱的思绪中回神, 目光不经意瞥到沙发暗色的布套上, 有几抹干涸的污渍。
Back home, he sat on the sofa with a sigh, finally managing to regain his composure from his chaotic thoughts. His gaze inadvertently fell on the dark fabric of the sofa, where a few dried stains were visible.
缓缓伸手摩挲了下, 昨晚混乱的场景, 蓦地又涌入脑子里。
Gently reaching out, he stroked the scene from last night, which suddenly flooded back into his mind.
他闭上眼睛,深呼吸了口气,起身将布套扯下来, 伴随着他的动作,沙发扶手边发出一点窸窣的声音,两张红色的钞票,从缝隙里冒出来。
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then stood up and pulled off the cloth cover. As he moved, a faint rustling sound came from the armrest of the sofa, and two red bills emerged from the gap.
他微微一愣,弯身将钱拿起,又瞥到那缝隙里冒出的一簇粉色,伸手狐疑地把缝隙里的钱慢慢抽出来。
He was slightly taken aback, bent down to pick up the money, and then noticed a cluster of pink emerging from the gap. He reached in doubtfully and slowly extracted the money from the crevice.
看着厚厚的一叠崭新钞票,他先是怔在原地半晌,慢慢反应过来,这些钱是来自哪里后,脸色一点一点陷入苍白。
Looking at the thick stack of crisp new bills, he stood there for a moment, slowly processing where the money had come from, and his face gradually paled.
这些年,因为身世的关系,这些年,他遇到不过数不清的善意,但却是头一次面对善意而产生如此强烈的羞耻感,以至于攥着手的钱,都忍不住有些发抖。
In recent years, due to his background, he had encountered countless acts of kindness, but this was the first time he felt such a strong sense of shame in the face of kindness, to the point where the money in his hand couldn't help but tremble.
他也不知道自己发了多久的呆,直到手机传来震动,才从怔愣中回神。
He didn't know how long he had been lost in thought until his phone vibrated, bringing him back to reality.
打开手机,是许煦发来的短信:学长,我到学校了,昨晚给你添麻烦了,对不起。祝你一切顺利,前程似锦。
He opened his phone to find a text message from Xu Xu: Senior, I've arrived at school. I apologize for causing you trouble last night. I wish you all the best and a bright future.
柏冬青默默看了会儿这条短信,简短地回复了一个字:好。
Bai Dongqing silently read the message for a moment before replying with a single character: Good.
已经回到宿舍楼下的许煦看到这条短信,挑挑眉,准备将手机号码存下来,但想了想又删掉了,注定是不会再有交集的人,就连同昨晚的错误,都随风飘散吧!
Xu Xu, having returned to the dormitory building, raised an eyebrow upon seeing the text message, prepared to save the phone number, but then thought better of it and deleted it. It was destined that they would never cross paths again, and even the mistake from last night would be swept away by the wind!
“煦儿,你可算回来了!”刚刚走进宿舍,冯佳就忧心忡忡迎上来,“昨晚到底怎么回事?为什么会忽然去朋友家夜不归宿?到底是什么朋友?”
Xu'er, you finally came back!" Feng Jia met her with concern as she stepped into the dormitory, "What happened last night? Why did you suddenly stay out all night at a friend's place? What kind of friend is this?
许煦表情轻松地摆摆手:“……就一个挺好的朋友啊!”
Xu Xu waved her hand with a relaxed expression, "…Just a pretty good friend!"
冯佳狐疑地上下打量了她一番,不仅没从她脸上看出什么怪异,还觉得似乎跟昨晚甚至是这一段时间,都有些说不出来的不同,大概就是一种彻底放松坦然的模样,她暗暗松了口气,“你真没事?”
Feng Jia sized her up suspiciously, but didn't detect anything unusual on her face. In fact, she seemed different from last night and even this period of time, perhaps a feeling of complete relaxation and 坦然. She let out a silent sigh of relief, "You're really okay?"
许煦反问:“你说失恋的事吗?”
Xu Xu asked back, "You mean the breakup thing?"
冯佳点头。
Feng Jia nodded.
许煦舒了口气,摊手道:“已经没事了,我要向前看,做一个任何事都打不倒的美少女。”
Xu Xu heaved a sigh of relief and shrugged, "It's all over now. I need to look forward and be a girl who can withstand anything."
冯佳嗤了一声,笑道:“还少女呢?二十啦!不小啦!已经达到法定婚龄可以结婚生孩子啦!”
Feng Jia snorted and smiled, "More like a woman now? You're twenty! You're not a kid anymore! You're old enough to get married and have kids according to the law!"
许煦听到她这么说,也不知为何一阵心虚涌上来,嘿嘿笑了笑,梗着脖子道:“我可是永远的美少女。”
Xu Xu felt a wave of unease as she heard her words, and he chuckled, his neck stiff as he said, "I'm a 永远的美少女."
许煦不知道别人失恋后,伤口要多久才能愈合,但对于她自己来说,好像那晚之后,就真得再没体会过看着毕业生夜游时突然产生的痛苦,也许偶尔还是有点挫败的失落,可随着时间一点一点流逝,这情绪也就慢慢消失殆尽。
Xu Xu didn't know how long it took for someone to recover from a breakup, but for himself, it seemed that after that night, he no longer felt the pain of seeing graduates out at night. Perhaps there was still a slight sense of defeat and loss, but as time passed, these emotions gradually faded away.
初恋的轮廓还在,但程放这个人,却渐渐变得面目模糊。
The outline of his first love was still there, but Cheng Fang was gradually becoming a vague figure.
那日之后,虽然她总自诩“少女”,但明眼人都看得出,往常总带着孩子气的许煦,好像渐渐变得稳重成熟了。
After that day, although he always boasted of being a "girl," even the astute could see that the Xu Xu who used to be full of childlike naivety was gradually becoming more mature and steady.
有关成长,从来都是这样经悄无声息地发生。
Growth always happens quietly and unobtrusively.
“许煦,你真不打算考研?”
Xu Xu, are you really not going to take the postgraduate entrance exam?
司考之后,大家开始谋划出路,选择困难症的王妍跟着吴小南上了几天自习,又有点打退堂鼓了,想再拉许煦入伙,加入他们苦逼的考研大军。
After the bar exam, everyone started planning their future paths. Wang Yan, who suffers from decision paralysis, had followed Wu Xiaonan for a few days of self-study but was a bit discouraged and wanted to recruit Xu Xu to join their arduous postgraduate exam army.
许煦正对着电脑准备简历,闻言笑着摇头:“我真是念书念够了,现在就想快点投入社会大染缸。”
Xu Xu was preparing her resume in front of the computer and smiled and shook her head upon hearing this: "I've really had enough of school. Now, I just want to quickly immerse myself in the big social cauldron."
王妍叹道:“我也挺想早点工作的,但是咱们专业不考公的话,出路真的很窄,竞争还大。对了,你实习单位确定去哪里了吗?”
Wang Yan sighed, "I really want to start working sooner, but with our major, the job prospects are very limited if we don't take the civil service exam, and the competition is fierce. By the way, have you decided where your internship will be?"
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许煦道:“我找了法治周刊,准备去法律媒体看看。”
Xu Xu said, "I've applied to Legal Weekly, planning to see if there are any opportunities in legal media."
“你不去律所啊?”
Are you not going to a law firm?
许煦摇头:“我觉得自己不大适合,就不去跟人挤了,反正现在也就是实习,还没确定以后到底干什么呢!”
Xu Xu shook his head: "I don't think I'm a good fit, so I won't go and compete with others. After all, it's just an internship now, and I'm not sure what I want to do in the future!"
王妍道:“说起来也真是的,现在本科生毕业去律所,都不知道多久才能熬出头,小律所还得自己苦哈哈找案源,大律所倒是不缺案源,但进不去啊!就说华天吧,名校硕博和海归一大把,现在实习生都要研究生,咱们年级好几个想进去实习都没成,而且就算去实习了也很难留下。”
Wang Yan said, "It's really true. Now, when undergraduate graduates go to law firms, they don't know how long it will take to rise through the ranks. Small law firms have to struggle to find cases on their own, while big law firms don't lack cases, but you can't get in. Take Huatian Law Firm as an example. There are so many graduates from top schools and returnees, and now even interns need to be postgraduates. Several of our classmates wanted to intern there, but it didn't work out. And even if you do get an internship, it's very hard to stay."
许煦笑:“华天老板陈瑞国,不是咱们院里出去的么?怎么也不照顾照顾他的学弟学妹。”
Xu Xu laughed, "Chen Riguang, the boss of Huatian, isn't from our department? Why doesn't he help his fellow students?"
陈瑞国在法学界算得上赫赫有名的大牛,当年是江大法学院最年轻的教授,十几年前与人合伙创办了华天,自己成为刑辩界鼎鼎有名的大律师不说,华天在他的带领下,如今早就是省内数一数二的大所。
Chen Riguang is considered a prominent figure in the legal community. He was the youngest professor at Jiang University Law School back in the day, and over a decade ago, he co-founded Huatian with others. Not only is he a renowned criminal defense lawyer, but Huatian has become one of the top law firms in the province under his leadership.
王妍摆摆手:“谁知道呢?反正据我这个包打听所知,咱们院里这两年留下的本科生,就只有柏冬青学长一个。”
Wang Yan waves her hand: "Who knows? Anyway, as far as I, this gossip, know, the only undergraduate who stayed on in our department over the past two years is Senior Bai Dongqing."
“柏冬青?”许煦停下手中的鼠标,转头愕然地看向她。
"Bai Dongqing?" Xu Xu stops moving her mouse and turns to look at her in surprise.
王妍点点头“是啊!好像他直接就跟的陈国瑞。”
Wang Yan nods. "Yes! It seems he went straight under Chen Guorui."
许煦皱眉:“你说得是不是比咱们高两级的那个柏冬青?”
Xu Xu frowns. "Are you talking about the Bai Dongqing who's two grades above us?"
王妍对她的惊愕有些莫名其妙:“是啊!你不是认识他吗?你不知道他在华天?他去年毕业进去的,现在都已经拿证开始执业了。”
Wang Yan was a bit baffled by her own surprise: "Yes! Don't you know him? He's in Huatian, right? He graduated last year and is now already licensed to practice."
^
第20章
Chapter 20
许煦脑子有点懵了,半晌才又道:“他不是公派去藤校读研么?怎么会在华天做律师?”
Xu Xu's mind was a bit muddled. After a while, he said again, "Didn't he go to a top foreign university on a government scholarship for his graduate studies? How is he a lawyer at Huatian?"
王妍摊摊手:“这个我就不知道了。”顿了顿, 又道, “不过话说回来, 虽然去藤校的机会难得, 但华天又不是没有藤校毕业的律师,如果柏学长想做律师, 现在进华天也不见得比去藤校差, 毕竟律师更吃经验和人脉。我听说咱们院长和陈瑞国是老同学, 去年大四毕业那会儿,陈瑞国正好在招助理,院长就把柏学长推荐进去了。我觉得柏学长真是运气好, 能跟着陈瑞国这种大拿,学到的东西和得到的资源人脉,绝对比读几年研究生更有用, 要是能得到器重, 那就更不得了了。而且我觉得柏学长那么勤奋刻苦,长得一表人才, 看着性格也很好, 肯定很得师长们喜欢的。哎!四年快读完了, 才意识到好好学习的重要性, 算是彻底晚咯!”
Wang Yan shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know about that." She paused, then added, "But to be honest, while the opportunity to go to a top foreign university is rare, Huatian does have lawyers who graduated from such schools. If Senior Bai wants to be a lawyer, entering Huatian now might not be any worse than going to a top foreign university. After all, experience and connections are more important for a lawyer. I heard that our dean and Chen Riguang are old classmates. Last year when Bai graduated from his senior year, Chen Riguang was just hiring assistants, and the dean recommended Senior Bai to join. I think Senior Bai is really lucky. Being able to learn from someone like Chen Riguang, who is a big name, means he can gain knowledge and resources that are far more valuable than a few years of graduate studies. If he gets the dean's favor, that would be even better. And I think Senior Bai is so diligent and hardworking, handsome, and has a good personality, so he's bound to be favored by his teachers and seniors. Oh! I only realized the importance of studying properly after my fourth year, so it's too late now!"
许煦对她的唉声叹气感慨无动于衷, 脑子还有些混混沌沌,怔了片刻,才反应过来她话里的重点, 忙不得问:“你见过他?你不是都不认识他吗?”
Xu Xu was unmoved by her sighs and groans, his mind still somewhat muddled. He paused for a moment before realizing the significance of her words, and hurriedly asked, "You've met him? You said you didn't know him at all?"
王妍听她这么问,嘻嘻笑道:“说起这个我忘了告诉你,就上个学期刚开学那会儿,我在门外傣家菜吃饭的时候,遇到一个在华天实习的研究生学长,正和柏冬青也在那吃饭,学长给我介绍,我才知道传闻中的柏冬青长什么样。你之前果然没骗我,他还真是长得很帅啊!那天好像是过来咱们这边的西区法院送材料,穿着衬衣西装,简直了!我都不敢相信,咱们院一众花痴大军,竟然遗漏了这么个人物。简直就是遗珠。”
Wang Yan smiled and said, "I forgot to tell you about this. Last semester when I was eating at Dai Family Restaurant on campus, I ran into a graduate senior intern at Huatian. He was having lunch with Bai Dongqing, and the senior introduced me to Bai Dongqing, so I finally knew what he looked like. You didn't lie to me before; he really is very handsome! That day, he seemed to be delivering materials to the West District Court, wearing a shirt and suit. It was unbelievable! I couldn't believe that our entire fan club had overlooked such a person. It was like a hidden gem."
许煦有点不知该说什么好了,脑子也还对这突如其来的消息,有点没办法消化。
Xu Xu didn't know what to say, still struggling to process this sudden information.
只听王妍又道:“对了,那次之后,我在咱们学校遇到过他好多回呢,听他说经常要来西区法院送材料,就顺便来学校食堂吃饭,前天中午我回宿舍,还看到过他呢,就在咱们楼下不远。说起来,每次都是他主动和我打招呼,感觉人很和善,所以我才觉得他这个人性格不错。”
Wang Yan continued, "By the way, after that, I've run into him many times on campus. He said he often comes to the West District Court to deliver materials, so he would stop by the school cafeteria to eat. The other day at noon, I even saw him near my dorm. It's funny, he always initiates the conversation, and he seems very kind. That's why I think he's a good person."
许煦眉头微微蹙起:“你怎么之前没说过啊?”
Xu Xu's brow furrowed slightly: "Why didn't you mention this before?"
王妍莫名其妙:“这有什么好说的?每次就打个招呼,我也和人不熟啊!也就是刚刚说到华天,我才想起这事。你怎么了?不是想要去华天实习,想找柏学长走关系吧?他也刚刚才执业,估计没什么关系能帮你的!”
Wang Yan was perplexed: "What's there to say? I just say hello each time. I don't know many people either! I only remembered this just now when we talked about Huatian. What's wrong with you? Aren't you trying to intern at Huatian to get an introduction from Brother Bai? He just started practicing, so he probably can't help you much!"
“我说了没打算进律所。”许煦摆摆手,“就是听到他放弃藤校进华天这个消息,有点意外。”
I said I didn't plan to join a law firm," Xu Xu waved his hand. "I was just surprised to hear that he gave up his place at a top university to join Huatian.
王妍道:“男生嘛!有时候就想赌一把呗,虽然华天人才济济,竞争激烈,但万一混出头,虽然社会地位比不得法官检察官什么的,但收入那是全方位碾压的,人家华天一个高级律师,年收入能上百万。”
Wang Yan said, "Boys sometimes just want to take a chance, right? Although Huatian is full of talented people and the competition is fierce, if you manage to rise to the top, although the social status might not match that of judges and prosecutors, the income is completely dominant. A senior lawyer at Huatian can earn over a million a year."
许煦脑子空白有点嗡嗡地站起来,往门口走。
Xu Xu stood up with a blank mind, buzzing towards the door.
王妍哎了一声:“你干嘛去?”
Wang Yan said, "Where are you going?"
许煦:“我去洗漱。”
Xu Xu replied, "I'm going to wash up."
“去洗漱干嘛去外面?”
Why go wash up outside?
“哦!”许煦转过身,朝阳台的洗手间走去。
"Oh!" Xu Xu turned around and walked towards the balcony's restroom.
第16节
Chapter 16
是夜,室友们都回到宿舍,像往常一样,聊得热火朝天,但许煦却反常地没怎么加入,而是坐在桌前,心不在焉地对着电脑发呆。
That night, all the roommates returned to the dormitory, chatting animatedly as usual. However, Xu Xu was unusually quiet, sitting at her desk and staring blankly at the computer.
还是冯佳发觉她的异常,唤道:“煦儿!”
It was Feng Jia who noticed her unusual behavior and called out, "Xuxu!"
许煦浑然不觉。
Xu Xuhun was completely unaware.
冯佳又道:“许小煦!”
Feng Jia said again, "Xiao Xu, Xu!"
“啊?!”许煦总算被唤回神,表情却一脸迷茫,“干什么?”
Ah?!" Xu Xuhun finally snapped back to attention, her expression one of confusion, "What's going on?
趴在床上的冯佳,朝她翻了个白眼:“这话我问你才对吧?整个晚上都心不在焉的。”
Feng Jia, lying on the bed, rolled her eyes at her, "That's what I should be asking you, isn't it? You've been distracted all night."
“没有啊!”许煦讷讷地回答,想起什么似的,从书架抽出一个本子打开,里面赫然还留着一张便签纸。她将纸条拿出来,飞快爬上床,把床帘一拉,“你们聊,我睡啦!”
No!" Xu Xun answered hesitantly, then seemed to remember something, pulled out a notebook from the bookshelf, and opened it. Inside, a sticky note was still clearly visible. She took out the note, quickly climbed onto the bed, and pulled the curtain. "You talk, I'm going to sleep!
冯佳嗤了一声,嘀咕道:“古里古怪的。”
Feng Jia snorted and muttered, "So peculiar."
躺在床上的许煦,将台灯打开一点,调成微弱的光,然后摊开手中的便签纸,上面是一串数字。
Xu Xun, lying on the bed, turned on the table lamp a little, adjusting it to a weak light, then laid out the sticky note in her hand. It was a string of numbers.
这是那次,柏冬青留给自己的电话号码,她当时没存在手机,但是这张便签却随手塞进了本子里。
These were the phone number left by Bai Dongqing during that time. At the time, she hadn't saved it on her phone, but this sticky note was casually stuffed into the notebook.
可是她现在拿着这张电话号码干嘛呢?既然他没有出国,甚至还经常来江大,却没有和自己联系过,说明他并不愿意见到自己。
But why is she holding this phone number now? Since he hasn't gone abroad and even frequently comes to Jiangda, yet hasn't contacted her, it shows he doesn't want to see her.
那一晚对他来说,应该挺耻辱的吧?
That night must have been quite humiliating for him, right?
呼!
Huff!
可是为什么自己听到他留在江城的消息,心里头就跟蚂蚁爬似的心痒难耐。
But why does the news that he's staying in Jiangcheng make her feel itchy inside, like ants crawling on her skin.
等她从抓心挠肺中回过神来,发觉自己已经输入便签纸上的电话号码,发了一条信息过去:听说你没出国?什么时候路过学校,一起喝杯咖啡?
When she came back to her senses from the anxious state, she realized she had already input the phone number on the sticky note and sent a message: "Haven't you gone abroad? If you happen to pass by the school, would you like to have a cup of coffee?"
许煦目瞪口呆地看着已经发送出去的信息。
Xu Xu stared in disbelief at the message she had just sent.
没有称呼,没有署名,他应该不知道是谁啊?
No greeting, no signature—she wondered if he wouldn't know who it was from?
然而,不过半分钟,手机就震动了下,有信息回复过来:我明天下午去西区法院办事,七点左右你方便吗?
However, less than half a minute later, her phone vibrated, and a reply came through: "I'll be at the West District Court tomorrow afternoon to handle some business. Are you free around seven?"
许煦怔了片刻,也不知为何有点喜出望外,赶紧回了个“好”字过去。
Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment, and for some reason, felt unexpectedly pleased. He quickly replied with a "Good."
那头很快又发过来两个字:晚安。
The other end sent back two words: Goodnight.
许煦唇角弯起,回道:晚安。
Xu Xu's lips curved into a smile, and he replied: Goodnight.
然后将手机丢在枕头,关上了台灯,还不自觉吹了声愉悦的口哨。
Then, he tossed his phone onto the pillow, turned off the bedside lamp, and couldn't help but whistle a cheerful tune.
对床的王妍咦了一声:“许煦,遇到什么高兴事了,大半夜还吹口哨?”
Wang Yan, who was sleeping on the other bed, said with a surprised "Eh": "Xu Xu, did something happy happen? Why are you whistling so late at night?"
许煦愣了下:“啊?没有啊!”
Xu Xu was stunned: "Ah? No!"
对啊!为什么好像心情一下变得很兴奋?
Right! Why does it feel like my mood has suddenly become very excited?
管他呢,不想了,睡觉!
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore, time for bed!
*
隔日下午,许煦从柜子里扒拉出几件薄秋装,问审美达人冯佳:“美女,你看哪件好看?”
On the afternoon of the following day, Xu Xu rummaged through the closet and pulled out a few light autumn outfits, asking the fashion expert Feng Jia, "Beautiful lady, which one do you think looks good on me?"
冯佳瞥了她一眼:“你要去约会吗”
Feng Jia glanced at her and asked, "Are you going on a date?"
许煦愣了下,摇头:“没有啊!就是去见一个朋友。”
Xu Xu was taken aback and shook her head, "No! I'm just meeting a friend."
冯佳道:“朋友就随便穿呗!有必要精心打扮么?”
Feng Jia said, "For a friend, just wear something casual! Is it necessary to dress up so 精心?"
许煦道:“……一个挺久没见的朋友,还是要是给人印象好一点的。”
Xu Xu said, "…A friend I haven't seen in quite some time, and I should make a better impression."
冯佳给她挑出一件,笑道:“朋友是男的吧?怎么?打算谈恋爱了?”
Feng Jia picked out an outfit for her and smiled, "Is the friend a guy? What's up? Are you planning to date?"
“什么啊?”许煦边换衣服边不以为然嘀咕道,“当然没有。”
What are you talking about?" Xu Xu muttered dismissively as she changed her clothes, "Of course not.
换好衣服,她又对着穿衣镜,左右照了照,将过肩的长发,用手捋顺,还稍稍擦了点隔离粉底,让气色看起来更好一些,这才满意地出门。
After changing, she looked at herself in the dressing mirror, checked her left and right, combed her long hair that reached her shoulders, and applied a bit of 隔离粉底 to make her complexion look better. Only then did she leave satisfied.
许煦这一年来,虽然从星巴克那条街路过很多次,但从来没有再进去喝过咖啡。也不知是因为从前总是和自己一起喝咖啡的人不在了,抑或是那个给自己拉花的男生不在了。
Xu Xu has passed by Starbucks many times in the past year, but she never went in to have coffee again. She wondered if it was because the person she used to share coffee with was no longer there, or if it was the boy who used to make latte art for her who was gone.
总之,她对这项小资活动失去兴趣很久了。
In any case, she had lost interest in this bourgeois activity for a long time.
在出门前,她已经收到柏冬青的信息:我到星巴克了,你慢慢过来!
Before leaving, she had already received Bai Dongqing's message: "I'm at Starbucks, take your time to get here!"
她当然没有慢慢过去,而是几乎一路小跑,直到离星巴克只有几十米时,才骤然放缓脚步,用力平复因为刚刚走太快而变得急促的呼吸,然后一脸淡定从容地继续往熟悉的方向走去。
Of course, she didn't take her time; she almost ran the whole way. Only when she was about fifty meters away from Starbucks did she suddenly slow down, taking deep breaths to calm her rapid pace, and then continued walking in the familiar direction with a composed expression.
离约定七点还差了几分钟,此时已经入秋,这个时候夕阳早就下山,暮色已至,两旁的街灯浅浅亮起,周遭的景致都处在一种半明半暗的朦胧中。
A few minutes before the agreed seven o'clock, it was already autumn, and the sun had long set, leaving the surroundings in twilight. The street lamps on both sides flickered on, casting a half-light, half-shadow atmosphere around everything.
许煦已经远远看到了这朦胧中的柏冬青。他站在星巴克门口,正在讲电话,不知是不是穿着一身正装的缘故,看起来不再像之前那样单薄,而是越发高大挺拔,整个人已经没有太多少年人的青涩感,而是隐隐透着些超越年龄的成熟。
Xu Xu had already seen the Bao Dongqing in the haze from a distance. He was standing in front of Starbucks, speaking on the phone. It seemed that due to his formal attire, he no longer appeared as slender as before, but rather more tall and upright. The youthful greenness had faded from his appearance, and he now exuded a hint of maturity beyond his years.
许煦愣了下,又才继续往前走。
Xu Xu paused for a moment before continuing to walk forward.
本来在打电话的柏冬青,似乎是有所觉察,转头朝她这边看过来,在看到她时,神色微微一顿,朝电话里低声说了句什么,然后挂断,一动不动看着向他走来的许煦,嘴角慢慢牵起一丝浅浅的弧度。
Bao Dongqing, who had been on the phone, seemed to have noticed her and turned to look in her direction. When he saw her, his expression paused slightly, and he whispered something into the phone before hanging up. He then stood motionless, watching as Xu Xu approached, a faint smile slowly forming at the corners of his lips.
就在这时,旁边的广告灯箱忽然亮起,本来有些面目模糊的年轻男人,蓦地笼罩在灯光之下,那张久违的脸,顷刻变得清晰无比。许煦忽然就觉得这画面有些说不出来失真,以至于脚步不由自主停了下来。
At that moment, the advertisement light box beside suddenly lit up, and the young man's face, which had been somewhat indistinct, was suddenly illuminated. The familiar face became crystal clear. Xu Xu suddenly felt that the scene was somehow distorted, and her steps involuntarily came to a halt.
直到柏冬青微微眯眼,朝她走上来两步,低声开口道:“来了!”
It wasn't until Bai Dongqing slightly narrowed his eyes and took two steps towards her, whispering, "Here you are!"
清润温和的声音 ,与许煦记忆中的人重叠,她终于回过神,笑着朝他打招呼:“学长,好久不见!”
The clear and gentle voice overlapped with the person in Xu Xu's memory, and she finally snapped out of her daze, smiling as she greeted him, "Senior, it's been a long time!"
柏冬青漆黑的如墨的眼睛,在灯光下微微闪了闪,点头对她轻笑了笑:“嗯,好久不见。”
Bai Dongqing's eyes, as black as ink, flashed slightly under the light, and he nodded and gave her a light smile, "Yes, it has been a long time."
第21章
Chapter 21
两人寒暄完这一句,一时都看着对方没有再说话。还是许煦先反应过来, 有些不自在地摸了摸耳朵:“……那个学长, 咱们进去吧!”
After exchanging a few words, both of them looked at each other without saying anything for a moment. It was Xu Xu who reacted first, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he scratched his ear: "...Senior, let's go in!"
如果没有那一晚, 柏冬青对于许煦来说, 就是一个不算太熟悉但印象很好的学长,和他过了这么久见面, 便是单纯的欣喜。但因为有了那一晚, 这样的重逢, 就多少有些尴尬和怪异。
If it weren't for that night, for Xu Xu, Bai Dongqing was just an acquaintance with a good impression. After meeting for so long, it was simply a matter of joy. But because of that night, this reunion felt a bit awkward and strange.
其实这一年来,她偶尔也会想起那一晚的事,虽然和一个不算熟悉的学长发生关系这种事, 实在是荒谬得有些不真实。但她不止一次暗暗庆幸过,幸好那晚出现的是柏冬青,所以即使发生那样的事情, 好像并不会让她觉得太难以接受。
In fact, over the past year, she would occasionally think about that night. Although having a relationship with a not-so-familiar senior was absurd and almost unreal, she couldn't help but feel grateful that it was Bai Dongqing who appeared that night. So, even if such a thing happened, it didn't seem too hard to accept.
若是换做别人, 冷静下来后,恐怕就不知道有多后悔不迭了。
If it were someone else, they would probably regret it endlessly once they calmed down.
她有时候也想过, 如果那晚遇到的不是柏冬青, 会不会其实她根本就不会放任自己的冲动演变成最后那样的不可收拾?
She sometimes wondered if, that night, if she had met someone other than Bai Dongqing, whether she would have actually restrained her impulses from spiraling out of control in the first place?
当然这个问题只能假设, 却没答案。
Of course, this was just a hypothetical question with no answer.
两人找了一个靠窗的位子, 柏冬青让许煦坐着, 他去收银台点咖啡。许煦倒也没跟他客气地去掏钱包争着买单或者aa,毕竟他如今已经是一个执业律师,一杯咖啡钱, 应该已经不是什么大数目。
The two of them found a seat by the window, with Bai Dongqing letting Xu Xu sit while he went to the counter to order coffee. Xu Xu didn't insist on paying or splitting the bill, after all; he was now a practicing lawyer, and a single cup of coffee shouldn't be considered a significant expense.
店内的服务生早就换了一波,柏冬青点单后,低声朝服务生说了句什么,那年轻的女孩朝他笑着点点头,片刻后将咖啡递给他,他接过工具,低头自己在上面拉了个花。
The waitstaff in the store had already been replaced. After Bai Dongqing placed his order, he whispered something to the waiter, and the young girl smiled and nodded at him. A moment later, she handed him the coffee, and he took the tools and bent down to draw a flower on it.
许煦一直抬头看着他的背影。这是她第一次看到他穿正装,原来也是这么合适。
Xu Xu had been looking up at his back the whole time. This was the first time she had seen him in formal attire, and he looked just as suitable.
其实也才毕业一年多而已,但整个人的气质,好像变得很不一样了,与当初那个站在收银台内,穿着绿色星巴克制服的男生,几乎判若两人。少年人的青涩褪去了不少,虽然仍旧年轻,却也有了几分成熟的味道。
In fact, it had only been over a year since he had graduated, but his demeanor seemed to have changed significantly. Compared to the boy who used to stand behind the cash register in a green Starbucks uniform, he was almost unrecognizable. The greenness of youth had faded, and although he was still young, he had a hint of maturity.
唯一不变的是,好像还是和从前一样温和。社会是个大染缸,他仍旧像是一棵屹立在山巅未经污染的绿色松柏。
The only thing that remained unchanged was that he still seemed as gentle as before. Society was a big 染缸, but he still stood like an unspoiled green pine tree atop a mountain.
柏冬青端着咖啡你转身时,许煦不动神色收回了目光。
Ba Dongqing held the coffee as you turned around, and Xu Xu 收回 ed his gaze without showing any emotion.
“虽然当了大律师,但是拉花的手艺也没退步啊!”看着柏冬青递过的咖啡,许煦轻笑道。
"Although you're a big lawyer now, your latte art skills haven't declined either!" Looking at the coffee Ba Dongqing offered, Xu Xu said lightly with a smile.
他给她点得是惯常喝的拿铁,上面的拉花是一只形状精巧的猫咪,虽然简单,却别致精巧。
He ordered the macchiato she usually drank, with a delicate cat shape as the latte art on top. Although simple, it was elegant and unique.
柏冬青在她对面坐下,弯唇轻笑了笑:“刚刚执业而已,怎么敢称大律师!”
Ba Dongqing sat down across from her, curling his lips in a light smile. "I've just started practicing law, how dare I call myself a big lawyer!"
许煦见他不仅点了咖啡,还拿了一盘点心,随口问:“还没吃晚饭吗?”
Xu Xu saw that he not only ordered coffee but also got some pastries, and casually asked, "Didn't have dinner yet?"
柏冬青点头:“今天挺忙,这个点才忙完。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "I've been pretty busy today, just finished around this time."
许煦又问:“是今天忙?还是当律师总是这么忙?”
Xu Xu asked again, "Are you busy today? Or is it always this busy being a lawyer?"
柏冬青微微一笑:“现在刚刚执业,确实每天都挺忙的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly, "Just starting out as a lawyer, so I'm pretty busy every day."
许煦点头“哦”了一声,又垂眼看向咖啡的猫咪图案,过了会儿,冷不防抬头开口问:“你怎么会突然放弃藤校这么好的机会,进华天当律师的?”
Xu Xu nodded and said "Oh." Then, he lowered his eyes to look at the cat pattern on the coffee cup, and after a while, he suddenly looked up and asked, "Why did you suddenly give up such a good opportunity at a top university and become a lawyer at Huatian?"
柏冬青看着她的眼睛,微微怔了下,旋即又轻笑了笑:“去国外公派读研读博固然相对保险很多,回来留校应该问题也不大。但是去年暑假偶然得知陈老师在招助理,我忽然想,自己还这么年轻,也许人生还有很多种可能,为什么不尝试赌一把?毕竟我也只是个俗人,也希望生活能够过得更优渥一些。”
Bai Dongqing looked into her eyes and was slightly taken aback for a moment, then she lightly smiled and said, "Studying abroad on a scholarship is certainly much safer, and returning to stay at the school shouldn't be a problem either. But last summer, I accidentally learned that Teacher Chen was recruiting assistants. Suddenly, I thought that I was still so young, and maybe life had many other possibilities. Why not try my luck? After all, I am just an ordinary person, and I also hope to live a more comfortable life."
他说这话的时候,那双漆黑如墨的眼睛,定定看着她,明明在说工作,但总让许煦有种感觉,他这是话中有话。不过她也没多想,只是笑着点头道:“说得也是,要是能成为大律师,收入比做老师当公务员可高多了。听说这两届本科毕业进华天的,就只有你一个,说起来,还要恭喜你呢!”
As he spoke, his eyes, as dark as ink, stared fixedly at her. Although he was talking about work, it always made Xu Xu feel that there was more to his words. However, she didn't think much about it and just smiled and nodded, saying, "That's true. If you become a big lawyer, your income will be much higher than being a teacher or a civil servant. I heard that among the graduates of the last two years who joined Huatian, you are the only one. Speaking of which, congratulations to you!"
柏冬青道:“也算是运气好,陈老师毕竟是咱们学长和师长,郭院长和他很熟悉,就帮忙推荐了我。”
Bai Dongqing said, "It was also a bit of luck. After all, Teacher Chen is our senior and mentor, and Professor Guo is very familiar with him, so he recommended me."
“但是你能留下来,说明还是很优秀啊!”
But you being able to stay here shows that you are still very outstanding!
柏冬青谦逊地笑了笑:“其实也还是运气好,遇到陈老师这种好老师。”
Bai Dongqing modestly smiled and said, "Actually, it was also just good luck, encountering Teacher Chen as a great teacher."
虽然许煦知道他是在谦虚,但也没法否认,本科毕业就去给陈瑞国做助理,确实是存在一定的运气成分。
Although Xu Xu knew he was being modest, he couldn't deny that graduating from undergraduate and then becoming Assistant to Teacher Chen Ruguang did indeed have a certain element of luck.
王妍说的没错,学习好真是太重要了,想给陈瑞国助理的人只怕能挤破脑袋,如果不是因为柏冬青勤奋努力,郭院长也不可能亲自将他推荐给陈瑞国。
Wang Yan was right; studying well is truly very important. The number of people who want to be Assistant to Teacher Chen Ruguang would probably crush their heads. If it weren't for Bai Dongqing's hard work and diligence, Dean Guo couldn't have personally recommended him to Teacher Chen Ruguang.
她拿起勺子,有些舍不得地将咖啡上那只猫咪搅拌开来,若有所思了片刻,又冷不丁问:“听我们宿舍的王妍说,你经常来西区法院办事,然后顺便在学校食堂吃饭?”
She picked up the spoon, stirring the cat on her coffee with a reluctant expression, then pondered for a moment before suddenly asking, "Shenɡ Yán from our dormitory said that you often handle business at the West District Court and then eat at the school cafeteria?"
柏冬青犹豫了片刻,神色莫辨地看了她一眼,点头:“嗯。”
Bái Dōnɡqīng hesitated for a moment, looking at her with a complex expression, and nodded, "Mm."
许煦声音笑了下去,试探问道:“……那你怎么来学校,也没联系过我?”
Xǔ Xù's voice continued to laugh, asking tentatively, "…Then why didn't you contact me when you came to the school?"
其实问完这句话就有点后悔了,他为什么要联系一个对自己做过那种缺德事的女生?应该是躲都来不及吧!毕竟他这种男生,绝不会沾沾自喜认为那是一件占了便宜的事 。
Actually, he regretted asking that question as soon as he said it. Why would he contact a girl who had done something so unscrupulous to him? He should have been trying to avoid her! After all, he wouldn't be so arrogant as to think that was a benefit.
柏冬青抿抿唇,过了半晌,才低声回道:“我担心你不愿看到我!”
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips, and after a moment, she replied in a low voice, "I'm afraid you don't want to see me!"
“啊?怎么会呢?”许煦微微愕然地看他,她知道他是在说那晚的事,但她向来懊恼悔恨的是自己害了他,却从来没有因为那件事而不想看到他,哪怕确实有些难堪。
"Oh? Why would that be?" Xu Xu looked at him slightly startled. She knew he was referring to that night, but she had always regretted and felt guilty for causing him harm. She had never felt the need to avoid seeing him because of that, even if it was indeed embarrassing.
回过神后,她重重舒了口气,如释重负般眉眼弯弯笑开,双手合十:“只要你别放在心上,我就谢天谢地了。咱们以后别提了,就当什么都没发生过,不然怪尴尬的。这样以后还能一起吃个饭什么的,毕竟咱们也认识这么久了。”
After regaining her composure, she heaved a deep sigh of relief, her eyes and lips curving into a gentle smile. She clasped her hands together, "I'll be eternally grateful if you don't mind it. Let's not bring it up again in the future. As if nothing happened. Otherwise, it would be awkward. This way, we can still have meals together, after all, we've known each other for quite some time."
只要他不因为那件事对她嫌恶就好。
As long as he didn't despise her because of that.
柏冬青看着她,点点头:“嗯。”低头吃了两口蛋糕后,又随口问,“你毕业去向定好了吗?”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and nodded: "Mm." After taking a couple of bites of cake, he casually asked, "Have you decided where you're going after graduation?"
许煦有点苦恼地扒扒头发:“说实话我也不知道自己想做什么,当初读这个专业,也是因为我爸以前是法官,觉得学了法律可以做很多事,帮很多人。等学了之后,才发觉是自己太天真了。”说着,有些不好意思地看了他一眼,“主要也是这几年没怎么好好学习,自己也知道自己是个半吊子,这回司考都不知道能不能过。暂时是打算去《法治周刊》实习,先看看情况吧!唯一算幸运的是,我爸妈没有什么望子成龙望女成凤的心态,对我的期望就是开心就好,所以算是没压力吧。”
Xu Xu looked a bit troubled as she combed her hair. "To be honest, I don't really know what I want to do. When I chose this major, it was because my dad used to be a judge, and I thought studying law would allow me to do a lot of things and help a lot of people. But after studying it, I realized I was too naive." She then looked at him slightly embarrassed, "Also, I haven't really studied properly in the past few years, and I know I'm not very good at it. I'm not even sure if I'll pass the bar exam this time. For now, I'm planning to intern at 'Legal Weekly' and see how things go! The only good thing is that my parents don't have high expectations for me like wanting me to be successful. They just want me to be happy, so I don't really feel any pressure."
柏冬青点点头,脑子里蓦地浮现两年前那个坐进黑色奔驰车后座的中年男人。只有家境足够优渥,父母极尽宠□□,大概才会对孩子没有任何要求。
Bai Dongqing nodded, and suddenly, the image of a middle-aged man sitting in the back seat of a black Mercedes-Benz two years ago flashed through his mind. Only those with a sufficiently affluent family background and parents who pamper their children to the extreme would have no expectations for their children.
他不动声色地看了她一眼,暖色的灯光下,年轻女孩白皙的脸还有些略显青涩的婴儿肥,但这一年来,她显然已经成熟不少。
He casually glanced at her, and under the warm light, the young girl's fair face still had a hint of baby fat, but it was clear that she had matured significantly over the past year.
成长不是坏事,只是成长后就不得不面对成人社会里的规则和黑暗,这是他正在经历的事,所以看着她,就不由得生出一丝不忍。
Growth is not a bad thing, but after growing up, one has to face the rules and darkness of the adult world, which is what he is currently experiencing. Therefore, when he looks at her, he can't help but feel a touch of compassion.
“学长,你怎么了?”许煦见他看着自己出神,抬手在他面前挥了挥。
"Senior, what's wrong?" Xu Xu noticed that he was staring at her and waved her hand in front of his face.
柏冬青回神,脸上浮上一丝赧色,赶紧低头喝了口咖啡。
Bai Dongqing snapped out of his daze, his face flushing slightly, and quickly lowered his head to take a sip of coffee.
许煦也不知为什么,今天见到他就特别有倾诉欲望,又继续絮絮叨叨道:“虽然我挺想好好做一份工作,但想到马上要工作了,又有点害怕。对了学长,你这一年多工作还顺利吗?”
For some reason, Xu Xu felt an urge to confide in him today. He continued to chatter, "Although I really want to do a good job, the thought of starting work makes me a bit scared. By the way, senior, have you been doing well with your work over the past year?"
柏冬青抬头,轻笑了笑:“虽然也是摸石头过河,但还算顺利。”
Bai Dongqing looked up and gave a light smile: "Even if it's like feeling our way across a river, it's still going smoothly."
许煦道:“我也觉得你肯定会做的不错。”
Xu Xu said, "I also think you'll do great."
明知道她只是一句随口的恭维话,柏冬青心里还是涌上一股暖意。他想了想道:“刚开始工作肯定有些不适,慢慢习惯就好。你去杂志实习,如果遇到什么专业上的东西不懂的,可以问我。虽然我也不见得比你懂得多,但毕竟跟着陈老师工作这么久,业内的东西还是了解一点的。”
Even though she was just a casual compliment, Bai Dongqing still felt a warmth in his heart. He thought for a moment and said, "At the beginning of work, there will definitely be some discomfort, but you'll get used to it eventually. If you encounter anything professional during your internship at the magazine and don't understand it, you can ask me. Although I might not know more than you, after working with Teacher Chen for so long, I do have some understanding of industry matters."
许煦闻言,喜上眉梢:“那太好了!”
Hearing this, Xu Xu's mood brightened: "That's great!"
看到她笑,柏冬青的嘴角也不由自主弯起了一道弧度。
Seeing her smile, Bai Dongqing's lips involuntarily curved into a smile as well.
两人在星巴克坐了一个多小时,大都是许煦在说,柏冬青听着,间或点点头应几句,气氛逐渐轻松自然,就好像真的没有人再记得那荒唐的一晚。
The two sat in Starbucks for over an hour, with most of the talking done by Xu Xu. Bai Dongqing listened, nodding occasionally in response, and the atmosphere gradually became light and natural, as if no one remembered the absurd night.
第17节
Chapter 17
腕表显示已经过了八点,许煦才回神:“学长,你明天还有工作吧?我拉着你闲扯这么久,真是不好意思,咱们走吧!”
The wristwatch showed it was already after eight o'clock, and Xu Xu finally came to her senses: "Senior, you still have work tomorrow, right? I've been dragging you into idle chatter for so long, I really shouldn't. Let's go!"
柏冬青迟疑了下,点头:“嗯。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated and nodded: "Mm."
两人并肩出门,走了几步,许煦发觉他和自己的方向一致,奇怪问:“你不是要回家吗?”
The two walked side by side out of the door. After a few steps, Xu Xu noticed they were heading in the same direction and asked in surprise, "Aren't you going home?"
柏冬青淡声道:“先送你回宿舍。”
Bai Dongqing said coolly, "I'll take you back to your dorm first."
“啊?不用了,现在还早着呢!”
Oh? No need, it's still early!
“没事的,我不急着回家。”
It's fine, I'm not in a rush to go home.
“哦!”
Oh!
刚刚在咖啡厅明明口若悬河,现在两人并肩走在外面,许煦却有点不知道该说什么了。
Just moments ago, Xu Xu was talking non-stop in the café, but now that the two of them were walking side by side outside, she wasn't sure what to say.
这会儿天色已经黑透许久,路灯和灯箱广告将这条热闹的街照得通明。走了一段,旁边一股烤红薯的香味飘散过来。
By this time, the sky had been dark for a long while, and the street, illuminated by streetlights and neon advertisements, was brightly lit. After walking for a while, the scent of roasted sweet potatoes wafted over from nearby.
两人不约而同转头,看到靠近路边花坛处,有一个老大爷守着一个烤红薯的小车,那香味便是从他那里散发出来的。
Both turned their heads at the same time and saw an elderly man guarding a small cart selling roasted sweet potatoes near the roadside flower bed. The aroma must have come from him.
这个孤零零的小车,和旁边灯火明亮的店面比起来,显得过于冷清了。
This solitary little cart seemed too lonely compared to the brightly lit shops around it.
“我去买点红薯。”许煦被这香味勾得有些发馋。
"I'll get some sweet potatoes," Xu Xu was tempted by the smell.
柏冬青点头,同她一道走在小车前停下。近了才发觉,这老大爷估摸着得有七十来岁,身形佝偻,拿起许煦选好的一个小红薯过称时,手都有些颤抖。
Bai Dongqing nodded and walked up to the cart with her. As they got closer, they realized the elderly man was probably in his seventies, hunched over, and his hand trembled slightly as he weighed the sweet potato Xu Xu had chosen.
柏冬青伸手挑了几个大的:“大爷,这些我要了。”
Ba Dongqing reached out to pick a few large ones: "Old man, I'll take these."
老大爷对于这突如其来的大笔生意喜出望外,因为卖掉这几个大红薯,基本上就可以收摊了。他称好,收了钱,忙不迭激动道谢。
The old man was overjoyed at this sudden big business. Selling just these few large sweet potatoes would basically allow him to pack up. He weighed them, took the money, and thanked him excitedly without delay.
两人转身离开继续往学校走,许煦掰开手中的小红薯吃了口,瞅了眼柏冬青手中一大袋烤红薯,奇怪问:“你买这么多干什么?”
The two turned and walked on, continuing towards the school. Xǔ Xù broke open the small sweet potato in his hand and took a bite, then looked at the large bag of roasted sweet potatoes in Ba Dongqing's hand and asked in surprise, "Why are you buying so many?"
柏冬青道:“买了那老大爷就可以收摊了,这里八点半左右会来城管。”
Ba Dongqing said, "After buying those, the old man can pack up. The urban management will come around here around eight-thirty."
许煦有些愕然地看了他一眼,然后转头看向刚刚的小摊位,那老大爷果然在慢悠悠收摊,而不远处,一辆城管车正徐徐开来,路边的小贩风卷残云地逃离。
Xu Xu looked at him in some surprise, then turned to look at the small stall where the old man had been just a moment ago. Sure enough, the old man was slowly packing up his stall, while not far away, a city management vehicle was slowly approaching. The street vendors nearby fled like a windstorm.
她有些不可思议:“你怎么知道?”
She couldn't believe it: "How do you know?"
柏冬青轻笑:“我在星巴克打工经常看到,从我进大学就是这样,现在肯定也没变。那个老大爷在这边卖红薯也好几年了,之前身体还好,现在貌似越来越不行了。”
Bai Dongqing chuckled: "I often see it at Starbucks. It's been like that since I started university, and I doubt it's changed now. That old man has been selling sweet potatoes here for several years. He used to be in good health, but now he seems to be getting worse."
许煦吃了口红薯,含含糊糊道:“这么大年纪还要出来摆摊,他家里人都不管他的吗?”
Xu Xu took a bite of the sweet potato, speaking indistinctly: "At his age, he still has to come out and set up a stall. Doesn't his family take care of him?"
柏冬青沉默了片刻,低下头黯然道:“……也不是每个人都有家人的啊!”
Bai Dongqing fell silent for a moment, lowered his head, and said dejectedly, "Not everyone has a family, you know!"
许煦蓦地一愣,忽然想起他的身世,心理蓦地就有点发酸,不假思索脱口而出道:“学长,其实你也可以把我当家人啊!”
Xu Xu suddenly froze, recalling his background, and his heart suddenly ached. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Senior, you can also consider me as part of your family!"
“啊?”柏冬青一时没回神,有些怔怔地看向她。
"Ah?" Bai Dongqing was momentarily dazed and looked at her with a dazed expression.
什么乱七八糟的?许煦一口银牙差点咬碎:“我的意思是朋友也可以是家人,你有很多朋友,我也算是你朋友吧,都可以当成你家人,你不是一个人。”
What kind of nonsense is this? Xu Xu nearly bit through his silver teeth. "What I mean is that friends can also be family. You have many friends, and I can also be considered one of your friends. We can all be treated as family. You're not alone."
柏冬青有些失笑地摇摇头。
Bai Dongqing shook his head with a faint smile.
虽然面上是笑着的,但心中却有些黯然。这么多年,他接受了太多善意的同情,没有人问过他需不需要,于是他也就悉数接受了。
Though he was smiling on the surface, his heart was somewhat dim. Over the years, he had accepted too much of others' sympathetic kindness without anyone asking if he needed it, so he had taken it all in.
接受了,也就意味接受了位置的不对等。
By accepting it, it meant accepting an unequal position.
所以他其实并不喜欢被人同情。
So, he actually didn't like being pitied.
他轻叹了口气:“谢谢!”
He sighed lightly and said, "Thank you!"
许煦其实也意识到刚刚这种一听就出于同情的话语,并不是很妥当,可是想改口,又不知如何改起,于是只能假装专心去吃红薯。
Xu Xu actually realized that the sympathetic words he just said weren't quite appropriate, but when he tried to change his words, he didn't know how to do it, so he could only pretend to focus on eating the sweet potato.
此后,两人一路无话地走到了宿舍楼下。
After that, the two walked down to the dormitory building in silence.
柏冬青将手中的袋子递给她:“你拿去宿舍分给你室友他们吧!”
Bai Dongqing handed the bag to her and said, "Take it to the dormitory and distribute it to your roommates!"
许煦也没客气,毕竟这么多红薯,他肯定也吃不完,但自己宿舍的几个家伙个个都战斗力十足。
Xu Xu also didn't hesitate, after all, with so many sweet potatoes, he was sure he wouldn't finish them all, but his roommates in his dorm were all full of fighting spirit.
她接过袋子:“那谢谢啦,我走了!”
She took the bag and said, "Thank you! I'm off!"
柏冬青点头,站在原地没动。
Bai Dongqing nodded and stood still in place.
许煦走了两步,又想起什么似的,转头道:“学长,你以后来这边的时候,都给我发个信息吧,要是我在学校,咱们可以一起吃个饭。”
Xu Xu took two steps and then seemed to remember something, turning back to say, "Senior, next time you come here, send me a message. If I'm on campus, we can have dinner together."
柏冬青微微一愣,点头:“好的。”
Bai Dongqing was slightly taken aback and nodded: "Sure."
许煦走了两步又回头道:“我实习遇到不懂的地方,就请教你了。”
Xu Xu took two steps and then turned around, saying, "If I have any questions during my internship, I'll ask you."
柏冬青请笑了笑:“嗯。”
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly: "Alright."
许煦看了他一眼:“那我上去了。”
Xu Xu glanced at him and said, "Then I'll go up."
柏冬青点头,看着她的背影进入宿舍楼,消失不见,才慢慢转身离开。
Bai Dongqing nodded and watched her figure enter the dormitory building before slowly turning away.
第22章
Chapter 22
“来来来!快点帮忙消灭烤红薯。”许煦风风火火跑回宿舍,推开门大声道。
"Come on! Hurry up and help me roast sweet potatoes," Xu Xufeng ran back to the dormitory, pushed the door open, and shouted loudly.
几个正在玩电脑的女孩转过头, 见她这满面春风的样子, 冯佳先笑着开口:“瞧你这小模样, 遇到什么高兴的事儿了?”
Several girls who were playing computer games turned around. Seeing her cheerful expression, Feng Jiaxian smiled and asked, "You look so happy, what's the good news?"
许煦有些莫名地摇摇头:“没有啊!”
Xu Xu shook her head for some reason: "No!"
王妍跑过来, 接过她手中的袋子,看清楚分量, 惊讶道:“你买这么多红薯干嘛?”
Wang Yan ran over, took the bag from her hand, checked the quantity, and said in surprise, "Why did you buy so many sweet potatoes?"
许煦道:“不是我买的, 刚刚和朋友喝完咖啡, 路过一个老大爷的红薯摊,见城管快来了,朋友就把大爷的红薯都买了, 好让他在城管来之前收摊。”
Xu Xu said, "It wasn't me who bought them. Just now, after having coffee with a friend, we passed by an elderly man's sweet potato stall. Seeing that the urban management was about to arrive, my friend bought all the sweet potatoes for the elderly man so he could pack up before the urban management arrived."
王妍哇了一声:“你朋友男的女的?这么有爱心?”
Wang Yan exclaimed, "Is your friend male or female? So kind!"
“男的啊!”
Man!
冯佳笑道:“你俩不知道,刚煦儿出去见她这朋友,打扮了好久。看她现在这样子, 肯定是有情况。”
Feng Jia smiled and said, "You two don't know, Juxu went to meet her friend just now and spent a long time getting dressed up. Judging by her current state, there must be something going on."
许煦摆摆手:“别胡说八道!”
Juxu waved his hand, "Don't talk nonsense!"
王妍拿起一个红薯掰开往嘴里送, 含含糊糊问:“什么朋友啊?我们认识吗?”
Wang Yan picked up a sweet potato, broke it open, and put it in her mouth, asking 含含糊糊, "What kind of friend? Do we know her?"
本来坦坦然然的许煦,忽然就梗了一下:“……你们不认识。”
Xu Xu, who was originally calm and composed, suddenly stiffened: "…You don't know her."
她也不知道自己为什么不愿意告诉室友们, 自己今天去见的人是柏冬青, 大概是怕她们太八卦, 自己一不小心被问出两人度过一夜这种事吧?
She didn't know why she didn't want to tell her roommates that the person she met today was Bai Dongqing. Perhaps it was because she was afraid that they would be too nosy and accidentally ask about spending a night together?
冯佳笑着看她:“咱们打个赌, 煦儿要梅开二度了!”
Feng Jia smiled at her and said, "Let's make a bet, Xu Xu is going to score again!"
王妍坏笑着乜了她一眼:“我瞅着也有点像。”
Wang Yan gave her a sly smile and glanced at her, "I think it looks a bit like it too."
学霸吴小南也附和:“所以煦儿是准备黄昏恋了吗?”
The studious Wu Xiaonan chimed in: "So, Xiur is planning to be in a 黄昏恋, huh?"
在大学校园里, 大四开始的恋爱,都被戏谑为黄昏恋。
On the university campus, romances that start in the senior year are 戏谑 ly called 黄昏恋.
“什么乱七八糟的!”许煦摆摆手,从王妍手中夺回一大个红薯, “我吃红薯了,懒得跟你们说!”
What nonsense!" Xu Xi waved her hand and took back a large sweet potato from Wang Yan, "I'm eating a sweet potato, too lazy to talk to you!
不知为什么,总觉得把谈恋爱,尤其是自己谈恋爱这种事和柏冬青联系到一块儿,实在是有种荒谬的不真实感。
For some reason, it always felt absurd and unreal to connect dating, especially one's own dating, with Bai Dongqing.
这晚,因为不想浪费,在其他三个人战斗力不济的情况下,许煦一个人吃了两大个烤红薯,以至于肚子胀气胀了一晚上。当然,这也不是什么大事!
That night, not wanting to waste food, Xu Xu ate two roasted sweet potatoes by himself when the other three people were not strong enough to eat. As a result, he had gas pains all night. Of course, this wasn't a big deal!
两个星期后,许煦正式开始了朝九晚五的实习生活,踏入了成人社会的第一步。她这才知道,原来工作比自己想象得更辛苦,她一个实习生,不过因为每天朝九晚五像沙丁鱼一般挤地铁就苦不堪言,她都不敢想象,数年如一日的上班族,是怎么忍受下这种生活的。
Two weeks later, Xu Xu officially began her nine-to-five internship, taking the first step into adult society. She only then realized that work was much harder than she had imagined. As an intern, she was already suffering from the daily commute, packed like sardines on the subway, and she couldn't even begin to imagine how office workers endured this lifestyle day in and day out for years.
好在工作中的收获足以将这些繁琐的痛苦抵消。毕竟不愿意挤地铁,她还能打车。
Fortunately, the rewards from her work were enough to offset these tedious hardships. At least, she could still take a taxi instead of enduring the crowded subway.
从记事起的很长时间里,她一直也只是一个普通工薪家庭的孩子,甚至还一度经历过家庭窘困时期,所以即使后来家境因为父亲经商成功而改变,她也并没有从一个工薪家庭孩子的心态真正转为富二代。
For a long time since she could remember, she had always been just a child from a regular middle-class family, even experiencing a period of financial hardship. So, even though her family's circumstances improved due to her father's business success, she never truly shifted from the mindset of a middle-class child to that of a nouveau riche.
直到如今,当她可以把通勤的将近两个小时,毫无负担地从地铁改为打车,她才意识到自己好像真的和周遭普通同学不大一样。
Until now, when she could effortlessly switch from taking the subway for nearly two hours to hailing a ride, she realized that she might be quite different from her ordinary classmates.
⑧ ○ 電 孑 書 w W W . T X t ○ 2. c o m
⑧ ○ 電 孥 書 w W W . T X t ○ 2. c o m
感谢老爸!
Thank you, Dad!
工作一忙,生活中一些还没来得及辨明真面目的小事和心情,也就暂时被忽略了。
When work gets busy, small things and moods in life that haven't had a chance to reveal their true nature are temporarily overlooked.
柏冬青一个星期来这边办事顶多也就一两次,遇上了就匆匆在食堂里吃顿饭。因为许煦要上班,其实更多的是遇不上,不过关系倒也不算太疏淡,许煦工作中遇到问题,就会发消息请教他,不管何时何地,她都能及时收到他的解答。
Ba Dongqing only came over here to handle business a couple of times a week, and when they met, he would quickly have a meal in the cafeteria. Since Xu Xu needed to work, they often didn't meet at all, but their relationship wasn't too distant. Whenever Xu Xu had a problem at work, he would send a message to ask for advice, and she would always receive his response promptly, no matter the time or place.
到岁末时,两个人差不多一个月没见面,直到临近寒假,许煦又才收到他的约吃饭短信。这次是提前约好的,自然不是匆匆去食堂见个面,而是找了校外一家很火的餐馆。
By the end of the year, they hadn't seen each other for almost a month until Xu Xu received his text invitation to have dinner just before the winter break. This time, they had made prior arrangements, so it wasn't a rushed meeting in the cafeteria; instead, they had chosen a popular restaurant outside the campus.
许煦赶到的时候,柏冬青已经在订好的位置坐着。
When Xu Xu arrived, Ba Dongqing was already sitting at the reserved table.
“你今天不忙吗?”许煦气喘吁吁坐下,见他难得气定神闲,不像每次都跟刚打完仗的样子,好奇问。
"Are you not busy today?" Xu Xu panted as he sat down, noticing that he seemed unusually calm and relaxed, unlike his usual state after a battle, and asked curiously.
柏冬青微微笑了笑,给她倒了杯水,放在她面前:“刚刚办完一个案子,已经很久没休息了,这两天给自己放了个假。”
Bai Dongqing smiled slightly and poured her a cup of water, placing it in front of her: "Just finished a case. I haven't had a proper rest for a long time. I gave myself a break these past couple of days."
许煦端起水杯喝了口水,看到他道:“是那个未成年人杀害继父的案子吗?”
Xu Xu picked up the water cup and took a sip, then said to him, "Is it the case of a minor killing their stepfather?"
柏冬青点头:“是的。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Yes."
许煦笑道:“这案子正好是我师父跟的,那孩子挺可怜的,本来我们还想着一条人命,男孩也已经年满十六,估计得判个几年,没想最后判三缓三,也算是松了口气。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "This case was exactly what my master was handling. The child was quite 可怜 (poor). We originally thought he would get a few years in prison since he is already sixteen. But in the end, he was given three years suspended for three years, which is a bit of a relief."
柏冬青道:“那孩子很优秀,被继父家暴多年,出事也是因为失手。我让他的邻居和老师同学写了请愿书。法官毕竟也是人,所以在法律范围内判了最轻。”
Bai Dongqing said, "That child is very outstanding. He was subjected to domestic violence by his stepfather for many years, and the incident happened because of a momentary loss of control. I had his neighbors and classmates write a petition. After all, judges are human, so the judge gave the lightest sentence within the legal framework."
许煦道:“我师父当时去旁听了,说这个案子你打得很漂亮,还说你绝对是刑辩界一颗新星。”
Xu Xu said, "My master attended the trial as an observer and said that you did a great job on this case. He also said that you are definitely a new star in the criminal defense field."
柏冬青抿嘴轻笑:“这个太过誉了。”他抬头看她,“你最近工作怎么样?”
Bai Dongqing pursed his lips and smiled lightly. "That's too generous." He looked up at her, "How's your work been recently?"
说到这个,许煦就忍不住开始絮絮叨叨。其实习惯了,倒也不觉得工作有多辛苦,可不知为什么,忍不住就想跟他吐苦水。
Talking about this, Xu Xu couldn't help but start babbling. Actually, she was used to it and didn't find her work particularly tiring, but for some reason, she couldn't help but want to complain to him.
“实习生真得特别悲催,谁都能使唤!”
Interns are really unlucky; everyone can boss them around!
“我上次写一篇小稿子,被主编发回修改了十几遍,熬了两个通宵。”
I wrote a small article last time, and the editor sent it back for revisions over ten times. I stayed up for two nights straight.
……
一开始柏冬青还因为担心而微微皱起眉头,但渐渐听出她分明只是故意吐槽,言语间并没有任何不开心,甚至还带着些好玩的兴奋,于是他的眉头也就渐渐松开,看着她的目光温柔如水,嘴角不由自主弯起一丝弧度。
At first, Bai Dongqing's frown was due to concern, but as he gradually realized that she was just joking around, with no real unhappiness in her words and even a hint of excited fun, his frown slowly eased. His gaze softened, becoming gentle as water, and a smile involuntarily curved the corners of his mouth.
一顿饭自然是气氛轻松,心情愉悦。这家店本来味道就不错,许煦胃口大开,吃得肚子撑了才心满意足地放下筷子。
The meal naturally had a relaxed atmosphere and a joyful mood. The food at this place was already quite good, and Xu Xu opened her appetite, putting down her chopsticks only when her stomach was full.
柏冬青见她吃完,也放了筷子。
Bai Dongqing put down his chopsticks after seeing her finish.
他吃得不算多,其实早就吃好,只是不好先放筷子,怕她会不好意思继续,所以才一直等着她。
He didn't eat much, but he had actually finished long ago. He just didn't want to put down his chopsticks first, afraid that she might feel embarrassed to continue eating. That's why he waited for her.
许煦伸伸胳膊,满足地长喟叹一声:“好久没这么好好吃顿饭了。”
Xu Xu stretched her arms and sighed contentedly, "It feels like it's been ages since I had such a good meal."
柏冬青看着她轻笑:“工作忙也要好好吃饭的。”
Ba Dongqing smiled lightly at her: "You should eat well even when you're busy with work."
许煦反问:“那你有好好吃吗?”
Xu Xu asked in return: "Then do you eat well?"
柏冬青被噎了一下,不太有底气道:“还好。”
Ba Dongqing was caught off guard and spoke with less confidence: "It's okay."
他默默看了眼她,随口转移话题:“你确定毕业去向了吗?是打算留在杂志社吗?”
He silently glanced at her and casually changed the subject: "Have you decided on your graduation plans? Are you planning to stay at the magazine?"
许煦愣了下摇头:“这份工作我还挺喜欢的,但不确定能留下来。而且家里的意思是希望我回去工作。其实之前我有打算留在这里,毕竟这个城市比我家要发达一些,我又在这儿上了四年学,已经习惯这边的生活。但回到家有父母照顾,要是工作不顺有他们可以依靠,怎么都比一个人留在这里好。”她顿了顿,笑着继续,“其实仔细想想,好像这里也没什么值得我留下的。”
Xu Xu was taken aback and shook her head: "I quite like this job, but I'm not sure if I can stay. Plus, my family hopes I return to work. Actually, I had planned to stay here before, since this city is more developed than my hometown, and I've been studying here for four years, so I'm quite accustomed to the lifestyle here. But going back home with my parents to take care of me, and having them to rely on if my job doesn't go well, seems better than staying alone here." She paused, then continued with a smile, "Actually, if I think about it carefully, it seems like there's nothing here that really deserves me to stay."
他们这种专业,大部分都是奔着考公去的,这个时候工作定下来的并不多,她倒也不急,只不过像她这种还不确定自己想去哪里的却不多。
For their field, most people aim for public service positions, so not many jobs are finalized at this stage. She wasn't particularly anxious about it, but people like her, who weren't sure where they wanted to go, were relatively rare.
话虽然如此说,但她心里其实好像并不想离开这座生活了快四年的城市——只是,她并不太清楚,心中那说不清道不明的念念不舍,到底是源于哪里?
Although she said this, she actually didn't seem eager to leave this city where she had lived for nearly four years—yet, she wasn't entirely sure where that vague reluctance in her heart came from.
她这一番话说完,柏冬青沉默良久,才云淡风轻地应道:“是啊!回家挺好的,毕竟是在家人身边,有家人照顾着比什么都好。”
After she finished speaking, Bai Dongqing remained silent for a long time before responding lightly, "Yes! Going back home is good. After all, being with family is better than anything else."
许煦笑着坦然道:“我爸妈确实是希望我回家。回了家也不用太担心工作,毕竟家里还算有点人脉,我想做什么工作,大概都不是太难。不像在这里什么都得自己摸黑瞎撞,摔倒了也不会有人扶。”说着又笑了笑,“当然,我觉得靠自己得到的东西,其实更有成就感。”
Xu Xu smiled and said frankly, "My parents do indeed want me to go back home. Even if I go back, I don't have to worry too much about my job. After all, the family still has some connections. I think I can find a job that suits me, and it probably won't be too difficult. Unlike here, where I have to figure everything out on my own in the dark, and no one will help me up if I fall."
第18节
Chapter 18
柏冬青拿起手边的茶杯,低头默默呷了口茶,
Bai Dongqing picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip in silence.
许煦看着他垂眸时,微微跳动的眼睫,随口问:“学长,你算是过来人,有什么建议?”
Xu Xu, looking at him with his lowered gaze and fluttering eyelashes, casually asked, "Senior, as someone who has been through it, do you have any advice?"
“啊?”柏冬青抬头,表情闪过一丝茫然,旋即又恢复,他放下杯子,重复之前的话:“回家挺好的。”
Ah?" Bai Dongqing raised his head, a momentary look of confusion flashing across his face before it returned to normal. He put down his cup and repeated his previous words: "It's good to go home.
听到这个答案,许煦心里头莫名有些失落,不过很快就被她挥开,故作轻松道:“不过我家和这里也挺近的,以后我来这边玩儿,你可要尽地主之谊请我吃饭,你要去我家那边的话,我可以当导游带你玩儿。”
Hearing this answer, Xu Xu felt a strange sense of disappointment in her heart, but quickly brushed it aside and pretended to be casual, saying, "But my home is not far from here either. In the future, if I come to play here, you should treat me to dinner as a host. If you want to go to my place, I can be your tour guide and show you around."
柏冬青笑了笑,点头:“好的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and nodded, "Okay."
回到宿舍,许煦不像以往那样春风满面,而是有些悻悻然地趴在桌前,对着电脑发呆。旁边的冯佳看到她这模样,将椅子滑过来,笑着问:“不是和你朋友去吃饭了吗?我看你出门时还挺高兴啊!怎么回来就这么无精打采了?和朋友吵架了?”
Returning to the dormitory, Xu Xu did not look as cheerful as usual, but instead lay on the desk with a somewhat sulky expression, staring blankly at the computer. Feng Jia, sitting beside her, noticed her demeanor and pushed her chair over, smiling and asking, "Didn't you go out to eat with your friend? I saw you seemed quite happy when you left! Why are you so listless now? Did you have a fight with your friend?"
许煦摇头:“就是忽然想到要毕业了,有点伤感。”
Xu Xu shook his head: "It's just that I suddenly realized it's graduation time, and I feel a bit sad."
“怎么?舍不得我?那就留在这里陪我呗!”
"Why? Don't you want to stay with me?"
她们宿舍就冯佳一个是本地人,她工作已经签下来,进了本市一家大企业法务部,另外两个都是要回家的,只有她一个人还在迷茫着不知去向。
Their dormitory only had Feng Jia as a local, who had already signed a job offer with a legal department at a large enterprise in the city. The other two were going home, while she was the only one still uncertain about her future.
许煦嘻嘻笑着抱着冯佳:“我就是舍不得你啊!”
Xu Xu laughed and hugged Feng Jia: "I just can't bear to part with you!"
冯佳将她推开:“少来!实话告诉我,你是不是有喜欢的人啦?”
Feng Jia pushed her away: "Cut it out! Tell me the truth, do you have someone you like?"
许煦一头雾水地看着她:“没有啊!我就是不确定自己想去哪里发愁呢!”
Xu Xu looked at her in confusion: "No! I'm just unsure where I want to worry about!"
冯佳轻笑一声,拍拍她:“行吧,你就慢慢发愁吧!”
Feng Jia chuckled and patted her: "Alright, then you can worry away!"
许煦撇撇嘴,她真的就是有点迷茫啊!
Xu Xu pouted. She really was a bit lost!
*
临近毕业,好像时间都被按了加速键,还没反应过来,寒假就结束,冬去春来,又是一年开始了。
As graduation approached, it seemed that time had been sped up. Before she could react, winter vacation was over, winter gave way to spring, and a new year began.
许煦杂志社的实习结束于三月底。
Xu Xu's internship at the magazine ended in mid-March.
那天,她被叫进了主编办公室。主编是个很和蔼的中年人,笑嘻嘻示意她坐下,道:“许煦,你这几个月的实习表现很好。正好我杂志社要进两个人,你有没有意愿留下来?”说着又清了下嗓子,“虽然我们比不上律所有前途,也不是像体制内那样的铁饭碗,但总得来说,如果对咱们这行有兴趣,我们杂志还是一个很好的选择的。”
That day, she was called into the editor-in-chief's office. The editor-in-chief was a kind middle-aged man who smiled and gestured for her to sit down. "Xu Xu, your internship performance over these few months has been excellent. Since we need to hire two people, do you have any interest in staying?" He cleared his throat again, "Although we may not have the same prospects as a law firm, and we're not a secure 'iron rice bowl' like government jobs, overall, if you're interested in this field, our magazine is still a great choice."
许煦愣了下,回神赶紧道:“谢谢主编给我这个机会,我挺喜欢咱们这里的工作氛围的,对这行也很感兴。”
Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "Thank you, editor-in-chief, for giving me this opportunity. I really like the work atmosphere here, and I'm also very interested in this field."
“我知道我知道!”主编笑眯眯道,“你还得和家人商量一下对不对?没事,你这几天给我答复就行”
I know, I know!" The editor-in-chief smiled. "You should still discuss it with your family, right? Don't worry, just give me your response in the next few days.
许煦忙点头:“好的,我很快就给您答复。”
Xu Xu quickly nodded. "Sure, I'll give you my response as soon as possible."
没等回到宿舍,还在出租车上,许煦就迫不及待地给爸爸打了个电话。
Before even returning to the dormitory, still in the taxi, Xu Xu couldn't wait to call her father.
“爸,我有点事情和你商量。”
Dad, I have something to discuss with you.
“什么事?”
What's up?
“……就是我准备留在我现在实习的杂志社工作。”
...I'm just planning to stay at the magazine where I'm currently interning.
那头的许爸爸愣了下,笑道:“你很喜欢这份工作吗?”
St. Xu's father was taken aback for a moment and smiled, "Do you really like this job?"
许煦道:“就觉得还挺适合我,而且我就想看依靠自己到底能做出什么样子。”
Xu Xu said, "I just feel it suits me well, and I want to see what I can achieve by relying solely on myself."
许爸爸道:“你能这样想我很高兴,放心吧,你做什么决定,爸爸妈妈都支持你。”
Mr. Xu said, "I'm very happy you think this way. Rest assured, whatever decision you make, we parents will support you."
许煦笑开:“哎呀我还以为你要劝我回家呢!我真是太失落了,原来你们一点都不想我。”
Xu Xu smiled, "Oh my, I thought you were going to persuade me to go back! I was really disappointed, I didn't realize you didn't miss me at all."
许爸爸在那头大笑:“有什么好想的?你不在家这几年,我和你妈妈多过了不少二人世界。再说了,江城离家里也就几个小时,一天一个来回不在话下,等以后我工作不忙了,就带你妈妈去你那边陪你。等退休了,就去帮忙带外孙。”
Mr. Xu laughed on the other end, "What's there to miss? In the past few years you weren't home, Mom and I had plenty of time for just the two of us. Besides, Jiangcheng is only a few hours away from home, a round trip every day is no problem. When I'm not busy with work later, I'll take Mom to your place to be with you. When I retire, I'll go help take care of the grandchild."
许煦娇嗔道:“什么外孙啊?人家还是个宝宝呢!”
Xu Xu pouted, "What grandchild? I'm still just a baby!"
许爸爸被逗了:“你妈前天还问,你什么时候再交男朋友呢?现在好好谈一个,过几年就可以结婚啦!”
Xu Dad was amused: "Mom asked you just the other day when you were going to find another boyfriend. Now that you're in a good relationship, you can get married in a few years!"
恋爱虽然并不陌生,但结婚生子这种尘埃落定的人生,对于许煦来说,还是太不真切,她撇撇嘴:“你可看着点妈妈,让她工作之余做做点心听听音乐跳跳舞就好,继续做一个风雅的女性,可千万别跟三姑六婆一样,学人家催婚催生什么的,我可是要专注事业的新女性。”
Although dating wasn't unfamiliar, for Xu Xu, the settled life of marriage and children was still too distant. She pursed her lips and said, "Just keep an eye on Mom. Let her do some baking, listen to music, and dance in her free time, and continue to be a refined woman. Don't let her get involved with the neighborhood aunties, urging and pressuring you into marriage like they do. I'm a new woman focused on my career."
“不催不催,就是毕业了一个人离家在外 ,交个男朋友比较有个照应。”
No urging, no urging. It's just that after graduation, I'll be living away from home, and having a boyfriend will be more reassuring.
“那万一我不小心碰到个渣男呢!”
What if I accidentally end up with a 渣男!
“也是。”许爸爸道,“这样吧,上学的时候我们没管你,但如今要工作了,交了男朋友,就尽早让爸爸帮你过过目。你爸爸我可是当过法官的,绝对能一眼就能看出人品怎么样!”
Also," Mr. Xu said, "from now on, when you start working and have a boyfriend, we'll make sure to take a look at your work. I was a judge, so I can definitely tell if someone is trustworthy!
许被她爸逗了:“我怕你把人吓跑!”听到他日理万机的父上大人那边好像有人找他说话,她笑着道,“行了,许董你就忙吧,我挂了,还得打给老妈呢!”
Xu was teased by her father, "I'm afraid you'll scare them away!" Noticing that her father, who was busy with a thousand and one tasks, seemed to be talking to someone, she smiled and said, "Alright, Mr. Xu, you can go back to work. I'll hang up now, I still need to call my mom!"
在确定父母对她留在这边没有任何意见后,好像就一下找到了留在这里的理由,回到宿舍,许煦立马打电话答复了主编。
After confirming that her parents had no objections to her staying, it seemed she had found a reason to stay. Upon returning to her dorm, Xu immediately called her editor-in-chief.
不知是因为前路已知,还是单纯的确定工作,抑或是终于决定留在这个城市,总是这一晚许煦极其兴奋,上床后毫无睡意,辗转发侧半晌,忍不住摸出手机,将柏冬青的号码调出来,发了条信息过去:学长,我们杂志社让我留下了。
She was unsure if it was because she knew her future was set, or simply because she was sure about the job, or finally deciding to stay in the city, but that night, Xu was extremely excited. After getting into bed, she couldn't fall asleep and tossed and turned for a while before she couldn't resist reaching for her phone, pulling up Bai Dongqing's number, and sending a message: Senior, the magazine has asked me to stay.
那头正在出差的柏冬青,正在酒店准备休息,听到床头柜上的手机嗡鸣了一声,拿起来一看,便见到了这条短信。
Bai Dongqing, who was on a business trip, was preparing to rest in the hotel when he heard his phone on the bedside table vibrate. He picked it up and saw the text message.
他脑子里空白了一下,良久才回神,有些不确定地回过去:你是说毕业了留在江城?
His mind went blank for a moment before he regained his composure, uncertainly replying: Do you mean to stay in Jiangcheng after graduation?
许煦握着手机等到回复,赶紧回道:是的,以后还要多多关照啊!
Xu Xu held the phone, waiting for a reply, and quickly responded: Yes, I will need your continued guidance in the future!
盯着手机屏幕的柏冬青,看到这一句,嘴角不由自主弯起,回道:好的。
Bai Dongqing, staring at the phone screen, couldn't help but smile at this sentence and replied: Alright.
他将手机放回原处,站在床边发了会儿呆,默默走到卫生间打开淋浴,热水洒落在身上半晌,他才反应过来,自己刚刚已经洗过澡了。
He put his phone back where it belonged, stood by the bed for a moment, and silently walked to the bathroom to turn on the shower. The hot water poured over him for a while before he realized he had already taken a shower.
与此同时,江大的女生宿舍里,将手机关机的塞进枕头下,然后兴奋地床上打了两个滚。
At the same time, in Jiang Da's female dormitory, she turned off her phone and tucked it under her pillow, then excitedly rolled around on the bed.
“我天!煦儿你这是在床上翻跟头么?”她的大动静晃动了旁边的冯佳。
"Good heavens! Xu Er, are you doing somersaults on the bed?" Her loud movements shook her neighbor, Feng Jia.
许煦赶紧平静下来,佯装云淡风轻道:“……就找到工作了有点兴奋。”
Xu Hui quickly calmed down and feigned nonchalance, saying, "…I'm just really excited about getting a job."
冯佳轻笑:“你那工作有这么值得兴奋吗?”
Feng Jia smiled lightly: "Is your job really that exciting?"
“当然有。”
Of course it is.
第23章
Chapter 23
这段时日,柏冬青一直在外出差, 再见面已经是一个多月后的五月中旬。
During these days, Bai Dongqing had been on a business trip, and they met again in mid-May, more than a month later.
“刚刚回来吗?”餐厅里, 许煦见他风尘仆仆的模样, 随口问道。
"Have you just come back?" In the restaurant, Xu Xu saw his weary appearance and asked casually.
柏冬青目光落在对面久违的那张面容上, 点头:“接了个外地的案子,上午刚刚开完庭, 下了飞机想着正好从这边经过, 就来和你见个面。”
Bai Dongqing's gaze fell on the long-missed face across from him, and he nodded: "I took a case from another city. The trial just ended this morning, and as I was thinking I could pass by here, I came to see you."
许煦听他这样说, 心中莫名有些高兴:“那很累吧,应该先回去好好休息的。”
Hearing this, Xu Xu felt a strange sense of joy: "That must be tiring. You should go back and rest properly first."
柏冬青轻轻笑了笑:“也不算很累,反正接下来这个月手中的工作没那么挤了, 也算能稍稍放松一段时间。”他顿了顿,迟疑着试探问,“工作确定是留在法治周刊吗?”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly: "Not really that tiring. Anyway, the work for the rest of this month isn't as tight, so I can take a bit of a break." He paused, hesitating to ask, "Are you sure you're staying at the Legal Weekly?"
那次接到她短信后, 他就没再问过这事, 生怕只是自己心里头隐秘的妄想幻化成的一个梦。他也害怕那样的希望,一旦有希望, 就意味着他又再朝错误的方向踏了一步。
After receiving her text message, he never inquired about it again, fearing it was just a dream born from his hidden fantasies. He was also afraid that such hope, once it existed, meant he had taken another step in the wrong direction.
许煦点头笑道:“是啊!协议已经签了, 七月份就入职。”说着撇撇嘴, 有点郁卒地叹道, “以后就没暑假了, 等答完辩,我非得好好玩一阵子。对了你呢?最近除了工作,有什么要忙的吗?”
Xu Xuhui nodded and smiled, "Yes! The contract is signed, and I start in July." She then pursed her lips and sighed somewhat gloomily, "There won't be any summer vacation after this. Once I finish my defense, I have to play for a while. By the way, what about you? Have you got anything else to do besides work recently?"
柏冬青摇摇头:“没什么忙的, 不过正打算搬家,可能得花几天时间。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head, "Nothing urgent, but I'm planning to move, which might take a few days."
因为家里住得远,为了工作方便,许煦知道他是和同事一块在南区合租,听他这样说,好奇问:“为什么搬家?”
Since they lived far from home for the sake of work convenience, Xu Xuhui knew he was sharing a place in the South District with colleagues. Hearing this, she asked curiously, "Why are you moving?"
柏冬青有些无奈地笑道:“同事女朋友搬了进来,不是太方便了。”
Bai Dongqing smiled 无奈地 with a hint of helplessness: "My colleague's girlfriend moved in, it's not too convenient."
“哦!”许煦点头,这时才蓦地想起,前几天她老爸问她毕业住处的问题,打算过来给她买一套拎包入住的精装房,但想到要自己一个人住,她就有点忐忑,于是拒绝了老爸的好意,打算找毕业留在这里的同学一起合租房子。可关系好的同学,要不回老家,要不就和男朋友合住,她一时还没找到合适的,这会儿听到他说搬家,忽然灵光一闪,睁大眼睛问道:“你是打算一个人住,还是跟人合租?”
Oh!" Xu Xu nodded, suddenly remembering that a few days ago her father had asked her about her post-graduation accommodation and planned to buy her a fully furnished apartment. But thinking about living alone, she felt a bit uneasy and politely declined her father's offer, planning to find a roommate among her classmates who were staying on campus. However, her close classmates either had to return home or were living with their boyfriends, so she hadn't found a suitable one yet. Hearing him mention moving, a sudden idea struck her, and she widened her eyes and asked: "Are you planning to live alone or with someone else?
柏冬青看着她闪动的目光,愣了下:“应该还是找人合租吧,现在工作刚起步,还是得节约点。”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback by her sparkling eyes and hesitated: "Probably with someone else. Now that I'm just starting my job, I still need to be frugal."
许煦压抑着呼之欲出的激动,继续问:“那你是一定要和男生合租吗?”
Xu Xu held back her excitement and continued: "Do you have to live with a guy?"
柏冬青自然是指打算与同性合租,正要点头,却忽然意识到她问这话的原因,犹豫了片刻,才道:“……这个无所谓的。”
Bai Dongqing naturally meant to share an apartment with a same-sex roommate. Just as she was about to nod, she suddenly realized the reason for her question and hesitated for a moment before saying, "…That's fine."
许煦松了口气,假佯装随意道:“我马上也要找房子,如果你不介意的话,我能跟你合租吗?我单位也正好在南区。”顿了下,又赶紧补充,“主要是我没有一个人住过,所以想先找人一起合租,可是又担心不熟悉的人不好相处。”
Xu Xushun let out a sigh of relief and pretended to be casual, saying, "I'm going to look for a place to live soon as well. If you don't mind, could I rent a room with you? My workplace is also in the South District." He paused, then quickly added, "The main reason is that I've never lived alone before, so I want to find someone to share a place with first. But I'm also worried that it might be hard to get along with someone I don't know well."
说完,她屏声静气不动声色地看着他的表情。
After saying this, she watched his expression intently without making a sound.
她知道自己这个提议有些突兀,而他又不是那种会随便拒绝人的男生,暗忖着如果在他脸上看出一丝半点为难的表情,她立马就收回刚刚的话。
She knew her suggestion was a bit abrupt, and he wasn't the type to easily reject someone. She thought to herself that if she saw the slightest hint of hesitation on his face, she would immediately retract what she had just said.
然而柏冬青却低头端起水杯,垂眸慢条斯理喝了一口水,完全没让许煦看出他在想什么。
However, Bai Dongqing lowered his head, picked up the water cup, and sipped slowly, completely concealing what he was thinking from Xu Xu.
许煦咬了咬唇,故作轻松地笑道:“我就是随口这么一说,你要是觉得不方便就算了,反正留在本地的同学还是挺多的,我……”
Xu Xu bit her lip and smiled, trying to appear casual, "I was just saying it offhand. If you find it inconvenient, you don't have to. There are still quite a few students staying locally, I..."
“方便的!”柏冬青蓦地抬头打断她的话。
"Very convenient!" Bai Dongqing suddenly lifted his head and interrupted her.
“啊?”
Ah?
柏冬青看着她,轻笑了笑:“方便的,我刚刚是在想,租在哪一块离咱俩的单位都方便。”
Ba Dongqing looked at her and lightly smiled: "Convenient, I was just thinking, where to rent so that it's close to both of our workplaces."
许煦终于怔了下,不太确定地问:“真的吗?如果你觉得不方便就直接说,你不用跟我客气的,我真的就是随口一问。”
Xu Xu finally paused, asking uncertainly, "Really? If you find it inconvenient, just say so. You don't have to be polite with me, I was just asking casually."
柏冬青笑:“其实我也不愿意和不熟悉的人合租,所以觉得很方便。”
Ba Dongqing smiled: "Actually, I also don't want to share a place with someone I don't know well, so I thought it would be convenient."
许煦愉悦地笑开:“那就这么决定了。”
Xu Xu smiled happily: "Then that's settled."
柏冬青点头:“等我找好房子通知你去看,再决定租不租!”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Wait until I find a place and notify you to come and see it, then decide whether to rent it or not!"
许煦摆摆手:“不用了,我相信你肯定没问题,再说了你是律师,也不用担心遇到黑房东黑中介被骗,反正能让我毕业那天搬过去就行。”
Xu Xu waved her hand: "No need for that, I believe you'll be fine. Besides, as a lawyer, you don't need to worry about being scammed by black landlords or shady agents. Just make sure I can move in on graduation day."
“好的。”
Okay.
*
话是这样说,但随后柏冬青每次看了房子,都会给许煦发来地址和房内的照片,问她的意见。许煦本来也不娇气,就算多少有点公主病,四年大学宿舍的生活,也早就治好了。对她来说,只要环境好一点,生活方便就足以。而柏冬青发给她的照片,比她所预料的好太多,她自然不会有任何挑剔。
Though she said so, Bai Dongqing would always send Xu Xu the address and photos of the place she had seen, asking for her opinion. Xu Xu wasn't particularly fussy, and even if she had a bit of a princess complex, four years of dorm life had cured her of that. To her, as long as the environment was good and the living arrangements convenient, that was enough. And the photos Bai Dongqing sent were much better than she had expected, so she naturally had no complaints.
因为要留在江城,答完辩后,她和王妍她们搞了个短途的毕业旅行,然后就回家待着陪父母了,柏冬青租好了房子,她也没去看过,再回来便是要真正的毕业了。
Because she had to stay in Jiangcheng, after the defense, she and Wang Yan and the others went on a short graduation trip, and then she went home to stay with her parents. Bai Dongqing had already rented a place, but she hadn't gone to see it. Now that it was time for the real graduation, she was returning.
毕业典礼那天,艳阳高照。而在这之前的几天,各种散伙饭已经吃了一轮又一轮,这样兵荒马乱的兴奋,在送走两个远行的室友后,终于通通变成了伤感的离愁别绪。
On the day of the graduation ceremony, the sun was shining brightly. In the days leading up to it, there had been round after round of farewell dinners. The excitement of this tumultuous period finally turned into bittersweet farewells after she saw her two departing roommates off.
许煦回到宿舍,看着这住了四年的小窝,如今只剩下即将人去楼空的凌乱,这才真正意识到,青春就这么猝不及防地散场了。
Xu Xu returned to the dormitory, looking at this cozy little home where she had lived for four years, now left in a state of imminent vacancy. It was only then that she truly realized that her youth had come to an abrupt end.
冯佳刚刚送王妍和吴小南上车的时候,眼睛已经红了一圈,这会儿心里更加怅然,也不知从哪里摸出一罐儿啤酒递给她,叹道:“真的毕业了啊!”
When Feng Jia was just seeing Wang Yan and Wu Xiaonan off, her eyes were already red from crying. Now, feeling even more melancholy, she reached into her pocket and handed her a can of beer, sighing, "We're really graduating!"
许煦接过来,砰地一声打开,昂头喝了一口,企图将心中的伤春悲秋压下去一点,但终究还是没能成功,只得苦笑道:“你说咱们以后还有机会和王妍小南见面吗?”
Xu Xu took it and opened it with a bang, then lifted his head to take a sip, trying to suppress the spring sorrow in his heart. But he ultimately failed and could only say with a bitter smile, "Do you think we'll have the chance to meet Wang Yan and Xiaonan in the future?"
“有啊!”冯佳道,“现在通讯交通这么发达,想见面当然能见,我们不是说好,谁结婚都要出席的么?”
Of course!" Feng Jia said, "With how advanced communications and transportation are now, we can definitely meet if we want to. Didn't we agree that whoever gets married has to attend the other's?
许煦笑着点头:“也是!小南回了她们省会读研,王妍和我还是光棍儿,就你和你家郭铭谈了这么久,感情最稳定,肯定你最先结婚,到时候我要当伴娘的啊!”
Xu Xu nodded with a smile. "That's true! Xiaonan is back in her provincial capital for graduate studies, Wang Yan and I are still single, and you and your boyfriend Guoming have been together the longest, with the most stable relationship. So you'll definitely be the first to get married, and I'll be your maid of honor!"
谁也没意料到,当年那个自诩感情经历丰富,刚刚进校就说要去蹲帅哥的美女,和她高三毕业在一起的男友一直谈到了现在。许煦见过冯佳那个叫郭铭的男友,长相很普通,大概就是走在人群中,立马会被淹没的那一类,也并没有突出的才能,找到的工作不过是小公司的小职员,唯一的优点大概就是看着比较憨厚。许煦心底其实觉得那样的男生是配不上冯佳的,这些年追求冯佳的男生,比他条件好的也多得是。但大二那会儿,冯佳母亲重病,父亲卷走了钱带着小三私奔,丢了一堆烂摊子给她,是郭铭陪着她度过了难关,所以那时起,她就认定了这个男生。
No one could have anticipated that the beautiful woman who boasted about her rich romantic history and had just entered school saying she was going to stalk handsome guys, and her boyfriend from her senior year of high school, would still be together now. Xu Xu had met Feng Jia's boyfriend, Guoming, who was quite ordinary in appearance. He was the kind of person who would blend into a crowd and be easily overlooked. He didn't have any outstanding talents and worked as a low-level employee in a small company. The only advantage he had was that he seemed rather honest. Xu Xu actually thought that such a boy was not worthy of Feng Jia. There were many more boys who pursued Feng Jia over the years who were better off than him. But during their sophomore year, when Feng Jia's mother was seriously ill, her father took the money and ran away with his mistress, leaving her with a mess. It was Guoming who stayed by her side through the tough times, so from then on, she decided to stick with this boy.
感情的事,旁人无法置喙,她也唯有祝她幸福。
Emotional matters are beyond the reach of others, and she could only wish her well.
冯佳怅然地叹了口气:“结婚?怎么结啊?我和他都是都市底层,我家里就不必说了,我妈过世,我爸人都不知去了哪里,弟弟还在上学,我自己刚刚工作薪水也不高。郭铭父母下岗多年,全靠打零工过日子,还等着儿子工作了养老。”说着,朝她笑了笑,“咱们宿舍其实就你最幸福,他们两个也只是工薪家庭的孩子,还得为未来奔波。只有你,要是工作不顺心,还能回家继承家业呢!”
Feng Jia sighed wistfully: "Getting married? How can we do that? Both of us are from the lower echelons of the city. My family doesn't need to be mentioned; my mother passed away, and my father is nowhere to be found. My younger brother is still in school, and I just started working with a not-so-high salary. Guo Ming's parents have been unemployed for many years, relying on odd jobs to make ends meet, and they are waiting for their son to support them in their old age." She then smiled at her, "Actually, among our dorm mates, you are the happiest. They are both from middle-class families and have to worry about the future. Only you, if your job isn't going well, can still return home to inherit the family business!"
许煦轻笑:“哪有那么夸张!其实我们家条件变好也是我上高中之后的事。小学快毕业那年,我妈妈生了场重病,为了给她治病,不仅把房子卖了,还借了好多钱。终于凑够钱,去到帝都最好的医院做手术,当时我爸一个曾经当过兵的大男人,站在手术室外哭得泣不成声。后来我妈病好了,我爸就辞了公职下海了。所以其实我也经历过没钱的时候,但相信我,一切都会好的。你又漂亮又有能力,不出几年,肯定会变成真正的白富美。”
Xu Xu smiled lightly: "That's a bit exaggerated! Actually, our family's conditions improved after I entered high school. The year before I was about to finish elementary school, my mother fell seriously ill. To treat her, we not only sold the house but also borrowed a lot of money. Finally, we managed to gather enough money to go to the best hospital in the capital for surgery. At that time, my father, a man who had once served in the military, cried uncontrollably outside the operating room. Later, when my mother recovered, my father quit his public job and went into business. So, I have also experienced being without money, but believe me, everything will be fine. You are beautiful and capable, and in just a few years, you will definitely become a true white-collar and rich beauty."
冯佳笑:“那就承你吉言。”她顿了顿,看着她收拾好的行李,“需要我帮你搬家吗?”
Feng Jia smiled: "Then I'll take your good wishes." She paused, looking at her as she packed her luggage, "Do you need me to help you move?"
“不用不用!”许煦赶紧道,“晚点我朋友来接我。”
No, no!" Xu Xu hurriedly said, "My friend will come to pick me up later.
冯佳笑着打量了她一眼:“你这合租的朋友,不会就是之前来找你吃饭的那个吧?”
Feng Jia smiled and sized her up, "So, this roommate of yours isn't the one who came to eat with you before?"
许煦有点心虚地点点头。
Xu Xu nodded slightly, feeling a bit guilty.
“真的就只是朋友?”
Really just friends?
“是啊!”
Yes!
第19节
Chapter 19
“我总觉得有问题。”
I always feel something is off.
许煦一本正经道:“没有,就是一个很好的朋友。”
Xu Xu said seriously, "No, just a good friend."
“姑且相信你。”说着眨眨眼就,“要真有什么情况,一定要告诉我呢!”
Believe you for now," she said, winking. "If there really is anything, you must tell me!
“必须啊!你可是我最好的朋友,咱们又在同一个城市,以后还得经常见面啊!”
Of course! You're my best friend, and we live in the same city. We'll be seeing each other often!
说完又发觉不对,情况?什么情况?不过她也没有深想,笑了笑道:“你回家吧,不用陪我,我等朋友下班来接我。”
After saying this, she realized something was amiss. What kind of situation? But she didn't dwell on it, just smiled and said, "Go home. You don't need to stay with me. I'll wait for my friend to pick me up."
冯佳拍拍她:“那我走了,再联系。”
Feng Jia patted her. "Then I'll go. We'll keep in touch."
许煦点头。
Xu Xu nodded.
冯佳拿起包走到门口,拉开门又转过头,朝她笑了笑:“煦儿,恭喜咱们毕业!”
Feng Jia picked up her bag and walked to the door. She pulled it open and turned back, smiling at her: "Xu'er, congratulations on our graduation!"
许煦朝她举了举啤酒罐:“恭喜!”
Xu Xu raised the beer can and said: "Congratulations!"
待人走后,她便趴在空荡荡的桌上,迷迷糊糊睡了去,直到手机的铃声将她吵醒。
After everyone left, she leaned her head on the empty table and dozed off until her phone rang, waking her up.
她接起电话,是柏冬青。
She picked up the phone, and it was Bai Dongqing.
“我到了!”
I've arrived!
“好的,我马上下来!”
Okay, I'll come down right away!
“你等着我,我在宿管登记一下,然后上来帮你拿行李。”
You wait for me. I'll go register at the dormitory office and then come up to help you with your luggage.
“哦!”
Ah!
许煦东西该扔的扔,该送学弟学妹的送,剩下的家当不算太多,不过两个行李箱,一个大置物盒。
Xu Xu packed and threw away what she needed to, and gave some things to her junior or younger sister. The remaining belongings weren't too many, just two suitcases and a large storage box.
柏冬青很快上来,走进宿舍,看到她的行李,道:“我先帮你把盒子搬下去。”
Bai Dongqing quickly came up, walked into the dormitory, saw her luggage, and said, "I'll help you carry the box down first."
也不等许煦说什么,已经捋起白衬衣袖子,将那个主要装着书的大盒子搬起来往外走。
Without waiting for Xu Xu to say anything, she rolled up the sleeves of her white shirt and picked up the main box filled with books, walking out.
不出几分钟,人又已经上来。宿舍没有电梯,那箱子分量不轻,又是六月底的炎热天,上下一趟,他额头已经出了不少汗,本来白皙的脸,也有些发红了。
In just a few minutes, the person was already back up. The dormitory didn't have an elevator, and the box was quite heavy. It was the hot day at the end of June, and after going up and down once, sweat had already gathered on his forehead. His originally pale face was also slightly flushed.
当他一手拎起一个行李箱的时候,许煦反应过来,赶紧上来:“我自己拿一个!”
When he picked up a suitcase with one hand, Xu Xu realized and quickly came up: "I'll take one myself!"
柏冬青看她一眼,轻笑:“没事的,我来吧!你锁门去宿管办手续退钥匙。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her with a light smile: "It's fine, let me do it! You go lock the door and handle the procedures to return the key."
许煦哦了一声,关好门,走在他前面匆匆下楼去办手续,边走还边回头看了他几眼。他虽然拖着两个箱子,但还算气定神闲,并没有吃力的样子,她看过来时,他便朝她轻轻笑了笑。
Xu Xu nodded, locked the door, and hurriedly went downstairs in front of him to handle the procedures. As she walked, she kept glancing back at him. Although he was dragging two suitcases, he still seemed calm and composed, showing no signs of strain. When she looked back at him, he would give her a gentle smile.
暮色下的宿舍楼道,还没亮起灯,他清俊的脸,在影影绰绰中忽明忽暗,许煦忽然就有点心跳加速。只是毕业日夹杂了太多纷杂的情绪,以至于这突如其来的心跳,她并没有去认真探寻。
In the hallway of the dormitory building under the twilight, the lights had not yet been turned on. His handsome face flickered in and out of shadow, and Xu Xuhui suddenly felt his heart rate quicken. However, the graduation day was filled with too many complex emotions, so she did not seriously investigate the sudden increase in her heartbeat.
等到办好手续,从宿舍出来,许煦见到柏冬青等在路边一辆黑色车子旁边,她本以为他是帮忙叫了车,却才发觉这车没有司机,而且看着挺新。
After completing the procedures and leaving the dormitory, Xu Xuhui saw Bai Dongqing waiting by the side of a black car. She initially thought he had called for a ride, but she soon realized the car did not have a driver and looked quite new.
“好了?”柏冬青走上前几步问道。
"Done?" Bai Dongqing asked as he walked a few steps forward.
许煦点头,好奇开口:“你自己开车吗?”
Xu Xuhui nodded and curiously asked, "Do you drive yourself?"
柏冬青有点不好意思地笑了笑:“我刚买得车,工作老是跑来跑去没有车太不方便。”
Ba Dongqing smiled a bit awkwardly: "I just bought a car. With my job, I keep running around, and not having a car is really inconvenient."
其实这也只是一辆很普通的国产车,但许煦还是露出惊讶的表情:“学长你好厉害啊!才工作两年就能靠自己买车了。”
In fact, it was just a very ordinary domestic car, but Xu Xu still showed a surprised expression: "Senior, you're so impressive! You managed to buy a car with just two years of work."
她诚心实意的夸赞,甚至带着点崇拜的语气,柏冬青自诩并非虚荣的人,却也因为这样的赞美而有些心跳若狂,好不容易才保持表面的淡定从容,轻描淡写低声道:“车子很便宜的,还得更努力才行。”
Her sincere praise, even with a hint of admiration, made Ba Dongqing, who did not consider himself vain, feel his heart racing. He managed to maintain a calm exterior with difficulty, speaking in a light and casual voice: "The car is quite cheap. I still need to work harder."
许煦抬头笑盈盈看着他:“你肯定会更好的!”
Xu Xu looked up at him with a smile: "You'll definitely do even better!"
第24章
Chapter 24
暮色渐沉,校园里的夜灯已经亮起。柏冬青驾着车子慢慢往外开着, 坐在副驾驶的许煦趴在窗边, 看着熟悉的景致慢慢退后, 离愁别绪的忧伤忽然就纷沓而来, 甚至有些不敢相信这竟是她在大学的最后一天。
As twilight deepened, the night lights on campus began to glow. Bao Dongqing drove the car slowly out, with Xu Xu sitting in the passenger seat, leaning against the window and watching the familiar scenery recede. A wave of bittersweet nostalgia suddenly washed over her, making her almost unable to believe that this was her last day at university.
从明天开始她就不再是学生,而是一个真正的社会人了。
Tomorrow, she would no longer be a student but a true member of society.
“舍不得吗?”柏冬青觉察, 轻声问。
"Are you reluctant to leave?" Bao Dongqing sensed and asked softly.
许煦叹了口气, 点头:“是啊!”
Xu Xu sighed and nodded: "Yes!"
柏冬青思忖了片刻, 提议:“要不然下去走走?把学生生涯再延长一会儿?”
Bai Dongqing pondered for a moment and suggested: "How about we go for a walk down there? Extend our student life for a little while?"
许煦微微一愣,转头看他,笑道:“好啊!”
Xu Xu was slightly taken aback, turned to look at him, and smiled: "Sure!"
柏冬青弯唇笑了笑, 将车子开到不远处可以停车的地方。
Bai Dongqing smiled and steered the car to a nearby spot where it could be parked.
两个人下了车,许煦想起来问:“你晚上有事要做吗?会不会浪费你时间?”
The two got out of the car, and Xu Xu thought to ask, "Do you have anything to do tonight? Would it waste your time?"
柏冬青摇头:“这两天没什么要紧的工作。”他顿了下,“其实毕业两年, 虽然经常过来这边, 但也从来没有好好逛过学校了。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head: "There's nothing important to do these two days." He paused, "Actually, even though I often come here, I've never really taken the time to properly tour the campus in two years."
“那咱们就好好逛逛!”
Then let's tour the campus properly!
“嗯。”
Okay.
许煦转头看了他一眼,路灯下的男生, 或许现在已经不能叫男生了, 虽然还是很年轻, 浑身上下的青涩感却不知何时已经变得寥寥无几, 比起从前校园里那个总是穿着旧t恤的大男孩, 如今身着白衬衣的男人,已经成熟了太多。
Xu Xu turned to look at him. The boy under the streetlight might no longer be called a boy; although he was still quite young, the greenness that used to cover him had long since diminished. Compared to the big boy who used to always wear old t-shirts in the campus, the man in the white shirt had matured too much.
他的模样虽然还是那么温和沉静,没有半点锋芒, 但走在人群中,绝对会一眼就能被人看到。
Although his appearance was still so gentle and calm, with not a hint of sharpness, he would definitely stand out in a crowd.
两个人就这样默默并肩而行,不知不觉走到操场边,许煦有点累了,便道:“咱们去看台坐一会儿吧!”
The two walked in silence side by side, and before they knew it, they had reached the edge of the playground. Xu Xu was a bit tired and said, "Let's sit on the stands for a while!"
“好。”
Okay.
操场的看台没什么人,只有两三对靠在一起耳语的情侣。下面的操场倒是不少人在运动。几个男孩在夜灯下踢足球,跑道中有三三两两跑步的学生。
The stands of the playground were nearly empty, with only a couple of couples whispering to each other. Below, the playground was bustling with people exercising. Several boys were playing soccer under the night lights, and on the track, there were groups of students running.
许煦看着那些好像无忧无虑的少年们,怅然道:“感觉像做梦一样,四年一眨眼就过去了。明明刚刚入校时的场景,都还记得一清二楚。”
Xu Xu watched those seemingly carefree teenagers and sighed, "It feels like a dream. Four years have passed in the blink of an eye. I can still remember every detail of when we first arrived."
柏冬青笑:“是吗?”
Bai Dongqing smiled, "Really?"
“是啊!”许煦指着操场,“我还记得当时军训,我们专业就在左边靠近双杠的位置,还记得那个年轻教官长得特别帅。”
Yes!" Xu Xu pointed at the playground, "I remember during military training, our class was right next to the parallel bars on the left. I still remember that young instructor was exceptionally handsome.
柏冬青轻笑不语。
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly without speaking.
许煦偏过头看他,挑眉道:“你笑什么?我还记得大一第一次看到你的场景呢!”
Xu Xu turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow and said, "What are you laughing at? I still remember the first time I saw you in freshman year!"
“啊?”柏冬青转头对上她在夜幕下亮晶晶的眼睛。
"Ah?" Bai Dongqing turned his head to meet her bright eyes under the night sky.
许煦有点得意道:“就是在西门外,当时一个卖艺的残疾人二胡拉得很好,咱们一块站在那儿听。因为刮了大风,那大叔匆匆忙忙收摊,爬上他的残疾助力车时差点摔了,是你把他给抱了上去,然后饭卡给掉落在地上,正好我看到,就叫住了你。你肯定不记得了!”
Xu Xu said with a hint of pride, "It was right outside the west gate. At the time, a disabled street performer was playing the erhu very well, and we were standing there listening. Because of the strong wind, the old man had to quickly pack up his stall, and when he tried to climb onto his disabled scooter, he almost fell. You were the one who helped him up, and then your meal card fell to the ground. I saw it and called you over. You definitely don't remember this!"
柏冬青:“……我记得的。”
Ba Dongqing: "...I remember."
“是吗?”许煦听他这样说,心里莫名有些欢喜。
"Is that so?" Xu Xu felt a strange joy in his heart upon hearing this.
柏冬青点点头,当然还记得,每一次都记得啊!
Ba Dongqing nodded. Of course, he remembered! He remembered every time!
许煦道笑着继续道:“后来程放第一次带我和你们宿舍的人吃饭,你没去,就听他们提到你的事情。没多久去星巴克,才知道那个缺席的室友是你。”
Xu Xu smiled and continued, "Later, when Cheng Fang first took me and your dorm mates out to eat, you didn't go, but they mentioned you. Not long after, when I went to Starbucks, I found out that the absent roommate was you."
程放这个名字,已经很久没从她口中说出过,实际上那个人也确实早已经在她的心中变得面目模糊。只是到了毕业这一天,触景生情,过去四年的一切在脑海里如同走马观花,一些本来已经淡忘的人和事,忽然就又跳了出来。
The name Cheng Fang hadn't been on her lips for a long time, and indeed, that person had long faded from her heart. It was only on this graduation day, triggered by the scene before her, that the past four years flashed through her mind like a parade of images. People and events that she had long forgotten suddenly reappeared.
柏冬青本来凝视着她侧脸的眼睛慢慢垂下来,低头看向操场上年轻的身影。
Bai Dongqing's gaze, which had been fixed on her profile, slowly lowered, and she looked down at the young figures on the sports field.
许煦无知无觉地又道:“我不知道别人的大学是怎样的?但是我觉得我这四年我真的挺快乐,虽然学业不算优秀,但也做了很多还算有意义的事,有冯佳她们几个好朋友,还认识了像学长你这样好的人。唯一失败的大概就是谈了一场无疾而终的恋爱,连自己是怎么被甩了的都没搞清楚。”她顿了顿,又有些好笑道,“也不能算不清楚,大概是还是我不够好,第一次谈恋爱没经验,整天作天作地的。现在回想起来,当初程放已经很包容我了。不过虽然失败了,我也没什么好怨的,因为当时在一起的时候,他对我确实很好,我也很开心,若是以后能再遇到他,我还得好好感谢他呢!”
Xu Xu spoke without awareness, "I don't know how other universities are, but I feel that I've really been happy over these four years, even if my academic performance wasn't outstanding. I did a lot of meaningful things, had a few good friends like Feng Jia, and even met people like you, my seniors. The only failure might have been a love that didn't come to fruition, and I'm not even sure how I got dumped."
She paused, then added with a wry smile, "It's not really unclear. Maybe it was just that I wasn't good enough. My first love was inexperienced, and I was always making a big deal out of things. Looking back now, I realize that Cheng Fang was actually quite tolerant of me. Although it didn't work out, I have nothing to complain about. Because at the time, he was very good to me, and I was very happy. If I ever meet him again in the future, I should thank him!"
并不是刻意去缅怀失败的恋情和曾经的恋人,不过是在纪念那些一去不回的青春时光罢了。
It wasn't a deliberate attempt to reminisce about a failed relationship and a former lover, but rather a tribute to those irretrievable youthful days.
柏冬青低着头半晌没有说话,许煦以为她是被自己给酸到,有些不好意思地笑了笑:“学长,毕业狗就是这么矫情,你别介意啊!”
Bai Dongqing lowered her head and remained silent for a while. Xu Xu thought she was feeling a bit envious and smiled apologetically: "Senior, graduates are always this dramatic. Don't take it to heart!"
柏冬青终于抬头,对上她微微有些泛红的眼睛,嘴唇嚅嗫了下,低声道:“其实……”
Bai Dongqing finally lifted her head, meeting her slightly reddened eyes, and her lips trembled as she whispered, "Actually..."
“其实什么?”许煦眨眨眼睛问。
"What actually?" Xu Xu blinked her eyes and asked.
柏冬青默了片刻,终于还是摇摇头:“其实毕业的时候都是这样的。”
Bai Dongqing was silent for a moment before shaking her head: "Actually, everyone is like this when they graduate."
许煦笑:“是吗?你毕业的时候也这样”
Xu Xu smiled: "Really? You felt the same way when you graduated?"
刚说完这句,蓦地想起他毕业那天发生的事,本来自认为已经坦然多时的她,现下忽然又觉得面红耳赤。
Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered what happened on the day he graduated. She, who had long since come to terms with it, now suddenly felt her cheeks flush.
柏冬青显然也是想到这一茬,低着头掩饰掉脸上的神色,点点头道:“嗯,也挺伤感的。”
Bai Dongqing clearly thought of the same thing, lowering her head to hide her expression and nodded, saying, "Yes, it was quite sad."
为了化解尴尬,许煦故意戏谑道:“是不是因为有舍不得的女孩子啊?”
To ease the awkwardness, Xu Xu intentionally teased, "Is it because there were girls you couldn't bear to part with?"
“啊?”柏冬青怔了下,支支吾吾半晌没回答。
"Ah?" Bai Dongqing was taken aback, stuttering for a while without answering.
许煦转头看他,睁大眼睛,有些惊讶问道:“真的有啊?”
Xu Xu turned to look at him, her eyes wide, and asked with some surprise, "Really exists?"
“没……没……没有。”柏冬青结结巴巴,站起来,“时间不早了,咱们走吧!”
No... no... there isn't," Bai Dongqing stammered, standing up. "It's late. Let's go!
许煦来了劲儿,随着他起身,跟在他后面不依不挠:“学长,真的有啊?”
Xu Xu got more excited, getting up as well and following him persistently: "Senior, really exists?"
柏冬青干脆不说话了。
Bai Dongqing decided not to say anything.
许煦:“是谁啊?咱们学院的吗?你们年级的?你说一下名字,看我认不认识?”
Xu Xu: "Who is it? From our college? Your year? Tell me her name, and I'll see if I know her?"
柏冬青:“不是的。”
Bai Dongqing: "No."
许煦跟发现什么新大陆一般,好奇得心痒难耐,连刚刚因为毕业的伤春悲秋都暂时给忘记了,追着他问:“你说一下嘛!她现在在哪里?”
Xu Xu was as curious as if she had discovered a new continent, so eager that she had temporarily forgotten her own sadness over graduation. She pressed on, asking, "Tell me! Where is she now?"
柏冬青沉默。
Bai Dongqing remained silent.
许煦八卦心起,脑洞大开:“你不出国,不会是因为舍不得那个女孩子吧?”
Xu Xu's 八卦 heart flared up, and her imagination ran wild: "You're not going abroad because you can't bear to part with that girl, right?"
柏冬青继续沉默。
Bai Dongqing continued to remain silent.
许煦:“那你怎么不去追人家?”
Xu Xu: "Then why don't you go after her?"
柏冬青依旧保持沉默。
Bai Dongqing remained silent.
许煦:“你就跟我说一下嘛!我保证不告诉别人。”
Xu Xu: "Just tell me already! I promise I won't tell anyone."
柏冬青的嘴巴就跟蚌壳一样,一直到回到车上,都没说一个字。
Bai Dongqing's mouth was as stubborn as a clam shell, and he didn't utter a single word until they got back into the car.
许煦绑上安全带,有些挫败地瘪瘪嘴,借着车内灯光,朝他看了眼,见他满脸通红,猜想他是不愿意分享这种事情,被自己弄得发窘了,于是终于好心放过他,笑道:“好了,我不问了。”
Xu Xu fastened her seatbelt, pouting in frustration.借着 the interior lights, she glanced at him and saw that his face was flushed. She guessed he was unwilling to share such things and was made uncomfortable by her. So, she finally decided to be considerate and smiled, saying, "Alright, I won't ask anymore."
柏冬青终于开了尊口,低低“哦”了一声。
Bai Dongqing finally spoke up, letting out a low "oh."
*
租的房子,许煦还一次都没来过,当她跟着柏冬青走进门内时,这房子却完全超出了她的预料,因为比她之前看到的照片,要好上太多。
Xu Xu hadn't been to the rented apartment once before, but when she followed Bai Dongqing inside, the place far exceeded her expectations. It was much better than the photos she had seen before.
两居室的房子不算大,但屋子里干净温馨,家具明显是换过的,完全不像是出租房,每一处的陈设都看得出是精心布置过的,茶几上甚至还插着新鲜的花。
The two-bedroom apartment wasn't large, but it was clean and cozy. The furniture clearly had been replaced, making it look nothing like a rental. Every detail had been thoughtfully arranged, and there were even fresh flowers on the coffee table.
许煦换上拖鞋,行李都懒得管,兴奋地跑进去转了一圈,道:“学长,这房子也太好了吧!是你重新布置过的吗?”
Xu Xu changed into slippers and, without bothering with her luggage, ran excitedly around the room. "Senior, this place is amazing! Did you redecorate it?"
柏冬青把她的箱子拎进来,轻描淡写点头:“就是重新打扫了一下,左边那间卧室是你的,你看下怎么样?”
Bai Dongqing brought her suitcase in and nodded lightly: "I just cleaned it up. The bedroom on the left is yours. Take a look and see how it is?"
许煦笑嘻嘻推开房门,打开灯,看向那间即将属于自己的卧室,里面该有的家具一应俱全,款式很新,墙上还有几幅好看的装饰画。她兴奋地冲进去,用力往床垫上一躺,朝外面的人大声道:“学长,这些家具都是房东提供的吗?也太好了吧!”
Xu Xu smiled and pushed open the door, turned on the light, and looked at the bedroom that would soon be hers. All the necessary furniture was there, in very new styles, and there were a few nice decorative paintings on the walls. She excitedly rushed in, flopping down on the mattress, and shouted to the people outside, "Senior, are all these pieces of furniture provided by the landlord? This is too good!"
至此,所有毕业的伤感,彻底被对新生活的憧憬所替代。
From then on, all the sadness of graduation was completely replaced by anticipation for the new life ahead.
柏冬青嗯了一声:“我也是找了几家,对比后选择这一套的。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "I looked at a few options and chose this one after comparing them."
柏冬青将她的几个箱子搬到卧室门口,就没有再进去:“你收拾吧,需要帮忙就叫我。”
Bai Dongqing moved her several boxes to the bedroom door and didn't go in further. "You can tidy up. Call me if you need help."
许煦雀跃地跳起来:“这个房子太棒了,我自己找肯定是找不到的。”她拖进去一只箱子,想起什么似的,道,“对了学长,你把房租算一下,我转给你。”
Xu Xueruo jumped up excitedly. "This house is amazing. I definitely wouldn't have found it on my own." She dragged in a box and then seemed to remember something, saying, "Oh, senior, calculate the rent for me and I'll transfer it to you."
第20节
Chapter 20
柏冬青:“暂时不用给。”
Bai Dongqing: "You don't need to pay for now."
“啊?”
Ah?
柏冬青:“你那次在我家留了五千多块钱,够几个月房租了。”
Bai Dongqing: "You left over five thousand yuan at my place last time, enough for several months' rent."
许煦怔了一下,反应过来他说的是什么,这么长时间他从来没提过,还想着他不知道是自己留的。现下下意识想否认,但显然否认不了,只得支支吾吾道:“那个……学长,我留钱没别的意思,你别误会了。”
Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he was talking about. He had never mentioned it before and had thought he didn't know it was left by himself. Now, subconsciously, he wanted to deny it, but obviously couldn't, so he stammered, "Um... Senior, I left the money with no other intention, so don't misunderstand."
“我知道。”
I know.
“真的没别的意思。”
There really is no other meaning.
当时留钱是一时冲动,不过是看到他的生活状况,想要表达一点自己的心意。但回去后,越想越觉得自己是好心做坏事,不说两个人刚刚发生了那种关系,尤其他还是被动的一方,留钱势必会产生误会。就说一个正常的有手有脚且很努力的男生,谁会愿意收到一笔因为同情而给的钱。
At the time, leaving the money was a moment of impulse, just wanting to show a little of my own concern given his living situation. But after returning home, the more I thought about it, the more I felt I was doing more harm than good with good intentions. Not only had we just had that kind of relationship, but especially since he was the passive party, leaving the money would inevitably lead to misunderstandings. Even for a normal, capable, and hardworking boy, who would want to receive money out of sympathy?
所以她只祈祷他迟点发现那叠钱,这样大概就不会联想到是她留下的。再后来,得知他没出国后,两人再见面,他从来没提过,她以为他确实不知道,她也就放下这事了。
So she only prayed that he would discover the money later, hoping he wouldn't connect it to her. Later, when she found out he hadn't gone abroad, and they met again, he never mentioned it. She thought he truly didn't know, so she let the matter drop.
所以,许煦万万没想到他会忽然提起。此刻真是窘迫得要命,只恨自己当时太愚蠢。
So, Xu Xu never expected him to suddenly bring it up. At this moment, she was truly at a loss, hating herself for being so foolish back then.
可不是愚蠢么?不然也不会把人家给那什么了!
Isn't that foolish? Otherwise, they wouldn't have done that to someone else!
柏冬青看着她脸色一阵红一阵白,轻笑了笑,柔声道:“我知道你没别的意思,其实那时候我也挺缺钱的,放弃了公派去律所,一开始实习薪水很少,又没空再去打别的工,还是你留的那笔钱救了我几个月的急,我还一直没感谢你呢!”
Ba Dongqing watched her face turn red and then white, and softly smiled, saying, "I know you didn't mean anything by it. Actually, at that time, I was quite short on money. I gave up on the state-sponsored position at the law firm; my initial internship salary was very low, and I didn't have time to take on other jobs. It was your leftover money that saved me for a few months, and I haven't thanked you for it yet!"
许煦听着他这样说,怔愣了一会儿,才回过神,稍稍松了口气:“这样啊!”
Xu Xu listened to him say this and was stunned for a moment before coming back to her senses and slightly relieved, saying, "I see!"
第25章
Chapter 25
也不知道是毕业日折腾得太厉害,还是新床太舒服, 许煦这一觉睡到了日上三竿才醒过来, 打开床头的手机一看, 已经快十一点。
I wonder if it was from staying up too late celebrating graduation or if the new bed was just so comfortable, Xu Xu slept until the sun was high in the sky. Checking her phone by the bedside, she realized it was almost eleven o'clock.
虽然现在还没入职, 但大夏天睡到这个点,她也是有点不可思议。
Although she hadn't started her job yet, sleeping until this time in the middle of summer was still a bit unbelievable.
太阳从飘窗照进来, 将温馨的小卧室照得明亮, 她一骨碌坐起身, 满意地打量一下自己这新房间,顿时觉得心情大好。
The sun shone through the 飘窗, illuminating the cozy bedroom brightly. She sat up quickly, looking around her new room with satisfaction, and immediately felt much better.
本来想着开启了生活的新旅程会不习惯,哪知预期中的不适应一点都没发生。她欢喜地跳下床, 以为柏冬青已经去上班,不料刚刚走出卧室,就闻到一股食物的香味。
She had expected to be uncomfortable starting a new chapter in her life, but to her surprise, there was no such discomfort at all. She happily jumped out of bed, thinking that Bai Dongqing had already gone to work, but as soon as she stepped out of the bedroom, she caught a whiff of food.
她循着味道来到厨房门口, 看到柏冬青正站在料理台前切菜, 燃气灶上一个砂锅咕噜噜炖着什么东西,香气就是从那里飘散出来的。
She followed the scent to the kitchen door and saw Bai Dongqing standing in front of the countertop cutting vegetables. A wok on the gas stove was simmering something, and the aroma was wafting out from there.
“学长, 你今天没上班吗?”许煦问。
"Senior, didn't you go to work today?" Xu Xu asked.
柏冬青转头看了她一眼:“今天手上没什么忙的, 在家里看看卷宗就行。”
Bai Dongqing turned to look at her. "I didn't have much to do today. I can just look through the case files at home."
许煦问:“那你怎么不叫醒我?”
Xu Xu asked, "Then why didn't you wake me up?"
柏冬青轻笑:“你下个星期就上班, 也就这几天能肆无忌惮地睡睡懒觉了, 所以就没叫醒你。我马上做好饭, 你去洗漱吧!”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly: "You start work next week, so you'll only have these few days to sleep in as you wish. That's why I didn't wake you. I'll have the meal ready soon, so go wash up!"
“哦!”许煦抿嘴忍住心中的雀跃,转身走了几步,又不由自主回头, 朝厨房内的人看去。
"Oh!" Xu Xu pursed her lips to suppress her excitement, took a few steps, and then couldn't help glancing back, looking at the person in the kitchen.
此时的男人正拿着刀,将手中的土豆切成细细的丝儿,他的动作很熟练,低着头的模样认真无比,身体颀长挺拔,侧脸沐浴在窗外透进来的阳光中,有种说不出来的熨帖。
The man at that moment was holding a knife, slicing the potato into thin threads with great skill. His movements were so proficient that his head was lowered, his expression utterly serious. His tall and straight figure was bathed in the sunlight filtering through the window, casting a comforting glow on his profile.
许煦的心脏噗通跳了两下,笑着回身钻进了洗手间。
Xu Xu's heart thumped twice, and she smiled as she turned and entered the bathroom.
二十分钟后,餐厅的小餐桌上,摆放了三菜一汤,菜式很简单,不过是普通的家常菜,红烧鸡翅、酸辣土豆丝、白灼菜心以及一道排骨汤。
Twenty minutes later, on the small table in the restaurant, there were three dishes and a soup. The dishes were simple, just ordinary home-cooked meals: braised chicken wings, stir-fried potato strips with vinegar and chili, steamed broccoli, and a rib soup.
许煦却是搓手兴奋道:“学长你好厉害啊!一看就很好吃。”
Xu Xu was rubbing his hands excitedly and said, "Senior, you're so amazing! It looks really delicious."
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“其实我会做得菜也不是很多,都是些最简单的家常菜。”
Bai Dongqing lightly smiled, "Actually, I can only cook a few dishes, mostly the simplest home-cooked meals."
许煦笑:“已经很厉害了,我连鸡蛋就煎不好。”她坐下来,拿起筷子尝了一口,“好吃!以后你也教我,咱们还能搭伙吃饭呢!”
Xu Xu smiled, "That's already very impressive. I can't even fry an egg properly." She sat down and picked up her chopsticks to take a taste, "It's delicious! You should teach me how to cook too. We can eat together!"
柏冬青也坐下来,脸上被人夸赞的掩饰有些掩饰不住,点点头:“好啊!”他顿了顿,举起手中的饮料杯子,“祝贺你正式开启新生活!”
Bai Dongqing also sat down, the praise on his face not quite hidden. He nodded: "Good!" He paused, then raised the glass in his hand, "Congratulations on officially starting your new life!"
许煦忙不迭放下筷子,和他碰了碰杯:“也算是咱们共同的新生活!”
Xu Xu quickly put down her chopsticks and clinked her glass with his, "It's also our new life together!"
柏冬青看着她的黑眸里,涌上温和的笑意。
Bai Dongqing looked into her black eyes, seeing a gentle smile appear.
许煦作为社会人的新生活,就从这套温馨别致的出租房开始了。
Xu Xu's new life as a member of society began with this cozy and unique rental apartment.
刚开始工作,自然是忙碌的,好在住处和单位隔得不远,早上坐柏冬青的顺风车出门,晚上慢慢悠悠回来。
At the beginning of her work, it was naturally busy, but fortunately, her place and workplace weren't far apart. She would ride in Baidongqing's car in the morning and return slowly in the evening.
合租之后,她才知道柏冬青的工作到底有多忙,几乎每天七八九点才能回家,回来后也还会继续埋头工作,双休什么的形同虚设,两个人相处的时间并不多。
After sharing a room, she realized how busy Baidongqing's work was. He usually didn't return until seven, eight, or nine o'clock every day, and even after coming back, he would continue working. Weekends were practically non-existent, and their time together was scarce.
但作为合租室友,他真是妥帖得无可挑剔,每天早上会做好早餐与许煦分享,房间干净得让她永远想不起来去打扫,花瓶里总插着鲜花,两个人都有空在家的时候,他就会做一顿可口的饭菜,许煦每回要蠢蠢欲动试手,都被他用下次吧打发掉,自告奋勇洗碗,三回也顶多成功一次。
However, as a roommate, he was impeccable. Every morning, he would prepare breakfast for Xu Xu to share, and the room was always so clean that she never thought to clean it herself. Fresh flowers were always in the vase. When both of them had free time at home, he would cook a delicious meal. Every time Xu Xu wanted to try cooking, he would dismiss her with "next time," and when he offered to wash the dishes, he succeeded only about once in three attempts.
两人住在同一屋檐下后,他第一次出差,因为担心许煦一个人住在家里害怕,晚上还专门打电话督促她检查门锁,和她一直语音通话,等她睡着才挂断——当然两个人通话,也主要是许煦在说,他在对面听着。
After living under the same roof, he made his first business trip and was worried about Xu Xu being alone at home, so he called her every night to check if the door was locked and stayed on the phone with her until she fell asleep—of course, most of the conversation was Xu Xu talking, and he listened on the other end.
而作为合租者,许煦唯一能做的,大概也就是尽量把冰箱填满。
As a roommate, Xu Xu could only try to fill the refrigerator to the brim.
比起上学时缓慢悠长的时光,一旦毕业,日子好像就被安装了加速器,过得飞快。似乎夏天还没离开多久,秋天便转瞬即逝,眨眼就到了岁末。
Compared to the slow and leisurely days of school, once graduation arrives, time seems to be accelerated, passing by quickly. It felt like summer had not yet left when autumn had already passed in a blink, and before she knew it, the end of the year was approaching.
这日八点不到,柏冬青在房内工作,许煦在客厅边看电视边给他切了一盘水果。因为已经太熟悉,她也没敲门,直接握着门把手拎开,轻轻推开门,探进一个脑袋:“学长,吃水果!”
At eight o'clock that morning, Bai Dongqing was working in the room, while Xu Xu was in the living room, watching TV and slicing a plate of fruits for him. Since they were already so familiar with each other, she didn't knock; instead, she grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, gently pushing it open and sticking her head in: "Senior, come eat some fruits!"
坐在写字台前的柏冬青,正戴着耳机对着电脑屏幕,似乎是在和人视频说话,觉察她推门,像是被吓到一般,惊慌失措般摘下耳机,猛得将笔记本啪嗒一声合上。
Bai Dongqing, sitting at his desk with headphones on and facing the computer screen, seemed to be having a video call. Noticing her push the door, he seemed to be startled, hastily taking off the headphones and slamming his laptop shut with a loud snap.
许煦愣了下:“我打扰你了吗?”
Xu Xu was taken aback: "Did I disturb you?"
柏冬青慌乱的神色很快恢复,摇摇头起身,走到她面前,将水果接过来:“谢谢!”
Bai Dongqing quickly regained her composure, shook her head, stood up, and walked to her, taking the fruits: "Thank you!"
许煦试探问:“你刚刚和人视频?”
Xu Xu probed, "Did you just have a video call with someone?"
柏冬青看了她一眼,点头。
Bai Dongqing glanced at her and nodded.
许煦笑:“什么人啊?不是工作吧?”
Xu Xu smiled: "Who is it? Not for work, right?"
柏冬青表情有些神色莫辨:“不是。”
Bai Dongqing's expression was a bit ambiguous: "No."
许煦坏笑着一脸八卦:“不会是网恋吧?”
Xu Xu grinned, looking 八卦: "Could it be a online romance?"
柏冬青愣了下,失笑:“没有,就是一个在国外的朋友。”
Bai Dongqing was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "No, just a friend overseas."
“哦!那你继续吧,我不打扰你了!”
Oh! Then continue, I won't disturb you anymore!
柏冬青默默看着她转身的背影,低下头看着手中的水果盘,喉咙上下滑动了下,用力闭了闭眼睛,伸手将门阖上。
Bai Dongqing silently watched her turn her back, lowered her head to look at the fruit platter in her hands, and her throat moved up and down as she tightly closed her eyes, then reached out to close the door.
许煦回到沙发,可是电视里在放什么,再也没有心思看下去,刚刚脸上的笑容也消失殆尽,她转头看向柏冬青那扇关上的门,心里忽然抓心挠肺般难受起来。
Xu Xu returned to the sofa, but she no longer had the heart to watch what was on the TV. The smile on her face had vanished, and she turned her head to look at the closed door of Bai Dongqing. Suddenly, she felt a 揪心的痛 (heart-wrenching pain).
刚刚自己推开门时,柏冬青惊慌失措的反应,她没有忽略。
When she pushed the door open just now, Bai Dongqing's panicked reaction was not something she had overlooked.
不过是和人通话,有什么是不想让别人知道的呢?依照他的性格,大概也只有恨隐秘的私事了,至于什么是隐秘的私事,她发觉自己一点都不愿去细想。
Why would there be anything one doesn't want others to know when just talking to someone? Given his personality, it would probably only be his hidden and private grudges that he wouldn't want others to know about. As for what those hidden and private grudges are, she found herself unwilling to think about them in detail.
这个夜晚,向来睡眠不错的许煦,躺上床后,辗转反侧许久都没有睡着。柏冬青惊慌失色合上笔记本的反应,就像是一根闷棍砸在她头上,让她忽然如梦初醒。
This night, Xu Xu, who usually sleeps well, tossed and turned in bed for a long time without falling asleep. The alarmed reaction of Bai Dongqing closing her notebook was like a heavy blow to her head, suddenly jolting her back to reality.
这么久以来不自觉的靠近,到底意味着什么?她终于后知后觉地回过神来。
All this time, without realizing it, how close had she gotten? She finally came to her senses, albeit belatedly.
可是这个回神,并没有让她觉得激动,反倒让她有些不安和失落。因为自己这份感情的发生,似乎不是很合时宜。
But this realization did not make her feel excited; instead, it made her feel uneasy and disappointed. Because the emergence of her feelings seemed rather untimely.
隔日起床,柏冬青照旧已经将早餐做好。许煦坐下,看了眼对面的人,吃了几口,故作不经意地开口:“对了学长,你现在工作发展得挺好的,有没有考虑交个女朋友了?”
Wake up every other day, Bai Dongqing had prepared breakfast as usual. Xu Xu sat down, glanced at the person opposite, took a few bites, and spoke as if casually, "By the way, senior, your career is going well. Have you thought about getting a girlfriend?"
“嗯?”柏冬青有些愕然地抬头看她。
"Hmm?" Bai Dongqing raised her head in surprise to look at her.
许煦道:“是这样的,我们社里有几个挺好的姑娘,想找个律师男朋友,如果你愿意,我帮你介绍啊!”
Xu Xu continued, "It's like this, we have a few good girls in our club who want a lawyer boyfriend. If you're interested, I can introduce you!"
柏冬青看着她,半晌没有说话。
Bai Dongqing looked at her for a moment without saying anything.
许煦又赶紧试探道:“还是说你已经有心仪的女孩子了?如果是这样的话,就是算我多事了。”
Xu Xu then quickly probed, "Or are you already interested in a girl? If that's the case, then I was just being presumptuous."
柏冬青低头下,淡声道:“现在工作太忙了,还没时间考虑这件事。”
Bai Dongqing lowered her head and spoke softly, "I'm too busy with work right now to consider this."
“那就是说没有心仪的女孩子吗?”
Does that mean you're not interested in any girl?
柏冬青低着头,沉默不语。
Bai Dongqing lowered her head in silence.
每次说到这种事,都是这种反应。许煦有些挫败地撇撇嘴。
Every time this came up, she always reacted this way. Xu Xu pursed her lips in frustration.
接下来的几天里,许煦陷入了不知如何是好的困扰中。默默暗恋这种事,实在不是她的风格,但如果贸然表明自己的心意,如果柏冬青对自己没有半点心思,不仅会让他难做,彼此也尴尬。
In the following days, Xu Xu was plagued by uncertainty. Secretly admiring someone was not her style, but if she were to boldly express her feelings, and if Bai Dongqing had no interest in her, it would not only make him uncomfortable, but also leave them both in an awkward situation.
最后,她只能向经验丰富的冯佳请教。
In the end, she could only seek advice from the experienced Feng Jia.
“你说你喜欢你现在的合租室友,也就是你之前说的那个朋友?”接到电话的冯佳听完她的困扰,在那头问道。
"You mean you like your current roommate, the friend you mentioned earlier?" Feng Jia, who had received her call, asked from the other end after she had explained her dilemma.
“是啊!”
Yes!
冯佳轻笑:“我早就觉得不对劲,果然被我猜中了。”
Feng Jia smiled lightly: "I've always felt something was off, and sure enough, I guessed right."
“现在不是说这个的时候,而是我不知道该怎么办了?我感觉他对我挺好的,但是他对谁都好像都挺好的。而且……我总感觉他有喜欢的人。”
It's not the time to talk about that now. Rather, I don't know what to do. I feel he's pretty good to me, but he seems nice to everyone. And... I always feel like he has someone he likes.
冯佳道:“你感觉对不对啊?有没有可能人家就喜欢的是你,不然也不会跟你合租了。”
Feng Jia said, "Do you feel right about that? Could it be that he actually likes you, otherwise he wouldn't have shared a place with you."
许煦愣了下:“我也希望是啊!也不介意先表白,可万一要是把自己的心思告诉他,而他对我根本就没那方面想法,那就尴尬了。”她犹疑了片刻,“而且这几天我还试探了他一下,他好像真的对我没什么歪心思。”
Xu Xu was taken aback: "I hope so too! I'm not against confessing my feelings first, but if he doesn't have any romantic interest in me, it would be awkward."
“这么夸张?”冯佳想了想道,“不过也是,孤男寡女住在一个屋檐下,要是男的对女的有意思,应该早就有行动了。”
Is it really that serious?" Feng Jia thought for a moment and said, "But that's true. With a single man and woman living under the same roof, if the man has feelings for the woman, he should have taken some action by now.
许煦哀嚎一声:“你这么一说我就更加没底了。”她顿了顿,牙一咬,道,“实话告诉你,程放那届毕业礼那天晚上,我不是说去了朋友家,夜不归宿么?就是这个朋友,那晚我和他睡过了。”
Xu Xu groaned: "You saying that makes me even more uncertain." She paused, gritted her teeth, and said, "To be honest, the night of the graduation ceremony for Cheng Fang's class, I didn't say I went to a friend's house and didn't come back home? That friend and I... we slept together that night."
“啊?”冯佳在那头差点尖叫。
"Ah?" Feng Jia nearly screamed on the other end.
“你别惊讶,不是他占我便宜,是我把人给那什么了!”
Don't be surprised, it's not that he took advantage of me; I gave myself to him!
“你说笑吧?这怎么可能?”
Are you joking? How is that possible?
“就是那晚我想到自己失恋,心情不好,又哭又求的,他就从了我。”
It was that night when I was heartbroken from a breakup, feeling so sad and pleading, and he agreed to it.
冯佳大笑:“你还真是个女中豪杰!”
Feng Jia laughed loudly: "You really are a female hero!"
“你别笑我了,我也后悔啊!觉得自己就跟鬼子糟蹋黄花大姑娘一样。”
Don't laugh at me, I'm also regretful! I feel like I was treated like a young maiden by the Japanese invaders.
“等等!”冯佳好不容易收了笑,冷不丁道,“也就是说,你俩睡过一夜,但是现在关系就跟纯净水一样纯?”
Wait!" Feng Jia finally managed to stop laughing and suddenly said, "So, you two slept together for a night, but now your relationship is as pure as distilled water?
“是啊!”
Yes!
“那我觉得真不是很妙呢!”冯佳想了想道,“不过你也别急,既然他能和你合租,又照你说的对你很好,我觉得还是有可能的。毕竟每个人的想法不一样,也不是每个男人都是下半身思考的动物。”
I still don't think that's very good!" Feng Jia thought for a moment and said, "But don't worry, since he can share a room with you and according to what you said, he treats you well, I think it's still possible. After all, everyone has different thoughts, and not every man is a beast ruled by 下半身 thoughts.
“学长肯定不是。”
Senior definitely isn't.
“学长?”
Senior?
“嗯……”许煦弱弱道,“他是柏冬青。”
Um..." Xu Xu weakly said, "He is Bai Dongqing.
“我天!煦儿,你真是骨骼清奇,竟然找前男友室友!”
Good heavens! Xu'er, you really have unique bones! You actually found a former boyfriend's roommate!
第26章
Chapter 26
许煦听冯佳在电话里笑她,愤愤道:“我跟程放分手几年了, 都不知道他在哪里潇洒快活呢!怎么就不能喜欢他室友了?”
Xu Xu heard Feng Jia laughing at her on the phone and said indignantly, "I broke up with Cheng Fang years ago and didn't even know where he was enjoying himself! Why can't I like his roommate?"
冯佳道:“那万一人家柏冬青觉得膈应呢!”
Feng Jia said, "What if Bo Dongqing finds it offensive!"
许煦愣了下, 有些不太确定道:“不会吧?我也从来没听他提过程放啊!”
Xu Xu was taken aback and said uncertainly, "Really? I've never heard him mention Cong Feng either!"
冯佳想了想, 笑道:“这事你也别急, 照你说的柏学长那性格,估计就是个慢热的工作狂, 你再试探试探, 或者多花点时间相处, 男女之间的感情也是需要培养的。要真不行,就跟之前那样,故技重施再把人办了呗!还怕他不从你”
Feng Jia thought for a moment and smiled, "Don't rush this. Based on what you said about Senior Bo, he's probably a workaholic who warms up slowly. You could try to probe further or just spend more time with him. Relationships between men and women also need to be cultivated. If it doesn't work, just do what you did before and get it over with!"
“……”许煦, “再见!”
…" Xu Xu, "Goodbye!
第21节
Chapter 21
她当然不可能故技重施,不过冯佳说的试探和培养感情,她还是觉得很有必要的。她自己也是花了这么久时间, 才恍然大悟对柏冬青的心思, 像他那样脑子里估计半点风花雪月都没有的男人,指不定其实也是对自己有心思, 不过还没发现罢了。
Of course, she couldn't resort to the same tactics again. However, she still found it necessary to test and cultivate feelings, as Feng Jia had suggested. She herself had taken so long to realize her feelings for Bai Dongqing, and a man like him, who probably had no romantic notions in his head, might actually have feelings for her as well, just without realizing it.
想到这个可能, 许煦心中便充满了喜悦和动力。
Thinking of this possibility, Xu Xu felt a surge of joy and motivation.
两个人合住这么久, 因为柏冬青工作忙碌, 相处的时间其实并不多, 也就是早上一起吃个早餐,蹭他二十分钟的顺风车。晚上他回来通常很晚,能说上一会儿话已经很不容易。
They had shared a room for so long, but because Bai Dongqing was busy with work, they actually spent very little time together. They would just have breakfast together in the morning and catch a ride with him for about twenty minutes. In the evening, he usually came back very late, making it hard to have a proper conversation.
除了一起吃早餐这件事, 算起来确实没有任何超出合租室友的暧昧行为。
Apart from having breakfast together, there indeed seemed to be no other warm behavior exceeding that of roommates.
许煦打定主意后,便开始暗搓搓想方设法将两人的关系拉近,一瞅着他有空,就拉着他一块去超市购物,或者让他陪自己去看电影,柏冬青对她提出的要求倒是来者不拒,只不过行为从不逾矩,哪怕偶尔并肩而行时,她故意靠近他,他都会不着痕迹地移开。在家里,他更是恪守男女之间的防线,始终保持着该有的距离。
Xu Xu decided on her plan and began to subtly find ways to bring the two of them closer. Whenever he had free time, she would drag him to the supermarket to shop together, or ask him to accompany her to the movies. Bai Dongqing accepted all her requests without refusal, but his behavior never crossed the line. Even when they walked side by side occasionally, and she deliberately moved closer to him, he would subtly move away without a trace. At home, he strictly adhered to the boundaries between men and women, always maintaining the appropriate distance.
唯一让许煦还算欣慰的是,经过她细心观察,他身边确实没有任何关系不一般的女性。大概或许应该真的是心中没有人,不过是专注事业无心个人大事罢了。
The only thing that somewhat pleased Xu Xu was that, after careful observation, she found no woman in his life who had any special relationship with him. Perhaps he really had no one in his heart, just being focused on his career and not concerned with personal matters.
就这样毫无进展地到了春节假期,许煦知道他是一个人,便邀请他跟自己回家一块儿过春节,但这一次,柏冬青却拒绝了,说是已经答应在陈瑞国家过年。
Thus, the relationship remained stagnant until the Spring Festival holiday. Knowing he was alone, Xu Xu invited him to spend the holiday with her, but this time, Bai Dongqing declined, saying he had already promised to spend the holiday at Chen Rui's place.
华天创始人陈瑞国很器重他这件事,许煦是知道的,本来是没多想。但回到家后,却越想越觉得不太对劲,因为这几乎是柏冬青第一次拒绝她的请求。
Chen Ruiguo, the founder of Huatian, valued this matter, and Xu Xu was aware of it. Initially, she hadn't given it much thought. But after getting home, she found herself thinking about it more and more, realizing that this was almost the first time Bo Dongqing had refused her request.
她邀请他的时候,并没有别有用心,只是单纯心疼他一个人过年太孤单,但细想下来,这样的邀请确实和平日看电影逛超市不太一样,他没有拒绝陪自己看电影,却拒绝了跟自己回家过年,很大程度上,可能是就是在抗拒和自己的关系往前继续迈进。
When she invited him, she didn't have any ulterior motives; she simply felt sorry for him being alone during the New Year. But upon reflection, such an invitation was indeed different from their usual activities like watching movies and grocery shopping. He didn't refuse to accompany her to the movies, but he did refuse to go home with her for the New Year, which suggested that he might be resisting the progression of their relationship.
这个认知让许煦这个年都没怎么过好。
This realization made the New Year particularly difficult for Xu Xu.
到了正月初四傍晚,她忽然接到冯佳发来的信息,还配了一张照片:这个人是柏冬青吗?
On the evening of the fourth day of the lunar New Year, she suddenly received a message from Feng Jia, along with a photo: Is this person Bo Dongqing?
照片应该是偷拍的,隔得有些远,画面中的男人西装革履,场景大概是在某家高档餐厅。虽然只有一个模糊的侧面,但抬头不见低头见这半年,许煦还是一眼就认出这就是柏冬青。
The photos should have been taken from a distance, showing a man in a suit in what appeared to be an upscale restaurant. Although only a blurry side profile, Xu Xu still recognized it as Bai Dongqing after seeing him every day for half a year.
她回过去:没错。
She replied: Yes.
冯佳很快发过来:到底怎么回事?我看他好像在和人约会!”
Feng Jia quickly sent: What's going on? It looks like he's on a date with someone!"
许煦大惊:什么?!
Xu Xu was shocked: What?!
冯佳:看着不是很熟,感觉像是在相亲,不过那女孩还挺知性漂亮的。
Feng Jia: It doesn't seem very familiar. It feels like a dating event, but the girl is quite refined and beautiful.
许煦心中一沉,就像是三九天被人兜头泼了一盆冷水,急忙问:他们在哪里?
Xu Xu's heart sank, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head on a freezing day in early March. She hurriedly asked, "Where are they?"
冯佳把餐厅的地址发给了她。
Feng Jia sent the restaurant's address to her.
许煦收好手机,胡乱收拾了下行李,便匆匆出门:“老爸老妈,我有点急事回江城了!”
Xu Xu put away her phone, hastily packed her luggage, and rushed out the door, "Dad, Mom, I have to go back to Jiangcheng for something urgent!"
许妈妈跑过来叫道:“什么急事要这个时候回去?大晚上的你一个人不安全,让司机开车送你!”
Xu Mom ran over and called out, "What urgent matter is there that you have to go back at this time? It's late at night, and you're alone. Let the driver take you!"
许煦道:“我这么大个人了,有什么不安全的?开车太慢了,我坐高铁就行。”
Xu Xu said, "I'm a grown person, what's unsafe about it? The car is too slow, I can take the high-speed train."
两座城市的高铁刚刚开通,不过一个多小时,许煦坐了最近的一趟,但是周周转转抵达冯佳发给她的地址时,也已经九点多。
The high-speed train service between the two cities had just started, and it took more than an hour. Xu Xu took the nearest train, but by the time she circled around to reach the address Feng Jia had given her, it was already after nine o'clock.
她从出租车下来,看着霓虹闪烁中的餐厅招牌,忽然就有些恍惚。
She got out of the taxi and looked at the restaurant sign under the flickering neon lights, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.
她跑来这里干什么呢?不说吃饭的人肯定早已经离开,就算是还在,她又能去做什么?说到底他和柏冬青除了室友顶多也就是朋友关系,她没有权利干涉他任何事。
Why did she run here? If not for eating, the people who came must have left long ago. Even if they were still here, what could she do? After all, he and Bai Dongqing were at most just friends as roommates; she had no right to interfere with anything he did.
他拒绝跟她回家,不就是表明了他的态度。
His refusal to go back with her clearly showed his attitude.
她有些悻悻然地招手拦了辆车。
She sullenly hailed a taxi.
回到租房,屋子里空无一人,柏冬青还没有回来。许煦坐在沙发上,打开电视,里面演着热闹的节目,脑子里却一片空白,冷清得有些浑身发寒。
Back at the rental house, the place was empty; Bai Dongqing had not returned yet. Xu Xu sat on the sofa, turned on the TV, which was showing a lively program, but her mind was blank, feeling cold and lonely.
也不知道坐了多久,客厅的门终于从外面被打开。
I don't know how long I sat there, but the living room door was finally opened from the outside.
走进来的柏冬青看到沙发上的人,怔了一下,站在玄关处问:“你怎么回来了?”
Bai Dongqing walked in and saw the person on the sofa, pausing for a moment before asking from the entrance, "Why are you back?"
许煦回神,转头看向他,勉强露出一个笑容:“家里很无聊,就提前回来了。”
Xu Xu returned to reality, turned to look at him, and 勉强露出一个笑容, "The house was very boring, so I came back early."
柏冬青点点头,走过来。
Bai Dongqing nodded and walked over.
许煦转头不动神色上下打量他一眼,他穿着一身崭新笔挺的正装,头发刻意打理过,整个人有种神清骨秀的帅气。
Xu Xu turned his head and gave him a careful once-over without showing any emotion. He was dressed in a brand new, well-fitted suit, his hair meticulously styled, exuding a handsome and refined appearance.
这样精心的打扮,就是为了今晚的约会吧?
Such meticulous grooming was definitely for tonight's date, right?
许煦心头涌上一股酸涩,忽然就觉得这段时日来,自己一头热的各种小动作,真是像个笑话。
A bitter-sweet feeling welled up in Xu Xu's heart. Suddenly, he felt that all his recent efforts and small actions over these days had seemed like a joke.
她扯了扯嘴角,故作轻松问道:“这么晚才回来?不会是去约会了吧?”
She tugged at the corner of her mouth and asked in a casual manner, "So late to come back? Aren't you going on a date?"
已经走到沙发旁的柏冬青,微微一怔,点了点头:“嗯,陈老师给我介绍了一个女孩子,今晚去见了面。”
Bai Dongqing, who had already walked to the sofa, slightly paused and nodded: "Yes, Teacher Chen introduced a girl to me, and I met her tonight."
这样的坦然语气,彻底将许煦浇了个透心凉,她抬头看他,努力保持着镇定,笑着问:“不是说要专心工作,暂时不打算交女朋友的吗?”
This candid tone completely chilled Xu Xu's heart to the bone. She looked up at him, making an effort to stay calm, and asked with a smile, "Didn't you say you wanted to focus on your work and weren't planning to date anyone for now?"
柏冬青避开她的目光,淡声道:“不想拂了陈老师的一片好心,而且处理得好,应该也不会和工作冲突。”
Bai Dongqing avoided her gaze and said in a calm voice, "I don't want to offend Teacher Chen's good intentions, and if handled well, it shouldn't conflict with my work."
许煦这回直接从透心凉冻成了冰棍儿,她哦了一声:“这么说是已经确定了?”
This time, Xu Xu was directly frozen solid from the inside out. She said, "So, does that mean it's confirmed?"
柏冬青看了她一眼,又迅速别开视线,小声道:“……就是先相处着看看。”
Bai Dongqing glanced at her and quickly averted his gaze, whispering, "Just... let's get to know each other for now."
许煦愣了片刻,舒了口气,笑道:“那以后应该不是很方便了,我得考虑重新找房子了。”
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment, then let out a breath and smiled, saying, "That should make things quite inconvenient in the future. I'll have to think about finding a new place."
柏冬青抬眼看她:“这个不用急的。”
Bai Dongqing raised his head to look at her and said, "There's no need to rush."
“怎么能不急?要是你女朋友知道你和女人合租,而且还是有过一夜关系的女人,会怎么想你?”许煦站起来,笑眯眯道,“放心吧,我肯定不会影响你的。”
How can I not be in a hurry? If your girlfriend finds out you're sharing a place with a woman, especially one you've spent the night with, what would she think of you?" Xu Xu stood up, smiling, and said, "Don't worry, I definitely won't affect you.
她丢下遥控器,往房间走,边走边耸耸肩,佯装戏谑道:“学长都已经要脱单了,我也要努力了呢!”
She put down the remote control and walked into the room, shrugging her shoulders as if in jest. "Senior has already found a partner, and I need to work hard too!"
她语气轻松,心中却酸涩得厉害,双眼早已经发红。
Her tone was light, but her heart was painfully bitter. Her eyes were already red.
柏冬青默默看着她的背影,漆黑的眸子闪了闪,黯然地慢慢垂下。
Bai Dongqing silently watched her retreating figure, his dark eyes flickered before he slowly lowered his gaze.
回到房间的许煦,将门关上。挫败地趴在自己床上,浑身的力气像是突然被卸掉。其实之前冯佳说得没错,如果一个男人真的对女人有意思,不可能相处这么久没有半点表示。何况年前那一段时间,她的行为已经足够明显,他感情经验也许是贫乏,但绝对不是一个木讷迟钝的人,不然也不会拒绝跟她回家过年。
Xu Xu returned to the room and closed the door. She lay down on her bed, defeated, as if all her strength had suddenly been drained away. In fact, Feng Jia was right before. If a man really had feelings for a woman, he wouldn't be able to remain indifferent for so long without showing any signs. Moreover, during that period before the New Year, her actions had been more than clear. His lack of experience in relationships might be evident, but he certainly wasn't a dull person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have refused to go home with her for the New Year.
不过是不想和她的关系有质变罢了。
It's just that I didn't want our relationship to change qualitatively.
是她之前太单纯自信,觉得他对自己那么好,怎么可能一点心思都没有?其实想想,他对谁不好呢?换个人对他提出这样那样的要求,大概他也是不会拒绝的吧!
It was just that she had been too innocent and confident before, thinking that since he was so good to her, how could he possibly have no feelings for her? Actually, if I think about it, who does he treat badly? If someone else had made such demands of him, he probably wouldn't have refused either!
呼!
Huff!
许煦将脸埋在枕头中,努力压下想哭的冲动。
Xu Xu buried her face in the pillow and struggled to suppress the urge to cry.
所以自己这又是失败了吗?
So was this another failure for me?
这回干脆还没开始就被对方掐断了苗头。
This time, it was even cut short before it could start.
*
接下来几天,柏冬青早出晚归,也不知是不是去约会,许煦没再问过,怕问了心里更堵得慌。能维持表面的风轻云淡,已经尽了她最大的努力。
For the next few days, Bai Dongqing came and went early and late, and Xu Xu didn't ask anymore. She was afraid that asking would just make her feel even more stifled. She had already done her best to maintain the appearance of calmness.
二月十四情人节,正好是新年开工前一天,单身几年的许煦,也终于迎来了一朵正式的桃花——先前一个采访过一直还有联系的律师约她吃饭。
Valentine's Day, which fell on the day before the new year's work resumed, was finally the day when single Xu Xu received her first official peach blossom—she was invited to dinner by a lawyer she had interviewed and kept in touch with previously.
情人节约吃饭,意味着什么不言而喻。
The meaning of going out for dinner on Valentine's Day is self-evident.
许煦本来对那人毫无兴趣,但是下午看着难得没出门的柏冬青,想了想,还是答应了那位追求者的邀请。
Xu Xu originally had no interest in that person, but seeing Bai Dongqing, who was rarely seen outside, at home in the afternoon, she thought for a moment and accepted the date invitation from the admirer.
在家里颓废地窝了几天,她打起精神好好捯饬了一番。为了这次并不期待的约会,她把长发吹成了蓬松的波浪卷,化了精致的妆容,上身一件女人味十足的驼色风衣,下身要风度不要温度地只穿了薄薄的打底裤袜,露出修长的双腿曲线。
She had been slacking off at home for a few days and decided to perk up and groom herself properly. For this date she was not expecting, she styled her long hair into bouncy waves, put on a 精致的妆容, and wore a camel-colored trench coat that exuded femininity. She wore sheer tights and a thin skirt, showing off her long, slender legs.
她佯装轻松地从卧室出来,看到坐在沙发的柏冬青,朝他笑道:“学长,你还不去约会吗?”
She pretended to be casual as she came out of the bedroom and saw Bai Dongqing sitting on the sofa. She smiled at him and said, "Senior, aren't you going on a date?"
柏冬青抬头看她,目光微微闪动,讷讷道:“等会儿再出去。你……约了人?”
Bai Dongqing looked up at her, his gaze flickering slightly as he hesitantly said, "Wait a bit before going out. You... have an appointment?"
许煦点头:“一个之前认识的律师,人挺不错的。”她走到玄关,换上一双八厘米的高跟鞋,拉开门准备出去时,又像是想到什么似的,道,“对了,今晚我不一定回来,你不用管我。”
Xu Xu nodded: "A lawyer I used to know. He's a pretty decent guy." She walked to the 玄关, put on a pair of eight-centimeter high heels, and pulled open the door, preparing to go out. Just as she was about to leave, she seemed to think of something and added, "By the way, I might not be back tonight, so you don't have to worry about me."
八_ 零_电_子_书_w_ w_ w_.t_x_t _0_2. c_o_m
Eight_ Zero_ Electronic_ Book_w_w_w.txt_02.com
她也不知道为什么要说这句话,大概是有点赌气吧!
She didn't know why she said that sentence either, probably just a bit of pouting!
可是和谁赌气呢?她好像也说不出来。
But with whom was she sulking? It seemed she couldn't say.
柏冬青脸色微变地转过头,然而玄关的人已经离开,只留下他怔忡地看着那抹似乎还留着她气息的空气。
Bai Dongqing's face changed slightly as she turned her head. However, the person at the entranceway had already left, leaving him to stare at the air that still seemed to carry her scent.
第27章
Chapter 27
赵进真的觉得自己是有点见了鬼了!
Zhao Jin truly felt like he had seen a ghost!
本来在情人节约到了有好感的女孩,是件很值得高兴的事。然而接下来这位约会对象的举动, 却让他完全跟不上节奏。先是在吃饭的西餐厅, 让人开了一瓶将近五位数的红酒。他一个年收入三四十万的律师, 虽然也能勉强算得上高薪, 但第一顿饭五位数,还是把他吓得冷汗淋漓, 暗忖自己倒了血霉, 好不容易看上个女孩子, 竟然是这种吃人不吐骨头的女人。吃饭完后,正要硬着头皮结账时,对方却已经先拿了张金卡递给了服务生买单。
It was indeed a cause for joy to have met a girl he had a good impression of on Valentine's Day. However, the actions of this date partner left him completely out of sync. At the Western restaurant, she had him order a bottle of wine that cost nearly five figures. Although he, as a lawyer earning around 300,000 to 400,000 yuan a year, could be considered well-paid, the first meal costing five figures still made him break out in cold sweat, thinking he had been cursed. He had finally found a girl he liked, only for her to turn out to be a money-hungry woman. After finishing the meal, just as he was reluctantly preparing to pay, she had already taken out a gold card and handed it to the waiter to settle the bill.
人生就像坐过山车一下, 瞬间又从低谷飙到了高峰,没想到对方不是故意宰他,而是个低调的白富美。这样的好机会他自然不能错过, 于是邀请人一起去走走, 白富美很爽快地答应了。
Life is like a rollercoaster, suddenly soaring from the depths to the peak. He didn't expect that she wasn't trying to rip him off, but was instead a 低调的白富美. Such a good opportunity he couldn't afford to miss, so he invited her to take a walk. The white-collar woman readily agreed.
半个小时后,就走到了这间充斥着寒假未结束的熊学生以及无业青年的网吧。然后在白富美的提议下, 两个穿着打扮与嘈杂的网吧完全违和的职场男女, 开始了联机对战的白痴游戏。
Half an hour later, they arrived at a 网吧 filled with college students who hadn't finished their winter break and unemployed youths. Following the white-collar woman's suggestion, the two dressed in office attire began to play a foolish online game together in the noisy internet cafe.
接下来便是在白痴游戏里, 自己被对方跟杀父仇人一般连续暴打了两个多小时。
In the game, he was beaten mercilessly by her for over two hours, like a sworn enemy.
过了十一点, 许煦终于悻悻然放下了鼠标, 摘了耳机,转头朝身旁苦不堪言的男人抱歉道:“不好意思,让你陪我玩了这么久的无聊游戏!”
After eleven, Xu Xu finally put down the mouse in a bad mood, removed the headphones, and turned to apologize to the man suffering beside her: "Sorry, I made you play this boring game with me for so long!"
赵律师如释重负:“没事没事, 是不是心情不好?”
Zhao Lawyer sighed in relief: "It's okay, it's okay. Are you feeling down?"
许煦犹豫了一下,点头。从出门后,她脑子就一直很乱,想着今晚柏冬青和他那位准女朋友——或许已经是女朋友了,到底做了些什么?也会牵手拥抱接吻吧?
Xu Xu hesitated and nodded. Since leaving, her mind had been in a mess, wondering what Ba Dongqing and his fiancée—perhaps already his girlfriend—had done tonight? They must have held hands, hugged, and kissed, right?
只要想到这个就心乱如麻,吃饭的时候专门点了一品红酒,然而喝了两口就没有兴致。
Just thinking about this made her heart flutter uncontrollably. She had specially ordered a glass of one-grade red wine, but after taking a couple of sips, she lost her appetite.
她甚至觉得冯佳说得对,要不然再次故技重施得了!不过她很快就打掉了这个荒谬的念头。已经错过一回,不能在做错第二次。
She even thought Feng Jia was right; otherwise, they could try the same trick again! But she quickly dismissed this absurd idea. Having already missed once, she couldn't afford to make the same mistake again.
赵进看她心不在焉,又问:“要回家吗?我送你!”
Zhao Jin noticed she was distracted and asked, "Do you want to go home? I can take you!"
许煦乜了眼电脑右下角的时间,已经快十一点半。虽然她对柏冬青说了可能不回去,但怎么可能真的不回去?
Xu Xu glanced at the time in the bottom right corner of the computer; it was almost 11:30 PM. Although she had told Bai Dongqing that she might not go back, how could she really not go back?
她点点头:“那就麻烦你了!”
She nodded, "Then thank you!"
上了车,赵进见副驾驶座的人心不在焉趴在窗边,笑着问:“是失恋了吗?”
Getting into the car, Zhao Jin saw the person in the passenger seat leaning against the window with a distracted look and asked with a smile, "Did you break up with someone?"
许煦点头,苦笑道:“是啊!失恋了。”
Xu Xu nodded and said with a bitter smile, "Yes! I broke up."
赵进:“什么人这么没眼光?你这么好的女孩都不珍惜。”
Zhao Jin said, "What kind of person has no appreciation? He doesn't cherish such a good girl."
许煦道:“我也觉得他挺没眼光的,宁愿去相亲,也无视我的示好。”她直起身,转头问道,“你说你们男人要是和一个女人同住一屋檐下,两人相处得非常好,真得有可能生不出一点感情吗?”
Xu Xu said, "I also think he has no appreciation. He would rather go on a date than ignore my advances." She straightened up and turned to ask, "Do you think that if a man and a woman live under the same roof and get along very well, it's possible for them to not develop any feelings for each other at all?"
赵进笑着问:“怎么?你还要和人合租吗?”
Zhao Jin smiled and asked, "Why? Are you still going to share a place with someone?"
许煦道:“赵大律师,我只是一个月薪五千的杂志采编。”
Xu Xu said, "Mr. Zhao, I'm just a magazine editor with a monthly salary of five thousand."
赵进道:“但也是一个刚毕业就持有白金信用卡的小采编。”
Zhao Jin said, "But you're also an editor who got a platinum credit card right after graduation."
“这不重要好吗?”
This isn't important, okay?
赵进默了片刻:“我跟你这么说吧,如果我是跟你合租的那个男人的话,除非是心里已经有喜欢的人,不然不可能一点不动心。”
Zha Jin fell silent for a moment: "Let me put it this way, if I were the man you share an apartment with, unless I already have someone I like, it's impossible for me not to be at least a little attracted."
“真的吗?”
Really?
赵进清了清嗓子:“毕竟男人就是这么肤浅,和好看的女孩儿朝夕相处没有半点感觉,那只能是唐僧。”
Zha Jin cleared his throat: "After all, men are so superficial. Spending every day with a pretty girl and not feeling a thing? That's like a monk."
许煦想了想柏冬青的模样,还真是有点唐僧清心寡欲的做派。她轻笑一声:“还真是敢承认自己肤浅啊!”
Xu Xu thought about Bai Dongqing's appearance and demeanor, and indeed, she did have a monk-like, ascetic disposition. She chuckled lightly: "You really dare to admit you're shallow!"
赵进轻笑:“反正我也没机会了,所以就和你实话实说。”
Zhao Jin chuckled lightly: "Anyway, I don't have the chance anymore, so I'll just tell you the truth."
“谢谢啊!”
Thank you!
夜晚的道路畅通,两人闲聊了没几句,很快就到了小区门口。此时路灯只剩下淡淡的光芒,冬末初春的夜晚,笼罩在一片黑峻峻的寒意中。
The night road was clear, and after a brief chat, the two quickly reached the entrance of the residential area. At this time, the streetlights were only faintly glowing, and the late winter to early spring night was shrouded in a chill.
赵进虽然知道自己没戏,但还是很有绅士风度的下车,走到许煦跟前和她道别,然后忽然勾唇一笑,冷不丁将人一把抱住。
Although Zhao Jin knew he had no chance, he still had a gentlemanly demeanor as he got out of the car and walked up to Xu Xu to bid her farewell. Then, he suddenly curled his lips into a smile and suddenly hugged her.
许煦吓了一跳,还没出声,只听他小声耳语道:“嘘!我猜后边花坛边抽烟的男人,就是你喜欢的那位室友,不如让他误会一下,看他到底是不是对你一点心思都没有?”
Xu Xu was startled and hadn't even had a chance to speak when he whispered softly, "Shh! I think the man smoking by the flower bed at the back is the roommate you like. Let's let him think it's a misunderstanding and see if he has any feelings for you at all?"
许煦怔愣了下,没再挣扎。
Xu Xu was momentarily stunned and stopped struggling.
第22节
Chapter 22
好在赵进很快就松开,笑着和她挥挥手,声音在黑暗中有些刻意的响亮:“今晚很愉快,还没分开就已经期待下次见面了。祝你今晚做个好梦!”
Fortunately, Zhao Jin quickly let go, smiled, and waved at her. His voice was deliberately loud in the darkness, "It was a great night. I'm already looking forward to our next meeting even before we part. Good night and sweet dreams!"
许煦:“……”
Xu Xu: "…"
这表演痕迹是不是有点太过了?她抬手和他挥了挥,目送着他上车离去,才慢悠悠转身。
Is this performance a bit overdone? She raised her hand and waved at him, watching him get into the car and leave before turning slowly.
几米之外的花坛边,果然站着一道黑影,手指间红色的烟头在黑暗中沙闪着一点微光。虽然看不清面容,但许煦还是一眼认出人来,她暗暗深呼吸了口气,走过去:“学长,你怎么在这里?”
Sure enough, a shadow was standing by the flower bed a few meters away, a red cigarette tip flickering with a faint light in the darkness. Although she couldn't see his face clearly, Xu Xu immediately recognized him. She took a deep breath and walked over. "Senior, why are you here?"
柏冬青走上前一步,淡声道:“我看你还没回来,想着你万一要回来的话,这么晚了这段路挺黑的,担心你一个人会害怕,就来这里等你一会儿。”
Bai Dongqing stepped forward and said in a calm voice, "I saw you hadn't come back yet. Thinking that you might come back so late, this road is quite dark, and I was worried you might be scared alone, so I came here to wait for you for a while."
许煦一时如鲠在喉,如果对一个人没有半点心思的话,为什么要做得这么体贴周全?
Xu Xu felt a lump in his throat. If he had no feelings for someone, why would he be so considerate and thorough?
她压下心中五味杂陈的情绪,目光瞥到他手中的烟,有些奇怪问:“你抽烟吗?我怎么不知道?有点不像你的风格。”
She suppressed the complex emotions in her heart and curiously asked, "Do you smoke? I didn't know. That doesn't seem like your style."
柏冬青默了片刻,轻笑了笑,低声道:“我没有你想的那么好,也有坏毛病的,也会有自私和贪心,有时候明知道有些事情不该做,可还是忍不住想做。”
Bai Dongqing remained silent for a moment, then gave a light smile and whispered, "I'm not as good as you think. I have bad habits too. I can be selfish and greedy. Sometimes I know I shouldn't do something, but I can't help wanting to."
许煦有些奇怪地转头看他,暗淡夜灯下,他的表情模糊不清,但看得出似乎有些晦暗不明的忧伤。
Xu Xu turned to look at him with a puzzled expression. In the dim night light, his expression was unclear, but it seemed to carry a hint of ambiguous sorrow.
“学长,你怎么了?”
Senior, what's wrong with you?
柏冬青抬起头对上她的眼睛,笑着摇摇头,走到旁边的垃圾桶将烟头灭了扔掉,又朝她道:“走吧!”
Bai Dongqing raised his head and met her eyes, smiling and shaking his head. He walked to the nearby trash can, extinguished the cigarette butt, and threw it away. Then he said to her, "Let's go!"
两人在深夜中并肩而行,因为各怀心思,便没有再说话。
The two walked side by side in the middle of the night, each with their own thoughts, so they didn't speak.
进了屋内后,许煦因为脚下传来的疼痛,嘶了口气。
After entering the house, Xu Xu hissed through her teeth due to the pain in her feet.
“怎么了?”柏冬青问。
"What's wrong?" Bai Dongqing asked.
许煦脱下叫上高跟鞋,换了拖鞋:“这双鞋有点磨脚,估计脚后跟破了。”
Xu Xu took off her high heels and put on slippers: "These shoes are a bit uncomfortable on my feet, probably rubbed a hole in my heel."
柏冬青道:“你去坐着,我给你拿碘酒擦擦。”
Bai Dongqing said, "You sit down, I'll get some iodine to clean it."
许煦在沙发坐下,柏冬青从屋子里找了碘酒递给她,自己来到玄关处的鞋架,将刚刚那双高跟鞋拿出来,拿了瓶乳液,蹲在地上一点一点在后跟处擦着。
Xu Xu sat down on the sofa. Bai Dongqing found some iodine and handed it to her, then went to the shoe rack by the entrance and took out the high heels she had just worn. She took a bottle of lotion and knelt down, carefully applying it to the heel.
“你干嘛呢?”许煦奇怪问。
"What are you doing?" Xu Xu asked curiously.
柏冬青道:“新鞋鞋跟太硬,擦点乳液会软化,待会儿再用湿纸巾捂一个晚上,明天应该就不会磨脚了。”
Bai Dongqing said, "The new shoes have hard heels, so applying some lotion will soften them. Then, we can wrap them with a wet towel overnight, and they should no longer rub against your feet tomorrow."
许煦默默看着蹲在地上的人,他低着头,手上的动作很认真,还带着点小心翼翼,明明不过是一双不合脚的鞋子,却像是在对待什么珍贵的东西一样。
Xu Xu silently watched the person crouching on the ground. He was looking down, his actions were very serious, and there was a hint of carefulness. It was just a pair of ill-fitting shoes, yet he treated them as if they were something precious.
这个人怎么这样坏?既然对自己没有那方便的心思,为什么又要对她这么好?
Why is this person so bad? If he doesn't have any romantic feelings for her, why is he being so nice to her?
许煦咬咬牙站起身,慢慢走到他旁边,等她站定的时候,柏冬青也干完了手中活儿,从地上站起来,可还没转过身,就被许煦伸手用力抱住。
Xu Xu bit her lip and stood up, slowly walking over to his side. When she stood still, Bai Dongqing had also finished his work and stood up from the ground. But before he could turn around, Xu Xu reached out and tightly hugged him.
“我今晚什么都没干!以后也不会和今晚那个男人见面了。”她开口的声音有些微微发抖。
"I didn't do anything tonight! I won't meet that man again in the future," her voice trembling slightly.
柏冬青因为她的拥抱而僵硬在原地,喉咙像是被人掐住一般,又酸又涩。
Baidaqing stiffened on the spot due to her embrace, her throat feeling as if it were being choked, both sour and bitter.
他很清楚地听到,心里头那些岌岌可危的坚持,在这一刻彻底崩塌。所有的自私和贪婪,一点一点从心底深处涌出来,汇集、放大,化成罂粟般的果实,引诱着他去沦陷。
He could clearly hear how the precarious 坚持 s in his heart collapsed completely at this moment. All the selfishness and greed slowly bubbled up from the depths of his heart,汇聚、放大,transforming into opium-like fruits that 诱惑 him to fall in.
他不是神佛,他只是一个克服不了心底欲望的普通男人,所以只能选择沦陷。
He is not a deity or saint; he is just an ordinary man who cannot overcome his inner desires, so he can only choose to succumb.
许煦继续瓮声瓮气道:“我不想搬走!”
Xu Xu continued in a deep, resonant voice, "I don't want to move!"
柏冬青终于哑声开口:“你不用搬走啊!”
Bai Dongqing finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "You don't have to move!"
“那你也别搬走!”
Nor do you!
“我不搬走。”
I won't move out.
许煦小声道:“但是我不想和你只做室友了。”
Xu Xu whispered, "But I don't want to just be roommates with you anymore."
柏冬青:“……”
Bai Dongqing: "…"
“你别和其他人约会了。”
Don't date anyone else.
柏冬青:“……”
Ba Dongqing: "…"
许煦声音更小了:“我们在一起好不好?”
Xu Xu's voice became even softer: "Will you be okay if we stay together?"
说完这句,她就没再说话,屏声静气等着他的回答。
After saying this, she fell silent, holding her breath and waiting for his response.
空气忽然变得静默,时间的流逝好像一下清晰起来,一秒、两秒、三秒……
The air suddenly became silent, and the passage of time seemed to become clearer—一秒、两秒、三秒…—one second, two seconds, three seconds…
而随着沉默的拉长,许煦的心也一点点跌落下去,她慢慢松开抱着他的手,努力找回自己的声音,深呼吸了口气:“那个……我就是随便说说而已,你要是不愿意就算了。”
As the silence stretched on, Xu Xu's heart sank a little more with each passing moment. She slowly released her grip on him, making an effort to find her voice and took a deep breath. "That... was just something I said. If you don't want to, that's fine."
她努力挤出一个比哭还难看的笑容,刚刚转过身,眼泪就不争气地掉下来。
She forced out a smile that was even uglier than a sob, and just as she turned around, tears began to fall unceremoniously.
然而还没迈步,整个人忽然被人从后面紧紧抱住,柏冬青将她环在自己胸前,哑声道:“怎么会不愿意呢?”
But before she could take a step, she was suddenly hugged tightly from behind by Bai Dongqing, who encircled her with his arms and said hoarsely, "How could you not want to?"
许煦有点不敢相信地在他怀中艰难转过身,抬头看着他道:“没关系,你要不愿意就算了,千万别勉强自己,我没有要强迫你。”
Xu Xu, somewhat incredulous, turned around in his embrace and looked up at him, saying, "It's okay. If you don't want to, that's fine. Don't force yourself. I didn't want to force you."
柏冬青低头对着她的眼睛,伸手给她擦了擦眼泪:“我没有不愿意,刚刚我只是在想,这种事怎么能让你先开口?”
Ba Dongqing lowered his head and looked into her eyes, reaching out to wipe away her tears: "I have no objection. I was just thinking, how could I be the one to bring it up?"
许煦咕哝道:“那我也没看出来你有开口的打算啊!不是还相亲交了女朋友吗?”她忽然睁大眼睛看他,“我不会第三者插足,横刀夺爱了吧?”
Xu Xu grumbled, "Then I couldn't tell you had any intention of speaking up! Didn't you go on a date and get a girlfriend through a matchmaking service?" She suddenly widened her eyes at him, "Are you trying to steal my boyfriend?"
听到这句话,柏冬青表情微微一怔,心中涌上一阵痛苦,以至于没有马上回应她的话。
Hearing those words, Ba Dongqing's expression flickered slightly, and a wave of pain surged through his heart, causing him to hesitate before responding to her.
许煦以为自己说对了:“是真的吗?”
Xu Xu thought she had hit the mark: "Is it true?"
柏冬青回神,轻笑一声:“哪有什么女朋友?陈老师非要给我介绍女孩子,我为了不拂他的面子,就去和人见了一面。就见了一面,吃了顿饭,后面便再没联系了,这几天都忙着工作呢!”
Bai Dongqing returned to reality with a light laugh: "What girlfriend? Teacher Chen insisted on introducing me to a girl. To not offend his face, I met with someone once. Just once, we had dinner, and then we never got in touch again! I've been busy with work these days!"
许煦重重舒了口气,破涕为笑:“吓死我了!”
Xu Xu let out a heavy sigh and smiled through her tears: "I was so scared!"
柏冬青轻轻替她将残留的泪痕擦干:“对不起,是我不好!”
Bai Dongqing gently wiped away the remaining tear traces: "I'm sorry, it's my fault!"
“你有什么不好?你多好啊!”说着又坏笑道,“今晚我出门的时候,说不回来了,你是不是吓坏了?”
What's your fault? You're so good!" She then smiled wickedly and said, "When I said I wouldn't be coming back tonight, did you get scared?
柏冬青点头,对着她的眼睛,轻笑道:“嗯,吓坏了!”
Bai Dongqing nodded, smiling lightly at her eyes: "Mm, scared to death!"
第28章
Chapter 28
听他这么说,许煦先前的挫败和难过悉数烟消云散, 伸手揽住他的脖颈, 静静地靠在他怀里, 心中有种尘埃落定的松弛感。他虽然瘦, 但个子很高,被他环抱着, 也有种让人安心熨帖的踏实。
Hearing him say this, Xu Xu's previous frustration and sadness completely dissipated. She reached out to embrace his neck, leaning quietly against his chest, feeling a sense of relief and relaxation. Although he was thin, he was tall, and being held by him gave her a sense of comfort and security.
两人一时都没有再说话, 许煦抱了一会儿, 才发觉不对劲,揽着他后背的手,抓了抓他的衣服, 抬起头皱眉,不可思议地看向他:“你就穿这么点出去的?”
The two were silent for a moment. After hugging for a while, Xu Xu realized something was amiss and tugged at his clothes, lifting her head to frown at him in disbelief: "Are you really going out dressed like this?"
现下正是这个城市寒冷的时节,尤其是晚上, 气温已经连续几天不过两三度, 南方的两三度,能把人骨头冻疼。而柏冬青竟然只穿了一层抓绒的居家服。她这会儿才发觉, 他脸色有些不太寻常的苍白, 伸手握了握他的手, 果然还残留着室外的冰凉。
It's currently the coldest time of the year in this city, especially at night, with temperatures dropping to just a couple of degrees for several days in a row. In the south, a couple of degrees can freeze your bones. Yet, Bo Dongqing was only wearing a fleece pajama top. She noticed that his face was unusually pale and reached out to hold his hand, confirming that it was still icy cold from the outdoors.
柏冬青弯唇轻笑了笑:“没事, 我不怕冷。”
Bo Dongqing curled his lips into a light smile: "It's fine, I'm not afraid of the cold."
许煦问:“你在外面待了多久?”
Xu Xu asked, "How long were you outside?"
“……没多久。”他不太有底气地回道。
"…Not long," he replied uncertainly.
天刚刚黑透没多久, 他就脑子乱糟糟地跑了出去,也不知道自己要干什么,只知道心中的焦虑无论如何都没办法排遣, 鲜少抽烟的他,站在街边,抽了一根又一根烟。
It was barely dark when he ran out, his mind in a whirl, not knowing what he was doing. All he knew was that the anxiety in his heart couldn't be dispelled no matter what. He, who rarely smoked, stood by the street, lighting one cigarette after another.
他还真不知道自己在外面站了多久?想着她说的那句“可能不回来了”,他的心就像是忽然被人刮了一刀,他知道是自己将她推了出去,甚至也是自己内心期望过的,但是当事情真的发生,他才知道根本没办法接受。
He really didn't know how long he had been standing there. When she said, "I might not come back," his heart felt as if it had been sliced by a knife. He knew it was he who had pushed her away, even though it was something he had secretly wished for. But when it actually happened, he realized he couldn't accept it.
也许从两个人一起住进这个小小的房子那天起,他的渴望和贪心就无法再刹住车,以至于他努力想逃避,却终究无路可逃。时不时就生出一丝遐想,恨不得他和她的世界,就只剩下这间小小的房子。
Perhaps from the day they moved into this small house together, his desires and greed had become unstoppable, forcing him to try to avoid it, but ultimately leaving him with no escape. He often had the urge to imagine that their world consisted only of this small house.
许煦显然不太相信他的话,又伸手摸了摸他的脸:“我看你都快冻僵了吧!身上烟味也挺大的,赶紧去洗澡睡觉,别感冒了!”
Xu Xu clearly didn't believe his words and reached out to touch his face: "You're almost frozen! And you smell like smoke. Go take a bath and go to bed, or you'll catch a cold!"
柏冬青本想握住她,但想了想自己冷冰冰的手,只得作罢,深深看了她一眼,哦了一声,老老实实去洗澡了。
Ba Dongqing initially wanted to hold her, but after thinking about his cold hands, he gave up. He gave her a deep look, made an "oh" sound, and went to take a bath obediently.
许煦挑眉望着他的背影,心中的愉悦呼之欲出,嘴角不由自主勾起。
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow at his back, the joy in her heart palpable, her lips involuntarily curling up.
柏冬青洗得很快,身上的烟味已经没了,只剩下沐浴露的清香。许煦笑盈盈跑过去,本来是想和他多呆一会儿,但时间实在是有些晚了,明天两人都要上班,便只亲了一下他的嘴,道:“晚安!”
Ba Dongqing washed quickly, the smoke smell gone, leaving only the fragrance of the shower gel. Xu Xu ran over with a smile, originally wanting to stay with him for a bit longer, but it was already quite late. Both of them had to go to work tomorrow, so she only kissed his lips and said, "Goodnight!"
柏冬青抿抿唇,黑沉沉的眸子,定定看着她,默了片刻,才道:“晚安!”
Ba Dongqing pursed his lips, his dark eyes fixed on her. After a moment of silence, he said, "Goodnight!"
许煦依依不舍地看着他进屋,心中的狂喜还没沉静下来,这会儿恨不得跟着他钻进他的卧室,和他一起睡。但想了想,觉得自己这回坚决不能这么流氓了,谈恋爱还是得慢慢来,哪怕她真得对他充满了渴望。
Xu Xuyi watched him enter the house with reluctance, her heart still racing with joy. At this moment, she wished she could follow him into his bedroom and sleep with him. But she thought better of it and decided she couldn't be so forward this time. Dating should be done gradually, even if she was truly filled with desire for him.
于是她忍下冲动,默默洗漱后,老老实实回了自己房间。
So she restrained her impulse, silently washed up, and went back to her room obediently.
躺在床上,已经过了十二点,可强烈的兴奋,让许煦毫无睡意。总觉得第一天确定关系,不做点什么,就这么各自回房睡了,怎么都有点说不过去。
Lying in bed, it was already after midnight, but the intense excitement kept her from sleeping. She felt that after confirming their relationship for the first time, they shouldn't just go to their respective rooms and sleep without doing anything.
而且……作为一个男人,也没有一点表示,果真是个榆木脑袋啊!
Moreover... as a man, he hadn't made any gesture either. Truly, he was a blockhead!
虽然是这样腹诽着,但许煦的心中还是充满着欢喜,忽然得偿所愿的结果,简直像做梦一样。
Although she muttered these thoughts, Xu Xu's heart was still filled with joy. The sudden fulfillment of her wish felt like a dream.
她摸出手机,点开柏冬青的名字,正不知道要发点什么过去,那头已经有信息跳进来:明天早上想吃什么?
She took out her phone, opened Bao Dongqing's name, and was about to send something when a message popped up from the other end: What do you want to eat tomorrow morning?
许煦嘴角翘得老高,喜滋滋打了一串字回过去:都可以,你做什么都好吃。
Xu Xu's lips curled up high, and she happily typed back: Anything is fine, you're delicious no matter what you do.
发完想了想,将台灯调出一个适合的光,找好角度,自拍了一张照片,配上晚安给他发了过去。
After sending the message, she thought for a moment, adjusted the desk lamp to a suitable light, found the right angle, took a selfie, and sent it to him with a goodnight message.
可发完便有点后悔了:是不是太幼稚了点?
Could I have been a bit too immature?
她捧了捧自己发烫的脸,心跳得极快。片刻之后,手机震动了一下,她赶紧打开,简单的两个字:晚安!
She cupped her flushed face and her heart was beating very fast. A moment later, her phone vibrated, and she quickly opened it to see just two words: Goodnight!
许煦撇撇嘴,自言自语咕哝:也不发张自拍过来!明天非得按住你拍几张照片存在我手机里。
Xu Xu pursed her lips and muttered to herself: He didn't even send a selfie! I'll have to take a few photos of you tomorrow and save them on my phone.
说完却笑着心满意足地将手机关机,放在了床头边,按下台灯,美美睡了过去。
But after saying this, she smiled contentedly, turned off her phone, placed it beside the bed, turned on the bedside lamp, and fell asleep soundly.
而隔壁躺在床上的柏冬青,定定地看着手机里那张照片,嘴角不知不觉弯起了一个弧度。也不知看了多久,冷不防打了个喷嚏,才将他拉回神。看了下时间,不得不念念不舍地将手机关掉,盖上了被子。
While Bade Qing, lying in the bed next door, stared at the photo on his phone, a smile involuntarily curved his lips. He didn't know how long he had been looking, but he was pulled back to reality when he suddenly sneezed. Checking the time, he reluctantly turned off his phone and covered himself with the blanket.
许煦这一觉睡得很好,早上的闹铃一响,她也没像往常一样赖床,而是一骨碌坐起来,趿拉着拖鞋亟不可待出门,去见柏冬青。
Xu Xu slept well this time. When the morning alarm went off, she didn't stay in bed like she usually did; instead, she sat up quickly, put on her slippers, and rushed out to meet Bade Qing.
刚刚走到门口,便迎上正从房间出来的柏冬青。他头发凌乱,正揉着鼻子,向来白皙的脸颊,这会儿红得厉害,眼睛好像也不太睁得开。
Just as she reached the door, Bade Qing came out of his room. His hair was disheveled, and he was rubbing his nose. His usually pale face was flushed, and his eyes seemed to be half-closed.
许煦眉头一皱,走到他跟前,伸手探了他额头:“怎么这么烫?感冒了吗?”
Xu Xu frowned and walked up to him, reaching out to feel his forehead. "You're so hot! Are you coming down with a cold?"
柏冬青捂住鼻子别开脸重重咳嗽了几声,算是回答了她的问题,然后哑声道:“没事,我去做早餐!”
Ba Dongqing covered his nose, turned his face away, and coughed heavily several times, which could be considered his answer to her question. Then, in a hoarse voice, he said, "It's fine, I'll go make breakfast!"
许煦赶紧将他往房间推:“做什么早餐?!你赶紧去好好躺着,我去给你找药。”
Xu Xu quickly pushed him towards the bedroom. "Make breakfast? No, you need to lie down and rest properly! I'll go find some medicine for you."
柏冬青显然还想逞强,但是抵不过许煦的坚持,只得老老实实回到了床上。
Ba Dongqing clearly wanted to tough it out, but he couldn't resist Xu Xu's insistence and had to lie back on the bed obediently.
许煦边在客厅拿药,边道:“你今天别去上班了,好好在家休息,我会请假照顾你的。“
While fetching the medicine in the living room, Xu Xu said, "You shouldn't go to work today. Stay home and rest. I'll take leave to take care of you."
柏冬青的声音弱弱传来:“就是一点感冒,没事的!”
Bai Dongqing's voice was weak as she spoke: "Just a cold, nothing serious!"
许煦拿着温度计走到她房内,递给他:“烧得眼睛都红了,还没事?先量量体温,要是温度太高,咱们就去医院。”
Xu Xu held the thermometer and walked into her room, handing it to her: "Your eyes are red from the fever, are you still okay? First, let's check your temperature. If it's too high, we'll go to the hospital."
柏冬青对着她的眼睛,还想说什么,见她朝自己瞪了瞪,只得听话地将体温计接了过来。
Bai Dongqing looked at her eyes and wanted to say something more, but seeing her glare, she obediently took the thermometer.
早餐是许煦出门买回来的,柏冬青发烧超过三十九度,在许煦的监督下,吃了药后,终于还是抵不过药物成分里的嗜睡成分,迷迷糊糊睡了过去。许煦给单位请了假,就开始上网搜索发烧感冒的病人吃什么好,她是第一次这么照顾人,一面心疼生病的柏冬青,一面又为自己可以名正言顺照顾他而欣慰。
Breakfast was bought by Xu Xu when she went out. With a fever over 39 degrees, under Xu Xu's supervision, she finally succumbed to the sedative effects of the medication and fell into a drowsy sleep. Xu Xu took leave from her workplace and started searching online for what to eat when you have a fever and a cold. It was the first time she had taken such good care of someone, feeling both heartache for Bai Dongqing's illness and satisfaction at being able to take care of him as she pleased.
复杂的东西怕第一次做失手,她选择了最简单的肉末粥,正好冰箱里也有食材。砂锅盛一锅水,加一把米,放在燃气灶上慢慢熬,等开锅转为小火后,她担心水干或者煮糊了,就一直站在灶台前盯着,手里拿着大勺,时不时慢慢搅拌一会儿。
Complex things fear making a mistake on the first try, so she chose the simplest meat 末粥, and fortunately, there were ingredients in the refrigerator. She placed a pot of sandpot on the gas stove, added a handful of rice, and let it simmer slowly. Once it came to a boil, she reduced the heat to low, and she stood by the stove, constantly watching to avoid the rice drying out or burning, holding a large spoon and stirring it occasionally.
她做得太专心,以至于醒来的柏冬青,在厨房门口站了许久,她都没发觉。
She was so engrossed in her work that when Bao Dongqing woke up, she stood at the kitchen door for a long time without noticing.
柏冬青默默看着她的身影,这种被人悉心照料的感觉太陌生,陌生到让他几乎觉得像是在做梦,诚惶诚恐地不敢打破这美好的宁静,生怕自己一出声,这一切就会像泡沫一样消失。
Bao Dongqing watched her silently. The feeling of being taken care of so attentively was so unfamiliar that it almost felt like a dream, making him hesitant to break the peaceful silence, afraid that his voice would cause everything to vanish like bubbles.
许煦用勺子舀起一点粥,吹了吹送入嘴里,尝了一口,自我感觉还不错,满意地将火关掉,正要转身去把病患叫醒吃饭,却冷不防对上了站在门口不知多久的人。
Xu Xu used the spoon to scoop up a bit of the porridge, blew on it, and tasted it. She felt it was quite satisfactory and turned off the fire. Just as she was about to go and wake the patient to eat, she was caught off guard by the person standing at the door for who knows how long.
她眨眨眼睛,笑道:“你什么时候起来的,怎么一点声音都没有?”
She blinked and smiled, saying, "When did you get up? Why didn't you make a sound?"
呼!
Whoosh!
不是做梦。
It wasn't a dream.
柏冬青暗暗舒了口气,轻笑道:“刚刚,你太专心了,所以没察觉。”
Bai Dongqing secretly exhaled and said with a light smile, "Just now. You were too focused, so you didn't notice."
第23节
Chapter 23
许煦上前摸了摸他的额头:“好像没那么烫了,你去坐着,我盛好粥端给你。我按网上说的,加了姜丝,对感冒很有好处的。”
Xu Xu touched his forehead: "It doesn't seem as hot anymore. Go sit down, and I'll bring you the porridge. I added some ginger 丝 as the net said, which is very beneficial for a cold."
柏冬青顺从地转身,来到餐桌坐好。
Bai Dongqing obediently turned around and sat down at the dining table.
*
几分钟后。
A few minutes later.
“味道怎么样?”许煦有些紧张地盯着他喝粥的动作。
"How does it taste?" Xu Xu looked at him nervously as he drank the porridge.
柏冬青看向她,笑了笑,点头:“好吃。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and smiled, nodding: "It's delicious."
“真的吗?”许煦自己也喝了一口,“我觉得就一般吧!不过这是我第一次做,感觉还算成功。”
Really?" Xu Xu took a sip herself, "I think it's just okay! But this is my first time making it, so I feel it turned out pretty well.
柏冬青笑:“很成功。”
Bai Dongqing smiled, "It was very successful."
许煦笑道:“看来我还是有点天赋的,以后多学几样做给你吃。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "It seems I still have some talent. I'll learn a few more dishes to cook for you in the future."
柏冬青笑着点点头:“好。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and nodded, "Okay."
吃过饭,他要收拾,许煦赶紧将他推开,拿着吃过的碗筷,颠颠跑去了厨房清理,还不忘在里面叮嘱道:“你别忘了继续吃药,下午再好好休息,等彻底退烧了我才放心。”
After eating, he wanted to clean up, but Xu Xu quickly pushed him away, took the used bowls and chopsticks, and ran to the kitchen to clean them, not forgetting to remind him inside, "Don't forget to keep taking your medicine. Get a good rest in the afternoon. I won't be worried until you've completely recovered from the fever."
“嗯。”
Hmm.
然而,等许煦收拾好厨房出来,却发觉柏冬青正坐在沙发上认真地翻看案卷和材料,她叹了口气,将他手中的东西拿开合上,握着他有些发烫的手,对上他黑沉沉的眼睛,笑道:“虽然努力工作的男人最有魅力,但是生病了还努力工作的男人就不太让人喜欢了。身体好了才能更好的工作,知道吗?”
However, when Xu Xu returned to the kitchen, he found Bai Dongqing sitting on the sofa, seriously reviewing case files and materials. She sighed, took the things from his hands, closed them, and held his slightly feverish hand, meeting his dark eyes, and smiled, "Although men who work hard are the most attractive, men who work hard while sick are not very likable. You need to get better before you can work better, right?"
柏冬青抿唇微微笑了笑,点头:“知道。”
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and gave a slight smile, nodding: "I know."
“那就吃了药,再去睡一会儿。”
Then take the medicine and sleep for a while.
柏冬青从善如流地罩着她的话吃了药,然后回房间钻进了被子中。许煦这会儿也有些困了,干脆跟着他,掀开他的被子,躺在他身旁,美名其曰:“我监督你,免得你又偷偷工作。”
Bai Dongqing took her advice and took the medicine, then returned to her room and crawled under the blankets. Xu Xu was also feeling a bit drowsy at this moment, so she decided to follow him, lifting his blanket and lying beside him, claiming it was to "supervise him and make sure he doesn't sneakily work again."
柏冬青轻笑,给她将被子捻好:“嗯,今天不工作了。”
Bai Dongqing chuckled and adjusted the blanket for her: "Mm, no work today."
许煦抬眼看着他:“那你闭上眼睛。”
Xu Xu raised her eyes to look at him: "Then you close your eyes."
柏冬青听话地闭上眼睛,他睫毛又黑又长,阖眼之后,微微跳动着。许煦有点伸手想摸,但终究还是忍住了,只做了个虚虚的动作。
Bai Dongqing obediently closed his eyes. His eyelashes were long and black, and they slightly trembled after he closed his eyes. Xu Xu wanted to reach out and touch them, but she ultimately restrained herself, only making a vague gesture.
他真得长得很好看,为什么以前在学校,都没人发觉呢?幸好她早就发现,她可真是有眼光。
He really did look very handsome. Why didn't anyone notice it before in school? Fortunately, she had noticed it earlier; she truly had good eyesight.
带着这样的得意,她很快在他的呼吸中慢慢睡了过去。而本该已经睡着的男人,却缓缓睁开的眼睛,目光落在不远处那张恬静的脸上。
With this sense of triumph, she soon fell asleep in his breathing. But the man who should have already been asleep slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the peaceful face not far away.
是什么时候开始注意她的呢?他有点记不清楚了,反正已经很久了,久得像过了一个世纪那么漫长。
When did he start noticing her? He couldn't quite remember, but it had been a long time, long like a century.
他伸手小心翼翼将她脸上散乱的发丝拨开,手指在她光洁的脸颊轻轻滑过,然后慢慢凑过去,在她额头上落下一个鹅毛般的轻吻。
He reached out cautiously to brush the stray hairs from her face, his fingers gently gliding over her smooth cheeks, then slowly leaned in to press a downy kiss to her forehead.
第29章
Chapter 29
从室友变成恋人后的相处模式,除了更亲密些, 其实也没有太大变化, 仍旧是柏冬青方方面面周全地照顾着两人的生活。
After becoming a boyfriend, their mode of getting along was basically the same, with Bai Dongqing still taking care of both of their lives in every aspect.
他的工作似乎更忙了, 每天早出晚归, 周末也总在外面奔波,虽然刻意少接外地的案子, 但在家的时间, 仍旧寥寥无几。
His workload seemed to have increased, with him coming and going early and late every day, and he was always out on weekends. Although he deliberately took fewer cases from outside, he still spent very little time at home.
许煦也不知道他为什么在工作上这么拼命, 但男人有事业心总归是好事,她也喜欢看他努力的样子。在她眼中,这样的柏冬青, 有着独特的魅力,所以从不抱怨他陪自己太少,反倒尽己所能多照顾一些他, 也顺带勉励自己更好地工作, 做一个和他一样优秀的人。
Xu Xu didn't know why he was working so hard, but she was glad that he had a strong sense of career. She also liked to see him working hard. In her eyes, such a Bao Dongqing had a unique charm, so she never complained about him spending too little time with her. Instead, she tried her best to take better care of him, and at the same time, encouraged herself to work harder and become someone as excellent as him.
两个人的相处,在许煦看来, 只能用融洽和甜蜜来形容, 唯一让她有点郁闷的是, 柏冬青也不知是太过正派, 还是真的是个榆木疙瘩, 冬去春来入了夏,几个月过去了,两个人除了亲亲抱抱, 就没有再进一步的亲密。
In Xu Xu's view, their relationship could only be described as harmonious and sweet. The only thing that slightly disappointed her was that Bao Dongqing was either too upright or really as stubborn as a mule. Winter turned to spring and then summer, and several months passed, but apart from hugging and kissing, they did not take their relationship to the next level.
虽然她并非觉得男女交往就一定要发生关系,但两人毕竟曾经有过一夜,如今又是共处同一屋檐下,这种事情水到渠成似乎才正常!如果不是有时候接吻时,她能感觉到他身体的反应,她都怀疑他是不是有什么问题。
Although she did not think that male and female relationships had to involve physical intimacy, they had once shared a night together, and now they lived under the same roof. It seemed natural for such things to happen! If not for the times when she could feel his physical response during their kisses, she would have doubted whether there was something wrong with him.
转眼六月底,许煦的生日到了。因为正好是周六,她和冯佳约好了,带上各自家属,一起见面吃顿饭。
By the end of June, Xu Xu's birthday arrived. Since it was a Saturday, she and Feng Jia had agreed to meet with their respective families for a meal.
订得是高档川菜馆,许煦和柏冬青先到,察觉他似乎有点紧张,她握着他的手,轻笑道:“冯佳人很好的,肯定不会为难你,你不用紧张。”
They reserved a high-end Sichuan restaurant. Xu Xu and Bai Dongqing arrived first, and she noticed that he seemed a bit nervous. She held his hand and said with a light smile, "Feng Jia is very good, she definitely won't make things difficult for you. You don't need to be nervous."
柏冬青看了看她,弯唇轻笑了笑:“万一我表现不好,你在你朋友面前,会很没面子的。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her, then curled his lips into a light smile. "If I perform poorly, you'll lose face in front of your friends."
许煦被逗笑:“冯佳又不是不知道你是谁?顺其自然就好,不用刻意表现。”
Xu Xu was amused. "Feng Jia knows who you are. Just be yourself and don't try to make a special effort."
柏冬青笑着点点头,凑过头,在她唇上亲了一下。
Bai Dongqing smiled and nodded, leaning in to kiss her on the lips.
“喂喂喂!”冯佳的笑声从门口传来,打断了两人的亲密。
"Hey hey hey!" Feng Jia's laughter came from the doorway, interrupting their intimacy.
柏冬青赶紧挪开,站起来彬彬有礼打招呼:“你们来了?”
Bai Dongqing quickly moved away, stood up, and politely greeted them: "You're here?"
冯佳和男友郭铭一前一后走进来,朝柏冬青笑道:“柏学长,真是闻名不如见面,你现在在江城律师圈可是一颗新星啊,我们公司法务部的人都听过你的大名。”
Feng Jia and her boyfriend, Guo Ming, walked in one after the other, smiling at Bai Dongqing and saying, "Brother Bai, it's better to meet you in person than to hear about you. You're now a rising star in the Jiangcheng legal circle, and everyone in our company's legal department has heard of your name."
柏冬青笑了笑,没说话。
Bai Dongqing smiled and said nothing.
许煦跳起来,跑到冯佳面前,和她来了个久别重逢的拥抱,然后歪头看了看眼前这张漂亮的脸。虽然化着妆,但还是看得出神色很有些憔悴,她咦了一声:“怎么了?是不是工作很忙?”
Xu Xu jumped up, ran to Feng Jia's front, and hugged her in a long-awaited reunion. Then she tilted her head to look at the beautiful face in front of her. Although she was made up, it was still clear that she looked rather worn out. She exclaimed, "What's wrong? Are you very busy with work?"
冯佳叹了口气,有些无奈地点点头。
Feng Jia sighed and nodded helplessly.
许煦朝她身后的男人道:“郭铭,你可得好好照顾我们的冯美人,这么个大美女落在你手上,你不好好珍惜,我可是不干的。”
Xu Xu turned to the man behind her and said, "Guo Ming, you have to take good care of our beauty, Feng Jia. Such a stunning woman in your hands, and you don't cherish her enough? I won't agree to that."
冯佳好笑地掐了她一把。
Feng Jia laughed and pinched her.
郭铭笑呵呵道:“工作上的事我也帮不上忙,不过刚刚工作,难免辛苦一点。林氏集团福利待遇好,好多人想进去还进不去呢!”
Guo Ming said with a smile, "I can't help with work-related matters, but it's bound to be a bit tough when you're just starting out. The Lin Corporation offers great benefits; many people want to join but can't!"
冯佳点头,苦涩地笑了笑:“是啊!前阵子我还想辞职来着,但听郭铭这么一说,就想着看到薪水的份上,也得坚持下去。咱们毕竟只是打工族,任性不来!”
Feng Jia nodded and bitterly smiled, "That's right! I even thought about quitting a while ago, but after hearing what you said, I decided to stick it out for the sake of the salary. After all, we're just employees; we can't be too whimsical!"
许煦抿抿唇,不以为然道:“那也得做得开心才行,你又不是找不到好工作。”
Xu Xu pursed her lips and said with a dismissive tone, "But you have to enjoy your work too. You won't find a better job anyway."
冯佳拍拍她:“别说这些了,今天你生日,咱们赶紧吃饭。”
Feng Jia patted her: "Forget about it. Today is your birthday, let's get our meal started."
因为快半年没见面,席上基本上就是许煦和冯佳两个人的主场,凑在一块儿说个不停,两个男人则全程是配角。只不过柏冬青一直没忘记照顾许煦,看到她碗里的菜没了,就会帮她补上爱吃的,虾肉剥得干干净净,鱼刺小心翼翼跳开,一切自然而然。
Since they hadn't seen each other in nearly half a year, the dinner was basically a two-person show for Xu Xu and Feng Jia, with the two men serving as supporting roles the entire time. However, Bai Dongqing never forgot to take care of Xu Xu. Whenever she finished her dish, he would refill it with her favorite, meticulously removing the shrimp meat and carefully avoiding the fish bones, all done naturally and without fuss.
冯佳看在眼里,笑着朝许煦眨眨眼睛,背着柏冬青用口型道:“你挑男人的水平真是绝了,我算是对你佩服得五体投地!”
Feng Jia smiled and winked at Xu Xu, using sign language behind Bai Dongqing's back: "Your choice of men is truly impeccable. I'm thoroughly impressed with you!"
许煦得意地昂昂头,颇有些骄傲道:“那必须啊!”
Xu Xu lifted her head with a smug expression, quite proud: "Of course!"
一顿饭吃得很融洽,出来时,许煦还有些意犹未尽,两个男人去取车,她和冯佳站在门口边聊天边等着。
The meal went very well, and when they came out, Xu Xu was still a bit unsatisfied. The two men went to get the car, while she and Feng Jia stood by the door, chatting and waiting.
“佳!你工作到底怎么回事啊?”许煦问。
"Jia! What's up with your work?" Xu Xu asked.
冯佳轻笑:“没什么事,刚刚工作,难免遇到这样那样的问题,忍忍就好了。”
Feng Jia smiled lightly: "Nothing much. Just starting a new job, bound to run into all sorts of issues. Just bear with it."
许煦道:“要真觉得不开心,还是换一个吧!你又不是找不到好的。”
Xu Xu said, "If you really feel unhappy, maybe switch to something else! You're not short of good options."
“算了!”冯佳摇摇头,“现在手上也没什么钱,郭铭准备创业,我要是换来换去,两个人都没保障,再看吧!”
Forget it!" Feng Jia shook her head. "Now I don't have much money in my hands. Guo Ming is planning to start a business. If I keep changing jobs, neither of us will have any security. Let's see how things go!
许煦想了想,问:“你和郭铭还好吧?”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and asked, "Are you and Guo Ming doing well?"
冯佳笑着点点头:“挺好的,在一起这么多年,该磨合的都已经磨合,当然也不可能像刚热恋的小情侣那么激情澎湃。”
Feng Jia smiled and nodded. "We're doing pretty well. After being together for so many years, we've already gone through all the necessary adjustments. Of course, it's not as passionate as when two people are just starting to date."
许煦道:“想不到当初那个说要蹲帅哥的大美女,竟然和一个男人过了这么久。”
Xu Xu said, "I never thought the beautiful lady who said she wanted to date handsome guys would end up with one for so long."
冯佳笑:“谁能想到呢?”她顿了顿,感叹道,“经过了家庭变故,我现在才知道安稳生活的可贵。所以得好好珍惜。”
Feng Jiaoxiao smiled: "Who would have thought?" She paused, then sighed, "After experiencing family changes, I now realize the preciousness of a stable life. So, I must cherish it."
“说的也是。”
True enough.
“你呢?虽然是第一次见柏学长,但感觉是个很靠谱的男人,对你很好吧?”
And you? Although it's your first time meeting Brother Bai, you seem like a very reliable man, right? He's good to you, isn't he?
许煦笑着点头:“再好不过。”
Xu Xu smiled and nodded: "He couldn't be better."
冯佳掐了她一把:“那要好好珍惜,可别想以前那样作了。”
Feng Jia pinched her: "Then you should cherish him well, don't act like you used to."
许煦道:“对他我可舍不得作!”
Xu Xu said: "I wouldn't do that to him!"
“啧啧啧!”冯佳大笑,“这么喂人狗粮,还有人性吗?”
Zzzip zzip zzip!" Feng Jia laughed loudly, "Feeding someone dog food like this, do you still have any humanity?
许煦难得有点羞涩:“说实话,就是真的觉得和这个人在一起很安心很幸福。”
Xu Xu, who was rarely shy, said, "To be honest, I just feel very secure and happy being with this person."
冯佳道:“看到你这样,我就放心了。”
Feng Jia said, "Seeing you like this, I'm relieved."
“你也要好好的,有什么需要帮忙的,一定要告诉我。我要不行,还有学长呢,他很厉害的。”
You should take care too. If you need any help, you must tell me. If I can't help, there's still an older brother, he's very capable.
冯佳被她逗了:“我算是见识了什么叫做真正的陷入爱河!”
Feng Jia teased her: "I've finally seen what it means to truly fall in love!"
两个人女人在这边说笑着,两个并肩去取车的男人,也边走边聊。
The two women chatted merrily, while the two men walking alongside them discussed their cars.
郭铭看了眼身旁清瘦挺拔的英俊男人,笑着道:“我听冯佳说许煦家里很有钱,又是独生女,柏律师运气真好,如果娶了这样的女孩子,能少奋斗二十年呢!”
Guo Ming glanced at the slender, tall, and handsome man beside him and smiled, saying, "I heard Feng Jia say that Xu Xu comes from a wealthy family and is an only child. Lawyer Bai is really lucky. If he marries a girl like her, he could save himself twenty years of hard work!"
柏冬青微微一愣,朝他看了眼,轻笑了笑,淡声道:“我还是希望自己努力,给她一个好的生活和未来。”
Bai Dongqing was slightly taken aback, glanced at him, and gave a light smile, saying softly, "I still hope to work hard for her, giving her a good life and future."
郭铭嗤了一声:“你一个律师做得再好能挣多少钱,如果是我,肯定选择去继承她家的事业。”
Guo Ming snorted: "No matter how well you do as a lawyer, how much can you earn? If it were me, I would definitely choose to inherit her family's business."
柏冬青收敛了笑容,没再说话,走到车边,和他挥手道别,边先开着车离开。
Bai Dongqing sobered, no longer speaking, walked to the car, and waved goodbye to him before getting in and driving off first.
回程的路上,许煦还沉浸在和好友见面的喜悦,随口问:“冬青,你觉得冯佳和郭铭怎么样?”
On the way back, Xu Xu was still immersed in the joy of meeting a friend and casually asked, "Dongqing, what do you think of Feng Jia and Guo Ming?"
“你朋友挺好的。”柏冬青顿了下,“但是我觉得他男朋友配不上她。”
Bai Dongqing said, 'Your friend is quite good.' She paused, then said, 'But I think her boyfriend doesn't deserve her.'
许煦叹了口气:“我也这样觉得,不过感情的事,旁人也不好说什么,一说出来就有种势利眼的感觉。毕竟当年冯佳家里出事,是郭铭陪她度过了难关。”
Xu Xu sighed: "I feel the same way, but when it comes to matters of the heart, others can't really say much. It just feels like judging from a narrow perspective if you speak up."
柏冬青点头,沉默了片刻,又道:“反正你让你朋友多为自己打算打算,要真不合适,还是不要为了那点恩情勉强。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, fell silent for a moment, and then said, "In any case, let your friend think more about himself. If it really doesn't work out, it's better not to force it for a bit of gratitude."
许煦有点惊讶地看向他,笑道:“我怎么觉得这不太像你说话的风格。你不是应该奉行滴水恩涌泉报的吗?”
Xu Xu looked at him in surprise and smiled. "I can't help but think this isn't like your usual style. Shouldn't you be the one to repay a drop of water with a spring of water?"
柏冬青好笑道:“哪有这么夸张!”他顿了顿,转头看她一眼,“我真的没你想得那么好。”
Bai Dongqing smiled wryly. "It's not that exaggerated!" He paused, then turned to look at her. "I really am not as good as you think."
许煦挑眉:“你别臭美,我可没把你想得多好,我想你是个大坏蛋呢!”
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow: "Don't be so conceited. I didn't think much of you. I thought you were a big bad wolf!"
柏冬青摇头失笑。
Bai Dongqing shook his head and chuckled.
*
回到家已经有些晚了,两个人洗完澡,腻歪了一会儿,就各自回了房间。许煦将柏冬青送她的礼物拿出来,小小的一个盒子,用精美的包装纸包着,她一点点拆开,是一块女式手表,跟他平日里戴的那块是情侣款。
It was already quite late when they got home. After taking a bath and cuddling for a while, they went to their respective rooms. Xu Xu took out the gift Bai Dongqing had given her—a small box wrapped in exquisite wrapping paper. She carefully opened it to find a ladies' watch, matching the one she usually wore.
许煦将手表戴在手腕上,有些爱不释手地欣赏了会儿,正要取下来,忽然窗外一声惊雷,她猝不及防,尖叫一声,差点从床上掉下去。
Xu Xu admired the watch on her wrist for a moment, then suddenly a thunderclap outside made her scream in surprise, nearly falling off the bed.
入了夏的天气就是这样,雷雨说来就来。
The weather in summer is like that, thunderstorms come and go suddenly.
外面响起急促的敲门:“怎么了?”
There was a loud knock at the door. "What is it?"
许煦拍拍胸口:“没事,门没锁,你进来吧!”
Xu Xu patted her chest. "Don't worry, the door isn't locked. You can come in!"
柏冬青刚刚推门而入,又是几道伴着闪电的惊雷响起。
Just as Bai Dongqing pushed the door open, several more thunderclaps accompanied by lightning echoed.
许煦这回有了防备,倒是没被吓到,只是还是有些心惊肉跳。
Xu Xu this time was prepared and wasn't scared, though she still felt a bit shaken.
柏冬青爬上她的床,笑了笑:“没事,我在这里陪你。”
Bai Dongqing climbed onto her bed and smiled: "Don't worry, I'll stay with you."
许煦笑道:“我又不是小孩子,不怕打雷的,就是刚刚太突然,给吓了一跳。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "I'm not a child; I'm not afraid of thunder. It's just that it was too sudden and gave me a fright."
柏冬青躺在她旁边,笑着柔声道:“那我怕,你陪我!”
Bai Dongqing lay beside her, smiling softly and saying, "Then I'm scared, you'll have to stay with me!"
他难得这样开玩笑,许煦被他逗乐,躺下靠在他身旁,举起戴着表的手腕:“和你的是一对,我很喜欢。”
He rarely joked like this, and Xu Xu was amused, lying down and leaning against him, raising his wrist where his watch was: "It matches yours, and I really like it."
“喜欢就好。”他在她唇上亲了一下。
"Good." He kissed her lips.
许煦笑着往他身旁拱了拱,抬眼看向他。他漆黑如墨的眼睛,此时正定定看着她,像是要把她看进心里去。
Xu Xu smiled and shifted closer to him, lifting her eyes to meet his. His eyes, dark as ink, were fixed on her, as if he wanted to look her right into her heart.
两个人相处这么久,这样的亲昵,本来已经不会叫许煦紧张,然而此时被他这样灼灼看着,心跳忽然就加快,脸上也红了起来。
After so long together, this kind of intimacy no longer made Xu Xu feel nervous. However, at this moment, with him looking at her so intently, her heart began to race, and her face flushed.
柏冬青弯唇轻笑了声,伸手将她的头发拂开到耳后,凑上前贴上她的唇,他吻得很慢,就像是在对待易碎的珍宝般,一点一点地探入,温柔又缠绵。
Bai Dongqing curved his lips into a light smile and gently brushed her hair behind her ear. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her slowly as if handling a fragile treasure, exploring her lips tenderly and passionately.
第24节
Chapter 24
窗外雷电交鸣,屋内一室缱绻。
Outside, thunder and lightning roared, while inside, the room was filled with 缠绻 (intimate and lingering affection).
他含着她的唇吸允了许久,才慢慢移开,亲吻着她的耳朵、然后顺着脖颈往下。
He sucked on her lips for a long while before slowly moving away, kissing her ear and then down her neck.
许煦被他弄得浑身软得像是跌进了云朵里,不自觉发出了细细的喘息声,就在她快要云里雾里时,柏冬青忽然直起身。
Xu Xu was made so soft that she felt like she had fallen into a cloud, involuntarily letting out a fine breathy sound. Just as she was about to lose herself in a haze, Bai Dongqing suddenly sat up.
许煦迷迷糊糊睁开水润的双眼,呢喃般问道:“怎么了?”
Xu Xu, half-asleep, opened her dewy eyes and murmured, "What's wrong?"
他用力深呼吸了口气,在她唇上啄了一下,微微喘息道:“我出去买个东西,马上回来!”
He took a deep, forceful breath and pecked her lips, panting slightly, "I'm going to buy something, I'll be right back!"
脑子浆糊的许煦等到他套上衣服,匆匆出门,才反应过来他要去买什么。
Still half-dazed, Xu Xu only realized what he was going to buy after he put on his clothes and rushed out.
脸顿时爆红。
The face turned red instantly.
第30章
Chapter 30
客厅大门传来哐当一声,将许煦唤回神, 她忽然想到什么似的, 匆忙跳下床, 光着脚跑出卧室想将柏冬青叫住, 但打开客厅的门往外一看,走廊早没了人影, 显然是已经坐电梯下去了。她有些懊恼地揉了揉乱糟糟的头发, 回到房间, 将床头柜打开,从里面摸出一个小盒子。
The front door of the living room echoed with a loud bang, snapping Xu Xu back to her senses. Suddenly remembering something, she hastily jumped out of bed, barefoot, and ran out of the bedroom to call out to Ba Dongqing. But when she opened the living room door and looked out, there was no one in the corridor, clearly indicating that they had already taken the elevator down. She rubbed her messy hair in frustration and returned to the room, opening the bedside table and feeling around for a small box inside.
当初刚和柏冬青确定关系时,她悄咪咪买了这玩意儿藏在抽屉里, 算是有备无患,就想着哪天擦枪走火能派上用场。哪知柏冬青一直跟榆木疙瘩一样,比柳下惠还坐怀不乱, 时间一长, 她也就忘了这事儿,没想到今晚大概是天时地利人和, 朽木忽然就开窍了。
When she first confirmed her relationship with Ba Dongqing, she secretly bought this item and hid it in the drawer, prepared for any eventuality, thinking it might come in handy one day. Little did she know that Ba Dongqing was as wooden as a block, more restrained than 柳下惠 (a metaphor for a chaste man), and remained unbothered. Over time, she had forgotten about it. But tonight, it seemed that the timing, place, and circumstances were all aligned, and the previously unresponsive Ba Dongqing suddenly became enlightened.
一声雷鸣又乍然响起, 许煦吓了一跳, 忧心忡忡跑到窗外, 外面风雨大作, 这种时候跑出去买小雨衣,真是让人担心,又有些哭笑不得。
A thunderclap rang out suddenly, startling Xu Xu. She hurried to the window with worry, only to find the wind and rain were raging outside. Going out in such weather to buy a raincoat was truly worrying, and a bit comical.
几分钟后, 客厅响起开门声,她赶紧走出去。虽然出门匆忙,但好在柏冬青没忘记顺手拿了一把伞,这会儿只是衣服上有些水迹。他边抖落身上的雨水边问:“你怎么起来了?”
A few minutes later, the sound of the door opening echoed in the living room. She hurried out. Although she had rushed, Bao Dongqing hadn't forgotten to grab an umbrella, so there was just some water on her clothes. As he shook off the raindrops, he asked, "Why did you get up?"
许煦看着他喘着气的模样,忍不住大笑起来。
Seeing him panting, Xu Xu couldn't help but burst into laughter.
柏冬青有些狐疑地看向她:“怎么了?”
Bao Dongqing looked at her suspiciously. "What's so funny?"
许煦扬了扬手中的小盒子:“你刚刚跑那么快,我正想叫你时,人就没影儿了。”
Xu Xuyang waved the small box in his hand: "You were running so fast just now. I was about to call you, but you were nowhere to be seen."
柏冬青看着她手中的小盒子,再看了看自己手中拿得东西,脸上的表情第一次那么精彩。
Bai Dongqing looked at the small box in her hand and then at the item she was holding, her expression becoming the most vivid it had been.
两个人毕竟朝夕相处几个月,许煦自然不会觉得这种事有多难为情,反倒是觉得这样的他很可爱,忍不住又戏谑道:“不过你还真是精神可嘉,这种天气还跑出去,可以说是非常值得表扬了!”顿了顿,又笑道,“但是呢……这难道不是应该早早提前做好准备的吗?等到擦枪走火才临时跑出去买,实在是不符合你做事周全的作风,还是说……你对自己的定力太有信心?”
After all, they had been living together for several months, so Xu Xuyang naturally didn't find it embarrassing to bring up such a thing. Instead, she found him adorable and couldn't help but tease him again: "But you really are a model of perseverance. Running out in such weather is definitely something worth praising!" Pausing, she then smiled and said, "But... isn't it better to make such preparations in advance? Rushing out to buy at the last minute is not in line with your meticulous nature, right? Or are you just overly confident in your self-control?"
柏冬青白净的脸渐渐有些面红耳赤,难得浮现了一丝恼羞成怒的表情,支支吾吾半晌,也没说出个所以然。
Bai Dongqing's usually pale face gradually turned a bit red, and a rare expression of embarrassment and anger appeared. After stammering for a while, she still couldn't explain herself.
许煦被他这模样逗得乐不可支。
Xu Xu was 乐不可支地 amused by his expression.
“很好笑吗?”他抬头看向她,故意板着脸沉声道,但是一点威慑力都没有,反倒让许煦笑得更厉害。
"Is it that funny?" He looked up at her, intentionally keeping a stern face and speaking in a deep voice, but it had no intimidating effect and only made Xu Xu laugh even harder.
柏冬青抿抿唇,忽然将身上的t恤一把脱掉,上前将人直接扛起来,疾步往卧室走去。
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and suddenly pulled off her t-shirt, then walked up and carried the person directly into the bedroom.
许煦在他身上笑着大叫:“你干嘛?”
Xu Xu laughed loudly on his chest, calling out, "What are you doing?"
柏冬青一言不发地将她丢在床上,瞬间便把人剥得精光,然后整个人覆在她上方,双手握住她纤细的手腕固定在她头侧,不等许煦开口说话,已经飞快贴上去堵住她那张嫣红水润的唇。
Bai Dongqing silently threw her onto the bed, stripping her naked in an instant, then covered her completely, holding her slender wrists by his sides and pinning her down. Before Xu Xu could say a word, he quickly pressed his lips to hers.
他的吻向来是温柔缠绵的,但这一次,却带着从未有过的急切和凶狠。
His kisses were always gentle and 缠绵, but this time, they were filled with an unprecedented urgency and ferocity.
对于许煦来说,柏冬青从来都是温和的,直到这一刻,当她被他有力的双手固住无法动弹,舌根被吸吮得发麻,鼻息和口腔都充斥着带着男人的气息,贴在她上方的躯体灼热又坚硬,她这才意识到,柏冬青不仅是一个男人,还是一个充满了力量与荷尔蒙的男人。
For Xu Xu, Bai Dongqing had always been gentle, until this moment when she was immobilized by his strong hands, her tongue numbed by his suction, and her nose and mouth filled with the scent of a man. The body pressing on hers was hot and rigid, and she realized that Bai Dongqing was not just a man, but a man filled with power and pheromones.
明明三年前的那一晚不是这样的,可那一晚到底是怎样的?在柏冬青身下心跳若狂,如堕云端的许煦已经想不起来了。
Clearly, it wasn't like this three years ago, but what was that night like? Xu Xu, who had been 狂跳 with her heart as if she were in a cloud under Bai Dongqing, could no longer remember.
窗外雷鸣闪电风雨交加,屋内翻云覆雨一室混乱。
Thunder roared and lightning flashed outside, accompanied by heavy rain and wind, creating a chaotic scene indoors.
一直到风雨渐渐平息,床上的动静才终于平静下来。这会儿的柏冬青,已经恢复平日的从容与温和,将还微微喘着气的许煦揽在臂弯中,伸手拨开她黏在脸颊的发丝,柔声问:“有没有不舒服?”
It wasn't until the wind and rain gradually subsided that the movements on the bed finally calmed down. At this moment, Bai Dongqing had regained his usual composure and gentleness, wrapping Xu Xu in his arms and gently brushing away the strands of hair that clung to her face. He asked softly, "Are you feeling unwell?"
许煦想到刚刚自己被他压在身下狠狠动作的场景,那样的力量和频率,简直让她心惊肉跳,也不知是身体的感觉太强烈,还是有点被吓到,当时忍不住又哭又叫。柏冬青也是看到她这会儿情潮刚褪去后的眼睛,还泛着红色的水光,才有些担心地开口问。
Xu Xu thought back to the scene where she was pressed beneath him, his movements intense and forceful, which left her trembling with fear and shock. She couldn't tell if it was the intensity of the physical sensation or the fright that made her cry and scream at the time. It was only when he saw the lingering redness in her eyes, still moist from the recent passion, that he spoke with some concern.
许煦难得有些羞涩地摇摇头,将脸埋在他胸前,温热的呼吸洒在他裸露的肌肤上,本来已经平息的身体,又有点蠢蠢欲动。
Xu Xu, rarely feeling shy, shook her head and buried her face in his chest, her warm breath caressing his bare skin. Her body, which had just calmed down, began to stir again.
柏冬青强压下心痒难耐地旖念,又低声问:“真的没有把你弄疼吗?”
Bai Dongqing forcibly suppressed his intense yearning and asked in a low voice, "Did I not hurt you at all?"
许煦抬头看他,在他唇上啄了一下:“真的不疼,你做得挺好的。”她这话倒不是说假,虽然刚刚的男人好像有些失控,但仍旧保持着理智,在进入正题前,用漫长的前奏让她的身体做好了足够的准备,细微的疼痛很快就被快感淹没。她想了想,坏笑着问,“看不出来你还挺懂的,哪里学的?”
Xu Xu looked up at him and gently pecked his lips. "It didn't hurt at all, you did a great job." Her words weren't entirely false; although the man had seemed a bit out of control just now, he still maintained his composure, using a long prelude to prepare her body sufficiently before getting to the point. The slight pain was quickly overwhelmed by the pleasure. Thinking about it, she asked with a mischievous smile, "I didn't realize you knew so much. Where did you learn it?"
柏冬青有些不自在的清了清嗓子,低声道:“大学男生宿舍都有那种片子和书,跟着他们一起看过。”
Bai Dongqing cleared his throat uncomfortably and whispered, "University male dormitories have those kinds of videos and books, and I've watched them with them."
他语气虽然听起来很平静,但耳根却涌上了一抹可疑的红色。
Although his tone sounded calm, a suspicious flush spread to his ears.
许煦愣了下,故意吃惊道:“原来你也看那些东西啊?”
Xu Xu was taken aback and deliberately exclaimed, "So you also watch those things?"
柏冬青掐了她一把,失笑道:“别总说得我好像不是个正常人似的,我也是个身理健康的男人啊!”
Bai Dongqing pinched her and laughed, "Stop making it sound like I'm not a normal person. I'm a healthy man too!"
许煦点头:“是还挺健康的。那你平时自己有没有……”说着狡黠一笑,凑到他耳边,低声说了三个字。
Xu Xu nodded, "Yeah, quite healthy. Do you... do you do it yourself sometimes?" She then grinned mischievously, leaned close to his ear, and whispered three words.
柏冬青瞪了她一眼,将薄被掀开,抱起浑身热烘烘的人往浴室走:“以前有没有不告诉你,但以后肯定没有了。”
Bai Dongqing glared at her, pushed back the thin blanket, and picked up the person who was hot all over, heading towards the bathroom, "I won't tell you about the past, but there won't be any in the future."
*
晚上折腾得太累的结果,就是隔日两个人都睡过头了,还在因为是周日,都没有非做不可的工作安排。最后还是因为门铃声,两人才悠悠转醒,柏冬青揉了揉许煦的头发,道:“我去看是谁?你要是还困就再睡儿,做好早餐了叫你。”
As a result of staying up late the previous night, both of them overslept the next day and, since it was Sunday, they didn't have any urgent work to do. It was only the doorbell that finally woke them up. Bai Dongqing stroked Xu Xu's hair and said, "I'll go see who it is. If you're still sleepy, you can go back to sleep. I'll wake you up after I've made breakfast."
闭眼躺在床上许煦听到外面的开门声,但半晌没人说话,便打着哈欠问:“冬青,是谁啊?”
Xu Xu heard the sound of the door opening outside while lying in bed with his eyes closed, but after a while, no one spoke. He yawned and asked, "Dongqing, who is it?"
柏冬青的声音幽幽传来:“许煦,你起来吧!”
Bai Dongqing's voice echoed softly, "Xu Xu, get up!"
许煦嘟哝一声,下床趿着拖鞋,顶着凌乱的头发,惺忪着眼睛从卧室走出来,当目光看到门玄关处站着的人时,本来还有些混沌的脑子,顿时像被人浇了一盆冰水,彻底清醒过来,然后露出一个十分不自然的笑容,抬手挥了挥,弱弱道:“爸,你……怎么来了?”
Xu Xu mumbled something, got out of bed in his slippers, and walked out of the bedroom with messy hair and half-closed eyes. When his gaze fell on the person standing by the door 玄关, his initially foggy mind suddenly became clear as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over him. He then forced a very unnatural smile and weakly waved, saying, "Dad, why are you here?"
两手提着满满几个袋子的中年成功人士,木着脸看了眼衣衫不整的女儿,又看向面前的年轻男人,用脚指头想想也知道是怎么回事,他眼神跟刀子一样瞪着柏冬青,冷声道:“这是不让我进门吗?”
A middle-aged successful man, holding several full bags in both hands, looked at his disheveled daughter with a blank face, then turned to the young man in front of him. It was obvious what was going on, and his eyes glared at Bai Dongqing like daggers as he coldly said, "Do you not want me to enter?"
“叔叔,您请进!”柏冬青反应过来,赶紧侧身让开,给他拿了拖鞋,弯身恭恭敬敬放在他跟前。
"Auntie, please come in!" Bai Dongqing realized and quickly stepped aside, offering him slippers and placing them respectfully in front of him.
许煦捂着额头心中叫苦不迭。
Xu Xu covered her forehead and groaned inwardly.
她给父母说过是和朋友合租房子,但为了省事,隐瞒了是和男生合租这个事实,之前许父许母提过很多次要来看她,都被她找了借口拒绝。和柏冬青确定关系后,她倒是有说过交了男朋友的事,却还没来得及坦白是和男友住在一起。
She had told her parents that she was sharing a house with a friend, but to avoid unnecessary trouble, she had concealed the fact that she was sharing with a male friend. Previously, her father and mother had mentioned several times that they wanted to come and see her, but she had always found excuses to decline. After confirming her relationship with Bai Dongqing, she had mentioned having a boyfriend, but she had not yet had the chance to admit that she was living with him.
本来也就只是单单纯纯地住在一起,哪知刚睡第一晚,就被老爸抓了个正着。
We were just living together, you know. But my dad caught us on the first night we slept together.
见鬼啊!
Damn it!
许氏夫妇一直很开明,几乎不会插手女儿的任何事,也了解现在的年轻人谈恋爱,大多都会在结婚前发生关系。可许父在没有任何心理准备之下,发现了这事,要说心理冲击不大,那肯定不是亲爹了。
The Xu couple has always been open-minded and rarely interfere with their daughter's affairs. They also understand that nowadays, many young people have relations before marriage. But my dad, who had no psychological preparation for this, found out about it. If he wasn't completely shocked, he wouldn't be my dad.
他换好鞋子,将手中的东西,往柏冬青跟前一递,没好气道:“我来这边出差,给煦煦带的东西。”
He changed his shoes and handed the items in his hand to Bai Dongqing, speaking with a bad temper, "I'm on a business trip here, and these are for Xuxu."
柏冬青小心翼翼接过来,提着转身去放,然后和许煦无言地对视了一眼。
Ba Dongqing handled it carefully and turned to place it, then met Xu Xu's gaze silently.
许煦整好衣服,捋了捋乱糟糟的头发,干干笑了两声:“爸!你来之前也不跟我打个招呼?我这什么都没准备?”
Xu Xu straightened his clothes, combed his messy hair, and chuckled dryly, "Dad! Didn't you even give me a heads-up before coming? I didn't prepare anything?"
“你要准备什么?”许爸爸瞪了眼女儿,大马金刀地往沙发一坐,指了指旁边的沙发,“你们俩过来,跟我说清楚!”
What do you need to prepare?" Xu Dad glared at his daughter, sitting down on the sofa with a grand gesture and pointed to the adjacent sofa, "Come over here and explain to me clearly!
许煦也没打算藏着掖着,只是觉得被老爸知道自己跟男人睡了这件事有些尴尬罢了,反正已经既成事实,她也就放开了,拉着柏冬青在沙发坐好,笑着道:“爸,这是我男朋友柏冬青。”
Xu Xu didn't plan on hiding anything, just feeling a bit embarrassed about Dad knowing he had slept with a man. Since it was already a fait accompli, she decided to be open about it. She pulled Ba Dongqing to sit on the sofa and smiled, "Dad, this is my boyfriend, Ba Dongqing."
许父斜睨着眼睛,上下打量了一下旁边的年轻人,有点眼熟,模样生得还不错,用他这双识人无数的眼睛,很容易就看出,这是个品行不错的男孩子。
Mr. Xu 斜睨着眼睛,上下打量了一下旁边的年轻人,觉得有些面熟,模样还不错。用他这双阅人无数的眼睛,很容易就看出,这孩子品行不错。
不过还没结婚,就跟女孩儿同居,也好不到哪里去?
不过还没结婚,就跟女孩儿同居,也未必有多好?
他哼了一声,朝柏冬青冷冷道:“行吧,你介绍一下你自己。
他哼了一声,冷冷地对柏冬青说:“行吧,你介绍一下你自己。”
许煦见着自家老爸这副神色,怕吓到柏冬青,挽着他的手臂撒娇:“爸,他是我学长,上学那会儿你还见过他的记得吗?星巴克那次。”
见父亲这副表情,许煦生怕吓到柏冬青,挽着他的手臂撒娇道:“爸,他是我学长,上学那会儿你还见过他的,记得吗?就是在星巴克那次。”
许父想了想,皱眉问:“就是那个勤工俭学的男孩子?”
Mr. Xu pondered for a moment and frowned, asking, "The diligent and frugal boy?"
许煦点头。
Xu Xu nodded.
许父面色稍霁,又对柏冬青道:“女儿交了男朋友,我了解一下不过分吧?”
Mr. Xu's expression eased slightly, then he turned to Mr. Bai and said, "My daughter has a boyfriend. Isn't it reasonable for me to get to know him?"
柏冬青忙不迭摇头:“叔叔,您稍等一下。”
Mr. Bai shook his head hurriedly, "Uncle, please wait a moment."
他先给许父泡了一杯茶,然后自己跑进了卧室,也不知噼里啪啦在里面干什么。许父喝了口茶,皱眉用眼神询问女儿,许煦也一头雾水地摊摊手,高声问:“学长,你干嘛呢?”
He first brewed a cup of tea for Mr. Xu, then ran into the bedroom, doing who knew what inside. Mr. Xu took a sip of tea and frowned, using his eyes to ask his daughter a question. Xu Xu also shrugged helplessly and shouted, "Senior, what are you doing?"
“稍等片刻。”柏冬青的声音传来。
"Bear with me for a moment." Came the voice of Bai Dongqing.
几分钟后。
A few minutes later.
许父看着面前茶几上的一堆本子和纸张,嘴角无语地抽搐了一下。
Mr. Xu looked at the stack of notebooks and papers on the coffee table in front of him, his lips twitching without any words.
柏冬青先将一页纸张递给他:“叔叔,这是我的简历,你可以先看一下。”
Bai Dongqing first handed him a sheet of paper: "Uncle, this is my resume. You can take a look at it first."
然后又将茶几上的东西,一样一样摊开。
Then, he spread out the items on the coffee table one by one.
“这是我的身份证和户口本。”
This is my ID card and household registration book.
“这是学历/证书、工作合同、律师执照。”
This is my educational credentials/certificates, employment contract, and lawyer's license.
“这是工资收入和银行流水,还有车本和房本。”
This is the income and bank statements, along with the vehicle registration and property deed.
“车子是很便宜的国产车,准备明年换好一点的。我家里父母已经过世,他们留下的房子是以前国企的老福利房,不过以我现在的收入,应该三四年内可以全款买得起一套中等户型房子,再好的可能要多等几年,但肯定不会让许煦婚后和我一起承担房贷的。”
The car is a cheap domestic model, which I plan to replace with a better one next year. My parents have passed away, and the house they left behind is an old welfare apartment from a former state-owned enterprise. However, with my current income, I should be able to afford a mid-sized house in full payment within three to four years. Better ones might take a bit longer, but I can definitely ensure that Xu Xu won't have to bear the mortgage after marriage.
说完这些,柏冬青抬头目光真诚地看向许父:“叔叔,您看还需要了解什么?”
After saying this, Bai Dongqing looked up at Xu's father with sincere eyes and said, "Uncle, do you need any more information?"
许父拿着手中的简历,见鬼一样看了他一眼,又木着脸看向身旁的女儿。
Xu's father, holding the resume in his hand, looked at him like he was seeing a ghost, then turned his expressionless face to his daughter beside him.
许煦生无可恋地捂住了额头。
Xu Xusheng covered his forehead with a resigned hand.
第31章
Chapter 31
许父本是觉得自己家白菜被拱了很有些不爽,但是被柏冬青来了这么一出, 顿时一肚子准备刁难的话, 全给吞了回去, 只得装模作样去看手中的简历。
Xu Fu originally felt a bit disgruntled that his family's cabbage had been uprooted, but after Bai Dongqing's performance, all the prepared difficult questions were swallowed back. He could only pretend to look at the resume in his hand.
这简历倒是简单, 没有任何花里胡哨的自夸,除了基本信息, 就是从幼儿园开始各个阶段的学习经历, 以及现在工作的单位和职位。
The resume was simple, with no flashy self-praise. Besides basic information, it listed his educational experiences from kindergarten through various stages, as well as his current workplace and position.
许父清了清嗓子:“我不要求未来女婿赚多少钱, 只要人品好有责任心就行。”
Xu Fu cleared his throat: "I don't demand how much money your future son-in-law will earn, as long as he has good character and a sense of responsibility."
说完这句,就好整以暇盯着眼前的年轻人,心道如果他拍胸口说一通华而不实的保证, 那他必然得替女儿好好考虑一番。人生过半,大起大落都经历过的前许团长许庭长现许董事长,早对一切都已经看得很开, 不过是希望女儿能有一个幸福美满的人生罢了, 至于女儿的另一半有多好的家境,多优秀的事业和赚钱的本领, 他并不看重, 只希望是一个可靠的人。
After saying this, he leisurely stared at the young man in front of him, thinking that if he were to make some hollow promises, he would definitely have to think carefully about his daughter. Having experienced the ups and downs of life halfway through his life, the former Colonel Xu Ting and current Chairman Xu had long come to terms with everything, hoping only that his daughter could have a happy and fulfilling life. As for how well-off his daughter's future husband was, how excellent his career, and how good he was at making money, he did not place much importance on these; he just hoped he was a reliable person.
但人品责任心这些看似简单的要求, 反倒是最难得, 因为很难去准确判定, 哪怕他已经阅人无数。
But these seemingly simple requirements of character and responsibility were actually the most difficult to judge, even after having seen countless people.
以至于他看着柏冬青时,内心其实是有点紧张的,生怕他让自己失望。毕竟做一个棒打鸳鸯的父亲, 也是很面目可憎的。
As a result, he felt a bit nervous when looking at Bai Dongqing, fearing that he might disappoint him. After all, it was also quite despicable to be a father who broke up a couple.
柏冬青倒是坦坦然然地对上他的目光,微微蹙起眉头,表情略微有些犹豫纠结,默了片刻,最后咬咬唇道:“叔叔,您说的这两点,我没办法自证,我现在能向你展示的只有这些客观的东西。”
Bai Dongqing met his gaze squarely, slightly furrowing her brow with a hint of hesitation. After a moment of silence, she finally bit her lip and said, "Uncle, I can't prove these two points on my own. All I can show you now are these objective things."
这样的回答,倒是让许父暗中松了口气。他将简历放下来,目光却不经意瞥到那纸张上父亲一栏的三个字,他冷了下,皱眉问道:“你父亲叫柏卫民?”
This response seemed to ease Mr. Xu's concerns. He put down the resume, but his gaze inadvertently fell on the three words under the "Father" section on the paper. He stiffened, frowning as he asked, "Is your father named Bai Weimin?"
柏冬青愣了下,点头。
Bai Dongqing was taken aback for a moment before nodding.
许父又问:“是以前在西北军区当过兵对吗?”
Mr. Xu asked again, "Did he serve in the Northwest Military Region in the past?"
柏冬青再次点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded again.
许煦好奇问:“爸爸怎么了?你认识冬青的爸爸?”
Xu Xu asked curiously, "What's wrong with Dad? Do you know Dongqing's dad?"
许父低叹一声,像是想到了一些事情,语气软下来:“你忘了我以前也是在西北军区?”他沉吟片刻,“小伙子,你父亲是十四年前过世的吧?”
Mr. Xu sighed softly, as if recalling something, and his tone softened. "Have you forgotten that I used to be in the Northwest Military Region too?" He paused for a moment before continuing, "Young man, your father passed away fourteen years ago, right?"
“嗯,我五年级的时候。”
Uh-huh, when I was in fifth grade.
许父抬眼看向他,目光在瞬间变得慈爱了许多,有些感慨道:“我跟你父亲在工作场合接触过几次,他是个非常优秀的军人,当年是在出任务的时候救战友殉职的。你父亲他是个英雄。”
Xu Fu raised his eyes to look at him, his gaze becoming much more affectionate in an instant. With a sigh, he said, "I've met your father a few times in the workplace. He was an excellent soldier. He died on duty saving a comrade. Your father was a hero."
虽然父亲过世多年,但蓦地被人提起,柏冬青心中还是有些黯然,默了片刻,他低声道:“小时候爸爸一直身体力行地教育我,要做个正直的人。”
Although it had been many years since his father passed away, Bao Dongqing still felt a bit melancholy when suddenly reminded of him. After a moment of silence, he said softly, "When I was a child, Dad always set a good example for me, teaching me to be an honest person."
许父抿抿唇,又想起什么似的,问:“你说你妈妈也过世了?”
Xu Fu pursed his lips, then seemed to remember something and asked, "You said your mother also passed away?"
“我十四岁那年过世的。”
She died when I was fourteen.
第25节
Chapter 25
许父:“那后来你由谁抚养长大的?”
Mr. Xu: "So, who raised you?"
柏冬青道:“我爷爷奶奶很早过世,外公外婆远在外地,一直是我自己一个人生活,不过周围邻居,还有从小到大的师长,都有关照我。”
Bai Dongqing replied, "My grandparents passed away early, and my maternal grandparents lived far away. I've always lived alone. However, the neighbors and teachers from my childhood have always taken care of me."
许父倒吸了口气,回过神来,猛得转头看向女儿,噼里啪啦训斥道:“你瞧瞧人家!十四岁就独立生活,还一路都是考得重点学校,边打工边上学,还能每年拿一等奖学金,毕业了进最好的律所,二十五岁年薪就几十万了。”边说边戳着许煦的脑门,“你呢?上大学整天就知道玩儿,一个月花大几千生活费,还给我考了好多门六十分,比人家就小了两岁,薪水却少了快十倍。”
Mr. Xu sucked in a breath, came back to his senses, and suddenly turned to his daughter, scolding her vigorously, "Look at her! She's living independently at fourteen, attending key schools all the way, working part-time while studying, and even winning the top scholarship every year. She graduated and joined the best law firm, earning over a hundred thousand dollars a year by the age of twenty-five." As he spoke, he poked at Xu Xu's forehead, "What about you? You spent your college days playing all day, spending thousands of dollars a month on living expenses, and only managed to score above sixty in most of your exams. She's only two years younger than you, but her salary is nearly ten times less."
许煦风中凌乱地承受着亲爹的一指弹:“……”
Xu Xufeng was disheveled as his biological father flicked him with a finger: "..."
等等!作为准岳父,不是应该好好考验未来女婿么?为什么忽然变成了□□亲闺女?
Wait! As a prospective father-in-law, shouldn't you properly test the future son-in-law? Why did it suddenly become like testing his daughter?
我窦娥冤啊我!
I am wronged, I tell you!
柏冬青看着许父批评许煦,赶紧上前道:“叔叔,您千万别这么说许煦,他跟我上的同一所大学同一个专业,没什么差别的。工作也不能用收入来衡量,她在杂志社做得很好,每期她写得稿子,我都专门剪了一份收藏着,你要看吗?”
Bai Dongqing watched as Xu Fu criticized Xu Xufeng and quickly stepped forward, saying, "Uncle, you mustn't say that about Xu Xufeng. He and I study at the same university in the same major, there's no difference. Work can't be measured by income; she does very well at the magazine. Every article she writes, I specially cut out and keep. Would you like to see them?"
许父愣了下:“当然要看!”
Xu father was taken aback: "Of course I want to!"
虽然还是对于女儿被人拐走有些郁卒,但是得知柏冬青身世的许父,心中难免五味杂陈。他自己也出身寒微,如今所得全靠双手一点一点打拼,他知道这样的人生有多不容易。何况他再如何寒微,毕竟是成长在一个整体物质匮乏的年代和小镇。而这年轻人却是在这座繁华都市中独自长大,而且显然还没长歪,这实在是太难得。
Although he was still upset about his daughter being kidnapped, Xu father, who had learned about Bo Dongqing's background, felt a mix of emotions. He himself had come from humble beginnings and had achieved everything through hard work. He knew how difficult such a life was. Moreover, no matter how humble his background, he had grown up in a time and place where resources were scarce. This young man, however, had grown up in this bustling city and clearly hadn't gone astray. This was truly rare.
他见过他父亲,那是一个一身浩然正气的男人,如今泉下有知,看到自己的儿子,在自己过世后,如此坚强努力地活着,大概也很欣慰吧!
He had met his father, a man of great righteousness, and if his father knew that his son was living so strongly and diligently after his passing, he would probably be very pleased!
十分钟后,沙发上一老一少,凑在一起津津有味讨论着法治周刊上许煦写过的稿子,而作为被讨论的人,则被发配去厨房做早餐。
Ten minutes later, on the sofa, an old and young man were engrossed in discussing articles written by Xu Xu in the Legal Weekly, while the person being discussed was sent to the kitchen to make breakfast.
许父:“这篇写得还可以,调查很详实,行文很中肯。”
Xu Father: "This is quite good. The investigation is detailed, and the writing is fair."
柏冬青:“我也觉得是,这是她刚工作三个月发表的,能写出这种水平,很厉害了。”
Bai Dongqing: "I agree. This is her first article published after just three months of work. To write at this level is impressive."
许父:“这篇就有点问题了,这个观点并不严谨,也不客观,一个法律科班出身的记者,不应该这样写。”
Xu Father: "This one has some issues. The viewpoint is not rigorous or objective. A journalist with a legal background should not write like this."
柏冬青:“他们杂志社也是要三审的,毕竟许煦才刚刚工作不久,各方面经验有限,不可能考虑得那么全面,这应该是主编的问题。”
Bai Dongqing: "The magazine does have a three-review process. After all, Xu Xu has only been working for a short time and lacks experience in many areas. It's unlikely she could consider everything. This should be the editor-in-chief's responsibility."
许父:“嗯,你说的没错,看来他们主编还要提高一下自己的专业水平。”
Mr. Xu: "Mm, you're right. It seems their chief editor needs to improve his professional skills."
……
厨房里的许煦看着锅里的煮鸡蛋,除了对着空气不停翻白眼,已经找不到别的表情。
In the kitchen, Xu Xu watched the boiled eggs in the pot, unable to do anything but roll her eyes at the air.
不过柏冬青收藏着她所有的剪报,还是让她有点意外的,刚刚他也一直在老爸面前维护自己,这足以让她觉得窝心。
However, it was still surprising to her that Bosongqing had saved all her clippings. This was enough to make her feel warm, especially since he had been defending herself to her father just now.
自己挑的男人,没错!
It's my own choice, no mistake!
许父因为是过来出差顺便来看女儿的,行程其实很满,一天下来还有几个应酬,象征性吃了点女儿做得早餐,便告辞了。这回走得时候不仅没表现出对许煦的依依不舍,还一直恨铁不成钢地叮嘱她要好好向柏冬青学习,并且对后者表示了非常明显的不舍。
Xu Fu's trip was actually quite full, as he came to visit his daughter on a business trip. He had several engagements throughout the day and only symbolically ate the breakfast his daughter made before bidding her farewell. This time, he didn't show any reluctance to leave Xu Xu, but instead repeatedly urged her to learn well from Bai Dongqing, showing clear signs of reluctance towards the latter.
许煦总算知道柏冬青为什么在律所那么受陈瑞国器重了,这家伙根本就是长辈杀手。
Xu Xu finally understood why Chen Riguang valued Bai Dongqing so much at the law firm; this guy was clearly a master at dealing with elders.
两人站在电梯口送别许父,等到电梯门缓缓合上,柏冬青放下举着的手,连带着肩膀一起卸力般垂下来,对着电梯门,重重舒了口气。
The two stood at the elevator entrance seeing off Xu Fu. Once the elevator doors closed slowly, Bai Dongqing lowered her raised hand, and with it, her shoulders, letting out a heavy sigh towards the elevator doors.
许煦转头看他,却发觉他脸色不知何时变得苍白,她不可置信地眨了眨眼睛,笑道:“你不会是一直在紧张,现在才放松吧?”
Xu Xu turned to look at him, only to find that his face had become pale at some point. She blinked in disbelief and smiled, saying, "You must have been nervous the whole time and are only relaxing now, right?"
柏冬青看了她一眼,语气有些不太确定道:“也不知你爸会不会讨厌我?”
Bai Dongqing glanced at her, his tone somewhat uncertain, saying, "I wonder if my father will dislike me?"
许煦失笑:“你难道没看出来我爸很喜欢你吗?我都不知道你原来这么会讨长辈欢心。”
Xu Xu laughed softly, "You didn't notice that my father really likes you? I didn't know you were so good at pleasing elders."
柏冬青道:“也可能心里恨死我了。”他顿了顿,又低声道,“因为如果是我的话,看到女儿还没结婚就和男人同居,应该会想杀了那男的吧?”
Bai Dongqing replied, "Maybe he hates me to the core." He paused, then whispered, "If it were me, seeing my daughter living with a man before marriage, I would want to kill that man."
许煦被他逗笑,旋即一想又觉得不对劲,拧着眉头阴恻恻道:“你是不是还有一层意思,觉得我和你同居太轻浮随便了?”
Xu Xu was amused by his words, but then she immediately felt something was off, her frown deepening as she said in a sinister tone, "Do you think cohabiting with me is too casual and frivolous?"
柏冬青赶紧摇头。
Bai Dongqing quickly shook her head.
许煦插着手道:“昨天可是你主动的,我让你停都不停。”
Xu Xu crossed his arms and said, "You were the one who initiated it yesterday, and you didn't even let me stop."
柏冬青苍白的脸涌上一丝红晕:“我会负责的。”
Bai Dongqing's pale face flushed slightly. "I will take responsibility."
许煦嗤了一声,掐了他一把,不以为然笑道:“什么叫负责?我才不要你负责,咱们是谈恋爱你情我愿,合则来不合则散,可千万别被所谓的责任两个字束缚,都是什么时代了!”
Xu Xu snorted and pinched him, smiling in a dismissive manner. "What does it mean to be responsible? I don't want you to be responsible. We're dating by mutual consent, so if it doesn't work out, we can part ways. Don't let those two words 'responsibility' bind you. What era is this, anyway!"
柏冬青看了看她,到底没说话。
Bai Dongqing looked at her but didn't say anything.
第32章
Chapter 32
人越长大,日子就过得越快, 尤其是当生活安心熨帖得挑不出任何毛病时, 就仿佛就更快了。对于许煦来说, 其实也不能算挑不出毛病, 她和柏冬青工作都很忙碌,尤其是柏律师, 简直就是工作狂的代名词, 这让两人闲下来好好相处的时间少之又少, 自然也就少了年轻人恋爱的激情和浪漫。好在她已经过了喜欢华而不实的阶段,也许是因为有过一次失败的经历,在这段关系里, 她很少要求对方为自己做什么,也努力学着付出——然后发觉,好像付出所能感受到的满足和快乐, 并不比索取和得到少。
As people grew older, time seemed to pass more quickly, especially when life was smooth and without any obvious problems. For Xu Xu, it wasn't entirely without issues; she and Bai Dongqing were both very busy with work, especially with Bai as a lawyer, who was practically a workaholic. This made it difficult for them to have quality time together, thus reducing the youthful passion and romance of their relationship. Fortunately, she had already moved past her phase of being impressed by superficial things. Perhaps because of a previous failed experience, she rarely asked her partner to do anything for her in this relationship, and she made an effort to give as much as she received. She found that the satisfaction and joy from giving were no less than those from taking and receiving.
两人在一起的第二年, 也是柏冬青执业的第四年,这一年里, 他办了个几个漂亮的大案子, 获得了当年全省十大杰出律师, 一时名声鹊起, 成为名副其实的青年才俊。而许煦在杂志社的工作, 也算如鱼得水,可也不知是不是阴差阳错,她竟然一次都没跟过他的案子。
The second year they were together was also the fourth year of Bai Dongqing's practice. That year, he handled several impressive major cases and was named one of the top ten outstanding lawyers in the province for the year, gaining widespread recognition and becoming a true young talent. As for Xu Xu, her work at the magazine was going smoothly, but for some reason, she had never followed any of his cases.
一直到工作的第三年, 杂志要做一个青年律师系列的专访,主编开会叫了他们几个采编分配任务。
It wasn't until her third year at work that the magazine decided to do a series of in-depth interviews with young lawyers. The editor-in-chief called a meeting and assigned tasks to the reporters and editors.
“许煦,你负责去采访柏冬青。”
Xu Xu, you're in charge of interviewing Bai Dongqing.
“啊?”正专心翻看几个待专访律师资料的许煦,被主编点名,乍然听到柏冬青三个字,愣了下才回神。而此时她手中翻到的,正是柏冬青的资料。
"Ah?" Xu Xu, who was intently reviewing the profiles of the lawyers to be interviewed, was momentarily stunned when the editor-in-chief called her name. She had just come across Bai Dongqing's profile in her hand.
像他们长辈一样的主编道:“他最近不是刚打完那个婆婆杀儿媳的案子吗?正火着呢!咱们第一期就做他,你负责去约专访。”
The editor-in-chief, who was like their elders, said, "Didn't he just finish the case of the old woman killing her daughter-in-law? He's very popular right now! Let's do him for our first issue, and you handle the interview."
因为柏冬青这个名字,杂志社的人都知道,为了不影响工作,成为别人八卦的对象,在一起这么久,许煦只和同事说自己男友是华天的律师,没说过是柏冬青。其实以前刚刚工作的时候,她也暗搓搓想过,利用柏冬青这个华天新星的便利,拿到更多采访资源和独家信息,也开玩笑跟他提过,他倒是没反对,还认真说如果有需要告诉他,他会想办法。但是每次看着他那么刚正的样子,她就打消了那些小念头。
Because everyone in the magazine knew about Bai Dongqing's name, to avoid becoming someone's gossip and not affect her work, Xu Xu only told her colleagues that her boyfriend was Huatian's lawyer, never mentioning it was Bai Dongqing. In fact, when she first started working, she had secretly thought about using Bai Dongqing's advantage as Huatian's new star to get more interview resources and exclusive information. She had even joked about it with him, and he hadn't opposed it, saying seriously that if she needed anything, he would try to help. But every time she saw him being so upright, she gave up on those small thoughts.
现下被分配到采访,她想了想,觉得自己去采访男朋友的话,肯定不会太客观,便随手翻开手中的一份资料,笑道:“主编,我对这位王钊律师更感兴趣,柏冬青就换别人做吧!”
Now that she was assigned to do an interview, she thought about it and decided that interviewing her boyfriend wouldn't be very objective. So, she casually flipped through a document in her hand and smiled, "Editor-in-chief, I'm more interested in Lawyer Wang Zhao. Let someone else do Bai Dongqing!"
他们这种类似于事业单位的杂志社,内部竞争不算大,氛围自然也就很松泛。主编笑呵呵道:“柏冬青是这几个青年律师里,在业内名气最大的,上升势头很猛。你自己不珍惜机会,可别怪我没给你啊!”
In their magazine, which was somewhat like a public institution, the internal competition wasn't fierce, and the atmosphere was naturally relaxed. The editor-in-chief chuckled, "Bai Dongqing is the most well-known among these young lawyers in the industry, and his rise is very rapid. If you don't cherish this opportunity, don't blame me!"
旁边的杜小沐举手大喇喇插话:“主编,煦儿不做我做啊!我正好还没采访过这位柏大律师呢!”说着朝许煦眨眨眼睛,指着手中资料上的照片,戏谑道,“你是不是听说王律师是海归,长得很帅?我跟你说,柏律师就是没那么上相,我旁听过几次他当辩护人的庭审,绝对比王律师帅多了!”
Dug Xiaomu raised her hand and spoke loudly, "Editor-in-chief, Xu'er won't do it; I'll do it! I haven't interviewed Mr. Bai, the lawyer, yet!"
As she spoke, she winked at Xu, pointing to a photo on the 资料 she held, and said playfully, "Did you hear that Lawyer Wang is a returnee and very handsome? I'll tell you, Mr. Bai isn't as photogenic. I've attended a few of his court hearings as a spectator, and he's definitely more handsome than Lawyer Wang!"
主编瞪了自己这花痴下属一眼:“态度端正点,现在是工作呢!”
The editor-in-chief glared at this flirtatious subordinate, "Be serious, it's work time now!"
杜小沐不以为意道:“我这不是希望能在工作中顺便解决个人问题,然后更好得工作么?”
Dug Xiaomu didn't take it to heart and said, "I just want to solve my personal issues while working, so I can do my job better."
一旁的赵昊嗤了一声:“律师可都是人精,还想在工作中解决个人问题?我看你别把个人搭进去就万幸了!不过帅哥什么我就不和你们这些外貌协会的女同志争了。”
Zhaohao, standing by, snorted, "Lawyers are all experts at reading people; do you really think you can solve personal issues at work? I hope you don't put your personal life at risk! But I won't argue with you and the other women who care about looks about good looks."
%%
杜小沐嘻嘻地笑,朝许煦道:“那就这么办了,王钊给你,柏冬青留给我。”
Dum Xiaomu giggled and said to Xu Xu, "Then let's do it that way. Wang Zhao for you, and Bai Dongqing for me."
许煦失笑:“怎么说话呢!”
Xu Xu laughed, "How can you talk like that!"
主编拍拍手:“那就这么定了,你们好好准备,柏冬青是这个系列的第一期,小沐抓紧时间,这个年轻律师是业内有名的拼命三郎,工作行程很紧,要约到他专访,不是很容易。”
The chief editor clapped his hands and said, "Then it's settled. Both of you should prepare well. Bai Dongqing will be the first issue of this series. Xiaomu, you need to hurry up. This young lawyer is known as a workaholic in the industry, with a very tight schedule. It won't be easy to arrange an exclusive interview with him."
“收到。”杜小沐兴奋道。
"Understood," Dum Xiaomu said excitedly.
散会后,几个年轻人从会议室出来,边笑边聊着。
After the meeting, a few young people came out of the conference room, laughing and chatting.
赵昊道:“小沐,我可跟你说,柏冬青没那么好采访,我跟了他好几个案子,表面看起来特别温和礼貌,但是想从他口中得到点有用的信息,比什么都难。”说着摇摇头,“这种人就属于特别没人情味那类。”
Zhao Hao said, "Xiao Mu, I can tell you that Bai Dongqing isn't easy to interview. I've followed him on several cases, and he appears particularly mild and polite on the surface. But trying to get any useful information out of him is harder than anything else." Shaking his head, he added, "This kind of person falls into the category of having no sense of human feelings."
杜小沐没回答,倒是许煦有些愕然地睁眼问:“怎么这么说?”
Du Xiaomu didn't answer, but Xu Xu was surprised to open his eyes and ask, "Why say that?"
赵昊道:“这还用问吗?之前的那些案子咱们不论,就说他最近打得那个婆婆杀儿媳案吧!本来案子的嫌疑人除了婆婆还有那个凤凰男丈夫,是从犯。但是柏冬青硬生生将凤凰男给摘出去了。这案子众所周知的,是因为凤凰男出轨,女方想要离婚但是在财产分割上没能达成一致,然后就发生了惨剧。事实上证据也显示凤凰男之前确实动过杀妻的心思,只不过最后没能付诸行动,而是老妈替自己完成了心愿,至于是不是他指使的,谁知道呢?反正柏冬青那一套辩护的证据链一出,凤凰男摘得干干净净,现在案子这么一结,可算是如了凤凰男的意,拿着财产和小三双宿双飞,除了承受一点舆论压力,什么都不用付出。”说着,有些义愤填膺道,“也不知道那些当律师的,为了钱这么尽心尽力地帮助人渣,会不会良心不安?”
Zhao Hao said, "Need I ask? Let's not even mention the previous cases. Just take the recent case of the grandmother killing her daughter-in-law, for example! Originally, the suspects in the case were the grandmother and that philandering husband, who was an accessory. But Bai Dongqing managed to completely remove the philandering husband from the case. This case is well-known for the philandering husband's infidelity, the wife's desire for a divorce, and the failure to reach an agreement on property division, which then led to the tragedy. In fact, the evidence also showed that the philandering husband had indeed harbored thoughts of killing his wife, but ultimately failed to act on them, with his mother fulfilling his wish instead. As for whether he was the one who instigated it, who knows? Anyway, once Bai Dongqing presented her defense with a solid evidence chain, the philandering husband was completely cleared. Now that the case is over, it seems to have gone exactly as the philandering husband wished, with him taking his property and his mistress off to live happily ever after, facing only a bit of public pressure." As he spoke, he added with righteous indignation, "I wonder if those lawyers, for the sake of money, feel any guilt in helping such scum?"
许煦喉咙略微一梗:“刑事案子里,也就附带民事赔偿方面,律师能起到比较大的作用,定罪量刑还不都是证据和事实说了算。而且现在的司法体系,本来也是倾向于公诉方,如果这案子能打成这样,说明辩方确实在法庭上出示了有效的证据,或者说,嫌疑人确实是无辜的。这只是律师的工作,咱们也不算是外行,你这么说就有点过了。”
Xu Xu's throat constricted slightly: "In criminal cases, lawyers can play a significant role mainly in the aspect of civil compensation. The sentencing and conviction still depend on evidence and facts. Moreover, the current judicial system is already biased towards the prosecution. If this case can be handled in such a way, it indicates that the defense side indeed presented effective evidence in court, or, the suspect is actually innocent. This is just part of a lawyer's work, and we are not amateurs either. You're taking it a bit too far."
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赵昊扯了扯嘴角:“这也不是我一个人说的,柏冬青做类似的案子也不是第一桩了,他在圈内的口碑很明显两极分化,大概是太急功近利了吧,他这个年纪在华天已经是数一数二的年轻律师,反正有点什么也不足为奇。”
Zhao Hao tugged at the corner of his mouth: "This isn't just my opinion. Bai Dongqing has handled similar cases before, and his reputation in the industry is clearly divided. Perhaps he's too eager for quick success. At his age, he's already one of the youngest top lawyers in Huatian, so it's not surprising that he has something going on."
律师毕竟不是公众人物,所以即使是他们这种法律媒体,除了特定场合,平时也很少八卦律师圈的人和事,更多得是兴冲冲讨论最近发生的案子。赵昊说的这个案子,前一阵很轰动,很长一段时间里都是网络热点,本来一审那个凤凰男是从犯,但二审之后,改判了无罪。
Lawyers are not public figures, so even for a legal media like ours, we rarely gossip about them outside of specific occasions. We mostly enthusiastically discuss recent cases. The case Zhao Hao mentioned was quite sensational a while ago and was a hot topic on the internet for a long time. Initially, the Phoenix Man was considered an accessory in the first trial, but after the second trial, he was acquitted.
而二审的辩护律师就是柏冬青。
The defense lawyer for the second trial was Bai Dongqing.
许煦当时也没多想,因为他相信法律的公正,也相信柏冬青的判断,只是有些唏嘘感叹,这个世上并不是恶人就有恶报。
Xu Xu didn't think much about it at the time because he believed in the fairness of the law and Bai Dongqing's judgment, just feeling a bit sad that evil people don't always get what they deserve in this world.
实际上当她工作几年后,越来越清楚世间的各种无奈,法律不对等于道德,也无法审判道德。
In fact, after working for a few years, she became increasingly aware of the various helplessness in the world. Justice under the law does not equate to morality, and the law cannot judge morality.
直到现在赵昊义愤填膺地谈起这件事,她才蓦地发觉,自己从来没有问过柏冬青的感受。这几年,她看着他的事业越来越好,心底为他高兴,不去打扰,不给他添麻烦,甚至还刻意让自己的工作与其隔离开来,为此她也没有参与过他的社交。她好像从来没有去关注过他在外界,或者说在这个成人社会中,扮演着什么样的的角色,是一个什么样的人?
It wasn't until Zhao Hao spoke with righteous indignation about this matter that she suddenly realized she had never asked about Bai Dongqing's feelings. Over these years, she watched his career flourish and felt happy for him without interfering or causing him trouble. She even deliberately kept her work separate from his, and thus she had not participated in his social life. It seemed she had never paid attention to what role he played in the outside world, or what kind of person he was in this adult society.
两个人的世界太理所当然了,理所当然到似乎一直都只存在于那套温馨的小房子,他就只是那个温和善良,对自己照顾有加的柏冬青。
The world of two people is so taken for granted, to the point where it seems to have always existed in that cozy little house, and he was just that gentle and kind person who took good care of her, Bai Dongqing.
杜小沐笑嘻嘻的声音打断她的思绪:“赵昊同志,你就别这么义正言辞了,那只是人家律师的工作?律师不遵循法律事实,难道凭着个人感情做事?”
Duxiumu's cheerful voice interrupted her thoughts: "Comrade Zhao Hao, you don't have to be so righteous. That's just the lawyer's job, right? If lawyers don't follow the facts of the law, do they base their actions on personal feelings?"
赵昊笑道:“我只是提醒你,柏大律师可能不是那么好采访,你想拿到什么干货恐怕不容易。”
Zhao Hao smiled and said, "I'm just reminding you that Lawyer Bai might not be easy to interview. You might find it hard to get any juicy details."
杜小沐大笑:“管他呢!我就是想见见帅哥不行啊!”
Duxiumu laughed loudly, "Who cares about that! I just want to meet a handsome guy, isn't that allowed?"
许煦没有再参与到他们的谈笑中,而是心不在焉地一直到了下班。
Xu Xu did not join in their conversation but instead wandered absentmindedly until it was time to leave work.
这日,柏冬青照旧很晚才回家,陪了几分钟许煦后,便钻进了书房工作。
That day, Bai Dongqing returned home much later than usual. After spending a few minutes with Xu Xu, he ducked into his study to work.
十点多的时候,许煦给他泡了杯牛奶端进去,笑着问:“你这怎么一年到头都这么忙?”
Around ten o'clock, Xu Xu brought him a cup of milk and asked with a smile, "Why are you always so busy throughout the year?"
柏冬青接过牛奶,有些歉意道:“有几个案子要连着开庭,确实挺忙了。等过了这阵就好了,到时候你也空出几天时间,咱们出去度个假吧!”
Bai Dongqing accepted the milk, apologizing, "I have several cases that need to be tried one after another, so it's been quite busy. But it will be better soon. Then you can take a few days off, and we can go on a vacation together!"
许煦撅噘嘴,从他身后揽住他,又伸手随意翻了下他面前的材料,状似漫不经心开口:“对了!前阵子你打得那个婆婆杀儿媳的案子,网上挺火的,好多网友不仅骂婆婆凤凰男和小三,连带你这个辩护律师都骂呢!到底怎么回事,你给我说说呗!”
Xu Xu pouted and wrapped his arms around him from behind, then casually flipped through the materials in front of him, pretending to be nonchalant as he said, "Right! The case where the grandmother killed her daughter-in-law that you handled recently was quite popular online. Many netizens not only criticized the grandmother as a 'phoenix male' and a 'third wheel,' but also criticized you, the defense lawyer. What happened? Tell me about it!"
柏冬青昂头看了她一眼,轻笑了笑:“凤凰男是个人渣没错,但证据显示,婆婆杀儿媳确实不是他指使的。”
Bai Dongqing raised her head and glanced at her, then gave a light smile. "It's true that the 'phoenix male' is a scumbag, but the evidence shows that the grandmother did not actually incite her to kill her daughter-in-law."
许煦道:“那有没有可能他暗示过呢?”
Xu Xu asked, "Could he have hinted at it?"
柏冬青道:“作为律师,我只能提供我所知道的证据。”
Bai Dongqing replied, "As a lawyer, I can only provide the evidence I know."
许煦想了想:“可是有迹象显示,他确实对自己老婆起过杀心!”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and said, "But there are signs that he did indeed harbor murderous thoughts towards his wife!"
柏冬青轻笑道:“每个人都可能有过罪恶的心魔,但只要不付诸行动,就不是犯罪。法律能惩治的是犯罪不是道德。而我的职业,就是遵循法律事实。”他顿了顿,又道,“这个世界其实有几类法庭,第一类是刑事法庭,第二类是媒体舆论,第三类是良心。我相信法律和舆论不能制裁的恶人,最终也不可能逃过良心的审判。”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly and said, "Everyone may have had evil thoughts at some point, but as long as they don't act on them, it's not a crime. The law punishes crimes, not morality. And my profession is to follow the facts of the law." He paused, then added, "In fact, there are several types of courts in this world. The first is a criminal court, the second is media and public opinion, and the third is conscience. I believe that evil people who cannot be punished by law and public opinion will ultimately not escape the judgment of conscience."
许煦愣了下,趴在他肩膀笑问:“你真的相信第三类法庭吗?”
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment, then leaned against his shoulder and asked with a smile, "Do you really believe in the third court?"
柏冬青微微一怔,没有回答。片刻后,他将资料合上,起身将她抱起来,笑道:“我陪你去睡觉。”
Bai Dongqing was slightly taken aback but did not answer. After a moment, he closed the documents, picked her up, and smiled, "I'll take you to bed."
许煦在他怀中笑着掐他一把:“你又来这招!我可跟你说,你不准再等我睡着了偷偷熬夜工作。”
Xu Xu smiled and pinched him in his arms: "You're using that trick again! I told you not to sneak off to work when I'm asleep."
因为经常晚上都有做不完的工作,柏冬青担心太冷落她,怕她孤枕难眠,总是用他独有的方式将她哄睡着了,才又偷偷爬起来去工作。
Because he often had unfinished work late at night, Bai Dongqing was worried about neglecting her and feared she would have trouble sleeping alone. He would always use his unique way to lull her to sleep before sneaking off to work.
许煦这晚本是打定注意等他睡了自己再入睡,可是两年下来,他比自己还了解自己的身体,被他翻来覆去一顿折腾,一场情事刚刚结束,她就累得挨着枕头睡了过去。
This night, Xu Xu had planned to wait for him to fall asleep before she did, but after two years, he knew her body better than she did. After a bout of passion, she was so exhausted that she fell asleep against the pillow.
柏冬青屏声静气在一旁凝视着她的睡颜,等到呼吸渐沉,才小心翼翼抽开被她枕着的手臂,轻吻了下她的额头,依依不舍地下床去工作。
Bai Dongqing held his breath and watched her sleeping face from the side. When her breathing grew deeper, he carefully pulled away the arm she was holding and gently kissed her forehead before reluctantly getting out of bed to work.
这些年被生活裹挟向前,已经很难停下来认真去审视反思,因为他知道一旦停下,就很可能无力去占据现在所有的一切。
In recent years, being swept forward by life, it has become increasingly difficult to pause and seriously reflect. He knew that once he stopped, he would likely be unable to reclaim everything he currently has.
第33章
Chapter 33
许煦去采访王钊是在两个星期后的周五下午,说起来也是神奇, 她工作了三年, 跟过不少华天经手的案子, 也采访过好几个华天的律师, 但来他们的办公楼不过是第二次,上次还是一年前, 而且还没进楼, 只是在大厦下的咖啡厅, 所以还真没见过柏冬青办公的地方是什么样的。
Xu Xu went to interview Wang Zhao two weeks later on a Friday afternoon. It was indeed a bit of a coincidence; she had worked for three years, following many cases handled by Huatian, and interviewing several of Huatian's lawyers, but this was only her second visit to their office building. The last time was a year ago, and she hadn't even entered the building, just meeting in a coffee shop downstairs, so she had never actually seen where Bo Dongqing worked.
这次采访王钊,对方倒是直接约了她在办公室。她来到华天时,因为王大律师临时有咨询的访客, 便被助理带着去了一间小会客室候着。
This time, when interviewing Wang Zhao, he had directly arranged for her to meet in his office. When she arrived at Huatian, because Senior Lawyer Wang had a last-minute consultation visitor, she was led by an assistant to a small meeting room to wait.
大所果然不一样,环境典雅,服务周到, 小助理还殷勤地给她到了一杯咖啡。
The place was indeed different, with a refined environment and thoughtful service. The junior assistant even brought her a cup of coffee.
许煦刚刚被带着走过来时, 环顾了一下,因为办公区太大, 她没看到柏冬青的办公室在哪里, 正想着给他发条短信, 说自己在华天, 刚刚拿出手机, 会客室的门忽然被推开,一道声音传进来:“啊?有人啊!不好意思!”
Xu Xu was just led over and looked around. Because the office area was so large, she didn't see where Bai Dongqing's office was. Just as she was about to send him a text message saying she was at Huatian, she had just taken out her phone when the door to the reception room suddenly opened, and a voice came in: "Ah? Someone's here! Sorry!"
许煦下意识抬头,打开门探进脑袋的男人大概是在找空房间会客, 看到屋内有人,正要走开,但眼神不经意对上她,咦了一声,停下退出去的动作,有点不确定地开口:“许煦学妹?”
Xu Xu instinctively looked up. The man who had opened the door and poked his head in was looking for an empty room to meet someone. Seeing that there was someone in the room, he was about to leave, but when his eyes met hers by accident, he paused and hesitated, saying, "Xu Xu, junior!"
“姜毅学长!”许煦认出来人,也是一脸愕然。
"Jiang Yi, senior!" Xu Xu recognized the person and was equally surprised.
上学的时候她和姜毅算不上熟悉,只听说他毕业后考研去了帝都,几年没见,乍一下在这里遇到,还是很叫人意外的。
When they were in school, she wasn't particularly familiar with Jiang Yi, only hearing that he had gone to the capital to take the postgraduate entrance exam after graduation. It was quite unexpected to run into him again after not seeing him for a few years.
姜毅不可思议地张大嘴巴,笑着推开门走进来,似乎有点不敢相信自己的眼睛:“真的是你啊小学妹?变化太大,我都有点不敢认了!”
Jiang Yi opened his mouth wide in disbelief, smiling as he pushed the door open and walked in, seemingly unable to believe his eyes. "It really is you, little sister from elementary school? You've changed so much that I hardly recognize you!"
“是吗?”许煦笑,她打量了他一下,“你才是变化大得让我不敢认呢!”
Is that so?" Xu Xu smiled, taking him in. "You're the one who's changed so much that I hardly recognize you!
姜毅笑着叹道:“毕业后就没再见过你,说起来都已经五年多了。”说着歪头上下打量她一番,“印象中你还是个小姑娘呢!现在已经是都市丽人了!”
Jiang Yi smiled and sighed. "I haven't seen you since graduation, which was more than five years ago." As he tilted his head to look her over, he added, "You used to be just a little girl in my memory! Now you're a city beauty!"
今天约人采访,许煦穿了身米色小西服套装,脚下踩着高跟鞋,确实是一派都市丽人的打扮。她笑了笑:“是啊!转眼就这么多年了!怎么……你现在在华天做律师?”
Today, Xu Xu wore a beige suit and high heels for an interview appointment, truly embodying the look of a city woman. She smiled and said, "Yes! It feels like so many years have passed! How... are you now a lawyer at Huatian?"
第26节
Chapter 26
姜毅点头:“嗯,毕业后在帝都呆了一年,去年回了这边。你呢?”
Jiang Yi nodded, "Mm, I stayed in the capital for a year after graduation, and returned here last year. And you?"
许煦道:“我在法治周刊上班,今天约了王钊律师的专访。”
Xu Xu replied, "I work at the Legal Weekly, and today I'm doing an interview with Lawyer Wang Zhao."
姜毅哦了一声:“去做记者了?不错啊!”
Jiang Yi said with an "oh": "Become a journalist? Not bad!"
“哪里能比得上你们律师的。”
Where can you compare to lawyers?
姜毅摆手笑了笑:“我这也才起步,整天焦头烂额的,压力忒大。”说着,想起什么似的道,“对了,青儿——就是我们宿舍的柏冬青,现在可是我们华天的骨干律师,你要有什么采访可以找他帮忙。”
Jiang Yi waved his hand and smiled: "I'm just getting started here, dealing with all sorts of stress every day." Then, as if remembering something, he said, "By the way, Qing'er—Bai Dongqing from our dorm—has become a key lawyer at Huatian. If you need any interviews, you can ask her for help."
许煦愣了下:“我……知道的。”
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment: "I... know that."
姜毅有些好笑地拍拍脑门:“也是!你是法律记者,怎么可能不认识青儿?不过话说回来他整天忙得跟国家总统似的,我都怀疑他要打一辈子光棍儿,你找他还不如找我,虽然我可能帮上的忙也不多,但毕竟闲工夫多点。”他从口袋里拿出一张名片,“这是我的联系方式,大家也算在一个圈子,以后有什么事可以来找我。”
Jiang Yi chuckled and patted his forehead: "That's right! You're a legal journalist, how could you not know Qing'er? But to be honest, he's so busy he might as well be the president of a country. I even doubt if he'll ever get married. You might as well ask me, although I can't really help much, at least I have more free time." He took out a business card from his pocket, "This is my contact information. We're in the same circle, so if you need anything, feel free to find me."
许煦听着他这一番话,怔在原地,半晌才回神,笑着和他交换名片:“好的,那学长你去忙吧!”
Xu Xu stood there for a moment, then recovered and smiled, exchanging business cards with him: "Okay, then senior, you go on with your business!"
姜毅拿了名片看了眼,和她挥挥手:“你慢慢等。”走到门口又转头道,“有空约大家一起聚一下吃个饭。”
Jiang Yi looked at the business card and waved at her, "Take your time." As he reached the door, he turned back and said, "If you have time, let's all get together for a meal sometime."
“好的。”
Okay.
走出会客室的姜毅,心中有些兴奋,拿起手中的名片看了看,又看了下腕表,和人约好的时间还早着,朝走廊里面的一间办公室走去。
Qing Yi, who had left the reception room, felt a bit excited. He looked at the business card in his hand and checked his wristwatch. Since the scheduled meeting was still a while away, he walked towards an office inside the corridor.
到了门口,他抬手敲了敲门,里面传来一道男声:“进来!”
When he reached the door, he raised his hand and knocked. A male voice came from inside: "Come in!"
姜毅推门而入,又随手将门关好,边朝前面的办公桌走,边扬了扬手中的名片,笑着道:“青儿,你猜我刚刚看到谁了?”
Qing Yi pushed the door open and closed it behind him. As he walked towards the desk in front, he waved the business card and smiled, saying, "Qing'er, guess who I saw just now?"
埋首案头的柏冬青抬头看了他一眼,随口问:“谁啊?”
Bao Dongqing, who was buried in her work, looked up at him and casually asked, "Who?"
姜毅笑眯眯道:“老二的女朋友许煦。”
Jiang Yi smiled and said, "Older Brother Two's girlfriend is Xu Xu."
柏冬青额角微微一跳,脸色顿时僵住,眉头也不由自主蹙起。
Bai Dongqing's forehead twitched slightly, his face immediately stiffening, and his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed.
姜毅没注意到他表情的变化,继续兴致勃勃道:“他在法治周刊上班,今天来采访王钊的。你这几年有没有见过她?”
Jiang Yi didn't notice the change in his expression and continued with enthusiasm, "He works at the Legal Weekly, and he came here today to interview Wang Zhao. Have you seen her in the past few years?"
柏冬青喉头滑动了一下,低下头掩盖住自己的神色,淡声道:“老二离开那么久,人家应该早就有归宿了。”
Bai Dongqing's throat moved slightly, and he lowered his head to hide his expression, speaking in a calm voice, "Older Brother Two has been away for so long, she should already have a settled life."
姜毅道:“我看她手上没戴戒指,而且才毕业三年,应该还没结婚,顶多是有男朋友了,这有什么关系?老二对她一片真心,这么多年就盼着重新光鲜地站在她面前,把人给追回来。前些日子在网上,老二还和我说了呢,现在最大的愿望就是能和许煦破镜重圆。他这些年多不容易,别人不知道,但咱们几个是知道的,等他明年从下面调回来,要重新追求许煦的话,我们可得好好帮他一把。老二家现在终于太平了,哥哥也算是东山再起,就算比不上从前,但条件也比大部分人优越,他自己一表人才,又是检察官,当年他和许煦感情那么好,还怕把人追不回来吗?再说了,许煦要是知道当年分手的原因,铁石心肠也会原谅吧!”
Jiang Yi said, "I see she isn't wearing a ring, and she's only been out of school for three years, so she probably hasn't gotten married yet. At most, she might just have a boyfriend. What's the problem with that? Second Brother has been devoted to her for so many years, just waiting for the chance to stand in front of her again and win her back. A few days ago, he even told me about his greatest wish now, which is to reconcile with Xu Xu. He's had it tough these years, and you guys know it better than anyone else. When he comes back next year, we need to help him out if he wants to pursue Xu Xu again. Second Brother's family is finally at peace, and my brother is also making a comeback. Even if he can't compare to his past self, his conditions are better than most people's. He's good-looking, and he's a prosecutor. Back then, their relationship was so good, so how could he not win her back? Besides, if Xu Xu knows the reason for their breakup, she would probably forgive him, wouldn't she?"
柏冬青嘴唇翕动了片刻,抬头看他,喉咙不由自主有些发紧:“你……有没有想过,如果许煦已经有了感情很好的男友?这么做对他现在的爱人是不是有点不太公平?”
Bai Dongqing's lips moved for a moment before she looked up at him, her throat tightening involuntarily: "You... have you ever thought about what would happen if Xu Xu already has a very good boyfriend? Wouldn't that be unfair to her current partner?"
姜毅一副怕了他的样子:“我说青儿!你可别圣母了!许煦男朋友管我们什么事?老二可是我们好兄弟,过去几年他过得不好,咱们也帮不上忙,如今要回来了,这点心愿咱们还不出点力吗?”说着摆摆手,“行了,我还有工作要忙,就是跟你说一声。”
Jiang Yi looked as if he was afraid of her: "Qing'er! Don't be so saintly! Xu Xu's boyfriend has nothing to do with us! Second Brother is our good friend. He had a tough time over the past few years, and we couldn't help him. Now that he's coming back, shouldn't we do something to help him fulfill his wish?" He waved his hand and said, "Anyway, I have work to do, so I just wanted to let you know."
走到门口,忽然有想起什么似的,回头道:“对了,王钊可是个在美帝浪过那么多年的花蝴蝶,你待会儿要有空去瞅一眼,别让他勾搭你未来的嫂子我未来的弟妹。”
As he walked to the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned back: "Oh, right! Wang Zhao is a playboy who has been in the States for so many years. You should keep an eye on him if you have the chance. Don't let him charm your future sister-in-law and my future wife."
柏冬青沉默不言。
Bai Dongqing remained silent.
*
这厢在进行采访的许煦,脑子里一直想着先前姜毅说的那番话,明明只是一句不长的话,却让她消化了半天。
Xu Xu, who was conducting the interview, kept thinking about what Jiang Yi had said earlier. It was a short sentence, yet it took her a long time to process.
柏冬青从来没跟她提过姜毅也在华天的事,而显然他也没告诉过姜毅这个曾经的室友现在的同事,自己是他女朋友的事,姜毅甚至都不知道他有女朋友。
Bai Dongqing had never mentioned to her that Jiang Yi was also involved in Huatian, and clearly, he hadn't told Jiang Yi, her former roommate and current colleague, that she was his girlfriend. Jiang Yi didn't even know he had a girlfriend.
这个突如其来的发现,几乎是让她完全懵了,以至于采访的时候一直都心不在焉,好在王大律师非常健谈,一场访谈还算顺利。
This sudden discovery almost left her completely stunned, resulting in her being distracted during the interview. Fortunately, Lawyer Wang was very talkative, and the interview went relatively smoothly.
采访结束已经五点多,许煦和王钊道谢告辞。刚刚走出来,王钊就跟了上,笑着道:“我正好也下班,如果许记者没什么特别安排的话,不知道可以不可以赏脸一起吃顿饭?”
The interview ended around five o'clock, and Xu Xu and Wang Zhaode thanked him and left. Just as they were about to step out, Wang Zhaode followed and smiled, "I'm just finishing work too. If Xu Journalist doesn't have any other plans, would it be possible to have dinner together?"
这位王大律师长得很是英俊,眉眼间都是风流味道的,健谈风趣,无时无刻不在展示着自己的雄性魅力。只可惜,许煦一直不在状态,从头到尾对他这种魅力视而不见。
This Wang Daoliu, a lawyer, was very handsome, with a charming and dashing demeanor in his eyes. He was talkative and witty, always showcasing his masculine charm. Unfortunately, Xu Xu was not in the right frame of mind from the start and never noticed this charm.
听到他的邀请,她一时没反应过来,走到电梯门口,才回神慢半拍地开始思索怎么回绝。
When he invited her, she was momentarily taken aback and only came to her senses at the elevator door, slowly considering how to decline.
电梯门叮的一声打开,王钊笑着做出一个绅士般的伸手姿势:“有请!”
The elevator doors opened with a ding, and Wang Zhaode smiled, making a gentlemanly gesture to extend his hand, "Please!"
“谢谢!”许煦走进去,“那个我……”
Thank you!" Xu Xu walked in, "That...
王钊边按电梯边打断她:“你喜欢吃什么?西餐还是中餐?或者泰国菜越南菜?”
Wang Zhao pressed the elevator button while interrupting her, "What do you like to eat? Western or Chinese cuisine? Or maybe Thai or Vietnamese food?"
狭小的电梯,两人只有咫尺的距离,王钊按完按键,直起身勾唇看着他,完全是不给人拒绝的架势。
The small elevator left them barely an arm's length apart. Wang Zhao straightened up and curled his lips, looking at him with a stance that left no room for refusal.
然而就在电梯快要阖上时,忽然有人从外面按下,门又徐徐打开。许煦看着电梯门从一道窄小的缝慢慢变宽,门外一道高大的身影,一点一点进入自己的视线。
However, just as the elevator doors were about to close, someone pressed from the outside, and the doors slowly opened again. Xu Xu watched as the elevator doors widened from a narrow slit, and a tall figure slowly entered her line of sight.
“柏律师!”王钊笑着打招呼。
"Lawyer Bai!" Wang Zhao greeted with a smile.
柏冬青淡淡点头,目光落在许煦脸上,又蹙眉移到她和王钊之前的那点距离,不等电梯门彻底打开,便一脚跨进去,不动声色地将王钊挤开,站在了两人中间的位置。
Bai Dongqing nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Xu Xu's face before he furrowed his brows and moved his gaze to the distance between her and Wang Zhao. Without waiting for the elevator doors to fully open, he stepped in with one foot, subtly pushing Wang Zhao aside and standing in the middle between the two.
第34章
Chapter 34
王钊是民商律师,和柏冬青不属于一块, 但华天主打刑辩, 柏冬青是现在除了几个合伙人之外, 在所里职位是最高的, 深受陈瑞国器重,已经有风声透露, 陈瑞国有升他为合伙人的打算。所以就算王钊比他学历高, 年纪也要大上几岁, 对他的态度还是很毕恭毕敬,看他进来,笑吟吟打招呼:“柏律师, 这么早下班?”
Wang Zhao was a civil and commercial lawyer, and he and Bai Dongqing did not work in the same field. However, Hu Tian mainly focused on criminal defense, and Bai Dongqing was currently the highest-ranking lawyer in the firm aside from the partners, greatly favored by Chen Riguang. There were whispers that Chen Riguang intended to promote him to a partner. Therefore, even though Wang Zhao had a higher education level and was several years older, he still greeted him with great respect, smiling as he said, "Lawyer Bai, so early to leave work?"
柏冬青点头,淡淡看了他一眼,似是不经意道:“对了王律师, 张主任好像在给你们民商组的律师开会, 你不去吗?”
Bai Dongqing nodded, giving him a faint glance as if casually saying, "By the way, Mr. Wang, Director Zhang seems to be holding a meeting for the lawyers in your civil and commercial group. Aren't you going?"
张主任是华天民商那一块的负责人,也是王钊的直接上司。
Director Zhang is in charge of the civil and commercial division and is also Mr. Wang's direct superior.
“啊?是吗?”王钊匆匆按下电梯键, 便往外走边朝许煦笑道, “不好意思, 看来只能下次再请许小姐吃饭了!今天的采访很愉快, 我们再联系!”
Oh? Is that so?" Wang Zhao pressed the elevator button hurriedly, walking out while smiling at Xu Xu, "Sorry, looks like I'll have to reschedule the dinner with Miss Xu! It was a pleasure for today's interview. Let's keep in touch!
许煦笑着朝他挥了挥手:“再见!王律师!”
Xu Xu waved and smiled at him, "Goodbye! Mr. Wang!"
柏冬青在王钊还站在电梯门口挥手时, 就毫不客气地将电梯门关上,然后直起身看向身旁的人,道:“下次也不要去!”
Ba Dongqing shut the elevator doors without hesitation when Wang Zhao was still waving goodbye at the elevator entrance. Then, she straightened up and looked at the person beside her, saying, "Don't go next time either!"
“嗯?”许煦没反应过来。
"Hmm?" Xu Xu did not react.
“下次王律师请你吃饭, 你也不要去。”
Next time when Lawyer Wang invites you to dinner, don't go either.
许煦眨眨眼就:“为什么?”
Xu Xu blinked and asked, "Why?"
柏冬青看着她,抿抿唇:“他是个花花公子。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and pursed her lips. "He's a playboy."
“吃醋啦?”他这幅样子,让许煦将刚刚的心事暂时抛开,忍不住逗他。
"Jealous?" His expression made Xu Xu temporarily forget her worries and couldn't help but tease him.
柏冬青面露赧色,微不可寻地点点头,默了片刻又才问,“你来华天,怎么没跟我说?”
Bai Dongqing blushed slightly and nodded faintly. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Huatian?"
许煦道:“本来想发信息给你的,后来遇到姜毅,聊了几句就去采访王钊了。”她看了他一眼,状似不经意问,“姜毅学长在华天,你怎么没告诉过我?”
Xu Xu said, "I originally wanted to send you a message, but then I ran into Jiang Yi and ended up chatting with him before going to interview Wang Zhao." She glanced at him and asked casually, "Jiang Yi Senior is at Huatian, why didn't you tell me about him?"
柏冬青道:“他去年才进来的,想着你和他也不熟,就没专门跟你说过。”
Bai Dongqing said, "He just joined last year, so I didn't specifically tell you since I thought you didn't know each other well."
许煦点头,又问:“刚刚我和姜毅学长聊天,听他的语气,好像还不知道我们在一起。”
Xu Xu nodded and asked, "Just now, when I was chatting with Senior Jiang Yi, I could tell from his tone that he still doesn't know we're together."
柏冬青看着电梯的数字,喉咙微微吞咽了一下,轻描淡写道:“嗯,是还没跟他提过,他才来所里一年,工作也挺忙的,想着什么时候有空了,和你一起请他吃顿饭。”
Bai Dongqing looked at the elevator's numbers and swallowed slightly, speaking lightly, "Yeah, I haven't mentioned it to him yet. He's been here for only a year and is quite busy with work. I thought we could invite him for a meal when he has some free time."
“哦!”许煦看着他沉静的面容,心中那些疑问,到底没有说出口,出了电梯,才又想起来问,“你今天这个时候就下班了吗?”
Oh!" Xu Xu looked at his calm expression and kept her questions to herself. After exiting the elevator, she remembered to ask, "Are you really leaving now?
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“没什么重要的事,先送你回去,晚上再翻翻材料就行了。”
Ba Dongqing lightly smiled: "Nothing important. I'll send you back first, and you can review the materials in the evening."
因为难得两人都回得早,柏冬青便下厨做了一顿丰盛的晚餐。
Since they both returned early, Ba Dongqing decided to cook a 丰盛 dinner in the kitchen.
“好久没一起吃过晚餐了。”许煦看着餐桌上几样色香味俱全的家常菜。
"Long time no see, we had dinner together," Xu Xu looked at the several home-cooked dishes with rich colors, flavors, and aromas on the table.
柏冬青给她剥了两只虾,放在碗中:“是我太忙了,我真不是一个负责的男朋友。”
Ba Dongqing peeled two shrimp for her and placed them in a bowl: "I'm just too busy. I really am not a responsible boyfriend."
许煦笑:“没有啊!虽然你很忙,但是家里什么事都是你弄的,我现在都还不知道电费水费怎么买呢!”
Xu Xu smiled: "No! Although you are very busy, you handle everything at home. I still don't know how to buy electricity and water bills!"
柏冬青想了想,抬头看她,冷不丁问道:“你下个星期能空出几天假吗?我把工作挪一挪,咱们出去玩几天怎么样?在一起这么久,都还从来没一起出去玩过呢。”
Bai Dongqing thought for a moment, looked up at her, and suddenly asked, "Can you take a few days off next week? I can shift my work around. How about we go out and have some fun? We've been together for so long, but we've never gone out together like this."
“你想去玩吗?”
Do you want to go play?
柏冬青点头,笑着道:“上学的时候没钱,工作后又没时间,对旅行其实没什么概念。但是挺想跟你一起出去玩的,不用再想着工作,就咱们俩好好放松几天。”
Bai Dongqing nodded and smiled, "I didn't have money when I was in school, and I didn't have time after I started working, so I don't really have a concept of travel. But I really want to go out with you, without having to think about work, just the two of us relaxing for a few days."
许煦听他这样说,不免有些心疼:“行啊!我请个年假就好了。”
Xu Xu heard him say this and felt a bit heartbroken: "Sure thing! I just need to take a year off."
柏冬青似是很高兴,弯唇笑开:“那我这两天好好准备一下。”
Bai Dongqing seemed very happy, smiling and bending his lips: "Then I'll prepare properly for these two days."
许煦被他这略带兴奋的表情逗笑:“就出去玩个几天,又不是出国,有什么好准备的?”
Xu Xu laughed at his slightly excited expression: "Just going out to play for a few days. It's not like we're going abroad, so what's there to prepare?"
柏冬青道:“那还是要的。”
Bai Dongqing said, "That's still necessary."
虽然心里生出的疑窦,如同一根刺般梗在胸口,但许煦没有再对姜毅那件事穷根究底,柏冬青在这段关系里表现出来的真诚以及对她的付出,让她觉得对他的任何怀疑都有些残忍。她甚至已经为他找好了借口,也许是因为自己曾经是程放的女朋友,他觉得和室友说起有些尴尬,所以迟迟没有告诉姜毅。
Although doubts gnawed at her heart like a 刺 in her chest, Xu Xu did not delve further into Jiang Yi's matter. Bai Dongqing's sincerity in this relationship and her dedication made her feel that any doubts she had were cruel. She had even found an excuse for him, perhaps because she used to be Cheng Fang's girlfriend, and he felt embarrassed to tell Jiang Yi about it to his roommate.
可是程放那件事都已经过去五年,而两人也在一起超过两年,成年人的交往又怎么能和校园恋爱相提并论?连她自己都觉得这个借口实在是有些荒谬蹩脚。
However, five years had passed since Cheng Fang's incident, and they had been together for over two years. How could adult relationships be compared to college romances? Even she found this excuse rather absurd.
好在接下来几天,柏冬青兴致勃勃准备出行计划的表现,让许煦暂时将这件事抛到了脑后。毕竟这是两人一起生活这么久以来,第一次一起出去旅行。细想下来,因为他工作太忙碌的缘故,情侣间常做的诸如约会旅行之类的事,两个人都很少做。当然,也不是所有情侣间的事都做得少,比如床上的亲密行为,实在是不算少。
Fortunately, Bai Dongqing's enthusiastic preparations for their travel plans over the next few days temporarily put the matter out of her mind. After all, this was the first time they had gone on a trip together after living together for so long. Reflecting on it, because of his busy work, they rarely did things like dating and traveling, which couples often do. Of course, they did not do everything couples do less, like intimate activities in bed, which were actually quite frequent.
柏冬青看着再如何清心寡欲,到了床上也还是个正常男人。
Bai Dongqing looked at him, and even the most ascetic man would still be a normal man in bed.
因为假期只有四天,两个人就选了一个热门的古城。许煦旅行经历不算少,其实对这种被炒出来的古城,已经没兴趣,但见着柏冬青蠢蠢欲动,就定下了。
Because the holiday was only four days, the two of them chose a popular ancient city. Xu Xu had traveled quite a bit, but had lost interest in these ancient cities that had become trendy. However, seeing Bao Dongqing's enthusiasm, they decided to go.
正是初秋季节,阳光充足雨水少,最好的出行时节。
It was the early autumn, with plenty of sunshine and little rain, the best time for travel.
古城不过就是吃吃逛逛,千篇一律的人造风光,许煦已经看过太多,但柏冬青却新奇得不得了,看到好看的风景都会拍下来,看到有意思的纪念品忍不住就要买,哪怕许煦告诉他,大部分都是义乌小商品市场批发来的,他还是买了很多。
An ancient city was just about eating and shopping, with the same artificial scenery everywhere. Xu Xu had seen too much of this, but Bao Dongqing was fascinated, taking photos of every pretty sight and buying interesting souvenirs, even though Xu Xu had told him that most of them were from the wholesale market in Yiwu.
许煦倒是很理解他,因为这些对他来说,是真的很新奇。他成长在都市,看得多的是钢筋水泥,家逢变故后,人生就只剩下如何去努力生活,工作虽然经常出差,可也没有闲心慢下来欣赏别处的风光。
Xu Xu could understand his enthusiasm because these things were truly new and exciting to him. He grew up in a city, surrounded by concrete and steel, and after his family's misfortune, his life was all about working hard to survive. Although he often traveled for work, he had no time to appreciate the scenery elsewhere.
一个二十七岁收入颇丰的名律师,从来没有真正旅行过,想想都觉得有些不可思议。
A wealthy and successful lawyer in his mid-twenties who had never truly traveled before found it hard to believe.
所以对他来说,这第一次真正意义的旅行,风景美不美不重要,重要的是旅行这件事本身。许煦当然也不会扫他的兴,一直耐心陪着他。
So for him, the beauty of the scenery was secondary; what mattered was the act of traveling itself. Xu Xu naturally did not spoil his mood, and patiently accompanied him the whole time.
只不过这家伙的精力也实在是太旺盛了!这是半天下来,许煦心中的感慨。
However, this guy's energy was simply too boundless! This was Xu Xu's reflection after half a day.
早上七点出门,逛了一天景点,傍晚回来洗了澡,又去看表演,看完表演,亢奋状态的某人,继续拉着许煦夜游,一直到十点多,才念念不舍地牵着人往客栈走。
He left at seven in the morning, toured the attractions all day, came back in the evening to take a bath, and then watched a performance. The excited person continued to drag Xu Xu on a night tour after the performance, only reluctantly heading to the inn around ten o'clock.
许煦这会儿双腿都开始打颤,笑着哼哼唧唧道:“我还以为你能逛到半夜呢!”
Xu Xu's legs were starting to tremble as she laughed and whined, "I thought you'd be shopping until midnight!"
柏冬青转头看她,这才发觉她一脸疲惫,顿时有点内疚:“是不是很累?”
Bai Dongqing turned to look at her and only then realized she looked exhausted. She felt a bit guilty: "Are you very tired?"
许煦点头,语气有点撒娇:“脚都疼了!”
Xu Xu nodded, her voice a bit whiny: "My feet hurt!"
柏冬青听着这样的语气,心中就跟泡了水一般,想了想,松开她的手,走上前半蹲下:“我背你回去!”
Hearing such a tone, Bai Dongqing's heart felt like it had been soaked. After a moment's thought, she released her hand and stepped forward, squatting down: "I'll carry you back!"
“不用啦!”
No need!
柏冬青笑:“上来吧!刚刚我看到有女孩走累了,也是让男朋友背回去的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled: "Come up! Just now, I saw a girl who was tired and had her boyfriend carry her back."
许煦大笑,走上前趴在他背上:“你是要像别人学习么?”
Xu Xu laughed loudly and walked forward, lying down on his back: "Are you going to learn from others?"
柏冬青道:“我第一次当人家男朋友,确实应该像别人多学习,要不然做得不好,你不跟我在一起了怎么办?”
Bai Dongqing said: "Since this is my first time being someone's boyfriend, I should indeed learn from others more. Otherwise, what if you don't want to be with me anymore?"
许煦轻轻咬了他耳朵一下,笑道:“胡说!我要是不要你了,去哪里找你这么好的男朋友?”
Xu Xu gently bit his ear and smiled, saying, "You're talking nonsense! Where would I find such a good boyfriend if I didn't want you anymore?"
柏冬青背着她慢慢走了几步,默了片刻,才又道:“许煦,我真的好吗?”
Bai Dongqing walked a few steps behind her, silent for a moment, before saying, "Xu Xu, am I really that good?"
许煦笑:“当然啦!我们家冬青是最好的。”
Xu Xu laughed, "Of course! Our Dongqing is the best."
柏冬青叹了口气,低声道:“可是我怎么觉得没那么好!”顿了顿,又道,“这几年你好像没有像在大学里那么开心了!”
Bai Dongqing sighed and whispered, "But I feel like I'm not that good!" Pausing for a moment, she added, "In the past few years, you don't seem as happy as you were in university!"
许煦有些愕然:“你怎么会这么认为?人长大了,工作了,见到的事多了,认识的人也多了,要是还像上学时那么整天傻乐,应该是个傻子吧?”她抱住她的脖子稍稍紧了紧,靠在他脸侧,“冬青,很喜欢现在的生活。所以希望你也很喜欢,是真的喜欢,而不是把某些事当成理所当然。”
Xu Xu was somewhat taken aback: "How could you think that? As people grow up, get jobs, and see more things and meet more people, if they still act as silly as they did when they were in school, they should be considered fools, right?" She hugged his neck a little tighter and leaned against his cheek, "Dongqing, I really like my current life. So I hope you like it too, truly like it, not just take it for granted."
柏冬青道:“我也很喜欢啊!”
Bai Dongqing said, "I really like it too!"
“真的吗?”许煦想了想,又问,“你有没有认真想过,自己想要什么样的生活?”
Really?" Xu Xu thought for a moment and asked again, "Have you ever seriously thought about what kind of life you want?
柏冬青点头:“想过啊!所以当初才放弃出国进了华天,现在的生活就是我想要的。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "I have! That's why I gave up on studying abroad and came to Huatian. This is the life I want."
“我不是说工作和事业,是说感情以及将来的婚姻家庭生活。”她顿了顿,“你喜欢什么样的女孩子?”
I'm not talking about work and career, but about feelings and future marriage and family life," she paused. "What kind of girl do you like?
柏冬青愣了下,有些失笑地将她轻轻颠了颠:“还用问吗?”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback and laughed slightly as he gently shook her. "Do I need to ask?"
第27节
Chapter 27
“我的意思是,在我出现前或者我没出现的话,你喜欢的女孩子是什么样的?”许煦故作轻松地笑道,“你当时也不小了,心里也不可能没想过这种事吧?”
What I mean is, before I appeared or if I hadn't appeared, what kind of girl did you like?" Xu Xu pretended to be casual and smiled. "You weren't a child back then, and you couldn't have not thought about such things, right?
柏冬青想了想,脑子里浮现许煦当年青春少女的模样,他笑道:“不知道。”
Bai Dongqing thought for a moment, and the image of Xu Xu as a young girl flashed through his mind. He smiled and said, "I have no idea."
在她出现后,她就是他喜欢的样子,而在她没出现前,他对感情的认知一片空白,所以这个问题他没有答案。
After she appeared, she was the way he liked her, but before she appeared, he had no understanding of emotions, so he had no answer to this question.
许煦拍了他一下,笑道:“你还真是个榆木疙瘩。”
Xu Xu patted him and smiled, saying, "You really are a blockhead."
柏冬青笑着不说话。
Bai Dongqing smiled without saying anything.
许煦说完这话,忽然有些怅然,所以是在他对爱情一无所知的情况下,被自己强行拉了进来吗?
After saying those words, Xu Xu suddenly felt a sense of loss, so was he forcibly dragged into this situation without knowing anything about love?
算了!还是不想了!
Forget it! No need to think about it!
回到客栈的房间,许煦倒头就往床上一躺:“累死了!”
Returning to the inn room, Xu Xu flopped onto the bed: "I'm so tired!"
柏冬青将她的鞋袜脱下来,咦了一声:“脚怎么红了?还磨破了皮。”
Bai Dongqing took off her shoes and socks, and exclaimed: "Why are your feet red? And you even got a blister."
许煦坐起来一看:“难怪我觉得脚疼,还以为只是走太长路的缘故,原来是鞋子有点磨脚。”
Xu Xu sat up and looked: "No wonder I felt pain in my feet. I thought it was just from walking too long, but it turns out the shoes were a bit uncomfortable."
柏冬青道:“我去问老板要个盆给你泡泡脚。”
Bai Dongqing said, "I'll go ask the owner for a basin so you can soak your feet."
“不用了,睡一晚就好。”
No need, a night's rest will do.
然而柏冬青已经出了门,几分钟后,端着一个装满热水的木盆走了回来。
However, Bai Dongqing had already left the room. A few minutes later, she returned carrying a wooden basin filled with hot water.
“你不嫌累啊”许煦有些失笑道。
"Are you not tired?" Xu Xu chuckled.
柏冬青将盆放在她跟前,握着她光裸的双脚放进热水里:“今天很开心,所以不觉得累!”
Bai Dongqing placed the basin in front of her and held her bare feet, lowering them into the hot water: "Today was very happy, so I don't feel tired at all!"
许煦看着蹲在地上,认真帮自己揉脚的男人,心里头像是被人掐了一把,柔软得有些酸涩。这种被人珍视的感觉太好,让她不愿意再有任何胡思乱想。
Xu Xu looked at the man squatting on the ground, earnestly massaging her feet. It felt as if someone had squeezed her heart, soft and slightly bitter. This feeling of being treasured was too good, making her unwilling to have any idle thoughts.
她默默看着他头顶的漩儿半晌,回过神,笑道:“有这么开心吗?”
She silently stared at the swirl on his head for a long moment, then regained her composure and smiled, "So happy?"
柏冬青点头:“是啊!看了漂亮的风景,买了许多有趣的小玩意儿,吃了好多美食,还看了有意思的表演,真的很开心。以后我们有空了经常出来玩怎么样?”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Yes! After seeing the beautiful scenery, buying many interesting trinkets, eating lots of delicious food, and watching entertaining performances, I really had a great time. How about we come out to play more often when we have free time?"
最重要是,这不是他一个人做的,而是她和他一起完成。有人陪着去做想做的事,这种感觉实在是太美好。
The most important thing is that this wasn't something he did alone; it was something they accomplished together. There's nothing more wonderful than doing something you want to do with someone by your side.
许煦听得出他是真的高兴,语气甚至都有点幼稚,就像是吃到了糖的小孩子那样满足,哪里看得出是一个大律师。
Xu Xu could tell he was genuinely happy, his tone even a bit childish, like a child satisfied after eating candy. It was hard to believe he was a big lawyer.
她笑着点点头:“好啊!”
She smiled and nodded: "Sure!"
柏冬青抬头看她一眼,眉梢眼角都是欣喜:“那我们以后把想去的地方一个一个的都走一遍!”
Bai Dongqing looked at her with a smile, his eyebrows and eyes full of joy: "Then we can go to every place we want to visit one by one from now on!"
许煦笑着点头。
Xu Xu smiled and nodded.
柏冬青也笑,将她泡好的脚擦干净,端起水盆:“我去药店给你买点创可贴。”
Bai Dongqing also smiled, dried her feet, and picked up the water basin: "I'll go to the pharmacy to get some band-aids for you."
许煦哭笑不得:“真的没事的。”
Xu Xu couldn't help but laugh and said: "It's really fine."
“药店就在旁边,我马上回来!”
The pharmacy is right next to here, I'll be right back!
许煦看着他出门而去的背影,失笑摇摇头,想了想站起来,趿着拖鞋走到窗边。
Xu Xu watched his back as he left, chuckling and shaking his head. After a moment, he stood up, wearing slippers, and walked to the window.
夜色古城的霓虹下,柏冬青的身影从客栈匆匆走出去,小跑着去到旁边几十米处的药店,很快又从里面出来,疾步往回走。
Under the neon lights of the night-old city, Bai Dongqing's figure hurriedly left the inn, running to a pharmacy about a hundred meters away. He quickly came out again and hurried back.
药店门口,有一个卖收工鞋垫的老太太,这会儿还没收摊。他本来脚步匆忙,已经从那小摊前划过,但走了几步,又像是忽然想起什么似的,退了回去,拿出一张钞票,跟老人家买了两双鞋垫。
At the pharmacy entrance, an elderly woman was selling used shoe insoles. She hadn't packed up yet. He had originally walked past her stall hurriedly, but after a few steps, he seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back. He took out some money and bought two pairs of insoles from the elderly woman.
全程目睹他一系列动作的许煦,哑然失笑,不由得想起当初他在学校外面买红薯的情景。他是柏冬青啊,是自己见过得最纯善的男人,怎么可能是不近人情的冷漠律师?
Xu Xu, who had witnessed his entire series of actions, was dumbfounded and couldn't help but think back to the time he bought sweet potatoes outside the school. He was Bai Dongqing, the most pure and kind man he had ever met. How could he be a cold-hearted lawyer who was indifferent to others?
可是不是也正是因为他太纯善了,所以才让自己为所欲为?
Could it be that it's precisely because he is too pure and good that he is allowed to do as he pleases?
她摆摆头,将这个不那么愉快的念头抛开,回到床上坐好。
She shook her head, pushing aside the unpleasant thought and sat back on the bed.
柏冬青推门而入,走到她跟前,小心翼翼给她贴药。贴好之后,又握着她的脚揉了揉,抬头看向她,默了片刻,开口问:“你对未来有什么计划吗?”
Bai Dongqing pushed the door open and walked over to her, carefully applying a plaster to her wound. After securing it, he held her foot and gently massaged it. Looking up at her, he fell silent for a moment before asking, "Do you have any plans for the future?"
许煦不明所以:“什么未来?”
Xu Xu was puzzled: "What future?"
柏冬青道:“就是……结婚组建家庭?”
Bai Dongqing said, "Just... get married and start a family?"
许煦愣了下,笑道:“冬青,你不会是想结婚了吧?咱们才多大啊?”
Xu Xu was taken aback and smiled, "Dongqing, are you thinking about getting married? We're still so young!"
柏冬青小声嘀咕:“也不小了。”
Bai Dongqing muttered softly, "Not that young."
许煦笑:“你现在事业飞升期,不怕结婚耽误事儿啊!再说你这么忙,怎么结婚?”
Xu Xu smiled, "You're in the peak of your career right now. You won't be afraid of marriage holding you back, will you? Besides, you're so busy, how could you get married?"
柏冬青道:“我们律所的规定是做足了一定数量的案子,为律所创收达到一定金额,就能升为合伙人。我这几年的业绩还可以,陈老师也一直在培养我,明年应该就能做上合伙人了,合伙人是拿分红的,自己一年接几个大案子就好,不会那么忙了。”
Ba Dongqing said, "Our law firm's rule is that you become a partner after handling a certain number of cases and generating a certain amount of revenue for the firm. My performance over the past few years has been decent, and Teacher Chen has been training me all along. I should be able to become a partner next year. As a partner, I'll be getting dividends, so I just need to take on a few big cases a year, and it won't be so busy."
许煦笑:“那就等你升了合伙人再说啊!”她想了想,道,“冬青,我们现在还很年轻,也许生活中还存着不少变数,虽然你跟我提这个,我很高兴,但现在说结婚真得有点早了。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "Then let's talk about it once you become a partner!" After thinking for a moment, she added, "Dongqing, we're still quite young. Perhaps there are still many uncertainties in life. Although you mentioned this to me, I'm very happy, but it's a bit too early to talk about marriage right now."
不仅是因为年岁上的年轻,而是因为经历太贫乏,贫乏到可能还远远不够认清自己想要的到底是什么。
Not only because of the young age, but also because of the lack of experience, which might still be far from enough to truly understand what one wants.
她是说柏冬青。
She was referring to Ba Dongqing.
第35章
Chapter 35
从古城回来后,柏冬青的兴奋劲儿还持续了好几天, 忙里偷闲将拍的照片挑了一堆打印出来, 用相框装好, 在卧室里做了一个照片墙。他自己不爱拍照, 所以这些洗出来的照片,除了风景, 大部分都是他给许煦拍的, 他并没有专门练习过摄影, 但每张照片中的许煦,都很楚楚动人。
After returning from the ancient city, Bai Dongqing's excitement lasted for several more days. He found some time to print out the photos he had taken and framed them, creating a photo wall in his bedroom. He didn't enjoy taking photos himself, so most of the photos that were washed were landscapes, with the rest being pictures of Xu Xu he had taken. He hadn't practiced photography, but Xu Xu in each photo was incredibly charming.
除此之外,还有几张是两人的合影, 其中一张两人在江边靠在一起的合照,他最喜欢,还专门打印了一张放进钱夹里。
In addition, there were a few photos of the two of them together. One photo of them standing close to each other by the river was his favorite, and he even printed a copy to put in his wallet.
回来后的日子仍旧是无波无澜地过着, 仿佛那点疑窦也从未发生, 许煦没有问过他姜毅的事,只偶然试探提了一次什么时候请姜毅一块儿吃顿饭, 他的回答是等大家时间都合适, 然而一直到过年, 他也没再主动提过这事。
The days after his return continued to pass uneventfully, as if the doubts that had arisen had never happened. Xu Xu did not ask about Jiang Yi, only occasionally inquiring about when they could invite Jiang Yi for a meal. His response was that they should wait until everyone's schedules were clear. However, he never brought it up again until the New Year.
自从两人在一起后, 许煦都是带柏冬青回家一起过年的, 这已经是第三年。他做事周全,对人礼貌又很勤快,虽然知道许家什么都不缺, 但上门总是精心准备好礼物,到了家里,基本上是许父许母指哪儿打哪儿,既能和许父下棋,讨论近年的案子,又能帮着许母一起做点心,连带着许家的阿姨都很喜欢他,因为阿姨干活的时候他都会习惯性搭把手。
Since the two of them started dating, Xu Xu has always brought Bai Dongqing back to his home for the New Year, and this is the third year. He is meticulous in his actions, polite, and very diligent. Although he knows that the Xu family doesn't lack anything, he always prepares thoughtful gifts when he visits. Upon arriving at the house, he basically does whatever the Xu parents ask, whether it's playing chess with the father and discussing recent cases, or helping the mother make pastries, and even the Xu family's aunt likes him because he always offers to help when she's working.
许煦在他的衬托下,在家里简直就是一条废柴。父母基本上已经认定,他就是未来的女婿。连许煦自己都觉得之前生出的那点小心思,实在矫情,她又不是十几岁恋爱至上的少女,非得纠结什么爱与不爱,如果两个人在一起最终的归宿就是生活本身,又何必在意那点细微末节的不确定和缺憾。
In his presence, Xu Xu is practically useless at home. His parents have basically already decided that he will be their daughter's future husband. Even Xu Xu herself feels that her previous thoughts were overly sentimental; she is not a teenage girl who prioritizes romance, and doesn't need to worry about whether she loves him or not. If the ultimate outcome of two people being together is just their daily lives, why should she care about the minor uncertainties and imperfections.
反正这世上所有恒久的爱情,最终不都是归结于责任。
After all, all enduring love in this world ultimately boils down to responsibility.
认清这个道理似乎并不难,但是心中那根横着的小刺,却始终没能彻底拔出来。
It seems that understanding this principle isn't difficult, but that little thorn in her heart has never been completely removed.
开春之后的三月份,许煦收到一条婚礼邀约的短信,落款是姜毅。她和姜毅的关系实在是还没有到需要参加婚礼的地步,这信息大概是群发的,不过既然收到了,她觉得出于礼貌,还是要去喝一杯喜酒,毕竟婚宴地点就在本市,不算麻烦。除此之外,她知道柏冬青肯定会去参加,甚至很有可能是伴郎之类的重要角色。
After the spring equinox in March, Xu Xu received a wedding invitation text from Jiang Yi. Their relationship was still not at the point where they needed to attend a wedding, so this information was probably mass-sent. However, since she had received it, she felt it was polite to go and drink a toast of good wishes, especially since the wedding banquet was in the city and wouldn't be much trouble. Besides, she knew that Bai Dongqing would definitely attend, and he might even play an important role like best man.
在她看来,这应该是一个告诉姜毅两人关系的好契机。
In her view, this should be a good opportunity to tell Jiang Yi about their relationship.
然而直到周五,也就是婚礼日的前一天,柏冬青对姜毅的婚礼只字未提。晚上睡觉,许煦故意问他明天的安排,他只说有点事,可到底什么事却没有说。
However, until Friday, the day before the wedding, Bai Dongqing did not mention Jiang Yi's wedding at all. That night, when Xu Xu asked him about his plans for the next day, he only said he had something to do, but he did not specify what it was.
于是那根本来扎在许煦心中许久没有活动过的小刺,在这一夜搅动了许久,就像是被人揪住胸口,郁卒得难以呼吸。
Thus, the small thorn that had been dormant in Xu Xu's heart for a long time was stirred up that night, like someone had grabbed her by the chest, making it hard to breathe and feel stifled.
翌日,柏冬青很早就出门,他最不擅长的大概就是说谎,所以很多事情宁愿沉默,可是沉默有时候也是另一种谎言的形式。他很清楚,有些事情已经迫在眉睫,可始终还是差了点开诚布公的勇气,无论是对好友还是许煦,这件事都太难以启齿。
The next day, Bai Dongqing left early. He was the least skilled at lying, so he preferred to remain silent on many matters. However, silence could also be a form of deception. He knew that some things were imminent, but he lacked the courage to be completely open, whether to his good friend or Xu Xu. This matter was too difficult to mention to either of them.
连他自己都鄙视这样的自己,又怎么能让别人原谅。
He even despised himself for this, how could others forgive him?
姜毅的婚宴是中午,新郎新娘都是本地人,家境也都还不错,酒席订了八十桌。柏冬青是伴郎团成员,来吃酒席的宾客双方亲属多过朋友,他基本上不熟,跟着众人接待了一会儿宾客,就去了休息室休息。
Jiang Yi's wedding banquet was in the afternoon. The bride and groom were both locals with decent family backgrounds, and the banquet was set for eighty tables. Bai Dongqing was part of the best man's group, and most of the guests were relatives rather than friends. He barely knew them, so he spent a while greeting the guests before going to the 休息室 to rest.
也不知为何,他今天总有些心神不宁。
For some reason, he felt restless today.
独自一人在休息室,一根烟还没抽完,门忽然被推开,姜毅兴奋的声音传来:“青儿,你看谁来了?”
Alone in the lounge, with a cigarette half-smoked, the door suddenly opened, and Jiang Yi's excited voice rang out, "Qing'er, look who's here?"
柏冬青转头,在看到门口跟在姜毅旁边的颀长男子时,神色微怔,半晌才回神,手忙脚乱将烟头摁熄在烟灰缸,站起来道:“你回来了!”
Bai Dongqing turned her head. Her expression slightly wavered when she saw the tall man standing beside Jiang Yi at the door. After a moment, she regained her composure, quickly extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray, and stood up, saying, "You're back!"
程放勾起唇角,走到他面前,用力将他一把抱住:“老三,好久不见了!”
Cheng Fang curled his lips, walked up to him, and tightly embraced him, saying, "Old Three, it's been a long time!"
柏冬青伸手紧紧抱住他的背。
Bai Dongqing reached out and hugged his back tightly.
姜毅跟上去将两人揽住,哽咽道:“还以为老子结婚你也不来呢?”
Jiang Yi followed and embraced the two, choking out, "Thought you wouldn't come even for my wedding?"
程放将人松开,轻笑了笑:“要是还在国外肯定是没办法,现在回来了必须要来啊!”
Cheng Fang released the person and lightly smiled, "If I were still abroad, there would have been no way, but now that I'm back, I have to come!"
那个曾经在大学里耀眼如光的男孩,早已经褪去学生时代的青涩,变得成熟稳重。经过了人生起伏的男人,面容虽然依旧年轻英俊,但眉梢眼角已然有了风霜般的阅历,连带着脸上的笑意都是成熟的象征。
That boy who once shone brightly in university, long ago shed the greenness of youth, becoming mature and steady. The man who has experienced the ups and downs of life, though still young and handsome, now has a weathered look in his eyes and at the corners of his mouth, with a smile that is a symbol of maturity.
姜毅轻轻打了他一拳:“你还有脸说,前年就已经回国,为什么不来见我们?”
Jiang Yi gently punched him, "You have the nerve to say that? You returned last year, why didn't you come to see us?"
程放轻笑:“你们个个都混得人模狗样的,我刚回来,前途未卜,哪里好意思见你们?”
Cheng Fang chuckled lightly: "You all look so respectable, but I just got back and my future is uncertain. How could I have the face to see you?"
姜毅啐了一口:“你跟咱们兄弟见外干什么?”说罢,又笑着拍拍柏冬青的肩膀,“要说混得人模狗样,我也就这样,还是咱们青儿混得最好。说出来你恐怕都不敢相信,青儿很快就要成为咱们所的合伙人了!“
Jiang Yi spat and said, "Why are you being so formal with us brothers?" He then laughed and patted Bai Dongqing's shoulder. "If we're talking about looking respectable, I'm just like this. But Qing'er is the best. I bet you wouldn't believe it, but Qing'er is about to become a partner in our firm!"
程放有些吃惊地转头看向柏冬青,笑道:“那我是不是要提前恭喜?”
Cheng Fang turned his head in surprise and smiled, "Then I should congratulate you in advance?"
柏冬青摇摇头,露出一个不太自然的笑:“八字没一撇的事,别听老大胡说。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head and gave an unnatural smile. "It's not set in stone, so don't listen to the boss's nonsense."
姜毅大笑:“咱们青儿就是谦虚,以后我还得靠你罩着呢!”说着又想起什么似的,随口问程放,“对了老二,你说你干嘛非得进检察院?吃了那么多年苦,现在好不容易好了,跟着你哥一起干多好!现在呢?一个月领几千块工资不说,还跑去边远贫困县一待两年。”
Jiang Yi laughed loudly, "Qing'er is always so modest. In the future, I'll still need you to look after me!" As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and casually asked Cheng Fang, "Older brother, why did you have to go to the procuratorate? You've been through so much hardship for so many years. It's finally getting better now, and you could have worked with your brother. Why did you choose to go to a remote and impoverished county for two years?"
程放笑:“我这种背景想快速升迁太难了,只能另辟蹊径先下基层锻炼。再说我在国外那四年,再苦的日子又不是没过过,去基层完全不觉得辛苦。”他顿了顿,深呼吸了口气,好整以暇地继续,“至于我为什么回来非得做检察官?不过是因为想要将偏离的人生拉回从前的轨道。”
Cheng Fang smiled, "With my background, it's very difficult to advance quickly. I can only take a different path and start from the grassroots level. Besides, during those four years abroad, I've already endured a lot of hardship. Going to the grassroots level doesn't seem difficult to me." He paused, took a deep breath, and continued calmly, "As for why I had to come back and become a prosecutor, it's simply because I wanted to pull my life back onto the path it was on before."
姜毅点点头,也不知听明白没有,但柏冬青显然太明白他这句“从前的轨道”意味着什么,本来就有些发白的脸,顿时变得更加苍白。
Jiang Yi nodded, though it was unclear if he understood. But Bai Dongqing clearly understood what "the path it was on before" meant. Her already pale face turned even more pale.
“行吧!你们俩继续叙着,我还得去招呼下客人,不然待会儿我媳妇儿又得说我偷懒了。”姜毅边说边朝两人挥挥手,急急忙忙走了出去。
"Alright! You two can continue your chat. I still need to go and greet the guests. Otherwise, my wife will say I'm slacking off later." With that, Jiang Yi waved at the two of them and hurriedly left.
“坐吧!”柏冬青给程放拉了张椅子。
"Sit down!" Bai Dongqing pulled a chair for Cheng Fang.
程放笑着坐下,上下打量了他一番,因为是伴郎,他穿着一身黑色正装,头发是做过造型的整齐立体,整个人很醒目英俊,跟从前在学校里那个从来不显山露水的男孩,截然不同。
Cheng Fang smiled and sat down, scanning him from head to toe. As a best man, he was dressed in a black suit, his hair neatly styled, making him stand out and handsome. This was quite different from the boy who had always been unobtrusive in school.
“什么时候学会抽烟的?工作压力太大吗?”程放目光落在刚刚的烟灰缸上,笑着问。
"When did you start smoking? Is your work pressure too great?" Cheng Fang's gaze fell on the ashtray from just now, and he asked with a smile.
柏冬青笑了笑:“有点。”顿了下,问,“什么时候调回来?”
Bai Dongqing smiled and said, "A bit." He paused, then asked, "When are you coming back?"
“下个月两年满期了就回来。”程放笑了笑,歪头看着他道,“说实话,虽然你现在做律师很成功,但直到现在还有点不明白,当初你怎么就敢放弃出国公派的机会,跑去华天的?本科毕业去华天可是半点优势都没有,谁知道几年后能混成什么样子,至于公派读完博,回来留校还是很容易的。这么冒险的选择,真不像你的作风。”
Next month, my two-year contract will end, and I'll be back," Cheng Fang smiled and tilted his head to look at him. "To be honest, although you've been a successful lawyer now, I still don't quite understand why you dared to give up the opportunity to study abroad on a government scholarship and instead went to Huatian? Graduating from university with no advantages, who knew what kind of person you would become a few years later. As for completing your PhD and staying at the school after returning, that was quite easy. Such a risky choice doesn't seem like your style.
柏冬青默了片刻:“……有时候也想要尝试一下看起来不太可能的事。”
Bai Dongqing was silent for a moment. "…Sometimes I also want to try something that seems impossible."
程放摇摇头,又笑着道:“不过,我看你和上学的时候没什么变化,姜毅都变得跟个老油条似的,你倒是看不出一点圆滑世故,怎么当上大律师的?”
Cheng Fang shook his head and smiled again. "But I see that you haven't changed much from when you were in school. Jiang Yi has become quite worldly, but you still don't show any signs of being smooth or worldly-wise. How did you become a big lawyer?"
柏冬青轻笑:“你这是夸我还是损我?”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly. "Are you praising me or insulting me?"
程放挑挑眉:“当然是夸你。”他叹了口气,站起来,“走吧,咱们也出去,估计仪式也快了。”
Cheng Fang raised an eyebrow: "Of course to praise you." He sighed and stood up, "Let's go, we should also go out. The ceremony is probably about to start."
两个人并肩走出休息室来到宴厅,见新郎新娘还在门口迎接宾客,便和几个伴郎站在窗边有一搭没一搭的聊着这场婚事。
The two walked out of the 休息室 side by side and arrived at the banquet hall. They saw the groom and bride still standing at the door to greet the guests, so they stood by the window with a few best men, chatting idly about the wedding.
*
许煦本来是没打算来参加婚礼的,但自从柏冬青出门后,她就觉得心中堵得慌,开车出门在城中瞎晃,不知不觉就来到了这座酒店。看着酒店招牌,思忖片刻后,还是来到了宴厅。
Xu Xu originally had no intention of attending the wedding, but after Bai Dongqing left, she felt a sense of unease in her heart. She drove around the city aimlessly in her car, and without realizing it, she had arrived at this hotel. Seeing the hotel's sign, she thought for a moment and still came to the banquet hall.
“学妹!你来了?”姜毅看到她,笑盈盈走过来招呼。
"Junior sister! You came?" Jiang Yi walked over with a smile to greet her.
“学长恭喜!”
Senior, congratulations!
姜毅点点头,热情地给她带了几步路,指了指内侧的一桌:“你去坐那桌吧,都是咱们校友,你应该认识几个。”
Jiang Yi nodded and led her a few steps, pointing to a table on the inside: "You can sit at that table. Most of the people there are fellow alumni, and you should know a few of them."
“好的,谢谢!”许煦点点头,朝酒桌走去。
"Okay, thank you!" Xu Xu nodded and walked towards the dining table.
那酒桌上确实有几张熟悉的面孔,许煦和人寒暄后找了个空位坐下,目光随意扫了眼宴厅,很快落在远处窗边一道熟悉的身影上。他和旁边几个人穿着差不多的黑色正装,大概是伴郎团的成员,尽管那些人也都一表人才,但她还是一眼就看到他,其他的人在她眼中,瞬间便成了布景。
Indeed, there were a few familiar faces at the dining table. After chatting with the people there, Xu Xu found an empty seat and casually scanned the banquet hall with her eyes, quickly landing on a familiar figure in the distance by the window. They and a few others were dressed in similar black formal attire, probably part of the best man's group. Although those people were all good-looking, she immediately spotted him, and the others became mere backdrops in her eyes.
因为隔得太远,她看不清他的表情,只看得出是在和旁边的人谈笑风生。明明两个人都在这个热闹的宴厅,可却仿佛遥不可及。这种被生生从他的世界隔离出来的感觉,实在是太糟糕了!
Because they were too far apart, she couldn't make out his expression, only seeing that he was chatting with someone nearby. Although both of them were in this lively banquet hall, it felt as if they were worlds apart. The feeling of being forcibly excluded from his world was truly terrible!
“许煦,你怎么了?”旁边的女孩发觉她脸色不太对劲,关切地问。
"Xu Xu, what's wrong with you?" The girl next to her noticed something was amiss and asked with concern.
许煦摇摇头:“忽然有点不舒服,不好意思,我先走了。”
Xu Xu shook her head: "I suddenly feel a bit unwell, sorry, I'll be going."
“你没事吧?”
Are you okay?
许煦摆摆手,几乎是惊慌失措地离开,一直急忙忙走到酒店外面,才大口大口呼吸,让自己缓过气来。
Xu Xu waves his hand and leaves almost in a panic. He hurries all the way to the hotel entrance, only then taking deep breaths to catch his breath.
人真的太贪心了,尤其是在感情世界。其实并不是什么大事,毕竟柏冬青从来是打算和自己长长久久在一起,毕竟他对自己真得无可挑剔。可是当她发觉他将她与他的世界,不知是有意还是无意的隔离,就不得不怀疑,也许自己对他来说真得没那么重要。怀疑他对她的爱不过是被动的接受和责任,所以才没有兴致将她带进自己的朋友社交圈。
People are just too greedy, especially in the world of emotions. Actually, it wasn't a big deal. After all, Bai Dongqing had always planned to be with her for the long term. After all, he was truly 无可挑剔 (beyond reproach) to her. But when she realized he had unknowingly or intentionally isolated her from his world, she couldn't help but doubt that she might not be as important to him as she thought. She suspected that his love for her was merely a passive acceptance and a sense of duty, which is why he had no interest in bringing her into his social circle of friends.
第28节
Chapter 28
也许这只是无意识的,可无意识才更可怕。
Perhaps this was all unconscious, but unconsciousness is even more terrifying.
*
这厢宴厅中,姜毅回到朝新娘道:“你先等着,我有点事去和兄弟说说。”
In the banquet hall, Jiang Yi returned to the bride and said, "You wait here for a moment, I have something to talk to the brothers about."
然后便急匆匆朝宴厅里面跑去,穿过熙攘的宾客,来到柏冬青和程放所在的角落,拉着程放,有些急促道:“老二,许煦来了!”
Then he rushed into the banquet hall, pushing through the crowd of guests, and arrived at the corner where Bai Dongqing and Cheng Fang were seated. He pulled Cheng Fang and said urgently, "Older brother, Xu Xu has arrived!"
“啊?”发出惊讶的是程放,然而脸色大变的还有柏冬青。
"Ah?" It was Cheng Fang who expressed surprise, but Bai Dongqing's face also changed dramatically.
姜毅继续道:“你先前不是说尽量赶来参加我婚礼么?我就给许煦发了邀请,想着给你们制造一个重逢的机会。你也知道,我和她不熟,没指望她会来,所以之前没告诉你。没想到她挺够意思的,真来了!”
Jiang Yi continued, "Didn't you say earlier that you would try to come to my wedding? I sent an invitation to Xu Xu, hoping to give you both a chance to meet again. You know, I don't know her well, so I didn't expect her to come, which is why I didn't tell you before. I didn't think she would be so considerate and actually show up!"
大概是有些紧张,程放本来从容的脸色,也微微发白,忍不住抱怨道:“我这都没准备好,你能别自作主张吗?”
Probably a bit nervous, Cheng Fang's originally composed face turned slightly pale, and he couldn't help but complain, "I haven't even prepared anything yet. Can you not make decisions on your own?"
姜毅道:“我这不是怕你近乡情怯磨磨蹭蹭么?再说你要准备什么?马上就调回南区检察院,很快就能升副检,标准的青年才俊,有什么不好意思面对的。”
Jiang Yi said, "I'm not afraid you'll be timid and dilly-dally when you return home. Besides, what are you supposed to prepare? You're about to be reassigned to the South District Procuratorate, and you'll soon be promoted to deputy procurator. You're a standard young talent. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
“哎!别……”程放还有些犹豫,人却被姜毅拉着往外面走。
"Ah! Don't..." Cheng Fang was still hesitant, but he was pulled out by Jiang Yi.
姜毅不依不挠地拽着人,又朝后面的柏冬青道,“青儿,一起来啊!”
Jiang Yi persisted in dragging him and turned to Bai Dongqing behind, saying, "Qing'er, come along too!"
“啊?哦!”柏冬青脑子一片空白地跟着两人,好像手脚都已经不是自己的,每一步都像踩在薄冰上,浑身都冷得厉害,而且稍有不慎就要跌进更刺骨的冰窟中。
"Ah? Oh!" Bai Dongqing followed the two people blankly, as if his limbs were no longer his own. Each step felt like walking on thin ice, and he was shivering all over. A slight misstep could send him tumbling into an even colder ice hole.
“咦?人呢?”走到刚刚那张酒桌,却没有许煦的身影,姜毅奇怪地嘀咕。
"Eh? Where is he?" Jiang Yi muttered to himself as he walked to the table where they had just been sitting, but Xu Xu was nowhere to be seen.
“新郎官儿,你找谁啊?”桌上有人问。
"Newlywed, who are you looking for?" someone asked from the table.
姜毅道:“刚刚许煦是不是坐在这里?”
Jiang Yi replied, "Was Xu Xu sitting here just now?"
有认识许煦的女人道:“是啊!刚刚坐下脸色有点不对,说不太舒服不吃饭了,直接走了。”
There was a woman who knew Xu Xu who said, "Yes! Her face looked a bit off just now. She said she didn't feel well and didn't want to eat, then left directly."
“啊?!”姜毅惊讶地转头看向程放。
"Ah?!" Jiang Yi turned his head in surprise to look at Cheng Fang.
程放面色讪讪,刚刚梗在心头的激动和紧张,顿时消弭殆尽,有些怅然地舒了口气。
Cheng Fang's expression was sheepish. The excitement and nervousness that had been building up in his chest dissipated instantly, and he let out a sigh with a hint of disappointment.
姜毅想了想,试探道:“……不会是看到你了,然后走了吧?”
Jiang Yi thought for a moment and 试探道:“……莫非是看到你了,然后走了吧?”
程放愣了下,失笑道:“我和她分手快六年了,你觉得可能吗?”
Cheng Fang was taken aback and laughed in disbelief, "I broke up with her over six years ago. Do you really think that's possible?"
“指不定人家六年对你念念不忘,毫无准备地看到你出现,情绪肯定会波动。”
Who knows, she might have been thinking of you every day for six years, and then suddenly see you without any preparation, her emotions would definitely be all over the place.
程放好笑道:“我觉得你不应该当律师,应该去做编剧写小说。”说着摆摆手,“你以后可千万别瞎掺和了。”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "I think you shouldn't be a lawyer; you should be a screenwriter writing novels." He waved his hand, "You'd better not meddle in such matters in the future."
姜毅道:“我这也是想帮你!你说你要将人生拉回原来的轨道,她不就是你原来轨道里最重要的一环么?”
Jiang Yi said, "I'm just trying to help you! You said you want to get your life back on track. She isn't the most important part of your original path?"
程放默了片刻,轻笑了笑:“话虽这样说,但我也得接受人事已非的事实,要是她现在过得很好,有相爱的伴侣,我也不能真得去横刀夺爱啊!”
Cheng Fang fell silent for a moment, then gave a light laugh. "While that may be true, I also have to accept that things have changed. If she's doing well now, with a loving partner, I can't really go and steal her away!"
姜毅嗤了一声:“这种大义凛然的话青儿说还差不多!咱们大老爷们想做什么就去做,趁现在还年轻有机会,不然以后追悔莫及。”说着摆摆手,朝两人道“算了,仪式快开始,你们俩赶紧找个位子坐好。”
Jiang Yi snorted: "Such grandiose words would be more fitting for Qing'er to say! Men like us should do what we want while we're still young and have the chance. Otherwise, we'll regret it later." As he spoke, he waved his hand and said to the two people, "Forget it, the ceremony is about to start. You two should hurry and find a seat."
程放点头,拉了拉柏冬青的手臂:“走吧,老三!”感觉出身旁的人似乎很僵硬,转头奇怪地看他,只见他脸色苍白,整个人有些恍恍惚惚,“你怎么了?老三!”
Cheng Fang nodded and tugged on Bai Dongqing's arm: "Let's go, Old Three!" Feeling that the person beside him seemed stiff, he turned to look at him curiously, only to see that his face was pale, and he appeared somewhat dazed. "What's wrong with you, Old Three!"
柏冬青被唤回神,摇摇头:“没事!”
Bai Dongqing was recalled to the divine realm and shook his head: "Nothing's wrong!"
程放揽住他的肩膀,开玩笑道:“是不是看老大结婚了,也着急了?”
Cheng Fang embraced his shoulders and joked, "Is it because Big Brother is getting married that you're feeling anxious too?"
姜毅笑道:“别看咱们老三现在是青年才俊,身边连个母蚊子都没有,整天就知道工作,咱们所里的小姑娘送的秋波,他一个都接收不到。我都不知道他这样下去,还要打多久的光棍儿,可愁死了我了!”顿了顿,又继续道,“等我度完蜜月,决定弄一个拯救大龄青年柏律师后援群,必须得让他脱单了。”
Jiang Yi smiled and said, "Don't look at Third Brother now, who is a rising star in the field, surrounded by no female colleagues, always working day and night. The flirtatious glances from the young ladies in our office, he can't even receive any. I don't know how much longer he'll have to remain single, it's worrying me to no end!" Pausing for a moment, he continued, "After my honeymoon, I'm planning to start a support group for bachelors like Lawyer Bai, and I must help him find a partner."
程放大笑:“婚姻真是太可怕了!你一个大男人还才刚刚结婚,就要朝居委会热心大妈发展了,我以后得离你远点。”
Cheng Fang laughed loudly, "Marriage is truly terrifying! You, a grown man, are already starting to develop into a neighborhood auntie, I should keep my distance from you in the future."
姜毅道:“你我又不用担心,经验比我丰富多了。我是担心青儿,我跟你说,前段时间,所里有个长得特别好看的姑娘,在他面前各种暗示,他竟然完全领会不到人家的意思,害得姑娘伤心死了。”说着拍拍柏冬青的肩膀,“青儿,你跟我说老实话,你是真不懂人家的意思,还是假装不懂的?”
Jiang Yi said, "That's not a problem for us. You have much more experience than me. I'm worried about Qing'er. I'll tell you, recently, there was a very attractive girl in our office who kept giving him subtle hints, but he couldn't understand her at all, making her very sad." As he spoke, he patted Bai Dongqing's shoulder, "Qing'er, tell me honestly, do you really not understand her intentions, or are you pretending not to?"
柏冬青抬起垂下的眼眸,对上两人,轻笑了笑:“假装的。”
Ba Dongqing raised his drooping eyes and met theirs, giving a light smile. "It's pretend."
“啊?”姜毅有些意外地眨眨眼就。
"Ah?" Jiang Yi blinked in surprise.
程放也笑着看向他,等待他继续说下去。
Cheng Fang also looked at him with a smile, waiting for him to continue.
柏冬青努力让自己表现得自然,但他知道,此刻的自己脸上的笑容,一定是不自然的,他暗暗吸了口气:“因为我有女朋友。”
Ba Dongqing tried to make his expression seem natural, but he knew that the smile on his face at that moment must have been unnatural. He took a deep breath and said, "Because I have a girlfriend."
“什么?”这回是程放和姜毅异口同声。
"What?" This time, Cheng Fang and Jiang Yi spoke in unison.
姜毅道:“你跟我开玩笑的吧?你从来没说过啊?”
Jiang Yi said, "You're joking with me, right? You've never mentioned it before?"
程放笑着道:“对啊!我在网上问过你,你没说过啊!什么时候的事?”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "That's right! I asked you online, and you never said anything! When did this happen?"
柏冬青抿抿唇,淡声道:“已经很久了,等我合伙人的事情敲定,就准备结婚。”
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and said calmly, "It's been for a long time. Once my partner's matter is settled, I plan to get married."
两个男人显然对这个消息惊愕地有些不可置信,姜毅轻轻捶了他一拳:“你是不是不把我当兄弟,我这都回来跟你同事一年快半了,你竟然一点风声都没透漏。到底怎么回事?一个大男人谈个恋爱不用难为情到连好兄弟都不好意思说罢?还是说故意藏着掖着怕我们把人给你吓跑了?”
The two men seemed somewhat incredulous at the news. Jiang Yi gently punched him: "Don't you consider me a brother? I've been back working with you for almost half a year, and you didn't even leak any hints. What's going on? Is it so embarrassing for a grown man to talk about a relationship that he doesn't even want to tell his good brother? Or are you deliberately hiding it out of fear that we might scare off the person you like?"
柏冬青弯了弯唇角,像是开玩笑道:“是啊!故意藏着掖着。”
Bai Dongqing curled his lips, as if joking: "Yes! You're deliberately hiding it."
作者有话要说:
Author's note:
青儿:你是不是看到程放之后走的?
Qing'er: Did you leave after seeing Cheng Fang?
嘘嘘:程放是谁?
Pee pee: Who is Cheng Fang?
第36章
Chapter 36
程放笑着揉了他一把:“你小子心思还挺深的啊!”
Cheng Fang smiled and patted him: "You little guy, you have quite a deep mind!"
柏冬青低头沉吟片刻,抬起头道:“这样吧, 等下下个月你正式调回来, 那时老四也从国外访学回来了, 我请大家一起吃个饭, 咱们宿舍四个正式聚一聚,我也有点事给大家宣布。”
Bai Dongqing lowered his head in thought for a moment, then looked up and said: "Well, how about this? Next month when you officially return, Fourth Brother will also be back from his overseas study. I'll invite everyone to have a meal together, and we can formally gather as a dormitory. I also have something to announce to all of you."
姜毅笑:“什么事非得搞这么正式?带你那神秘的女朋友跟我们见面么?”
Jiang Yi smiled: "Why do you have to make it so formal? Bringing your mysterious girlfriend to meet us?"
柏冬青扯了扯唇角, 勉强笑了声, 点头:“这么久没带她跟你们见面, 是我的问题。今儿是老大的大喜日子,我的事就暂时不说了。等大家都聚齐的时候再说吧,你们想骂我也好打我也好, 我都会心甘情愿受着。”
Bai Dongqing tugged at the corner of her lips,勉强 smiled, and nodded: "It's my fault for not bringing her to meet you for so long. Today is the big day for the boss, so I'll save my own matters for later. We'll talk about it when everyone is gathered. You can hit me or curse me, and I'll accept it willingly."
程放歪头看他,有些好笑道:“不就是交了女朋友么?这是好事,怎么要打你骂你了?”
Cheng Fang tilted his head at him, smiling slightly: "Just because you've got a girlfriend? That's good news, why do you need to be hit or cursed over it?"
姜毅啧了一声, 戏谑道:“青儿谈个恋爱真是比地下工作还保密, 别是什么禁断之恋吧?行!反正等老四回来,咱们哥几个好好聚一聚, 还怕不知道咱们三弟妹长什么样子?”
Jiang Yi clicked his tongue, teasingly: "Qing'er talking about a relationship is even more secretive than underground work. Is it some forbidden love? Fine! Anyway, when Fourth Brother comes back, we'll have a good get-together, and we won't be afraid of not knowing what Third Sister-in-law looks like?"
柏冬青嘴唇轻抿, 没有再说话。
Bai Dongqing's lips pursed, and she said no more.
罪犯有法律制裁, 而他这个感情的偷窃者, 必然也不可能逃掉该有的惩罚, 安稳美好的生活已经过了这么久,该来的总还是会来的。
Criminals face legal sanctions, and he, this thief of emotions, would inevitably and certainly not escape the due punishment. The peaceful and beautiful life had lasted for so long, and what was coming would eventually come.
姜毅的婚礼闹到了晚上八九点才结束,柏冬青和程放告别后, 身心俱疲地回到家,已经过了十点。
Jiang Yi's wedding didn't end until around eight or nine in the evening. After bidding farewell to Bai Dongqing and Cheng Fang, she returned home, exhausted both physically and mentally, after midnight.
客厅的灯关着,卧室半掩的门里透着暖色的光芒,他轻轻推开门,看到许煦半靠在床头,安安静静地在台灯下看书。
The living room lights were off, and the half-closed bedroom door let in a warm glow. He gently pushed open the door and saw Xu Xu leaning against the headboard, reading quietly under the desk lamp.
“我回来了!”
I'm back!
许煦没有抬头,只淡淡嗯了一声。
Xu Xu did not look up, only giving a faint nod.
柏冬青站在门口,默默看着在她在淡白色的灯光下干净沉静的脸,嘴唇嚅嗫了片刻,低声道:“我去洗澡了!”
Bai Dongqing stood at the door, silently watching her face, clean and serene under the pale light, as her lips moved for a moment before she whispered, "I'm going to take a shower!"
待他转身去洗手间,许煦才慢慢抬起头,怔怔看了看空荡荡的门口,将手中的书放在床头柜,闭眼躺下。
After he turned to go to the bathroom, Xu Xu slowly raised her head, dazedly looking at the empty doorway, placing the book in her hand on the bedside table, and closing her eyes to lie down.
柏冬青洗漱很快,回来见她已经闭着眼睛躺好,轻手轻脚的上床,钻进了被子中,轻轻碰了碰她的手,发觉有些冰凉,便攥在手中捂着,将自己手中的温热传递给她。
Bai Dongqing washed up quickly and returned to find her already lying down with her eyes closed. He moved quietly onto the bed, snuggled under the covers, and gently touched her hand, noticing it was a bit cold. He held it in his own, transferring his warmth to her.
床上一时静默,几分钟后,许煦才冷不丁开口:“你今天忙什么去了?周六也有这么多工作吗?”
For a moment, the bed was silent. A few minutes later, Xu Xu suddenly spoke, "What were you busy with today? Do you have so much work on a Saturday?"
柏冬青迟疑了片刻,回道:“今天不是在工作,是去参加姜毅婚礼了。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment before replying, "Today wasn't work; I went to Qiang Yi's wedding."
许煦内心自嘲地笑了笑:“为什么没告诉我?”
Xu Xu laughed at himself inwardly, "Why didn't you tell me?"
柏冬青道:“本来是想带你一起去的,但是一直还没来得及告诉姜毅咱们的事,怕咱们忽然结伴去,他太惊讶影响结婚的情绪,所以就没跟你说了。”
Ba Dongqing said, "I originally wanted to take you along, but I never had the chance to tell Jiang Yi about our situation. I was afraid that if we suddenly went together, he would be too surprised and it would affect his mood for the wedding, so I didn't tell you."
“是吗?”他说得如此轻描淡写,就好像这真是不是什么重要的事一般,以至于许煦连质问的力气都没有了。
"Is that so?" He said it so casually, as if it were nothing important, that Xu Xu didn't even have the strength to question him.
柏冬青将她抱在怀中,亲了亲她的耳根,低声道:“我升合伙人的事大概下个月底就能确定下来,我已经约了姜毅他们到时候一起吃饭,说把我女朋友正式介绍给他们。”
Ba Dongqing held her in his arms and kissed her behind the ear, whispering, "I should be able to confirm my partnership status by the end of next month. I've already arranged for Jiang Yi and the others to have dinner with us then, to officially introduce my girlfriend to them."
“再说吧!”许煦将他的手拨开,伸手关了微弱的台灯,翻身对背着他,“睡觉吧!”
Let's talk about it later!" Xu Xu pushed his hand away, turned off the dim bedside lamp with her hand, and turned to face away from him, "Go to sleep!
没有了灯光,拉着窗帘的卧室,顿时陷入沉沉的黑暗中。柏冬青在这黑暗中凝视着她的侧颜良久,微不可寻地叹了口气,缓缓闭上眼睛。
In the absence of light, the bedroom, with the curtains drawn, plunged into deep darkness. Bai Dongqing gazed at her profile for a long moment in the darkness, barely audible sigh escaping him, and slowly closing his eyes.
*
不愿意接受的真相,就像是被覆盖在一层薄薄的纸张之下,轻轻一捅便破。但许煦始终差了点去捅破的勇气。
The truth they didn't want to accept was like a thin layer of paper, easily pierced. But Xu Xu lacked the courage to pierce it.
她一直以为自己和柏冬青的这段感情,会一直安稳熨帖地持续下去,没想到有一天也得面临患得患失的命运。
She had always believed that her relationship with Bai Dongqing would continue to be stable and comfortable, never imagining that it too would face the fate of uncertainty and anxiety.
是因为太贪心吗?大概是的。
Was it because of too much greed? Probably.
就这么又过了两个多星期,这晚,两个人正要睡觉,柏冬青忽然接到一个电话。
So another two weeks passed, and that night, as the two were about to sleep, Bai Dongqing suddenly received a phone call.
“嗯,我马上来!你别担心!”
Uh-huh, I'll be right there! Don't worry!
他挂上电话匆匆下床,边换衣服边对躺在床上的许煦道:“我之前一个当事人的女儿生病进了医院,找我帮忙,我去看看情况,你先睡,不用等我了。”
He hung up the phone and hurriedly got out of bed, changing his clothes while telling Xu Xu, who was lying in bed, "A client's daughter fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. She asked me to help, so I'm going to check on her. You go to sleep first, there's no need to wait for me."
许煦微微抬头,看着他心急火燎的出门,怔了半晌,悻悻地躺回枕头。
Xu Xu lifted her head slightly, watching him rush out in a hurry, and was stunned for a moment before reluctantly lying back down on her pillow.
这一夜,她睡得不是太好,做了一晚乱七八糟的梦。隔日睁眼,摸了摸旁边的位置,冷冰冰的没有人躺过的痕迹。
That night, she did not sleep well, and had a series of bizarre dreams. The next morning, she reached out to feel the empty spot beside her, finding no warmth from anyone who had lain there.
她揉揉额头坐起身,趿着拖鞋走出房门,听到厨房有动静,走过去,看到柏冬青正端着做好的早餐出来,放在桌上,见她起床,笑着道:“早餐已经做好了,你洗漱了慢慢吃,我得去医院给病人送个饭,晚上可能会迟点回来。”
She rubbed her forehead and sat up, wearing slippers, and walked out of the room. Hearing some noise from the kitchen, she went over and saw Bai Dongqing carrying a tray of breakfast out, placing it on the table. Seeing her awake, he smiled and said, "The breakfast is ready. You can wash up and eat at your own pace. I need to go to the hospital to deliver a meal to a patient, and I might be back late tonight."
许煦看着他找出保温盒,将熬好的粥倒进里面,黏软的山药粥一看就是熬了多时。
Xu Xu watched as he picked out a thermos container and poured the thick, soft porridge into it. The porridge, clearly cooked for a long time, was evident from its consistency.
“你什么时候回来的?”她问。
"When did you come back?" she asked.
柏冬青道:“早上四点多,怕吵醒你就没睡了。病人昨天下午刚动完手术,今天可以吃流质食物,正好给她熬点粥带去。”
Bai Dongqing said, "Around four in the morning, I didn't sleep because I was afraid of waking you up. The patient had just undergone surgery yesterday afternoon, and today she can eat liquid food. I decided to make some porridge for her."
许煦眉头微微蹙起,问:“是关系很好的朋友么,要你照顾?”
Xu Xu's brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "Is she a close friend of yours, someone you're taking care of?"
柏冬青道:“就是一个当事人的女儿,小姑娘挺可怜的,单亲家庭,从小和爸爸相依为命长大。她爸爸是个包工头,去年跟开发商那边讨薪的时候,失手伤了人,是我给辩护的,尽了全力也被判了两年。小姑娘才高二,昨天突发阑尾炎,被同学送来医院做了手术,钱不够缴费,晚上同学们回家了,她没人照顾,就给我打了电话。”
Bai Dongqing said, "She's just the daughter of the patient. The little girl is quite 可怜, growing up in a single-parent family with her father. Her father is a contractor. Last year, when he was trying to get paid from the developers, he accidentally injured someone. I defended him and did my best, but he was sentenced to two years. The little girl is only in high school, and yesterday she suddenly developed appendicitis. She was brought to the hospital by her classmates after surgery, but she couldn't afford the fees. When her classmates went home in the evening, she had no one to take care of her, so she called me."
许煦:“她家没别的亲戚朋友?”
Xu Xu: "Her family doesn't have any other relatives or friends?"
柏冬青摇摇头:“我也不知道。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head: "I don't know either."
许煦无奈地笑了笑:“是不是谁让你帮忙你都不会拒绝啊?”
Xu Xu smiled helplessly: "So you won't refuse to help anyone?"
柏冬青道:“昨天我去到医院的时候,就她一个人,孤零零躺在床上也不能动,挺可怜的,晚上要打吊瓶,我就帮忙看着。能帮就帮一下吧!”
Bai Dongqing said: "When I went to the hospital yesterday, she was the only one, lying alone and immobile on the bed, quite pitiful. She needed an IV in the evening, so I helped watch over her. It's better to lend a hand when you can!"
许煦默了片刻,看了眼他明显睡眠不足的脸色,道:“你自己别忘了好好休息。”
Xu Xu fell silent for a moment, looking at his obviously sleep-deprived face, and said: "Don't forget to take care of yourself too."
柏冬青轻笑点头:“我知道,待会去办公室,趁着不忙的时候可以补个眠。”
Ba Dongqing lightly smiled and nodded: "I know. I'll go to the office later and catch some sleep when it's not busy."
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*
接下来几天,柏冬青为了照顾那个许煦未见过的小姑娘,每天都是快十二点才回家。
For the next few days, in order to take care of that little girl whom Xu Xuwei had never met, Ba Dongqing didn't return home until nearly twelve o'clock every day.
一直到第六天,她下了班实在没忍住,开车去了医院。还没在医院前台询问,便见到不远处的缴费窗口前,提着大包小包的柏冬青,他身旁站着微微佝偻着身体的女孩。
It wasn't until the sixth day that, after work, she couldn't hold back and drove to the hospital. Before she could even ask at the front desk, she saw Ba Dongqing, carrying bags of various sizes, standing by a payment window. Beside him was a slightly hunched girl.
许煦皱了皱眉,默默走过去。
Xu Xu frowned and walked over silently.
医院人来人往,两人没有发现她。缴完费,柏冬青将收据递给等待的女孩:“好了没事了,你回家好好休息两天,应该就能继续上学了。”
People came and went in the hospital, and neither of them noticed her. After paying, Bai Dongqing handed the receipt to the waiting girl: "That's all. Go home and rest for two days. You should be able to go back to school."
女孩脸上还有刚刚病愈的苍白,小声道:“冬青哥哥,真的太谢谢你了!手术费等我爸爸出来,我让他还给你。”
The girl's face was still pale from her recent illness, and she whispered, "Brother Dongqing, thank you so much! I'll pay you back the surgery fee as soon as my dad gets out."
柏冬青笑了笑:“没关系的,扣掉医保,总共也就花了一千多块钱,不用记在心上。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and said, "It's nothing. After deducting the medical insurance, it only cost a little over a thousand yuan, so there's no need to worry about it."
女孩道:“这次要是你不管我,我都不知道怎么办?”
The girl said, "If you don't take care of me this time, I wouldn't know what to do?"
“怎么会?你还有老师同学啊!而且这几天你舅舅他们不是也来看你了吗?”
How could that be? You still have teachers and classmates! Besides, didn't your uncles come to see you these past few days?
第29节
Chapter 29
“老师同学哪里会管这么多?我舅舅他们就看了一眼,两个舅舅总共给了三百块钱。”
Teachers and classmates wouldn't care about such things. My uncles only took a look, and the two uncles gave a total of three hundred dollars.
柏冬青有些无奈地扯了扯嘴角,安慰道:“反正没事了就好。”
Ba Dongqing 无奈地扯了扯嘴角,安慰道:“反正没事了就好。”
女孩低头失落了一会儿,忽然又抬起头道:“冬青哥哥,我想吃黑森林蛋糕。”
The girl lowered her head in disappointment for a moment, then suddenly looked up and said, "Brother Dongqing, I want to eat black forest cake."
柏冬青想了想:“行,待会送你回家路过蛋糕店的话,我下车给你买。不过你伤口还没完全恢复,这种东西只能吃一点,知道吗?”
Ba Dongqing thought for a moment and said, "Okay, if we pass by a cake shop when I drop you off, I'll get one for you. But your wound hasn't fully healed yet, so you can only have a little, okay?"
女孩开心地咧嘴笑开,用力点头。
The girl grinned widely and nodded vigorously.
许煦看着两人慢慢走出去大厅,没有上前叫住他,只是有些无力地捧了捧脸。
Xu Xu watched the two slowly walk out of the hall, not going to stop them, just holding his face with a feeble gesture.
虽然不想承认,但也不得不承认,原来他对自己的好,真的只是习惯使然,换做任何一个人,大概都不会有区别。
Although he didn't want to admit it, he had to admit that his kindness towards him was really just a matter of habit. If it were any other person, it would likely be no different.
他对她的接受,不过是从不会拒绝。
His acceptance of her was merely that he never refused her.
她最爱他的一点,便是他对这个世界的善意,但是当她发觉,自己与这个世界融为一体,对他来说,也许毫无差别,也毫不特别,他对她的好,只不过是他对这个世界善意的方式,她再没办法高兴起来。
What she loved most about him was his kindness towards the world. But when she realized that she was one with the world and to him, it might be no different or special, his kindness towards her was merely his way of being kind to the world, and she could no longer be happy.
那颗悬了许久的心,一点一点跌落了下去。
That heart, which had hung for so long, gradually fell.
人,真的太贪心了,对你好还远远不足够,还必须要这种好是独一无二的。
People are truly greedy; being nice to you is far from enough; it must be unique and irreplaceable.
许煦也不知道自己是怎么回到家的,到了家也是呆呆地坐在沙发上,她太难受了,可是这种难受却不知如何发泄出来。因为她知道,柏冬青没有任何错误,他其实也是一个受害者,一个被自己强行卷入这段感情的受害者。
Xu Xu didn't know how she made it back home. Upon arriving, she sat 呆呆地 on the sofa, feeling too distressed but unable to express it. Because she knew that Bai Dongqing had made no mistakes; he was actually a victim, someone who had been forcibly drawn into this relationship by herself.
错误的大概从来都只是她。
The mistake was probably always hers.
这晚柏冬青回来的还算早,不过八点多就到家了,看到许煦坐在沙发,唤了她一声,大概是终于忙完一件事情,语气有些轻松:“小玲出院了,明天终于不用再去医院了。”
This evening, Bai Dongqing returned relatively early, arriving home around eight o'clock. Seeing Xu Xu sitting on the sofa, she called out to her. It seemed she had finally finished something, her tone somewhat relaxed: "Xiaoling has been discharged from the hospital. We won't have to go there anymore tomorrow."
许煦转头看他,脸上透着些略带古怪的神色,明明面无表情,却又好像是在努力压抑着什么,她一字一句问:“你也觉得挺麻烦的吧?”
Xu Xu turned to look at him, her face showing a slightly odd expression. Although her face was expressionless, it seemed she was trying to suppress something. She asked him word by word: "Don't you think it's quite troublesome?"
柏冬青点头:“是挺麻烦的,这段时间正在准备晋升合伙人的材料,每天晚上去医院,耽误了不少事。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "It is quite troublesome. Recently, I've been preparing materials for becoming a partner, and going to the hospital every night has caused a lot of delays."
“那为什么不拒绝?”
Why didn't you refuse?
柏冬青愣了下,走进客厅看到她的脸,才发觉有些不对劲,低声道:“小姑娘挺可怜的,开口找我帮忙,我怎么忍心拒绝?”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback for a moment before entering the living room and seeing her face, realizing something was amiss. She whispered, "The little girl is quite pitiful. She asked me for help, how could I refuse?"
许煦道:“是不是只要开口,你都不会拒绝?”
Xu Xu asked, "Do you never refuse when someone asks for your help?"
柏冬青抿抿唇,走到她跟前,想要握住她的手:“你怎么了?”
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and walked up to her, wanting to take her hand. "What's wrong with you?"
许煦抬头对上他那双带着关切的黑眸,默了片刻,冷不丁开口道:“冬青,我们结婚吧?”
Xu Xu looked up at her, meeting her concerned black eyes. After a moment of silence, she suddenly said, "Dongqing, let's get married?"
柏冬青愣了下,眼底露出一丝笑意,点头:“好。”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback, a hint of smile appearing in her eyes, and she nodded: "Okay."
许煦面无表情地看着她,默了片刻,又道:“还是不要了,咱们还年轻,晚几年再说吧!”
Xu Xu looked at her expressionlessly, paused for a moment, and then said, "Better not. We're still young, let's talk about it in a few more years!"
柏冬青脸上的笑意僵住,眼中的黯然一闪而过,犹疑了下,还是点了点头:“也行。”
Bai Dongqing's smile froze, a flicker of dejection passing through her eyes. She hesitated for a moment before nodding again: "That's fine."
许煦蹭地站起身,像是有什么东西终于被点燃了,对着他几乎是歇斯底里般大叫出声:“你是不是从来不会拒绝别人?!是不是别人要求你做什么,你都会说好?!你就不能依照你自己的意愿吗?!”
Xu Xu suddenly stood up, as if something had finally ignited within him, and he almost screamed at him: "Have you never refused anyone before? Do you always say yes to whatever others ask of you? Can't you act according to your own wishes?"
她脸色涨得通红,连带着眼角都有些发红,积聚了这么久的情绪,仿佛在这一刻一下子爆发了出来。
Her face turned a deep red, even the corners of her eyes were slightly flushed. All the emotions that had been building up for so long seemed to burst out at this moment.
柏冬青从来没有见过她这副模样,两个人在一起从未闹过哪怕一次矛盾,互相也没有说过半句重话。她在自己面前,总是温和体贴的。乍然看到她发怒,他完全不知所措,脸色发白地站起来,握住她的手,小心翼翼问道:“是不是因为这几天晚上我去医院照顾小玲很晚回来,你不高兴了?他一个人在医院害怕,我就去陪他,给他辅导一下拉下的功课。她就是个十几岁的小姑娘,你别多想。”
Bai Dongqing had never seen her like this. They had never had a single argument or even a single harsh word between them. She was always gentle and considerate in front of him. Seeing her suddenly angry, he was completely at a loss. His face turned pale as he stood up and held her hand, asking cautiously, "Are you upset because I came back very late from the hospital to take care of Xiaoling these few nights? He was scared at the hospital, so I went to comfort him and help him catch up on his missed lessons. She's just a teenager, so don't worry about it."
“她只是个小姑娘,可是别人呢?不是只有这个小姑娘不是吗?还有很多你没拒绝过的人对不对?他们呢?”
She's just a teenager, but what about the others? Isn't there anyone else besides this teenager? Haven't you rejected anyone? What about them?
柏冬青道:“我有分寸的!”
Bai Dongqing said, "I have my limits!"
许煦没有荒谬到去吃一个十五六岁小女孩的醋,只是今天医院的那一幕,忽然让她如梦大醒,心中的憋了多时的疑窦和郁气,终于找到了去处。她觉得自己这一刻恐怕有点像个失心疯,好像浑身都在忍不住颤抖,只想狠狠地将那些积郁的情绪,狠狠发泄出来。
Xu Xu did not find it absurd to be jealous of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl; it was just that the scene at the hospital today suddenly made her realize something. The doubts and pent-up emotions that had been building up in her for a long time finally found an outlet. She felt like she might be a little unhinged at this moment, her whole body trembling uncontrollably, wanting to vent all the accumulated emotions fiercely.
她口不择言地叫道:“你要是有分寸,当初就不会不拒绝我的靠近!”
She blurted out, "If you had any sense, you wouldn't have rejected my advances in the first place!"
柏冬青睁大眼睛,怔忡地看着她,嘴唇翕张了片刻,却没能发出任何声音。
Bai Dongqing's eyes widened as he stared at her, his lips moving for a moment but no sound coming out.
是啊!如果真得有分寸,他当初确实是应该推开她的。当自己的好友从云端跌到泥泞被迫离开自己喜欢的女孩,在国外过得水深火热时每次在视频里,诉说着对她的想念,他全都看在眼中,可是却将那个女孩悄悄据为己有。
Yes! If he had any sense, he indeed should have pushed her away. When his good friend fell from grace, was forced to leave the girl he loved, and lived a hard life abroad, expressing his longing for her every time they video-called, he had seen it all. But he had quietly claimed her for himself.
许煦没有发觉他神色的古怪,继续发泄着这么久无处安放的情绪,红着眼睛吼道:“你是不是永远都不会对人说不?我现在说分手,你是不是也会点头说好!”
Xu Xu did not notice the odd expression on his face and continued to vent his emotions that had nowhere to go, his eyes red as he roared, "Are you never going to say no to anyone? Are you going to nod and say okay when I break up with you?"
“分手”两个字将柏冬青从怔忡中拉回神,脸色像是被惊吓过度般,蓦地变得灰白,他紧紧攥住她的手,猛得摇头:“不是这样的!”
The word "break up" pulled Bai Dongqing back to her senses from a daze, her face turning pale as if she had been frightened. She tightly gripped her hand and shook her head violently, "That's not how it is!"
许煦吼完这一通,整个人像是泄了气的皮球,顿时委顿下来,重重坐回神沙发,有气无力道:“冬青,对你来说,我和你善意以待的那些人是不是也没有什么区别?”
After his outburst, Xu Xu seemed deflated like a deflated balloon, slumping back into the sofa heavily and speaking with a lack of energy, "Dongqing, to you, are the people I treat kindly not any different from me?"
柏冬青随着她的动作,半跪在她跟前,将握在自己掌中的双手,凑到嘴边吻了吻,抬头用有些发红的眼睛看向她:“你怎么可能和别人一样?你对我来说,从来都是独一无二的。”他顿了顿,声音有些哽咽,“对不起我错了,我不知道你对这件事这么介意,以后不会了,你不喜欢的事,我都不会再做。你别再说那两个字。”
Bai Dongqing followed her movements, kneeling in front of her, and kissed the hands she held in her own, lifting her head to look at her with slightly red eyes, "How could you be the same as anyone else? You are always unique to me." She paused, her voice choked, "I'm sorry, I was wrong. I didn't know you felt so strongly about this. I won't do it again. Don't say those two words."
许煦看着他诚惶诚恐得几近卑微的样子,心中不由得有些难受。
Xu Xu watched him with a demeanor so apprehensive and nearly humble that it tugged at her heartstrings.
他应该从来没有和人吵过架,所以面对自己莫名其妙的愤怒,第一时间想到的是自己犯了什么错。
He had probably never argued with anyone before, so when faced with his inexplicable anger, his first thought was that he must have done something wrong.
其实他能有什么错呢?
Really, what could he have done wrong?
他不过是一直在用自己的善意对待着这个世界,错的是她,不应该这么贪心。
He had merely been treating the world with his kindness, and it was her who was in the wrong, not to be so greedy.
她抽出被他握着一只手,摸了摸他的脸,低声道:“对不起,刚刚是我在无理取闹,最近心情有点不好,跟你没关系。”说完,站起身绕过她,边往浴室走边道,“我有点困了,今天早点睡。”
She pulled away her hand from the one he was holding, touched his face, and whispered, "I'm sorry, I was being unreasonable just now. I've been feeling a bit down lately, and it has nothing to do with you." After saying this, she stood up, walked around him, and headed towards the bathroom while saying, "I'm a bit tired. Let's go to bed early today."
犹半跪在沙发前的柏冬青,看着她的背影,黯然地垂下了眼睛。
Bai Dongqing, half-kneeling in front of the sofa, looked at her back as she turned away, and lowered his eyes in dejection.
许煦洗漱后上床没多久,柏冬青也跟着摸了上来,从她身后将她抱在怀里,边轻轻吻着她的脸颊和嘴角,边低声道:“你别生气了!”
Xu Xu washed up and got into bed not long after, and soon after, Bai Dongqing followed, hugging her from behind and gently kissing her cheeks and lips while whispering, "Don't be angry!"
许煦无奈地扯了扯唇角:“我没生气。”
Xu Xu helplessly tugged at the corner of her lips: "I'm not angry."
柏冬青抿抿唇,又道:“以后别再说那两个字了。”
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and said, "Don't say those two words anymore in the future."
“什么?”许煦不明所以。
"WHAT?" Xu Xu was confused.
柏冬青迟疑了片刻,低声道:“别说分手,如果我做错了,你骂我打我都可以,但是别说这两个字。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Don't say 'break up.' If I do something wrong, you can scold me or hit me, but don't say those two words."
许煦默了会儿,在黑暗中点头:“嗯。”
Xu Xu fell silent for a moment and nodded in the darkness, "Mm."
身后的男人,似乎是重重松了口气,将她紧紧抱在怀中,含住她的唇吸吮了会儿,翻身褪了她的睡衣将她剥光,一点点往下,用唇舌抚慰讨好着她的身体。
The man behind her seemed to exhale heavily, hugging her tightly and sucking on her lips for a moment. He turned over, removed her nightgown, and stripped her bare, slowly moving down, caressing and pleasing her body with his lips and tongue.
在一起这么久,彼此对对方的身体,早已经再熟悉不过,他知道她身体的每一处敏感的地方,所以许煦躲不过这样的沉沦。
After being together for so long, they were already intimately familiar with each other's bodies. He knew every sensitive spot on her, so Xu Xu couldn't escape this kind of surrender.
只是身体被抚慰被充斥被填满,心里却始终空了小小的一块。明明这个人就是属于自己的,用尽全身心在讨好着她,可是为什么她还是不满足?
But even as her body was being caressed, filled, and filled with him, a small part of her heart remained empty. Clearly, this person belonged to her, and was using all of himself to please her, but why was she still not satisfied?
她长到这么大,在爱情中仍旧没能从容。
She had grown to this age and still couldn't handle love gracefully.
贪心,还矫情!
Greedy and overly sensitive!
第37章
Chapter 37
隔日上班,杂志社有个出差的工作, 本来分在赵昊头上, 但他临出发前忽然家里有急事, 许煦正好想冷静几天认真想想自己和柏冬青该何去何从, 便接替了赵昊这份出差的活儿,订了当天傍晚的机票。
The next day at work, the magazine had an out-of-town assignment that was originally supposed to be handled by Zhao Hao. However, just before he was set to depart, he suddenly had an urgent matter at home. Xu Xu was 正好想要冷静几天,认真思考自己和柏冬青的未来该何去何从,便接替了赵昊的出差任务,订了当天傍晚的机票。
她下班前给柏冬青发了条信息, 两人几乎是前后脚到的家。
She sent a message to Bai Dongqing before leaving work, and they arrived home almost at the same time.
“去多久?”大概是回来得有些急, 站在卧室门口看着她收拾行李的柏冬青, 开口时气息微微有些喘。
"How long will you be gone?" Bai Dongqing, who was standing at the bedroom door watching her pack her luggage, asked with a slightly panting breath, likely due to the urgency of her return.
许煦抬头看他一眼:“这次是一个深度调查,会比较久一点,大概两个星期吧!”
Xu Xu looked up at him: "This time it's a deep investigation, so it will take a bit longer, probably about two weeks!"
“哦!”柏冬青点点头, 默了片刻,“你别忘了带点常备药,要是水土不服, 有哪里不舒服, 及时对症下药吃点。衣服带两件厚的,这阵子很多地方还会变天。”
Oh!" Bai Dongqing nodded, fell silent for a moment, then said, "Don't forget to bring some common medications. If you have any discomfort due to the local climate, take them as soon as you feel unwell. Bring two thick pieces of clothing; it's still changing weather in many places.
许煦笑了笑:“我知道的。”
Xu Xu smiled: "I know."
柏冬青嚅嗫了下唇, 默默看着她没有再说话。
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips, silently watching her without saying anything more.
去机场, 自然是他送的, 一直到送到了安检处,
He naturally drove her to the airport, and stayed until they reached the security checkpoint,
许煦排了队, 见他还没走的打算,不由得有些失笑:“行了,你赶紧回去休息吧, 我又不是第一次出差,搞得跟十八相送似的。”
Xu Xu queued up and noticed he had no intention of leaving, so she couldn't help but laugh: "That's enough, go back and rest. I'm not on my first business trip, you don't have to treat me like a bride being sent off."
柏冬青道:“你到那边估计得九点多,下了飞机直接去酒店,这么晚了就别出去逛了,到时候给我打电话。”
Bai Dongqing said, "You should be there around nine, so after you get off the plane, head straight to the hotel. It's so late, don't go out to wander. Call me when you get there."
“知道知道!”许煦推推他,“你赶紧走吧,站在这里我有压力。”
Know it, know it!" Xu Xu pushed him, "You better hurry up and leave, I feel pressured standing here.
“行,那我回去了!”
Alright, then I'll be going!
许煦点头,目送他转身迈步。
Xu Xu nodded and watched him turn and walk away.
他走了几米,又转过头看向他,欲言又止,最终只是沉默地对她挥了挥手。
He walked a few meters, then turned his head back to look at him, hesitated, and in the end, just silently waved at her.
许煦也抬手朝他挥了挥,然后看着他的身影消失在川流不息的机场大厅,微微叹了口气。
Xu Xu also raised his hand and waved at him, then watched his figure disappear in the bustling airport hall, sighing slightly.
虽然工作经常出差,但往常都不过两三天,这一回半个月,对许煦来说也是头一遭。习惯了那个也许还称不上家,但足以带给他安心舒适的房子,在外头这些日子的颠沛流离,确实不是什么美好的体验,尤其是到了晚上,孤身一人躺在冷冰冰的宾馆床上,夜晚都仿佛变得漫长了许多。
Although he often had to travel for work, it was usually just for two or three days at a time. This time, staying for half a month was a new experience for Xu Xu. Having grown accustomed to a place that, though not quite a home, provided him with a sense of security and comfort, the days of traveling and staying in different hotels were indeed not pleasant, especially at night. Lying alone in a cold hotel bed, the nights seemed to stretch out much longer.
她不得不成承认,几年的相处,柏冬青已经成为自己生命中不可或缺的一部分。然而,只要想到自己却可能是他生命的可替代,就算他对自己再好,也意难平。
She had to admit that after several years of living together, Bai Dongqing had become an indispensable part of her life. However, the thought that she might be replaceable in his life, even if he was kind to her, made her feel bitter.
两个星期的夜晚,除了在宾馆整理采访资料写稿,许煦就是在思考这件事。
For the two weeks of the night, apart from sorting through interview materials and writing articles in the hotel, Xu Xu spent his time thinking about this.
可是爱情从来是一个没有标准答案的玄学问题,所以她根本思考不出任何,唯一能想到的便是,两个人必须留出一点距离,从这段太理所当然的关系中稍稍跳出来,让他能看得更清楚,真正明白自己想要的是什么,也让自己想清楚到底愿不愿意将就。
But love has always been a question without a standard answer, a kind of mysticism. So she couldn't think of anything. The only thing she could think of was that the two of them needed to maintain a certain distance, stepping slightly out of this too obvious relationship, so he could see more clearly and truly understand what he wanted. This would also help her think more clearly about whether she was willing to compromise.
虽然听起来有些荒唐,但这是她唯一能自我安慰的方法。
Though it sounded absurd, this was the only way she could console herself.
*
当她出差回来的隔日早上,将这个梗了许久的问题,终于当面问出来后,虽然知道柏冬青给不了她答案——因为此时的他自己也不可能有答案,但她心里头还是有种如释重负的轻松。
The next morning after she returned from her business trip, she finally asked this long-lingering question face-to-face. Even though she knew Bai Dongqing couldn't give her an answer—because he himself didn't have one at the moment—she still felt a sense of relief in her heart.
屋子里只剩下她一个人,回了程放的信息后,手机变得安静。
The house was empty, and after replying to Cheng Fang's message, her phone became quiet.
她第一次收到这个号码发来的信息,是前几天出差的时候,当时忙得不可开交,脑子里又都是和柏冬青的事,敷衍地给他回了说自己在出差很忙,有事回头再联系。
She first received a message from this number a few days ago when she was on a business trip. At the time, she was extremely busy, and her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Bai Dongqing. She replied to him vaguely, saying she was on a business trip and very busy, and that she would get back to him later.
她其实也就是客气一下,压根儿没打算主动去联系对方。
She was merely being polite and never really intended to contact him proactively.
程放,真的是好久远的名字,以至于她要努力回忆,才能想起他的样子。她自己都觉得有些不可思议,书上都说初恋刻骨铭心,可不过六年,她的初恋已经模糊不清。
Cheng Fang is really a name from long ago; she had to strain to recall what he looked like. She found it hard to believe that her first love, which everyone said was unforgettable, had become hazy after just six years.
大概是因为柏冬青已经将她所有的感情占据,以至于她都分不出一丁点心思缅怀往事和故人。
Perhaps it was because Bai Dongqing had taken up all her emotions, leaving her no room to reminisce about the past or her old friends.
她瞅了眼手机屏幕,对方约莫是看出了她这是婉转又冷淡的拒绝,识趣地没有再发过来。
She glanced at her phone screen; the other party had likely noticed her subtle and cold rejection, and thus refrained from sending anything further.
她起身揉了揉脸,准备出门去赴和冯佳今天的聚会。
She got up and rubbed her face, preparing to head out for her meeting with Feng Jia today.
虽然在同一座城市,但各自有各自的生活和工作,这几年许煦和冯佳聚会的次数,越来越少,上一次见她已经是年前。不过不见面并没有影响青春时代积累下的情谊,每次见面并没有生疏和隔阂,彼此仍旧是对方最重要的朋友。
Although they lived in the same city, each had their own life and work to attend to. In recent years, Xu Xu and Feng Jia had met less and less; the last time they saw each other was before the New Year. However, despite not seeing each other, their friendship from their youth had not been affected. Each meeting was still as comfortable and close as before, and they remained each other's most important friends.
许煦不想自己那点小情绪影响和朋友的会面,到了约定的餐厅见到已经先抵达的冯佳,笑嘻嘻拍了她一下:“亲爱的!想死你了!”
Xu Xu did not want her small mood to affect her meeting with a friend. When she arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant and saw Feng Jia, who had already arrived, she smiled and patted her on the shoulder: "Dear! I missed you so much!"
冯佳抬头笑着看她:“看样子最近过得还不错啊!”
Feng Jia looked up and smiled at her: "It seems you've been doing pretty well lately!"
许煦笑容敛了几分,在她对面坐下,耸耸肩道:“见到你心情当然好啊!”她挑眉看着她,却发觉好友憔悴的脸色,妆容都不太挡得住,精神看起来明显不太好。她眉头微微蹙起,问:“佳,你怎么了?看起来好像很疲惫的样子?”
Xu Xu's smile faded slightly as she sat down across from her and shrugged. "Of course I'm happy to see you!" She raised an eyebrow at her, but noticed her friend's pale and haggard face, which was hard to conceal with makeup. Her friend's appearance clearly didn't look good. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Jia, what's wrong? You look so tired!"
冯佳苦笑了笑:“工作太忙了!”
Feng Jia forced a bitter smile. "Too busy with work!"
许煦道:“要说刚进去那会儿忙还能说得过去,如今你都是经理级别的了,怎么还这么忙?再说了公司法务又不是在律所,有这么忙么?”
Xu Xu said, "To be busy when you first started makes sense, but now that you're a manager, why are you still so busy? Besides, the company's legal department isn't a law firm; it shouldn't be that busy, right?"
冯佳叹了口气:“如果光是我自己的工作,倒是还算轻松,主要是还得帮着郭铭忙他公司的事。”
Feng Jia sighed: "If it were just my own work, it would be relatively easy. The main issue is that I also have to help Guo Ming with his company's affairs."
许煦扯了扯嘴角:“他要创业就他自己做,你这么拼命干什么?现在男女事业还是不要混为一谈。”
Xu Xu pulled at the corner of his mouth: "If he wants to start a business, let him do it himself. Why are you working so hard? Now, shouldn't we keep men's and women's careers separate?"
“道理是这么个道理,但是看他这两年做得这么艰难,我不帮忙怎么办?”
There's a point to what you say, but seeing how difficult he's had it over the past two years, what can I do if I don't help?
许煦想了想:“那你们准备什么时候结婚?你也不算小了。”
Xu Xu thought for a moment: "Then when are you planning to get married? You're not exactly young anymore."
冯佳比她大了一岁,二十七岁在都市中虽然不算大,但两人毕竟在一起将近十年了,真是应了久恋不婚这句话。
Feng Jia was one year older than her, and at twenty-seven, she wasn't considered old in the city, but the two had been together for nearly ten years, truly living up to the saying "long love, no marriage."
“再……说吧?”冯佳垂眸,搅拌了下面前的咖啡,有点不太确定道,“我现在有点犹豫了。”
Y-... oun?" Feng Jia looked down, stirring the coffee in front of her, sounding a bit uncertain. "I'm a bit hesitant now.
许煦皱眉问,半开玩笑道:“怎么?你有别人了?我跟你说,感情这种事就是要忠于本心,只要没结婚,移情别恋不是什么大事,坦白告知就好,一面移情别恋,一面又隐瞒才是不道德的。”
Xu Xu frowned and half-joked, "What's the matter? Do you have someone else? I'll tell you, when it comes to feelings, you should be true to your heart. As long as you haven't gotten married, it's not a big deal to fall for someone else. Just be honest about it. It's unethical to fall for someone else and hide it from me."
第30节
Chapter 30
冯佳失笑:“你说什么呢?”
Feng Jia laughed: "What are you saying?"
“没有啊!”许煦抿抿唇,“我还想着你要是遇到更合适的男人,还挺替你高兴的。难不成是郭铭有问题?”
No, not at all!" Xu Xu pursed her lips. "I was actually happy for you if you found a more suitable man. Could it be that Guo Ming has a problem?
冯佳笑着摇摇头:“你别瞎猜。就是……我越来越觉得我和他的三观不是很合,他以前挺朴实的男人,创业这几年越来越不踏实,整日想着投机取巧赚钱。”
Feng Jia smiled and shook her head. "Don't guess. It's just... I feel our worldviews are becoming less aligned. He used to be a down-to-earth man. Over these years of entrepreneurship, he's become less stable, always thinking about quick and dirty ways to make money."
许煦默了片刻:“佳,女人还是要洒脱一点,不要被一些所谓的感动所困住。我真希望你像大学刚入学那会儿一样敢说敢做!”
Xu Xu was silent for a moment. "Jia, women should be more free-spirited and not be trapped by some so-called emotions. I really wish you were as bold and decisive as you were when you first started university!"
冯佳无奈地扯了扯嘴角:“人长大了怎么可能还像少年时期那么无所畏惧?现在每天睁眼看到的都是房价物价,我自己的工作到了瓶颈,想转去律所,可是又瞻前顾尾。”
Feng Jia helplessly tugged at the corner of his mouth: "How can one remain fearless as a teenager when one grows up? Now, every day I see the rising housing and living costs. My own job has hit a bottleneck, and I want to switch to a law firm, but I'm hesitant."
“想转去律所就去啊,你也做了几年法务,去了律所肯定也很快上手。”
Just go to the law firm if you want to, you've done a few years of legal work. You'll definitely be able to get up to speed quickly at a law firm.
“但是郭铭总觉得林氏薪水高有保障,我现在进律所的话,太大的所进不去,中等规模的,都得自己找案源拉业务。他大概是听说过不少女律师为了案源接受潜规则的事,所以不大想我去。而且……”她顿了顿,“现在他公司想拿林氏的单子,我人在林氏的话,还能帮点忙。”
But Guo Ming always thinks that Lin Corporation pays well and is secure. If I were to join a law firm now, I wouldn't be able to join a large firm, and even a medium-sized one would require me to find my own cases and bring in business. He probably heard about many female lawyers accepting underhanded deals for cases, so he doesn't want me to go. And..." She paused, "Now that his company wants to take on Lin Corporation's cases, if I'm still at Lin Corporation, I can still help out.
许煦不以为然地嗤了一声:“郭铭这不是明摆着利用你么?他一个大男人自己做生意要女朋友拉业务,能有点出息吗?”
Xu Xu snorted dismissively: "Guo Ming is clearly using you. A man like him, trying to do business with a girlfriend to bring in clients, can he have any success?"
冯佳道:“他肯定是没法和你家柏冬青比的。”
Feng Jia said, "He definitely can't compare to your Bai Dongqing."
许煦愣了下,放缓语气:“佳,我没别的意思,就是觉得你能够洒脱一点!”
Xu Xu was taken aback and softened her tone, "Jia, I don't mean anything else, I just think you could be more carefree!"
“是啊!我怎么变得这么拖泥带水优柔寡断了?”冯佳叹了口气,目光露出一丝迷茫,“可是只要想到当初我家出事的时候,是他陪我渡过难关,我就没办法真的放弃他。”
Right! How did I become so hesitant and indecisive?" Feng Jia sighed, her gaze showing a hint of confusion, "But as long as I think about how he was with me during the tough times when my family had problems, I can't really give up on him.
许煦有些恨铁不成钢地看着她,终究也只是跟她一样叹了口气,“反正你自己要有分寸,人活着还是得多为自己想想。”
Xu Xu looked at her with a touch of frustration, but ultimately just sighed like her, "In any case, you need to have your own boundaries. After all, you should think more about yourself."
冯佳点点头,笑着看她:“你呢?听说你们家柏冬青升华天合伙人了,正儿八经的青年才俊,你当初可真是有眼光,在人一无所有的时候就把人给霸占了,现在算是到了收获的时候了。我要有你这眼光,也不至于落在现在这种进退两难的地步。”
Feng Jia nodded and smiled at her: "You, though? I heard that Bai Dongqing from your family has become a partner in the Sky Firmament Alliance, a genuine young talent. You really had good eyesight back then, taking someone in when they had nothing. Now it's time to reap the rewards. If I had your eyesight, I wouldn't be in this predicament of having no way out."
许煦没有像之前那样,提起这件事就得意的嘻嘻哈哈,而是反常地低头沉默下来。
Xu Xu did not laugh and gloat as she had before when this topic came up. Instead, she looked unusually down and silent.
“怎么了?”冯佳觉察她的不对劲,皱眉问,“不会是你也遇到了什么问题吧?”
What's wrong?" Feng Jia noticed something was off and frowned, asking, "Isn't it that you've run into some problems too?
许煦叹了口气,自嘲地笑了笑道:“是遇到了点问题,都怪我我以前想得太理所当然了。”
Xu Xu sighed and laughed at herself: "I have run into some problems. It's all my fault for thinking too much that things would just work out."
“不会是男人有钱就变化这句话应验了吧?”
Isn't it true that the saying 'men change when they have money' applies to him?
许煦摇头:“那倒没有,正是因为他太好了才让我困扰。”她顿了顿,苦笑,“我倒喜欢他能坏一点!”
Xu Xu shook her head: "Not exactly. It's precisely because he's too good that it troubles me." She paused, then smiled wryly, "I actually prefer if he could be a bit bad!"
冯佳笑:“你这话我就听不懂了。”
Feng Jia laughed, "I don't understand what you mean by that."
许煦道:“你也知道我跟他在一起,是我主动的。我现在开始怀疑他是因为不懂拒绝别人,才和我在一起,而并不是因为喜欢我。他对我确实很好,可是他对任何人都很好,如果当初换做是别人主动,我感觉可能也是一样的结果。”
Xu Xu said, "You know that I initiated our relationship. Now I'm starting to doubt that he's with me because he doesn't know how to refuse others, rather than because he likes me. He's indeed very good to me, but he's very good to everyone. If it had been someone else who initiated, I might have felt the same way."
冯佳愕然地看她:“你是不是想太多了?”
Feng Jia was taken aback as she looked at her: "Are you overthinking this?"
许煦无奈地扯了扯唇角:“我也希望是,可是你知道吗?他和我的关系,连同在华天上班的大学室友都没告诉,如果我们在一起只是一年半载倒也罢了,可是我们都三年了。难道不是因为我对他来说并没有那么重要吗?”
Xu Xu 无奈地 pulled at the corner of her lips: "I hope so too, but you know, he hasn't even told his university roommates who work at Huatian about our relationship. If we were together for just a year or two, it might be fine, but we've been together for three years. Don't you think that means he doesn't find me that important?"
冯佳蹙眉想了想:“虽然听起来是有点奇怪,但也并不代表他不爱你吧!”
Feng Jia frowned and thought for a moment: "Although it does sound strange, it doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't love you!"
“我也不是说他不爱我,只是可能没有我想要的那么爱我,就是他女朋友的位置,换成其他人,应该也没什么区别。”
I'm not saying he doesn't love me, just that he might not love me as much as I want him to. It's just that if he were with someone else, he wouldn't be any different as his girlfriend.
冯佳愣了下,噗嗤笑出声:“煦儿,我可能已经过了那个阶段,不是太理解你这种爱情至上的心态了。”说着,顿了顿,又道,“不过像你这样挺好的,对待感情永远真挚热情。”
Feng Jia was taken aback, and she chuckled, "Xu'er, I might have already passed that stage, and I no longer fully understand your all-encompassing love." She paused, then added, "But it's good that you're like this, always sincere and passionate about your feelings."
“你就别笑我了,我自己都觉得自己挺矫情的。”她笑着摆摆手,放在桌面的手机震动了一下,发出一声嗡鸣,有新信息进来了。
"Don't laugh at me, I feel pretty sentimental myself," she said with a smile, waving her hand. Her phone on the table vibrated and made a buzzing sound, indicating a new message.
她随手点开,是早上那个没被自己存入电话簿的号码,简短的一条信息:那等你有空了再约。
She casually opened it; it was from the number she hadn't saved in her phone book that morning, with a brief message: "Leave it for when you have some free time to meet up."
过了两个小时才回过来,不知是之前忘了,还是斟酌了这么久。
It took her two hours to reply, unsure if she had forgotten or had been pondering for so long.
当然许煦并没有想这么多,她皱了皱眉头,敷衍地回复过去:好的。
Of course, Xu Xu didn't think about much. She frowned and replied 敷衍地: "Okay."
“谁啊?让你眉头都皱起来了。”
Who is it? You're frowning!
许煦随口道:“程放!”
Xu Xu casually said, "Cheng Fang!"
正端起杯子喝咖啡的冯佳,差点没一口喷出来,睁大眼睛看向她:“程放?你前男友?”
Feng Jia, who was just about to take a sip of coffee, almost 喷了出来, her eyes widening as she looked at her: "Cheng Fang? Your ex-boyfriend?"
许煦漫不经心地点点头:“是啊!”
Xu Xuman nonchalantly nodded: "Yeah!"
“他不是出国了吗?怎么?回来了?”
Didn't he go abroad? Why is he back now?
“谁知道呢?应该是吧!”
Who knows? Probably!
“你们俩又勾搭上了?”
Are you two getting back together again?
许煦啐了一口:“我这才收到他短信呢,面都没见过。他长什么样我都快忘了,怎么可能勾搭?”
Xu Xu spat: "I just received his text message. I haven't even met him in person. I can barely remember what he looks like, so how could I be involved with him?"
冯佳上下打量她一番,啧啧道:“我说别人的初恋,那都是心头的朱砂痣,你这怎么提起初恋就跟提路人甲似的?而且你们俩在学校是多轰轰烈烈的一对儿啊!”
Feng Jia sized her up from head to toe and said with a click of her tongue, "I hear other people's first loves are like a vermilion betel nut on their heart. But you bring up your first love as if it's just a passerby? And you two were such a passionate couple in school!"
许煦道:“是他甩了我好不好?难不成我还得对一个抛弃我的初恋恋恋不忘?再说了,已经六年了,我跟柏冬青在一起的时间,早超过当初那段幼稚的校园恋爱。我现在正愁着正事,哪里有心思去缅怀一个几百年没见过的初恋。”
Xu Xu said, "He broke up with me, okay? Do I have to pine for a first love who dumped me? Besides, it's been six years. The time I've spent with Bai Dongqing far exceeds that silly school romance. I'm busy with important things now; I don't have the time to reminisce about a first love I haven't seen in centuries."
冯佳笑道:“我就喜欢你这种洒脱!”
Feng Jia smiled and said, "I love your carefree attitude!"
许煦微微一愣,他洒脱吗?如果真得洒脱,为什么为纠结于和柏冬青的这点细微末节?这么跟自己过不去?
Xu Xu was slightly taken aback. Is he carefree? If he truly is carefree, why does he fuss over these minor details with Bai Dongqing? Why does he take it out on himself?
她沉默了片刻,自嘲地叹了口气,笑道:“可能我也不是洒脱,只是现在的感情,早已经把过去彻底覆盖,心里连一点踪迹都没了。”
She fell silent for a moment, then sighed self-deprecatingly and smiled, "Maybe I'm not really carefree. The current emotions have long covered the past, leaving no trace in my heart."
冯佳笑:“看来你真是很爱柏冬青!”
Feng Jia smiled: "It seems you really do love Bai Dongqing!"
一语中的!
Right to the point!
她和冯佳难得出来聚一次,女人之间也不只是男人的那点破事,自然不会只喝一杯咖啡相互吐吐苦水就告别,两人一起开开心心吃了饭看了电影逛了商场,直到傍晚才依依不舍地各自回家。
She and Feng Jia rarely gathered, and women have more to talk about than just men's affairs, so they didn't just drink a cup of coffee and exchange their sorrows before parting. Instead, the two of them had a good time eating, watching a movie, and shopping together, only reluctantly parting ways when it was evening.
许煦出门没开车,先前逛商场的时候,她接到柏冬青的信息,问她什么时候回家,她说了个大概时间,他发过来说正好顺便,到时候到商场接她一起回。
Xu Xu didn't drive when she went out. Earlier, while shopping, she received a message from Bai Dongqing asking when she would be returning home. She gave an approximate time, and he replied that he would be passing by the mall and could pick her up on the way.
这里离家车程将近一个小时,许煦也不喜欢出租车内的气味,便应下了。
This area was about an hour's drive from home, and Xu Xu didn't like the smell inside taxis, so she agreed.
和冯佳告别后,她一个人来到路边等着。这一块儿是城市的繁华中心,又正是车多的时候,整个马路上来来往往的车子拥挤在一团,像蜗牛般缓慢蠕动着。
After bidding farewell to Feng Jia, she waited by the roadside alone. This area was the bustling center of the city, and it was also rush hour, with cars jammed together on the road, slowly moving like snails.
柏冬青的信息进来:我快到了,路况有点堵,你稍微等几分钟。
Bai Dongqing's information comes in: I'm almost there, but the traffic is a bit congested, so you can wait a few more minutes.
许煦回过去:没事不急,你慢慢开。
Xu Xu replies: No need to rush, take your time.
发完便靠在路牌边低头玩手机。
She then leans against a street sign and looks down at her phone.
“嗯,我还在芙蓉路这边,堵车堵得厉害,估计还得等会儿才能到。”
Mm, I'm still on Fumin Road, the traffic is really bad, so I'll probably arrive in a bit.
坐在出租车内正在打电话的程放,皱眉看向窗外的路况,目光不经意间扫到不远处,站在路边的一抹身影。虽然隔得有些远,但这会儿夕阳还未落下,那身影就笼罩在余晖之中,所以一眼就能看清。
Cheng Fang, sitting in a taxi and talking on the phone, frowned at the road conditions outside the window. His gaze inadvertently fell on a figure standing by the roadside not far away. Although they were quite a distance apart, the late afternoon sun was still shining, casting a warm glow on the figure, making it easy to see clearly.
他心头一窒,赶忙吩咐出租车司机:“麻烦开到前面那个站牌旁停下。
His heart constricted, and he hurriedly instructed the taxi driver, "Please stop the car next to the upcoming bus stop."
自己上一次见她,还是两年前,他回国顺利考进了司法系统,马上要被下派到偏远地区锻炼。临走前,偶然得知她还留在这里,于是在下班时间,跑去她单位外,隔着马路偷偷看了一眼,然后便背着行囊去了遥远的贫困县。
The last time he had seen her was two years ago. He had just successfully passed the judicial system exam and was about to be dispatched to a remote area for training. Before leaving, he had accidentally learned that she was still here, so during his free time, he had gone to her workplace and secretly peered at her from across the street before packing his bags and heading to a distant impoverished county.
此刻站在路边的女人,已经有了几分成熟女性的味道,跟六年前的那个围在自己身旁的少女已经截然不同,但和两年前的那一眼却没什么区别,所以他几乎立刻就认了出来。
The woman standing by the roadside now had the air of a mature woman, quite different from the girl who had surrounded him six years ago, but she was still very much the same as the one he had glimpsed two years ago, so he almost immediately recognized her.
驾驶座的司机听了他的话,叫苦不迭:“小伙子,现在车这么多,就差车头挨着车屁股,我怎么变道插过去啊?”
The driver in the passenger seat groaned upon hearing his words: "Young man, with so many cars on the road, it's like the front of one car is touching the back of the next. How am I supposed to change lanes and squeeze through?"
程放目光一动不动盯着那道身影,也没和手机里的人说再见就挂断,继续吩咐司机:“那你就开到前边红绿灯停一下,我自己下车走过去。”
Cheng Fang's gaze remained fixed on that figure, and without saying goodbye to the person on the phone, he hung up and continued instructing the driver: "Then you just stop at the next traffic light, and I'll get out and walk over."
“那可以!”
That's fine!
他用力深呼吸,想着待会儿假装偶遇后的开场白,但是脑子里却有些空白,只能悬着一颗心,紧紧盯着那道声音,生怕一不小心就从自己的视野中消失。
He took a deep breath and tried to think of the opening line for the pretend encounter, but his mind was blank. He could only hang on to his heart, staring intently at the figure, afraid that it might disappear from his sight at any moment.
内侧的车道渐渐畅通,一辆黑色的车子从后面开上去,靠边停在那道身影跟前。
The inner lane began to clear up, and a black car pulled up from behind, stopping beside the figure.
程放看着她打开车门,快速坐进了副驾驶,然后又眼睁睁看着那黑色车子载着她,消失在了拥挤的车流中。
Cheng Fang watched her open the car door, quickly slide into the passenger seat, and then watched helplessly as the black car took her and disappeared into the congested traffic.
前后不过一分钟,短暂得像是做了一个让人骤然醒来的梦。
It was no more than a minute, brief enough to feel like a dream that suddenly woke you up.
第38章
Chapter 38
“小伙子,你还下车吗?要下就赶紧趁着堵着的空挡下去, 要不然就不好下了。”
Young man, are you getting off the bus? If you're going to, do it quickly while there's a gap in the traffic. Otherwise, it won't be easy.
司机的声音将程放拉回神, 他的目光还停留在刚刚的站牌处, 只是那里早已经空空荡荡。
The driver's voice pulled Cheng Fang back to reality. His gaze lingered on the stop sign where they had just been, but it was already empty.
“算了, 不下了,您继续开吧!”他有些颓然地靠在椅背上, 用手捂住了眼睛。
"Never mind, I won't get off. Please keep driving!" He leaned back in his seat, covering his eyes with his hand.
刚刚那辆车内的人, 应该就是她现在的爱人吧!
The person inside that bus just now should be her current lover!
两年前终于能回国, 他顺利考进司法系统后,为了前途,直接申请了去偏远地区锻炼, 除了偶然得知她的工作单位,刻意没去打听她的消息,所以并不知道她是否有男友或者可能已经结婚, 因为他曾经觉得这不是问题。
Two years ago, finally able to return home, after successfully passing the judicial system exam, in pursuit of his career, he directly applied to work in a remote area for training. Apart from occasionally learning about her workplace, he deliberately did not inquire about her, so he did not know if she had a boyfriend or might have already gotten married, as he had once thought this was not a problem.
当初家里出事, 被迫离开,在国外那几年无论过得多艰难, 他想得都是一定要撑过去, 无论如何都要努力让人生回到原有的轨道, 然后将她追回来, 因为她是自己人生正轨中最重要的一部分。也正是靠着这些信念, 他才能咬牙度过那些自己人生前二十二年绝对想象不出的艰难。
Back then, when his family faced difficulties, he was forced to leave. No matter how hard those years abroad were, he thought he had to persevere and, no matter what, work hard to get his life back on track and win her back, because she was the most important part of his life's path. It was precisely these beliefs that allowed him to grit his teeth and endure the hardships of the first 22 years of his life that he could never have imagined.
可是等到真的回来,他却忽然发觉没有了那几年的信心和勇气。
But when he really returned, he suddenly realized he had lost that confidence and courage from those years.
因为他知道,很多东西可以靠努力获得, 唯独感情不行。他的爱情还停留在六年前,可是对她来说,自己大概早就是一个微不足道的前男友。
Because he knew that many things could be gained through effort, but not love. His love was still from six years ago, but for her, he might already be a trivial ex-boyfriend.
想到这个,程放忽然就一阵挫败油然而生。
Thinking of this, Cheng Fang suddenly felt a wave of defeat.
*
“下个月我搬去北区住,估计不能经常来这边,就给你买了几身新的内衣和袜子,穿久了的就及时扔掉,别觉得可惜,你现在都是华天合伙人了,要是让人知道你袜子破了还缝好继续穿,指不定怎么笑你抠门呢!”坐上副驾驶的许煦将购物袋放在脚边,随口对旁边的人道。
"Next month, I'll move to the northern district, so I won't be able to come here as often. I bought you a few new undergarments and socks. Change them out when they get worn out. Don't feel sorry about it. Now that you're a partner at Huatian, if people find out you're still mending your socks, they might laugh at you for being too frugal!" Xu Xu sat in the passenger seat and placed the shopping bag at her feet, casually saying to the person beside her.
虽然柏冬青如今的收入早就跨入金领行列,但他没有由俭入奢,还是像当初一样节约。除了工作需要,每年购置几套比较昂贵的正装外,根本想不起来为自己买东西。当初刚住一块,许煦看到他拿针线缝补破洞的袜子,都差点惊呆了。
Although Bai Dongqing's current income had long surpassed that of a white-collar worker, he did not indulge in luxury. He remained as frugal as he had been in the past. Apart from work needs, he only bought a few expensive suits each year and could hardly think of buying anything for himself. When they first lived together, Xu Xu was almost stunned to see him mending his worn-out socks with a needle and thread.
但其实他并不小气抠门,收入从来对许煦如实交代,甚至几次提过把银行卡交给她保管,只不过许煦嫌麻烦没要。每次去出差,他总会给她带不少礼物,包括各种昂贵的化妆品和鞋包,许煦都看得肉疼。
But in reality, he was not stingy. He always truthfully disclosed his income to her and even offered to give her his bank card for safekeeping a few times. It was just that Xu Xu found it troublesome and did not accept it. Every time he went on a business trip, he would bring her many gifts, including various expensive cosmetics and handbags, which made Xu Xu feel heartache.
当然,也心疼。
Of course, it also tugs at the heartstrings.
所以这两年他的东西都是她给添置的。
So in these past two years, everything he needed was provided by her.
柏冬青嗯了声,点点头,默了片刻,低声试探开口:“我工作不用坐班,住到北区也挺方便的。”
Bai Dongqing hummed and nodded, then fell silent for a moment before whispering, "I don't have to work in an office, and living in the northern district is quite convenient."
许煦看了他一眼,想了想,好整以暇道:“冬青,难道你没发觉我们俩之间有很大的问题吗?”见他抿唇沉默,她当他是默认,继续道,“我不是要和你分开,只是希望我们彼此跳出来认真审视一下这段关系,我不想等结了婚之后才发觉问题所在,到时候后悔就晚了。”
Xu Xu looked at him and thought for a moment before saying leisurely, "Dongqing, haven't you noticed that there's a big problem between us?" Seeing him purse his lips in silence, she assumed he agreed and continued, "I'm not trying to separate us, but I hope we can step back and seriously examine this relationship. I don't want to discover the problems only after we get married; by then, it would be too late to regret."
柏冬青还是沉默,过了许久才冷不丁问道:“我在你心里是什么样的人?”
Bai Dongqing remained silent, and after a long while, he suddenly asked, "What kind of person am I in your eyes?"
许煦看了他一眼,无奈地笑了笑:“你太好了,好到我都不知道该怎么办了!”
Xu Xu looked at him and 无奈地 smiled. "You're too good, good to the point where I don't know how to handle it!"
趁着红灯的空当,柏冬青转头看她,喉咙滑动了下,声音略有些暗哑道:“我真的没有你以为的那样好,其实我很贪心自私,甚至为了自己的私欲,连朋友都欺骗背叛,这样的我你还觉得很好吗?”
Taking advantage of the red light, Bai Dongqing turned to look at her, his throat moving slightly as his voice sounded a bit hoarse. "I really am not as good as you think. Actually, I'm very greedy and selfish. Even to satisfy my own desires, I've deceived and betrayed my friends. Do you still think I'm good after knowing this?"
许煦显然对他的话不以为然,轻笑道:“你能做什么背叛朋友的事?大概觉得偷吃了朋友一颗糖也是背叛吧!”
Xu Xu clearly did not take his words seriously, and she smiled lightly. "What kind of betrayal of friendship can you do? Maybe you think stealing a piece of candy from a friend counts as betrayal!"
柏冬青眼眸垂下来,没再说话。
Ba Dongqing's eyes lowered, and he didn't speak further.
他确实是偷走了朋友的糖,只不过是感情中的那颗糖。
Indeed, he had stolen his friend's candy, but it was the sugar of emotions.
许煦揉揉额头,苦笑了笑:“说实话,我还宁愿你没这么好,宁愿你自私一些。”
Xu Xu rubbed his forehead and forced a bitter smile: "To be honest, I'd rather you weren't so good, and that you were more selfish."
至少在感情中能自私点,这样还能让她觉得自己是特别的。
At least, if he could be selfish in emotions, it would make her feel special.
*
周一上班,许煦临时接到一个任务,去南区检察院了解最近一个案子的进展情况。
Monday at work, Xu Xu temporarily received a task to go to the South District Procuratorate to understand the progress of a recent case.
因为工作关系,她对市内司法机关都颇为熟悉,接待她的是一个见过好几次的助理检察员小陈。
Due to her work, she was quite familiar with the city's judicial agencies. The one who received her was Assistant Prosecutor Xiao Chen, whom she had met a few times before.
小陈是去年考进南区检察院的,还有点刚刚毕业小丫头的那股劲儿,见到许煦,将她带到会客室,热情地倒了杯茶,笑嘻嘻道:“许记者,这个案子刚刚转到新调来的程检手里,你稍稍等会儿,我已经跟他说了,很快过来跟你谈。”
Xiao Chen had just joined the South District Procuratorate last year and still had that fresh graduate's spirit. Seeing Xu Xu, she led her to the waiting room, poured her a cup of tea warmly, and smiled, saying, "Xu reporter, this case has just been transferred to the new prosecutor Cheng. You can wait a moment, I've already told him, he'll come to talk to you soon."
许煦笑着随口问:“有新检察官进来了?”
Xu Xu smiled and casually asked, "A new prosecutor has joined?"
小陈眼神里有压抑不住的兴奋,笑嘻嘻道:“本来就是咱们这里的,不过一考进来就去基层锻炼了,刚刚才调回来。是海归硕士,等下半年张副检察长退了就是他了,三十岁都不到,妥妥的年轻有为。”说着又放低声音,小声道,“而且长得特别帅,以后就是咱们南区检察院门面担当了。”
Xiao Chen's eyes sparkled with unrestrained excitement as he smiled and said, "It's ours originally, but he was sent to the grassroots level for training after the exam, and just got reassigned back. He's a returnee master's degree holder. By the end of next year, when Deputy Procurator Zhang retires, it will be his turn. He's under thirty, and definitely a rising star."
He then lowered his voice and whispered, "And he's exceptionally handsome. In the future, he will be the face of the South District Procuratorate."
许煦轻笑出声。
Xu Xu chuckled.
就在这时,一道带着磁性的男声从门口传来:“小陈,麻烦你了,你去忙吧!”
At this moment, a magnetic male voice came from the doorway, "Xiao Chen, thank you. You can go back to work now!"
第31节
Chapter 31
小陈赶紧站起来,堆着满脸的笑道:“程检,你来了!那我去忙了。”
Xiao Chen quickly stood up, his face full of smiles as he said, "Cheng Jian, you're here! I'll go and get to work."
程放勾唇笑着点点头,目光落在她身后的许煦那张略显惊愕的脸上。
Cheng Fang curled his lips in a smile and nodded, his gaze falling on Xu Xu's slightly surprised face behind her.
小陈出了门,程放才不紧不慢走过来,笑着同她打招呼:“小煦,好久不见了!”
Xiao Chen left the door, and Cheng Fang came over at a leisurely pace, smiling as he greeted her, "Xu Xu, it's been a long time!"
许煦从惊讶中回神,这些年她早已经淡忘了眼前这个人,但不代表见到他会认不出,也不代表对这样的不期而遇不感到意外。
Xu Xu returned to her senses from her surprise. In these years, she had long forgotten this person in front of her, but it didn't mean she couldn't recognize him or that she wasn't surprised by this unexpected encounter.
她从记忆里搜寻出程放从前的模样,试图和眼前成熟的男人重合,但很遗憾,虽然是一模一样的五官,还是已经判若两人。
She searched her memory for Cheng Fang's former appearance and tried to overlay it with the mature man in front of her, but unfortunately, although the features were identical, they were now two different people.
这个发现,让她对于与初恋情人乍然重逢的那点小尴尬,瞬间便荡然无存。
This discovery instantly erased any small awkwardness she felt at unexpectedly meeting her first love.
这大概就是时间的力量罢,对她来说,程放真的已经是个陌生人。
Perhaps this was the power of time, for her, Cheng Fang was truly a stranger.
她笑了笑,语气平常道:“好久不见了,没想到小陈说的新检察官是你,你还是做检察官了。”她拿出名片递给他,“我是法治周刊的编辑记者,以后还请程检多多关照。”
She smiled and said in a casual tone, "It's been a long time. I didn't expect that Little Chen said the new prosecutor was you; you're still a prosecutor." She handed him a business card and said, "I'm an editor-journalist for the Legal Weekly. I hope you can look after me in the future, Cheng Procurator."
程放知道今天是她过来,刚刚做足了准备,才让自己看起来自然从容。然而此刻许煦这种再平常不过的客气,却让他提着的一颗心跌进了谷底。
Cheng Fang knew it was her today, and he had prepared thoroughly to appear natural and composed. However, at this moment, Xu Xu's usual polite gesture made his heart plummet to the depths.
他僵硬了片刻才反应过来,接过她手中的名片,不太自然地笑了笑:“不敢不敢,以后大家也算在一个系统,大家互相关照才是。”
He stiffened for a moment before reacting, taking the business card from her hand and forcing a somewhat unnatural smile: "No, no, in the same system, we should look out for each other."
许煦道:“程检太谦虚了,刚刚可是听小陈说你下半年就能升副检察长了。”
Xu Xu said, "Procurator Cheng is too modest. Just now, Little Chen mentioned that you might become deputy procurator by the end of the year."
程放轻笑:“八字没一撇的事,别听小陈瞎说。”
Cheng Fang chuckled lightly, "It's not set in stone, don't listen to Little Chen's idle chatter."
在许煦的记忆中,他从来都是张扬甚至自负的,几年不见,看到他这么谦逊稳重,说不意外是假的,不过她对他没有任何好奇,所以除了意外倒也没有其他想法。
In Xu Xu's memory, he had always been flamboyant and even arrogant. Seeing him so humble and steady after a few years, she couldn't help but feel surprised, though she had no curiosity about him, so the only thought that came to mind was surprise.
她笑着道:“那我们开始吧,我也不好耽误程检的工作。”
She smiled and said, "Then let's get started. I wouldn't want to delay Cheng Jian's work."
程放点点头,示意她坐下。
Cheng Fang nodded and gestured for her to sit down.
案子刚刚进入公诉阶段,饶是许煦他们周刊是隶属于司法系统的官媒,检方这边能透露的信息也很有限。她不得不承认,当初那个在学业上吊儿郎当的人,如今已经是一个非常专业的检察官,从头到尾有条不紊,既没有透漏不该透漏的信息,又将案子介绍得清清楚楚不会让许煦没东西可写。
The case had just entered the public prosecution stage, and even though their weekly magazine was part of the judicial system, the prosecution could only share limited information. She had to admit that the carefree student from back then had become a very professional prosecutor. From start to finish, he was orderly and didn't reveal any information he shouldn't, while still providing a clear introduction to the case so that Xu Xu had plenty to write about.
两个人谈了快一个小时,结束时正好到了午饭时间,程放看了下腕表,道:“这么多年没见了,难得遇到,一起吃个饭吧?”
The two talked for nearly an hour, and just as lunchtime arrived, Cheng Fang checked his wristwatch and said, "It's been so many years since we last met. It's rare to run into each other. Why don't we have lunch together?"
许煦沉吟片刻,笑道:“行!”
Xu Xu pondered for a moment and smiled, "Sure!"
餐厅就选了南区检察院外不远的一家,简单清雅的环境。
They chose a restaurant not far from the South District Procuratorate, with a simple and elegant ambiance.
两人在临窗的卡座坐好,程放将菜单递给许煦:“你点吧!”
The two sat at a window-facing booth, and Cheng Fang handed the menu to Xu Xu, saying, "You choose!"
许煦没客气,接过来随意点了两样,将菜单还给他。
Xu Xu did not hesitate, picked up the menu and casually pointed at two items before returning it to him.
程放弯唇笑了笑,翻开菜单朝旁边的服务生一口气指了好几样,彬彬有礼道:“就这些吧!谢谢!”
Cheng Fang curved his lips into a smile and flipped through the menu, pointing at several items in a row towards the waiter. He spoke politely, "That's all! Thank you!"
待服务生离开,许煦轻笑了笑:“检察官请客吃饭,这样是不是超标了?”
After the waiter left, Xu Xu lightly smiled, "The prosecutor treating to a meal, is this overstepping the budget?"
程放笑:“私人请客自掏腰包,无所谓。”
Cheng Fang smiled, "Private dining, paying out of pocket, no problem."
“对哦!我差点忘了你可是个富二代。”
Ah yes! I almost forgot you're a rich kid.
程放脸上的笑容微微一僵,继而又轻笑着摇摇头,起给她倒了杯茶递过去。
Cheng Fang's smile slightly faltered, but he then chuckled and shook his head, pouring her a cup of tea and passing it over.
许煦忙伸手接过来,动作时衬衣袖子往上缩了缩,露出一截皓白的手腕,以及手腕上别致但并不算新的手表。
Xu Xu hurriedly reached out to take it, her sleeve rising to reveal a pale wrist and a distinctive, though not particularly new, watch.
程放目光不经意落在那只腕表上,笑道:“手表挺特别的,好像在哪里见过相似的。”
Cheng Fang's gaze inadvertently fell on the watch, and he smiled, saying, "The watch is quite unique. It seems I've seen something similar before."
这手表是和柏冬青在一起的第一个生日他送的,不算太名贵,但胜在别致实用,最重要是,跟他手上那块是情侣款,这两年许煦便一直戴着没换过。
This watch was the first gift he gave her on their anniversary together, not particularly expensive, but unique and practical. Most importantly, it was a matching pair to the watch on his wrist, and Xu Xu has worn it without changing it for the past two years.
听程放提起,她笑着随口道:“是吗?我朋友送给我的,我倒是很少见到过相似的。”
Hearing Cheng Fang mention it, she smiled and replied casually, "Really? My friend gave it to me. I actually don't see anything like it very often."
程放挑眉,故作轻松道:“男朋友?”
Cheng Fang raised an eyebrow and feigned ease, "Boyfriend?"
许煦大大方方点头。
Xu Xu nodded generously.
第39章
Chapter 39
程放微微一怔,继而又风轻云淡地勾唇轻笑了笑:“男朋友江城人?”
Cheng Fang was slightly taken aback, but then he lightly smiled and said, "Is your boyfriend from Jiangcheng?"
许煦点头:“是啊!”
Xu Xu nodded, "Yes!"
“难怪你留在这边工作。”
No wonder you're working here.
许煦神色莫辨地看了他一眼, 略作犹疑后, 试探问道, “你出国后和之前的室友联系过吗?”
Xu Xu looked at him with a complex expression, hesitated slightly, and then asked tentatively, "Have you contacted your previous roommates after going abroad?"
程放低头沉吟片刻, 点点头,看向她正色道:“小煦, 当初不告而别是我的错, 我没有联系你是有苦衷的。”
Cheng Fang lowered his head and pondered for a moment before nodding and looking at her seriously, "Xu Xu, it was my fault to leave without saying goodbye. I didn't contact you because of my own reasons."
许煦笑着摇摇头:“已经过去那么久, 我很早就没放在心上,何况当初我们已经分手,你去哪里不需要对我交代。我只是……怎么说呢?这些年没听到过你的消息, 所以有点好奇你和朋友有没有联系。”
Xu Xu smiled and shook her head. "It's been so long, I didn't think about it much back then. Besides, we had already broken up, so where I went didn't need to be explained to you. I just... how should I put it? I haven't heard from you in these years, so I was curious if you still kept in touch with your friends."
程放轻笑:“有联系的,不过我有拜托他们不要向别人透露我的状况。”说着有些自嘲地笑笑,“毕竟当初混得不是很好, 有点丢人。”
Cheng Fang smiled lightly. "We did keep in touch, but I asked them not to reveal my situation to others." He then smiled self-deprecatingly, "After all, I wasn't doing so well back then, and it was a bit embarrassing."
许煦道:“也就是说, 你和柏冬青姜毅学长他们这些年都有联系?”
Xu Xu asked, "In other words, you and Brother Bai Dongqing, Brother Jiang Yi, and the others have kept in touch over the years?"
程放俊眉微蹙,叹了口气道:“小煦, 我并不是刻意不想联系你。”
Cheng Fang's brows furrowed slightly, and he sighed, saying, "Xu Xu, I wasn't deliberately trying to avoid contacting you."
许煦对他的话不甚在意地摇摇头, 心里想的是, 柏冬青连姜毅都没说过, 怎么可能隔着网络, 同程放这个自己的前男友提起两人的事。
Xu Xu shook her head, not taking his words too seriously. She thought that since Bai Dongqing hadn't even mentioned Jiang Yi, how could he possibly bring up their matters to Cheng Fang, her ex-boyfriend, over the internet.
她和程放已经没有任何关系,而他们还是有联系的好友,既然他没提过, 自然也轮不到她来告知。
She and Cheng Fang no longer had any relationship, but they were still good friends who kept in touch. Since he hadn't mentioned it, it was none of her business to bring it up.
许煦思忖片刻,客客气气道:“不管怎么样,看到你还挺高兴的。”
Xu Xusi thought for a moment and said politely, "No matter what, it's nice to see you again."
程放也想像她一样,对于这场真正的久别重逢,如此云淡风轻地笑出来,可是他笑不出,因为他没办法像她一样,让那段他美好年华中的往事,就这样随风飘过。
Cheng Fang also wanted to laugh as casually as she did about this real long-awaited reunion, but he couldn't, because he couldn't make the past from his best years just pass by like the wind, like she could.
哪怕他之前做过无数次预设她身边早就有了别人,但是当两个人面对面坐着,她没有表露出任何对往事的怀念,也没有对自己当初不告而别流露出怨忿,甚至都没有显出半点尴尬。他还是有种心脏被人刮了一刀般难受,以至于忍不住对就她身边那个男人生出一股嫉恨。
Even though he had imagined countless times before that she was already with someone else by her side, when the two of them sat facing each other, she showed no nostalgia for the past, no resentment for his sudden departure, and not even a hint of awkwardness. He still felt a sharp pain in his heart, so much so that he couldn't help but feel jealous towards the man beside her.
因为女人都是怀旧的物种,如果连初恋都能彻底淡忘,只能说明她后来遇到的那个人,足以重要到盖过所有过往。
Because women are creatures who tend to be nostalgic. If even her first love could be completely forgotten, it could only mean that the person she met later was important enough to overshadow all her past.
两个人各有所思默默吃了一会儿饭,程放忽然开口道:“什么时候有空?我请以前的老同学聚一聚,你也来啊,带上你家那位。”
The two sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, eating their meal in silence for a while. Cheng Fang suddenly spoke up, "When will you be free? I want to gather some old classmates. You should come too, bring your spouse."
许煦愣了下,笑着点头:“好啊!”
Xu Xu was taken aback but smiled and nodded, "Sure!"
*
晚上,难得许煦和柏冬青都回得挺早,两人便在家一起吃了顿久违的晚餐。
That evening, it was rare for both Xu Xu and Bai Dongqing to return home early, so they had a long-awaited dinner together at home.
饭是两个人一起做的,柏冬青掌勺,许煦给他打下手。吃完饭,他去洗碗,她也跟在他旁边。
They cooked the meal together, with Bai Dongqing handling the cooking while Xu Xu helped out. After finishing the meal, he went to wash the dishes, and she followed him closely.
或许是分开了半个月,下个月又将面临分离,要说许煦心里没有不舍肯定假的。
Perhaps it had been apart for half a month, and next month they would face separation again, so it was a lie to say that Xu Xu did not feel 不舍 (a feeling of reluctance to part).
她站在她身旁,看着他手上刷碗的动作,想到白天的事,随口道:“今天我见到程放了。”
She stood beside him, watching the way he washed the dishes in his hands, and thinking of what happened during the day, she casually said, "I met Cheng today."
柏冬青手一抖,冲了一半的碗掉在地上,发出一声清脆的碎裂声。
Bai Dongqing's hand trembled, causing the half-filled bowl to fall to the ground with a clear, sharp sound of breaking.
许煦目光落在地上的碎片,又移到他略微惊惶的脸上,蹙眉问:“你怎么了?有这么惊讶吗?”
Xu Xu's gaze fell on the fragments on the ground, then moved to his slightly alarmed face, and she frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Are you this surprised?"
柏冬青摇摇头,蹲下身去收拾地上的碎片,低声道:“你在哪里见到他的?”
Bai Dongqing shook his head and knelt down to pick up the fragments on the ground, whispering, "Where did you see him?"
许煦道:“南区检察院,他是那边的检察官,今天去采访遇到的,其实我也挺意外的。听他说你们一直有联系,你不知道他现在在干嘛吗?”
Xu Xu said, "At the southern district procuratorate. He's a prosecutor there. I ran into him today while doing an interview. Actually, I was quite surprised. He mentioned that you've been in contact, so you don't know what he's doing now?"
柏冬青点点头:“知道。”默了片刻,缓缓抬头看她,神色有些说不出的古怪,连带声音都变得有些暗哑,“许煦,其实……”
Bai Dongqing nodded. "I know." He fell silent for a moment, then slowly looked up at her, his expression oddly complex, and his voice became slightly hoarse. "Xu Xu, actually..."
“其实怎么了?”许煦皱眉问。
"What actually?" Xu Xu frowned and asked.
然而柏冬青嘴唇嚅嗫了片刻,到底什么都没说出来。
However, Bai Dongqing's lips moved for a moment but ultimately said nothing.
许煦见状,道:“我知道你没把咱们的事告诉他,毕竟他是我前男友,我能理解的,所以今天我也没和他说起你。而且这些年他和我没关系,和你却还是朋友,说与不说是你的事。”说着又有些自嘲道,“当然,我觉得对你来说,可能也不重要。”
Xu Xu noticed and said, "I know you didn't tell him about us. After all, he was my ex-boyfriend, and I can understand. That's why I didn't mention you to him today. Besides, for the past few years, he hasn't been in my life, but he's still a friend to you. Whether or not to tell him is your choice." She then added with a touch of self-mockery, "Of course, I suppose it's not important to you either."
毕竟这么久了,他仍旧自觉或者不自觉地把她隔离在他的世界之外。
After all, even after all this time, he still kept her at a distance in his own world, conscious or unconscious.
柏冬青抿抿唇,将碎片清理好,又默默站在水池前继续洗碗。
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips, tidied up the broken pieces, and silently stood in front of the sink to continue washing the dishes.
许煦看了看他,总觉他有点不对劲,但想了想还是没去多问。
Xu Xu looked at him and felt something was off, but decided not to pry further.
入夜,躺在床上的许煦正在看手机,洗完澡的柏冬青爬上床,坐在她旁边一动不动后,便一动不动。
As night fell, Xu Xu was lying in bed, looking at her phone. After taking a bath, Bai Dongqing climbed onto the bed and sat beside her, motionless. He remained that way.
许煦觉察异样,抬头看他,正好对上他那双凝视着她的黑沉沉眼睛,也不知看了多久。
Xu Xu sensed something was amiss and looked up at him. Their eyes met, and his dark gaze seemed to linger on her for a long time.
她放下手机,奇怪问:“你怎么了?”
She put down her phone and asked curiously, "What's wrong with you?"
柏冬青抿抿唇,哑声开口:“我……”
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and spoke in a hoarse voice: "I..."
许煦从未见过他如此欲言又止的模样,半坐起身,好整以暇看着他问:“你今天到底怎么回事?”问完忽然灵光乍现,“是因为程放?因为我见了程放?”
Xu Xu had never seen him act so hesitant to speak. He half-sat up and looked at him with a calm expression, asking: "What's going on with you today?" Then, a sudden thought struck him, "Is it because of Cheng Fang? Is it because I met Cheng Fang?"
如果是因为她见了初恋情人而让他吃醋,其实她还挺高兴的,只是看他的样子,实在不像是吃醋,反倒像是有什么难言之隐。
If it was because she had met her first love and he was jealous, she would actually be quite happy. However, looking at his expression, it didn't seem like jealousy at all; rather, it seemed like he had some difficult-to-express concern.
柏冬青微微一愣,没说是也没说不是,将她抱进怀中:“如果我真的做了一件很不好的事,你会不会讨厌我?”
Bai Dongqing was slightly taken aback, not saying yes or no, and embraced her: "If I really did something very bad, would you hate me?"
许煦从他怀中挣开,看着他的脸道:“你到底做了什么?不能跟我直接说我吗?”
Xu Xu broke free from his embrace and looked at his face, saying, "What did you do? Can't you just tell me directly?"
他那双黑色的眼睛,已经微微泛红,大概是不想被她看到,赶紧垂下眼睛,哑声道:“反正是一件令人不齿的事。等我处理好再告诉你。要是你也觉得我的做法很可耻,可以责骂我,但是别因为这件事就放弃我好吗?”
His black eyes were already slightly reddened, probably not wanting her to see, so he quickly lowered his gaze and said in a hoarse voice, "It's something that no one would be proud of. I'll tell you once I've dealt with it. If you also think my actions are shameful, you can scold me, but don't give up on me because of this, okay?"
说到最后,声音越来越小,几乎低得如同蚊蝇。
His voice grew smaller and smaller, almost as low as a mosquito's hum.
许煦愈发狐疑,但见他脸色实在难看,也不好追追根究底,思忖片刻,点点头:“行,我等你告诉我。”顿了顿,又道,“冬青,我希望你明白,我是你女朋友,不管你做了什么,我都会跟你一起面对。”
Xu Xu became even more suspicious, but seeing how his face was truly unpleasant, she didn't dare to pry further. After a moment of thought, she nodded, "Alright, I'll wait for you to tell me." Pausing for a moment, she added, "Dongqing, I hope you understand that I'm your girlfriend, and no matter what you've done, I'll stand by you."
柏冬青抬头看她,发红的眼睛里隐隐闪动着复杂难辨的光芒,没有再说话,只是凑上前吻了吻她的唇。
Ba Dongqing looked up at her, the redness in her eyes flickering with complex and indiscernible light. She didn't speak again, but leaned forward to kiss her lips.
“睡吧!”许煦躺下来。
"Sleep now!" Xǔ Xù lay down.
柏冬青关了台灯,在她身旁躺好,伸手将她揽在怀中,紧紧抱住,像是害怕她会忽然消失一般。
Ba Dongqing turned off the bedside lamp and lay down beside her, reaching out to hug her tightly, as if afraid she would suddenly disappear.
许煦在黑暗中默默想着,好像类似的话,他今天并不是第一次说,以前她没有当作一回事,但今晚他的神色,没办法再让他忽视。
In the darkness, Xǔ Xù silently thought to himself, as if he had said similar words not for the first time today. Previously, she hadn't given much thought to his words, but tonight his expression made it impossible for her to ignore.
难道他真的做过什么不好的事?
Could he really have done something bad?
可是他这个人别人说句重话都没有过,怎么可能做什么坏事?
After all, he had never said a harsh word to anyone else. How could he possibly do something bad?
她想来想去,也没想出个所以然,最后只得在他怀中作罢。
She thought and thought but couldn't come up with a reason, so she finally gave up and accepted his invitation in his arms.
*
转眼到了周五,许煦下班时忽然接到姜毅的信息,说他刚度蜜月回来,婚宴当时人太多招呼不周,所以想今晚专门请几个老朋友吃顿饭弥补,希望她能参加。
Before she knew it, it was Friday. Xu Xu suddenly received a message from Jiang Yi after work, saying he had just returned from his honeymoon and the wedding reception was too crowded to properly greet everyone, so he wanted to specially invite a few old friends to dinner tonight to make up for it, and hoped she could attend.
姜毅对于许煦来说,完全就是一个不熟悉的学长,在学校时也不过是点头之交,毕业后更是时隔几年,前次去华天才见到。
Jiang Yi was completely unfamiliar to Xu Xu, and they were merely nodding acquaintances during their time at school. After graduation, they hadn't seen each other for years, and it was only during the last visit to Huatian that they met again.
上次请喝喜酒已经有些让她意外,今天专门请朋友吃饭,也给她发了邀请,怎么都有点说不过去。
She was already somewhat surprised by the invitation to the wedding banquet last time, and now being specially invited to dinner with friends and even receiving an invitation, it felt a bit awkward.
她心里头觉得奇怪,但想着以后也算是一个系统内的,而且请吃饭是新婚夫妻的名义,倒也没什么大问题,于是欣然前往。
She felt strange about it, but since they would be colleagues in the system, and the dinner was under the guise of a newlywed couple, she didn't see any major issues. Thus, she happily went along.
吃饭的地方是一家私密性不错的会所式餐厅。许煦来到雅间时,里面已经坐了三个人,除了姜毅和他刀新婚妻子,还有一个,许煦前几天刚刚见过,正是程放。
The place for the dinner was a private club-style restaurant with good confidentiality. When Xu Xu arrived at the private room, there were already three people inside: Jiang Yi and his new wife, and another person, Cheng Fang, whom Xu Xu had just met a few days ago.
她倒是没觉得意外,毕竟程放是姜毅的室友,两人上学时是臭味相投的好哥们儿。
She wasn't surprised, after all, Cheng Fang was Jiang Yi's roommate, and the two had been close buddies in school with similar tastes.
程放却是在看到她的那一刻,面露惊愕,然后狐疑地看向姜毅。
However, Cheng Fang was shocked the moment he saw her, then suspiciously looked at Jiang Yi.
只见姜毅朝他眨了眨眼睛,笑嘻嘻站起身打招呼:“学妹,你来了!还怕你不赏脸呢!”
Jiang Yi winked at him and stood up with a smile, greeting her: "Freshman, you're here! I was afraid you wouldn't grace us with your presence!"
许煦笑着走进去,准备在姜毅的妻子林菲旁边坐下,哪知她还没走近,姜毅已经快速地拉开程放身旁的位置:“学妹,请坐请坐!”
Xu Xu smiled as she walked in, planning to sit next to Jiang Yi's wife, Lin Fei. But before she could get close, Jiang Yi quickly pulled out the seat next to Cheng Fang: "Freshman, please sit down, please sit down!"
许煦倒也没多想便坐了下,只是觉得这位学长似乎有点热情过头了!
Xu Xu didn't think much and sat down, only to feel that this senior seemed a bit too enthusiastic!
难不成是知道自己和柏冬青的关系了?但旋即又否定了这个想法,因为他对自己的热情,分明是和程放有关。
Could it be because he knew about his relationship with Bai Dongqing? But he quickly dismissed this idea, as his enthusiasm was clearly related to Cheng Fang.
这个发现让许煦微不可寻地皱了皱眉,希望事自己想多了,不然也未免太荒谬了些,都多少年前陈芝麻乱谷子等事了。
This discovery made Xu Xu faintly frown, hoping he was overthinking it, otherwise it would be too absurd, considering how many years had passed since then.
第32节
Chapter 32
姜毅回到自己位子坐好,看了眼腕表,笑着道:“老三老四应该马上就到了,我们先点菜,等他们人来了,不用久等就能吃。”
Jiang Yi returned to his seat and checked his wristwatch, smiling as he said, "Old Three and Old Four should be arriving soon. Let's order our dishes first, so we can start eating as soon as they get here."
许煦算是明白了,这是他们的宿舍聚会。
Xu Xu finally understood; this was their dormitory gathering.
姜毅叫来服务生,把菜单递给程放:“以前咱们宿舍吃饭,老二一直是点菜能手,今天就交给你和学妹了。”
Jiang Yi called over a waiter and passed the menu to Cheng Fang. "In the past, Old Two was always the one to order our meals. Today, I'll leave it to you and the junior."
程放笑着接过菜单,转头柔声问许煦:“想吃什么?”
Cheng Fang smiled and took the menu, then turned to softly ask Xu Xu, "What would you like to eat?"
他语气熟稔得有些让许煦不太自在,摇摇头道:“随便吧,都可以!”
He spoke with such familiarity that Xu Xu felt a bit uncomfortable, shaking his head and saying, "It's fine, anything is good!"
姜毅啧啧两声:“学妹你这不行啊!当初在学校的时候,咱们宿舍吃饭,每次老二问你想吃什么,你可从来没说过随便啊!”
Jiang Yi clicked his tongue twice: "Sister Freshman, that won't work! Back when we were in school, every time Second Brother asked what you wanted to eat, you never said 'anything' before!"
许煦笑了笑道:“主要是因为我过来前已经吃过饭了。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "Mainly because I had already eaten before I came over."
姜毅还想说话,程放已经笑着打断:“行了我点就好,我点菜水平绝对没有下降,你们尽管放心。”
Jiang Yi was about to say more when Cheng Fang cut in with a smile, "That's fine, I'll order. My skills for picking dishes haven't declined at all, you can rest assured."
他翻开菜单,认真地一样一样报给服务生,刚刚点完,服务生还没离开,门忽然从外面被推开,一高一矮的两道身影走了进来。
He opened the menu and carefully listed each item to the waiter. Before the waiter could leave, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and two figures, one tall and one short, walked in.
姜毅见到来人,面露喜色:“你们可算是来了!”
Qiang Yi, seeing the arrivals, showed a pleased expression: "You've finally come!"
许煦侧头,对上正看向她的柏冬青,对方等脸色几乎瞬间僵硬,连带着人都停在门口,一时忘了继续往里走。
Xu Xu turned her head and met Winter 柏's gaze. The other's face almost instantly stiffened, and they paused at the door, momentarily forgetting to step further in.
他旁边的周楚河倒是浑然不觉,激动地跑上前,一把抱住程放:“我日!你终于回来了!”
Zhou Chuh 河, next to him, was completely unaware, running up excitedly and hugging Cheng Fang: "F*ck! You finally came back!"
程放笑着将他推开,在他脑门敲了一下:“马上就要博士毕业的人,爆什么粗口!”
Cheng Fang smiled and pushed him away, tapping him on the forehead: "A soon-to-be-doctor, cursing like that!"
周楚河笑嘻嘻道:“我这不是高兴么?”说着,目光落在坐在他旁边的许煦,双眼一亮,笑道,“你们俩这是旧情复燃了?”
Zhou Chuhé smiled and said, "I'm not cursing, I'm just happy!" As he spoke, his gaze fell on Xu Xu sitting beside him, and his eyes lit up as he smiled, "Are you two rekindling old feelings?"
许煦将目光从慢慢走进来,在她旁边默默坐下的柏冬青身上收回,还没反应过来周楚河的话,程放已经笑着回答:“别胡说八道,我这跟许煦才第二次见面,人家有男朋友的!”
Xu Xu turned her gaze away from Bao Dongqing, who was slowly walking in and sitting down beside her, and was still processing Zhou Chuhé's words when Cheng Fang already smiled and replied, "Stop talking nonsense. I've only met Xu Xu twice, and she has a boyfriend!"
周楚河哦了一声,笑嘻嘻道:“我这不是希望有情人终成眷属么?就跟咱们老大和大嫂一样。”
Zhou Chuhé oh-ed, smiling and said, "I just hope that lovers end up together, like our boss and bossess."
许煦有些无语地扯了扯嘴角,他们这宿舍是还活在六年前吗?把分手六年的男女强行拉扯在一起,他们不尴尬她还尴尬呢?
Xu Xu couldn't help but tug at the corner of his mouth. Were they still living in the year six years ago? Forcing a breakup couple together, didn't they feel awkward? She felt more awkward.
她觉得自己今天好像不应该来,边想着边转头看向身旁的柏冬青。
She thought she shouldn't have come today and turned her head to look at Bao Dongqing beside her.
柏冬青抿抿唇,面色苍白地低下了头。
Bao Dongqing pursed her lips and lowered her head, her face pale.
第40章
Chapter 40
虽然柏冬青脸上没有什么表情,但是许煦却从他的脸色中看出了太多东西。
Although Bai Dongqing showed no expression on his face, Xu Xu could see too many things in his demeanor.
愧疚、痛苦、自责、恐惧………
Guilt, pain, self-reproach, fear…
他虽然是个老好人, 但性格其实并不懦弱, 也并非胆小怕事的人。是什么会让他出现这种表情呢?
He might be a good-natured person, but his character was not actually weak or cowardly. What would cause him to show such an expression?
许煦疑惑地皱起眉头, 思忖片刻, 忽然灵光乍现一般,联想到了什么。
Xu Xu furrowed his brow in puzzlement, pondering for a moment before suddenly having a flash of insight, recalling something.
明明这是他们宿舍的聚会, 明明姜毅并不知自己和柏冬青的关系, 却莫名其妙请了自己, 明明自己和程放分手已经六年,姜毅周楚河的态度和语气却这么奇怪?
明明这是他们宿舍的聚会,明明姜毅并不知道姜毅和柏冬青的关系,却莫名其妙请了自己,明明自己和程放分手已经六年,姜毅周楚河的态度和语气却这么奇怪?
再看到柏冬青这种反应,她再想不出点什么所以然, 那就真的太迟钝了。
再看到柏冬青这种反应,她再想不出点什么所以然,那就真的太迟钝了。
这时,姜毅已经站起来,神色激动道:“毕业六年, 这是咱们宿舍几个兄弟第一次聚齐了, 以前每次都是老二缺席,以后终于不会了。”说着, 他将目光对上许煦, “学妹, 今天我把你也叫来, 我知道你肯定觉得突兀, 老二也一直让我别多事,所以之前这些年我们从来没有打扰过你,但过了这么多年, 现在老二人回来了,我真忍不住了,觉得有些事是时候说清楚了。”
这时,姜毅已经站起来,神色激动道:“毕业六年了,这是我们宿舍几个兄弟第一次聚齐,以前每次都是老二缺席,以后终于不会了。”说着,他将目光对上许煦,“学妹,今天我把你也叫来,我知道你肯定觉得突兀,老二也一直让我别多事,所以之前这些年我们从来没有打扰过你,但过了这么多年,现在老二人回来了,我真忍不住了,觉得有些事是时候说清楚了。”
程放看向他,蹙眉轻笑了笑,轻描淡写道:“姜毅,今儿大家难得聚在一起,好好吃顿饭不行么?我的事你就别操心了!”
程放看向他,蹙眉轻笑了笑,轻描淡写道:“姜毅,今天大家难得聚在一起,好好吃顿饭不行么?我的事你就别操心了!”
许煦不动声色地看了两人一眼,正要开口,旁边的柏冬青忽然蹭的一下站起来。
Xu Xu looked at the two people calmly and was about to speak when Bái Dōngqīng suddenly stood up with a sudden movement.
“老大,我先说吧!”
"Boss, let me go first!"
姜毅被他弄得微微一愣,反应过来,点点头道:“你说也行,反正这件事你也很清楚。”
Qiang Yi was slightly taken aback by him, but then nodded and said, "That's fine. Anyway, you're also very 清楚 about this matter."
柏冬青低头,对上许煦看过来的目光,喉咙上下滑动了下,像是被人掐住一般,许久才发出声音:“当初程放和你分手出国,是因为家里破产,父母因此入狱,他没办法再考检察官,再加上高利/贷追债,他待在国内不安全,只能和哥哥出国,所以不得已跟你分手。”
Bai Dongqing lowered her head and, meeting Xu Xu's gaze, her throat moved up and down as if choked, taking a long time to speak: "When Cheng Fang broke up with you and left the country, it was because his family went bankrupt, and his parents were therefore imprisoned. He couldn't take the bar exam anymore. Additionally, there were debt collectors after him. He wasn't safe staying in the country, so he had to go abroad with his brother. That's why he had to break up with you."
“他出国也不是大家以为的去留学,一开始是去了东南亚投奔做生意的亲戚,在那边打了两年工,才辗转去美国读书。前年父母出狱,政审能过了,才回来考进检察院。”
He didn't go abroad for what everyone thinks, which is to study. At first, he went to Southeast Asia to join his business-minded relatives, worked there for two years, and then eventually went to study in the United States. Last year, his parents were released from prison and passed the political review, so he came back to take the exam and get into the procuratorate.
许煦看着他翕张的嘴唇,脑子里忽然有种强烈的不真实感,以至于好像听不懂他在说什么。
Xu Xu watched his lips moving and suddenly felt a strong sense of unreality, as if he couldn't understand what he was saying.
柏冬青说到这里似乎是有些词穷了,不得不停下来,姜毅马上激动地接上他的话:“他当时不想让你知道,因为不知道自己将来会怎样,不想让你有心理负担。他一个养尊处优二十多年的大少爷,出去那几年过得怎么样,他这个人要面子没跟我们详细说过,但据我所知一天睡三四个小时是常态。”
Bai Dongqing seemed to have run out of words at this point and paused, but Jiang Yi immediately got excited and continued: "He didn't want you to know at the time because he didn't know what his future would be like and didn't want to burden you with worry. As a pampered young master for over twenty years, how he lived during those years, he didn't talk about it in detail with us, but according to what I know, he usually only slept three or four hours a day."
“过去的就过去了!别说了!”程放低声喝止。
"Let it be in the past! Stop talking!" Cheng Fang said softly, cutting him off.
姜毅道:“我今天还非得说!”他看向许煦,“学妹,刚听老二说你有男朋友了,我说这些可能不合适。但老二是我大学四年的好兄弟,我不能眼睁睁看着他吃了那么多苦,如今好不容易回来,却什么都不能再做。”
Jiang Yi said, "I have to say this today!" He looked at Xu Xu and said, "Junior, I just heard the second one tell you that you have a boyfriend. I might not be the right person to say this. But the second one is my good brother for four years of university. I can't just watch him suffer so much. Now that he's finally back, he can't do anything else."
他伸手指向程放,一字一句道:“他当初跟你分手是不得已,他一直觉得很对不起你,在国外那么多年,也从来没忘记你,这么努力回来让人生恢复正轨,就是希望能有机会和你重新开始。”
He extended his finger and pointed at Cheng Fang, saying each word clearly, "He broke up with you back then out of necessity. He always felt guilty towards you. For so many years abroad, he never forgot you. He came back with such effort to get his life back on track, just hoping to have a chance to start over with you."
他这番话说完,在座的每个人表情都显得很微妙。许煦脑子里更是一团混乱,要说听到这些不惊讶是假的,但更多得是觉得荒谬。
After he finished speaking, everyone in the room had a very subtle expression. Xu Xu's mind was in a complete mess. It was a lie to say she wasn't surprised, but she felt more absurd about it.
程放见屋内一时陷入安静无声的尴尬,看了眼身旁许煦不自然的脸色,笑着打圆场:“小煦,老大的话你别放在心上,咱俩的事过去那么多年了,大家都有了自己的新生活,再纠结过去就有点好笑了。不管怎样,我祝你幸福。”
Seeing the awkward silence in the room, Cheng Fang glanced at Xu Xu's unnatural expression and smiled to smooth things over, "Xu, don't take what the leader said to heart. It's been so many years since our thing. Everyone has their new lives now. Dwelling on the past is a bit funny. Regardless, I wish you happiness."
许煦沉默不言。
Xu Xu remained silent.
还站着的柏冬青,沉默了半晌,抿抿唇再次开口:“以前的事说得差不多,那么就继续说现在的事吧!”
Bai Dongqing, who was still standing, fell silent for a moment, pursed her lips, and then spoke again: "If we've covered the past, let's talk about what's happening now!"
姜毅奇怪问:“现在有什么事?”
Jiang Yi asked in surprise, "What's happening now?"
柏冬青道:“我本来是打算等过几天大家聚的时候说的,但既然现在大家都在,我就开诚布公说了吧!”
Bai Dongqing said, "I was planning to wait until everyone gathered a few days later to say it, but since we're all here now, I'll be straightforward about it!"
他看了眼许煦,眼睛微微泛红,嘴唇也有些发抖,哑声道:“我和……”
He glanced at Xu Xu, his eyes slightly reddened, and his lips trembling as he said hoarsely, "Me and..."
许煦忽然像是如梦惊醒般,豁的站起身:“姜毅学长,今天谢谢你的邀请,不好意思,我有点不舒服,就先走了。”
Xu Xu suddenly seemed to wake from a dream, abruptly standing up. "Senior Jiang Yi, thank you for the invitation today. I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well, so I'll have to leave early."
“小煦……”程放见她脸色白的厉害,低声道。
"Xiao Xu..." Cheng Fang, seeing her face turn pale, said softly.
许煦摇摇头,拿起包头也不回地往外走,伸手拉开门后,忽然又停下来,转头道:“谢谢你们告诉我这些,但是这种事情不应该由旁人说出来,尤其是这么多年后由旁人说出来,我觉得有点荒谬。”她见柏冬青又要开口,直接叫了他的名字,“冬青,咱们顺路,麻烦你送我一下。”
Xu Xu shook her head, picked up her bag, and walked out without looking back. She reached to open the door but suddenly stopped, turning around and saying, "Thank you for telling me all of this. But such matters shouldn't be spoken by others, especially after so many years. I think it's a bit absurd." Seeing Bai Dongqing about to speak, she directly called him by name, "Dongqing, since we're going the same way, could you please give me a ride?"
“啊?”柏冬青仿佛还沉浸在自己的情绪,一时有点没反应过来。
"Ah?" Bai Dongqing seemed lost in her own emotions and took a moment to react.
许煦又说了一遍:“麻烦你送我一下。”
Xu Xu repeated, "Could you please give me a ride?"
姜毅自知刚刚说的那些话,许煦肯定一时半会儿接受不了,也忽略了她和柏冬青之间的细小微妙,赶紧道:“青儿,你和学妹要同路的话,就送送她吧!”
Jiang Yi knew that Xu Xu would definitely not accept what he said for a while, and also overlooked the subtle nuances between her and Bai Dongqing. She quickly said, "Qing'er, if you and the junior are on the same route, could you give her a ride?"
柏冬青犹豫片刻,终于还是点点头,随手拿起挂在椅背的外套:“……那下次我再约大家。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment but finally nodded, picking up the coat hanging on the back of the chair: "…Then I'll arrange it for everyone next time."
程放点点头,目光不经意落在他左手袖口处露出的半截手表上。刹那间的停留,没让他看得太清楚,但却有种熟悉感一闪而过。
Cheng Fang nodded, his gaze inadvertently lingering on the half-exposed watch on his left sleeve. The brief pause didn't allow him to see clearly, but a sense of familiarity flashed through him.
他眉头狐疑地蹙起,看着柏冬青跟在许煦身后出门。
He furrowed his brow in suspicion, watching as Bai Dongqing followed Xu Xu out the door.
屋内瞬间恢复安静,默了半晌后,姜毅试探开口:“老二,我知道是我多事,但我看你回来之后也没动静,我真忍不住。”
The room instantly fell silent, and after a moment of silence, Jiang Yi tentatively spoke, "Old Two, I know I'm overstepping, but since you didn't react when you came back, I couldn't help myself."
程放不甚在意地轻笑着摇摇头,沉吟片刻,抬头冷不丁问:“老三之前一直没跟你提过女朋友的事么?”
Cheng Fang smiled lightly, not taking it too seriously, and shook his head. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly asked, "Did Old Three never mention anything about his girlfriend to you?"
姜毅愣了下,对他这跳跃性的问话,一时有点没反应过来,回神后,有些无奈地摊摊手:“我也是结婚那天才听他说的,在华天工作了一年多,我见他就跟个工作狂似的,从来没提过这种事,我还以为他一直是光棍儿呢!”他想到什么似的,笑道,“说起来咱们宿舍,最终还是青儿和你混得最好,一个在单位是我上司,一个是上升期的检察官,以后还得靠你们多罩着呢!尤其是你,要是法庭上遇上,可得手下留情。”
Jiang Yi was taken aback by his sudden question and took a moment to process it. After regaining his composure, he helplessly shrugged his shoulders. "I only heard about it on the day of our wedding. He's been working at Huatian for over a year, and every time I see him, he's like a workaholic, never mentioning anything about it. I thought he was still single!"
Thinking of something, he smiled and said, "Speaking of our dorm, Qing'er and you ended up doing the best. One of you is my boss at the office, and the other is a rising prosecutor. We'll definitely need your help in the future, especially you. If we meet in court, you'd better be lenient."
程放若有所思了片刻,才回神,笑道:“四年好兄弟,一辈子好兄弟,虽然你今天的做法让我有点尴尬,但你的情意我心领了。法庭上肯定不敢手下留情,不过在符合法律法规的能力范围内,还是可以互相帮助的。”
Cheng Fang was thoughtful for a moment before replying with a smile, "Four years of good brothers, lifelong good brothers. Although your actions today made me a bit embarrassed, I appreciate your kindness. I won't be lenient in court, but within the legal and regulatory framework, we can still help each other."
姜毅连连点头:“兄弟如衣服,女人如……”
Jiang Yi nodded repeatedly, "Brothers are like clothes, women are like..."
还没说完,已经被旁边的老婆一顿胖揍:“如什么?”
Before he could finish, he was hit by a fat slap from his wife beside him. "Like what?"
姜毅赶紧嬉皮笑脸地改口:“女人如心肝。”
Jiang Yi quickly changed his expression to a playful smile and said, "Women are like one's heart and liver."
周楚河戏谑道:“嫂子,老大的意思是为兄弟可以两肋插刀,为老婆可以插兄弟两刀。”
Zhou Chuhé said playfully, "Brother-in-law, the big boss means that for a brother, one can stab two ribs, but for a wife, one can stab a brother twice."
看着几个人开玩笑的程放,低下头喝了口茶,失笑般摇摇头。然而盘旋在心头的那一丝不好的预感,却始终没能消失。
Cheng Fang watched as the few people joked around, lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and shook his head with a laugh. However, the bad 预感 that had been swirling in his heart did not disappear.
*
此时已经将近八点,夜幕降临,华灯初上。城市川流不息的马路,尾灯闪烁不停,变成了一道长长的车河。
It was already nearly eight o'clock, and night had fallen, with the city's lights beginning to come on. The busy city streets were a long river of cars, with taillights flickering continuously.
许煦靠在打开的车窗边,半闭着眼睛,让微凉的夜风吹在自己的脸上。
Xu Xu leaned against the open car window, half-closing her eyes, letting the cool night breeze caress her face.
从餐厅出来到现在,她和柏冬青谁都没有开口说话,车内有种诡异的安静。
Since leaving the restaurant until now, neither she nor Bai Dongqing had spoken a word, and there was an eerie silence in the car.
也不知是不是这突如其来的真相,让许煦反应不过来,她仿佛一下失去了语言功能。
It was unclear if it was the sudden truth that left Xu Xu speechless, as if she had lost her ability to speak.
不,其实能反应过来的。
No, actually she could have reacted.
如果她对程放哪怕还有一点意难平,听到今天这些话,心理多少都会被影响。但是感情这种事,真的是过去了就过去了。
If she had any lingering feelings for Cheng Fang, hearing these words today would have affected her psychology to some extent. But when it comes to emotions, once they are over, they are truly over.
她发觉自己听到程放这段际遇,除了觉得有些意想不到,以及略微的同情之外,再没有其他感觉,不过是像在听一个陌生人的故事罢了。
She found that when she heard Cheng Fang's story, she felt a bit surprised and a little sympathy, but no other emotions. It was just like listening to a stranger's story.
只不过这个陌生人的故事,让这段日子以来,自己苦苦追寻而没能得到的答案,在这个晚上,忽然全部揭晓。
However, this stranger's story revealed the answers to questions she had been searching for these days, all of which were suddenly clear on this night.
当初柏冬青放弃出国,却从未来找她。两人合租后,他从不逾矩暧昧,甚至在一起后,也是过了几个月才主动和她发生亲密关系。至于为何这几年刻意将她隔离在自己的朋友圈之外,也都因为这个故事,通通都有了解释。
Back then, when Bai Dongqing gave up on studying abroad but never reached out to her, and after they shared a room, he never overstepped the boundaries of intimacy, even waiting several months before initiating a close relationship. The reason for his deliberate exclusion of her from his social circle over the past few years was also explained by this story.
她求而不得的关于他是否真爱自己的疑问,自然也迎刃而解。
Her doubts about whether he truly loved her, unfulfilled as they were, naturally became clear.
他知道程放当初离开的原因,知道好友并没有放弃自己这个前女友。然而还是在明知道程放在国外吃尽苦头的同时,选择接受和自己的这份关系。
He knew the reason why Cheng Fang left initially, and he knew that his friend had not given up on him as a former girlfriend. However, even knowing that Cheng Fang had endured hardships abroad, he still chose to accept their relationship.
如果不是因为爱自己,他那样的性格,怎么可能做出这种在他看来绝对是背叛朋友的恶行?
If it wasn't because he loved her, how could he, with his personality, possibly commit what he would consider an act of betrayal to a friend?
可是这个发现,并没有让她觉得开心。
But this discovery did not make her feel happy.
她一面心疼他因为自己而被迫面临友情和爱情的抉择,卷入这种良心备受煎熬的困境中,而且挣扎了这么几年。
She felt heartache for him, forced to choose between friendship and love because of her, and trapped in a moral dilemma for so many years.
一方面又不得不失望,他竟然将这段你情我愿的关系当作罪恶,将她认真对待的感情当作错误,从而羞于示人。
At the same time, she was also disappointed that he regarded their mutual affection as a sin and her sincere feelings as a mistake, thus being ashamed to show it to others.
所以之前他一直不敢让程放得知,害怕自己的行为,让他的境地雪上加霜。同时也选择隐瞒了她,因为担心她会对他的行为不齿——实际上,他不止一次拐弯抹角说过很多次这种话,只是她之前一直不知道他这话背后的真相。
That's why he had always been afraid to let Cheng Fang know, fearing that his actions would make his situation even worse. He also chose to keep it a secret from her, fearing that she would disapprove of his behavior—actually, he had indirectly mentioned this many times, but she had never known the truth behind his words.
许煦觉得这种感受实在是太糟糕了,她让自己爱的人背负着罪恶和自己在一起,而自己却一无所知。
Xu Xu felt this feeling was terrible. She made the person she loved carry the burden of sin while she remained oblivious.
车子抵达小区内,柏冬青停好车后,许煦开门下车,没有等他,直接大步往单元楼走。
The car arrived at the residential area, and Xu Xu opened the door and got out, not waiting for him as she walked briskly towards the apartment building.
柏冬青锁了车,默默地跟在她身后,想要追上去拉住她的手,但到底还是和她保持了几步距离。
Bai Dongqing locked the car and silently followed behind her, wanting to catch up and hold her hand, but ultimately kept a few steps away from her.
许煦快走到单元楼门口时,慢慢停下来,在旁边的花坛边坐下。
When Xu Xu was nearly at the entrance of the apartment building, she slowly stopped and sat down by the flower bed.
柏冬青迟疑片刻,走上前蹲在她跟前,握住她的手:“我知道是我的错,不该隐瞒你这么久。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment, then walked up and squatted down in front of her, holding her hand, "I know it's my fault, and I shouldn't have kept it from you for so long."
许煦借着旁边的夜灯,凝视着他满含痛苦的眼神,一字一句问道:“程放当初走的时候,交代过你们不准告诉我他发生了什么是吗?”
Xu Xu leaned in the light of the nearby lamp and asked him, his gaze filled with pain, "Cheng Fang had told you not to tell me what happened to him when he left, didn't he?"
柏冬青点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded.
许煦:“因为你知道程放的事,也知道他对我所谓的余情未了,所以觉得和我在一起,是趁虚而入背叛了朋友,觉得我们的关系是错误的对吗?”
Xu Xu said, "Because you know about Cheng Fang's situation and also about my so-called lingering affection for him, you think that being with me is an act of betraying a friend and that our relationship is wrong, right?"
柏冬青点点头,又赶紧摇头:“你没有错,是我的错。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, then quickly shook his head, "You are not wrong. It's my mistake."
许煦:“所以你觉得喜欢我是犯错?”
Xu Xu: "So you think it's a mistake to like me?"
柏冬青沉默不语。
Bai Dongqing remained silent.
许煦轻笑了一声:“那么既然程放回来了,他要重新追求我的话,你是不是准备大大方方的成全?将你的圣人做到底?”
Xu Xu chuckled lightly: "So since Cheng Fang has returned, if he wants to pursue me again, are you prepared to generously accommodate him? To fully embody your saintly role?"
柏冬青睁大眼睛看向她,用力摇头。
Bai Dongqing widened her eyes and looked at her, shaking her head forcefully.
“那如果我想要选择他呢?毕竟他这么多年对我念念不忘,还是很让人很感动的。”
If I were to choose him, then? After all, he has been thinking of me for so many years, and it is really touching.
柏冬青脸色刷的一下白了,握着她的手,变得很用力:“不行!”
Bai Dongqing's face turned pale, and he gripped her hand tightly: "No way!"
“为什么?既然我们在一起这么令你罪恶,何必勉强自己?”
Why? If being together with you makes you feel guilty, why force yourself?
柏冬青哑声道:“没有勉强,从来没有,对我来说,你比一切都重要。”
Bai Dongqing spoke in a hoarse voice: "There is no forcing, there has never been. To me, you are more important than anything."
第33节
Chapter 33
许煦叹了口气:“是我害了你,当初如果不是我主动,就不会让你陷入这种煎熬中。”
Xu Xu sighed, "It was me who harmed you. If I hadn't taken the initiative, you wouldn't have been put through this torment."
柏冬青红着眼看她,哽咽道:“如果不是你,我可能一辈子都不知道自己想要的是什么。”
Bai Dongqing, with red eyes, looked at her and choked out, "If it weren't for you, I might have spent my whole life not knowing what I wanted."
因为是她,所以即使背叛了朋友,即使再愧疚,也从未后悔过。
Because of her, even though she betrayed her friends, she never regretted it, no matter how guilty she felt.
虽然父母不会教导孩子爱情这一课,但是这种能力却会在与父母相处的过程中潜移默化形成,家庭幸福的孩子大多会有着健康积极的爱情能力,家庭不幸的则很大一部分在这方面相对消极。
Although parents do not teach their children about love, this ability can still be subtly formed through interactions with them. Children from happy families often develop healthy and positive romantic abilities, while those from unhappy families tend to be more 消极 in this regard.
而他两种都不是,因为在性格成型最重要的青春期,家庭对他感情能力的潜移默化,完全是一片空白。
Yet, he is neither of these. During the crucial teenage years when his personality was forming, his family provided no influence on his emotional abilities, leaving a complete void.
所以当他第一次遇到心动的人,而且还是一个自己不应该去喜欢的人,他根本不知道该如何是好。当他知道自己做错了事,在自责的同时,更加害怕的其实是失去,所以只能笨拙愚蠢到自欺欺人地选择隐瞒,仿佛这样,她就会永远属于自己。
So when he first encountered someone he was attracted to, and this person was someone he shouldn't have liked, he had no idea how to handle it. When he realized he had made a mistake, he felt remorse, but what he feared even more was the possibility of losing her. Thus, he resorted to a clumsy and foolish attempt at self-deception by hiding his feelings, as if doing so would ensure she would always be his.
他可以承担做错事的惩罚,但是无法承担失去。
He could bear the consequences of his mistakes, but he could not bear the thought of losing her.
许煦看着他痛苦至极的模样,到底心里不忍,将手抽出来,站起身,不紧不慢道:“在餐那会儿,如果我不叫你走,你是不是准备宣布咱们的关系,然后让你的室友们揍你一顿?”
Xu Xu watched his agonizing expression and, finally unable to bear it, pulled her hand back, stood up, and spoke slowly and calmly, "During dinner, if I didn't tell you to leave, were you planning to announce our relationship and let your roommates beat you up?"
柏冬青低声道:“他们揍我是应该的。”
Bai Dongqing whispered, "They beating me up is justified."
许煦轻笑了一声,往单元楼里走,边走边轻描淡写道:“那可不行,你是我的人,除了我,谁也不能欺负你。”
Xu Xu chuckled lightly and walked into the apartment building, her steps light and her tone casual, "That won't do. You're mine, and no one else can bully you."
柏冬青怔愣了一下,回过神,赶紧跟上她。
Bai Dongqing was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained her composure and followed her.
许煦斜了他一眼:“我也是你的人,我们是堂堂正正地谈恋爱,如果你再有什么隐瞒我,自己一个人挣扎纠结,或者像今晚那样,把我和别的男人联系在一起,我就不要你了!”
Xu Xu glanced at him: "I'm also yours. We're going to date openly. If you ever hide anything from me, struggle with it alone, or try to link me with other men like tonight, I won't need you anymore!"
“啊?哦。”
Oh? Okay.
第41章
Chapter 41
柏冬青跟上去,试探着伸手去牵许煦, 被她故意躲开, 又试了一次, 才成功牵上。
Bai Dongqing followed closely, tentatively reaching out to 牵 Xu Xu, who deliberately avoided her touch, and tried again before finally succeeding.
许煦借着走廊暖黄的光看了他一眼, 见他一副做错事般小心翼翼的模样,知道他还没释怀, 有些无奈地轻笑了一声, 道:“这件事对你室友他们来说, 可能确实会觉得你不够厚道。但我怎么可能因此瞧不起你?你以为我像你这么一根筋么?我可是个没节操的女人,想到你在友情和我之间,最终选择的是我, 说实话我还挺得意的。唯一不爽的是,你当初竟然犹豫了那么久!”说到这里,她故作惊叹地轻呼一声, “我这么说, 你是不是会瞧不起我?”
Xu Xu glanced at him through the warm yellow light of the corridor, noting the careful and cautious manner in which he was behaving, and realized he still hadn't let go. She let out a light, somewhat helpless laugh and said, "To your roommates, this might indeed seem like you're not being generous enough. But how could I possibly look down on you for that? Do you think I'm as straightforward as you? I'm a woman without any principles. To think that you chose me over friendship, I have to admit, I'm quite pleased. The only thing that frustrates me is that you hesitated for so long!"
With that, she feigned surprise and let out a light exclamation, "Would you look down on me for saying that?"
柏冬青忙不迭摇头。
Bai Dongqing shook his head hurriedly.
两人走进电梯,许煦笑道:“那不就得了。你不是约了他们准备宣布我们的关系么?到时候我跟你一块去。他们有什么不满, 冲我们一起来就好啦。”说着有些愤愤然道, “用几百年前就结束的关系, 道德绑架别人的人生, 也未免太荒谬了些。”
The two entered the elevator, and Xu Xu smiled and said, "That's settled then. You weren't going to announce our relationship to them, were you? I'll go with you. If they have any complaints, they can direct them at us." She then said with some indignation, "Using a relationship that ended centuries ago to morally blackmail someone's life is a bit absurd, don't you think?"
柏冬青低下头不说话。
Bai Dongqing lowered his head and said nothing.
许煦继续道:“你在担心他们不会原谅你吗?”
Xu Xu continued, "Are you worried they won't forgive you?"
柏冬青点头, 顿了片刻,低声道:“其实也没关系,我已经有心理准备。就算他们不原谅我也无所谓的, 毕竟和我一起度过余生的人是你,不是其他人。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, paused for a moment, and whispered, "Actually, it doesn't matter much. I've already prepared myself. Even if they don't forgive me, it's fine. After all, the person I'll spend the rest of my life with is you, not anyone else."
许煦听到这个答案,满意地点点头:“这还差不多。以后多想想自己,别老想着别人怎么样,你不嫌累我还嫌累呢!”
Xu Xu nodded in satisfaction, "That's better. From now on, think more about yourself and stop always thinking about what others are doing. I'd be the one getting tired if you keep doing that!"
柏冬青嗯了一声,低着头没再说话。
Bai Dongqing hummed in agreement, keeping her head down and saying no more.
等到电梯叮的打开,两人走出去。他忽然轻轻笑一声。
When the elevator doors dinged open, the two stepped out. He suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
许煦转头看他,见他抿着的嘴唇,微微弯起,像是想大笑出来,却又用力忍着。
Xu Xu turned to look at him, seeing his lips pressed together, slightly curved as if he wanted to burst into laughter but was forcefully holding it back.
“你笑什么?”
Why are you laughing?
柏冬青摇摇头,走上前开门。
Bai Dongqing shook his head, walked forward, and opened the door.
她说得没错,是他作茧自缚了,虽然自己的行为确实是对不起朋友,但你情我愿的感情绝不是罪恶。
She was right; he had trapped himself. Although his actions had indeed wronged his friend, mutual and willing affection is not a sin.
人世间许多事都可以礼让,唯独感情和爱人不可以。相反,礼让才是罪恶,因为对方是有血有肉有感情有思想的人,而非物品。
In this world, many things can be accommodated, but not love and one's partner. On the contrary, accommodation is a sin, because the other person is a living being with feelings and thoughts, not an object.
他从来没有如此感恩遇到的人是她,她用她的坦荡从容,包容他的狭隘笨拙,原谅他的怯弱,带着他走出困住自己几年的迷雾。
He had never been so grateful for meeting her. She used her openness and composure to 包容 his narrow-mindedness and clumsiness, forgiving his timidity, and led him out of the fog that had trapped him for years.
意识到这一点,他忽然就有点后怕,如果当初不是她主动,自己想必就错过对他这么好的她。
Realizing this, he suddenly felt a bit afraid. If she hadn't taken the initiative, he would have missed out on such a good person.
而错过了她,自己的余生又还有什么意义呢?
And what would the rest of my life be for if I missed her?
想到这个,进门后,他几乎是有些惊慌失措地将许煦紧紧抱住。
Thinking of this, upon entering, he almost panicked and tightly embraced Xu Xu.
许煦本来还在奇怪着他刚刚为什么笑,现下忽然被他抱住,还箍得特紧,一下子连气都有点让她喘不过来。
Xu Xu was still wondering why he had just laughed just now, but now she was suddenly hugged tightly, making it hard for her to breathe.
“你干嘛呢?”她用力拍了拍他,反应过来有些失笑道。
"Why are you doing this?" She 拍了拍他, and then laughed a bit sheepishly.
柏冬青默不作声,手上力度稍稍放松一点,却仍旧将她抱在胸口。
Bai Dongqing remained silent, slightly easing the pressure in his hands but still holding her close to his chest.
抱了一会儿,他依依不舍地将她放开,低头对着她的眼睛。
He held her for a while, reluctant to let go, and bent down to meet her eyes.
许煦正要开口说话,沉默的男人冷不防凑上前吻住她的唇。
Xu Xu was about to speak when the silent man suddenly leaned in and kissed her lips.
还好,熟悉的气息和温暖,让他确定了这一切的真实性。
Fortunately, the familiar scent and warmth confirmed the reality of it all.
一个黏缠道吻眼见着就要将火点燃,许煦忽然想起什么似的,将他轻轻推开,故意板着发红的脸,嗔道:“我还在生气呢!在我生完气前,你不许碰我。”
The sticky embrace kiss saw that he was about to ignite the fire, and Xu Xu suddenly remembered something, pushing him gently aside. With a deliberately stern face that was flushed red, she said, "I'm still angry! Before I'm done being angry, you're not allowed to touch me."
柏冬青睁着那双已经染上欲色的眼睛,嘴唇抿成一条线,却还是老老实实点头。
Bai Dongqing, with those eyes already tinged with desire, lips pressed into a line, still nodded obediently.
许煦勾唇轻笑了笑:“去弄点吃的,我饿了。”
Xu Xu curled her lips into a light smile and said, "Go get something to eat, I'm hungry."
“好。”
Okay.
不仅是她饿了,还没吃晚餐的柏冬青饿得更厉害。不知是不是想通了,心里的大石头落下,一大海碗面吃得干干净净,连带着许煦没喝完的面汤,都给一块儿扫光了。
Not only was she hungry, but Bai Dongqing was even hungrier since she hadn't eaten dinner yet. It seemed she had come to terms with something, as she finished a large bowl of noodles without a trace, even cleaning up the leftover broth that Xu Xu hadn't finished.
时间尚早,也不能吃了马上睡觉,许煦便百无聊赖地坐在沙发看电视,柏冬青也难得没去书房工作,规规矩矩坐在她旁边,陪她一起看烂俗的偶像剧。
It was still early, and they couldn't go to sleep right away, so Xu Xu idly sat on the sofa watching TV. It was rare for Bai Dongqing to not go to the study to work, and she sat neatly beside her, watching the clichéd idol drama with her.
烂俗是真烂俗,许煦边看边在心里吐槽,不经意转头看了他一眼,却见他看得极为认真,一脸被感动的表情。
The drama was truly clichéd, Xu Xu thought to herself as she watched, but when she turned to look at him by accident, she saw that he was watching it very seriously, with an expression of being deeply moved.
许煦:“……”
Xu Xu: "…"
她无语地将电视关掉,打着呵欠回卧室。柏冬青从烂俗的剧情中回神,也赶紧跟上她,爬上床时,还谨记不碰她的叮嘱,和她老老实实隔了半米距离。
She silently turned off the TV and went back to her bedroom, yawning. Bai Dongqing, snapping out of the clichéd plot, quickly followed her, remembering not to touch her and keeping a half-meter distance between them.
两人安安静静躺了片刻,许煦不动声色地斜了他一眼,像是想到什么似的,冷不丁问道:“你当初为什么会看上我?”
The two lay quietly for a moment. Xu Xu, without making a sound, gave him a sidelong glance, as if thinking of something, and suddenly asked, "Why did you fall for me back then?"
“啊?”柏冬青愣愣地有点没反应过来。
"Ah?" Bai Dongqing was stunned and didn't quite get it.
许煦挑起眉头:“不会是因为被我强行夺去了贞操,才惦记上我吧?如果是这样的话,那那天晚上换成别人,是不是结果也一样?”
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow: "You're not keeping me in mind just because I forcibly took your virginity, right? If that's the case, would the result have been the same if someone else had been there that night?"
柏冬青终于回神,面红耳赤摇头否定了她这个假设:“当然不是!”
Bai Dongqing finally came to his senses, his face flushed as he shook his head to deny her assumption: "Of course not!"
许煦继续问:“那如果是很漂亮的女孩子呢?比冯佳还漂亮的那种。”
Xu Xu continued to ask, "What if it's a very beautiful girl, even prettier than Feng Jia?"
柏冬青板着脸,严肃道:“如果是别人,我根本不会让人跟我回家。”
Bai Dongqing's face remained stern as he said seriously, "If it's anyone else, I wouldn't let anyone come home with me."
因为是她,所以他才没有抵住诱惑,让两人在不合适的时间,做了不合适的事。
Because it was her, he couldn't resist the temptation, leading the two of them to do something inappropriate at an inappropriate time.
当然,他并没有后悔。因为没有那次错误,他们也就不会有后来的交集。
Of course, he did not regret it. Because there was no such mistake, they would not have had their later intersection.
许煦若有所思地点头,心中其实有些窃喜,表面却还装作一本正经的样子:“这么说你在那之前就喜欢我了?在程放还没离开的时候?”
Xu Xu nodded thoughtfully and secretly felt pleased, but still maintained a serious appearance: "So you liked me before that? Before Cheng Fang left?"
柏冬青不置可否。
Bai Dongqing remained noncommittal.
许煦叹了口气:“那确实有点不对啊!毕竟喜欢兄弟女朋友这种事还是不太厚道的。”
Xu Xu sighed: "That is indeed a bit inappropriate! After all, liking a brother's girlfriend is not very considerate."
本来板着脸的柏冬青,惭愧地低下头。
Ba Dongqing, who had been frowning, lowered her head in shame.
许煦承认,时至今日,在感情世界里,她仍旧着大部分女人所拥有的虚荣心,当得知他在上学时就喜欢自己,还是让她很有些自鸣得意。
Xu Xu acknowledged that to this day, in the world of emotions, she still possessed much of the vanity that most women had. It made her feel somewhat smug to learn that he had liked her even when he was in school.
她不想再逗他,免得他再次缩回去。于是在被子里,轻轻踢了他一下,笑道:“喜欢一个人没有错,何况你当初也没做过什么。”
She didn't want to tease him anymore, in case he retreated again. So, from under the covers, she gently kicked him and smiled, saying, "It's not wrong to like someone, especially since you didn't do anything back then."
好吧!实际上他从来就没做过什么,从头到尾就是她在主动。
Alright! In fact, he had never done anything. From start to finish, she had been the one who initiated everything.
想到这个就有点来气,明明这家伙就是喜欢自己的,可要不是当初她主动,两人什么都不可能发生。
Thinking about this makes me a bit angry. Clearly, this guy likes me, but if it weren't for her taking the initiative back then, nothing would have happened between the two of them.
饶是这样,也拖拖拉拉三年才在一起。
Even so, they didn't end up together until three years later.
她哼了一声,咬牙切齿地躺进被子里,啪的一下将灯关掉。
She huffed and gritted her teeth as she lay down in the bed, turning off the light with a snap.
暗下来的卧室,安静得只剩下两人的呼吸。
In the dark bedroom, the only sounds were their breathing.
过了几分钟后,许煦到底没忍住开口道:“让你不碰我你就不碰?这么听话怎么之前还瞒我那么久?”
A few minutes later, Xu Xu finally couldn't hold back and said, "You won't touch me? So obedient, yet you kept it from me for so long before?"
“我……”
...
许煦道:“让我高兴了,我就原谅你。”
Xu Xu said, "If I make you happy, I'll forgive you."
柏冬青这回倒是反应极快,她话音刚落,他就飞速伸手将她揽进怀中。
Bai Dongqing reacted extremely quickly this time. As soon as she finished speaking, he swiftly reached out and hugged her into his arms.
这一晚,柏冬青有没有让许煦高兴不得而知,反正第二天起来,她腰酸腿疼地差点下不了床,气得差点将罪魁祸首揍了一顿。
It is unknown whether Bai Dongqing managed to please Xu Xu that night, but the next morning she was so sore that she nearly couldn't get out of bed, and she was so angry that she almost beat the culprit.
*
过了两天,许煦下班后,被主编叫去一起参加一个饭局。
Two days later, after work, Xu Xu was called by the editor-in-chief to attend a dinner party.
这个饭局是司法口一个新上任的领导做东,宾客不多,总共也就一桌十来个,都是系统内的人。
The dinner party was hosted by a newly appointed leader in the judicial department. There weren't many guests, totaling about ten people, all of whom were from the same system.
许煦和主编赶到的时候,人差不多都已经到齐了。
By the time Xu Xu and the editor-in-chief arrived, most of the guests had already gathered.
“陈局,你好你好!”走到前面的主编笑吟吟与人寒暄。
"Director Chen, hello hello!" The senior editor smiled and greeted people as he walked forward.
“王主编你好!”叫陈局的中年男人笑着走过来打招呼。
"Director Wang, hello!" The middle-aged man who called him Director Chen walked over to greet him with a smile.
王主编在这个系统混了快半辈子,桌上的人差不多都认识,一一打完招呼,顺便介绍了自己的下属许煦,两人才找了位子坐下。
Senior Editor Wang had been in this system for nearly half his life, and most of the people at the table he knew. After greeting everyone, he introduced his subordinate Xu Xu, and the two of them found seats to sit down.
刚刚坐好,包间的门又被推开,两个男人一前一后走了进来。
Just as they had sat down, the door of the private room was pushed open again, and two men walked in, one following the other.
陈局再次笑着上前迎接:“郭检察长,幸会幸会!”
Mr. Chen greeted again with a smile, "Prosecutor Guo, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
两人握手寒暄了几句,那位郭检察长将身旁的年轻男人介绍给在桌的各位,自然又是一阵虚与委蛇的客套。
The two shook hands and exchanged a few pleasantries. Prosecutor Guo then introduced the young man beside him to everyone at the table, naturally leading to another round of formalities.
许煦默默看着程放恭谦地和人打招呼,怎么都想不起来当年那个张扬肆意的大男孩是什么模样了?
Xu Xu watched Cheng Fang greet people politely, but couldn't help but wonder what the boisterous and unrestrained big boy from back then looked like?
她做了这么多年记者,采访的对象有多少,自己都已经记不清楚,但却在无形中学会了几分识人的本领。
As a journalist for so many years, she had interviewed countless people that she could no longer remember, but she had subconsciously developed a knack for recognizing people.
她下意识将此时的程放和柏冬青做比较。后者在社交场合,也是这么礼貌谦逊,但是他的恭谦却给人一种难得的真诚,而非程放这样隐隐暗含了城府和世故。
She subconsciously compared Cheng Fang to Bai Dongqing at this moment. The latter was also polite and modest in social settings, but his humility gave off a rare sincerity, unlike Cheng Fang who seemed to subtly conceal depth and worldliness.
寒暄完毕,程放在她旁边的空位坐下,低声道:“这么巧?”
After the small talk, Cheng Fang sat down in the empty seat beside her, whispering, "What a coincidence?"
许煦轻笑着点点头。
Xu Xu smiled lightly and nodded.
饭局算是半公半私性质,主要是这位新上任的领导想要了解本地的法治生态,聊得话题自然都是这方面的。
The dinner was semi-public in nature, mainly because the newly appointed leader wanted to understand the local legal ecosystem. The topics of conversation naturally revolved around this.
许煦和程放两人在这桌上年纪最轻资历最浅。许煦只是记者,无非是老老实实听着,暗自记下来将来对采访写稿有用的东西。
Xu Xu and Cheng Fang were the youngest and least experienced at the table. Xu Xu was merely a journalist, so he just listened diligently and secretly noted down things that would be useful for his interviews and writing.
程放则有着与年龄不符的游刃有余,虽然看起来谦逊,但也不至于唯唯诺诺,非常懂得如何表现自己。公事私事泾渭分明,丝毫不因为许煦坐在旁边受到影响。
Cheng Fang, on the other hand, exuded a 自如 ness that didn't match his age. Although he appeared humble, he wasn't overly submissive. He knew how to present himself very well. He kept his professional and personal life separate, and was not affected by Xu Xu's presence.
许煦知道,他这个人交际能力从来就非同一般,如今成熟沉静下来,想必只会更加得心应手。
Xu Xu knew that this person's social skills had always been exceptional. Now, with his maturity and composure, he would surely handle social situations even more adeptly.
一直到饭局结束,两人几乎都没再私下说过话。
Until the dinner ended, the two of them hardly spoke privately to each other.
从饭店出来,送走了主编,许煦因为没开车,便来到已经开了彩灯的喷水池边坐下,等柏冬青来接她。
After leaving the restaurant, and seeing off the editor-in-chief, Xu Xu, since she hadn't driven, sat down by the fountain where the lights were already lit up, waiting for Bai Dongqing to pick her up.
坐了才两三分钟,一道身影在她跟前停下站定。
She had only been sitting for a couple of minutes when a figure stopped in front of her.
“没开车?”是不知何时走过来的程放。
"Didn't drive?" It was Cheng Fang who had approached her at some point.
许煦抬头看向他,彩灯闪烁下,男人的脸显得有些不真实,陌生得让她生不出任何遐想。
Xu Xu looked up at him. Under the flickering lights, the man's face seemed somewhat unreal, strange enough to prevent any fantasies from forming in her mind.
她笑着点点头。
She smiled and nodded.
第34节
Chapter 34
“不介意的话,我送你回去!”
"If you don't mind, I'll send you back!"
“谢谢,不用了。”许煦笑了笑:“我刚打电话给男朋友了,他一会儿来接我。”
"Thanks, no need." Xu Xu smiled: "I just called my boyfriend, he's coming to pick me up soon."
程放微微一愣,继而又笑着点头:“行,那我就先走了。”
Cheng Fang was slightly taken aback but then smiled and nodded: "Alright, then I'll be going."
许煦:“慢走!”
Xu Xu: "Take your time!"
程放默默看了她一眼,转身走了几步,又停下来回过头,再次看向坐在水池边的人。
Cheng Fang silently glanced at her and took a few steps before stopping and turning back to look at the person sitting by the water fountain.
她背后的音乐喷泉跳得欢快,周遭有小孩子在嬉戏,她却低着头看手机,似乎对周遭浑然不觉。
The music fountain behind her was jumping joyfully, and children were playing around, but she was looking down at her phone, seemingly unaware of her surroundings.
包括还没有走远的他。
Including the one who hadn't walked far away.
到底是什么样的男人,有这么大的本事,让一个女人对初恋完全没有哪怕半点缅怀之情?无论是身在云端还是泥泞,他都没有怀疑过自己对异性的吸引力,但如今却不得不生出一点挫败。
What kind of man has such great abilities that he can make a woman feel no nostalgia for her first love? Regardless of whether he was in the clouds or mire, he had never doubted his 吸引力 to the opposite sex, but now he couldn't help feeling a bit defeated.
他脑子里闪过前两天晚上在餐厅里,她脱口而出的那句“冬青”,以及柏冬青手腕上一闪而过的手表。
His mind flashed back to the night two days ago in the restaurant when she blurted out "Cedrus" and the watch on Bai Dongqing's wrist.
他默默看了她一眼,转过头,闭上眼睛,深呼一口气,抬步离开。
He silently glanced at her, turned his head, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then left.
许煦饭局快结束才给柏冬青发短信,他赶来时,已经是快一个小时后。
Xu Xu sent a text to Bai Dongqing just as the dinner was about to end. By the time he arrived, it was already nearly an hour later.
“等很久了?”刚刚加完班,还西装革履的柏律师气喘吁吁跑过来。
"Have you been waiting for a long time?" Bai Dongqing, who had just finished work and was still in his suit, panted as he ran over.
许煦抬头看他:“你这么急干什么?还早着呢,我又不急。吃过饭了吗?”
Xu Xu looked up at him. "Why are you in such a hurry? It's not even late yet. I'm not in a rush. Have you eaten?"
柏冬青点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded.
许煦拍了拍身边的位置:“那陪我坐一会儿再回去。”
Xu Xu patted the spot next to her: "Sit with me for a while before we go back."
柏冬青弯弯唇,在她旁边坐下。
Bai Dongqing curved her lips and sat down beside her.
这会儿已经入夏,却还没到最热的时候,有风的晚上,很是舒爽,喷泉边有很多出来约会乘凉的年轻情侣。
It was already summer, but it wasn't the hottest time yet. On a windy evening, it was quite refreshing. There were many young couples by the fountain area, out for a romantic date and to cool off.
有人在拍照,有人抱在一起亲密耳语,还有人在笑闹着,总归处处彰显着浪漫气氛。
Some were taking photos, others were hugging and whispering intimately, and still others were laughing and joking around. Everywhere, the atmosphere was undeniably romantic.
许煦偏头看了眼身旁坐得笔直的男人,努努嘴:“学学人家,咱俩好像都还没好好谈恋爱,就跟老夫老妻似的了,我还很年轻的好不好?”
Xu Xu tilted her head to look at the man sitting upright beside her and nuzzled her nose: "Learn from him. It seems we haven't properly dated yet, but we're acting like old married couples. I'm still quite young, right?"
大概是确定了自己在他心中的地位,好像不自觉就有点想恃宠而骄。
Perhaps because she had established her position in his heart, she couldn't help but feel a bit entitled.
呵!女人啊!
Hmph! Women!
柏冬青扫了一眼几对情侣,有样学样伸手将许煦揽在怀中,掏出手机:“那我们拍照吧!”
Bai Dongqing glanced at a few couples, then copied their gesture by hugging Xu Xu and pulling out her phone: "Then let's take a photo!"
许煦见他这么上道,好笑地靠近他,两人脸贴脸拍了两张自拍照。
Xu Xu saw him being so straightforward and found it amusing, so she leaned closer to him. The two of them had their faces touching as they took two selfies.
拍完,许煦低头去检验成果,见照片里的人笑的很傻,撒娇般道:“太丑了,删掉删掉!”
After taking the photos, Xu Xu lowered her head to check the results. Seeing the person in the photos looking very silly, she pouted and said, "Too ugly, delete it delete it!"
柏冬青喜滋滋看了眼,将手机拿开藏在身侧:“不要!”
Bai Dongqing looked at her happily and moved her phone away, hiding it at her side. "No!"
“嗨!你这是要翻身农奴做主人啊!”
Hey! You're trying to turn the tables on the oppressed peasants, are you?
许煦正要抢他的手机,一个提着小花篮的六七岁小女孩小跑过来,稚声稚气道:“叔叔,买朵花送给阿姨吧!”
Xu Xu was just about to snatch his phone when a six or seven-year-old girl, carrying a small flower basket, ran over and said in a childish voice, "Uncle, buy a flower to give to auntie!"
许煦停下动作,问:“多少钱一支?”
Xu Xu stopped and asked, "How much per stem?"
“十块!”
Ten dollars!
“这么贵?便宜点吧?”
So expensive? Can you make it cheaper?
女孩还未开口,柏冬青已经柔声道:“小朋友,我都要了。”说完扫了眼花篮里的数量,掏出两百块钱递给小女孩,“早点回家吧!”
The girl had not even opened her mouth when Bai Dongqing spoke softly, "Little friend, I've claimed you." After saying this, he glanced at the number of flowers in the basket and handed over two hundred yuan to the little girl. "Go home early!"
小女孩喜形于色,重重鞠了个躬,将篮子连花一起给了他:“谢谢哥哥!哥哥再见!”走了几步,又转头朝许煦挥挥手,“阿姨再见!”
The little girl's joy was evident on her face as she deeply bowed and handed the basket with the flowers to him. "Thank you, big brother! Big brother, goodbye!" She walked a few steps and then turned to wave at Xu Xu, "Auntie, goodbye!"
“嗨!”许煦佯装大怒,两百块钱从叔叔变成了哥哥,她却还是阿姨,这小家伙要不要这么现实!
"Hi!" Xu Xu feigned anger. The two hundred yuan had changed from an uncle to a big brother, but she was still auntie. Was this little guy being so realistic?
柏冬青笑着拍拍她的手,将花篮递给她:“送给你!”
Bai Dongqing smiled and patted her hand, handing her the basket. "I'm giving it to you!"
他虽然经常买鲜花回家,插在花瓶里做家里的装饰,但送她玫瑰却是头一遭。
He had often bought flowers to bring home and arrange in vases as home decorations, but sending her roses was a first.
许煦有点想嫌弃这没包装的玫瑰,但心里到底还是高兴,笑着接过花篮,却也不忘傲娇道:“下次送玫瑰再多点诚意,知道吗?还有,虽然小姑娘出来卖花看着挺可怜的,但其实不见的生活就多困难,别总是让自己的同情心泛滥,该讲价的还是要讲价,不要当冤大头。”
Xu Xu couldn't help but feel a bit disdainful towards the unwrapped roses, but her heart was still happy. She smiled as she took the flower basket, but couldn't help being a little proud and said, "Next time, add more sincerity when sending roses, okay? Also, although the little girl selling flowers looks pitiful, in reality, life isn't that difficult. Don't always let your sympathy run wild. You should still bargain, don't be a sucker."
柏冬青点头,看着她笑着低头去闻手中的花朵。表情恬然又满足。
Bai Dongqing nodded, watching her smile and lower her head to smell the flowers in her hand. Her expression was serene and content.
其实自己能为她做的并不多,但她好像从来都很容易满足,不过是一顿早餐、一束花朵,她表现出来的样子,都好像自己真的为她做了很多一般。
In fact, she could do very little for her, but she seemed to be easily satisfied. Just a breakfast, a bouquet of flowers, and she seemed to show that she had done a lot for her.
许煦觉察出他火热的凝视,转头奇怪地看他。
Xu Xu sensed the heated gaze and turned to look at him curiously.
还没开口,咫尺间的男人已经低头俯下来,吻上了她微微张开的唇。
Before he could speak, the man leaned down right in front of him and kissed her slightly parted lips.
背后的音乐喷泉在彩灯下欢快跳跃着,清凉的夜风拂起两人的发丝和衣角,周遭的欢声笑语点缀着这美好的夜色。
Behind them, the music fountain danced merrily under the colored lights, the cool night breeze ruffling their hair and clothes. The surrounding laughter and chatter adorned this beautiful evening.
远处,一个颀长挺拔的男人面无表情的看过来,这一切正好落在他那双冰寒的眼中。
In the distance, a tall and slender man looked over without expression, and everything fell into his icy eyes.
第42章
Chapter 42
隔日,柏冬青难得早早下班, 路过一家花店时, 他想起昨晚的事, 将车子停在路边, 走进了花店。
The next day, Bai Dongqing, who rarely left work early, passed by a flower shop and remembered what happened the night before. He parked his car by the roadside and walked into the flower shop.
店内的年轻姑娘,看到有顾客, 而且还是年轻男人, 明白这是生意上门了, 赶紧走上前殷勤招呼:“先生,是要买花吗?”
The young girl in the shop, seeing a customer, and especially a young man, understood that business had come in. She hurriedly approached with a solicitous greeting: "Sir, are you here to buy flowers?"
这是一家精品花店,装饰得很漂亮, 摆放得整整齐齐的花卉,新鲜芬芳,娇艳欲滴。
This was a premium flower shop, decorated beautifully, with neatly arranged flowers that were fresh, fragrant, and vibrant.
柏冬青想起昨晚送给许煦的那一篮子小姑娘卖剩下的玫瑰, 回家才发现花瓣都有不少已经发黑枯萎了, 偏偏她还爱不释手地插在花瓶里,舍不得扔掉。
Ba Dongqing recalled the basket of leftover roses she had sold to Xu Xu last night, and only realized upon returning home that many of the petals had already turned black and wilted. Yet, she still couldn't bear to throw them away, holding them in her hands with affection and care.
现在想来, 他其实还挺惭愧的。他知道男女谈恋爱, 送玫瑰是表达爱意的方式, 也明白女孩子大都喜欢这种方式。可他之前没送过许煦玫瑰, 其实不是因为他真的不懂浪漫, 只是在学校的时候,他看到过太多次程放送她玫瑰,于是每次想要送玫瑰的时候, 心里头就会冒出说不清道不明的心虚和自责,或者还有那么一点点酸味,以至于在一起这么多年,昨晚才是他第一次送她玫瑰。
Now that he thinks about it, he feels quite ashamed. He knows that giving roses is a way to express love in a romantic relationship, and he understands that girls generally like this method. However, he hadn't given Xu Xu roses before not because he didn't understand romance, but because he had seen Cheng Fang give her roses so many times at school. Every time he wanted to give her roses, he would feel a mix of guilt and unease, and sometimes even a touch of jealousy, which led to him not giving her roses for so many years, until last night when it was the first time.
看到她脸上喜悦的表情,他才意识到之前的自己错得多离谱。因为他的狭隘,她错失了很多该有的快乐。
Seeing the joy on her face, he realized how wrong he had been all along. Because of his narrow-mindedness, she had missed out on a lot of happiness that she deserved.
花店姑娘见他没反应,又问了一遍:“先生,你想买什么花?”
The flower shop girl, seeing that he hadn't responded, asked again, "Sir, what flowers would you like to buy?"
柏冬青总算回神,有点不好意思地扯了扯唇角:“玫瑰。”
Bai Dongqing finally came to his senses, a bit embarrassed as he tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Rose."
“红玫瑰吗?”
Red rose?
柏冬青点头,又赶紧补充了一句:“要好一点。不!要最好的!”
Bai Dongqing nodded and quickly added, "Better. No! The best!"
年轻女孩笑了,指着旁边两种样品:“最好的就是卡罗拉和红拂,您是送给女朋友吧?”
The young girl smiled and pointed to two samples beside her: "The best are Carola and Crimson. Are you giving it to your girlfriend?"
柏冬青点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded.
“现在这种红拂很受女孩子欢迎,您可以先看看。”
"Now this type of Hufu is very popular among girls. You can take a look first," she said.
柏冬青凑上前认真对比了一下推荐的两种玫瑰,想象许煦大概会喜欢那种。她应该更喜欢娇艳浓郁风格的吧?
Bai Dongqing stepped forward and carefully compared the two roses recommended, imagining that Xu Xu might like the latter. She should prefer a more vibrant and rich style, right?
得出这个结论后,他指着红拂道:“那我就要这种。”
After reaching this conclusion, he pointed to the Hufu and said, "Then I'll take this one."
女孩笑着问道:“我们有数量不同的花束礼盒,您看需要哪种?如果是生日纪念日,我建议选择九十九朵的礼盒。”
The girl smiled and asked, "We have flower boxes with different quantities. Which one would you like? If it's for a birthday or anniversary, I suggest the box with ninety-nine flowers."
柏冬青沉默了片刻,想到什么似的,冷不丁问:“那如果是求婚呢?”
Bai Dongqing fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What if it's for proposing marriage?"
这件事已经拖了这么久,今天是时候了。
This matter has been delayed for too long. It's time today.
女孩笑道:“那就选一百零八的花束礼盒,一百零八的花语是求婚。先生,您是要跟女朋友求婚吗?”
The girl smiled and said, "Then choose the flower box with one hundred and eight flowers. One hundred and eight flowers mean proposing marriage. Sir, are you proposing to your girlfriend?"
被人这么一问,柏冬青露出一点赧色,点点头:“就要你说的这种。”
When asked like that, Bai Dongqing blushed slightly and nodded, "That's exactly what I wanted you to say."
女孩眉开眼笑道:“您今天选的日子还真不错,咱们店里正在做活动,一百零八的礼盒只要九百八。”
The girl smiled widely and said, "The day you chose today is really good. We're having a promotion in the store, and a gift box for 108 only costs 980."
柏冬青想到昨晚许煦说他不要当冤大头的话,赶紧道:“还能再优惠吗?”
Thinking of Xu Xu's words from last night about not wanting to be a sucker, Bai Dongqing quickly said, "Can you give me a better deal?"
女孩看得出他不是缺钱的人,笑道:“这已经是优惠过的价格了。如果换做七夕情人节这种日子,价格得贵一倍。先生,求婚可是人生中最重要的时刻,价格代表了您的诚意。我猜想您应该很爱您的女朋友,不然也不会要最好的是不是?”
The girl could tell he wasn't short on money and smiled, "This is already a discounted price. On days like Valentine's Day, the price would be double. Sir, proposing is one of the most important moments in a person's life, and the price represents your sincerity. I assume you must love your girlfriend very much, otherwise, you wouldn't want the best, right?"
柏冬青点头:“那你帮我包起来吧!”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Then help me wrap it up!"
礼盒是现包的,女孩挑选玫瑰花的时候,他就认真在旁边盯着,每一朵都要经过他过目,弄得女孩儿想偷偷插一两朵稍微枯萎一点的都没机会。
The gift box was freshly wrapped. While the girl was picking the roses, he carefully watched by her side, making sure each one was inspected by him, so she couldn't even sneak in a couple of slightly withered ones.
一百零八朵玫瑰,半人高的盒子。在女孩嘴甜说完一句“这么帅的男朋友求婚,您女朋友肯定特别高兴的,祝你们甜甜蜜蜜白头到老”后,柏冬青心满意足地抱着从花店出门,来到车后,小心翼翼放进后备箱内,然后站着满意地看了一会儿才关上。
One hundred and eight roses, in a box taller than a person. After the girl sweetly said, "Such a handsome boyfriend proposing, your girlfriend must be particularly happy, wishing you both a sweet and long-lasting relationship," Bai Dongqing felt satisfied and carried the flowers out of the flower shop. He carefully placed them in the trunk of his car, then stood there for a moment, satisfied, before closing the lid.
他坐进驾驶座,正想着是买菜回去做一顿美味晚餐,还是在外面订一家高档餐厅。许煦肯定喜欢自己给她做的饭,但是要求婚的话,高档餐厅似乎更能表达自己的诚意。
He sat into the driver's seat, thinking about whether to go buy vegetables to make a delicious dinner at home or to reserve a high-end restaurant. Xu Xu would definitely like the meals he made for her, but for a proposal, a high-end restaurant seemed to better express his sincerity.
放在车子上的手机,忽热嗡鸣一声,有信息进来了。
The phone in the car suddenly buzzed and heated up as a message came in.
他随手拿起一看,是程放发过来的:有点事请大家吃饭,方便吗?
He 随手 picked it up and looked at it. It was from Cheng Fang: "I have something and would like to invite everyone to dinner. Is it convenient for you?"
后面直接附上了地址。
The address was directly attached at the end.
柏冬青微微皱眉,思忖片刻回过去:方便,我马上过来。
Bai Dongqing slightly frowned, thought for a moment, and replied: "Yes, I'll be right over."
他抵达约好的餐厅包厢时,里面已经坐了三个人,正是程放姜毅和周楚河。
When he arrived at the reserved private room of the agreed-upon restaurant, three people were already seated inside—Cheng Fang, Jiang Yi, and Zhou Chuhé.
程放见他进来,笑着站起身:“老三来了,我还怕大律师忙,没时间跟咱们吃饭呢!”
Cheng Fang stood up with a smile as he saw him enter. "Old Three has arrived! I was afraid the big lawyer was too busy to have dinner with us!"
他脸上虽是笑着的,但笑容却没有抵达眼底,看向柏冬青的眼神,有些深色莫辨的冷意。
Though his face was smiling, the smile did not reach his eyes, and his gaze towards Bai Dongqing carried a hint of ambiguous coldness.
柏冬青这么心思细腻的人,怎么会看不出怪异。他勉强扯了扯唇角,笑着问:“突然约大家聚会有什么事吗?”
Bai Dongqing, with his keen mind, could not fail to notice the oddity. He 勉强扯了扯唇角, smiling as he asked, "Is there something we should suddenly gather for?"
程放笑道:“你不是约咱们下个星期聚吗?我怕那时候临时有事要忙,趁着今天老大老四都没事,就先约上。没打扰你今晚的安排吧?”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "Didn't you invite us to meet next week? I'm afraid I might be busy at that time, so I took the liberty to arrange it for today since Big Brother and Big Brother Four are both free. Did I disrupt your plans for tonight?"
柏冬青摇摇头:“没有。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head, "No."
“坐吧!”程放伸手示意,“别弄得跟罚站似得。”
Please sit down!" Cheng Fang gestured, "Don't make it seem like a punishment.
他每句话听起来似乎都很正常,但柏冬青却听出了其中暗含的夹枪带棒。
While each of his sentences sounded normal, Bai Dongqing could hear the hidden sharpness in them.
他神色平静地拉了张凳子坐下。该来的总是要来的。今天一个人来说清楚也好,免得和许煦一起,让她也跟着尴尬。
He sat down calmly on a chair. What was coming was bound to come. It was better for one person to clear things up today to avoid making Xu Xu feel awkward.
姜毅笑嘻嘻道:“今天就咱们四个大老爷们儿,吹牛打屁不用顾忌。”
Jiang Yi smiled and said, "Today, just the four of us big guys, we can brag and talk nonsense without holding back."
程放笑:“是!什么话都可以说。”说着,转头看向柏冬青,“老三,你不是要跟我们宣布事情么?今天就一起说了吧!”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "That's right! We can say anything." Then he turned to look at Bai Dongqing, "Old Three, you wanted to announce something to us, right? Let's do it all today!"
柏冬青点头:“嗯!确实应该告诉大家了——”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "Mm-hmm! It's indeed time to tell everyone—"
%%
他还没说下去,程放却抬手打断他,笑道:“不急,咱们先叙叙旧情再慢慢说。”
He didn't get to finish speaking when Cheng Fang raised his hand to interrupt him, smiling and saying, "No rush. Let's catch up on old times first before we continue."
他开了瓶酒,给几个人各倒了一杯,然后站起来举杯道:“对我来说,大学四年是我人生中非常重要的阶段,你们三个是我最重要的兄弟。这些年,我在外漂泊,也算是经历了人世间各种坎坷,虽然你们在国内帮不了我什么,但我知道你们一直在关心着我。尤其是老三,当初我从越南辗转去美国读书,他二话不说就我转了十万块钱救急,这份情谊我一辈子都不会忘记。这一杯,我先干为敬。”
He opened a bottle of wine, poured a glass for each of them, then stood up and raised his glass, saying, "For me, the four years of university were a very important phase in my life. You three are my most important brothers. In these years, I've wandered far and wide, experiencing all sorts of hardships. Although you couldn't help me much back home, I know you've always been concerned about me. Especially with Old Three, when I had to go to America to study after a circuitous journey from Vietnam, he immediately transferred ten thousand dollars to help me in a pinch. I will never forget this kindness. This one is for you, as a sign of respect."
说着,他抬头,将杯中酒一饮而尽。
Saying this, he raised his head and drank the wine in one go.
姜毅面上动容,随后也一口喝掉手中的酒,激动道:“咱们当年都只是普通学生,你家里当时落难,我们帮不上忙,只能跟着干着急,眼睁睁看着你出国。如今你回来了,以后需要用得上咱们的,你一句话的事。”
Jiang Yi was moved, and he also drank the wine in one go, excitedly saying, "Back then, we were just ordinary students. Your family was in trouble, and we couldn't do much to help, so we could only watch helplessly as you left for overseas. Now that you're back, if you ever need us in the future, just one word from you will be enough."
周楚河附和点头:“我一个穷书生,比不得老大老三,不敢说什么帮忙的话,不过以后要是喝酒的话,绝对随叫随到。”
Zhou Chuhé nodded in agreement: "As a poor scholar, I can't compare to the eldest and third, so I dare not say anything about helping. But if we ever go drinking in the future, I'll definitely be there whenever you call."
程放笑着道:“有你们这句话我已经很高兴了。”他转头看向柏冬青,“老三的为人我最清楚,需要帮忙都不用我们开口。当年我们三个没少享受他的照顾。”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "I'm already very happy with those words of yours." He turned to look at Bai Dongqing, "I know third brother best. He doesn't need us to ask for help; we often enjoyed his care back in school."
柏冬青道:“你们也帮过我不少,对我来说,你们都是我真心相待的朋友。”
Bai Dongqing said, "You've also helped me a lot. To me, you're all friends I treat with sincerity."
“是吗?”程放似笑非笑,“我还担心你这么年轻就做到了华天合伙人,跟上学时为人处事不大一样了呢!”
Is that so?" Cheng Fang smiled faintly, "I was worried that you, so young, would be quite different from your school days in terms of how you handle things!
姜毅笑呵呵呵道:“这你就冤枉老三了,他在咱们所里,一点领导架子都没有,对我这个老同学很关照的,帮了我不少,总之非常非常够哥们儿。”
Jiang Yi smiled and said, "That's unfair to Old Three. In the office, he doesn't have any leadership airs. He's very considerate to me, an old classmate, and has helped me a lot. In short, he's a very loyal friend."
程放点点头,笑着叹道:“也是!当初我和许煦分手,离开学校那天,只有老三在宿舍,临走前,我拉着他陪我去校外喝酒。那天说了很多乱七八糟的话,现在想想竟然还记得。”
Cheng Fang nodded and smiled, sighing, "That's true! When I broke up with Xu Xu and left school, only Old Three was in the dorm. Before I left, I pulled him along to go out and drink with me. We said a lot of nonsense that day, and now I still remember it."
柏冬青神色微微一怔,不止程放记得,他也记得。
Bai Dongqing's expression flickered slightly. Not only did Cheng Fang remember, but he remembered as well.
第35节
Chapter 35
当初程放家里出事,他虽然告诉了宿舍几个人,但他性子骄傲,表面上看起来除了有些心事重重之外,并没有表现出多痛苦的样子。直到他和许煦分手,临行前的那天,拉着他在外面的小酒馆喝酒,两杯下肚,还没醉情绪就彻底崩溃,在他面前哭得泣不成声。
When Cheng Fang's family had an incident at the beginning, although he told a few people in the dormitory, his proud nature made him appear only somewhat preoccupied, without showing much pain. It wasn't until he broke up with Xu Xu and the day before he left, when he dragged him to a small tavern outside, that after just two drinks, his emotions completely broke down, and he cried uncontrollably in front of him.
他语无伦次说得那些话,他现在都还记得很清楚。
He still remembers clearly the incoherent words he said back then.
他告诉他曾经憧憬过的关于他和许煦的未来生活,说前途什么都能舍得,唯一舍不下的就是许煦。
He told him about the future life he had once dreamed of with Xu Xu, saying that he could 舍 give up everything for the future, but the only thing he couldn't 舍 give up was Xu Xu.
后来他痛哭流涕地抓住自己的手,就像抓住的是一根救命稻草。
Later, he cried bitterly and grabbed his hand as if it were a lifeline.
他说:“老三,你帮我照顾好小煦,不要让他被别人抢走了。我绝不会烂在国外,我一定会衣锦还乡,把她追回来。”
He said, "Old Three, take good care of Xiao Xu and make sure no one else snatches him away. I will never rot abroad; I will definitely return home in glory and win her back."
自己当时是怎么回答的?
How did you respond at the time?
是啊!当时自己回答了一个“好”字。
Yes! At the time, you simply replied with a "good."
那些不合常理的请求,是醉酒后的胡言乱语,但也是酒后所吐露的真言。
Those unreasonable requests were drunken ramblings, but they were also the honest words spoken after drinking.
那个“好”字是当时安慰他的承诺,却也是自己那一刻的真实想法。
That "good" word was a promise of comfort at the time for him, but it was also my genuine thought at that moment.
因为这是他第一次目睹自己这个从来光芒四射意气风发的好友,如此无助,如此狼狈不堪。
Because this was the first time he had witnessed his usually radiant and ambitious friend in such helplessness and such a state of utter humiliation.
那一刻的自己,是真的想尽己所能帮助他。
At that moment, I truly wanted to do everything in my power to help him.
然而在一个多月后,他就违背了自己的承诺。
However, more than a month later, he broke his own promise.
程放若有所思片刻,又笑着道:“不过那天是喝醉酒说的话,当不得真的,毕竟当时你也是要出国的人,怎么可能帮我照顾小煦。”他说完这句,沉默了片刻,忽然脸色一变,啪的一声,将手中的酒杯重重摔在地上,厉声道“但是我没想到你竟然这么当真!”
Cheng Fang pondered for a moment and then smiled, saying, "But that was something I said when I was drunk, so you shouldn't take it seriously. After all, you were the one planning to go abroad at the time, how could you possibly help take care of Xiao Xu?"
After saying this, he fell silent for a moment, then his face suddenly changed, and he slammed the glass on the ground with a loud crack. He then shouted, "But I never expected you to take it so seriously!"
姜毅和周楚河吓了一大跳。
Jiang Yi and Zhou Chuhé were greatly startled.
“老二,怎么了?”姜毅急忙道。
"Old Second, what's wrong?" Jiang Yi asked urgently.
程放看着柏冬青面无表情的脸,冷笑道:“你们问他!听他告诉我们,要对我们宣布的是什么?”
Cheng Fang looked at Bai Dongqing's expressionless face and sneered, "Ask him! Listen to what he has to tell us—it's what he's going to announce to us?"
“青儿,发生什么事了?”
Qing'er, what happened?
柏冬青看了几人一眼,语气平静地一字一句道:“我女朋友是许煦。”
Bai Dongqing looked at the few people present and spoke calmly, each word clearly: "My girlfriend is Xu Xu."
“什么?”姜毅和周楚河异口同声叫道,就像是没听懂一般。
"What?" Jiang Yi and Zhou Chuhé echoed in unison, as if they didn't understand.
柏冬青又重复了一遍:“我女朋友是许煦。”
Bai Dongqing repeated again: "My girlfriend is Xu Xu."
姜毅一副惊讶得不知如何是好的表情:“这……这到底怎么回事?”
Jiang Yi wore an expression of surprise, unsure of what to do: "This... What's really going on here?"
相比起两个大惊失色的旁观者,程放倒是显得很冷静,一字一句问:“你们好多久了?”
Compared to the two shocked onlookers, Cheng Fang appeared quite calm. He asked, each word clear and deliberate, "How long has it been?"
柏冬青:“几年了。”
Bo Dongqing replied, "A few years."
他话音刚落,程放的拳头已经上来。他没有躲开,硬生生让那带风的拳头落在自己脸上,发出一声令人心惊肉跳的闷响。
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Fang's fist was already coming. He didn't dodge; instead, he let the wind-whipping fist land on his face with a sound that sent shivers down one's spine.
包厢内顿时一阵子兵荒马乱,姜毅和周楚河忙不迭跳起来,将两人隔开。
Instantly, chaos erupted in the private room. Jiang Yi and Zhou Chuhé jumped up hurriedly, separating the two people.
姜毅语无伦次道:“老二,虽然……这个消息有点让人意外,但你和许煦分手那么久,她有新恋情也挺正常的。”
Jiang Yi stammered, "Older brother, although... this news is a bit unexpected, but since you and Xu Xu have been apart for so long, it's quite normal for her to have a new relationship."
程放站起身,脸红脖子粗,指着柏冬青吼道:“没错,许煦有新恋情哪怕是结婚了我都无话可说,如果她过得好我会祝福。她可以和任何人在一起,但!这个人不能是你!”
Cheng Fang stood up, his face flushed and neck red, pointing at Bai Dongqing and shouting, "That's right. Even if Xu Xu has a new relationship or gets married, I have nothing to say. If she's doing well, I will bless her. She can be with anyone, but! This person cannot be you!"
“你明明知道我还爱他,明明知道我和她分手是迫不得已,明明知道我在国外那几年过得像条丧家犬时,他是我最重要的信念和牵挂。”
You knew full well that I still loved him, that I had to break up with her out of necessity, and that he was my most important belief and concern when I was struggling like a homeless dog in the foreign country.
“那几年咱们在网上视频,我说起最大的愿望就是能够衣锦还乡出现在她面前。你大概关上视频,回头就躺在她身边。那年我去美国,你给我借了十万块钱救急,到底是因为我是你兄弟,还是因为偷走了我心爱的人,内疚的补偿。”
During those years, we had video calls, and I mentioned my greatest wish was to return to my hometown in glory and appear before her. You probably turned off the video and lay down next to her. That year when I went to America, you lent me ten thousand dollars in a hurry. Was it because I was your brother, or because you felt guilty for stealing the person I loved?
“你隐瞒了这么多年,生生让我做了这么久的傻逼和笑话。你可真特么牛逼!”
You've hidden this from me for so many years, making me a fool and a laughingstock for so long. You really are something else!
柏冬青对脸上火辣辣的疼痛似乎浑然不觉,一言不发地听他发泄完毕,才不紧不慢开口:“这件事是我对不起你,我也没有什么好解释和辩解的,刚刚这一拳头是我欠你的。”他顿了顿,一字一句道,“但许煦是我要共度一生的人,无论什么情况下,我都不会放弃她。”
Bai Dongqing seemed oblivious to the fiery pain on his face, remaining silent as he listened to him vent his anger. Only after he had finished did he speak slowly and calmly: "This is my fault for you, and I have nothing to explain or defend. The punch I just gave you was something I owed you." He paused, then said each word clearly, "But Xu Xu is the person I want to spend my life with. No matter what, I will never give up on her."
程放冷哼一声,拿起外套,大步往外走去,走到门口时,又蓦地转头,冷声道:“柏冬青,咱们的友情今晚就正式结束了。我期待以后在法庭上和你相遇,让我看看二十八岁华天合伙人的真本事。”
Cheng Fang snorted coldly, picked up his coat, and walked out in large strides. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and coldly said, "Bai Dongqing, our friendship officially ends tonight. I look forward to meeting you in court in the future to see the true skills of a 28-year-old Huatian partner."
说完头也不回地拂袖而去。
With that, he turned and left without a second glance.
周楚河看看门口,又看看坐在原地的柏冬青,犹豫了片刻,还是咬咬唇追了出去。
Zhou Chuhé looked at the door, then at Bai Dongqing who was still sitting there, hesitated for a moment, and then bit his lip before chasing after him.
姜毅看了眼被甩上的门,在他旁边坐下,低声道:“青儿,你嘴角流血了,我去帮你买点药擦擦。”
Jiang Yi glanced at the door that had been slammed shut and sat down beside her, whispering, "Qing'er, you have blood at the corner of your mouth. I'll go get some medicine to clean it up for you."
柏冬青伸出手指,将嘴角渗出的血迹随意擦拭了一下,摇头淡声道:“没事,他没用全力,睡一觉就好了。你不用管我,去看看老二怎么样吧?”
Bai Dongqing extended her finger and casually wiped the blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, shaking her head and speaking in a faint voice, "It's fine. He didn't use his full strength; a good sleep will do. You don't need to worry about me. Go check on the second one, okay?"
姜毅道:“老四已经追去了,应该没事。”他顿了片刻,“说实话,我真没想到你和许煦……”
Jiang Yi said, "Old Four has already gone after him, so he should be fine." He paused for a moment, then said honestly, "To be honest, I never thought you and Xu Xu... "
柏冬青自嘲地轻笑一声:“为什么任何人都可以,我不行?我不过是喜欢上一个人,这个人恰好是许煦而已。”
Bai Dongqing laughed self-deprecatingly, "Why can anyone else do it, but not me? I just fell in love with someone, and that person just happens to be Xu Xu."
“你也别怪老二刚刚冲动,主要是他一直没忘记许煦,回来时本来还想找她来着,哪想到你竟然和她在一起,一时想不开挺正常,过段时间应该就会想通的。”
Don't blame the second brother for his impulsiveness just now. The main reason is that he never forgot Xu Xu. When he came back, he originally wanted to find her, but he never expected that you were with her. It's quite normal to be upset for a moment. He should be able to understand in a few days.
柏冬青舒了口气:“无所谓了,之前一直瞒着没告诉他,是怕给他雪上加霜,现在他已经重新拥有了光鲜的生活,也不需要我再努力去修复这段兄弟情锦上添花,顺其自然吧!”
Bai Dongqing heaved a sigh of relief: "It doesn't matter. I've been keeping it from him before because I was afraid of adding to his burden. Now that he has regained his bright life, he no longer needs me to work hard to mend their brotherly bond. Let it take its natural course!"
姜毅道:“那你回去好好休息吧!”
Jiang Yi said, "Then go back and rest well!"
柏冬青站点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded and stood up.
两人出门来到酒店外,早没有了程放的身影。
The two left the room and went to the hotel entrance, where Cheng Fang was no longer to be seen.
和姜毅告别后,柏冬青回到自己车上,准备启动车子时,才后知后觉觉得脸上疼得厉害。
After bidding farewell to Jiang Yi, Bai Dongqing returned to her car. Only when she was about to start the car did she suddenly realize how painful it was on her face.
他动了动嘴角,顿时一阵锥心的火辣传来。他转下后视镜照了照,嘴角还残留着血迹,连带着半边脸都已经肿得老高,眼睛一只大一只小,形容之狼狈,让他自己都忍不住有点想笑。
He moved the corner of his mouth, and immediately a sharp, burning sensation came over him. He turned the rearview mirror to take a look, and found that there was still blood on the corner of his mouth, and his entire side of the face was swollen, with one eye much larger than the other. The sight of himself was so miserable that he couldn't help but feel a bit amused.
然后他也真的笑了出来,如释重负的笑。
Then he really did laugh, a relieved laugh.
那些压在心中如同沉甸甸包袱的负罪感,终于随着落在脸上的那一拳,而烟消云散。
The guilt weighing heavily on his heart, like a burdensome burden, finally dissipated with the punch that landed on his face.
以后他可以堂堂正正地去爱最所爱之人。
From now on, he could love the person he loved most without shame.
唯一有点郁闷的是,今晚自己这副鬼样子,之前准备的玫瑰花没办法派上真正的用场了。
The only slightly disappointing part was that with his appearance tonight, the roses he had prepared beforehand wouldn't be able to serve their intended purpose.
第43章
Chapter 43
担心自己脸上的伤被许煦发现,柏冬青发了条信息谎称加班, 在外面游荡到了快十点才回家。
Worried that Xu Xu would notice her injuries, Bai Dongqing sent a message saying she was working late and didn't return home until nearly ten o'clock.
进门的时候, 许煦正坐在沙发看电视, 客厅只开了一盏落地台灯, 光线调得微弱,她的脸就在那暖色的灯光下, 柔和得像一幅画。
When she entered, Xu Xu was sitting on the sofa watching TV. The living room was lit only by a small table lamp, and the light was dim, making her face look soft and like a painting under the warm glow.
“回来了?”听到开门声, 她转头看向玄关处。
"Back?" Hearing the door open, she turned her head towards the entrance.
“嗯。”柏冬青抱着硕大的花束礼盒, 挡住自己受伤的那半张脸,走进来侧身将盒子放在她面前的茶几上,“送给你的, 你看看喜不喜欢?我先去洗澡了。”
Uh-huh." Bai Dongqing carried a large bouquet of flowers, blocking her injured half-face, and walked in, sidestepping to place the box on the coffee table in front of her. "It's for you. See if you like it? I'm going to take a bath first.
说完也不等许煦打开,就迅速折身钻进了洗手间。
After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Xu Xu to open it and quickly turned and darted into the bathroom.
许煦狐疑地看了眼他动作飞快的背影,低头将盒子打开。
Xu Xu looked suspiciously at his quickly moving back, then lowered her head to open the box.
满盒子带着香气的娇艳红玫瑰跳入眼帘。大片的红有种让人兴奋的浓烈, 以至于许煦怔了半晌才回神。
A full box of fragrant, delicate red roses leaped into her view. The large expanse of red was so intense it almost made her excited, causing her to pause for a moment before regaining her composure.
意外的同时, 又有些狐疑。这是忽然开窍,知道送她玫瑰了?但今天又不是什么特殊节日, 这么大手笔是干嘛?
Surprised, she was also a bit suspicious. Was he suddenly enlightened and decided to send her roses? But today wasn't any special holiday, so why such a grand gesture?
许煦本想开口问他, 但听到浴室哗啦啦的流水声, 暂时作罢。她喜滋滋欣赏了会儿花, 起身去找玻璃瓶, 将玫瑰从盒子里小心翼翼拿出来插好。
Xu Xu initially wanted to ask him, but hearing the gushing water from the bathroom, she decided to wait. She happily admired the flowers for a while, then got up to find a glass vase, carefully taking the roses out of the box and arranging them.
这么一大盒玫瑰,用了四个大玻璃瓶,才勉强插完, 整个屋子都是玫瑰的香气。
With such a large box of roses, it took four big glass vases just to fit them all, filling the entire room with their fragrance.
只不过许煦有点奇怪的是,本来以为这盒玫瑰是九十九朵,但插花的时候,顺便数了一下,却发觉是一百零八朵。她好奇地上网一查,一百零八朵玫瑰的花语是求婚。
What was strange for Xu Xu, however, was that she had originally thought there were ninety-nine roses in the box, but while arranging them, she counted and found there were one hundred and eight. Curious, she searched online, and discovered that one hundred and eight roses meant a proposal.
当许煦看着网上的答案,有那么一刹那,心跳忽然就加快。
When Xu Xu saw the answer online, her heart suddenly raced for a moment.
这是要跟她求婚么?
Is he proposing to her?
本来在这之前,她还从没认真想过这个问题,但是当她意识到柏冬青要跟自己求婚,还是抑制不住兴奋又激动。
Before this, she had never seriously considered this question. But now that she realized Bai Dongqing was going to propose to her, she couldn't help feeling excited and thrilled.
她赶紧跑到礼盒边,伸手在里面摸了一圈,可是并没有摸到戒指的影子。
She quickly ran to the gift box and reached inside, but couldn't find any trace of the ring.
不会是藏在花朵里吧?想着,又跑到插好的花束前,仔仔细细一朵一朵查看。
Could it be hidden in the flowers? Thinking this, she went to the bouquet of flowers and carefully checked each one.
“我今天特别累,早点睡了。”柏冬青从浴室出来,捂着半边脸说完这句,就匆匆钻进了卧室。
"I'm really tired today, let's go to bed early." Bai Dongqing came out of the bathroom, covering half his face as he said this, and then hurriedly entered the bedroom.
许煦一门心思想找出求婚戒指,转头看了他一眼也没在意,回头继续寻找。然而每一朵玫瑰都检查完毕,也没发现半点蛛丝马迹。
Xu Xu focused entirely on finding the engagement ring, didn't notice when he turned to look at him, and continued searching. However, after checking every single rose, she still found no trace of it.
她撇撇嘴,伸长脖子朝卧室里看了眼,柏冬青已经躺在被子里,半蒙住脑袋,果真是要睡了的样子。
She pursed her lips and stretched her neck to look into the bedroom. Bai Dongqing was already lying in the bed, half covering his head, truly looking like he was about to sleep.
莫非是自己误会了?他只是单纯送束花而已?可是单纯送个花,怎么就偏偏送一百零八朵?
Could it be that she had misunderstood him? He was just sending a bouquet of flowers? But why did he send exactly one hundred and eight roses if he was just sending flowers?
许煦倒也不是失望,自从自己的心结解开后,她已经笃定未来必然和柏冬青共度。只不过女人不管多大年纪,总还是对浪漫有所向往,尤其是柏冬青这种榆木疙瘩,要是能对她做点什么浪漫的事,当然会让她很欣喜。
Xu Xu was not disappointed either. Since her heart knot had been untied, she was certain that her future would be spent with Bai Dongqing. However, no matter how old a woman was, she always yearned for romance. Especially for someone like Bai Dongqing, who was as stubborn as a wooden block, if he could do something romantic for her, it would certainly make her very happy.
她洗了手回到卧室爬上床,在自己枕头下摸了摸,还是什么都没有。然后又不甘心地趴在侧身躺着半蒙住头的柏冬青身旁,在被子下寻到他的手摸了把,仍旧是空空荡荡。
She washed her hands and returned to the bedroom, climbing onto the bed. She reached under her pillow, but found nothing. Then, she couldn't bear to give up and lay beside Bai Dongqing on his side, half covering her head with the blanket. She searched under the blanket for his hand and still felt nothing.
“你是不是忘了什么?”她抱住他,拱进被子里,在他脸上亲了一下。
"Did you forget something?" She hugged him, burrowing into the blanket and kissed his face.
“嘶——”柏冬青因为侧脸的伤处被碰到,疼得倒吸了口冷气。
"Ah—!" Bai Dongqing drew in a sharp breath of pain as the wound on his cheek was touched.
“怎么了?”许煦吓了一跳,坐起来将被子掀开。
"What's wrong?" Xu Xu was startled and sat up, pulling back the blanket.
卧室里只有淡淡的台灯光芒,但也足够让她看清楚柏冬青还没来得遮挡的侧脸。从嘴角到眼角的左侧脸,青青紫紫肿得老高。
The bedroom was only illuminated by a faint bedside lamp, but it was enough for her to see the partially exposed side of Bai Dongqing's face. The left side, from the corner of his mouth to his eye, was swollen and bruised, a deep shade of purple and blue.
“怎么回事?”许煦见状,心惊肉跳地将他拉起来问。
"What happened?" Xu Xu, alarmed, pulled him up and asked.
柏冬青轻轻揉了揉伤处,低声道:“没事,就是走路不小心摔了一跤。”
Bai Dongqing gently rubbed the injured area and whispered, "It's nothing. I just tripped while walking."
许煦要信他这鬼话,那真是白跟他在一起生活这么多年了。她将他的手拿开,去检查他受伤的地方。
If Xu Xu believed this nonsense, then all these years living with him would have been in vain. She took his hand away to examine the injured area.
柏冬青不自在地歪头躲避,支支吾吾道:“……真没事。”
Bai Dongqing uncomfortably tilted his head to avoid looking, stammering, "…I'm really fine."
“你躲什么躲?我说你怎么十点多就睡觉呢,原来是不想让我看到。”
Why are you avoiding me? I asked why you were sleeping so late, and now I see it's because you didn't want me to see.
柏冬青道:“不想让你看到这么丑的样子。”
Bai Dongqing said, "I didn't want you to see me in such a ugly state."
许煦哭笑不得:“你没擦药吧?”
Xu Xu cried and laughed helplessly: "Didn't you apply the medicine?"
柏冬青道:“就是点皮外伤,睡一觉肯定就能消肿了。”
Bai Dongqing said, "It's just a minor abrasion. You'll definitely be able to reduce the swelling by sleeping."
许煦皮笑肉不笑干笑两声,快速下床,跑到厨房噼里啪啦忙活。柏冬青也不知道她在干什么,坐在床上睡也不是,不睡也不是,只能傻愣愣等她回来。
Xu Xu smiled on the outside but not on the inside, and laughed dryly for a moment before quickly getting out of bed and rushing to the kitchen, busily working there. Bai Dongqing had no idea what she was doing, so she sat on the bed, neither sleeping nor doing anything else, and could only stare blankly, waiting for her to return.
十分钟后,许煦拿着一个剥壳的煮鸡蛋走了进来,命令道:“躺好,我给你用鸡蛋滚一会儿消消肿,不然明天都不知道你怎么出去见人!”
Ten minutes later, Xu Xu came in carrying a peeled boiled egg, ordering, "Lie still. I'll roll it over your swelling for a while to reduce it. Otherwise, you won't know how to go out and meet people tomorrow!"
“哦!”柏冬青老老实实躺下,将那半边青肿的脸露给她。
"Oh!" Bai Dongqing lay down 老实, exposing his swollen and bruised face to her.
许煦盘腿坐在他旁边,试探着用鸡蛋在他脸上碰了碰:“怎么样?疼吗?”
Xu Xu sat cross-legged beside him,试探 ing by gently tapping an egg on his face: "How is it? Does it hurt?"
柏冬青轻轻摇头:“热乎乎的,很舒服。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head lightly: "Warm and very comfortable."
许煦开始在他受伤的脸颊上小心翼翼滚着,轻描淡写问:“到底怎么回事?”不等柏冬青回答,又赶紧补充道,“你要再说什么不小心摔倒,信不信我让你给我示范再摔一次!”
Xu Xu began rolling the egg gently over his injured cheek, asking lightly, "What really happened?" Before he could answer, she quickly added, "If you say you fell down by accident again, do you really think I'll let you demonstrate it for me once more!"
柏冬青微微张开的嘴又阖了上,过了一会儿才低声道:“我今天去见程放了。”
Bai Dongqing's slightly open mouth closed again, and after a while, he whispered, "I went to see Cheng Fang today."
许煦看着他那有些黯然的表情,心下猜到了几分:“他知道咱们在一起的事了?然后为这事打了你?”
Xu Xu looked at his somewhat dejected expression and guessed a bit, "He knows about us being together? And he beat you over this?"
柏冬青点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded.
许煦眉头微蹙,轻嗤一声,不悦道:“他还真是够能道德绑架的。不管当年他发生了什么事,但我和他分手是事实,这都过去六年了。凭什么你不能跟我在一起?就因为你是他朋友?”
Xu Xu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she snorted softly, sounding displeased, "He really knows how to use moral high ground. Regardless of what happened back then, the fact is that I broke up with him, and that was six years ago. Why can't you be with me just because you're his friend?"
柏冬青道:“他生气我能理解,毕竟我很清楚他发生了什么,也知道他没忘记你。而且和你在一起后还隐瞒了他这么多年,换成是我也会生气的。”
Ba Dongqing said, "I understand why he's angry. After all, I know exactly what happened to him and that he hasn't forgotten you. Moreover, he kept this a secret from you for so many years. If it were me, I would be angry too."
“换成是你估计也就生生闷气吧!”她说着手上稍稍用力,“你说你怎么这么傻?他打你你就让他打?”
She said, 'Probably you would just take it silently! ' As she spoke, she applied a little more force. 'How could you be so stupid? Should he hit you, you just let him hit you?'
柏冬青疼得吸了口冷气:“这件事我确实有错,他打了我这一拳,我心里反倒舒坦了,以后也不会再有什么心理压力。”
Ba Dongqing winced in pain: "I did make a mistake with this. But after he hit me, I felt relieved, and I won't have any psychological pressure in the future."
第36节
Chapter 36
“本来就不应该有。”许煦轻笑一声,“咱俩在一起是我主动的,你顶多就是没抵挡住我的美色,说起来还是受害者呢!”
Originally, there shouldn't have been any," Xu Xu chuckled. "It was me who initiated this, and you only couldn't resist my beauty. In fact, you're the victim here!
柏冬青也笑了,只不过因为半边脸肿着,看起来有点滑稽。
Bai Dongqing also smiled, though the swelling on half his face made it look somewhat comical.
许煦笑得更甚:“以后他要是再对你动手,你可不能就这么让他打。”
Xu Xu laughed even more: "From now on, if he tries to hit you again, you can't just let him."
柏冬青一本正经道:“不行!打架斗殴轻则构成治安违法,重则触犯刑法,我不能知法犯法。”
Bai Dongqing spoke seriously: "No way! Fighting and brawling can range from minor public order violations to criminal offenses. I can't break the law knowingly."
许煦真是哭笑不得,拍了他一下:“我又没让你和人打架,正当防卫总行吧?躲开也不难吧?反正不能让人这么打,你不怕疼,我还心疼呢!”
Xu Xu was truly at a loss, slapping him and saying, "I didn't tell you to fight anyone. Self-defense should be fine, right? It's not that hard to avoid, right? Anyway, they can't just beat you up. You're not afraid of pain, but I am!"
柏冬青黑沉沉的眸子跳动了下,伸手将她抱住,声音暗哑道:“真不疼!”
Bai Dongqing's dark eyes flickered, and he reached out to embrace her, his voice hoarse as he said, "It really doesn't hurt!"
时至今日,偶尔还是有种做梦的感觉。他从十四岁开始,人生进入了漫长的孤独之旅,仿佛走在一段不知何时才能到头的长夜之中,就在他以为这种独自前行的孤寂会漫无止境时,忽然有人来到他身边,赠给他一抹熹微之光,然后天光大亮。
To this day, there was still a sense of dreaming. From the age of fourteen, his life had entered a long journey of solitude, as if walking through a long night that seemed endless. Just when he thought this solitary journey would go on forever, someone suddenly came to his side, giving him a glimmer of light, and then the dawn broke.
这么多年,他经历过不少善意,遇到过很多善待他的人,但只有她对自己的好,是不掺杂任何其他东西的。
Over the years, he had experienced many kindnesses and met many people who treated him well, but only her kindness towards him was pure and without any ulterior motives.
命运曾经对他残忍,如今用最好的方式补偿给了他。
His fate had once been cruel to him, but now it was compensating him in the best way possible.
手中的鸡蛋快凉了,许煦停下动作,仔细检查了下他的脸:“好像好一点了,好好睡一觉,明天应该就没事了。”
The egg in his hand was almost cool, so Xu Xu stopped and carefully examined his face: "It seems a bit better. Get a good sleep, and you should be fine tomorrow."
柏冬青抬头,目光灼灼地看她:“不想睡!”
Bai Dongqing looked up, his gaze intense as he stared at her: "I don't want to sleep!"
许煦毕竟和他同床共枕这么久,他这表情意味着什么她不会不清楚,她勾起唇角坏笑道:“要不要我拿镜子给你照照,体会一下我看着你这张脸的心情。”
Xu Xu, who had shared a bed with him for so long, knew exactly what his expression meant. She curled her lips into a mischievous smile and said, "Do you want me to hold up a mirror for you so you can feel how I feel looking at your face?"
柏冬青伸手将台灯关掉:“看不见就好了!”
Bai Dongqing reached out to turn off the lamp: "The less we can see, the better!"
机智!
Clever!
后来,许煦被弄得迷迷糊糊时,忽然想,他的求婚戒指到底藏在哪里?
Later, when Xu Xu was drowsy, he suddenly wondered where his engagement ring was hidden.
关于求婚这件事,虽然隔日起来,柏冬青也没提过一个字,但许煦百分之百确定他昨晚肯定是有打算的,只是被程放一拳给搅和了。
Although Bai Dongqing didn't mention anything about the proposal the next day, Xu Xu was one hundred percent sure that he had definitely planned something last night, but Cheng Fang's punch had disrupted his plans.
本来她对程放无爱也无恨,顶多是听了他的经历有点同情,但想到他打了柏冬青一拳,还把自己人生中第一次被求婚给搅和了,不由得就对他生出了一点怨气。
Originally, she had no love or hate for Cheng Fang, merely a bit of sympathy after hearing his story. But thinking about how he had punched Bai Dongqing and ruined her first proposal, she couldn't help but develop a bit of resentment towards him.
第二天,她好奇地在家里又翻了一遍,然而还是一无所获,也不知柏冬青把戒指藏在哪里。不过想想要是自己真找出来,也就没有惊喜了,于是干脆装作什么都不知道,耐心等着他下一次的行动。
The next day, she curiously went through her home again, but still found nothing. She had no idea where Bai Dongqing had hidden the ring. However, she thought that if she really found it, there would be no surprise. So, she decided to pretend she knew nothing and patiently wait for his next move.
真的要结婚了吗?她其实真的没怎么认真考虑过这个问题,总觉得自己还年轻。但仔细想想,其实真的已经不算太小了。好像对人生的新阶段忽然就有了期待。
Was she really going to get married? She hadn't seriously considered this question, always thinking she was still young. But upon reflection, she realized she was actually not too young anymore. It seemed she suddenly had expectations for a new phase of her life.
过了两天,许煦下午从外面采访刚刚回到办公室,杜小沐就兴奋地跳起来,指着她桌上的一束粉色玫瑰:“煦儿,有人给你送了玫瑰花,我帮你签收了。”
Two days later, Xu Xu returned to the office from an afternoon interview, and Du Xiaomu excitedly jumped up, pointing to a bouquet of pink roses on her desk. "Xu'er, someone sent you roses. I signed for them on your behalf."
许煦挑挑眉,拿起来花束看了眼,是粉色的玫瑰,十一朵,没有留下卡片之类的信息。
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow, picked up the bouquet and glanced at it. It was a bunch of pink roses, eleven in total, with no cards or other information left.
“谁啊谁啊?”杜小沐一脸八卦。
"Who could it be?" Du Xiaomu asked with a hint of gossip.
许煦笑道:“我男朋友啊!还能是谁?”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "My boyfriend! Who else could it be?"
杜小沐笑嘻嘻道:“你不是说你男朋友很不开窍,一点都不浪漫的吗?这可是粉玫瑰,多少女心!”
Du Xiaomu grinned and said, "Didn't you say your boyfriend was clueless and not at all romantic? These are pink roses, the epitome of feminine charm!"
许煦看着这束花,想着昨晚自己看到家里的玫瑰开始出现枯萎的迹象,有点心疼时,柏冬青说没关系,只要她喜欢,以后经常送她。
Xu Xu looked at the bouquet of flowers, recalling how last night she had noticed the roses in her home starting to wither, which had made her a bit heartbroken. When Bai Dongqing said it was okay, as long as she liked it, she would continue to send her flowers, she felt a bit relieved.
没想榆木疙瘩还真是行动派,今天就送到办公室了。不过这粉玫瑰一看就不便宜,前天又刚买了一百零八朵红玫瑰。这个送花频率,就算他年入不菲,也着实太奢侈了点。
She didn't expect that the blockhead would actually take action. He had brought the flowers to her office today. However, these pink roses didn't look cheap. She had just bought one hundred and eight red roses the day before. This frequency of sending flowers was indeed a bit extravagant, even if he earned a lot of money.
回去得跟他说说。
She needed to talk to him about it.
“煦儿,你和你男朋友谈了挺久了吧?打算什么时候结婚啊?”一旁的杜小沐随口问。
"Xu'er, you and your boyfriend have been dating for quite some time, right? When are you planning to get married?" Du Xiaomu asked casually from the side.
许煦想着柏冬青被搅和掉的求婚,笑道:“快了,到时候请你们喝喜酒。”
Xu Xu thought about Bai Dongqing's proposal that had been messed up and smiled, "It's coming soon. I'll invite you both to the wedding banquet."
“那必须啊!”
Of course!
下班后,许煦捧着这束粉色玫瑰刚刚回到家,找了瓶子准备插花时,柏冬青也回来了。
After work, Xu Xu held this bunch of pink roses in his hands just as he got home and was about to arrange them in a vase when Bai Dongqing also came back.
“这么早?”坐在沙发前开始插花的许煦转头看向他。
"So early?" Xu Xu, who was sitting on the sofa and starting to arrange the flowers, turned to look at him.
然后两个人都愣了一下。
Then both of them were stunned for a moment.
许煦看到了柏冬青手中抱着的一束红玫瑰,而柏冬青也看到了她面前茶几上一束拆开的粉玫瑰。
Xu Xu saw a bunch of red roses in Bai Dongqing's arms, while Bai Dongqing saw a bunch of pink roses that had been unwrapped on the tea table in front of her.
两人面面相觑片刻,许煦看了看他手里的花,又看看醉面前的,试探问道:“今天下午的花不是你送的?”
The two exchanged glances for a moment. Xu Xu looked at the flower in his hand and then at the one in Zui's 面前的, and 试探问道:“The flower you gave me this afternoon wasn't yours, right?”
柏冬青默默走过来,目光落在那束粉色玫瑰上,将手中的红玫瑰递给她,木着脸道:“这才是我送的。”
Bai Dongqing walked over silently, his gaze falling on the pink rose. He handed her the red rose in his hand and said expressionlessly, "This is what I sent."
许煦也有点蒙圈了,眨了眨眼睛,看了眼他不是那么高兴的表情,故意笑着道:“这花也没署名,我还以为是你送的呢!看来是某个不愿意留名的暗恋者。”
Xu Xu also seemed a bit confused, blinking his eyes and noticing his expression wasn't as happy as he expected. He deliberately smiled and said, "This flower doesn't have a name on it. I thought you sent it to me! Looks like it's from someone who doesn't want to be known."
柏冬青将拆开的花拿起来,一言不发走到旁边的垃圾桶,丢进去,还用脚毫不客气地踩了两下。
Bai Dongqing picked up the flower, said nothing, walked to the trash can beside him, and threw it in, even stomping on it a couple of times.
许煦被他逗得乐不可支:“我要知道不是你送的,肯定不会拿回家的。我真不知道是谁送的!”
Xu Xu was delighted by this, "If I had known it wasn't from you, I definitely wouldn't have brought it home. I really have no idea who sent it!"
柏冬青转过身道:“上学的时候,程放经常送你粉玫瑰,他说你喜欢粉色。”
Bai Dongqing turned around and said, "In school, Cheng Fang often sent you pink roses, saying you liked the color pink."
“啊?”许煦还真没把这束花和程放联系起来,被他提醒,才想起上学那会儿,程放确实送过她不少粉色玫瑰,她干干笑了两声,“我真不知道是他送的!”
Ah?" Xu Xu hadn't made the connection between the bouquet and Cheng Fang until he reminded her. She chuckled dryly, "I really had no idea it was from him!
然后又拿起手中被他塞过来的红玫瑰:“我早不喜欢什么粉色了,就喜欢红玫瑰,越红越好。”
Then she took the red rose he had thrust into her hand: "I've never liked pink. I prefer red roses, the redder the better."
柏冬青在她旁边坐下,抬头定定看着她,默了片刻,才开口:“虽然是我对不起他,但他要来跟我抢你,我是绝对不会退让的。”
Bai Dongqing sat down beside her, looking up at her steadily. After a moment of silence, he spoke: "Although it was my fault, I will never back down if he tries to take you from me."
他的左脸颊虽然已经消肿,但还残留着一点青紫的痕迹,板着脸说这话时,竟难得有种冷厉的严肃。
Although the swelling on his left cheek had subsided, a hint of bruising remained. When he said this with a stern face, it was surprisingly cold and serious.
许煦挑挑眉,笑问:“怎么个不让步法?”
Xu Xu raises an eyebrow and asks with a smile, "How about not giving in?"
柏冬青想了想,没想出个所以然:“反正不会退让。”顿了下,又一本正经道,“你以后不准收他的礼物,不准和他私下见面。”
Bai Dongqing thought for a moment but couldn't come up with a reason: "We won't back down anyway." Pausing for a moment, he then said seriously, "You are not allowed to accept his gifts in the future, and you are not allowed to meet him privately."
他平时实在是温和惯了,做出这副严肃的表情,对许煦来说,没有半点威慑力,反倒是被逗笑了:“白痴,我和他那点事都过了多少年了,当时根本就不懂事,谈恋爱就是虚荣心作祟加上好玩而已。说实话,他当年要是家里没出事,我和他恐怕也早就分手,他也不可能还惦记我这么多年,无非是天之骄子的生活被迫中断戛然而止,不甘心罢了。”说着又故作高深地笑了笑,“不过呢!人生的事谁也说不准,咱俩现在虽然过得很好,但也不能保证彼此就是共度一生的人。所以……“
He was so used to being gentle that his serious expression didn't have any intimidating effect on Xu Xu. Instead, it made him laugh: "Idiot, how many years have passed since that thing with him? At the time, I didn't even understand anything. Dating was just about vanity and the fun of it. To be honest, if nothing had happened at his house back then, I probably would have broken up with him long ago, and he wouldn't have kept thinking about me for so many years. It was just that his privileged life was suddenly interrupted, and he was unwilling to accept it." He then pretended to be deep in thought and smiled again. "But! Who knows what life has in store for us. Even though we're doing well now, we can't guarantee that we'll be together forever. So..."
她摊摊手故意留了个白。所以当然是赶紧求婚啊!傻子!
She shrugged 故意留了个白。So of course it's time to propose! Fool!
柏冬青神色严峻地皱起眉头,若有所思地点点头,也不知道在想什么。
Ba Dongqing frowned seriously, nodded thoughtfully, and seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
许煦笑着站起身,瞅两眼垃圾桶里可怜兮兮的玫瑰,弯弯唇角,回了房间。
Xu Xu stood up with a smile, glanced at the pitiful rose in the trash can, curved his lips, and returned to his room.
隔日下班,许煦刚走出单位大楼,便见到路边站着一道不知等了多久的熟悉身影。
The next day after work, Xu Xu stepped out of the office building and saw a familiar figure standing by the roadside, presumably waiting for a while.
程放勾唇一笑,朝她走过来:“小煦,有空吗?一起喝杯咖啡聊聊。”
Cheng Fang smiled and walked over to her: "Xiao Xu, do you have some time? Let's grab a coffee and chat."
许煦不得不承认,这个男人确实很帅气,无论是六年前张扬的大男孩,还是如今成熟的男人,都是很吸引女孩子的类型。只是很可惜,她不在其中。
Xu Xu had to admit that the man was indeed very handsome. Whether he was the vibrant young man six years ago or the mature man he is now, he was a type that would attract girls. It was just a pity that she wasn't one of them.
她笑了笑:“我和你应该没什么聊的。”
She smiled and said, "There's nothing to talk about between us."
程放笑:“前两天我对老三动了手,是我太冲动了,不过知道你们俩在一起我确实是太震惊!”
Cheng Fang laughed, "The other day, I got into a fight with Third Brother. I was too impulsive, but I was genuinely shocked to know you two are together!"
许煦道:“没什么震惊的,我和冬青在一起时彼此都是单身,你情我愿的事情,你忽然跑回来对他道德绑架才让我觉得震惊。可能你不知道,我和他在一起是我主动的,而正是因为你,他挣扎了很久才接受我,他已经很对得起你了。”
Xu Xu said, "There's nothing to be shocked about. When I was with Dongqing, we were both single, and it was a mutual agreement. It's shocking to me that you suddenly came back and tried to moralize with him. You might not know, but I initiated our relationship with him, and it was because of you that he struggled for a long time to accept me. He has already done more than enough for you."
程放脸色微微僵,但旋即又恢复如常,点点头,语气诚恳道:“是我的问题,所以我给你们道个歉,希望以后还能当朋友相处。”
Cheng Fang's face stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered and nodded, speaking sincerely, "It's my problem, so I apologize to you. I hope we can still be friends in the future."
“许煦!”一道男声忽然响起。
"Xu Xu!" A male voice suddenly sounded.
许煦转头,看到柏冬青从路边停靠的车子下来,匆匆往这边走。走近后,一把抓起她的手,才朝程放打招呼:“程检这么早就下班了?”
Xu Xu turned her head and saw Bai Dongqing getting out of a parked car by the roadside, hurrying over this way. After she got closer, she grabbed her hand and then greeted Cheng Fang, "So, Inspector Cheng is already off work so early?"
第44章
Chapter 44
程放笑道:“老三,你这是干什么?那天的事是我不对, 刚刚得知你和小煦在一起, 我确实是脑门一热, 没忍住对你动了手, 说我太冲动了,但我我也希望你能站在我的立场理解我。回去后我就想通了, 这件事谁也不能怪, 我和小煦已经分手这么多年, 她和谁在一起是她的自由,不能因为你是我兄弟,就在这件事上绑架你, 要怪的话,只能怪命运弄人。”说着,他顿了一下, “那天那样对你, 我自觉暂时没脸直接见你,今天找小煦就是为那天的事, 想让她跟你转告一声对不起。既然你也在, 我也就不怕什么尴尬了, 咱们三个一起吃顿饭怎么样?我好好跟你们道个歉, 这么多年的友情, 怎么可能说断就断!你说是不是?”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "Old Three, what are you doing? What happened the other day was my fault. Just now, I learned that you and Xiao Xu are together, and I was indeed too hot-headed and couldn't resist hitting you. I admit I was too impulsive, but I also hope you can understand from my perspective. After I came back, I realized that no one can be blamed for this. Xiao Xu and I have been separated for so many years, and it's her choice who she is with. I can't manipulate you just because you're my brother. If anyone is to blame, it's fate." He paused, "The way I treated you that day, I felt I couldn't face you directly for a while. I came to find Xiao Xu today to apologize for that day. I want her to convey my apologies to you. Since you're here, I don't mind the awkwardness. How about we have dinner together? I can sincerely apologize to you both. A friendship that has lasted for so many years can't just be cut off like that, can it?"
许煦转头看了眼柏冬青,果不其然,刚刚急冲冲跑过来抓住自己的手, 直接叫人“程检”,一副宣誓领地的架势,听到程放这一番话说下来,脸上的表情顿时软化了,还明显多了一丝愧疚。
Xiao Xu turned to look at Bai Dongqing and sure enough, he had rushed over just now, grabbing her hand and calling out to her as "Cheng Jian," as if declaring his territory. After hearing Cheng Fang's words, her expression softened, and she clearly felt a bit guilty.
许煦是太了解他这纯良老好人的性子,本来就觉得是自己对不起朋友,对方那一拳原本是打消了他七八分内疚,然而等人口气一软化,他那愧疚立刻又上来了。
Xiao Xu was too familiar with his kind and good-natured personality. She originally felt she had wronged her friend, and that punch had reduced her guilt by about seven or eight parts. However, when his tone softened, her guilt immediately returned.
程放是不是真心不得而知,但他的心软绝对是真的。
Whether Cheng Fang was genuinely remorseful was uncertain, but his softness was real.
对于程放这番道歉的话语,许煦没有兴趣去追究到底有几分真心实意。她没有柏冬青那么无私善良,所以哪怕程放是标榜着对自己余情未了,但只要想到他的这种余情未了,会让柏冬青陷入挣扎和纠结,她就没办法生出一丝半点感动,甚至有些反感本来平静美好的生活被打乱。
Regarding Cheng Fang's apology, Xu Xu was not interested in probing how sincere it was. She was not as selfless and kind as Bai Dongqing, so even if Cheng Fang claimed his feelings for her were unresolved, she could not feel a shred of emotion, and even felt a bit repulsed by the disruption of her originally peaceful and beautiful life.
当然,她也承认凡事有两面,如果不是程放回来,自己也不可能知道柏冬青这几年的内心经历,也就不可能如此确定自己在他心中的位置。
Of course, she also acknowledged that every matter had two sides. If it weren't for Cheng Fang's return, she would never have known Bai Dongqing's inner experiences over the past few years, and thus would not be so certain about her position in his heart.
见着柏冬青准备点头答应程放的提议,她赶紧暗自掐了掐他的手,笑着先开了口:“今天可能不是很方便,我和冬青约好待会儿有点重要的私事要做,下回有空再约吧!”
Seeing that Bai Dongqing was about to nod and agree to Cheng Fang's proposal, she quickly pinched his hand and smiled, speaking first, "Today might not be convenient. I have an important private matter to attend to with Dongqing later. Let's make another appointment next time!"
程放的目光从两人交缠的手一闪而过,眼中浮上一丝冷意,但很快就遮盖过去,耸耸肩轻笑道:“既然这样,那就下次再约吧!”说着又看向柏冬青,笑道,“老三,那天的事是我不好,我给你道歉。”
Cheng Fang's gaze flashed over the entwined hands of the two, a hint of coldness appearing in his eyes, but it was quickly covered up. He shrugged and smiled lightly, "Since that's the case, let's make another appointment next time!" Then he turned to Bai Dongqing and smiled, "Old Three, the incident the other day was my fault. I apologize to you."
柏冬青赶紧摇头:“没事的,本来就是我不对,我没放在心上,你也别放在心上。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head hurriedly: "It's fine, I was wrong to begin with. I didn't take it to heart, and you shouldn't either."
程放点点头,笑着朝两人云淡风轻地挥挥手,转身走到旁边停车的地方,打开一辆黑色的车子,绝尘而去。
Cheng Fang nodded and waved at the two with a smile, turning to walk to the parking spot and opening a black car, then driving away.
这边的两人也回到车内,柏冬青边启动车子,边有点奇怪地问道:“你怎么知道今天我约你一起吃饭是有重要的事情要做?”
The two people here got back into the car. Bai Dongqing started the car while asking a bit curiously, "How did you know that I had something important to do when I invited you to have dinner with me today?"
许煦道:“我不知道啊!刚刚那样说只是为了拒绝程放一起吃饭的提议。你不觉得尴尬,我还觉得尴尬呢!”说着又咦了一声,“你约我下班一起吃饭,是有重要的事和我说话吗?我还以为就是你今天工作不忙,约我一块儿去外面吃顿好吃的呢,毕竟咱们也好多天没好好一起吃顿晚餐了。”
Xu Xu said, "I didn't know! I just said that to decline Cheng Fang's dinner invitation. I feel more awkward than you do!" She then made a "huh" sound, "Did you invite me to have dinner after work because you had something important to tell me? I thought you just invited me because you weren't busy today and wanted to go out for a nice dinner together, since we haven't had a proper dinner in a while."
今早出门上班的时候,柏冬青说他几天没什么重要的工作,让她别开车,自己开车送她上班,然后晚上下班早点来接她,两个人一起在外面吃顿饭。
When Ba Dongqing left for work this morning, he said that he didn't have much important work for a few days and asked her not to drive, offering to drive her to work himself. Then, he said he would pick her up early from work that night and they would have dinner together.
他说这话的时候,一脸的神秘兮兮,要是没看到之前那一百零八朵玫瑰,许煦还不会多想,但现在用脚丫子想想,也知道他是要干什么?不过为了不打破他试图给自己惊喜的一腔心意,她故意装作什么都不知道。
When he said this, he had a mysterious look on his face. If Xu Xu hadn't seen the 108 roses before, she wouldn't have thought much of it. But now, she could easily guess what he was up to. However, to not shatter his attempt to surprise her, she pretended to know nothing.
果不其然,柏冬青听到她这么说,明显松了口气,忙不迭摇头:“没什么,就是想和你一起好好吃顿饭。”
Sure enough, when Ba Dongqing heard her say this, he visibly relaxed and shook his head hurriedly. "Nothing, just wanted to have a nice dinner with you."
求婚戒指买了有一段时间了,但求婚这件事却屡屡被中断。他昨晚专门上网查了一下,发觉网上都说女人对于求婚仪式很看重,他严重怀疑之前每次求婚都胎死腹中,是因为自己对仪式这件事太草率。所以今天暂时放下手中大半工作,专门计划这件事。哪知来接她,下车就看到程放,差点以为计划又泡汤,好在许煦将人给打发了。
He had been planning to propose for a while, but the proposal had been interrupted many times. Last night, he specifically searched online and found that women placed a lot of importance on the proposal ceremony. He suspected that the previous proposals had failed because he was too casual about the ceremony. So, today he temporarily put aside most of his work to plan this. However, when he went to pick her up, he almost thought the plan was ruined when he saw Cheng Fang. Fortunately, Xu Xu managed to send him away.
许煦瞅了眼开着车,嘴角微微上扬的家伙,想到他今晚明明是计划要求婚的,刚刚竟然准备答应程放一起吃饭。到底知不知道什么叫做轻重缓急?!
Xu Xu glanced at the guy driving the car with a slight upward curve of his lips. She thought to herself that he had clearly planned to propose tonight, yet he had actually been prepared to agree to have dinner with Cheng Fang. Did he not know anything about priorities?!
是可忍,孰不可忍!
This was intolerable!
她气得伸手用力揪了他一把,咬牙切齿道:“不是说要是程放回来追求我,你是绝不退让的吗?刚才他说两句好话,你就准备答应和他一起吃饭了?我看你也不像是在乎我的,哪个在乎女朋友的男人,会愿意带着女朋友和她前男友一起吃饭!”
She was so angry that she reached out and roughly pulled him, gritting her teeth and saying, "Didn't you say you would never back down if Cheng Fang came to pursue me? Just because he said a couple of nice words, you were ready to agree to have dinner with him? I don't think you care about me at all. Which man who cares about his girlfriend would be willing to have dinner with her ex-boyfriend?"
柏冬青腰间的肌肉被掐得生疼,可他开着车也不敢乱动,只能让她为所欲为。
Bai Dongqing's muscles were being squeezed painfully in his waist, but since he was driving, he dared not move. He could only let her do as she pleased.
听她这样说,忍着痛急忙辩解表忠心:“我当然在乎你。我就觉得他刚刚挺诚恳的,毕竟是我对不起他在先。要是能修复关系,我觉得也挺好的。”说着又赶紧义正言辞补充一句,“只要他不打你的主意。”
When she said this, he endured the pain and quickly defended himself, expressing his loyalty: "Of course I care about you. I just felt he was quite sincere just now. After all, it was me who wronged him first. If we can repair our relationship, I think that would be great." He then quickly added, "As long as he doesn't have any designs on you."
许煦心中哭笑不得,面上却故意板着脸继续道:“别忘了程放以前是辩论社社长,打辩论经常拿最佳辩手的。他要真打我主意,你别是被他忽悠几句,就把我给卖了。”
Xu Xu was amused and frustrated at the same time, but he deliberately kept a stern face as he continued, "Don't forget that Cheng Fang used to be the president of the debate club, and he often won the title of Best Debater. If he really had any designs on me, you wouldn't be swayed by a few words and sell me out."
柏冬青默了片刻:“不会的。”
Bai Dongqing was silent for a moment before saying, "That won't happen."
“什么不会的?”
What won't happen?
“我把自己卖了也不会把你卖了。”说着,又小声道,“不过他那么会说话,你别被他花言巧语骗走了。”
I would sell myself but I won't sell you." She then whispered, "But he's so good at talking; don't let his sweet words fool you.
“我当然不会。”许煦说完这句,又有些失笑:“不过你这好脾气,把自己卖了也不稀奇!”
Of course not," Xu Xu said, then couldn't help laughing a little: "But with your good temper, selling yourself isn't surprising either!
柏冬青咕哝道:“其实我没你想得那么傻。”
Bai Dongqing mumbled, "Actually, I'm not as stupid as you think."
“也是哦!”许煦挑挑眉,看他一眼,笑道,“毕竟你是华天最年轻的合伙人呢!外界对柏律师的评价都是冷静严谨逻辑严密,甚至还有什么冷血无情的。”
Of course!" Xu Xu raised an eyebrow, looked at him, and smiled, "After all, you're the youngest partner at Huatian! The outside world's evaluation of Lawyer Bai is always calm, rigorous, and logical, even cold-hearted and 无情.
说着,她抱臂歪头上下打量了他一番:“我怎么就没看出来?哪天你开庭,我一定要去旁听一次,见识一下柏大律师的风采。”
As she spoke, she crossed her arms and tilted her head, examining him from top to bottom: "I couldn't see it either. Some day, you should let me attend your court session. I want to see the 风采 of Lawyer Bai."
柏冬青弱弱道:“你还是别去了。”
Bai Dongqing weakly said, "You'd better not go."
“为什么?”
"Why?" she asked.
“我怕分心。”
"I'm afraid I might be distracted," he replied.
许煦:“……”
Xu Xu: "…"
柏冬青订得是一家酒店旗下的高端中餐厅。
Bai Dongqing reserved a private room in an upscale Chinese restaurant under a hotel.
英俊的服务生领着两人来到预定的包厢,刚刚打开门,便见到桌上用红玫瑰拼凑的心形图案。
The handsome waiter led the two to the reserved private room. Just as the door opened, they saw a heart-shaped pattern made of red roses on the table.
最近红玫瑰出现的频率实在是太高,高到许煦都已经有点审美疲劳。
Red roses had appeared too frequently lately, to the point where Xu Xu was starting to feel a bit 审美疲劳 (bèi shāo miǎo fáiguò), which roughly translates to 'sight fatigue' or 'tired of seeing it.'
她决定了,等求婚这事完毕,一直到婚礼之前,都不准他弄什么劳什子红玫瑰了。
She decided that until the wedding, he was not allowed to give her any damn red roses, no matter what.
第37节
Chapter 37
当然,为了配合柏大律师的用心,她还是露出夸张的惊讶表情:“好漂亮啊!”
Of course, to match Lawyer Bai's intentions, she still wore an exaggerated expression of surprise: "So beautiful!"
柏冬青看到她这表情,嘴角弯起一抹欢喜的弧度。
Bai Dongqing saw her expression and curved the corner of his mouth into a delighted arc.
第一步,成功。
Step one, done successfully.
他拉着她进去,把菜单交给她:“我看网上评价,这家店味道很好,你看着点。”
He pulled her in and handed her the menu. "I saw online reviews; this place has great food. You can choose whatever you like."
许煦接过菜单,随便点了几样,抬头问他:“你要吃什么?”
Xu Xu took the menu and 随意点了几个菜,抬头问他:“你要吃什么?”
柏冬青强压着兴奋,假装云淡风轻道:“你点什么吃什么!”
Bai Dongqing forced down his excitement and pretended to be casual, saying, "You order what you want to eat!"
许煦轻笑,又加了两个菜,点了果汁,将菜单递给服务生:“就这些!”
Xu Xu chuckled and added two more dishes, ordered some juice, and handed the menu to the waiter: "That's all!"
全程没参与点菜的柏冬青这时开口道:“交代厨房,快点上菜吧!”
Bai Dongqing, who had not participated in the ordering, spoke up: "Tell the kitchen to hurry up and bring the dishes!"
说着看朝服务生使了个眼色。
As he spoke, he gave a meaningful glance to the waiter.
对方会意般朝他笑着点点头:“两位稍等,菜很快就上上来。”
The waiter nodded in understanding and smiled: "Please wait a moment, the dishes will be up soon."
许煦假装没看到他和服务生之间的小动作,心下却好奇他到底要怎么唱这一出。
Xu Xu pretended not to notice his little game with the waiter, but she was curious about how he planned to proceed.
一个榆木疙瘩费尽心思玩浪漫,着实不容易,她自然也得配合好,让今天成为两人余生值得纪念的一个日子。
A blockhead like him putting effort into romance was no easy feat, so she naturally had to cooperate to make today a memorable day for the rest of their lives.
餐厅上菜很快,虽然是中餐,但摆盘精致得每一份菜都像是艺术品。许煦不忘拍了照才动筷子。
The restaurant served the food quickly. Although it was Chinese cuisine, each dish was presented so beautifully that they looked like works of art. Xu Xu took photos before she started eating.
菜的味道也很是不错,许煦边吃边赞不绝口,柏冬青看到她吃得高兴,上扬的嘴角就没有下去过。
The food was also quite delicious. Xu Xu praised it non-stop as she ate, and Bai Dongqing's upward-turned lips never went back down as she saw her enjoying her meal.
看来网上的攻略还是很有参考价值的。优美的环境,美味的食物,最后再来一个突如其来的浪漫惊喜,这样的求婚,女朋友想不答应都不可能。
It seems that online guides are still quite valuable. With its beautiful surroundings, delicious food, and then a sudden romantic surprise, such a proposal is one that a girlfriend would find it impossible to refuse.
因为脑子里一直想着求婚的事,他自己倒是没吃多少。往常许煦如果见他吃得不多,必然会问,但今天知道他要干什么,也就继续假装什么都没发现。
Since he was preoccupied with the proposal, he didn't eat much himself. As usual, if Xu Xu saw him eating little, he would ask about it, but today, knowing what he was up to, he pretended to notice nothing.
她吃得差不多了,放下筷子慢条斯理地开始喝果汁,不动声色等他的行动。
She had finished most of her food and put down her chopsticks, sipping her juice slowly and silently waiting for his action.
这时,刚刚帅气的服务生,端着一个盖着不锈钢盖的精致瓷盘走了进来,放在桌子中央的心形玫瑰中间,然后笑着朝许煦道:“小姐,这是这位先生为您专门准备的爱心果盘,二位慢慢享用。”
At this moment, the just-as-cute waiter walked in with a delicate porcelain plate covered with a stainless steel lid, placing it in the center of the heart-shaped roses, then smiled and said to Xu Xu, "Miss, this is a special heart-shaped fruit plate prepared for you by this gentleman. Enjoy it slowly."
许煦点头道谢,看着他出门,目光回到桌子中央那果盘上不透明的盖子,然后又看向对面的柏冬青。
Xu Xu nodded in thanks and watched him leave. His gaze then returned to the opaque lid of the fruit dish in the center of the table, and he looked over at Bai Dongqing across from him.
此时的他,也正睁着那双黑沉沉的眼睛,灼灼看着自己,双颊明显有一点激动的潮红,连带着呼吸时胸口的起伏,都再明显不过。
At this moment, he too was wide-eyed, his gaze intensely fixed on himself. His cheeks were noticeably flushed with excitement, and the rise and fall of his chest with each breath was clearly visible.
许煦继续假装没察觉他的异状,故意问道:“这什么果盘,还用盖子盖着?”
Xu Xu continued to pretend he hadn't noticed his odd behavior, asking deliberately, "What kind of fruit dish is this, and why is it covered?"
柏冬青:“你打开看看都知道了!”
Bai Dongqing: "You'll know if you open it!"
虽然想努力保持平静,让惊喜留在最后一刻,但发出的声音还是有点不争气的颤抖。
Although he tried to keep calm and let the surprise remain until the last moment, the sound still betrayed a slightly unconvincing tremor.
他确实不懂浪漫,之前觉得两个人在一起这么久,结婚是水到渠成的事,所以晋升合伙人的事确定后,就买了个代表自己心意的昂贵戒指,准备直接跟她提结婚的事。上次虽然买了一百零八朵玫瑰,其实也不过是因为看到她收到自己的花很开心后的突发奇想,实际上也没想过求婚仪式的事。
He really didn't understand romance. Previously, he thought that getting married was a natural progression after being together for so long, so after the partnership was confirmed, he bought an expensive ring to propose directly. The hundred and eight roses he bought last time were just a spontaneous idea after seeing her joy at receiving his flowers, and he never actually thought about the proposal ceremony.
直到这两天上网才意识到是自己太草率了,他怎么能这么潦草的对待这件事?对方可是自己生命中最重要的人啊!
Only in the past few days did he realize how hasty he had been. How could he treat this so carelessly? She was the most important person in his life!
他本是为了讨许煦欢心,可现在才发觉,这种事一旦有了仪式感,好像忽然就变得有些不一样了,更庄重更神圣。以至于他忍不住就开始紧张,明知道她应该不会拒绝,但还是担心万一她不答应呢?万一她觉得这种方式很蠢呢?
He had originally intended to please Xu Xu, but now he realized that once there's a sense of ceremony, things seem to become different, more solemn and sacred. This made him feel increasingly nervous, even though he knew she wouldn't refuse, he was still worried—what if she doesn't agree? What if she thinks this is foolish?
心脏噗噗跳的厉害,感觉要从胸腔里蹦出来了。
The heart was pounding fiercely, as if it might leap out of his chest.
许煦瞅了眼他故作风轻云淡,但明显快要绷不住的紧张模样,忍住想笑的冲动,微微倾身,如他所愿伸手打开那个不锈钢盖子。
Xu Xu glanced at his attempt at a casual demeanor, which was clearly on the verge of breaking, and suppressed the urge to laugh. She leaned slightly forward and, as he had hoped, reached out to open the stainless steel lid.
呃!这盖子下竟然还有盖子,估摸着还不止一层。这么做作的方式,想必是从网上学来的。
Uh! There was another lid beneath this one, and it seemed there were more than one. This kind of pretense was likely learned from the internet.
她真的很想笑,毕竟这种套路想猜不到都难。但还是佯装一脸奇怪地抬头看他,狐疑问道:“怎么还是盖子啊?”
She really wanted to laugh, as it was hard not to guess this kind of routine. However, she feigned confusion by lifting her head to look at him and asked doubtfully, "Why is it still a lid?"
柏冬青面无表情地摇摇头,努力做出一脸无辜:“不知道诶!你再拿开看看!”
Bai Dongqing shook her head expressionlessly and tried to look innocent: "I have no idea! You take it off and check again!"
白痴!脑门都出汗了,还以为自己演得很好啊?
Idiot! Her forehead was sweating; she thought she had done a good job acting?
许煦再次打开盖子,果不其然,下面还有。她觉得自己都要装不下去了,但还是配合得蹙起眉头问他:“怎么回事?”
Xu Xu opened the lid again, as expected, there was more below. She felt like she couldn't keep up the act anymore, but still asked with a furrowed brow: "What's going on?"
柏冬青:“你再看看!”
Bai Dongqing: "Check again!"
许煦假装撇撇嘴,再次伸手,然而这回还没将盖子拿起来,柏冬青放在桌面的手机响起。
Xu Xu pretended to 撇撇嘴, reached out again, but this time hadn't even lifted the lid when Bao Dongqing's phone on the table rang.
柏冬青懊恼地啧了一声,看了眼来电显示,准备挂掉。
Bao Dongqing sighed regretfully, glanced at the caller ID, and was about to hang up.
许煦笑着收回手:“你先接电话吧!”
Xu Xu smiled and retracted his hand: "You might as well answer the call!"
柏冬青有点郁卒地将电话拿起来接听。
Bao Dongqing, somewhat dejected, picked up the phone to answer.
“什么?”他脸色微变。
"What?" His expression changed slightly.
“好的,我知道了,我明天就到。”
Okay, I understand. I'll be there tomorrow.
他放下电话,抬头看了眼桌上还没打开完毕的盖子。
He hung up the phone and looked up at the lid on the table, which was still unopened.
“怎么了?”许煦见他脸色有点不对,忧心忡忡问。
"What's wrong?" Xu Xu noticed something was off with his expression and asked worriedly.
柏冬青语气还算平静:“我外婆脑溢血住院,我得去看看她。”
Bai Dongqing's tone was relatively calm: "My grandmother had a stroke and was hospitalized, I need to go see her."
许煦有些意外:“怎么样了?严重吗?”
Xu Xu was somewhat surprised: "How is she? Is it serious?"
柏冬青点点头,又摇摇头:“人已经抢救过来,不过问题好像挺大的。”说着抬头看,她认真道,“你跟我一块去吧,趁我外婆还在,让她见见你。”
Bai Dongqing nodded and then shook her head: "She has been stabilized, but the problem seems to be quite serious." She then looked up and said seriously, "Come with me, let your grandmother see you while she's still around."
许煦点头,笑道:“好啊!”
Xu Xu nodded and smiled: "Sure!"
柏冬青愣了片刻,目光落在桌子中央,闪烁了一下,忽然想起什么似的,伸手将没打开道盘子拿过来,起身道:“这果盘看着量很少,我去找服务生换一盘。”
Bai Dongqing was stunned for a moment, his gaze falling on the center of the table, flickering for a second before he suddenly seemed to remember something. He reached out and picked up the undelivered fruit platter, standing up and said, "This fruit platter looks like it has very little. I'll go get a server to change it for us."
许煦知道外婆的消息,打乱了他求婚的节奏。这种情况下再求婚确实有些奇怪。于是她也就装作什么都不知道。
Xu Xu knew her grandmother's news, which had disrupted his proposal rhythm. In this situation, proposing again would indeed be a bit strange. So she pretended to know nothing.
柏冬青走到门口,悄悄将戒指盒子拿出来,放回裤子口袋,朝外面的服务生,欲盖弥彰般吩咐:“给我们换一份。”
Bai Dongqing walked to the door, discreetly took out the ring box, put it back in his pants pocket, and then, in a way that made it even more obvious, instructed the waiter outside, "Give us a new one."
“好的先生,你稍等。”服务生配合道。
"Of course, sir, please wait a moment," the waiter responded cooperatively.
柏冬青手放进裤子口袋,手指抚摸了下戒指盒子的丝绒表面,暗暗叹了口气。
Bai Dongqing's hand slipped into his trouser pocket, his fingers caressing the velvet surface of the ring box, and he let out a silent sigh.
看来他的求婚之路,真是道路险阻长。
It seemed that his path to marriage was indeed long and fraught with difficulties.
两人是隔日一到早出发的,也是这一刻,许煦才意识到,柏冬青是有亲人的,而去亲人对他来说,可能比自己想象的要重要一些。
They left early the day after, and it was only at this moment that Xu Xu realized that Bai Dongqing had family, and to him, family might be more important than she had imagined.
第45章
Chapter 45
柏冬青跟她说过自己家庭情况,父亲那边是几代单传, 爷爷奶奶又早逝, 所以没有近亲。最亲的是外公外婆以及舅舅一家。
Ba Dongqing had told her about his family situation, where his father's side was a line of single descendants, and his grandparents passed away early, so he had no close relatives. The closest to him were his maternal grandparents and his uncle's family.
她之前好奇问过他, 当初他妈妈过世时, 他只有十四岁,为什么本应是他监护人的外公外婆舅舅他们没有照顾他?而是让他一个人生活。
She had previously asked him curiously why, when his mother passed away when he was only fourteen, his maternal grandparents and uncle did not take care of him, instead letting him live alone.
虽然十四岁搁古代都能定亲了, 但他们这一代, 十四岁真的还只是个孩子, 可能还会跟父母撒娇的孩子。至少在她十四岁,晚上八点之后是不允许单独出门的。
Although in ancient times, one could be engaged at fourteen, in their generation, fourteen was still a child, possibly one who would still pout and whine to their parents. At least, after she turned fourteen, she was not allowed to go out alone after eight in the evening.
柏冬青给她说得是,一开始外公外婆来照顾过三个月, 可是因为舅舅家还有年幼的表弟表妹需要他们帮忙照看,所以没办法长久留在他身边。而且那时老人家年岁已大,在异乡生活多有不便, 所以他就让他们回去了。
Ba Dongqing told her that initially, his maternal grandparents had taken care of him for three months, but because his uncle's family had young cousins and nieces and nephews who needed their help, they couldn't stay with him for long. Moreover, the elderly had grown old and found life in a foreign place inconvenient, so they returned.
他说得风轻云淡, 但许煦却能大概猜到一点,他和外公外婆感情应该不错。只是, 父母双亡的孩子, 对于一些亲戚来说, 大概就是一个可能会剥夺他们利益的负担吧!正好不在一个城市生活, 也就有了不尽抚养责任的借口。
He spoke with a light and casual tone, but Xu Xu could roughly guess that he had a good relationship with his grandparents. However, for relatives of children who have lost both parents, such a child might be seen as a burden that could potentially deprive them of their interests! Since they didn't live in the same city, it provided a good excuse to shirk their responsibilities.
当然, 柏冬青没有让自己成为别人的负担,一个人也顽强而健康地长大了。
Of course, Bai Dongqing did not become a burden to others and grew up strong and resilient on his own.
这些年因为忙碌,他只偶尔回去看一下年迈的外婆, 和舅舅这边联系甚少。
In recent years, due to his busy schedule, he only occasionally went back to see his elderly grandmother and had little contact with his uncle.
这是许煦第一次跟着他来到他母亲的故乡,一个远离江城的西南小城。
This was the first time Xu Xu came with him to his mother's hometown, a small city in the southwest far from Jiangcheng.
小城靠山临水,风光极美。
The small town is nestled by a mountain and by water, with breathtaking scenery.
但柏冬青没心思带她先欣赏风景,下了车直接去了县城的人民医院。
But Bai Dongqing had no time to admire the scenery; he got out of the car and went directly to the county hospital.
“舅舅舅妈!外婆怎么样了?”他走进病房,看到里面的人,急急问道。
"Aunt and Uncle! How is Grandma?" He rushed into the room and asked anxiously, seeing the people inside.
这是一间双人病房,一个吊着点滴的老人床边,坐着一对中年夫妇,正是柏冬青的舅舅舅妈。
It was a double-bed room. By the bed of an elderly person hooked up to an IV, sat a couple of middle-aged people—his aunt and uncle, Bai Dongqing's own.
冬青舅舅长着一个发福的身材,模样看起来挺憨厚老实,但眼神却有着小生意人的精明,舅妈烫着一头俗气的卷发,典型的小城市井妇女。夫妻两人倒是挺登对的。
Uncle Dongqing has a plump build, looking rather honest and simple at first glance, but his eyes betray the shrewdness of a small businessman. Auntie has a garish perm, typical of a small-town woman. The couple does seem to match well.
夫妇二人见到来人,立刻笑盈盈迎上来。
The couple immediately greeted the visitor with smiles.
舅妈道:“冬青,你来了!外婆刚醒,一直念叨你呢!”
Auntie said, "Dongqing, you're here! Grandma just woke up and has been talking about you nonstop!"
柏冬青点点头,走到病床前,皱眉弯身看向床上的老人。
Bai Dongqing nodded and walked to the bedside, frowning as he bent down to look at the elderly man lying in the bed.
外公去世近十年,外婆也快八十岁了,脸上布满了象征衰老的褶子。这会儿已经醒过来,但浑浊的眼睛,显示着她的思维并不是那么清醒。
My grandfather has been gone nearly ten years, and my grandmother is almost eighty, with her face lined with signs of aging. She has woken up, but her cloudy eyes indicate that her thoughts are not very clear.
直到柏冬青唤了好几声“外婆”,老人家才翕张了张干涸的嘴唇,用细弱蚊蝇般的声音开口:“冬青,你来了!”
It wasn't until Bai Dongqing called out "Grandma" several times that the old lady moistened her dry lips and spoke in a thin, almost inaudible voice, "Dongqing, you're here!"
见外婆认出自己,柏冬青稍稍松了口气,点点头:“外婆,我来看您了!您感觉怎么样?”
Seeing that Grandma recognized her, Bai Dongqing let out a slight sigh of relief and nodded, "Grandma, I came to see you! How are you feeling?"
外婆道:“挺……好的,看到你……外婆就好了。”
Grandma said, "Pretty... good. Seeing you... makes Grandma feel better."
柏冬青握住她的手:“我在这里呢!”
Ba Dongqing held her hand and said: "I'm here!"
外婆的眼睛涌上一层浑浊的水汽,低声道:“外婆对不起你啊!你妈妈走了,我却没有照顾好你!以后去了下面,怎么跟她交代哦!”
Her grandmother's eyes filled with a misty moisture, and she whispered: "Grandma is sorry for you! Your mother left, and I couldn't take good care of you! How will I explain this to her when I go down there?"
“外婆,我挺好的。”
I'm fine, Grandma.
站在不远处的许煦,看着两人的互动,不由得有些动容。这世上哪有不疼外孙的外婆呢?就像她的外婆,小时候真是恨不得天上星星都给她摘下来。
Xu Xu, standing not far away, couldn't help but be moved by their interaction. How could there be a grandmother who didn't love her grandchild? Just like her own grandmother, she used to wish for the stars to be given to her when she was young.
她想到什么似的,转头不动声色地看了下旁边的冬青舅舅和舅妈。
She seemed to think of something and turned her head to glance at Uncle Dongqing and Auntie Dongqing without making a sound.
两人猜到她的身份,舅妈笑嘻嘻低声开口:“你是冬青对象吧?”
The two guessed her identity, and Auntie Dongqing smiled and whispered, "You're Dongqing's partner, right?"
许煦点点头。
Xu Xu nodded.
听到舅妈的声音,柏冬青似乎这才想起来,转头朝她招招手。
Hearing Auntie Dongqing's voice, Bai Dongqing seemed to remember something and turned to 招招手 her.
许煦走过去,将手伸向他。他握着她,朝床上的老人柔声道:“外婆,这是您未来的外孙媳妇,您不是说一直想看吗?我把她带来了。”
Xu Xu walked over and extended her hand towards him. He took her hand and whispered gently to the elderly person on the bed, "Grandma, this is your future granddaughter-in-law. Didn't you always want to see her?"
许煦笑着道:“外婆您好,我叫许煦,是冬青的女朋友。您快点好起来啊!不然冬青会担心的。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "Hello Grandma, I'm Xu Xu, Dongqing's girlfriend. Please get better soon! Otherwise, Dongqing will be worried."
“好、好、好……”外婆嘴角微微上扬,似是在笑,只是布满皱纹的脸,看起来有点奇怪。
"Good, good, good..." Grandma's lips curled slightly, as if she was smiling, but her wrinkled face looked a bit strange.
她说完这句,眼睛缓慢地眨了眨,又迷迷糊糊睡过去了。
After saying this, her eyes slowly blinked, and she fell back into a drowsy sleep.
柏冬青给老人家捻好被子,又将她打着点滴的手放好,才站起身,转身道:“舅舅舅妈,这里有我照顾着就好了,你们回去休息吧!”
Bai Dongqing adjusted the quilt for the elderly person, then placed her hand that was receiving an IV drip properly, before standing up and turning to say, "Uncle and Aunt, I can take care of it here. You go home and rest!"
舅妈堆起一脸笑:“冬青,你大老远赶过来,怎么能让你在这里看着,你带你对象先回家好好休息,让你舅舅回去给你们做饭,外婆这里有我呢!”
Aunt smiled warmly, "Dongqing, you came all the way here, how could you stay here watching? Take your partner home to rest properly, and let your uncle go back to cook for you. Grandma is fine with me here!"
柏冬青笑道:“不用了,我专门来看外婆的,外婆没事我就放心了,我在这里陪陪她也好。”
Bai Dongqing smiled, "No need, I came specifically to see Grandma. I'm relieved she's fine, and it's nice to stay here with her."
舅妈点头,又叹道:“这回是暂时脱离危险了,但老人家年纪大了,一身毛病,三天两头就要住院。这次才进来三天,就花了大几千。你外婆说她一把年纪了,不用给她浪费钱,但我和你舅舅怎么可能不管!”
Aunt nodded and sighed, "This time, she's out of immediate danger, but the elderly have their health issues. She'll need to be hospitalized every few days. It's already cost a few thousand this time, and Grandma said she's too old to waste money. But how could we not take care of her!"
柏冬青眉头微蹙:“外婆治疗缺钱,你们怎么不和我说?”
Ba Dongqing's brow furrowed slightly: "Grandma is short on money for treatment, why didn't you tell me?"
舅妈看了眼丈夫,模样老实巴交的男人,赶紧开口道:“你一个人也挺不容易的,我们哪里好意思跟你开口?”
Aunt's husband glanced at his wife. The honest and hardworking man quickly spoke up, "You must have had a tough time too. How could we have the nerve to ask you?"
舅妈连声附和道:“本来我和你舅舅也不缺这点钱,但是这两年家里生意不大好做,你弟弟妹妹又在上大学,正是开销大的时候。医生说你外婆这回出了院,生活没办自理,得坐轮椅了,就得专门有人护理照顾,我要照顾外婆的话,店子你舅舅一个人肯定照看不过来,就得请人,又是一笔开销……”
Aunt nodded in agreement, "Originally, my brother-in-law and I didn't need this money. But business hasn't been good these past two years. Your brother and sister are in university, which is a time when expenses are high. The doctor said that Grandma won't be able to take care of herself after she's discharged and will need a wheelchair. This means we need someone to take care of her. If I take care of Grandma, my brother-in-law would definitely be overwhelmed with the store. We would need to hire someone, which is another expense..."
夫妇二人是开食品批发店的,至于收入如何,柏冬青不太清楚。当然,他也不在意,听了舅妈叫苦,便道:“外婆的医疗费我出就好。出院后如果需要人专门看护,你们告诉我需要多少费用,我给你们。”
The couple ran a food wholesale store. As for their income, Ba Dongqing wasn't quite sure. Of course, he didn't care much. Hearing Aunt complain, he said, "I'll cover Grandma's medical expenses. If you need someone to take care of her after she's discharged, just tell me how much it will cost and I'll take care of it."
舅舅舅妈相互看了一眼,眼神中明显有窃喜的味道。
Uncle and Aunt looked at each other, with evident signs of glee in their eyes.
舅舅道:“那怎么行呢?你外婆说过,当初你妈妈过世后,我们也没照顾上你,你自己一个人过日子长这么大,现在让你来拉扯我们,那是混账才干得出的事!”
Uncle said, "How can that be? Your grandmother said that after your mother passed away, we didn't take good care of you. You've had to fend for yourself all these years. Now, asking you to take care of us is something only a scoundrel would do!"
舅妈配合地抹了抹眼睛:“我们那时也没办法啊!你是个懂事孩子,十几岁就能自己照顾自己。可当时你弟弟妹妹才那么大点,正是需要人看着的时候,我和你舅舅起早贪黑干活养家,你外公外婆不帮忙,这个家怎么过得下去。我和你舅舅当年也商量过,想把你接来这里抚养,但咱们小县城能跟大城市的教育质量比吗?要真把你接来,不是害了你吗?”
Aunt wiped her eyes in agreement, "We couldn't do anything at the time! You're a sensible child, able to take care of yourself at such a young age. But your younger brother and sister were so small back then, needing constant care. My husband and I worked day and night to support the family, and your grandparents didn't help. How could we have managed? We had also discussed bringing you here to be raised, but can our small county's education quality match that of the big cities? If we had taken you in, wouldn't we have been harming you?"
第38节
Chapter 38
柏冬青笑了笑:“我了解的。外婆年纪大了,说的话你们听听就好,该管的我一定会管的。”
Bai Dongqing smiled: "I understand. Grandma is getting old, so what she says, you can just listen to. I will definitely take care of it."
舅舅看了看他,试探道:“听说你们大城市做律师收入很高,前几天听梅梅提起,你现在是什么大律所的合伙人,就跟公司二老板三老板差不多,赚得那肯定是盆满钵满。”
Uncle looked at him and 试探 ed, "I heard that lawyers in big cities earn a lot of money. A few days ago, Meimei mentioned that you are a partner in a big law firm, almost like the second or third boss of the company. You must be making a fortune."
一直在旁边默默看着这对夫妇表演的许煦算是明白了,原来在这里等着呢!
Xu Xu, who had been watching the couple perform silently on the side, finally understood. They were waiting here!
她看向柏冬青,显然他也意识到了什么。愣了下,笑道:“没有那么夸张,能吃饱喝足而已。”
She looked at Bai Dongqing, and it was clear that he had realized something as well. He hesitated for a moment and then smiled, saying, "It's not that exaggerated. We just have enough to eat and drink."
“冬青你太谦虚了,从小就是这样。梅梅今年研究生毕业,也在江城工作,说你做律师都出名了,她在报纸上看到你的。”
Wintergreen, you are too modest. You've always been that way since you were young. Mei Mei graduated from graduate school this year and is working in Jiangcheng. She said that you are famous as a lawyer. She saw your name in the newspaper.
柏冬青道:“那只是因为案子受关注,我作为律师被记者采访。”
Bai Wintergreen said, "That's just because the case was widely followed, and I was interviewed by the media as a lawyer."
“反正你有出息不假!咱们家就数你最争气,你爸妈泉下有知肯定很骄傲,我们这些家里人也替你高兴呢!”
You really have made a name for yourself, that's true! You are the most successful among us. Your parents would be very proud if they knew, and we are all happy for you!
许煦心中冷笑,柏冬青一个人生活那么多年,家里人也就只有老房子客厅照片里的父母而已。
Xu Xu sneered inwardly. Bai Wintergreen had lived alone for so many years, and the only family members in her life were her parents in the living room photo of the old house.
当然,现在还有她。
Of course, now there's her.
这些人在柏冬青是小树苗时,舍不得施肥灌溉,放任小树苗自生自灭,等到了收获季节,发觉小树苗自己长成了参天大树,还结了茂盛的果实,又想着能摘点果子了。
These people, when Bai Dongqing was just a sapling, were unwilling to fertilize and water it, letting the sapling grow on its own. When harvest time came, they found that the sapling had grown into a towering tree and was bearing lush fruit, and then they thought about picking some fruit.
天底下哪有那么好的事。
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
柏冬青倒是没怎么在意,笑道:“别说这些了,外婆在睡呢,别吵了她老人家了,你们回去休息吧!”
Bai Dongqing didn't pay much attention and smiled, saying, "Let's not talk about this. Grandma is sleeping. Don't disturb her. Go back and rest!"
舅妈笑嘻嘻道:“那行!我和你舅舅这两天照顾老人家却是没怎么阖过眼,店子也没人管,你们小年轻先看着点,晚点我们再过来。”
Aunt-in-law smiled and said, "Alright! These past couple of days, taking care of the elders hasn't let me or your uncle get much sleep, and the shop hasn't been tended to either. You young folks can keep an eye on it for now, and we'll come back later."
柏冬青点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded.
夫妇二人离开的时候,舅妈还不忘把缴费单子递给他,夸张地抱怨:“这是费用单子,你看看你看看,现在医院真的是跟抢钱似的……”
As the couple left, Aunt-in-law couldn't help but hand over the payment slip and exaggeratedly complained, "This is the bill. Take a look, take a look, hospitals these days are really like they're trying to squeeze every last penny out of you..."
还没说完,柏冬青已经打断她,温声道:“没事的,交给我就好了。”
Before she could finish, Bai Dongqing had already interrupted her, saying softly, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
舅妈眉开眼笑地离开了。
Aunt-in-law left with a smile on her face.
柏冬青转头看到许煦盯着他的目光,有些无奈地笑了笑。
Bai Dongqing turned around and saw Xu Xu staring at him. She smiled somewhat helplessly.
许煦知道,他其实将一切都看得很清楚,也分得清孰是孰非,从来都是。可是,但凡别人有一点好,他便对剩下的不好无能无力。所以很难拒绝别人。
Xu Xu knew that he actually saw everything clearly and could distinguish right from wrong. He had always done so. However, whenever someone had even a tiny bit of goodness, he would be powerless against the rest of their imperfections. Therefore, it was hard for him to refuse others.
他有时候应该也是纠结的,只是到底是心太软了。
Sometimes, he should also have been 纠结, but it was just that his heart was too soft.
她爱他的善良,却不希望善良会成为他的负担。
She loved his kindness but did not want it to become a burden on him.
她跟着他坐在床边,守着还在吊水的外婆。老人家是下楼时摔了一跤,摔出了脑溢血,虽然抢救了回来,但年纪毕竟大了,落下了偏瘫,脑子也不大清醒,时不时睁眼唤一声柏冬青的名字,然后又迷迷糊糊睡去。
She sat beside him by the bed, watching over her grandmother who was still hooked up to an IV. The elderly woman had fallen downstairs and suffered a brain hemorrhage, though she had been saved, her age had left her with hemiplegia and her mind was not very clear. She would occasionally open her eyes and call out her grandson's name, Baidongqing, before falling back into a daze.
柏冬青知道从进入病房没久就一直若有所思地许煦在想什么。
Baidongqing knew that Xu Xu had been deep in thought since entering the ward.
他握住她的手,笑着道:“虽然我妈过世后,外婆就照顾了我三个月。但她真的很疼我,小时候,我妈经常送我来这里过暑假,外婆有好吃的一定会专门留给我。但是舅舅家里确实有负担,两个孩子当时也小,得要人看着,手心手背都是肉,我勉强已经能够独立,所以不想让老人家为难,就让他们回来了。为这事,外婆这些年一直念叨自责,还让我少来看她,不想我为她花钱。”
He held her hand and smiled, saying, "Although my mother passed away, my grandmother took care of me for three months after that. But she really cared for me. When my mother used to send me here for summer vacation, my grandmother would always save the best food for me. However, my uncle's family was indeed struggling, with two young children to look after. It's hard to choose between them, so I managed to become independent and didn't want to cause my grandmother any trouble, so I let them return. For this, my grandmother has been blaming herself and asking me to visit less so I don't have to spend money on her."
许煦能猜到老人家在想什么,儿子儿媳是什么样的人,当妈的肯定知道,不让柏冬青频繁走动,也是怕自己这个心软的外孙被人惦记上。
Xu Xun could guess what the elderly person was thinking. The mother would definitely know what kind of people her son and daughter-in-law were. Not letting Bo Dongqing move around frequently was also out of fear that this compassionate grandson might be remembered by someone.
她笑了笑道:“外婆确实挺疼你的。”
She smiled and said, "Grandma does indeed dote on you."
为了照顾外婆,柏冬青难得给自己放了一个小长假,紧急的工作交给了别人,不急的工作放在了一边。许煦自然也是请了假陪他。
To take care of Grandma, Bo Dongqing had managed to take a small vacation for himself, handing over urgent work to others and putting non-urgent work aside. Xu Xun naturally also took leave to accompany him.
有两人忙进忙出,舅舅舅妈就当了甩手掌柜,只不过小商人的嘴上功夫,这两天是发挥到了极致,又是各种夸赞恭维自己这个出息外甥,又是各种吐苦水家里不容易,尤其是要照顾老人更不容易。
With two people bustling in and out, Uncle and Auntie took on the role of hands-off managers. However, the small businessman's verbal skills were at their peak these two days, praising and flattering this successful nephew, and at the same time, complaining about the hardships at home, especially the difficulty of taking care of the elderly.
别说是柏冬青,就是许煦听了也觉得要是出息外甥不拉扯他们一把,那就是没有人性。
Don't even mention Bai Dongqing, Xu Xu would feel that if his nephew doesn't help them out, he's not human.
五天后外婆出院,柏冬青拿着单子去缴费。舅妈跟在他身后,装模作样道:“你外婆毕竟跟我们住,医药费还是我们出吧!”
Five days later, after the grandmother was discharged from the hospital, Bai Dongqing took the bill to pay. Auntie followed behind, pretending, "Since your grandmother lives with us, the medical expenses should still be covered by us!"
柏冬青笑道:“没事的,我拿就好。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and said, "It's fine, I'll take care of it."
一旁的许煦,这几天见多了这对夫妇的表演,实在为他不值,实在忍不住,笑嘻嘻道:“是啊!下次你们再出就好了。”
Xu Xu, who had seen enough of this couple's act in the past few days, couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Unable to hold back, he chuckled and said, "Yeah! Next time you can do it."
柏冬青有些好笑地看了她一眼。
Ba Dongqing gave her a slightly amused look.
舅妈愣了下,又赶紧道:“你们是不知道,年纪大了三天两头就进医院,现在的医院就跟抢钱的,随便几天就好几千,我和你舅舅一个月也就赚那点,不过老人家生了病肯定得治,我们就算是砸锅卖铁也不会不管你外婆的。”
Auntie was taken aback for a moment, then quickly added, "You don't know, when you get old, you end up in the hospital every few days. Nowadays, hospitals are like money-grabbers; a few days can cost thousands. My husband and I only make that much a month, but we'll do whatever it takes to treat Grandma. We wouldn't let her suffer, even if it means selling everything we have."
柏冬青这回笑了笑,没有说话。
This time, Ba Dongqing smiled but said nothing.
出院的时候,外婆的神智已经恢复了不少,虽然口齿不太清楚,说话很费力,但表达意思不是太难,回家路上,兴致不错,时不时就歪头,和推着她的外孙,以及旁边的外孙女聊上两句,看起爱很高兴。
When Grandma was discharged, her mental state had improved significantly. Although her speech was unclear and she struggled to speak, conveying her meaning wasn't too difficult. On the way home, she was in good spirits, occasionally tilting her head to chat with her grandson pushing her and her granddaughter beside them, looking very happy.
冬青舅舅家住三楼,老人家偏瘫不能走路,柏冬青二话不说,将外婆抱起来上楼。
Uncle Qing's family lives on the third floor. Grandpa is partially paralyzed and cannot walk, so Bao Qing immediately carried Grandma upstairs without hesitation.
外婆虽然是个瘦小的老太太,但这样抱着,分量自然也不会太轻。
Although Grandma is a frail old lady, she naturally isn't too light when carried like this.
许煦看着他绷紧的脊背和手臂,忽然就想起那天早上,站在他家单元楼外,看着他帮邻居阿婆送米上楼的场景。也许就是从那次,那道穿着旧衬衣的单薄身影,从此刻在了自己心中。
Xu Xu watched his tense back and arms, suddenly recalling that morning when he saw Bao Qing help his neighbor, Auntie, carry rice upstairs outside their apartment building. Perhaps it was from that moment, that slender figure in an old shirt was etched into her heart.
此时的他仍旧是清瘦的,但是整个人已经不那么单薄,结实的手臂和宽厚的肩膀,表明他已经是个真正的男人了,一个可以让人依靠的男人。
He is still slender now, but he is no longer so frail. His strong arms and broad shoulders indicate that he has become a real man, a man one can rely on.
也不知为何,许煦竟然莫名生出了一丝骄傲。
For some reason, Xu Xu suddenly felt a hint of pride.
这个男人可是她的呢!
This man was hers!
这会儿已经是六月天,抱着外婆爬上三楼,柏冬青额头已经出了细细密密的汗。
It was already June, and with the old grandmother on her back, Bai Dongqing's forehead was already covered in fine sweat.
他将外婆小心翼翼放到卧室床上,老人家折腾了一路,沾上床就迷迷糊糊睡了过去。
He gently placed the grandmother on the bed in the bedroom. After the journey, she fell into a drowsy sleep the moment she touched the bed.
柏冬青将薄被给盖好,才轻手轻脚出来。
Bai Dongqing covered the thin quilt properly before quietly coming out.
舅妈已经给他到了茶端上来:“看把你累的!快喝口水。”
Auntie had already prepared tea for him and brought it over: "You must be tired! Quickly drink some water."
柏冬青接过来道了声谢谢,大概是渴了,仰头喝了一大口。
Bai Dongqing thanked her and, likely thirsty, took a big gulp.
舅妈看看他又看看许煦:“你们还在这里待几天?”
Auntie looked at him and then at Xu Xu: "How many more days will you two be staying?"
柏冬青道:“我请了十天假,还能陪外婆几天。”
Ba Dongqing said, "I took ten days off, so I can still stay with my grandmother for a few more days."
舅妈搓搓手,笑道:“那敢情好,反正你弟弟妹妹不在家,你们住酒店蓝浪费钱,把行李拿回来在家里住吧!这是你第一次带对象回家,我和你舅舅是长辈,怎么说也得代替你父母好好招待招待。”
Auntie rubbed her hands and smiled, "That's great. Anyway, your younger brother and sister aren't home, so it's a waste to stay at a hotel. Bring your luggage back and stay at home! This is the first time you're bringing your girlfriend home, and as your aunt and uncle, we should at least try to treat you well on behalf of your parents."
………………………………………………………………
第46章
Chapter 46
许煦腹诽,柏冬青的家明明就只有那个单位旧福利房, 以及现在两人一起住的公寓。
Xu Xu muttered to himself, Bai Dongqing's home was clearly just that old welfare unit and the apartment they were currently living in together.
这个千里之外的地方, 怎么就变成他的家了?
How could this place, a thousand miles away, become his home?
柏冬青倒是没多想, 只是笑着道:“不用了, 反正酒店也不远,白天我过来陪外婆就好……”
Bai Dongqing didn't think much about it and merely smiled, saying, "No need, anyway, the hotel isn't far. I can come over to keep my grandmother company during the day..."
他还没说完, 就被许煦笑盈盈打断:“舅妈说的是, 住酒店不划算, 咱们这几天还是住在家里,能省不少呢!”
Before he could finish, Xu Xu interrupted with a smile, "Aunt says it's not worth staying at a hotel. We can stay at home for these few days and save quite a bit!"
柏冬青有些奇怪地看向她。选择住酒店是因为怕她住在舅舅家不习惯,她怎么……
Bai Dongqing looked at her with a strange expression. She chose to stay in a hotel because she was worried that she might not be used to staying at her uncle's house, so why...
许煦朝他使了个眼色。虽然他没看太懂, 但大概可以理解为:听我的别啰嗦!
Xu Xu gave him a glance. Although he didn't quite understand it, he could roughly interpret it as: Listen to me and stop talking!
他向来是对她言听计从的,于是老实地闭了嘴,然后对她的话点点头。
He had always obeyed her without question, so he obediently closed his mouth and then nodded in agreement with her words.
舅妈听两人住下, 眉开眼笑道:“本来就是, 回了家当然是要住家里才方便。”
When Aunt heard that they had settled in, she beamed and said, "Of course, it's more convenient to stay at home when you're back."
虽然这里并不是柏冬青的家,但需要它的时候, 也就成了他的家。
Although this wasn't Bai Dongqing's home, whenever he needed it, it became his home.
柏冬青没有说什么, 毕竟亲情对他来说太稀缺了, 所以有一点类似的, 哪怕只是披着一层虚假的外衣, 他也忍不住想自欺欺人。
Bai Dongqing didn't say anything. After all, familial affection was too scarce for him, so even a semblance of it, no matter how superficial, made him want to deceive himself.
晚上吃饭,舅舅舅妈做了一大桌子好菜,这个招待确实很不错。舅舅还兴致高昂地喝了点酒, 只是喝着喝着,就猛得咳了起来,满脸涨红,直喘粗气。
At dinner, Uncle and Aunt prepared a large table of delicious food, and the hospitality was indeed excellent. Uncle even drank a bit of alcohol with great enthusiasm, but as he was drinking, he suddenly started coughing violently, his face turning red, and he began to pant heavily.
舅妈赶紧给他拍背顺气,又朝柏冬青叹道:“你舅舅今年也快五十了,为这个家操劳了这么多年,身体都已经垮了。我别的不担心,就是现在你外婆瘫痪了,上下楼都得抱着,我一个女的肯定是抱不动,全都得指望你舅舅。三楼说高不高,但就怕这楼梯走不稳,一不小心摔一跤,那可就麻烦大了。你外婆为什么脑溢血?就是下楼的时候不小心给摔的。”
Aunt quickly started patting his back to help him catch his breath and then sighed to Bai Dongqing, "Your uncle is almost fifty this year. He has been working hard for this family for so many years that his health has deteriorated. I'm not worried about anything else, but now that Grandma is paralyzed, she can't go up or down the stairs without being carried. I'm a woman and can't carry her, so it all depends on your uncle. The third floor isn't very high, but we're afraid he might slip on the stairs and fall. That could be a big problem. Why did Grandma have a stroke? It was because she fell while going down the stairs."
给丈夫顺好气,舅妈坐好,又给柏冬青和许煦布了两筷子菜,继续唉声叹气道:“我说让你舅舅换套电梯房,他说咱们家没钱,不用换,大不了就是他辛苦一点,抱你外婆上下楼的时候小心一点。”
Smooth the husband's temper, Auntie sat down, and then she served two more mouthfuls of food to Bo Dongqing and Xu Xu, continuing to sigh and say, "I told him to have his uncle switch to an elevator apartment, but he said our family doesn't have the money, so there's no need to change. At most, he'll just have to work a bit harder and be more careful when carrying your grandma up and down the stairs."
舅舅佯装不满地打断她:“虽然咱们小县城房子便宜,但一套下来也要五六十万。我们现在这套房龄十几年了,地段也一般,卖出去再买新的,至少还得自己补二十来万,这还不算装修呢!两个孩子都还没毕业,妈又身体不好,我们哪里拿得出钱?换电梯房,你这不是痴人说梦吗?”
Uncle pretended to be displeased and interrupted her, "Although houses are cheap in our small county, a decent one still costs around half a million. Our current apartment is over ten years old, and the location isn't great. If we sell it and buy a new one, we'll at least have to come up with twenty or so extra thousand, not to mention the renovation costs! Both kids haven't graduated yet, and Mom isn't in good health. Where are we supposed to get the money? Asking for an elevator apartment, you're just dreaming!"
这一唱一和的意思,许煦要是看不出来,那可真是要去看看脑科了。
If Xu Xu couldn't see through their intentions, she really would need to see a psychiatrist.
柏冬青自然也听出了他们的用意,这样拐弯抹角地问他要钱,心里当然不好受。
Bo Dongqing naturally also picked up on their meaning. Being asked for money in such a roundabout way certainly wasn't pleasant for her.
可是想到外婆的身体,如果住在这种楼梯房,抱着上下楼,确实不方便也不安全。老人家也不可能总闷在家里不出门!
But thinking about Grandma's health, if she were to live in a house with stairs, carrying her up and down would indeed be inconvenient and unsafe. Elderly people can't stay cooped up at home all the time either!
他犹豫了片刻,知道是坑,还是往下跳了,点点头,语气平淡道:“也是,外婆现在的身体状况,确实应该住电梯房才方便。这两天我趁着人在这里,去看看房子,要是有合适的,就定下来。”
He hesitated for a moment, realizing it was a trap, but still jumped in, nodding and said in a calm tone, "That's true. Grandma's current health condition does indeed warrant living in an elevator house for convenience. I'll take the opportunity to look at the house these days. If there's something suitable, I'll make a decision."
舅妈眼睛一亮,笑着道:“要不是为了你外婆着想,我们也不用换房子。不过你放心,钱就当是跟你借的,等我们有了就还你,房子我们之前有看过,把地址告诉你,你明天再看看怎么样!”
Auntie's eyes lit up, smiling and said, "If it weren't for your grandma, we wouldn't need to change houses. But don't worry, the money is just a loan from you. We'll pay you back once we have it. We've already looked at the house before, so I'll give you the address, and you can check it out tomorrow!"
许煦想了想,笑道:“冬青,舅舅舅妈不容易,又要送孩子上学,又要照顾外婆,买房子压力对他们来说,实在太大了。你看……”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and smiled, "Dongqing, Uncle and Auntie have it tough. They have to send their children to school and take care of Grandma. The pressure of buying a house is really too much for them. Look..."
柏冬青思忖片刻,很上道地接着她的话道:“舅舅舅妈,要不然这样吧,房子我买了给你们和外婆住,你们就不用把这旧房子卖掉了。”
Bai Dongqing pondered for a moment and replied in a practical manner, "Uncle and Aunt, how about this? I'll buy the house for you and Grandma to live in. That way, you won't have to sell the old house."
许煦赶紧附和:“是啊!反正电梯房也就是为了外婆上下楼方便,等外婆百年之后,这房子也就不是必需了,冬青就可以再把房子卖掉,如今房价一直在涨,还能升点值呢!反正冬青也不会要你们房租钱,这些年你们就跟外婆尽管住。”
Xu Xu quickly agreed, "Yes! After all, the elevator apartment was just for Grandma's convenience when going up and down the stairs. Once Grandma is no longer with us, this house won't be necessary anymore. Then, Dongqing can sell the house again. With property prices always rising, it might even be worth more now! Anyway, Dongqing won't be asking for rent from you. You can keep living here with Grandma for now."
舅舅舅妈相视看了眼,脸色变得有些不大好了。他们本想借着老太太生病的机会,找柏冬青拿点钱买个新房子,虽然嘴上是说借,但以冬青的性子,不还也是不会说什么的。
Uncle and Aunt exchanged glances, their faces turning a bit sour. They had originally planned to take advantage of Grandma's illness to ask Bai Dongqing for some money to buy a new house. Although they said it was a loan, given Dongqing's nature, they wouldn't have to worry about repayment.
而且他们打听过了,小城的一套房子对自家这外甥来说,并不算什么。
Moreover, they had inquired and found out that a house in the small city wasn't much of a burden for their nephew.
舅妈是个机灵人,刚刚分明听出是这准外甥媳妇提的头,不然外甥也不会说房子他买,真是个讨人嫌的。
Aunt-in-law is a sharp woman; she clearly just heard that it was this almost-son-in-law's wife who suggested it, otherwise her nephew wouldn't have said that the house was bought by him. Truly a pest.
许煦觉察到舅妈不悦的眼神,装作没事人一般,端起汤碗喝了一口,笑眯眯道:“舅妈这汤做得真好喝!”
Xu Xu sensed Aunt-in-law's displeased gaze and acted as if nothing was wrong, picking up his soup bowl and taking a sip, smiling and saying, "Aunt-in-law, this soup is really delicious!"
舅妈抿抿嘴,讪讪道:“好喝就多喝点。”
Aunt-in-law pursed her lips and said awkwardly, "If you like it, drink more."
许煦挑了挑眉,笑着说好。
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, "Okay."
*
夜晚,柏冬青陪着躺在床上的外婆说了会儿话,等到老人家再次安睡,才拉着许煦回房休息。
At night, Bai Dongqing stayed with his grandmother who was lying in bed, and only left after she fell asleep again, then pulled Xu Xu back to their room to rest.
这间卧室是冬青表弟的房间,舅妈倒算是很贴心地给他们换了新床单和被套。
This bedroom belongs to Dongqing's cousin, and Auntie has been quite considerate by changing the bed sheets and duvet covers for them.
柏冬青看着她大剌剌倒在床上,问:“住在这里习不习惯?要是不习惯,咱们还是去酒店吧!”
Bai Dongqing watched her casually lie down on the bed and asked, "Do you get used to living here? If not, we can still go to a hotel!"
许煦斜了他一眼:“你知道我为什么答应住在这里吗?”
Xu Xu gave him a sidelong glance and asked, "Do you know why I agreed to live here?"
柏冬青点头:“我知道你是想看我舅舅舅妈到底对我怎么样!”
Ba Dongqing nodded: "I know you want to see how my uncle and aunt treat me!"
许煦轻笑出声:“你原来是真的什么都知道啊!”
Xu Xu chuckled: "So you really do know everything!"
柏冬青默了片刻:“他们毕竟是我的亲人,只要不是太过分,我能做就做吧!”
Ba Dongqing was silent for a moment: "They are still my relatives, so as long as they don't go too far, I can do what I can!"
许煦理解他渴望亲情的心理,其实她也不愿意掺合这些事,毕竟他很少和这些人走动。
Xu Xu understood his desire for familial affection. Actually, she didn't want to get involved in these matters either, since he rarely interacted with these people.
可想到他最需要他们的时候,他们不仅不照顾他,还把外公外婆叫走,就怎么都有点为当年那个小冬青觉得不平。
When he most needed them, they not only didn't take care of him but also called his grandparents away, which made him a bit resentful for Little Dongqing back then.
她愤愤道:“他们当你是亲人了吗?当年你需要他们的时候,他们为你做了什么了吗?给过你钱吗?”
She said indignantly, "Did they treat you like a family member? Did they do anything for you when you needed them? Did they give you any money?"
柏冬青犹豫了片刻:“他们那时确实也不大容易。”
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment, "They were indeed not very easy to deal with at that time."
其实那时外公有退休金,每个月会给他寄几百块,后来听说舅妈不高兴,他就让爷爷不用寄了。父母留下了一些存款,加上父亲的抚恤金,倒也顺顺利利让他上到了大学,到了大学就可以自己打工了,自己养自己,其实也不算难。
In fact, his grandfather had a pension, which would send him a few hundred dollars every month. Later, when he heard that his aunt was unhappy, he asked his father not to send any more money. His parents left some savings, and with his father's compensation, he managed to go to university smoothly. Once he got to university, he could work part-time and support himself, so it wasn't that difficult.
他想了想又道:“毕竟外公外婆是他们赡养的,如果能让外婆余下的日子过得好一点,给点钱也无所谓。”
He thought for a moment and said, "After all, my grandparents are the ones they take care of. If I can make Grandma's remaining days a bit better, giving them some money isn't a problem."
许煦认真地看向他,过了许久才道:“你其实对他们也是有怨言的对吗?”
Xu Xu looked at him seriously for a long time before saying, "You actually have grievances against them, right?"
柏冬青犹豫了片刻,还是点了点头。他不是圣人,当年舅舅舅妈的行为,确实让人心寒。
Bai Dongqing hesitated for a moment and then nodded. He was not a saint, and his uncle and aunt's actions back then did indeed make one feel cold.
许煦笑了:“难怪你刚刚挺上道,我一提醒,你就说自己买房子。”她将脚丫子放在他胸口,“其实我也觉得花点钱没什么,但得值得。你舅舅舅妈到底怎么样,还得你自己评判。”
Xu Xu smiled. "No wonder you were so straightforward just now. As soon as I reminded you, you said you bought a house." She placed her toes on his chest. "Actually, I also think it's not a big deal to spend some money, but it has to be worth it. How your uncle and aunt are, you have to judge for yourself."
第39节
Chapter 39
柏冬青抓起她的脚亲了下,轻笑了笑:“我知道你是不想我吃亏,我心里有数的。”
Bai Dongqing grabbed her foot and kissed it, then gave a light smile: "I know you don't want me to lose, and I have it under control."
许煦翻了个白眼:“我看你也就只是心里有数。”
Xu Xu rolled her eyes: "I see you only have it under control in your mind."
见柏冬青爬上来要亲她,她笑嘻嘻打了个滚:“打住你不纯洁的念头,这可是别人家。”
Seeing Bai Dongqing climb up to kiss her, she laughed and rolled over playfully: "Stop with your impure thoughts, this is someone else's place."
柏冬青还是抱着她亲了口:“很纯洁的。”
Ba Dongqing still kissed her and said, "Very pure."
隔日,柏冬青带着许煦,一面推着外婆在街上闲逛,一面了解当地的房子。小城的楼盘就这么多,了解起来也容易,倒也不算麻烦事,当天下午就确定下来了。
The next day, Ba Dongqing took Xu Xu out, pushing Grandma around the street while learning about the local houses. The small city had only a few housing developments, so it was easy to understand them, and it wasn't much trouble. They decided that afternoon.
在售楼中心,外婆听到他要买电梯房,顿时咿咿呀呀直摇头。
At the sales center, Grandma shook her head nonstop when she heard that he wanted to buy an apartment with an elevator.
柏冬青蹲下来,握住外婆枯瘦的手,笑道:“外婆,上下楼梯太危险了,舅舅年纪也大了,抱不动你呢!”
Ba Dongqing knelt down, holding Grandma's withered hand and smiling, "Grandma, going up and down stairs is too dangerous. Uncle is also getting old and can't carry you anymore!"
外婆眼泪直往下掉,含含糊糊道:“不要花你的钱。”
The grandmother's tears kept falling as she mumbled, "Don't spend your money."
柏冬青笑着摇头:“不花钱,房子用我的名字买,房价还会涨,比存钱划算。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and shook his head, "No money spent. The house will be registered in my name, and the price will still rise, making it more worthwhile than saving money."
外婆听到房子是用他的名字买,明显松了口气,连连点头,咧嘴笑道:“用你的买,不用你舅舅。”
Hearing that the house would be registered in his name, the grandmother visibly relaxed, nodding repeatedly and smiling, "Use yours to buy, not your uncle's."
柏冬青站起来,看向许煦:“幸好你昨晚提醒我,不然外婆知道我拿钱给舅舅买房,又得难受。”
Bai Dongqing stood up and looked at Xu Xu, "Thankfully, you reminded me last night. Otherwise, Grandma would have felt bad knowing I used her money to buy a house for my uncle."
买房子也不是一天两天的事,看好之后,签了定金合同,三人就回家了。
Buying a house isn't something that happens in a day or two. After they found a suitable one and signed the deposit contract, the three of them went home.
这些日子,舅舅舅妈总是拐弯抹角提起家里缺什么,什么又坏了诸如此类,柏冬青都记得。回去的途中,全买了,小到舅舅的刮胡刀,大到表弟想要的笔记本电脑,大包小包装满了一个出租车的后备箱。
These days, Uncle and Aunt have been indirectly mentioning what's missing at home and what's broken, and Bái Dōngqīng remembered all of it. On their way back, they bought everything, from Uncle's razor to the laptop his cousin wanted, filling a taxi's trunk with large and small packages.
因为有些是店里需要的东西,路过舅舅家的批发店时,几个人下了车。
Since some of the items were needed for the store, when they passed by Uncle's wholesale store, the group got out of the car.
此时店门口,舅妈不知为了什么芝麻蒜皮的事,正在跟隔壁的店老板吵架。
At the store entrance, Aunt was arguing with the owner of the neighboring shop over some trivial matter.
许煦是第一次见到这种泼妇骂街的吵架方式,两个中年妇女叉腰对峙,将对方祖宗十八代骂了个遍。
Xu Xu was seeing this kind of street brawling for the first time. Two middle-aged women stood facing each other, cursing each other's ancestors all the way back to the eighteenth generation.
眼见着对方要动手,舅妈脸一伸:“你今天有种动手试试,我外甥可是大律师,你要是动我一根手指头,我让你赔得倾家荡产!”
Seeing the other party about to make a move, Auntie stretched her face and said, "You have the guts to try hitting me today? My nephew is a big lawyer. If you so much as touch one of my fingers, I'll make you bankrupt!"
许煦:“……”
Xu Xu: "…"
柏冬青:“……”
Bo Dongqing: "…"
对方倒也没真动手,跳起来指着鼻子骂:“你别以为我不知道,你那外甥当年爹妈没了,本来是归你家公婆养的,照顾了人没几天,你们两口子就把你公婆叫回来了,连生活费都不让寄。你还有脸提你外甥!缺不缺德?人家现在理你么?”
The other party didn't really strike back, but instead leaped up and pointed at his nose, shouting, "Don't think I don't know what you did. Your nephew's parents passed away, and he was originally supposed to be raised by your parents-in-law. You only took care of him for a few days before you and your spouse called your parents-in-law back, and didn't even send any living expenses. How can you even bring up your nephew? Are you lacking in morals? Does he even care about you now?"
舅妈道:“你血口喷人,我和我家那口子对我外甥好着呢!”喷完这句,余光扫道柏冬青的身影,面色一喜,赶紧走过来,又看到他和许煦手上拎的东西,转头朝刚刚骂架的人,趾高气昂道,“看到没?这就是我外甥,孝顺着呢!”
Auntie on the mother's side said, "You're just slandering me. My husband and I have been very good to our nephew!" After saying this, she glanced at Bai Dongqing's figure, her face lighting up, and she hurriedly walked over, then seeing the things in his and Xu Xu's hands, she turned to the person she had just argued with, and said with a high nose, "See? That's my nephew, being very filial!"
对方看到这阵仗,悻悻然回了店内。
Seeing this scene, the other party sulked back to the store.
舅舅舅妈看到柏冬青买了这么多东西,嘴上说破费了浪费钱,脸上却乐开了花。自然又是各种讨好的话不要钱似的往外甥身上贴,连带着把许煦也夸了个遍。
Uncle and Auntie saw that Bai Dongqing had bought so many things, they said they were wasting money, but their faces lit up. Naturally, they started to heap all sorts of flattering words on their nephew, and even Xu Xu, without sparing a word, was praised as well.
没有人只到,轮椅上的外婆有点闷闷不乐。
No one realized that Grandma, in her wheelchair, was a bit gloomy.
*
晚上回了房,许煦朝柏冬青伸手:“把你手机给我。”
In the evening, when she returned to her room, Xu Xu reached out to Bai Dongqing: "Give me your phone."
柏冬青递给她:“干嘛?”
Bai Dongqing handed it to her: "Why?"
许煦挑挑眉,打开他的记账本。
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow and opened his ledger.
他一直有记账的好习惯,早年是用本子,后来换了智能手机,便用手机。许煦一开始还觉得一个大男人去超市都不忘记个账,未免太龟毛。后来才听他说,当年一个人生活,一直到大学前,差不多四年,几乎没有任何收入来源,他怕父母留下的钱会够不到高考之后,每一笔都必须花得小心翼翼,自然就学会了记账。虽然现在不用担心钱的问题了,但这个习惯却保持了下来。
He had always had the good habit of keeping a record of his expenses. In the early days, he used notebooks, but after switching to a smartphone, he continued to use it. Xu Xu initially thought that a grown man wouldn't forget to keep track of his expenses when going to the supermarket, which seemed a bit too meticulous. Later, she learned that he lived alone for almost four years until university, with virtually no income. He was afraid that the money left by his parents wouldn't last until after the college entrance exam, so he had to be extremely careful with every expense, which naturally led him to develop the habit of keeping a record.
许煦看了眼今天的花费,还真是不少,除了房子的定金,剩下的也有一万多。
Xu Xu glanced at today's expenses, which were indeed substantial. Besides the down payment for the house, the rest amounted to over ten thousand yuan.
她正看着,门外有细碎的脚步传来。老房子不隔音,所以听得很分明,那脚步声在门口处消失了,显然是站在外面。
She was still looking when she heard faint footsteps outside. Since the old house wasn't soundproof, she could hear them clearly. The footsteps stopped at the door, indicating that the person was standing outside.
许煦勾唇一笑,对着手机中的账本一条一条念道。
Xu Xu smiled and read out the entries in the digital ledger on her phone one by one.
“按摩仪,二百四十二。”
Massager, 242.
“铁观音,三百四。”
Oolong tea, 340.
“笔记本电脑,五千二。”
Laptop, 5200.
…………
柏冬青奇怪地看着她,不知她葫芦里卖什么药,但也没打断她。
Bai Dongqing looked at her strangely, unsure what her intentions were, but didn't interrupt her.
许煦念了十来条就停下了,然后把手机往床上一扔,用故意压低的声音,喝道:“你自己看看来你舅舅家花了多少钱!你每个月工资是上交给我了,就领两千块零花,但照你今天这个花法,是不是还要我拿我自己的薪水给你补贴啊?我们结婚不要钱的啊?房子都还没买呢!你说你舅舅舅妈对你好,你结婚肯定会给你钱的,我都在这住两天了,怎么连个见面礼都没有啊!”
Xu Xian stopped after reading a dozen messages and threw her phone onto the bed, using a deliberately low voice to command, "Look at how much you spent at your uncle's place! You hand over your salary to me every month, but you only get two thousand for your own spending. But if you keep spending like this, do you expect me to use my own salary to subsidize you? We're not getting married for free, are we? We haven't even bought a house yet! You say your uncle and aunt are good to you, and they'll give you money for the wedding, but I've been staying here for two days and haven't even received a gift!"
她把一个厉害女友演得十分逼真,尤其是语气,弄得外面本来准备敲门拐弯抹角再问外甥要东西的舅妈,顿时默默惊叹,原来冬青找了这么个厉害媳妇,还没结婚就把钱给管住了,这还得了。
She portrayed a formidable girlfriend so convincingly, especially in her tone, that it made her aunt, who was originally planning to knock and ask for something from her nephew in a roundabout way, silently marvel. It turned out Dongqing had found such a formidable wife, who had already managed to control the finances before they were even married. This was simply unacceptable.
………………
第47章
Chapter 47
舅妈偷偷摸摸钻回房间,急不可耐地拉着丈夫道:“我说冬青怎么不给我们借钱买房, 非要自己买。肯定都是他那媳妇儿出的主意。我刚听到了, 他那媳妇可厉害啦, 还没结婚, 就把冬青工资卡拿了,每个月就给两千零用。梅梅不是说冬青一年少说也有百万么?我看那女人就是瞅准了冬青没爹没妈, 才把钱都给掌控的。咱们得想想办法, 咱们才是冬青最亲的人, 可不能让肥水流了外人田。”
Aunt-in-law sneaked back into the room and urgently pulled her husband aside, saying, "I said why Dongqing wouldn't lend us money to buy a house. He insisted on buying it himself. It must have all been his wife's idea. I just heard that she's quite capable. Even before they got married, she took Dongqing's salary card and only gives him two thousand for spending each month. Mei Mei said that Dongqing earns at least a million a year, right? I think that woman is taking advantage of the fact that Dongqing has no parents to control all the money. We need to think of a way to help. We are the closest to Dongqing, and we can't let the money go to someone else."
男人蹭的坐起来:“你说冬青钱都被他那没过门都媳妇儿管着?那怎么行!没过门都这样,要等过了门,还能有我们的份!”
The man sat up immediately, "You're saying that Dongqing's money is being managed by his fiancée who hasn't even moved in yet? That can't be allowed! If she can do this before marriage, she'll be even more dominant after we get married!"
“就是这个道理啊!而且那女的还说和冬青结婚, 要我们给钱呢!”
That's exactly the point! And she even said that she wants us to give her money for the wedding!
“当真?”
Is it true?
“可不是么?”
Why, it is!
“那咱们真得想想办法。”
Then we really do need to think of a solution.
这厢演完戏的许煦,趴在床上乐不可支地笑得直打滚,眼泪都快蹦出来了。
Backstage, after finishing his performance, Xu Xu lay on the bed laughing uncontrollably, tears almost streaming down his face.
“我刚刚像不像那种特厉害的坏女人?恨不得把男人血吸光的那种?”她问。
"Am I just like that particularly powerful bad woman? The kind who wants to suck all the men's blood?" she asked.
柏冬青笑着点点头:“有点像!”
Bai Dongqing smiled and nodded: "A little bit like that!"
许煦坏笑:“那我要真这么厉害?你怕不怕?”
Xu Xu grinned wickedly: "And if I really am that powerful? Are you afraid?"
柏冬青摇头:“你再厉害我也心甘情愿。”
Bai Dongqing shook her head: "No matter how powerful you are, I'm willing to submit."
明明是句哄人的甜言蜜语, 可从他口中说出来, 却显得无比真诚。
Obviously, it's sweet nothings to deceive, yet when he says it, it sounds incredibly sincere.
许煦乐得更厉害:“你就傻吧,要真遇到个厉害的, 只怕会被啃得骨头都不剩。”
Xu Xule laughed even harder: "You're such a fool. If you really encounter a formidable one, you might end up with not a bone left."
柏冬青在她旁边躺下, 也不说话, 只笑着看着她。
Bai Dongqing lay down beside her, saying nothing, just looking at her with a smile.
许煦抬手戳了戳他的脸:“真傻了?”
Xu Xue prodded his face with her hand: "Are you really a fool?"
柏冬青仍旧是笑着不说话, 过了片刻, 忽然伸手将她抱在怀中。
Bai Dongqing still smiled without speaking. After a moment, he suddenly reached out to embrace her.
“干嘛呢?”许煦对他的行为一头雾水。
"Why are you doing this?" Xu Xu was completely baffled by his actions.
柏冬青:“就抱抱。”
Bai Dongqing: "Just a hug."
是啊!幸好自己遇到的是她。连亲人之间都有算计,可是她却从来没有要求过他什么,总是替自己着想。以至于他都不知道, 自己能有什么给她的。
Yes! Fortunately, she was the one he encountered. Even among family members, there was calculation, but she had never asked for anything from him, always thinking of him. To the point where he didn't know what he could give her.
*
隔日上午,两人推完外婆遛弯,见着日头渐烈,便早早回了家。
The next morning, after pushing Grandma out for a walk, they returned home early as the sun grew stronger.
“……冬青哥哥!”门从里面打开,不是舅舅,也不是舅妈,而是一个年轻姑娘,看到门口的人后,略微迟疑了下,便激动开口。
"…Brother Dongqing!" The door opened from inside, not from Uncle or Aunt, but a young lady. After seeing the person at the door, she hesitated slightly before excitedly speaking up.
柏冬青愣了下,一下没认出来:“你是?”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback and couldn't immediately recognize her: "You are?"
舅妈洪亮的嗓子从餐厅传来:“她是梅梅啊!你不认识啦?不过也是,女大十八变,梅梅比小时候漂亮多了,认不出来正常。”
Aunt Hong's loud voice came from the dining room: "She's Mei Mei! Don't you recognize her? But that's normal, girls change a lot as they grow up. Mei Mei is much prettier than when she was younger, so it's understandable you wouldn't recognize her."
梅梅大名夏梅,是舅妈的侄女,二十多岁的姑娘,长得很水灵漂亮,性格显然也很是活泼开朗。
Maimei, whose given name is Xia Mei, is her aunt's niece. She is a young woman in her twenties, looking very lively and beautiful. Her personality is clearly also lively and cheerful.
柏冬青笑着打招呼:“原来是梅梅啊!确实认不出来了。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and greeted her: "So it's really Maimei! You can't recognize me at all."
许煦挑眉斜了他一眼:梅梅?呵呵。
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance: Maimei? Haha.
夏梅跟轮椅上的外婆打了声招呼,撒娇般道:“奶奶,冬青哥哥竟然都不认识我了!”
Xia Mei greeted her grandmother who was in the wheelchair and pouted, saying, "Grandma, even Dongqing Brother doesn't recognize me anymore!"
外婆朝她慈爱地笑了笑,没说话。
The grandmother smiled at her affectionately and said nothing.
夏梅也没打算要从偏瘫的外婆口中得到什么话,只是随口说笑而已。
Xia Mei didn't expect to get any words from her paralyzed grandmother either, just a casual joke.
她帮着柏冬青将外婆推进门,看了眼许煦,笑道:“冬青哥哥,这就是你女朋友吗?我之前还专门上网查过,都说你没女朋友,我还以为真没有呢!”
She helped Ba Dongqing push the grandmother inside and looked at Xu Xu, smiling and saying, "Brother Dongqing, this is your girlfriend? I even searched online before, and it said you didn't have a girlfriend, so I thought it was really true!"
柏冬青好笑道:“我又不是明星,网上能查到什么?”说着看了眼许煦,给她介绍“这是舅妈的侄女,叫夏梅。”
Ba Dongqing smiled and said, "I'm not a celebrity, so what can be found online?" As he spoke, he looked at Xu Xu and introduced her, "This is my aunt's niece, Xia Mei."
又对夏梅道:“这是我女朋友,许煦。”
Translated to English:
"And this is my girlfriend, Xu Xu," he said to Xia Mei.
两个女人笑着朝对方点点头。
The two women smiled and nodded at each other.
舅妈放了炒好的菜在餐桌,顺便走过来笑呵呵道:“你们俩得有好多年没见过了吧?小时候每年暑假冬青来这里,就你们两个玩得最好,还一起洗澡一张床睡觉呢!”
Auntie placed the stir-fried dishes on the table and walked over with a smile, saying, "You two haven't seen each other for years, right? When Dōngqīng came here every summer when we were kids, you two played the best together and even shared a bed and took baths together!"
夏梅大笑:“小时候的事太糗了,小姑你就别提了。”
Xia Mei laughed loudly, "Those childhood memories are too embarrassing, Auntie. You don't have to mention them."
柏冬青也笑着道:“是啊!那么久的事我都不记得了。”
Ba Dongqing also smiled and said, "Yes! I can't even remember something that happened so long ago."
他一转头,就对上许煦一张皮笑肉不笑的脸,看她用口型无声道:“原来是小青梅啊!”
He turned his head and met Xu Xu's face, which was smiling but not genuinely. She mouthed silently, "So it's Little Plum, huh!"
这无声的三个字,让柏冬青没忍住打了个寒战,一脸无辜地眨眨眼睛。
Those three silent words made Ba Dongqing involuntarily shiver, and she blinked innocently.
舅舅在看店,午饭是屋子里几个人一起吃的。外婆因为偏瘫,手抖得厉害,柏冬青先亲手喂她,等老人家吃好了,才回到桌上,和等着他的人一起开吃。
Uncle was watching the store, so lunch was eaten together by the few people in the house. Since Grandma was partially paralyzed and her hands trembled badly, Ba Dongqing fed her first. After the elderly lady finished eating, she returned to the table to eat with the others who were waiting for her.
舅妈显然很喜欢夏梅这个侄女,在桌上不停地夸她如何如何优秀。
Aunt-in-law clearly adored Xia Mei as a niece, constantly praising her for her numerous merits.
二十五岁,名校研究生毕业,多才多艺,已经签了江城的一家外资银行。
At twenty-five, she had graduated from a top university, was multi-talented, and had already signed with a foreign bank in Jiang City.
哦,对了,还单身。
Oh, right, she was also single.
许煦用脚趾头想想,也能猜到这位好舅妈的用意了。
Xu Xu could easily guess the good aunt-in-law's intentions with a little thought.
昨晚刚听到自己掌管无父无母外甥的财政大权,今儿就按捺不住了。
Last night just hearing that I have control over my orphaned nephew's finances, and today I can't wait anymore.
啧啧!
Tsk tsk!
最好把贪婪全暴露出来,才好让冬青彻底失望。
Expose all the greed to thoroughly disappoint Evergreen.
柏冬青显然还没想太多,毕竟这个夏梅确实是他认识多年的小青梅。
Bai Dongqing 显然还没有想太多,毕竟这个夏梅确实是他认识多年的小青梅。
舅妈说到兴处,乐呵呵道:“梅梅冬青,你们记不记得,小时候你们俩还被咱们大人开玩笑定过娃娃亲呢!”
Auntie on her happy side said, "Meimei Dongqing, do you remember when you were kids, we were jokingly set up as a couple by our grown-ups!"
夏梅连连点头,眉眼弯弯笑道:“是啊是啊!当时我还说长大了要当冬青哥哥的新娘子,冬青哥哥也同意了的。”
Xia Mei nodded vigorously, her eyes crinkling in a smile. "Yes, yes! At that time, I said I wanted to be Dongqing's new wife when I grew up, and Dongqing agreed too."
柏冬青听得还挺高兴,笑着接话道:“小时候不懂事,都不知道新娘子是什么意思.。”
Bai Dongqing seemed quite pleased to hear this, smiling and chiming in, "Back then, we didn't even know what a bride was."
许煦嘴角弯起一个夸张的弧度,表示出对这种童年往事的极大兴趣。
Xu Xu's lips curled into an exaggerated curve, showing a great interest in these childhood memories.
然而左手却悄悄垂下,爬上了旁边柏冬青的大腿。
However, his left hand quietly dropped and climbed onto Bai Dongqing's thigh.
柏冬青转头看她,露出询问的眼神。
Bai Dongqing turned to look at her, his expression questioning.
许煦歪头朝他抿嘴一笑,手上一个用力,狠狠掐了他一把。他大腿的肌肉很结实,被这样一掐,疼得倒吸一口冷气。
Xu Xu tilted her head and gave him a playful smile, then applied a sudden force, pinching him hard. His thigh muscles were very firm, and he yelped in pain.
“冬青哥哥,你怎么了?”对面的夏梅看不到桌下发生了什么,只看到柏冬青龇牙咧嘴的表情,奇怪问。
"Wintergreen Brother, what's wrong?" Xia Mei, on the other side, couldn't see what happened under the table, only seeing Bai Dongqing's expression contorted in pain, and asked curiously.
第40节
Chapter 40
柏冬青转过头:“……没事。”说完夹了一只鸡翅放在许煦碗里,“你吃。”
Bai Dongqing turned his head: "...It's fine." He then picked up a chicken wing and placed it in Xu Xu's bowl, saying, "You eat."
许煦将鸡翅夹起,放回他碗中,笑眯眯道:“你刚刚光顾着听舅妈和夏梅说话,都没吃多少,还是你吃吧!”
Xu Xu picked up the chicken wing and put it back in Bai Dongqing's bowl, smiling and saying, "You were so busy listening to Auntie and Xia Mei talking that you didn't eat much. You should eat it!"
柏冬青垂下头,开始闷头啃鸡翅,舅妈和夏梅再说什么,打死他也不接话了。
Bai Dongqing lowered his head and began to gnaw on the chicken wing silently. No matter what Auntie and Xia Mei said, he wouldn't respond.
大腿真的好疼啊!
My thighs really hurt!
这顿午餐,柏冬青闷头吃了三碗饭,后面舅妈和夏梅说了多久,他就吃了多久。
For this lunch, Bai Dongqing ate three bowls of rice in silence. Whatever Auntie and Xia Mei talked about, he ate for as long as they spoke.
吃完饭,夏梅热情道:“许煦姐是第一次来这边吧?冬青哥带你到周边玩了吗?很多地方风景不错的。”
After finishing his meal, Xia Mei warmly asked, "Is Sister Xu Xu visiting for the first time? Dongqing 哥 has shown you around the area? There are many places with nice scenery."
柏冬青道:“这几天要陪外婆,我准备回去前一天,也就是后天去带她去转转。”
Bai Dongqing replied, "I need to stay with my grandmother these few days. I plan to take her out the day before I leave, which will be the day after tomorrow."
夏梅道:“择日不如撞日,这里我可比你熟悉多了,今天下午我带你们俩去玩玩怎么样?”
Xia Mei said, "When the day is chosen, it is not as good as a day by chance. I know this place much better than you. How about I take you two for a little play this afternoon?"
柏冬青还没说话,厨房里收拾的舅妈,大声道:“冬青,你们跟梅梅去玩儿吧,下午我在家照顾你外婆。”
Before Bai Dongqing could speak, her aunt who was cleaning the kitchen called out loudly, "Dongqing, why don't you and MeiMei go play? I'll stay home to take care of your grandma this afternoon."
“我………”
I...
许煦打断柏冬青的话,笑着道:“我看行,既然有向导,那就择日不如撞日吧!”
Xu Xu interrupted Bai Dongqing's words with a smile, saying, "I think that works. Since we have a guide, let's just go for it!"
“就是!”夏梅笑道,“正好今天天气也不错。”
Exactly!" Xia Mei smiled and said, "And the weather is also quite nice today.
是不错,就是太阳有点晒。
It's not bad, but the sun is a bit too bright.
一男两女一起出门,而且还都年龄相当,就算柏冬青是个榆木疙瘩,也觉得有点奇怪。
With one man and two women going out together, and all of them being of similar age, even if Bo Dongqing were as wooden as a block, it would still seem a bit strange.
吃饭时大腿被掐的地方还隐隐作痛,所以坐上了舅舅的送货小面的后,就老老实实当司机,坚决不和夏梅主动说一句话,她问自己,也只点点头或者嗯一声。
Even though the spot on her thigh was still a bit sore from being pinched during dinner, she obediently took the seat in her uncle's delivery mini-van and steadfastly refused to say a word to Xia Mei. When Xia Mei spoke to her, she only nodded or hummed in response.
坐在他旁边的许煦,看着他紧绷的下颌,以及时不时瞟自己的眼神,要不是因为有夏梅在,只怕要被他逗得前仰后合。
Xu Xu, sitting next to him, saw the tension in his jaw and the occasional glance at himself. If not for Xia Mei, he would likely have had her laughing uncontrollably.
夏梅在柏冬青这里遇冷,忍不住就朝前面的许煦抱怨:“冬青哥怎么这么闷?比小时候还闷!许煦姐你怎么受的了他的?”
Xia Mei, feeling cold treatment from Bai Dongqing, couldn't help but complain to Xu Xu in front of her: "Why is Dongqing 哥 so dull? Even more so than when we were kids! Why can you put up with him, Xu Xu 姐?"
许煦看不出夏梅打得什么主意,不过显然是对柏冬青很有点兴趣。她从来不觉得自己是爱拈酸吃醋的小气女人,但现在才发觉,大度的前提是因为一直觉得柏冬青经历空白,人又老实。
Xu Xu couldn't tell what Xia Mei's intentions were, but it was clear that she had quite an interest in Bai Dongqing. She never thought of herself as a petty woman who was jealous, but now she realized that her generosity was based on the belief that Bai Dongqing had had a blank period in his life and was honest.
哪里晓得他竟然会忽然冒出个小青梅。
She had no idea that he would suddenly appear with a little green peach.
还一起洗过澡睡过觉,订过娃娃亲!
They had even bathed and slept together, and even arranged their marriage as children!
虽然不应该把童年的事当真,但就是觉得好不爽。
Although one shouldn't take childhood matters seriously, it still felt rather unpleasant.
她笑了笑,回夏梅的话:“他平时还好,也不知道今天怎么回事!大概是见到老朋友的缘故吧!”说着朝柏冬青咧嘴一笑,“是不是啊冬青?”
She smiled and replied to Xia Mei, "He's usually fine, I have no idea what's up with him today! Maybe it's because he saw an old friend!" As she spoke, she gave Dongqing a toothy smile, "Right, Dongqing?"
柏冬青猛的摇头,方向盘没打稳,小面包车在路上狠狠打了个飘。
Dongqing shook her head violently, causing the steering wheel to wobble and the small 面包车 to skid on the road.
车内两个女人,都猝不及防地猛晃了下。
The two women in the car both jolted suddenly.
夏梅坐稳,两眼放光趴上前道:“上回见面我还在上大二,冬青哥哥好像是准备出国,所以回来看外婆。我还以为冬青哥哥都不记得我了呢!”
Xia Mei sat steadily and exclaimed with sparkling eyes as she leaned forward: "The last time we met, I was still in my second year of university. Brother Dongqing seemed to be preparing to study abroad, so he came back to see his grandmother. I thought Brother Dongqing had forgotten about me!"
柏冬青讪讪笑了笑,继续保持沉默大法。
Bai Dongqing smiled awkwardly and continued to keep silent.
简直就跟做贼心虚一样。
It was as if he was guilty of something.
许煦在心里哼了两声,本以为他和夏梅只是童年玩伴,原来几年前还见过啊!
Xu Xu hummed to himself twice. He had thought that he and Xia Mei were just childhood playmates, but it turned out they had met a few years ago!
许煦这回真有点抓心挠肺了。
This time, Xu Xu really felt a bit anxious.
他们第一个玩的地方,是当地一个有名的河水漂流。今天正好是周六,来玩儿的人不少。因为可以下水游泳,女孩子们很多都会换上泳衣。
Their first playplace was a famous river tubing spot in the area. It was Saturday today, and there were quite a few people playing. Since they could swim in the water, many girls changed into swimsuits.
夏梅和许煦在景点随便买了一套,一起去了更衣室换衣服。
Xia Mei and Xu Xu bought a set of swimsuits at the scenic spot and went to the changing room to change.
“你跟冬青哥哥在一起多久了?”夏梅边换衣服边笑着随口问。
"How long have you been with Brother Dongqing?" Xia Mei asked, smiling as she changed her clothes.
许煦道:“好几年了。”
Xu Xu said, "For several years now."
夏梅感叹道:“我真有点想象不出他会交女朋友。”
Xia Mei sighed, "I really can't imagine him dating a girlfriend."
其实这个感叹早些年许煦也有过,她笑了笑:“他也是正常人啊,怎么就不会交女朋友了?”
Actually, Xu Xu had also felt this way a few years ago. She smiled and said, "He's just a normal person, why wouldn't he date a girlfriend?"
夏梅想了想:“大概就是觉得他性格太好,会吃亏吧!”
Xia Mei thought for a moment: "Probably because he's too good-natured and will end up at a disadvantage!"
许煦算是明白了,估摸着冬青舅妈,给她这侄女说过自己怎么掌控柏冬青钱财的事,夏梅这是有点替她的竹马抱不平呢!
Xu Xu finally understood; it seemed that Dongqing's aunt had told her niece about how she controlled Dongqing's money, and Xia Mei was a bit upset on behalf of her childhood friend!
她笑了笑,没说话。
She smiled but said nothing.
两人的泳衣款式差不多,都是分体式的,比比基尼的布料稍微多一点,但也很清凉,该露的都露出来,不该露的也露了很多。
Their swimsuits were similar in style, both being one-piece, with a bit more fabric than a bikini, but still very cool. They showed off what needed to be shown and a lot of what didn't need to be shown.
许煦看了夏梅一眼,先前没看出来,换了泳衣才发觉,这姑娘身材还真是火辣,胸前大团雪白呼之欲出,动的时候,上下颤动着,很是诱人。
Xu Xu glanced at Xia Mei. Although he hadn't noticed it earlier, he realized now that the girl had a truly alluring figure. Her ample chest, a large expanse of snow-white skin, seemed to spill out, and when she moved, it quivered enticingly.
然后她低头看了看自己,虽然超过了及格线,但和对方一比,还是有点令人自惭形秽。
Then she looked down at herself. While she had surpassed the passing line, she still felt a bit ashamed when compared to the other.
柏冬青的小青梅,长大了是个身材火辣的美女这件事,还真是让人有点郁闷啊!
It was indeed a bit depressing to think that Little Qingmei, Bao Dongqing's little peach, had grown into a curvaceous beauty.
两人一起走出来,柏冬青早已经换了
The two walked out together, and Bao Dongqing had already changed into her swimsuit.
丅恤和裤衩在大厅等着。
Wu Xu and his boxers were waiting in the hall.
许煦不动声色地看着他,心道,要是他的目光敢在旁边的辣妹头部以下停留超过三秒以上,她绝对叫他好看。
Xu Xu watched him calmly, thinking to herself that if his gaze dared to linger below the waist of the nearby spicy girl for more than three seconds, she would make sure he regretted it.
夏梅看到柏冬青,快步上前,唤了一声:“冬青哥哥!”
Xia Mei saw Bai Dongqing and quickly approached, calling out, "Brother Dongqing!"
柏冬青转头看到她,朝她笑了笑,目光毫未停留,直接越过她,看向后面跟上来的许煦,然后脸色一变,三步并作两步走到她跟前,将手中的救生衣,以迅雷不及掩耳的速度套在她身上,还紧张兮兮朝周围看了看。
Bai Dongqing turned to see her and smiled at her, his gaze not lingering, before quickly looking past her to see Xu Xu behind her. His expression changed, and he took two steps in the time it would normally take three, rushing to her side and swiftly putting on her life jacket, then nervously glancing around.
“……”许煦,“你干嘛?”
……" Xu Xu, "What are you doing?
柏冬青伸手将救生衣给她扣好,尤其是胸口前的带子,认真系紧,确定挡住那片春光才算满意。然后面无表情地摇摇头:“给你穿救生衣。”
Bai Dongqing reached out to fasten the life jacket for her, especially making sure to tie the strap in front of her chest tightly and satisfactorily blocking that patch of spring light. Then, he shook his head expressionlessly: "I'm giving you the life jacket."
许煦撇撇嘴:“保守的家伙!”
Xu Xu pursed her lips: "A conservative guy!"
“咱们快走吧!”准备好的夏梅催促两人。
"Let's go quickly!" Xia Mei, who was ready, urged the two of them.
他们要了一只三人的橡皮船,柏冬青坐在前面掌舵,两个女孩坐在后面。这处漂流不走激烈凶险风格,而是主打沿岸风光,大部分时候水流不算湍急。
They rented a three-person inflatable raft. Bade Dongqing sat at the front to steer, with the two girls sitting at the back. This section of the rafting trip wasn't intense or dangerous; instead, it focused on the scenic views along the riverbank. Most of the time, the water flow wasn't particularly swift.
许煦第一次来这里,坐在船上,看着两旁美景慢慢流逝,哪怕船上多了个人,心情也还不错。
Xu Xu was visiting for the first time, sitting on the raft and watching the beautiful scenery pass by on both sides. Even with an extra person on board, she was still in a good mood.
只是这种平静很快就被打破,玩漂流的时候,很多人喜欢打闹泼水,不管认不认识,看到旁边的船,都要手贱泼两瓢。
However, this peacefulness was soon disrupted. During rafting, many people enjoy playful splashing and water fights, regardless of whether they know each other or not. Whenever they saw another raft, they couldn't resist splashing water.
开始还好,大家都是走斯文路线。后来遇到了两只双人船,也不知怎么回事,一直追着他们泼。
At first, everyone was being polite. But later, they encountered two two-person rafts, and for some reason, these rafts kept chasing and splashing them.
许煦严重怀疑,大概就是因为两只船上四个都是男生,看到柏冬青一人带两个女孩子,对他充满了嫉妒之情。
Xu Xu seriously doubted that it was probably because there were four guys on each of the two boats, and seeing Bai Dongqing alone with two girls, they were filled with jealousy.
一开始,许煦和夏梅还兴奋地还击,后来被泼狠了就有点招架不住,让柏冬青赶紧划船甩掉这些人。
At first, Xu Xu and Xia Mei retaliated excitedly, but after being hit hard, they couldn't fend off the attacks, so they urged Bai Dongqing to row the boat and get rid of these people.
然而那几个人嘻嘻哈哈咬住他们不放,船只来到一处小瀑布似的急流时,那两只船左右夹击,故意撞了两下他们的船,然后大笑着冲下去跑了。
However, those few people kept laughing and wouldn't let them go. When the boats reached a small waterfall-like rapid, the two boats attacked from both sides, deliberately bumping into their boat a couple of times, then laughed and rushed down the rapids, running away.
可怜的三人船被撞后,在颠簸中大力摇晃了几下,柏冬青到底不是职业艄公,小船终于还是在两个女人的尖叫声中翻了。
Poorly, after being hit, the three-person boat swayed violently in the turbulence. Since Bai Dongqing wasn't a professional steersman, the small boat finally capsized with the shrill cries of the two women.
激流水浪扑面而来,几乎是瞬时就在让人失去了方向。
Rushing rapids splashed in their faces, almost instantly disorienting them.
柏冬青记得许煦就在自己左手边,来不及细看,反手胡乱一抓,不偏不倚抓了到了一只手。
Bai Dongqing remembered Xu Xu was on his left side. Without time to look, he reached back and grabbed at something, and surprisingly, he grabbed a hand.
他一手抓船一手抓人,随着波浪翻滚了好几下,终于在激流下方稍稍停稳,用力一拉,将手的主人拉在自己旁边,让她跟自己一样趴在船边。然后抹着脸上的水,喘气问道:“没呛到吧?”
With one hand holding the boat and the other holding a person, he rolled with the waves several times before finally stabilizing slightly beneath the rapids. He pulled hard, bringing the hand's owner beside him, making her lie on the boat's edge like him. Then, wiping the water from his face, he panted and asked, "Did you inhale any water?"
夏梅也大口呼吸着,笑着断断续续回道:“幸好刚刚你拉住了我,不然我指不定得喝多少水呢!”
Xia Mei also took deep breaths, smiling and replied in between gasps, "Thankfully, you pulled me just in time, or I might have drunk a lot more water!"
柏冬青听到这不属于许煦的声音,深色大变,赶紧慌慌张张四顾去寻找许煦。然后便看到十来米处的地方,许煦一脸狼狈地扒着旁边的一块大石头,正用力得咳嗽着,看向他的眼神,明晃晃写着几个大字:柏冬青!你、死、定、了!
Bai Dongqing heard a voice that didn't belong to Xu Xu, and his dark expression changed dramatically. He frantically looked around to find Xu Xu. Then he saw Xu Xu, looking disheveled, clinging to a large rock a dozen meters away. Xu Xu was coughing forcefully, his gaze clearly showing four large words: Bai Dongqing! Y-O-U, D-E-A-D, S-O-N-E.
柏冬青有点没反应过来般,眨眨眼睛,愣了半晌,才放开手中的船,手忙脚乱朝许煦游去。
Bai Dongqing blinked, looking stunned for a moment before letting go of the boat and frantically swimming towards Xu Xu.
“你没事吧?”他来到她跟前,紧张问道。
"Are you okay?" he asked anxiously as he reached her side.
刚刚翻船时,许煦眼睁睁看着柏冬青紧紧抓住夏梅,然后自己被激流冲得天旋地转,喝了好几口水。
When the boat capsized, Xu Xu had watched helplessly as Bai Dongqing clung tightly to Xia Mei, while he was swept away by the current, taking in several gulps of water.
漂流翻船不是什么大事,身上有救生衣,顶多是呛两口水。但是在水中看到男朋友抓住别人,自己只能无能无力地被冲走,这种感觉很不好。
Drowning and capsizing isn't a big deal; with a life jacket on, at most you'll just get a few mouthfuls of water. But being helplessly swept away in the water while seeing your boyfriend grab onto someone else, that feeling is terrible.
许煦心中不爽的矫情情绪,这这会儿瞬间飙到峰值。
Chu Xu's resentful and self-indulgent emotions instantly reached their peak at this moment.
她难受地拍拍胸口,阴阳怪气道:“你还真是挺大公无私的嘛!女朋友不拉,拉别人!”
She uncomfortably patted her chest and said in a sarcastic tone, "You're really quite selfless! You don't save your girlfriend, but you save someone else!"
闯大祸了!
Big trouble!
柏冬青急急忙忙解释:“我……以为抓住的是你!”
Ba Dongqing hurriedly explained, "I… thought I had caught you!"
许煦皮笑肉不笑:“女朋友都能弄错?你怕不是想换个女朋友吧?”
Xu Xu smiled on the outside but not on the inside, "Even your girlfriend can make a mistake? Don't you want to change your girlfriend?"
第48章
Chapter 48
柏冬青看她呛得厉害,伸手去怕她的背, 却被她随手一把推开。
Ba Dongqing saw that she was choking badly and reached out to pat her back, but she pushed his hand away with a casual gesture.
这块儿已经在激流下方, 水流还算平稳, 但毕竟是站在水里, 许煦手上带力度也没控制,柏冬青摇摇晃晃没站稳, 扑通一下给跌进水里, 好半晌才爬起来。
This area is already below the rapids, and the water flow is relatively calm, but since they are standing in the water, Xu Xu did not control the force in his hands, causing Bai Dongqing to wobble and lose his balance, falling into the water with a splash. It took him a while to climb out.
许煦看着他满脸水, 狼狈得厉害,心里才稍微解气了一点。
Xu Xu looked at him, drenched in water and looking extremely disheveled, and felt a little satisfaction.
不远处的夏梅,看到两人的互动, 拖着漂流船走过来,有些不满地对许煦道:“许煦姐,漂流摔进水里, 是再正常不过的事, 呛两口水也没什么大不了的,这又不是冬青哥哥能控制的, 你怎么能怪他呢?”
Xia Mei, who was not far away, saw their interaction and dragged the raft over, expressing some dissatisfaction to Xu Xu. "Sister Xu Xu, it's completely normal to fall into the water during a rafting trip, and getting a little water in your mouth isn't a big deal. This is something Bai Dongqing brother can't control, so why are you blaming him?"
柏冬青抹了把脸, 连连道:“是我的错是我的错!”
Bai Dongqing wiped his face and repeatedly said, "It's my fault, it's my fault!"
夏梅扯了扯他:“冬青哥哥, 你怎么这么老实啊!”
Xia Mei tugged at him: "Brother Dongqing, why are you so quiet!"
许煦看着这小青梅一副抱不平的模样, 抱臂靠在身旁的岩石上, 似笑非笑地看着被夏梅拉住手臂的柏冬青道:“冬青,看来你是真想换个女朋友了!”
Xu Xu watched the small hawthorn fruit as it looked indignant, crossing its arms and leaning against the nearby rock, giving a half-smile as it looked at Bai Dongqing, whose arm was pulled by Xia Mei. "Dongqing, it seems you really want to change your girlfriend!"
柏冬青还没说话,夏梅已经开口:“许煦姐, 你干嘛呢?大家出来玩,你不用这么跟冬青哥哥闹脾气吧!”说着又不爽道,“我看你就是仗着冬青哥哥好欺负!”
Before Bai Dongqing could speak, Xia Mei had already said, "Sister Xu, what are you doing? Everyone came out to play, you don't need to be so upset with Brother Dongqing!" She then added unhappily, "I think you're just taking advantage of Brother Dongqing's kindness!"
许煦笑:“没错啊,我就是仗着他好欺负!”
Sister Xu smiled. "That's right, I am taking advantage of his kindness!"
柏冬青眼见架势不对,赶紧平息两个女人之间蠢蠢欲动的怒火:“别闹了!咱们继续漂下去吧,没多远了。”
Bai Dongqing saw that things were going wrong and quickly quelled the brewing anger between the two women: "Stop it! Let's keep drifting. It's not far now."
许煦横眉一竖:“你说我在闹!”
Xu Xu's brow furrowed: "You're saying I'm the one causing a commotion!"
柏冬青心道不好,自己这是说错话了!
Bai Dongqing thought to himself, "Oh no, I must have said the wrong thing!"
在一起这么多年,许煦还真没和他闹过什么脾气,他竟然一时摸不准,也不知是故意的,还是真要生气。
After all these years together, Xu Xu had never really thrown a tantrum at him before. He couldn't tell if she was deliberately testing him or if she was genuinely upset.
看她板着脸,差点急得抓耳挠腮,赶紧软声软气道:“你怎么了?”
Seeing her with a stern face, she almost scratched her ears and rubbed her cheeks out of anxiety, so she quickly spoke softly, "What's wrong with you?"
许煦哼了一声:“我怎么了你看不出来?那可能我得换个男朋友了。”说着转身爬上石头,“你们继续漂吧,我不玩了!”
Xu Xu hummed, "Can't you tell what's wrong with me? Maybe I need to find a new boyfriend." Saying this, she turned around and climbed onto the stone, "You can keep drifting, but I'm out of the game!"
“许煦姐——”夏梅有些不悦地唤道。
"Xu Xu Sister——" Xia Mei called in a slightly displeased tone.
许煦坐在石头上,笑道:“别叫我姐,我也就比你大一岁。你跟你年薪百万的大律师冬青哥哥好好玩儿吧!”
Xu Xu sat on the stone and smiled, saying, "Don't call me sister; I'm only a year older than you. Have fun with your million-dollar-a-year lawyer big brother Dong Qing!"
夏梅脸色一阵红一真白,知道自己那点心思被看出来了,干脆装可怜,委屈地看向柏冬青:“冬青哥哥……”
Xia Mei's face flushed then turned pale, realizing that her thoughts had been noticed. She decided to play the pity card and looked at Bai Dongqing with a look of 委屈 (wronged): "Brother Dongqing..."
哪知看着许煦的柏冬青毫无反应,正要再去抓他的手臂,柏冬青忽然一个箭步从水中往石头上爬去,不等许煦反应过来,已经将她从地上抱起来:“不玩了,咱们就回去!”
To her surprise, Bai Dongqing, who was looking at Xu Xu, showed no reaction. Just as she was about to grab his arm again, Bai Dongqing suddenly leaped out of the water onto the stone, and before Xu Xu could react, he had already picked her up from the ground: "Let's stop playing and go back!"
“你干嘛?快放我下来!”许煦叫道。
"What are you doing? Put me down!" Xu Xu called out.
这是什么套路?不是应该好好哄她,把她哄下去继续完成漂流吗?怎么她说不玩了他就当真了,不知道走下去可能会很远吗?
What was this tactic? Shouldn't he be trying to comfort her and persuade her to continue the rafting? How could he believe her when she said she didn't want to play, not realizing that walking might take them far?
柏冬青道:“地上扎脚,你没穿鞋。”
Ba Dongqing said, "You didn't wear shoes, so your feet got stuck in the ground."
许煦看他真的走上了旁边的小路,也就不挣扎了,揽着他的脖子,看了眼还在水中的夏梅,这会儿正气急败坏地呼喊她的冬青哥哥,然而柏冬青充耳不闻。
Xu Xu watched as he really stepped onto the side path and stopped struggling, wrapping his arms around his neck and looking at Xia Mei who was still in the water. At this moment, she was desperately calling out to her brother Dongqing. However, Ba Dongqing ignored her.
第41节
Chapter 41
许煦笑着戳了戳他:“人家在叫你呢!”
Xu Xu playfully poked him and said, "Someone is calling you!"
“不理。”
Never mind.
“你什么时候变得这么没有绅士风度了?”
When did you become so unladylike?
“有点烦。”
I'm a bit annoyed.
“啊?”
Ah?
“夏梅有点烦。”
Xia Mei is a bit annoyed.
许煦:“……”
Xu Xu: "…"
好在这里离终点没多远了,柏冬青一路抱着走过去,也就花了不到十分钟。
Fortunately, they weren't far from the end. Bao Dongqing carried her all the way, taking less than ten minutes.
换好衣服后,柏冬青拉着许煦就走。许煦也没多想,直到上了那辆破面的,看到他启动车子,她才睁大眼睛道:“夏梅还没来呢!”
After changing clothes, Bao Dongqing pulled Xu Xu along. Xu Xu didn't think much about it until she got into the old car and saw him start the engine, at which point she widened her eyes and said, "Xia Mei hasn't arrived yet!"
“不等了!”
Hold it! Wait!
“为什么啊?”
Why?
“我说了,她有点烦。”
I said, she's a bit annoying.
“怎么会呢?她可是你舅妈给你找的新女朋友!”
How could that be? She's your aunt who found you a new girlfriend!
而且刚刚夏梅其实也没做什么,站在正常人的角度来看,确实是她在无理取闹。
And indeed, Xia Mei didn't do much just now. From a normal person's perspective, it was she who was being unreasonable.
只不过面对男朋友的小青梅,要保持风度确实不太可能。反正自己恶劣女友的形象已经在冬青舅妈那里树立起来了,再添砖加瓦一点更好。看他们还能整出多少幺蛾子。
Still, it was difficult to maintain one's composure when facing her boyfriend's childhood friend. Besides, her image as a bad girlfriend had already been established with Winter Cinnabar's aunt. Adding a little more wouldn't hurt. She would see what kind of trouble they could cause.
柏冬青抿嘴不说话,挂档将车子开上了路,真的不去管夏梅了。
Bai Dongqing pursed her lips and said nothing, shifted gears, and drove the car onto the road, deciding not to bother with Xia Mei anymore.
两人没有去舅舅家,柏冬青直接带许煦去了之前住的酒店。
They didn't go to her uncle's house. Instead, Bai Dongqing took Xu Xu to the hotel where they used to stay.
折腾了半天,许煦也累了,四仰八叉倒在床上,享受着空调的凉意。过了一会儿,掀开眼皮。见柏冬青坐在一旁定定看着她,她竖起身盘腿而坐,一副开始秋后算账的架势。
After struggling for a while, Xu Xu was tired and lay on the bed in a relaxed position, enjoying the coolness of the air conditioning. After a while, she opened her eyes. Seeing Bai Dongqing sitting beside her, staring at her intently, she sat up cross-legged, adopting a posture as if ready to settle accounts.
“我跟你在一起这么多年,竟然还不知道你有个小青梅!”
I've been with you for so many years, and I didn't even know you had a little childhood friend!
柏冬青皱了皱眉:“就是舅妈的侄女,小时候见过而已。”
Bai Dongqing frowned: "It's just my sister-in-law's niece. I only met her when I was young."
“所以一起洗过澡睡过一张床?”
So you've bathed and slept in the same bed together?
“……我不记得了。”
... I don't remember.
“不记得了?你可是几大本法律条文都背得清清楚楚的,不说过目不忘,但记忆里也好过大部分人,你舅妈和夏梅都记得,你不记得了?”
You don't remember? You can recite several major legal codes word for word, and you have a good memory compared to most people. Your aunt and Xia Mei remember it, but you don't?
“也就是梅梅三四岁我六七岁的时候,后面就没有了。”
It's just that Mei Mei was around three or four years old when I was six or seven, and after that, I don't remember.
“原来还是记得很清楚的嘛!”
So you do remember it very clearly!
柏冬青面红耳赤道:“我和她真的不熟,今天刚见面,我都没认出来。”
Ba Dongqing blushed and said, "I really don't know her that well. We just met today, and I didn't even recognize her."
“你们不是大学的时候见过吗?怎么就没认出来。”
Didn't you guys meet in university? How could you not recognize her?
“那时她比现在胖。”
At that time, she was heavier than she is now.
“你的意思,现在人家身材很好喽?”女人不讲理起来那是毫无道理可言,许煦想起之前夏梅的胸器,忽然脸色一垮:“说!漂流的时候,你是不是悄悄注意到了她的身材?是不是觉得她比我身材好?”
Your meaning is that she has a good figure now, right?" The woman, when she became unreasonable, had no logic at all. Xu Xu recalled Xia Mei's chest and suddenly her face fell: "Say! During the trip, did you secretly notice her figure? Did you think she was better than me in terms of figure?
柏冬青一脸无辜:“什么?”
Ba Dongqing looked innocent and asked, "What?"
许煦往床上一趴,哇哇叫道:“你别装了,你肯定是看到了,估摸着还在翻船的趁机摸了人家。难怪你拉她不拉我,男人没一个好东西!我算是看透了!”
Xu Xu lay down on the bed and cried, "Stop pretending! You definitely saw it, and you probably took advantage of the situation to grope someone. No wonder you pulled her but not me. Men are all no good! I've finally seen through them!"
说完故意将脸埋在枕头,一副悲愤的模样。
After saying this, she deliberately buried her face in the pillow, looking mournful and indignant.
柏大律师急得跳下床,语无伦次地辩解:“我没有!”
Ba Daoli, the lawyer, jumped out of bed in a panic and stammered, "I didn't!"
许煦故意不理他,等着他下一步的动作,可等了半晌,也没等到任何动静。
Xu Xu deliberately ignored him, waiting for his next move. But after a while, he didn't make any further actions.
她狐疑地转头,却见柏冬青不知何时坐在床边,背对她低着头。
She suspiciously turned her head and saw that Bai Dongqing was sitting by the bed, facing away from her with his head down.
她悄无声息挪过去,看他垂着眼睛,一副委屈的样子。
She silently moved closer and saw that he was looking down, looking rather aggrieved.
她戳了戳他:“我还等着你继续解释呢!”
She prodded him: "I'm still waiting for you to continue explaining!"
柏冬青抬头,眼眶有些发红:“我真的以为拉得是你!”
Ba Dongqing looked up, her eyes slightly red: "I really thought it was Lei!"
许煦吓了一大跳,她就是故意跟他开个玩笑啊!这家伙怎么当真了!
Xu Xu was startled. She had just been joking with him on purpose! How could this guy take it seriously?
她还没说话,柏冬青又道:“可是你说的对,怎么能连女朋友都弄错呢?!”
Before she could say anything, Ba Dongqing continued: "But you're right, how could I even get my girlfriend wrong!?"
第49章
Chapter 49
许煦有点无语地看着他,片刻后, 叹了口气, 道:“那种时候你能想到要拉住我已经很不错了, 又不是超人, 拉错了也很正常。我又没真的怪你,你不会没看出来我是跟你开玩笑的吧!”顿了顿, 又道, “不过你有个小青梅这件事, 我还是有点不爽的。”
Xu Xu looked at him with a hint of bewilderment for a moment before sighing and saying, "It's already pretty good that you thought to hold me back at a time like that. I'm not Superman, so it's normal to pull the wrong person. I didn't really blame you, did you not realize I was just joking with you?"
After a pause, she added, "But I'm still a bit upset about the fact that you have a little childhood friend."
柏冬青当然知道她是跟自己开玩笑,她对自己那么好,怎么可能会因为这点事生气。只是想到自己拉错了人, 心里就有点不好受。今天只是无足轻重的漂流,可万一哪天遇到真的危险,他的一个错误, 就只怕会悔恨终生。
Bai Dongqing naturally knew that she was just joking with him. She was so good to him; how could she be angry over such a trivial matter? However, the thought of pulling the wrong person still made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Today was just a minor rafting trip, but if something truly dangerous happened one day, his mistake could lead to lifelong regret.
但又觉得自己这么想, 好像有点小题大做。
But she also felt that her concerns seemed a bit overblown.
明明已经在一起这么久,未来已经可以预见, 可为什么遇到她的事, 还是有种患得患失的不全感。
They had been together for so long, and the future was already foreseeable, yet why did she still feel a sense of insecurity whenever something happened to her.
许煦瞅了眼他沉默不言的模样, 是不知道自己这位男朋友脑子里装了这么多乱七八糟的东西, 戳了戳他, 又道:“你没听到我说不高兴你有个小青梅吗?”
Xu Xu glanced at his silent expression and realized he didn't know about the messy thoughts in her boyfriend's head. She poked him and said, "Didn't you hear me say I'm not happy about you having a little childhood friend?"
柏冬青抬眼看她,默了片刻,问:“你是吃醋了吗?”
Bai Dongqing raised her head to look at her, paused for a moment, and asked, "Are you jealous?"
许煦点头, 笑问:“你没闻到酸味吗?”
Xu Xu nodded and asked with a smile, "Can't you smell the sourness?"
柏冬青轻轻笑开:“闻到了,不过我喜欢吃酸的。”说着,凑上前在她唇上亲了亲。
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly and said, "I can smell it, but I like sour things." She then leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
亲完后分开,看了她片刻,道:“今天我们就住酒店吧,我待会儿去看外婆,把行李拿过来。”
After they finished, they parted and he looked at her for a moment before saying, "We'll stay at a hotel today. I'll go see my grandmother later and bring over our luggage."
许煦点头,她也不想见到他舅妈她们,活这么大,算是见识了什么叫极品,幸好柏冬青和他们关系疏淡。对他们客气,也只是希望外婆能得到好一点的照料。
Xu Xu nodded. She didn't want to see her aunt and uncle either. Having lived this long, she had seen what it meant to be the epitome of a difficult person. Fortunately, Bai Dongqing's relationship with them was distant. She was polite to them only to hope that her grandmother would receive better care.
柏冬青离开后,许煦就在酒店睡大觉也不知睡了多久,迷迷糊糊听到敲门声,她下床趿着拖鞋来到门口,凑到猫眼看了眼,皱了皱眉开门。
After Bai Dongqing left, Xu Xu slept in the hotel for an unknown amount of time, half-asleep when she heard a knock on the door. She got out of bed in her slippers and went to the door, peering through the peephole and frowning before opening the door.
“舅妈!”
Aunt!
门口站着七八个人,除了最前面的冬青舅妈她认识,其他都是陌生面孔,不过从穿着打扮,无外乎都是可能柏冬青自己都不认识的,在这个小城生活的七大姑八大姨。
At the door stood seven or eight people. Besides the auntie Dōngqīng, whom she recognized, the rest were strangers. However, from their attire and appearance, they were all relatives that Dōngqīng herself might not recognize, such as the 七大姑八大姨 living in this small town.
舅妈笑了笑:“姑娘,这些都是冬青妈这边的亲戚,来找你聊聊。”
Auntie smiled and said, "Miss, these are all relatives from Dōngqīng's mother's side. They came to chat with you."
许煦不得不有点佩服柏冬青这位舅妈了,本来跟外甥疏淡多年,现在知道外甥出息了,就开始以人家长辈自居了,挺把自己当回事的嘛!
Xǔ Xù couldn't help but admire Auntie Dōngqīng. Originally, they had been distant for many years, but now that she knew her nephew had succeeded, she started to act like a respected elder, taking herself very seriously!
她能猜到她带这一波可能不明真相的三姑六婆来是为了什么。虽然并不想接待,但毕竟这是人家的地盘,要是撒泼胡闹,吃亏的还是自己。
She could guess why she had brought this group of possibly clueless aunts and uncles. Although she didn't want to receive them, after all, this was their territory. If she were to throw a tantrum, she would be the one to suffer.
于是,她笑了笑,错开身:“舅妈,你们请进!冬青去看外婆了。”
So, she smiled and stepped aside: "Aunt, please come in! Dōngqīng went to visit her grandmother."
舅妈道:“我们就是来找你聊的。”
Aunt said, "We just came to talk to you."
酒店房间不大,七八人一进来,立刻显得逼仄了,几个人分布在沙发椅和床上,齐齐看着一脸笑道许煦。
The hotel room wasn't big, and as soon as seven or eight people entered, it immediately felt cramped. Several people were scattered on the sofa and bed, all looking at Xu Xū with smiles.
舅妈亲了亲嗓子:“我们今天来是跟你谈谈冬青的事。”
Aunt kissed her throat and said, "We came here today to talk to you about Dōngqīng."
许煦笑眯眯点头。
Xu Xu smiled and nodded.
舅妈:“冬青呢,没爹没妈,我和他舅舅就是他最亲的人,他的人生大事,我们当然得操心,绝不能让他吃亏。”说着朝旁边一个圆盘子脸大妈道,“我们冬青长得一表人才,现在工作好收入高,肯定很多不怀好意的女人惦记着他。他这人呢又老实,万一遇到只想要她钱的厉害女人,只怕会吃大亏。”
Auntie: "Where is Dongqing? He has no father or mother, and my brother and I are the closest to him. His life's important matters, of course, we need to be concerned about. We can't let him suffer any losses." She then turned to a round-faced woman beside her and said, "Dongqing is a handsome young man with a good job and high income. There must be many women with bad intentions who are eyeing him. He is so honest, and if he meets a woman who only wants his money and is very powerful, he might suffer a big loss."
圆盘子脸大妈附和点头。
The round-faced woman nodded in agreement.
许煦继续笑着做出洗耳恭听的样子。
Xu Xu continued to smile and pretended to listen attentively.
“我也没别的意思,就是听说冬青的钱都在你手上,你们都还没结婚,你这不是看他没爹没妈就欺负人么?我们作长辈的决不允许。”
I didn't mean anything else by it. I just heard that all of Dongqing's money is in your hands, and you two haven't gotten married yet. Aren't you taking advantage of him because he has no parents? We elders absolutely do not allow this.
许煦终于笑着开口:“冬青钱是都交给我保管的。因为他爸妈过世后那么多年,没人管他,现在有我管了,他当然要把钱交给我。”
Xu Xu finally smiled and said, "Dongqing's money is all entrusted to me for safekeeping. Because no one took care of him for so many years after his parents passed away, now that I'm taking care of him, of course he would give his money to me."
舅妈脸色微微一僵,听出她话里的意思,语气冷了几分:“怎么就没人管了?难道我和他舅舅不是人?”
Auntie's face stiffened slightly. She could hear the implication in her words and her tone grew colder. "How is it that no one took care of him? Don't I and his uncle count as people?"
许煦摊摊手:“这可不是我说的。”
Xu Xu shrugged her shoulders. "That's not something I said."
舅妈被噎了下,顿时脸色更加不好,开始露出几分市井泼妇的嘴脸:“我这是好好跟你说话!你这是什么态度?亲人就是亲人,打断骨头连着筋,我们和冬青再隔得远,那也是血溶于水,比你亲多了。你别以为跟他睡了,就觉得自己是人家老婆了,我们这些亲戚都还没同意呢!”
Aunt-in-law was choked, her face turning even more unpleasant. She began to display a few traits of a street brawling woman: "I'm talking to you properly! What attitude is this? Family is family, bones connected by sinews. No matter how distant we are from Dongqing, we are still blood-related, closer than you. Don't think that just because you slept with him, you're his wife. We, the relatives, haven't even agreed yet!"
说着朝旁边的七大姑八大姨道:“我跟你们说,冬青这对象,住在我们家里,都是跟冬青睡一起的。这还没结婚呢!我都替她害臊。”
She then turned to the seven aunts and eight uncles beside her and said, "I'm telling you, Dongqing's fiancé lives in our house and sleeps with Dongqing. They haven't even gotten married yet! I feel ashamed for her."
七大姑八大姨你一句我一句说起来,也不知说了些啥,反正许煦一句也没听,站起来冷着脸道:“外甥最需要照顾的时候,你们不闻不问,现在发达了,就跟苍蝇一样凑上来了。我害不害臊不重要,重要的是,只要我一句话,冬青就能跟你们老死不相往来,什么血浓于水,我听着才害臊!不然你们怎么不直接去找冬青,而是背着他来找我。”
The seven aunts and eight uncles started talking among themselves, but Xu Xu didn't listen to a word. Standing up with a cold face, she said, "When my nephew needed the most care, you ignored him. Now that you're successful, you're like flies, swarming around. Whether I feel ashamed or not doesn't matter. The important thing is, as long as I say one word, Dongqing can cut off all ties with you. What blood is thicker than water? I feel ashamed hearing that! Why don't you go directly to Dongqing instead of coming to me behind his back?"
“你……“
You...
舅妈气得站起来,抬手指着她。
Aunt-in-law was so angry she stood up, pointing at her with her finger.
“哎呀姑娘,你怎么能这么跟长辈说话呢!”
Ah dear, how could you talk to an elder like that!
“是啊!她怎么说也是冬青的舅妈!”
Indeed! She is after all Wintergreen's aunt-in-law!
门口发出一声响动,是刷卡开门的声音。众人包括许煦,都循声看去。
A sound came from the doorway, the sound of a card being swiped to open the door. Everyone, including Xu Xu, looked in that direction.
门从跟外面打开,推着外婆的柏冬青走进来,双唇紧抿,脸色铁青,冷冷扫了眼房内,最后停留在许煦脸上。将坐着轮椅的外婆放在旁边后,迈着长腿,走到许煦身旁,牵起她的手,面向舅妈一众人。
The door opened from the outside, and Bai Dongqing, pushing Grandma, walked in. Her lips were tightly pressed, her face a pale green, and she coldly scanned the room before her gaze settled on Xu Xu's face. After placing Grandma in a wheelchair beside her, she strode over to Xu Xu's side, took her hand, and faced the aunts and uncles.
“我妈过世之后,我亲爱的舅舅和舅妈,总共来看过我一次,前后给过我两千块钱。”
After my mother passed away, my beloved uncle and aunt only came to see me once, and they gave me a total of two thousand dollars.
“我外公外婆照顾我三个月,就被你们以表弟表妹年幼更需要照顾把他们叫回去。”
Grandpa and Grandma took care of me for three months, but you called them back, saying that my cousin and niece were too young and needed more care.
“外公外婆是我的监护人,每个月给我五百块生活费,持续了仅仅一年,就被你们喊停,因为你们比我一个没有收入的孩子更需要钱。”
Grandpa and Grandma were my legal guardians, providing me with five hundred dollars a month for living expenses, but you stopped it after just one year because you needed the money more than I did, a child without any income.
“十四岁后,我和你们见面的天数,满打满算不超过一个月,还比不上一个普通邻居。但是……”他看了眼身旁的许煦,“我和她认识八年,在一起生活三年,我们虽然没结婚,但她一定是我的妻子,所以我们睡在一起天经地义。除了哪点血缘关系,你们和她比起来,算个什么东西!我和她在一起,还要你们同意?”
After the age of fourteen, the number of days I met you all could be counted on one hand, not even matching that of an ordinary neighbor. But..." He glanced at Xu Xu by his side, "I've known her for eight years and lived with her for three. Although we haven't gotten married, she is definitely my wife, so it's only natural that we sleep together. Aside from blood relations, what are you all compared to her! Do I need your permission to be with her?
不光是舅妈和七大姑八大姨脸色大变,就是许煦也不可思议地看向他。
Not only did Auntie and the 七大姑八大姨 change their expressions, but Xu Xu also looked at him in disbelief.
此时的他,是她从未见过的样子,表情冷厉,目光锐利,周身散发着让人畏惧的寒意。
At this moment, he was a version of himself that she had never seen before, his expression cold and severe, his gaze sharp, exuding an aura that made people feel afraid.
柏冬青继续道:“我年薪百万也好千万也罢,只跟她有关系,跟你们没有任何关系。还有你们……”他抬手朝旁边的三姑六婆一指,“你们都是哪里冒出来的玩意儿,我一个都不认识,竟然跑来欺负我女朋友!”
Bai Dongqing continued, "Whether my annual salary is a million or ten million, it only has anything to do with her and nothing to do with any of you. And you all... " He raised his hand to point at the three 姑六婆 beside him, "Where did you all come from? I don't know any of you, yet you dare to bully my girlfriend!"
舅妈终于回神:“冬青……”
Aunt-in-law finally came to her senses: "Dongqing..."
柏冬青打断她:“我这次来只是因为外婆,不过舅妈你既然这么关心我的财务状况,那我就跟你算笔账。你和舅舅当年盘下批发店的钱,我妈给了两万块,别以为我妈不在了,就没人知道,出款证明的单子还在家里收着呢,还有我成年前外公本来给我的生活费,总共是三年,加起来一万八。这些都是当年的价格,如今房价升值加上利息,您们自己先算算多少钱,免得到时候收到律师信和法院传票,觉得我在讹你们。”
Bai Dongqing interrupted her: "I came here this time only because of my grandmother. But since Aunt-in-law is so concerned about my financial situation, let's settle the accounts. The money you and Uncle used to take over the wholesale store came from my mother, who gave you 20,000 yuan. Don't think that because she's no longer around, no one knows. The payment receipt is still in the house. Additionally, the living expenses my grandfather was supposed to give me before I came of age, totaling three years, amount to 18,000 yuan. These are the original prices. With the current increase in housing prices and interest, you can calculate how much it is yourselves. This way, when you receive the lawyer's letter and court summons, you won't think I'm trying to take advantage of you."
第50章
Chapter 50
他人生得高大,尤其在这狭小的酒店房间, 对着一众小城中年妇女, 更显得鹤立鸡群。他虽然年少坎坷, 却也是在大都市长大的孩子, 如今又经过了社会的历练,加上此刻严肃凌厉的表情, 跟这群井底妇人见过的小城年轻人, 截然不同。
He was tall and imposing, especially in this small hotel room, standing out among the middle-aged women from the small city. Although he had a tumultuous youth, he had grown up in a big city and had been through societal experiences. Combined with his serious and stern expression at the moment, he was vastly different from the young people from the small city that these women had seen.
其实他说话的语速不快, 声音也说不上冷厉。可是所有人脸上都不由自主流露出敬畏之色,一时间噤若寒蝉。
Actually, his speaking speed was not fast, and his voice could not be described as cold or harsh. However, an involuntary expression of reverence appeared on everyone's faces, causing them to fall silent for a moment.
许煦抬头默默看着他,对于自己从来没见过的模样, 惊讶之余,心跳忽然就有点加快了。
Xu Xu looked up and silently watched him. Surprised by the unfamiliar appearance, her heart began to beat faster.
原来除却温柔熨帖的一面,这个样子的他也很迷人。
In fact, apart from his gentle and comforting side, this version of him was also very charming.
被他攥着的手, 偷摸摸在他手心抠了下。
She secretly dug her fingers into his palm.
柏冬青转头看她一眼, 朝她点点头,示意她什么都别管。许煦会意, 回他一个顺从的眼神。
Bai Dongqing turned to look at her and nodded, indicating for her to mind her own business. Xu Xu understood and gave him a submissive look in return.
被震慑住的舅妈, 愣了半晌, 终于回神, 忽然用力往旁边的床上一座, 拍着大腿干嚎道:“我可怜的姐姐姐夫哦!我们两口子对不起你们啊,我们是冬青在这个世上最亲的亲人,我们也是不想他被人骗了, 还没结婚就把钱全给别人了,这不是欺负我们家冬青吗?”说着要去拉柏冬青的手,“我可怜的冬青啊!舅妈真是为了你好啊!”
The aunts,震慑 ed, were stunned for a moment before finally snapping back to their senses. Suddenly, she forcefully sat down on the bed beside, slapping her thigh and howling, "Oh, my dear sister and brother-in-law! We owe you both an apology. You are the closest relatives to Dongqing in this world, and we didn't want him to be deceived. We hadn't even gotten married yet when we gave all the money to others. Isn't this bullying our Dongqing?"
She then reached out to grab Bai Dongqing's hand, "Oh, poor Dongqing! Auntie is only doing this for your own good!"
第42节
Chapter 42
在她手碰到柏冬青的手臂前,他已经不动声色地避开。
Before her hand could touch Bai Dongqing's arm, he had already moved out of the way silently.
旁边有人开始小心翼翼试探道:“是啊冬青!你舅舅舅妈也是为了你好!怕你被人骗了!”
Someone nearby cautiously probed, "Yes, Little Winter! Your uncle and aunt are only doing this for your own good! They're afraid you'll be tricked!"
柏冬青冷笑一声:“是怕我被人骗了,还是怕我的钱被人管着,从我这里揩不到什么油水?”他顿了顿,对舅妈道,“本来外婆是你们赡养照顾,我给你们点钱无可厚非,希望你们照顾得好一点。但我现在改变主意了,以后一分钱都不会再给你们,如果你们不想收到法院传票去打官司的话,要么把我刚说的钱直接还给我,我给外婆请看护,要么你们自己掏钱给外婆请看护。”
Bai Dongqing sneered, "Are they afraid I'll be tricked, or are they afraid of my money being managed, so they can't squeeze any grease from me?" He paused, then addressed his aunt, "Originally, Grandma was taken care of by you all, and a little money from me wouldn't be out of place. I hope you take good care of her. But now, I've changed my mind. I won't give you a single cent in the future. If you don't want to receive court summons and go to court, either return the money I just mentioned and hire a caregiver for Grandma, or you pay for a caregiver yourselves."
舅妈听了开始撒泼:“你这个没良心的,仗着自己当了大律师,想欺负我们这些没文化的长辈啊!”说完起身跌跌撞撞跑到外婆跟前,嚎道,“妈!你看看你的好外孙哦!”
Auntie started to throw a tantrum, "You ungrateful wretch! You're taking advantage of being a big lawyer to bully us, these uneducated elders!" She then got up and stumbled over to Grandma's side, wailing, "Mom! Look at your good grandson!"
脑溢血中风后的老太太,嘴巴有些歪,口水有点兜不住,手也因此一直抖着。
The elderly lady, who had suffered a stroke, had a crooked mouth and dribbled saliva, her hand trembling constantly.
但是脑子还清楚着,举起发抖的手,一巴掌扇在儿媳脸上。
But his mind was still clear, and with a trembling hand, he slapped his daughter-in-law across the face.
虽然因为偏瘫,力度也就能拍个蚊子,但整个人散发的愤怒,却再清晰不过。
Although the stroke had weakened his strength to the point where he could only swat a mosquito, the anger radiating from him was unmistakable.
只见她用颤抖的手指着面前的儿媳,含含糊糊道:“你们……你们不许再找冬青,他没有你们这个舅舅舅妈!”
She pointed at her daughter-in-law with a trembling hand, her words slurred but clear: "You... you are not allowed to look for Dōngqīng anymore. He doesn't have an uncle or aunt like you!"
众目睽睽之下,又都是夫家的亲戚,舅妈到底是不敢对婆婆怎么样,只能做出委屈的样子撒泼大哭。
In front of so many people, and with her husband's relatives present, the aunt-in-law couldn't do anything to her mother-in-law, so she could only pretend to be aggrieved and cry loudly.
外婆不再理她,朝孙子招招手。柏冬青拉着许煦走上前,在老人家身旁蹲下:“外婆!”
The grandmother no longer paid attention to her and beckoned to the grandson. Bao Dongqing pulled Xu Xu forward and they knelt down beside the elderly woman: "Grandmother!"
外婆抓住他的手,又朝许煦伸出那只颤抖的手。
The grandmother grabbed his hand and then extended the trembling hand towards Xu Xu.
许煦赶紧握住她:“外婆!”
Xu Xu quickly took her hand: "Grandmother!"
老太太浑浊的眼睛里泪光闪闪,断断续续开口:“冬青……外婆对不起你!你不用管外婆,他们不敢对外婆怎么样的,周围很多眼睛看着呢!你要好好的。”
The old lady's hazy eyes were filled with tears as she spoke in a broken voice: "Dongqing... Grandmother is sorry for you! You don't need to worry about Grandmother. They won't dare to do anything to Grandmother with so many eyes watching! You need to take care of yourself."
柏冬青点头:“外婆,我会好好的。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Grandma, I will take good care of you."
老太太又看向许煦:“姑娘,我们冬青命太苦,但他是个好孩子,你要好好待他。”
The old lady then looked at Xu Xu: "Miss, Dongqing's life has been too hard, but he is a good child. You must take good care of him."
“我会的,外婆。”许煦柔声应道。
"I will, Grandma," Xu Xu replied softly.
一旁的舅妈还想闹事,屋子里来看热闹的三姑六婆,终于回过神来,簇拥上来,将她往外拉,又朝外婆和旁边的两个年轻人讪讪道歉:“伯娘!我们都是被叫来的,不知道原来是这么回事。冬青,是我们的错,你别放在心上啊!我们这就走!”
The auntie on the side still wanted to cause trouble, but the three aunts and six cousins who had come to watch finally came to their senses and surrounded her, pulling her out of the room. They then sheepishly apologized to the old lady and the two young people beside her: "Madam! We were all called here and didn't know what was going on. It's our fault, Dongqing. Don't mind us! We're leaving now!"
外婆拍拍孙子的手:“冬青,外婆回去了,你们早些回家吧!陪了外婆这么多天,外婆已经很高兴了,不能一直耽误你们年轻人的工作。”
The grandmother patted her grandson's hand: "Dongqing, Grandma is going back now. You should go home early! I've kept you company for so many days, and I'm already very happy. I can't keep holding you back from your young people's work."
柏冬青点点头:“那外婆好好休息。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Then Grandma can rest well."
老太太被人推走了,屋子里的人散去,只剩下两人,从嘈杂恢复了宁静。
The old lady was pushed away, and the people in the room dispersed, leaving only the two of them. The noise returned to silence.
站在门口送走外婆的柏冬青,将门关上。刚转身,便对上插着手臂,歪头似笑非笑看着他的许煦。
Bai Dongqing, who had stood at the door seeing off his grandmother, closed the door. Just as he turned around, he met Xu Xu's arms crossed, his head tilted, looking at him with a half-smile.
“怎么了?”他有些奇怪问。
"What's wrong?" He asked, somewhat puzzled.
许煦放开手走上前,捧住他的脸,故意左右看了看。
Xu Xu let go of his hand and stepped forward, cupping his face and deliberately looking left and right.
“干嘛呢?”柏冬青任由她折腾,只是笑着道。
"What are you doing?" Bai Dongqing let her continue, only smiling and responding.
许煦啧了一声:“这是我的柏冬青啊!难道刚刚是被什么人附体了?”
Xu Xu clicked her tongue: "This is my Bai Dongqing! Did you just get possessed by someone?"
柏冬青笑着将她的手取下来:“我总不能看别人欺负你!”
Bai Dongqing smiled as she took her hand away: "I can't just sit and watch someone bully you!"
许煦听的心里一阵甜蜜笑道:“原来你发怒的时候是这样的。”
Xu Xu heard this and felt a sweet warmth in his heart, smiling: "So this is how you get angry."
冷静克制却有种轻易将人碾压的气势。比起那些只知道怒骂甚至使用暴力的男人,这样的他更让人有安全感。
He exuded a calm and restrained presence that still managed to intimidate others effortlessly. Compared to men who only knew to curse and use violence, he was even more reassuring.
柏冬青叹了口气:“听到他们说你,确实很生气啊!”
Bai Dongqing sighed: "Hearing what they said about you, I was really angry!"
“三姑六婆也就是奇葩一点,没什么好忌惮的。”许煦倒是不甚在意,摆摆手,笑着上下打量他一下:“之前还想着你这么好脾气,从来不跟人争辩的性子,怎么当律师啊!不过现在相信你是凭真本事当上华天合伙人的了,等回去上班了,我一定要好好去法庭旁听一次你给人辩护。”
Three uncles and six aunts are just a bit peculiar, there's nothing to be afraid of." Xu Xu was not particularly concerned, waved his hand, and smiled as he sized him up from head to toe: "I was wondering how you, with such a good temper and never arguing with others, became a lawyer! But now I believe you became a partner at Huatian through your true abilities. When I go back to work, I definitely want to attend the court as an observer to hear you defend someone.
柏冬青失笑:“所以你原本以为我是怎么当上合伙人的?”
Bai Dongqing laughed: "So you originally thought I became a partner through some underhanded means?"
许煦故意道:“圈内都传你是潜规则上位呢!”
Xu Xu intentionally said, "Everyone in the industry thought you rose to power through some underhanded means!"
柏冬青哭笑不得:“潜规则?被陈老师潜规则吗?”
Bai Dongqing couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Underhanded means? Did Teacher Chen underhandedly get me to power?"
许煦撇撇嘴,坏笑道:“那也不是不可能!男人被男人潜规则的又不是什么稀奇事,像你这种年轻耐操的男人,可受欢迎了!”
Xu Xu pursed her lips and said with a wicked smile, "That's not impossible either! It's not rare for a man to be subverted by another man. A young and durable guy like you is very popular!"
柏冬青哭笑不得:“陈老师可不是这种人。”说着眉头微微一蹙:“你刚刚我说年轻什么?”
Bai Dongqing couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Mr. Chen is not like that." As she spoke, her brows furrowed slightly, "I just said you were young, didn't I?"
许煦发誓她说的是纯纯洁洁的中性词,但被他这么一反问,顿时变了味道。
Xu Xu swore she had used a pure and neutral term, but his question immediately changed its meaning.
她顺势伸手捏了把他腹部的肌肉:“也没说错啊!”
She reached out and pinched his abdominal muscles, "I didn't say anything wrong!"
说完就往后跑,还没跑到床边就被柏冬青从后面一把抱住,将脑袋搁在她肩膀,再没有其他都动作。
After saying this, he turned to run back, but before he could reach the bed, Bai Dongqing hugged him from behind, resting his head on her shoulder, and made no other movements.
“干嘛呢?”许煦问。
"What are you doing?" Xu Xu asked.
柏冬青低声道:“刚刚舅妈他们那样说你,会不会很生气?”
Bai Dongqing whispered, "Did your aunt and uncle just say something that made you angry?"
许煦道:“说什么?说我没结婚就跟你睡在一起么?”
Xu Xu replied, "What did they say? That I slept with you without getting married?"
柏冬青点头。
Bai Dongqing nodded.
许煦道:“拜托,我可是新时代的女性,婚前不试用,怎么敢结婚?”
Xu Xu said, "Please, I am a woman of the new era. How could I dare to get married without trying it first?"
柏冬青轻笑:“那试用了这么久,感受怎么样?”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly, "So, how does it feel after trying for so long?"
“还凑合吧!”
It's not bad!
第51章
Chapter 51
“还凑合?那看来得让你好好试用试用了!”柏冬青笑着抱起她往床上一丢,自己也趴了上去。
"Still not bad? Then it looks like you need to have a good try!" Bai Dongqing smiled as he picked her up and threw her onto the bed, then lay down on top of her.
两个人来了这边一个礼拜, 什么都没做过, 这一开始, 自然是闹了很久。从落日晚霞时分, 一直到小城霓虹闪烁很久,酒店大床上的动静才平息下来。
The two of them had been here for a week, but hadn't done anything. So, when they started, it naturally lasted for a long time. From the late afternoon when the sunset was at its best, until the small city was lit up with neon lights for a long while, the commotion on the hotel king-sized bed finally subsided.
许煦感觉出他今天的兴致特别好, 不是之前那种因为工作忙碌旷了好几天后的急切, 而是好像心情很舒畅的感觉。
Xu Xu could sense that he was in particularly good spirits today, not the kind of eagerness from being away from work for a few days, but rather a feeling of being very content.
她躺在他臂弯缓过劲儿, 抬头看他,果然见他表情放松,嘴角还挂着浅浅的笑意。
She lay in his embrace, regaining her composure, and looked up at him. Sure enough, she saw that his expression was relaxed, with a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.
“有这么高兴吗?”
Are you this happy?
柏冬青垂眸看她, 默了片刻,点头。
Bai Dongqing looked down at her, fell silent for a moment, and then nodded.
他已经记不得有多少年了,他一直在小心翼翼讨好着这个世界, 害怕给人添麻烦, 害怕惹别人生气,从来不会拒绝别人, 哪怕是面对并不那么合理的要求, 损害的是自己的利益, 他也会尽己所能去做。除了法庭上的辩论, 生活中他甚至都没有反驳过别人。
He couldn't remember how many years it had been. He had always been careful to please the world, fearing to cause trouble for others and anger them. He never refused anyone, even when faced with unreasonable requests that harmed his own interests. He would do his best to comply. Apart from courtroom debates, he had never argued with anyone in his life.
今天如果不是在门口听到舅妈对她说那些话, 他也不会走进来和自己这所谓仅有的至亲撕破脸。
If it weren't for overhearing Auntie say those words to her at the door, he wouldn't have walked in and torn apart his so-called closest relative.
可是当他说完那些话,看到舅妈狼狈不堪,才发现不用讨好别人的感觉原来是那么好。
But after saying those words, seeing Auntie in such a miserable state, he realized that the feeling of not having to please others was truly wonderful.
神清气爽, 豁然开朗。
He felt refreshed and enlightened.
也是今天,他才意识到,自己已经二十八岁,不再是那个在彷徨迷茫中摸石头过河的孤独少年。他有自己要守护的人,有自己创造的生活,他有了可以给别人温暖的羽翼,而不需要再默默期待着有人给他遮风挡雨。
It was also on this day that he realized he was twenty-eight years old, no longer the lonely youth who stumbled through life in uncertainty. He had people he needed to protect, a life he had created, and wings to warm others, no longer needing to silently hope for someone to shield him from the wind and rain.
他不用再讨好这个世界,只需要讨好自己爱的人。
He no longer needed to please the world; he only needed to please the people he loved.
许煦见他只笑不说话,用手戳了戳他,笑道:“傻了啊?”
Xu Xu saw that he was only smiling without speaking, and poked him, smiling and saying, "Are you dumbfounded?"
柏冬青勾起唇角:“以后不傻了。”
Bai Dongqing curled his lips: "I won't be dumb in the future."
许煦想了想问:“你真准备让你舅舅舅妈还钱?”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and asked, "You really plan to have your uncle and aunt pay back the money?"
柏冬青摇摇头:“我查过了,他们经济状况确实一般,两个孩子在上学,开销挺大的。外婆现在瘫痪了确实需要照顾,我不可能真的让他们花钱找看护,可是不找看护,外婆肯定得不到好的照料。我想了下,今天不是很多七大姑八大姨么?虽然我也不认识,不过看样子好些都是无业妇女,既然是外婆那边的亲戚,我明天去问一下,请他们其中的人看有谁愿意照顾外婆,价格公道一些,应该会有人愿意做,请熟人总比找不认识的看护方便些。然后再和舅舅舅妈说好,虽然外婆有人看护,但他们必须监督协助照顾,如果有任何照顾不周,我就起诉他们还钱。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head: "I've checked, their financial situation is indeed average. They have two children in school, which is quite an expense. Now that Grandma is paralyzed, she definitely needs care. I can't really ask them to spend money on a caregiver, but without one, Grandma won't receive proper care. I thought about it, and today there are quite a few aunts and uncles, right? Although I don't know them, it seems that many of them are unemployed women. Since they are relatives on Grandma's side, I'll go and ask them tomorrow to see if anyone is willing to take care of Grandma at a fair price. It should be easier to ask a familiar person than to hire an unknown caregiver. Then, I'll talk to Uncle and Aunt to make sure they supervise and assist in taking care of Grandma. If there's any neglect in the care, I'll sue them for the money."
许煦点头:“你想得还挺周到。”
Xu Xu nodded: "You've thought of everything."
柏冬青道:“毕竟外婆是我妈妈的妈妈,以后我大概不太会来这里,还是希望老人家能安度晚年。”
Bai Dongqing said: "After all, Grandma is my mother's mother. I probably won't come here much in the future, so I hope she can enjoy her twilight years in peace."
许煦想到什么似的,轻笑一声:“原来你什么事心里都算的清清楚楚,要是哪天咱俩闹掰了,你是不是也要跟我算这么清楚,让我把你欠你的都还给你。”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and chuckled: "So you keep everything in your mind so clearly. If we ever have a falling out, will you also be so clear-cut, making me repay everything you owe me?"
柏冬青轻笑:“我们怎么可能闹掰!”
Bai Dongqing chuckled: "How could we possibly fall out!"
许煦道:“我是说万一,就像你舅妈一样,触犯了你的底线。”
Xu Xu said, "I mean, like your aunt, if she were to violate your 底线."
“我的底线就是你啊!”
"My bottom line is you!"
许煦得意地点点头:“也是哦!”说着眯眼一笑,“我是不是太不谦虚了?”
Xu Xu nodded triumphantly: "That's true!" As he said this, he narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Am I being too unassuming?"
柏冬青被她逗乐,摸摸她的脸:“饿了没?起来咱们去吃点东西,早点休息,明天我把这些事处理好,争取晚上就回去。”
Bai Dongqing was amused and stroked her face: "Hungry? Let's go eat something and get some rest early. I'll handle these matters tomorrow and try to be back by night."
许煦点头。
Xu Xu nodded.
因为太累,隔日醒来已经快十点,柏冬青不知何时已出门,给她买了早餐放在桌上,她填饱肚子,正要给他打电话问情况,人已经回来了。
Too tired, she woke up close to ten the next day. Bai Dongqing had already left at some point and bought her breakfast, leaving it on the table. She ate her fill and was about to call him to ask about the situation when he had already returned.
“怎么样了?”
How did it go?
柏冬青点头:“已经搞定了,舅舅舅妈怕我翻旧帐要钱,我说的都答应了。请了一个远方表姨做看护,跟外婆关系挺不错的,家里条件一般,下岗很多年了,还有个儿子在上大学,这几年一直打零工,挣得不多,我给她一个月三千的工资,她很高兴。看在工资的份上,也肯定不会不好好照顾外婆。她也悄悄答应我,如果舅舅舅妈对外婆不好,会告诉我。电梯房到时候交房了,他们可以免费住,其他就没有了。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "It's all taken care of. Uncle and Aunt are afraid I'll bring up old debts for money, so they've agreed to everything I said. I hired a distant aunt as a caretaker, and she has a good relationship with Grandma. The family's conditions are average, and she's been unemployed for many years. She has a son in university, and she's been working part-time for several years, earning very little. I offered her 3,000 yuan per month, and she's very happy. Considering the salary, she will definitely take good care of Grandma. She also secretly promised me that if Uncle and Aunt are not nice to Grandma, she will tell me. When the elevator apartment is handed over, they can live there for free, but that's it."
许煦笑着抱住他:“你想得很周全了!”
Xu Xu smiled and hugged him: "You've thought of everything!"
柏冬青笑:“其实我能做到的就是这么多了,希望外婆能好好过完以后的日子吧,在她百年之后,所谓的亲人就完全没有了。”
Bai Dongqing smiled: "Actually, that's all I can do. I just hope Grandma can have a good life in the future. After she's gone, there will be no so-called relatives left."
许煦道:“怎么能这么说呢?难道我不是?”
Xu Xu said: "How can you say that? Am I not a relative?"
柏冬青一本正经道:“你当然不是!”
Bai Dongqing said seriously, "Of course not!"
许煦脸色一板。
Xu Xu's face turned stern.
柏冬青又道:“爱人就是爱人,怎么会是亲人呢?你比亲人重要多了。”
Bai Dongqing continued, "A lover is a lover, how could they be a relative? You are much more important than a relative."
第52章
Chapter 52
柏冬青毕竟工作繁忙,在外待了一个多星期, 回到律所, 已经堆积了一大堆事。
Ba Dongqing, despite being busy at work, had been away for over a week and, upon returning to the law firm, had a pile of work waiting for him.
一上班, 就连轴转了一个星期才稍稍缓了口气。
As soon as he started work, he barely managed to catch his breath after working non-stop for a week.
周五临近下班, 想着去接许煦一块儿好好吃顿晚餐。自从回来后,两个人除了晚上睡觉在一块, 就没有其他属于爱人之间的相处活动。
As Friday approached and it was time to leave, he thought about picking up Xu Xu for a nice dinner. Since returning, the two of them had only spent time together at night while sleeping; there had been no other intimate activities between them.
他打开抽屉, 看到里面安安静静躺着的那个戒指盒, 心里一惊,这一来一回折腾,竟然把这件大事给忘了。
He opened the drawer and saw the ring box lying quietly inside, which startled him. In the hustle and bustle of coming and going, he had actually forgotten this important matter.
上次那种求婚方式肯定是不能再用, 想到许煦揭了几层盖子,忽然被自己的电话打断,他就有点郁闷。还是弄一个直接了当, 但一定要是女人觉得浪漫的方式, 让她终身难忘。
The last proposal method definitely couldn't be used again. Thinking about how Xu Xu had peeled back a few layers, he was suddenly interrupted by his phone, leaving him a bit depressed. He decided to go for a straightforward approach, but it had to be something romantic that would make the woman remember it forever.
他打开搜索网页,拿出自己的小本本, 准备把可行的方案先做笔记记下来, 再慢慢计划, 反正许煦是他的, 也跑不了, 不急于一时。
He opened the search page, took out his notebook, and prepared to jot down feasible plans, planning to think them through more thoroughly later. After all, Xu Xu was his, and she couldn't run away, so there was no need to rush.
刚搜了几条,忽然有人敲门。
Just as he searched for a few options, someone knocked on the door.
“请进!”
Come in!
“青儿。”来人是姜毅,抱着一份文件, 笑吟吟走到他办公桌前。
"Qing'er." The person was Jiang Yi, holding a document and smiling as he walked to his desk.
柏冬青抬头,朝他笑了笑:“有事?”
Bai Dongqing looked up and smiled at him: "Is there something?"
姜毅把文件放在他桌上,往前一推:“我最近不是接了两个法律援助的案子么?我们组长这段时间在出差,我这急需经费,帮帮忙签一下字。”
Jiang Yi placed the document on his desk and pushed it forward: "I recently took on two legal aid cases, right? Our team leader has been out on business trips for a while, and I urgently need funding. Could you help me sign it?"
柏冬青打开他的经费申请表,随意扫了一眼,对于整个律所来说,这笔费用不算什么,但是对于法律援助的案子来说,肯定是超了。
Bai Dongqing opened his expense application form and casually glanced at it. For the entire law firm, this amount wasn't significant, but for legal aid cases, it was definitely excessive.
政府会根据律所受理的法律援助案件的数量给予一定补贴,评级评优也需要看这个。但是法律援助的案子通常费时费力,很多律师都不愿意接,接了之后也都会想方设法跟律所申请尽可能多的经费,如果是影响比较大的案子,一般上司都会通过,但姜毅这两个只是普通案子。
The government provides subsidies to law firms based on the number of legal aid cases they handle, and this is also considered when evaluating and rewarding them. However, legal aid cases are usually time-consuming and labor-intensive, so many lawyers are reluctant to take them on. After taking them on, they all try to apply for as much funding as possible from the law firm. If the case has a significant impact, the boss usually approves it, but Qiang Yi's two cases were just ordinary ones.
柏冬青笑着看他一眼:“这样吧,你先去找你们组长审核一下,要是他说没问题,你再拿来给我签字然后去财务划款。”
Bai Dongqing smiled at him and said, "Why don't you go to your team leader for approval first. If he says it's okay, you can bring it to me for my signature and then proceed to the finance department for payment."
第43节
Chapter 43
姜毅微微一愣,继而又笑道:“这不就是你签个字的问题么?又没有多少钱,等我们组长审核,还不知道要等多久,我这不是着急吗?而且以前又不是没直接签过,帮个小忙而已。”
Qiang Yi was slightly taken aback but then smiled and said, "Isn't this just about you signing it? There's not much money involved. We don't know how long it will take for our team leader to review it, so I'm just in a hurry. Besides, I've signed directly before, it's just a small favor."
他之所以直接越过组长找柏冬青签字,正是因为组长不会轻易通过。
He went straight to Bai Dongqing for his signature, precisely because the section leader would not easily approve it.
柏冬青笑:“姜毅,咱们私下是兄弟,要我帮什么忙都好说,但在华天,只有工作关系,还是按着规矩来,这样对别人才公平。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and said, "Jiang Yi, we are brothers in private, and I can help with anything you need. But in Huatian, we only have a work relationship. We should follow the rules, which is fair to others."
他以前对于姜毅的要求,很少拒绝过,像这样的事,已经不止一回,每次多批的款,他都让财务从自己名下的费用划走,反正也不多,也是禀着能帮朋友就帮,拒绝这件事对他来说是陌生的。
He had rarely refused Jiang Yi's requests before, and such matters had happened more than once. Each time, the extra funds were transferred from his own expense account, as it was not a significant amount. He had always helped friends when he could, and refusing this request was unfamiliar to him.
姜毅对于他委婉的拒绝很意外,本想再说点什么,却见他已经低头去看电脑,显然是没打算多说,只得讪讪地撇撇嘴:“行吧!我去问问我们组长。”
Jiang Yi was surprised by his indirect refusal. He wanted to say something more, but seeing that he had already lowered his head to look at the computer, it was clear he had no intention of saying more. So, he reluctantly pursed his lips and said, "Alright! I'll go ask our section leader."
他有些不悦地拿起文件,出门时动作故意有些大。
He picked up the document with a slight frown and made a show of leaving with a loud, deliberate movement.
柏冬青抬头看了眼被阖上的门,挑挑眉,心情并没有因为朋友可能生气而觉得懊恼。反倒有种莫名的释然。
Bai Dongqing raised his head to look at the closed door, raised an eyebrow, and did not feel regretful at his friend's potential anger. Instead, he felt a strange sense of relief.
拒绝别人,好像也没那么难。
Refusing someone didn't seem so difficult after all.
以前面对请求,尤其是朋友的请求,总觉得不好意思去拒绝。就像从前在学校,遇到很难的考试科目,室友们让他给他们抄,但远远这超过了他的原则,虽然不同意,却还是觉得很愧疚,就会花大量的时间给他们划好重点,还会进行考前辅导。
Previously, when faced with requests, especially from friends, he always felt uncomfortable refusing. For instance, in school, when his roommates asked him to copy their homework for difficult subjects, even though it went against his principles, he still felt guilty and would spend a lot of time highlighting key points for them and even offer to tutor them before the exam.
他以为这是自己应该做的,他们也就觉得理所当然。
He thought it was what he should do, and they naturally assumed it was right.
其实从来没有什么理所当然。
In fact, there has never been anything that was naturally right.
他摇头轻笑了笑,收拾好本子关电脑准备给许煦打电话,却忽然有电话进来,是最近接得一个案子的当事人,涉嫌过失杀人,正处于取保候审中。打电话来,是约他吃饭。
He shook his head and chuckled lightly, tidied up his notebook, shut down his computer, and prepared to call Xu Xu, but then a call came in. It was from the client of a case he had recently taken on, who was suspected of negligent homicide and was currently on bail pending trial. The call was to invite him to dinner.
他想了想,答应了邀约。
He thought about it and agreed to the invitation.
*
正要下班的许煦,本来想着今天周五,忙了这几天的柏冬青,不知道会不会早点收工,哪知就收到他的信息,说晚上有约了当事人吃饭,可能得晚点回去。
Xu Xu, who was just about to clock out, had been thinking that since it was Friday and Bo Dongqing had been busy these few days, he might leave early. However, he received a message from him saying he had plans to meet someone for dinner and might not be able to get back home early.
许煦撇撇嘴,回过去:好吧。
Xu Xu pursed his lips and replied: Alright.
还跟着了个哭唧唧的表情。
He even added a crying face.
收了电话准备下班,忽然被杜小沐叫住:“煦儿,晚上有空没?星光璀璨新开了家茶餐厅,网上挺多好评的,我跟赵昊刚说好了一起去,你要不要搭个伙?不然就俩人实在是没意思。”
After hanging up to head home, he was suddenly called by Du Xiaomu: "Xu'er, are you free tonight? There's a new tea restaurant called Starlight Splendor that just opened up, and it has a lot of good reviews online. Zhao Hao and I just agreed to go there together. Do you want to join us? Otherwise, it would be a bit boring with just the two of us."
许煦想着自己也是孤家寡人一个吃晚餐,笑着点头:“行啊!”
Xu Xu thought about being a lone wolf for dinner and smiled, nodding: "Sure thing!"
这家茶餐厅走得是精品高端路线,环境很优雅。卡座的沙发椅背很高,就算是在大厅,也还算有私密性,靠窗的几个位置,还用玻璃屏风隔着。
This tea restaurant took a premium route, with a very elegant environment. The booth's sofa backs were high, providing some privacy even in the main hall. The windowside seats were separated by glass screens.
许煦几个既不是约会,也不是应酬,就是来吃东西的,随拜找了个位子便开始兴致勃勃点餐。
Xu Xu and the others weren't on a date or for business; they were just there for food. They casually found a seat and began enthusiastically ordering.
点完之后,杜小沐便拉着许煦结伴去洗手间,让赵昊留守原地。
After ordering, Du Xiaomu pulled Xu Xu to the restroom together, leaving Zhao Hao to stay put.
“喂!看到没有?”回来的时候,路过一处屏风,杜小沐拉了拉许煦,小声道。
"Hey! Look over there!" On their way back, Du Xiaomu tugged at Xu Xu and whispered as they passed a screen.
“看什么?”
What are you looking at?
杜小沐朝屏风里指了指:“柏律师在里面!”
Du Xiaomu pointed towards the screen: "Bai Lawyer is inside!"
许煦朝缝隙里看了眼,果然看到柏冬青,还有另外两个男人,应该是在应酬。
Xu Xu peeked through the gap and indeed saw Bai Dongqing, along with two other men, who seemed to be entertaining guests.
她假装不甚在意地哦了一声,以前是因为工作关系,刻意没有告诉同事们柏冬青是自己男友,现在忽然觉得这种类似于地下恋的感觉,很有些意思。
She pretended to be nonchalant and murmured "oh" as if it didn't matter. Previously, due to work, she had deliberately not told her colleagues that Bo Dongqing was her boyfriend. Now, she suddenly found the feeling of a secret relationship rather interesting.
杜小沐拉着她回到座位,兴致勃勃道:“刚刚跟柏律师在一起的好像是林凯杰,林氏集团董事长的独子,三个月前因为弄出了一条人命,涉嫌过失杀人罪,据说死者是他的情人,半夜从红叶温泉酒店回市内的时候,两个人下车吵架,把人推倒在地,那女的不知怎么就滚下河淹死了。我当时正要跟,但林氏集团公关了,稿子被撤,这消息当时没炒起来。”说着感叹道,“有钱真好啊!直接取保候审,又请了柏冬青做律师,估摸着一条人命一天牢都不用坐。”
Du Xiaomu pulled her back to her seat and said excitedly, "Just now, Bo Lawyer was with Lin Kajie, the only son of the chairman of the Lin Group. Three months ago, he was involved in a case of negligent homicide. It's said that the victim was his lover. They got into an argument after getting off the car at Red Leaf Hot Springs Hotel at night, and he pushed her to the ground. The woman somehow rolled into the river and drowned. I was about to report it, but the Lin Group's public relations department intervened, and the article was withdrawn. The news didn't get much attention at the time." She sighed, "Money really is great! He was released on bail and hired Bo Dongqing as his lawyer. I reckon he won't even spend a day in jail."
这个案子三个月前其实闹过一阵,但是林氏集团当时公关了,加上网友都是善忘的群体,每天都有新热点,很快就翻过了篇章。许煦没跟过这个案子,自然也就没在意。笑了笑道:“过失致人死亡缓刑的机率很大吧!”
This case actually caused a stir three months ago, but the Lin Group handled the public relations well, and with the internet being a forgetful crowd, it quickly faded from memory. Xu Xu hadn't followed this case, so she didn't pay much attention. She smiled and said, "The chances of a suspended sentence for negligent homicide are quite high, right?"
杜小沐:“话是这么说,但林凯杰可不是什么好东西,那个死了的女孩,挺可怜的,父母都死了,哥哥还有点残疾,我之前采访柏律师,感觉人挺好的,但为这种人打官司,要真给人脱了罪,不知道会不会良心不安。”
Du Xiaomu: "That's true, but Lin Kajie isn't a good person. The girl who died was quite 可怜, her parents were both dead, and her brother has a disability. I interviewed Bo Lawyer before, and I felt he was a decent person, but to defend someone like him, if he really gets off scot-free, I wonder if I would feel guilty."
许煦笑道:“律师也就是辩护,定罪与否还是看证据,由法官定夺。对律师来说就是工作而已,跟良心有什么关系。”
Xu Xu smiled and said, "A lawyer's job is to defend. Whether someone is convicted or not depends on the evidence and is decided by the judge. For a lawyer, it's just a job, and has nothing to do with their conscience."
赵昊接话道:“那也不能这么说,现在有钱人犯罪的多,为了脱罪,花钱请律师干缺德事的可不少,懂法的人才会钻法律空子。我接触过那么多律师,这个群体真的是很精明。柏冬青办过的那些案子,反正争议的不少。别说给林凯杰打缓刑,就是无罪,我也信。”说着摊摊手,“之前那个婆婆杀儿媳的案子,你们还记得吧?那个凤凰男无罪释放后,带着家里财产,很快和小三结婚生孩子了,现在过得好着呢!可多亏了柏冬青,要不把他在家里供着,我看是说不过去的。”
Zhao Hao chimed in, "That's not entirely true. Nowadays, there are many rich people who commit crimes, and to avoid conviction, they often pay lawyers to do immoral things. Only those who understand the law can exploit legal loopholes. I've interacted with so many lawyers, and this group is indeed very shrewd. Bai Dongqing's cases have always been controversial. Don't even mention leniency for Lin Kajie; I would believe him even if he was found not guilty. Speaking of which, remember that case of the grandmother killing her daughter-in-law? That playboy was released without guilt and quickly married his mistress with the family's assets, and now he's doing well! But for that, we have to thank Bai Dongqing. Otherwise, if he were still being supported at home, I wouldn't be able to justify it."
许煦微微皱眉,精明?为什么她没从柏冬青身上看到这一点?不过做事周全稳妥倒是不假,看他对外婆的安排就可见一斑。
Xu Xu frowned slightly. Shrewd? Why didn't she see this in Bai Dongqing? However, his thorough and careful approach was undeniable, as evidenced by his arrangements for his grandmother.
她拿起一块厚多士吃了一口,轻描淡写道:“法律讲究的是证据,只能制裁犯罪,没办法惩治道德,咱们应该都清楚。”
She picked up a thick toast and took a bite, speaking lightly, "The law relies on evidence to punish crimes but cannot address morality. We should all be aware of this."
杜小沐点头:“是啊!法律的交给法律,道德的交给道德。但是不得不承认,对于我们普通人来说,更难过的还是道德这一关。”
Du Xiaomu nodded: "Yes! Leave the legal stuff to the law, and the moral stuff to morality. But we can't deny that it's still harder for ordinary people to pass the moral test."
许煦笑了笑,转移话题:“咱们出来吃美食的,讲这些干什么!”
Xu Xu smiled and changed the topic: "We're here to enjoy delicious food, so why talk about these things!"
杜小沐也笑:“我这不是看到柏律师了,发表一点感叹么?吃吃吃!别说这些有的没的,咱们就是月薪五千,出来吃顿大餐,还要三个人一块凑单的穷鬼媒体狗,操心那些干什么!”
Du Xiaomu also smiled: "I'm just commenting on Lawyer Bai. Let's eat, eat, eat! Forget about all that nonsense. Even if we're just earning 5,000 yuan a month and have to pool our money to order a fancy meal as poor media dogs, what's the point of worrying about that!"
许煦笑了笑,转头朝刚刚的屏风看了眼,但除了屏风,什么都看不到。所以想象不出,对着一个道德缺失有钱当事人的柏冬青,是什么模样。
Xu Xu smiled again and turned to look at the screen partition from before, but saw nothing but the partition itself. So he couldn't imagine what Lawyer Bai Dongqing, a wealthy party member with moral deficiencies, looked like when facing her.
*
“老二!等很久了?”餐厅的另一角落,姜毅走到一个卡座坐下,朝对面的程放道。
"Second Brother! Been waiting for a long time?" Jiang Yi walked to a booth and sat down, then looked over to Cheng Fang.
程放摇摇头,看了他一眼,笑道:“怎么了?一脸丧的样子!”
Cheng Fang shook his head and gave him a look, smiling and saying, "What's wrong? You look so gloomy!"
“别提了!”姜毅摆摆手,倒了杯水喝了一口,“今儿快下班时,遇到件很不爽的事!”
Never mind that!" Jiang Yi waved his hand, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip, "Almost closing time today, and I ran into something really annoying!
“什么事?”
What happened?
姜毅撇撇嘴:“去找青儿签个字申请一笔经费,他竟然不同意。本来不是什么大事,但想想就是觉得不爽。”说着又有点自嘲道,“不过人家现在是律所合伙人,我上司的上司,要在我面前端起领导的架子,我也不能说什么,谁叫我没人家有本事呢!”
Jiang Yi pursed his lips: "Go find Qing'er to sign a document for a funding application, and he actually refused. It wasn't a big deal, but I just can't help feeling annoyed." He then added with a touch of self-deprecation, "But now he's a partner at a law firm, my boss's boss. He has to put on a leadership demeanor in front of me, and I can't really say anything. Who made me less capable than him, anyway!"
程放笑了笑,默了片刻道:“你给我说说这两年的老三吧!”
Cheng Fang smiled and remained silent for a moment before saying, "Tell me about Old Three these past two years!"
第53章
Chapter 53
姜毅愣了下,问:“你不是还气不过他和许煦的事吧?”
Jiang Yi was taken aback and asked, "Don't you still feel upset about what happened with Xu Xu?"
程放挑眉看他, 似笑非笑反问:“要换你你气得过?”
Cheng Fang raised an eyebrow at him, smiling but not quite, and asked, "Would you be angrier if it were you?"
姜毅笑了笑:“这事他是做得不太地道, 同学四年, 你真心当他是兄弟, 有什么都想着他,不说别的, 每年他过生日, 你都会专门请他吃饭。冲着这一点, 他也不能干撬墙角的事啊,而且还瞒了这么久。以他现在的条件,找什么女人找不到, 非找兄弟喜欢的人。”
Jiang Yi smiled. "He did this in a rather unscrupulous way. Over four years of school, you genuinely treated him like a brother, always thinking of him. For example, every year on his birthday, you would specially invite him to dinner. For this alone, he couldn't have done something like this, and he even kept it a secret for so long. With his current conditions, he could have found any woman, but he chose someone his brother likes."
“上学的事就别提了,他帮我做的事只多不少。只不过我是真信任他,什么都告诉过他。临行前那天, 我叫他陪我喝酒, 还半真半假说让他帮忙照顾小煦,他就这么给我照顾的?”说完自嘲一笑, 摆摆手, “算了不说这些了, 你就跟我说说这几年他在华天的事吧?”
Let's not talk about school. The things he did for me were no less. I just trusted him completely and told him everything. The day before I left, I asked him to accompany me for a drink and half-jokingly asked him to look after Xiao Xu. And that's exactly what he did?" He then smiled self-deprecatingly and waved his hand. "Forget about it. Just tell me about what he's been doing at Huatian these past few years?
姜毅道:“你也知道我去年才进的华天, 进去的时候, 他已经是金牌律师。他是陈主任亲手带出来的徒弟,除了所里的几个合伙人,就他职位最高。反正在我看来, 性格基本上就是老样子,脾气好,好说话,有什么问题找他基本上都会帮忙,不仅陈主任喜欢他,大家对他的评价都很好。”
Jiang Yi said, "You know I only joined Huatian last year, and by the time I did, he was already a gold medal lawyer. He was the apprentice personally trained by Director Chen, and aside from the partners in the firm, he had the highest position. Anyway, in my opinion, his personality was basically the same, good-tempered, easy to talk to, and he would help with any problems you had. Not only did Director Chen like him, but everyone had very good things to say about him."
程放手指轻轻敲着桌面,若有所思片刻,有些意味深长道:“你说他到底是脾气好,还是……其实不过是圆滑世故有心机?陈主任这么多年的得意门生应该不止他一个吧?但这么器重应该是头一回吧?听说是把他当接班人培养的。能得到陈瑞国这种大牛的青眼,光靠性格好我看不能够吧?”
Cheng Fang lightly tapped his fingers on the table, lost in thought for a moment, and said with a meaningful tone, "You say he's good-tempered, or... perhaps he's just smooth, worldly, and cunning? Mr. Chen's favored student shouldn't just be him, right? But this level of favor seems to be unprecedented. I heard he's being groomed as the successor. To get Mr. Chen RuiGuo's favor, I don't think it's just because of his personality."
姜毅眉头轻蹙:“那我还真没看出来,我进华天一年多,除了今天我让他帮忙签字没答应,之前都挺好的。”
Jiang Yi's brows furrowed slightly, "I really didn't see it. I've been at Huatian for over a year, and apart from today when he refused to sign, everything else has been fine."
程放轻笑:“我只是觉得他可能跟我们想得不太一样,或者说,人总会变的,面对五光十色的社会和利益,会不会老三可能早不是以前那个柏冬青?说实话,我看过他之前辩护的一些案子,很难想象是上学时的那个老三办的。虽然这是律师的工作,但其中涉及的伦理道德之争,他作为律师表现出来的冷漠,确实让我有些意外。”
Cheng Fang chuckled, "I just feel that he might think differently from us, or perhaps, people do change. Facing the colorful and complex society and interests, could Old Three have already changed from the old Tan Dongqing? To be honest, I've read some of his previous cases, and it's hard to imagine them being done by the old Tan Dongqing from school. Although this is a lawyer's job, the ethical and moral debates involved, the coldness he shows as a lawyer, did surprise me."
当然,和许煦在一起,且隐瞒他这么久,更让他觉得意外。也正是这件事后,他才认真去查阅柏冬青之前办的案子,在承认二十八岁华天合伙人确实实至名归的同时,也不得不惊叹好几桩影响较大的案子,实在是不像出自他认识的那个柏冬青之手,哪怕证据链无可辩驳,但那些当事人的恶也同样无可辩驳。若是换做别的律师,他觉得无可厚非,但那可是曾经升旗会流泪,为了陌生女生被抢的包,徒手去跟持刀歹徒搏斗的柏冬青。
Of course, being with Xu Xu for so long and keeping it a secret from him made him even more surprised. It was after this incident that he seriously reviewed Tan Dongqing's previous cases. While acknowledging that Tan Dongqing's appointment as a 28-year-old partner at Huatian was well-deserved, he couldn't help but be amazed at several significant cases that didn't seem to be the work of the Tan Dongqing he knew. Even with irrefutable evidence, the evil of the parties involved was equally undeniable. If it were any other lawyer, he might find it acceptable, but that was the Tan Dongqing who had shed tears at the flag-raising ceremony, who had fought with a knife-wielding thug to protect a stranger's bag.
程放觉得,哪怕他自己是一个法律至上的法律人,对于那些嫌疑人因为柏冬青的辩护而轻判甚至脱罪的案子,也很难不去对他产生一点负面的想法。
Cheng Fang felt that, even as a lawyer who believed in the supremacy of law, it was hard for him not to have some negative thoughts about the cases where suspects were given lighter sentences or even acquitted due to Bai Dongqing's defense.
许煦呢?这几年她对他辩护的案子,应该不会陌生,她难道不会有任何想法吗?还是说也像其他人一样,被表象所迷惑?
What about Xu Xu? She shouldn't be unfamiliar with the cases he has defended over the past few years. Wouldn't she have any thoughts about it? Or was she, like others, deceived by appearances?
姜毅听他说完,若有所思了片刻,点头:“你这么一说,还真有点道理。我们做律师的,之前确实只注意到他办的几件有争议的案子很漂亮,考虑更多的是如何学习他的手法,没有反思过道德伦理的问题。其实若是别人倒也没什么,但是青儿的话,那确实有点问题了。”
After he finished speaking, Jiang Yi fell into thought for a moment before nodding. "You have a point. As lawyers, we did indeed only focus on the few controversial cases he handled very well, and we were more concerned with learning his methods. We didn't reflect on the moral and ethical issues. Actually, if it were someone else, it wouldn't be a big deal, but Qing'er's case is a different story."
程放笑了笑:“我也就是这么一说,大家出来工作,各司其职各凭本事,他又没用什么见不得人的手段。”他说着笑了笑,道,“算了,还是别说这些了。对了,我把你叫出来吃饭,嫂子不会有意见吧?”
Cheng Fang smiled. "I was just saying that. Everyone has their own job to do and their own skills. He didn't use any underhanded methods." He smiled again and said, "Forget about it. By the way, is your wife okay with me inviting you to dinner?"
姜毅摆摆手:“我三天两头就加班应酬,他早就习惯了。只要我有空,你叫我随时奉陪。”
Jiang Yi waved his hand: "I'm always working overtime and socializing, so he's long gotten used to it. As long as I have some free time, you can call me anytime."
程放道:“我离开这么多年,现在这边除了我哥,没几个朋友,如今和老三肯定是有芥蒂,能出来吃饭喝酒的,也就只有你和老四了,以后可别嫌我这个光棍儿烦。”
Cheng Fang said, "I've been away for so many years, and now aside from my brother, I don't have many friends here. There's definitely a grudge between me and the third brother now. The only ones I can eat and drink with are you and the fourth brother. Don't ever think I'm a nuisance as a bachelor."
姜毅笑:“你要结束光棍儿生涯还不容易?过不了多久就要升副检了吧?你这不叫光棍儿,叫钻石王老五。”
Jiang Yi smiled, "Ending your bachelorhood isn't hard, right? You're about to become an assistant procurer, aren't you? You're not a bachelor, you're a diamond bachelor."
程放摇摇头,笑道:“其实单身挺好的,我现在对女人没什么兴趣。”
Cheng Fang shook his head and smiled, "Actually, being single is pretty good. I don't have much interest in women right now."
姜毅故作惊讶状:“难道你准备转性向了?”
Jiang Yi feigned surprise: "Are you planning to transition?"
程放失笑:“我倒希望啊!一了百了。”
Cheng Fang chuckled: "I'd like that! It would be a one-time solution."
姜毅敛了笑,叹了口气:“老二,我知道你一直没忘记许煦,但感情的事没法勉强,她如今和青儿在一起是没法改变的事实。你还在原地,人家已经往前走了很远,你何必跟自己过不去呢?”
Jiang Yi sobered, sighing: "Older Brother, I know you haven't forgotten Xu Xu, but feelings can't be forced. The fact that she is now with Qing'er can't be changed. You're still standing still, but she has moved on a long way. Why make things difficult for yourself?"
程放看着他,沉默片刻,冷不丁道:“那如果我往前追上去呢?”
Cheng Fang looked at him, silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "What if I chase after her?"
*
许煦三人毕竟就是来搭伙吃饭的,一顿饭很快就结束,吃完结了账就一起离开。路过刚刚那屏风处,里面的人也恰好结束走出来。
Xu Xu and the other three were just there to have a meal together, so the meal didn't last long and they left after settling the bill. As they passed by the screen they had just been near, the person inside was also coming out at that moment.
“柏律师!”杜小沐看到人出来,赶紧打招呼。
"Mr. Bai!" Du Xiaomu greeted as the person came out.
走在中间的柏冬青闻声转头,便看到了许煦和她身边的同事。
Bai Dongqing, who was walking in the middle, turned around at the sound and saw Xu Xu and her colleague.
杜小沐走上前,笑道:“柏律师,真巧啊!”
Du Xiaomu walked up and smiled, saying, "Mr. Bai, what a coincidence!"
柏冬青笑着点点头,越过她,目光落在后面走上来的许煦脸上,朝她用眼神示意。
Bai Dongqing smiled and nodded, then looked past her at Xu Xu's face as she walked up behind her, giving her a subtle signal with her eyes.
许煦却故意眼观鼻鼻观心假装没收到他的询问,走上前后,故意笑眯眯道:“小沐,这就是柏大律师啊!真是闻名不如见面!你好,我是小沐同事,法治周刊的许煦。”
Xu Xu, however, deliberately kept her eyes focused on her nose and ignored his inquiry, walking up and smiling broadly. "Little Mu, this is Lawyer Bai! It's really better to meet someone in person than to hear about them!"
说着还朝他伸出了手。
As she spoke, she extended her hand towards him.
柏冬青嘴角抽了抽,转头朝旁边的林凯杰道:“林先生,今天就到这里吧,有事再联系,我交代的一些事项,你千万要注意。”
Bai Dongqing's lips twitched, then turned to Lin Kaijie beside her and said, "Mr. Lin, that's all for today. If you need to contact me about anything, do so. Make sure to pay attention to the matters I've instructed you on."
林凯杰勾唇笑了笑:“行,你和朋友聊,我再联系你。”
Lin Kajie curled his lips and smiled: "Sure, you can chat with your friend, and I'll get back to you."
林凯杰和助手离开了,柏冬青才又转过头,握上许煦伸出的手:“你好!”
Lin Kajie and his assistant left, and only then did Bai Dongqing turn back, taking the hand that Xu Xu extended: "Hello!"
熟悉的感觉,让许煦忍不住想笑,但还是生生憋了住。
The familiar feeling made Xu Xu unable to help but want to laugh, but she still held it in.
杜小沐也没觉察两人的微妙,笑着道:“柏律师,刚刚那个是林氏集团的林凯杰吗?案子还有两三个月就开庭了吧!能不能给点独家消息?让我提前做准备。”
Du Xiaomu didn't notice the subtle tension between the two and smiled, saying: "Lawyer Bai, was that Lin Kajie from the Lin Corporation just now? The trial is scheduled to start in two or three months, right? Can you give me some exclusive information so I can prepare in advance?"
柏冬青笑了笑:“独家消息就是没有消息。”
Bai Dongqing smiled: "Exclusive news is no news."
杜小沐撇撇嘴:“你们律师的嘴巴就是严。”
Du Xiaomu pursed her lips: "Your lawyers have really tight lips."
柏冬青又看向许煦:“许小姐挺眼熟的,我们是不是哪里见过?”
Bai Dongqing then looked at Xu Xu: "Miss Xu looks familiar. Have we met somewhere?"
许煦还没回答,杜小沐已经先道:“煦儿,你男朋友不是华天的律师么?柏律师肯定认识的,叫什么名字来着?”
Before Xu Xu could answer, Du Xiaomu interjected: "Xu'er, isn't your boyfriend Bai Tian's lawyer? Bai lawyer must know him. What's his name again?"
“……”许煦,“我男朋友就是个小律师,不提也罢!”
..." Xu Xu, "My boyfriend is just a little lawyer, it's best not to mention him!
柏冬青眉头微不可寻地挑了挑:“是吗?我们华天的律师我肯定都认识,不妨说来听一下,以后若是华天跟法治周刊合作,也算方便。”
Bai Dongqing's eyebrows lifted slightly and unnoticeably: "Is that so? I'm sure I know all of our Huatian's lawyers. Feel free to introduce him. If Huatian ever collaborates with the Legal Weekly in the future, it would be convenient."
许煦忍着笑,一本正经道:“他叫榆木。”
Xu Xu suppressed her laughter and said seriously, "His name is Elm Wood."
杜小沐:“你男朋友叫于慕啊?名字还挺好听的。”
Du Xiaomu: "Your boyfriend's name is Yu Mu? That's a nice name."
许煦嘴角抽了下,心道,是榆木疙瘩的榆木。
Xu Xu's lips twitched, thinking to himself, "It's the knot in the elm wood."
不过,好像也不是那么木了!
But, it doesn't seem so wooden after all!
柏冬青轻笑了笑,点头:“行,回头如果有什么合作,我让榆木律师来给你们谈。”说着抬手看了下腕表,“时间不早了,我得回去了,不然女朋友得催了。”
Bai Dongqing lightly smiled and nodded, "Sure, if there's any future cooperation, I'll have Lawyer Elm come to talk to you." As she spoke, she raised her wrist to check her watch, "It's getting late, I should head back. Otherwise, my girlfriend will be urging me."
杜小沐啧了一声,小声在许煦旁边嘀咕:“果然青年才俊都不可能是单身的。”说着朝柏冬青挥挥手,“那柏律师再见!”
Du Xiaomu clicked her tongue and whispered to Xu Xu, "Sure enough, all young talents must be taken." She then waved at Bai Dongqing, "Goodbye, Lawyer Bai!"
许煦也笑着挥挥手。
Xu Xu also smiled and waved.
柏冬青笑了笑,转身先他们下楼。
Bai Dongqing smiled and turned to go downstairs before them.
杜小沐拉着旁边两人慢悠悠出门,感叹道:“你们说句公道话,柏律师看着是不是一点都不像无良律师。”
Du Xiamu pulled the two people beside her out slowly and sighed, "You know, don't lawyers like Bai look completely unlike unscrupulous lawyers?"
赵昊道:“人不可貌相懂不懂!这种人就叫做衣冠禽兽。刚刚跟他一起的林凯杰,难道像个坏人吗?但是传言这个人是超级人渣。”
Zhao Hao said, "You can't judge a book by its cover, right! This kind of person is called a man of virtue in fine clothes. Doesn't Lin Kajie, who was with him just now, look like a bad guy? But the rumors say this person is a super scoundrel."
杜小沐点头:“你说的也是,就算柏律师人不坏,但这么年轻就做到这个级别,那也绝不是什么纯良之辈,肯定是很有手段的。咱们这些人就八卦八卦得了,也不知道他女朋友是什么人。”
Du Xiaomu nodded: "You're right. Even if Lawyer Bai isn't a bad person, someone so young to reach this level can't be a pure and good person. He must have a lot of skills. We can just gossip about it. I wonder who his girlfriend is."
第44节
Chapter 44
赵昊笑:“我跟你说,你就打消找律师当老公这个念头吧,小心坑得你骨头都不剩。”
Zhao Hao laughed: "Just forget about marrying a lawyer, or you might end up with nothing left."
“哎!”许煦打断两人,“你们能不能考虑一下我这个律师女友的感受?”
Ah!" Xixu interrupted them, "Can't you consider my feelings as a lawyer girlfriend?
杜小沐摆摆手:“反正你男友小律师,小律师对记者,半斤八两,谁吃亏不一定。”
Du Xiaomu waves her hand: "Anyway, your boyfriend is a junior lawyer, and junior lawyers are on par with reporters—nobody knows who will come out on top."
几个人说说笑笑下楼来到路边,因为不同路,许煦送走两人打了车,自己站在路边,刚刚拿出手机,便被人从后面拥住。
Several people chat and walk down the stairs to the roadside. Since they were going different ways, Xu Xu sends off the two and takes a taxi, standing by the roadside. Just as she takes out her phone, someone embraces her from behind.
熟悉的气息扑面而来,许煦放下手机,故意不回头:“谁啊?”
Familiar breath hits her face, and Xu Xu puts down her phone, deliberately not turning around: "Who is it?"
柏冬青:“你的小律师男朋友。”
Bo Dongqing: "Your junior lawyer boyfriend."
许煦转过头抱住他的脖颈:“怎么?不高兴了?”
Xu Xu turned around and hugged his neck: "What's wrong? You're not happy?"
柏冬青道:“之前我没把你介绍给姜毅他们,你不也不高兴吗?”
Bai Dongqing said, "Before, I didn't introduce you to Jiang Yi and the others, and you weren't happy about that either, right?"
许煦怒目:“那能一样吗?”说着又道,“你又不是不知道自己什么身份,要是咱们杂志社知道我男朋友是你,我估计整天耳朵都没法安宁,尤其是杜小沐。而且工作上肯定也会给我弄出不少事来,到时候指不定给你添麻烦呢!”
Xu Xu glared: "That's different!" Then he added, "You should know your own status. If our magazine found out my boyfriend is you, I'd probably have no peace, especially with Du Xiaomu. And at work, they'd definitely cause me a lot of trouble. Who knows, they might even give you a hard time!"
柏冬青笑道:“我明白的。”他摸了摸她的脸,“反正都吃了饭,要不然去看场电影再回去。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and said, "I understand." He stroked her face, "Since we've already had dinner, why don't we go see a movie and come back?"
许煦撇撇嘴:“你自己说说咱们好久没约过会了,感觉还没热恋就进入老夫老妻状态了。”
Xu Xu pursed her lips: "You say it yourself, we haven't had a date in ages. It feels like we've gone from being in love to being old married couples."
柏冬青拉起她的手:“行,那咱们现在补课。”
Bai Dongqing pulled her hand: "Okay, then let's make up for lost time."
两个人靠在一起黏黏糊糊地往后面的商场走,看过去和大部分人热恋的年轻男女,没有任何不同。
The two clung to each other, walking towards the mall at the back, looking no different from the young couples in love that most people saw.
好像除了彼此,眼中看不到他人。
It seemed as if they could only see each other, and no one else.
以至于和程放姜毅擦身而过时,谁都没有注意到。
Until Cheng Fang and Jiang Yi passed by them, neither of them noticed.
“那不是老三和许煦吗?”姜毅和程放停下脚步,看向很快走远的男女。
"Isn't that Third Brother and Xu Xu?" Jiang Yi and Cheng Fang stopped and looked at the quickly disappearing figures.
程放默默看着两人的背影,对姜毅的话没有反应,只是脸上的表情,在夜灯下看起来明显写着失落和怅然。
Cheng Fang silently watched their backs, showing no reaction to Jiang Yi's words. In the night light, his expression clearly showed feelings of disappointment and melancholy.
他知道,许煦眼里是真的看不到自己了,她已经走得太远,远到自己还不知道能不能追得上。
He knew that in Xu Xu's eyes, he no longer existed. She had walked too far, so far that he wasn't sure if he could catch up.
第54章
Chapter 54
本来这个周末,没有什么紧要的工作, 柏冬青本打算好好休息两天, 满足许煦的热恋要求, 陪她约约会逛逛街什么的。
Originally, there was no urgent work this weekend, and Bai Dongqing had planned to rest for two days properly, satisfying Xu Xu's romantic demands, and accompanying her for dates and shopping.
他知道许煦有关“热恋”的抱怨, 只不过是随口说说而已,但他也不得不承认自己这个男朋友确实做得不好。
He knew that Xu Xu's complaints about "romantic love" were just casual remarks, but he couldn't help but admit that he was indeed not a good boyfriend.
他还记得当初在学校里, 她和程放那场高调张扬的恋爱, 两个人每天在一起吃喝玩乐, 想笑就笑想哭就哭,无理取闹吵吵闹闹,浓烈又炙热。所谓的热恋大概就是那种样子。
He still remembered their high-profile and flamboyant romance back in school, where the two of them ate, drank, played, and had fun every day, laughing and crying whenever they wanted, being unreasonable and quarreling, intense and passionate. Romantic love probably looked something like that.
而和他的这段关系, 不说一开始因为自己的怯弱和退缩,每一步都是她主动才终于开始。就是在一起后的这些年,因为心里头对程放的愧疚, 以及对未来的不确定, 为了有能力去守护这段“背德”的感情,他将大部分精力投入到工作中, 一年接几十件案子, 早出晚归出差加班是他的常态, 哪里和她好好谈过恋爱。
And their relationship, to begin with, was due to her constant initiative because of his initial cowardice and retreat. Even after they started living together, he devoted most of his energy to his work over the years, handling dozens of cases annually, working late and traveling frequently, rarely having the time to properly date her.
他总想着要给她很多很多, 但其实同床共枕几年, 她真正想要的,自己给得一直寥寥。反倒是她总是无限包容,从来不对自己要求什么。
He always thought he should give her so much, but in reality, after years of sharing a bed, what she truly desired was scarce. On the other hand, she was always infinitely tolerant and never demanded much from him.
他曾经不敢确定她对自己的感情, 甚至一度怀疑自己不过是程放离开后的替代品。直到程放回来,看到她完全释然的态度,他终于确定,自己并非替代品,而是独一无二的。可正是意识到这一点,他就更加觉得愧疚了,因为他的怯弱和犹疑,他让她错过了太多应该在感情中享受的东西。
He had once been unsure of her feelings for him, even questioning if he was merely a substitute after Cheng Fang left. It wasn't until Cheng Fang returned and saw her completely at peace that he realized he was not a substitute but unique. However, it was precisely this realization that made him feel even more guilty, because his cowardice and hesitation had caused her to miss out on so much that should have been enjoyed in their relationship.
好在,现在也不迟,毕竟他对她的感情还在热恋中,且这种热恋还会持续很久很久,久到整个余生。
Fortunately, it's not too late now. After all, his feelings for her are still in the honeymoon phase, and this phase will last for a very, very long time, perhaps even the rest of her life.
昨晚,许煦因为说要享受热恋,两个人看完电影回家后,柏冬青就身体力行地给她证明了热恋该有的状态。
Last night, Xu Xu, after saying she wanted to enjoy a passionate romance, Bao Dongqing demonstrated the state of a passionate romance by her side after they watched a movie and went home.
隔日两个人都难得睡了懒觉,直到日上三杆,还窝在床上不愿动弹。
The next day, both of them slept in until the sun was high in the sky, unwilling to move from the bed.
当然,许煦主要也是没力气动。
Of course, Xu Xu was mainly too weak to move.
直到肚子传来一阵咕噜响,她才不情不愿地睁开眼睛,气哼哼地戳了戳还闭着眼的柏冬青,瓮声瓮气道:“饿了!”
It wasn't until her stomach made a loud growling sound that she reluctantly opened her eyes, huffing and poked Bao Dongqing, who was still sleeping, in a grumbly voice, "I'm hungry!"
柏冬青掀开眼皮,看着她嘴角弯起一丝弧度:“我去做饭。”
Bai Dongqing lifted his eyelids and looked at her as a curve appeared at the corner of her lips. "I'll go cook."
许煦枕在他手臂,伸手摸了摸他的脸,笑道:“算了,叫外卖吧,为了让我体会热恋的感觉,你也挺累的!”
Xu Xu leaned on his arm and reached out to touch his face, smiling and saying, "Forget it, let's order takeout. You must be exhausted from trying to make me feel like I'm in love!"
她曾看过一则研究,说爱情的维持时间只有十八到三十个月,余下就只是惯性以及微不足道的余韵。可显然这所谓的研究并不科学,或者说并不绝对,至少对她来说完全不适用。
She had once read a study that said the duration of love could only last eighteen to thirty months, with the rest being mere habit and a faint echo. Clearly, this so-called study was not scientific, or not absolute, at least it did not apply to her.
她和他在一起已经超过三年,但每天早上睁开眼,看到这张熟悉得不能再熟悉的脸,还是会有种心动的感觉。对这个人,真的还像是处在热恋之中。
She had been with him for more than three years, but every morning when she opened her eyes, she still felt a flutter of excitement seeing this face that was familiar to the point of being mundane. She really still felt like she was in the throes of love with this person.
柏冬青听她这么说,脸色有些微赧,轻笑了笑:“总吃外卖不健康,我也不是很累,你再躺一会儿,我快做好了叫你。”
Ba Dongqing's face turned slightly red as she said this, and she lightly smiled: "Eating takeout all the time isn't healthy. I'm not that tired either. You can lie down for a while longer; I'll call you when it's almost ready."
许煦点点头,笑着点菜:“冰箱还有五花肉,我要吃小炒肉。”
Xu Xu nodded and smiled as she ordered: "There's still five-spice pork in the fridge. I want to have stir-fried pork."
竖起身的柏冬青对她比了个好的手势。
Standing up, Ba Dongqing gave her a thumbs-up gesture.
这会儿已经十一点,许煦睡是再睡不着的,浑身酸软又不想起床,便继续躺在床上边玩手机边等柏冬青做好了饭叫自己。
It was already eleven o'clock now, and Xu Xu couldn't fall asleep again. Feeling tired all over, she didn't want to get up, so she continued to play her phone while lying in bed, waiting for Ba Dongqing to finish cooking and call her.
她习惯性地登上微博,一篇热门文章跳了进了她的主页。她随手点进去,扫了几行,眉头不由得皱起来,继续看了下去。
She habitually logged onto Weibo, and a popular article popped up on her homepage. She casually clicked on it and scanned a few lines before her brows involuntarily furrowed, continuing to read.
发这篇文章的人名叫莫伟,是林凯杰过失致人死亡案受害者莫辛的哥哥,整篇文章两千多字,从兄妹俩如何相依为命,到自己妹妹进入林氏集团实习后,如何被林凯杰逼着应酬陪酒,再到应酬到大半夜,却被林凯杰推下河不慎溺亡,以及如今林凯杰请了金牌律师为自己辩护,又仗着有钱想收买他这个唯一的亲属和解。他无钱无势,还是个残疾人,不知道如何替妹妹讨回公道,只能通过网络的途径为妹妹的枉死写下这篇文章。
The person who posted this article is Mo Wei, the brother of Mo Xin, the victim in Lin Kajie's accidental death case. The entire article is over two thousand words, detailing how the siblings relied on each other, how his sister entered the Lin Group for an internship, and how she was forced by Lin Kajie to entertain and drink with him. It then describes how, after staying out late entertaining, she was pushed into a river by Lin Kajie and drowned accidentally. The article also mentions that now Lin Kajie has hired a top lawyer to defend himself, and, relying on his wealth, he wants to buy off his only relative, Mo Wei, to settle the case. Mo Wei is penniless and powerless, a disabled man, and doesn't know how to seek justice for his sister. Thus, he can only write this article to express his grief over his sister's wrongful death through the internet.
文章还配了莫辛和他自己的照片,一个青春靓丽的女孩,和一个拄着拐子的年轻男人。
The article also included photos of Mo Xin and Mo Wei, a vibrant young girl and a young man using a cane.
整篇文章语言朴实却情真意切,哪怕是许煦这种看过不少悲惨事件的法律记者,看到这篇文章,也心里难受。
The language of the entire article is simple yet heartfelt. Even Xu Xu, a legal journalist who had seen many tragic events, felt heartache upon reading this article.
弱者总是容易受到大众同情的。
The weak are always easy targets for public sympathy.
这篇微博昨晚发出来的,已经有好几万转发评论,而由这篇微博延伸的热门话题也有不少,林凯杰的各种黑料漫天飞,很多甚至是从来没见过的且有真凭实据,跟之前网上捕风捉影的完全不同。除此之外,他的律师柏冬青也被扒了出来,还有人总结了这位大律师办过的所有有争议的案子。
This Weibo post was released last night and has already been forwarded and commented on tens of thousands of times. Many popular topics have also emerged from this Weibo post, with all sorts of rumors about Lin Kajie spreading like wildfire. Many of these rumors are completely new and backed by evidence, unlike the baseless speculations on the internet before. In addition, Lin Kajie's lawyer, Bai Dongqing, was also exposed, and someone even summarized all the controversial cases he had handled.
其实这些案子加起来也不超过十个,比起柏冬青办过的案子数量,连零头都不到,但是被摘出来放在一起,经过网络这个放大镜,便显得这是一个为了钱不讲任何道义的冷漠无良律师。
In fact, these cases add up to no more than ten, which is less than a fraction of the cases Bai Dongqing has handled. However, when these cases are taken out and grouped together, magnified by the internet, they appear to be a cold and unscrupulous lawyer who only cares about money and has no sense of morality.
虽然谩骂柏冬青的声音和林凯杰不能比,但作为一个非公众人物,这样的谩骂也算是卷入了一场网络暴力。甚至还有各种添油加醋的人肉信息,包括照片在内都被人发在了网上。
Although the amount of abuse directed at Bai Dongqing is not as much as that towards Lin Kajie, as a non-public figure, such abuse still counts as being caught up in a cyberbullying storm. Moreover, there are even more people adding fuel to the fire, spreading personal information, including photos, online.
许煦一面同情莫家兄妹,一面又对网上骂柏冬青的话气得牙痒痒。
Xu Xu felt sympathetic for the Mo siblings but was also irritated by the online abuse directed at Bo Dongqing.
什么叫做衣冠禽兽?你丫才是衣冠禽兽。她登上小号,和几个骂得最凶的网友对骂了几句,气哼哼地爬起来,跑到厨房门口。
What does it mean to be a scoundrel in fine clothes? You are the scoundrel in fine clothes. She logged into her secondary account and exchanged a few heated words with the most aggressive online critics, then stormed up from her seat and went to the kitchen door.
“冬青,你在网上被骂了!”
Dongqing, you were insulted online!
柏冬青正在炒菜,随口问:“怎么了?”
Bo Dongqing was stir-frying vegetables and casually asked, "What happened?"
“林凯杰案受害人的哥哥昨晚发了微博,今早成热点了,你也是热点之一。”
Lin Kajie's victim's brother posted a tweet last night, and it became a hot topic this morning. You're one of the hot topics as well.
柏冬青愣了下,转身道:“你让我看看。”
Bai Dongqing was taken aback and turned around, saying, "Let me see."
许煦把手机递给他。
Xu Xu handed him the phone.
他单手拿锅铲单手拿手机,皱眉扫了眼莫伟的文章,又翻了下各路热点,然后把手机还给许煦,轻笑了笑:“骂就骂吧,我问心无愧就行。”
He held a spatula in one hand and the phone in the other, frowned, and quickly scanned Mo Wei's article, then flipped through various hot topics. Afterward, he returned the phone to Xu Xu and gave a light smile, "They can curse all they want, as long as I have a clear conscience."
许煦迟疑了片刻,问:“那个林凯杰好像不是什么好东西,莫家兄妹挺可怜的,你真的要给林凯杰辩护吗?”
Xu Xu hesitated for a moment and asked, "That Lin Kaijie doesn't seem like a good person. The Mo siblings are quite 可怜. Do you really want to defend Lin Kaijie?"
柏冬青回头看了她一眼,好整以暇道:“我是刑辩律师,当事人都是犯罪嫌疑人,很大一部分在道德上来说,可能都不是什么好东西。但这就是我的工作,我需要的是确定真相,尊重事实,不管当事人人品如何,但就涉及的案子本身来说,不应该因为人品而被误判,造成错案冤案。在我的工作范围内,事实比一切都重要。”
Bai Dongqing turned to look at her and said with a relaxed expression, "I am a criminal defense lawyer. My clients are all suspects, and in terms of morality, many of them might not be good people. But that's my job. What I need is to determine the truth and respect the facts. Regardless of a client's character, the case itself should not be wrongly judged due to character, leading to wrongful convictions. Within my scope of work, the facts are more important than anything else."
许煦点头:“我明白,只是……”
Xu Xu nodded, "I understand, but..."
柏冬青笑了笑:“别人误会我没关系,你别误会就行。”
Bai Dongqing smiled, "It's fine if others misunderstand me. Just don't misunderstand me."
许煦道:“我知道你肯定不是那种为了钱助纣为虐的律师。但是看到莫伟发的文章,还是挺难受的。”
Xu Xu said, "I know you're not the kind of lawyer who would help a villain for money. But reading Mo Wei Fa's article still made me feel uncomfortable."
柏冬青点头:“饭做好了,你去洗漱吧!”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "Dinner is ready. Go wash up!"
许煦点点头,握着手机转身。柏冬青看了她的背影,幽幽叹了口气。
Xu Xu nodded and turned, holding her phone. Bai Dongqing looked at her 背影 and sighed deeply.
等洗漱完毕从卫生间出来,许煦听到柏冬青正在打电话。
After finishing her wash, when Xu Xu came out of the bathroom, she heard Bai Dongqing on the phone.
“不要刻意公关,不然会适得其反。莫伟前两天已经答应写谅解书,也准备接受补偿金,昨天忽然发这么一篇文章,肯定有问题。他只有初中文化,这篇文的措辞和水准不可能是他自己写的,应该是找了法律援助或者其他高人。”
“Do not deliberately engage in public relations; otherwise, it will backfire. Mo Wei agreed to write a letter of apology and was prepared to accept compensation just two days ago. Yesterday, he suddenly published this article, which must be problematic. He only has a junior high school education, and the wording and quality of this article are impossible for him to have written himself. He must have sought legal assistance or help from someone more knowledgeable.”
那头的林凯杰道愤愤道:“我按你说的,给他一个瘸子登门道歉好几次,还准备赔偿一百万,他还有什么不满足的?他妹妹的死,我又不是故意的。他也不掂量掂量自己的份量,这么跟我对着干,也未免太不自量力,我捏死他还不比捏死只蚂蚁容易。”
Lin Kajie on the other end said indignantly, "I followed your advice and had a cripple apologize to him several times at his door, and I was even prepared to compensate him with a million dollars. What else could he possibly want? My sister's death was not intentional on my part. He should consider his own position and not defy me so recklessly. It's also a bit presumptuous of him to think he can take me on."
“………”柏冬青道,“你什么都别做,这件事我会处理的。”
…" Bai Dongqing said, "You don't need to do anything; I will handle this.
两人又说了几句,就挂了电话。
They talked for a few more moments before hanging up the phone.
柏冬青转头,看到许煦站在自己身后看着他,笑了笑:“怎么了?”
Bai Dongqing turned around and saw Xu Xu standing behind him looking at him. He smiled and asked, "What's up?"
许煦有些如鲠在喉,半晌才道:“想尽办法说服受害者家属接受赔偿,出具家属谅解书,为嫌疑人减轻罪行,也是尊重事实吗?”说着不等柏冬青回答,又笑了笑道,“我知道律师都是要走这一套流程,我只是觉得有点不舒服,冬青,你做这件事的时候心里好受吗?”
Xu Xu felt somewhat uncomfortable and took a while to say, "Trying every means to persuade the victim's family to accept compensation, getting them to issue a letter of forgiveness, and thereby reducing the suspect's sentence—do you consider that respecting the facts?" As he spoke, he didn't wait for Bai Dongqing to respond and then smiled again, "I know lawyers have to go through this process, but I just feel a bit uncomfortable. Dongqing, do you feel good about doing this?"
柏冬青看着她,默了片刻,如实道:“我习惯了。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and fell silent for a moment before speaking honestly, "I've gotten used to it."
许煦摆摆手,叹了口气:“算了,这是你的工作,我自己也是学法律的,不应该提出这么不理智的疑问。”
Xu Xu shakes his hand and sighs: "Forget it, this is your job. I'm also a law student, so I shouldn't be asking such irrational questions."
柏冬青笑了笑:“你可以对我提任何疑问!”
Bai Dongqing smiled: "You can ask me any questions!"
第55章
Chapter 55
作为一个学法律出身的法律记者,许煦也知道刚刚对柏冬青的疑问显得既不专业也过于矫情。只是看到莫伟的文章, 心中难免触动。
As a legal journalist with a legal background, Xu Xu also knew that just now questioning Bai Dongqing seemed both unprofessional and overly sentimental. However, seeing Mo Wei's article inevitably stirred his heart.
人是感性的动物, 理智和情感, 有些时候确实难以分明。
Humans are emotional creatures, and sometimes it's difficult to distinguish between reason and emotion.
她并非质疑柏冬青的做法, 因为他是一个律师,一个优秀的律师。实际上他所做的一切, 都是一个优秀的律师应该做的。
She did not question Bai Dongqing's approach because he was a lawyer, an excellent lawyer. In fact, everything he did was what an excellent lawyer should do.
只是面对这种事情, 她一个旁观者尚且觉得纠结, 作为置身其中直面那些可怜人的痛苦的他,内心善良柔软的他,应该也是难受的吧!
Just facing such matters, as an observer, she felt 纠结; as someone who was right there, facing the suffering of those pitiful people, with his kind and tender heart, he should also be uncomfortable, right!
她在餐椅坐下, 抬头看向对面的男人:“冬青,你做律师这些年,开心吗?”
She sat down in the dining chair and looked up at the man across from her: "Dongqing, have you been happy being a lawyer these years?"
柏冬青对上她的眼睛, 笑着点头:“挺开心的。”
Bai Dongqing met her eyes and smiled, nodding: "Pretty happy."
虽然起初, 面对一些案子的时候,也有过挣扎, 但时间长了, 越来越明白这份职业的意义, 也越来越名明白自己在做什么。他不再感情用事, 而是严格遵循法律框架下的规则。善恶之间当然泾渭分明, 但只有规则得到遵守,社会这个机器,才能正常运转, 作为这个社会中的大众才能安然生活。
Although at first, when faced with some cases, there was resistance, over time, he became increasingly clear about the significance of his profession and what he was doing. He no longer acted on emotion but strictly followed the rules within the framework of the law. While there is a clear distinction between good and evil, it is only when the rules are upheld that the machine of society can function properly, allowing the masses to live in peace.
没能得到法律惩处的恶人,仅仅只是没有在这个案子中得到惩罚,但只要规则仍然有序,那些恶必然会在别处得到惩罚。
Those who have not been punished by law are merely not punished in this particular case, but as long as the rules remain in order, evil will inevitably be punished elsewhere.
他并不指望别人能完全理解他,但他坚信自己的坚持和追求。
He did not expect others to fully understand him, but he firmly believed in his 坚持和追求.
他想了想,好整以暇道:“许煦,我知道自己在做什么。”
He thought for a moment and said leisurely, "Xu Xu, I know what I am doing."
许煦点点头,笑道:“我只是担心你。”
Xu Xu nodded and smiled, saying, "I was just worried about you."
柏冬青也笑:“我明白。”
Bai Dongqing also smiled, "I understand."
*
因为网上铺天盖地的负面舆论,柏冬青要处理这些乱七八糟的信息,这个周末热恋的计划自然是泡汤了。
Due to the overwhelming negative public opinion online, Bai Dongqing had to deal with all this nonsense, so the romantic weekend plans were ruined.
许煦也没出门,专心在网上就柏冬青被骂的事跟网友们辩论。当然也没辩论出个所以然,网友们都喜欢自诩为正义的化身,将她这种言论持有者打为理中客,各种痛批。最后她节节败退,只得退网眼不见为净。
Xu Xu didn't go out either, focusing on debating online about the comments directed at Bai Dongqing. Of course, no clear conclusion was reached. The netizens all liked to consider themselves the embodiment of justice, labeling her as a neutral party and criticizing her harshly. Eventually, she had to retreat from the internet to avoid further trouble.
到了周一上班,网上的热度还没消减,一进办公室,几个年轻人都在讨论这件事。
By Monday when work started, the online 热度 hadn't subsided. As soon as I entered the office, a few young colleagues were discussing the matter.
“林凯杰以前干了那么多缺德事,全都靠钱摆平,连案都没立过,没想到这次遇到个有骨气的,跟他杠上了,这就叫光脚不怕穿鞋的,那个莫伟一个残疾人,唯一的亲人没了,也就没什么好怕的了。虽说过失致人死亡罪判不了多久,但坐个一年半载也够这种富家子弟受的。”
Lin Kajie had done so many unscrupulous things in the past, all of which he managed to get away with through money, never facing any charges. I didn't expect him to run into someone with backbone this time, who stood up to him. That's what they say, the barefoot doesn't fear the shoes. Mo Wei, a disabled person, lost his only relative, so he has nothing to fear. Although the crime of negligent homicide might not result in a long sentence, a year or two would be enough to make a rich kid suffer.
“这个也难说,他的辩护律师是柏冬青,以柏大律师的本事,这种案子打个缓刑应该不是什么难事。”
It's hard to say. His defense lawyer is Bo Dongqing, and with Bo's skills, getting a suspended sentence for such a case shouldn't be too difficult.
“谁知道呢?案发了几个月死者家属才忽然在网上发文,而且声势浩大,各种林凯杰黑料接连不断爆出来,还有凭有据,那个莫伟背后肯定有高人支招。用舆论倒逼司法,给庭审压力,案子审判结果肯定会考虑舆论。”
Who knows? It took the family of the deceased several months to suddenly post a statement online, and it was quite a big deal. A steady stream of black material about Lin Kajie kept surfacing, all with evidence. Mo Wei must have had someone behind the scenes giving him advice. Using public opinion to pressure the justice system and put pressure on the trial, the outcome of the case will definitely take public opinion into account.
“是啊!话说回来,一个好好的女孩,就这么被林凯杰这个人渣害得没了性命,更何况那林凯杰还不知道做过多少恶事。柏冬青给这种人辩护,要真能脱罪,他的良心不会痛吗?”
Indeed! To think that a decent girl like that would lose her life because of someone like Lin Kajie, and he hasn't done enough evil deeds? How can Bao Dongqing defend such a person and still have a conscience if he truly gets off the hook?
“律师能有什么良心,天天干的就是这种事,最是冷血无情的一个群体。”
Lawyers have no conscience. They do this kind of thing every day, the most cold-hearted and 无情的一群人.
许煦听到大家讨论得热火朝天,到底没忍住,插嘴道:“这本来就是人家的工作,网友们瞎起哄也就算了,咱们都是做这一行的,说这些话就有点不应该了吧!”
Xu Xu couldn't resist joining the heated discussion and said, "This is just their job. It's understandable for netizens to get worked up, but as professionals in this field, shouldn't we refrain from saying such things?"
她刚说完,还没等到其他人反驳,主编从办公室走出来打断了他们的讨论:“许煦,你来一下!”
Before anyone could 反驳,主编从办公室走了出来打断了他们的讨论:“许煦,你过来一下!”
第45节
Chapter 45
许煦走进主编办公室:“主编,有何吩咐?”
Xu Xu walked into the chief editor's office: "Chief Editor, any instructions?"
主编道:“林凯杰这个案子估计接下来一直到开庭,都是热点,你负责跟吧!”
The chief editor said, "The Lin Kajie case is likely to remain a hot topic until the trial. You'll be in charge of following up on it!"
许煦道:“之前不是小沐跟的吗?”
Xu Xu asked, "Didn't Xia Mu handle it before?"
“小沐手上有别的任务,暂时空不出来,最近就你工作比较少,所以就你负责吧!”
Little Mu is currently occupied with other tasks and can't free up time for now. Since you've been working less recently, you'll be in charge of this case!
这几年许煦是尽可能避免跟柏冬青负责的案子,但这回看主编的口气,确实是没有其他人手了,想了想,还是点头:“行!”
In recent years, Xu Xu had tried to avoid being assigned cases under Bai Dongqing's supervision, but this time, from the editor-in-chief's tone, it seemed there were no other available hands. After a moment's thought, she nodded: "Okay!"
主编给她递了一张纸条:“这是莫伟的联系方式和地址,你待会儿去走访一下。”
The editor-in-chief handed her a note: "Here is Mo Wei's contact information and address. You should go visit him later."
许煦接过纸条看了眼,从主编办公室出来,查好案子的资料,便出了门。
Xu Xu took the note and glanced at it before leaving the editor-in-chief's office to gather the necessary case 资料 and then went out.
莫伟住的地方在一处城中村,破破烂烂的巷子里,散发着一股腐烂的臭味,坑坑洼洼的地面,积满里不少污水,时不时有老鼠在大白天招摇过市。
Mowei's place was in a shabby alley of a suburban village within the city. The air was filled with a foul stench of decay, and the ground was uneven and filled with standing water. Mice occasionally scurried about during the day.
许煦虽然也采访过一些底层,但这种地方确实很少来过,甚至有点不敢相信,繁华的都市腹地,竟然还有这样残破的存在。
Xuxu had interviewed people from the lower classes before, but she had rarely, if ever, been to a place like this. She couldn't quite believe that in the heart of a bustling metropolis, there could still be such a dilapidated area.
巷子两旁的平房门口,坐着穿着清凉的女人,以及形容猥琐的无业游民,都在往许煦这个与此处格格不入的闯入者看过来。
The doors of the shabby houses on both sides of the alley were occupied by women dressed in revealing clothing and disreputable unemployed vagrants, all of whom were looking at Xuxu, an intruder who did not belong in this place.
这些目光让她很有些不自在,于是加快了脚步。
These gazes made her feel quite uncomfortable, so she quickened her pace.
可是走了没几米,面前忽然窜出两个混混模样的男人,不怀好意地挡住了她的去路。
However, after walking a few meters, two men who looked like thugs suddenly darted out in front of her, blocking her path with malicious intent.
她往左,他们也往左;她往右,他们也往右。
She moved left, and they moved left; she moved right, and they moved right.
等她皱眉停下,那两人干脆朝她靠过来。只是人还没靠近,她人忽然被人往后拉了一把,一道高大的身影挡在了自己面前。
When she frowned and stopped, the two men simply moved closer to her. Before they could get close, she was suddenly pulled back by someone, and a tall figure stood in front of her.
这人穿着蓝色的检察制服衬衣,站在这窄小的巷子里,看起来气宇轩昂。
This person was wearing a blue 检察 uniform shirt, and standing in this narrow alley, they looked majestic and imposing.
那两个混混看到胸口佩戴徽章的人,自然不敢惹,一句话没说,假装是路人,打着哈哈哈擦身离开了。
Those two thugs, seeing the person with a badge on their chest, naturally didn't dare to provoke them. Without saying a word, they pretended to be passersby and walked past with a laugh.
在这种地方遇到程放,许煦还是很惊讶的,奇怪问道:“你怎么在这里?”
Xu Xu was quite surprised to run into Cheng Fang in such a place, and curiously asked, "Why are you here?"
程放转头看她,轻描淡写道:“我来走访被害人家属。你呢?”
Cheng Fang turned to look at her and lightly replied, "I came to visit the families of the victims. And you?"
许煦皱眉,不答反问:“林凯杰的案子?”
Xu Xu frowned and asked in return, "Lin Kaijie's case?"
程放点头。
Cheng Fang nodded.
许煦:“我看资料之前检方那边负责的人不是你啊!”
Xu Xu: "I thought the person in charge from the prosecution side was not you before I looked at the 资料!"
程放道:“负责的检察员请产假了,刚刚转到我手上。”说着,挑挑眉,“怎么?你是来采访这个案子?”
Cheng Fang said, "The prosecutor on duty took a maternity leave, and it just transferred to me." As he spoke, he raised an eyebrow, "What's up? Are you here to interview this case?"
许煦耸耸肩:“是啊!”
Xu Xu shrugged, "Yeah!"
还真是凑巧!
It's really coincidental!
辩护律师是柏冬青,公诉人是程放,自己则被主编派来跟这个案子。
The defense lawyer is Bai Dongqing, the prosecutor is Cheng Fang, and I was assigned by the editor-in-chief to handle this case.
世界可真小!
The world is truly small!
第56章
Chapter 56
这是一所典型的城中村平房,房子很有些历史了, 外面青砖斑驳, 屋内光线暗淡。
This is a typical shanty house in the city, the house has quite a bit of history. The exterior is covered in weathered gray bricks, and the interior is dimly lit.
房子里很简陋, 只有寥寥几样旧家具, 不过收拾得还算干净,中间的柜子上上, 摆放着一张硕大的黑白照片, 照片的人正是死者莫辛。青春靓丽的女孩, 已经消失在这个世界。
The house is very simple, with only a few old pieces of furniture. However, it is reasonably clean. On the cabinet in the middle, there is a large black and white photo, and the person in the photo is the deceased, Mo Xin. The young woman, who was once vibrant and beautiful, has disappeared from this world.
拄着拐子的莫伟给两人用一次性杯子到了水,放在沙发前的茶几上,神色很有些拘谨, 手足无措地似乎不知道要干什么。
Mo Wei, leaning on a cane, served the two people water in disposable cups and placed them on the coffee table in front of the sofa. His expression was somewhat tense, and he seemed at a loss as to what to do.
许煦默默打量了这个年轻人一眼,大概二十五六岁,五官挺清秀, 和妹妹有几分相似, 只不过大概是出身环境和身体的缘故,整个人显得有些木讷怯弱。
Xu Xu silently sized up this young man, who was probably around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His features were quite delicate, somewhat resembling his sister. However, due to his upbringing and physical condition, he appeared somewhat dull and timid.
程放朝他笑了笑:“坐吧!不用紧张。”
Cheng Fang smiled at him and said, "Sit down! You don't need to be nervous."
莫伟点头坐下, 看了眼许煦, 朝程放道:“程检, 这位记者是跟你一起的吗?这两天有好多记者想采访我, 但张律师说不要随便接受采访, 以免说错话。”说着又道,“对了,谢谢你给我介绍张律师, 要不是她帮忙,我也写不出那么长的文章,更不知道应该发在网上。”
Mowei nodded and sat down, glanced at Xu Xu, and then said to Cheng Fang, "Inspector Cheng, is this journalist with you? A lot of reporters have wanted to interview me these past two days, but Lawyer Zhang said not to give interviews casually to avoid saying something wrong." He then added, "By the way, thank you for introducing Lawyer Zhang to me. If it weren't for her help, I wouldn't have been able to write such a long article, and I wouldn't have known where to publish it."
他说的张律师,是法援中心的律师,因为是公诉案,他之前并不知道还需要寻求律师的介入。
The lawyer he mentioned was from the Legal Aid Center. Before this, he didn't know that he would need to seek a lawyer's involvement for a public prosecution case.
程放笑了笑:“没事,只要能给你提供帮助就好。”说着,看了眼许煦,“这是法治周刊的许记者,正规的法律刊物,你可以接受她的采访。”
Cheng Fang smiled and said, "No problem, as long as I can help you." Then he looked at Xu Xu and said, "This is Xu, a journalist from the Legal Weekly. She is from a legitimate legal publication, so you can accept her interview."
许煦从进入这间房子的那一刻,就有种难以描述的压抑感,简陋的陈设,黑白照片上的女孩,木讷的男人,仿佛都在昭显着底层人群的无力、痛苦和迷茫,以至于她如鲠在喉,一直都没有开口说话。
Xu Xu felt an indescribable sense of oppression from the moment she stepped into the room. The simple furnishings, the girl in the black and white photograph, and the wooden, expressionless man all seemed to 昭示着底层人群的无力、痛苦和迷茫,以至于她如鲠在喉,一直都没有开口说话。
待程放说完这句,她才回神,牵强地笑了笑:“你有什么先做,我采访不急。”
Only after Cheng Fang finished speaking did she snap back to reality,勉强地 smiled: "You go ahead and do what you need to, I'm not in a rush for the interview."
程放道:“我今天来也就是了解一下情况,看莫伟有什么需要帮助的。目前案子已经移交法院,只等着开庭了。”
Cheng Fang said, "I came here today just to get a better understanding of the situation and see if there's anything Mo Wei needs help with. The case has already been transferred to the court, and it's just waiting for the trial to begin."
莫伟低声问道:“害死我妹妹的凶手能得到惩罚吗?”
Mo Wei asked in a low voice, "Will the murderer who killed my sister receive punishment?"
程放默了片刻:“你的心情我理解,我只能说会尽力将凶手绳之于法,但这是过失致人死亡案,弹性很大,我不能给你做出保证。”
Cheng Fang fell silent for a moment. "I understand your feelings. I can only say that I will do my best to bring the murderer to justice, but this is a case of negligent homicide, and there is a lot of flexibility. I cannot give you any guarantees."
莫伟闻言黯然地低下头。
Mowei lowered his head in dejection upon hearing this.
程放又道:“你也不用太失落,大家一起努力,总能替你妹妹讨回公道的。”
Cheng Fang continued, "You don't need to be too disheartened. With everyone's efforts, we can still seek justice for your sister."
莫伟点头,想起什么似得起身,拄着拐杖一瘸一拐从后面的电视柜抽屉,拿出一叠本子文件之类的东西,折身过来,递给程放:“程检,这是你之前让我整理的我妹妹上学时的成绩和奖状。”
Mowei nodded, then stood up as if remembering something, hobbled over to the TV cabinet at the back, and pulled out a stack of notebooks and certificates. He turned back and handed them to Cheng Fang. "Cheng Procurator, these are the grades and awards my sister received during her schooling, as you asked me to 整理 them."
程放接过来:“行,我先看看。”说着又朝许煦道,“我没什么事了,你可以采访了!”
Cheng Fang took it and said, "Sure, I'll take a look first." Then he turned to Xu Xu and said, "I don't have anything else, you can start your interview now!"
许煦打开录音笔,看向莫伟,嗓子又些发紧,道:“莫先生,您可以先介绍一下您和您妹妹的情况吗!”
Xu Xu turned on her recorder and looked at Mo Wei, her throat tightening again. She said, "Mr. Mo, could you first introduce your and your sister's situation?"
莫伟嘴唇翕张几下,才发出声音:“我们的情况,我在微博上已经写得很清楚了。”
Mo Wei's lips moved a few times before he managed to speak, "The details of our situation are already clearly stated in my Weibo post."
许煦也明白,让这个男人用嘴巴说出来,还不如去那篇文章提炼自己要的信息。她没继续追问,想了想道:“据我所知,您之前应该已经答应嫌疑人一方提出的和解赔偿,也准备出示家属谅解书。但是为什么前天忽然发出那篇文章?”
Xu Xu understood that it would be better to extract the information she needed from that article rather than asking him to say it. She didn't continue to 追问 and thought for a moment before saying, "As far as I know, you had already agreed to the reconciliation compensation proposed by the suspect side and were preparing to submit a family reconciliation statement. But why did you suddenly publish that article the day before yesterday?"
莫伟听她这样问,忽然激动起来,涨红脸道:“那是因为之前林家的律师一直告诉我,这是最好的方式,说就算我不接受赔偿,不出示谅解书,也不会影响案件的审判结果,但是赔偿金却会有很大的差别。”
Mowei, hearing her question, suddenly became agitated and blushed, saying, "That's because the Lin family's lawyer has always been telling me that this is the best way. They said that even if I don't accept the compensation and don't submit a letter of forgiveness, it won't affect the outcome of the trial, but the compensation amount would be very different."
许煦知道他说的是柏冬青,她忽略掉心里那点不舒服的感觉,继续问道:“法院判决的赔偿和被告主动提出的一百万赔偿金,肯定是有很大差别的。您之前应该考虑过这种情况,所以才答应,为什么忽然拒绝接受赔偿金?”
Xuxu knew he was referring to Badeqing. She ignored the uncomfortable feeling in her heart and continued, "The compensation awarded by the court and the one million yuan offered by the defendant are definitely very different. You must have considered this situation before agreeing, so why did you suddenly refuse the compensation?"
莫伟的表情愈发激动:“那是……那是因为林家的律师说林凯杰坐牢的几率微乎其微,而且周围的人也让我不要跟林家对着干,他们有钱有势,捏死我比捏死一只蚂蚁还容易,我没有钱也不懂法律,还是个残废,不知道自己能为妹妹做些什么,所以就退缩了。直到张律师和程检他们说会帮我,会努力为我妹妹讨回公道,告诉我该怎么做,我才知道这个世上还是有正义和公道的。我妹妹的命已经没了,我怎么能去用她的命换一百万自己花!就算我再穷,也做不出这种事。”
Mowei's expression became even more agitated, "That's... that's because the Lin family's lawyer said that Lin Kajie's chances of going to jail are virtually non-existent, and the people around me told me not to oppose the Lin family. They are rich and powerful, and it would be easier for them to crush me than to crush an ant. I have no money and don't understand the law, and I'm a cripple. I didn't know what I could do for my sister, so I backed down. It wasn't until Zhang lawyer and Cheng procurator and others said they would help me and work hard to seek justice for my sister, telling me what to do, that I realized there is still justice and fairness in this world. My sister's life is already gone, how could I use her life to exchange for one million yuan to spend on myself! Even if I'm very poor, I wouldn't do such a thing."
他说到这里,眼眶早就发红,泪水涌出来,哽咽道:“我妹妹进林氏集团后,三天两头就被林凯杰拉去应酬喝酒,说是助理,根本就是让她当陪酒小姐,短短半年就得了胃病。我让她辞职,可我妹妹才刚刚毕业,好不容易找到这么高薪的工作,一门心思想要改善我们生活,总是说忍忍就过去了,可是没想到忍耐的结果,是把命都丢了。”
By this point, his eyes were already red, tears welling up, and he choked out, "After my sister joined the Lin Group, she was dragged to parties and drinking sessions by Lin Kajie every other day, pretending to be an assistant, but in reality, she was just a cocktail waitress. In just half a year, she developed stomach problems. I asked her to quit, but my sister had just graduated and found such a high-paying job, always thinking about improving our lives and saying to just bear with it for a while. But she never imagined that the result of enduring would be losing her life."
一个不善言辞的男人,一口气说这么多话,显然是被激出来。说完就嚎啕大哭起来:“我妹妹才二十二岁啊!难道就是因为有钱,害死了人都不用负责了吗?那些做律师的,为了钱,就可以昧着良心帮助坏人脱罪吗?”
A man who rarely speaks has suddenly said so much, clearly provoked. After finishing, he burst into tears: "My sister is only twenty-two! Does it mean that because she's rich, she doesn't have to take responsibility for killing someone? Do lawyers, for money, help bad people escape punishment even if they know they are guilty?"
这下轮到许煦不知道说什么了,只能公式地道:“坏人也有辩护的权利,但法律是公正的,我相信法律会给你妹妹一个交代的。”
Now Xu Xu didn't know what to say and could only say formulaically: "Bad people have the right to defend themselves, but the law is fair. I believe the law will give your sister a fair judgment."
莫伟红着脸眼睛问:“是吗?”
Mo Weihong asked with a flushed face: "Is that true?"
一旁正在对那些成绩单和奖状拍照的程放道:“林凯杰那边有律师,但你和你妹妹有我们,我作为公诉人,肯定回竭尽全力。”
Cheng Fang, who was taking photos of the 成绩单 and 奖状 beside them, said: "Lin Kajie has a lawyer, but you and your sister have us. As the prosecutor, I will definitely do my best."
莫伟哽咽道:“谢谢程检,要不是你,我都不知道怎么办?可能只能眼睁睁看着害死我妹妹的凶手逍遥法外。”
Mo Wei choked out, "Thank you, Cheng Procurator. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do? I might have to watch the person who killed my sister get away with it."
见莫伟情绪激动,许煦很快就结束了这场采访,与程放一块离开了。
Seeing Mo Wei's emotional state, Xu Xu quickly concluded the interview and left with Cheng Fang.
出门后,她心事沉沉,一直到走出巷子口都没有说话,也没看一眼程放,最后还是一直默默注意着她的程检先开口:“我有点难以想象,老三在用他做律师的技巧说服莫伟接受赔偿,出示谅解书的时候,是什么样的心情!”
After stepping out, she was deep in thought, not speaking a word until they reached the end of the alley. It was Cheng Fang who finally broke the silence, "I can hardly imagine how he felt when he used his legal skills to convince Mo Wei to accept the compensation and submit the letter of forgiveness!"
许煦回神,皱了皱眉,轻描淡写道:“对于莫伟的现状,难道不是接受赔偿更明智吗?就算林凯杰被判入狱,过失致人死亡罪顶多也就三五年,而且他已经道歉,主动赔偿,在审判中肯定会考虑从轻处理,两三年的刑罚能有多大意义?”
Xu Xu returned to her thoughts, furrowing her brow, and said lightly, "Isn't accepting the compensation the wiser choice for Mo Wei's situation? Even if Lin Kajie is sentenced to prison, the maximum for negligent homicide is only three to five years. Moreover, he has already apologized and offered compensation, and the court will definitely consider leniency in the trial. What real significance can a two to three-year sentence have?"
程放轻笑了笑:“看来你和老三一样理智。”顿了下,又道,“只是你心里是真这么想的吗?或者说如果你是莫伟,你会这么想吗?”
Cheng Fang lightly smiled and said, "It seems you're as rational as Old Three." Pausing, he added, "But do you really think that way? Or if you were Mo Wei, would you think the same?"
许煦一时噤声。
Xu Xu fell silent for a moment.
程放走到自己车边,拉开车门,又转头道:“我记得老三曾经说过,学法律是希望能尽己所能寻求公正和正义,我不知道他忘了没有,但我没有忘。你转告他,不管林家和他有多大的能量,我这个小检察官,一定会替莫家兄妹尽自己最大的努力。”
Cheng Fang walked to his car, opened the door, and then turned to say, "I remember Old Three once said that studying law was to seek justice and fairness as much as possible. I don't know if he has forgotten, but I haven't. Tell him, no matter how much power the Lin family has, this small prosecutor of mine will do my utmost to help the Mo siblings."
第57章
Chapter 57
一个下午,许煦的心都很乱, 也没有心思整理采访稿, 一直在网上翻看网友的各种言论。
One afternoon, Xu Xu's mind was in turmoil, and she had no 心思整理 the interview transcript, constantly browsing various comments from netizens online.
之前看到骂柏冬青的话, 恨不得撸袖子跟人干一架, 但是现在看到那些谩骂,脑子想着莫伟和莫辛兄妹, 想着那间昏暗的平房, 以及莫伟的拐杖和哭泣, 她忽然就有点迷茫了。
Previously, seeing the insults directed at Bai Dongqing, she wished to roll up her sleeves and fight with someone, but now seeing those insults, her mind wandered to Mo Wei and his brother Mo Xin, to the dimly lit room, and to Mo Wei's cane and his tears. She suddenly felt a bit lost.
作为一个律师,柏冬青在程序上没有任何错误,但是在道义上, 他这么做,甚至在某种程度上利用了莫伟的怯弱和无知,显然是值得商榷的。
As a lawyer, Bai Dongqing made no mistakes procedurally, but from a moral standpoint, his actions, even to some extent exploiting Mo Wei's timidity and naivety, were certainly open to debate.
就如程放问的, 他面对莫伟的时候, 还有没有恻隐之心?
Just as Cheng Fang asked, did he still have any compassion when facing Mo Wei?
其实之前她就问过,但他并没有回答自己的疑问, 而且表现得很平静, 这意味着他已经见惯不怪了。
Actually, she had asked him before, but he did not answer her question and instead appeared calm, which meant he had grown accustomed to it.
是不是律师做久了, 内心的柔软就真的渐渐被坚硬所替代?
Is it true that the inner softness truly gets gradually replaced by hardness after working as a lawyer for too long?
许煦忽然有点难受, 那可是看到在寒风中卖红薯的老人都会动恻隐之心的柏冬青啊!
Xu Xu suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. That was Bai Dongqing, who would feel compassion even for an old man selling sweet potatoes in the cold wind!
这天下班后, 她回去得比较晚,难得柏冬青比她先到家。
That day, she got home later than usual after work, and it was rare for Bai Dongqing to arrive home before her.
“怎么这么晚?和朋友出去玩了吗?”见她进门,坐在沙发上看电脑的柏冬青抬头问。
"How so late? Were you out with friends?" Bai Dongqing looked up from the computer as she entered and asked.
许煦点点头, 沉默地走过来,在他旁边坐下,看着他不说话。
Xu Xu nodded and walked over in silence, sitting down beside him without saying a word.
柏冬青觉察她的异样,问:“怎么了?”
Bai Dongqing sensed something was amiss and asked, "What's wrong?"
许煦抿抿唇,道:“我被我们主编派了跟林凯杰的案子,今天去采访了莫伟。”
Xu Xu pursed her lips and said, "I was assigned to interview Mo Wei for Lin Kajie's case by our editor-in-chief today."
柏冬青倒是没觉得意外,神色平静地看向她:“你是不是觉得他们很可怜?觉得我的做法很可恶?”
Bai Dongqing didn't seem surprised. He looked at her calmly and said, "Do you think they are pitiful? Do you think my actions are despicable?"
许煦犹疑了片刻,点点头:“你有没有利用他的贫穷和无知,让他接受赔偿,谅解林凯杰?”
Xu Xu hesitated for a moment and nodded, "Did you take advantage of his poverty and ignorance to make him accept the compensation and forgive Lin Kajie?"
柏冬青微微蹙眉,有些无奈地笑了笑:“不管林凯杰人品有多恶劣,在这个案子里,目前的证据显示,就是过失致人死亡。积极主动赔偿是减轻刑罚的途径之一,也是他的权利。而对于莫伟来说,他当然也可以放弃赔偿,以求能够重判。但是过失致人死亡案,在被告人积极主动赔偿的背景下,能判多少?就算是没有律师辩护,也就是两三年。这两三年对于莫伟来说,能解心头之恨吗?他腿有残疾,接受赔偿让自己接下来生活更有保障,在我看来,比赌这口气实用。”
Bai Dongqing frowned slightly and smiled helplessly, "No matter how bad Lin Kajie's character is, in this case, the current evidence shows that it is manslaughter due to negligence. Actively compensating is one of the ways to mitigate punishment, and it is his right. As for Mo Wei, of course, he can also choose to forgo compensation in order to seek a harsher sentence. But in a manslaughter case, how much can the sentence be reduced if the defendant is actively compensating? Even without a lawyer, it would only be two to three years. For Mo Wei, can those two to three years settle his grudge? He has a disability in his leg, and accepting compensation will make his future life more secure. In my view, it is more practical than taking a stand."
说到这里,他又自顾地轻笑一声,“我知道,这是站着说话不腰疼,甚至可能会让人觉得是在找借口,可这确实是事实。”
He then laughed lightly to himself, "I know, it's easy for me to say, and it might even make people think I'm making excuses, but that's the truth."
他说的这些,许煦当然都想过,只是想事一回事,面对真实世界又是另外一回事。
He had certainly thought about all of this, but the difference between thinking about it and facing the real world was another matter.
她神色纠结地看着他:“那你会难受吗?”
She looked at him with a conflicted expression: "So you would be uncomfortable?"
柏冬青沉默了片刻,点头:“当然难受。但是在办案子的时候,必须把个人的情绪剔除开来,不然就没办客观地去做这件事。而一个律师一旦失去客观的能力,那么他就无法去发现案子可能存在的问题,冤案错案也就来了!”
Bai Dongqing remained silent for a moment before nodding: "Of course, I would be uncomfortable. But when handling cases, we must remove personal emotions from the equation, otherwise we cannot do this objectively. And if a lawyer loses their ability to be objective, they will fail to discover potential issues in the case, leading to wrongful convictions!"
许煦道:“我明白你说的,但你也要答应我,永远记得你学法律的初衷。”
Xu Xu said, "I understand what you're saying, but you must promise me that you will always remember why you studied law."
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“我答应你。”
Bai Dongqing lightly smiled and said, "I promise you."
许煦想了想又道:“我会一直跟这个案子,虽然报道会客观中立,但报道传达的情感,可能和大部分舆论一样,站在被害者一方。”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and added, "I will keep following this case. Although the report will be objective and neutral, the emotions conveyed might align with most public opinion, supporting the victim."
柏冬青失笑:“你不站在被害者?难道站在林凯杰这一方么?你大胆的写,不用在乎我的感受,因为撇去律师这个身份,情感上我也是站在被害者一方的。”
Bai Dongqing laughed derisively, "You're not siding with the victim? Then you're siding with Lin Kajie, right? Go ahead and write boldly; you don't need to care about my feelings. After all, without my lawyer identity, I'm also on the side of the victim emotionally."
许煦微微松开了口气,想起什么似的,道:“对了,检方公诉人换成了程放,你知道的吧?”
Xu Xu slightly relaxed and, as if remembering something, said, "By the way, the prosecutor for the prosecution changed to Cheng Fang. You know that, right?"
柏冬青点头:“知道!”说着叹了口气,“我还真希望他能赢呢。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "I know!" He then sighed, "I really hope he would win."
第58章
Chapter 58
接下来的两个月,林凯杰的案子在网上的热度一直没减下来, 关于林凯杰的各种黑历史满天飞。
For the next two months, Lin Kajie's case remained highly discussed online, with various black histories of Lin Kajie flying everywhere.
网络一旦开闸, 想要再堵住就难了, 钱在这种时候也并非万能, 何况仇富本就是一种从众心理,连带着对柏冬青的谩骂, 也不绝于耳。
Once the internet gates were opened, it was difficult to block it again, and money was not omnipotent at such times. Moreover,仇富 was a form of herd mentality, so the abuse directed at Bai Dongqing never ceased.
而柏冬青本人除了那几桩有争议的案子, 没有任何实质性的黑料, 甚至所有匿名知情人对他的评价都很好。但正是这种没有黑料,反倒成了黑料。
And Bai Dongqing himself, aside from a few controversial cases, had no substantial black material. In fact, all anonymous informants spoke highly of him. But it was precisely this lack of black material that became the black material.
当他的身世背景成长经历被扒出来后,网友们如同打了鸡血般, 乐此不疲地编造一个烈士之后五好青年,在走上社会后,逐渐迷失在名利中的故事。一个二十八岁的顶级律所合伙人, 实在是太值得人们给他编造故事了。
When his background and growth experiences were exposed, netizens, as if injected with adrenaline, delightedly fabricated the story of a virtuous youth, the son of a martyr, who gradually lost his way in fame and profit after entering society. A 28-year-old partner at a top law firm was indeed too worthy of having stories fabricated about him.
第46节
Chapter 46
甚至还有网友杜撰出他为了往上爬, 用尽心机找了一个有钱女友。
Even some netizens fabricated the story that he had used all his wits to find a wealthy girlfriend in order to climb the social ladder.
许煦真是哭笑不得,她这个女友家境是还算不错, 但在一起多年, 别说是对他事业没有半点帮助, 就是生活上也是花他钱更多, 毕竟月薪六千块的自己, 买个贵点的包都难。
Xu Xu was truly at a loss, her girlfriend's family was not bad off, but after being together for many years, not only had she not helped with his career in the slightest, she had actually spent more of his money. After all, with her own monthly salary of only six thousand yuan, it was hard for her to even buy an expensive handbag.
不过对于这些谩骂,柏冬青自己倒是没有任何反应,他仍旧是上班加班, 忙忙碌碌,也没有和许煦多聊过案情,仿佛这只是一桩再平常不过的案子。
However, regarding these insults, Bai Dongqing did not react at all. He continued to work overtime and hustle, without discussing the case with Xu Xu much, as if it was just another ordinary case.
倒是许煦因为一直跟进案子进展,走访了好多次莫伟,遇到了好几回程放,还专门采访过他这个公诉人。
On the other hand, Xu Xu, who had been closely following the case's progress, visited Mo Wei several times and encountered Cheng Fang a few times. She even conducted a special interview with him, the prosecutor.
在上学那会儿,许煦对于程放致力于当检察官这件事,从来没和正义感联系起来,只当是还在中二期的男生对制服和权力的向往。但现在看到他为这件并不算大案的案子费心费力,倒是有了不少改观。
In her school days, Xu Xu had never associated Cheng Fang's dedication to becoming a prosecutor with a sense of justice, only seeing it as a typical male high schooler's admiration for uniforms and power. But now, seeing him put so much effort into a case that wasn't particularly significant, she had a new perspective.
他已经不是当年那个有些幼稚的大男孩,二十八岁的程检为人处事稳重周到,成熟得似乎都有点难以捉摸了。
He is no longer the somewhat naive young man he used to be. At twenty-eight, Cheng Jian handles himself and his affairs with a steadiness that seems almost enigmatic, having matured to a point that is hard to gauge.
不过除却私人的那点纠葛,单纯从工作关系来说,相处得还算愉快。
Still, apart from the personal entanglements, purely from a professional standpoint, their relationship has been quite pleasant.
转眼案子就要开庭,这是许煦第一次作为媒体成员去旁听柏冬青参与的案子。也不知是因为这层关系,还是对于结果的期盼,她竟然有些紧张。
With the trial about to begin, this is the first time Xu Xu has attended as a media member for a case involving Bai Dongqing. Whether it's due to this connection or her anticipation of the outcome, she feels a bit nervous.
早上两个人一起出门,她又忍不住问道:“我听程放说这个案子,他挺有信心的,送林凯杰坐两三年牢应该没问题,你这边到底怎么样?”
In the morning, as they left together, she couldn't help but ask again, "I heard from Cheng Fang that he's very confident about this case. He thinks sending Lin Kaijie to jail for two or three years should be no problem. How about your side?"
其实这几天这个问题她已经问过好几次,每次柏冬青的答案都差不多。
In fact, she had asked this question several times in the past few days, and each time Bo Dongqing's answer was similar.
他神色莫辨地看了看她,仍旧跟之前一样道:“我知道你想要看到林凯杰那种人受到应有的惩罚。但是就我现在手上拿到的最新证据,可能没办法达到你们想要的结果。”
He looked at her with a complex expression and still said as before, "I know you want to see Lin Kajie receive the punishment he deserves. But based on the latest evidence I have, it might not be possible to achieve the results you want."
至于什么新证据,他却没有细说。许煦也不好追问,毕竟这是他的工作。
As for what the new evidence was, he did not elaborate further. Xu Xu did not dare to 追问 either, after all, this was his job.
两人分道扬镳各自去了单位,然后再代表不同身份奔赴南区法院。
The two went their separate ways to their respective workplaces and then represented different identities to head to the South District Court.
撇去被告身份的特殊性,这其实只是一桩可以适用于简易程序的小案子。有监控有行车记录仪,有被告的口供,简单明了,连证人都不需要。
Without considering the defendant's special status, this is actually a small case that can be handled through a simplified procedure. With surveillance footage, a dashcam, the defendant's confession, and everything clear and straightforward, even a witness is not needed.
然而因为被告是人人皆知的富二代,案子广受关注,自然声势浩大,媒体蜂拥而至。
However, due to the defendant being a well-known rich second-generation, the case has received widespread attention, naturally leading to a grand and noisy affair with the media flocking in.
拿着旁听证的许煦和其他几家媒体一起进去坐下没多久,各方就陆陆续续到位。
Xu Xu, holding a 旁听证, and several other media outlets took their seats shortly after entering. Soon, all parties were in place.
十点,庭审正式开始。
At ten o'clock, the trial officially began.
穿着黑色律师袍的柏冬青坐在辩护人席位,微微蹙着眉头,从坐下后,就低头认真看着手中的资料。当书记员宣读到他的名单,他应答后,不知想到什么,忽然朝旁听席看了眼,很迅速的一眼,却准确地锁定了许煦的位置,神色有些莫辨,很快又低下头。
Ba Dongqing, dressed in a black lawyer's robe, sat in the defense 席位, slightly furrowing his brows. After sitting down, he lowered his head to carefully examine the documents in his hands. When the court clerk read out his name and he responded, he suddenly glanced at the public gallery, a quick look that accurately pinpointed Xu Xu's position. His expression was somewhat ambiguous, and he quickly lowered his head again.
这是许煦第一次看到他穿着律师袍的模样,脸还是那张自己再熟悉不过的脸,只是整个人透出来的感觉,却是一种让她有些陌生的严肃冷静,只消一眼就能让人确定,这是一个专业而优秀的律师。
This was the first time Xu Xu saw him in a lawyer's robe. The face was still the one he knew so well, but the overall demeanor exuded a sense of seriousness and professionalism that was somewhat unfamiliar to her. A single glance was enough to confirm that he was a professional and excellent lawyer.
穿着制服的程放作为公诉人坐在对面的公诉方位置,身旁还有一个同样穿着制服的女检察官。当许煦看向他时,他嘴角微微上扬,颇有些笃定的模样,朝他不着痕迹地轻点了点头。
Cheng Fang, wearing a uniform, sat as the prosecutor on the opposite prosecution 席位, with a female prosecutor in the same uniform beside him. When Xu Xu looked at him, the corner of his mouth slightly curled up, a look of certainty on his face. He subtly nodded his head in Xu Xu's direction.
许煦又环顾了下旁听席,莫伟就坐在左前方的位置,大约是第一次进这种地方,身体坐得很直,肩膀微微紧绷着,看起来很有些局促不安,直到他将目光投向程放,得到对方安抚般的点头示意,才稍稍安稳一些。
Xu Xu then glanced around the public gallery. Mo Wei was sitting in the front left position, probably for the first time in such a place. His body was straight, his shoulders slightly tense, looking rather uneasy. It wasn't until he met Cheng Fang's reassuring nod that he seemed to calm down a bit.
而坐在被告席的林凯杰,因为处在取保候审中,穿的是便服,神色轻松如常,虽然一开始就道歉,但明显公式化的说辞,表情中仿佛已经笃定自己不会坐牢一般。
Lin Kajie, who was sitting in the defendant's seat, was wearing civilian clothes as he was under bail, his expression relaxed as usual. Although he apologized at the beginning, his clearly formulaic words seemed to indicate that he was already certain he wouldn't end up in jail.
然而他的这种轻松,从法庭调查阶段开始,就一点点慢慢瓦解。
However, his sense of ease began to erode gradually from the start of the court investigation.
因为程放在讯问的时候,从他和莫辛的关系,到当晚开始是否饮酒,以及将一个女孩子丢在户外是否预见过危险性等等问题循序渐进,逻辑缜密又严谨。
This was because Cheng Fang, during the interrogation, methodically and rigorously asked about his relationship with Mo Xin, whether he had drunk alcohol that night, and whether he had foreseen any dangers in leaving a girl outdoors, among other questions.
本来他上庭前,已经有所准备,但程放作为辩论高手,太擅长诱导性的提问。一开始林凯杰还能招架得住,但很快就被程放拖下水,几乎每个答案都与初衷背道而驰,变成了对方想要的答案。甚至很快就被诱导承认了网上所爆料的他之前所犯的事。
Originally, he had prepared for his court appearance, but Cheng Fang, as a skilled debater, was too adept at leading questions. Lin Kajie could initially withstand the questions, but soon he was dragged into a situation where each answer contradicted his original intentions and became the answer Cheng Fang wanted. He was even quickly led to admit the offenses that had been reported online.
一个劣迹斑斑的形象,就这么在法庭上正式树立起来,以至于一开始他在庭上对受害者家属的道歉都显得有些可笑了。
An image marred by a sordid past was officially established in the courtroom, making his apology to the victim's family at the beginning seem somewhat laughable.
本来因为可以轻松以对的林凯杰,不知不觉急得满头汗,这才想起转头向柏冬青求助。程放问的一些问题,显然已经偏离本案,作为辩护律师,有权利提出反对意见,但是柏冬青一次都没提出过,甚至对林凯杰的求助都视而不见。
Originally, Lin Kajie could easily win, but he became so anxious that he started sweating, only then remembering to turn to Bao Dongqing for help. The questions Cheng Fang asked had clearly deviated from the case, and as a defense lawyer, he had the right to raise objections. However, Bao Dongqing never did so, not even acknowledging Lin Kajie's plea for help.
许煦皱眉看着神色平静到甚至有些消极的男人,心里有些狐疑。
Xu Xu frowned at the man whose expression was calm to the point of being 消极, feeling somewhat suspicious.
难道他是故意的?故意消极应对,输掉这个案子,把林凯杰这种人渣送进监狱?
Was he doing this on purpose? Intentionally 消极应对, losing the case, and sending a scumbag like Lin Kajie to prison?
但显然不太可能,因为照林家的诉求,林凯杰这个独苗,是一天牢都不会去坐的。就算是一审被判入狱,也绝对会上诉,到时候柏冬青这个辩护律师必然就会被换掉,那他的消极也就没有任何意义。
But it is clearly unlikely, as per the Lin family's demands, Lin Kajie, being the only child, would not spend a single day in prison. Even if he is sentenced to prison in the first trial, he would definitely appeal, and at that time, the defense lawyer, Bai Dongqing, would inevitably be replaced. Thus, his passive attitude would be meaningless.
检方的势头几乎已经呈压到式,林凯杰神色越来越焦急,尤其是面对辩护律师敷衍的提问时,他对柏冬青的恼火已经写在脸上。
The prosecution's momentum was almost overwhelming, causing Lin Kajie's expression to grow increasingly anxious. Especially when facing the perfunctory questions from the defense lawyer, his frustration with Bai Dongqing was evident on his face.
而到了庭辩环节,柏冬青除了坚持无罪辩论这个出发点,对于程放煽情又咄咄逼人的发言,他甚至都没拿笔作笔记准备反驳,只寥寥说了几句就结束,丝毫没有半点金牌律师的风范。
During the courtroom debate, Bai Dongqing only insisted on the point of innocence, and even for Cheng Fang's emotionally charged and aggressive statements, he didn't even take notes to prepare a rebuttal. He merely said a few words and concluded, showing no trace of a top-tier lawyer's demeanor.
公诉方的强势和缜密,几乎让所有希望林凯杰恶有恶报的旁听者,包括莫伟在内,都暗暗松了口气。
The prosecution's strength and meticulousness almost made all the observers, including Mo Wei, who hoped for Lin Kajie's just punishment, secretly sigh with relief.
只有许煦那口提在胸口的气,一直没松弛下来,她一动不动地看着柏冬青。
Only Xu Xu's breath remained tight in her chest as she watched Bao Dongqing motionless.
因为她没有忘记这几天他对她说过的话。
Because she hadn't forgotten what he had said to her these past few days.
到了辩护人最后的称述,柏冬青站起来,沉默了片刻,忽然转头看向旁听席上的莫伟,又看了眼许煦,脸上出现一丝挣扎犹疑的表情,最终还是转过头对向合议庭的法官们。
When the defense attorney concluded their final statement, Bao Dongqing stood up, paused for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at Mo Wei in the audience. He glanced at Xu Xu as well, showing a hint of hesitation, before finally turning to face the judges of the deliberation panel.
“审判长!两位合议庭的审判员,我这里有一份新的证据要提交。”
Judge! The two judges of the deliberation panel, I have a new piece of evidence to submit.
审判长点点头,庭审工作人员将他手中的文件袋接过去呈上。
The presiding judge nodded, and the court staff took the file folder from his hand and presented it.
柏冬青道:“死者遇害时,现场留下的物品里有一部损坏的手机,我查了这部手机的通话记录,在十二点十分钟到二十分之间,她曾用这个手机拨打过哥哥的电话,总共拨打过三次,不过拨打的号码没有人接听,应该是处于关机状态。当然这个不重要,重要的是,监控和行车记录仪显示的事发时间是十一点五十,这表明死者被被告推下后的二十分钟内还活着,并没有溺水,也就意味着她的溺亡和被告没有直接关系。”
Bai Dongqing said, "When the victim was murdered, there was a damaged mobile phone left at the scene. I checked the call records of this phone. Between 12:10 and 12:20, she had called her brother three times using this phone, but the calls were not answered, indicating that the phone was likely turned off. Of course, this is not important. What is important is that the surveillance footage and the car's dashcam showed the incident occurred at 11:50. This indicates that the victim was still alive for at least twenty minutes after being pushed by the defendant and had not drowned. This means her drowning had no direct connection to the defendant."
她这番话一出,不仅仅是旁听席发出哗然的声音,就是合议庭的法官和公诉方的检察官都脸色大变。
With these words, not only did the spectators in the public gallery react with a commotion, but even the judges in the collegial panel and the prosecutor from the prosecution office were visibly shocked.
柏冬青略作停顿,又道:“这份证据还有一份心理诊断报告,在事发前两个月,死者去看过心理医生,被确诊为中度抑郁症,甚至出现过轻微的自杀倾向。有理由推断,死者是在跌下路边后,抑郁症发作自杀的。”
Bai Dongqing paused for a moment and continued, "This evidence also includes a psychological diagnosis report. Two months before the incident, the victim had visited a psychologist and was diagnosed with moderate depression, even showing signs of mild suicidal tendencies. It can be reasonably inferred that the victim committed suicide after falling off the roadside due to her depression."
首先是旁听席的莫伟站起来大叫一声:“不可能!不可能!”
First, Mo Wei from the audience stood up and shouted loudly: "Impossible! Impossible!"
而坐在被告席的林凯杰,则是抑制不住大笑起来,神色有些失控的癫狂:“我是冤枉的!我是冤枉的!那女人的死跟我没关系!”
Lin Kajie, sitting in the defendant's 席位, couldn't help but burst into uncontrollable laughter, his expression manic and out of control: "I am innocent! I am innocent! That woman's death has nothing to do with me!"
本来安静肃穆的法庭,一时躁动起来,审判长赶紧用法槌维持秩序。
The originally quiet and solemn courtroom suddenly became agitated. The presiding judge quickly used the gavel to maintain order.
而丢下这一颗炸弹的柏冬青却始终神色平静,说完就坐下。
Bai Dongqing, who had dropped this bombshell, remained calm throughout. After speaking, she sat down.
许煦看了看他,又看向左前方的莫伟,这个年轻的男人,此时已经崩溃大哭起来。
Xu Xu looked at him and then turned to look at Mo Wei in the left front. This young man was now crying in despair.
如果柏冬青提供的证据是真实的,那么对于这个与妹妹相依为命的男人意味着什么,已经不言而喻。
If the evidence provided by Bai Dongqing is true, what it means for this man who relied on his sister for survival is beyond doubt.
妹妹出事的那个深夜,也许他关了手机,所以从来不知道,妹妹在结束生命前给自己打过三个电话。
On that night when his sister had an incident, perhaps he had turned off his phone, so he never knew that his sister had called him three times before ending her life.
如果当时他没有错过这三个电话,妹妹的命运应该就不会这样收场。
If he had not missed those three calls, his sister's fate might have been different.
这个突如其来的真相,远比莫辛意外死亡更加残忍。也难怪刚刚柏冬青会出现挣扎犹疑的表情。
This sudden truth was far more cruel than Moxin's unexpected death. It's no wonder that Ba Dongqing showed signs of hesitation just now.
许煦想过很多种不乐观的结果,比如说柏冬青用他当律师这么多年的技巧取胜,比如说法官看到林凯杰积极赔偿就轻判。
Xu Xu had considered many pessimistic outcomes, such as Ba Dongqing using his skills as a lawyer to win, or the judge giving a lighter sentence due to Lin Kajie's active compensation.
然而最终的结果,竟然是林凯杰和莫辛的死没有关系,他成为了一个被冤枉者。
However, the final result was that Lin Kajie's and Moxin's deaths were not related, and he became an innocent victim.
哪怕谁都知道,如果不是他推下那个可怜的女孩驱车离开,莫辛肯定就不会死在那个夜晚。
Even though everyone knew that if he hadn't pushed that poor girl out of the car, Moxin would definitely not have died that night.
第59章
Chapter 59
莫辛在现场留下的物品中,有身份证有名片, 现场有监控录像, 路面有滚落的痕迹, 莫辛身上有擦伤, 但死因很明确是溺亡。加上林凯杰的行车记录仪和口供,让这个案子看起来足够清晰明了。
In the items left behind by Mosin, there were an ID card and a business card. The scene had surveillance footage, and there were traces of rolling on the ground. Mosin had abrasions, but the cause of death was clearly drowning. With Lin Kajie's dashcam and his confession, the case appeared to be clear and straightforward.
警方不需要通过一个损坏的手机去确定溺水者的身份和死亡原因, 警方和检方在调查案情时, 就算按着流程去调查莫辛的通话记录和短信来往, 但电信营业厅提供的记录并不包含未接来电,那个拨打三次却没人接听的记录只存在于莫辛的手机里。
The police did not need to determine the identity and cause of death of the drowning victim through a damaged phone. Even if the police and prosecutors were to follow the procedures to investigate Mosin's call records and text messages, the records provided by the telecommunications service hall did not include missed calls. The record of a call that was made three times but went unanswered only existed in Mosin's phone.
柏冬青不知是用什么方法查到的,但真伪与否, 只需要打开那个作为遗物保存在莫家的手机就能清晰明了。
Bai Dongqing found out how, but the authenticity of the information only needed to be confirmed by opening the phone that was kept as a memento in the Mosin family.
一个拨打三次没人接听的电话记录,以及莫辛的心理诊断报告,让整个案子完全变了性质。因为谁也不会想到, 这场意外竟然是一个抑郁症患者的自杀。
A phone call that went unanswered after three attempts, along with Moxin's psychological evaluation report, completely changed the nature of the case. Because no one would have expected that this accident was actually a suicide by a patient with depression.
因为这个突如其来的反转, 合议庭还需要时间验证证据的真伪,案子没能当场宣判。不过谁都知道, 只要证据是真实的, 这个案子的结果没有宣判实际上就已经等于宣判。
Due to this sudden turn of events, the joint trial panel needed time to verify the authenticity of the evidence, and the case could not be immediately judged. However, everyone knew that as long as the evidence was genuine, the outcome of the case was essentially already decided without an official verdict.
从法庭出来, 媒体纷纷纷涌而上采访林凯杰。
After leaving the courtroom, the media swarmed to interview Lin Kajie.
他与柏冬青并肩而行, 身后簇拥着几个保镖和助手, 脸上是掩饰不住的得意,在门口被记者堵住后,对着镜头和话筒时侃侃而谈。
He walked alongside Bai Dongqing, flanked by several bodyguards and assistants, his face radiating an unmistakable sense of triumph. After being blocked by reporters at the door, he spoke confidently into the camera and microphone.
“这几个月我一直饱受着舆论的压力, 身心都受到很大的伤害,幸而我的律师证明了我的清白。对于莫小姐的意外,我我深感同情和愧疚,也承认当时因为争吵将她推倒丢下,是我犯下得一个严重的错误。而作为一个上司,我没有及时发现她的精神状况不正常,是我做得不好,这些我都不会推卸,也仍旧会对她的家属给予一定的补偿,这是道义上该做的,但她的死亡和我没有因果关系,我相信法院会给我一个公正的判决,我是无罪的。”
In the past few months, I have been under a great deal of public pressure, both mentally and physically. Fortunately, my lawyer has proven my innocence. I deeply sympathize and feel guilty about Miss Mo's accident, and I admit that I made a serious mistake by pushing her and leaving her behind during an argument. As a superior, I failed to notice her abnormal mental state in time, and I will not shirk responsibility for this. I will still offer some compensation to her family, which is the right thing to do. However, her death is not causally related to me, and I believe the court will give me a fair judgment, and I am innocent.
许煦没有走上前凑在人堆里采访,只是隔着远远看了那边一眼,就跟上了莫伟。莫伟被他的律师搀扶着,本来腿上就有残疾,此时走路愈发摇摇晃晃。
Xu Xu did not approach the crowd to conduct an interview, but instead glanced over at the other side from a distance and followed Mo Wei. Mo Wei was supported by his lawyer, and since he already had a physical disability, he was now walking unsteadily.
程放也在他旁边,脸色很是不好,有记者过来,被他冷漠地拒绝。
Cheng Fang was also nearby, looking rather unhappy. When a journalist approached, he coldly rejected them.
因为警方的调查结果,他一开始就认定了莫辛的死,是因为林凯杰的失手推倒。所以一门心思想将林凯杰送你监狱,想在庭审中赢过柏冬青,所有的调查,都是围着对林凯杰不利的方面,
Due to the results of the police investigation, he had from the beginning concluded that Mo Xin's death was due to Lin Kajie's accidental push. Therefore, he was determined to send Lin Kajie to prison and win the trial against Bai Dongqing. All the investigations were focused on aspects that were unfavorable to Lin Kajie.
他查过莫辛的通话记录,但是是从营业厅调出来的清单,因为这肯定是比手机更详细。实际上莫辛和林凯杰的信息来往,也确实显示莫辛总是被要求去应酬陪酒,甚至还有一些类似于要挟的对话,这些都足以让林凯杰在这件案子上很被动,哪怕他的罪名只是过失致人死亡。
He checked Mosin's call records, but they were from the business hall, as these were certainly more detailed than a mobile phone record. In fact, the exchanges of information between Mosin and Lin Kajie did indeed show that Mosin was always asked to attend banquets and drink, and there were even some threatening messages. These were enough to make Lin Kajie very passive in this case, even if his crime was only negligent homicide.
刚刚庭审中,他看到柏冬青消极应对,本以为自己会毫无悬念的赢了。还暗暗自得,这个传闻中的大律师也不过尔尔。
During the just concluded trial, he saw Bao Dongqing passively responding, and thought he would win without any 悬念. He even felt smug, thinking this famous lawyer was just overhyped.
然而没想到,他原来留了这么一手。
However, he never expected that he had been left with such a trump card.
之前的消极应对,不过是在嘲弄自己的表演罢了,因为一个检察官忽略了这么至关重要的信息,确实值得被嘲弄。
The previous passive response was merely a mockery of his performance, because a prosecutor ignoring such crucial information was indeed worthy of mockery.
这不是他第一次当公诉人,实际上这几年在基层,他办得案子自己都记不清,回来这半年,也接手过好几桩大案,都做得很漂亮。可是没想到却在这件并不那么重大,偏偏广受社会关注的案子里,出了纰漏。
This wasn't his first time as a prosecutor. In fact, in recent years at the grassroots level, he had handled so many cases that he couldn't even remember them all. In the past six months back, he had also taken on several major cases, all of which he had handled very well. But he never expected to make a mistake in a case that wasn't particularly significant, yet was widely watched by society.
这样的纰漏倒并不是什么大事,对他的职业生涯也没有任何影响。但因为对方是自己一心想要赢的柏冬青,而被告又是劣迹斑斑让人憎厌的恶人,也承诺会全力帮助那对可怜的兄妹。所以这个结果让他觉得挫败极了。
Such a mistake wasn't a big deal, and it had no impact on his career. However, because the defendant was a despicable villain that everyone despised, and the plaintiff was Bai Dongqing, whom he had been determined to win against, and because he had promised to help the unfortunate siblings, the result left him feeling extremely frustrated.
他曾经高高在上,不懂人间辛酸,直到跌入泥泞,尝遍了冷暖,才明白那些在底层苦苦挣扎的人们,有多无力。
He had once been high and mighty, ignorant of the hardships of life, until he fell into the mire and experienced the full range of human emotions. Only then did he understand how powerless those struggling at the bottom truly were.
一个有抑郁症的女孩,被抛弃在夜晚的荒野,导致了自杀。哪怕谁都知道,莫辛的死其实就是因为林凯杰,然而法律不会认同这里的因果关系。
A girl with depression was abandoned in the wilderness at night, leading to her suicide. Even though everyone knew that Mo Xin's death was actually due to Lin Kajie, the law would not recognize this cause-and-effect relationship.
这就是法律,因为太追求公正,所以显得无情。
This is the law, as it appears cold and unfeeling due to its pursuit of justice.
程放看着泣不成声的莫伟上车,又转头看了眼后面的人群,林凯杰已经在簇拥中上了自家的车,柏冬青不知道去了哪里,大概是回了自己车内。
Cheng Fang watched Mo Wei cry uncontrollably as he got into the car, then turned to look at the crowd behind. Lin Kajie had already gotten into his own car amidst a group of people, while Bai Dongqing was nowhere to be seen; she probably went back to her own car.
他将目光移回来,落在几步之后的许煦脸上,叹口气,有些挫败地摊摊手,道:“莫伟现在的状态不适合采访,你可能得再等等。”
He turned his gaze back to Xu Xu's face, sighed, and resignedly shrugged his shoulders. "Mo Wei's current state is not suitable for an interview. You might have to wait a bit longer."
许煦勉强笑了笑。
Xu Xu 勉强 smiled.
这时,林凯杰的车子开了过来,在旁边稍作停留,打开窗户,露出那张嚣张得意的脸,朝程放挑挑眉,笑道:“程检,真是让你失望了,但没办法啊,我就是个清清白白的良民。我知道这是你的工作,看到你哥的份上我就不跟你计较了。”说着又用手指敲敲窗户,“对了!莫辛那位瘸子哥哥,你妹妹的死真跟我没关系,她自己想不开,我也没办法,还差点冤枉了我。之前要求和解给你赔偿,你不答应,现在我的律师证明我无罪还了我清白,赔偿什么的肯定是没有了,不过作为莫辛的上司,我还是会给一点抚恤金的,回头我让助理上门给你送两万块。”
At this moment, Lin Kajie's car pulled up, stopping slightly by the side. He rolled down the window, revealing his arrogant and smug face, and raised his eyebrows at Cheng Fang, smiling and saying, "Cheng Inspector, I must have disappointed you. But there's nothing I can do about it; I'm just an innocent, law-abiding citizen. I know this is your job, and considering your brother's sake, I won't hold it against you."
He then tapped on the window with his finger, "By the way! As for Moxin's lame brother, his sister's death really had nothing to do with me. She was just too impulsive, and I couldn't do anything about it. I was even wrongly accused. Before, I asked for a settlement to compensate you, but you didn't agree. Now that my lawyer has proven my innocence and cleared my name, there won't be any compensation. However, as Moxin's superior, I will still give a certain amount of consolation money. I'll have my assistant deliver two ten-thousand-yuan notes to you later."
说完勾唇一笑,不等莫伟反应过来,已经打上车窗,让司机开车离开。
After saying this, he curled his lips into a smile and, before Mo Wei could react, he rolled up the window and had the driver start the car, leaving.
路边车内的莫伟,被他这番话气得脸色惨白,整个人都在颤抖,良久才憋出带着哭腔的声音:“我妹妹就是被他害死的!我妹妹以前没上班的时候好好的,怎么会得了抑郁症,肯定是被他欺负了!”
Mo Wei in the car by the roadside was so enraged by his words that his face turned pale, and he was trembling. After a long while, he managed to choke out, his voice filled with tears, "My sister was killed by him! My sister was fine before she started working; how could she have developed depression? She must have been bullied by him!"
他身旁的张律师拍拍他的肩膀,低声安抚:“等判决下来了再看吧!民事赔偿应该还可以打一打。”
His lawyer, Zhang, patted his shoulder and whispered soothingly, "Let's wait for the verdict. We might still have a chance to contest the civil compensation."
莫伟不知道有没有听进去,双手捂着脸失声痛哭。
Mowei didn't know if he had heard, his hands covering his face as he sobbed uncontrollably.
许煦站在远处,默默看着这样的场景,不知道这个可怜的年轻男人,是在哭这个意想不到的结果,还是在哭自己没能接到的那三个电话。
Xuxu stood from afar, silently watching the scene, unsure if the 可怜 young man was crying over the unexpected result or because he hadn't received the three missed calls.
当事人陆续离开,媒体也作鸟兽散。程放走到许煦身旁,轻笑了笑:“老三很厉害,我心服口服。”
The parties involved gradually left, and the media dispersed like birds fleeing. Cheng Fang walked up to Xuxu's side and gave a light smile: "Old Three is very impressive, I admit my defeat."
许煦神色复杂地看了他一眼,没有说话。
Xuxu looked at him with a complex expression, saying nothing.
程放掏出一根烟点上,走了两步,又转头道:“你帮忙告诉老三,林凯杰的事还没完,这混蛋干的坏事可不只这么一桩,等下次看他还能不能护得住。”
Cheng Fang took out a cigarette, lit it, walked a few steps, then turned around and said, "Help tell Old Three that Lin Kajie's case isn't over yet. This scoundrel has done more than one bad thing. Wait and see if he can still protect him next time."
许煦很想为柏冬青辩解一句,毕竟本质上,他用的是事实证据,阻止了一桩冤案的发生,哪怕这个林凯杰是个人渣。
Xu Xu very much wanted to defend Bai Dongqing, after all, he used factual evidence to prevent a wrongful conviction, even if Lin Kajie was a scumbag.
但她什么都没说,因为当他在法庭上拿出那种证据时,对于这对阴阳相隔的可怜兄妹,真的是太残忍了。
But she said nothing. Because when he presented that evidence in court, it was too cruel for these 可怜兄妹, who were separated by life and death.
她默默看着程放离开的背影,有些五味杂陈。
She silently watched Cheng Fang's retreating figure, feeling a mix of emotions.
庭审的稿子,许煦写得很慢,好在他们是周刊,倒不用追求时效性。一直到晚上快八点,办公室人去楼空,她才勉强完工。
The script for the trial, Xu Xu wrote very slowly. Fortunately, they were a weekly publication, so they didn't need to chase 时效性. It wasn't until nearly 8 PM, when the office was empty, that she finally finished.
回到家,柏冬青已经做好了饭在等她,他神色轻松,见到她回来,给她盛好饭,笑着叫她去洗手。
Arriving home, Bai Dongqing had already prepared the meal and was waiting for her. His expression was relaxed, and seeing her return, he served her the food and smiled, calling her to wash her hands.
从善如流洗完手的许煦,来到餐桌前坐好,看到桌上好几样她喜欢吃的菜,然后又抬头看向对面的男人,心情有些复杂的问:“今天打赢了官司,心情很好?”
Xu Xu, who washed her hands as she always did, sat down at the table. Seeing several dishes she liked on the table, she then looked up at the man across from her with a somewhat complex expression and asked, "You won the case today and are in a good mood?"
柏冬青微微一怔,失笑:“这段时间大家都很忙,好久没一起吃饭了,好不容易早下班,所以
Bai Dongqing was slightly taken aback but then laughed. "Everyone has been very busy lately, and we haven't had a chance to eat together for a long time. It's rare to finish work early, so
做了些你喜欢吃的。”
Go ahead and eat what you like.
许煦道:“冬青,你觉得今天旁听了听声的我,会有胃口吗?”她喉咙有些发紧,顿了下又才又些哑声道,“你看到莫伟的反应了吗?”
Xu Xu asked, "Dongqing, do you think I would have an appetite after today's listening session of Shengsheng?" Her throat felt tight, and she paused before her voice became even more hoarse, "Did you see Mo Wei's reaction?"
柏冬青看了看她,语气平静道:“这是事实,他得接受。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and spoke calmly, "That's the truth, and he has to accept it."
“可这个事实真的太残忍了。”许煦苦笑了笑:“我有时候想,要是你没把那些证据拿出来该多好!”
But this truth is too cruel," Xu Xu forced a bitter smile. "Sometimes I think it would have been better if you hadn't presented those pieces of evidence!
第47节
Chapter 47
柏冬青道:“我是个律师,不能因为被告的善恶,去隐藏已经查到的证据。”
Bai Dongqing said, "I am a lawyer. I cannot hide evidence that I have already discovered because of the defendant's good or bad actions."
许煦打断他:“又或者,因为你是律师,所以想尽办法要保护你所谓的当事人?”
Xu Xu interrupted him, "Or perhaps, because you are a lawyer, you try your best to protect your so-called client?"
柏冬青神色微微一僵,有些失落道:“你就这样看我的吗?”
Bai Dongqing's expression stiffened slightly, and he sounded a bit disappointed, "Is that how you see me?"
许煦将筷子放下:”我只是觉得你在这件案子中表现出来的冷漠,让我觉得有点意外。”
Xu Xu put down the chopsticks: "I just found it a bit surprising how indifferent you seemed in this case."
柏冬青看向她,好整以暇道:“我每年要办几十桩案子,杀人抢劫什么犯罪都有,我必须学会不去感情用事,以防失去冷静客观的判断能力。对于我来说,当事人好坏与否,在我办案中的过程中,确实不重要,重要的是他在这个案子中扮演的角色,是否被冤枉。”他顿了片刻,“没错!莫伟莫辛是很可怜,但就这个案子本身来说,林凯杰是无罪的。哪怕他再恶劣,也不应该背上这个他不应该有的罪名。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her, speaking with a leisurely air: "I handle dozens of cases each year, from murders to robberies. I have to learn to not let my emotions cloud my judgment, to maintain a clear and objective perspective. For me, whether the defendant is good or bad is not important during the process of my investigation. What matters is whether they are innocent or guilty in this particular case." He paused for a moment, "Yes! Mo Wei is indeed pitiful, but in this case, Lin Kajie is innocent. No matter how bad he is, he shouldn't be convicted of a crime he didn't commit."
他在家里,很少说这么长的话,许煦这才知道,他从来不是不善言辞,而是不说罢了。他其实真的很会说话,因为真的无从辩驳。
At home, he rarely spoke for so long, and Xu Xu realized that he was never inarticulate; he simply chose not to speak. He was actually very good at speaking, because there was nothing to argue against.
许煦揉了揉额头:”我知道我知道!这是你的工作,这也是法律本身。但……可能是因为这段时间和莫伟接触得太多,所以有难免有些代入感。”她站起身,“你慢慢吃吧,我有点不舒服,先去休息了。”
Xu Xu rubbed her forehead: "I know, I know! This is your job, and it's also the nature of the law. But... maybe because I've been in contact with Mo Wei too much recently, I can't help but feel a bit of empathy." She stood up, "You can eat slowly. I feel a bit unwell, so I'll go rest for a while."
她工作这么多年,类似的案子也跟过,但这回是第一次体会到那种身为底层的绝望感。
She had handled similar cases over the years, but this time she was experiencing the despair of being at the bottom for the first time.
莫伟的无力和痛苦,林凯杰的嚣张和得意,还有柏冬青在庭审中的平静,几张表情再她的脑子里交错,明明跟她没有什么关系,却忽然也有一种说不出来的无力感难以发泄。
Mowei's helplessness and pain, Lin Kajie's arrogance and satisfaction, and Bao Dongqing's calmness during the trial—all these expressions swirled in her mind. Although they had nothing to do with her, she suddenly felt a sense of helplessness that was hard to express.
柏冬青随她起身,走到她身旁,抓住她的手,嘴唇翕张了片刻,道:“我知道这件事对你来说很难受。可是你相信我,法律是公正的,虽然林凯杰在这件案子上是无罪的,但只要他真的涉及过犯罪,就一定会得到惩罚。”
Bao Dongqing stood up with her and walked to her side, holding her hand. After a moment, she said, "I know this is difficult for you. But believe me, the law is fair. Even if Lin Kajie is not guilty in this case, as long as he has been involved in any crime, he will surely face punishment."
许煦轻笑了笑:“是吗?刑事法庭和舆论这两类法庭都没有让他得到惩罚,那么是要靠良心这个第三类法庭吗?他的良心?还是你的良心?或者是老天爷的良心?你自己做律师的,知道这个世上只要有钱,就一定可以掩盖很多罪恶。你真的相信法律追求的所谓公平和正义吗?”
Xu Xu lightly smiled. "Is that so? The criminal court and public opinion have not punished him. So, is it the third type of court—the court of conscience? His conscience? Or yours? Or perhaps the conscience of heaven? As a lawyer, you know that money can cover up many sins in this world. Do you really believe in the fairness and justice that the law pursues?"
柏冬青看着她的眼睛,笃定道:“我相信。”
Ba Dongqing looked into her eyes and said with certainty, "I believe."
许煦怔了下,忽然想,是不是就因为他如此盲从法律,所以就忽略了人性和情感?也正因为如此,他成为了一个专业而优秀的律师,却大概也不再是那个内心过于柔软善良的男孩。
Xu Xu was momentarily stunned, then suddenly thought, was it because he was so obedient to the law that he had overlooked human nature and emotion? Perhaps it was precisely because of this that he became a professional and excellent lawyer, but he might no longer be that boy with a heart too soft and kind.
这大概就是成长吧!
This might be what growth is all about!
可这样的成长真是让人难过啊!
But such growth was truly heartbreaking!
作者有话要说: 青儿:嘘嘘,你误会我啦~我还是你萌萌哒青儿~不信我哭给你看
Author's Note: Qing'er: Pssst, you misunderstood me~I'm still your cute Qing'er~If you don't believe me, I'll cry for you to see
第60章
Chapter 60
许煦知道自己是小题大做了,也很清楚柏冬青作为一个律师, 没有任何应该诟病的地方。
Xu Xu knew she had overreacted, and was also very clear that Bai Dongqing, as a lawyer, had no grounds for criticism whatsoever.
只是理智与情感总是相悖的, 在一个自己倾注了感情的案子里, 她做不到那么理智, 至少不可能像柏冬青那样理智。
Still, reason and emotion were always at odds. In a case where she had invested her emotions, she couldn't be as rational as Bai Dongqing. At least, she couldn't be as rational.
她也明白,自己是因为心中那无处排解的无力感而有些迁怒在他身上了, 可即使明白, 也还是不太能接受, 他在这件案子上所表现出来的冷静到几乎冷漠的态度。
She also understood that she was a bit projecting her own sense of helplessness onto him. Even knowing this, she still couldn't quite accept the almost coldly indifferent attitude he displayed towards the case.
十天后,判决结果公布,毫无悬念的, 林凯杰被宣告无罪。
Ten days later, the verdict was announced, and as expected, Lin Kajie was declared not guilty.
网上再次掀起一个小高潮,对于林凯杰和柏冬青的谩骂有增无减,只有少量理智的人, 讨论着法律的公正性, 这种公正性保护得是所有人,而不分好坏。
The internet once again reached a small climax, with the abuse and ridicule directed at Lin Kajie and Bai Dongqing increasing. Only a few rational people discussed the fairness of the law, which protects everyone, regardless of their goodness or badness.
这些天许煦尽量让自己的情绪恢复, 她也不希望外在的东西, 影响她和柏冬青的关系。毕竟工作的归于工作, 生活的归于生活。
During these days, Xu Xu tried her best to restore her emotions. She did not want external factors to affect her relationship with Bai Dongqing. After all, work is work, and life is life.
这日, 她接到主编派给她的任务, 代表杂志社去采访一个律协主办的慈善酒会。
On that day, she received a task assigned by the chief editor, to represent the magazine in interviewing a charity wine event organized by the Bar Association.
下了班,她准备直接去会场,只是刚刚从单位所在的大楼里出来, 便见到拄着拐杖的莫伟,独自站在路边。看到她后,朝她一瘸一拐走过来。
After work, she planned to go directly to the venue, but just as she was leaving the building where her office was located, she saw Mo Wei, leaning on a cane, standing alone by the roadside. Seeing her, he hobbled over towards her.
她赶紧迎上去:“有事吗?”
She hurriedly went up to him: "Is there something wrong?"
男人的脸色很差,本来年轻清秀的面孔,比先前更加消瘦憔悴,眼睛里都是红血丝。可以想象他这些天经历了什么样的痛苦。
The man's complexion was poor. His originally young and handsome face had become even thinner and more haggard, with red bloodshot eyes. One could imagine the kind of pain he had endured in the past few days.
莫伟看了看她,声音嘶哑道:“许记者,我有点事想和你说说。”
Mowei looked at her and said hoarsely, "Xu journalist, I have something I want to talk to you about."
许煦点头,带着他来到了附近一家清静的餐厅,点了几样简单的小菜。
Xu Xu nodded and led him to a quiet restaurant nearby, ordering a few simple dishes.
”你想跟我说什么?”许煦问。
"Xu, what do you want to tell me?" Xu Xu asked.
莫伟默了片刻,开口道:“我妹妹就是被林凯杰害死的。”
Mowei fell silent for a moment before speaking, "My sister was killed by Lin Kajie."
他语气带着压抑不住的怨恨,还有种无能无力的痛苦。
He spoke with an unrestrained resentment and a helpless pain.
许煦道眉头轻蹙,努力找到合适的措辞,一字一句道:“莫伟,我知道这个结果很让人难过,但是现在的证据表明,你妹妹确实是不是因为林凯杰推倒而溺亡的。”
Xu Xu's brows furrowed as he struggled to find the right words, speaking each one carefully: "Mowei, I know this result is very sad, but the current evidence shows that your sister did indeed not drown because Lin Kajie pushed her."
莫伟有些语无伦次道:“不……不是,我的意思是说,就算我妹妹是自杀,也肯定是因为被林凯杰欺负了,如果不是这样,她怎么可能自杀!”
Mowei spoke incoherently, "No... not like that. What I mean is, even if my sister committed suicide, it was definitely because she was bullied by Lin Kajie. If that wasn't the case, how could she have committed suicide!"
许煦愣了下,反应过来他说的欺负是什么意思,小心翼翼道:“我知道你想让林凯杰受到法律的惩罚,但是你妹妹的尸检报告显示,她没有被性侵的痕迹。”
Xu Xu was taken aback for a moment, then understood what he meant by "bullied," and spoke cautiously, "I understand you want Lin Kajie to face legal punishment, but the autopsy report on your sister shows no signs of sexual assault."
莫伟面露痛苦,点点头,低声道:“我知道,我的意思是,她被欺负是在这之前,不然她好好的一个姑娘,怎么就患上抑郁症,还要自杀?”
Mowei's face showed pain as he nodded and whispered, "I know. My point is, she was being bullied before this. Otherwise, how could a healthy young woman suddenly develop depression and even attempt suicide?"
许煦心里一惊,继而又明白,这是面前这个无力的年轻人,想要为妹妹讨回公道而病急乱投医的行为,她有些无奈地扯了扯嘴角:“这个罪名可比过失致死亡罪严重得多,你有证据吗?或者是你妹妹生前,和你透露过什么吗?”
Xuxu was startled, but then she understood that this was the desperate young man's attempt to seek justice for his sister, and she couldn't help but tug at the corner of her mouth. "This charge is much more serious than negligent homicide. Do you have any evidence? Or did your sister ever hint at anything to you before her death?"
莫伟黯然摇头:“她只是有一段时间,总说自己害怕,晚上会做噩梦,我问她怎么了,只说是工作压力大。当时我没多想,现在回过头,才觉得有问题,她肯定就是被林凯杰欺负了。”
Mowei shook his head dejectedly. "She just said for a while that she was afraid and had nightmares at night. When I asked her what was wrong, she said it was due to work pressure. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now that I look back, I realize there was something wrong. She must have been bullied by Lin Kajie."
许煦思忖片刻:“我理解你的心情,可这毕竟只是你的想象,如果你真的这么认为,就看看能不能找到什么证据?但凡有一点蛛丝马迹,你都可以告诉我,我一定会想办法帮你的。”
Xuxu pondered for a moment. "I understand your feelings, but this is just your imagination. If you really believe this, try to find any evidence. If there's even a hint of something, you can tell me, and I will do my best to help you."
莫伟神色忧伤地看着她,默了一会儿,才点点头,感激道:“要不是你们帮助我,我都不知道该怎么办?我真的不想我妹妹就这么不明不白的死了。”
Mowei looked at her with a sad expression, fell silent for a moment, and then nodded gratefully, saying, "If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't know what to do. I really don't want my sister to die in such a mysterious and unclear way."
许煦道:“我也不知道怎么安慰你,但你妹妹肯定不愿意看到你为她这么痛苦,我还是希望你能看开点,不管怎样,你有什么需要帮忙的,可以尽管找我。”
Xuhu said, "I don't know how to comfort you either, but your sister definitely wouldn't want to see you suffer so much for her. I still hope you can let go. No matter what, if you need any help, you can just find me."
两人道别时,霓虹已经初上,站在路边的许煦,目送拄着拐杖的年轻人,行动艰难地挤在下班的人群中,上了一辆公交车,很快就陷入乌泱泱的车内,让外面的人看不清他的状况,就像是一个毫不起眼的蝼蚁,没有人会去在意他的人生。
When they said their goodbyes, the neon lights were just beginning to illuminate the city. Standing by the roadside, Xuhu watched the young man, who was using a cane, struggle to 挤入下班的人群中,上了公交车,很快就陷入了密密麻麻的车内,外面的人看不清他的状况,就像是一只毫不起眼的蝼蚁,没有人会在意他的生活。
在这座千万人的大都市里,谁都不是蝼蚁呢?
在这座拥有千万人口的大都市里,谁都不是蝼蚁呢?
她不知道那个叫做莫辛的女孩发生过什么?才会抛弃自己相依为命的哥哥!但她相信莫伟的话,必然和林凯杰有着脱不开的关系。
She doesn't know what happened to that girl named Mosin that made her abandon her brother who relied on her! But she believes that Mosin's relationship with Law Wei is inextricably linked to Lin Kajie.
然而这样的揣测毫无意义,因为法律是冰冷无情的,只讲究证据。
However, such speculations are meaningless because the law is cold and 无情的, and it only cares about evidence.
因为莫伟的关系,她赶到酒会的时候,已经有些晚了,慈善捐款环节已经结束,自助式的酒会宴厅里,衣香鬓影,人来人往。
Due to her relationship with Law Wei, she arrived at the gala somewhat late when she got there, and the charity donation segment had already concluded. In the banquet hall with a buffet-style setup, the hall was filled with the fragrance of clothes and the bustle of people.
虽然举办方是律协,但因为是慈善酒会,所以除了各个律所的大律师,还有很多合作企业,也是募捐来源的大头。
Although the organizers were the Bar Association, because it was a charity gala, there were also many senior lawyers from various law firms as well as many cooperating enterprises, which were the main sources of donations.
光鲜亮丽的法律精英和富商们,在金碧辉煌的大厅中,举着酒杯觥筹交错,每个人脸上都挂着社交场上无懈可击的笑容,像极了一个微缩的名利场。
Glossy legal elites and wealthy businessmen were clinking glasses in a lavishly decorated hall, each wearing a flawless smile of social success, like a miniature version of the world of fame and fortune.
许煦找到酒会负责人了解了情况,拿了些资料,然后从服务生手中的托盘,取了一杯果汁,找了角落一个小沙发坐下,边喝饮料便看资料。
Xu Xu found the host of the party to gather information, took some documents, and then picked up a glass of juice from the tray of a waiter, sat down on a small sofa in a corner, and read the documents while drinking.
“一个人来的?”旁边忽然一道熟悉的声音传来。
"Alone?" A familiar voice suddenly came from beside.
许煦抬头,看到有一阵子没见的程放在旁边坐下来。他今天穿着一身正装,头发吹得很有型,英俊帅气,气质斐然,与这会场里的精英别无二致。
Xu Xu looked up and saw Cheng Fan, whom he hadn't seen in a while, sit down beside him. He was dressed in a suit today, his hair styled neatly, handsome and dashing, with a distinguished air that was no different from the elites in the hall.
她轻笑了下,不答反问:“怎么检察官也能来这种场合吗?不怕违反禁令?”
She let out a light laugh and countered with a question: "How can prosecutors attend such events? Aren't they afraid of breaking the rules?"
程放勾起唇角:“不能因为检察官比不上大律师收入高,就阻挡我们来做慈善吧?”说着又摊摊手,笑道,“好吧,我是跟我哥一块来的,私人活动,跟我的职业身份没关系。”
Cheng Fang curled his lips: "Can't we do charity work just because prosecutors don't earn as much as big lawyers?" He then shrugged and smiled, saying, "Fine, I came with my brother. It's a private event, unrelated to my professional identity."
许煦不知道他哥是做什么的,不过照他家从前的情况,如今又东山再起,大概是个很厉害的人。
Xu Xu didn't know what her brother did, but given their family's past and their current resurgence, he was likely a very powerful person.
她耸耸肩,没有多问,低下头继续看酒会的资料。
She shrugged and didn't ask further, lowering her head to continue reviewing the party materials.
坐在她旁边的程放,不动声色地看了她片刻,似是随口问道:“最近过得怎么样?”
Cheng Fang, sitting next to her, looked at her silently for a moment and asked casually, "How have you been lately?"
许煦头也不抬回道:“还行吧!”
Xu Xu replied without lifting her head, "It's okay!"
程放笑了笑:“你家柏大律师,最近貌似很春风得意!”
Cheng Fang smiled, "Your lawyer, Bai Da, seems to be very successful recently!"
许煦闻言,终于又再次看他,有些好笑道:“不就是赢了你一场官司么?说到底是你们自己漏掉了关键证据,他查到那个证据,也算是阻止了一场冤案发生,你不用这么耿耿于怀吧?”
Hearing this, Xu Xu finally looked at him again with a slightly amused expression, "Just because he won a case against you! After all, it was your side that missed the key evidence. He found that evidence and, in a way, prevented an injustice. You don't need to be so resentful, do you?"
程放倒是很坦然地点头:“是我调查有疏忽,专业不过关,比不上老三心细缜密,我心服口服。”说完,对上许煦的眼睛,“不过,你真觉得林凯杰是无辜的吗?我查过莫辛,一直是个很积极乐观的女孩,为什么会跟了林凯杰短短几个月,就抑郁症自杀?真的只是应酬陪酒这么简单吗?我看不一定。”
Cheng nodded 坦然地 with a calm demeanor: "It was my oversight in the investigation and my lack of professional expertise. I admit that Young Three is more meticulous and 细致 than I am, and I am convinced of it." He then met Xu Xu's eyes and continued, "But do you really believe that Lin Kaijie is innocent? I checked on Mo Xin, and she was always a very positive and optimistic girl. Why would she commit suicide after only a few months with Lin Kaijie? Is it really just about drinking and entertaining?"
许煦想起之前莫伟对她说过的话,思忖片刻,道:“程放,你怎么说也是一个检察官,不要因为莫伟的一些猜疑,就去随便怀疑一些事情,这会让你失去一些客观的判断,凡事都要讲证据,不然小心再犯同样的错误。”
Xu Xu recalled what Mo Wei had told her before, pondered for a moment, and said, "Cheng, as a prosecutor, you shouldn't jump to conclusions based on Mo Wei's suspicions. This will cloud your judgment and make it harder for you to be objective. Everything should be based on evidence, or you might make the same mistake again."
程放点头:“那是当然,毕竟这次柏大律师给我上了宝贵的一课。有了前车之鉴,下回我肯定吸取教训,不让类似的问题重演。”
Cheng nodded: "Of course, that's why Lawyer Bai taught me a valuable lesson this time. With this lesson in mind, I will definitely learn from my mistakes and prevent similar issues from happening again."
他说完,转头朝一个方向努努嘴,话锋忽然一转:“这次老三帮了林凯杰,据说林氏集团把所有法律相关的业务都交给了华天。华天这两年一直在转型,想从主打刑辩跳出来,做更多的民商业务。你也知道刑辩和民商比起来,收入还是少太多。这次算是个大契机,老三这个合伙人功不可没。”
After saying this, he turned his head and pointed in a certain direction, then changed the subject abruptly, "This time, Young Three helped Lin Kaijie. It's said that the Lin Group has transferred all their legal-related business to Huatian. Huatian has been transforming over the past two years, trying to shift from criminal defense to more civil and commercial work. You know that compared to criminal defense, the income from civil and commercial work is still much lower. This is a big opportunity for Huatian, and Young Three's partner has made a significant contribution."
许煦抬头看向他示意的方向看去,一眼便看到了人群中的柏冬青。
Xu Xu looked up in the direction he indicated and immediately spotted Bai Dongqing in the crowd.
她知道他今晚肯定也在这里,但之前忙着自己的任务,没去寻找他的身影,这会儿才真正看到。
She knew he would definitely be here tonight, but she had been busy with her own mission and hadn't sought him out. Now she truly saw him.
今晚的他穿着一身黑色正装,颀长挺拔,在金色灯光的映衬下,面容更显英俊不凡。他端着一只酒杯,正在和周围几个衣冠楚楚的男人谈笑风生。
Tonight, he was dressed in a black suit, tall and upright. Under the golden lighting, his face looked even more handsome. He was holding a wine glass and chatting merrily with a few other well-dressed men.
而他身旁人模狗样的男人,正是林凯杰。两个人看起来很熟稔,时而侧头说着什么,兴起时,林凯杰还伸手揽住他的肩膀,俨然已经超出了普通的工作关系。
The man next to him, who was posing as a gentleman, was Lin Kajie. The two of them seemed very familiar, often turning their heads to speak to each other. At times, Lin Kajie even reached out to put his arm around his shoulders, clearly going beyond the bounds of a normal work relationship.
程放继续道:“林氏集团是省内数一数二的民营大企业,林董还是民企商会的主席,搞定了林氏的业务,要拿下更多的企业,就再简单不过了。难怪我听说陈瑞国是把老三当接班人培养的,这个接班人选的不错,以后华天的发展,不可估量。”
Cheng Fang continued, "Lin Corporation is one of the top private enterprises in the province. Lin 董 is also the chairman of the Private Enterprise Chamber of Commerce. After securing Lin Corporation's business, it will be a piece of cake to take over more companies. No wonder I heard that Chen Ruguang is grooming his third brother as his successor. This choice is quite good, and the future development of Huatian is beyond estimation."
他边说边站起来,看了看灯光下的柏冬青,又低头看了眼神色有些恍然的许煦,轻笑着道:“小煦,你说老三到底是保尔.柯察金,还是于连?”
As he spoke, he stood up and looked at Bao Dongqing under the lights, then lowered his head to look at Xu Xu, who seemed a bit dazed, and smiled lightly, "Xu Xu, do you think Old Three is Paul Korchagin or Eugène de Rastignac?"
作者有话要说:
The author has something to say:
上一章貌似大家对女主有点误会啊~圣母不圣母先不说,她之前没有对男主质疑过,是因为以前她没直接接触男主的工作,只是局外人,所以每次别人谈论青儿,下意识就会去维护。这次头一回和青儿共处一个案子之中,她变成了局中人,感受当然会不一样。但她并不是希望男主故意输官司,也并没有怪男主赢了官司。她对这个结果很难受没错,但也知道程序正义的重要性,也明白法不容情的道理。可毕竟是一直跟这个案子的,对被害者会产生共情是人之常情。
It seems like everyone had a bit of a misunderstanding about the main female character in the previous chapter. Whether she is a saint or not is not the point. Before, she didn't question the male lead because she hadn't directly interacted with his work; she was just an outsider. So, every time people talked about Qing'er, she would naturally defend her. This time, being in the same case as Qing'er for the first time, she became an insider, and her feelings would naturally be different. However, she did not hope for the male lead to lose the case on purpose, nor did she blame him for winning. She was indeed upset about the result, but she also understood the importance of procedural justice and the principle that the law does not bend to emotion. It is only human to empathize with the victim while following the case.
她对男主的质疑,仅仅是觉得男主在这个案子中表现出的冷漠。法庭上就不说了,回家后轻轻松松做了顿大餐,跟庆祝似的,然后对莫伟的只有一句很冷静的评价“这是事实,他得接受”(那些说应该为男友打赢官司感到高兴的什么鬼)。男主在她看来,是看狗血偶像剧都会感动的人啊!怎么就对这种事无动于衷,她当然会产生疑问了~
Her doubts about the male lead were simply due to his coldness in this case. Not in court, but after getting home, he made a big meal effortlessly, as if celebrating, and then gave Mo Wei a very calm evaluation: "This is the truth, he has to accept it" (those who say it's okay to be happy for your boyfriend to win a case, what the heck). In her eyes, he was the kind of person who would be moved by a melodramatic drama! How could he remain indifferent to such matters? Of course, she would have questions about this.
回到男主,青儿变了没?好像只有一两个读者留言说男主变了。
Back to the male lead, has Qing'er changed? It seems only a couple of readers commented that the male lead has changed.
没错,他就是变了啊,本性没有变,但性格确实变了啊,之前写打脸极品亲戚和拒绝姜毅就做了铺垫了,他也不是现在才变的,只是在那之后更果决了。
Yes, he has indeed changed. His nature hasn't changed, but his personality has. The groundwork for confronting his despicable relatives and refusing Jiang Yi was laid earlier. He wasn't just suddenly changed; he was just more decisive after that.
他的这种变化其实是正面的,不过对于习惯并且对他的认知已经形成思维定式的女主来说,忽然发觉这种变化,肯定会不习惯,甚至不能正确认识和判断,毕竟还有程放这个搅屎棍呢。
This change in him is actually positive, but for the female lead, who was accustomed to him and had already formed a certain perception of him, suddenly noticing this change would definitely be uncomfortable, and she might even be unable to correctly recognize and judge it. After all, Cheng Fang is still there, stirring things up.
很多人说学法律怎么怎么,或者说就应该怎么怎么~法律是机器,人不是。不知道大家有没有看过港片三岔口,郑伊健演的一个反派,表面的身份是专门给有钱人打官司的精英律师,背后却是专门杀这些人的连环杀手,因为觉得法律不能裁决那些坏人,他来裁决。所以说就算是一个专业的律师,还是会被情感左右,因为他首先是个有七情六欲的人。
Many people say how to study law or that one should do this or that. Law is a machine, but humans are not. I wonder if anyone has seen the Hong Kong film "Triple Crossing," where Andy Lau plays a villain. On the surface, he is an elite lawyer who works for wealthy clients, but in reality, he is a serial killer who targets these same clients. He believes that the law cannot judge these bad people, so he does it himself. So even a professional lawyer can be swayed by emotions, because they are first and foremost human beings with feelings and desires.
ps至于有评论用无罪推定说男配不专业我就不知道该说什么好了,男配是控方啊控方~无罪推定本质上只是法院的范畴,既然是起诉到法院,那么在控方来说,当然是认定了被告有罪,然后负责举证证明有罪,只不过还没判决前被告只能叫嫌疑人。男配的问题在于求胜心切,而忽略了重要的证据。不过也不能怪他,因为电信清单的通话记录是必须接通的电话,未接通的电话是查不到的。论专业他肯定比不过学霸青。
ps As for the comments that the male secondary character is not professional because of the presumption of innocence, I don't know what to say. The male secondary character is the prosecution, prosecution~ The presumption of innocence essentially only applies to the court. Since the case has been brought to court, from the prosecution's perspective, they have already determined that the defendant is guilty and are responsible for proving their guilt. It's just that before the judgment, the defendant is still called a suspect. The male secondary character's problem is his eagerness to win, which led him to overlook important evidence. However, he can't be blamed either, because the call records in the telecom list are only for calls that were successfully connected; missed calls cannot be traced. In terms of professionalism, he definitely can't compare to the studious Qing.
第61章
Chapter 61
程放看着许煦有些恍然的表情,勾了勾唇角, 一言不发地转身离开。
Cheng Fang watched Xu Xu's expression turn somewhat dazed, and curled his lips into a smile without saying a word before turning and leaving.
犹坐在原地的许煦, 一直怔怔地看着远处的柏冬青。
Xu Xu, who remained seated, continued to stare at Bo Dongqing in the distance.
那个与人谈笑风生, 看起来和这个偌大宴厅里的上流人士, 别无二致的男人,真的是她的柏冬青吗?
Is that man, who chats and laughs with others and appears no different from the high-society individuals in this grand banquet hall, really her Bo Dongqing?
他们已经一起生活三年, 她以为自己对他再了解不过。但现在, 却不得不承认, 她对他的了解,不过是局限在那一百平米不到的公寓里。在那间共同生活的房子里,他温柔体贴, 性格温和,做事周全体贴,对她百依百顺, 是独属于她无可挑剔的男朋友。
They have lived together for three years, and she thought she knew him better than anyone. But now, she has to admit that her understanding of him is limited to the less than 100 square meters of their apartment. In that shared living space, he was gentle and considerate, his personality mild, and he was always thoughtful and accommodating towards her, a flawless boyfriend solely for her.
她以为这就是他的全部, 就像始终都是当年在校园里,那个沉默寡言又善良正直的男生。
She thought that was all he was, just like the quiet, kind, and upright boy he was in college.
所以她没有去想过, 随着时间流逝, 在那间公寓之外, 作为金牌律师律所合伙人的他, 其实也有着另外的模样——一个在繁杂社会中游刃有余的精英该有的模样。
So she never thought that, as time passed, he, as a partner in a top law firm, actually had another side—someone who was adept in the complex society.
这时, 只见林凯杰凑到他耳侧不知道说了句什么,他轻笑着点点头,两人与周围谈笑的人们似是道了别, 并肩离开了宴厅。
At this moment, Lin Kaje leaned close to his ear and said something, to which he smiled and nodded lightly. The two of them seemed to bid farewell to the people around them and left the banquet hall side by side.
许煦将桌上的资料收好,默默跟了过去。
Xu Xu gathered the documents on the table and followed silently.
柏冬青和林凯杰去的是宴厅外的露台。露台有一张玻璃小几,两人在两边的椅子坐好。
Bai Dongqing and Lin Kaje went to the outdoor terrace of the banquet hall. The terrace had a glass table, and the two of them sat down on the chairs on either side.
林凯杰掏出一根烟递给他:“我最厌烦来这种场合了,还不如去夜总会喝两杯。”
Lin Kajie took out a cigarette and offered it to him: "I hate coming to these kinds of events. It's better to go to a nightclub and have a couple of drinks."
柏冬青接过烟,看了他一眼,轻笑着不置可否。
Bai Dongqing took the cigarette and gave him a look, smiling lightly without commenting.
林凯杰点了烟,叼在嘴中狠狠吸了一口,将火机丢给他,昂着头重重将烟圈吐出来,双腿往露台的阳台一搁,吊儿郎当道:“不过也没办法,我家老头子嫌我这小半年名声太差,让我来做慈善洗白,不然我才懒得来这里浪费时间,有这功夫都够我泡两个妞了。”
Lin Kajie lit the cigarette, held it between his lips and took a deep drag, then threw the lighter back to him. He lifted his head and exhaled a thick ring of smoke, propping his legs on the balcony of the terrace. With a carefree air, he said, "But there's no way around it. My old man thinks my reputation has been too bad in the past half year, so he's made me do charity work to clean it up. Otherwise, I'd be too lazy to come here and waste my time. With the time I spend here, I could have been with two girls already."
柏冬青扯了扯唇角,拿起打火机,啪的一声,一簇火苗在夜色中窜起,他微微歪头去点烟,清俊的面容,在火光下半明半暗。
Bai Dongqing tugged at the corner of his mouth, took the lighter, and snapped it open. A cluster of flames shot up in the night. He tilted his head slightly to light his cigarette, his handsome face half in shadow and half illuminated by the flame.
林凯杰见他不说话,轻笑一声:“你还真是我见过的话最少的律师,那天在庭上,我还以为你是徒有虚名,没想到原来是留着大招,所以才让那个检察官尽情表演。”说着,伸手在他肩旁拍了下,“这次多亏你,不然连我自己都以为那女的是被我弄死的。女人真特么麻烦,想死就不能简单点?非得拉别人下水。”
Lin Kajie saw that he wasn't speaking and chuckled, "You're truly the lawyer with the least words I've ever met. The other day in court, I thought you were just a name without substance, but it turns out you were holding back a big surprise, which is why that prosecutor got to have all the fun." As he spoke, he patted him on the shoulder, "This time, I'm really grateful to you. Otherwise, I might have even thought that woman was killed by me. Women are such a pain. Can't they just want to die without dragging others down with them?"
柏冬青看他一眼,笑道:“可能她就是想让别人误会是你害死她的吧!”
Bai Dongqing looked at him and smiled, "Maybe she just wanted others to think you killed her!"
林凯杰神色微微一僵,挥挥手:“那可真是莫名其妙,我又没怎么着她!不就是工作压力大了点么!”说完,话锋一转,“不管怎样,你这个朋友我是交定了。”
Lin Kajie's expression stiffened slightly, and he waved his hand, "That's just absurd. I didn't do anything to her! It's just that the work pressure was a bit high, right!" After saying this, he changed the subject, "Regardless, I'm definitely making you my friend."
柏冬青道:“我的荣幸。”
Bai Dongqing said, "It's my honor."
第48节
Chapter 48
林凯杰笑着随口问:“你们当律师的听说都很忙,平时有什么娱乐活动?”
Lin Kajie smiled and casually asked, "Lawyers are always said to be very busy. Do you have any hobbies or entertainment activities?"
柏冬青耸肩:“还真没什么。”
Bai Dongqing shrugged, "Not really."
林凯杰看他一眼,笑道:“那行!以后出去玩儿叫上你,可别不赏脸啊!”
Lin Kajie glanced at him and smiled, "Alright! Next time we go out, don't be a buzzkill and say no, okay?"
“怎么会?”
How could that be?
林凯杰朗声大笑:“话说你是怎么查到莫辛电话里的拨打记录的?你又没拿到她手机,营业厅查到的通话记录必须是接通的。”
Lin Kajie laughed loudly, "So, how did you manage to find Moxin's call records in her phone? You didn't get her phone, and the call records from the business hall can only be for calls that were answered."
柏冬青道:“做了这么多年律师,想查什么总会有办法的。其实我也是快开庭才想起来查一下,没想到会找到这么重要的证据。”
Bai Dongqing said, "As a lawyer for so many years, there's always a way to find out what you want to know. Actually, I only thought to check just before the trial, and I didn't expect to find such important evidence."
林凯杰手指夹着烟,伸了伸腰,玩笑般道:“那岂不是在你们律师面前,谁都很难有秘密?”
Lin Kajie, with his fingers holding a cigarette, stretched his back and joked, "So, isn't it true that it's hard for anyone to have any secrets in front of a lawyer?"
柏冬青轻描淡写道:“那倒不是,律师也只是普通人。”
Ba Dongqing lightly said, "That's not the case. The lawyer is just an ordinary person."
林凯杰歪头看着他,伸出手道:“我看你一点都不普通啊!以后华天和林氏互惠互利的机会很多,咱们合作愉快!”
Lin Kajie tilted his head at him and extended his hand, saying, "I think you're anything but ordinary! There will be many opportunities for mutual benefit between Huatian and the Lin family in the future. Let's have a 愉快的合作!"
柏冬青伸出手,和他握了握。
Ba Dongqing extended his hand and shook it with him.
这时,林凯杰的手机响起,他拿起来接听,点点头后挂断,真起身道:“主办方那边找我拍照,我过去会儿。”
At this moment, Lin Kajie's phone rang. He picked it up to answer, nodded, and then hung up, getting up and saying, "The organizers want me to take some photos. I'll be back in a moment."
柏冬青点头:“你去吧,我把这根烟抽完。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Go ahead, I'll finish this cigarette."
林凯杰离开了,偌大的露台,只剩下柏冬青一个人,他站起身靠在栏杆上,仲秋的夜风,徐徐吹来,身后灯火通明的名利场,身前是浓浓的夜色,如同站在一条明暗之间的分界线。
Lin Kajie left, and the spacious terrace was left with Bai Dongqing alone. He stood up and leaned against the railing, the autumn night breeze gently blowing. Behind him was the brightly lit world of fame and fortune, while in front was the thick darkness of the night, as if standing at the boundary between light and shadow.
他默默吹了会儿风,将手中剩下的小半截烟头摁灭,慢悠悠转身。然后……蓦地愣住。
He silently blew on the wind for a moment, extinguishing the remaining half of the cigarette in his hand, and turned slowly. Then... he suddenly froze.
只见许煦不知道何时站在露台入口处,逆着光的脸色,看起来冷得出奇。
Only then did he see Xu Xu standing at the entrance of the terrace, his face illuminated from behind, looking unusually cold.
“你什么时候来的?”回过神的柏冬青将烟灰缸放回小几上,随口问。
"When did you arrive?" Bai Dongqing, snapping out of it, placed the ashtray back on the small table and asked casually.
许煦面无表情道:“在你和林凯杰勾肩搭背的时候。”
Xu Xu said expressionlessly, "When you and Lin Kajie were hugging and shouldering each other."
柏冬青眉头轻蹙,走上前淡声道:“华天和林氏最近有合作,和他谈点事情。”
Bai Dongqing's brow furrowed slightly as she walked forward and spoke softly, "Huatian and the Lin family have been collaborating recently. I want to discuss something with him."
在他靠近时,许煦下意识退后一步,昂头看向他的脸:“谈怎么交朋友么?”
As he approached, Xu Xu instinctively took a step back and looked up at his face, "Discussing how to make friends?"
她的眼神冷的就像是看一个陌生人,柏冬青伸手去拉她,软下声音道:“我和他不是朋友…………”
Her gaze was cold, as if looking at a stranger. Bai Dongqing reached out to pull her closer and spoke softly, "I am not friends with him..."
还没说完,就被许煦打断:“我知道,只是利益。”她闭了闭眼睛,深呼吸一口气,努力让最保持平静,一字一句道,“冬青,你代理林凯杰的案子,连莫辛死前拨打出但是没被接听的电话记录都能查出来,我就不相信你不知道林凯杰是什么人,做过什么事?如果只是工作需要,你和他接触无可厚非。但现在是什么情况?你竟然打算和这种人交朋友!你还是我认识的那个柏冬青吗?”
Before she could finish speaking, Xu Xu interrupted her: "I know, just for the sake of 利益." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and made an effort to remain calm, saying each word clearly, "Dongqing, you handled Lin Kajie's case and were able to find the missed call made by Mo Xin before he died. I don't believe you don't know who Lin Kajie is or what he has done. If it was just for work, there would be nothing wrong with your contact with him. But what is the situation now? You actually plan to befriend such a person! Are you still the Dongqing I know?"
柏冬青看着她沉默了片刻:“我知道自己在做什么?”
Bai Dongqing looked at her for a moment and asked, "Do I know what I'm doing?"
许煦哂笑:“你当然知道自己在做什么!你可是大律师啊!”
Xu Xu sneered, "Of course you know what you're doing! You are a big lawyer, after all!"
说完挣开他的手往外走,柏冬青上前去拉她,被她推开,道:“我现在不想看到你,你别跟上来。”
After finishing speaking, she pulled her hand away and walked out. Bai Dongqing stepped forward to pull her, but she pushed him away and said, "I don't want to see you now. Don't follow me."
柏冬青果然老实地站在原地没再动弹,那个在别人看来总是从容的柏律师,面对生气的女朋友,此刻也只能无措地眼睁睁看着她拂袖而去。
Bai Dongqing indeed stood still in his original place, motionless. The lawyer Bai, who always appeared composed in the eyes of others, was now at a loss as he watched helplessly as she turned her back and walked away.
露台再次恢复宁静,片刻之后,有脚步声响起,柏冬青从失神中抬头,却见是西装笔挺的程放,不紧不慢走了进来。
The terrace once again fell into silence. A moment later, footsteps could be heard. Bai Dongqing, who had been lost in thought, looked up and saw Cheng Fang, impeccably dressed in a suit, walking in slowly and steadily.
柏冬青脸色微变,开口的语气却很平常:“程检,你这样有意思吗?”
Bai Dongqing's expression changed slightly, but her tone was calm as she spoke, "Cheng Procurator, is this interesting?"
程放挑挑眉:“你不太明白你的话。”
Cheng Fang raised an eyebrow: "You don't quite understand what you're saying."
柏冬青道:“你做了什么或者想做什么,你自己很清楚。”
Bai Dongqing said, "You know very well what you've done or what you plan to do."
程放走上前,背靠着栏杆,面对着他,轻笑着道:“我只是希望小煦看清你到底是个什么样的人?”
Cheng Fang walked forward, leaning against the railing, facing him and smiling lightly, "I just hope Xiaoxu can see what kind of person you really are?"
柏冬青看了他一眼,哂笑道:“你不过是想让她觉得我是你以为的那种人罢了。”他顿了片刻,又才继续,“你是不是觉得只要没有我,她就能回到你身边?大家都不是小孩子了,别这么天真了好么?不过是校园里一段少不更事的恋情而已,不说许煦早就不当作一回事,就是你自己可能也分不清,到底是对她念念不忘,还是怀念那段你人生中最春风得意的时光?别把自己塑造得多痴情,惦记别人的女人这种行为真的挺恶心的。”
Bai Dongqing glanced at him and sneered, "You just want her to think I'm the kind of person you think I am." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Do you really think that as long as I'm not around, she can return to your side? We're not children anymore, so stop being so naive. It's just a love story from our college days, and even if Xu Xu doesn't take it seriously, you might not be able to tell whether you're still longing for her or just reminiscing about the most successful period of your life? Don't pretend to be so devoted. It's really quite disgusting to pine for someone else's woman."
程放神色一僵,片刻之后,才皮笑肉不笑开口:“我以前还奇怪你这种沉默寡言不善言辞的人,怎么这么短时间内做上华天合伙人的!看来真的是我低估了你,原来你嘴巴一点都不笨,刻薄起人来,真是让人心服口服。”说着,顿了下,又道,“你现在知道自己的女人被人惦记是什么滋味了吧?这还只是惦记一下呢,你不如再试想一下许煦被人抢走是什么感觉?这样你就能体会到我当时的痛苦了。”
Cheng Fang's expression stiffened, and after a moment, he spoke with a smile on his face but no genuine emotion: "I used to wonder how a person like you, who is usually silent and not good at speaking, could become a partner at Huatian so quickly! It seems I underestimated you. You're not at all tongue-tied; you can be quite sharp when you want to be."
He paused and continued, "Now you know what it feels like when someone is thinking about your woman. This is just a thought, but imagine what it's like when someone else takes her away from you. Then you'll understand the pain I felt."
他说这句话说,几乎有些咬牙切齿。
When he said this, he almost gritted his teeth.
然而柏冬青却神色如常,依旧不紧不慢道:“我必须提醒你一句,当初你和许煦是正式分了手的,就算我和她在一起,也没有什么不对,她是一个独立的人,不应该被你强行捆绑在一起。我唯一做得不好的地方,是因为自己的怯弱,将这件事隐瞒了你几年。若是重来一次,我一定会堂堂正正和你说清楚,而不会让自己爱的人误解和委屈。你也不要总标榜你那可笑而幼稚的爱情,真正喜欢一个人绝对不是你现在这种表现。”
However, Bai Dongqing's expression remained calm, and she continued unhurriedly, "I must remind you that you and Xu Xu were officially over. Even if I was with her, there was nothing wrong with that. She is an independent person and shouldn't be forced to stay with you. The only thing I did poorly was out of my own weakness, and I kept this from you for a few years. If I could do it again, I would have told you everything straightforwardly and wouldn't have let the person I love misunderstand and feel wronged. You shouldn't always boast about your laughable and immature love. True love is not what you're showing now."
活了将近三十年,程放也算是经过了大起大落,早就不是当年那种喜形于色的大男孩,但此刻却仅仅是因为他这番云淡风轻却暗含讥诮的话,便再也控制不住自己的情绪。
Having lived for nearly thirty years, Cheng Fang had experienced many ups and downs and was no longer the excited young man he used to be. But at this moment, he could no longer control his emotions just because of those light yet sarcastic words.
他上前一步,伸手揪住柏冬青的衣襟,冷笑道:“柏大律师,许煦见过你这副样子吗?没见过也没关系,反正我会让他看清楚你到底是什么样的人?”
He took a step forward and grabbed Bao Dongqing's collar, sneering, "Mr. Bao, has Xu Xu ever seen you like this? If not, that's fine. I'll make sure he sees just what kind of person you are."
柏冬青将他的手拨开:“我对打嘴仗没兴趣,所以对你明显带着私心的偏见,懒得去多做解释,我是什么样的人我自己清楚,许煦也会很清楚。”他轻飘飘看了他一眼,转身要离开,走到露台入口时,又回头,冷声一字一句道,“我再提醒你一句,许煦是我的女朋友,我和她在一起超过三年,不是你试图紧紧抓着不放的那点校园恋爱所能相比的。我们会结婚组建家庭生儿育女,对我来说,她比一切都重要。所以别再妄想着夺人所爱,我是绝对不会退让的。你的工作性质什么样的自己清楚,随便一点小错误,就足以让人做文章,要是你还想做个好检察官,就不要把私人情绪带进工作里,不然别怪我不客气。”
Bao Dongqing pushed his hand away. "I have no interest in verbal sparring, so I won't bother to explain my obvious bias. I know who I am, and Xu Xu will soon know as well." He gave him a dismissive glance and turned to leave. As he reached the entrance of the balcony, he turned back, his voice cold and clear, "I'll remind you one more time. Xu Xu is my girlfriend. We've been together for more than three years, which is far beyond the kind of campus romance you're clinging to. We plan to get married, start a family, and have children. To me, she is more important than anything. So, don't even think about trying to take what isn't yours. I will never back down. You know what your job entails. A small mistake is enough to make waves. If you want to be a good prosecutor, don't let your personal feelings cloud your judgment."
说完这番话,他就头也不回地离开了,留在露台的程放,看着他消失在夜灯下的背影,只觉得心中一片寒凉。
With those words, he left without a second glance. Cheng Fang, left on the balcony, watched his figure disappear into the night, feeling a chill in his heart.
这还是他认识的那个柏冬青吗?还是那个从不拒绝人,也从不和人争辩,人群中总是最沉默话少的那个柏冬青吗?
Was this still the Bao Dongqing he knew? The Bao Dongqing who never turned down others, never argued, and was always the quietest one in the crowd?
他忽然想到许煦,整个人更加遍体生寒,他怎么能让她和这种可怕的男人在一起!
He suddenly thought of Xu Xu, and his entire body felt even colder. How could he let her be with such a terrifying man!
柏冬青开车匆匆回到家,许煦却并没有在,他走进卧室扫了眼,应该是回来过,平时挂在柜子旁边那个大背包已经不在了。打开衣橱的门,里面少了好几件日常装。
Bai Dongqing drove home in a hurry, but Xu Xu was not there. He walked into the bedroom and glanced around; she had probably returned, as the large backpack that usually hung by the closet was no longer there. Opening the closet door, he noticed that several of her everyday clothes were missing.
他蹙了蹙眉,拿出手机拨了她的号码。那边倒是很快接起,不等他问,已经先回答:“我在我爸给我买的公寓这边,你不用担心,我就是想一个人清静清静。”
He frowned and took out his phone to dial her number. She answered quickly, not waiting for him to ask, she replied, "I'm at the apartment my dad bought for me. Don't worry, I just wanted some peace and quiet."
柏冬青沉默了片刻:“我和林凯杰不会成为朋友。”
Bai Dongqing was silent for a moment. "Lin Kajie and I will never be friends."
许煦道:“但是我一想到你和那种人勾肩搭背的情形就觉得不舒服。”她顿了下,道:“冬青,我也想知道,你到底是保尔柯察金还是于连?”
Xu Xu said, "But just thinking about you hanging around with that kind of person makes me uncomfortable." She paused, then said, "Dongqing, I also want to know, are you Paul Korchagin or Eugène de Rastignac?"
柏冬青幽幽叹了口气,有些无奈道:“我谁都不是,我就是你认识的柏冬青,我们在一起这么多年,你现在忽然开始质疑我,我……有点难过。”
Bai Dongqing sighed deeply, sounding somewhat helpless. "I'm nobody, I'm just Bai Dongqing that you know. We've been together for so many years, and now you suddenly start doubting me, I... I feel a bit hurt."
电话那头的许煦,听到这再熟悉不过的温和嗓音,心里微微一紧,良久之后,还是硬着心肠赌气般道:“反正我现在想一个人清静清静,想到你跟林凯杰那种人渣沆瀣一气我就来气。”她顿了下,又想起什么似的,道,“我跟你说,莫伟说她妹妹自杀,是因为被林凯杰欺负过,你要真跟这种人走近,我饶不了你!”
On the other end, Xu Xu felt a slight tightening in her heart at this all-too-familiar gentle voice. After a long silence, she stubbornly gritted her teeth and said, "Anyway, I just want some peace and quiet right now. Every time I think about you and Lin Kaijie, that scum, I get angry." She paused, then seemed to remember something, and added, "Listen, Mo Wei said her sister committed suicide because she was bullied by Lin Kaijie. If you really get close to someone like that, I won't let you off the hook!"
柏冬青有些哭笑不得,默了片刻,语气认真道:“如果莫伟手上没有证据,再找你的话,你让他不要四处乱说,尤其是不要在网上瞎写,一个诽谤罪就能让他蹲监狱。要是林凯杰真做过这些伤天害理的事,迟早有一天会真相大白的。”
Bai Dongqing couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. After a moment of silence, she spoke seriously, "If Mo Wei doesn't have any evidence, and if she tries to find you again, tell her not to spread rumors everywhere, especially not online. A libel charge could put her in jail. If Lin Kaijie really did those terrible things, the truth will come out sooner or later."
“迟早有一天?”许煦明显不以为然道,“是靠老天爷开天眼么?这种事情受害者已经死亡,要找到证据有多难,你比我清楚多了。”
Eventually, right?" Xu Xu clearly did not agree. "Is it relying on the heavens to open their eyes? How difficult is it to find evidence when the victim is already dead? You know this much better than I do.
柏冬青道:“只要发生过,就一定会留下痕迹。”他笑了笑,“程放不是打定主意要帮莫伟么?希望他能找出点什么吧!”
Bai Dongqing said, "As long as it happens, there will definitely be traces." He smiled. "Isn't Cheng Fang determined to help Mo Wei? I hope he can find something!"
许煦被他这无所谓的语气弄得恼火,没好气地挂了电话,重重躺倒在床上。
Furious at his indifferent tone, Xu Xu hung up the phone and heavily lay down on the bed.
这么多年,两个人好像从来没吵过架,以至于虽然看到他和林凯杰在露台吞云吐雾心口直窝火,可是真要对他发脾气顺势作一波,让他意识到这个问题的严重性,却忽然发觉自己根本不知道该怎么作!
For so many years, the two of them had never had an argument. Although seeing him and Lin Kajie smoking on the balcony made his heart burn, when it came to actually lashing out at him to make him realize the severity of the issue, he suddenly found himself completely at a loss!
她记得自己少时也是个有些骄纵的女孩,怎么跟柏冬青在一起这么多年,连女人该有的脾气都不知是什么样子了,大概是他对自己真的无可挑剔吧!
She remembered that she used to be a rather spoiled girl when she was young. How could it be that after so many years with Bai Dongqing, she had lost all sense of what a woman's temper should be like? Perhaps he really had nothing to fault her with!
她其实都能想象得出,如果她跟他无理取闹胡乱发脾气,他必然都是顺着自己,让他干什么就干什么,哪怕大半夜让他出去跑圈都不会拒绝。所以之前回家后本来是打算好好酝酿一番,等他回来大吵一架,可是想到自己大概也只是拳拳打在棉花上,最后还觉得是自己欺负老实人,干脆跑出来透口气。
She could actually imagine what would happen if she were to be unreasonable and throw a tantrum. He would surely comply with her every demand, doing whatever she asked, even if it meant making him run laps in the middle of the night. So, after coming home, she had originally planned to simmer her anger and give him a good scolding when he returned. But then she thought that her efforts would be like hitting cotton, and in the end, she would feel like she was bullying a good person. So, she decided to come out and take some fresh air instead.
这套公寓之前没用上,现在倒也算派上了用场。房子是酒店式公寓,不仅精装修,平时还有人打扫维护,虽然还没住过,但设施一应俱全,铺上床单就可以直接睡了。
The apartment hadn't been used before, but now it was put to good use. It was a hotel-style apartment, not only fully furnished but also cleaned and maintained regularly. Although she hadn't lived in it yet, all the facilities were complete, and she could sleep right away after putting on the bed sheets.
口碑颇佳的品牌床垫软硬适中,太空枕头柔软舒服,都是适合睡眠的利器。然而睡眠质量向来不错的许煦却怎么都睡不着。
The brand-name mattress was of just the right firmness, and the space pillow was soft and comfortable, both excellent for sleep. However, Xu Xu, who usually slept well, couldn't fall asleep at all.
脑子里不由自主就浮现晚上柏冬青和林凯杰在一起的模样。她可以接受他在工作中的冷静理智,甚至不近人情,却无法忍受在工作之后,还与林凯杰有着那样的人私交。
The image of Bai Dongqing and Lin Kajie together that night involuntarily appeared in her mind. She could accept his cold and rational demeanor at work, even his lack of humanity, but she could not tolerate the close personal relationship he had with Lin Kajie after work.
这几月下来,她从程放那里拿到的资料,无不显示林凯杰不仅仅只是一个恶劣的纨绔富家子那么简单,那根本就是一个实打实的恶人,有些很多行为已经涉及犯罪,只是没有确凿的证据,或者依靠金钱与被害人和解,所以一直逍遥法外为所欲为。再想到莫伟莫辛兄妹的遭遇,她就愈发不能忍受柏冬青和林凯杰走近。
Over these few months, the information she obtained from Cheng Fang showed that Lin Kajie was far more than just a spoiled rich brat; he was a genuine villain, with many actions that bordered on criminal behavior, though there was no concrete evidence, or he relied on money to settle disputes with victims, allowing him to evade justice and act with impunity. Thinking of the fate of Mo Wei and Mo Xin, she found it even harder to accept Bai Dongqing's growing closeness to Lin Kajie.
她明白人一旦走上社会,很多事身不由己,但也总该还保留一点自己的底线。何况在她看来,柏冬青的底线远远比她还要高。
She understood that once one enters society, many things are beyond one's control, but one should still maintain some personal principles. Moreover, in her view, Bai Dongqing's principles were much higher than her own.
她在床上辗转反侧,一想两个人勾肩搭背吞云吐雾的情形,她就觉得特别难受,好像本来属于她的完美珍宝被破坏了。
She tossed and turned in bed, feeling particularly uncomfortable whenever she thought of the two of them leaning on each other, smoking and chatting. It felt as if a perfect treasure that belonged to her had been damaged.
他是真的在自己毫无察觉的时候变了?还说是为了律所的利益不得不虚与委蛇?但无论如何,她一定要把他拉回来。
Did he really change without him noticing? Or was it just to maintain appearances for the law firm's sake? But no matter what, she had to bring him back.
睡得太晚的结果就是早上起来迟了。单位还没正式搬到这边,她要上班得将近一个小时的车程,就算不用打卡,也不好迟到太久,难不保有什么临时分派下来的紧急工作。
Sleeping too late meant she woke up late the next morning. The office hadn't officially moved here yet, so her commute was nearly an hour long. Even if she didn't have to clock in, it wasn't a good idea to be too late, just in case there was any urgent work assigned to her.
许煦匆忙下楼,也来不及吃早餐,跑到路边正要拦车,一辆再熟悉不过的黑色车子停在她面前。
Xu Xu hurriedly went downstairs without even having breakfast, running to the roadside to flag down a taxi when a familiar black car stopped in front of her.
车窗摇下来,柏冬青笑着探过头:“上来吧!”
The window rolled down, and Bai Dongqing smiled as she leaned over: "Get in!"
许煦微微一愣,板着脸上了车。
Xu Xu slightly paused, her expression stern as she got into the car.
柏冬青启动车子,将一个袋子递给她:“还没吃早餐吧!”
Bai Dongqing started the car and handed her a bag: "Didn't have breakfast yet, right!"
许煦没好气地看了他一眼:“吃过了。”
Xu Xu glared at him unkindly: "I've already eaten."
柏冬青轻笑:“看你脸色就知道没吃,先吃吧!吃饱了再跟我生气。”
Bai Dongqing chuckled lightly: "I can tell you haven't eaten from your face. Eat first, then we can argue after you're full."
许煦也不想跟自己过不去,打开袋子,里面是自己爱吃的鸡蓉粥和蛋饼,她面无表情地开吃。
Xu Xu did not want to make things difficult for herself, so she opened the bag and found her favorite chicken porridge and egg pancake inside. She ate without expression.
柏冬青边开车边斜眼瞅她,然后忽然轻笑出声。
Ba Dongqing glanced at her while driving, then suddenly let out a light laugh.
“你笑什么?”许煦没好气道。
"Why are you laughing?" Xu Xu said irritably.
柏冬青牵起唇角:“我昨晚差点没睡着,还以为你不打算理我了。”
Ba Dongqing pulled up the corner of her lip: "I almost couldn't sleep last night, thinking you weren't going to talk to me anymore."
许煦乜来了他一眼,眼睛下方还真有一圈黑色,她冷哼道:“我是真的在生气。”
Xu Xuanye gave him a glance, and there was indeed a ring of black under her eyes. She coldly huffed, "I am genuinely angry."
柏冬青点头:“我明白,你担心我变成于连。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, "I understand. You're worried I might become like Yu Lian."
许煦稍稍正色:“我不指望也不希望你一直像上学时那样柔软善良,男人努力上进是好事,身在职场身不由己我也明白,但我绝对不允许追名逐利抛弃原本的做人原则。”
Xu Xuanye straightened slightly, "I don't expect or hope for you to remain as soft and kind as you were in school. It's good for men to strive and advance, and I understand that being in the workplace can be beyond one's control. But I absolutely do not allow you to pursue fame and profit at the expense of your original moral principles."
她说得义正严辞,几乎有点像说教一般,柏冬青笑着点头。
She spoke with righteous and stern words, almost like she was preaching. Bai Dongqing smiled and nodded in response.
四十多分钟的车程,许煦吃完早餐,车轱辘一般给柏冬青上了一路教育课。柏冬青倒是一如既往地温和顺从,她说什么就是什么。
A forty-minute drive, Xu Xu finished her breakfast and gave Bai Dongqing a continuous lecture as the car rolled along. Bai Dongqing remained as gentle and compliant as always, doing as she said.
一直到许煦下车,他才忽然叫住她,趴在窗边昂头看着她,问:“如果我真的误入歧途歧途迷失堕落了,你会怎么办?”
It wasn't until Xu Xu got out of the car that she suddenly called her back, leaning her head against the window and looking up at her, asking, "If I really strayed from the right path and fell into corruption, what would you do?"
许煦毫不犹豫地回道:“当然是把你拽回来。”
Xu Xu replied without hesitation, "Of course, I would pull you back."
柏冬青眉梢眼角荡开浅浅的笑容:“所以并不会放弃我对吗?”
Bai Dongqing's corners of her eyes curved into a faint smile. "So you won't give up on me, right?"
许煦道:“如果你真变坏,那也是在我手里变坏的,我得负责把你掰正。”
Xu Xu said, "If you do go bad, it will be because of me, and I will be responsible for straightening you out."
放弃吗?好像从来都没想过,就算他真的令自己失望了,失望过后,也得认命地把他拉回来啊!
Give up? It seems you never really considered that. Even if he truly disappoints you, you still have to pull him back with all your might after the disappointment!
爱一个人大概还是会没有原则吧!
Love someone probably means having no principles!
她朝他瞪了一眼,转身要去上班,但走了几步又想起什么似得,回头道:“当然,如果你要真跟林凯杰那种混蛋走近,学他玩女人什么的话,你有多远滚多远!”
She glared at him, turned to go to work, but after a few steps, she seemed to remember something and turned back, saying, "Of course, if you really want to get close to Lin Kajie and learn from him how to play with women, you can go as far away as possible!"
这大概就是她对他唯一的底线了!
This might be her only 底线 for him!
第62章
Chapter 62
柏冬青默默看着她的背影走进大楼,嘴角不由自主弯起。
Bai Dongqing watched her silhouette disappear into the building, a smile involuntarily curling at the corners of his mouth.
昨天他的心情其实也有些不好, 不仅仅因为遇到程放, 也是因为她对自己的不信任。可他也明白将心比心的道理, 莫辛的案子, 她是真的投入了情感,所以对林凯杰的厌恶从来都不加掩饰, 看到自己和林凯杰私下走得近, 必然会接受不了。
His mood yesterday wasn't good either, not just because of encountering Cheng Fang, but also because of her lack of trust in him. However, he understood the principle of putting oneself in another's shoes. She had genuinely invested her emotions into Mo Xin's case, so her aversion to Lin Kajie was never hidden. Seeing him and Lin Kajie getting close privately, she would naturally find it hard to accept.
但尽管这样, 她对自己生气的程度也只是这样。哪怕假设自己真的误入歧途,她也并没有要放弃自己的打算。这个答案,让昨晚的失落, 一扫而空,甚至还有些窃喜,那种甚至想要去耀武扬威的窃喜, 去告诉程放, 即使自己真的是他以为的那种人,许煦也仍旧会对他不离不弃。
But despite this, her level of anger towards herself was only so much. Even if she had truly strayed, she did not intend to abandon her plans. This answer cleared away the disappointment from last night, even bringing a hint of secret joy, a joy that almost wanted to boast to Cheng Fang, even if she was indeed the kind of person he thought she was, Xu Xu would still remain by his side.
不过他很快打消了这种幼稚的念头, 毕竟他并不是程放所以为的那种人。
However, he quickly dismissed this childish thought, after all, he was not the kind of person Cheng Fang thought he was.
大千世界诱惑那么多, 他当然不是什么圣人, 也会有迷惘有疑惑, 有行差踏错的时候, 但是只想到,自己并不是孤身一人,还有一个比自己生命还重要的人在身旁, 陪伴着自己,期待着自己,他就很坚定脚下的路,绝不允许自己误入歧途。
With so many temptations in the vast world, he was certainly not a saint and would have moments of confusion and doubt, and times when he would go astray. But the thought that he was not alone, and that there was someone more important to him by his side, supporting and looking forward to him, made him very firm in his path, never allowing himself to stray.
傍晚,许煦从办公大楼出来,果然又见到了那辆黑色的车。她和同事道别,走过去,拉开车门上车。
In the evening, Xu Xu left the office building and, as expected, saw the black car again. She said goodbye to her colleagues and walked over to open the car door and get in.
柏冬青看了他一眼:“想吃什么?”
Bai Dongqing glanced at him and asked, "What do you want to eat?"
许煦故意板着脸道:“什么都不想吃,回北区公寓,我还在生气。”
Xu Xu deliberately kept a stern face and said, "I don't want to eat anything. Back to the apartment in the North District, I'm still angry."
柏冬青点头,启动车子,笑道:“要不要我写检查?还是保证书?”
Bai Dongqing nodded, started the car, and smiled, "Do you want me to write a confession or a pledge?"
许煦道:“你别想糊弄过去,这件事在我看来非常严重。”
Xu Xu said, "Don't try to get off easy. In my opinion, this matter is very serious."
柏冬青笑:“明白,你是怕我误入歧途,我向你保证一定跟林凯杰保持距离。”
Bai Dongqing smiled: "Got it, you're afraid I might go down the wrong path. I promise to keep my distance from Lin Kajie."
许煦哼了一声:“最好是你说的这样。”
Xu Xu hummed: "I hope you're right about that."
第49节
Chapter 49
*
到了公寓,许煦下车,柏冬青也跟着下来,从后备箱提出两袋子食材跟上她。
Upon arriving at the apartment, Xu Xu got out of the car, and Bai Dongqing followed, taking out two bags of ingredients from the trunk and following her.
许煦瞟了他手上一眼:“上去做饭吃饭是可以,但是吃完了你赶紧回去,不能留宿。”
Xu Xu glanced at his hand: "You can go cook and eat, but after you finish, you need to go back right away. You can't stay overnight."
柏冬青点头:“嗯,吃完就走。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Yeah, I'll leave after eating."
许煦狐疑地看了看他,还是自己熟悉的样子,以至于昨天晚上在宴厅和林凯杰勾肩搭背吞云吐雾的男人,好像真的只是自己的错觉。
Xu Xu looked at him suspiciously, but he still seemed familiar. The man who had been hugging Lin Kajie and puffing on cigarettes in the banquet hall last night seemed like just a figment of his imagination.
公寓的厨房里设备齐全,柏冬青很快就捋袖子干活,许煦一边跟她打下手,一边暗暗观察他。
The kitchen in the apartment was fully equipped, and Bai Dongqing quickly rolled up his sleeves to start working. Xu Xu helped him out while secretly observing him.
他做什么事都很专心,连摘菜的时候都很认真,偶尔觉察到她的目光,会转头笑着看她一眼,笑容干净目光温和,明明已经是奔三的男人,可脱下正装戴着围裙时,仍旧有几分还未褪去的少年感。
He was always so focused on what he did, even when picking vegetables, he was very serious. Occasionally, he would turn and smile at her, his smile clean and his gaze gentle. Although he was already in his thirties, he still had a hint of the boyishness that had not yet faded when he took off his suit and put on an apron.
三菜一汤很快做好,小炒牛肉,酸辣土豆丝,白灼大虾,冬瓜扇贝汤,都是许煦再熟悉不过的家常菜,但是他们好像已经有一段时间没有这样坐在家里吃饭了,久违的温馨,让人动容。
The three dishes and one soup were quickly prepared: stir-fried beef, spicy and sour potato strips, steamed large shrimp, and winter melon scallop soup. All were dishes that Xu Xu was very familiar with, but it seemed they hadn't sat down to eat at home together for a while. The long-awaited warmth was touching.
许煦端起碗,吃了几口菜,忽然抬头看向他,将手中的筷子停下。
Xu Xu picked up her bowl and took a few bites of her food before suddenly looking up at him and stopping her chopsticks.
“怎么了?”柏冬青对上她的眼睛。
"What's wrong?" Bai Dongqing met her eyes.
许煦笑了笑:“我一直搞不清楚自己到底什么时候对你动心的。好像是那次从你家出来,看到你帮你领居阿婆拎东西上楼。单元楼的楼道很旧,你穿着旧体恤,背影看起来很单薄,可当时却觉得那真是一幅很好的画面,心想,这个男孩子可真好,以至于后来还一度很愧疚自己对你做了那样的事。”
Xu Xu smiled: "I've never really understood when I started to develop feelings for you. It seemed to be when I saw you helping your neighbor's grandma carry groceries up the stairs after we left your house. The stairwell was old, and you were wearing an old T-shirt, but your figure looked so frail. Yet at the time, I thought it was such a beautiful scene, and I thought, what a good boy, that I even felt guilty later for what I did to you."
柏冬青看着她,笑着不说话。
Bai Dongqing looked at her, smiling without saying a word.
许煦默了片刻,又继续道:“可好像又不是,而是更早,你在星巴克打工,每次我去喝咖啡,总是期待你给我拉花的时候。”
Xu Xu was silent for a moment before continuing, "But it doesn't feel like that. It might have been even earlier, when you were working at Starbucks. Every time I went to get coffee, I always looked forward to you making the latte art for me."
说着笑了笑,摇摇头:“但想想,感觉也并不是,可能是志愿者日那天,你们宿舍去天桥擦小广告,他们都开溜,就你一个人蹲在寒风里干活。然后那天吃完饭,程放背着我上了他前女友的车,我追赶时被电动车刮倒,是你骑单车把我送回宿舍的时候。”
She smiled and shook her head, "But thinking about it, it doesn't feel like that either. Maybe it was the volunteer day when you and your roommates went to the bridge to clean up graffiti. They all ran away, but you stayed and worked in the cold. And that day after lunch, Cheng Fang carried me on his motorcycle to his ex-girlfriend's car, and when I tried to chase after him, I was hit by an electric scooter. It was you who rode your bike to bring me back to the dorm."
“可仔细再想想,似乎还不是。而是更早,大一那次,在校外看到你将那个卖艺的残疾人抱上他的助力车时。那是我第一次见到你,可如果不是当时就动了心,怎么可能这么多年都还记得那一幕。只是当时我还不懂什么是真正的喜欢一个人,所以兜兜转转那么久才意识到自己的内心。我一直自认为当年那段恋爱,是用尽了全力,但其实心里早就有你的身影。虽然这样说对当年的自己和程放都很不负责任,但这可能就是现实。我在什么都不懂的时候其实就已经喜欢上你了!”
Think about it carefully, it doesn't seem to be. It was earlier, during your freshman year, when I saw you help that disabled street performer onto his motorized scooter. That was the first time I met you. If I hadn't been captivated then, how could I have remembered that moment for so many years? It's just that at the time, I didn't understand what it meant to truly love someone, so it took me so long to realize what was in my heart. I always believed that my relationship back then was all-out, but in reality, your figure was already in my heart. Although saying this is irresponsible to both my past self and Cheng Fang, this might just be reality. I actually fell in love with you when I knew nothing at all!
柏冬青伸过手将她放在桌面的手握住。
Bai Dongqing reached out and held her hand on the table.
许煦眼睛有点发红:“我经常想,我运气可真好,怎么会遇到你这么好的人。所以……你一定不要随波逐流,变得跟那些面目可憎的男人们一样,不然我真的会很难过。”
Xu Xu's eyes were slightly red: "I often think, I'm so lucky to have met such a good person like you. So... you mustn't go with the flow and become like those repulsive men, or I really would be very sad."
柏冬青低声道:“我不会变的,因为你难过我会比你更难过。”
Bai Dongqing whispered, "I won't change, because I'll be even sadder if you're sad."
许煦破涕为笑,用力在他手掌掐了一把:“那你要是再跟林凯杰那样人有工作之外的交往,我真饶不了你。”
Xu Xu broke into a smile and squeezed his hand hard: "If you ever have any other social interactions like Lin Kajie, I won't spare you."
柏冬青轻笑,在她纤细的手指摩挲了下:“吃饭吧!”
Bai Dongqing chuckled lightly, running her slender fingers over his hand: "Let's eat!"
许煦拿起筷子,继续开动。
Xu Xu picked up her chopsticks and continued eating.
柏冬青看了看她,忽然发出一声戏谑般的笑声:“原来你这么爱我啊!亏我以前还总是怕你跟人跑了。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her and suddenly let out a playful laugh: "So you really love me that much! I used to always be afraid you'd run off with someone else."
两个人在一起这么久,其实从来没说过什么太多的山盟海誓甜言蜜语之类的话,今天许煦也是情绪突然来了,就噼里啪啦说了一大通,大概还是被昨晚看到的场景给激发的。现下听到他取笑自己,顿时恼羞成怒,耳根窜上 一抹红晕,梗着脖子道:“我爱自己的男朋友难道不是很正常吗?我爱你我爱你我爱你……”
After being together for so long, they actually never said much about those grand vows or sweet words. Today, Xu Xu suddenly felt emotional and blurted out a lot. It was probably triggered by the scene she saw last night. Hearing him mock her, she instantly became furious, her ears turning red, and she said with her neck stiff: "Isn't it normal for me to love my boyfriend? I love you, I love you, I love you..."
谁怕谁?死猪不怕开水烫。
Who's afraid of who? A dead pig doesn't fear boiling water.
柏冬青弯唇笑着看她,直到她说完这一长串,才嗯了一声,点点头,夹起一只剥好的虾,放在她碗里。
Bai Dongqing smiled and watched her until she finished her long list, then he hummed and nodded, picking up a peeled shrimp and placing it in her bowl.
“喂!你就这个反应?”许煦不可置信地踢了他一脚。
"Hey! Is that your only reaction?" Xu Xu kicked him in disbelief.
柏冬青低头扒饭不说话,嘴角却快弯到太阳穴。
Ba Dongqing lowered her head to eat without speaking, but the corner of her mouth nearly curved to her eyebrow.
就在许煦以为自己得不到这榆木疙瘩到什么回应时,他忽然抬头:“我也爱你!比你以为的更爱。”
Just as Xu Xu thought he would get no response from this block of wood, he suddenly looked up and said, "I love you too! More than you think."
明明都是睡在一起几年的老夫老妻了,但第一次听到这样的话,还是差点让许煦心花怒放,好容易才控制住脸色狂喜的表情,牵起嘴角,假装淡定道:“是吗?”
Though they had been sleeping together for years as old marrieds, hearing those words for the first time still nearly made Xu Xu's heart bloom, and it took him a while to control his ecstatic expression, lifting the corner of his mouth and pretending to be calm, "Is that so?"
柏冬青轻笑了笑,又给她剥了只虾放在碗里:“现在能好好吃饭了吗?”
Ba Dongqing smiled lightly and peeled a shrimp for her, placing it in her bowl. "Can you eat properly now?"
他话刚落音,手机忽然有信息进来,他拿起看了眼,眉头微微皱蹙起。
The moment he finished speaking, his phone received a message. He picked it up and glanced at it, his brow furrowing slightly.
“怎么了?有事?”许煦问。
"Something wrong? Is there something?" Xu Xu asked.
柏冬青将手机放回桌面:“嗯,陪你吃完饭,得出去一趟,有个临时的应酬。”
Bai Dongqing put her phone back on the desk: "Yeah, I need to go out after finishing dinner. There's a last-minute engagement."
许煦道:“你就赶紧去吧,趁我现在住在这边,反正夜不归宿我也不知道。”
Xu Xu said, "Go ahead. Since I'm staying here now, I won't know if you don't come back at night."
第63章
Chapter 63
早上不到七点,刚刚睁开眼打开手机的许煦, 几乎是在瞬间, 便有电话进来。她看了眼电话屏幕的名字, 眉头微微蹙起, 本有还有些惺忪的脑子,顿时清醒过来, 马上接听了电话。
Before seven in the morning, Xu Xu, who had just opened her eyes and turned on her phone, received a call almost instantly. She glanced at the name on the phone screen, her eyebrows slightly furrowing. Her still somewhat drowsy mind immediately became alert, and she quickly answered the call.
“莫伟, 这么早打电话?有急事吗?”
"Mowei, are you calling so early? Is there an urgent matter?"
那头传来莫伟语无伦次的声音:“我……我杀人了, 现在南区怀诚路派出所。”
On the other end, Mowei's voice was incoherent: "I... I killed someone, I'm at the Huicheng Road Police Station in the South District now."
许煦大惊,从床上跳下来:“你别急,我马上过来!”
Xu Xu was shocked and jumped out of bed: "Don't worry, I'll be right over!"
挂了电话, 随便抹了把脸,她就匆匆出门往怀诚路赶,好在没堵车, 半个小时后就赶到了派出所。
After hanging up, she quickly wiped her face and rushed out to head to Huicheng Road. Fortunately, there was no traffic, and she arrived at the police station half an hour later.
值班民警听了她要找的人, 道:“你说的这位嫌犯还在做笔录,凌晨五点钟的时候, 他在澜会所门口, 持刀伤人。不过刚刚得到的消息, 伤者没有大碍, 而且派了人来处理, 准备和解。”
The on-duty officer heard who she was looking for and said, "The suspect you're referring to is still in the interrogation room. At around 5 AM, he was at the entrance of the Lan Club, wielding a knife and injuring someone. However, the latest news is that the injured person is not seriously hurt, and they have dispatched someone to handle the situation, preparing for reconciliation."
许煦听完愣了片刻,才反应过来:“没杀人啊?”
Xu Xu was stunned for a moment before realizing, "He didn't kill anyone, right?"
民警看了她一眼:“就是捅了人一刀,医院那边传来的消息是不严重, 所以双方能达成和解的话,咱们这里就不用立案了。”
The police officer glanced at her and said, "It was a stab wound, and the hospital reported that it's not serious. So, if both parties can reach a settlement, we won't need to file a case here."
许煦松口气,刚刚莫伟在电话里的语气那么惊恐,大概是自己被自己吓到。不过他那么一个老实巴交的人,而且腿脚还有残疾,怎么会跑去澜会所持刀伤人的?这疑问才刚刚产生,她自己就已经找到了答案。
Xu Xu let out a breath of relief. Mo Wei's tone on the phone had been so terrified just now, probably because he had scared himself. However, he was such a simple and honest person, and he had a disability in his legs. How could he have gone to the 澜 club with a knife to injure someone? The question had barely formed in her mind when she already found the answer.
她睁大眼睛问:“伤者是不是姓林?”
She widened her eyes and asked, "Is the victim surnamed Lin?"
民警道:“你说林凯杰么?”
The police officer replied, "You mean Lin Kajie?"
许煦点头,显然这位警察叔叔也认得大名鼎鼎的富二代。
Xu Xu nodded, clearly this police officer also recognized the famous rich kid.
民警道:“嫌犯的目标确实是林凯杰,不过受伤的是他身边的人,替他挡了这一刀。”
The police officer said, "The suspect's target was indeed Lin Kajie, but the one who was injured was someone beside him, who took the hit for him."
林凯杰出入总是前呼后拥,助手司机跟着,有人替他挡刀也正常。许煦若有所思地点点头,却还是有些狐疑,如果莫伟真的伤了林凯杰的人,双方能和解?
Lin Kajie always had a retinue when he went out, with assistants and drivers following him. It was normal for someone to take a hit for him. Xu Xu nodded thoughtfully, but still had some doubts. If Mo Wei really injured someone from Lin Kajie's side, could the two sides reconcile?
她正想再大厅,莫伟被从审讯室带了出来,她赶紧迎上去,看着他青白的脸,问道:“怎么样?”
Just as she was thinking this, Mo Wei was brought out from the interrogation room, and she hurriedly went to meet him, looking at his pale face and asking, "How is it?"
莫伟还没回答,负责笔录的警察道:“没什么事了,伤者主动和解,可以回家了,如果有问题,我们会再传唤。”说着拍拍莫伟的肩膀,“小伙子,这回是你运气好,伤者没追究,不然按着故意伤人罪,也能让你进去待一阵子,以后可不能再这么冲动了。”
Mowei hadn't answered yet, and the police officer responsible for the transcript said, "There's nothing to worry about. The injured party has agreed to a settlement and can go home. If there's any issue, we'll summon you again." He then patted Mowei on the shoulder, "Young man, you got lucky this time. The injured party didn't press charges. Otherwise, under the charge of intentional injury, you could have ended up in jail for a while. You mustn't act so impulsively in the future."
莫伟低着头,嘴唇紧抿,一言不发。
Mowei lowered his head, his lips tightly pressed together, saying nothing.
许煦笑着道:“谢谢警察同志!”
Xuxu smiled and said, "Thank you, officer!"
警察看了眼旁边一个西装革履的年轻男人:“你们应该谢谢伤者。”
The police officer glanced at a young man in a well-tailored suit beside him, "You should thank the injured party."
许煦这才注意到莫伟身旁跟着的不是警察,而是一个精英模样的年轻人,心道大概就是林凯杰派来处理这事的下属,对人客气开口:“麻烦你了!”
Xu Xu only then noticed that Mo Wei was not accompanied by a police officer, but by a young man with an elite appearance. He thought it was probably one of Lin Kajie's subordinates sent to handle the matter, and politely said, "Thank you for your trouble!"
男人彬彬有礼道:“不麻烦,这是我们老板交代的。”
The man replied courteously, "No trouble at all, it's what our boss instructed us to do."
许煦想了想,又试探问:“请问你们老板提出的和解条件是什么?”
Xu Xu thought for a moment and then asked tentatively, "May I ask what conditions our boss has proposed for reconciliation?"
年轻人道:“老板现在还在医院,暂时没具体说,不过我们老板人很好,知道莫先生情况的话,应该不会为难,你们不用担心。”
The young man replied, "Our boss is still in the hospital and hasn't specified anything yet. But our boss is very kind. If he knows about Mr. Mo's situation, he shouldn't cause any trouble. You don't need to worry."
林凯杰有这么好心?
Is Lin Kajie really this kind?
虽然满腹疑云,但也不好在派出所多问,道了谢后,许煦便搀扶着折腾了一夜满疲惫虚弱的莫伟往外走。
Although full of doubts, he didn't dare to ask too many questions at the police station. After thanking Xu Xu, he supported a tired and weak Mo Wei out of the building.
走出了派出所小楼,一直沉默的莫伟,才终于开口:“不好意思许记者,我刚刚是吓到了所以打了电话给你,麻烦你跑了一趟。”
Once they stepped out of the police station building, the usually silent Mo Wei finally spoke up: "Xu journalist, I just got scared and called you. I'm sorry for troubling you to make the trip."
许煦摇头:“没事的,我说过你需要帮忙尽管说。”她顿了下,道,“莫伟,我知道你恨林凯杰,想要替你妹妹讨一个公道,但你觉得这样可行吗?不说你能不能杀他,就算真的杀了他,你自己呢?你妹妹在天上也不会愿意看到你这么做吧!”
Xu Xu shook her head: "It's fine. I've said before that you can ask for help whenever you need it." She paused, then said, "Mo Wei, I know you hate Lin Kajie and want to seek justice for your sister. But do you think this is feasible? Not just about whether you can kill him, but what about you? Would your sister in heaven be willing to see you do this?"
莫伟整个人忽然激动起来,身体都忍不住开始颤抖:“我妹妹真的是被林凯杰欺负了才自杀的!”
Mowei suddenly became agitated, his body trembling: "My sister really committed suicide because she was bullied by Lin Kajie!"
许煦皱眉看向他:“你有证据吗?”
Xu Xu frowned and looked at him: "Do you have any evidence?"
莫伟红着眼睛道:“我看到我妹妹给一则性侵报道下留过言,说自己也遇到过类似的事,不知道该怎么办?”
Mowei, with red eyes, said, "I saw my sister leave a comment under a sexual assault report, saying she had also experienced similar things and didn't know what to do?"
许煦心里一怔:“除了这个还有其他的信息吗?”
Xu Xu's heart skipped a beat: "Is there any other information besides this?"
莫伟摇头:“我妹妹已经不在了,这种事情死无对证。就算我知道欺负她的人是林凯杰,但也没有证据证明。除了贱命一条,我什么都没有,只能用这种方式替我妹妹讨回公道。”说着,他再次抑制不住激动起来:“为什么那种人渣还有人替他挡刀?律师只是打官司,怎么还要替他卖命!难道这世上真的是有钱就可以为所欲为吗?”
Mowei shook his head: "My sister is no longer with us, and such matters are without witness. Even if I knew who bullied her was Lin Kajie, I have no evidence to prove it. Apart from a worthless life, I have nothing, and can only use this method to seek justice for my sister."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but become agitated again: "Why do those scum still have people willing to take their place in a fight? Lawyers just fight in court, why do they have to fight for them! Is it really true that money can do anything in this world?"
许煦从他激动的话语中听出不对劲,皱眉问:“律师?什么律师?”
Xu Xu heard something amiss in his agitated words and frowned, asking: "Lawyer? Which lawyer?"
莫伟道:“我本来要捅的人是林凯杰,但是他的律师替他挡了刀。”
Mowei said, "I was originally going to stab Lin Kajie, but his lawyer took the hit for him."
许煦只觉得脑袋像是被人狠狠敲了一棍子,一阵懵然,屏着呼吸问:“你说的律师是柏冬青?”
Xu Xu felt as if his head had been struck by a heavy object, going momentarily dazed. He held his breath and asked, "The lawyer you're talking about is Bai Dongqing?"
莫伟点头:“我没想捅那个律师,是他自己替林凯杰挡刀的,我真的没想伤害他……”
Mowei nodded: "I didn't intend to stab that lawyer. It was Lin Kajie who blocked the knife for himself... I really didn't want to hurt him..."
许煦脸色骤然大变,血色全无。
Xu Xu's face suddenly turned pale, losing all its color.
“许记者……”
Xu reporter...
许煦已经听不进任何话,看到不远处正拉开车门上车的年轻男人,赶紧撒腿跑过去,绕到副驾外打开门:“去医院!”
Xu Xu could no longer hear anything. Seeing the young man getting into the car a short distance away, she quickly ran over and opened the passenger door from the outside: "To the hospital!"
“啊?小姐……”
Ah? Miss...
许煦道:“你老板是柏冬青吧?”
Xu Xu said, "Is your boss Bai Dongqing?"
男人点头,他正是柏冬青的助理。许煦很少过问柏冬青的工作,只知道有两个助理,但却从来没有见过,所以刚刚他说老板还以为是林凯杰。
The man nodded; he was indeed Bai Dongqing's assistant. Xu Xu rarely inquired about Bai Dongqing's work, knowing there were two assistants but never having met them, so when he said "boss," she initially thought he meant Lin Kajie.
她急得厉害,也懒得多说,径自钻进车内:“那就赶紧开车,我是你老板娘!”
She was in a hurry and didn't feel like explaining further, so she climbed into the car herself: "Then get the car moving! I'm your boss!"
“啊?哦!”年轻的助理赶紧坐上车,边启动车子边看了眼许煦,见她脸色苍白,像是被吓坏了一般,赶紧安抚道,“柏律师没事,就是缝了几针!”
Ah? Oh!" The young assistant quickly got into the car and started it while glancing at Xu Xu. Seeing her pale face, as if she was frightened, he quickly comforted her, "Lawyer Bai is fine, just a few stitches!
助理姓王,刚刚跟了柏冬青一年多,自己老板很少说私事,他只隐约知道老板不是单身,哪里知道会在这种场合碰到老板的女朋友。
The assistant's name was Wang. He had been following Lawyer Bai Dongqing for over a year, and his boss rarely talked about personal matters. He only vaguely knew that his boss was not single, but he had no idea that he would run into his boss's girlfriend in such a situation.
许煦揉了揉额头:“你开车吧,不用管我。”
Xu Xu rubbed her forehead and said, "You drive, no need to worry about me."
此刻她的脑子已经乱成了一团浆糊。为什么柏冬青会和林凯杰在一起,而且还是一个晚上?为什么他会替林凯杰挡刀?她暂时不想去想那么多,只想马上看到他,确定他的状况。
At this moment, her mind was a complete mess. Why was Bai Dongqing with Lin Kajie, and why were they together for an entire night? Why did he shield Lin Kajie from a knife? She didn't want to think about it for now; she just wanted to see him immediately and confirm his condition.
好在医院也就只有二十多分钟的车程,一下车,问了王助理病房号,许煦就朝住院大楼飞奔,因为跑得太快太急,一路上几次差点撞到了人。
Fortunately, the hospital was only a twenty-minute drive away. As soon as he stepped out, Xuyu asked Wang Assistant for the room number and dashed towards the inpatient building. So fast and hurried was his pace that he nearly bumped into people several times along the way.
病房的门虚掩着,里面隐隐有说话声。许煦大口喘着气,将门推开。
The door to the room was slightly ajar, and faint voices could be heard inside. Xuyu panted heavily and pushed the door open.
“煦儿!”坐在病床边的冯佳转过头,惊讶道,“你怎么来了?”
Xuyu!" Feng Jia, sitting by the bedside, turned around in surprise, "How did you get here?
许煦置若罔闻,只苍白着脸看向躺在病床上的人。
Xuyu ignored her, only looking pale as he gazed at the person lying on the bed.
因为失血过多,这会儿柏冬青的脸色也跟白纸没什么两样,本来神色还算轻松,但见到许煦铁青着脸走进来,睁着一双心虚的黑眸看着她,下意识往枕头下轻轻挪了挪,拉起身上的被子一点点将脸蒙住,整个人躲进了被子里。
Because of excessive blood loss, Bai Dongqing's face was as pale as a sheet of paper. Although his expression had been relatively relaxed, upon seeing Xu Xu enter with a pale face and a pair of guilty black eyes looking at him, he subconsciously moved closer to the pillow, pulled the blanket up, and gradually covered his face, hiding himself entirely under the blanket.
知道莫伟捅伤的人是他后,虽然警察和王助理都说没事,但许煦还是担心了一路,心脏差点没跳出来,现下看到他这反应,才算确定确实是没什么大碍。
After learning that Mo Wei's stab wound was inflicted by him, even though the police and Wang Assistant assured him it was fine, Xu Xu was still worried all the way. Now, seeing his reaction, she was certain that he was indeed unharmed.
暗暗舒口气,她大步走过去,将被子一把撩开。
Relieved, she took a big step forward and lifted the blanket with a sweep of her hand.
“嘶!”柏冬青倒吸了口冷气。
"Ah!" Bai Dongqing drew in a sharp breath.
许煦吓了一跳:“碰到你伤处了,伤到哪里了,让我看看!”
Xu Xu was startled: "I hit your injury. Where did I hit you? Let me see!"
柏冬青小声道:“肚子上,不过没什么大事,缝了几针而已,医生说休养几天就好了。”
Bai Dongqing whispered, "On my stomach, but it's not a big deal. Just a few stitches, the doctor said I'll be fine after a few days of rest."
许煦将他的病号服撩开,果然见到腹部缠着纱布,看包裹的面积,只怕不知几针这么简单。他又恼火又心疼,小心翼翼将衣服放好,又把被子给他搭好,冷冷看了他一眼:“待会儿再审问你!”说着转头看向冯佳,“你怎么会在这里?”
Xu Xu lifted his hospital gown, and sure enough, he saw bandages wrapped around his abdomen. The area of the wrapping suggested it wasn't just a few stitches. He was both angry and worried, carefully placing the gown back and tucking the blanket around him before giving him a cold look. "I'll question you later!" He then turned to Feng Jia and said, "Why are you here?"
冯佳看向床上的柏冬青,见他对自己使眼色,正要说话,许煦猛地回头,恰好将柏冬青脸上的动作抓了个正着,她脸一垮,冷飕飕道:“怎么?还想临时串供?”
Feng Jia looked at Bai Dongqing on the bed, who was signaling her with his eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Xu Xu suddenly turned around and caught Bai Dongqing's facial expression. Her face fell, and she said coldly, "What? Trying to make a last-minute deal?"
柏冬青无辜地眨眨眼睛,赶紧摇头。
Bai Dongqing blinked innocently and quickly shook her head.
许煦转头看向冯佳:“你是我闺蜜,别想着帮他打掩护,到底怎回事,你说吧!”
Xu Xu turned to Feng Jia and said, "You're my best friend. Don't try to cover for him. What really happened, tell me!"
冯佳轻笑了笑:“昨晚林总组了一个局,请人在澜会所吃饭打牌,我也在,后来柏学长也来了。玩了差不多一个通宵,五点多结束出来时,忽然有个人拿着刀朝林总冲过来,柏学长反应快,将林总拉开,不过阻挡那人时,自己不慎被刺了一刀,好在伤得不严重。本来我一早就准备打电话给你的,但他怕你担心不让我打。”
Feng Jia smiled lightly. "Last night, General Manager Lin hosted a gathering at Lán Club, where people were eating and playing cards. I was there, and later, Brother Bai also arrived. We played almost all night, finishing around five in the morning. When we were leaving, suddenly someone rushed at General Manager Lin with a knife. Brother Bai reacted quickly, pulling General Manager Lin away, but in the process, he accidentally got stabbed. Fortunately, the injury wasn't serious. I had planned to call you early, but he was afraid you would worry and didn't let me."
第50节
Chapter 50
许煦再次回头看向病床上的人,几乎是痛心疾首般咬牙切齿道:“柏冬青,你昨晚答应过我什么?”
Xu Xu turned back to look at the person on the bed, nearly gritting his teeth in anguish as he said, "Bai Dongqing, what did you promise me last night?"
柏冬青支支吾吾:“我……”
Bai Dongqing stammered, "I..."
许煦红着眼睛道:“你刚答应我说绝不跟那种人走近,出门就跟人混通宵?!”
Xu Xu, with red eyes, said, "You just promised me that you wouldn't get close to those kinds of people, that you wouldn't even stay out all night with someone?!"
冯佳赶紧拉住她:“煦儿,我可以证明,昨晚虽然柏学长玩了通宵,但绝对没干坏事,就是玩牌而已。”
Feng Jia quickly pulled him back, "Xu'er, I can vouch for it. Although Senior Bai did play all night last night, he definitely didn't do anything bad. He was just playing cards."
许煦道:“现在是玩牌,以后是不是就是一起玩女人!”她摆摆手,努力让自己冷静,“还有……你竟然……你竟然替那种人挡刀!冬青,我真的不知道你在想什么!”
Xu Xu said, "Now we're playing cards, will it be the same for women in the future!" She waved her hand, trying to keep herself calm, "And... you actually... you actually took a knife for that kind of person! Dongqing, I really don't know what you're thinking!"
柏冬青终于开口,低声道:“我要是不挡下那一刀,莫伟刺伤就是林凯杰,那他就坐牢坐定了。”
Bai Dongqing finally spoke, her voice low, "If I didn't block that knife, Mo Wei would have injured Lin Kajie, and he would have been sent to jail for sure."
第64章
Chapter 64
许煦急了:“那也不能替人挡刀啊!刀子又没长眼睛,你怎知道一刀下来, 自己能安然无恙?”
Xu Xu was anxious, "But you can't take a knife for someone! A knife doesn't have eyes, how do you know you'll be unharmed?"
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“我有分寸的, 这不是没事么?”
Bai Dongqing lightly smiled and said, "I have control. Isn't that fine?"
冯佳走上来, 拍拍她的肩膀:“煦儿, 你别担心了,我就在现场, 学长反应很快, 刀口不深, 就是划了一长道,流了不少血。”
Feng Jia walked up and patted her shoulder. "Xu Er, don't worry. I'm right here. The senior reacted quickly. The cut isn't deep; it's just a long gash that bled a lot."
许煦虽然生气,但看着柏冬青也不知是熬夜还是流血过多而苍白的脸, 到底还是先忍了下来,对冯佳道:“这里有我就行了,你回去休息吧!”
Although Xu Xu was angry, seeing Bai Dongqing's pale face, which was either from staying up late or excessive blood loss, she ultimately held back and said to Feng Jia, "I can handle it here. You go get some rest!"
冯佳笑着点头, 凑到她耳边低声道:“学长怎么说也受伤了, 你就别他生气了。”
Feng Jia smiled and nodded, then whispered in her ear, "Even though the senior was injured, don't make him angry."
许煦微不可寻地嗯了一声。
Xu Xu murmured a barely perceptible affirmation.
冯佳转身正要出门,门口忽然走进来几个人, 为首的便是林凯杰, 身后跟着柏冬青的助理小王, 以及他自己的两个手下。
Feng Jia turned to leave, but suddenly, several people walked into the doorway. At the forefront was Lin Kajie, followed by Bos Dongqing's assistant Xiao Wang, and his two subordinates.
“林总!”冯佳礼貌道。
"Mr. Lin!" Feng Jia said politely.
林凯杰挑眉看她一眼:“去公司么?你等会儿, 我也去, 你坐我的车。”
Lin Kajie raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Going to the company? Wait a moment, I'm going too. You can ride in my car."
冯佳面色略有些僵硬地点头。
Feng Jia nodded slightly stiffly.
本来走在几人身后的王助理这时疾步走上前,将手中的食盒放在床头柜:“哥,我给你买了些清淡的粥。”
At this moment, Wang Assistant, who had been walking behind the group, quickly stepped forward and placed a food box on the bedside table. "Brother, I bought you some light porridge."
柏冬青点点头, 试图坐起来。
Bai Dongqing nodded and tried to sit up.
林凯杰忙不迭道:“你躺着就好!我问医生了,你这伤口得好好养几天。”
Lin Kajie hurriedly said, "Just lie down! I asked the doctor, and you need to take good care of that wound for a few days."
柏冬青轻笑:“小伤而已,没什么大事!下午就能出院,主要是也是昨晚熬了夜,没怎么睡觉,有些虚。”
Ba Dongqing smiled lightly: "Just a minor injury, nothing serious! I should be able to be discharged by the afternoon. The main reason is that I stayed up late last night and didn't get much sleep, so I'm a bit weak."
林凯杰在他旁边坐下,笑道:“今早要不是你反应快,只怕我就不只是缝十几针这么简单了。你这一刀是替我挨的,我林凯杰绝对不会忘记,以后我当你是我最好的兄弟,有什么需要我做的,说一声就行,只要我办得到,就绝不会推辞。”
Lin Kaijie sat down beside him and smiled, saying, "If it weren't for your quick reaction this morning, I probably wouldn't just be getting a dozen stitches. This cut was for me, and Lin Kaijie will never forget it. In the future, I'll treat you as my best brother. If there's anything you need me to do, just say it, and as long as I can do it, I won't refuse."
柏冬青看了眼站在一旁脸色黑如锅底的许煦,硬着头皮朝林凯杰笑了笑:“林总不用这么严重,反正大家都没事就好。”
Ba Dongqing glanced at Xu Xu, who stood nearby with a face as black as a pot, and forced a smile towards Lin Kaijie: "Mr. Lin, you don't have to be so serious. As long as everyone is fine, that's all that matters."
林凯杰笑着点头:“对了,那姓莫的你打算怎么处理?我听说你跟派出所那边说就是寻常打架斗殴,签了和解书,派出所没立案就把人给放了,到底怎么回事?就算你这只是轻伤,但他可是蓄意伤人,是想杀我,可不能这么算了。”
Lin Kaijie smiled and nodded: "By the way, how do you plan to handle that Mr. Mo? I heard you told the police it was just a common fight, signed a reconciliation agreement, and they let him go without filing a case. What's the real story? Even if this is just a minor injury for you, he tried to kill me, so we can't just let it go like that."
柏冬青不动声色地看了眼许煦,轻描淡写道:“当然不能这么算了,但你也看到了,他今早在会所门口一直瞎嚷嚷,说了很多乱七八糟的话,如果让他现在就被关进去,不知道会对警察说些什么,到时候怕给你惹麻烦,所以先让他冷静下来,其他的事慢慢说。放心,我是律师,交给我就好了。”
Bai Dongqing looked at Xu Xu without showing any emotion and said lightly, "Of course it can't be settled like this, but you saw for yourself, he was shouting nonsense at the entrance of the club this morning, saying all sorts of things. If we put him in right now, we wouldn't know what he would say to the police. It might cause trouble for you, so we need to let him cool down first and deal with the rest later. Don't worry, I'm a lawyer, just leave it to me."
林凯杰想起早上莫伟闹事时,大喊大叫的那些话,眉头不由得皱起,莫非是他手里有什么证据?虽然也不是什么大事,但真要闹出去,也挺麻烦。
Lin Kajie recalled the shouting and screaming Mo Wei had done when he caused a disturbance this morning, and his brows furrowed involuntarily. Could it be that he had some evidence? Although it wasn't a big deal, if it got out, it would still be troublesome.
他点点头道:“行,这件事交给你,你办事我放心。”说着,有些愤愤然道:“这家伙真是阴魂不散,他妹妹自己跳河自杀,非赖在我头上。说到底都是女人太麻烦!”
He nodded and said, "Alright, I'll leave this to you. I trust you to handle it." Then, he said with some frustration, "This guy is really persistent. His sister committed suicide by jumping into a river, and she pinned it on me. In the end, it's all because women are too troublesome!"
一旁的许煦听了他这语气,终于还是没忍住冷哼一声,插嘴:“那林先生为什么喜欢自找麻烦?”
Xu Xu, who was nearby, couldn't help but snort in response to his tone and interjected, "Why does Mr. Lin like to get into trouble for himself?"
林凯杰这才注意到床边还站着一个女人,抬头朝她看去,挑挑眉露出询问的表情。
Lin Kajie only then noticed a woman standing by the bed, looked up at her, and raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner.
柏冬青忙不迭轻笑道:“这是我女朋友,因为我受伤的事,跟我生气呢!”
Bai Dongqing hurriedly smiled and said, "This is my girlfriend. She's upset with me because of my injury!"
林凯杰立马换上笑脸,起身道:“柏律师是因为我受得伤,弟妹要怪就怪我,别跟柏律师生气!”
Lin Kajie immediately put on a smile, stood up, and said, "Ms. Bai, it's my injury. If Sister wants to be angry, be angry at me, not at Ms. Bai!"
许煦鄙薄地轻笑一声:“谁是你弟妹?”
Xu Xu sneered lightly, "Who's my sister?"
林凯杰不以为意,哈哈大笑:“大律师,弟妹很有个性啊!”
Lin Kajie didn't take it seriously and laughed heartily: "Big Lawyer, Sister-in-law has quite a personality!"
柏冬青有些无奈地笑了笑:“没办法,被我给惯坏了。”说着又朝许煦道,“我这儿有小王就行了,你去上班吧,我这伤没什么事,就是来医院折腾了一会儿,流多了点血,待会输完液,下午就能出院,别耽误你工作了。”
Bai Dongqing smiled helplessly: "There's no way, I spoiled her." She then turned to Xu Xu and said, "I have Xiao Wang here, you can go to work. I'm not seriously hurt; I just came to the hospital for a while and bled a bit more. After I get my IV, I'll be able to go home in the afternoon. Don't worry about it."
许煦瞅这俩人一唱一和的,哪里像是要跟人保持距离的样子,敢情是一刀挡出了真情谊了?但林凯杰人在这里,她再如何厌恶,也不可能情商低得当面吵起来。
Xu Xu noticed the two of them acting in unison, which didn't seem like they were trying to keep their distance. It seemed they had developed genuine feelings. But with Lin Kajie here, she couldn't be so rude as to start an argument in front of him.
她当然也想留来照顾柏冬青,但显然人家不稀罕。她看了眼殷情忙碌的王助理,幸好小王是个男的,不然她还不得被气死!
Of course, she also wanted to stay to take care of Bai Dongqing, but clearly, she wasn't interested. She glanced at the busy Yan Qing, Xiao Wang's assistant. Fortunately, Xiao Wang was a male; otherwise, she would have been furious!
她懒得再看柏冬青跟林凯杰那股称兄道弟的亲热劲儿,气哼哼出了门。
She was too lazy to watch Bai Dongqing and Lin Kajie's brotherly and affectionate behavior, and stormed out of the door in a huff.
林凯杰笑:“之前都没提起过女朋友的事,以为你这种大忙人肯定是单身,还想着给你介绍美女认识呢,没想到已经金屋藏娇了!”
Lin Kajie laughed, "You never mentioned your girlfriend before. I thought you, being such a busy person, must be single. I was even thinking of introducing you to a beautiful lady. But it turns out you already have a mistress!"
柏冬青笑而不语。
Bai Dongqing smiled without saying anything.
林凯杰继续道:“不过我看弟妹有点眼熟,是不是在哪里见过?”
Lin Kajie continued, "But I noticed Sister-in-law seems familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
柏冬青随口回道:“她是记者,可能去某些场合采访的时候,打过照面。”
Bai Dongqing replied casually, "She's a journalist. She might have met us before when interviewing at certain events."
林凯杰点头:“原来是记者,难怪看着脾气还挺火爆的。”
Lin Kajie nodded, "So she's a journalist, no wonder she seems to have a fiery temper."
火爆?柏冬青心下觉得有些好笑,好像她还从来没对自己发过脾气,这回估计是真被气到了,现在事情乱成一团,也不知道怎么跟她解释。
Fiery? Bai Dongqing found it amusing. She had never seen herself get angry before, but this time she was probably genuinely upset. With everything in a mess, she didn't know how to explain it to her.
许煦去医生办公室仔细问了柏冬青的情况,就请教该吃什么补什么康复得快,直到医生都快被问得不耐烦了,颇有些无奈道:“放心吧,没伤到器脏,就是刀口比较长,包扎看起来有点吓人,要不是没及时来医院处理,流多了点血,不然巴扎完毕马上就能出院,连点滴都不用打。只要别瞎折腾,好好修养,一个星期拆线,半个月就能痊愈。”
Xu Xu went to the doctor's office to ask Bai Dongqing in detail about her condition. She asked what kind of food to eat to speed up recovery, until the doctor was almost annoyed and said with some resignation, "Don't worry, no internal organs were injured. It's just that the incision is longer, and the bandage looks a bit scary. If you had come to the hospital in time, you wouldn't have lost too much blood, and you could have been discharged right after the surgery without even needing an IV. As long as you don't overexert yourself and rest well, you can have the stitches removed in a week and be fully recovered in half a month."
许煦这才相信柏冬青是真的没事,道了谢出门,下楼准备去找间私家厨房给订点营养餐,刚刚走出电梯,就迎面撞上一个熟悉的身影。
Xu Xu only then believed that Bai Dongqing was truly fine. He thanked him and left, heading downstairs to find a private kitchen to order some nutritious meals. Just as he stepped out of the elevator, he collided with a familiar figure.
程放站定,皱眉问:“今早的事我听莫伟说了,老三怎么样?”
Cheng Fang stood still and frowned, asking, "I heard from Mo Wei about this morning. How is Old Three?"
许煦看了他一眼,心不在焉道:“没什么事。”
Xu Xu glanced at him and replied absentmindedly, "Nothing serious."
程放道:“我去看看,问问情况。”
Cheng Fang said, "I'll go check on him and see how he's doing."
“不用去了,林凯杰在病房。”
No need to go, Lin Kajie is in the hospital.
程放轻笑一声:“这可真是过命的交情了!”
Cheng Fang chuckled lightly: "This is truly a life-and-death friendship!"
许煦抬头看他,神色不悦道:“你要真的关心这个案子,就告诉莫伟什么该做什么不该做,杀人没那么容易,就算冬青没挡那一下,他也杀不死林凯杰,坐牢的是他自己。”
Xu Xu looked up at him, her expression displeased as she said: "If you really care about this case, tell Mo Wei what to do and what not to do. Killing isn't that easy. Even if Dongqing didn't block that one hit, he couldn't have killed Lin Kajie. The one who ends up in jail is himself."
程放轻笑:“你说的是,老三还是跟以前一样是个老好人,不仅见义勇为帮人挡刀,还听说是他主动和解了,也不知道跟派出所怎么说的,案都没立,人直接就给放了。看来莫伟还真要好好感谢他挡了这一刀。”说到这里,却忽然又话锋一转,“还是说,这其实也是物超所值的一刀,让他以后平步青云的道路更顺畅?”
Cheng Fang chuckled again: "You're right, Old Three is still as good-natured as ever. Not only did he bravely step in to take a knife for someone, but it's also said that he actively sought reconciliation. I wonder what he said to the police station to get the case dropped and the person released. It seems Mo Wei really should thank him for taking that hit." However, he then suddenly changed the subject, "Or perhaps, this was actually a deal worth the price, making his path to success smoother in the future?"
许煦本想反驳,但话到嘴边,却又不知道该从何辩驳。
Xu Xu initially wanted to argue, but the words died in his throat as he didn't know where to start.
她当然相信柏冬青挡那一刀,不是为了讨好林凯杰。实际上按着他的性格,完全可以当作是一次本能的见义勇为。或者如他说的,阻止暴行其实是为了帮助莫伟,毕竟受伤的人如果是林凯杰的话,莫伟这会儿应该已经被关了。
Of course, she believed that Bai Dongqing blocked that blade not to please Lin Kajie. In fact, given his personality, it could be seen as a spontaneous act of bravery. Or, as he said, stopping the violence was to help Mo Wei, after all, if the injured person had been Lin Kajie, Mo Wei would have been locked up by now.
但是他最近种种行为,实在是很难让人如此乐观,不说别的,就说这会儿,还在病房和林凯杰谈笑风生呢!
But his recent actions were truly hard to be optimistic about. Not to mention anything else, just look at him chatting and laughing with Lin Kajie in the hospital right now!
想到昨晚他明明答应自己会远离林凯杰,转背就跑去跟人混一通宵,就算华天和林氏有业务往来,场面上的应酬免不了,但私下都要称兄道弟了,怎么都让她觉得不舒服。
Thinking of last night, when he had clearly promised to stay away from Lin Kajie, he turned around and went to mix with others all night. Even if Hu Tian and the Lin family had business dealings, social engagements were inevitable, but for them to be so close in private, it made her feel uncomfortable.
他答应自己的那些话,显然也只是敷衍。
He clearly only said those things to appease himself.
嚯!柏冬青都开始学会敷衍她了!
Hmph! Even Bo Dongqing has started to learn how to evade her!
程放看她面色晦暗不明,继续道:“说实话,我也希望老三是为了帮莫伟,以前的他这么舍己为人我相信,但现在的他,恕我直言,我不相信。不过他这次帮了莫伟是事实,不管出于什么动机,讨好林凯杰也好,助人为乐也罢,我都得替莫伟感谢他。”
Cheng Fang, seeing her gloomy expression, continued, "To be honest, I also hope that Third Elder is helping Mo Wei. I believe in his selflessness in the past, but now, to be frank, I don't trust him. However, it is a fact that he did help Mo Wei this time. Whether it was to please Lin Kajie or to help others, I have to thank Mo Wei on his behalf."
许煦轻笑一声,歪头看他:“我也说句实话,你这样帮助莫伟,我都不知道你是真的出于好心和正义,还是因为林凯杰的案子你输给冬青输得太难看不甘心,所以费尽力气也要把林凯杰弄倒,好扬眉吐气!”
Xu Xu chuckled and tilted her head at him, "To be honest as well, I don't know if you're really helping Mo Wei out of kindness and justice, or if you're so disgraced by losing to Dongqing in the Lin Kajie case that you're putting in all your effort to bring down Lin Kajie just to get your revenge!"
程放不以为意地笑了笑:“我怎么想不重要,重要的是我知道自己在做什么该做什么?”他顿了下,“但是……老三还知道吗?”
Cheng Fang smiled indifferently and said, "What I think doesn't matter. What matters is that I know what I'm doing and what I should be doing." He paused, "But... does Third Brother know that?"
许煦怔了片刻,语气平静道:“我相信他知道。”
Xu Xu was silent for a moment, her tone calm as she said, "I believe he knows."
程放哂笑:“小煦,我是为你好!老三他真的不是以前那个柏冬青了!”
Cheng Fang laughed derisively, "Xu, I'm doing this for your own good! Third Brother is no longer the Bai Dongqing from before!"
许煦道:“人长大了总会变化的,如果一直停留在从前,也不见得是好事。尤其是自以为是地停在从前。程检,你说是不是?”
Xu Xu said, "People grow up and change. If they stay the same as they used to, it might not be a good thing, especially if they think they are still the same. Cheng Jian, don't you agree?"
说完面无表情地绕过他往外走,走了几步,又想起什么似的,回头道:“程放,别再自欺欺人停留在从前了,因为眼睛不会骗人,从前我能从你的眼睛里看到自己,现在我什么都看不到,你觉得你对我余情未了,其实早就了了。但是柏冬青的眼睛里只有我,所以他是什么样的人对我来说,其实也没那么重要,如果真的走错路,我把他拉回来就好了。”
After finishing speaking, she walked past him expressionlessly, then stopped after a few steps and turned back, saying, "Cheng Fang, stop deceiving yourself and staying in the past. Because eyes do not lie. I could see myself in your eyes back then, but now I see nothing. You think you still have lingering feelings for me, but in reality, they have long since faded. But in Bai Dongqing's eyes, there is only me, so for me, what kind of person he is doesn't really matter. If he has truly gone astray, I can pull him back."
程放因着她这番话,僵在原地,等到她人已经走出玻璃门,消失在人来人往的大门口,他才回过神,然后自嘲地牵起嘴角。
Cheng Fang stood rooted to the spot due to her words. It was only when she had already walked out through the glass door and disappeared into the bustling entrance that he snapped out of it, then he quirked his lips in self-mockery.
她说得也许没错,他一直试图努力想将自己的人生拉回正轨,但其实属于自己的这辆列车已经开得太远,无论是车上的乘客,还是车外的风景,都早已变换更迭。
Perhaps she was right. He had always tried to pull his life back onto the right track, but the train that was his life had already run too far. Both the passengers on the train and the scenery outside had long since changed.
医院外面不远就有一家私房菜馆,许煦订了补血的营养餐后,就折返回来。
Not far from the hospital was a private restaurant. After Xuyu had booked a nutritious meal to replenish her blood, she turned back.
刚刚走进医院大门,便见到林凯杰一行人已经出来,正往停车的地方走,还没到车位,一个中等身材的男人忽然冒出来迎过去,堆着笑打招呼:“林总,您好!”
As soon as I stepped into the hospital entrance, I saw Lin Kajie and his group already coming out, heading towards their parking spot. Before they reached the car, a middle-sized man suddenly stepped out to greet them with a smile, saying, "Mr. Lin, how do you do!"
林凯杰轻蔑地瞥了他一眼,笑道:“郭总来接冯佳?”
Lin Kajie glanced at him disdainfully and smiled, "Is Mr. Guo here to pick up Feng Jia?"
郭铭唯唯诺诺点头:“是啊!正好路过这边,听小佳说在医院,就来接她,顺便送她去公司。”
Guo Ming nodded submissively, "Yes! I was just passing by this way and heard that Xiao Jia is at the hospital, so I came to pick her up and take her to the company."
林凯杰道:“不用了,我也去公司,我带她一程就好。”
Lin Kajie said, "No need for that, I'm going to the company too. I'll take her a little way."
冯佳走上前,正要婉谢,郭铭却已经忙不迭道:“林总真是太体恤员工了,那我就替小佳谢谢你了!”
Feng Jia stepped forward, about to politely decline, but Guo Ming had already hurriedly said, "Mr. Lin is truly considerate of his employees. I'll thank you on Xiao Jia's behalf!"
冯佳皱了皱眉,窘迫尴尬以及失望的表情在脸上一闪而过,却到底没说什么。
Feng Jia frowned, a flash of embarrassment and disappointment crossing her face, but she ultimately said nothing.
许煦看着那个站在林凯杰面前,几乎有些卑躬屈膝的男人,忽然才意识到这个世界的现实和残酷,她是不是被保护得太好了,因为什么都不缺,所以从来不需要去争取什么,所以把一切都想得太理所当然,然而这世上大部分人,想要得到一些东西,就势必要放弃一些东西,比如柏冬青,比如郭铭,他们都是赤手空拳走进这个纷杂的社会。
Xu Xu watched the man standing before Lin Kaijie, who seemed almost to be groveling, and suddenly realized the harsh reality of this world. Had she been protected too well, never lacking for anything, so that she never had to fight for anything, and thus had always taken everything for granted? But in this world, most people had to give up something to get something. Like Bo Dongqing, like Guo Ming, they had all come into this complex society with nothing in their hands.
她或许该庆幸,比起郭铭这样低级的阿谀谄媚,柏冬青至少不卑不吭。
Perhaps she should be grateful that compared to Guo Ming's lowly flattery, Bo Dongqing at least did not grovel.
她到底是有些反感这样的场景,鄙夷地撇撇嘴,为冯佳有些不值,避开几人准备往住院大楼走,却又瞥见林凯杰拿起手机,朝旁边的人挥挥手:“你们先上车,我去接个电话。”
She was somewhat uncomfortable with such scenes, disdainfully 撇撇嘴, feeling a bit sorry for Feng Jia. She tried to avoid the others and head towards the hospital building, but then she saw Lin Kaijie pick up his phone and wave to someone nearby: "You guys get in the car first, I'll just make a quick call."
他转身走过来,许煦也不知是出于什么心理,下意识隐在一辆车旁边。
He turned and walked over. Xu Xu didn't know what prompted her, but she subconsciously hid behind a car.
林凯杰走到一段僻静处,对着电话压低声音,语气有些不耐:“怎么这么阴魂不散?跟条臭虫一样,我不想到时候他有什么重要证据闹到警察手上。你让人随便用点什么方法让他消失吧!反正这种人命贱的跟蚂蚁一样。”
Lin Kaijie walked to a secluded area and lowered his voice into the phone, his tone impatient: "Why are you so persistent? You're like a stinking louse. I don't want him to have any important evidence to drag me to the police. Just get rid of him however you want! Anyway, people like him are as worthless as ants."
第65章
Chapter 65
等林凯杰挂了电话,回到他自己的车上, 一行人绝尘而去, 许煦才屏声静气从车身后走出来, 站子原地, 望着那远去的豪车,重重吐了口气, 脸色却是有些惊恐般的苍白。
After Lin Kajie hung up the phone and returned to his own car, the group drove off into the distance. Only then did Xu Xu step out from behind the car, standing still, staring at the far-off luxury car, and let out a deep breath, his face pale with a hint of fear.
林凯杰刚刚虽然没有点名道姓, 但说的是谁, 她用脚趾头想想也知道。
Although Lin Kajie didn't name anyone specifically just now, she knew exactly who he was referring to by thinking about it with her toes.
她赶紧拿出手机拨了程放的电话。
She quickly took out her phone and dialed Cheng Fang's number.
“有事?”那头接得很快。
"Is there something?" The other end answered quickly.
许煦道:“我刚刚听林凯杰打电话跟人说,要莫伟消失,莫伟可能有危险。”
Xu Xu said, "I just heard Lin Kajie on the phone talking to someone about making Mo Wei disappear. Mo Wei might be in danger."
程放倒还算平静:“如果真这样, 那就是坐实了莫伟的猜想,今早莫伟在澜会所那么大动静,估计林凯杰以为他手里有什么证据。他身上背了那么多事, 肯定怕牵一发动全身, 所以想把莫伟解决了一了百了。放心吧,我会让人看着莫伟的。”
Cheng Fang, though still calm, said, "If that's the case, then Mo Wei's suspicions have been confirmed. This morning, Mo Wei made such a big commotion at the 澜会所, Lin Kajie probably thought he had some evidence. With so much on his back, he definitely fears that one move could set off a chain reaction. So he wants to get rid of Mo Wei once and for all. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Mo Wei."
许煦松了口气, 又想到什么似的, 道:“你要搜集证据一定要快些, 莫伟这么一闹, 林凯杰肯定警觉了, 只怕是能毁灭的证据都会迅速毁掉。”
Xu Xu let out a sigh of relief, then seemed to think of something and added, "You need to gather evidence quickly. With Mo Wei causing such a stir, Lin Kajie must be on high alert. He'll probably destroy any evidence that can be destroyed."
程放道:“他犯的是可不止这一桩,早就对毁掉证据轻车熟路,毕竟有钱好办事。我也不是搞刑侦的警察, 现在都是私下调查,哪里是想找到证据就找能找到的,不过是靠捕风捉影的一点信息去摸石头过河。”说着,又轻笑一声,“你家柏大律师,倒是搜集证据的高手,不如你让他帮忙?”
Cheng Fang said, "He's guilty of more than just this. He's been adept at destroying evidence for a long time, after all, money makes things easier. I'm not a detective, so now I'm doing private investigations. It's not as if we can just find evidence whenever we want. We have to rely on bits and pieces of information to gather clues." He then chuckled, "Your lawyer, Bai Da, is quite skilled at gathering evidence. Why don't you ask him for help?"
许煦脸色一垮,没好气道:“你们这些吃皇粮的不锄暴安良,还指望律师干你们干的事,能要点脸吗?”
Xu Xu's face fell, and he spoke ungraciously, "You lot who live off the state don't even root out evil and promote good, and you expect lawyers to do your job? Do you have any shame?"
程放笑:“我就是开个玩笑,我还担心他会站在林凯杰那边帮他销毁证据呢!”
Cheng Fang laughed, "I was just joking. I was worried he might side with Lin Kajie to help destroy evidence!"
许煦:“你能不能不要把冬青想得这么坏?他是给这些恶人打官司,就算在法庭上确实不近人情,那也是在法律允许范围内,绝不会做知法犯法的事。”
Xu Xu, "Can't you stop thinking so poorly of Dongqing? He's defending these villains, and even if he's not very humane in court, that's within the bounds of the law. He would never do something illegal knowing the law."
“明白,反正柏冬青在你心里无可挑剔。”
Got it, so in your eyes, Bai Dongqing is flawless.
许煦懒得和他多说,毕竟这些事情也不是她该多管的,只是听到刚刚林凯杰的话,还是有些惊愕唏嘘。
Xu Xu was too lazy to say much more to him, after all, these were not her business to meddle in. But hearing Lin Kajie's words just now, she was still somewhat shocked.
挂了电话,深呼吸一口气,如果说之前关于林凯杰的黑料,只是靠着捕风捉影,但刚刚便已经可以确定,那些捕风捉影原来都有迹可循。
After hanging up the phone, she took a deep breath. If the rumors about Lin Kajie before were just hearsay, then just now she could confirm that there were indeed traces to follow.
莫辛生前应该真的被林凯杰性侵过。
Mozhen was likely really sexually assaulted by Lin Kajie during his lifetime.
第51节
Chapter 51
一个刚大学毕业的贫寒女孩,被有钱有背景的上司欺负,因为害怕怯弱或者难以启齿的原因,不敢反抗不敢报警,之后患上了抑郁症,最终选择在那个夜晚,结束了自己的生命。对林凯杰来说,欺负一个女孩子,大概并不算什么大事,莫辛可能也不是第一个,毕竟在这个世上,拿钱解决总是很容易的。但莫家兄妹显然不是能被钱收买的。
A poor girl who had just graduated from university was bullied by a wealthy and influential superior. Due to fear, timidity, or the difficulty of speaking up, she did not dare to resist or report the incident, which eventually led to her developing depression. In the end, she chose to end her life on that night. To Lin Kajie, bullying a girl was probably not a big deal; Mo Xin might not have been the first. After all, in this world, money often solves everything easily. But the Mo siblings clearly were not ones that could be bought off with money.
之前案子一了,林凯杰本来算是一劳永逸,做过的恶,随着莫辛一起被埋葬在地下,但他没想到莫伟会翻出这件事。
After the case was settled, Lin Kajie thought he had finally put an end to his wrongdoing, with Mo Xin buried underground along with it. But he did not expect Mo Wei to bring this up again.
如果闹上法庭定了罪,三五年是跑不了,对于这种有钱人来说,莫伟那种人的生命,和他的三五年比起来,显然微不足道。
If it had gone to court and he had been convicted, Mo Wei's life would have been a small price to pay compared to the five or six years he would have to serve for such a wealthy person.
许煦五味杂陈地上楼。病房里,柏冬青已经坐靠在床上,慢条斯理地喝粥。王助理坐在一旁给他汇报工作。
Xu Xu walked up the stairs with a mix of emotions. In the hospital room, Bai Dongqing was already leaning against the bed, sipping his porridge slowly. Wang, the assistant, was sitting by his side, briefing him on work.
这种时候,还不忘记工作,许煦也真是服了他。
At a time like this, still not forgetting about work, Xu Xu was truly impressed by him.
柏冬青听到推门声,抬头看是她却而复返,有些意外地问:“你怎么又回来了?”
Bai Dongqing heard the sound of the door being pushed open and looked up to see it was her returning, expressing some surprise by asking, "Why did you come back again?"
许煦没好气道:“我怎么就不能回来?”
Xu Xu replied unhappily, "Why can't I come back?"
柏冬青轻笑了笑:“我真没事,待会儿就能出院。”
Bai Dongqing lightly smiled and said, "I'm really fine. I'll be able to be discharged soon."
许煦走过来,看了眼旁边的王助理。小王同学很上道地站起来:“哥,那我就不打扰你和嫂子了,先回所里了。”
Xu Xu walked over and glanced at Wang Assistant beside him. Little Wang stood up promptly: "Bro, I won't bother you and Sister anymore. I'll head back to the office first."
柏冬青点头:“今天一大早把你叫起来,麻烦你了,没什么事就早点回去休息吧。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Waking you up so early this morning, thank you. If there's nothing else, go back and get some rest."
“我知道 ,谢谢哥!”
I understand, thank you, Bro!
王助理拿着文件袋出门,柏冬青看了看站在床边的许煦,干干一笑,将食盒往床头柜一搁,慢慢往枕头挪下去。
Wang Assistant carried the file folder out. Bai Dongqing looked at Xu Xu standing by the bed and gave a dry smile, placing the steamer box on the bedside table before slowly moving down to the pillow.
许煦木着脸看着他的动作:“要不要我帮你把脸也蒙住啊?”
Xu Xumu looked at his actions with a serious face: "Do you want me to cover your face too?"
柏冬青又默默坐起来,因为牵动伤口,疼得龇了龇牙。
Bai Dongqing silently sat up again, wincing in pain as he moved and tugged at his wound.
许煦皱眉道:“你别瞎折腾了好吗?”
Xu Xu frowned and said, "Can you stop causing yourself more pain?"
柏冬青点点头,老老实实靠在床头不再动弹,睁着那双黑沉沉的眼睛,抬头看着她。
Bai Dongqing nodded and obediently leaned back against the headboard, no longer moving. He opened his dark eyes and looked up at her.
许煦在他旁边坐下来,放缓语气,认真道:“你是不是在心里觉得我不让你和林凯杰私下有来往,是个人喜恶下的无理取闹,甚至很天真对吗?毕竟社会就是一张关系网,你们在工作上有交集,尤其是有重要的业务来往,私下要保持距离根本不可能。所以你才会前脚答应我,后脚就去跟他玩通宵。”
Xu Xu sat down beside her, speaking in a calmer tone and seriously said, "Do you think I'm being unreasonable and capricious by not letting you and Lin Kajie have private interactions, thinking it's just a matter of personal likes and dislikes? Even more naive, right? After all, society is a web of relationships. Since you have work-related intersections, especially important business dealings, it's impossible to maintain distance privately. That's why you agreed with me in front and then went to play all night with him behind my back."
柏冬青看着她,默了片刻,道:“你相信我,我和你一样讨厌林凯杰这种人。但有时候,想要做一些事,就必须暂时做一些妥协。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her, silent for a moment, and said, "You believe me, and you hate people like Lin Kajie as much as I do. But sometimes, to do something, you have to make temporary compromises."
许煦点头:“行,我相信你,但你以后不能瞒着我。你知道今早在派出所,等莫伟出来,我才知道被捅伤的人是你,我有多担心吗?”
Xu Xu nodded, "Okay, I believe you, but you can't keep things from me in the future. Do you know how worried I was this morning at the police station, waiting for Mo Wei to come out, only to find out that the person stabbed was you?"
柏冬青轻笑,握住她的手:“我真没事。”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly and held her hand, "I'm really fine."
许煦撇撇嘴,问:“伤口是不是还很疼?”
Xu Xu pursed her lips and asked, "Does the wound still hurt a lot?"
柏冬青轻轻摇头:“你不生我气,我就不疼了。”
Bai Dongqing shook his head gently: "If you're not angry at me, it wouldn't hurt."
“你还跟我耍滑头是不是?我看你真是变坏了。”许煦在他手上掐了一把,横眉倒竖道,“算了,等你好了我再跟你算账。”
You're still trying to play around with me, aren't you? I think you've really gone bad," Xu Xu pinched him, her brows furrowed. "Forget it, I'll settle accounts with you when you're better.
许煦瞪了他一眼,想了想,又压低声音道:“我刚刚在楼下听到林凯杰说要莫伟消失,恐怕莫伟说的他欺负过莫辛是真的。不过我已经告诉程放了,他一直在私下调查林凯杰,希望他能快点搜集到证据。”
Xu Xu glared at him, thought for a moment, and then lowered her voice: "I just heard Lin Kaijie say that he wants Mo Wei to disappear downstairs. I suspect that what Mo Wei said about him bullying Mo Xin is probably true. But I've already told Cheng Fang, and he's been privately investigating Lin Kaijie, hoping to gather evidence quickly."
柏冬青沉吟片刻,掀起眼皮看她,小声咕哝:“你和程放最近联系挺频繁的嘛!”
Bai Dongqing pondered for a moment, then lifted his eyelid to look at her, muttering softly, "You've been in touch with Cheng Fang quite frequently lately!"
许煦轻笑:“我也是因为莫辛的案子才跟他有点来往。”顿了顿,又故意道,“不过他对这件事这么上心,还真挺让我刮目相看的。以前觉得他想当检察官,是单纯想找成就感,但现在看他对莫伟的态度,感觉确实是挺有正义感,想惩恶扬善,为老百姓做点事。”
Xu Xu smiled lightly, "It's because of Mo Xin's case that I've started to interact with him." She paused, then deliberately added, "But he's really making me take notice of his dedication to this matter. Before, I thought he wanted to be a prosecutor just for the sense of achievement, but now, looking at his attitude towards Mo Wei, I feel he's genuinely just and wants to punish evil and promote good, to do something for the people."
柏冬青默默看了看他,身体挪下去,单手盖住眼睛:“我想睡一会儿!”
Bai Dongqing silently looked at him, then shifted his body down, covering his eyes with one hand, "I want to sleep for a while!"
许煦笑着趴在他枕头边,用手戳戳他的脸颊:“吃醋了?”
Xu Xu laughed and leaned over his pillow, poking his cheek with her hand, "Jealous?"
柏冬青瓮声瓮气道:“没有。”
Bo Dongqing spoke in a dull voice: "No."
许煦又捏了捏他的耳朵:“真没有?”
Xu Xu pinched his ears again: "Really no?"
“一点吧。”
Maybe a little.
“真的就一点?”
Really just a little?
柏冬青将手拿开,歪头看向她:“很多。”
Bai Dongqing pulled her hand away and tilted her head to look at her: "Many."
“行啦!我对他一点兴趣都没有。”许煦把他的手放进被子中,“瞧你这黑眼圈,快赶上国宝了,昨晚通宵很爽吧!赶紧睡觉,我在旁陪着你,等休息好了,咱们好出院,你都不知道我有多讨厌医院,小时候我妈生病,辗转不同的医院大半年,病危了好几次,导致我后来闻到消毒水的味道都害怕。”
"Come on! I have no interest in him at all." Xu Xu put his hand back under the blanket. "Look at those dark circles under your eyes; they're almost as impressive as national treasures. Did you have a good time staying up all night? Get some sleep now. I'll stay by your side. Once you've rested, we can leave the hospital. You have no idea how much I hate hospitals. When I was a kid, my mom was sick and we switched between different hospitals for over half a year, with her being in critical condition several times, which made me afraid of the smell of disinfectant ever since."
柏冬青看着她,认真道:“我以后会好好保护好自己,争取离医院远一点。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her seriously and said, "I will take good care of myself from now on and try to stay as far away from the hospital as possible."
……
下午出院,说是不严重,但毕竟也缝了十几针,行动很不方便。当然柏冬青自己是没觉得有什么,就是一路上,从上车下车上楼下楼,许煦非得小心翼翼扶着他,不知道的人还以为他是受了什么重伤呢!
After being discharged in the afternoon, they said it wasn't serious, but with over a dozen stitches, his movements were very inconvenient. Of course, Bai Dongqing didn't feel anything was wrong, but Xu Xu had to carefully support him every time they got in and out of the car, up and down the stairs, making it seem like he had suffered a serious injury!
对于许煦这种小题大作,柏大律师也很无奈,又怕自己多说几句惹她不满,只能老老实实按着她的话做。
For Xu Xu's overreaction, Lawyer Bai was also helpless. Afraid of her being unhappy if he said too much, he could only obediently follow her instructions.
晚上,因为家里的劳动力光荣负伤,许煦就担任起了干活的重任,正忙着收拾屋子,看到本来在沙发的柏冬青往浴室走,她赶紧丢下吸尘器,抢过他手上的衣服:“你干嘛呢?”
In the evening, since the family's labor was "honorably injured," Xu Xu took on the responsibility of doing chores. While she was busy cleaning the house, she saw Bai Dongqing heading to the bathroom and quickly put down the vacuum cleaner, taking the clothes from his hands: "What are you doing?"
“洗澡啊!”
I'm going to take a bath!
“洗澡怎么不叫我帮忙?”
Why didn't you call me to help with the bath?
柏冬青有些哭笑不得:“我就是肚子划了一道伤口,手脚还好好的呢!”
Bai Dongqing couldn't help but laugh and cry: "I just got a cut on my stomach, but my hands and feet are fine!"
“那也不行,万一伤口被你弄到水怎么办?”她小心翼翼拉着他进浴室,“自己脱衣服!我接水。”
That still won't do. What if the wound gets wet?" She carefully pulled him into the bathroom. "Get undressed by yourself! I'll fill the basin with water.
因为有伤不能淋浴也不能泡澡,只能站着用毛巾擦身体,柏冬青慢吞吞地边脱衣服,边瞧瞧看她。
Since she had a wound, she couldn't take a shower or a bath and could only stand and wipe herself with a towel. Bai Dongqing slowly undressed, glancing at her occasionally.
许煦瞥了他那有些别扭的动作,笑道:“你不会不好意思吧?都老夫老妻了,你全身上下哪里我没见过!”
Xu Xu glanced at his somewhat awkward movements and smiled, saying, "You're not embarrassed, right? We're old married folks, haven't you seen every inch of me?"
“……不是。”柏冬青看了她一眼,有时候她迷迷糊糊的时候,他会把她抱进来帮她洗澡,好像觉得理所当然。但现在两人位置一下对调过来,自己变成了被动者让她照顾,忽然就觉得有点不习惯。
"…No." Bai Dongqing looked at her, sometimes when she was half-asleep, he would carry her in to help her bathe, feeling it was natural. But now that their positions were reversed, with her taking care of him, he suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.
许煦拿着打湿的毛巾转身,看他光着身子有些僵硬地站在原地,不可思议道:“你不是真害羞吧?!”
Holding the wet towel, Xu Xu turned around and saw him standing stiffly in his nakedness, looking at him in disbelief, "You're not really shy, right?!"
柏冬青将双手展开,方便她给自己擦背,轻笑道:“我爸妈不在后,我就好像从来没被人这样照顾过,有点奇怪。”
Bai Dongqing spread her hands out, making it easier for her to wipe his back, and said with a light smile, "Since my parents aren't around, it feels strange to be taken care of like this."
许煦怔了下,想到这几年好像真的一直都是他在照顾她,也许是他总是把一切安排打理好,她也就没想过自己该为他做些什么,而是一直心安理得地享受着他的好。直到现在,她似乎才意识到,他也只是一个普普通通的人,不是钢铁之躯,这些年必然也会觉得辛苦劳累。
Xu Xu was taken aback, realizing that in recent years, it seemed he had indeed been taking care of her. Perhaps because he always arranged and managed everything, she never thought about what she could do for him, and instead, she had always felt content enjoying his kindness. Only now did she seem to realize that he was just an ordinary person, not a steel warrior, and that he must have felt tired and 劳累 over these years.
她小心翼翼给他擦洗着身子,笑道:“那你可得习惯,以后要是觉得累就告诉我,让我照顾你。等你老了,我给你端茶倒水。”
She carefully washed his body and smiled, saying, "So you have to get used to it. If you ever feel tired in the future, tell me, and I'll take care of you. When you get old, I'll serve you tea and water."
柏冬青看着她微微低着的头顶,嘴角弯起一丝笑容,默了半晌,才柔声道:“好。”
Bai Dongqing looked at her head, which was slightly lowered, and a smile curved his lips. He remained silent for a moment before softly saying, "Okay."
许煦抬头看了他一眼,佯装严肃道:“但是你得听话点,最近几天就老老实实待在家里,别老想着工作,更不要去跟林凯杰混。”
Xu Xu looked up at him and pretended to be serious, saying, "But you have to listen to me. For the next few days, just stay at home and don't think about work. Don't even hang out with Lin Kajie."
柏冬青点头:“嗯。”
Bai Dongqing nodded: "Mm."
第66章
Chapter 66
许煦为了照顾柏冬青,专门请了假, 不仅定了私房菜的营养餐, 还每天亲自下厨煲汤。柏冬青对于这种饭来张口的投喂, 简直诚惶诚恐, 老老实实在家休养了好几天,哪里都没去, 工作都是在家处理, 还当着许煦, 在电话里拒绝了几次林凯杰的邀约。
Xu Xu took a leave to take care of Bai Dongqing, not only ordering a nutritious meal from a private restaurant, but also personally cooking and making soup every day. Bai Dongqing was utterly terrified by this spoiling, accepting the care wholeheartedly and staying at home to rest for several days without going anywhere. All his work was handled at home, and he even refused Lin Kajie's invitations over the phone in front of Xu Xu.
许煦对此颇为满意。
Xu Xu was quite satisfied with this.
这几天唯一发生的糟心事,就是从程放那儿得知,莫伟失踪了, 是在三天后的晚上消失的。程放安排的人发现后,问了一圈城中村的邻居,唯一打听到的消息, 是有人说他回老家了。
The only unpleasant thing that happened in recent days was learning from Cheng Fang that Mo Wei had gone missing. He disappeared on the night three days later. The people Cheng Fang had arranged to look into it asked around the neighbors in the urban village, and the only information they got was that someone said he had returned to his hometown.
莫伟老家就在本市城郊, 程放赶紧去查看情况,但那个小村子里没人见过莫伟回来。一开始本来是断定是林凯杰所为, 偏偏意外得知觉林凯杰的人好像也在找他。
Mo Wei's hometown is just outside this city, so Cheng Fang hurried to check the situation. However, no one in that small village had seen Mo Wei return. Initially, they had suspected Lin Kajie, but unexpectedly, they found out that Lin Kajie's people seemed to be looking for him as well.
总之, 这个腿脚有残疾的青年, 消失得诡异又突然。程放本是想报警寻人, 可他们不是莫伟的直系亲属也就罢了, 就怕把警方搅和进来,打草惊蛇,让林凯杰知道自己在被调查的事。
In any case, this young man with a disability disappeared in a strange and sudden manner. Cheng Fang originally wanted to report the case to the police to search for him, but since they were not direct relatives of Mo Wei, they were afraid that involving the police would alert Lin Kajie and make him aware that he was under investigation.
最后只能作罢。
In the end, they had to give up.
许煦听了这消息后, 去跟柏冬青说起,对方却显然并不放在心上。
Xu Xu heard the news and mentioned it to Bai Dongqing, but the other party obviously didn't take it seriously.
“指不定是因为发生了这么多事,去散心了呢!确定林凯杰没能把他怎么样不就行了?”
Maybe he went to take a break because of all that happened! All we need to confirm is that Lin Kajie didn't do anything to him!
许煦也只能希望如此。
Xu Xu could only hope so.
一个星期后,柏冬青去医院拆了线,原本就有一道旧疤痕的腹部,又添了一道长长的新痕。
A week later, Bai Dongqing went to the hospital to have the stitches removed. Her abdomen, already marked with an old scar, now had a long new scar added to it.
那旧疤痕是当初上大学帮女生追小偷被捅的,这长长的新痕则是这回留下的。
That old scar was from when I was helping a girl catch a thief and got stabbed during my university days, and this long new one is from this incident.
许煦看着那两道疤,就抓心挠肺地难受,郑重其事道:“以后不准再做这种傻事,见义勇为也要先考虑自己的安全。这回还说替林凯杰那个人渣挡刀,一想就生气。”
Xu Xu looked at the two scars and felt heart-wrenching discomfort. He said seriously, "From now on, you're not allowed to do such foolish things. Being brave and helping others also requires considering your own safety. I was so angry when you said you were blocking the blade for that scumbag Lin Kajie."
柏冬青无奈地笑:“要不因为是莫伟,我也不会挡下的。你也不想莫伟因为林凯杰出事吧?”
Bai Dongqing smiled helplessly and said, "If not for Mo Wei, I wouldn't have blocked the blade either. Don't you also not want Mo Wei to get into trouble because of Lin Kajie?"
“我更不想你出事。”
I don't want you to get into trouble either.
柏冬青笑着叹了口气,转移话题:“要不然庆祝我拆线,咱们出去吃饭。”
Bai Dongqing smiled and sighed, changing the topic: "How about we celebrate my stitches coming out? Let's go out for dinner."
许煦还没点头,他电话忽然来了短信,随手拿出来一看,眉头微微蹙了下,然后朝她笑道:“看来陈老师猜到我最近被你投喂太厉害,胖了一圈了,所以临时给我安排了一个紧急出差的任务,我得收拾一下,马上出发。”
Xu Xu hadn't nodded yet when his phone suddenly received a text message. He took it out and glanced at it, his brow furrowing slightly before he smiled and said to her, "It seems Teacher Chen guessed that you've been feeding me too well recently and I've gained a bit of weight. So, he's given me an urgent business trip. I need to pack up and leave right away."
许煦啊了一声:“你这才拆线就出差啊!”
Xu Xu exclaimed, "You're going on a business trip just after your stitches came out!"
柏冬青站起身做了个大幅度蹲起的动作:“我真的没事了!”
Bai Dongqing stood up and did a large squat, "I really am fine now!"
许煦撇撇嘴:“那行吧!你自己当心点,有事给我打电话。”
Xu Xu pursed her lips: "Alright then! Take care of yourself, and call me if anything happens."
柏冬青点头,草草收拾了行李,就匆匆出门,在玄关处换了鞋出门,走了几步,又匆忙回身,来到门口,对目送他的许煦道:“我忙完这阵子,咱们两个好好度个长假。”
Bai Dongqing nodded, quickly packed her luggage, and rushed out. She changed her shoes at the entrance and walked a few steps before hurriedly turning back to Xu Xu, who was watching her, and said, "Once I finish up here, we'll take a long vacation together."
许煦道:“等你忙完了再说吧,你这工作说来就来的,我都不知道你什么时候能有长假。”
Xu Xu said, "Wait until you're done before you say that. Your work comes and goes, and I have no idea when you'll get a long break."
柏冬青亲了下她的唇:“这次肯定有。”
Bai Dongqing kissed her lips: "This time, I promise it will be for sure."
许煦被这个道别吻抚慰,挑挑眉轻笑:“行吧,那我等着。”
Xu Xu was comforted by the farewell kiss, and she raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly: "Alright, then I'll wait."
柏冬青深深看了她一眼,有些依依不舍地转身离去。
Bai Dongqing looked at her deeply for a moment before turning around with a hint of reluctance and leaving.
*
许煦一向很少去过问柏冬青工作上的事,只知道这次出差是去海滨城,大概是很忙碌,联系很少,她也不好打扰他,只每天晚上睡前语音几句。
Xu Xu rarely asked about Bai Dongqing's work, knowing only that this business trip was to the coastal city and that it was likely very busy, with little contact. She didn't want to bother him, so she only called him briefly before bed every night.
就这么过了三天,晚上九点多,许煦忽然接到程放的电话。
Three days passed in this manner. At around nine o'clock in the evening, Xu Xu suddenly received a call from Cheng Fang.
“有事?”
"Anything?"
那头的程放沉默了半晌,才开口:“老三这几天在哪里?”
That side's Cheng Fang was silent for a moment before speaking: "Old Three, where have you been these few days?"
“滨海出差。”
"出差到滨海。"
“他这么跟你说的?”
"Did he say that to you?"
许煦皱眉:“你想说什么?”
Xu Xu frowned: "What do you want to say?"
程放道:“滨海这几天有一年一度的游艇展和盛宴,这是林凯杰每年必参加的活动,而且他还会在这边组织私人派对,可能有一些不是那么光彩的交易,我想趁机跟一下。”
Cheng Fang said: "Binhai has its annual yacht show and gala this week, which Lin Kajie always participates in. He also organizes private parties here, where there might be some shady deals. I want to take the opportunity to follow him."
“所以呢?”
So what?
程放:“这几天我看到老三一直跟林凯杰在一起。”
Cheng Fang: "These few days, I've seen Old Three always hanging around with Lin Kajie."
“什么?!”许煦不可置信地提高了声音。
"What?!" Xu Xu couldn't believe her ears and raised her voice.
“而且可以确定老三是他派对的贵宾。”
Moreover, it can be confirmed that Old Three is a guest of honor at his party.
许煦脑子有些懵,如果因为工作需要,柏冬青必须和林凯杰交好,她也不是非得反对,但他这次明显又是在瞒着她。
Xu Xu's mind was a bit foggy. If because of work, Bai Dongqing had to be on good terms with Lin Kajie, she wasn't necessarily against it, but this time he was clearly keeping it from her again.
程放道:“我刚刚看到老三回酒店房间。”他顿了顿,又才继续,“带着一个女人,我把照片发给你看一下。”
Cheng Fang said, "I just saw Old Three return to his hotel room." He paused, then continued, "He was with a woman. I'll send you the photo to take a look."
挂了电话,许煦很快收到对方传来的一张照片,大概是隔得很远,光线也模糊,许煦只认出那穿着白衬衣的男人是柏冬青,而被他扶着的女人,因为裹着他的西服,又只是背影,看不出模样,只隐约可以确定个子很高挑。
After hanging up, Xu Xu quickly received a photo from the other party. Given the distance and the blurry light, Xu Xu only recognized the man in the white shirt as Bai Dongqing. The woman he was supporting, wrapped in his suit and with only her back visible, could not be clearly identified, but it was evident that she was tall.
程放紧接着又发过来一条信息:其实也不一定是我们想得那样,我等会儿去看看情况。
Cheng Fang immediately sent another message: Actually, it might not be what we think. I'll go check the situation later.
许煦看着照片中的酒店走廊,柏冬青扶着不知道是不是已经喝醉的女人,脑子一片空白。
Xu Xu looked at the hotel corridor in the photo, where Bai Dongqing was supporting a woman who might have already drunk too much. Her mind was blank.
她没有等程放去看情况,在回过神之后,直接将那张照片转发给了柏冬青。
She didn't wait for Cheng Fang to check the situation. After regaining her composure, she directly forwarded the photo to Bai Dongqing.
第52节
Chapter 52
*
而此时坐在酒店房间沙发椅上的柏冬青,听到手机信息进来,随手拿起一看,目光落在那张照片上,眉头不由得皱了起来。
At this moment, Bai Dongqing, sitting on the sofa in the hotel room, picked up his phone as a message came in. His gaze fell on the photo, and his brows naturally furrowed.
浴室的门打开,从里面走出来一个,顶着一头湿漉漉长发的女人。
The bathroom door opened, and a woman with long, wet hair walked out.
柏冬青抬头,问:“你怎么样?”
Bai Dongqing looked up and asked, "How are you?"
冯佳有些尴尬地扯了扯嘴角:“好多了,谢谢学长把我带出来!”
Feng Jia tugged at the corner of his mouth awkwardly: "Much better, thanks to Senior for bringing me out!"
第67章
Chapter 67
柏冬青道:“我之前提醒过你,林凯杰对你居心不良, 不要来参加他的私人派对。”说着, 话锋一转, 道, “幸好你还算警觉,很快就察觉饮料不对劲。”
Bai Dongqing said, "I warned you before that Lin Kajie had ill intentions towards you, and not to attend his private party." Then, her tone shifted, saying, "Fortunately, you were still alert enough to notice something was wrong with the drinks soon after."
冯佳苦笑:“郭铭的公司想做林氏的业务, 正好那块是林凯杰负责。”
Feng Jia smiled bitterly: "Guo Ming's company wants to do business with the Lin family, and that area happens to be managed by Lin Kajie."
柏冬轻笑了笑, 站起身:“既然你没事, 那我就走了。这种事今天你躲过了,下次不知道还有没有这么幸运。你是许煦在这座城里做好的朋友,懂法律, 心态也成熟,应该知道自己该怎么做,总之, 我不希望你成为林凯杰那个案子里自杀的莫辛。”
Bai Dongqing smiled lightly and stood up. "Since you're fine, I'll be leaving. This kind of thing, you might not be so lucky next time. You're Xu Xu's friend in this city, you understand the law, and your mindset is mature. You should know what to do. In any case, I don't want you to end up like Mosin in Lin Kajie's case."
说完便折身往门口走, 只是才走了两步,就被冯佳叫住:“你是不是在调查林凯杰?许煦知不知道?”
He then turned towards the door, but stopped after just two steps when Feng Jia called out, "Are you investigating Lin Kajie? Does Xu Xu know?"
柏冬青默了片刻, 摇头。
Bai Dongqing remained silent for a moment before shaking his head.
冯佳继续道:“我不知道你一个律师为什么要做这件事, 但林家什么背景, 你比我清楚, 我不希望因为你的关系, 让许煦受到牵连。她是温室里长大的女孩子,虽然已经不再年少,但本质还是很简单单纯, 这是她的人生最适合的状态,我不想看到因为你被打破。”
Feng Jia continued, "I don't know why a lawyer like you would do this, but you know better than I do about the Lin family's background. I don't want Xu Xu to get involved because of you. She's a girl who grew up in a sheltered environment. Although she's no longer young, her essence is still simple and pure. This is the most suitable state for her life. I don't want to see it disrupted because of you."
柏冬青转头,对她笑了笑:“这些年我一直很少让她接触我的工作,就是不想让她直面太多人世间的残酷,我比你更加希望她的生活永远是简单快乐的。虽然我只是律师,惩奸除恶不是我的份内事,但如果明知道有罪恶的事情存在却无动于衷,这不是许煦期望的我。你放心吧,我做事有分寸,肯定不会把她置身在危险中,所以在事情尘埃落定之前,不会让她知道,免得她担心。”
Bai Dongqing turned to her and smiled. "In these years, I've kept her from my work as much as possible, not wanting her to face too much of the harshness of the world. I hope more than you that her life will always be simple and happy. Although I'm just a lawyer and it's not my duty to fight evil, if I know there are evil things happening and remain indifferent, that's not what Xu Xu hoped for me. Rest assured, I know how to handle things with caution, and I will definitely not put her in danger. So, until everything is settled, I won't let her know, to avoid her worrying."
冯佳舒口气:“虽然不知道你到底做了些什么,但我相信你,许煦没有选错人。”她顿了下,又道,“有什么需要帮忙可以找我,我在林氏做法务,还是能拿到很多资料的。”
Feng Jia exhaled. "Even though I don't know what you did, I trust you. Xu Xu made the right choice." She paused, then added, "If you need any help, you can find me. I work in the finance department at Lin Corporation, and I can still get a lot of information."
柏冬青摊摊手:“不用了,想想你自己该怎么做吧?”他走到门口,又转头道,“我希望许煦在乎的朋友能好好的。虽然有些事外人不好说,但是你的男朋友值不值得你为他这么付出,我觉得你是时候好好考虑一下了。”
Bai Dongqing shrugged. "No need. Think about what you should do." He walked to the door, then turned back and said, "I hope the friends Xu Xu cares about are well. Although it's not appropriate for outsiders to say much, I think it's time for you to seriously consider whether your boyfriend is worth such a sacrifice."
他这次说完,便拉门头也不回地离开。
After saying this, he pulled the door and left without looking back.
酒店的走廊铺着地毯,脚步落在上面,几乎没有声音。柏冬青拿出手机,看着里面许煦刚刚发来的照片,眉头越皱越深。
The hotel corridor was carpeted, and footsteps barely made a sound. Bai Dongqing took out his phone and looked at the photo Xu Xu had just sent, his frown deepening.
有些人还真是阴魂不散啊!
Some people really are persistent!
他走了一段,觉察到面前有人,抬头停下脚步,举起手机,哂笑道:“看来我没猜错,这照片是你发给许煦的。”
He walked for a while and sensed someone in front of him. He raised his head and stopped, holding up his phone with a smirk. "It seems I was right. You sent this photo to Xu Xu."
程放也笑:“我只是想告诉小煦你是什么样的人?”
Cheng Fang also laughed. "I just wanted to tell little Xu what kind of person you are?"
柏冬青深呼吸一口气,一字一句道:“这段时间,你一直在用各种方式揣测我,觉得许煦被我欺骗。因为只有这样,你才能说服自己,理所当然地把私心带进工作。你觉得自己在拯救一个被我这种坏男人蒙骗的女人,想让她看到只有你才是正义光明的,只有你才是适合她的人。说到底,你还是心有不甘啊!程放。”
Bai Dongqing took a deep breath and said, "During this period, you have been speculating about me in various ways, thinking that Xu Xu was deceived by me. Only in this way can you convince yourself to bring your selfishness into your work. You think you are saving a woman who was deceived by a bad man like me, wanting her to see that only you are the one who is just and righteous, the one who is suitable for her. In the end, you are still not content!"
程放沉着脸道:“没错,我是心有不甘。但如果你行得正坐得端,又有什么好担心的?”
Cheng Fang said with a stern face, "That's right, I am not content. But if you are upright and honest, what is there to worry about?"
柏冬青轻笑一声:“你这段时间做了些什么,我一清二楚,我懒得去管,就是因为我行得正坐得端。”他指了指身后,“检察官办事还是多讲点证据罢,照片里的女人还在1210,你不如去好好问清楚。要我真的有什么问题,也好在许煦面前,一榔头将我打死。就凭这么一张模糊的照片,我随便找个理由就能在许煦面前搪塞过去,毕竟她相信我多过你太多。”
Bai Dongqing chuckled lightly, "I know exactly what you have been doing these days, and I don't bother to care because I am upright and honest." He pointed behind him, "Prosecutors should rely more on evidence. The woman in the photo is still at 1210. You should go and ask her clearly. If I really have any issues, I can be beaten to death by Xu Xu. With such a blurry photo, I can easily find an excuse to explain it to her, after all, she trusts me more than she trusts you."
程放冷冷看了他一眼,越过他往房间走去。
Cheng Fang gave him a cold look and walked into the room past him.
柏冬青摇摇头,离开了。
Bai Dongqing shook his head and left.
站在1210房门口后,程放深呼吸了口气,犹豫了半晌,才伸手敲门。
After standing in front of Room 1210, Cheng Fang took a deep breath and hesitated for a moment before reaching out to knock on the door.
他太想确定一些什么了,或者说太希望看到自己想要的结果,以至于有种说不出来的忐忑。
He was too eager to confirm something, or perhaps too hopeful to see the result he wanted, which left him with an indescribable sense of unease.
门从里面打开,露出一张还算熟悉的面孔。
The door opened from the inside, revealing a face that was still somewhat familiar.
“冯佳?”程放眉头皱起,有些不可思议。
"Feng Jia?" Cheng Fang's brow furrowed, feeling somewhat incredulous.
冯佳也很讶异,虽然认识程放,但除了在学校时,这位风云学长因为许煦贿赂她们几个室友之外,就没有其他交集,倒是听说他回来做了检察官,但从来没见过面,此刻看到他出现在酒店房门口,如果不是他先开口叫出自己的名字,她根本就不能确定这人就是程放。
Feng Jia was also surprised. Although she knew Cheng Fang, their interactions were limited to when he was a 风云学长 (prominent senior) in school, due to Xu Xu bribing their roommates. She had never met him in person, and she had only heard that he had become a prosecutor upon his return. At this moment, seeing him at the hotel room door, she would not have recognized him if he had not called out her name first.
“程放学长?”她犹疑着开口,忽然又恍然大悟,“哦!你是找柏冬青学长吧?他送我来这里就走了,刚刚才走的,你没遇到他?”
Senior Cheng Fang?" She hesitated to speak, then suddenly realized, "Oh! You were looking for Senior Bai Dongqing, right? He dropped me off here and left just now. You didn't see him?
程放知道冯佳是许煦的好友,倒不是因为是好友就没有什么,而是她的语气太坦然了,他想了想,推门而入:“我有点事想问你。”
Cheng Fang knew that Feng Jia was a good friend of Xu Xu, not because of their friendship, but because her tone was too casual. He thought for a moment before pushing the door open and saying, "I have something to ask you."
冯佳侧身让他进门,因为他曾经是林凯杰案公诉人的身份,她下意识问:“什么事?关于柏学长吗?他做的事跟我没关系,也没让帮忙。”
Feng Jia stepped aside to let him in. Because he had been the prosecutor in the Lin Kaijie case, she instinctively asked, "What is it? About Senior Bai? What he did has nothing to do with me, and I didn't ask for any help."
程放皱眉:“做的事?帮忙?”
Cheng Fang frowned, "What he did? Help?"
冯佳道:“就是林凯杰的事,我只知道柏学长在查他,但具体不清楚。”
Feng Jia said, "It's about the Lin Kaijie case. I only know that Senior Bai was investigating him, but I don't know the specifics."
程放蓦地怔住。
Cheng Fang suddenly went still.
*
这厢的许煦发了照片后,半晌没等来柏冬青的回信,本想打电话直接问,却忽然有电话进来,是家里打来的。
After Xu Xu posted the photo, she didn't receive a reply from Bai Dongqing for a while. She was about to call directly but then received a call from home.
“爸爸,有什么事吗?”
Father, is there anything wrong?
许爸爸在那头道:“你妈忽然病倒了,你赶紧回来,我已经派了车子去接你,这会儿应该快到了。”
On the other end, Xu Dad said, "Your mother suddenly fell ill. You need to come back as soon as possible. I've already sent a car to pick you up, and it should be arriving soon."
“什么?”许煦大惊,“妈怎么样了?怎么这么匆忙?”
What?" Xu Xu was shocked, "How is Mother? Why is it so urgent?
许爸爸道:“你先回来再说。”
Mr. Xu said, "Come back first and we can talk later."
“行行行!我马上收拾行李。”
Alright, alright! I'll pack my bags right away.
父亲派来的车子,二十分钟就到了楼下,许煦草草收拾了行李,爸爸这么急着派车子来接她,必定是妈妈的情况不大好,她心里担忧,也就暂时将柏冬青那张照片的事,抛到了一边。
The car sent by Father arrived downstairs in twenty minutes. Xu Xi quickly packed her luggage. Given how urgently Father had sent the car to pick her up, it must be that Mother's condition is not good. She was worried, so she temporarily put aside the matter of the photo of Bai Dongqing.
直到车子上了高速,她忽然又接到程放的信息:我误会了,老三恰好撞见冯佳喝了被人加料的东西,把她送回了酒店,送到就离开了。
It wasn't until the car was on the highway that she suddenly received a message from Cheng Fang: I misunderstood. Third-Eldest just happened to see Feng Jia drink something with added substances, and he brought her back to the hotel. He left after dropping her off.
后面还接了一张他和冯佳的照片。
There was also a photo of him and Feng Jia attached.
神经病啊!许煦松了口气,差点又让她误会了,这个程放就没干几件好事。
Crazy guy! Xu Xu heaved a sigh of relief, almost making her doubt him again. This Cheng Fang hadn't done much good.
程放又发过一条信息:老三是真在出差。
Cheng Fang sent another message: The third one is really on a business trip.
许煦对于他这忽然转变的语气,实在是有些奇怪,但此时最担心的还是妈妈的身体,什么事到时候问柏冬青就好了,也懒得再回复过去。
Xu Xu was genuinely puzzled by his sudden change in tone, but at this moment, she was most worried about her mother's health. She could ask Bai Dongqing about anything later, and she didn't feel like replying anymore.
三个多小时的车程,回到家里已经是凌晨。
A three-and-a-half-hour drive, and it was already past midnight when I got home.
许煦匆匆进门,叫道:“爸,妈妈怎么样了?”
Xu Xu rushed in and called out, "Dad, how is Mom?"
正坐在客厅等女儿回来的许爸爸道:“已经没什么大事,这会儿已经睡着了,你别打扰她,明早再看吧!”
Xu Dad, who was sitting in the living room waiting for his daughter to return, replied, "She's already fine now, she's already asleep. Don't disturb her, check on her in the morning!"
许煦有些狐疑地皱起眉头:“为什么生病了不去医院?”
Xu Xu furrowed her brow with some suspicion, "Why didn't she go to the hospital when she was sick?"
许爸爸道:“你妈妈就是老毛病,医院说可以在家休养,反正医生可以上门的。”
Mr. Xu said, "Your mother is just her old habit. The hospital said she can rest at home, and the doctor can come to the house."
许煦拍拍胸口:“你这么急把我叫回来,我还以为出了什么大事呢!吓死了我了!”
Xu Xu patted his chest, "You called me back so urgently, I thought something big had happened! I was scared to death!"
许爸爸清了清嗓子:“主要是你妈妈特别想你,一生病就想你陪在她身边,我就把你叫回来了。”
Mr. Xu cleared his throat, "The main reason is that your mother really misses you. Whenever she gets sick, she wants you by her side, so I called you back."
许煦叹了口气:“没事就好,那行吧,我请几天假陪陪妈妈。”
Xu Xu sighed, "That's good. Fine, I'll take a few days off to stay with my mother."
“对对对!好好陪陪妈妈。”
Yes, yes, yes! Spend some good time with mom.
*
隔日起床下楼,听到餐厅的动静,许煦走过去,看到妈妈正和家里的阿姨准备早餐,奇怪问道:“妈,你不是生病了吗?怎么这么早起来忙活?”
The next morning, after waking up and going downstairs, Xu Xu heard the sounds from the dining room and walked over. She saw her mother and the family's nanny preparing breakfast and asked in surprise, "Mom, didn't you get sick? Why are you getting up so early to be busy?"
许妈妈见到女儿,赶紧坐在餐椅上,轻轻喘着气,虚弱道:“你好不容易回家,我就想亲自给你做点早餐。”
When Xu Mom saw her daughter, she quickly sat down on the dining chair, taking shallow breaths and weakly said, "You rarely come home, so I wanted to make you breakfast myself."
许煦走过去:“我昨晚和爸爸说好了,会请假再家里陪你几天,你就好好休息吧。”
Xu Xu walked over and said, "I talked with Dad last night and decided to take a few days off to stay at home and take care of you. You should rest well."
许妈妈有些不满地嘟哝:“才几天啊!”
Mrs. Xu muttered unhappily, "Just a few days!"
“是啊!你这回就好好在家多待几天不行么?”许爸爸走进来接话。
"Right! Can't you stay home for a few more days this time?" Mr. Xu walked in and chimed in.
许煦看着父母二人,有些无奈地点头:“行吧!”又有些奇怪地小声嘀咕,“也不知道你们俩怎么回事,总觉得怪怪的。”
Xu Xu looked at his parents and nodded reluctantly, "Alright!" Then, he muttered softly, "I don't know what's up with the two of you, but I always feel something's off."
许氏夫妇二人相视看了一眼,有些心虚地别开了眼睛。
The Xu couple exchanged a glance and looked away, feeling a bit guilty.
许爸爸笑嘻嘻道:“好啦好啦,咱们一家三口好久没一起吃早餐了,快吃饭吧!”
Mr. Xu smiled and said, "Alright, alright. It's been a while since our family of three had breakfast together. Let's eat!"
许煦倒也没多想,和父母吃过饭,跟单位请了假暂时留在了家里。
Xu Xu didn't think much about it and had breakfast with his parents before taking a leave from work and staying at home temporarily.
父母对她向来施行的是宽松教育方式,很少管束她要求她,给她足够的自由。但这几天下来,许妈妈对她格外粘,就连出门都寸步不离。
His parents had always adopted a lenient educational approach towards him, rarely imposing strict rules or demands, and giving him plenty of freedom. However, in the past few days, Ms. Xu had become unusually attached to him, even following him closely whenever he went out.
这也倒罢了,但凡出门,必然带着司机。这司机是家里新请的,据说是退伍军人,高大健硕。说是司机,不如说是保镖更为确切。许煦还开玩笑,总算体会到了一个富家千金的待遇了,倒也没多想。
That was one thing, but whenever he went out, he was always accompanied by a driver. This driver was newly hired by the family and reportedly a former soldier, tall and robust. While he was called a driver, he was more accurately described as a bodyguard. Xu Xu joked that he was finally experiencing the perks of being a rich family's daughter, but he didn't think much of it.
她和柏冬青还是每天晚上才会发信息联系,他总说很忙,她也不好打电话打扰他,虽然对他还是很多疑问,但也不急于一时,准备等回去再问清楚。
She and Bai Dongqing would still only message each other in the evenings. He always said he was busy, and she didn't want to call and disturb him. Although she had many questions about him, she wasn't in a rush to ask them. She planned to wait until she returned to ask him clearly.
许煦总觉得哪里不对劲,却又说不出来到底什么地方不对劲。
Xu Xu always felt something was off, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
就这么有些不太踏实地过了十来天,一日早上,许煦刚起来,许爸爸拿着手机在卧室门口等着她。
For about ten days, they lived with this uneasy feeling. One morning, as Xu Xu was just getting up, her father was waiting by the bedroom door with his phone in hand.
“怎么了?爸爸?”看到父亲脸上严肃的表情,许煦奇怪问。
"What's wrong? Dad?" Seeing the serious expression on her father's face, Xu Xu asked in surprise.
许爸爸眉头紧锁,郑重其事道:“有件事我得告诉你,你做好心理准备。”
Mr. Xu's brow furrowed as he said seriously, "There's something I need to tell you. You should prepare yourself mentally."
许爸爸道:“冬青前几天住院了,让我们别告诉你。”
Mr. Xu said, "Dongqing was hospitalized a few days ago, and we asked them not to tell you."
“啊?”许煦一头雾水。
"Ah?" Xu Xi was completely baffled.
许爸爸道:“你这次回来也是他让我们把你接回来的。”
Mr. Xu said, "This time you came back was also at his request."
许煦愈发听不懂,但还是听得懂住院两个字:“爸,你到底在说什么?冬青现在到底怎么了?”
Xu Xu could no longer understand, but still grasped the words "hospital": "Dad, what are you really saying? What happened to Dongqing now?"
许爸爸把手机递给她:“他已经离开医院,说现在很安全,但得离开一阵子,让我把这封信转给你,叫你不要担心。”
Mr. Xu handed her the phone: "He has left the hospital. He says he is now very safe, but he needs to be away for a while. He asked me to give you this letter and told me not to worry about him."
。
第68章
Chapter 68
许爸爸看着女儿大惊失色的模样,继续道:“他暗中查到了林凯杰和林氏集团的犯罪证据, 交给了警方, 现在警方已经着手调查, 但不慎走漏了风声, 有点小麻烦。他之前就是担心会发生这种事,所以让我们把你接回来, 毕竟这里是咱们的地盘, 林氏想动你也没这个本事。”
Seeing his daughter's shocked expression, Mr. Xu continued: "He secretly gathered evidence of Lin Kajie and the Lin Corporation's crimes and handed it over to the police. Now the police are investigating, but a leak has caused some trouble. He was worried this might happen, so he asked us to bring you back. After all, this is our territory, and the Lin Corporation doesn't have the power to touch you."
许煦接过手机, 脑子乱嗡嗡作响,觉得自己好像有些欧没听懂父亲的话。她瞥了眼屏幕,语无伦次道:“爸, 你是说冬青悄悄查了林凯杰和林氏集团,然后因为走漏风声被林家报复?所以受伤住院了?我这次回来,是他让你们把我接回来的, 为得就是怕连累我?”
Xu Xu took the phone, her mind buzzing with confusion, feeling like she hadn't quite understood her father's words. She glanced at the screen and stammered, "Dad, you mean Dongqing secretly investigated Lin Kaijie and the Lin Group, and because of a leak, the Lin family retaliated? So he got injured and was hospitalized? This time I came back, he made you come to pick me up to avoid implicating me?"
许爸爸神色复杂地点点头。
Mr. Xu nodded, his expression complex.
许煦脑袋像是被人砸了一拳般, 眼前一黑,差点栽倒, 还是许爸爸及时扶住了她:“你别急, 虽然住了院, 但就是一点小事故, 没什么大事。爸爸了解他的, 他做事很周全,肯定早就有准备,不然也不会让我们把你接回来。”
Xu Xu's head felt as if it had been hit by a punch, and she almost collapsed, but her father quickly supported her. "Don't worry, although you're in the hospital, it's just a minor accident, nothing serious. I know him well, he's very thorough in his work, and he must have made preparations. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked us to come pick you up."
“爸——”许煦崩溃地捂住额头, “他什么都瞒着我,你怎么也跟他一起瞒着我?我是可以回来躲进你们搭建的避风港?但是冬青呢?他无父无母,你就眼睁睁看着他一个人陷入危险而袖手旁观?”
Dad—" Xu Xu covered her forehead in despair, "He's been keeping everything from me, and you're also lying to me with him? Can I come back and hide in the safe haven you've built for me? But what about Dongqing? He has no parents, and you just watch him get into danger without doing anything to help?
许爸爸神色严肃道:“不说爸爸我有没有这个立场和能力去插手他要做的事,就说他作为一个男人,如果没有足够的自保能力,那么就不应该为了自己份内之外的事去涉险。如果只是凭着一腔冲动,而保护不了自己,这样的人我也决不会答应他做我的女婿。”见女儿表情焦灼,又缓下语气,“你放心吧,他已经给我保证过,绝对不会出事。不告诉你,一来是怕你担心,二来是为了谨慎。你先看他留给你的信吧,看完了下楼吃饭,他好歹也是个大律师,说没事肯定没事。”
Mr. Xu's expression was serious as he said, "Even if I didn't have the stance and capability to interfere with what he wants to do, as a man, if he doesn't have enough self-protection, he shouldn't risk himself for matters beyond his duty. If he only acts on impulse and can't protect himself, I would never agree to him becoming my daughter's husband." Seeing his daughter's anxious expression, he softened his tone, "Don't worry. He has already assured me that nothing will happen. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry, and also to be cautious. First, read the letter he left for you. After you're done, come downstairs to eat. He is, after all, a lawyer, and if he says it's fine, it's fine."
许煦攥着手机返回屋内,脑子还乱得厉害,努力深呼吸了几口气,才镇定下来,去看手机中的文字。
Xu Xu held the phone as he returned to the house, his mind still in a whirl. He took several deep breaths before calming down to read the text on the phone.
你看到这封信的时候,叔叔应该已经告诉你我做了什么。你放心,我现在在一个很安全的地方,只是为了不让人找到我,暂时没办法使用手机,所以只能先留下这些话给你,让你不要担心。
When you see this letter, Uncle should have already told you what I did. Rest assured, I am in a very safe place right now. I can't use my phone for now because I don't want anyone to find me, so I can only leave these words for you first, to let you not worry.
我知道你肯定很生气我一直瞒着你,但我也知道,你对我的生气从来都是假的,担心却永远是真的,所以我宁愿你生气也不想你担心。也许你有些奇怪我为什么会做这件事,其实一开始我确实没打算多管闲事,因为这并非一个律师该做的事。但是当你质疑我为什么变得冷漠时,我忽然才慢慢反思,这份工作是不是真的让我在不知不觉中变得麻木不仁?虽然不想承认,但这确实是无法抹杀的事实。我每年办几十件案子,每天看到的都是各种罪行,当事人大部分都是传统意义上的恶人。我从最初的痛苦到习以为常,渐渐只关心案子本身,很少去留意罪恶的背后,觉得自己行使法律赋予的权利就足以,那些恶终究有一天会无所遁形。直到我查到莫辛的心理诊断报告和她在网上的留言,意识到这场悲剧的源头毫无疑问是来自林凯杰,看到莫伟的无力,以及逍遥法外毫无愧疚之心的林凯杰后,才决定让他受到该有的法律惩罚。
I know you must be very angry at me for keeping this from you, but I also know that your anger is always fake, and your concern is always real. So, I would rather you be angry than worried. Perhaps you are wondering why I did this, but in fact, I didn't initially plan to meddle in this matter because it wasn't a lawyer's job. But when you questioned why I had become cold, I suddenly began to reflect and wonder if this job had made me numb without realizing it? Although I didn't want to admit it, this was an undeniable fact. I handle dozens of cases each year, and every day I see various crimes. The parties involved are mostly traditional 意义上的恶人. From the initial pain to becoming accustomed, I gradually only cared about the cases themselves, rarely paying attention to the evil behind them, thinking that exercising the rights granted by the law was enough. Those evils would eventually be exposed. It was only after I found Mo Xin's psychological evaluation report and her comments online that I realized the source of this tragedy was undoubtedly Lin Kajie. Seeing Mo Wei's helplessness and Lin Kajie's guiltless 逍遥法外, I decided to let him face the due legal punishment.
本来我只是调查莫辛有关的证据,却无意间发觉了更多的东西。当我犹豫要不要继续下去的时候,我想的是,必然有很多人会觉得我这样的行为很愚蠢,但我相信你一定会支持我。那么这个理由就足够了。
I had only intended to investigate evidence related to Mosin, but inadvertently discovered more. When I hesitated whether to continue, I thought that many would consider my actions foolish. But I believe you would support me. That is enough of a reason.
我一定会好好保护自己,等一切尘埃落定,我就来接你回家。
I will protect myself well, and when everything settles down, I will come to pick you up.
读完这一长串留言,许煦虽然担心得眼眶发红,但又有些释然般地笑开。不论怎样,这留言透露出的语气,看起来轻松笃定,显然是真的没事。
After reading this long message, Xu Xu, though worried to the point of reddening her eyes, managed to smile with a sense of relief. Regardless, the tone of the message seemed relaxed and confident, clearly indicating that everything was fine.
就如父亲所说,他做事一向周全,必然是考虑好了所有的应对方法。虽然还是有些抱怨,他一直瞒着自己,但也明白他这个人从来都是这样,总是做好一切,不让自己费心。一起生活三四年,她连电费水费都没让她交过,又怎么可能会让她卷进这种大事当中?
As Father said, he always does things thoroughly, having surely considered all possible responses. Although I still have some complaints, he has always kept me in the dark. But I understand that he is like this, always taking care of everything so I don't have to worry. Living together for three to four years, he never let me pay for the electricity or water bills, so how could he possibly involve me in such a big matter?
第53节
Chapter 53
她不由得开始为自己这段时间对他的质疑而愧疚自责。这个世上她谁都可以怀疑,唯独不应该怀疑他?他一直都是自己一开始就认识的那个柏冬青,正直善良勇敢。
She couldn't help but feel guilty and self-reproachful for her doubts about him during this time. In this world, she could doubt anyone, but not him? He had always been the upright, kind, and brave Bai Dongqing that she had known from the start.
一直都是。
Always.
许煦握着手机又哭又笑地趴在床上,虽然知道他现在关闭了通讯,没办法联系上,但还是编辑了一条信息发给他。
Xu Xu held her phone, crying and laughing as she lay on the bed. Although she knew he had turned off his communication and couldn't be reached, she still edited a message to send to him.
“你要是敢出一点事,我饶不了你。”
If you cause any trouble, I won't spare you.
发完之后,哪怕等不到回复,也怔怔地看着屏幕许久
After sending it, even if there was no reply, she stared at the screen for a long time.
说彻底不担心是假的,毕竟不知道他人在哪里,情况如何。得不到他的消息,许煦其实还是会有些提心吊胆。
It was a lie to say she wasn't worried, after all, she had no idea where he was or what was happening. Without his news, Xu Xu actually felt a bit anxious.
她在家一面关心着江城那边的形势,一面想着柏冬青到底把自己藏在了哪里,每天至少给他的号码发十几条短信,吃了什么玩了什么,事无巨细地报告,虽然收不到回复,但总比什么都不做要安心。
She kept an eye on the situation in Jiangcheng at home, while also wondering where exactly Ba Dongqing had hidden her. She sent at least ten text messages to his number every day, reporting what she ate and what she did, down to the smallest details. Although she didn't receive any replies, it was better than doing nothing.
直到小半个月过去,林凯杰涉及多起性侵和两起命案被逮捕,林氏集团洗钱和偷税漏税正式立案,相关消息全面开花般在媒体通报,林氏父子被捕的场景,连着两天成为各大网站和报刊的头版头条。
After nearly a week and a half, Lin Kajie was arrested for multiple cases of sexual assault and two murders, and the Lin Group was formally charged with money laundering and tax evasion. The related news spread like wildfire in the media, with the scenes of the Lin father and son being arrested becoming the front-page headlines of major websites and newspapers for two consecutive days.
树倒猢狲散,很多与林氏父子及林氏集团走得近的名流商贾和企业,都纷纷撇清关系,甚至开始爆料出各种林氏的黑料,总之一时间在江城横行多年的林氏父子如同过街老鼠一般,大快人心,人人喊打。
With the fall of the tree, the monkeys scatter. Many celebrities, merchants, and enterprises that had close ties with the Lin father and son and the Lin Group quickly distanced themselves, even beginning to leak various black materials about the Lin family. In a short while, the Lin father and son, who had long been rampant in Jiang City, were like rats passing through the street, causing great satisfaction among the public, with everyone shouting for their heads.
林氏父子被捕的那日傍晚,许家一家三口正围坐餐桌吃火锅,许煦习惯性地拍了张照片给柏冬青发过去。
On the evening of the day the Lin father and son were arrested, the Xu family was sitting around the dining table enjoying a hot pot. Xu Xu habitually took a photo and sent it to Bai Dongqing.
五分钟后,手机叮的一声,响起信息提示声。
Five minutes later, the phone dinged, signaling a message notification.
许煦愣了下,脑子灵光一闪,手忙脚乱地拿过手机打开,不可置信地看着对话框。
Xu Xu was taken aback, a flash of inspiration lighting up his mind as he hurriedly grabbed his phone and opened it, staring at the dialogue box in disbelief.
连续十天的自言自语之后,对话框里终于有了一条对方的回复,对许煦来说,简直像是做梦一般。
After ten days of monologue, there was finally a reply in the dialogue box. For Xu Xu, it was like a dream come true.
柏冬青回复她的是一张照片,照片是一张土灶大锅,锅里蹲着热腾腾的菜。
Bai Dongqing's reply was a photo, showing a large earthen stove pot with steaming vegetables inside.
许煦愣了半天才回神,赶紧拨过去。
Xu Xu was stunned for a long time before he regained his composure and quickly dialed the number.
那头很快接起来,温和的声音中略带着点清浅的笑意:“喂!”
That head quickly responded, with a gentle voice carrying a faint smile: "Hello!"
许煦差点从椅上跳起来,也不顾父母就在旁边,大声叫道:“喂什么喂!你现在在哪里?”
Xu Xu nearly jumped out of her chair, ignoring her parents nearby, and shouted loudly, "Hello! Where are you now?"
电话里的柏冬青,发出低低的笑声,不紧不慢道:“你不要急,我好好的,一点事都没有。”
In the phone, Bai Dongqing let out a soft laugh, speaking calmly, "Don't worry, I'm fine, nothing happened to me."
许煦道:“你看到新闻了吧,林氏父子已经被抓了,你赶紧给我回来接我。”
Xu Xu said, "You must have seen the news, the Lin family has been arrested. You need to come back and pick me up as soon as possible."
“那个……”那头的柏冬青支支吾吾,“我这里有点事,还得过几天才回去。”
Um..." Badeqing on the other end stuttered, "I have something here and I'll have to go back in a few days.
“还过几天?这都大半个月了。”许煦简直要炸了,“你到底在哪里?是不是被什么狐狸精迷住了,乐不思蜀了?”
Still in a few days? It's been almost two weeks already." Xu Xu was practically exploding, "Where are you exactly? Have you been bewitched by some fox spirit and lost all desire to return?
餐桌上的许氏夫妇相互对视了一眼,默默低头吃火锅。
The Xu couple at the table exchanged a glance and silently continued eating their hotpot.
柏冬青被逗笑,在电话里沉默了片刻:“要不然你来接我怎么样?”
Badeqing was amused and remained silent for a moment on the phone, "How about you come and pick me up?"
因为一切尘埃落定,确定他没事,许煦也完全放松下来,听到他的声音后,心中欢快,恨不得手舞足蹈,自然也有了心思开玩笑:“你以为你很厉害?当自己大英雄么?还要我来接你?你想得美!快点给我滚回来,饶你一命。”
Because everything was settled, and he was sure that he was fine, Xu Xu relaxed completely. Hearing his voice, she was overjoyed, wanting to jump for joy, and naturally, she felt like joking around: "Do you think you're so great? Acting like a big hero? Do you think I need to come pick you up? You're dreaming! Hurry up and get back here, or I'll let you off this time."
柏冬青低声道:“可能……还是得你来接我,我脚前天扭伤了。”
Bai Dongqing whispered, "Maybe... you still need to come pick me up. I sprained my foot two days ago."
许煦闻言一下就紧张了,紧张道:“你在哪里?我马上来接你。”
Xu Xu immediately grew tense upon hearing this, saying anxiously, "Where are you? I'll come pick you up right away."
许爸爸终于忍不住了,用筷子敲敲桌面:“快七点了,你能马上去哪里?赶紧说完了好好吃饭。”
Xu Dad could no longer hold back and tapped the table with his chopsticks, "It's almost seven o'clock. Where can you go right now? Finish talking quickly and let's eat properly."
许煦撇撇嘴。
Xu Xu pursed his lips.
那头的柏冬青果然也道:“马上可能是没办法了,我现在在山区呢!”
Bai Dongqing on the other end indeed said, "It might be too late soon. I'm in the mountains right now!"
“啊?”像是灵光乍现一般,许煦问,“你在你资助的那个山区小学?”
Ah?" It seemed like a sudden realization, Xu Xu asked, "Are you at the mountain school you've been supporting?
这些年柏冬青一直长期资助一间山区小学,用得是两人的名义,还去过两次,和那边的老师算得上熟悉。
Bai Dongqing had been supporting a mountain school for many years, using both their names, and had even visited twice, making him somewhat familiar with the teachers there.
柏冬青嗯了一声:“没错。”
Bai Dongqing hummed in agreement: "That's right."
许煦失笑:“难怪都找不到你,原来躲得这么多远。”
Xu Xu laughed: "No wonder I couldn't find you. You were hiding so far away."
山区太偏远,连手机信号都不是那么好。
The mountains were too remote, even the mobile signal wasn't that good.
柏冬青在那头咕哝道:“那你来不来接我?”
Bai Dongqing mumbled from the other end: "Are you coming to pick me up?"
语气里有些罕见的撒娇。
There was a rare hint of pouting in the tone.
许煦轻笑出声:“接!明天就去接你!不是脚崴了吗?要不要请八抬大轿啊?”
Xu Xu chuckled and said, "Catch! I'll go pick you up tomorrow! Didn't you sprain your ankle? Do you need a sedan chair carried by eight men?"
“……那就不用了,你人来就行。”
…Then no, just come yourself.
“好吧,你还没吃饭吧?我也正和爸妈吃饭,我得赶紧吃,不然我喜欢吃的鱼丸就要被我爸吃完了,晚点咱们再聊。”
Alright, haven't you eaten yet? I'm also having dinner with my parents right now. I need to eat quickly, or else my favorite fish balls will be finished by my dad. Let's chat later.
“嗯,晚点我打给你。”
Alright, I'll call you later.
许煦嘴角弯弯挂上电话,拿起筷子,将她爸捞起的鱼丸抢过来。
Xu Xu's lips curled as she hung up the phone and grabbed the fish balls her father had picked out, taking them from the plate.
许爸爸朗声大笑:“慢慢吃,没人跟你抢,知道你今晚胃口肯定特别好。”
Mr. Xu laughed loudly, "Take your time eating, no one is competing with you. I know your appetite will be particularly good tonight."
许煦挑挑眉,不置可否。
Xu Xu raised an eyebrow, choosing not to comment.
许爸爸笑:“不过也别吃太多了,免得晚上肚子不舒服,明早起不来,耽误了你把我女婿给带回来。”
Mr. Xu smiled: "But don't eat too much either, in case your stomach feels uncomfortable at night, and you can't get up early tomorrow, delaying the task of bringing back my daughter's husband."
“什么女婿啊?”许煦嘟哝着反驳,“还没结婚呢!”
What husband?" Xu Xu mumbled in rebuttal. "We haven't even gotten married yet!
“那就赶紧结婚,小心这么好女婿被人给拐走了。”
Then get married quickly, or someone might steal such a good husband away.
许煦道:“放心吧,你们这女婿我赶都赶不走!”
Xu Xu said, "Don't worry, I can't even get rid of this husband!"
许氏夫妇再次对视了一眼,对女儿的厚颜无耻露出默契的无语表情。
The Xu couple exchanged another glance, their expressions showing a shared understanding of their daughter's shamelessness.
第69章
Chapter 69
家里没有直达的航班,许煦天没亮就起床, 坐上了第一班去往江城的高铁, 从江城乘飞机飞往西南山区小城。
There were no direct flights, so Xu Xitian got up before dawn and boarded the first high-speed train to Jiang City. From there, he would fly to a small town in the southwestern mountains.
十月底, 已经过了旅游旺季, 乘客不多,许煦这一排就只有她一个人。飞机起飞平稳后, 旁边空着的位子忽然坐下来一个人。
By the end of October, the tourist season had passed, and the plane was not very crowded. Xu Xitian's row was empty except for her. After the plane took off smoothly, a person suddenly sat down in the empty seat next to her.
许煦转头, 蓦地一愣:“你怎么在这里?”
Xu Xu turned her head and suddenly paused: "Why are you here?"
程放系好安全带, 笑了笑:“跟你一样?”
Cheng Fang fastened his seatbelt and smiled: "Same as you?"
“你去找冬青?”
Are you going to Dongqing?
程放道:“顺便把莫伟接回来。”
Cheng Fang said, "I'll pick up Mo Wei on the way."
许煦惊讶:“莫伟跟冬青在一起?”
Xu Xu was surprised: "Mowei and Dongqing together?"
程放嗯了一声:“之前老三怕他出事,把人给藏起来了,我也是昨天联系上才知道的。”
Cheng Fang nodded: "Old Three was afraid something would happen to him, so he hid the person. I only found out yesterday."
“哦!”许煦若有所思点头, 这家伙还真是挺能隐瞒,当初莫伟消失时,她还问过他, 他完全没表露出半点跟自己有关系的迹象。
"Oh!" Xu Xu nodded thoughtfully. This guy was really good at hiding things. When Mowei disappeared before, she had even asked him, and he didn't show the slightest sign of being related to it.
程放瞥了她一眼, 道:“以前是我误会了老三,总是给你传递一些我自己脑补的信息, 我跟你说声对不起。”
Cheng Fang glanced at her and said, "Before, I misunderstood Old Three. I always gave you some information I imagined on my own. I apologize to you."
许煦不以为意道:“不用了, 虽然我无法否认确实有受你的影响, 但这并不会动摇我对他的感情, 哪怕他真的已经不是从前的柏冬青, 我也从来没想过放弃他。所以我不需要你这声对不起。”
Xu Xu did not take it to heart and said, "No need. Although I can't deny that I was indeed influenced by you, this won't shake my feelings for him. Even if he truly isn't the old Bai Dongqing anymore, I've never thought of giving up on him. So I don't need your apology."
程放有些无奈地笑了笑:“你在我这个前男友面前这么秀恩爱,不觉得有些残忍吗?”
Cheng Fang smiled helplessly and said, "Showing your affection to me in front of your ex-boyfriend, don't you think that's a bit cruel?"
许煦转头看他,笑而不语。
Xu Xu turned to look at him and smiled without saying anything.
程放继续道:“怎么说呢?虽然不想承认, 但也不得不承认,之前我确实是被不甘心冲昏了头。只有尽可能将他想象得卑劣虚伪功利冷漠,安慰自己你是被他蒙骗才会忘了我,而不愿承认他就是比我更值得你喜欢,或者说不愿面对自己在感情中的失败吧!”
Cheng Fang continued, "How to put it? Although I don't want to admit it, I have to admit that I was indeed blinded by my unwillingness before. I only tried to imagine him as despicable, hypocritical, self-serving, cold, and indifferent, comforting myself that I had forgotten you because you were deceived by him, rather than admitting that he was actually more deserving of your affection than me, or unwilling to face my failure in love!"
许煦有些不可思议地笑道:“你还是跟之前一样好胜啊!输一场比赛都得跟自己较劲几天。但是感情不是比赛,所以没有输赢。我很感谢你大学陪伴我的那一两年,也从来都没想抹杀,但人是一直往前走的,你离开了,我自然会遇到其他人跟我同行,只是这个人恰好是你的室友柏冬青。在接下来的旅程里,我和他有了共同的经历,一起见到了不同的风景,他渐渐成为了我独一无二且无法替代的旅伴。”她顿了顿,继续道,“我不知道那几年你到底经历了什么,才让你对从前念念不忘,但我能感觉到你忘不掉的并非是我,而是从前美好的生活,只是我恰好是美好中的一部分而已罢了。”
Xu Xu smiled in disbelief and said, "You're still as competitive as before! You have to challenge yourself for days after losing a single match. But emotions aren't a competition, so there's no winning or losing. I'm very grateful for the two years you spent with me in university, and I've never tried to erase that. But people always move forward, and when you left, I naturally met others to walk with. It just so happened that this person was your roommate, Bai Dongqing. In the journey that followed, I shared experiences with him and saw different landscapes together. He gradually became my unique and irreplaceable travel companion."
She paused, then continued, "I don't know what you went through those years, but I can feel that you can't forget the past. However, what you can't forget isn't me, but the beautiful life of the past. I was just a part of that beauty."
程放苦笑:“也许吧!”默了片刻,话锋一转,“不过你要让我笑着祝福你们,我还是做不到的。毕竟当初老三明知道我的情况,还偷偷摸摸跟你在一起,想想还是生气的。”
Cheng Fang smiled bitterly and said, "Maybe so!" After a moment of silence, he changed the subject, "But I can't make myself smile and wish you well. After all, back then, Old Three knew my situation and still snuck around with you. Just thinking about it makes me angry."
许煦轻笑出声:“算了吧!前男友的祝福不要也罢!”
Xu Xu laughed lightly, "Forget it! I don't need a former boyfriend's blessing!"
程放转头默默看了她片刻,又道:“这次老三本来是匿名举报,可是因为走漏了风声,媒体倒是封了消息不允许暴露举报者身份,但业内已经传出去。他和林凯杰虽然早已经不存在委托关系,算不上违背律师职业守则,但华天和林氏有业务合作,他又是华天合伙人,以后哪家企业还敢跟华天合作?华天要继续发展民商业务,肯定会选择舍弃他。”
Cheng Fang turned and looked at her silently for a moment before continuing, "Old Three originally wanted to remain anonymous, but the leak of information led the media to seal the story, preventing the exposure of the whistleblower's identity. However, the industry already knows about it. Although Old Three and Lin Kajie no longer have a commission relationship, it doesn't violate the code of conduct for lawyers. But with Huatian and the Lin family having business dealings, and Old Three being a partner at Huatian, which company would dare to cooperate with Huatian in the future? Huatian needs to develop its civilian business, and it will definitely choose to abandon him."
许煦蹙眉点头:“我也想过这点,做企业的,哪个没点见不得人的东西,冬青举报林氏的消息传出去,华天不想受影响,唯一选择就是辞掉他撇清关系。”
Xu Xu frowned and nodded: "I've thought about this too. Any business owner has something they can't show to the public. If Wintergreen reports on the Lin family, Huatian doesn't want to be affected. The only choice is to let him go and distance himself from the situation."
程放道:“他刚刚才做到合伙人,说实话,我觉得挺可惜的,以后道职业路恐怕会受到很大都影响。”
Cheng Fang said, "He just became a partner. Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for him. His career path will likely be greatly affected."
许煦叹了口气,不以为然道:“他决定做这件事的时候,肯定已经想到过这种后果。那么想必也已经做好了未来的打算,我相信他。”说着又笑了笑,“哪怕他的职业路真的就此中断,还有我呢!”
Xu Xu sighed and said with a dismissive tone, "When he decided to do this, he must have thought about the consequences. So, he must have already made plans for the future. I believe in him." She then smiled again, "Even if his career really comes to a halt, I'm here!"
“你?”程放有些怀疑地上下打量她一眼,“靠你的月薪六千?”
You?" Cheng Fang looked her up and down doubtfully, "Depend on your monthly salary of six thousand?
许煦翻了个白眼:“你是不是还不知道,我是个有家业继承的富二代!”
Xu Xu rolled her eyes: "Do you not know that I'm a wealthy second-generation with a family business to inherit!"
程放失笑:“虽然是这样,但你觉得老三是会靠女人靠岳父的男人?”
Cheng Fang chuckled: "Even so, do you really think Third Brother would rely on a woman or her father-in-law?"
许煦道:“他当然不是,我只是要让他知道,他想做什么都可以放手去做,就算失败了也不用怕,因为他不是一个人,还有我。”
Xu Xu said, "Of course not. I just want him to know that he can do whatever he wants without fear, even if he fails, because he's not alone; he has me."
正是因为不想被认为攀附她的家庭,这些年柏冬青才会那么拼命工作,努力在自己的领域作出成绩,他从来不说,但自尊心有多强,她是知道的。
It was precisely because she didn't want to be seen as clinging to her family that Bai Dongqing had worked so hard over the years, striving to make a name for herself in her field. He never said it, but how strong her self-respect was, she knew all too well.
程放听了她的话,将眼罩戴上,靠在椅背:“得了,我这个路人甲还是不要再找虐听你秀恩爱了。”
Cheng Fang put on the eye mask and leaned back in his chair. "Alright, I'll stop being this extra and let you two enjoy your love show without me."
许煦斜了他一眼,摇头失笑,趴在窗边看向外面的云层。
Xu Xu gave him a sidelong glance and shook her head, laughing. She leaned over the window and looked outside at the clouds.
还有几个小时,就能见到柏冬青了。明明才分开不到一个月,竟然像经过了一个世纪那么漫长,以至于现在的她,满心都是迫不及待,还有些莫名的兴奋和激动,好像要去见的是热恋中的情人。
There were still a few hours until she could see Bai Dongqing. Even though they had only been apart for less than a month, it felt like an entire century. Now, she was filled with impatience, and a strange excitement and agitation, as if she were going to meet a lover in the throes of passion.
其实想想,两个人同咋一个屋檐下已经四年,同床共枕也已经三年,说是老夫老妻也不为过,但对他的感情竟然奇妙得越来越浓烈,简直违背爱情专家给出的理论。
In fact, if she thought about it, they had been under the same roof for four years and had shared a bed for three years, so calling them old married couple was not far off. But her feelings for him were strangely intensifying, defying the theories of love experts.
两个小时后,飞机准时落地。
Two hours later, the plane landed on schedule.
从机场到那个叫红溪村的小村子,还得先坐车去所在的县城然后从县城倒车,周周转转起码四个小时。许煦和程放都是怕麻烦的都市人,干脆在机场高价包了一辆出租,直奔目的地。
From the airport to this small village called Hongxi Village, one had to first take a bus to the county town and then switch to another bus, which would take at least four hours of winding travel. Xu Xu and Cheng Fang were city dwellers who preferred not to bother, so they hired a taxi at a high price directly from the airport to head straight to their destination.
饶是这样,到达村子,也已经是炊烟袅袅的傍晚。
Even with this, by the time they arrived at the village, it was already the dusky hour when smoke rises from cooking fires.
出租车停在小河边的村道,对面是黑瓦白墙的乡村小学的小楼。今天是周末,学校没有学生,只有几个人在小河上方一座还未完工的桥上忙碌着。
The taxi stopped on a village road by the river, with a small school building with black tiles and white walls across the river. It was a weekend, and the school was empty, with only a few people working on an unfinished bridge above the small river.
许煦从出租车中车窗看出去,一眼就看到了其中的柏冬青,他正在和一个工人模样的男人合作筛沙子,衬衣袖子卷得很高,露出晒黑了的手臂,本来白皙的脸上也多了几分阳光色,额头的汗水在夕阳下闪闪发光。
Xu Xu looked out the window of the taxi and immediately spotted Bai Dongqing, who was mixing sand with a man who looked like a worker. His sleeves were rolled up high, revealing tanned arms, and his originally fair face had a few more sun-kissed hues. The sweat on his forehead glistened in the setting sun.
觉察到路上有车子停下,他抬头看过来。见到从车子里下来朝她跑过来的女人,赶紧放下手中的活,朝路边跑过来迎接她。
Noticing a car had stopped, he looked up. Seeing the woman running towards her from the car, he quickly put down his work and ran to the roadside to greet her.
站定后傻笑了笑,双手在衣服上蹭了蹭,才张开双臂一把将她抱进怀中。
He stood there, smiling foolishly, and rubbed his hands on his clothes before opening his arms to embrace her.
他抱得很紧,几乎是要把许煦整个人嵌进自己身体里。虽然快到的时候她已经发过信息,但是刚刚看到她下出租的那一刹那,还是有种做梦的感觉。
He held her tightly, almost embedding her whole body into his. Although she had already sent a message when they were close, the moment he saw her step out of the taxi, it felt like a dream.
直到旁边响起起哄声,柏冬青才红着脸念念不舍地将人松开,但还是捧着许煦的脸,双眼灼灼看着她。
Only after the crowd nearby started cheering did Bai Dongqing blush and reluctantly let go of the person, but still held onto Xu Xu's face, staring at her with intense eyes.
许煦难得被他这灼热的眼神弄得有些耳根发热,笑问:“想不想我?”
Xu Xu, rarely affected by his intense gaze, felt a slight warmth in her ears and asked with a smile, "Do you miss me?"
柏冬青用力点头:“想!特别想!”
Bai Dongqing nodded vigorously, "Yes! Very much!"
“我也是。”
I do too.
这时程放也已经走上前,在他肩膀轻轻揍了一拳:“老三!”
At this moment, Cheng Fang had already stepped forward and lightly punched him on the shoulder: "Old Three!"
柏冬青朝他神色莫辨地看了眼。
Bai Dongqing looked at him with a puzzled expression.
程放摸了摸鼻子:“那个……对不起,之前是我误会了你!”
Cheng Fang touched his nose and said: "Um... I'm sorry, I misunderstood you before!"
柏冬青不以为意地笑了笑,没有说话。
Bai Dongqing smiled indifferently and said nothing.
程放啧了一声:“你能不能说句话?很没面子的好吗?”
Cheng Fang made a sound of disapproval: "Can't you say a single sentence? Isn't that a bit embarrassing?"
柏冬青斜了他一眼:“说什么?说你整天想撬我墙角,但我还是要说没关系么?”
Bai Dongqing gave him a sidelong glance: "What should I say? That you're always trying to steal me away, but I still say it's okay?"
第54节
Chapter 54
许煦差点没被他这损劲儿弄得笑出来。
Xu Xu nearly burst out laughing at his sharp remarks.
程放嘿了一声,歪头打量他:“老三,你真是变了啊!”
Cheng Fang chuckled and tilted his head to examine him: "Old Three, you've really changed!"
柏冬青板着脸,一字一句道:“虽然是我对不起你在先,但你要还是对我女朋友不死心的话,我绝对不会坐以待毙。”
Bai Dongqing's face remained stern as he spoke each word clearly: "Although I wronged you first, if you still can't let go of my girlfriend, I will never sit idly by."
就在程放有些尴尬的怔愣时,柏冬青的嘴角忽然又微微弯起来,松开许煦朝他伸出手:“但如果你死心了的话,永远是我的好兄弟,我们现在就握手言和。”
Just as Cheng Fang was somewhat embarrassed and dazed, Bai Dongqing's lips curled up slightly again, releasing Xu Xu and extending his hand to him: "But if you've given up, you'll always be my good brother. Let's shake hands and make peace now."
程放笑开,伸手握住他:“女人如衣服,兄弟如手足。放心吧,我不会为了一件衣服,断了手足。”
Cheng Fang smiled and extended his hand to grasp it: "Women are like clothes, brothers are like hands and feet. Rest assured, I won't sever my hands and feet for a piece of clothing."
许煦呵呵冷笑两声。
Xu Xu chuckled and sneered.
柏冬青笑着看她一眼,道:“许煦不是衣服,她是我的心肝。”
Bai Dongqing smiled at her and said, "Xu Xu isn't just a piece of clothing; she's my heart and soul."
程放做了一个呕吐的动作:“恶不恶心你啊!我去找莫伟了!”
Cheng Fang made a vomiting gesture: "How disgusting! I'm going to find Mo Wei!"
许煦大笑。
Xu Xu laughed loudly.
柏冬青牵着她的手往回走,跟桥面上的几个人介绍道:“我对象,许煦。”
Bai Dongqing held her hand and walked back, introducing her to the few people on the bridge: "This is my partner, Xu Xu."
许煦笑着和人打招呼,又朝其中一个看起来跟旁人不太一样的男人道:“陆老师,好久不见了。”
Xu Xu smiled and greeted everyone, then turned to a man who looked different from the others and said: "Mr. Lu, it's been a while."
这位陆老师全名陆远,是这所山村小学的支教老师,前年他跟着柏冬青来这里的时候见过他,当时只感叹一个大男人在山区待了六七年太不容易,没想到过了快两年,他人还在这里。
Mr. Lu Yuan, whose full name is Lu Yuan, is a volunteer teacher at this mountain village elementary school. Two years ago, he met him when he came here with Bo Dongqing, and at the time, he only sighed that it was not easy for a man to stay in the mountains for six or seven years. He did not expect that almost two years later, he was still here.
陆远笑:“冬青整天念叨你,总算是把你念来了。”
Lu Yuan smiled, "Bo Dongqing keeps talking about you, and finally got you here."
他话刚落音,一个女人从小楼后面跑到操场,朝这边大叫:“陆远,饭已经烧好了,你让大家收工回来吃饭吧!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a woman ran from behind the small building to the playground, shouting towards him, "Lu Yuan, the meal is ready, let everyone go back to eat!"
陆远转头笑着朝女人点点头,对众人拍拍手:“行了,今天就到这里吧,大家去吃饭!”
Lu Yuan turned around and smiled, nodding at the woman. Then, he clapped his hands and said to everyone, "Alright, that's it for today. Everyone, go eat!"
许煦凑在柏冬青耳边,好奇问:“陆老师女朋友?”
Xu Xu leaned close to Bai Dongqing's ear and asked curiously, "Mr. Lu's girlfriend?"
柏冬青小声道:“人家已经结婚了,是老婆!”说着又有些幽怨地看了眼她,“我们第一次来的时候,陆老师还是光棍呢!现在人家都结婚了,我还在原地踏步。”
Bai Dongqing whispered, "She's already married, she's his wife!" Then, with a touch of resentment, he glanced at her, "When we first came here, Mr. Lu was still a bachelor! Now she's already married, and I'm still standing still."
许煦笑着挽住他的手:“那咱们回去就结婚吧!”
Xu Xu smiled and took his hand, "Then let's get married when we go back!"
柏冬青嘴角快弯到太阳穴,用力点头:“嗯。”
Bai Dongqing's mouth nearly curved to his temple as he nodded vigorously, "Mm."
两人跟在一行人说说笑笑的人后面,往炊烟炊烟升起的小楼走去。
The two followed behind a group of people chatting and laughing, heading towards the small house where smoke was rising.
晚风阵阵,倦鸟归巢,斜阳洒在身后,笑语声在这静谧的乡间蔓延,一切刚刚好。
The evening breeze blew gently as tired birds returned to their nests. The setting sun cast its glow behind them, and their laughter spread through the tranquil countryside, everything just right.
作者有话要说: 好啦~正文完结,接下来是番外了齁甜齁甜
Author's Note:
Goodness, the main story is over! Next comes the after-story, super sweet and sweet.
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