fifteen

When it comes to using force, Xiangzi can't hit the old man or the girl. His strength is useless. I can only think about being a rogue, but I can't play. As for Tigress, she can stamp her feet and run. Since she fell out with her father for the present game, she is willing to go with him; Nobody knows what's going on in her bones. On the surface, she died for Xiangzi. In front of everyone, he can't help showing some heroism. He had nothing to say, just stood there, waiting for the bottom to come out; At least he has to do this to become a man.

The father and daughter Liu only stared at each other and had nothing to say; Xiangzi was silent. Drivers, no matter who they are, seem to have a hard time interrupting. The players kept talking, and the silence was embarrassing. However, everyone can only perfunctory a few words and advise both sides not to hang on too much. It is not difficult to talk about things slowly. They can only say that they can't solve anything and don't want to solve anything. Seeing that both sides are unwilling to make concessions, it is difficult for an honest official to break the housework, so slip away when you have the opportunity.

Before everyone left, Tigress caught Mr. Feng from Tianshun Coal Factory: "Mr. Feng, is there no room in your shop?" Let Xiangzi stay for two days first. We can do things quickly and can't occupy your place for a long time. Xiangzi, you go with Mr. Feng and see you tomorrow to discuss our affairs. I tell you, I still can't get out of this door without a sedan chair! Mr. Feng, I can give him to you. I need your people tomorrow! "

Mr. Feng kept breathing, unwilling to take this responsibility. Xiangzi was anxious to leave here and said, "I can't escape!" "

Tigress glared at the old man and went back to her room. Zhong began to cry and locked the door from the inside.

Mr. Feng advised Mr. Feng to go in, and the old man showed his outfield strength and asked everyone not to go and have a few drinks: "Don't worry, from now on, she is her and I am me, and we will never quarrel again." Take her, as if I had never seen such a girl. I've been out all my life and taught her to lose face! Twenty years ago, I chopped them both alive! Now, let her go; It's hard to ask me for a small copper coin! Not a penny! Don't! Look how she lives! Teach her to taste it, and she will know whether it is good for her father or for the savage! Don't go, have another drink! "

Everyone is perfunctory and eager to avoid right and wrong.

Xiangzi went to Tianshun Coal Plant.

Things are really moving fast. Tigress rented two small north houses in a compound in Maojiawan; Immediately found a paperhanger to stick it on the ground; Please ask Mr. Feng to write a few happy words and post them in the room. When the room was finished, she went to talk about the sedan chair: a sedan chair full of stars, sixteen sounders, no golden lamps and no deacons. Everything was agreed, and she rushed into the sedan chair with HongLing; Years ago, you don't need to move the needle if you break five. Happy day is the sixth day of the lunar new year's eve, which is a good day and there is no need to avoid the door. She made all these herself and told Xiangzi to buy new ones from beginning to end: "once in a lifetime!" "

Xiangzi has only five dollars in his hand!

Tigress looked at it again. "What's the matter? What about the more than thirty dollars I gave you? "

Xiangzi couldn't help telling the truth and told her everything about Cao Zhai. She blinked incredulously: "Well, I don't have time to quarrel with you. Let's each have our own conscience!" " This is fifteen dollars! If you don't dress up as a newcomer, you can be vigilant! "

On the sixth day, Tigress got into the sedan chair. Never said a word to my father, without the escort of my brothers and congratulations from my relatives and friends; Only those gongs and drums are very lively in the streets after the Chinese New Year, and the sedan chairs walk steadily through Xi 'anmen and Xisi memorial archway, which also aroused the envy and emotion of some people wearing new clothes, especially the guys in the shops.

Xiangzi is wearing the new clothes bought by Tianqiao, with a red face and a small satin hat with three cents. He seems to forget himself, but he looks at everything and listens to everything, even if he doesn't know himself. He moved from the coal shop to a new white house, and I don't know what happened: in the past, like a coal factory, piles were all black; Now I walked into the new house blankly, white flashing, and several red happy words. He felt a kind of ridicule, a kind of pale, slim and angry. In the room, there is Tigress's original desk, chair and bed. The stove and vegetable box are new; There is a five-color feather duster in the corner. He knows those desks and chairs, but he is not familiar with stoves, cooking tables and feather dusters. The combination of old and new utensils reminds him of the past and worries him about the future. Everything is in the hands of others. He looks old, new, decorative and strange. He doesn't even know. He doesn't remember crying or laughing. His big hands and feet are moving in this small and warm room, just like the big rabbit in Xiao Mu's cage. His eyes are red and he looks out, but he can fly with legs and can't run out! Tigress wore a red coat with white powder and rouge on her face, and her eyes slipped past him. He dared not look her in the eye. She is also a strange thing, old and new, a girl and a bitch; Like a woman and like a man; Like a man, like a fierce beast! The beast in a red coat has caught him and is going to clean him up carefully. Anyone can take care of him. This beast is particularly fierce. You should always look at him, stare at him, laugh at him, hold him tightly and suck up all his strength. He can't escape. He took off his satin hat and stared at the red knot on it in a daze-turned around, the wall was covered with red dots, dancing, and in the middle was a bigger and redder tigress, grinning!

On their wedding night, Xiangzi learned that Tigress was not pregnant. She explained to him like a magician: "If it weren't for this grievance, how could you be dead set on nodding!" " !

I stuffed a pillow in my waistband! Ha ha, ha ha! "She laughed out of tears.

"You stupid thing! Don't mention it, I deserve you anyway; Who are you and who am I? I had a quarrel with my father, so I followed you. Aren't you grateful? "

Xiangzi went out early the next day. Most shopkeepers have opened the market, but some families have closed. The Spring Festival couplets on the door are still red, but the yellow hanging money has been blown to pieces by the wind. The street is quiet, there are many foreign cars, and the drivers seem to be a little more energetic than before. They are all wearing new shoes and there is a piece of red paper at the back of the car. Xiangzi envied these rickshaws and thought they were a bit like Chinese New Year, but he had been stuck in the gourd for several days. They are all fooling around quietly. He has nothing to do and is wandering in the street. He is uneasy about fooling around, but if he wants to think about tomorrow, he will have to consult with his wife Tigress. He has a wife-such a wife! -Begging in your hands. It's no use being so tall and strong. He has to wait on his wife, the red coat and the tiger's teeth first; Something that sucks human sperm; He is no longer a man, but just a piece of meat. He lost himself and struggled between his teeth, like a mouse caught by a cat. He doesn't want to discuss with her, he's leaving; Have a good idea and leave without saying goodbye. There is nothing wrong with anyone here. She is a monster who can juggle with him with a pillow! He is so cute. He not only wants to tear his new clothes to pieces, but also wants to wash himself from the inside out. He felt that something unclean and disgusting stuck to him, which bored him from the heart. He'll never see her again!

Where are you going? He has no destination. When pulling the cart on weekdays, your legs follow other people's mouths. Now, his legs are free and his heart is at a loss. Go south along the West Four Pailou and get out of Xuanwu Gate: The road is so straight that the heart will not turn.

Walking south out of the city gate, he saw a bathhouse. He decided to take a bath.

Naked, looking at his limbs, he felt very ashamed. Down to the pool, hot water burned his whole body a little, and he closed his eyes, as if numb and crunchy, emitting some accumulated filth. He hardly dared to touch himself, his heart was empty and his head was dripping with sweat. He didn't get up lazily until he was a little short of breath, and his whole body was red, like a newborn baby. It seems that he didn't dare to put on a big towel just after he came out, and he still felt ugly; Although sweat trickles down, he still feels unclean-the filth in his heart seems to never wash away: in Si Liu's eyes, in the eyes of everyone who knows him, he will always be a thief who steals women!

He put on his clothes and ran out before the sweat completely fell. He is afraid that everyone will see him naked! Walking out of the bathhouse, he felt very relaxed when the cool wind blew. The street is much more lively than before. The clear sky brightens everyone's face. Xiangzi's heart is still holding on, and he doesn't know where to go. South, east, south, he ran to the overpass. After the New Year, at nine o'clock, the disciples of the shopkeeper had finished their breakfast and came here. Booths and venues for various performing arts have been established long ago. When Xiangzi arrived, there was already a circle of people here, and there were gongs and drums in it. He can't bear to see anything. He can't laugh anymore.

On weekdays, people who talk about cross talk, become bears, juggle, count treasures, sing yangko, say drum books and practice routines here can provide him with some real happiness and make him grin. He didn't want to go to Beiping, and the overpass was half the reason. Every time he looks at the shed of the overpass and people around him, he thinks of many funny and lovely things. Now he is too lazy to push forward, and he lost his share in the laughter of the overpass. He avoided the crowd and went to a quiet place, but he felt reluctant! No, he can't leave this lively and lovely place. The overpass is still Beiping. Going? There is no way out! He still has to go back with her-with her! -discuss it. He can't leave or be idle. He wants to take a step back, just like everyone has to take a step back when there is nothing to do. What injustice have you suffered? Why do you call it true at this point alone? He can't correct everything in the past, so he must go on.

He stood quietly, listening to the messy voices and gongs and drums; Looking at people coming and going, horses and chariots, I suddenly remembered those two huts. The voice in my ear seems to have disappeared, and the person in front of me seems to have disappeared. Only the two warm white huts with red happy characters stand upright in front of them. Although I only stayed for one night, I am very familiar with the intimate relationship, and even the woman in the red coat seems to be unable to give up casually. Standing on the overpass, he has nothing, nothing; In those two cabins, he has everything. Go home. Only by going back can we find the way. Everything tomorrow is in that hut. Shame, shyness and sadness are useless; If you want to live, you have to find a way to go.

He walked back and entered the door, probably just after eleven o'clock. Tigress has prepared lunch: steamed bread, boiled cabbage balls, a plate of tiger skin jelly and a plate of pickled radish. Everything else has been set, only the cabbage is still simmering on the fire, emitting some beautiful fragrance. She has taken off her red coat and put on her usual cotton trousers and cotton-padded jacket, but she is wearing a small red velvet flower with a small gold paper ingot on it. Xiangzi gave her a look. She doesn't look like a bride. Her every move is like a daughter-in-law for many years, quick and sophisticated, with a little self-satisfaction. Although not like a bride, it gives him a new feeling; She cooks and cleans the room; The smell and heating in the room are brand new to him. No matter what she does, he feels that he has a home. Home always has its loveliness. He doesn't know what to do.

"Where have you been? You! " She asked as she went to fill the cabbage.

"I'm going to take a shower." He took off his robe.

"ah! Let me know when you go out later! Don't leave so carelessly! "

He has nothing to say.

"Can't hum 1? No, I'll teach you! "

He snorted, can't help it! He knows that he married a hag, but this hag can cook, clean the house, scold him, help him, and teach him how to chicken ribs! He ate steamed bread. The food is really delicious and hot than usual; But the taste is not good, and he chews it in his mouth and doesn't feel the pleasure of wolfing it down at ordinary times. He can't eat or sweat.

After dinner, he lay on the kang, his head resting on his palm, and looked at the roof.

"ah! Help brush the guy! I am nobody's maid! " She shouted in the outside room.

Lazy, he stood up, glanced at her and went to help. He is usually very diligent, and now everything he does is to hold his breath. He often helps her when he is in the garage. Now the more I look at her, the more I hate her. He has never hated others as much as he hates her. He can't say why. I'm angry, but I won't have a fit. The whole circle is in my heart. Since you can't make a clean break with her, it's boring to quarrel. Walking around the hut, he felt that his life had been wronged.

After packing, she glanced around and sighed. Followed by a smile. "How?"

"What?" Xiangzi squatted by the fire to bake his hands; My hands are not cold, because there is no place to put them, so I have to bake them. These two huts really feel at home, but he doesn't know where to put his feet.

"Take me out to play? Go to Baiyun Temple? No, it's late; Walking in the street? "

She wants to fully enjoy the wedding. Although it is impossible to get married, it is good to be so free, just to spend more time with my husband and have a good time for a few days. At home, she has no shortage of food, clothes and change. I just don't have a bosom friend. Now, she wants to get this deficiency back. She wants to walk in the street and play with Xiangzi at the temple fair.

Xiangzi refused to leave. First, he felt it was a shame to travel around the world with his wife. Second, he thinks that such a wife can only hide at home. This is not a decent thing. The less you show off in front of everyone, the better. Besides, once you go out, you can't avoid meeting acquaintances None of the foreign rickshaw pullers in the western half of the city knew Tigress and Xiangzi, and he couldn't invite everyone to whisper behind their backs.

"Can we discuss it?" He's still squatting there.

"What is there to discuss?" She leaned over and stood by the fire.

He put his hand down, put it on his knee, and stared blankly at the flame. After a long pause, he said, "I can't be so idle!" " "

"Suffering life!" She gave a loud laugh. "A day without rickshaw, it itches, doesn't it? Look at that old man, who has been playing all his life and still runs a car factory when he is old. He doesn't pull carts or work hard, but he eats with his heart. You have to learn, too. Who are you, pulling a car all your life? Let's play for a few days. Not only are things busy these days, but what's the hurry? I'm not going to quarrel with you these two days, so don't be angry with me! "

"Let's discuss it first!" Xiangzi decided not to give in. If you can't stomp away, you have to do something. You have to stand first, you can't swing back and forth.

"Well, tell me!" She moved a stool and sat by the fire.

"How much money do you have?" He asked.

"Isn't it? I knew you'd ask this! You don't marry a wife, you marry money, don't you? "

Xiangzi seemed to be choked by the wind and swallowed several mouthfuls. Before Mr. Liu hooked up with Tigress, people and factory drivers thought he was greedy for money. Now, she said it herself! I lost my car for no reason, lost my money, and now I am under the pressure of my wife's few dollars; You must eat your spine! He wished he could put his hand around her neck and suffocate! Pinch! Pinch! Until she rolled her eyes

Strangled everything and wiped his neck. They are not human beings and have to die; He himself is not a person and will die; Don't live!

Xiangzi stood up and wanted to go out again. I shouldn't have come back just now.

Seeing that Xiangzi looked wrong, she softened a little. "Well, let me tell you.

I have 500 dollars in my hand. Even a sedan chair, renting a house-three shares (2), pasting a shed, making clothes, buying things, bringing them to you, and packing them (3). It cost a little 100 yuan, and 400 yuan was left. I tell you, you don't have to worry. Let's enjoy ourselves. What about you? You should also play beautifully for a few days when you are sweating as an adult. As for me, an old girl like me should be happy for a few days. When the money is running out, let's go and beg the old man. As for me, if I don't fall out with him that day, I'll never get out. Now I'm angry. Dad is dad after all. As for him, I am an only child, and the person he loves is you. Let's relax and give him a' no', and there's probably no problem. How ready-made this is! He has money, but we just have dignity to bear it, and there is nothing unreasonable at all; Better than you becoming an animal! In a couple of days, you should go first. He may not see you. If you don't see it once, go for the second time; Give him all face, he will have to change his mind. Then I'll at least give him something good when I go back, so maybe we can all move back Stand up as soon as you move back, and no one dares to squint at us. If we keep putting up with it here, we'll always be a pair of black people, won't we? "

Xiangzi didn't think of this. Ever since Tigress went to Cao Zhai to look for him, he thought he had married her, bought a car with her money and pulled it by himself. Although it is not decent to use his wife's money, the relationship between him and her is hidden and has nothing to do with it. He didn't expect Tigress to have this trick. It is certainly an idea to pull down the long face, but Xiangzi is not like that. After thinking about it back and forth, he seems to understand one thing: money can teach others to rob for nothing, and there is nowhere to complain about grievances. If someone gives you money, you have to accept it; After accepting it, you can't treat yourself as an individual at all. You have an empty heart and strength, and you want to be a slave to others: your wife's plaything and your father-in-law's slave. A person seems to be nothing but a bird. If he catches food by himself, he will fall into the net. If you eat other people's grains, you have to sing to others in a cage honestly, and you may be sold at any time!

He refused to go to Si Liu. With Tigress, it is a flesh-and-blood relationship; This has nothing to do with Si Liu. I've had enough of her. I can't sue her father anymore! "I don't want to be idle!" He only said this sentence in order to save words and quarrels.

"Suffering life!" She snapped. "I don't like to be idle and do a career."

"I won't! Can't make money! I can pull a cart, I love pulling a cart! " Xiangzi's muscles jumped.

"To tell you the truth, you are not allowed to pull the cart! I won't allow you to sweat on my kang! You have your ideas, I have my ideas, look, look who is awkward! You married a wife, and you didn't pay me a penny. Think about it, who are we and who should we listen to? "

Xiangzi was speechless again.