The old city is such a great place. Although there are a lot of crooked alleys, you can reach the city center when you walk out of it, so it is convenient to go anywhere.

As a result, there were so many unruly people that they lined up in a "人" shape or a "一" shape. The demolition office had to go through a lot of hardships and almost got a layer of skin peeled off before they were finally able to deal with all these people.

The old neighbors will all receive a considerable amount of compensation.

Sanpang's family and Wei Qian had discussed it, and at Lao Xiong's instigation, they chose three apartments in a good location, which had three units per floor. They planned to leave the remaining one to Ma Zi's mother, who was a disabled person and had difficulty doing anything, so she needed someone to take care of her nearby.

As for the new house, Lao Xiong's wife took over all the responsibilities. Sanpang's parents would often go there, but Sanpang and Wei Qian just sat there and didn't even bother to look after it.

Lao Xiong's wife is a very puzzling person. Her personality is like a firecracker that is ready to soar into the sky at any time. She is extremely hot-tempered, especially towards Lao Xiong. She often grabs his ears and twists his flesh to commit domestic violence... Of course, Lao Xiong is also a willing sufferer - she is like Wang Xifeng in "Dream of Red Mansions". Whenever she encounters something that can show her ability, she rushes forward and takes the responsibility on herself.

She does things as neatly and thoroughly as she is.

Wei Qian was passing by one day and went over to take a look. He was shocked by the half-finished product. Even someone like him who lived in five-star hotels and pig sty houses had to admit that Mrs. Xiong's taste was up to standard.

All signs indicate that Mrs. Xiong is likely to be well-educated, but such a woman with a personality and ability that are not content with family life somehow ended up becoming Old Xiong's full-time housewife. To be honest, there is really nothing worth a full-time job in Old Xiong's family. The elderly on both sides don't need them to worry about them, and they hire someone else to do the housework. The couple has been married for ten years and has no children. Mrs. Xiong stays at home all day and doesn't know what to do. She is so bored that she is bored.

Sanpang was once curious about why she didn't work and didn't have children, but was stopped by Wei Qian in a bad mood. Wei Qian had never been willing to pry into the trivial matters of other people's families since he was a child.

Everything was going smoothly for Sister Xiong, but not so smoothly for Wei Qian and his team.

That day, Sanpang ran to Wei Qian's house. Wei Qian also went home early, which was rare. He did not go anywhere. The two of them were mainly discussing what to do with Ma Zi's mother.

The two of them had gone through hard times in the past few years, and later they followed Old Bear and did run around and saved some money. However, from the beginning to the end, they fulfilled the promise they made to the dead.

Ma Zi's mother never lacked food and clothing, and there was always someone to take care of her. During the holidays, San Pang and Wei Qian would take turns to take her to their homes.

But no matter how close a godson is, he is not a biological son.

For six or seven years, her ugly son, pockmarked, had never come home. Apart from sending money home, he only sent a few letters occasionally. The handwriting was childish and funny, crooked, and the words were only fragments. Every time Wei Qian read to her, she felt that she didn't have time to appreciate it before it was gone.

However, the method of forging letters has become less and less effective. In recent years, with the popularization of mobile phones and the convenience of communication, Ma Zi's mother sometimes always wonders why her son doesn't install a phone for himself when he goes out to do business and gives her so much money every time?

Every time she talked about this with Wei Qian and the others, the two guys would break out in cold sweats.

Fortunately, she hasn't mentioned it recently.

Now that the old house is about to be demolished, Ma Zi's mother is not surprisingly reluctant to leave. Even though the two of them have taken turns praising the new home to the sky, she is still reluctant to leave - Ma Zi's mother said that she is afraid that her son will not be able to find his way home after he moves out.

When Wei Zhiyuan pushed the door open, he found Sanpang and Wei Qian standing by the window, one of them holding a cigarette in his hand, and the other leaning against the window on the side. They were looking towards the direction of the big locust tree together, competing in silence.

Wei Zhiyuan suddenly saw Wei Qian and hesitated at the door: "Third brother...Brother, why are you back?"

He broke the silence with a shout, and Sanpang moved, turned his head and looked up at the young man, and said painfully: "Qian'er, what did our brother feed you? How did you grow into a big beam?"

Wei Qian was very upset and put his cigarette on the windowsill: "The beams of the house are better than you growing into a big door - you... Oh, forget it, I'll go talk to her again."

After saying that, he walked downstairs quickly. Ma Zi's mother was sitting under a big locust tree to enjoy the cool air. Her face was still uneven. Although she was only middle-aged, her eyes were already cloudy and she had the gloomy look of an old person.

Seeing him coming, Ma Zi's mother looked up and smiled at him: "Qian'er."

"Aunt." Wei Qian walked over, lifted up his trouser legs and squatted beside her, while thinking about the wording. He really had no words to say. He had already said everything he could think of. If he said anything more, it would just be a repetition.

Wei Qian was really a little overwhelmed. He was so busy every day that he only took a quick look at his new home and had no time to spare. He also had to discourage himself all day long and argue with Ma Zi's mother.

If it were someone else, he would have jumped up and down in a rage, but Ma Zi's mother... Wei Qian squatted on the ground feeling aggrieved, smiled bitterly, and had to hold his nose and endure it.

He said to Ma Zi's mother in a depressed tone, "I just don't understand. What's so good about this damn place we live in? How can a new house not be better than this one?"

Ma Zi's mother slowly lowered her eyes and looked at him gently.

Wei Qian continued, "I think you think too much. Ma Zi is already an adult, not a child of three or five years old. Even if he can't find his way home after returning, can't he ask someone? I..."

Ma Zi's mother suddenly asked: "Did Auntie cause trouble for you and San'er?"

It's more than a hassle, it's a terrible hassle! Wei Qian complained in his heart. He had rushed back specially for this matter. Before dinner, he had to dress himself up and act as a follower of Lao Xiong, and catch a train overnight to see a project in another city.

Wei Qian's breath got stuck in his throat, and bitter bile was about to rise from his stomach. In the end, he still managed a stiff smile: "No...how could it be?"

Ma Zi's mother looked at him for a while, and then she unexpectedly relaxed. She said, "Then...then let's just forget it. I really didn't mean to cause you any trouble. I'm old and have lived here for most of my life. If you suddenly ask me to move, I'll be a little stubborn and can't change my mind for the time being."

Wei Qian heard the hidden meaning behind her relaxed tone and was ecstatic. He didn't expect that his repeated actions could move the stubborn Ma Zi's mother and make her give in. He quickly asked, "Aunt, are you willing to move?"

Ma Zi's mother avoided his gaze and lowered her head. After a long while, she nodded slightly and said, "Then let's move."

Wei Qian felt relieved for a moment, and stood up from the ground quickly: "Okay! That's no problem, tomorrow I'll ask my third brother to take you to sign the contract and get the compensation, okay? Oh my dear aunt, you finally nodded, otherwise I would really kneel down for you."

Ma Zi's mother said, "I'll leave later. I want to see the old neighbors again. Can you push me around?"

She only had one arm that she could use strength in, and she could barely push herself out of the yard in a wheelchair, but not for long distances.

Wei Qian knelt down on one knee without saying a word: "Why push me? I'll carry you!"

He carried his pockmarked mother on his back and walked slowly through every dirty and messy alley. The alleys were still bustling with people and kids running around, but the kids of the previous generation had grown up, and the ones running and playing downstairs had been replaced by a new generation; there were still randomly parked bicycles, illegal sheds everywhere, and residents' shops converted from their own balconies; there was still the old locust tree that shed its green "hanged ghost" leaves endlessly in the summer.

Wei Qian talked as he walked to make Ma Zi's mother happy, for example, she told him at which intersection he and Ma Zi had teamed up to take down San Pang, how the three of them later met and laughed off their grudges, and where their old fried dough stick stall was originally located... Suddenly, a drop of cold liquid fell on Wei Qian's neck, causing him to shut up abruptly.

Then, tears fell one after another on Wei Qian's neck and face, and suppressed hoarse sobs came from behind him.

Wei Qian paused, and at that moment, he just wanted to slap himself in the face.

The lies they both spent six or seven years making up were full of loopholes, but finally, after countless dangerous situations, they were exposed.

He should have realized it the first time he heard Ma Zi's mother say that.

How can a living person not be able to find his home?

Wei Zhiyuan had been watching by the window.

He saw Ma Zi's mother's face full of scars. When she cried, the scars turned red and became even more frightening. When his eldest brother was not at home, Wei Zhiyuan brought her food. Every time he went there, she would be very attentive and put a handful of candy or snacks in his pocket - even though he was no longer a child.

What Wei Zhiyuan always felt from her was a kind of resigned and numbness, and an almost servile flattery, as if she would at least let him stay for five minutes and say a few more words.

She was so lonely and forbearing. Wei Zhiyuan had never seen Ma Zi's mother cry so bitterly.

And her tears fell on Wei Qian's face, as if he was crying too.

But Wei Zhiyuan knew that his elder brother would not cry. He saw a kind of heart-wrenching restraint from his elder brother's clenched teeth and deep eyes.

Wei Zhiyuan didn't know why, but when he saw that profile, the hot blood in his heart seemed to suddenly flow backwards, flowing warmly through his entire chest, soaking his heart until it almost softened.

For three years, whenever Wei Zhiyuan was close to his elder brother, he would feel the sticky feeling that made him feel sick and anxious. In this moment, the sticky feeling miraculously disappeared. He kept watching Wei Qian put the crying Ma Zi's mother back into the wheelchair and pushed her into the small courtyard of Ma Zi's house until he could no longer see her.

Wei Zhiyuan felt lost for a moment - he had been trying to imitate and surpass his elder brother in order to reduce his nervousness about being close to him. He also didn't really look forward to his elder brother coming home because that person was always in front of him and would disturb his rare peace - but at this moment, Wei Zhiyuan suddenly felt an emotion close to "missing" him. Even though Wei Qian was just under his nose, he urgently wanted to have a few words with his elder brother calmly, and wanted to allow himself to get closer to him and listen to what he was thinking.

The rage that had been burning in his chest seemed to suddenly shed its tyranny, gradually weakening and slowing down, turning into a warm flame, spreading out some dark, subtle, and tortuous emotions.

Wei Qian came back quickly, threw himself on the bed on his back, and sighed heavily.

After a while, there was movement next to him and Wei Zhiyuan sat down next to him.

Wei Zhiyuan casually took the knife and apple from the table, carefully peeled the apple and handed it to Wei Qian: "Brother, why are you so nice to Aunt Youtiao? She is not your biological mother."

Wei Qian took it and twitched the corner of his mouth: "Why so many whys and no whys."

Wei Zhiyuan: "Why not?"

Wei Qian paused and said, "Your pockmarked brother... do you still remember your pockmarked brother?"

Wei Zhiyuan nodded.

The apple was not big, and Wei Qian ate off half of it in one bite. His cheek bulged out a lot, but his wisdom teeth were growing inside, so it was awkward to chew. It took him a while to swallow it. Then he said to Wei Zhiyuan, "If it was me who died, your pockmarked brother would have raised you and Xiaobao even if he had to sell everything he had."

Wei Zhiyuan bent one of his long legs and placed it on the edge of the bed. He lowered his head quietly and looked carefully at Wei Qian's eyebrows and eyes. He sensed a hint of something unusual from them and he almost wanted to reach out and touch him.

The boy thought to himself, why are you so nice to me? I am not your biological brother.

But he didn't ask this question. It went around in his mind and finally dissipated in his limbs.

Wei Qian suddenly seemed to remember something, and he turned over and sat up from the bed, holding the apple in his mouth, freeing his hands, picked up a bag, and waved to Wei Zhiyuan: "Come here."

After saying that, he looked into the hut again and said, "Xiaobao isn't home, right?"

Wei Zhiyuan: "Their school dance team went to practice."

"What the hell is this dance team... She can't use her thoughts in the right place." Wei Qian frowned, obviously not satisfied with this organization, but he quickly put it aside and handed the bag to Wei Zhiyuan, "Open it and take a look."

It was a computer bag, Wei Zhiyuan had already spotted it. He glanced at Wei Qian hesitantly, opened it carefully, and saw a brand new laptop inside.

Wei Qian sat on the chair with his legs crossed, and said, "Aren't you going to participate in that computer competition? Your teacher called me yesterday and said that it was very inconvenient for you to go to the school computer room all the time - why didn't you tell me? If you need anything in the future, just tell me directly. What am I making money for?"

Wei Zhiyuan smiled, and lowered his head a little embarrassedly like a real child, and his fingertips carefully brushed across the shiny cover of the computer.

Wei Qian looked down at his watch and said, "Oh no, I have to go. Don't let Xiaobao play with it. It's better not to let her see it. She will be ruined by playing with it. Do you hear me?"

Wei Zhiyuan: "Thank you, brother."

That day, Wei Zhiyuan watched Wei Qian pick up his luggage, picked up a book, strode to the intersection, hailed a taxi and left.

The young man stood there, thinking about his feelings just now, as if he wanted to figure out the reason and understand it clearly, but he soon gave up.

How can it be considered a heart-pounding moment if it doesn't come out of nowhere?

At the end of the Gregorian calendar year, when Wei Qian was tormented by his thesis proposal and an unresolved project from Lao Xiong, they moved into a new home together, and Wei Zhiyuan finally had his own room.

When Old Mrs. Song pushed the door open for the first time, she felt like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. She had never lived in such a beautiful home in her life, and she was so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands and feet.

Old Mrs. Song seemed to be in a state of disarray. She asked in a sleepwalking voice, "Is this our home? Are we going to live here from now on?"

After a while, he started to scold Wei Qian with a frown: "I think that bastard just has a little money to burn! He has only had enough food for a few days, but his tail is so high up in the sky! How much money does it cost for this bastard who is wasting his life? Why doesn't he just buy a palace to live in? He just earned a few cents, and now, three rooms in the world of the living can't accommodate him!"

This time, the three brothers tacitly ignored her joyful cursing.

On the one hand, to celebrate the joy of moving into a new house, on the other hand, to thank Sister Xiong for her efforts, the families of Sanpang and Wei Qian treated the old Xiong couple to a meal. Halfway through the meal, they realized that it was Sister Xiong's birthday.

So in the evening, Sanpang and Wei Qian accompanied Mrs. Xiong to celebrate her birthday again. Mrs. Xiong called a large group of young people and they booked a private room in a nearby club.

Most of the people called by Sister Xiong were young girls. Not only ordinary young girls, but these girls had a different spirit and energy from others. No matter whether they had stunning facial features or looked average, they all had some kind of indescribable artistic temperament, which was particularly pleasing to the eye. Even the shameful fat Sanpang was staring at them.

Old Xiong is dominated by his wife. With a group of beauties in front of him, he doesn't even dare to raise his head. He sits aside, meditating with his eyes on his nose and his nose on his mouth.

Sanpang: "My goodness, how does my sister-in-law know so many beautiful women?"

Lao Xiong whispered to them, "Your sister-in-law used to be in the art troupe. These are the girls she taught."

"Before"? Lao Xiong didn't say why it wasn't the same now, and Wei Qian didn't ask. His eyes couldn't help but fall on one of the girls.

She...that girl was radiantly beautiful, and that kind of beauty was not the cuteness of a girl, nor the intellectuality and purity of a schoolgirl, but a pure, unadulterated feminine beauty.

Some girls remind people of the girl next door, some girls remind people of some small animals, and some girls remind people of a certain style of painting, but this girl doesn’t remind people of anything. When she stands there, people will only feel that she is a woman.

Mrs. Xiong had sharp eyes and spotted it immediately. She secretly nudged Old Bear with her elbow and said, "Hey, look."

Lao Xiong thought that the organization had come to test him, and he quickly stated his position in fear and trepidation: "I won't watch it."

Sister Xiong pinched him and said, "I asked you to look at Xiao Wei. Did you notice that since Tingting came in, Xiao Wei's eyes have not even glanced at anyone else - hey, let me ask you, he doesn't have a girlfriend, right?"

The old bear was so worried that he sighed and said to his wife, "Why are you obsessed with matchmaking again, my aunt?"

"Ji De, Ji De, do you understand?" After saying this, Sister Xiong raised her voice to greet the girl, "Tingting, come here, I'll introduce someone to you!"

Tingting responded and stood up from the group of girls and walked over.

Sanpang finally came back to his senses from the dazzled beauty. When he saw Tingting, he was stunned for a moment, then he opened his eyes wide and immediately stopped her: "Sister-in-law, don't..."

But Sister Xiong had already quickly pulled Wei Qian over and said, "This is someone I used to work with, her name is Tingting, and this is Xiao Wei. Wei Qian, your brother-in-law brought him here. Sister Tingting wants to tell you, this guy is amazing, a young talent, and he graduated from a prestigious university. He's handsome, too, right? You young people should get to know him better..."

Wei Qian suddenly retracted his hand. Sister Xiong looked up in confusion, only to find that his face had turned pale.

Tingting greeted him friendly: "Hello."

Wei Qian's expression was as if he had seen a ghost. He calmed himself down and barely maintained his composure. He forced a smile at Tingting, then quickly apologized and said, "Sister-in-law, I drank a little too much today. My stomach is not feeling well. I have to go out to sober up."

After saying that, he ran away as if escaping.

Sanpang cried out “Ouch” and immediately chased after him.

Wei Qian rushed to the toilet, locked the cubicle door, and vomited into the toilet bowl.

Sanpang knocked on the door outside: "Qian'er? Is Qian'er okay?"

Wei Qian did not answer. He vomited out everything he could. Finally, he was almost exhausted, and then he slowly sat down on the ground along the wall.

Sanpang heard his low and weak voice: "It's okay, Third Brother, let me rest for a while."

Sanpang retracted his hand, dared not say a word, and waited quietly outside the cubicle.

Wei Qian rested his elbows on his knees, raised his head, and stared at the glaring white light on the ceiling without blinking, feeling empty and sad.

He didn't know Tingting and had never seen this girl anywhere, but the moment she walked in, Wei Qian felt like he was struck.

He didn't have time to react to the sense of déjà vu about her, he was just instinctively attracted to her - Wei Qian had never in his life, both physically and psychologically, had he ever been so interested in a member of the opposite sex.

At that moment, Wei Qian suddenly realized that he was only attracted to one type of girl. Before he could figure out what type of girl this was, Sister Xiong took the initiative to call her over.

And when she walked in, the faint floral scent on her body surged towards him, and she pursed her lips and smiled, Wei Qian could hardly describe his feelings.

He understood face to face where the sense of déjà vu in her came from.

Her pure femininity, which was not affected by any behavior or even appearance, was surprisingly similar to that of his mother who passed away ten years ago.

Before the surging hormones in his young body had time to cool down, Wei Qian's heart had already been dragged into a cold abyss. He didn't want to recall at all how he had handled it imperfectly, or how he had to hold it in all the way to the toilet before vomiting.

He touched upon his lingering nightmare of life and didn't know how to face it.

Wei Qian didn't remember how he got home that day. He was not drunk, just tired. He was so tired that he opened the door and walked home. Before he could go back to his room, he collapsed on the sofa. He didn't want to think about anything and just fell asleep.

After a moment, the bedroom door behind him creaked open and Wei Zhiyuan walked out.

"Brother?" He knelt beside the sofa and gently pushed Wei Qian.