It stands quietly on the shore of the Yellow Sea, not bustling, noisy and unyielding.
I had never heard of Haiyang before I went to work in that city. After all, in China's vast land, it is just an ordinary county town, and it is impossible for the ordinary north.
The choice is both helpless under pressure and naive and hasty. In short, in the contradiction between active choice and passive acceptance, I walked into this small town.
Facts have proved that this meeting, which is neither too short nor too long, is such a precious coincidence and a blessing from heaven.
one
As a stranger in a foreign land, I have never felt lonely here. Every day, there is a strong human touch and fireworks fragrance.
Sister Ping, Devo joined the company one or two years before me, and a little older than me, so she naturally played the role of sister. Although their families are not in this city, they are all around, trying their best to be good hosts and take care of me, a visitor thousands of miles away. At that time, we were all unmarried bachelors, eating and living in the unit, getting along with each other day and night, carefree.
Although there were no cinemas and cafes in the small town at that time, it was not convenient to surf the Internet in the dormitory, and even there was no TV, but we were not alone. At that time, the square dance had not swept the land of China. I often go dancing and walking in Xinyuan Square in the evening, and get something to eat in the dormitory with simple equipment at weekends. Life is full of flavor.
Every holiday, they will return to their homes in neighboring cities. Other big brothers and sisters in the unit are afraid that I am lonely and cold, and they all invite me home for dinner.
Opposite my dormitory is a leadership office. She often works overtime on weekend nights and makes me some unique pickles from time to time.
Later, several of our single girls got married one after another, bought a house and stayed away from the host unit.
In the small town at that time, the house price was very cheap, but the income was also very low. I accidentally mentioned buying a house with my colleagues one day. After my leader knew that I had plans to buy a house, he took my husband and me to the developer to bargain for me. I feel very guilty.
Later, when the house was renovated, I was afraid to mention it to my colleagues for fear that they would help again. But my leader found out later. At that time, the carpentry of the house was almost finished. One day during lunch break, he came to my house, took a look at the decoration, blamed it on me, and told him that he was a native and familiar with the situation after all. He can help arrange by buying building materials or other things.
After we bachelors have our own small families, we often take turns to get together at home on weekends. Sister Ping, in particular, is passionate about cooking, devoted to research and loves to show off her cooking skills. We are willing to be her guinea pigs and often eat them. I still remember seeing her writing recipes in her notebook. There is a dish called ginger juice mixed with milk. She writes a process with great respect and seriousness, which is called smashing, smashing. Laughed at me for a long time.
After me, several boys and girls came to work, and everyone got along very happily.
Later, for various reasons, I left the town. Later, Sister Ping and his wife also went to Jinan. Several of our young companions broke up like this.
two
When I was in a small town, by chance, my husband and I met a family and got along like relatives.
At that time, 14-year-old daughter recognized us as godfathers. The host and hostess became our brother-in-law and sister.
Some days, after work every day, we all go to my sister's house for dinner and always talk endlessly. After dinner, we helped our daughter with her homework and told her about the college entrance examination and college. The little girl idolizes us.
At that time, cars were far from popular, and there were few private cars. My brother-in-law just bought a second-hand Li Xia. Sometimes on weekends, sometimes at night, my brother-in-law and his family pull us together, or go to the seaside to blow the sea breeze, or go back to my sister's mother's house. My sister and mother live in the village. Every time they go back, the old couple are treated as ceremoniously as the Chinese New Year. They are sincerely welcome and happy. Take out all the best dishes at home and steam your own dishes into big steamed buns for us to eat when you leave.
We have no relatives around us. In the process of marriage registration, my sister and brother-in-law are witnesses, and they are planning for us. I still remember that on the night of registration, my sister arranged a table of dishes at home, and several of us drank a large glass, which finally broke down.
My sister is very beautiful and can dress up. This local product of mine, the first and only time, was planted with false eyelashes by my sister and dyed with yellow hair. We go shopping together, and the clothes she chooses for me are always fashionable and decent. At that time, I was invincible in youth and had a good figure. I put on the clothes chosen by my sister, which attracted a lot of attention at work.
Time flies and space is ruthless. After I left town, my contact with my sister's family became less and less. Now, the little girl with a ponytail has graduated from college. And the two of us have gradually slipped to the age of no doubt.
Those beautiful and happy days can only be recalled in memories.
three
This town is simple and organized.
At work, I have high expectations and many up-and-coming exercise opportunities.
A girl who just left school grew up in ignorance.
Leaders and colleagues are both comrades-in-arms at work and emotional companions.
They are very tolerant and caring for me, giving me guidance and helping me share my worries. I have never felt the hostility of competition, only the warmth of assistance.
Once my father came to see me and the leader invited us to dinner. He said to my dad, brother, you really raised a good girl. I think as a parent, it should be very gratifying to hear the unit leaders praise their daughters in this way. In fact, I know that it's not how good I am, but how highly I am regarded.
When my husband and I registered, the top leaders knew about it and specially invited our young couple to have a meal to congratulate them. Later, when the wedding was held, she had been transferred and gave a set of bedding as a wedding gift.
There are too many unforgettable people and things in the unit. Intellectual sister Liu, enthusiastic sister Yaping, straightforward sister Zhan, intelligent sister Li ... There are many leading colleagues, the doorman Yang, and the canteen master Liang. Although everyone has different personalities, they all have a common label, that is, sincerity and enthusiasm.
The city is no longer big, and all beings are spiritual. Time is not long, but friendship remains the same.
Haiyang, I gave it the best years of my life, and it also gave me the warmest and profound friendship, which is worth remembering all my life.
Meet it and become this life, not my hometown, but my hometown's thoughts.
From then on, south of Haiyang, there is no sea.