Chapter 73: Shaky Values
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
她盛怒之下,脸上的皱纹近乎扭曲,声音尖锐得像腊月天刮过耳边的风.
She was in a rage; her wrinkles almost distorted; her voice sharp as the winter winds that blew past the ears.
冰冰凉的,让人如坠寒潭.
It felt icy cold, as if one had fallen into a pool of ice.
客厅面积很大,莫名就有一种被逼迫的压力.
The area of the living room was enormous where a feeling of compelling pressure in the air.
一瞬间,周遭寂静了.
For a moment, there was silence.
白慕川听着,唇角的笑意凉了几分.
The smile on Bai Muchuan chilled by a few notches as he listened.
从头到尾,他都在笑,眼神却不看那个愠怒的女人.
The moment he stepped inside the house, he had been wearing a smile, but his gaze never landed on the sullen looking woman.
“冷气开得太大了!容易生病的.”
“It’s easy to fall sick if the air conditioning is switched to full blast!”
不知是对谁说的,他说完抿着嘴角径直去了二楼.
Not sure whom he had directed that to, he simply went up to the second floor with his lips pursed.
白奶奶年纪已经很大了,身体一直不好,最近尤其如此,但老虎病了也变不成猫,她余威犹在,谁也不敢随便招惹她.
Grandma Bai was already very old and her health had always been poor. Recently she had been feeling unwell, but nevertheless, even when a tiger fell ill, it would not turn into a cat. Her influence in the family was still prominent, no one dared to provoke her.
偏偏,白奶奶的小心肝儿不是别人,正是白慕川.
And of course, Grandma Bai’s favorite was none other than Bai Muchuan.
“我的乖孙儿哦!怎么才放学啊?奶奶等你好久了.”
“Oh my dearest grandchild! You finished school so late today? Grandma has been waiting for you for a long time.”
看到白慕川出现,坐在房间里发呆的白奶奶脸上瞬间就灿烂了,脸上褶皱仿佛也开出了花儿来.
When Grandma Bai who was staring blankly in her room, saw Bai Muchuan, her face immediately showed a truly delighted smile of joy.
“张妈,快把我的老花镜拿来,我要看看我的孙子.”她让张妈扶她坐起,把老花镜戴上,等白慕川走到面前,又仔细端详他的脸.
“Nanny Zhang, quick, get my presbyopic gla.s.ses. I want to look at my grandson.” She let Nanny Zhang help her sit up on her bed and put on the gla.s.ses. When Bai Muchuan walked over to her, she studied him closely.
“仔啊,是不是又瘦了?功课很忙吗?没有好好吃饭是不是?”
“My grandson, have you lost weight again? Are you busy with your schoolwork? You didn’t take your meals regularly right?”
白慕川缓缓眯起眼.
Bai Muchuan’s eyes narrowed slowly.
看来李妈说得没错,奶奶这病是越来越严重了.
Seems like Nanny Li was right. His grandma’s illness was getting worse.
他慢慢蹲身,握住白奶奶的手.
He crouched slowly before the old lady and held her hands.
“奶奶,功课不忙.我这哪里是瘦了,分明是帅了.”
“Grandma, I’m not busy with schoolwork. And I didn’t lose weight, I’ve become more handsome.”
他一脸笑容,像个乖顺的小孩子,清冷的眸子里盈满了柔和的感情.
He was grinning and behaved like a good grandson. His crystal-clear eyes were full of gentleness and emotions.
“啊?你说你是怎么了?”老奶奶耳朵不好,没听懂他的话,又侧过耳来仔细倾听,”你再说一个,是谁欺负你了?”
“Ah? What did you say?” The old lady did not have good hearing anymore and could not listen clearly what he had said. She leaned over, wanting to listen clearer, “Tell me again, who bullied you?”
白慕川满脸都是笑,凑到她的耳边,”我说你孙子没瘦,只是长好看了!”
Bai Muchuan was all smiles and spoke into her ear, “I said your grandson didn’t lose weight, but more handsome than before!”
“哦哦哦.你这仔儿.是好看的呢.”奶奶笑眯眯敲他额头,看着他就像看着宝贝疙瘩似的,”要是太累,咱们就不要学了啊,不要累着了自个儿,奶奶会心疼的哦.”
“Oh, oh, okay, you little rascal is handsome indeed.” Grandma knocked on his forehead as she grinned. She looked at him as if she was looking at something precious. “If you’re too tired, then stop to take a break. Don’t tire yourself out, grandma will be heartbroken, you know.”
“知道的,奶奶,我不累.”
“I know, grandma, I’m not tired.”
“乖!”
“Good!”
祖孙俩絮叨,声音都柔柔的.
Their voices were soft as both of them talked to each other.
张妈叹一口气,打开了紧闭的窗户.
Nanny Zhang puffed a sigh and opened the closed window.
有风从阳台上拂进来,吹暖一室.
A breeze came in from the balcony which warmed the room a little.
白慕川认真地听着白奶奶的唠叨,懂事的样子真像一个读书回来的大学生.
Bai Muchuan listened attentively to Grandma Bai’s nagging. He was so well-behaved as if he was a college student who had came back from school.
白奶奶说着说着,突然像是又想起什么,压着嗓子,盈着笑问他:”李妈说你找了一个相好的女娃娃,为什么没有带回来给奶奶看啊?”
Grandma Bai continued to talk when suddenly, she seemed to have thought of something.”Nanny Li told me you found a girl you like,” she spoke softly with a smile. “Why didn’t you bring her back to let grandma have a look?”
白慕川怔了片刻才明白过来.
Bai Muchuan was stunned for a moment and realized who she was referring to.
“奶奶,她忙着,有时间了,我就带回来给你瞧.”
“Grandma, she’s busy. When we have time, I’ll bring her to you.”
“好好好,这样好.”老奶奶笑得脸上的皱纹都在颤,”你呀也不小了,大学毕业就该工作了,上学时候找的女娃娃心眼少,单纯,最适合做咱们白家的孙媳妇儿了.你呀,合适就早点把人娶进来,先成家,后立业嘛…”
“Okay, okay, that’s good.” The old lady laughed, she was very glad to hear that. “You’re no longer a child, after you graduate from university, you’ll be working. Girls you meet during college days are less scheming and simpler. Such girls are most suited to be our Bai family’s grand daughter-in-law. If you find her to suitable, hurry up and get married. Start a family first then carve out your career…”
“…”
白慕川无言以对.
Bai Muchuan was at a loss of words.
“奶奶,还早.”
“Grandma, it’s still early.”
“早什么早啊,我像你这么大,你爹都满地跑了…”
“What early? When I’m your age, your dad is already running around the house…”
“…”
老奶奶严肃的样子,把张妈都逗笑了.
The old lady looked so serious that even Nanny Zhang broke into a laugh.
白慕川也跟着笑.
Bai Muchuan also laughed.
这时,有人敲门.
At this moment, someone knocked on the door.
白慕川转头看着站在门口的人,笑容僵硬在脸上.
When Bai Muchuan turned and saw the person standing at the entrance, his smile froze.
“老二,出来一下.”
“Laoer, come out for a while.”
严肃得不带波浪起伏的声音,来自他的父亲白振华.
That solemn and monotonous voice had came from his father, Bai Zhenhua.
白慕川收回视线,紧了紧奶奶的手,”我等会儿再来看你,奶奶.”
Bai Muchuan retracted his gaze and held Grandma Bai’s hands tightly. “Grandma, I’ll come back later to see you.”
白奶奶对他的离开很是不满,瞪着门口的白振华不高兴地问张妈:”小张,那个人是谁?为什么要叫走我孙子?”
Grandma Bai was displeased about it. She stared at Bai Zhenhua, who was standing at the entrance and asked Nanny Zhang in an unhappy tone. “Little Zhang, who’s this person? Why did he call my grandson away?”
张妈一脸尴尬,”老太太,那是白先生.您儿子.”
Nanny Zhang was put in a awkward position. “Old madam, that’s Mr. Bai, your son.”
“我儿子?”白奶奶迟疑着念叨一下,突然板着脸,”胡说!我儿子早就死了.”
“My son?” Grandma Bai hesitated for a while before she wore a grim expression, “Nonsense! My son’s already dead long ago.”
白振华:”…”
Bai Zhenhua: “…”
白慕川:”…”
Bai Muchuan: “…”
张妈:”…”
Nanny Zhang: “…”
安静一下,白奶奶咳嗽着,不高兴地摆手.
There was a moment of silence. Grandma Bai coughed and waved her hand unhappily.
“去吧去吧,乖孙儿.你不要怕他啊.他要是欺负你,你就叫奶奶,奶奶来帮你打他…”
“Go on, my good grandson. You need not be afraid of him. If he bullies you, call grandma. Grandma will help you hit him…”
白慕川唇角轻抿,”知道了,奶奶.”
A smile formed on Bai Muchuan’s face. “Okay, grandma,”
白振华站在门口,一声幽叹,背过身离开了.
Bai Zhenhua stood at the entrance and walked away with a sigh.
…
书房.
In the study.
白振华坐在椅子上,白慕川慢慢进去,脸上挂着漫不经心地笑.
Bai Zhenhua was sitting on his armchair. Bai Muchuan entered the room slowly with a casual smile was on his face.
“有事吗?”
“Anything the matter?”
很直接的询问,一秒就激起了白振华的不满.
It was a very direct inquiry and instantly sparked Bai Zhenhua’s dissatisfaction.
“你还有没有点儿规矩了?谁让你给长辈这样讲话的?”
“Do you still have your manners? Who gave you the right to speak disrespectfully to me?”
他拉下脸来的样子,情绪非常烦躁,白慕川却不甚在意,轻笑着坐他的对面.
He pulled a long face and his mood was very agitated. Bai Muchuan, however, was not bothered by it, and sat directly opposite with a chuckle.
“不好意思,从小没爹教没娘养,没有教养.”
“My bad. I don’t have a father to teach me nor a mother to bring me up so I don’t have manners.”
“你…”白振华气得呼吸都重了起来.
‘You…” Bai Zhenhua was so angry that his breathing could be heard clearly.
然而,过往的经历告诉他,跟白慕川争这些口舌上的长短最后只能气着自己.
Nonetheless, his past experience told him that a quarrel with Bai Muchuan would only make himself frustrated and angry. No point haggling over it.
他慢慢缓下一口气,哼声,”调回京都感觉怎么样?”
He took a slow breath to calm down. “How did you feel about transferring back to the capital?” He snorted.
白慕川:”不怎么样.”
Bai Muchuan replied, “Nothing much.”
白振华眉头皱了起来,”年轻人不要好高骛远…”
Bai Zhenhua furrowed his eyebrows. “Young people shouldn’t be overly ambitious…”
“是的.所以我准备脚踏实地,继续从基层干起.”
“I agree. Therefore, I’m preparing to be down-to-earth, and start from the ground.”
白慕川突如其来的话,白振华没有听得太明白,皱着眉头打量他.
Bai Zhenhua did not quite grasp what Bai Muchuan had suddenly said, he just frowned and continued to size him up.
然后,就听他懒洋洋地说:”我申请了特调,去锦城处理一件案子.明天晚上就走.”
“I’ve applied for a special transfer to Jin City to settle a case. I’m leaving tomorrow night.”
白振华脸色一变,大为光火.
Bai Zhenhua’s expression changed drastically, raging in anger.
“这么大的事,为什么不跟我商量?”
“This is not a small matter. Why didn’t you discuss it with me?”
白慕川淡定地回答:”我自己的事情,为什么要跟你商量?”
Bai Muchuan replied in a calm composure, “Why should I talk to you about my own matters?”
“你…”
“You…”
“你决定事情的时候,有跟我商量吗?”
“Have you ever consulted with me when you make decisions on my behalf?”
“白慕川,反了你了.你给我记住,你姓一天白,你就是我儿子,我就容不得你忤逆我…”
“Bai Muchuan, you’ve got to remember that as long as your surname is Bai, you’re my son, and I won’t tolerate your disobedience…”
“哦.”白慕川淡然一笑,”那我就不要姓白了.”
“Oh,” Bai Muchuan smiled casually, “Then I don’t want to carry the surname ‘Bai’ anymore.”
白振华像听到了什么大逆不道的话,整张脸都变成了惨淡的铁青色,直愣愣地瞪着他,气得腮帮子都痛.
Bai Zhenhua’s whole face turned livid with anger as though he had heard something treacherous. He glared at him, so incensed that his cheeks were painful.
“你还是人吗?怎么可以说这种话?”他不可思议地看着白慕川.
“Are you still a human? How could you say such things?” He looked at Bai Muchuan with disbelief.
然而,这样直锉心窝的话听入耳朵,白慕川却像没有什么感觉.
Bai Muchuan did not seem to have much emotion with regards to saying such hurting words as well as facing his dad’s anger.
他低头笑着点燃一支烟,慢吞吞吸了起来.
He lowered his head to lit a cigarette and began to smoke slowly.
一时间,没有人说话.
At one time, no one spoke a word.
书房里仿佛静止.
时间从白慕川的指间溜过,一点痕迹都没有留下. (merged)
Time seemed to come to a halt in the study as if slipping through his fingers without a trace.
很多情绪,很多感受,就像那烟,在脑子里一闪而过,然后灰飞烟灭!
Many emotions and feelings were just like a puff of smoke, flashing across his mind then turned into ashes!
呼!
Huff!
白慕川把烟掐灭在烟灰缸里,慢慢站起来,”如果没什么事的话,我就先走了.”
Bai Muchuan put out the cigarette in the ashtray and got up slowly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going.”
白振华睨着他高挺的身躯,嘴张了张,像是有什么话想说,终究眉头蹙了又蹙,只剩一句简单的叮嘱.
Bai Zhenhua peered at his son’s tall stature and opened his mouth, as if there was something he wanted to say. However, beside frowning a few times, he only managed to say a simple sentence.
“过去的事情都过去了,你不要再纠结当年旧事…抓紧眼前的机会,为自己的未来发展考虑,不要久留锦城…”
“What’s happened has happened. Don’t dwell on the past… Seize the current opportunity and plan for your future. Don’t stay in Jin City for too long…”
“嗯.”白慕川点头,客气地说:”谢谢!”
“Hm.” Bai Muchuan nodded his head and said politely, “Thank you!”
一个谢字堵得白振华哑口无言.
The word “thanks” left Bai Zhenhua speechless.
白慕川慢慢转身,离开.突然,他停下脚步,一字一顿慢声说.
Bai Muchuan turned slowly to leave and but suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“我就是我,无论怎样,都变不成你喜欢的样子!放弃吧!”
“I am what I am, no matter what, I will not become what you want me to be! Give it up!”
白振华呆怔片刻,听着他远去的脚步,看着面前茶盏里热腾腾的水,好久才双手抱住头,轻轻唉叹一声.
Bai Zhenhua was stunned for a moment as he listened to the footsteps that got softer with distance. He looked at the steaming hot water inside the teapot in front of him. After a long time, he placed both hands on his head and puffed a helpless sigh.
…
夜深了.
It was now night time.
向晚熬夜写着结业总结,一点困意都没有.
Xiang Wan was staying up late to write her essay, not feeling tired at all.
对待工作上的事儿,她还是很严肃的.
With regards to work, she always adopted a serious att.i.tude towards it.
可惜,回想这半个月的日子,真正的感触却是不能写在总结里的.
Unfortunately, in retrospect of the events in these two weeks, she felt that true feelings should not be written in the essay.
她很清楚总结需要写些什么内容,就像写网络小说的时候,其实她也清楚写什么东西更容易吸引读者一样.心里明白,却做不到.
She knew exactly what should be written; it was just like when she wrote her novels that she knew what kind of content would attract more readers but… she was just unable to do it.
“我没有匠心,无法迎合,不是一个合格的写手.”
“I don’t have the ingenuity, and am unable to comply to the industry norms. I’m not a qualified writer.”
她在QQ上这样告诉胡半刀.
She told that Hu Bandao in QQ.
很快,胡半刀就耿直地把他的总结传了过来.
Soon, Hu Bandao sent his essay over.
“抄我的吧!”
“Copy mine!”
“…”猪队友.
“…” Stupid teammate, she thought.
向晚笑着怼他,”一个班就那么多人,写一样的内容不分分钟被发现吗?你想害死我啊!”
“There are only so many people in our cla.s.s,” chided Xiang Wan. “Are you kidding me? We’ll be found in just minutes for having the same content!”
“傻孩子.随便改改不就行了?”胡半刀感慨,”几十个人的总结,都写老长,你以为老师真的会每一分都认真去看啊?老师的时间也是时间,用来打打麻将多好,看什么破总结!”
“Silly kid! You could simply change some content and you’re done,” exclaimed Hu Bandao. “Everyone’s essays are going to be very long. Do you really think that our teacher is going to read through each and every essay thoroughly? The teacher’s time is also precious, it should be better used to play mahjong, why look at all these lousy essays!”
“…”向晚懵,”不看怎么评优秀?”
“…” Xiang Wan was puzzled, “If he don’t read, how would he be able to grade us?”
“…”
“说你傻还真傻.”
“You’re really dense.”
胡半刀发来一个笑脸.
Hu Bandao sent a smiley emoticon over.
“就像我们来培训是网站选送的一样,能够评到优秀的人,早就定好了的.现在咱写这个东西,不就一个形式吗?你还当真啦!”
“Just like how we were being selected by the websites for this training, those who would get a “Good” grade and win the merit award have already been set in stone. Now, is it not a mere formality to write this stuff? Yet you took it so seriously!”
“…”
向晚好久没有回复.
Xiang Wan did not reply for a long time.
她无意深扒,却明白胡半刀的话绝非虚假.
She had not intended to dig deeper, but she knew that what Hu Bandao said made sense too.
“好吧.”向晚叹息一声,”不过谢谢你了.我其实写得差不多了,就是价值观有点不稳定,所以吐槽一下!”
“Alright,” Xiang Wan sighed, “no matter what, thank you. I’ve actually wrote quite a bit. It’s just that I find the portion about values and viewpoints rather shaky. This is why I’m whining about it!”
“犟驴子!行吧.不过今天晚上,哥几个要出去聚一下,你要不要一起?”
“Stubborn donkey! Alright then, some fellow authors wanted to have a gathering outside campus tonight, do you want to join us?”
后天大家就要各奔东西了.
Everyone would be going back to their cities and part ways on the day after tomorrow.
其实,今天晚上的宿舍人很少,大多同学都在外面聚会,朋友圈刷着屏的吃喝玩乐…
In actual fact, there were very few people staying inside their dorms that night. Most of the students were having gatherings outside campus, posting to their WeChat Moments that they were having fun as their two week training was about to end…
向晚迟疑一下,”不了.我码字…”
“Better not, I need to write my story…” Xiang Wan replied after hesitating for a while.
胡半刀:”不要这样好不?后天分开,就不知哪年哪月才能见面了,大家同学一场,你信不信,你不去我来揍你?”
Hu Bandao tried to persuade her, “Don’t be like this please? We’re leaving the campus very soon and who knows when we’ll meet each other again? We’re afterall cla.s.smates for these two weeks, do you believe I’ll bash you if you don’t come?”
隔着屏幕也能感觉到他的愤怒.
She could feel his unhappiness across the screen.
同学一场.再无相见.
They were cla.s.smates for two weeks and they might never meet again.
这两个词是可以打动人的.
These words were able to move her.
向晚尽管无奈,依旧出了门.
Although Xiang Wan still felt rather reluctant about it, she went ahead to hang out with them.
她没有刻意打扮,但脱下连衣裙,换上了牛仔裤T恤衫.
She did not deliberately dress herself up for the gathering. She just removed her long dress and changed to a pair of jeans together with a tee shirt.