Zhao Xiaoman stood at the door of the apartment she had rented with her ex-boyfriend for many years, holding the last box of packed personal belongings. She took a deep breath, and her voice was resolute: "Little Orange, let's go, there is no reason to be nostalgic here." ”
Orange is a lively corgi, it tilted its head to look at Zhao Xiaoman as if it didn't understand, wagged its tail and followed. The door slowly closed behind the two and a dog, and with the "click" sound, the past seemed to be permanently locked behind the door.
"Xiaoman, are you sure you don't need my help?" the neighbor Aunt Liu poked her head out and asked with concern.
"No need, Aunt Liu, I can do it. Zhao Xiaoman replied with a smile, although there was obvious exhaustion in her eyes, "No matter what, life has to go on." ”
Moving to a rented house on the edge of the town, although simple but clean and comfortable, Zhao Xiaoman placed his favorite pothos by the window, watching it hang all over the windowsill, and his heart seemed to be full of greenery. Orange runs around in her new home, curious to explore every nook and cranny.
After tidying up, she invited her friend Xiaoya to meet at a bar in the town.
"This is the first glass to celebrate freedom, cheers!" Xiaoya raised her glass and smiled.
"Cheers!" Zhao Xiaoman smiled with a hint of imperceptible bitterness.
Sitting in front of the bar, Xiao Ya asked with concern: "Xiao Man, are you really okay?" That scumbag has gone too far, I see that you haven't eaten well in the past few days. ”
"Actually, I don't know, but I suddenly feel like I'm relieved. Zhao Xiaoman took a sip of wine, "It feels like I have seen the sky through the clouds and mist, although I am still a little confused, but at least the front is bright." ”
"That's good, remember that you're not alone, and I and Little Orange are with you. Xiaoya patted her hand.
The lights in the bar were warm and soft, and the nights in the town were always quiet and long, and Zhao Xiaoman watched the orange lie down peacefully at her feet, and a sense of firmness surged in her heart that she had never felt before. She whispered to it, "Orange, let's work together, we will definitely have a new life." As if she understood, Orange gently licked her hand.
In this way, Zhao Xiaoman, who was betrayed and tortured by pain, is taking his loyal little milk dog and starting to weave a new chapter of his own in this town.
A few weeks later, Ms. Zhao is now working full-time at the town's bar called "Poetry of the Night," and in her spare time she finds that each wine seems to tell her a different story.
When night falls, the bar becomes her world. Zhao Xiaoman poured wine and sang a small song composed by himself: "The red of Bordeaux brings me a brave heart, and the clear vodka washes away my past dreams." ”
"Hostess, have the strongest wine. A man in a hat approached the bar, his voice slightly hoarse.
Zhao Xiaoman responded, "Here, you seem to be very heavy tonight?" she handed over a cocktail that had been blended very highly.
"Well, the mood isn't too good. The man took a sip of his glass.
Zhao Xiaoman smiled slightly: "Alcohol is sometimes a good thing, which can make people forget their troubles for a while." Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the orange at her feet and chuckled, "But I think a better way is to find a listener." ”
The man looked at the corgi at his feet and smiled, "This little guy is your partner?"
"Yes, it's called Orange, and it's the best listener. Zhao Xiaoman bent down and touched the orange's head.
Suddenly, the door of the bar was pushed open, and several young men and women walked in noisily.
"Boss, what's today's special?" asked a girl excitedly.
"Tonight's special is called 'Fresh Breeze', for you who remember the old times. Zhao Xiaoman made a delicate cocktail and said softly.
The girl took the glass and called out to her companion in surprise: "Come and try the handiwork of the proprietress , it's really amazing!"
Orange hides behind the bar and occasionally wags his tail at customers, becoming a little star in the bar. "Orange, you've been getting more and more popular lately. Zhao Xiaoman smiled and whispered.
In this way, in loneliness and confusion, Zhao Xiaoman gradually found his rhythm. In the busy wine and the laughter of the guests, she is no longer the little woman who needs to rely on others, and the silent companionship of the orange gives her full strength.
One night, after the bar was busy, Zhao Xiaoman sat on a stool next to him, sighed softly, and said to the sleeping orange: "Orange, do you know, sometimes I feel like a glass of wine, shaken by life, mixed with bitter and sweet. ”
Orange wagged his tail as if he didn't understand, and Zhao Xiaoman smiled gently: "But now with you, the world has become different." ”
In the bar, unconsciously, Zhao Xiaoman has become the "boss lady" in the hearts of many people. She used her simplicity and sincerity to add a rare scenery to this town.
And in this day of growth and healing, the silent companionship of the orange is like the brightest star in the night sky, which can always guide her out of the haze and meet new hope.
With the passage of time, the "poems of the night" in the bar have become a harbor for Zhao Xiaoman's soul, and Meng Fei's frequent appearances have become a part of her daily life.
Every time Meng Fei came to the bar, he was always on time, always alone, and always chose the most private corner. He was always low-key and always mysterious, as if he was observing Zhao Xiaoman intentionally or unintentionally.
One night, Zhao Xiaoman had just mixed a cup of "Whispers of the Night" for the guests, and Meng Fei suddenly spoke: "Xiaoman, do you think life is like these wines, no matter how well they are blended, there is always some bitterness that is difficult to dissolve?"
She stopped what she was doing and replied with some surprise: "This is indeed it." However, this may be the taste of life, how can you experience sweetness without bitterness?"
"You're optimistic. Meng Fei's eyes burned, "I like your attitude, Xiao Man." ”
Zhao Xiaoman: "Thank you, Mr. Meng, then, what kind of wine do you want to have tonight?"
At this moment, a little boy ran in from outside the door and hit Meng Fei's leg headfirst. "Uncle, I've found you!" he cried out excitedly.
Meng Fei showed an alienated smile, squatted down and stroked the little boy's head: "Xiao Hao, why did you run so far?"
Zhao Xiaoman came over and asked politely, "Is this kid your son?"
"No, he's my brother's child," Meng Fei replied, "I've been taking care of him lately because something happened to his parents. ”
"You've worked so hard, children always need a little more care. Zhao Xiaoman said sincerely.
Meng Fei looked up at her, and his expression suddenly became serious: "Xiao Man, in fact, I have always had an idea, I want to fund you to open your own bar." ”
Zhao Xiaoman was extremely surprised: "This, how is this possible? I have no such plans, and..."
"Your craftsmanship, your attitude, made me see the difference between you and this bar. Meng Fei interrupted her, "You deserve better." ”
"But..."Zhao Xiaoman tried to retort, "I don't understand, why are you so generous to me?"
Just as Meng Fei was about to speak and stopped, the orange came out from under the bar and ran towards Xiao Hao, and the child happily hugged the orange and let out bursts of laughter.
Meng Fei looked at this warm scene and sighed: "Because, a few months ago, I was here, drinking alone at night, when I heard the sound of you singing for oranges, I was moved by this purity and sincerity." ”
Just when Zhao Xiaoman was still immersed in surprise, Meng Fei's mobile phone rang, he answered the call, and stood up anxiously: "I'm sorry, Xiaoman, there is an emergency, I have to go first." ”
Meng Fei left the bar in a hurry, and Zhao Xiaoman looked at his back as he left, his heart full of confusion and gratitude.
There is suddenly such a person in her life, his appearance, and his help to her, can't help but make Zhao Xiaoman feel a little shaken and curious, and he is full of expectations and explorations for the unexpected truth that this mysterious man pulls out.
After that night, Meng Fei did not appear again, and Zhao Xiaoman tried to contact him but ultimately failed. However, his words were like seeds, sown in Zhao Xiaoman's heart, and gradually sprouted.
After a night shift, Zhao Xiaoman sat behind the bar and thought quietly. Orange lay at her feet as usual, looking relieved and content.
"Xiao Man, you seem to be a little absent-minded lately, is it because that mysterious Mr. Meng suddenly didn't come?" Xiao Ya asked with concern.
"Well, I'm thinking about what he said, and it makes me a little tempted. Zhao Xiaoman said slowly, "There is a feeling that it is time to make some changes." ”
Orange seemed to understand her words, and looked up and gently rubbed her hand with her nose.
"So what are you going to do?
Zhao Xiaoman chuckled: "Maybe, maybe I can create a place where people feel warm and happy, just like the feeling that oranges bring me." ”
"You speak as if it's really decided. Xiaoya's eyes lit up, "If you really decide, I'll be the first to support you!"
"Thank you, Xiaoya. Zhao Xiaoman replied warmly, "You have always been my strongest backing." ”
A month later, Zhao Xiaoman's first bar, "Orange Dream", officially opened. The bar is small and welcoming, and every corner reveals her intentions and expectations for life. The orange became the mascot of the bar and was loved by every guest.
"Look at you, from a lovelorn little girl, to an independent strong woman, and your oranges. Xiaoya smiled and said to her, "It's really like a dream." ”
Standing in his shop, Zhao Xiaoman looked at the people coming and going, felt their laughter, and his heart was full of happiness. "yes, maybe it was never just a dream. She whispered somewhere in the air.
She turned, ready to serve the new guests, and now she was more determined and confident. Zhao Xiaoman's life is like a cocktail in her hand, layered and colorful.
Orange squatted under the bar and watched all this quietly, as if to say, "Isn't it because you have learned to face yourself and redefine happiness?"
As for Meng Fei, although he is like a passer-by in the story, he has left a deep mark on her life. Zhao Xiaoman no longer asked where he went, but was only grateful for his appearance.
Life is always full of accidents, and every accident can be the beginning of a miracle. Perhaps, fate is like this, always inadvertently surprises people?