Disclaimer: The article comes from life and belongs to literary creation, please do not sit in the opposite seat.
I was forced to attend a class reunion last week, and it showed me the many facets of human nature, one second mocking your gesture, the next then handing you a cigarette.
That day, I took my grandson to the playground to play, and I happened to meet Lao Yan.
To be honest, I didn't really recognize him at first, until he patted me on the shoulder and called "Lao Li",
I just came to my senses. "Yo, Lao Yan, what a coincidence!" I replied with a smile.
The two of us found a seat next to the slide where our grandson was playing and started talking.
Lao Yan is still the same, and as soon as he speaks, he has that familiar tone.
We talked about the funny things of high school, the troubles of whom, and the feats of whom, as if those days were just yesterday.
"Lao Li, do you remember that basketball game? Your three-point shot is really amazing!" Lao Yan laughed.
I was also amused, those youthful blood and passion, it is really nostalgic.
While chatting, Lao Yan suddenly changed his words and mentioned the upcoming class reunion.
"Lao Li, have you heard? Our high school classmates are going to get together, are you going to go?" I thought to myself, I already knew about this party, but I really didn't have any interest. “
Hey, I'm not busy taking my grandchildren every day, and I really don't care about the party. "I'm snorting and trying to fool around.
Lao Yan didn't give up, took out his mobile phone and flipped out the chat history in the group to show me.
"Look, Wang Qiang organized, everyone said okay, you won't give face, right?" I thought to myself, if you don't give this face, you have to give it,
I had to deal with it: "Okay, I'll talk about it then, I still have to watch my grandson." ”
Lao Yan, don't look at him usually doesn't talk much, but once he decides something, it really can't be pulled back by nine cows.
Seeing that I was a little hesitant, he persuaded me again: "Lao Li, how long have we not seen each other? This party is a rare opportunity, you can't miss it!"
I scratched my head, thinking that I really didn't want to go to this party, but it was not good to refuse directly, so I had to say: "Lao Yan, I don't have to take care of my grandson, and the family can't do without people." ”
"Oh, what's so difficult about this, you just tell your family, it's really not good, I'll help you talk about it. "Lao Yan's face is serious, I really can't cry or laugh.
"Okay, okay, I try, I try. I had to say yes first, but I thought to myself, let's talk about it then.
When I got home, I was thinking about how to tell Yan that I didn't want to go to the party.
I know he's a warm-hearted person, but I'm a man who likes quietness and doesn't like those lively occasions.
Lao Yan called again and asked, "Lao Li, how are you thinking about the party? Everyone is waiting for you." ”
I thought to myself, I couldn't hide now, so I had to say: "Lao Yan, I'm not feeling well these days, I'm afraid I won't be able to go." Besides, I have to look at my grandson. ”
"Oh, your body is important, then you have a good rest. As soon as Lao Yan heard that I was not feeling well, he immediately changed his words.
I breathed a sigh of relief and finally got through it.
But I didn't expect that Lao Yan was really persevering. When he saw that I refused to go, he actually came to the door himself.
"Lao Li, what's wrong with you? Is there something unspeakable?" asked Lao Yan as soon as he entered the door.
I had no choice but to say: "Lao Yan, I really don't want to go, the classmates at the party didn't know each other well when we were studying, and it was embarrassing to go." ”
"Oh, what's this, you haven't seen each other for so many years, so it's just this opportunity to get together and connect with each other. "Lao Yan still doesn't give up
Seeing that he was so insistent, I couldn't refuse again, so I had to say, "Okay, I'll go, can't I go?"
When Lao Yan heard this, he was as happy as a child: "That's right, our old classmates, we should get together more." ”
Seeing Lao Yan's happy appearance, although I was reluctant, I had no choice but to agree. After all, an old classmate, this bit of face still has to be given.
But I didn't expect that Lao Yan was really persistent. Just when I was about to forget about the party, he called again.
"Lao Li, the party is tomorrow, don't forget. Lao Yan reminded me on the other end of the phone.
I thought to myself, I can't hide now, so I have to say, "Okay, I know, I'll try to go." ”
"It's not as much as possible, it's definitely coming. Lao Yan emphasized on the other end of the phone.
I had to agree: "Okay, okay, I'll go, it's always okay, right?"
When I hung up the phone, I felt quite uncomfortable. I know Lao Yan has good intentions, but I don't like to join in the fun, I really can't help it.
Early the next morning, Lao Yan's call came. "Lao Li, are you up, I'll pick you up in a while." ”
But since you have promised others, you have to talk about it. I hurriedly ate breakfast, changed into clean clothes, and got ready to go out.
My wife looked at me like this, smiled and said, "Are you going on a blind date?"
I smiled wryly and shook my head, thinking to myself, this party is more of a headache than a blind date.
I was about to go out when my daughter came over with her grandson in her arms. "Dad, where are you going?" asked her daughter.
I told her she was going to a class reunion. When my daughter heard this, her eyes lit up: "Where is the party? I happen to have a business to discuss today, and it's near that restaurant." ”
I said, "You don't have to worry about me, I have an old classmate who will come and pick me up." ”
But the daughter said, "That's so troublesome, I'll send you over by the way." Send me a message when you're done and I'll pick you up. ”
I waved my hand: "No, no, Lao Yan has promised to pick me up, you are busy with you." ”
When my daughter saw that I insisted, she didn't say anything more, but just told me to pay attention to my body.
As soon as my voice fell, Lao Yan's call came: "Lao Li, I'm downstairs at your house, are you ready?"
I looked at the time, what time was it, didn't the party start at noon? I hurried downstairs, and Lao Yan was already waiting for me in the car.
I got in the car and asked him, "Old Yan, why are we going so early?"
Lao Yan said with a smile: "Go early, get familiar with the environment, and save time in a hurry." ”
I thought to myself, this Lao Yan is really warm-hearted, but I, as a person, am most afraid of this kind of preparation in advance.
When I arrived at the hotel, Lao Yan took me straight to the box. As soon as I entered the door, several classmates had already arrived, and they were chatting enthusiastically.
As soon as we entered, they said hello and continued to talk about them. Lao Yan and I found a corner and sat down, I watched them talk and laugh, but I felt a little uncomfortable.
Lao Yan was quite familiar, took my hand, and began to chat with the classmates next to him. As for me, I can only laugh with it, but I am thinking in my heart, how is this party different from what I imagined.
In this way, Lao Yan and I sat in the box, waiting for the arrival of other students. I'm a little embarrassed and a little helpless, but since I'm here, let's go with the flow.
In the box, the students came one after another. While everyone was chatting, Wang Qiang, the initiator of the party, stood up with a notebook in his hand.
"Let's be quiet, let's pay the money for the party first, five hundred per person, so that it will be comfortable to eat later." Wang Qiang said.
When I heard this, I was stunned. I looked at Lao Yan, and he looked embarrassed: "Oh, Lao Li, I forgot to tell you." ”
I thought to myself, this is good, I don't have that much money with me.
Wang Qiang walked up to our table and looked at me: "Lao Li, where is your money?"
I also felt in my pocket and took out my phone: "I didn't bring cash, I'll pay with my phone." ”
Wang Qiang smiled: "Look, Lao Li is still fashionable, we old bones have to learn a little." ”
I smiled awkwardly, but it wasn't a taste in my heart. Why was this party so embarrassing in the first place?
After paying the money, everyone began to eat. During the banquet, Wang Qiang walked up to me with a wine glass: "Lao Li, I heard that you are also retired, and you have a lot of pensions, right?"
I waved my hand: "Whereever, it's just an ordinary worker, and the pension is enough to spend." ”
Wang Qiang laughed: "I saw your hesitation in paying the money just now, I thought you had too much pension to spend." ”
The surrounding classmates laughed too. I had a smile on my face, but my heart felt like I had been pricked by a needle.
Is this my old classmate I haven't seen in years?
As soon as Wang Qiang's words came out, the box suddenly became quiet. I sat there awkwardly, feeling like all eyes were on me.
I smiled and said, "Wang Qiang, you're making fun of me." ”
He laughed: "Lao Li, I'm just joking, don't take it to heart." ”
Lao Yan sensed my discomfort, and he quietly patted my hand under the table: "Lao Li, don't care, you don't know Wang Qiang, you like to joke." ”
I glanced at him and smiled wryly. Lao Yan, although sometimes sloppy, still cares about me.
"It's okay, I'm not that stingy. I answered him, but the knots in my heart were so easy to unravel.
Towards the end of the party, Wang Qiang began to propose again: "Let's take a group photo to commemorate this rare gathering." ”
Everyone got up one after another, ready to take pictures. I sat in the corner, and I thought, do I really need this group photo?
Wang Qiang came over and pulled me: "Lao Li, why are you sitting so far away, come, let's take a picture together." ”
I barely got to my feet and squeezed into the crowd. The flash lights came on, and I had a smile on my face, but I had mixed feelings in my heart.
The party was finally over, and I walked out of the box with a long sigh of relief.
When the party ended, everyone left one after another, but Wang Qiang walked up to me and said with a smile: "Lao Li, how can you go back? Do you want me to give you a ride? I'm a newly bought car, sit and watch?"
When I heard this, isn't this a clear show off? I waved my hand: "No need, Wang Qiang, my daughter will come to pick me up later." ”
He smiled: "Your daughter, won't she ride a small battery car? ”
I listened, and I didn't feel good, but I didn't say much.
Wang Qiang was still there and said to himself: "Lao Li, look at you, the pension is not high, life is not easy, right?
I listened, and the fire in my heart rose and simmered. I took a deep breath and said, "Wang Qiang, although I don't have much pension, my life is still passable.
I understand your kindness, so I won't trouble you to find it. ”
Wang Qiang was stunned, obviously he didn't expect me to refuse so directly. He smiled wryly and said nothing.
I messaged my daughter and told her I was out. It didn't take long for her to drive to the door of the hotel.
I walked to the car, and my daughter got out of the car and said to me with a smile, "Dad, how is the party?
I looked at her, then at the luxury car, and suddenly I had an indescribable feeling in my heart. I smiled and said, "It's okay, it's just a little tired." ”
The daughter didn't ask much, but said, "Dad, get in the car, let's go home." ”
I nodded, turned around and got ready to get into the car. At this time, Wang Qiang and several other classmates also walked out, and when they saw their daughter's car, their expressions were a little surprised.
Wang Qiang walked over and said with some embarrassment: "Lao Li, this is your daughter? ”
I said lightly: "Yes, she started her own company, and the business is doing well." ”
His daughter's car was parked in front of the hotel, and Wang Qiang and several other classmates gathered around. Wang Qiang looked at the luxury car, his eyes straightened: "Lao Li, this car costs a lot of money, right? What does your daughter do?"
I said lightly: "She started her own company, and the business is not bad." ”
When Wang Qiang heard this, he opened his mouth wide in surprise: "Company boss? Lao Li, you are really hiding this." ”
I glanced at him and didn't say anything more. There are some things that don't need to be explained too clearly.
Wang Qiang was still chattering there: "Lao Li, your daughter is so promising, why didn't you say it earlier? ”
I glanced at him and felt a little disgusted. This kind of person will be close when he can use it, and he will be cynical if he doesn't need it.
I was silent and didn't answer his words. There are some things that are not worth wasting.
My daughter saw my embarrassment, and she smiled and said to Wang Qiang, "Uncle Wang, you have won the award." Like my dad, I'm an ordinary person, just lucky enough to have a small business. ”
When Wang Qiang heard this, his face was a little unbearable: "That's, that's, young and promising, amazing." ”
The daughter turned to other classmates: "Everyone will have time to come to this restaurant in the future, this is opened by my friend, mention my name, you can get a discount." ”
The students were a little surprised when they heard this. My daughter's words not only relieved me, but also gave them a step down.
I looked at my daughter and felt a little moved. This child has been sensible since he was a child, and now that he has grown up, he knows how to behave.
I patted my daughter on the shoulder and said, "Let's go home." ”
My daughter nodded, and we got in the car and left this place full of right and wrong.
Wang Qiang is a thick-skinned person. When he saw that my daughter was so promising, he immediately changed his face: "Lao Li, you see, I have a project recently and want to talk about cooperation with your daughter." ”
I glanced at him and sneered inwardly. This person was sneering just now, and now he is climbing the relationship again.
I said lightly: "Wang Qiang, I don't understand my daughter's business, if you have anything, just talk to her company." ”
Wang Qiang still wants to say something, my daughter has already started the car.
Wang Qiang saw my cold attitude, and turned to my daughter again: "Niece, look, we are all old classmates, you have to help with this little help." ”
The daughter smiled politely: "Uncle Wang, I will convey your matter, but the company has company rules, and whether you can cooperate or not depends on the project itself." ”
When Wang Qiang heard this, his face was a little unbearable. I thought to myself, this refusal is beautiful, not only does not offend people, but also keeps the bottom line.
As the car slowly drove away from the hotel, I looked back to see the old classmates still standing in the doorway, with different expressions on their faces.
I sighed and said to my daughter, "Today's party is really hard to describe. ”
My daughter patted my hand: "Dad, don't think too much, class reunions are like this." ”
I nodded, filled with emotion. Although this party allowed me to see a lot of people clearly, it also made me feel the warmth of my family.
I turned my head away and stopped looking at the people. From now on, I, Lao Li, will never participate in such boring gatherings again.