Dream of the Rose Garden
Text/Liu Hongfei
A person's life must have dreams in order to live a meaningful life and have hope! Xiao Jie is a young man with a dream, he was born in a remote peasant family in Quanzhou City, his hometown is rich in roses, Xiao Jie also likes the beauty of roses and its fragrance. He likes to paint since he was a child, and he likes to paint roses the most, although his hometown is beautiful, but he is still very poor, so Xiaojie is determined to study hard, study hard, and his grades are also very good. When Xiaojie grew up, he still had a special love for painting. His parents also objected, but Xiaojie still insisted on pursuing his dreams. During the college entrance examination, he was admitted to an art academy in Beijing and fulfilled his college dream. He studied professional knowledge diligently, and went out to sketch since his junior year, and he was seen in supermarkets, parks, and squares. He specializes in painting roses and portraits, and his vivid images are realistic, which is appreciated by passers-by and can earn a little living expenses.
After graduating from university, because of the limitations of the painting major, he applied for several jobs and was not too satisfied, so he still went to the street to paint and sell paintings, he dreamed of becoming a real painting master one day, when a painting is worth a lot of money, he will have no worries about food and clothing, and live a rich and tasteful life.
In order to realize his dream, Xiaojie stayed in Beijing to rent a basement to live, and went to the street to paint every day as before, and ordered takeout when he was hungry. After graduation, you can no longer increase the burden on your parents, and you can't ask for your parents' money. Coupled with the fact that you have to pay rent, life is tight. But Xiaojie believes that as long as he persists in his efforts, he will succeed sooner or later.
One day three years later, Xiaojie was painting in the square as usual, and a young girl walked by him, stopped when she saw Xiaojie, and bent down beside him to look at the little masterpiece painting seriously. Xiaojie suddenly smelled the fragrance of roses, he raised his eyes and glanced at the girl beside him, a girl who looked to be in her 20s and looked white, with big eyes. The long hair of the soft shawl exudes the fragrance of seductive roses, a few hairs are blown down to Xiao Jie's ears by the wind, the white long skirt falls naturally, and a pair of clear big eyes look at Xiao Jie's paintings, revealing envy and admiration. Xiao Jie has never been in contact with a girl so closely, and it is such a beautiful girl, Xiao Jie's mood is rippling, his face is starting to get hot, and he is a little flustered in his heart, which is a feeling that has never been felt before. He was afraid that the other party would see his changes, so he lowered his head and continued to paint, at this time someone called Xiaoyu, the woman answered, and left a little reluctantly.
That afternoon, Xiao Jie seemed to have lost his soul, his mind was full of those beautiful big eyes and the fragrance of roses, and sometimes he almost drew it wrong. In the next few days, Xiao Jie went to this place to paint, just hoping to see those big eyes again and smell the roses again. But for several days, I was disappointed. Five days have passed, and Xiaojie is still painting in this corner of the square, looking at it while painting, if he can't see that girl again today, he will change places tomorrow. In the past, he would not be in one place for more than three days, but this time he has been in one place for six days, and there is no novelty after staying in one place for a long time. The freshness of painting is the most important thing, and the freshness stimulates the activity of brain cells in order to draw good works, at least Xiaojie thinks so.
When the sun sets, the square is lit up with colorful lights, there is a spring in the center of the square dancing with the rise and fall of the music, and the laughter of the people rises and falls along with the music, showing a peaceful atmosphere everywhere. She may not come again today, Xiaojie thought so, so he buried his head in painting. In the past two days, I have been in a bad mood, and some paintings have not been completed, so I must finish them quickly and give an explanation to the customer. Just as Xiao Jie was immersed in painting, a familiar smell of roses wafted over, and Xiao Jie's heart suddenly beat faster, but he didn't raise his head immediately, just glanced at it with the rest of his eyes, and pretended to paint his painting calmly. Then the girl spoke, and said softly, "Can you draw one for me?" "The voice is so gentle and beautiful. Xiao Jie slowly raised his head, "Yes," Xiao Jie said in an excited voice, "You sit down, I'll paint for you, this kind of painting is a bit slow, can you wait?" "It's okay, I just don't have anything to do, so you can paint!"
Xiaojie turned around, this time he could take a serious look at this girl generously. Big eyes, long eyelashes, a high nose bridge, and ruddy and sexy lips are just right on this fair face. Although Xiaojie has painted countless beauties, as well as old people and children, he has never seen such a beautiful girl. Xiao Jie stabilized his beating heart, and let out a long sigh of relief before he stabilized his trembling hand and began to draw. This is the most serious painting Xiaojie has ever had. Under the illumination of the square, the girl's face is more gentle and charming. Every time Xiaojie paints, he wants to finish it quickly, but this time he is afraid of drawing too fast, so he deliberately slows it down. While painting, the two of them chatted consciously or unconsciously. The girl introduced herself, her name was Xiaoyu, and she said that the last time she passed by the square, she saw him painting and wanted Xiaojie to paint a portrait, but last time she came with a friend, and she didn't have time, because she liked painting very much since she was a child, so she admired the painter very much, and felt that the painter was both romantic and gentle. The two of them chatted while drawing, and before they knew it, there were fewer and fewer people in the square.
"It's getting late, I'm going home." The girl said.
Xiaojie deliberately left a little bit unfinished, so he agreed to paint again the next day, and meet in the old place and time. The two of them said goodbye a little reluctantly.
Back at home, Xiaojie put up the painting folder, put the painted Xiaoyu in the place where he could see it when he opened his eyes, and fell asleep admiring Xiaoyu's beauty.
The next day, Xiaojie and Xiaoyu met in the old place and continued to paint. After finishing the painting, Xiaoyu didn't leave, just watched Xiaojie paint on the side, it was like this for a few days, and more than a month passed like this, Xiaoyu came to see Xiaojie painting every once in a while, and they became friends who talked about everything. Xiaojie has never changed places.
Time flies so fast, Xiaojie counted that Xiaoyu hadn't come for a week, and then remembered that he didn't leave contact information. Xiaoyu is listless if he doesn't come to Xiaojie, sometimes he paints bad pictures for customers, is returned by customers, and the economy is also loved to the loss, and the life that is not easy is even worse.
Another month passed, and there was still no trace of Xiaoyu. Xiaojie still insisted on painting and selling paintings in the old place and time, and when he was not busy, he painted countless portraits of Xiaoyu with his memory. Xiaojie's painting skills are getting higher and higher, but the price is still the same, and life is still hungry and full.
The weather was a little hot and humid that day, and Xiaojie had no business for a day. was in a daze, lightning and thunder thundered in the sky, and it rained heavily in an instant, drenching Xiaojie in soup. He staggered home with his painting clip and fell asleep. When he had a fever in the middle of the night, he found cold medicine in the drawer at the bedside, took it and continued to fall asleep......
A ringing phone woke Jie from his sleep. The phone call was from an old classmate, saying that there was an old lady who wanted to paint a portrait, the family conditions were good, but the requirements were relatively high, if the painting was good, the price would be as much as it wanted, and if the painting was not good, it would not be given. Everyone knows that Xiaojie is good at drawing, only he can take this job, and the sooner the better. Xiaojie promised to come down, asked for the address and set off, when he arrived according to the address, what appeared in front of him was a villa building, there was a small garden with a swimming pool in front of the house, all kinds of flowers and plants were gorgeous, especially the roses of various colors were the most beautiful. There are rockeries and pavilions behind the buildings, and it is definitely not ordinary people to have such mansions in this city where every inch of land is valuable. Xiaojie rang the doorbell, and a housekeeper-like person opened the door and asked about the situation, telling Xiaojie to go into the living room and sit down and wait, saying that the old lady would go downstairs in a while.
Xiaojie sat down and looked around, this is a house with a built-in staircase has four floors, each floor has a carved white railing, the walls are also European-style carved design, resplendent gold, the crystal chandelier in the center is shining, the blue carved sofa and white tables and chairs show the owner's taste.
Xiaojie was imagining what the owner of this place was like, when he heard an old lady's loud voice and asked, "Are you here?" "It's coming, it's coming!" The butler-like man replied. At this time, an old lady came over accompanied by her family. Although she has gray hair and looks to be in her 70s, she is energetic, her face is ruddy, her waist is not hunched, she is noblely dressed, and she speaks loudly. When Xiaojie saw the old lady, he immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
The old lady said, "I heard that you have a good drawing, you can paint me well, I will not treat you badly if you paint well, if you don't paint well, then you won't give a penny." ”
"Okay, okay." Xiaojie said.
"So let's get started?" The old lady asked.
"Okay, okay," Xiaojie said as he took out his paintbrush and sketchpad.
The old lady found a comfortable position to sit down. Xiao Jie cautiously began to draw.
Xiaojie thinks casually with the painting, if the painting is too similar, it may not be beautiful, if the painting is too beautiful, it will not be like it, and it will not work. To draw both good and like, grasping this degree is the key, and it can't take too long, the old lady won't sit for too long, she will be tired.
Xiaojie tried his best, fast and good, first put up the draft, and slowly drew the details. At this time, the old lady was tired, so Xiaojie asked her to rest for a while, handle the details by herself, and slowly feel satisfied before showing the old lady. The old lady was very happy when she saw it, and immediately told the housekeeper to give Xiaojie money. Xiaojie didn't ask for much, so he said at the usual price, and the old lady said: "No, it's too little, the painting is too good, and it's not easy for you young people, give more." He asked the housekeeper to take some more money for him, and Xiaojie couldn't refuse, his income this time was enough for two months' living expenses. After thanking Xiaojie for his kindness, he was ready to go out.
"Grandma!" At this time, a voice came from outside the door, Xiaojie listened to the familiar voice, and a familiar fragrance of roses wafted over. Xiaojie looked up, and both sides were surprised. "Xiaoyu!" "Xiaojie!" Neither of them expected to meet here.
The old lady also asked happily, "You know each other?" "Grandma, this is the little jie I told you about who is very good at drawing." Xiaoyu introduced. The old lady said, "No wonder the painting is so good, my granddaughter's vision is right." At this time, Xiaojie asked Xiaoyu why he hadn't been to his painting stall for so long. Xiaoyu said that she went abroad temporarily to do business, and left without having time to say hello to him. Xiaojie was also relieved. The old lady said to stay here and eat before leaving, after all, it was the first time to come here, and Xiaojie was embarrassed to stay for dinner, insisting on going home. The old lady was not easy to stay, and said polite words such as welcoming to come and play often, and exchanged a few words of greeting. This time, he and Xiaoyu left each other's contact information, and they happily said goodbye and went home.
A few days later, Xiaoyu called Xiaojie and said that her grandmother had called her to play at home. Little Jie can't wait to go every day. But I don't know why I asked him to go, Xiaojie was happy and worried, found the best clothes, and went outside to buy some snacks for the old lady, so he went to Xiaoyu's house with a large bag. The old lady happily asked Xiaojie to sit down and asked the kitchen to prepare a few dishes. Through chatting, Xiaojie learned that Xiaoyu's parents are doing business outside, and she grew up with her grandmother, who loves her very much and is obedient. The old lady asked Xiaojie about the situation at home and said: "Xiaoyu is 28 years old this year, two years younger than you, after graduating from college, she worked in her parents' company, and she has reached the age of talking about marriage, and there are many suitors, but she can't look down on it, but she likes Xiaojie You, the family didn't agree before, and it was also fate, it didn't happen that you came to paint me again, I see that you are simple and kind and I like it very much, I just ask, do you like our Xiaoyu?" If you want me to be the master, we have a house here, you can take your parents to live together after you get married, such a big house is now only me and Xiaoyu live, and it is strangely deserted. When Xiaojie heard this, it was like a dream, which was really unwanted. Xiaojie nodded again and again, and said that he also liked Xiaoyu very much, so he hit it off.
After a few more days, Xiaojie moved out of the basement, pulled the easel and moved to Xiaoyu's house. The old lady was delighted. Xiaojie's parents were also very happy.
Just do it, because of the poor living conditions of Xiaojie's family, Xiaoyu's family not only did not want a bride price, but also gave his family a sum of money to let Xiaojie's parents improve their lives. In Xiaojie's hometown, they all praised Xiaojie for his ability, found a good daughter-in-law, and envied Xiaojie's family, no longer looked down on them, and no one dared to bully his family anymore.
Two months after getting married, Xiaojie went to chat with the old lady every day when he had nothing to do, and painted to kill time when he had nothing else to do. Sometimes look at the roses in the yard. The old lady said don't sell paintings on the street, our family can afford you. You don't have to do it yourself when you eat and wash clothes, and you have a nanny to serve you, so you can say that you live the life of a rich person who stretches out his hands for clothes and opens his mouth for food.
On this day, his parents called and said that they would come to Beijing to live for a few days to have fun, and when Xiaojie and the old lady said, the old lady was very happy. Xiaojie immediately drove his parents over. The old lady also instructed the nanny to clean the guest room and ask Xiaojie's parents to stay, the first few days were good, and they got along relatively well, but as time went by, because of the different lifestyles, the contradictions gradually revealed, and the rural people did not pay much attention to hygiene, the old lady's face became more and more ugly, and the nanny also pointed fingers in private. Xiaojie saw the clue and sent his parents home, but he felt a little uncomfortable.
After Xiaoyu came back in the evening, he saw that Xiaojie was unhappy, and asked the reason, Xiaojie said: "I am a young and strong man who only chats with the old lady at home, and there is no inspiration to paint at home, you are all so busy, I have a meal at home, and I can't bear it, others will laugh at me, or I will go out and find a job to do." ”
Xiaoyu listened and said: "You can do whatever you want, our family's industry is so big, you go to work in our company, and you can share some of it for me, do you want to start from the grassroots level, or be the vice president, you think about it." ”
"I can't go down to the grassroots level, as the chairman's lover, don't others laugh at me when I go down to the grassroots level?" Xiaojie said without thinking.
"Okay, see if you are willing to go to work that day, just come with me, I will arrange it, you will take care of some financial matters, you can do it as you learn, so you are a little tired."
"I'm not afraid of being tired, I'll do it well." Xiaojie swore an oath.
The next day, Xiaojie followed Xiaoyu to the company, Xiaoyu introduced: "This is the new company Wang Jie Wang, everyone is welcome, and everything in the future will be handled by Mr. Wang." There was a sparse round of applause in the hall. It's been a long time since anyone called him by his name so officially, Xiaojie almost forgot that his name was Wang Jie, and he was used to calling him Xiaojie. Although Xiaojie was very proud, he also had to pretend to be a little bit, straightened his suit and tie and said: "I'm new here, please give me more advice on business!" There was another perfunctory round of applause in the hall. Then Xiaoyu asked the secretary to take Xiaojie to his office. Xiaojie looked at the office with the ensuite, the carved mahogany tables and chairs, here and there, the vase on the table was lined with a bouquet of red roses, and the fragrance filled the whole room, which was refreshing. Then a tall woman told Xiaojie: "Mr. Wang, I am your secretary, I am at the door, you can call me at any time if you have something." "Okay, you get out!" Xiaojie sat on the chair by himself, watching all this, and his body was as comfortable as floating in the air.
As soon as Xiaojie walked into the office building every day, the employees greeted him with "Mr. Wang is good" and "Mr. Wang is good!" The sound is endless. He can ignore it or ignore it, and make way for him when he walks in the hallway. He can come early or late, or he may not come. He can come when he wants, if he doesn't want to come, he can sleep or paint at home, go to the yard to look at the roses, he has a secretary and a financial manager to do everything properly, he just needs to sign and seal, his life is comfortable and beautiful.
Suddenly, one day, Xiaojie was still asleep, and Xiaoyu, who was in the field, called and said that she needed a sum of money, but the finance said that there was no money, and asked him to go to the company immediately to check the accounts and see what the situation was! Xiaojie hurriedly got up and went to the company to find the secretary, and the staff on duty said that the secretary did not go to work today, and the financial manager did not go to work. At this time, the financial manager sent a text message, saying that there was a payment of 20 million yuan that had not been received, and the manufacturer could not be contacted, and it was estimated that he had been deceived, and he and the secretary went out to investigate the matter. At this time, another manufacturer called, saying that the goods they wanted, the payment had been paid to the company's account, why did they not receive the goods. Xiaojie was blindsided on the spot, and then asked the finance, the finance said that there was no money on the account, and the manager said a few days ago that the purchases were all transferred to a foreign account, and Wang Jie's signature was on it. Xiaojie called the financial manager and secretary again, and they were all turned off. Xiaojie sat down on the chair.
In the past few days, the company has been in chaos, and the public security has also intervened in the investigation, confirming that it was due to Xiaojie's negligence in management, and his secretary and financial manager colluded to transfer the company's money abroad several times, and now they are being pursued. The company owes tens of millions of foreign debts, as well as the salaries of employees, and the capital chain is broken, so it can only sell all the real estate and valuables to pay off the debt.
Looking at the haggard Xiaoyu, his grandmother who was much older, and his anxious parents who rushed to him, Xiaojie was heartbroken, it was his own fault that caused all this now, and he regretted it a lot! Looking at everything he had ruined, he didn't know how he got to the top of the office building. Xiaojie felt that he no longer had the face to face his beloved wife and his parents who had worked hard to bring him up, as well as his grandmother who liked him, thinking of this, Xiaojie jumped from the roof of the 30-story building.
In the process of falling, Xiaojie suddenly felt that I couldn't die, I couldn't die! I died who took care of my Xiaoyu and my elderly parents, as well as my grandmother who liked me. Xiaojie was struggling desperately, desperately shouting, "Help me, help me!" ……”
Xiaojie suddenly opened his eyes! "Xiaojie is awake!" The landlord said, "You can wake up, you have been burning for three days and three nights, and you can't wake up when you scream." "Where is this?" Xiao Jie looked around and asked.
"Hospital!" The landlord brother said. It turned out that three days ago, the landlord's eldest brother didn't see Xiaolou who went to the street every day to sell paintings go out, so he went to Xiaojie's rented house to take a look. Because there are many young people like Xiaojie, living alone in this city, with no friends or family, and no one knows that they are sick, so the landlord pays great attention to such young people. I didn't see Xiaojie didn't go out that day, so he came and knocked on Xiaojie's door, knocked for a long time and didn't move, so he hurried home and got a spare key to open the door, sure enough, Xiaojie was hot and couldn't wake up. He hurriedly called an ambulance to take Xiaojie to the hospital. Xiaojie had a fever in the hospital for three days and was unconscious, and the doctor said that Xiaojie was overworked and malnourished, plus he had a cold and fever in the rain, and his body needed to rest, so he would be fine after two days of infusion of nutrient solution.
"It scares the hell out of me!" The landlord brother said.
"Where's Xiaoyu? And what about my parents and grandmother? ”
"That Xiaoyu? You're burnt out, aren't you? I don't know what you're talking about. ”
Only then did Xiaojie realize that he had a dream. Thanks to a dream! Xiaojie muttered to himself.
"What kind of dream are you talking about?" The landlord asked puzzled. "Nothing, thanks to you! Thank you so much, I'm fine, I'll be discharged immediately! ”
"Thank you, it's not easy for you children to go out, I can help if I can." The landlord is a simple and nice person. Xiaojie was much more relaxed, and he didn't have a fever anymore, and the doctor said that he could be discharged from the hospital. In this way, with the help of the landlord's eldest brother, Xiaojie returned to the house he rented.
Three days later, Xiaojie's body fully recovered, Xiaojie bought some fruits, came to the landlord's eldest brother's house to resign, saying that he wanted to return to his hometown Quanzhou. The landlord was a little surprised and asked the reason, and Xiaojie said that I might not be suitable here, and did not explain too much. He thanked the landlord for taking care of him in the past few years, and then said goodbye to the landlord a little reluctantly, dragging his simple luggage and disappearing into the bustling crowd.
One day ten years later, the news in Quanzhou City reported that a billionaire in the rose garden donated money and materials to the Hope Project, and the paintings he painted were auctioned for charity. His work is a portrait of a beautiful woman with long hair and a shawl and big eyes, and the name of the work is "Little Jade".