My name is Li Ming, I am 60 years old this year, and I have just retired for a year. To be honest, life in retirement is far from what I imagined. Looking at the empty walls in a daze every day, there is no work pressure, but there is no sense of accomplishment and busyness when working. My wife died early, and my children settled abroad, and the house seemed very deserted. My only entertainment is walking around the corners every day to buy groceries and chatting, and occasionally getting together with elderly friends, and there is no common topic.
On this day, I suddenly remembered the three good friends of the university, Wang Qiang, Liu Chen and me. The three of us were like shadows back then, talking about everything and secrets. Wang Qiang's living treasure can always make us laugh. Although Liu Chen's grades are not good, he is very enthusiastic and often helps the two of us with ideas or suggestions. I miss those carefree school days and our friendship that never ends.
In the blink of an eye, 30 years have passed since graduation. Wang Qiang was admitted to the provincial key university that year, majoring in computer science, and later started a very successful business, with a house and a car in the provincial capitalLiu Chen went to a normal school and is now a middle school teacher;I myself taught at a local university and lived an ordinary life. Everyone has been going their separate ways for so many years, and there is little contact. I suddenly missed the bits and pieces of my college buddies.
So I mustered up the courage and decided to organize a class reunion to renew our friendship. I first called Wang Qiang: Hey, Wang Qiang?I'm Li Ming, do you remember my old college classmates?After all these years, we're all retired, how about meeting each other?Wang Qiang was very pleasantly surprised and said, "Li Ming, it's great to hear your voice!."Of course, I remember that our college was so good, and it felt like it was only a day away, haha!It's a must, I haven't been back to my alma mater for a long time, and I miss the days when we played together in class!"I was so excited that I made an appointment with him.
Then I called Liu Chen too, although we don't have much contact all year round, but when it comes to the campus, Liu Chen also shows great enthusiasm: "Dude, you miss me!."Let's go back to our alma mater in a group and find out how it felt back then, I've already booked a ticket, haha!”
I'm so happy to finally be able to reunite with my good brothers I haven't seen in a long time!I can't wait to think that everyone has taken off the shackles of their careers, put down the burden of work and family, and returned to the conversation and laughter like when they were students, and relive the golden years of those years.
I've been working non-stop for this meeting. First, the house was cleaned well, scrubbed inside and out. I also carefully prepared a variety of snacks, drinks and drinks, and went to the vegetable market to buy fresh vegetables and seafood, and made a few good dishes by myself. I thought I would have to give my buddies a taste of my craft and reminisce about the good times when we pooled our money to make supper in the dorm room.
Finally, the day of the long-awaited campus tour has arrived. I came to the gate of my alma mater an hour early to wait for them, as if I had returned to the old place where I was waiting for my good buddies to go to club activities together.
Li Ming!"The first to arrive was Liu Chen, although he was already half-white, wearing sportswear, and gained a lot of weight, but he was still in good spirits. We hugged tightly, just as excited as we were on the first day we met on the first day of college. "Liu Chen, you are still the same!Come on, let's go in and pay homage to our alma mater. ”
Oh, I think we used to run through this road every morning and go to the basketball court to play, how energetic!Liu Chen was full of emotion, we walked on the campus path, smelling the fragrance of grass, listening to the fragrance of birds and flowers, as if returning to the green years.
At this time, "Li Ming, Liu Chen!."A familiar voice came from behind. We turned our heads and saw Wang Qiang striding over with a meteor in his arms, wearing a brand-name suit and carrying a briefcase in his hand, looking like a successful person. "Wang Qiang, buddy, you're finally here!"We hugged each other happily.
The three of them were excited and emotional, and you recalled the past word by word. We went to the cafeteria and ate white cut chicken, walked around the student dormitory, all the buildings are still well preserved, and we felt as if we had traveled back to the university days.
After lunch, we came to my house to rest. "Wow, Li Ming, your skills are awesome, these dishes are much better than those in the school cafeteria!Liu Chen was full of praise while eating. "Yes, Li Ming, we're still the same, every time you cook the best food!Wang Qiang also praised with a smile.
After dinner, we made small talk in the living room. "Wang Qiang, I heard that you are mixing well in the provincial capital, you have a house and a car, your brother is good!Liu Chen teased. Wang Qiang was a little shy: "*It's just a little luckier, there is a small company, Li Ming, you have been teaching and educating people, what a meaningful job!."”
I watched them laugh and talk, and suddenly I was a little disappointed. They seem to see this gathering as an opportunity to build their image of success, you praise me, I praise you. It's a far cry from what I was expecting to relive my friendship
I was stunned for a moment, then pulled myself together and decided to close the distance.
Hey, Brother Qiang, we are still the same, and when we meet, we will start to show off that we don't show our treasures in front of people, and we don't show our scars after people. Don't tell me you haven't had any difficulties or setbacks!I jokingly said.
Wang Qiang smiled: "Haha, I can't hide it from you." It is true that there have been ups and downs over the years, and there was a lack of funds in the early days of the business, and he was cheated of a large amount of money, and he was almost forced to close the company. However, relying on one step at a time, we can have today's small achievements. ”
Me too, although I have been a teacher more steadily over the years, my salary is small, and it is not easy to support my family. Liu Chen finally opened the conversation, "It's not cheap for children to go to school, and they have to pay the mortgage, and my wife has worked hard for all these years to help me share a lot of pressure." ”
I comforted: "Brother Qiang, Brother Chen, it is not easy for you to live the life you have now, I am proud of you!."Let's be brothers, don't show off each other, it's still the college days when we were just studying. ”
The three of them finally regained their senses and happily chatted about the past.
Do you remember the nicknames of the three of us?Brother Qiang, you are infinitely powerful, Brother Chen, you are omnipotent, I am the life coach!I laughed.
Haha, yes, yes, Brother Chen helped us with our homework, Brother Qiang taught us programming, and you gave us ideas to talk about life!Liu Chen also smiled and leaned back.
To be honest, if it weren't for the two of you, my four years of college would have been over. You were the ones who helped me through the toughest of times. Wang Qiang suddenly said seriously.
Me too!You reminded me to study hard Xi or I would have been expelled. Brother Qiang helped me catch up with my girlfriend again, you are my best buddies!Liu Chen also had a serious expression.
Brothers should support each other!I am truly grateful to you. I'm also serious.
The three of them looked at each other and smiled, regaining the sincere and honest friendship they had back then. I feel that the meeting has finally come to a successful conclusion, and I have let go of my previous disappointment. People change, but the spark of friendship lasts forever.
Just as we were chatting, Wang Qiang's mobile phone suddenly rang. After he picked up the **, his face changed, and he stood up and said to us: "I'm sorry brothers, the company has an emergency, I have to go back immediately, so I won't chat with you." ”
Liu Chen and I looked at each other, and we both saw that Wang Qiang seemed to be looking for an excuse to leave.
Dude, let's get busy first, we can meet another day. I said cheerfully.
Good. Then, let's make an appointment another day!Wang Qiang left in a hurry.
After a while, Liu Chen's mobile phone also rang. After he glanced at it, he also stood up: "Li Ming, I'm sorry, there is something suddenly at the school, I have to go back, contact me again!."”
I was a little lost, and after sending Liu Chen away, I sat alone in the living room in a daze. Did the two of them not really see this gathering as an opportunity to reminisce about their friendship, but just wanted to show each other what they had achieved in life?
At this time, I suddenly received a ** from my old colleague Zhao Hai, who said that he happened to come to my local business trip and wanted to come to my house to sit. I readily agreed, at least with an old colleague to accompany me through this evening without brothers.
After Zhao Hai came, he hugged me warmly: "Li Ming, Lao Tie, long time no see!."Retirement is still comfortable, right?”
I smiled and nodded, and exchanged a few words with him, indicating that life was ordinary, but a little lonely and lonely.
Not to mention, loneliness is a common problem of the elderly!Let me tell you, when I retire, we have to keep in touch often, travel and climb mountains together, and our lives will definitely be enriched!Zhao Hai laughed.
When I listened, a warmth rose in my heart, and at least I had an old friend who could talk to me.
Later, Zhao Hai opened up the conversation and complained to me that his daughter was disobedient, wanted to sell his house, and that his wife needed to see a doctor for her illness. As I listened, I realized that he seemed to be just looking for an audience, and didn't really see me as an old friend to talk to.
I've been through too many disappointments today. I suddenly realized that the passers-by in life, the confidants and friends I thought I had before, might just be using me, and not the friendships I imagined.
This disappointment could not be quelled for a long time. I began to reflect on whether I had set my expectations for friendship too high to be realistic