Masahiro Akita

Chapter 11 Cities

Forehead~temple~eye corner~cheek~neck~bone~vest~shirt~vapor~

The nth drop of sweat started from my forehead, tossed and turned, flowed to my body, wet my clothes, and evaporated.They are constantly renewed, keeping my body moist. Looking up at the scorching sun, the light dazzled my eyes, and I smiled bitterly. Could it be that today’s sun can’t understand me leaving without saying goodbye? Lost your temper?

The flowing river was crying, and the fish in the water were still, as if they were waiting for the return of their families. The shadows under the green trees painted the land black and white. The hot weather, the sultry heart. The same scenery, but with different feelings.

I walked all the way to the town according to my memory. I used to walk with the fat man, but now it's just me.

When I arrived at the somewhat crude train station, I was already exhausted, and my whole body was completely soaked in sweat, and no inch was spared. This is the second time I came here. It’s ridiculous, it used to be to send Xiaolu off, but now it’s to send off Myself. I had already thought about where to go, so I went to the city where Xiaolu was in the university. When chatting with Xiaolu, I heard her mention it many times, and I was full of longing for that place, but today I finally had a chance.My first stop, maybe my memory is really hidden there, maybe my memory is there.

After buying the ticket, I came to the waiting hall and sat on the orange chair. I felt nervous and apprehensive, because this must be my first time taking a train, and I was unfamiliar with some simple procedures. In less than an hour, I will leave here in less than an hour for the train at Luzuo, leaving this ups and downs, leaving me with infinitely beautiful land.

"Ice fruit, ice cream, mineral water, drinks~bread, sausage, tea eggs, biscuits~"

A loud cry came to my ears, and a middle-aged woman was pushing a small cart coming from not far away.

Thinking about walking all the way here, under the heat of the sun, I haven't had a quick drink of water yet. Now my throat is really dry and it's about to smoke!

"Auntie, how much is this bottle of mineral water?"

I got up and walked a few steps, saw all kinds of food on the car, touched my slightly hungry stomach, and looked at the 150 yuan left over from the ticket I just bought. I gritted my teeth and decided to buy a bottle of mineral water.

"Mineral water is one yuan and five, how many bottles do you want?"

She spoke very quickly, as if I must buy it.

"One bottle is enough."

I took out one yuan and fifty cents, paid the money, took the mineral water, and left.

After taking a sip of the refreshing drink, I instantly felt much refreshed. I touched the pocket on my trousers, and there was still 150 five yuan left

"Good morning, passengers, train No. xxxx is about to start, please keep your belongings safe"

I followed them to check the ticket and got on the bus. I was lucky enough to find a seat.The train moved slowly, and there was a sweet sound from the carriage. The scenery outside the window changed, and the passers-by were seen off outside the window. At that time, Xiaolu was waving to us from the position of the window, but now, who should I wave to? ?The car is full of people looking at the scenery. There is a couple, a family of three, three generations of a family, and three or five friends. They are all on the same train, with different destinations and going to different places. And me ?Only myself, in order to find a memory, I don't know where to go.

"Son, are you alone?"

A wave of kindness drifted over, disturbing my contemplation. I raised my head and saw an old woman with gray hair, smiling and kind.

"kindness."

I tried to raise the corners of my mouth, trying to make myself happy.

The mother-in-law picked up a banana and handed it to the little boy opposite. The boy took a bite of the banana with satisfaction. It is estimated that this little emperor should be her precious grandson. The old grandpa next to her also looked at her happily Grandson, you can see that they are a family without thinking about it.

"Where are you going?"

Looking at the joy in front of me, I casually asked a question.

"Send the grandson home, and stay at the son's house for a few days by the way. Let~ eat a banana."

My mother-in-law was always brimming with happiness, and handed a banana to my hand.

"I'm not hungry, I don't want to eat now, thank you."

I politely put the bananas back on the table. Although I was hungry, they didn't taste like much.

"You're welcome, we can't eat it anyway. Come on, let's have an apple~"

While talking, another apple was handed over.

"Thank you~"

It’s really hard to push back. I took the apple and ate it in small bites. It’s strange, why can’t I taste it at all? Thinking of last night, the fat man and I were still sitting on the kang, sharing an apple happily, feeling that The taste of apples is so sweet! But now, I can't taste that taste anymore.

Thinking about it, tears welled up in my eyes, I blinked quickly, not wanting them to find out my sadness.

"Boy, are you going there?"

The grandpa sitting on the side spoke, and the irregular teeth attracted all my attention.

"Go to this place."

I took out the ticket, pointed to the words on it, and said lightly.

"Oh, what are you going to do? Go home?"

Grandpa continued to ask.

"No, I want to get something back."

I turned my head out of the window and said sadly.

"Oh~"

He seemed to have noticed my sudden change. So, he didn't ask any more questions.

"By the way, do you know where this photo is?"

I took out the crumpled photo and showed it to my grandpa, hoping he would recognize it.

"I haven't seen it, I don't know."

Grandpa shook his head and said apologetically.

"Oh~"

I responded, and carefully put the photo back into my pocket

Two stops before the finish line, my grandparents got off the bus. Thanks to them along the way, they relieved a lot of my sadness and helped me temporarily look away from my troubles.The journey without worries makes my heart feel a lot easier.

"XX station is coming soon, XX station is coming soon, please take your luggage and get off in line."

The sweet voice sounded again, I held the ticket in my hand, and stared nervously outside, the car slowed down, stopped, the train entered the station, I finally arrived in this city, and all life will start again. Standing in the car and returning Looking at the way I came here. Fatty, are you thinking of me at this moment?

Following the crowd, I got off the train~passage~corridor~exit~light~ I was startled by the sight in front of me, I half-opened my mouth and stayed there completely.

This is completely different from the city I imagined! It is more spectacular and incredible! Such tall buildings! Such wide roads! Many vehicles! Such a beautiful square! Compared with the village where I live! I seem to have come to another The world! It is inevitable that there will be a trace of worry in my heart, will my memory be in this world?

Walking on the street with people coming and going, I blindly admire the dazzling surroundings, my stomach has been swept away by hunger, and I don’t know if this feeling of dizziness is due to the prosperity in front of me, or the emptiness in my stomach?

The smell came, and I finally found a bun shop not far in front. Looking at the posters on the glass windows of small restaurants, "Today's special offer, fried pork liver with onions, 16 yuan per plate!", my heart was dark. Well, I guess in this city, I can only afford to eat steamed stuffed buns.

"Boss, how much is a bun?"

I walked over and said to the white and tender buns.

"One yuan, how many?"

Such a prosperous steamed stuffed bun shop, a lot of people crowded in this small place, so the uncle selling steamed stuffed buns was so busy, he didn't look at me, and sold two more copies while talking!

"Give me two."

I said loudly. The buns are so expensive, they are so small! There are still so many people buying them! I wanted to buy four, but after thinking twice, I’d better buy two and try it.

I took out five yuan and handed it over, and the uncle took the money and gave me three yuan and two buns. The action was very fast, but I didn't have time to see who bought his buns from the beginning to the end. There are 150 and three yuan. Seeing that the money is getting less and less, it is inevitable to be a little worried.I must find a job to earn some money, otherwise I won’t be able to last for a few days if this continues. I don’t want to starve to death here! Also, where will I live tonight? I won’t be sleeping on the streets!Suddenly I miss Fatty so much, I really want to go home, and return to that comfortable life, hug Fatty to sleep every day, and eat delicious big fish! But now I have decided, I will never look back until I get back my memory!

After thinking about it, the steamed stuffed bun was eaten! The taste is really extraordinary! No wonder so many people bought it!

I don’t know how long I’ve been walking, but I suddenly stopped at the entrance of a fast food restaurant. What attracted me was not the grinning white-haired old man on the store sign! It was the poster on the glass door, with a few large characters written "KFC Short-term summer jobs, hot recruitment!"

Can I work there?Should I go in and try it?Will they hire me?

I calmed down my messy mood, pushed the door open and walked in nervously.

"Hello~"

A girl smiled, and a pleasant voice came over. I nodded politely to her, and my uncontrollable tension inevitably increased a little.I walked straight to the service desk. I didn't see any applicants here, but the people eating inside were really hot.

Smelling the tempting aroma, looking at the tempting delicacies, my stomach, which had just been calmed down, started to growl again.

"What would you like sir?"

The man in front of him was wearing a blue hat and asked very politely.

"For me, I don't buy things, I want to come here to work."

I said it timidly, feeling very embarrassed.

"Are you here for a short-term job?"

The girl next to her asked. The voice was very soft and friendly. Her eyes were beautiful, the kind that could talk, her black hair was coiled up in a hat, and her mouth was slightly raised, as if she was not Talking is laughing.

"En~"

I nodded. My rigid heart also relaxed a lot.

"What's your name?"

"Akita~"

I simply say.

"Akita! It's a very special name, hehe~ come with me~"

After speaking, he directed to go inside.

I followed her closely, full of anxiety, not knowing what was going to happen next.

"Did you bring a copy of your ID card and health certificate? Here, please fill out this form."

She sat down on the chair, motioned for me to sit down too, and handed me a watch.

"Ah~ I don't have an ID card or a health certificate."

I bowed my head apologetically and rubbed my hands on my thighs.

When the fat man rescued me back then, I had nothing on me, only this photo in my pocket that bothers me now, which I only discovered later, let alone an ID card and a health certificate!

"Ah! You don't have an ID card! That's not acceptable! To work here, these ID cards are a must!"

"Then do you have a student ID? A student ID is fine too!"

She thought about it, and added another word of concern.

"I do not."

Lowering my head, I replied with regret.

"If that's the case, I'm very sorry, we can't hire you."

The girl pursed her lips, with a look of pity on her face.

"I'm healthy!"

It seems that there is no way to work on this, and I am a little unwilling, so I said something, looking forward to a miracle.

"I'm sorry, this is a rule. It is not allowed without an ID card. I am also a part-time worker, so I have to listen to the requirements of the leader!"

Alas, it still doesn't work.

"what happened?"

I got up and was about to leave when suddenly a man came over, about 27 or [-] years old, slightly fat, neatly dressed, well-mannered, and wearing a pair of glasses.

"Hello store manager, this classmate doesn't have an ID card, do you think he can be hired?"

She said politely, it turned out that the man was the store manager! No wonder he spoke so seriously!

I looked at him nervously, hoping to get his help. Then I thought, funny, what reason does he have to help a poor boy he doesn't know?

"Yes, we are short of people now! You can help him arrange the time, and he can come to work tomorrow."

The store manager paused for a moment and then replied, he kept looking at me while he was speaking, which made me feel hairy! Is there something strange about my face? But hearing what I just said, I couldn’t believe it, I really May I?I'm so excited, I'm so lucky! Just looking for a job, I was hired smoothly.

"thanks!"

I quickly thanked him, and a big rock in my chest fell to the ground safely.

"What hours are you available for work? We are open 24 hours."

He raised his glasses and continued to stare at me.

"Any time is fine, but evening is best."

Thinking that I have no place to live at night, I might as well just stay here and go to work. I can also go out to look for clues about my memory during the day when I am free.

"Well, come here at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, let Xiaoxue help you arrange work, we will send you work clothes, but you need to prepare a pair of black leather shoes, you need to wear them when you go to work."

He pointed to the girl opposite me, and it turned out that the girl's name was Xiaoxue.

"By the way, is there any cheaper accommodation nearby? The cheaper the better!"

Thinking of going to live outside tonight, and don't want to sleep in the open, it's better to ask.

"If it's the cheapest, go to the bathing center. You can stay there at night and take a bath!"

The store manager's kind reminder is a good choice.

"How much does it cost?"

I asked worriedly.

"If you just take a shower, 30 is enough."

The store manager said relaxedly, it seems that 30 yuan is no different from 3 yuan to him.

"Are there any cheaper ones?"

Somewhat embarrassed to ask again.Because for me, 30 yuan is already very expensive!

"If you don't mind, you can go to my house and spend the night. It's free. I'm the only one living in the house, haha."

He seemed to be half-joking, but he said very seriously, the very enthusiastic store manager, he took care of me like this when we first met, but he felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, and always felt that the help was a bit too enthusiastic!

"Oh, no, thank you, then I'll go first, tomorrow at eight o'clock, I will be there on time!"

Or don't go, after all, is a stranger.Gritting your teeth, stomping your feet twice, thirty is thirty, at least tonight is settled.

After coming out of the store, I felt a lot more relaxed, because I could make money after all, at least I wouldn't starve to death.

Probably because I was too nervous just now, I forgot to ask about the salary, and I don’t know how much money I can earn in a month!Forget it, ask again tomorrow morning.

I found a shopping mall nearby. It was very big and sold everything. After shopping around for several times, I finally chose this shoe store with the words 'clearance sale' written on the storefront. I picked a pair of shoes in the store. The cheapest fake leather shoes cost 75 yuan. Although I think it is very expensive, it is already a cheap price in this mall!

After buying new shoes, I will inevitably feel happier, but after counting the money in my trouser pocket, there are still 78 yuan left, and I can't help feeling distressed immediately.

In the evening, I bought a piece of bread for two yuan. After I ate it, I was not full or hungry.

The night in the city is so beautiful, there are lights everywhere, brightly colored and flickering, there seem to be more pedestrians on the street than during the day, bustling and noisy, the smoke from various snacks is circling and circling in front of my nose, very Xiang, I really want to drool, but I can't move my greedy mouth, because I know that there is no extra money for me to waste!

Walking alone in this bustling street, everything that happens around me has nothing to do with me, and my heart can't help but drift to Fatty. If I were still at home, Fatty would have already entered the bed by this time, obediently listening to my words humming.But the past goes with the wind, without my company, will he feel lonely?

I found the smallest bathhouse and approached it in a panic. I have seen this kind of public bathhouse in the town before, but it was the first time I went in. The waiter gave me a towel with other things rolled in it. , Dazed upstairs, stumbled into the men's bathroom, slowly took off his clothes, followed their example and locked all the clothes, hung the sign on his arm, and went inside.

Steaming!There are naked pieces everywhere inside, of course I am the same, I have never been so honest with each other, and I have never seen other people's little brothers. Pass!I am so embarrassed at this time!I'm so uncomfortable!It's like being in a zoo, and I am an animal, naked and exposed to the public, and they will find me in every corner of the cage.However, there are also a few fat bodies inside, dangling in the smoke, attracting my full attention, but looking around, I still think the fat body is better!OMG! I'm thinking of something!

After spraying under the big nozzle for a long time, imitating them rubbing their arms and legs, they approached the rest hall.I guess I'm going to spend the night here.

Maybe it was really tired and groggy, I fell into a dream.In the dream, I saw many people, Fatty, Mother, Xiaolu, and even Uncle Li.In a daze, I seemed to hear a woman's voice asking me if I wanted to go out with her.He even harassed me and touched my body while talking!don't let me sleep!It's inexplicable!Who wants to go out in the middle of the night!I waved my hand and said no, and after a while, I walked away.

After that, there was nothing to disturb, and I slept until dawn, very comfortable, went back and washed myself, got dressed, and then walked out the door.

The sun hit me, I squinted my eyes, seeing everything was sunny outside, and I felt refreshed after taking a bath.Holding the remaining 46 yuan in my hand.The store manager was right, he really charged me 30 yuan.If it is expensive, it will be more expensive, and save some money for the rest.

Looking forward to the day, my first job, full of hope and longing, with my hands in my pockets, I strode towards the fast food restaurant.