Chapter 348: Thousand Years of Cold

Li Yuehua ultimately failed to survive this cold winter.

She did not die of uremia, but of complications from multiple tissues and organs, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and lung infections.

Zhang Yunqi didn't understand or quite comprehend this matter.

However, it seems that none of this matters now.

When Li Yuehua died, she was actually very peaceful. In the last days of her life, perhaps the resettlement of the Red Star Electronics Factory workers gave her some comfort. However, Yang Jin's heart-wrenching cry always echoed in Zhang Yunqi's mind in the dead of night, and he always remembered the scene of Li Yuehua kneeling in front of him, begging him to give the Red Star workers a way out.

Yang Wei no longer wants to study.

This young man, who had grown up without a father, bid farewell to another close relative in the winter when he was 18 years old, wearing mourning clothes and holding the portrait of the deceased while walking in the heavy snow.

What kind of feeling is this?

In fact, many times, when our lives fall into a bleak situation, there will be no one in the world who can empathize with you. Because every soul tempering must go through some pain that others cannot understand and experience. What can really let you let go is to chew, experience, hit your head and bleed, and lick your wounds in those desperate days and those heart-wrenching days. Maybe at that time, you can see yourself clearly and reconcile with the world.

On the day of the Great Cold, Zhang Yunqi called Wang Xiaokai, Tian Zhuangzhuang and Yang Wei, and found a farmhouse specialty restaurant with a diesel generator on the outskirts of the city. They set up a big stove in the snow, and put on a tea oil and black goat hot pot. The firewood burned very brightly, and the four of them drank together late into the night and worked until the late night. They were very drunk. Yang Wei, who had become taciturn these days, suddenly burst into tears, and the brothers didn't know what to say.

After a long time, Zhang Yunqi put his arm around Yang Wei's shoulders and said, "It will all pass. Just do whatever you want to do."

The sun and the moon move forward, and the years come and go.

After the Great Cold, the Beginning of Spring is not far away and the Lunar New Year is getting closer.

I don't know when the sky started to clear up, and the cones of ice hanging on the corners of the eaves showed signs of melting and began to drip. At this time, Jiangchuan City looked like a ruin after a disaster, with half-melted dirty snow and dead branches and rotten leaves everywhere. After the blizzard, the whole city was filled with the smell of camphor wood, and there were no intact camphor trees. There were more vehicles and pedestrians on the road, and the dull sound of firecrackers set off by children could be heard from time to time, and the air was filled with the faint smell of gunpowder from the New Year. The fireworks of the world have returned to this desperate city that has been shrouded in darkness for 38 days.

On January 1, a piece of news made the whole city excited. A 20 kV line connecting the Jiangchuan power grid and the Xiangnan power grid was finally opened, and the Jiangchuan power grid and the Xiangnan power grid were connected.

This means that power supply will soon be restored in the urban area.

Everything seems to be getting better now. The city has gradually emerged from the multiple difficulties of transportation, materials and energy. The expressway has been opened, and the Jiangchuan railway hub, which connects the north and south, has been restarted. Aid from all over China has been flowing in like seawater. Every day, large fire trucks deliver water and vegetables to every community, and prices have returned to normal. Those days that seemed unbearable have finally been managed.

However, at this moment, in places that are invisible to the public, at power grid repair sites on distant mountains, the State Grid repair team from all over the country is still speeding up the work schedule. The time node for restoring power supply to each line has been set with a military order, which is a death order that must be completed.

At this time, the mountains were still covered with ice, with snowflakes falling from time to time. The tower was on a windy vent, and the electricians had to drag the heavy tower materials to the top of the mountain tens or hundreds of meters high, rebuild the tower, lay cables, and work on poles more than 20 meters high, walking like birds in the sky in the biting cold wind to pull cables and set up ropes. They only had a chance to go down the tower and warm themselves by the fire once every four hours. Everyone had ice chips all over their faces, and their hands were covered with frostbite from being covered in mud, but it was these unknown power workers who formed the most solid backing for this city's impending light.

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This heavy snow had little impact on the Zhang family's life.

Because the Zhang family had installed a diesel generator and connected electricity to Chu Jian's home, they were not short of food or clothing. Because of the heavy snow and the early winter vacation for students, Zhang's Qifengdu Fish Powder Shop closed down shortly after New Year's Day. Zhang's father and mother stayed at home idle, chatting with the retired old men and women in the community and playing Jiangchuan cards. Life was going well.

At present, the grown children of Zhang's family have their own careers and lives. The eldest, Yunfeng, has married and moved out of the family. He is now a newlywed and happy. Shortly after his marriage, he went to Yunxi's parents' home. Because the road was blocked by heavy snow, he has not been to Jiangchuan. The second, Qiulan, has her own career and has not visited her parents' home for several months. The third, Yunqi, goes out early and comes back late every day and is rarely seen. Sometimes he doesn't even eat a meal at home for a week. If it weren't for the clothes he used thrown in the bathroom, Zhang's mother would doubt whether there is such a son in the family.

As for the fifth child, Zhang Xiaoxiao, she is eight years old this year and is in the third grade of Gusuling Primary School. This is an innocent and bright age, and she loves to play and be lively. However, because of the heavy snow, Zhang's parents did not let Xiaoxiao go out to have fun. She could only play with her younger sister Chuxin at home every day, or she would be frustrated and rush to finish her winter vacation homework.

Every time she was doing her homework, her second elder sister Chunlan, who was a top student, would tutor her. Xiaoxiao didn't like her second elder sister because she was very fierce and would always hurt her young heart.

Actually, Chunlan was also forced into a dilemma. Every time she tutored Xiaoxiao with her homework, she got angry. She kept getting angry... Xiaoxiao was slow in doing his homework, his handwriting was like a centipede crawling, his drawings in his homework books were dirty, his grades were poor and he always ranked last, he would get eight out of ten questions wrong. Chunlan was almost in need of a stent in her heart.

Of course, apart from this sad thing, Chunlan's life at the age of sixteen is still colorful. She has been studying in Jiangchuan for more than a year. Not only does she have excellent academic performance, but she has also made many good friends. She is no longer confined to her own little world, but has integrated herself into a larger and broader environment.

In fact, under the leadership of her second brother Yunqi, in just over two years, the Zhang family has transformed from a poor family to a well-known wealthy family in Jiangchuan. Naturally, Chunlan's life has changed dramatically. Her clothes and skirts are all high-end brands, her school supplies are all the best, and she has plenty of pocket money and endless food. In addition to these material affluences, on the spiritual level, Chunlan now not only lives with more dignity, but also enjoys the superior life of a rich child that she has never experienced before.

However, Chunlan was not spoiled by the pampered nature of a rich girl. She had experienced the life of a poor family since she was young, and she knew how difficult life was. She had a natural liking for the poor students in her class who were admitted to the No. 1 Middle School in the city from remote mountain villages. She felt that they were the same kind of people. Although these classmates were sensitive and shy in front of her, and felt that she was a rich girl who was superior to them, not only had a good living condition, but also had always been among the best in grades, Chunlan was willing to help them in their studies and life. Moreover, she never liked to play before, and she studied hard except for doing farm work. Now, the independent consciousness of this girl has awakened, and she has begun to learn from her second brother Yunqi to jump out of the textbooks and actively contact the outside world.

Among the five children of the Zhang family, Chunlan and Zhang Yunqi actually have the smallest age difference and are of the same age. Chunlan is deeply influenced by her second brother in every aspect.

Chunlan still remembers that one night, her second brother Yunqi came home from work outside and saw her still reading in the study, so he walked in and said something to her.

She can still remember those words: "In fact, life is meaningless. The meaning of life comes from experience, so you should be a practitioner instead of just studying. Now that your family has the capital, you have many opportunities to try and make mistakes. You can use what you have learned to compare various phenomena in this society and closely link your own destiny and ideals with this great era that is moving forward."

Chunlan felt that her second brother was far more knowledgeable than his peers.

On a snowy day after New Year's Day, Chunlan and her friends watched the snow at No. 1 Middle School and found that some students in her class could not return home because of the heavy snow. They were freezing and hungry in the dormitory and their lives were really miserable. Chunlan witnessed this situation, thought about it, ran home and told her mother about it, and suggested that the fish meal shop should be opened to help these poor students.

After hearing what Chunlan said, Zhang Ma thought that she was just sitting around doing nothing anyway. She was used to working hard and couldn't stand the leisure, and she didn't want to make any money, so she reopened the fish meal shop of the No. 1 Middle School, started a few large coal stoves, and provided hot water and cooking for more than 20 poor students who were stranded in the school.

Unexpectedly, these poor students felt very embarrassed and grateful. They took the initiative to work, boil water and wash vegetables, and pay for meals on a per-meal basis. Those who did not have living expenses kept a record of the expenses and would pay them back after the Chinese New Year with living expenses from home.

In fact, her family didn't pay anything, but they gained spiritual wealth. Zhang's mother was in a good mood. A few months later, a student returned to school after the Chinese New Year, stuffed a big bag of peanuts and meal money into Zhang's pocket, turned around and ran away, saying: "Thank you, Auntie, I want to eat fish meal at your house every day from now on."

A very simple sentence and a very simple thing made Chunlan understand the higher meaning of life, something that cannot be experienced from textbooks.

Later, Zhang Yunqi also heard about this and was also very happy. The Zhang family's generation no longer had to worry about food and clothing, so the cultivation of values ​​was particularly important.

Zhang Yunqi has been very busy recently because of a bunch of problems with the restructuring of Red Star Electronics, and has rarely cared about the situation at home, but he has always been thinking about Li Jilin's invitation to dinner.

After the Spring Festival, Li Yufei will transfer to the Affiliated High School of Normal University. Zhang Yunqi can more or less guess the reason, but he hasn't met her during this period. Moreover, her father Li Jilin took the initiative to mention this matter and invited him to dinner at home, which was obviously conveying a message to him.

Under such circumstances, Zhang Yunqi felt that he should go see Li Yufei and talk about his thoughts, instead of avoiding and pretending that nothing had happened. On the day of the Little New Year, he drove to Li's house.

When Li Yufei saw Zhang Yunqi, she looked a little surprised. She obviously didn't know that it was Zhang Yunqi who came to her house today, but she quickly realized: "You are here."

Zhang Yunqi smiled and nodded.

Li Yufei's mother Xie Jing was born into a family of high-level intellectuals and was very elegant and cultured. Although she had known Zhang Yunqi for a long time, today was the first time she met this famous young man. She was very enthusiastic. After chatting for a few words in the living room, she let Li Yufei chat with Zhang Yunqi. She and her husband Li Jilin were cooking in the kitchen. Before seven o'clock in the evening, they had prepared a table of sumptuous and exquisite meals.

Several people sat at the table and opened the red wine. Li Jilin and Zhang Yunqi chatted, and Xie Jing observed from the side. She found that this boy's words and deeds were very calm, and he did not have the awkwardness and floating of boys of the same age. Xie Jing also knew Zhang Yunqi's career situation, and asked about his grades. Zhang Yunqi was among the top in the senior year group, and her smile became even more intense.

After dinner, Li Yufei said she wanted to go out for a walk and called Zhang Yunqi. Li Jilin and his wife Xie Jing exchanged glances briefly, then smiled and agreed, only telling Li Yufei to come back early.

Li Yufei responded and went out with Zhang Yunqi.

The two walked out of Longjing Garden along the snowy road and walked on Chunfeng Road. There were no street lights and the night light was dim. Everything was so familiar. The cold winter night wind blew in my face. Beyond the city sounds, there was the sound of flowing water in the spring river. The night was shrouded by the distant mountains, and a few stars were twinkling in the sky.

Li Yufei suddenly asked: "Why are you coming to my house?"

Zhang Yunqi said: "Your father told me that you are going to transfer to the Affiliated High School of Normal University."

Li Yufei said: "So you want to see me one last time?"

Zhang Yunqi smiled and said, "That's a bit sad. Lijin is not far from here, how could this be the last time we see each other? We have been friends and classmates for so many years, and you didn't tell me that you were transferring to another school. Otherwise, it would be great if all the classmates could have a party together to send you off."

Li Yufei smiled faintly: "It's fine now."

At this moment, lights suddenly appeared from the buildings on both sides.

Zhang Yunqi raised his eyes and heard the surprised voices of "The phone is ringing!" coming from the windows of the houses on both sides. Then he found that the other half of the city suddenly lit up. After a few minutes, Longjing Garden suddenly lit up. Soon, Chunfeng Road became dark again. Yuxian Street became dark again. Longjing Garden became dark again...

Every time each area lit up, Zhang Yunqi could hear huge cheers. When large areas of the city were lit up, the entire city was boiling.

"The call finally came." Zhang Yunqi withdrew his gaze.

"Yes, the electricity is on." Li Yufei looked at the lights on the windows of the densely populated areas, which were the legendary lights of thousands of homes. For some reason, she suddenly felt a little sad: "I have never seen anyone so excited and happy because of electricity before."

Zhang Yunqi smiled and said: "That's because people are used to the convenience brought by electricity. When they lose it, they feel it is precious."

"Is this just like liking someone? No matter how much you like someone, you're afraid you won't get them. If you get them, you'll easily ignore them. If you lose them, you'll always miss their good points." Li Yufei said quietly, "Emotions are really complicated, but I still think that if you like someone, you should chase them. If you don't, you'll miss them. If you chase them, you might be together. People should bravely pursue what they like. Yunqi, what do you think?"

"That makes sense." Zhang Yunqi smiled.

"Have you ever liked me?" Li Yufei stopped and turned her head to look at Zhang Yunqi, watching him silently.

At that moment, time seemed to stop flowing, and the girl's eyes seemed to be filled with summer dew that was about to flow out.

"I have someone I like." Zhang Yunqi said.

"Chūjī jiān?" Li Yufei smiled. This proud girl didn't even want to show the slightest bit of disappointment. "They say that you can't hide your love for someone. In fact, I've already seen that Chujian likes you very much. She's also very good. But I never saw how much you like Chujian. Maybe this gave me an illusion."

At this point, she was silent for a moment, looking down at the dark road beneath her feet: "Let's stop here."

Zhang Yunqi nodded: "The road is a little dark, be careful."

Li Yufei smiled and nodded, then turned and left. After only walking four or five steps, she stopped again and stood silently one meter away from Zhang Yunqi.

It was already dark. Joyful laughter could be heard from the windows of the densely packed houses on both sides. The TV was playing a poetry recitation on the theme of the ice disaster on CCTV. The world outside was very cold. The north wind was mixed with ice. Deep in the city, celebratory fireworks rushed into the sky. The girl's voice seemed to tremble a little: "I have one last request. Can you hug me?"

Zhang Yunqi walked over and held the girl in his arms.

The girl's body was trembling, her cheek against his neck was cold, and her voice was very soft: "Maybe, there is no real empathy in this world. Yunqi, when you have time in the future, remember to hug the people around you more. This will be very warm."

Zhang Yunqi said: "I'm sorry."

Li Yufei had a sad smile on her face: "Thank you."

She looked up at the night sky, as if talking to herself: "You know, I have wanted to ask you countless times whether you have ever liked me, even if it was just a little bit, but my self-esteem prevented me from asking. Tonight I plucked up the courage to ask, and you said that you already have someone you like. I want to wish you well, but what I want you to know more is that I transferred to another school and left not because I let go. Yunqi, I'm sorry, I really can't let go, I will definitely work hard to become a better person, and stand by the person I like on equal terms, but if we can never see each other again, then I wish you good morning, good afternoon, and good night in advance."

Having said this, the girl stood on tiptoe, her long eyelashes trembled, and tears fell. She kissed Zhang Yunqi gently on the cheek, then turned and left.

This time, she didn't look back.

On the Spring Breeze Road, the lit street lamps were like the moon in the sky, burning holes in the darkness. The girl walking away stepped on the holes cast on the snow, her slender figure swaying in the cold wind.

This was the New Year's Eve of the lunar calendar year 1994.

As the snow is melting, the spring is chilly and freezing the young people.

Volume 6: Thousand Years of Cold: Final Chapter
(End of this chapter)