在湘北明珠南州镇，老同学石喜红是位知名人士。他聪明能干、热情豪爽、善交善为，因此无论是黑道白道还是富商都对他敬重。然而，他始终低调行事，不愿深入了解，谁也未曾将他与一个心思缜密、感情细腻的民营企业家联系起来。那年高考后，石喜红未能考上大学，却回到河口，从小商小贩做起，每天骑着单车在田间地头收购苎麻、棉花，那些年，他吃尽了前二十年的苦，看遍了过去二十年的脸色。2001年，他终于实现了人生的第一个小目标，创办了南县恒顺祥纺织有限公司凭借一股冲劲和闯劲逐步建立起属于他的棉花加工帝国。在我们那个小镇里，他混得有型有款。

随着国家调整产业政策，老石的公司歇业后，他因催债方式不当受处罚，一次交通事故又让他受重伤……渐渐风言风语来落井下石，从此老石家的天空阴云密布见人矮三分不得不像蛹一样缩在茧里生怕给他人添麻烦……就这样一个妻子眼中的好丈夫儿子心中的好父亲我眼中的好同学脊背驼了鱼尾纹有了。于是一个玩派头讲排场的农民精英，就再也没有兴趣提起自己创业时那些豪气冲天的旧事。他用沉默来维护自己的尊严，用隐忍来埋藏耻辱，用压抑来遗忘那不堪回首的往事。但无论生活多么艰难命运多么坎坷老石总是咬紧牙关从没被挫折摧垮过身上总有一种征服一切困难但决不被困难所征服的力量正是这样的老石才成了我心中最真实最伟岸最可以膜拜的兄弟！

说起来从学生时始我与老石就相处得不错所以我离开故乡到广东工作三十多年处理老家的很多事情我还会找老石咨询生活中遇有愤懑或不如意随时抓起电话向老 石宣泄他绝不会厌烦还有送来热气腾腾的心意和鼓励间或将一些激动前瞻或奋斗的小故事与我分享，让我感觉他身上的阳刚之气产生的能量源源不断地流过我的身体并渗透到我的生命中，让我浑身上下充满了战胜困难信心和力量所有的一切烦恼忧愁也随着声波传递抛到九霄云外。我每次回家第一件事就是联系 老 石当然拜访 老 石只是漂亮借口内心里还是想找个地方好吃喝几天每次见到 老 石他的第一句话就是九满回来了欢迎！欢迎接着便开始张罗好吃好的，一次也不落，我劝 他 不必如此破费，可 他 总是不听，还这样回答 我：九满 来到我的地盘，不吃好点哪行！I heard the sound of cups clinking and the symphony of plates, bowls, and cups; I felt a surge of nostalgia for those bygone days. At times, I would be overcome with sadness as if I had been transported back to those difficult years. Even now, it's hard to tell whether it was due to the hardships of life or the warmth of our friendship.

Last autumn, old friend Gui Changyun returned from America for a visit. Originally, he hadn't invited Old Stone to his welcome party. Soon after, Old Stone called me in anger: "Nine Full! You really aren't considerate enough towards your friends! If it weren't for Professor He telling me about it over the phone, I wouldn't have known anything!" His voice was filled with indignation. But then he added with a smile: "Old Nine is still as stubborn as ever – you're only here to cause trouble! If you don't cause any trouble for me then I'll be angry!"

In that moment, all my words were stuck in my throat; there was nothing else left for me to say. That's how Old Stone became an important figure in our group gatherings and also became my dear brother!

Later on when Old Stone found out that I wanted some bottles of locally produced Shaoxing wine from our hometowns' famous distillery during winter last year after hearing that there would be 2009 vintage available but not until October next year before they could deliver them – at that instant - like having caught a whiff from afar - sweetly intoxicating fragrances seeped into my soul; let alone being overwhelmed by waves crashing against cliffs!

This June when news reached him that I'd be returning home later this summer half past midnight he phoned up excitedly saying he'd come pick me up himself even though it was unusual since normally one wouldn’t bother making such requests said something warm & tender which made tears flow down cheeks... During those days spent at home while staying close by without leaving his side offering hospitality beyond compare especially precious given this long time wanderer’s experience—this physical rejuvenation coupled with spiritual comfort - In return upon parting at Yueyang railway station giving each other farewell smiles under starlit sky exchanging gifts two bottles (from South Zhou) local rice wine —the joyous radiance shone through eyes like winning lottery jackpot & seeing his proud satisfied grin engraved deep within memory.

All these things make Old Stone become pillars supporting classmates’ activities together becoming brothers cherished in hearts!