novelonline Chapter 1488 Giving Up in the End
Chapter 1488 Giving Up in the End
Chapter 1488 Giving Up in the End
On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, just after the Little New Year, the festive atmosphere in Jiudaowan Hutong grew stronger day by day. Every household pasted bright red paper-cut window decorations and the character "福" (good fortune) on their doors, and cured meats and sausages hung under the eaves, glistening in the winter sun. The air was filled with the aroma of fried meatballs and stewed meat, and children in new cotton-padded coats chased and played in the alley, while the sound of firecrackers rose and fell.
Neighbors returning from out of town to visit relatives walked into the alley, dragging large and small bags, their faces tired but unable to hide their joy. Some carried travel bags printed with the word "Shanghai," some carried bulging woven bags, and others carried two large cardboard boxes on shoulder poles, swaying as they walked. Familiar neighbors stopped to greet each other, asking how the year had gone and sharing their experiences from all over the country.
"Aunt Li, is your second son coming back this year?"
"Yes! I just called yesterday and said I'm taking the train tonight and will arrive first thing tomorrow morning!"
"That's great, the whole family is reunited."
"Where is your family? Are your daughter and son-in-law back?"
"Come back, everyone come back! They said they wanted to bring their grandson back to show Grandma!"
Amidst this lively atmosphere, Qin Hao and his group's return caused an uproar in the alley. As soon as the two taxis stopped at the alley entrance, the sharp-eyed children recognized them and swarmed around them.
"Uncle Qin is back!"
"Uncle Xie! Uncle Yang!"
"Aunt Zhao! Did Aunt Zhao bring any candy?"
Qin Hao and Xie Laozhuan each dragged a suitcase and carried several bags. Zhao Yajing followed behind them, wearing a red coat that stood out against the drab alley. Shi Xiaona brought up the rear; she had changed into a beige wool coat and a light pink scarf, making her look even more elegant and refined.
"Hey, Xiao Hao's back!" Grandpa Wang, who was sweeping the floor at the door, straightened up and greeted him with a smile.
"Uncle Wang, wishing you a Happy New Year in advance!" Qin Hao replied with a smile.
"Alright, alright, Happy New Year to you all too!"
Along the way, they encountered many neighbors who greeted them. Qin Hao and his companion were prepared; each pulled out a pack of "Daqianmen" cigarettes from their pockets and offered one to everyone they met. In 86, this cigarette was a rare treat; ordinary families couldn't afford to smoke it, and it was only taken out during holidays or when entertaining guests.
"Xiao Hao, did you make a fortune in Shenzhen this year?"
"It's alright, it's alright, just enough to make a living."
"You're being modest. Those who follow you have all become successful; I'm still struggling to make a living!"
"Hey, when are you going to mentor my brat?"
Qin Hao offered cigarettes and exchanged pleasantries, a gentle smile always on his face. Old Xie also mingled among acquaintances, offering auspicious greetings. The two were soon surrounded by a group of neighbors, one asking about the situation in Shenzhen, another inquiring about business tips; it was as lively as a small tea party.
Zhao Yajing's side was completely "occupied" by a group of children. These little guys were quite cunning; they knew that Zhao Yajing always brought White Rabbit milk candy back from Shenzhen, and they all looked up at her with their little faces full of anticipation.
"Aunt Zhao, candy!"
"Aunt Zhao, I want to eat White Rabbit!"
"I want me too!"
Zhao Yajing smiled, her eyes crinkling, and took out a beautiful tin box from her handbag. Opening the lid, she revealed dozens of White Rabbit milk candies neatly arranged inside. She began distributing them one by one to the children. Each child treated the candy like a precious treasure, carefully unwrapping it and popping the milky-white candy into their mouths, a satisfied smile immediately spreading across their faces.
"Thank you, Aunt Zhao!"
"Aunt Zhao is the best!"
The children's sweet thanks echoed throughout the room. Just as Zhao Yajing finished distributing the boxes in one round and was about to put them away, another group of children surrounded her. She could only smile and distribute them in another round until the boxes were empty, then she spread her hands and said, "That's all, really, that's all."
The children then dispersed, some running off to show off to their friends, while others squatted in the corner, savoring the sweetness of the candy.
On Shi Xiaona's side, however, was a completely different scene. She stood alone to one side, watching the lively spectacle, a polite smile on her face, yet appearing somewhat awkward and uncomfortable. She had gone to Hong Kong in 79, and several years had passed since then. The alleyways had changed considerably, and she no longer recognized many of her neighbors. Moreover, her attire today was far more fashionable than before; her scarf was made of imported cashmere, her leather boots were polished to a shine, and her hair sported the latest Hong Kong hairstyle. Such an outfit certainly seemed somewhat out of place in the Beijing alleyways of the early 80s.
Many neighbors would glance at her as they passed by, but no one would greet her. Some thought she looked familiar but didn't dare to recognize her; some didn't recognize her at all; and some recognized her but, because they hadn't seen her for many years, didn't know how to start a conversation.
Shi Xiaona stood there, suitcase in hand, her smile gradually stiffening. She could feel the probing gazes and hear the whispers. At that moment, she suddenly felt a sense of familiarity mixed with strangeness.
Qin Hao finally managed to break free from the crowd and turned around to see Shi Xiaona standing alone to the side. He frowned slightly and took out a beautifully packaged box of chocolates from his bag—imported goods he had bought at the Hong Kong airport, originally intended to bring back as gifts for relatives and friends.
He walked over to Shi Xiaona, handed her the chocolate, and whispered, "Share some with the children."
Shi Xiaona paused for a moment, then took the chocolate, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes. She opened the box, inside were neatly arranged brown squares, each wrapped in gold foil, shimmering in the sunlight.
She picked up a piece of candy and waved it at the children who were still eating candy not far away: "Kids, come here, I have some yummy treats."
The children looked over curiously, their eyes lighting up when they saw the glittering golden object in Shi Xiaona's hand. Soon, several bolder children gathered around.
"Sister, what is this?" a little girl with pigtails asked timidly.
Shi Xiaona smiled and squatted down so that she was at eye level with the little girl: "This is called chocolate, uh... it's a kind of foreign candy, would you like some?"
"Foreign candy?" The little girl's eyes widened. "Yes!"
"I want one, sister, give me one."
"Me too, I want some too."
More children gathered around, even those who had already received White Rabbit candies, curiously looking at this novelty. Soon, Shi Xiaona was surrounded by layers of children, and she began to hand out chocolates one by one. Each child treated her like a precious treasure, carefully unwrapping the packaging and putting the dark brown chocolate into their mouths.
"Wow! It's so bitter!"
"No, it's sweet!"
"It's both bitter and sweet, how strange..."
"But it's so delicious!"
The children chattered excitedly about the novel taste; some frowned, some squinted to savor it, and others reached for a second piece after finishing one. Shi Xiaona patiently explained, "You can't eat too much chocolate, or your teeth will hurt."
Her gentle demeanor and sweet smile quickly won over the children, who affectionately called her "sister." The children who had initially surrounded Zhao Yajing were almost entirely drawn to Shi Xiaona.
Zhao Yajing stood not far away, watching this scene, her cheeks puffed out in anger. She glared at Qin Hao, her eyes full of resentment—it's all your fault, why did you give her chocolate?
Qin Hao touched his nose, pretending not to see it, and turned to chat with another neighbor.
……
After distributing the chocolates and cigarettes, the group was finally able to continue deeper into the alley. Old Xie turned at a fork in the road and went home, while Qin Hao, Zhao Yajing, and Shi Xiaona continued forward towards the "Qin Mansion" courtyard house.
With its blue bricks and gray tiles, vermilion gate, and a pair of stone lions standing at the entrance, the building, though small, exudes an imposing presence.
Shi Xiaona looked around at the antique courtyard before her, hesitating slightly: "This courtyard house is..."
"I traded my house for it." Qin Hao smiled as he pushed open the heavy courtyard gate. "My mom even said I was wasteful because of this, saying that I shouldn't live in this old house instead of a nice apartment building."
The courtyard gate creaked open, revealing a neat courtyard house. There were three main rooms, two rooms each in the east and west wings, and a square courtyard in the middle. The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and an old locust tree was planted in the corner. Although it was winter now and the branches and leaves were withered, one could still imagine the courtyard full of green shade in spring and summer.
Seemingly hearing the sound of the courtyard gate being pushed open, the curtain to the main house was lifted, and Li Yuxiang came out. Today she was wearing a dark blue cotton-padded jacket, her hair was neatly combed, and her face wore her usual kind smile. But when her gaze fell on Shi Xiaona, the smile on her face instantly froze.
"Mom, we're back," Qin Hao greeted her with a smile.
Li Yuxiang snapped out of her daze, quickly stepped forward, but deliberately pulled Qin Hao aside, lowering her voice: "You brat, what are you up to?"
Qin Hao grinned mischievously and whispered in Li Yuxiang's ear, "How about it? Surprised?"
"Surprise my foot!" Li Yuxiang pinched his arm in annoyance. "You brat, don't be so envious of others. This girl is pretty, but can she be as devoted to you as Ya Jing, managing everything at home and outside? Ya Jing is such a good person, so good to you. You can't let her down!"
Although she lowered her voice, Zhao Yajing and Shi Xiaona weren't far away and could vaguely hear her. A smug look immediately appeared on Zhao Yajing's face. She glanced at Shi Xiaona, her eyes clearly saying: See? Auntie still likes me.
Shi Xiaona's expression was a little stiff, and her hands unconsciously gripped her trouser legs, clearly nervous. But she quickly composed herself, stepped forward, and flashed a sweet smile: "Auntie, don't you remember me?"
Upon hearing this voice, Li Yuxiang's gaze swept over Shi Xiaona several times, from her hair to her heels, before she hesitantly asked, "You are... Xiaona?"
"It's me, Auntie!" Shi Xiaona smiled even sweeter and naturally took Li Yuxiang's arm. "I thought you had forgotten me. You've been so energetic all these years, you haven't aged at all."
Li Yuxiang felt relieved by these words and patted Shi Xiaona's hand: "It's not Auntie's fault, you've changed so much. Look at your clothes, your demeanor, if it weren't for your voice, Auntie really wouldn't recognize you."
"Really?" Shi Xiaona tilted her head and asked playfully, "So, have I become better or worse?"
"Of course she's gotten better!" Li Yuxiang said with a smile. "She's even more beautiful than before. Look at her eyebrows, her figure, her attire, and her temperament. In ancient times, she would at least be the daughter of an official's family."
Shi Xiaona raised her eyebrows triumphantly and gave Zhao Yajing a smug look, the meaning of which was clear: See, Auntie praised me.
This infuriated Zhao Yajing. She quickly stepped forward, took Li Yuxiang's other arm, and showered her with concern: "Auntie, how have you been lately? Is your back still hurting? I brought you some ointment from Shenzhen; it's a new product from Hong Kong, and I heard it's very effective. Also, I brought you a wool sweater, pure wool, it's so warm..."
She spoke rapidly and in a flurry, leaving Li Yuxiang bewildered. The old lady looked left and right; both girls were clinging to her arm, each more sweet-talking and considerate than the other. She was torn—both girls were so wonderful, which one should she choose? Ya Jing was down-to-earth, thrifty, and good to Qin Hao; Xiao Na was beautiful, elegant, and from a good family… Ah, what a sweet dilemma!
The three of them walked into the house arm in arm, chatting animatedly. Li Yuxiang asked Shi Xiaona about her life in Hong Kong, and Shi Xiaona vividly described the city's skyscrapers and bustling traffic; Zhao Yajing, on the other hand, eagerly talked about the development and changes in Shenzhen, and how big Qin Hao's business was. The two girls chatted back and forth, seemingly amicable, but actually harboring ulterior motives, both wanting to impress Li Yuxiang.
Qin Hao, on the other hand, was completely ignored. He stood at the door, watching the three women inside chatting so intently, and shook his head helplessly. Well, he, as the son, had absolutely no status in this family.
Left with no other option, Qin Hao carried his luggage to the west wing—his bedroom. After putting his things away, he checked his watch; it was already past one in the afternoon, and everyone hadn't eaten yet. So he turned and went to the kitchen to boil water and make noodles.
The kitchen was well-stocked; Li Yuxiang had already prepared New Year's goods, with meat and vegetables piled up in half the room. Qin Hao picked out a few items, quickly chopped the vegetables, boiled water, and cooked the noodles. Soon, a pot of steaming noodles was ready. He added extra eggs and sprinkled on some chopped green onions, making it incredibly fragrant.
When Qin Hao carried the noodles into the main room, the three of them were still chatting. Smelling the aroma, Li Yuxiang snapped out of her reverie and slapped her thigh, exclaiming, "Look at me! I was so busy being happy! You must be starving! You've been traveling all morning and haven't eaten yet!"
As she spoke, she complained to Qin Hao, who was bringing in the noodles: "You kid, you didn't even remind me. You made the guests sit on an empty stomach and chat with this old woman. Xiao Na, Ya Jing, come on, let's eat first and talk while we eat."
Qin Hao thought to himself: I would like to remind you, but you have to give me a chance to speak first.
The four people sat around the octagonal table and began to eat noodles. Li Yuxiang kept putting food on the two girls' plates, placing a piece of cured meat in one bowl and an egg in the other, busy as a bee. Qin Hao's bowl, however, was empty—well, even her own son wasn't treated as well as a guest.
Just as they were eating, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by a young boy's voice: "Sis! Sis, are you there?"
Upon hearing the voice, Zhao Yajing frowned. She put down her chopsticks and said to Li Yuxiang, "Auntie, it's my younger brother Yaping. I'll go out and see."
"Sister, you're really back!" Zhao Yaping shouted as soon as she entered the door. "Mom sent me to find you. She said something came up at home and you need to come back right away."
Zhao Yajing said irritably, "What's the rush? Can't you see I'm eating?"
"I don't know, anyway, Mom wants you to go back now." Zhao Yaping said, but her eyes glanced at the table and she unconsciously swallowed when she saw the cured meat and eggs in the bowl.
Seeing this, Li Yuxiang quickly said, "Ya Jing, since you have something to do at home, you should go back first."
Helpless, Zhao Yajing could only say goodbye to Qin Hao and Li Yuxiang, glance at Shi Xiaona, and then follow her younger brother out the door.
With only three people left in the room, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Shi Xiaona ate her noodles in small bites, occasionally glancing up at Qin Hao with a smile in her eyes. Li Yuxiang looked at her son, then at Shi Xiaona, her heart filled with conflicting emotions.
"Auntie, it's getting late, I should head back now. Thank you for your hospitality today."
"Are you leaving already? Won't you stay a little longer?" Li Yuxiang urged.
"No, I still need to tidy up the house. I haven't been back in a long time."
"Then let Qin Hao see you off." Li Yuxiang gave Qin Hao a push.
……
Qin Hao escorted Shi Xiaona home. The two walked through the alley, the winter sun casting long shadows on the ground. The alley was quiet; most people had gone home for dinner, with only the occasional bark of a dog and the distant sounds of children playing.
Shi Xiaona's little house was at the other end of the alley, in a relatively quiet corner. Although the Shi family had moved to Hong Kong in recent years, the house had always been regularly cleaned and maintained. Before returning, Shi Xiaona had called ahead to have bed sheets, blankets, and toiletries prepared.
The villa is a typical example of Republican-era architecture, with red brick walls, a pointed roof, and a small garden in front. Although it is winter now and the flowers and plants have withered, the owner's taste and style are still evident.
Qin Hao helped Shi Xiaona carry her suitcase, pushed open the carved iron gate, and walked into the courtyard. The stone path in the courtyard was swept very clean, and the holly tree in the corner was still green, adding a touch of vitality to this bleak winter day.
"How was my performance today?" Shi Xiaona opened the door, took the suitcase, and proudly raised her chin.
Qin Hao gave a thumbs up: "Absolutely flawless. You made my mom so happy. Did you see the way she looked at you? Like she was looking at her own daughter."
"That's more like it," Shi Xiaona said happily.
They chatted for a while about work, life, changes in Shenzhen, and their experiences in Hong Kong, and the topics gradually became more varied. But Beijing winters are really too cold, and Shi Xiaona shivered as she talked, instinctively wrapping her coat tighter around herself.
Seeing this, Qin Hao stood up and said, "Alright, you've just gotten back, get some rest. I should go back too."
Shi Xiaona nodded and stood up to see him off. As they reached the door, Qin Hao turned back and asked, "If you need any help, just give me a call anytime."
"Okay," Shi Xiaona replied with a smile, but there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
……
A few days later, Yang Shumao's home also became lively.
The Yang family lived in a typical Beijing courtyard house, where seven or eight families were crammed together. The Yang family occupied two rooms on the east side. As soon as Yang Shumo dragged his large bags of luggage into the courtyard, he was spotted by the sharp-eyed neighbors.
"Hey, Sha Mao's back!"
"What good stuff did you bring back this year?"
"Look at all these bags and packages, they must have struck it rich!"
Yang Shumo greeted his neighbors with a smile, but he felt a little uneasy. He knew that once he stepped inside his house, these things would no longer be his.
Sure enough, as soon as he opened the door, the whole family surrounded him. Yang's father and mother, his two older brothers Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin, and his two married older sisters Yang Shuzhi and Yang Shuye, all stared expectantly at the luggage in his hands.
"Sha Mao's back!" Yang's mother was the first to rush over and take a bag from his hand. "Are you tired? Sit down and rest."
"Dad, Mom, brother, sister, I'm back." Yang Shumo put his luggage on the ground.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back," Yang's father said, but his eyes kept glancing at the luggage.
Before Yang Shumao could even distribute the gifts, his mother had already eagerly opened a bag.
"Is this cigarette imported? The packaging is really exquisite."
"It's imported liquor, it must be worth a lot of money, right?"
As Yang's mother flipped through the pages, she muttered to herself. Her two older brothers joined in, one picking up a pack of cigarettes and the other a bottle of wine, their eyes gleaming. Although her two older sisters didn't participate, they watched longingly.
Soon, the gifts Yang Shumo brought back were almost all divided up.
Yang Shumo sighed helplessly as he looked at his luggage, which was now mostly empty. He could only pick out one or two items from what was left—a silk scarf for his eldest sister, a bottle of perfume for his second sister, and as for his third sister, Yang Shuying, she was still busy at the shop and didn't have time to come back.
Even after the "spoils-dividing meeting" ended, Yang's parents still didn't let Yang Shumao off the hook. The two sat down at the dinner table, their expressions serious.
"Kid, don't think you can get away with this little bit." Yang's mother cut to the chase: "You haven't handed over last year's year-end bonus yet, and this year's as well. Hand it over together, so we don't have to take action."
Mr. Yang also said with a stern face: "That's right. Last year they said it was for investment, so surely they should have it this year? I heard that Qin Hao's business is pretty big. If you work for him, your year-end bonus will definitely be substantial."
The two older brothers also chimed in from the side:
"Silly Mao, stop hiding it and take it out now."
"That's right. Your parents raised you, so it's only right that you take care of them."
Looking at this family, Yang Shumo felt a surge of irritation. He knew that if he didn't tell the truth, he wouldn't get past this ordeal. So, he threw up his hands, resigned to his fate: "Year-end bonus? Forget about it, I'm not working for Lao Qin next year..."
The words were like a depth charge, leaving Yang's parents and two older brothers completely stunned.
The teacup in Yang's mother's hand fell to the ground with a "crash" and shattered. She felt as if the sky had fallen, her vision blurred, and she almost fainted if she hadn't been holding onto the table. After a long while, she pointed at Yang Shumao, her fingers trembling, "You...you little brat, don't try to fool us! You're willing to quit such a good job? It's worth tens of thousands a year!"
"Exactly!" Mr. Yang exclaimed anxiously, "We almost got fooled by this little bastard! He's only coming back now, he must be on vacation, pretending to resign so he won't pay the money!"
Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin, the two older brothers, also raised questions:
"Sha Mao, you can't just lie to your parents and quit your job for that little year-end bonus, can you? Look how scared they are."
"Exactly! How can you say such things carelessly? Such a great job, so many people would kill for it!"
Yang Shumo simply stated frankly: "Believe it or not, it's up to you. Anyway, I'm giving myself a few extra days off this year, and we'll talk about it after the Lantern Festival. As for next year, I won't be going to Shenzhen."
Now, Mr. and Mrs. Yang were completely panicked. Although they disliked Qin Hao, they had to admit that he was incredibly loyal to his brothers. Take Xie Laozhuan, for example; he used to work as a temporary worker in a cotton mill, earning only twenty-odd yuan a month. With Qin Hao, he earned tens of thousands a year, including his year-end bonus, and the whole family lived a much better life. Where could they find a boss like that, a job like that?
"Sha Mao, even if you don't want to pay, you don't have to be so ruthless!" Yang's mother's voice was trembling with tears. "You're trying to drive us to our deaths! Your father is in poor health and takes medicine all year round, and your eldest and second eldest sisters are also struggling financially... The whole family is counting on you!"
Mr. Yang was so angry that he slammed his fist on the table: "You unfilial son! We've raised you for nothing!"
This time, even Yang Shumao's eldest and second eldest sisters couldn't sit still.
The eldest sister, Yang Shuzhi, came over to persuade him: "Da Mao, I have to say something to you. Where else can you find such a good job? Giving up your future for a moment of anger, are you going crazy?"
“Yes, Da Mao,” Second Sister Yang Shuye shook her head and sighed, “Your job is so good, it pays well and is respectable. Work in Shenzhen for a few years and you’ll be a big shot when you come back. How can you just quit like that? Take my advice, don’t do it out of spite.”
Looking at the faces of those who were anxious, angry, or worried, Yang Shumo felt a mix of emotions.
"Anyway, I've already resigned." Yang Shumo said firmly, "Next year, I won't be making any financial sacrifices for my parents. I'll take care of them when I'm earning my own money."
"You...you're going to drive us crazy!" Mother Yang was so angry that she pounded her chest and stamped her feet, and she actually cried.
Yang's father was trembling with anger, pointing at Yang Shumao: "Get out! Get out of here! I don't have a son like you!"
Yang Shumo stood up, picked up his small bag that hadn't been divided up yet, and said, "Okay, I'll go stay with my third sister for a few days. We'll talk again when you've figured things out."
After saying that, he walked out of the house without looking back, leaving behind a scene of chaos.
A deathly silence fell over the living room, broken only by Yang's mother's suppressed sobs. After a long while, she finally broke the silence, wiping away her tears and looking at her two sons: "Tell me, is Sha Mao serious this time, or is he just trying to avoid handing over his year-end bonus and trying to outsmart me?"
Yang Shusen said cautiously, "I think it might be true. Otherwise, Sha Mao wouldn't be so tough, not even staying at home anymore."
"I think Sha Mao is just trying to scare his parents." Yang Shulin curled his lip: "If it were such a good job, would you quit? It's worth tens of thousands a year, which is equivalent to an ordinary worker's lifetime earnings."
Yang Shusen glared at his younger brother defiantly: "That's because you don't understand Sha Mao! With his temper, what wouldn't he do when he gets impulsive?"
“That was because he was young and ignorant! How old is he now? Can he still be so impulsive?” Yang Shulin retorted.
The two brothers started arguing, each sticking to their own opinion. One insisted it was definitely true, while the other insisted it was absolutely false, and they argued until their faces turned red.
Yang's mother slammed her hand on the table at her two good-for-nothing sons: "Stop arguing!"
The room fell silent instantly.
Yang's mother looked at her eldest son, then at her second son, and was furious: "If you two brothers were even half as capable as Sha Mao, your father and I wouldn't be so angry!"
Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin both looked unconvinced and muttered to themselves:
"What's so great about Sha Mao? He only got ahead because of Qin Hao..."
"Exactly! If we had a close friend who's a big boss like that, we'd still be successful..."
The two older sisters exchanged a glance, both with expressions of disgust.
Mr. Yang said irritably, "Come on, you two! All you do is brag! If you're so capable, why don't you make a lot of money and buy this many New Year's goods for me and your mother!"
Now Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin were speechless, and they lowered their heads and remained silent.
The more Yang's mother thought about it, the angrier she became. She slapped her thigh and said, "Even if Sha Mao quit his job, he still worked for him for a whole year! He deserves some credit for his hard work, right? We have to get his year-end bonus back! We can't just let it go like this!"
“That’s right!” Yang Shusen immediately chimed in, “Last year it was 20,000, this year it should be at least 30,000, right? That’s no small sum!”
Yang Shulin perked up: "That's right! We have to get it back! Even if Sha Mao quits, we can't skimp on the money!"
Mother Yang nodded: "Alright! I'll leave this to you two to handle! Go find Qin Hao and get Sha Mao's year-end bonus back!"
"Huh?" The two brothers were immediately dumbfounded.
“Nonsense! If you don’t go ask for it, are you expecting your father and me, the two elders, to go ask for it? Wouldn’t that be bullying the younger generation?” Yang’s mother said righteously.
Yang Shusen pursed his lips and muttered under his breath, "Even if you ask for it, they have to give you face..."
What are you muttering about?
"No, it's nothing..."
"What are you waiting for? Go on!" Yang's mother urged.
The two brothers, Yang Shusen and Yang Shulin, were forced to leave their home. As they walked through the alley, a cold wind blew, and both of them shivered.
"Do you think he can give me the money?" Yang Shusen asked.
"Nonsense, if it were you, would you give it to me?" Yang Shulin rolled his eyes.
"What should we do then? How are we going to explain this to our parents if we don't come back?"
Yang Shulin said nonchalantly, "If they don't come back, they don't come back. Anyway, even if they do come back, it'll just go into Mom and Dad's pockets. What does it have to do with us? We won't get a single penny."
Yang Shusen thought about it and agreed: "Yeah, that makes sense. Anyway, there's nothing for us, so why should we bother?"
"Exactly. Let's go find a warm place and have a couple of drinks."
"good idea!"
The two brothers hit it off immediately and turned to walk towards the small tavern at the entrance of the alley, putting the matter of asking for money out of their minds.
……
Soon, news spread throughout Jiudaowan Hutong that Yang Shumao had resigned from Qin Hao's company. The news flew like wildfire, reaching every corner of the hutong in less than half a day.
This really excited the unemployed young people in the alley. Yang Shumo's position meant an income of tens of thousands of yuan a year; who wouldn't be envious? Before, they just didn't have the opportunity, but now that the opportunity had arrived, they were all eager to try their luck.
As a result, starting from the second day, Qin Hao's house became a bustling place.
Every morning, neighbors would bring their children over for a visit. Calling it a visit was really just a way for them to get acquainted with Qin Hao. One would say his son was a high school graduate, smart and capable; another would say his nephew was hardworking and reliable; some even brought their relatives' children, saying they wanted Qin Hao to "see if he has any future."
What made Qin Hao even more amused and exasperated was how incredibly diligent these people were. As soon as they entered, they rushed to help, sweeping the yard, wiping windows, chopping firewood—they did everything. Li Yuxiang was completely bewildered; she'd never seen these neighbors so proactive before.
"Taozi, stop working and sit down to rest for a while."
"Not tired at all, this little bit of work is nothing. Xiao Hao, what do you think of my son? He's twenty-two this year, strong and healthy, he can do any kind of work..."
"Dalinzi, the glass is clean enough, you don't need to wipe it anymore."
"It's alright, it's alright, let him lend a hand. My nephew is very smart, he graduated from junior high school, he can write and do math..."
Qin Hao was surrounded by these people, and he had to deal with each of them. He couldn't be impolite, but he also couldn't agree to anything casually. He could only explain again and again, "Uncles, aunts, brothers, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that I really don't need many people right now. The project in Shenzhen is finished, and we don't need so many people anymore."
But these people wouldn't believe him. They all thought he was making excuses and tried even harder to perform.
That afternoon, Qin Hao was talking to his mother inside the house when there was another knock at the gate. Li Yuxiang sighed, "Who is it this time? How many times has this happened today?"
Qin Hao got up to open the door, and standing outside was none other than Niu Tinggui.
To Qin Hao's surprise, Niu Tinggui was carrying a generous gift—two bottles of Moutai liquor, two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, and an exquisite box of pastries. This was no small gift; in the early 80s, Moutai and Zhonghua were rare commodities, and even money couldn't guarantee you could buy them.
"Old Qin, long time no see." Niu Tinggui said with a fawning smile, a smile that was as obsequious as could be.
Qin Hao frowned: "Is beef expensive? What's this...?"
"I heard you were back, so I came to see you." Niu Tinggui said, squeezing his way in, "Oh, Aunt Li is here too! Happy New Year in advance!"
Li Yuxiang's expression turned sour when she saw that the beef was quite expensive.
Niu Tinggui placed the gift on the table, rubbed his hands together, and smiled broadly: "Old Qin, it was all my fault before. I was ignorant and arrogant. Please forgive me."
Qin Hao looked at him but didn't say anything.
Seeing that he didn't respond, Niu Tinggui gritted his teeth and continued, "I heard... Sha Mao quit? His position is now vacant?"
Qin Hao then understood his purpose, and while he sneered inwardly, he remained outwardly calm.
"Then what do you think of me?" Niu Tinggui puffed out his chest: "Although I haven't had much schooling, I'm strong and can endure hardship. I don't need much, just half of Sha Mao's salary, no, a third of it will do! From now on, whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it without hesitation!"
Just then, several more neighbors came into the courtyard. They had all heard that Niu Tinggui had arrived and were curious to see what was going on. Upon hearing Niu Tinggui's words, they all perked up their ears.
Qin Hao looked at the people in the courtyard, then at Niu Tinggui, and said seriously, "Niu Tinggui, and all the uncles, aunts, and brothers, let me say it again. The reason Sha Mao quit is because my project in Shenzhen is finished, and I don't need so many people anymore. If it were you, would you be willing to spend tens of thousands a year to support an idle person?"
These words were quite true, and the people in the courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment, but gradually some of them began to believe them.
"So that's how it was..."
"I was wondering why Sha Mao quit his job when he was doing so well."
"Looks like he's about to pass out. The project's finished, there's no more work..."
Niu Tinggui's expression changed several times. He glanced at Qin Hao, then at the gifts on the table, and suddenly grabbed a bottle of Moutai liquor and a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, turning to leave.
As he reached the door, he turned back and spat, "So, after all that, you're out of work! I thought you were some big boss. Goodbye!"
After saying that, he left without looking back.