Chapter 199: The End of the Old Year

The next morning, my father and mother were busy preparing to buy some New Year goods to take back home. I suggested that since everything could be found in town, it would be a hassle to carry things back—better to buy them at home. My father wasn’t happy and said, “We old folks want to buy some things, and you young people just can’t stand it.”

I didn’t argue and just took my parents and Xie Xiaoyu out. I figured I’d get them some new clothes, and Xie Xiaoyu needed a change of outfits too—might as well spend all the money. My parents bought a bunch of candies and chocolates, saying they’d give them to the kids in the village. I laughed and said, “Kids these days aren’t like we were back then—they don’t even eat candy anymore. Just give them money. Some kids get tens of thousands in lucky money by the end of the year.”

We hit the supermarket first, then the dried goods market. My mother was the boss, and my father and I were the assistants. We picked out some dried cuttlefish and Sichuan peppercorns, along with shiitake mushrooms, wood ear fungus, jujubes, fennel, cinnamon, and dried tangerine peel—nothing was missing. After a whole day of shopping, we came back for lunch at noon, then went out again to buy some premium cigarettes and alcohol. I thought I was in good shape, but walking around with my mother made me realize there are always people tougher than you.

By the time we got back in the evening, I was so exhausted I didn’t want to move.

My mother looked at Xie Xiaoyu and praised, “This girl may be young, but she’s got strength. She carries a hundred pounds like it’s a piece of foam.”

I burst out laughing.

By Sunday morning, my parents were already planning to head back, debating whether to drive the old Wuling home. I said, “Forget it, that junker would just embarrass us. How about I rent you a car? An Audi, maybe?”

When my mother heard the price, she waved it off. “Let’s just take the bus. Lots of people are heading home for the New Year. Go buy four tickets later—we’ll put the dog and cat in carriers and be on our way.”

I yelled, “Take care, you two!”

That night, there was a gathering for Brother Jun, who had been injured. A lot of his buddies came to visit, so a banquet was set up to celebrate, even though his leg wasn’t fully healed. I went early to Brother Jun’s auto repair shop to meet him. He hadn’t changed much, just had bandages wrapped around his leg and walked with a limp. Liu Jibao and Iron Ox were buzzing with excitement.

A car came to pick the four of us up at the right time. Brother Jun wasn’t one for flashy places, so he picked a modest restaurant—though the parking lot was filled with luxury cars. As soon as we got out, Liu Jibao spotted Black Dog and the flight attendant next to him, who seemed to be Feng Wushuang’s colleague Qi Meiyan. When she saw me, her face twisted with disdain.

Black Dog looked at Liu Jibao and laughed. “Haha, what are you doing here, kid? The big brothers are having dinner today. Did you get an invite?”

Liu Jibao stared at the gold chain around Black Dog’s neck and the woman beside him—long legs, big butt—his eyes full of envy. “Brother Black Dog, I don’t have an invite. Do you need one to eat here?”

Black Dog sneered. “No invite? Then what the hell are you doing here? You think this is some place you can just walk into? Go somewhere else.”

Brother Jun chuckled. “When I, Liu Jun, eat, I’ve never needed an invite.”

Black Dog flared up. “You damn cripple, acting like some big shot? Screw off.”

I could tell things were about to get ugly. Black Dog was ready to teach someone a lesson, and his buddies were egging him on. Iron Ox cursed, “Black Dog, he’s my master. Who the hell are you insulting?”

Black Dog didn’t back down. “A damn cripple is a damn cripple. What’s the big deal?”

Brother Jun didn’t get angry. He just limped toward the restaurant. Black Dog followed and yelled at the two guys at the door, “He doesn’t have an invite!”

Brother Jun jerked his head. “These two are my disciples, and this is my brother.” The two guys nodded and let us in. Upstairs, all the big shots were already seated. Long Qishan, with his lumpy head, was greeting people at the entrance. Brother Jun limped over and sat at a table in a far corner, but soon the guys from the main table came over to join him.

The banquet started, and everyone came to toast.

Brother Jun said, “Bring Black Dog here.” Black Dog was eating outside in a private room, thinking he was about to get promoted. When he saw Brother Jun surrounded like a star, he started trembling and dropped to his knees.

“I was wrong, Brother Jun,” Black Dog said.

Brother Jun replied, “You blind fool. Break one of his legs.” Then he turned to Liu Jibao. “You want to end up like Black Dog?”

Liu Jibao was stunned. Seeing how pathetic Black Dog was, he shook his head hard. “No, I want to be like you, Master.”

Brother Jun slapped him. “Even I’m not retired from this life. Don’t you know how precious a normal life is?” After sighing, he added, “But if you still want to follow this path…” He then asked Long Qishan to keep an eye on Liu Jibao. Long Qishan nodded.

The drinking and bragging went on, and I had my fair share, but I was just an outsider—I couldn’t really grasp the culture and rules of their world. I just grew more convinced that Liu Jun, the auto repairman, was no ordinary man.

After a while, Brother Jun asked me to take him home. Iron Ox came along, but Liu Jibao stayed behind. Brother Jun shook his head. The three of us left the restaurant, the noise still raging behind us. As soon as we got into the taxi, we heard the sound of bottles smashing—seemed like a fight had broken out.

I asked Brother Jun why he let Liu Jibao stay. He smiled and said, “When adults tell kids the kettle is hot, the kids don’t listen. They think the steam is cool—until they touch it and get burned.”

By the time we got home, *If You Are the One* was already on. The first few guys either looked awful or had terrible attitudes—none of them got a match. When my mother brought me a late-night snack to sober up, she sighed. “You should focus on finding a wife instead of watching this show.”

Finally, the last contestant came on—Liu Jianguo, now in a British-style suit with a bow tie and black leather shoes. His posture was firm, and except for the wrinkles on his face, he was a handsome older man.

When you’re that good-looking, wrinkles just add character.

Uncle Jianguo stepped forward with the mic. “I’m a retired soldier. My name is Liu Jianguo, and I’m 55. I never planned to marry, but my female apprentice is just like me—she refuses to marry unless I do first.”

The bald host (whose name I didn’t know) asked the female guests for their impressions. The moment he finished, all 24 lights stayed on—and contestant No. 24 even hit the “explode” button.

The host immediately called on No. 24. When I saw her, I was shocked—wasn’t that Su Su, the girl I met in Xi’an? What was she doing here? Tears were streaming down her face. Uncle Jianguo stared, equally stunned.

The host’s gossip radar went off. Su Su poured out her heart, and the audience quickly understood—after parting in Xi’an, she had fallen for this 55-year-old man.

This was straight out of a soap opera. The host fired off sharp questions, and Uncle Jianguo panicked, saying, “She’s too young—it’d be unfair to her.”

Su Su cried harder.

The other 23 female contestants, furious, all turned off their lights—as if trying to push Su Su and Uncle Jianguo together.

Uncle Jianguo was flustered. He tried to console Su Su: “I didn’t expect to see you here. Even the older ladies turned me down. I can’t take you with me. You’re still young. If we got married, in 30 years I’d be 85, and you’d only be in your 50s. Su Su, please don’t cry.”

Su Su sobbed, “I don’t care.”

In the end, this ridiculous drama concluded with Uncle Jianguo fleeing the stage—just like he said he would.

Watching Su Su on TV, something felt off. She didn’t seem as bright as before—almost like a different person.

Wait—was it the double-faced ghost? Back in Xi’an, Su Su had seen one possessing a thug and nearly got into a fight. Had it latched onto her?

I immediately called Uncle Jianguo, but his line was busy—probably flooded by viewers. If Su Su really was haunted by that ghost, things could get bad. I logged onto Weibo and found “Zuo’er Jinxia.” Her latest post was heartbreaking.

The reposts were piling up. Knowing I couldn’t rush things, I decided to sleep on it.

After the show, I went to the living room to sleep.

Feng Wushuang called me, shouting, “We’re actually cousins!”

I scoffed. “Cut the crap. You’re messing with me.”

She insisted, “I’m serious. I took one of your hairs and did a DNA test. We’re cousins. Your mom and my dad are siblings. My dad’s coming from abroad to see your mother.”

I thought about it—this girl didn’t seem like she was lying. How had I suddenly gained a cousin? My dad was now her uncle? I’d have to call her dad “Uncle”? This was ridiculous.

My mother had been adopted by my grandfather as a child—she was an orphan. Aside from her unusual surname, how did she suddenly have a brother? All these years, my parents had no siblings and often got bullied. If this uncle was real, I’d have some choice words for him when we met.

Still, Feng Wushuang’s personality made me doubt. I yelled, “Cousin, sis, stop messing around. This isn’t funny, seriously.”

She got impatient. “If I’m lying, I’m a dog. Tell your mom. My dad’s really coming. Even my grandpa—who’s not in good health—wants to come after hearing the news.”

I snapped, “If it’s true, where have you been all these years? I already bought the tickets. We’re leaving tomorrow at 1 PM. Even if you were the emperor himself, if my mom doesn’t want to see you, tough luck.”

I stopped answering her calls after that.

Early the next morning, I went to a secluded spot and released the spirits I’d gathered from the Xia family’s living coffin tomb. After all this time, their resentment should have been purified. On the way back, I bought a newspaper.

It reported that Xia Jinrong, a local crime boss in Lügang Town, had been taken down. He’d been trampled to death by seven rampaging water buffalo that later vanished into the mountains. Meanwhile, Xia Jinrong’s marble factory and coal mine had been bought by Old Wang’s son next door.

I told Liu Jianguo about Su Su possibly being haunted by the double-faced ghost. If he had any conscience, he’d go check on her.

My last call was to Chen Tutu. She said coldly, “We never started anything, so there’s nothing to end. Go home and enjoy the New Year. I’m heading back to Shanghai this afternoon. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

By 11 AM, I’d packed up. On my way downstairs, I ran into Xu Guangsheng, who wasn’t going home for the holidays—he was staying to work overtime.

My mother yelled, “Wishing you prosperity!”

Only ten days remained in the old year. The New Year was almost here.