Fan Debiao, after all, could be considered an official, and the old man watching the phone booth was also rather pretentious. However, officials usually protected each other. Upon learning Fan Debiao’s identity, the old man quickly became polite.
Fan Debiao asked Da Guoguo to go ahead and make the call while he himself approached the old man to chat casually, drawing the old man’s attention.
“Hey, Fan Debiao, what place exactly are we at?” Da Guoguo curiously asked.
“Just tell her we’re the construction team from Bosala Mountain, and they’ll know where we are,” Fan Debiao casually replied, continuing his conversation with the old man. “This young guy here is a Red Guard visiting our place for inspection. Unfortunately, he lost his way back. Luckily, we have this telephone booth here. He can call the Red Guards on Chairman Mao’s side, and they’ll immediately tell him how to return. You see, under Chairman Mao’s leadership, we are truly becoming more high-tech!”
“You’re not wrong there. Back then, to deliver just one verbal message, I walked all the way from here to Yangjitun in the middle of the night, crossing countless mountains. Finally, I succeeded in delivering the message, protecting the security of our great capital.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you were an old revolutionary! I wonder what message you delivered back then that could protect the capital’s security?”
“Well, our company commander hadn’t eaten meat for several days. I was sent to Yangji Village to deliver a message requesting them to send over a few pigs the next day. Just think, if our commander couldn’t eat meat, how could he command the troops? Then the security of our great capital would have been threatened! It was only thanks to me—someone capable enough to run so far in the middle of the night. Someone else would surely have slacked off.” The old man kept nodding in admiration of his own past exploits while puffing on his cigarette.
“Alright Fan Debiao, let’s go. Chairman Mao taught us to conserve resources. I already know what I needed, so there’s no need to waste phone charges. Let’s respond to the Party’s call.”
“Okay then, let’s go. Hurry up.” Fan Debiao stood up to bid farewell to the old man, who was still showing affection, inviting Fan Debiao to visit again.
If this old man had known that Fan Debiao’s subordinate, Da Guoguo, was actually the leader of a tomb-robbing gang, he would have been furious.
“When can your men come and pick you up? I can’t let you stay here for long. Staying too long will surely lead to their discovery.” The “they” Fan Debiao referred to were naturally the Red Guards.
“You can rest assured about that. I know those little guys. Even if they see me, I’ll eliminate them so they won’t leave any witnesses.” Da Guoguo was ruthless and capable of anything, which somewhat surprised Liu Dashao.
But in those days, whoever was tougher had an easier life.
Fan Debiao showed his sympathy: “Brother, you’re very much like me when I was young. If I ever need your help in the future, you must not refuse!”
“Look at you talking like that. We’ve been through life and death together. Do you think I’d let you wander aimlessly? Whatever you need, just call me anytime. I’m waiting for you twenty-four hours a day to join our Pest Tomb Robbing Group, and then you’ll be the third in command. Oh, Master Liu, I think you might also consider joining us as our consultant?”
Liu Dashao politely declined with a smile: “No, no, I’m not cut out for that.”
“Master Liu, don’t be humble. Your performance at the tomb site even made us feel somewhat inferior. My subordinate really didn’t die in vain. Hehe!” Da Guoguo looked at Liu Dashao with a mysterious gaze, as if looking at a master: “That’s not something an ordinary charlatan could do. Compared to this brother, there must be something he’s hiding from us. But we don’t mind; who doesn’t have secrets? Well, enough said, let’s part ways now. I’ve also thought about it just now, if I cause trouble, it would bring inconvenience to Brother Fan. Also, I’m going back to Hong Kong in a week. If you change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime.”
Da Guoguo suddenly stopped, gazing mysteriously at Fan Debiao and Liu Dashao before speaking.
“Fine then, since you’ve thought it through so thoroughly, let’s part ways. I’m sure we’ll need each other’s help in the future!”
“Great, great, you’re so straightforward. We’ll definitely have a hearty drink together in the future! Here, this is my business card. If either of you needs anything in the future, just give me a call.” Da Guoguo took out two business cards from his pocket: “Hehe, I learned from others and spent several thousand yuan printing several thousand copies. Just showing off a bit.”
At that time, having one’s own business card was a sign of being an extremely powerful and influential person. Being able to take out one’s own business card for others to see was a very glorious thing!
But Liu Dashao was puzzled. Why would a tomb robber, whose business was not meant to see the light of day, need business cards?
After parting ways, Da Guoguo stayed behind at the site with some dry food, barely managing to stay in the mountains for four or five days. Fan Debiao and Liu Dashao returned to the construction team.
“Fan Debiao, where’s that outsider named Da Guoguo? Why didn’t he come back?”
“That guy is from down the mountain. We sent him back. He’s a bit mentally challenged, so to beat us up, he let his wife sleep with us. Both sides were quite willing, so we didn’t refuse.”
“Fan Debiao, you had such a good thing and didn’t call me. Don’t you think about our friendship!” At this moment, the construction supervisor came out from the tent, his bare chest glistening with muscles under the sunlight.
The construction site at night was very peaceful. However, there were still some things Liu Dashao couldn’t figure out.
Since he couldn’t figure it out, Liu Dashao decided not to think about it anymore and spent a few peaceful days there.
One day, his girlfriend Ma Xiaoyan came from Xiushui Village, which made everyone envious. In the evening, Fan Debiao deliberately arranged a room for them, saying it was special treatment.
The next day, everyone found two maps under their beds.
Even under Fan Debiao’s mattress, there was a map of China.
But Su Yougui carefully examined his for a long time and cursed, “Damn it, why did I get a map of America?”
Ma Xiaoyan naturally enhanced Liu Dashao’s reputation greatly. A decent girl like her was quite rare in the countryside.
From then on, Liu Dashao’s prestige among the people grew even higher because he claimed that Ma Xiaoyan had a younger sister who was even more beautiful than her, surpassing her in every way.
Naturally, more people started to flatter Liu Dashao.
But only Fan Debiao knew the secret: Ma Xiaoyan indeed had a younger sister, but she was still in the belly of the newlywed wife of Ma Sandao.
Thus, they spent several peaceful nights until the fourth day when Liu Dashao suddenly discovered that Su Yougui had disappeared. On Fan Debiao’s bed, there was a letter left behind. Liu Dashao curiously picked up the letter, examined it carefully, and finally confirmed that the bastard Su Yougui had followed Da Guoguo. He was unwilling to stay here and live an ordinary life forever. He was ready to go with Da Guoguo and live an exciting life.
Regarding this, Liu Dashao did not express any opinion. If he wanted to leave, then let him go! After all, for himself, his departure represented a kind of rare and precious spirit. Perhaps his departure was exactly what he wanted.
Fan Debiao felt somewhat sad about Su Yougui’s departure. He had originally planned to promote the young man, but he left like this. Perhaps on the revolutionary road in the future, if they met again, would he become an obstacle to him? Would he be willing to criticize and struggle against him?
Even Da Guoguo, if he really became an obstacle to his path, he would definitely not show mercy.
Because in this red era when morality and reason were cast aside, the bolder one was, the better one could live.
Fan Debiao didn’t say much more. He just asked everyone to disperse and work, and he made Liu Dashao a foreman, improving his status and life to some extent.
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