When Chen Jingsheng spoke with such certainty, Ma Zi and Gan Zi finally let themselves go completely.
They hadn’t even finished swallowing what was in their mouths when their eyes lit up, asking if Brother Sheng could add more offal to their order.
Chen Jingsheng’s face flushed deeper red as he pulled a few bills from his pocket and slapped them onto the table. “Spend it all! I was in a rush when I left home – this is all I brought.”
“Enough! More than enough!” Ma Zi swallowed hard and called out quickly, “Boss, add another yuan’s worth of offal for us…”
“I’ll have another two ounces of noodles!” Gan Zi cut in.
Chen Jingsheng scoffed. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you two were born starving.”
With that, he pulled out a cigarette and put it between his lips. But after taking a few puffs, it felt wrong – dry and rough, no matter how he drew on it…
His thoughts drifting, he tucked the cigarette behind his ear instead.
His vision began to blur. He blinked hard, and suddenly You Sanmei’s soft, full lips flashed through his mind…
Before he knew it, three or four empty beer bottles had piled up at his feet.
Growing restless, he grabbed another bottle and pried off the cap in a hurry. He tipped his head back and drank in long, greedy gulps, as if desperate to quench a raging thirst.
Dapi watched the back of Chen Jingsheng’s neck – it was bright red, like it had been branded with a hot iron. He finally accepted it: Brother Sheng was definitely drunk.
Nearly an hour later, Ma Zi and Gan Zi were full and satisfied, letting out loud burps one after another.
The stall owner brought over some change, but before he could set it down, Ma Zi snatched it right out of the air. “Brother Sheng said spend every last cent! Just a few jiao – he won’t want it!” He stuffed it straight into his pocket without a shred of shame.
Dapi stared at him, not blinking once.
Ma Zi shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, then suddenly realized: “Damn, Dapi – you’re something else! First time drinking and you can hold your liquor this well?”
“Not even a flush on your face… look at Brother Sheng…” He nodded toward Chen Jingsheng, who’d slumped over the table half-asleep, and grinned smugly, clearly mocking him.
He and Gan Zi stood up, patted Dapi’s messy hair, and said, “We’re off. We know you’ve got your eye on Brother Sheng – we won’t fight you for the job of walking him home~”
“…”
Dapi burned with frustration, but he just kept his face set and glared. He couldn’t act rashly – not when his elderly grandfather was waiting for him at home. Even someone smaller than him could knock the old man over with a single shove!
Jaw tight, Dapi reached out to hoist Chen Jingsheng up. “Brother Sheng, wake up! We’re done eating – time to go.”
But he couldn’t budge him an inch!
“…You don’t look that heavy,” he blurted out, “how come you weigh so much?”
The stall owner glanced over and chuckled roughly. “Kid, you’ve got a lot to learn.”
“Your friend might look thin, but he’s all solid muscle. Look at those arms – built like a brick house…”
Just as he finished speaking, Chen Jingsheng jerked awake, drool dripping down his chin, and shouted at the top of his voice: “WIFE!”
Dapi froze.
The owner snickered unkindly. “Well I’ll be – big talk earlier, and now you’re already calling for your wife? Already thinking about finding one at your age?”
Dapi bit down hard on his lip, half-carrying and half-dragging the intoxicated Chen Jingsheng to his feet, pretending he hadn’t heard a word.
“Th-thank you, uncle – we’ll be going now!” he stammered.
Dapi had always thought Chen Jingsheng’s pride wasn’t such a bad thing. In his eyes, Brother Sheng was already a good man.
That he got tricked so easily because he hated losing face just proved he was innocent – he didn’t go through life expecting the worst of people.
But Dapi was different. He had a conscience, and he had eyes.
His family wasn’t the only place in the village where people played mahjong – some places charged, others didn’t. Yet Chen Jingsheng always came to his home.
Same with the apples – no matter what the reason, Brother Sheng had stepped up for him and his grandfather. Not to mention all the little things he’d done over the nearly ten years they’d known each other – too many to count.
On the way home, Chen Jingsheng stumbled off into the grass to relieve himself. The alcohol fog lifted a little, and he could stand on his own – though he still swayed unsteadily every few steps.
Seeing him clutching a paper bag of eggs, Dapi couldn’t help but worry. “Brother Sheng, why don’t you let me carry those eggs for you? I’ll –”
“Don’t take my peanut candy! Brother Haonan gave this to me!”
Suddenly, two boys – one fat, one thin – came running toward them, tussling and not paying attention. They crashed right into Dapi.
“Hey!” Dapi instinctively reached out to block them, and the chubby boy went tumbling onto the dirt.
But he didn’t care about that – the boy was already squalling, “Don’t come near me! If you take my candy… I’ll get Brother Haonan to beat you up!”
“…Chen Haonan?” Chen Jingsheng frowned. “Hey kid – you mean Chen Haonan?”
The chubby boy looked up sharply. “Yeah! You’re Uncle Haonan!”
Chen Jingsheng’s head was swimming again. He glanced down at the eggs in his arms, his expression turning stubborn. “Where is he? Where’s Chen Haonan?”
He had to get these eggs to him.
Anything to stop all that yelling – like his wife was stealing his gold and silver! It just got under his skin.
The boy shrank back. “They’re in the woods. Brother Haobei’s there too, and Yuanyuan…”
Then he brightened. “Oh right! And your wife!”
At the mention of You Sanmei, the boy’s fear vanished. He grinned foolishly. “Auntie is so nice! I want a nice auntie too~”
“!” Chen Jingsheng nearly tipped over – Dapi caught him just in time.
He pulled away, looking strange. “Never mind me. Go home to your grandfather right now – don’t leave him alone for so long.”
“All kinds of people come to play cards there.”
“Are you going to the woods to find your wife, Brother Sheng?” Dapi asked, still uneasy. “Should I –”
“Who said I’m looking for her?!” Chen Jingsheng jerked his head up, voice rising sharply. “Did I say that?”
“Which ear of yours heard me say I’m going after her?”
“Can’t I head to the woods to see my nephew? Huh? Can’t an uncle check on his nephews to make sure they’re safe?”
“Go on – get home!”
He shoved Dapi away, let out a burp, and stumbled forward.
Dapi stood still for a moment, then hurried after him. He reached quickly into Chen Jingsheng’s pocket. “Brother Sheng – give me a cigarette!”
“…What? What’s this about?” Chen Jingsheng paused.
“N-nothing. You’re having one, so I might as well too.”
While Chen Jingsheng wasn’t looking, Dapi slipped a yuan note into his pocket. He couldn’t pay for the whole meal, but he had to cover his own share.
He pulled his hand out quickly, pretending he’d already gotten his cigarette. “Got it. Watch your step, Brother Sheng – see you later!”