Chapter Twenty-Seven: Fallen Asleep

"How are you still asleep?" Sun Qigong stood at the entrance of the alley, waving at him.

"Too much work these past few days, I’m exhausted. Has everyone else arrived?"

Xu Fei closed the courtyard gate behind him and jogged over to Sun Qigong.

"They’ve been here for ages—the liquor is almost gone."

Xu Fei followed Sun Qigong out of the alley.

"By the way, is Old Li’s place still open?"

"What for?" Sun Qigong glanced at Xu Fei. "You haven’t eaten? I’ve got everything ready at mine."

But Xu Fei shook his head. "I want to bring a dish over."

He was already at the door of Old Li’s restaurant, where the lights were still on.

Xu Fei stepped inside.

"Fei, what brings you here so late?" Old Li was tallying up the accounts at the counter.

"Fourth Brother, fry me some braised intestines and a plate of sautéed pork, will you?"

"What?" Old Li looked at Xu Fei in surprise.

"What’s wrong?" Xu Fei walked up to the counter, took the cigarette tucked behind Old Li’s ear, and said, "Didn’t you hear me?"

Old Li glanced at Sun Qigong standing behind him. "Fei, you know I don’t do tabs here."

Xu Fei lit the cigarette, then pulled a five-yuan note from his pocket.

"Well, well, Fei, have you struck it rich? What, the sugar mill pays this well now? You’re spending big these days."

Though he spoke thus, there was a hint of contempt at the corner of Old Li’s mouth.

He’d already guessed what Xu Fei was up to as soon as he saw Sun Qigong.

"Fourth Brother, make it a big portion—there’ll be plenty eating."

Old Li put down his ledger. "Alright, don’t worry."

He turned and headed into the kitchen.

Sun Qigong scratched his head.

"I have to say, Xu Fei, you really seem like a different person these days."

"Different?"

"Yeah, a lot more generous." Sun Qigong chuckled. "Last time, when you just tossed down that five-yuan note as you left, Zhang Mingyang was so impressed he gave you a big thumbs-up behind your back."

"Really?" That was exactly the effect Xu Fei had hoped for.

"They were just talking about it again today—saying how they have to treat you to a meal."

"Forget it. When everyone gets together, it’s all about having fun and getting along, isn’t it? As for Brother Zhang and the others, I really do respect them. Look at who they are—not to mention Brother Zhang, but even Brother Chen and Brother Wang—they’re all officials."

Sun Qigong nodded. "That’s true. I’m lucky they even bother with me."

Xu Fei glanced at Sun Qigong. He knew perfectly well why Sun Qigong was accepted—he was willing to put up with his wife.

Everyone knew about Zhang Mingyang and Sun Qigong’s wife. Even Sun himself was resigned to it.

But that had nothing to do with him.

"That’s right, Brother Sun even said you’re just like Song Jiang from Water Margin—a timely rain. If it weren’t for you, where would I find such a good place?"

Sun Qigong basked in the compliment, laughing heartily.

Just then, Old Li brought out the dishes.

Xu Fei asked him for two more plates. He and Sun Qigong each took one, covering them together, and made their way out, the aroma of food leading the way. Sun Qigong carried the braised intestines, his mouth watering at the smell.

When they entered the courtyard, they heard the laughter of Zhang Mingyang and a woman from inside the house.

Sun Qigong coughed awkwardly.

The woman’s laughter cut off abruptly.

A moment later, the door opened and a plump woman with a sullen face stepped out.

"Why are you only just getting back?" She glared at Sun Qigong, but he smiled and said, "Fei stopped to buy a couple more dishes from Old Li. Go bring that bottle of wine I bought last time."

The woman glanced at Xu Fei.

"Sister-in-law." Xu Fei nodded with a smile.

Her name was Fan Ying, a well-known figure in the neighborhood.

She’d been in Xu Fei’s year at school.

Fan Ying was raised by her grandmother—her parents were gone early on, and her grandmother was blind. She survived on government assistance and the help of relatives and friends.

Her life had been bitter, and hardship had left its mark on her.

She dropped out of school young and stepped into society. Within a few years, for reasons unknown, she married Sun Qigong.

He was more than ten years her senior, so in this household, Fan Ying’s word was law—Sun Qigong never dared contradict her.

After getting injured at work, Sun Qigong took early retirement. His monthly wage was barely enough to get by, so Fan Ying supported the household.

She was resourceful and sociable, and in recent years, she’d started a small stall on the street, selling goods she bought wholesale from the provincial capital.

With her connections, business was good, and Sun Qigong’s status at home diminished further.

"How should I know where you left your cat’s piss? I’ve been out at the stall all day—you have no idea how tired I am."

"Wife, I know, I just—"

"Just what? A few people come over and you play the fool, is that it? Get it yourself!"

Fan Ying swayed her curvy hips as she walked toward the back room. Whenever Sun Qigong had friends over, she usually stayed in the back.

As she passed Xu Fei, she shot him a hard look.

Xu Fei quickly nodded and smiled in response.

He knew exactly what kind of woman Fan Ying was.

Rumor had it she was especially passionate, and a man of Sun Qigong’s age could never satisfy her. Nearly every man on this street had been enticed by her—Xu Fei himself included.

His memories told him plainly that he’d slept with her once, too—in that very back room.

A wretched business!

Without waiting for Sun Qigong to open the door, Xu Fei entered with the dishes himself. He wanted nothing more to do with that woman—not for any reason. He wouldn’t betray Du Man again. That was in the past; now, he was his own person.

"Fei, come in, we were just waiting for you," Zhang Mingyang called as soon as Xu Fei entered.

Xu Fei set the dishes down on the table. Sun Qigong came in behind him and uncovered the plates.

The aroma of food filled the room at once.

"Hey!" Chen Da, a foodie, picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a generous piece of braised intestine, stuffing it into his mouth.

"Delicious! Old Li’s cooking is every bit as good as they say."

Sun Qigong turned to get the liquor.

"Fei, did you buy this again?" Zhang Mingyang asked, biting into a piece of sautéed pork.

"Brother Zhang, I left in a hurry last time. Tonight we have time, so I figured I’d pick up a couple of dishes for us brothers to have a drink together."

Sun Qigong returned with the bottle.

"Come on, boys, this is homemade from the countryside—fifty-two proof!"

He poured each of them a cup.

Xu Fei raised his glass. "Brothers, a toast to you all."

But Zhang Mingyang looked at Xu Fei and said, "Fei, I heard you owe Ma San quite a bit of money—is that true?"