chapter 4

Later, Uncle began asking about my past.

Perhaps the liquor had loosened my tongue. I could no longer keep my feelings buried.

“I know your father died young and your mother remarried,” he said. “When did that happen?”

I answered, “My father died when I was thirteen. My mother raised me until I was fourteen, then remarried. After that, my grandfather looked after me. He passed away in 1985.”

He calculated for a moment.

“So the old man died when you were fifteen.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any other family?”

“No.”

“How did you survive after that?”

“I couldn’t, really. I had no money, and my mother took the family home when she left. I had no choice, so I… collected bottles. Later, I followed some street punks around. I drifted through the streets and did a little petty stealing.”

At that point, Li Fang tapped me under the table.

Drunk as I was, I did not understand. I stared at her, probably glassy-eyed and foolish.

She tapped me again and shot me a warning look.

I still did not understand.

Her father banged his cup down and turned to her. “What are you doing? You think it’s shameful? What’s shameful about it? What man doesn’t make mistakes when he’s young? So he stole a few things. Back then he was a prodigal son; now he’s turned his life around. That’s what matters. If you’re ashamed of him, you shouldn’t be with him. Xincheng—drink.”

Only then did I realize Li Fang was afraid he would misunderstand me.

I raised my cup and took a sip.

Her father put food in my bowl. “He did it because he had to survive. He had no other choice. I can tell you’re good at heart. Li Fang told me that when you were imprisoned for fighting, it was because that man put his hands on her. You weren’t wrong. You gave him what he deserved. A man sometimes has to do what a man has to do.”

Moved by his own words, he raised his cup. I hurried to toast him.

After we both took a sip, he continued. “But you were young and ignorant then. You’ve served your sentence. Now you have to grow up and become mature. Let me tell you something: a man is the pillar of his family. Before he acts, he must think three times. You beat that man and went to prison. Did you think about what would happen to your family during those years? Of course, you had no family then. I’m talking about the future. If something like that happens again and you go back to prison, what will your family do? Right?”

My nose stung. I nodded again and again.

Seeing my reddened eyes, he let out a knowing sigh, patted my back, and said, “Everyone makes mistakes when they’re young. I did too. Back then, they called it speculation and profiteering. I nearly didn’t make it through, and your aunt almost waited for me in vain. Mistakes don’t matter. What matters is correcting them—knowing when to turn back. I have only one daughter. I never wanted to marry her off so soon, but she’s grown now. I think you young people should start a family early. It gives life something to look forward to.”

No matter how much I had drunk, no matter how foggy my mind, I understood that final sentence immediately.

I was so moved that not only tears but even snot bubbled from my nose. Lord, what a sight I must have been.

We talked about many things that night, but I remember one sentence most clearly.

After Li Fang wiped my nose with a tissue, I looked up and said, “Uncle, I don’t have any money.”

He slammed the table, stood, and pointed toward Li Fang’s room beside the living room.

“People with money live one way, people without it live another. I’m willing to give you my daughter because you’re dependable! Li Fang’s room is big enough. Use it as your marital home. If you’re willing, I won’t ask for a single yuan in bride price, and you don’t need to hold a wedding banquet. Register your marriage after New Year. Call me Dad right now.”

I cried even harder.

Never in my life had I cried with such joy.

I stood, threw my arms around him, and shouted, “Dad!”

I remember stamping my feet in excitement.

After that, I drank myself senseless. I remembered nothing else until I awoke the next morning—in Li Fang’s bed.

What happened afterward… there is not much to say.

I began calling her parents Mom and Dad, and I began calling Li Fang my wife.

After New Year, Li Fang and I truly registered our marriage. I gave up my rental room. On my first day back at the restaurant, I handed wedding candy to my coworkers and the owners.

The owner’s wife asked what I was celebrating.

Blushing, I said, “I got married.”

The owner slapped me on the shoulder. “You got married and didn’t invite us to the banquet? A few pieces of candy aren’t enough. That’s not very friendly.”

I lowered my head and said humbly, “We didn’t hold a banquet. We only registered.”

The owner’s wife ran a restaurant and understood social situations. She gave a long “Oh” and walked away.

My feelings were complicated as I returned to the back and resumed washing dishes.

But when my shift ended that evening, she called to me quietly from behind the counter and beckoned me over.

When I reached her, she said, “You’re married now. You’re no longer a carefree young man. You have a family to support. How much can you earn washing dishes? Starting tomorrow, work in the kitchen as an apprentice. Your pay will stay the same at first. Once you’ve learned the job, I’ll raise it.”

Overcome with gratitude, I thanked her repeatedly.

Then she reached into her trouser pocket. She was rather stout, so it took some effort to pull out a red envelope.

She handed it to me.

“Marriage is a major event. Someone should celebrate it. This was so sudden that I had no time to prepare anything. Here’s a wedding envelope. May your married life be prosperous and bright.”

The envelope had “Good Fortune in the Year of the Tiger” printed on it. I knew she had filled it at the last minute. The thought behind it touched me deeply.

“Thank you.”

“Take these two bottles of baijiu home to your father-in-law. He’s a good man. Treat him well.”

“I will. I promise.”

…

On the way home, I opened the envelope.

Four hundred yuan—an entire month’s wages.

I gave the money to Li Fang when I reached home.

Her eyes widened. “Why is there so much?”

“The owner’s wife gave it to us for our wedding. She also said I could work in the kitchen and earn more in the future.”

Li Fang smiled.

“See? Our life will get better. You must work hard for them.”

“Mm.”

“My mother bought the red double-happiness decorations this morning. She also bought us a red four-piece bedding set. Go look in the room. She has already put everything on the bed.”

“You mean our mother,” I corrected her.

“…”

Li Fang stared at me in surprise, then threw herself into my arms, laughing.

“Yes. Our mother.”