However, how long I can continue writing remains uncertain.

The school expelled Monkey—that was what the policeman had said earlier.
Zhang Pa glanced at Monkey, said nothing more, hailed a cab, and the two headed to the hospital.

In the car, Monkey kept cursing the police, calling them bastards, complaining that they chased after him instead of arresting corrupt officials.

Finally, Zhang Pa could not bear it any longer and asked, “Did the police arrest you?”

Monkey was taken aback.

Zhang Pa said, “You stole money and got caught. They beat you badly, and if the police hadn’t arrived quickly, you’d have been beaten to death.”

“Let them beat me to death. I’ve had enough of this damned life,” Monkey muttered.

“I completely agree with you. I support it. When are you planning on dying?” Zhang Pa replied.

“Zhang Bro…” Monkey felt that Zhang Pa was somehow different today.

“You can die. The sooner the better. The farther you go, the better. Let me tell you, you have not the slightest value in this world. You’re a waste alive. Don’t believe me? Aren’t you tough? Let’s get off and fight. Do you dare?”

Monkey was stunned, and whispered, “Zhang Bro, what’s wrong with you?”

Zhang Pa said, “I’m going to say something useless now. I’ve never said it before and never will again. Listen closely, you piece of trash. Remember this: your mother was driven out of her family to give birth to you, moved to that godforsaken place called Happiness Lane, lived there for over ten years just to raise you. Now she’s sick, in her thirties, much older than me. She’s in the hospital now… Never mind, I won’t say more.”

Monkey whispered, “I know the hospital costs money. That’s why I…”

“Why you stole, right?” Zhang Pa sneered. “Weren’t you just cursing the police, saying they don’t arrest corrupt officials? If you’re so tough, why don’t you steal from them? If you don’t know where they live, I can find the address for you. Do you dare?”

“I dare,” Monkey replied, sounding bold.

“Dare my foot,” Zhang Pa said. “Listen, whether you live or die, nobody cares—except your mother. It doesn’t matter if you live or die, but what about her? If she can’t afford treatment, will she die with you?”

“No,” Monkey whispered defensively.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve seen enough of you brats saying one thing to my face and another behind my back.” Zhang Pa looked at him. “Let me make something clear. From now on, if I see you smoke a single cigarette or say a single curse word, I’ll beat you up. You can report me, call the police, leave Happiness Lane, whatever you want. Also, no tattoos! Got it?”

Monkey softly replied.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Zhang Pa took out a thousand yuan, handed it to Monkey. “Tell your mother you haven’t been causing trouble these days. You skipped classes but worked as a waiter and earned a thousand. This is your wages.”

Monkey said he couldn’t accept it.

“Let me clarify,” Zhang Pa said. “From today on, what I say goes. Even if I tell you to jump into a river, you jump. No arguing. Otherwise, I’ll beat you. Same as before—if you’re tough, report me or run away from home, get as far as you can.”

“Why?” Monkey asked.

“No reason.” Zhang Pa put the money beside him. “Take it.”

Monkey hesitated, took the money, and whispered thanks.

Zhang Pa was surprised. “Well, well, you actually said a polite word? I always thought you couldn’t speak without swearing.”

“Zhang Bro, ‘well’ is a curse word, you just swore.”

“My rules only apply to you,” Zhang Pa replied.

Monkey countered, “Shouldn’t you set an example? Isn’t this what they call burning bridges and lighting lanterns?”

The driver up front added, “Only the officials can set fires, but the commoners can’t light lanterns.”

“Yes, that’s it. You’re holding double standards,” Monkey said.

“Shut up. Did I ask you to talk nonsense?” Zhang Pa paused, then asked, “Where are the four bastards who fought with you the other day?”

Monkey hesitated, then decided to confess. “They’re helping me raise money.”

“How are they doing it? Stealing? Call them, get them all to the hospital. If I don’t see them before five tonight, I’ll beat them every time I see them. Hurry up.”

Monkey agreed and started making calls.

Soon, they arrived at the hospital. The patient stayed in a four-bed room; Fatty and Turtle stood at the door.

“What are you two doing?” Zhang Pa asked.

Fatty ignored him, asked Monkey, “Do you know what illness your mother has?”

Monkey replied, “Stomach pain, needs to be hospitalized.”

Fatty raised his hand to hit him, but Zhang Pa stopped him. Fatty said, “He needs a lesson.”

“You were worse than him when you were young,” Zhang Pa said.

Fatty glared at him, then at Monkey, and said to Zhang Pa, “Turtle and I each contributed five hundred, plus Ladyboy and Old Meng, one thousand seven. You chip in and round it up.”

Zhang Pa told Monkey, “Go inside first.”

Monkey nodded and entered the ward. Zhang Pa pulled Fatty and Turtle aside. “What’s the illness?”

“Stomach perforation caused by hepatitis. She’s been sick for a while, never came to the hospital, kept taking random medicine,” Fatty answered.

“Will she be alright?” Zhang Pa asked.

“Waiting for surgery, need money. She’s being stabilized right now.”

“Surgery? Did you give the money?”

“Not yet. Waiting for you to chip in,” Fatty replied.

Zhang Pa extended his hand. “Give it to me.”

Turtle agreed, took out the stack of money. Zhang Pa took it and entered the ward.

The four-bed room was cramped, and most annoying was that men and women shared the space, making things awkward. Monkey sat by the bed, head down. Monkey’s mother was receiving an IV, staring at the ceiling, silent.

Zhang Pa came in and asked, “How are you feeling?”

“You’re here. Have a seat,” Monkey’s mother, Yun Yun, called out. Her name was lovely, and her face was beautiful, but long years of hardship had aged her prematurely.

“I’m not good with words. Anyway, since you’re in the hospital, just stay and recover.”

Yun Yun sighed, saying nothing, probably worrying about how to afford treatment.

Zhang Pa asked, “Can this surgery be done at the district hospital? If not, transfer to the city hospital.”

“No need to transfer,” Yun Yun replied.

Zhang Pa glanced at Monkey. “Did you give her the money?”

Monkey murmured.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I gave her the money, but she ignored me. I said I earned it working, but she didn’t believe me, refused it,” Monkey answered.

Zhang Pa spoke up, “We’re about the same age, so I’ll call you ‘sister.’ Yun Zheng did skip classes, but he didn’t cause trouble. Don’t worry, I’ll watch over him while you’re hospitalized. He skipped class to work and earned some money. You may not trust Yun Zheng, but you can trust me. I have no reason to lie to you.”

Yun Yun was skeptical and asked Monkey, “Is that true?”

Monkey hurriedly nodded, “Yes, it’s true.”

Yun Yun extended her hand, “Give me the money.”

Monkey quickly handed it over, and Yun Yun counted it, then asked, “Tired?”

Monkey said he wasn’t.

Yun Yun replied, “Always lying. There’s no work that isn’t tiring.” Then she added, “But you can’t skip school. Go to class. Don’t work now, there’ll be plenty of chances to work in the future, whether you want to or not.”

Monkey nodded.

Zhang Pa took out a stack of money from his pocket—the ten thousand he won playing billiards, plus the one thousand seven from Ladyboy and the others, minus the thousand for Monkey, totaling ten thousand seven hundred. He handed it to Yun Yun. “Getting treatment is most important.”

“No, I can’t take it,” Yun Yun pushed it away.

“It’s not mine. Turtle, Fatty, Ladyboy, Old Meng chipped in, I added a bit. I don’t know if it’s enough, but get treated first,” Zhang Pa said.

Yun Yun insisted she couldn’t accept it, saying it was too much and she couldn’t pay it back.

“No one’s asking you to repay. It’s for your treatment, keep it safe,” Zhang Pa said, then turned to Monkey, “Come outside with me.”

Monkey agreed and followed Zhang Pa out.

They walked to the corridor balcony, looking down at the people coming and going. Zhang Pa thought for a moment before speaking, “There’s something you must understand. Right now, your only family is your mother. If—just if—she leaves you, you’ll be alone in this world, nothing left. No money, no home, and most importantly, no family. Do you know what that feels like? Spending every holiday alone, even New Year’s. While other families laugh and gather, you’ll only have the TV and the Spring Festival Gala for company. Remember, your mother can’t lose you, and you can’t lose her. You are her only support and hope. Understand?”

Monkey said he understood.

Zhang Pa shook his head, “I doubt it.”

“I really do,” Monkey replied.

“If you understand, then act on it. For the person who cares about you most in this world, do your best. Work hard, achieve something for her. She’ll be happy, she’ll have joy. That’s what understanding really means—just saying it isn’t enough,” Zhang Pa said. “I have no patience for lecturing people, nor am I kind. Today’s words are only said once. Whether you remember or understand is up to you. Whatever you do in the future has nothing to do with me.”

With that, Zhang Pa returned to the ward. Monkey followed behind, softly saying thank you.

Zhang Pa didn’t respond. Passing the restroom, he saw Fatty and Turtle smoking. He went in, snatched their cigarette butts, and tossed them into the toilet. “No smoking in the hospital.”

Turtle opened his mouth, but finally shook his head helplessly, saying nothing.

Fatty glanced at him, then at Monkey, asking, “What about dinner tonight?”

“With Monkey here, we won’t have to worry,” Zhang Pa said. “Let’s go, I have to get back to work.”

Fatty pursed his lips, “Just follow Zhang Boss.”

Zhang Pa led them back to the ward and said to Yun Yun, “Sister Yun, we’re leaving. Here’s my phone number. If anything happens, call me. If Yun Zheng doesn’t behave or goes missing, you can contact me. I’ll help you deal with him.”

Yun Yun thanked him, again saying she couldn’t accept the money, taking the stack from under her pillow.

Fatty looked at the money, shook his head, and said nothing. Zhang Pa said, “It’s not mine. I’m just representing everyone and bringing it to you. Fatty’s here, so if you don’t want it, give it to him.”

Fatty quickly waved his hand. “No way. It’s just a token of our concern. Get well, that’s what matters.” Then, to Monkey, “Later, ask your mother for the deposit money. Otherwise, they won’t do the surgery.”

Monkey said okay.

“Then we’re off,” Zhang Pa said. “Take care and get well.” He left with Fatty and Turtle, Monkey saw them out. Zhang Pa glanced at him, “Remember what I said. Don’t mess up or I’ll beat you to death.”

Fatty patted Monkey’s shoulder, “Trust me, he’s capable of it. Take care of yourself.” He shook his head and followed downstairs.

Soon, they left the hospital. Zhang Pa checked the time and sat on the steps by the main entrance.