The night before last

This is just too unscientific, sigh. Zhang Pa continued to mull over how to handle the animation—should he hire someone from outside? He connected his computer to the internet and sent the animation script and the web drama script to Liu Xiaomei, then texted her a reminder. After that, Zhang Pa got back to work.

He had lunch at school, called up Lao Pi and the others, and went to the noodle shop by the school gate for some hand-pulled noodles.

While eating, Lao Pi said that Wang Baihe’s troublesome father was back downstairs causing a scene again, just demanding money and disturbing their studies late at night.

Zhang Pa said, “If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll beat you up.”

Lao Pi grinned, “Alright, actually, we were drinking, and that guy was downstairs yelling his head off. It really ruined the mood.”

Zhang Pa said, “Drink less.”

“Don’t worry, just two bottles,” Lao Pi replied. “We’ve got to pull ourselves together and back you up.”

Zhang Pa said, “It’s enough if you don’t make trouble. Back me up? I’m not counting on it at all.”

“There’s something else—the scammer lady seems to have been locked up,” Yun Zheng said. “Heard her son goes to the police station raising a fuss every day.”

“Locked up? Because of the demolition?” Zhang Pa chuckled. “The demolition hasn’t even started, and they’re already locking people up?” As soon as he said this, a chill ran down his spine. Happiness Lane was full of criminals, and even if they weren’t, it would be easy to find an excuse to lock someone up when the time came. The real estate company could then negotiate demolition with the families... It wasn’t impossible! If the demolition work in Happiness Lane really was being handled by Guo Gang, things could get dangerous in the future.

After lunch, Zhang Pa returned to school and called Fatty from the office. “You all need to be careful with Guo Gang. If you’re unhappy with their demolition terms, what if they lock you up? Any random charge—fighting, drunk driving, whatever—and you’ll be on the back foot.”

Fatty snorted, “He wouldn’t dare. If anyone tries that, unless they lock me up for life, I’ll wipe out their whole family when I get out.”

“Alright, quit bragging,” Zhang Pa said. “Who have you been learning from—so good at blowing hot air?”

“From you, of course. You’re the best teacher. When it comes to bragging, you’re the expert.”

“Enough, just remind everyone. If you really get locked up, things will get interesting.” Zhang Pa hung up.

To be fair, Zhang Pa’s thoughts were a bit conspiratorial. But in a society where money reigns, anything is possible for profit. Best to be careful.

That afternoon, Luo Shengnan came to the office, saw Zhang Pa, and sat down beside him. “Good, you’re here. I was about to call.”

“Something up?” Zhang Pa asked.

Luo Shengnan said, “You don’t have a girlfriend, right?”

“I do, absolutely,” Zhang Pa replied resolutely.

“Oh, never mind then,” Luo Shengnan said lightly. Clearly, she wasn’t implying anything personal.

“No other reason you came? If not, I’ll go check on my class.”

“Go ahead,” Luo Shengnan said, already absorbed in her phone.

Zhang Pa had class that afternoon and took a walk through the classroom. After the subject teacher arrived, he went back to the office.

Luo Shengnan was checking her reflection in the mirror, then took her music book and headed out—she had class, too. Before leaving, she glanced curiously at Zhang Pa. “Aren’t you the least bit curious?”

“Curious about what?” Zhang Pa replied.

“I asked if you had someone special,” she said.

“Oh, that,” Zhang Pa thought for a moment. “Actually, I am curious—very curious. Tell me why.”

Luo Shengnan just laughed. “Can you be any more fake?” She opened the door and left.

The music room was right next door. Students lined up for class; Luo Shengnan said a few words at the podium, then sat down at the piano to begin.

Zhang Pa listened for a while, but with the wall between them, he couldn’t hear clearly, so he got back to his own work.

It was Friday. The whole class had perfect attendance for ten days straight. As school ended, Zhang Pa rode his bicycle back to Happiness Lane to talk business with Big Tiger.

Forty-three people eating barbecue—not to mention the meat, just the cost of alcohol was a small fortune. As a penniless wretch, Zhang Pa had to live frugally.

Big Tiger was entertaining guests, but when he saw Zhang Pa come in, he called out, “Want some food?”

“You finish up first,” Zhang Pa replied.

So there was business. Big Tiger understood and said, “Wait a moment.”

Five minutes later, he came over. “What’s up?”

“I need to have a barbecue here tomorrow at noon.”

“No problem, how many people?” Big Tiger asked.

“I’d like to buy the meat myself if possible. I’ll buy whatever I can, use your grill and space, and get the drinks from you.”

Big Tiger asked, “Who are you inviting?”

“Forty-three students from my class, plus me—forty-four in total. Is that okay?”

“Done,” Big Tiger said. “I’ll provide the space and grill. You buy the charcoal. Drinks at wholesale price. Buy as much meat as you can yourself. Just clean up after you’re done.”

“Thanks,” said Zhang Pa.

“No need for thanks. You’re not like Fatty and the others. I’m happy you’re willing to eat here.”

“Now that’s just fake,” Zhang Pa replied, grinning.

Big Tiger laughed even more. “Have a seat, have a drink in a bit.”

“Maybe tomorrow,” Zhang Pa said.

“Up to you. Here, take my number. Even after this place is demolished, let’s keep in touch.”

“Of course.” They exchanged numbers, Zhang Pa thanked him again, and then rode home.

He lingered at home for a while. Soon, Lao Pi and the five “monkeys” came back. Seeing Zhang Pa there, they laughed and said, “What brings you home?”

“I came back to keep an eye on you,” Zhang Pa replied.

Madman said, “Bro, just in time—we need to talk.”

Zhang Pa looked at him questioningly. “Why not talk at school?”

Madman answered, “At school you’d just beat us up. I’m not fully healed—can’t take a beating.”

“Then say what you have to say.”

Lao Pi pointed at Madman, “Traitor.”

Zhang Pa immediately understood; it must be about the guys who hacked at them.

Madman snapped back, “Traitor? White Rabbit got beaten up.”

“Who’s White Rabbit?” Zhang Pa asked.

Yun Zheng replied, “A busty girl—huge, really, whiter and bigger than any Japanese actress.”

Madman continued, “The ones who attacked us got into a fight with the Railway School recently, and then some from Eighteenth High got involved. Somehow, White Rabbit got beaten up...”

Zhang Pa interrupted, “Can one of you tell the story coherently?”

Yun Zheng explained, “Madman likes White Rabbit. She’s a third-year at Eighteenth High. The guys who attacked us are from the Steel Plant School. After they fought with Eighteenth High, they beat up White Rabbit, probably because someone ratted her out as Madman’s girl.”

“Now it makes sense. How did you make enemies in the first place?”

“Long forgotten. Back then, we had enemies everywhere—causing trouble wherever we went. The five of us, plus some from other schools, each with a knife, challenged the Railway Technical School, and even fought at the Steel Plant School,” Yun Zheng replied.

“Impressive,” Zhang Pa said with a smile.

“We were just kids, didn’t know any better.”

“Don’t say that—you knew just what you were doing. So what now?”

“Lao Pi wants to retaliate,” Yun Zheng hesitated, then decided to come clean. “Madman says we should protect White Rabbit, then hit back.”

Zhang Pa sneered, “You really aren’t ordinary. The Railway and Steel Plant Technical Schools are full of older kids, and you still dare to stir trouble.”

He referred to the technical schools, which later became vocational colleges granting associate degrees.

He went on, “Didn’t I tell you to let this go?”

Lao Pi replied, “But now they’ve come after us, how can we let it go? If someone bullied you, would you let it go?”

“I would,” said Zhang Pa.

“Yeah right, as if we don’t know you,” Lao Pi retorted.

“What do you know?” Zhang Pa asked.

Lao Pi glanced at Yun Zheng, then decided, “Nothing, forget it.”

“You really are crazy,” Zhang Pa laughed.

Yun Zheng returned to the topic, “Bro, now they’re bullying Madman’s girl...”

Zhang Pa cut him off, “Madman’s girl? Did you sleep together?”

Madman blushed, “No.”

Lao Pi said, “Sleep? They’ve just sung karaoke twice.”

Zhang Pa pondered, “Even if you want to retaliate, shouldn’t you wait until your injuries heal?”

“We know, that’s why we’re telling you. I can’t stand seeing White Rabbit bullied,” Madman said.

Zhang Pa shook his head, exasperated. “Kids talking like adults—what do you mean you can’t stand it?”

“I just can’t and won’t,” Madman repeated.

“Fine, if you can’t, then go attack them. When you end up in jail, I’ll bring you food,” Zhang Pa said lazily.

Lao Pi said, “The Steel Plant kids are especially arrogant—no sense of restraint.”

“And you do?” Zhang Pa retorted.

Lao Pi paused.

“Let’s leave White Rabbit’s matter at that—keep in close contact, and if she gets bullied again, I’ll go myself. Happy?” Zhang Pa said.

Madman hesitated, “Okay.”

“Tomorrow’s barbecue—Yun Zheng and Lao Pi, come with me to the market for meat.”

“Alright,” Lao Pi agreed.

“That’s settled. Meeting dismissed,” Zhang Pa said.

Yun Zheng grinned, “Bro, we haven’t had dinner—treat us to barbecue?”

“Barbecue your head—go buy boxed meals,” Zhang Pa said, then remembered something. “Has your mom found a job yet?”

“No,” Yun Zheng replied. “She hasn’t been talking much or looking happy lately. I hardly dare stay at home.”

“Just live well and earn more money to support her,” Zhang Pa advised.

“I’d make money now if you’d let me.”

“I could beat you to death. What can you do at your age—fight? Your mom’s still young, doesn’t need you to provide for her. Focus on your studies, get a job, and let her have peace.”

“Alright,” Yun Zheng agreed.

Zhang Pa took out fifty yuan. “Go buy food—bring me some too.”

Lao Pi took the money, “What do you want?”

“Just go quickly,” Zhang Pa urged, shooing them out. He turned on the computer and started writing the ending to his story.