Chapter Seventeen: Departure

There is a kind of pain that leaves no wound, a hurt that bleeds invisibly from the heart. At this moment, Sha Ler was trapped in just such a state—his soul had departed, leaving only an empty shell behind. His eyes were lifeless, his motions as he ate mechanical, rice grains slipping from his chopsticks to fall onto the floor.

He was a boy soon to turn seventeen, and for the first time in his life, he was experiencing such heartbreak. His sincerity had been trampled without pity; his innocence cast aside as if it were worthless. In truth, he hardly knew what love was—his feelings for it were no more than the unformed dreams of youth. But even so, they were his most cherished, purest emotions, untainted by deceit or impurity.

Perhaps, when he grew older, he would look back and find his feelings at this time somewhat laughable. But in this moment, he felt gravely wounded.

“Ler, what’s wrong? Eat your meal properly now,” Aunt Ma coaxed.

She hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from him.

“That’s right, Ler, how can you be so weak-minded?” Uncle Gui was a little angry. “What’s so special about Zhou Wenli that you’re so heartbroken? If she doesn’t want you, you don’t have to want her either. Looking like this, do you think you can’t find another girlfriend?”

“Exactly! Tomorrow I’ll find you someone even prettier,” Aunt Ma joked. “Besides, you haven’t lost anything. You never bought her anything, never got to hold her or hug her. If you think about it, you actually took advantage. I never thought you’d be more stubborn than an old woman like me. Times have changed—learn to let go.”

At last, Sha Ler came back to himself and managed a smile for his elders.

“Uncle Gui, Aunt Ma, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about me.”

“That’s the spirit,” Aunt Ma beamed. “Girls these days, they all want a rich husband. Not like me—I married your Uncle Gui and have stuck by him ever since, like a rope tied to one tree. I won’t come down unless I die.”

Sha Ler was amused by Aunt Ma’s words.

“Aunt Ma, you’re not old at all—you look younger than me!”

“You cheeky boy, always with the sweet talk. Glad you’re all right now,” Aunt Ma laughed. “These days, kids treat dating like playing house. This was your first relationship—after the second or third, you won’t feel so down about it.”

“A second and third time?”

Sha Ler’s mind was foggy; he couldn’t quite follow.

“When you’ve been in Guangzhou long enough, you won’t tie yourself to one tree. Who knows how many girlfriends you might have?” Aunt Ma grinned at his naïveté. “Not that I’m teaching you bad habits, but next time you find a girl you like, just coax her into bed first—ha!”

She laughed so hard she had to put down her bowl, rice nearly spilling from her mouth. Ler also laughed, and with that laughter, his mood lightened.

“Uncle Gui, Aunt Ma, I want to leave here tomorrow.”

After they finished eating and shared a few laughs, Ler finally voiced his thoughts.

“You want to leave?” Aunt Ma and Uncle Gui were surprised, especially Aunt Ma, who cared deeply for him. “Have you still not thought it through after all we’ve said?”

“That’s not it, Aunt Ma.” Ler’s mind was clear now, and his expression had brightened. “Yesterday Boss Hong spoke to me—he wants me to work for him. He’s offering three thousand a month, with food and lodging included.”

“Three thousand a month?”

This time it was Uncle Gui and Aunt Ma’s turn to be stunned.

“That’s right.”

“He’s not lying to you?”

“Boss Hong is a big boss, runs a big company. Why would he bother lying to a poor kid like me?” Sha Ler shrugged.

“If he’s not lying, are you related? Otherwise, why would such a big boss come all the way here, ask you to work for him, buy you clothes and shoes, get you a phone, and still pay you three thousand a month? Where in the world do you find such luck?”

“I don’t have any relatives, Uncle Gui, you know that.” Sha Ler had never told anyone about the snake. Although his uncle and aunt knew he kept snakes, after the last incident they’d kept it secret for him. “Boss Hong breeds snakes—he came to me because of the little snake. He offered a hundred thousand for it, but I didn’t sell.”

“You blockhead, you wouldn’t sell for a hundred thousand? Do you really think it’s some kind of treasure?” Uncle Gui was shocked.

“That’s right, a hundred thousand! We could work a lifetime and never make that much. You work yourself to the bone every day under the blazing sun for forty-five yuan—how long would it take to earn a hundred thousand?” Aunt Ma was flustered. “You silly boy, you must be addled from too much pork fat lately!”

She was heartbroken.

“Merciful heavens, a hundred thousand! With that, you’d never worry about dowries again. If Zhou Wenli knew you could get that much, she’d definitely stick with you.”

Sha Ler was a little embarrassed.

“Uncle Gui, Aunt Ma, if Boss Hong bought the snake, he’d only keep it locked in a cage. I can’t bear to do that.”

“You soft-hearted fool! What’s the use of being so kind?” Aunt Ma sighed again. “It’s only a snake—so what if it’s locked in a cage?”

“Aunt Ma, you know I’ve raised Little Gold since I was ten. It’s been with me, kept me company, treated me better than family,” Sha Ler said, lifting his head, with no trace of regret. “I’m still young. I can find a wife later. Besides, Boss Hong’s offered me three thousand a month with board and lodging—isn’t that Little Gold bringing me good fortune?”

Aunt Ma was about to continue her scolding when Uncle Gui interjected.

“In that case, Ler did the right thing. Good deeds bring good fortune. You treat your little snake so well, you’ll be rewarded. With three thousand a month, food and a place to stay, in three years you’ll have earned the hundred thousand. And this job could last even longer.” Uncle Gui smiled. “Good lad, work hard and don’t waste your money—you’ve met a benefactor.”

Hearing her husband say this, Aunt Ma’s heart eased, and her face blossomed with a smile.

“That’s right. Our Ler is lucky—he’s hardly been here long and already met such a benefactor. Zhou Wenli just missed her chance; if she’d stayed with you, she’d be living in comfort soon enough. You’re a handsome boy—find a good wife in the future and let Aunt Ma be proud of you.”

“Thank you, Uncle Gui. Thank you, Aunt Ma.”

A faint glimmer of tears shone in Ler’s eyes. Though he had parents, their presence in his life had long faded—he’d grown up almost as an orphan. Uncle Gui was a distant uncle, but in Xia Sha Village, he was the closest family Ler had, and had always cared for him.

Returning to his room, he began to pack. In truth, there was little to take. His old clothes were all work clothes, now little more than rags, and he tossed them away. Pots and bowls he had no use for; he left everything with Uncle Gui.

He took out the letter Zhou Wenli had given him, thought for a moment, then crumpled it and tossed it in the trash. Sometimes, he could be decisive—once a breakup was settled, there was no point in inviting trouble for himself.

The next day, he slept in for once, not rising until the sun was high. He went to see Brother Qiang, who, upon hearing he was leaving, was full of regret. Ler was a diligent worker, quick-witted, and could master any task, no matter how difficult.

“Ler, why go? Stick around a while longer and you’d be running things for me,” Brother Qiang said.

“Thank you, Brother Qiang.” Ler smiled. “If things don’t go well for me in Foshan, I’ll come back to you.”

“Well, with a benefactor’s help, three thousand a month, food and a place to stay—I can’t stand in your way.” Brother Qiang chuckled. “Go on, I’ll settle your wages and treat you to a meal.”

“Thank you, Brother Qiang.”

That afternoon, Ler called Boss Hong, then headed to Shiqiao and boarded a bus for Foshan, leaving Zhong Village behind. At Shiqiao, he thought again of Zhou Wenli, gave a bitter laugh, then turned resolutely away.

From this day on, he and Zhou Wenli would never meet again.