Chapter Six: A New Life

The contractor Sha Qiang saw Sha Leer and Gang Mengzi arrive, but showed neither brotherly affection nor even a hint of hometown camaraderie. He didn’t let them into his house, nor offer them a sip of water, instead making a call to summon Sha Long right away. Gang Mengzi was somewhat displeased, but Sha Leer felt little emotion. He had experienced too much of the world’s coldness and indifference to be surprised.

Sha Qiang instructed Sha Long to take them to the workers’ dormitory. Sha Long was the son of Second Uncle Blackheart—their cousin. The two were quite different; while Second Uncle Blackheart had a poor reputation in the village, Sha Long was well regarded.

Among the cousins, they called Sha Long "Big Dragon."

"Big Dragon, are there a lot of people living in the dormitory?" Sha Leer asked, worried about the little snake. Too many people could be troublesome.

"There are dozens in there, and the mosquitoes are everywhere... Sigh, what can you do, away from home," Big Dragon replied.

"Does everyone stay in the dormitory?" Sha Leer frowned. He didn’t mind; if others could endure it, so could he. But he worried about Little Snake and Xiao Jin—would they adapt, or would trouble arise?

"Some people rent rooms on the street. Some couples both work here, so it’s inconvenient to live in the dorms," Big Dragon explained carefully. "Rent isn’t expensive—seventy or eighty yuan a month for a room, and you can cook for yourself. The dorm food is terrible, and expensive too—five yuan a meal."

"Then… Big Dragon, are there any rooms for rent right now?" Sha Leer was tempted. Renting his own place would mean less trouble because of the snake.

"You want to rent a place yourself?"

"Yes," Gang Mengzi chimed in. "If I stay with Leer, it’s only forty yuan each per month. Isn’t that great, Leer?"

"Money’s not easy to come by on the road; save where you can… But if you insist, there is a place—right next to Uncle Shengui, just vacated, and ready to rent," said Big Dragon.

Uncle Shengui was also from Lower Sha Village, their uncle, only five or six years their senior. Both he and his wife worked here. Aunt Shengui worked at a garment factory in Shiqiao, and if she didn’t work a night shift, she’d stay in Zhong Village. The bus from Shiqiao to Zhong Village was convenient.

"That’s great, Leer, let’s rent it," Gang Mengzi urged.

Gang Mengzi didn’t have any money on him; only if Leer agreed could they rent it.

"Let’s rent a place, Big Dragon," Leer said, noticing a slight frown on Big Dragon’s face. Knowing his cousin was frugal and thought this was a waste of money, Leer quickly added, "Big Dragon, you know… I keep a little snake with me. Living in the dorm with everyone, I’m afraid it’ll cause trouble."

"You brought the snake with you?" Big Dragon was surprised. No one in the village knew he kept such a well-behaved snake, and he hadn’t expected Leer to bring it to the city. Hearing this, Big Dragon’s brows relaxed.

"Of course—one person, one snake. I’m the only one it trusts. I couldn’t leave it behind."

"Alright then, I’ll take you there. But do you have money? The landlord wants cash."

"I’ve got a bit left, don’t worry, Big Dragon."

The three of them left the dormitory, found the landlord, and quickly rented the room. There was already a bed—big enough for two. The weather in Guangdong was hot; all they needed was a bamboo mat, not even a quilt. Leer gritted his teeth and bought a gas stove, a cylinder, pots and bowls, and oil, salt, and rice. Their new home was set.

"You’ll need a fan, or you won’t be able to sleep," Big Dragon reminded them.

So they bought a used fan for ten yuan. Watching the money slip away, Leer’s heart ached—he’d sweated hard for every cent.

"You’re new here—I can’t afford to treat you at a restaurant. Let’s buy some groceries and I’ll host you in your new home; consider it a housewarming," said Sha Long. He had done well in school, and if his father hadn’t been obsessed with money and refused him further study, he might have gone to university—so sometimes, he spoke with a touch of refinement. He gritted his teeth and bought three catties of pork, a fish, some vegetables, and a bottle of wine.

By the time everything was set, night had fallen, and Leer cooked the meal.

When the food was ready, Uncle Shengui and Aunt Ma returned. Shengui was thin and small; Aunt Ma (Wang Maxiang) was taller and more robust than her husband. Leer invited them both to join, making for a lively, boisterous dinner.

"Leer, I didn’t expect you two would move in next door," Aunt Ma said, sizing him up—tall, sturdy, and handsome, she laughed, "There are plenty of pretty girls at our factory. Should I introduce you to someone?"

"Auntie, you’re teasing me," Leer replied, not flustered, though secretly he was quite hopeful.

"Why would I tease you? One day I’ll bring someone for you to meet, see what you think."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Auntie, why won’t you introduce someone to me? Am I not good enough?" Gang Mengzi protested anxiously. "I’m not ugly—can’t I match one of your factory girls?"

"You’re so eager—thinking about girls all the time!" Aunt Ma laughed. She was only twenty-three herself, not much older than them, so banter came easily. "Of course you’re not ugly—in fact, you’re quite handsome. But if I introduce you, who knows if your parents would approve? If they say I’m meddling, I’d be stuck in the middle."

"Auntie, what are you saying?" Gang Mengzi replied, half-serious, half-joking. "My parents would be thrilled for me to get a wife, so they don’t have to spend money on me anymore."

Everyone burst out laughing. Gang Mengzi didn’t blush—he thought it was only natural and nothing to be embarrassed about.

"Alright, I’ll introduce someone to you too. But first, focus on making money—dating costs money, too."

"Absolutely, I’ll work hard. Isn’t that why we’re here?"

Dinner lasted over an hour. They drank a little, their faces flushed, and with the heat, all the men stripped down to the bare minimum, sweat pouring off them. Leer drank several bowls of cool water, sweat running down his dark skin, soaking his waistband.

Uncle Shengui suggested going out for a stroll. Nightlife in Guangzhou was famously lively—people didn’t go home before midnight. If it was hot at home, you could stroll the streets or malls for free air conditioning.

Before leaving, Leer checked on Xiao Jin. The little snake was coiled quietly in its bamboo tube. When it saw him, it raised its head, flicked its tongue affectionately, then settled down again. Relieved, Leer went out. He worried about trouble—bringing it along would surely cause headaches.

"The girls here are so beautiful!" Gang Mengzi’s eyes roved over every attractive woman, openly appraising them with little restraint, earning him more than a few glares.

The street was ablaze with lights, brighter than day. Stores overflowed with goods, music blared, and crowds surged back and forth—shoppers leaving with parcels, drinkers stumbling out of taverns, faces flushed. Was this the nightlife of Guangzhou?

And this was only a small town on the city’s edge—what they saw was just the surface. True nightlife was something poor boys like them could not afford.

Maybe, someday.

No matter what, Leer’s new life had begun here.