Chapter 134: Enticement (Bonus chapter for 420 monthly votes)

"Dajiang, who did your father learn his cooking skills from?" Hong Tao knew that Dajiang's father was reluctant to talk about it, but he was certain the son didn't have the same guarded nature.

"My grandpa! My grandpa is an even better cook than my dad. Back home, whenever my grandpa cooked, he would always call my dad a fool!" Dajiang was indeed straightforward and spilled his father's secrets without hesitation.

"Oh... so it’s not just from a master; it’s a family tradition... Is your grandpa still working?" Hong Tao asked again.

"...He's retired... My grandpa loves birds, and he won't let anyone touch them..." Dajiang inadvertently sold his grandfather out as well.

"Oh... bird keeping... as long as there's a hobby, things are easier to manage... Let's go, let's go dig for pupae!" Hong Tao took out his gloves and face mask, and together with Dajiang, headed toward the corner of the courtyard. Although this was Hong Tao’s first time here, he could have found the latrine from fifty meters away just by the smell.

Since it was an untouched, virgin territory, the harvest was bountiful. Just as Dajiang's father had said, many pupae were right on the surface—no digging required, just picking them up. In a short while, they had filled a paper box, at least fifty of them. Hong Tao and Dajiang stopped there; one couldn't over-harvest, or there would be none left later. This activity had to last until summer vacation, after all.

With such a rich latrine, Dajiang’s "Little Red Flower" award was surely in the bag. As for Hong Tao, he only handed in two, just enough to keep the teacher from finding fault. Though he turned in few, their quality was high. Following the standards for selecting crickets, he picked out two black, shiny, wriggling fly pupae from the box. Then, he ran to the tailor shop, found two small scraps of silk ribbon, and tied a tiny bow on each. One red and one green. When he placed these two boutique fly pupae on the teacher's podium, the teacher's face turned from red to green in succession.

The summer vacation of 1981 arrived quickly. Hong Tao was exceptionally happy this year because his father’s school was recruiting students in other provinces. His father wouldn't be home for more than a few days the entire summer, having to travel to several different places. With no father around to watch over him, he felt like a bird released from a cage. Every morning, the moment he opened his eyes, he would vanish without a trace, not even returning to his grandmother's house for lunch. He claimed to eat at the shop, but in reality, he only spent half his time there. The rest of the time, he spent riding on Uncle Na’s tricycle, roaming all over the city. Besides scouting for various antiques, he would also head to the outskirts with Uncle Na to catch katydids.

By now, Hong Tao had collected more than a full table’s worth of cricket jars, all stored in his warehouse. They were all authentic antique jars, including several genuine works by the famous Zhang Wanyi of the Ming Dynasty and Zhao Ziyu of the Qing Dynasty. He had acquired these while scouting for junk in other people's homes; the prices were incredibly low, a stroke of pure luck. Even Uncle Na often remarked on Hong Tao's good fortune, followed by a sigh for his own fate. According to Uncle Na, he once owned hundreds of such jars, with at least two tables' worth being famous, signed pieces—all of which were smashed during the turbulent years.

"That's nothing! You just wait. When I gather a full table of Zhang Wanyi jars, the day you kick the bucket, I’ll bury them all with you. That way, you’ll have something to play with on the other side and won’t be bored!" After spending so much time with Uncle Na, Hong Tao knew that this old man was actually easy to get along with. Despite his age, he still carried the brash, carefree spirit of his youth, though the hardships of time had forced him to suppress it, revealing it only to those he truly trusted.

"Fine, I didn't teach you for nothing. When the time comes, you might as well wear a mourning hood and carry the funeral banner for me. Without children of my own to see me off, I wouldn't be able to rest in peace," Uncle Na retorted, refusing to lose the verbal sparring match and demoting Hong Tao to the role of a devoted son.

"That's no problem. Even though I usually act like we're equals, I certainly wouldn't be at that time. Breaking a tile pot for you is the least I can do. Don't worry, I’ll take care of your retirement and funeral. Even though you don't have children, I guarantee I’ll handle everything properly. Once the policies loosen up in a few years, I plan to find a piece of land with good feng shui in the suburbs of Beijing, lease it, and open a private cemetery! Ordinary people can all be buried there instead of living in urns. I’ll reserve a nice spot for when my grandparents pass away, then my parents will go there, and finally, when I kick the bucket, I’ll be buried there too. That will be complete. I’ll save a spot for you, too. How about you and I side-by-side?" As Hong Tao spoke, he suddenly remembered something he had to do once he became wealthy.

"I wouldn't mind if you buried me under your feet. Since I'm a man without heirs, it's enough that someone is willing to see me off; I'm in no position to be picky." Uncle Na was used to Hong Tao’s wild talk and didn't take it seriously.

"By the way, Uncle Na, let's talk business. I heard that when your wife left back then, she was pregnant. Do you want to try and find them in Taiwan?" As soon as Hong Tao mentioned the funeral rites, he recalled the rumors his grandfather had told him about Uncle Na. He remembered that Uncle Na’s wife had boarded a plane, which surely meant she had gone to Taiwan. If nothing had happened, she should still be alive.

"Shh! Are you trying to get us killed? Is this something a little brat like you should be saying? Just because you’ve got a few pennies in your pocket, you’ve forgotten who you are?" Uncle Na reacted as if stung by a hornet. He grew tense, and although they were sitting in the newly renovated room on the second floor drinking tea, he still glanced around vigilantly, terrified of being overheard.

"Hey, you're scared out of your wits. I didn't say we’d go right now. Who knows, maybe the national policy will change in a few years. I’m just asking if you want to." Hong Tao knew it was still a bit early, and he didn't know exactly when the country would allow veterans to return to their hometowns to visit, but he knew that day would come eventually.

"Wanting it is useless. Not only is my wife there, but my father and brother are too. Decades have passed in the blink of an eye; they probably think I’m long dead." Uncle Na's expression was desolate. He rarely spoke of his family affairs, but Hong Tao’s prodding had stirred up his memories.

"It's okay, don't worry. You've waited this long, what's a few more years? Just stay healthy, save some money. Maybe when the policy loosens, I’ll find a way for you. Taiwan isn't that big; if they’re people of any standing, it’s impossible not to find them. By then, maybe the old man will still be alive. If they bring your son and daughter back to see you and you’re a pauper, you’ll lose face, right? I say you should at least get yourself a proper house. By the way, the government confiscated your old courtyard—have you asked if it can be reclaimed?" Hong Tao continued, getting carried away.

"The deeds were all burned by the old lady years ago, what's the point of asking? I’m telling you, don't stir up trouble for me! This kind of talk is a capital offense. Don't go spouting off outside, especially not to those foreigners! If I get into trouble because of you, that would be a sin!" Uncle Na knew Hong Tao spoke English and often chatted with foreigners at the hair salon and tailor shop.

"Don't worry. I won't go before you do; I'm still waiting to wear that mourning hood and carry that banner for you. But I’m serious, I’m not joking. Even if I’m just guessing, there’s always a 'what if,' right? Don't you really miss them?" Hong Tao refused to let it go.

"You really are a wicked little brat! You’re afraid I won't work hard for you, aren't you? To think you’d come up with such a devious plan! If you're worried about me lacking money, just give me more shares! Why bother with all this empty talk?" Uncle Na was no saint himself and had spent most of his life in the social trenches; he knew exactly what Hong Tao was up to.

"Hehehe... I’m just motivating you. A person needs something to look forward to, or life loses its spark. Look at you now, you're just drifting through the days, there's no light in your eyes. But I really wasn't teasing you; I meant every word." Hong Tao wasn't embarrassed to be called out. That was the advantage of being young—when you're older, it's called being shameless, but when you're a child, it’s just "the uninhibited words of a youth." Even if caught, the worst he’d get was a scolding.

"Even if that day comes, it doesn't matter. I'll just sell my shares to you and live off your hospitality for the rest of my life. No salary needed, just work me like a slave!" Uncle Na was even more brazen than Hong Tao.

"Fine, you're thicker-skinned than I am! Forget I said anything. I had my aunt make you a new outfit; let's go downstairs and try it on. The shop opens in two days; you can't be the manager wearing those old pants." Hong Tao gave up, deciding to drop the subject for now.

"Hmm! That's a good idea. Let's go try it." Uncle Na didn't waste any more words and headed straight for the tailor shop.

"You're certainly quick when it comes to the tailor shop! Are you going to look at the clothes or the people? And why aren't you thinking about your wife and kids in Taiwan now? So, you’ve already found a new love here!" Hong Tao followed him downstairs, his mouth still spewing venom.

"You little bastard! I'll teach you to run your mouth all day! You're just asking for a beating; let me handle your discipline for your father!" Uncle Na suddenly turned around, grabbed Hong Tao by the neck, pulled him close, and with a swift trip, lifted him up. He then ducked, hoisted Hong Tao over his shoulder, and delivered two solid smacks to his backside.