Chapter Sixty-Three: Hiring an Assassin

If those words came from Uncle, they would certainly be impossible to say. Hearing them, Grandfather would immediately react: What? So when my son and daughter get married, you all just don’t want to take responsibility? Then, when we’re old, you won’t care for us either! This money is basically our retirement fund! No way, we need to discuss this further...

“I have no objections. Xiao Tao’s idea is quite good.” Uncle quickly spoke up when Grandfather’s gaze fell upon him. In truth, he had only wanted Sister Da Ling to work with Aunt for a while, not to invest in any shares—just pay her a wage and that would be enough. But since Father-in-law had just brought up the matter of money, he couldn’t immediately voice any opposition. Joining as a shareholder it is, after all, it’s not a bad thing, and a little tailor shop wouldn’t cost much anyway.

With the head of the family making the decision, Hong Tao had nothing to worry about. Uncle was the one to handle relations with the Revolutionary Committee, and he would take Grandmother to handle the paperwork. As a kid, Hong Tao tagging along would be pointless. Besides, he wasn’t in any hurry about when the paperwork would be completed. This was still the era of communal meals; expecting one-stop service from departments like business, tax, health, and statistics was unrealistic. Running around to each department, if it’s done before summer ends, that’s already great. It wouldn’t be surprising if it dragged on for half a year or ten months.

With Aunt’s major issue settled, Hong Tao still had a minor problem left unresolved—his younger uncle getting beaten up. Actually, neither Hong Tao nor his uncle had any intention to seek revenge. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but simply lacked the ability. The other party lived in the compound; if you went with too few people, it was pointless, and if you went with too many, you’d alert the security office, and once things escalated, they’d suffer the consequences. Moreover, Hong Tao had already found out from Big Sister Stinky exactly who those kids were. They were attending high school at No. 143 Middle School, not easy to deal with, and they had plenty of friends both at school and in the compound. If it came to a fight, his uncle and the group of ninth graders wouldn’t stand a chance.

But as the saying goes, the tree wants to be still, but the wind won’t stop. A few days ago, his uncle came home covered in dirt again. Those kids had actually waited for him outside his school, and if Big Sister Stinky hadn’t warned him in advance, he would have gotten beaten up again. Even so, he had to climb over the back wall to escape.

Since the other side refused to back off, Hong Tao felt he needed to boost his uncle’s reputation. If his uncle kept getting ambushed at his own school, how could he stand up for himself there? His reputation would be ruined.

So, Hong Tao chose a Sunday, took Jin Yue by the hand, and wandered over to that little eatery on the second floor in Xidan. Ever since Jin Yue had tasted the creamy fruit dessert there, she couldn’t forget it, so whenever Hong Tao took her out on a day off, her first choice was always that place. Hong Tao didn’t mind. Although the place had practically become the hangout for the Four Nine City’s troublemakers, they were their own group, and he was his own person—completely different worlds, and nobody bothered anyone.

Having been there so many times, Hong Tao noticed that seven out of ten visits, he’d run into that short-haired woman. She seemed to treat the place as her base. Since he’d bought her beer before, she wasn’t shy with him anymore, exchanging banter whether there was reason or not. Hong Tao was generous, often treating her to ice cream or beer—better to have one more friend than one more enemy. And today, he needed her help.

“Beauty, are you familiar with the schools in the East District?” Hong Tao was especially generous today, not only buying beer, but also ordering two meat dishes. Each had their own plastic cup, and they began to drink. Jin Yue stuck to her creamy fruit.

“What for? I don’t have time to deal with a kid’s business!” The short-haired woman clearly wasn’t interested in Hong Tao’s favor.

“Of course you have time. Isn’t there a saying, time is like... squeeze it and you’ll always find some.” Hong Tao didn’t care about her attitude. If she was too eager to help, he’d be uneasy. She was the kind of person you could use, but shouldn’t get too close to, or it could be troublesome.

“Hahaha... Barely grown, and you’re quoting that to me? How about this: you give me ten yuan, and I’ll show you what real time is.” The short-haired woman nearly spit her beer all over Hong Tao, slapped the table and laughed heartily, then leaned close to his ear and whispered something.

“Enough, don’t corrupt the kids. Jin Yue, go eat at your table.” Hong Tao glanced at her chest—indeed, there was a cleavage, not a shallow one either.

“Tsk tsk, as if you’re some good kid. How many good kids drink beer at your age? How many good kids take a little girl everywhere? What good kid comes to this place? Even treats me to drinks. Tell me, what are you planning? If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll help you once, so nobody says Han Xue tricks kids for free drinks.” The attitude angered Han Xue; people like her, though not saints, hated being looked down upon most.

“You’re Han Xue? Nice name, but you’re even prettier than your name.” Hong Tao only now learned her name, despite chatting many times before without ever asking.

“Enough already. Every time you see a woman, you call her a beauty, every time you see a man, you call him handsome. Can’t you change it up a bit?” Han Xue complained about the clichés, but her anger had dissipated. Flattery, even openly stated, rarely offended—especially calling someone beautiful.

“Alright, let’s get serious. Same question: are you well-connected in the East District? It’s nothing difficult. I need someone to teach three first-year high schoolers a lesson—not seriously hurt them, just give them a few bruises so they behave for a few days.” Hong Tao laid out his request.

“Fine, give me their names and school. But I’ll only do this once—we’re not that close.” Han Xue answered straightforwardly. As they say, you owe favors to those who feed you.

“No, I’m not asking for a favor; you’re not doing it for free. I’ll pay thirty yuan—ten for each person, three people, thirty in total. You owe me nothing, I owe you nothing. Just as you said, we’re not close. If we meet in the street, I won’t greet you and you won’t acknowledge me. This isn’t about favors, it’s business. Treating you to beer is a favor, not business. Deal?” Hong Tao didn’t accept Han Xue’s offer of help, instead pulling out three ten-yuan notes and sliding them under the beer cup, pushing them toward her.

“Just three high schoolers? No need to hurt them?” Han Xue’s eyes didn’t leave the thirty yuan, wanting it but afraid it was too hot to handle.

“That’s right. No need to fight in their school, just outside the gate. But you must tell me the exact time—I want to watch from afar as they get beaten. They offended me, and I need to vent.” Hong Tao repeated his requirements.

“Pfft! All that for thirty yuan? Is everyone in the East District dead? Oh, you’re afraid they’ll recognize you, so you came to me—a stranger. Am I right?” Han Xue finally couldn’t resist, snatched the thirty yuan from under the cup, and stuffed it in her pocket.

“Doesn’t matter. Just give me a time.” Hong Tao neither confirmed nor denied.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take your money and run? Where would you even find me then?” Han Xue’s eyes twinkled, and she gave a mischievous grin she thought was wicked.

“If you run, you run. Thirty yuan means nothing to me. At worst, I’ll spend another hundred yuan and find someone to give you a beating. I don’t believe everyone here is on your side.” Hong Tao threatened her directly, without any courtesy.

“Just a few lousy bucks! Tomorrow at noon or in the afternoon—you pick!” Han Xue’s smile vanished. She’d wanted to tease the kid, but his response made her genuinely uneasy. She knew her own limits, getting by on her looks in a few small circles, but if someone offered a hundred yuan, there’d be plenty willing to beat her up. Suddenly, she felt disappointed. She’d thought she was doing well, only to be scared off by a few words from a kid.

“Afternoon. Noon’s too rushed. Tomorrow, don’t worry about whether I’m there—I won’t show myself even if I am. Do what you need to do, and when it’s done, we’re square.” Hong Tao settled the time with Han Xue, then stood up, took Jin Yue—who had finished her creamy fruit and licked her cup clean—and leisurely went downstairs.

“Hey, Shengzi, come over and have a drink with your sister.” Han Xue watched as Hong Tao and Jin Yue left, hand in hand, crossing the street. She turned back and called to a burly young man at a nearby table.

“Oh wow, Sister Xue, are you feeling lonely today? Don’t be fooled by Shengzi’s rough looks—he’s still a virgin, totally inexperienced. I’ll keep you company instead!” At that table sat five or six young men of similar age, all dressed alike in green shirts, blue pants, and green army caps. Hearing Han Xue call, they immediately began to jeer.

“I like virgins, what’s it to you? I do as I please!” Han Xue ignored their teasing, even arching her chest deliberately.

“Lao Ba, screw your uncle! How do you know if I’m a virgin? Just wait, I’ll deal with you soon! Sister Xue, if you need anything, just say so—no need for such courtesy.” Shengzi rushed over, cursing his friends as he sat across from Han Xue.