pjbooks Chapter 29: Doubt
Chapter 29: Doubt
Tang Zhenghong poured tea for his master and recounted what had happened to Old Master Tang yesterday.
"Our comrades were present when the old man sacrificed his life, but according to the results of the subsequent investigation, the situation you described did not exist. Either it was completely fabricated, or the fox was hiding its tail very well."
"Master, you don't know the people in our troupe. Although someone was plotting to use me as a tool behind yesterday's play, I feel that it might not be entirely unfounded."
Lu Zhang pondered for a moment and asked, "There are two possibilities. One is that someone is using this as an excuse to manipulate you; it's normal for ordinary people to flee for their own safety when facing enemy agents. The other possibility is what you're guessing. You already have someone in mind, right?"
"Hmm, I suspect one of them is a deaf old lady in our backyard."
"Tell me about her situation?"
"This deaf old lady was the head of the household in the courtyard before Liberation. My grandfather bought his house from her. I heard that her husband's family was from the Jiuxianqiao area. I suspect that there was something wrong with the job my grandfather took that day. It can't be such a coincidence that he went to that place and happened to encounter enemy agents, and that the two of them were fine..."
Lu Zhang interrupted, "I understand how you feel, but we need to rely on evidence."
Tang Zhenghong thought to himself that he didn't need it, just suspicion was enough, but his master was doing it for his own good, so he nodded silently.
Lu Zhang stopped there: "However, I support your investigation into this matter. But I must say this first: no matter the outcome, don't act impulsively. I believe you are a good comrade who upholds principles and sticks to your bottom line."
Tang Zhenghong took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart. Looking at his master's concerned eyes, he felt a warmth in his heart. After a long while, he nodded and replied, "Master, I understand."
"Hmm. If... if your guess is right, then he's a cunning old fox. Don't rush things and alert him. It's best to leave this kind of thing to professionals to investigate. Here's what we'll do... you submit a report in your family's name. Our Tenth Bureau has specialists who handle these kinds of cases. Also, we need to find the person who plotted against you during this incident. If necessary, you can mention our Railway Public Security Bureau; they might have some leads."
"This man should be a former resident of our compound. His name is Xu Fugui. I heard that he used to work for Chairman Lou of the Dongzhimen Iron and Steel Factory. He currently works at the cinema."
"Alright, you don't need to worry about this. Just go and tell Yi Shui and Chong Zi about our trip next Wednesday. Here's their address."
Zou Yishui's house is quite conveniently located; it's in Crescent Moon Alley in Dongsi.
Tang Zhenghong could get back to Nanluoguxiang from the team with just a short turn, but Huo Chong's home was a bit further away, near Ditan Park.
We arrived at Zou Yishui's house shortly after we set off. It was a three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), and Zou's family lived in the wing room of the front courtyard.
Unfortunately, Tang Zhenghong's attempt failed; Brother Zou had taken his young wife back to her parents' home.
"You must be Xiao Tang? I've heard Yi Shui mention you. Yi Shui said he'd be back today, so I reckon it'll be around soon."
Zou's mother was a very capable-looking middle-aged woman, and her appearance was pleasing to the eye.
"Why did you bring anything with you? Come in and sit down, I'll make you some tea."
Tang Zhenghong inquired about Zou Yishui's family situation from his master and learned that his parents were there, so he didn't go empty-handed and bought a box of dried fruit on the way.
"Just a little something. Has Uncle Zou gone to work?"
"That's right, I haven't been home for several days."
Uncle Zou also works at the station, but at Xizhimen. He is mainly responsible for the arrival and departure of trains on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou and Ring Road routes. Passengers going to Mentougou have to take the train at Xizhimen.
Aunt Zou brewed some tea, carefully examined Tang Zhenghong for a while, and said with a smile, "When Yi Shui came back, he always mentioned you to us. You are indeed very handsome. Tell me, do you have a boyfriend yet?"
"not yet."
"It's time to look for her. Yi Shui brought Gui Hua this time to deliver good news."
Speaking of this, Aunt Zou couldn't suppress the smile on her face.
"Wow, congratulations on becoming a grandmother, Auntie! My brother Zou really kept it a secret; not a single word got out."
"He's just like his father, careless and negligent. We only found out a couple of days ago when Guihua had her period and we took her for a checkup."
It turns out that after Zou Yishui returned home, he transformed into a diligent old farmer and tilled the fields. His wife was acting strangely, and that's when he discovered she was pregnant.
Aunt Zou was very enthusiastic, pulling Tang Zhenghong aside to ask him all sorts of questions, always bringing up the topic of finding a partner.
Tang Zhenghong finished his tea and quickly took his leave, slipping away amidst the other party's lingering gaze.
Unlike Zou Yishui's family, Huo Chong's family lived in a large courtyard with coal briquettes piled up in the passageway, a stove for cooking, and a lot of recyclables they had collected piled up on the open ground next to it.
Huo Chong's situation is even more heartbreaking than Tang Zhenghong's. His parents died when he was young, leaving behind his eldest brother Huo Meng and his third sister Huo Lan. They were raised by his second uncle and his wife.
My second aunt passed away in 1952 when she gave birth to Huo Lan. My eldest brother, Huo Meng, is buried on the peninsula. My second uncle is in poor health; although he can walk with difficulty, he has lost his ability to work.
Therefore, the burden of the whole family now rests on Huo Chong's shoulders. Not only does he have to support his younger sister Huo Mei, but he also has to support his cousins Huo Zhi and Huo Juan. Huo Lan is also being raised by him as the older brother.
However, all the siblings are very sensible. Huo Zhi, Huo Juan, and Huo Mei have all finished junior high school and are doing very well.
Holland was the only one who was too young to go to school and stayed home to take care of his father.
The family of six squeezed into two rooms, and the table for entertaining guests had to be placed outside the door and tucked under the eaves when not in use.
"Hey, the sun must have risen in the west today! What brings you here? This place is hard to find."
Huo Chong was sorting recyclables with Huo Lan at the door, looking covered in dust and dirt, and Tang Zhenghong almost didn't recognize him.
"It's quite hard to find. But buddy, that mouth below your nose isn't just for eating. This must be our sister, Xiaolan, right? Hello."
Holland was born weak and was also very introverted. He smiled shyly at Tang Zhenghong and then hid behind his brother to observe secretly.
"Are you trying to slap me in the face? Bringing all this stuff to my place?"
"The captain said our mission has been rescheduled to next Wednesday, and he asked me to bring you this message. This is for your second uncle; is he home? I'll go say hello."
Huo Chong's family are martyrs' families, and like Tang Zhenghong, they receive a monthly subsidy, so their lives aren't actually that difficult. However, Huo Chong has a heavy burden on his shoulders; he needs to save money so that he, as the older brother, can take care of his younger siblings' schooling, work, and marriage in the future.
"Second Uncle, my colleague Zheng Hong has come to see you."
A coughing sound came from inside the house. Uncle Huo was pasting matchboxes inside. He was only in his fifties, but his hair was gray and his complexion was not as good as that of the deaf old lady who was much older.
People really can't be compared. One is a poor soul suffering from illnesses caused by long-term labor, while the other is a concubine who lived a life of luxury in the old days and continues to enjoy happiness in the new era even without children.
"Second Uncle, I'm busy, sorry to bother you."
"It's Zheng Hong. Chongzi, make some tea for your colleague. If you're out of tea at home, borrow some from next door."
Tang Zhenghong rolled up his sleeves and quickly began pasting the matchbox: "No need to make tea. I just had some at Brother Zou's house. If I get thirsty later, I can just pour myself some cool boiled water to quench my thirst."
"Second Uncle, let's not stand on ceremony with him. Hey, you're pretty skilled at pasting matchboxes. We're just in time, you can't leave until you're done, haha..."
Seeing that Tang Zhenghong didn't treat him like an outsider and didn't mind his poor living conditions, the second uncle felt a good impression of him: "It's good to have a meal here. Chongzi, do you still have meat coupons this month? Get some meat, and cook the fish you brought back. Buy a pound of loose liquor. It's been a long time since the house has been this lively."
"Zhenghong, you've come in lucky. My cooking skills will definitely surprise you."
"Then I'll be looking forward to it."
Huo Chong's smile widened when he saw that Tang Zhenghong was willing to stay for dinner: "Qing, please stay."
Huo Chong went out to prepare the meal.
After finishing with the recyclables, Holland peeked his head out of the door and looked into the house.
When Tang Zhenghong turned around, he hid like a frightened deer.
"Xiao Lan, come in and rest for a while. This is your brother Zheng Hong."
Tang Zhenghong put down the matchbox, walked outside, picked up the little girl, peeled a piece of candy, and put it in her mouth.
Holland's eyes lit up when he tasted the candy, and he spoke for the first time: "Thank you, Brother Zheng Hong."
The little girl's voice was a bit hoarse.
My second uncle explained, "I injured myself once when I had a fever and was coughing."
Tang Zhenghong felt even more sorry for the little girl and stuffed some candy into her pocket.
The little girl struggled to get out of bed and ran into the house: "Dad, have some, it's so sweet!"
"Dad doesn't like it, you can keep it for yourself."
Holland tilted her head, not understanding why adults didn't like sweets and treats and always gave them to her: "Then I'll give them to my brother and sister."
"Please excuse our humble abode in this alley."
"Second Uncle, you're being too polite. I'm only staying in the back room, which is even smaller than yours. But my brother Huo Chong should be eligible for a separate room, right?"
These two rooms are indeed much larger than Tang Zhenghong's back room, but he lives alone.
"Your workplace allocated Chongzi's apartment a while ago, but she hasn't had time to tidy it up. Besides, Chongzi is thinking of moving the whole family there. Sigh... I'm the one who's dragging the kids down."
"Look at what you're saying. When you were raising Huo Chong and his sister with all your hard work, you never said it was a burden. Now it's my turn to be filial to you. After the house is ready and we get married, you can just wait to enjoy your life."
Uncle sighed, "I'm just afraid that with my current state and the family's situation, no girl would want me. Zheng Hong, could you please try to persuade Chongzi for me? I can still move around and hold on until Xiao Zhi starts working. Let Chongzi not let the family delay her marriage. If possible, let her move out and live on her own once the house is ready. The two brothers have sacrificed enough for this family."
At this point, the second uncle's face was streaked with tears: "I have already let down my poor, unfortunate brother. The eldest brother sacrificed his life on the peninsula, and now Chongzi is 24 years old and still unmarried because of this family."
Outside the door, Huo Chong rubbed his sore nose and entered the house reluctantly, saying, "Second Uncle, the revolution is not yet successful. You can't be a deserter. You still have to take care of my child."
After having lunch at the Huo family's house, Tang Zhenghong worked as a laborer for free for a day.
Stepping out of the courtyard gate, the setting sun casts its glow through layers of clouds onto the quaint alleyway, like a beautiful watercolor painting slowly unfolding.