Chapter 590: with translation of chapter title

Liu Guangtian will visit Liu Haizhong's ball, kicking it to Liu Guangfu.

Liu Haizhong

Liu Guangqi faced the prison guard, shouting his slogan of not sharing heaven with criminals, saying that because Liu Haizhong was in power then, he had caused irreparable destruction to Yagangchang and even taken many lives of Yagangchang people; he did not want to have any relation with such a beastly father, frankly stating that he had changed his name, no longer surnamed Liu, following his wife's surname Li, and was now called Li Guangqi, ruthlessly refusing the guard's request for him to go to prison to visit Liu Haizhong.

Long Laotaitai

Liu Guangtian

Liu Haizhong used to mock Yi Zhonghai as being childless, never expecting that he himself would end up having a son yet sharing the same fate as having no son.

Er Da Ma

Liu Guangqi

Liu Guangqi

I had thought that with the prison guard stepping in, one would match two, but I never expected that all three sons would not come; thinking of the boast I had made to my wife, I felt my face burn.

Deputy Factory Director Li

Yagangchang

After returning.

Looking at the familiar people around him and the familiar environment, Liu Haizhong's heart suddenly became still.

He found a corner, sat down, leaned his head against the wall, and thought about the words the warden had just relayed.

The warden told Liu Haizhong, word for word, that Liu Guangqi had been changed to Li Guangqi, a disgrace to Liu Haizhong, and also described the hatred that Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu felt toward Liu Haizhong, gritting their teeth.

Those words struck him like a heavy hammer, shattering the last lingering thought in Liu Haizhong's mind.

He still had to stay here for eighteen years.

If he goes out.

He was already an old man with white hair.

His mobility would certainly be impaired.

Naturally he would need someone to care for him; from the attitude of Liu Guangtian and his two brothers, Liu Haizhong could imagine what his old age would be like.

Miserable.

He had his three sons look after Er Da Ma so that, when he got out, he would have an old companion to care for him; his three sons were all cold-blooded bastards.

During the period when he had seen Er Da Ma.

Liu Haizhong would from time to time recall past events and people—such as Yi Zhonghai, and also the deaf old lady—and the things they had said.

Yi Zhonghai told Liu Haizhong countless times, saying that Liu Haizhong's education was problematic; if he believed in corporal punishment, he should treat everyone equally—either hit all three children or hit none.

Yet he brutally beat the second and third sons to the point of death, while indulging the eldest to the point of death; the second and third sons could not help but resent Liu Haizhong and resent Liu Guangqi.

Yi Zhonghai said Liu Haizhong would surely be resented by his three sons in the future.

Initially Liu Haizhong said this was Yi Zhonghai's envy of him, claiming that his own child-rearing needed no worry from Yi Zhonghai, and that Yi Zhonghai should worry about his own old age instead.

He was proven right by Yi Zhonghai.

Moreover, the deaf old lady several times spoke coldly to Liu Haizhong, saying, "Unkind father, unfilial son; someday you will have cause to weep."

Liu Haizhong also said the deaf old lady disliked him and was giving him eye drops.

Cruel reality.

It shattered Liu Haizhong's last hope.

On one hand he was ruminating over those events, wanting to slap himself; on the other hand he was pondering the true reason he had been arrested.

At that time perhaps he simply thought he had committed a crime.

This period of time.

Liu Haizhong's foolish mind suddenly became considerably sharper; he himself had figured out the reason, but he refused to admit it.

As a seventh-rank forge worker, he had his own pride.

He could not believe that the people he had served so painstakingly would kick him out just because he had lost his value—all of them were working for Deputy Factory Director Li—so why was only he locked up, why was Shazhu fine, and why was Xu Daming also carefree outside without any trouble?

Er Da Ma said that Shazhu had gotten on a motorcycle and was living in a private siheyuan, that Xu Daming had married another wife, and that only he himself was stuck in this cell.

But what could he do if he didn't believe it?

The facts before him would not allow him to pretend.

He himself had indeed been imprisoned for those matters, while Xu Daming and Shazhu, two bastards, knowing he would end up like this, why didn't they warn him, Liu Haizhong?

Moreover.

Those things were all done at the behest of Deputy Factory Director Li.

If responsibility were truly to be pursued.

Just arrest Deputy Factory Director Li.

At most he was merely an operative carrying out Deputy Factory Director Li's plans.

Imprisoned, his sons did not come to see him, nor did his disciples.

A faint bitterness welled up on Liu Haizhong's face.

Why has it come to this?

Here there was originally no entertainment; the household gossip and the reasons why everyone had been brought in became the means by which they passed the time.

Everyone wanted to know what Liu Haizhong had said to the warden.

More than that, they hoped someone would come to test Liu Haizhong.

A visit meant having something.

They were all fellow inmates; if you had supplies, could you enjoy them all by yourself, or should you share some?

That is the essence.

A scar-faced fellow came up beside Liu Haizhong and patted his shoulder.

Old Liu, the warden just called you out—did a relative come to visit? I heard you have three kids; your father's in labor camp, so your three sons can't just not have a father, right? What did they bring you? Any cigarettes?

Inside the cell.

Cigarettes are hard currency.

More sought after than meat.

As soon as Scarface said that, the remaining guys were all eager to try, and they surrounded Liu Haizhong in the middle.

This fawning attitude made Liu Haizhong, locked up in the cell, forget his sons' neglect; he felt elated, as if he were again the Liu Haizhong whose word was law in the Siheyuan.

Seeing the pleased look on Liu Haizhong's face, the inmates...

They instinctively thought Liu Haizhong must have a stash; otherwise why would he be pleased over something as trivial as an eggplant?

Considering the supplies.

They fawned over Liu Haizhong.

Old Liu, we're ready to bask in your glory and have a little feast; remember this: you give us something now, and we'll surely repay you later.

Don't call me Old Liu; call me Brother Liu.

Don't call me Brother Liu; call me Head Steward.

Somewhat dazed, Liu Haizhong...

He really took this place to be the Red Star Courtyard.

He wanted to indulge in the addiction of being the Head Steward of the Siheyuan whose word was law.

Head Steward.

Hey.

And you guys, call out 'Head Steward' a few more times.

The savvy inmates shouted 'Head Steward' a few more times, and the already dazed Liu Haizhong became so excited he lost himself, basking only in the glow of being surrounded.

Until he could produce nothing.

Three hands took advantage of Liu Haizhong's dazed state, ransacking his pockets—not a cigarette, not even a butt.

They then realized Liu Haizhong had played them.

They stared at Liu Haizhong coldly, one by one.

Liu Haizhong, lost in memories of past glory, suddenly heard no more shouts of 'Head Steward' in his ears, opened his eyes, saw the inmates' hostile gazes, and instantly understood his situation.

He hurriedly tried to appease them with a few words.

Regarding the cigarettes, give me some time; I guarantee I won't let you call me Head Steward for nothing.

Liu Haizhong, when will you have them? Give us a date—you can't just stall us with 'some time'; a month is a time, a year is a time, ten years is a time—if you only get cigarettes in ten years, we'll wait ten years too.

The speaker.

He is the boss here.

His name is Zhao Batian, looks about thirty, a real tough guy who can really fight; Liu Haizhong is no match for him.

Back then, when he had just arrived, relying on his own obesity, Liu Haizhong still wanted to arm-wrestle him, to be the Head Steward here, but Zhao Batian threw him down fifty times in a row, making Liu Haizhong cry out for his grandfather.

The people inside the cell usually call him Boss Zhao.

Liu Haizhong is no exception.

Boss Zhao, it won't happen; I won't make the brothers wait ten years.

You let the brothers call you Head Steward, they did, you ordered them around—surely they must get something out of it? I set the rules, I must follow them; do you really want to ruin the system?

I don't have that thought—give me ten dog's guts." Liu Haizhong pleaded, "I wouldn't dare break the rules you, Boss Zhao, set.

How do you want to handle it?

Wait a few days for me.

As soon as Liu Haizhong said that, the bastards present all flashed angry looks in their eyes.

Some even started limbering up their limbs.

Liu Haizhong had suffered this before; he knew it was their pre-fight warm-up, so he hurriedly shouted a number.

One week, at the latest one week—I'll definitely have cigarettes.

The inmates turned their gazes to Boss Zhao.

Agree or disagree.

It depends on Boss Zhao's word.

Liu Haizhong also looked at Boss Zhao pitifully, like a child begging grandparents.

Boss Zhao tapped his finger under his nose, gave a cold snort, and asked, 'How many?'

What do you mean, how many?

Liu Haizhong, you're playing dumb, right? Say how many? I'm waiting a week for you—I can't just wait for nothing.

The expression on Liu Haizhong's face.

Became tense.

The local magistrate is nothing compared to the present overseer.

He still has to stay here for eighteen years; if Boss Zhao bears a grudge, Liu Haizhong will surely have no good days.

How much to give became a problem.

Give too little,

and get beaten.

Give too much,

Liu Haizhong would feel the pinch, and it would easily encourage their greed, turning him into a blood bank.

One pack?

Still one?

Liu Haizhong fretted over this number; after arriving, he'd often been roughed up by these people. In the first few days he had nothing to eat, just drank water to get by, because they said he'd just arrived and his belly was full of grease that needed clearing out, so they starved him for a while. When they finally let him eat, they daily claimed they were training his body and used him as a boxing target.

They said it was the rule.

Later Liu Haizhong wasn't beaten anymore, but he ended up doing chores like washing clothes, endless work from morning to night, exhausting him like a third grandson.

Only now has Liu Haizhong become familiar with them, and they've stopped tormenting him.

Having endured those bitter days, he naturally doesn't want to repeat them; Liu Haizhong worries that over the cigarette matter he'll be forced to relive what happened before.

Worry turned him into a third grandson.

Frowning.

Wondering what to say.

"Speak up."

"One pack."

Upon hearing Liu Haizhong's number,

Without Ba Ge needing to give orders, the lackey beside him grabbed Liu Haizhong and threw him to the ground, making Liu Haizhong gasp in pain.

To avoid being thrown.

He shouted out the number "one".

"Ba Ge, please calm down; it's my fault, Liu Haizhong, for being clueless and foolish. One—after a week I'll bring out one cigarette."

"That's what you said, not us forcing you."

"What I said, I'll naturally give you a cigarette."

Seeing Liu Haizhong so sensible and obedient,

Ba Ge no longer had the intention to make things difficult for Liu Haizhong.

He waved his hand.

The thugs who had surrounded Liu Haizhong then sat down one by one in their previous spots, leaving Liu Haizhong alone there, vexed and worried.

The big talk had already been blown out.

But the cigarette had no definite source.

Thinking about how to get a cigarette.

His own wife couldn't be counted on; his pockets were completely empty.

The last time someone came to visit Liu Haizhong, Liu Haizhong noticed that Er Da Ma's clothes were terribly ill‑fitting; only later did he learn that Er Da Ma now wears only discarded old clothes that nobody wants, her shoes have a hole, and her three sons also hate him so much they feel itchy.

After thinking it over, he realized the only way was to start with the eldest brother, Liu Guangqi.

Liu Haizhong's thought is simple: he feels he owes nothing to the second brother Liu Guangtian and the third brother Liu Guangfu, but he does right by the eldest brother Liu Guangqi—since childhood Liu Guangqi has never suffered any loss, nor has Liu Haizhong ever hit him; when they married, Liu Haizhong even emptied the family savings to buy Liu Guangqi a fine set of furniture.

A brand‑new hundred‑and‑eight‑leg item, a brand‑new bicycle, a brand‑new radio, and a watch—Liu Guangqi owns one watch, and his wife also owns one watch.

He considered himself worthy of Liu Guangqi.

Thinking, I've gotten you all this stuff—just ask you to rustle up a cigarette for me; that's not too much, right?

Liu Haizhong greeted Ba Ge, saying he needed to find the supervisor, to have the supervisor call his son, otherwise he really couldn't get the cigarette to Ba Ge.

Ba Ge gave his underlings a look.

Right then someone came over to warn Liu Haizhong: what words can't be said, what deeds can't be spoken of, how to deceive the other party, and so on—he repeated the admonitions tirelessly.

Liu Haizhong knew they feared he'd complain, so he gave assurances: he wouldn't, and if anyone asked about the scar on his face he'd say he'd accidentally tripped and scraped himself.

Ba Ge nodded.

Only then did Liu Haizhong appear at the doorway.

Just as he was about to call the supervisor, he saw the supervisor bring a new member to the doorway.

Liu Haizhong looked at the person before him.

He was utterly dumbfounded.

He knew this person.

a person so familiar he couldn't be more familiar.

Bangeng.

Liu Haizhong truly hadn't expected to meet Jia Zhangshi's beloved grandson Bangeng in his own room; he stared stupidly at Bangeng, and Bangeng stared stupidly back at Liu Haizhong.