第三十四章 花酒只鸡凄凉祭绿野 闲花野草惆怅悟青衫 (Chapter Thirty-Four: A Desolate Libation with Wine and Chicken to the Green Fields; Melancholy Awakening from Idle Flowers and Wild Grasses on the Blue Gown)

Now, Yang Xingyuan noticed that Wu Bibo seemed to have something important to say, so he remarked, "Just speak your mind. Why be so hesitant?" Wu Bibo smiled and said, "You might not even dislike hearing it. In the southern part of the city, there's a private school where two students are particularly mischievous. Coincidentally, the tutor is nearsighted, leading to many comical incidents. One of the students is surnamed Wang, named Wang Hutou, and the other is surnamed Li, named Li Hundun. Wang Hutou is sixteen this year, and Li Hundun is seventeen. Their classmates are all younger than them, so Wang and Li are considered seniors in the school. They get a share in all matters. They also pride themselves on their seniority and often put on airs in front of their classmates."

One day, the tutor was invited by a friend to have tea at Qingyun Pavilion. Wang and Li discussed how today was the Double Ninth Festival, so the school should have a day off. Wang Hutou said, "At my home, we eat Double Ninth cake today. I want to go back and have some." Li Hundun added, "Not just cake, I also want to watch an opera. I heard there's a daytime performance at Fuliancheng today." After agreeing, they didn't inform their classmates. They secretly slipped out of the school and headed toward Dazhalan."

When they reached Dazhalan, Li Hundun suddenly remembered something. He said, "I've heard this place is quite dangerous. With our attire, we might be taken for easy prey." Wang Hutou replied, "Don't worry. I only have three strings of cash on me. It might not even be enough for a meal and an opera. Who would bother with me?" Li Hundun insisted, "I've heard that Dazhalan is full of hoodlums who specialize in extorting young students. I think we should be more careful." Wang Hutou dismissed it, "We're not little kids anymore. What's there to fear? Let's go.""

The two arrived in front of a restaurant. They saw many red and green paper strips pasted on the glass windows, with slogans like 'Seasonal Snacks,' 'Economical Eats,' and 'Private Rooms Upstairs.' Li Hundun was dazzled by the sights. He asked Wang Hutou, "Which one looks good?" Wang Hutou pointed to the neighboring establishment and said, "This one is livelier. Look inside, it's packed with people. Let's eat here.""

The two entered the restaurant and found a table to sit at. A waiter came over and asked what they wanted to eat. Wang Hutou inquired, "What do you have here?" The waiter replied, "We have small dishes and snacks. If you two want to save money, you can have fried pancakes or stewed pancakes." Wang Hutou declared, "I want something good. Why save money?" Li Hundun chimed in, "I also want something good. Bring us braised meatballs, red-cooked fish, stir-fried pork slices, and hot and sour soup. Also, two plain pancakes. We'll order more if it's not enough." The waiter agreed and left."

Soon, the dishes were served one after another. Wang Hutou picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of braised meatball, and put it in his mouth. He exclaimed, "Huh, why is this meatball sweet?" Li Hundun said, "Let me try." He also took a piece and ate it. He remarked, "It is indeed sweet. This is sugar-braised meatballs, not the regular kind." Wang Hutou shrugged, "Whatever. Sweet or salty, let's just eat.""

As they were enjoying their meal, a man suddenly approached their table. He looked Wang Hutou up and down. Feeling uncomfortable, Wang Hutou asked, "Who are you looking for, sir?" The man smiled and said, "I'm looking for you." Wang Hutou replied, "I don't know you." The man retorted, "You may not know me, but I know you. Don't you live at such-and-such street, such-and-such number?" Hearing this, Wang Hutou was startled. He wondered how the man knew his address. The man continued, "Not only do I know where you live, but I also know you're called Wang Hutou, and he's Li Hundun. You sneaked out of school today, didn't you?""

Wang and Li looked at each other, speechless. The man made himself at home and sat down opposite Wang Hutou. He said with a smile, "Don't be afraid. I'm a local hoodlum here, but I don't bully people. As long as you two understand the rules, I might even befriend you." Wang Hutou felt his heart racing. He forced himself to ask, "What rules?" The man explained, "The rule here is that anyone visiting for the first time must treat the seniors to a drink. It's called the 'mountain greeting ceremony.' Since you've come, you can't skip it.""

Wang Hutou said, "We don't have much money on us. We still need to save some for the opera." The man's face darkened. He said, "What's more important, the opera or the rules? Am I not worth as much as a play?" Seeing the situation turning sour, Li Hundun interjected, "Brother, don't be angry. We'll treat you to a drink.""

Hearing this, the man's anger turned to delight. He called the waiter over, ordered a pot of wine and a few dishes, and began drinking by himself. As he ate, he said to Wang and Li, "Young fellows, don't think I'm being presumptuous. This place isn't like your school, where you can wander freely. Meeting me today is your good fortune. If you'd encountered other hoodlums, they might have stripped you naked and thrown you into the street." Wang Hutou was terrified. He didn't dare argue, only nodding meekly."

The man, now drunk and full, stood up. He said to Wang Hutou, "Consider this meal on you today. I won't take it for free. If you ever need help, come find me. I'll always lend a hand." With that, he swaggered away. Wang Hutou and Li Hundun were left dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long while. When the waiter came to settle the bill, it totaled over five dollars. Wang Hutou took out all his money-only three strings of cash-which was far from enough. Li Hundun had just over two strings. Combined, they were still two dollars short."

Seeing they had no money, the waiter cursed, "You little rascals, how dare you eat without money? I think you came here to freeload." Wang Hutou pleaded, "We're not freeloading. We truly don't have enough. Please be lenient. We'll bring the money tomorrow." The waiter snapped, "No way. We don't allow credit here. If you don't pay, I'll send you to the Police Department.""

Just as the situation reached a deadlock, a man walked in from outside. He asked, "What's all this noise?" Wang Hutou looked and saw it was the same hoodlum from earlier. He quickly said, "Brother, you came just in time. We don't have enough money, and the restaurant won't let us leave. Please help us talk to them.""

The man listened and asked the waiter, "How much are they short?" The waiter said, "Two dollars." The man took two dollars from his pocket and tossed them on the table. He said to the waiter, "Is this enough?" Seeing the money, the waiter changed his expression and smiled, "Yes, that's enough. Thank you.""

The man ignored him and said to Wang Hutou and Li Hundun, "Follow me." Wang and Li didn't dare refuse, so they followed him. They walked to a secluded hutong. The man stopped and said to Wang Hutou, "You owe me a favor today, you know that?" Wang Hutou replied, "I know. Thank you, brother." The man said, "Good that you know. I love making friends. If you think highly of me, let's swear brotherhood today. We'll become sworn brothers, sharing fortunes and misfortunes. Are you willing?""

Wang Hutou thought to himself that swearing brotherhood with such a person couldn't be good. But if he refused, he feared the man would turn hostile immediately. He had to say, "We're just kids. How can we be worthy of swearing brotherhood with you, brother?" The man said, "No problem. I'm only twenty this year, not much older than you. We'll go by our own terms. If you agree, we'll find a clean spot in this hutong, kneel, and that'll be it.""

Wang Hutou was still hesitating. Li Hundun whispered, "A wise man doesn't court disaster. Let's just agree." Wang Hutou had no choice but to consent. The man led them to the entrance of a dilapidated temple. He said, "It's quiet here. Let's swear brotherhood here.""

The three entered the broken temple. The man knelt before the shrine and said, "Hear me, passing deities. I, Zhou Xiu, the Sky-Darting Swallow, today swear brotherhood with Wang Hutou and Li Hundun. From now on, we share fortunes and misfortunes. If I waver, may heaven strike me down." After saying this, he kowtowed three times."

Wang Hutou and Li Hundun had no choice but to imitate him, kowtowing and uttering similar words. After rising, Zhou Xiu said to Wang and Li, "Brothers, from today on, we're family. If you ever need anything, just come to me. I'll always help you sort it out. It's getting late. You can go back now.""

Wang and Li were eager to hear this. They quickly bowed in farewell, left the hutong, hired two rickshaws, and rushed back to school as fast as they could. When they arrived, the tutor hadn't returned yet. Their classmates asked where they had gone, but they didn't dare tell the truth, only saying they had visited relatives."

That night, Wang Hutou lay in bed, thinking about the day's events. He deeply regretted skipping school, going to Dazhalan, meeting Zhou Xiu, and even swearing brotherhood with him. Such people were the lowest in society. By swearing brotherhood with him, he didn't know what trouble it might bring in the future. The more he thought, the more afraid he became. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night."

The next day, he had no heart for study, only hoping the tutor wouldn't inquire about yesterday. But as fear often attracts the feared, as soon as class began, the tutor asked, "Yesterday was the Double Ninth Festival, which should have been a holiday. But since I wasn't home, how did you all take a day off on your own? Who started it?""

He asked several times, but no one answered. The tutor then called Wang Hutou to stand up and asked, "Wang Hutou, where did you go yesterday?" Wang Hutou trembled all over, unable to speak. Seeing his state, the tutor grew more suspicious. He said, "You don't need to say it. I already know you sneaked out to play. You're getting more and more out of line. After school, don't leave. I'll punish you severely.""

Hearing this, Wang Hutou felt a weight lift from his heart. Even though he'd be punished, it was better than revealing yesterday's events. After school, when all the classmates had left, the tutor called Wang Hutou forward, caned his palms, scolded him, and then let him go."

Wang Hutou returned home but didn't dare tell his parents. He kept it to himself. A few days passed without incident, and he gradually forgot about it. But one day, while he was studying at school, the gatekeeper came in and said someone was looking for him outside. Wang Hutou went out and saw it was Zhou Xiu. He couldn't help but jump in fright."

Zhou Xiu pulled him aside and whispered, "Brother, I'm tight on cash these days. Can you lend me a few dollars?" Wang Hutou said, "I don't have any money. I'm a poor student." Zhou Xiu's face fell. He said, "If you don't have money, your family must. Isn't your father a clerk at the yamen? Surely they can spare a few dollars?""

Wang Hutou replied, "My father controls money tightly. I really can't get any." Zhou Xiu sneered, "Fine. If you have no money, I won't force you. But after swearing brotherhood, you won't even help with this? That's hardly friendly. If you ever need anything in the future, don't come to me." With that, he left in a huff."

Wang Hutou broke into a cold sweat from the scare. He thought to himself that such people were not to be offended. Next time Zhou Xiu came, he'd have to avoid him. Sure enough, two days later, Zhou Xiu came again to borrow money. Wang Hutou claimed he wasn't home and didn't see him. After several attempts without success, Zhou Xiu said resentfully, "You little brat, burning bridges after crossing the river. I'll find a way to deal with you.""

Knowing he had stirred up trouble, Wang Hutou grew even more afraid. He discussed it with Li Hundun. Li Hundun said, "Such people are like insatiable dogs. The more you acknowledge them, the more they come. Better to ignore them, and they might give up." Wang Hutou worried, "But what if he doesn't let go?" Li Hundun said, "What can he do? Would he dare cause a scene at the school?""

Wang Hutou felt slightly reassured. But from then on, he always felt as if eyes were watching him from behind. Even walking on the road, he was on edge, fearing he might encounter Zhou Xiu. He finally understood that the ways of the underworld were not to be trifled with. A single misstep leads to eternal regret, and looking back, a lifetime has passed. This saying was indeed true."

A few more days later, Wang Hutou's father suddenly called him over and asked, "Have you been making unsavory friends outside these past few days?" Wang Hutou was startled and quickly said, "No, I've been studying at school all day. How could I make unsavory friends?""

His father said, "Don't lie. Someone told me you swore brotherhood with some Zhou Xiu, the Sky-Darting Swallow. Is it true?" Wang Hutou knew he couldn't hide it anymore. He knelt down and explained everything from start to finish. Hearing this, his father trembled with rage and scolded, "You worthless thing! I work hard to earn money to send you to school, hoping you'll make something of yourself. Instead, you go outside and swear brotherhood with hoodlums. Have you no shame?""

After scolding and beating him, his father laid down rules: from now on, he must go straight home after school, with no lingering outside. After this lesson, Wang Hutou truly regretted his actions. He focused on his studies from then on, not daring to mess around anymore."

Li Hundun, seeing Wang Hutou get beaten, was also frightened. He told his father the whole story. His father, a sensible man, said, "Young people all make mistakes. It's good if you can correct them. But from now on, be extra careful. Beijing is a place where all sorts gather. There are all kinds of people here. One slip, and you'll be fooled.""

Li Hundun nodded repeatedly. From then on, he and Wang Hutou behaved properly, not daring to step out of line. As for that Zhou Xiu, the Sky-Darting Swallow, he was arrested by the Police Department for extortion and imprisoned for several months. When Wang Hutou and Li Hundun learned this news, they finally relaxed, thinking to themselves: truly, the net of heaven has large meshes, but nothing escapes it."

This incident spread, and the schoolmates all talked about it as a joke. Yang Xingyuan heard it and said to Wu Bibo, "Though it's a small matter, it reveals the dangers of society. Young people, with unsettled passions, are most prone to straying. We should take it as a warning.""

Wu Bibo agreed, "Exactly. So we must be especially cautious in making friends. Otherwise, a single misstep leads to eternal regret, and then it's too late." After lamenting together, they each went their separate ways."