第十二章 (Chapter 12)

Xiangzi pulled the rickshaw to the Cao residence. Mr. Cao got off, glanced at the falling snow, and said to Xiangzi, "Xiangzi, it's late and the snow is heavy. You should head back now and come earlier tomorrow."

Xiangzi had intended to wait for Mr. Cao to issue some instructions, but Mr. Cao seemed preoccupied and hurried into the house. Xiangzi had no choice but to turn the rickshaw around and prepare to return to the Renhe Rickshaw Yard."

The snow fell denser and denser; there were no pedestrians on the road anymore. Pulling the empty rickshaw, Xiangzi's mind was in turmoil. He thought of Old Ma and Little Ma, whom he had met earlier in the teahouse, and then of his own future. He shuddered involuntarily."

As he was walking, suddenly a figure darted out from the dark corner of the street, blocking his path. Xiangzi was startled. Upon a closer look, he recognized it as Detective Sun-the former Platoon Leader Sun who had arrested him before. Detective Sun was in plain clothes, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. He sneered, "Xiangzi, long time no see. Pulling a monthly contract? You're doing pretty well for yourself." Xiangzi panicked inwardly but forced himself to stay calm. "Su... Master Sun, what do you want?" Detective Sun stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Don't play dumb! The Mr. Cao you're pulling for is a rebel. If you associate with him, you'll inevitably get implicated. Be sensible, hand over some money, and I'll keep it quiet for you." Xiangzi grew anxious. "Mr. Cao is a good man, I don't know anything! I have no money!" Detective Sun grabbed Xiangzi by the collar. "No money? You can't fool me! Where's the money you've saved? Where are you hiding it?" As he spoke, he reached into Xiangzi's chest to fumble around. Xiangzi struggled desperately, but Detective Sun was strong and quickly found the gourd-shaped jar. Xiangzi tried to protect it with all his might. Detective Sun wrenched it away and dashed it to the ground. The jar shattered, and silver dollars scattered all over the place. Detective Sun bent down to pick up the money, saying as he did, "Consider this money as buying your safety. If you dare to make a fuss, I'll arrest both you and Mr. Cao!"

Xiangzi knelt in the snow, clutching Detective Sun's pant leg, and cried, "Master Sun, have mercy, leave me some! This is years of my blood and sweat!" Detective Sun kicked Xiangzi away, stuffed all the money into his pocket, and strode off."

Xiangzi collapsed in the snow. He looked at the shattered pottery shards and the empty street. He felt the world spinning around him. All his hopes, all his efforts, vanished into thin air at that moment."

The snow was still falling, landing on Xiangzi's head and shoulders, but he didn't feel the cold. After a long time, he slowly rose, lifted the rickshaw, and trudged back step by step."