National Tide 1980.

"what happened?"

Seeing his demeanor, which didn't seem to be an act, Xiao Tao dared not take it lightly.

She frowned, grabbed his hand, and fiddled with it a few times.

The situation turned out to be dire. This kid was really hopeless; apart from yelling "Hey ya ya" and twitching his fingers, he didn't react at all.

"Why don't you move a little? Did you actually pluck the strings?"

"I didn't want to either, but he... he just can't move..." "Oil Gourd" was almost crying.

"What happened? How did you get this?"

"I don't know either. I want to move my thumb, but my little finger moves; I want to move my little finger, but my middle finger moves. Sometimes these fingers feel like they're dead, I can't move them at all. Can you take a look..."

Then the kid started performing in front of everyone.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he picked up a pack of cigarettes with his left hand, while his right little finger and index finger laboriously and comically pulled out the cigarettes, with the other fingers unable to help.

That wasn't the end of it. Suddenly, his right hand froze in one position, unable to move, while his fingers began to tremble as if they had been electrocuted.

It can be as ridiculous as it gets, and as clumsy as it gets.

"Look, look, look, it really can't move."

There's no doubt that the "oil gourd's" bizarre and abnormal behavior is absolutely not an act.

Basically, everyone present is now certain of this.

However, one can imagine the cultural level of these guys who wear towels around their necks, drive around in sports cars all day, and love to gather together to play cards.

At this time, instead of sympathizing with "Oil Gourd," many people made fun of him.

"Fresh and delicious!"

Someone grabbed the "oil hopper's" claw and started joking, "Hey everyone, come quick! This thing's become electric now. It's a real thing!"

Even worse, some troublemakers stirred things up and said some really malicious things.

"Hey, I know, this is called allergic paralysis syndrome. Don't panic, you can take appropriate first aid measures. For example, slap him two hundred times on the spot, I'll cover for him."

Even worse, some people gloated and immediately chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, beat the crap out of him! It was all that bastard's doing. He's been hanging around the train station these past few days, playing day and night. He won all the money I had for my sports car. Otherwise, I would have been sleeping at home by now. How could 'Lei Zi' have arrested me? Damn it, it's all your fault, you bastard!"

These words immediately stirred up a great deal of anger among the crowd, and everyone remembered this incident.

"Yeah, yeah, this bastard dragged me into this too. I was supposed to make 300 yesterday, but I lost all my money on the sports car and got fined 2,000. You have to pay me back."

"Yeah, you little brat, are you cheating? I've noticed you're the only one winning. Stop talking nonsense! Give me my money back!"

Even Xiao Tao was furious. So this guy really was the organizer; he was the rotten apple that spoiled the whole bunch.

Seeing that he was about to be vilified by everyone, "Oil Gourd" immediately covered his head with his other hand and begged for mercy, "Gentlemen, gentlemen, I'm in such a state that I probably won't even be able to drive anymore. My wife and children will starve, and you're still kicking me when I'm down. You're so inhumane! Have some decency..."

That's true. Seeing how pitiful this guy looked, about to lose his livelihood, everyone really felt sorry for him.

Besides, the drivers' revelations had given Xiao Tao some inspiration, so he couldn't bother arguing with this guy for the time being. "Tell me the truth, when you organized a group of people to play cards at the train station, how long did you actually play yourself?"

"I...I...it wasn't long. I just played...I played cards for three days..." "Oil Gourd's" shameless words finally made Xiao Tao understand what was going on.

"Damn! Are you out of your mind?! Go to the hospital right now. I don't think it's a big deal. You, you actually ruined yourself playing cards, you're something else."

"Oh, right, see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor."

Xiao Tao quickly added, "Find a doctor at a reputable hospital to set your bones and massage your muscles, and you'll be fine. If you see a Western doctor, this could get much worse; you won't be able to drive for at least three months. If you run into an incompetent doctor, you might have to give up your job as a driver."

"Oil Gourd" looked at Xiao Tao hesitantly, "Really? Traditional Chinese medicine is really that effective?"

"Damn it, you don't believe in what our ancestors passed down, but you believe in foreigners? Get out of here right now, or I'll kick you to death."

Seeing how ungrateful this guy was, Xiao Tao finally lost her temper and kicked him out. "Hurry up and hand over the car, go to the hospital, you idiot, aren't you leaving? Are you really waiting to get a disability certificate?"

Then, addressing the others, he announced the penalties, "And you lot, every single one of you who's been arrested for gambling is fined two thousand. That'll all go into your car allowance this month. Listen up, if there's a next time, the fine will double! If you want to drive for the company for free, then keep gambling, I won't stop you!"

After finally managing to shoo away a bunch of gamblers who were feigning pitifulness, and listening to these bastards scatter like birds and beasts with their complaints, Xiao Tao returned to his office. He had just finished smoking a cigarette and drinking some water when trouble came knocking on his door again.

The receptionist in the company's front yard called his house to report.

"Manager Tao, there's a man named Liu Chunsheng who wants to see you. He says he's your cousin."

"Oh, I see. Have him come over."

This Liu Chunsheng is actually the child of Xiao Tao's second aunt, and he is two years older than Xiao Tao.

They had a good relationship when they were young, and they were naughty together, stealing cigarettes from the adults in their family.

But after Tao injured someone and was sent to a labor camp, they became estranged.

The reason is simple: people are all a bit materialistic, and relatives are no exception.

Xiao Tao was forced to work in a labor camp at Qinghe Farm, while Liu Chunsheng started working after graduating from high school. Their futures were different, so they naturally couldn't be as close as before.

Moreover, Xiao Tao himself was too lazy to put up with his relatives' disapproving looks, and after his expulsion from the church, he generally did not participate in family gatherings.

Even after he gradually rose to prominence with Luo Guangliang and Ning Weimin, he had no further contact with his relatives except for his parents, brothers, and sisters.

However, as Xiao Tao's family has become increasingly wealthy in recent years, their attitudes have changed along with the shift in social attitudes.

Now, during holidays and festivals, these relatives always inquire about Xiao Tao's situation, praising Xiao Tao for being successful, and implying that they hope Xiao Tao can do them the honor of coming to join them for a joyful gathering.

But Xiao Tao wasn't interested. He wasn't holding a grudge; he had just become somewhat disillusioned with the coldness and indifference of human relationships.

Although they are willing to pay for family gatherings and also willing to spend money on cigarettes, alcohol, and snacks for their relatives.

But these things were only done for my parents, to make them proud, not really for the happiness of others.

Those relatives knew they were in the wrong and, having repeatedly failed to achieve their goals, were too embarrassed to insist on anything further.

So there's something fishy about what happened today.

Logically speaking, none of Xiao Tao's relatives knew his exact office location.

Since Liu Chunsheng was able to find him, he must have asked his parents, or his older siblings.

If they needed something from him, it should have been Xiao Tao's parents who gave him a heads-up.

Arriving at their door so abruptly was bound to reveal something unusual. Sure enough, once the person entered the house, Xiao Tao immediately sensed something was amiss.

For no other reason than that his cousin came injured; his face was bruised and swollen, and he could barely walk.

The description was so awful; his face looked like it was covered in a layer of ash.

Upon seeing Xiao Tao, she not only adopted a servile and obsequious manner, but also began to wipe away tears as soon as she sat down.

Xiao Tao can't stand seeing men cry, especially her cousin whom she's known since childhood. She's never seen him cry; she's only ever seen him brag.

"What's wrong with you? Get to the point..."

Liu Chunsheng wiped his eyes and sighed deeply. "Brother, I've really had the worst luck imaginable, you have no idea..."

"Alright, alright, why are you acting like a woman? Have some backbone, will you?"

Xiao Tao was very impatient with his behavior. It wasn't that he was cold-hearted, but he had a lot to do that day and didn't have time to soak mushrooms.

"Yes Yes Yes."

Liu Chunsheng, on the other hand, has become good-natured, nodding repeatedly as he was scolded. This is probably what they call "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river".

If Xiao Tao had mocked him like this before, this guy would have gotten angry long ago.

"Brother, I'm not afraid of losing face. Here's the thing: the factory hasn't been doing well these past two years, and prices have gone up a lot. Wages just aren't enough anymore. So I found a way to earn some extra money. I've been buying cigarettes from Zhao Gongkou and selling them from a small stall on the main street near my house. You know, we haven't really done anything to anyone, sigh!..."

The guy looked really sad, but Xiao Tao thought it was kind of funny.

It's true that one shouldn't gloat, but the problem is that compared to his cousin's arrogant attitude when he was promoted to workshop section chief, the current situation makes Xiao Tao really have to hold back his laughter.

This kid actually thinks he's a gentle and humble person; it seems he's long forgotten his impressive past.

This is probably what karma is all about.

"Sigh, a few days ago I went to Zhaogongkou to buy goods again. I had just finished getting the goods and was about to go home when I was intercepted by five or six people as I rode past the Tongrentang Pharmaceutical Factory. They had all sorts of things in their hands. Before I could even say anything, they beat me up. I was completely out of it at the time."

Liu Chunsheng subconsciously touched his back. "When I woke up, I was already in the hospital. I had been stabbed more than ten times and almost died."

As he spoke, he unbuttoned his clothes, revealing numerous knife scars on his chest and back, some of which were joined together.

"Who did you offend?" Xiao Tao asked, frowning.

Liu Chunsheng slapped his thigh in frustration, "Who knows? I still don't understand. It was dark that day, and I couldn't recognize anyone at all. Besides, those bastards didn't say a word. They must have planned this all along."

"Was your leg injured around that time too?"

"Yes, thankfully there was no fracture, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get out of bed for three months."

Liu Chunsheng sighed even more deeply, looking quite pitiful. "The problem is, these bastards stole my goods and bicycle, and I'm too afraid to report it to the police. Most of the cigarettes in Zhaogongkou are counterfeit; if I report it, I'll be in deep trouble myself..."

"So?" Xiao Tao chimed in, "What exactly did you come here for today? Do you want to borrow money from me? Or do you want me to stand up for you and get revenge?"

Liu Chunsheng remained silent this time. He sat there, looking at Xiao Tao with a pleading gaze and a bit of embarrassment, before glancing at the mobile phone on Xiao Tao's desk.

Half a day later, he used an even more ingratiating tone to flatter, "Brother, I know you're rich now and have a lot of connections in society, you have to help me, I'm really out of options..."

From his obsequious manner, Xiao Tao could easily discern his greed—wanting to have his cake and eat it too.

But Xiao Tao wouldn't be that naive. He's no longer an inexperienced young man and would never let himself be led astray by a few words.

He waved his hand impatiently, interrupting him, "Brother, you see my situation. I'm a legitimate businessman now. I'm too busy with real business every day. Getting involved in this kind of violence is inappropriate. If you have such thoughts, get rid of them now. I can't risk getting myself back in jail for something like this. And let me tell you, those guys are clearly robbing you. It might have been premeditated. I advise you not to do things that are illegal. Otherwise, you can't hide forever. No matter how much you earn, it will eventually be taken by someone else."

These words were a precise strike, and Liu Chunsheng immediately fell silent.

He lowered his head and thought for a long time, then tears fell like beads from a broken string.

“Brother, we grew up together, we're real family. I admit I wronged you in the first couple of years, but I treated you well when we were kids, didn't I? Don't laugh at me, but I really can't get over this. It's not for any other reason than that it wasn't my own money that was stolen this time. I still owe people over a thousand yuan because of selling cigarettes. I want to quit, but what will I eat and drink? How am I going to cover this debt hole?”

As he spoke, snot started flowing from his nose, and he was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Of course, Xiao Tao is not a cold-blooded person.

He knew that asking for help was not easy and required immense courage to even speak up.

Especially after hearing my cousin say all that, I felt like I had lost face, but considering our blood ties, I couldn't just stand by and watch someone die.

So he sighed, opened the drawer of his desk, and counted out six thousand yuan.

“I don’t care how much you’ve been robbed of, this is all the money I have. Take this money, I don’t need you to write an IOU or pay it back, we’re relatives after all. This is the first time you’ve asked me for money, I can’t let you go back empty-handed. But I have two conditions you have to agree to.”

Liu Chunsheng looked at Xiao Tao, then at the RMB in his hand, and nodded repeatedly, "You tell me, you tell me..."

"First, this is between you and me; don't tell anyone. Second, brother, I sincerely advise you: doing business isn't as easy as it seems; there are risks everywhere. If you don't do well, you'll be bullied; if you do well, others will be envious. You won't even know who you've messed with. So if you want to live a stable and good life, don't just see the thief eating meat while ignoring the thief getting beaten. Actually, you might as well take the money and get a driver's license. Once you've mastered it, you can work for me, even just part-time at night. You'll make two thousand a month; wouldn't that be better?"

As she spoke, Xiao Tao threw the money in front of him.

Liu Chunsheng cried again, but this time it wasn't from desperation, but from genuine gratitude. "Brother, I'll agree to both of your requests. I can see you really want to help me. I won't say anything else, as long as I can get back on my feet this time, I'll definitely repay you in the future."

After saying that, he picked up the money on the table and left.

But just as he stepped out the door, he remembered something else, turned around, and gave Xiao Tao an extra message.

"Hey bro, there's something else I forgot to tell you. During the National Day gathering, all the relatives knew you'd struck it rich. My uncle and aunt are thinking of arranging a marriage between you and the daughter of the deputy director of their post office who's in charge of telecommunications. I heard from them that she's pretty, has a college diploma, and works in an office at the post office—very refined. With her father's connections, she'll be a section chief sooner or later. Actually, she's quite a catch, just a bit arrogant. She seems like she has a temper and isn't easy to please. Anyway, whether you meet her or not, you should be prepared."

Liu Chunsheng finally left, but Xiao Tao was not at peace.

He stood there lost in thought for a long time, overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

They say that even the wealthiest people in the mountains have distant relatives, and today he truly understands that saying.

Not to mention that now these relatives know to come to me for help when they encounter difficulties, even those who used to scold me for causing trouble are now eager to introduce me to college students as potential partners.

But he knew very well that there was nothing special about it, because even the bureau chief's daughter was only after his money.

If he didn't have money, that would be a completely different story.

So for some reason, this incident made Xiao Tao think of Sang Jing, who was far away in the United States, and wonder how she was doing now.

She hasn’t heard from her in the last two months, and she can’t even reach her by international long-distance calls.
Why doesn't she just call herself?

Is the workload really that heavy?
Could it be that she was only after her own money in the first place...? (End of Chapter)