Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 751 The Mindset of a Gambler: The Zhao Brothers vs. the Chang Brothers
The Xu family was filled with singing and dancing, and the Chang brothers, who had gone on a expedition to Beitun, also came to the Guo family's house. The Guo family's house had three rooms, with a similar structure to the Xu family's old house. The two rooms on the east and west sides of the main house were for sleeping, while the side rooms were where people gathered for games and entertainment.

Wang Changhai led the Chang brothers into the courtyard without coming out to greet them. The Guo family's house was like a public place; no one needed to announce their number when they came in. The three of them pushed open the door to the side room and were almost choked by a thick cloud of smoke.

"Wow! Why is there so much smoke? Are you using the house as a stove?"

Old Guo was pouring hot water into his teacup when he saw Wang Changhai enter the room. He exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Brother Wang, what brings you here?"

Wang Changhai laughed and said, "My family didn't organize a game, but these two brothers were itching to play, so they thought they'd find a place to play a couple of rounds."

Old Guo turned his head and looked at the Chang brothers behind him. He was taken aback at first. Perhaps he thought of the Chang brothers' reputation these days and felt a little displeased. But Old Guo was running a business and couldn't possibly turn away the distinguished guests who had come to give him money. As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face.

"Hey, my goodness, isn't this the northwest wind? Haha, we haven't seen it in ages! How about we play a couple of rounds today?"

Chang Xifeng smiled and nodded: "Staying at home is no fun, so I'll come over and play a couple of games. Are you welcome?"

"What are you saying? Of course I welcome you! Come, come, brother, sit down for a while. There's hot water in this teacup to warm you up..."

Guo's actions and words brought great warmth to the Chang brothers, because they had been scolded and beaten wherever they went over the years, but they felt warm inside only when they were with Wang Changhai and Guo.

"Hey, Brother Guo, there are quite a few people here."

Wang Changhai glanced around casually, and just as he finished speaking, he spotted the Zhao brothers, Zhao Guofeng and Zhao Guoqing, among the group of people at the end of the kang (a heated brick bed). His eyes paused slightly, and then he turned around and greeted the Chang brothers: "You two, hurry up and sit down. The room is full now, so please wait a while."

Old Guo laughed and said, "Yeah, we just started three rounds and haven't played for very long. You two can go up and have some more fun when there's an open space later."

Chang Xifeng wasn't in a hurry, because he didn't like playing Pai Gow. Today, he and Chang Beifeng were there to play mahjong, because mahjong was more interesting than Pai Gow and allowed for better teamwork...

To put it bluntly, the Chang brothers came here hoping to win money. After all, they had a fight with their wives, and the family finances were all in their wives' hands. The two of them didn't have much money in their pockets, so it was inconvenient for them to go anywhere, not to mention that the Chinese New Year was just around the corner.

Chang Beifeng glanced at the card game, then came to his senses and asked, "Brother Guo, when did they get out? Didn't I hear they were arrested by the forestry bureau and sent to work under a fence?"

Old Guo waved his hand awkwardly, signaling him to lower his voice, then leaned closer to the three of them and said, "The other day, when they got home, Old Zhao stopped everything. I figured they couldn't be given a light sentence. Their wives' families helped them find someone, so they came back."

Wang Changhai blinked, but didn't rush to ask questions, because he knew he couldn't be too obvious. Besides, Chang Beifeng was also curious, and even if he didn't ask, Chang Beifeng would ask anyway.

Sure enough, Chang Beifeng frowned and said, "That can't be so fast, can it? The three of them have committed some serious offenses."

Old Guo waved his hand and gestured a couple of times, saying, "Is that even a question? Just throw in some money and you're done."

The room was noisy, everyone was focused on playing cards, and no one could hear what the four people were whispering about.

Chang Xifeng said, "Alright, why ask about this? It has nothing to do with us."

Old Guo nodded: "That's right, you guys sit down for a while, I'll go upstairs and get a kettle of hot water."

"Alright, you go ahead and do your thing, Brother Guo."

Wang Changhai sat quietly on the stool, but Chang Beifeng couldn't sit still and went to the edge of the kang to peek. Chang Xifeng grabbed an old tobacco box from the counter, tore off a piece of paper, folded it into a rectangle, and rolled up a cigarette.

They arrived around 3:30 p.m. and didn't get a seat until 5 p.m.

Ignoring Chang Xifeng's advice, Chang Beifeng quickly filled in, swinging his arm and shouting, "Tianmen! Two cents!"

Someone nearby chimed in, "This guy's playing pretty big. If you're so capable, why don't you play for a few cents instead of just a couple of dimes? Can't you play for three or five cents?"

"No way! I'll just go for the Tianmen point..."

Five or six minutes later, Chang Beifeng had won more than two yuan, but seven or eight minutes later, he not only lost back the two yuan, but also lost more than three yuan.

"Holy crap, this idea..."

Chang Beifeng was filled with regret. He shouldn't have been so impulsive. Now, he had no change left in his pocket.

He turned to Chang Xifeng and said obsequiously, "Brother, could you give me another five yuan?"

"Stop playing for now, let Lao Guo organize a game of mahjong for us to play four rounds later."

Wang Changhai also advised, "That's right, stop playing. You can't hide your feelings on your face, why are you playing Pai Gow?"

"I don't like hearing that. This game is all about winning and losing. I lost just now, but I might win later."

Most gamblers have this mentality, so there's a saying that's absolutely true: I will never forgive...!
Just then, Lao Guo strolled over and said with a smile, "Why did you stop playing?"

Chang Xifeng grabbed his underling's arm and said, "Brother Guo, isn't there a mahjong game today? I was thinking of playing some mahjong."

"Play mahjong? Oh my god, where are we going to find people for you right now? Why don't you two sit here a little longer? People will come in after they finish eating."

"Okay, then we'll wait a bit."

Wang Changhai blinked and glanced at Zhao Guofeng, who was about to get out of bed. Zhao Guofeng was taken aback when he saw the Chang brothers after putting on his shoes.

"Hey... what are you two doing here?"

Chang Xifeng laughed and said, "I came over to watch the fun. You're having a good time, aren't you?"

"What's so great about it? I don't usually play Pai Gow, I usually play mahjong. This isn't my home turf, I could lose almost 20 yuan if I lose."

Last time in the forest farm meeting room, Wang Hu fired the first shot, and then Wang Linhai and others took action. Only the Chang brothers and Lu Batou and others did not take action. Therefore, Zhao Guofeng was a little friendly when he saw the two brothers. After all, there was no enmity between them, and they even appreciated each other a bit.

Old Guo immediately chimed in, "Those two brothers also want to play a couple of rounds of mahjong. If you don't want to play, you can leave the table. You and Guoqing are two brothers, so you can split up and play."

Zhao Guofeng frowned: "Playing mahjong in groups?"

"Can you two brothers handle this?"

Old Guo's subtle reminder—what was it? Because if you split up to play mahjong, then everyone has to rely on their own skills.

Zhao Guofeng glanced at the Chang brothers and said with a smile, "We'll talk about it when I get back... Guo'er, tell Guoqing to get off the table."

"Okay!"

After he left, Lao Guo went to call Zhao Guoqing. The two whispered a few words to each other, and when Zhao Guoqing saw the Chang brothers, he waved and smiled, giving them a friendly greeting.

Two or three minutes later, Zhao Guofeng hunched his shoulders and came into the house, saying, "Old Guo, where should we play?"

Old Guo said, "Can't we just put a table on the floor here?"

"Oh dear, this is too noisy and it's affecting my performance."

"The other rooms don't have stoves lit, but this room is a bit warm. You can play here. I'll get you a pot of tea."

"Alright! Let's do it this way, West Wind, how big of a shot should we go?"

Chang Xifeng tilted his head and asked with a smile, "Go ahead and say it, either of us brothers is fine."

Zhao Guofeng pondered for a while and said, "Then let's play with 2 or 5 mao (0.2 or 0.5 yuan) coins. There's no point in playing with 1 or 2 mao (0.1 or 0.2 yuan) coins."

"Alright, let's get started! It's already past five o'clock, haven't you two eaten yet?"

Chang Xifeng offered appropriate concern.

Zhao Guoqing said, "Where should we eat? I don't want to go home. I feel suffocated as soon as I get home."

Zhao Guofeng grabbed Lao Guo, who was carrying a pot of tea, and said, "Guo'er, can you get us four some food?"

Old Guo squinted and said, "What's the point of cooking? I haven't even had time to eat while I've been serving you all..."

"Hey, here's an extra dollar for pumping water, can't you even do this little thing?"

Old Guo laughed and said, "It's manageable. My wife will heat up some corn stalks and pickled cabbage. You can make do with that, okay?"

Wang Changhai frowned and said, "Aren't you going to give me anything to eat?" Old Guo waved his hand and said, "Do you need to tell me? Every time I went to your place, you didn't feed me. Just wait."

Since they had been promised meals, they didn't rush to play. Instead, they went to the west room to wait. After eating corn stubble and sauerkraut, the Zhao brothers and the Chang brothers returned to the side room to manually arrange cards and start playing.

Wang Changhai's eyes darted around, and after scanning half of the screen, he glanced at the wall clock and said, "No, I have to go back."

Zhao Guofeng looked up and asked, "What are you going back for?"

"Heating the kang (heated brick bed), what else can we do? It's almost 7 o'clock."

Chang Xifeng turned his head and said, "Why go back in the dark? Just stay here."

"Oh dear, I have to serve the bureau tomorrow."

Zhao Guofeng frowned and said, "You said you'd go back, but what if something happens? I've heard the neighborhood's crackdown is really strict these days..."

Zhao Guoqing bluntly reminded him, "I heard when I came out that the crackdown in the streets is really strict. It's only because this place is remote that nothing has happened. If you leave, what will happen to the people in our house?"

Wang Changhai was stunned for a moment: "You're afraid I'll set you on fire? No, what the hell do I do? You're afraid I'll set you on fire? I'm the fireman!"

Seeing his agitated tone, Chang Xifeng advised, "Don't go back. Just stay here and keep looking at the eyes. We'll go back together tomorrow morning, and I'll help you with the bureau."

"Why are you guys going to stay up all night?" Wang Changhai asked, somewhat bewildered.

Zhao Guoqing casually said, "Let's have some fun. It's no fun at home anyway."

Seeing no objection from the Chang brothers, Wang Changhai immediately slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Damn, you four are real warriors! I'm impressed. My family didn't heat the kang (heated brick bed) all night, it'll definitely be frozen solid tomorrow, how am I supposed to serve the bureau chief then..."

Chang Beifeng, while arranging the cards, said, "Why don't you call our village and ask Lao Du to find someone to heat the kang (heated brick bed) for you?"

"Oh my god, I don't have that kind of face!"

"If you don't have any face, how can we?" Chang Beifeng said with a sneer.

Wang Changhai had fallen into a trap. He said helplessly, "I shouldn't have brought you two along! Now you've tied me up."

Zhao Guofeng craned his neck and called out, "Guo'er, Guo'er! Come here."

Old Guo ran over and said, "No one in his family can heat the kang (a traditional heated bed). Take him to the village office and make a phone call to find someone to heat the kang for him."

"Alright, Brother Wang, let's go, I'll take you to make a phone call."

Wang Changhai nodded and said, "You two scoundrels will have to treat me to another meal later! I get hungry easily at night."

Old Guo grabbed his arm and said, "I'll take care of it, I'll take care of it!"

Before leaving, Zhao Guofeng gave Lao Guo a look. Lao Guo understood what he meant. He and Wang Changhai were competitors, but they also cooperated sometimes. However, the management was stricter at the end of the year, so those of them who organized the gatherings basically only did so sporadically, avoiding unnecessary inspections.

Old Guo was well-liked in Beitun. When he arrived at the garrison headquarters, the young man on duty asked him how the battle was going. He chatted with the young man while listening intently to Wang Changhai's phone conversation.

Wang Changhai nervously dialed the phone number for Qing'an Village. Du Shoucai answered, of course. He said, "Uncle Du, I'm stuck outside and can't get home..."

Du Shoucai laughed and said, "What, you want me to send a car to pick you up?"

"No need, no need. Could you please find someone to heat up my kang (heated brick bed)?"

Du Shoucai frowned and said, "I'll find someone for you? Who? Xiao Yuan?"

"no……"

"Why can't you even speak properly outside? You're just stammering. I'm looking for Chang Xifeng. Doesn't he often come to your place?"

"The two brothers are with me."

Du Shoucai seemed to understand and said, "You've left it at Old Guo's house in Beitun, right? Then I'll go find Yinhe."

“That’s right. Just ask Xiao Yuan to heat up the kang (heated brick bed) for me. I’ll arrange it when we get back.”

"Haha, okay."

After hanging up the phone, Lao Guo was standing not far behind Wang Changhai.

Old Guo grinned and asked, "Xiao Yuan came to play before, right? That kid was only sixteen or seventeen."

"Yeah, I usually can't manage everything by myself at home, so I ask him to help me with things like lighting a fire."

Old Guo didn't suspect anything and went back with Wang Changhai.

Meanwhile, Du Shoucai, who was far away in Qing'an, got up and went out. He took a flashlight to Xiao Yuan's house and asked Xiao Yuan to heat the kang (a traditional heated bed) for Wang Changhai's family. Then, when he passed by Lao Meng's house, he happened to run into Meng Yinhe, who was going home to heat the kang.

"The Milky Way."

"Hey grandpa! What are you doing wandering around outside?"

Du Shoucai said, "Wang Changhai called. He's at Lao Guo's house in Beitun."

"Oh, then I need to make a phone call."

"Let's go."

Du Shoucai knew what it was about because he sat in the garrison all day long, and Xu Ning's plans couldn't be kept from him, so he confessed to him.

Meng Yinhe closed the door and followed Du Shoucai to the village headquarters. Then she picked up the phone and dialed a number. The call connected to the owner of a shop on the street. After waiting for six or seven minutes, Lao Qian's voice finally came through the phone.

"I am Qian Shude, who are you?"

"Brother Qian, I am Meng Yinhe, Xu Ning's brother-in-law."

"Hey bro, just finished eating?"

"Yeah, you ate at my brother-in-law's place. Have you finished eating?"

"You just put down your chopsticks, so tell me, where should we put this?"

Meng Yinhe said, "The Guo family in Beitun."

"Okay, I'll go take care of it now. You can go straight home."

After hanging up the phone, Meng Yinhe didn't linger in the village; she quickly returned home and continued carrying sawdust to heat the kang (a traditional heated bed).

After he finished burning the wood, he threw two more pieces into the stove pit and hurriedly returned to Old Xu's house.

"Hurry up, Yinhe, we've been waiting for you. Why are you taking so long to heat the kang (heated brick bed)?"

Meng Yinhe smiled, sat down and took a couple of breaths, and said, "The stove in the west room of my house is a bit difficult to burn."

"After the New Year, we'll tear down the kang (heated brick bed) in the west room and build a new one," said Meng the Cripple.

In the evening, Liu Lizhen and others made dumplings with two kinds of fillings: chives and eggs, and cabbage and oil. They had been drinking late, so they ate some staple food to fill their stomachs.

When Meng Yinhe was getting the garlic sauce, she leaned close to Xu Ning and whispered, "Brother-in-law, I've finished calling Brother Qian."

Xu Ning blinked and laughed, "Try this Laba garlic. One bite of dumpling and one bite of garlic, I wouldn't trade it for a mountain of gold, you know?"

"I know, hehe..."

Meng the Cripple looked up and said, "What is this kid grinning about? Hurry up and eat."

(End of this chapter)