Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

"Tap, tap, tap."

A knocking sound interrupted Zheng Hui's thoughts.

Zheng Hui called out, "Please come in."

An old man walked in, leaning on a cane with his left hand and holding an account book in his right. He was the third uncle in the clan.

In the original owner's memory, this trip back to her hometown to bury her parents was entirely thanks to the efforts of her highly respected third uncle in the clan.

In this Minnan village where clan ties are very strong, without the help of elders, a young man who has just come of age, even if he has money, cannot handle the complicated procedures of buying a burial plot, hiring a feng shui master, and hiring someone to dig the grave.

"Ahui, are you awake?"

Zheng Hui quickly stood up to greet him: "Third Uncle, what brings you here? Please have a seat."

He pulled out a long bench from the table and invited his third uncle to sit down.

Third Uncle waved his hand, leaned his cane against the table, and spread the red ledger on the table.

"I just finished up in the mountains, so I came over to check the accounts with you."

Third Uncle opened the account book, and Zheng Hui leaned over to look. The account book was very detailed, with every expense clearly recorded.

"A feng shui master examines a site, and the price is 360."

"For the excavation of the tomb, we hired six strong laborers who worked for two days. The labor cost was fifty yuan per person per day, totaling six hundred yuan."

"The stone material was the biggest expense; it was top-quality bluestone, and the inscription on the tombstone was done by the best craftsman in town. This one piece cost three thousand eight hundred."

"There are also sacrificial items, incense, candles, paper money, gold and silver treasuries, and a feast prepared for those who help in the clan..."

"You gave me 20,000 yuan before, and after spending it all over the past few days, it comes to 11,245 yuan."

Third Uncle took out a thick, square piece wrapped in newspaper from the inner pocket of his Zhongshan suit, placed it on the table, and peeled back the newspaper layer by layer to reveal a stack of banknotes inside.

"Here are eight thousand seven hundred and fifty-five. Count them."

The third uncle pushed the money in front of Zheng Hui, who looked at the pile of money but didn't touch it.

In 1998, 20,000 RMB was a huge sum of money.

At that time, the average worker's monthly salary was only a few hundred yuan. In the countryside, it would only cost 30,000 to 40,000 yuan to build a two-story villa.

His parents had worked tirelessly in Macau for many years, and after paying for his education and daily expenses, they had accumulated a considerable amount of savings. This time, Zheng Hui exchanged 30,000 RMB, keeping the rest in a bank account in mainland China.

Spending 20,000 yuan on funeral expenses is considered quite extravagant, even wasteful, by the villagers.

But Zheng Hui knew that this was the last dignified moment for the original owner's parents. They had wandered for half their lives, enduring countless scornful looks, and now that they were finally back, they had to be buried in grand style.

Seeing Zheng Hui staring at the money without moving, Third Uncle assumed he was distressed about the money he had spent and sighed, "Ah Hui, your uncle knows that your parents' money didn't come easily, but you said you wanted a grand funeral, so this expense is necessary."

This was handled with dignity; the whole village watched, and you didn't bring shame to your parents. Keep the rest of the money safe; whether you go back to Macau or stay here, it's your capital for a stable life.

Zheng Hui snapped out of his daze, reached out, pressed down on the pile of money, and then slowly pushed it back.

Third Uncle was taken aback, his brows furrowing: "Ah Hui, what are you doing? Do you think the accounts are wrong?"

Zheng Hui shook his head. "No, Third Uncle, I don't need to look at these accounts. I trust the clan to handle things."

He organized his thoughts, "My parents often told me that when they went to Macau, even the boat tickets were paid for by everyone in the clan. Back then, we were poor and often ate at the homes of many. They always remembered this kindness, and so do I."

"They originally planned to wait until I came of age before returning to our hometown to build a big house and host a feast for the entire clan. Unfortunately..."

Zheng Hui lowered his voice, "Man proposes, God disposes. The house wasn't built, and the person passed away first."

A silence fell over the room.

Zheng Hui raised his head and continued, "I won't take the remaining eight thousand dollars with me. After I return to Macau, I'll have to trouble the clan to take care of this old house. Houses that are uninhabited are prone to deterioration; the tiles will need to be replaced, and the beams and pillars will need to be protected from insects, all of which require money."

Third Uncle waved his hand and said, "Looking for a house is a small matter. The clan will take care of it easily and it won't cost much. A few hundred yuan at most for some repairs, it won't cost that much."

Zheng Hui continued, "The rest can be left for the children in the clan who can't afford to go to school, to attend primary or junior high."

The third uncle's hand trembled slightly, and he stared wide-eyed at Zheng Hui: "Reading to the children?"

Zheng Hui nodded. "Everyone in the village is poor, and many want to study but their families are struggling financially. Consider this money as a token of my parents' good deeds and a small contribution to the younger generation of our clan."

Eight thousand yuan was enough to support more than a dozen children through primary school in rural areas during that era. At that time, primary school tuition, including fees and miscellaneous charges, was only a little over one hundred yuan per semester, and junior high school tuition was only a few hundred yuan.

This is not a small amount of money.

"Ah Hui, have you thought this through?" Uncle San asked seriously. "You'd better take this money back. Macau is a big city, and expenses are high. You'll feel anxious if you're living alone and have no money."

Zheng Hui stood up and pushed the money firmly into his third uncle's hands. "I will earn the money, but this relationship must continue. I'm entrusting the house to you. When I make a lot of money in the future, I will definitely come back to renovate the ancestral home, and then I will treat everyone to a feast and drinks."

Third Uncle stared at Zheng Hui for several seconds, confirming that the boy was not just being polite, nor was it a momentary impulse.

The old man nodded and wrapped the money back in the newspaper.

"Excellent! Excellent! The Zheng family has produced a fine young man!"

Third Uncle stood up and pushed the red ledger to Zheng Hui, but Zheng Hui did not take it.

"Keep the ledger, just remember how this money is spent on the children."

Third Uncle put on a stern face, "That won't do! I'll accept the money on behalf of the clan, but the accounts must be clear."

"I'll go to the clan meeting later and tell everyone what you're thinking. We need to keep a special account for this money, and record exactly which child each penny was spent on. You can check the account anytime you return! This is the rule, and it's about the clan's reputation!"

Seeing the old man's serious expression, Zheng Hui didn't refuse any longer, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Uncle San, carrying a newspaper bundle and account books, walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at the dimly lit old house.

"I'll have someone come tomorrow to overturn the tiles and sweep the floor. Rest assured, you can stay here without worry. If you need anything, just come to my house."

"Thank you, Third Uncle."

After seeing off his third uncle, Zheng Hui stood at the door, watching the old man's slightly hunched but light-footed figure disappear into the alley.

He turned and went back inside, looking at the empty room.

He spent all 20,000 yuan, but he didn't feel bad at all.

In this place where clan power is highly valued, the eight thousand dollars bought not only reputation, but also the protection and support of the entire clan.

My parents' graves are here, my ancestral home is here, this is my root.

As long as his foundation is solid, no matter how high he flies, he will always have a place to land.

He will definitely develop his career in China in the future. Having a good reputation in his hometown is worthwhile no matter what.

Moreover… Zheng Hui touched his head, a smile playing on his lips.

With this all-powerful director system in his mind, would money still be a problem for him?