v2c3: The Disparity of Humanity
“Wei Ge and Wei Zi went to work up north. A coal mine owner was looking for people to work in the mines, offering over ten thousand a month.” Sitting by the roadside, Shuming let out a bitter laugh. “They came back after the first year bragging about how much money they made. Then, in March this year, we heard they died in a mining accident.”
“They were only seventeen. How could they work in a mine?”
“I don’t know.” Shuming had picked up smoking. “Brother, want one?”
Lu Li didn’t smoke, but he still took the cigarette, mimicking Shuming’s posture and preparing to light it. Shuming suddenly chuckled. “Brother, you don’t usually smoke, do you? You won’t be able to light it like that. There’s no need to force yourself.”
Lu Li took the cigarette out of his mouth, smiling wryly. “I was afraid of creating a distance between us.”
“That’s all I needed to hear, Brother Lu. Honestly, when I saw you earlier, I felt like a peasant meeting the emperor.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?”
“Everyone in the Low-Rent District knows you got into Chuanhai No. 1 High School. That school! Full of Second-Generation Officials and Second-Generation Rich! They say you’re going to be successful.” Shuming smacked his lips. “Even as kids, I knew you were smart and bold, always willing to take risks. I always figured you’d do better than us.”
If Chu Xiaodong had said those words, Lu Li wouldn’t have believed a single one. Coming from Shuming, however, it felt absurd, as if the old, spirited Shuming had died, replaced by someone who had learned to flatter and deceive.
“Ming Zi, do you remember where the others are now?”
“The others? From Renxin Elementary School?”
“Yes.”
“Most of them left. Only a few incompetent ones like me are still stuck here, scraping by.”
Lu Li sighed, saying nothing, yet saying everything. The situation of the unaccompanied minors in the Low-Rent District was far worse than he had imagined. He was relatively lucky, at least he had Zou Yameng, a sister who loved him.
“Can you tell me about your guardian?”
“…My guardian? I only met him once. He took the government subsidy and ran off. I almost starved to death on the streets. A kind stranger found me and took me to the hospital. I was so embarrassed, clinging to an empty grape juice bottle like it was a treasure. The nurses were all gathered around me, not knowing what to do.” Shuming chuckled, recalling the “funny” memory.
“Do you remember what he looked like, his identity, or his occupation?”
“I only remember he was an older man who spoke the Chuanhai dialect.”
Lu Li frowned thoughtfully.
His and Sister Yameng’s irresponsible guardians were also from Chuanhai, speaking the same dialect. Could there be a connection? After all these years, could they still find those scumbags who had cheated the system?
After chatting with Shuming for a while, Lu Li revealed that he had a “mission.” Shuming volunteered to take him to the few remaining minors in the Low-Rent District.
Shuming pushed his cart home and changed his clothes before they set off. They walked deeper into the district, the environment deteriorating with every step. Trash and unknown liquids littered the ground. Even sanitation workers avoided this area. Groups of emaciated people, haggard and gaunt, huddled in the shadows of the alleyways, like ghosts. This was the underbelly of the city, the shadow of civilization, a breeding ground for misery.
“Brother, be careful. They’re all drug addicts. Some of them are mentally unstable. They might try to blow drugs in your face if they see a normal person walking by,” Shuming warned.
“Okay.”
After walking through several streets, they reached an old, dilapidated residential building that looked like an abandoned construction project. A group of delinquent teenagers sat in front of the building, sharing a cigarette, passing it around after a few puffs. Seeing Shuming, they called out to him.
“Ming Zi, got any smokes?”
The old Shuming would have immediately groveled and offered them cigarettes. But the current Shuming simply raised an eyebrow and shouted, “Pipe down! Brother Lu is back. He has something to ask you!”
“Brother Lu? Who’s Brother Lu?”
“Damn, Lu Li!”
“Zou Yameng isn’t with him, is she?”
Lu Li couldn’t help but chuckle at their panicked expressions. He had been notorious in Renxin Elementary School for his mischievous antics, but his sister was different. Her reputation was built on her fists. From middle school to first grade, which kid hadn’t been beaten up by her? The delinquents at Renxin, unable to defeat her physically, had resorted to sticking notes that read “Violent Girl” on her desk, hoping to annoy her.
As a joke, even as an adult, if he ever fought his sister seriously, he would be easily defeated. He had often wondered, if he hadn’t met Zou Yameng, would she have become a gang leader?
Zhou Haiming, Chen Shiwei, and Ruan Qian. Looking at these familiar yet unfamiliar faces, Lu Li felt a mix of emotions. If he hadn’t been accepted into Chuanhai No. 1 High School, would he have ended up like them? Stuck at the bottom of society, living a life of oblivion, unaware of the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
“Lu Li, what do you want?” They were former classmates, after all. Zhou Haiming and the others sat up straighter, showing him some respect.
“I want to ask about your guardians.”
“We don’t have any.”
Ruan Qian hesitated, wanting to say something, but seeing Zhou Haiming’s darkening expression, she closed her mouth. She had always been close to him. She wasn’t a bad person at heart, but she had followed him down a path of petty crime. Perhaps this was what they called “following one’s husband.”
The topic of guardians was taboo for all the children in the Low-Rent District. Zhou Haiming’s face was cold. “What’s there to ask? Lu Li, why are you asking about this?”
“I just wanted to see if I could find them.” This was a lie. He was asking about their guardians to complete the task assigned by Chu Xiaodong, and also to potentially benefit everyone in the Low-Rent District. Having lived two lives, he knew better than to promise anything concrete. It wasn’t about morality; it was about human nature.
His reason sounded legitimate, something that the bold and daring Lu Li would do. Zhou Haiming’s expression softened slightly. “Go ahead and ask. But I don’t remember much.”
“Do you remember your guardians’ names?”
Only Ruan Qian timidly raised her hand. “Brother Lu, I remember. I saw the guardianship agreement when I was little. The first name on the long list was An Gulai.”
An Gulai? He had never heard of that name. Lu Li stroked his chin.
“Do you remember anything else?”
“No.”
“How are you guys doing these days? Do you have any source of income?” Lu Li suddenly realized that this sounded like something Chu Jingyi would ask. He wondered how Silly Goose was spending her seven-day holiday. Was she traveling with her parents? Hmm… He should remind her not to take any planes next time.
The three of them looked away awkwardly, their remaining pride preventing them from answering the question. Shuming, who had long abandoned his pride, answered for them. “They’re not doing well. They’re living off the sixty yuan monthly subsidy.”
“Sixty yuan… How do they even eat?”
“Once you’re on drugs, you don’t feel hungry anymore.” Shuming’s voice was flat, almost cruel.
Lu Li was silent for a long moment before taking out the five hundred yuan he had left.
“Lu Li… what are you doing?” Zhou Haiming’s eyes widened. “Are… are you giving us money?”
Shuming grabbed his hand. “Brother, you’re still a student. You need money for school. They’re already lost causes. Giving them money will only benefit the drug dealers.”
Zhou Haiming slumped, his voice filled with self-loathing. “Yeah, Ming Zi’s right. What’s the point of giving us money? Lu Li, Brother Lu, is this the first time I’ve called you Brother Lu?”
Lu Li raised an eyebrow. “I’m giving you money, just take it. Why all the fuss? If you use it to buy drugs, consider it me feeding a stray dog.” Lu Li was thin, but standing in front of the tall and muscular Zhou Haiming, his aura was overwhelming.
“I can’t guarantee you’ll have a full meal every day.” He handed the five hundred yuan to Ruan Qian. “But if you have even a shred of fighting spirit left, go spend six months in rehab.”
Ruan Qian, easily moved to tears, sniffed. “Brother Lu, thank you. We were wrong before…”
Back in elementary and middle school, Zhou Haiming, Chen Shiwei, and Ruan Qian had never gotten along with Lu Li and Zou Yameng. They weren’t friends. But to Lu Li, these pitiful souls were connected to him by a shared experience. They were all orphans, family in a way.
“Save the sentimental talk.” Lu Li shook his head and turned to leave with Shuming.
Zhou Haiming suddenly called out, “Brother Lu, if there’s anything you need, I, Zhou Haiming, will risk my life for you!”
Lu Li paused, a silent smile touching his lips. How similar these orphans were. People starved for love, despite their attempts to appear detached and uncaring, would pour their hearts out in return for even the slightest bit of kindness. It was both tragic and pitiful. Most of them would never escape this curse.
As Lu Li and Shuming walked back, he felt the distance between them shrink. The awkwardness and sense of estrangement had vanished.
“Brother Lu, you haven’t changed at all.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I don’t know. You just seem different from us, like someone from a fairy tale.”
“You mean childish?”
“No. I’m not well-read, I don’t have the words to describe it. Remember that story we learned in school, about Kuafu chasing the sun? I think you’re like Kuafu. I admire you.”
Idealist. The word popped into Lu Li’s mind. He had always considered himself a realist, a pragmatist. Ideals were always associated with the sky, with being detached from reality. It was a word as dazzling as fireworks, as fleeting as bubbles. Was this a compliment or an insult?
When they reached the intersection, Shuming stopped. “Brother, I’ll stop here. I still have work to do.”
“Thank you for everything.”
But Shuming didn’t move, rooted to the spot.
“Ming Zi, is there anything I can help you with?” Lu Li noticed Shuming’s clenched fists.
“Brother Lu, will you promise me something?” He took a deep breath.
“What is it?”
“Go to college, and make our Low-Rent District proud. Will you?” Shuming’s eyes were red. “I don’t want us to be looked down upon forever! I want people to know that even orphans from the Low-Rent District can become successful! See the world for us, Brother Lu! See the things we’ll never get to see! Will you?”
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