Chapter 12 Stranger

The guest room in the Wang residence is already very luxurious for old man Li.The bed was so soft and roomy, and the bedding so clean, that he was sure bedbugs couldn't live among them.Compared to the one-dollar, stinking little hotel room where he lived, it was heaven.It was a miracle that he and Li Mei could live freely in such a big house overnight.It was a pleasant experience on the whole, although the fat, angry woman was a bit off-putting.He liked the mansion's young owner and deaf servant, Liu Long, who seemed to him like a long-lost brother.The Year of the Horse is off to a good start.

However, he is unwilling to take advantage of the current situation to stay another night, otherwise he will not know the general situation.Therefore, when Wang Da suggested to help them find a boarding house after breakfast, old man Li somehow felt regret and relief, two completely opposite feelings at the same time.He hoped to find a place near by where he could associate with such a fine family.Although he has not met the master yet, he is sure that only a very well-bred old gentleman can bring up a young master who is so kind and friendly like Wang Da. Finding a place to stay didn't go very well.The places they looked at were either too far away or too expensive.Li Mei doesn't seem to care, she likes driving in Wang Da's car very much, and even naively admitted that she likes to look for a house like this every day, and hopes that tomorrow will be like today.Old man Li was embarrassed by her frankness, and he kept apologizing to Wang Da, saying that she was just a yellow-haired girl from the countryside.Wang Da likes girls who are straightforward, because they can make him feel free quickly.He also likes to be with Li Mei, secretly happy that he found nothing in the house hunting.

They returned home before supper, happy though their plans fell through.As soon as Liu Ma saw them, she stopped Wang Da very seriously, and at the same time cast a malicious look at Old Man Li and Li Mei, "Young Master, Master told you to go see him." Wang Da came to his father's room, he rarely came here unless necessary.There he found his aunt arguing violently with his father, but they stopped arguing as soon as they saw him.They both seemed in a bad mood.He greeted his aunt with a smile: "Hello, aunt!" "So-so," said Mrs. Tan. "Father, did you call me?" Wang Da asked.

"How dare you bring strangers into your home without my permission?" Master Wang asked, "Who are they?" "They're good people, Dad, and they can't afford a hotel room on a cold night like this." "Very good." Mrs. Tan nodded approvingly, and then said to her brother-in-law, "He has a charitable nature, which was inherited from my sister, and she was born with a charitable heart." Master Wang snorted.He turned around and said to Wang Da, "I ask you, who are they?" "They're artists, Dad. They can sing and act."

"What?" Mrs. Tan asked in surprise, "The actor stayed here overnight?" "Yes. If I hadn't asked them to come in, they might have frozen to death in some public place." Mrs. Tan doesn't think highly of actors, especially actors who don't even have a bed to sleep on.Pointing to her nephew, she asked, "You mean you met them in a public place?" "No, Auntie." Wang Da hurriedly explained, "They are looking for the original owner of this house. They don't know that he has moved to Hawaii four years ago. They have nowhere to go, so I invited them Come in……"

"Then you should get my permission first." Wang Qiyang said, "The world is full of bad people now!" "Oh, father, what evil can a frail old man and a young girl do?" "What?" said Mrs. Tan, feeling even more surprised. "A young girl?" "Yes, aunt. She is the old man's daughter." "Where do they come from?" asked Mrs. Tan. "They are from mainland China and speak Mandarin. They have no money, no friends..." "How old is that girl?" Mrs. Tan asked. "Maybe seventeen, maybe older." "Age is not good," Mrs. Tan said.

"They want to open a restaurant in Chinatown." Wang Da said, "The old man can also cook." "It's ridiculous," Mrs. Tan said, "They don't even have the money to rent a bed in a hotel, yet they want to open a restaurant." "Yes, that's what worries them, Auntie." "How old is that old man?" Mrs. Tan asked. "Maybe sixty-five, I don't know." "Is he deaf?" "He can hear a needle drop in a haystack." "I mean brother-in-law," Mrs. Tan said, "since the old man is starving, why don't you hire him to take Liu Long's place? I also need a little servant to water the garden. If the girl is clean, I'll You can use her."

"I have enough people." Wang Qiyang said. "Liu Long is too deaf, even if an atomic bomb explodes in his ear, he can't hear it." Mrs. Tan said, "You can keep him from the perspective of charity, this old man...what's his name, Wang Da?" "Old man Li." "Well, this old man is a refugee from mainland China. It's always cheaper to hire refugees as servants. Brother-in-law, if you don't want this old man, I want both of them." "Wang Da, tell the two of them to come in." Master Wang said, "I want to meet this old man before making a decision."

Wang Da expected to be scolded by his father and aunt, but he was very surprised by such a big change.He was worried that Old Man Li and Li Mei might not like the idea of ​​hiring them, but when he told them that he wanted to keep them working, they jumped for joy. Wang Da took them to his father's room and introduced them to his father and aunt.Old man Li rubbed his hands humbly and bowed deeply. "Mr. Wang," old man Li carefully selected the words he could master, "ever since I set foot in this respectable Chinatown, your name has always been recognizable to me. It is indeed a great honor to meet you. Li Mei, come and bow to Mr. Wang, who is kind and generous."

Li Mei bowed to Wang Qiyang, "Sir, I wish you a blessing." Wang Qiyang was very happy.It had been a long, long time since he had received such an old-fashioned salute.He waved his hands and grunted, "Well, well, don't be polite, don't be polite." He asked old man Li a few questions about his past, checked the letter of introduction written by the consul general, and then made a decision to hire them. "Old man Li, you look like a good person, and you are from mainland China, and you can understand your speech. I want to give you a job, are you interested?"

Old man Li bowed again, "Oh, where can I find such a happy thing? I just hope that my cheap bone can work in your house and satisfy you." "I would also like to work here, Mr. Wang." Li Mei said, "You are not as unapproachable as we imagined." Wang Qiyang was dumbfounded after hearing this.Mrs. Tan quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief to hide her uncontrollable smile, Wang Da turned his eyes to the ceiling and secretly wiped his sweaty hands in his trouser pockets.Old man Li coughed in embarrassment. "Mr. Wang," he said apologetically, "she is just a country girl who lacks the good education of the city people. Li Mei, come and bow to Mrs. Tan." Li Mei bowed, "Wish my wife a blessing." "Hmm." Mrs. Tan responded, grabbing her and looking at her carefully, "You look clean on the outside." "Thank you, ma'am," Li Mei said. "Old man Li," said Master Wang, "I want you to know that I don't hire you because I don't have enough people. You are old and can't help much with housework. I hire you just because For your sake, do you understand?" "Of course I understand, of course I understand." Old man Li said hastily, "That is the embodiment of your great compassion, Mr. Wang." "Your daily job here is to clean the backyard, sweep the hallway and water the flowers. In addition, do some small errands such as sending letters or buying cigarettes for guests." "Okay, doing these things is like a vacation for me." Old man Li said excitedly, "I just hope that my cheap bones can be of more use to you, Mr. Wang." "Although there are not many jobs here," Master Wang said, "but diligence, honesty and obedience to the rules are the strict requirements that must exist here." "Oh, Mr. Wang, you don't have to worry about morals. Confucius has taught them all, and I'm not an old bastard who doesn't reciprocate. Tomorrow, if you see a fallen leaf in the backyard or a speck of dust in the corridor , you can scold our ancestors for five generations, but I won't reply." "As for you, young girl," said Mrs. Tan, "rule is the first rule in my house. Don't laugh loudly, and don't talk loudly." "Yes, ma'am." "Number two, be clean. I don't want you to bring any of your old things into my house. My house will provide you with clean old clothes." "Ma'am, do you mean I'm not going to work here?" "That's right! Article 3, women's virtues must be emphasized. Despicable words and deeds are prohibited, neither doing nor speaking." "But, ma'am." Li Mei interrupted her, "I want to work here." "Don't talk back!" Mrs. Tan said angrily. "Oh, Mr. Wang," Li Mei turned to Wang Da and said, "Can I work with my father?" "Aunt," Wang Da said, "maybe this girl doesn't want to be separated from her father. Can you find someone else to help you manage the garden?" "Don't think I can't find it." Mrs. Tan said, standing up from the kang, "Many girls in Chinatown want to come and help me with my work. Brother-in-law, think carefully about Mr. Lu's dinner invitation. I'll come back tomorrow you." Wang Qiyang was secretly happy that Li Mei refused to work for his sister-in-law.He asked politely, "Aren't you going to have dinner with us?" "No." Mrs. Tan replied, walking towards the door, "I still have something to do." After Mrs. Tan left, Wang Qiyang coughed majestically and said, "Old man Li, you can stay here and start working tomorrow. Mama Liu, find some work for this girl tomorrow." Liu Ma, who had been watching from the side, gave Li Mei a vicious look, and said in a more emphatic tone, "I will, master." After dinner, Wang Qiyang returned to his room.Wang Da invited old man Li and Li Mei to chat in the central hall, and Liu Long was busy pouring tea for them. "Oh, I will start working tomorrow." Wang Da said to his guests, "Today, you are still my guests, so you can relax a bit. Liu Long, you can also rest for a while, and take a breath of cigarettes." He handed the deaf servant a cigarette, Liu Long took it with a smile, went to a corner and smoked; old man Li and Li Mei sat on the kang, sipping tea one mouthful at a time. "This is without a doubt the most fashionable house I've ever been in." Li Mei said while looking around curiously, "Mr. Wang, are all these things written on the wall poetry?" "Yes," Wang Da said, "it's all my father's calligraphy. Everyone praises his calligraphy, but no one really understands it. Please smoke, old man Li." "Okay, okay." Old man Li said politely. Wang Da handed him a cigarette and struck a match for him.Old man Li held the cigarette between his thumb and forefinger, and cautiously placed it between his pouting lips. "To tell you the truth, Mr. Wang," he said, puffing through his nostrils, "I'm not used to this foreign stuff. I brought my hookah to America from China, but White One of the general's female relatives stole it as a souvenir. I think I'll have to learn how to smoke from now on." "Li Mei, do you smoke?" Wang Da asked. "Oh, smoke!" Li Mei said quickly. "Mr. Wang, don't encourage her to smoke." Old man Li said, "One time, she secretly smoked my hookah and ended up coughing all day long." "What's wrong?" Wang Da asked, "Did the smoke enter the trachea?" "It's not smoke, it's some water in the trachea." "It's done, it's safe." Wang Da said, and handed her a cigarette, and the two laughed together. They were talking and joking, when suddenly, old man Li coughed a few times and became serious. "Mr. Wang," he said, "working in your mansion will surely lead to many happy days. But there are some things... this... this..." "What's the matter?" Wang Da asked. "This is something that people are embarrassed to mention." Old man Li said, "This is...you know...this is different from me just holding a bamboo bowl to people..." "I know what my dad wants to say." Li Mei interjected bluntly, "He wants to know how much money you will give him?" Old man Li coughed a few times in embarrassment, "Oh, oh, it's like this, Mr. Wang. We want to open a Beijing restaurant in Chinatown, serve the best Peking duck, and provide singing and dancing performances, but opening such a restaurant requires funds. I'm just trying to figure out... oh... just trying to figure out how much we can save..." "Old man Li," Wang Da said, "my father is not stingy, maybe he will pay you as much as Liu Long. Liu Long, how much salary do you get every month?" He used two He made a gesture with one hand to help Liu Long understand the meaning of his question. "How much do I get?" Liu Long took a big puff of smoke and said behind the thick smoke, "I can't get a penny." "What?" Wang Da asked in surprise, "Didn't my father pay you at all?" "Salary?" Liu Long said, "Of course he has to pay me. He pays me in the morning, and my wife collects the money at night, so I don't get a penny." "Liu Long," Wang Da said with a frown, "every time I see you, I will make up my mind to be celibate for the rest of my life. Old man Li, don't worry about your salary. By then, you will save enough money to open a restaurant in Chinatown." Yes. When I make money—I don’t know when, but I think sooner or later I will—I’ll invest in your restaurant and be your backing.” "Did you hear that, Li Mei?" Old Man Li said happily, "You work hard here, Li Mei. When we leave this noble house, we will leave a good name for them." Liu Long vaguely understood what they had been talking about.He cupped his ear with one hand and asked, "Old man Li, do you want to work here too?" "It can't be called work, Liu Long." Old man Li said loudly, "I just want to make a living in front of this kind master. Ha, ha ha!" "Okay, okay, you work here too, okay!" Liu Long said.He hurried to Old Man Li, lifted up his robe, and showed him a small flagon tied around his waist. "Did you see this? I bought it this morning." He smiled and quickly hid it again. "I'll show you in the backyard, okay?" "Yes, yes." Old man Li nodded understandingly and said, "Mr. Wang, please forgive me, I want to get acquainted with the situation in your house. Let's go, Liu Long." They walked through the kitchen to the backyard together, taking pictures of each other along the way Looking at each other's shoulders, talking and laughing.Wang Da and Li Mei looked at them tolerantly, then turned their faces and smiled at each other. "Do you like this room?" Wang Da asked, and introduced, "This is a replica of my old Chinese house. Everything is arranged according to the style my mother likes in the old house, including decoration, calligraphy and painting. Waiting for everything. Do you like these calligraphy and paintings?" "I like that man." Li Mei pointed to the old birthday star on the wall and said, "His face is very interesting, it looks like someone is tickling him." She walked to the portrait, looked at it, giggled. Wang Da also followed her to the portrait.He said: "You have to pay attention to what you say, he is not a mortal man." "Not a man? How can a woman look like this?" "He is a god," Wang Da said, "He is a high official in the kingdom of heaven, and he is in charge of people's lifespan." "You mean he's an old birthday boy?" "right." Li Mei hurriedly bowed to the portrait, muttering reverently, "Oh, god, disrespect, disrespect. Forgive, forgive." "Li Mei, you don't need to be so polite to him." Wang laughed and said, "He is a snobbish god. If you don't bribe him with Da Yali, he won't bless you with longevity." Picking up a pear from the offering plate and wiping it clean with his hands, he muttered "forgive me" before taking a bite of the pear. Li Mei showed a look of fear, "Don't!" "When I was in my hometown in China, I often borrowed pears from him." Wang Da said, "He never cared about it." He picked up a duck pear from the offering tray and handed it to Li Mei. "Come on, you can eat one for him too. He won't care." Li Mei took Yali tremblingly, "You don't...you don't believe in the old birthday man?" "Indeed." Wang Da said, happily nibbling on a large pear. "My father always bought the best fruits in the market to worship him. When I was in China, I ate them all. All these extra Nutrition might add years to my life. Do you like this clock? It's my mother's." Li Mei looked at the gold-plated clock on the table, and widened her eyes enviously, "It's so beautiful. Is it also used to worship gods?" Wang laughed, "Oh no! The clock is ticking away time and urging people to the grave. How can an old birthday person appreciate such a gift? He must hate it. But my mother was not so thoughtful. She put It has been placed in this position for many years, perhaps to remind the gods not to forget his duties." "Where is your mother now?" Li Mei asked. "She passed away a few years ago. Sometimes it makes me wonder if she really pissed off the old birthday boy." Li Mei looked at the old birthday star and then at the clock, "Aren't you going to move it?" "Oh, this clock is an heirloom of our family." Wang Da said, "Perhaps my father thinks this is the only safe place for it. Who would dare to steal a gold-plated clock under the nose of a fairy?" "Is this clock gilded?" "Yes. You can wind it up, and maybe it will be your daily job from now on." Li Mei touched the clock respectfully with one finger... "A gold-plated clock! I've never touched gold in my life." "You are too respectful to it, Li Mei. I'll show you how to wind it. You have to watch carefully." Wang Da threw the pear pit on the offering tray.Pick up the clock and wind it up casually.The ancient clock answered his rude movement with a ticking sound and stopped.Wang Da shook it a few times and listened. "Did the clock stop?" Li Mei asked worriedly. "It didn't respond like a stone." Wang Da said, putting the clock back on the table. "Tomorrow I will repair it. Treating patients is my main study, and repairing clocks and watches is my side job. Now, I will take you Go to a movie in Chinatown." He took her hand and walked towards the door. "Mr. Wang," Li Mei said, still staring at the portrait on the wall, "why don't you believe in old birthday stars?" "Oh, forget about that funny face," said Wang Da. "I study modern medicine at university. If I study well, I will be an old birthday person myself. If I study badly, no one can stop me from shortening people's lifespan." .Come on, I'll take you to the movies."