I felt uneasy, mainly because I was afraid Xu Guangzong's ghost might appear and cause a scene.
When we arrived at Workers and Peasants Sixth Village, it was rush hour, and plenty of people were leaving the complex for work. The place looked lively, and nothing seemed to have changed because of the Xu family's situation.
The Fatty parked the car, and we went to the residents' committee first.
Director Mao had arrived early. The dark circles under his eyes were pronounced, and he looked like he hadn't slept well all night.
The five of us were in much the same state.
"Director Mao. How are things?" I greeted him.
Director Mao smiled bitterly. "How do you think? Sigh... Xu Tie won't let up on Xu Gang. He says Xu Gang forced their father to his death over an apartment. Xu Gang's wife got into a fight with Xu Tie's family. But Xu Gang..."
Director Mao paused, his expression turning puzzled.
"What about Xu Gang?" I pressed.
I'd already heard about what Director Mao had mentioned earlier that morning. But the people from the Publicity Department were only asking around; there was no way they'd have gotten the details.
Director Mao thought for a moment, then sighed. "I really didn't expect it. Xu Gang truly is a filial son. Xu Guangzong's sudden death must have hit him hard... Yesterday, he even wanted to stay up all night keeping vigil for Xu Guangzong, but then the argument got out of hand and his wife dragged him away."
Director Mao's expression turned indignant. "Xu Tie even said he was putting on an act. The things he said yesterday were so awful that even outsiders couldn't stand to listen. Xu Gang didn't react at all. He looked like his soul had been sucked