Too Chaotic

Four years later, Jiang Xueming returned to this place.

His heart was a mix of emotions, difficult to describe in words. It was a bitter taste, tinged with sadness and sorrow.

His hometown hadn't changed much; time seemed to have left few traces on these roads and houses.

The dirt roads of the countryside, the small ditches by the roadside, the large lotus leaves in the ditches, and the wild red berries beyond the lotus leaves.

Everything was the same, except Jiang Xueming was no longer a child.

He took Brother Seven to a small inn in the county town. They registered with their IDs and got a room.

While checking in, Brother Seven was incredibly nervous because it was only one room with two beds.

Jiang Xueming seemed to have guessed Brother Seven's thoughts. Once in the double room, he said calmly and frankly, "I don't feel at ease if we don't share a room."

He then threw the clothes he'd found outside the university town of Pingyang onto the bed and walked out, closing the door. "Change your clothes. Be quick about it."

Xiao Qi sat on the edge of the bed, her lips pursed. Only after Jiang Xueming left did she snap back to reality, looking lost. She clutched the hem of her red dress, as if lost in thought for a long, long time. She fiddled with her hair and bit her nails.

When it came to things like this, she seemed less brave, lacking the courage to truly break the ice. When she was in the same room as Jiang Xueming, she didn't even dare to speak.

Jiang Xueming's knock sounded from outside the door.

"Brother Seven, are you ready? I thought you were pretty fast at changing before."

"Oh, oh, oh, oh! Coming, coming!"

Xiao Qi changed into casual clothes cleanly, took off her fishtail skirt, and removed her makeup. She was briefly captivated by her own beautiful legs before happily pulling on jeans and a T-shirt.

She smoothed her hair and tied it back into a neat ponytail, threading it through the clip of her baseball cap.

After getting dressed, she felt it wasn't quite right. She spun around in front of the mirror, touched up her eyebrows a couple of times, and finally, satisfied, managed her expression.

As Xiao Qi opened the door, she saw Jiang Xueming had already changed.

Xue Ming glanced at Brother Seven, nodded, and said nothing more, tossing his old clothes into the laundry hamper.

"You just now..." Brother Seven fiddled with his fingers, a bit confused. "Changed in the hallway?"

Jiang Xueming took the room card, grabbed his brocade box and backpack, and closed the door.

He answered casually, "What else? Should I have gotten undressed with you?"

"Hehehehe." Brother Seven chuckled secretly, then corrected himself, "No, no, weren't you afraid someone would see?"

Jiang Xueming didn't care about others' gazes and skipped the question. "Let's go."

Xiao Qi followed Mr. Xue Ming, asking intermittently, "In such a hurry?"

"We'll make it in time. We'll go home for a meal. We'll be back after it's done," Jiang Xueming walked quickly, grabbing two packs of cigarettes and a bottle of liquor from the front desk to take home.

At this point, Brother Seven suddenly got nervous. "Honestly, I'm a bit nervous. It's my first time going to a boy's house. Do you think it's too soon?"

"I asked you to act for a scene, you don't need to take it too seriously. If you don't want to act, I can handle it alone," Xue Ming walked out of the inn and onto the cement road leading from the county town to the countryside. "I just need you to keep watch outside the room and do your job."

Xiao Qi quickly caught up. "Oh, no, no, no! Director, I didn't mean that. Just pretend I didn't say anything. I'll act, I'll act!"

Jiang Xueming suddenly said, "Thank you, Nine-Five-Two-Seven."

Hearing this solemn, direct thank you, Xiao Qi paused for a moment.

She walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Xue Ming. The chirping of crickets from the fields on both sides was lively. Moonlight shone on their shoulders. The croaking of frogs in the fields accompanied the clear, bright stars in the sky. Smoke rose from distant farmhouses, and the dogs at the doors barked in low growls.

A touch of earthly life and a touch of peaceful serenity.

All of this felt incredibly romantic to her.

"Xue Ming," Xiao Qi lowered her head, not daring to look at the person beside her. "Have you ever thought... we could walk like this forever? I mean, every afternoon, or in the evening, we just walk together. I don't talk, you don't talk, just walk side-by-side for a while."

Xue Ming didn't understand Xiao Qi's implied meaning. "Every day?"

Xiao Qi flustered and changed her words. "Not every day, just pick a time you like."

Jiang Xueming answered casually, "No problem."

Xiao Qi jumped up happily. "Great! It's a deal!"

Xiao Qi's excitement was so evident that even someone as dense as Jiang Xueming understood what she meant.

For Jiang Xueming, the woman named Nine-Five-Two-Seven was full of mysteries.

In his memory—

—Xiao Qi only had a codename. Her age was unknown, her background was unclear, and whether she was even human was questionable.

According to the log, the attendant was very important to the passenger. However, it didn't explicitly state the necessity for the passenger to maintain a friendly, or even a more-than-friendly, relationship with the attendant.

Every time he thought of Brother Seven's strange, eerie smile, Jiang Xueming would lose sleep. That smile was a blind spot in his knowledge.

Jiang Xueming generally avoided things he didn't understand. However, he would agree to the request of "walking together."

They walked along the narrow cement path, stepped onto the gravel path beside the small fish pond, and trekked to Xue Ming's old house.

Dried radishes were hung on the wooden frame of the dirt yard at the entrance. Next to the two-story self-built house was a pigsty abandoned for over a decade.

The woodshed had become a kennel for the guard dog since the introduction of natural gas. The puppy had grown now, with black fur all over, and immediately rushed out barking ferociously at the sight of strangers.

Jiang Xueming simply raised a hand, bending down.

The big black dog seemed to have met its nemesis. Its tail immediately started wagging like a fan, ears pinned back, and its eyes turned watery.

It whined and trotted along, paws resting on Xue Ming's thigh, sticking its head out and panting heavily.

"You're back," Xue Ming said, scratching the dog's head and neck.

Xiao Qi's hands itched to pet it, but she dared not. She asked curiously from the side, "What's its name? Does it have one? Will it recognize me if I call its name?"

"No name," Jiang Xueming replied. "My parents were country folk, they didn't know many characters. They said they spent a lot of money hiring a fortune teller to pick names for me and Bailu, so they just called it 'dog,' it doesn't have a name."

"Dog!" Xiao Qi puffed out her chest and shouted with all her might, "Dog! Dog!"

Each time she shouted, the big black dog barked back.

She happily crouched down, reaching out to scratch the black dog's neck where Xue Ming was. The big black dog also lowered itself and nodded vigorously at her.

Xiao Qi's voice was bright, like a melodious violin, carrying far and wide across the countryside.

The commotion outside soon drew out the owners of the old house.

Old Man Jiang hobbled to the door, his beard white and his eyesight not so good. He had few hairs left on his head, but he still maintained a stylish hairstyle.

When the old man clearly saw Jiang Xueming in the dirt courtyard, saw his son who had been away for over four years.

Jiang Xueming happened to greet him.

"Dad, I'm back."

Xiao Qi whispered, "It looks like the old man's legs aren't doing too well."

Old Man Jiang's gaze became increasingly strange, his expression shifting from bland and pale to furious.

He raised his walking stick and strode swiftly towards Jiang Xueming, shouting and cursing, "You little beast! How dare you! I'll beat you to death today!"

Xue Ming's eyes were quick, and he caught the dragon-headed staff, holding it firmly.

Xiao Qi watched, her heart pounding, and gasped in amazement, "Didn't our dad's legs seem quite agile just now? He's in good health. Why is he using a cane?"

Xue Ming restrained his father's fierce scolding and found a moment to answer Xiao Qi.

"He's putting on an act, likes to pretend. He feels like a noble when he uses a cane."

"What did you say! You beast!?" Old Man Jiang's eyes widened, looking terrifying. The veins in his neck and temples bulged. He tugged fiercely at the cane, unable to pull it free.

The oppressive atmosphere made Xiao Qi feel suffocated.

It was like two wild beasts wrestling for territory, neither willing to back down.

After a very, very long time.

Old Man Jiang, like a defeated rooster, started to beg, "Let go of me! Let go of me! Let go of the cane, I'm your father!"

Jiang Xueming yielded to the force and slowly loosened his grip.

But as soon as he let go, Old Man Jiang suddenly raised the stick and swung again.

The situation repeated itself, returning to the first round.

The familiar shouting and cursing ensued.

"Little beast, I'll beat you to death!"

Jiang Xueming said nothing more.

He simply grabbed the red wooden stick, picked up the cigarettes and alcohol with one hand, and said in a gentle tone, "I'm back. I brought you things, and I brought my wife back."

"Let me hit you a few times!" Old Man Jiang insisted. "Don't make me lose face in front of outsiders! Let me hit you a few times!"

Xue Ming covered his forehead. "She's not an outsider."

Xiao Qi beamed. "I'm his wife."

Old Man Jiang looked at Xiao Qi, suspicion in his eyes, his expression becoming eerie. His eye sockets were sunken, and the stench of rotten teeth from years of drinking and smoking could be smelled from his throat, lips, and teeth.

"Don't lie to me, I won't hit you anymore. Let go of my treasure!"

Jiang Xueming let go once again.

Xiao Qi was about to formally introduce herself.

But before she could utter a single word.

A fierce shout was heard.

"I'll beat you to death, you little beast!" Old Man Jiang raised his staff and swung again.

The father and son successfully completed a hat-trick.

The posture of one striking and the other blocking was exactly the same as when they first met.

Xiao Qi sidled up to Xue Ming and whispered.

"Why is your dad so stubborn? Does he have Alzheimer's? Dementia?"

Xue Ming put down the cigarettes and alcohol in his hand, instructed Xiao Qi to take cash from her backpack, and explained in a low voice.

"Understandable, he's a '40s generation. He doesn't watch Saint Seiya."

Xiao Qi took out the money, still confused, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"The same trick can only be used once on a Saint," Xue Ming whispered to Brother Qi. He dangled the money bag in front of Old Man Jiang.

"Oh! My son!" Old Man Jiang's expression changed like flipping a book. A few tears fell from his deep-set eyes. He immediately dropped his cane, his legs went weak, and like a lame cripple, he reached out to hug Xue Ming.

"My son, my son is back! My boy is back!"

Xue Ming merely held out the money bag, catching a glimpse of his mother on the second-floor balcony, watching the scene unfold.

The old mother had been leaning on the balcony, cracking melon seeds, her eyes filled with malice.

The moment her eyes met Xue Ming's, she became benevolent. She didn't move to come down and greet him.

She called out a few greetings from afar, just for show.

"It's good you're back. It's good you're back!"

Hearing his mother's hoarse scolding from her throat.

"Old man! Why did you hit our baby! If you call him a little beast, aren't you and I old beasts too?!"

Xiao Qi whispered to Xue Ming: "Director, I understand you now. Your family is truly chaotic. Where did you find these national-treasure-level veteran actors? I can't handle this act, I need more money."

Jiang Xueming leaned in close to Xiao Qi, speaking softly: "How much more?"

Xiao Qi made a scissor gesture with her fingers: "Twice a week, accompany me for meals."

Jiang Xueming retracted a finger: "Once a week, accompany you for meals."

Xiao Qi extended her hand: "Deal."

Xue Ming shook her hand: "Deal."

After discussing in private, Xue Ming looked up with a fake smile plastered on his face and loudly responded, "Hey! Mom!"

Xiao Qi did the same, her smile bright: "Hey! Mom!"

The old mother on the second floor was covered in wrinkles, looking ancient, but her hair was dyed purple. She seemed to be a formidable and fierce character in the county's elderly dance troupe.

She looked down at the two of them from above, her gaze like an X-ray, scanning every inch of Xiao Qi's skin. It was as if she wanted to see through the girl's flesh and bones.

"Who is this woman? Xue Ming's darling? Did she just say she's your wife? Did you tell us about this? Did you get our consent?"

The string of sharp, biting questions from the old mother made Brother Qi's scalp tingle.

"Where did you take Bailu? She still has an unfinished engagement! You've made us lose all face in the production team, can't hold our heads up, do you know that?"

Jiang Xueming immediately replied, his tone calm, but his words explosive.

"Mom, are you getting hard of hearing because of your age? She's my wife. Do you want me to say it again? Should I go back to the county and buy a loudspeaker, like those used for sharpening knives or selling breakfast, and play it for you every day? Or should I take you to the hospital now? The best hospital in Hengyin City! My Brother Ye knows doctors there, they can definitely cure you."

"I didn't need your consent, did I? Did I ever say I needed your consent to get married? Is there any need to tell you?"

"I took my sister out. She didn't want to get married when she was fourteen, and she doesn't want to now. Did you ask her if she agreed? Did you ask me if I agreed?"

"How much face you've lost in Pingyang County, I don't know, I'm unclear, I don't understand, I'm very sorry. Should I go tomorrow and get a billboard made, with 'Historical Sinner Jiang Xueming has brought shame to the Jiang family' written on it? Then I'll parade around town holding the sign, and then I'll send this matter in five volumes and sixty-four chapters to the storytellers under the overpass, to the tea house teachers to properly review it for the neighbors?

"I love you, my dear Mom and Dad."

This barrage of rapid-fire responses made the old mother on the second floor's expression change.

The old father on the first floor prepared to pick up his stick for a grand finale.

"I'll beat you to death, you little beast."

Before he could finish, Xue Ming snatched the money bag and prepared to head out to the main road.

The old mother chuckled and said, "Never mind, never mind, let's have a meal. I want to see you, Mom misses you so much."

The old father also put away his cane, his face full of anger.

Xue Ming showed no expression from beginning to end, except for the forced smiles he put on. He was as cold as ice.

Watching him, Xiao Qi felt a pang in her heart. She could hardly imagine what Xue Ming's childhood must have been like.

They stepped over the foot-high threshold and finally entered the house.

As soon as Brother Qi entered, she grabbed Xue Ming's hand. Her heart was pounding, more thrilling than being at an underground station.

She whispered, her face flushed: "So you've always been this fierce?"

Xue Ming didn't hold back. He led Xiao Qi by the hand towards the main hall.

He replied softly, his expression unchanged: "So you never really understood me?"

Xiao Qi mumbled: "Before, I just thought you were good-looking. That's why I liked you."

Xue Ming frowned, constantly wary of his parents' movements, lest the dragon-headed cane strike again. He asked casually, "And now you feel uneasy?"

Xiao Qi's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, almost inaudible.

"Uneasy? No, now I like you even more."

The whole family, neat and tidy, sat down in the main hall.

Soup was simmering in the kitchen. Apart from the hiss of the natural gas and the gurgling of the pressure cooker, no one spoke first.

Only the big black dog, unaware of what was happening, squatted at the door, wagging its tail happily.