Chapter 37

Chapter 38: Crossing the threshold (Part one)

Having an entrance-exam essay selected for publication generally did not involve any fanfare or separate notification. A new anthology of high school entrance-exam essays came out every year, featuring outstanding pieces from the exams for readers to appreciate. It was nothing particularly remarkable, so it was only natural that Su Can knew nothing about it.

Compared with the "young author" that Beijing reporter Zhang Chaoyang kept calling him, Su Can thought that he was still worlds apart from a genuine author.

Yet this news caused an uproar at home.

A week later, his mother had originally planned to treat everyone to a celebratory dinner for Su Can, but his eldest uncle suggested that, since Su Can's family was still working to get back on its feet, they should avoid extravagance and simply cook a family meal at his place.

For once, his parents closed the shop at noon that day. They had the print shop next door print a notice reading, "Temporarily closed. Please call if needed. Tel: ****." Then the family went to his eldest uncle's home early to help his aunt prepare the afternoon meal.

His father was particularly good at cooking fish. He brought four jin of crucian carp to make his bean-paste fish, a dish whose flavor usually lingered in the family's memories for days. Once the fish had been cleaned and the seasonings hit the sizzling oil, a mouthwatering fragrance filled the entire apartment.

Preparations for the sumptuous meal proceeded at a brisk pace.

His eldest uncle, meanwhile, dragged Su Can into his study to show him stock charts. What expertise did Su Can have in any of this? As he listened to his uncle's explanations, with his younger cousin Zeng Yuan beside him looking resentful that the computer had been commandeered again, he could not help smiling wryly. Fortunately, his uncle did not ask for his opinion. He was probably just taking the opportunity to teach Su Can a little more about it and see whether he had any aptitude.

The older generation tended to find a sense of achievement and enjoyment in cultivating the younger generation. That was more or less how it worked.

Su Can emerged from his eldest uncle's study feeling rather dizzy, his head full of stock charts. One thing was certain, though: his uncle was in a very good mood. Those curves had clearly plunged in response to the recent floods as well, but his uncle had probably withdrawn all his money and was currently watching from the sidelines, showing none of the dejection of someone who had suffered a setback.

His older cousin was sitting in the living room watching television. When she saw him come out of the study, she said nothing, merely turning back to stare at the screen. Though her clothes from ten years ago were a little dated, unlike the fashionable designer outfits she would wear later, her cheeks were rosy, and she looked rather cute. He recalled that, although she was not exactly a prominent figure at school, she had no shortage of admirers. Her pride, however, had kept every suitor at arm's length. Oh, at this point in time, his cousin still harbored some resentment toward him and had never liked him much.

"There's beef jerky and dried fruit on the table. If you're hungry, help yourself," Zeng Na said, keeping her eyes fixed on the Taiwanese idol drama on television.

Su Can froze. "Help yourself" was one of his cousin Zeng Na's catchphrases. It was usually, "Zeng Yuan, there are snacks in my room. Help yourself!" or, "I just bought some potato chips. Zeng Yuan, help yourself!"

Since when had he been able to enjoy the same treatment from his older cousin as Zeng Yuan?

Su Can actually felt rather at a loss. Eleven years later, he and his older cousin got along well, but now that he was back eleven years in the past, the cousin before him still felt quite unfamiliar. Caught off guard, he answered, "Okay!" He hesitated, then looked toward the kitchen. "I'll go lend a hand."

Zeng Na, who had been watching the television all along, slowly turned her head. Looking at Su Can's thin, frail back as he headed for the kitchen instead of coming over to sit beside her, she seemed a little surprised and a little dazed. After a long moment, a trace of guilt passed through her eyes.

The lavish dishes were brought to the table, filling the apartment with delicious aromas. Su Can's father, Su Licheng, truly made excellent bean-paste fish. Apparently, housewives from upstairs and downstairs often came to ask Yin Shuying just what kind of fish her family was cooking. The smell left their entire households craving it so badly that their own home cooking tasted bland for days afterward.

The chicken his eldest uncle personally dressed with chili sauce had always been the dish that made Su Can and Zeng Yuan drool the most.

Mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, spicy beef jerky, boiled cabbage, rustic dipping sauce-the whole spread of Sichuan home cooking came to the table. It had been a long time since the extended family had enjoyed such a comfortable, satisfying meal together.

The day they ran into Xiao Fei holding a celebratory dinner for his daughter had been when the family's spirits were at their lowest. Unexpectedly, the arrival of Beijing reporter Zhang Chaoyang had thrust Su Can straight into the spotlight. His entrance-exam essay, which took more of a literary reportage format and had been singled out by a senior official from the State Council, had suddenly become a sensation.

With Deputy Mayor Yu taking the lead, the attention of the entire table had immediately focused on Su Can, who had become so dazzling and so envied by the local officials of Xiahai City around him.

Zhang Chaoyang, who also had an interview assignment from Xinhua News Agency, found his focus. He had read Su Can's essay and felt that much of its content, viewed now, exposed the problems of the times with pinpoint accuracy. It was hard to believe that a middle school student could write an essay with such depth and foresight. He questioned Su Can about that depth and foresight, only for Su Can to abruptly change tack and give all the credit to his eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming.

As for the prescient criticism of years of human damage along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, soil erosion, and the tendency of most scientific reports to present good news while concealing bad news, Su Can said these were all concerns he had often heard his eldest uncle Zeng Qu anming voice. He also said that they had discussed these matters from time to time and that his uncle's profound awareness of potential crises had influenced him.

Zhang Chaoyang immediately understood and found an opening. He began asking about Zeng Qu anming's position. With the nationwide flood-fighting campaign now in full swing, he understood how badly the news needed positive figures like this.

Yu Qiushou immediately adopted a solemn expression and began introducing his eldest uncle's current position to Zhang Chaoyang. Speaking as a leader, he even offered the highest sort of praise: "This is an outstanding comrade!" Zhang Chaoyang nodded repeatedly and decided to gather material on his uncle during his upcoming travels. He also promised to submit this positive interview account as part of his news reporting.

Yu Qiushou's attitude toward his eldest uncle had done a complete about-face. How could he fail to realize that Su Can and Zeng Qu anming were now both key figures, as well as the focus of positive publicity for Xiahai City?

The whole family thought that explained it. Su Can had also found a basis for his foreknowledge that would not arouse suspicion. Only his eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, remained bewildered, feeling that good fortune had come too quickly for him to respond properly.

Of course, he did not remember giving Su Can any material criticizing contemporary problems for this piece of reportage about the floods. But he had not read Su Can's essay and did not know exactly what it said. Besides, he occasionally grumbled about things in everyday life and had said plenty while lecturing Su Can, so he naturally accepted that this was what had happened.

A few days later, Zhang Chaoyang finished his interviews and left Xiahai. Soon afterward, the provincial commendation for his eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, arrived, fully affirming his political qualities. Several senior provincial officials were unusually unanimous in their views this time.

The latest issue of Party Style soon ran a special feature, using the young author Su Can to report on the various concerns of grassroots official Zeng Qu anming, in response to senior leaders' call that "Party officials must reflect on themselves."

Deputy Provincial Party Secretary Yang Zhengliang was a veteran official who had risen from Xiahai City, and had once been his eldest uncle's superior. When he heard about the matter, he remembered his former subordinate and even made a special phone call to offer his regards and praise, while reminiscing about his own days climbing the ranks in Xiahai City.

His eldest uncle suddenly became a rising star in Xichuan Province. His normally stern face could not help breaking into smiles more often, although they were rather unsightly.

Xiao Fei, on the other hand, had been looking thoroughly crestfallen lately. Whenever he saw Zeng Qu anming, he took a detour, and the jealousy in his eyes had grown even stronger. Occasionally, he complained to his wife and daughter, "Isn't he just relying on that nephew of his who's shooting up like a rocket? What's he so smug about?"

Ding-dong! While the family was happily eating, the doorbell rang at his eldest uncle's home. His uncle frowned. Although more people had been coming to visit lately, having someone arrive while the whole family was enjoying a meal was rather a dampener.

Even so, his aunt Yin Shuying got up and quickly went to open the door.