As dusk approached, the entrance of Chen’s Convenience Store was packed with people, all huddled together, intently listening to the radio drama "Jiang Hu" playing on the store’s radio. The crowd was eerily quiet, some holding sodas, others with snacks, and of course, those with sugar cane; it seemed like the Sugar Cane Gang had taken over the entrance of Chen’s Convenience Store.
Two uniformed police officers found the best spot, neglecting their patrol duties to listen in as well.
“…Thank you for tuning in, we’ll see you at the same time tomorrow…”
“Damn, just a little bit, not enough to listen to.”
“Let’s go, patrol, these radio stations are a bunch of cheapskates, short and weak.”
The two uniformed officers grumbled as they left, taking two packs of cigarettes with them before they were finally satisfied. The others could only watch them leave, simmering with anger but unable to say anything.
“Xiaofen, get me a pack of cigarettes.” A middle-aged man placed a coin on the counter, took a pack of cigarettes from Xiaofen, and left. The others followed suit, as it was almost bedtime, and most of the people here were just neighborhood folks.
“Chengge’s novel, so many people listen, they haven’t had enough from the look of them!”
“Yeah, Chengge’s novels are really sharp…”
“Excuse me, does Mr. Zheng Baicheng live here?” A man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, speaking Mandarin, entered and said, “I’m from a publisher in Taiwan, I’d like to talk to Mr. Zheng Baicheng about publishing his novels.”
“He doesn’t live here anymore, do you have a business card? I’ll let him know when he comes back.” Xiaofen had seen all sorts, but not anyone coming this late.
The middle-aged man thought for a moment and said, “Here’s my card, thanks little sister.”
He had come from Taiwan and had heard people gathered around listening to the radio, a large crowd, listening intently, when he was out for a stroll after checking into his hotel the night before.
He had asked others if this was the new novel by Ming Bao Chaseng, and if it was, he wouldn’t have any chance because Ming Bao had its own publishing house. He would have to resort to piracy, as copyright management was lax, and all sorts of shocking operations were happening.
“Nah, that’s old news, this is the new rising talent Zheng Baicheng’s novel, "Jiang Hu Supreme," he has another novel, "Legend of the Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty," it’s really sharp.”
“Yeah, you obviously have no taste, you haven’t even heard of Zheng Baicheng, a great talent, you’re ignorant, a country bumpkin.”
…
He didn’t mind being mocked, this was Hong Kong, not Taiwan, if someone mocked him, he would find a way to get back at them, make them know why the flowers bloom red. But, he was cautious while away from home, and he knew to swallow his pride when needed.
He hadn’t come to Hong Kong in six months and was out of the loop on local news. Now, with a new talent, he naturally had to sign a contract and buy the rights.
He had gone to the Commercial Press and City Daily, but they only knew the address of Chen’s Convenience Store, not any other address. After searching for a day, he found many people gathered outside, which seemed strange, a literary genius living in a place like this? He had observed for a long time as everyone dispersed.
He absolutely had to sign this novel. The people were so engrossed, it meant this novel was excellent. Thus, his evening visit.
“I’m staying at the Regent, here’s the Regent’s phone number.”
“The Regent Hotel or the Regent Motel?”
Xiaofen’s casual question left the middle-aged man feeling frustrated. He didn’t reply, just gave a forced smile and left. A thousand thoughts ran through his head, thinking: "These Hong Kongers, so rude."
Zheng Baicheng naturally didn’t care about this, he was busy, and his busyness meant Xiaohua was also busy. Besides "Legend of the Twin Dragons," he had also agreed to a request from the Commercial Press to write another novel. After much thought, he had a few novels by Master Huang that he could borrow inspiration from, finally settling on one that was similar to "Legend of the Twin Dragons", "Turning the River and Overturning the Sea".
Now, Xiaohua had to write "Legend of the Twin Dragons," "Interstellar War," and this "Turning the River and Overturning the Sea," her hands were starting to develop calluses.
In his spare time, Zheng Baicheng held Xiaohua’s hand, stroking it back and forth, feeling a pang of pity and saying, "Xiaohua, you’ve worked so hard, when we have money, I’ll hire someone to free your hands.”
With her hand in his, Xiaohua’s face was turning crimson. If Zazhu Qiang were here, he would surely despise his adopted son in his heart, you think you care about her hands? You’re just taking advantage, you little shit!
“Chengge, I’m fine…” Xiaohua’s voice was tiny, like a mosquito buzzing. If it wasn’t just the two of them in the room, Zheng Baicheng would not have heard.
Their last visit to the convenience store was six days ago, and Zheng Baicheng had received 120,000 Hong Kong dollars in royalties that day. It was the highest royalty fee ever paid by the Commercial Press in Hong Kong, but the return was great. The advertising fees alone had covered the cost of "Jiang Hu," and "Legend of the Twin Dragons" was yet to be broadcast, wouldn’t that be double the happiness?
Zheng Baicheng had also received a massive return, naturally, he was very happy. 120,000 Hong Kong dollars was equivalent to 10,000 British pounds, over 20,000 US dollars, a fortune indeed.
Xiaohua felt her efforts were worth it, she was very happy to help her ‘fiancé’, her family was also happy, she earned 1,000 Hong Kong dollars a month, of which 500 Hong Kong dollars was given back to her family, improving their financial situation, allowing them to live a better life.
Regarding Xiaohua’s actions, Zheng Baicheng could only say he didn’t object, nor did he approve. Zazhu Qiang, his old man, had already paid a dowry of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars, and they would be getting engaged soon. If they were ordinary people, they would have some objections to Xiaohua helping her family.
“Xiaohua, when we get engaged, I’ll take you to North America for our honeymoon, alright?”
Xiaohua heard about a honeymoon in North America? Honeymoon? A surge of excitement and happiness flooded her heart.
“Mm-hmm!”
Zheng Baicheng continued, “This trip to North America might be for a long time, I have some things to do over there, I’m worried you won’t be comfortable there.”
“It’s fine, as long as Chengge is with me, I can go anywhere.”
The two were now nestled together, dreaming of the future.
Half an hour later, Zheng Baicheng suddenly said in frustration, “Oh, Xiaohua, it seems we’ll have to work hard before we leave, we have to finish these three novels, otherwise, the newspaper might start pushing.”