“My income from The Jianghu was HK$73,000 in royalties, HK$60,000 in radio broadcast rights, and HK$200,000 from the outright sale of publication rights; The Tang Dynasty earned HK$420,000 in royalties, HK$60,000 in radio broadcast rights, and HK$200,000 from the outright sale of publication rights; Turning the Tide earned HK$450,000 in royalties, and there's no outright sale of publication rights yet. In total, I've earned HK$1,463,000 from the novels. Hmm... am I a millionaire now? Hehe... a small-time tycoon, at least.”
“The sundry shop only brought in a few tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Looks like writing is the way to go right now.”
Zheng Bai Cheng was at his desk, going over his income for the past half year. The day after tomorrow, he would be engaged to Xiao Hua. Come to think of it, he was a little embarrassed, as he only learned Xiao Hua's name when he went to get their horoscopes matched.
Lin Xiao Hua, the name made Zheng Bai Cheng pause. He had seen a movie where the female lead was named Lin Xiao Hua. Hehe... he guessed the movie was based on a stage play. The director of the play must have met Lin Xiao Hua and been impressed by her, which is why he remembered her name.
His Xiao Hua really was beautiful, otherwise why would she be so memorable to the director of that stage play?
He gathered his accounts, then came out of his bedroom. He saw the sundry store owner listening to the radio, looking quite relaxed. Zheng Bai Cheng walked over to him and asked, “Old Bean, what do we need to prepare for the engagement the day after tomorrow?”
The sundry store owner waved his fan nonchalantly and said, “Don’t worry about it. Me and Xiao Hua’s parents have already taken care of everything. You two just need to wear your best clothes and show up.”
Zheng Bai Cheng and Lin Xiao Hua had already ordered suits and cheongsams yesterday. They had also spent the past few days buying some supplies. Lin’s mother had come over to prepare some things for them as well.
“Oh, what time should we go tomorrow then?”
“We’ve booked a table at the Fu Man Lou restaurant. You can just listen to my instructions then.”
And so, with a bewildered look on his face, Zheng Bai Cheng began to participate in his first engagement ceremony, a milestone in his journey of living two lives.
On the day of the engagement party, Lin Xiao Hua donned a crimson cheongsam that accentuated her curves. However, to downplay her figure, Zheng Bai Cheng had specifically arranged for a fur shawl to cover her upper body.
In his words, one’s own possessions shouldn’t be put on display for others to see. As for other people’s possessions… well, the more he got to see, the better. It wouldn’t hurt him, after all.
A large number of people attended the engagement party. Most were from Lin Xiao Hua’s side of the family, then there were a few of her close female classmates, and of course, the sundry shop was left in the care of A Jian and the others. Xiao Fen naturally came to attend her best friend’s engagement party, and she was now the fiancée of the little boss.
The sundry store owner didn’t have any relatives left, all of them had perished during the Japanese occupation. He had invited over a dozen neighbours he had known for over a decade, some people from the Commercial Press, the City Daily, and of course, the Commercial Radio.
The guests filled five tables and it was a lively affair. Lin Xiao Hua’s fiancé was a Hong Kong celebrity, the famous kind. He had already written two novels, no, three now. The third one started serialization the day before yesterday and had already achieved tremendous success.
Everyone came to offer their congratulations, which brought great face to Lin Xiao Hua’s parents and her younger brother. The sundry store owner had paid for everything this time. The wrinkles on his face deepened, but he was very happy. He was extra enthusiastic in greeting everyone.
The neighbourhood residents who attended the engagement party chatted amongst themselves.
“The sundry store owner has had a tough life. Now he’s finally enjoying the fruits of his labour. His temper has also gotten much better. This is truly a good thing.”
“I grew up with him. Back in the day… for him to be where he is today, it was no easy feat.”
“Ah Cheng is a good son. He’s famous now and still lives with the sundry store owner. It’s rare to see that nowadays.”
“The sundry store owner has struck gold. Heaven really favours him.”
…
On the other side, the reporters from the Commercial Press and the City Daily sat far apart, eyeing each other with disdain. One believed the other had stolen their business and jacked up their prices. The other thought the first was being petty, because the third novel should have been theirs too, but the other party had also raised their prices, which made them unhappy.
After all, as fellow reporters, they were rivals, and naturally looked down upon each other. So they sat far apart, listening to the neighbours’ conversations while they ate and drank.
Zheng Bai Cheng and Lin Xiao Hua were like puppets, guided by their elders, going around to meet people and toast each other… He was drinking water mixed with alcohol, just pure water with a splash of liquor, otherwise he’d be drunk before he could finish the rounds.
This round of introductions earned him praise from Lin Xiao Hua’s relatives, and he also noticed that they had many friends and family coming. When he became successful and had his wedding, he wondered which side would have more people.
After the successful engagement party, Zheng Bai Cheng and Lin Xiao Hua collapsed onto the sofa back at home, not wanting to move.
“Xiao Hua, can you move?” Zheng Bai Cheng said weakly, not even wanting to lift a finger. Lin Xiao Hua was in the same state. She said, “I don’t want to move. I’m so tired. This engagement felt like a battle. It’s so tiring.”
“This is just the engagement. We’ll probably be even more tired when we get married.”
That night, Zheng Bai Cheng stayed at Lin Xiao Hua’s suite instead of going back home. He just didn’t want to move.
The next morning, Zheng Bai Cheng took Lin Xiao Hua, who had changed into looser clothes, to see the sundry store owner.
The sundry store owner looked at them with a beaming smile, clearly pleased. He muttered, “Ah Cheng, you have to treat Xiao Hua well…”
Xiao Hua went to prepare breakfast while Zheng Bai Cheng listened to the sundry store owner’s lectures, feeling a sense of warmth.
“Old Bean, I plan to take Xiao Hua to London for a trip after the New Year.”
“Good. Young people should travel more. But be careful when you’re out and about. The world isn’t a safe place.”
After breakfast, Zheng Bai Cheng went downstairs and called Li Cheng Long from the Commercial Press. He had a few short stories and novellas that he planned to publish there.
Li Cheng Long readily agreed, though he didn’t know what kind of short stories and novellas Zheng Bai Cheng was writing.
After hanging up the phone, Li Cheng Long found his uncle, the editor-in-chief Li Gong Ru, to tell him that Zheng Bai Cheng had some short stories and novellas he wanted to publish in their newspaper.
“Short stories and novellas? Did you ask what genre they are?”
“No, but since he came to us, we should help him out.” Li Cheng Long said firmly.
“Ah Long, you’ve grown up. You’re starting to understand the ways of the world. Good. Even if they’re not well-written, we’re doing him a favour. Let’s just say we agreed. When he comes over tomorrow, we’ll welcome him together.”