Chapter Seventeen: The Scoundrel Has Returned

“We’re here. Hurry up and unload the stuff.” Feather duster turned to Gui Dong and Yan Xu in the back of the car. The three of them had been away from this place for years. Back then, they vowed only to return once they’d made it big. Yet, somehow, they’d drifted into the triad world, and though they hadn’t lived in utter poverty, they had never truly prospered either. Now, Yan Xu had become a famous director with assets worth over a million, while Gui Dong and Feather Duster each received a fifty-thousand bonus and held managerial titles at the company—success, of a sort.

Yan Xu stepped out of the car. Most of what he remembered about Hong Kong’s public housing estates came from local films. These estates had been built by the government to address housing issues for the lower and middle classes; nearly half of Hong Kong’s population had lived in them at some point, and even now, about thirty or forty percent still did. Especially in the film “I Love HK: Hurray for Happiness,” the spirit of Hong Kong was reflected in these stories. Yet, in such densely populated areas, public safety was a constant concern, with theft, vice, and drug-related crimes occurring from time to time.

In Yan Xu’s mind, he, Feather Duster, and Gui Dong had all grown up here, not only in public housing but on the same floor, so their bond had always been like that of brothers. The apartment they lived in wasn’t like those early ones where five people squeezed into just thirteen square meters, but it wasn’t particularly large either—just over twenty square meters, partitioned into one large and two small rooms, housing his father and his elder brother’s family of three.

Gazing at the tall building before him, Yan Xu’s heart was filled with anxiety. He was about to meet his family again, and he wasn’t sure how to face them. Though he had countless memories with them in his mind, he had never truly seen them in person and didn’t know what to do.

While Gui Dong and Feather Duster carried their bags home, Yan Xu found himself hesitating at his own door. He knew there were things he would have to face sooner or later, but now that the moment had arrived, he lacked the courage.

“Uncle, why are you standing at my door?” Before Yan Xu could knock, a voice sounded behind him.

“Hmm?” Yan Xu turned and saw a little girl, about five or six years old, with two pigtails, wearing a faded dress and a star sticker on her chest, a pink backpack slung over her shoulder.

“Are you the child who lives here?” Yan Xu looked at the little girl. If she truly lived here, then she must be his niece. In his memory, the last image he had of her was when she was just over two years old; now, her age matched the girl before him.

“Yes!” The little girl nodded.

“Then you must be Tongtong?” Yan Xu crouched down and smiled at her.

“How do you know my name?” Tongtong stared up at Yan Xu with wide, puzzled eyes.

“I know not only your name, but also that your father is Yan Zhan, your mother is Lin Yazhen, and your grandfather is Yan Wei, right?”

“Wow, you’re amazing! Are you my dad’s friend?”

“My name is Yan Xu. Do you know who I am?” Yan Xu set down his bags and squatted before her.

“Yan Xu?” Tongtong tilted her head, as if pondering. Suddenly, realization dawned on her face and she pointed at him, “You’re the rascal Grandpa talks about!”

Her words left Yan Xu momentarily speechless. He patted her head. “What rascal? You should call me Uncle.”

With that, Yan Xu rummaged through his bags and produced a box. “I bought you a dress. Consider it my gift to you.”

“Thank you, Uncle!” Through the clear packaging, Tongtong saw the pink dress and her face bloomed with joy. Hugging the box tightly, she thanked him and then dashed inside, flinging open the door. “Mom! Mom! Look, Uncle bought me a new dress!”

Like most public housing units, the apartment was small and cluttered, with many things old and repeatedly patched.

As Tongtong ran inside, Yan Xu saw at a glance a woman in the kitchen and an elderly man, over sixty, emerging from another room.

Both the old man and the woman froze when they saw Yan Xu, unprepared for his sudden return.

“Dad, Sister-in-law,” Yan Xu’s memories instantly overlapped with the faces before him as he spoke.

“You little rascal, so you remembered to come home!” Yan Wei glared at Yan Xu and hurled a plastic cup from the table at him. Over three years—his son hadn’t set foot in this home once, and he’d heard rumors of Yan Xu joining a triad. For an old man, that was a hard pill to swallow.

“Dad, what are you doing? You’re always talking about A-di, and now that he’s finally home, you’re angry? Watch your heart!” Lin Yazhen hurriedly pulled Yan Wei back into his seat and called out to Yan Xu, “A-Xu, don’t just stand at the door, come in.”

“What’s wrong with Dad’s heart?” The moment he saw his family, all the affection Yan Xu had buried for so long surged up within him. In these uncertain times, he might never have the chance to see his family again. These were the people dearest to him.

“Dad had a checkup last year. His heart’s a little weak, but it’s nothing serious. The doctor said he shouldn’t get angry and should take good care of himself,” Lin Yazhen said as she took the heavy bags from Yan Xu. “You’re home, that’s enough. Why bring so much?”

“Sister-in-law, where’s my brother?” The apartment was small, combining the bedroom and living room into one space. Yan Wei usually stayed here. Yan Xu found a stool and sat opposite him.

“You troublemaker, you think your brother’s as idle as you? Of course he’s at work.” Yan Wei interjected crossly, though his eyes furtively studied Yan Xu, clearly relieved to see him after so many years.

“Dad, I think A-di’s really made something of himself—look at all this stuff he brought. There’s ginseng, shark fin, even bird’s nest. You can’t find things like this on Temple Street; they must cost at least two or three thousand,” Lin Yazhen said, inspecting the gifts. She’d seen such luxuries in the market, but never of this quality.

“Your brother works as an electrician at a nearby hotel; he makes over two thousand a month. He’ll be home soon. He’ll be so happy to see you—he hasn’t eaten my cooking in years. Let me go buy some groceries and make your favorite sweet and sour ribs tonight. We’ll see if my cooking has improved after all this time,” Lin Yazhen said warmly. She had been part of the Yan family for many years, and ever since Yan Xu’s mother passed away seven years ago, she’d taken over all the household duties and watched Yan Xu grow up.

“No need, Sister-in-law. I’ve booked a table for us at a hotel on the island. Let’s eat out tonight,” Yan Xu replied quickly.

PS: These are a few transitional chapters, leading up to the next film! Please continue to add to your favorites and recommend!