Volume One, Chapter Three: Harbor City, Here I Come!

Listening to my cousin’s words, my head felt like it was about to explode! It was utterly ridiculous! How could he say such things? I had protected my cousin’s wife, and yet he told me to get lost? My cousin’s wife couldn’t stand it either and spoke up for me, “Dalong, don’t be like this, Xiaogang just…”

“Shut your mouth!” My cousin’s eyes widened, his anger boiling over as he snapped, “If you keep talking nonsense, get lost!”

Damn! What a miserable situation! Taking you two out during the New Year, and we run into such bad luck! My cousin’s wife was speechless, her eyes red, tears welling up. Seeing her about to cry, my heart ached with both pity and sorrow.

But I also began to understand why my cousin was so angry. Simply put, he was weak. He didn’t dare confront those thugs—his pride as a man was gone. I had fought off those ruffians and saved the lady, so naturally, I stole his thunder. He felt uncomfortable. Unable to reprimand the thugs, he vented his frustration on me and my cousin’s wife. Many people in the village were like this—powerless at heart, they’d come home drunk and beat their wives. I had heard this from my parents many times and now realized my cousin was no different.

Honestly, if it weren’t for my cousin’s wife and the need to work and earn money, I would have quit and walked away. Having such a coward for a cousin was unbearable! But I worried—if I left and someone bullied my cousin’s wife on the road, who would protect her? Besides, I had sworn to earn money and give my parents a better life; I couldn’t just give up before even reaching the city.

“Hmph!” My cousin seemed to soften a bit, seeing my cousin’s wife about to cry. Grumbling, he said, “Alright, stop crying!” Then, glaring at me, he warned, “I’m telling you, behave yourself and don’t cause trouble! If you do, you can get the hell out and go home!”

Sensing he was backing down, I gave him a way out. “Got it.”

“Enough with the pleasantries!” My cousin rolled his eyes and lit a cigarette. My cousin’s wife fell silent, sitting there gloomily. I had nothing to say either and just sat quietly, watching the other passengers on the train. A few people glanced secretly at my cousin’s wife, but once they noticed my gaze, they quickly looked away and stopped staring. No one else caused trouble on the journey.

Soon enough, we arrived in the city. I followed my cousin and his wife to wait for another train at the station. This time, we were heading to the southern port city, which would take nearly forty hours by train. While waiting, my cousin’s wife told me a few things. Rich people always bought sleeper tickets. Sleeping for a couple of cycles on the train, they would arrive fresh. The wealthier ones flew, reaching their destination in two or three hours. But for migrant workers like us, money was tight, so we bought hard seats. Most passengers in the hard seat carriage were migrant workers like us, each carrying bulky bundles and bags.

Most of them smoked. Some were careless enough to take off their shoes right after boarding, filling the air with the stench of feet. The carriage reeked of sweat, smoke, and feet—a suffocating mixture. I didn’t dare take off my shoes either, as I hid all my money in the soles. Losing it would mean no money to spend in the port city.

“Xiaogang, thank you for what you did earlier.” Taking advantage of my cousin stepping outside to smoke, my cousin’s wife quietly thanked me. I quickly said it was nothing, and since she wasn’t talkative, she said no more and quietly rode the train. I sat silently nearby, unsure what to say. By midnight, I dozed off.

After two full days on the train, my whole body felt stiff. Honestly, if my cousin’s wife hadn’t been sitting beside me, I’m not sure I could have endured such a long journey. This experience steeled my resolve: once we reached the port city, I would work hard and earn big money! When I returned home for the New Year, I wouldn’t take the train; I’d fly like the wealthy—just two or three hours and I’d be home, no need to cram with strangers.

“Alright, we’re almost at the station. Get ready to get off!” My cousin’s words broke my reverie in the middle of the night. I looked up and saw many passengers gathering their luggage, preparing to disembark. My cousin collected his and his wife’s bags, and I did the same. He reminded us again, “Once we get off, get out of the station quickly. If you’re late, you’ll miss the last bus! Got it?” The last sentence was for me. I nodded.

Honestly, the thought of getting off made me nervous. On the train, I hadn’t felt the weight of leaving my hometown. But stepping off the train, that feeling hit me hard. It was as if getting off meant I was no longer the carefree child from the village. I had to be a man now—earn money and support the family!

“Here we go, get off!” I was still lost in thought as the train pulled into the station. My cousin strode ahead with the luggage, my cousin’s wife followed behind, struggling with a large bag. I carried my bedding on my shoulder and a big bag in my hand, trailing behind her. The port city was the last stop, so there was a huge crowd getting off—dense and chaotic.

My cousin marched ahead with his load, while my cousin’s wife, barely five foot three, struggled with her heavy bag. She pulled it with great effort, trailing behind him. My cousin showed no intention of helping and kept urging, “Hurry up! We’re running late!”

I couldn’t stand it. I hurried up beside my cousin’s wife and offered to take one handle of her bag.

“Don’t bother with me. You’ve got plenty to carry yourself,” she said, worried about me. But I cared more about her and took the other handle. She had no choice but to let me help.

My cousin saw this and snapped, “What’s this, a dance?”

“Hurry up!”

“Coming!” I replied quickly and quickened my pace with my cousin’s wife. With my help, she moved much faster, and soon we caught up with my cousin.

After leaving the station, we headed straight to the bus stop. Unfortunately, the last bus had already left. My cousin scowled and pointed a finger at me. “Happy now? Satisfied? There’s no bus, what do you want to do?”

I had no idea what to do, but I wasn’t happy being scolded. I shot back, “We’ll walk!”

“Walk?” He gave me a sideways glare and cursed, “You’re dreaming! Do you know how far it is? You think the factory’s at the train station? It’s over thirty miles from here! You walk, then! Let’s see if you can make it by dawn!”

I have a stubborn streak. He could be domineering at home, but acting like this outside really annoyed me, so I shot back, “Fine, I’ll walk. So what?”

“Damn it!” My cousin exploded, “If you think you can walk, go ahead. Let’s see if you can find the factory and get to work on your own!”

Hearing that, I lost my temper. It was my first time traveling far, and I knew nothing about the port city. Without my cousin leading me, I truly wouldn’t find a job.

My cousin’s wife felt sorry for me and spoke up, “Enough, we’re family. Don’t argue. Since we missed the bus, we’ll find a cheap inn for the night and head to the factory tomorrow morning.”

My cousin glared and cursed, “What cheap inn? Spending money before we’ve earned any? Are you here to work or to tour? We’ll just rough it out nearby for one night!”

It was still early spring. Although the south was warm, sleeping outside was out of the question. My cousin’s wife, worried about me, urged, “Dalong, after two days on the train, you need to rest well or you won’t have any energy at the factory tomorrow. Besides, it’s Xiaogang’s first time traveling far…”

“What’s so special about it being his first time?” My cousin snapped. “If he hadn’t caused trouble, how could this trip be so unlucky?”

After a pause, he glared at me and said, “Xiaogang, I won’t make you pay for the inn.”

Pah! Shameless! I felt sick, as if I’d swallowed a fly. My cousin’s wife couldn’t stand it and urged, “Dalong, since it’s Xiaogang’s first trip, let him off the inn fee.”

“Shut up!” My cousin stared daggers at me and scolded, “You’ve caused enough trouble already on this trip. Once we get to the factory, who knows how much more you’ll stir up? If you behaved yourself, I wouldn’t have so much to worry about.”

I felt disgusted and said firmly, “I’ll pay!”

Only then did my cousin nod in satisfaction and call for us to go find an inn together.