Chapter 84: The Tenement Building

When a child hurts someone, the parent steps forward to apologize—this is only proper and expected. Though it is said that a son must repay his father’s debts, this time Xiao Cheng did not assume all responsibility. For a mere adolescent to visit and apologize alone seemed somewhat disrespectful; to bring along the grandmother was to show true sincerity.

There was no reason to hide the matter of the mathematics scholarship. Upon hearing the news, the grandmother’s wrinkles unfolded into smiles. Xiao Cheng’s resolve to pay his father’s debt moved the old lady to tears, and she kept saying, “The child is grown, he understands now…”

The two conferred and decided: others could be delayed, but the debt to the Lu family was a debt of conscience and could not be postponed. Fifty thousand in compensation was not much, only enough to settle their hearts.

“One dead, three injured, four victims—yet we owe only the Lu family! This debt must be repaid!” Even though the family was impoverished, the Wen family possessed such resolve.

Xiao Cheng knew where Lü Qi lived, but he and his grandmother first sought out Lü Songyan at the labor market. Since the place was crowded, the grandmother waited in the pavilion while Xiao Cheng went to find Lü Songyan and brought him over.

The old lady bowed deeply, making Old Lü blush.

“Auntie, it’s been years since that happened, why bring it up again? It’s all in the past.”

Grandma Wen shook her head. “Master Lü, you are magnanimous and do not hold grudges, but for us, it’s never been settled. When visiting the prison, Xinwu told me: among those he hurt, the others deserved it, but you—he can’t forgive himself. I’ve long wanted to come and apologize, but felt too ashamed. Only today have I managed to say ‘I’m sorry.’ It’s already too late!”

Her few words, heartfelt and reasonable, carried the dignity of a matriarch.

“Auntie, please don’t embarrass me! If I hadn’t barged into your yard, none of this would have happened. My injury healed long ago, but your brother still has many years left before he’s released. If you don’t blame me for causing trouble, I’ll be grateful! It was my own foolishness—greed for the money from the relocation office. I did whatever they asked, so I can’t complain about getting stabbed.”

“That’s your generosity! My son told me, the others raised their weapons first, but you—he saw you were strong and feared you’d suffer, so he struck preemptively. In truth, you didn’t even fight back…”

Lü Songyan laughed. “Auntie, not to make you laugh, but I was just timid! There’s nothing more to say. The matter is unclear—one stab for me, prison for your son, we’re all victims! We’re all poor folk, no need for such ceremony. You have this kindness, and it’s as the saying goes—friendship born from adversity. I’ve heard about your family’s situation. I have no special skills, only strength; if you ever need help with heavy work, just ask!”

At the bottom rung of society, there were no real grudges among people—so why did two strangers end up stabbing each other? Xiao Cheng recalled the environmentalists’ saying: “No trade, no harm.”

Money, damn it, always money!

“Master Lü, we ought to have visited your home to apologize, but didn’t know where you lived. It was only through my grandson, Lü Qi’s classmate, who heard you work here, that we managed to invite you. I hope you don’t mind…”

Before the old lady could finish, Lü Songyan interrupted, “Auntie, you’re too polite. It’s perfect! My house isn’t far; if you’re able, come and see it—our children are classmates, it’s fate. From now on, let’s treat each other as family.”

Grandma Wen thought it reasonable—money couldn’t be handed over in the street, better to visit the home.

The town was small; most students from Second Middle lived on either side of the school, with Xiao Cheng’s Old Well Village being considered distant. Lü Qi’s family was also by the river, not far from the unfinished building where the previous fight had occurred. Xiao Cheng knew the place—they called it the Tube Building.

The Tube Building was aptly named: a long narrow corridor, ventilated from both sides, connecting multiple small rooms. From one window you could see straight to the other end. The kitchen and toilets were communal, each household cooked in the corridor, rooms barely ten square meters, and every inch was cluttered with all sorts of belongings.

Old Lü led the way, Xiao Cheng and his grandmother followed. Anyone who’d never entered a tube building could hardly imagine such efficient use of space. On the left, beside the honeycomb coal stove, a jar of pickled vegetables; above the stove, garlic braided and hung from the metal flue. On the right, two cabinets stacked to the ceiling; the dish rack was homemade, and through the glass sliding doors you could still see leftovers from lunch…

These tiny units were meant as single dormitories, but singles sometimes married and had children—no house could stop them. So the possessions multiplied, the people increased, and the space shrank.

This crampedness was evident in Lü Qi’s home. A room barely over ten square meters, a double bed took up most of it. Against the wall, an old-style wardrobe with mirrored doors. The bulky TV faced the bed. Lü Qi’s small bed was by the door, with the desk and bookshelf built into it—clearly custom-made. The space between the adults and child was divided by a thick curtain, open by day, drawn at night—to keep the child from watching TV.

Lü Qi’s mother was a robust rural woman with rough skin. When strangers arrived, she showed a hint of nervousness. She stood up from the coffee table, where she’d been cleaning vegetables, and forced a smile, “Oh, Old Lü, we have guests? And this is…?”

The simple question stumped Lü Songyan. The relationship was hard to explain—he couldn’t very well say, “This is the mother and son of my adversary.” He stared, searching for words, but the old lady spoke first, “I am Wen Xinwu’s mother, and this is my grandson, Wen Xiao Cheng. We’ve come especially to apologize.”

Family members of those involved five years ago would never forget Wen Xinwu’s name, and with the visit for apology, anyone would recall, even if memory failed. Hearing the name Wen Xinwu, Wu Mei’s smile froze, her gaze shifted to her husband, waiting for an explanation.

The atmosphere grew tense. Old Lü, not good with words, was unsure how to explain. Xiao Cheng stepped forward, offering the gifts he’d brought, “Auntie, I’m also a student at Second Middle, and Lü Qi’s classmate. Just a little token, please accept it.”

Wu Mei kept looking at her husband, unsure whether to accept. It was nothing extravagant—just fruit and prepared food bought nearby, the most expensive items two bottles of wine, the lot costing under two hundred yuan. Xiao Cheng had chosen carefully: braised beef and pig ears, appetizing and hard to refuse; seasonal fruit as well, just in case they wouldn’t accept.

Lü Songyan wanted to be polite, but realized refusal would seem ungrateful, so he feigned familiarity, telling his wife, “Enough, don’t stand on ceremony. Auntie, just so you know, next time you come, don’t trouble yourself with gifts!”

——————

Has anyone ever seen a tube building?