Chapter Fifteen: Mr. Hong’s Invitation

Uncle Shengui and Aunt Ma came over, and Shalong happened to be playing at Uncle Shengui’s place, so he joined them as well. It truly surprised them: the two young men living in this house were something else. First, Gang Mengzi—his girlfriend turned out to be a glamorous lady boss, and now, Shale’er had arrived in the alley with a big boss driving him in a car.

Shale’er stepped out of the car, and Uncle Shengui and Aunt Ma almost didn’t recognize him. Dressed in new clothes and leather shoes, Shale’er stood tall and handsome—no longer looking like a simple laborer.

“Uncle Shengui, Aunt Ma, it’s alright. Boss Hong is my friend,” Shale’er greeted them.

Boss Hong smiled warmly. “Hello, everyone, sorry to bother you.”

His three burly bodyguards also got out of the car. Boss Hong instructed them to wait outside, then entered the house with Shale’er.

Shale’er opened the door and turned on the light. Suddenly, a golden flash startled Boss Hong, who quickly stepped back. Upon closer look, a small golden snake landed on Shale’er’s shoulder. The snake stared at him intently, its eyes cold and sharp. It didn’t act aggressively, just flicked its red tongue lightly.

In those few seconds, sweat formed on Boss Hong’s forehead. He was used to dealing with snakes—he raised many venomous ones—but he had never felt such unease before.

Of course, the snakes he kept were always in cages, never threatening anyone. But he was not only skilled at raising snakes; he was also adept at catching them. He wasn’t as legendary as Xian Donghai, but he was far from ordinary. Ordinary snakes could never threaten him.

“Jin’er, Boss Hong is my friend. Calm down,” Shale’er gently stroked the little snake. The hostility in its eyes faded, and its gaze lost its icy, piercing quality.

“My goodness, what a fierce little snake,” Boss Hong said, still unsettled.

“Yes, Boss Hong. Jin’er seems to have some hostility towards you. Usually, when visitors come to my house, it doesn’t act like this,” Shale’er said, offering Boss Hong a plastic stool and coaxing the little snake back to its nest. The snake watched Boss Hong coldly for a moment, then slipped into a bamboo tube.

“No worries,” Boss Hong replied. “Perhaps I’ve caught many snakes before, and it sensed that about me.” He sat down, wiping the sweat from his brow.

“No wonder. I thought it was a bit crazy,” Shale’er laughed. “But it listens to me. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen.”

Boss Hong smiled, took out a cigarette, and offered one to Shale’er, who shook his head. Boss Hong lit one for himself, looking around the small room as he smoked.

“Boss Hong… I’m sorry, I don’t even have tea to offer you.”

“That’s not right, my young friend,” Boss Hong chuckled. “When I was your age, I was a poor boy too. I remember wanting pork for a meal was a rare treat. Tea was out of the question—just eating was a struggle. When thirsty, I’d drink cold water from a ladle.”

Hearing this, warmth spread through Shale’er’s heart, and his earlier restraint melted away.

“My young friend, I heard you say this afternoon you earn only forty-five yuan a day. Why not come work for me? I’ll give you three thousand a month, with room and board included. How does that sound?”

“Three thousand?” Shale’er stared at Boss Hong in shock. Three thousand a month meant a hundred a day; even the foremen at the construction site didn’t earn that much. Sometimes, when there was no work, there was no pay.

“What’s wrong? Is it too little?”

“No… not at all. How could I think that’s too little? But I don’t know anything about your business…”

“My young friend, you can learn,” Boss Hong said. Shale’er was delighted, but suddenly thought of Wen Li. If he went to Foshan, what would happen to Wen Li? He already considered her his true girlfriend. He was a responsible young man, not a flirt; his first taste of love made him value it deeply.

“Boss Hong, could I wait a few days… Three thousand a month—it would make me laugh in my sleep.”

“My young friend, three thousand is just a drizzle. You’re sitting beside a treasure trove.”

“A treasure trove?” Shale’er was puzzled.

“I won’t tell you everything yet. In about ten days, there’ll be a snake fighting contest at my place in Foshan. Famous snake kings from all over the country will come. If your snake is really formidable, who knows—you might never have to work as a laborer again,” Boss Hong said, taking a drag from his cigarette and looking up. “Of course, there’s more to it. If you want to join, come find me in Foshan in a few days.”

“A snake fighting contest?” Shale’er truly didn’t understand. Boss Hong didn’t explain further, but stood up and patted him on the shoulder.

“My young friend, if you seize this chance, you could soar to great heights. Think it over.” Boss Hong, himself from humble beginnings, was also superstitious and believed in fate. He wanted to help this young man he felt a connection with. But he believed that some things depended on whether one had the luck for them. He’d offered enough hints—if Shale’er didn’t catch on, it meant the boy didn’t have the fortune or destiny for it, and there was no need to help him further.

If a person lacks fortune, even given a great opportunity, they will squander it.

“I’d like to… I just don’t know what to do,” Shale’er said, not foolish and unwilling to spend his life doing hard labor. Perhaps his destiny was manifesting; the confusion faded, and urgency filled his expression. “Boss Hong, whatever you say, I’ll do. I’ll follow your lead.”

Boss Hong’s eyes brightened at this. He sat back down, studying Shale’er’s face so closely that Shale’er felt a bit uncomfortable.

“Boss Hong isn’t choosing a son-in-law—why is he looking at me like this?” Shale’er wondered to himself.

“My young friend, I always believe that wealth and fortune are destined. I’ve met many people, and judging by your face, you should be a lucky one. Heroes emerge from humble origins—you may accomplish great things. Tell me, do you have a mobile phone?”

“No.”

Boss Hong turned to the door and called for his driver. The driver came in.

“Boss.”

“Go buy a mobile phone—get a good one. Top up two hundred yuan of credit.”

The driver agreed and left. Boss Hong chatted with Shale’er for a while, and soon the driver returned, handing over a Motorola phone.

“Give it to young Shale’er.”

“To me?” Shale’er was astonished. “This… it’s expensive… I can’t afford it.”

“Haha… my young friend, take it. This way, we can stay in touch. If you feel uneasy about it, you can deduct it from your wages when you work for me. Save my number in it.”

Shale’er was deeply moved. Boss Hong had bought him clothes and shoes before, and now a phone. They barely knew each other, yet Boss Hong wasn’t worried he might never go to Foshan.

Seeing Shale’er’s eyes glisten, Boss Hong patted his shoulder again and left the room. Shale’er hurried to see them off, waving until the car was far down the road.

“Le’er, what did that boss want you for?” his coworkers crowded into his room.

“Le’er, you look so handsome,” Aunt Ma admired. “New clothes and new shoes really make a difference. Must’ve cost a fortune, right?”

“Uh… I didn’t buy them. Boss Hong did, and he gave me a phone, too.”

“Heavens… that phone is expensive. I checked—it costs over two thousand six hundred. Boss Hong is really generous,” Aunt Ma laughed. “I bet Boss Hong doesn’t have a son and wants you to be his son, am I right?”

“Not at all… Aunt Ma, you’re too much!”

“If he doesn’t want you as a son, maybe he wants you as a son-in-law? That’s even better—you’re lucky. Don’t forget Aunt Ma when you’re successful.”

Everyone stared at Le’er. He grew anxious.

“Aunt Ma, why are you saying such nonsense? It’s not like that.”

“Then it’s strange. If he doesn’t want you as a son or a son-in-law, why buy you so many things? Is he crazy?”

Shale’er forced a smile, not knowing how to explain himself to them.