Chapter 70: You Are Nothing

Late at night, Shazhu, for once, fell asleep without needing to drink himself into a stupor. What was once the tormenting mewling of cats became, on this particular night, his lullaby.

At dawn, with his hair disheveled and his face unwashed, Shazhu didn't bother to tidy himself up. Squinting with sleep, he looped a towel around his neck and headed to the public bathhouse not far from the entrance of the alley.

Today was a rare and joyous day for Shazhu; he had to make himself presentable before going to register his marriage. He, Shazhu, had never been inferior to anyone in his life. Whatever others had, he must have as well. Whatever his neighbor's wife had, his wife must have too!

“Shazhu?” Half-asleep, Shazhu jolted when he heard that familiar voice. Was he dreaming? If this was a dream, it certainly felt real.

“Xu Damao?” Turning around, he saw it was indeed that rascal calling him. No wonder the voice was so familiar!

With a sneer of disdain, Shazhu glanced at Xu Damao. “I say, Xu Damao, where did you get those two chickens this time? Aren’t you ever ashamed of your sneaky, thieving ways?”

Xu Damao retorted, slightly flustered, “Hey! Shazhu, are you looking for trouble so early in the morning?”

“I’ll have you know, I went out to the countryside to show a film, and the villagers gave these to me!”

Shazhu looked even more dismissive. “Oh, please! People in the countryside can barely feed themselves these days, and you expect me to believe they gave you two hens?”

“More likely you threatened the villagers—no gifts, no movie, right? Xu Damao, you really are something else!”

But Xu Damao merely grinned, not the least bit ashamed. “Shazhu, whatever you think, the chickens were a gift from the villagers, no matter how I got them.”

“I don’t care! I’m not your father, and if you’re not worried about being unable to have kids, why should I give a damn? Do as you please.”

There was no denying it—Shazhu and Xu Damao were born adversaries, always at each other’s throats with just a few words. Each knew the other’s sore spots and could rile each other up in an instant.

Hearing Shazhu suggest he couldn’t have children, Xu Damao laughed angrily. “Sure, I don’t have kids now, but that doesn’t mean I never will. Unlike someone I know, who doesn’t even have a wife yet!”

Normally, such a remark would have sent Shazhu into a rage—he might have even given Xu Damao a beating. Xu Damao, ever ready to run for it, was surprised to find Shazhu didn’t get angry. Instead, Shazhu looked smug. “Didn’t expect that, did you, Xu Damao? I’m not angry at all. Because, let me tell you, I’m about to go register my marriage! You barren rooster!”

Seeing Xu Damao’s face darken, Shazhu felt triumphant. “All right, out of the way. Good dogs don’t block the road. How does Lou Xiaoe stand you? You smell so sour!”

Pushing past Xu Damao, Shazhu strutted into the bathhouse like a victorious cricket, chest out and head held high. Xu Damao was left gnashing his teeth, seething inside. Don’t get cocky, Shazhu! Just wait and see how I ruin your wedding!

With this thought, his body, tired from last night’s exertions at the widow’s house in the countryside, seemed to regain its vigor.

Returning home to find Lou Xiaoe still hadn’t come back from her mother’s house, Xu Damao put the chickens in a cage, grabbed his money and ration tickets, and decided to go bathe as well—he really couldn’t stand his own sour smell.

Passing through the middle courtyard, he spotted the pretty widow washing clothes at the water basin. Seeing the alluring curve of her hips as she bent over, Xu Damao’s mind began to wander.

Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he hurried over. “Sister Qin, doing laundry? I’ve got some dirty clothes at home too. Mind washing them for me while you’re at it?”

The widow Qin responded without hesitation, “What, Lou Xiaoe isn’t home?”

“No, she spent the night at her mother’s. I was out in the countryside showing films. Hey, thanks, Sister Qin. I’ve got two old hens today, I’ll bring you one later!”

The widow Qin stood up, seizing the opportunity. “All right, let’s go.” But then she whispered, “One chicken’s not enough. You’ll need to pay extra.”

“Fine, I’ll give you two yuan more, how’s that?” At this moment, Xu Damao was entirely driven by his desires. Whatever Qin asked, he’d agree to.

“Let’s go!” She wiped her hands dry on her clothes, and the two of them headed to Xu Damao’s house, one after the other.

Minutes later, the widow Qin, her face flushed, left Xu Damao’s house with the old hen in her hands, walking home with her legs pressed together.

To be honest, the widow Qin was living a rather comfortable life these days: every morning she washed her undergarments, waited for Mrs. Jia Zhang to finish making breakfast, ate, and then headed off to work. At work, she’d make a brief appearance in the workshop, then slip away to either the old storeroom or the bathhouse boiler room.

With her beauty, now that she’d abandoned her demure persona, she had more suitors than she could count. Especially since Mrs. Jia Zhang had been tamed by her, not daring to say a word and completely at her mercy.

After the widow Qin left, Xu Damao also emerged from his house looking satisfied, then headed to the bathhouse for a wash. Once he’d changed into clean clothes, he tossed his dirty ones at home and sneakily followed after Shazhu.

He trailed Shazhu all the way to the neighborhood committee office. At the sight before him, jealousy flared in his chest, for when Liu Siyuan wasn’t having one of her episodes, her figure aside, she really was as lovely as a fairy.

When Liu Siyuan saw Shazhu approach the neighborhood committee, she was about to ask whether he’d brought his household registration book, when Xu Damao swaggered out from around the corner, looking smug.

He first greeted Shazhu with forced familiarity: “Shazhu, what are you doing here?”

Then he turned to Liu Siyuan and began airing Shazhu’s dirty laundry. “Comrade, I’ve been Shazhu’s neighbor since we were kids. You mustn’t be fooled by him—he’s had quite the ambiguous relationship with the widow Qin from our courtyard. He used to call her ‘Sister Qin’ in the most affectionate way!”

At the moment Xu Damao appeared, Shazhu’s internal alarm bells began ringing, especially as Xu Damao started revealing his secrets. He grew increasingly anxious, watching Liu Siyuan’s expressionless face for any sign of reaction.

When Xu Damao finished, Liu Siyuan finally spoke. “Everything you mentioned, He Yuzhu has already told me. I understand him. And as for you claiming to be his neighbor, I doubt it. What kind of neighbor acts like you? You’re really nothing at all!”

With that, Liu Siyuan turned and walked into the committee office. To Shazhu, who was still standing there, she said, “Well, do you want to register the marriage or not? If you do, get in here!”