Chapter Seventy-Five: Return to the Pigeon Market

When Chen Liang was about to leave, Big Dog hurriedly called out to him, "Brother, wait a moment!"

Chen Liang, not understanding the reason, glanced at Big Dog. Though he said nothing, his questioning gaze made Big Dog a little nervous.

"It's like this, Brother. I don't want the extra dime you gave me—could I trade one ticket for a cigarette from you?"

Chen Liang couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Buddy, aren't you being a bit greedy? A whole pack of Friendship Store cigarettes costs seven yuan twenty, so a single cigarette is worth thirty-six cents."

"Really? Well, Brother, I'll pay you the difference myself—would that work?"

Chen Liang had never before encountered someone so eager to buy his cigarettes, even willing to pay out of pocket. "Buddy, can you tell me why you have to have these cigarettes?"

Big Dog hesitated, clearly reluctant to explain, but Chen Liang wasn't bothered. Everyone has their secrets; it's normal not to share. Yet Chen Liang, always mischievous, pressed him further, wanting to tease out the real reason. "If you won't say, then forget it. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way!"

Seeing that Chen Liang was about to leave in earnest, Big Dog gritted his teeth, slapped himself, and thought, Why hide anything from him? He treasures these cigarettes daily—what could I possibly conceal from him? Would he ever covet my pitiful possessions?

"Brother, please don't go. Here's the truth: last time, you gave me half a pack of cigarettes. I used them to help my brother get a permanent job."

He paused briefly. "And the supervisor said, as long as I can get more of these cigarettes, he’ll help my remaining brothers secure permanent positions too. That’s why I want to get a few more packs from you."

"Oh, I see. Well then, I won't charge you extra. For the sake of your devotion to your brothers, let's change the deal: one ticket for one Friendship cigarette."

With that, Chen Liang took out a full, unopened pack. "I won't give you the pack with only a few left. Here’s a sealed pack—take it. And remember, next time you must collect more Moutai tickets."

"Thank you, Brother! I’ll definitely help you collect more tickets, just wait and see!"

Big Dog was utterly stunned by this unexpected windfall. An unopened pack of Friendship cigarettes was worth far more than half a pack.

Once he had ushered his brothers home, Big Dog took out the Friendship cigarette tucked behind his ear, struck a match to light it, drew deeply, then handed it to his younger brother.

"Try it, all of you. Now we can enjoy a good smoke!"

---

"Big Brother Dog, what happened? Why are you so happy?"

Hearing his brother's question, Big Dog solemnly placed the pack of Friendship cigarettes on the table. "Of course it's good news—it's the best news imaginable!"

"Look, with these, your job confirmations are finally within reach."

As he spoke, tears welled up in Big Dog's eyes. "Helping you all become permanent workers means I can keep the promise I made at our mother's grave. You’ll never have to worry about going hungry again!"

His words were heavy with emotion, and his brothers around him couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment—the room filled with sorrowful air.

"Big Brother Dog, what about you? Once we all become workers, what will you do?"

"Yes, Brother Dog, maybe you should find a job for yourself first. Our matters can wait."

"Nonsense! Without you little rascals holding me back, your Big Brother Dog would be living the good life—the happiest days are still ahead. Why the long faces?"

These young men had all been orphaned by war since childhood. After the elderly widow who adopted them passed away, Big Dog led his brothers through countless hardships.

As kids, they scavenged wilted leaves at the market every morning to stave off hunger, helped kitchen staff at restaurants at noon for scraps, braved cold afternoons to catch fish and shrimp in the river for food, and at night collected recyclables at the dump to sell.

For more than a decade, Big Dog struggled to raise his brothers, using every ounce of ingenuity to keep them alive.

When his brothers grew older, he arranged temporary jobs for them at factories, while he himself, gritting his teeth, went to the Pigeon Market to work as a hustler.

"Why are you all crying? Our good days are still ahead! Smile for me!"

Big Dog wiped his tears, slapped the table, and shouted loudly.

---

Meanwhile, after entering the Pigeon Market, Chen Liang wandered and observed. Suddenly, he spotted the old man who had previously sold him honey.

The old man was busy with a customer, so Chen Liang said nothing, standing quietly to smoke and wait.

When the shopper finally left, satisfied with his cloth bag full, Chen Liang approached the stall—this was basic etiquette at the Pigeon Market.

"Mister, do you still have honey?" Chen Liang asked bluntly, squatting down.

The old man glanced at Chen Liang, exchanged a polite word, "Of course there’s honey. Did you finish what you bought last time?"

The old man didn’t actually remember Chen Liang—he’d been at the market long enough to have many repeat customers, especially for honey, which was quite popular.

"Yes. How much honey do you have left? I’ll take it all." With money in his pocket, Chen Liang’s tone was full of confidence.

"Alright! This big jar holds thirty pounds. I already sold ten pounds earlier. Give me fifty yuan and you can take all of it."

After handing over the money and waiting for the old man to shine his flashlight and seal the jar, Chen Liang carried it away.

Damn, the old man must have raided countless beehives to gather so much wild honey.

After finishing his purchase, Chen Liang continued walking. At an empty corner, he tucked the honey into his supermarket.

Back on the street, he resumed wandering. Last time, worried that Xiao Yu might wake up midway, he’d bought only a few things before heading home, the trip unfinished.

It was just like men drinking out—if you haven’t reported to your wife, you can never fully enjoy the drink, constantly checking your phone, glancing furtively like a spy, calculating the time precisely.

But if you’ve told your wife beforehand, then it’s snowflake for snowflake, Qingdao for Qingdao—drink until dawn! And when you're drunk, you can call her in front of your envious friends, loudly announce your whereabouts, demand she drive over, and even scold her a bit when she arrives, thanks to the drink.

Though the homecoming may not end well, at least you get to show off a little in front of your pals, right?