Chapter Twenty-One: Laying a Trap for Jia Guan

Back at the office, Wang Dong was on the phone: “Brother Lan, don’t make fun of me. Where would I have any money? Da Kuan? Don’t kid me, he’s even poorer than I am. How much can you make from this little business anyway? It’s not like before—now I’m so broke I could piss blood… Enough nagging, listen to me: stay away from that stuff, quit if you still can… Brother Kuan’s back, you talk to him.” He handed me the phone. “Lan Slant-Eye is trying to borrow money again, you talk to him.” Lan Slant-Eye had gotten into heroin. Last time he came around asking for money, claimed he wanted to invest in a clothing store. I knew whatever I gave him would be money down the drain; I didn’t give him a cent. It wasn’t stinginess—I just couldn’t tolerate drug users. I’d had a guy working for me who got into drugs; as soon as I found out, I kicked him out. If I gave Lan Slant-Eye money, I’d only be hurting him. That day I told him, “Brother Yan, if you’re really on that stuff, I’ll give you money—but you have to take it to rehab. If you blow it on drugs, you’ll pay me back double.” Lan Slant-Eye, face flushed, just said, “You’re not as straightforward as your brother,” and left. Later Wang Dong felt bad and secretly gave him five hundred. When I found out, I gave Wang Dong a tongue-lashing. And now, only a few days later, he was back again.

I took the phone and said gravely, “Brother Yan, do you have time now? If you do, come over.”

Lan Slant-Eye understood at once and stammered, “Kuan, I won’t ask to borrow the money anymore. I know you’re all having a hard time. I’ll go ask Jinlong instead.”

I sighed. “Why do you always let people down? Listen, hang up and get lost!”

I slammed down the receiver and snapped at Wang Dong, “So what if he once helped out my family? Doesn’t matter! If he calls again, don’t answer.”

Wang Dong grinned. “Don’t be like that, Second Brother. Slant-Eye isn’t a bad guy. Remember that night…”

I did remember. That night, Rotten Wood brought over a guy dressed like some nouveau riche. The moment he came in, he wanted me to guess who he was. I stared at him for a good few minutes but couldn’t place the fat man who looked like a toilet. He couldn’t help himself—came over and shook my hand. “Da Kuan, it’s me, your Brother Dalang.” I stepped back and took a closer look—almost laughed. Sure enough, this was the guy who used to buy me drinks when I worked at the mold factory. It took me a while, but I remembered his name: Wei Dalang. Back in ’89, during the student unrest, he’d been arrested; after he got out, he made a fortune, apparently by selling sea sand. I glanced outside—turns out he’d come in a Mercedes. Rotten Wood caught me looking and joked, “What are you staring at? That car’s nothing, Dalang’s got a BMW with an armed police plate too.”

That night at the restaurant, Wei Dalang slapped ten thousand yuan on the table. “Tonight’s dinner is on me; all the future projects are for Brother Da Kuan.”

I’d seen rich men before, but never one so reckless. I tossed the money back. “No matter how broke I am, I can’t let you pay. That’s not how it’s done.”

Wei Dalang threw the wad of cash to Rotten Wood. “You hang on to it. After we drink, let Da Kuan arrange the ‘show’.”

I understood what he meant, though the term was new to me. “Dalang, what do you mean by ‘show’?”

Wei Dalang burst out laughing. “You’ll know it when you see it—no need to say it. Rotten Wood knows, ask him.”

I dropped the subject. It was just the usual shady business.

While we drank, I asked Wei Dalang what line of work he was in now. Rotten Wood answered for him—after being dismissed from the factory, Wei Dalang moved his household registration back to his hometown and was now the village chief, specializing in land deals. Koreans were buying up land in his village to build factories, and the village land was like his own. I remembered that Ke Zhi had a steel structure team, and an idea struck me. “Dalang, you have to help me out—I can do steel structures.”

Without hesitation, Wei Dalang picked up the phone, spoke a few words, and handed me a business card with a wink. “Done. I’ve reserved a factory for you. In the next few days, send someone to get in touch with them. Just mention me—no one will dare compete with you. When you get there, look for this guy, the Chinese rep—he’s my man. Whatever he says goes. Negotiate the commission with him; I’ve already told him not to ask for too much.”

I found time to call Ke Zhi. He was astonished. “My god, Da Kuan, this is fantastic. I tried to make contact several times and got nowhere. Didn’t expect you had such connections. It’s true—when you’re poor in the city, no one cares; rich in the mountains, and you have distant relatives. Old Two, I know these nouveau riches—they have no class, just love women. Treat him well. As long as you sign the contract, you can easily make seven or eight hundred thousand in one go. You don’t have to show your face—just wait for your cut. My surname’s Zhao—I might cheat others, but never you. If this works, you’ll be tied in with him for life, and we’ll be waiting to get rich. Want me to spot you some cash for now?”

I said, “No need. I’ll take care of him here, and afterward they’ll use their own money for the ‘afterparty’.”

Ke Zhi got anxious. “How could you be so foolish? You can’t let them pay a cent, it all counts as our expense. You advance it, and we’ll settle up at the end.”

I laughed. “Zhao, you don’t get it. We used to work together in the same factory. He’s not an outsider, so it’s not a big deal.”

Ke Zhi suddenly raised his voice. “That’s not the same thing! Are you stingy or what? Have you ever done business? Listen to me.”

I said, “Zhao, trust me,” and hung up.

After thinking it over, I called Lan Slant-Eye and told him to get a few good-looking, willing girls. Money was no issue—just make sure they were good at what they did. Lan said all the local girls were gone, only outsiders left. But Wei Dalang had said he wanted local girls tonight. I ordered, “Try everything you can to find me a few locals. Tonight we’re entertaining the God of Wealth.” Lan Slant-Eye thought for a while and asked, “Why not ask Fat Wu? He’s got all the local girls.” I didn’t want to lower myself before Fat Wu—I was planning to teach him a lesson soon anyway. “If I could ask Fat Wu, why would I be asking you? I don’t care how you do it—I just want the girls.” Lan Slant-Eye, sounding dispirited, said, “Since you put it that way, what else can I do? I’ll handle it. In half an hour, come over. First karaoke, then ‘party’—whatever else you need, just ask.” I asked if it would be convenient to “do business” where they were. Lan Slant-Eye said he’d take us to the Xiangjiang Bathhouse, also under Kuai Bin’s protection—it would be fine. I said I’d sing with them for a while, then leave. He could take them from there, I’d give him the money, and he would cover all the expenses.

Back in the private room, Wei Dalang was already drunk, slurring “show, show.”

I grinned at Rotten Wood. “So, time for the ‘show’?”

Rotten Wood pulled Wei Dalang to his feet. “Enough with the ‘show.’ Let’s go—Kuan’s got everything arranged.”

Wei Dalang was shameless, slapped his crotch twice. “Brothers, it’s your turn.”

We all headed to a karaoke bar run by Kuai Bin, and sure enough, everything had been set up. While we waited for the girls in a private room, Rotten Wood couldn’t stop laughing at Wei Dalang’s crotch. Dalang’s live demonstration was wild—like a boar, howling away. Wei Dalang laughed with no shame. “Of course! That’s the way it should be. I’m not just talking—back in the day, I even had a three-way.” Rotten Wood was curious. “Dalang, what’s a three-way? One guy with three girls?” Wei Dalang sneered, “Foreigner! It’s much more exciting. If you’re interested, tonight we’ll try a three-way. Or maybe,” he glanced at me, “Da Kuan, you and I together—make it a four-way?” I had no idea what he meant, but guessed it wasn’t anything upright. I joked, “Alright, I’ll see something new tonight. Anyway, the ‘dishes’ are all yours…”

Just then, Lan Slant-Eye walked in. “Da Kuan, they’re all here. Take your pick.” The lights suddenly came up, and at the open door stood a dozen girls in black cheongsams—some with heads held high, some demurely bowing, each with a unique charm.

I had Lan Slant-Eye step out. Just as I was about to speak, Wei Dalang cleared his throat, stood up, and barked, “Attention! At my command—about face!”

The girls, bashful, turned around. Wei Dalang went down the line, feeling their behinds. “Nice, nice… This one’s soft—good, I’ll take you first.”

The girl slowly turned around, her thick braid swinging over her chest. “Thank you, boss.”

Lin Sister?! I nearly called out. She seemed to recognize me too, shrank back, and slipped away toward the restroom, disappearing.

I wanted to go after her and talk, but I suddenly found myself too weak to stand. All I could see were scenes from years ago, of her bustling around the apartment I’d rented… Around Wei Dalang, bare-shouldered women thronged as he sang, “My heart is waiting, forever waiting, my heart is waiting, waiting!” The room erupted in a tidal wave of cheers. I stumbled out, my steps as unsteady as a drunk’s. Lin Sister’s face flickered at the doorway, and my mind went blank.

The next day, Ke Zhi came to collect the business card Wei Dalang had left me, bringing along a contractor named Zhang to visit Dalang’s village.

He returned in the afternoon, eyes shining like lightbulbs, waving a stack of contracts. “Done! Incredible—signed for twenty thousand square meters in one go.”

A few days later, Ke Zhi handed me thirty thousand yuan. “This is the down payment; keep it. The big money comes later.”

Another few days, Lan Slant-Eye called. “Second Brother, that village-chief friend of yours really knows how to party—he’s been through eight girls one after another… All of them were Fat Wu’s girls, your pal was very happy.” I asked, “So you got the girls from Fat Wu?” Lan Slant-Eye sighed, “I did it behind his back. Now Fat Wu’s furious, says I’m poaching his territory and wants to settle scores.” I laughed, unconcerned. “Don’t worry, he won’t come after you. I’ll call him now.” After hanging up, I told Wang Dong. He immediately called Fat Wu. After a few words, Fat Wu went soft, apologizing nonstop. Wang Dong said, “Listen, Fatty, you mess with Kuai Bin and Zhang Kuan, and you’ll be finished.” Only then did Fat Wu realize who he’d crossed and hung up in silence.

Thinking about it, I took a thousand yuan from the drawer and tossed it to Wang Dong. “Take this to Slant-Eye and tell him—no next time.”

Wang Dong said, “Let Da Guang deliver it. Didn’t you say Donkey Si’er is coming? I want to see how you handle that kid.”

What’s there to handle? Just monkey business. I smiled. “Don’t make it sound so bad—friendship means everything in our world.”

Just then, Donkey Si’er’s braying voice rang out from the hall. “Brother Kuan, Donkey Si’er is here!”

Wang Dong grabbed the money, mimed a gag, left, and dragged Donkey Si’er in, shaking his head as he went. Donkey Si’er was decked out in style—purple shimmery suit, looking like he’d skinned an eggplant, hair slicked straight back with a few streaks of yellow, as though he’d smeared mud from a pot bottom, several shiny earrings dangling from one ear, all shaking as he tossed his head. He struck a pose in the doorway, chin lifted with an air of grandeur, minced over, and reached out a hand to me. “Brother Kuan, finally I get to see you.”

I stayed seated, pointing to the sofa. “Sit down. Damn, I’ve missed you.”

Donkey Si’er chuckled. “Brother Kuan hasn’t changed—still treats me like a real brother, even the greetings are like family.”

Lighting a cigarette, I squinted and smiled. “Si’er, remember that time I came to you for help, and you let me stay half the night?”

Donkey Si’er shook his head. “How could I forget? Of course I remember.”

“Ah, thinking about that night just makes me sad,” I twisted my lips, trying not to laugh. “If it weren’t for you, Si’er, I’d have been arrested by the police that very night. Ah, Si’er, you’re a good man…” Seeing his face turn awkward, I deepened my voice with mock sorrow, “Ah, if not for the saying—father and son in battle, brothers to fight the tiger—we’re brothers, closer than real brothers! Ah, these years, I’ve missed you so much, lost countless nights of sleep over it. Ah…”

“Brother Kuan, stop sighing,” Donkey Si’er grabbed my hand in misery, his face like a stepped-on tomato. “What can I say? I was wrong, okay? Don’t blame me, I was just scared that night—I thought you’d killed someone…”

“Killed someone, the temple door, the crack of a maiden’s ass, the pig-killing basin,” I started mumbling nonsense, “all blood-red, terrifying… Thank god, Si’er, you saved me. Otherwise, I’d have been finished.”

Donkey Si’er deflated like a leaking balloon, sliding to the floor. “Brother Kuan, spare me. I knew coming here today would end like this. Do as you see fit—I’ve already let you down.” I feigned shock, staring wide-eyed. “Si’er, what’s with you? Get up, get up.” His lips trembled; he simply sprawled out on the floor. “Brother Kuan, I know what really upsets you isn’t that I ran off that night, but that I joined up with that bastard Jinlong! This is who I am—deal with me as you like.” Seeing me unmoved, he sprang up. “Brother Kuan, if you have the patience, let me explain. I stayed home for half a year, couldn’t survive, so I came back. When I returned, all our business was gone, and in the market, the only person I knew was Jinlong! I was feeling miserable, squatting there, and Jinlong came over… I don’t remember exactly what he said, just that he wanted me to work for him, said he needed someone like me. I was desperate for work, so I agreed. Now I realize, he just wanted to embarrass you. He’s with Jiaguan, and Jiaguan has always wanted to hurt you… Anyway, I never did anything against you. Once Jinlong thought I was useless, he just…”

I waved my hand and nudged him with my foot, grinning. “Alright, enough with the theatrics. I really do need a favor from you.”

Donkey Si’er’s face lit up. “You’re forgiving me? Thank you, Brother Kuan! Tell me, what do you want me to do?”

I spoke lightly, “It’s all about using the right man for the job. You have the skill, so I’m giving you this task. I don’t want anyone else.”

Donkey Si’er was quick on the uptake, waving his hand before his face. “Got it—you want me to be your lookout, dig up some dirt on them?”

“Si’er, you’re sharp—a real talent for street life,” I laughed. “That’s exactly right. You know how things stand now between me, Jiaguan, and Jinlong. No point hiding it from you. What’s crucial now is to figure out their weak points, so we can strike. You get me?”

Donkey Si’er jumped onto a chair opposite me as if burned. “I know what to do. I know what kind of person Little Bastard is. Of all his men, only a few like Qian Feng are close—the rest he treats like dirt. There’s a guy called Bandit Jia, one of his followers. Once, for who knows what reason, Little Bastard pissed in a beer bottle and made Bandit Jia drink it in front of everyone—and he really did… Bandit Jia never said anything, but I’m sure he has his own thoughts—who could stand such humiliation? Bandit Jia can talk to him. I’ll reconnect with him, get close—he must know a lot of inside stuff.”

Donkey Si’er’s attitude pleased me. I grew serious. “Si’er, we’ve known each other more than ten years. That’s no small thing. That’s why I trust you. In Weibei, we were good brothers. When you followed Brother Kuai, we were close. Later, you joined me—you know how I treated you. One thing—if you work for me, do it thoroughly.”

Donkey Si’er flushed red to the roots of his neck. “Brother Kuan, don’t bring up old history. This time, I won’t run away.”

I smiled. “No need to explain, Si’er. You’re smart—I trust you.”

Donkey Si’er braced his neck, swearing, “Don’t worry. I, Donkey Si’er, am yours in life and death.”

I said, “When you go back, don’t let them know you came to see me. In public, keep cursing me—don’t let them suspect a thing.”

Donkey Si’er puffed out his chest. “Got it!”—loud as a Beijing Opera singer.

That was enough. I stood and patted his shoulder. “That’s it for now. Remember, as long as you have me in your heart, you’re still my good brother.”

His lips twisted and tears streamed down his face. “Brother Kuan, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.”

I tossed him a napkin. “Wipe your tears—your brother can’t stand to see that.”

Donkey Si’er wiped his face, instantly turning into a painted-face clown from the opera. “I’m suffering… so much hot blood, and a belly full of bitterness.”

I straightened my clothes and stood up. “Let’s go—time to drink.”

As I patted Donkey Si’er’s slick, oily head, it felt just like stroking a dog.