Chapter 005: A Life of Mixed Joys and Sorrows in Poverty

The father was originally a soldier. After transitioning to civilian life, he remained in the local area and over the years has dulled the sharpness he had during his military service. Now, like the mother, he is just an honest and straightforward retired worker. I offered him a few words of comfort, but could not think of any other good solutions.

Such an opportunity may only come once in a lifetime, and one must strive to derive as much benefit from it as possible. Relying solely on the less than 10,000 yuan in hand, even if one borrows a bit more from their parents, it is still merely small-scale dealings. If one wishes to undertake a significant business venture, where will the funds come from?

Upon hearing the sound, Zhang Sheng immediately recognized it as that particular film, causing him to shiver involuntarily. He hurriedly made his way to his room. At that moment, his younger brother Zhang Qing was in the inner room joking around with his girlfriend while working on a large order at the radiator factory.

Zhang Sheng carefully considered the people he knew, and among them, only two had the means to invest in land. One was Er Feizi, who had lived in the same neighborhood since childhood, and the other was Director Xu. Er Feizi had become successful and had long since moved away from the neighborhood, making him unreachable. After several years without contact, they had grown distant, and even if he were to visit, it would likely be difficult for the other party to agree.

As expected, Zhang Qing did not return home in the evening, and the young couple seemed to have gone off somewhere to enjoy their time together. Zhang Sheng briefly mentioned his plan to close the small restaurant to his parents, but to avoid worrying them, he did not dare to mention the financial losses. He only said that the profits were not substantial and that he wanted to pursue something else.

Zhang Sheng has also watched several segments of this film. In the story, the male protagonist's father is named Li Dagang, and his son is named Li Xiaogang, which sounds like they are brothers. The protagonist possesses a remarkable skill; with a single palm strike, he can breathe fire, which emerges from his sleeves, clearly indicating insufficient gas pressure. There is also a character known as the Master of Black and White, a top expert of the evil sect. On one occasion, he was depicted in the forest receiving some news, and coincidentally, Zhang Sheng entered the room and witnessed this master raising one eyebrow, half black and half white, and with a flick of his long robe, he took off running. Like a ghostly apparition, he vanished several times and was already a hundred zhang away, reminiscent of tales from "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio".

Zhang Qing returned to his room after dinner, sitting on the balcony, opening the window to gaze at the starry sky, smoking one cigarette after another, contemplating his own thoughts. He is now about 80% certain of the municipal government's intention to develop the west side of the bridge, and the next consideration is the source of the initial funding

Zhang Qing said: "Zhu Bajie? If he were to appear... I fear that the Spider Spirit would resolutely refuse to comply."

However, this martial arts film was even more powerful. Zhang Sheng only glanced at it a few times before kicking himself away. At that moment, his face flushed with shame, as if such an embarrassing film was made by him. Such a responsible audience member, I wonder if there is anyone besides Zhang Sheng.

In their letters, both individuals used pen names; Zhang was known as Qing Shui and Hu Juan as You You. Zhang Qing once boastfully showed an exchange of letters between the two to his elder brother. Zhang Sheng saw a couplet in a humorous poem, and he only read one line: "Qing Shui You You Spring | Water flows, Spring | Water flows to fullness..."

Zhang Sheng locked his bicycle and went upstairs. This is an old building made of brick and stone, five stories high. At the corners of the hallway on each floor, there are garbage chutes that allow residents to dispose of their trash directly from the upper floors to the ground. Initially, this method was quite popular due to its convenience. However, over time, the odor emanating from the chutes became unpleasant, and coupled with the rampant presence of cockroaches, the small wooden doors of the garbage chutes have now all been nailed shut.

I am taciturn and tongue-tied, how can I compare with my eloquent younger brother? This kid must have already charmed everyone, yet he remains single. How pitiful!" As the door closed, Zhang Sheng sighed while listening to the laughter and commotion outside.

A couple of days ago, I watched a Hong Kong version of "Journey to the West" on video. The special effects were amazing, and the actresses were beautiful. When the spider spirit flirted with Tang Seng, oh my, it was so enticing. How could it compare to what we have here, where the spirits just pinch their fingers and throw flirtatious glances? Is that really considered seductive? Look at their spirits, wearing semi-transparent red dresses, wriggling their hips as they crawl onto the bed. Oh, it made me anxious and eager to read. They don't need you to take responsibility; why is Tang Seng acting so coy? Just give in already!

The second person is Director Xu. It seems that the only influential person I know well is Director Xu. But... how can I ask him for help? A loan... With nothing to back it up, who would dare lend him such a large sum? Or should I try to bring him into the fold? Would he believe it? Would he be willing to cooperate? What if he hears the news and decides to go off on his own? Or should I try to bring him into the fold? Would he believe it? Would he be willing to cooperate? What if he hears the news and decides to go off on his own?

His girlfriend Hu Juan was laughing uncontrollably: "I said you should go play Tang Seng, then you would definitely get your wish!"

After Zhang Qing graduated, the relationship between the two became even closer, and their families were pleased with this development. Due to the tight housing situation at home, his younger brother shared a room with him, leaving no private space for dating. However, Zhang Sheng often stayed at a hotel, which provided the younger brother with an opportunity for an affair

Since it is Sunday, the whole family is at home. The parents are in the inner room watching television. After retiring, the elderly couple has become quite fond of television. They are currently watching a domestic martial arts drama, and although it is a rerun, they still find it very exciting.

Zhang Sheng pretended not to have seen this scene and said with a slight "Hmm": "The small restaurant is not doing well, so I stopped. I will go home to rest and discuss with my friends what to do in a few days."

Prior to this, he had been struck by the film "Somebody's First Bodyguard," where there was a character who, after a fall, could only see if he was hit again, leading to a cycle reminiscent of a broken radio that could be used with just a tap. One day, upon hearing that a friend was in trouble, he rushed to the rescue. Along the way, he suddenly found himself in a dramatic romantic scene with the female lead, exchanging heartfelt confessions. Zhang Sheng watched in fury, wishing he could kick that "broken radio" onto the horse's back to make it disappear immediately. This cycle continued, with the male lead resembling a broken radio that could be activated with just a tap. One day, upon hearing that a friend was in trouble, he rushed to the rescue. Along the way, he suddenly found himself in a dramatic romantic scene with the female lead, exchanging heartfelt confessions. Zhang Sheng watched in fury, wishing he could kick that "broken radio" onto the horse's back to make it disappear immediately.

Oh, then you take a break; we are just about to go out said Zhang Qing, giving Hu Juan a knowing glance

Zhang Sheng forced a smile; being at the very bottom of society, even when opportunities are right in front of him, it is still incredibly difficult to seize them

Zhang Sheng grasped the doorknob and deliberately twisted it two or three times before pushing the door open. Even so, it seemed that his younger brother and girlfriend had not yet had time to react; the two had just sat up from the bed. Hu Juan's face was flushed, her hair disheveled, and the collar of her half-sleeve shirt was unbuttoned at three places. It appeared that his brother's hand had just withdrawn from that ample bosom.

"Big brother is back!" Zhang Qing exclaimed as he jumped off the bed

The character at the back was a bit unclear; he just noticed that the radical of the character was the "广" radical. The younger brother immediately realized that this letter was not to be seen and swiftly snatched it back with lightning speed. Zhang Sheng also felt a sudden chill run down his spine and thus declined the visit due to an allergic reaction

Hi, I can't go either, as that spider spirit is about to forcefully take action, but the detestable Sun Wukong and the book have just appeared

Hu Juan is very handsome. She and Zhang Qing were high school classmates. After graduating from high school, Zhang Qing joined the army. The two of them exchanged letters and enjoyed their correspondence immensely. Every time Zhang Qing returned home from the military for a visit, he would bring back a military backpack full of letters, all written by Hu Juan

Zhang Sheng could only glance a few times before being utterly astonished

However, it was utterly inappropriate for the director to give him a close-up shot while running. The old man stumbled a couple of steps and nearly tripped over a tree root, almost falling flat on his face. This scene surprisingly was not cut, leaving Zhang Sheng feeling a wave of sadness. In this play, all the young and beautiful women are infatuated with the young but not handsome male lead. Throughout the entire production, apart from a sidekick who is always by the lead's side, there is not a single other young male character. This sidekick, named Congcong, bears a striking resemblance to Panpan. With such a severe imbalance in supply and demand, it is no wonder that women from both the righteous and villainous factions are crying out to pursue him.

Elder brother, we are leaving! Hu Juan shyly glared at Zhang Qing, politely greeted Zhang Sheng, and hurriedly walked outside while secretly fastening her clothing buttons

Zhang Sheng lives on the fourth floor in a two-bedroom apartment. This is the largest asset obtained by his father, who served as a soldier for half his life and then worked as a laborer for another half. Currently, the apartment is occupied by his parents and the two brothers, Zhang Sheng and Zhang Qing

Hu Juan said with a smile: "Isn't it arranged by the director? If a lecherous Zhu Bajie were to appear, wouldn't that be fine?"