Chapter 1, Memories of Jiangcheng
Lu Yan is the closest friend of Tao Yan among his high school classmates. Since their acquaintance, they have shared similar interests and have become quite familiar with each other. Even when they were financially strapped during college, the first person Tao Yan thought of for help was not his parents, but Lu Yan. Lu Yan, being quite loyal, has always been unambiguous in his support.
Lu Yan was taken aback; he never expected that after such a long time, Tao Yan would still remember, which brought a faint warmth to his heart. However, he was certainly not going to take the blame for this: "That was Ah Gui's famous saying, wasn't it?"
Upon hearing Lu Yan mention that poem, memories of the past surfaced in his mind, and with a smile on his face, he jested: "Oh? Didn't you once tell me—since ancient times, who hasn't had to deal with excrement? Who doesn't need toilet paper? If you relieve yourself without paper, do you use your fingers instead?"
This meal lasted for more than three hours, and both of them were somewhat tipsy. Therefore, Lu Yan did not return to his residence and stayed at the hotel with Tao Yan
Tao Yan was also very excited. Most of the wishes of those who come from the inland are the anticipation and longing for the sea. Walking barefoot on the azure sky, clear waters, and white sandy beaches is indeed a great joy
Over the years, the two have maintained contact, often playing chess in QQ games during their leisure time on weekends. The reason for coming here, rather than to the more prosperous Peng City nearby, is largely due to Lu Yan being here.
"A fortunate person will have the heavens on their side," Tao Yanjin sighed inwardly, yet comforted him by saying, "Elder brother is a blessed individual; being so capable, there must be a reason for the delay..."
The coastline of Jiangcheng is 604 kilometers long, with the inland area sloping from the northwest to the southeast. The terrain is diverse, primarily consisting of plains and hills, along with low mountains and tidal flats. The landscape is gentle, bordered by mountains and facing the sea, with vast marine areas, numerous islands, unique peaks, strange rocks, and beautiful bays and beaches. The inland is composed of the mountainous hills of the Phoenix Mountain and Scenic Mountain ranges, as well as the coastline and plains.
The inquiries made by the labor export company, visits by companions, missing person notices, and various leads have yielded no results. When attempting to file a report, he was informed that it could not be accepted. After numerous fruitless searches, in his most desperate times, Lu Yan had once slept in waiting rooms, parks, and on benches by the roadside, scavenging for trash and collecting Coca-Cola bottles. Ultimately, with no other options available, he had no choice but to find a job to support himself.
He cannot be considered a successful person, having spent five years in Jiangcheng without ever possessing the flourishing beauty of its half-and-half book distribution. He is busy all day making a living, and has become accustomed to such a scene.
The elder brother is named Lu Mo, five years his senior, and the two brothers have always had a good relationship. The elder brother left for Jiangcheng to work early on to help support the family. However, five years ago, just before he was about to graduate from high school, the elder brother joined a labor export group and went abroad, saying he was headed to a place called Nauru in the South Pacific. The pay there is very high, which would ensure the younger brother's tuition fees in the future
His university is located in the western part of the province, where the city is naturally less developed and prosperous. Although the journey was hurried, the environment was pleasant, the services were satisfactory, and the local residents' living standards and mental states were evident. In a thousand words, it can simply be summarized with the two words "wealthy".
Lu Yan saw Tao Yan stop to watch and explained: "The New Gate District is considered an underdeveloped area in Jiangcheng. This place is somewhat better, with a few Fortune 500 companies and a large number of factories related to various industries. The population makes it bustling, but the municipal planning, greenery, and economy cannot be compared to the city center"
Jiangcheng has transformed from a once economically backward border county into a new type of garden city, establishing an industrial system focused on high technology, and the preliminary framework of a comprehensive and outward-oriented economic pattern has begun to take shape. After more than 30 years of development, Jiangcheng's industry has gradually formed six major advantageous sectors: electronic information, home appliances and electrical equipment, biomedicine, petrochemicals, machinery manufacturing, and power energy.
He pointed to the departing bus they had just taken and said: "Further west is Qianshan, Tangwu, and beyond that is Huishan. The land rent there is cheaper, the policies are more favorable, and there are many small factories, but it is quite desolate. I used to work there, and often after leaving the factory, it would take me half an hour to reach the residential area, making it impossible to buy something to eat or have a meal."
The two had not seen each other for a long time and shared their circumstances since their separation
* * * * * * * *
However, this feeling cannot be suppressed, and Lu Yan began to introduce Tao Yan to the city of Jiangcheng
Xiao Jingming and Shi Gui's current situation is well known to Tao Yan. He is also aware that Lu Yan specifically took 5 days of annual leave to accompany him. The words of gratitude among friends are hard for him to express, yet they remain in his heart. There is not a trace of blame or resentment towards them for being neglectful. He raised his glass and clinked it with Lu Yan's, saying emotionally: "I truly appreciate the trouble I've caused you this time. However, between brothers, there is no need to say too much in thanks; saying too much feels insincere. I will say just one thing: once we are brothers, we are brothers for life!"
This old joke may not seem amusing now, but in the past, during an era when information was not as accessible, it truly was an excellent anecdote to share during casual conversations over tea and meals, and many people would often circulate it.
One by one, they reemerge before my eyes, as vivid and lifelike as this old friend before me
* * * * This is the background, please skip if you do not like it * * * *
After settling in, the two of them went to a nearby night market. Lu Yan chose a popular food stall that colleagues often visited for gatherings, ordering a pot of grilled live fish, a few side dishes, and several bottles of "Bainian Hutu." As they began to drink, they found that although the environment was poor and noisy, the flavors were uniquely delightful. Both were hungry, which made the food even more delicious and appetizing.
A cup of white liquor, Lu Yan downed it in one go, and the pure and sharp liquor made tears stream from his eyes, causing his whole body to feel warm. Tao Yan filled Lu Yan's cup again and, after a moment's thought, asked: "Has there been any news from elder brother?"
Since Lu Yan was in Qianyi Town, Xinmen District, Jiangcheng, it required several bus transfers to get back and forth, and it was getting late, so they did not chat for long. Lu Yan grabbed Tao Yan's luggage and hurried him to squeeze onto the bus. Fortunately, it was the starting station, so it was easy to catch a bus. After they sat down and settled in, Tao Yan finally had the chance to ask about the situation of the other two classmates.
The two individuals reminisced about the amusing stories from their school days, a time so distant that it can no longer be traced. They did not delve deeply into it, merely sharing a laugh. Memories of their time together in school vividly surfaced in their minds—those moments of joy, those instances of sorrow, and those foolish yet invaluable experiences worth cherishing for a lifetime, the long-buried madness.
In order to find his elder brother, Lu Yan gave up his studies and came to Jiangcheng, where his brother had previously stayed. However, in such a vast city, with a permanent population of over one million and even more transient residents, it was indeed too difficult for a rural youth who had just entered society to locate one person.
Friendship is like tea, a gently flowing stream deep in the mountains, subtly lingering in the heart; love is like wine, the surging Yellow River cascading from the plateau, intensely filling the mind
As the lights began to glow, the number of people on the street suddenly increased. Having known each other for many years, the two were well aware of each other's temperaments and did not urge each other to drink. They leisurely enjoyed their meal and drinks while chatting. When discussing the two classmates who would arrive tomorrow, Lu Yan explained, "Lao Xiao and A Gui are engineers at that well-known company in Peng City, famous for manufacturing Apple products and for its high-rise buildings. The rules there are strict, and it's difficult to take leave, so they couldn't come earlier. Tomorrow is the weekend, and they will take the earliest boat over. At that time, we can all go to Wai Ling Ding Island together."
Lu Yan raised his glass and said with a smile, "I believe my brother will come back, he definitely will." At that moment, there was a bright, shining light in his eyes
Lu Yan smiled and said nothing more
Drink alcohol
In Lu Yan's limited knowledge at the time, he only knew that Nauru was the smallest country in the South Pacific island nations, which had once been the richest among these islands, famous for selling bird guano, and possessed relatively abundant phosphate and fishery resources. He knew nothing else.
Lu Yan arrived in the south quite early. When Tao Yan and others went to the ivory tower, he, due to family reasons, came to a southwestern city in the southern province after graduating from high school, embarking on a working life.
To ensure its high-tech and tourism status, Jiangcheng suppresses the development of heavy industry. In terms of total industrial output, the main industries are as follows: electronic and communication equipment, electronic instruments and machinery, and office equipment. The industrial system focuses on high technology, fostering a comprehensive and outward-oriented economy.
Jiangcheng is an important city located at the southern end of the Dongjiang Delta, situated in the southwestern part of Dongjiangkou in the southern province. To the east, it faces the sea across from Province X, to the south it connects with Province A, to the west it borders Xintai and Huishan City, and to the north it adjoins Hongshan City
After two trips, I finally arrived at the New Gate District of Luyanjiang City
There is hope, and thus talent will become even stronger
In my heart, there occasionally remains a glimmer of hope, thinking of my elder brother far at the southern end of the Earth, still living healthily and happily under this blue sky, and that would be enough
Lu Yan's hand trembled slightly, his eyelids lowered, and after a long pause, he finally replied: "No. It has been more than five years since he went to that damned place, Nauru. Except for some news that came in the first few months, there has been no word since then."
Lu Yan remained silent. It is good to stay at home for a thousand days, but going out brings countless difficulties. If one could secure a job and a stable income at home, earning enough to support a family and maintain a modest lifestyle, who would be willing to travel to a strange city a thousand miles away? He had been away for quite some time, yet he often returned home, so he was naturally aware of the situation: the roads were poor and the mountains numerous, resources were scarce, and funding was limited; these were objective reasons. Additionally, there were conservative mindsets, inaction from superiors, overstaffing, major repair projects, and... operating under debt... He had been away for quite some time, yet he often returned home, so he was naturally aware of the situation: the roads were poor and the mountains numerous, resources were scarce, and funding was limited; these were objective reasons. Additionally, there were conservative mindsets, inaction from superiors, overstaffing, major repair projects, and... operating under debt...
Postscript: The theme song of this chapter is "The World Outside" by Qi Qin
Although the classmates around him had only recently started their jobs, discussing such complaints in front of Tao Yan always dampened the mood. Having been in the workforce for many years, he naturally understood the importance of being tactful and was adept at restraining his emotions. Not saying much at the moment, he noticed that it was getting late and took Tao Yan to a hotel not far from his residence.
Years of social experience had not made him more tactful. He remained the same Lu Yan as before, equally sincere and equally warm, which left Tao Yan quite moved
Tao Yan stood at the bus stop, curiously observing the haphazardly planned buildings of varying heights, the dense flow of people at the street corner, and the small shops and stalls under various metal awnings. He suddenly felt as if he had returned to the small county town of his hometown. If it were not for the rows of factories, office buildings, and iron fences on the left side of the road, along with the young men and women dressed in various blue and white factory uniforms passing by, he would have experienced a surreal sense of time travel, as if after a day's journey, he had returned to the starting point.
He has been in the south for quite some time, listening to the local dialect of Tao Yan, and feels particularly happy
This is a provincial-level industrial park located in the suburbs. Although it does not boast the towering skyscrapers and vibrant floral displays of the city center, it accommodates a population of over one hundred thousand and is bustling with activity, possessing its own unique prosperity
Lu Yan glanced around and smiled, saying, "It is good, but ultimately it is not my own home"
Transportation is also very convenient, with National Highway 105, the Beijing-Jiangxi Expressway, the Western Coastal Expressway, and the Jiangnan Expressway all starting from Jiangcheng; Jiangcheng Avenue leads to Jiangcheng Port and Jiangcheng Airport; civil aviation, ferries, and intercity light rail are all available, providing extensive connectivity
Tao Yan nodded and said, "Every place has its pros and cons. Look at our home, which is relatively remote, surrounded by high mountains and dense forests, desolate and uninhabited. The villagers have to walk several hours on mountain paths to reach the town; if they want to get to the county seat, it takes a whole day without a return trip. In comparison, this place is much better; the plains have convenient transportation, are densely invested along the coast, and the policies are much more open and relaxed..." In comparison, this place is much better; the plains have convenient transportation, are densely invested along the coast, and the policies are much more open and relaxed..."
Unexpectedly, this wait has lasted for five years. During this time, I intermittently searched for information and sought help from online forums for locating people, but to no avail. Gradually, I became resigned to the situation, and even my aging parents at home began to accept this reality.
Jiangcheng is a renowned coastal tourist city. The natural environment is beautiful, with clear mountains and waters, and vast sea areas, featuring over 100 islands, earning it the title of "City of a Hundred Islands." The city's planning and construction are uniquely crafted, emphasizing tourism awareness, natural harmony, elegance, and sophistication, rich in the charm of seaside gardens and modern ambiance
Speaking of this, Lu Yan excitedly waved his hand and said: "In the famous poem 'Crossing Lingdingyang' written by Wen Tianxiang during the late Southern Song Dynasty, when the Zhao Song dynasty was collapsing, there are these four lines— 'In fear at the fearful beach, I sigh in the lonely Lingdingyang. Since ancient times, who has not faced death? Let my loyal heart shine through the annals of history!' The Lingdingyang mentioned here is right here. If tomorrow the weather is clear, we can go swimming at Outer Lingding Island together..."
These issues are not isolated or individual; the managers selected through multiple layers are also part of China's elite class. Reform is difficult, and it is not for a minor figure like Lu Yan to express an opinion.
* * * * * * * * *
However, it was not long before we lost contact. At first, I thought it was simply because international calls were too expensive and we spoke less frequently. Little did I know that when Lu Yan filled out his college entrance examination application, it would officially confirm the news of his brother's disappearance
Tao Yan had been on the road for about ten hours, feeling drowsy and asleep, but at this moment, he no longer felt tired. He was sitting with Lu Yan, chatting and reminiscing. Looking out at the bustling streets and the continuous flow of people, Tao Yan couldn't help but exclaim: "This place in the south is really damn rich..."
In the past, when reading Mr. Zhu Ziqing's "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," there is a line that goes: "The liveliness belongs to them; I have nothing." At that time, I only felt a subtle intertwining of faint sorrow and gentle joy, draping the beautiful lotus pond under the moonlight with a hazy veil, serene and elegant, tranquil and soft, yet as time passed, I increasingly sensed the pervasive sadness and helpless melancholy within it.
They will take a boat over tomorrow. Familiar with the route, they will find their way here on their own. Lu Yan said with a smile, "You must be exhausted from the journey, right? Take a short nap first; there’s still over an hour to go before it’s time."