Chapter 3, Wu Yongsheng

I comforted him: "You are just speaking out of anger; at your age, how can you still be without a wife?"

I have also considered selling the land, but it is very difficult to implement. Building a commercial area next to the railway is certainly not feasible. As for residential buildings, there are no residents. It was not easy to find a cattle farmer interested, but in the end, he concluded that the noise from the trains would affect the cows' breeding and delay calving.

I exclaimed: "How did you know?"

I sighed as I unlocked the chain on the glass door and entered. First, I went upstairs to the public restroom to wash my face, brushing off the burnt particles from my hair. Then, I came downstairs and used the water from the dispenser to prepare a bucket of instant noodles. I lit a cigarette and sat behind the counter, waiting.

As a result, this middle-aged man sat there for an entire morning and afternoon, from the blazing sun until dusk, maintaining the same posture. His hands were steadily placed on his knees, his head slightly raised, and only occasionally did a gentle breeze cause his thick short hair to sway slightly, resembling a plant.

... ...

Why do you go out without bringing anything? What is your name?

His eyes widened even more: "Do you still want money?"

The East Station is quite far from the city center, and there are no decent buildings in the vicinity. In the past, there were at most a few people selling tea eggs under a makeshift iron shed for breakfast. Later, I became filled with envy and resentment towards these individuals; they would simply pick up their baskets and leave, leaving only me and my small second-floor apartment standing alone in the desolate outskirts, resembling the exterior of the Dragon Gate Inn.

I smiled and said, "Convenient! Of course it's convenient—does that mean you are not catching a train?"

He stood up and said: "Since you have your own rules, I cannot break them. I will definitely return the money to you."

He widened his eyes and said, "What does it mean?"

The driver looked into my eyes and sincerely said, "Not at all, really. However, I know that you are definitely not an ordinary person—just based on your residence here. To be honest, if you weren't a man, I would have thought you were a transformed fox."

The person shouted, "What do you want to say?"

Oh, what is it about https://m.hetushu.com?

I hurriedly stood up and asked, "Would you like to check in or have a meal?" It is rare to have a guest, so I appeared very attentive

The driver, with a beaming expression, said: "During the college entrance examination, we provided free transportation for the candidates. I was a volunteer representative, a model of learning from Lei Feng"

Amidst the overwhelming noise, I shouted at the top of my lungs: "It is rare to find such a secluded place in the city"

The driver shrank his neck and stepped on the gas to make a hasty escape

Ah, I am not as good as you, Lei Bei

Upon entering the room, I took out a bucket of instant noodles and said: "You must be hungry; this is all I have."

Wu Yongsheng chuckled and said: "It was just something I came up with."

The driver chuckled dryly and said, "Next time, I may not be able to find it."

The driver immediately straightened up: "Is it really you? The traffic broadcast mentioned it, saying that the 24 bus was struck by lightning, and someone... oh, I’m sorry, a person was struck by lightning." With one hand on the steering wheel and the other reaching out towards me, he said, "Brother, what a pleasure! This is my first time being so close to a celebrity!"

He spread his hands and said: "But I have no money"

I struck his hand and indignantly said, "Drive properly, do you also want to be on the radio?"

I laughed and said, "Did you just not regard me as a robber?"

Near the East Train Station lies a vast expanse of wasteland, with no other buildings apart from the waiting hall. The area is sparsely populated, and the driver slows down, cautiously navigating while frequently turning his head to look at me: "Brother, there really is no road ahead."

The driver exclaimed, "You wouldn't be the one on bus 24, would you?"

I apologize to everyone for disappointing you. I am not a special forces soldier, nor do I possess martial arts skills, and I am certainly not Superman. However, if you give me a phone booth like Superman, I can also solve problems. He can change into his red briefs, while I can call a dozen brothers for help. The reason I dare to meddle in others' affairs is that my father is Long Baohua

Moreover, I never intended to force the issue. I believe that if I simply mention the old man's name, these scoundrels will think twice. Isn't the second generation of wealthy families quite popular now? I am a genuine member of the second generation! Unfortunately, those two students stirred things up, and I couldn't even say the impactful phrase, "My dad is XX." What a letdown!

In fact, by the afternoon, I could no longer bear it. This person, despite appearing to be of considerable age, did not seem like the type who would be sharp-tongued and take advantage of others. Throughout the afternoon, I assigned him several identities: a down-and-out outsider, a failed businessman, and a middle-aged man with family troubles. Ultimately, I found the last identity to be the most plausible. My primary concern was that I genuinely worried he might take a drastic step and die here. With no business to begin with, if the Dragon Gate Inn were to turn into a desolate ancient tomb, I would truly become a vixen.

I handed him the money and said, "You are welcome to come and sit whenever you have time."

He looked at me strangely and said, "At my age, what do I need a wife for?"

I am furious: "What kind of hotel do you think you can afford without money? Do you take me for a fool?"

I said: "Then you are also a celebrity, why are you shaking hands with me?"

On the second floor of the small building, the window is adorned with flashy stickers reading "Music Tea Bar," "Elegant Environment," "Accommodation," and "Free Internet." The driver let out a sigh and said, "Does anyone come to this place? It seems like they are afraid someone might find it; I don't know who would be foolish enough to open it."

I pointed outside the window and said, "Let me tell you, after passing the train station, when you see the crooked-neck tree, turn left, and you will definitely find it."

He said: "I understand, little brother, you actually don't need to worry about me; I'm doing quite well out here"

I shyly said, "A standard room is 100 per day, but if you stay long-term, I can give you an 85% discount." The prolonged lack of customers has made me feel less like a businessperson, and I am quite embarrassed to discuss money with others.

"Is this environment good?" I looked at him in confusion and could only echo his tone, "Yes, it's rare to find such... in the city"

He looked at me and smiled

Ah, brother, your insight is truly exceptional.

I pointed to my nose while taking out my wallet and said, "I opened it."

Oh, no, I am just admiring this environment and would like to take some time for self-cultivation

A person smiled and said, "I would like to stay with you for a while; I wonder if that would be convenient"

While eating noodles, I was simultaneously feeding a stack of brand new banknotes into the currency counting machine, listening to the sound of "whoosh" as it flowed, and watching the numbers on the small display change rapidly. My heart felt much more at ease. Suddenly, with a "click," a business card mixed in with the banknotes was ejected. I calmly took out both the business card and the banknotes, repositioned the card, and continued counting. After another round of "whoosh," the business card was once again ejected with keen precision. ... Suddenly, with a "click," a business card mixed in with the banknotes was ejected. I calmly took out both the business card and the banknotes, repositioned the card, and continued counting. After another round of "whoosh," the business card was once again ejected with keen precision. ... I took the banknotes and started counting again ...

I am not hungry, do you have any water here

He appeared even more bewildered: "What do you need the money for?"

What do you need money for? That is a good question! Its depth is only second to existential inquiries like "Who are you?" or "What is your purpose in this world?"—topics that can drive one to madness. I find myself momentarily at a loss for an answer. What do I need money for? I have no worries about food and drink; the issues of buying cars and houses that concern most people are not significant to me. If I were more resolute, I could easily live a lavish life, spending money like water. Yet, I stubbornly cling to this desolate place, relying on a mere 56 one-yuan bills. What am I doing this for? As I ponder this, I feel a heavy weight in my heart, a sense of anger as if my privacy is being invaded. I retorted, "I'm just counting for fun; what business is it of yours?"

Upon arriving at the East Train Station, the driver asked me, "Where would you like to get off, sir?"

Uh... elder brother, this is a restaurant, not a relative's home where you can stay for free

Having sat for such a long time, he, however, seemed unaffected emotionally, still smiling and saying, "Where would I have a wife from?"

At the time when the evening glow turned red, my anger had subsided. I took a pack of cigarettes and leisurely walked out, squatting beside him, lighting one while watching the sunset, and asked: "Did you have a quarrel with your wife?"

Wu Yongsheng, hetushu.com. Wu refers to the character for "mouth" and "heaven" in Wu, while Yongsheng signifies the concept of eternal life, that is, living forever.

At that moment, a person entered from outside. He appeared to be around forty years old, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and well-defined features. His hair was so abundant that it seemed as if the hair of several individuals had grown on his head. He was dressed in a simple shirt, and his face was beaming with joy.

I do not wish to continue to dwell on this issue with him. Taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I said: "If you really have nowhere to go, then stay here. We can talk again once you've calmed down. To be honest, I am not particularly concerned about the two dollars, but business is business. Bill Gates may be wealthy, yet we still use pirated Windows 7, don't we?"

Eventually, I resigned myself to the situation; loneliness is loneliness. However, there are no oil and salt shops that do not open for business. A few old green trains still drop off a few people in the early hours of four or five in the morning, these individuals are lost in the wilderness. I take it as my duty to serve the people.

I laughed and scolded, "You still have the nerve to hold it up, come on, follow me inside. As for the money, we can talk about it when you have some."

The road became increasingly desolate, and the driver's expression grew more and more grim. I could tell he was frightened; recently, there had been several robberies targeting taxi drivers in our area. In the end, the young man’s hair stood on end, and just as he was about to abandon the car and flee for his life, I pointed to a small two-story building by the roadside a few dozen meters away and said, "Over there."

It is almost here

I gazed at him quietly and said, "You may leave now, go home and see if the money I gave you has turned into chicken bones"

I said: "Go further ahead"

The driver handed me the change while wiping his sweat

After coming out of prison, I took a taxi heading east. The driver kept turning his head to look at me, and finally asked, "Brother, what happened to your hair?"

He seemed a bit dazed, nodded slightly and said, "I understand." After saying this, he quietly walked out, even helping me close the door, and sat down on the steps outside

Understood. I wrote the name Wu Yongsheng in the register and said: "Brother Wu, your surname is not very good."

This has become a way for me to pass the time when I am bored, and the total amount of money is 56 yuan, all of which are in one-yuan bills.

Hehe, what is the point of being on the radio? I have been on television before.

I also feel quite embarrassed: "In fact, I don't usually drive much."

In just two short years, the Ministry of Railways of China has increased speeds three times, and the train stations that were originally intended for survival have had their previous arrows on the blueprint of the motherland altered to dashed lines with a 2B pencil. Most train stops have been shifted to the better-equipped West Station, and from then on, the East Station has been left far behind in the wheels of history

I touched my head and smiled wryly: "Would you believe me if I said it was struck by lightning?"

I scolded, still seething with anger: "You lunatic!"

Before I could finish my sentence, a train rushed past my hotel, emitting a tremendous "kuangqie kuangqie" sound, which left my feet tingling.

It doesn't matter if it has passed; I have set my sights on this place.

He picked up a glass of water, holding it but not drinking, and said: "Identity card? I don't have one"

There is nowhere else to go from here

This is the shop I opened, located less than a mile from the train station. It is said to be a prime location. Over a decade ago, this piece of land became highly sought after. My father and Aunt Meng had quite a few disputes with competitors to secure this land. After much effort, they finally established this hotel. The second floor has about ten guest rooms, all standard rooms equipped with bathrooms and air conditioning. Downstairs is a small restaurant, furnished with brown glass coffee tables and double sofas. Back then, my father had grand ambitions; money was secondary. His main goal was to run a legitimate business, and he chose the highest quality for the renovations. At that time, I was at the peak of my studies and took over here with great aspirations, just waiting to open and make a profit... Then... then the Ministry of Railways of China began to accelerate...

This means that in one day, 85 is acceptable, let's say 80. I first inflicted two cuts on myself, and if I can have 80 in revenue in a day, then I won't have to worry about paying for utilities and other expenses

I pointed at the water dispenser: "Help yourself, and by the way, could you show me your ID? I just need to make a simple record, it's not that I don't trust you, but I'm concerned about various inspections."