Lei Feng?
Xiao Luo looked at the man from top to bottom. He was much chubbier than Zhang Dashan. There were evident signs of aging on his skin, especially the three conspicuous lines of wrinkles on his forehead. He put the manâs age at around 45 years. Putting aside his thoughts, he quickly expressed his gratitude, âThank you, old brother!â
Addressing him as âOld Brotherâ was common courtesy, but little did he expect the reaction, when the man heard him. He flew into a rage and said, âWhat old brother? You are the old brother! Your whole family is an old brother! Let me ask you how old are you?â
Xiao Luo was confused. After some thought, he replied, âTwenty-six.â
âYouâre twenty-six? Iâm just twenty-two.â
âYouâre twenty-two?â
Xiao Luo consciously kept his eyes from opening wide in surprise. He could not believe that this man, with the appearance of a middle-aged man in his forties, was still this young.
âYou donât believe me?â
The man fumbled for his identity card, and finally, getting it out from the inner pocket of his shirt, held it in front of Xiao Luoâs eyes, âSee for yourself, am I twenty-two?â
Xiao Luo got a good look at his identity card. He was really twenty-two! He also had rather bumpkin-ish, yet down to earth name: Liu Tieguo. [1]
âSee it now? Donât just simply call someoneâ old brotherâ. You are four years older than me. I should be the one calling you old brother,â Liu Tieguo said with a snort of contempt., keeping his ID back in his pocket.
Xiao Luo was unsure whether to cry or laugh. When he looked at Liu Tieguoâs overly mature appearance, he had to doubt whether his birth date was altered 20 years forward when he applied for his ID.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A nurse appeared at the door, followed by two police officers alongside her.
âThe one on the bed is the car owner that was sent to our hospital after the car crash last night,â the nurse introduced to the cops.
The cops nodded, then stepped towards the bed. The male officer saluted Xiao Luo, âGood day, sir. Are you the owner of the car, C0019, Zhang Dashan?â
âNo. Iâm his friend,â Xiao Luo answered honestly.
The other female cop hurriedly recorded the information.
The male cop asked again, âWhat is your name?â
âXiao Luo.â
âCan you still remember what happened yesterday?â
â¦
The two cops asked more than 10 questions consecutively. The scene of the car crash last night was at the blind spot of the surveillance cameras. They were unable to observe the entire incident through surveillance footage; hence, they could only question the people involved. Besides, based on their preliminary deduction, this car crash wasnât as simple as it looked. The truck that opened up its throttle from the incident yesterday was reported as scrap one year ago. Someone had deliberately fixed it to be used in the accident.
âThank you for cooperating with us.â The two police officers once again saluted Xiao Luo.
âMy friend, I heard you said that the car accident last night was premeditated. What in the name of Heavens is going on?â Liu Tieguo asked curiously.
âItâs nothing. Donât ponder on it. Weâll investigate it thoroughly,â the male cop said.
The other female cop echoed with a gentle smile, âRest assured. We will definitely arrest the wrongdoers. Are you his father? Uncle, your son, is already past twenty, but you still look so young. You are really blessed.â
As a woman, she was naturally better than the opposite gender when it came to comforting words. She was smiling pleasantly, and her words of comfort were from the depths of her heart. However, for Liu Tieguo, this wasnât comforting at all, this was blatant humiliation.
Liu Tieguo was once again piqued, âWhat blessed! You are the one who is blessed! Your whole family is blessed! Since when did I have such an old son? Maybe you can make one for me!â As he continued, he again took out his ID to show it to the female cop, âLook clearly, Iâm only 22, donât think that you can just simply call other people uncle because you are a cop. You are humiliating me as a person, you know?â
Upon sighting the ID and getting a clear look at Liu Tieguoâs date of birth, the female cop got really embarrassed. Her face immediately flushed liver red. She quickly apologized, âS-sorry, I-I misunderstoodâ¦â
âHmmph!â
Liu Tieguo angrily returned his identity card to his pocket.
Xiao Luo was amused. He couldnât remember the last time he was mistaken for being the son of someone else.
At that moment, the male cop asked, âMr. Liu, what is your relationship with Mr. Xiao?â
âWeâre totally unrelated. Iâm just a passer-by. I sent him to the hospital as I saw him lying unconscious on the ground.â
Liu Tieguo raised his chin to the left and snorted, âOh yeah, since uncle cop, and aunty cop is already here, there will be no need for I, Lei Feng, to remain.â He turned to Xiao Luo, âOld brother, the ravioli I bought you is on the table. Eat it while itâs still hot. If it isnât convenient for you to do it yourself, ask uncle cop and aunty cop to feed you. You know, they are government servants. They should do this kind of stuff. Iâm leaving, so bye!â
He had intentionally emphasized the words, uncle, and aunty. He was obviously just being sarcastic. Then, he turned away without looking back. He was in a mood of melancholy. He got called âold brotherâ because his face looked like it was in a hurry to age, and whatâs worst, he got mistaken as the father of a 26-year-old man. What the hell was going on in his life?
The two cops took on an awkward expression, but they were thinking, âWell, you looked old, how could you blame us?â
â¦
â¦
Zhang Dashan rushed over as soon as he received the news. His rough voice preceded his entrance.
âXiao Luo, Old Xiaoâ¦â
He pushed the door open. When he saw Xiao Luo, who was on the bed wrapped like a mummy, he ran over hurriedly, âAre you Xiao Luo?â
âWho else can I be?â Xiao Luo replied brusquely.
âWhat the f*ck, which quack wrapped you up like this? Aside from your mouth, nose, and eyes, you are all⦠wrapped up! How to pee and sh*t like this?â Zhang Dashan put down his briefcase, making a point to daringly yelled the word âquackâ inside the hospital.
âShut up and pay up my medical bills,â Xiao Luo said in mock anger.
âWhatâs the hurry? Let me ask you, did the Dragon Gang did this?â asked Zhang Dashan.
Xiao Luo nodded.
âF*ck. I really want those bastardâs dead!â Zhang Dashan gritted his teeth.
âEnough, just take care of Luoâs Workshop for me, alright? Donât worry about the other stuff.â
Xiao Luo advised him, knowing he meant every word of it. Then he was reminded of Feng Wuhen and his companions, âConsider Feng Wuhen and rest working for me. You mustnât mistreat them in terms of wages. When I finally destroy the Dragon Gang, you have to recruit them back to the company and give them a chance to train and improve themselves. Only in that way can they be given high posts when Luoâs Workshop expands to the other cities.â
âOld Xiao, you better settle these things yourself after you get better. Your priority now should be to take care of your injuries.â Saying that Zhang Dashan took his briefcase and went to settle his medical expenses.
Funnily, Xiao Luo suddenly thought of Liu Tieguo, who had brought him to the hospital.
If he were to let Zhang Dashan know that there was someone with a bigger and chubbier face than him, he should feel very comforted.
Then his mind wandered to yesterdayâs car crash.
A cold glint emerged within Xiao Luoâs eyes. Da Yuan was dead, and Leng Bao, who got away, had now made his way into his must-kill list.
[1] Tieguo: meaning metal pot