Relationship

Author: Guo Xiaodong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Xu Nansheng and Gui Ma Li are drinking, with Jiujiu (bottled liquor), a few packs of cured meat. They have been drinking for a while and occasionally invite the Old Sichuanese to join them, but the Old Sichuanese doesn’t drink. Xu Nansheng then shares some cured meat into the Old Sichuanese’s bowl, and the Old Sichuanese doesn’t refuse either.
Gui Ma Li almost got caught by the police today but managed to escape in time by blending into a group of newly arrived migrant workers. Both he and Xu Nansheng are newcomers and haven’t yet attracted the police’s attention. However, as ticket scalpers, they have already made quite a profit. They work well together. Gui Ma Li is in charge of finding customers, while Xu Nansheng handles the sales. Gui Ma Li will lead the customers to the hidden corners of this area, and with just a glance, Xu Nansheng will proactively guide them over. The price is non-negotiable—original price plus 20 yuan. After all, the tickets are fake, so it’s a risk-free business. They’ve only been doing this for three or four days and haven’t been exposed yet. Today, they earned over 2,000 yuan, and with a 70-30 split with the ticket owners, they each get around 1,800 yuan.
Xu Nansheng then invites the Old Sichuanese to the night club. “How about we go get our feet massaged first, and then head to the night club? We’ll treat you, but…” Xu Nansheng says, pointing at the Old Sichuanese’s disabled limb with a mix of teasing and earnestness. The Old Sichuanese doesn’t mind. His disability is very much a part of his livelihood—it’s also the reason he earns his living. He doesn’t care how others view his disability; instead, he often hopes people will notice it. He naturally believes that his current situation isn’t his fault. After working as a porter on Mount Emei for over a decade, if it weren’t for helping that child who was about to fall off the cliff, how could he have broken his legs? In the end, it could even be considered heroic! He has ample reason to perform for attention, using it to earn a living. Besides, he mainly does this to support his son’s university education. Project Hope is no different! He always believes he is doing something that is not shameful. He strives to find a legitimate excuse for himself. Although this excuse is ridiculous, he has grown accustomed to it. Since his wife died, he has abandoned all sense of self-respect.
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