San Fu

Dapao was sleeping soundly in the passenger’s seat and looked relaxed as if he completely trusted the driver’s skills.

Jiang Kuo opened the car window, and a gentle breeze swept across his face. The air mixed with a grassy and earthly smell rolled into his nose, blowing away some of the intense “run for his life” mood that he was in. Feeling a little empty-minded, he rolled down all of the car’s windows.

The moist wind instantly filled the car and blew Dapao’s hat off to the back seat.

“Damn!” Dapao sat up and was a little stunned for a few seconds before saying, “I fucking thought the car overturned.”

“If you really want to, you can just jump off right now.” Jiang Kuo glanced at him.

Dapao rubbed his face and took a quick look at the speedometer while reaching back to pick up his hat.

“Jump my ass! Stop looking at me and look how you’re driving!” Dapao stared at him, “A hundred eighty1! Are you crazy?! The cops will be behind us in no time.”

“I’ve only been at this speed for less than three seconds,” Jiang Kuo said as he released the gas a little and the speed dropped down to a hundred and fifty. “We aren’t even on the freeway yet, it’s just the national highway.”

Dapao got caught up for two seconds and looked around. It was pitch back outside the range of the car lights. He raised his voice and yelled, “Is your brain still there?! Do you think this speed is ok even on the national highway? Can you even see what’s ahead? The chassis is only the height of a soybean off the ground! Are you ready to set us flying?”

“Look how not precise you are. It’s at least the height of a kidney bean.” Jiang Kuo could hear his ears ringing after Dapao’s yell. Feeling annoyed, he floored the gas again, and the speed went back to 180.

It wasn’t until Dapao started to mix in dialects and his voice surpassed that of the engine did Jiang Kuo finally slowed down and parked the car beside the road.

“How about you drive?” Jiang Kuo opened the door and took a can of Coke from the mini-fridge.

“Are you sleepy? Let’s just take a nap here.” Dapao also took a can and leaned back on the chair, “I’m so sleepy. No way am I going to drive like this.”

“What if Boss Jiang’s men caught up?” Jiang Kuo got out of the car and sat on the hood.

“What are you even thinking? Boss Jiang would never have thought that a spoiled kid like you would take a detour through the national highway,” said Dapao, “If he’s really going serious on you, he’ll just have people stop you at the school gates… but he’s probably reluctant to do that.”

“Anyone called you?” asked Jiang Kuo while opening the can of Coke with a single hand. He took two big gulps.

“Boss Jiang must have talked to my dad, and my dad messaged me saying that I can just die out here, no need for going back. I’m officially homeless now.” Dapao also popped open his can with one hand and shook away the bit of Coke that got splashed onto his hand, “You must’ve been practicing that. That’s quite smooth.”

For someone doing that for the first time, it was very smooth.

Not to mention opening a Coke with one hand, he could probably open a tuna can with one hand if he really wanted to.

He was exceptionally talented in this kind of meaningless tricks, all kinds of “fancy xx” and “coolest xx”, and “ten must-have tricks to look handsome”… He could go from a beginner to an expert with just one try.

“Sleeping won’t stop me from practicing.” Jiang Kuo smiled and raised his can of Coke toward him, “How about you go to school with me if you have nowhere else to go? Just wash my clothes or fetch an errand every once a while. I’ll pay you.”

“What are you thinking now? Your financial backup is stomping in fury right now. If my dad found out that I’m working so hard for you, he’d cut my allowance. I don’t think you are the type of person who would lend a helping hand when I’m in danger.” Dapao shook his head and knocked on the car door, “Jiang Kuo, if I’m you, I won’t even go to high school.”

Jiang Kuo glanced at him and said, “With your IQ, high school would even be considered ‘further education’ to you.”

“That’s right. It’s called having a clear understanding of one’s situation.” Dapao yawned and sighed, “I really want to ask, why do you want to go to that school. I feel like even if you got sentenced to prison for four years, your dad won’t even be that mad…”

“That’s too much of an exaggeration,” interrupted Jiang Kuo.

“I’m not too wrong. He’s the one who spoiled you to your rebellious state,” Dapao glanced at him with a look of disdain, “He’s always like, ‘I need to give him plenty of room to grow, he’s my only child after all.'”

“As expected for being my friend for so long.” Jiang Kuo gave him a thumbs up.

“Your dad is so mad because he could already tell that even if you go to school it would be a waste of your time.” Dapao thought about it for a moment and continued, “You should just go inherit your family business. Not much, just take the Common-man’s Village.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Jiang Kuo smiled, “My dad already arranged my position the day after the college entrance exam. He wants me to take the security post in front of the neighborhood.”

“Not surprising. After all, your dad knows you the best,” Dapao said emotionally, “After building such an empire, your dad was left with options, a lazy bum and a…”

“I give you one minute,” said Jiang Kuo as his face darkened and sounded annoyed, “Search for where the nearest town or village is, and walk there yourself.”

“Poor word choice, poor word choice,” smiled Dapao awkwardly while looking at his Coke, “I might be too excited today. You know how I am, I don’t think before I speak… There’s something up with the Coke… I’m just asking…”

“Don’t be too careless.” Jiang Kuo looked at him.

“Is it raining?” Dapao suddenly stretched his arm out of the car window and attempted to forcibly change the topic with a slight embarrassment.

Jiang Kuo raised his head and a few large drops of rain hit his face.

“Hurry up and leave!” Dapao yelled.

Jiang Kuo hopped down from the hood, and, in a few seconds, his hair and shoulders were wet.

“I’ll drive,” Dapao got off the car, “I don’t feel safe having you drive in this weather.”

Jiang Kuo ignored him and entered the driver’s side, closing the door in front of Dapao while starting the car.

“Fuck!” Dapao reacted quickly and yelled as he rushed back to the passenger’s seat, “Jiang Kuo, what are you trying to do?!”

“Didn’t you say you want to drive? Go find your own car.” Jiang Kuo threw Dapao’s phone out the window and stepped on the gas. Then the roar of the engine was shot out.

Dapao must have cursed behind him, but he couldn’t hear. He could only see Dapao madly waving his hands in the sudden rain and disappearing from the rear view mirror. 

Jiang Kuo blasted some music.

The rain already soaked the interiors of the car before he was able to close the windows, and he dried the water on his face with a tissue.

The rearview mirror was blurred by the rain. Not to mention Dapao, even the road could barely be seen.

It was the same in the front. The headlights could only illuminate two meters in front of the car, and all he could see was the water splashed up by the car.

Jiang Kuo’s foot gradually released the gas, and the car downed down to 40. Even so, he still couldn’t see the road clearly.

After a few kilometers, he parked the car beside the road and listened dumbfoundedly to the rumbling rain that sounded like eighty trains dashing next to his ears.

Having nothing to do would make anyone hungry.

Jiang Kuo dug through the car and found a small flattened bread on the back seat.

Remembering that the only passenger he had in the back seat was Yang Ke, he was ready to throw the bread out the window in disgust. But as soon as he opened a crack in the window, the rain started pouring in. He had to close the window back up immediately.

Forget it, he had to be a dignified person. After wiping the water on his face with his hand, he threw the bread back onto the back seat.

The rain was unexpectedly heavy.

After he ditched Dapao behind, he was expecting Dapao to curse around in the darkness, waiting for a farmer to drive by and ask for a lift. Then Dapao would curse him in person after they got back to school.

But the rain only got heavier and heavier with no sign of stopping any time soon. He hesitated if he should turn back.

After all, he was kept at home for the entire time of the escape, and Dapao did most of the work for him.

What if something happened to Dapao, like slipping into the water and drowning…

A flash of lightning flashed across the foggy rain, like a knife that cut the sky in half. Then came a deep, crashing thunder that even made the dancing doll on the dashboard nod vigorously.

Jiang Kuo started the car.

The road was too narrow, so he had to go to the next intersection to make a turn.

He didn’t bring any luggage, and he needed someone to buy his school and living supplies for him.

Now, he had to go pick that person up.

Dapao stood in the darkness covered in rain.

It was late autumn already, and the rain made him shiver in coldness.

Jiang Kuo’s car lights cut through the darkness and lit up his body. He smeared some water off his face and raised his arm. After taking a deep breath, he screamed with trembling in the coldness.

“Idiot! Stop!” His hand was waving frantically above his head, “A curve ahead… Idiot…!

The car did not slow down.

Over the years since they’ve met, Dapao knew Jiang Kuo’s outrageous style of acting too well.

Firstly, he knew that this person must have forgotten that there was a sharp curve that they passed less than twenty minutes ago. Secondly, the person would not slow down just to splash some water onto him.

The car whizzed past Dapao, and he could hear the loud music coming from inside. He felt that he could even Jiang Kuo’s joyful laugh.

“Stupid idiot,” said Dapao while spitting out some water.

The car dashed forward, and along with a flash of lightning, it ran into a wheat field beside the road.

…

“The end.” Duan Feifan shouted from the recliner with his eyes closed.

The squeaking ceiling fan even stopped squeaking for two seconds from his yell.

“So annoying,” an old lady kicked on the back of his chair and said, “The end to your life! There are still three hundred more chapters left of this novel!”

“The protagonist crashed his car four times in the first two hundred chapters already,” said Duan Feifan, “How can this guy even live for another three hundred chapters?”

“That’s none of your business,” said the old lady. She opened the curtains and looked outside. The sky at five o’clock in the morning was already clear. “No one asked you to be here listening.”

“If you just can learn to read a few more words,” complained rearviewDuan Feifan sighing, “Then I won’t have to be listening to this with you all day.”

“The car’s here,” the old lady slipped her phone into her pocket, “I’ll go take a look.”

“I’ll go,” Duan Feifan stood up, “You still got more than three hundred chapters to finish.”

“Go get some sleep,” the old lady stopped him, “Don’t you have to go to school today?”

“Why do I need to be full of energy just to go there,” said Duan Feifan as he opened the door, “It’s not like I’m going to pick a fight or something.”

“Who are you fighting?” yelled the old lady.

“No one!” Duan Feifan also yelled, and the stray dogs downstairs also started barking. There were more than a dozen of them.

The old man was already standing behind the door chatting and smoking with Mr. Song.

“Feifan,” said Mr. Song while handing over a cigarette, “Your uncle said you have to go register to the school today. That’s a once-a-year occasion.”

“I don’t smoke anything below fifty,” Duan Feifan pushed away Mr. Song’s cigarette.

“Damn,” Mr. Song glared at him and said, “This one costs more than a hundred.”

“Anything above fifty, then I will just…” Duan Feifan pulled back Mr. Song’s hand that still held the pack of cigarettes. He took a couple and placed them in the old man’s pocket, “give them to my uncle.”

“You must have been smoking when no one’s around,” Mr. Song looked at him doubtfully.

“You guessed it right!” Duan Feifan smiled. He turned and took out a picking knife from the back of the door and walked to the back of the truck that was unloading.

The person unloading the truck was Xiao Li, and he would come every time there was something to be delivered.

Duan Feifan patted his hand on the truck doors, “Li Li!”

The meat in Xiao Li’s hand almost fell as he saw the knife in Duan Feifan’s hand. He was shocked and lowered his voice, “What? You want to rob the meat?”

“Let me taste it,” Duan Feifan shook his knife.

“Like what I told you before,” said Xiao Li, “Except for the supermarkets, this meat only gets delivered to your place. Go take some from the box of cut meat there and place your knife down. Who knows what you’re going to do with that.”

Duan Feifan took a small piece of beef and chewed on it while walking back to the old man, “I’m going for a run, and I’ll bring some steamed pork dumplings back.”

“What’s in your mouth?” said the old man looking at him.

“Beef, tastes not bad,” answered Duan Feifan looking toward Mr. Song, “Is it safe to eat this raw?”

“I can’t say this to others,” said Mr. Song, “But I can tell you. Eat with confidence! It’s good!”

“Bullshit,” said Duan Feifan.

“Then stop eating my meat!” Mr. Song yelled.

“I’m going,” Duan Feifan stretched his arms and jogged away.

When he was discharged from the hospital, the doctor said that he could slowly resume exercising. But lying in bed for a few months was such a breakdown that Duan Feifan seemed to have gotten addicted to running after he came back. Now he would run for two hours every day.

The stray dog Benben （The dog’s name, 奔(ben), means “to run”) that lived in the market seemed to be just as addicted. No matter if it was rainy or windy, it would always run with him. The dog grew from a small dog to a medium-sized dog, and it even got some pecs now.

“You just want this, don’t you?” Duan Feifan bought some steamed pork dumplings and gave one to Benben.

Benben took the dumpling with his mouth and swallowed it without even chewing, then it started to wag its tail happily.

Duan Feifan’s phone rang. He knew exactly who it was and picked it up without even looking at the caller ID.

“If you don’t come to school today, our friendship will end immediately.” It was Dong Kun’s voice, “Bastard, we’ve given you enough chances already. Ding Zhe and I have been standing at the reception waiting for you like idiots all day!”

“Don’t be so polite, just take a seat,” said Duan Feifan.

“That’s it! We’re done!!” said Dong Kun.

“Hey, hey, hey,” smiled Duan Feifan, “I’ll be there in a bit.”

“Do you have any luggage?” asked Dong Kun immediately, “I’ll get someone to wait for you and help you carry.”

“I don’t have any, it’s just a few hundred meters anyway, I got it myself.” Duan Feifan whistled and took a big step. Benben heard it and ran between his legs. He then took another step, and Benben turned back to go through them again.

The stray dogs were indeed quite smart. He just taught this trick to it yesterday, and Benben could do it smoothly already.

The second time going to the school seemed not much different from the first. When he got to the school gates, the upperclassmen were already there greeting the new students.

“Feifan!” Dong Kun dashed out from the crowd and opened his arms from far away.

Duan Feifan subconsciously leaned back, feeling that Dong Kun was about to kiss him the next second.

“Feifan!” Ding Zhe also came over. After his yell, he immediately turned around to give back some random student’s welcome letter.

Dong Kun ran over first, and without surprise, he hugged Duan Feifan before he could go any further beyond the school gates.

“If I remember correctly, we just ate barbeque last week together,” said Duan Feifan, “Isn’t this too excessive…? We are blocking the way.”

“I am a ceremonial person,” said Dong Kun as he released his arms, “Don’t leave after this. I told them that we are going to have lunch together. Liu Pang and Sun Ji both came back early.”

“I…” before Duan Feifan could say anything else, a horn sounded from behind him.

Before he even got time to turn his head around, two more crisp honks sounded, clearly conveying the driver’s impatience.

Duan Feifan pushed Dong Kun away and turned around.

It was an eye-catching, green-colored sports car.

Probably some parent came to send off a new student. Although he was a little annoyed by the honks, it was still him who blocked the way first.

The driver-side window got rolled down and an arm stuck out. The person’s finger lightly swung to the side, signaling them to get out of the way.

“Fuck.” Duan Feifan’s foot that just got lifted up by half an inch stepped back to where it was. Does this person have any sense of being polite?

He looked at the person in the driver’s seat.

Half of the person’s face peeked out of the car window with a pair of sunglasses propped up by the tip of his nose, “Hey buddy, please make some room for us, thanks.”

Translated by: Summit