Short, Light, Free

Chapter 183: Dig On, Dig On III

Since I did not know how to face my family, I agreed.

I found an agricultural bank nearby and made a codeless card. I then deposited 200,000 into it.

Back in my room, I went over the lines that I was going to recite, “I’m a high-level engineer in a coal mining factory. I get tens of thousands a month. Here’s 200,000 for you to do up the house a little. I’ll only be here for three days since I have to get back to my job.”

The best way to deceive others is to deceive yourself, so I continuously bore these lines into my head.

I dreamed that my parents found out about my lie, and woke up drenched in cold sweat. It was a horrible feeling.

I continued practicing the lines in the afternoon until my telephone rang and startled me.

It was the receptionist, calling to remind me to check out by two or to pay for another day’s stay at the counter if I was interested in extending it.

I waited until 1:30 before heading back home.

After a few knocks on the door, my parents opened it and stared at me.

Mom was the first to recognize me. “Gou Dan,” she greeted with a smile.

Dad stood by the door in shock. He was indescribably happy to see me.

I stammered, “I’m a high-level… engineer in a coal… coal mining factory. Tens of thousands a month… here to visit. 200,000… do up the house. I’m leaving after three… um, I’m busy. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Come in and we’ll talk. Where have you been all these years, Gou Dan?” Dad asked.

“It’s been 10 years, hasn’t it? I remember it,” Mom mused with a warm smile.

I wondered how I had done such a terrible job at that even after long hours of practice.

Luckily, judging from the way they were beaming at me, my parents didn’t notice or care.

“What did you say at the door, Gou Dan? What engineer? 200,000?” Dad asked.

“Here’s 200,000. It’s the money I’ve earned to give to you two. I earn 10,000 a month so it’s more than enough for me to live on, don’t worry,” I lied nervously.

“Good job, boy. You’ve done well,” Dad said proudly.

That night, he bought two bottles of sorghum liquor from a small store nearby.

Mom cooked a whole array of dishes for us.

I was asked many, many questions that day and while I was being evasive at first, the alcohol eventually gave me a courage boost.

I made use of that adrenaline to explain the standard work procedures to them and took credit for the operation of equipment and machinery.

Dad was utterly satisfied.

Mom walked over to her pillow and retrieved a photograph from underneath it.

It was my brother in the photograph, standing beside a white-haired man and holding his university degree.

Mom explained that my brother was working in an English company and that she felt apologetic toward me but was unable to locate me all these years.

I shook my head and told her that it was alright.

She took out a pen and paper and had me put down my name and contact number.

As I was writing, she took my hand and commented, “Look at your rough hand. Must be tough on you…”

I looked down and thought about Teacher’s blackened hand.

Dad drank a few glasses and cheered happily that both his children had done him proud.

Mom, however, complained that Brother was unfilial for not visiting them.

I drank a few more cups with Dad but we talked less toward the end.

When all was done, I smiled and told them that I would return the next year.

They smiled a bittersweet smile.

Dad took the bank card and said, “I’ll get someone to see how we can renovate this place. It is time for some changes.”

The next morning, I left and decided to find a more prosperous city to go to.

After half a day of searching, I set my eyes on Guangzhou.

The cost of living was relatively cheaper than that in Beijing.

I bought a bus ticket and started my three-day journey.

By the time we arrived, our backs were all numbed from lying down too much.

I found an inn and since I had no skills, I became a door guard.

Food and accommodation were provided and I received 1,300 a month.

Half a month later, I received a call from an unknown number from Shanghai.

The caller began, “Gou Dan? I’m your brother. I heard that you’re operating machines at the mine?”

“What about it?” I asked.

“You know about excavation, tunnels and the like right?”

I paused for a second, smiling inwardly since I was indeed familiar with these things.

“Hello? You there?”

“Yes, I know about all those things. Sorry, the signal isn’t great here,” I lied.

“Do you have credentials? Mom said you’re a high-level engineer, but you didn’t study, did you?”

“I didn’t study, but I do have knowledge regarding them. There are no certifications provided here. We were taught personally by our teacher.”

“No certification? It’s gonna be hard then…”

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I might need someone like you here to execute a similar job. I called Mom earlier and she told me about your experience, which is why I’m calling you,” he explained kindly.

“Oh…”

“Will you be interested to help me out?”

“I’m about to start work. Let’s talk at night,” I said.

“Alright, but you don’t have any certification and qualifications, right? It will be more difficult, but if you really have the expertise, I can get you a few false testimonies.”

“Fake certs?” I repeated even though I knew exactly what those meant.

He lowered his voice, “Yes. I’m working in a huge state enterprise and forging documents is common here. A lot of employees came in with fake qualifications. It’s no problem, so don’t worry about it.”