Chapter 3: Expulsion

Li Yan ran away—she ran as if fleeing for her life, terrified that Cao Yang would chase after her for money.

Cao Yang went to the little convenience store and bought a bamboo mat, a bucket, toiletries, and a pack of cigarettes for two yuan. He was left with only two yuan in his pocket.

That very night, he put on his work uniform and headed to the workshop to fasten screws.

He didn’t know how to do anything. His foreman assigned him to sit on the assembly line with a toothbrush, scrubbing circuit boards.

At a glance, the work looked easy—grab a board as it came along, give it a brush, and it was done. But endlessly repeating the same motion became irritating, and, worst of all, he had to sit the whole time. The weather was sweltering, and he was certain he’d get a rash from sitting so long. Even going to the bathroom required a report; the foreman had to find someone to take your place before you could go.

These foremen were all vicious, acting as if everyone owed them money.

Cao Yang didn’t know how he managed to get through those four hours—he only knew that when he returned to the dormitory, he collapsed into bed and slept soundly, not waking until the next morning.

Then it was back to work, scrubbing boards for another four hours before lunch in the cafeteria.

After lunch, there was a short break. Cao Yang noticed a crowd gathered at the back of the convenience store. Curious, he went to have a look and found them playing on a slot machine.

Cao Yang was no stranger to this—back home, he’d worked as a lookout at a gaming hall. But here, things were even wilder: seven or eight people crowded around a single machine, all betting and playing together.

If you bet on watermelon, I’ll take double stars; once all the bets are placed, I’ll add a ten-point stake—if it wins, we’ll settle up separately.

It was utter chaos, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely.

There was an upside to this way of playing: someone always won, so the machine didn’t clean everyone out.

Cao Yang knew these machines could be rigged. So did the players—it was just for fun, each person hoping to strike it lucky during a payout phase.

He had only two coins left, but his interest was piqued. He tossed them in, planning to walk away if he won five yuan.

Bing, bing, two spins—his two coins were gone.

“Damn!” he cursed, then returned to the workshop to scrub circuit boards.

He had barely sat down and hadn’t even started work when a shout rang out: “All the men from Hunan, come out!”

Cao Yang looked up. The man shouting was a foreman—but not his.

“All Hunan men, follow me!” the man called again. A dozen or so male workers from Hunan stepped outside.

Cao Yang went with them. He didn’t know what was going on, but since he was from Hunan too, he figured the factory might have some special assignment for them.

A line of about a dozen men descended the stairs and headed straight for the dormitory building. The foreman in the lead kicked open a dorm room door, and the whole group charged in—immediately, a fight broke out.

Listening to the racket inside, Cao Yang was stunned. He hadn’t expected to be called to a brawl.

He didn’t go in to join the fight—not because he was afraid or lacked loyalty, but because fighting should have a reason. Why fight? For what? He knew nothing about the situation. To join in just because someone yelled “Hunan men” would be sheer stupidity.

The commotion quickly attracted the management, and soon the police arrived, taking away the foreman and several ringleaders.

Seeing that things had settled down, Cao Yang went back to work.

He had barely sat down when another shout went up: “All the Hunan men, come out again!”

“Damn! Not again?!” This time, Cao Yang ignored them and kept scrubbing boards.

“Cao, they’re calling you outside,” his own foreman came over to get him.

“They’re just fighting. I’m not going,” Cao Yang replied innocently.

“This time it’s not a fight. The management wants to see you,” the foreman explained.

Hearing that, Cao Yang reluctantly set his work aside and went out.

He saw more than twenty people lined up in a row and joined them.

“Is that everyone? All the Hunan men here?” a manager asked.

“That’s all of them. They’re all here.”

“Good.” The manager nodded. “You’re all fired. Go collect your things from the dorm and leave immediately.”

“Why?” someone protested.

“You were involved in a group fight and refused discipline!” the manager snapped.

Cao Yang felt wronged—he hadn’t even fought, just followed along without knowing what was happening. He wanted to argue his case, but then he noticed that even ten or so others who hadn’t even gone out were being fired. If anyone had a right to feel wronged, it was them.

There was nothing to be done. The factory took a one-size-fits-all approach. In those days, labor was cheap; employees were expendable.

“What about our wages? When will we get paid?” someone asked. If you’re firing us, at least settle our pay.

“Come back on the fifteenth of next month to collect your wages,” the manager said, then walked away.

That was no good—Cao Yang didn’t have a cent left. If they didn’t pay, he wouldn’t even have money for dinner that night.

Cao Yang tried to rally his fellow townsmen to demand their wages. He’d only worked eight hours, but that should at least cover a couple of meals.

He raised his arm to call them to action… but no one responded. Everyone quietly packed up and left, leaving him standing alone like a fool.

Sigh… When it comes to a fight that doesn’t concern you, you’re all braver than anyone. But when it’s about your own wages, you shrink away. No wonder you let the bosses walk all over you.

With everyone gone, Cao Yang had no one to protest with. Besides, he’d only worked eight hours—there wasn’t much money to fight for.

He returned to the dorm, packed his things, and set off with his bucket.

One hand carried a red-and-blue striped woven bag, the other a bucket filled with his mat, slippers, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap. Under the blazing sun, he walked along the streets of Chang’an in Dongguan.

He had nowhere to go except to find Li Yan. He retraced the route he’d come, sweat dripping down as he passed the watermelon shop he’d seen before. Inside were chilled watermelons and glass bottles of soda; he couldn’t help but lick his lips.

By the time he made it back to Li Yan’s rented room, it was seven in the evening. He knocked, but no one was home.

He knew Li Yan must be at work—she wouldn’t be back until four or five in the morning. He just wanted to get in quickly, take a shower, and sit in front of the fan. He didn’t want to wait that long, so he went to the phone booth downstairs and called her.

“Sis Yan, I’m back.”

“Why did you come back?”

“I got fired.”

Before Cao Yang could explain, Li Yan unleashed a torrent of scolding!

“Did you get into a fight? Why can’t you behave? Did you forget everything I told you when you left?!”

She berated him non-stop, making Cao Yang furious.

“Sis Yan, it’s not like that…”

“Enough! Don’t make excuses. I’ll let it go this time, but if it happens again, I won’t help you anymore!”

“I’m at work right now. Just wait outside the door. I’ll be back to let you in at four thirty!”

“Is it really that far? Can’t you come back, or give me the address so I can come get the key myself?”

“No need. Just wait there!” Li Yan said, ready to hang up.

Suddenly, Cao Yang spoke up, his tone strange: “Is it because the place you work at can’t be seen by outsiders, and you’re afraid I’ll find out?”