Wolf of Xiangjiang

Chapter 1 [That Year in Xiangjiang]

Monday, August 1977, 12.

The 'Hong Kong Village' located in Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Peninsula, was completed in phases starting in 1962. The architect firm 'P&T' that designed the village is an established firm in Hong Kong. They have been active in Hong Kong and East China since before the war, and many of the foreign-owned buildings on the Bund of Shanghai are their work. After World War II, modernism became the mainstream, and their design language also transformed from old-school neoclassical to new-school modern architecture.

The entire building complex of Rainbow Village consists of eight long slab blocks (rectangular slab block buildings) and three low-rise residential buildings. Low-height open spaces and community facilities are distributed in the square space. This design greatly shortens the distance between community facilities and residential units, and can also provide an open and wide atrium space to ensure lighting and ventilation for each unit.

There is also an aerial playground on the floors of Rainbow Village, making the corridors and stairs of the entire building a space for children to play. Playing in stairwells and elevator lobbies has become a common memory for every child who grew up in Hong Kong housing estates.

Of course, at the entrance to the elevator in the stairwell, there is a gathering place for those mistresses who love to gossip and play mahjong. Four mistresses sit around a table, playing mahjong and gossiping. Neighbors who go out will become the target of their gossip, and even a dog cannot escape their verbal abuse.

Rainbow Village, No. 509, Ziwei Building.

Although the first room you enter is small, less than 100 square feet (10 square meters), it is neatly and cleanly tidied up by the owner. Of course, it still cannot conceal the shabby appearance of the place, even on the walls. The posters of European and American stars have white lines and wrinkles on the screen.

On a foldable bed, Lin Zhengjie suddenly woke up and shook with a creaking sound.

Lin Zhengjie, who was wearing boxers and an undershirt, immediately slapped his face with both hands, as if to wake himself up immediately. In fact, it was Lin Zhengjie who was determining whether he was having a dream.
He was really reborn in Hong Kong in 1977!
In order to digest this unbelievable thing, he spent nearly a month, during which he received bit by bit the memories left by his predecessor, and frantically learned about Hong Kong and the world of this era from newspapers and magazines.

Now, he finally accepted it happily, and his fighting spirit was ignited in his heart.

Although he was not a Hong Konger in his previous life, he grew up watching Hong Kong movies and following Hong Kong stars. Later, when Hong Kong movies declined and Hong Kong stars got older, he loved to read novels about Hong Kong merchants, Hong Kong variety shows, and Hong Kong entertainment. , in memory of the lost youth.

So, how could he not make some achievements when he was reborn in Hong Kong? Once a person determines a goal, he will naturally exude a confident charm. This is Lin Zhengjie's state at this time.

Subsequently.

He took off the mid-range suit, white shirt and tie he just bought yesterday, then put them on himself and put on a pair of shiny leather shoes.

Lin Zhengjie came to a mirror and put mousse on his hair (to style it). Then with his combing technique, a big-backed oily head like the "God of Gamblers Chow Yun-fat" gradually appeared.

"Wow, brother, you look so stylish and elegant today. Are you looking for a job?"

The voice of younger sister Lin Jiaxuan came from behind. Lin Zhengjie showed a smile and slowly turned his head.

"An ancient saying goes, first respect Luo Yi and then respect others. Today's Hong Kong people are very worldly and snobbish. If I am not like this, no one will think highly of me. This is very detrimental to finding a job!"

Lin Jiaxuan looked around Lin Zhengjie lively and praised: "If I were the boss, I would definitely hire you as a manager!"

Lin Zhengjie touched her head and said immediately: "You are even more snobbish and unrealistic!"

Lin Jiaxuan made a naughty expression and said, "What I said is true. You have more temperament than those rich boys now. You can tell that you are very capable and can do great things."

Although it was flattering, Lin Zhengjie was still very useful!

"Zhengjie and Jiaxuan, come to have breakfast!"

Mother Li Cui'e came in with breakfast, and Lin Jiaxuan quickly helped put it on a table, very well-behaved and director.

These are the two family members of Lin Zhengjie's life. His father died unexpectedly eight years ago, and his mother Li Cui'e supported their siblings with a sewing machine.

Li Cui'e worked hard day and night to support her eldest son until he graduated from middle school (high school), and his younger daughter did not interrupt her studies. She was a very amazing mother.

Lin Zhengjie was born in February 1958. After graduating from middle school at the age of 2, he worked in a factory doing machine maintenance.

After his rebirth last month, he immediately proposed to resign because he wanted to find a new way out.

Afterwards, the family of three sat together to have breakfast. They lived in a 200-square-foot public housing estate with two rooms; Li Cui'e and Lin Jiaxuan slept in one room, and Lin Zhengjie slept in another room.

Of course, the room where Lin Zhengjie slept was a dining room, living room, and other comprehensive rooms, so he slept directly on a folding bed, which made it easier to free up more space.

"Zhengjie, here is 20,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is basically all the family's savings. Since you went to work, you gave me your salary for safekeeping. I have tried my best to save it for you for your future marriage. Since If you want to do something now, of course I should support you!"

While eating, Li Cui'e took out a wallet wrapped in oil paper from the room and carefully placed it in front of Lin Zhengjie.

Lin Zhengjie nodded and said with emotion: "My mother manages the household well, and our family is what we are today. Don't worry, after I make money, I will support my sister, and you can have a good rest!"

Li Cui'e smiled and said, "Silly boy, I'm still young, and it's my business to support Jiaxuan. Just save more money and keep it for emergencies."

Mother hands line, wandering clothing.

Lin Zhengjie has a good mother who not only manages the family well, but also supports him unreservedly when he needs to do things.

Such a mother deserves his respect and filial piety. Of course, my predecessor was also a very sensible person, and his grades were very good when he was studying. He scored 26 points in the general examination, which is almost enough to get into the University of Hong Kong (you can get into it if you repeat the exam, and you can definitely get into it with a score of 27 points). However, in order to reduce the burden on his family, his predecessor did not choose to go to college, but went to work. After working, he gave all his salary to his mother for safekeeping to share the family pressure. He was very filial.

At this time, the average salary of Hong Kong workers is 40 HKD per day (rough statistics: the average salary in the manufacturing industry is 40 HKD/day, the highest in the furniture industry is 55 HKD/day, and the lowest in the flashlight industry is 30 HKD/day), which is almost 1200 HKD per month, so The family can save 2 Hong Kong dollars, relying on the family's hard work and thrift.

Lin Zhengjie nodded to his mother. There was no point in talking. As long as he made money, his mother wouldn't have to work so hard.

After breakfast, Lin Zhengjie, Li Cui'e, and Lin Jiaxuan went out to find a job, go to work, and go to school together.

When they walked to the elevator, there were already three junior ladies gathered around a table. When they saw Lin Zhengjie and the other two, they immediately responded.

The most gossipy master's wife, 'Aunt Nan', was the first to say: "Ajie, you look so stylish today. Have you become rich?"

Lin Zhengjie said calmly: "Where is it!"

Aunt Nan put one hand on the mahjong and waved the other hand and said: "You said no, you are so beautifully dressed, you are more stylish than those movie stars. I heard that you just quit your job in the factory, have you changed to a new job that is profitable and decent?" Work?"

Aunt Hua: “Maybe I’ll be the boss!”

Aunt Fang: "Boss? That's incredible!"

The three mistresses are eloquent, but Li Cui'e is not a woman who is good at talking.

Lin Jiaxuan hid behind Lin Zhengjie and whispered "boring" in her mouth. She knew that these junior ladies would talk nonsense later.

Only Lin Zhengjie said with ease: "Working at Central Financial Company is not about being a boss!"

Although he didn't find a job, he would definitely go to Central to trade stocks, so that's right!

Aunt Nan suddenly became more energetic and said: "Ajie, you are really going to be prosperous. In Central, rich people live everywhere. What good will it do in the future? Don't forget your Aunt Nan. I have watched you grow up." Big one. I should have known that you would be the most present in this building!"

Talk about people when you see them, talk about ghosts when you see ghosts!
At this time, Aunt Hua broke the news and said: "Didn't you always say that Ajie is an honest man, he became a father at the age of eighteen, he has a hard life, and he may not even be able to find a wife!"

Aunt Nan was demolished and did not show any embarrassment at all. She continued: "Have you ever heard that bitterness comes first and sweetness comes later? Ajie is very smart. As long as he turns around and holds the money firmly in his hands, why do men have no money? Then there’s no problem in getting a wife!”

The sharp words made Li Cui'e a little embarrassed!
Her previous son was more diligent and thrifty, and handed over his salary to her, so he never had a girlfriend, and no one came to introduce her to her.

Aunt Fang echoed: "Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have been afraid to even have a matchmaker come to my door! If this continues, I may not be able to get a wife at the age of thirty!"

These bastards!

Aunt Nan continued to talk cheerfully: "Looking at it today, Ajie is quite handsome. If he goes to the dance hall to do it, he will definitely make a lot of money!"

Damn, gossip has no boundaries.

Aunt Hua immediately asked: "Being a duck?"

Aunt Nan said: "Not necessarily! In short, there are many opportunities and it is easier to make money! But he has gone to work in Central now. Maybe the rich man has taken a fancy to him, which is terrible."

The three gossip-loving mistresses were eloquent, talking about both good and bad things without any secrets.

This type of housing estate is basically inhabited by this kind of people, who have little education and will basically play mahjong and gossip when they get old.

Aunt Nan, Aunt Hua, and Aunt Fang were sitting in the corridor early. Someone should arrive soon. Neighbors who come and go are inevitably gossiped about by these mistresses.

Li Cui'e was relatively honest, but she was no match for these master's wives. She was very emotional. Lin Zhengjie quickly put his arm on her arm and comforted her mother.

As for him himself, he has no troubles in his heart!

After Aunt Nan finished speaking, she turned back and pointed at Lin Zhengjie, and said happily: "Is it Ajie?"

Just as the elevator arrived, Lin Zhengjie walked in with his angry mother on his side, leaving the three junior sisters behind who were still full of emotions.

Just right.

Another teacher sat down and asked them, "What were you talking about just now, and were you chatting so happily?"

After Aunt Hua told what happened just now, the newly arrived teacher smiled and said to Aunt Nan: "You talk so much, find a needle and sew it up!"

Everyone burst into laughter, except Aunt Nan, who had short hair and put away her sharp mouth and teeth, looking a little unhappy. After all, she was talking about someone else just now, and now it's the three mistresses who are laughing at her.

(End of this chapter)