Zhao Hong’s shop also closed on the twenty-eighth. Although it had only been open for a short time, business had been good before the Lunar New Year, and she had earned a considerable amount of money.
She closed the shop early in the afternoon and first went to the vegetable market to buy some groceries. When she returned home, she found Jin Kun at home, and couldn't help but ask, “Why are you back so early today?”
“Oh, I told the factory I had something to take care of and would be out for a bit.”
Zhao Hong put the vegetables in the kitchen. “What is it?”
Jin Kun didn’t want to elaborate: “Liangzi and the others need me for something.”
Zhao Hong, however, sensed something was wrong. Her face instantly fell, and she said, “Are you going to fight again? Can’t you just live a peaceful life?”
“Mind your own business when it comes to men’s affairs.”
Zhao Hong retorted stubbornly, “You’re going out to fight, what if you get killed by someone one day?”
Jin Kun got up and walked over to her, implying something with his words: “Don’t worry, if I’m going to die, it will only be by your side.”
Hearing his vulgar words, Zhao Hong frowned in disgust. Seeing him about to lean in and kiss her, she quickly turned her head to avoid him: “If you’re going, then go. I’m making dumplings tonight. If you don’t come back, I’ll eat them myself.”
Jin Kun glanced at her, then turned to pick up his clothes from the bedside table: “I’ll see. I’ll try to be back.”
With that, he put on his clothes and turned to leave the house.
“Brother Kun.”
As Jin Kun went downstairs, Zhao Liang hurried to meet him from the side of the staircase: “I saw Sister-in-law coming back just as I arrived, so I didn’t dare to knock on the door to call you.”
Jin Kun nodded. “What’s the situation this time?”
“Do you remember Zhao Zhuzi from the Turbine Factory? He’s too arrogant. The commercial street area has always been our territory. Everyone knows that area is under your protection. That punk sees that collecting protection fees is profitable, and he wants to extend his reach into our territory. We warned him once, and he even fought with our brothers. The Turbine Factory side has many people. Both sides agreed to settle the matter by the river tonight, otherwise, we wouldn’t have called you.”
Jin Kun nodded and walked towards the river with Zhao Liang.
Winter days got dark early. By five or six o’clock, people outside were already a blur. However, because there was rarely anyone on the frozen river after the snowfall, the vast expanse of white snow was brighter than in the city.
Dozens of people from both sides had already confronted each other, each holding a hard object over a meter long.
Seeing Jin Kun arrive, the eyes of everyone from the Meat Processing Plant lit up.
“Brother Kun!”
Jin Kun nodded to his brothers and then turned to look at Zhao Zhuzi, who was wearing a military coat and a sheepskin hat, on the opposite side: “Brother, I heard you want to cross the border?”
Zhao Zhuzi spat out his cigarette butt and said with disdain, “Brother, you have to be decent. Who doesn’t know that the commercial street area is a piece of fat meat? It’s not good to eat it all by yourself, is it? It easily makes people jealous, don’t you think? Let’s make a deal. I don’t want the whole street, how about half for each of us?”
Jin Kun smiled. “I really can’t make this decision. I have to ask my brothers if they agree.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of “We disagree!” immediately rose from behind him.
Jin Kun turned back: “You heard them, my brothers disagree. Don’t make it difficult for me. The Lunar New Year is approaching, and everyone has a family. No one wants to get hurt. I won’t hold you accountable for your previous encroachment. Let’s forget about it today. As long as you don’t cross the line again, I guarantee I won’t pursue it.”
“Oh, you’re quite bold. You’re not pursuing it with me, and you’re acting quite impressive!” Zhao Zhuzi said, raising his hand and slapping Jin Kun.
“Brother Kun!” The twenty to thirty people behind Jin Kun immediately stepped forward, raising the weapons in their hands. The people on Zhao Zhuzi’s side were not to be outdone. Seeing that both sides were on the verge of a fight, Jin Kun raised his hand to stop them. Then, he wiped his lips with his thumb, smearing away a trace of crimson.
Zhao Zhuzi thought he had backed down and said smugly, “People in the underworld have always said you’re very capable, but it seems you’re just like that. If you don’t have the ability, you shouldn’t hoard the commercial street area. Otherwise, be careful that you don’t know how you died one day.”
“Like this.” Jin Kun took a step forward and suddenly pulled out a dagger over a foot long from his lower back. A fierce look flashed in his eyes as he looked at Zhao Zhuzi: “I, Jin Kun, don’t have many skills, but when I fight, it’s all about a fierce spirit. If you dare to stab yourself with this knife, I’ll give you the commercial street area today without a second word.”
Zhao Zhuzi’s eyes flickered: “You, you’re fucking crazy. Why would I stab myself for no reason?”
Jin Kun retracted the offer of the knife and turned to cut his own arm. When he pulled the knife out again, it was dripping with fresh, warm blood.
“Brother Kun!” Zhao Liang exclaimed and quickly ran forward to check, but Jin Kun stopped him. He remained unfazed, not even frowning. He patted Zhao Zhuzi’s shoulder and said mockingly,
“Brother, you’re afraid to even touch a knife, and you still want to mix in the underworld? Go home and suck your mother’s milk. You should have done it sooner.”
Zhao Zhuzi had never seen anyone so ‘crazy’ before. He made a gulping motion, but deliberately dared not speak again.
When you’re facing someone who doesn’t care about their own life, can you still fight them? Anyone with a shred of reason would know how to choose.
Jin Kun subdued everyone present with just one knife. Seeing that no one spoke further, he casually called his brothers and left.
After leaving the riverbank, Zhao Liang accompanied him to the hospital for bandaging. The wound looked quite deep but did not damage any vital parts. After the doctor stitched it up and bandaged it, he was discharged.
“Brother Kun, the brothers know you did it for everyone’s good, but it really wasn’t necessary. We’re not cowards. If we really fight with weapons, I guarantee none of us are afraid.”
“Alright, stop dawdling. Since there’s nothing else, I’ll go home.”
Zhao Liang was a little worried: “Will Sister-in-law say anything to you?”
“What does she, a woman, understand? As long as she has enough money to spend, it’s fine.”
…
Zhao Hong hesitated before putting the dumplings into the pot. She still left half a steamer basket to freeze on the balcony. After eating, she went to bed shortly after.
She was woken up by Jin Kun in the middle of the night. Seeing the bandage on his arm, her expression instantly changed: “You’re injured?”
“I saw the dumplings you left for me,” Jin Kun evaded the question, while his other hand continued to work. “My wife treats me the best.”
Zhao Hong was somewhat repulsed by his affection. She pushed him away and said listlessly, “It’s so late, and you’re still injured. I’m sleepy, let’s sleep quickly.”
…
Time flew by, and it was the thirtieth. Early in the morning, after breakfast, the adults and children began busying themselves with pasting couplets and setting off firecrackers, while the women killed fish and chickens to prepare for a sumptuous lunch.
“Third Sister-in-law, Xingye and I have discussed it. After the new year, we’ll contract the supply and marketing cooperative and run it ourselves.”
Zhang Xiaoju said this to Chen Lishu while working, talking about her plans for the coming year.