Chapter 71: Where’s the Surprise I Wanted?

The cold, gloomy Xiushan weather hit Lou Cheng as soon as he stepped out of the station. It was a bone-deep cold, different from the dry chill of Yanling, and it cut right through his clothes. Weak and sick, he shivered.

Luckily, I'm smart enough to put on extra layers, he thought, patting himself on the back. He pulled out his phone, snapped a photo of the familiar sky and the distant Tower Building, and sent it to Yan Zheke. [Find them familiar?]

Yan Zheke replied with an amazed emoji. [Kind of miss my home all of a sudden...]

[Then take me as your substitute and I’ll enjoy Xiushan on your behalf,] Lou Cheng laughed.

[Bah, what rubbish are you saying? Are you as good-looking as me, Substitute Cheng!] Yan Zheke replied with a "You Know Nothing of Strength" emoji.

Carrying his luggage, Lou Cheng waved off the black cabs and went to the bus stop to wait for Bus 82. I might have a stack of cash in my backpack, but a guy's gotta be frugal!

With the initial five thousand yuan bonus, he had planned to save the rest for dates. But now, with another ten thousand for making it into the top eight, he had an idea. He would buy his parents something nice for the New Year, a meaningful gift for the first time.

The bus was crowded. Lou Cheng used the Yin-Yang Stance to keep his balance, not needing a seat. He craned his neck, hoping to bump into a classmate. But Xiushan was a big city, and his total number of classmates was small. It was like a drop in the ocean.

The bus arrived at the old urban area, where the buildings grew shorter and less vibrant. Lou Cheng got off near a small district. He had lived here for ten years, and the buildings were mottled with the ruthless traces of time. This was where his father’s old company had fallen into bankruptcy, and they had bought the property with their last bit of savings.

The neighbors were all former colleagues, and everyone knew each other. Lou Cheng greeted the uncles and aunts he had known since he was a kid. He could already taste home without even stepping inside. Of course, the downside was the nosy aunts who loved to gossip. News traveled fast here.

As he neared his home at No. 8 building, a young man walked out of the doorway. Lou Cheng smiled and greeted him. "Brother Xu."

Wang Xu was his childhood friend, a classmate from kindergarten through junior high. Their fathers used to work in the same department and spent their time playing chess and bragging. Their families were close.

But during the company's bankruptcy, times were hard. Many families were forced to separate. Conflicts broke out, and some of the children lost their way. Wang Xu was one of them. He was tall and well-built, with a passion for martial arts. In junior high, he started taking a crooked path, learning from the sports teacher on one hand and running with gangsters on the other. He would collect protection fees and get into campus fights. Lou Cheng, with his current insight, knew Wang Xu had the potential of an Amateur Ninth Pin when he was just fourteen.

Having Wang Xu as a friend kept Lou Cheng safe from bullying. He was able to focus on his studies and get into Xiushan No. 1 Middle School, which freed him from that environment. They grew apart. Lou Cheng only saw him from time to time, learning that he hadn’t gone to high school and seemed to be doing well as a gangster. His face had more scars than before.

Wang Xu’s scar on his left cheek was still visible. He had a neat short haircut, a long black leather coat that looked expensive, and a thick gold chain that screamed "nouveau riche." His face lacked the tenderness of a young man his age.

"Yo, the college student is back," he said happily. He pulled out a pack of imported cigarettes. "Come, have one. This is good stuff!"

This is how I started smoking and drinking... Lou Cheng thought. He waved his hand. "I've quit."

A look of unhappiness crossed Wang Xu’s face, and his attitude turned indifferent. He lit a cigarette. "College students are just not the same."

In the past, Lou Cheng would have been afraid, but after the tournament, he faced Wang Xu without fear. Lou Cheng looked him in the eye and laughed softly. "I not only quit smoking, I've also quit drinking. But I haven't quit barbecue and hot pot. How about we get supper sometime?"

Wang Xu’s displeased expression vanished. Lou Cheng hadn't distanced himself. He was being frank and generous. Wang Xu laughed. "Great! When I have time, we'll go for some barbecue. Cheng, why quit smoking and drinking? What's the point of living without them?"

Lou Cheng grinned. "I joined the Martial Arts Club in college and I intend to keep myself fit. As you know, you need to quit smoking and drinking to practice martial arts."

Wang Xu laughed. "You're practicing martial arts? Wait until I'm free, I'll teach you a few moves. I guarantee your martial arts skills will improve tremendously this winter break!"

I don’t believe you... As if you can train me to become a Professional Ninth Pin? Maybe you can't even defeat me... Lou Cheng mocked silently. He pointed upstairs. "I'm going home to see my parents. Talk to you later."

"Sure, I’ll bring a bottle of wine to your house later. It’s been a long time since I last played chess with Uncle Lou." Wang Xu lived on the second floor of the same building, while Lou Cheng lived on the fifth. Since junior high, it was common for Wang Xu to be away for a week at a time.

"Your chess skill still good? I've long neglected it," Lou Cheng chuckled. Both their fathers loved to play chess, and the boys had learned from them.

Wang Xu smiled, then sighed. "You know my father, his temper is as stubborn as a donkey. He’s displeased with me becoming a gangster, but you can’t get out once you’re in. Sigh, it's only during chess that he'll speak to me nicely." He sounded old.

After a bit more small talk, Lou Cheng entered the building and walked up the stairs with a sense of nostalgia. The district was built a decade ago, and elevators weren't popular in Xiushan, so the highest building was only six floors.

His face broke into a smile when he saw the blue-grey security door. He pulled out his keys. It was after five, and he was sure his mother would be home making dinner. He hadn't told her he was coming, hoping to surprise them.

Dang dang dang dang! The theme music played in his head as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Mom, I'm home!"

His voice echoed in the silent house. Lou Cheng stared blankly, put on his slippers, and walked into the kitchen. No one was there, and no one had been cooking. Where's everyone? He pulled out his phone and called his mother. Where's my surprise?

"Cheng, when are you coming home? All the other kids are already on break!" his mother's familiar voice came through the phone.

"Mother, I'm at home right now, where are you?" Lou Cheng asked, a little slow.

"Why didn't you say you were coming home?" his mother replied, her tone rising.

Lou Cheng’s mouth twitched. "I was thinking of surprising you."

"Surprise your head! This is more like a shock! A relative is getting married, so your father and I are in Ningshui County for the wedding. We’re not coming back tonight. You'll have to settle on your own." Ningshui County was a county near Xiushan.

"I came all this way, and this is what I get?" Lou Cheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

His mother chuckled. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have just sent your dad by himself. Are you surprised now?"

"Yeah, totally..." Lou Cheng was speechless.

He looked around the empty house and sighed. I am indeed her biological son. Still have to fend for myself.

He went into his room, where posters of Dragon King and other fighters covered the walls. He put down his luggage, took out his phone, and messaged Yan Zheke. [Poor me! Everyone has gone to a wedding, and no one is home to welcome me or cook for me!]

Yan Zheke quickly replied with a photo of a round table filled with great dishes, layers of them stacked up to about twenty. [This is my dinner tonight for you to satisfy your craving. No need to thank me!]

[Look into my eyes...] Lou Cheng sent an aggrieved emoji. [A stay-at-home child has been brutally abandoned!]

While chatting, he started thinking about his dinner. He was rich, so he would get some friends together. He sent a message to Cai Zongming with a grin. [Talker, I have a secret for you.] Now my secret of achieving the top eight can finally beat yours!

Next, he messaged Jiang Fei on QQ. [Fatty Jiang, are you free? I'm back in Xiushan. Let's meet for dinner.] If Fatty Jiang is not free, I'll contact the next one.

[Yo, you're finally willing to come back. I thought you were having such a good time that you’d forgotten to come home. Where are we eating?] Jiang Fei replied without hesitation. This is friendship!

Lou Cheng thought for a moment. [Old Liu Barbecue,] he replied. Then I can send a picture to Yan Zheke and make her crave it!