Chapter 114 Departure
When Chen Mo pushed open the dormitory door, there were only four people left in the room.
Four of the ten beds were empty, with tattered newspapers and scraps of cloth lying on the bare bed boards.
Shen Bao was stuffing things into the bundle, while Fang Cheng squatted on the ground, putting the enamel mug and soap box into the net bag.
He Songling and the burly, dark-skinned man were talking together, both carrying bundles, as if they were about to leave.
Shen Bao looked up and saw him, her hands still busy with her work, and asked, "Where were you assigned?"
"City Bureau, East District".
Upon hearing this, Shen Bao looked up, his eyes wide with shock. "East District? Holy crap!"
He Songling and the other person stopped talking and looked over at the same time.
He threw the net on the ground, walked a few steps over to Chen Mo, and punched him on the shoulder. "Not bad, kid. The East District! That's the best place in the whole city. Foreign firms and dance halls are everywhere. I heard even the police uniforms are more stylish than elsewhere!"
Shen Bao smiled and stuffed the blue cloth jacket in his hand into his bundle. "Congratulations!"
The burly, dark-skinned man leaned closer, looking on with envy. "Brother Mo, when you become successful in the future, don't forget about us old brothers."
"That's right," He Songling chimed in. "When we make something of ourselves in the East District, we'll come looking for you, and you'll have to treat us to a meal at a restaurant."
Shen Bao nudged him again, winking and saying, "With Young Master Li arranging things for you, how could things go wrong?"
Chen Mo nodded but didn't reply.
His nod made the eyes of the others light up.
"I knew it," He Songling said in a low voice, "You can't get into the East District without connections, can you? Young Master Li's family has connections everywhere. Getting you a job in the East District would be a piece of cake for them."
The others nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right. Young Master Li is usually close to you, and this time he's really come in handy."
Chen Mo didn't say anything, but his lips curved slightly as he quickly stuffed everything into his bag.
"I wish you all the best for the future and a bright future."
He slung his bag over his shoulder, bowed to the people in the room, and said politely, "When we get to the East District, I'll treat you to a meal."
Shen Bao nodded. "Be careful on the road."
See you later.
He Songling smiled warmly, "Go ahead, go ahead, see you at Donglaishun later!"
Chen Mo smiled at the group and went out.
The door closed, and the room was silent for a moment.
He Songling's smile slowly faded, and he threw the bundle in his hand onto the bed, somewhat annoyed. "What's with the attitude?"
Fang Cheng was squatting on the ground, continuing to tidy up the net. Hearing this, he looked up curiously and asked, "What did you say?"
"I'm telling you," He Songling drawled, plopping down on his bed. "What's with all the swagger? So what if he got assigned to the East District? Look at his attitude, he's been here for ages and he's been ignoring us like we're nothing."
Shen Bao was putting the last piece of clothing into his bundle when he heard this. He didn't even look up. "They're dividing up the East District; that's their skill."
"Skills?" He Songling scoffed. "What skills? The skills to make a living? Or the skills to flatter?"
Fang Cheng stood up, shoved the enamel mug in his hand into the net bag with a loud bang.
"What do you mean by that?"
He Songling leaned against the bed railing. "Crossing his legs, 'Don't you understand what I mean? That fat guy is the young master of the Li family, a person with connections everywhere!'"
"Why is everyone in this room assigned to those remote corners, while he's the only one going to the city? Isn't it because he's good at sucking up to people?"
Fang Cheng was somewhat displeased. "He Songling, watch your mouth. Chen Mo has the ability; what's wrong with being assigned to the East District? Why can't he go to a better place?"
"Strength?" He Songling laughed as if he'd heard a joke. "If it were just about strength, would I need to go to that godforsaken little county town?"
He reached into his pocket, pulled out the job assignment notice, and shook it. "See this? Jixi County. I've never even heard of it!"
"I inquired, and they don't even have electricity there; they have to use kerosene lamps at night! The inspection bureau only has three people: the director also acts as the cook!"
Shen Bao and Fang Cheng remained silent.
He Songling got more and more excited as he talked, slamming the notice on the bed. "So what if I didn't get that close to Fatty Li? So what if I don't know how to suck up to people?"
"You're talking nonsense." Fang Cheng's face flushed red. "Chen Mo isn't that kind of person."
"Not that kind of person?" He Songling stood up and walked up to Fang Cheng. "Then let me ask you, with Li Pangzi's family having such a powerful background, why doesn't he associate with others, but instead associates with Chen Mo?"
"What's Chen Mo's family background? A low-life, unorthodox scoundrel! What does Fatty Li want from him? Isn't it just that he'll fawn over him?"
Shen Bao threw the bundle onto the bed and walked over.
"He Songling, what you're saying is meaningless."
"Don't you know what kind of person Chen Mo is? We've lived here for a month, don't you? It's always Fatty fawning over him, isn't it?"
He Songling, embarrassed by his retort, retorted, "Then tell me, how did he get to the East District? Give me an explanation!"
"How the hell would I know?" Shen Bao's expression was somewhat unfriendly. "I just knew Chen Mo wasn't that kind of person. If you're going to be sour, go home and be sour, don't disgust people here."
"I'm jealous?" He Songling's voice rose. "What am I jealous of him for? Am I jealous that he flatters me? Am I jealous that he serves Fatty Li well?"
"What? Can't I speak the truth? Is Chen Mo your own father? Can't we say anything about him?"
"What? Can't I speak the truth? Is Chen Mo your own father? Can't we say anything about him?"
"Damn it, you dare hit me?"
"I'm going to beat up people like you who have a foul mouth."
. . . . .
Chaos erupted in room number seven, but Chen Mo, who was standing at the entrance of the Zhenyi Division, was unaware of it.
He was standing on the steps, looking at the dark mass of people in front of him with a worried expression.
The street outside the gate was packed with people, a sea of people.
Many trainees squatted in the corner to bundle their bedding, while others stood by the roadside waving to stop a car, their hands raised high, but no one paid any attention to them no matter how long they shouted.
Chen Mo looked around and regretted coming out so early.
Even if only half of the thousand people who left are now out, that would still be around five hundred people.
People from all directions converged at the entrance, completely blocking the wide street corner.
The tram in the distance was surrounded by people. Seven or eight people were hanging by the door, and four or five people had climbed onto the roof and were squatting there waving to those below.
The donkey pulling the cart was being squeezed and braying loudly, while an old man carrying a load of eggs on a shoulder pole was protecting the baskets of eggs and cursing loudly.
Chen Mo put his hands in his sleeves and stood on the steps without moving.
Just then, someone squeezed through the crowd. It was Sun Fusheng from the class, carrying a bulging bundle on his back, his face flushed red. "Chen Mo! Why aren't you leaving yet? We'll miss the bus if we're any later!"
"Look at this situation, do you think we can leave?" He pointed into the crowd, somewhat helplessly.
Sun Fusheng looked in the direction he was pointing and saw that the tram was packed to the brim, and the doors couldn't be closed.
"Damn, there are so many people!"
He was so anxious he was stamping his feet. "There's only one bus a day from my place. If I miss it today, I'll have to stay at a hotel!"
Chen Mo didn't answer. He was about to find a shady spot to wait when he suddenly heard someone calling his name from afar.
"Chen Mo...!"
The sound came from the crowd, but was half drowned out by the noise of the people.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a plump white hand reaching out from the crowd, raised high and waving vigorously.
It's Fatty Li.
He was standing across the street next to a black sedan, with a middle-aged man in a long robe and hat standing beside him, who looked like the driver.
The vehicle was polished to a shine, and the copper radiator on the front reflected the sunlight, making it seem like it came from a completely different era compared to the dilapidated rickshaws and mule carts around it.
The fat man was still waving, his mouth wide open in a grin.
Chen Mo paused for a moment, then squeezed through the crowd and walked in that direction, getting bumped on the shoulder several times along the way.
After finally squeezing his way to the front, the fat man slapped him on the arm, "I knew you'd be worrying here!"
Chen Mo glanced at the car. "What are you doing...?"
"My driver's surname is Liu." The fat man pointed to the side, "Uncle Liu, this is Chen Mo, the one I often mention to you."
The middle-aged man nodded to Chen Mo, said nothing more, and opened the car door to wait.
The fat man pulled Chen Mo and shoved him into the car. "What are you standing there for? Get in! I'll have Uncle Liu take you to the East District to report for duty first, and then I'll go back to the West District. It's on the way anyway, so I'll drop you off first."
Chen Mo was pushed into the back seat by him, and he followed and climbed in. As soon as the car door closed, the noise outside immediately subsided by more than half.
"Uncle Liu, let's go." The fat man leaned forward and said, "Let's take him to the East District Inspection Bureau first."
The car started and slowly shuffled past the crowd.
Those classmates who were still squeezing onto the tram turned their heads to look at us, some with envy, some with smirks, and some pretending not to see us.
Chen Mo placed his luggage on his lap, leaned back in the seat, and felt the book wrapped in brown paper in his arms was uncomfortable.
He shifted his body and turned to look at the fat man.
The fat man was sitting with his legs crossed, looking out with a smug look on his face. "Why bother taking the tram? It's so slow and boring."
"Let me tell you, from now on we'll both be working at the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Whenever I have time, I'll drive over and pick you up, and we'll go out to eat..."
Chen Mo didn't reply, but just glanced outside.
On the street outside the train window, Sun Fusheng was still standing there waiting for the tram, surrounded by a crowd of people.
He glanced at the black sedan, then quickly turned his head back.
Inside and outside the car, it was like two different worlds.