Two or Three Events in the Last Days 010
Chapter 10: Meeting
The two of them soon arrived at the village leader’s house.
Quite a few people were already gathered in the small courtyard. Those who had come were the heads of their respective households, though most were women, since many of the able-bodied men were still away working and had not returned.
Yan Ruifeng and Yan Fei were among them.
Yan Fei noticed Jing Lin immediately. Seeing the handsome sleeping boy in Jing Lin’s arms, and noticing the resemblance between them, he suddenly felt a little deflated. Surely not, he thought. Jing Lin looked so young—could he really already have a child that old?
Of course, Jing Lin noticed Yan Fei as well. It was hard not to. The man was so tall that even sitting down, he stood out from the crowd. Jing Lin only spared him a quick glance before finding a corner seat with Zhao Zhiwen.
The village leader was a thin middle-aged man with a kindly face. At the moment, however, he stood to one side holding a teacup, his brow furrowed with worry. One by one, the people who had been notified arrived. Many chatted and laughed among themselves until the leader cleared his throat and asked everyone to quiet down.
“There’s really only one reason I called everyone here today,” the leader said. “I’m sure everyone knows about the power outages and the vehicles breaking down. Many people, myself included, didn’t take it seriously at first. But Brother Yan returned from the city today and told me some things. This situation may become much worse in the future.”
The previously relaxed atmosphere immediately became serious. At the leader’s gesture, Yan Ruifeng rose from his stool and addressed the villagers.
“Many of you may not realize this because you haven’t traveled recently. I came back all the way from Z Province, and every city I passed through was without power and water. The roads were lined with abandoned vehicles. This isn’t just happening in our area. As for what that means and how serious it is, I think everyone here can draw their own conclusions.
“In the countryside, people are used to storing grain, and most households have access to well water. Cities are different. People rely on buying everything they eat and drink. Right now, banks aren’t allowing withdrawals. Groups of people are gathering to smash bank doors and seize money. When they can’t get money, they move on to supermarkets and shops. There’s no telling how chaotic things may become.
Two or Three Events in the Last Days (TELD) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
“You all know that I achieved some success outside the village when I was younger and made friends with people who have influence. The reason I came back wasn’t by choice—it was because of the situation. Some of those friends told me that things are only going to get worse. So if you can stockpile grain, do it now. If you can contact your family and friends, tell them to come home as soon as possible.”
Finally, he looked around at everyone present.
“I haven’t been back to the village in over twenty years, but many of the uncles and aunts here watched me grow up. For the sake of those relationships, I wouldn’t lie to you. Besides, I gain nothing from doing so. Whether you believe me is up to you. But if something really happens later, don’t say nobody warned you.”
Yan Ruifeng had been a successful businessman for many years, and the confidence and authority he carried were difficult to ignore. Most people believed him immediately. Several women grew visibly anxious and began saying that their husbands and children were still away from home.
The village leader raised his hand, quieting the crowd.
“That’s all we needed to discuss. As for what to do next, that’s something each family should decide for themselves. You can also pass this information on to your relatives. There’s never anything wrong with being prepared.”
Jing Lin and the others, who had previously approached stockpiling with a somewhat casual attitude, immediately discussed their plans. They decided that early the next morning, they would skip the town entirely and travel straight to the county seat to buy more supplies.
With the meeting over, everyone began leaving. As they walked out of the village leader’s house, Yan Fei unconsciously quickened his pace and caught up to Jing Lin. “Is this your son?” he asked casually, glancing at the sleeping child in Jing Lin’s arms. “He’s adorable. Why’s he asleep?”
Jing Lin looked at him in confusion. They weren’t that familiar, were they? Still, he answered politely.
Yan Fei: “A cold? We have some children’s medicine at home. Do you need any?”
Given Le Le’s condition, Jing Lin didn’t dare give him medicine indiscriminately. He shook his head and declined, though he thanked Yan Fei for the offer.
Jing Lin was already a man of few words even with acquaintances, let alone a stranger he had only met twice. He also felt that Yan Fei’s gaze was a bit too intense, which made him even less inclined to chat. After saying goodbye, he carried Le Le and hurried after Zhao Zhiwen, who was walking slightly ahead.
Two or Three Events in the Last Days (TELD) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Yan Fei knew he had approached rather abruptly. He regretted not getting the chance to talk with Jing Lin longer, but that regret was quickly dispelled by the news that Jing Lin was not married.
From behind, Yan Ruifeng watched coldly as his son eagerly ran over to strike up a conversation. After Jing Lin had left, he slung an arm over Yan Fei’s shoulder. Mindful that there were other people nearby, he kept his voice low as he scolded him.
“Look at that sleazy air about you. Leave that good kid alone. Don’t you dare corrupt somebody else’s child!”
Yan Fei had come out to his family while still in high school. The revelation had caused enormous turmoil at home. His parents had opposed it, while Yan Fei had stood firm. The standoff had lasted for years. By the time he was close to graduating from college, his parents had finally accepted that they could not change his mind. With Yan Lu constantly speaking up in her brother’s defense, they eventually resigned themselves to it.
Fine, their son liked men. Yet, after several years of being in the workforce, he still had not brought anyone home. Whenever they asked, he always said he simply had not met the right person and that fate had not yet arrived. If he liked women, they could at least arrange blind dates. But with men, his parents had no idea where to begin. Now he was nearly thirty years old and had never even been in a relationship.
Two or Three Events in the Last Days (TELD) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Although Yan Ruifeng worried about his son’s future, he could not tolerate the thought of Yan Fei leading someone else’s child astray. Jing Lin looked like the kind of well-behaved young man any parent would treasure. If something happened because of his son, how would they face each other in the village afterward?
Yan Fei rubbed the spot where his father had smacked him and laughed helplessly. “Dad, I just said a few words to him. Why are you so nervous?”
Yan Ruifeng snorted. “With the way you usually are—so quiet you can barely squeeze a word out of yourself—do you think I’d believe you suddenly wanted to chat with someone for no reason?”
Helplessly, Yan Fei replied, “Your son isn’t some kind of monster. Besides, I have a feeling he’s like me.”
“You can tell that?” Yan Ruifeng asked suspiciously.
It was difficult to explain such things to the older generation, so Yan Fei merely nodded instead of elaborating.
Yan Ruifeng knew his son’s character well. Aside from liking men, there was very little to criticize. He had always been the model “other family’s child*,” bringing pride to his parents throughout his life. Yan Ruifeng did not think he was the sort of person who lied or acted irresponsibly. Still, he couldn’t help adding a warning. “You can talk to him if you want, but don’t go flirting recklessly. If you lead someone’s precious child astray, his parents will beat you to death.”
*This is an expression for the ideal son or daughter that parents often use as a comparison. For example: “Look at Aunt Wang’s daughter—she gets top grades, plays piano, and helps around the house. Why can’t you be more like her?” In that situation, Aunt Wang’s daughter is the “other family’s child.”
Yan Fei nodded helplessly. He didn’t think his father was being unreasonable. His father was only concerned for him. After all, if they were going to live in the village long-term, any scandal would be difficult to live down. His father’s worries were understandable.
Words from the Translation Crew
Miiya: 2 of two for the week.
Translator: Miiya
Editor: MushroomKnight73
Proofreader: Yume
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