“He went to work in the fields. Yanming has arranged everything. Just listen to Yanming. Be more reliable in the future and stop making a fuss. Do you think visiting someone in a big city is like going to a neighbor’s house in our village? You can just walk over and sit on any stool. Big cities have rules. You can’t litter or spit. If the red armbands catch you, you’ll be fined. Tell your dad to keep an eye on things!”
Fang's mother went on and on about the fine, explaining that she knew about it because she had been fined before.
Spitting indiscriminately will result in a fine of ten yuan.
Not a penny less.
After showing off her superiority, Fang's mother hung up the phone. Xu Tianlai listened to the dial tone, feeling dizzy.
What was he going to say on the phone?
Did he say it or not?
It seems like I've only been listening to my aunt's ramblings.
Uncle Fang, who was waiting impatiently, urged, "What did your uncle say?"
“My uncle went to work in the fields. My aunt told us to listen to Yanming’s instructions and said I was being unreasonable. Dad, why don’t we go back?”
Xu Tianlai was dejected and even more lacking in confidence. He only had a thousand yuan in his pocket, not even enough to eat and drink. Moreover, he was unfamiliar with the place, couldn't understand the language, and was not used to the food. Even the steamed buns were sweet and ridiculously expensive.
What Xu Tianlai couldn't stand the most was the contemptuous looks he received from the father and son, the faint snickers, and the pointing and whispering. Xu Tianlai was wearing the best jacket and leather shoes in the house, but in front of people from the big city, he still felt ashamed and uncomfortable, as if he were being pricked by needles.
"What are you going to do to cure your mother's illness when you go back, you useless thing!"
Uncle Fang glared at him fiercely, took a few puffs of his cigarette, felt an itch in his throat, took a breath, stretched his neck, and was about to spit.
"Don't……"
Xu Tianlai tried to stop him, but it was too late. Uncle Fang spat a mouthful of phlegm onto the street. Xu Tianlai quickly grabbed his father and ran away, glancing around furtively, as if afraid of being caught and fined by the red armbands.
"Stop right there, just the two of you. If you run any further, we'll take you to the police station!"
A roar came from behind them, and Fang's uncle and Xu Tianlai stopped in fright, their bodies trembling.
An old man wearing a red armband jogged over. He had been watching Xu Tianlai and his son ever since they checked into the hotel. He was determined to promote civility and set a good example. His alley was vying for the title of "Civilized Alley," and he couldn't let these two country bumpkins hold it back.
Spitting on the ground will result in a 10 yuan fine!
The old man pulled out a familiar receipt, and Uncle Fang's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He retorted indignantly, "The road belongs to the government. What's wrong with me spitting?"
"You think you can just spit on public roads? Let me tell you, this is a city, an international metropolis, not your rural backwater where nobody cares if you urinate or defecate anywhere. Pay your fine now!"
The old man spoke sternly and righteously, which made Uncle Fang so timid that he didn't dare to utter a sound. Xu Tianlai was even less daring and obediently paid the ten yuan fine.
"Pay attention to your personal hygiene. Haven't you washed your hair or taken a shower in days? The oil on your head could cover two pairs of shoes. Oh dear... and it smells like that. There's hot water in the hotel, go wash up quickly and don't affect the appearance of Pingjiang!"
The old man covered his nose, glared at him with disdain, and returned to his post, sitting up straight with his eyes wide open, as no violation of laws or regulations could escape his sharp eyes.
Uncle Fang's face was as black as charcoal. If this were back in his hometown, he would have slapped him across the face. He had just taken a bath half a month ago and was very clean. City people are just snobs and look down on rural people.
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