Hobbling and stumbling, they followed Uncle Zhang to the competition arena. As Jing leaned against a crooked-n…
Hobbling and stumbling, they followed Uncle Zhang to the competition arena. As Jing leaned against a crooked-neck locust tree by the Thirsty Horse River to catch his breath, seven or eight burly old men and women suddenly swarmed out from behind the tree. Bamboo tags marked "One Bam" and "Nine Dots" were stuck in their collars, and they clutched red eggs painted with the characters for "Victory" using cinnabar as they encircled the two youths and shouted, "Pick me! Pick me!"
Before long, the two youths had an egg each. After fighting their way out, they stared blankly at the eggs in their hands. Then they noticed fine cracks appearing on the shells, revealing the mahjong tiles "Eight Characters" and "Red Dragon." They looked at each other, confusion mirrored in their eyes.
"Got them?" A heavy blow landed on their backs. It was Uncle Zhang, his face stern.
The two were puzzled. "Got... the eggs?"
Uncle Zhang didn't answer, just repeated, "Got them?"
Looking at the eggs, they stammered, "Yeah... I guess..."
Uncle Zhang suddenly roared, "Quick... send them back... send them back..."
"Divide into five teams... no... ten teams... send them back..."
The two stood stupefied. "Two eggs, into ten teams? Send them where?" Before they could finish, Uncle Zhang, moving like lightning, shoving them one after the other toward the oncoming old folks. He muttered, "Careful... careful... must... send them back..."
Facing the old men and women with their sharp eyes, the two knew well—once again, there was no escape.
By the time Da's belt had loosened by three notches and Jing's had unraveled, the old folks finally let them go.
Uncle Zhang, as if possessed, grabbed them. "Delivered? Ten teams! All delivered?"
"Forget ten teams... twenty, thirty teams we've had..." Jing collapsed before Uncle Zhang.
Uncle Zhang suddenly saluted them, then burst into hearty laughter and turned to leave.
Completely baffled, Da said, "Was a salute really necessary?" He was already having second thoughts.
"Hey, still going after him?"
Jing gritted his teeth. "We've come this far. If I don't find out something, I won't rest easy!"
So, with great effort, they rose and followed.