Chapter 27 You Are Still Young

"At our last class reunion, we were drinking and playing cards. Everyone there is well-off; I’m the worst off among them—no comparison. There was the younger brother of the County Government Office director, the brother-in-law of the owner of the county’s five-star coal mine, and the brother-in-law of the Construction Committee director..."

My uncle, Song Limin, was bragging as usual. The people at the table were accustomed to it and offered casual, polite responses, but Li Xiuyuan started listening intently. Could it be true that his uncle really had such connections? The brother of the county government office director—was that for real?

Li Xiuyuan calmly raised his glass. "Uncle, let me toast you. In our family, you’re definitely the one with the widest network and the most worldly experience, to even know the relatives of the county government leaders."

"Oh, we’re all classmates, just classmates," Song Limin said, unable to hide his grin as his nephew played along so well.

"Uncle, what is the surname of that government office director's brother?" Li Xiuyuan set down his glass and asked tentatively. He knew his uncle liked to boast, and his stories were often a mix of fact and fiction.

"Luo," Song Limin blurted out. Li Xiuyuan’s heart skipped a beat. It seemed his uncle really did know someone; he wasn't just making it up. There was indeed a deputy director named Luo at the county government office, though Li had yet to meet him.

Li Xiuyuan wanted to ask more, but they were in the middle of a crowded banquet, so he held back, though his mind began to race with plans.

After the meal, Li Xiuyuan returned home with his parents.

"Xiuyuan, we’re heading to the shop. You should rest at home and remember to come by for dinner tonight," Zhang Qiuhe said as she prepared to leave with her husband for their noodle shop.

"Mom, I need to go to my aunt’s place for something tonight. I’ll just eat there," Li Xiuyuan replied.

"Oh? You just got back, what could it be?"

"It’s hard to explain. I’ll tell you later," Li Xiuyuan shook his head.

"Let it be. He’s a grown man; he can handle his own affairs. His aunt isn't an outsider," Li Jianguo said, pulling his wife away.

Around 5:00 PM, Li Xiuyuan left the house. Before reaching his aunt’s door, he stopped at a nearby grocery store and bought two bottles of liquor. They weren't expensive—just over a hundred yuan—but the packaging looked quite premium.

When Li Xiuyuan knocked, his aunt, Li Simin, looked surprised. "Xiuyuan? Why are you here? Come on in." She was clearly bewildered; they had just seen each other at lunch.

"I have something to discuss," Li Xiuyuan said, setting down the bottles. Li Simin immediately frowned. "You child, why bring things when you come to visit? Take those back home for your father later."

"Aunt, these are for Uncle. I need to ask him for a favor," Li Xiuyuan said with a smile.

"If you need a favor, just ask. Why bring gifts? We’re family. Wait here, I’ll go wake him up. He had a bit too much to drink at lunch and is still sleeping it off." She headed to the bedroom.

Watching this, a smile touched Li Xiuyuan’s lips. His uncle, for all his bragging, was actually good to his aunt. When they were younger, he was always out chasing schemes and was often absent, leaving his aunt to shoulder all the burdens. Perhaps because of that, his uncle—if not exactly submissive—usually deferred to Li Simin on most household matters.

Soon, his aunt dragged Song Limin out of the bedroom.

"Get up! Xiuyuan is here. He even brought you liquor like you’re a stranger, saying he needs your help," she said.

"Oh, Xiuyuan, you’re here! If you need something, just say it. Take those bottles back; if I dare take your liquor, your aunt will give me an earful. Sit for a bit, I’m going to wash my face," Song Limin said.

By the time he finished, his aunt had finished preparing dinner, so she told Li Xiuyuan to eat and chat at the same time.

Li Xiuyuan had no appetite. After taking a few bites, he looked at Song Limin. "Uncle, you mentioned at lunch that you were classmates with the brother of Director Luo from the county government office?"

"I..." Song Limin started to speak, but Li Simin cut in, "Xiuyuan is asking you something. Just tell the truth. Don't brag, don't hide anything, just be honest."

Song Limin’s eyes widened. "What bragging? Luo Yong and I were classmates, plain and simple."

"Xiuyuan, you came all this way—is something the matter? Is everything alright? Don't worry, if I can help, I definitely will," Song Limin said.

"Uncle, how close are you with Luo Yong?" Li Xiuyuan asked, bypassing his own issue for the moment.

"We’re close. We used to drink and play cards together often, sometimes even go fishing, though I haven't had much time these past two years..." Song Limin explained.

Li Xiuyuan nodded. "Uncle, the truth is, I want to use that connection to meet Director Luo from the county government office."

"Why do you want to meet Director Luo? Just tell me what you need done, and I can go to Luo Yong and see if he can put in a word for you with his brother. Isn't that enough?" Song Limin laughed. To him, Li Xiuyuan was just a kid, and wanting to meet a leader in person seemed impractical.

Would a leader like that even acknowledge someone like him? Sometimes, you simply aren't in the same social circle, and you can't just sit at the same table. Even for himself, it was impossible to share a meal with Director Luo. If he needed a favor, he could only go through his classmate, Luo Yong, to pass a message along.

"Uncle, I... it’s complicated. I really need to meet him in person. Do you think you could ask your classmate to arrange a meeting? Maybe we could all have a meal together?" Li Xiuyuan insisted.

"Xiuyuan, you’re still young. You don't understand how these things work. Not everyone can just dine with Director Luo. We aren't in the same circle..."

As Song Limin spoke, Li Xiuyuan realized the situation and smiled. "Uncle, Aunt, there’s actually something I haven't told you yet. I took the civil service exam a while back, and I passed. I’m actually working at the County Government Office now."

As Li Xiuyuan finished speaking, Li Simin and Song Limin both froze in stunned silence.