Mad Dog

Chapter 29: Looking At The Same Sky

*The more one lacks, the more one craves.*

Perhaps the reason Jiang Qi came back here today, came to see them, was because in his dreams at midnight, his mind always remembered the scene when Jiang Shi reported to the police for him.

Although Jiang Shi and Guan Yue were not really doing it for him but for the house, that scene was a rare ‘warm’ memory from his youth, so Jiang Qi remembered it particularly well. He never thought he would become an actor by chance after his release from prison, nor did he think he would be so wealthy now.

But since he had money now, he should repay his debts—just think of it as repaying Jiang Shi for preventing him from being killed by Jiang Quan back then.

After watching Guan Yue, who had aged much more than before, for a while, Jiang Qi slowly spoke, “Aunt.”

Still, just one short word, but it gradually changed the bewildered expression on the woman’s face to shock. She was stunned for a while, her voice trembling as she said, “Is… is it Ah Qi?”

“Yeah.” Jiang Qi nodded and took off his mask halfway. “It’s me.”

“You, why… ah, you’ve come.” The woman was incoherent, her anxious movements making room for Jiang Qi to come closer. Her eyes were wandering as if she didn’t know what she was saying, “It’s messy here, you know this market… you didn’t even give Auntie a heads-up, so she could’ve cooked a couple of dishes for you.”

“No need to bother.” Jiang Qi looked around the room after coming in, finding that there wasn’t much difference from before.

The houses behind the suburb market were all ‘simple’, with grayish walls and floors. There were a few bowls on the table, obviously not yet eaten, and goods were piled up in the corner under the bed.

It wasn’t much different from when he used to live here.

For so many years, Jiang Shi and his wife and children had been living in this dirty and messy environment, seemingly without any intention of moving.

Because sometimes plans just couldn’t keep up with changes—everyone thought those alleys in the Chen Kong Hutong shantytown would be relocated, but unexpectedly, over the years, Lin Lan’s land policy had never touched Chen Kong Hutong.

And after Jiang Qi gave them the house in Chen Kong, Jiang Shi’s family had been waiting for demolition and relocation, but it never came.

“Ah Qi, stay for dinner.” Guan Yue stole a glance at the slender figure of the young man, feeling as if the temperature in the room had dropped several degrees for no reason. She couldn’t help but shiver and muttered, “Your uncle went to buy goods and will be back soon.”

Jiang Qi didn’t say anything, just nodded.

Guan Yue couldn’t help but think that this kid was still quiet.

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When Jiang Qi lived in their house’s western room during his middle school years, besides helping with selling vegetables and chores, he rarely spoke on ordinary days.

Guan Yue and Jiang Shi got married in their early twenties, before Jiang Qi was born.

Logically speaking, she had dealt with this kid a lot, but most of the memories left were of Jiang Qi being abused by her husband’s older brother, his father who was worse than a beast, and often needing to be treated in the hospital.

This kid was pitiful, but what made Jiang Quan an unscrupulous demon?

And she and Jiang Shi had no money, no abilities, and were also helpless, unable to help Jiang Qi in any way. Actually, Guan Yue felt quite guilty about letting Jiang Qi come here to live only after he handed over the house.

But… most people are selfish animals.

She was just an ordinary citizen. Guan Yue had a woman’s delicate sympathy, as well as petty calculations and a moderate sense of ‘shame.’

So even though they had found out some time ago that Jiang Qi was going to act in some movies and had become wealthy, Guan Yue and Jiang Shi, shocked as they were, had never thought of disturbing Jiang Qi.

Even though they had their own calculations, they still had their pride.

Watching this child being abused for so many years and still wanting his house? Now that he has made it big, they’re coming around? What kind of people are they becoming?

If that’s really the case, they’re no different from the despised eldest brother Jiang Quan. So instinctively, Guan Yue and Jiang Shi never mentioned the fact that Jiang Qi had already become a “big star” at home.

But who would have thought that Jiang Qi would actually come to see them on his own.

Aside from being shocked, Guan Yue also felt a bit uneasy—because she really couldn’t understand why Jiang Qi would come to them.

Was he coming back for the house that originally belonged to him? But the house in Chen Kong Alley is not worth much, and does Jiang Qi need that money now?

As Guan Yue cooked, she thought about this and that in her mind. It took almost half an hour before Jiang Shi finally came back.

As soon as Jiang Shi opened the door, he called Guan Yue’s name to ask her to bring something. But before he could get a response, his gaze fell on the man sitting at the table with his back to him, his figure slim and straight.

“Is someone here?” Jiang Shi thought to himself that he hadn’t seen this person before, so he asked in confusion.

Upon hearing the man’s words, Jiang Qi turned his head.

The indoor lighting was dim, but Jiang Shi could still see the delicate and handsome face of the teenager clearly. But once he saw it clearly, he couldn’t help but stand still in place—even the handful of apples he was holding almost slipped from his hand.

“Uncle.” Jiang Qi was the first to speak, standing up voluntarily.

“A-Ah Qi?” The man’s weather-beaten face was full of astonishment. He stared blankly at the cold-looking teenager, his voice suddenly hoarse. “You’re here, how… how have you been?”

Compared to Guan Yue’s awkwardness and incoherence, Jiang Shi was more composed.

Jiang Qi forced a stiff smile. “I’m okay.”

As they spoke, Guan Yue had already brought the food to the table. She smiled awkwardly as she served Jiang Qi, “Your younger brother is in junior high now, boarding at school. Usually, it’s just the two of us at home.”

The implication was clear: now that everyone was here, they could start eating.

Jiang Qi nodded and didn’t make a fuss as he picked up the bowl of rice on the table and started eating.

Guan Yue’s cooking skills were not great, and since she hadn’t prepared anything in advance, it was just ordinary home-cooked dishes. But Jiang Qi ate without any discomfort—he had eaten far worse and simpler meals before. When times were tough, he even rummaged through the trash for food. Would he care about the taste of the food now?

This man never complained about the food; he just ate what was given to him.

The whole meal was quiet, with only occasional discreet glances from Guan Yue and Jiang Shi at Jiang Qi. They never expected that after Jiang Qi came to visit, he seemed to be just here for a meal, easygoing and quiet, just like the three years he had lived here before.

After the meal, Jiang Qi brought up his intention.

“Uncle, Aunt.” He placed the card containing the money he had previously deposited on the table and pushed it towards Jiang Shi. Then, in the man’s bewildered gaze, he calmly said, “This is for you. I asked around, and around two hundred thousand should be enough to open a small shop, to change the environment for you and Jiang Yin.”

Jiang Yin was Jiang Shi’s son, his cousin.

Having sold vegetables before, Jiang Qi knew how difficult and unprofitable selling vegetables could be. If he had the ability to help Jiang Shi change their situation, then Jiang Qi didn’t mind.

Jiang Qi isn’t some saint. He helped Jiang Shi with two hundred thousand yuan because Jiang Shi had helped him before. He received too little kindness since he could remember, so he wanted to repay whatever he could remember.

The sudden move of the young man stunned both Jiang Shi and Guan Yue.

“Ah Qi, you… don’t, how can this be? How can we take your money?” After a while, coming back to his senses, Jiang Shi’s entire black face turned red with embarrassment. He stared blankly at the new card on the old table, saying, “We never, never raised you, how can we take your money, moreover… moreover, after you were released from prison, we never visited you.”

The man didn’t say much, just repeated the same few sentences over and over again. By the end, he seemed to be so ashamed that he hung his head in self-disgrace. Guan Yue, who was originally going to tidy up the tableware, also had red eyes, feeling guilty, she turned away.

In the cramped and dim room, the atmosphere was almost heavy enough to solidify.

Jiang Qi looked at them, still calm. After thinking for a moment, the young man probably couldn’t come up with any ‘touching’ words, so he could only say, “Uncle, I’m not good at talking, don’t make me say too much.”

…

Jiang Qi sighed and stood up to put on his clothes.

“No need to see me off.” The young man briskly put on his coat and said lightly before leaving, “Take it, and change your environment.”

“Ah Qi!” Seeing the young man about to leave, Jiang Shi, thinking of his years of neglect, looking at the leftovers on the table, suddenly felt heartbroken beyond words. Various complex emotions surged up in his throat and eyes. Jiang Shi uncontrollably stopped the young man—

“I’m sorry.” In Jiang Qi’s puzzled gaze, Jiang Shi looked at those light-colored eyes like glass, his voice hoarse, “I’m not a responsible uncle.”

Jiang Qi blinked slightly, thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“When even biological parents aren’t responsible, no one owes responsibility to another person.” Jiang Qi nodded gently. “Uncle, maybe we’ll meet again someday.”

After Jiang Qi finished speaking, he left, disappearing into the alley filled with mud under the moonlight.

He was like a sudden ‘Santa Claus’, giving them the gift they longed for and then calmly disappearing… It’s just that the ‘gift’ from Jiang Qi made people feel ashamed. Unfortunately, Jiang Shi and Guan Yue didn’t know that Jiang Qi didn’t care about money at all, nor did he care about fame or fortune.

The reason he came here was because the young man wanted to confirm that he still had family.

Jiang Qi didn’t want to fantasize about things that hadn’t happened, but sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder—why had he been out of prison for so long, making such a big name for himself, yet Jiang Shi never came to find him?

Could it really be because he was cursed, with blood-stained destiny?

When someone lacks something, they tend to yearn for it even more.

So, even though he knew he was worthless, and this behavior was unnecessary, Jiang Qi couldn’t help but come over. In fact, he really wanted that ethereal thing called ‘family affection,’ but perhaps he would never have it in this lifetime.

After walking out of the alley behind the market, Jiang Qi subconsciously stood still, looking up at the moon in the sky.

Today happened to be the fifteenth day, and the moon was exceptionally round, bright, and clear.

He wonders if Zhi Qi is looking at the same sky as him? Jiang Qi pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and sent a message to the girl.

It was just a simple heartfelt message.

[.: I want to watch the moon with you.]