EIP 67

In the end, they didn’t say a word to each other. Only after the sound of fireworks faded did Yong Jin’s hoarse voice whisper a quiet goodbye before hanging up. Zhou Jun sat there, not bothering to put down the receiver, listening to the steady buzz of the busy tone.

Outside the hall, laughter and the sound of children’s footsteps echoed. A child ran over, took Zhou Jun’s hand, and led him outside. That year would likely stay with him forever. The bright tail of the fireworks disappeared into the sky, fading quickly like a fleeting moment. After setting off a few more fireworks with the child, he quietly picked up a lantern and slipped out through a side door.

He hid behind a corner and watched from a distance. Just as he had guessed, beneath a streetlamp, inside a phone booth, stood someone. The person had hung up but didn’t leave. They leaned against the booth’s walls, staring up at the sky where only the fading smoke of fireworks remained. A thin mist spread and dissolved into the night. They had both watched the same fireworks, but from different places.

Zhou Jun didn’t step forward. He simply stood there, watching Yong Jin. After finishing a cigarette, Yong Jin stepped out of the booth and walked toward the street. He never looked back. Zhou Jun remained silent. The wind blew small snowflakes from the roof, blanketing the path ahead. When the snow settled and his view cleared again, the street was empty.

He carried the lantern back. Aunt Li was looking for him, calling him to eat dumplings for good luck. Zhou Jun was the first to draw a coin. Aunt Li clapped her hands in delight. “Good fortune, good fortune! The second young master will have a smooth and prosperous year, with promotions and wealth.” Zhou Jun spat the coin out and wiped it clean with a handkerchief. He had never been one for superstition, but maybe it was age that made him want to believe in something. He found a red embroidered good-luck pouch and tucked the coin and a pocket watch inside.

Zhou Jun wasn’t sure whether he had truly forgotten about the pocket watch or had simply chosen not to think about it. It was like the red string with the green stone on his ankle, always there, always visible, yet somehow overlooked. Perhaps it had become a habit, something he no longer paid attention to. He carefully placed the pouch into the box and locked it.

Yong Jin left the day after New Year’s, along with many young men committed to defending the country. It felt as if half the city had emptied out. The first few days were especially quiet, but gradually, life returned to normal. As the city recovered, so did Zhou Jun’s health.

While working on the family business, he realized how difficult it truly was. The rice and grain trade was manageable, but the textile and clothing industry had been crushed by foreign companies. He couldn’t fight back and faced losses every day.

He stayed up late night after night, combing through the accounts. The deficit was staggering. If the large opium trade had still been active, it might have covered the shortfall. But since he had quietly withdrawn from it, there was no income left to keep things afloat. It was better to face the pain now than delay. If the business couldn’t be saved, it had to be cut off. He sold off assets and reinvested elsewhere.

He drafted a few proposals and wrote to some old classmates. Some foreign companies were selling shares, and he had the right connections to make it work. But when he mentioned his plans to his older brother, he met fierce opposition. Zhou Yan was furious, accusing him of betraying their ancestors and aiding the foreigners.

Zhou Jun had anticipated this reaction. He had already compiled a report on the losses the family factories had suffered in recent years. But Zhou Yan waved it away. “We have enough money to keep them running. Overall, it can still be profitable. If you sell now, the century-old Zhou family name will be ruined by you and me.”

He couldn’t understand his brother’s stubbornness, and Zhou Yan didn’t want to keep arguing. Once he learned that Zhou Jun was planning to sell off family assets, he had decided to step in and take control within a few days. But just then, Aunt Li came rushing in with tears in her eyes, frantic. “Young master, it’s terrible… Just now, just now, the young mistress went out with me, and the police took her away.”

Zhou Yan jumped up from his seat. In his rush, he stumbled and had to grab the table for support. Zhou Jun quickly urged Aunt Li to explain. She said she didn’t know the full story. The young mistress had gone to pick up medicine for the young master. But on her way back, the police arrested her. Before she was taken away, she told Aunt Li, “If anything happens to me, go find Old Master Rong.”

Old Master Rong was Zhou Yan’s father-in-law, a man from a prestigious family with ties to powerful political figures. For the police to act so suddenly, and against someone with connections to both the Rong and Zhou families, it had to be something serious.

Zhou Jun tried to calm his brother, knowing his health couldn’t withstand stress. He was about to go to the police station when Zhou Yan called out, “Wait. Let’s contact the military governor first. If he steps in, Lan Zhi will be fine.”

Zhou Jun’s face went pale. In the past, Governor Yong might have helped. But now, Zhou Jun had already burned that bridge by withdrawing from the opium trade. Without connections, there was no hope.

Zhou Yan leaned against the table and ordered the butler to bring the phone. Zhou Jun stepped in front of him and said, “Don’t bother. Governor Yong won’t help us.”

Zhou Yan grew anxious. “Move aside! He won’t refuse. He still depends on us for—”

Zhou Jun cut him off, unable to meet his brother’s gaze. “It’s over. I’ve already pulled our family out of the opium trade.”

Those words were hard to say, but he had no choice. His sister-in-law’s arrest left him no room to hide it. He had hoped to delay breaking the news, but the situation left no time.

Zhou Yan staggered, lips pale, staring at him in disbelief. But none of that mattered now. All Zhou Yan cared about was whether his wife was safe.

He called for his coat. He was going to the police station himself. Zhou Jun tried to help, but Zhou Yan slapped him across the face. In the end, though, it was Zhou Jun who drove.

The outcome was the worst they could have imagined. His sister-in-law couldn’t be released.

It turned out she still had ties to a group from her university. One of them was a member of the underground Communist Party.

After the man was exposed, the authorities investigated everyone linked to him, including those who had attended their student gatherings. If those events had been innocent, it might have been fine. But some had ties to recent demonstrations.

Once the network was uncovered, everyone involved was arrested. The charges were vague, but they couldn’t be cleared easily. Even with the support of the Zhou and Rong families, his sister-in-law wouldn’t be released until she proved her innocence. The only relief was that she was still at the police station. If she had been transferred to the military police, her fate would have been much worse.

Zhou Yan stormed out. Zhou Jun tried to follow, but his brother shoved him away.

Zhou Yan’s fist struck hard, and Zhou Jun didn’t react in time. His brother’s eyes were red, hands trembling. Through clenched teeth, he said, “If anything happens to your sister-in-law…” He paused for breath. “You’ll carry this for the rest of your life.”

Zhou Jun knew there was nothing he could say. Even if pulling out of the opium business had been the right move, with everything happening now, it felt meaningless.

If anything happened to her, he knew he would never forgive himself.

Zhou Yan got into the car and told the driver to go to the Rong residence. Zhou Jun, lost and shattered, remained behind. He went back to the police station, hoping he could at least see her.

She couldn’t be released, but the station director allowed a brief visit. When he saw her, Zhou Jun’s heart sank. Her hair was disheveled. Her arms were covered in bruises.

His eyes welled up with tears. With an officer nearby, he couldn’t ask much. His voice was hoarse. “We’ll get you out. Don’t be afraid, Sister-in-law. Just hold on.”

She gave a weak smile and sighed. “I was going to tell your brother some good news when I picked up the medicine… but now, I don’t know if it’s good or bad.” Zhou Jun froze, staring at her. She gently placed a hand on her lower abdomen. Tears slipped down her cheeks.