Time: 1927, Republic of China
Location: Overhead, Xindu
Character: Lao Zhuang, 40 years old
Across the two dirt streets of Xindu Wharf, there is a small teahouse called "Hongshengyuan".
When Lao Zhuang was a silly boy in his early ten years, his father was falsely accused and his entire family was executed. Fortunately, his father's friend, Uncle Li, took Lao Zhuang to the teahouse for refuge.
I have been avoiding this for more than twenty years, and most of my life has passed.
Lao Zhuang went from waiter to accountant, and from accountant to assistant.
A few years ago, Uncle Li from Hongshengyuan left without saying goodbye and sold the teahouse directly to Laozhuang. The business was not good for a few years, so they could barely make ends meet, until one day two people who were sitting here drinking tea and chatting started choking and smashed the small teahouse to pieces. When Lao Zhuang was heartbroken, a young man in his twenties smoothed things over and handed over two ocean dollars.
He said his name was Hong Hao. The master of Nanxing Hall and the owner of the opium hall.
Two oceans in my arms. From then on, he became a member of the Nanxing Gang.