Chapter 017
I hesitated for a while, thinking about how to reply to this message. The person on the other end of the phone knew me, and from the tone of his voice, he should be someone who thought he had a good relationship with me.
My mother is dead, and now she is a ghost. If she wants to find me, why would she use such uncertain words?
So if this wasn't a prank, then the person on the other end of the phone must be someone I've met before but haven't contacted for a long time.
I thought about it for a while and sent him a message asking who he was?
It seemed like they were waiting for my message, and they got a reply very quickly after I sent it.
But he didn't answer my question, instead he asked me where I was.
This should be a deliberate avoidance, as if he is worried that others will see the content . But since he didn't say anything, I don't need to answer. Anyway, it's his own business to find me. Let's see who can outlast the other.
Sure enough, after waiting for about ten minutes, the text message came back and said, I guess you can't remember my name, so tell me where you are first and I'll pick you up.
I saw that he still seemed unwilling to explain. It was just a name, but he made it so mysterious. It felt like there must be some big problem.
I replied, no thanks, I have something to do now.
The person on the other end of the phone was still a little persistent and said, Xiaoxi, don't worry, it's just not convenient for me to tell you now. Tell me your address and I'll come to find you later. You'll know who I am when you see me.
I thought about it and said okay.
I sent him the address, but I didn't stay where I was. Instead, I ran to the store across the street, pretending to buy something and wandered around casually, wanting to see who this person was first, and then consider whether to meet him or not.
I don't understand why I am so suspicious now. It may be because of what happened in the past few days, plus the name Xiaoxi. I kept thinking about the coffin in my dream and how my mother's death was related to this. So when I get a little information, my nerves become tense, just like a guessing game. Every time I find a new clue, I feel particularly excited.
After waiting for about half an hour, the phone rang again, but this time it was not a message, but a call.
I stood behind the shop window and looked out carefully.
There was a man on the other end of the phone. His voice was rough and anxious. As soon as the call was connected, he asked impatiently, "Xiaoxi, I'm here. Where are you?"
I said I was at the bus stop and didn't see you, what color clothes were you wearing.
He still spoke quickly and said, "Yellow, yellow!"
I said "Oh" and looked out. I found that there was indeed a man in yellow on the platform. He was old, in his forties, very fat, with a round belly, walking around on the platform. He held the phone in one hand and kept asking, "Xiaoxi, where are you?" "Can't you see me?"
I don't know this person, but he looks familiar to me, as if I have seen him somewhere.
I said I saw you, but I don’t know you, just tell me what you want to say.
The fat man cried out, "Oh my little ancestor! Stop teasing me, come out quickly!"
I hung up the phone with a snap. I had to be tough with people like this who came from unknown places and had unknown purposes.
I saw him call the phone a few times, and then realized the connection was really disconnected. He cursed and called again.
I deliberately waited for a while before picking up the phone and told him directly, "Just tell me who you are. I don't have time to waste here with you."
He probably had no other choice, so he suddenly put the phone away and looked around cautiously. This action puzzled me a little. I felt that he seemed to be afraid that someone was following him secretly and watching his every move.
The fat man put the phone to his ear, covered his mouth with one hand, and lowered his voice very low, as if he was afraid that others would hear him. Then he said, "You naughty child, you are really... I am your uncle, have you forgotten? I held you in my arms when you were a child."
It suddenly dawned on me, no wonder he looked familiar to me.
This fat man was my mother's younger brother. He lived with us when I was very young. But for some unknown reason, he was kicked out by my grandfather. Although I asked my mother about it later, she always just smiled and covered it up, and refused to tell me anything.
After that, my grandfather passed away and my father suddenly left without a trace, leaving only my mother and I at home. He didn't even come to my mother's funeral.
In a few years, I might even forget that I have such a relative. The little bit of childhood affection will be gone.
But there is a saying that goes "No one comes to see you for no reason." He suddenly showed up and found my contact information. It must be not as simple as wanting to get to know me and reminisce about the past.
He kept urging me on the phone, saying, "My dear, please stop playing with me and come out quickly. I really have something to talk to you about."
I thought about it and said, okay, you wait there.
Then I hung up the phone and walked towards him. He kept looking at the people on the platform, as if he wanted to know which one was me.
I walked behind him, pretended to be very enthusiastic, and called out, "Hey, uncle, long time no see. What do you want from me?"
He turned around, the flesh on his face was all squeezed together, but he still looked a bit like my mother . Only then did I see that his head was covered in sweat.
When he saw me, he looked me up and down with his little eyes, then reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead and said, "Little ancestor, you finally came out. I was so worried."
I smiled and said, it’s just a meeting, why bother?
My uncle is right. I only came to you because I really have something to tell you. Let’s not chat here. It’s time for dinner. Why don’t we find a place to eat and chat at the same time?
I quickly said, okay, I'll choose the place, I know a few good ones.
My uncle rolled his eyes, looked at me for a while, and said, Xiaoxi, you are quite smart. Are you afraid that the place I chose will cheat you?
I laughed and said, "No way, you are my uncle!"
He didn't want to continue beating around the bush with me, so he said, "Okay, okay, you choose. Choose a quiet one so I can talk to you."
I nodded, thinking about the places Lin Tian had taken me to before, all of which were places I was reluctant to spend money on. Although I had just met him, I knew that my uncle was a smart man. When I wanted to get some money from him when I was a kid, he even gave me a few dollars.
Another thing is, as my mother’s only younger brother, I was somewhat angry that he didn’t come to the funeral.
I deliberately mentioned the most expensive place. He narrowed his eyes, stared at me and said, "Well, you are really good at picking. You just want to make your uncle bleed some money."
When I heard this, I felt that he seemed to be very familiar with this city, and maybe he had lived here before.
He had been listening for the car on the street and said, "Get in quickly so that you can get there earlier and discuss things."
I thought to myself that this stingy guy didn't even bargain with me. I wondered if he had really made some money over the years, or if he really had something important to discuss with me. But then I thought again, I felt that there was nothing I could do to help him. So the faster he agreed, the more worried I became.
I followed him into the car and asked, "Uncle, what do you want to talk to me about?"
He was afraid of the steering wheel and said, "Don't disturb me while I'm driving, we'll talk later."
I remembered the way he had been looking around, and thought that maybe he was really being followed. I turned back to take a look, but didn't see anything.
It didn't take long for us to arrive at the restaurant I mentioned.
As soon as I walked in, my loser heart overflowed, and I felt that this kind of place was only for rich people.
Compared to me, my uncle was very familiar with the place. He whispered something to the waitress who greeted us, and she took us to the private room at the end of the corridor.
I ordered a few dishes at random, not caring whether they were delicious or not. It’s always a good idea to choose the more expensive ones.
After the waiter left, my uncle and I were the only ones left in the private room.
But he looked impatient just now, but after coming here, he suddenly became calm and composed.
Seeing him like this, I pretended to play with the phone and didn't plan to speak first.
We were both silent. I glanced at him for a while and found that he seemed to be thinking about something. One hand was on the table, and his fingers kept looking at the table. There was a red string on his middle finger. I thought he was old and should be married, but he didn't even have a decent ring.
He moved a little in his chair and suddenly asked me, "Xiaoxi, your mother...
My mother is dead!
I interrupted him directly. He was stunned for a moment and said, "I know."
I was so angry that I asked, "You know my mom is gone, why didn't you come to her funeral? She's your sister, where were you at that time? Now you come to me when you have something to do. Do I know you well?"
He didn't expect my reaction to be so strong, and said quickly, "Don't yell. I know I'm sorry to your mother, but there are some things that are beyond your control. I can't go even if I want to."
This sounds a bit strange. I said, is there anyone holding you back?
He was silent for a moment and said, Xiaoxi, everyone has their own difficulties. When your grandfather kicked me out of the house, I never thought about going back.
I said that it was done by my grandfather, who has been dead for many years, and it has nothing to do with my mother. If you have anything to say, just say it now, and don't talk about these useless things.
He shook the flesh on his face and said, "Yes, yes, what's past is past."
Then he pulled a stool and sat closer to me and said, "Xiaoxi, my uncle is a little short of money these days, and his friends can't help him. Can you...?"
I understood immediately that this was the tone of someone asking for money. I laughed and said, "Uncle, do I look like a rich man? You brought me here to eat, so how could I owe you that little money?"
He came closer with his greasy face and said with twinkling eyes, "Uncle, I'm really at a loss. I know you don't have money, but people are pressuring you to pay. I can only rely on you to think of a solution."
I thought of his timid look at the bus stop. He must have owed a lot of money to others and was worried that the debt collectors would follow him. I might be able to help him with other things, but when it comes to money, I really have no way to deal with it.
I laughed and said, "That's strange, uncle, you know I have no money, so why are you looking for me?"
He moved closer and lowered his voice, as if he was afraid that others might hear what he said.
My uncle said, this is what I think, you see, your mother just passed away, and she must have some valuable things left for you, so you can lend me one or two and use them as collateral to pledge to others, and when you have more money after a while, I will redeem them and return them to you.
I sneered in my heart, this idea even targeted my mother's belongings.
I remained calm and said, "Uncle, you have been away for so long that you have forgotten your home. My family is extremely poor and my mother usually lives frugally. How could there be any valuable things left? There are a lot of pots and pans, but they are of no use to you!"
He pulled me aside, leaned close to my ear, and said timidly, "Doesn't your mother have a pair of blood amber pendants? Why don't you give me that first?"
