Chapter 31: The Old Lady in the Tube Building
When I heard this, I almost jumped out of my chair. There were actually two night watchmen still alive?
"Lao He, are you sure you are not mistaken? There are really two people alive?" I asked excitedly.
Lao He's head was shaking. He was probably almost drunk. His tongue was trembling. "Ah, why would I lie to you? I, I have a very good memory. At the hospital, I sent condolence money to their family. I still remember the address."
I hurriedly asked, where do they live?
"Eat, drink."
Lao He raised his glass and clinked it with mine.
I was really worried that he would pass out after drinking one more sip, and then this whole evening would be wasted.
When Lao He tried to grab the bottle, I took the wine away. He tried several times but failed, and said angrily, "What are you doing?"
"If you want to drink, answer my question. Where ?" I asked anxiously.
Lao He glanced at the empty cup and said, "One... one is called Cai Kun, and the other is called Wang Liguo... Speaking of Wang Liguo, I haven't had a drink with this old guy for a long time. I miss him..."
I thought to myself that Lao He called Wang Liguo an old boy. Does this mean that Wang Liguo is also very old? At least over 60? I poured a little wine into Lao He's glass, and he quickly snatched it, poured it into his mouth and drank it all. He frowned and said, "Why, why is it so little? I want more! I want more!"
I knew that Lao He was completely drunk, and I was a little worried about the truth of his words, so I said, "Tell them the address, and all the wine is yours."
"Wang... Wang Liguo lives in Baguazuitu, the Land Bureau Civilization Community, and Cai... Cai Kun lives in, where did he live? I forgot..." Lao He slapped his head. "Oh, I remember now, he lives in No. 13, Area C, Muyanghu Courtyard, haha, you... you say my memory is very, very good, right?"
I was so happy: "You have a great memory."
"Why don't you give me the wine?" Lao He said.
I took out the Sprite I had prepared long ago, filled Lao He's glass, patted his shoulder and said, "Drink slowly, I'm going to sleep first."
Lao He picked up the cup impatiently and took a sip.
puff!
He spat it out directly, and he was so angry that he cursed: "What the hell!"
After staggering for a while, he got drunk.
…
The next day, I asked for leave directly from my head teacher. He, who was usually harsh and strict, agreed without hesitation.
Firstly, the school probably knew about my mother's illness. Secondly, because I made a scene in the principal's office, the leaders were a little afraid of me, fearing that I would do something that would lead to everyone's failure. Most importantly, after Cheng Xiaoyan fell ill, rumors spread in the class that I liked Cheng Xiaoyan and had been taking care of her in the ward, and as a result, I was infected with the disease. Now it is a super virus that will bring bad luck to anyone who encounters it. That's why they were able to take leave very smoothly, probably because they were afraid of being infected by me.
I don't care what they say about me. It's best if I can take a leave and not lose credits.
After delivering the meal to my mother, I went home, changed into clean clothes, took a shower, and washed away the smell of formalin from the hospital. This time, I set off according to the address given by Lao He.
The first place I went to was Wang Liguo’s place, because it was closer to home - Baguazui Land Bureau Civilized Community.
Although Lao He did not tell his specific house number, the Land Bureau is relatively close, so you can find out by just asking.
After arriving at the destination, I saw a few elderly people practicing Tai Chi at the door, so I went up to them and asked them if they knew where Wang Liguo lived.
When several elderly people heard this, they were stunned and looked at me with strange eyes. One of them asked me why I was looking for Wang Liguo. I lied and said that I was his former colleague and came to see him specially.
They pointed to the tube-shaped building next door and said that their house was on the far right of the fifth floor, and told me to be careful.
I was puzzled and wondered why I should be careful?
The tube building has been there for a long time, and the floor is covered with wet sewage. Although it is daytime, it is very dark inside, and there are no sensor lights or anything. I stepped on the sewage, entered the corridor, groped my way to the fifth floor in the dark, and knocked on the door.
After a while, the door creaked open, and an old lady with wrinkles on her face and white hair looked at me expressionlessly.
"What?" she asked, her voice as unpleasant as the old crow's.
"I'm here to see Wang Liguo." I said quickly.
"come in."
The old lady waved to me.
I walked into the house. The furniture inside was very simple. There was no TV, no sofa, only a few simple tables and chairs, and some shabby wardrobes.
There was a candle on the table, which was the only source of light.
I was about to speak when the old lady suddenly walked over and blew out the candle.
The already dim room was now completely dark.
Unable to understand why she wanted to blow out the candles, I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight.
"stop!"
The old lady suddenly shouted sharply.
I was startled and asked her what was wrong?
"Turn it off quickly! Liguo doesn't like it being too bright!" the old lady glared and shouted angrily.
I looked puzzled, but still turned off the flashlight.
"You sit down first, I'll go call Liguo out." said the old lady.
I nodded. Maybe the windows hadn't been opened for a long time, so the air inside was very stuffy. I sniffed twice and couldn't help sneezing.
The old lady brought a cup of hot water and said, "Poor child, you must have caught a cold. Come on, drink some hot water. Drink more hot water."
"I don't have a cold, it's just..."
"Drink hot water."
I was speechless, thinking that this old lady was too kind-hearted. I had no choice but to do as she said, picked up the cup, and took a sip. However, as soon as my lips touched the water, I smelled a sour and smelly smell. I couldn't help but frown and said, "Old lady, what kind of water is this?"
"Oh, there has been no water at home for a long time. This is the water I used to wash the pork last week. I just boiled it and brought it to you." The old lady said lightly.
The water used to wash pork?
My face looked extremely ugly. I covered my throat and retched on the ground.
"Come on, I'll take you to see Liguo." The old lady said expressionlessly.
Thinking that she was looking for someone, and that the old lady was old and might be a little confused, I resisted the urge to lose my temper and followed her into a nearby inner room.
The room was full of spider webs, and dust would fall off when you touched the wall. There was nothing to be seen except a bed and a bronze armchair.
"This chair is Liguo's favorite."
The old lady walked over, sat on the armchair, and spoke while rocking.
"Um, where is Mr. Wang now?" I couldn't help but ask.
"He's sleeping on the bed. He has very bad habits. He always likes to cover himself with the quilt when he sleeps. Can you help me lift the quilt?" The old lady said , pointing at the bed.
I looked over and saw a large grey quilt covering the bed. Without thinking much, I walked over and called out Wang Liguo. When no one answered, I pulled the quilt away.
However, apart from some old clothes piled up in the quilt, there was no trace of a person.
"Old lady, you——"
I was a little angry, feeling that I was being played by her. I turned around and was about to question her, but suddenly I saw the old lady rushing towards me and pressing my head hard on the bed...
