**June 11, 1965 - Foshan (Guangzhou)**
*Outside Foshan Railway Station.*
Amei and Yanzu stepped off the train, their luggage in hand. Yanzu's gaze was filled with sorrow as he continuously looked at his mother. As they exited the train, he clutched Amei's hand tightly.
"Hey! You're holding my hand too tightly! Stop acting like a baby! You need to learn to take care of yourself! Mom believes in your strength," Amei scolded, her voice sharp.
"Mom, is Azu being disobedient, or have I done something wrong? Please tell me! I promise to be good! You don't want me to play with the younger kids—I won't! I just want to go to school with you! I don't want to join the Chiye Opera Troupe to learn Cantonese opera! Please!" Yanzu pleaded, tears streaming down his face.
The scene outside the train station caught the attention of many passersby. In a moment of frustration, Amei slapped Yanzu.
"Have you cried enough? If you shed another tear, I will leave you here! I can't understand why I have a son like you!" Amei shouted, her anger palpable.
Overwhelmed by fear, Yanzu wet his pants, trembling from anxiety.
"No! No! Please don't abandon me!" he cried out, desperation in his voice.
"Go to the restroom, change your underwear, and come back quickly! This is so embarrassing!" Amei retorted, her anger still simmering.
Yanzu headed to the restroom alone while Amei used a public phone to call Chen Daban.
"Brother, it's Amei. Azu is outside the train station, and I'm worried about bad people. The next train is about to leave, and I need to go now," she said urgently.
"I understand, I'm on my way. I'm just picking up some food for Azu," Ah Hua responded.
Moments later, Yanzu rushed out but couldn't see his mother.
"Mom! Mom! Please don't go! Mom!" he cried, clinging to Amei.
At that moment, Ah Hua intervened and pulled Yanzu away from Amei.
"Let go! I want to go home!" Yanzu bit Ah Hua's hand and bolted toward the train platform.
"Mom! Mom! Mom!" he shouted as he ran.
The station attendant swiftly stopped Yanzu, who watched as the train departed.
*Back at the troupe...*
"Xinxin, take Chen Yanzu to his room!" Ah Hua ordered, irritation evident in his tone.
Yanzu was still sobbing and shouting.
"Leave me alone! I don't want to stay in this terrible place! I want to go back to Dongguan! I want to go home!" he yelled defiantly.
In a fit of rage, Ah Hua forcefully pushed Yanzu to the ground.
"You little fool! No wonder your parents don't want you! I am both your uncle and your master! From now on, you are under my care! If you don't comply, I will throw you out!" Ah Hua shouted angrily.
"Then get rid of me! I refuse to stay here!" Yanzu shouted back.
"Fine! You can leave at once! You're so obstinate!" Ah Hua snapped.
With that, Ah Hua tossed Yanzu's luggage outside the door.
Without a word or a glance back, Yanzu walked out, clutching the ten dollars his mother had given him.
This was his first visit to Foshan, and he had no idea where to go.
---
**December 10, 2010 - Hong Kong**
*In the Chen family's old house at Clear Water Bay...*
Xiaochen was moved to tears after hearing Yanzu's childhood story.
"You are incredibly brave. I admire you," Xiaochen said sincerely.
"What's your name?" Yanzu inquired.
"My name is Li Xiaochen. And you?" Xiaochen responded.
"I'm just an insignificant person," Yanzu replied.
"Why do you think that way?" Xiaochen asked, a hint of anger in his voice.
"In this era of superficiality, people overlook those like me," Yanzu explained.
"May I ask you something personal?" Xiaochen ventured.
*Back to my childhood days in Foshan...*
In the theater troupe, Xinxin observed Ah Hua pacing restlessly.
"Master, forgive me for saying this, but although the boy is being unreasonable, you shouldn't have kicked him out. He's lost and doesn't know if he has any money. It's truly pitiful," Xinxin remarked.
"Let him fend for himself for a day! Tomorrow, I'll go out and find him!" Ah Hua replied resolutely.
*End of this chapter.*