A blue double-cab truck parked in front of Yafeng Audio Store. Several laborers were unloading renovation materials and dismantling the old wooden framework of the store's sign. The white and blue "Yafeng Hi-Fi Audio" sign was already removed and discarded to the side. To the right of the door, a pile of audio equipment lay on the ground as Ye Xiaoming and Liu Bing carried out speakers, amplifiers, and other gear.
Xiao Zhang drove up and parked behind the double-cab truck. He approached Ye Xiaoming, who instructed Liu Bing, "You and Xiao Zhang start loading the truck. I'll handle the rest inside."
Inside, laborers were already clearing the walls. Ye Xiaoming, carrying the last two VCD players, looked up at the red letters on the wall that read, "Vow to Fight for Perfect Hi-Fi Sound to the Last Man." He paused, seeing the words disintegrate under the workers' efforts. A sharp pang hit his chest, a mix of sadness and irony, as those once-heroic words now seemed like silent mockery.
He quickly walked outside.
The truck was fully loaded. Liu Bing took the equipment from Ye Xiaoming and secured it. Ye Xiaoming shook hands with the new store owner, exchanged a few polite words, and got into the truck. He closed the door with a hard thud, whether from carelessness or frustration.
Noticing Ye Xiaoming's mood, Liu Bing joked, "Hey, hey, brother, even if Shijie fixes cars, we shouldn't treat his vehicle like this."
As the truck started, Ye Xiaoming shook his head, "Making money from elegance isn't easy."
"Who doesn't want to play highbrow?" Liu Bing replied, then asked, "What's the good news?"
Ye Xiaoming said, "The person who bought your records, invited Shijie for a talk."
"Oh—" Liu Bing was half skeptical, "That guy was so broke he sold records. What could he possibly do? He often delivered records to my store, but I never saw him as anyone significant."
Ye Xiaoming absentmindedly replied, "You're too practical. Nothing but money seems valuable to you."
The truck soon arrived at Feng Shijie's auto shop. Still busy with repairs, Feng Shijie put down his tools and approached Xiao Zhang, "Unload the truck. I've made room inside."
With many hands helping, the equipment was quickly moved into the shop. Ye Xiaoming and Liu Bing washed their hands and joined Feng Shijie by the car he was working on.
Liu Bing glanced at the engine, asking casually, "What's the problem?"
"Starter's broken," Feng Shijie answered, then added, "Why are you free?"
Liu Bing said, "Helping Xiaoming."
Ye Xiaoming added, "No business at his store, nothing else to do."
Feng Shijie moved to the main topic, "What do you think I should discuss when we meet? I have no clue."
Ye Xiaoming said, "Are you really clueless or pretending? Audiophiles share a bond. Use your passion for audio to build a bridge. Be honest."
Feng Shijie said, "I know the saying 'barefooted people don't fear those with shoes,' but shouldn't we have some plan? If asked to farm in Wangmiao Village, would you go?"
Ye Xiaoming replied, "Still about audio. That's our passion! Just answer honestly if asked. If we had money and power, we wouldn't need him."
Liu Bing listened attentively, not wanting to miss any detail.
Feng Shijie tightened a few screws on the circuit board, placed the wrench on the bumper, and wiped his hands with a cotton cloth. He asked Liu Bing, "Could you help me? Start the car."
Liu Bing leaned into the car, confirmed the gear was in neutral, and turned the key. The car started smoothly.
Feng Shijie handed Liu Bing a cigarette, lit one for himself, and said to Ye Xiaoming, "I've been thinking. It'd be best if both of us went."
Ye Xiaoming said, "He invited you, not me. What am I supposed to do there?"
"You're more familiar with Mr. Ding. Would you rather let me face him alone? Your presence will ease the conversation. Whether we succeed or not, it's better to have you there," Feng Shijie insisted.
Ye Xiaoming thought for a moment, then said, "Let's go later, closer to dinner time. We'll invite Mr. Ding out for a meal. Whether it works out or not, it's a gesture."
Feeling reassured, Feng Shijie said, "I'll wash up and change, drop Liu Bing off, and then we can find a suitable restaurant."
Liu Bing said, "You two go ahead. I'll wait here for news. Tonight, I'll treat you both to a late-night snack."
Ye Xiaoming gave Liu Bing a sidelong glance, "We're not there yet. Don't jinx it."
Feng Shijie chuckled and went inside to wash up and change clothes.