Chapter Eighteen: The Family Banquet

“The Port Island Hotel? That’s a very expensive place. Why go to such lengths?” Lin Yazhen was genuinely surprised by Yan Xu’s suggestion. The Port Island Hotel was the most renowned and luxurious hotel in Hong Kong, but it wasn’t the sort of place ordinary citizens could frequent. A single meal there would cost a small fortune for people like them, whose modest incomes meant they’d have to tighten their belts and save several months’ wages just to afford it.

“You rascal, why waste your money? You could just ask your sister-in-law to cook a bit more,” Yan Wei quickly interjected after hearing Yan Xu’s words. He, too, knew the prices at that hotel; his son’s extravagance was beyond his understanding.

“I’ve made some money recently, so one meal is no big deal. I haven’t been home in so long; it’s my way of thanking my brother and sister-in-law for looking after the family. It’s not just us—Gui Dong and Ji Mao’s families are coming too,” Yan Xu replied with a smile. The latest share from the movie’s profits had brought him another million, making his total earnings three million. He had his eye on a seaview apartment on the Mid-levels, over 1,500 square feet and costing nearly one and a half million, but even after that, he still had half his money left. A single meal was nothing to him now.

“Tongtong, how about Uncle takes you to a big hotel for a feast later?” Yan Xu pulled little Tongtong over and gently stroked her hair.

“Yes! Yes! We’re having a feast!” Tongtong jumped up excitedly.

“Little brother, where exactly do you work these days?” Lin Yazhen blurted out her question, unable to contain her curiosity at Yan Xu’s generosity. Yan Wei, too, gazed at his son in confusion—how could a small-time punk like Yan Xu have so much money?

“Our little brother’s a big director now.” Before Yan Xu could answer, a voice sounded from outside. A tall, slightly heavyset man in his thirties entered.

“Big brother!” Yan Xu immediately stood up.

“Husband, you’re back so early! What was that about a director?” Lin Yazhen walked over, taking the toolbox from Yan Zhan. “Look, your little brother bought so much stuff.”

“I’ve been saying—the man on the cinema posters looked familiar, and he has the same name as our little brother. I ran into Gui Dong earlier, and he confirmed it for me.” Yan Zhan walked over to Yan Xu, patting him on the shoulder. “Our little brother has made something of himself—he’s a big-time director and a movie star too.”

“Zhan, what are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Yan Wei said, still bewildered.

“Dad, you don’t know—little brother’s a director now, and he made a film, that one everyone was talking about a while ago, ‘The Rainy Night Butcher.’ He made over ten million from it!” Yan Zhan explained.

“Wow, little brother really went all out this time—he must have spent at least twenty or thirty thousand on all this stuff.” Yan Zhan looked at the pile of goods Yan Xu had brought home. Even if he hadn’t tasted it himself, experience from working in hotels told him these were top quality—nothing like the cheap imitations from Temple Street.

“Thirty thousand. I haven’t really done much for the family these past years, so I wanted to bring something back to help everyone’s health,” Yan Xu replied.

“What? You spent thirty thousand on this? You wastrel! You should be saving your money for getting married and having kids one day!” Yan Wei was both happy and a little angry. Hearing his son had become a director and earned over ten million from one movie was something he’d believed only the Xu brothers, the Shaw family, or those big names in the papers could manage. But learning Yan Xu had dropped so much on these things irritated him—thirty thousand could support the family for years.

“I know, Dad. I still have plenty of money left. Eat more of this stuff—it’s good for your health, really nourishing,” Yan Xu said with a smile, knowing his father’s scolding came from love.

“Your old man’s as healthy as an ox—I can still carry up the gas canisters, I don’t need any supplements.” Yan Wei shot him a glare. “Xu, now that you’re a director, focus on doing it well. It’s a legitimate job. I don’t want you hanging around with those punks anymore. Look at those street thugs—how many ever make something of themselves? Most end up in jail, crippled, or worse.”

Yan Wei’s voice was heavy with meaning. He didn’t expect his son to achieve greatness—he just wanted him safe and sound.

Suddenly, facing his father’s earnest words and the absence of the usual scolding, Yan Xu felt a wave of unfamiliar emotion. The concern embedded in family ties was something that could never be erased, no matter what happened...

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“That was an incredible meal—how did they make that fish?”

“Of course it was! Just the fish you ate cost over a thousand.”

“Wow, over a thousand? That’s about my monthly salary.”

“Did you know this meal cost over ten thousand?”

“Ten thousand! Xu has really made it. Chicken, I’d be so happy if you could amount to half as much as Xu.”

“Uncle, that’s not fair—Ji Mao is doing great. He’s a manager now, outranking even me.”

“Xu, if you make a new film, don’t forget about our Dong.”

“By the way, when are we going to see ‘The Rainy Night Butcher?’”

“That movie’s not for kids.”

“I’m not a kid! I’m in Form Three now, and some of my classmates have seen it. When I tell them I know you guys, I’ll have real bragging rights.”

...

The whole group ate and drank their fill. Normally, a meal in Hong Kong wouldn’t cost nearly that much, but Yan Xu had deliberately ordered the most expensive items, knowing his guests were ordinary folks. There was no shortage of shark fin, abalone, and sea cucumber. The cost was high, but the family’s happiness and satisfaction made it all worthwhile for Yan Xu.

“Dad, are you and my brother and sister-in-law really not going to move in with me?” Yan Xu asked his father.

“No, your brother and I are just fine where we are. We live in the housing estate, surrounded by old neighbors—it’s easy to chat and play chess. I know you’ve made something of yourself, but when are you going to find me a daughter-in-law? I’m still waiting for that wedding tea,” Yan Wei replied.

“Dad, I’m not even twenty-three yet—I’m still young,” Yan Xu said.

“That’s right, Dad. Xu should focus on his career for now,” Lin Yazhen added, holding Tongtong at her side.

“Sis-in-law, where’s my brother?” Yan Xu asked, noticing only Lin Yazhen had followed him out.

“He’s still inside. He said he ate too much greasy food and went to the restroom. Honestly, he just wasn’t cut out for the high life,” Lin Yazhen complained.

“I’ll go check on him. Keep an eye on Dad,” Yan Xu said with a smile.

He hadn’t gone far before Yan Zhan caught up with him.

“Xu, you’re back again?”

“Big brother, here’s a cheque for two hundred thousand. Please take it.”

“What’s this for? Xu, I can’t accept it,” Yan Zhan protested.

“It’s not just for you—it’s for Dad and sis-in-law, too. Ever since Mom passed, sis-in-law’s taken care of everything at home, never buying herself new clothes. And look at Tongtong—her clothes are so faded from washing, and she’s about to start school. Your expenses will only grow, and with just over two thousand a month, you’re barely scraping by. And Dad—he’s getting older, and I want him to live well, eat well in his later years. He has a heart condition and needs medicine, too.” Yan Xu pressed the cheque into Yan Zhan’s pocket.