"Oh, it's okay, Azarina. Have you ever eaten dog meat?" Jiang Hai smiled and shook his head, signaling that he was fine before turning to Azarina.
Her expression flickered with a memory after hearing his question. She spoke softly, "I ate it when I was young. Back then, we trained all day, but the meals were awful. So a few sisters and I once stole the dog that the instructor often set loose to bite us, roasted it, and ate it. Honestly, it didn't taste very good."
Jiang Hai listened quietly, sensing the hardships she endured but knowing better than to comment. From watching spy movies, he knew those brutal trainings weren't exaggerated. The Soviet Union had a long history of cruelty—not only to its enemies but even more so to its own people.
He understood what Azarina had gone through, but he couldn't offer empty comfort—it would feel insincere. Though his heart tightened, his face remained calm and unreadable.
"That's because you never tasted the good stuff. When we get back to Bingcheng, I'll take you to eat something delicious." Jiang Hai patted Azarina's shoulder with a warm smile. She chuckled softly in response.
At that moment, Jiang Hai's phone rang. He glanced at the unfamiliar number—it was the first time he'd seen it. Curious but cautious, he hesitated as the call kept ringing. Maybe it was someone he knew calling from another phone.
"Hello? Hello?" he answered.
"Brother, where are you?" A woman's voice came through, her tone strangely familiar yet confusing. Brother? When had he acquired a sister?
"Uh, did you dial the wrong number?" Jiang Hai asked after a pause.
"Are you not Jiang Hai?" the woman questioned doubtfully.
Her knowing his name startled Jiang Hai. He couldn't place her voice.
"Yes... who is this?" he probed.
"It's me, He Yue," she replied, her tone sharp with impatience.
The name stirred a distant memory. Jiang Hai's mother's surname was He. Before she died, Jiang Hai had relatives on that side—but after her passing, contact with them had ceased. They had little regard for him.
He had three uncles and one aunt, with five daughters among them. Perhaps due to old traditions favoring sons over daughters, the relatives never treated Jiang Hai kindly. Over the years, he simply cut ties and considered them strangers.
Now, suddenly, they were reaching out. It caught him off guard.
"What's the matter?" Jiang Hai asked cautiously.
"Dad's 60th birthday is on the 27th of next month. Make sure you come early," He Yue said bluntly, clearly uninterested in catching up.
"I might not be able to. I'm not in Bingcheng right now," Jiang Hai replied honestly, hiding his reluctance.
"Not in Bingcheng? Where are you then?" she asked, surprised.
"I'm mainly in the US, but currently in Dubai," he answered straightforwardly.
"Heh, I thought you were poor before, but now you've learned to lie. America? Dubai? That's funny," He Yue scoffed and laughed coldly.
Jiang Hai felt a sting but didn't rise to the bait. The conversation was pointless.
"If you don't want to come, just say so. We won't mock you for not having money for red envelopes. No need for excuses," she said with disdain, digging deeper into his wounded pride.
"Actually, you're right. I just don't want to go. Tell Uncle happy birthday from me. I have other things to do here, so I'll hang up now." Jiang Hai shook his head, ending the call before the bitterness could worsen.
He took a deep breath, composed himself, and resumed eating.
Meanwhile, in a warm room back in Bingcheng, a family laughed and chatted as He Yue walked in, her face clouded.
"How is it? Where's Xiao Hai? If he's home, have him come over for a drink!" Their father, He Weihua, sat in the center, his age hard to pinpoint—sixty, maybe considered old or just middle-aged. He smiled at his daughter.
"He doesn't want to come for dinner. He says he's doing well abroad—in the US and Dubai," He Yue replied sourly, casting a shadow over the room.
"Abroad? Really?" He Weihua frowned.
"Yes. He claims he no longer lives in Bingcheng, but we don't know much about him. He just brags," He Yue said bitterly, sinking into a chair.
"Don't be angry. Whether true or not, when we get married, we should visit both places. Dubai or the US—which do you prefer?" a well-dressed man joked.
This was Shang Ming, He Yue's boyfriend. He had a sleazy vibe despite his clothes and was about thirty-four, twelve years older than He Yue.
He Yue, only twenty-two, had never been to college but studied to be a kindergarten teacher through family connections. Shang Ming was originally a parent of one of her students. He divorced his wife after He Yue got involved with him, and despite her parents' disapproval, he now doted on her. Their family silently accepted the arrangement, grateful for his money.
He Yue also had an older sister, He Xia, eight years her senior, with a businessman boyfriend. Though flawed, He Xia had never been married or had children.
"I want to visit both places!" He Yue smiled.
"Alright, whatever you want," Shang Ming said, grinning.
"I think I'll call Jiang Hai again. He didn't even speak nicely to me earlier," He Xia said hesitantly to their father.
He Weihua sighed but agreed, "Go ahead and call him again."
He Xia took the phone to the next room and dialed. The call connected quickly.
"Hello? Who's this?" Jiang Hai, now in Dubai and slightly drunk, answered wearily. The earlier calls had already spoiled his meal.
"It's me, He Xia. He Yue said you went abroad?" Her familiar voice brought a moment of warmth.
Jiang Hai stayed silent for a beat. He and He Xia were close in age and grew up together. Until about ten years ago, their relationship was good. After she graduated and started working, contact faded. Still, she had helped him a few times after their mother's death without asking for anything, earning his lingering affection.
"Oh, Sister Xia. I left last year and went to Boston, USA, where I opened a manor and raise cattle and fish. Just trying to find my own path," Jiang Hai said with more ease.
"That's good. You're not young anymore—you should work seriously. Dad's turning 60 on the 27th next month. Will you be in Bingcheng or the US? I heard you're in Dubai now. When will you leave? Aren't you coming back for New Year?" He Xia asked without skepticism, genuinely concerned.
"I'm in Dubai now. A friend runs a ranch here; I'm helping out. I can't stay long. I plan to return for Chinese New Year, but honestly, I'm not eager to go. After that, I'll have to arrange my parents' graves, which might cause some trouble," Jiang Hai replied, sharing his plans reluctantly.
"Your aunt's moving the grave? Let me know when—I'll come help. She was very kind to me, and I can't miss that," He Xia said sincerely.
Jiang Hai wanted to refuse but couldn't. More people meant less stress. Thinking of his mother's kindness to He Xia, he finally agreed.
But if he was there for the graves, he'd have to face his uncle's birthday too. The thought made his head ache. He didn't want to deal with these relatives, but sometimes it was unavoidable.