As they entered the house, not more than a meter inside stood a large wooden board completely covered in movie posters of various sizes, the largest featuring Joey Wong. The left side of the board had an open passage that led further in, but only if you had bought a ticket at the small table on the right.
Behind the small table sat a woman in her early thirties. She wore a red tank top and jeans, had a tall and slim figure, and a low-cut neckline that revealed a butterfly tattoo on her collarbone. At that moment, she was holding a cigarette in her left hand and pressing a pager with her right, asking without looking up, "How many people?"
"Four, Sister Mei. It's been a while, and you've grown even more beautiful," said Panzi and Leizi, handing over money while trying to cozy up.
They weren't actually familiar with Sister Mei, but being at an age between youth and adulthood, they knew how to sweet-talk a bit. During less busy hours, buying one movie ticket could sometimes cheekily allow them to watch an extra movie or two.
Sister Mei took the money and placed it into the drawer. She then pulled out four tickets, exhaling smoke while cursing, "Who knows where that jerk ran off to today!"
Sister Mei's man went by the nickname Leopard; he was a well-known local ruffian, often called Brother Leopard. Without such a background, it wouldn't have been proper for Sister Mei to run a video parlor by herself.
After acquiring their tickets, Li Zhuiyuan and Runsheng followed Panzi and Leizi through the left entrance. The wooden board not only created a passage but also blocked out any light coming from the door.
Inside was a spacious area, with a circle of low benches arranged like a simple version of a cinema. In the past, town cinemas could maintain their popularity through collective tickets from local state-owned factories and serving as temporary event stages. As they gradually shed their public attributes, they inevitably went into decline.
This provided opportunities for private video parlors like Sister Mei's to quickly and wildly grow in popularity.
Against the wall to the north was a long counter on which stood an old color TV and below it, a VCR.
Runsheng leaned in excitedly and whispered to Li Zhuiyuan, "Little Yuan, this TV is much bigger than the one my great-grandfather bought yesterday."
Li Zhuiyuan laughed and replied, "Even if it's bigger, it's still for everyone to watch. At home, no matter how small, you're the only one watching."
Runsheng nodded, "That's true, but come nighttime, all the channels freeze on one image with a 'beep' sound. I almost thought the new TV was broken right after buying it. It scared me to death, but thankfully there were channels again in the morning."
"Runsheng bro, perhaps the TV station staff need to rest at night too."
"Yeah," Runsheng sighed, "It's a pity they can't work day and night shifts."
"Runsheng bro, let's take our seats."
Though it was just the afternoon, several people were already seated inside. The film currently showing was "Prison on Fire" starring Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung. The movie had reached its halfway point.
Barring any major surprises, the screening schedule was pretty much fixed. Panzi and his buddies had timed their entry perfectly to watch half of the film for free.
Teenagers were short on pocket money and learned to stretch every cent, trying to get the most enjoyment possible from the least expenditure.
Li Zhuiyuan noticed a mysterious small door with a curtain in the southeast corner of the video parlor, exuding a secretive air. It didn’t seem to be a kitchen since there was no scent of oil or smoke.
Despite it being the middle of the movie, the audience quickly became engrossed in the plot. Time flew by, and with the distinctive melancholic shots characteristic of films from that era, the movie came to an end.
Actually, before the movie finished, Sister Mei came in and stood by the TV, not caring about destroying the atmosphere, announcing that the next film was "A Better Tomorrow" and asking those who wanted another showing to prepare.
Some people left after finishing their business, but the majority chose to purchase additional tickets.
Sister Mei glanced over at Panzi and his friends but didn't say anything, essentially acknowledging they had bought tickets for this session.
"A Better Tomorrow" started showing.
At this time, Hong Kong cinema was in its golden age, not only dominating the entire Chinese cultural sphere but also having a huge influence in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
The video deluge in the parlor was primarily Hong Kong movies, with occasional releases from other countries — though the covers were often quite explicit.
However, having just watched a movie by Chow Yun-fat and launching into another, Li Zhuiyuan found it difficult to get immersed. It’s like being forced to binge-watch a whole season of "Ultraman Leo," a supposed reward from helping older brothers with their homework. Episode after episode, they would skip the intro and outro. This rapid intake became tiresome, devoid of the single-episode periodic pleasure it once held.
Earlier, when the tape was being changed, Leizi stepped out for a moment, returning with four bottles of soda from the small shop next door, one for each of them. Money earned from laboring in the tile factory wasn't much, and with parents skimming off half, there wasn't enough cash left for more than just this kind of treat.
About fifteen minutes into the movie, four young men barged in. The leader seemed unfazed by the heat, wearing an ill-fitting suit vest, while the other three had their jackets slung over their shoulders, all exuding a hooligan vibe.
They smoked loudly, exaggeratedly laughing during their banter. Clearly, they'd seen this movie before, chatting while spoiling scenes, habitually peppering their speech with curses.
Though disgruntled, no one dared speak up against them, given they were a group of four.
Panzi and Leizi whispered to Runsheng and Li Zhuiyuan, introducing who each hooligan was and their street names. Teen rebels often held a strange admiration for these delinquent types, feeling it was an achievement just to know them.
However, due to Li Lan's influence, this generation of Li family valued education highly. Panzi and Leizi were both already in high school; had they dropped out in junior high, they might have been part of that gang.
Unbothered by the cigarette smoke—English teacher Li Weihan also smoked—Li Zhuiyuan found the noisy quartet unbearable. Unable to tolerate it any longer, he rose and moved to the back row by the wall, where the chairs were higher than the low benches up front.
Assured of Li Zhuiyuan's presence in the back, Panzi and Leizi resumed focusing on the movie.
At this point, the fellow in the suit vest hollered out, "Sister Mei, where are the people, where are they? We've been here a while, bring them out!"
Sister Mei peeked out from behind the board, cursing, "Shouting for your mother's spirit or what? Can't you check the time? They'll be here soon!"
"Heh heh," the suited fellow snickered, unfazed, whistling at Sister Mei, "Seems Brother Leopard chewed too much, that's why you're sagging."
"Go admire your grandma!"
Sister Mei cursed again before disappearing behind the board.
It wasn't long before two women in their thirties, wearing heavy makeup and dresses, walked in. Upon entering, they sat on either side of Li Zhuiyuan, curiously eyeing the boy.
"Hey, handsome, are you here waiting for your sister?"
"Such tender skin, quite fair. Learning at your age?"
Teasing commenced between the two.
Then, two of the suited guy's underlings arose and sat beside each woman, hands getting adventurous. The women didn't resist much, returning the playful banter.
Li Zhuiyuan realized these back row chairs weren’t intended for regular viewers.
He was about to return to sit beside Runsheng when the couples jumped up before him, disappearing behind the curtain into the mysterious corridor.
Shortly thereafter, two door-slams echoed from within, indicating there might be several cubicles inside.
Meanwhile, the suited man began shouting, "Sister Mei, switch the tape, switch the tape!"
Sister Mei peeked out, annoyed. "It's not even night yet, switch tapes for what!"
Impatiently, he urged, "Come on, add some fire, stir things up, switch it!"
Several other viewers chimed in with their own encouragement.
Despite her man's support presence, ruffians were numerous, so Sister Mei opted to acquiesce, heading to the VCR and swapping "A Better Tomorrow" for another cassette.
Li Zhuiyuan noticed Panzi and Leizi began showing gleeful anticipation, like African tribesmen about to undergo the most primitive coming-of-age ceremony.
A new film began playing, this one in costume drama style without Mandarin dubbing—Cantonese with subtitles, though they'd soon realize subtitles were rendered nearly redundant.
At first, the plot was normal, with some comedic undertones. Observing a short man selling pastries, Li Zhuiyuan suspected it might be a Hong Kong reinterpretation of "Water Margin."
Until a man and woman entered a room, drank wine, then clothes gradually came off while sprawled atop the table...
Only then did Li Zhuiyuan realize what kind of film this was.
Panzi and Leizi had their eyes wide open, more engrossed than watching Chow Yun-fat, fearful of missing any crucial detail, determined to burn every scene into memory for later savoring.
Li Zhuiyuan thought his two brothers surely wouldn't fixate so earnestly on the blackboard like this during class.
Ruishing turned red, looking down, genuinely bashful about watching, not merely pretending.
This was the golden era for Hong Kong and Taiwanese late-night cinema, birthing a series of classics that made an indelible mark in film history.
Before long, the earlier pair of guys exited, striking an affected pose smoking their lit cigarettes, seemingly attempting to assuage certain awkwardness with the smoke.
"So quick?" the suited fellow wasn’t one to spare his pride, "I haven't even hit my stride."
While saying that, he too grew impatient, getting up and venturing with another henchman into the mysterious passage.
They emerged before the passionate scene on screen concluded.
Now all four sat quietly on chairs, smoking, finally respecting the peace, like stowing their metaphorical knives to attain inner peace.
A while later, the suited guy called out, "Sister Mei, play 'A Better Tomorrow'!"
In that tranquil state, they held newfound compassion, unable to bear more "killing."
"Damn, such a hassle!"
Sister Mei was indeed irritated, though she understood. Refitting the tape back into the VCR, she adjusted the progress, resuming the movie where it left off.
Then, Sister Mei shot them a sarcastic smile of disdain while they avoided eye contact, suddenly acting as virtuous men stirred by propriety.
The two women still sat in the rear; it originally wasn’t their time to work, yet they’d already accepted four prompt assignments, staying put instead of leaving as nightfall approached.
Sooner after, they began seating themselves beside moviegoers, chatting and provocatively caressing men with their fingers.
At first, recipients righteously declined, then politely refused, quickly advancing to tentative acceptance...
Leading to weary sighs, yielding themselves to metaphorical jaws of predatory beasts, as though performing acts of benevolence.
Ultimately, with a self-sacrificial spirit of entering hell for others, they let themselves be led into the dim passage.
Meanwhile, Panzi, Leizi, and Runsheng were ignored from start to finish.
The women had discerning eyes, knowing not to waste attention on them.
If one appeared attractive enough, they didn’t mind cozying up, even without charge; desire is mutual, after all.
Unfortunately, Panzi and gang didn’t meet the mark; though a certain boy was handsome, he was too young—perhaps perfect in a few years.
Afternoon taverns were typically less crowded, most attendees there for the films. Without prospective targets, the women left to chat with Sister Mei instead.
Twilight encroached as the movie ended.
Seeing tonight was sparse, Panzi and Leizi sensibly shifted from the central spots to the fringes, preparing to catch another screening.
Li Zhuiyuan, however, needed to head home for dinner, so he bid Panzi and Leizi farewell and departed with Runsheng from the video parlor.
Runsheng loved films but had a dearer admiration for dinner.
Li Zhuiyuan stopped at the neighboring shop, purchasing four sodas and several snack packages, intending to gift them to Panzi and Leizi.
As he passed Sister Mei’s small table, she was conversing with the two women. They operated in partnership, with Sister Mei providing space while taking a cut from transactions.
Seeing Li Zhuiyuan return with goods in hand, Sister Mei jokingly teased, "Oh, here to deliver treats for sister? That's too kind."
Feigning surprise, she reached toward the bag.
While intending to humorously tease, she didn't anticipate his willingness, even stepping closer to offer access.
She took a soda.
Li Zhuiyuan even left her a packet of spicy strips.
This act rendered Sister Mei somewhat unprepared, caught off guard.
Afterward, Li Zhuiyuan went back in, distributing soda and the remaining snacks to Panzi and Leizi.
Upon coming back, Sister Mei gestured. "Take it back; how could I eat your stuff, kid?"
"No worries, it's my treat."
Li Zhuiyuan shook his head, not trying to curry favor with Sister Mei nor planning to revisit the parlor in the future, but Sister Mei had permitted them half a free movie, and now his friends were still enjoying another session.
"Hehe."
Sister Mei and the pair of women chuckled together, finding the boy amusing.
At that moment, loud cries emanated from outside. An elderly man pedaled a three-wheeler while calling out, the cart carrying a sprawled middle-aged guy—limbs dangling over the sides like an upside-down turtle.
Li Zhuiyuan observed the middle-aged man’s fingertips, blue; his lips, purple.
Sister Mei hurriedly rushed out, engaging in a heated argument with the elderly cyclist.
The old man hastily waved his hands, defending the money was only for delivery, nothing to do with him.
During the spat, the situation became clear.
The unconscious man was Brother Leopard, Sister Mei’s husband. Earlier in the afternoon, he visited a Shigang bathhouse and indulged in a major back rub.
Not sure why people frequented bathhouses during summer; also unclear what a major back rub entailed. Li Zhuiyuan presumed a large utility massage, thereby exhausting Brother Leopard, fainting mid-session.
Instead of sending him to a hospital, the bathhouse owner hailed a tricycle for home delivery.
Hospitalization cost money, something they'd rather not spend.
Sister Mei’s face blanched red and white in frustrated anger, pinching hard at the man several times. The women aside kept persuading her, eventually compelling Sister Mei to pay extra, climbing aboard the tricycle, urging the elderly rider toward the town clinic.
Yet after pedaling from Shigang to Shinan, the old man was drained. Typically operating short distances around Shigang, regardless of newfound incentive, he was physically spent.
The unconscious man’s condition was dire, neither waking from slaps nor responding—delay meant the end, driving Sister Mei to tears, cursing him out.
"Little Yuan?" Runsheng queried, glancing at Li Zhuiyuan.
Recognizing his intention, Li Zhuiyuan nodded.
Runsheng approached, gesturing for the old man to have a seat at the back. He climbed onto the tricycle.
From his great-grandfather's instructions, Runsheng had spent days practicing riding three-wheeled vehicles and mastered the skill.
Transporting goods over short distances is definitely more convenient with a pushcart. At this moment, even though there are three adults sitting on the tricycle, such a load is nothing for Runsheng. He quickly rides away.
Li Zhuiyuan can only wait for Runsheng to come back so they can go home together. However, instead of returning to the video hall, he goes to the small store next door, buys a bottle of soda, and sits on the bench outside drinking while waiting.
Outside the small store, there's a pool table set up in an open area where two young men are playing. Their skills are quite poor, and after watching for a while, Li Zhuiyuan can't help but feel drowsy, leaning against the store wall and yawning.
After about half an hour, Li Zhuiyuan sees Brother Leopard return. He's puzzled; the patient is back, but why hasn't the person who took him to the hospital returned yet? Thankfully, he had told Aunt Liu and the others beforehand that he was going to the town with Panzi to watch a video, so even if he returns late, the great-grandfather won't worry, thinking the kid just lost track of time having fun.
Brother Leopard no longer shows the weakness and slump from when he was unconscious earlier. Now he exudes the nonchalant and defiant air of a middle-aged rascal, swaggering as he walks. Unfortunately, those two young men playing pool seem unaware of his status on the streets, not bothering to greet him when he passes by.
At this moment, Li Zhuiyuan suddenly notices Brother Leopard’s shoes; as he steps out of the pool table's shade, the backs of his shoes are lifted. This scene immediately reminds Li Zhuiyuan of how Big Beard and his son walked towards the fishpond that night, tiptoeing with their heels hanging in the air, causing their gait to be wobbly.
His heart tightens at this realization. Brother Leopard seems to feel a gaze on him and stops, turning slowly on his raised heels to look towards the small store. Li Zhuiyuan quickly presses his head against the wall, takes a sip of his soda, and pretends to watch the pool table with great interest.
Brother Leopard's gaze sweeps around a few times, finding nothing unusual, then continues his tiptoed walk into his video hall. Li Zhuiyuan maintains his leaned posture, but thoughts race through his mind: It's not even the seventh day yet, but it's understandable Brother Leopard is eager to check on his home.
However, he worries about Leizi and Panzi, who are still in the video hall. Perhaps they're not that unlucky, right?
Just then, a woman in a dress steps out from the video hall. Sister Mei had instructed them to look after the shop when she took Brother Leopard to the hospital. The woman heads straight for the small store, and since Li Zhuiyuan is seated at the entrance, she nearly brushes past him.
He notices that she too walks on her toes, but unlike Brother Leopard, beneath her feet is another pair of feet. They are familiar shoes. Moreover, a man’s legs cling to the back of hers. Unless he cranes his neck, he cannot see further up, but he imagines Brother Leopard clinging to her, her feet on his, making her essentially his puppet or garment.
What could this be?
Neither the "Records of Strange Tales in the Martial World" he read before nor the "Records of the Righteous Path Subduing Demons" he's reading now mentions anything like this. It's beyond his understanding.
The two young men by the pool table whistle at the woman. She ignores them and goes to the store owner to ask for a pack of cigarettes.
The owner curiously asks, “Why this kind?”
She replies, “Wanted to try something new.”
He gives her the pack, initially attempting some teasing remarks, but seeing her solemn face, swallows his words.
She turns away, tears open the pack, pulls out a cigarette, lights it, and takes a strong drag. “Ssssss… puff… ssssss… puff…” Li Zhuiyuan hears both male and female inhaling sounds. Clearly, it’s not just the woman herself who wants the drag.
She seems ready to return to the video hall but stops right in front of Li Zhuiyuan, bending over and inspecting the "dozing" boy. He thought he could bluff through this, aware that Brother Leopard cannot be seen but the woman can. However, she nudges his shoulder, and Li Zhuiyuan has no choice but to look at her with a dazed expression as if confused.
“Hey there, little handsome, why don't you wait inside a bit?” Her face is so close now that Li Zhuiyuan can see Brother Leopard’s second face behind her head clearly. When she speaks, Brother Leopard's mouth moves as well.
“No, thanks, it’s too smoky inside. It makes my head spin. I’ll wait here,” says Li Zhuiyuan. “It’s getting dark, it’s not safe outside. Come, come inside with sister,” the woman says, holding Li Zhuiyuan’s hand. At that moment, he senses two hands grabbing his wrist simultaneously—one warm, one cold.
“No, no,” Li Zhuiyuan shakes his head vigorously, shaking off the “pair” of hands and heads to the pool table, “I want to watch pool. I’m learning; these brothers are really good.”
“Haha, little guy’s got taste!” “Yeah, stand over here and watch closely, we’ll show you how it’s done,” the pool players feel elated by the boy’s compliment, pulling him between them to see their “expert” moves.
The woman straightens up but doesn’t insist on bringing Li Zhuiyuan back. Instead, she heads back to the video hall herself. By the pool table, though watching the white ball sink clumsily into pockets, Li Zhuiyuan keeps the woman within the sight of his peripheral vision. The image of two people walking glued together really is strange. To be safe, now seems like a good time to call his brothers out.
“Hey, hey, hey!” The store owner grumbles, stepping out, “You done yet or what? Pay up or stop.”
Back then, pool wasn’t billed by time but by the number of games, so if two strangers played, the loser footed the game’s bill. Thus, the owner hated it when two poor players stretched a single game out too long.
“What’s with the hurry, just putting down money.” “Yeah, like we can’t pay.” They reach into their pockets, but their hands seem to forget how to pull money out, or maybe they’re just waiting for the other to pay.
Li Zhuiyuan pats his own pocket. Both pool players glance over immediately. “Hey kid, got any money?” “Yeah, I do.” “Refill the game, we’re only playing slow to show you the ropes. The boss got mad.”
“Yeah, it’s all for you.” “Oh, my bad,” Li Zhuiyuan pulls out some cash, extending it for another game. Grinning, the pool players pocket the cash.
Pointing to the video hall, Li Zhuiyuan says, “My brothers, Panzi and Leizi are in there. Can one of you call them out for me?”
“Why don’t you go yourself?” He bashfully replies, “They’re playing movies about men and women. I’m embarrassed to go in.”
“Hahahaha!” He goes to pay and the other young man heads inside to fetch his brothers.
Not long after, he returns, alone, without that peculiar tiptoe. “Your brothers said go home yourself, they’re busy watching.”
“What movie is it now?” one asks out of curiosity.
“I dunno, but it’s intense. Man standing, holding a woman upside down, quite the wild scene.” He demonstrates with gestures.
“Dang, they film like that too, let’s take a look?”
“Nah, I’m heading home after this. Mom’ll scold if I'm late.”
Li Zhuiyuan frowns. Sure, Panzi and Leizi might be playful, but they’re very responsible as brothers. They should be curious why he’s outside so late without immediately coming out to check or at least clearly explaining their plans when asked.
But they barely sent a passerby, which is unusual. Despite the young man entering and exiting safely, he dares not enter the video hall himself. If only Brother Runsheng were here. Back when the Niu family’s birthday was disturbed, he dealt with the possessed Liu Blind and Old Man Shan with such ease.
Two people, leaning on each other, wobble out of the video hall—two of the original punks. Nothing follows them, but they stumble like drunks, eye sockets hollowed, eye rims blackened as if they’ve missed sleep for days.
But earlier inside, they were lively despite calming down post-"enlightenment". A mere movie watch wouldn't drain them to this shell of a state.
Most peculiar, Li Zhuiyuan notices a damp patch around their trouser crotch, spreading downward, staining their slippers. It’s as if they incontinent… No, not urine, too opaque and sticky, soon turning brownish red.
They stagger away, leaving a red trail. Li Zhuiyuan tugs one pool player’s sleeve, indicating the marks. “Look.” “What is it? What am I looking at?”
“Footprints.” “Where?” he blinks, baffled.
Turning back, Li Zhuiyuan finds the prints have vanished. Odd, even in summer they wouldn’t evaporate so swiftly, with color no less.
Now more emerge—a suited man trailing another lad—and wobbly at that. “Too wild, too wild, really satisfying, this movie is so satisfying…” the suited man slurs.
Looking down, he sees the man’s trousers drenched crimson, with red fluid trickling down, forming a spreading pool, like he’d stepped out of a red paint bath.
Despite hesitation, Li Zhuiyuan confronts him, “Sir, what’s going on inside?”
“Eh?” The dazed man stares bleary at him. It seems ages before the words sink in and he determines the boy’s addressing him.
“Heheh, I’ll tell you. Inside… great stuff—not for kids, not for kids, heheh,” he chuckles, tottering forward to rejoin his mate.
Cluttering to the ground, he soon rises, turning away, marks trailing behind like a leaking sprinkler.
Eyes locked, Li Zhuiyuan attempts pulling the pool player again, but the trail evaporates visibly.
The exiting four seem unharmed yet undeniably lost something precious. The "Essentials of Yin-Yang Physiognomy" warns: [Facial signs arise from the heart, tied to origin; depletion of origin scatters heart, scattered heart weakens signs.] Meaning face isn’t fixed, it reflects ongoing vitality.
Their original faces, though below average, foreshadow lives florid and confused. Now, faces all sag as if melting away. He’d never pinned them down to fate, even though his readings of complexions came accurate with Xue Liangliang and Zhao Hequan.
Nor imagining it true shouldn’t mean defining a life. Still, like diagnosing illness, a glimpse’s worth indicating massive loss of health. If Panzi and Leizi linger, will they faces same fate?
But what can he possibly do now?
Through the Little Yellow Oriole event, he knows he’s become more attuned to filth. Unfortunately, this sensitivity draws filthy things nearer. Both Brother Leopard and the woman inexplicably sought to lure him inside.
The pool player emerged safely, but Li Zhuiyuan fears he’d likely not.
Finally, his gaze rests on the small store’s phone. Luckily, Grandfather once provided a scenario guide.
He reenters the store. Smiling, the owner wonders which family pops such hefty allowance. “What’s it this time?”
“Could I make a call?” “Sure.”
Lifted receiver beside ear, recalling numbers, he pretends. The owner soon turns away to tend his ledgers. Taking advantage, he dials three numbers rapidly.
As the ringing ends, he details his whereabouts, even verifying with the owner for accuracy.
Suspecting it’s to have family retrieve him, the owner muses, surely well off. But Li Zhuiyuan’s next words freeze him, pen dropping mid-calculation, expression stern.
“I’d like to report Sister Mei’s video hall next door for illegal obscene films and organizing lewd activities!”