Chapter 26: Departure (Please Collect)

  Wog curled up his mouth and said with a hint of mockery: "Let me guess what this old guy would say to you: Oh, young man, Shanghai is a place full of sin, especially those lowly places on the docks. You must always keep your devotion to God, don't go to those places, even if you can't fully do it now. Think about it, my child, you're taking a risk. God can create the world in six days, but syphilis takes longer than a week to show symptoms. To hell with him, priests are all hypocrites in front of beautiful girls."

  Huang Li smiled and pushed the door out, and Woge's teasing advice made him think of that prostitute Kelly, perhaps they were familiar with each other in that place. Hmm, it must be so.

  Father Yuergen still had a profound and dignified demeanor, he accepted Huang Li's farewell with a regretful expression.

  "Shanghai is indeed very interesting, but it also offers...” Father Jürgen cast his eyes downward in a becoming manner, “...many temptations. Young people who go there find these temptations hard to resist. Immoral behavior, especially as manifested in the relations between men and women, I personally consider to be utterly wrong.” He paused for a moment, then fixed Huang Li with a deep, piercing gaze and repeated sternly, “Utterly wrong, I think you will probably notice that.”

  He didn't expect the fake destination he made up to attract so much attention, but still maintained a serious expression and said: "Yes, it's a great sin, I've noticed."

  "It's a great evil." Father Yuelgen emphasized, nodding his head, his eyes still inquiring about Huang Li's reaction. "Our Christian Youth Fellowship is a strong fortress against that temptation."

  The concept of fellowship is gathering in the name of Christ, not for socializing or partying. Youth fellowship is a fellowship centered on young people, possibly involving learning together, praising together, sharing, visiting and so on. In churches, there are usually special time slots allocated for youth fellowships, no special joining rituals are required, nor do they need to hold meetings to study.

  I don't know why, but Huang Li suddenly remembered several soft and white female bodies, as well as the enticing chest of Zhen Niang he saw in the White family's mansion. His eyes stared at him without blinking, making him feel a bit flustered. He felt his face getting hot, so to cover it up, he said softly: "Hmm, actually, I'm very willing to join the covenant. It's just that I'm afraid, afraid that in the future, I'll remember things from before that aren't quite suitable for Christianity..."

  "Ah, I see," Father Uergen's gaze softened, and he let out a comforting sigh. He shook his head, smiling helplessly, "Ringing the alarm bell too much can be quite annoying. But you know, if one is always drowsy, their pulse will slow down and weaken until they lose all vitality." As Huang Li nodded, Father Uergen raised his hand, as if he wouldn't allow anyone to interrupt him even if they were praising him.

  "We are making progress step by step, with more and more Chinese people coming to worship. In the not-too-distant future, we will see a truly Christian China. But I may not live to see that day," Father Jürgen said, smiling wistfully and shaking his head slightly.

  Huang Li thought for a moment and said, "After trying hard, I won't complain. Just like how I must investigate my past, perhaps in the end, I'll still gain nothing, but giving up isn't an easy thing to do."

  "As long as you believe in God, success is right before your eyes, I firmly believe." Father Jürgen suddenly became passionate from nowhere, his face slightly red, and after a while, he regained his calm and composed voice, handing Huang Li a crucifix, saying: "God is with you, I will pray for you. By the way, there is a German monastery on Shanghai's Bund, where Father Fenton is a profound thinker and an indefatigable servant of God. If you have time, you can go there to listen to his sermon."

  …………

  For Huang Li's sudden departure, Zhang Yuan and Xiao Wu were surprised at first, but after listening to Woge's explanation filled with regret, they didn't feel unexpected anymore, let alone suspicious.

  Zhang Yuan and Xiao Wu enthusiastically arranged a route for Huang Li, taking the Zhang family's carriage to the county town, then taking the train from the county town to Yantai, and finally taking a boat from Yantai to Shanghai. This was the most convenient route, and Huang Li felt very satisfied with it, as it was also the fastest journey to Tianjin.

  The county's order arrived in the town on the third day, and the three security teams from all over the place took joint action to suppress Du Sansao. Zhang Yuan and Xiao Wu suddenly became busy, busy rectifying their troops and preparing for battle.

  Huang Li was leaving, and he had informed Lao Han. The night before, he had a half-night drinking session with Zhang Yuan, Xiao Wu, and Wo Ge, which served as his farewell dinner. Early in the morning, he boarded the rubber-wheeled horse carriage of the Zhang family without bidding farewell to anyone, and headed straight out of town towards Chenjiazhuang.

  The azure sky has not a cloud, nor a breath of wind. The time is still early, but the sun's rays are already scorching hot. In front lies an endless expanse of farmland, with dense sorghum, corn, millet and beans stretching out like a lush green ocean. A dirt road winds its way through the fields, extending all the way to the distant horizon.

  At present, Huang Li can't imagine what kind of place he is going to go to. His mind sometimes appears an ancient city, and sometimes several big streets appear, like a dreamy and elusive shadow that is difficult to grasp.

  "Mr. Huang, this way to Chenjiazhuang can also reach the county town, but it's not as close as taking the shortcut in front." The driver, who looked over 40 years old, spoke in a crisp and refreshing tone.

  Huang Li smiled faintly and said, "Let's go to Chenjiazhuang instead, I need to pick someone up there."

  Mr. Huang then dropped the curtain, and in front of him was a cloud of dust. The driver shook his long whip with red tassels, and the two black mules swung their tails, running even harder. He put down the whip, took out his tobacco pouch, and slowly began to smoke.

  Huang Li watched the carriage hurry along smoothly and couldn't help but praise, "This carriage is really well-driven, without whipping or shouting, this draft animal is obediently listening."

  The driver spat out a mouthful of smoke and said with some self-satisfaction: "Beating, whipping livestock, that's the mark of an unskilled, inferior cart driver. My driving skills are renowned in these villages and towns. However, I have a stubborn temper - if the horses aren't carefully selected, I won't drive them, no matter which one isn't up to par."

  "With great talent comes a bit of temperament." Huang Li decided to open the curtains all the way, so it wouldn't be stuffy. Under the sunlight, his mood was also more relaxed.