Wang Tu Baye

Chapter 13 California

Oakland and San Francisco are connected by a bridge across the sea. It ranks the 8th most populous city in California. It is located in the core CBD area of ​​the San Francisco Greater Bay Area, and the world-renowned Silicon Valley is also located in it.

We must know that the economic aggregate of the state of California alone has surpassed the sum of the whole of France, which shows how rich the region is.

The word "Oakland" is a transliteration of the English Oakland, which used to be a beautiful oak forest along the coast of San Francisco Bay, from which the city got its name and the city emblem is also a symbol of an oak tree.

Verus wandered aimlessly between the streets and alleys of Auckland and the old city. The typical oceanic climate here is surrounded by mountains and rivers and enjoys the mild westerly wind from the Pacific Ocean. The annual temperature is warm in winter and cool in summer.

Most overseas Chinese can tenaciously take root and thrive in any latitude of the earth. They can endure hardships and unite their smart and hardworking ancestors to spread across the ocean and spread to every corner of the world, but the yellow faces remain unchanged. Always have a heart of awe and humility.

No matter how long Verus has wandered around the old Chinese city, he has never encountered difficulties or obstructions. Compared with the extreme xenophobic attitude of some other ethnic minority settlements that do not welcome any unfamiliar faces, the Chinese people are always tolerant, sincere, seeking common ground while reserving differences, generous and peaceful. .

On the shore of the lagoon, the famous Jack London Square, on the rattan benches of the outdoor cafe, Verus enjoys the sea breeze with a cup of mocha in the sun, and the melodious Hotel California of the Eagles is playing in the air tune.

It is not the first time that Verus has heard this touching piece of music. Every time he listens to it, he will have new insights and experiences. There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s hearts. If you think it is dark, then it is dark. If you think it's inspiring, then it is.

Every late night, the coming sleep makes Verus always nervous now. He doesn't know when he wakes up the next day and who he will become in that world. Sensitive and suspicious.

Although his previous life was bland and lacking in bright spots, it is like the old Chinese saying that a golden nest and a silver nest are not as good as his own doghouse. It may not be happy for a party with bright clothes, angry horses, and a rich man to have power for a while. Verus always spends a lot of time every morning and evening. He stared at himself in the mirror for a long time.

When there is a huge secret in a person's heart that cannot be told to anyone, the feeling will make people collapse and make people gradually despair and fear. There is something else hidden in the sky, and the current Verus can't be sure of everything. .

The intertwining of power and desire, the mysterious Eagle Valley, and the inexplicable arrival of this different world, Verus forced himself not to think too much, and stared at a group of ants on the ground in a daze while holding a cup of coffee. These little guys are working together to carry a small piece of cake that has fallen into the dust.

Verus, who was immersed in a complete emptiness of body and mind, was suddenly awakened by the screeching sound of the brakes. He looked up to the corner of the street and found that a circle of people had already gathered there.

The anxious "One Two Three" chant was chanted, and the crowd overturned a car with concerted efforts. Immediately, several people rushed forward and hugged a little boy on the ground, crying loudly. Severely deformed.

"Quickly, quickly, make way for the Hu family ancestral hall, where the old man hangs the pot today." Someone shouted.

The strongest man held the little boy carefully, and a group of people surrounded him and ran towards a remote small street. Verus put down the coffee cup in his heart and followed quickly.

The alleys are complex and changeable like a spider web, high and low, sometimes uphill and sometimes downhill. Many places feel like you have to use your hands and feet to pass through. Verus hangs far from the back of the team and walks along the way.

It feels like it’s out of the city limits of Oakland, but a large area of ​​dilapidated brick houses clarifies the identity. The United States is not a paradise. Apart from being bright and beautiful, there are more slums of all shapes and sizes. This is where most people live. .

There is an archway on the hillside, and behind it is a typical Chinese ancestral hall. In the distance, the huge and white building complex of the University of California, Berkeley can be vaguely seen, and the crowd poured into the ancestral hall with shouts.

Verus, who was far away, couldn't hear what they were shouting clearly. The accents of overseas Chinese were very different. It was difficult for non-locals to understand the unique pronunciation of dialects with local characteristics.

Verus, who followed into the ancestral hall, looked a little out of place. Everyone looked at him as if he was an alien, but no one said anything. The little boy had been placed on a stone table in the ancestral hall. superior.

A white-haired old man in a green robe stood bowed and bowed his head in front of the stone table. He carefully cut off the boy's trousers and shoes and socks with scissors, and then someone handed him an open box, and the old man took out several Shiny silver needles were inserted into the knees and ankles of the little boy's legs.

The old man lightly touched the little boy's leg for a while, then stood up straight, and said loudly, "It's okay, everyone leave."

As the old man's voice faded away, the crowd of onlookers dispersed one after another, shaking their heads and rushing out of the ancestral hall.

Verus, who was still standing aside and not moving, was even more eye-catching at this time. A strong man in the green robe looked at him suspiciously, walked over and grabbed Verus and said, "White-skinned ghost, you are not welcome here." , let me out."

It was impossible for Verus to catch him without any resistance. The palm that was grasping his chest was bent sharply. Verus, who was sideways and didn't want to make things worse, thought he could avoid the hand that was stretched out.

The sturdy man sneered, and his palm, which was barely enough to catch the air, suddenly grew again. He grabbed the front of Verus's chest and pulled it back. Verus reacted quickly and jumped back again, and a transparent bag fell out during the tear. Come out and fall to the ground.

Verus took a closer look and found that it was the plastic film bag he treasured in his jacket pocket, used to put the two bamboo leaves from Yuwei. This was the only evidence he and she had seen, and Verus was worried about losing Would rather carry it with you than put it in a safe.

The man found that Verus was desperate to snatch the bag, and he was so angry that he kicked Verus' head sideways with three points of force on his legs, but he never expected that there would be someone who was not afraid of death and would not retreat.

Suddenly there was an angry shout, shouting: "Stop it all."

As if he didn't hear it, Verus rolled on the ground and grabbed the bag tightly in his hands. He stood up slowly, and found that at some point a circle of people had surrounded him tightly. middle.

(End of this chapter)