Chapter 6

The household registration is a rather troublesome matter. When studying abroad, most people transfer their hukou (household registration) to the Ministry of Education's Study Abroad Service Center, and then transfer it back to their hometown upon returning to the country after graduation.

But Bak only pretended to study for half a year abroad, and then left the school. He soon obtained Ukrainian citizenship and multiple fake identities, which made it easier for him to enter and exit various NATO and former Soviet countries to complete his mercenary tasks.

China does not recognize dual citizenship. In theory, Bak's acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship means he has given up his Chinese hukou. However, in practice, as long as there are no overlapping issues, it is generally not pursued. But now, if he were to follow the procedures, the student Ba Zhiming, who has an exit record, would need an entry record to process his domestic hukou, regardless of the passport and visa he holds.

Apart from a brand new set of sportswear, Bak had nothing when he returned home. Ba Dacheng and his wife had already thoroughly examined the clothes, knowing there must be some hidden story, but they insisted, "Old Ji! Come here... Let's talk over there!" He pulled his old neighbor, who worked at the police station, aside, while Liu Shufen quickly smoothed things over, "Pour the wine! Pour the wine! Zhiming has had enough! Don't force him..."

Bak also remembered this issue and felt a bit troubled.

However, after a satisfying meal and some drinks, the party dispersed happily. Ba Dacheng firmly told his son, "Don't worry. Even if we have to go to the Ministry of Railways, I will keep my son by my side! I don't believe that everyone knows you are the son of the Ba family, and you still can't get a hukou."

Liu Shufen also comforted him, "If you don't have a hukou, so be it. There are many black hukou students... Oh, what about marriage in the future? We still need to sort it out!" This mother thought far ahead, but it was a very practical concern.

Bak could only temporarily set aside this issue. Since there was something to divert his and his parents' attention, he decided to focus on it. He was a simple person, just like his consistent focus on the battlefield and training ground.

The next morning, Bak really went out to buy a vehicle. It wasn't the good car his father had prepared, which would cost over ten thousand yuan, but a used, broken-down tricycle motorcycle for just two thousand yuan!

It was perfect for hanging the barbecue grill on the back and carrying a stack of plastic tables and chairs in the cargo area. Ba Dacheng proudly showed it off to his wife, "See! He's doing well! He's being practical!"

Liu Shufen nodded vigorously.

So, the expectations of parents in such a family are easily met. It seems that as long as the son works hard, that's enough.

The barbecue party the previous night was a success, and the leftover meat was distributed among the neighbors. Bak also collected feedback on whether the domestic, especially the southwestern inland, flavors needed adjustment. Since today was the opening day, he had to be more meticulous. So, Ba Dacheng sat by the grill, adding four wheels to it, while Liu Shufen helped her son prepare the ingredients and seasonings.

Bak didn't want his mother to tire herself out. "Sit and watch!" He even hugged her and sat her down on a small stool.

Liu Shufen, like a schoolgirl, fidgeted in her seat, eager to help. When she couldn't, she watched her son with loving eyes, occasionally asking, "Have you been working abroad all this time? You must be tired. Rest for a while; we don't lack money... Can I help you at night?"

Bak nodded, his head down, quickly breaking the charcoal into small pieces. When he heard her last question, he looked up, about to tell her to stay home and not tire herself, but seeing the love in her eyes, he swallowed his words and nodded again, continuing his work.

Liu Shufen was delighted and winked at her husband, who was eavesdropping.

On a hot summer afternoon, as the sun began to set, Bak drove the tricycle motorcycle, with several foam boxes of ingredients and plastic tables and chairs in the cargo area, and the grill trailing behind. After a few neighbors, including Ba Dacheng, helped load the vehicle, he shamelessly climbed into the cargo area with his cane, sitting with his wife to hold the tables and chairs, "I'll help hold them so they don't fall off."

Bak, scratching his head, sat in the front, trying to drive slowly. Liu Shufen urged him, "Speed up! Faster! If you're too slow, all the good spots will be taken! You won't have any business..."

Bak didn't care about the business. The warmth of family life was the best medicine to soothe his pain, and making his parents happy was his simplest wish.

So, he drove a bit faster.

The location was recommended by everyone the previous night, just a short distance from a busy street market. There were two high schools and a university nearby, and the city's railway system and power plant were also in this area. Although it wasn't a bustling commercial district, there were already many night markets and street food stalls.

Would a new barbecue stall be excluded?

This concern had been dispelled by the chatter the previous night. Bak didn't need to come up with any ideas. A young woman from a neighbor's family, who worked at a pharmacy, had already thrown some cardboard boxes on the roadside to claim a spot. Her neighbor, Uncle Yang's wife, who worked at the business administration office, had already informed her colleagues. The police officers had also assured him, saying they would inform the relevant people during the day.

What's the big deal about a railway worker's child setting up a street stall?

The railway system is one of the most unique groups in China. It has its own public security, procuratorial, and judicial systems, its own gas and water supply departments, and is almost like an independent kingdom. The tradition of sticking together is even older than the history of the country.

This might be why, even as the rest of China is rapidly advancing, this corner remains as old and dilapidated as ever, still retaining the heavy traces of the old communal dining era.

Because of this, Ba Dacheng was confident he could resolve his son's hukou issue. They were all neighbors and colleagues who had known each other for years. What principle could not be compromised for a child they had watched grow up?

This typical Chinese way of thinking was particularly evident here.

Sure enough, as the tricycle motorcycle approached the bustling market, the young woman from the neighbor's family waved and jumped. The father and son quickly set up the grill, and Liu Shufen chatted and thanked her. The young woman was helpful, setting up the tables and chairs, saying she was about to finish work anyway. Liu Shufen warmly invited her to stay for some barbecue before going home.

The young woman giggled and ran off, as most city girls were a bit wary of the high-calorie, high-fat barbecue.

Ba Dacheng had never run a street stall before, but he helped his son set up the equipment, then leaned against the roadside and smoked. Liu Shufen, a teacher, was not afraid to stand and help her son shout out to customers, but Bak stopped her, "Just sit at a table and pretend you're here to eat, okay?"

The couple thought about it and agreed.

Bak had plenty of experience disguising himself as a street vendor to carry out killings or surveillance. He was very familiar with the routine. He quickly fanned the charcoal to a high heat, placed a skewer on the grill, and started to stir the seasonings. Soon, the aroma began to spread.

When the first batch of barbecue was ready, he drizzled sauce over it and added slices of yellow peach and tomato, along with a sprig of cilantro, on a white disposable plate. The presentation was so exquisite that it looked like a high-end Western dish, instantly elevating the food to a higher level. It seemed like this dish should be served on a white tablecloth with champagne and a candle.

This was a basic habit of Europeans when cooking. The dishes themselves were simple, focusing on the original flavors or a bit of seasoning, but they put a lot of effort into the final presentation, especially the colors. Bak, who had served many people, was used to doing this. Yesterday, the neighbors had taken over the later part, so this detail was missed.

He brought two plates to his parents' plastic table, holding them with his left hand and pretending to be a waiter in a small vest, "Please enjoy..."

Heaven help him, this was the first time he had properly cooked for his parents. Liu Shufen was almost in tears, covering her mouth with her hand, but her raised eyebrows showed her joy, and she wanted to jump up and laugh with her son.

Ba Dacheng was a bit better, having already thrown away his cigarette and eagerly watching. He picked up a pair of disposable chopsticks, broke them apart, and hesitated for a moment before saying, "It looks good, it looks good, but I'm hesitant to start eating!"

Bak scratched his neck, "Give it a try, it should be good, but this is all I can do."

Liu Shufen nodded vigorously, also picking up her chopsticks, "It's enough, it's enough, it's more than enough!"

Actually, Bak also felt a bit emotional, thinking he should do more to show filial piety. He hadn't done well in the past, but he would make up for it from now on. He never regretted anything, including this time...

So, he straightened up, took a cigarette from his pocket, and placed it on his father's table. He then returned to the grill, lit the cigarette on the charcoal, and started shouting, "Russian barbecue! Grand opening, very cheap!" If someone hesitated to shout for a street business, Bak had no psychological pressure. This was the best cover for his killing jobs, and his honest face made him look like a small trader.

He continued to stir the seasonings and turn the skewers, letting the aroma spread. He thought about buying two small fans tomorrow, one to fan the charcoal and the other to spread the aroma.

But clearly, these were future plans. As the sun set, more students and people out for a walk after work started to gather. The foreign twist of Russian barbecue, combined with the sight of the beautifully presented meat on the plates of the elderly couple, and the price of fifteen yuan per serving, quickly attracted customers.

Six tables were quickly filled!

Ba Dacheng immediately helped his wife stand up and offered their seats to others, which became a model for others who couldn't find seats to simply hold their plates and squat by the roadside.

To be honest, the barbecue wasn't necessarily that delicious, but the food industry has a simple principle: people eat for novelty, especially for exotic flavors. The taste and presentation of this barbecue were completely different from the usual skewers, and the Western-style plating on a street stall was worth more than fifteen yuan.

In fact, each serving only had a few slices of meat, costing about six or seven yuan at most. A fifty percent profit margin is the basic threshold in the food industry, but a box meal now costs over ten yuan. So, the business was naturally booming from the start!