Jordan choked with red eyes and said, “Uncle Chen …… I don’t want to run the roast goose store,”
“I just want to follow your side and be an honest little runner ……”
Jordan has a very strong bond with Hogan.
He was originally a Chinese from Southeast Asia, his parents went down to the South Seas to work earlier,”
“But met with some local unrest, so they smuggled him to the United States with a young one,”
“Intending to put down roots in the United States.
However, the boat used by the snakeheads to transport them hit a reef and sank when it was close to the U.S. coastline,”
“And a boat with dozens of illegal immigrants drowned a large number of people.
Both of Jordan’s parents were buried at sea in that disaster,
While the young one was relying on a small piece of plank, floating at sea for several hours,
And was finally saved by the man who sailed the boat.
In that accident, those who survived were such young half-grown children as Jordan,
And it was the parents who gave the child the floating object that could save his life so that the child could survive.
The person who sailed the boat, like Hogan, are stowaways or illegally stay in the United States,
These people are usually considered to help each other and have a small circle of their own.
When several children were rescued back to New York, these illegal people got together to have a meeting.
They felt that the children’s situation was so miserable that if they were not taken in,
They would either starve to death on the streets or be repatriated by the government,
Or sent to an orphanage, so after discussion, those who could afford it adopted an orphan.
Jordan was adopted by Hogan.
He was just ten years old when he was brought back to this roast goose store, but now, he is twenty-two years old.
Since he had no legal status, Hogan opened the store and taught Jordan to study at the same time,
And then Jordan started to help him do what he could in the back kitchen.
After he became an adult, he simply worked directly in the roast goose store as a fellow.
Jordan was very grateful for Hogan’s kindness, and always treated him as his father,
And even made up his mind long ago that he would follow Hogan’s side and help him in his life,
And when he was old, he would die for him.
But how could he have imagined that Hogan would now decide to return to Hong Kong to die?
Hogan saw that his eyes were red and tears were flowing, so he smiled and said:
“Jordan, I have no children, since you came here,”
“I have been making roast goose in the back kitchen all these years,”
“Never hiding my skills in front of you, I believe you have also learned my skills,”
“As long as the police are not looking for you, you should run this store well,”
“Save more money, and if you have the opportunity, go back, if you have a chance,”
“You can go back to Southeast Asia to get your original identity back,”
“hen marry and have children and settle down.”
After that, he looked at Jordan and smiled slightly:
“Of course, if I’m lucky enough not to die this time,”
“You can also come to Hong Kong to find me in the future!”
FAQ Novel
Q: What internal struggle does Hogan admit to facing regarding his potential repatriation?
A: Hogan reveals he has long wanted to return but lacked the courage, viewing this repatriation as an opportunity to force a decision and confront his past.
Q: How does Jordan’s personal history influence his deep concern and bond with Hogan?
A: Jordan’s tragic backstory as a young immigrant, having lost both parents during a perilous journey, highlights a profound connection with Hogan, likely seeing him as a protector or family figure forged through shared hardship.
Consider the weight of Hogan’s choice and the depth of Jordan’s devotion as you reflect on this compelling chapter.