Permutations and Combinations Permutations and Combinations 10

Early the next morning, as Awang hesitated between going out to drive and continuing to optimize his algorithm, a gentle knock came at the door. His wife and child were still asleep. Glancing at the clock, it was just past seven, and Awang couldn’t fathom who would visit at such an hour, especially since the knock sounded so warm and courteous.

Yawning, Awang opened the door—and was startled by the sight before him. It was his cousin, Arin. Arin’s face was lit with a seemingly foolish smile, his hands laden with a bottle of locally produced premium liquor in one and snacks and drinks in the other. These were luxuries beyond reach for Awang’s family. Once, Arbi had even fought with his father over a bag of chips, ending with blood streaming down Arbi’s forehead.

Touched deeply by Arin’s gesture, Awang felt years of resentment dissolve instantly, as if hundreds of yuan could erase a decade of grievances. With doubled humility and courtesy, Awang invited his cousin inside.

No sooner had Arin set down his offerings than he dropped to his knees with a thud before Awang. Shocked, Awang rushed to help him up, but Arin, as if possessed by a master actor, clung to Awang’s legs and burst into tears.

“I’ve wronged you! Cousin, and your wife and little nephew too!… All these years, it’s been my fault! Axiu has been busy with housework at night and helping out at the repair shop by day. There are hardly any women mechanics there, just dozens of men, and they often behaved inappropriately toward your wife. I never stopped them—that’s on me! I only thought about using her to keep the workers from getting bored, but in doing so, I’ve wronged you, cousin!”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. With your wife’s looks, who else could have eyes for her but me?” Awang helped Arin to his feet. “Is there something urgent? What brings you here?”

Arin shifted back into his performance mode. “Cousin, to be honest, my repair shop has been running at a loss for two years straight…”

Awang was surprised. “Your wife mentioned you’d landed some big orders recently. How are you still losing money?”

Awang’s interruption left Arin momentarily at a loss. Then he resumed crying, “I still owe on my house for over a decade now…” Awang cut in again, “Isn’t that supposed to be your third property?”

Arin looked bewildered, cursing his employees silently for spreading falsehoods. Swallowing his mounting anger, his voice choked up as he confessed, “There’s a secret I haven’t told you—I’ve gambled away millions in debt, cousin. You’ve got to help me!”

“When did this start?” Awang knew his cousin had a gambling habit but was still taken aback.

Seeing Awang’s reaction, Arin adopted a pitiful, trembling tone. “Since that trip with you back to our hometown, I realized that old man from the Northeast didn’t get the algorithm, but it seemed you did. Among all our relatives, you’re the most educated in our generation. If it weren’t for money troubles back then, you’d be the only one who went to college! You must be doing better than any of us—that’s what I’ve always believed!”

Awang was swept away by Arin’s words. Though he showed little on the surface, deep inside he blossomed with joy. After all these years, someone finally understood him, sensed his regrets, his current hardships, and reached into the depths of his soul.

In an instant, Arin became Awang’s kindred spirit. Having been reminded of his once “glorious life,” Awang felt a bit buoyant. Yet he was no fool—he still owed Arin money, and since Arin’s purpose was the algorithm, it would be unreasonable not to share it. Seeing his cousin so humble and repentant, Awang repeated to Arin what he had told his wife the night before and personally taught him the basics of permutations and combinations.

Arin treasured the algorithm as if it were gold and happily returned to his repair shop. Before leaving, he promised that he would no longer ask for money for car repairs or repayment of past debts, considering it compensation for his wife’s years of labor.

Awang waved goodbye to his cousin with great joy.

Back inside, overwhelmed with excitement, Awang woke his wife and recounted the morning’s events. Axiu’s rough hands trembled as tears of gratitude welled up. At last, the hardships had passed; the family’s debts were cleared, and she would never have to toil in the repair shop again. She smiled quietly, her eyes shining with thankful tears.