Episode Five
1
Liao Ying-chun (廖英俊), Hong-tong-zai (紅銅仔), and Wu-gui-zai (烏龜仔) walked out of the cinema, dressed in Japanese ronin outfits, their feet dragging with the clop-clop of wooden clogs. Ying-chun had a bamboo toothpick slanted in the corner of his mouth. The three of them swaggered along boldly, attracting the gazes of street vendors selling fruits and food, as well as passersby. Everyone pointed at the three of them.
Fruit Vendor A said, "This tail-end boy Ying-chun, he’s always hanging around doing mischief, really a nuisance to everyone!"
Vegetable Vendor B said, "That kitten tail boy, his father Wu-xiong can’t control him, so he lets them wander around all day."
Noodle Stall C said, "Exactly! What use is a wealthy family, if they raise such an unworthy child? No matter how big the family fortune, sooner or later it will be squandered under his hands."
Meat Vendor D said, "So, the old saying goes: wealth does not last beyond three generations. That makes sense."
Li Da-tong (李大同) saw Liao Ying-chun and the others from afar and waved to them, moving forward to greet them.
Liao Ying-chun asked, "Teacher Li, out shopping?"
Da-tong said, "Yes! Buying some daily necessities to take back to the dormitory."
Ying-chun asked again, "In two weeks, the school will start the annual holiday, right?"
Da-tong said, "Yes. By the way, after work yesterday, I personally saw our Teaching Director Chen again bothering your little sister."
Ying-chun said angrily, "Hmph! Damn it! That horse-face director, he should look at himself in the mirror, see what kind of person he is, and still try to pursue my little sister!"
Hong-tong-zai said, "Young master, didn’t we just have someone deliver a message to him, telling him to stay away from our young lady, stop shamelessly bothering her?"
Ying-chun said, "That horse-face fellow either took our warning as farting nonsense, or he’s got amnesia."
Hong-tong-zai said, "Young master, you mean…"
Ying-chun said, "We’ll go to the school to talk to him. If he doesn’t listen, we’ll make him suffer."
Wu-gui-zai said, "Great! My fists are itching."
Ying-chun said, "Li, thank you for telling me about this."
Da-tong said, "It’s my duty. I also can’t stand Director Chen harassing Mei-xiu, but you mustn’t say it came from me."
Ying-chun said, "Don’t worry! It won’t get you involved."
2
Liao Ying-chun led his two subordinates to the school, seeking out Teaching Director Chen Qing-ke (陳清科) to settle the score.
"Horse-face, I warned you last time, don’t bother my little sister again. You seem to take my words as nonsense!" Liao Ying-chun and his subordinates blocked Chen Qing-ke in the hallway.
Chen warned, "This is a school! Don’t act recklessly!"
Ying-chun grabbed Chen Qing-ke by the collar with one hand, saying, "School? Do I still need to pick a place to teach you a lesson?"
Chen trembled and said, "Let’s talk it out, boss."
Hong-tong-zai said, "Horse-face, you’re scared now, right?"
Ying-chun and his group beat Chen Qing-ke severely. Ying-chun warned, "If you bother my little sister again, next time I’ll break your dog legs. Our little sister is a golden-branch jade-leaf girl. Her future marriage partner will at least be a prominent person locally, never someone as ugly in appearance and poor in salary as you, a pitiful teacher."
Chen Qing-ke feigned fear on the surface, just to avoid a few punches, but in truth he had long decided to pursue Mei-xiu to the death. At that moment, he would rather take the beating than promise not to bother her again.
Principal Watanabe Kōtarō (渡邊康太郎) passed through the hallway and immediately stepped forward to stop them: "Liao Ying-chun, how can you come to school and beat someone?"
Chen Qing-ke, with a bruised and swollen face, could not bear the humiliation and took the opportunity to complain to Principal Watanabe: "Principal, Liao Ying-chun hit me."
Watanabe pulled Chen Qing-ke behind him. Liao Ying-chun said, "Your Director Chen often harasses my little sister Mei-xiu at school. I only gave him a little lesson."
Watanabe turned and asked Chen Qing-ke, "Director Chen, is this true?"
Chen Qing-ke said, "I just wanted to invite Teacher Mei-xiu to watch a movie. She didn’t agree, and I didn’t force her."
Watanabe said, "Ying-chun, I will restrain Director Chen’s words and actions, but you must not come to the school to cause trouble again, otherwise I will call the police."
"Out of respect for the principal, I’ll let him off for now," Ying-chun said, relieved, and left with his subordinates.
3
Nishikawa Tetsuya (西川哲彥, also Yang Hsin-tai 楊新台) was staying in Ueno (上野), Tokyo (東京都), at his maternal grandfather Nishikawa Kyo’s (西川樵) house. The University of Tokyo (東京帝大) was near the residence, only a short distance from Ueno Station.
At this time, Nishikawa Tetsuya was a first-year university student in the medical program. On weekends, his uncle Nishikawa Hiroshi (西川弘忍) and family often accompanied him to nearby attractions such as Toshogu (東照宮), Ueno Park (上野公園), Sensoji Temple (淺草寺), Shinobazu Pond (不忍池), and Kanda Shrine (神田神社) to relieve his homesickness. Under proper protection, Shinobazu Pond attracted many wild geese and ducks, a rare urban park sight.
Uncle Hiroshi (45 years old) was the adopted son of maternal grandfather Nishikawa Kyo. He had two daughters: the elder, Masako (雅子, 20 years old), and the younger, Keiko (惠子, 18 years old). Masako was about the same age as Mei-xiu; Tetsuya was two years younger. Keiko was two years younger than Masako. Masako was a first-year student at an art specialty school, while Keiko was still in high school. Although Tetsuya and the two sisters were cousins, they had no real blood relation.
When Tetsuya moved into the household, Hiroshi did not initially know that Tetsuya already had a close girlfriend in Taiwan. Because he liked Tetsuya’s intelligence and ambition, he selfishly wanted to marry either of the two sisters to Tetsuya.
Hiroshi said to his wife Reiko (玲子, 43 years old), "This boy Tetsuya is truly lovable to the bone. No wonder your father holds him in the palm of his hand."
Reiko said, "Judging by the situation, your father intends to have Tetsuya inherit the Nishikawa family estate. Don’t you care at all?"
Hiroshi said, "Father is a typical scholar, with a life of integrity. If I cared so much about the Nishikawa estate, I wouldn’t have allowed him to adopt me. Father educated me well, letting me receive complete teacher training. Now, I am at least a high school teacher, and I don’t have to worry about life."
Reiko said, "It’s good enough that you see it clearly."
Hiroshi said, "The Nishikawa estate should originally be inherited by Sister Riko. I never had the idea of taking her place. However, if either Masako or Keiko marries Tetsuya in the future, that is something I would be glad to see."
Reiko advised, "I think just let fate take its course. Don’t hope too high, or you’ll fall from the clouds."
Hiroshi said, "Actually, what I care about is not my father’s property, but our future status in the Nishikawa family…"
4
Normally, Tetsuhiko liked to go on his own to the National Museum and the Science Museum near Ueno, or, failing that, to Kanda’s Jinbocho book street, to buy some secondhand books related to art and literature. Therefore, Masako often insisted on going with him. The two would take a short train ride, get off at Kanda Station, and then take a rickshaw to Jinbocho. Amid the sea of books filling the streets, the two would pick and choose here and there, as if digging for treasure, looking through piles of old books to find the ones they liked. When they got hungry, they would find a ramen shop to fill their stomachs.
“This ramen here is so stingy; there’s only a thin slice of pork and half a boiled egg, and the whole bowl of soup only tastes like soy sauce. I really miss the assorted noodles my father cooked…” Tetsuhiko complained while eating ramen.
Masako curiously asked, “Assorted noodles—how do you make them, Cousin?”
“Let me recall…” Tetsuhiko’s expression suddenly became serious. “First, red shallots, shredded meat, and dried shrimp are fried in oil; this procedure is called exploding fragrance (bao xiang). Then you add pork bone soup. When the soup boils, you put in the prepared ingredients, let it boil again, and then finally put in the noodles.”
“Is that all? Then I should be able to cook it; I’ll make it for you when we go back.” Masako said confidently.
Tetsuhiko smiled and said, “It’s not as simple as you think! Just the ingredients alone have dozens of different combinations, and each combination produces a different taste.”
Masako said, “That’s not difficult! You give me a list of ingredients, and I’ll experiment from there.”
Tetsuhiko said, “In Taiwan, even in different regions or at different noodle shops, the assorted noodles taste different. The only thing the same is that there are many ingredients. It’s not like Japanese ramen, where the ingredients are relatively stingy. Japanese people often pride themselves on saying their cuisine is exquisite, but I think Taiwanese cuisine is truly delicious. In this regard, Japan really falls short.”
Masako reminded him, “Shh! Keep your voice down! Cousin, if you criticize Japanese cuisine like that and the owner or assistants hear, they’ll be unhappy.”
Tetsuhiko said indifferently, “I’m speaking from personal experience! Have you heard of night markets?”
Masako said, “No, are night markets some foreign thing?”
Tetsuhiko proudly said, “Night markets are not foreign things. They are a unique culinary culture of us Taiwanese. We are accustomed to going to the night markets after dinner, before going to sleep. Night markets have all sorts of delicious foods and snacks, and some open at night and continue until dawn!”
Masako said enviously, “Wow! You Taiwanese are so leisurely? You can shop at a night market until dawn? That’s incredible.”
Tetsuhiko said, “We separate work and leisure very clearly, and we place great emphasis on leisure life. In Taiwan, for 24 hours a day, whenever you want to eat, there will always be something to satisfy your appetite.”
Masako said, “In this regard, Japanese people’s lifestyle really is rather restrained. Hearing you say this, I really want to go with you back to Taiwan to open my eyes.”
Tetsuhiko said, “That’s fine! But we need Uncle’s permission first.”
Masako said, “I think my father will agree.”
5
Just after class, Tetsuhiko packed up his books and stationery while chatting with classmates.
Abe Hisao (22) asked, “Tetsuhiko, next semester we have to choose a specialty. I want to choose plastic surgery.”
Li Chunming (22) said, “I want to choose dentistry, so I can open a dental clinic when I return to Taiwan.”
Tetsuhiko said, “That’s good! Plastic surgery and dentistry have always been the favorites of the medical market.”
Abe asked, “What about you, Tetsuhiko?”
Tetsuhiko said, “I’m probably half of what you are, Abe.”
Abe asked in surprise, “No way? You plan to choose general surgery?”
Tetsuhiko said, “Yes! That way, when I return to Taiwan, I can assist my father in performing some major operations at his hospital.”
Abe said, “I really admire your courage. Ordinary surgeons often face medical disputes due to failed operations.”
Li Chunming said, “Tetsuhiko, I heard from Teacher Matsushita that your father is an authority in cardiac surgery.”
Tetsuhiko said, “Teacher Matsushita and my father are old school friends, but as far as I know, my father doesn’t like people calling him an authority.”
Abe said, “No wonder Teacher Matsushita treats you especially well; now I understand the reason.”
Li Chunming said, “So you want to become Teacher Matsushita’s disciple?”
Tetsuhiko said, “Yes, ordinary surgery is Teacher Matsushita’s area of expertise.”
Abe said, “Shall we go shopping and have dinner together?”
Tetsuhiko said, “No! I promised my cousin I would teach her how to cook assorted noodles today.”
Abe asked curiously, “Assorted noodles? I’ve never heard of them.”
Li Chunming said, “It’s the soup noodles we Taiwanese often eat, with many ingredients, similar to your ramen.”
Abe said, “I see, assorted noodles are like Taiwanese ramen.”
Tetsuhiko said, “This evening, Teacher Matsushita is coming to my house, and my cousin said I shouldn’t return too late.”
Abe asked, “Why is Teacher Matsushita coming to your house?”
Li Chunming said, “Tetsuhiko’s grandfather, Professor Nishikawa Sho, just retired. Teacher Matsushita was his student.”
Tetsuhiko said, “My father was also my grandfather’s student.”
Abe asked, “Your family across three generations is really interesting. Your father is Professor Nishikawa Sho’s student, and you are his junior student.”
Tetsuhiko said, “That’s called scholarly heritage. I have to go now.”
Abe said, “Next time, can we come to your house to eat your cousin’s assorted noodles?”
Tetsuhiko waved his hand, saying, “You’re welcome! See you next Monday.”
6
On the weekend, Tetsuhiko was in his bedroom, listening to classical music while studying. A familiar aroma of spices drifted from the hallway. Following the scent to the kitchen, he saw the sisters Masako and Keiko, busily flustered.
“You need to use high heat to explode the fragrance, and the stir-frying time should not be too long,” Tetsuhiko couldn’t help but instruct from the side.
“I know! Cousin, the kitchen is narrow; you go out first.” Masako, wearing an apron, pushed Tetsuhiko out while instructing, “Keiko, you can add the soup.”
“Okay, elder sister.” Keiko added a large ladle of soup into the pot with the sautéed ingredients.
Masako said, “When it’s done, I’ll call you, Master.”
Tetsuhiko, unconvinced, instructed, “Do not put in miso! That will ruin the flavor.”
“I know, Master!” Masako said. “Go back to your room and study a bit more.”
After a while, Keiko came in and said, “Cousin, dinner is ready.”
Tetsuhiko turned off the desk lamp and stood up.
Keiko reminded him, “If you find it not tasty, don’t complain to her on the spot. She will improve it.”
“All right!” Tetsuhiko said. “Masako made the effort; even if it tastes bad, I won’t ruin her work.”
Professor Nishikawa Sho was in the reception room. The visitor was Matsushita Daisuke (50), a professor of the medical department at the Imperial University.
Nishikawa brewed tea leaves and said, “Daisuke, try this; it’s Dong Ding Oolong tea my grandson Tetsuhiko brought from Puli, Taiwan.”
Matsushita lifted the tea bowl to smell, saying, “A very fragrant aroma, it should be very good tea leaves, right?”
Nishikawa said, “You have expertise.”
Matsushita took a sip and said, “Sweet aftertaste in the mouth, indeed good tea.”
Nishikawa sighed, “Time spares no one; I am really old now.”
Matsushita asked puzzled, “Teacher, your health is quite good; why do you suddenly say you are old?”
Nishikawa said, “I really am old. I remember when I just obtained my medical doctorate from the University of Hamburg in Germany; in the blink of an eye, forty years have passed.”
Matsushita said, “Teacher has nurtured countless talents in medicine.”
Nishikawa said, “In this life, I am most gratified to have accepted you and Yang Zhaohua as my disciples. Both of you have extraordinary achievements in your respective fields.”
Matsushita said, “That is because you demanded strict standards of us; that is why Zhaohua and I have today’s achievements.”
Nishikawa said, “Today I invited you to discuss two things, which are actually the same matter, Daisuke.”
Matsushita said, “Please, teacher.”
Nishikawa said, “I do not have many days left, and what I worry about is my grandson Tetsuhiko.”
Matsushita asked, “Tetsuhiko is a very ambitious child; why would you worry about him?”
Nishikawa said, “I asked Tetsuhiko which specialty he wants to choose, and he said general surgery. I am very pleased; this child has the determination to face challenges.”
Matsushita said, “I understand! Teacher means you want me to take Tetsuhiko as a disciple.”
Nishikawa said, “Your skill comes from me; I hope you teach all your skill to that child.”
Matsushita smiled, “Being able to guide a talented student, of course I will! I will teach him all my skills.”
Nishikawa said, “Secondly, the war is still ongoing; I do not know when it will end. I hope that before the war ends, if Tetsuhiko is drafted, you can try to keep him with you. Since you are given a military position, you can protect him and prevent him from harm.”
Matsushita said, “If Tetsuhiko studies general surgery under me, given his expertise, I can assign him to my unit and not let him go to a field hospital with combat troops. He can practically train and learn with me, and I believe he will be my capable assistant.”
“Hearing you say this, I feel more at ease,” Nishikawa said, tidying the tea set on the table. “Daisuke, let’s leave it here for now and have the meal at home.”
“Teacher, how can I be so presumptuous?” Matsushita rubbed his hands and stood up.
Nishikawa said, “Let’s go to the dining room together.”
After Nishikawa and Matsushita sat, Tetsuhiko also came into the dining room and said, “Teacher Matsushita, welcome!”
Matsushita Daisuke said, “Sorry to bother you again, Professor Nishikawa.”
Michiko smiled, “If you continue being so polite, it feels unnecessary.”
Masako and Keiko brought the large bowls of soup noodles to the table. Masako said, “Tonight, let’s have something special, ramen from Taiwan.”
Tetsuhiko corrected her, “This is not ramen; it’s the assorted noodles Taiwanese people eat most often.”
“Assorted noodles? It looks very rich!” Matsushita curiously looked at the soup noodles in front of him.
“Also, the side dishes are radish omelette and pickled tofu ginger.” Keiko said, bringing the two small plates.
Nishikawa said, “These are called assorted noodles. When I visited my daughter and son-in-law in Taiwan, my daughter made them for me. They were more authentic than the most famous ramen in the Kanto region.”
Matsushita said, “I believe that. Just the ingredients in the soup alone number over ten. I really am lucky to taste this.”
Tetsuhiko said, “Teacher Matsushita, if you want to try Taiwanese cuisine often, you are welcome to come.”
Matsushita said, “Then I would become a regular guest at your home?”
Michiko said, “Daisuke! Your wife didn’t come to Tokyo, and usually, don’t you eat out? Our home may not often have big feasts, but you will certainly enjoy it.”
Nishikawa said, “Come, come! The soup noodles should be eaten hot.”
Masako asked, “Cousin, how does this bowl of assorted noodles taste?”
Tetsuhiko tasted the soup and said, “The flavor is basically correct. In the future, you don’t need to add dried bonito or kelp; just use pork bones for the broth. The taste will be fresher.”
Masako said, “But adding dried bonito and kelp gives ramen its flavor.”
Tetsuhiko said, “Stop thinking about ramen! What you are cooking now is assorted noodles.”
Masako said, “All right! Stop finding fault with every little detail…”
Everyone listened to their banter and smiled knowingly.
7
On a March day faintly scented with flowers, the Nishikawa family went to Ueno Park. Under the fully bloomed cherry trees, they spread mats for a picnic and held an extraordinary music concert. Tetsuhiko played the violin, while Yasuko and Keiko took turns singing and dancing. The elderly couple, Nishikawa Shō and his wife, kept the rhythm with cymbals and a small drum. Hiroshi played the harmonica, and his wife Reiko accompanied on a bamboo clapper. The family sang and danced freely to folk songs and dances, attracting passing visitors who voluntarily joined their ranks.
Yasuko and Keiko’s faces were flushed pink, like Yoshino cherry blossoms with white and red blended, while Tetsuhiko’s violin, lively and fast-paced, made the two sisters dance with utter abandon, perspiring fragrant sweat.
Yasuko said, “Cousin, shall we come here for another picnic next weekend?”
Hiroshi said, “Your cousin is facing an important academic test at the end of the month; we cannot let it interfere with his studies.”
Tetsuhiko said, “Uncle, it’s all right! I’m not the kind of student who doesn’t burn incense regularly but prays at the last minute.”
Shō Nishikawa laughed and said, “I believe that. His father, Chōka, was like that—playing fully during big exams, yet always achieving excellent academic results.”
Hiroshi said, “That I could never do. Two weeks before an exam, I start getting nervous.”
8
Keiko received a package from the postman. The address was from Qingshui, Taiwan, and in the lower left corner was signed “Meixiu,” in delicate handwriting.
“Is it Cousin’s girlfriend?” Keiko asked as she carried the package inside.
“Cousin, your package,” Keiko placed it on the table. “It’s from your girlfriend, right?”
Tetsuhiko smiled without answering and opened the package. Inside was a pair of knitted gloves and a scarf made of yarn.
Keiko pressed further, “Meixiu is your girlfriend, isn’t she? Cousin, otherwise, why would she knit a scarf and gloves for you?”
Tetsuhiko said, “What counts as a girlfriend?”
Keiko thought for a moment and said, “Someone you hold hands with, someone who kisses you.”
Tetsuhiko said, “All right, then… that counts.”
Keiko, intrigued, asked, “Cousin, how long have you been together?”
Tetsuhiko said, “We’ve played together since elementary school; she is two years younger than me.”
“So she’s a childhood friend? How enviable!” Keiko asked, “Is Meixiu very pretty?”
Tetsuhiko nodded, “My classmates all say she’s very beautiful.”
Keiko asked, “Is she prettier than Sister Yasuko?”
Tetsuhiko thought for a moment and said, “Different types, it’s hard to compare, isn’t it?”
Passing by, Hiroshi waved to Keiko. She said, “I’ll leave you be, I have to go now.”
Keiko, understanding, left.
Hiroshi said, “Didn’t I tell you, try not to disturb your cousin while he’s studying?”
Keiko said, “Uncle, I just brought the package in for Cousin…”
9
That night, Tetsuhiko had just finished writing in his diary and, exhausted, leaned against the pillow beside the bed, asleep. Yasuko brought in some fruit and covered Tetsuhiko with a quilt. Only then did she notice the diary beside his pillow, entirely written in classical Chinese. Having studied Chinese classics for several years, Yasuko could read the text. She quietly read each entry. Tears welled in her eyes. She now understood that homesickness and longing had been quietly gnawing at her cousin’s heart all along. The boy, outwardly cheerful and bringing laughter to the whole family, actually had a soft, fragile side. Yasuko could not help but feel an urge to embrace him. Yet, she could no longer distinguish whether this feeling was love or pity.
Looking at her sleeping cousin, Yasuko remembered the small arched bridge by Shinobazu Pond. Several wild ducks had chosen the stones protruding above the water to rest, preening their feathers or closing their eyes to nap. Her cousin seemed like one of these ducks, crossing the sea and temporarily landing here.
“Cousin, will you, like a wild duck, eventually leave the Nishikawa household and return to your own hometown?” Yasuko found herself staring absentmindedly…
10
The main hall of Kinryūzan Sensō-ji Temple is called the Kannon Hall, famous for the elegant construction of its main beams. Because it worships Kannon Bodhisattva, just like Ziyunyan at the foot of Aofeng Mountain in his hometown of Qingshui, this temple gave Tetsuhiko a special sense of familiarity.
Sensō-ji holds annual festivals. The “Sanja Matsuri” in late May and the summer “Hōzuki Market” elevate the temple, already bustling with worshippers, to celebratory peaks. The Sanja Matsuri is the main annual festival of Asakusa Shrine, famous for its portable shrine procession. This event reflects the character of the common people who have lived in the Tokyo districts since ancient times, called the “Edo temperament.”
The Yasuko sisters accompanied Tetsuhiko to Sensō-ji. After praying, the three visited Nakamise Street, the path from the main gate to the Hōzōmon Gate and main hall. Lining both sides of the street were a series of shops dating back to the Edo period: Miyashita, selling kimono sashes; Matsuzakaya, selling flower hairpins; Nakamise Sukeroku, selling traditional small toys; and Ningyoyaki Honpo, offering the specialty sweet Ningyoyaki. Yasuko liked the kimono sashes and hairpins, while Keiko enjoyed tasting the Ningyoyaki.
While Keiko went to Kimuraya for Ningyoyaki, Yasuko specially picked out a pair of sashes for Tetsuhiko: “Cousin, these white crane sashes, two cranes intertwining their necks, you can take them back to Meixiu during your holiday.”
Hearing “Meixiu,” Tetsuhiko froze for a moment and said, “So you already know.”
Yasuko said, “Actually, my sister and I have long known that you have a close girlfriend.”
Tetsuhiko smiled foolishly, “I didn’t mean to deceive you, I just didn’t want Grandpa to worry about me.”
Yasuko nodded and smiled, “I understand.”
