Episode Eight
11
In the evening, a simple yet solemn welcoming banquet was held at Yang Tianfu’s home. Yang Zhaojia personally presided over it. The street head Cai Dengke, the Dengfa brothers, and Liao Wuxiong and his wife were all honored guests. There were also several former local town heads and jia heads, all figures of prominence.
Yang Zhaojia said: “My nephew Xintai has completed his studies in Taiwan and returned, becoming a new force in Yang General Hospital. At the same time, I would like to announce a piece of good news: Xintai and Brother Wuxiong’s daughter, Liao Meixiu, will soon complete their lifelong union. At that time, we will invite the elders and seniors of Qingshui Street to attend their wedding together…”
Meixiu and Xintai held hands, stood up, bowed, and returned the courtesy.
Cai Dengke also rose to give a speech at Yang Tianfu’s invitation: “Senior Yang, Director Yang, on an occasion like this, it should really be the bride and groom-to-be who speak. The director kindly invited me to say a few words. I have not read many books and cannot speak elegantly, but my son Tingkai taught me a sentence last night: May all lovers in the world finally become married couples…”
After finishing his speech, Dengke sat down, feeling quite satisfied with himself.
Yang Zhaojia greeted everyone, saying: “Simple wine and humble dishes—please help yourselves!”
Cai Dengke and the Dengfa brothers first raised their glasses to toast Zhaojia and Tianfu, then went on to toast Wuxiong and Chuntao.
Dengke said: “Brother Wuxiong, Sister Chuntao, to have Xintai as such an excellent son-in-law, I must offer you my hearty congratulations as a couple…”
Wuxiong, beaming with joy, said: “Thank you, Street Head, Curator Cai.”
12
The next day, Xintai began his duty shifts at Yang General Hospital. He was the youngest resident physician in the hospital. However, all the medical staff knew his identity and treated him with considerable courtesy.
In the Department of Surgery, the hospital’s chief resident Zhang Wenming said: “Xintai, there are two minor surgeries scheduled this afternoon. I’ll leave them to you. I’ve transferred Meixiu from the inpatient nursing department to serve as the head nurse of your surgical team. She will prepare all the instruments for you. Meixiu is very experienced and very meticulous.”
Xintai said: “Thank you, Director, for your thoughtful arrangement.”
Zhang Wenming said: “It’s only proper. In the future, if there are major surgeries, I will ask Director Zhou Chunsheng of the Department of Surgery to guide you. He has extensive experience as the operating surgeon.”
Xintai said: “Alright, Director.”
13
In the operating room of the surgical department, Xintai was performing a debridement procedure on a patient whose leg had been injured by an explosion. Meixiu stood at his side, handing him surgical instruments and occasionally wiping the sweat from his face. For this kind of minor surgery, Meixiu felt that with her present, everything could be handled smoothly, so she did not call for assistance from other nurses.
Xintai said: “There should still be one or two fragments in the deeper tissues. Head Nurse, please hand me the X-ray film so I can check it.”
Meixiu said: “Yes, Doctor.” She handed an X-ray film to Xintai.
Xintai examined it and said: “One of the fragments will be somewhat troublesome—it is lodged between two ligaments.”
Meixiu said: “You will certainly have a way, Doctor.”
Xintai said: “Of course there is a way. Help me elevate the patient’s lower leg. That way, due to gravity, the fragment will reveal its edge.”
Meixiu said: “Yes, Doctor.”
Meixiu used a long strap to suspend the lower leg on an IV stand: “Is this alright?”
Xintai said: “Yes. Hold the IV stand steady; do not let it sway. I will turn sideways and clamp that fragment out.”
“Alright.” Meixiu held the IV stand steady.
After a while, Xintai extracted the fragment: “It’s out. We can begin suturing the wound.”
Meixiu lowered the leg and handed Xintai forceps and suture thread.
Meixiu watched as Xintai carefully and attentively sutured the wound, and for a moment, she became absent-minded.
“Gauze for hemostasis,” Xintai said again, “hand me the hemostatic gauze.”
Only then did Meixiu come back to her senses and pass the gauze to Xintai.
After a while, Xintai said with satisfaction: “The wound has been sutured very beautifully.”
Meixiu praised him, saying: “Doctor, you are truly meticulous!”
Xintai said: “This is what my teacher Matsushita taught me—to treat every surgery as the completion of a work of art, and after the operation, to restore as much as possible the function that it originally should have.”
Meixiu smiled and said: “This is the first time I have heard such an idea. However, it is a very good concept.”
14
Coming out of the operating room, the sky outside had already darkened.
The two removed their masks. Meixiu asked, “Xintai, are you tired?”
Xintai said, “Not tired, but I do feel a bit hungry.”
Meixiu asked, “Then I’ll cook a pot of assorted noodles and eat with you.”
Xintai thoughtfully said, “No need to trouble yourself! You should save some energy. Don’t forget we still have to do our rounds together tonight. Let’s just go nearby to Wang Dawang’s rice cake shop to eat rice cakes and meat soup.”
Meixiu smiled and said, “Alright then. Stealing a little time from our busyness, we’ll walk over.”
15
The two arrived at the entrance of Wang Dawang’s rice cake shop and saw a long line of people.
Xintai said, “The rice cakes at Dawang’s are authentic traditional flavors. That sauce carries the familiar fragrance of rendered pork fat.”
Meixiu said, “I know, your mouth is getting greedy again.”
Xintai said, “I can’t help it! This taste of home—I can’t get it at all in Tokyo!”
Dawang and his younger sister were busy at the stall, sweating profusely. Seeing Xintai and Meixiu, Dawang waved at them and said, “What wind blew this little couple to our small shop? You two go ahead and sit inside. No need to wait in line. There’s a lounge in the shop.”
Xintai said, “We’d better still line up. After staying long in Tokyo, I’m quite used to lining up.”
Dawang said, “Alright! Then I must treat you, my classmate.”
Customers waiting in line overheard their conversation and cast curious glances at Xintai and Meixiu. Some sharp-eyed ones recognized them: “It’s Director Yang’s physician son and his future nurse daughter-in-law.”
Meixiu felt very sweet inside hearing this.
After a while, it was Xintai and Meixiu’s turn.
Dawang said, “I’ll serve the rice cakes on a plate for you. Go to my lounge; I’ll come over right away.”
Dawang skillfully plated the rice cakes, braised egg, and meat soup on shallow dishes.
He instructed his sister: “Little sister, I’ll go call Mother out. You take care of the stall. I’m going to chat with my classmate and catch up.”
His sister said, “Brother, don’t chat too long!”
Dawang waved: “Got it!”
Carrying the shallow dishes, Dawang led Xintai and Meixiu into the lounge, and the three sat down.
Dawang said, “As agreed, this meal is on me.”
Meixiu said, “Senior Dawang, it seems your rice cake shop’s business hasn’t been affected much, right?”
Dawang said, “Yes! Actually, I’m worried that the conscription order might come soon. The shop is already short-staffed. If I’m drafted, I’ll definitely be overwhelmed. Moreover, my mother worries even more. She hears from people on the street that more than half of the young men drafted to the frontlines come back in a box of ashes, which terrifies her.”
Xintai asked, “Are the casualties really that severe?”
Dawang said, “There’s nothing we can do! Our weapons can’t match the Americans’! I even heard that some troop ships are sunk by American submarines or planes dropping bombs before reaching the destination port—hundreds or thousands of people are buried at sea.”
Xintai said, “The situation seems increasingly unfavorable for us!”
Wang Dawang said, “These stories, Meixiu should have heard from the injured soldiers sent back to the hospital. Almost every one of them lost hands, legs, or eyes, but surviving itself is like getting a second chance at life.”
Xintai looked at Meixiu. She nodded and said, “I have heard all these things. That’s why I wrote to you in Tokyo, asking you to wait until the war ends before coming back. But…”
Xintai said, “The ancients said life and death are determined by fate, wealth and rank are decreed by heaven. What comes, comes; even if you want to avoid it, you cannot.”
Wang Dawang said, “You’re lucky! Half Japanese blood, plus medical skills. Even if drafted, you probably won’t be sent to the combat units at the front. People like us are the ones with cheap lives!”
Xintai said, “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
In fact, Dawang’s words sounded like a morning drum and evening bell, awakening latent worries in Xintai’s heart.
Xintai and Meixiu listened, feeling downhearted. Seeing this, Dawang said, “Let’s not talk about that! Don’t ruin your mood eating rice cakes. Come, eat while it’s hot! Eat while it’s hot!”
16
In the Nishikawa household in Ueno, Tokyo, Yasuko held a photo of Zheyuan and spoke to the baby in her arms: “Nentai, this handsome man is your father. You can call him ‘Papa’ in Taiwanese. Papa is an excellent doctor, performing surgeries for many patients, curing them. You must remember your papa’s face. When you grow up, become an excellent doctor just like him…”
Beside her, Keiko listened sadly and said, “Sister, your husband just left, and you miss him this much already…”
Yasuko said, “Little sister, when you get married and have children, you’ll understand my feelings at this moment…”
Keiko said, “No need to wait. Seeing your distracted state now, I already understand. By the way, sister, did you see today’s newspaper?”
Yasuko asked, “Today’s newspaper? Any news?”
Keiko said, “It says the Taiwan Governor-General’s Office announced that from next month, full conscription will be implemented across the island.”
Yasuko said, “Where’s the newspaper? Go get it for me to see.”
Keiko said, “Grandfather took it away. Later I couldn’t find it. He probably didn’t want you to see this news.”
Yasuko said, “Sister, tomorrow morning, accompany me to Qingshui Guanyin Temple to offer incense. I want to pray for my husband.”
Keiko said, “Alright. The children will stay with Mom and Grandma for now.”
Yasuko said, “Nentai has finished his milk. You take him to Mom. Bring Kiku over; it’s her turn for milk.”
Keiko picked up Nentai and went to their mother Reiko’s bedroom.
17
Meixiu accompanied Xintai to check the wards. They arrived at the surgical ward, where Xintai was examining wounds and changing dressings for hospitalized patients.
Night shift nurse Zhang Yuelan ran in, flustered and out of breath: “Doctor, something’s wrong! Something’s wrong! Room 107, a patient has hanged himself…”
Xintai said, “Meixiu, you handle things here. Nurse, come with me.”
Xintai ran to Room 107 and scolded: “What are you doing?”
Xintai said, “I’ll lift him by the waist. You stand on the chair and untie the cloth.”
The nurse Yuelan (20 years old) looked timid and said, “I can’t, Doctor.”
Xintai angrily rebuked: “Bagualu! Human life is paramount. You’re a nurse and you tell me you don’t dare?”
The nurse turned pale and almost cried.
At this moment, Meixiu rushed in: “Yuelan, I’ll do it!”
Without a word, Meixiu placed the chair and untied the cloth. Xintai lowered him.
Xintai examined him: “Fortunately, discovered early. No cervical fracture. He only fainted temporarily. I’ll wake him up.”
Meixiu said, “This man is Pan Tieren. If I remember correctly, he is the older brother of your classmate Pan Tieqiu. He was sent back from the Malaya battlefield.”
Xintai then noticed the bandage on his face and that one of his lower legs was missing.
Hearing the commotion, several medical staff and some hospitalized patients and family members came over.
Pan Tieren (28 years old) awoke and said, “I am already useless! Just let me die. I don’t want to be a burden to my family…”
Xintai couldn’t help but lecture him: “Big Brother Pan, no matter how big the problems are, there is always a way. Why do you want to live half-dead? Surviving the battlefield means Heaven wants you to live well. Why give up?”
Pan Tieren said, “My wife ran away, and the house was destroyed by bombs…”
Pan Tieqiu squeezed through the crowd and appeared before Xintai, awkwardly saying: “I went out to dinner just now. Sorry! Old classmate, I caused you trouble.”
Meixiu told the onlookers: “It’s alright. Please go back. Leave here…”
The onlookers gradually dispersed. Frightened, Yuelan crouched in the corner crying.
Meixiu held Yuelan to console her: “The doctor did not mean to blame you. Don’t be sad.”
Xintai said, “The hospital is understaffed. You should take care of your brother, Tieqiu.”
Pan Tieqiu bowed: “I’m truly sorry to you, old classmate.”
Xintai asked, “How is the patient injured?”
Meixiu said, “Before arriving, his right lower leg had been amputated. Both eyes, right eye completely lost, left eye impaired and undergoing treatment. The nasal bridge requires reconstructive surgery.”
Xintai asked with concern: “Tieqiu, do you two have a place to stay now?”
Pan Tieqiu said, “For now, staying at my uncle’s. Honestly, I worry that after I’m drafted, no one will take care of my brother.”
Xintai thought for a moment and said, “Here’s what we’ll do. When your brother recovers and is discharged, he will stay at the hospital. I will fit him with a prosthetic and arrange a job for him.”
Pan Tieqiu, moved, said, “Old classmate, I sincerely thank you.”
Xintai said, “Big Brother Pan, life is precious. Don’t think of giving up again!”
Tieqiu also said, “Brother, you have to stand up again!”
18
After a false alarm, Xintai and Meixiu continued their duty rounds.
Meixiu said, “On your first day at work, you already lost your temper and scolded a nurse.”
Xintai said, “I couldn’t help it. At that moment, I just couldn’t hold back!”
Meixiu said, “Yuelan cried because of your scolding. Your voice when you scolded was like thunder; I heard it outside the ward door.”
Xintai said, “As a nurse, when faced with an emergency, panicking and not knowing how to perform urgent care clearly shows insufficient adaptability!”
Meixiu said, “Yuelan just completed her nursing training and just came to the hospital; she has less experience in on-the-spot situations.”
Xintai said, “Fortunately, no lives were lost; otherwise, the hospital’s reputation would have been damaged.”
Meixiu said, “When you get angry, you really look scary.”
Xintai said, “Is it so bad? Actually, thinking about it now, if my future fate were like Big Brother Pan Tieqiu’s, I don’t know if I would have the courage to cling to life…”
Meixiu, feeling distressed, said, “Don’t say that! Don’t say that! I don’t want to hear you talk about these things…”
19
The two sisters, Yasuko and Keiko, rode bicycles to Qingshui Guanyin Temple in Ueno Park.
After parking the bicycles, Keiko carried the incense basket, and the two sisters entered the temple.
After burning incense, Yasuko drew a fortune stick. Looking at the pattern on the fortune, she furrowed her brows deeply.
Keiko asked, “Sister, what’s wrong?”
Yasuko showed Keiko the fortune diagram: “It’s an ominous stick, asking about your brother-in-law.”
Keiko looked at it and said, “Add some money for incense oil, and ask the abbot to help us resolve it.”
Yasuko, worried, said, “That’s all we can do. I’ll write a letter to your brother-in-law to tell him about this.”
Keiko said, “Sister, I think don’t do it for now. It might worry him.”
Yasuko said, “Then what should we do? If the fortune comes true…”
Keiko comforted her: “It won’t! After the abbot resolves it, misfortune will turn into blessing.”
20
Yang Tianfu and his wife Lizi discussed Xintai and Meixiu’s marriage. Lizi told him that Xintai had already married Yasuko in the Ueno household in Tokyo and had given birth to a set of twins.
“Really!” Tianfu complained. “They didn’t even consult us beforehand about this.”
Lizi said, “They were probably in a hurry to hold their great-grandchildren. As for Meixiu, I’ll find a chance to talk to her; she should understand.”
“Then that’s the way it is…” Tianfu said. “I’ll first call Takeo. In a couple of days, there’s an auspicious date. We’ll formally go to his house to propose.”
Lizi said, “Alright, let Xintai and Meixiu marry early, so as to avoid long nights and many dreams…”
