Chapter Nineteen
1
Wenyan arrived at the library, and Mingdao and Baofeng along with their group of friends all stood up to welcome him.
Mingdao said: “The great writer has arrived!”
Wenyan smiled and said: “It’s fine, you didn’t clap; otherwise I would have received a lot of cold stares.”
Yutang said: “This is a library, of course we have to restrain ourselves a bit!”
Baofeng asked: “Are you really going to treat your classmates to shaved ice?”
Wenyan said: “What else can I do? Mingdao agreed on my behalf.”
Mingdao said: “This is a happy occasion! Let the whole class share your joy. I, Yutang, and Dazhuzi will support you!”
Baofeng said: “Mingdao, don’t you know that our great writer usually only carries a monthly transit pass when he goes to school?”
Mingdao said: “Of course I know! That’s why the three of us agreed to split the cost of Wenyan’s treat.”
Yuhui said: “I thought you just wanted to be generous with other people’s money?”
Xiaoqiao tugged at Wenyan’s sleeve, quietly slipped two banknotes into his palm from behind, and whispered into his ear: “Take this with you, just in case.”
Baofeng saw Xiaoqiao whispering to him and felt slightly displeased, but she did not show it and chose not to spoil the atmosphere.
Mingdao said: “After school, let’s go to Guo Dezhu’s ice shop, shall we?”
Baofeng said: “Sure, more people will make it livelier.”
2
At noon break, in the school magazine club activity room, Muh Minhua and Shao Yanling were talking with Wenyan.
Muh Minhua said: “This is what Director Du means. Do you want to consider it?”
Wenyan said helplessly: “Even if I agree, my mother would not allow me to join the Party.”
Shao Yanling asked: “Why would your mother object to you applying to join the Party?”
Wenyan said: “Can I not answer that question? In any case, I cannot possibly join the Party.”
Muh Minhua said: “Since Wenyan has difficulties, then we should not force him.”
Shao Yanling said: “Don’t be so pessimistic. Why don’t we go find Teacher Zhang Ronghua and ask him to communicate with Director Du? He is Wenyan’s homeroom teacher and also our club advisor. President, what do you think?”
Muh Minhua said: “At the moment, this is the only way.”
Yanling said: “Wenyan, I want to apologize to you about your novel being removed by Director Du.”
Wenyan said calmly: “Never mind! I expected this. I was already mentally prepared for rejection.”
Yanling asked in confusion: “Oh? You were already prepared?”
Wenyan said: “I have already experienced the style of the principal and Director Du since second year of junior high. Our school actually has something like ideological screening and control…”
Minhua said: “I know what you are thinking, but what else can we do? All submissions for the school magazine are always reviewed by the extracurricular activities section of the discipline office.”
Yanling said: “I heard from Xiaoqiao that the school once questioned your background, so they did not allow you to get first place and represent the school in competitions. At that time, your homeroom teacher even had a big argument with Principal Shi in the office. Later, the school transferred that teacher Chen away.”
Wenyan gave an embarrassed bitter smile: “So the senior already heard about it.”
Yanling said: “I guess Director Du is setting this condition just to make you give up. The principal and Director Du are probably very wary of you.”
Wenyan said: “Whether I can take the position of editor-in-chief or not doesn’t really matter to me. I also don’t want the two seniors to run around for my sake…”
Yanling placed her hands on her hips and said boldly: “No! You are the best candidate for the position. If Director Du keeps obstructing you and makes me angry, I will quit the magazine club!”
When Wenyan heard Yanling call herself “me,” and saw her beautiful face showing a stern expression, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Wenyan, why are you laughing? I’m serious!”
Minhua said: “Don’t make threats so quickly, Yan girl. You’ve read too many martial arts novels. We are not yet at the stage of confronting Director Du directly. You two continue talking; I’m going to the restroom.”
Muh Minhua left the room.
Yanling’s anger faded, and her expression became gentle. She said: “Wenyan, are you free this afternoon to accompany me to visit an old writer?”
Wenyan said: “Sure. May I ask which old writer you want to visit?”
Yanling said: “I’ll keep it a secret. I’ll tell you when we arrive. Is that okay?”
Wenyan said: “Alright.”
Yanling said: “Then I’ll wait for you at the back school gate. Don’t forget.”
3
Wenyan arrived at the back school gate as agreed. Shao Yanling was already waiting there wearing a light long-sleeved dress. As soon as Wenyan arrived, Yanling stopped a taxi, opened the door, and Wenyan followed in, feeling that she seemed well prepared.
“To Heping Island Park, please,” Yanling said to the driver.
“Alright!” the driver pressed the meter.
The car drove away from the back gate. This scene was noticed by Guo Dezhu, who said to himself: “Hehe! Isn’t that the great writer Wenyan? Why is he sitting in a taxi with the school beauty? When did he get such an elegant beauty? I’ll tease him tomorrow at school…”
It was Wenyan’s first time taking a taxi. He stared intently at the meter; every time the numbers jumped, his heart tightened. Yanling looked at him and secretly laughed to herself: “This silly boy, I’ll tease him again when we get out.”
The taxi turned several corners and entered Heping Island Park.
Yanling asked the driver: “How much is the fare?”
The driver said: “24 dollars.”
Suddenly Yanling changed her expression: “Oh no, I think I left my coin purse in the classroom drawer!”
Wenyan immediately broke into a cold sweat and almost panicked: “What do we do?”
Yanling calmly said: “We’ll just ask the driver to wait here. We’ll come back later and take his car to return to school to get it.”
Wenyan scratched his head: “That’s not good. The meter will keep running. The school isn’t that far; why don’t I run back and get it for you?”
Yanling deliberately asked: “Young master, you don’t carry cash when you go out?”
Wenyan said awkwardly: “I only have a bus monthly pass! If I run back, with my speed, I should be able to return within an hour…”
Yanling smiled with her lips closed: “Don’t be silly. Even if you run back sweating, you still can’t enter the girls’ classroom.”
Wenyan said disappointedly: “Oh… that’s true.”
Then he said: “Then, senior, write me a note and I’ll take it to your homeroom teacher.”
Yanling looked at him anxiously but still calmly said: “What if you can’t find my homeroom teacher? By the time you return, most teachers will have already left school. Then what will you do if you leave me here?”
Wenyan suddenly had an idea: “I’ve got it! Let’s go find my friends A-Cai and A-Pao. They sell fish at the fish market nearby. We can ask the driver to detour there; they can help us pay first.”
At that moment, Yanling suddenly smiled brightly. Wenyan immediately felt something was off: “Senior, you…”
Yanling said proudly: “I was just teasing you!”
She then took a fifty-dollar blue banknote from her skirt pocket and handed it to the driver.
Wenyan complained: “Wow! You almost scared me to death…”
4
In Heping Island Park, the two walked along a rugged coastline full of strange rocks.
Wenyan said with grievance: “Senior, you almost scared my soul out just now! Please don’t joke like that again…”
Unexpectedly, Yanling said: “You’re still calling me senior? If you do, I’ll keep teasing you whenever I get the chance!”
Wenyan said bitterly: “Don’t be like that, se—”
Yanling quickly pressed a finger against his lips: “Actually, I’m the same age as you. You’re even a few days older than me!”
Wenyan said innocently: “But I didn’t know we were the same age!”
Yanling said: “My father is a university professor. He and the elementary school principal are old classmates, so I was allowed to enroll one year early. That’s why I am one grade above you.”
Wenyan said “oh,” then asked: “Didn’t you say we were going to visit an old writer? Does he live near this park?”
Yanling said: “Actually… don’t be angry, young master. I just wanted you to accompany me for a walk.”
Wenyan almost jumped up: “A walk? Then why did you trick me earlier? And why make up an old writer?”
Yanling said unconvinced: “Who said the old writer is fake? That’s my father! Haven’t you heard of the martial arts novelist Dongfang Bai? I can take you to meet him later.”
Wenyan knew of Dongfang Bai and had read his martial arts novels. He asked in doubt: “Dongfang Bai is your father? But your surname is Shao?”
Yanling said sternly: “Nonsense! Would I not know my own father? My mother’s surname is Shao. Dongfang Bai is my stepfather.”
Wenyan finally understood and smiled with cupped hands: “No wonder President Mu Minhua privately calls you ‘Yan Heroine.’ It turns out you come from a distinguished family. I was ignorant; forgive me.”
Yanling pulled Wenyan’s hand: “Good. Let’s go rowing.”
Wenyan felt Yanling’s strength as she pulled him toward the boat rental dock.
Wenyan said in surprise: “Your strength doesn’t feel like a girl at all.”
Yanling smiled proudly: “As I said, it’s family tradition. My stepfather knows Shaolin martial arts, and I learned from him since childhood.”
They boarded a boat. Wenyan awkwardly rowed at first, and the boat spun in place. Yanling did not rush him, just watched quietly. Soon Wenyan found the technique.
Yanling gazed at him gently. Those eyes were similar to what Wenyan had once seen in Xiaoqiao’s expression. He felt Yanling wanted to confess something. As expected, she asked:
“Wenyan, answer me honestly.”
Wenyan said: “I know what you want to ask.”
Yanling asked: “You know?”
Wenyan nodded slightly and smiled: “I can guess.”
Yanling said: “Why are you smiling so mysteriously?”
Wenyan did not answer.
Yanling asked: “If you had met me first, and then met Xiaoqiao later, would you like me?”
Wenyan said: “This is a hypothetical question; it’s hard to answer.”
Yanling said: “Even if it’s hypothetical, just say it. I want to hear your honest feelings.”
Wenyan said: “I don’t know. But I have known Xiaoqiao for a long time, from middle school until now. We have developed a strong understanding.”
Yanling looked disappointed: “Alright, that counts as your answer. Then tell me, what do I lack compared to your Xiaoqiao?”
Wenyan said: “Yanling, honestly, your appearance is better than Xiaoqiao’s, and you have great temperament. As far as I know, more than half the boys in my class admire you.”
Yanling said firmly: “You already said that in the magazine club. I want to know what I lack compared to Xiaoqiao. Don’t avoid the question.”
Wenyan said: “Yanling, I like Xiaoqiao because she truly understands me.”
Yanling said: “I also understand you, and I care about you deeply. Your melancholy temperament is like Li Shangyin’s untitled poem: ‘This feeling may become memories, only that it was already illusory at that time…’”
Wenyan said: “Yanling, you don’t truly understand. I’m not a sentimental Werther-type boy.”
Yanling said: “Of course I understand. You have wounds in your heart that are hard to heal. From your poems and stories, I carefully feel your pain and resentment.”
Wenyan sighed: “Yanling, thank you for treating me this way. But I cannot let Xiaoqiao down.”
Yanling said: “Alright. Even though Xiaoqiao appeared earlier, I believe I am not inferior. At least now, you are willing to treat me as a friend you can talk to.”
Wenyan said: “Yanling, why make things so difficult for yourself? I’m just a country boy…”
Yanling said: “I know those two boys you mentioned. I often see them with you. They are your close friends.”
Wenyan said: “You are the dream girl of many boys. If you want, you can find someone a hundred or a thousand times better than me.”
Yanling said: “That’s nonsense! I don’t care about those straw-brained guys who only flatter me. You are different. You value your future, because you carry a heavy mission.”
Her words were sincere and hit the point, moving Wenyan deeply.
Wenyan hesitated: “Yanling, I…”
Yanling asked: “Why would you rather not take the magazine editor position, and also refuse Director Du’s condition of joining the Party?”
Wenyan said painfully: “I have my reasons.”
Yanling asked: “If I am not mistaken, it is related to that tragedy in your village, right?”
Wenyan nodded: “Yes.”
Yanling said: “Then it makes sense. A son cannot forget his father’s revenge. It is understandable that you refuse to join the Party.”
Wenyan said: “Yanling, thank you for understanding.”
Yanling said: “I also thought about it. Director Du is deliberately making things difficult for you, meaning the school is wary of you. Even if you become editor-in-chief, they will guard against you everywhere and may even secretly sabotage you, leaving you no space to work. Instead of fighting the school, you should focus on preparing for the university entrance exam.”
Wenyan said: “You are right. Honestly, I don’t have the energy to fight them, and I can’t beat them.”
Yanling said: “In that case, Minhua and I don’t need to discuss with your homeroom teacher anymore. Tomorrow I will tell Minhua, and we will both withdraw from the magazine club.”
Wenyan said: “Is that appropriate? The school will think we are childish.”
Yanling said: “Have some spirit! The school clearly doesn’t want to give you a chance; why should you force yourself?”
Wenyan said: “But what about Minhua?”
Yanling said: “Don’t worry. Minhua and I are like sisters. She will understand, and may even leave with us.”
5
Club president Muh Minhua went to the discipline office to meet Director Du and section chief Zhou Meihui.
Minhua said: “Director, Shao Yanling and Yu Wenyan have both withdrawn from the magazine club.”
Director Du looked unhappy: “Those two are really going against me!”
Minhua said: “Director, my main members are all leaving. I don’t want to continue as president either. Please find someone else to take over soon.”
Director Du sneered: “What? Even you want to run away from the battlefield?”
Minhua said: “According to precedent, I was supposed to hand over the position this month anyway and focus on preparing for the university entrance exam.”
Zhou Meihui said displeased: “What are you all doing? This looks like child’s play! If things don’t go your way, you immediately threaten to quit. Are you deliberately making things difficult for us?”
Minhua said firmly: “Section Chief, I finally found a talented member for the magazine club. I originally hoped Wenyan could make the club flourish. But since you have your own stance and plans, and you cannot tolerate talent, then we must part ways.”
She placed the club seal and the magazine room keys on the table, turned around, and left without looking back.
“President Mu! Minhua! Let’s talk!” Zhou Meihui chased after her, but Minhua did not stop and walked toward the classroom.
6
Yu Wenyan was talking with his homeroom teacher Zhang Ronghua in the teacher’s office.
Zhang Ronghua said: “I heard from President Mu that she wants to hand the magazine club to you, but Director Du set a condition requiring you to apply to join the Party. Is that true?”
Wenyan nodded.
Zhang Ronghua said: “Given your situation, that is indeed making things difficult for you. I know your personality—you would not apply to the Party just to become editor-in-chief.”
Wenyan did not respond.
Zhang Ronghua said: “Whether you take the position or not does not greatly affect you now. But in the future—whether for university admission, military service, or employment—joining the Party only has benefits and no disadvantages. I hope you can let go of resentment and think rationally; there is no need to reject it completely.”
Wenyan said: “Thank you for the reminder, teacher.”
7
In a corner of the library, Baofeng, Xiaoqiao, and Mingdao were waiting for Wenyan to arrive. Wenyan left the homeroom teacher’s office and came to the library.
Mingdao asked: “What did our homeroom teacher want with you?”
Wenyan said: “The teacher advised me to reconsider the matter of joining the Party.”
Mingdao asked: “Then what are your own thoughts?”
Wenyan said: “The teacher said that applying to join the Party, whether for further studies or military service, would only bring benefits and no disadvantages for my future, but I…”
Baofeng said: “But you think your mother would not agree to you joining the Party, right?”
Wenyan said: “That is also one of the reasons. Actually, it is my own psychological issue—I feel that joining the Kuomintang would be letting down my deceased father.”
Baofeng said: “That’s exactly it! I don’t join the Party because I don’t want to let down my father and my elder brother. They were wrongly killed at the hands of Kuomintang military and police.”
Mingdao said: “Baofeng, hearing you all say this makes me feel very heavy-hearted.”
Xiaoqiao said: “You should make your own decision. I think even if you don’t join the Party, President Mu and Senior Yanling will understand you.”
After a while, Mingdao, taking advantage of Xiaoqiao going to the restroom, lowered his voice and asked Wenyan: “Brother, Dazhuzi said that one noon at the back school gate, he saw you and the school beauty senior getting into a taxi and leaving.”
Although Wenyan was surprised, he remained calm and said: “The senior took me to visit an old writer. It was official club business.”
Mingdao said: “That’s good! I was worried it might leak out and cause unnecessary speculation, so I told Dazhuzi not to mention it.”
Baofeng, who was nearby, asked curiously: “What are you two whispering about? What are you hiding from me?”
Mingdao said: “Men’s private conversation—don’t ask.”
8
In the evening, Baofeng went to Wenyan’s house to look for him.
Laichun said: “Wenyan went to the riverbank to set shrimp traps. He’ll be back in a while.”
Baofeng said: “Auntie, did Wenyan mention anything to you about the school asking him to join the Kuomintang?”
Laichun said: “No. Why would the school want him to join the Kuomintang?”
Baofeng said: “A school director said that if Wenyan wants to take the position of school magazine editor-in-chief, he must apply to join the Kuomintang.”
Laichun said: “Is that so? That kind of condition sounds like bargaining. It doesn’t seem reasonable. Baofeng, are you a member of the Kuomintang?”
Baofeng smiled bitterly: “Auntie, my father, my uncle, and my elder brother all died at the hands of the Kuomintang. How could I recognize the enemy as my father?”
Laichun said: “What you say is right.”
Baofeng said: “But what the teachers say is also not wrong. If Wenyan applies to join the Party, it will help him in future studies and military service.”
Laichun asked suspiciously: “Oh? What kind of help?”
Baofeng said: “I’m not very clear about that either.”
Laichun said: “When he finishes his work tonight, I’ll find a chance to ask him.”
Baofeng said: “Auntie, would you agree to Wenyan joining the Kuomintang?”
Laichun said: “Of course I don’t want him to join, but I will respect his decision.”
9
At night, Wenyan and Ayuan had just finished roasting tea leaves. Wenyan took a shower and returned to the dormitory. Laichun brought him a bowl of peanut tofu pudding. Wenyan held the ceramic bowl and ate.
Laichun pulled a chair and sat down, asking: “Wenyan, Mother asks you—do you want to join the Kuomintang?”
Suddenly being asked this, Wenyan almost dropped the bowl of tofu pudding.
Wenyan asked: “No… why? Mother, did Baofeng tell you this?”
Laichun said: “Who told me is not important. What are your own thoughts?”
Wenyan put down the ceramic bowl: “I will not join. I cannot let down my deceased father.”
Laichun said: “But joining the Kuomintang would help you in university entrance exams and military service, wouldn’t it? So Mother will respect your decision.”
Wenyan said: “I will not join. Mother, that is my decision.”
Laichun said: “Alright. Wenyan, let’s leave it at that for now.”
Laichun stood up and left, closing the door.
10
Discipline Director Du Jincheng and Extracurricular Activities Section Chief Zhou Meihui came to the homeroom teacher’s office and met with class advisors Fan Danfeng and Zhang Ronghua of Mu Minhua and Yu Wenyan’s class. The four of them discussed in a small meeting room.
Section Chief Zhou Meihui asked: “Teacher Fan, do you know that Mu Minhua and Shao Yanling from your class have both withdrawn from the school magazine club?”
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “I didn’t know. They didn’t mention it to me.”
Director Du said pleadingly: “Teacher Fan, could you please persuade these two students? They are core members of the magazine club. They cannot just withdraw without handing over their duties properly.”
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “Oh? They withdrew without completing the handover?”
Director Du said: “Yes. It seems they deliberately want to embarrass me and Section Chief Zhou, and even bring the magazine club to a halt.”
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “Minhua and Yanling have always been organized and responsible. I will call them over and ask clearly what happened.”
Section Chief Zhou said: “Teacher Zhang, Yu Wenyan from your class has twice brought honor to the school. The principal and director both value him and recognize his talent. Please communicate with him properly and ask him to consider the bigger picture.”
Teacher Zhang Ronghua said: “Yesterday morning, I learned about Wenyan’s withdrawal from Minhua. At noon, I specifically asked him to come to my office for a serious talk. He agreed to reconsider the matter of joining the Party. I think we should give him some time to discuss fully with his family.”
Director Du said: “Teacher Zhang, thank you for your help. We will still need you to coordinate in the future.”
11
Wenyan still did not apply to join the Party. After Teacher Zhang Ronghua’s persuasion, Wenyan temporarily gave up the idea of withdrawing from the magazine club, and Shao Yanling also stayed. After this incident, Mu Minhua herself became somewhat disheartened. Director Du asked her to find a successor, and she only responded perfunctorily.
Yanling said: “Minhua, isn’t Director Du urging you to complete the handover?”
Minhua said with a bitter smile: “Yes. He keeps coming every few days to bother me about it.”
Yanling said: “Then just find a capable second-year student, submit the name, and consider it done.”
Minhua said: “That won’t do. I originally wanted to find Xiaoqiao to take over, but she is not willing either.”
Yanling said: “Then what do you plan to do?”
Minhua said: “We’ll just go with the flow. When the time comes, we will all graduate and leave the school.”
12
Magazine club president Mu Minhua and editor-in-chief Shao Yanling were called to Teacher Fan Danfeng’s office.
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “Last Saturday, Director Du and Section Chief Zhou Meihui came to my office together with Teacher Zhang Ronghua to discuss the magazine club. The director said you have delayed the handover for a long time, causing him and Section Chief Meihui a lot of trouble.”
Mu Minhua complained: “There’s nothing we can do! The candidate we liked was deliberately made difficult by the director, forcing him to apply for Party membership. Now my junior no longer wants to take over. I really don’t understand why taking over the magazine club has anything to do with joining the Party.”
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “Director Du probably has his own considerations. He asked me to urge you both to complete the handover as soon as possible.”
Shao Yanling said: “Based on my reasonable inference, Director Du wants us to withdraw on our own, so that they can appoint someone they are satisfied with. Perhaps he believes Yu Wenyan refusing to apply to join the Party means he is disobedient, so he wants to find a more obedient member to take over.”
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “Yanling, that is only your speculation. I think we should simplify the matter. Since Wenyan has no intention of taking the position, you should find a suitable student instead. It’s almost final exam season—complete the handover quickly so you can prepare for exams and go home for the New Year.”
Mu Minhua said helplessly: “Alright then. If Director Du doesn’t want Zhao Yun, the battle general, but prefers the obedient Liao Hua, then we’ll give him Liao Hua. If there are no great generals in Shu, then let Liao Hua lead the vanguard.”
Shao Yanling said angrily: “Director Du is really interfering too much. It’s really annoying!”
Teacher Fan Danfeng said: “Try to think more openly. In another semester, you will all graduate anyway.”
Shao Yanling said bitterly with a smile: “Yes… out of sight, out of mind.”
13
In a corner of the Xizhi market, the mute A-Yuan sat at his stall carving spinning tops. A customer approached his stall.
The customer said: “Boss, I want two catties of tea leaves.”
A-Yuan pointed to his ears and mouth with his hands. After the customer understood, he switched to hand gestures. A-Yuan understood, weighed the tea leaves, and casually used a stack of propaganda leaflets he had picked up a few days earlier to wrap the tea. He handed it to the customer. After the customer left, A-Yuan immediately lowered his head again, immersing himself in the world of carving spinning tops.
After a while, two plainclothes officers flanked the customer who had just left. The customer pointed at A-Yuan with his right hand: “The tea leaves were sold to me by this man. I know nothing!”
The two plainclothes officers looked at each other and nodded. They released the customer, who quickly slipped away.
The two officers came to A-Yuan’s stall. Officer A took out the leaflet and asked in a fierce tone: “Was this paper distributed by you?”
A-Yuan did not understand what Officer A was saying. Frightened by his ferocious expression, he quickly shook his head and pointed to his ears and mouth.
Officer B slammed his hand hard on the stall and shouted: “Still shaking your head! This thing clearly came out from you!”
Startled, A-Yuan first shook his head, then turned into nodding. The two officers looked at each other when they still could not get an answer.
Officer A said: “I think this guy is tight-lipped. We won’t get anything out of him like this. Let’s take him back to the precinct and interrogate him slowly.”
Officer B said: “We have no choice. Take him back first!”
The two officers stepped into A-Yuan’s stall, pulled him up from the ground, and dragged him away on both sides. The unfinished spinning top fell onto the stall. Nearby customers and vendors looked on in panic, but could only watch helplessly as A-Yuan was taken away.
14
The bus arrived at the stop. Wenyan, Baofeng, and the younger child Wenying got off. They first went to the elementary school gate to pick up Wenying. The three then waited at the gate for A-Yuan’s ox cart. As the sun nearly set, there was still no sign of A-Yuan.
Wenying asked: “Brother, when will Uncle Man finally arrive?”
Wenyan said: “I also find it strange. Uncle Man has never been this late before.”
Baofeng said: “Could something have happened to him?”
Wenyan thought for a moment and said: “The market is not far from here. Why don’t we walk over and take a look?”
The three arrived at A-Yuan’s stall in the Xizhi market. Wenyan saw that the stall had not been cleaned up at all, and a half-finished spinning top was still on the table. He picked it up and examined it carefully.
A nearby vendor was closing his stall. Wenyan asked him: “Boss, sorry to ask, the man who originally looked after this stall—do you know where he went?”
The vendor asked: “Oh, are you his relatives? He was taken away by two plainclothes officers earlier.”
Baofeng asked in shock: “What? Taken away by plainclothes officers?”
Wenyan asked urgently: “Why would my uncle be taken away?”
The vendor said: “I’m not too clear either. I saw those two plainclothes officers holding a document questioning him. He didn’t seem to understand—maybe he couldn’t hear or couldn’t read—he just kept nodding, shaking his head, and gesturing with his hands and feet. Then he was taken away.”
Wenyan said angrily: “These Kuomintang plainclothes officers are truly too much! They’ve arrested so many people in the village, and now they won’t even spare a mute man!”
Baofeng forced herself to stay calm and said: “Wenyan, calm down first. Just because he was taken doesn’t mean something will definitely happen. If you speak recklessly out of anger and get yourself arrested too, what then?”
Wenyan thought for a moment and calmed down. He asked again: “Sorry, do you know where my uncle was taken?”
The vendor said: “I heard those two officers say they would take A-Yuan to the precinct first.”
Wenyan asked: “The precinct? The Xizhi precinct here?”
The vendor said: “Yes, the Xizhi precinct. I’ve seen one of those two officers before—he’s a detective from the precinct.”
Baofeng said: “That’s what I said earlier. We need to calm down and figure out the situation first.”
Wenyan said: “Baofeng, I’m going to the precinct to find my uncle. Do you want to come with me?”
Baofeng said: “Of course I’ll go with you. Otherwise, if you lose your temper and start shouting there, things will get worse.”
15
Wenyan brought Baofeng and Wenying to the precinct. Wenyan was arguing with a duty officer, while Wenying and Baofeng sat on a bench nearby. Wenying was exhausted and fell asleep leaning on Baofeng’s lap.
Officer A said: “Our criminal investigation unit is currently interrogating the suspect. We cannot allow visitors. The suspect is suspected of distributing reactionary leaflets.”
Wenyan said: “That’s exactly what I said! My uncle is deaf and mute, and he is illiterate. How could he distribute reactionary leaflets? This must be a misunderstanding!”
Officer A said: “Whether it is a misunderstanding or not will be clear after the interrogation is finished.”
Wenyan shouted: “Who knows what you people might do to my uncle!”
His voice drew everyone’s attention in the station.
Officer A said angrily: “You brat, what do you mean by that? Do you know I can detain you right now and not let you go home?”
Wenyan clenched his fists, anger rising, about to explode. Baofeng woke Wenying, stood up, walked over, pulled Wenyan’s hand, and shook her head: “Wenyan, forget it. Let’s go back and talk to Auntie first to figure out what to do. Arguing here won’t help at all.”
Wenyan hesitated, looked at his half-asleep younger sister Wenying, and decided to leave first: “Let’s go.”
Wenyan picked up his sister, and he and Baofeng left the precinct.
16
Inside the interrogation room, two detectives were questioning A-Yuan.
Detective A held the leaflet: “Was this paper distributed by you or not?”
A-Yuan widened his eyes, looking very frightened. He made sounds like “uh uh ah ah,” and gestured with his hands, but the detectives could not understand what he was trying to say.
Detective A shook his head: “This is impossible to interrogate like this.”
Detective B said: “Forget it. We’ll just write the report ourselves, have him sign it, and be done with it.”
Detective B handed the report and a pen to A-Yuan. A-Yuan held the pen helplessly, not knowing what to do. Seeing this, Detective A took out an ink pad, forcibly grabbed A-Yuan’s hand, and pressed his fingerprint onto the document.
17
Wenyan drove the ox cart, carrying Baofeng and Wenying back to Luku Village. The cart arrived at Wenyan’s home, where Laichun and Aunt Zhou Tian were anxiously waiting at the door.
Laichun said: “You finally came back!”
Zhou Tian said: “You children really don’t know—your mother and I were almost worried to death!”
Wenyan said: “Grandma, sorry.”
Laichun looked at the cart and asked: “Strange, why don’t I see A-Yuan?”
Wenyan bit his lower lip tightly, eyes red, saying nothing. Seeing this, Baofeng stepped forward and explained everything to Laichun:
“Auntie, Uncle A-Yuan was taken by plainclothes officers to the Xizhi precinct. The police said he was distributing reactionary leaflets.”
Laichun was shocked: “A-Yuan was arrested for distributing reactionary leaflets?”
Zhou Tian shouted angrily: “These people are truly wicked! Why would they arrest a mute man for no reason? What are we supposed to do now?”
Laichun said: “Mother, I will take Wenyan to find Village Chief Liao to discuss this. Maybe he will have a solution.”
Zhou Tian said: “Good, good. Go quickly.”
