Chapter 8 Chapter Three

After tossing and turning until midnight, he got up and swallowed a sleeping pill to make himself sleepy until dawn. It was noon when we arrived at San Francisco Airport, and the sun was shining brightly.Stepping into the waiting room, he couldn't help being taken aback.Li Xing and Niu Xianli smiled and waved at him. Happy birthday! Both congratulated him in English. But, I just passed Only then did he realize that last night was Mainland China's birthday, and today it is still his birthday after earning a day, and he is not happy. 60th birthday, let's celebrate it well, Li Xing came over and put his arm on his arm, and urged with a smile: "Go, Uncle Heng, don't wait impatiently in the restaurant!"

Li first grabbed the luggage, so he was surrounded by two people and left the airport. Tired of changing places as if rushing all the way? Li Li drove first, Li Xing sat with him in the back seat of the car, and asked considerately on the road. fine.when are you going back? Northwest flight on Tuesday.And you? I can stay until friday, but Come back early! She squinted at him and said, tightening her grip on his hand, then pursed her lips into a smile, and quickly glanced at the back of the driver's head. He resisted the impulse and never hugged her into his arms. Lixing looks younger and much prettier than in Taipei.He took off the plain suit that symbolized his status, and put on a violet dress. Instead of using blow dryers and glue to fix the shape, his hair was pulled back lazily and held by red agate hair clips, like a young woman out of the bath She was as chic and charming as she was when she was young; she wore a pair of flat leather sandals, as freehand as an American schoolgirl.No makeup is applied on the face, but the thin lips are painted thicker with lipstick, and the crow's feet at the corners of the eyes are widely opened, which enriches the expression of frowns and smiles on the face.

You must like life in America, you look very happy and beautiful! He raised the hand that was being held, and kissed silently on the back of her hand. I'm on vacation, every day is a vacation, oh, I hope I don't have to go back!Going back to Taipei is work, work, work! She showed a disgusted face, but there was a slight smile on the corner of her mouth. This is Li Xing, a passionate bachelorette, and an avid work fan. The days when I lived with her seemed to center on the alarm clock.At seven o'clock in the morning, people would jump out of bed like a spring.At eight o'clock, it was his turn to get up, but the hostess had disappeared.He hired half a worker for her, but he often enjoyed the dinner every day alone.Go home at night, press the alarm clock switch before going to bed.Otherwise, when you are lingering, you suddenly think of it and rush to make it up.

Work, work, is what characterizes their generation. Our boss wants to treat you to dinner, how are you doing tomorrow night? Why is he a treat? He has never dealt with the company where she works, and he has never even stepped through the door. I want to meet you, can't I?Li Xing gave him a coquettish look.He also invited Niu Xianli, because of his help, he met a lot of people and decided on the location of the factory. How about asking you to accompany him? Isn't it a compliment? No, Ms. Yang, I'm sorry, Big Brother Hu, I call you Big Brother Hu, well, he is a famous scholar, I'll be the last one to accompany you.

Well, you're welcome, see you at the glass lounge on the top floor of the Fairmont Hotel in the city at six o'clock tomorrow afternoon. She made up her mind, and the two men didn't say anything more. He told Li Xing about Cai Min receiving the threatening letter, and hoped that Mr. Yang would pay more attention. My dad is just doing a little favor and not drawing attention.Cai Min is the target of public criticism, of course you have to be careful, but you can't take it lightly! He was more worried about his safety than he said. Although you write articles under a pseudonym, Taiwan is so small that there are no permanent secrets.Every time you go abroad, you come back with one or two explosive articles. Like the last time you came back from Singapore, you immediately advocated the establishment of a no-car zone in the downtown area of ​​Taiwan; this time you must be telling people not to eat American oranges, right?I believe that many people know about your part-time job, so you should be careful of being plotted against.

He just smiled: There is no way to prevent this kind of thing.Besides, at my age What's wrong with your age?Li Xing gave him a coquettish look.When Zhang Daqian congratulated my father on his 70th birthday, he said: Life is not unusual at 70, it is more than 80, playing chess at 90, laughing at 100, and still a little brother at 60! Xianli, who was busy driving, also comforted him at this time: "That's right!"Brother Hu, life begins at sixty! Life begins at sixty. He glanced at the back of the black-haired driver, then at the charming faces of the people around him, and couldn't help but sigh to himself.Life should start at their age.

Perhaps to distract him, Xianli suddenly changed the topic. Brother Hu went to the Midwest this time, did he gain any results in the investigation of food pollution? He was flattered that the computer guy was interested in food contamination. The Farm Bureau is sampling food from supermarkets.Dibromoethylene is initially known to be present in excess in many types of cornmeal, cakes and pancakes. He talked about the carcinogenicity of dibromoethylene, and the driver was so frightened that he called out. Incredibly, I love pancakes the most!I don't know how much poison I ate, which pancake?

Before the official announcement, it is inconvenient for the person in charge of the experiment to disclose it to me in private. Lixing immediately advised him: stop eating pancakes, it is not too late to mend the situation. Yes, I promise not to eat it. First stand up and appear to be obedient. He suddenly tasted an inexplicable jealousy. I have known Xianli for more than ten years, and I have never had the desire or opportunity to have a deep talk with him. In my impression, this is an American-style Chinese who is good at pleasing women. He loves to talk about stocks and real estate. He just respects his teacher.It was only when he came to the United States this time that he discovered that he was enthusiastic and capable, and he actively participated in politics, running around for the Chinese.He often traveled to mainland China for company business, and was even ridiculed by Uncle Heng as a patriotic profiteer.

Lu Xianli told him about Taiwan's industrial pollution and urban noise problems, with a humble and pertinent attitude, and seemed to be full of interest and concern for his part-time job.When talking about agriculture, Uncle Heng would doze off, but Xianli was fascinated by it and couldn't help but move him. Maybe Xianli is more caring and practical, expressing broad interests just to please the woman.In all fairness, the two are quite a match in terms of age, education and appearance.Even in temperament, there are similarities, and they are all willing to put their heart into it.Li Xing is not naturally sensitive to environmental pollution, but because of his love, he has now become an active person.First of all, we must pursue hard work, and maybe one day become an environmental protection fighter.

If you are sincere in your actions first, maybe you should encourage yourself from the sidelines.He felt that Lixing should have a capable husband of similar age. Brother Hu, I heard that you also like western food. Today I invite you to try a seafood restaurant opened by a Chinese friend of mine.It is difficult to reserve a seat at noon on weekends. I can only reserve a seat at any time here, and I am not bound by the scheduled closing time. As soon as we arrived at the Ferry Plaza Hotel, we first explained why we ate western food. The hotel is located in the wharf tourist area, a beautiful castle-style building.The private seat is on the upper floor, with large glass windows on three sides, with a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay, such as Angel Island, Prison Island, the Bay Double Bridge, and the Berkeley Mountains.It was nearly one o'clock in the afternoon, and there were still no empty seats, which showed that the business was booming.

Welcome home; happy birthday! Uncle Heng, in a neat suit, was waiting at a square table facing the window and facing the sea, and congratulated him first. He thanked him, and at the mercy of Xianli, he sat next to Li Xing and Uncle Heng, facing the sea, and treated him preferentially to enjoy the scenery. How are you, did you get the call? Just after ordering, Uncle Heng asked him. yes. Li Xing's sharp and curious eyes immediately focused on his face.He pretended not to see it, and focused his attention on the bridge hanging in mid-air outside the window. Excuse me, Brother Hu, we just talked about organic farming, your opinion is to restore ancient farming methods and cancel American-style industrial farming? Xianli's persistence just saved him from the siege. Not completely restored, he elaborated his claim intently: but improved, but without chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides. Xianli seemed skeptical. The last time I visited the countryside in the mainland, they put a lot of emphasis on fertilizers.My impression is that the amount of fertilizer is directly proportional to the yield. After Uncle Heng asked about the topic, he also testified from the sidelines: By the road in our hometown, farmers use partition walls to surround squat-style toilets, and passers-by are welcome to use them.The few farmers who have made a fortune are all people who have the means to buy chemical fertilizers. Pure use of chemical fertilizers is a temporary phenomenon, the so-called drinking poison to quench thirst. He took synthetic nitrogen fertilizer as an example and explained it to them.Although it can increase production, the synthetic nitrogen left in the soil will seep into rivers and groundwater, polluting water quality.Fertilizers also kill the bacteria in the soil that naturally produce nitrogenous fertilizers, making farmers more dependent on fertilizers to harvest crops.This has resulted in a vicious cycle in which pollution relies on heavy use of pollution, which intensifies and will eventually cause the land on which human beings depend to live to die inch by inch. It's so serious, it's second only to a nuclear explosion! Standing in amazement, he suddenly said: Taiwan has taken a step ahead in environmental protection.This set of experiences and theories should be introduced to the mainland as soon as possible.Recently, West Germany intends to store nuclear waste in the desert of mainland China and is willing to pay a high fee.So far, the mainland has not expressed anything, and the Chinese intellectuals in the United States have held symposiums to point out the advantages and disadvantages.Brother Hu must know about this, right? I heard Ren Jueming say it.China uses the desert to store nuclear waste. Although there is money to be made and useful materials can be extracted from it, the scientific community has not yet concluded the technology and hazards of the storage.This is a matter related to future generations. I think that no matter how much money is given, China should not agree. With regard to nuclear pollution, Lixing only admits that it has knowledge, but lacks practical experience. We oppose building nuclear power plants in Taiwan.She compared, but two nuclear power plants are still being built in Jinshan and Hengchun.The direct discharge of nuclear wastewater into the sea not only increases the temperature of the sea water, but also changes the ecology of the nearby ocean.Many fish that are afraid of the cold gather here, but fishermen dare not fish nearby, and tourists dare not swim in the sea. Her conclusion is that Taiwan has advanced theory, but has not yet created successful experience. UC Berkeley is the stronghold of the US anti-nuclear movement. Xianli said, Brother Hu, do you need me to send you this information? That could not be better, and he welcomes it. In fact, in addition to anti-nuclear, the Americans should also oppose the export of nuclear power plants.The United States has shut down hundreds of nuclear power plants. It is immoral to export public hazards abroad when it knows the dangers. Xianli believes that in addition to the US government's double-standard mentality, it also involves the issue of whether information is popularized to the public. You should get in touch with Berkeley students.UC Berkeley is known as the conscience of the United States, and the students will one day understand the truth of the matter and protest. I'm protesting now! Uncle Heng waited for the waiter to arrange the grilled salmon he ordered, then picked up the knife and fork and announced. Have you seen the movie "The Day After Nuclear War"?That horrible sight made me not want to eat for days.Today is Jing Han's birthday, why are you talking about such disgusting things! The owner apologized immediately.It happened that all the dishes were served, and everyone buried their heads in eating. As soon as the main course was finished, the waitress brought a cream cake, which she said was from the owner of the restaurant. You are such a good friend! As Lixing said, he pursed his lips and smiled at Xianli. He looked at the red flowers and green leaves circled by the cream on the cake, and the English characters for Hu Junqing's birthday engraved on the chocolate, secretly thankful that there was no small candle marked with the age.He doesn't have to perform blowing skills, smell the sweet smell of burning candle oil, and don't have to sing the foreign-style "Happy Birthday" song in public.No one made a fuss, it must have been taken care of by Li Xing in advance. Neither he nor Li Xing celebrated their birthdays, and they only exchanged gifts.Colleagues in the Institute jointly send a small gift every year, and he never returns the invitation, leaving it to the point of giving benefits without cost.Sometimes Cai Min remembered that he asked his wife to cook two small dishes, and they poured each other small dishes as a celebration for him.Banqueting is a common practice in Taiwan, and weddings and funerals are extravagant. He used the excuse of being single and insisted on avoiding conventions.People who have lived through the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War can never bear the extravagant and wasteful life.Li Xing does not necessarily understand this stubbornness, but he can respect his meaning. Sixty years old, still very young! As Uncle Heng said, he grinned at him and blinked his eyes again, as if he was comforting him, but also as if he was relying on the old to sell the old. sixty years old.This is the official beginning of old age.However, he was not mentally prepared.Not to mention the mental preparation to take the first step of old age in a strange hotel in a foreign country. He watched others grow old every day, and received invitations to attend funerals more and more often, but he rarely felt that he was approaching old age.A man's middle age is very long, so long that he forgets that there is an end.Old age and death often go hand in hand.I was busy with work and had no time to think about death, so I also forgot that old age was waiting outside the threshold, and now we faced each other head-on, like someone being robbed in the road. Apart from panic, there was nothing but surrender. All old age should be the same, knowing fate and hearing.He lacked this tranquility alone.Still running around, eagerly waiting.Now I want to rest and catch my breath, but where is home? I once heard Cai Min say to his middle school son: When you grow old one day, you will know what I mean. He lost his parents since he was a child, so he was not blessed to hear this kind of prophecy.My own children were separated when they were babies, and there was no chance to give them a preview.In the blink of an eye, I am old.What do you know when you are old? He is more ignorant than ever, and helpless. Don't be in a daze, Jing Han, sixty is the second beginning of life! As Uncle Heng said, he wrinkled his face with a haha ​​laugh. second start?He is confused.The first beginning has not yet ended well May I cut the cake for you? Remind him kindly. yes, thank you. Uncle Heng didn't eat desserts, he tried his best to avoid getting fat, so he only ate a small slice as a symbol, and in the end, more than half of the cake was left. When paying the money first, the waitress asked him if he wanted to take the cake away. Take it away, follow the advice, your daughter must like it. Yes Yes!Xianli hurriedly ordered the maid to wrap it up. Lixing was afraid that the cake would be crushed, so he personally told the waitress to find a cardboard box for packaging. Thanks for your reminder, Xianli is very grateful: Today her mother is away on a business trip, Ella is lucky!She must have thanked Aunt Yang for her kindness. Girls love desserts the most. But Emma is very strict, for fear that she will get fat, cakes and ice cream are not allowed! Doesn't that spoil the child?It doesn't matter, just eat less. One to complain, one to comfort, just like a young couple. He was ashamed of his jealousy, and his heart was even more miserable. Ella is only five years old this year.Uncle Heng told him sarcastically.He forced a smile, feeling his stomach turning. Shall we go to the movies?The "Xi'an Incident" is being performed in Chinatown, and the tickets are all bought. Li Xing has arranged the program for the afternoon.Without any explanation, he followed everyone into the cinema. When he first arrived in San Francisco last week, through Xianli's introduction, he watched "Camel Xiangzi" and liked it very much.But "Xi'an Incident" was somewhat disappointing. The film wiped away Zhang Xueliang's notoriety for not resisting the Japanese invasion of the Northeast, and returned him to his true colors as a patriot, which is very desirable.However, in highlighting how wise and great the party leadership is, it misses a historical fact.As early as a year before the Xi'an Incident, the Kuomintang had already contacted the Communist Party on its own initiative to discuss the conditions for a joint resistance against Japan.Just a few days before the incident, an agreement was actually reached with Zhou Enlai.If Zhang Xueliang knew about it in time, he would not act blindly. In addition, the film also hides the conspiracy of Moscow.After the incident, Stalin and the Nationalist government secretly communicated. Fearing that the CCP would become powerful, they falsely framed a spontaneous anti-Japanese movement as a conspiracy by the Japanese and forced the CCP to accept Moscow's solution. Have you seen Zhang Xueliang in person, does he look like him? Lixing asked him as soon as he stepped out of the cinema.What I saw in the restaurant was an old man in his eighties, just a decent old gentleman.For some reason, he suddenly thought of his father-in-law.Liaodong people, if alive, would be the same age. In the past two years, I heard that Zhang Xueliang occasionally appeared in public places in Taipei, which had an anti-United Front effect.Brother Hu met in the restaurant, is there still someone guarding him? Xianli inquired with great interest. Of course there is.Our friends who ate at the same table knew the guard, and only after he pointed out did we know who the old man was. Poor, Lixing said with a sigh, he has lost his freedom for half a century. While holding on to him, Zhang Xueliang is an old man with a lot of surplus value, isn't he? Uncle Heng walked side by side with him, and suddenly muttered in a low voice. He didn't argue, just added a footnote softly: he is the saddest old man. Among these people, only he has experienced the Anti-Japanese War, and only he can understand the sorrow of his father-in-law's generation.September 18th began their life in exile, and their hometown in the three eastern provinces was handed over to others.Watching the iron hooves of the Japanese invaders trampling the land and people of the motherland, the tragedy of the Nanjing Massacre alone was no less than Hitler's concentration camp.A national disaster for the Jews is still one of the themes of world literature and movies, but what about the Chinese descendants?Millions of compatriots died, and finally survived until the day when the Japanese government offered compensation, and the leaders complained on behalf of the Chinese people for the benefit of one party, or simply wrote it off.Now the Japanese are even more bold in tampering with textbooks, changing the history of aggression to entering and leaving China.In a divided China, the voices of protest cannot gather a single roar. Zhang Xueliang's family was ruined for the Japanese, and he lost his lifelong freedom in order to resist the Japanese. Would it be sad to witness such irony in his lifetime? How about a coffee shop? The first proposal was unanimously supported. Mainland movies are much better than I imagined. This is the first time for Li Xing to watch a mainland movie, and he is still satisfied. This is a good movie that has been publicized for a long time. Uncle Heng pointed out that before I watched it, it was all party stereotypes, with a strong taste of political dogma. The recent mainland movies are much more plain, so let’s defend them first. I think it’s easier to bear political leadership than commercial vulgarity.I haven't watched a Taiwanese movie for a long time, but I saw a business card not long ago, and I was taken aback!As soon as the show opened, the Three Character Classic is probably called realism, isn't it, Brother Hu? Sitting in a coffee shop in Chinatown, the most lively conversation was about movies. Taiwan's films have indeed improved a lot, Li Xing rushed to answer for him.Many young directors are very courageous, and actors are also loyal to art. Every year, several popular films are released, such as "The Day to Watch the Sea" and "Rapeseed", which are all adaptations of famous works. Xianli agreed: I will definitely watch it if I have the chance. I have only seen one Taiwanese film, Uncle Heng said, I can’t remember the title, but the sex scene is really bold, not too different from Western adult films, what is it called?Jing Han, you remember, an actress we talked about Uncle Heng described it for a while, but no one guessed the title of the film.Prostitutes, bed scenes, dancers, and hooligans are all common themes, and they are not exclusive to a certain film. Uncle Heng talked about the movie "Camel Xiangzi" he had watched recently.Both he and Xianli agreed. Li Xing was very curious and took the trouble to inquire about the details. The old man simply urged her to watch: there is only one show left tonight, and the film will be changed tomorrow, and this is the chance to watch it. He remembered an article by Zhao Ning, criticizing Taipei's films as prostitutes in command, and strictly implementing three modernizations: dialectization of Mandarin, legalization of swear words, and prostitution of jade girls.From the perspective of pollution, he is also very concerned about the recent violence and bloody scenes on the screen.I hope these are just the pains before the birth of serious art. He is still optimistic about the future of movies. She was really moved.A pair of eyes focused on his face, where the eyes were full of waves, full of affection and anticipation. Interested in watching it again? She asked casually and easily, with a sweet smile on the corner of her mouth. He hesitated.Of course I am willing to watch movies with her, any movie.However, there is a voice reminding him in the dark: he can't take another step, because he loves her, he must reject her even more. Hui Jian cut the thread of love, and Old Yang's words rang in his ears again. Please stand by and watch with you first, okay?I invite you to dinner and send Uncle Heng back Seeing that the smile was stiff and cracked, and finally disappeared piece by piece, and the blue waves in his eyes instantly turned into still water, his heart tightened.Cowardly and ruthless, he didn't hesitate to put some ugly terms around his neck. No problem, I'll watch it with you. It's a good movie. You'll never get tired of watching it! First, he agreed with a word of sincerity and sincerity. Li Xing refused on purpose, but Uncle Heng couldn't help instigating him, so he agreed.Once she agreed, she quickly resumed talking and laughing again.He knew that her strong character did not allow him to show weakness.It's just that during dinner, she consciously or unintentionally avoided his gaze. Say goodbye twice first and go out to make a phone call.Apparently, he had an appointment tonight, so he resigned temporarily to accompany him. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and everyone is paying the price.He made no apologies to the young man. After the meal, I immediately drove him and Uncle Heng back. Before breaking up, Li Xing suddenly remembered something and opened his purse to find something. I almost forgot, I have a little present for you. She handed him a little box bound in gold paper, tied with pink ribbon and a red rose. Thank you, do it. He held it respectfully in his hand. Do things in a clear and orderly manner, and rarely forget the moment.This was a gift she planned to give him when the two of them were alone, so he didn't open it to see it in public. See you tomorrow! After staring at him for a moment, she smiled slightly, turned around and got into the car door that Xianli opened for her. He watched the car go until it disappeared into the dark end of the street, still staring ahead. You fool!come in! Uncle Heng opened the door of the apartment, impatiently waiting, and called him in English. He picked up his luggage and followed the old man upstairs. so tired!If you eat two meals in a row, you will have to accumulate food! Uncle Heng was really tired, so he fell down on the sofa when he entered the room, leaned his head back, and rubbed his stomach with his hands, looking like he had a lot of food. Do you want some tea? he asked as he put down his luggage.Feeling hot all over, he took off his suit jacket.It was quite strenuous to walk up to the third floor in one breath.Compared with two years ago, my physical strength is significantly worse. Boil water, eat too much MSG, thirsty. Uncle Heng closed his eyes before finishing his orders. The air in the room was stuffy, so he opened half a window to breathe. The sound of the kettle and the snoring of the old man sounded out at the same time. He made tea.Seeing that Uncle Heng was sleeping soundly, he couldn't bear to wake him up, so he just closed the window again, and covered his belly with his hands with his coat. Back in the kitchen, sat down and had a sip of tea.Then open the gift from Li Xing. A gold cigarette case with a simple and elegant shape, in which two brand new keys are hidden, strung together with a gold chain. He played with the key, his heart was ups and downs for a while, and he couldn't tell the difference between joy and fear. This is the first time Li Xing has given a key since renewing the old relationship.She left without saying goodbye six years ago, leaving only three keys and a vague note in front of her dressing table.This matter must have greatly hurt Li Xing's self-esteem, and she never mentioned the key again. He didn't have the courage to speak either.On the one hand, I certainly feel that I am not worthy, on the other hand, I am also afraid of being locked up and unable to escape.Whenever he couldn't restrain his desire to meet her, he either called to make an appointment, or ran to the door of her apartment on Linsen Road and waited.Once, she was soaked by the rain and her lower body was soaked by the rain. She finally looked forward to her car coming, and suddenly turned around and ran away. Ever since he got the news of Qihua, when the two of them were together, for him, he had lost the simple joy and happiness of the past.He suppressed himself again and again, only wishing to be happy to make up for an unspeakable sinful feeling in his heart.Lixing made him think of his wife more and more, especially at the moment of forgetting love, the almost hysterical laughter, just like his wife's laughter at the first marriage, made him feel surprised and awed, and finally trembled all over his body. This kind of painful tryst, accompanied by the condemnation of conscience, originally hoped that with this trip to the United States, it would become a thing of the past.Now facing this new bunch of keys, he is even more confused. you fool!Uncle's ridicule is still in my ears. He sighed, took out his cigarette and puffed it up. What a fool, he was glad that he had escaped the embarrassment and embarrassment of being alone with her tonight, but this cold key reminded him that the problem was still imminent. Even after burning three sticks of cigarettes, he couldn't figure out the slightest clue.Like Uncle Heng, he was too tired to lean his head back on the chair back. Ping, ping, ping. Suddenly there was the sound of something being thrown. how Uncle Heng woke up with a start, rubbed his eyes and asked. He sat up straight and listened for a while before he concluded that it was the sound from downstairs. It seems that Lao Mi quarreled with his wife again, I hate it! The old man struggled to his feet and staggered into the kitchen, yawning all the way. The tea is cold, don't drink it yet, I'll boil the water again.Look at the birthday present Lixing gave me. He quietly took the keychain away. Uncle Heng looked at the cigarette case for a while, then suddenly sighed and said: I feel uncomfortable for doing what I can, really uncomfortable.I only regret that I am not sixty years old, otherwise Jing Han, you are a fool, you will regret it one day! He can't explain himself, he can only talk about it from left to right. What happened to Mrs. Mi?Divorce is divorce, why are you arguing! Speaking of Mrs. Mi, the old man was angry. The feminist movement in the United States, hum, turned all women into tigresses!This Mrs. Mi is really close to ink, even more powerful than American women! It was a rare occasion for the old man to show favoritism to Lao Mi. He recalled the last time he saw Lao Mi, the panicked look after receiving the phone call, and the humble look to his son, all showed that this is a poor man without the dignity of a father. While the two of them were drinking hot tea, there was another voice of people talking downstairs. what happened?Uncle Heng was puzzled.Looks like a party is on! A cup of tea was not finished, and there was a rapid knock on the door of his own house. He got up to open the door. A thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy stood at the door in shock, panting with his mouth open. Find Grandpa Hu and find Grandpa Hu. Uncle Heng rushed over upon hearing the sound, and interrogated him when they met: Mi Guang, what happened? The police are here, ask Grandpa Hu to come, mother her The young man spoke incoherently, as he spoke, he reached out and pulled his hair, as if trying to straighten it. How could it provoke the police? Well, I'll come right away. If he couldn't ask the essentials, the old man had to agree. I'm going to have a look too. He followed downstairs. The neighbor across from Mi's house, an old Caucasian lady, opened a crack in the door and poked her head out to look around.Her curly hair looks like a hedgehog.Seeing the old and the young walking over, they immediately retracted their heads and closed the door with a bang. Mi's kitchen was in a mess, most of the dishes were broken on the floor, and leftovers were scattered all over the table. The last time I saw Mingming stood at the doorway leading to the living room with his head shrunken, his hands clutching one side of the doorframe, as if he was afraid of falling. Two tall policemen came, one black and one white, with guns and walkie-talkies on their waists. The machines hissed from time to time, adding to the tense atmosphere in the room. The black man sat on the sofa with Mrs. Mi, concentrating on taking notes.When the three of them came in, he raised his head and let out a hello, then lowered his head and rustled on the pad. He hit me on the shoulder, here it is. Mrs. Mi spoke in slow but clear English, while leaning over and pointing to the beaten part. She looked rather embarrassed, with the top of her brown cloth suit unbuttoned to reveal a red shirt that was unbuttoned.Her permed hair was messy like an overturned bird's nest, and the corners of her eyes were obviously red and swollen.However, she nodded politely when she saw two people coming. Mr. Hu, could you please be an interpreter for Mr. Mi? She then introduced Uncle Heng's name to the white policeman who was standing by the corner with her husband. Hello, Mr. Hu, thank you for coming to help. Because of the language barrier, the white policeman was chewing gum to pass the time, while shaking his well-developed limbs boredly.Seeing Uncle Heng at this time, he quickly stopped chewing and took out his notebook. Lao Mi leaned his back against the wall, his face drooping expressionlessly, and he clutched the front of his blue cloth jacket with both hands.Hearing people coming, he even lowered his head, almost touching his chest; his eyes fixed on a pair of black-faced white plastic-soled cloth shoes on his feet.That shady appearance is like a thief who has stolen everything. The machine on the waist of the white policeman suddenly spoke a human language.He picked it up and reported the location to the police station, then turned off the machine. We'd better go to another room.Is there any room left? the policeman asked. Uncle Heng replied yes, and told Lao Mi what he meant. Lao Mi raised his head and stared at the old man strangely.It was also a mess of hair, and sweat-stained locks covered his forehead.Compared with a week ago, his face has lost a lot of weight, his eye sockets are sunken, but his eyes are gray and dull, as if he has lost the ability to sense the surrounding things. Lao Mi, can we talk in your bedroom? Uncle Heng repeated again. This time, Lao Mi understood, blinked, and took the lead. I warned him last time that if he beats the child again, I must call the police. Mrs. Mi didn't even look at her husband who walked by, and continued to narrate to the black policeman. Don't be afraid, Lao Mi, it's fine. When Lao Mi passed by, he comforted him in a low voice. Lao Mi immediately stopped, turned his face to exchange a look with him, a short flash of familiarity and appreciation.His lips parted slightly, but he finally said nothing and walked away with his head down. He was about to quit, but found that Mi Guang was standing next to Mi Ming, with one hand on the door frame on the other side, his gloomy eyes wandering back and forth between the faces of his mother and the black man. Mi Ming still shrank his head, with a dull and bewildered expression. No one paid any attention to the two brothers.They were the cause of the event, but forgotten, alone by the doorframe, bewildered. He is very sorry for the two children.At a young age, I witnessed the embarrassment of parents accusing each other and father being questioned, and the trauma left behind will be irreparable. Excuse me, Mr. Police Officer, he asked the police politely as soon as his heart moved, I am Mr. Hu's nephew.Can you bring the kids to our apartment?Just upstairs. Well, we don't need a statement from the child.The police have only one condition: as long as their mother agrees. Mrs. Mi immediately agreed, and told her son: You go with Uncle Hu, you must be obedient, understand?Mom will come and take you home. After giving the order, she turned around and continued to talk to the police.His expression is fierce and calm, like a rooster fighting fiercely, and he will not back down unless he wins. He took the key from Uncle Heng and took the two brothers out.When I took it to the door, I heard the indifferent and flat official tone of the black policeman: Do you want us to arrest Mr. Mi? The closed door happened to stifle Mrs. Mi's answer. A can of butter biscuits prepared for Qihua's arrival a week ago is still intact in the cupboard; a dozen Coca-Cola bottles are also missing.He sat the brothers down in the kitchen and served them cookies and soda. Mom and Dad quarreled, don't worry, they will make up soon. He gently comforted the children, never asking the reason for the quarrel, only frequently persuading them to eat and drink. Mi Guang buried his head in drinking Coke and didn't touch the biscuits.Mi Ming didn't finish chewing a piece of butter biscuit in half a day, eating less than the bird. He thought of his own pair of twin grandsons, who were between the ages of the brothers, and they didn't know what happened when they ate.Was he so silent and lacking appetite?Looking at the photos, the two are healthy and strong.When grandma mentioned them, she couldn't do without words like sensible and hardworking.Once rated as a five-good student, with so many good students, it must be delicious to eat. He couldn't help feeling deeply grateful for his daughter.She and her husband have a harmonious relationship, are dedicated to their work, and must be a good mother.She even agreed with her mother's divorce so that her father could have a happy old age. What a meticulous, forgiving and filial thought!Thinking of this, my heart felt warm. Do you want to watch TV? Seeing that the two brothers had no taste in eating and drinking, he changed his way to tease them.I really want to hold the two brothers in my arms and comfort them.But I have never dealt with children before, so I dare not reach out to touch them rashly. Let's go watch TV. The two brothers showed no expression, but they didn't mean to refuse either, so he walked to his uncle's bedroom first. Sure enough, they followed. Just after choosing a TV station, before I figured out the plot, I heard a knock on the door. It's okay, you just watch TV. When he went to answer the door, he specially closed the bedroom door. Uncle Heng brought Mrs. Mi up. Where's Lao Mi? He asked directly. He is at home. Uncle Heng said as he stepped into the door. He breathed a sigh of relief as if he had escaped a disaster.After all, Mrs. Mi didn't ask the police to arrest her husband.It's appalling for Chinese women to do this. Mr. Hu, I'm really sorry today.It doesn't matter if the family ugliness is publicized, I'm really sorry to disturb the neighbors! Mrs. Mi had a purse under her armpit, and her hair was still disheveled, but her coat was neatly buttoned, and her face was especially peaceful and calm.Although she was apologizing, there was no expression of shame; the two eyes were cold and resolute, as if everything was under her expectation and control. For some reason, looking at Mrs. Mi, he suddenly thought of Spanish bullfighting. Mrs. Mi looked like a female fighter who had no chance of winning. Quarrels between husband and wife are common, please don't take it to heart.Do you want to come in and sit down? The master stood aside and didn't show any sign, but he couldn't let a female guest stand outside the door, so he had to invite her instead. No, thank you.I want to take Guangguang and Mingming away now.They can no longer live with Lao Mi, and they will be abused!How can I vent my anger on the child at every turn! Xu is a mother and child who love each other deeply, she became excited after she spoke, and her voice suddenly jumped an octave higher. Mrs. Mi, come in and sit down. The owner was probably afraid of disturbing the neighbors, so he hurriedly invited.After a day of tossing, the old man himself was too tired, so he first sat down with a chair in the kitchen. Don't sit down, I'll leave right away. She stepped into the aisle and stood with her back against the kitchen door, talking non-stop about how Lao Mi beat his second child last time. Five paw marks left on Mingming's face, scaring the primary school teacher!People come to question me, it's not that I say good or bad, maybe I will have to sue!This is America!Can you hit a child casually? 關上了大門，他給她站在廚房門口，低聲勸她再慎重考慮。 我看，老米也很愛孩子。打了孩子後，他很後悔的。 regret what?接著一聲冷笑。剛保證過不再動手，今天不又大打出手？ 他心情不好。 其實，誰又心情特別好呢？ 他被問得啞口無言。 恆叔事不關己地歪了腦袋，已閉上眼打盹。 我每天工作十二小時，又忙又累。好不容易碰到週末，我過來看孩子，給大家做了幾個菜吃。夫妻離婚，犯不著把孩子也捲進去，您說是吧，胡先生？我高高興興回來做飯，就是要讓孩子們知道，父母雖然要離婚，可都愛他們。沒想到一上飯桌，他就鬧彆扭啦！說我離間他們父子感情，又說自己窮得身無分文，因為找不到事光光只是說了一句爸爸應該出去找工作，他馬上光火，一拳就搥了過來。還有比這更蠻不講理的嗎？ 他沒有給夫妻勸架的經驗，一時語塞。 我不過給孩子衛護一句，好傢伙，他立刻也對我來一拳！喏，這裏。 激動中，她把他當成驗傷的警察。 老米脾氣不好，顯然是不適應美國的生活。 那就回國呀！ 她說，早在西安時，已同老米明講了，美國機會很多，但也並非處處黃金，若住不慣，可以隨時回去。孩子來了不久，便宣佈不要回去，只有他遲疑不決。找不到事是藉口，關鍵是他拉不下臉，不肯到餐館打工。 還戀戀不忘他那科長派頭，拿手的是搞政治運動和整人。這些本事在美國哪能派上用場？他就嚷英雄無用武之地嚷有什麼用，這個國家就興動手呀？ 恆叔睡著了，米太太嗓門再高也吵不醒老人。 他再次請米太太到客廳坐。 不不，我馬上就走。 她可是沒有挪動腳步的表示。 老米可能一時無法接受離婚的事實，他委婉地勸說，過一陣子，生活適應了，那時再提出，相信他會想得開。 She dismisses it. 我提出離婚，一則是施加壓力，催促他自力更生，二則也是彼此沒有感情。我們的婚姻，開始便沒有愛情，他也知道。 她說，當初接受求婚是出自感恩心情。他不嫌自己出身臭老九，是摘了帽的右派，文革初期又受過衝擊這些都令她感激感動。但是，感恩不是愛情，她一再強調這一點。當然，那個年代，愛情是個被遺棄的詞彙，老米只強調他的無產階級感情，相信終能改造她的思想，一直很有自信。她說她一直努力壓抑自己，從不抱怨，婚後幾年倒也相安無事但是，那只限於大陸。 在美國可無法湊合了，她說，性情不合真到了格格不入的地步，壓根就不能溝通思想。我們沒有第三者，也說不上背叛或遺棄，是不是？ 她攤開手掌，似乎在展示自己的清白。 他不知怎麼替老米辯解。沒有愛情的婚姻，乍聽很不道德，但是時下有多少婚姻是單靠愛情維繫的呢？當初在中國相安無事，到了美國才發現不對，到底原因何在？誰的責任呢？ 他相信，婚姻是一項雙方的承諾，要解除也該彼此心平氣和，尤其要注意對孩子的影響。不知為什麼，雖然老米是肇事之因，他卻隱隱感到後者受了委屈。 也許老米對你還有感情，他盡量揣測老米的心情，代為表達，當初不管是在什麼情況下結合，也還是有感情基礎的。十幾年過來，有了孩子，一直是個安定的家，一旦破裂，未免可惜 她卻微微笑了，緩慢但堅決地搖著那頭鳥窩。 沒有愛情的婚姻，其實是一場欺騙。 她像背誦什麼格言，有板有眼地唸了出來。 沒有愛情欺騙。似是而非，分歧在哪裏呢？他暗自思量著愛情的定義。是了，多半是定義不同。然而米太太不容許他開口譬解管自繼續為自己辯護下去。 我和他分手，有一半也是為了孩子好。 她以為，孩子和她在美國住，教育和生活條件都比西安強。離了婚後，情形也一樣。他可以隨時探望兒子；生活條件改善時，要接走兒子她也不反對。 但是目前不行！She is very persistent.他的行為，首先就起了壞榜樣。 據說在西安時，老米向來捨不得碰一下孩子。現在竟一反常態，疑心重重，不是打就是罵。再不然就亂寵小孩，用籠絡收買的手段。甚至在孩子面前說他們媽媽的壞話，又倒過來指控她挑撥父子感情。 孩子被他攪昏了頭，這樣下去，豈不混淆是非？何況，他喜怒無常，他們也怕他。 今晚你還是別帶走孩子，我陪他們回家，一定沒事。 他為老米求情，不惜挺身出來擔保。 鬧得出動了警察，他特別指出這一點，老米一定覺得沒面子，孩子再不回去，肯定更傷心。 我不放心孩子。他們若是留下來，我怕有一天要出事。 她終於把孩子帶走。 這時，恆叔已睡得整頭癱在飯桌上，發出洪亮而均勻的鼾聲。 他喊醒了老人。 恆叔似乎把米家事件整個忘記了，醒來只問他，現在是什麼時刻。 nine thirty. 這麼晚了唔，睡吧。 他已疲乏不堪，於是分頭漱洗，早早去睡。