Chapter 4 third chapter

Huiyang's superficial calm is deceiving.James remembered that it was only ten minutes away from the train station he had just arrived at yesterday.He pretended to be a tourist with nothing to do, standing in front of the window and browsing the exhibits, but he knew he was attracting attention.The attitude of the people was very friendly, but only a few children followed him around, trying to talk to him. At the railway station he saw a group of businessmen, farmers and their wives, and several groups of soldiers who were going to hitchhike elsewhere.In front of the ticket office, people lined up to buy tickets.The women carried their children, and the poor peasants carried all kinds of bundles, bags, and baskets.The whole station wafts the smell of the farm or the drying yard.He understands that they are conditioned to rule out waiting for anything.Their well-behaved patience brought him a heavy sense of oppression.Along with giant portraits of Stalin and Mao Zedong, there are charts on the walls showing productivity rates over the past decade.Timetables for trains and roads are also clearly marked.There is also a street map of Huiyang, and a map of important traffic routes in Guangdong Province, carefully marking the new administrative districts.All of these are symptoms of a new bureaucracy.He noticed that many men wore only shorts, or trousers just long enough to cover the knees, apparently because of a shortage of fabric.A pair of patterned leather shoes on his feet attracted many envious eyes.

While he was studying the map on the wall, a sudden silence flooded the station hall.Twelve to fifteen soldiers escorted six or seven handcuffed peasants to the train platform.Everyone watched in silence, showing a look of horror.A woman suddenly rushed forward, waved hopelessly at one of the escorts, and finally burst into uncontrollable wailing.A policeman came over and gently helped her away.The onlookers speculated that those people were going to be sent to the northeast?Xinjiang, or Hainan Island?But everyone seems to agree that these people will never come back.Some people will even be sent to the terrible Qinghai swampland for reclamation, where most of the people who are reformed through labor will die there.

James pretended to be looking at a map when a policeman came and patted him, asking for his passport. I just got here.James took out his passport and spoke fluent Cantonese. The policeman looked at his passport and returned it to him, as if satisfied. When are you going back to Hong Kong? I think about a week or so. James felt that it would be prudent to leave the station.Looking west, he could catch a glimpse of the road, which was supposed to be a path leading to the escape route.He strolled back to the city center.The 1926 revolution of the Kuomintang won its first victory in Huiyang.Today, the walls have all been demolished.The Xijiang River, which flows down from the east, joins the Dongjiang River in the north of Huiyang.James has a sense of direction; he knows that as long as he passes through Huiyang City, any street can help him get to the river.

He felt, and also saw, eyes watching him from behind the bamboo curtain at the door. Some newer streets have sidewalks, but most of the older houses still have steps to protect against rising river water during flood season. He had a strong desire to get acquainted with the place where Yi Su was born and grew up.When he came to a relatively secluded place by the river, where there were a few trees and cool shade, he leaned on the trunk of a cypress tree and took out a cigarette. He was thinking about himself, about what he was about to do, how to leave the city with Yi Su.He had to meet Fan Shitian to know.

The scenery on the other side of the river gradually attracted his attention.A mile away, a train stopped.Some cattle wagons were full of people standing in the hot sun, but no one got out.A few minutes later, the whistle sounded, and the train headed for Guangdong along the river.He thought, probably to transport the laborers elsewhere.Maybe it was transported to a distant province, or it might be recruited to cut trees in Mount Liufu.When the plume of smoke from the train gradually dissipated, he saw in the distance a mass of black and blurred figures, lined up in a long procession; like ants, slowly crossing the field.Long ranks, moving in different directions.Perhaps the peasants of the village commune were at work: the facts convinced him it must be so.Several teams of peasants broke up and scattered in the scorching field. The scene before them was terrible, and it seemed so unreal.What would happen if hundreds of millions of people in a country were organized like an army to produce food like the peasants before him?

Fifty yards below him, seventy or eighty militiamen with guns on their backs were crossing the bridge and walking towards the opposite bank. The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away.He watched the soldiers cross the bridge and turn left. Hey, what kind of soldiers are those crossing the bridge?As he turned to walk away, he asked a small child. militia. Where are they going? Go to Boro, I thought.Two policemen were killed there yesterday. The child ran away suddenly, as if he had said something wrong. What will happen to Boro?This question haunted him as he walked back to church.

By lunch time, there was still no news of Yi Su.James looked restless. Did she agree to contact that person? yes.She said she couldn't leave the hospital and couldn't ask her father until lunch time.She would ask her little nephew to bring the news to the hospital, and she would tell us right away. How much do you know about this surname Fan?Is he reliable?Angelica asked. I got to know him from a refugee in Hong Kong who escaped with his help.He has helped many people escape.The funny thing and what I didn't understand was that his mailing address was actually the Cultural Bureau; it seemed that he had quite a few powerful friends in the party.

Does he do this for money? I think so.In the past few years, there has been a lot of black market transactions, and he is probably doing it too.They have a way. How do they pay for it? They deposited the money in a bank in Hong Kong.He has friends in Hong Kong. Fan Shitian came from a family, Angelica explained.His grandfather was a Taoist.Of course Yi Su's father knew him.Four or five years ago, the party confiscated all their property and sealed up all their shops. Fan Shitian voluntarily donated 30,000 yuan to the party to escape the catastrophe.Life was hard for him, a man used to having everything he could.

It took three hours to receive Yi Su's note.At half past four, I had to wait for an outpatient in the thirteenth ward.I will wait at the entrance. It's Yi Su's note.She said and handed it to James. Where is Ward 13? Angelica smiled.It's a room in the basement, usually locked.That's the morgue, but don't be afraid, it's empty. You mean I'm going to meet Van there? That's what the note says, and I'm sure it's right.You can sneak in through the side door.No one will see you. The hospital built with red bricks was built at the same time as the church house. The distance between the two is only a step away, separated by a row of grass, banana trees and thick bamboo.From the side of the church, people could be seen walking in the wide corridor above the courtyard.

James was waiting by the side door, his heart pounding, wishing he could see Isu at this moment, and soon, a white figure wearing a nurse's cap appeared at the side door.Her hair is black.If anything, her face was rounder and her figure was fuller than she remembered.But when he crossed the threshold, the man, like a frightened fawn, retreated into the dark corridor. He made his way across the clearing, as unseen as possible; he saw the face reappear for a moment, and then disappeared into the darkness again. There was no light in the corridor, and he couldn't see when he walked in from the glare of the sun.Only heard a faint voice saying, here.Then a hand grabbed him.He felt a woman's body pressed against him, soft, warm, slender, a head shorter than him.it's me.The soft whisper was a voice he hadn't heard for a long time.

Oh dear James, at last Iso whimpered. For some time, they were silent without speaking a word.It was the moment they had been waiting and looking forward to for so many years.Yi Su kept kissing him, quickly and briskly.Then, quietly, they felt deeply content.When he smelled the fragrance of her hair and hugged her petite body tightly with his hands, he knew that what he was hugging tightly now was the most important girl in his life, and if he had her, he would have another new life.She remembered the warmth of his fingers touching her back before.She looked up, and from that close face he saw her eyes gleaming in the dark. Come with me, she whispered.When Fan Shitian is gone, I will come to see you again.We cannot let others see.Her voice is as lively and brisk as ever. She took his hand.As his eyes adjusted, he saw tiled hallways and plastered walls.She opens a door.The light coming in from the two small windows above reveals a bearded man in his forties.He stood up immediately. This is Mr. Fan.This is Mr. Dai, my friend.Isu said. Mr. Fan held out a hand, and James took it.Nice to meet you, he whispered in Cantonese.The two looked at each other.The Fan Shitian that James originally imagined in his mind was like the scholars he knew in Beijing, gentle and polite, and he thought every word when he spoke, without rushing or rushing.In a way, he wasn't disappointed.Fan Shitian has a gray beard and tortoiseshell glasses, but his scholarly look is spoiled by his dirty and wrinkled clothes.This set of clothes is too inappropriate for someone like him.However, he gave James the impression that he was a deep and calm person. You talk here, I have to go.I'll come back later, I can't let them come to me. When Yi Su spoke, she faced her friend with a smile on her face, walked to the door, looked back reluctantly, and then went out.She was wearing sneakers and walked quietly.Soon, there was the sound of a key turning on the door. There were two beds in the room, only sheets were laid, and a strong smell of Lysal disinfectant permeated the whole room.The rest of the furniture is very spartan.Fan Shitian pulled out a creaky rattan chair and asked him to sit down. oh no.James said, please sit down.Sitting on a bed with a firm buttocks. Are you sure you are not being followed?is it safe hereFan asked. I believe it's safe here. Mr. Duan Yisu's father told me that you want to see me. That's right. Are you trying to get your girlfriend out of the country? Yes.Mr. Huang Qiaobei told me that you tried to help his two sons out. Oh yes, Huang Qiao Bei.A smile spread across Fan Shitian's face, and he leaned back comfortably, looking at ease. Do you have a cigarette? Can we smoke here?James asked hesitantly. I don't care. James felt a dignity in his voice, and he took out a pack of cigarettes and handed it over.Fan Shitian took a cigarette and fondled it fondly for a long time before putting it in his mouth. Is there a fire? James struck him a match.Fan Shitian smoked with style.His nostrils twitched with sensual satisfaction. You don't understand how cheap human dignity is these days.We were even forced to smoke an extremely low quality weed.Fan Shitian switched to Peking dialect, with a distinctly thick accent. When Fan Shitian was enjoying the cigarette to his heart's content, James looked at him carefully.His first thought was that there was something funny about the gentleman's appearance; the ragged coat and worn black trousers did not match his countenance or tone of voice.In his imagination, the person talking to him should be a gentleman in a chic silk gown, with white hands, holding a copper-nickel hookah.He tried to avoid Fan Shitian's cloth shoes.Because of the awkwardness, the incongruity shocked him. tell me.I understand that you are going to help her cross the border. James nodded. It's much easier if you don't plan to go yourself.You are Caucasian and easy to spot on the road.No white person has ever done this before. So let me be the first to try it out.He said with British reservedness. I mean, if you just want her out, let her take a boat to Guangzhou and then down the river to Macau. You mean to let her go alone? Yes, it's easier to handle things like this. I don't want to do that.I didn't want her to risk it alone, and I didn't have a pass, and I had no reason to be in Guangzhou.I couldn't have her hiding in a small boat, at the risk of being bombarded both by Communist patrol boats and by British maritime patrol boats. Are you saying you'd rather climb the mountain? Yes, I'd rather be on dry land where I can protect myself. You mean to climb Wutong Mountain, like Huang Qiaobei. Not bad at all.I knew we would only walk at night and hide in the mountains during the day.As long as I'm on land, I can protect myself.I think your people know all the routes and places to rest. almost.You cannot be detected in daylight.You better not.Our people can take care of you from Pingshan or Longgang.The question is how do you and her get to Pingshan or Longgang? From here to Longgang will not exceed twenty kilometers.There must be a way. Yes.There is a road leading to Danshui and Pingshan.Starting from Pingshan, my people will be able to respond. Need a pass to Pingshan? Unless you have proper identification.I can do this for you.They've loosened up a lot over the past two years. why? Because the mobility of the population is too great, from towns to villages, and from villages back to towns.There are commandos everywhere.The police couldn't figure out exactly where a man came from.I also helped a Shanghainese get a Pingshan resident card, and they let him pass.I have also helped other people get out of the country.But your question is very special. Fan Shitian was silent for a while.The cigarette was burned to the last inch.He smiled and said: I like your idea of ​​crossing the border.Have you ever been to Korea? James nodded. Then you must be a good shooter. not bad.I didn't take part in the battle.I was in the United Nations Army and learned to protect myself. I believe you can take care of yourself. James told him about the pistol.Fan Shitian seemed extremely attentive. They took the gun away.It won't be returned until I leave. Then you go and get it back. I'm not that crazy. Where is the gun now? In the party committee. You'll need this gun.You're a good shooter, aren't you? This is the second time Fan Shitian has asked this question. I think I am. I love watching gunfights in westerns.Why don't you go to the party committee, say something nice, and get the gun back? I don't think they will grant my request. It's hard to say.Maybe or let me get it back for you? James looked at him in surprise.There was no expression on Fan Shitian's face.Finally he said: I will do this. James was surprised.When do you think I can go? I must first identify our contacts in Longgang or Pingshan.Also, get your documents ready.This matter will take several days. The door lock clicked, and Yi Su walked in, looked at Fan Shitian, and then at James; her eyes flashed with a smile, and she asked in a low voice: How is it?She took off her hat, ran her hands through her hair, and with a quick glance at James said: I'm off duty now. For the first time James felt that Iso was a woman.The charm of a mature young woman has replaced the freshness of an eighteen-year-old girl.Her eyes seemed to speak a thousand words; she must have suffered all these years from war and separation.The calm and flowing eyes revealed a depth that was not there before.Although she was beautiful in the past, she is very beautiful now.Now there is a flowing light in her eyes, and he thinks she is even more charming; this pair of dark pools tells how much passion, how much suffering and injury, how much anticipation the torment of the years.Her cheeks became fuller, her already plump lips showed soft curves, her round chin and fair neck outlined a beautiful curve.She was wearing a long gown with white spots on a blue background.She seemed to be listening to Fan Shitian's words, but her focused eyes were gazing at James enthusiastically. We are discussing our plans.He insisted on crossing mountains and mountains with you.We have to be very careful, Fan Shitian said.Because, you know, he's easy to get noticed.However, no matter what, we will always find a way.Do you really want to try it? Yi Su looked up.certainly.I'm not afraid when I'm with him. You know, it's quite dangerous. Yi Su said with a confident smile: We have to go.I've been waiting for this opportunity for years. Then don't worry.James said.I'm here to help, and I'll take care of her. I will message you again.I advise your aunt to be ready to leave at any time. Fan Shitian turned to Yi Su and said: The whole trip will take about four or five days.You must be well prepared.You will go on the road as a resident of Pingshan, dressed as a peasant girl.I will prepare the residence card.May need warmer clothes and jackets for the road.Don't bring any luggage, at most a country woman's bag.Sew a wide belt as a bellyband.Put as much fried rice in it as you can, but don't let people see it.He has to bring some too.This is probably the case. James took out his wallet and at the same time whispered something in Isu's ear.Yi Su frowned and stopped him.He shouldn't be embarrassing a respectable person; her father would ask him indirectly how much it cost. Fan Shitian stood up and said goodbye. I will let you know as soon as I have news. James shook his hand. good.shall we meet againRight here, maybe tomorrow? Fan Shitian's answer was very concise.I'm not sure yet.Many things happened in the city.Anyway, we just keep in touch. Did you just say that you could get the pistol back for me? I will try it out.You need that gun. James thanked him heartily.Fan Shitian got up and left.Yi Su sent him off for a while, and then gently closed the door. James waited patiently for Isu.She came back after a while. Everything is fine, right?he asks. Yi Su nodded.I want to make sure that no one from the hospital is looking for me.What do you think of Fan Shitian? I think I can trust him.He is organized, and it is true that he has a lot of stumbling elements. Saying that, James and Isu stared at each other, with searching eyes in their eyes to revisit the mysterious bond that bound them together; unknowingly, the two had embraced tightly. Oh, James. Honey! James felt warm tears on his neck.He hugged her tenderly, letting her hair rub against his chest; then he lifted her chin and looked deeply into the tearful smile on her face.Shyly, she quickly buried her head in his shoulder, and slowly turned and dawdled to feel his presence.No one spoke.His hands moved on her back, stroking, rubbing, and exploring. You are more beautiful than I remember you or dream you. She raised her head and looked at him, her pursed lips revealed tender satisfaction; her shining eyes searched every corner of his face. Did you dream about me? Only you in the dream. always like this? always like this.Now we will never be apart. I can't wait for Mr. Fan to leave.I don't know what he is talking about? You are not paying attention.Didn't you hear what he said? It doesn't sound right. What did he say about bellybands. What bellyband? You are wonderful.You really didn't listen. No.I really didn't hear anything. You are amazing. Can you say that again. You are absolutely amazing.He told you to sew some sashes and put some fried rice in them.Food for our journey. I seem to have heard a little bit, and now I think about it.I'm so confused.Chinese women usually wear bellybands.A triangular piece of cloth is worn on the chest inside the clothes, and there is a small pocket for things such as change handkerchiefs. I don't know! I think the fried rice won't be cold like this.I keep warm with the temperature of the body, and I will know it. Seeing you are still so happy. You are not yet.The thought of taking me out!Remember when we talked about the difference between madness and insanity?We agree that the word insanity is more appropriate.Infatuation borders on childish or naive foolishness, and people in love are like this. You also taught me the word Chaomu. possessed.She corrected him, pursing her lips into a round O shape. possessed.He imitated her.She touched his lips lightly. magic. magic. Their lips met.She wanted to back down, but he wouldn't let her break free.He sat down on the hard plank bed and pulled her over.She sat sideways on his lap and said: I feel like I'm in a dream right now. You must have suffered a lot over the years. I don't want to talk about that anymore.I really didn't expect you to appear like this but you are indeed here. You're not afraid to walk with me, are you? Fear?I couldn't be more excited.This summer many people have gone, and I want to try it myself, but my father forbids me to try it. I have many things to tell you.James said, I really don't know where to start.We will get married in Hong Kong.I've got a house ready for you Why are you crying? Yi Su took out a handkerchief and blew his nose.I'm so happy.I can't believe it.Could this be true? of course it's true. James watched her face, she suddenly went limp and fell forward, and James hugged her tightly.It was just a reflex, as if in an instant the strength that had supported her whole body and mind for so many years was pulled away. Ah, James, why didn't you tell me sooner that you were coming to fetch me? I can't tell you in a letter, can I? She put her hands on his shoulders, ran her fingers through his hair, and then, sliding her hands down, caressed his shoulders and arms, she wanted to feel his body, his presence with all her senses. . tell me you are jamesDaye, it's not a dream. I'm James.Daye, your James. So, a kiss fell on his lips, a passionate long kiss, she seemed to use this kiss to quench her deep hunger and thirst, absorb nutrients for her soul and body, and start a new life again.He hugged her, her soft body was nestled in his arms, and her whole body and mind were devoted to him. James' heart was pounding.He is crazy now, not insane.He held the treasure in his arms, and in a few days it would be his bride.He bent his head and kissed her tenderly and lovingly.He didn't want to tarnish their first union of soul and body in such an ugly environment. However, he had a strange feeling that the two had merged into one.It didn't matter that she was a Chinese; all barriers of time and space were gone, she was just a woman; a woman who belonged to him as fully as he belonged to hers.During his courtship in Beijing, he was very sensitive to the traditions of Chinese girls.She represented his inviolable tradition.He had been amazed at his self-control.Yi Su also proved that his self-control was right.She belongs to that ancient oriental tradition, when a girl gives her heart to a man, she belongs to him for the rest of her life.She had had many suitors, but she had no interest.During the first year of Communist rule, free love was so common that it was even taken for granted.Marriage is easy but divorce is easier.A two- or three-line ad in the newspaper is enough to start with the two of us.Boys and girls believe that they are branded and scientific in this way.But Yi Su sticks to strict Chinese traditions.She is not a party member and refuses to catch up with the times.James felt the same way. He instinctively knew that Yi Su valued freedom in spirit, but disapproved of freedom in love, and the youths of the Communist Party were all free in love, but not free in spirit.Now, eight years of suffering are coming to an end.She would belong to him completely. I have to go, she said, and I'll be back tonight. Wait, don't go.We still have so much to talk about. So I'm coming again tonight.What we have to talk about cannot be finished in a few minutes. What time is it tonight? Around eight o'clock.okay?Did you know there is a gazebo next to the fence?I will be there. is it safe thereAre you willing to take the risk? I'm willing to take risks, for us.I'll sneak in from the hospital.I must speak to my father now.There's a lot going on in the city. Reluctantly, James let her go, watched her disappear beyond the door, and returned to the church. The gazebo is in the shade at the corner of the hospital, behind a clump of banana trees.When Yi Su was depressed by chance, he hid here alone.Usually no one comes.The wooden boards for people to sit in the pavilion were either broken or missing a piece, making it very uncomfortable to sit on.James found her sitting on the ground, on a broken cushion, with her hands clasping her knees.She looked up at him.It was a cool evening at the end of September, and it was still bright enough for the two of them to see each other's faces clearly.James crouched in front of her, their hands held together. For a few minutes they rubbed their noses together and pressed their foreheads together like two kittens.It was one of their old love tricks.James once asked Yi Su if Chinese couples don't kiss, but just sniff each other's bodies.However, Yi Su also asked back, is it true that British lovers just rub noses together when they are together?They find this game very interesting. Have you talked to your dad? Yes.Yi Su raised his head and fell silent. Of course he will let you go. certainly.Her voice turned serious, and she went on: James, I want to ask you a few things, very important things.Would you like to think carefully about it?This event means a lot to me. Of course I will consider anything you ask. She patted his hand in confidence. We are getting married, can we take my father with us?He is fifty-nine years old and in poor health.You know us.Chinese girls cannot forget the happiness of their elderly parents.My mother is dead, and he will be alone without me.I would very much like him to go with us. I understand.I have nothing against him being with us.We have a big house and garden and servants.All I worry about is the road.can he swimWe have to cross a river.I know you can swim. No, he can't swim.But I worry about his poor health.That's all because of malnutrition.We get less than half of our daily calorie needs.Once we are in Hong Kong, with proper food and care, our health will definitely improve.If I left him alone, I would die of grief. James looked at her silently. Well, if that makes you happy. My nephew, Xiao Ya'er, has to go too.He had just turned ten years old.Yi Su chuckled and sighed.I'm really desperate.But what can I do?Such is the environment. We're going to take a fair amount of risk but okay.I know you won't be happy unless your daddy is with you. Yi Su gently pressed on his knee, expressing her silent gratitude, gratitude and trust.It was her first taste of victory, of true love in the man she chose to be her husband, willing to sacrifice. James put his arms around her shoulders and stroked her hair.In his arms, she looked so petite, so helpless. I would do anything for you, honey.He said.I hope he can bear everything on the road, we walk over mountains and mountains. My dad said that many things happened in the city these days.Fan Shitian said the same thing this afternoon.We have to act fast. What happened? The common people rebelled.Several more murders took place in Boluo.Today, several houses were burned down and it is not known who set the fire.Deng Ping also went there.Many fleeing people poured into Huiyang.Everyone is afraid of forming a commune.The commune meant that we were going to organize and set up a military-administered labor camp.No one likes this.Things can explode at any time.We must be prepared. They talked about other things.Their dreams, their home in Hong Kong, and the preparations before going on the road, and then reluctantly kissed goodbye. Her father and her nephew, Xiao Yaer, would meet James at three o'clock the next afternoon, ostensibly on the grounds that Mr. Duan and his family were coming to say goodbye to Sister Angelika.