Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

At the first rooster crow, Xing Le heard a strange noise from the kitchen below.He knew that the sugar cane was going to work in the fields, so Bai Ying got up and prepared a hot breakfast for him.Summer in the mountains dawns early. Xing Le was awakened by the noise, and it took a while to concentrate, knowing that she had returned to the heron's nest.He heard the sound of chopping behind him, and got up to look out from the small high window.Bai Ying was wearing pajamas, her hair was tied into a braid, and she was kneeling beside the bamboo.She is cutting bamboo shoots.The refreshing mountain breeze blew, and he felt very sleepy, so he went back to sleep again.

When he woke up again, the whole family got up.It was about eight o'clock.He walked down the crumbling wooden ladder, and saw that his mother had already got up, wearing a wide-sleeved blue linen shirt, and was watering the flowers in the front yard with Wang Zai. mom?He called her from the kitchen door.What are you doing so early. Take care of the flowers.Did you sleep well? very good.I didn't know you all got up so early.He approached her and asked: Have you had breakfast? Um.Your meal is ready.Just now Bai Ying asked you if you got up.She said it was all set and on the kitchen table.

He saw that the wrinkles on his mother's face had lessened last night, and he was very happy that she looked so good and had something to do.He was not surprised.No morning paper to bother her. Come here, she said: We are catching worms on the rosebush.Everywhere.He walked happily to the hedge beside his mother and son.She squinted her eyes, looking for worms on green stems.He looked so attentive and interested.Wang Zai and I come to catch them every morning. You are very happy here.He said. Yes, very happy.Now you go and have breakfast. What about Bo Ying? Do laundry in the back.They have been up for two hours.

At this time, Wangzai ran over to tell his mother that Uncle Xingle had woken up. Xing Le was deeply fascinated by the solemnity of life in the mountain village.He suddenly remembered that his father had told him before going abroad, son, you are going to college.No matter what you learn, what you hear.One thing must never be forgotten.Governments and politicians cannot save the world.All the new knowledge you learn won't save the world either.The world can only be saved if everyone fulfills their duties, and some people think honestly and dare to speak the truth. Xing Le and her mother walked back to the kitchen, and Bai Ying appeared at the door, holding a one-year-old doll in her arms, teasing her.

Good morning!She said that her voice was fresh and lively, like a mountain flower. Good morning.You are up so early. Bai Ying was teasing the doll, pinching her cheek lightly.did you see?How cute, she said: Shall I warm up the food for you?On the table are three dishes of pickled cucumber, salted egg and fermented bean curd covered with a sieve the size of a foot basin.It was made of bamboo skin to keep flies away.There was also a plate of minced meat in fermented soybeans. His mother said it needs to be warmed up, but Xing Le said no.There is a pot of porridge on the brick stove, which is kept warm in a large pot of hot water.

Xingle's mother took out a bowl, filled it with rice, and told him to sit down.Bai Ying sat on a chair, untied her clothes, fed the baby, rocked her, and watched Xing Le eat.She was washing clothes in the backyard, and when she heard the baby crying, she rushed up and carried her down.After the feeding, she carried the baby on her back. I'm going back to do the laundry.she says. During the meal, the mother and son talked about news about their loved ones, about Meigong's marriage and her baby, about Tiankai and his wife, and many old friends at home!Xing Le also talked about her uncle's family in Singapore.

Neither of them talked about his going again; neither of them wanted to think about it.Worst of all, Xingle knows that his mother will sacrifice for him, and if he wants to stay and work in Singapore, she will never be a stumbling block for his son.This is a situation he needs to face alone. He walked out the door and saw Bai Ying hanging the last piece of clothing on the bamboo pole.She has now put the doll down and let her play in the grass. alright.As she spoke, she picked up the empty tin bucket, leaned the tin bucket half on her hip, reached out to hold the doll, and walked towards Xingle.

You finished washing?he asked her. certainly. You get up at dawn.It really makes me ashamed. summer is hot.Doing things in the morning is ideal.I have to do housework, you and Wang Zai can play anywhere. I will try to get up as early as you guys tomorrow morning. you will like it.The first day, of course, you need to sleep a little longer. Can sugar cane come back to eat? Not coming back today.I made him a lunch box so that he could ask his neighbors for water or tea. The next day he wrote to his sister, saying he wanted to see her very much and asked her to come back.He also said that he must see her, and it would be considered a happy reunion.

It was already mid-October when Mei Gong came back.Tianzhu came home from Xiaoxi, and Mrs. Chen felt that they should not bother Aunt Lai's family anymore; besides, there were too many children brought by Meigong.Auntie Lai and Bai Ying both wanted to keep them, but Xingle's mother insisted on going back to their home in the valley. Hey Xingle!When we met, Mei Gong said. hey sister! They always have been.He was proud of her, and she was proud of him.Except for his mother, he always felt that she was the best for him.She always taught him, encouraged him, rebuked him for his mistakes, forgave him, and never lost hope in him.She is four years older than him, so she can teach him a lot of truths without losing the feeling of being a playmate.Mimiya knew his strengths and weaknesses. When he was growing up, she used her elder sister's love and teaching to shape him, guide him, half teacher and half friend, taking on roles that neither teachers nor parents could play.That is the beauty of family life, and there is absolutely no substitute for it in the world.

Meigong is shorter than Xingle.Her skin was tough, her eyes were bright and lively, with even teeth and a prominent jaw. She often resented herself as a girl, because girls had so many restrictions back then.Like her brother, she wanted a college education. I got your letter and wanted to come right away, but I couldn't get away, said Mimiya.The little one has a cold, it's the season and I don't want to risk it.Her baby is only three years old. They have a lot to say.Xing Le's older brother, Xing Qing, is doing well in Shanghai. My sister thinks it's too developed to work as a secretary in a government agency.He married the daughter of the commander of the garrison of Wusong District in Shanghai.

Xingqing is over!Mimiya said.We lost him.He has always been too ambitious and wants to be promoted too much. You mean, I shouldn't seek development?Xing Le asked her back. You know I don't mean that.Remember what your father said? Great father!Xing Le thought. This is family talk.It is also an important place for Meigong to Xingle. Mei Gong could only stay for a week, and that week was wonderful, when she, Xing Le and her mother were reunited.From morning to night, after dinner, the three of them talked about everything they knew, felt, and dreamed about.Bai Ying is also Mei Gong's close friend and confidant, and they hardly go a day without seeing her, sometimes at their house, sometimes at the heron's nest. Wang Zai also came.Xing Le and the child have cultivated an excellent friendship, not only because he is Xing Le's flesh and blood, but also because Xing Le himself has a childlike innocence, like a child likes to catch dragonflies and soak his feet in the clear stream.Bo-young encourages them to get closer.Every day the child goes down the mountain, sometimes with her, sometimes by herself. If Xing Le doesn’t go up, he always asks him: We: what are we playing today? Naturally, everyone was concerned about Xingle's future at work, when she would get married, and other issues.Xing Le left her mother behind, feeling very guilty.They wish you could be like this forever!His mother is coughing all the time now, so she needs the care of her relatives! You are a college graduate now, Mrs. Chen said: choose the most advantageous path.At my age, I don't want to change my habits.Boying will take care of me.She is my niece, but she is like a daughter.Your father was kind to me, and I'm grateful.I just want you to remember your father's teachings.If you go astray and become corrupted by the outside world, I'd rather see you die. Xing Le listened to this kind of conversation between mother and child, and remembered it very clearly.She always squinted her eyes and looked at him gently with peeping eyes.She said again: In another ten years, I will go to accompany your father.Under the nine springs, I don't want to hear him say that I haven't fulfilled my mother's responsibility after he left.I just hope you marry a good girl, the right person.A woman can make a man or destroy a man.Your future wife wants to spend her life with you, not me. In just a few words, she has stated her position.Xingle looked at his sister, she said: Mother is right.Men work, women housekeepers.Since Pangu opened the sky, the world has been like this.She quoted an old saying: A man's ambition is everywhere.I know my mother is having a hard time.What mother doesn't want her son to stay with her?Xing Le is now a big man.We can't keep him in this small place.But why did you change your mind and stop studying medicine? I have no idea. If you study medicine, it is useful to come back here.Why not learn it? I have no idea.I don't think so.When I heard that a human body would be dissected, I felt sick.I like the law, everything is neat, concise and logical.I like that. At least that's a good thing.What really matters is what kind of girl you marry.Mother was right. Right, the mother said again: Once you are finished, it is finished.She also mentioned the Malay woman her uncle had brought home. Tell me, Mimiya said: Have you ever met a girl you like? have.There is one.I like it very much. Chinese or foreigners? Eurasian.Her father is Portuguese and her mother is Chinese.At last he had to speak, and the two women listened with all their hearts. Xing Le is usually good at talking, but now she is a little embarrassed and stutters. Mom, he said: We've known each other for a year.I've been meaning to tell you.Her first name is Han Xing. What?The two asked at the same time. Never heard of such a name! As I said, her father was Portuguese. His mother's face suddenly changed, as if someone had punched her in the back.She didn't say a word; all luster had gone from her face, and it was an expression of despair, defeat, pain. Mom, please, I beg you to listen to me. oh!The old woman stared straight into her son's face.Mei Gong's face was also very serious. Mom, please listen to me.She means a lot to me.Since I met her, I don't want to see other girls on the street. If you take her to the street, will she go with you?mother asked. Yes, it's not a big deal in a foreign country.We share everything. What a terrible thought!Those foreign girls! Mei Gong always combs her bangs, like Bai Ying, she has beautiful eyebrows and a warm smile.But now her eyes were wide and her lips parted, as if lost in thought. Mom, I beg you.Don't be dissatisfied with me. When the mother was begged by her son, her face softened a little. She sighed and said: I should have expected this to happen.You are young, maybe you don't want to listen to your mother.I raised you this big.Your father wants you to go abroad, so I will let you go, for the sake of education.But I should have expected it.I don't care if you get kicked out of college and go home with your mother but now I don't even have a chance of surviving. Xingle, listen to me, Meigong said: Mother's words are good. What, sister, you also object to me? Not against you.I worry about you.If you care about your mother and family, I urge you to think about it. I have thought about it. No, Xingle, you can't think carefully; you're in love with that foreign girl.I know.Foreign girls demand too much.I haven't been to a foreign country, but I've seen the movie and I know it.When they marry a man, they want the man to obey.If he couldn't, they would divorce and remarry.It's so casual.They get together again and again.Not like how we think about marriage.If you do what they say, you will be bound for life.When you marry a foreign girl, you have to live the life of a foreigner, the way she likes, not the way you like. If you haven't seen her, you criticize her indiscriminately.Xing Le said. I just want to remind you that I don't want you to be like your brother.I don't want to say, Xingle is over!I don't know anything about this foreign girl, but you make me worry. But she loves me and cares about me. Mei Gong looked at her younger brother with gentle and sympathetic eyes, and only said a word of consideration. The conversation that night fell apart. The next day, Bai Ying came to have lunch.Everything seemed to be forgotten.As long as she is with the Chen family, everything will be fine.Xingle knew what his sister was thinking.She knew that Wang Zai was her younger brother's child.Bai Ying once broke down in tears and confided to her the reason for her hasty marriage.Of course Mimiya also told her mother.As for the Lai family, no one knew, and no one suspected.When Bai Ying came, both Mei Gong and Mrs. Chen looked at her and the child differently, because this secret bonded them closely.But Baiying also said to Meigong: My mother would only believe that Wangzai is a child of sugarcane unless she is a fool.So smart!