Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen

one During the summer they were looking for a house suitable for a restaurant, Freddie treated his mother well, visiting her often and with affection.He told his mother that his job was doing well and that he had recently sold a lot of insurance policies. Dong, you have always been able to take care of yourself.She said, now that your father is dead, you have to be extra careful. Don't worry about me, Mom!I'm always careful. One day at the end of September, he came home with a serious expression on his face.Tom, Eva, Roy, and Flora were all sitting in the sitting room when he came in, and he took one look at everyone and said to his mother, "Mom, I've always been there to help when the family needed me." ,Yes or no?

Yes, Dong, you have helped a lot. I'll give Dad money so he can pick you up.Tom and Eva came to the United States, and I also helped with his funeral, and I also helped to claim compensation from the insurance company. Yes, we all know, why are you bringing this up? Mom, I'm going to get married. Tom and Eva cried out. You have the nerve to say?Mom replied, your father died only four months ago, how could you think of getting married now?What will others say? Why?Mom, this country doesn't care about that at all! Don't you respect your father at all?You have the face to marry so soon after your father was buried?Let the whole Chinatown gossip?

Mom, you don't understand America.If you don't want people to know, then let's not treat people. Can't you wait any longer?Lowe said it would be better to wait another six months. I must get married right away.Freddy said. Why do you have to get married now?Roy asked, but Freddie didn't answer. Mom, he's talking again, I'm here to tell you, not because you manage money, but in fact I really need a thousand dollars. One thousand dollars!Mom yelled, no, you can't touch the money. Tom could see that Flora was fighting back her anger.She looked at her husband with teary eyes, and Lowe said: You know the five thousand dollars are for the restaurant.

Yes, mother said, we have worked hard for several years just for this project.Your father and Lowe worked like slaves to save. It's father's money, isn't it?Freddy looked at Roy a little angrily, and I'm your son just like Roy. Don, you are as much my son as Roy and Tom.But we worked hard and hoped to open a restaurant.Now, we're just getting started, and you can come and run it with us if you like.This is the blood capital of our restaurant, and I will not touch a penny of it. Mom, you're not fair!Freddie said, what about the two thousand dollars that woman gave?

Why do you want this money? I tell you, I'm getting married and I'm going to decorate a new home.And there are two people who bought insurance with me, also urging me. Why are they rushing you? They paid me and I haven't sent them the insurance policy yet. Roy looked stern.You spent your money, didn't you! Yes, part of it goes to the funeral.You remember I spent two hundred dollars at the funeral. Did you lose your other money on a bet? No, I never gamble.I spend it, it's been five or six months, and it runs out before I know it.Mom, if these two go to the insurance company, I'm in trouble and I'm going to lose my job.

Mom just didn't know what to do. They will sue me if I don't give them the insurance policy.Freddie emphasized. How much do you owe them for insurance?Mom asked sadly. Five hundred dollars.Also, I'm getting married, I won't spend money on the wedding, but I need money to furnish the house.These two things happen together, you understand? Can't you just wait and not get married now? No, I'm going to have a civil marriage, people in Chinatown don't need to know. My mother didn't ask any more after she understood. The money, she said to Freddie, the woman said it was for Tom's education, but I don't want you to lose a good job, do you really need a thousand dollars?

I wouldn't ask for the money if I didn't have to. All right!Then I will give you the money, but you must pay it back to Tom in the future. I will, mom!You can trust me. Also, about Xi Yin.Toy.Mom said. Freddy hesitated. I know you don't like her, Mom. You know very well that I do not approve of you marrying her. None of you know her, she's a Broadway star, and it's an honor to us that she's willing to marry into our family.But none of you welcomed her, which is why I didn't bring her back. I'm just warning you.Mom said, I don't have much to say.You chose her, you are willing to live with her, and I can't stop you, but I just don't agree with you marrying her.

Say what you will, Mom, I love her anyway.Mom, you have no idea what true love is. You say I don't understand love, son, I think you're just out of your mind. two Freddie did not tell his family when he was getting married.But one day near the evening, he drove back in a brand-new green car, and he took Xi Yin.Toy brought her upstairs with his arms around her waist. Mom, this is your second daughter-in-law, he announced, and we got married last night. Everyone exclaimed, and then congratulated them with a smile.Look, I brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate with the family.Freddy said.He tore off the wrapper from the bottle, and Eva ran to get the glass, and everyone put on a forced smile and drank with them.Tom had a hard time understanding women's knack for flattering others.It's a skill, and because of gender differences, women are naturally good at flattering others.It is a skill among men that is acquired only by wise diplomats, but they are still far from it.

I don't know what to call you now.Flora said to the bride, Sien.Is Toy your stage name? Yes, you can just call me Xi Yin.Her gut told her that the environment was hostile. It's such a sweet name, and one that suits you very well! (Xi Yin. Toy's original text is Sing Toy) Tom, Eva!Mom said, you must call her the second sister-in-law now. Eva joined the game.Second sister-in-law!Do you remember the parade last year?How can you play the stick of the guard of honor so well? oh!It's very simple, and you can learn it well in a short period of time. I can't!Flora said, I would die of shame, but I just can't.We are at the back of the parade and really appreciate your skills.But, Darling, you are of course very used to being praised by men.

Freddie was happy to see his wife getting along so well with her sister-in-law.of course!Flora, she is a playful girl!Baby, now you know what a lovely family I have.Come on, the two of us dance to celebrate. Freddie turned on the radio, and then tried to call Sean.Toy pulled himself up from his chair. No, Freddie.She said, don't jump now, it's my first time to your mother's house. bring it on!Come and help her a little bit!Freddie led the clapping. please!Eva cried, clapping loudly. Dance jiliba with me, hurry up. Freddy!Please don't jump now. But Freddie pulled her up.Do you remember to obey your husband?You just said yes to it yesterday.

Darling!Your mascara is coming off, says Flora. Xi Yin.Toy took a small mirror out of the bag and wiped her eyes carefully and skillfully. Then Roy said: A Dong, does the car below belong to you? Yes, we paid 850 yuan for this car, isn't it great? It's a really expensive, beautiful car.Flora said emphatically. oh!Don't get me wrong.Freddie said it was bought with Sean's money. oh!I see. Could you lend us the car some Sundays? sure.Xi Yin.Toy replied, after I bought this car, I really don't know how to live without a car, let's go downstairs and have a look! Everyone went downstairs noisily except Mom and Freddie.Mom brought Freddie back, and now it's just the two of them in the room. When did this happen? What are you saying?asked Freddy in surprise. no!The mother shook her head, watching her tall son.You can't fool your mother's, how old is it? mom, what are you talking about? You must get married soon, don't you?How old is the fetus in the bride's womb? Freddy blushed.Mom, how did you guess that?Mom, please, do they all know? We all guess so. You don't want to let Tom and Eva know, okay? Don't let them know?Don't they count the months when babies are born? Mother!I am in love with her, please don't mention it.When the baby is born, we tell people it's premature.They had no idea when we got married. When they came back from the street, no one noticed that Mom or Freddie looked strange. The whole family looked down the window as the bride and groom left, got into the bright green car and drove off. Mother!exclaimed Tom, I believe he bought the car with the thousand dollars. If he wasn't, he could chop my head off.Lowy said. And if we want to borrow a car from him in the future, we have to thank Xi Yin.Toy.Flora said. My old mother, said the mother, was fooled by her own biological son.I don't believe a word he says anymore. Do you remember the tricks he played with Dad during the last fundraiser?Tom said, do I have to get my education back? He promised to pay it back, but I don't know if I can believe it.Mom said sadly. They finally found a place on Bell Street.The house is long and narrow, with room for ten to twelve tables, and the kitchen is at the back.Tom and Eva had a lot of opinions on the arrangement and paint.They've seen the interior of a modern restaurant, so they know how it should be furnished, with carpet on the floor, and recessed lighting.Eva has lived in the United States for so many years. She no longer caters to other people's opinions. She has independent thinking ability, but her opinions conflict with Mrs. Feng's.Mrs. Fung agreed to carpet the floor, but dismissed the recessed lighting. She wanted the walls painted and new tables and chairs to make her restaurant the cleanest in Chinatown.She also wants to hang all kinds of pictures on the walls.Eva won when she insisted on keeping the walls in their original colors, arguing that a modern arrangement would cost no more than furnishing something outdated, which she said was just a bunch of junk.So after the restaurant is furnished, it looks really modern. There are no decorations on the walls, direct lighting, bakelite tabletops, aluminum chair frames and red leather chair cushions. Finally, it's done. Both Roy and Flora were happy.Their days of hard work and frugality are finally paying off.The family also rented an apartment on the fifth floor above the restaurant.Although there are only two and a half rooms, which is much smaller than the house they lived in Uptown, they are also very satisfied.Flora was so proud that she brought her parents to see their new restaurant. They decided to hire a cook, the only outside help they needed, and it was only a temporary measure.After Roy learned how to cook, he had to rely on himself. Roy, you're in the kitchen, watching the chef cook.Mom said that within four months, you could be a good cook. I?chef? Where do you think the Chinese chefs here come from?How many people knew how to cook before they came to America?I will also stay in the kitchen and learn how to cook.Flora, you are the general receptionist and accountant.Tom, Eva!You have to help too.We were on our own for everything except the cook.After four months, even the chef was not hired. The restaurant just opened, and they invited many friends to their opening ceremony.The restaurant was named after Tom, who called it Marco's China.Mrs. Feng surrounded a corner of the kitchen for Marco to play in, so that she could also take care of him.Flora would come in and out to nurse him or to play with him.When he had no one to play with and he got bored with the world of the kitchen, he slept in the pen.One strange thing was that Flora's ears seemed to be able to go through walls.Sometimes Marco is in the kitchen, shouting or crying in a low voice, and the customers will look at the Italian girl in amazement, rushing from the counter to the kitchen, even though there are people waiting at the counter The same goes for paying bills.If Mrs. Feng and Eva are busy, Flora simply sits at the counter with Marco in her arms, watching the passers-by on the street. The McGregors often come here, and they also fell in love with Chinese food.Mrs. Feng didn't want to collect money from them, but Mrs. McGregor insisted that they must pay, otherwise they would not dare to come again.Flora made a compromise. She only charged them the cost of the dishes they ate, which was about 40% off the list price. Tom and Eva felt happy as they walked up and down the restaurant.They finally have a storefront down the road.This is a novel feeling, as if they are standing on stilts, just watching the pedestrians coming and going, they feel that this is a kind of enjoyment.When they first opened, Tom would habitually look up to see through the transom the feet of passers-by high above.Now it seems that the height of the whole street has been lowered, or their storefronts have risen.Flora, Eva, and Mrs. Feng would also sit in front of the restaurant when there were fewer customers, watching all this with satisfaction. Roy was still silent, he didn't have to work his hands all day long.This novelty made him feel a little confused, as if none of this seemed real. You should put on your coat. I'm not used to it, and putting on a coat makes me feel like I'm a slob.he answered. He was still wearing an open collar shirt.And Flora bought herself a pretty white apron and a lovely little hat. Tom was also lost.He doesn't greet customers, he can't concentrate on entertaining guests, his heart is not on the restaurant's business and making money at all.But he also knows how to help.I'll clear the table and wash the dishes.He said. His speed of washing dishes is sometimes very fast, and sometimes it is like an old cow pulling a broken cart. Has Tom washed it?Eva walked into the kitchen, holding a large stack of greasy dishes and chopsticks in her hand.what are you doingOMG!Tom! Mind your own business!How is the situation outside? Not quite right, just wait until Saturday, Sunday. Suddenly, Tom picked up the pace, and within five minutes the dishes were done.Eva, come in!He yelled from the kitchen door. whats the matter? Come and see, who can wash the dishes faster and better than me! oh!you!You broke a glass, see?There is a crack in the cup. Have it?I don't know why people don't make some cups that don't break? If people made unbreakable cups, the market for cups would be poor, because we wouldn't have to replenish them. Tom fell into thought again.And soon, he put his ideas into action.The next day, Eva found Tom working with two large wire shelves and some screws. What are you doing again? I want to make a replacement for the dishwasher. Tom, you'll break all the plates. Please let me try it, I'm not going to break a single plate. You are still a child.Mom looked at him lovingly, do you think you are a mechanic? Mom, isn't the water pipe I made for you very useful? Tom had extended the drainpipe so that it ran along the side of the wall and into the hollow, and he'd painted the pipe silver, which looked really nice.Tom is a frequent visitor to the hardware store, and he now has many tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, and awls. Now, as he puts it, he's making a replacement for the dishwasher.Tom put together two wire racks and put some greasy dishes in them.He turned on the tap, squeezed the end of the hose, and shot a powerful jet of water onto the dishes.Then turned the whole shelf over and sprayed it with water again. Now, they are all clean.He said. I see you turning the whole stack of plates upside down and it really worries me.Mom said. This method cannot wash a large number of dishes at one time.Flora said. Tom frowned.I will make better things, mother, please let me try. He analyzed the problem, focusing on the stacking of dishes, and the means of making it dry.We don't have to worry about the source of hot water, as long as the dishes are properly placed, they will dry themselves.Not a bad idea.he said to Eva. The next day, Eva saw Tom again with a bundle of thick wire and a pair of pliers.There were some scars on his hands from time to time.Two weeks later, what he made made the whole family very excited.This dishwashing rack made of thick wire can place plates, bowls, spoons and chopsticks, and a two-foot-long water pipe is installed on the rack so that water can wash dirty dishes from various angles.The dishes can then be left on the rack to let them dry without having to wipe them down one by one. This is much more convenient.Lowy said, Tom, you should be a mechanic. I think I will. In addition to the dish-stand, Tom made another signaling device, running two long wires along the corner of the dining room, terminated in two small light bulbs.Red means Eva wants Mommy or Tom to come out, and green light means there's a pretty visitor in the shop. This is of no use.Mom said, but she would also follow the signs. I'm going to have to get another wire.He said. Then what? Then install three lights, one red, one green, one blue, three lights can form seven kinds of signals! What do you want seven signals for? I'll write it down for you to read.Tom took a piece of paper and wrote on it: A red B green C blue A asked Roy to come B invite mom to come C asked Tom to come Funny things happened on AB Street AC a nice guest BC a beautiful girl ABC very exciting thing If Essie is walking on the street and Eva sees her, she will press A and B to turn on the lights.If Ace came into the restaurant, Eva would turn on all the lights.