Chapter 22 Chapter Twenty Two

one On Double Tenth Day, the sun is shining all over the earth, and the weather is very good.All the shops in Chinatown closed their doors and went to the celebrations.The vast majority of Chinese women wear cheongsam, and Ai Si is no exception. She is wearing a blue silk cheongsam that she brought from Shanghai.The program of the day was very tight, and there was even a lantern parade at night, so every family brought a small basket of food, and Flora took Marco's milk bottle with her.Mrs. Feng felt that it was her honor to participate in this kind of activity. Ai Si traveled with the Feng family all day. She carried a small suitcase, and Eva also carried a bag of clothes.

They were scheduled to arrive at the gate of the exposition at ten o'clock. The crowd of people participating in the parade was very crowded, no matter men, women or children, everyone wore badges with the national flags of China and the United States.After receiving the badge, the Feng family walked around, visited the Federal Building, and then went to the China Pavilion to put down their things and visit at will.After lunch they visited other exhibitions. They had so much to see on this day.Mrs. Feng found a long bench and sat down when she was tired from walking, and Ai Si accompanied her.After Flora gave Marco to Mrs. Feng, she followed Tom, Eva and Lowe to visit some machines made of chrome metal, small machine models, huge motors and some flashing lights. Here is the science and industrial world.

When Tom came back, Ace was playing with Marco. Let's go to the play area!said Tom with great eagerness. What's there? Freaks!Tom said there were fire eaters and sword swallowers, and we gotta see the skydiving show. Tom, do your legs never get tired? let's go!You really shouldn't be wearing high heels. Ace's ankle hurts, and she knows it's a big place, but she can't resist putting on her best pair of shoes. But we will miss the three o'clock party. Never mind the party. How far are we from the Palace of Peace? About a mile away! Ace went because the play area was nearby.When they finished watching the skydiving show and returned to the Palace of Peace, they happened to catch up with the Chinese juggling performance.The Chinese ambassador and the mayor of New York City had finished their speeches, and they sat on the podium with about 200 people to watch the performance.

Mrs. Yang and her children were there, and she called Aisi over when she saw her.I've been looking for you everywhere, where did you go?Come!sit with me. Mrs. Yang never let Aisi leave again.Tom and his family stood in the audience watching the show, and Tom could tell that Ace was happy when she was with Mrs. Yang. There were many people on the stage they knew, and among them they saw Xi Yin.Toy, she's sitting next to an American man. Who is that man?Lowy asked. Brother Shan.Ball, the second brother's boss. Tom didn't speak anymore, he was ashamed to tell his family what he saw, he wasn't quite sure, but he was sure of it now.

The second brother's marriage is about to hit the rocks.he thought to himself. Ai Si asked Mrs. Yang: You and your children will stay here and participate in the parade at night, right? certainly. oh!That's great.Ace said, after dinner, we will pick up lanterns and meet at the national lake at seven o'clock.Tonight's program includes fireworks and colorful fountains, it must be very beautiful.I heard there is also a lion dance! do you plan to do something There are no other plans other than to participate in the Lantern Parade.correct!When the national anthem was sung, I acted as the piano accompaniment.

I didn't know you could play the piano!Mrs. Yang said. I don't play well, and I haven't practiced for a long time. Why do you live in school?Mrs. Yang asked, isn't it lonely to stay there alone at night? I stayed there and they provided it for free.In addition, it is not easy to find a house, and the rent is too expensive, I want to save a little. Ace, you are my wonderful daughter, remember? Ace smiled happily.Yes, I still remember. A juggler put two baskets on his head, took a step backwards, and then jerked back again.The action was funny and thrilling, and everyone clapped their hands and laughed.

Ace, you can come and live with me! oh!This is not good! If it was someone else, I would not invite you like this, and you are my good daughter.There are many rooms in the house, and there is a piano, you can practice when you have nothing to do. I can't afford the rent. I'm not renting out a house, Ace.I really want you to come and live with us, otherwise I wouldn't have the idea.The dishes I cook are pretty good! Ai Si looked at Mrs. Yang full of joy, and then said that if Mrs. Yang allowed her to help with housework and pay for a little food, she would like to live in her house.

If my mother knew, she would be very grateful to you too.I've already mentioned to her about knowing you. What did the two of them talk about?Why did we talk for so long?Tom thought offstage. After the show was over, Ace came down and told Tom that Mrs. Young had invited her to stay at her house.Am I not lucky?she says. The Feng family went up to the stage together to say hello to Mrs. Yang. Tom, you don't have to worry, Mrs. Yang said with a smile on her face, we only have girls in our family, and I won't snatch Aisi from you. But from that moment on, Ai Si has gradually distanced herself from the Feng family.

Flora decides to go back early with Roy, while Tom decides to stay and watch Billy Rose's water cabaret show.He kept wondering what would happen if Ace moved uptown?But Aisi's workplace is still in Chinatown, and he can still see her often. At 7:30, everyone put their troubles aside, and the colorful fountain on the National Lake attracted people's attention.Thousands of Chinese people gathered here, both men and women carried a lantern in their hands.Tom and Ace meet again under a giant flag.The parade was led by a band playing the Chinese national anthem.The women lined up at the front, and after the line moved, a Chinese girl sang this song in a deep contralto. This is a marching song with a very majestic beat.Immediately, all the people, male, female, young and old, all raised their throats and sang together.In the history of Chinatown, such a scene is unprecedented.The broad masses marched forward singing majestic military songs.Everyone felt that national feelings were sprouting and growing in his chest.Behind the team, happy lions are jumping.

When the procession reached the place where they had assembled, the crowd formed a circle, some standing on the ground, some on the steps.An American star in the middle of the circle was about to sing the Chinese national anthem. Ai Si stepped onto the stage to serve as the piano accompaniment, and she was completely immersed in the music.Next, a women's chorus sang a song called "Lonely Battle", praising the eight hundred strong men who guarded the Sixing Warehouse.And then there were some speeches to end the day of celebration. On the way home, Tom said, "Ace, I didn't know you could play the piano so well."

Everyone can play the national anthem. I only learned piano after I entered university, and I only learned it for two years. Why don't you keep learning? I couldn't afford it, but Mrs. Yang said she had a piano at home, and if I went to live with her, I could practice often. Are you really moving uptown? Ace told Tom that she was glad to have this opportunity, and that it would be much more convenient for her and Mrs. Yang to work on the Women's Committee. When are you moving? Moved soon.