一个人就是一颗星辰 《女人和土匪》 （英译本）（45）

Chapter 45

 

That afternoon, Zhang asked Tang Weiqi, “Dear, did the public security workers find faults with you in these days?”

Tang cast him a glance, replying, “What did Mr. Song tell you?”

Zhang replied, “He didn’t make it clear. But he advised you to tell them more about the Christianity Association.”

Tang asked, “Honey, do you think I should ‘confess’ about that matter? What do you think of it?”

Zhang replied, “Why do you need to ‘confess’? Is it so troublesome to be a Christian?”

Tang looked at him, and touched his hands, remarking, “Then, let’s forget these unhappy things. I’m happy to be with you at home all the day.”

Then, Zhang saw Madame Wang come into the house. She cast a glance at Zhang and hesitated for a while. Then, she left. And Yang came in a hurry. He cast a glance at Zhang and then paused. Zhang was puzzled about their funny behavior.

Tang asked Zhang, “Why don’t you read in the study room this morning?”

Zhang thought Tang needed to consult Yang and Madame Wang about something. Tang had been hoping the two persons could get married. But she could not decide for them. The two women should discuss with each other about this matter. Thus, Zhang went to the study room.

In the afternoon, Zhang woke up from a nap. He went out of the house into the courtyard and relaxed himself there. He found Yang dozing off near a post, Dai busy with sewing shoe soles, and Madame Wang tidying up red peppers for sunning. Yang used to visit a tea house and Madame Wang and Dai used to stay in their rooms for a rest at this time.

Zhang went up to Yang, saying, “Dear brother, don’t doze off here in autumn. It’s easy to get a cold.”

Yang got up at once and said he would not get a cold in this way. Then he left. Zhang thought Yang was about to visit the tea house. But Yang did not. He squatted beside Madame Wang and helped her tidy up the red peppers. Zhang was puzzled: Why did Yang become so?

The clock in the sitting room struck two. Zhang heard Tang come downstairs. At this time every day Tang would pray to God. She had such a habit. Zhang knew his wife was a devout Christian and she needed to communicate with God. Zhang had no idea about how to persuade Tang to visit the public security office by herself. Mr. Song had told him to persuade her to. At this time, Tang came out of the sitting room with a handbag.

Tang saw Zhang stand in the courtyard in a puzzled way. She was sorry for that, asking, “Honey, why don’t you relax in the study room?”

Zhang asked, “It is sunny and hot now. Where are you going?”

Tang pretended to say, “I am going out for shopping.”

“Why do you go out at such a time when it is hot?”

Then, Dai came, so did Madame Wang. Dai told Zhang that Tang went shopping at the request of a Christian sister. Madame Wang mentioned that that woman wanted to buy some cheap and nice cloth, and needed Tang’s help. At this time, Yang appeared on the corridor.

Zhang thought Tang was reluctant to do such things by herself; even if there was such a request, Madame Wang would take her place. But then Zhang thought maybe he had worried about her too much. Zhang said:

“Ok. I haven’t been to the bookstore for a long time. Let me go with you.”

Tang used to enjoy Zhang’s company for such matters. But today, she held up his hands, remarking, “Dear, if you feel bored, ask Yang to play chess with you. Just stay at home.”

However, Yang waved his hands, replying, “I am poor at chess and even worse than your son. I’ll go to the tea house.” Afterwards, he left the house.

Then, Dai said, “Dear sister-in-law, let me go with you.”

Tang nodded. The two women left the house.

Zhang was puzzled. He came back to the sitting room and saw the New Testament opened on the desk, in which was written:

“You’re pregnant. You can name the baby Jesus. He will be a king, king of all kings. God will give David’s throne to him. His kingdom is limitless.”

Zhang covered the Bible and pondered over it. In fact, Zhang was playing a trick with the government.

When Chen announced that Zhang was about to be segregated for examination, he was shocked and even annoyed. This man showed such contempt for Zhang. That was the reality!

Tang was not aware that segregation was almost equal to arrest and questioning. She just made no response. Chen urged her to pack up something for Zhang. She was puzzled, asking:

“What should I pack up?”

Chen replied, “Pack up a blanket for Zhang.”

Tang was alert about the implications of the word, asking, “Why?”

Chen made the matter light, remarking, “From today on, Zhang will stay in the office for segregated examination.”

Tang asked, “Do you think the office has such power to do that? Do you have an arrest warrant?”

Chen said casually, “We have the power.”

Zhang felt amused at the conversation between his wife and Chen. Then, Zhang interrupted:

“Dear, Mr. Chen is the military representative in my office. His decision is the organizational one. The Communists would not wrong me for nothing. I believe they will treat me fair.”

Chen felt happy at this word. Tang wanted to argue, but was stopped by Zhang’s gaze and gesture. Thus, Zhang went to the office for the segregated examination. He stayed there for 7 days and 5 hours.

Chen had abused his power on this matter, Zhang thought. He was aware that such people were not few in these days. They were impolite and arrogant.

Chen was poorly-educated, and ignorant to a large extent. He had the courage to fight on the battlefields, but could not read maps. He loved life but did not respect others. He was taking advantage of the revolution for private purposes. He had no plan to unite others for national interests.

Zhang read the Bible during the 7 days of house arrest. He seemed to understand why his wife believed in God, who could give people courage and calmness.

Zhang survived the battles. He knew the essence of life. He was aware that human beings were nothing compared with the universe. Probably everything was arranged by God. Maybe people were like the stars in the sky. Everybody was a star in this sense. Some people would become great stars, while others small stars. Those evil people might become comets having a tragic end.

Zhang felt his soul was elevated in this thought. He seemed to be seeing many acquaintances on their way to the universe. Then, he thought of his wife, his son, Yang and Madame Wang. Weren’t they stars in the sky? Life and death were arranged by the superpower. So, why should he trouble himself worrying about the future?

Madame Wang put some pachyrhizus on the table. She cast a glance at Zhang and left. Zhang recalled the arrangement of the marriage between Wang and Yang. Had his wife mentioned the thing to Yang? They should take good care of these two people.

Zhang went to the back of the courtyard and sat on a cold stone bench there. Some crickets were chirping there in the cool wind. Zhang seemed to taste the bitterness of life. Then, he heard Wang pat on the door upstairs, asking:

“Tang, open the door!”

Dai also shouted, “Open the door, dear sister-in-law! We are worried about you.”

Zhang ran towards the bedroom, and found the door closed. Dai and Wang cried sadly. Zhang was aware that something bad had happened. He kept knocking on the door, shouting, “Dear, open the door! What’s wrong with you? Open the door!”

It was quiet inside the room. Zhang got more worried. He saw Dai and Wang crying sadly, and found these people act strangely today. He asked Wang:

“Madame Wang, tell me the truth: What’s wrong with her?”

Madame Wang burst into cries, sobbing, “Tang has been going to the public security office these days to ‘confess’ her problems.”