公安和妓女的“情谊” 《女人和土匪》 （英译本）（61）

 

 

Chapter 61

 

 

Cao was delighted. He could continue his contacts with Wu Simei, and his leader was under his control. He used to visit his lover secretly, but from today on he could take her out in public. No one would dare to say anything bad against him. He would like to teach a lesson to those who said anything unfavorable to him.

Cao was aware that his lover would know he was married with two sons one day. The deception could hardly go on. He would like to tell her the truth today. He got his pay today, and did not plan to tell his subordinates the orders from the provincial conference at once. Thus, he came to his lover’s house.

Wu Simei did not act as a prostitute now. She felt thankful to her lover. She could live a peaceful life with Cao.

In Wu’s eyes, Cao was a good man among the evil people. Cao was evil because he made use of his position for personal benefits. Cao was a good man because he listened to her.

Cao did not hate Wu for her past. He enjoyed her experience in love making. Every month he would give all his salary to her. If he got a higher position and had more salary, it would be better. Although he was short and dark, he was what many girls ran after in this society.

Cao came, and gave all his salary to her. He knew the pay was not handsome. But Wu was happy. Anyway, he had given all he had to her. He was not selfish but loyal to her. The salary was enough for food and basic necessities. Wu got some chicken soup for her lover. Cao seemed frustrated and lowered his head, without a word.

Wu asked, “Anything wrong with your work?”

Cao did not reply.

Wu repeated, “Anything wrong with you?”

Cao stared at her tearfully.

Wu was eager to know the truth, asking, “What’s wrong with you? Tell me the truth.”

Cao said while holding her hands, “I can’t tell you the truth, or you’ll leave me forever, and I’ll be sad all my life.”

Wu was more eager to know the truth, asking, “Do you mean your leaders say that I am a prostitute and forbid you to contact me?”

Cao protested, “Who could have said that?”

She was relieved at this, remarking, “Then tell me the truth! I can face anything bad.”

Cao knelt down before her, confessing, “It’s my fault.”

She was shocked at this, asking, “Do you have anything concealed to me? Tell me the truth!”

“Dear honey, I love you. I am afraid I’ll lose you as soon as I tell you the truth.”

She got confused, replying, “Tell me boldly.”

“I am married with two sons.”

She was shocked at this. Tears welled up in her eyes. She could hardly believe that this young man was married with two sons. He joined the revolution at 18, and now he was only 21. How could he get married so early?

Cao found her painful, saying, “I won’t leave you. I love you! Today my leader talked with me and asked me to leave you.”

She was aware that leaders and government workers did not marry women like her in this society. It was understandable. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She caught hold of her lover’s hands, as if he was the only thing for her. She had a happy and peaceful life now. She was reluctant to give it up. She got heartbroken. She scolded Cao:

“Why did you cheat me? You have played with me for a long time before telling me the truth. How do you deserve the name of a Communist? You’re only 21, and have joined the revolution for only two years. When did you get married? Why are you so lusty? You have hurt me.”

Cao knelt down and hugged her legs, saying, “Dear honey, my marriage was arranged by my parents. I am a victim. Now the government allows people like me to give up the past marriage for a new one. We can find wives by ourselves.”

She was not moved, uttering, “Then why did you sleep with her and have two sons? How could you say you had no love for her? Don’t cheat me and make me become your lover or your sons’ stepmother! Phew!”

Cao begged, “Dear honey, now that we have dated for a long time, please don’t leave me. I am willing to be at your mercy.”

She knew she could not continue to argue with him. Thus she said, “I don’t want to beat you. That would make my hands painful. If I ask you for compensations, what would you do?”

Cao recalled treasures. He had once dealt with many reactionaries and landlords, and had seen much gold and silver. But he just wanted to be a revolutionary and did not take any of it.

Now money became important to him. If he had taken some of the treasures at that time! But the new society did not allow people to have gold or silver. Any possessors might be regarded as reactionaries. The women who had gold and silver could only show off at home.

Cao thought money was important in any society. If only he had taken some of the treasures at that time! Then he could delight his lover. Cao was lost in contemplation when she pounded the table, asking, “Tell me how you would compensate me. I am not a toy for you. If you annoyed me, I would go to reveal your affairs in the government office. Then, you’ll suffer as a man who does not deserve the name of Communist!”

Cao was worried, replying, “I’ll compensate you at my best, but please don’t drive me away.”

Wu was relieved at his promise of staying with her. But she was aware that she had to control him. Cao was a man who loved beauty. He might fall in love with another pretty woman easily. With this thought, she said, “Give me the compensations. Gold or silver?”

Cao replied, “I could only give you my salary.”

She said in a provoking tone, “Then let’s separate.”

Cao begged, “Dear honey, this is a new society. Please don’t treat me this way. I promise to stay with you all my life.”

She seemed not to care about his begging, saying, “Any society needs money. Money or separation?”

Cao realized that the public security workers would check Zhang’s house soon, and maybe he could get some gold and silver there. With this thought, he caught her hands happily, saying:

“Ok. Give me one week’s time, and I’ll get some jewelry for you.”