Читать книгу The Pearl Jacket and Other Stories - Shouhua Qi - Страница 32

Jinguang

Minzi and Erniu were high school classmates. They were good friends. Upon graduation, Minzi asked his family to go to Erniu’s to propose. Soon afterwards the two good friends were engaged.

Minzi’s family was poor. He had several brothers. The family of eight squeezed together in a simple shingle-roofed house which had only three rooms. But Erniu didn’t mind. Poverty, she said, didn’t mean Minzi had no potential and prospect. As long as they loved each other and worked hard, they would be happy.

One thing Minzi’s family had plenty of, though, was manpower. During harvest time his parents would tell him to go and help Erniu’s family. One day, Minzi came to Erniu’s to help harvest wheat. The two of them worked for hours on the Red Soil Slope under a scorching sun. Then Erniu urged Minzi to take a break under a big persimmon tree and drink some water. So Minzi sat down, drank some water, and the two of them chitchatted. Before long Minzi reached for the sickle and was ready to go back to work. Erniu grabbed his arm and said: “What’s the hurry? Want to work yourself to death?” Minzi smiled and sat down again.

Erniu said: “So, Minzi, what will our life be like when we get married, with no house of our own and no money, either?”

Minzi picked up a stalk of wheat, removed the grain-bearing top, gestured with the remaining stem as he said: “We may not have money, but we have spirit and will. Remember I was good at writing in school. I’ll continue to write and write my way into the city. Then, I’ll bring you over to the city with me.”

Erniu was surprised: “Really? Is that possible? Will you still want me when you are in a big city?”

Minzi said: “Hey, I am not worth a cent now and you still like me so much. I am not that kind of man, you know.”

At this Erniu rested her head on Minzi’s arm happily.

Minzi twisted the straw in his hands a couple of times and said: “Give me your hand.”

Erniu looked up and saw a ring made of the straw. She gave him her hand. Solemnly Minzi put the ring on Erniu’s finger. Erniu gazed at the ring for a long while as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Then she turned, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him on the cheek.

Minzi was indeed a goal-driven young man. During the next two years he read and wrote whenever he had time and published over 30 short stories and essays here and there in regional newspapers. Soon he became a well-known freelance writer in the county. When the County Writers Association needed another artist in residence to strengthen its program, Minzi was the one chosen. So he went to the city and became a full-time writer there.

Soon after he started at the County Writers Association, Minzi wrote two feature stories about the Tobacco Company. Its general manager was thrilled by the stories and promised to help if he needed anything. So Minzi asked the manager if he could arrange for Erniu to work in his company. The manager beat his chest and said: No problem. I’ve done it so many times before. One more time is nothing. So, within two months, Erniu started to work at the Tobacco Company as a full time employee.

The day Erniu moved to the city Minzi celebrated in a fancy restaurant called “Fortune Food.” When the last drop of a big bottle of wine was gone, Minzi, somewhat tipsy, said: “Honey, we’ve made it into the city finally.”

Erniu held his hand and said: “Yes, thanks to my man’s can-do spirit and hard work.”

Rubbing Erniu’s hand in his own, Minzi said: “What a beautiful hand you’ve got here. I’ll buy you a ring when I’ve made more money. Then you get to taste what it is like to live like city folks.” With that he lifted her hand and kissed it like the romantic he was.

Minzi was a man of his word. If he promised something, he would deliver no matter what. Since that day the idea of buying Erniu a ring had been firmly lodged in his mind. However, given the low salary from the County Writers Association, Erniu giving birth to a baby daughter, which meant so much more to take care of at home, and his endless writing assignments and other work, the idea sank deeper in his mind, day by day, and year by year, until he had completely forgotten.

In the blink of an eye their tenth wedding anniversary had arrived. That day Erniu prepared ten delicious dishes at home and placed a bottle of good wine on the table. When Minzi came back from work, he was surprised. He patted his forehead and exclaimed: “Oh my, today’s our tenth wedding anniversary! How could I have forgotten?”

With that he turned to go. Erniu grabbed his arm: “Where are you going?”

Minzi said: “I promised to buy you a ring, but haven’t delivered yet. I have to go now before they close shop. . . . ”

Erniu said, still holding his arm, “Oh, that won’t be necessary. I’ve a ring already.”

Minzi was surprised once again: “Already have one? When did you buy it?”

Erniu turned, opened a trunk, took out a red silky pouch, and handed to Minzi.

Confused, Minzi took over the pouch and gazed at Erniu. With a smile blossoming on her face, Erniu said: “Open it.”

So Minzi opened it with careful fingers, layer after layer. When he reached the last layer, Minzi’s hands quivered. So Erniu opened it for him. There on Minzi’s palm was the same straw ring he had given her many years ago.

Minzi sighed with disappointment: “Ah, I thought it was a real one. Why are you still keeping this?”

Erniu said: “A ring is only a token. Straw ring or gold ring, it won’t make any difference if you wear it in your heart. This ring from you I’ve always worn it in my heart. It’s more precious than gold.”

Minzi was touched beyond words. All he could do was to gather Erniu in his arms and hold her tight.

(2001)