托宝共产党人《女人和土匪》（英译本）（59）

 

 

Chapter 59

 

It was 2 p.m. Zhang Yunxuan came with his son, Zhang Yan. He wore a long black coat. Yan saw him as soon as he entered the garden. Guo stayed on the corridor with her mom doing some sewing there. Yan cleared his throat and motioned her to make tea. Guo saw Zhang and his son come, and went away for tea.

Yan met Zhang on the corridor. They held hands and greeted each other. Yan asked Zhang to enter the sitting-room, but found him stand there like a soldier. Yan introduced his wife to Zhang, who greeted her in turn.

Guo left and stayed with his mom. She should have gone to the Women’s Federation this afternoon, but she was worried about her husband’s contacts with Zhang. He should not speak against the party’s disciplines, she thought.

Zhang was aware of her coldness and worries. But he kept calm. He looked around. This was once a prayer-room.

The statue of Jesus and the benches for praying had been dismantled. Only the window glasses were retained. There were some leather sofas in the room, implying that the ownership had been changed.

Yan asked, “President Zhang, how have you been recently?”

Zhang lowered his head and rubbed his hands. There came the children’s laughs from the lawn. He sighed, “Nothing bad has happened to me, but I have a hunch that it will happen soon. I know I’ll bring trouble to you.”

Yan replied, “How can it be trouble? We are friends forever. Maybe you have worried too much.” Yan’s face turned red as he said. He was aware that he was a little hypocrite on this issue. Zhang was in trouble. But Yan had to report to his superiors before meeting him. There was distance between them! He stared at Zhang, who looked painful and worried. He was sorry for that.

Guo was doing her sewing. She was shocked at her husband’s calling Zhang as his friend. She coughed a dry cough as a warning.

Zhang stopped saying. Yan was annoyed. He realized that his wife was supervising them. He waved his hands, motioning, “Go away and do your own job!”

Guo was angry. She wanted to drive away Zhang, but Yan’s glare frightened her. She left for her office.

Seeing her leave, Yan felt relieved. Yan realized he was guilty for Zhang’s dilemma. He felt that he should do something for the latter. Thus, he said, “Tell me what I can do for you.”

“My wife wants to celebrate Christmas.”

Yan was shocked at this. He was aware of the serious nature of this issue. Tang had refused to co-operate with the public security workers, and her attitude had drawn the attention of the provincial leadership. The celebration of Christmas would be deemed as a violation of the Communists’ policies. Yan asked:

“Does your wife want to celebrate it for faith or…?”

“Only for her faith.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I have been staying with her all the time recently.”

Yan paced back and forth in the room. He realized the consequence of such a request. He looked at Zhang, asking, “Can you stop her from doing that?”

Zhang replied, “No.”

Yan sat down, saying, “That would bring trouble to you.”

Zhang shrugged his shoulders, going on, “I have agreed to my wife’s request. I come here today for another matter.”

Yan was puzzled. What else could Zhang ask him to do, if not for his wife? He hoped to be able to do something for Zhang. Then, he remarked, “Tell me frankly.”

Zhang looked at Yan gratefully. Then, he said, “I’d like you to take care of my heirloom—a pair of Chinese couplets.”

Yan knew the couplets were written by a famous ancient scholar named Su Shi. He thought it a personal thing to take care of them for Yan. Then, he answered at once, “Ok. I’ll return the treasure to you later.”

Zhang stood up and unbuttoned his coat. He gave the heirloom to Yan. It was wrapped in antique-like paper.

Yan realized that Zhang was entrusting the thing to him for friendship and trust. At this time, Cao Fade came and found the strange contacts between them. Cao was shocked, so was Yan.

Yan pulled a long face. Cao was quick-witted. He caught Zhang’s arms, greeting, “President Zhang, nice to meet you. Sorry for interrupting your talk about work.” Then, he left.

Soon, Zhang left Yan and his son. Yan insisted on seeing them off at the gate. He found Cao carrying Yan Yuan on the back like a horse. He was relieved. He got upstairs, and locked the treasure in a case of his.