He went back the next day, but instead of asking for the mayor, he went straight to Huang Defu and inquired after the mayor’s son. The son, whose name was Dazheng, had had polio as a child, which had led to atrophy in one leg; he could walk, but with a serious limp that made him look like a stumblebum. Still single at thirty, Dazheng worked for a foundation for the disabled.
“His physical condition hasn’t changed,” Huang Defu said, “but the mayor and his wife want to see him married. He hasn’t liked any of the girls they’ve introduced to him; he wants a pretty girl, but what pretty girl would want to marry him? So he’s gotten temperamental, causing lots of trouble at home, and the mayor can’t do a thing about him.”
“Nothing is perfect in this world,” Zhuang said. “With an unmarried son, no one, not even the mayor of a major city, can live in peace. In the past, people who opposed the mayor laughed at him for having a disabled son. What will they do to humiliate him if he can’t find his son a wife? I’ve been keeping an eye out for them, though, and I’ve finally found one who’s the right age. She has a high school education, is sharp and competent, and is very attractive. I’m sure Dazheng will have no objections, but I don’t know what the mayor and his wife will say.”
“Have you really found such a girl? If she’s OK with Dazheng, his parents will go along. In fact, the mayor’s wife has talked to me several times, but I haven’t been able to find a match. Tell me, where is this girl? What’s her name and where does she work?”
“You’ll recall meeting her if I tell you who it is. My wife said she ran into you once on the street. Do you remember the girl with her that day?”
“The one with double-fold eyes, a mole on her right brow, long legs, white heeled sandals, and a canine showing on the right when she smiles?”
Zhuang was amazed. “That’s her, Liu Yue. She’s a maid in my house. She has everything going for her except that she doesn’t have Xijing residency.”
“Ai-ya! I couldn’t find such a charming girl if I searched with a lantern. A pretty face is a woman’s best asset. Rural residency is no big deal. It would be easy to get her a city residency card and a job.”
Huang accompanied Zhuang to see the mayor’s wife at the Science Commission. When she heard Zhuang’s idea, she was so happy that she took his hands in hers and said, “Thank you so much for working on this. I’ve worried about that boy’s marriage so much, my hair is turning gray. Have you talked to the girl yet? I’m not sure she’d like Dazheng. It’s happened before; a girl he likes doesn’t like him, or he doesn’t like a girl who likes him. When you talk to the girl, make sure to tell her everything about Dazheng. Don’t keep anything from her.”
Less assured now, Zhuang said, “I mentioned it to her in a roundabout way, and she just blushed without saying what she thought. But I don’t think it will be a problem. Liu Yue has a pretty face and a good heart; she’s smart but not beautiful. We can arrange a meeting for them whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“No need to worry about a convenient time. Bring her over tonight if you’re free; if not, she can come on her own. They will know what it’s about, so we won’t have to say anything about what we’re doing. They’ll know. Just let them talk. It would be wonderful if it worked out, but if not, they could be friends. But no matter what, I thank you.”
After a meeting that night, Zhuang went home. Niu Yueqing, who was chatting with Liu Yue, asked if he had managed to meet with the mayor. “I’ll be the one to go jail if it comes to that, and you won’t have to bring me my food, so what are you worried about?” he said to his wife before asking Liu Yue to see him in his study.
“I’ll take food to you if Dajie won’t,” she said with a smile as she followed him into the study. When he closed the door, she whispered, “What nerve you have! She’s home.”
“I want to talk to you about something. When was the last time you saw Zhao Jingwu? Be honest with me.”
“It’s been several days.” She blushed. “Did he say something to you?”
Instead of replying, Zhuang asked, “Have you been intimate?”
“I’m leaving if this is what you want to talk to me about.”
“What I mean is,” Zhuang said with a serious look, “do you really love him?”
“Have you had too much to drink? You were our matchmaker, and now you’re asking me if I love him. Do you plan to match me with someone else?”
“Yes.”
Liu Yue looked stunned, and Zhuang continued, “I’ve given it some thought. Zhao isn’t bad, but he’s been around. He’s seen a lot, and he’s clever enough to adapt. Handsome men like him usually have lots of girls chasing after them, and I’m worried that he won’t be nice to you forever. I’d have done you wrong if that happened. I’m not your father, but you work here, and I’m responsible for you. I have another candidate in mind. His looks can’t compare with Zhao’s, but ten Jingwus wouldn’t be his match in terms of social status and financial situation. And your residency could be arranged right way. I’ll be straight with you: it’s the mayor’s son.”
Her eyes lit up. “The mayor’s son?” She immediately shook her head. “You’re toying with me, aren’t you? Why would the mayor’s son want to marry me? I considered myself blessed to be working at your house and having had something with you for a while. I can’t possibly have so many good things happen to me.”
“Well, that’s what miracles are all about. You’re smart and you’re pretty, and those are your best assets. I want to be frank with you. He’s not good-looking, so you’ll have to think about it. If you agree to the marriage, you won’t have to worry about Jingwu. I’ll talk to him.”
“How bad does he look?”
“He has a problem with his leg, from polio as a child. But he’s not a cripple and he doesn’t use a cane. Mentally he’s all there. Many girls want to marry him, but the mayor’s wife hasn’t liked any of them. She’s seen you and likes you a lot.”
“So that’s it. He’s disabled. You’re selling me defective goods.”
“You’re a clever girl, and there’s no need for me to say more. Take your time and think it over while I read. You can tell me when you’ve made up your mind.” Zhuang picked up a book and sat down to read. She sighed and leaned back against the sofa with her eyes shut. Out of the corner of his eye, Zhuang saw two sparkling teardrops roll out of her eyes beneath her long lashes, the sight of which made his heart ache, so he shut the book and stood up. “All right, Liu Yue. Just forget what I said. Go chat with your dajie.”
To his surprise, she rushed into his arms and said tearfully, “Do you think this will work?”
“You will have to decide for yourself.” He dried her tears.
“I want you to tell me. Will it work?” He looked up at the bookcase before nodding. “All right.” She got out of his arms and stood up straight. “I believe my luck is going to change for the better. I can feel it, really. I felt that way the moment I arrived in this city. Go tell them Liu Yue is willing.”
Zhuang opened the door and walked out of the study.
“What were you talking about in there, sneaking around like that?” Niu Yueqing asked.
“What were we talking about? Something big just happened, I’ll have you know.”
“What?” Niu Yueqing was frightened.
“Hitler is dead,” Zhuang said with a smile.
“What a windbag! This is the first time you’ve smiled at me in months!” she said angrily.
Wiping the smile off his face, he said, “I want to talk to you about something.”