The purchasing station held a secret, which was that everyone at the station knew Yuxiu’s secret. And that meant that all of Broken Bridge held a secret, which was that everyone in town knew Yuxiu’s secret. She assumed that no one knew, but they all did. This is generally how private matters are treated. It is as if they were screened by a sheet of paper so flimsy it cannot withstand a simple poke but so sturdy that everyone will avoid it. Only country folk are so uncouth and impatient that they need to get to the bottom of things at once. Townsfolk aren’t like that at all. Some things are not meant to be poked open; exposing them spoils the fun. What’s the hurry? You cannot wrap fire in paper; sooner or later it will burn through and everything will be exposed. That is more spectacular, more appealing.
So everyone in Broken Bridge waited patiently; they were in no hurry. One fine day our comrades will reveal themselves, so let’s wait and see. It won’t take long. Why be in such a hurry if they’re not? Really, there’s no need.
The winter of 1971 was bitterly cold, particularly at the purchasing station, where the open space let the wind blow in from all directions. During lunch breaks the older employees preferred to stand in front of the wall, facing the sun for warmth. But not the younger ones—they had their own ways to keep warm. They gathered in groups in an open space to play shuttlecock or jump rope or play hawk catching a chicken.[8] Yuxiu told everyone that she did not know how to play shuttlecock, but she actively participated in jumping rope and worked hard at hawk catching a chicken because that was a way to show that she was like everyone else. She tried her best, but her bulging clumsiness was revealed for all to see. It was a sight they enjoyed. She did relatively well jumping rope since that was something she could do alone. Hawk catching a chicken was different because it required the cooperation and coordination of all the “chickens.” As part of the group, Yuxiu’s obvious difference made her the weakest link, and this always led to the group’s defeat. But the people preferred watching her play hawk catching a chicken over jumping rope, especially when she was last in line. The sluggish “tail” became the hawk’s favorite target. But it was in no hurry to catch her; instead, just when it was about to get her in its clutches, it turned and attacked from the other side. As a result, Yuxiu was forced to keep dashing around without ever being able to catch up with the rest of the “chickens.”
Her neck stretched out ahead of her as she was constantly being flung out of the team and onto the ground. It was an amusing sight to see her sprawled on the ground, where she took in little air no matter how hard she breathed. All she could do was open her mouth wide while more air went out than came in. It was even more entertaining when she tried to get up; lying flat on her back, she smiled like a flower in bloom but could not pick herself up. She looked like an overturned turtle that can only paw the air as it tries but fails to right itself. At such times, she had to roll over and then bend forward to push herself up onto her knees. Everyone laughed at the childish movements; so did she. “I’ve put on some weight,” she’d say. No one would respond, unwilling to agree that she’d gained weight or refute that she’d gotten heavier. Consequently, her comment turned into a pointless monologue, devoid of any real significance.
The very pregnant Yumi took Yuxiu back to Wang Family Village for a short visit before the New Year’s holiday. With the aid of a small, fast boat, they left in the morning and returned that afternoon. Yumi’s return failed to cause a stir this time, for it was neither extravagant nor an attempt to grandstand. She didn’t even leave her parents’ house. When the boat was about to leave the pier, the villagers saw, to their surprise, Yumi and her entire family emerge dressed in new clothes. The Wang family now was enjoying a sudden rise in prosperity and influence. Though Yumi no longer lived in the village, the residents felt her presence everywhere; her understated moves and gestures were self-confident without seeming arrogant and exerted a powerful sway that carried a dominating authority. That was how Yumi conducted business these days—letting her actions speak for her. Her silence was more compelling than words.
The visit home reminded Yumi of Guo Qiaoqiao and Guo Zuo, who should have returned to Broken Bridge by then. She was worried and had reason to be. Qiaoqiao, after all, was Qiaoqiao. As for Guo Zuo, he was a nice enough young man, but he might have trouble dealing with Yuxiu, a fox fairy incarnate. Yumi could not watch over them all the time, and what if something funny were to happen? In fact, Yumi was more worried about Guo Zuo than Qiaoqiao. Unquestionably, she’d have preferred not to see either one of them, but this was their home, and they had every right to return to it. And when they did, she had to put on a happy face in the role of stepmother. Many days had passed, but there was no news from either Qiaoqiao or Guo Zuo, and this had transformed Yumi’s concern into what might have seemed like anticipation. But whether she wished it or not, neither of them had returned home. What puzzled her was that Guo Jiaxing never mentioned them and acted as if they didn’t exist.
Since he didn’t talk about them, Yumi found no need to, but still she felt uneasy. Once, when she could hold back no longer, she mentioned them to Yuxiu, who replied glumly, “They’re not coming back. Qiaoqiao has already started work at the textile factory.” That was all she said, and she had mentioned only Qiaoqiao, so how would she know that “they” wouldn’t be back? Yuxiu had left before her sister could follow up with more questions. In any case, Yuxiu’s prediction proved to be accurate. Qiaoqiao was nowhere to be seen even on New Year’s Eve, and there was no sign of Guo Zuo.
Good news arrived shortly after the holiday, brought by none other than Yumi’s baby. She had a girl, and everyone was happy, including Yumi, even though deep down she was disappointed. She’d hoped for a boy, having resolved even before she was married that her firstborn would be a boy. That determination was rooted in what had happened to her mother, who had spent half her life pregnant, giving birth to seven girls in a row. Why? So she could deliver an heir. Yumi had often thought that if she’d been a boy her mother would not have had to go through so much and that things in her family might have been drastically different. But most everything is difficult when you start out, and now it looked as if her mother’s misfortune might repeat itself with her.
Convalescing in bed, Yumi felt bitter; angry at her daughter and at herself, though she could tell no one. Fortunately Guo Jiaxing was happy, exuding a genuine delight with having a child late in life. He’s actually smiling, Yumi thought to herself. When has he ever shown such a cheerful side? That thought brought her some consolation. A mother gains status through her children, and now that Guo Jiaxing was fond of his new daughter, a good life was in store for Yumi. That alone made it worthwhile; and besides, she could have another child. What really surprised Yumi was the affection that her sister showed for the girl. Falling madly in love with the new baby, Yuxiu cradled her whenever she could, wearing a contented look that could belong only to a mother. After close observation, Yumi was convinced that Yuxiu was not putting on an act just to please her. She was truly fond of the baby—she could not have faked the look in her eyes, for eyes never lie. Who would ever have expected the little whore to love a child so much ? How strange. No wonder people say you should not judge a person by appearance alone.
For her monthlong confinement Yumi asked that Yuxiu be given a leave of absence from the purchasing station—where a work slowdown had already begun—so she could stay home and take care of Yumi. To be fair, Yuxiu was devoted to the child’s needs, especially at night. Once mother and child were home, Yuxiu began sleeping in her clothes so she could respond as soon as she was called.