Chapter Twenty

1

In the living room of Liao Qingwen’s house, Liao Qingwen, Wu Zu, and Wenyan and his mother were having a detailed discussion.

Laichun pleaded: “Village Chief, please, you must help us!”

Liao Qingwen said with a troubled expression: “This matter involves the Bureau of Secrets. I may not be able to interfere.”

Wenyan said: “Uncle, my mute uncle must have been wronged!”

Liao Qingwen shook his head and said: “Whether he was wronged or not is irrelevant. You all understand very well how unreasonable those people are. By the way, I remember, Laichun, don’t you have a younger brother working as a policeman in Xizhi? You can go look for him. Maybe he has some way to help A-Yuan.”

Wu Zu, standing nearby, said: “Husband, just think of some way…”

Liao Qingwen immediately signaled Wu Zu with his eyes not to speak further, and the room suddenly fell silent.

Laichun and her son understood in their hearts that Village Chief Liao had no intention of helping, so they stood up to leave.

“Village Chief, sorry to trouble you. We’ll take our leave first.”

Liao Qingwen and Wu Zu stood at the doorway, watching the backs of Wenyan and his mother as they departed.

Wu Zu said: “Husband, why don’t you make a phone call and ask those friends in the Bureau of Secrets to help? Maybe…”

Liao Qingwen said disapprovingly: “Maybe what? Do you think your husband carries that much weight? Let me tell you, to them I’m nothing but a chess piece. They summon me when they want and dismiss me when they want. They don’t care whether we live or die.”

Hearing him say this, Wu Zu could only remain silent.

2

During math class, the teacher was writing equations on the blackboard. Wenyan stared out the window absentmindedly.

The teacher said: “Alright! Let’s ask a student to answer. What number should be substituted here? Yu Wenyan! Yu Wenyan!”

Wenyan still sat there in a daze. Seeing this, Yutang lightly tapped him. Wenyan snapped back to reality and jumped up from his seat.

Wenyan answered: “Here!”

The teacher asked: “Yu Wenyan, do you know what the teacher just asked?”

Wenyan scratched his head awkwardly: “I don’t know.”

The teacher said: “Daydreaming about your girlfriend during class? Since you don’t know, then stand there and listen carefully. Alright, this should be…”

After class, Mingdao and Yutang came over to Wenyan.

Mingdao said: “Spacing out during class—that’s really unlike you. Did something happen?”

Wenyan said: “My mute uncle was taken away by the police.”

Yutang asked: “Your uncle was arrested? Why?”

Wenyan said: “They claimed he was distributing reactionary leaflets while selling tea.”

Mingdao said in surprise: “Distributing reactionary leaflets? But that doesn’t make sense. I remember your uncle is deaf and mute, and illiterate too, right?”

Yutang said: “Arresting someone like that really makes no sense.”

Wenyan said: “I also find it very strange.”

Mingdao thought for a moment and said: “How about this—my father is a military judge, and he has some connections with the Xizhi precinct chief. Maybe I can ask my father to help look into it.”

Wenyan said: “Mingdao, then I’ll trouble you with it!”

3

At home, Mingdao discussed A-Yuan’s arrest with his father.

Mingdao said: “Dad, could I trouble you to go to the precinct and speak with Chief Zhao? Even just to understand the situation?”

Ouyang Jing replied sternly: “Son, I told you long ago not to associate with the villagers of Luku anymore. Be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself. Now that something has happened, you actually want me to wade into this muddy water?”

Mingdao said: “This has nothing to do with whether they are villagers from Luku or not!”

Ouyang Jing said: “Hmph. If it had nothing to do with that, then why would a mute man be treated as a communist spy?”

Mingdao said: “Dad, I always believed that military judges should uncover the truth and uphold justice for innocent people. If even you cannot step forward at a time like this, then who can? And how am I supposed to believe in our laws in the future?”

Ouyang Jing asked unhappily: “Are you lecturing me now?”

Mingdao said: “Hmph. You are the great military judge. What standing do I have to lecture you?”

Ouyang Jing said angrily: “You… you are outrageous!”

Lin Peixuan said: “Stop arguing, both of you. Husband, what Mingdao says isn’t wrong. Why don’t you spare some time to visit the precinct and ask Chief Zhao about the case? Chief Zhao is a reasonable man. If there truly is some injustice in this case, I believe he will consider it carefully.”

Ouyang Jing said helplessly: “Fine, fine. I can’t argue with you mother and son.”

4

Inside the main hall of Laichun’s traditional courtyard house, Wenyan and Laichun were talking.

Wenyan said: “Mother, my classmate Mingdao said he would ask his father to help us inquire about the matter.”

Laichun asked: “What kind of background does his father have?”

Wenyan said: “His father is a military judge.”

Hearing that he was military personnel, Laichun instinctively said: “Hmph! A soldier? Not a single soldier is a good person. Besides, they’re neither relatives nor close acquaintances of ours, and he’s an outsider from the mainland. How could he possibly help out of kindness? Forget it. Tomorrow I’ll go down the mountain to Xizhi to find Jialiang and see if he has any ideas.”

Wenyan said: “Alright, I guess that’s the only thing we can do.”

5

Xu Jialiang accompanied his elder sister Laichun to the police station. Jialiang was requesting bail from the duty officer, who looked troubled.

Officer A said: “Senior Jialiang, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s just that this suspect is suspected of spreading enemy propaganda, and he comes from Luku Village. The higher-ups specifically instructed that he must not be released on bail.”

Jialiang said: “Even if bail isn’t possible, surely you can at least allow us to see A-Yuan?”

Laichun also said: “Yes, Officer, I beg you, at least let us see him once and confirm whether he is alright.”

Officer A said awkwardly: “This… it’s difficult for me to decide.”

Precinct Chief Zhao Zhibiao came over. Officer A whispered a few words into his ear. Chief Zhao waved for Officer A to step aside. After saluting the chief, Officer A left. When Jialiang realized it was the precinct chief, he also raised his hand in salute.

Chief Zhao said: “Xu Jialiang, the circumstances of this case are indeed rather special. The Bureau of Secrets is paying very close attention to it, so I really cannot make an exception and allow a visit. However, if the family has anything they wish to convey to the suspect, I can pass it on.”

Jialiang said: “Chief, you should also know that this suspect is deaf and mute. After interrogating him these past two days, you probably haven’t been able to get any information at all, right?”

Chief Zhao smiled bitterly: “Even so, whether the suspect should be released is not for me to decide. But you needn’t worry too much. Once the suspect is transferred to the district prosecutor’s office, the family will be able to visit him.”

Laichun asked: “Transferred to the prosecutor’s office? Will A-Yuan be prosecuted?”

Chief Zhao said: “That is merely the normal procedure. If, after investigation, the prosecutor finds no concrete criminal behavior, then the suspect will also be released as innocent.”

Laichun asked: “What should we do next?”

Jialiang said: “Sister, don’t worry for now. Once A-Yuan is transferred, I will help hire a lawyer to defend him.”

Laichun asked: “Wouldn’t hiring a lawyer cost a lot of money? I’m afraid I can’t afford it.”

Jialiang said: “Don’t worry about the money first. Since this has already entered judicial procedure, I think we have no choice but to go through the courts.”

As soon as Laichun and Jialiang left, Ouyang Jing entered the police station, passing by them.

As soon as Ouyang Jing entered, Chief Zhao walked toward him, and the two warmly shook hands.

Zhao Zhibiao said: “Isn’t this Brother Ouyang? What wind blew you here today?”

Ouyang Jing said: “Zhibiao, I’m not here today to drink tea and chat. I came because of a case.”

Zhao Zhibiao asked: “Oh? Who is the subject of the case?”

Ouyang Jing said: “Yu Shuiyuan.”

Zhao Zhibiao said: “That mute fellow?”

Ouyang Jing said: “Mm.”

6

A-Yuan was brought into the interrogation room by a policeman. The precinct chief opened the interrogation room door, and Ouyang Jing followed him inside.

Zhao Zhibiao said: “Actually, the Bureau of Secrets specifically ordered that no visits be allowed in this case. But since you are concerned about it, and you are an expert in this field, I’ve made a special exception. I ask that you not spread word of this.”

Ouyang Jing said: “Don’t worry. I know my limits.”

Ouyang Jing sat down opposite A-Yuan. The stack of leaflets was placed on the table. He first picked up the leaflets and read them carefully.

Ouyang Jing asked: “Do you know what is written on these?”

A-Yuan again made “uh uh ah ah” sounds and continuously gestured incomprehensible signs.

Ouyang Jing gestured with his hands: “I’m asking whether you know what is written on these.”

A-Yuan only continued making unintelligible noises and random gestures.

Ouyang Jing shook his head and turned to Chief Zhao: “Zhibiao, this suspect is deaf and mute and completely unable to communicate. Could you trouble yourself to let me see the interrogation record? I’m curious what your officers asked previously.”

Chief Zhao signaled to the policeman standing beside A-Yuan. The officer placed the interrogation record before Ouyang Jing. Ouyang Jing picked it up and read carefully. His expression immediately changed.

Ouyang Jing said seriously: “Zhibiao, have you personally read this record yourself?”

Zhao Zhibiao froze momentarily and said: “I’ve had other matters to attend to, so…”

Ouyang Jing said: “Forgive my bluntness, but this interrogation record is complete nonsense! It states here that ‘the suspect personally admitted to spreading communist ideology and enemy propaganda.’ The problem is that this suspect cannot even speak. Wouldn’t writing this make people laugh their heads off?”

Zhao Zhibiao said awkwardly: “This…”

Ouyang Jing said: “Furthermore, the suspect is obviously illiterate, yet this record bears both his signature and fingerprint. This is clearly a forged signature and a forced fingerprint confession. Zhibiao, precisely because we are good friends, I’m telling you honestly—this record is a complete mess. Once it is transferred to the prosecutor’s office and examined by a prosecutor, they will immediately discover it is falsified. I’m afraid this could bring you trouble.”

Zhao Zhibiao forced a smile and said: “Brother Ouyang is right. We will conduct a more detailed investigation afterward…”

Ouyang Jing waved his hand and said: “Zhibiao, I’m afraid that won’t work. You’ve detained Yu Shuiyuan for almost forty-eight hours already, haven’t you? According to the Police Offenses Act, next you either transfer the suspect directly to the prosecutor’s office or release him. There’s no time left for you to reopen the investigation.”

Chief Zhao pondered for a long time and said: “This truly is difficult.”

Ouyang Jing said: “How about this, Zhibiao? For my sake, release the suspect on bail and let me take him away. Let’s pretend this whole matter never happened. Otherwise, if the suspect is truly transferred, the prosecutor will probably just reject the case and send him back.”

Zhao Zhibiao hesitated and said: “But I’m afraid it will be difficult to explain to the Bureau of Secrets…”

Ouyang Jing said: “Just say that I took him away. Later I’ll notify Section Chief Xing Aihua myself. If they want to catch communist spies, they can’t handle matters so recklessly.”

Chief Zhao said: “Alright then, since you put it that way…”

Chief Zhao ordered Officer A: “You, hurry and process the bail procedures.”

Officer A saluted and said: “Yes, sir.”

Officer A led A-Yuan out of the interrogation room.

Ouyang Jing said: “Thank you, younger brother, for granting me this favor.”

Zhao Zhibiao said: “Not at all. I should be the one thanking you. If Yu Shuiyuan had really been transferred out, it probably would have happened exactly as you said—the prosecutor would have rejected the case and sent it back. At that point I would have completely lost face. Sigh. I originally thought that since the Bureau of Secrets valued this case so highly, there shouldn’t have been any problems, so I didn’t pay much attention to it. I never expected…”

Ouyang Jing said: “When handling cases, one must neither wrong the innocent nor let the guilty escape. Without direct evidence, you cannot force accusations onto people.”

Zhao Zhibiao said: “Brother, your lesson is well taken…”

Ouyang Jing thought to himself: “From this case, the mentality of those people in the Bureau of Secrets is truly questionable. The communist spy village incident ten years ago may have hidden truths behind it. Perhaps I should take the initiative to investigate it myself.”

7
Late at night, a military jeep carried A-Yuan back to Lukut Village. Along the way, it drew the attention of many villagers, who came out of their homes one after another to take a look. The jeep stopped at the entrance of the Yu family’s sanheyuan courtyard house. Wen-Yan’s family came to the doorway. A-Yuan got out of the vehicle behind Ouyang Jing, and Wen-Yan’s family was both shocked and overjoyed.

Lai-Chun happily said, “A-Yuan, you’re back!”

Zhou Tian touched A-Yuan’s head and said, “It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back!”

Zhou Tian held A-Yuan’s hand and led him into the house.

Wen-Yan said, “Uncle, I truly don’t even know how I should thank you.”

Ouyang Jing smiled and said, “No need to thank me. Go thank Ming-Dao instead. He was the one who insisted that I had to help with this matter.”

Lai-Chun said, “Sir, thank you so much. If it were not for your help, our A-Yuan would never have been able to come back. Please come in and have a cup of tea!”

Ouyang Jing said, “No need to be so polite. I’m about to leave right away.”

Lai-Chun said, “Is that so? Wen-Yan, go pack some of the best tea leaves for the sir to take back with him.”

Seeing how enthusiastic Lai-Chun was, Ouyang Jing felt too embarrassed to refuse. Wen-Yan turned and went into the house. At this moment, more and more villagers gathered around. Ouyang Jing found himself surrounded by pairs of staring eyes and began to feel uncomfortable all over.

The driver soldier quietly asked, “Officer, there are getting to be more and more people. Will we run into trouble?”

Ouyang Jing calmly said, “Probably not. We don’t mean any harm…”

Villager A asked, “Ah-Chun, what’s going on right now? Why are there soldiers coming into our village?”

Lai-Chun loudly said, “This sir is a truly good man! Our mute A-Yuan was arrested by the police a couple of days ago. Luckily, it was this sir who helped us bail him out!”

The surrounding villagers began discussing among themselves. Someone stepped forward and shook hands with Ouyang Jing.

Villager B gave a thumbs-up and said, “The military caring for the people — this is the right way to do things!”

Someone enthusiastically patted Ouyang Jing on the back, causing him to stagger a little.

Villager C said, “Not bad at all! I never expected that there would also be someone as conscientious as you in the military!”

Everyone was extremely enthusiastic. One person after another spoke, surrounding Ouyang Jing and the driver soldier.

Ouyang Jing cheerfully said, “Thank you, thank you!”

Wen-Yan came out holding a package of tea leaves. Looking at the scene before his eyes, he could not help but smile happily.

The crowd gradually dispersed. After Ouyang Jing shook hands with Wen-Yan, he got into the jeep and left. Wen-Yan and Lai-Chun stood there watching Ouyang Jing’s jeep drive away.

Inside the jeep, the driver soldier said, “Officer, these villagers are so warm and enthusiastic. Actually, they’re really good people!”

Ouyang Jing nodded and smiled. “Yes, they truly are simple and kind-hearted people.”

8
Late at night, Ouyang Jing returned home and saw Ming-Dao and Lin Pei-Xuan both sitting in the living room waiting for him.

Ming-Dao asked, “Dad! So what happened in the end?”

Ouyang Jing said, “The man has already been safely escorted back home.”

Ming-Dao said, “That’s wonderful! Dad, thank you.”

Ouyang Jing said, “Alright, it’s already very late. You still have classes tomorrow, so hurry and go to sleep.”

Ming-Dao said, “Mm.”

Ming-Dao returned to his room, leaving only the Ouyang couple in the living room.

Lin Pei-Xuan said, “Honey, you did a good deed.”

Ouyang Jing said, “I simply couldn’t stand by and watch. This A-Yuan is clearly an illiterate mute. No matter how you look at him, he does not seem like a troublemaker. Is it only because he comes from Lukut? But just now, when I escorted A-Yuan back to Lukut, the villagers there warmly welcomed me. They are all those kinds of kind and simple farming people. They are completely different from the ‘spy village’ described in the newspapers before. It has forced me to begin to feel suspicious. I’m afraid there may really be something wrong with the Lukut Village case.”

Lin Pei-Xuan gently stroked Ouyang Jing’s back and said, “You’ve been busy for half the night today, and you’re tired too. Rest first.”

Ouyang Jing said, “I need to find an opportunity to apologize to my son. Previously, I only relied on the one-sided words in the newspapers and opposed him associating with classmates from Lukut Village. I truly misunderstood him.”

9
In the kitchen of Lai-Chun’s house, Zhou Tian brought A-Yuan a bowl of pig’s trotter noodles. “Here, eat it while it’s hot and get rid of the bad luck.”

Lai-Chun said, “If Ming-Dao’s father had not stepped forward to help us this time, who knows when our A-Yuan would have been released? I feel that after people helped us like this, we should also show our gratitude. We should personally go to their house to thank them.”

Zhou Tian said, “Originally, I thought all those mainlander soldiers had consciences eaten away by dogs. I never expected that people like this still exist. Since they helped us so much, we really should express our thanks.”

Lai-Chun said, “Wen-Yan, tomorrow when you go to school, ask your classmate when it would be convenient for us to visit their home.”

Wen-Yan said, “Alright.”

Lai-Chun said, “You should also go study now.”

Wen-Yan said, “Mom, in university I want to apply to the law department.”

Lai-Chun said, “Oh? Why? Haven’t you always wanted to study Chinese literature?”

Wen-Yan said, “After Uncle was arrested this time, I thought about many things. The old people used to say, ‘With reason on your side, you can travel the world.’ If others insist on using irrational attitudes and methods to deal with us, then we can only use reason to protect ourselves. This time Uncle was able to be released because Uncle Ouyang understands the law.”

Lai-Chun said, “Wen-Yan, Mom respects your thoughts. Choose the department that interests you, and in the future do the career that you yourself truly enjoy.”

Wen-Yan said, “Passing the bar exam and helping everyone who has suffered the same experiences as us — that is the thing I truly want to do.”

Zhou Tian happily said, “That’s ambition! Grandma supports you. Study law seriously.”

Lai-Chun said, “Alright then. Since you have already made up your mind, Mom will naturally fully support your choice as well.”

Although A-Yuan could not hear the conversation among the three of them, he raised his head and revealed a huge smile toward Wen-Yan, as if he too were expressing support for Wen-Yan’s choice.

10
Inside the office of the Military Tribunal Bureau in Taipei City’s Jingmei District, Ouyang Jing poured a cup of tea for Xing Ai-Hua.

Ouyang Jing said, “Junior, the Yu Shui-Yuan case has been closed by your side already, right? What did your Director Gu say?”

Xing Ai-Hua said with a somewhat awkward expression, “It’s been closed. Because of this case, Director Gu even gave me a severe scolding.”

Ouyang Jing said, “If your Security Bureau had been foolish enough to bring this case before the Military Tribunal Bureau, I would have scolded you all just the same. Cases must be handled based on evidence. You cannot become overexcited the moment you think you’ve found prey, junior.”

Xing Ai-Hua said, “Senior, it was my subordinates who failed to clarify the case properly.”

Ouyang Jing asked, “That base case in Lukut — I heard your Security Bureau handled it with huge fanfare, right?”

Xing Ai-Hua said, “To tell you the truth, there are still several key figures who haven’t been caught.”

Ouyang Jing said, “Then why is it that what I’ve heard sounds like you only prosecuted the villagers, but not the leading cadres?”

Xing Ai-Hua said, “It’s not exactly like that. Most of those leading cadres confessed frankly and cooperated with our later expanded manhunt. Orders came down from above that for cadres like Tsai Hsiao-Chien and Chen Ben-Jiang, we were to handle them leniently.”

Ouyang Jing sneered and said, “So that’s how it is. I had thought you people only picked on the weak.”

Xing Ai-Hua said, “Actually, senior, you should also be able to understand the thinking of those above. At that time, the central government had only just relocated to Taiwan. Facing such a perilous and unstable situation, dismantling the Taiwanese Communist organizations hidden within the island and purging Taiwanese Communist members in order to prevent them from coordinating internally and externally with the Communist organizations across the strait and endangering the security of the recovery base — naturally required decisive and thunderous measures. At that time, the instructions handed down to our operational units were: ‘Prevent problems before they arise, investigate diligently, and strike harshly.’”

Ouyang Jing said, “So you people turned a leftist reading group case into an organized armed rebellion base? Then you took the opportunity to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys and give the common people a show of force? And regardless of right or wrong, you would rather wrongly kill villagers than let suspicious persons go?”

Xing Ai-Hua gave a bitter smile and said, “At that time, our methods truly were intended to establish authority through the opportunity and deliver a clear message to the people of all Taiwan: Taiwanese Communist rebel organizations must not be sheltered. Although the methods were severe, they were unavoidable. Besides, senior, you described the Lukut base as a leftist reading group, but that is not entirely accurate either. The organizers at the time, key figures like Chen Ben-Jiang and Lü He-Ruo, were either Taiwanese Communist Party members or opportunists with left-leaning ideology. Our investigation and suppression of these people was also to prevent them from gaining a foothold on the island, expanding their organization and influence, and endangering the government.”

After thinking for a moment, Ouyang Jing said, “There was an enormous risk in the way your intelligence units thought and handled matters back then — namely, provoking even larger-scale resistance actions among the island’s people. Before that, wasn’t there already the lesson of the ‘2-27 Civil Unrest’? You people seem not to have learned from it at all! The common people indeed require much time and effort to guide and educate, but slaughter should not be used as the method. Even if this method can produce immediate results, it is also the most barbaric and the laziest method with the greatest aftereffects. It causes the common people to harbor resentment toward the government — outwardly submissive, but inwardly unconvinced.”

Xing Ai-Hua said, “Of course we knew that. Therefore, the number of villagers sentenced to death because of this case was actually only around thirty people.”

Ouyang Jing suspiciously said, “Among those thirty or so villagers who were executed by firing squad, can you guarantee that not a single one suffered injustice? I have reviewed the Lukut base case files in the Military Tribunal Bureau. From your Security Bureau interrogation records alone, I can find at least nearly ten major-crime defendants with questionable circumstances. Back then, you used torture on arrested villagers and forced them to accuse one another, causing the number of possible suspects to snowball larger and larger, deliberately expanding the scope of the crackdown. Regarding this point, junior, how do you justify yourself?”

Xing Ai-Hua was questioned into momentary speechlessness. With a bitter smile he said, “This… senior, you have already studied the case files so thoroughly. What more can I possibly say?”

11
Wen-Yan, Yu-Tang, and Ming-Dao arrived in front of a packed ice dessert shop called “Sweet Honey.” The three of them looked at one another in bewilderment.

Looking at the slip of paper in his hand, Wen-Yan said, “This place… is Big Pillar’s home?”

Yu-Tang said, “I heard him mention before that his family runs an ice dessert shop, but I never expected it to be this lively.”

Zhao De-Zhu had originally been helping at the counter. When he saw the confused way Wen-Yan and the others were standing at the entrance, he gave a few instructions to the girl at the counter and then walked out to welcome them. “What are you standing at the entrance watching the show for? Hurry and come in!”

The three followed Zhao De-Zhu and sat down at a table.

Ming-Dao said, “Big Pillar, do your family’s customers usually come in such large numbers?”

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Yeah. You guys haven’t even come on the weekend yet. There are even more people on weekends. I’ll treat you guys to shaved ice!”

Big Pillar waved over a young waitress from the shop and whispered a few instructions into her ear. The girl then left.

Big Pillar took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and placed one in his mouth. Just as he was about to light it, he suddenly realized that Wen-Yan and the other two were all staring at him with shocked expressions.

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Why are you looking at me like that? Want to give it a try?”

Zhao De-Zhu handed the cigarettes toward the three of them. All three curiously took one. Zhao De-Zhu lit cigarettes for each of them. Wen-Yan and the others first watched Zhao De-Zhu puffing clouds of smoke with an extremely relaxed expression. Wen-Yan and Yu-Tang then imitated Big Pillar’s movements. The two took a puff, felt the spicy choking sensation, and immediately covered their mouths and began coughing.

Wen-Yan said, “Whoa! How can you smoke this horrible stuff so happily?”

Yu-Tang said, “No more, take it back, take it back.”

Zhao De-Zhu pointed at the ashtray on the table, and the two extinguished their cigarettes.

Zhao De-Zhu said, “You’re the son of a military officer. You should know how to smoke, right?”

“O-Of course!” Ming-Dao forcefully took a puff and held the cigarette in his mouth pretending to look experienced, though his expression looked extremely awkward and unnatural. At that moment, the young waitress brought three bowls of shaved ice to the table.

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Eat, eat. My treat.”

Ming-Dao seized the opportunity to extinguish his cigarette, and the three lowered their heads to eat the shaved ice.

Yu-Tang said, “Your family running an ice dessert shop really is nice! You can eat shaved ice every day.”

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Didn’t you see how good the business is here? Every day I have to work until the middle of the night before I can rest. Otherwise, why do you think my grades are so terrible? I don’t have time to study!”

Ming-Dao said, “Listen to you making excuses! If you just don’t like studying, then just say so.”

The four laughed happily. After finishing the shaved ice, Zhao De-Zhu brought the three of them over to a billiards table and taught them how to play billiards. At this moment, a group of mainlander youths walked into the shop. They surveyed the entire shop, and finally their gaze settled on Wen-Yan and his group wearing high school uniforms. The leading youth tilted his head and signaled to the group behind him. The group walked toward Wen-Yan and the others.

Youth A said, “Well, well. Since when do good students hang out at ice dessert shops too?”

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Gentlemen, there are still empty tables over there. Why don’t you go play over there instead? Everyone came here to relax. The most important thing is to have fun and not hurt the harmony.”

Youth B said, “And who the hell are you supposed to be? I just like this table. So what?”

Wen-Yan said, “Hey, do you people know that Big Pillar is actually—”

Zhao De-Zhu raised his hand to signal Wen-Yan not to continue speaking.

Zhao De-Zhu said, “How about this then? Since we both want to use this table, it’s simple. Let’s settle it with billiards one-on-one. Whoever wins gets to stay. How about that?”

Youth A smiled mysteriously. “Of course that’s fine. But I think betting only the table isn’t interesting enough. Let’s raise the stakes a bit. The loser also has to give the winner ten dollars. What do you think? Interesting, right?”

Zhao De-Zhu thought to himself, “Awesome! Another fat sheep delivered itself to my doorstep.”

Zhao De-Zhu deliberately shrugged innocently. “Whatever you say.”

Seeing this, Wen-Yan hurriedly pulled Zhao De-Zhu aside.

Wen-Yan said, “Big Pillar, don’t do it. We can just go play at another table. Gambling isn’t good. Besides, ten dollars is a lot. What if you lose?”

Zhao De-Zhu laughed. “You don’t need to worry. This sort of thing is extremely common here. No need to make such a fuss.” Zhao De-Zhu smiled as he walked toward the mainlander youths.

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Come, come, let’s play. I don’t care who breaks first!”

After the match ended, the mainlander youths kept shouting, “This is unbelievable!” They left dejectedly with their heads hanging low. Zhao De-Zhu proudly played with the ten-dollar bill in his hand.

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Customers, come again sometime!”

Yu-Tang said, “Big Pillar, I really admire you so much! You’re amazing!”

Zhao De-Zhu said, “Well obviously! Come on, let’s keep playing.”

12
During break time between classes, Ming-Dao kept his head lowered as he wrote something. Wen-Yan walked over toward him.

Wen-Yan said, “Hey! Ming-Dao, you’re still studying so hard even during break time?”

Ming-Dao was startled and immediately stuffed what he was writing into the drawer. Wen-Yan curiously asked, “What’s so mysterious?”

Ming-Dao said, “Heh heh, nothing.”

Wen-Yan said, “If you have any difficulties, just say so. We’re good friends. Maybe I can help.”

Ming-Dao said, “This…”

Wen-Yan said, “Why is your face so red? Are you sick?”

Ming-Dao said, “No…”

Wen-Yan said, “Don’t keep hemming and hawing!”

Ming-Dao said, “Alright, fine. I’ve fallen for a girl.”

Wen-Yan said, “Oh really? Who is it?”

Ming-Dao said, “Ah, don’t ask about that. Anyway, it’s someone you know.”

Wen-Yan said, “Oh, alright then. So what were you doing just now?”

Ming-Dao said, “I was writing her a letter, but no matter what I do, I can’t write it well. Hey, didn’t you just say that if I had something I needed help with, I could ask you?”

Wen-Yan said, “Yeah, but what do you want me to help you with?”

Ming-Dao said, “Your writing is better than mine. Can you help me write a love poem?”

Wen-Yan said, “What’s so difficult about that? Easy.”

Ming-Dao took out a card and handed it to Wen-Yan. “Then I’ll trouble you with it.”

Wen-Yan said, “Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

13
During class, the teacher discovered Baofeng passing a card around.

Teacher Zhang Meizhu said, “Students, what are you passing around? Bring it over here!”

A classmate said, “Huh! We’re busted.”

Baofeng thought to herself, “Ah! Damn it! We got caught.”

The teacher confiscated the card. Inside the card was a sheet of letter paper. Right in front of everyone, she opened it. After reading the contents, she said, “There is actually nothing particularly special about the content of this letter, but the love poem written on the card is exceptionally well written. Right now, teacher will read it aloud for everyone to hear: ‘Encounter, we encounter one another within the lush and verdant dense forest of the Milky Way. I am the romantic Lyra constellation, emotional and fond of solitude, the tinkling musical notes accompanying a gentle masculine singing voice. And you come from the deep-blue Andromeda, possessing a head of dazzling golden long hair and a certain melancholic classical aura, originally one who loved listening to songs and harp melodies. Those scandalous meteor whispers were secretly ignited by the jealous Orion constellation, spreading between constellation and constellation. And the black hole harvested the neighboring nebulae (the widowed one simply loved spinning some yarn, some light sorrow after separation), and quietly shifted the blame onto us. But our love is the meeting of poetry and song, the beautiful collision of two nebulae, joyfully striking sparks. Within the Milky Way, we are a pair of sweet black swans, revolving again and again within the radius of your harp music, light dance steps, a thirty-six-rotation vintage record player, the melody of a waltz, chanting your affection and my yearning….’”

Baofeng’s face turned red with embarrassment, wishing she could disappear into the ground. The classmates all began jeering and laughing loudly.

Teacher Zhang Meizhu mocked, “Since this love poem is written so outstandingly, we might as well post it on the bulletin board in the back for everyone to admire.”

After class, Xiaoqiao curiously pressed Baofeng with questions: “Baofeng, who exactly wrote this love letter and card?”

Baofeng said, “This letter was originally supposed to be given to you, but unexpectedly the teacher intercepted it. So I can’t tell you who the male lead is, because he asked me to absolutely keep it secret for him. But after you read the letter, you should know who it is.”

After hearing this, Xiaoqiao’s heart fluttered wildly like a little deer bumping around inside her chest. She thought, “Could it possibly have been written for me by Wenyan? Hehe, I’m so happy I could fly into the sky.”

14
Ma Weide, dressed in casual clothes, was walking down the road. When he passed by the “Sweet Honey” ice fruit shop, he accidentally saw Wenyan, Yutang, and Mingdao together with Guo Dezhu, who was smoking on the side, playing billiards.

Ma Weide thought to himself, “Yu Wenyan! This time the old man has finally caught you! Let’s see where you can run to now!”

Ma Weide cleared his throat and very deliberately made an “Ahem!” sound. Holding his head high and chest out, he walked toward the ice fruit shop and came over beside Wenyan’s group.

Ma Weide said, “Yu Wenyan, the few of you are frequenting improper places after school. I’m going to punish you according to school regulations with a major demerit. Tomorrow when you come to school, report to the instructor’s office first!”

Wenyan, Yutang, and Mingdao looked at one another, then all turned together to look at Guo Dezhu.

Guo Dezhu said, “Instructor, this place is my home! What’s wrong with me inviting my classmates over to hang out?”

Ma Weide asked suspiciously, “What? This place is your home?”

Guo Dezhu said, “It is my home. You calling my home an improper place really is something I can’t agree with. Do you want me to ask my mom to come out and talk with you? Forget it, forget it, too troublesome. I’ll just have my mom directly call the principal and file a complaint, saying Instructor Ma prohibits students from engaging in proper recreational activities after school.”

When Wenyan and the other two heard Guo Dezhu say this, they secretly felt delighted inside and covered their mouths while snickering.

Ma Weide softened his attitude. “Everything can be discussed nicely, discussed nicely. We’re all good friends here. Why make things so absolute?”

Guo Dezhu said, “Well then, that depends on what the instructor plans to do…”

Ma Weide said, “Alright then! I’ll pay out of my own pocket and treat you all to shaved ice. Is that acceptable?”

Guo Dezhu said, “Aiyo, Instructor, for us to let you treat us to shaved ice for no reason really makes us feel embarrassed. How about this instead! I’ll challenge you one-on-one in billiards. If I win, then you treat us to shaved ice. If I lose, then you don’t have to spend money treating us. Instructor, what do you think?”

Ma Weide hesitated for a moment and said, “Hmm… but my status…”

Wenyan laughed and said, “Instructor, today you aren’t wearing a military uniform like last time. Nothing will happen!”

Yutang curiously pursued the matter: “Like last time? What exactly happened?”

Wenyan deliberately said, “Ah, I accidentally let it slip. Alright, I’ll tell you. Last time near the movie theater…”

At this moment Ma Weide raised his voice, his face full of flustered anger. “Cut the nonsense! Let’s settle this with a billiards match! Yu Wenyan, don’t interrupt our competition.”

After the match ended, Ma Weide sat together with Wenyan’s group of four looking utterly dejected. A young waitress from the shop brought over five bowls of shaved ice. Guo Dezhu pushed one bowl in front of Ma Weide and patted him on the shoulder.

Guo Dezhu said, “Instructor, don’t be sad. Just treat this bowl of shaved ice as my return treat to you!”

15
Wenyan and the other two were studying in the library. Xiaoqiao and Baofeng came to the library to look for them. Xiaoqiao plopped herself down beside Wenyan. “In the future, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There’s no need to write cards!”

Wenyan asked in confusion, “What card are you talking about?”

Xiaoqiao said, “Wasn’t it the card you asked Baofeng to pass to me yesterday?”

Xia Xiaoqiao hinted at Wenyan, but Wenyan was utterly baffled and completely unable to make sense of it. Beside them, Mingdao’s cheeks turned hot, and he became extremely nervous. Yutang noticed something unusual about Mingdao’s expression and asked, “Mingdao, are you feeling unwell?”

Unexpectedly, Mingdao suddenly stood up and loudly said to Xiaoqiao, “Xiaoqiao, happy birthday.”

Xiaoqiao was first stunned, but immediately afterward understood that the card had been given by Mingdao. The disappointed expression on her face was impossible to hide. “Wenyan, you really are slow to catch on!” Xiaoqiao instead blamed Wenyan, then stormed off angrily. Baofeng hurriedly chased after her.

Soon afterward, Mingdao also used going to the restroom as an excuse to escape. “I’m going to the bathroom for a moment.”

Wenyan said, “Eh! Why did everybody suddenly run off?”

Yutang spoke reproachfully to Wenyan: “Are you really clueless, or are you pretending to be clueless?”

Wenyan looked completely puzzled and bewildered. “Is there something I’m supposed to understand?”

Yutang gave a bitter smile, shook his head without speaking, and thought to himself, “Just now I should’ve asked whether he was genuinely dense or only pretending to be dense.”

16
Inside the classroom, Wenyan and Yutang saw Mingdao looking gloomy and unhappy.

Wenyan said, “Look at him acting like that, completely ignoring us. Did he take the wrong medicine or something?”

Yutang said, “Isn’t it all because of you, you slow-to-catch-on idiot.”

Wenyan said, “Alright already, how was I supposed to know? Let’s go comfort him.”

Yutang said, “That’s all we can do. Let’s go.”

Wenyan said, “Mingdao, are you alright?”

Mingdao said, “I have no hope anymore.”

Wenyan said, “Don’t be like this. Isn’t tomorrow Xiaoqiao’s birthday? How about after school tomorrow we go to Xiaoqiao’s house to celebrate her birthday for her?”

Mingdao immediately turned from sorrow to joy and instantly agreed, saying, “Great! Great! That idea is wonderful. Let’s all go celebrate Xiaoqiao’s birthday together.”

17
At home, Wenyan and his mother Laichun were discussing helping Xiaoqiao celebrate her birthday.

Yu Wenyan said, “Mom, tomorrow we’re all going to celebrate Xiaoqiao’s birthday. What kind of gift should I prepare to bring along?”

Laichun thought for a moment and said, “When going to someone else’s house, you can’t go empty-handed. That would be very rude. But our family doesn’t really have anything nice to give people. Ah… how about this? I’ll roast some sweet potatoes and taro for you to bring tomorrow and give to her.”

“Oh, okay.” Wenyan agreed without even thinking about it.

At the side, Zhou Tianmei, after hearing this, spoke with a sour tone of jealousy: “Girls nowadays really are fortunate. At such a young age there are already people helping celebrate their birthdays. As for me, I really have the fate of a sesame-oil rapeseed plant. I’ve never even known what celebrating a birthday feels like.”

Laichun smiled and said, “Mom, if you want to celebrate your birthday, this year I’ll hold a grand birthday celebration for you. How does that sound?”

Zhou Tianmei said comfortedly, “I was only casually saying it. It’s enough that you have the thought.”