Old Zhou

After returning home, Bi Qingtang helped Tan Yang onto the bed to lie down, then sat at the bedside. The two gazed at each other and smiled.

“I can hardly believe it’s real—are we really about to have a child?” Tan Yang gently covered her belly, whispering her happiness.

“What’s so unbelievable? You should have been looking forward to this for a long time. That’s what makes a proper mother,” Bi Qingtang replied with a smile.

“I—well, it just feels a bit sudden.” Bi Qingtang frowned at her words, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and said helplessly, “Sudden? We’ve been husband and wife for more than a year now. If nothing happened by now, we’d have reason to worry.”

That night, before they slept, lying in bed, Tan Yang rested her head in the crook of Bi Qingtang’s arm and called to him, “Big brother.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve been reading those romance novels, the kind with lovers and butterflies. When the heroine gets pregnant, she always asks the hero if he wants a boy or a girl.”

“Oh? And how do the heroes answer?” Bi Qingtang asked, patient and curious.

“They always say, ‘I like both, as long as it’s our child.’”

“So you want to ask me too?”

“I brought it up just to tell you I won’t ask. Sister Ling said it herself—women suffer enough bringing a child into the world, so why should men get to pick and choose?”

Tan Yang answered with a proud smile.

“You spend too much time with her, picking up her bad habits. When a woman asks, it actually makes a man happy.” He paused, then continued, “But if you don’t ask, I’ll still answer! I won’t say I like both sons and daughters. I’ll deliberately pick one!”

Tan Yang rolled her eyes at him, but he only gathered her in his arms, laughing and laughing, until finally he whispered, “But I don’t dare say yet. Let’s wait nine months, then I’ll tell you.”

Tan Yang pushed him playfully. “You’re cleverer than the heroes in those novels.”

“That’s why you’ll be happier and worry less than those heroines,” Bi Qingtang replied with meaning.

When it came to Tan Yang’s studies, Bi Qingtang always compromised, never holding firm. Throughout their courtship, he’d always claimed to support her academic pursuits, and he wasn’t the kind of man to go back on his word. It wouldn’t do to change his attitude abruptly after marriage. His view was that she’d studied enough, and it was time to stay home like the other wealthy wives, playing mahjong and raising children. Tan Yang didn’t like the sound of that, so he changed his tune, suggesting she take a year off, resume studies after the baby was born.

Tan Yang didn’t answer right away, but the next day she brought it up again, proposing to study for two more months, finish the term, then take leave next semester to study at home. The baby was due in May, and she could sit for the university entrance exam in July without missing anything. Bi Qingtang said it sounded exhausting and unnecessary, but Tan Yang insisted, and he had no choice but to agree. Later, he bought a cream-colored American car to chauffeur her to and from school. As soon as the car arrived at the Bi residence, Zhao Ling recommended a driver, Li He’s distant cousin, Old Zhou.

Bi Qingtang was clearly uneasy about hiring Old Zhou, and instructed Tan Yang that if Zhou did anything improper, she should tell him immediately. The next morning, Bi Qingtang escorted Tan Yang to the car, Wu Ma carrying her schoolbag, and handed Old Zhou a cigarette. Old Zhou accepted it with a smile, showing none of the nervousness of someone unused to society.

“Madam is expecting, please drive slowly and be careful,” Bi Qingtang said.

Old Zhou smiled, tapped the steering wheel, and replied, “Thank you for the job, sir. I won’t give you any trouble.”

Tan Yang took an instant liking to Old Zhou. He was in his thirties or forties, with dark, lean features, a face full of wrinkles when he smiled, not much of a talker, but warm and pleasant. Through idle conversation, Tan Yang pieced together his story: a native of Hunan, who’d worked in a factory in Changsha, gone to Jiangxi to prospect for gold, been wounded by bandits and brought to a hospital in Shanghai. Since the shrapnel hadn’t been fully removed, he’d need another surgery in a year, so he’d learned to drive and planned to work as a chauffeur to earn some money before returning to Jiangxi.

Old Zhou hadn’t attended school; he’d learned to read as an adult at a literacy class in the factory. Yet the books he read astonished Tan Yang—sometimes German philosophy, sometimes ancient Chinese military strategy, sometimes memoirs of famous officers from the Great War. He read with difficulty, but his attitude was almost reverential. Occasionally he’d ask Tan Yang a question that was both incisive and subtle, forcing her to think carefully before answering.

Tan Yang and Old Zhou got along well. Once, Zhou remarked offhandedly, “Back home, I had a very sensible younger sister. She died at your age.” Wu Ma scoffed, thinking it unlucky, but Tan Yang comforted him, saying birth and death are inevitable, and he should try to accept it. Old Zhou exhaled deeply, “She didn’t die of illness. The county magistrate’s brother-in-law ruined her. She hanged herself.”

On this land, steeped in hardship and sorrow, how many people can truly find happiness or long-lasting peace? Tan Yang was deeply moved. That night, lying in Bi Qingtang’s arms, she held his hand tightly. Aside from the child in her womb and the man holding her, she was, in truth, a pitiable soul with nothing else in the world.

As the end of the term approached, the weather turned colder. Tan Yang was slim, and her four-month pregnancy wasn’t obvious, but she still felt weary after a day at school. Wrapped in her camelhair coat, she dozed in the car, when suddenly there was a sharp brake. Startled awake, she saw a dozen policemen in black wool uniforms blocking the street, checking each car. One, carrying a rifle, approached the window and saluted her.

“Miss, we’ve received information that important documents are hidden in a private car. We’ve been ordered to search all cars passing through this street.”

No matter what Wu Ma or Old Zhou said, the police insisted on following procedure. Wu Ma invoked Bi Qingtang’s name to intimidate the captain, but he replied, “Anyone who can afford a car in Shanghai is somebody. Since I’ve accepted orders, I’m ready for the consequences.” Seeing there was no way out, Tan Yang told Old Zhou and Wu Ma to get out and let them check. Old Zhou instinctively wiped sweat from his nose and adjusted the seat cushion before getting out. Tan Yang watched as two officers searched Old Zhou and Wu Ma.

Then the captain came to the car window and said, “Madam Bi, please step out so we can search the car.”

Tan Yang tightened her camelhair coat and stepped out. Four officers opened the doors and searched the car thoroughly. Standing beside Old Zhou, she noticed his Adam’s apple move when the officers lifted the seat cushion. After five or six minutes, the officers reported to the captain that nothing had been found. The captain nodded, and his gaze lingered, intentionally or not, on Tan Yang’s thick coat. Tan Yang snorted and vented her irritation at Wu Ma.

“You useless old thing! You kept saying it’s not cold today, not cold, but made me wear this wretched coat. It’s so thick, people probably think I’m hiding stolen goods!”

She turned to the captain and said sharply, “Officer, shall I take off my coat so you can search me?”

The captain looked at her, clearly embarrassed, and shook his head. “We wouldn’t dare, Madam Bi.” Old Zhou joked, “Madam Bi’s wife is expecting and has to take off her coat for a police search on the street. That’s so helpful to the police, it’ll make tomorrow’s headlines! Who knows if that’s adding more glory to Mr. Bi’s famous name?” The captain smiled apologetically, opened the car door, and gestured, “Madam Bi, please get in and go. You’re delicate—catching cold would be bad.”

When they arrived home, Tan Yang told Wu Ma to get out first. Old Zhou turned from the front, and said solemnly, “Miss Tan, thank you.” Tan Yang pulled a booklet from her coat sleeve and handed it to him, whispering, “Weren’t you in Shanghai for medical treatment? Why take such risks?”

Old Zhou gripped the steering wheel, “Miss Tan, I don’t fear death. But I hope that thousands of girls like my sister can live and study without worry, just like you. Such a life doesn’t depend on Bi Qingtang or Li Qingtang, but on the changes in society itself.”

That evening over dinner, Tan Yang told Bi Qingtang, “Big brother, once I finish my exams, I’ll stay home.”

“That’s only right. Even if you wanted to go back to school, I wouldn’t allow it.”

“If I stay home, I won’t need to go out at regular times for school. It won’t be convenient to call Old Zhou each time. Big brother, why not have Old Zhou move in? There are plenty of rooms here.”

Bi Qingtang placed some steamed fish into her bowl and smiled, “Careful with the bones—if one gets stuck in your throat, don’t come crying to me!”

“Big brother, I’m trying to discuss something with you!” Tan Yang teased, gripping his wrist.

“It’s not a good idea. Too much trouble,” he replied, carefully picking bones from the fish.

“If you don’t agree, I won’t eat this fish,” she threatened playfully.

Bi Qingtang made a face, “You cruel woman, using the baby’s dinner to threaten me. Fine, for the sake of this fish, I’ll bear it.”

The Spring Festival of 1930 arrived. As usual, Bi Qingtang gave the servants several days off. That New Year’s Eve, Old Zhou spent the holiday with the couple at the Bi residence. They ordered food from a restaurant, and the three of them chatted and drank, like a family. Over the next two days, Old Zhou cooked Hunan-style dishes, and like an elder brother, regaled them with stories of his hometown. Their relationship grew closer without them realizing.

February came, just after the festival, and people still carried the lethargy of the holiday. The damp, chilly air of Shanghai was tinged with the remnants of firecracker smoke. With the term over, Tan Yang began her rest at home, reading and preparing for exams, nurturing her pregnancy.

Bi Qingtang was even more attentive, cherishing her in every way, as together they waited with happy anticipation for the arrival of new life.

In the morning, Tan Yang leaned against the headboard reading. Bi Qingtang, finished with his preparations to go out, came back upstairs and pulled the book from her hands.

“Once I’m gone, you should sleep a bit more. There’s always more books to read. If you want to attend a university, just tell me. I’ll arrange it for you—why bother with exams?”

“How is that the same, big brother? I rely on you for everything else, but school is something I must do myself. If you keep saying things like that, not only will I not be grateful, I’ll be angry with you.”

Bi Qingtang drew her into his arms, smiling, “Fine, then tell me—how can I earn your gratitude?”

“There’s something I want to eat!”

He pinched her nose, face serious. “Quick, tell me!”

Tan Yang’s eyes sparkled, “Watermelon!”

Bi Qingtang pressed his forehead to hers and sighed, “My darling, are you teasing me? You want watermelon in February?”

Tan Yang burrowed into his arms, giggling, “I just want to deflate your pride, since you’re always encouraging me to get everything without effort!”

They were so wrapped up in each other that Wu Ma, holding a basin of washwater, stood awkwardly at the door, unsure whether to enter or retreat. After Bi Qingtang left, Wu Ma handed Tan Yang a hot towel.

“Miss, you and the young master are so loving together.”

Tan Yang smiled, holding the towel, but said nothing.

“But you mustn’t be careless. Don’t be fooled by how good things are now. Wealthy, powerful men are unpredictable. Now you’re expecting, it’s even easier for men to get into trouble outside. I’m older, I’ve seen plenty. Many gentlemen take a concubine while their wives are pregnant. You must keep an eye on the young master, or you’ll regret it later!”

Tan Yang tossed the towel into the basin and said with annoyance, “Wu Ma, don’t talk nonsense. Never mind that big brother isn’t like that, but even if he made such a foolish mistake, the one to regret it for a lifetime would certainly be him!”

Wu Ma, seeing her attempt at heartfelt advice rebuffed, fell back on her “family” status, muttering, “There are many servants here, but only I came with you from your family—I’m the only one you can trust! Only I would say such things to you…”

Bitan Chronicle 3331_Bitan Chronicle Full Free Read_33(31) Old Zhou update complete!