The Scenery of the Lake and the Mountain Read online

  The Scenery of the Lake

  and the Mountain

  Zhou Daxin

  Translated by Thomas Bray

  The Scenery of the Lake and the Mountain

  Originally published in 2008 as 湖光山色 by

  The Writers Publishing House, Beijing

  First published in Great Britain 2016 by Aurora Publishing LLC

  215 University Boulevard, Nottingham, NG9 2GJ

  Chief editor: Zhang Gaoli and Liu Yongchun

  Managing editor: Fan Wei

  Copy-editor: Wang Renlong and Zhang Xiankui

  Copyright © Zhou Daxin

  Translation copyright © China Translation & Publishing House

  All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

  ISBN 978-1-908647-83-2

  Zhou Daxin was born in 1952 in Dengzhou, Henan. Since first publishing in 1979 he has won the National Excellent Short Story Prize, the Feng Mu Prize and the Mao Dun Literature Prize. Many of his works have been adapted into plays, television series, movies and radio plays. Some works have been translated into English, French, German, Japanese, Czech and Korean. He currently lives and writes in Beijing. His works include the novels Out of the Basin, Twentieth Act, Legends of War, and Warning. The novella Sesame Oil Mill On The Banks was filmed as Les Femmes du lac aux âmes parfumées and won the 43rd Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear Award.

  CHINESE MODERN CLASSICS

  ——•中国当代经典系列•——

  Hollow Mountain (Part One)

  The Scenery of the Lake and the Mountain

  The Book of Life

  The Promise Bird

  The Sky Dwellers

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 1

  Nuannuan’s biggest dream then was to earn 10,000 yuan. The digits in her account were slowly approaching that dream. In a couple of nights, Nuannuan even dreamt of how she would spend the money. What she never dreamt of was the call that came, informing her Mom’s dire situation. When the call arrived she was busy cleaning a recently furbished apartment in Chaoyang District, Beijing. The smell of paint solvent in this new apartment had given her a headache, but Nuannuan did not stop: she scraped the dirt from the floor, cleaned the glass of doors and window panes, washed the stains off the rags and mops, and carried the garbage away … The cleaning company assigned the job to her and two other girls. The faster she could finish her part, the earlier she would get her share of 90 yuan. Just as she was wiping her sweat off — the mop in her hand and her T-shirt all soaked wet — one of the other girls’ phone rang. The girl passed it to Nuannuan: “It’s for you.”

  Nuannuan was surprised: “From whom?”

  She felt nervous when she saw the number indicating her hometown — she asked Dad not to call (after all, it was not her phone) unless urgent. Dad’s voice was shaky:“Nuannuan, I am calling from the post office on Juxiang Street. You must hurry back, your mother is very, very sick …”

  Her legs went shaky, too. Leaning against the closest windowsill, she responded: “Dad, send her to the town hospital, I am coming home …”

  When Nuannuan arrived at the east bank of the Red Lake on a bus, after a train ride to the town of Nanfu City, it was noon of the next day. She made a run for the pier as she got off — if she could catch the boat to the west bank, she would make it home at sunset. Yet the boat had already left her sight. Unwilling to give up, she ran to the ticket house and asked: “Is there another boat today?”

  “No. You have to come back tomorrow.” The man answered as he closed the ticket window.

  Upset, Nuannuan threw her bag to the ground, and sat down. As she sat, her hand touched the pouch next to her waist. It was filled with 8,000 yuan in cash, and that was all the money she had earned in the past two years. “Mom, don’t be afraid, your daughter has the money for your treatment …”

  Nuannuan was worried, fretting when she heard a call from nearby: “Black Bean! Remember to bring more magnolia buds next time!” Black Bean? She turned her head and saw Uncle Black Bean from her village, a frequent visitor to the east bank to sell his herbs. Nuannuan picked up her bag, and found herself staggering towards him: “Uncle Black Bean, did you row yourself here?” The man, in his middle age, tanned, skinny and short, turned to look at her: “Ho-ho! Nuannuan! You are home?! That’s lucky. Come here, take a ride on my boat home.”

  The boat was miserably small, but Black Bean had installed an engine on it. With a continuous whooorring sound, the boat picked up a good speed. It was not windy, and the waves were gentle on the lake. Several white birds were flying close to the blue surface, and once in a while a small fish or two would jump up and back down again. Far beyond, fishers were collecting their nets from a handful of small boats. When the boat anchored, the sun had fled to the other side of the village hill, and smoke was rising from every chimney. Nuannuan said a quick thanks and hurried into the village. When she walked underneath the stone pillar, with a heavily weathered inscription of the village’s name; Chu Wang Village. She caught the sight of the houses, tall yet small, in the village that she had not known for two years, Nuannuan suddenly had the illusion that the majestic village she left had shrunk: its tall, pretty houses shortened and broken; its wide, unwinding road narrowed down to an ugly trail. Yet the magnolia tree in front of her house seemed the same. Tall and robust, the tree had its crown like a giant’s umbrella. Then came the same birds that flew on and off the branches when she left, chirping their last gossips before nightfall.

  Only her little sister Hehe and Grandma were at home. Grandma, as usual, was wearing nothing on top whilst lighting the fire in front of the range. She was coughing loudly as she fed wood and grass to the fire, her withered breasts shaking back and forth. Hehe was chopping sweet potatoes into the pot, every piece splashing water at Grandma’s naked body. Hearing the steps, Hehe turned her head and saw Nuannuan entering the house. She stopped the chopping and called out: “Sister —”, tears dropped from her ey
es. It made Nuannuan’s heart ache. She stepped up and called “Grandma”, bowing down to kiss her wrinkled forehead. Then she turned and asked Hehe: “Where is Dad?”

  “He went to send Mom to the town hospital on Juxiang Street. Grandma and I were left to guard the house.”

  “How is she?”

  “I heard the surgery will be this afternoon.”

  “What on earth does she have?”

  “Booby cancer.”

  “Booby?” Nuannuan gasped.

  “Mom’s got cancer in one of her boobies.” Explained Hehe.

  Nuannuan flopped into the chair next to Grandma. She buried her head into her hands. After a while, she raised her head again and said: “Is the bike here?”

  Hehe answered: “Dad rode it to send Mom to the hospital.”

  “Go to Shallot’s and borrow her bike.”

  “What is this for? It’s already dark.” asked Hehe, her eyes widening.

  “I need to ride to the hospital. I need to see Mom.”

  “That far? On your own?”

  “Go borrow the bike now.” Turning away, Nuannuan helped Grandma throw a bunch of wood into the pit. The fire was lit again. She quickly washed her hands in the basin. Neatly, she started chopping the sweet potatoes left by her sister. After she threw all chopped potatoes into the pot and closed the lid, Nuannuan took out a short sleeve blouse from her bag: “Grandma, I bought a top for you. Come and try it on.”

  “Later. It’s too hot in here.” Grandma answered.

  “You’ll look better wearing it. Old ladies in Beijing never go topless, no matter how hot it gets.” Nuannuan had grown uncomfortable with her grandma’s naked body.

  “Blah! We peasants are no comparison with the city people!” Grandma was not convinced.

  Nuannuan did not wait for her consent, but put the blouse on for her. “How’s that? It fits!” Nuannuan asked as she checked it out from a few angles.

  Grandma smiled and grasped the collar in her hand: “Good, its good. It’s just a bit posh …”

  Footsteps and the sound of rolling wheels on the ground were heard before the sweet potatoes were done. Nuannuan knew it was Shallot without even looking.

  “You are home! I thought you would come back one of these days. Changlin got his job in Nanfu City, so I will ride to the hospital with you!” Shallot was a healthy, robust looking woman, the product of long years working in the field.

  Turning her head, Shallot asked Grandma: “Have you eaten yet?”

  Grandma did not answer. She raised her cane and knocked it softly on Shallot’s arm: “Wife of Changlin, you and Nuannuan, two women, you cannot go outside together after nightfall! What if some bad guy followed you?”

  Shallot answered with a smile: “Don’t worry, there are no bad guys out there!”

  Grandma did not give up: “Eek! You can’t be careful enough! I heard Old Tung’s wife was mugged on the road the other day! The bad guy took all 30 eggs from her!”

  “I’ll take this sickle with me then!” Shallot pulled a sickle off the wall, its blade shining from the sharpening. She waved it in front of Grandma: “If any bad guy as much as shows up, I will chop his head off!”

  Grandma laughed with her mouth open, showing the only two teeth left: “Big talk! You haven’t got the guts! A shout from the bad guy will send you to your knees.”

  “I’ve got Nuannuan with me!”

  “That is true. My Nuannuan has got some nerves.” Grandma seemed proud. Again she said: “It’s dark. You be careful when riding the bike. The road to Juxiang Street is by the lakeside, so watch your mouth! Don’t say anything that displeases the lake god! You hear that?”

  Shallot answered as she turned the bike: “Yes, Grandma.”

  Nuannuan reached for the sickle on Shallot’s back and held it in her own hands. She followed her out.

  Chapter 2

  The journey was 4,500 meters on a dirt road. Despite the mountain on the right side, the road was still suitable for a bike as it followed closely to the lakeside on its left. Nuannuan was sitting on the rear saddle, while Shallot rode the bike. She could hear Shallot’s heavy breath in the endless darkness. Autumn crickets were chirping happily. But when the bike approached, they paused their songs. Just last night she was in noisy Beijing, a city ablaze of lively brightness. Nuannuan felt unreal about herself riding in this scary, silent darkness. She felt as if she was in a different world.

  Shallot’s breath got heavier. Feeling guilty, Nuannuan whispered: “Take a rest. I can ride.”

  “I’m alright,” answered Shallot as she reached one hand into her pocket. She stopped the bike and put a small, warm pack into Nuannuan’s hand.

  “You should just sit there and relax. You must have hurried to the train station yesterday. A train, a bus, then a boat! You must be hungry! And you didn’t take a rest at home. You must be exhausted, too! It’s pan-fried bread with egg in it. Eat it. We will find you some proper food on Juxiang Street.”

  Nuannuan could feel tears in her eyes with the bread in her hand. Two teardrops fell on her collar. Amongst all girl friends of hers, Shallot was the most trustworthy. Though neither Shallot nor her husband Changlin was related to Nuannuan, the two young women became good friends, simply because they admired each other’s tempers. Shallot married into the village five years ago, and Nuannuan liked her quickly for her good nature, helpful heart and skillful hands that made embroideries and wicker baskets. Before she went to Beijing, Nuannuan would go to Shallot’s house whenever she could; she kept no secret from her.

  “You must not worry too much about Auntie’s health. I heard they cure everything today.” Shallot was trying to offer her some consolations.

  Nuannuan sighed: “Mom is not living a charmed life.”

  “You were out there for two years. Any fine lads? Didn’t bump into a likable one or two?” asked Shallot as she rode.

  “No. The cleaning company is small and I didn’t meet anyone presentable; and I was out there for the money. I didn’t spend much time thinking about that,” answered Nuannuan, her eyes gazed upon the pale white lake.

  “Don’t lie to Shallot! Don’t you surprise me with a handsome young guy tomorrow!”

  “Make me your guard dog if I lied to you.”

  “You remember Kaitian from the village, right? Have you made up your mind about him?”

  “Kaitian …” Nuannuan hesitated. She didn’t know what to say.

  Kaitian was from Chu Wang Village, too. Nuannuan grew up with him. She remembered meeting him for the first time on a trip to offer incense in Lingyan Temple with Mom. Mom was one of the two most passionate visitors to the temple. The other one was Kaitian’s mother. Mom eagerly offered the incense so that the Buddha would watch over Dad’s fishing in the Red Lake. Kaitian’s mother went for the harvest. Kaitian’s family farmed their fields. For the sake of a harvest, Kaitian’s mother would kneel in front of the Buddha and kowtow during the New Year. She would also offer incense before every spring seeding, autumn harvest, and summer plough. Nuannuan met Kaitian for the first time in front of the temple gate. She remembered how both of their hands were clutching nervously to the edge of their mothers’ blouses as they followed the crowd slowly into the temple. It was after the trip to the temple that the two started spending playtime together, and realized that they both lived in the same village. The village was a big one. Since Kaitian’s house was in the center and Nuannuan’s the far south end, it was no wonder that they never even heard about each other before. The more time they spent together, the more they knew about each other. Kaitian learnt that her dad, Chu Changshun, fished in a small boat in the Red Lake every day; and Nuannuan learnt that Kaitian’s father, Kuang Baogu, was one of the old-timers that farmed the field. Once Kaitian’s father, eager to have the field plowed, was too harsh on a bull. The bull twisted its head around and, with an angry strike, broke his legs. Kaitian had to quit school after this to undertake the farm work instead of his father. Nuannuan made up her mind to wor
k hard in school after she knew about it. She was determined to go to college and help Kaitian afterwards. However, things did not go as she wished. She took the exam yet did not make it to college. With her dream shattered, she fished with Dad for a year. Then she was determined to leave and pick up work in the city …

  “Since you are home, you should think about your marriage when your mother recovers.” Shallot’s voice rose in the darkness. “As for Kaitian, I know he still cares about you. He never stopped asking about you. You have to make up your mind now. If it’s a yes, it’s a yes. If not, you have to tell him, or he will grow bitter soon.”

  “Right.” Nuannuan whispered her answer, eyes gazing upon the dark mountains on the other side of the dirt road.

  It was already 10pm when they arrived at the hospital. Dad told Nuannuan that the surgery went well as a doctor from the county hospital came to help. Mom was still in the Intensive Care Unit, but everything was fine. Finally feeling assured, Nuannuan sat down on the staircase in front of the hospital, with no strength left.

  Chapter 3

  Nuannuan kept Mom company in the hospital for one month and a half. The surgery was scary; it cut away one whole breast of Mom’s. Some flesh around the breast was taken, too. But everything was okay. The doctor said that the chemo and radiotherapy had driven all of the cancer cells away. Yet Mom was too weak to even walk because of the blood loss, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Nuannuan felt sad seeing Mom like that; she remembered how Mom would carry more than fifty kilograms of corns and potatoes home during harvests. Mom’s stay in the hospital had cost all the money Nuannuan earned, and they paid for the rest with the only income Dad had from the fishing. Grandma used to say that there are only three things to do in the life of rural folk like them: to build a house, to get married, and to keep sickness away. It was not until then had Nuannuan understood the weight of those words. The price of keeping sickness away is truly high: it turns one into a penniless pity overnight. After Mom returned home from the hospital, it was natural that Nuannuan was responsible for everything around the house as Hehe had her school, Dad his fishing in the lake, and Grandma was too old to pick up anything at all. Nuannuan set aside the thoughts about Beijing, and condensed herself to both the housework and the contracted farmland of her family. During her break between farm work, Nuannuan always thought about the joyful time she had with the girls she worked with in Beijing. Every time she would sigh at the thoughts: “I am now trapped here in Chu Wang Village.”