Free Old Land, New Tales: Twenty Short Stories by Writers of the Shaanxi Region in China by Chen Zhongshi, Jia Pingwa Page A

flood.”
    “Come to my house for radishes,” Mu Du said. “This year, our radishes are growing well—white and long. You can have as much as you can eat!”
    “Why should I take yours?” Her question confused Mu Du. Realizing he was facing a young divorcée, his warmth seemed to sink into the water and could not resurface. He asked roughly, “So, Darky, you haven’t found a man yet? How can you keep it up, living alone all this time? Be sharp-eyed and marry a man who really cares for you!”
    Darky felt her face grow warm. Her body seemed deliciously tired. She leaned against a willow tree on the bank.
    They fell into an awkward silence, each focusing on the river, the willows, the opposite bank, with occasional furtive glances at each other. The yapping of a wild hound in the distance cleared Darky’s mind. She said, “Let’s go back.” The way home was equally silent, and Mu Du felt the load on his shoulders grow heavier.
    Ten days later, a matchmaker found Darky. A man had offered 300 yuan as a betrothal gift to marry her. When Darky asked who the man was, the matchmaker told her it was Lai Shun.
    Darky noted to herself, he has the guts to do it! But she was alarmed and confused. The matchmaker argued, “Indeed he is poor, but he looks presentable. More importantly, he’s not from around here—so after the wedding the two of you can leave this place. When you’re out of sight of your ex-husband’s family, then your ex-husband will be out of your mind!”
    “I’m the daughter of a poor family,” Darky replied. “So I mind his poverty. Anyway, I intend to stay here. I’ll try to make my own living and keep up with my ex-husband’s family.”
    Annoyed, the matchmaker said, “You talk nonsense! That family has now joined with the rich and powerful mayor. What can you do to them?”
    “I won’t do anything to them—but justice will!”
    “How stupid you are,” said the matchmaker. “No wonder your life is unhappy. Do you know what justice is? Justice is a baked potato: if you’re familiar with it, it will be soft; if not, it will be hard.”
    “Is there no fairness in the world?” Darky asked.
    The matchmaker returned to the topic at hand. “So, you are not pleased with Lai Shun? But there’s clearly chemistry between you when you’re together. Why the reluctance to marry him?”
    Darky said, “What connection do I have with Lai Shun?” Finding no common ground, the matchmaker left. Darky was full of pent-up anger.
    Soon after, another go-between came to Darky’s house and proposed a marriage with Mu Du. Darky snorted with laughter: “All the bachelors are coming to me!”
    The go-between said she had been approached by Mu Du’s old father. Mu Du said that Darky was perfect, but he was too shy to tell her how he felt. The go-between had planned to bring Mu Dualong, but halfway there he had wrapped his arms around a tree and refused to let go no matter how hard she pulled.
    Hearing that, Darky could not help giggling—but then tears appeared in her eyes. Her voice choked. She lay on the kang with a heavy heart. Thinking Darky was against the idea, the go-between said, “You know Mu Du’s family. Admittedly he is poor, but he is good-hearted. Besides, you came to grief on account of a wealthy family. Granted, his appearance is not outstanding—but he is sincere and kindly. If a man is handsome, he may have a wild heart and never be satisfied.”
    The go-between continued to make her case. “I heard that Lai Shun offered three hundred yuan as a betrothal gift, so Mu Du will give three hundred fifty yuan! I’ll just leave it here on the cabinet.” And the go-between left. Darky grabbed the money and ran after her but failed to catch up. She returned home and sat in a daze till midnight.
    Darky married Mu Du after the wheat sowing. On their wedding day, Mu Du sported a newly shaved head and chin, and he wore a length of red silk around his waist and a brand-new cap. He invited