Chapter Sixty: Building the Stage

The two walked together, chatting and laughing. As dusk approached and their conversation had reached a satisfactory conclusion, he knew it was time to head home.

The program was arranged and directed by Feng Shunya, though she had yet to find sufficient help. The young people were all working away from home; those left behind were either too old or too young. Fortunately, Feng Shunya was quick-witted and came up with an idea for Le’er. In Shangtao Village, there were over a dozen high school students attending Thirteenth Middle School in the town. This school had a poor reputation in the county; its students attended classes sporadically, merely seeking a diploma to graduate.

If the students from Thirteenth Middle School could be recruited for the performance troupe, it would be ideal.

Feng Shunya walked Le’er out of the school.

“Le’er, the show must go on, but you need to focus on your farm as well. It’s best if you can get in touch with your foster sister and with Boss Hong, then you’ll have some assurance.”

Le’er nodded, though his heart was troubled. He couldn’t reach Li Ying by phone, and he felt uneasy about calling Boss Hong. Besides, would Boss Hong really help him?

He’d been treated to lunch by Secretary Huang, but now he was hungry again. After a tiring day, the thought of having to cook for himself at home annoyed him. The evening wind rustled the bamboo grove, winter was near, and the air was already chilly. Passing through the grove, he saw smoke rising from the kitchen roof of his house.

“Hmm, could the Snail Maiden have come to visit?”

The story of the Snail Maiden was a charming folk tale. The heroine, a spirit in snail form, was kind-hearted and often secretly cooked meals for the young man in the story. Of course, he didn’t imagine he was so virtuous as to move a snail spirit with his character. He could easily guess who his own “Snail Maiden” was.

Thinking of Yinxiang’s gentle care, warmth stirred in his heart, even though the autumn wasn’t too cold. He wanted to sneak in and play the scoundrel, but his yellow dog ran out to greet him from afar.

“Don’t bark,” he whispered in warning. The dog, his companion for years, understood and wagged its tail, brushing it against him in a gesture of affection.

Yinxiang was tending the fire. The glow made her lovely face radiant, her long eyebrows fine as willow leaves, her eyes calm and shining with satisfaction.

Suddenly, a pair of hands covered her eyes.

“Ha ha, I’ve caught the Snail Spirit.”

Yinxiang didn’t guess; she recognized Le’er’s scent.

“I’m no snail spirit,” Luo Yinxiang said, leaning into his arms, her cheeks flushed—whether from the firelight or a rush of blood, it was hard to tell. “I’m your crab spirit, your very own crab spirit.”

“If you dare turn into a crab spirit, I’ll smash your crab shell,” Le’er teased, boldly grabbing her, “I only want the snail spirit, the one who cooks for me.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll be your snail spirit during the day and your crab spirit at night, how about that?” Luo Yinxiang indulged him, letting him touch her, waves of pleasure coursing through her body, though she held back, speaking gently. “Go bathe now. The weather’s getting cold. Don’t use cold water—I’ve boiled hot water for you.”

Two fires burned: one small, cooking rice, the other large, heating water for his bath.

“Not bad at all,” Le’er released her and brought out a big bag, placing it before her. She opened it to find a bag of crystal-clear candied dates, popping one in her mouth. Happiness blossomed on her face, as though the sweetness filled her heart.

“Don’t eat them all, save some for Director Tian.”

“Director Tian?” Luo Yinxiang chewed on the candied date, her smile alluring. “Are you plotting something with Director Tian? Hmm… Director Tian is quite full-figured, you know, with plenty of curves. The crabs underneath are plump and tender… hee hee…”

“Cut it out, you’re always coming up with strange ideas. Do you think I’m a boar?” Le’er glared at her, annoyed. He fetched a bucket, ladled hot water into it, and poured it into the large wooden tub in the bathroom. The tub was so big that after five buckets, the water barely filled half. Soon, he was soaking in the hot water, humming as he washed.

The next morning, Le’er arrived at the village committee early. He had already discussed matters with Secretary Tao—they would hold a meeting today for the team leaders to arrange the performance.

Before the villagers’ meeting, the committee members needed a quick discussion.

Le’er was the first to arrive, unlocked the door, and began cleaning. Though Tao Wen’s wife was contracted to maintain the committee’s cleanliness, she rarely came more than twice a month. With Le’er’s help, the place was much tidier—no longer did pig or dog droppings accumulate outside. Fallen leaves drifted thickly over the ground.

He cleared away the pig and dog droppings outside, swept away the leaves under the eaves and along the road, then cleaned inside. With his long arms and legs, Le’er cleaned swiftly. Once finished, Secretary Tao arrived, smiling, followed by Tian Sihua.

“Le’er, you’re meddling again, doing things beyond your duty.”

“Nothing better to do, so I meddle. By the way, there’s food on your desk—don’t say I’m stingy.”

“Well, Le’er’s the best, never forgets his sister-in-law.” Tian Sihua opened the bag and squealed, “Candied dates! Wonderful! Haven’t had these in years, they’re expensive and I can’t justify buying them. Le’er is so thoughtful.”

She tossed one into her mouth, sweetness spreading from her lips to her heart.

“Sihua, give your uncle a couple for a sweet mouth,” Secretary Tao teased, watching Tian Sihua’s childlike delight.

“Uncle, you’re so old and still greedy?” Tian Sihua smiled at Secretary Tao, “Here, but only three… Hey, how did you grab five or six at once? Heh, I’ll take the rest home for my kids.”

Secretary Tao ate candied dates while watching Le’er mop the floor. He thought, this young man is clever, always offering small favors without leaving a trace. Tian Sihua was already won over by his “sugar-coated bullets,” always siding with Le’er. The committee only had Tao Wen and Le’er who didn’t get along; even he, the old fellow, secretly admired Le’er.

The committee originally had five members. Tao Wen arrived last, his face dark and sullen, ignoring everyone as if they owed him money. Since he ignored them, they ignored him. Tian Sihua didn’t spare him a glance, chatting only with Le’er.

“Some people really act like fools… Hey, Le’er, you should try acting too. At least yours works, and Secretary Huang appreciates you. This time, you’ll surely win first prize in the performance.”

Tian Sihua laughed, making Tao Wen roll his eyes in frustration, though he dared not vent his anger on her. Tian Sihua was enjoying her moment; her husband had become the director of academic affairs at Tianchong Middle School, possibly a future principal. Tao Wen couldn’t afford to offend this sister-in-law who favored her own family.

Le’er couldn’t be bothered to argue with Tao Wen, merely smiling. Tao Wen felt increasingly isolated and his resentment toward Le’er deepened.

The meeting began. Secretary Tao spoke directly.

“Our committee’s job is to provide Le’er with a stage. How the show is performed is up to him.” Secretary Tao glanced at the grim-faced Tao Wen, “I warn everyone—no one is to sabotage things. Anyone who tries will answer to me, and to Secretary Huang. Let me be clear: sabotage means undermining the county committee’s decision to enrich rural cultural life. At that point, you might even end up in jail.”

His words were clearly aimed at Tao Wen. He didn’t want to embarrass him too much, but Tao Wen’s recent behavior worried him. Secretary Tao was furious—Tao Wen was stubborn as an ox, refusing to see how much Secretary Huang valued Le’er. If not for Le’er’s reluctance to stir trouble, Tao Wen would have been dismissed already.

Secretary Tao shook his head, and the other committee members spoke. Tian Sihua raised both hands in support, the other two had no objections, only Tao Wen remained sullen.

“Do as you all see fit,” he muttered.

Le’er smiled calmly, simply stating, “I’ll follow Secretary Tao’s lead in everything.”