第二十四章 狗长犄角 (Chapter 24: A Dog Grows Horns)

Tianci ran to Cloud City and found Sihu. Sihu was no longer at the Niu residence; he was working as a clerk in a small shop. Tianci told him everything. Sihu listened for a long time without speaking.

"Is it all over?" Sihu asked.

"It's all over," Tianci said.

"What are you going to do then?"

Tianci shook his head. His heart felt empty, like a winter melon that had been scooped clean of its flesh.

"Come work with me," said Sihu, "you may not get rich, but you won't starve."

Tianci moved in with Sihu at the small shop. He tried learning the trade but was never good at it. He still remembered those books, those stories, those fantasies. He felt he was not meant to be a petty merchant, but he couldn't figure out what he was supposed to do.

One day, while walking in the street, he saw an old man selling pears. The old man looked familiar. Drawing closer, he realized it was Wang Baozhai. Teacher Wang had aged considerably, his hair all white, but he still seemed spirited.

"Tianci!" Teacher Wang called out.

Tianci almost burst into tears. He called out "Teacher" and then couldn't speak.

Teacher Wang took his arm and found a teahouse to sit down. He asked Tianci about his years. Tianci told him everything in detail. Teacher Wang sighed and said, "Tianci, you are a clever boy, just never had a good opportunity. I haven't fared well either these years. I started a business and lost money; I tried teaching, but nobody hired me."

"Teacher, what should I do?" Tianci asked.

Teacher Wang thought for a moment and said, "If you're willing, come with me. I have a friend in Jinan who can find you some work. Let's leave this Cloud City and start afresh."

Tianci's heart brightened, but he also hesitated. He was reluctant to leave Sihu, and reluctant to leave the place where he had grown up. But he knew that staying here, he would only drift aimlessly.

"Alright, teacher, I'll go with you," said Tianci.

Teacher Wang smiled and patted Tianci on the shoulder.

That evening, Tianci told Sihu. Sihu said nothing, smoked for a long time, and then said, "Go ahead, brother. You have your own path. I'll stay here, as long as I have food to eat."

Tianci felt very sad, but he understood it was the best way.

Early the next morning, Tianci boarded the train with Teacher Wang. The train started moving, and the city walls of Cloud City slowly shrank until they disappeared. Tianci leaned against the window, gazing at the fields outside. He didn't know what he felt.

Teacher Wang sat opposite, dozing with his eyes closed. Tianci suddenly remembered the Yantai apples Teacher Wang had told him about as a child, the endless blossoms. He smiled a bitter smile.

The train traveled for two days and a night, finally arriving at Jinan. Tianci got off, feeling that even the air was fresh. Teacher Wang's friend ran a bookstore. He took a liking to Tianci and kept him on.

Tianci worked at the bookstore, sorting books and cleaning every day. In his spare time, he picked up books to read. He read many books: history, novels, poetry. He felt his heart gradually filling up.

One day, Teacher Wang came to see him and asked how he was doing. Tianci said, "It's good, teacher. It's just that when I think of the past, my heart still feels a bit unsettled."

"Let the past be past," said Teacher Wang. "You must remember, in a lifetime, it's like a dog growing horns--there are all sorts of strange things. But no matter how strange, you have to go on living."

Tianci nodded. He understood the teacher's words. He no longer dreamed of being a hero, nor hated anyone. He just wanted to live well, to be an ordinary person.

In the evening, he went alone to the banks of the Yellow River. Watching the rolling waters, his heart suddenly became clear. He remembered his name--Tianci, bestowed by Heaven. He smiled, a relaxed smile.

"Thank you, Heaven," he said to the river.

The river gurgled softly, as if answering him.