Explore Chapter 16 of "生死场" with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
The nunnery was a red-brick house at the foot of the mountain. She tried to open the door but couldn't. Flocks of sparrows pecked at food in the courtyard, and the stone steps were covered with green moss. She asked a neighbor woman, who said, "The nun disappeared after the incident. It's said she ran off with the carpenter who built the house."
Jinzhi saw that the woman's belly was swollen. Jinzhi said to her, "With such a big belly, you still dare to come out? Haven't you heard that the little Japanese soldiers take pregnant women to break the 'Red Spear Society'? The Japanese soldiers cut open the women's bellies and take them to battle. They say the Red Spear Society fears nothing except women. The Japanese soldiers call the 'Red Spear Society' 'iron children'!"
The woman burst into tears immediately. "I said I didn't want to marry out, but Mother wouldn't allow it. She said the Japanese soldiers want young girls. Look, what should we do now? The child's father left and hasn't been seen since. He went to join the 'Volunteer Army'."
Someone crawled out from behind the temple. Jinzhi and the others were scared and ran. "Have you seen a ghost? Am I a ghost?…"
The once handsome young man crawled back like a dead snake. Fifth Aunt came out and saw her man. She thought of a wounded horse from the past. Fifth Aunt asked him, "Has the 'Volunteer Army' all disbanded?" "All disbanded! All dead! Even I am dead!" He waved his arm, striking the grass tips in circles. "Wife of a kept man, I've ended up like this. Don't you have a single affectionate word for me?"