Explore Chapter 8 of 'Little Erhei Gets Married' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Xiao Qin told Xiao Erhei everything from start to finish-how her mother had masterminded the wedding, how she'd pretended to be possessed, and all the things she'd sung. Xiao Erhei said, "Pay her no mind! I've asked the comrades at the district office. They said as long as the man and woman are willing, they can register at the district office. No one else gets a say in it..." Just then, they heard footsteps outside. Xiao Erhei poked his head out and saw four or five figures in the dark. One of them cried, "Caught in the act! We've got them both!" Both recognized Jin Wang's voice. Xiao Erhei snapped, "Catch us? We ain't done nothing wrong!" Xing Wang had arrived too and barked, "Grab 'em! Let's see if you've broken the law or not. I've had my eye on you for days, worrying myself sick!" Xiao Erhei retorted, "Take us wherever you want! Even at the border government, you can't touch us! Let's go!" Xing Wang snarled, "Go? Not that easy! Tie him up!" Xiao Erhei struggled, but outnumbered, he was finally beaten and tied up by the mob. Xing Wang ordered, "There's a woman inside too. Tie her up! To catch adultery, you need both-that's what she said herself!" And so they tied up Xiao Qin as well.
The folks in the front village hadn't turned in yet. Hearing the quarrel, some ran out to see. The sight of the two tied figures under the torchlight told them all they needed to know. Er Zhuge also emerged. Seeing Xiao Erhei bound, he knelt before Xing Wang and begged, "Xing Wang! There's no bad blood between our families. For this old man's sake, show some mercy..." Xing Wang said, "This is beyond us. We'll hand them over to the higher-ups!" Xiao Erhei cried, "Father! Don't you worry! Wherever they send us, we haven't broken any law! I ain't scared of him!" Xing Wang jeered, "Brave words, boy! Stay brave till the very end, then!" He then turned to the three militiamen and commanded, "Take them away!" One militiaman asked, "To the village office?" Xing Wang snapped, "What's the use of the village office? Last time, didn't the village head let them go? Send them to the district militia director to be dealt with by military law!" With that, they hustled the two away.