第二十三章 (Chapter Twenty-Three)

Li Jing wept, and Wang De watched her, his eyes brimming with tears. When her sobs subsided, he poured her a cup of hot tea. She cradled the bowl, still trembling with quiet grief.

"Sister Jing! What is your plan?" Wang De asked.

"I have no plan! I know nothing!" she said, gazing at the intricate pattern on the tea bowl.

"Did you not speak with Dong the Philanthropist?"

"I did! He claimed to have no money, yet counseled me to take the veil!"

"Take the veil? Become a nun?" Wang De's words grated through clenched teeth.

"Yes! Become a nun! To cultivate merit for the next life!"

"The next life! Sister Jing! Do you believe in a next life?"

"I do not! But my uncle presses me, the creditors hound me, I..."

"I will seek out Lao Zhang, I will fight him to the death! I curse myself for not striking him dead that day!" Wang De beat his own head.

"Kill him, and you perish too! For my sake, it is not worth it!"

"To die for you would be worth it! Sister Jing, I..." Wang De nearly uttered "I love you," but the words died on his lips.

"Brother, I understand your good heart. But we are young still; we must not think of death at the first hurdle. I must yet find a way for my uncle. The path with Dong the Philanthropist is closed. But another remains..."

"What other path?"

"I shall write a letter to Officer Long of the Salvation Army, beseeching him to lend me the money. He knows my uncle, and as a man of faith, he may show mercy."

"Officer Long? That tall man, the one with the pockmarked face?"

"Yes. I believe him to be a good man. Though he owes my uncle and has not repaid, it may be true poverty. I will try; there is no second choice."

"I will deliver the letter for you!" Wang De insisted eagerly.

"No need. I will go myself. Tomorrow morning. Now, it grows late. Go to sleep; you have work tomorrow."

"I cannot sleep."

"Go to sleep! Go!" Li Jing stood and pointed firmly toward Wang De's bedroom.

Wang De lowered his head and shuffled slowly out. Li Jing watched his retreating back and sighed deeply.

The next morning, the wind had stilled, and the sunlight shone clear and lovely. Li Jing changed into a clean cotton blouse, combed her hair neatly, placed the letter for Officer Long in her pocket, told her aunt she was going to the street for errands, and stepped out.

At Officer Long's gate, her heart pounded violently. She stood a moment before knocking softly.

The door opened to reveal Long Feng, dressed in a long blue cotton robe with a blue kerchief tied about her head. Smiling, she ushered Li Jing inside.

"Sister Jing, you come so early! My father has just risen." Long Feng took Li Jing's hand and led her inward.

"Miss Feng, I have a matter to beg of Officer Long."

"Very well. Wait a moment; I will tell him." Long Feng hurried into the north room.

The courtyard was impeccably clean. A few pots of chrysanthemums lay piled in a corner; though their blooms had faded, the leaves remained verdant. Under the eaves of the north room hung a small birdcage, where a bluethroat warbled. People of faith are indeed more orderly, Li Jing thought.

Officer Long emerged, clad in a gray padded cotton gown. His face was kindly, yet bore a trace of surprise.

"Miss Li, good morning! Please, come in and sit!"

Li Jing followed Officer Long inside. The room was arranged with exceptional tidiness. A portrait of Jesus hung on the wall, and a Bible lay upon the table. Officer Long gestured for Li Jing to sit, and Long Feng brought a bowl of tea.

"You have business, Miss Li?" Officer Long inquired as he sat.

Li Jing's cheeks flushed. She drew the letter from her pocket and handed it to him.

Officer Long opened the letter, read it through, looked up at Li Jing, then down at the letter again, and remained silent for a long while.

"Miss Li," he said slowly, "I truly admire your filial devotion. But, I have no money. My salary barely covers my expenses, and I owe debts myself. The Salvation Army emphasizes soul salvation; we lack ample funds for monetary aid. I sympathize with your uncle's plight, but my strength falls short. I am deeply sorry!"

Li Jing's heart sank like a stone dropped into a well, plunging into darkness. She forced out, "Could Officer Long not consult others in the Salvation Army? I will gladly sign a promissory note and repay it without fail."

"The Army has no such loan fund, and your sum is not small. Miss Li, I urge you to return home and discuss it further with your uncle. A solution will come; do not despair." Officer Long's words were earnest, but to Li Jing they felt colder than ice.

"Officer Long! Can you truly not..." Li Jing asked, tears welling.

"I truly cannot! Had I the money, I would have repaid your uncle long ago, sparing you this journey. My apologies are sincere!"

Knowing hope was lost, Li Jing rose to leave. Officer Long and Long Feng escorted her to the gate. "Give your uncle my regards," Officer Long said. "When I have funds, I will deliver them personally."

Li Jing nodded, wordless. She walked slowly westward until she reached Huguo Temple Street, where she saw Wang De running toward her from the opposite direction.

"Sister Jing! How did it go?" Wang De was sweating from his run.

Li Jing shook her head.

"No luck again?"

"None."

"Good! Good!" Wang De laughed, but it was a bleak, wretched sound. "I knew it would fail! Sister Jing, come home. I have a plan!"

"What plan?"

"I cannot say now. We will talk at home!" Wang De urged Li Jing onward.