第十五章 又来了 (Chapter Fifteen: Yet Again)

Not long after Elder Brother Zhang left, Old Li arrived at the government office. His colleagues were exceptionally courteous to him; even Old Sun treated him kindly, no longer mentioning Mrs. Li's affair. Old Li knew this was due to the director's influence. But the director's favor was only temporary; Little Zhao's hatred was permanent. Little Zhao hated Old Li because he had gained the director's friendship. Old Li was grateful to the director for restoring his peace, albeit briefly.

The peace did not last three days. Old Li encountered Young Mrs. Ma on the street. She was still as lovely as ever, but her face bore a trace of weariness. Old Li wanted to rush over and say a few words, but she lowered her head and hurried past. Old Li stood there dazedly for a moment, his heart feeling empty and somewhat at a loss. Returning home, Mrs. Li was playing with the children, her face full of joy. Old Li looked at his wife and felt sorry for her; thinking of Young Mrs. Ma, he found himself pathetic. Life was just such a tangle of contradictions, utterly pointless!

On the fourth day, Little Zhao invited Old Li to a meal. Old Li did not want to go, but fearing Little Zhao would detect his cowardice, he agreed. During the meal, Little Zhao was exceptionally cordial, chatting about this and that, carefully avoiding any mention of past events. Old Li, however, remained vigilant, sensing a hidden dagger in Little Zhao's smile. After the meal, Little Zhao invited Old Li to his home for a visit. Unable to decline, Old Li had no choice but to follow.

Little Zhao's room was exquisitely furnished, displaying a Western style throughout. Little Zhao asked Old Li to sit down and poured two glasses of brandy. "Old Li, we are colleagues and friends. Let bygones be bygones. From now on, we must cooperate." Little Zhao raised his glass.

Old Li did not know what Little Zhao was up to, so he also raised his glass. "Cooperate on what?" Old Li asked.

Little Zhao smiled. "Old Li, you're a smart man. The director's wife controls many appointments. If we know how to flatter her, what can't be arranged? I handle external affairs, you manage internal matters. With both sides covered, we'll be the ones in charge before the director. As for Old Mrs. Ma's daughter-in-law, isn't she already within our grasp?"

Old Li felt as if a knife had pierced his heart. He understood Little Zhao's intention. Little Zhao wanted to use his relationship with Young Mrs. Ma to curry favor with the director's wife. Old Li's face paled slightly, his hands beginning to tremble. He wanted to curse Little Zhao vehemently, but the words stuck in his throat. He only set down his glass.

Little Zhao noticed Old Li's change in demeanor and shifted the topic. "Old Li, you are an honest man. I won't force you. But you must understand, in this society, honest people don't get ahead. Young Mrs. Ma is a pitiable woman. If you don't pity her, who will?"

Old Li remained silent, his mind a tangled mess. He pitied Young Mrs. Ma, but he was unwilling to use her plight for personal advancement. He hated Little Zhao, yet he feared him. He felt like a fish caught in a net, unable to break free.

Returning home, it was already midnight. Mrs. Li was still awake, waiting for him. "Why are you back so late?" his wife asked.

"Little Zhao invited me to dinner," Old Li replied simply.

His wife said nothing more, but her face showed a worried expression. Old Li felt a pang of guilt towards his wife, yet he could not explain. He lay down but could not sleep. The image of Young Mrs. Ma, Little Zhao's smiling face, and the director's money-grubbing face swirled in his mind. He felt he was going mad.

The next day, Old Li heard a piece of news at the office. Young Mrs. Ma's husband, that music teacher who had dabbled in free love in the south, was soon to return. It was said he had not fared well in the south and was coming back. Upon hearing this, Old Li did not know whether to feel joy or worry. With her husband returning, Young Mrs. Ma might find some comfort. But could that man truly comfort her? Old Li dared not think further.

After work, Old Li met Young Mrs. Ma at the entrance of the alley. She was carrying a basket of vegetables, her face bearing a hint of joy. "Mr. Li," she said softly, "he is coming back soon."

Old Li nodded, not knowing what to say. "That might be for the best," he forced out the three words.

"I think so too," Young Mrs. Ma smiled faintly, though a redness rimmed her eyes. "Perhaps... perhaps he can change for the better."

Old Li said nothing. He knew that man would not change, but he did not want to shatter her hope. He watched her enter the courtyard, his heart filled with pity and sorrow.

After dinner, Old Mrs. Ma came to Mrs. Li's room. "Mr. Li," she said, "have you heard? My profligate son is coming back. My daughter-in-law has endured for years. Finally, she is waiting for his return. But my heart is pounding with worry. What if he bullies her again? What am I to do?"

Old Li comforted the old lady with a few words, but his own mind was in greater turmoil. He wanted to help Young Mrs. Ma, but how? Advise her to divorce? Society would not allow it. Advise her to endure? He could not bear it in his heart. Old Li once again felt useless, with no solution at all.

At night, the wind rose. Old Li listened to the howling wind, thinking of Young Mrs. Ma's future, his own future, the darkness of society, the pointlessness of life. He got up and paced the room. Mrs. Li woke and asked what was wrong. He said he could not sleep. His wife said nothing more; she sighed and went back to sleep. Old Li looked at his wife and felt sorry for her; thinking of Young Mrs. Ma, he felt ashamed of himself. The wind grew stronger. The window paper fluttered and crackled in the wind, as if mocking his cowardice and contradictions.