Explore Chapter 10 of "Divorce" with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
In these last couple of days before the New Year, Old Li felt as if each day dragged on like a year. He truly couldn't think of what there was to celebrate about the New Year, aside from buying some toys for the children or going out to see the festivities. What else could one do? Yet, seeing everyone else's high spirits, it would be too inappropriate for him to remain cold and indifferent. After all, it's only a few days in the entire year that everyone gets to enjoy themselves. Why should he spoil their fun? So he mustered his spirits and helped his wife prepare the New Year dishes. But his heart felt as if a heavy stone were weighing on it, oppressive and joyless.
Mrs. Li was actually bustling about happily these days. In the countryside, the New Year was a major event. Preparations had to start from the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. In Beiping, she hadn't seen how others prepared, but she insisted on following the rural customs. Although Elder Brother Zhang and Mrs. Wu had told her that celebrating the New Year in Beiping wasn't so troublesome, she wouldn't listen. She believed that people in Beiping must celebrate the New Year just like in the countryside, but they just wouldn't admit it. She went out shopping every day, buying this and that. The twenty dollars she had were already spent. She then asked Old Li for another five dollars. Old Li said nothing and gave it to her. He didn't want to argue with her over money. After all, it was the New Year, and everyone sought good fortune.
Young Mrs. Ma also helped Mrs. Li prepare the New Year dishes. She was more skillful than Mrs. Li and knew more about things. She knew where to buy items like Guandong candy and honey offerings. She even advised Mrs. Li not to go to too much trouble. The New Year celebrations in Beiping weren't as elaborate as in the countryside. But Mrs. Li didn't listen, thinking that Young Mrs. Ma was just being polite. So Young Mrs. Ma stopped advising and instead helped her with all sorts of tasks.
Old Li watched them bustling about, and his heart lightened a bit. The New Year seemed to have some meaning, even though he himself didn't want to join in the festivities. Seeing Ling and Ying's joy, he couldn't help but admit that the New Year was really for the children. He bought Ying a small knife and Ling a cloth doll. Ying played with his knife all day, wishing he could cut everything in sight. Ling hugged the doll, constantly calling it "little darling, little darling." The children's happiness made Old Li feel that life might not be entirely empty.
On New Year's Eve, the government office had a day off. Old Li got up early in the morning and saw his wife and Young Mrs. Ma busy in the kitchen. Old Mrs. Ma also came to help. The three women filled the kitchen to capacity. Old Li wanted to help, but there was no room for him. He had to sit in the living room and watch the children play.
The sky was heavily overcast, as if it might snow. Old Li hoped for snow. With snow, the New Year would be even more festive. But the snow never came, only a gloomy cold. On the streets, people were already setting off firecrackers, sporadically, making the approach of the New Year even more palpable. Old Li listened to the sound of firecrackers. His mind was blank, not knowing what to think.
Dinner was served especially early so that after eating, they could stay up to see the New Year in. Mrs. Li prepared four plates and eight bowls of dishes. Although her cooking skills weren't particularly refined, the ingredients were plentiful. Old Li looked at the table full of food and felt that his wife had really worked hard. He made an exception and drank two cups of wine, his face flushed. Ling and Ying also joined the table. Ling picked only the sweet things to eat, while Ying insisted on tasting every dish.
After finishing the meal, it wasn't yet dark. Young Mrs. Ma came over to thank them and helped clean up the dishes before returning to the west room. Mrs. Li was panting from exhaustion, but she felt happy in her heart. This was her first New Year in Beiping, and although busy, it felt lively and energizing. Old Li lit a cigarette, looked at his wife's flushed face, and felt a warmth in his heart.
In the evening, the children refused to sleep, wanting to stay up for the New Year. Old Li told them stories, one after another, until Ling fell asleep in his arms. Ying was also sleepy, but he forced his eyes open, determined to wait until midnight. Old Li carried him to bed, and he fell asleep immediately.
The room was now left with only Old Li and his wife. His wife was mending socks under the lamp, while Old Li tried to read a book, but couldn't absorb a single word. The street was very quiet, with only an occasional firecracker or two, making the night seem even deeper. Old Li felt that the year had passed so quickly, yet it also seemed very long. He recalled bringing his family over in spring, the divorce turmoil in summer, autumn... These events passed through his mind one by one, like a dream.
His wife finished mending the socks and yawned. "Shall we sleep?" she asked. Old Li nodded. The two got into bed and lay side by side, but neither fell asleep. Old Li felt he should say something, but didn't know where to start. His wife might have been waiting for him to speak, but in the end, he didn't say anything.