Page 167 - I Live in the Slums: Stories (The Margellos World Republic of Letters)

survived. What happened? I have to see her again. Last night, my dream came
true.”
Zhou Yizhen felt inspired by these words. She got up and made a few birdlike

motions. And then she was a little embarrassed again and said to Bai E, “If
someone as inconspicuous as I am can get a new lease on life, then the rest of
you surely can! I want to tell you that everyone can experience a turn for the
better. But now I have to leave you. Zhu Mei must be waiting for me. Thank you
for your hospitality.”
“Good luck, Yizhen. And thank you for keeping me company. The scenery
last night was beautiful. The deer ran so fast.”
Bai E’s gaze fell. She stared, dazed, at an oil stain on the tablecloth. She
forgot all about Zhou Yizhen.
Not until Zhou Yizhen left Bai E’s home did she realize that Bai E’s home
was on a quiet street. It was two blocks from Jixiang Lane. She intended to go
there and say good-bye to Zhu Mei before going home. She felt happy and a
little puzzled. She thought that she wouldn’t be able to put her thoughts in order
until she got home. She had come to her old house and had encountered some
novel things. The thing that surprised her most was that the people here all
considered her one of them, as though she—Zhou Yizhen—had lived among

them all this time. Even the customers in the chinaware shop didn’t consider her
any different from them. What on earth was the reason for this? Hadn’t she
vanished from here twenty years ago?
In the daytime, Jixiang Lane looked tumbledown again. The courtyard houses
she had seen yesterday were once more invisible. Piles and piles of detritus and
sand were everywhere, as if the path were going to be repaired. A large pile of
coal was in the middle of the lane. She had to walk around it, and her shoes got
dirty. Zhou Yizhen thought that Jixiang Lane was disgusting now. No one was in
the courtyard of her old home. Probably everyone was at work. Zhu Mei and the
woman shopkeeper from last night were sitting in the doorway, not at all
surprised to see Zhou Yizhen. It seemed the two of them had spent the night in
Zhu Mei’s home.

“I put all the money for purchases in the drawer under the counter,” Zhou
Yizhen said. “I didn’t dare do anything on my own in helping you with your
business.”
“It’s all right! Never mind!” the woman interrupted Zhou Yizhen. “Your
showing up was a pleasant surprise for us. Zhu Mei and I spent the whole night
talking about you!”
“Talking about me?”
“Yes. You caused quite a stir in our circle. I’m leaving. Take good care of
yourself! Bye!”