Chapter 65 Zhang Yan invited a few classmates to come to his home after school. The Zhang’s house was splendidly decorated for Christmas Eve. The kids were delighted and searched for candies hidden here and there. Zhang Yan suggested playing soccer. Madame Wang and a few female Christians were busy with preparing gifts.Madame Wang tidied up Zhang Yan’s dress. Zhang Yan was aware that she had got some ice cream ready for him and his classmates.Yesterday Zhang Yan told Fang Yu that the next night was Christmas Eve, and he would like to ask a few friends of his class to go to his house. This morning, Fang Yu asked Zhang Yan, “Will you ask Yan Yuan to go?”“Sure.”Fang Yu gave a smile, replying, “I have invited him for you. Will you invite Little Black and Big Black? They are not bad now.”Zhang Yan replied, “Yes. What do you think of it?”Fang Yu said, “I think it is a good idea to invite them. Anyway, I have promised to play soccer with them.”Zhang Yan told Fang Yu, “No problem. Your friends are mine, too.”At this time, Yan Yuan, Little Black and Big Black came. Fang Yu said openly, “How good you’re, Zhang Yan! I have invited many classmates for you. I told them that they could eat ice cream in your home. They could hardly believe.”Zhang Yan said, “People eat ice cream in summer. Now it’s winter.”Yan Yuan said, “No. After National Day, my grandma took me out. He didn’t buy ice cream for me. She said it was too expensive.”Little Black said, “Ice cream is put in a goblet. Only rich men can afford.”Big Black carried Zhang Yan in his hands, shouting, “This afternoon I’ll be your horse and fight against Little Black’s tea. But you must let us have ice cream this afternoon. I don’t care if it’s winter or summer.”Little Black echoed, “I don’t care, either.”Yan Yuan said, “Ice cream tastes nice. That’s true.”Zhang Yan was proud. He liked Yan Yuan. He must let his classmates have ice cream on Christmas Eve.All the morning Zhang Yan was thinking about the ice cream that he promised to let his friends eat. That excited him.At noon, Zhang Yan went back home. He went into the kitchen, and it was busy there. But Wang was not there. He entered Wang’s room and saw her persuading Yang to take medicine. Yang saw Zhang Yan and asked Wang:“I am well. Why did you make the medicine for me?”Wang saw Zhang Yan, asking, “Dear son, did you hear Uncle Yang cough?”Zhang Yan replied, “Yes, and seriously.”Wang was happy at this, saying, “Take the medicine.”Yang insisted on not taking it.Zhang Yan noticed Wang’s signs of gesture. He took the medicine to Yang, pleading, “Dear uncle, please take it.”Yang gave a headshake of helplessness, and took the medicine.Wang commented, “Only Zhang Yan could make you do things.”Zhang Yan asked Wang, “Dear aunt, do we still have ice cream?”Wang replied, “It’s winter now. How can we have ice cream at this time?”Zhang Yan was upset, uttering, “But I have promised to my classmates to let them eat it. They’ll come this afternoon.”“Dear son, don’t be sad. I’ll get it for you anyhow.”Wang left. Yang said, “Look! You are led by Zhang Yan as well.”Zhang Yan climbed up the bed, and touched the tiger fur on it, asking, “Uncle Yang, why aren’t you afraid of sleeping on it?”Yang carried him, saying, “You’re still young. When you grow up, you’ll realize that it’s man but not beasts that you are afraid of.”Zhang Yan said, “I heard my daddy say this the other day.” He looked about the room. Then he asked, “Uncle Yang, did my parents quarrel a lot recently?”Yang was shocked at this, replying, “No.”Zhang Yan lowered his head. He had a sense of unease in these days. Yang hoaxed him, “It’s cold here. Let’s go to the fireplace.”Zhang Yan was puzzled about Yang’s reply.Now, Zhang Yan knew Wang had got ice cream ready for him and his classmates. He took his friends to play on the soccer field of his home. Zhang Yan saw his daddy talking with Yang in the cold wind. They saw the kids come and stopped talking.Zhang Yan said happily to his daddy, “I take my classmates to play soccer here.” Big Black spoke with amazement, “Zhang Yan’s soccer field is even bigger than the school’s.”Zhang Yunxuan took a big football from a store-room. The kids played happily and Yang just watched. Hymns came from the nearby room where gathered some Christians.Zhang and Yang noticed many plainclothes policemen move around the house. They were aware that Christmas Eve was not peaceful for them, especially at this time when the country was fighting against the imperialists and reactionaries.They knew the government supported freedom. But would they support such open religious activities? Every minute was a torture for Zhang. He was worried about the life in the days to come.Yang told Zhang, “Your son asked me this noon if you were quarrelling with your wife recently.”Zhang replied, “No.’“I told him ‘no’, but he made no response. He seems to be noticing…”Zhang was shocked at this. He had been hiding the unhappiness from his kid.It was 5 p.m. There was an atmosphere of splendid celebration in the Zhang’s house. The hymns seemed to be telling something sad.Zhang watched the kids playing happily on the soccer field. He was delighted at his kid’s performance. He loved his son, but felt sorry for him as well.He had a sense of responsibility for his family. It was hard to reveal to his wife and child about it. He knew his situation had affected them. He had a hunch that his unfortunate situation might endanger his family.Zhang recalled the events that had occurred to him. He took the uprising against the Kuomintang, but was looked down on now. He was blamed for associating with the enemies and hurting the peace and prosperity of the society. That was a blow to him. He wanted to safeguard his dignity, but Chen Jagen, the military representative in his office, mercilessly robbed him of it. Chen even cursed him in public, “The Kuomintang leaders are the most timid and the most useless.”That hurt Zhang a lot. Zhang refused to work in the government office for his disappointment with leaders such as Chen.The hymns still rang in the wind. Zhang had a strong sense of unease. He looked at his watch. It was 4 p.m. Wang entered the courtyard, calling Zhang Yan:“Zhang Yan, ask your friends to come for ice cream.”All the kids stopped playing and came over for ice cream. Zhang was worried if this was the last Christmas for his son.Zhang noticed a patch of grass on the wall. It moved unsteadily in the strong northwestern wind. It seemed to tell him something. Zhang got sad. At this time, Yang called, “Dear brother, it’s cold here. Let’s sit in the study room.”Zhang nodded. The grass indicated a lot to him. It moaned for dignity and justice.Yang and Zhang walked away.
