Feathered Serpent by Xu Xiaobin

Author:Xu Xiaobin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

In a gush of ungovernable rage, Ruomu threw the paper at Mengjing and slammed the door loudly as she stalked out of the house. Through the closed door, but loud enough to be heard inside, she yelled, “Please tell Yu to come home when she returns!”

This scene, so unexpected and so inexplicable, left Mengjing shaking. It was several moments before she could open the paper and scan its contents. The inflammatory words, signed by Yuanguang, jumped into her eyes like flying knives. But it was at once clear to her that Yadan had no apparent connection to these words; the signature was Yuanguang’s and the handwriting was Yu’s. But who was this Yuanguang?

7

“I ask you, who is Yuanguang?”

“Never heard of him—why do you ask?”

“Come on, you little demon, tell me the truth! Sooner or later you will ruin your father and mother!”

“What exactly happened?”

“Who said anything happened? You think you have outgrown your mother. Let me tell you something—you are still immature. Could you even exist without your mother? Think back to the time when you and I were a lonely widow and her orphaned child. When we arrived here I had to ignore the hostility and unspoken insults. Was it easy for me? You think because you are now making a little money you have become somebody? Let me tell you—your mother is always above you. Do you think that eyes can rise above eyebrows?” Mengjing started to cry.

“Ma, what are you talking about? I haven’t a clue…”

“No clue? Look at this; is this a clue?”

“Oh, Yuanguang. This was written by Zhulong, my boyfriend.”

“Don’t say that! Don’t ever say that! Listen—from now on, if anyone asks, you must not mention this Zhu-whoever. If anyone asks, you must not mention him. Are you sure you’re old enough to be dating? Let me tell you, being together with a man is a big deal! It may be years before you realize all the consequences.”

“Momma!…Give me the paper!”

“No!”

“Momma, I tell you this: if you ever betray him to the authorities, don’t ever, for the rest of my life, count on me to call you Ma!”

“What! You would turn your back on your own mother for a man? Shame on you! I know a married woman is just wastewater. But before you’re even close to marriage, you’re ready to discard your old mother; even your fingernails are ready to grow in other directions! Whatever you call me, whether you like it not, your body came from mine! You can get a new boyfriend, but never a new mother!”

“Why do you say such mean things? I am leaving, and don’t cry if I never come back!” Now it was Yadan’s turn to cry.

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