平凡的世界英文版World of Plainness 1-3 20200526

World of Plainness 1-3, Lu Yao, pluiepoco, 20190821, based on version 2009/2010, mixed with version 2013 for the second half, updated 20200514, 20200526

Long after insects were awakened, and even after the spring equinox, it was still winter in the endless Loess Plateau. In the wild, grasses and trees were withered and dark, without any color of spring at all, except that the night time was much shorter.

Same until the 4^th April (1975), a dust-storm full of loess overturned the world; even in day time, people needed lamp in house. The storm was the prophet of warming. Yes, it was high time for some sign of spring.

Next day, the storm ceased, but dust stayed thick in the air, graying the world.

In following days, it turned warm. Over a night, roadside and riverside willows were found to sprout new twigs, like green silk; peach trees and apricot trees were also dotted with pink buds. Almost invisible, a few green weeds were germinating from the scorch on the hill side facing the sun. In addition, some other trees took on a fresh look of vigor on the branches, blossoming out with young buds, so eye-pleasing as teen girls.

Fred Sun's life went as usual: eating black sorghum buns; reading the books borrowed; loitering about in the town. He continued to lend all books he had read to Plum Rouge. Now they contacted each other more fluently, and knew better about each other.

It was long enough for classmates to be familiar with each other. He began to befriend with some poor students from rural families. As he read more books than the others, many classmates invited him to tell stories from the books. Fred Sun was very happy at this, feeling he was not inferior to others in all respects. It was getting warmer, and in the school yard, it was spring of bright colors, so his minds became much brighter. Moreover, his simple and thin clothes were right for the season, neither cold or hot. He was still half starved, but he was considerably satisfied in other respect.

One afternoon, it was labor time, and the whole class of students were digging on the land cultivated by this class in a turning ditch. Within one hour, Fred Sun was starved to faint. He swung his sickle torpidly, so that he would not fall behind others.

When it was finally near the closing of this labor, Vive from the same village came to him, and said, "Fred, my elder sister came to me at noon and told me to pick you up this afternoon, so we can go to my second uncle's together. She will tell you something, and what is more, my elder sister insists that you should not have lunch in school, because you are invited to my second uncle's..." After telling so, Vive returned to his digging position.

Fred Sun was stunned by this invitation.

What would Vive's elder sister tell him, and why did she invite him to her second uncle's?

This was an awesome honor to him -- Vive's second uncle was vice chairman of the county revolutionary committee, a big character of the county town. Sometimes, the man returned to the village by jeep. Fred even dared not come close to the man's jeep parked roadside and have a look, but now he was invited to have lunch with the man!

Nevertheless, he thought Vive's elder sister Leef was friendly. Although her father was chairman of the village communist committee, her second uncle was a county official, and her family was of a much higher status, Leef was friendly to every body in the village. What was more important, Fred's elder brother and Leef played the same games together in childhood, and went to the same school together till the end of primary school. Later, Leef went to primary middle school in the county town, while Fred's elder brother quit school due to the poor family, and returned to the village, becoming a peasant. However, Leef was as friendly as before to Fred's elder brother. Even later, Leef worked as a teacher in a suburban primary school of the county town, becoming public functionary, and whenever she returned to the village, she would visit Fred's family and chat with Fred's elder brother. Whenever she visited, she would offer some urban delicate foods to Fred's grandmother. Surprising all villagers the most, whenever she returned to the village, she would carry some snack foods to visit a retarded uncle named Second George who had a retarded son. The father and son often relieved themselves (pissed and shitted) in room, stinking to the sky, so no villager was willing to visit such a family and leave a footprint; but Leef often visited them and offered snack foods, which told why her pleasant virtue was heard all through the village.

In comparison, Leef's father was less reputed in the village. Fred's father and elder brother were both too simple to get along with her father who was village chairman, so the two families were not in good relationship. Notwithstanding, Leef was always in a close relationship with Fred's family. Perhaps due to this, the village chairman had never troubled Fred's family too much. Fred was always full of respect and gratitude to Leef.

Logically, he should not reject any request from Leef, but now he was really afraid and nervous of her invitation for a lunch at her second uncle's. Thinking of his poor clothes and the honorable invitation, he could help blushing and heart-beating at his embarrassment.

He found it so hard to make a decision that till he returned to his dormitory from labor he had no idea at all, but it would be lunch time soon. He had to accept the invitation and go for lunch there as engaged, or else, he would disappoint sister Leef; what was more, Leef might have something important to tell him, so if he was absent, something might fail. If he did visit such a big official's family, he feared a little, because so far he had not been to any such big official's, let alone to have lunch together. In addition, he was really shamed by his clothes.

A compromising method came to him: He might not have lunch at Leef's second uncle's at first, in stead, he could have lunch at school, and after a while, he could directly find Leef at the suburban primary school school where she taught. By doing so, he could meet Leef, without going for lunch at her second uncle's. He knew well the suburban primary school which was not far down from the high school, because he had been to the playground of that primary school in his roaming.

Deciding so, he couldn't stay in dormitory any longer, and he had to find a place to escape Vive who could come to call him soon.

He got out of the dormitory and walked into the yard.

Where should he go? Now the lunch time had not started in school -- even if it started, he had to wait until all the other students had ended their lunch. There was an interval, during which he had to find a shelter.

So, he went out of a wicket-door beside the General Office in the south, got outside the exterior wall of school, and walked along the foot of the exterior wall, towards a small ditch branch in the west.

Fred Sun killed some time in the small ditch, and he made a flute from a greenish willow twig, blowing it in mouth -- obviously, he was a little childish.

He counted the time and came in the school yard from that wicket-door when the other students had left the mess ground. He arrived at the mess ground, came up to the basket of buns where only two black buns were left -- this told him Plum Rouge had taken her own two away.

He picked up his two black buns, and walked to the dormitory, thinking he should go to that primary school to find sister Leef after finishing such two buns and drinking a little hot water; perhaps at that time, sister Leef had not returned from her second uncle's, but it didn't matter, he could wait outside her door.

Thinking so, Fred Sun approached the door of his dormitory, holding his two black buns.

Suddenly, he was amazed at the door: he found sister Leef was sitting on the edge of his clay bed, smiling at him -- obviously she was waiting for his return.

Fred was choked up at this scene. It was sister Leef who came up, smiling, and complained, "I have told Vive to invite you for a lunch at my second uncle's, but why are you absent at our lunch?"

"I..." he stuttered.

Sister Leef swiftly snatched those two black buns from his hand, and asked, "Where is your bowl?"

He pointed to his own bowl.

She put the buns into his bowl, and said, "Let's go for lunch!"

"I..." he attempted to find an excuse.

Before he excused, Leef came up and dragged him by the cuff of his sleeve.

Now he could do nothing but follow sister Leef.

He followed sister Leef all the way to the gate of county revolutionary committee. After entering the gate, he ran his eyes over such a holy place nervously. Houses of the county revolutionary committee were caved storey upon storey along the slope, and on the top squatted a great hall, which gave a very splendid scene. At night, when all lamps were on, the string of cave-houses would resemble a magnificent building.

At the moment, Fred found that on the brick wall rim of the highest storey of cave-houses, Vive put forth his upper half and looked at Fred and Leef who were climbing up. Vive was smoking a cigarette, whisking the ash off unskillfully. Upon arrival in the county town, the honey son of Fortune George picked up full mannerism of officials' children.

Fred followed Leef into her second uncle's courtyard, when Vive walked up to him, and complained, "Where have you been on the earth? I have looked for you in your dormitory twice!"

Fred felt a little embarrassed, and apologized, "Sorry, but I...I returned the pick-axe to school." he lied to Vive, and glanced over the famous person's courtyard: four caves in total, and one small independent courtyard; on the other side of the wall perhaps lived several other officials' families whose courtyards were identical with this courtyard in layout. In the east was a small house, with a pile of charcoal stacked aside, which was apparently a kitchen. In the west was a small garden where a man dressed in grey sweater was digging up the soil with a spade. He thought it must be Leef's second uncle. When he looked at this man closely, he found a grey-haired old leader who he didn't know.

He followed Leef hurriedly into a cave-hole, where Vive saluted "good day" and left for a movie.

Leef led him to sit at a square table, and then went out to prepare some foods for him.

Now he sat in the place he had never come before, hearing his heart beating. He put his hands on nowhere but his lap. Well, he was the only person in the room. He looked around, finding no bed but some boxes, cabinets and other sundries. The cave-hole was not small, leaving a large space. The square table was circled by chairs and stools. Obviously, this table served for meal time. At this moment, he heard a woman talking with Leef. Listen, Vive called this woman "second aunt". Without seeing her, Fred had guessed who the woman was. She was wife of chairman George. It was said that she was a doctor in the town hospital, skillful at surgery, so her town-fellows would like to see her, doctor Lento, whenever they went to the town hospital.

He heard doctor Lento was yelling: "Dad, why don't you wear a cotton-padded jacket? Take care of yourself. It is cold outside!" Then he heard an old man was answering in a low but heavy voice: "I don't feel cold..." Fred recognized the voice, it was the very man he just saw in the garden. Now he knew the old man was the father-in-law of chairman George.

In a short while, Leef came in handing a red lacquered tray.

He stood up quickly. Leef put the tray on the square table, and took a big bowl full of braised pork with vermicelli from the tray and put the bowl in front of him; then she placed a dish of snow-white buns on the table. She warmly touched his arm, saying : "Sit down and enjoy, please! We have already finished our meal. Help yourself, and I will go to the washing basin. Please make yourself at home, take it easy, I know your meal at school was not so good..." She took the tray out.

Fred's throat was dramatically throbbing. He was dazzled by the smell of meats and white buns. He sit down, took up the chopsticks and made a deep sigh before eating. He did not wait to engorge the foods. He would have thanked sister Leef for leaving him alone in the room, so he could eat all the way in such a manner that would be embarrassing in other case.

He dug all out of the bowl, and swallowed five buns. In fact, he would have eaten two more buns, but he restrained himself -- it was enough at all! He put down the bowl and chopsticks, feeling there was something wrong with his stomach. He had eaten too much! His stomach used to sorghum buns couldn't fit this unexpected favor.

He stood up from the stool, and made some steps, when sister Leef came in followed by a girl smiling at him.

"This is Brila, daughter of my second uncle. Do you know her? She is a new student of high school too," introduced sister Leef.

"Are you in the same class with Vive?" asked Brila aggressively.

"Yeh..." Fred had a blush as red and hot as charcoal fire. He was firstly aware of his dirty and ragged clothes, and before him was a beautiful girl student well nurtured and well dressed. He felt like begging for food to her door. Leef collected his bowl and chopsticks, while Brila made the tea.

Brila put a tea cup before him, saying :"We are from the same village! Welcome to my home at any time when you free. I am seventeen years old but I have never been to the village! I'd like to return to our Duaqua village with you and Vive... I am in class 2, grade 1 of the high school. I've heard from Vive that two other students are from our village, both in class 1. I have no time to meet you in school. Blame me!" Brila smiled in a standard Mandarin accent.

She was open, and apparently she had been to a lot of places! Fred was surprised that Brila was boyishly wearing her shirt, as if she were wearing a cloak.

He stood still and felt burning hot. As soon as Leef came back from the washing basin, he asked for leave, "Sister, it's time for me to leave..."

Leef smiled, "Don't hurry! I have some words for you." At this time, Fred remembered that sister Leef took him here not only for a meal, but also for some words to him!

Sister Leef found his embarrassment, and nodded, "Okay! I will send you off, so we can have a talk on the way."

"Drink some water first!" Brila pushed the cup of water toward him.

"I am not thirsty!" he refused as rude as a farmer.

Brila smiled, exposing her white teeth, "Then this cup of water becomes valueless!". This was a teasing joke. In fact, this kind of joke was an expression of warmth. However, it made him more awkward, blushed and choked.

Brila nodded smilingly and went out since he was so embarrassed. He followed sister Leef on the way back to school.

They came across chairman George face to face when they walked to the gate of county revolutionary committee. Fred knew this man, Leef's second uncle - the man sometimes returned to the village on his way to work.

"How are you, uncle?" Leef asked her second uncle.

"I've just closed a meeting..." answered this county official, resembling his elder brother Fortune George, except that his hair was backwards combed, and his face was more friendly-looking than his brother.

"Who is the boy?" chairman George pointed at Fred.

"He is younger brother of Hedd! He is a newly-enrolled student to county high school this year..." introduced Leef.

"Oh... The second son of Frank Sun! So tall. Like your father, big boy! ... In the same class with Brila?" chairman George turned his head and asked Leef.

“No. He is in the same class with Vive,” corrected Leef.

“Is there any other family's child from our village enrolled into the high school?” chairman George asked Fred this time.

Fred rubbed his fingertips, answering "Wave."

“Wave? His child...”

Fred's brains were stormed, knowing his question was confusing.

Leef laughed, and soon told her second uncle, "Wave is son of Merr Gold."

Chairman George laughed too, "Oh Oh, Merr is working as a driver for the prefectural transportation company... It is dark evening now. You are invited to have dinner at my home!" he was inviting Fred.

Leef refused, "We have had the supper, and I am going to send him off. Thank you all the same."

“Well. You are welcome...” chairman George was trying to shake hands with Fred.

Fred surprisedly extended his hand forward quickly. Chairman George shook hands with him, smiling and nodding, then he crossed his arms behind his back, turning home.

Fred rubbed his sweaty right hand on the corner of his clothes, and followed Leef on the gravel slope leading to the high school.

After a while of walk, Leef asked him in a sudden, "Will you go home this Saturday?"

"Yes. I will," he replied.

"When you go home, you'd ask your elder brother to spare his time and come to me..." saying so, she lowered her head, without looking at him, and kicked a piece of broken stone far away.

Fred had no idea at the moment what she asked his elder brother to come for. As sister Leef wouldn't tell, so he wouldn't ask. Thinking so, he followed up her question, "My family is a rotten mess, so I am afraid he couldn't spare a time..."

"In any event, tell him to come soon! Give him my words! When he comes to town, he can directly find me at the primary school!" she firmly required.

Fred knew his elder brother had to come, so he replied to sister Leef, "I will send your words to him definitely!"

"Fine..." she eyed him cordially.

It was getting dark. Everywhere in the town was lit up. Night wind touched his cheek gently, and secretly he could smell a fresh aroma of soil and grass shoots. What a wonderful spring night!

At the moment, sister Leef sent him off at the school gate. She stood still, "It is high time for you to leave for your dorm..." saying so, she took something from her pocket, and pushed it into his pocket in an instant, then she turned her head and left. After several steps, she looked back and said, "The food tickets are for you to exchange for some fine foods[1]..."

Fred had no time to respond before sister Leef disappeared from the turning corner down the slope. He stood stupidly in the dark, with his hand firmly holding that small paper fold in his pocket. His eyes were suddenly flooded by tears...

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[1] fine foods (xi liang) refer to flour and rice in Chinese language.