Proofread by Peter Gong
In the twinkling of an eye, it was July 15th. Ma Tian’en felt she was in another world when she reflected what happened on the 15th of last July. That day, she saved Wu Zhong from the river. This year, lots of things occurred.
July 15th is also called Hungry Ghost Festival. People float river lanterns, burn joss papers and sacrifice ancestors. After sacrificing, Ma Tian’en and Wu Zhong came to Er Zha with a river lantern which was made by themselves at night.
“The 15th day of the first lunar month is called the Lantern Festival, corresponding to Heaven God. July 15th is called the Hungry Ghost festival, corresponding to Earth God. October 15th is the Spirit Festival, corresponding to Water God. Heaven God blesses people, Earth God pardons people and Water God dispels disasters.” It was said that the gate of hell is open and all ghosts go out on the day of July 15th. Hungry Ghost Emperor would deliver all ghosts from torments and pardon the world.
“Do you think my dad will be back?” Ma Tian’en put the lotus lantern in the river and asked softly.
“Yes. He must be concerned about you. You should live well. Only you are happy can your father be relieved.” Looking at Ma Tian’en’s gaunt face, Wu Zhong felt distressed. During this time, he had been clear about his own affection. Ma Tian’en’s determination, struggle, radiance, charm, simplicity and enthusiasm moved him unconsciously. This year, he was happy because of her happiness. He felt sad because of her sadness. If he could, he would protect her in the future. At this time, Ma Tian’en’s father just passed away, it was inappropriate for him to propose marriage. Next year, he would inform his parents after passing the examination, and then propose to her formally. When the three-year mourning custom came to an end, he would get married with her. Of course, the premise was that she also adored and loved him.
Ma Tian’en was not in the mood for playing because she was in mourning period. After putting the lotus lantern, they walked towards home. They were chatting while walking.
“Sir, after you pass the examination and secure an official position next year, can I have any opportunity to see you?” Ma Tian’en asked.
“Sure. Why do you ask this question?” Wu Zhong asked, confused.
“When you take office, you will live in your own house. Besides, if you don’t work here or go to other places, maybe you will forget me in three or five years. You don’t visit me and I certainly can’t see you.”
“You can visit me. I remember you want to travel around. You visit the place where I take office.” Wu Zhong teased Tian’en on purpose.
“No. I am a girl. How can I go out freely?” Ma Tian’en said confidently.
“Umm. I know you are a girl. How rare!”
“Of course, I know. Maybe I have gotten married at that time and my husband forbids me to see you.” Ma Tian’en said with pride.
Wu Zhong felt uncomfortable when he heard that she would marry someone. He grasped her hand in panic and said, “It will not happen.”
“Ah! I don’t mean what I said. But you need not curse that no one will marry me.” Ma Tian’en was surprised, intending to take out her hand. However, Wu Zhong’s hands were warm and her heart was warm, too.
Wu Zhong sensed his frivolousness, let go of her hand and said confusedly: “I mean, it is important for a woman to marry someone. You should be serious and marry a person who treats you like a treasure.”
“You blush now. Sir, do you like me?” Sensing Wu Zhong’s panic, Ma Tian’en blurted out.
“Yes. I adore you.” Wu Zhong said seriously. Then, he took Ma Tian’en hand again and said: “I don’t know whether you have the same affection as me.”
“I……I don’t know. I feel uncomfortable when I realize that I can’t see you one day. If I have something interesting, I would like to share with you and if I have something sad, I would feel assured when I think you accompany me. I don’t know whether it is called affection.” Ma Tian’en lowered her head and said softly.
“Silly girl.” Wu Zhong said and pulled her into his arms. The two hearts pounded as if they were burning.
“I take you to a place.” Ma Tian’en took Wu Zhong’s hand and ran. Ma Tian’en was familiar with the route. They walked in through a grove and then came to the place near the gate. A huge blue stone lay in the bushes. Ma Tian’en held Wu Zhong and climbed on it. She sat on the stone and Wu Zhong sat near her.
Ma Tian’en pointed to the crowd on the stone bridge not far away and said: “do you know why there are so many people over there?”
Wu Zhong read much and seldom hung out. Even if he did, he had something to do. So, he was not familiar with the local legends and customs.
“Because the bridge is called anti-mosquito bridge. One stone on it can avoid mosquito. In summer, people flock to the bridge to keep cool and guess which stone can avoid mosquito.” At this time, Ma Tian’en pointed to the blue stone which they sat on proudly and said: “I don’t know which one is on the bridge, but I know it is. Look, it is in the bushes. However, as long as you sit on this stone and mosquitoes will not come. I used to eat and drink with Fu Gui on this stone. Then my dad would criticize me. Because he was afraid that I would run into danger.” Suddenly, when she referred to her father, she became blue.
“I heard that there is a talented person on the gate who can predict when it rains and how big the rain is. Is it true?” Wu Zhong pointed to sky, trying to divert her mood.
“Yes. Besides, he can estimate which flash-boards should be lifted when flood comes.” Ma Tian’en became active when they talked about this.
“Shouldn’t all the flash-boards be lifted?”
“Of course not. Er Zha has thirteen flash-boards. People estimate how many flash-boards should be lifted according to the amount of water. Tong Hui River is far from being peaceful. Flood will break out each two years. If we fail to lift the flash-board in time or make mistakes in lifting, the prosperous capital city would be ruined. People in low-lying parts of the city will be washed away by flood once flood comes. Why Ma Family and Tian Family can control the wharf? Because we understand water. Moreover, if floods come, we need to risk our lives to fight with floods. Before lifting, we need to hang the steel structure on the steel ring of the flash-board. The turbulent water and rough waves can suck down people occasionally. My grandpa, the father of Tian Fugui and my two uncles were washed away by floods.” Wu Zhong found that Ma Tian’en looked grave and earnest when she talked about these.
“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
“My dad said it is our gatekeepers’ destiny. We live by river. It is our honor to die in the river. I am the best at swimming among these families. No one can rival me. I can estimate the amount of flood by watching the sky, listening to the sound of wind and smelling the wind. However, I am a girl. I can’t go to the wharf. It’s not fair.” Ma Tian’en said angrily.
“If Datong river were dredged, there wouldn’t be many people who wll lose their lives?” Wu Zhong sighed.
“Yes. The river is dredged every year. The officers in charge of dredging the river take the money but fail to make any progress.” Ma tian’en thought that, although the river was dangerous, it had its own laws and the people along it could make a living by virtue of using it. But the corrupted officials were not the case. They were unsatisfied and unprincipled. The will of the people was more unpredictable than river.
“If I could secure an official position, I would dredge the river course to make people unaffected by the flood and keep business prosperous.” Wu Zhong looked at the distant lights and the bustling crowds and said.
“Fine. It’s a deal.” Ma Tian’en reached out her hand to give a high five with Wu Zhong for an oath.
Ma Tian’en and Wu Zhong talked for a while and returned to their homes respectively because it was late. Unfortunately, a servant reported anxiously that Guo Qi was missing immediately they stepped into the room.