The journey was 4,500 meters on a dirt road. Despite the mountain on the right side, the road was still suitable for a bike as it followed closely to the lakeside on its left. Nuannuan was sitting on the rear saddle, while Shallot rode the bike. She could hear Shallot's heavy breath in the endless darkness. Autumn crickets were chirping happily. But when the bike approached, they paused their songs. Just last night she was in noisy Beijing, a city ablaze of lively brightness. Nuannuan felt unreal about herself riding in this scary, silent darkness. She felt as if she was in a different world.
Shallot's breath got heavier. Feeling guilty, Nuannuan whispered: "Take a rest. I can ride."
"I'm alright," answered Shallot as she reached one hand into her pocket. She stopped the bike and put a small, warm pack into Nuannuan's hand.
"You should just sit there and relax. You must have hurried to the train station yesterday. A train, a bus, then a boat! You must be hungry! And you didn't take a rest at home. You must be exhausted, too! It's pan-fried bread with egg in it. Eat it. We will find you some proper food on Juxiang Street."
Nuannuan could feel tears in her eyes with the bread in her hand. Two teardrops fell on her collar. Amongst all girl friends of hers, Shallot was the most trustworthy. Though neither Shallot nor her husband Changlin was related to Nuannuan, the two young women became good friends, simply because they admired each other's tempers. Shallot married into the village five years ago, and Nuannuan liked her quickly for her good nature, helpful heart and skillful hands that made embroideries and wicker baskets. Before she went to Beijing, Nuannuan would go to Shallot's house whenever she could; she kept no secret from her.
"You must not worry too much about Auntie's health. I heard they cure everything today." Shallot was trying to offer her some consolations.
Nuannuan sighed: "Mom is not living a charmed life."
"You were out there for two years. Any fine lads? Didn't bump into a likable one or two?" asked Shallot as she rode.
"No. The cleaning company is small and I didn't meet anyone presentable; and I was out there for the money. I didn't spend much time thinking about that," answered Nuannuan, her eyes gazed upon the pale white lake.
"Don't lie to Shallot! Don't you surprise me with a handsome young guy tomorrow!"
"Make me your guard dog if I lied to you."
"You remember Kaitian from the village, right? Have you made up your mind about him?"
"Kaitian …" Nuannuan hesitated. She didn't know what to say.
Kaitian was from Chu Wang Village, too. Nuannuan grew up with him. She remembered meeting him for the first time on a trip to offer incense in Lingyan Temple with Mom. Mom was one of the two most passionate visitors to the temple. The other one was Kaitian's mother. Mom eagerly offered the incense so that the Buddha would watch over Dad's fishing in the Red Lake. Kaitian's mother went for the harvest. Kaitian's family farmed their fields. For the sake of a harvest, Kaitian's mother would kneel in front of the Buddha and kowtow during the New Year. She would also offer incense before every spring seeding, autumn harvest, and summer plough. Nuannuan met Kaitian for the first time in front of the temple gate. She remembered how both of their hands were clutching nervously to the edge of their mothers' blouses as they followed the crowd slowly into the temple. It was after the trip to the temple that the two started spending playtime together, and realized that they both lived in the same village. The village was a big one. Since Kaitian's house was in the center and Nuannuan's the far south end, it was no wonder that they never even heard about each other before. The more time they spent together, the more they knew about each other. Kaitian learnt that her dad, Chu Changshun, fished in a small boat in the Red Lake every day; and Nuannuan learnt that Kaitian's father, Kuang Baogu, was one of the old-timers that farmed the field. Once Kaitian's father, eager to have the field plowed, was too harsh on a bull. The bull twisted its head around and, with an angry strike, broke his legs. Kaitian had to quit school after this to undertake the farm work instead of his father. Nuannuan made up her mind to work hard in school after she knew about it. She was determined to go to college and help Kaitian afterwards. However, things did not go as she wished. She took the exam yet did not make it to college. With her dream shattered, she fished with Dad for a year. Then she was determined to leave and pick up work in the city …
"Since you are home, you should think about your marriage when your mother recovers." Shallot's voice rose in the darkness. "As for Kaitian, I know he still cares about you. He never stopped asking about you. You have to make up your mind now. If it's a yes, it's a yes. If not, you have to tell him, or he will grow bitter soon."
"Right." Nuannuan whispered her answer, eyes gazing upon the dark mountains on the other side of the dirt road.
It was already 10pm when they arrived at the hospital. Dad told Nuannuan that the surgery went well as a doctor from the county hospital came to help. Mom was still in the Intensive Care Unit, but everything was fine. Finally feeling assured, Nuannuan sat down on the staircase in front of the hospital, with no strength left.
