Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“Sleep on the sofa,” I quickly whispered, “I like sleeping on the sofa.”

After dinner, I wiped the table, washed the dishes, and swept my brothers’ room before lying down on the sofa.

The old-fashioned dark red solid wood sofa, even with a blanket, remained hard.

The living room was empty, no lights on, moonlight covering me.

So the city night had no croaking frogs, no chirping birds, no wind, no laughter or cursing from the aunties, only car horns.

And my lonely heartbeat.

During that time, I was very careful.

I’d eat only half a bowl of rice, try to eat less of the dishes, and never take meat on my own.

I learned to use the gas stove, the washing machine, and the modern mop. When my brothers were at school, I’d wipe their windows and desks spotless.

Afraid they’d find me noisy, I never spoke unless spoken to.

Quiet as a mute.

Uncle said I could watch cartoons at home during the day.

But watching TV uses electricity, so I never turned it on.

My brothers’ sneakers were left at the door, disgustingly dirty.

I spent a whole day scrubbing both pairs snow-white.

Aunt came home from work, saw the shoes, and suddenly burst out laughing.

I was baffled.

I found out why when my brothers got home.

Aunt told them: “Second Sister helped you wash your shoes like new today, so we’ll hold off on buying you new sneakers for now.”

Brother Jiawen frowned, while Brother Jiawu howled: “Second Sister, you’ve got nothing better to do? Why not just watch TV at home?”

I twisted my prune-wrinkled hands together and said softly, “Sorry, I didn’t know you wanted new shoes.”

Brother Jiawen shot him a glare: “Just eat your meal, you’re so noisy.”

Brother Jiawu clung to Aunt’s arm, pleading shamelessly for a long time.

Aunt took out her bag: “No shoes, but the factory finally paid three months’ wages today. Here’s a little pocket money for you.”

Both Uncle and Aunt worked at the paper mill, and business was bad at the time.

The factory had been holding back pay for nearly a year. They could only pay out now because they sold some equipment.

After giving each brother two yuan, she was about to close her bag.

Uncle glanced at her.

She snorted lightly, pulled out one yuan, and stuffed it into my hand. “Here, take it.”

Back then, five fen could buy a bag of ice water, two mao a bottle of Huahua Dan.

One yuan was a fortune to me.

I quickly refused, but Uncle patted my head: “Take it. You do so many chores, you’ve earned it. Your aunt here is a real cheapskate, it’s rare for her to pluck a feather.”

That made Aunt so annoyed she pinched him.

Aunt was indeed very frugal.

She never turned on the light when using the bathroom at night.

She saved rice-washing water to rinse vegetables, and that water to flush the toilet.

Every jar and bottle in the house was used to grow vegetable sprouts.

Scraps of paper big and small, rusty tin sheets-she collected them all to sell as scrap.

She always bought the cheapest vegetables and even managed to get a few scallions thrown in from the vendors.

At dinner, Uncle mentioned that the staff dormitory of the cotton and linen company had been burglarized the day before; many families lost money and belongings.

In those days, everyone used cash, and thieves were common. Uncle’s family lived on the fourth floor and hadn’t installed burglar bars.

Aunt became alert: “I got off work too late today. Tomorrow I’ll deposit the money in the bank.”

After dinner, Brother Jiawu took his money to go downstairs and buy snacks. He asked if I wanted to come along.

I refused.

Even though the money was given to me, I didn’t feel it was mine and didn’t dare spend it.

Before long, Brother Jiawu came back upstairs and brought me a lollipop.

Lowering his voice, he said, “Brother’s treating you. Just don’t wash my shoes again!”

Brother Jiawen shot him a look, and he immediately covered his pocket. “You’ve got your own money; don’t even think about mine.”

Because I’d taken it upon myself to wash their shoes and upset them, I didn’t sleep soundly that night.

Half-asleep, I heard a rustling noise.

The moonlight was dim. When I opened my eyes, I saw the living room window was open.

But I was sure I’d closed it before going to sleep.

I stared more closely and spotted a thin figure standing by the front door, reaching out to open it.

I called out tentatively, “Second Brother?”

Just then, the clouds parted, and I saw a stranger’s face.

He was holding Aunt’s bag!

A thief!