Chapter 46: Chapter Forty-Six: Xu Daming in Action

During this period, to avoid Qin Huairu, Xu Daming left the Courtyard House shortly after six almost every morning and didn't return until after seven in the evening, yet he still ran into Qin Huairu several times. Seeing Qin Huairu smile at him as he pushed his bicycle, Xu Daming's body trembled, and he hurriedly gripped the bike and headed for the Back Courtyard.

One day the factory office finally received a notice from the Film Projection Bureau, asking Yagangchang to assist the bureau in going to the countryside to screen films. This task naturally fell to Xu Daming, for ever since he joined the factory and heard Old Tang's words, he had been hoping to go to the countryside to show movies.

After receiving the notice, Xu Daming took the list and frowned slightly, but then he looked at the list showing more than twenty villages; if each village were to get two days, that would take over a month—wouldn't that mean he wouldn't have to see Qin Huairu for over a month? Yet Xu Daming felt something he couldn't put into words in his heart.

After securing the projection equipment tightly to the rear seat of his bicycle, Xu Daming tightened the rope, feeling it was fine, then rode off toward the countryside, having already decided to stay there for this period and not return.

It was nearly noon when Xu Daming arrived at the first village, Liujia Valley. As he just entered the village gate, a crowd swarmed over with a shout, startling him; he quickly stopped his bike and called out, "I'm here to show films, I'm looking for Secretary Liu." At that moment an old man stepped forward from the crowd and said to Xu Daming, "You must be the projectionist sent from the city to screen films for our village, right? I'm the village Party Secretary."

Xu Daming then relaxed his tense nerves and said, "Ah, you're Secretary Liu, I'm projectionist Xu Daming." Then he looked around and asked Secretary Liu, "But what's this?"

Secretary Liu took out a cigarette from his pocket, handed it to Xu Daming, and said with a smile, "Projectionist Xu, don't be afraid—our village hasn't seen a film in many years. As soon as we heard a projectionist was coming today, everyone came out to welcome you."

After speaking to Xu Daming, Secretary Liu shouted toward the crowd behind him, "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and help push the projectionist's cart!"

As soon as Secretary Liu finished speaking, four or five young men rushed forward and pushed Xu Daming's bicycle ahead, heading toward the village office.

Seeing his bike being pushed away, Xu Daming quickly shouted, "Don't drop anything—everything's precious!"

Secretary Liu said, "Projectionist Xu, rest assured, nothing will get bumped. Come, have a smoke," and he struck a match to light Xu Daming's cigarette.

"Come on, Projectionist Xu, your meals are ready. After you eat, we'll take you to your lodging to rest," Secretary Liu said, then led Xu Daming toward the village office.

Following Secretary Liu into the house, Xu Daming saw a chicken and a plate of red-braised pork on the table; his mouth watered—he had been hungry after cycling all morning—but he felt shy about sitting down to eat right away. Seeing Xu Daming still standing, Secretary Liu called out, "Projectionist Xu, please sit down," pulled him into a chair, and poured him a cup of wine.

After Xu Daming sat down, four or five village officials also took their seats. As they had just taken a few bites, a comely young woman brought a dish to the table and then left. Xu Daming glanced at her, and Secretary Liu said, "This is Widow Li from our village; she's raising a four‑year‑old on her own, and the village helps her out. That's why she's come to cook for us today."

Xu Daming gave an "oh" and said, "The customs in this village are wonderful—I ought to give them a good film screening." He then continued drinking with the crowd until the banquet ended after one o'clock. He collapsed into the house prepared for him in the village and fell into a deep sleep, not waking until suppertime, when Secretary Liu roused him.

After supper, Xu Daming brought the projector to the village threshing ground, which was packed with people. He unloaded the projector from his bicycle, called two people to help him tie up the screen, and soon had the projector set up. He then sat on a stool, winding the straps, waiting for darkness.

While Xu Daming was winding the straps, he saw Widow Li, who had served the dishes at noon, leading her four‑year‑old son to the threshing ground. It was almost May, and people were wearing light clothing. Xu Daming noticed Widow Li's prominent little rabbit, swallowed, and kept winding the straps. Soon it grew dark; Xu Daming watched the projector while stealing glances at Widow Li with his eyes.

After the film ended, the crowd dispersed and a group of children gathered around Xu Daming to collect the projector. At that moment Widow Li approached and said to a child, "Yangyang, let's go home, Mommy's calling." Seeing Widow Li come over, Xu Daming, who was gathering the projector, shifted his gaze toward her.

Widow Li lowered her head, holding Yangyang; when she lifted her head she happened to see Xu Daming looking at her, her face flushed at once. Moreover, Xu Daming now sported a beard, making him look less boyish, though still a bit green. Widow Li's heart thumped twice, she averted her gaze, called to Yangyang, and went home.

Seeing Widow Li leave, Xu Daming finished collecting the projector, returned to his lodging to try to sleep, but tossing and turning he couldn't fall asleep, so he prepared to go out for a stroll.

He hadn't gone far; he was strolling a few laps around the village office, about to head back, when he heard a rustling sound. He slowly walked toward its source and heard from behind the wall: "Secretary Li, please don't do this—have pity on us mother and child. We really can't get by, which is why I came to borrow money from you. Rest assured, I'll pay you back in a while."

"You think you can pay me back? Shuling, if you sleep with me tonight I'll forget about the debt," a voice said. Xu Daming saw a figure dash out from behind the wall, quickly stepped aside, and when the person came near he recognized Widow Li. After she ran past, Xu Daming thought for a moment and then gave chase.

Widow Li ran, tears streaming, and when she heard someone following her she stopped and said, "Secretary Li, please spare me—I will surely repay you." She then squatted and began to sob softly.

At that moment Widow Li heard someone behind her say, "Take this money and use it to repay him." She snapped her head around, saw that it was Xu Daming, and froze.

Seeing Widow Li stunned, Xu Daming shoved the money into her hand and turned away. Widow Li watched his retreating figure, looked at the money in her palm, her eyes hardened with resolve, as if she had made up her mind, and she took the money and went home.

On his way back, Xu Daming didn't know why he had given Widow Li money—he just felt unable to bear seeing her like that, so he pulled five yuan from his pocket and gave it to her. The night passed in silence. The next morning, as Xu Daming rose and ate breakfast, he found Widow Li ladling porridge for him. He walked over, said "Thank you," and lowered his head to eat.

At noon there was again a round of food and drink; Xu Daming drank until he was drunk and slept the afternoon away. After the evening film screening, he tied some projector equipment to his bicycle, planning to leave after breakfast the next morning for the next village.

While Xu Daming was tying up the equipment, he heard a knock at the door. He said, "Come in," and Widow Li pushed the door open. Seeing it was her, Xu Daming quickly rose and said, "Sister Li, what do you need?"

Widow Li walked up to Xu Daming and said, "Projectionist Xu, the money you lent me—I'm afraid I can't pay you back," and as she spoke she undid her shirt buttons, revealing a expanse of white skin. Xu Daming, whose lust had been stoked by his recent torment from Qin Huairu, saw this and his eyes turned red; he embraced Widow Li, laid her on the bed, and lunged atop her.

After a few minutes of the scene nobody wanted to see, Xu Daming held Widow Li, who lay in his arms, smoking a cigarette. Then he heard her say, "Master Xu, if you ever feel the urge again, just come find me." Having said that, she rose, dressed, and went home.

During the following two months, whenever Xu Daming screened films in villages not far from Liujia Valley, he would always go to Widow Li's home. After finishing all the villages, he returned to Liujia Valley, showed films there for two more days, then went back to Four Nine City. However, on the night before his departure Widow Li told him, "Daming, I understand you can't give me anything. In a while I'll have to remarry—I'm raising a child alone, which isn't easy—so from now on let's not keep in touch."

This left Xu Daming dejected for a long time after returning to Four Nine City, until he went down to the countryside again to screen films; gradually he forgot Widow Li, because he had found a new objective.