After staying at the guest quarters for some time Niannian noticed a serious problem.
His mother prepared all kinds of delicious new dishes every day and the man who called himself his father ate every single meal. Sometimes he finished three bowls of rice yet wiped his mouth and left without staying a moment longer.
Whenever we talk about things from the past he starts to get a headache and frowns while rubbing his temples. Then he stands up and says he has to go and walks so fast it is as if a dog is chasing him.
Mother is he just shy.
Niannian leaned on the windowsill resting his chin in his hands watching Lu Qingnian’s figure disappear through the camp gate.
Jiang Shuiying was sewing a padded jacket and pricked her finger with the needle. She put the finger in her mouth and sucked it gently then smiled. Do not worry about grown up matters.
But I want to spend more time with him Niannian pouted and tugged at her clothing. Every time I ask him to tell me stories about fighting he vanishes. I have waited five days already. If I wait any longer I will be all grown up.
Jiang Shuiying’s heart softened. She set down her needlework and stroked his head. Be patient a little longer. His mind is unwell and he has forgotten us. We must give him time to remember.
Niannian did not answer. His eyes rolled thoughtfully three times.
These past few days he had not called him father once. Other children clung to their fathers like sticky candy and would not let go. But he was different. When he saw Lu Qingnian he said hey or you or simply pretended not to notice.
Jiang Shuiying asked him privately why he did not call him father to his face. He waved his hand mysteriously. Good things come to those who wait Mother.
The next evening Lu Qingnian arrived earlier than usual. He set a bag of oranges on the table sat down and began eating. Normally he finished three bowls and left immediately but today he held his bowl for a long time. His eyes kept drifting toward Jiang Shuiying as she sewed glancing again and again.
Niannian drank his soup quietly and saw everything clearly. He was not here just for food. He was here to see her.
When Jiang Shuiying went into the kitchen Lu Qingnian hesitated then leaned over and whispered Niannian.
Hmm. Niannian did not look up.
What does your mother like to eat.
Niannian slowly set down his chopsticks and held up three fingers.
What does that mean. Lu Qingnian asked.
One story about fighting and I will tell you one thing.
You are bargaining with me now.
Fair and square for young and old Niannian puffed out his chest. Story first information second no credit.
Lu Qingnian did not know whether to laugh or sigh. A respected soldier was being outwitted by a small child.
That night after the lights went out he crept over and told Niannian three stories in the dark. He spoke of wading through icy rivers carrying messages and how his boots froze solid as iron. He told about stealing dried radishes from the canteen when he was a hungry recruit and being made to stand guard until midnight. Niannian laughed so hard he kicked his legs under the covers. More please tell me just one more.
The next day Niannian kept his promise and counted on his fingers. Write this down. Mother loves sweet things and can eat two peach cakes in one sitting. She dislikes noise when she sews. And when she smiles she is truly happy. When she falls quiet she is truly angry.
Lu Qingnian listened more intently than during a briefing before battle. Is that all.
That is all. New stories for new answers.
On the third evening Lu Qingnian walked in holding a paper wrapped parcel. He placed it on the table and the tips of his ears turned bright red. Bought these at the shop on my way past.
Jiang Shuiying stared at the parcel. She had almost forgotten how much she loved peach cakes. When she was little her father brought them home from market wrapped in oiled paper one for her mother and one for her. After her parents passed away no one had bought them for her again. She had almost forgotten herself but he had remembered.
Who told you she asked softly.
Lu Qingnian looked away nervously.
Under the table Niannian waved frantically and held up three fingers. Three more stories owed.
After dinner Lu Qingnian did not leave immediately as he usually did. He sat on the bench rubbing his palms over his knees. Niannian he said at last.
Yes.
Why have you not called me father yet.
The room fell quiet. Jiang Shuiying paused with her needle in mid air and breathed gently.
Niannian swallowed the last bite of cake looked up and said clearly Old Man.
Lu Qingnian stared. What did you say.
Old Man. Niannian spoke with confidence. That is what we say back home in Sichuan. It means father and it is even warmer and closer.
Lu Qingnian smiled and ruffled his hair. Very well then Old Man it is.
The name filled an empty place deep inside him. He stood up to leave walked slowly and glanced back twice. Their eyes met and both turned away quickly as if they had felt an electric shock.
Lu Qingnian returned from the door and placed two fruit candies in Niannian’s hand without looking at Jiang Shuiying. Do not leave the wrappers lying around he said and walked out.
Later Jiang Shuiying pulled Niannian close and spoke quietly. Why are you being so bold all of a sudden. Just a few days ago you would not say a word.
Niannian glanced around and leaned in even closer. Jiang Shuiying you have nowhere else to go do you not see. If you call him Old Man he will stand by us and look after us.
Jiang Shuiying blinked. What did you call me.
That is not the point Niannian said earnestly. He must want to claim us on his own. Once he accepts us as his own he will take responsibility no matter what happens. It is the surest thing to do.
Jiang Shuiying stayed silent. His words were simple but true. Her parents were gone and she had no family left. She had nowhere to go with her child. Her eyes filled with tears and she hugged him tight. Who taught you to speak like this.
I figured it out myself. Niannian snuggled comfortably in her arms. Am I clever Mother.
Jiang Shuiying felt like laughing and crying at the same time. She tapped his nose gently. And you must not call me by my given name.
All right Niannian paused then said Jiang Shuiying.
Niannian.
It slipped out I will remember tomorrow.
That night Lu Qingnian lay awake turning from side to side. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Jiang Shuiying smiling. Then his head throbbed painfully and ached so sharply he gasped.
A memory appeared unbidden. At a snow covered pass a girl with braided hair ran after a moving truck looking up and shouting something. The truck drove away into the falling snow. Her words were lost in the wind and he could not hear them. She stumbled fell and rose to keep chasing her braids flying behind her. He clung to the railing wanting to call her back but his throat felt blocked with snow.
Lu Qingnian sat up abruptly sweating. It was not that he could not hear. It was that he still could not remember what she had called out.
He sat in the dark feeling a tightness in his chest. He could not recall her face but those eyes looking back at him were etched in his mind and would not fade.
At first light he would go and ask her.