Chinese mask

Author: Wang Xusong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Wang Xusong has published over 60 essays and short stories in national newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses, totaling approximately 800,000 words. He has published one collection of essays and one collection of short stories. The author is currently employed by a government agency in a province in southern Jiangnan.
Synopsis: A story set in the provincial committee, a story that unfolds around us every moment. The Propaganda Department head has retired, and the bureau plans to select one from Bai Zhongcheng and Wen Shuixi. Bai Zhongcheng is highly regarded in the organization, and Director Luo wants to promote him. However, after the personnel department completes all the organizational evaluations, Director Luo suddenly changes his mind upon seeing a provincial TV station broadcast a message about the governor’s official activities, deciding to give Wen Shuixi a major role. A series of intricate and gripping stories unfold—love and reason, friendship and enmity, law and power, right and wrong.
Wen Shuixi also came up with an idea. He said, "Every afternoon, around 3 to 4 o’clock, all the agency staff go to the agency bathhouse for a shower. I suggest that Yang, the translator, take advantage of this opportunity to shower as well and conduct an on-the-spot inspection in the bathhouse." However, Wen Shuixi’s suggestion was met with skepticism from Yang.
Skepticism one: Selecting people in the bathhouse would be perfect—everyone would be stark naked, and their physical appearances would be as clear as looking at chopped scallions in tofu. But the bathhouse is prone to people being missed, as showering is not like eating. If someone showered yesterday, they might not come today. Perhaps some suitable candidates are among those who don’t come for a shower. Additionally, some people don’t use public bathhouses and shower at home, and they would also be missed.
Skepticism two: In such an environment, she couldn’t stay too long—otherwise, her body would suffer, and others would suspect her. People might even call her a lunatic! Yang decisively said, "This method is absolutely not feasible!" Not this, not that—so what then is the right way? Just then, the sound of pleasant music played in the agency corridor, and it was pop music.
Yang heard the music playing in the agency building and felt puzzled. The agency isn’t a hotel or a kindergarten—why play music? So she asked Wen Shuixi, "Comrade Wen, why is the agency playing music?"
Wen Shuixi replied, "This is during the afternoon work break exercise time. Everyone needs to stretch their bodies. Recently, the agency trade union has hired a Tai Chi teacher from outside, and everyone has been learning Tai Chi with him every day!"
"Learning Tai Chi during work hours—won’t that deduct pay?" Yang asked.
"Haha!" Wen Shuixi couldn’t help but laugh. "Comrade Yang, you’re really too young. You think our agency is like a factory, an enterprise, or a private company? Staff are not allowed to leave their posts for even a second—no late arrivals, no early departures! We are a government agency, and we are government officials. Do you know that? Even if you go shopping on the street, no one will ask you about it. Let me tell you this: In our bureau, five women gave birth, and their husbands work in state-owned enterprises, foreign companies, or private companies. As a result, from the time of birth to when they were enrolled in daycare, and from daycare to school, the five women in our bureau took full responsibility for picking up and dropping off their children. Not a single day off for their husbands—they didn’t take even half a day off or miss a single day of work!"
"Working in the agency is really good, or rather, being an official is truly fortunate!" Yang envied Wen Shuixi deeply.
"Come, Comrade Yang, if we stand at the window, we can see them practicing Tai Chi!" Wen Shuixi led Yang to the window.
Yang looked downstairs, and the entire compound was visible. She saw rows of men and women in the agency forming a long rectangular team, learning Tai Chi from an old man. Since they were beginners, their movements were heavily influenced by imitation—either distorted or exaggerated, making them look like robots.
"Comrade Wen, we have a selection method!" Yang suddenly exclaimed with joy.
"What method?" Wen Shuixi asked, confused.
"You see, the people practicing Tai Chi downstairs can be seen clearly from here. This is truly a gift from heaven!" Yang was overjoyed, her hands dancing with excitement.
Wen Shuixi felt a bit ashamed. He thought to himself, why hadn’t he thought of this?
Yang and Wen Shuixi peered out the glass window at the scene from time to time.
"Comrade Yang, this selection criterion is too hard on you!" Wen Shuixi said, full of apology and helplessness.
"Comrade Wen, please don’t be so polite. Our current conditions are much better than the working conditions of our underground party in the liberation period!" Yang was very understanding.
"Are all the ladies in this compound from your agency?" Yang asked, scanning the line with a questioning gaze.
"Yes," Wen Shuixi replied. "What do you think?" He felt Yang’s question was a bit off.
"They’re all so unattractive—simply unbearable to look at. Look at those few—lacking in figure, just like housewives!" Yang seemed disappointed.
"Comrade Yang, the ones you’re looking at are mostly in their 40s and 50s. Look over there—those recently graduated from university are quite outstanding!" Wen Shuixi was a bit flustered by Yang’s comments and could only try to smooth things over.
"Not good either. Nowadays, university students with any conditions either go abroad or work as white-collar employees in foreign companies. Those who come to the agency are mostly those with no other options. Ah, there’s one woman who’s quite good!" Yang finally spotted someone she liked.
Wen Shuixi became excited and followed her finger. His heart sank immediately: "That one doesn’t count—she’s not from our agency. She’s the manager of the grand hall at a large hotel next door. She came here through connections to study!"
After finally finding someone, it turned out to be from an outside organization, not the agency itself. Yang continued searching in the line.