Pink powder

Author: Su Tong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Excerpt from the book: One morning in May, a rugged truck from the camp arrived at the entrance of Cuiyun Lane. Dressed in heavy makeup, the prostitutes gradually emerged, climbing onto the back of the truck. Onlookers included vendors selling pancakes, cigarettes, and self-adhesive flowers at the roadside stall. In addition, a group of young soldiers stood armed on both sides of the lane, maintaining a straight, tree-like posture. Last to emerge were Quyi and Xiaose from Xihuilou. Quyi wore a floral satin qipao and high heels, leaning against the door as she bent down to pull up her long stockings. Xiaose followed behind. She was clearly just woken up, her hair disheveled, with dark circles under her eyes. Quyi took Xiaose’s hand and walked to the pancake stall. The vendor said, "Miss Qiu, would you like some pancakes today?" Quyi replied, "Of course, why not?" She picked up two and handed one to Xiaose. Xiaose looked at the people on the truck and said, "I don’t want any. We need to get on board." Quyi remained standing as she slowly searched for change in her wallet. In the end, she took a bite of the pancake and walked toward the front of the truck while eating. Quyi said, "Why don’t you want any? Even condemned criminals get a good meal before their execution." By the time they climbed onto the truck, it had already started to hum. There were fifteen or sixteen prostitutes on board, some standing or sitting. In a corner, several suitcases and bundles were piled up. Quyi and Xiaose stood on the railing, gazing at the window of Xihuilou. A water-green underwear piece swayed in the wind on a bamboo pole. Xiaose said, "I forgot to take it down earlier. I wonder if it will rain." Quyi replied, "Don’t worry about it. We don’t even know if we’ll be allowed to come back after going there." Xiaose lowered her head sadly and said, "What are they taking us to do?" Quyi said, "They’re saying it’s for a venereal disease check. Whatever, I’m already fed up with life anyway. I’m not afraid of execution either." The truck rumbled over the narrow, uneven streets of the city, passing familiar restaurants, dance halls, and opium dens. The prostitutes were preoccupied, none of them caring to comment on their future. Red flags and slogans covered all the streets and walls within a few days, along with beauty advertisements. The scent of makeup from the prostitutes’ clothes quickly dissipated in the truck’s exhaust. On the opposite side of the street, children were practicing celebratory drums at an elementary school playground, while a parade from the Dalong Machine Factory was coming straight toward them. Workers waved paper flags and sang a new song that had spread from the north. Some pointed and laughed at the truck from Cuiyun Lane, while one person jumped out of the parade and spat at the people on the truck.