Midnight (New Curriculum Standard Required Reading Series · Revised Edition)

Author: Mao Dun / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The cloud-powered ship indeed docked outside a large tugboat—so-called "company ship." That large wicker chair had already been placed at the bow of the cloud-powered ship, with two strong porters standing beside it. The wharf was quiet, with no around; a couple of employees from the steamship company were there, shouting loudly to drive away the rickshaw pullers and vendors who had gathered nearby. When Sunfu and his two companions stepped onto the deck of the "company ship," Grandpa Wu had already been helped out by Yunfei's tea house staff and seated in the wicker chair. Fu Sheng quickly rushed over, gesturing, ordering the two porters to lift Grandpa Wu and slowly carry him onto the "company ship." Then, the son, daughter, and daughter-in-law all went forward to greet him. Although the journey had been tiring, Grandpa Wu's expression was not displeased; two rosy circles lingered on his temples. But he remained silent, glancing at his son, daughter, and daughter-in-law, nodding slightly, then closed his eyes. At this moment, the fourth Miss Hui Fang and the seventh young master A Xuan, who had come with Grandpa Wu, also squeezed onto the "company ship." "How is Dad doing on the road?" Du Grandmother—Second Miss Wu—pulled Miss Hui Fang aside and asked softly. "Nothing serious. Just keeps saying he feels dizzy." "Quick, get into the car! Fu Sheng, go and have the new car number 1889 parked here." Sunfu said impatiently. He had the two ladies gather around Grandpa Wu, while Sunfu and Zhu Zhai, along with A Xuan, went first to the wharf. When the car number 1889 arrived, the wicker chair was also brought ashore, and Grandpa Wu was helped into the car and settled in. Second Miss Wu—Du Grandmother—sat beside him. Grandpa Wu, who had been keeping his eyes closed, suddenly opened them at the scent of the second Miss, his voice trembling as he slowly said, "Hui Fang, is that you? Bring Hui Fang! Hui Fang! And A Xuan!" Sunfu, who was in the back seat, frowned slightly but said nothing. Grandpa Wu had a strange and stubborn temperament, both Sunfu and Zhu Zhai knew. So, Miss Hui Fang and young master A Xuan entered Grandpa Wu's car. Second Miss Hui Fang, unwilling to leave her father, squeezed in too. The two ladies now flanked Grandpa Wu. The engine roared, and car number 1889 moved forward, but suddenly Grandpa Wu cried out sharply, "The Great Learning of!" It was a strange cry like tearing silk. In that cry, it seemed Grandpa Wu's remaining vitality surged again; his old eyes shone with a flicker, the faint red on his temples deepened to a deep vermilion, though his lips trembled. The driver of car number 1889 immediately braked, turning his head in alarm. Sunfu and Zhu Zhai's car also stopped. Everyone froze. But Miss Hui Fang understood what Grandpa Wu wanted. Seeing Fu Sheng nearby, she called out, "Fu Sheng, quickly go to Yunfei's dining room and bring the《》 in the yellow silk cover!" Ever since Grandpa Wu broke his leg from horseback and became half-paralyzed, he had devoutly revered the《》, studying it daily for over twenty years. In addition to printing copies each year, he had also meticulously hand-copied a copy, which he never left his side. Soon, Fu Sheng arrived with the《》 in the yellow silk cover. Grandpa Wu took it reverently and placed it on his lap, then closed his eyes, a faint smile of relief appearing on his shriveled lips. "Start the car!" Du Grandmother whispered, sighing in relief. She leaned her head back against the spring seat, unable to hold back her smile. At this moment, the car sped faster, moving along North Suzhou Road toward the east, turning south at the Waibaidu Bridge. The three cars now shot forward like a whirlwind, at a speed of half a mile per minute—a new record for 1930 model cars. P6-P8