Lack of moon

Author: Mu Yumin / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Han Yujing really went to the dreamlike mountain city in the northern frontier. When she stepped out of the mountain city train station with her luggage, she immediately saw Luo Jifeng waving his arms frantically in the crowd. Luo Jifeng pushed through the crowd and ran to Han Yujing’s side. He didn’t go to pick up her luggage but instead took off his cotton overcoat and wrapped her tightly in it: “Yujing, Yujing, you really came! You really came! It’s cold in the northern frontier, don’t getbad!”
“Ji, Jifeng,” Han Yujing’s tears flowed. Seeing her cry, Luo Jingfeng also shed tears. The two stood there crying. As they cried, Han Yujing burst into laughter. Luo Jifeng hugged Han Yujing and walked out of the station, pointing ahead: “See? This is the famous northern frontier mountain city, an ancient border fortress—it’s actually just an old and small town nestled in the mountains. That’s the Clear Water River; it’s dry now, but it will have water in the summer.”
Han Yujing shivered: “Jifeng, the cold in the northern frontier is truly as famous as they say!”
“Yujing, you’re still cold. Let’s get going faster.” Han Yujing was puzzled: “Faster? Don’t we take a car?”
“No need for a car. The old city is tiny. In the morning, you can jog from west to north and from north to south.”
They stepped onto the iron bridge over the Clear Water River. The bridge was narrow, barely wide enough for two cars. Han Yujing said, “This bridge is so narrow and so old. It must have been built a long time ago.”
Luo Jifeng replied, “My mom said this iron bridge was built after the Japanese occupied Chahar. Everyone hates this bridge and says it will be torn down sooner or later.”
“Yujing, across this bridge is my home. The Clear Water River divides the city—the west side is West District, and the east side is East District. My home is in the old West District fortress. See that purplish-red small high-rise? That’s the clock tower in the fortress, which we call ‘Four Gates Tunnel.’ My home is on the east side of the tunnel. I told you about it in my letter.”
Han Yujing looked in the direction Luo Jifeng pointed, at the low, gray houses on the west bank of the Clear Water River, and a sense of familiarity rose in her heart. She thought, This might be my home in the future. At the thought, her face grew warm.
After crossing the bridge, Luo Jifeng pointed to a large archway spanning the street and asked Han Yujing to look: “Yujing, see! We’re here! Once you enter this fortress gate, you’re there. This is the south gate of the fortress.”
Han Yujing looked up, seeing the three yellowish characters “Fortress” above the red brick archway.
Inside the fortress, Han Yujing saw that the narrow streets were lined with old, low houses, yet they were neat and elegant, with beautiful, undulating outlines. Judging by the clothing of the people passing by, the mountain city was clearly not wealthy. However, it was nostalgic, and she loved the traces of antiquity because her father was a professor of ancient architecture. Influenced by him, she loved ancient buildings and the old charm of the city. She said with enthusiasm, “These old houses are so beautiful. Look at that gate screen, the brick carvings, the eaves.”
“Flash! Oh! Flash!” Han Yujing was startled by the shout and quickly stepped aside. A person carrying a water bucket walked toward them. The water carrier greeted Luo Jifeng and then stared intently at Han Yujing, “Who’s this girl? I’ve never seen her. Is she a relative?”
After leaving the fortress, the water carrier asked Luo Jifeng in surprise, “There’s no tap water here? You still have to carry water?”
“Only inside the fortress. Each courtyard has a public water pipe. Outside the fortress, you have to carry water from inside. The old city lacks water, maybe even the wind has blown it dry.” Luo Jifeng replied with a smile.
“So, people inside and outside the fortress have different?”
“Seems that way. My mom said the fortress used to be where the elite of the mountain city lived. After liberation, those who lived there still had some status. After my father was martyred, the city leaders took pity on us and let my mom and me move in.”
“My father was martyred?” Han Yujing asked with concern.
Luo Jifeng nodded: “He died when I was one year old, chasing down a armed spy.”
P113-114