The Continuation of Wu Mi's Diaries (Volume 6, 1963-1964)

Author: Wu Mi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: July 27, Saturday, Clear, Cloudy, Hot. 24—38% Today, exposed two small suitcases and two small wooden boxes to the sun. Books and items inside the boxes were not moved. Breakfast, two ounces of rice porridge, one century egg. Very hot.
Morning, continued writing a long letter to Xin, but did not finish. Browsed through three papers of letters from female friends from 1932 to 1937. Zeng Wanfeng came, saying she was returning to No. 4, Daxi Lane, Chengdu. Hot water bath. At noon, Xi came, handing over movie tickets for tonight’s 8:40 show. Row 10, seat 14. Lunch, rice, steamed pork with rice flour. Also consumed half a pound of milk and one fresh tomato daily. Qian Xiaoping borrowed the first volume of Dream of the Red Chamber.
Afternoon, rested. Wrote a diary.
Evening, cloudy, windy. Dinner, rice, pumpkin. Wang Xingrong came, and they took a walk around the campus together. At 8:00 PM, went to Xue’s residence. All the men and women, young and old of Xue’s roommates were sitting in the yard to cool off. Wu invited Xue out. Yuanming Middle School had graduated and was at home. Went to Beishi, watched the movie The Night Before. Adapted from the novel by Turgenev. The Night Before refers to the night before the revolution. Met Li Ruizhi and others. When coming, there was a strong wind, thunder, and dark clouds in the sky, but it did not rain. On the way back, it was very cool, the sky was dark like ink, and Wu and Xue returned slowly along the main road. Xue said that due to the rumors of Dai Dazhen and others, as well as the organization’s questioning, she was accused of “receiving financial support from Wu,” so they should not visit each other in the future or go to movies together. They could only meet occasionally while taking walks, and so on. However, Xue’s desire for financial support from Wu was very strong. Every time she invited Wu to meet, it was to ask for money. Although she admitted that her husband had sent over more than 20 yuan this month, she still hoped to receive Wu’s 30 yuan to make up the total. She had already paid 10 yuan, citing reasons such as Yuanming’s high school graduation exam, shopping, and so on. Wu evasively refused.
According to the records, those who come close to Wu now, whether relatives, friends, or students, are almost all motivated by money and profit. As for Xue, she is truly as described by Xiao as “determined to get money and never lenient.” Her character has not changed over the years.
Said goodbye to Xue at Daximen. Returned to the dorm at 11:00 PM and went to sleep. Kui returned at 12:00 PM. It did not rain at night.
July 28, Sunday
Cloudy, then clearing. 24—32℃ Very cool in the morning. Breakfast, two ounces of mung bean porridge, one century egg. Today, exposed the manuscript in the camphor wood box. Read many issues of Xueheng for several days.
Morning, wrote a diary. Wrote a letter to Ren Erbei, styled Nuo, courtesy name Zhongmin, alias Erbei, from Jiangdu. Currently residing at No. 9, Minzheng Road, Xinnanmen, Chengdu. Inquired about the details of Hu Yuyu’s “debts” to revise the method of remitting funds to help repay, and also to learn about the lives of Su Zuping, Lu Qian, and others from 1952 to 1955.
Lunch, rice, stir-fried green beans with pork.
Afternoon, rested. Continued writing a long letter to Xin, but it was still unfinished.
Dinner, rice, loofah soup. Added tomato.
Evening, very clear, clouds scattered, moon appeared. Wu went out at 7:10 PM and met Dai Zhengxiang, a student from the third year, who wanted to find Yang Xi to teach him English. Wu walked alone to Tiansheng Bridge, entered the gate of the West Agricultural School, walked around, and exited through the small alleyway between the military academy and the West Agricultural School. On the way back to the school, at the northern section of Tiansheng Bridge, met Xue carrying Peiyin, and they returned to school together. Discussed Xi’s matters on the way back. Xue said that Xi’s residence and actions were suspicious, and that he had connections with the Youth Army, which might label Xi as an underground worker against the party and government. If so, it would bring trouble to Wu, and it was necessary to clarify oneself and take preventive measures, which should be paid attention to, and so on. Said goodbye outside Dongzhuang. Wu returned to the dorm. Read until 10 PM and locked the door to sleep.