Chapter Six: Forced into the Army
A few days passed quickly, the scorching sun showing no sign of relenting. One morning, just as the sky began to lighten, a sudden crash sounded from outside, followed by a rush of chaotic footsteps. The inner door was pounded furiously: “Kaiming! Kaiming, open up!”
She jolted awake from her dreams, utterly bewildered and uncertain what disaster had occurred. The two children, startled, rubbed their eyes incessantly.
Finally, the flimsy door gave way under the assault, kicked open with a thunderous bang. Massive shadows surged into the room. Before Kaiming could see clearly, someone seized her by the wrist and dragged her outside. “Hurry, hurry, we’re late!” the voice urged.
“What’s going on?” Kaiming shrieked, appalled by this lawless intrusion. Only after being hauled out the door did she finally come to her senses. Seeing who it was, she broke into a mix of tears and laughter. “Chunhua, what kind of nonsense is this!”
Chunhua, uncharacteristically without makeup and hair unadorned, wore plain trousers and a long shirt, her hair neatly coiled at the back of her head. Two companions followed, dressed identically.
“Are you here for a brawl at daybreak?” Kaiming fumed.
“Not today,” Chunhua replied with a mischievous grin. “We’re going out for drinks again.”
“You dragged me out of bed, didn’t let me wash or change, not even a shoe on, just to drink?” Kaiming scoffed. “Who would believe that!”
Only then did Chunhua notice her bare feet. She motioned to her companions, “Go on!” One of them dashed inside and emerged with a pair of straw sandals. The two frightened children trailed after, faces full of terror. “What are you doing to our mother?”
“Don’t worry, nothing’s wrong,” Chunhua replied, her plump face breaking into a kindly smile. “We’re just taking your mother out for a stroll in town! Don’t tell your father, okay?”
“Spare me,” Kaiming grumbled, slipping on the sandals, which chafed her toes painfully. “If you have something to say, say it!”
Chunhua waved at the children and threw an arm around Kaiming’s shoulders, moving forward with exaggerated warmth. As Kaiming caught sight of Chunhua’s face, she saw it change in an instant.
“We haven’t settled the score from the last time you ran out of the tavern!” Chunhua hissed, her grip on Kaiming’s shoulder tightening painfully.
“So you’re here to settle old scores?” Kaiming asked cautiously, keeping pace with her.
“Of course not.” Chunhua suddenly beamed. “I told you, we’re going shopping.”
The smile, however, sent an inexplicable chill through Kaiming. On this sweltering morning, she felt icy dread. Chunhua’s intentions were clearly suspect.
She vaguely recalled that the bustling main street was straight ahead, yet Chunhua led them through winding alleys. “Isn’t this the wrong way to the tavern?” Kaiming probed.
“Of course it’s not. We’re headed somewhere much more exciting.” Chunhua’s eyes were fixed straight ahead, her expression taut. She looked as if she might lure Kaiming into a dark alley and silence her forever.
Kaiming shivered again. Her health wasn’t what it used to be, but she had no intention of dying so soon.
“Chunhua, I haven’t washed my face.”
“I know.”
“I haven’t changed my clothes.”
“You mentioned that.”
Out of excuses, Kaiming fell silent. Chunhua halted, watching her with amusement. “Kaiming, are you scared?”
“Me? Scared of you? Don’t be ridiculous.” She forced herself to appear calm.
“Good. Then come with me!” Chunhua released her shoulder only to grab her wrist. “We have to be the first ones there.”
“What?” Kaiming was completely lost.
Chunhua laughed as they jogged along. “Remember I told you about army recruitment?”
How was that relevant to her?
“You said you’d sign up with me!” Chunhua burst out laughing. “So loyal—refusing to stay behind and enjoy yourself with Xuan while I went alone!”
Kaiming was horrified. Was this a joke? Army recruitment meant the front lines, life and death. Who would run toward such a fate, let alone volunteer? She’d have hidden if she’d known.
“Chunhua, sister…” she pleaded with a sheepish smile, “I was only jesting…”
“We’re here!” Chunhua announced, releasing her grip.
Kaiming saw a chance to run, but the two companions seized her, propelling her forward.
A square table was set in front of a thick wall, manned by several soldiers. Nearby stood a few tiled huts, and many armed guards lingered. Only a handful of curious onlookers loitered, and even fewer were signing up. A higher-ranking officer, his attire setting him apart, yawned in boredom.
Chunhua strode up, slamming her hands on the table. “I’m here to enlist!”
Tall and imposing, her voice thundered. The officer jolted, nearly falling from his chair. He straightened, squinting at her.
She fit the requirements, so he eyed her up and down, then lazily dipped a brush in ink. “Name?”
“Chunhua!” she declared.
He leaned away from her booming voice, frowning. “Save your strength for the battlefield.”
She responded loudly, then shrank a little at his words.
He shook his head, not bothering to argue. Scribbling her name and details, he glanced at her two excited companions. “And you two?”
“To enlist!” they shouted in unison. The officer rubbed his ears in irritation. Chunhua elbowed one behind her, who grunted in pain. The guards nearby snickered.
“Names?”
“Xia Cao!”
“Qiu Ju!”
Kaiming burst out laughing; their names matched Chunhua’s perfectly.
“And you?” The officer, hearing the laughter, looked past Chunhua at Kaiming.
Chunhua dragged her forward like a chick, lowering her voice. “Her name is Kaiming.”
The officer jotted down her name.
Horrified, Kaiming watched herself being recorded. “Sir, I’m married—can I still enlist?”
“How patriotic,” the officer muttered, continuing to write. “Age, address, health status?”
Kaiming, flustered, protested, “But I have two small children at home…”
“Everyone should learn from your example,” he replied, sketching absently. “Age, address, health status?”
“Sir, I was forced—” Kaiming managed to blurt out, only to have Chunhua cover her mouth and push her behind. “I’ll provide her information,” Chunhua offered, batting her eyes coquettishly.
The officer glanced at them, then finished writing. “Report here tomorrow morning for a routine checkup. In the afternoon, you’ll be assigned units. The day after, you depart at dawn. Understood?”
Chunhua replied with utmost deference.
“And another thing,” the officer narrowed his eyes. “Once you’re registered, you’re soldiers. If you back out or run away, you’ll be treated as deserters. Understand?”
Chunhua agreed even more loudly.
Once out of immediate danger, Chunhua released her grip on Kaiming’s mouth. Kaiming was furious. “If you want to throw your life away, don’t drag me with you!”
“Tsk, such ugly talk! Life and death—must you be so dramatic?” Chunhua, elated by her accomplishment, declared, “This is the first step on our official career path. We’ll forge greatness together!”
“A career? Hardly,” Kaiming sneered. “We’ll be carried home in shrouds before we even begin!”
Chunhua smacked her on the head. “Don’t jinx us! Besides, you’re enlisted too—don’t forget!”
“I’m not going!” Kaiming retorted angrily. “You’re trampling on the people’s will!”
Chunhua shot her a sideways glance and said to her companions, “What did the officer say just now?”
Xia Cao puffed out her chest, mimicking, “Once you’re registered, you’re soldiers. If you back out or run away, you’ll be treated as deserters!”
“Did you hear that? Deserters! If you run, Xuan and your kids will suffer for it!” Chunhua tutted. “They’ll be thrown in jail—just imagine!”
“You’re ruthless!” Kaiming shook her fist and stormed off in exasperation.
Chunhua called after her, “Don’t forget—tomorrow morning, right here! Don’t be late!”
Kaiming didn’t turn back. The two companions snickered, “Boss, you really drove her mad this time!”
Chunhua grinned triumphantly. “After she stole Xuan from me, I’ve never felt so pleased. Come, drinks are on me tonight—let’s get drunk!”
That night, Kaiming returned home, deeply anxious, and confessed everything to Xuan.
“What?” He dropped a handful of copper coins, utterly incredulous. “You signed up for the army?”
“Chunhua forced me… I never wanted to…”
He sighed heavily, crouching to pick up the scattered coins. “If disaster comes, there’s no escape.”
Kaiming hurried to help him, and in their haste, their hands brushed.
She instinctively pulled back. Xuan paused, then met her gaze. “Tonight, I’ll sleep in your room.”
Kaiming blinked, bewildered. What did he mean?
“There’s something I want to say to you,” Xuan said, his eyes never leaving hers. “It’s our last night—please don’t refuse me.” Then he rose and walked away.
Kaiming tilted her head, puzzling over his words, her mind spiraling down wild paths. The last night—don’t refuse me. The more she thought, the stranger it sounded. Could it be…? Her heart pounded wildly at the thought. Anything but that!