An Old Man’s Cry
Pei Xi Agnes Yip, Group 4: Fiction, St. Paul's Co-educational College
t was another afternoon spent gazing at the birds for Lao Jin. During October for the last 50 years, these
birds have passed by the city without fail. Watching leaves falling from the Chinese Cyprus tree in the
middle of the courtyard and cranes migrating South as winter drew closer was like meeting a good old
friend who would show up without fail. These events signified the passing of another year, which Lao Jin
has managed to live past. Just as he was about to have a sip of tea, he heard the main gate bang shut,
followed by rushed footsteps up the slabs of stone steps.
“
Father? Are you in your room?” a voice asked.
Before Lao Jin could answer, Lian, Lao Jin’s son, was already in Lao Jin’s room. For the past month,
Lian has continuously made unsolicited visits to the Chen’s Siheyuan, always hoping that Lao Jin would sign
the sheet. Again and again, Lian had tried to persuade his father to sell his Siheyuan, which stood erect in the
outskirts of Beijing’s central business district, to the government. Time and time again, Lao Jin refused. The
Siheyuan was the only proof of Lao Jin’s glorious past: the days when the courtyard was always filled with
sounds of Mahjong and the laughter of the extended family and friends. It was the good old days when
everyone within the Siheyuan was content, the days before everyone started moving out of the Siheyuan and
into apartments. It made Lao Jin feel at peace simply by being in such a familiar place.
“
Father, please sign this form and save me from all the trouble.” Lian said in an exasperated voice. “I
have already told you how important it is for me to acquire this piece of land. Think about how it would benefit
my career if you were to sign this sheet. I were to acquire the last piece of land in this area. Your little sacrifice
could boost my career! This land you live on is of much strategic importance.”
He paused a little and looked at Lao Jin. Seeing no change in emotions in his face, he went on, “How
can you bear to live alone in this vast piece of land, when there are people of YOUR race, desperate for even the
smallest living space?”
Of all the times that Lian visited, he had never been that blunt and candid. He asked mildly. Lao Jin
remembered how Lian used to be the best kid of the family, coming home with praises from teachers and
memorising all the Four Books and Five Classics. Lian had always been the apple of Lao Jin’s eyes, and
neighbours always believed that he would turn out to be a well-accomplished man.
But look at what that has become. Instead of being an altruistic man well respected by the society,
Lian is a mere official in the province, always thinking of crafty ways to earn extra profit. Despite the proper
upbringing, his son has turned into a dishonest man. As a responsible parent, Lao Jin had to rescue Lian from
the evil before it was too late.
“
Lian, have you forgotten how you used to play with the hens in the courtyard with your cousins, and
how you used to play hide and seek within our compound. There was this night when you told me you wished
you could play here forever. I worked so hard for your dream to come true.” He paused and took a sip of tea.
“
I guess all the sentimental feeling is gone now. Lian, you don’t understand. This place revives my memory. I
know every single tree and flower in the compound, and I am happy to be surrounded by all of them. Very
happy. Can’t you make your old man untroubled for once, and find homes for the people somewhere else?”
“
I’m sorry, Dad. You have to move out. It is a government order.”
With that, Lian walked out of the room with heavy steps with the tiny serpent tattoo on his neck
slithering sinisterly. When he banged the door shut, the noise echoed throughout the entire Siheyuan, causing
the resonance of the walls which sounded deafening. only fading after a long time. Lao Jin doesn't know what
has become of the young boy. The silhouette of Lian became unrecognisable. It seems as if it was only
yesterday that he was the kid running in the bushes. With stiffened shoulders and a slight hunched back, Lian
looked like a completely different kid.
Kim was in the middle of a grass land somewhere in remote China, away from all the skyscrapers and
constant pollution. Everything was so peaceful – the birds sung a sweet lyrical song and the clouds sailed pass
above. It was like bring in a Chinese painting. Then, dark clouds gathered above and everything became pitch
black. All the peaceful melodies that soothed him suddenly got sucked out by an invisible force. At once, he
stood in a vacuum space.
Then it all changed at once. Vibrant rays pointed straight at his face, blinding him like fireworks. He
became aware that he was not in Southern China but in his bed. He was either defying gravity or dreaming, for
his torso went up and down his bed. After he felt his behind get wet, he was sure that he was not dreaming. He
heard more noises in the house: curses, angry shouts and chants. Besides the fragmented images of red stains,
I