Ha Jin - In the Pond

She lay down on the bed and covered her head with a blanket.

Ignoring her, he went about composing the letter he had promised Yang to send out. On a piece of official stationery, which he had saved for special letters, he wrote these words:

The Most Respected Editor in Chief Wang:

Although I left the capital several weeks ago, your instructive words still linger in my ears. Thank you for publishing the article, which helped the leaders of our commune realize and rectify the mistake immediately. Secretary Yang Chen had a heartwarming talk with me, and decided to transfer me to a position more suitable to my talent. This could not have happened without your timely intervention.

I am informed that the Administration of Gold County has already reinstated the newspaper Environment , and that its editorial staff are all satisfied with the final settlement.

Thank you again, sincerely. Please give my warmest regards to your colleagues.

Loyally yours,

Shao Bin

P.S. Please print this letter in your journal.

He was certain that it would be printed, because there couldn’t be a better way for the journal to display its clout and righteous spirit. The brushwork in the letter was offhand, so that the characters appeared rather graceful and cloudy.

Since Meilan didn’t want to speak to him, Bin left without a word for the post office, with the letter in his pocket. He knew her temper well and was sure that in a day or two she would be herself again.

At seven-thirty the next morning, Bin set out for his new position. He carried a shiny attaché case that Liu and Ma had presented to him as a souvenir from the plant; in the case were a bunch of brushes, the ink slab, and a book of aphorisms by famous authors and scientists. His first task was to paint a mural at the thoroughfare in town, supporting the national campaign against bourgeois liberalization. The paints and ladders were all ready in his office; he was given two helpers, hefty young men, for the work.

On his way to the Commune Administration, he couldn’t resist smiling and whistling. In the sky a flock of geese were drifting south and gradually merging into the cotton clouds. Joyously Bin stretched up his right arm, as if he too had wings.