Chapter 7: The Hen That Laid No Eggs

Lin Xiyu’s aunt drank her herbal medicine, and before she had time to wash the clay pot, she was called away to the telephone booth by someone. After the call, several people came to buy newspapers and cigarettes; caught up in the bustle, she forgot about the clay pot.

It was the weekend, and Zhang Dafen, not at work, came out with a washbasin to do laundry at the courtyard’s only communal water tap. She spotted the old, grimy clay pot in the sink, picked it up with distaste, and tossed it to the ground. The pot, fragile as it was, cracked upon landing.

When Aunt returned home at noon to cook, she saw the broken pot and was immediately furious. There weren’t many neighbors who would stoop so low, so without hesitation she grabbed the shattered pot and stormed over to Zhang Dafen’s home.

Zhang Dafen was unreasonable, not only refusing to apologize but also complaining that Aunt had occupied the communal sink and delayed her laundry. Aunt, naturally, wouldn’t let it go and insisted on her rights. The argument escalated, with Zhang Dafen sneering and mocking Aunt as a hen that couldn’t lay eggs.

Aunt’s greatest taboo was anyone mentioning her childlessness; the insult sent her into a rage, and she grabbed Zhang Dafen’s hair, sparking a physical fight.

The commotion was so loud that even Old Huang, whose health prevented him from going out often, was startled. He pushed open his window to look toward the water tap. Grandmother, elderly and frail, tried to intervene but was powerless. She clutched her chest in anger and sank to the ground. Zhang Dafen’s sister-in-law, long annoyed with her, stayed inside to enjoy the spectacle without stepping out.

In the end, it was Old Wang who couldn’t stand it any longer. With his son, he grabbed each woman and forcibly separated them. Both suffered injuries.

Aunt, short in stature, had her face scratched by Zhang Dafen. Zhang Dafen’s wrist was scraped raw. Face wounds mattered more than hands; all in all, Aunt came out worse.

—

When Lin Xiyu returned home, she saw two clear marks on Aunt’s face, blood oozing from them. Grandmother was sitting pale and trembling on the doorstep, clutching her chest. Zhang Dafen was rampaging through the courtyard, cursing and demanding Aunt apologize, threatening to bring her partner over.

After the fight, Aunt regained her senses and became timid. Hearing that Zhang Dafen’s partner worked at the provincial government, her bravado vanished; she hung her head and dared not say another word.

Lin Xiyu, having grasped the situation, ran straight out to the public phone booth to call her uncle and her eldest aunt.

Her eldest aunt’s family was large, with an uncle and cousins. Aunt had been beaten, Grandmother had fallen ill from anger, and now they were being threatened—it couldn’t end like this. Someone had to stand up for the family.

—

Her eldest aunt’s family arrived swiftly, within the hour. Zhang Dafen’s partner also showed up, initially blustering, demanding compensation for medical expenses and threatening to call the police if they didn’t pay.

Uncle went to Zhang’s west room to reason with him, but his voice was so subdued it was barely audible. Her cousin arrived, said nothing, and pulled a fire poker from the kitchen stove before charging into the west room.

Suddenly, the west room fell silent. Zhang Dafen’s partner made no further sound.

—

Lin Xiyu and her cousin hid beneath the pomegranate tree in the courtyard, eavesdropping. Hearing their family gradually gain the upper hand inside the west room, they breathed easier and broke into smiles.

“Ha! If Grandmother hadn’t stopped me, I’d have scratched her face to ribbons,” her cousin said, feeling frustrated for not having contributed. “I came ready for a fight—switched out my dress for trousers specially.”

Lin Xiyu was amused by her cousin’s fierce tone and couldn’t help but laugh.