The White—haired Girl①

張蕾

在解放前的華北農村，貧苦的佃農楊白勞與女兒喜兒相依為命。鄰居王大嬸和兒子王大春常常照顧楊家父女，兩家相處融洽和睦。然而，為了躲避惡霸地主黃世仁的債務，楊白勞常年在外漂泊，他好長時間沒看到女兒了。瞧，除夕的夜晚，喜兒正在家盼父親歸來團聚……

Xier：The north wind is blowing，the snow is falling，and the New Year is coming！

Xier：In order to avoid debts，my dad hasnt been back up to now. Today it is Chinese New Years Eve. Every family has dumplings，rice cakes and so on. They get together to celebrate the festival. But where is my dad？

Xier：The wind blows wild，the door opens easily，the snow falls heavily，where is my dad？ I am waiting for my dad. Wish my dad be back soon！

Xier：Dad went out with his bean curd（豆腐） burden（包袱）. If he sells all the bean curd out and makes a little money，he can buy some flour. And we can make dumplings tonight. I am waiting for my dad. If dad comes back with some flour，we will have a happy new year.

Yang：I havent been back for seven days because of the debts. As long as I can pass it，everything I can bear. Xier，open the door.

Xier：Ah，my dad came back. Dad，you look so tired.

Yang：Xier，come here. Has the master come yet？

Xier：Mu Renzhi came here five days ago.

Yang：What？ He came here. What did he say？

Xier：Nothing. He left away soon.

Yang：What happened then？

Xier：He hasnt come back from then on.

Yang：Really？

Xier：Yeah，believe me！

Yang：I dont think Mu Renzhi will come here. Xier，please add more firewoods to make the fire bigger. Did you cut off the firewood alone？

Xier：Yes，I did it with Dachun. Dad，Im sure youre hungry. I will make the steamed bread.

Yang：Wait，look，what is it？

Xier：Flour！

Yang：I hid for five days to avoid the master.

Xier：Thank you，dad. Lets make dumplings with aunt and brother. OK？

Yang：Good idea！ Xier，look，its for you！

Xier：Wow，what a beautiful string！

Yang：Other girls have the flowers，but I can only give you a red string. Dress it up，Xier. Lets have a peaceful new year.

Aunt：Im so worried about uncle Yang. Xier，open the door，please.

Xier：Who is it？

Aunt：Your aunt.

Xier：My aunt，youre back. My dad is here. He brings back some flour. Lets make dumplings，OK？

Aunt：Ok. Your brother has taken some flour，too. Come with me！

正當喜兒一家歡樂地準備過年的時候，突然有一個身著黑衣的家伙來到她家門前，這會是誰呢？喜兒家會有什么樣的不幸發生呢？下期精彩繼續！