短篇小說（魚與熊掌）的穀歌翻譯

短篇小說¬——《魚與熊掌》
作者： 西風

1
琳達醒來的時候，還在想著房價的節節攀升，好像有了房子就掌握了印鈔機，時間每過一分鍾財富就增加一份似的。這如何能不讓她著急呢。
這天該是聖誕過後的第二天，大雪和風一直沒停過。透過窗簾縫隙射進來一縷晨光，仿佛還夾著寒氣。其實，窗縫很嚴密，隻是屋子裏的溫度並不怎麽高罷了。“房東處處算計，供暖總是強差人意。”琳達心裏抱怨的自語道，“我要是買了房子，等著瞧吧——瘦子身上也能刮出油。”
琳達這一覺睡得很好，解除了疲乏、焦慮和妄想。“很久都沒有這麽安穩的休息了。難得過了個痛快淋漓的西方大節。”琳達不由得思緒又回到昨天吉奧森家裏的派對遊戲中。吉奧森住著一幢祖傳大房，4000多伬，複式結構。屋子裏布置得古色古香。家具是紅木；牆上是仿古的油畫；空調蒸得酒香四溢。“你是個大美人。這身裙子配在身上，真一個東方公主。”吉奧森這麽稱讚著，吉奧森的朋友也都甚為讚同的點頭。
“我們為東方美人喝一杯。”有人這麽提議道:“來，幹杯。”
這是琳達移民加拿大的第三個年頭，也是聖誕過得最陶醉的一次。想起剛來的那一年，她還為像吉奧森這樣的西人家做保姆。第二年搖身一變作了鋼琴老師。這麽快的華麗轉身，豈是人人能玩得轉的。現在的琳達儼然成了西人家裏的座上客。這麽想著的時候，聖誕之夜的餘熱開始在身上發酵。昨個晚上，吉奧森一雙火辣辣的眼睛圍著自己上下打量，正如魚兒看見蚯蚓而不考慮蚯蚓身上有沒有鉤子。吉奧森狂熱的吻著琳達。吻得琳達渾身燥熱，“別忘了讚助我買房子的事啊。”琳達說著阻擋了吉奧森進一步的衝動。
“有什麽問題。我對美人一向出手大方。”
最重要的一幕過完，琳達抓過枕邊的手機，看看時間已經10點鍾。往日的這個時候，她已經出發去教鋼琴課了。對於教鋼琴，琳達向來是不興趣的，雖然自己有著音樂學院的文憑。那不過是招攬生意的廣告詞。琳達熱衷於掙錢。在琳達看來，教得好，懂得多，不如拿著和朗朗的合影更能獲得家長的信任。琳達在家裏就擺著那張合影。她常拿出來跟家長說：“這是我出席維也納音樂會時和郎朗的合影。我們是同行和朋友。”對於學鋼琴的學生，大抵是十歲以下的兒童，以琳達的達練和閱曆，隻要板起臉——高深、嚴厲，自然增加著份量。
今天不必教課，聖誕和新年乃西方人的大節，大家都在狂歡。琳達卻異常清醒。“房子還得抓緊買。吉奧森的讚助也該催催。估計吉奧森喝得大醉，現在不會起床。”琳達就發了如下的短信：“親，晚上把房錢送來，等你。——琳達。”
吉奧森這個白人中年男，做一份銷售經理的職業，收入不錯，他有著一切白人身上的瀟灑，大方，揮金如土和不願意有家庭羈絆的隨意性。吉奧森常拿錢開派對，大都是有業務來往的客戶。他們聚會，喝酒，談棒球，談音樂，談女人。反正在琳達看來極好交往。因此琳達也就做了吉奧森的女朋友。吉奧森半真半假向琳達求婚。琳達覺得，洋人隨意性太大，結婚根本靠不住。她就一直不答應吉奧森。有一次，琳達說自己想買套房子，吉奧森拍胸脯打了包票。這件事，琳達沒有放鬆，正如地產經紀對客戶掛記心頭一樣。
這不，琳達有電話進來，是地產經紀陳先生。陳地產問候了幾句，就轉到正題：“萬錦新掛牌一處房子，很合乎你的要求。分門出入，四房，雙車位，標價180萬，估計很搶手。要不要帶你看看？”
“我還在準備款子，過完新年就有著落。什麽時間看房方便？”
“明天四點吧。順便請你吃飯。”
陳地產開一輛四驅寶馬，載著琳達看完萬錦的房子，說：“我作地產多年，這個房子結構好，地點佳，升值空間大，完全值個買下來。不出三年，你還得找我，今天我請你吃飯，下次就是你請我了。”
看完房子，琳達迫不及待地給吉奧森打了電話，她說，萬錦那一棟房子，很漂亮，如果買下來投資的話，幾年就賺翻。吉奧森說，什麽賺不賺的，你喜歡就買了。錢，現成有10萬，你先拿著用。等你和我入洞房的時候可以免帳。
琳達和吉奧森通完話，叫趙爽接她去買點菜。趙爽很快就來了。趙爽與琳達在國內認識，那時候，趙爽喜歡上了琳達。拚命追求，琳達來到首都，算是北漂女，諸事不容易，但也因此磨練出了超強的生存本領。趙爽家是首都的坐地戶。趙爽母親不喜歡琳達。琳達一氣之下，又攛掇趙爽和她移民，鬧到後來，趙爽母親落得個“啞巴吃黃連”。
既然有趙爽的方便車，琳達買的盡是糧油類重物。趙爽替琳達推著車，卸完東西。一個聲音怯怯地說道：“先生，要不要替你還車？”趙爽抬頭，看見一瘦小、單薄的身軀，一雙遊移的雙眼含著祈求。趙爽明白過來，這個青年要賺那一塊錢的還車費。趙爽剛想表示同意。琳達已然不屑的回答道：“我自己來，不用你。”青年怏怏地退走。趙爽盯著他的背影不肯離去。琳達還了車，說：“別看了，都是些Loser。”
買了新鮮水果、菜蔬，琳達請趙爽吃了晚飯。琳達問：“我看好了萬錦的一處豪宅，首期還差20萬，你答應說拿錢來著，男子漢說話要算數啊。”
趙爽說，：“你答應嫁我，我就拿錢。”
琳達說：“我們相識這麽多年了，難為你一片癡心。你知道，我這個人挺難伺候。獨身過慣了，結婚你我都不會幸福。最好我替你賺些錢，買了房子。漲完再賣。我們倆分成，大家賺一把。”
趙爽說：“我的錢是借來的，我跟我媽說是結婚要買房用。我媽也是和親戚借的。如果你不肯嫁我，叫我如何交代？我是真心愛你。”
“什麽婆婆媽媽的，我在替你投資賺錢。感謝我吧，就你這樣的¬，要不是遇上我，看見了吧，超市門口那個收人家一塊車費的青年——不是我打擊你，沒有賺錢本領就是那個下場。”
沉默了一刻，琳達把手神給趙爽，說：“我不會委屈你的錢。你的錢，算是我募集來的投資款。過幾年，你就跟著分紅。”
趙爽眼睛閃動了一下，隨即合上，把快要流出來的一汪水含進去。“其實，我不把錢看得那麽重。”
過完新年，琳達買下了萬錦的那所房子。搬家那天，趙爽、吉奧森都來了。琳達沒有請搬家公司，她租了輛大車，舍出渾身的力氣，弄得滿身大汗。趙爽說，請個搬家公司，你不必這樣辛苦麽？
“哼，請搬家公司？——搬家公司的弟兄們怎麽幹活，我是見識過的。從我這裏賺錢，沒那麽容易。”
搬完了家。琳達要還租來的車，吉奧森推脫道：“先告辭一步。房子是個豪宅。唯一缺我這個男主人。”趙爽狠狠地瞪了吉奧森一眼。等吉奧森轉過身，他用腳朝他走的方向踢去。“滾，你個丫子的。”琳達向趙爽眨眼，示意他停止。然後她開車去了租車公司，想著吉奧森的話和趙爽的不滿，她很有點對被趙爽的癡情所感動，不知不覺間流了兩滴眼淚。然後很快她拿袖子揩去了淚痕。她狠狠心地自語到：“我沒興趣嫁給你們誰，我隻想賺錢，這輩子，我要用財富證明自己的能力。”
2
時空裏駐紮著夢想，能夠自我發酵，這催促著有形資產不斷膨脹，也加速著投資人一夜暴富的夢鏡飄忽延綿。1年以後，琳達空蕩蕩的豪宅裏，空曠的主人房間，依牆壁支一張單薄窄型雙人床，孤零零的躺在那裏，局促而羞澀，它縱然想找個地方躲起來，偏偏無處可去，猶如被暫時收養的孤兒，無奈，無助。房間另一角，寬敞的玻璃淋浴間反射著一縷明亮的陽光，陽光照在雪白的牆壁上，溫暖，清潔，高傲，它居高臨下地注目著那張不般配的窄床。琳達跪在樓梯上把每一個階梯擦拭幹淨，打了亮光的清潔劑，仿佛給樓梯上了新漆，這讓屋子更加熠熠生輝。大廳正對著旋轉式樓梯，牆上開著三大間窗戶。大廳吊燈群如仙女散花般高懸在棚頂，越發映襯了房子的富貴。大廳很大，沒有任何擺設，兩根立柱在中廳中崛起，琳達擦完樓梯，抹了一把臉上的汗珠，聽見樓上一間臥室的門打開來，屋子裏的人衝進了對麵的洗手間，過了很久，趙爽走出衛生間，手裏拿著毛巾，一邊擦臉一邊探頭向琳達。
“琳達，中午想吃什麽？我這就去做。”
琳達提起清潔桶，走下樓梯，有氣地把水桶往裏一頓，沒有說話。趙爽湊過來，說道：
“不滿意了？來來，我給你表演一段倚天屠龍的刀法。”趙爽說完，走到廚房，拿起一把三角形匕首，在琳達前舞了起來。隨著揮臂，轉身，收腰，一個單腿點地，亮了一個武術姿態。持續了一會，他的腿開始打彎，胳膊顫抖。 “我10歲學過武術，還能堅持3分鍾……啊，快不行了，琳達教練，你倒是發個話，我可快支持不住了。”
“行了，行了。有完沒完？幾十歲的人還像個孩子。”琳達沒好氣地搖搖頭，“倒了八輩子黴了，和個孩子糾纏在一起。”
“什麽什麽？琳達，你真了不起。你懂易數。那可是門高深的學問。”
“還有完沒完？
“那，那，我去燒紅燒肉給你吃。懊，冰箱裏還有速凍水餃。要不要也煮了？”
趙爽來到廚房，握著那把三角尖刀，刀子又長又鋒利，他毫不費力就切開2磅多的五花肉，看看刀子，他心裏暗自稱讚，“三叔送的軍刀倍棒。”
中午吃飯時候，趙爽端上來他燒的紅燒肉，“來，吃這個。真個又稥又亮。”琳達覺得毫無食欲，推開紅燒肉，喝了幾口水。 一股厭惡惡心的感覺湧了出來，平時自己就好吃這一口，今天怎麽了？”琳達暗自吃了一驚。“莫非？” 
“來來，忙了一上午，辛苦了，不吃紅燒肉，最少該吃一碗餃子。配上那山西的老陳醋，就是二個字：有品”。 
“算了吧。”琳達氣氣地摔掉筷子。
“這是怎麽了？哪裏沒服侍好？”趙爽小心地問到。
“哼，服侍，你自己享樂吧。想想你那天幹得好事。我說過的，我不想和你結婚。你真會給我添堵。睜大你的瞎眼看看，房貸，地稅，水電這麽高，房子快養不住了，你還往我心裏插刀子。滾。離我越遠越好。”琳達終於忍住了，沒有把她的猜測告訴趙爽。
3
自從那天以後，琳達心情差到極點。她四處奔波，尋找手術醫生。下了幾次決心，但一走到手術醫生的門口，她又打電話取消預約。想到趙爽那天給她跪地祈求，她的心裏又堅硬不起來。在這樣的困境中，琳達度過了難熬幾日。有一天，她上完鋼琴課，駐足在鄰近一間中文教室門口，聽一位中文老師在講授《魚與熊掌》的典故。“魚，我所欲也，熊掌，亦我所欲也；二者不可兼得，舍魚而取熊掌者也。……”朗朗的講解聲飄入失魂落魄的琳達耳朵裏。她定了定心神，暗自下了決心。她要和趙爽攤牌。“就這麽定了。”
回到家，趙爽迎著她，滿臉興奮。他說：“琳達，我找到一份收入不錯的工作了，我三叔介紹我去王崗罡那裏做保鏢。你可以放心在家養身子。王崗罡可是個出手闊綽的大老板。用錢就像開銀行的。給我的工資是屠宰場的三倍。。”
“他怎麽肯用你？就你那三拳兩腳，別好大喜功了？都多大歲數了，你自己心裏沒個底數嗎？”
“我小時候練過武當劍術，現在還有基礎。”
“算了，我不跟你討論這些。”頓了一會，琳達嚴肅道，
“我不會嫁給你，你的事情，我管不到，房子貸款不用你還。等哪天我弄到錢就連本帶利還給你。我們就此了解。”
趙爽一麵拉起琳達的手，一麵求道，“不要這樣決斷，琳達，我愛你。我不能失去你……。我這就回國湊錢，把房貸填平，好不好？”
琳達用力甩開趙爽，堅定地走上樓梯。隨著“砰”的一聲，主人臥室的門牢牢地關上了。
4
趙爽離開加拿大後，很久沒有音訊。琳達周末那天，打開了趙爽住的臥室，看一眼趙爽睡覺的床和淩亂的被子。被子沒有迭，散丟在小床的中央。枕頭邊扔著一把購物的票據和一個記流水賬的本子。她不滿地再次關上房門。
來到廚房，燒了壺開水，琳達坐在椅子上，她想：趙爽回國借錢，豈是件容易的事？國內人走茶涼，都以為在加拿大能夠撈金，誰肯借錢給他，趙爽真真是個傻殃，隻會落得被人嘲笑一番罷了。加拿大嘛，其實也不地道，人人背著房貸，沒錢可借，隻有銀行是獨家買賣，存錢不計複利，放賬收息卻不手軟。看看自己的房子，自從背上房貸，連像樣的家具也添不起，房價漲了，地稅和水電也翻翻，這薅羊毛的水平一點不差。靠房子發財歇歇最好。不知不覺，她疲憊的睡了過去，一會功夫，水壺響起了絲絲的鳴笛，琳達驚醒過來。關上爐子，衝上一劑美顏養容消脂茶，拿起報紙翻看。厚厚的報紙，一多半是地產廣告，翻到招聘欄目，琳達看到一家招鋼琴演奏的廣告。“特聘私家女鋼琴演奏員，薪水優厚。”琳達眼睛一亮，試探性的撥了電話過去。接電話的可是位中年女性，講流利的普通話。她說公司老板老板下班後需要聽鋼琴演奏，鬆弛精神。待遇和條件都刊在報紙上了，如果你符合條件，可以預約麵試。琳達遲疑了片刻，她想：“能這麽排場的請鋼琴演奏員，一定是位有錢有品的老板。去試試運氣。”於是琳達預約明天應試。放下電話，從箱子裏翻出那張音樂學院鋼琴專業的畢業證，放進了皮包，接著試了幾身衣服。
“明天會怎樣呢？想也想不清楚，管它呢？”琳達到頭睡去。

第二天，琳達開車來到39號林森大街，一條通入私家住宅的環形車道繞過寫著門牌號的女牆徑直開到房前，城堡樣的房子佇立在庭院正中，兩側樹木參差，微風一吹，從樹木的枝葉間透過絲絲涼風，直吹到琳達的脖頸， “這才叫個真豪宅”，琳達暗自誇讚，“普通人沒有機會見識，把好好的概念庸俗化了。”正尋思間，從城堡裏走出一位女性，“請問你是來應聘的嗎？”
“是的，我是和你通的電話吧？”
“對呀，我是王總的私人助理，叫我Lily好了。請這邊來。王總正在講電話，你在沙發上坐一會。等我叫你，你再進來。”站了一會，Lily說：“看你很年輕，有家庭了吧？”
“沒有。”
“好啊，祝你好運。”
約莫過了20分鍾，琳達見到了王總。王總長一張國字臉，仰靠在搖動轉椅上，上下打量了一會琳達。指著靠門的一台鋼琴說道，“就是這台鋼琴，我想讓它給我催眠，我一項休息不好，聽說音樂有助於鬆弛神經，我想試試。”
“現在嗎？”琳達想到既然是麵試，免不了要露一下手段。
“當然可以，請。”
琳達放下皮包，她坐在鋼琴的正中，定定神，“王總喜歡聽哪一首？莫紮特的？還是巴赫的？
“隨你，自由發揮。”
琳達想到，這算是考試吧，於是便使出渾身的解數，把幾十年積累都運在十指上。一曲還沒彈完，王總有電話進來，王總擺手示意琳達繼續，他拿著手機走出屋外。琳達彈完後，王總才進來，說：“好啊，我是個爽快人，你來這裏應聘，總該有幾把刷子的，我不懂高深的音樂，不浪費各自的時間，就定你了。”
琳達離開的時候，莉莉對她說：“你明天準時來，王總會請你吃飯。”
“這，這不合適吧？”
“有什麽不合適，王總常常吃飯館，陪他吃飯和給她彈琴都是工作的一部分，要放得開。”Lily說完，詭異地朝琳達眨了下眼睛，“GOOD LUCK。”接著揮揮手向琳達道別。
5
王老板已經中年，最討厭婚姻的捆綁，因此一直自由瀟灑。早前，他年輕氣盛，輿論界為白貓還是黑貓爭論不休，他憑著一股狠勁，大撈了一筆。這的口頭禪就是：“撐死膽大的，餓死膽小的。”有知識的人還總結說這種聰明可能來自於陳勝吳廣的理論傳承。
這一天，他高聳著額頭，晃著渾圓的肩膀，邁著“八大王”緩步，走向琳達和那架鋼琴。“看他那悠閑的姿態和相貌，再匹配萬貫資產，該是多麽讓人羨慕，看看趙爽，除了一張說得過去的皮囊，其它就平庸不堪，做保鏢也缺著心路。——人和人就是不平等。”琳達想著這些，又開始愁起欠款來。
“怎麽這麽悶坐著，有什麽難處嗎？”這時，王老板一手搭上了琳達的肩膀。
 “是時候了。天賜良機。貓兒豈能戒了葷腥。”琳達靈機一動，暗自下了決心。她滿臉愁容地說道，
“人窮事事難啊，……我買了一處房產，欠款別人追著要，賣掉房子倒是小掙一筆，可我舍不得賣。那房子是我教鋼琴的教室。也是我謀生的道場。我該怎麽辦？我的難處豈是王老板能體諒了的？”
“差多少？”
“不提了？就著今天的心情，彈一曲房奴的流浪歌《愁啊愁》，全當我下廚給老板做一頓憶苦思甜飯。”琳達說著，彈起來東北流浪歌曲《愁啊愁》。歌曲婉轉悲哀，道盡了坐牢的悔恨和無奈。一曲彈完，琳達轉頭看向王老板，“感覺怎麽樣？這是至今為止我彈得最好的一手。這裏通通獻給你了。哎，房奴的日子和坐牢是一樣的。通通是沒有自由的痛苦。”
“這個曲子我不愛聽，愁什麽愁，趕明我開我的私人飛機帶你上天玩玩，讓你自由自由就開心了——小寶貝，給我笑一個，如何？”王崗罡摸著琳達的耳朵，接著說道：“晚上一起去吃海天酒樓。據說那裏的貴妃雞不錯。”
“算了吧，貴妃雞，都是些花名堂，花錢吃野雞，還，——不如我自己做給你吃？”
“好啊，地道，就是它了。”王老板眼睛笑成了一雙貓兒眼。
6
過了些時日，王老板顯得得意洋洋，他不僅買了一處私人小島，而且和琳達在那裏飛宮走馬。閑雲野鶴地共度了合巹之歡。
可是，琳達卻每每被噩夢纏繞，有時候，寒夜的寧靜之中，空寂的島上傳來幾聲野獸的嚎鳴。琳達從床上坐起，推了推王老板，“嚇死我了。黑熊在門口叫。”
王老板從迷糊的夢裏醒來，隨口喃喃道，“別怕，有保鏢對付它。”
“什麽，什麽，保鏢？在哪裏？”
“奧，我睡忘了”王崗罡清醒了一點，“保鏢是別人介紹的趙爽，他最近回中國去了。”
琳達暗自吃了一驚，天下就是冤家路窄。我遇事事總是討厭，倒了八輩子黴了。這時她記起趙爽的讚美，“琳達，你了不起，懂易數，那可是門高深的學問。”
琳達睡意全消。她失眠了。睡不著，也高興不起來。“王老板的錢還沒到手，不能雞飛蛋打，舍魚而取熊掌的時候不多了。得抓緊。”

7
早春的太陽從東邊升起，草地上的積雪一天天消散，大地在一層層消化寒冬的烙印。催婚的事情絲毫沒有進展，琳達心情鬱悶，她啪地一聲合上鋼琴，“你外邊一定有情人，欺騙我的感情，好你個王崗罡，口說大話，欺負我沒見過世麵。”
“胡說什麽？我告訴過你，我最煩結婚。”
“那我怎麽見人，萬一有了孩子怎麽辦？”
“怎麽辦，我給錢，養你們。行了吧，別使性子了。我帶你買個LV怎麽樣，上次你看中那雙意大利黑皮靴，今天就讓它下架。”
“我房子都快被銀行收走了，你讓我住大街上嗎？”
 “好說，好說。今天我們買完東西，一起去銀行。”
琳達開著王老板送的凱迪拉克，去了市中心。采購完意大利靴子和法國名包。王崗罡牽著琳達走向停車場，琳達東張西望在找車，王老板說，“鑰匙有尋車鳴笛，按一下就有了。”
琳達按了鑰匙牌，遠處傳來汽車的鳴叫聲。琳達正想走過去，忽然從停車場大立柱下閃出一位男子，頭戴氈帽，敞開外套，圓口帆布鞋上係著兩條白繩，衝王崗罡打量一眼，開口道：“這位先生，我送你幾句話，借此討碗飯口。”說完，他不等王崗罡的回應，接著到，“你額頭高聳，渾圓寬闊，必定早年發跡，財運滾滾如滔滔江河，百泄不殘。近日有些許黑氣繞眉，該往南方走動，以避凶險。”
“停了吧，我不信這些，別擋我的道。”
琳達聽完，拉開錢包，掏出兩張大鈔，王崗罡伸手擋住，“走，別聽他胡謅，我見多了。”
江湖漢子看著王崗罡拉著琳達走開去，琳達的兩張大票再次塞進錢包，她正回望向江湖漢子，她見他單手提了提那張氈帽，又再次壓低了帽簷，遮住了凝視的視線。
王崗罡從銀行出來，手裏提著軍綠袋子，裏邊是打捆的鈔票，擁著琳達走向琳達的住宅。琳達打開大門，走到客廳，接過那袋沉甸甸的鈔票，放到沿牆的鋼琴上。她說，“喝點啤酒怎麽樣？”
順手打開了冰箱。王崗罡按下音響的按鍵，屋子裏傳出了搖滾的激情演奏，“啤酒，配什麽吃？”王崗罡問道？
“有昨天剩的一盤烤雞翅，給你熱一下？”
王崗罡想了一下，壞壞地一笑，走進琳達，一把抱起來，“我不吃剩雞翅，我要吃貴妃雞。”
琳達掙紮了幾下，無奈的伸直了腰身，橫躺在王崗罡的雙臂裏。王崗罡一邊狂吻著琳達一邊抱著她上樓。這時，門口走進來胡子邋遢的一位垂頭男子，他就是趙爽，進門後，靠牆放下易拉杆的行李箱，看到鋼琴上有一個綠色的布袋子，伸手捏了一下， “是錢。怎麽這麽多？”他遲疑的想了一下，想叫一聲琳達，可狂躁的搖滾音樂，頓時讓他打消了這個念頭，他輕輕地走到樓上，主臥室裏傳來琳達的喘息聲。趙爽立刻衝進去，眼前的一幕讓他腦子失去了刹車。“你放開她。——怎麽是你？”
王崗罡定了定神，看清是趙爽，他放開琳達。大叫到：“趙爽，你來這裏做什麽？你給我滾，要不然我打死你。”
“占我女朋友便宜，還打死我，我這就死給你看。”趙爽說完，跑下樓梯，在廚房操起那把用慣了的三角尖刀，再次衝上樓梯。王崗罡穿上內衣，回頭一看，一把明晃晃的尖刀刺向脖頸，他甩頭避開，沒成想刀子隻是徐晃一招，趙爽練劍的口訣讓他用在了此刻。轉手把刀刺進了王崗罡的心口，他停了片刻，一把推開王崗罡，刺刀帶出一股血流噴了出來，賤了他一臉。他回頭看了一眼琳達，琳達嚇得渾身哆嗦。“還不快走，離開這裏。”他憤怒向她大喊。
琳達抱起自己的衣服，草草穿上，衝下樓梯，來到門口，順手把那袋綠色的錢袋裹在了懷裏。
8
趙爽殺人入獄了。警察問他話，他始終不發一言。現在他把大把的時間，用來清醒自己。慢慢地變得像個木偶，終於有一天，他自言到：“求不到的東西也強不來。”
此時的琳達，還清了貸款，可她依然穿梭在警察局和律師事務所之間，有被動也有主動。看著漸漸隆起的肚子，回想起自己並沒有向趙爽透漏過這件事。”她反而覺得自己做得對，因為她有了另外一絲的奢望。
有一天，在律師的引導問話下，她說：“我和他是既成的事實……婚姻。”
 “有何憑證？”律師問道。
“憑證，這種事怎麽自證？……有了孩子是不是證據？”
律師高深莫測地說道，“好吧，我給你爭取。”
開庭那天，琳達來到法庭，她的律師安排她坐在一處，這時陸續又進來5個年輕女子，身材勻稱，臉色蒼白，黑亮的皮靴踩在法庭的樓板上，發出有節奏的踢踏音，帶著一種怨曖也帶著一種堅定，皮靴的價值顯示著她們身份與看客不同，她們被夾著文書的人引入坐席。律師們打開文件，先後為自己的代理人陳情一番，琳達聽完大吃一驚，“王崗罡是個騙子，花魁騙子，暗地裏招蜂惹蝶，養了一群抱想抱大腿的女人。這真真是個意外，”她痛罵自己鼠目寸光，對上流社會的人一無所知。真應了那句人算不如天算。
法官聽完各自代表律師的陳情後，說道：“既然你們都說肚裏有被害人的孩子，有財產繼承權，我也沒辦法裁決。我們法庭最代表公平，看看我背後就是一座天平，你們該知道，尊尊法律，尊重科學是必要的。這是法律一向的光榮。根據現實的情況，下次開庭暫定一年，等你們的孩子出生，帶好DNA醫檢報告，再裁決不遲，現在休庭。”
琳達聽到這裏，頓時如五雷轟頂，癱倒在椅子上，“完了，一切都完了，夢想最終化為了泡影。”她喃喃說道：“魚與熊掌不可兼得，舍魚而取熊掌者也。可是……，可是，……事到臨頭，魚會吃了熊掌。真個滿盤皆輸，滿盤皆輸，晦氣，晦氣，——。命運公平嗎？哎，也算公平吧。想想趙爽——一個無能的男子，癡迷，太癡迷，他的癡迷驚擾了我的追求和夢想。愛情和魔鬼本是一家，誰說不是呢？”
9
結語：說書到此，筆者想起：藺相如完璧歸趙的故事。秦王勇武，惜碧玉而全相如。趙爽無能，卻擒王碎玉，唱出了楓葉國裏上流下流的一本狗血劇。王小波曾說：“生活遠比小說來的精彩。”寫書的人不能照搬生活，但是需要傳播正能量，即便負能量的故事也是為了警戒世人——眾善奉行諸惡勿做。但行好事莫問前程。

作者簡介： 西風——（賈庚榮）多倫多華人作家，加中筆會會員。曾是報章專欄和網站簽約作者，為<追求>雜誌撰稿多年。在世界日報、明報副刊均有文章發表。短篇小說《月亮何的愛情》獲第一屆加華文學獎小說第一名，現被收錄於美國南方出版社編輯的《海外華人短篇小說選》第一輯。散文《北美蟬》獲第二屆全球華人散文大賽第三名，現被收錄於《夢想照進心靈》散文選集。散文《難忘的旅程》獲加中筆會文學獎三等獎。散文《溫情山柿子》最早刊於《世界日報》副刊，後被收錄於浙江文藝出版社出版的《故鄉的雲》一書中。短篇小說《崩盤》被收錄於美國南方出版社出版的《鳥巢動遷》一書。

 

以下是穀歌人工智能對小說的翻譯文本。

 

Here's an English translation of the short story "Fish and Bear's Paw" by Xifeng:
Fish and Bear's Paw
By Xifeng
1
When Linda woke up, she was still thinking about the soaring house prices, as if owning a house was like holding a money printing machine, with wealth increasing every minute. How could this not make her anxious?
It was the second day after Christmas, and the heavy snow and wind hadn't stopped. A sliver of morning light, seemingly carrying a chill, shot through the curtain gap. In fact, the window seams were tight; it was just that the room temperature wasn't very high. "The landlord is calculating everywhere, and the heating is always subpar," Linda muttered to herself, complaining. "If I buy a house, just you wait – I'll squeeze oil out of a thin man."
Linda had slept well, relieved of fatigue, anxiety, and delusion. "It's been a long time since I had such a peaceful rest. It's rare to have had such a thoroughly enjoyable Western holiday." Linda's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the party games at Gioson's house yesterday. Gioson lived in a large ancestral house, over 4,000 square feet, with a split-level structure. The house was decorated in an antique style. The furniture was rosewood; the walls had faux antique oil paintings; the air conditioning steamed with the aroma of wine. "You're a great beauty. That dress on you, truly an oriental princess," Gioson praised, and Gioson's friends nodded in agreement.
"Let's drink to the Oriental beauty," someone suggested. "Come on, cheers."
This was Linda's third year immigrating to Canada, and the most intoxicating Christmas she had spent. She remembered that in her first year, she was still a nanny for Western families like Gioson's. In her second year, she transformed into a piano teacher. Such a rapid and elegant transformation was not something everyone could pull off. Now, Linda was virtually a frequent guest in Western homes. As she thought about this, the lingering warmth of Christmas Eve began to ferment within her. Last night, Gioson's fiery eyes scrutinized her up and down, like a fish seeing a worm without considering if there was a hook. Gioson passionately kissed Linda. Linda felt flushed all over. "Don't forget to sponsor me for buying a house," Linda said, stopping Gioson's further impulses.
"No problem. I'm always generous with beauties."
After the most important scene, Linda grabbed her phone from beside the pillow and saw that it was already 10 o'clock. Usually by this time, she would have already left to teach piano lessons. Linda had always been uninterested in teaching piano, despite having a music academy diploma. That was merely an advertising slogan to attract business. Linda was passionate about making money. In Linda's view, teaching well and knowing a lot was not as effective as having a photo with Lang Lang in gaining parents' trust. Linda kept that photo at home. She often took it out and told parents, "This is a photo of me with Lang Lang when I attended a concert in Vienna. We are colleagues and friends." For piano students, mostly children under ten, with Linda's shrewdness and experience, simply putting on a stern face—profound and strict—naturally added weight.
She didn't have to teach today; Christmas and New Year were big Western holidays, and everyone was reveling. Linda, however, was exceptionally clear-headed. "I still need to buy a house quickly. I should also urge Gioson about his sponsorship. Gioson must be dead drunk, he won't be up now." Linda sent the following text message: "Honey, bring the house money tonight, waiting for you. – Linda."
Gioson, this middle-aged white man, worked as a sales manager and had a good income. He possessed all the typical white male traits: dashing, generous, a big spender, and a casual aversion to family ties. Gioson often threw parties with money, mostly for clients he had business dealings with. They gathered, drank, talked about baseball, music, and women. Anyway, in Linda's opinion, he was very easy to get along with. Thus, Linda became Gioson's girlfriend. Gioson half-heartedly proposed to Linda. Linda felt that Westerners were too casual, and marriage was simply unreliable. So she never agreed to Gioson. Once, Linda said she wanted to buy a house, and Gioson patted his chest and guaranteed it. Linda didn't let this matter drop, just as a real estate agent keeps clients in mind.
Just then, Linda received a call from Mr. Chen, a real estate agent. Mr. Chen exchanged a few greetings, then got straight to the point: "There's a new listing in Markham, it perfectly fits your requirements. Separate entrance, four bedrooms, two car garage, listed at 1.8 million. It's expected to be very popular. Would you like me to take you to see it?"
"I'm still arranging the funds; it should be settled after the New Year. When is a good time to view the house?"
"Tomorrow at four, then. I'll treat you to dinner afterwards."
Mr. Chen, driving a four-wheel-drive BMW, took Linda to see the house in Markham. He said, "I've been in real estate for many years. This house has a good structure, excellent location, and great appreciation potential. It's definitely worth buying. In less than three years, you'll be looking for me again. Today I'm treating you to dinner, next time you'll treat me."
After seeing the house, Linda impatiently called Gioson. She said that the house in Markham was beautiful, and if bought as an investment, it would be extremely profitable in a few years. Gioson said, "What's all this talk about profit or not? If you like it, buy it. I have 100,000 readily available; you can use it first. It can be a waiver when you enter my bridal chamber."
After talking to Gioson, Linda called Zhao Shuang to pick her up to buy some groceries. Zhao Shuang arrived quickly. Zhao Shuang and Linda knew each other in China. At that time, Zhao Shuang fell in love with Linda. He pursued her relentlessly. Linda came to the capital, a "north drifter" woman, and things were not easy, but this also honed her extraordinary survival skills. Zhao Shuang's family was a local resident of the capital. Zhao Shuang's mother disliked Linda. In a fit of anger, Linda instigated Zhao Shuang to immigrate with her, which ended up with Zhao Shuang's mother having a bitter pill to swallow.
Since Zhao Shuang had a convenient car, Linda bought mostly heavy items like grain and oil. Zhao Shuang pushed the cart for Linda and unloaded the items. A timid voice said, "Sir, would you like me to return the cart for you?" Zhao Shuang looked up and saw a thin, frail figure, a pair of shifting eyes filled with pleading. Zhao Shuang understood that this young man wanted to earn that dollar for returning the cart. Zhao Shuang was about to agree. Linda had already answered with disdain, "I'll do it myself, I don't need you." The young man retreated dejectedly. Zhao Shuang stared at his retreating back, reluctant to leave. Linda returned the cart and said, "Don't look, they're all losers."
After buying fresh fruit and vegetables, Linda treated Zhao Shuang to dinner. Linda asked, "I've found a luxury house in Markham, but I'm still short 200,000 for the down payment. You promised to give me money, a man should keep his word."
Zhao Shuang said, "If you promise to marry me, I'll give you the money."
Linda said, "We've known each other for so many years, I appreciate your devotion. You know, I'm quite difficult to please. I'm used to living alone, and neither of us would be happy if we got married. It's best if I help you make some money, buy a house, sell it after it appreciates, and then we split the profits. We both make a fortune."
Zhao Shuang said, "My money is borrowed. I told my mom it was for buying a house for our marriage. My mom also borrowed from relatives. If you don't marry me, how can I explain? I truly love you."
"What's all this nagging? I'm investing for you to make money. Thank me, with someone like you, if you hadn't met me, you'd end up like that young man at the supermarket entrance who charges a dollar for returning carts – I'm not trying to put you down, but if you don't have the ability to make money, that's what happens."
After a moment of silence, Linda extended her hand to Zhao Shuang and said, "I won't wrong your money. Your money will be considered investment funds raised by me. In a few years, you'll share the dividends."
Zhao Shuang's eyes flickered, then closed, holding back the tears that were about to spill. "Actually, I don't care so much about money."
After the New Year, Linda bought the house in Markham. On moving day, both Zhao Shuang and Gioson came. Linda didn't hire a moving company; she rented a large truck and put all her strength into it, getting covered in sweat. Zhao Shuang said, "Wouldn't it be easier to hire a moving company? You wouldn't have to work so hard."
"Hmph, hire a moving company? — I've seen how those moving company guys work. It's not that easy to make money off me."
After moving, Linda wanted to return the rented truck. Gioson excused himself, "I'll take my leave first. The house is a mansion. The only thing missing is me, the male owner." Zhao Shuang glared fiercely at Gioson. As Gioson turned around, he kicked towards the direction he was walking. "Scram, you bastard." Linda winked at Zhao Shuang, signaling him to stop. Then she drove to the rental car company, thinking about Gioson's words and Zhao Shuang's displeasure. She felt a bit touched by Zhao Shuang's devotion and unknowingly shed two tears. Then she quickly wiped away the tear stains with her sleeve. She hardened her heart and muttered to herself, "I'm not interested in marrying either of you. I just want to make money. This life, I want to prove my ability with wealth."
2
Dreams reside in time and space, capable of self-fermentation, urging tangible assets to constantly expand and accelerating investors' fleeting dreams of overnight wealth. A year later, in Linda's empty mansion, in the spacious master bedroom, a thin, narrow double bed leaned against the wall, lying there solitarily, cramped and shy. Even if it wanted to hide somewhere, there was nowhere to go, like a temporarily adopted orphan, helpless and forlorn. In another corner of the room, a spacious glass shower stall reflected a bright ray of sunlight. The sunlight shone on the pristine white wall, warm, clean, and proud, looking down condescendingly at the mismatched narrow bed. Linda knelt on the stairs, meticulously wiping each step clean, applying a shining cleaner as if freshly painting the stairs, which made the house even more dazzling. The grand hall faced a spiral staircase, with three large windows on the wall. The chandelier clusters in the hall hung high like scattered fairy flowers, further accentuating the house's opulence. The hall was vast, with no furnishings, and two pillars rose in the center. Linda finished wiping the stairs, wiped the sweat from her face, and heard a bedroom door open upstairs. The person in the room rushed into the opposite bathroom. After a long time, Zhao Shuang emerged from the bathroom, holding a towel, wiping his face while peering towards Linda.
"Linda, what do you want for lunch? I'll go make it now."
Linda picked up the cleaning bucket, walked down the stairs, and dumped the bucket inside with a huff, saying nothing. Zhao Shuang leaned over and said:
"Not satisfied? Come on, I'll show you a segment of the 'Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber' swordplay." Zhao Shuang finished speaking, walked to the kitchen, picked up a triangular dagger, and danced with it in front of Linda. With a swing of his arm, a turn, a tuck of his waist, and a single-leg point, he struck a martial arts pose. It lasted for a while, then his legs began to bend, and his arms trembled. "I learned martial arts when I was 10, and I can still last 3 minutes... Ah, I'm almost done, Coach Linda, say something, I can't hold on much longer."
"Alright, alright. Are you ever going to finish? You're dozens of years old and still acting like a child." Linda shook her head exasperatedly. "I've had the worst luck in eight lifetimes, getting entangled with a child."
"What, what? Linda, you're amazing. You understand I Ching. That's a profound subject."
"Are you ever going to finish?"
"Then, then, I'll go make braised pork for you. Oh, there are still frozen dumplings in the fridge. Do you want me to cook those too?"
Zhao Shuang went to the kitchen, holding the triangular dagger. The knife was long and sharp, and he effortlessly cut more than two pounds of pork belly. Looking at the knife, he secretly praised, "Uncle San's military knife is excellent."
At lunchtime, Zhao Shuang served his braised pork. "Come, eat this. It's really fragrant and shiny." Linda felt no appetite, pushed the braised pork aside, and drank a few sips of water. A feeling of disgust and nausea surged within her. Usually, she loved this dish, "What's wrong today?" Linda was secretly startled. "Could it be?"
"Come on, come on, you've been busy all morning, it's been hard work. If you don't eat braised pork, at least have a bowl of dumplings. With that aged Shanxi vinegar, it's just two words: 'classy'."
"Forget it," Linda angrily threw down her chopsticks.
"What's wrong? Did I not serve you well somewhere?" Zhao Shuang asked cautiously.
"Hmph, serving? Enjoy yourself. Think about what you did that day. I told you, I don't want to marry you. You really know how to annoy me. Open your blind eyes and see, the mortgage, property taxes, utilities are so high, I can barely afford this house, and you're still stabbing me in the heart. Get out. The farther away from me, the better." Linda finally held back from telling Zhao Shuang her suspicions.
3
Since that day, Linda's mood had been at an all-time low. She rushed around, looking for a surgeon. She made up her mind several times, but each time she reached the surgeon's door, she would call and cancel the appointment. Thinking of Zhao Shuang kneeling and pleading with her that day, her heart softened again. In this predicament, Linda spent several difficult days. One day, after finishing her piano lesson, she stopped at the entrance of a nearby Chinese classroom and listened to a Chinese teacher explaining the idiom of "Fish and Bear's Paw." "Fish, what I desire; bear's paw, also what I desire; if the two cannot be had at the same time, I will forsake the fish and take the bear's paw..." The clear explanation drifted into Linda's disoriented ears. She composed herself and made up her mind. She would have a showdown with Zhao Shuang. "It's decided."
Back home, Zhao Shuang greeted her, his face beaming with excitement. He said, "Linda, I found a good-paying job! My third uncle introduced me to Wang Ganggang to be a bodyguard. You can rest assured and take care of yourself at home. Wang Ganggang is a very generous boss. He spends money like he owns a bank. He's paying me three times what I made at the slaughterhouse."
"Why would he hire you? With your meager fighting skills, don't get ahead of yourself. How old are you, don't you have a sense of reality?"
"I practiced Wudang swordplay when I was a child, I still have a foundation."
"Forget it, I'm not discussing this with you." After a pause, Linda said seriously,
"I won't marry you. Your matters are not my concern. You don't need to repay the house loan. Once I get the money, I'll pay you back with interest. We're done here."
Zhao Shuang took Linda's hand and pleaded, "Don't be so resolute, Linda, I love you. I can't lose you... I'll go back to China to raise money and pay off the mortgage, okay?"
Linda forcefully shook off Zhao Shuang's hand and walked resolutely up the stairs. With a bang, the master bedroom door shut firmly.
4
After Zhao Shuang left Canada, there was no news from him for a long time. One weekend, Linda opened the bedroom Zhao Shuang used, looking at his bed and messy covers. The covers were not folded, scattered in the center of the small bed. Beside the pillow was a shopping receipt and a ledger. She closed the door again, dissatisfied.
Coming to the kitchen, she boiled a kettle of water. Linda sat on a chair, thinking: How easy could it be for Zhao Shuang to borrow money back home? In China, people move on quickly, they all think one can strike it rich in Canada, who would lend him money? Zhao Shuang is truly a fool, he'll only end up being ridiculed. As for Canada, it's not much better, everyone is burdened by mortgages, there's no money to borrow, only banks are the exclusive dealers, they don't count compound interest on deposits, but they don't hesitate to collect interest on loans. Looking at my own house, since taking on the mortgage, I can't even afford decent furniture. House prices have risen, property taxes and utilities have doubled, they're really good at shearing the sheep. It's best to stop dreaming of getting rich from real estate. Unconsciously, she fell asleep from exhaustion. After a while, the kettle whistled, startling Linda awake. She turned off the stove, brewed a beauty and slimming tea, and picked up the newspaper. The thick newspaper was more than half real estate advertisements. Turning to the classifieds, Linda saw an advertisement for a piano player. "Seeking private female piano player, excellent salary." Linda's eyes lit up, and she tentatively dialed the number. The person who answered was a middle-aged woman who spoke fluent Mandarin. She said the company's boss needed to listen to piano music after work to relax. The salary and conditions were all listed in the newspaper. If you met the requirements, you could schedule an interview. Linda hesitated for a moment, thinking: To be able to hire a piano player with such grandeur, he must be a rich and tasteful boss. I'll try my luck. So Linda scheduled an interview for tomorrow. After hanging up the phone, she rummaged through her box for her music academy piano diploma, put it in her purse, and then tried on several outfits.
"What will tomorrow bring? Can't quite figure it out, who cares?" Linda fell asleep.
5
The next day, Linda drove to 39 Linsen Street. A circular driveway leading to the private residence wound past a low wall with the house number, leading directly to the front of the house. A castle-like house stood in the center of the courtyard, with trees scattered on both sides. A slight breeze blew, and a cool draft passed through the branches and leaves of the trees, directly touching Linda's neck. "This is what you call a true luxury mansion," Linda secretly praised. "Ordinary people don't get to see this, they vulgarize the concept." As she pondered, a woman walked out of the castle, "Excuse me, are you here for the interview?"
"Yes, I was the one who called you, right?"
"That's right, I'm General Manager Wang's personal assistant, just call me Lily. Please come this way. General Manager Wang is on the phone, please have a seat on the sofa for a while. Wait for me to call you before you come in." After standing for a while, Lily said, "You look very young, do you have a family?"
"No."
"Good, then I wish you good luck."
About 20 minutes later, Linda met General Manager Wang. General Manager Wang had a square face and leaned back in a rocking swivel chair, scrutinizing Linda for a while. He pointed to a piano near the door and said, "This is the piano. I want it to hypnotize me. I've always had trouble resting. I heard music helps relax the nerves, so I want to try it."
"Now?" Linda thought that since it was an interview, she would inevitably have to show off her skills.
"Of course, please."
Linda put down her handbag. She sat in the middle of the piano, composed herself. "Which piece does General Manager Wang prefer? Mozart? Or Bach?"
"Whatever you like, free play."
Linda thought, This must be a test, so she put all her effort and decades of accumulated skill into her fingers. Before she finished one piece, General Manager Wang received a call. General Manager Wang waved his hand, signaling Linda to continue, and walked out of the room with his phone. Only after Linda finished playing did General Manager Wang come in and say, "Good. I'm a straightforward person. Since you're here to apply, you must have some skills. I don't understand profound music, so let's not waste each other's time. You're hired."
As Linda left, Lily told her, "Be on time tomorrow. General Manager Wang will treat you to dinner."
"This, isn't this inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate? General Manager Wang often dines out. Accompanying him for dinner and playing the piano for him are all part of the job. You have to be open-minded." Lily finished speaking, then gave Linda a mysterious wink. "GOOD LUCK." Then she waved goodbye to Linda.
6
Boss Wang was middle-aged and hated the shackles of marriage, thus remaining free and unrestrained. Earlier, in his youth, when the public sphere debated whether it was a white cat or a black cat, he made a huge fortune with a ruthless determination. His motto was: "The bold get fat, the timid starve." Knowledgeable people even concluded that this cleverness might have stemmed from the theoretical inheritance of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang.
On this day, with his high forehead, shaking his round shoulders, and taking slow "Big King" strides, he walked towards Linda and the piano. Looking at his leisurely posture and appearance, combined with his immense wealth, how enviable he must be. Look at Zhao Shuang, apart from a passable appearance, everything else is mediocre and lacking even the shrewdness for a bodyguard. — People are just not equal. Linda thought about these things and began to worry about her debts again.
"Why are you sitting so gloomily? Is there something bothering you?" Just then, Boss Wang placed a hand on Linda's shoulder.
"It's time. Heaven-sent opportunity. How can a cat abstain from meat?" Linda's mind clicked, and she secretly made up her mind. She said with a sorrowful expression,
"Poverty makes everything difficult... I bought a property, and people are hounding me for the debt. Selling the house would earn a small profit, but I can't bear to sell it. That house is my piano classroom. It's also my place of livelihood. What should I do? How could Boss Wang understand my difficulties?"
"How much are you short?"
"Let's not talk about it. Given today's mood, I'll play a 'Stray Song of the Mortgage Slave' for you, 'Sorrow, Oh Sorrow.' Consider it my way of cooking a 'bitter and sweet' meal for you, Boss." Linda said, then began to play the Northeastern folk song "Sorrow, Oh Sorrow." The song was melancholic and mournful, expressing the regret and helplessness of imprisonment. After finishing the piece, Linda turned to Boss Wang. "How does it feel? This is the best I've ever played. All of it is dedicated to you. Alas, the life of a mortgage slave is just like being in prison. It's all the pain of not having freedom."
"I don't like this song. What's there to be sorrowful about? Tomorrow I'll take you up in my private jet for some fun, let you be free and happy – little darling, give me a smile, how about it?" Wang Ganggang stroked Linda's ear, then continued, "Let's go to Haiti Restaurant tonight. I hear their Concubine Chicken is good."
"Forget it, Concubine Chicken, those are just fancy names. Spending money to eat wild chicken, or rather – why don't I cook for you myself?"
"Good, authentic, that's it!" Boss Wang's eyes crinkled into a pair of cat's eyes with a smile.
7
After some time, Boss Wang seemed triumphant. Not only had he bought a private island, but he and Linda were also having a grand time there, enjoying their marital bliss with carefree abandon.
However, Linda was often plagued by nightmares. Sometimes, in the stillness of a cold night, a few howls of wild beasts echoed across the deserted island. Linda sat up in bed and nudged Boss Wang. "You scared me to death. A black bear is howling at the door."
Boss Wang woke from his hazy dream and mumbled casually, "Don't be afraid, there's a bodyguard to deal with it."
"What, what, a bodyguard? Where?"
"Oh, I forgot while sleeping," Wang Ganggang woke up a little. "The bodyguard is Zhao Shuang, introduced by someone else. He recently went back to China."
Linda was secretly startled. It was a small world after all. I always seem to encounter annoying things. I've had the worst luck in eight lifetimes. Then she remembered Zhao Shuang's compliment, "Linda, you're amazing, you understand I Ching, that's a profound subject."
Linda's sleepiness vanished completely. She suffered from insomnia. She couldn't sleep, nor could she feel happy. Boss Wang's money hasn't arrived yet, I can't let it all fall apart. There isn't much time left for choosing between the fish and the bear's paw. I must hurry.
8
The early spring sun rose from the east, and the snow on the grass melted day by day. The earth was slowly digesting the imprint of winter. The urging for marriage made no progress, and Linda was depressed. She slammed the piano lid shut. "You must have a lover outside, deceiving my feelings, you scoundrel Wang Ganggang, boasting shamelessly, bullying me because I haven't seen the world."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I told you, I hate marriage the most."
"Then how will I face people? What if I have a child?"
"What to do? I'll give you money, I'll support you. Is that enough? Stop being stubborn. How about I take you to buy an LV? That pair of Italian black boots you liked last time, let's take them off the shelf today."
"My house is about to be repossessed by the bank, do you want me to live on the street?"
"No worries, no worries. Today, after we finish shopping, we'll go to the bank together."
Linda drove the Cadillac gifted by Boss Wang to the city center. After purchasing Italian boots and a French designer bag, Wang Ganggang led Linda towards the parking lot. Linda was looking around for the car, and Boss Wang said, "The key has a car-finding siren; just press it."
Linda pressed the key fob, and the car's horn sounded in the distance. Linda was about to walk over when suddenly a man emerged from behind a large parking pillar. He wore a felt hat, an open jacket, and two white ropes tied on his canvas sneakers. He glanced at Wang Ganggang and said, "Sir, I'd like to offer you a few words in exchange for a meal." Without waiting for Wang Ganggang's response, he continued, "Your forehead is high, round, and broad, indicating early success and a steady flow of wealth like a surging river, inexhaustible. Recently, there's a slight black aura around your brows; you should move south to avoid danger."
"Stop it, I don't believe in these things, don't block my way."
Linda listened, pulled out her wallet, and took out two large bills. Wang Ganggang put out his hand to stop her. "Come on, don't listen to his nonsense, I've seen too much of this."
The street wanderer watched as Wang Ganggang led Linda away. Linda's two large bills were tucked back into her wallet. She looked back at the man, seeing him single-handedly lift his felt hat, then lower the brim again, obscuring his gaze.
Wang Ganggang emerged from the bank, carrying a military-green bag filled with bundles of cash, and embraced Linda as they walked towards Linda's residence. Linda opened the front door, walked into the living room, took the heavy bag of cash, and placed it on the piano along the wall. She said, "How about some beer?"
She opened the refrigerator. Wang Ganggang pressed the stereo button, and passionate rock music filled the room. "Beer, with what?" Wang Ganggang asked.
"There's a plate of leftover roasted chicken wings from yesterday, should I heat it up for you?"
Wang Ganggang thought for a moment, then gave a mischievous smile and walked towards Linda, embracing her. "I don't eat leftover chicken wings, I want to eat Concubine Chicken."
Linda struggled a few times, then helplessly straightened her body, lying horizontally in Wang Ganggang's arms. Wang Ganggang kissed Linda wildly as he carried her upstairs. Just then, a disheveled man with a beard, Zhao Shuang, walked in through the door. After entering, he leaned his pull-handle suitcase against the wall and saw a green cloth bag on the piano. He squeezed it. "It's money. Why so much?" He hesitated for a moment, wanting to call out to Linda, but the frantic rock music immediately made him abandon the idea. He quietly walked upstairs. Linda's gasps came from the master bedroom. Zhao Shuang immediately rushed in, and the scene before him made his mind lose control. "Let her go! – How could it be you?"
Wang Ganggang composed himself, saw it was Zhao Shuang, and released Linda. He shouted, "Zhao Shuang, what are you doing here? Get out, or I'll kill you!"
"You're taking advantage of my girlfriend and you'll kill me? I'll die for you to see!" Zhao Shuang finished speaking, ran downstairs, grabbed the triangular dagger he was used to from the kitchen, and rushed upstairs again. Wang Ganggang put on his underwear, looked back, and a gleaming dagger stabbed towards his neck. He flung his head to avoid it, but didn't expect the knife to be merely a feint. Zhao Shuang used his sword practice mantra at that moment. He turned his hand and plunged the knife into Wang Ganggang's heart. He paused for a moment, then pushed Wang Ganggang away, and the bayonet brought out a gush of blood that splattered on his face. He looked back at Linda, who was trembling with fear. "Aren't you going to leave quickly? Get out of here!" he yelled at her angrily.
Linda hugged her clothes, quickly put them on, rushed downstairs, and at the door, she instinctively clutched the green money bag to her chest.
9
Zhao Shuang was imprisoned for murder. When the police questioned him, he remained silent. Now he used his ample time to regain clarity. He slowly became like a puppet, until one day, he muttered to himself, "What cannot be obtained through begging cannot be forced."
At this time, Linda had repaid the loan, but she was still shuttling between the police station and the law firm, both passively and actively. Looking at her slowly swelling belly, she recalled that she hadn't disclosed this to Zhao Shuang. She felt she had done the right thing, because she had another faint hope.
One day, guided by her lawyer's questioning, she said, "He and I are a fait accompli... marriage."
"What evidence do you have?" the lawyer asked.
"Evidence? How can I prove this myself? ...Is having a child evidence?"
The lawyer said enigmatically, "Alright, I'll fight for you."
On the day of the hearing, Linda arrived at the courtroom, where her lawyer arranged for her to sit in a certain spot. Then, 5 more young women entered successively, all with well-proportioned figures, pale complexions, and shiny black boots clacking rhythmically on the courtroom floor, carrying a mix of resentment and determination. The value of their boots indicated their different status from mere spectators. They were led to their seats by people holding documents. The lawyers opened their files and successively presented their arguments for their clients. Linda was greatly shocked after listening. "Wang Ganggang is a swindler, a 'flower queen' swindler, secretly attracting women and nurturing a group of women who want to cling to him. This is truly an unexpected turn of events," she cursed herself for being shortsighted and knowing nothing about high society. It really proved the saying that man proposes, God disposes.
After hearing the pleas from each representative lawyer, the judge said, "Since you all claim to be carrying the victim's children and have inheritance rights, I cannot rule. Our court represents fairness best, as you can see the scales of justice behind me. You should know that respecting the law and science is necessary. This has always been the glory of the law. Based on the current situation, the next hearing is tentatively scheduled for one year from now. After your children are born, bring your DNA medical reports, and then we will rule. The court is now adjourned."
Upon hearing this, Linda felt as if struck by lightning, collapsing into her chair. "It's over, everything is over, the dream has finally turned into a bubble." She murmured, "Fish and bear's paw cannot be had at the same time; if the two cannot be had at the same time, I will forsake the fish and take the bear's paw. But... but... when it comes down to it, the fish will eat the bear's paw. It's a complete loss, a complete loss, bad luck, bad luck! – Is fate fair? Oh, I guess it is fair. Thinking of Zhao Shuang – an incompetent man, obsessed, too obsessed, his obsession disturbed my pursuit and dreams. Love and the devil are one, who says they aren't?"
9
Epilogue: As the story concludes, the author is reminded of the story of Lin Xiangru returning the jade to Zhao. King Qin was valiant, valuing the jade but completing Xiangru. Zhao Shuang was incompetent, yet he captured the king and shattered the jade, staging a melodramatic play of high and low society in the Maple Leaf Country. Wang Xiaobo once said, "Life is far more exciting than fiction." Writers cannot simply copy life, but they need to spread positive energy, even stories with negative energy serve to warn the world – practice all good deeds and avoid all evil. Just do good deeds and don't ask about the future.
About the Author: Xifeng – (Jia Gengrong) a Chinese writer in Toronto, member of the Canada-China Literary Association. Formerly a newspaper columnist and contracted author for websites, she has contributed to "Pursuit" magazine for many years. Her articles have been published in World Journal and Ming Pao supplements. Her short story "Moon River's Love" won first place in the first Canada-China Literary Award for Fiction and is now included in the first volume of "Selected Short Stories by Overseas Chinese" edited by Southern Publishing in the United States. Her essay "North American Cicada" won third place in the second Global Chinese Essay Competition and is now included in the essay collection "Dreams into the Soul." Her essay "Unforgettable Journey" won third prize in the Canada-China Literary Association Award. Her essay "Warm Mountain Persimmons" was first published in the supplement of World Journal and later included in the book "Clouds of Homeland" published by Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House. Her short story "Collapse" is included in the book "Bird's Nest Relocation" published by Southern Publishing in the United States.