书城外语阿米!走步!
28487800000035

第35章 核!合!和!(21)

30.Before Cai finished,Huang raised his voice: "It is as early as nine o'clock,and he said he was going to pick up his grandson.Who believes it?He must be dating his lover.People,I don't understand why such an old fool is so popular with women.They are coming to buy his pork so often.He is such an awkward old butcher who has only three tricks: hacking,chopping and piercing.Gosh!Gosh!I can't understand why those silly women say that his pork is better and better to eat!" "I don't believe it." he went on saying,"His pigs are nothing special.How could the pork be more and more delicious?Ridiculous!Why don't they say Cai's body is more and more delicious." Obviously offended by this insult,Cai answered back,but this time in a low voice: "Huang,you Huang.You are even jealous of my having many friends.What a silly comment you are ******!We are old and have grandchildren,so I would like to enlighten you on my key to success.Listen,thirty years ago,I could cleave a pig into four pieces in four strikes.You know what's that?Strength!Speed!Now I am old but still I am able to hack off a pig elbow in a strike and a head in two.And you know what's it?Power!Prowess!A tiger has the tiger's dignity even when he is old; and a lion remains fearful even in his declining years.Every woman in our village knows me and admires me.Do you understand?I don't bother to further explain if you don't.You are thick-skulled.You are lucky to have married a good woman,because nobody else cares about you.Nobody loves you.You are miserable Wu Dalang.But I have to go now.I don't have time for the empty talk." Such a fierce assault left Cai speechless,his eyeballs turning and turning in his head for several minutes.He attempted to come up with a few words but in vain.

31.Huode,Cai's apprentice,drove the motor tricycle along for Cai,with all the tools packed in the vehicle.Cai threw himself on the stool,started the engine and howled: "Go!" He was leaving when a voice rose in his ears: "Stop!You cannot leave just like this!" Huang threw himself in Cai's way.With his apron stuffed into his belt,ax in right hand and hook in left,he prattled desultorily in a trembling voice,"You think you can insult me and then go away?No way!I won't let you go as long as I have breath.I have long kept silent on your rudeness,but this time you went too far.Don't go if you are a man; I will give you a lesson." In a fume,Cai stamped his feet on the pedals,"Who insulted you?It's you who started it.You don't have to be upset about being called Wu Dalang.Get away; let me go!" "No,No,No!I won't,You old bastard!" roared Huang,not moving his step a little.Cai stared at him in anger; "I will knock your balls out if you still stand there!" Huang was not scared off but became more unyielding.He madly pushed his head against the front light of the motor tricycle,his feet stamping on the ground,his limbs trembling and words gurgling from his throat,"Knock me dead!Knock me dead!Be a man!Be a man!" He seemed ready to give up his life.

32.This gave rise to a disorder in the market.People began to gather around the two old guys,some watching,and some intermediating while others trying to fuel their quarrel.With so many people around,Huang was less willing to make a compromise,his head still butting against the vehicle.Burning in anger,Cai howled all of a sudden,"Unbearable lawlessness!How can I let you have your way?" Then he took out his big bronze whistle from his pocket while balding out: "Away!" Seeing it took no effect,he put the whistle very close to Huang's ears and gave it a forceful blow.It produced such a loud noise that Huang,who was badly scared,went backward a few steps and sunk onto the ground.He was speechless for a while,his axe and knives dropped onto the ground,his feet not stamping any more,nor his limbs trembling.Finally he whispered a few words out,"Ok,I will let you go.We don't have to risk our lives for a small thing.We are brothers and comrades as well.There is no need for risking our lives."