Black Gold 1983

Renye held the phone, listening to Ma Tiejun's excited voice on the other end. "Okay, I'll talk to him when I get back tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, he stood by the window and lit the cigarette he was holding. The periwinkles on the windowsill were in full bloom, their pink and white petals translucent in the summer sunlight. Renye reached out and gently touched one of the blossoms; the petals were cool and soft, like the feeling of Tian Sui'er's hand in his palm for the first time. He withdrew his hand, stubbed out the cigarette, squatted by the windowsill, looked at the flowers, and after a while, stood up and began to pack his things.

When Tian Sui'er returned from the editorial department, she saw him packing his canvas bag. "Are you going back?"

"Yes. There's something going on at the mine, I need to go back."

Tian Sui'er nodded, went into the house, picked up the shirt he had dropped on the floor, folded it neatly, and put it back in her canvas bag. "When are you coming back?"

"I'll be back in two or three days after we finish talking."

Tian Sui'er didn't say anything, zipped up the canvas bag, and placed it by the door.

The next morning, Renye left home with his canvas bag. As he reached the alley entrance, he glanced back. Tian Sui'er stood at the door of her rented room, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, her hair loose and blowing in the wind. Behind her, small, pinkish-white periwinkles bloomed on the windowsill, trembling slightly in the morning light, like a group of quiet, dancing sprites. She raised her hand and waved to him. He raised his hand in return, then turned and walked into the morning light.

When Renye returned to Hongxing Mine, Ma Tiejun was already waiting at the station entrance. He was squatting on the steps smoking. When he saw Renye come down, he stood up, dusted off his pants, and grinned. "Brother Ren, you're back."

"You're back. What did they say from the steel mill?"

Ma Tiejun took his canvas bag, and the two walked side by side toward the West No. 2 mine entrance. "Section Chief Zhao came in person, with a contract. Five years, at least 20,000 tons per year, at a price 5% higher than the market price. He said our coal quality is stable, and his plant is confident in using it."

Renye nodded, calculating in his mind. Twenty thousand tons, accounting for one-third of Xier's annual output, was no small amount. With this contract signed, Xier's sales channels would be secure, giving them more confidence for future expansion.

When they arrived at the wellhead, Ma Dewang was already waiting in the shed. He was sitting next to Ren Shouyi, a pipe in his mouth. Ren Shouyi was wearing a slightly worn cotton jacket and holding an enamel mug. When he saw Ren Ye come in, he put the mug down.

"Did Tie Jun tell you about the contract?"

"I told you." Renye squatted down, took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "Let me take a look at the contract."

Ma Tiejun took a file bag from a metal cabinet in the shed and handed it to Renye. Renye took it, opened it, pulled out a stack of papers, and read it through from beginning to end. The terms were clearly written: price, quantity, payment method, liability for breach of contract, one clause at a time. After reading it, he put the contract back into the file bag.

"Okay, I'll go to the provincial capital to sign the papers tomorrow."

Ren Shouyi didn't speak, but picked up his enamel mug and took a sip of water. Ma Dewang took his pipe out of his mouth and tapped it on the sole of his shoe. "With this contract signed, West Second Coal Mine is secure. We won't have to worry about selling coal anymore."

Renye nodded, sat in the shed for a while, chatted with the two old men for a bit, then stood up and went down into the mine to take a look. The tunnel had been advanced again, connecting the new and old working faces, making the entire West Second Mining Area a single, continuous expanse. The coal face gleamed darkly under the beam of his miner's lamp. He reached out and touched it; the coal was cool, hard, and rough, but that roughness carried a sense of solidity. When he came up from the mine, it was almost dark. He stood beside the mine entrance, took the miner's lamp off his forehead, and hung it on a pillar in the shed.

The next morning, Renye took the shuttle bus back to the provincial capital. When he arrived at the steel plant, Section Chief Zhao was already waiting for him in his office. The contract was signed smoothly; both parties signed and stamped it, making two copies. Section Chief Zhao shook Renye's hand and said with a smile, "Boss Ren, from now on we'll be long-term partners. If you encounter any difficulties at your mine, just let us know."

Renye came out of the steel factory, stood on the steps, and lit a cigarette. The sun was shining brightly on the city streets, where people were coming and going. He finished the cigarette, stubbed it out on the trash can, and walked towards his rented room. Passing by the vegetable market, he went in and bought some vegetables and a fish, carrying them back home.

Pushing open the door to the rented room, Tian Sui'er was hunched over the table writing something. Hearing the door open, she looked up and, seeing the vegetables and fish in his hand, paused in surprise. "You're back? And you bought fish?"

"I've signed the contract and bought some groceries while I was at it." Renye placed the groceries on the table, rolled up his sleeves, and tied on his apron. "We're having fish tonight."

Tian Sui'er put down her pen, walked to his side, and watched him kill the fish, scale it, gut it, and rinse it. His movements were much more efficient than before, unlike when he first arrived, when he was clumsy. "You seem to know how to cook a lot of dishes now."

"Of course." Renye put the fish on a plate, sprinkled it with scallions and ginger, "I'll make whatever you want to eat from now on."

Tian Sui'er didn't speak, standing beside him and watching him work. The periwinkles on the windowsill swayed gently in the breeze, their petals tinged with a warm, pale gold by the setting sun.

In September, Tian Sui'er started her third year of university. With fewer classes, her work on the school newspaper became even busier. She began writing longer articles about the mining area, miners, and those who toiled in the darkness. Ren Ye would sometimes sit beside her while she wrote, not disturbing her, and after she finished, he would take the article to read and offer his thoughts.

She wrote an article about the miners' families, about the women waiting at the mine entrance for their men to come up. Renye read it and remembered Li Yue'e standing at the entrance of the family compound every day waiting for Ren Shouyi to return, and the miners' wives squatting, sitting, or standing outside the mine entrance, their eyes fixed on the direction of the mine.

"Well written," he said. "My mom will definitely cry when she reads it."

Tian Sui'er smiled and put the manuscript away. "Once I'm done writing it, I'll send it back to Aunt Yue'e to take a look."

In early October, Renye returned to Hongxing Mine again. This time, Ma Tiejun called to tell him that the county was going to evaluate the West No. 2 Mining Area as an advanced unit, and Renye needed to go back to fill out forms, attend meetings, and receive awards. When Renye arrived at the mine, Ma Tiejun had already prepared the materials, each sheet with photos attached and stamped.

"The county said our mine does a good job in safety production and wants to recognize us as an advanced unit." Ma Tiejun handed the materials to Renye, "They also said they would give us a plaque to hang at the main gate."

Renye reviewed the materials and put them away. "It's a good thing the sign is up. From now on, people will know at a glance that our mine is legitimate, safe, and reliable."

The commendation ceremony was held in the county town. Renye stood on the stage, accepted the plaque that read "Advanced Unit in Safe Production," and was met with applause from the audience. He stood there, held up the plaque briefly, and then stepped off the stage.

Returning from the county town, he hung the sign at the entrance of the shed near the West Second Mine. The red background and gold lettering gleamed in the sunlight. Ma Xiaojun, holding Hu Xianfeng, stood beneath the sign, gazing up at it for a long time. "Brother Ye," he said, "from now on, our mine will be a model mine in the county."

Renye squatted down beside the well and lit a cigarette. "Whether it's advanced or not isn't important; what's important is that nothing goes wrong."

In November, the provincial capital grew cold. The stove was lit again in the rented room, and the periwinkle on the windowsill was moved inside and placed on the windowsill. Tian Sui'er was studying for her final exams, studying very late every day. Ren Ye made her some brown sugar ginger tea and placed it on the table. She reached out and touched the cup, warming herself in her hands, and continued reading.

In December, Tian Sui'er finished her final exams. When the results came out, she had come in first in her department. She ran back to her rented apartment with her report card in hand. Ren Ye was cooking. She burst in, slammed the report card on the table, her voice several octaves louder than usual: "Ren Ye! I'm number one!" Ren Ye put down the spatula, wiped his hands on his apron, picked up the report card, glanced at it, and smiled. "I knew you could do it."

He turned around and continued cooking, the pan sizzling and the aroma filling the entire room. Tian Sui'er stood beside him, watching him cook. Outside the window, the sky darkened, while inside, the warm orange light shone softly. The periwinkles on the windowsill swayed gently in the breeze, their lush green leaves gleaming softly under the lamplight.

On New Year's Day, a heavy snow fell in the provincial capital. Renye pushed open the door of his rented room; everything outside was a white expanse, the snow in the alley reaching above his ankles. He stood at the door for a while, then went back inside to make the stove burn brighter. He then took a broom and went out to sweep the snow, clearing a path from the doorway to the alley entrance. When Tian Sui'er returned from school, she stepped into the alley along the cleared path, her shoes crunching on the snow. She reached the door, shook the snow off her umbrella, folded it up, and leaned it against the door.

"Why did you decide to shovel snow today?" Tian Sui'er took off her gloves and warmed her hands by the stove.

Renye lifted the pot lid, revealing steaming pork ribs simmering inside. "It snowed in the middle of the night last night, and when I got up this morning, I couldn't even open the door. If we don't sweep it up, you'll have to step in slushy snow when you come back."

Tian Sui'er didn't speak, standing beside the stove, watching the bubbling pork rib soup in the pot. The steam hit her face, warm and comforting, causing a layer of white fog to form on her glasses. She took them off, wiped them, and put them back on, seeing clearly that the pork ribs in the pot were stewed until tender, the soup was milky white, and a few red dates and goji berries floated on top.

"Rinno, when did you learn how to make pork rib soup?"

"I learned it from my mom when I went back last time." Renye put the lid on and turned to chop some scallions. "She said that drinking pork rib soup in winter is good for your health, so she told me to learn how to make it so you can have some too."

Tian Sui'er stood there, watching his retreating figure. He chopped scallions with great care, the knife moving swiftly and precisely, cutting the scallions into even pieces and arranging them on the cutting board. Outside the window, snowflakes continued to fall silently, covering the entire world.

The two sat down to eat: pork rib soup, stir-fried vegetables, and a dish of pickled vegetables—simple but comforting. Tian Sui'er drank two bowls of soup, a thin layer of sweat appearing on her forehead. She put down her bowl, leaned back in her chair, and looked out at the snow.

"Rinno, do you think we'll always be like this? Snowy days, drinking pork rib soup at home, watching the snow."

Renye finished the soup in his bowl and put it down. "Yes, I will. I'll make it for you every winter."

Tian Sui'er didn't speak. She stood up and walked to the windowsill, looking at the snow outside. The periwinkles on the windowsill were still blooming, their pink and white flowers appearing especially tender in the winter light, like the only thing that hadn't frozen in the snow. She reached out and touched the petals; they were cool and soft.

"Rinno, it's almost New Year's. Shall we go back?"

Renye cleared away the dishes and took them to the sink to wash. "Let's go back. This year, let's go back together for the New Year."

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the two returned to Hongxing Mine. By the time the bus arrived, it was almost dark, and the lanterns in the family compound were lit up, their bright red glow standing out against the snow. Li Yue'e stood at the gate waiting, and when she saw them approaching, she quickly went to greet them, first taking Tian Sui'er's hand, then glancing at Ren Ye.

"Are you tired from the journey? Are you hungry? The food is all ready, just waiting for you." Li Yue'e pulled Tian Sui'er into the house, chattering away.

Renye followed behind, switching the canvas bag he was carrying to his other hand. Renshouyi stood in the doorway, wearing a new cotton-padded jacket, his hair neatly combed, leaning against the doorframe watching them approach. His face was expressionless, but Renye noticed that his eyes were much softer than usual, as if they had been soaked in something. Renye walked up to him and called out "Dad," and Renshouyi nodded, stepping aside to let them in.

The New Year's Eve dinner was sumptuous; Li Yue'e had prepared a table full of dishes. Dumplings, braised pork, stewed fish, stir-fried chicken, and cold dishes filled the octagonal table to the brim. Tian Sui'er sat next to Li Yue'e, helping her serve food, pour water, and bring soup. The two chatted and laughed, like a mother and daughter.

Ren Shouyi sat next to Ren Ye, saying little but drinking quite a bit. Li Yue'e scolded him several times, but he pretended not to hear and poured himself another glass. Ren Ye didn't stop him, poured himself a glass too, and the father and son clinked glasses, drank in silence.

The sound of firecrackers outside the window grew louder and louder, enveloping the entire mining area in a lively atmosphere. Tian Sui'er followed Li Yue'e to the kitchen to get dumplings. The steaming dumplings were served, and Li Yue'e placed one in Tian Sui'er's bowl. "Try it, it's cabbage and pork filling, your favorite." Tian Sui'er took a bite, chewed a couple of times, and nodded. "Delicious! Aunt Yue'e's dumplings are the best!" Li Yue'e smiled, her eyes narrowing into slits, and placed another one in Tian Sui'er's bowl.

While staying up late on New Year's Eve, Renye and Tian Sui'er sat in the main room, keeping Ren Shouyi and Li Yue'e company. The old grandfather clock ticked away on the wall, round and round. As midnight approached, Li Yue'e took out two red envelopes from the room, one for Tian Sui'er and one for Renye.

"Happy New Year." Li Yue'e stuffed red envelopes into their hands. "May the new year bring you peace and good fortune."

Tian Sui'er clutched the red envelope, her eyes a little red. "Thank you, Aunt Yue'e."

Li Yue'e waved her hand and turned to go into the kitchen. Ren Shouyi sat in his chair, finished his last glass of wine, stood up, and leaned on the edge of the table, his now-healed leg standing firmly. He glanced at Ren Ye, then at Tian Sui'er.