Chapter 3 (Part 1)
Gan Ling awoke to the sound of birdsong. The bedside clock read five minutes past six. These sparrows were incredibly punctual. It was unclear if they were always the same ones; they were all small and alert, chirping and cawing so proudly on the windowsill that it was hard to tell which was which. She took five minutes to wake up and then climbed out of bed. Before moving back to Changwang New Village, she'd never get out of bed before 7:30 in the morning, and on weekends she'd stay up as late as possible, always feeling sleepy. Perhaps the change of scenery had conditioned her to go to bed and rise early. There was no need to get up so early; the bookstore was almost deserted before 10 p.m. She opened the door quietly, making as little noise as possible. Wu Juan, the live-in nanny, got up at 7:00, and her father, Gan Wenkang, even later. Although his condition had improved significantly in recent months, he still needed some help getting out of bed. After washing up, Gan Ling filled a half-cup of water in her toothbrush and returned to her room. She opened the screen window, but the gossiping birds had already flown away. She poured clean water into a shallow plastic dish on the windowsill. It was June, and the weather was getting hotter. One day, Gan Ling woke up from her nap and saw a sparrow perched on the windowsill, chirping, its beak wide open, looking thirsty. She dug out the old fruit bowl in the kitchen and prepared some water for the bird each day. Afterward, Gan Ling went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast: porridge and eggs, toasted some toast, and cut some kohlrabi, tossed with soy sauce and sesame oil as a side dish for the porridge—her father's favorite. These tasks should have been Wu Juan's. Gan Ling's salary included housework, but caring for Gan Wenkang was no easy task. Wu Juan sometimes couldn't attend to other things, but Gan Ling never said anything and quietly took care of it herself. She had once tried to ask Wu Juan if she wanted to hire a part-time helper to do the housework, but Wu Juan quickly said no, clearly fearing salary deductions. Her husband had been in a serious car accident and was still recovering, and he desperately needed money. The kitchen door opened, and Wu Juan walked in, her voice still tinged with sleep. "Xiao Ling, why are you up so early again? Let me do it!" Wu Juan had an apple-shaped face, fleshy eyes, a hearty laugh, and a resonant voice. She was short, stocky, and had a lot of strength in her hands. Gan Ling said, "It's almost time for breakfast—I was woken by the sparrows, and then I couldn't sleep." "Hey! When I have time, I'll make a paper windmill and put it on your windowsill. See if they dare to come again!" "No, Sister Juan, this is fine. I love hearing them chirping. It's like they're having a meeting. It's quite cheerful." "You're so soft-hearted!" Wu Juan was the favor Gan Ling owed Tian Meiling. Tian Meiling's company not only provided labor for businesses...
Gan Ling awoke to the sound of birdsong. The bedside clock read five minutes past six. These sparrows were incredibly punctual. It was unclear if they were always the same ones; they were all small and alert, chirping and cacophoning on the windowsill, looking so proud that it was hard to tell who was who.
It took her five minutes to wake up, then she climbed out of bed.
Before moving back to Changwang New Village, she wouldn't get out of bed until 7:30 a.m., and on weekends she'd stay up as late as possible, always feeling sleepy. Perhaps the change of scenery had given her the habit of going to bed and waking up early. She didn't need to wake up so early; the bookstore was almost deserted before 10 p.m.
She opened the door very quietly, trying to avoid making any noise. The live-in nanny Wu Juan got up at seven o'clock, and her father Gan Wenkang got up even later. Although his condition has improved a lot in the past few months, he still needs some help when getting up.
After washing up, Gan Ling filled a half-cup of water in her toothbrush cup and returned to her room. She opened the screen window, but the gossiping birds had already flown away. She poured the water into a shallow plastic dish on the windowsill.
It was June, and the weather was getting hotter. One day, Gan Ling woke up from her nap and saw a sparrow standing on the windowsill, chirping with its beak wide open, looking thirsty. She went to the kitchen and dug out this old fruit bowl, which she would use to prepare some water for the bird every day.
After finishing all this, Gan Ling went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, cooked porridge and eggs, toasted toast, and cut some turnips, mixed them with soy sauce and sesame oil as a side dish for the porridge, which was her father's favorite.
These tasks were supposed to be Wu Juan's responsibility; Gan Ling's salary included housework. However, caring for Gan Wenkang was no easy task, and Wu Juan sometimes couldn't attend to other matters. Gan Ling never said anything, quietly doing it herself. She once tried to ask Wu Juan if she wanted to hire a part-time helper to do the housework, but Wu Juan quickly said no, clearly fearing salary deductions. Her husband had been in a serious car accident and was still recovering, and she urgently needed money.
The kitchen door was opened and Wu Juan walked in, her voice still hinting of sleepiness.
"Xiao Ling, why are you up so early again? Let me do it!"
Wu Juan has an apple-shaped face, bright eyes, a hearty laugh, and a resonant voice. She is short, stocky, and has a lot of strength in her hands.
Gan Ling said, "It's almost time for breakfast—I was woken up by the sparrows, and then I couldn't fall asleep."
"Hey! When I have time, I'll make a paper windmill and put it on your windowsill. See if they dare to come again!"
"No need, Sister Juan, just like this. I like to hear them chirping, it's like they're having a meeting and discussing something, it's quite fun."
"You are so soft-hearted!"
Wu Juan is the favor that Gan Ling owes Tian Meiling.
In addition to providing labor for businesses, Tian Meiling's company also operates a domestic services business. Wu Juan, a former expatriate cleaner for Meiling, was known for her honesty and competence, making her a popular choice among employers. Wu Juan worked twice as a cleaner at Gan Ling's home, and they struck up a rapport. Gan Ling then asked Wu Juan if she would be willing to be a live-in nanny for her father, offering a salary double that of the cleaning company. Wu Juan readily agreed, effectively poaching Tian Meiling's staff. Whenever Tian Meiling mentioned this, she would jokingly tell Gan Ling that she owed her a favor.
It was Gan Ling's luck to find Wu Juan.
After Gan Wenkang was discharged from the hospital, Gan Ling tried to find several caregivers for him, but none of them stayed. Gan Wenkang disliked everyone, so Gan Ling decided to resign and return home to take care of her father herself.
She had really made up her mind, not only because of the deep love between father and daughter - after his wife passed away, Gan Wenkang was afraid of upsetting his daughter, so he never remarried, and the father and daughter depended on each other for survival - but also because Gan Ling's divorce was the direct cause of Gan Wenkang's cerebral infarction.
Gan Ling suffered from depression after her mother's death, which made Gan Wenkang extremely nervous. Over time, he became overprotective of his daughter, meticulously guiding her. During her second year of high school, Gan Ling followed her father's advice and chose the liberal arts major, gaining admission to a 211 comprehensive normal university. However, after graduation, she didn't become a teacher, but instead found a clerical job at a foreign company. Due to her personality, she never found a suitable boyfriend. While she did have suitors, Gan Wenkang always found flaws. After careful selection, he finally settled on Wei Chi, a well-matched man.
Gan Ling got married at the age of 29. In the third year of her marriage, Wei Chi cheated on her and was publicly trapped on a bed in a hotel. When Gan Wenkang heard about this, he was so angry that he suffered a sudden cerebral infarction.
Gan Wenkang firmly disagreed with his daughter's decision to resign and return home to care for him. Just as he was at a loss for what to do, Wu Juan arrived, solving all his problems. Aside from not being a male nurse, Wu Juan was impeccable in every way. Female nurses often have their drawbacks caring for male patients, but Gan Wenkang, recovering quickly and maintaining his reputation, insisted on doing things like bathing and going to the bathroom independently, even if it meant he was slow.
Last fall, Gan Wenkang suffered his second stroke. Wu Juan, upon noticing it, quickly contacted the hospital and meticulously cared for him. Only then was Gan Wenkang finally able to get out of bed again. Now, with the aid of a wheelchair, his range of movement has expanded to within the immediate vicinity of his home.
Gan Wenkang coughed in his room, and Wu Juan immediately wiped her hands and went to help him get up. When Gan Wenkang finished washing up and went to the dining room, Gan Ling had already served three breakfasts on the table.
The three of them sat around a table eating. Although they didn't talk much, the atmosphere was harmonious and warm, just like a family.
After finishing his porridge, Gan Wenkang remembered something and said to Wu Juan, "Xiao Wu, there is a piece of paper on the cabinet in my room. Can you help me get it?"
"OK."
Wu Juan came back quickly with a piece of paper in her hand. Gan Wenkang gestured for her to give the paper to Gan Ling.
"Xiao Ling, can you help me find these books?"
Gan Ling glanced at the two columns of book titles on the paper. They were all rare, old books. She said, "I'll help you find them when we get to the store. However, I won't be able to find every one of them. Some of them are probably out of print."
"Didn't you say there's a used book website where you can find any book?"
"Well, I'll talk to the store owner to see if they have it, or ask them to help find out, but it will take time."
"It's okay, I can wait."
Gan Wenkang, a junior high school history teacher, attempted to write a novel after retirement. His novel, set in the Wei and Jin dynasties, was slow to progress because of his meticulous research. Whenever a plot related to a historical event, he had to find historical textual support. Despite suffering a stroke, he still persisted in writing a little each day. Gan Ling stipulated that he must get up and move around after writing for half an hour, fearing that prolonged sitting could cause problems. Wu Juan followed through, setting the timer on her phone as soon as Gan Wenkang began writing.
After breakfast, Wu Juan washed the dishes, and Gan Ling pushed her father to the balcony to tend to the flowers and plants. Her father's life was very regular.
It was eight o'clock, and Gan Ling said, "Dad, I'm going to the bookstore!"
"Okay...Xiao Ling, what do you want for lunch? I'll ask Xiao Wu to buy it."
"Salted duck! I ate it last week and I can't stop thinking about it."
Gan Wenkang smiled and nodded. He also liked salted duck.
Shortly after my mother passed away, my father moved with Gan Ling out of Changwang New Village and into the new Yuecheng residential complex in the city center. That was the house my parents had chosen together, but my mother passed away before she could even move in. The old house in Changwang New Village remained as it was, neither sold nor rented out. Before Gan Wenkang was discharged from the hospital after suffering a stroke, he insisted on moving back to Changwang New Village.
"That's where I lived with your mother. I want to die there."
Gan Ling couldn't persuade her father and had to do as he asked. She knew in her heart that her father's reason was just an excuse. The real reason was that he didn't want to die in Yuecheng. He wanted to leave the house intact to his daughter, without any shadow of death. The thought of this made Gan Ling feel sad.
This day was much like any other. I took care of the cat, greeted the neighbors and merchants, watched Han Xi do handicrafts, directed Tian Miao to do small chores, and helped my father find books.
The first batch of used books in the bookstore was Gan Ling's collection, which she had accumulated over the years—about 2,000 volumes. In addition, she visited several designated used book stalls every week to look for books that interested her. These books were very cheap, only a few yuan each. After buying them, she would clean and repair them, read them herself, and finally put them on the shelves for sale. She also had an online store on the used book website, which performed slightly better than her physical store, but not much better. She bought far more books for her father online than she actually sold.
It was past ten o'clock. Gan Ling was searching for used books online according to the list of books her father had given her. Her cell phone rang. The caller was Wei Li, Wei Chi's sister, whom she hadn't contacted for a long time.
Wei Li worked in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in inspection and quarantine. For some reason, despite his passionate and assertive personality, Wei Li gravitated towards the quiet and introverted Gan Ling, often dragging her shopping and playing tennis. Gan Ling learned a lot from her. When Gan Ling divorced, Wei Li was furious with her brother, but a brother is still a brother. Over time, the anger faded, and she and Gan Ling drifted apart, though they still kept in touch occasionally.
Gan Ling answered the phone, "Sister Li?"
"Xiao Gan, is your father in good health recently?"
"It's quite stable. Thank you, Sister Li, for your concern."
"Is there enough medicine?"
"That's enough. Thank you, Li..."
"If you need anything, feel free to contact me. Also, don't be so polite to me. We are all family."
Gan Ling choked, not knowing how to respond, so she tried to find a new topic. "Sister Li, uh, are you busy today?"
"When am I not busy? I'm so busy that I have to take half a day off to go see that brat Wei Chi!"
"What happened to him?"
"I'm injured and lying in the hospital!"
Gan Ling was surprised, "Injured?"
"Trauma. Two broken ribs."
"How did it become like this?"
"He said he fell accidentally, but who knows! Xiao Gan, if it's convenient for you, go check on him too!"
"……oh."
Seeing that she didn't refuse, Wei Li was very happy, "I'll send you the hospital and ward number later!"
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