Uncle Owl’s face suddenly twisted. Without losing his calm, he got up, took the herbal balm that Mia had given him, and limped out. Mia was worried and escorted him to the main road. She watched him walk slowly into his house.

After coming back, she sat on the wooden chair and began to imagine Uncle Owl’s life. She whispered, “People of Deserted Village are really wonderful. How can I not love someone like him?” Then the tide of love began to rise within her, and she heard the pulse of nature. It was because of this kind of patient that she had become a barefoot doctor. Why was there this kind of patient? Because of a certain great passion.

She began to walk back and forth in the room; in her imagination, she was chatting with her patient. When they talked, the west wind blew between them. They were a little sad, but more evident than the sadness were the passion and the warmth of mutual understanding. In the past, before she became a doctor, she had greatly misunderstood Uncle Owl. At that time, she was full of pity for him and privately thought he was a disabled person. Now he was like a mirror, reflecting her superficiality. In just half an hour, in her eyes Uncle Owl had become the most handsome man. Eager to relieve his pain, Mia decided to get some morphine for him from Mrs. Yi the next day.

“Lohan, can you tell me what Uncle Owl looked like when he was young?”

“He used to be a famous strong man who could lift a stone mill,” Lohan said.

“He’s stronger now. Cancer has fortified his will.”

“I was astonished as I watched him leave just now. He is an indomitable spirit.”

“What do you have in your hand, Lohan?”

“Morphine. I picked it up this morning.” Lohan looked serious.

“Let’s hurry and go to his house now.”

As they walked home from Uncle Owl’s house, they saw an unusual scene in the sky: the clouds were turning as red as blood, and lightning flashed in the west.

“To live, to the last minute for loved ones and things . . . ,” Mia whispered.

“I promise!” Lohan hugged his wife tightly.

Mia listened attentively. She heard the long, lingering sound of a bell from the direction of Blue Mountain. The men, she thought, had heard the news that a brave man was fighting in Deserted Village. My God, this means of communication and transmission was so touching! When the last bell fell silent, Mia heard the door of Uncle Owl’s home creak. He was listening!

Lohan heard it, too, and they were greatly comforted.

As soon as Yang appeared, Mia began to sob.

“Don’t cry.” Yang patted her on the back. “It is a solemn moment.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Mia stopped crying.

17
Spoon and Gray

Carrying a basket of herbs and a two-toothed hoe, Gray walked home with his head down. Someone was standing on the road, blocking his way. It was Spoon. She pointed at the basket in her hand, which was full of stonecrop—Sedum aizoon.