Pushing Hong and Liang aside, one of the officials shouted, ‘The meeting is over for now. Hong and Liang will be tried later. Great Chairman Mao has directed us to find and punish the anti-revolutionaries. The State Council and the central committee of the Overseas Chinese Commission will be informed about those who try to obstruct the execution of this direction. Hong and Liang are ordered to stay in the barracks till we receive further instructions. No one should try to rebel in any way. This is the People’s Republic of China. No anti-Communist activity will be tolerated. We have detailed records of all the overseas Chinese living here with us. We know very well who has how much loyalty towards the PRC. Stand in line. Everyone stand in a line quietly. Move out in order.’

The people fell silent. They stood in the line in silence and returned to the barracks tearfully.

Lailin was sitting gloomily with a notebook in hand. As soon as she saw Mei Lin, she hugged her and cried, ‘Grandma has died. Oh Ma, grandma has died.’

Mei Lin took her into her arms and sat silently. Her mind was in a frenzy. Her eyes brimmed with tears. What future was she going to give her daughter! Was this the life of a human being?

There was nothing outside this world, this paddy field and the barracks. Even within it, they had no liberty to breathe freely. They didn’t have the liberty to laugh or speak freely. They were deprived of the liberty to take their own decisions. They were nothing but trapped insects in the web of the will of a few local leaders.

Lailin’s soft and supple body had become pale. Her eyes had lost their brightness. What could Mei Lin do? Where was the road to freedom? Where was the way to bloom?

There was nothing but darkness on all sides. There was no ray of light anywhere. How could Mei Lin let her daughter live the life of a farmer in Hua qiao Nongchang?

‘I won’t. I will take Lailin away from this darkness devoid of air. I will,’ she told herself.

It was getting darker outside. The inside of the barracks became silent. Suddenly, there was a bang on her door. Lailin hugged her mother fearfully. Mei Lin opened the door, looking worried. The manager of the farm was standing with a grave face.

‘They have called you to the office.’

‘To the office? Now?’

‘Yes. Now. Come.’

‘Why have they called me?’