Chapter 1 – The White Paper Doll (1/2)

Chapter 1 – The White Paper Doll

My grandfather is called Hu Guohua. His ancestors were large landowners that were famous in the surrounding areas. During their most glorious and prosperous period, they purchased three alleyways in the city that linked together forty houses. They were also involved in politics and trade, donating provisions to the city and a.s.sisting with transportation.

But as the proverb goes: “Wealth never survives three generations.” This saying is very reasonable. Even if a family had mountains of gold and silver, it would still be no match for the extravagant spending of their prodigal offspring.

In the years of the Republic of China (1912-1949), our family had already begun its decline in my grandfather’s generation. First, the fortune was divided. Hu Guohua was allocated quite a bit of the family property, enough to not have to worry about basic needs for a lifetime. But unfortunately, he refused to live a frugal life, and without a doubt, this had to do with the social environment of his time. He first became addicted to gambling, then moved onto smoking Happiness and Longevity Ointment (opium), turning his vast inheritance into nothing.

The young Hu Guohua led a life of drinking, gambling, and s*x. Not to mention he also smoked every kind of drug out there, until there was not even a penny left in his pocket. When a person with a smoking addiction stops suddenly, the pain he must endure is intolerable. But without money, who’s going to let you smoke? In the old days, when he was still wealthy, the owner of the tobacco shop would call him Senior Hu or Master Hu, and greet him politely and respectfully. But once you’re penniless, they’ll treat you as if you were a smelly beggar. They’ll yell at you and shoo you away.

Once a person goes insane from poverty, thoughts such as honor and virtue are no longer important. Thus, Hu Guohua thought of a method to swindle his uncle out of some money. Hu Guohua’s uncle knew he was an extravagant opium demon. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t give a single cent to him, but this time Hu GuoHua said he was about to get married. So his uncle gathered a bit of money to give to him.

When his uncle heard the news, his old tears flowed unhindered. This worthless nephew of his had at long last done something right. If a virtuous young woman properly took care of him and he had a sudden change of heart, then maybe he would someday study properly.

Thus, he gave him twenty silvers and blessed him and his wife a good life telling him to never fall to opium again. After a few empty days, he even insisted on going to Hu Guohua’s house to take a look at his nephew’s wife.

Hu Guohua had many crafty plans in store. In order to deal with his uncle, after returning home to a village, he found a craftsman that made bound paper dolls — the ones burned for the deceased. This bound paper doll craftsman was very skilled. As long as it was something you could describe with words, then he could create it remarkably true to life.

In accordance with Hu Guohua’s request, the craftsman bound a white paper girl and then used watercolor to paint the eyes, nose, clothes, and hair. From a distance, hei, it really did look like a living person.

Hu GuoHua carried the paper doll to his house. He put it on top of the brick bed and covered the paper doll with a blanket. He thought: Everything is going well. After waiting a few days for my uncle to arrive, I just have to say that my wife is sick and that she’s lying in bed unable to greet the guest. Letting him take a quick peek at her is good enough. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but hum a small tune, slipping away to town to smoke opium.

After a few days, his uncle, carrying a prints and pastries, arrived at his door to come and see his nephew’s wife. Hu Guohua followed his initial plan and said that his wife’s body was unwell and wouldn’t be able to greet him. He lifted the hanging screen to let his uncle catch a glimpse of her before letting it down.

But his uncle was unwilling. Oh! Brat, how dare you treat your uncle like this? It won’t do. Today, I must see your new wife. If she’s sick, then I’ll spend some money and hire a doctor to come see her.

But Hu Guohua would not let him see her no matter what. The more he stopped his uncle, the more it looked like there was a problem. His uncle grew more suspicious and the two began to bicker. At this moment, the hanging sheet covering the room rose and a woman came out. Her skin was white and clean and her face was like a plate. She had a large b.u.t.t and small feet. Hu Guohua’s heart thumped in surprise. Woah! Isn’t this the paper doll that I asked for? How did it come to life?

The woman told his uncle: “I haven’t been feeling well these past few days. Just a moment ago, I didn’t come to welcome uncle, please forgive me for my lack of manners. My body has suddenly begun feeling well again. Why you don’t stay and have a meal with us?” Saying this, she turned around and went to cook.