Mother - Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Liu Family

[This was the person Mr. Liu is based on. Photo taken around 1949.]

Xiaojun was born in 1935, three years after Xidan. It was love at first sight for Mr. Liu. This young, precious, vulnerable little being was like nothing he had ever seen or felt before. Though he had adored each of his two wives, this little girl was so different in so many ways. Day by day, as Xiaojun grew bigger, Mr. Liu’s love for her grew exponentially. Not only was she the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen, but Xiaojun was the smartest among all his children and compared with other children he’d known.

She was quick to learn, observant and sensitive. Through her eyes, he learned and noticed things he’d never known before—about people, ideas, and feelings. Mr. Liu couldn’t help but wonder if Xiaojun was the reincarnation of a wise person from another time. He treated Xiaojun partially as a darling daughter and partially as a peer. He’d discuss business matters with her as if she was a grown-up, before she’d even turned ten years old. And much to his delight, Xiaojun loved to be around him and talk about anything and everything related to the shop.

In 1938, when Xiaojun was three and Mrs. Liu was seven months pregnant, a virus was spreading through the city—a rare eye disease that had affected many children. Horrific news came from all corners of the neighborhood when people visited Mr. Liu’s shop, about which child had been the latest to lose eyesight in one or both of their eyes.

Xiaojun’s left eye was itchy. She couldn’t help but rub it from time to time, even though Mama told her never to do so. In a few days, the itchiness intensified, and she had trouble seeing clearly. Mrs. Liu became worried. “We need to take her to the doctor. We can afford it, can’t we?”

Many children who had lost their eyesight had been from families with limited income.

“I’ve already sent the request. Dr. Suzuki can see her tomorrow,” declared Mr. Liu as he paced back and forth. He was even more worried than his wife, but he didn’t show it; real men didn’t show their emotions.

Mrs. Liu’s concern turned to anger. “A Japanese doctor? Aren’t we supposed to stay away from the Japanese as much as possible? Haven’t we heard enough horrible stories?”

“Yes. But he’s the best doctor in town. I’ve heard good things about him. Maybe he’s different from those soldiers. And he accepted my request, saying he’d heard good things about me, too.”

Dr. Suzuki and his wife lived in another part of the city. He’d originally come as a doctor accompanying the Japanese troops when they occupied Northeast China in 1932. Soon after, he’d retired from the army and settled to practice medicine in Manchukuo, a puppet state created by Japan that comprised the northeastern regions of China.

Dr. Suzuki examined Xiaojun and prescribed medicine and treatment. A few days later, he checked on Xiaojun. Her condition was better.

“She should be fine,” Dr. Suzuki assured Mr. and Mrs. Liu. He nodded at Mrs. Liu. “I see you’re expecting another child. And your daughter Xiaojun is so pretty.”

“Yes, I am. How many adorable kids do you and your wife have?” Mrs. Liu asked politely.

“We don’t have any, although we love children.” It was quite a frank admission from someone who barely knew them.

Mrs. Liu felt the obligation to continue. “You must want a son, as is our custom here.”

To her surprise, Dr. Suzuki said, “My wife and I are neutral about a baby’s gender. We welcome both boys and girls.”

As Mrs. Liu’s delivery date approached, she felt extremely unsettled.

“This pregnancy differs from the other three. Something about this baby doesn’t feel right. Maybe we should visit a fortuneteller,” she suggested to her husband.

“If you wish. We can go tomorrow. Lao Zhao can cover the shop.”

Lao Zhao had been with the store for years. He was a reliable, middle-aged man who lived in the Gate House with his wife. They had no children.

Close to the shop was a temple which Mr. and Mrs. Liu visited from time to time. Although they weren’t religious, like many others, they’d visit to make a wish or to draw a stick for their fortune.

The fortuneteller’s face became stiff when he saw the stick Mrs. Liu had drawn.

“You can tell us what you saw. We can take it,” Mr. Liu said calmly.

“This stick says this baby you’re carrying, umm, well, it might be a force to destroy your wealth and prosperity.” The teller said slowly at first, then finished up quickly.

“Is that so?” Mr. Liu asked in a tone of disbelief.

“That must be it. That explains why I’ve been so irritated lately,” Mrs. Liu exclaimed, then turned to her husband. “Let’s go home now.”

“There’s more,” the teller said, then hesitated.

“Good or bad?” Mr. Liu asked.

“Umm, well, umm, it’s, well…”

“Never mind. Thank you for your service.” Mr. Liu passed a coin to him. “Keep the change.”

“This is too much. Let me…” The teller fumbled through his packet.

Mr. Liu lifted his wife from the bench and walked out of the temple.

At night, Mr. and Mrs. Liu stayed up late. It was hard to brush off their concerns about what the fortuneteller had said.

“It seems we can’t keep this baby,” Mrs. Liu said sadly, and continued, “Fortunately, we have two boys already.”

Mr. Liu paced back and forth. He felt a responsibility toward his wife and three children and for this baby as well.

“Giving babies away is a common practice,” Mrs. Liu continued. “We’ve seen many of our acquaintances do it for all kinds of reasons. Not destroying the family’s wealth is a good reason.” Somewhere inside her, she didn’t believe this baby would be part of the family.

Mr. Liu said, “True. We need to find a decent family so this baby can have a good life.”

Mrs. Liu’s face lit up. “What about Dr. Suzuki? They want a child regardless of the gender. He seems like a kind man. He saved Xiaojun’s eye. We could never repay him for his skills and kindness. He would be a great Baba for this baby.”

“Let me check with him. We don’t know what kind of person his wife is.”

A meeting between the Lius and the Suzukis happened. They agreed the Lius would never visit the baby. If they met by chance, they would never reveal their relationship to the child.

When Mrs. Liu gave birth, the labor was arduous. After nineteen hours, the midwife finally announced, “It’s a girl!”

Mrs. Liu struggled to sit up with the support of a pile of pillows and whispered, “Can I take a quick look at her?”

“No, you shouldn’t. I’ll be right back after giving her to Mrs. Suzuki,” said the midwife, wrapping up the baby with a blanket.

“Listen,” Mrs. Liu said in a weak voice. “I just want a quick look at her before she’s gone forever.”

The midwife hesitated. But she couldn’t bear to see Mrs. Liu’s painful, pleading eyes.

“Only one glance. You promise me.”

And that was it. Xia could never leave Mrs. Liu’s side, ever. “My baby girl,” she said whenever she was referring to Xia.

Mr. Liu settled the matter with Dr. Suzuki. Soon after, the doctor and his wife left the city. The rumor was that they had returned to Japan so his wife could have a stable and familiar place to have a baby of their own.