by Iris Yang
Danny cursed under his breath. The pain of losing Jack rushed back.
Chapter 30
Danny let loose a low whistle as he watched Jasmine and Daisy enter his room. The girls wore white silk cheongsams, the body-hugging, ankle-length dresses wrapping their slender figures. A flaming peony was painted on the left side of Jasmine’s cheongsam, while fuchsia roses dotted Daisy’s dress. Jasmine was more mature and always had a graceful composure. This stylish outfit further accentuated her elegance. Daisy was younger and playful. Yet her beauty was no less than her cousin’s.
Though both girls took his breath away, his gaze remained on Jasmine. His eyebrows creased. Somehow the red wavy lines dangling from the peony troubled him, filled him with gloom. They looked like blood!
“What’s wrong?” Daisy checked Jasmine’s dress, trying to see what troubled Danny.
He shook his head and pulled himself out of the daze. “You girls surprise me...” Fidgeting in his bed, he fought to keep his eyes off the peony. “What’s the occasion?”
“To celebrate—” said Jasmine, her face as flushed as the flower on her dress.
“Celebrate your freedom,” interjected Daisy.
“What?” Danny scratched his head.
“Would you like to take a walk outside?” the younger cousin asked. A mischievous sparkle came into her eyes.
Jasmine thinned her mouth, the corners of her lips twitching with the need to smile.
“Finally!” Danny heaved a sigh of relief. It had been several weeks since he woke up. He still had a bandage wrapped around his head, but he felt better by the day.
Doctor Wang hadn’t allowed him to go out of the room. “Not yet. You’re too weak. You need to rest.”
Danny protested, “I’ve already made up the sleep for the past six months and stocked enough for next year.”
But the herbalist was adamant. It was the Chinese way.
“I’m house arrested by Doctor Wang,” Danny joked.
Now, finally, he was able to breathe the fresh air, to feel the warm sunlight, to see the beauty of the village.
Wrapping his arms around the girls’ shoulders, he struggled to a standing position. One on each side, they supported him as he maneuvered with one leg. They had both been so shy the first time they helped him, and Danny smiled at the memory. Fighting to stand on his own, he’d swayed and stumbled, and both cousins had rushed to catch him. He could see their faces burning as they snatched his arms.
The sight of the trio was heartwarming, yet a little comic. As Chinese, both girls were quite tall—Jasmine was five-feet six, and Daisy a little shorter. But they were dwarfed by Danny, who was six-feet three. He leaned down as they stood on the balls of their feet and inched forward.
Warm sunlight greeted him as he stepped out the door. He squinted and lifted his head. A smattering of white clouds floated across the sky, and a soft breeze caressed his face. Closing his eyes, he took a long breath, drawing the fresh air into his lungs.
They were standing at the highest part of the community. A few yards away, several rows of mud-brick houses dotted the hillside. Smoke wafted from the chimneys. Lush green mountains surrounded the village on three sides. In front of them, the hill slanted down to a fog-blanketed valley.
Danny loved the storybook like scenery. But he was most impressed by the massive steps carved into the steep slopes. The terraced fields seemed like emerald woven cables laid out over the land. In the rice paddies, water shimmered in the gaps between the crops. “How did they do this?”
“By hand,” Daisy replied.
“It is stunning.”
“Wait until autumn,” Jasmine said. “They look like golden ribbons.” She paused, and then murmured, “Maybe you’ll still be here in a month or so…”
Danny didn’t know what to say. Of course he would love to stay in this beautiful village with these two incredible young women. Yet, on the other hand, he wished he could return to the front soon. His friends in the squadron would be happy to have him back, and he missed them and also craved the excitement. But for now, while he recovered, he would enjoy every minute of it.
The village wasn’t modern; the people here had lived a primitive life for thousands of years. They used oil lamps and drew water from wells. They grew crops and raised livestock. Women spun thread and wove cloth, trading their handy work at the market in exchange for other essential supplies. Some residents also hunted, but that was before most of the healthy men had gone to fight the war. Doctor Wang and his family collected herbs for a living.
Danny had a strange sensation that he’d somehow been transported back in time.
“Would you like to see Doctor Wang’s house?” asked Daisy.
“I’d love to.”
“Let’s go,” Daisy chirped, stifling a giggle.
A smile graced Jasmine’s lips, creating two dimples on her silky cheeks.
“What’s so funny?” asked Danny. He turned his gaze back and forth between the two girls.
“Nothing,” the younger cousin answered with an impish grin.
Chapter 31
Danny knew the answer once they had stopped in front of Doctor Wang’s house. The pair had tricked him. It wasn’t a casual visit. They’d planned to take him there. Six tables filled with food stood in the courtyard, and mouth-watering aromas permeated the air. Dozens of people, probably everyone in the village, greeted him with grins upon their faces. His lips parted in wordless surprise. Before he could say anything, he heard Daisy shout to the crowd, “One, two, three!”
“Sheng ri kuai le!” A roar erupted. “Happy birthday!”
Danny blinked in disbelief. He’d forgotten that it was his birthday. Jasmine had asked him once, and Daisy had brought up the question a second time. He’d never given it a second thought, but now everyone in the village was wishing him happy birthday in English! Most people here, he’d learned, were illiterate even in their native language. How hard was it then for the girls to teach them the salutation?
“Xie xie! Thank you very much!” Balancing on one leg, Danny folded his left palm over his right fist and raised them before his chest. His proper manner was well received. People returned the same gesture, and their smiles broadened.
“Come here, Son,” Doctor Wang called out. He wore a formal outfit, a navy blue one-piece garment extending to his heels.
Everyone, even without a formal dress, had clean and relatively new clothes.
The two girls helped Danny walk to the herbalist.
“Sit here.” Doctor Wang pointed to a seat for the guest of honor.
Danny sat between the herbalist and the two cousins. A couple of gap-toothed old men were also seated at the table. He was surprised to notice that no women sat at any table, except for Jasmine and Daisy; the other women remained standing nearby with young children.
The herbalist stood up and raised his bowl full of rice wine. Everyone at the tables followed. Daisy cupped Danny’s elbow and helped him to his feet.
“We’re here to celebrate this brave young man’s twenty-eighth birthday,” Doctor Wang said in a booming voice. He turned to the American. “We wish you a happy, healthy, and long life!” Raising his bowl, he clinked it with Danny’s and turned to the crowd. “Gan!”
“Bottoms-up!” the crowd repeated.
Tilting his head, Danny finished the drink in one long swallow. The rice wine was sweet, but the villagers’ gesture was sweeter. “Thank you!” he said, showing his empty bowl.
The crowd cheered.
Shitou placed a bowl of noodles in front of Danny. Steam rose from the dish.
“Taste it,” said Doctor Wang.
“What about…?” No one else had a dish.
“It’s Longevity Noodle, only for the birthday boy,” explained Daisy.
Danny knew better than to argue. Using a pair of chopsticks, he scooped up the noodles, put them in his mouth, and started to chew.
“No!” everyone cried out, forgetting their manners.
“No, no, no!�
�� Jasmine hurried to say. “Don’t bite. Don’t break them. Longevity Noodle symbolizes long life.”
“You have to slurp!” Daisy drew in a big gulp of air with a sucking noise, “until no more can be stuffed inside your mouth. Try it!”
Danny did as he was told while everyone stared at him. He stuffed so many noodles inside his mouth that he felt short of breath. The crowd cheered. Daisy beamed while Jasmine released her breath and relaxed in her seat.
Then the men at his table piled his bowl with bits of everything.
“That’s enough!” Danny waved his hands over the container.
No one listened to him. They kept adding more. When they were done, the not-so-small bowl held a mound of food. He looked at the cousins for help, but they only grinned at him.
“You better eat it all,” Daisy teased. “There is no dessert.” She wasn’t pulling his leg. Dessert wasn’t a concept in this remote countryside.
Danny knew he had to finish; it was a sign of respect. But it was not difficult. The food was delicious. The Roasted Duck was cooked with pine needles to impart a unique flavor, and the Yunnan Steamed Pot Chicken was stewed to falling-apart perfection. Decorated with colorful flowers, the Pineapple Rice was the perfect complement to the spicy food. Even the wild mushrooms and dark green ferns were tasty.
Meat dishes are served only on holidays, Danny thought. Evidently they were treating his birthday as a holiday. He ate everything, and when he finished, he wiped his mouth and said, “One more grain of rice will kill me.” Covering the bowl with one hand, he lifted the other to his throat and made a slashing gesture.
The villagers laughed.
When the meal was over, the two cousins gathered all the girls and lined them up under a big tree with strings of white flowers. Waving her arm, Daisy led the group in singing:
What a lovely jasmine
What a beautiful flower
Sweet, charming, full of blossoms
White and fragrant, everybody loves
Let me pick one
Give it to my loved one
Oh, jasmine, my sweet jasmine.
Most village girls couldn’t carry a tune, and some were so shy that they hid behind others. Only the two cousins’ honey-smooth voices moved the song along. Once they were done, the village girls fled to their parents and buried their red faces on their mothers’ chests. The audience cheered and clapped.
Beaming from ear to ear, Danny applauded the loudest. The famous folk song was as sweet as the fragrance he’d detected from the white flowering tree. He focused more attention on the young woman who had the same name as the song, and he had to use all his willpower to tear his eyes away from her.
Daisy’s job wasn’t done. She signaled Shitou to stand up.
At the next table, the boy held a flute in his hand. He’d been playing every day, and Danny often woke to his delightful music. Still, he fidgeted in his seat, reluctant to perform in front of the entire village.
“You promised!” Daisy scolded him, then coaxed, “Danny will be so happy, if you play it for his birthday.”
It worked like a charm. Shitou stood up. Soon he filled the air with lilting music.
“My brother gave him the flute when he was five,” whispered Daisy, leaning close to Danny. Pride was written all over her face. “Shitou carries it everywhere. I’ve seen him play on top of a water buffalo.”
Danny remembered one of Jasmine’s paintings portraying such a peaceful scene. Putting two fingers in his mouth, he whistled loudly. His smile was as bright as the gorgeous sunshine.
Shitou’s eyes lit up like fireworks when he heard the pilot cheering. He smiled back, and as a result, he missed a couple of notes.
Then it was Doctor Wang’s turn. Standing with feet apart and shoulders braced, he opened his mouth. His voice was full of energy. His eyes were bright with unwavering fortitude.
“Peking Opera,” Daisy explained. “In theaters, performers wear elaborate and colorful costumes.”
“What does it mean?” Danny whispered back.
“The play is based on an historical event. This particular piece happens right before the hero’s execution.”
Danny nodded. He didn’t understand the words. But from the way the herbalist was singing, he guessed it must be something along the line of bravery.
People shouted “Hao” from time to time during the performance.
“It’s a long-standing tradition,” Daisy clarified, “to shout out praises if the actor is doing a good job.”
“Hao!” Danny cheered at the top of his lungs and applauded until his hands hurt.
The performances continued. The pageantry was in full swing when Shitou stood up and said, “Tell us a story, Danny.” There was nodding all around.
“How about the attack at Salween Gorge?” Daisy suggested.
“I’ve told you many times.”
“Tell us again.”
“Yes,” the masses chorused. “One more time; one more time!”
Danny understood. At this moment, when China was severely beaten, any success was a boost to their morale. Salween Gorge Battle was a key victory for the Allies. It was his favorite story. So he gave the hem of his button-up shirt a tug and straightened, ready to stand.
“Sit down, Son.” Doctor Wang pulled on his arm. “No need to stand.”
Danny nodded his appreciation and started to tell the story.
Chapter 32
“Salween Gorge is impressive,” Danny began, eyes glowing. “Has anybody ever been there?”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Well, you have to know what the place looks like before you can fully understand how the attack worked. Salween Gorge is near Paoshan in western Yunnan. There is only one path across the river—a suspension bridge at the bottom of the gorge. When I say the bottom, I mean it!” He spread his long arms, one up and one down, to indicate the distance. “There is a mile drop from the top of the plateau to the river!”
“That is,” Daisy clarified, “more than three Li—Chinese mile.” The crowd murmured, amazed at what they’d heard.
“It is thirty-five miles down a treacherous path to the bridge.”
“More than one hundred Li,” added Daisy.
“Right… There are dozens of switchbacks.” His right hand twisted and turned a few times. “On the other side, the road winds in the same way up to a plateau. And the Japanese 56th Division was getting ready to cross the river. Kunming is only two hundred miles east of Paoshan. In between, only a limited number of Nationalist troops—”
“The 66th Division,” interrupted Shitou.
“…remained to defend Kunming.” Danny acknowledged the boy for remembering the details. “If Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, were captured, it would be devastating to China and to the Allies.”
Everyone leaned forward.
“To slow the enemy’s advance, the Nationalist Army destroyed the suspension bridge. It was a painful decision. There were still Chinese soldiers on the other side of the river.” Danny pulled a hard breath into his lungs. The ones who were left behind had had no chance of survival. But for the greater good, it was a necessary sacrifice.
“So that stopped the Japs?” one of his listeners asked impatiently.
“No, it only halted them for a while. The instant the Japs reached the river they started to build a pontoon bridge. Hundreds of vehicles, armored tanks, and thousands of soldiers packed the thirty-five-mile road. They waited there to cross the river, eager to destroy the Chinese troops. Fighting for weeks, only a small part of the Nationalist’s 66th Division was left, and they were exhausted. The Japs were sure that they would win the battle. But first they had to cross the river...”
“No chance,” said Shitou, full of confidence. “The Flying Tigers would not let them succeed.”
“Shitou is right. We couldn’t allow that to happen.” Danny grinned playfully at the crowd. “In mid-morning, eight Flying Tigers took off from Kunming, including my friend Jack and me
. Four planes were assigned as top cover. The other four P40s were loaded with fragmentation and demolition bombs under each of the wings. Believe it or not, the bomb racks were homemade. Our planes are fighters, not bombers.”
Danny inhaled deeply. “By the way, Jack was a great pilot. He was one of the toughest.” His voice caught on a lump lodged at the back of his throat. Longing appeared on his face. He hadn’t told anyone in the village about Jack. During the past few weeks, whenever he thought about his dear friend, he’d felt a void in his heart. By not bringing him up, Danny hoped he could shut out the pain. But it hadn’t worked.
“Tell us what happened next, Dan Ni.” Shitou stood behind the American and nudged him with an elbow.
The boy’s enthusiastic request brought Danny back to reality. He inhaled again and gave Shitou a crooked grin. Straightening his shoulders, he held his head high. “The day wasn’t the best for flying. In fact, it was terrible and dangerous. Towering thunderheads lay in our path. The rain came down in buckets; it pounded our planes. Luckily, the clouds broke when we reached the gorge. I guess Lao Tian Ye was on our side, or God was willing to help us.”
Everyone latched onto his words.
“I’ve never seen so many Japs in one place. Thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks and trucks lined the path. All were waiting for their engineers to finish building the bridge. Immediately, we formed a single line and dived down. Together we released our explosives.” Excitement flooded Danny’s suntanned face, as if he were back in the battle.
“What happened then?” Shitou knew the event by heart, but he still couldn’t restrain himself.
“What happened was better than any of us could have imagined. I pulled into a sharp turn and saw”—Danny’s mouth stretched into his inimitable smile—“the tank I had aimed at blow up. Pieces slammed into the cliff. Huge slabs of rock peeled off from the cliff and crashed onto the road below. I could hear the noise as they landed. Whump!” He raised his voice as he imitated the sound. “Bam! Bam! In waves, we blasted the enemy all along that road.”