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Since I was 13, I was a laborer for my family and assisted my dad in his business.As time went on, my parents also began planning for my future.It was a belief in Dongyang that if it was not possible to become a cadre, becoming an apprentice was the best way to make a living.So, when I was 15, my mother told me that since we didn’t own land anymore, it was best for me to become an apprentice and learn a trade.I agreed.
Mom and Dad entrusted me to their cousin, my uncle, who introduced me to the carpentry business.When my uncle received a carpentry job in Zhuji, he promised to take me with him.I was so happy to go outside and see new things.My mother also made a long robe for me out of old clothes for the trip.The very next day, I wore the robe my mother made for me, took some food, and left home joyfully.When it was getting late, we settled in at a small inn near the southern gate of the county.
The next day, we left before dawn.After we passed Luodian, there was only the mountain road to take.My uncle said we could take a boat at the Zhuji Maple Bridge.I was very excited because I had never been on a boat before.But after a long way in Zhuji, we hadn’t gotten on boat.I was discouraged.At that time, a woman dressed in a green cape, passed me on a bicycle.I thought she was floating.It was the first time I saw someone on a bicycle.I was very interested and jealous.
I asked my uncle how far away we were from the ferry, and he said we would arrive soon.It didn’t take long before we were on the boat.I had never taken the boat before.Along the way, I saw boatmen use water from the river to clean the toilets as well as wash the rice and vegetables.I was surprised and didn’t understand.Soon we arrived at the house of the person who had hired us.
The next day’s breakfast at my employer’s home impressed me a lot.We had rice cakes and white rice porridge.I cut the rice cakes into pieces and mixed them in the porridge.It was thick and sticky, so good.It was the best meal for me.
We were there to repair the waterwheel and other farm tools.I started with no skill at all.My uncle wouldn’t give me important tasks.I only helped to make the wooden peg for the waterboard.Lunch was served with white rice too.I really wanted to have more.But it was common practice that the apprentice wouldn’t keep eating after his master was done.My uncle knew this, and would keep the chopsticks in his hand while urging me to eat quickly.When it was time, I had to put down the bowl and go back to work.I could finish one bowl and leave half of the second bowl there.It was tutoring for me.
I had worked there for over half a month, but I didn’t get one full meal.Our employer had a daughter, who was slightly older than me.She had beautiful eyes and always wore a school uniform.She was very beautiful.She knew I didn’t have enough to eat and felt sorry for me.Sometimes she would secretly pinch a rice ball or take the rice crust for me.She would secretly slip the food into my hand.I really appreciated it, but I didn’t even know her name.
Then it was heard the war between Kuomintang and the communist guerrillas had started.We could even hear the sound of gunfire and horns.We had just finished our work, so we packed up our tools and walked day and night back to Hengdian.My apprenticeship came to an end, and my carpentry career failed.