Cao Yu's The Thunderstorm - Triceratops Home

Fanyi I wanted a little peace and quiet. How does my complexion look? Sifeng, go
get the young Master a bottle of soda. Look, your face is so red.
[Sifeng exits from the kitchen door.
Chong (happily) Thank you. Let me look at you. I think you look a lot better, not sick
at all. Why do they always say that you're sick? You're always cooped up all
alone in that room, and look, Dad's been home for three days and you haven't
seen him at all.
Fanyi (looks at Chong with melancholy) I'm feeling a little bad.
Chong Oh, Mom, don't be like that. Dad's not good to you, but he's old. I'm your
future. I want to marry a really good woman, Mom, and you can live together
with us, and we can definitely cheer you up.
Fanyi (the shadow of a sliver of faint smile flashes onto her face) Cheer me up?
(suddenly) Chong'er, you're seventeen now?
Chong (likes that his mother is strange like this sometimes) Mom, look, if you forget
my age again, I'm really going to be angry with you!
Fanyi Your mom isn't a very good mother. Sometimes I even forget where I am.
(contemplating) —Oh, eighteen years—in this old house—isn't your mother
getting old?
Chong No, Mom, what are you thinking?
Fanyi I'm not thinking about anything.
Chong Mom, did you know we're moving? To a new house. Father told me yesterday
that we're moving the day after tomorrow.
Fanyi Do you know why your father wants to move?
Chong When does Father ever tell us before he does something? —But I think he's
getting old. He's said that that after this he doesn't want to do stuff at the mine
anymore, and also this house is unlucky. —Oh, Mom, did you know this house
is haunted? Last fall, in the middle of the night, I though I heard something.
Fanyi Don't say any more.
Chong Mom, do you believe it too?
Fanyi I don't believe it. This house is very strange, but I like it a lot. I always feel
like this house has a spiritual presence. It pulls at me, and won't let me leave.
Chong (suddenly happy) Mom. —
[Sifeng enters with the soda.
Sifeng Young Master.
Chong (stands up) Thank you. (Sifeng blushes)
[Sifeng pours the soda.
Chong Bring a glass for the Mistress, alright? (Sifeng exits)
Fanyi (staring at them) Chong'er, why are you both so formal with each other?
Chong (drinking) Mom, I want to tell you, it's because, —(Sifeng enters) —I'll tell you
in a while. Mom, what about the fan you painted for me?
Fanyi Did you forget that I'm ill?
Chong Right, pardon me. I, I, —How is this room so hot?
Fanyi The window probably hasn't been opened.
Chong Let me open it.
Sifeng The Master told us not to open them. He said it's hotter outside than in.