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Looking at the men’s faces, Hulan knew they had no understanding of the words being hurled their way. None, that is, except Aaron Rodgers. Even from a distance Hulan could see that his ears had gone bright red. She wasn’t the only one to notice his discomfort.
“Hey! Look at Manager Red Face! I think we’re making him hot!”
“Choose me! I will let you feel my love button!”
“No! Pick me! I will be so carried away I will forget to count the thrusts!”
“Forget your dreams, sister. He has found his new conquest. Where is that new girl? Who is she anyway?”
Hulan peered sideways and saw Siang in much the same condition as Aaron. Her eyes were cast down and she was blushing from embarrassment, but the smile on her face showed her pleasure.
Peanut, keeping her voice low, said, “Don’t listen to them, Siang. They’re just having fun.”
“Do you think so?” Siang asked.
Peanut grinned conspiratorially. “Tell us. What did the manager say to you?”
“That I was doing good work. He said I was learning faster than anyone he had ever seen.”
They entered the cafeteria building, picked up trays, and joined the line to receive a bowl of rice with some stewed meat on top. Peanut and Siang went to find a table, while Hulan got herself a mug of weak tea. By the time she reached her co-workers, they were deep in conversation, their heads together.
“Are you going to meet him?” Peanut asked Siang as Hulan sat down.
“Do you think I should?”
“Of course. I would if he asked me,” Peanut answered.
Obviously a lot had happened in the few minutes Hulan had gotten her tea.
“But where?” Hulan asked. “I thought there were no places to be alone.”
Peanut and Siang exchanged glances.
“The people who run this place think we have no needs, but we do,” Peanut said delicately. “So we have found places to meet here inside the compound and ways to get out when we can.”
“How?” Hulan asked. She picked up a piece of the meat, noticed that the hair was still attached to the skin, set it against the side of her bowl, and looked for another, more appetizing morsel.
“When you’re here longer, you’ll find out,” Peanut answered.
“But Siang already knows, and we’ve been here the same amount of time.”
“But she’s different. The manager told her himself.”
Hulan put down her chopsticks. “I don’t think this is fair.” The words seemed tame enough, but in China they were the first step toward public criticism.
Peanut sighed. “Okay, but if you get caught, don’t tell them I told you. There are actually several ways to meet,” she went on, trying to sound more worldly than her fourteen years. “Staying in the compound is the least dangerous, but it’s hard to avoid their eyes.”
“Last night Madame Leung caught me when I went outside,” Hulan said.
“That’s because you left after lights out,” Peanut explained. “You have to be gone much earlier than that.” Peanut looked around to make sure that none of the officials were nearby, then leaned forward and continued in a low voice, “Did you notice that when we came in here that we didn’t have to check in? Well, the same goes for breakfast and dinner.”
“So?”
“So they only check us when we go in and out of the factory. Otherwise they don’t pay much attention.”
“People sneak out during lunch?” Hul
an asked dubiously.
