The Chain of Love, translated by Zhang Bao, 2018.1.7

One night, he drove home along a two-lane country road. He works in this small Midwestern neighborhood that is as dilapidated as his Pandiak car. Since the factory closed, he has lost his job, and the weather is getting colder and colder as the harsh winter sets in. But he never gave up and kept looking for a job.

He was driving on a remote section of the road that not many people would drive on unless they were leaving the place. His friends had almost all left. Because they want to provide for their families and make their dreams come true. But he stayed. His parents are buried here, and this is where he was born, and he knows it so well that he can walk through the country road with his eyes closed, and he can tell what is on either side of the road. It just so happened that his headlights were broken, so he didn't need to turn them on.

It was getting dark, and the snow was falling in the sparse space. He had to hurry home. So, he almost didn't see an old lady stranded on the side of the road. Although it was dark, he could still see that the old lady needed help. So, he parked the car in front of the Mercedes, and before his Pandiak could turn off, he got out of the car and walked in front of the old lady. Although he had a smile on his face, she still looked worried, because it was so late and so dark, and no one would stop to help her. Would he hurt her? He didn't look reliable, and he seemed poor and hungry.

He could tell she was standing in the cold, fearful. He knew how she felt, and only fear could make people feel cold. He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am." Why don't you stay in the warm car? By the way, my name is Brian. ”

Although it was just a flat tire, it was a very headache for an old lady. Brian climbed under the car and found the place where the jack was placed, and because he couldn't see clearly, he had two skin cuts on his knuckles. It didn't take long for him to get the tires replaced. However, he got his clothes dirty and injured both hands. As he tightened the nuts on the chassis, she rolled down the window and started talking to him. She said she was from St. Louis and was just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for his help. Seeing her cover her suitcase, Brian smiled at her.

She asked him how much he should be paid. It doesn't matter to her any amount. She had already imagined that anything terrible could happen before he left. But Brian didn't even think about asking for money. It's not a job for him. It's helping people in need, and God knows there are many people who have helped him. He'd lived like this all his life, and he never thought there would be any other way. He told her that she didn't have to pay for it, and that if she really wanted to repay him, she would wait until the next time she saw someone in need, and Brian added, "At that point, think of me." ”

He waited for the old lady to drive away before starting the car. It was a cold and frustrating day, but he felt good and he drove on the way home and soon disappeared into the night.

A few miles along the road, the old lady saw a small café. She went in to get a bite to eat, to warm herself up, and then to finish the last leg of the journey home. It was a dimly lit restaurant. There are two old gas pumps outside. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register is like the phone of an unemployed actor. She just rang the phone. The waitress walked over and brought a clean towel to help her wipe her damp hair. She had a sweet smile, the kind of smile that would stand all day without complaint. The old lady noticed that the waitress was at least eight months pregnant, but she didn't let the stress and pain change her attitude. The old lady thought that there were people who were so poor that they could be enthusiastic about helping a stranger. So, she remembered Brian.

After eating, the old lady watched the waitress go with a hundred-dollar bill to find her money, and quietly slipped out. By the time the waitress returned, the old lady had already driven away. The waitress wondered where the old lady had gone, but she immediately saw a few lines written on the napkin. When she read the words, her eyes were filled with tears. It reads:

"You don't have to give me money, I've been here before, someone has helped me, so I'm going to help you in the same way. If you really want to repay me, you can do this: don't let the chain of love break from you. ”

The table had to be cleared, the sugar bowl had to be filled, and the guests had to be entertained, so the waitress kept busy until the next evening, when she returned to the house from work, went to bed, and suddenly remembered what the old lady had written on a napkin. How could the old lady know that she and her husband were in dire need of the money? The baby was going to be born next month, and they were worried about the money. She knew her husband was at a loss for it. As he lay down to sleep beside her, she kissed him softly and said to him softly, "Don't worry, everything will be fine, I love you, Brian." ”