中国儿童文学走向世界精品书系:表哥驾到(精装)英文版

　　《中国儿童文学走向世界精品书系：表哥驾到（英文版）》：　　In contrast, Aunt Ruili rarely criticized my work. It was not out oflove. I wasn't her child. She was just teaching me a skill. It was definitely different from the deep concern she had about Damei. Sometimes, she observed my behavior objectively, as if analyzing a rival.　　My mother disapproved of my constant visits and often spoke ill of Aunt Ruili, saying things like she was always leading her husband and kid around by the nose. Actually, my mother didn't know the true situation. Uncle Xiaokang had his own way of handling situations. He usually kept his opinions to himself in front of Aunt Ruili. For instance, he would listen to his wife reproaching his daughter but express no opinion. When she had finished, he would stand up and go to polish his shoes in an unhurried way. Then before he left, he would always say goodbye to lus wife and touch his daughter affectionately on the face.　　Aunt Ruili never got angry with him. Instead, she would say that this was lus way, but she could never act in that way. She would have to have a hand in all matters concerning her daughter, whether important or trivial. She encouraged her daughter to bring home close friends from class. Damei didn't realise it was a trap, so she sometimes brought friends back. Aunt Ruili would chat with them and observe their every mood. When the friend left, she would pass judgment: that girl with her sharp cheeks and willful character was not fit to be your friend. If the friend was too open with her views, she would say what the point of such a brainless friend was! Gradually, Damei's friends were driven away because they couldn't possibly meet her mother's high standards. Soon Damei tired of making new friends. At first, Damei was upset but soon she grew indifferent. After a while no more classmates came home with her.　　The winter of that year was especially cold. On Chinese New Year's day, Aunt Ruili seated Damei and me in front of the rosewood dressing table, on which a huge round mirror was mounted. She had a whole set of toiletries and cosmetic and skin care items. She had over ten combs, big or small. She said she would make us beautiful for the holiday. She combed our hair and wouldn't allow us to turn our heads. She did have remarkable skill. Soon, we looked both taller and prettier. That day, the house was full of distinguished guests. Aunt Ruili had found a lovely golden locket and urged Damei to wear it. However it was not to her daughter's taste and she refused. Aunt glanced at her sideways and snapped, "Pass it to your cousin if you don't want, then. Her voice was trying to force Damei to comply with her wishes but instead her daughter took her at her word and passed the family heirloom to me. Aunt Ruili was kneading rice dumplings, pretending to see nothing of this, but I noticed that she turned away clearly upset.　　Among the guests, there was a well-dressed elegant woman who had been Aunt's middle-school classmate. She brought with her a boy the same age as us. He was a handsome boy with thick arrow-like eyebrows, and he was smartly dressed. He was the only boy among the guests, so Aunt Ruili asked us to talk with him and entertain him.　　To my surprise, the boy got along very well with Damei. They talked on and on like old friends. He was two grades higher than Damei in the same school. They spoke of their regret at never meeting before tlus. The boy sang a sentimental Russian folk song. We were all charmed. He also invited Damei to go to a music performance. The handsome boy could do no wrong in Damei's eyes and she was like a fairytale Snow-white for him. Who could have guessed the truth that day - that they would maintain intimate relations for a long time?　　……