The People’s Republic of Desire

55 Christmas Thoughts

Christmas grows more and more popular in China. Beibei's company Chichi Entertainment gives its employees a half-day off on December 24 and takes them bowling. Beibei has invited us to join her. Lulu can't make it because she is attending a fashion show in Hong Kong. CC and I come.

We talk about Christmas shopping. CC shows the Gucci watch she has bought for herself. I show them the iPod I have bought for my half-sisters. Beibei shows us a key. "I didn't buy anything for myself, but I bought this as a Christmas gift for my folks."

"What is it? A car? I was told people over sixty are not eligible to take driving tests. Are your parents already licensed to drive?" CC asks.

"No. It's not a car – it's a condo," Beibei says proudly.

CC exclaims, "Holy cow! Such an expensive gift!"

Beibei says, "If I didn't buy it for them, they could never afford to buy a new place. They've lived in the shitty place their factory assigned to them for twenty years."

CC is confused. "Beibei, your grandfather was a high-ranking officer in the Chinese military. Why do your parents still live so poorly?"

Beibei sighs. "During the Cultural Revolution, my grandfather was labeled a counterrevolutionary and my folks suffered as his son and daughter-in-law. It wasn't until Lin Biao's failed coup in 1971, when the fundamentalists and radicals were purged from the party, that the government finally began to depoliticize and my grandparents were rehabilitated. After the Cultural Revolution, my parents were afraid of being called members of taizi dang, the "Prince Party," and bringing trouble to my grandfather, so they never used my grandfather's title to do things for themselves. They fear this and fear that and they always follow the rules, and they taught me to follow the rules. But what did they really get? Some award certificates, soaps and towels as prizes, and a small apartment with a concrete floor."

I sigh. "Your father's generation suffered a lot in China. They spent their prime time in the worst years of China. They can never understand the wealth the young generation can enjoy, such as owning an apartment with two floors, taking a vacation in Europe…"

Beibei says, "I gave my parents money so that they can take taxis every day. But the idea of taking a cab every day will never be comfortable for them. They end up putting all the taxi money in the bank and still take buses."

I tease Beibei. "I guess your spending three thousand yuan on a shirt is simply beyond their imagination."

Beibei nods. "Yes. I've become corrupt. I used to listen to them. I tried to be a loving and obedient girl. What did I get? My husband cheated on me and my factory tried to lay off female workers like me. Unlike my folks, I have taken advantage of my high-ranking grandfather. I've made it. Money, respect, and lovers, you name it. Have you seen an American movie called The Emperors Club? The world doesn't appreciate people who follow principles and values. It's no fun at all to be a nice person. You end up a tragic hero. More fun to be a winner. I celebrate my transformation into a bad girl!"

"Beibei, you can wear Western clothes, drive a Western car, or take a Western lover," I comment, "but you can't forget your role as a dutiful Chinese daughter."

CC says, "My situation is the opposite of Beibei's. My folks took advantage of the golden time of Hong Kong 's growth in the 1970s. I guess I can never be as rich as they are. They don't need any material things from me. But unlike Beibei, I hated my folks for a long time because they always tried to control my life with their money."

Beibei asks carefully so as not to ignite a touchy situation, "Are you going to see them on Christmas?"

CC sighs. "I hadn't planned to. I guess I should. I'll see if I can catch a flight to Hong Kong tonight."

Beibei says to CC, "Yes. Go now. I have to hurry off to my parents too."

After both of my friends are gone, I start to think of my own parents. Mother, Big John, and my half-sisters are in the States for the holidays. Father and Jean are with Jean's family. I would love to spend Christmas evening with my family, but now I wonder where I should go. Definitely not parties. I have been invited to three parties tonight, but I decide to spend the evening quietly in my own house.

My cell phone rings. It's CC. "All flights to Hong Kong are full for the evening. I guess I can't give my parents a nice surprise."

"You can make it up during the Spring Festival."

"I guess you're right. Besides, they are Chinese. The Chinese New Year is a bigger deal. But what about me? It will be so lonely just to be by myself. I spent the last three Christmases in Beijing with Nick."

"Come to my place! Let the two single women hang out and drink hot toddies. And if Santa Claus is late, we will still have Jeremy Irons and Brad Pitt to entertain us."

TAIZI DANG: A party made of princes. It refers to those who hold high positions in government or business as a result of their families' high-ranking political background. Nepotism was once common practice in China.