Kisses Lenin | Yan Lianke

The autumn was nearing its end, and a tiny, scarce moon had risen at the edges of the harvested fields from which a fragrance emanated that swept the world, a mixture of the warm scent of grains and the penetrating smell of earth. There sat, stunned, until late at night. And in the end, as if he was keen to apologize, he made deep apologies like a well, he pinched his thigh and slapped it fiercely several times before kneeling, and performing three rak'ahs facing what was supposed to be the direction of Russia, the homeland of the great man, secretly repeating in his heart his deep regret: "Forgive me, tomorrow a memorandum will be issued regarding the efforts that should be made in the Shuanhua region to gather the necessary resources to obtain Lenin's remains" and then it will be circulated to every committee, every office, and every province.