Explore Chapter 44 of 'Spring Ming Outer History' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
We last left Li Dongqing and Shi Kelian talking in the western chamber of Yang Xingyuan's residence. Absorbed in their conversation, they did not notice how much time had passed, until they saw a figure's shadow pacing back and forth in the outer room. Li Dongqing recognized it as Yang Xingyuan and said, "Mr. Yang, come in. What are you doing pacing in the courtyard? Are you afraid we'll steal something from your house?" Yang Xingyuan laughed upon hearing this and entered. "Miss Li speaks with an amusing pettiness," he said. "But this western room is in such disarray. I feared you two might find it distasteful, so I dared not barge in to invite you." Shi Kelian said, "Mr. Yang, that's being too polite. Though we may not be close friends, it hasn't come to 'distasteful.'" Yang Xingyuan replied, "That's not what I meant. It's just that my room is truly a mess. How can I receive guests here?" Li Dongqing asked, "If you won't even invite guests like us, what kind of guests would you invite?" Yang Xingyuan said, "We agreed not to stand on ceremony. But now that Miss Li says this, I'm too embarrassed to say what I was thinking." Li Dongqing smiled. "What else is on your mind, Mr. Yang? Out with it!" Yang Xingyuan, pressed by their enthusiasm, found himself at a loss for words and simply chuckled. "I have nothing else. I merely feel you have honored me greatly, and I don't know how to show my gratitude." Li Dongqing said, "Why the courtesy again? We agreed not to be polite." Yang Xingyuan said, "I just feel Miss Li and Miss Shi are too polite. It makes me unsure how to speak." Li Dongqing smiled faintly at Shi Kelian and said, "We've sat and talked long enough. It's time to go back." Yang Xingyuan urged, "Won't you stay a while longer?" Li Dongqing said, "We still need to go to Shunzhi Street to buy some things." As she spoke, she stood up. Yang Xingyuan, seeing she was determined to leave, could not stop her. Yet, seeing Li Dongqing's composed and indifferent manner, his heart stirred once more. He also rose and escorted them to the main gate. He watched as Li Dongqing hailed a rickshaw, got in, turned back, and gave him a slight nod. Then Shi Kelian also boarded her rickshaw and left.
Yang Xingyuan watched until the rickshaws were out of sight, then lowered his head and walked slowly back inside. As he entered, Wu Bibo emerged from the courtyard, laughing. "I've been here a while. Today I came specifically to see you." Yang Xingyuan said, "I was just outside seeing off guests and didn't see you. Please, come in and sit." Wu Bibo asked, "Who were you seeing off? I thought I saw a young lady." Yang Xingyuan said, "I was just about to tell you." The two entered the house, and Yang Xingyuan recounted in detail, from beginning to end, Li Dongqing's visit. Wu Bibo said, "So, this Miss Li is quite the proper scholar. I'd like to meet her and see what she's like." Yang Xingyuan said, "She's a very reserved person. I'm afraid conversing with her might not be easy for you." Wu Bibo replied, "I don't necessarily need to talk to her. Just seeing her would be enough, wouldn't it?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Of course. But you'll have to wait for an opportunity. She doesn't come here every day." Wu Bibo grinned. "You're on such good terms with her, can't you just invite her?" Yang Xingyuan protested, "Don't talk nonsense. Our connection is merely through literature, a simple friendship. How can you speak of 'good terms'?" Wu Bibo said, "Who are you trying to fool? Frankly, I can see your feelings for this Miss Li run deep. Aren't you going to be honest with me?" Yang Xingyuan insisted, "I'm truly not fooling you. What must I say for you to believe me?" Wu Bibo said, "I don't need you to explain. The truth will come out one day. Then you won't be able to pretend, will you?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Alright, go ahead and guess wildly then. Tell me, what brings you here so suddenly today?" Wu Bibo said, "Nothing in particular. I just came to see you. Also, I have news. A group of friends are holding a flower wine banquet in a hutong tonight. Why don't you join us?" Yang Xingyuan quickly waved his hand. "No, no. Since my illness, I've spent all my money. How could I afford flower wine now?" Wu Bibo said, "Who said you have to pay? Knowing you're short, the friends are willing to chip in and treat you." Yang Xingyuan said, "That's even worse. Without any special fate or reason, I can't have friends paying for me." Wu Bibo said, "It's really nothing. It's just an excuse for a group of friends to get together. If you don't go, they'll all blame you for looking down on them." Yang Xingyuan said, "Thank them for me. I really cannot go. Think about it. I'm not fully recovered from my illness. How could I go and carouse?" Wu Bibo laughed. "Your words don't ring true. When I came in earlier, I saw you seeing off a guest. And wasn't that guest a young lady too? Your spirits seemed perfectly fine then. Yet now, after just a short while, you claim you're not recovered and can't carouse. To be frank, it's not that you can't. You just don't want to carouse with the likes of us, right?"
Yang Xingyuan, somewhat embarrassed by this remark, smiled. "What are you saying? Is seeing off a guest the same as going to a flower wine banquet?" Wu Bibo said, "Exactly, that's what I think. So, are you coming or not? If you don't go, our friends will say I can't get anything done." Yang Xingyuan thought. These friends had always been good to him. Since they extended such kindness, it would be too ungracious to refuse outright. He said, "I can go. But I can only stay a short while before I have to leave early." Wu Bibo said, "As long as you show your face, staying a short while is fine." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Where is it? And who will be there?" Wu Bibo said, "The place is Pine and Bamboo House, at Mei Shuangfeng's home. The people are Qin Yanli, Shu Jiucheng, Fang Zijian, and two or three others you don't know well but would recognize. As for me, I'm one of the hosts, so no need to mention that." Yang Xingyuan said, "You're one of the hosts? Then I really should go." Wu Bibo chuckled. "Since you know I'm a host, you feel you should go. But what about when you yourself are a host?" Yang Xingyuan asked, "When have I ever been a host?" Wu Bibo said, "You've been a host, and you don't even know it? If you didn't know, you wouldn't have seen off a female guest." Yang Xingyuan said, "More nonsense. Miss Li and I are just ordinary friends. How can you call me a host?" Wu Bibo explained, "Can't you see off an ordinary friend? By 'host,' I don't mean you and Miss Li have any special relationship. I just mean you treated her as a guest and performed your duties as host." Yang Xingyuan laughed. "You sure know how to talk, taking such a roundabout way. Enough, enough, let's not say more. Let's go."
So, with Wu Bibo leading and Yang Xingyuan following, they went to Pine and Bamboo House. In the room, indeed, Shu Jiucheng, Fang Zijian, and others were already there. There were also two unfamiliar faces. After Wu Bibo's introduction, he recognized them too. Mei Shuangfeng, seeing Yang Xingyuan and knowing it was his first visit, came over to greet him and exchanged a few pleasantries. Yang Xingyuan saw she was only about eighteen or nineteen but quite pretty. Unfortunately, her strong Yangzhou accent somewhat diminished her charm. The room was rather chaotic at that moment. Qin Yanli was chatting with Fang Zijian on one side, while Shu Jiucheng was playing Go with another friend. Mei Shuangfeng busied herself, one moment filling Qin Yanli's pipe, the next pouring tea for Shu Jiucheng. Wu Bibo called out, laughing, "Hey! Fifth Sister, don't just bustle about. Come sit with me for a while." Mei Shuangfeng said, "I'm coming, what's the hurry?" With that, she walked over and sat down close to Wu Bibo. Wu Bibo said, "You're very busy today." Mei Shuangfeng said, "Busy with what? It's the same as always." Wu Bibo said, "With so many of us here, how can you attend to everyone alone? That's why I asked you to sit with me, to give you a rest." Mei Shuangfeng smiled. "Thank you. You're truly considerate."
Witnessing this, Yang Xingyuan felt rather uncomfortable and was about to stand up to leave when he heard loud footsteps and boisterous laughter from outside. Looking up, he saw a dark, burly man dressed in silk clothes. On his finger was a diamond ring, as big as a broad bean, sparkling under the electric light. Behind him followed another man, seemingly his bodyguard. As he entered, Qin Yanli was the first to stand, exclaiming with a laugh, "Oh! General Ma, what brings you here today?" The man, General Ma, laughed. "If you can come, why can't I? This place isn't reserved for you." Qin Yanli and the others all laughed. General Ma seemed familiar with everyone in the room, greeting them one by one. His eyes fell on Yang Xingyuan, a stranger. He asked Qin Yanli, "Who is this gentleman? I don't think we've met." Qin Yanli introduced him. "This is General Ma Xiaofeng." Then to Ma Xiaofeng, he said, "This is Mr. Yang Xingyuan." Ma Xiaofeng smiled broadly. "Mr. Yang, though we meet for the first time, your name is long known to me. I'm a rough military man. Being with you today, I hope you'll instruct me in the future." Saying this, he extended a large hand, gripped Yang Xingyuan's hand firmly, and shook it several times. Yang Xingyuan, feeling the excessive strength, was a bit uncomfortable but said, "You flatter me, General. If you have any questions in the future, just ask. If I know, I'll certainly tell." Ma Xiaofeng laughed heartily. "Mr. Yang is truly forthright. We hit it off like old friends. We must get closer later." He then took out a leather wallet, produced a calling card, and handed it to Yang Xingyuan. Yang Xingyuan took it and saw it listed numerous official titles. The first line read "General of Triple Might." The second, "Military Advisor of So-and-So." The third, "Frontier Defense Superintendent of So-and-So." The fourth, "Commander of the Baowei Army." The fifth, "Peacekeeping Commander of the Taizi River." Below these titles were the three characters "Ma Xiaofeng." Yang Xingyuan read it and smiled. "So General Ma holds so many concurrent posts. If I have any matters in the future, I must trouble you for guidance." Ma Xiaofeng said, "You jest, you jest. I'm a military man, what do I know? When we know each other better, you'll see I love making friends."
At this moment, Qin Yanli asked Ma Xiaofeng, "General Ma, did you come alone today?" Ma Xiaofeng said, "No, I brought someone. He's still outside. Hey! You can come in now." Before he finished, someone lifted the door curtain and entered. Yang Xingyuan looked and saw it was none other than the Fujianese man Jiang Dahua, with whom he had dined long ago at the Jiuhua Restaurant. Jiang Dahua first bowed deeply to Ma Xiaofeng, then retreated to the side. Ma Xiaofeng said to Qin Yanli, "This is Mr. Jiang, an old friend of mine. He held a minor post in government before and is now idle at home. I've brought him along and secured him a nominal position in my yamen, making him a member of my secretariat. Mr. Jiang is extremely honest and loyal. We get along well." Hearing this, Qin Yanli exchanged a few pleasantries with Jiang Dahua. Jiang Dahua remained extremely deferential, not daring to say much beyond formalities. Yang Xingyuan thought to himself. This Jiang Dahua, who used to be so unrestrained and flamboyant with Ling Songlu, had become a completely different person under Ma Xiaofeng's wing. It truly showed how the might of a military man could subdue anyone.
After chatting with everyone for a few moments, Ma Xiaofeng turned and saw Mei Shuangfeng. He smiled and said, "Fifth Sister, you're quite busy today." Mei Shuangfeng replied, "With General Ma here, how could I say I'm not busy?" Ma Xiaofeng laughed. "Well said. It shows I haven't doted on you for nothing. Come, sit with me." Mei Shuangfeng indeed went over and sat close to Ma Xiaofeng. Ma Xiaofeng asked, "I've been very busy these days, no time to come. Any news here?" Mei Shuangfeng said, "It's the same here every day. What news could there be?" Ma Xiaofeng said, "I heard you have a new girl here named Xiao Shanhu, quite lovely. Is she here today?" Mei Shuangfeng said, "She's here, in the small room. Should I call her for you, General?" Ma Xiaofeng said, "Call her, let me see." Mei Shuangfeng told the maid to fetch Xiao Shanhu. Soon, Xiao Shanhu arrived. She was only about sixteen or seventeen, yet quite pretty. Ma Xiaofeng took her hand, asked her a few questions, then said, "Just sit here for a while." Xiao Shanhu sat beside him, head bowed, fiddling with her handkerchief. Ma Xiaofeng said, "Why so shy? Be more open." With that, he pulled at her hand. Xiao Shanhu, pulled forward, nearly stumbled into Ma Xiaofeng's lap. She quickly twisted away, snatched her hand back, her face flushed crimson. Ma Xiaofeng roared with laughter. "This child is truly amusing."
Then, Qin Yanli said to Ma Xiaofeng with a smile, "General Ma is in high spirits today. Seems you plan to have a good time here." Ma Xiaofeng said, "Now that I'm here, of course I want to have fun. What about you all? Shall we call a couple more?" Qin Yanli said, "We're easy. Whatever you say, General." Ma Xiaofeng declared, "Then let's call a few more. More people, more fun." He ordered the maid to call all the girls from the Brothel. Before long, over a dozen arrived one after another. Ma Xiaofeng counted them-twelve in total. He laughed. "How perfect. Exactly the number of the Twelve Golden Hairpins. Let's gather around. We can make a full table and enjoy ourselves all night." They rearranged tables and chairs into a round banquet setting and sat in a circle. The girls each sat beside their respective patrons. Mei Shuangfeng sat next to Ma Xiaofeng, while Xiao Shanhu sat on his other side. Seeing this scene, Yang Xingyuan rose to take his leave. Wu Bibo grabbed his arm and said, "Why the hurry? Look how lively it is. Stay a while longer." Yang Xingyuan said, "There are so many of you here. My presence might be inconvenient." Wu Bibo said, "What inconvenience? It's all just a bit of fun." Yang Xingyuan insisted, "I'm truly not accustomed to this. Please forgive me." Seeing Yang Xingyuan was determined to leave, Wu Bibo had to let him go.
Yang Xingyuan left Pine and Bamboo House, took a rickshaw, and returned to the Guild Hall. He saw the clock on the table already read past one in the morning. Sitting in his chair, he thought of Li Dongqing's fleeting visit that day-here and gone in a rush. It seemed that even if he expressed his admiration fully, she would remain unmoved. Given this situation, perhaps it was better if she didn't see him. Why should he court further indifference? Thinking this, his heart turned cold, and the earlier excitement completely vanished. That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep well. The next morning, he rose feeling dizzy and unwell. In the afternoon, Wu Bibo came again. As soon as they met, he said, "You left too quickly yesterday. You missed all the fun later." Yang Xingyuan asked, "What happened?" Wu Bibo said, "After you left, Ma Xiaofeng ordered a lavish spread of food and wine, and everyone drank heavily. That Jiang Dahua, however, only had one cup of wine, complained of dizziness, and slipped out. He wasn't there when we broke up later. This morning, I ran into him on the road and asked where he spent the night. He said at a second-rate Teahouse. I asked him why he didn't just stay at the nice Brothel but went to a second-rate Teahouse instead. He laughed and told me he only had ten or twenty dollars on him. Expenses at the Brothel were high; he couldn't afford to stay. So he had to go to a second-rate Teahouse. I asked how much of that money he spent. He said only about five or six dollars. I asked how he managed to spend so little. He said he just stayed one night and had a light meal. Those Teahouse places don't overcharge much, so it was cheap. Hearing this, I couldn't help but laugh. I said, 'You accompany General Ma on his sprees, yet you yourself stay at a second-rate Teahouse. Who would believe that?' He said, 'Why wouldn't they? General Ma has plenty of money, so of course he can be extravagant. I'm a poor man. How can I compare? So we each go our own way.' Hearing him, I felt this man at least knew his limits, so I didn't press further."
Yang Xingyuan said, "That man was so unrestrained before. Now, under Ma Xiaofeng's wing, he's become a different person. It shows a person's character isn't fixed. It's enough if one knows to improve oneself." Wu Bibo said, "I think Ma Xiaofeng treats him no better than average. His caution is all about keeping his rice bowl." Yang Xingyuan said, "That's not necessarily so. Naturally, when we work, securing our livelihood is important. But when there's no other way, one has to accept it. Someone like Jiang Dahua is quite skilled at protecting his rice bowl." Wu Bipo said, "Let's not talk about this. I came today to invite you out. Central Park is open today. Let's go for a walk, shall we?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I haven't been feeling well these past couple of days. I really don't have the energy. Another time." Wu Bibo said, "The worse you feel, the more you need to go out and distract yourself. Sitting at home leads to brooding, which is worse." Yang Xingyuan said, "That makes sense. Alright, let's go."
So the two went to Central Park. Spring was already waning. The trees in the park were lush with green shade. After walking a while, they found an open bench under a grove of cypress trees and sat down. They saw clusters of visitors scattered here and there amidst the cloud-like greenery. Yang Xingyuan said, "Is the park always this crowded?" Wu Bibo said, "This is actually light. On Sundays, it's a veritable sea of people." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Central Park hasn't been open for many years. Why are there so many visitors?" Wu Bibo explained, "There are several reasons. First, within Beijing city walls, besides this park, there's no other proper place for recreation. Second, Beijing has many people with money and leisure time. With nowhere else to amuse themselves, they naturally come to the park."
Yang Xingyuan said, "Sitting here, all we see are visitors. What's the point, really?" Wu Bibo said, "If you want to see something interesting, there is." Pointing eastward, he said, "Look there." Yang Xingyuan followed his gesture and saw a man and a woman walking near the rockery beside the flower beds. The man was a young man wearing a serge long gown. The woman had a braid and wore a long gown with red flowers on a white background, over which was a black satin vest-clearly a female student. Head slightly lowered, she walked side by side with the man, talking intimately. Wu Bibo said, "Look at that pair. They must mean something to each other, right?" Yang Xingyuan smiled. "Not necessarily. Nowadays, it's quite common for male and female students to walk together." Wu Bibo said, "Though common, look how intimate they seem. Probably not just ordinary friends." Yang Xingyuan said, "Even if it is romance, it's nothing unusual." Wu Bibo grinned. "For you, such things are commonplace, of no consequence. But I find it quite interesting."
Just as they spoke, the young woman looked up. Yang Xingyuan saw it was none other than Shi Kelian. The man also looked familiar, but Yang Xingyuan couldn't recall where he'd seen him. Shi Kelian, seeing Yang Xingyuan, smiled and nodded as she walked past. Yang Xingyuan thought, "She really is lively, coming to stroll in the park again." Wu Bibo asked, "Do you know that female student?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Yes, she often visits our Guild Hall." Wu Bibo chuckled. "I think she's quite fond of you. She always smiles so sweetly whenever she sees you." Yang Xingyuan said, "Don't be silly. She's just being polite because I know her cousin. How can you say 'quite fond'?" Wu Bibo said, "Even if it's just politeness, why is she polite to you and not others?" Yang Xingyuan said, "By that logic, everyone who knows me must be quite fond of me." Wu Bibo said, "Not everyone. But I think this student definitely has a special feeling for you. If you don't believe me, pay attention later and you'll see." Yang Xingyuan said, "No need to wait. I can tell now. Her feelings for me are just ordinary friendship. But look at how intimately she walked with that man earlier. That might be something more."
Wu Bibo asked, "Do you know who that man is?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I feel I've seen him somewhere, but I can't remember." Wu Bibo said, "Naturally you can't. He's also a student at our school. His name is Yu Mengxia, a renowned talent. He publishes many poems and lyrics in the newspapers." Yang Xingyuan said, "Oh, it's him. I often see his work in the papers. Since he knows Shi Kelian, I wonder what their relationship is." Wu Bibo said, "Yu Mengxia often writes letters to female students. His love letters are said to be excellent. Probably Shi Kelian is one of his correspondents." Yang Xingyuan said, "If they are just pen pals, why are they so intimate?" Wu Bibo said, "A little intimacy is fine. Young men and women nowadays view social interaction between genders as very ordinary, not as restrained as before." Yang Xingyuan said, "That's true. But Shi Kelian doesn't strike me as a very romantic person. Her relationship with Yu Mengxia might not be that simple." Wu Bibo laughed. "Let's not dwell on it. After all, it's someone else's business. Why should we care so much?"
Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan could say no more. But thinking of Li Dongqing, he felt Shi Kelian and Yu Mengxia's behavior was improper. For someone as strait-laced as Li Dongqing to have such a romantic cousin was truly unexpected. Yet he couldn't mention this to Wu Bibo, so he kept it to himself. Wu Bibo said, "Sitting here isn't very interesting. Let's walk somewhere else." Yang Xingyuan said, "I really don't feel like it. I think I'll head back." Wu Bibo said, "It's still early. What's the hurry?" Yang Xingyuan said, "It's not that I'm busy. I just find it terribly dull here." Seeing his insistence, Wu Bibo had to agree, and they left the park together.
Back at the Guild Hall, the custodian delivered a letter. Opening it, Yang Xingyuan saw it was from Li Dongqing. It read:
Esteemed Mr. Xingyuan, My visit yesterday was most pleasant, thanks to our delightful conversation. I had intended to call again for further counsel. However, my mother wishes to travel south, and I must accompany her to Tianjin. The journey will likely delay me three to five days before I can return to the capital. All other matters must wait until we meet again. I write specifically to inform you. With utmost respect,
After reading the letter, Yang Xingyuan thought: If she was going to Tianjin, why didn't she mention it yesterday? Probably decided on the spur of the moment. Her departure is fine. It allows me to think calmly. What attitude should I ultimately adopt toward her? Continuing this ambiguous, neither-here-nor-there situation is painful for me, and likely not pleasant for her either. I might as well seize this opportunity to make a firm decision and distance myself from her from now on. Thinking this, he casually tucked Li Dongqing's letter into a book, intending not to look at it again.
Yet that evening, sitting alone under the lamp, he couldn't help but think of Li Dongqing again. He felt that regarding this trip to Tianjin, she should have told him before and after. Leaving like this, without a word, clearly indicated she was being cold toward him. Since she was cold, why should he fawn over her? From now on, he needn't associate with her anymore. Though he thought this, his heart felt as if a matter were left unsettled, or as if he had lost something. He felt restless whether sitting or standing.
Then his thoughts suddenly turned to Shi Kelian. He thought, Shi Kelian was innocent and lively, quite lovely. And she seemed well-disposed toward him. Why not seek her out for a chat? But then another thought struck him. Though Shi Kelian was nice, she was Li Dongqing's cousin. If he grew close to her and Li Dongqing found out, she would distance herself from him even more. Wouldn't that be a case of the gain not worth the loss? Thinking this, he dismissed the idea of approaching Shi Kelian.
That night, Yang Xingyuan's heart felt like seventeen or eight buckets drawing water from a well-in constant turmoil. He couldn't sleep properly all night. The next morning, he slept a little more and didn't rise until noon. After lunch, he planned to go to the newspaper office. But just as he stepped out the main gate, he ran right into Shi Kelian. She was carrying a cloth bundle, looking as if she were going on a long trip. Yang Xingyuan asked, "Miss Shi, where are you off to?" Shi Kelian said, "I'm going to Tianjin." Yang Xingyuan said, "Oh! To Tianjin. Which train are you taking?" Shi Kelian said, "The three o'clock slow train." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Is your relative, Miss Li, taking the same train?" Shi Kelian said, "Yes, my cousin is already waiting for me at the station." Yang Xingyuan said, "Your cousin has already left?" Shi Kelian said, "She left yesterday." Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan was stunned. He thought: Li Dongqing left yesterday? But her letter said she was leaving today. There must be another reason. But he couldn't ask Shi Kelian about it. He merely said, "Well, goodbye then." Shi Kelian said, "Mr. Yang, are you free? If you are, could you see me off at the station?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Certainly. I'll go with you now."
So Yang Xingyuan hailed a rickshaw and went with Shi Kelian to the station. In the first-class waiting room, they found Li Dongqing. She had changed her clothes, wearing a dark serge lined jacket and a black skirt, looking even more dignified. Seeing Yang Xingyuan, she stood up with a smile. "How is it you've come too?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I ran into Miss Shi and learned you were departing today, so I came specifically to see you off." Li Dongqing said, "I really don't deserve such trouble." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Why are you leaving in such a hurry, Miss Li? Couldn't you stay a few more days?" Li Dongqing said, "My mother has some business in Tianjin and asked me to go. So I must leave." Yang Xingyuan said, "I see. When do you plan to return to the capital, Miss Li?" Li Dongqing said, "Probably in about a week."
They were still talking when the station bell rang, urging well-wishers to leave the train. Yang Xingyuan shook Li Dongqing's hand, said "Goodbye," nodded to Shi Kelian, and stepped off the train. Standing on the platform, he watched as the train slowly started forward. He saw Li Dongqing and Shi Kelian both lean out the window, waving to him. The train picked up speed. In the blink of an eye, it was out of sight.
Yang Xingyuan stood dumbly on the platform, gazing in the direction the train had gone, lost in thought. He reflected: Though Li Dongqing said she was going south to Tianjin, Tianjin was very close to Beijing. Why did she have to leave so urgently? Moreover, her letter to me yesterday said she was leaving today. How could she have left yesterday? Clearly, she didn't want to see me, so she left quietly. This showed she was outright rejecting me. If I continued to entangle myself with her, wouldn't I be utterly tactless? From now on, I shall act as if I never knew her.
With this thought, he walked out of the station dejectedly, hailed a rickshaw, and returned home. That night, he resolved firmly to cease all contact with Li Dongqing. Apart from official business, he wouldn't even step outside his gate. He simply stayed in the Guild Hall, reading books and playing dominoes, finding a certain peace and quiet.