Explore Chapter 5 of '啼笑因缘' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
The nurse’s remark to Xiugu-'That must be your Jia Baoyu!'-startled Guan Shoufeng awake, and he demanded to know whose ‘Baoyu’ she meant. Just as Xiugu was growing anxious, the nurse calmly smiled and said, ‘It’s just a paste gem I found and gave her to play with. She lost it, and a moment ago, when I saw a shard of porcelain under the table, I thought it was that paste gem.’ Shoufeng laughed. ‘So that’s what it was. The way you both sounded so alarmed gave me quite a fright.’ Seeing that her father was no longer paying attention, Xiugu finally settled her nerves. She stood up and pretended to tidy things on the table, putting the book down. From then on, she dared not read novels in her father’s presence.
From that day on, Shoufeng’s illness gradually improved. Fan Jiashu’s visits became less frequent. Reflecting on it, Shoufeng thought that this bout of illness had already cost the young man a great deal of money. He felt too embarrassed to remain in the hospital any longer. He informed the doctor of his decision to leave at the end of the week. The doctor had initially wanted him to stay a while longer for recuperation. Shoufeng explained that all his medical expenses had been covered by a friend, and he did not wish to impose further. The doctor saw his point and agreed. Coincidentally, during those few days, Fan Jiashu did not come to the hospital. On the final day, Xiugu settled the accounts at the administration office and received some change. She then hired a rickshaw, and father and daughter returned home. By the time Fan Jiashu came to the hospital to visit, the Guan family had already been discharged for two days.
Now, on the day Fan Jiashu went to the hospital, he happened to run into the near-sighted nurse. She smiled at him first. ‘Mr. Fan! Why haven’t you come for the past two days?’ Her question seemed abrupt to Fan Jiashu. He wondered if the Guan father and daughter were displeased with his absence. In truth, it wasn’t a lack of courtesy on his part. He felt Shoufeng had genuinely recovered and saw no need for hollow social calls. As he pondered this, the nurse smiled again. ‘I’m sure Miss Guan understands perfectly. Still, Mr. Fan, you really ought to pay them a visit at home.’ Although Fan Jiashu sensed the nurse had misunderstood, he thought it unimportant and did not bother to correct her.
Leaving the hospital, Fan Jiashu thought it was still early. True to the nurse’s suggestion, he headed towards Houmen and the Guan residence. Xiugu was outside the main gate buying vegetables. Looking up suddenly, she took a step back in surprise and smiled. ‘Mr. Fan! I’m so sorry. We moved out of the hospital without notifying you.’ Fan Jiashu replied, ‘Uncle, you are too polite. Since I arranged for his admission, what difference do a few last days make? I’ve been terribly busy these past days and couldn’t visit Uncle Guan at the hospital. I feel very much at fault. I came specifically to apologize.’ Hearing this, Xiugu’s face flushed. She lowered her head and smiled. ‘No, no, you’ve misunderstood completely. We were the ones feeling uneasy. As long as he could recuperate at home, there was no need to stay in the hospital. Please, come inside.’ As she spoke, she led the way. Hearing Fan Jiashu’s voice from inside the room, Guan Shoufeng called out first, ‘Oh my! Is that Mr. Fan? This is too much honor.’
Entering the room, Fan Jiashu saw him propped up against a stack of quilts, sitting at the head of the bed. He looked much more vigorous. Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘You really are better, Uncle. But how is your appetite now?’ Shoufeng nodded. ‘I’m slowly recovering. It’s truly rare to find a brother like you who saved this old life of mine. When I’m fully well, I must…’ Fan Jiashu interrupted with a smile, ‘Uncle! We already agreed not to talk about repayment or gratitude. Why bring it up again?’ Xiugu said, ‘Mr. Fan, you must understand my father. He says whatever is on his mind. If you don’t let him speak it out, he’ll feel stifled and even more distressed.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘In that case, Uncle, say whatever you wish. It’s not good for someone just recovered to keep things bottled up. It’s better to let you speak your mind.’
Shoufeng gathered his thoughts for a moment, stroking his long-untrimmed beard. He gave a faint smile. ‘I have a couple of things to say. But let’s not speak of them now. Wait until I can get out of bed.’ Hearing her father’s evasive words, Xiugu found it very strange. Moreover, since falling ill, this was the first time her father had smiled. There must be something more to this. As this thought occurred to her, a flush of shyness rose to her cheeks. Feeling too embarrassed to remain in the room, she went outside. Fan Jiashu also felt Shoufeng’s words were somewhat awkward. The fact that Xiugu, upon hearing them, had deliberately left made the implication even clearer. He chatted with Shoufeng for a while longer, offered a few more words of comfort, and then took his leave. Xiugu had been standing in the courtyard. Using the pretext of closing the main gate, she escorted Fan Jiashu out. Not daring to protest too much, Fan Jiashu merely nodded and walked straight out.
Returning home, Fan Jiashu wondered why Guan Shoufeng had spoken that way today. No wonder his cousin said he was fond of the man’s daughter. Even the father himself seemed to have such thoughts now. As for Xiugu, it was different. From the moment she first saw him, she seemed not without affection. Now, with him helping her father so much, it was only natural for her to misunderstand further. Fortunately, Shoufeng’s illness was now completely cured. It wouldn’t matter if he didn’t visit anymore. From now on, it was best to keep a slight distance from the father and daughter. Otherwise, his good intentions might be misconstrued as having ulterior motives. Then again, Xiugu’s expression did hold a certain tenderness towards him. Little did she know about his current circumstances! Thinking of this, he could not help himself. He took out the photograph Feng Xi had given him from within a book and held it in his hands. Looking at Feng Xi’s smiling, sidelong gaze, he felt her charming, delightful manner was something Xiugu’s simple, earnest demeanor could not match. Once she attended school and acquired a bit more modern refinement, she would be even better. If he could nurture her like this with his own hands, it would truly be recognizing talent before its time. Later, when she became more knowledgeable, she would naturally be even more grateful. This line of thinking filled him with self-satisfaction. He could no longer sit still in his room. He straightened his hair before the mirror, then took a rickshaw to Shuiche Hutong.
By now, Feng Xi’s home had been tidied up quite cleanly. Feng Xi had changed into a slim, narrow-cut gown with a white background and a blue mandarin duck check pattern. Leaning against the doorframe, she gazed absently at the white clouds in the sky. Looking down, she suddenly saw Fan Jiashu and laughed. ‘Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come today, that you’d wait until after I moved to the new place?’ Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘I had nothing to do at home. I thought of inviting you out for some fun.’ Feng Xi said, ‘My mother and uncle have gone to the new place to clean up. I have to mind the house. You’ve endured discomfort here more than once. Luckily, we move tomorrow, so it’s only for today. Just stay and chat with me here. Don’t bother going all the way to the park.’ Fan Jiashu teased, ‘There’s not a soul at home with you. You dare to let me stay?’ Feng Xi spat playfully and pulled out the long handkerchief tucked under her arm, shaking it at him a few times. Fan Jiashu said, ‘I’m serious. What do you think?’ Feng Xi retorted, ‘You’re not a robber coming to steal anything. Besides, even if I am alone, there’s nothing worth stealing. In broad daylight, what’s the harm in letting you sit here a while!’ Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘You say you’re alone, but there is a kind of robber who specializes in stealing people. Haven’t you, a drum-song performer, ever sung tales about abducting the bride of the bandit chief?’ Feng Xi twisted her body. ‘I’m not talking to you anymore.’ With that, she jumped into the inner room. Fan Jiashu also said, ‘Are you really afraid of me? Why run?’ Saying this, he followed her inside.
The old broken table in the room had long been replaced with a new one. Today, a white tablecloth had been added. The old quilts on the kang had been discarded, and all the new bedding was covered with a large white cloth sheet. Fan Jiashu asked, ‘What’s all this for? You’re moving tomorrow. Why go to all this trouble to make everything spotless today?’ Feng Xi smiled. ‘Whenever you come here, you always say it’s unhygienic. We wash, we scrub, we change things, but you’re still not quite pleased. Yesterday you told my mother that hospitals are truly sanitary, how everything is white. My mother took your words to heart. Today she rushed out to buy white cloth to cover everything. For the new place, I originally wanted the bed and wooden furniture in red. But believing you, I went today to change the order to white paint.’ Fan Jiashu chuckled. ‘That’s a bit like scratching an itch through one’s boot-missing the mark but showing earnest effort.’ Feng Xi stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve. ‘Hah! That won’t do. You’re using fancy talk to insult me.’ As she spoke, she pouted and twisted her body a few times. Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘I wasn’t insulting anyone. I meant your family really listens to what I say.’ Feng Xi said, ‘Naturally! Now my whole family depends on you for our livelihood. How could we not listen? But thinking carefully about all the benefits I’ve received from you, I feel troubled again. According to you, your late father was a high official. You still have a bank in Tianjin. Your family status is so lofty. How can someone like me, a drum-song performer, possibly be a match?’ Saying this, she sat down by a chair, lowered her head, reached back to play with the end of her braid. Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘I don’t quite understand your words. What do you mean by ‘a match’?’ Feng Xi shot him a glance, then looked down again. ‘Don’t play dumb. You’re picked from among the clever ones. How can you not understand?’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘I understand clearly enough. But my father passed away long ago. What does being a high official matter now? My uncle is just a manager at the bank in Tianjin, working for others, not particularly wealthy. Even if he were, we are uncle and nephew. Who controls whom? The reason I want you to study is partly to increase your knowledge, but also to elevate your status. Only, don’t forget me once you’ve studied well and raised your status.’ Feng Xi smiled. ‘To be honest, our family truly regards you as a deity. Look how they fawn over you, truly afraid you might be the least bit displeased. As for me, even more so. My whole life depends on you now. How could I ever forget you! Never mind raising my status; even if it is raised, it’s entirely thanks to you. People’s hearts are made of flesh. Now I can avoid having to appear in public to earn a living. It’s like ascending to heaven in one step. Where could I find such a benefactor, even with a lantern? Do you really think I’m such a fool that I don’t understand this much?’
Feng Xi’s words were spoken with great sincerity. Fan Jiashu saw her lowered head, looking at the tips of her crossed, swaying feet. He stepped close to her and gently stroked her hair. ‘Those are indeed heartfelt words. I believe them very much. As long as you remain like this always, I don’t mind spending the money. How much is left of the two hundred dollars I gave you?’ Feng Xi looked at Fan Jiashu and smiled. ‘Your uncle runs a bank. You should know how much money covers how much. Buying clothes, shopping, moving house-do you think much could be left?’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘I thought it might not be enough. I’ll get some more funds for you from the bank tomorrow.’ Noticing Feng Xi’s upturned face, fragrant with powder, he caressed her cheek. Feng Xi smiled and motioned with her lips towards the doorway. Fan Jiashu looked back. It was the newly made door curtain, rolled up high. He couldn’t help but laugh too.
After a while, Feng Xi’s uncle returned. He was the one who played the three-stringed lute at the Altar of Agriculture. His original name was Shen Shangde. But all the neighbors in this alley called him Shen Sanxianzi (‘Shen Three-Strings’). Finding four characters too cumbersome, they shortened it to Shen Sanxian. Over time, people changed it to Shen Sanxuan. The implication was that for his three great needs-food, drink, and opium-he was in constant want. However, for the past half month, with Fan Jiashu, this God of Wealth, providing relief, Shen Sanxuan had become Shen Sanle (‘Shen Three-Joys’). Today, after cleaning at the new place for half a day, he felt tired. He asked his sister-in-law Auntie Shen for some money for opium. Auntie Shen said she had given him a dollar yesterday and couldn’t give more today. So he ran back, planning to negotiate with his niece. Reaching the outer room, he saw the inner room’s door curtain was already down and thought it improper to enter. He first coughed a couple of times outside the curtain. Feng Xi said, ‘Is that you, Uncle? How’s the cleaning over there? Mr. Fan is here.’ Shen Sanxuan called out ‘Mr. Fan’ from behind the curtain and did not come in.
Feng Xi lifted the door curtain. Shen Sanxuan smiled. ‘Niece! My ‘black meal’ is cut off again today. Could you help me out?’ Fan Jiashu spoke up. ‘I think you should quit this opium habit. These days, even getting food is a problem. How can you afford to add opium on top of that?’ Shen Sanxuan nodded, speaking softly. ‘You’re right. I’ve been planning to quit for a long time.’ Fan Jiashu chuckled. ‘All addicts are like that. The moment you mention quitting, they say they’ve been meaning to. But they say it a thousand, ten thousand times, then turn around and smoke just the same.’ Shen Sanxuan saw Fan Jiashu’s disapproving look. Feng Xi sat on the edge of the kang, her left leg over her right, arms crossed hugging her knees, her little cheeks puffed out tight as drums. Seeing this expression, Shen Sanxuan knew asking for money was out of the question. He could only make small talk with someone in the courtyard and then walked away.
Fan Jiashu looked at Feng Xi and whispered with a smile, ‘What a nuisance. Of all times, he had to come back just then.’ Feng Xi also smiled. ‘Don’t talk nonsense. If he heard, who knows what he’d think we were doing!’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘From the look of him, he probably wanted money. Will you…’ Feng Xi interrupted, ‘Ignore him. What have my mother and I done to wrong him? With his abilities, getting addicted to both opium and drink, we should have been destitute long ago. Now he says my knowing you is all his功劳. And his temper has grown with it. Lately, a dollar a day isn’t even enough for him. The future is long. Do you think we can keep indulging him?’ Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘I used to think you were just clever. Now I see you understand the bigger picture very well. You’ll manage a household excellently in the future.’ Feng Xi shot him a glance. ‘You’re starting to talk improperly again.’ Fan Jiashu smiled and turned his face slightly, but before he could reply, Feng Xi exclaimed ‘Oh!’ She pulled out a handkerchief from her person, stepped forward, and pressed it against Fan Jiashu’s arm. ‘Bend your head down a bit.’
Just as Fan Jiashu was about to lower his head, Feng Xi’s mother, Auntie Shen, stepped into the room. Feng Xi shrank back, and Fan Jiashu also felt somewhat embarrassed. Auntie Shen said, ‘The other place is all cleaned up. We move tomorrow. Mr. Fan, when you come to our house tomorrow, there will be a proper place to sit. But then again, moving tomorrow will probably be a mess. The day after should be fine. Or, if you come first thing the day after, you’ll definitely be pleased.’ Fan Jiashu smiled at her words. Yet he still felt rather unnatural and found nothing to say. After sitting a moment longer, he said, ‘You must have packing to do. I shouldn’t disturb you here any longer.’ With that, he took his hat, put it on, and stood up to leave.
Seeing he was about to leave, Feng Xi grew very anxious. She repeatedly beckoned to him, waving her hand. ‘Don’t hurry! At least wipe your face before you go. Look, look! Oh dear, look!’ Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘Why should I wipe my face for no reason when going home?’ Saying this, he had already stepped into the outer room. Feng Xi pushed her mother several times. ‘Mother! Tell him to wipe his face before leaving.’ Auntie Shen also laughed. ‘You silly girl, always making fun of Mr. Fan. I’ll slap you! Mr. Fan, please go ahead. Don’t mind her.’ Fan Jiashu thought Feng Xi was just in high spirits today. He indeed paid her no heed and went straight home.
At dinner time, Fan Jiashu sat at the head of the table, with Tao Bohe and his wife on either side. Mrs. Tao, while eating, suddenly giggled, turning her head aside and spraying rice grains all over the carpet. Tao Bohe asked, ‘What suddenly struck you as so funny?’ Mrs. Tao smiled. ‘Come over to my side, and I’ll tell you.’ Tao Bohe said, ‘Can’t you just tell me like this? Why must I come over?’ Mrs. Tao laughed. ‘There’s a reason. If I’m tricking you, you can punish me any way you like later.’
Hearing his wife say this, Tao Bohe indeed put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked over. Mrs. Tao nudged her lips towards Fan Jiashu’s face and smiled. ‘Look, what’s that?’ Tao Bohe looked. There were six red marks on Fan Jiashu’s left cheek. Each pair of crescent-shaped marks were printed one above the other. The six red marks made exactly three pairs. Tao Bohe smiled at his wife. ‘So that’s it.’ Noticing the couple staring at his face, Fan Jiashu touched it with his hand but felt nothing unusual. He smiled. ‘Don’t speak in riddles. What’s on my face? Tell me plainly.’ Mrs. Tao smiled. ‘Shall we tell you plainly? Or should you tell us plainly? Actually, if I were to speak plainly, I’d feel rather embarrassed.’ She then went into her room, quickly brought out a mirror, and handed it to Fan Jiashu. ‘Look for yourself. How should I know what’s on your face?’ Fan Jiashu took the mirror and looked. Instantly, his face flushed crimson, all the way to the back of his ears. Mrs. Tao chuckled. ‘What kind of marks are they? Tell us, tell us.’ After a pause, Fan Jiashu had thought of a response. He smiled. ‘Is that all? They’re just some red ink spots. What’s so strange? Probably got on my face while I was writing.’ Tao Bohe said, ‘Ink from a bottle might stain your hands at most. How could it get on your face?’ Fan Jiashu replied, ‘If it can stain hands, naturally it can transfer from hands to face.’ Tao Bohe said, ‘That logic is sound. But I wonder if the red ink is still on your hands?’ This question alerted Fan Jiashu. He laughed. ‘What a coincidence. I already wiped the red marks off my hands. Only the ones on my face remain.’ Hearing this, Tao Bohe simply laughed. He was about to say something else when Mrs. Tao, sitting opposite, shook her head repeatedly. Tao Bohe understood his wife’s meaning and did not continue.
Immediately, Fan Jiashu put down his rice bowl and hurried back to his room. Looking in the mirror, he saw several vivid red marks. Rubbing them with his finger, they were stuck fast and would not come off. Liu Fu brought in washing water. Fan Jiashu, covering his face with one hand, searched all over the room for soap. Liu Fu asked, ‘What are you looking for, young master? Did you scrape your skin? Looking for a plaster?’ Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘Yes, that’s it. You may go. With two people here, my mind is in a whirl. It makes finding things even harder.’ Liu Fu put down the water and left. Fan Jiashu found the soap and washed his face before the mirror, scrubbing at the red marks. Just then, Mrs. Tao’s trusted maid, Nanny Wang, entered, holding a porcelain teacup in her hands. She smiled. ‘Young master, our mistress asked me to bring you a cup of vinegar. She said if rouge sticks to skin and won’t wash off, rubbing a little vinegar will make it come right off.’ Fan Jiashu heard this and was at a loss for words for quite a while. This Nanny Wang was a woman in her twenties. Her hair was always sleekly combed, her round face always powdered. Having always worked in the upper rooms, she was shy around men. Now, sent by her mistress on this errand, she felt very awkward. Fan Jiashu, too embarrassed to say anything, simply remained silent. She turned and left. Fan Jiashu finally managed to scrub off the rouge. Too embarrassed to go out again, and since it was already late, he simply went to bed. The next morning at breakfast, he still felt awkward. Fortunately, Tao Bohe and his wife did not mention the incident at all, though Mrs. Tao wore a slight smile.
After breakfast, Fan Jiashu imagined Feng Xi’s family was in the midst of moving. He wanted to go see but feared arousing his cousin and wife’s suspicions. He had to pick up a book and read idly in his room. Preoccupied, he could not concentrate on reading. He sat at the desk and wrote a few letters. Lingering until afternoon, he thought again about Feng Xi’s new place, which must be all arranged by now. This would be the best time to visit. If anything was not properly arranged, he could correct it immediately. However, judging from his cousin and wife’s attitude, they seemed to watch his every step. If he went out, he would inevitably face their speculations upon return. Feeling shy and unable to compose himself, he decided not to go after all. He was tormenting himself with this dilemma. As dusk approached, a sliver of sunlight from the corner of the house shone diagonally on the eastern whitewashed wall. The upper half of the wisteria trellis seemed lightly brushed with a layer of gold lacquer, while the lower half remained gloomy. Numerous potted plants arranged on the ground had just been watered with a sprinkling can, looking exceptionally charming and emitting a fresh, fragrant scent. Fan Jiashu paced back and forth under the corridor between two vermilion pillars. Liu Fu came in from outside and asked, ‘Young master! Why haven’t you gone out today?’ Fan Jiashu smiled and nodded, saying nothing. It suddenly struck him: Yes, I go out every day. Not going out today precisely because of last night’s lipstick marks would only make the trace more obvious. I might as well go out as usual, acting completely unconcerned. Then they might not see anything amiss. So he changed clothes, put on his hat, and set off for Feng Xi’s new place.
This was the house Fan Jiashu had selected-a small, self-contained courtyard. The two bright rooms and one inner room facing north were arranged thus: one was Auntie Shen’s bedroom, one Feng Xi’s bedroom, leaving the central room as Feng Xi’s study. The two outer rooms in the east and west wings housed Shen Sanxuan and the kitchen respectively. It was not at all cramped. In the courtyard were two pagoda trees as large as the eaves. At this time, their newly sprouted tender green leaves covered the entire trees, casting a green shade on the ground. A few branches displayed one or two newly bloomed white flowers, exuding a delicate fragrance. Exiting the alley led directly to a main street. Not far away stood a Women's Vocational School. Feng Xi had already enrolled and paid the fees there. Now, arriving at the place, Fan Jiashu saw a stretch of white wall outside, with a cluster of green leaves peeking over the top. Two small vermilion lacquered doors were shut in the middle of the white wall. It looked quite charming. Fan Jiashu knocked. Hearing a series of pattering footsteps inside, the door opened to reveal Feng Xi standing there with a beaming smile. Fan Jiashu said, ‘You didn’t expect me today, did you?’ Feng Xi replied, ‘The moment you knocked, I knew it was you. That’s why I came to open the door myself. Yesterday I asked you to wipe your face before leaving. Why didn’t you listen?’ Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘You’re complaining about me? Why did you have so much lipstick on your mouth?’ Before he could finish, Feng Xi turned and hurried inside. Fan Jiashu followed her in.
Auntie Shen emerged from the north room with a smile. ‘What’s got you two so merry? Laughing all the way from outside.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘You’ve moved house. I should offer congratulations. Why shouldn’t we be happy?’ As he spoke, he entered the north room. It was indeed furnished anew. Without hesitation, Auntie Shen raised the curtain on the right side high with one hand, indicating for Fan Jiashu to enter. Without a second thought, he went in. The room was freshly papered, bright as snow. Just as Feng Xi had said yesterday, it was furnished entirely with white-lacquered furniture. Above stood an imitation iron bed, also painted white. The bedding was white cloth too, only covered with a small red woolen blanket. Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘Since everything is white, why is this blanket red?’ Auntie Shen smiled. ‘Young people all love a bit of red and green. Besides, I have another meaning in this. A clever person like you shouldn’t fail to understand.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘I’m too dense. If you don’t tell me, I won’t get it. What other meaning is there?’ Auntie Shen was about to speak when Feng Xi rushed in from the outer room, exclaiming, ‘Mother! Don’t say it.’ Seeing her enter, Auntie Shen let the curtain fall and walked away. Feng Xi asked, ‘Well, how do you like it? Is the room clean?’ Fan Jiashu smiled. ‘You’re too comfortable now. Having your own room, your own bed-it’s a world of difference from before. How will you thank me?’ Feng Xi lowered her head, straightening the bedsheet. She smiled. ‘Sleeping in this small wooden bed isn’t so special now. I’ll thank you properly when you give me a big brass bed later.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘That’s easy enough. Only, I don’t quite understand ‘so special.’ How is a brass bed more special?’ Feng Xi said, ‘What’s not to understand? It’s just more comfortable, that’s all. Don’t say any more. If you do, I’ll get angry.’ She glanced at Fan Jiashu and pursed her lips into a smile.
Fan Jiashu looked around the walls and smiled. ‘The papering is clean, but it’s a bit bare. Let me find some things to decorate it for you.’ Feng Xi said, ‘I only want one thing. You can arrange the rest.’ Fan Jiashu asked, ‘What one thing? How much will it cost?’ Feng Xi said, ‘You really deserve a scolding for that. Do you think I only ask you for expensive things?’ Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘My mistake. I thought you wanted to buy some valuable antique or painting, not that you wanted money.’ Feng Xi said, ‘Antiques and paintings can’t compare! This thing only you have. I don’t know if you’ll grant me the honor?’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘Something only I have? What could that be? I can’t think of it. Let me guess.’ Fan Jiashu crossed his arms and tilted his head, about to ponder, when Feng Xi laughed. ‘Don’t guess wildly. I’ll tell you. I’ve seen several sisters whose rooms have an enlarged photograph displayed. I want a large photograph of you to hang in this room. Is that alright?’ Fan Jiashu never expected her solemn request to be this. He laughed. ‘So that’s what you meant. Of course, of course.’ Feng Xi smiled. ‘When we lived in Shuiche Hutong, I didn’t dare ask. That dirty room-hanging your photo would have made even me uneasy. Now we’ve moved here. It’s much cleaner. Half of it can be said to be your home…’ Here Feng Xi shrugged her shoulders and stuck out her tongue. ‘Oops, I said something wrong.’ Auntie Shen chimed in from outside, ‘What’s wrong with that? Everything here, inside and out, was paid for by Mr. Fan. Can’t we say he has a half share? Best if it were all Mr. Fan’s. Child, I only fear you don’t have that much good fortune.’ She finished with a hearty laugh. Fan Jiashu heard this and did not know how to respond. Feng Xi tugged at his lapel, winking and grimacing. Fan Jiashu smiled happily, feeling an indescribable pleasure.
From that day on, the Shen family practically treated Fan Jiashu as one of their own, allowing him to come and go freely. Fan Jiashu had already agreed on terms with Auntie Shen: Feng Xi would study from now on and not perform. Besides covering Feng Xi’s tuition, Fan Jiashu would provide fifty dollars monthly for the Shen family’s household expenses. Shen Sanxuan could eat and drink at home. If he went out to perform on his own, that was his business. But he was not to bring any unsavory friends home. Auntie Shen added, ‘He’s inherently lazy. With food, drink, and a place to stay, why would he go to Tianqiao (the ‘Heavenly Bridge’) to earn those thirty or fifty coppers?’ Fan Jiashu thought her words reasonable and set his mind at ease.
A few days later, Feng Xi had several student-style dresses made. Fan Jiashu personally escorted her to the remedial class at the Women's Vocational School. He gave her a new school name: ‘Feng Xi’. The school operated half-day study, half-day needlework, originally set up for women who had missed schooling or sought employment. So Feng Xi was not considered particularly old there. She already knew some characters and could manage the lessons. However, after attending a few days, she clamored for Fan Jiashu to buy her several things: first, a wristwatch; second, two-piece high-heeled shoes; third, a white silk scarf. She said all her classmates had them, so she couldn’t be without. Fan Jiashu, thinking it her first days at school and not wanting her to lose face or dampen her enthusiasm, bought them all. Two days later, Feng Xi asked for two more things: a fountain pen and tortoiseshell-framed glasses. Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘You haven’t even learned all the English alphabet. What do you need a fountain pen for? That aside, you’re neither nearsighted nor farsighted. Why wear glasses when your sight is perfectly fine?’ Feng Xi said, ‘A fountain pen writes Chinese characters just as well. The glasses can be plain glass. You don’t need bad eyesight to wear them.’ Fan Jiashu chuckled. ‘Needless to say, your classmates all have them, so you must have them too. As long as you study well, I don’t mind this. I’ll buy them for you. Is there anything else your classmates have that you don’t? Say it all at once, so I can get everything together.’ Feng Xi smiled. ‘There is one thing. But I’m afraid you might not approve.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘Approval is one matter. Just tell me what it is first.’ Feng Xi said, ‘I’ve noticed seven or eight out of ten classmates wear gold rings. I’d like to wear one too.’
Fan Jiashu gazed at her face for a long moment, then smiled. ‘Tell me, which finger should it be worn on? Wearing it wrong could cause quite a laugh.’ Feng Xi said, ‘What’s so hard to understand?’ As she spoke, she stuck out her little finger and hooked it. ‘On this finger, of course. What could be wrong with that?’ Fan Jiashu asked, ‘What does that signify? Explain.’ Feng Xi said, ‘If you insist, I’ll say it. It means celibacy.’ Fan Jiashu asked, ‘What’s celibacy?’ Feng Xi lowered her head and ran out of the room. From outside, she said, ‘Forget buying things for me then. Why keep asking? It’s so embarrassing.’ Fan Jiashu smiled at Auntie Shen. ‘My tuition money isn’t wasted after all. After just a few days of school, Feng Xi has already learned such tricks.’ Auntie Shen merely said, ‘These are modern times,’ and giggled.
The next day happened to be a Sunday. After lunch, Fan Jiashu invited Feng Xi to go shopping. They bought the fountain pen and plain glasses, then went to a gold and jewelry shop and bought her a solid gold ring. She put on the glasses immediately. The fountain pen was clipped to her jacket with a pen holder. Only the gold ring she kept on her person, not wearing it. Fan Jiashu escorted her home. The first thing he asked was why she wasn’t wearing the ring. Feng Xi was talking with Fan Jiashu in her room. Auntie Shen, as usual, made herself scarce. This time, Feng Xi took Fan Jiashu’s hand. ‘You understand everything. Surely you’re not playing dumb about this?’ She handed him the small ring box and stretched her left hand directly before him, smiling. ‘Put it on for me.’ Fan Jiashu smiled and replied, ‘As you wish.’ Holding Feng Xi’s hand with his left, he pinched the ring with two fingers of his right hand. Raising it, he asked Feng Xi, ‘Which finger should it be?’ Feng Xi smiled, lifted her ring finger, and pursed her lips. ‘This one.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘You’re confused. Just yesterday you were talking about celibacy. Is celibacy worn on the ring finger?’ Feng Xi said, ‘I know perfectly well. It’s you who’s confused. If it were for the little finger, why would I ask you to put it on for me?’ Fan Jiashu took her ring finger and gently slipped the ring onto it. Gazing at her, he smiled. ‘Once this is on, you’ll belong to the Fan family. Understand?’ Feng Xi pushed her finger upward forcefully, seating the ring. Then she pulled away, ran, and leaned over a small table by the window, giggling uncontrollably.
Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘Stop laughing, stop laughing. I have a few questions for you. When you go to school tomorrow and your classmates see this ring, if they ask who the man is, what will you say?’ Feng Xi smiled. ‘I thought it was something serious, the way you ask so solemnly. What does it matter? I’ll just answer casually.’ Fan Jiashu said, ‘Good. Suppose I’m your classmate. I ask: Hey, Miss Shen! Congratulations! Something new on your hand today. Who’s the man?’ Feng Xi replied, ‘The man is the one who gave me the ring.’ Fan Jiashu asked, ‘How did you meet? Can you tell us about the romance?’ Feng Xi said, ‘He’s my cousin. My cousin is him. Will that do?’ Fan Jiashu laughed. ‘It’ll do. But how did I become your cousin?’ Feng Xi said, ‘That explanation saves a lot of trouble!’ Fan Jiashu asked, ‘Do you have a cousin?’ Feng Xi said, ‘Yes! But he’s too young-thirty years shy of a hundred.’ Fan Jiashu asked, ‘Why are you so happy today?’ Feng Xi said, ‘I’m happy. Aren’t you? To be honest, I’ve been on tenterhooks all along. Now I’m completely at ease. How could I not be happy?’ Seeing her genuine, unaffected joy and innocent manner, Fan Jiashu was also overjoyed. He lay on the small wooden bed, his feet sticking straight up, resting on the high footboard, swaying back and forth incessantly. Auntie Shen called from the next room, ‘You two have been laughing ever since you got back. What’s so funny? Tell me.’ Feng Xi said, ‘I won’t tell you today. You’ll know tomorrow.’ Seeing Feng Xi in such high spirits, Auntie Shen figured Fan Jiashu must have given her a good deal of money again. She insisted Fan Jiashu stay for dinner, personally going to a nearby restaurant to order several dishes. She let Feng Xi keep him company alone. Fan Jiashu also felt the conversation flowing endlessly. After dinner, he thought of leaving several times but sat back down each time. Finally, hat in hand, he still lingered for another thirty minutes before leaving.
By the time he reached home, it was past midnight. Fan Jiashu entered his room and switched on the electric light. He saw a small, square, patterned silk handkerchief on his writing desk. Picking it up, he inhaled its rich, captivating fragrance-undoubtedly a woman’s belonging. Could his cousin’s wife have left it here when she visited his room? Examining it closely, he saw three embroidered letters in red and green thread on one corner: ‘H.L.N.’ His cousin’s wife’s name was Chen Huifang. These initials were far from the phonetic spelling of that name. It certainly wasn’t hers. If not her, what other woman in this household would use such a handkerchief? He was quite puzzled. Just then, Liu Fu came in with tea. Smiling, he said, ‘Young master, you were out for quite a long time today. A stranger came to visit you.’ He presented a small calling card. Fan Jiashu took it and looked. Suddenly, he understood. So the handkerchief was left by this female visitor with whom he had no prior contact. He considered it a most unexpected encounter. Who was this woman? That will be revealed in the next chapter.