Explore Chapter 6 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.
Now, Fan Jiashu saw a handkerchief embroidered with English letters, wondering where it had come from. When Liu Fu handed him a small visiting card, he suddenly realized it belonged to He Lina. Fan Jiashu asked when she had arrived. Liu Fu said, "She came at seven o'clock, had dinner here, and then went dancing with Master Tao and his wife." Fan Jiashu said, "Why did she come to my room?" Liu Fu replied, "How did you know she came? She said since you weren't home, she wanted to see your room. She sat for a while, flipped through some books, gave me a card, and then left." Fan Jiashu asked, "Flipped through books? Which books?" Liu Fu said, "I didn't pay attention. Probably the books on the table." Only then did Fan Jiashu notice a red book on the table. Feng Xi's photo was tucked inside it. If she had flipped through the book, she would have seen the photo. He opened the book and sure enough, the photo had been moved. Originally placed in the middle, it was now under the cover. Clearly, someone had flipped through the pages and examined the photo. Fortunately, this Ms. He had little contact with him, so she wouldn't know who the photo depicted. If his cousin's wife saw it, she would undoubtedly interrogate him thoroughly. Moreover, Feng Xi's photo somewhat resembled Ms. He's. In her surprise, she might press for details, forcing him to reveal the secret. That evening, when Tao Bohe and his wife returned from dancing, it would be very late. At breakfast the next day, if his cousin's wife found out, she would surely ask. He would have to answer according to the situation. Thinking this, he couldn't help but prepare some evasive words in response.
But the next day, Mrs. Tao only mentioned that Ms. He had come specifically to visit and that it would be impolite not to return the call. She said nothing else. Fan Jiashu said, "I don't know her family well. Visiting Ms. He alone wouldn't be proper. I'll meet her at the dancing hall of the Beijing Hotel next Saturday." Mrs. Tao said, "You're underestimating women too much. She made a special visit to you, yet you disdain to return the call unless it's convenient." Fan Jiashu laughed and said, "It's not disdain. A young man visiting a young lady at her home for no reason might get chased out with a stick." Mrs. Tao replied, "Don't talk nonsense. Ms. He's family is very civilized. Besides, you've visited young ladies at their homes before." Fan Jiashu said, "No such thing!" But he could only utter these four words in defense, unable to say more. Tao Bohe also told Fan Jiashu, "You should return the visit. Ms. He's family is very civilized. She has many male friends visiting, so you won't be refused entry." Persuaded by both, Fan Jiashu softened and agreed with a smile to visit Ms. He once.
A day later, the weather was fine. He had intended to visit Ms. He that morning, but an unexpected letter arrived early that day. The handwriting on the envelope was very uneven, with only "Details Inside" as the sender. Opening it, he read: "To the esteemed Fan Jiashu, my dear younger brother: It has been ten days since we last met. I respectfully hope you are progressing in civilization and your affairs are smooth, for which I praise and wish. My humble fate is unfortunate. Previously, I fell ill and was fortunate to receive your kindness, which helped me turn misfortune into blessing. I can now walk as before. I should have come to your residence to thank you, but it is inconvenient. Alas, what can I do? I respectfully await your glorious presence at my humble abode at noon on the tenth of the month for a simple meal and pleasant conversation. Do not decline, I beg. I omit formalities. With respect, Guan Shoufeng bows his head."
This letter, with its misspellings and poor phrasing, spanned only about a hundred words but filled three sheets of eight-line paper. Judging by the tone, it seemed copied from many sources in the "Complete Collection of Letters". For someone like him, who rarely held a pen, to painstakingly compose such a letter showed great sincerity. Out of respect for that, he couldn't refuse the invitation. Thus, he canceled his original plan to visit Ms. He and went directly to Houmen, to Guan Shoufeng's home.
Upon entering the courtyard, he saw a white stove in the room, with coal balls burning fiercely. Under the eaves, a small table was laden with meat and vegetable dishes. Xiugu, wearing an apron, stood by the table, her round, snow-white arms bare as she chopped vegetables. Seeing Fan Jiashu enter, she smiled and said, "Dad! Mr. Fan is here." Without even putting down the knife, she hurried to lift the curtain for him. Hearing this, Shoufeng came out to greet him, laughing. "I was afraid you might be busy or unable to come," he said. "But my daughter said you'd definitely come if we sent a letter. She guessed right." As he spoke, he took Fan Jiashu's hand and added, "I thought eating at a restaurant wouldn't be respectful enough, so I bought some ingredients and had my daughter cook a homemade meal. Don't mind the taste; just appreciate our heartfelt gesture." Fan Jiashu said, "Uncle Guan, you're too kind." Shoufeng replied, "If you stand on ceremony, you'll think us poor folks don't understand manners." With that, he led him inside.
Fan Jiashu saw a small table in the center of the room, set with cups and chopsticks. Below it, a small charcoal stove simmered with an earthen pot. Against the wall, an old tea table held a bottle of wine, a pot, and four cups of varying sizes. Shoufeng smiled and said, "I decided yesterday to invite you for a drink. I prepared some things, but the wine isn't the best. My daughter said that for a homemade meal, we don't need extravagance, so I didn't buy good wine." Fan Jiashu replied, "The pleasure of drinking lies not in the quality of the wine, but in the company." Shoufeng laughed. "You educated folks always say the right things." He then picked up the wine pot and poured for Fan Jiashu's cup. Fan Jiashu stood up to receive it, saying, "Uncle Guan, you're too polite. As the elder, I should toast you first." Shoufeng said, "We share friendship across generations. Let's not stand on ceremony. Sit down. I'll toast you first." Fan Jiashu had to sit and take a sip from his cup.
Xiugu prepared the dishes outside, bringing them in one by one. Shoufeng smiled and said, "Daughter, don't rush. Come have a drink." Xiugu replied, "I'll come after I finish." Fan Jiashu looked at the dishes on the table: a bowl of braised tofu, a bowl of stewed pork, a plate of scrambled eggs, and a dish of stir-fried cabbage, all homestyle. Xiugu brought in a bowl of soup and placed it on the table. Shoufeng said, "Come, come, let's eat together." Xiugu removed her apron and sat at the lower seat. Fan Jiashu noticed her flushed face and beads of sweat on her forehead. He smiled and said, "You've worked hard, miss." Xiugu smiled faintly. "It's nothing. Don't laugh at me, Mr. Fan." Shoufeng said, "Let's toast first." The three raised their cups and drank.
Fan Jiashu tasted the dishes and found them delicious, offering praise. Shoufeng laughed. "My daughter made all this. I can't cook." Fan Jiashu said, "Miss is truly capable." Xiugu lowered her head to eat without responding. Shoufeng kept urging him to drink, but Fan Jiashu, concerned about Shoufeng's recent illness, drank only a few cups sparingly. Shoufeng said, "Mr. Fan, don't hold back. Let's drink to our hearts' content today." Fan Jiashu replied, "Uncle Guan, you've just recovered. You should drink less." Shoufeng said, "I'm happy. A few more cups won't hurt."
Seeing Fan Jiashu eating but not drinking much, Xiugu said, "Mr. Fan, have more dishes. I made them all myself. I hope they suit your taste." Fan Jiashu said, "They're delicious. I've eaten a lot." Xiugu added, "Mr. Fan, don't be polite. Make yourself at home." Fan Jiashu nodded in thanks.
After the meal, Shoufeng brewed tea, and they sat chatting. Shoufeng said, "Mr. Fan, you're truly a good person. If not for you, my old life would have ended long ago. I always want to repay you, but what can a poor family offer?" Fan Jiashu replied, "Uncle Guan, saying that makes us strangers. We're friends. Helping is natural." Shoufeng said, "My daughter also often says she doesn't know how to thank you enough." Hearing this, Xiugu blushed and got up to clear the dishes.
Fan Jiashu sat a while longer, then stood to leave. Shoufeng said, "Stay a bit more. It's still early." Fan Jiashu said, "It's not early. I should go." Shoufeng told Xiugu, "Daughter, see Mr. Fan out." Xiugu accompanied Fan Jiashu to the door. Fan Jiashu said, "Please stop here, miss." Xiugu replied, "Take care, Mr. Fan." Fan Jiashu walked a few steps, looked back, and saw Xiugu still standing at the door. He waved. Xiugu waved back until he turned the corner, then went inside.
As Fan Jiashu walked back, he reflected on the kindness of the Guan father and daughter, and thought of Feng Xi and He Lina, feeling somewhat troubled. Upon returning home, Liu Fu said, "Young Master, Ms. He called to ask if you're coming today." Fan Jiashu replied, "Call back and say I have business today. I'll go another time." Liu Fu assented and left.