Explore Chapter 3 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.
To resume our tale, as Fan Jiashu was about to leave, Feng Xi handed him a paper package. Unable to wait until he got home, he opened it while walking. At the sight, a fresh wave of delight washed over him, for the package contained nothing else but a four-inch, half-length photograph of Feng Xi herself. The picture had originally been set in a small glass frame and hung on the wall above the heated platform. Earlier, sitting opposite, he had merely glanced at it. Now that Feng Xi had chased after him to deliver it, she must have sensed his fondness for it. He thought to himself: This girl is truly agreeable, yet what a pity she was born into a family of drum-song performers. One takes on the color of one's company. Despite her gentle demeanor, there lingered an unavoidable hint of wantonness, a truly regrettable flaw. Lost in these thoughts as he walked on, he even forgot to hail a rickshaw. Only upon reaching home did he feel a tinge of weariness, so he reclined on the sofa, savoring every detail of their recent conversation with lingering pleasure. He remained oblivious to Liu Fu's comings and goings with tea and water, sitting there for over two hours. Upon rising to visit the backyard, the rich aroma of five-spice stewed meat suddenly wafted through the air. It jolted him to the realization that he had yet to eat lunch. Returning to his room, he rang the bell and summoned Liu Fu: "Fetch me something to eat; I haven't had my meal." Liu Fu replied, "You haven't eaten, young master? Why didn't you mention it when you returned?" Fan Jiashu said, "I forgot." Liu Fu inquired, "What joyous affair has you so distracted that you'd forget to eat?" Fan Jiashu could offer no explanation, merely smiling. Liu Fu said, "Buying something would take too long. I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare something for you posthaste." With that, he too departed with a smile.
Soon after, the cook brought a plate of cold cuts, a bowl of soup, and a bowl of osmanthus rice-which is simply egg fried rice, so named because the specks of egg resemble tiny osmanthus blossoms. Yet ask a native of Beijing about this, and they'd likely have forgotten the origin. As the cook set the dishes on the table, Fan Jiashu sat down to dine alone. While eating, he could not help but recall the comical scene of being urged to stay for fried sauce noodles at Feng Xi's home. He reflected: Had I truly eaten there, she might have prepared the meal with her own hands, making it all the more delightful. His mind adrift, he held a soupspoon and kept ladling broth into his rice bowl-one spoonful after another-until, quite unconsciously, he had poured nearly half a bowl of soup into the osmanthus rice. When he finally ceased and glanced down, he chuckled at himself. He thought: No one ever adds soup to osmanthus rice; if the houseboy saw this, he'd surely mock this southerner for not even knowing how to eat egg fried rice properly. Bowing his head, he then hurriedly slurped down the entire bowl of soupy rice. But before he had finished, Liu Fu had already brought in water, preparing a hot towel. After Fan Jiashu finished, Liu Fu handed him the towel. Wiping his face with one hand, Fan Jiashu used the other to fumble inside his garments. After a frantic search, he suddenly dropped the towel and began scouring the room-drawers, bookshelves, under the pillow on his bed-dashing from the inner chamber to the outer and back again in a frantic hunt. Liu Fu could no longer bear it and asked, "Young master! What have you lost?" Fan Jiashu said, "A small, flat package wrapped in newspaper, less than a foot long. Have you seen it?" Liu Fu replied, "I never saw you bring such a package back. Where would you look?" Fan Jiashu searched everywhere in vain. After much fluster, he had to give up. Resting a while, he lay on the soft couch in the outer room. Remembering he hadn't read the day's papers, he told Liu Fu to fetch the newspapers from the desk in the inner chamber.
Liu Fu entered the inner room and casually picked up the stack of still-folded newspapers. As he dragged them, something fell to the floor with a soft thud. Bending down, he picked it up: a flat, newspaper-wrapped parcel. The paper, lacking any adhesive, had come loose, revealing a corner of a photograph inside. Without a word, Liu Fu first stole a glance: it was a half-length photo of a girl of sixteen or seventeen. Instantly, he understood the reason for the young master's distracted state upon returning. Rewrapping the photo in the newspaper, he called out, "Isn't this a newspaper package?" Hearing this, Fan Jiashu rushed into the room, snatched the newspaper away, and asked with a smile, "Did you open it?" Liu Fu said, "No. This feels like a foreign book." Fan Jiashu asked, "How do you know it's a foreign book?" Liu Fu replied, "It feels stiff, like the hardcover of a foreign book." Fan Jiashu offered no argument, merely smiling. After Liu Fu finished tidying the room and left, he took out the photograph. Reclining, he examined it closely. Luckily, it was not large, so he slipped it between the pages of a thick, Western-style tome.
That afternoon, Tao Bohe returned from his government office. Strolling along the corridor, he called through the window, "Fan Jiashu, did you fetch the examination regulations?" Fan Jiashu replied, "I did." As he spoke, he retrieved a set of regulations that had arrived by post days earlier from his desk drawer and walked out. Tao Bohe said, "There are indeed many universities in Beijing. Judging solely by their prospectuses, every one appears impeccably organized, and they even test applicants on all requisite subjects. In truth, after admission, the actual coursework pales in comparison to the exam's rigor. Applicants all say this, their only fear being failure to pass. Once admitted, studying at the university poses little trouble." Fan Jiashu said, "That cannot be generalized." Tao Bohe retorted, "Cannot be generalized? It can be precisely generalized. National universities are all about reputation. As long as you are a high-profile student, you could stay away from campus for a year without consequence. Take Yang Wenjia, who frequently publishes in magazines-a prime example. He once asked me to write a letter recommending him to a southern secondary school, where he taught for a year and a half. Now that his class is graduating, he has returned from the south to sit for the final exams. The school authorities, given his fame as a student, pay him no mind despite his two-year absence. See how easily one enters such institutions!" As he spoke, he glanced at the regulations. Reaching the back, he suddenly smiled and asked, "Fan Jiashu! Where did you go today?" Though uneasy, Fan Jiashu did not believe Tao Bohe could detect any flaw. He said, "Are you not asking the obvious? I went to fetch the regulations. Don't you know?" Tao Bohe held the booklet, shook his head, and laughed. "You lie to my face, treating your elder brother like a child? These regulations were mailed from the post office a week ago." Fan Jiashu said, "What proof do you have that they came from the post office?"
At this, Tao Bohe said no more. Holding the booklet in one hand, he pointed to it with the other, smiling as he extended it before Fan Jiashu. Fan Jiashu looked and saw a distinct post office ink stamp, the date and serial number clearly printed. There was no concealing it. Fan Jiashu flushed crimson with fluster, unable to explain, and instead offered a sheepish smile. Tao Bohe laughed. "Child! You still lack skill in lying. Couldn't you have said you took the wrong set from the drawer? The ones fetched today got mixed up with the old ones. You failed to bring the new ones and took the old instead. That would have covered the flaw. Why not say so?" Fan Jiashu smiled. "It seems you are an old hand at deception." Tao Bohe said, "I suppose I possess some such skill! If you wish to learn, let me instruct you gradually. You must understand that when dealing with women, deceit is the sole essential condition." Fan Jiashu said, "What women do I have? You always tease me so." Tao Bohe said, "Are you not quite friendly with that eldest Miss Guan of the Guan family? You ought to..." Fan Jiashu hastily interrupted, "That eldest Miss Guan-do you know where she is now?" This was merely a retort from Fan Jiashu, spoken without thought, but Tao Bohe took it as a test. He said, "How could I not know? After moving from here, she went to live in the Houmen quarter known for its back alleys. Every time you go out alone, it's for half the day. If not to Houmen, where else would you go?" Fan Jiashu asked, "How do you know she lives in Houmen? Did you witness their move?"
Just then, Mrs. Tao suddenly emerged from the room and swiftly changed the subject. She asked Fan Jiashu, "Cousin, when did you return? Have you eaten out? I have some cream cake and rose biscuits here. Would you care for some?" Fan Jiashu said, "I've eaten my meal; I couldn't manage any snacks." As she spoke, Mrs. Tao cast a meaningful glance over Tao Bohe from head to toe. Tao Bohe seemed to grasp the hint and retreated into the room to fetch a cigar. Lighting it, he picked up a book from somewhere and reclined on the sofa to smoke and read. Though Fan Jiashu remained deeply concerned about Guan Shoufeng, since Tao Bohe's conversation persistently circled back to the eldest Miss Guan, raising grave suspicion, he had no choice but to fall silent and withdraw. Yet a great doubt took root in his mind: even he was unaware the Guan family had moved. How did Tao Bohe know they had gone to Houmen? If this were true, it must have been reported by Liu Fu. He resolved to interrogate him later. For now, he would let the matter rest.
The next morning, Tao Bohe had left for his office. Mrs. Tao, having danced late into the night, was still fast asleep. The two children, accompanied by their nurse, had been sent to kindergarten. Thus, the main chambers were profoundly quiet. After rising and completing his ablutions, Fan Jiashu took up a stack of newspapers and settled on the sofa to read-his established routine. During this reading time, Liu Fu would invariably bring a plate of biscuits and a cup of milk. The Tao household, with its slightly Europeanized ways, did not serve a formal breakfast but never lacked such items as milk or coffee. Soon, Liu Fu brought in the morning refreshments. Fan Jiashu smiled and said, "Liu Fu! You've been here many years, and your service is quite orderly." Liu Fu felt a surge of pleasure at these words and smiled. "Indeed, many years-six or seven." Fan Jiashu asked, "You're chiefly responsible for affairs in these chambers, correct?" Liu Fu replied, "Precisely. It's not overly busy, but I'm tied up from morning till night." Fan Jiashu said, "That's just as well. The master has only one wife. Were he to take a concubine, matters would multiply." Liu Fu laughed. "By our master's wishes, he would have taken one long ago, but the mistress is shrewd; such matters are hard to arrange." Fan Jiashu smiled. "Not so shrewd. I observe your master has numerous female friends." Liu Fu said, "Female friends are of no consequence! Our mistress also has many male friends!" Fan Jiashu said, "The mistress's friends are genuine friends; that's fine. But your master's female friends, whom I've encountered at dance halls, are like enchantresses-that's hardly proper. I know your master's ways: he specializes in matters concerning women. For instance, my intention to learn some martial arts from Guan Shoufeng holds little worth noting. Yet because the Guan family has a daughter, he constantly mentions her, often saying they've moved to Houmen and urging me to seek her out. Isn't that absurd?" Upon hearing this, Liu Fu's expression grew visibly uneasy. Fan Jiashu continued, "How would he know they moved to Houmen? Doubtless you investigated it for your master." Unsure of his master's exact words, Liu Fu dared not outright deny. He said, "I didn't know originally. Once, on business in Houmen, I happened upon that old man Guan. He said they'd moved there. Precisely where they live, I don't know." From his demeanor, Fan Jiashu deduced the move was somewhat connected to him. He felt a pang of regret, not knowing how he had offended the simple old man into leaving. Yet since they all suspected his acquaintance with the old man stemmed from ulterior motives, he saw no need to invite further suspicion. Having reached this understanding, he pressed no further and instead engaged in idle chatter to gloss over the matter.
After lunch, Fan Jiashu reflected that he had played enough of late; starting today, he should review some important subjects while free. He thus fetched two books and spread them on the table by the window to study. Before he had read three pages, a houseboy entered and announced, "There's a telephone call for you, young master." He was the houseboy from the main gate, so Fan Jiashu knew the call was from the front parlor. He went to answer. The voice was a woman's, claiming the surname Shen. Fan Jiashu was momentarily baffled. Where did he know a Mrs. Shen? Then she said, "Our girl is singing at a teahouse in the Altar of Agriculture today. If you're free, come have a bowl of tea." Only then did Fan Jiashu realize it was Feng Xi's mother, Auntie Shen, calling. He asked, "Which teahouse?" She replied, "I can't recall the name, but you'll surely find it if you go." Fan Jiashu agreed with a "I'll come" and hung up. Returning to his room, he pondered. Feng Xi had gone to perform drum-song at a teahouse. A teahouse, after all, presented a more respectable front than the awkward setting beneath the bell tower in the outer altar. Today being her first day there, he felt compelled to attend. With this decision, the books he had just laid out became impossible to continue. Having barely settled his mind to read, how could he leave after less than three pages? Better to just read! Thus, he cast aside the earlier notion and resolved to sit and study. Yet, strangely, though his eyes were on the page, his mind dwelled on Feng Xi's manner as a drum-song performer and her demeanor during their conversation, slowly recalling each detail. It was as if her voice and smile were right before him. At first, he tried to read, but soon he ceased, pressing a hand on the book, tilting his head, and gazing through the glass pane. Beyond the window were vermilion-lacquered pillars, colorfully painted eaves, and a verdant grape trellis. Yet he saw none of these. Instead, a girl of seventeen or eighteen, clad in a pale blue cotton gown, with a snow-white face and glossy black braids, neat and clear, appeared before him, chatting and laughing...
With this vision in mind, Fan Jiashu remembered the photograph. He pondered: When he had put it away, he slipped it into a Western-style book. But which book? He hadn't paid attention. So he took each volume from the horizontal desk and shook it, thinking this would surely reveal it. To his dismay, after shaking them all, no photograph fell out. He had clearly tucked it into a book earlier. How could it be lost now? For some reason today, his mind was restless, his actions vague and flighty. This single photograph he had already searched for twice today-truly baffling. Sitting in his chair, he fell into reverie, trying to recall precisely where he had placed it. After much thought, he remained certain it was still in that Western-style book. Standing up, he paced the room, hoping to remember how he had taken the book and slipped the photo inside. By chance, wandering into the outer room, he spotted a green-bound Western book on the small table beside the lounge chair. In a flash of understanding, he realized it had been in this book all along. He had never even brought it into the inner chamber. How laughable to have searched so frantically inside! Retrieving the photo from the book, he leaned back on the sofa to gaze at it. All the vexation from his recent flurry dissolved. Beholding this image, with its smiling visage, a surge of joy greeted him. He thought: She has risen from performing in the open beneath the bell tower to singing in a teahouse-a step up, after all. Today being her first day, I cannot fail to go see her. With this resolve, he could no longer remain at home. Taking some loose change from his suitcase, he hired a rickshaw and headed straight for the Altar of Agriculture.
That day, the Altar of Agriculture was thronged with visitors. Beneath the Cypress Grove, tea sheds and stalls were everywhere. Fan Jiashu looked carefully but found no trace of Feng Xi. Nearing the rear altar, by the red wall, two reed-mat shelters were propped up. Outside, a large teapot stove sat on a rickety table, boiling water. A bit further, about ten tables covered with somewhat worn white cloths were arranged under the cypress shade, accompanied by several old wicker chairs. Facing due north, two long tables were placed together. On them lay a three-stringed lute, and beside them stood a drum rack. Fan Jiashu surmised this might be the place. The so-called teahouse was merely in name; in reality, it was just a tea stall. On a cypress stump hung a two-foot-long strip of white cloth bearing a line of large characters: "the ‘Distant Prospect’ Teahouse." Seeing this, Fan Jiashu could not help but smile to himself. Not only was it far from "distant," but there was no "prospect" or "tower" here whatsoever.
Fan Jiashu glanced around and was about to leave when Auntie Shen emerged from beside the red wall. Holding a large palm-leaf fan, she stood in the sunlight, waving at him from afar and calling, "Mr. Fan! Mr. Fan! It's right here." Simultaneously, Feng Xi appeared behind her, holding a white cotton thread from which dangled a large grasshopper. She smiled and nodded toward him. Before Fan Jiashu could turn back, the tea attendant hurried forward, saying with a smile, "It's quiet here. Have a bowl of tea." Fan Jiashu noted that only three or four tables were occupied. If he did not join, likely no one would pay for the drum-song. Thus, with a faint smile, he casually took a seat at one of the tables. Feng Xi and Auntie Shen sat by the long table. She only occasionally cast a glance in his direction. Fan Jiashu understood this was their professional decorum: while performing, they did not greet patrons.
After a while, Feng Xi's uncle approached, a cigarette dangling from his lips, nodding with each unhurried step. Behind him trailed a girl of twelve or thirteen, with a sallow complexion and two black braids parted on either side. Skipping and hopping, her little pigtails swung to and fro-quite a charming sight. Upon reaching the tea area, Feng Xi's uncle exchanged distant nods with Fan Jiashu, then sat squarely before the long table, picked up the three-stringed lute, and tested its tune. First, the young girl beat the drum and sang a segment, then took a small willow-tray to collect coins from the patrons. In all, there were barely a dozen people, who tossed barely a dozen coppers. Fan Jiashu, however, dropped a small banknote onto the tray. After the girl collected the money, Feng Xi stood, straightened her blue cotton gown, and smoothed the hair at her temples and crown. Only then did she approach the table, pick up the clappers, and begin to sing. As she performed, many passersby stopped outside the tea area to watch. But when she finished, anticipating the collection, they drifted away in scattered fashion. Feng Xi's uncle set down the lute, sighed softly at the retreating backs, and personally took the willow-tray to solicit coins from each table. Reaching Fan Jiashu's table, he was exceptionally courteous, bowing slightly, craning his neck, and offering a smile. Fan Jiashu, seized by an inexplicable impulse, felt any lesser amount would be unseemly. He produced another dollar and placed it on the willow-tray. Feng Xi's uncle bent forward. "Many thanks! Many thanks!" As the journey back to the eastern city was long, Fan Jiashu dared not linger. After sitting a while longer, he settled the tea bill and departed.
From that day forth, Fan Jiashu came daily without fail. After hearing Feng Xi sing, he would give a dollar and leave. This continued for four or five days. One day upon returning, at the Inner Altar gate, he encountered Auntie Shen. She smiled at once and approached. "Mr. Fan! Leaving already? You must come again tomorrow." Fan Jiashu said, "I'll come if I have time." Auntie Shen smiled. "Don't say that, don't say that. You simply must come. Our girl relies entirely on your support. If you don't come, it will be quite dull for us." As she spoke, she propped the large fan under her chin, thought a moment, then whispered, "Tomorrow, no need to listen to drum-song. Come a bit earlier." Fan Jiashu asked, "Is there some other matter?" Auntie Shen said, "This place is finest in the early morning. Don't you enjoy listening to Feng Xi talk? Tomorrow I'll have her keep you company for a chat." Fan Jiashu flushed. "If you insist, I'll come in the afternoon." Auntie Shen glanced back, saw no one behind her, and gently patted his arm with the fan. "No! Come in the morning for the fresh air! I'll have Feng Xi wait for you at the tea seats by six. I can't rise that early, so I won't be able to join." Fan Jiashu wanted to speak but swallowed his words. Standing in the middle of the path, he smiled at Auntie Shen. Auntie Shen continued to pat him lightly with the fan, whispering, "Don't forget. Come early! Until tomorrow... no, I won't see you tomorrow. Another day then." With that, she walked off with a smile. Fan Jiashu thought to himself: Her asking Feng Xi to chat with him early in the morning likely sprang not from any genuine sentiment but from a desire to cultivate his favor and extract more money. Even so, he must go. If he did not, leaving Feng Xi to wait alone, how long might she linger? Returning home, he fabricated a tale for Tao Bohe and his wife, saying he needed to visit someone at Tsinghua University the next day and would leave the city early. The Tao couple, knowing he had former classmates at Tsinghua, believed him.
The next day, Fan Jiashu rose at dawn and arrived at the Altar of Agriculture shortly after five. At that hour, the sun had not risen high in the east, casting a pale yellow light upon the foliage on the grove's eastern side. Deep within the grove, where sunlight could not reach, the cypresses stood a lush, bluish-green, exuding a crisp fragrance of pine needles. Entering the Inner Altar gate, the broad, level path beneath the cypress grove was lined with flowering plants, dewdrops glistening, blooming with exceptional brilliance. Walking beneath the emerald shade, the cool morning breeze, carrying that fresh scent, swept over him, invigorating his spirits. Most striking were the morning glories on the low fences, their deep blue and pale purple blossoms emerging from masses of glossy green leaves-a sight seldom seen. The insects hidden in the greenery seemed unaware dawn had broken, occasionally emitting one or two lingering, nocturnal chirps. Along this lengthy path, no visitors were in sight. Only beyond a melon shed protruded a well pulley, below which lay an earthen well; the pulley creaked as if someone were drawing water. In this tranquil realm, no living creature was visible. After walking a while, several long-tailed magpies hopped along the path, foraging for scraps. At his approach, they took flight with a collective rustle, alighting upon the cypress trees. Fan Jiashu circled about but saw no one. Feeling he had come too early, he sat on a roadside bench to rest. The successive cool breezes brushed against him, stirring his clothes and hair, imparting a natural comfort. Leaning an arm on the back of the chair, he gradually drifted into slumber.
As Fan Jiashu slept, he felt something brushing against his face, unbearably ticklish. Brushing it away several times proved futile. Opening his eyes, he saw Feng Xi standing before him, holding a floral handkerchief aloft, one corner of which fluttered just before his nose. Fan Jiashu rose, laughing. "Why must you be so mischievous?" He observed her attire: today she wore a blue cotton jacket tied with a black skirt, revealing two rounded legs in white socks. Her hair was also newly styled into two round buns, and upon her smooth neck lay a faint row of fine, downy hair-the mark of an unmarried maiden. Yet this simple, girlish attire lent her a particularly virginal beauty. Fan Jiashu smiled. "Why are you dressed as a schoolgirl today?" Feng Xi laughed. "I so love being a student. Mr. Fan! Look at me-could I pass for one?" Fan Jiashu said, "Not only could you pass, you simply are one!" As she spoke, she settled herself beside him on the bench. Fan Jiashu asked, "Your mother asked me to meet you here early. What is the meaning?" Feng Xi smiled. "Because if you come in the afternoon, I'll be performing drum-song and cannot keep you company. So we arranged a morning chat." Fan Jiashu laughed. "You asked me to chat. What shall we discuss?" Feng Xi giggled. "We'll just chat. Why must we discuss anything in particular?" Fan Jiashu leaned sideways against the chair back, smiling at her. She glanced sidelong, her lips curling in a smile. Unfastening the handkerchief from a loop at her side, she took it in her right hand and began winding it round and round her left index finger. Her head slightly bowed, she did not look at Fan Jiashu. Fan Jiashu remained silent, waiting to see how long she would continue. After a while, Feng Xi suddenly turned her head. "Why do you keep staring at me?" Fan Jiashu said, "Didn't you ask me to chat? I'm waiting for you to speak." Feng Xi lowered her head in contemplation. "Let me think what I wanted to say... Oh, I have it. Who is there in your family?" Fan Jiashu smiled. "You seem so clever. How is your memory so poor? Didn't I tell you last time? Why ask again?" Feng Xi laughed. "Truly, you have none? None..." As she spoke, she looked at Fan Jiashu with a smile. Fan Jiashu said, "I truly am not betrothed. There's no need to lie about such a thing. Why do you keep asking?" Feng Xi grew somewhat bashful. Crossing her left leg over her right, she pulled the corners of the handkerchief and rubbed them against her knees. After a long pause, she said, "Asking can't hurt, can it?" Fan Jiashu said, "It doesn't hurt, but your persistent questioning-I don't know what you mean by it." Feng Xi shook her head, smiling. "No meaning." Fan Jiashu said, "You've questioned me. May I question you?" Feng Xi said, "You know all my family. What else is there to ask?" Fan Jiashu said, "Those I've met, I know. Those I haven't, how would I know? You ask if I have someone. Do you have someone?" Hearing this, Feng Xi turned her head aside, ignoring his words. On this side of her face, he could discern a faint blush of pleasure, as if she were smiling. Fan Jiashu said, "You are being unreasonable." Feng Xi swiftly turned her body back. "How am I unreasonable?" Fan Jiashu said, "I answered all your questions. You evade every one of mine. Isn't that unreasonable?" Feng Xi smiled. "I asked because I truly did not know. You asked knowing full well. You are being deliberate." Fan Jiashu, thus exposed, laughed heartily. Feng Xi said, "The morning air here is lovely. Let's stroll instead of just chatting." With that, she stood up first. Fan Jiashu also rose and accompanied her on a walk through the garden.
As they walked, they不知不觉到了柏林深处。 Fan Jiashu said, "Speak truthfully. Did your mother ask you to meet me early because she wants something from me?" Feng Xi heard this but remained silent, her head bowed as she walked. Fan Jiashu said, "What is there to be embarrassed about? If I can manage it, I naturally will. If I cannot, you will simply have been refused. Here it's just the two of us; no third person knows." Feng Xi still kept her head down, watching the brick-paved path, counting each brick as she walked forward. Softly, she said, "If you are willing, you certainly can manage it." Fan Jiashu said, "Then speak plainly." Feng Xi said, "To say this is truly shameful. But you must forgive me, or I would not speak." Fan Jiashu said, "Even unsaid, I understand. Could it be your mother wants you to ask me for money?" Feng Xi nodded. Fan Jiashu asked, "How much?" Feng Xi said, "We have not known each other long, and you've already spent quite a sum. I really should not ask. Yet circumstances compel me; I must speak. My mother has arranged with 'the Emerald Cloud Pavilion' for me to sing there. But that a singing-house is not as casual as here. I need to have a couple of outfits made. So I wished to ask if you could lend eight or ten dollars." Fan Jiashu said, "Certainly, certainly." As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and produced a ten-dollar note, placing it in her hand.
Feng Xi received the money and carefully tucked it into her pocket. Only then did she lift her head and turn her face, saying with earnest gravity, "Thank you very much." Fan Jiashu said, "I've given you the money, but I truly regret that you're going to perform drum-song at a singing-house." Feng Xi said, "Do you mean it's better to sing like a beggar as I do now?" Fan Jiashu replied, "Not that. Now you sing out of dire poverty, with no alternative. You ask for little, and listeners toss a few coins at whim. But at a singing-house, where patrons pay a dollar to request a tune, you must be actively promoted. Matters will grow complicated thereafter. That place is ripe with corruption. Do you understand what 'corruption' means?" Feng Xi said, "How could I not understand! Yet there is no other way." As she spoke, she kept her head down, watching the bricks beneath her feet, counting each step as she walked. Fan Jiashu also fell silent, walking beside her. After a while, he said, "Don't you enjoy dressing as a schoolgirl? If I were to send you to school to study, would you go?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Xi halted abruptly. She turned and gazed at Fan Jiashu. "Truly?" Then she laughed. "Don't tease me." Fan Jiashu said, "I am absolutely not teasing. I see you possess fine aptitude, like a true scholar. I sincerely wish to help you achieve a worthy future." Feng Xi said, "With such kindness, I shall never forget you, even in death. But my family depends on my earnings. If I do not sing, how can that be?" Fan Jiashu said, "Since I wish to help, I shall help to the end. However much your family requires each month, I will provide. To be frank, my family has some means. Spending an extra hundred or eighty dollars a month is of little consequence." Feng Xi grasped Fan Jiashu's hand and gave a little hop. "All my life I have dreamed of this. Today it may truly come to pass. If you can truly save me, I shall never forget your great kindness." So saying, she stepped forward, bowed deeply to Fan Jiashu, then turned and ran off. Fan Jiashu stood there dumbfounded. Why had she run? To learn the reason, the next chapter awaits.