Explore Chapter 21 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.
He Lina wore an exceedingly dazzling Western-style dance dress at the ball in the Beijing Hotel that night, captivating all eyes. She danced gracefully to the music, her figure elegant and fleeting, like a startled swan in flight, and all the guests applauded. However, deep in her heart, she harbored boundless melancholy, for her affection for Fan Jiashu remained unreciprocated, and she felt the fickleness of the world, where the glittering scene was rife with pretense and hollow sentiments.
As the dance reached its peak, she suddenly covered her face and left the table, returning directly to the dressing room. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she saw that although her appearance was still beautiful, tear stains marred her face. With a long sigh, she resolved to leave this world of glittering vanity and seek a quiet place to sever all worldly attachments. Immediately, she packed her belongings, without a word of farewell to anyone, and vanished into the night.
Meanwhile, Fan Jiashu learned that Shen Fengxi was confined by General Liu in a secret mansion on the outskirts of the city, and he was beside himself with worry. He found Guan Xiugu to discuss a plan for rescue. Although Xiugu knew this mission was perilous, bound by a deep code of brotherhood, he agreed without hesitation. The two prepared themselves and set out under the cover of night.
The mansion was heavily guarded, with high walls and deep courtyards, brightly lit. Fan Jiashu and Xiugu infiltrated the backyard. Suddenly, they heard Feng Xi's weeping from inside a room. Just as they were about to approach, they heard footsteps and hurriedly hid behind a rockery. They saw General Liu passing by with several guards, staggering past, drunk and muttering curses under his breath.
After they had gone far, Xiugu whispered, "I'll enter from the front window to distract the guards, you rescue Feng Xi from the back window, and we'll meet under the old locust tree outside the wall." Fan Jiashu nodded in agreement. With agile movements, Xiugu leapt onto the eaves, deliberately creating a disturbance, and indeed lured the guards to chase after him.
Fan Jiashu took the opportunity to pry open the back window and saw Feng Xi tied to a chair, with a cloth stuffed in her mouth. He hurriedly untied the ropes, and Feng Xi collapsed into his arms, weeping too hard to speak. Suddenly, gunfire erupted from outside the door, as Xiugu exchanged fire with the guards. Fan Jiashu took Feng Xi's hand and jumped out of the window, running toward the outside wall.
The night was pitch black, and the cold wind pierced to the bone. Just as they reached the base of the wall, searchlights suddenly blazed to life, and bullets rained down. Fan Jiashu shielded Feng Xi, crawling forward, but his arm was hit by a bullet, blood streaming down. Fortunately, Xiugu rushed out from the side, firing several shots that shattered the lights, plunging the area into instant darkness.
The three of them took advantage of the chaos to climb over the wall and fell into the grass outside. The shouts behind them gradually faded, and they finally escaped danger. Fan Jiashu endured the pain and helped Feng Xi up, while Xiugu tore off a piece of his clothing to bandage the wound. Feng Xi, still trembling, said, "If not for you today, I would surely have died." Xiugu smiled bitterly and shook his head, looking toward the distant city walls, where the first light of dawn revealed a sparse scattering of cold, lonely stars.
Back in the city, the sky was already bright. Fan Jiashu settled Feng Xi at a friend's place to recuperate, while he himself needed to rest for several days due to his injury. With a final admonition-"The world is ever-changing; take care"-Xiugu took his leave. Fan Jiashu watched his figure disappear into the morning mist, a tumult of emotions welling up in his heart.