Explore Chapter 2 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.
As Fan Jiashu walked to the entrance of the outer altar, a woman suddenly called out to him. When she drew near, he did not recognize her. Seeing Fan Jiashu halt, the woman was certain it must be Mr. Fan. Approaching, she smiled and said, "Mr. Fan, the young lady who was performing the drum singing a moment ago is my daughter. I thank you." Fan Jiashu looked at the woman, who appeared to be in her forties; when she smiled, faint wrinkles appeared on her face. Fan Jiashu said, "Oh! You are that girl's mother. Did you have something more to say to me?" The woman replied, "It is rare to meet a gentleman as kind as you. May I ask which government office you serve in?" Fan Jiashu lowered his head, brushed a hand over his clothes, and laughed. "Look at me from head to toe—is there any part that resembles a government clerk? Let me tell you, I am a student." The woman smiled. "I thought you looked like a young master. Our family lives at Number Three, Shuiche Hutong. Young Master Fan, if you have time, you are welcome to visit. My surname is Shen. Just ask for the Shen family, and you won't go wrong."
As they spoke, the drum singer girl also approached. The woman saw her and asked, "Girl, why have you stopped singing?" The girl replied, "Second Uncle says that with the generous sum this gentleman gave us, we needn't work today. He's off to drink." She stood behind her mother, reaching back to bring her braid forward and idly playing with the tip. Fan Jiashu had already been impressed by her dignified air during the performance; now, seeing her tender and modest, without a hint of frivolity, he thought such a person in the world of entertainment was truly rare. He smiled and said, "So you are all family. That simplifies matters. Why don't you perform at a singing-house?" The woman sighed. "It's all because of poverty. Look at the clothes our girl wears—how could she go to a singing-house? Besides, her second uncle has had no luck in life and can find no one to help. If we met a good soul like you once a day, we'd have enough to get by. How could we hope for more? Young Master Fan, where is your residence? May we pay our respects?" Fan Jiashu told her the location and added with a laugh, "That's my relative's house." As he spoke, he walked out of the outer altar gate. With many people coming and going on the road, it was inconvenient to talk further with the mother and daughter. He hailed a rickshaw and returned home first.
By the time he arrived home, it was dusk. Fan Jiashu had some tea, and his cousin Tao Bohe invited him to the dining room for dinner. Tao Bohe had a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son, cared for by a nanny. Only three seats were set at the table: for the couple and Fan Jiashu. Fan Jiashu took the seat of honor, with the couple on either side. Mrs. Tao smiled at Fan Jiashu as she ate. "Lately, Cousin, you seem to enjoy solitary outings. Are they interesting?" Fan Jiashu said, "Both of you are busy. I'm embarrassed to always ask for your company, so I go alone." Tao Bohe asked, "Where did you go today?" Fan Jiashu replied, "To the theater." Mrs. Tao smiled at him, her emerald autumn-leaf earrings swaying against her cheeks. She shook her head slightly. "That's not true." She reversed her chopstick and gently tapped Fan Jiashu's cheek. "Your face is so sunburned. The theater couldn't have such strong sunlight." Tao Bohe chuckled as well. "Well, according to Old Liu, you've made the acquaintance of some aging street performer at the Heaven's Bridge—a man who does martial arts tricks, and who happens to have a daughter." Fan Jiashu smiled. "That's a joke. Do you think I befriended him just because he has a daughter?" Mrs. Tao said, "Cousin, you're truly down-to-earth, but these itinerant performers are not to be trifled with. If you want to make female friends..." She pointed the chopstick at her own nose. "I have plenty. I can introduce you!" Fan Jiashu said, "Cousin-in-law, you've said this many times, but you've never introduced me to anyone." Mrs. Tao replied, "How can I introduce you if you stay home? You must come with me to the Beijing Hotel. Then I can introduce you." Fan Jiashu said, "I don't know how to dance. At a dance hall, I'd just watch others dance, sitting alone in a daze. That's no fun." Mrs. Tao smiled. "Going once or twice is boring. But after going often and meeting female friends, you'll find it interesting. Anyway, it's much better than going to the Heaven's Bridge and sitting in those smelly little tea houses." Fan Jiashu said, "Cousin-in-law always suspects I have some motive for going to the Heaven's Bridge. Actually, I've only been two or three times. Their martial arts skills are not just street tricks—they have real prowess." Tao Bohe laughed. "Let's drop it. It's in the past. Whether they're of the jianghu breed or not, he has flown far away. Why argue about it?"
Hearing this, Fan Jiashu suddenly grew suspicious. How did Tao Bohe know that Guan Shoufeng had flown far away? He wanted to ask, but on second thought, such questioning would show too much concern. Besides, it might have been reported by Liu Fu, who was standing nearby serving the meal. Pressing the issue might get Liu Fu in trouble. So he remained silent.
After dinner, Mrs. Tao usually began to busy herself with grooming, as it was time to go dancing at the Beijing Hotel or to the Zhenguang and Ping'an movie theaters. So as soon as she put down her chopsticks, she went into the inner room. Fan Jiashu said, "Cousin-in-law is hurrying to change. Looks like she's going dancing again." Tao Bohe said, "Let's go together tonight. How about it?" Fan Jiashu replied, "I won't go. I don't have a Western suit." Tao Bohe said, "Why must you have a Western suit? Just wear something neat." He smiled. "As long as your clothes are wrinkle-free and your hair is neatly combed, you can still win a girl's favor." Fan Jiashu laughed. "So it's not 'women dress up for those who appreciate them,' but 'men dress up for those who appreciate them.'" Tao Bohe said, "We men spruce up for those who delight in us, you see. But you must realize, others—women—adorn themselves even more diligently to win our favor. If you don't believe me, go to the dance hall. Why do those women wear outlandish costumes? Not just to look in the mirror." Fan Jiashu smiled. "You shouldn't say such things. If Cousin-in-law hears, there will be trouble." Tao Bohe said, "It's not an insult. Women's love of adornment isn't necessarily to seduce men. It's just vanity, thinking they look good and can be admired and praised. That's why foreign men can compliment a woman's beauty to her face. If someone praises your cousin-in-law's beauty at the dance hall, I wouldn't be jealous. I'd be pleased. But she might not have that distinction."
As they talked, they strolled into the living room of the main house. On the round table in the center was a square glass box, its edges trimmed with colorful printed silk. Inside, the base was lined with red silk. Fan Jiashu said, "Who gave you a silver shield, Cousin? The box is exquisite, but where's the shield?" Tao Bohe, with a half-smoked cigar in his mouth, moved it with his lips and smiled. "Look closely. This isn't a box for a silver shield." Fan Jiashu said, "Indeed not. The box is wide but not tall, and the stand is too low. What is it for? Could it hold jade?" Tao Bohe laughed. "You're getting further from the truth. I won't say now. You'll see in a moment." Fan Jiashu smiled and didn't ask further, thinking to himself, "I'll wait and see what this glass box really contains."
Soon, Mrs. Tao emerged. She wore a silver-gray silk dress that reached just to her knees, trimmed with wide pink braid along the edges. The braiding was embroidered with delicate blue floral patterns and sparkling rhinestones. Her neck was bare, adorned with a pearl necklace, displaying elegance amid simplicity. Before Fan Jiashu could speak, Mrs. Tao smiled and said, "Cousin! This dress is new. How do you like it?" Fan Jiashu replied, "Cousin-in-law has an eye for art. A dress you designed yourself must be beautiful." Mrs. Tao said, "I think Chinese silk is best for women's clothes. So all my dresses, for any season, are mainly made of Chinese fabric. Even shoes, I feel the same. I don't favor Indian satin or silk." As she spoke, she lifted one leg and placed it on a round stool. Fan Jiashu saw white silk stockings tightly wrapping her thigh, and on her feet were silver-gray satin dancing shoes. The shoe openings were also trimmed with narrow red braid, embedded with fine rhinestones that caught the light. Across the instep was a strap adorned with a row of pearls, and on the toe was an exquisite butterfly, its eyes made of two pearls. Fan Jiashu smiled. "These shoes are truly exquisite. They should only tread on carpeted floors. Walking on ordinary ground would be an insult to them." Mrs. Tao said, "There's an old Beijing saying: 'You scrub your hands till the nails gleam, only to tread your fine shoes in the mire.' Haven't you heard it? Not just the shoes, even this glass box for them is quite nice." She pointed at the table. Only then did Fan Jiashu realize that such an exquisite thing was merely a shoe box!
By then, Mrs. Tao had put on the shoes and was gliding on the smooth floor, lowering her head to examine them. Unexpectedly, Fan Jiashu asked, "How much do shoes like these cost?" Mrs. Tao turned and smiled. "I don't know. A shoe shop owner I know gave them to me as a thank-you gift for introducing him to two or three thousand yuan worth of business." Fan Jiashu said, "Two or three thousand? How many shoes is that?" Mrs. Tao replied, "Don't say such inexperienced things. Dancing shoes aren't just a few yuan a pair. Good ones cost thirty or forty yuan normally. That's nothing." Fan Jiashu said, "I see. Even if the pearls are fake, shoes like yours should be worth dozens of yuan." Mrs. Tao said, "Small pearls aren't worth much, but these are real." Fan Jiashu smiled. "With such fine new clothes and shoes, Cousin-in-law must be going to the Beijing Hotel to dance today." Mrs. Tao said, "Of course. Tao Bohe is going, and you should come too. I'll introduce you to a couple of female friends when it's crowded tonight." Fan Jiashu laughed. "I just told Tao Bohe, I don't have a Western suit, so I won't go." Tao Bohe said, "I already said no suit is no problem. Why bring it up again?" Fan Jiashu said, "Even my long gown isn't nice enough."
Seeing that Tao Bohe couldn't persuade him, Mrs. Tao went back to her room and brought out a bottle of hair perfume and an ivory comb. Without a second thought, she turned the bottle over and sprinkled it on his head. Fan Jiashu quickly tilted his head to avoid it. Mrs. Tao said, "No, no, you must comb your hair. Otherwise, I won't take you." Fan Jiashu smiled. "But I don't want to go." Tao Bohe said, "Let me tell you the truth. Dancing aside, the music at the Beijing Hotel is not to be missed. The band leader there is Torajif, the former president of a Russian music university." Fan Jiashu said, "How could the president of a national university become a band leader at a hotel?" Tao Bohe explained, "He's a White Russian, not tolerated by the Red government, so he came to China. If Russia were still an empire, he'd have a livelihood. Why would he come here?" Fan Jiashu said, "If that's true, I must go. Beijing is indeed a great place, gathering talents from everywhere." Mrs. Tao was delighted he agreed. She urged Fan Jiashu to change clothes, and the three of them took their own car to the Beijing Hotel.
By then, dinner was over. Those who had eaten were in high spirits, ready to dance. Tao Bohe and his wife, along with Fan Jiashu, chose seats facing the center of the dance hall. People continued to arrive. At that moment, a girl of seventeen or eighteen entered, wearing a pale green silk Western dance dress. Her arms and snow-white chest and back were largely exposed. This was common at the Beijing Hotel, but strangely, her face closely resembled that of the drum singer girl. If not for her short hair, one might think they were the same person. Intrigued, Fan Jiashu couldn't help staring. Mrs. Tao stood up and nodded to the girl. As she approached, Mrs. Tao smiled at Fan Jiashu. "Let me introduce you. This is Miss He Lina!" She then introduced Fan Jiashu. Mrs. Tao asked, "Miss He, who did you come with?" He Lina said, "No one. I came alone." Mrs. Tao said, "Then you can sit with us." The couple sat together, with Tao Bohe in the middle, Mrs. Tao on the left, and Fan Jiashu on the right. There was an empty chair to Fan Jiashu's right. Mrs. Tao said, "Miss He, sit here." Miss He turned, saw the empty chair, and sat without ceremony. Before Fan Jiashu could look at her, he caught a whiff of rich and fragrant perfume. Though he didn't look, he couldn't help thinking, "She is beautiful, but also quite wild."
The waiters at the hotel knew He Lina well. Seeing her sit, one came over and said, "Miss He!" He Lina waved her hand and muttered something low, likely in English. Soon, the waiter brought a bottle of beer and placed a glass before her. He opened the bottle and poured it full. The beer frothed and swirled in the glass. He Lina didn't wait for it to settle. She lifted the glass and took a gulp. As she drank, she crossed her left leg over her right. Her flesh-colored silk stockings tightly wrapped her smooth and fair skin, clearly visible under the electric light.
Fan Jiashu thought to himself, "In Chinese tradition, the female body is considered mysterious. Literature seldom describes physical beauty directly. Throughout history, terms like almond eyes, peach cheeks, silkworm-like neck, spring onions, and cherry lips have praised women's features, but never their legs. Especially in ancient times, legs were highly respected. It was considered unseemly to wear split-legged pants without a long skirt covering even the toes. Now, influenced by Western civilization, women seek Western beauty, exposing their legs. But these legs, aside from being provocative, aren't necessarily beautiful." As he mused, his gaze fixed on Miss Lina's knees, staring downward. Mrs. Tao noticed and smiled at Tao Bohe, nudging him with her elbow. Tao Bohe understood and smiled back. Meanwhile, the music started on the bandstand. Men and women embraced and began to dance—yet He Lina did not join.
Human nature is such that after being with reserved people, one finds lively ones clever and delightful. But after being with lively people, one finds steady ones gentle and endearing. Miss He spent her days in dance halls, meeting vibrant youths. Now, suddenly encountering a honest and kind young man like Fan Jiashu, her curiosity was piqued. She wanted to talk with this honest young man and become friends, to see what charm such a friend offered. So she remained seated, waiting for Fan Jiashu to ask her to dance. In dance halls, when a female friend doesn't dance with others after the music starts, sitting silently by a male friend, it's an opportunity for him to ask. It's as if she's saying, "I'm waiting for you." But Fan Jiashu didn't know how to dance, so he couldn't ask. Tao Bohe and his wife had each found dance partners. Left alone with Miss He, Fan Jiashu felt awkward and turned to watch the dancers. Miss He poured a glass of wine and held it, smiling. She tapped the glass rim against her even white teeth, her head still, eyes slowly slanting over to look at Fan Jiashu. After about ten minutes, Fan Jiashu said nothing. Lina put down her glass and asked, "Mr. Fan! Why aren't you dancing?" Fan Jiashu said, "I'm ashamed to say I don't know how." Lina smiled. "Don't be modest. How many young men these days don't dance?" Fan Jiashu laughed. "Truly, I don't. This is my first time here." Lina said, "Really? But it's easy. If you learn from your relatives for a week, you'll master it." Fan Jiashu smiled. "In this world of song and dance, I pale in comparison. Better not learn." Just then, Tao Bohe and his wife returned from dancing. Seeing Fan Jiashu and Lina talking well, they smiled secretly. They all chatted awhile. Lina danced with others twice but always returned to sit at their table.
After midnight, Fan Jiashu grew tired. He said to Tao Bohe, "Let's go back." Tao Bohe said, "It's still early." Fan Jiashu replied, "I'm not so fortunate. I feel dizzy." Tao Bohe said, "Who told you to drink so much?" Tao Bohe, having to go to the government office tomorrow, also favored leaving early. But fearing his wife's disagreement, he hadn't spoken up. Now with Fan Jiashu suggesting it, he seized the chance. "Since you're dizzy, let's go." He called the waiter. The bill came to over fifteen yuan. Tao Bohe took out two ten-yuan notes and handed them over, waving his hand. "Keep it." The waiter bowed slightly and thanked him. Fan Jiashu had known his cousins spent much on dancing and Western meals, but not how much. Now he saw that just a few light drinks cost twenty yuan. No wonder they spent so much. Meanwhile, He Lina, seeing them leave, also prepared to go. She said, "Mr. Tao! My car isn't here. May I ride with you? Is there room?" Tao Bohe said, "Of course." They left the dance hall for the cloakroom. The waiter, seeing Miss He, immediately took a woman's coat from the hook and held it for her. After she put it on, she opened her purse and took out two yuan. The waiter bowed and accepted it. This struck Fan Jiashu deeply. Earlier, he had given the drum singer one yuan, and her family was overjoyed, as if it were a rare fortune. Truly, one doesn't appreciate plains without climbing mountains. She spent money as if silver dollars were copper coins. If someone became her husband, could they afford such expenses? As he pondered, Miss He seemed unconcerned, chatting and laughing with Mrs. Tao as they left the hotel.
Though it was late, cars and rickshaws lined the street under the trees from north to south. Tao Bohe searched before finding their car. With four people, someone had to sit in a backward-facing seat. Tao Bohe, as host, insisted Fan Jiashu take the soft seat. Fan Jiashu sat at the corner, making room. Lina, without ceremony, sat in the middle, squeezed in next to Fan Jiashu. On her other side sat Mrs. Tao. As the car started, Lina raised a hand and rubbed her head. "What's wrong? I feel a bit dizzy!" Just then, the car turned sharply, leaning toward Fan Jiashu. Lina's arm bumped his face. She turned and said quickly, "So sorry. Did I hurt you?" Fan Jiashu smiled. "If so, I must be made of paper, tearing at a touch." Tao Bohe said, "Right. You've been practicing martial arts lately. Someone as delicate as Miss He couldn't hurt you even if she tried." Miss He said repeatedly, "I wouldn't dare." She smiled at Fan Jiashu. The four chatted lively in the car. Soon, they reached Miss He's home first. The car honked three times. Suddenly, the door lights flashed on, illuminating two vermilion doors. Miss He said good night in English and got out. The vermilion doors swung open, and she entered.
After returning home, the three of them, Tao Bohe laughed. "Fan Jiashu! What a great opportunity! Miss He's attitude toward you is excellent." Fan Jiashu said, "What do you mean? We just met today. How can you speak of her attitude?" Mrs. Tao said, "It's true. I've known Miss He for a long time, but I've never seen her so polite and intimate with someone she just met. Be nice to her, and I'll drink your winter melon soup one day." Tao Bohe smiled. "Don't bother with that old Beijing riddle. What would he know about 'winter melon soup'? Fan Jiashu, let me tell you: 'drinking winter melon soup' means being a matchmaker." Fan Jiashu laughed. "I dare not have such extravagant hopes. But why is matchmaking called 'drinking winter melon soup'?" Mrs. Tao said, "It's a Beijing local saying. He can't explain it either. But real matchmakers don't actually drink winter melon soup. Still, if you and Miss He offer me some, I'll gladly drink." Fan Jiashu said, "Cousin-in-law, that's baseless. How can you talk marriage with someone you just met?" Mrs. Tao replied, "Why not? In arranged marriages, they talk without meeting. Look at foreign films. Don't most marriages start with love at first sight? For example, you and that old Guan's daughter—didn't you become friends at first sight?" Fan Jiashu, feeling outmatched, smiled and retreated to his room.
Stimulated by sensory delights, one doesn't calm down immediately. By Fan Jiashu's steel-wire bedhead was a small tea cabinet. On it stood a lotus-leaf-shaded lamp, shining on the bed. Under the light lay a copy of Dream of the Red Chamber, left there two nights before. He picked it up and randomly opened to where Lin Daiyu plays the qin. This reminded him of the girl who sang "Daiyu Mourns the Autumn" during the day. He thought, "She is no less beautiful than Miss He! Miss He grew up wealthy. A waiter helps her with a coat, and she tips two yuan. The drum singer girl sings a piece, and I give one yuan, yet her family is overwhelmed with gratitude. This shows a beauty's status depends on money. To me, that girl resembles Miss He, even younger. If I mentioned going to the Heaven's Bridge to listen to her drum singing, Cousin-in-law would certainly frown upon it. But after just meeting Miss He, she eagerly plays matchmaker." He pondered, holding the book, lost in thought. Then it occurred to him: rather than befriending someone like Miss He, why not get to know the drum singer girl? Her mother invited me to their home. Why not visit? I could learn about her background. That night, for some reason, he lay awake for hours.
The next day, Fan Jiashu skipped lunch, saying he needed to fetch university brochures, and went out. Tao Bohe and his wife believed him, thinking there was nowhere to go in the morning. Fan Jiashu didn't dare hail a rickshaw near home. On the main street, he hired one to Shuiche Hutong. At the entrance, he got off and walked slowly, checking house numbers. At the west end, house No. 3 indeed had a small red paper slip reading "Shen Residence." The door was narrow, blocked by a half-broken wooden screen. Below it were a slops bucket, several broken pottery bowls, a battered coal basket piled with rubbish, and a broken stool hanging on the screen. The screen had large holes, through which he could see clothes hung on a line in the yard. Under them it seemed was a pot of oleander, but it drooped, covered in dust. Fan Jiashu thought the yard unclean. Entering such a place felt awkward. He slowly walked past the door, reaching a main street. Looking around, he wondered, "Did I come all this way just to return home? Since I'm here, I should visit." He turned back into the alley. At the door, he intended to enter but hesitated again. "She's a drum singer, unrelated to me. Why visit such a home for no reason at all?" As he waffled, his steps carried him past the door. After passing two or three houses, he turned back. "She told me to look for the Shen family. I'll just ask for the Shens. If it's her home, her family will recognize me. Surely they'll welcome me." Resolved, he went to knock. But as he raised his hand, he thought, "No, no. Why am I visiting? It would be embarrassing." So though determined, his hand withdrew before touching the door. Standing by, he coughed twice, hoping someone would emerge. Unexpectedly, someone inside the screen spoke: "Go see who's at the door."
Fan Jiashu recognized the voice as the drum singer girl's. He quickly stepped back, walking softly and fast toward the alley entrance. Just as he reached it, someone called from behind, "Mr. Fan! Mr. Fan! It's here. You went the wrong way." Looking back, it was the girl's mother, Auntie Shen, waving and running over, squinting with a smile. "Mr. Fan, why didn't you come in when you reached the door?" Fan Jiashu stopped. "I saw no one come out, so I thought no one was home and left." Auntie Shen said, "You didn't knock. How would we know?" With that, she extended both hands, ushering Fan Jiashu in. He followed involuntarily, noticing the yard was cluttered with things.
Auntie Shen opened a door and led him into a room. It was packed with a bed, stove, pots, bowls, chairs, and stools—hardly space to stand. Turning a corner, she brought him to an inner room. Against the window was a large heated brick bed, occupying two-thirds of the space. The remaining area held only a small table and two chairs with broken backs, no other furnishings. Two grayish-black trunks and two wicker baskets were piled at one end of the bed. On this side lay a reed mat, with thin, narrow quilts folded on it, making the bed seem vast. On top was a red wool blanket, now blackened. The walls were pasted with several New Year pictures, like "The Rat Marries Off His Daughter" and "Wang Xiao'er is Henpecked," in gaudy reds and greens. Fan Jiashu had never been to such a place and felt a strange sensation. Auntie Shen offered him a small chair, poured a cup of strong tea, dark as horse's urine, into a white porcelain cup, and placed it on the table. The cup was near a kerosene lamp with a soot-blackened shade. Glancing at the table, the lacquer had peeled off in patches like fish scales. He wondered why someone from a splendid and noble home would come here. The thought made him uncomfortable. "I should sit awhile and leave," he thought. Just then, the girl entered. She was quite gracious, nodding with a smile. "Have some water." Auntie Shen said, "Girl, keep Mr. Fan company. I'll buy some melon seeds." Before Fan Jiashu could stop her, she was gone.
Now alone with a man and woman, they fell silent. The girl moved a chair, straightened the quilt, and sat on the bed. She asked, "Do you smoke?" Fan Jiashu waved his hand. "I don't." Again, silence. She stood, adjusted a towel hanging on a rope, moved things on the table, and took the kerosene lamp and a chipped bowl to the outer room, muttering, "What are these doing here?" Returning, she still had nothing to say. After this long hesitation, Fan Jiashu finally thought of something. "Miss, have you been to a singing-house?" Immediately, he regretted it, as Auntie Shen had said they hadn't. The girl answered without thought. "Yes, I have." Fan Jiashu said, "Then you must have a stage name there." She lowered her head, smiling faintly. "It's Feng Xi. A vulgar name!" Fan Jiashu smiled. "Very elegant." He murmured, "Feng xi, feng xi!" Feng Xi laughed. "You're mistaken. It's the 'xi' that means 'joy' or 'congratulations.'" Fan Jiashu said, "Ah! So you know characters. Which school did you attend?" Feng Xi smiled. "I never went to school. A neighbor used to be a teacher. I studied with him for over a year and learned a few characters. 'Feng xi' is in The Analects, right?" Fan Jiashu smiled. "Right. Can you write letters?" Feng Xi shook her head. Fan Jiashu asked, "Keep accounts?" Feng Xi said, "In a family like ours, what accounts to keep?" Fan Jiashu said, "Besides your drum singing earnings, does anyone else work?" Feng Xi replied, "Mother takes in some sewing work." Fan Jiashu asked, "What's 'sewing work'?" Feng Xi first pursed her lips and smiled, then said, "You really are a southerner; you don't understand our northern ways. It means taking in mending—when folks bring their clothes or shoes to be repaired. It's not hard. I can do it too. Otherwise, on rainy or windy days when we can't go out, what then?" Fan Jiashu said, "So you're quite capable." Feng Xi smiled, lowered her head, and traced circles on her knee with a finger. As Fan Jiashu was about to say more, Auntie Shen returned with purchases. Both fell silent.
Auntie Shen opened two paper packets—one of peanuts, one of melon seeds—and placed them on the bed. "Mr. Fan, please have some. I'm embarrassed to say we don't even have a clean plate." Feng Xi whispered, "Don't say such things. It sounds rather tacky." Auntie Shen smiled. "It's true. What's tacky?" She went out to prepare more tea. Feng Xi glanced outside, then grabbed a handful of melon seeds and offered it. "Take it. The table is dirty." Fan Jiashu reached out and accepted. Feng Xi smiled. "You're truly a refined gentleman. Your hands are even whiter than ours." Fan Jiashu ignored her comment, just smiled. Feng Xi asked, "Why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong? Look, whose hands are white?" Fan Jiashu said, "No, no. I find Beijing speech clever and witty, very pleasant. For instance, that 'tacky' you just said is meaningful." Feng Xi smiled. "Really?" Fan Jiashu said, "Why would I lie? Especially Beijing girls. When they talk gracefully, it's like opera, lovely to hear." Feng Xi laughed. "Then don't listen to me sing drum singing. Just come to my home to hear me talk." Auntie Shen brought in tea. "Hear what?" Feng Xi gestured with her lips toward Fan Jiashu. "He says Beijing speech is nice, and Beijing girls' speech even nicer." Auntie Shen said, "Really? Mr. Fan! Let my girl be your maid, serving you daily. Then you'll hear plenty." Fan Jiashu said, "How could I dare!" Just then, Feng Xi poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him with both hands, gazing softly. "Have some tea. Is this service acceptable?" Fan Jiashu took the cup and smiled. When he first entered, the room felt cramped and dirty, and he wanted to leave immediately. But now, engaged in interesting talk, time flew. Auntie Shen, after serving tea, left them. Fan Jiashu asked, "How many families live in this courtyard?" Feng Xi said, "Three, all small traders. If you don't mind the dirt, come anytime. It's fine." Fan Jiashu looked at her, grinning. Feng Xi sat cross-legged on the bed, holding her knees, smiling silently. After a while, she asked, "Why do you keep smiling at me?" Fan Jiashu said, "Because you're smiling." Feng Xi said, "That's not true. There must be another reason." Fan Jiashu said, "Frankly, you look like a female friend of mine." Feng Xi shook her head. "Impossible. Your female friend must be a young lady from a wealthy family. How could she look as plain as me?" Fan Jiashu said, "No, you're prettier than she is." Feng Xi didn't reply, just curled her lip at him. Fan Jiashu, seeing this, couldn't help laughing heartily.
After more chat, Auntie Shen entered. "Mr. Fan! Don't go. Stay for lunch. We don't have much, but we can make you fried sauce noodles." Fan Jiashu stood up. "I won't stay. I'll come next time." He took out a five-yuan note and handed it to Auntie Shen, smiling awkwardly. "A small token for the girl to buy shoes." His face reddened. Embarrassed, he hurried out, adjusted his clothes, and walked slowly. Not far, someone coughed twice behind him. Turning, he saw Feng Xi approaching with a smile. She glanced back, ensuring no one was around, and said, "You dropped something." Fan Jiashu felt his pockets. "I didn't drop anything." Feng Xi reached into her clothes and pulled out a newspaper packet, wrapped hastily. She handed it to him. "Here's what you dropped." Fan Jiashu took it and was about to open it when Feng Xi pressed his hand, glancing at him with a smile. "Don't look now. It won't be effective if you do. Put it away and look at home. Goodbye! Goodbye!" She quickly returned home. Fan Jiashu suddenly understood—it wasn't something he'd dropped. His heart leapt with joy. What was in the packet? That will be revealed in the next chapter.