Explore Chapter 14 of 'Camel Xiangzi' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
The Liu family's affair was conducted with great fanfare. Fourth Master Liu was pleased to see so many people come to kneel and offer birthday congratulations. What made him even prouder was that many old friends also rushed to congratulate him. From these old friends, he realized that his event was not only lively but also "reformed." These old friends' attire was already outdated, while Fourth Master's fur robe and riding jacket were newly made. Professionally speaking, several friends had been wealthier than him in the past, but now-after two or three decades of changes-they had fallen lower and lower. Some even struggled to get a full meal. Looking at them and then at his own celebration tent, birthday hall, hanging screen depicting the Battle of Changbanpo, and the feast with three large bowls, he felt he was indeed a cut above them. He had "reformed." Even for gambling, he prepared mahjong tiles, which seemed much more refined than dice games.
Yet, amid this lively scene, he also felt a touch of desolation and sorrow. Accustomed to a solitary life, he had expected that on his birthday, the visitors would only be shopkeepers, clerks, and the usual gang of hangers-on from his past dealings. He hadn't anticipated that some female guests would come. Although Tigress could help entertain them, he suddenly felt a proud loneliness. He had no old partner, only a daughter, and one who looked like a man. If Tigress were a man, she would have surely started a family and had children by now. Even if he were an old widower, perhaps he wouldn't feel so utterly alone. Yes, he lacked nothing except a son. The older he grew, the slimmer his hope for a son. A birthday celebration should be a joyous occasion, yet it seemed it should bring tears. No matter how much he had "reformed," without someone to continue his legacy, wasn't it all for nothing?
In the morning, he was exceedingly pleased as everyone offered birthday wishes. He accepted them with great pomp, feeling like an old hero who had triumphed over all. In the afternoon, his spirits sank a bit. Seeing the children brought by the female guests, he felt both envy and jealousy. Yet he dared not get close to them. Keeping his distance made him feel awkward. He wanted to throw a tantrum but refrained from lashing out immediately. He knew that as a man of the world, he couldn't embarrass himself in front of relatives and friends. He wished to hurry through the day and end this torment.
There was one more fly in the ointment. During the morning meal for the rickshaw pullers, Xiangzi almost got into a fight.
The meal was served a little after eight, and the rickshaw pullers were somewhat displeased. Although they had been exempted from the daily rental fee yesterday, today none had come empty-handed to eat. Whether it was a dime or forty coppers, each had contributed some gift money. On ordinary days, they were hard-luck fellows, and Liu Si was the yard owner. Today, in their view, they were guests and shouldn't be treated this way. Moreover, they had to leave right after eating and weren't allowed to take out their rickshaws, even during the year-end season!
Xiangzi knew for sure he wasn't among those who had to leave immediately after eating, but he wanted to eat with everyone. First, to finish early and get on with his tasks. Second, to show camaraderie. As he sat down with them, they shifted their dissatisfaction with Liu Si onto him. No sooner had he taken his seat than someone said, "Hey, you're the honored guest! Why sit with us?" Xiangzi grinned foolishly, not catching the meaning behind the words. For days now, he hadn't spoken idle words himself, so his mind seemed a bit sluggish.
Not daring to vent their anger on Liu Si, they decided to take it out on the food and drink. While the dishes couldn't be replenished, the wine had no limits-it was celebratory wine! They unanimously thought to drown their resentment in alcohol. Some drank in silence, others started guessing games with fingers. Old Man Liu couldn't stop them from playing these games. Seeing everyone drink, Xiangzi felt it improper not to join in, so he had a couple of cups too. As they drank, their eyes turned red, and their mouths ran loose. Someone said, "Xiangzi, Camel, you've got a sweet deal! Eating your fill all day, serving the masters and misses! Soon you won't need to pull a rickshaw anymore-best become a personal attendant!" Xiangzi sensed some implication but didn't take it to heart. Since entering Renhe Yard, he had resolved not to play the hero anymore, leaving everything to fate. Let people say what they would. He held his temper.
Another chimed in, "Xiangzi goes a different way-we earn by strength, but Xiangzi relies on inner power!" Everyone burst out laughing. Xiangzi realized they were "biting" at him, but having endured such great grievances, why bother with these idle remarks? He still didn't speak up. People at the next table saw an opportunity and called out, stretching their necks, "Xiangzi, when you become the yard owner, don't forget your buddies!" Xiangzi remained silent, and someone at his own table added, "Speak up, Camel!"
Xiangzi couldn't wrap his head around it. Not to mention becoming the yard owner, he hadn't even thought about marriage. He had long forgotten about male-female affairs. What problems would marriage solve? He wasn't even sure whom to marry. He had money, he had his rickshaw, going out to pick up fares all day, free and self-sufficient. Why take on a burden? Tigress was fierce, but with his own money, he wouldn't suffer her temper. Yet, what these people said wasn't without reason. With money and a rickshaw, of course he could become the yard owner. There was nothing wrong with that. But that was for the future, not something to discuss now. He decided to keep quiet and continued eating with his head down.
Seeing Xiangzi unresponsive, everyone thought it best not to speak further. But some had even nastier remarks ready. Before they could utter them, Fourth Master Liu entered.
"Quiet!" Fourth Master Liu swept a glance over the crowd. "Today I'm hosting a reformed affair. What's your problem? Want to smash my rice bowl? If anyone doesn't want this job, speak up! I'm not afraid!"
Everyone immediately fell silent and lowered their heads to eat. Fourth Master Liu walked up to Xiangzi, and Xiangzi stood up.
"I don't care about anything else," Fourth Master Liu said to everyone, "but I won't have you gossiping about me behind my back! I, Liu Si, have traveled north and south-what haven't I seen? I spent money on this celebration to make it lively and give everyone a good face. If anyone finds it unsuitable or doesn't like it, get out! I'm not hosting a paupers' feast here! Hear me?"
"I, I, I went to the bathhouse." Xiangzi remembered that he had indeed gone to the bathhouse, but he hadn't bathed, only sat for a while.
"If you're itchy, can't you scratch yourself? Go to the bathhouse? What kind of rich man are you! Do you know how much this day's expenses are? Do you know how much your daily rental fee is for today? Do you know how much your food expenses are? Hmph! You're something else, sneaking out and roaming all day! Do you think I don't know?"
"Listen," Tigress pointed at him, "from now on, you have to obey me! I married you, not to suffer poverty! The money you earn must be handed over to me! Hear me? If you don't listen, get out early! I don't keep idle people here!"
Xiangzi brought the water. Tigress wiped her face while continuing to nag, "Don't try to trick me-I know everything! I'm making it clear: from now on, you're mine and must obey me! I don't want anything else, just your honesty. But if you disobey, hmph, I have ways to deal with you!"
Xiangzi held the basin, standing there with his mind in a tangled mess. He seemed to understand, yet he seemed even more confused. He had wanted to avoid her, but now it was as if bound by an invisible rope. He had no plan, only hoping this day would quickly pass.