第十九章 (Chapter 19)

Since leaving the Cao family, Xiangzi found other employers, but none lasted long. His health grew worse. When pulling the rickshaw, he often felt dizzy and had blurred vision.

One day, while pulling his rickshaw to the West City and passing through an alley, he was stopped by a young lady. Her surname was Xia. She was a widow and very wealthy.

Mrs. Xia asked Xiangzi to pull her to the East City. Along the way, she chatted and laughed with him. When they arrived, Mrs. Xia paid extra fare and asked him to come again the next day.

Xiangzi found Mrs. Xia to be very kind, unlike other employers who were harsh. The next day, he indeed went again, and Mrs. Xia indeed took his rickshaw.

After a few days like this, Mrs. Xia invited Xiangzi to come inside, sit down, and have a cup of tea. At first, Xiangzi was hesitant, but Mrs. Xia insisted, so he had no choice but to enter.

Mrs. Xia's room was exquisitely furnished, with soft sofas and a fragrant scent. She poured tea for Xiangzi and asked about his family.

Xiangzi seldom entered such rooms, so he felt a bit scared, but also somewhat pleased. Mrs. Xia was very kind to him, making him feel warm.

From then on, Xiangzi came every afternoon to pull Mrs. Xia. Sometimes, even when there was no errand, Mrs. Xia would let him rest inside. Gradually, Xiangzi grew accustomed to this life.

One day, Mrs. Xia kept Xiangzi for dinner, and they drank wine. After the meal, Mrs. Xia said it was late and asked Xiangzi not to go back.

Xiangzi knew it was wrong, but as the wine took effect, his body grew weak, so he stayed. That night, Xiangzi did something wrong.

From that day on, Xiangzi became entangled with Mrs. Xia. He no longer pulled the rickshaw properly. When he had money, he spent it, and when he didn't, he asked Mrs. Xia for it.

Mrs. Xia was also willing to give him money, as long as he kept her company. Xiangzi lived a happy life for a while, but he always felt uneasy at heart.

Soon, red spots appeared on Xiangzi's body, itchy and painful. He secretly went to see a doctor, who said it was a venereal disease that would cost a lot of money to treat.

Xiangzi was terrified. He didn't dare tell Mrs. Xia, so he endured it himself. But the illness grew worse, and he had to seek treatment.

Treatment exhausted all Xiangzi's money, and he incurred debts. His health collapsed, and he could no longer pull the rickshaw. He regretted it deeply.

Xiangzi became despondent, drinking all day and crying when drunk. The other rickshaw pullers looked down on him, saying he had degenerated.

Xiangzi knew he was finished. His dream of buying a rickshaw could never be realized. He could only drift from day to day, waiting for the end to come.