第十三章 (Chapter Thirteen)

Xiangzi returned to the Cao residence, his mind preoccupied with Tigress's matter. He dared not tell Mr. Cao, so he kept it to himself. While pulling the rickshaw, he often got distracted and almost hit people. Mr. Cao noticed something was wrong and asked if he was sick. Xiangzi mumbled that he was fine.

Tigress had grown impatient waiting. She sent word to Xiangzi, telling him he must go to Rickshaw Yard before Fourth Master Liu's birthday. Xiangzi knew he couldn't avoid it, so he braced himself and went.

As soon as he entered the yard gate, Tigress pulled him into the room, closed the door, and said, "Xiangzi, you've finally come! My father's birthday is approaching. What are you planning to do?" Xiangzi lowered his head and said nothing.

Tigress grew anxious. "Don't play dumb with me! The child in my belly is yours. If you don't own up, I'll make a scene at the Cao residence and let everyone see!" Xiangzi was startled and hurriedly said, "Don't shout. I... I didn't say I wouldn't admit it."

Tigress then softened her tone. "Alright, do as I say. On the twenty-seventh, you go kowtow to my father and say you're willing to acknowledge him as your godfather. Once we get past this hurdle, we can talk about the wedding slowly."

Xiangzi felt as if a stone were pressing on his heart, leaving him breathless. He recalled his dream of saving money to buy a rickshaw, now all disrupted by Tigress. Yet, what could he do? Tigress was right. If she really made a fuss, he would lose his job at the Cao residence too.

After leaving Rickshaw Yard, Xiangzi wandered aimlessly. It was already dark, and the streets were deserted. He thought of the old rickshaw puller who had collapsed from cold and hunger, and of Little Horse. A chill ran through his heart. Would he end up like that someday?

Back at the Cao residence, Nanny Gao saw his pale face and asked if he was ill. Xiangzi shook his head and retreated into his room. He took out the money jar, shook it, and listened to the coins clinking inside. That money was earned drop by drop with his sweat. But now, could it still be used to buy a rickshaw?

At night, Xiangzi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Tigress's words were like a knife stabbing his heart. He hated Tigress, and he hated himself. Why had he gotten involved with her in the first place? Now, he couldn't shake her off.

The next day, Xiangzi went out to pull the rickshaw as usual. He took Mr. Cao on errands, being extra careful on the road, afraid of making any mistake. Mr. Cao saw his low spirits and comforted him a few more words. Xiangzi merely nodded, his mind in even greater turmoil.

Days passed, and the twenty-seventh drew closer. Xiangzi felt as if he were awaiting execution, living in fear every day. He thought of running away, but where could he go? Beiping was his home. Aside from pulling a rickshaw, he knew nothing else.

On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, it snowed. Xiangzi returned from pulling the rickshaw, covered in a layer of white. Nanny Gao was sweeping snow in the yard and said upon seeing him, "Xiangzi, a woman came looking for you earlier. She said she's your relative." Xiangzi tensed up, knowing it was Tigress.

He quickly asked, "What did she say?" Nanny Gao replied, "Nothing much. She just asked when you'd be free." Xiangzi grunted and hurried inside. He was afraid Nanny Gao would ask more, and even more afraid Tigress would come to the Cao residence.

That evening, Xiangzi took out the money jar again and counted the coins inside. He had almost a hundred dollars now. A little more, and he could buy a rickshaw. But what about Tigress's matter? If he really married her, would this money still be his?

The more he thought, the more annoyed he became. He simply put the money away and pulled the covers over his head to sleep. But he couldn't sleep. Tigress's voice kept ringing in his ears: "Xiangzi, don't think you can run away! I'll find you even if you flee to the ends of the earth!"

On the twenty-sixth day, Xiangzi worked a late shift. By the time he finished, it was already midnight. The streets were quiet, with only a few patrolmen on duty. Xiangzi dragged his exhausted body back, feeling empty inside.

At the gate of the Cao residence, he saw a figure standing under the streetlight. As he approached, he saw it was Tigress. Xiangzi was startled and turned to leave, but Tigress had already called out to him: "Xiangzi, I've been waiting for you for ages!"

Xiangzi had to stop and said in a low voice, "How did you find this place?" Tigress said, "Why can't I come? Listen, tomorrow is the twenty-seventh. You better be on time! If you mess this up, I won't let you off easy!"

Xiangzi said, "I know." Tigress added, "Don't try any tricks. My father is shrewd. You have to act convincingly." Then she handed Xiangzi a small package containing a new padded jacket. "Wear this. Don't let my father see you looking shabby."

Xiangzi took the jacket, his heart filled with mixed feelings. Tigress glanced at him and turned to leave. Xiangzi stood there, watching her figure disappear into the dark night, feeling chilled all over.

Back in his room, Xiangzi opened the small package. It was indeed a brand-new blue cloth padded jacket. He tried it on. It fit well. But wearing this clothes, he would truly become Tigress's man.

That night, Xiangzi didn't sleep a wink. He thought of his hometown, his parents, and how he had been when he first arrived in Beiping. Back then, how driven and single-minded he had been, with his heart set on nothing but buying his own rickshaw. But now, before he could even buy one, he had already gotten himself into such trouble.

As dawn approached, Xiangzi dozed off fitfully. In his dream, he was pulling his own rickshaw, running swiftly down the street. Tigress was chasing after him, shouting, "Xiangzi, come back!"

Xiangzi woke with a start, drenched in cold sweat. Outside the window, the sky was growing light. Today was the twenty-seventh.