Explore Chapter 37 of 'The Story of the Golden Powder Family' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
One day, Yanxi was sitting gloomily in his study when Jin Rong entered and announced, "Seventh Master, the Second Master is here." Yanxi looked up and saw it was Jin Hesun, his face etched with worry. Yanxi asked, "Second Brother, what brings you here today?" He Sun sighed, "Ah, Seventh Brother, you wouldn't understand. I too find myself entangled in a web of feelings these days, utterly at a loss."
It turned out that Jin Hesun had become quite intimate with a certain female student, but his wife, Cheng Huichang, had found out, causing quite a storm. Depressed and troubled, He Sun had come to seek solace in Yanxi's company. As the two brothers were talking, they suddenly heard laughter outside the door. It was Jin Fengju, Liu Baoshan, and others arriving.
Walking in, Feng Ju said with a laugh, "Seventh Brother, it's quite peaceful here. I hope we're not disturbing you with our racket?" Yanxi hastily rose to offer a seat, saying, "Eldest Brother, don't be absurd. I was just lamenting the lack of company to lift my spirits." Liu Baoshan chimed in, "Seventh Master has a new favorite now. How could he possibly remember old friends like us?"
Catching the barb in his words, Yanxi could only reply evasively, "Brother Liu, you jest." Feng Ju said, "Baoshan, no need for that sour talk. Seventh Brother knows his own mind." Liu Baoshan gave a cold laugh, "I'm just afraid that with a new friend, he'll forget the old ones. Sooner or later, we friends will be cast aside."
The next day, Yanxi wanted to visit Leng Qingqiu, but feared being too forward. As he hesitated, he suddenly received a telephone call from Bai Xiuzhu, inviting him to the cinema. Unable to refuse, Yanxi reluctantly agreed. Yet his thoughts ran elsewhere: "Though Xiuzhu is nice, she ultimately lacks Leng Qingqiu's refined elegance. It's just a matter of obligation that makes it hard for me to cut her off."
Meanwhile, upon returning home, Jin Hesun was once again quarreled at by Cheng Huichang, who accused him of roaming about all day with no regard for his family. Utterly vexed, He Sun went out to drink his sorrows away with some friends. To his surprise, he encountered Liu Baoshan at the tavern. Each preoccupied with his own troubles, they drank themselves into a stupor.
Back at Circle Lane, Yanxi thought of Leng Qingqiu's recent demeanor, which seemed both distant and intimate for reasons unknown. He ordered Jin Rong to make some inquiries. Jin Rong reported back, "Miss Leng has been staying home these past few days, reading books, I hear." Only then did Yanxi feel somewhat relieved.
A few days later, the Jin Family brothers gathered, with Feng Ju, He Sun, Peng Zhen, Yanxi and others present. Peng Zhen mentioned how, during recent social engagements, he'd seen many friends fall out over women, and advised his brothers to be cautious. Feng Ju said, "We are brothers. We must not let outsiders harm our harmony."
Yanxi remained silent, but thought to himself, "Though brothers are harmonious, friends drift apart. People like Liu Baoshan are not as close as they once were. It seems the bonds of friendship in this world are so difficult to maintain."
That night, Yanxi sat alone by the window. The moonlight was like freshly poured water. He could not help but recall Leng Qingqiu's graceful figure from that day, and pondered all the matters concerning his brothers and friends, as if in a dream. Truly: Since ancient times, an excess of passion has left nothing but regret; the sweetest dreams are always the first to fade.
This chapter tells of how each brother is troubled by love, and how friends become estranged through jealousy. Such are the common affairs of this mortal world; every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite. To learn what happened next, please turn to the following chapter.