第四十四回 水乳樽前各增心上喜 参商局外偏向局中愁 (Chapter Forty-Four: Joy Multiplies in Shared Cups; Sorrow Lingers Beyond the Game)

Now, when He Sun returned to his room to sleep, it was already past two o'clock. The next day, he got up at twelve. Peifang had not risen yet and had not eaten lunch. Upon waking, she only heard chattering voices in the courtyard outside the window. She called the maid in and asked who it was. The maid said, "It's the Second Young Mistress." Peifang said, "What is she here for?" The maid said, "It seems she came to celebrate your birthday, Young Mistress." Peifang sneered, "From the way she speaks, is she really here to celebrate my birthday? Before twelve o'clock, it was still my birthday, but now it doesn't count anymore. Go and tell her that I'm not feeling well and haven't gotten up yet. Thank her for me."

Upon hearing this, the maid went to the courtyard and said to He Sun, "The First Young Mistress said she is not feeling well and hasn't gotten up yet. She thanks you, Second Young Mistress." He Sun said, "Didn't you ask her to come in and sit for a while?" The maid said, "No, I didn't." He Sun said, "Why didn't you go back and ask her, then invite her in?" The maid said, "I told her, the First Young Mistress said she is not feeling well and hasn't gotten up yet. She thanks you, Second Young Mistress." He Sun couldn't help but laugh at this. The maid stood there, not leaving. He Sun said, "What are you laughing at? Go and invite her in!" Only then did the maid leave, still chuckling."

Not long after, Mei Li came in with a smile. He Sun said, "What are you laughing at?" Mei Li said, "I'm laughing at the maid. She really doesn't know how to speak. She came back after being snubbed, yet she said Sister-in-law invited me in." He Sun said, "Actually, it's your sister-in-law who's in the wrong. How could the maid mess up the message?" Mei Li said, "It's not entirely her fault. Sister-in-law said she wasn't feeling well and hadn't gotten up, so I said since she hasn't gotten up, it might be inconvenient for me to go in. So I turned to leave. But while standing in the courtyard, I seemed to hear voices inside the room." He Sun laughed, "Your sister-in-law is pretending to be ill. She's up." Mei Li said, "How do you know, Brother?" He Sun said, "Listen to those voices. Doesn't it sound like she's up?" Mei Li said, "Since you know, why don't you go in and expose her?" He Sun smiled, "Since your sister-in-law is pretending, why should I spoil her face?" Mei Li said, "If I weren't afraid Sister-in-law might scold me, I'd go in and see." He Sun said, "Go ahead. I guarantee she won't say a word."

Hearing this, Mei Li indeed walked inward. Passing through the outer room, she saw Peifang lying on the sofa, holding a book. Mei Li said, "Sister-in-law, how are you?" Peifang then sat up with a smile and said, "What's wrong with me?" Mei Li said, "I heard you were ill, so I came specially to see you. But the maid said you hadn't gotten up yet." Peifang said, "I really hadn't gotten up, but when I heard you came, how could I stay lying down?" Mei Li said, "So it's my fault then." Peifang said, "If it's not your fault, whose is it?" Saying this, she pulled Mei Li to sit beside her. Mei Li said, "Brother said you were pretending to be ill. He was right." Peifang said, "How does he know I'm pretending?" Mei Li said, "He heard your voice from the courtyard." Peifang laughed, "How strange. Since he knows I'm up, why didn't he come in?" Mei Li said, "He said since you're pretending, he didn't want to spoil your face." Peifang smiled, "That's considerate of him, saving my face. Actually, I'm not afraid of him coming in." Mei Li said, "Brother said your birthday has passed today. But he also said he still wants to invite you out for dinner and a show tonight." Peifang said, "What's the need? We already had a lively day yesterday." Mei Li said, "Brother said yesterday was a public celebration for you, but today is his private invitation." Peifang said, "I appreciated yesterday. Today really isn't necessary." Mei Li said, "Brother insists on inviting you. He said if you don't go, he'll come personally to ask." Peifang said, "In that case, I'll go." Mei Li said, "I'll tell Brother so he can prepare." With that, she ran out and said to He Sun, "Sister-in-law agreed. Prepare for it." He Sun laughed, "I knew she would agree."

At this time, He Sun was still standing in the courtyard. Mei Li said, "Brother, what are you still doing here? You should call and make reservations." He Sun said, "I've already made them. No need to call again." Mei Li said, "Where did you reserve?" He Sun said, "At Auspicious Omen Lane, for Japanese cuisine. For the show, it's still Zhenguang Cinema." Mei Li said, "Why a foreign movie again?" He Sun said, "The film is good." Mei Li said, "Does Sister-in-law like foreign films too?" He Sun said, "Whether she likes it or not, I've made the reservation. She has to go." Mei Li couldn't help but laugh at this."

In the evening, He Sun and his wife, along with Mei Li, went to Auspicious Omen Lane for Japanese cuisine. After dinner, they proceeded to Zhenguang Cinema to watch the movie. The film was indeed good, but halfway through, the lights suddenly came on. He Sun said, "What's wrong? Is the film damaged?" The lights stayed on for a moment, then went off again. Then they came back on, this time fully lit. A man in a Western suit walked onto the stage and announced to everyone, "Ladies and gentlemen, please forgive us. The machine has malfunctioned, so we cannot continue tonight. You may take your ticket stubs to the box office for a refund." Upon hearing this, the audience erupted in uproar. He Sun said, "What bad luck. Of all days, the machine had to break today." Peifang said, "Then let's go back." Mei Li said, "We have no choice but to return."

The three of them walked out dispiritedly. He Sun said, "How about we take a stroll in the park?" Peifang said, "I'm not in the mood." Mei Li said, "Neither am I." He Sun said, "Then where should we go to sit for a while?" Peifang said, "I want to go back." He Sun said, "It's still early." Mei Li said, "I need to go back. I have homework." Seeing that both wanted to return, He Sun had no choice but to comply."

Back home, He Sun said, "What a disappointment tonight." Peifang said, "It's all your fault, insisting on inviting us out. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have gone." He Sun said, "How strange. I invited you to dinner and a show, and now I'm blamed for it." Peifang said, "If you were sincere, why didn't you invite me yesterday, but only today? Today isn't even my birthday." He Sun said, "Yesterday was a public celebration, today is my private invitation. What's the difference?" Peifang said, "Since it's private, why bring Third Sister along?" He Sun said, "Having Third Sister makes it livelier." Peifang said, "It doesn't make it livelier. Instead, it adds more restraint with an extra person." Hearing this, Mei Li stood up and said, "If you two are quarreling, don't drag me into it." With that, she returned to her room."

Here, He Sun and Peifang argued a few more words. Peifang said, "I'm tired of talking to you. I want to sleep." He Sun said, "It's still early." Peifang said, "I'm not feeling well. I want to sleep." Saying this, she went to bed. He Sun sat alone, feeling bored, so he also went to sleep. The next day, Peifang had the maid invite Mrs. Jin over. Mrs. Jin said, "What do you need me for?" Peifang said, "I have a favor to ask, Mother. I hope you'll agree." Mrs. Jin said, "What is it?" Peifang said, "I want to go to Western Hills to recuperate." Mrs. Jin said, "You're perfectly healthy. What do you need to recuperate from?" Peifang said, "I'm really not well. I feel stifled at home and want to stay at Western Hills for a few days." Mrs. Jin said, "If you go to Western Hills, what about He Sun?" Peifang said, "He'll naturally stay at home." Mrs. Jin said, "That's not quite proper, is it?" Peifang said, "It's fine. With you looking after him at home, I'm at ease." Mrs. Jin said, "How long do you plan to go for?" Peifang said, "It's hard to say. Maybe ten days to half a month, maybe a year or two." Mrs. Jin said, "That won't do. What about household affairs? Won't you manage them?" Peifang said, "You can manage household affairs, Mother. There's no need for me to worry."

Seeing that Peifang was determined to go, Mrs. Jin knew she was upset with He Sun. She said, "Since you insist, I won't stop you. But how many people will you take?" Peifang said, "I plan to take Xiaolan and one maid. That's enough." Mrs. Jin said, "When do you intend to leave?" Peifang said, "I want to leave this afternoon." Mrs. Jin said, "Why so hurried?" Peifang said, "I really feel stifled at home." Mrs. Jin said, "Very well, then. Go and relax. Do you have enough money?" Peifang said, "I've brought some. If it's not enough, I'll write back for more." Mrs. Jin said, "That's fine."

Peifang bid farewell to Mrs. Jin and returned to her room to pack her luggage. He Sun saw this and asked, "Why are you packing?" Peifang said, "I'm going to stay at Western Hills for a few days." He Sun said, "What for?" Peifang said, "To recuperate." He Sun said, "What illness do you have?" Peifang said, "Don't you know what illness I have?" He Sun said, "I really don't know." Peifang said, "If you don't know, then forget it." He Sun said, "When are you leaving?" Peifang said, "This afternoon." He Sun said, "How long will you be gone?" Peifang said, "It's uncertain." He Sun said, "Shall I go with you?" Peifang said, "I don't need you to come." Seeing Peifang's cold demeanor, He Sun knew she was angry. He said, "Since you're determined to go, I won't stop you. But when you're at Western Hills, write often." Peifang said, "Naturally."

In the afternoon, Peifang set off for Western Hills with Xiaolan and a maid. He Sun saw her off at the main gate, but Peifang got into the car without looking back. He Sun returned to his room and sat alone, feeling gloomy. He thought, we didn't quarrel over anything major, so why is she so angry? He pondered this over and over but couldn't find a reason. In the evening, eating alone felt even more dull. He had the maid invite Mei Li over. When Mei Li arrived, He Sun said, "Third Sister, keep me company for dinner." Mei Li said, "Brother, has Sister-in-law gone to Western Hills?" He Sun said, "How do you know?" Mei Li said, "I heard from the maid." He Sun said, "Yes, she went to Western Hills to recuperate." Mei Li said, "What illness does Sister-in-law have?" He Sun said, "I don't know either." Mei Li said, "Why didn't you go with her, Brother?" He Sun said, "She didn't want me to." Mei Li said, "Then you must have offended Sister-in-law." He Sun said, "I didn't offend her." Mei Li said, "If you didn't, why is she so angry?" He Sun said, "I don't know." Mei Li said, "Couples quarrel over trivial matters. It'll pass in a few days." He Sun said, "I hope so."

A few days later, He Sun, feeling utterly stifled, went to Falling Flowers Lane to visit Yanxi. Yanxi was at home, talking with Leng Qingqiu. Hearing that He Sun had arrived, he came out to meet him. He Sun said, "Seventh Brother, your place is quite peaceful." Yanxi said, "Second Brother, what brings you here today?" He Sun said, "I'm bored at home, so I came to chat with you." Yanxi said, "Where's Second Sister-in-law?" He Sun said, "She went to Western Hills to recuperate." Yanxi said, "What illness?" He Sun said, "I don't know." Yanxi laughed, "Second Brother, did you and Second Sister-in-law have another quarrel?" He Sun said, "We didn't quarrel. She suddenly wanted to go to Western Hills, and I couldn't stop her." Yanxi said, "Second Sister-in-law has a bit of a peculiar temper." He Sun said, "Isn't that right?"

The two chatted for a while, then He Sun left. Yanxi returned to the room, and Leng Qingqiu asked, "What did Second Master come for?" Yanxi said, "He's bored and came to talk." Leng Qingqiu said, "Did he and Second Sister-in-law argue again?" Yanxi said, "He didn't say so, but from the look of it, they probably did." Leng Qingqiu said, "Couples argue often. It'll blow over in a few days." Yanxi said, "That's what I think too."

A few more days passed. Since Peifang had gone to Western Hills, the household was short one person, so Mrs. Jin told He Sun to bring her back. Following his mother's order, He Sun had no choice but to take an automobile to Western Hills to fetch Peifang. Arriving at Western Hills Hotel, he asked at the front desk. The clerk said, "Mrs. Jin is in room seventy-two." He Sun went straight to room seventy-two and found the door closed. He knocked, and someone inside asked, "Who is it?" He Sun said, "It's me." The door opened, and Xiaolan stood at the entrance. He Sun said, "Where is the First Young Mistress?" Xiaolan said, "She's inside." He Sun entered and saw Peifang sitting by the window, holding a book, completely absorbed. He Sun said, "I've come to take you back." Peifang looked up, glanced at He Sun, and said, "What are you here for?" He Sun said, "Mother sent me to fetch you home." Peifang said, "I don't want to go back." He Sun said, "Why not?" Peifang said, "I'm living quite well here." He Sun said, "Mother is worried about you staying alone." Peifang said, "What's there to worry about? I'm not a child." He Sun said, "If you don't return, Mother will come personally to get you." Peifang said, "If Mother comes personally, then I'll go back." He Sun said, "Why trouble Mother? Come back with me now, won't you?" Peifang said, "I don't want to go back today. Let's talk tomorrow." Seeing Peifang adamant about not returning today, He Sun had no choice but to say, "Then I'll come again tomorrow." Peifang said, "Don't bother coming tomorrow either. When I want to return, I'll go back myself." He Sun said, "That won't do. Mother told me to fetch you, so I must bring you back." Peifang said, "Go back and tell Mother I'll return in a few days." He Sun said, "Mother insists you come back today." Peifang said, "Are you forcing me to go back?" He Sun said, "It's not me forcing you. It's truly Mother's wish." Peifang said, "I know Mother's wish. But I really don't want to go back today. If you force me, I'll get angry." Seeing Peifang speak this way, He Sun knew that pressing further would truly anger her. He had to say, "Then I'll come again tomorrow." With that, he withdrew."

He Sun returned home, and Mrs. Jin asked, "Did you bring her back?" He Sun said, "No." Mrs. Jin said, "Why not?" He Sun said, "She refused to come." Mrs. Jin said, "Why didn't you persuade her repeatedly?" He Sun said, "If I persuade her, she'll get angry." Mrs. Jin said, "How can that be? I'll go fetch her myself." He Sun said, "There's no need, Mother. She said she'll return in a few days." Mrs. Jin said, "That won't do. I must bring her back today." Saying this, she called for the automobile to be prepared. Seeing his mother determined to go, He Sun dared not stop her."

Mrs. Jin took the automobile straight to Western Hills Hotel. She found room seventy-two, knocked, and entered. Seeing Mrs. Jin had come, Peifang felt embarrassed to persist in her stubbornness. Mrs. Jin said, "Pack your things and come back with me." Peifang said, "Mother, why did you come personally?" Mrs. Jin said, "I came to fetch you. Won't you come back now?" Peifang said, "Since you've come, I'll naturally return." With that, she told Xiaolan to pack the luggage. Mrs. Jin said, "You were living well here. Why did you come?" Peifang said, "I felt stifled at home, so I wanted to stay here for a few days." Mrs. Jin said, "If you're bored at home, can't you find something to do? Why must you come to Western Hills?" Peifang said, "There's nothing for me to do at home." Mrs. Jin said, "There's plenty to do at home. How can you say there's nothing?" Peifang said, "You manage everything at home, Mother. There's no need for me to worry." Mrs. Jin said, "That's not right. You're the eldest daughter-in-law. You should also manage household affairs." Peifang said, "I'm afraid I won't manage well." Mrs. Jin said, "If you don't manage well at first, you'll learn slowly." Peifang said, "I'm afraid I won't learn." Mrs. Jin said, "How can you not learn?"

Seeing that Mrs. Jin insisted on her returning, Peifang knew further refusal was useless. She had to say, "Then I'll go back with you, Mother." Mrs. Jin said, "That's more like it."