第五十二回 有约斯来畅谈分小惠 过门不入辣语启微嫌 (Chapter 52: The Visitor Keeps His Word, Sharing Small Favors; The One Who Passes By Speaks Harshly, Stirring Slight Resentment)

Now, after Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu's marriage, they were truly affectionate. Leng Qingqiu ran the household with frugality and treated others with kindness. Mrs. Jin observed this and was inwardly delighted. Yet, Yanxi's former friends still visited from time to time, and Leng Qingqiu did not feel it proper to intervene too much.

One day, while Yanxi was reading in his study, Jin Rong suddenly entered and reported, "Seventh Master, Miss Bai is here." Yanxi was taken aback and asked, "Which Miss Bai?" Jin Rong said, "It's Miss Xiuzhu." Upon hearing this, Yanxi's face flushed slightly. He said, "What does she want?" Jin Rong replied, "She says she's come to congratulate you." Yanxi pondered for a moment and said, "Please have her wait in the drawing room. I'll be right there."

Yanxi changed his clothing and went to the drawing room. He saw Xiuzhu wearing a light green cheongsam, with a light touch of makeup on her face, looking somewhat thinner than before. When Xiuzhu saw Yanxi enter, she stood up and said with a smile, "Seventh Master, congratulations!" Yanxi smiled and said, "Thank you. Please have a seat." Xiuzhu sat down and said, "I should have come earlier to offer my congratulations, but I was afraid of disturbing your newlywed bliss, so I delayed until today." Yanxi said, "You're too polite. Between old friends, why stand on ceremony?"

Xiuzhu said, "Now that you have a family, you're naturally not as free as before. I dare not stay long, but I have a few words I'd like to say to you." Yanxi said, "Please go ahead." Xiuzhu said, "I heard that you organized a poetry club, which is quite elegant. Although I can't compose poetry, I enjoy reading it. I wonder if I could join in the fun?" Yanxi said, "It's just a casual gathering among a few friends. If you're interested, you're more than welcome."

They talked about the poetry club for a while. Xiuzhu also inquired after Leng Qingqiu's well-being, then stood up to leave. Yanxi saw her to the door. Suddenly, Xiuzhu turned back and said, "Seventh Master, you're happy now, but don't forget us old friends." Yanxi smiled and said, "Of course not." Xiuzhu smiled, got into her car, and left.

When Yanxi returned to the room, Leng Qingqiu was doing embroidery. Seeing Yanxi enter, she asked, "Who was it?" Yanxi said, "It was Bai Xiuzhu." Leng Qingqiu said, "What did she want?" Yanxi said, "Just to offer congratulations." Leng Qingqiu said, "She is thoughtful." Noticing Leng Qingqiu's indifferent expression, Yanxi changed the subject and asked, "What are you embroidering?" Leng Qingqiu said, "A pair of mandarin ducks." Yanxi smiled and said, "A good omen."

A few days later, several of Yanxi's friends invited him out for drinks. Yanxi couldn't refuse and had to go. When he returned in the evening, he was slightly drunk. Leng Qingqiu helped him to bed. Yanxi took Leng Qingqiu's hand and said, "Leng Qingqiu, you are so good to me." Leng Qingqiu said, "You're drunk. Go to sleep." Yanxi said, "I'm not drunk. Leng Qingqiu, I now understand that what matters between husband and wife is mutual understanding. You and I, we are sincere." Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu was moved, but only said, "Don't talk nonsense."

The next day, when Yanxi got up, Leng Qingqiu had already prepared sobering soup for him. After drinking it, Yanxi said, "We have nothing to do today. How about playing chess at home?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Very well." They began to play. Midway through the game, suddenly someone knocked on the door. Nanny Han came in and said, "Seventh Master, a young Master Wang is here to see you." Yanxi asked, "Which Master Wang?" Nanny Han said, "He says he's Wang Youchun." Yanxi said, "So it's him. Please show him in."

Wang Youchun entered and, upon seeing Yanxi, laughed and said, "Well, well, Yanxi, now that you're newly married, you've forgotten your old friends." Yanxi smiled and said, "Not at all. How did you find me here?" Wang Youchun said, "I went to your old residence and found out you moved here. What, hiding a beauty in a golden house, and you didn't even invite us for a drink?" Yanxi said, "I'll make it up to you another day."

Wang Youchun sat for a while. Seeing Leng Qingqiu nearby, he felt it inconvenient to stay long, so he took his leave. Yanxi saw him out. Wang Youchun whispered, "Yanxi, not to criticize you, but now that you're married, you should distance yourself from those old friends." Yanxi said, "I know my limits." Wang Youchun sighed and said, "I hope so."

A few more days passed. Suddenly, Xiuzhu sent a letter, inviting Yanxi to meet at Central Park, saying she had important matters to discuss. After reading the letter, Yanxi hesitated and went to tell Leng Qingqiu. Leng Qingqiu said, "Since she has important matters, it's fine for you to go." Yanxi said, "Then I'll go and come back right away."

Yanxi arrived at Central Park. Xiuzhu was already waiting under the old locust tree. Seeing Yanxi, she said, "Seventh Master, you've come." Yanxi asked, "What's the important matter?" Xiuzhu said, "Actually, it's nothing major. I heard your wife is a talented woman and wanted to invite her to join our Women's Advancement Association. I wonder if she would be willing?" Yanxi said, "I'll have to ask her." Xiuzhu said, "Naturally. Also, I have a private favor to ask of you." Yanxi said, "Please say."

Xiuzhu said, "My brother is recently starting a factory in Shanghai and is short on funds. I wonder if you could help with some circulation?" Yanxi frowned upon hearing this and said, "That might be difficult. Now that I have a family myself, expenses are high, and I'm afraid I can't assist much." Xiuzhu said, "I know it's hard for you, but for the sake of our past friendship, could you help a little?" Yanxi said, "I'll think about it when I get back."

They talked a bit more, then Yanxi took his leave and went home. On the way, he thought to himself that Xiuzhu's request was troublesome. He discussed it with Leng Qingqiu when he returned. Leng Qingqiu said, "Since she asked, it's right to help a little. But we're newly married, and our savings are limited. How much do you think you can help?" Yanxi said, "I plan to give her five hundred dollars, as a gesture of goodwill." Leng Qingqiu said, "As you wish."

The next day, Yanxi had Jin Rong deliver five hundred dollars to Xiuzhu. Xiuzhu accepted the money but sent back a message saying, "The amount isn't much, but it shows you care." Yanxi heard this and didn't mind.

Unexpectedly, Yanxi's third sister-in-law, Yufen, found out about this and said to Yanxi, "Old Seventh, not to criticize you, but now that you're married, why are you still involved with Bai Xiuzhu? Giving her money, what's that about?" Yanxi said, "It's just the duty of friends to help each other financially." Yufen said, "What would your wife think if she knew?" Yanxi said, "Leng Qingqiu knows." Yufen sneered and said, "She knows? I'm afraid she just doesn't say it, but she's unhappy inside."

Upon hearing this, Yanxi felt somewhat troubled. Returning to his room, he saw Leng Qingqiu reading and asked, "Leng Qingqiu, are you unhappy that I gave money to Xiuzhu?" Leng Qingqiu put down her book and said, "If I said I was unhappy, would you not have given it? Since you did, you must have your reasons. I only ask, is there any other affection between you and her?" Yanxi quickly said, "Absolutely none. Leng Qingqiu, believe me." Leng Qingqiu said, "I believe you."

A few more days passed. Suddenly, Xiuzhu personally visited, bringing a pot of orchids as thanks for Yanxi's assistance. Leng Qingqiu received her. Seeing Leng Qingqiu's gentle and gracious demeanor, Xiuzhu felt somewhat inferior. She sat for a while and then left.

In the evening, when Yanxi returned, Leng Qingqiu said, "Xiuzhu came today and brought a pot of orchids." Yanxi asked, "What did she say?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Nothing much. But I noticed she seemed somewhat despondent." Yanxi sighed and said, "She's always been proud and aloof. In her current state, I can't say much."

From then on, Xiuzhu had less contact with Yanxi. They only occasionally met in social settings, exchanging mere nods. Yanxi and Leng Qingqiu's life, however, remained peaceful.

Thus this chapter: The visitor came as promised, conversing and sharing small favors; the one who passed by without entering spoke harshly, stirring minor resentments.