第八十九回 临榻看新孙难言此隐 怀金窥上客愿为谁容 (Chapter 89: At the Cradle, Unspoken Anxieties; Gilded Glances, For Whom the Adornment)

At this moment, Leng Qingqiu walked into the main house, her heart heavy with unspoken thoughts. Mrs. Leng saw her and immediately asked, "My child, what's the matter? Look at your eyes, swollen like peaches." Leng Qingqiu offered a strained smile. "It's nothing. I stayed up late reading last night, and my eyes are a bit sore." Mrs. Leng said, "You might as well not read that troublesome stuff. Why torture yourself? Your father passed away early, and I've kept you with me all these years hoping only for your good health and a bit of learning. You've read plenty already, and you're so delicate. You should rest more." Leng Qingqiu replied, "It's not that I must study. But with nothing else to do, reading helps pass the time." Seeing her reluctance to speak further, Mrs. Leng let the matter drop. After a while, Leng Qingqiu suddenly asked, "Mother, what do you think we live for?" Mrs. Leng was taken aback by the abrupt question. She thought for a moment and said, "That depends on each person's aspirations. For me, remaining a widow in my youth was to raise you properly. As for your uncle, he busies himself daily to support the family. Everyone has their own concerns; it's hard to say." Leng Qingqiu continued, "Mother, what kind of life do you think someone like Seventh Master Jin leads? And what kind of life do we lead?" Hearing this, Mrs. Leng grew suspicious. "Leng Qingqiu! What do you mean? Are you envious of his family's wealth?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Why should I envy him? I just wonder why the world is so unfair. Some have everything served to them, while others toil from dawn to dusk without enough to eat or wear." Mrs. Leng said, "Speaking of that reminds me of something. Your uncle told me yesterday he wants to ask Seventh Master Jin to find him a position. He's been idling here in Beijing, and it truly is dull for him." Leng Qingqiu asked, "What does he mean by asking Seventh Master Jin for a job? Are we to live off the Jin Family's favor?" Mrs. Leng replied, "It's not such a big deal. We're neighbors, after all. He knows many people. Asking him to find a job isn't necessarily taking advantage." Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu simply lowered her head and fiddled with the corner of her jacket, remaining silent for a long while. Mrs. Leng prompted, "Why aren't you saying anything?" Leng Qingqiu looked up and said, "I'm not opposed to Uncle asking him for a job. But I always feel that our dealings with the Jin Family seem a bit..." She trailed off. Mrs. Leng asked, "Seem a bit what? Go on." Leng Qingqiu said, "They seem a bit like we're trying to cultivate connections above our station. In truth, even though we're poor, we can live our own lives just fine without socializing." Mrs. Leng sighed. "Child, you're always so aloof. In today's society, how can you shut yourself off? Knowing more people is a good thing." Seeing her mother's stance, Leng Qingqiu thought it best not to argue further.

Two days later, Song Runqing wrote a note and personally delivered it to Yanxi's residence. It stated he would pay a visit on Sunday morning to discuss a matter in person. Reading the note, Yanxi thought to himself, 'What could he possibly want? Nothing but a job, surely.' Since he was coming anyway, Yanxi saw no harm in obliging him as a gesture of goodwill. He sent Jin Rong to reply that he would be pleased to receive him. On Sunday, Song Runqing arrived. Yanxi invited him to sit in the small parlour. As soon as he sat down, Song Runqing bowed with hands folded. Then, haltingly, he began, "I've come today with a small matter, hoping to ask for Seventh Master's assistance." Yanxi smiled. "Mr. Song, please speak freely. If it's within my power, I shall certainly do my best." Song Runqing said, "It's rather shameful to mention. I've been idling in the capital, hoping to find a position for myself. Unfortunately, due to my limited talents, I've never found a suitable post. I've heard Seventh Master knows many influential people. Would it be possible for you to find me a minor role somewhere? The rank or pay doesn't matter, as long as it provides a place to settle." Yanxi thought for a moment and smiled. "You are too modest, Mr. Song. Someone of your caliber shouldn't be without work. It must just be a matter of timing. Since you've asked, I will certainly keep it in mind. In a day or two, I'll make some inquiries personally. Once I have news, I shall come and inform you." Seeing Yanxi agree so readily, Song Runqing was overjoyed. He stood up and bowed again repeatedly, thanking him profusely. Yanxi said, "It's nothing, Mr. Song, no need for such courtesy. Now that we are neighbors, we are practically family. In the future, if you have any matters, feel free to come to me. If I can help, I certainly will." Hearing this, Song Runqing was even more delighted. After chatting a while longer, he took his leave in high spirits.

After Song Runqing left, Yanxi sat pondering. Finding a job for Song Runqing was easy enough. He just needed to say a word to his elder brother to secure him a sinecure in some ministry, with a monthly salary of eighty or a hundred dollars. That would be enough for his upkeep. However, doing so would draw him another step closer to the Leng Residence. On Leng Qingqiu's part, she might not necessarily dislike him for it. But she had her pride. Would she suspect him of intentionally bestowing favors by finding a job for her uncle? Still, he had already promised Song Runqing and couldn't go back on his word. He decided not to overthink it for now and get the job done first. Having made up his mind, he immediately took an automobile home to find his elder brother, Jin Fengju. Feng Ju was reading the newspaper in his own room. Seeing Yanxi enter, he asked, "Why are you home so early today?" Yanxi said, "There's something I need your help with, Brother." Feng Ju asked, "What is it now? Haven't you been spending all your time playing around with that poetry club you organized?" Yanxi laughed. "The poetry club is real. But there's another small matter. I need you to help me secure a position for someone." Feng Ju said, "For whom? Don't be foolish. Which government office isn't overstaffed these days? How can we just slot someone in out of the blue?" Yanxi said, "It's for an older gentleman in his fifties. A job paying around a hundred dollars a month would suffice. The rank doesn't matter. Which ministry do you think we could try?" Feng Ju asked, "Why are you finding a job for this person? Is he your tutor?" Yanxi replied, "No, a friend." Feng Ju said, "A friend? Don't talk nonsense. All your friends are playboys. Who among them would stoop to such a petty job? Be honest. Who is it for?" Pressed into a corner, Yanxi had to confess. "It's for a new neighbor of mine." Feng Ju laughed. "Ah, I see. Some poor scholar, no doubt. You've set your sights on the girl next door, and now you want to secure a job for your prospective father-in-law or uncle, am I right?" Yanxi said, "Since you've guessed it, I won't hide it from you. But please don't tell anyone else." Feng Ju said, "Your affairs are none of my business. But if I do this for you, how will you thank me?" Yanxi offered, "I'll treat you to ten movies." Feng Ju said, "I don't have that kind of free time. Give me a hundred dollars outright, and I'll guarantee your success." Yanxi agreed, "Money is a small matter. Just get the job done, Brother." Feng Ju said, "Come back tomorrow for news." Seeing he had agreed, Yanxi left joyfully.

The next day, Yanxi went to see Feng Ju again. Feng Ju said, "About your matter, I spoke with Vice Minister Wang. He agreed to add a clerk to his secretariat. The monthly salary is sixty dollars. It's a bit low, but the work is very light. What do you think?" Yanxi said, "That's perfect. Just give me a calling card, and I'll have him go see Vice Minister Wang himself." Feng Ju said, "No need to rush. In a day or two, I'll invite Vice Minister Wang to dinner and bring him along to meet him." Yanxi said, "Even better. I'll wait for your word then." With that, he happily headed to Falling Flowers Lane. He went first to Song Runqing's house. Song Runqing, who had been waiting anxiously at home, broke into a wide smile upon seeing Yanxi. Clasping his hands, he said, "Seventh Master is here! Please, have a seat." Yanxi announced, "The matter you entrusted to me, Mr. Song, is settled. My elder brother is inviting Vice Minister Wang to dinner and will take you along to meet him. You should hear from my brother within a day or two." Hearing this, Song Runqing was even happier than if a treasure had fallen from the sky. He bowed left and right to Yanxi, nearly prostrating himself to kowtow. Yanxi said, "Please, Mr. Song, no need for such courtesy. Since we are friends, this small matter is nothing." Song Runqing said, "Seventh Master is so generous. How can I ever repay you?" Yanxi smiled. "No talk of repayment. Let's just see each other more often in the future." Song Runqing agreed fervently, "Yes, yes, yes! In the future, if Seventh Master ever has any task for me, I, Song Runqing, would go through fire and water without hesitation." Yanxi sat for a short while longer, then took his leave. He had originally thought of going to the back garden to see Leng Qingqiu. But when he reached the gap in the wall, all was quiet on the other side. The curtains were drawn, and not a sound could be heard. Not wanting to intrude, he could only gaze over for a moment before returning to his own quarters.

Two days later, Feng Ju indeed sent word, inviting Song Runqing to dinner at the Tianjin restaurant the next day at noon. Receiving this message was like receiving an imperial edict for Song Runqing. He immediately took out his seventy-percent-new blue Ningbo silk robe and personally brushed it clean. The next day, he rose early, shaved, combed his hair, and busied himself incessantly. Finally, when it was eleven o'clock, he put on his clothing and went to the Jin residence to meet Feng Ju. Feng Ju, however, had just gotten up and was rinsing his mouth. Song Runqing waited in the parlour for a full hour before Feng Ju finally came out to receive him. Seeing Song Runqing's extreme deference, Feng Ju also spoke to him quite politely for a few moments. Then they took an automobile to the Tianjin restaurant. Vice Minister Wang had already arrived. Feng Ju introduced Song Runqing, who naturally couldn't omit the customary polite phrases about "long admiring your great reputation." Vice Minister Wang, seeing he looked every bit the pedantic old scholar, treated him with polite but superficial courtesy. After the meal, Feng Ju said to Vice Minister Wang, "Mr. Runqing is a seasoned and capable gentleman. I must ask the Vice Minister to instruct him generously in the future." Vice Minister Wang said, "Of course, of course. Let Mr. Song come to the ministry to start work tomorrow." Hearing this, Song Runqing was ecstatic. He immediately bowed again in thanks. After the meal, Feng Ju used his own automobile to take Song Runqing back to Falling Flowers Lane. Alighting from the car, Song Runqing bowed deeply once more as the automobile drove off, as if bidding farewell to his benefactor's status itself.

After returning home, Song Runqing's first task was to report to Mrs. Leng's room. Seeing his beaming face, Mrs. Leng asked, "Second Brother, how did things go with Elder Master Jin today?" Song Runqing exclaimed, "Success! Complete success! Elder Master Jin is truly chivalrous. He invited Vice Minister Wang to dinner and secured the position right then and there. I can start at the ministry tomorrow. The monthly salary is sixty dollars. It's not much, but it will suffice." Mrs. Leng said, "That's very good. At least you have something settled now." Song Runqing said, "It's all due to Seventh Master Jin's influence. How should we thank him?" Mrs. Leng asked, "What do you suggest?" Song Runqing pondered, "I thought of buying him a gift, but I'm afraid he might not accept it. Besides, a man like him has everything. Anything we give him, he probably wouldn't even glance at." Mrs. Leng suggested, "Perhaps we shouldn't give a gift. How about we simply invite him to a meal?" Song Runqing hesitated, "Invite him to dinner? His household feasts on delicacies every day. What could we serve that he would find palatable?" Mrs. Leng said, "That does pose a difficulty." Song Runqing proposed, "I have an idea. In a day or two, when he visits, I'll ask him directly what he would like. Then we can arrange it accordingly. What do you think?" Mrs. Leng agreed, "That sounds fine." After chatting a while longer, Song Runqing returned to his own room.

Leng Qingqiu, who had been listening to their conversation all along, hadn't uttered a word. After Song Runqing left, she said to Mrs. Leng, "Mother, look how happy Uncle is over getting this job. But sixty dollars a month, after deducting transportation and meals, won't leave much." Mrs. Leng said, "Your uncle has been idle for over half a year, he was truly bored. Having something to do is better than nothing. The amount of money isn't the main concern." Leng Qingqiu said, "I'm just afraid that from now on, he will become more and more entangled with the Jin Family, and it will be harder for us to extricate ourselves." Mrs. Leng said, "That may not be the case. We're just ordinary acquaintances, there's no special relationship." Leng Qingqiu said, "Mother, you are an honest person. How would you understand the ways of the world nowadays? Why would someone like Seventh Master Jin go out of his way to befriend Uncle? Isn't it just for..." Here, her face flushed, and she stopped. Mrs. Leng urged, "For what? Say it." Leng Qingqiu lowered her head, fiddling with her jacket corner. After a long pause, she said, "I don't know why either. It's just a feeling I have." Seeing her daughter like this, Mrs. Leng understood somewhat. She sighed and said, "I know what you mean. But we are a poor family. When people seek our company, we cannot simply refuse. As long as we hold our ground firmly, it should be alright." Leng Qingqiu said softly, "I'm afraid we might not be able to hold our ground." Mrs. Leng replied, "Then we can only wait and see."

The next day, Song Runqing went to the ministry early to assume his post. There, he bowed to everyone he met. People found his excessive politeness rather amusing. Fortunately, a clerk's duties were light. After arriving, he mostly read newspapers and chatted. By four in the afternoon, he was back home. Entering the door, he said to Mrs. Leng, "The work at the ministry is incredibly easy. There's practically nothing to do. It's like a retirement post." Mrs. Leng said, "Well, that's good. You can settle in peacefully then." Song Runqing said, "I'm thinking of inviting Seventh Master Jin to dinner tomorrow night. I've already reserved a private room at a restaurant. Tell Leng Qingqiu to come too, alright?" Mrs. Leng said, "Leng Qingqiu might be unwilling to go." Song Runqing asked, "Why not? He's helped us such a great deal. It's only proper that we invite him to a meal, and Leng Qingqiu accompanies us as a hostess." Mrs. Leng said, "I'll talk to her and see."

Just then, Leng Qingqiu entered. Song Runqing immediately beamed and said to her, "Dear niece, tomorrow evening I'm inviting Seventh Master Jin to dinner. You'll come too, won't you?" Leng Qingqiu said, "Uncle is inviting him. What would I be doing there?" Song Runqing insisted, "You are one of the hosts. How can you not go? Besides, Seventh Master Jin is practically family now." Leng Qingqiu said, "I've never been good at socializing. I'd rather not go." Song Runqing pressed, "What socializing is needed? It's just a meal. If you don't go, and Seventh Master takes offense, it would put me in an awkward position." Mrs. Leng chimed in, "Just go and sit for a while. It doesn't matter." Seeing her mother also urging her, Leng Qingqiu felt too embarrassed to refuse outright. She reluctantly agreed, "Alright, I'll go." Delighted that Leng Qingqiu had consented, Song Runqing said happily, "Excellent! I've reserved a private room at the Yanbin Restaurant for six o'clock tomorrow evening. We'll just meet there on time." With that, he left in high spirits.

The next afternoon at five o'clock, Song Runqing urged Leng Qingqiu to change her clothing. Leng Qingqiu said, "It's still early." Song Runqing said, "It's not early at all. By the time we take a rickshaw and get there, it will be almost six." With no choice, Leng Qingqiu changed into a set of clothing and went with Song Runqing by rickshaw to the Yanbin Restaurant. When they arrived, Yanxi had not yet come. Song Runqing and Leng Qingqiu sat waiting in the private room. Leng Qingqiu's heart was in turmoil, filled with an indescribable unease. 'This will be the third time I meet him,' she thought. 'The first was at Haidian, the second at the theatre, and the third is today. What kind of person is he really? I have no idea. Why is he trying so hard to get close to me? I'm utterly baffled. He doesn't seem like a bad sort, but wealthy young masters are always unreliable. How should I deal with him?' As she was lost in these thoughts, she heard footsteps on the stairs. Song Runqing hurried out to greet him, saying, "Seventh Master is here! Please, come in, have a seat." Leng Qingqiu looked up to see Yanxi walk in with a smile. He was wearing a very handsome Western suit that day, which made him appear even more dashing. He first shook hands with Song Runqing, then turned and saw Leng Qingqiu. Removing his hat, he gave a slight nod and smiled. "Miss Leng is here too." Leng Qingqiu had no choice but to stand up and give a slight bow. Yanxi said, "Please, sit, don't stand on ceremony." With that, he sat down opposite Leng Qingqiu. Song Runqing said, "Inviting Seventh Master today is merely to express our gratitude. The dishes are nothing special, please don't mind." Yanxi smiled. "You are too polite, Mr. Song. Since we are friends, why such formality?" Song Runqing said, "Even so, we feel indebted in our hearts." He then called the waiter to serve the food and wine. Song Runqing took the wine pot and first poured a full cup for Yanxi, then half a cup for Leng Qingqiu. Leng Qingqiu said, "I don't drink." Song Runqing said, "It's alright. This is Shaoxing rice wine, it's quite mild. Just have a little." Seeing her uncle's insistence, Leng Qingqiu felt too embarrassed to refuse. She picked up the cup and took a tiny sip. Yanxi smiled and remarked, "Miss Leng is truly modest." Leng Qingqiu gave a faint smile but did not reply. Song Runqing made small talk, heaping praises on Yanxi. Yanxi, meanwhile, stole glances at Leng Qingqiu from time to time. She kept her head bowed, her face flushed, which only enhanced her delicate, charming loveliness.