Explore Chapter 96 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.
Since Jin Yanxi married Leng Qingqiu, their initial affection gradually waned. Household trivialities and Yanxi's playboy habits led to frequent quarrels. One day, bored at home, Yanxi invited friends for an outing to the Western Hills.
Upon reaching the hills, the scenery remained as before. Spring mountains resembled dark brows, and clear waters flowed ceaselessly. Yanxi recalled past wanderings with Leng Qingqiu. Now, though they shared a roof, an invisible barrier seemed to stand between them. He could not help but sigh with emotion.
His friends noticed Yanxi's gloom and inquired why. Yanxi shook his head without a word, only lamenting life's impermanence. He sighed that meetings and partings were like dreams. The others thought it the idle sorrow of the wealthy and did not probe deeper.
They chatted about daily trivialities. Leng Qingqiu tried to bring up their future livelihood. Yanxi avoided the topic, speaking only of the pleasures of mountains and waters.
Late at night, in the deep silence, Yanxi sat in solitary contemplation. Leng Qingqiu kept him company. Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating their figures. Though close at hand, they seemed as distant as the horizon. Their hearts were intimate, and their idle talk lingered tenderly. Yet the estrangement had grown so deep that it was hard to express fully.