第十二回 花月四围尽情吐心事 竹城一谈有意作调人 (Chapter Twelve: Under Moon and Flowers, Hearts Are Bared; In Bamboo-Fenced Town, A Mediator Intends)

Ever since sending the gift certificate to Leng Qingqiu, Jin Yanxi had been overflowing with self-satisfaction. He felt his gift-giving had been both proper and dignified.

This certificate allowed one to go to a shoe shop and pick out a pair at will. What style Leng Qingqiu had ultimately chosen, he did not know. Seizing the excuse of wanting to see Song Runqing's calligraphy, he went next door again.

At this time, Leng Qingqiu was in her room doing her studies. Hearing Yanxi had come, she set down her pen and walked to the glass window to take a look. She saw Yanxi wearing a light grey wool gabardine long gown. He stood obliquely facing the window, looking at several newly potted rose bushes on the flower stand. His hands were clasped behind his back. The long gown billowed gently in the breeze, complementing his handsome figure. He truly resembled a jade tree standing in the wind, possessing a rather carefree and otherworldly elegance. Leng Qingqiu watched for a moment and unconsciously felt her cheeks flush.

Yanxi turned his head and saw Leng Qingqiu watching him through the glass window. He hurriedly smiled and nodded. Leng Qingqiu, finding it impolite to ignore him, also smiled slightly. Yanxi then circled around to the courtyard gate and walked in.

Leng Qingqiu went out to greet him, standing on the porch steps. Yanxi said, "Isn't Mr. Song at home?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "He's gone to the bookstore to buy some books." Yanxi laughed. "So both the master and mistress are out." Leng Qingqiu smiled. "What do you mean, master and mistress? My father passed away long ago." Yanxi said, "I wasn't referring to Mr. Leng. I meant your uncle and Mrs. Leng. That makes Miss Leng the young mistress of this house." Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu gave a faint smile.

Yanxi chatted while stealing glances at her shoes. She was wearing a brand-new pair of flat shoes made of black satin. The tips were embroidered with a flower of begonia. Paired with her snow-white cotton stockings, they indeed presented an air of simple elegance with a touch of brilliance. He thought to himself, 'The shoe certificate I gave her, she actually used it. Seeing this, she's not entirely indifferent to me.'

At this point, Nanny Han had already poured a cup of tea and placed it on the table. Leng Qingqiu invited Yanxi to sit on the veranda. Yanxi said, "We seem to have a great deal of predestined affinity, always meeting. The flowers in this courtyard are growing quite luxuriantly."

Leng Qingqiu said, "They're just common flowers, not worth admiring. There was a strong wind all last night. It damaged quite a few of them." Yanxi asked, "Did you hear the wind last night?" Leng Qingqiu replied, "I did. The sound was very loud. I was asleep and it woke me up." Yanxi said, "Truly, if the host doesn't detain the guest, the heavens will. I had originally intended to come yesterday, but some minor business prevented me."

Leng Qingqiu said, "Actually, Mr. Song was going to stay home today to receive you. But the publishing house called, saying some very fine rare editions had arrived, so he hurried off." Yanxi remarked, "Mr. Song's dedication to scholarship is truly admirable."

Just as they reached this point, they heard someone call from outside the courtyard, "Is Miss Leng at home?" Leng Qingqiu answered, "Who is it? Please come in." As she spoke, a man in his twenties walked in. He wore a blue cloth long gown and a wide-brimmed felt hat on his head.

Leng Qingqiu said, "Oh, it's Mr. Li. Please have a seat." The man surnamed Li seemed somewhat surprised to see Yanxi there. Leng Qingqiu then introduced them, "This is Mr. Jin. This is Mr. Li Junsheng." The two men nodded to each other.

Li Junsheng said, "Miss Leng, my timing is unfortunate. You have a guest." Leng Qingqiu replied, "It's quite all right. Mr. Jin visits often and is a friend of my uncle's." Li Junsheng said, "It's nothing urgent. I've finished reading that book Among the Flowers you lent me last time. I'm returning it now." As he spoke, he took the book from under his arm and handed it to Leng Qingqiu.

Leng Qingqiu took it and smiled. "You read very quickly, Mr. Li." Li Junsheng said, "The language in this book is quite beautiful. However, I cannot quite endorse its lush descriptions. I believe literature should promote noble ideals."

Leng Qingqiu smiled. "Different people have different perspectives. Mr. Li, your knowledge of literature is something I greatly admire." Li Junsheng said, "I wouldn't call it knowledge. I merely enjoy reading new books." With that, he stood up. "You two carry on. I'll take my leave." Leng Qingqiu did not press him to stay and saw him to the courtyard gate.

Yanxi sat to the side, observing this Li Junsheng with a cool eye. His speech and mannerisms seemed somewhat affected, which left Yanxi feeling rather displeased. Moreover, Leng Qingqiu seemed quite polite to him, stirring a vague sense of sourness in Yanxi's heart.

When Leng Qingqiu returned from seeing off her guest, Yanxi asked, "Is this Mr. Li also a schoolmate?" Leng Qingqiu said, "No, he's a friend. He teaches at a middle school and is very interested in literature, so he often comes by to chat."

Yanxi remarked, "This Mr. Li strikes me as a rather earnest person." Leng Qingqiu detected a hint of jealousy in his words but did not point it out. She merely smiled.

Yanxi sat for a while longer. Feeling he had nothing more to say, he stood up to take his leave. Leng Qingqiu saw him to the main gate. Yanxi said, "I'll come again another day." Leng Qingqiu nodded.

Returning home, Yanxi felt deeply troubled. He thought to himself, judging by that Li fellow's demeanor, he was clearly another suitor of Leng Qingqiu's. If I don't press my advances, I'm afraid I'll fall behind.

The next day, Song Runqing came over and said to Yanxi, "I'm terribly sorry for missing you yesterday. Today I've prepared some simple dishes. Would Seventh Master care to come over?" Yanxi, eager to get closer to Leng Qingqiu, agreed immediately.

In the afternoon, Yanxi changed into a new Western suit. Carrying a potted orchid as a gift, he went to the Leng Residence. Song Runqing was already waiting at the gate and welcomed him inside.

At this time, both Mrs. Leng and Leng Qingqiu were in the room. Leng Qingqiu wore a light cyan Indian silk cheongsam, with a light touch of powder on her face. She looked delightfully simple and lovely. Yanxi presented the orchid. Mrs. Leng said, "Mr. Jin, you are too kind. You shouldn't spend money on us so often." Yanxi replied, "It's a mere token. I cultivated this orchid myself. It's blooming quite well, so I brought it for you, Auntie Leng, to enjoy and appreciate."

Mrs. Leng saw the orchid was in full, splendid bloom with a fragrant aroma. She was very pleased. Leng Qingqiu also came over to look and said with a smile, "This is a very fine variety of orchid."

Song Runqing then invited Yanxi to sit in the parlor. Though small, the room was tidily arranged. On the table were already set four small dishes: preserved eggs, sausages, marinated liver, and mixed cucumbers. There was also a small wine pot.

Song Runqing said, "We country folk can't prepare much. Seventh Master, please don't laugh." Yanxi said, "This is perfect. I dislike excessive formality most of all."

Everyone then sat down. Mrs. Leng and Leng Qingqiu also came over to join them. Song Runqing poured the wine, and they began to drink. During the meal, Yanxi deliberately brought up topics of poetry and literature for discussion with Song Runqing, who naturally responded fluently. Leng Qingqiu occasionally interjected a word or two, showing she had thoughtful opinions.

Yanxi watched as she spoke, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes glistening and very charming. His admiration for her grew even stronger.

After the meal, everyone cooled off in the courtyard. Leng Qingqiu brought out a plate of watermelon for them to eat. Yanxi took a slice and said to Leng Qingqiu, "Miss Leng, have some too." Leng Qingqiu said, "I just finished eating. I can't manage any more." Yanxi urged, "Just a little. This watermelon is very sweet."

Unable to refuse his earnest offer, Leng Qingqiu took a small piece. Yanxi saw her fair, delicate hands holding the red-fleshed watermelon. The contrast of red and white seemed more beautiful to him than anything else.

By now, the sky had darkened, filled with countless stars. A grapevine trellis in the courtyard rustled as its leaves stirred in the breeze. From afar came the intermittent fragrance of rapeseed flowers, very pleasant to smell.

Yanxi said, "This place is so peaceful, much better than the city." Leng Qingqiu replied, "The countryside has little entertainment. The air is just fresher, that's all."

Yanxi said, "I like this kind of place the most. In the future, if I have my own house, I'd also like to find such a quiet spot to live."

Song Runqing said, "Seventh Master, with your lively household, do you still prefer quiet places?" Yanxi replied, "Liveliness has its merits, and quiet has its own. For people like us, mixing in society all day long, sometimes we long for a bit of peace."

After chatting a while longer, Yanxi rose to leave. Song Runqing saw him all the way to the main gate.

On his way home, Yanxi felt extremely happy. He felt Leng Qingqiu seemed much more approachable towards him than before. Moreover, observing her family's situation, though humble, it possessed a kind of refined air. It was truly a world apart from those women in the bustling social circles.

He decided he must advance further. He thought about finding some excuse to visit again tomorrow.

Who would have thought it would start raining the very next day. The rain began in the morning and continued until evening without letting up. Yanxi fidgeted restlessly at home. He wanted to go to Leng Qingqiu's house but feared it would be presumptuous to visit on a rainy day.

By evening, the rain stopped, and a crescent moon appeared in the sky. Yanxi could bear it no longer. He quietly walked to the gate of the Leng Residence. Inside, he saw only flickering lamplight and utter silence. He stood by the corner of the wall, peering in. In Leng Qingqiu's room, a silhouette was visible against the window, holding a book and reading.

Yanxi watched for a long time, filled with an indescribable feeling. He wanted to call out but didn't dare. Lost in thought, he suddenly heard the door creak and quickly hid to the side. He saw Leng Qingqiu seeing Song Runqing out. Song Runqing said, "Go to bed early. Don't read too late."

Leng Qingqiu replied, "I know. You rest early too, Uncle." Song Runqing then went back inside. Leng Qingqiu stood in the courtyard for a moment. She looked up at the moon, heaved a faint sigh, and went in as well.

Seeing her melancholy demeanor, Yanxi felt a stirring in his heart. He wanted to go over and say a few words but felt it would be too forward. He could only return home, listless and dejected.

From then on, Yanxi often found excuses to visit the Leng Residence. Sometimes he would discuss poetry and literature with Song Runqing, sometimes chat about daily life with Mrs. Leng. Consequently, his opportunities to see Leng Qingqiu increased. Leng Qingqiu was initially somewhat shy. Later, seeing Yanxi was always refined and polite, she gradually became more at ease.

One day, Yanxi went over again. Song Runqing was not home. Only Leng Qingqiu was in the courtyard watering the flowers. Yanxi helped her water for a while. Leng Qingqiu said, "Such rough work shouldn't trouble Mr. Jin's hands." Yanxi replied, "Why not? I often do this sort of thing at home too."

Leng Qingqiu laughed. "I don't believe you." Yanxi said, "If you don't believe me, you'll see for yourself someday."

Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu's face reddened slightly, and she said nothing. Yanxi also felt his words were somewhat presumptuous and quickly changed the subject.

From then on, the affection between the two deepened another layer. Yanxi felt the timing was gradually ripening. He wanted to find an opportunity to confess his feelings to Leng Qingqiu.