Explore Chapter 3 of 'Little Erhei Gets Married' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
San Xiangu had given birth to six children in all, but five did not survive to adulthood, leaving only a daughter named Xiao Qin. When Xiao Qin was two or three years old, she was already very clever and cute. San Xiangu's old paramours would pick her up, one saying, "She's mine," and another declaring, "She's mine." Later, when Xiao Qin grew to five or six and understood that this was not proper talk, San Xiangu taught her to say, "If anyone says that again, you reply, 'I'm your aunt.'" After she repeated this a few times, indeed no one mentioned it anymore.
Xiao Qin is now eighteen years old. The frivolous men in the village say she is far more charming than her mother was in her youth. Young fellows, with or without reason, always seek an excuse to talk to Xiao Qin. Whenever Xiao Qin goes to wash clothes, the young men immediately flock to do the same. When she climbs trees to gather wild vegetables, they promptly follow suit.
At mealtime, neighbors love to bring their bowls and sit for a while at San Xiangu's place. Even those from the front village, who have to travel half a kilometer back and forth, do not consider it far. This has been a longstanding custom for thirty years. However, it is only in the last two or three years that young men have become so enthusiastic. At first, San Xiangu thought she still possessed the charm to attract young men. As time went on and the young men did not truly draw close to her, she gradually saw through it and realized that people came for Xiao Qin.
Two summers ago, one morning, Yu Fu went to the fields, and San Xiangu went visiting. Only Xiao Qin was left at home. Jin Wang arrived, grinning cheekily and said to her, "This must be a good opportunity, huh?" Xiao Qin sternly replied, "Brother Jin Wang! We ought to speak more properly from now on! You're a married man after all!" Jin Wang curled his lip and retorted, "Hey! Why play the hypocrite? The moment Xiao Erhei shows up, you'll surely melt! Let's all take advantage while we can. What's the harm? Don't put on airs unless you're spotless yourself!" With that, he grabbed Xiao Qin's arm and whispered, "No need to pretend!" Unexpectedly, Xiao Qin shouted loudly, "Jin Wang!" Jin Wang quickly let go and dashed out, muttering as he fled, "Just you wait!" Then he slipped away quietly.