A Flower’s Shade (27 page)

Xiaoyun said, "Huaifu and I have nothing in common, don't talk nonsense."

Miss Yu said, "I know that in reality you both hate me, I know that neither of you really like me."

Xiaoyun stopped the bike and turned to face her, "What's the matter with you?"

Miss Yu put her arms passionately around his neck, saying "Xiaoyun, I know you hate me. Do you really hate me so much?"

Xiaoyun smiled instead of answering and merely looked at her. There was no need anymore to answer that question. The two of them looked at each other with love and tenderness. Xiaoyun had no doubt that Miss Yu loved him, and Miss Yu had no need to have any suspicion about Xiaoyun's love. Miss Yu said, "I know a way to make you hate me forever." Xiaoyun said in disbelief. "And what way is that?" Miss Yu said, "I'll marry you!" This startled Xiaoyun, but Miss Yu continued, brimming with deep emotion, "I'll marry you. I want you to hate me forever, I want to drive you crazy, so that you hate me to death." Saying this, she held on to Xiaoyun even more tightly. Xiaoyun's heart was aflame, he threw back his head so that his ear was right up against the top of Miss Yu's head. She pushed her head up, and he pushed his head down, and they expressed their love in this nuzzling way. Xiaoyun gazed up at the clear blue sky, dotted with faint clouds. Miss Yu was steeped in happiness, and she lightly closed her eyes.

Not far away, a beautiful pair of butterflies were fluttering and dancing in the air. Xiaoyun was watching the butterflies intently when he suddenly straightened up and shouted to Miss Yu, "Climb back on, I'm going to ride some more." He pedaled hard, and the bike surged forward again, wobbling.

I
n the only newspaper office of that little town, Liangzhong was hurriedly flipping through the paper. When it was fresh off the press, it always exuded a strong smell of ink. The newspaper editor was already a bit long in the tooth, wearing reading glasses and looking with self-satisfaction at Liangzhong. He watched Liangzhong, flustered, leafing through the pages, and when he couldn't bear it any longer he went up to him and pointed it out to him.

"Here it is, here, do you see, with the big headline." the editor yanked back the newspaper and pointed out a paragraph which now he read with some gusto, " 'The flower of our town's wealthiest family finds her lord and master' that's the headline, see how big it is, and then comes the body of the text, 'according to our newspaper's special coverage, the eligible daughter of the Zhen family, Miss Siyu, shall before long celebrate her engagement ceremony with the aristocratic bachelor Zha Liangzhong'…"

Liangzhong pressed his face right up to the paper, and, still feeling a little disappointed, asked, "Is that all? A few sentences?"

The editor looked over the rim of his reading glasses and stared at Zha Liangzhong, "It's too short for you? But Mr. Zha, we put in everything that you asked us to say. It might not be a lot, it might not add up to so many words, but the important thing is that it catches the eye, just think, as soon as the paper's delivered, tomorrow the whole town's sure to know, tell me, who won't know it then? Let me tell you, Mr. Zha, the influence of a newspaper is really marvelous. You might not believe me now, but you'll believe it when you see it. You've really been lucky in love, Mr. Zha, indeed it is as they say: hard work is always repaid. Once you are married, what are your plans?"

"Plans? None yet, we'll see about that later." Liangzhong said gravely, trying to suppress his excitement.

The editor said, insinuatingly, "I heard that you've got a heap of debts out there, now that you're the golden son-in-law of the Zhen Family, these little debts will just disappear, I gather. You're just like one of those destitute scholars in the stories, who suddenly wins the exams and becomes the top scholar. Or like someone who feels sleepy—and then a pillow magically appears, just in time. I have one more proverb for you—can you guess what it is?"

Liangzhong could not guess, nor was he interested in guessing. He just raised his head and waited for the continuation.

"You're like someone who's been drinking hot wine and is wearing a warm coat."

Mr. Zha still hadn't understood, "How do you mean?"

"Why, for you, things will be nice and toasty inside and out, won't they!?"

Glowing with pleasure, Liangzhong cracked a smile, stuck the paper under his arm and sailed out of the newspaper office. Ever since he had tasted of Miss Yu's sweetness, Liangzhong had been spinning contented dreams. He would marry into the Zhen Estate sooner or later, Miss Yu had already promised him her hand, and although she sometimes did not speak seriously. But Liangzhong believed that this time she couldn't possibly be joking. The great matter of marriage was no game, especially since he had already possessed her body. Miss Yu was someone who liked attention, and he believed that as soon as the notice of engagement appeared, Miss Yu, already in his hands, would be even less able to extricate herself.

The sultry summer was drawing to an end, and the cicadas were calling with all their might. Liangzhong tiptoed into the Zhen Estate, and entered Suqin's room without attracting notice. Suqin was elated, but as soon as she saw the newspaper that Liangzhong had brought with him, she jealously snatched it away, and when she had read the paragraph in question, she flung the paper viciously to the floor, while Liangzhong hurried to pick it up. "How come you've become like that Miss Yu, behaving so childishly?" Liangzhong picked up the paper and smiled, "I was just about to ask your advice—"

Suqin said, unforgivingly, "What is there to ask? Whether you marry or not, whether you live or die, it's no affair of mine. All I ask is that you don't trouble me again." Liangzhong said, "If I wasn't going to trouble you, then why would I use all my cunning to sneak into the Estate? But I fear I'll have to be unfair with you for now, we'll have to see each other less, so that we don't rush into complications or encounter an accident." Suqin was suddenly overcome with jealousy, "You're not even married yet, you don't even belong to the Estate yet, and already you're trying to cast me off?"

"Sister-in-law, is this necessary?"

"Who's your sister-in-law? You haven't married into the Zhen Family yet, you don't have to start in with the family titles, there'll be plenty of time for that later." Suqin said resentfully, going on, "Men are all blackguards, they cross your bridge and burn it down, they lead you down the primrose path and then disappear. How could I ever have believed you?"

Liangzhong's cajoling gave way inexplicably to attack, "See, see, why must you do that?" His hands grabbed her enormous breasts, pinching and fondling them. Suqin was hurt by the pinch and warded off his hands, so that he couldn't renew the attack. But Liangzhong had got a hold of her breasts and was unwilling to let them go, Suqin was helpless, she sighed and said, "You men really are blackguards, let me ask you, how did you ever get your hands on her?"

Liangzhong smiled smugly and said, "It was easy. I seized the moment and executed the sentence."

"Don't lie."

"Me, lie?"

"Well then tell me when it happened?" Suqin asked bitterly.

"Why do you want to know all these details? Let me tell you, it was that day, I don't know why she wanted to see me either, it was very weird, but as soon as I got there, I saw there would be action. As for her, she must have been brooding about something, and as for me—in for a penny, in for a pound—I sealed the deal."

Hearing this, Suqin grew even more upset. "You certainly picked a nice day for it." she said, forcefully striking off Liangzhong's hands, still on her breasts, and sneered, "But don't be so smug. She may be the daughter of the Estate, but it's been a while since she had her original packaging."

"What do I care if she's got the original packaging?" Liangzhong didn't care a pin. The fact that Miss Yu was not a virgin was immaterial, "You're not in your original packaging either, dear sister-in-law, but I like you anyway." Rage showed on Suqin's face, but he smiled at her consolingly, saying, "Don't be upset, and let me finish. Of course I know that the fine young lady has made some mistakes. Let me tell you, she's a practiced hand in bed, not a bit worse than you are yourself, dear sister-in-law."

Suqin placed her hand over his mouth, and wouldn't let him go on.

D
r. Li was taking Miss Yu's pulse. For many years, Dr. Li and his father had been something like the court doctor of the Zhen family. Starting from Miss Yu's grandfather, any time anyone in the Zhen family had a headache or a fever, it had been the doctors Li, father and son, who had treated the complaint. Dr. Li was looking rather surprised. He asked Miss Yu to stick her tongue out, and looked in some disbelief at the coating of her tongue. The state of Miss Yu's pulse seemed sufficient to explain the situation, Dr. Li turned his head to looked around, and then whispered, "Miss Yu, there's something, I'm not sure if I should say it?" Miss Yu blushed, "Just say what you have to say." She seemed also to have a premonition something might be wrong. Dr. Li said, "Apparently Miss Yu might be expecting?"

On that evening, Miss Yu called Huaifu into her room, and told him with unprecedented solemnity that she now really intended to get married. She instructed him to hurry back to Yaoshan Village. The clan elders needed to be informed, and an auspicious date chosen for the marriage ceremony. "Today, what did Dr. Li tell you when you saw him off?" Miss Yu had made a point of asking casually. Huaifu thought a moment, then shook his head and said nothing. Miss Yu didn't believe him, and asked again, "He really didn't say anything?" Huaifu remembered now that as he had left the Estate he had happened to ask a question. "He just asked me when your wedding would be."

"He didn't tell you that I was expecting?" Miss Yu inquired.

Huaifu was startled, and looked at Miss Yu. He watched her for a moment, then bowed his head and said low, "Cousin, whom do you intend to marry?"

"Whom I marry is no concern of yours." Miss Yu said, and smiled without malice. The smile was rather forced. For her, the pregnancy was not the end of the world, but it had flustered her a little. Besides, by now she no longer wanted to keep hurting Huaifu. Ever since Huaifu had come to the Estate, Miss Yu had become accustomed to causing him pain in order to entertain herself, she had always, intentionally or accidentally, hurt or insulted him. Now, she was suddenly filled with goodwill towards humble Huaifu. Watching Huaifu bow his head and keep silent, she said to him with a tenderness she had never expressed for him, "This Estate isn't a nice place, it was never really the place for you. You should go back, build a few nice houses, go ahead and find a bride."

Huaifu raised his head, understanding Miss Yu's intent. His mission in coming to the Estate was all but complete, and Miss Yu was dispatching him in an amicable manner. This amicable solution was the only way to save his pride, a way to leave with a happy heart. Huaifu knew she it wasn't hard for her to get rid of him, like chasing a pet dog off, she could dispense with him in the most unfeeling manner. Huaifu couldn't bear Miss Yu's sudden gentleness. He knew he was contemptible, for not only did Miss Yu hurt him as a matter of habit, but he had also gotten into the habit of being hurt by her. He was used to her rudeness and unreasonable behavior, and so the gentleness that Miss Yu suddenly showed him now had become instead the most fearful injury of all.

Miss Yu said, "Sometimes I think that really you're the only one who treats me nicely. Maybe you're the only one, who really does treat me well."

Huaifu turned and departed without a word; he simply left Miss Yu standing there by herself and walked away. He really had nothing more to say, his heart was overcome by wave upon wave of indescribable pain. The next day, early in the morning, he rushed off to Yaoshan village, and finally, almost at dusk, he led Zhushan Fourth Uncle into the Zhen Estate. Fourth Uncle, stilled dressed as a country gentleman, upon arrival went directly to Miss Yu's room, where he nodded his head repeatedly saying, "So the young lady has found a young gentleman who suits her fancy, that's good news, very good news!" Huaifu stood nearby, silent, looking coldly at Miss Yu's expression. "Miss Yu, you hardly know how much the question of your marriage has been discussed in the clan, indeed it really can be put off no longer, since you have found someone yourself whom you like, that's good, indeed it's very good." Zhushan Fourth Uncle burbled excitedly, having always shown an excessive enthusiasm regarding the question of Miss Yu's marriage.

Miss Yu answered, "The reason I asked you to come, Uncle, was that I want you to choose an auspicious date for a lively celebration. Besides, we need a man who can make decisions, don't we? I'm afraid there are things that Huaifu can't handle. Oh, and don't forget to invite Seventh Grandfather as well."

"Naturally, for a big celebration like that, he's indispensable." Fourth Uncle said, wreathed in smiles, "Miss Yu, may I be so bold as to ask, this man who has been chosen among thousands, even ten thousands; this man of your fancy, what kind of man is he, in the end?"

Miss Yu smiled and did not answer.

Fourth Uncle, affecting a mysterious air, said, "Huaifu, I'm sure you're bound to know whom your cousin has taken a fancy to, in a moment you'll let the cat out of the bag, I'll bet."

Huaifu looked awkward, and his eyes shone with a gleam that was not entirely benevolent. It was easy for him to adopt an air of honest cluelessness, but he glanced at Miss Yu from the corner of his eyes. Miss Yu was smiling, and in any event she was predisposed to make the question of her marriage as mysterious as possible. Although she had fixed her resolve, she still wanted people to grope in the dark, she wanted people to be confused about her choice of a bridegroom. "What's the rush? In due time everyone will know, alright," she said, wanting to keep them guessing.

That evening, Fourth Uncle and Huaifu shared a room. When the lights were off, Fourth Uncle began to bitterly reproach Huaifu. Huaifu was utterly useless, after all the consultations in the clan, and in the end he had proven to be such a worthless, unambitious fellow. "And she's really no better, the young lady, who ever heard of such a scandalous way of going about getting married, I really never saw anything like it." Fourth Uncle didn't know whether he should laugh or cry at Huaifu's performance—some kinds of iron will never make steel—and he sighed, "And you—such an opportunity, you were meant to get some practice here, learn how to manage the Estate, and look at you, besides learning how to prepare opium, have you picked up a single decent skill?"