LC chapter 26

 

The boys left the room, leaving the woman behind. The fortune teller glanced at Lin Ruan and said, “Her name is Yuxiang.”

Lin Ruan gave a slight nod as a greeting.

Yuxiang politely returned the greeting. Despite living in Yanzhi Hutong, she was free of its dusty air, exuding a calm demeanor.

Yuxiang was the owner of Suyu Pavilion. She employed seven or eight boys and a dozen girls. The boys were raised as female characters, while the girls were trained to be maids. Only one of her employees had achieved fame, which was considered unremarkable in Yanzhi Hutong.

But Yuxiang didn’t dwell on it. With her regular customers and the occasional newcomer, she could get by.

Yuxiang said this as she walked behind a screen, changed into a light blue gown, and casually tied her hair with a hairpin. “You two don’t look like you’re here for pleasure. You’re probably just curious.”

Lin Ruan felt a little embarrassed, wondering if she had wasted Yuxiang’s time. Suanzi peeled peanuts and said, “My friend is a writer and is here collecting material. Why don’t you tell me about some of your past?”

Lin Ruan hurriedly said, “If it’s inconvenient, forget it.”

Yuxiang could tell they meant no harm and smiled. “It’s fine. They’re all things of the past.”

Yuxiang poured a cup of tea. “They say this place is for romance and love, but the truth is, everyone’s just playing along. There’s not necessarily much sincerity. Honestly, I can’t say. But there’s an old story I’ll tell you about. You can just listen.”

Lin Ruan looked at Yuxiang, who continued, “That was when I was fourteen, the first time I went out to meet people. My first guest was a young teacher who was… He was brought here by two of his friends. They all knew someone here, but he was the only one visiting for the first time. It was his first time here, and it was my first time meeting someone, so we started chatting.”

Yuxiang said with a smile. “He probably mistook me for one of the scholars he usually hangs out with. I didn’t understand everything he said, but I could tell he respected me. When he left that day, he gave me five dollars, which was a lot at the time.”

“He came a few more times later. When he found out that I wasn’t very well-read, he offered to teach me how to read and write,” said Yuxiang. “It was in the early spring. Every afternoon after school at four o’clock, he’d come here to teach me, and he wouldn’t leave until dark.

“What happened next?” Lin Ruan asked.

Yuxiang lowered her head and sipped her tea. “He came a while later, but then he got married. He never came again after that.”

Lin Ruan was stunned. He felt like the story had ended before it began and was somewhat baffled.

Yuxiang smiled at him and said, “In the entertainment industry, talking about love affairs is taboo because most of them don’t end well. I remember him because I’m grateful for his kindness. He was a teacher, yet he came here every day. I don’t know how many people laughed at him, either to his face or behind his back, but he still came. He told me that honest people don’t pay attention to rumors.”

Yuxiang’s voice was soft. “You see, in our industry, the biggest fear is gossip. We look glamorous, but we despise it behind our backs. If it weren’t for what he told me, I wouldn’t have known. I think there’ll always be a knot in my heart, and my life will be much harder.”

Lin Ruan looked at Yuxiang and asked, “Do you like him?”

Yuxiang smiled sheepishly. “I was young then, so of course I liked him. All these years have passed, and I just think it’s the way things are.”

Lin Ruan asked again, “What did you feel like when you liked him?”

Yuxiang couldn’t put her finger on it and smiled, covering her mouth. “I don’t know. But when I think about it, I feel young again.”

Suanzi glanced at Lin Ruan, who looked thoughtful. Before he could say anything, a commotion erupted outside.

Yuxiang went outside to mediate. Suanzi and Lin Ruan remained inside and looked out the window.

They saw several people come out of a room in the west wing, arguing and pushing each other. Among them was a young, handsome man who was disheveled and seemingly only wearing a coat. He was pulled out hastily.

The man pulling him was wearing a military uniform and, despite his restraint, kept a protective hand on the man. Behind them was a young man with slicked-back hair, wearing a double-breasted jacket with a rounded pattern and a shaved head.

The man in the military uniform pulled the man in the long gown outside. Then he turned and punched the bald man, causing a profuse nosebleed.

The man in the long gown was frightened and hesitated to offer any advice. Lin Ruan noticed that the man was barefoot and had bruises around his ankles and wrists. His arms, exposed from the tug-of-war, also bore marks.

Yuxiang went out and separated them. The man in the long gown led the soldier into a room, leaving the bald man in the courtyard, who was swearing and speaking harshly.

After a while, Yuxiang returned and explained that the man in the long gown was Wu Yue from Suyu Pavilion. The bald man was Wu Yue’s guest: a young Qing dynasty man with eccentricities and a tendency to be rough in bed, often leaving Wu Yue covered in wounds.

The man in the military uniform was also Wu Yue’s guest and had visited him twice. This time, the two men had somehow run into each other here. Seeing Wu Yue’s injuries, the soldier was clearly displeased and proceeded to beat him up.

Yuxiang spoke as she retrieved some medicine from the cupboard. Suanzi, who was peeling melon seeds nearby, idly remarked, “Old and young Qing dynasty relics, filled with the remnants of feudalism, are nothing.”

With this, Suanzi gave Lin Ruan a pointed look.

Lin Ruan was displeased. “My Master isn’t like them!”

“I didn’t say anything about him, so why do you feel guilty?” Suanzi looked at Lin Ruan nonchalantly.

Lin Ruan couldn’t stand it when anyone said bad things about Zhan Xi. He glared at Suanzi and stood up to leave.

As soon as they reached the courtyard, the bald man tugged on Lin Ruan’s sleeve. “When did you get new merchandise? Why don’t you come keep me company?”

Lin Ruan took two quick steps back to avoid being touched. Three or four people approached and restrained the bald man. His face was covered in sweat, and he looked frantic, frightening Lin Ruan.

“What’s wrong with him?” Lin Ruan asked Yuxiang.

Yuxiang waved her hand and had him escorted out. “He’s been smoking a lot.”

Lin Ruan paused, a hint of disgust in his eyes.

As he spoke, someone called out, “Young Master Lin?”

Lin Ruan turned around. It was the man in the military uniform. Beside him stood an elegant and handsome young man who was already dressed but still very pale.

Lin Ruan remembered that the man in the military uniform seemed to be Gu Ji’s adjutant, Zhuang.

“Adjutant Zhuang?”

Adjutant Zhuang nodded. “It’s me.”

Lin Ruan gave him an awkward smile, unsure how to explain his presence.

Adjutant Zhuang seemed more relaxed than Lin Ruan. He nodded and said, “Excuse me.”

Then, he stepped past Lin Ruan and approached Yuxiang. “I want to redeem Wu Yue.”

Wu Yue was stunned and quickly tugged at Adjutant Zhuang’s sleeve. Yuxiang looked from Wu Yue to Adjutant Zhuang and said, “Wu Yue may not be the most popular, but he’s young and good-tempered. If he’s willing to be with you, I won’t say anything. Two thousand dollars is Wu Yue’s worth.”

Adjutant Zhuang listened, pondered for a moment, and said, “All right. Give me a few days to gather the money.”

Yuxiang nodded. From beginning to end, Wu Yue looked anxious and unhappy.

Two thousand dollars was certainly not a small sum for Adjutant Zhuang, much less enough to bankrupt him. At some point, Suanzi emerged from the house and leaned against the doorway as if watching a play. He always seemed detached from the world, as if he were drifting away. Lin Ruan felt this way the first time he saw Suanzi in the cake shop. Later, when the feeling faded, he thought it was an illusion. But now, Suanzi’s affectionate, peach-shaped eyes were filled with carefree indifference.

“It’s so lively,” a familiar voice called from the doorway. Lin Ruan looked over and saw Gu Ji, who was dressed in a military uniform. He held his cap and peered over the screen wall at the people in the courtyard. Behind him, Zhan Xi walked out slowly, his gaze resting on Lin Ruan for a moment.

Lin Ruan glanced at Zhan Xi, then quickly turned away, feeling a mixture of wanting to see him and not daring to. Suan Zi continued to lean against the doorway, his expression growing more complex.

Adjutant Zhuang approached Gu Ji and saluted. Gu Ji, half-smiling, said, “You still remember you’re a soldier? You’re not afraid of being laughed at for fighting in Yanzhi Hutong?”

“I admit my fault and willingly accept the punishment!”

Adjutant Zhuang said this while holding Wu Yue firmly behind him.

Gu Ji raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

What Adjutant Zhuang said to Yuxiang is unclear, but in the end, he took Wu Yue away. Gu Ji finished his business and walked out. Zhan Xi followed suit, as if Gu Ji had dragged him along. He remained silent throughout the entire process. Lin Ruan followed them out of the courtyard. Zhan Xi and Gu Ji had already gotten into the car when Suazi called out to Lin Ruan.

Lin Ruan turned to look at him. The fortune teller was leaning against the wall, his eyes much calmer. He said, “If you’re wondering if you like someone, then you probably do.”

Lin Ruan didn’t answer. He simply said, “Aren’t you a monk? How can you understand these things?”

“I don’t understand, but I’m not stupid.”

Lin Ruan’s brows furrowed again. “I’m not stupid either.”

Suanzi sneered and asked, “Do you remember the fortune I gave you?”

Lin Ruan shook her head. “I don’t.”

The fortune teller shrugged and said casually, “Never mind, then.”

Lin Ruan was a little confused, but Suanzi said nothing more. Lin Ruan waved and ran to the car.

Gu Ji was in Adjutant Zhuang’s car while Zhan Xi was driven by Shi Ning. Lin Ruan opened the door, climbed in, and glanced at Zhan Xi before quickly looking away.

As darkness fell, the car drove straight into the Lan Mansion. The streetlights in the garden were already on, emitting a bright, warm yellow glow.

Zhan Xi and Lin Ruan got out of the car and Shi Ning drove away. Zhan Xi walked up the steps to the entrance without saying a word. Lin Ruan called out from behind, “Sir.”

Zhan Xi turned to look at him.

Under the light, Lin Ruan’s eyes took on a unique clarity.

“Sir,” he said. “I might like you.”

 

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Acargoreng: Once he realized, he didn’t waste a second 😭 that’s so pure!