Chapter 8 Eight

Juexin and Shuhua followed Zhou to the Zhou family to attend the engagement ceremony of Master Mei.This is the so-called "decided" day.In the Zhou family, the previous generation was very happy, and the mansion was decorated with lanterns and festoons everywhere, and there were many congratulatory guests.Mrs. Zhou helped take care of it inside.Juexin was busy running outside, dealing with various chores.Only Shuhua was free, and she often talked with Yun, and when the women's boxes came in and were placed in the courtyard and on the steps on both sides, she followed some female guests and children to grab the exquisite xiguo.

Juemin borrowed the excuse of the school exam and did not attend the ceremony.Shuhua originally opposed Master Mei's marriage, but she was happy in today's ceremony.Yun also often maintains her smile.Young Master Mei's pale face also turned red with excitement from time to time.Only Juexin's face looked more haggard than usual on this day. While saluting, the sound of suona filled Juexin's ears. He knelt down on the red felt to congratulate Mrs. Zhou, Zhou Botao and his wife, Yun's mother Xu, and young master Mei.He seemed to hear a faint cry of a person, and he suddenly felt that he was in a dream.People laughed and talked loudly.There are joyful faces everywhere.Master Mei saluted and stood up.She also looked at him blankly and smiled.He saw Master Mei's thin body swaying among the large and gorgeous dresses, and he saw the almost foolish expression of joy on that face, and his heart ached again with pity.

Zhou Botao and Master Mei were still in the hall to return gifts to Daoxi's relatives.Juexin stood at the door of the main room, and what came to his ears were still annoying suona sounds and joyful laughter.Annoyed, he raised his head to look at the sky, at the ridge of the roof.The indistinct cry floated around him again, past his ears, and before he could catch it, it flew away, then flew back, and fled to another place.He wondered: "Am I dreaming? Could this be a year ago?" "Mingxuan, Mingxuan, please go and say hello, and there is another table of cards in the living room," Zhou Botao said, patting Juexin's shoulder with a smile on his face.

"Yes, yes," Juexin quickly agreed.He looked in front of him, and everything had changed.What happened a year ago has become a dream scene that cannot be captured.The faint cry came from his own heart: either his other self was crying for her, or it was her in his heart (her face appeared in his mind again today) ) cry because of one's misfortune.He could only reproach himself now: once he had done what he had done to her against his wishes; once again he had abandoned her, who had turned to him alone for help, and had become a treacherous person.But now he didn't even have room for remorse.He should go into the drawing-room, he should attend to the servants setting up the card-table.He should be doing these boring things.

Juexin had no choice but to walk towards the living room listlessly. This day, Juexin met young master Mei several times, but he didn't have the chance to talk to young master Mei for a few more words.The young man didn't seem to know what he was doing.There was a look of joy on his face, which suggested that he was happy.Yet the smile was blurred, and another mist lay over it.Others only saw happy colors, but only Juexin saw mist. But it is too late now.Juexin knew that he could not help Mei a little, and empty words were useless.So he kept the words in his heart, and they disturbed his heart.He felt that he was full of melancholy and couldn't take a breath, so he used wine to soothe his sorrow, not only to soothe his sorrow, but he also hoped that wine could make him forget.The situation in the living room is so similar to what it was a year ago!One more look made him remember one more thing, a voice or a face.His thin body can't bear so many memories, so many regrets.He needs to forget.He needs to blur reality.He needs to let himself be surrounded by fog.

Juexin drank silently at the table.The people around him became strangers to him.He sometimes answered other people's questions without knowing what he was talking about.He felt that the room was a little heavy, and that the people at the table had strange faces, and felt that their faces were hot.He knew he was a little drunk.But he can't retire to rest, and he has some things to take care of.He tried his best to support it, and no longer raised the wine glass in front of him.He reluctantly supported until the end of the banquet.The mansion fell into silence again.He heard Mrs. Zhou and Zhou Botao's couple thank him, and heard the sound of the gong at the second watch. He knew it was time to say goodbye and go home.His stepmother, Mrs. Zhou, had ordered the servants to "lift the sedan chair".When the bearers were ready, he sat in three sedan chairs with Mrs. Zhou and Shuhua, and left the mansion, which reminded him of many things.

As soon as Juexin got home, he collapsed on the bed and fell into a drowsy sleep.He got up very late the next day, was not feeling well all day, and did not go to the company in the afternoon.It happened that Qin came to Gao's house to play, so he left her behind and invited Yun.Sisters Shuhua and Shuzhen naturally also came to get together.They played in the garden for most of the day.Juexin also asked Mrs. He to prepare some exquisite dishes, and they (plus Juemin who had just returned from school) had dinner in Juexin's room in the evening.They chatted here after dinner.They (except Juemin, who had already gone back to his room to prepare his homework) talked about the past, present and future, and the more they talked, the more excited they became, until late at night, when everyone reluctantly parted.

In the morning, the sunlight illuminated Juexin's room very brightly.Juexin sat in front of the desk.He has just received several new magazines from Juehui (his third brother) from Shanghai, and he is opening the package and flipping through them.Shuhua, accompanied by her two cousins ​​(Yun and Qin), raised the curtain and walked in.His first words were: "Brother, good morning!" Juexin stood up and greeted the two guests.He replied to Shuhua: "You still said it was early, the messengers have already come." "Believe it? Did the second cousin and the third cousin ever believe it?" Qin asked quickly, her face showing joy.

"No letter. The third brother sent some new magazines. A letter will arrive in about two days," Juexin replied. Qin caught a glimpse of the publications on the table, and she went to pick them up, first looking at the title and table of contents of each magazine.Then she opened a magazine and read the table of contents printed on the back of the cover.She read a title "The Biography of Russian Female Revolutionary Sophia".Then she said excitedly: "This is written by the third cousin, it must be written by him!" Both Shuhua and Juexin rushed to read the magazine.Shuhua kept shouting, "Where is it?" Yun also looked at the article with curiosity.

"How do you know it was written by him? It's a pseudonym," Juexin said in surprise. "He often uses this name in his articles, I know," Jean said triumphantly. "Show me what he writes," said Shuhua eagerly, reaching for the sixteen-page magazine. "I'll give it to you later," Jean refused, holding the magazine, turning page after page, and then suddenly stopped and read excitedly: She's been in our camp for eleven years, and she's had a lot of big losses, total failures, but she never loses heart. ... No matter how hard she is, no matter how calm she is on the outside, she is actually a passionate angel.Beneath her armor still beat the graceful heart of a woman.We should admit that women are more endowed with this "sacred fire" than men.Much of the religious zeal of the Russian Revolutionary Movement should be attributed to them. ...

Jean was terribly agitated, her voice urgent, and trembling, her own feelings seized by the words.She had never read such a delightful article. Shuhua still doesn't quite understand the full meaning of these words.But she also understood a part, especially Qin's voice and attitude left a deeper impression on her.In addition, there is another fact that encourages her: this is an article written by her third brother.Would he write something like this?She couldn't believe it.She interrupted and asked, "Is this really written by Third Brother?" "No, he translated it, he quoted someone else's words. That's a powerful passage!" Jane replied.Her attention was still on this passage. "Sophia, who is she?" Shuhua asked curiously.She also occasionally heard the name "Sophia" mentioned in the conversation between Juemin and Qin.She never asked what kind of person she was. "Sophia, a Russian noble lady in her twenties..." Qin replied with respect. "A female revolutionary party," Juexin said in a serious tone before Qin finished speaking (maybe he didn't notice). Go on in a low voice. "Female revolutionaries?" Yun said in surprise.She heard Jane read that passage, which she didn't quite understand, and there were a lot of new terms in it.But she has read some translated novels, and she also knows a little about the living conditions of Westerners.She understood what the term "revolutionary party" meant.Qin's voice and the text excited her and aroused her fantasy.But the words "female revolutionary party" frightened her, and she still couldn't accept it. "Sister Yun, don't you know that Sophia is a female revolutionary?" Qin asked in surprise. "Sister Qin, how would I know?" Yun said strangely, she didn't know why Qin was so interested in Sophia. "It's a pity that you haven't watched "Young Night" (played in Wanchun Tea Garden last year). There is also a Sophia in it. You can't forget An'e," Qin continued proudly, not being wary of Shuhua shouting next to her: "Sister Qin, you still have the nerve to mention "Young Night"! You invited Second Sister to go to the theater alone, and you didn't invite me. What's the use of talking about the play now? We won't be able to see it anyway." Qin showed an apologetic smile and said: "Third cousin, I have already apologized to you. The second cousin was playing at our house that day, so I invited her to the theater, and I didn't have time to ask you out..." "And me," Yun interjected with a smile. "Okay, here's another one, let's see how you deal with it?" Shuhua clapped her hands and laughed. "This has nothing to do with you, don't gloat!" Qin spat at Shuhua.She turned to Yun again and said, "Don't mention the past. If you want to read a book, there is one here. My second cousin has a copy, and I want him to lend it to you. Reading a book is the same as going to a theater." Before Yun could answer, Shuhua went on to say, "It's different, reading a book is not as fun as watching a play!" This sentence made both Juexin and Yun laugh. "Third cousin, why are you specifically against me? I didn't invite you to the theater last year, and you remember it so clearly," Qin Wei asked with a blushing face. Shuhua looked at Qin for a while, and suddenly burst out laughing.She argued happily: "Sister Qin, who would be so petty as you! I just made you laugh twice to make you happy. Who doesn't know that Sister Qin is close to me?" "Big cousin, listen, the third cousin made fun of me and said she was close to me." Qin couldn't help laughing, and pointed at Shuhua and said to Juexin: "She bullies me like this, big cousin, you Don't beat her up yet." Juexin didn't say a word these days, he looked at them enviously.These young faces, these clear girlish voices brought him the joy of life.He watched and listened silently, enjoying the pleasure as much as possible, as if lest he blinked, and it would all disappear completely.Youth...sincerity...joy...he seems to have returned to a certain era of his.He forgot the distress and loneliness around him.Qin's words floated to his ears accompanied by her crisp laughter.His eyes quickly met her bright smile.He smiled happily.He was about to speak, but he only had time to call "Sister Qin". "Brother won't hit me! It's a pity that the second brother is not here. The second brother must listen to you. Sister Qin, why don't you call the second brother to help you?" Shuhua said more and more proudly. Qin didn't show a shy expression this time.She laughed and laughed at Shuhua: "Third cousin, you seem to have only this weapon. It's the same thing. The second cousin has gone to school, and he will be back in a while. There is no need." I'll call him." "Sister Qin, please spare her, she is young and ignorant," Juexin said jokingly, feeling a little lighter in his heart. "Big cousin, you're too embarrassed to hit her, wait for me," Qin said, walking in front of Shuhua, and lightly tapped on Shuhua's head. "Okay then," Shuhua looked at Qin with a smile and said, "Sister Qin, let me do you a favor so you can step down." "Third cousin, your mouth—" Qin said to Shuhua deliberately gnashing her teeth. Shuhua suddenly grabbed Qin's hand, squeezed it affectionately, and said with a serious smile: "Sister Qin, I don't make fun of you anymore, don't be angry with me." Qixia came in from the outside, Juexin saw her and ordered: "Qixia, go and see if the steamed cake seller has left, and bring us a few plates." Qixia agreed and went out again. "Who's mad at you? You're a kid," Jean smiled happily. Shuhua smiled triumphantly, and said to Qin: "Shall we sing?" She walked into the inner room without waiting for Qin to answer. In the inner room stands an organ in front of the window, which Juexin bought two months ago.Shuhua walked into the inner room and moved a stool to the front of the organ, Sit down by yourself, hold your head up and press the keyboard while singing loudly. Qin, Yun, and Juexin all followed into the inner room.Qin took down the flute hanging on the wall, and played it horizontally by his mouth.Juexin also took the jade screen flute to play.These sounds are very harmonious together.Shuhua's voice became clearer and clearer as she sang, like a stream of clear spring water flowing through a mountain stream, flowing to a distant place very freely; The twittering of various small songbirds (beautiful sounds that come out of those instruments).After one song was sung, Shuhua sang the second one. Not long after the second song was sung, Shuzhen came.Everything went on, and she didn't interrupt them.They were intoxicated by the simple music for a while, and they didn't notice Shuzhen.Later, Qixia brought in the steamed cakes on a tea tray.Small polygonal dim sum still steaming on top.Qixia put the tea tray on the square table.The vases, foreign lamps, cap holders and other decorations placed against the wall on the table are the dowry of Juexin's late wife Li Ruijue.All these years, Juexin left them there as they were and never moved them. Qixia put down the cake and stood behind Shuhua, watching her play the piano.Shuzhen was also watching and listening attentively.Soon after the song ended, Shuhua stood up quickly, and was the first to go to the square table to get the steamed cake. "Sister Yun, big cousin, don't hurry up and eat, the third cousin will steal it all later," Qin Han said to Juexin with a smile.She also went to pick up a piece of cake first, looked at Shuzhen and said, "Fourth cousin, you eat first," she handed it to Shuzhen.The flute was still in her other hand. "Sister Qin, it's hard for you," Shuzhen thanked. "Fourth cousin, what's wrong with your eyes?" At this moment, Qin noticed that Shuzhen's eyes were swollen like walnuts, and asked in surprise. "It's nothing, I'm fine," Shuzhen was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head and replied in a low voice. "Don't lie to me, you have been wronged again," Qin said in a low voice. Qin's previous question drew everyone's attention to Shuzhen's face.They're starting to understand that.Seeing that Shuzhen was blunt and straightforward, Shuhua couldn't help blurting out and replied on behalf of Shuzhen: "Fourth sister must have cried again last night." Shuzhen ate the steamed cake silently, as if she didn't hear Qin's last sentence or Shuhua's words. Qixia knew more, so she came out and complained, "I heard Chunlan say that the fourth aunt cried for half the night last night, and the fifth wife lost her temper again. Even Chunlan was beaten." Shuzhen raised her head suddenly, tears flowed down her cheeks like two threads.She looked at Qixia sobbing with pleading eyes and said, "Qixia, don't say these words again." Everyone was silent, they ate steamed cakes quietly.Qin was still standing beside Shuzhen.Qixia paused, as if she didn't know how to answer.Later she replied sympathetically, "Miss Fourth, I won't say anything." "Fourth cousin," Qin called out affectionately and pitifully, then put her arms around Shuzhen's neck and gently put them on Shuzhen's shoulders.She added: "Let's eat steamed cakes first. Don't think about what happened last night." "I don't want to... I know it's useless to think about it," Shuzhen whispered helplessly.She looked at Qin and said, "Sister Qin, you don't know my difficulties." Qin lovingly caressed Shuzhen's hair and said emotionally: "You are too weak. It would be great if you can be like the third cousin who doesn't care about anything. You are in such a situation." Shuzhen remained silent.She put her head down.Her eyes touched her little feet in embroidered satin shoes, and she was in utter despair.She felt very uncomfortable in her heart, as if there were many needles piercing it, and it seemed that something in her heart kept surging upwards.She bit her lip and tried her best to endure, but the tears still flowed down without fear.She took out a handkerchief to cover her lips, and tears gradually soaked the handkerchief. "Sister Qin, don't mention those things again. You don't eat steamed cakes?" Shuhua knew what was troubling Shuzhen, but she couldn't solve her cousin's problem, she couldn't even help Shuzhen a little Busy: Except for a few words of comfort, she has nothing to give Shuzhen enough.She was often troubled by it.But she never let distress eat her heart.She always maintains her optimism, her cheerful mood, her courage, and her laughter.She is a careless creature, yet she will not let one emotion turn her into a fool.She couldn't bear the dull air in the room, and she wanted to drive away her sorrow, so she said this to Jean.Standing in front of the square table, she reached out to the plate containing steamed cakes to take out the steamed cakes, and slowly put them in her mouth to eat. Yun walked to Shuzhen's side.She handed Jean a piece of cake.Then softly persuaded Shuzhen: "Fourth cousin, don't be sad. Don't think too much about the past. Thinking too much will only hurt yourself. You heard how beautiful they sang before. I will play with you today One day, sister Qin will also accompany you." Shuzhen nodded and responded vaguely.She was holding the skirt of Qin with one hand.The handkerchief covering his lips has been removed. "Fourth Cousin, Cousin Yun's words are good. You should forget about the matter after it's over. Just relax. We will help you in the future. You should believe my words," Qin also bowed her head after eating the cake Go to persuade Shuzhen. "I believe," Shuzhen spit out these three words like a wronged child. "Then you promise me not to think about what happened last night," Qin said again when she saw that Shuzhen obeyed her. Shuzhen nodded again. Shuhua came over with a plate, and there were three cakes left in it.She said to Qin: "Sister Qin, this is for you. If you don't want to eat it, I'll bring it for you. You can eat two yuan, and the fourth sister has one piece. Eat it quickly, or it will be cold." "It's hard for you to bring it yourself, I'm sorry if you don't eat it," Qin picked up a piece of cake from the plate that Shuhua was holding, and said to Shuhua with a smile.Then she turned to Shuzhen again: "Fourth cousin, you have a piece too." Shuzhen silently took a piece of cake. "Qixia, pour us a few cups of tea," Shuhua happily ordered, as if she saw a sunny day after the heavy rain. Shuhua put the empty plate back on the square table, sat in front of the organ, and played the piano by herself.She played for more than ten minutes, then stopped again, and called out, "Brother, don't you play the flute?" Jue Xinli stood in front of the writing desk in the study outside, flipping through a magazine.He vaguely agreed.Shuhua turned to look at him in surprise.She saw Juexin reading a book, and also saw Qin, Yun, and Shuzhen sitting on the edge of the bed talking.Only Qixia came over and stood behind her after pouring the tea, watching her play the piano. Shuhua stood up, walked to the outer room, and said loudly: "Brother, what book are you reading now? Let's play the piano and sing." "You play first, and I'll come," Juexin said perfunctorily. "What book is so beautiful? Can't you read it later?" Shuhua walked over to see what book her brother was reading. Juexin saw the same article about Sophia.His attention was on the magazine.He read with a heartbeat.He read quickly without losing the main meaning of each paragraph.They excited him and worried him at the same time, and he was a little scared.This is not for himself, he is concerned about the future and safety of his third brother Juehui (the author of that article).He used to have a little doubt and fear about that matter, he doubted Juehui Participated in the work of the revolution, and now that he reads this article, his doubts are confirmed.He saw the beginning of a miserable life in those passionate words.The more he read, the more certain was his conjecture.But he also hoped to find another tone, another way, so he didn't want Shuhua to interrupt him.He shook his head and insisted, "Sister San, you go to Sister Qin and the others, and I'll come right after I finish reading." Standing beside Juexin, Shuhua stretched her head to look, and said to herself, "So it's the third brother's article. You have read it, and I want to read it too." "You want to see?" Juexin seemed to hear something surprising, he raised his head and turned to look at Shuhua, and asked in surprise. Shuhua replied happily: "You all like to read it, it must be very interesting, besides, it is written by the third brother." Juexin looked at Shuhua, mustered up his courage, and said in a low voice, "It's better not to read this kind of article." "Why? You've all seen it, but I can't see it? Brother, I don't understand what you mean," Shuhua said in amazement, her voice carrying a tone of resistance. "I'm worried that my third brother has already joined the Revolutionary Party." Juexin didn't answer Shuhua's question, but only said what he thought. "I think he must be a revolutionary." Shuhua heard the term "revolutionary party" a year ago and didn't know its meaning, but now she understands what kind of person a revolutionary party is.But in her mind the Revolutionary Party was a strange, unrealistic, unapproachable figure.She couldn't believe that a man she knew so well would be that bookish ideal.So she answered Juexin very confidently: "You mean the Revolutionary Party? I don't think Third Brother is definitely not!" "You don't understand," Juexin said irritably, before he finished speaking, the organ in the inner room rang again. Seeing Qin playing, Shuhua didn't care what Juexin wanted to say, so she said loudly, "I'll play the flute," and ran into the inner room.But Yun had already put the flute to her lips.Shuhua walked to Qin's side, remembering Juexin's words, she patted Qin's shoulder and said with a smile, "Sister Qin, do you believe that third brother is a revolutionary?" Qin immediately stopped, turned her head and asked in a low voice in doubt: "Who said that?" "Brother said so," Shuhua replied amusedly. Looking at the keyboard, Qin whispered, "Third Cousin, don't tell anyone." This sentence made Shuhua dazed.She seemed to have hit a snag.She thought: Why did Sister Qin say such a thing?Is the third brother really a revolutionary party? When Qin played the piano, she turned to look at Shuhua.She saw Shuhua standing numbly, as if thinking about something.This attitude, this expression, is rarely seen in Shuhua.She felt strange and asked, "Third cousin, don't you sing?" "Ah, I'll sing," Shuhua replied as if awakened.As if she had woken up from a dream, she put aside the question of the Revolutionary Party.As soon as she sang three words, she felt her mouth dry, so she went to take a cup of cold tea on the square table and took a sip or two.She suddenly heard a whistle, the sound approached from a distance, apparently that person was walking along the stone steps of the left wing.She recognized the voice, and exclaimed joyfully: "Second brother is back." Sure enough, after a while, Juemin walked into Juexin's room whistling to the sound of the piano and flute. Juemin saw Juexin reading a book (Juexin had already sat down at this time), so he went into the inner room without interrupting Juexin.Needless to say he was well received by the crowd.He stood behind Qin, watched Qin's fingers dance on the keyboard with interest, and continued to whistle. Qin suddenly turned her head and looked at him with a slight smile, sending out a kind of inquiry in her eyes.He responded with a smile and nodded at the same time.The two can understand each other's meaning.Juemin whispered in Qin's ear again: "There is a meeting this afternoon, let's go all the way, at Huiru's house." Even Shuzhen didn't hear Juemin's words, his words were covered by the sound of the piano.But Jean heard it, and not only did she hear it, but she nodded in reply.