More Reluctant to Part Than Sticky Candied Melons
After Laba Festival, people began making nian tang (New Year’s sugar) and nian bing (New Year’s cake). The fermented malt and millet were boiled in a wide pot with water. The key to making sugar was the control of the fire and the experience of the sugar master. The final sugar paste needed to be pliable enough to lift out of the pot, but not too tough, or the texture would be unappealing, and customers wouldnโt buy it. The hot sugar paste was poured onto a large board to cool, and while it was still soft, the sugar was kneaded, pulled, and stretched.
Now that the weather had turned cold, the sugar pulled better. In Xinan County, the snow would fall intermittently, with occasional drizzles of rain. The ground would be wet and then dry again. By the Xiaonian Festival, a layer of snow had accumulated on the ground, thick enough to leave footprints. Pulling sugar was a craft; straight rods were made, flat ones turned into cakes, and round ones became tanggua (candied melons), which came in various sizes.
Yu Jinnian spent the evening at a local sugar shop, watching two young apprentices pull sugar and listening to their chatter. They mentioned how their family once pulled a massive candied melon for a wealthy merchant, so large that two hands couldnโt hold it, and it was hollow inside. When struck open, peanuts, almonds, and melon seeds spilled out like sand. Yu Jinnian, intrigued by the story, couldn’t resist ordering a large candied melon himself.
The sugar-making method in this shop was unique. The finished nian tang was either as white as snow or glittered like gold, much more appealing than those in other shops. Since the noodle shop Yu Jinnian ran required a lot of custom-made sugar, he had the privilege of watching the sugar-pulling process up close. The two apprentices were brothers, and their teamwork was seamless. One would stretch out a long, straight sugar strand, holding it carefully, while the other, using a piece of thread, would deftly and evenly twist it around the strand, cutting off small melon-shaped sugar balls.
Below the sugar strand was a tray filled with roasted white sesame seeds. The twisted sugar balls, just the right size for a single bite, would roll in the sesame seeds, getting coated with the warm, fragrant seeds.
The orange glow of the lanterns made the sugar balls look even more charming and adorable.
Yu Jinnian couldnโt wait to grab one and eat it. Still warm, it burned his tongue as soon as it touched his mouth. He gasped for air by the window, cooling his mouth with a few deep breaths, and then bit into the sugar ball. It shattered in his mouth, sticking to his teeth. The sweetness sent a shiver down his spine. His tongue and mouth were glued shut, and the two apprentices teased him, laughing, “It’s not fully cooled yet! Leave it outside overnight, and by morning, the sugar will be crisp. Why are you so impatient, little boss?”
Stuck with the sticky sugar, Yu Jinnian decided to drag others into his mischief. Grabbing a few more hot sugar balls, wrapped in oiled paper, he ran through the night back to his noodle shop. Entering the door, he spotted Ji Hong, who was reading a book and waiting for his return. With a wicked grin, he shoved a sugar ball into Ji Hong’s mouth.
Unsurprisingly, Ji Hongโs mouth got glued shut too. He was reserved and didnโt want to complain to Yu Jinnian. His brow furrowed as he struggled to finish the sticky treat. Seeing the young man try to flee after causing trouble, Ji Hong caught him without a word, pulling him into a narrow gap between two cabinets. With shelves full of important items on both sides, Yu Jinnian’s back was pressed against the wall, and he didnโt dare move. In a soft voice, he begged for mercy, but Ji Hong wasnโt about to let him off easily. He thoroughly “searched” Yu Jinnianโs mouth before he was satisfied.
Both of them had just eaten sugar, and they were both sweet, more reluctant to part than those sticky candied melons.
The next day was Xiaonian, the day for house cleaning and stove god worship. The two couldnโt linger too long. Yu Jinnian, having pleaded for leniency, picked up the small pouch that Qing Huan had already sewn, and filled it with fragrant, cleansing herbs like Atractylodes, Sichuan peppercorns, mugwort, patchouli, and saposhnikovia. He tied the pouch shut with five-colored thread. This was called a Tusu pouch, and it was hung under the eaves to ward off evil. Though Yu Jinnian didnโt believe in such superstitions, it was customary, so he hung one on his door and prepared the rest to give to customers the next day as a gesture of goodwill.
Meanwhile, Ji Hong had found a small wooden block somewhere. Sitting beside Yu Jinnian, he used a simple knife to carve a small wooden stamp meant for the noodle shopโs bowls. Though the stamp was made of wood, it felt smooth to the touch, with no splinters, and Ji Hong had left a small hole at the top of the stamp for tying a string to prevent it from getting lost.
He said, “Time is short, and the material isnโt great. We’ll use this for now. Later, Iโll make you a better one.”
“I love it!” Yu Jinnian was delighted and immediately wrapped the stamp in a piece of cloth, tucking it into his small coin pouch at his waist.
The next morning, as the sky began to brighten, voices could already be heard on the street. The night patrol guard passed by and even encountered a few familiar faces known for sleeping in, which was rare. The two brothers from the sugar shop delivered the candied melons and cakes Yu Jinnian had ordered early in the morning, not wanting to delay his business. After a night of cold storage, the candied melons had become crisp. A quick bite caused them to crack in the mouth, making a satisfying crunch. Qing Huan was the one who received the sugar, and without missing a beat, she let Sui Sui grab a large handful, which she stashed away like a treasure, eating until her teeth ached.
Yu Jinnian was in the kitchen making jujube steamed buns and reunion cakes.
The steamed buns, either round or shaped like gold ingots, were topped with red jujubes. They were steamed, simple to make, and symbolized good fortune. The reunion cakes were made by mixing glutinous rice flour, vegetable oil, and sesame sugar into dough, pressing them into small cakes with a mold, and steaming them in a rice steamer.
Having already gotten his hands dirty, Yu Jinnian decided to make a batch of Fortune Cake for Ji Hong, a nourishing dessert that strengthens the spleen and stomach.
This cake wasnโt particularly rare, made by steaming and grinding poria, yam, lotus seeds, and gorgon fruit into powder, then kneading the powder into dough with flour. He added a little osmanthus honey for flavor, shaped the dough into small portions, flattened them, and steamed them again. For an extra touch, he used a mold to imprint the cakes with patterns like “Auspicious Phoenix” or “Five Bats for Peace.”
After the cakes were ready, Yu Jinnian mixed some red yeast rice powder into a thick paste to use as a stamp ink. He carefully stamped each cake with the wooden seal Ji Hong had carved for him, making the cakes both brightly colored and edible. Just then, Ji Hong passed by, and Yu Jinnian, raising his hand, stamped a mark on the back of his hand, cheerfully saying, “I’ll stamp you, too. From now on, youโre mine!”
Ji Hong, always patient with the young man, didnโt mind. His hand had been wet, so the stamp didnโt take the first time. Now he was busy wiping his hand and reapplying the red ink. It took a while, but finally, the stamp was set. He smiled warmly and said, “From now on, Iโm all yours, Mr. Yu.”
This embarrassed Yu Jinnian, who, flustered, carried the steamed buns outside to sell, pretending not to care about Ji Hong’s words. However, he was secretly overjoyed, as if a thousand little deer were bouncing around in his heart.
Dusting was also a tradition on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month. On this day, every household would sweep and clean, removing dust and cobwebs, to refresh the home for the new year. It was also a gesture of respect for the gods, and the noodle shop was no exception. Every nook and cranny was thoroughly cleaned. Yu Jinnian was in the back kitchen, carefully cleaning an old clay vat with a small broom, when he heard the sound of gongs and drums from the front.
โEvil spirits, away you goโฆโ
Qing Huan returned from outside, carrying Baishi and Tiger Head New Year paintings, only to be surrounded by a group of “monsters.” The tallest one was barefoot, dressed in tattered red clothes, with his face painted a ghastly white. The shorter one had a wide face, painted with a
grotesque red mouth. There were also three or five other oddly shaped little demons, dancing and singing around her.
She was trapped in the middle, unable to move, when suddenly a loud “ha!” came from behind the little demons. Several burly men with painted faces charged out, brandishing peach wood bows and bundles of straw tied into whips. They struck at the little demons, chanting strange, unintelligible phrases.
The group of little demons shrieked in mock fear, scattering in all directions.
The scattered demons ran towards the nearby shops, lifting their comically painted faces and bowing their hands in auspicious gestures, shouting, “Great fortune and prosperity! A small token for good luck! May your business thrive, good host!”
The onlookers burst into laughter and applause, each tossing a coin or two their way. One “little demon,” with bright, clear eyes, stood shyly at the door of the noodle shop, staring at Yu Jinnian. Perhaps this was his first time playing the part of a street demon, and he seemed a bit embarrassed. The other demons had learned that the louder they shouted, the more tips theyโd receive, and they called out at the top of their lungs. But this one only muttered in a tiny voice, “Great fortune and prosperity, good host…”
โHe wasnโt small, either, almost as tall as Yu Jinnian, and judging by the painted face underneath, he was probably a boy of about the same age.
Yu Jinnian didnโt mind his hesitation. Laughing, he grabbed a few coins and two reunion cakes from the counter and handed them to the boy, “Great fortune and prosperity to you!”
The little demon, holding the coins and cakes, kept staring at something, occasionally sticking out his tongue to lick at the poor-quality paint on his face, so much so that the saliva had already wiped some of it off. Yu Jinnian turned to see that the boy had been eyeing Sui Sui, who was gnawing on a sesame sugar melon.
It turned out the little demon wanted to eat the candy melons. Despite his age, he still had a sweet tooth.
Yu Jinnian wasnโt stingy. He turned to the backyard and called out, “No problem, Iโll grab you some.”
In the time it took for Yu Jinnian to return to the kitchen, he had already wrapped a dozen sesame candied melons in oiled paper and grabbed a Tusu pouch. As he walked, he muttered, “Take this back and hang it by your door… huh, where did he go?” He looked outside the door, puzzled, searching for the little candy-loving demon. Just as he stuck his head out of the shopโwhooshโa hand shot out from behind the door and snatched the items from his hands before dashing away!
โHey!โ Yu Jinnian realized what had happened and clutched his waist, chasing after him. โMy coin pouch! My knife!โ
But how could he catch up? The little thief had already disappeared into the crowd, using the chaos of the Nuo exorcism to hide among the people. Dodging and weaving, he quickly vanished from sight. Yu Jinnian stood among the exorcism procession, grabbing the shoulders of several boys with similar builds, turning them around one by one, only to find none of them were the culprit. Even after the procession passed by, he was still standing there in a daze.
What to do? He had lost Ji Hong’s small curved knife, as well as the newly carved stamp.
In just the blink of an eye, how had it all been stolen?
Yu Jinnian searched several streets but couldnโt find any trace of the little thief. He even had a hunch that if the boy ate the reunion cake or sesame candied melons, he would likely discard the oiled paper on the ground somewhere! The paper had the stamp on it, so perhaps he could follow the trail… Yet he scoured nearly half of the western part of the city, rummaging through every corner, even turning over piles of ash, but found not a single clue.
Dejected, he returned to the noodle shop. Ji Hong was standing at the door, draped in his cloak, ready to head out. Yu Jinnianโs first instinct was to ask where he was going, but then he remembered losing the knife and couldnโt bring himself to ask. He stood hesitantly for a long time until Ji Hongโs hand enveloped his own.
Ji Hong, noticing the dust on Yu Jinnianโs freshly changed clothes and his dirty hands, asked worriedly, โWhere did you go? You disappeared suddenly and made me worry.โ
โIโฆโ Yu Jinnian struggled to speak, his mouth feeling like it was glued shut, but not with sweetnessโmore like bitterness. With his head hung low, he confessed honestly, โItโs my fault. I lost the small curved knife your mother left you, along with my coin pouch and the stamp you carved for meโฆโ
Ji Hong furrowed his brow but said nothing.
โIโll get them back!โ Yu Jinnian hurriedly pledged his loyalty, wanting to explain that he hadnโt meant to lose them. But before he could finish, he heard a soft chuckle, almost like a cold laugh, which made him even more reluctant to lift his head. His bravado instantly deflated. Though he often liked to tease Ji Hong and win his favor with playful weakness, he knew this was no trivial matter like breaking a bowl or tearing a piece of clothing. After much hesitation, all he could muster was a sincere, โIโm sorry.โ
After a long while, Ji Hong still didnโt respond. Yu Jinnian, gathering his courage, finally looked up, only to see a teasing expression on Ji Hongโs face. As soon as their eyes met, Ji Hong raised an eyebrow and said, โI thought youโd never dare to look me in the eye again.โ
Yu Jinnian was speechless. โYouโre not angry? But that knifeโฆโ
Ji Hong led him to the backyard to wash his hands and urged him to change clothes, saying, โNo matter how precious the knife is, itโs just a thing. If itโs lost, itโs lost. As long as youโre okay. Come here, let me take a lookโare you hurt?โ
Yu Jinnian shook his head, but his brow remained furrowed, thinking about his lost treasures. While Yu Jinnian changed clothes, Ji Hong took the opportunity to playfully tease him. Yu Jinnian, who couldnโt focus on two things at once, soon found himself gasping for breath, momentarily forgetting about the little thief as he redirected his attention to dealing with the playful advances of Ji Hong.
โIt was someone from the exorcism procession. Tomorrow, Iโll ask around to see if anyone knows who he isโฆโ Yu Jinnian, now dressed, adjusted his collar to hide the red mark on his neck. He touched it, inspecting it carefully. Ji Hong, pressing against his back, teased, โThereโs a similar ceremony in the capital.โ
โWhat?โ Yu Jinnian, still preoccupied with both the stolen knife and the mark on his neck, didnโt fully understand what he was referring to.
โThe Nuo exorcism ceremony,โ Ji Hong explained. โBut in the capital, itโs performed by the Jiaofang Si in the forbidden palace. Gods, demons, immortals, and ghost generals emerge from the palace gates at the hour of the dragon on the 23rd. With embroidered gold and painted colors, their performances are lifelike. They parade through the streets until dusk before returning to the palace. The whole day is filled with drums and chants, truly a grand spectacle.โ
Yu Jinnian sighed, โI wish I could see it.โ
โYou will have the chance,โ Ji Hong reassured him.
The two lingered for a while, almost getting handsy again. After a playful struggle, Yu Jinnian finally managed to get his clothes on properly, but he didnโt dare continue indulging with Ji Hong. He ran to the kitchen, grabbed the freshly steamed Fu Ling Fortune Cakes and reunion cakes, and shared them with everyone at the noodle shop.
โEating reunion cakes means weโll all be together!โ Qing Huan said cheerfully.
Seeing the reunion cakes, Yu Jinnian inevitably thought of the little thief who had stolen his things. He had kindly offered the boy sweets and cakes, only to have his treasures stolen in return. It infuriated him! With that thought, he took a heavy bite of the cake.
The noodle shop was filled with joy, and the theater was lively with song and dance. The Jiang family, being wealthy, had many servants and maids to handle the year-end cleaning. There was no need for the young master of the household to lift a finger. Jiang Bingren, used to having his hands free, spent his time as usual in a private booth at the theater, listening to opera.
The theater had been open for over a decade, and the repertoire was nothing new, not as impressive as the performances at Yicui Pavilion. He wanted to buy a show at Yicui, but considering his current status as a family man, it wasnโt appropriate to visit such places frequently. So, he resigned himself to the dull performances at the theater to pass the time.
Leaning lazily on a soft couch, he opened his mouth, and his “partner” beside him placed a plump, peeled melon seed in his mouth. He didnโt even need to lift a finger, indulging in his laziness like a content Buddha.
Since he was a Buddha, he deserved to be worshipped. Shi Xing reached over, discreetly rubbing his waist.
It wasnโt that Jiang Bingren wanted to be so lazy, but his noble posterior was sore and numb, unable to sit properly. It was all because of the past few days spent in endless entanglements with someone, turning the Spring Breeze Pavilion into little more than the Spring Pavilion. Every table and chair had been through a battle. Even if he wanted to move, he was too exhausted, wishing someone would carry him everywhere. Though tired, he felt utterly satisfied, pampered to the point of indulgence, advancing further down the path of a fop.
Chewing on fragrant melon seeds, Jiang Bingren grew bored. He waved over a theater attendant and asked, โWhy hasnโt Bai Haitang been on stage for so long?โ
The attendant, smiling apologetically, replied, โBai Haitang has been unwell and hasnโt performed in half a year. Iโm afraidโฆ itโs not looking good. But we do have a new performer, Xiao Lanxiang. Sheโs young but has a great voice. Would you like to hear her, Young Master Jiang?โ
Hearing that Bai Haitang couldnโt sing anymore, Jiang Bingren lost interest and lazily collapsed back onto the couch.
The attendant had just left when, moments later, there was a commotion downstairs. Jiang Bingren jumped up, eager to see what was happening, but his body froze, and his face flushed pink as he collapsed back onto the couch. He instructed Shi Xing, โGo see whatโs going on.โ
Shi Xing glanced out and said, โLooks like someoneโs causing trouble.โ
A young man appeared, dressed decently enough, but the material of his clothes revealed his poverty. He grabbed the theater troupeโs junior manager, his mouth moving as he spoke, though the words were barely audible. The manager, growing impatient, shrugged him off and snapped, โ…Our leader saw his dedication to the troupe and, even if it wasnโt hard work, he put in effort. Out of kindness, he supported you. Now heโs been sick for half a year and hasnโt recovered. Weโre not a charity templeโhow do you still have the nerve to ask for money?โ
The young manโs face flushed with anger, and his hands trembled as he retorted, โIt must have been you who harmed him!โ
The junior manager sneered, โHarmed him? He did it to himself. Who forced him?โ His gaze shifted, now appraising the young man in front of him with a mocking expression. โThough, he did mention something about supporting a scholar. Was that you? Have you made a name for yourself yet?โ
The young manโs face turned pale.
The junior manager was about to call someone to throw him out when a middle-aged man suddenly leaned out from the second floor, across from where Jiang Bingren and his group were sitting, and waved his hand. The manager pursed his lips, fished out a handful of coins, and tossed them at the young man. โAlright, alright, our leader has a good heart. Itโs the 24th todayโwe donโt want to bring in bad luck. Take these lucky coins and get going! Donโt come back again!โ
Jiang Bingren, leaning on the windowsill with his arms propped up, expected the young man to refuse to bow down for a mere handful of coins, assuming he was a scholar with some pride. But to his surprise, after a brief hesitation, the young man bent down and carefully picked up each coin, stowing them away in his sleeve before silently walking away.
โNo spine at all,โ Jiang Bingren muttered, clicking his tongue as he sank back into his couch.
The young man clutched the coins tightly and hurried to the alley behind the theater. At the end of the alley was a small clearing, with a towering silk tree beside it, thick enough that two people couldnโt wrap their arms around it. Who knew who had planted it, or when? The young man knelt by the tree, brushing aside a thin layer of soil, and dug up a small clay jar. From it, he took out a coin pouch, a small curved knife inlaid with jewels, and two oiled paper-wrapped packages that he hadnโt yet had the heart to eat.
As he prepared to leave, he climbed the tree and broke off a barren branch from the silk tree before heading back.
Entering a small, nondescript house in the alley, he was immediately greeted by the smell of burning charcoal. He assumed the person inside had lit a brazier to keep warm and quickly hid his treasures, bringing only the two oiled paper packages into the room as he pushed the door open, calling out, โHaitang, look what Iโve brought you todayโwhat are you doing?!โ
He was so shocked that he rushed over, snatching the red-hot iron rod from Bai Haitang’s hand and throwing it as far as he could. He tried to pull Bai Haitang away, but Bai Haitang fought him off desperately, shouting, โLeave me alone, stop trying to help me!โ
โBai Haitang!โ he shouted, finally managing to grab him, refusing to let go no matter what.
Bai Haitang collapsed to the ground, his fingers blackened with soot from handling the hot iron. He covered his face with his hands, trying to hide, leaving his face smeared with soot. โDonโt look at me. Iโm too ugly; donโt look. If I burn it away, itโll be gone… A’Ting, if I burn it, itโll be curedโฆโ
Tears welled up in Su Tingโs eyes as he gently pried Bai Haitangโs hands away. He saw a few coppery red sores on Bai Haitangโs once-beautiful face, some swollen and oozing. Su Ting wanted to touch his face, but Bai Haitang flinched away, so he dropped his hand, swallowing the lump in his throat and forcing a smile. โBrother Haitang, youโre not ugly. Donโt burn yourself.โ
Not only was he not ugly, he was still the most beautiful person, especially those eyesโlike a mist-covered lake, brimming with tenderness. His soft voice, like fine silk, always carried a melody that had captivated Su Ting the moment they met. From then on, he had never been able to escape.
By day, he was everyoneโs Bai Haitang, singing as the star of the opera stage. By night, he was Su Tingโs alone, sharing the same bed. Bai Haitang loved beauty and took great care never to let a single speck of dirt mar his appearance. He adored wearing skirts and dotting his face with flowers, often asking Su Ting, โDo I look good?โ
How could he not?
โLook, I broke off a branch of your favorite silk tree. Even though itโs leafless and flowerless now, itโll bloom next year.โ Su Ting gently helped him onto the bed, placing the silk tree branch in a cracked clay pot by the headboard. He then pulled out the oiled paper packages from his sleeve. โI also brought you some reunion cakes. One for each of us.โ
Bai Haitangโs voice was hoarse. โWhere did these come from?โ
โI followed the exorcism procession today, and the shop owner was kind enough to give them to me. He even gave me a good bit of silverโฆ heโs a good person.โ Su Ting spoke softly as he picked up a comb and began gently brushing Bai Haitangโs hair. Despite his light touch, strands of hair came away with the comb, which Su Ting discreetly hid under the mattress. He continued in a calm tone, โTomorrow, Iโll be able to refill your medicine. And maybe we can find a better doctor, okay?โ
โDid you buy your books?โ Bai Haitang asked. โWhat about ink? How is your academy? Did your teacher say your writing was good?โ
Su Ting nodded. โYes, I bought everything. The teacher said my essaysโฆ were not bad.โ
In truth, the teacher had thrown his paper back at him, saying he was a hopeless case, impossible to teach.
Bai Haitang, too tired to notice the deceit, didnโt pick up on the lie. He finally relaxed and smiled, like a child, praising, โI knew it. A’Ting, your talent is unmatched. Youโre sure to pass the exams!โ
He didnโt have much of an appetite, but knowing how hard Su Ting had worked to get the reunion cakes, he forced himself to eat a few bites. However, he couldnโt bring himself to touch the sesame sugar melons, so he just watched Su Ting eat, smiling as if he could taste the sweetness through him. Su Ting fed him two sips of warm water, and Bai Haitang lay back in bed, but his eyes never left the brazier, clearly still thinking about using the hot iron on his face. Worried, Su Ting quickly took the brazier outside, dousing the coals in cold water before locking up the wood and fire starters in the house, making sure Bai Haitang had no chance of using them again.
As night fell, Su Ting approached the bed. Bai Haitang, wrapped tightly in his blanket, kept him at a distance.
โLet me hold you, just for a moment,โ Su Ting pleaded, clutching the edge of the blanket.
Bai Haitang shook his head, pointing to the small, shabby bed made of old wooden planks nearby.
With no other option, Su Ting lay down on the makeshift bed, turning on his side to gaze at Bai Haitang. โHaitang, maybe I should stop going to the academy. I heard the docks are hiring workers, and they pay well. If I earn money, I can get you better treatment. Then, we couldโฆโ
Before he could finish, Bai Haitang sat up abruptly, his voice trembling, โDonโt you dare!โ
Su Ting stammered, โI…โ
Whenever this topic came up, Bai Haitang would glare at him with tear-filled eyes. Su Ting, who always had a well-thought-out argument in his head, found himself silenced by Bai Haitangโs silent tears. He dared not bring up quitting school again and quickly knelt beside the bed, promising, โIโll study. Iโll keep studying! Please donโt cry.โ He wiped at his own sleeve to dry Bai Haitangโs tears, but Bai Haitang turned away, secretly wiping them away in his blanket.
โWhy wonโt you let me sleep with you?โ Su Ting asked softly.
After a long pause, Bai Haitangโs back shifted slightly, and he whispered, โIโm sick.โ
โI donโt care about your illness!โ Su Ting protested. โWhen I was sick before, didnโt you stay by my side, taking care of me every minute? Let me in, Haitang, this wooden bed is so cold, and Iโll freeze too.โ
Su Ting had always been good at appearing vulnerable, knowing how to manipulate others’ sympathy, which was the key to controlling Bai Haitang. A slight touch and Bai Haitang would usually have no choice but to give in to Su Tingโs way. However, ever since falling ill, Bai Haitang seemed to have undergone a change of heart. No matter how much Su Ting begged or pleaded, Bai Haitangโs response was a firm โno.โ
That night was no different, and Su Ting still couldnโt manage to sneak into Bai Haitangโs bed.
Another night passed, and morning arrived.
Su Ting got up quietly, seeing that Bai Haitang was still fast asleep. He carefully took the small curved knife from the cabinet and, under the sunlight, admired the red and green gemstones embedded in the handle. His eyes gleamed with excitement. He placed the knife into his school satchel, stuffing a few books on top to conceal it, and then set off toward the east side of the city.
Once he pawned the knife, he would finally have enough money to buy medicine for Haitang!
Su Ting arrived at the pawnshop, full of hope, but was told that the manager was out on business, and the apprentice couldnโt estimate the value. He was asked to return in an hour. Disappointed, he stuffed the knife back into his bag and wandered over to Shouren Hall, the best medical clinic in town, though it was also the most expensive. He longed to get Haitang the best doctor, but his wallet was painfully light.
Since Bai Haitang had fallen ill, Su Ting had realized just how useless he was. For years, Haitang had worked himself to the bone singing opera to earn money, allowing Su Ting to attend a prestigious academy. Su Ting didnโt want to disappoint Haitang, but he knew deep down that he lacked talent. No matter how hard he worked, he would never gain the approval of his teacher. Yet he had to keep studying while also finding a way to cure Haitangโs illness. Even when he took odd jobs at night, it wasnโt enough. So, out of desperation, he resorted to petty theft to gather enough money for Haitangโs medicine.
Su Ting knew it was disgraceful for a scholar to stoop so low, but circumstances had left him no choice. Over time, he had become numb to it. Stealing had become second nature, and he had yet to be caught. The only time he felt a pang of shame was when he faced Bai Haitang.
Perhaps after pawning the knife today, he could afford the doctor from Shouren Hallโฆ
Lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a few figures leaving the clinic. At the front was a young nobleman with his face covered in festering sores, his once-handsome features ruined by a series of weeping blisters. A maid by his side was trying to comfort him as they both turned back to thank someone inside.
Su Ting was about to leave when another figure emerged from the clinicโa handsome young man dressed in green robes. To Su Tingโs shock, it was none other than the young shop owner whose knife he had stolen the previous day!
The young man was holding a basket filled with vegetable seedlings. After rummaging through the basket for a moment, he pulled out a Tusu pouch and handed it to the nobleman with the sores, smiling gently. โDonโt worry. These are just damp sores. They look bad now, but with proper treatment, theyโll scab over and heal in about a month. After that, apply some ointment to promote new skin growth, and there wonโt be any scars. Here, take this Tusu pouchโitโs for good health.โ
โThank you, young doctor! Thank you!โ the maid exclaimed gratefully.
Luo Qian, a physician, came out after him and patted the young man on the shoulder, laughing. โWe were lucky to have you here today, Jinnian. With so many patients, we could barely keep up! Have you considered joining Shouren Hall as a resident physician?โ
Yu Jinnian responded jokingly, โI already have a business to run! Besides, the fees here wouldnโt be enough to support my extravagant lifestyle.โ As he spoke, he noticed Su Ting standing by the steps, looking hesitant. Because Su Ting had been dressed in rags and wearing a painted demon face the day he stole the knife, Yu Jinnian couldnโt recognize him today as the neatly dressed scholar. Despite a fleeting sense of familiarity, Yu Jinnian had no idea this was the thief he had cursed just yesterday.
Su Ting instinctively wanted to flee, but when he realized Yu Jinnian didnโt recognize him, he mustered the courage to stay. He carefully observed Yu Jinnian. He had overheard the maid calling him “young doctor” and remembered hearing stories about this legendary young physician, said to be able to heal the gravest of illnesses. But this was Su Tingโs first time seeing him in person.
โAre you here to see a doctor?โ Yu Jinnian asked, noticing Su Tingโs intense gaze.
Su Ting swallowed nervously and took a few steps forward. โCan you treatโฆ sores?โ
Yu Jinnian was slightly surprised but smiled. โThat depends on the type of sore. I can only tell after seeing the patient. Whoโs sick? You, or a family member? What kind of sores are they? How long have they had them? Do they hurt or itch?โ
Su Ting hadnโt expected such detailed questions right from the start, and he struggled to find the words. โItโsโฆ itโs like what that nobleman had, on the face, but no pain or itching, just soresโฆโ
Yu Jinnian thought for a moment, then shook his head. โItโs best to see the patient to make an accurate diagnosis. Do you want to come inside? There are many good doctors here at Shouren Hall.โ
Su Ting held tightly onto his satchel but didnโt say the words โI donโt have any money.โ Yu Jinnian, unaware that the small curved knife he had lost was just a few steps away, reached into his vegetable-filled basket and pulled out another Tusu pouch. โTake thisโitโs for health and protection.โ
Yu Jinnian handed the pouch to Su Ting, who accepted it in a daze. Only after Yu Jinnian smiled and waved goodbye, walking back toward his noodle shop in the west of the city, did Su Ting come to his senses. He brought the Tusu pouch to his nose, inhaling its fresh, herbal fragrance. It seemed to hold the promise of healing even the most stubborn illnesses.
Clutching his satchel, Su Ting walked back to the pawnshop. The apprentice, seeing him return, quickly ushered him inside. โThe manager is back. Please, come in.โ
Su Ting followed the apprentice into the front room, standing beneath a tall, latticework window. The manager, sporting a goatee, looked down at him from above and asked, โWhat are you pawning? Will it be a dead pawn or a live pawn?โ
Behind Su Ting stood a massive wooden screen, gilded with a single character: ๅฝ (pawn).
Gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, property deedsโanything that passed through this door would turn into cold, hard cash.
Su Ting opened his mouth, then suddenly blurted, โIโm not pawning anything!โ He turned on his heel and rushed out of the pawnshop. He ran back to the alley behind the theater, circling the roots of the silk tree and carefully searching the ground. After a while, he found the Tusu pouch he had discarded the previous day. Dusting off both pouches, he took them home.
By then, Bai Haitang had woken up and was sitting on the bed, lost in thought. When Su Ting entered and hung the small cloth bags at the headboard, Bai Haitang asked, โWhat are those?โ
โTusu pouches. They ward off illness and evil spirits. I hung one for youโyouโll get better faster!โ Su Ting said.
Bai Haitang continued to ask, โWhere did you get them? You didnโt waste money again, did you?โ
โA kind shop owner gave them to me,โ Su Ting replied as he sat on the edge of the bed and took Bai Haitangโs hand. Bai Haitang, unable to pull away, was held tightly by Su Ting. โHaitang, I will cure you. One day, weโฆ we will be like before, watching flowers in the morning and the moon at night, side by side.โ
Su Tingโs last sentence was sungโwords from a song Bai Haitang used to perform. Back when he was at his peak, he would sing it dozens of times a day, even until his voice was hoarse. Yet every night, he would still pull Su Ting to the silk tree and sing it just for him.
โI will be with youโฆโ Bai Haitang repeated the words softly. His voice was too damaged to sing, but even speaking them aloud brought him some joy. He nodded. โYesโฆโ
โI will be with you, watching flowers in the morning and the moon at night, always together.โ
Who wouldnโt envy such sweetness and harmony?