CITM - 26

By closing his door that evening, Bai Wenfu had effectively signaled the nature of his relationship with Ye Yun, silencing Tong Mingfang’s complaints about the sewing machine. From then on, she never mentioned it again.

Almost every night, Ye Yun would spend some time in Bai Wenfu’s room—sometimes finishing work from the tailor shop, other times working on her own projects. Sewing required both skill and patience, and when Ye Yun worked, she was completely absorbed. Bai Wenfu never disturbed her, content to let her focus.

Lately, he’d been preoccupied with arranging meetings between foreign trade companies and trading groups ahead of the upcoming Canton Fair. For him, this was a crucial opportunity to establish connections with newly arrived foreign enterprises. To facilitate these dealings, he needed a reliable translator who could help him understand technical specifications and product descriptions of imported goods. He had initially hired a university student, but the young man lacked practical experience; while competent at written translation, he struggled during face-to-face interactions with foreigners.

Rather than relying on someone else, Bai Wenfu decided to teach himself. During the day, he sought guidance from the wife of an old leader, who had studied abroad and spoke impeccable British English. By evening, he returned home exhausted, often late into the night.

While Ye Yun sewed, Bai Wenfu reclined against the headboard, poring over language textbooks. The rhythmic sound of her needlework filled the room, and occasionally, he glanced up to watch her. They existed in harmony—each immersed in their tasks yet aware of the other’s presence. This quiet companionship brought Bai Wenfu a sense of peace he hadn’t known in years. After long days of work, these evenings were a sanctuary.

Before leaving for her own room each night, Bai Wenfu would close his book and pull her close, teaching her a single word before letting her go.

One evening, unable to contain her curiosity, Ye Yun finally asked, “Why are you learning English?”

Bai Wenfu paused thoughtfully. “I’ve heard that soon, English will be treated as equally important as Chinese and math in college entrance exams. It’s a sign of things to come.”

“What do you mean by ‘things to come’? Will it help your work?”

“Not much now, but it might in the future. I need to prepare. The country is pushing for economic development, and international exchange and business cooperation are inevitable paths forward. You can see how significant this shift is just by looking at how much emphasis is being placed on learning English in our education system.”

Ye Yun didn’t have access to the same breadth of information or Bai Wenfu’s sharp insights, but she loved hearing him talk about the world beyond Erwei Alley. Her daily life revolved around mundane gossip, but through Bai Wenfu, she glimpsed a rapidly changing society teeming with possibilities.

Gradually, she began to understand why Bai Wenfu paid no heed to the prying eyes and whispered judgments around them. When one’s vision extended far beyond the confines of narrow alleys, such trivialities faded into insignificance. His gaze was fixed on broader horizons, rendering petty concerns irrelevant.

“And why should I learn it?” Ye Yun asked hesitantly.

Amusement danced in Bai Wenfu’s eyes. “Guess.”

After pondering seriously, Ye Yun shook her head. “No matter how the economy develops, I don’t think I’ll ever make clothes for foreigners.”

Bai Wenfu scooped her slim waist and pulled her onto his lap, leaning close until his face hovered above hers. His gaze lingered on her luminous eyes, amusement deepening. “It’s because I want to spend more time with you. Do I really need to spell it out?”

His heated fingertips traced her lips, then slid down to her chin. As his mouth descended, her thoughts dissolved into chaos. His kiss was intoxicating, leaving her powerless to resist.

Her cheeks flushed with desire, her eyes shimmering like water under moonlight. The thin fabric of her dress clung to her curves, and his broad hands sent electric currents coursing through her skin.

She was terrified—terrified that Tong Mingfang might hear something, terrified of being pulled deeper into his abyss, terrified of the beast lurking within him. Her consciousness wavered between surrender and retreat, as if teetering on the edge of a cliff. With wet, pleading eyes, she whispered softly, “Big Brother…”

At the sound of her vulnerable plea, Bai Wenfu smiled tenderly. Kissing her forehead lightly, he released her to return to her own room.

Normally, Bai Wenfu would escort her to the door, despite the mere step separating their rooms. Tonight, however, he remained lying on the bed, pulling the thin blanket over himself as his dark, penetrating gaze followed her departure.

________________________________________

With Ye Yun now able to work late into the night, Zhang Caifeng proposed settling her wages separately for the pieces she completed at home. Though Ye Yun felt uneasy accepting this arrangement since all customers technically belonged to the shop, Zhang Caifeng insisted. Over the past two years, her health had declined significantly. Her daughter had long urged her to close the shop and move in with her family for a comfortable retirement. Yet, Zhang Caifeng couldn’t bear to abandon the decades-old connection with her loyal customers. In truth, her aging body could no longer handle the demanding workload. Happy to lighten her burden, she allowed Ye Yun to take on more responsibilities without shortchanging her.

This additional income motivated Ye Yun to work even harder, often staying up late into the night. Concerned about her straining her eyes, Bai Wenfu devised a unique way to remind her when it was time to rest—not by urging her back to her room or verbal reminders, but by loosening her hair tie. Her cascading locks would block her view, rendering her unable to continue sewing.

Turning to him, she asked uncertainly, “Are you going to sleep? Did I disturb you?”

Bai Wenfu set aside his book. “No, but it’s time for bed.”

As Ye Yun gathered her materials, Bai Wenfu caught her hand. When she turned, he shifted slightly to make space. “Come keep me company for a while.”

Glancing nervously toward the door, Ye Yun hesitated. Bai Wenfu’s lips curved upward. “Don’t worry. Just lie here with me.”

Obediently, she lay down beside him, stiff and awkward. Their beds were positioned differently—hers on the left, his on the right—and she wasn’t accustomed to sharing a bed. Her gaze darted to the wall panel, which had once separated their rooms. She used to listen intently to the faint sounds emanating from his side, but now, lying here in silence, everything felt surreal.

Thinking back to those early days in the city, when every creak of the poorly insulated walls had kept her on edge, Ye Yun’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She gripped the sheets tightly and ventured, “Could you… hear everything before?”

Bai Wenfu rested his hands behind his head, his gaze soft but piercing. “Hear what?”

“The… noises from the other room.”

The room fell silent, Ye Yun’s heart pounding like a drum.

“Yes,” he replied simply.

That single affirmation sent a shiver through Ye Yun. All her lingering uncertainties were confirmed. Turning away, she buried her face in shame.

For days afterward, Ye Yun avoided speaking to Bai Wenfu, though their encounters at home grew increasingly awkward. She had seen him sitting alone in the corridor late at night, smoking cigarette after cigarette, refusing to enter his room even when fatigue claimed him.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked, “Back then… what did you think?”

After a prolonged silence, Bai Wenfu’s gravelly voice broke the stillness. “What could I think? Alone at night, a man has his thoughts.”

“Did you… imagine things?”

He paused briefly. “Only imagined.”

Hearing those words, Ye Yun felt as though she were melting in a furnace, consumed by heat.

Her voice barely audible, she murmured into his chest, “Aren’t you worried? People say I’m cursed…”

“Cursed.” He rolled the word off his tongue indifferently.

“Do you want to be my husband?”

Her ears reddened. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Pulling her closer, Bai Wenfu enveloped her in his embrace. His breath scorched her ear as he whispered, “Then it’s perfect. My life is tough enough that even King Yama wouldn’t take me.”

Gazing down at her, her hair fanned out across the pillow, he gently stroked the soft strands framing her face. His voice rumbled above her. “I’m leaving tomorrow. This trip will take some time.”

Dazed by his warmth, Ye Yun processed his words hazily but understood—they wouldn’t see each other for many days.

Lowering her lashes, she mumbled a subdued “Mm.”

Tightening his hold, Bai Wenfu’s voice dipped seductively. “Will you miss me?”

Those four words seared into Ye Yun’s heart. Unlike him, she couldn’t express herself so openly. Hiding her face in his chest, she remained silent.

Exhausted from staying up too late, Ye Yun succumbed to the comforting weight of his presence. Within moments, her consciousness slipped away, and she fell asleep in his arms.

Bai Wenfu switched off the light and tucked the blanket around her.

When Ye Yun woke the next morning, she realized with a start that she had slept in Bai Wenfu’s room. However, he had already left before dawn.

Carefully straightening his bed, she pressed her ear to the door, listening for any movement outside. Satisfied that the coast was clear, she cautiously opened the door, hoping to slip back into her own room unnoticed by Tong Mingfang.

But as soon as she cracked the door open, Tong Mingfang, seated at the table peeling garlic, looked up. Ye Yun froze mid-step, feeling as though icy water had been poured over her head. A chill ran down her spine.

The atmosphere froze, both women locked in a tense stare. Just as Ye Yun’s last shred of courage threatened to vanish, Tong Mingfang acted as if nothing unusual had happened. Lowering her head, she resumed peeling garlic.

Heart racing, Ye Yun tiptoed back to her room, changed clothes, and left for the tailor shop. Throughout the entire ordeal, Tong Mingfang said nothing.

Stepping outside, Ye Yun exhaled in relief.

What she didn’t know was that an hour before she woke, Bai Wenfu had visited Tong Mingfang’s room. Placing a stack of hundred-yuan bills beside her, he instructed firmly, “While I’m gone, don’t skimp on food. Buy meat if necessary. And…”

He added earnestly, “Don’t mistreat her.”

Tong Mingfang’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the cash, greed overtaking any objections. “When have I ever mistreated her? I treat her like a goddess!”

“…”