CITM - 9

During the day, after both Tong Mingfang and Bai Wenfu had left the house, Ye Yun didn’t rest. Instead, she cleaned the house, prepared meals, and brought in the clothes hanging outside. She folded Tong Mingfang’s clothes neatly and placed them in her room. However, Bai Wenfu’s door was always closed, so Ye Yun hesitated to enter. Instead, she placed his neatly folded clothes on the stool by his door.

After walking a few steps away, Ye Yun turned back and picked up Bai Wenfu’s dark blue jeans. There was a tear at the knee—perhaps men were less particular about such details—and she carefully stitched it up for him. After all, he had bought things for her before, and this was her way of repaying him. The fine stitching followed the denim’s natural twill pattern, making the original damage nearly invisible unless closely inspected.

When Tong Mingfang returned home and saw the tidy house, the prepared meals on the table, and her neatly folded clothes on the bed, her attitude toward Ye Yun softened somewhat.

At dinner, Bai Wenfu wasn’t home. Ye Yun experienced intermittent abdominal pain and had little appetite. Seizing the opportunity, Tong Mingfang asked if she was feeling unwell.

Ye Yun told her honestly, and Tong Mingfang’s expression shifted slightly. Privately, she hoped that Ye Yun might already be pregnant after sleeping with Wenbin for so long. If she could conceive now, by the time Wenbin returned and they officially registered their marriage, she wouldn’t have to wait long to hold a grandchild. Such thoughts occupied her mind frequently.

However, reality fell short of her expectations, leaving her somewhat disappointed with Ye Yun’s apparent lack of progress. Still, she didn’t reveal these thoughts outwardly.

Without a job or income, Ye Yun knew she couldn’t live off the Bai family indefinitely, especially with Wenbin away. Early the next morning, she rose to fetch water. Thinking that as long as she remained diligent and didn’t give the Bai family any reason to complain, her situation in the household wouldn’t become too difficult.

In the dim light, she walked to the corner of the room and was about to lift the bucket when she noticed it was unusually heavy. Upon opening the lid, she found both buckets full of water. She glanced back; Tong Mingfang’s room was still dark, and she hadn’t risen yet.

Ye Yun heated some water and poured a bit into a basin, taking it to the washroom. Since receiving the enameled basin, she could finally use hot water.

The washroom was empty. Ye Yun let down her long hair, which was thick and took some time to comb. As she returned, the corridor was quiet, the sky just beginning to lighten, with occasional bird calls echoing in the distance.

While gazing up at the treetops, Bai Wenfu emerged from his room, looking at her: “Why are you up so early?”

Her long hair cascaded over one shoulder, framing her small face softly.

She swallowed the conversation she’d overheard yesterday and simply replied, “I couldn’t sleep.”

Bai Wenfu glanced at the enamel basin in her arms, noticing the old plastic comb inside, several teeth broken from years of use. Following his gaze, Ye Yun quickly covered the comb with a towel.

Bai Wenfu said nothing more and walked past her. After a few steps, he turned back: “Did you sew the pants?”

Seeing that he was already wearing them, she told him, “Back home, I used to mend clothes for my younger siblings. If your clothes get damaged in the future... you can bring them to me.”

Bai Wenfu slowly turned around: “Have you heard of hippies?”

“Hippies? What are those?”

Ye Yun stared at him, confusion written all over her face. A faint, relaxed smile curved Bai Wenfu’s lips, but he offered no explanation, turning and walking away.

Though Bai Wenfu had mentioned it casually, Ye Yun felt uneasy inside.

Coming from the countryside to the city, Ye Yun felt like a small fish suddenly thrown into the vast ocean, constantly bombarded by new waves of change. In this rapidly evolving era, urban dwellers—especially the younger generation—embraced avant-garde ideas. The unfamiliar shops, people’s lifestyles, topics of discussion—all made Ye Yun feel as though her thinking couldn’t keep pace.

For instance, in the countryside, idle chatter revolved around small plots of land, Zhang’s family marrying off a son, or Li’s family having a child.

But here, the young people discussed China’s women’s volleyball team winning seven consecutive matches in Osaka, Chairman Deng Xiaoping meeting with the American Chinese Association, and proposing the concept of “One Country, Two Systems”...

Ye Yun didn’t even know how far away America was or in which direction Osaka lay. Inside the house, she could observe and adapt to urban habits through careful observation. But once outside, every new experience overwhelmed her.

The mention of “hippies” spurred her determination to understand what it meant. At present, the only accessible sources of information were newspapers and books.

With Lü Ping’s help, Ye Yun soon successfully borrowed a magazine from the library that mentioned “hippies.” She read it repeatedly, learning for the first time about the origins of jeans, America’s gold rush, and the bold fusion of rivets and denim in the 1970s. A flood of innovative ideas rushed into Ye Yun’s mind.

The library was located in a small courtyard on Liangsi Street. To obtain a borrowing card, one had to register their workplace and undergo a qualification review. Ye Yun didn’t have a workplace, so she relied on Lü Ping’s help each time. Lü Ping was enthusiastic and brought Ye Yun many books on current affairs, as well as topics that interested her, such as tailoring, sewing, and garment patterns. Ye Yun cherished these books dearly. Whenever she finished her household chores, she would hide away in a quiet corner to pore over them.

She no longer fetched water from the pump. No matter how early she woke up, the buckets were always full. Tong Mingfang was unaware of this and never asked about it. But Ye Yun knew that the only person who could have filled the buckets was Bai Wenfu. Over time, this became an unspoken secret between them—neither acknowledged it.

Bai Wenfu left early and returned late, so their encounters were rare. Even when they happened to sit at the same table for meals, they ate in silence without much interaction. In Ye Yun’s eyes, Bai Wenfu was shrouded in mystery. For instance, he didn’t have a job, yet he seemed busier than those who did. He had no fixed income but never hesitated to provide for the family.

More than a month later, Bai Wenfu brought home a roll of silk fabric. Tong Mingfang was overjoyed—it was the kind of material that couldn’t be bought with ration coupons. It would make a splendid quilt cover for Ye Yun and Wenbin. None of them knew how Bai Wenfu had acquired it.

After Wenbin’s departure, Tong Mingfang treated Ye Yun reasonably well. Ye Yun was diligent and meticulous in her work, and although Tong Mingfang was domineering and disapproved of her constantly reading books, she didn’t say much about it.

However, Lü Ping couldn’t bear to see Ye Yun cooped up at home all day. One day, while visiting Ye Yun, she overheard Tong Mingfang saying, “Didn’t Wenbin leave you some money? Give it to me, and I’ll find someone to embroider the fabric. If you ruin such fine material, where will we find another like it?”

Ye Yun replied softly, “I’ll be careful.”

Tong Mingfang scolded her a little more, and Ye Yun fell silent.

Lü Ping waited for a while before Ye Yun finally emerged from the house. Seeing her subdued mood, Lü Ping suddenly suggested, “Why don’t you come to the dance hall with me this weekend?”

“The dance hall? I don’t know how to dance.”

“It’s okay, you can learn once you’re there. You’re always cooped up at home reading books, never stepping outside. And dealing with…” Lü Ping exaggeratedly tilted her chin toward the house and whispered, “Isn’t it suffocating?”

Ye Yun hesitated and glanced back. Lü Ping shoved the newly borrowed book into Ye Yun’s hands and lowered her voice: “It’s settled. I’ll come get you on Saturday. Just think of an excuse so Aunt Tong doesn’t find out you’re going to the dance hall.”

________________________________________

The dance hall opened at 9 a.m., with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. It was currently the most popular form of entertainment in the city. Since Ye Yun couldn’t easily slip out at night, she and Lü Ping went to the afternoon session.

This was the first dance hall in the city. Though not lavishly decorated, the enthusiasm of the young crowd made up for it. Beyond following trends or seeking thrills, the dance hall had also become a place for young men and women to deepen their bonds.

A few people were already waiting outside the dance hall when Lü Ping arrived. They were colleagues from her factory who were close friends. Seeing that she had brought along a girl with delicate features, two male colleagues inquired about Ye Yun. Lü Ping curtly replied, “She’s taken. Don’t even think about it.”

Inside the dimly lit dance hall, flashing lights opened a new world for Ye Yun. Most people dressed plainly, though a few wore flared pants, exaggerated accessories, or hairstyles larger than their faces—these individuals were the center of attention.

Everyone stood around chatting in small groups. The session began with a slow four-step dance. Those who knew how to dance found partners to enjoy brief moments of freedom and joy. Lü Ping joined the floor with her colleagues, while Ye Yun watched them with a suppressed smile. A young man approached Ye Yun and invited her to dance. She waved him off, explaining that she didn’t know how. He offered to teach her, but Ye Yun stepped back, looking troubled. Seeing her reluctance, the man gave up.

At the back of the dance hall were circular high tables requiring tickets to sit at—not cheap, so ordinary people avoided them.

Bai Wenfu sat at the innermost table, casually observing the scene. He had noticed Ye Yun as soon as she entered, his expression unchanged as he drank with Boss Wu and others. But when the stranger approached Ye Yun, his brow furrowed slightly.

Boss Wu was sharp and immediately redirected his gaze, asking, “See someone you like? Should I arrange an introduction?”

A faint smirk curled Bai Wenfu’s lips as he reached for his drink.

After the slow dance came disco. Most people retreated to the sidelines, while flashy young men moved to the center, swaying their hips and waving their arms. Ye Yun had never seen such moves and laughed uncontrollably with Lü Ping.

Leaning close to Ye Yun’s ear, Lü Ping said, “Later during the social dance, everyone has to join. First, you’ll dance with me. Once you’ve got the hang of it, we’ll switch with Zhou Hao.”

Zhou Hao was one of Lü Ping’s colleagues—a round-faced, crew-cut man with a simple demeanor. Ye Yun whispered, “Do we hold hands during the social dance?”

Seeing her shy expression, Lü Ping burst out laughing. “Of course! It’s just dancing. What’s the big deal? Half the people here are married, and none of them dance with their spouses.”

Hearing this, several colleagues reassured Ye Yun with smiles: “Zhou Hao is the most honest among us. You can trust him.”

To Ye Yun, the idea of strangers standing so close and holding hands felt unimaginable, yet Lü Ping and the others spoke of it lightly. For a moment, she wondered whether she was too conservative or if city dwellers were simply too open-minded.

Turning her head to scan the room, her gaze passed through the gyrating men and unexpectedly met a piercing stare. Her heart skipped a beat. Squinting, she recognized Bai Wenfu. His broad figure flickered under the rotating lights, his black leather jacket exuding effortless coolness and rugged charm. Ye Yun desperately wanted to mistake him for someone else, but she had rarely seen another man wear such tight-fitting leather with such ease. Her face tightened as she whispered, “Oh no, Big Brother Wenfu is here.”

Lü Ping froze, following Ye Yun’s gaze and muttering, “What’s he doing here?”

Zhou Hao interjected, “I’ve seen him here several times recently. He’s been hanging out with Boss Wu and the others.”

Ye Yun retreated behind Lü Ping, trying to hide. “What should I do? Maybe I should leave.”

Lü Ping grabbed her arm. “Leave? Why? We’re not doing anything wrong. If he’s here, so be it.”

Zhou Hao turned to Ye Yun and said, “Don’t worry. His leg isn’t convenient, so he never dances. He won’t bother us.”

Even so, Ye Yun still felt guilty about sneaking out to have fun and running into her brother-in-law.

The disco segment didn’t last long before the highly anticipated social dance began.

Lü Ping twirled her wrists dramatically and extended her right hand toward Ye Yun, making her laugh at the exaggerated gesture.

Lü Ping was a good teacher, showing Ye Yun how to step in rhythm and turn in circles. At first, Ye Yun was hesitant, but as the atmosphere grew lively, she gradually relaxed and began to follow Lü Ping’s lead.

Her light steps harmonized with the melody, her slender waist swaying gracefully, her skirt blooming like a flower under the shifting lights. She felt herself drawn into the moment, beginning to understand why everyone loved coming here.

Relaxation—something she had never experienced since arriving in the city.

Lü Ping adjusted their pace and guided Ye Yun closer to Zhou Hao and the others.

“You dance with Zhou Hao now. It feels awkward for me to lead.”

With that, Lü Ping switched places with Zhou Hao, quickly pairing up with another male colleague. Zhou Hao extended his hand to Ye Yun, who clutched the side of her skirt tightly. Though she had learned the basics from Lü Ping, she still couldn’t bring herself to hold hands and dance with a strange man.

Couples whirled past them, filling the hall with movement, but they remained standing face-to-face. Zhou Hao took a step closer, awkwardly suggesting, “How about you rest your hand on mine? We can’t just stand here forever.”

Flustered, Ye Yun loosened her grip on her skirt and tentatively raised her arm. As Zhou Hao reached out, a shadow loomed over them, blocking his hand.

Before Ye Yun’s fingers could brush against Zhou Hao’s, her hand was seized by another. She looked up, meeting Bai Wenfu’s intense gaze, her brows tinged with panic.