“Da Chen!” Qiu Yun cried out in a mix of shock and joy. “You… how did you… get back today?”
“Yeah,” Wang Chen replied. She was wearing a bright red padded jacket, clearly a new garment for the New Year. “I had some things to take care of, so I came back early. What were you looking at on the balcony?”
“Oh, nothing…” There was no one outside, not even a janitor. Qiu Yun quickly changed the subject. “Didn't you say you wouldn't be back until the third or fourth? Today is only the first.”
“Mhm, I have things to do. I came back right after the ancestral sacrifices this morning. My parents are still in the countryside. I came to find you as soon as I got back; I didn't expect you to actually be at school.”
“Yeah,” Qiu Yun said, her voice tinged with dejection. “My grandpa didn't come back for the New Year. I couldn't find my house keys, and the locksmith shops are all closed for the holiday, so I had to stay at school.”
“Your grandpa didn't come back?” Wang Chen’s eyes widened. “On New Year’s Day of all days…”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Qiu Yun said, stepping forward to take her friend's hands. “What’s this ‘business’ that brought you back early?”
“Oh… I, well, I was just afraid you’d be lonely by yourself, so… I came back early.”
“Is that so?” Qiu Yun peered at Wang Chen’s cheeks and teased, “You’re that good to me? Tell me then, is my status in your heart higher than that of your ‘Brother Feng’?”
As expected, a suspicious flush crept up Wang Chen’s face. “Go ahead, keep making fun of me.”
“Haha, I guessed right! You came back early for a secret tryst with your sweetheart. I was wondering how I could possibly have that much charm.”
“Xiao Yun…”
“When’s the date?”
“Tomorrow afternoon,” Wang Chen confessed honestly.
“That’s perfect. I’ll go sell my things in the morning, find you at noon, and we can go together.”
“You’re coming too?” Wang Chen’s eyes went wide.
“What? I’ll just happen to ‘run into’ you, take one look, and leave. Didn’t we agree before the New Year that you’d let me have a look? I’m just worried about you; I want to check him out for you. You’re so innocent—what if you’re being tricked by a bad guy?” Qiu Yun patted her chest. “I definitely won’t be a third wheel. One look and I’m gone.”
Wang Chen mentioned that she was currently the only one at her house and invited Qiu Yun to stay with her. However, Qiu Yun had to continue her sales the next day, and the Lion’s Head area she was targeting was closer to the school, so she politely declined. Wang Chen was quite curious about Qiu Yun’s business and even suggested staying in the dorm that night so she could go sell things with her the next morning.
Qiu Yun pushed her toward the door. “Don’t you go getting mixed up in this. I have to get up at the crack of dawn; you don’t want to end up with panda eyes like me. You should sleep until you wake up naturally, dress yourself up beautifully, and wait to meet your sweetheart tomorrow afternoon to pour out your hearts to each other.”
That night, Qiu Yun and Liu Dan worked until midnight before finally falling into an exhausted sleep. They calculated their earnings; because they had novel items to attract customers this year, their sales were exceptional—nearly double what they had made the previous year. Qiu Yun was thrilled. If she lived frugally, this would cover at least two or three months of the next semester. Liu Dan teased her, saying that if she woke up laughing from a dream, she should keep it down so as not to wake Liu Dan from her own dreams of counting money.
Qiu Yun did dream that night. But she didn't dream of counting money. She dreamt she had returned to the communal corridor building of her childhood. Her grandfather had come home from work and brought her a piece of candy. Her father said that children shouldn't eat so much sugar, yet his hands never stopped as he crafted a sugar painting for her. Then, the curtain lifted, and Chen Liping emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron, carrying a plate of steaming dumplings. She told them all to stop working because it was the New Year, and the whole family should sit down together for a proper meal. Qiu Yun was overjoyed. Sima Feng stood up and took her hand, leading her toward the dining table. The dumplings smelled wonderful; Qiu Yun could tell they were beef and celery filling. Just as she opened her mouth to take a bite, her mouth met empty air. She looked closely—the dumplings were gone, the table was gone, Chen Liping was gone, and her grandfather was gone. The entire world spun and fell apart. Sima Feng, who had been holding her hand, was also vanishing. She reached out to grab him, but he was gone. In her hand, she held only a pair of black leather men’s gloves, still retaining a lingering warmth.
She stroked the leather gloves over and over in her sleep, weeping silently.
The next morning, Qiu Yun still rose early and packed two steamed buns for breakfast. As she was about to leave, she saw the gloves on the table, and the dream from the night before flooded back. She hesitated for a moment, then turned back, grabbed the gloves, and hurried out.
Liu Dan was right; business at Lion’s Head was also booming. Perhaps word of mouth had spread, as today’s stock sold even faster than yesterday’s. Thinking of her meeting with Wang Chen, Qiu Yun packed up her stall at noon. She hurriedly finished her lunch of leftover buns and pickles and rushed toward Wang Chen’s home.
Wang Chen lived in a standard multi-family courtyard house. Three families lived in the quadrangle, and her family occupied the eastern unit. Wang Chen had a small, independent room. When Qiu Yun arrived, Wang Chen had a pile of clothes strewn across her bed.
“Xiao Yun, help me look. What should I wear this afternoon?”
Qiu Yun looked over the options. In this era, there really weren't many exceptionally beautiful clothes. In winter, everyone—men and women alike—wore the same dark-colored padded jackets. Occasionally, someone might have a down jacket, which was the equivalent of carrying a limited-edition LV bag today. Wang Chen’s only new garment for the New Year was a red padded jacket that her pregnant older sister had given her, which was still in nearly new condition.
After picking through the pile, Qiu Yun said, “Why not just wear the red one?”
Wang Chen made a long face. “I thought so too, but this morning I saw a bit of dirt on the back. I scrubbed it and put it over the fire to dry, and then…” Wang Chen turned the garment over. The cotton padding had been scorched, leaving a black hole on the side.
Qiu Yun couldn't help but laugh. “Haha, this is actually fine. Maybe Brother Feng will buy you a new one.”
Wang Chen swatted at her. “I’m worried to death, and you’re still making fun of me.”
Qiu Yun begged for mercy. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I have a way. Do you have a needle and thread?”
“Yeah.”
“Any clothes you don’t wear anymore?”
“…I’ll look. Will summer ones work?”
“Bring them all out.”
Half an hour later.
“Is… is this really okay?” Wang Chen turned around hesitantly.
The scorched black spot was gone, replaced by a square pocket in a contrasting color.
“Of course it is!” Qiu Yun rested her chin in her hand, nodding continuously. “This is fantastic! Perfect!” She pushed Wang Chen toward the window. The glass reflected Wang Chen’s hesitant expression and Qiu Yun’s practiced confidence. “It’s so stylish, so bold—it’s practically fashion! Da Chen, let me tell you, with this red jacket and green pocket, when you walk down the street, not just Brother Feng’s eyes, but everyone’s eyes will be glued to you!”
“Really?” Wang Chen turned in front of the glass. “But didn't our teachers say in class that ‘red and green are fit for a dog’?”
“Nonsense…” Qiu Yun waved her hand dismissively. “You’re an art student yourself. You tell me—you say it—does this look good or not?”
“It seems… okay…”
“What do you mean ‘seems’? It definitely is!” Qiu Yun said with absolute certainty. “Besides, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ Whatever you wear will be beautiful to Brother Feng. Maybe—” Qiu Yun gave a wicked grin, “you’d be even more beautiful wearing nothing at all.”
At those last words, Wang Chen stopped moving and glared at Qiu Yun with a blush. “You never have anything serious to say.”
Qiu Yun pushed further, grabbing a pillow and sitting cross-legged on the bed. “Tell me about it.”
“Tell you what?”
“How long have you two known each other?”
“This year… makes four years.”
“That long…” Qiu Yun’s gossip-loving heart swelled. “What base are you on?”
“What base?” Wang Chen asked, bewildered.
“Haha,” Qiu Yun suddenly realized her mistake and switched terms, asking slyly, “I mean—how far have you two gone?”
“You talk too much.” Wang Chen turned away.
“Holding hands?” Qiu Yun leaned in.
“…Mhm.”
“Hugging?”
“…Mhm.”
“Kissing?”
“…That’s enough.”
“Where did he kiss you? The cheek or the mouth? Was there any tongue?”
“Xiao Yun!” Her face crimson, Wang Chen lost her temper, grabbed another pillow from the bed, and threw it at Qiu Yun.
“Hahahaha…” Not bothered at all, Qiu Yun fell back onto the bed, laughing like a cat that had successfully stolen a treat. “Four years and you’re still at the ‘hugs and kisses’ stage? I’m worried for your Brother Feng.”
“Qiu Xiaoyun!” Wang Chen climbed onto the bed to pinch her. “And you call yourself a girl! How can you say such things?”
“What’s there to be shy about? You’ll be his eventually anyway,” Qiu Yun said shamelessly while dodging.
“You… who said I’ll eventually… you… I’m embarrassed for you…”
“Haha,” Qiu Yun laughed until she was out of breath. She suddenly stopped, sighing with a touch of sentimentality. “Actually, this is really nice. Pure and clean.”
No one-night stands, no hookups, no asking how many houses or cars the family owned—just a slow, steady love.
Wang Chen lay down beside her, staring at the ceiling as if talking to herself. “I don't think as much as you do. It’s just that whenever there’s something good to eat, or something fun or useful, I think of him and want to share it with him. He’s the same. But we’ve both agreed that we definitely won't cross the line before marriage.”
Qiu Yun turned her head to look at her. Wang Chen’s profile was outlined in a beautiful curve by the winter sun—a smooth forehead, a delicate nose, a slightly upturned chin. Beneath her thin eyelids flickered a light that was fearless, calm, and sincere.
Without a doubt, Wang Chen was a great beauty. From this angle, she even looked a bit like Qiu Yun’s original beautiful profile.
“What is it?” Wang Chen noticed Qiu Yun’s sudden silence and turned her gaze toward her.
“It’s just… I really envy you two. A pure, clean relationship. It’s very nice,” Qiu Yun said.
Wang Chen smiled. “Listen to you, talking so deep for someone so young. You’ve probably never been in love, have you? Unless you’re hiding something from us…”
Qiu Yun laughed as well. “No, no. I was just speaking from the heart. My first love is still waiting for me.”
“Then…” Wang Chen propped herself up on her elbow, resting her chin in her hand. “What kind of guy do you like?”
“I…” A faint image suddenly appeared in Qiu Yun’s mind—a man whose eyes turned a beautiful amber in the sunlight. She shook her head quickly. “I don't know.”
Wang Chen asked again, “Is there someone you like?”
Qiu Yun shook her head again, shaking away the image of those eyes. “No.”
Wang Chen said pointedly, “I think Gao Zhifei from our class is quite steady.”
“Haha,” Qiu Yun immediately understood Wang Chen’s meaning and poked her forehead. “Stop worrying about me.”
“What, you can talk about me but I can't talk about you?” Wang Chen grabbed Qiu Yun’s finger, then suddenly cried out, “Oh, Xiao Yun! Your hands—how did your chilblains get this bad?”
Qiu Yun pulled her hand back. “Yeah, I don't know what happened these past two days. They’re red and itchy, and they’ve swollen up like carrots.”
“These chilblains are too severe. They’ll hurt a lot when spring comes. You have to be careful; try not to touch cold things.” Wang Chen felt a pang of sympathy and got off the bed to rummage through her things. “I remember I had a pair of gloves, but they’re from when I was in elementary school. I don't know if they’re still here.”
“Da Chen…” Qiu Yun called out to her. “Don’t look for them. I’m fine.”
“You need to protect them. I get chilblains too, but I’ve never seen them this bad.”
*So that’s what they’re called—chilblains.* Qiu Yun stroked her hands; her index, middle, and pinky fingers were all red and swollen. The slightest touch made them itch maddeningly. She thought of the leather gloves in her bag, and her heart suddenly felt exceptionally warm and peaceful.
But Wang Chen was still feverishly searching for gloves. Seeing Qiu Yun lost in thought with a silly grin on her face, she called out, “Come help me! What are you smiling at?”
Qiu Yun had no choice but to say, “Da Chen, I have a pair of gloves. You don't need to look.”
“You have gloves?” Wang Chen stood up. “Why didn't you say so earlier? Where are they?”
“They’re hanging on the outside of my bag.”
Wang Chen looked over, and sure enough, a pair of black leather gloves was sticking halfway out of the outermost pocket of Qiu Yun’s bag. She walked over and pulled them out, examining them. “Leather? Where did you get these?”
“…The classmate who’s selling the New Year things with me, Liu Dan, gave them to me.”
“She doesn't use them herself?” Wang Chen slid her hand inside; it was so warm. “Wait, why are these so big? They feel like men’s gloves.”
“Oh, Da Chen,” Qiu Yun jumped off the bed, feigning alarm. “Aren't you going to be late? Go, go, hurry up and see Brother Feng… don't miss your date!”
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
筒子楼 | Tongzilou | A type of communal corridor building common in mid-20th century China.
糖画 | Sugar painting | A traditional Chinese folk art using hot, liquid sugar to create figures.
大杂院 | Multi-family courtyard | A traditional courtyard house (siheyuan) shared by multiple families.
撞色 | Color blocking | A fashion term for using contrasting colors together.
冻疮 | Chilblains | Small, itchy swellings on the skin caused by a cold reaction.
几垒 | Bases | A metaphor for stages of physical intimacy in a relationship.
待字闺中 | Waiting to be married | Literally "waiting in the boudoir for a name (marriage)"; used here jokingly.
越雷池 | Crossing the line | Derived from "crossing the Lei River," meaning to overstep a boundary.
