Plan A
Old Shadows of the Republic of China 2
Best Friends
All of this seems to exist only in the old memories of television and movies, vividly unfolding before Su Xin.
Some people are wearing long gowns, some are wearing suits, and the children selling newspapers are constantly shouting on the street, with a big cloth bag hanging in front of their chests.
The original owner’s memories came pouring in, and Su Xin stood in place to receive them.
The original owner, Wei Zhi, was the second daughter born to the second concubine of the Wei family’s grandfather. She had always had excellent academic performance since childhood and was sent to study abroad. She recently finished her studies and returned home two months ago.
Wei Zhi was sent away when she was in her teens, so although she is not very clear about many things in the family, after being back for two months, she felt that many things were wrong, especially after the third concubine entered the family.
The third concubine, named Shen Xiangting, has an unknown background and origin. The master of the Wei family brought her into the house and pampered her like a treasure.
The first wife and Wei Zhi’s mother, the second concubine, have talked about this several times, but whenever there was any discussion about the third concubine, as long as it was negative, no matter the content, if the master found out, it would result in a furious scolding. Even the first wife and the second concubine would not be spared, which shows how deeply he favors the third concubine.
Su Xin composed herself, her brow slightly furrowed.
The master of the Wei family has always been measured in his dealings with women. Although he is not very fond of his original wife, the first wife bore him three children and managed the household in an orderly manner, so the master still respects her.
The second concubine, who is Wei Zhi’s mother, was brought in during the first wife’s pregnancy and has been favored greatly. She has been with the master for many years, and the master would not quarrel with her over minor matters. Their relationship is also quite good.
According to reasoning, if the master of the Wei family could bring someone into the household when his original wife was pregnant with her first child, it is clear he is a philanderer. However, why has it been so many years, and the family still only has two wives? This is the skill of the first wife and the second concubine.
No matter how the master of the Wei family flirted and indulged outside, those little seductresses could not enter the household.
Over twenty years have passed, and the master of the Wei family is now in his prime, forty-seven years old. He has again become infatuated and has married the third concubine into the household.
This time, the first wife and the second concubine are watching coldly from the sidelines. After all, their children have all grown up and reached adulthood. No matter how fertile the third concubine may be, even if she gets pregnant as soon as she enters the household, her child cannot have a share of the family property. Moreover, they are old and no longer care to compete for favor with a beautiful woman.
Although the master of the Wei family is greedy for female beauty, he still knows what is important. However, now the master is angry with the first wife and the second concubine for the sake of the third concubine, which is excessive.
In Su Xin’s mind, the face of the third concubine from Wei Zhi’s memories appeared, and she somewhat understood the reason.
This woman is too seductive.
Her every frown and every smile, every gesture and movement, every expression and glance, all seem to be enticing people.
Her facial features are not of the enchanting type; there is a complex, dignified aura about her, creating a charm that is very hard to look away from.
Such a woman, wanting to seduce someone, is really too easy.
Shen Xiangting’s name originates from one of the poems in Li Bai’s 《Qing Ping Diao》. There is no special meaning; the middle three characters were chosen.
“Famed flowers and a beauty both delight the country, often receiving the emperor’s smiling gaze. Explaining endless regrets of the spring breeze, Shen Xiang Pavilion leans northward against the railing.”
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This poem describes a woman’s myriad charms, and Shen Xiangting is such a woman.
Su Xin had already been standing on the street for ten minutes. She looked at her watch, took her bag, and walked towards her destination.
The original owner’s best friend had arranged to have tea with her and was waiting at the teahouse.
The original owner’s best friend is Miss Liu from the Liu family, named Liu Shiqing. The two met in America, discovered they were from the same hometown, and returned from studying abroad together, developing a good relationship.
“Zhizhi, you are late.”
Liu Shiqing had reserved a window seat on the second floor, with a pot of tea and a plate of snacks on the table. She pointed to the watch on her wrist to signal her.
“Yes, yes, yes, my fault. As an apology, I’ll pay for the tea.”
Su Xin wore an apologetic smile and sat opposite Liu Shiqing.
“Alright, there’s no need for that. This small amount of money is something I, Liu Shiqing, can afford. If I say I’ll treat you, then I’ll treat you.”
Liu Shiqing picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Su Xin, then pushed the plate of snacks toward her.
“Originally, I wanted to invite you to a café to have coffee and cake, but we’ve already tried plenty of that stuff while studying abroad. We’re different from those women who don’t really appreciate it but insist they know how to drink coffee. The snacks at this teahouse are quite good; I really like them. So, I’m inviting you here to eat. You’ve been back for two months and haven’t stepped out of your house at all.”
Liu Shiqing returned to the country a year earlier than Su Xin and knows more about the local situation than Su Xin does.
“I’ve been keeping my mother company at home. My mother says the world is chaotic now, and girls shouldn’t wander around casually.”
Su Xin picked up a piece of the snack. The soft texture melted in her mouth; it was indeed very delicious.
“Tasty, right? This snack is famous far and wide. It was really difficult for me to make a reservation. These traditional pastries are much tastier than Western cakes and such.”
Liu Shiqing smiled gracefully. She was also wearing a little Western-style dress, had polished her nails, and wore a string of pearls on her wrist.
Su Xin smiled slightly, a strange feeling flashing in her heart.
The original owner had a very good memory. She clearly remembered that, back in America, Liu Shiqing really liked eating those Western desserts. After being back for a year, even her preferences have changed.
“Each has its own taste. I think they are equally good, but didn’t you really like those things before?”
Su Xin picked up another piece of pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. It was really delicious, with a genuinely authentic taste. In the following decades, or even a hundred years, it might be impossible to taste such an authentic flavor again. Although some claim to be century-old brands, the taste will inevitably change over so many years.
“For certain things, people’s preferences can change.”
Liu Shiqing took a sip of tea, smiling rather mysteriously.
“Really?”
Su Xin took a sip of tea, tilting her head to look at the street scene below. The noise of people was loud.
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“Don’t you want to ask me why I only looked for you two months after you came back?”
Liu Shiqing looked at Su Xin.
“You must have your reasons. Didn’t you also not ask me why I haven’t come to find you in these two months since I returned?”
“Then why?”
Liu Shiqing smiled and pressed further, the lipstick on her lips appearing vibrant.
“The family situation is rather chaotic; it’s hard to explain.”
Regarding the third concubine, Su Xin only knew a little.
She was originally a star singer at a nightclub. No one knew when she arrived, but her voice and appearance made her instantly famous. Master Wei was quite influential in this area, with a large family and extensive business. He took the beauty home, and no one dared to say much about it.
The original Wei Zhi had previously mentioned that she had heard that a director also liked the third concubine. This information came from others who attended the same performances. Whenever the third concubine, Shen Xiangting, performed, the director would certainly attend and bring many gifts.
“I’ve heard some things. After all, that third concubine in your family is quite famous. Although she got married not long after becoming famous, I’ve heard a bit about it. I heard your old man is ill?”
“Mm.”
“Your second branch should be careful. Hmm… how’s your brother doing lately?”
Liu Shiqing took a sip of tea, looking expectantly at Su Xin.
She was different from Su Xin. She didn’t go abroad at a young age; she went at eighteen, studied for three years, and came back. She is one year older than Su Xin.
“The same as always, no changes. But recently, my mother seems to have the intention of arranging a marriage for him.”
Liu Shiqing’s hand tightened around the teacup, and she sighed.
“I don’t even have a chance to see him now. It was hard enough to handle my own family’s matters. My father is also saying he wants to find me a good match, but I…”
Actually, whether in terms of family background or appearance, Liu Shiqing and Su Xin’s brother, Wei Ting, are quite well-matched. If they were really together, it would indeed be a perfect match.
However, Wei Ting seems not to be interested in Liu Shiqing, only treating her as a sister.
After all, Wei Ting does not like girls with Liu Shiqing’s appearance. He likes either those who are delicate and charming, incredibly alluring, or those who are soft-spoken, gentle, and dependent. Liu Shiqing, who looks quite strong-willed, has a more independent personality due to studying abroad, and is more open-minded, is not what he likes.
“Zhizhi, you know, I want you to help me. I really like Brother Wei.”
Liu Shiqing’s expression looked somewhat melancholic. She traced her fingers on the wooden table, appearing very uneasy.
“I know.”
The original Wei Zhi also very much wanted her good friend to become her sister-in-law, but after all, it is her brother’s marriage.
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“Qingqing, I can only try my best to speak well of you in front of them and create opportunities for you to meet. But given my brother’s temper, if I deceive him once, he definitely won’t agree to my request a second time. If I directly have him meet you, he will certainly refuse. So even if I can get him to come out, you only have this one chance. To be honest, my brother is just like my father, not really a good man to entrust your life to, very unfaithful. You’ve also adopted the foreign ways; with your qualities, why are you so fixated on this?”
Su Xin is not trying to belittle her brother, just speaking the plain truth.
“I don’t know either, but I just like him, and I have liked him for a very long time.”
Liu Shiqing’s shoulders slumped, her expression complicated.
“Feelings arise unknowingly, and deepen relentlessly. I don’t remember when I started liking him, and I don’t know why I like him. Knowing it might not be suitable, I just want to pursue it anyway.”
Liu Shiqing sighed helplessly.
She knew that Wei Ting liked traditional Chinese women—those who didn’t need extensive knowledge, didn’t need to know Western musical instruments, and didn’t need to understand the broader situation. These women didn’t wear Western-style dresses and had bound feet.
Changing herself couldn’t be rushed, so Liu Shiqing spent a year giving up her favorite Western pastries and learning how to make traditional Chinese pastries. She was a lady who never did any manual labor and was an advanced-thinking modern woman. But now, for the sake of the person she liked, she had to live in a way that she didn’t love.
LP: Sorry, I was sick ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ – ˵ ) ✧