Chapter 100 Extra Chapter 1
In the spring of 1912, after a three-month struggle, the "battle of the gods" in the Beijing government finally came to an end, with Yuan Shikai emerging victorious. From then on, the desolate atmosphere of previous years, where the smoke of war was thicker than clouds and music dared not drown out the gunfire, gradually gave way to the signs of spring.
In contrast, Wenjiang, which was not at the center of the war, became even more lively.
On this day of the Spring Equinox, which also happened to be the birthday of the late Prince Fucha, the former young prince and now the favored military governor of the Yuan family, a grand banquet was held at the governor's mansion, with gongs and drums resounding and the atmosphere extremely lively. In addition, a three-day performance was held in the garden, with Mr. Feng, the owner of the Linjiang Opera House, invited to direct the performance, and there was also a performance by the newly promoted female old male actor, Miss Feng, who was only sixteen years old.
Therefore, by 7 p.m., a grand banquet was being held in the front hall of the Governor's Mansion, and the back garden was bustling with people. Many people presented gifts but did not attend the banquet; instead, they headed straight for the stage, purely for the Feng family's opera troupe!
At the entrance to the main hall, after accepting a substantial congratulatory gift, the accountant smiled at the man before him and said, "May I ask your name, sir, so that I may register your information?"
The young man, dressed in a long robe and wearing a soft hat pulled low over his head, was looking around. Upon hearing this, he glanced to his side before bending down to the accountant and whispering, "Mu family, Mu Fuxue."
Seeing the man's erratic behavior, the accountant was initially puzzled, but upon hearing this, he exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Mu?! Why are you dressed like this... Your parents are both at the banquet, quickly, send someone to invite Miss..."
Mu Fuxue quickly pulled the accountant aside: "Sir, please don't make a fuss! I already paid my respects to the old lady yesterday. I was just here to watch the play, there's no need to disturb the household."
Organizing hair-cutting parades, investing in and opening women's public bathhouses, openly exhibiting nude portraits at art exhibitions... Although the eldest daughter of the Mu family is only nineteen years old, her unconventional reputation has already spread throughout Wenjiang. The accountant has naturally heard about it and immediately kept quiet.
After noting down the congratulatory gift, the accountant arranged for a servant to escort Mu Fuxue to the garden: "Miss, the manor has reserved some superior seats. Please have a servant take you there."
Mu Fuxue waved her hand: "No need, please leave the best seats for my father and the others. My maid has already gone in to reserve seats." With that, she pulled down the brim of her hat and disappeared into the crowd into the garden.
Although the garden of the governor's mansion was large, it was too crowded with people who came to visit. Mu Fuxue searched for a long time before finally finding her maid in a corner.
The garden was crowded and noisy. Jingye, who was also dressed as a man, fanned Mu Fuxue with her hat while asking, "Young...Young Master, why do you insist on sitting in the corner? There were plenty of good seats when I came in to reserve one! It's so crooked and angled here, what can you see?"
Mu Fuxue pointed to the stage exit directly in front of them: "See the 'General' sign up there? When Miss Feng comes out from here in a moment, I'll be the first one to see her."
Jingye pouted: "What's the use of the young master seeing her? She doesn't know us. It's a waste of time no matter how many times she looks at us."
Mu Fuxue glared at Jingye and flicked him on the forehead: "You talk too much!"
Jingye winced in pain, her face contorted in pain, and said, "That's the truth! Besides, young master, you've only heard her perform a few times, and you don't even know what kind of person she is. How can you come looking for her so eagerly at the last minute?"
Unsure what had touched her heart, Mu Fuxue lowered her head and thought for a long while before laughing to herself, "I don't need to get to know her; just by listening to her sing, I know what kind of person she is."
Before anyone could speak, the drums and gongs sounded on stage, and the play began—Feng Yingtian's famous play, "The Empty City Stratagem." After a short opening sequence, Feng Yingtian appeared on the left side of the stage, immediately drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
"good!"
Mu Fuxue was close by, and despite the dazzling lights, she could still clearly see the person on stage. She looked at her costume, her figure, her heavily painted face, and her bright, expressive eyes…
Cheers erupted, and the elegant, flowing vocals, perfectly complemented by the music, were even more captivating, each note striking Fu Xue's heart. The dazzling lights and shadows seemed to float like mist before her eyes, obscuring the audience and silencing the surrounding noise… all she could see was her, and she was all she wanted to see.
The music stopped abruptly, and cheers flooded the garden like a tidal wave. By the time Mu Fuxue came to her senses, the performer on stage had already vanished.
"Where is he?" she asked blankly.
Jingye said, "They've already finished their scenes. Miss Feng only has this one scene today. The next scene is... Oh, Miss? Miss!"
She hurriedly got up and pushed through the crowd to run backstage, but was stopped at the door.
"See this sign? No unauthorized personnel allowed. Please leave, sir."
Mu Fuxue said urgently, "I just want to say one sentence to Miss Feng, just one sentence!"
The security guards were already used to this kind of situation and simply said, "That's not how you promote a star, young master. Next time, if you give him more money, our star will definitely see you. Of course, today you may have money but no luck, our young lady has something to attend to and needs to leave!"
In all honesty and justice, today is the Governor's birthday. Who would dare to overstep their bounds and offer money as a reward?
No time to argue, Mu Fuxue stamped her foot and ran out. However, just as the exciting performance was ending, the next act was another uninteresting opera. Many guests got up to leave, and the crowd was so dense and jostling that Mu Fuxue had no room to run. When she finally escaped the garden and found the side gate for the opera troupe, she only saw a rickshaw driving away.
Looking at the rickshaw, Mu Fuxue was exhausted and couldn't chase after it anymore. She simply leaned against the pink wall, panting, and for no reason wanted to laugh.
She was panting when she suddenly heard the side gate creak open and two people walk out. The two people, who had been talking, were not aware of anyone else nearby and were immediately startled.
Protecting Feng Yingtian behind her, the maid shouted, "Who are you?!"
Unexpectedly, they met again. Mu Fuxue was stunned and just stared blankly at Feng Yingtian, unable to say a word.
Seeing that she was staring at him, Feng Yingtian assumed she was another frivolous young man and felt displeased. He simply said, "Ignore him and let's go."
As soon as Feng Yingtian moved, Mu Fuxue realized what was happening and quickly said, "Miss Feng!"
Feng Yingtian had always disliked associating with spoiled brats, let alone being cornered at his door, so he didn't want to talk to them and just kept walking.
Unexpectedly, Mu Fuxue did not let up and caught up in a few steps, saying, "Miss, Miss! How about you listen to what I have to say?"
With a slight frown, Feng Yingtian stopped, turned around with a cold face, and said, "Say one sentence."
Mu Fuxue looked at her and said, word by word, "Miss, you are like a pot."
Never having heard anyone treat their young lady so rudely, the maid immediately raised her eyebrows and exclaimed, "How dare you!"
Reaching out to stop the maid, Feng Yingtian looked at Mu Fuxue with a cold gaze: "I think you are only half-baked, with limited skills and an unbearable stench."
After saying that, she turned to leave, but Mu Fuxue did not stop her. Instead, she said loudly, "You are an impenetrable iron pot on the outside, but inside you are filled with spring. I am willing to break your shell and see the flowers inside."
Feng Yingtian stopped again.
Mu Fuxue watched her retreating figure with a smile.
After a moment, Feng Yingtian turned his head slightly and said, "If you can get an invitation to Miss Mu Yuanfuxue's art exhibition, you'll have a chance to come and give it a try."
A sudden gust of night wind arose, and Jingye finally found her young mistress on the road. She rushed over and draped the cloak over her shoulders, saying, "Miss! Why did you run so fast? There are so many people around, what if something happens... Miss, what are you laughing at? There's no one here. Are you possessed...?"
Mu Fuxue flicked Jingye's forehead and laughed, "You talk too much. Let's go! We have some important business to attend to!"
Jingye pouted and covered her forehead: "What important matter?"
Looking up at the deep moonlight, Mu Fuxue smiled gently: "Hold an art exhibition—the kind that's only open to one person."
(over)
Eitian Azuma:
It is as if we are meeting in person. This letter is for your reference.
I returned to Tonghua last night, and it is now 3:15 a.m. I am writing this letter to you at my desk.
In my last letter, I told you I had returned to China. At first, I thought that returning would end the ordeal of medical examinations, but things rarely go as planned. I was once again shuttling between various hospitals, spending my days either having blood drawn or undergoing X-rays (do you remember you once said this examination was utterly immoral?). The examinations were tedious, and the medications were unpleasant to swallow. Finally, a few days ago, the hospital issued me a critical condition notice. Ah Xuan wept bitterly on my lap, unaware of the immense relief I felt.
I got up early this morning and started painting a picture for you. I didn't expect it to take long, but I ended up painting from morning till evening. When I put down my brush, my hand was as swollen as a loaf of bread from the Shihlin Coffee Shop (I even had one the other day, thanks to Ah-Xuan), except that it wasn't as bright and plump as bread, and it just made people lose their appetite.
I'm old. I've finally admitted to myself that I'm old. If someone had told me ten years ago that one day I would lose all my vitality and youth, and begin to age completely in spirit, I probably would have thrown him into the Wenjiang River; even you couldn't stop him. But today, I'm willing to admit that I am old.
From the moment I lost you, everything about me has been fading away, only for the day I can reunite with you.
Back in Wenjiang, I asked Jingye to inquire about the Feng family. They were all well, and Feng Yilou had finally become a star. I wonder if he felt happy or sad to no longer be known as "Feng Yingtian's younger brother."
At least I am very happy. How can the person who personally escorted you into the ancestral hall that day be worthy of having your name as a prefix?
You see, I've never gotten over this all these years, so I hope no one can get over it either. Everyone should come down to hell with me. You often say I'm petty, but please allow me to be petty this once.
…
It was almost dawn.
Yingtian, it's been six years since we parted. Please wait for me on the Bridge of Helplessness.
When that time comes, I will call your name, and you will turn around.
Your wife Mu Fuxue
December 17, 1928
Chapter 101 Extra Chapter 2 (1)
Summer of 1933.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting the shadows of the flowers on the desk onto the manuscript paper, swaying gracefully. Bai Shuwan held her pen, writing and pausing intermittently. The pen tip scratched against the paper, making a soft, rustling sound. She would pause, then let the silk lining rustle softly under her fingers—unable to write anything, Bai Shuwan finally tossed the pen aside in impatience. She would twirl her hair, then lean on the desk, staring at the discarded manuscript, fidgeting like a child. The silk lining, clinging to her soft waist, rustled with her movements, subtle yet impossible to ignore.
When Mu Xing came out of the bathroom, he saw Bai Shuwan wriggling in the chair and couldn't help but laugh.
"Have you finished writing it?"
A shadow fell over her head, and the lingering fragrance of shower gel instantly overwhelmed Bai Shuwan. She sighed, leaned back in her chair, and looked up at Mu Xing: "No, not a single inspiration."
Leaning back in his chair, Mu Xing massaged Shu Wan's shoulders while reaching out with his left hand to pick up the manuscript paper on the table and examine it closely.
As her stiff shoulders gradually relaxed, Bai Shuwan stretched her shoulders with Mu Xing's massage, and suddenly noticed a strand of long hair hanging down beside her face.
Black and shiny, with slightly curled ends, it belongs to Ah Xuan's long hair.
Wow, Ah-Hsuan's hair has grown this long...
She unconsciously turned her head slightly to look at Mu Xing.
It has been a year since Mu Xing passed the entrance exam for Peking Union Medical College last July and officially enrolled.
Mu Xing had always intended to return to school, and Bai Shuwan was naturally aware of this, having also considered it in her heart. Coincidentally, last January, when her second brother returned to Mu Garden for vacation, Mu Xing was particularly eager to inquire about the medical school with him. Bai Shuwan took the opportunity to express to Mu Xing her willingness to support her in continuing her studies.
"Then what about your work?" Mu Xing still had concerns. "You've just become familiar with the bookstore's affairs. If you come to Beiping with me, I'm afraid you won't be able to adapt."
Bai Shuwan said it was alright, and then told Mu Xing about Song Youcheng's plan to go north as well. It turned out that the Song family still could not accept Song Youcheng's wife, and she was being suppressed and ostracized at work. Although the situation had improved slightly recently, it was not a long-term solution.
“If Young Master Song also moves to Beiping, you can go to school, and I will continue to work at Young Master Song’s bookstore. Otherwise, I can always find other things to do, so why should I lose sight of the bigger picture?”
"Besides, the world is so big, and I'd love to see it for myself."
From then on, Mu Xing began preparing for the exam.
Considering national conditions and practical needs, Peking Union Medical College is an eight-year institution: three years of pre-medical studies and five years at the main campus. The first three years of pre-medical studies are designed to equip students with basic medical theoretical knowledge and logical thinking skills. Mu Xing already had a bachelor's degree, so after the regular pre-medical exams, she also took an additional formal entrance exam. Ultimately, like Mu Yun, she achieved excellent results, exempting her from the three-year pre-medical studies and directly entering the main campus to pursue a doctoral degree.
The curriculum and teaching style of Peking Union Medical College were similar to those of Mu Xing's undergraduate alma mater. She also had a good foundation, so in her first year of study, she did not feel much pressure compared to other students who needed to adapt.
Mu Xing was never one to force herself to study. She worked hard, but she never forced herself to study when she could relax properly. Besides, unlike her classmates who were studying alone, she had her lover by her side, which naturally made her mindset very different.
Therefore, upon enrolling, she submitted a written application to decline the dormitory offered by the school and instead purchased an apartment on her own not far from the school. While her classmates went in and out of the dormitory in groups, she would go home alone—occasionally inviting her second brother, who was also single, to visit her home.
There are very few students in the entire medical school who live off-campus, and Mu Xing, having entered a year ahead of her class, inevitably attracted some gossip. However, with Dr. Mu's influence, the school naturally wouldn't make things difficult for her, and although other students initially had some reservations, they gradually became friends with her after seeing Mu Xing's excellent grades and that she wasn't as aloof as they had imagined.
Meanwhile, while Mu Xing was preparing for his exams, Song Youcheng had already moved his entire family to Beiping. After the bookstore reopened, Bai Shuwan continued her get off work routine, writing and publishing articles every month. Occasionally, she would have free time to meet up with Fei Hua, who was also in Beiping, for meals and shopping, which was much more pleasant than when she was in Wenjiang—if Fei Hua hadn't gone on another business trip with Principal Zhang after the New Year.
Medical school has two days off every weekend. Occasionally, the school organizes hiking trips or small gatherings at professors' homes, which Mu Xing would take Shu Wan with him. But most of the time, the two of them enjoyed their time together. In the past year or so, they had already traveled to most parts of Beijing.
And without realizing it, both of them gradually changed.
Bai Shuwan began receiving letters from readers and occasionally being invited to publishing industry parties and dinners. However, now she was no longer sitting behind others as an accompaniment, but rather a guest and the main character. She would still turn on the balcony light at night, waiting for A-Xuan to come home, but now she was no longer accompanied by anxiety, but by tomorrow's work plans, and by the fullest love and peace of mind.
And Ah Xuan…
The long hair, still damp, left wet marks between his fingers. Looking up, the face in front of him hadn't changed much; it was still handsome and sharp, but there was no trace of masculinity left.