The student movement had been going on all afternoon.

They kept shouting all the way to the Presidential Palace, where police came out with guns to maintain order and soon dispersed all the students.

That evening, Xie Chi worked late making clothes at the shop. A’Ru had gone home early, and all the surrounding shops were closed.

There were no rickshaws available.

She locked the door and walked home.

A man on a bicycle quickly passed by, scattering flyers everywhere. Xie Chi casually picked one up – still propaganda for resisting Japan.

She folded it in her hands, rolling it as she walked. By the time she reached the street corner, the flyer had been folded down to just a small piece.

Someone was following her.

Xie Chi immediately changed her route.

This person’s footsteps were somewhat heavy. Though deliberately trying to walk softly, he couldn’t hide his clumsiness.

Either a fat man or a tall brute.

Xie Chi wound into the alleyways – it was easier to lose someone there, and easier to make a move.

The man took a wrong turn and, discovering she’d vanished, quickened his pace and began running around aimlessly. At a corner, he was suddenly grabbed by the neck with a knife suspended under his chin.

The alley was dark, but not too dark to make out faces. It was indeed the rice shop owner who’d been secretly passing intelligence at Yuhuatai during the day.

Xie Chi played dumb with him: “Why are you following me in the middle of the night? Robbery? Or rape?”

“I should be asking you – why have you been following me lately?” As soon as he spoke, the man swiftly gripped her wrist, trying to press it against the wall. Xie Chi’s arm hurt from his grip. Holding onto the knife, she lifted her foot to kick him, but the man was strong and grabbed her head to slam it hard against the wall.

This dog traitor was too strong – Xie Chi had no ability to resist. She released the knife, letting it fall, then caught it with her left hand and stabbed toward the man’s stomach.

But he reacted quickly and immediately grabbed her hand again.

“Quite fierce, but you’re still a woman. Want to sneak attack? You’re too green.” He seized Xie Chi’s knife and gave her a hard shove, sending her tumbling onto a nearby woodpile. “So beautiful – what a waste.”

He came at her with the knife raised. Xie Chi grabbed a wooden stick from beside her and struck him hard on the head.

The man ignored the pain and stabbed again.

Xie Chi gripped his arm with both hands, blocking the descending knife. Just as the blade was about to pierce her chest, she suddenly let go, her body sliding down a few inches. The knife tip entered her shoulder, burying half the blade.

The man showed a triumphant smile.

Xie Chi took the opportunity to poke her fingers into his eye, gouging out his eyeball alive. The man loosened his grip on the knife in pain, screaming as he tried to grab her hand.

Xie Chi pulled the knife from her shoulder and slashed across his neck.

Instantly, blood sprayed across her face.

There was no one on the road, and even if there were, she didn’t dare call for help. She walked along the wall in the small lane.

Soon there were police sirens – the dog traitor had screamed several times and must have alarmed nearby residents.

She covered her shoulder and quickened her pace, but felt increasingly weak. The knife wound was too deep and wouldn’t stop bleeding. Just as she was about to collapse, a man caught her. “Hold on.”

She hadn’t seen the man’s face clearly before fainting.

Xue Dingqing didn’t dare take her to a nearby clinic. He carried her on his back to one two li away. He didn’t dare linger at the clinic either – after treating the wound and getting medicine, he quickly carried her away.

Xie Chi had lost too much blood and didn’t wake up until early the next day, dizzy and disoriented.

She lay on a wooden bed frame. The house looked old and worn, unrepaired for years and uncleaned, with spider webs hanging from the rafters.

She threw off the musty-smelling blanket, wanting to get out of bed.

“You’re awake.” Xue Dingqing came in from outside carrying a towel. “Don’t get up.”

Seeing him, Xie Chi immediately sat up, pulling at her wound and causing piercing pain.

“Lie down quickly.” Xue Dingqing walked to the bedside. Seeing her look at him warily, he added: “Wanzhi, don’t you recognize me?”

He seemed somewhat familiar.

“I’m Xue Dingqing.”

Xie Chi had never had a deep impression of him and still couldn’t recognize him after all these years, but she remembered the name. “How are you here?”

“I came to Nanjing for work. Last night I couldn’t sleep, so I came down for a walk and saw you. You were covered in blood – I didn’t dare recognize you at first. I followed you for a while, and it really was you.” Xue Dingqing sat by the bed. “How are you in Nanjing? Have you been here all these years?”

“I came the year before last.”

He handed her the towel. “I wiped the blood from your face, but you should clean the rest yourself.”

Xie Chi didn’t take it. “Thank you, I should go.”

She tried to get out of bed, but Xue Dingqing quickly stood up. “They’re looking for you outside – the search is quite strict. Your injury is too obvious. You should wait.” Xue Dingqing put down the towel. “Don’t worry, I won’t betray you.”

That made sense – better to wait until later. So she lay back down: “Then thank you for the trouble.”

“The person you killed… what did he do? Are you…?” Xue Dingqing laughed awkwardly twice. “Never mind, pretend I didn’t ask.”

Xie Chi looked at his clear eyes. “Is this your home?”

“No, it’s my second sister’s house. Her family moved to Guangzhou last year, so the house has been empty. I just arrived a few days ago and am staying elsewhere. I originally wanted to find someone to clean it up, but I’ve been busy and keep forgetting.”

Xie Chi wiped the blood from her neck without responding.

“It’s a bit dirty – don’t mind it.”

“It’s fine, I should thank you.”

Xue Dingqing found a dark blue cotton jacket. “It’s clean – my sister’s clothes.” Xue Dingqing shook out the garment. “It’s just been stored too long and might be a bit damp. I’ll take it outside to air.”

“Thank you.”

Xue Dingqing returned shortly, bringing some food. “I don’t know what you like, so I bought some sweets. I heard from your fourth brother before that you like them.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t be so polite.” Xue Dingqing poured her a cup of water. “Stop saying thank you.”

Xie Chi took it and smiled briefly. “Alright.”

“Haven’t you been back home all these years?”

“No.”

“I heard your father’s health isn’t very good.”

“I don’t have a father.”

Xue Dingqing was silent for a while. “Are you married?”

“No.”

His expression immediately relaxed, and he smiled: “Neither am I.”

Xue Dingqing sat at the foot of the bed. “You’ve changed a lot.”

“Have I?”

“You’re more beautiful than before.”

Xie Chi thought of her disheveled, blood-covered appearance – he really was talking nonsense with his eyes open.

“But your personality hasn’t changed much.”

“You’ve become much more lively.”

“Maybe it’s from being away so long – influenced by it.” Xue Dingqing’s expression became cautious. “Is that bad?”

“It’s good.”

“What are you doing now? Still painting?”

“Not much anymore. I opened a qipao shop.”

“That’s nice too. I’ll come visit sometime.”

“Mm.” Xie Chi finished an entire box of pastries and handed him the paper. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“You’re being polite again.” Xue Dingqing took it, folded it, and placed it on the table. “Though we weren’t close before, we’re family friends after all, and we almost…”

“Let’s not mention the past.”

The words stuck in his throat, swallowed back down. Xue Dingqing sat by the table in silence.

Xie Chi felt she’d been somewhat rude and took the initiative to ask: “What work do you do now?”

“Lawyer.”

“That’s good.”

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Xue Dingqing stood up. “Rest a bit more. I took the day off and I’m in the next room. Call me if you need anything.”

“Alright.”

…

As soon as it got dark, Xie Chi wanted to leave.

The cotton jacket was too big, hanging loosely on Xie Chi. She took her blood-stained clothes to burn and said goodbye to Xue Dingqing.

“I’ll wash and return the clothes.”

“No need. Since my sister didn’t take them, she probably doesn’t need them. Just throw them away somewhere.”

“Then thank you very much.”

“I’ll see you off.” Xue Dingqing didn’t wait for her to refuse, raising his hand. “You lost a lot of blood – don’t faint again.”

“I’m fine.” Xie Chi walked straight-backed to the door, looking completely uninjured. “I’ll go first. When you have time, you can come to my shop for tea. It’s not far from Fuchang Restaurant – just ask around there.”

“I’ll definitely come.” As Xie Chi stepped out the door, Xue Dingqing advised: “The world is chaotic – be careful.”

She looked back at him. “You too.”

“Goodbye.”

“Alright.”

Xue Dingqing watched her leave, but still worried, he followed. “Let me see you partway.”

Xie Chi rented a house – a two-story small villa. The landlord was an American. The rickshaw stopped by the road. Xue Dingqing wanted to help her down, but Xie Chi didn’t take his hand. “I’m not that delicate.”

Xue Dingqing smiled and withdrew his hand. “Alright then.”

“I won’t invite you in to sit today.”

“Rest well. There will be plenty of opportunities later. It’s cold outside – go in quickly.”

“Mm.”

Xie Chi rented the second floor. The landlord lived downstairs – she was a teacher at a women’s college. She had dormitories at school and rarely came back, but every week she had Sister Liu come for a thorough cleaning twice.

By coincidence, Sister Liu was there today.

“Miss Xie is back.” Sister Liu saw her pale complexion and asked with concern: “Are you sick?”

“I didn’t come back last night – slept at the shop and caught cold.”

“Did you go to the hospital?”

“Yes. You carry on – I’ll go upstairs to sleep.”

“Alright, let me heat some water for you.”

“No need.” Xie Chi walked steadily up the stairs, but as soon as she reached the second floor, she couldn’t hold up anymore. Bending over and leaning against the wall, she slowly made her way to her room.

…

A’Ru was frantically busy alone at the qipao shop. Afraid she’d notice something wrong, Xie Chi stayed home for five days until the wound healed somewhat before returning to the shop.

That evening, she didn’t go home but slept at the shop.

The wind howled outside, and Xie Chi woke several times during the night. Twice from cold, twice from nightmares.

She woke early the next day too.

She rinsed her mouth, washed her face, and poured herself a drink.

It was so cold today – she found another shawl to put on. Only when she pulled open the curtains did she see it was snowing outside.

The snow was really early this year.

The strong liquor warmed her somewhat. She set down the glass and slowly walked downstairs, wanting to buy some breakfast.

Just as she opened the door, she saw a man in a black coat outside, bent over with his back to her.

She could recognize this silhouette under eighteen layers – “How did you get here?”

He Feng straightened up and turned to look at her. He wore a hat and thick scarf covering most of his face, with only his dark eyes showing, still smiling. “You’re awake.”

“What? I slept for a bit? Have Japanese soldiers entered the city?”

“No.” His hands were red from cold, snow melting into water and soaking his sleeves. “Your face is so pale – wear more clothes.”

“Then what are you here for?”

“I was happy a couple days ago, couldn’t control my drinking, and once I got carried away I couldn’t stop, so I came to find you for some fun.”

Xie Chi gave a cold laugh.

He Feng stepped aside to show her the snowman behind him. “Isn’t it cute?”

“Ugly.”

“Where is it ugly?”

“Ugly everywhere.”

“Come on, come on – let me see what you can roll up.”

Xie Chi disdainfully ignored him and closed the door to go out.

He Feng blocked her. “Where are you going?”

“To heaven.”

“I’ll go too.”

“Move aside.”

Of course he wouldn’t. Xie Chi turned to go back inside.

He Feng followed, but Xie Chi blocked the door, not letting him in. “Keep playing with your snow.”

“Snow isn’t as fun as you.” Seeing she wouldn’t let him, He Feng suddenly swept her up in his arms, chuckling lightly. “Little woman, trying to stop me? In your next life.”

“…”

Xie Chi didn’t dare struggle – her wound had just healed and she didn’t want to aggravate it.

He Feng held her without letting go. Xie Chi looked at him coldly. “Put me down.”

He Feng slowly set her down, rubbing his hands. “Make me a fire – I’m about to freeze stiff.”

“Get lost.”

“If you don’t make a fire, I’ll stick my hands in your clothes.” As he spoke, he reached over.

Xie Chi knocked his hands away and put some charcoal in the brazier.

“Give me some wine too.”

Xie Chi poured a full cup and dumped it over his head.

He Feng casually grabbed a cloth to wipe himself. “Good pour. Believe it or not, I’ll make you lick it up.”

Xie Chi walked to the door and locked it.

“Why lock the door? Want to do something indecent with me?”

“There’s a dog in the shop – afraid it might bite outsiders.”

“Dogs like hot-tempered cats. The more the cat scratches, the more interesting it gets.”

Xie Chi wrapped her shawl around herself and went to embroider.

He Feng squatted, warming himself by the fire while watching her. “Tomorrow’s my birthday – give me something.”

“How about I send you to hell?”

“Fine, come on, kill me. We can celebrate birthdays and death anniversaries together from now on. Remember to burn some paper money for me.”

“If you want to die, die far away. Don’t be an eyesore here.”

He Feng stood up, smiling as he walked further in, looking at the various qipaos hanging. “Good craftsmanship. Make me one.”

“Make a qipao? Your taste really is special.”

“A suit.” He Feng came over and looked down at her. “Remember my measurements?”

“Sorry, I don’t remember.”

He Feng lifted her chin with his finger, cold as ice. “Then take them.”

Xie Chi looked at him languidly. “One thousand yuan.”

“Fine.”

“Deposit.”

He Feng lowered his hand, lazily spreading his arms half-open. “Come on.”

Xie Chi casually grabbed a measuring tape and walked in front of him, measuring randomly. “Turn around.”

He Feng smiled and turned his back.

“Turn back.”

He Feng slowly turned back, then suddenly said: “I didn’t notice before – how did you get so short?”

Xie Chi didn’t even glance at him, wrapping her hands from his groin around to the back, quickly measuring his hip circumference. “Had enough of looking?”

“No.”

Xie Chi looked up, meeting his eyes. “Finished measuring.”

He Feng stared at her chest, smiling with a hooked mouth: “What did you eat these five years? Grew a whole size.”

Just as he was about to reach out, Xie Chi knocked his hand away.

He Feng raised an eyebrow, lowered his hand, and stuck it back in his pants pocket. “Would touching kill you?”

Xie Chi walked to the counter to put things down. He Feng followed behind her, bracing his arms on the counter to cage her in, bringing his mouth close to her ear. “Is there anywhere on you I haven’t touched?”

Xie Chi took out a notebook to record the measurements, letting him act up behind her.

He Feng stared at her hands. “Stop running the shop – I’ll support you.”

“How many women have you said this to?”

“Just you.”

“How honored I am.”

“I’ll send you to America.”

The pen tip paused.

“China isn’t safe – war will break out soon.”

Xie Chi turned around to look up at him. “Where will it start?”

He Feng didn’t answer.

Xie Chi raised her hand, fingering a button on his coat. “Give us a hint, Koike-kun.”

He Feng gripped her hand and lifted it to kiss. “I don’t know either.”

Xie Chi pulled her hand away. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then don’t stay in Nanjing.”

“When the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact.”

“Go south.”

“Will you come with me?”

He Feng fell silent.

Xie Chi picked up a hard ruler and pressed it against his chest, pushing him away. “You can go now.”

“Don’t go running north for no reason in the future, understand?”

“No.”

He Feng suddenly gripped her shoulder. “Then prick up your ears and listen carefully.”

His grip happened to press right on her wound, making her frown in pain.

“What’s wrong?”

Xie Chi gritted her teeth and pushed him away.

“You’re injured?”

Xie Chi turned around, but He Feng pulled her back, quickly tearing open her clothes to see the bandaged gauze. After staring in shock for a moment, he suddenly roared: “Who did this?”

Xie Chi pushed him away again.

“Who did this!”

Xie Chi looked at him calmly. “Why are you shouting?”

He Feng was furious, his brow deeply furrowed as he gripped her chin. “Are you tired of living?”

“I treasure my life.” She pulled away his hand and smiled mockingly. “You know – I’m most afraid of dying.”

“Then get the hell out of Nanjing—”

Before he could finish, there was knocking outside.

It was A’Ru: “Boss? Are you inside? Why is the door locked?”

He Feng immediately released her.

Xie Chi straightened her clothes and said to him: “I don’t want to cause gossip. Get upstairs and jump out the window.”

…