three young maidens as they chatted joyously , and by the end of the party they had already scheduled their reunion during the upcoming weekend , and each returned home with the giddy feeling of having made new acquaintances .
It was Saturday again in the blink of an eye . Three heads were seen huddled together at the table near the balcony , fervently discussing the book in Xiǎo Lián ’ s hands . Their discussion was short lived , however , as it was soon interrupted by a snort and a puff of white smoke . The trio looked up from the book , only to find a lanky girl sprawled on a chair at their adjacent table , dressed in a beige trench coat , with a military green bucket perched on the top of her petite head . Cigarette in hand , tousled ebony hair – she was the epitome of a rebel . “ Look at you all getting ’ chuffed and chirpy over people in a book kissing . I ’ ve done even more daring things !”
Hóng Xiá , ever so curious and bold , stuck out her hand and challenged , “ Why don ’ t you come in and enlighten us on your vibrant experiences then ?” the girl appeared somewhat impressed at Hóng Xiá ’ s sarcastic tone , and took it for an invitation to join them . She trudged over to their little circle , leather sandals clanging on the marble floor . She flopped down on an empty chair without a second thought , and interrupted Hóng Xiá before she could start her introductions . “ I ’ m Ní Huáng . I don ’ t have a surname . My father left when I was two .” The other three blatantly stared at her for her coarse language and unladylike gestures . Ní Huáng returned the stares evenly while removing her unbecoming hat , as if daring them to continue . “ So , wanna hear ‘ bout my flings ?” suggested Ní Huáng , wriggling her eyebrows suggestively . Hóng Xiá and Xiǎo Lián could not help but smirk at her expressions , while Mò Chóu remained stony-faced and dumbstruck . As Ní Huáng rattled on about her various sexual affairs , Mò Chóu began to open up , and tried to join in their rather dirty jokes . Xiǎo Lián turned out to excel at double entendre , thanks to her extensive reading of French novels . Hóng Xiá , with her romantic fantasies and audacious personality , was of course no stranger to these things .
As the girls began to enjoy themselves immensely , Ní Huáng fished out a packet of cigarettes from her pocket and offered it to the other three . Hóng Xiá hesitated for a split second , before reaching out and grabbing one . Xiǎo Lián looked doubtful initially , but followed suit soon enough . Soon the three of them were huffing and puffing out trails of smoke with the exception of good old Mò Chóu , who downright refused to have anything to do with cigarettes . Between clouds of white fumes and animated chatter , time flew .
Another week sailed by without much amusement , much to the ladies ’ displeasure , until it was Saturday again . At their same old spot near the balcony , four , not three heads were huddled together this time , examining a pair of exquisitely embroidered shoes . It turned out to be Mò Chóu ’ s gift from her fiancée , yet she looked far from thrilled to welcome the delicate little things . The other three observed in surprise as the normally sweet Mò Chóu shot dark looked at her new shoes . “ Why all the gloom my dear lady ? These shoes are a work of art !” exclaimed Ní Huáng , who was finding it hard to cope with all the negativity ( as if she wasn ’ t constantly exuding antagonism herself ).
Mò Chóu looked up from her reverie , and explained wistfully to Ní Huáng , “ According to my family ’ s traditions , presenting a girl with a pair of embroidered shoes is equivalent to asking for her hand in marriage . Apparently my family thinks Jǐng Yàn is the perfect match for me – in terms of family backgrounds and looks .” As Mò Chóu sighed dejectedly and resumed sipping her tea , Xiǎo Lián nudged her tentatively , “ And you ? Do you love him ?” “ Love him ? Oh , my dear sister , never in a million years . He is kind , I ’ ll give him that . But how thrillingly boring he is ! He does nothing but stroll about his father ’ s office all day long , and stays indoors even on weekends ,” grumbled Mò Chóu . The girls were not used to gentle Mò Chóu ’ s sudden outburst , and they gawked at Mò Chóu ’ s flushed cheeks and heavy breathing , momentarily stunned .
Hóng Xiá tried to divert their attention by outlining her own love life ( or the lack thereof ), “ Be grateful that your fiancée is at least around your age , Mò Chóu . Mine is double my age , if not more . The vile old guy does not even care about my evident disgust for him . All he cares about are ancient antiques and fresh young girls . He seizes every opportunity to gape at girls on the streets , not even bothering to avert his eyes at their warning glares . A meaty man , with no sense of humility whatsoever , he sashays through the main streets of Shanghai , thrusting his money under everyone ’ s nose .” Hóng Xiá remained calm and collected throughout the whole description of her fiancée , as if she was already used to his uncivilised ways , making the girls ’ hearts ache for her .
After a long lapse of silence , Xiǎo Lián finally spoke up , “ I guess I should appreciate my plain looks for once . Saves me from the trouble of having to marry at such a young age .” The girls fervently rebuked her for saying that , declaring that she was the cutest thing to have ever lived , but Xiǎo Lián dismissed them with a wave . “ I ’ m used to it , my friends , don ’ t even attempt to prove me wrong . I was the plainest of my three sisters ever since the day I was born . They had large eyes and distinct facial features , while I ’ m here stuck with a big flat nose and crooked teeth . My parents never really care about me – they are content as long as my pretty sisters are married off to rich , respectable families .” “ To hell with society ’ s misconceptions of beauty !” Ní Huáng declared , “ Forget about their nasty comments , Xiǎo Lián , you are beautiful just the way you are .”
“ You don ’ t have to comfort me , you know . I have always been the queer one , and believe it or not , it has been part of my life since day one . I was constantly an outcast in my family , so I resorted to books as my only source