Chapter One Before dawn, Xingle's tall body was lying on the white sheet, thinking wildly.He slept under a white mosquito net of fine mesh that hung down from a round bamboo frame like colored balls.On a hot Singapore night, he was naked except for a pair of shorts.The body is covered with a hard pillow four feet long and one foot across. It is also called Mrs. Bamboo, which can prevent the stomach from catching cold and is also used to rest the feet.It's not like being wrapped around your body with a single sticky blanket. He didn't sleep well all night.As usual, he lazily picked out a cigarette.Sleepy-eyed, I looked out to the veranda outside the window. The straw curtains in the verandah were half rolled up, the street lights were still on, and beyond that was the pearl-gray sea outside the port of Singapore.Neither the sea nor the white clouds moved.The high-pitched chorus of seagulls around five o'clock has not yet begun.

He pulled out the mosquito net tucked under the mattress, rolled it up, and threw it on the headboard, swinging the round frame at the top.The air was crisp and cool by this time, and in a few hours the tropical sun would be pouring down, and the sea would dazzle the eye with its gleam, like a layer of molten silver or hot glass. He has a terrible headache and his mouth is bitter, of course the result of last night's banquet.Half awake and half asleep before dawn, everything was a little ethereal, unreal, not even the severe headache, which he knew would pass soon.Even Han Xing's kiss like an exotic spirit was like a dream.The surrounding walls, desks, half-rolled straw curtains, and even the sea are like ghosts, as if they will turn into shadows in dreams as soon as they wake up.

He feels that he does not belong in the adult life in this Singapore now.It's not that he's tired, but that he's too energetic, and his emotions can't help drifting into dreams.That's why his uncle, the owner of this room, said he was out of his mind. He began to smell the familiar fragrance of Michelle, a famous flower in Zhangzhou, his hometown.Like some noble fragrances, it absorbs the qualities of its surroundings.You may not smell it for half an hour, and then it suddenly reappears, hitting you head-on without knowing it.This kind of flower is oval, ivory color, and the edges are now brownish yellow. It was sent to him by Bai Ying two weeks ago.

Two years ago, he graduated from the University of Malaya and returned to his hometown. Since then, Bai Ying has sent him flowers from his hometown, climbing roses in spring, and michelia or eagle claw flowers in summer (a small fragrant, light blue orchid with a strong fragrance). Very quiet and special), autumn is a large pile of magnolia beads (which can promote tea fragrance), winter is beautiful camellia or beautiful wintersweet petals, the fragrance is elegant, permeable, ethereal, indescribable, reminiscent of a flower Flowers, also think of a woman's smile. The sky gradually turned from dark gray to emerald green, and then to light jade, and the dense clouds in the distance also revealed the twilight of dawn. The maid forgot to put down the curtain of the corridor last night; she was invited to Mrs. Wu last night, and the maid may have seen her Big Diamond, you've lost your head for a while.

The pictures floated in his mind one by one, Mrs. Wu's big vulgar voice, Han Xing's hot breath on his chest, and Bai Ying's smile, which was completely different from these, was far away and durable. Bai Ying loved him with all his heart and gave him everything, But do not expect any repayment. Xing Le leaned the pillow against the headboard of the bed, her eyelids were half drooped, and she looked at the dense clouds and the sea, but another picture appeared in her mind.On the top of the clouds on the horizon, he saw the familiar light blue Nanshan ridgeline in the village, and below were rolling hills, cool and deep woods and Baiying's hut.He thought he could almost hear her voice echoing in the lychee grove.He welcomed the moment in the morning when his mind could easily drift from reality to fantasy.

I invited Mrs. Wu to dinner last night. Her diamond earrings and gold teeth inlaid with diamonds all looked unreal.Even Han Xing's hot kiss and messy hair in the shawl are like a dream. He remembered that today was Saturday.No need to go to work.He carefully pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, and slipped back to sleep again. When I woke up again, it was past nine o'clock.The sun shone brightly on the eastern side of Singapore Bay, and the sea glistened, blurring his vision.A steamer was approaching the port, blowing its low-pitched horn.He went out and lowered the porch curtain.

At the other end of the corridor, he saw Juna, about thirty feet away, her plump, youthful figure reflected in the sheer sarong.Juna is his uncle's aunt.She is also Chinese, from Suzhou, but she is fascinated by sarongs, and she always dresses like this at home, which is said to be relaxed and elegant.Her hair hadn't been combed up yet, it was casually thrown behind her head, and a bunch of black hair fell on her cheeks.When she saw him, she walked towards him, walking slowly in golden slippers. Good morning.Did you sleep well? Good morning. She smiled lightly.Want an aspirin? Before he could answer, she went back and forth, entering his room through a French window.He quickly put on a nightgown and left it unbuttoned.

Holding an aspirin in her slender hand painted with Koudan, she sized him up from head to toe.Xingle is used to this kind of thing; women have always been doting on him.She wished he wanted an aspirin! Juna was very young, not yet thirty.The skin is surprisingly thin, the complexion is fair, and the lips are full and sensual.Before noon, she'd have her face reworked, with darker eyebrows and lipstick to brighten her face and make her mouth smaller and more refined.But now her cheeks had a healthy glow too.She has beautiful eyes and lips, and a low voice. There is nothing between them, but Xingle is the type that girls are willing to serve.She and Xing Le are both smart, and they will never have anything to do with each other, but everyone can see that she can play with his uncle with her eyes closed.Now she seems to have something on her mind.

Xing Le asked him: Where is Uncle? Went to the office. Oh yes, of course.His uncle always gets up early. It was an ordinary Saturday morning, he was home, his uncle went to work and didn't come back for lunch, and his aunt was in bed with a stomach ulcer.Aunt and Juna have no children, only a Cantonese girl, A Hua, and a few servants in the house. Juna rested her hips on the edge of the book and said in a cheerful tone: It was very rude of you to leave the table last night. I know. When you walk out the door, Mrs. Wu's big eyes keep staring at you. of course. The uncle was also quite angry.

Xing Le said he was sorry. Juna paced up and down the room, swinging her waist.She stood in front of a painted walnut frame for a while, admiring the yellowing heron's nest, which was the photo of Boying's cabin.She turned around slowly, took a deep look at him and said: It's hard for me to say anything.However, if you don't like Ellie, you'd better let them know.Allie is Mrs. Wu's daughter. Xing Le raised her eyebrows, then softened her expression and said: I am very happy that you think so. Of course, many mothers of daughters-to-be will be interested in you.University of Malay graduates.Work in a UK law firm and her voice is lowered so many girls will fall in love with you.You know.You are very attractive to girls, you know and your uncle you know very well why he is so enthusiastic about this marriage.

She stopped, looked him straight in the eye and said: I am on your side.Special emphasis on the word you. He put his hands on his head and pressed hard. What's the matter?Her voice was full of concern. nothing.It's just a headache, you know? ﹒ certainly.She took a cigarette from the gold-encrusted case, lit it, and took a deep drag.You wouldn't even sell yourself for your uncle. At this time, her eyes deepened.Xing Le only saw her black eyes.She's not just offering friendly, courteous advice. Her thoughts turned wildly, and she suddenly said: Are you going out to see Han Xing? Yes. That's what I guessed. I didn't lie to you. Indeed not.He had already told her how he met Han Xing, but his uncle didn't know anything about it.Han Xing is a 22-year-old Eurasian girl who I just met on the beach recently.There was an evening fair on East Shore Road not far from their home.Many young and old go there to spend the cool evenings.On the open-air stalls, there are people selling cold drinks, aga ajia liquid, hot fast food, various pasta and ocean noodles.Below is the beach, and beyond the grassy moor where many young lovers meet, lie down, and spend enchanted tropical evenings together. This is Singapore: the stark contrast of suffocating heat and cool nights, and the kebab satay dipped in chili sauce is the concoction.The trafficker crouched on the floor.Some of the guests sat on low stools, and some squatted, holding spicy sand tea in one hand and cucumbers in the other.The sand tea is too spicy, it burns my tongue, so I bite the cucumber.When the tongue cools down, bite the hot sand tea again. Is it the same with love in Singapore? Your uncle had his reasons for wanting the match, good business reasons.But I think a man must marry the girl he falls in love with.Ai Li is a very good, very quiet girl. She is in love with you, I know, but if you don't love her, why would you marry her? I think you're the only one in the room who's talking reasonable.Xing Le said with a sad face. Xingle's uncle, Chen Shantai, left his hometown in mainland China early and came here to work as a daily wage worker.He has forged his way through thrift and wit.During the First World War, he made a small fortune in rubber, which was a major turning point in his life.He was very shrewd, and further changed all his savings into US dollars. At that time, US dollars were almost equivalent to foreign currencies, and sometimes even a little lower.He knows that the value of the dollar will rise.Now he has several rubber factories in Johor on the side of the causeway in Singapore, a two-bedroom office near the square, and a beautiful villa in the high-end villa area on East Coast Road. The Wu family is different again.They are the oldest and wealthiest family in Singapore.They have a big sugar factory in Surabaya, a tin mine in Malaya, and a whole street in Kuala Lumpur.Chen Shantai is very happy that he has made such great progress in the society of Singapore. He is a very strong person, as can be seen from his huge chin and stubby fingers. Being able to marry the Wu family is his greatest joy.This is the final proof of his success and social status.In order to let Xing Le know how much she can help him, Mrs. Wu even asked Bama Elliton to act as the legal counsel of Wu's company to take care of their industrial interests.The Bama Elliton Law Firm where Xingle works is very grateful for the generous annual legal fees, and Xingle's status in the eyes of the employer has been further improved. Allie is a tall, thin girl, neither pretty nor ugly.The only thing that stands out is the pair of overly thick eyebrows.She is a simple high school graduate with a look of hunger on her face.This is the result of a chubby Mrs. Wu with an authoritarian mother and a flirtatious father who is often away.To be fair, with the Wu family estate, many uglier daughters could easily find another rich kid, maybe with a house in Singapore, a villa in Penang, owning a black buick or red sports car.But Allie loves Xingle with all her heart.His half-sorrowful, half-thoughtful eyes had charmed her.He seems to have a special temperament, which is very charming.Xing Le was always polite and friendly to her, but she didn't show anything else.Sometimes he was even a little rude, and she still liked it. Ellie has a bit of a tongue when she speaks, and she went to the best institutions to correct it, but the d and t sounds are still rustling. Her tongue may be too short.She would vaguely pronounce into into intotho.However, it doesn't matter much. Last night was the last two banquets where my uncle invited Mrs. Wu.A light family meal, no other guests.Sitting next to Xingle, Ai Li looks pretty good with newly done hair and a tight cheongsam, sweet and lively.Mrs. Wu sat in the first place, and Uncle, Aunt and Juna were the hosts, sitting at the bottom.No matter where Mrs. Wu sat, her frank big eyes, hard cheeks, double chin, and her loud talking and laughing always dominated the table.When she spoke, everyone had to listen attentively, and even if someone wanted to interrupt, they couldn't get a word in.Even Uncle's words were not more than four or five words, and Ellie sat near her like a mouse. Mrs. Wu is very confident.She knows everything about life, but she doesn't understand one thing: whoever falls in love with her daughter will be scared away by the mother-in-law.She also made the big mistake of thinking that diamonds on a girl's body will win men over. If Juna wanted to talk, she could do it twice as fast as Mrs. Wu, and it was much more interesting.But she said nothing, just listened and watched. She was very dissatisfied with the rich lady.Mrs. Wu invited uncle and aunt twice, but left her behind.Tonight Juna was determined to get her attention.She assumed the role of hostess, because the aunt was timid, indifferent to world affairs, dignified, strict in ancient rituals, and a devout vegetarian Buddhist, preferring to leave the trivial matters of social activities to young women. As soon as Mrs. Wu entered, Juna was once again snubbed.She welcomed the distinguished guest with the most generous attitude, and the other party did not even nod their heads, but only asked where Aunt Chen was.Then he didn't speak a word to her again. When Xingle went downstairs, she saw Juna and Aili talking in a low voice, but the old lady's face drooped to her double chin, her eyes were half closed, and she looked impatient. Chinese society does not stipulate that concubines should be ridiculed.And usually the opposite.The dinner party ends badly, and Juna is delighted. The parents of both parties apparently hoped to discuss the engagement tonight.Once Xingle stood up to refill Ai Li's tea, and everyone's eyes fell on them. Unfortunately, Mrs. Wu used the wrong method.She first said how stupid and useless her husband was, and how he chased women. Allie blushed and everyone else was embarrassed.She called him old-fashioned, and Juna kept looking at Ally's diamond brooch, especially the big diamond on Mrs. Wu's necklace, which shone brightly every time she twisted her body.The wearer feels it too.She also impolitely dipped the cigarette end in a bowl of shark fin chicken soup and refused to pick it up.Suppose she is very rich, alas! The rest of the topics were less conversation than industry around her. I can't take care of them all.Eun Hee doesn't understand anything and doesn't care.I want a son-in-law who can manage all business, leases, insurance, stocks, bonuses, etc.Why, I told Ellie that when she gets married she can choose a Rolls Roes or a Gadlec, black, red, maroon, even gold trim, if she wants. At this time, Xing Le suddenly stood up, walked out of the dining room very impolitely, and temporarily turned around and said: Mrs. Wu, I am sorry that I have another appointment.If you want to take back the business of Ellipton & Co. in Bama, please do so. Uncle was stunned for a moment, and Mrs. Wu was even more dumbfounded, not understanding what was going on. What did I say? Ally stood up first, interrupting the meal.She looked at Xingle with pleading, enthusiastic, and longing eyes, without saying a word.Then she apologized, went to the sofa, and began to sob quietly, quietly wiping her eyes with a wad of handkerchief. Mrs. Wu repeatedly said: What have I done?what did I do? Mom, it's all you!It's all you!Allie screamed from the sofa.She must hate her mother to death! After the guests left, the uncle was very angry.He criticized his niece for being impolite, and his voice became hoarse.He bit his cigarette, repeatedly slapped the armrest of the sofa loudly, and spit out several mouthfuls of phlegm.Finally he went upstairs; it was Juna's job to calm him down, so she followed. Zhu Na now said to Xing Le: Your uncle thinks you should apologize to Mrs. Wu. Why? Your uncle wants you to do this.He asked me to tell you. Just now you yourself said that if I don't want to marry Ai Li, I'd better let them know. I just said, if you are willing to visit Mrs. Wu and say a few words, go ahead.I promised my uncle would tell you. what you think?Xing Le has always respected Juna's opinion. It's up to you.If you don't want to marry the Wu family, there will always be unhappiness in the future. If you are willing to go, uncle will feel better, and an apology will cost nothing.But sooner or later it has to be made clear.It will break Ellie's heart in the end.There's no way I can still smell the fragrance of Michelia flower What's her name?Boying?Bo Ying gave it to you.Someday you talk to me about her. Why? I want to know. how? Because I am a woman. She looked at him, and he looked at her, and said: Someday I will tell you that we grew up together.I missed my chance and she is now married. You must not like it, I know.She doesn't want to? You can say that.Environmental pressure.Can't really blame anyone. But she still sends you flowers.She must not know how to write either. Won't.Flowers can convey something that letter paper can’t, don’t you think? Oh, I'm leaving.I'm going out to wash my hair, so I have to call for a car first.If you want to go to the city, come together. no thank you. Unless you want to go downstairs, I'll ask Ah Hua to bring the breakfast up. Juna left with a concerned and curious expression. Xingle ate breakfast while browsing the morning newspaper.There is a revolution going on in China.That was 1927.The National Revolutionary Army started from Guangdong and soon advanced to Jiangxi.All things considered, this seemed like the real thing, not one of the many civil wars among warlords in the fifteen years since the founding of the Republic of China.The National Revolutionary Army continued to advance, with the goal of eradicating the warlords and unifying the country under the leadership of the Kuomintang.They have a clear, sound plan for nation-building, backed by Chinese intellectuals.The title says Shanghai has fallen.The Northern Expedition of the National Revolutionary Army is underway.The youth of the Republic of China wholeheartedly responded to this work.Xing Le is also very excited.The situation is changing month by month.He didn't know if the Northern Expedition passed through his native Fujian Province, or what would happen to his mother, sister, and Bai Ying.