Autumn (Condition: 80% new)

Author: Ba Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1962-08-01
Features: In the evening, everyone gathered in the Rain Listening Pavilion to arrange the dining table and seating. Zhou and Juxin had not arrived yet, and Cuihuan went out in a boat to fetch Zhou. The daylight had just faded, and the moon had already risen. The courtyard was still quite bright. Shuhua and Jumen stood in front of the vermilion painted L-shaped railings on the veranda, talking about some idle topics before entering the rectangular hall. The large kerosene pendant lamp hanging in the center of the hall was lit, its light shooting out through the glass windows. Two clear glass lamps were still burning on the long table in the corner. Qin and Yun were arranging ivory chopsticks and silver wine cups and plates, while Qixia and Mei were moving chairs and benches. Jumen quickly went over to help them.
"Yun, why don’t you help?" Shuhua, who had just entered, exclaimed in surprise. She walked over and snatched the cups and chopsticks from Yun’s hands. "You ran off to play while Yun was the one who started helping. I’ve never seen a host just stand by while the guests do the work! We’re all guests," Qin said with a smile, complaining to Shuhua as she worked.
"My second brother called me out, so we didn’t play," Shuhua said firmly. "Besides, Qin, you’re not a guest—you’re part of our family," she added, unable to help but chuckle.
"Ugh," Qin spat at Shuhua, then turned to Shuzhen and said, "Four younger sister, she always bullies me. Why don’t you come and scold her?" Shuzhen was helping Qin arrange walnuts and almonds in two-tiered silver trays. Hearing this, she looked up and smiled warmly, "Qin, let her talk. Don’t pay her any mind."
Qin deliberately praised Shuzhen, "You’re still the most obedient, Four younger sister. You understand things so well. If you say anything more, I won’t listen to you anymore."
"How ridiculous! Am I still so young that I need someone to tell me I’m obedient?" Shuhua laughed. Her words made everyone else laugh too.
"I won’t argue with you," Qin said playfully. Once the cups and chopsticks were arranged, she left the table and walked toward Shuhua. Seeing Qin coming, Shuhua quickly moved away. Just as she passed Jumen, he gently grabbed her braid.
"Qin, I caught you!" he said to Qin.
"My second brother, help Qin, I don’t agree," Shuhua protested, not struggling but smiling.
"Second older brother, let go of her. Who wants to catch her? I was just scaring her," Qin laughed.
"Third younger sister, I’ve been too 'lenient' with you lately, and now you’ve learned to argue back. Look at your fourth brother’s slippery mouth—what good does that do? Don’t you also dislike him?" Jumen released Shuhua’s braid and took her hand, speaking half-earnestly and half-jokingly.
"Oh, just because I was nice to her, you start talking about 'leniency.' So greedy for advantages, shameless! Helping Qin in front of so many people, really thick-skinned!" Shuhua knew her brother liked her now, so she spoke freely and even poked his cheek with her fingers.
Jumen put his lips near her ear and whispered a few words. Shuhua nodded.
The maid Huangma entered the room and asked Jumen, "Second master, should we bring out the cold dishes now?"
"You can bring out the appetizers first. The main dishes won’t be ready for a while—the mistress and the eldest master haven’t arrived yet," Jumen instructed.