Warm sunlight melted gently, spring radiance swayed in soft splendor; the flowers had their appointed seasons, and plum, pear, and peach blossoms opened one after another.
In Liuliu Factory, the capital district lined with bookshops, a handsome young man sat sunning himself at a shop entrance. A purple gourd flask, its patina gleaming like oil, hung at his waist. He ate a bowl of pea cake bought on the road here while haggling with the familiar shopkeeper inside over several books he had taken a fancy to, saying they were like old girls no one could marry off. At the same time, he exchanged flirtatious glances with the proprietress next door, who had set up a roadside stall to air out books. He was waiting for a rabbit by a tree stump here, accomplishing three things at one stroke.
The shopkeeper who had lent the young drunkard a bench sat behind the counter carefully wiping a piece of civilian imitation official porcelain. Raising his head, he looked at that rogue outside, who had turned sideways to make eyes at the neighboring shop, and said with a grin, "Attendant Official Cao, if you dare touch her hand in broad daylight, then hug her a few times, I'll sell you all these books at half price. How about it?"
The young man pinched up a piece of pea cake and tossed it into his mouth. With a leering grin, he said, "Forget the daytime. It'd ruin my reputation. How about nighttime? Shall we go listen by the wall?"
Neither man, one inside and one at the doorway, spoke softly. Clearly, neither had any intention of avoiding the middle-aged Madam Xu. Hearing this, she grabbed a book from her stall, laughed and cursed, "You dead thing," then hurled the book at that handsome