Portrait Studio

It was a weekend, and Nanjing East Road was bustling with people. The car stopped at the intersection, and the two got out. “Is it livelier than when you saw it two days ago?” Bi Qingtang asked. Tan Yang smiled and nodded.

“Do you like lively places?” he said, walking ahead and signaling Tan Yang to follow. “Hard to say, maybe I like it when I’m happy.” Hearing this, Bi Qingtang laughed heartily. “Really? Then now that you’re at Shanghai Bund, you’ll have to be happy every day.”

After walking a dozen meters, they entered a photography studio. As soon as they stepped in, the manager greeted Bi Qingtang enthusiastically. “Brought someone to take photos, Manager Zhang, I’ll leave it to you,” Bi Qingtang said, sitting on the sofa in the hall. Manager Zhang swiftly sized up Tan Yang. “Miss, with your looks, the photo will be as beautiful as those calendar ladies, I guarantee it!” Tan Yang looked up at the sample photos hanging on the wall, smiled shyly, and said, “Does Manager Zhang often make such guarantees?” Bi Qingtang burst out laughing, took out a cigarette, and teased, “Old Zhang, how about it? Isn’t it time to change your old tricks after ten years? Girls these days aren’t impressed by this!”

Manager Zhang dropped his professional smile and, like an old friend, called out to Tan Yang, “Ignore him, he’s full of mischief, come with me!” He led Tan Yang into a room and called for an assistant to prepare for the photos. Once arrangements were made, he returned to accompany Bi Qingtang. Tan Yang and the assistant entered the photo room; because the light outside was strong, the assistant wanted to close the door, but Tan Yang blocked it, looking towards the hall. Bi Qingtang, seeing this from the sofa, stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and walked over to her. “Come on, let’s go inside,” he said naturally, and Tan Yang obediently walked in, with him following behind. After a couple of steps, he turned and called, “Manager Zhang, who’s taking the photo, after all?” Manager Zhang, amused and exasperated, stood up. “I will take it myself, Boss Bi!”

Manager Zhang adjusted the lighting, helped with poses, and fussed over everything. When he pressed the shutter, there was a sudden burst of light and smoke. Tan Yang cried out in surprise, covering her mouth in fright. Manager Zhang was about to comfort her, but Bi Qingtang, who had been standing by silently, stepped over, half-squatted, and said patiently, “My fault, I should have warned you. Don’t be afraid, it’s nothing really. Every time I think he’s setting off firecrackers!” “Well, even as a craft, it’s come to setting off firecrackers,” Manager Zhang complained from behind, but Tan Yang just smiled.

“Let’s do it again, just as before,” Bi Qingtang said. Tan Yang placed her hands back on her knees. He stepped away to check, then came forward to adjust the jade bracelet on her wrist, saying, “Now be good!” The words, though ambiguous, were said gently, without any hint of impropriety, sounding perfectly natural. He returned behind Manager Zhang. Manager Zhang turned and asked, “She’s your sister, right?” Bi Qingtang gave him a sharp look. “Just take the photo!”

After the photos were taken, Bi Qingtang was first to leave. “Manager Zhang, I’ll send someone to collect them next week!” “Sure, Boss Bi, whatever you say.” “I’ll be off, then!” But just as he stepped out, Manager Zhang began to fuss in the hall, shouting, “Miss Bi, what are you doing? You’re embarrassing me! I rely on Boss Bi’s business!” Bi Qingtang turned to see Tan Yang trying to hand Manager Zhang some money, and was quite surprised.

Watching them struggle for a while, Bi Qingtang knew Manager Zhang wouldn’t accept it, so he stepped out and asked Uncle Chen, who was waiting outside, “Is the restaurant booked?” Uncle Chen nodded. “Yes, the English chef will cook personally.” Then, glancing back at the studio, he muttered, “This girl is quite interesting.” Bi Qingtang snorted, “How novel! In thirty years, I’ve never had a woman who insisted on paying herself when out with me!” Uncle Chen replied absent-mindedly, “You might not see another in the next thirty years. Not just the first, maybe the only one.”

Inside the Western restaurant at Huizhong Hotel, the sound of violins flowed gently. Thick curtains hung over the windows, and golden light filled the dim interior, making it splendid. It was lunchtime; the restaurant was full, but quiet, with men and women conversing softly. Occasionally, the clink of knife and fork on porcelain broke the silence.

Tan Yang’s traditional Chinese attire wasn't particularly out of place elsewhere, but in this top Shanghai Western restaurant, with real foreigners, pseudo-foreigners, the powerful and the famous gathered, it stood out. Men were all in suits, women in the latest Western dresses and qipaos. As soon as Tan Yang entered, she attracted curious, contemptuous, and mocking glances. She sat down nervously, while Bi Qingtang, browsing the menu, seemed not to notice and pointed out dishes to the waiter.

After ordering, he handed back the menu, surveyed the room with a stern face, and those gossiping about Tan Yang quickly looked down in embarrassment. “I should have worn a long gown and mandarin jacket today! These people, after a few days of Western education, think they're so broad-minded, so cultured, yet they don’t even recognize their ancestors' clothing. I feel embarrassed for them.” Tan Yang smiled gently, lowered her head, and whispered, “It’s making you uncomfortable too.” “I don’t mind. Do you?” She shook her head. “Then forget it. Let’s just enjoy our meal.”

Soon, the steak was served. Tan Yang glanced at the woman at the next table, then picked up her knife and fork, imitating her movements, and managed it quite well. Bi Qingtang’s approving look was easy for Tan Yang to read.

The steak needed cutting; the knife had a serrated edge, but Tan Yang couldn’t manage it, and her palm began to sweat. Bi Qingtang smiled, “See, you don’t have the strength, can’t handle shopping or meat, so I’ll help you!” He reached for her plate, and Tan Yang handed over her knife and fork without protest.

Bi Qingtang smiled as he cut the steak into small pieces with ease. His demeanor and actions were so natural that Tan Yang felt no discomfort. When he finished, he placed the plate in front of her, and arranged the utensils by her hand. Tan Yang slowly chewed a piece of beef, the fork glinting silver as it touched her pale pink lips, like new lotus under silver moonlight, fresh and simple, yet exuding a unique elegance and charm. Lost in thought, Bi Qingtang cursed himself inwardly, then lowered his head to continue eating.

“You’ve been in Shanghai for some time now, Miss Tan. Do you have any plans?” Bi Qingtang asked. Tan Yang held her cutlery and smiled happily, “I want to study!” “Your cousin agreed?” Bi Qingtang frowned. “He didn’t want to at first, but eventually relented.” Seeing Bi Qingtang’s interest, she put down her knife and fork and laughed shyly, “I hadn’t eaten for three days!” Bi Qingtang shook his head helplessly, and Tan Yang covered her mouth and said mischievously, “I hid mung bean cakes under my pillow!”

Bi Qingtang chuckled, then spoke seriously, “Your cousin still cares about you.” Tan Yang nodded. “He got angry and said, ‘With the rent money we get each year, after paying for your food and clothes and tuition, how much is left? Don’t rely on me for a dowry when you get married!’ I replied, ‘I won’t marry, I’ll take care of you in old age.’ He said no one would believe me, but I could tell he was pleased.”

“Since it’s so hard for you to study, you must work even harder from now on.” Tan Yang nodded, hesitated, then said miserably, “I mostly studied Chinese classics before, learned some arithmetic, but I’ve never learned any Western languages. So, I have to start from the middle class in primary school,” she lowered her head, speaking even softer, “I’ll have to study with a group of nine- and ten-year-olds.” Bi Qingtang laughed, “That’s nothing. You learn quickly and will catch up if you work hard. Shanghai schools are progressive; you can skip grades. That way, you’ll make more friends.” Tan Yang thought for a moment, then nodded and smiled.

“You’re going to school soon, so let’s buy you some clothes at the department store. Dressed so elegantly, the teachers might not dare call on you.” Hearing this, Tan Yang quickly waved her hand, “No, it’s not necessary.” Bi Qingtang glanced at her, took out a cigarette, and smoked slowly. “Your father’s right hand isn’t very functional, is it? He eats with his left hand, right?” Tan Yang was startled, then nodded vigorously, “How do you know?”

“When we were in Shandong, our fathers and your cousin, the brothers, were in a dangerous business. Once, an enemy shot at my father’s back, aiming for his heart. Your father saw it from across the room and rushed over, taking the bullet for him,” he pointed to his right shoulder, “Uncle Tan saved my father’s life, but lost the use of his right hand. Such a pity for his beautiful calligraphy.” He sighed. “So, Miss Tan, our families’ friendship isn’t as simple as you think. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have coaxed you to come to Shanghai—just to repay a debt of gratitude to my father. Compared to a life-saving bond, what does money matter? Even if I was reduced to pulling a rickshaw, if you came to Shanghai, I’d never let you suffer!”

Tan Yang lowered her eyes in thought, then smiled. “There’s no need to buy fancy clothes; such things aren’t worn at school,” she glanced at the woman at the next table in a gold-trimmed, high-slit qipao, “I’ll just get a few made at the tailor’s by the alley,” she hesitated, “If Mr. Bi truly cares, then if one day I can’t afford school, I hope you’ll help me. Everyone says the higher you study, the more expensive it gets.” Bi Qingtang laughed openly, “Is that even a problem? If you like studying and do well, in a few years, I’ll send you abroad!” Tan Yang pouted bashfully, “I’m not that wild!” Bi Qingtang laughed even louder, and people at the next table turned to look.

The meal was pleasant, and getting back into the car, the initial awkwardness was gone. Tan Yang told Bi Qingtang that she felt, when riding in the car, it wasn’t the car moving, but a big rope pulling the streets past them. Bi Qingtang joked that the rope was in his hands, she just needed to know, not to tell anyone.

When they went to the cinema, as soon as they entered, he told her that all the lights would go out soon, so not to be afraid. After sitting, Tan Yang overheard a young mother telling her son the same thing. A sudden warmth rose in her heart.

When the movie ended, many women wiped their tears, but Tan Yang’s face remained calm. “A friend told me this movie was good. You didn’t like it?” “I felt sorry for Ren Zhu. She waited as Lady Lan for over twenty years, Lan Sun claimed he couldn’t forget her but remarried and had children with Rou Yun. I don’t like stories like that.”

Bi Qingtang smiled, then said quietly, “I think Ren Zhu brought it on herself. Who told her to fall for someone as spineless as Lan Sun? A grown man who can’t make up his mind about what he wants, and, even when he does, lacks the courage to pursue it. He can’t hold on to what he gets, and has no resolve to reclaim what he loses. Such indecisive, timid, and incompetent men, yet some women blindly follow them. And,” Bi Qingtang glanced at the women around them, eyes reddened from the film, and sneered, “so many women feel sorry for him, think he’s worthy of sympathy. No wonder these tragic stories on and off the stage have thrived for thousands of years!”

He turned to Tan Yang and said seriously, “So remember, a woman’s choice of man is the script she picks for her life. When you grow up and choose a husband, make sure you keep your eyes open! There are no unlucky women, only women who bring misfortune on themselves.” Tan Yang nodded obediently. She wanted to say her father had told her similar things, but swallowed the words. Discussing what kind of husband to find with a man she wasn’t related to felt awkward.

Bi Tan Chronicle 53_ Bi Tan Chronicle Full Free Reading_5(3) Photography update complete!