Wild Vines in the Fields, Heavy with Dew

“Wild plants grow in the fields, glistening with dew. There is a beautiful woman, bright-eyed and graceful. We meet by chance, just as I wished.” When we were young, I naturally assumed you would always be by my side. But once a long journey down a road of ten thousand miles of bridal finery comes to an end, when I look back, will I still find that person where the lights fade away? In this life of sorrow and splendor, who was it that let the other slip away? A little scene: One day, Su Xia and I were out shopping when I noticed a little boy by the roadside crying bitterly. My kind heart stirred, and I went over to comfort him. “Hey, little guy, look, your big sister has candied hawthorn for you. There, now, shall we stop crying?” I waved the skewer of candied hawthorn at him. Kids were easy to cheer up with a treat. The little boy stared at me in confusion. I turned to Su Xia. Uh, was there something on my face? Su Xia smiled at me, then stepped forward and bent down to pat the boy on the head. “Little friend, remember, never take food from strangers.” Then he glanced at me. “Be especially careful around pretty big sisters. They might kidnap you and trick you into going to a male brothel.” I was already staring at him in disbelief, but he went on. “Do you know what a male brothel is? It's where pretty big sisters go to eat little boys!” The little boy shot me an incredulous look and bolted. I clenched my fists and turned furiously toward Su Xia. He merely looked up at me and gave me a smile so devastatingly handsome it was criminal. I froze. Uh, I... what could I even say...