別話 Parting Words

Parting Words

，．，Suhui was gravely ill; she was no more than twelve hours from the moment she would draw her last breath. Her husband sat beside her, one hand

，，．propping his chin, the other holding the patient's arm, his calm and earnest gaze fixed upon his wife's face.

，，The faint light of dusk was fading minute by minute; fortunately everything in the room was white, so the eyes did not

．，，，lose their power to distinguish things. The silence in the room had long since been filled with the air of death; the nurse did not come in again, and the sound of her footsteps only

，，『，passed lightly by outside the door, as if telling those within the room, 'The footsteps of life are not coming this way; they are growing ever farther

．』from here.'

．．A strong electric light suddenly shone out from the golden filament within the glass bulb. The wave of light pushed open the patient's eyelids. Her

强烈: qiáng liè — strong; intense (HSK 3)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
電光: diàn guāng — 1. light produced by electricity; (esp.) lightning flash 2. (textiles) glossy finish
忽然: hū rán — suddenly; all of a sudden (HSK 2)
從: Cóng — surname Cong (HSK 1)
玻璃: bō li — 1. glass 2. classifier: 張 (zhāng), 塊 (kuài) 3. (slang) male homosexual (HSK 5)
泡: pāo — 1. puffed; swollen; spongy 2. small lake (esp. in place names) 3. classifier for urine or feces (HSK 6)
裏: lǐ — variant of 裡 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
金: Jīn — 1. surname Jin 2. surname Kim (Korean) 3. Jurchen Jin dynasty (1115–1234) (HSK 3)
絲: sī — 1. silk 2. thread-like thing; (cuisine) shreds or julienne strips 3. classifier: a trace (of smoke etc), a tiny bit etc (HSK 7-9)
發出: fā chū — 1. to issue (an order, decree etc); to send out; to dispatch 2. to produce (a sound); to let out (a laugh) (HSK 3)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
光: guāng — 1. light; ray (classifier: 道 (dào)) 2. bright; shiny 3. only; merely 4. used up; finished 5. to leave (a part of the body) uncovered (HSK 3)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
浪: làng — 1. wave 2. breaker 3. unrestrained 4. dissipated 5. to stroll 6. to ramble (HSK 7-9)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
病人: bìng rén — 1. sick person 2. patient 3. invalid 4. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
眼: yǎn — 1. eye (classifier: 隻 (zhī), 雙 (shuāng)) 2. (often used with 一 (yī)) a look; a glance 3. small hole 4. (bound form) salient point 5. classifier for wells, cave-dwellings etc (HSK 2)
臉: liǎn — 1. face 2. classifier: 張 (zhāng), 個 (gè) (HSK 2)
冲: chōng — 1. (of water) to dash against 2. to mix with water 3. to infuse 4. to rinse 5. to flush 6. to develop (a film) 7. to rise in the air 8. to clash 9. to collide with (HSK 4)
開: kāi — 1. to open (transitive or intransitive) 2. (of ships, vehicles, troops etc) to start 3. to turn on; to put in operation; to operate; to run 4. to boil 5. to write out (a prescription, check, invoice etc) 6. (directional complement) away; off 7. carat (gold) 8. abbr. for Kelvin, 開爾文 (Kāi ěr wén) 9. abbr. for 開本 (kāi běn), book format (HSK 1)
丈: zhàng — 1. measure of length, ten Chinese feet (3.3 m) 2. to measure 3. husband 4. polite appellation for an older male

，，，『——！』husband, seeing her thus, felt his hope revive, and said earnestly, 'You—you've woken up!'

，，．：『，，，Suhui seemed not to have heard these words; her eyes gazed at him, but she spoke of other things. She said, 'Ah, father of Zhu'er, at a time like this, why

．』haven't you brought her to see me?'

『．』'I'll bring her tomorrow.'

．The room fell silent again for a long while.

『，，，，'Father of Zhu'er, because my body is weak and sickly, I have made you sacrifice so much of your time to look after me,

．．……．』and hindered you from many things far more important than waiting on me. I truly have wronged you. My body simply does not allow me to...'

還: Huán — surname Huan (HSK 1)
阻礙: zǔ ài — 1. to obstruct 2. to hinder 3. to block 4. obstruction 5. hindrance (HSK 5)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
許多: xǔ duō — 1. many 2. a lot of 3. much (HSK 2)
比: Bǐ — 1. Belgium 2. Belgian 3. abbr. for 比利時 (Bǐ lì shí) (HSK 1)
服事: fú shi — variant of 服侍 (fú shi)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
更: gēng — 1. to change or replace 2. to experience 3. one of the five two-hour periods into which the night was formerly divided 4. watch (e.g. of a sentry or guard) (HSK 2)
要緊: yào jǐn — 1. important 2. urgent (HSK 7-9)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
事: shì — 1. matter 2. thing 3. item 4. work 5. affair 6. classifier: 件 (jiàn), 樁 (zhuāng), 回 (huí) (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
實在: shí zài — 1. really 2. actually 3. indeed 4. true 5. real 6. honest 7. dependable 8. (philosophy) reality (HSK 2)
對: duì — 1. right; correct 2. towards; at; for 3. concerning; regarding 4. to treat (sb a certain way) 5. to face 6. (bound form) opposite; facing; matching 7. to match together; to adjust 8. to fit; to suit 9. to answer; to reply 10. to add; to pour in (a fluid) 11. to check; to compare 12. classifier: couple; pair (HSK 1)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
不: bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)
起: qǐ — 1. to rise 2. to raise 3. to get up 4. to set out 5. to start 6. to appear 7. to launch 8. to initiate (action) 9. to draft 10. to establish 11. to get (from a depot or counter) 12. verb suffix, to start 13. starting from (a time, place, price etc) 14. classifier for occurrences or unpredictable events: case, instance 15. classifier for groups: batch, group (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
身體: shēn tǐ — 1. the body 2. one's health (HSK 1)
實: shí — 1. real 2. true 3. honest 4. really 5. solid 6. fruit 7. seed 8. definitely
不容: bù róng — 1. must not 2. cannot 3. to not allow 4. cannot tolerate (HSK 7-9)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

『，．』'It doesn't matter. Waiting on you is also what I ought to do.'

．．：『She smiled. But the smile that showed amid the white bedclothes was no sign of joy. She said, 'I am very sorry to

她: tā — she (HSK 1)
笑: xiào — 1. to laugh; to smile 2. to laugh at (HSK 1)
但: dàn — 1. but; yet; however; still 2. merely; only; just (HSK 2)
白: Bái — 1. surname Bai 2. Bai ethnic group (HSK 1)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
被窩: bèi wō — 1. (traditional bedding) quilt wrapped around the body as a tube 2. (contemporary) bedding; bed cover
中: Zhōng — 1. (bound form) China; Chinese 2. surname Zhong (HSK 1)
所: suǒ — 1. actually 2. place 3. classifier for houses, small buildings, institutions etc 4. that which 5. particle introducing a relative clause or passive 6. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
顯出: xiǎn chū — 1. to express 2. to exhibit (HSK 6)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
笑容: xiào róng — 1. smile 2. smiling expression 3. classifier: 副 (fù) (HSK 6)
並不: bìng bù — not at all; by no means
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
歡樂: huān lè — 1. gaiety 2. gladness 3. glee 4. merriment 5. pleasure 6. happy 7. joyous 8. gay (HSK 3)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
標識: biāo zhì — variant of 標誌 (biāo zhì)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
很: hěn — 1. very; quite 2. (also, often used before an adjective without intensifying its meaning, i.e. as a meaningless syntactic element) (HSK 1)
對不住: duì bu zhù — 1. to let sb down 2. to be unfair 3. I'm sorry 4. pardon me (formal)

，．』you, because I never bore a son for us.'

『！'What kind of talk is that!．．』A girl is even better. I love girls.'

．，A joy amid desolation drew back together the soul within Suhui that had been preparing to depart. Her spirit seemed a little stronger than before, and as

淒涼: qī liáng — desolate (place) (HSK 7-9)
中: Zhōng — 1. (bound form) China; Chinese 2. surname Zhong (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
喜悅: xǐ yuè — 1. happy 2. joyous (HSK 7-9)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
素: sù — 1. raw silk 2. white 3. plain, unadorned 4. vegetarian (food) 5. essence 6. nature 7. element 8. constituent 9. usually 10. always 11. ever (HSK 7-9)
輝: huī — (bound form) radiance; brilliance; to shine
身: shēn — 1. body 2. life 3. oneself 4. personally 5. one's morality and conduct 6. the main part of a structure or body 7. pregnant 8. classifier for sets of clothes: suit, twinset 9. Kangxi radical 158
中: Zhōng — 1. (bound form) China; Chinese 2. surname Zhong (HSK 1)
預備: yù bèi — 1. to prepare 2. to make ready 3. preparation 4. preparatory (HSK 5)
要: yāo — (bound form) to demand; to coerce (HSK 1)
走: zǒu — 1. to walk 2. to go 3. to run 4. to move (of vehicle) 5. to visit 6. to leave 7. to go away 8. to die (euph.) 9. from 10. through 11. away (in compound verbs, such as 撤走 (chè zǒu)) 12. to change (shape, form, meaning) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
魂: hún — soul; spirit; immortal soul (that can be detached from the body) (HSK 7-9)
擁: yōng — 1. to hold in one's arms; to embrace 2. to surround; to gather around 3. to throng; to swarm 4. (bound form) to support (as in 擁護 (yōng hù)) 5. (literary) to have; to possess 6. Taiwan pr. (yǒng)
同: tóng — 1. like 2. same 3. similar 4. together 5. alike 6. with (HSK 6)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
精神: jīng shén — 1. spirit 2. mind 3. consciousness 4. thought 5. mental 6. psychological 7. essence 8. gist 9. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
似乎: sì hū — it seems; seemingly; as if (HSK 4)
比: Bǐ — 1. Belgium 2. Belgian 3. abbr. for 比利時 (Bǐ lì shí) (HSK 1)
前: qián — 1. front 2. forward 3. ahead 4. first 5. top (followed by a number) 6. future 7. ago 8. before 9. BC (e.g. 前293年) 10. former 11. formerly (HSK 1)
强: Qiáng — surname Qiang (HSK 3)
些: xiē — classifier indicating a small amount or small number greater than 1: some, a few, several (HSK 4)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)

，，『：————soon as she heard her husband speak so, she went on, 'Women are not in themselves worth loving so much: look at how many people—even you—have brought upon themselves so much

聽: tīng — 1. to listen to; to hear 2. to heed; to obey 3. a can (loanword from English "tin") 4. classifier for canned beverages 5. to let be; to allow (Taiwan pr. (tìng)) 6. (literary) to administer; to deal with (Taiwan pr. (tìng)) (HSK 1)
丈夫: zhàng fu — husband (HSK 4)
那麽: nà me — variant of 那麼 (nà me) (HSK 2)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
接着: jiē zhe — 1. to catch and hold on 2. to continue 3. to go on to do sth 4. to follow 5. to carry on 6. then 7. after that 8. subsequently 9. to proceed 10. to ensue 11. in turn 12. in one's turn (HSK 2)
道: dào — 1. road; path (classifier: 條 (tiáo), 股 (gǔ)) 2. (bound form) way; reason; principle 3. (bound form) a skill; an art; a specialization 4. (Daoism) the Way; the Dao 5. to say (introducing a direct quotation, as in a novel) 6. (bound form) to express; to extend (polite words) 7. classifier for long thin things (rivers, cracks, shadows etc), barriers (walls, doors etc), questions (in an exam etc), commands, courses in a meal, steps in a process 8. (old) circuit (administrative division) (HSK 2)
女的: nǚ de — woman
本: běn — 1. (bound form) root; stem 2. (bound form) origin; source 3. (bound form) one's own; this 4. (bound form) this; the current (year etc) 5. (bound form) original 6. (bound form) inherent 7. originally; initially 8. capital; principal 9. classifier for books, periodicals, files etc (HSK 1)
不足: bù zú — 1. insufficient 2. lacking 3. deficiency 4. not enough 5. inadequate 6. not worth 7. cannot 8. should not (HSK 5)
愛: ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
看: kān — 1. to look after 2. to take care of 3. to watch 4. to guard (HSK 1)
許多: xǔ duō — 1. many 2. a lot of 3. much (HSK 2)
人: rén — 1. person; people 2. classifier: 個 (gè), 位 (wèi), 名 (míng) (HSK 1)
連: Lián — surname Lian (HSK 3)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
爲: wéi — variant of 為 (wéi) (HSK 2)
女人: nǚ rén — woman (HSK 1)
惹: rě — 1. to provoke 2. to irritate 3. to vex 4. to stir up 5. to anger 6. to attract (troubles) 7. to cause (problems) (HSK 7-9)
下: xià — 1. down 2. downwards 3. below 4. lower 5. later 6. next (week etc) 7. second (of two parts) 8. to decline 9. to go down 10. to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) 11. measure word to show the frequency of an action (HSK 1)

……！trouble because of women...!———，．But still—a person must understand how to love a woman before he can understand how to love wisdom. Whoever cannot love, or

，，．，，？』refuses to love, a woman—even if he is spared all trouble—is the most foolish of all souls. Father of Zhu'er, father of Zhu'er, do you admire these words?'

拒絕: jù jué — to refuse; to decline; to reject (HSK 5)
愛: ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)
女人: nǚ rén — woman (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
縱然: zòng rán — even if; even though (HSK 7-9)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
沒有: méi yǒu — 1. haven't 2. hasn't 3. doesn't exist 4. to not have 5. to not be (HSK 1)
煩惱: fán nǎo — 1. to be worried 2. to be distressed 3. worries (HSK 7-9)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
萬: Wàn — surname Wan (HSK 2)
靈: líng — 1. quick 2. alert 3. efficacious 4. effective 5. to come true 6. spirit 7. departed soul 8. coffin (HSK 7-9)
中: Zhōng — 1. (bound form) China; Chinese 2. surname Zhong (HSK 1)
最: zuì — 1. (before an adjective or verb) to the highest degree; (the) most ...; -est 2. (after 之 (zhī)) best or most extreme example (e.g. 世界之最 (shì jiè zhī zuì) "the greatest in the world") (HSK 1)
愚蠢: yú chǔn — 1. silly 2. stupid (HSK 7-9)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
人: rén — 1. person; people 2. classifier: 個 (gè), 位 (wèi), 名 (míng) (HSK 1)
珠: zhū — 1. bead 2. pearl 3. classifier: 粒 (lì), 顆 (kē)
兒: ér — 1. child 2. son
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
父親: fù qīn — 1. father 2. also pr. (fù qin) 3. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
珠: zhū — 1. bead 2. pearl 3. classifier: 粒 (lì), 顆 (kē)
兒: ér — 1. child 2. son
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
父親: fù qīn — 1. father 2. also pr. (fù qin) 3. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
哪: nǎ — 1. how 2. which (HSK 1)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
佩服: pèi fú — to admire (HSK 7-9)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
話: huà — 1. dialect 2. language 3. spoken words 4. speech 5. talk 6. words 7. conversation 8. what sb said 9. classifier: 種 (zhǒng), 席 (xí), 句 (jù), 口 (kǒu), 番 (fān) (HSK 1)
麽: me — variant of 麼 (me)

，————．At that moment, even we—the onlookers—could not think of a single reply on behalf of Zhu'er's father.

『，！'After I leave you, you must not, for my sake,．live a widower's life for the rest of your days. For my sake, you must,

，．』，in keeping with what I just said, love another woman.' When she had said this, she raised her right hand, which could barely move, and reached

故: gù — 1. happening 2. instance 3. reason 4. cause 5. intentional 6. former 7. old 8. friend 9. therefore 10. hence 11. (of people) to die, dead (HSK 7-9)
依: yī — 1. to depend on 2. to comply with or listen to sb 3. according to 4. in the light of (HSK 7-9)
我方: wǒ fāng — our side; we
才: cái — 1. ability; talent 2. sb of a certain type 3. a capable individual 4. then and only then 5. just now 6. (before an expression of quantity) only 7. (emphatic, esp. in contrast or correction) really; actually (HSK 2)
的話: de huà — if (coming after a conditional clause) (HSK 2)
愛: ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)
別的: bié de — 1. else 2. other (HSK 1)
女人: nǚ rén — woman (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
說到: shuō dào — 1. to talk about 2. to mention 3. (preposition) as for
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
里: Lǐ — surname Li (HSK 1)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
隻: zhī — classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc (HSK 2)
幾乎: jī hū — almost; nearly; practically (HSK 4)
動: dòng — 1. (of sth) to move 2. to set in movement 3. to displace 4. to touch 5. to make use of 6. to stir (emotions) 7. to alter 8. abbr. for 動詞 (dòng cí), verb (HSK 1)
不得: bù dé — 1. must not 2. may not 3. not to be allowed 4. cannot
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
右手: yòu shǒu — 1. right hand 2. right-hand side
舉起: jǔ qǐ — 1. to heave 2. to lift 3. to raise up 4. to uphold
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
向: Xiàng — surname Xiang (HSK 2)

．toward the pillow, feeling about.

『？'What do you want?．』I'll find it for you.'

『．』'The ring.'

，．Her husband lowered her hand and gently felt about by her pillow until he found a jade ring, which he handed to her.

丈夫: zhàng fu — husband (HSK 4)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
手: shǒu — 1. hand 2. (formal) to hold 3. person engaged in certain types of work 4. person skilled in certain types of work 5. personal(ly) 6. convenient 7. classifier for skill 8. classifier: 雙 (shuāng), 隻 (zhī) (HSK 1)
扶: fú — 1. to support with the hand 2. to help sb up 3. to support oneself by holding onto something 4. to help (HSK 5)
下來: xià lai — 1. to come down 2. (completed action marker) 3. (after verb of motion, indicates motion down and towards us, also fig.) 4. (indicates continuation from the past towards us) 5. to be harvested (of crops) 6. to be over (of a period of time) 7. to go among the masses (said of leaders) (HSK 3)
輕輕: qīng qīng — lightly; softly
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
枕: zhěn — 1. (bound form) pillow 2. to rest one's head on (Taiwan pr. (zhèn))
邊: biān — 1. side 2. edge 3. margin 4. border 5. boundary 6. classifier: 個 (gè) 7. simultaneously (HSK 2)
摸: mō — 1. to feel with the hand 2. to touch 3. to stroke 4. to grope 5. to steal 6. to abstract (HSK 4)
出: chū — 1. to go out; to come out 2. to arise; to occur 3. to produce; to yield 4. to go beyond; to exceed 5. (used after a verb to indicate an outward direction or a positive result) 6. classifier for dramas, plays, operas etc (HSK 1)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
隻: zhī — classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc (HSK 2)
玉: yù — jade (HSK 4)
戒指: jiè zhi — (finger) ring (HSK 7-9)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
遞給: dì gěi — to hand it (i.e. the aforementioned item) to (sb) (HSK 5)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)

『，，；'Father of Zhu'er, this ring, though it was not the one used for our betrothal, was still given to me by you;，you may keep it, and

，．，，later give it to Zhu'er's mother, to show the bond between her and me. Apart from this, do not give her anything else of mine, for I fear you would

後: hòu — 1. back 2. behind 3. rear 4. afterwards 5. after 6. later 7. post- (HSK 1)
再: zài — 1. again; once more; re- 2. further; beyond this point of time 3. (before an adjective) more 4. then (after sth, and not until then) 5. no matter how ... (followed by an adjective or verb, and then (usually) 也 (yě) or 都 (dōu) for emphasis) 6. (used to introduce additional information, as in 再則 (zài zé), 再就是 (zài jiù shì) etc) 7. (literary) to reappear; to reoccur (HSK 1)
給: gěi — 1. to 2. for 3. for the benefit of 4. to give 5. to allow 6. to do sth (for sb) 7. (grammatical equivalent of 被) 8. (grammatical equivalent of 把) 9. (sentence intensifier) (HSK 1)
珠: zhū — 1. bead 2. pearl 3. classifier: 粒 (lì), 顆 (kē)
兒: ér — 1. child 2. son
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
母親: mǔ qīn — mother (HSK 3)
表明: biǎo míng — 1. to make clear 2. to make known 3. to state clearly 4. to indicate 5. known (HSK 3)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
和: Hé — surname He (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
連: Lián — surname Lian (HSK 3)
屬: shǔ — 1. category 2. genus (taxonomy) 3. family members 4. dependents 5. to belong to 6. subordinate to 7. affiliated with 8. be born in the year of (one of the 12 animals) 9. to be 10. to prove to be 11. to constitute (HSK 3)
除: chú — 1. to get rid of 2. to remove 3. to exclude 4. to eliminate 5. to wipe out 6. to divide 7. except 8. not including (HSK 6)
此: cǐ — this; these (HSK 4)
以外: yǐ wài — 1. apart from 2. other than 3. except for 4. external 5. outside of 6. on the other side of 7. beyond (HSK 2)
不要: bù yào — don't!; must not (HSK 2)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
東西: dōng xī — east and west (HSK 1)
給: gěi — 1. to 2. for 3. for the benefit of 4. to give 5. to allow 6. to do sth (for sb) 7. (grammatical equivalent of 被) 8. (grammatical equivalent of 把) 9. (sentence intensifier) (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
恐怕: kǒng pà — 1. fear 2. to dread 3. I'm afraid that... 4. perhaps 5. maybe (HSK 3)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
要: yāo — (bound form) to demand; to coerce (HSK 1)

；then take her for me;，，and do not repeat our old words to her, for I fear she might, because of what you say, come to feel there is a difference, and say that you love

當: dāng — 1. to be 2. to act as 3. manage 4. withstand 5. when 6. during 7. ought 8. should 9. match equally 10. equal 11. same 12. obstruct 13. just at (a time or place) 14. on the spot 15. right 16. just at (HSK 2)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
不要: bù yào — don't!; must not (HSK 2)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
舊: jiù — 1. old 2. opposite: new 新 3. former 4. worn (with age) (HSK 3)
話說: huà shuō — 1. It is said that ... (at the start of a narrative) 2. to discuss; to recount
給: gěi — 1. to 2. for 3. for the benefit of 4. to give 5. to allow 6. to do sth (for sb) 7. (grammatical equivalent of 被) 8. (grammatical equivalent of 把) 9. (sentence intensifier) (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
聽: tīng — 1. to listen to; to hear 2. to heed; to obey 3. a can (loanword from English "tin") 4. classifier for canned beverages 5. to let be; to allow (Taiwan pr. (tìng)) 6. (literary) to administer; to deal with (Taiwan pr. (tìng)) (HSK 1)
恐怕: kǒng pà — 1. fear 2. to dread 3. I'm afraid that... 4. perhaps 5. maybe (HSK 3)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
要: yāo — (bound form) to demand; to coerce (HSK 1)
因: yīn — 1. cause 2. reason 3. because (HSK 6)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
話: huà — 1. dialect 2. language 3. spoken words 4. speech 5. talk 6. words 7. conversation 8. what sb said 9. classifier: 種 (zhǒng), 席 (xí), 句 (jù), 口 (kǒu), 番 (fān) (HSK 1)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
生出: shēng chū — 1. to give birth 2. to grow (whiskers etc) 3. to generate 4. to produce
差別: chā bié — difference; distinction; disparity (HSK 5)
心: xīn — 1. heart 2. mind 3. intention 4. center 5. core 6. classifier: 顆 (kē), 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
愛: ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)

．』．．，a dead woman more than your living wife.' She gently slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of her husband's left hand. Her husband, in turn, raised her hand and brought it lightly to touch his lips. For this act of tenderness, his wife could only look at him with her eyes

死: sǐ — 1. to die 2. impassable 3. uncrossable 4. inflexible 5. rigid 6. extremely 7. damned (HSK 3)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
婦人: fù rén — married woman
甚: shén — variant of 什 (shén)
於: yú — 1. (of time or place) in; at; on 2. (indicating any indirect relation) to; toward; vis-à-vis; with regard to; for 3. (indicating a source) from; out of 4. (used in comparison) than 5. (used in the passive voice) by (HSK 6)
愛: ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)
生: shēng — 1. to grow; to give birth; to produce; to be born 2. to arise; to occur 3. to light (a fire) 4. to live; to be alive 5. life 6. raw; uncooked; unprocessed 7. unfamiliar; strange 8. (bound form) student; person engaged in a field 9. (bound form) male role in traditional opera 10. (bound form) life; lifetime 11. (bound form) means of livelihood 12. (bound form) very; intensely (as in 生疼 (shēng téng)) 13. (bound form) in a forced manner (as in 生拉硬拽 (shēng lā yìng zhuài)) (HSK 2)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
妻子: qī zǐ — wife and children (HSK 4)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
戒指: jiè zhi — (finger) ring (HSK 7-9)
輕輕: qīng qīng — lightly; softly
地: de — 1. -ly 2. structural particle: used before a verb or adjective, linking it to preceding modifying adverbial adjunct (HSK 1)
套: tào — 1. to cover 2. to encase 3. cover 4. sheath 5. to overlap 6. to interleave 7. to model after 8. to copy 9. formula 10. harness 11. loop of rope 12. (fig.) to fish for 13. to obtain slyly 14. classifier for sets, collections 15. bend (of a river or mountain range, in place names) 16. tau (Greek letter Ττ) (HSK 2)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
丈夫: zhàng fu — husband (HSK 4)
左手: zuǒ shǒu — left hand; left-hand side
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
無名指: wú míng zhǐ — ring finger
上: shǎng — used in 上聲 (shǎng shēng) (HSK 1)
丈夫: zhàng fu — husband (HSK 4)
隨: Suí — surname Sui (HSK 3)
着: zhāo — variant of 著 (zhāo) (HSK 1)
扶: fú — 1. to support with the hand 2. to help sb up 3. to support oneself by holding onto something 4. to help (HSK 5)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
手: shǒu — 1. hand 2. (formal) to hold 3. person engaged in certain types of work 4. person skilled in certain types of work 5. personal(ly) 6. convenient 7. classifier for skill 8. classifier: 雙 (shuāng), 隻 (zhī) (HSK 1)
與: yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
底層: dǐ céng — 1. ground floor; first floor 2. lowest level; lowest rung (of society etc) (HSK 7-9)
邊: biān — 1. side 2. edge 3. margin 4. border 5. boundary 6. classifier: 個 (gè) 7. simultaneously (HSK 2)
略: lüè — 1. brief; sketchy 2. outline; summary 3. to omit 4. (bound form before a single-character verb) a bit; somewhat; slightly 5. plan; strategy 6. to capture (territory) (HSK 7-9)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
接觸: jiē chù — 1. to touch 2. to contact 3. access 4. in touch with (HSK 5)
妻子: qī zǐ — wife and children (HSK 4)
對於: duì yú — regarding; as far as (sth) is concerned; with regard to (HSK 4)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
番: Pān — surname Pan (HSK 6)
厚: hòu — 1. thick 2. deep or profound 3. kind 4. generous 5. rich or strong in flavor 6. to favor 7. to stress (HSK 4)
意: yì — 1. (bound form) idea; thought; meaning; sense 2. (bound form) intention; feeling; inclination; state of mind 3. (bound form) Italy (abbr. for 意大利 (Yì dà lì))
只: zhī — variant of 隻 (zhī) (HSK 2)
用: yòng — 1. to use; to make use of; to employ 2. (coverb) with; using 3. to need; to have to (usu. used in the negative or in questions) 4. usefulness; utility 5. (bound form) expense; outlay 6. (courteous) to eat; to drink 7. (literary) hence; therefore (HSK 1)
微微: wēi wēi — 1. slight 2. faint 3. humble
睜開: zhēng kāi — to open (one's eyes)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
眼睛: yǎn jing — 1. eye 2. classifier: 隻 (zhī), 雙 (shuāng) (HSK 2)
看: kān — 1. to look after 2. to take care of 3. to watch 4. to guard (HSK 1)
着: zhāo — variant of 著 (zhāo) (HSK 1)

．，．half-opened. Besides this, she truly could show nothing more in return.

：『，．，，Her husband said, 'The things I ought to do for you, I have already told you all. Let me say one more thing: no matter what, I will love

．』you forever.'

『，，！'Ah, in a little while you will be casting my corpse out into the wilderness!Although I do not often dwell within my body,

，，，？still, once a person departs, when and where will we ever again be able to exchange word of our love?If we say

，，．that we shall dwell in heaven, I think I shall never again have a day of meeting you, because our heavens are not the same.

，．？The one you are to dwell in surely is not the one I am now going to. Besides, am I even worthy to dwell in heaven?，Though I do not believe in your God, I can still

你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
所: suǒ — 1. actually 2. place 3. classifier for houses, small buildings, institutions etc 4. that which 5. particle introducing a relative clause or passive 6. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
要: yāo — (bound form) to demand; to coerce (HSK 1)
住: zhù — 1. to live; to reside; to stay 2. to stop; to cease 3. (result complement indicating firmness or a stable achieved state) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
必: bì — 1. certainly 2. must 3. will 4. necessarily (HSK 5)
不是: bù shì — 1. no 2. is not 3. not
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
現在: xiàn zài — now; at present; currently (HSK 1)
要: yāo — (bound form) to demand; to coerce (HSK 1)
去: qù — 1. to go 2. to go to (a place) 3. (of a time etc) last 4. just passed 5. to send 6. to remove 7. to get rid of 8. to reduce 9. to be apart from in space or time 10. to die (euphemism) 11. to play (a part) 12. (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth 13. (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker) 14. (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
何況: hé kuàng — 1. let alone 2. to say nothing of 3. besides 4. what's more (HSK 7-9)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
還: Huán — surname Huan (HSK 1)
不: bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)
配: pèi — 1. to join 2. to fit 3. to mate 4. to mix 5. to match 6. to deserve 7. to make up (a prescription) 8. to allocate (HSK 3)
住: zhù — 1. to live; to reside; to stay 2. to stop; to cease 3. (result complement indicating firmness or a stable achieved state) (HSK 1)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
天堂: tiān táng — 1. paradise 2. heaven (HSK 6)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
雖: suī — 1. although 2. even though (HSK 6)
不: bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
神: Shén — God (HSK 5)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
可: kě — 1. (prefix) can; may; able to; -able 2. to approve; to permit 3. to suit 4. (particle used for emphasis) certainly; very 5. but; however (HSK 5)

．，believe in the truth you believe in. Even if truth has power, it would not, for so small a reason as ours, bind us together forever

信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
所: suǒ — 1. actually 2. place 3. classifier for houses, small buildings, institutions etc 4. that which 5. particle introducing a relative clause or passive 6. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
眞: zhēn — variant of 真 (zhēn)
理: lǐ — 1. texture 2. grain (of wood) 3. inner essence 4. intrinsic order 5. reason 6. logic 7. truth 8. science 9. natural science (esp. physics) 10. to manage 11. to pay attention to 12. to run (affairs) 13. to handle 14. to put in order 15. to tidy up (HSK 6)
縱然: zòng rán — even if; even though (HSK 7-9)
眞: zhēn — variant of 真 (zhēn)
理: lǐ — 1. texture 2. grain (of wood) 3. inner essence 4. intrinsic order 5. reason 6. logic 7. truth 8. science 9. natural science (esp. physics) 10. to manage 11. to pay attention to 12. to run (affairs) 13. to handle 14. to put in order 15. to tidy up (HSK 6)
有能力: yǒu néng lì — able
也: Yě — surname Ye (HSK 1)
不: bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)
爲: wéi — variant of 為 (wéi) (HSK 2)
我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
小小: xiǎo xiǎo — 1. very small 2. very few 3. very minor
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
緣故: yuán gù — 1. reason 2. cause (HSK 6)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
永遠: yǒng yuǎn — 1. forever 2. eternal (HSK 2)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
結: jiē — 1. (of a plant) to produce (fruit or seeds) 2. Taiwan pr. (jié) (HSK 4)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)

．，．』in one place. Take care of yourself, and do not love me after we have parted.'

，．Her husband, unable to say anything, could only let the deathly silence take possession of the room. Downstairs, as if in a daze, a clock struck seven times.

丈夫: zhàng fu — husband (HSK 4)
旣: jì — variant of 既 (jì)
不能: bù néng — 1. cannot 2. must not 3. should not
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
什: shén — what
麽: me — variant of 麼 (me)
話: huà — 1. dialect 2. language 3. spoken words 4. speech 5. talk 6. words 7. conversation 8. what sb said 9. classifier: 種 (zhǒng), 席 (xí), 句 (jù), 口 (kǒu), 番 (fān) (HSK 1)
屋: wū — 1. (bound form) house 2. (bound form) room (HSK 5)
裏: lǐ — variant of 裡 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
只: zhī — variant of 隻 (zhī) (HSK 2)
可: kě — 1. (prefix) can; may; able to; -able 2. to approve; to permit 3. to suit 4. (particle used for emphasis) certainly; very 5. but; however (HSK 5)
讓: ràng — 1. to yield 2. to permit 3. to let sb do sth 4. to have sb do sth 5. to make sb (feel sad etc) 6. by (indicates the agent in a passive clause, like 被 (bèi)) (HSK 2)
死: sǐ — 1. to die 2. impassable 3. uncrossable 4. inflexible 5. rigid 6. extremely 7. damned (HSK 3)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
靜寂: jìng jì — 1. quiet 2. silent
佔有: zhàn yǒu — 1. to have 2. to own 3. to hold 4. to occupy 5. to possess 6. to account for (a high proportion etc) (HSK 5)
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)
樓: Lóu — surname Lou (HSK 1)
底下: dǐ xia — 1. the location below sth 2. afterwards (HSK 3)
恍惚: huǎng hū — 1. absent-minded 2. distracted 3. dazzled 4. vaguely 5. dimly
敲: qiāo — 1. to hit 2. to strike 3. to tap 4. to rap 5. to knock 6. to rip sb off 7. to overcharge (HSK 5)
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)
七: qī — 1. seven 2. 7 (HSK 1)
下: xià — 1. down 2. downwards 3. below 4. lower 5. later 6. next (week etc) 7. second (of two parts) 8. to decline 9. to go down 10. to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) 11. measure word to show the frequency of an action (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)

．，，，『，，．』Out of respect for the hospital's rules, he rose, and holding Suhui's hand, said, 'My life, goodbye for now—it's seven o'clock.'

自鳴鐘: zì míng zhōng — chiming clock
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
爲: wéi — variant of 為 (wéi) (HSK 2)
尊重: zūn zhòng — 1. to esteem 2. to respect 3. to honor 4. to value 5. eminent 6. serious 7. proper (HSK 5)
醫院: yī yuàn — 1. hospital 2. classifier: 所 (suǒ), 家 (jiā), 座 (zuò) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
規則: guī zé — 1. rule; regulation 2. regular; orderly; fixed (HSK 4)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
立: Lì — surname Li (HSK 5)
起來: qǐ lai — 1. to stand up; to get up 2. also pr. (qǐ lái) (HSK 1)
握: wò — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to clench (one's fist) 3. (bound form) to have in one's control 4. classifier: a handful (HSK 5)
着: zhāo — variant of 著 (zhāo) (HSK 1)
素: sù — 1. raw silk 2. white 3. plain, unadorned 4. vegetarian (food) 5. essence 6. nature 7. element 8. constituent 9. usually 10. always 11. ever (HSK 7-9)
輝: huī — (bound form) radiance; brilliance; to shine
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
手: shǒu — 1. hand 2. (formal) to hold 3. person engaged in certain types of work 4. person skilled in certain types of work 5. personal(ly) 6. convenient 7. classifier for skill 8. classifier: 雙 (shuāng), 隻 (zhī) (HSK 1)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
命: mìng — 1. life 2. fate 3. order or command 4. to assign a name, title etc (HSK 6)
再見: zài jiàn — 1. goodbye 2. see you again later (HSK 1)
罷: bà — 1. to stop 2. to cease 3. to dismiss 4. to suspend 5. to quit 6. to finish
七: qī — 1. seven 2. 7 (HSK 1)
點鐘: diǎn zhōng — (indicating time of day) o'clock
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)

『，，』'Don't go, I still want to talk with you,'

『，，．』'Tomorrow I'll come earlier. You're tired, rest now.'

『．』，．，'You never listen to what I say.' She closed her eyes, showing how unwilling she was. Her husband, having no choice, stayed a while longer,

，，，．but she was truly tired, and simply lay there, with nothing more to say.

．，，．，Her husband quietly tiptoed out. As soon as he reached the stairway, his steps turned back, unwilling to go down. He tiptoed back again, quietly returning to Suhui's

丈夫: zhàng fu — husband (HSK 4)
輕輕: qīng qīng — lightly; softly
躡: niè — 1. to walk on tiptoe 2. to walk quietly 3. to tread (on) 4. to follow
出去: chū qù — to go out (HSK 1)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
到: dào — 1. to reach; to arrive 2. to leave for; to go to 3. to (a place); until (a time); up to (a point) 4. (verb complement indicating arriving at a place or reaching a point) 5. considerate; thoughtful; thorough (HSK 1)
樓: Lóu — surname Lou (HSK 1)
口: kǒu — 1. mouth 2. classifier for things with mouths (people, domestic animals, cannons, wells etc) 3. classifier for bites or mouthfuls (HSK 1)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
脚步: jiǎo bù — 1. footstep 2. step (HSK 5)
又: yòu — 1. (once) again 2. also 3. both... and... 4. and yet 5. (used for emphasis) anyway (HSK 2)
退後: tuì hòu — 1. to stand back 2. to go back (in time) 3. to yield 4. to make concessions
走: zǒu — 1. to walk 2. to go 3. to run 4. to move (of vehicle) 5. to visit 6. to leave 7. to go away 8. to die (euph.) 9. from 10. through 11. away (in compound verbs, such as 撤走 (chè zǒu)) 12. to change (shape, form, meaning) (HSK 1)
不: bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)
肯: kěn — 1. to agree; to consent 2. to be willing to (HSK 6)
下去: xià qù — 1. to go down 2. to descend 3. to go on 4. to continue 5. (of a servant) to withdraw (HSK 3)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
又: yòu — 1. (once) again 2. also 3. both... and... 4. and yet 5. (used for emphasis) anyway (HSK 2)
躡: niè — 1. to walk on tiptoe 2. to walk quietly 3. to tread (on) 4. to follow
囘: huí — variant of 回 (huí)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
悄悄: qiāo qiāo — 1. quiet; making little or no noise 2. surreptitious; stealthy 3. anxious; worried 4. Taiwan pr. (qiǎo qiǎo) (HSK 5)
到: dào — 1. to reach; to arrive 2. to leave for; to go to 3. to (a place); until (a time); up to (a point) 4. (verb complement indicating arriving at a place or reaching a point) 5. considerate; thoughtful; thorough (HSK 1)
素: sù — 1. raw silk 2. white 3. plain, unadorned 4. vegetarian (food) 5. essence 6. nature 7. element 8. constituent 9. usually 10. always 11. ever (HSK 7-9)
輝: huī — (bound form) radiance; brilliance; to shine

，，，．bedside, and saw her in a state of drowsy half-sleep, dry, parched tears that would not fall, only hanging between her eyelids.

牀: chuáng — variant of 床 (chuáng) (HSK 1)
邊: biān — 1. side 2. edge 3. margin 4. border 5. boundary 6. classifier: 個 (gè) 7. simultaneously (HSK 2)
見: jiàn — 1. to see 2. to meet 3. to appear (to be sth) 4. to interview 5. opinion 6. view (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
顯: xiǎn — 1. to make visible 2. to reveal 3. prominent 4. conspicuous 5. (prefix) phanero- (HSK 5)
着: zhāo — variant of 著 (zhāo) (HSK 1)
昏睡: hūn shuì — to sleep heavily (due to illness, fatigue etc)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
形態: xíng tài — 1. shape 2. form 3. pattern 4. morphology (HSK 5)
枯: kū — 1. (of plants) withered 2. (of wells, rivers etc) dried up 3. (bound form) dull; boring 4. (bound form) residue of pressed oilseeds
澀: sè — 1. astringent 2. tart 3. acerbity 4. unsmooth 5. rough (surface) 6. hard to understand 7. obscure
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
淚點: lèi diǎn — 1. (anatomy) lacrimal punctum 2. (literary) tears 3. (neologism c. 2015) the point at which one is moved to tears
滴: dī — 1. to drip 2. to let drip; to apply (eye drops etc) 3. (bound form) a drop (of liquid) 4. classifier for drops of liquid (HSK 6)
不下: bù xià — to be not less than (a certain quantity, amount etc)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
只: zhī — variant of 隻 (zhī) (HSK 2)
掛: guà — 1. to hang; to suspend (from a hook etc) 2. to hang up (the phone) 3. (of a line) to be dead 4. to be worried; to be concerned 5. (dialect) to make a phone call 6. to register (at a hospital); to make an appointment (with a doctor) 7. (slang) to kill; to die; to be finished; to fail (an exam) 8. classifier for sets or clusters of objects (HSK 3)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
眼瞼: yǎn jiǎn — eyelid
之間: zhī jiān — 1. (after a noun) between; among; amid 2. (used after certain bisyllabic words to form expressions indicating a short period of time, e.g. 彈指之間 (tán zhǐ zhī jiān)) (HSK 4)

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What it’s about

Suhui is within a day of death in a hospital while her husband watches. She regrets the care her illness required and apologizes for bearing only a daughter. He says he prefers girls; revived, she argues that loving women teaches one to love wisdom. She orders him not to remain a widower, placing his jade ring on his finger for a future wife but forbidding him to give that woman her other belongings or inherited comparisons.

Her instructions try to connect successor and dying wife without making the living woman a substitute. She doubts that separate heavens or abstract truth will reunite this particular couple and tells him not to love her after parting. Hospital rules force him to say goodbye at seven despite her plea that he stay. He leaves, turns back and finds her apparently asleep with dry tears caught between her lids. Institutional time and bodily exhaustion end a conversation designed to govern love beyond the speaker's death.

When it was written 背景

The deathbed scene joins modern hospital discipline, companionate marriage and religious difference. Suhui trusts her husband's truth without sharing his God, a formulation that resists both easy conversion and a consoling promise of reunion. Her advice about remarriage is strikingly attentive to a future woman's autonomy: relics and repeated stories could force that person to compete with the dead. The title means words at parting, and speech itself repeatedly fails under fatigue and grief. Learners should track 愛, 天堂, 眞理 and 再見 as Suhui strips conventional consolations from farewell.

Words in this chapter 生词

爲wéiHSK 2爲wéi — variant of 為 (wéi) (HSK 2)
輝huī輝huī — (bound form) radiance; brilliance; to shine
她tāHSK 1她tā — she (HSK 1)
麽mó麽mó — tiny · insignificant
服事fú shi服事fú shi — variant of 服侍 (fú shi)
囘huí囘huí — variant of 回 (huí)
脚步jiǎo bùHSK 5脚步jiǎo bù — footstep · step (HSK 5)
什shén什shén — what
着zhāoHSK 1着zhāo — a move in chess (Taiwan pr. (zhuó)) · trick; tactic · (dialect) okay; all right · (dialect) to put in; to add (HSK 1)
戒指jiè zhiHSK 7-9戒指jiè zhi — (finger) ring (HSK 7-9)
天堂tiān tángHSK 6天堂tiān táng — paradise · heaven (HSK 6)
應當yīng dāngHSK 3應當yīng dāng — should; ought to (HSK 3)