Overdo

After dreaming, the tower stands tall and locked;

Awake from wine, the curtains hang low and still.

Last spring’s regrets return with the season’s chill,

Alone amidst falling blossoms,

In light rain, swallows fly in pairs.

I remember my first sight of Little Ping,

Her silk robe embroidered with double hearts.

On the pipa strings, longing was softly played,

Under the same bright moon that night,

Which once saw the colorful clouds fade away.

V

The summer cicadas’ chorus gradually thinned, and after a few chilly rains, the autumn atmosphere began to emerge. Outside the window, a hibiscus bloomed brilliantly, and as she leaned against the barre, she almost mistook it for a rose. The rose from that morning was hidden in her locker, its rich, sweet fragrance still lingering on her fingertips. Lifting her head, she caught Zhou Laoshi’s gaze sweeping over her in the mirror and quickly performed a few graceful ronds de jambe, so fluid and elegant that the teacher smiled approvingly.

The changing room was shared among the girls, and chatter was inevitable. Xiaofan, with the sharpest eyes and the loudest voice, exclaimed, “Susu! Where did this come from?” Laughing, she snatched the rose from Susu’s hand. “So fragrant!” Mulan leaned in with a grin, “Do you even need to ask? It must be from our Zhuang Chengzhi.” Waving the flower playfully, Xiaofan teased, “I’m going to tell the teacher—Zhuang Chengzhi sneaked another rose from the flowerbed for his sweetheart.”

Mulan smiled and slung an arm over her shoulder, “Susu, how about I give you the A-role? You and Zhuang Chengzhi dance The Butterfly Lovers—I guarantee you’ll be ten thousand times more in sync than I am with him.” Ren Susu replied with a smile, “Keep talking, and I’ll spill your secret!” Xiaofan eagerly asked, “What secret?” But Susu didn’t answer. Mulan pinched her cheek, “You little troublemaker! Only you would be this sneaky!”

As the group headed out for dinner, Mulan and Susu lagged behind. Mulan had changed into a Western-style dress and, noticing Susu in her pearl-white gown, remarked, “Why do you always wear these?” Linking arms with her, she said, “Come have dinner with me.”

Susu shook her head, “Thanks, but last time I went with you, it made me so nervous.” Mulan replied, “You’re too uptight. They were just joking around, nothing serious. Besides—anyone from that crowd would be a good match. Do you really plan to dance for the rest of your life?” Susu smiled, “I know, I know. You’re set on marrying a wealthy gentleman and becoming a young mistress without a care. My fate is to dance forever.” Mulan chuckled, “You mean you want to dance with Zhuang Chengzhi forever.” Susu pretended to hit her. As they stepped outside, they spotted a sleek black Chevrolet parked across the street. Someone inside waved to Mulan from a distance. Her eyes lit up, and after a quick goodbye to Susu, she hurried over.

Susu watched the car drive away and stood by the curb for a moment before Zhuang Chengzhi approached. “Have you been waiting long?” he asked. She looked up at him—his fair, bright face like the autumn sun, warming her heart. She smiled, “I just came down.” They went together to eat wontons.

The light scent of seaweed, the translucent white wrappers—Susu began to perspire slightly and took out a handkerchief to dab her forehead. Chengzhi asked her, “What’s going on with Mulan lately? She’s always distracted.” As her dance partner, he naturally noticed her lack of focus during practice. Susu said, “She’s dating someone new.” Chengzhi asked, “The one who drove over just now?” Susu nodded. Chengzhi remarked, “He’s from a wealthy family, isn’t he?”Not just wealthy—rumor has it his family has powerful connections. Once, Susu couldn't resist Mulan's insistence and was dragged along to a dinner. It was her first time having Western food: glittering crystal chandeliers, gleaming floors, and sparkling silverware—the whole world seemed to shimmer brilliantly. The people there were all fashionable and attractive. Mulan was poised and unafraid of anyone challenging her to drink. Among the guests was a young man named He Zhongze, who loved teasing Mulan the most, insisting she down her glass. She retorted, "Fine, I'll drink it!" and tossed back the entire cup in one go, her emerald leaf earrings swaying like pendulums, glowing jade-green under the light. The others erupted in cheers, and He Zhongze remarked, "Xiao Xu, your girlfriend is spirited and straightforward!" Mulan just flashed a playful smile. Later, He Zhongze turned to her and said, "Miss Fang has drunk, so shouldn't Miss Ren show some spirit too?" She had never faced such a situation before and immediately blushed. In the end, Mulan's boyfriend, Xu Changning, came to her rescue, saying, "Miss Ren truly doesn't drink. She's not like you all, used to fooling around—don't scare her."

After the meal, Xu Changning arranged a car to take her and Mulan home. Mulan teased her along the way, "Susu, that Mr. He seemed quite taken with you." And as it turned out, Mulan was right—the very next day, He Zhongze invited her to dinner. She declined indifferently. Mulan lamented for a while, "My dear, that's the eldest son of He Yuancheng! You wouldn't even give him a hint of warmth?" Susu shot back, "Who is He Yuancheng?" Mulan looked utterly exasperated before finally saying, "You really—don't tell me you don't even know who Murong Feng is?" That made Susu laugh, and she suddenly remembered that He Yuancheng was a famously prominent political figure. To this day, that young Mr. He still occasionally asks her out, but she simply avoids him.

Mulan was late and got scolded by the teacher, who made her stay for extra practice. After everyone else had left, Susu quietly returned to check on her. Mulan was practicing leg kicks and stopped when she saw Susu, asking, "Has Teacher Zhou left?"

"Yes."

Mulan stuck out her tongue, her face glistening with sweat, and wiped it with a towel before leaning lazily against the barre. "Susu, it's Sunday tomorrow—come out with me." Susu shook her head, "Thanks, but I can't handle your Xu's crowd of friends." Mulan said, "There won't be anyone else tomorrow, just him and me." Susu smiled, "Then what would I be doing? Playing third wheel?" Mulan winked her beautiful eyes, "His sister will be there too. Keep me company, please? I'm begging you."

Susu laughed, "Only an ugly daughter-in-law fears meeting her in-laws. You're not ugly, so why be afraid of his sister?"

Mulan chided, "Susu—" but then pressed a hand to her chest, saying, "I don't know why, but whenever I think of meeting his family, my heart races." She clasped her hands together, "Please, for the sake of all our years as sisters, come with me. I'd be too nervous alone."

Unable to resist her pleading, Susu finally agreed.

The next morning, Mulan came to fetch her early. Susu gave her a once-over: Mulan was still wearing a Western-style dress but had applied light makeup, her hair falling over her shoulders tied only with a silk ribbon, twisted into a playful, tilted bow—both charming and beautiful. Susu couldn't help smiling, "You look absolutely stunning like this." But Mulan reached out and lifted Susu's dark, heavy braid, exclaiming, "Hey, your hair has grown so long? I never noticed with it always pinned up."It was another Western-style meal, with the four of them enveloped in a stifling atmosphere. Xu Changning’s younger sister, Xu Changxuan, wore a tasteful Western-style dress without much ostentation, except for a roughly six-carat diamond ring on her finger that sparkled like a star nestled between her fingers. She was quite polite to Mulan, addressing her as "Miss Fang," yet her politeness carried a subtle chill. Susu, who was naturally quiet, grew even more silent when she saw Mulan not speaking. Only the Xu siblings exchanged sporadic small talk. Noticing the awkward silence, Xu Changning deliberately tried to lighten the mood and asked Xu Changxuan, "Any news from Wuchi? Do share." Xu Changxuan replied, "What news could there be? Well, there is one thing—I ran into Jin Rui today, and she kept asking about the bet, saying you still owe her a meal. Jin Rui also mentioned she’s going to the racecourse today. Brother, why don’t we go horseback riding later?"

Xu Changning paused thoughtfully, and Xu Changxuan added, "Miss Fang and Miss Ren, why don’t you join us for some fun? After all, it’s more enjoyable with more people."

Xu Changning glanced at Mulan, who, not wanting to leave a petty impression on Xu Changxuan at their first meeting, quickly responded, "Sure, Susu and I both love lively gatherings."

After the meal, they headed to the racecourse, only to discover it was a private one. Nestled against mountains and facing a lake, the scenery was breathtaking. Though it was late autumn, the expansive grounds were covered with imported, luxurious grass that remained lush and emerald green like a carpet. The maple and acer trees lining the path had turned crimson, and beyond the waist-high white fences stood several tall ginkgo trees. As the wind rustled through them, golden, fan-shaped leaves fluttered down, blanketing the ground. Seeing such beautiful scenery, Susu couldn’t help but feel refreshed and invigorated.