Four months had passed, and it was now early summer, with the weather gradually getting hotter.
On June 3, 1996, Rui Xiaodan worked until dark before leaving the office. Instead of going straight home, she took a minibus to the Nan Village community. The landlord had called her during the day to remind her that Ding Yuanying's lease would expire in five days and that the rent needed to be paid soon if he wanted to renew it.
This reminded Rui Xiaodan that Ding Yuanying had been in the ancient city for a year and that his temporary residence permit was also expiring. She had handled the rental procedures herself, so the landlord had never had direct contact with Ding Yuanying.
As she reached the fourth floor, she heard music playing from upstairs. When she arrived on the fifth floor, the music was clearer. She knocked on the door, and after a moment, it opened. The music was still playing inside, and Ding Yuanying, dressed in a loose white vest and blue pants, holding a remote control, greeted her.
"Miss Rui, please come in." Ding Yuanying turned off the CD player with the remote as he welcomed her.
The room was stiflingly hot from the day's summer sun beating down on the roof. As soon as Rui Xiaodan entered, she felt the heat, a familiar feeling from the previous year. It was the first time she had entered this apartment since Ding Yuanying moved in. She noticed there was no air conditioning installed.
She knew that the landlord's condition for installing air conditioning was to use a branded cabinet unit, costing around 8,000 yuan, with half of the cost deductible from the following year's rent. Although the terms were harsh, it shouldn't have been an issue for someone with Ding Yuanying's spending level. She wondered whether he was too calculating or if there was some difficulty.
She spoke with concern, "It's getting hot in the summer. If you have any difficulties, Mr. Ding, please don't hesitate to ask."
Ding Yuanying caught the implied meaning but didn't mind, politely saying, "Everything's fine, thank you. The really hot days don't last long, and I can manage. Please have a seat."
Rui Xiaodan didn't sit immediately but looked around the room, drawn to its simplicity.
The bedroom had a large bed with clean, neatly folded white sheets and blankets. The east room had an oversized stone-top coffee table and a large dark blue fabric sofa, almost as big as a single bed. The living room had a sound system, a similar large double sofa, and an identical coffee table. The difference was that the east room's coffee table had two laptops, while the living room's table held a premium kung fu tea set, with a large bamboo tea tray occupying most of the table. The only sign of excess in the room was the sound system in the living room, with a pair of bookshelf speakers connected to 13 machines, each a masterpiece of golden luxury and craftsmanship. The room had no decorations or superfluous items. In this minimalist background, the dark green floor-to-ceiling curtains, cream-colored window screens, and dark blue sofa created a serene rather than oppressive atmosphere.
Rui Xiaodan thought: This person has too many thoughts and a complicated mind. Psychologically, the simpler the mind, the more it needs embellishment and filling, while complex minds have a special need for simplicity.
There were no extra chairs in the living room, so Rui Xiaodan had to sit on the same sofa as Ding Yuanying. She said, "The landlord called about the rent, and your temporary residence permit is also expiring. I came to check on that."
Ding Yuanying immediately went to the bedroom and brought back money, his ID card, and a copy of it, placing them in front of Rui Xiaodan. "I have everything ready. The total for the rent, utilities, and deposit is 7,200 yuan. Please count it."
Rui Xiaodan didn't count the money, instead putting it and the documents into her bag. "I'll pay for one month's rent first. I'll look for a better place with the same rent. If I find one, you can move; if not, it won't matter since you already have a place to stay."
"Better place" clearly meant one with air conditioning. Ding Yuanying said, "No need, don't trouble yourself."
Rui Xiaodan said, "It's no trouble. Moving isn't a big deal. I'll handle it, but don't mind if I can't find anything."
Ding Yuanying said, "Thank you."
To avoid making Ding Yuanying feel awkward, Rui Xiaodan changed the subject. "Can I listen to your sound system? I heard the music from the hallway."
Ding Yuanying asked, "What kind of music do you like?"
Rui Xiaodan said, "Something lyrical. Recommend a piece."
Ding Yuanying thought for a moment, then went to the bedroom to get a gold edition test CD and put it in the CD player.
Rui Xiaodan asked, "Mind if I smoke?"
Ding Yuanying hesitated, then said, "Sorry, I didn't know you smoked. There are some on the table. Please help yourself."
Rui Xiaodan took out her own cigarettes and lit one. "You looked surprised."
Ding Yuanying said, "Yes, I'm not used to it."
Rui Xiaodan smiled, "No, you disapprove. Your eyes are more honest than you."
Ding Yuanying selected a track with the remote and started the music.
A pure, angelic female voice poured out as if from heaven, as if the eyes of God were compassionately watching over humanity. With just one note, Rui Xiaodan felt a shiver as if a door to her soul had been flung open, a sensation of being drawn by a mysterious force into a timeless, spaceless void. The sound was indescribable—sometimes a whisper like dew, sometimes the surge of magma, sometimes evoking ancient starscapes, listening to celestial chants, sometimes feeling the grandeur and heroism of life in a tide of majestic sound, yearning for a bold life...
Rui Xiaodan was mesmerized, thinking: My God, it's so beautiful! So intoxicating! People can actually live like this! Souls can be nourished like this!
When the piece ended, Ding Yuanying turned down the volume.
Rui Xiaodan, still in awe, asked, "What was that? Can I borrow it?"
Ding Yuanying replied, "Sure. It's 'Daughter of Heaven.'"
Rui Xiaodan examined the audio equipment closely. "Your sound system must be expensive."
Ding Yuanying put the CD back in its case and placed it in front of her. "It's decent."
Rui Xiaodan pressed, "What does 'decent' mean?"
Ding Yuanying said, "A few thousand yuan."
Rui Xiaodan extinguished her cigarette, put the CD in her bag, and stood up. "I'll handle the rent and permit renewal and bring them to you."
Ding Yuanying escorted her to the door and politely bid her farewell.
Rui Xiaodan left the Nan Village community and took a taxi home.