Mrs Spring Fragrance

Mermei and Lin John's parents brought them to the United States, but both parents contracted a fever on the steamer and passed away soon after arriving in America. Their uncle Lin Wan took in his brother’s children, taking good care of them, but at some point Mermei had a tragic fall that left her permanently disabled. Lin Wan eventually passed away, but he knew that Lin John would take care of his sister and always put her needs before his.

Mermei leads a solitary life. She lives in a boarding house in Chinatown, and although her brother visits her almost every evening, she spends her days alone. Every day she looked forward to the time when he would come visit her, so when Lin John fails to show up one evening, Mermei cries alone in her room.

Mermei is surprised when she hears a soft knock on the door because her brother is the only one who visits, and he knocks loudly and immediately enters. Mermei struggles to get to the door, and when she opens it, she sees a beautiful young woman holding out a lily to Mermei. The young woman’s name is Sin Far, and she had recently moved into the boarding house with her sister and her sister’s new husband. Sin Far often feels like a third wheel, and when she hears Mermei’s cries, she jumps on the opportunity to come and make a new friend.

When Lin John comes the next evening, he explains he had to work the evening before and that is why he did not come to visit. Mermei tells him it is fine and then tells him all about her new friend. When Lin John first sees Sin Far, “he began to think about apple and peach and plum trees showering their dainty blossoms in the country that heaven loves” (102).

One day Lin John is working at the laundry when he hears fire engines going by. He does not think too much of it, but then a boy pokes his head into the door and tells Lin John that the house where his sister lives is on fire. No one except Lin John is willing to climb up the ladder leaning against the burning building. When he gets to his sister’s window, he sees both Mermei and Sin Far, but the ladder will not support him bringing down both women. Mermei insists Lin John take Sin Far because her brother is in love with her and they can be happy together, whereas Mermei feels that she is not fit to live. Sin Far asks Mermei to let Lin John decide. Lin John wavers for a moment, takes one last look at the woman he loves, and then saves his sister. When Mermei regains consciousness, she cries when she finds out she cost Lin John his happiness. He tells her: “Nay […] Sin Far is happy. And I—I did my duty with her approval, aye, at her bidding. How then, little sister, can I be sad?” (103).