What is the basis for this

At this moment, Xiao Yan was in the courtyard of a Shikumen house in Huili, stoking the coal stove, with smoke rising to the sky, causing her to sneeze repeatedly

The narrow alley will first come alive, as the aunts work diligently and earnestly, all for this small space to call home

It was impossible not to feel a chill. Xiaoyun rested her head on Xiaoyan's shoulder, staring at the accumulated grime on the eaves. "Xiaoyan, the eaves in Shaoxing are very similar to those in Shanghai." Xiaoyun and her father had fled from Shaoxing to Shanghai, sharing a dialect that resembled that of Shanghai. Xiaoyun's soft and glutinous southern accent was particularly pleasant to hear, unlike hers, which was still a stiff northeastern Mandarin. Recently, the Tang waiter had asked Li Apo to teach her to speak Shanghainese, but her tongue struggled to keep up, always sounding awkward. "The houses in Changchun are all very tall and spacious, while the houses in Shanghai are small and cramped, gloomy and eerie. I am afraid of ghosts"

Old Lady Li smiled and said, "This opera troupe was once famous in Shaoxing, and some of them have savings. They have an entire stone gate residence on Xinzha Road! Not only do they live with their own family, but there are also musicians and apprentices. Do you see if they have any family background?" Little Yan calculated and replied, "That would be the best." She then felt reassured and agreed. The Tang gentleman, upon hearing Old Lady Li's report, also approved, merely stating, "If this matter is accomplished, it will indeed be a blessing for us." He then energetically called for a rickshaw to take Little Yun to see a doctor. Perhaps due to Little Yun's young age and her experiences of wandering around, having endured harsh conditions, her resistance had long been strengthened. Or perhaps her instinctive will to survive was too strong, allowing her body to respond well to treatment. After receiving injections, taking medicine, and undergoing several days of IV drips in the hospital, she recovered from the fever, though her feet still felt light and unsteady when she walked. However, Old Lady Li could no longer wait. On the day Little Yun was discharged, she led the troupe's master and his wife to visit the Tang gentleman's stone gate residence. Little Yan supported Little Yun, and the two stood in the courtyard, with scattered sunlight slanting down on their heads and shoulders, bringing a long-awaited warmth. Little Yan quietly instructed Little Yun, "Be a bit more presentable. Old Lady Li said they are good people, and if you follow them, you will no longer have to live like a little beggar." Little Yun nodded. Even in the hospital, Little Yan had explained the ins and outs of this matter to her repeatedly, fearing she might refuse. In truth, Little Yun understood deep down that this was a path she had to choose. An eleven or twelve-year-old girl, carrying a hint of innocence and a touch of resignation forced upon her by the world.

When the cannon fire gradually subsided, they returned to the rolling dragon in Zhabei, where only deep pits remained, emitting white smoke, and there was no one around

The Tang attendant no longer kept the guest: "Of course, from now on, the young girl will be part of your family." Aunt Qing joyfully took Xiao Yun's hand: "Will you come home with me tonight?" Xiao Yun nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Yan, who also smiled, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded back at her. The master Du went out to call for a rickshaw. The Tang attendant waved his hand, beckoning Xiao Yan to come over, reached into the red paper package, pulled out five large silver dollars, and stuffed them into Xiao Yan's hand.

The head of the opera troupe is surnamed Du, and his wife is affectionately called Qing Gu by everyone. Master Du is thin, wearing a pair of scholar's glasses, with a sunken face that shows signs of having weathered many hardships, resembling a down-and-out old scholar, which bears some resemblance to Xiao Yun's father. Qing Gu has her hair styled in a bun, her face is clean and fresh, with only a few fine lines on her forehead indicating her age. She is dressed in a short blue top and long pants, with a pair of black cloth shoes that have a slight heel. She smiles kindly and waves to Xiao Yun. Xiao Yun timidly looks back at Xiao Yan, who gives her a strong push forward. She has no choice but to take that step and walk up to Qing Gu, calling out, "Madam." Qing Gu covers her mouth and laughs, her benevolent expression revealing a sense of relief, saying, "Where did such a distinguished person come from, calling me Madam?" She then takes Xiao Yun's hand, carefully examining her character and appearance, very pleased, "What a lovely girl." She then asks, "What is your name?"

Shengjian, shengjian, why is it called shengjian? She wanders aimlessly on the cold streets every day, with an empty stomach and inadequate clothing, which is truly a living torment.

"Knock, knock, knock, selling sweet porridge, three pounds of walnuts and four pounds of shells." This is the tender and delicate voice of a young girl from the South.

Aunt Li suggested to Xiao Yan: "It seems that your little sister can no longer be delayed. There is a new drama and *tu* book troupe from Zhejiang, residing on Xinzhai Road. In their troupe, there is a pillar who has a newly recognized godmother, who is a Mahjong partner of the Tang performers. One time, it was said that the troupe master's only son contracted chickenpox, and the hired Daoist priest said that he needed to marry a child bride to bring good fortune. Not only did he have to personally spend money to buy a living child, but she also had to be from the same place of origin." Xiao Yan listened earnestly. Aunt Li continued: "The troupe master is originally from Shaoxing. I interjected, how coincidental! Our newly recruited little girl from the Tang performers has a little sister who is also from Shaoxing, and she is an orphan without parents." Xiao Yan understood: "Aunt Li, are you suggesting that I let Xiao Yun become a child bride for their family?" Aunt Li slapped her thigh: "Exactly! Didn't you receive a large silver dollar from Zhou Xiaokai yesterday? Tomorrow we will take your little sister to Renji Hospital for an injection. Once she recovers, it will be just right to find her this good match." Xiao Yan thought, this is indeed the best match for Xiao Yun. She then asked, "Do they have a big house and wooden beds?"

Duban Master did not wish to linger in this establishment any longer. Upon seeing that his wife had taken a liking to the young girl, he took out a roll of silver dollars wrapped in red paper from his bag and handed it to the brothel keeper, saying, "May we take this child with us today?" The brothel keeper gestured for Old Lady Li to accept it, and Old Lady Li hurriedly tore open the red paper to take a look, mentally counting the amount.

Who can rescue her from this torment? One day, Xiao Yan was so hungry that she stumbled and fell on the roadside. She gazed up at the bright blue sky dotted with white clouds, so clear and unblemished. She thought to herself that the big Shanghai her father often spoke of truly had a beautiful sky. When she woke up, the first thing she saw above her was the round, dark, sparkling eyes of Xiao Yun. Those eyes seemed to be filled with boundless vitality, joyfully and reassuringly welcoming her back to consciousness. She joyfully exclaimed, "Father, this sister has woken up!" With delight, a simple low table was set with a bowl of rice porridge mixed with fermented tofu, which Xiao Yan devoured hungrily after being starved for many days. But Xiao Yun did not mind; after she finished eating, she even took out a snow-white handkerchief to wipe her mouth. Xiao Yan shyly accepted the handkerchief, looking at this little girl who was two or three years younger than her, who seemed like a little adult, comforting and endearing.

Her eyes, warm and gentle, said: "Sister, you are so good to me, I want to be good to you too!" Xiao Yun swayed her two long braids, smiling shyly, her smile revealing dimples. She was rescued from the dark, cocoon-like rolling dragon by Xiao Yun and her father. Because of the addition of Xiao Yan, Xiao Yun's father had to sleep outside. That southern man, with eyes as beautiful as Xiao Yun's, said: "It's alright, we can find some bamboo and reed mats to make another rolling dragon." This seemingly frail southern man also worked as a dock porter, returning home every day so exhausted that he could not straighten his back, prompting Xiao Yun to massage him. Xiao Yun moved a small stool, sat behind her father, raised her small fists earnestly to massage him, while singing newly learned street songs to entertain him. That southern man, with eyes as beautiful as Xiao Yun's, said: "It's alright, we can find some bamboo and reed mats to make another rolling dragon." This seemingly frail southern man also worked as a dock porter, returning home every day so exhausted that he could not straighten his back, prompting Xiao Yun to massage him. Xiao Yun moved a small stool, sat behind her father, raised her small fists earnestly to massage him, while singing newly learned street songs to entertain him.

Master Du smiled, a smile that seemed to carry the weight of countless hardships, resembling a bitter laugh: "This is also a blessing for our family, Zhan Feng." He then cupped his hands towards the tavern keeper, saying, "Thank you for your efforts, young lady." The tavern keeper, who was busy cracking sunflower seeds, paused upon hearing this, waved his fan, and replied politely, "Not at all, not at all! This young girl has been wandering everywhere, which is quite pitiful. Now, it’s good; she has come to Master Du’s house and will have a good life. It can be considered a blessing earned from the Bodhisattva Guanyin!"

Ah, sweet porridge! What a luxurious longing! In the morning, Xiaoyun took Xiaoyan to a nearby elementary school to help the janitor sweep the floor, with a reward of four copper coins for the day. However, they could listen to the teacher's lectures at the classroom window during breaks. The school is called "Minxing Elementary School," and the teacher reciting ancient poetry was reading Yue Fei's "Man Jiang Hong" from the podium. "The shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged; when will the hatred of the subjects be extinguished! Drive the long chariot to break through the Helan Mountain pass. With lofty ambitions, I hunger for the flesh of the Hu invaders, and in jest, I thirst for the blood of the Xiongnu." The teacher, an old scholar, recited these lines with his white beard quivering, his eyes filled with tears of age. Xiaoyun explained to Xiaoyan: "Your hometown, Changchun, was occupied by the Japanese devils; this is the shame of Jingkang."

The Tang courtesan is from Zhejiang, with finely arched willow-leaf eyebrows and languid, elongated eyes. From her face to her ankles, her skin is uniformly pale and delicate. Thus, her renowned name, "Tang Bai Xian," is prominently displayed on a round plaque hanging in the entertainment hall, radiating brilliance. The Tang courtesan, with her hands on her slender waist, gazes at the little beggar who bumped into her. The little girl's heart-shaped face is hidden beneath her messy and dirty hair, her small eyes misty, as if they could draw in a person's soul. Beneath her left eye is a tiny tear mole, adding a pitiful charm to her small face. A girl of fourteen or fifteen, how could she possess such charm? The Tang courtesan believes it to be an illusion. In reality, she happens to need a child to serve her, with only two elderly servants by her side, who do not match up in status and presence to the other courtesans. Although it is a time of war, acquiring a child of good quality would not come cheap, and the Tang courtesan is contemplating this for her own dignity.

It was her frail father who taught her. Outside the "Minxing Primary School," there is a bulletin board where the art teacher has posted a poster depicting a group of Japanese soldiers, bent over and brandishing bayonets, rushing into a town that has been reduced to ruins by bombings. However, the shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged, and the rumbling artillery continues to bombard the Bund in Shanghai. This is the familiar smell of gunpowder to Xiaoyan; she even understands how to pull Xiaoyun to hide around the corner of the eaves to avoid the terrifying bombings. Yet, the shame of Jingkang has yet to be avenged, and the rumbling artillery continues to bombard the Bund in Shanghai. This is the familiar smell of gunpowder to Xiaoyan; she even understands how to pull Xiaoyun to hide around the corner of the eaves to avoid the terrifying bombings

"Father—" Little Yun received no response from her father and fainted in Little Yan's embrace, tears in her eyes. The second time of wandering saw Little Yan carrying Little Yun, begging along the streets while also having to evade the relentless bombardments. After a haze of gunfire, Shanghai still stood quietly by the banks of the Huangpu River. Little Yan carried Little Yun to the Huile on Simalu, where they encountered a Tang waiter staggering out from the alley.

Two children are nestled together. This year, the people of Shanghai do not know how today has passed, nor what tomorrow will bring. Yet, humans are inherently curious, some with ill intentions and others with genuine interest, pondering the affairs of those around them.

Du Ban summoned a rickshaw and called Qing Gu and Xiao Yun to get in. Xiao Yun turned back three times, reluctant to part with Xiao Yan. At this moment of unavoidable separation, her tears fell like beads from a broken string. "Xiao Yan," she called. Xiao Yan grabbed three coins, rushed to Xiao Yun, and pressed them into her hand: "You take three, I take two. When we meet again in the future, we will use these coins as a token." Xiao Yun nodded vigorously, holding tightly to the three coins—her own money for selling herself. Qing Gu was already urging Xiao Yun to get into the rickshaw. Xiao Yan pushed Xiao Yun toward the rickshaw and said again: "We will meet again in the future, so don’t cry."

"This is for you, but don't let everyone take it all away." Upon hearing this, Granny Li's face turned red and pale, and she stammered, "What are you saying, sir? This money is meant for serving you." Xiao Yan withdrew her hand, not wanting the money from Xiao Yun's selling herself. The Tang gentleman would not allow her to refuse and forcibly stuffed it into her hand, saying, "I will not take this money; you should keep it for yourself, as it will be useful in the future." Xiao Yan was taken aback and carefully held onto the five silver dollars. The Tang gentleman stood up, yawned, and said to Granny Li, "I am going to take a nap; you should keep this money, old lady!" The Tang gentleman would not allow her to refuse and forcibly stuffed it into her hand, saying, "I will not take this money; you should keep it for yourself, as it will be useful in the future." Xiao Yan was taken aback and carefully held onto the five silver dollars. The Tang gentleman stood up, yawned, and said to Granny Li, "I am going to take a nap; you should keep this money, old lady!"

She was not truly asleep, her brows tightly furrowed, as she drifted through several nightmares, weakly murmuring "Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan".

She was preparing vegetable porridge for the Tang waiter at the Shikumen. A small copper pot was placed on the blazing coal stove, filled with water, and diced greens, lettuce, and chicken feather vegetables were added along with rice to cook. The Tang waiter liked to add an egg to the vegetable porridge, and the little wild goose, having been there for only four days, remembered to crack an egg into the porridge just as it was about to boil, stirring it a couple of times with chopsticks, while secretly planning how to take a little of this delicious and rich vegetable porridge back to Xiao Yun. The blue flames danced up and down in the fan. Her small heart was also aflame, worrying about the restless person, and she couldn't help but fan up a surge of flames with a rush. The flames were oppressive, and the little wild goose hurriedly used the fan to shield herself from the smoke and fire. She was afraid of this smoke and fire. That day, the early autumn in Changchun had already turned desolate like late autumn. Her home was engulfed in a billowing fire, far away like the tongue of a fire dragon, also exuding an oppressive heat. She was tightly held in her father's arms, rushing into the remnants of the once splendid "Shanghai Silk Shop." The materials here were meant for making qipao for women, now being pulled out from low cabinets. The low cabinets were used for hiding. Those with bayonets, like weasels entering a village, were rampaging through the streets. Everyone's face was filled with an excitement that reached its peak, their features twisted together, resembling dogs seeing meat bones. Above the cabinet they were hiding in, a short-legged Japanese soldier was pressing down on the shopkeeper's second wife, who was over forty, rising and falling with his body. The little wild goose heard him emit a beastly roar, terrified to scream, but her mouth was tightly covered by her father.

Xiao Yan used a porcelain spoon to scoop the congee from the bowl and carefully fed it to Xiao Yun. Xiao Yun drank cautiously, aware that this was a precious dish, unwilling to waste a single bite, and made sure no residue was left at the corners of her mouth

Xiaoyun chuckled softly; she had always loved to laugh and to joke: "If I were to die, I would become a little ghost, following you around. If anyone tries to bully you, I will scare them away. Thus, on this Bund of Shanghai, no one will ever bully our Xiaoyan again"

That year in Shanghai, it seemed to still be asleep, yet it also appeared to be awake. The vast Huangpu River, stretching to the horizon, revealed a glow of dawn, like an arrow piercing the sky, breaking through the dense fog that lingered. The light shone all the way to the winding Suzhou River. Thus, Shanghai was divided into north and south; although the dawn light was widespread, there were distinctions between the two. The southern part was characterized by red-tiled roofs and tiger-windowed houses, meeting the streets bathed in the glow. They stood orderly yet somewhat stark, rising towards a single direction. It was the stone gatehouses on Xiefu Road, resembling dark fortresses. Shanghai was thus divided into north and south; although the dawn light was widespread, there were distinctions between the two. The southern part was characterized by red-tiled roofs and tiger-windowed houses, meeting the streets bathed in the glow. They stood orderly yet somewhat stark, rising towards a single direction. It was the stone gatehouses on Xiefu Road, meticulously arranged, appearing from a distance like pigeon coops. The people here were mostly cultured, living a substantial life in the modern metropolis. The gentlemen held respectable jobs and social status, commuting daily with briefcases; among the ladies were independent modern women, unwilling to remain behind men, as well as those content to reside in a small stone gatehouse. There were also some progressive thinkers who, at the first light of dawn, sensed unease, feeling restless and lost. The gentlemen held respectable jobs and social status, commuting daily with briefcases; among the ladies were independent modern women, unwilling to remain behind men, as well as those content to reside in a small stone gatehouse. There were also some progressive thinkers who, at the first light of dawn, sensed unease, feeling restless and lost. This small corner of the world was too confined; they sought to break free. In any case, the majority of the residents here were of the new school, while some still retained old customs, hiring women from northern Jiangsu as servants, collectively referred to as "nanny aunts." Thus, in the morning, these sturdy nanny aunts began their labor, heralding the dawn for the stone gatehouses.

Now encountering Xiao Yan, she felt that this beautiful girl in front of her was quite suitable, and her appearance was not bad. More importantly, this transaction did not require money. However, Xiao Yan was dragging along a little Yun who seemed gravely ill. The Tang courtesan did not run a charity, and she said to Xiao Yan: "I can take you in, provide you with food, and allow you to save a portion for your little sister at home. But this is a place of nobility, and it cannot be tainted by the presence of the sick." Xiao Yan took note of this and understood. An old woman named Li, living in the Shikumen of the Tang courtesan, advised Xiao Yan: "You should find a few bamboo poles, and then ask people for some old cotton clothes, cotton pants, and cotton quilts. Find a spot for your little sister in that corner at the back of the alley!" Xiao Yan was a clever child, having developed a resourceful nature in the midst of war. She collected old cotton quilts, cotton clothes, and cotton pants from every Shikumen in this alley, and arranged a small space for little Yun at the alley entrance. Xiao Yan cooked some vegetable porridge, which was taken by old woman Li to serve the Tang courtesan. Taking advantage of the absence of others, she secretly left a small bowl with a little enamel bowl and hurried to the back of the alley. Little Yun, half asleep and half awake, was shaken awake by Xiao Yan. Drowsily calling out "Father," she gradually realized it was Xiao Yan.

After much hardship, her father took her onto the escape boat. The boat was packed to the brim, filled with faces marked by worry and despair

Xiaoyun was lifted into the car by Du Ban. She waved desperately at Xiaoyan. Xiaoyan shouted with the first sentence she had just learned in Shanghainese, "Goodbye!" Xiaoyun turned back, looking at Xiaoyan's frantic waving hand, and thought, in such a vast Shanghai, they were about to be worlds apart; would there be another chance to meet again?

Xiaoyun answered obediently: "Xiaoyun." Qing Gu looked at her with increasing fondness and turned to He - Tu - Shu Du Ban Zhu, saying: "Look, this child is even more beautiful than that girl Gui Feng by a few points!"

The jokes were not funny. Little Yan, holding onto the increasingly indifferent Little Yun, listened as she picked out the amusing ones to comfort her. Little Yun's father was the same; despite the daily hardships of carrying a heavy bag, he always returned home with a smile, saying to the two girls: "Today, I saw a Black man on Nanjing Road, very dark-skinned. If you two don't behave, you'll all be taken away by the Black man." The two little girls pretended to be scared, screaming in fright. Only then did Little Yun's father get to the point: "The Black man was also holding a book; he loves to study too. You both need to study hard and learn well!" A pair of optimistic father and daughter. After returning home, he would always smile and say to the two girls: "Today, I saw a Black man on Nanjing Road, very dark-skinned. If you two don't behave, you'll all be taken away by the Black man." The two little girls pretended to be scared, screaming in fright. Only then did Little Yun's father get to the point: "The Black man was also holding a book; he loves to study too. You both need to study hard and learn well!" A pair of optimistic father and daughter. Little Yan's eyes turned red as she tightly hugged Little Yun. "Don't say such discouraging things; you need to get better. You said you would take me to explore Shanghai! I've never been to Nanjing Road! You said Nanjing Road is right next to Sima Road." Little Yun leaned against Little Yan. "Shanghai is so big," she said, making a circular gesture with her hands, "I can't explore it all by myself with you." Then she tilted her head to look at Little Yan, "Little Yan, you still want to fly back home, right?" Little Yan nodded. Little Yun suddenly began to sing a nursery rhyme: "Little Swallow, dressed in flowers, comes here every spring. I asked the swallow why it comes, and the swallow said, 'The spring here is the most beautiful.'"

She wandered around in a daze, not recognizing the way. Why is Shanghai so vast? The bluestone pavement beneath her feet seems endless. Xiao Yan imitated the little beggar she saw by the roadside, extending her hand to the passersby for alms. Sometimes she would receive a bit of leftover food, and if she was lucky, she might get a coin or two, which she could use to buy steamed buns. The Shanghai steamed buns are small, with one side crispy; over time, she learned that the locals refer to these buns as "shengjian".

Exactly ten dollars. Ten dollars is sufficient for an ordinary four-member family in Shanghai to live for a month, and it is also enough to buy a homeless child without any support

It was only for a brief moment when the ship was blown apart, and Xiao Yan's consciousness also vanished. Everything around was chaotic, and when she regained consciousness, she was still on a ship. However, it seemed to be another one. In the unfamiliar crowd surrounding her, there was no father. This was another ship filled with refugees heading to Shanghai. As it passed the refugee ship that had previously been attacked by Japanese bombers, they discovered a little girl clinging to a piece of wood, drifting on the water's surface. The child was not dead; she had merely become a helpless orphan. This ship docked at the Sixteen Piers in Shanghai. Xiao Yan, feeling weak and bewildered, gazed at the pier and the throngs of people outside, yet there was no father.

After finishing the porridge, Xiao Yan accompanied Xiao Yun. She knew that the Tang waiter was serving Zhou Xiaokai, who ran a rice mill, in the bedroom, and she was aware of the manner in which he served. The unpleasant memories from the silk shop overlapped in her mind, making her feel nauseous at the thought. However, Zhou Xiaokai was quite generous; yesterday, he rewarded Xiao Yan, who delivered tea, with a silver dollar. Xiao Yan stared at the full and brilliant silver dollar for quite a while in a daze. The Tang waiter laughed at her for not having seen the world: "Quickly thank Young Master Zhou, has a country girl never seen a silver dollar?" Xiao Yan bowed to thank Zhou Xiaokai, tightly clutching the silver dollar in her hand as she left. From a distance, she heard Zhou Xiaokai say, "Where did you find such a beautiful little girl? She will surely outshine you when she grows up." The Tang waiter lazily replied, "A girl who hasn't even grown all her hair, and you can take a liking to her? Wow, your taste is truly peculiar, Zhou Xiaokai!"

Xiao Yan said, "Shanghai is not beautiful at all!" Xiao Yun replied sadly, "Father said that life is hard everywhere!" But Xiao Yan was determined, "Xiao Yun, I want to provide you with a good house, a wooden bed to sleep on, and rice to eat." Xiao Yun thought of her missing father, her nose tinged with sorrow, and tears streamed down her face: "I just want my father to come back, I don't want anything else!" Held even tighter by Xiao Yan, the two children shed their tears together. After crying for a while, Xiao Yun gritted her teeth and said, "I really hate the Japanese!" "I hate the Japanese too!" Xiao Yan tightened her grip on Xiao Yun's hand and asked, "Does 'With lofty aspirations, we feast on the flesh of the enemy, and in jest, we drink the blood of the Huns' mean that we want to take revenge?" Xiao Yun stopped sobbing; she was too young, and her father had not taught her this most bloody line from 'Man Jiang Hong.' She could only stare blankly at Xiao Yan, watching the flickering flame of hatred in her misty eyes, burning endlessly.