Facing the expectant gaze of Yang Defu and Niu Chunhua, Shen Yiren pulled her hand back. "I am not Yang Laier. My name is Shen Yiren. 'The one I love is by the water's side'—my father chose it for me."
When General Shen had first learned of the original owner's name, "Laier"—where the word "er" was pronounced in the second tone rather than as a neutral tone—he had furrowed his brows and railed against names like "Laier," "Zhaodi," and "Laidi."
He had said, "Father will give you a new name. From the *Book of Songs*: 'The one I love is by the water's side.' I know that passage best; I used to recite it to your mother, and she loved it dearly. From now on, you are Yiren, Shen Yiren. Throw away all that 'Laier' and 'Laidi' nonsense!"
Chapter 33