(literary) time that one can do nothing about; a period of listlessness or boredom. This phrase was famously used in the Ming dynasty play 牡丹亭 mǔ​dān​tíng to describe a beautiful day that feels empty because of one's own loneliness or helplessness.

(literary) the title of a legendary Qing dynasty play by 李渔 lǐ​yú about a wealthy but ugly man who eventually transforms into a handsome one through acts of kindness.