Chapter 2: Meeting at the West Lake
Bab 2: Pertemuan di Danau Barat
The West Lake in Hangzhou was even more beautiful than the sisters had imagined. The spring breeze carried the sweet scent of peach blossoms, and the famous Broken Bridge stretched gracefully across the shimmering water. However, the clear sky suddenly darkened, and a gentle spring rain began to fall, turning the vibrant landscape into a misty, dreamlike painting.
Danau Barat di musim semi adalah pemandangan yang menakjubkan. Permukaan air berkilauan seperti cermin, memantulkan keindahan pohon-pohon willow yang berjajar di tepiannya. Bai Suzhen dan Xiaoqing berjalan-jalan di sepanjang jalan tepi danau, menikmati suasana yang segar dan hidup.
"Oh no, sister! We are going to get soaked," Xiaoqing cried, trying to cover her head with her wide sleeves. "We should have brought an umbrella!"
Tiba-tiba, hujan mulai turun dengan deras. Orang-orang berlarian mencari tempat berteduh, tetapi kedua gadis itu tidak membawa payung. Saat mereka sedang mencari tempat untuk berteduh, seorang pemuda tampan mendekat dengan payung di tangannya.
Bai Suzhen looked around the crowded lakeside. "Do not worry, Xiaoqing. Let us find a place to wait for the rain to pass. Look, there is a boat near the shore."
"Nona-nona, hujan deras begini, silakan pakai payung saya," kata pemuda itu dengan suara lembut dan sopan. Dia adalah Xu Xian, seorang sarjana muda yang baik hati.
As they hurried toward the shelter, they noticed a young man standing near the edge of the lake. He was dressed in simple but clean robes, holding a sturdy paper umbrella. This was Xu Xian, a kind-hearted young man who worked at a local herbal medicine shop. Seeing the two beautiful ladies caught in the sudden downpour, Xu Xian stepped forward without hesitation.
Bai Suzhen menatap pemuda itu, dan seketika, jantungnya berdegup kencang. Dia merasakan hubungan yang mendalam dan aneh, seolah-olah mereka pernah saling mengenal di kehidupan sebelumnya.
"Excuse me, ladies," Xu Xian said politely, bowing slightly. "The rain is getting heavier. Please, take my umbrella. I would not want you to fall ill from the cold."
"Terima kasih banyak, Tuan sangat baik," kata Bai Suzhen dengan senyum menawan.
Bai Suzhen looked into his eyes and felt an instant, inexplicable connection. His eyes were honest and full of genuine concern. "That is very kind of you, sir," she replied, her voice soft and melodious. "But then you will be the one getting wet. We cannot possibly accept such a generous offer at your expense."
Xu Xian juga tertegun oleh kecantikan Bai Suzhen. Dia belum pernah melihat wanita secantik dan seanggun ini sebelumnya.
Xu Xian smiled warmly. "I am used to the rain, and my home is not far from here. Please, I insist. A lady of your grace should not be caught in such weather."
"Nama saya Xu Xian, saya hanya seorang sarjana biasa. Senang bertemu dengan kalian," dia memperkenalkan diri.
Xiaoqing giggled, nudging her sister. "See, sister? The humans here are quite helpful! Thank you, kind sir. We shall accept your kindness."
"Nama saya Bai Suzhen, dan ini adik saya Xiaoqing," jawab Bai Suzhen.
As Xu Xian handed the umbrella to Bai Suzhen, their fingers brushed against each other for a brief second. A spark of destiny was ignited in that moment. The rain continued to fall, but for Bai Suzhen, the world seemed to have stopped. She watched the young man walk away into the mist, already wondering when she would see him again. The simple act of lending an umbrella had set the stage for a love story that would be told for a thousand years.
Ketiganya berjalan bersama di bawah satu payung, mengobrol dan bertukar cerita. Meskipun hujan turun deras, hati mereka terasa hangat dan cerah. Pertemuan ini bukanlah kebetulan, melainkan takdir yang mempertemukan mereka di Danau Barat ini.