Chapter 3: Borrowing the Umbrella
Bab 3: Meminjam Payung
The following day, the rain had cleared, leaving the air fresh and the leaves sparkling with water droplets. Bai Suzhen could not stop thinking about the young man from the lake. She sat by the window of their temporary lodgings, the paper umbrella leaning against the wall.
Setelah hujan reda, Xu Xian memberikan payungnya kepada Bai Suzhen dan Xiaoqing untuk digunakan dalam perjalanan pulang, berjanji akan mengambilnya kembali keesokan harinya.
"Sister, you've been staring at that umbrella for an hour," Xiaoqing teased, leaning against the doorway. "If you like it that much, why don't we go find the owner? He did give us his address, after all."
"Tuan sungguh sangat baik. Saya akan menjaga payung ini dengan baik dan menunggu Tuan datang mengambilnya di rumah saya," kata Bai Suzhen dengan rasa terima kasih.
Bai Suzhen blushed slightly. "It is only right that we return it promptly, Xiaoqing. It would be rude to keep it any longer. Besides, I wish to thank him properly for his kindness."
Keesokan harinya, Xu Xian pergi ke rumah besar tempat Bai Suzhen dan Xiaoqing menginap. Dia bersemangat dan sedikit gugup untuk melihat gadis cantik itu lagi.
Xiaoqing grinned knowingly. "Of course, 'properly'. Let's go then! I'm curious to see where this honest young man lives."
Setibanya di sana, dia disambut hangat oleh Xiaoqing, yang membawanya ke ruang tamu yang didekorasi dengan mewah. Tak lama kemudian, Bai Suzhen muncul dengan gaun yang bahkan lebih mempesona.
They made their way through the busy streets of Hangzhou until they reached a small, neat house near the city center. When they knocked on the door, Xu Xian opened it, his face lighting up with surprise and joy the moment he recognized them.
"Tuan Xu, selamat datang," katanya dengan senyum berseri-seri.
"Lady Bai! And Miss Xiaoqing!" he exclaimed, quickly inviting them inside. "I did not expect you to come so soon. Please, come in and have some tea."
Xu Xian merasa seolah-olah dia berada di bawah mantra. Dia tidak bisa melepaskan pandangannya darinya. Keduanya mengobrol dengan akrab, dan perasaan kasih sayang mulai tumbuh dengan cepat di antara mereka.
"We have come to return your umbrella, Master Xu," Bai Suzhen said, handing it back to him with a graceful bow. "Your kindness yesterday saved us from a great deal of trouble. We are truly grateful."
"Payung ini hanyalah alasan bagi kita untuk bertemu lagi. Saya senang hujan turun hari itu," aku Xu Xian dengan malu-malu.
Xu Xian poured tea for his guests, his hands shaking slightly from excitement. "It was truly nothing. I am just glad I could help. Please, stay a while. I would love to hear more about your travels."
Bai Suzhen tertawa pelan. "Saya juga, Tuan Xu. Saya percaya takdir telah mempertemukan kita."
As they talked, Bai Suzhen found herself even more drawn to Xu Xian's gentle spirit and humble nature. He spoke of his work with medicines and his desire to help the sick. Every word he spoke reinforced her feeling that he was a man of exceptional character.
Sejak hari itu, Xu Xian sering mengunjungi Bai Suzhen. Cinta keduanya tumbuh semakin besar di tengah pemandangan indah Hangzhou, tanpa Xu Xian mengetahui bahwa wanita yang dicintainya sebenarnya adalah siluman ular putih berusia seribu tahun.
"You speak with such passion about your work," Bai Suzhen observed. "It is a noble profession to heal others."
"It is all I have ever wanted to do," Xu Xian replied. "But I still have much to learn."
Before they left, Xiaoqing cleverly suggested that they meet again at the West Lake to enjoy the scenery when the weather was better. Xu Xian eagerly agreed, his heart racing at the prospect of spending more time with the mysterious and beautiful Lady Bai. As the sisters walked away, Xiaoqing whispered, "I think he's already under your spell, sister—and not the magical kind!" Bai Suzhen only smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in a thousand years.