Chapter 3: Borrowing the Umbrella
Capítulo 3: Emprestando o Guarda-Chuva
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.
Depois que a chuva parou, Xu Xian entregou o guarda-chuva para Bai Suzhen e Xiaoqing para que pudessem usá-lo no caminho para casa, prometendo buscá-lo no dia seguinte.
"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."
"O senhor é muito gentil. Cuidarei bem deste guarda-chuva e esperarei o senhor vir buscá-lo em minha casa", disse Bai Suzhen com gratidão.
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."
No dia seguinte, Xu Xian foi até a mansão onde Bai Suzhen e Xiaoqing estavam hospedadas. Ele estava animado e um pouco nervoso por ver a bela donzela novamente.
Xiaoqing grinned knowingly. "Of course, 'properly'. Let's go then! I'm curious to see where this honest young man lives."
Ao chegar, foi recebido calorosamente por Xiaoqing, que o levou para a sala de estar luxuosamente decorada. Pouco depois, Bai Suzhen apareceu em um vestido ainda mais deslumbrante.
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.
"Senhor Xu, bem-vindo", disse ela com um sorriso radiante.
"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 sentiu-se como se estivesse sob um feitiço. Ele não conseguia tirar os olhos dela. Os dois conversaram amigavelmente, e sentimentos afetuosos começaram a florescer rapidamente entre eles.
"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."
"Este guarda-chuva foi apenas uma desculpa para nos encontrarmos novamente. Estou feliz que tenha chovido naquele dia", confessou Xu Xian timidamente.
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 riu suavemente. "Eu também, Senhor Xu. Acredito que o destino nos uniu."
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.
A partir daquele dia, Xu Xian visitava Bai Suzhen frequentemente. O amor dos dois crescia cada vez mais em meio à bela paisagem de Hangzhou, sem que Xu Xian soubesse que a mulher que amava era, na verdade, um espírito de cobra branca de mil anos.
"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.