Chapter 3: Borrowing the Umbrella
第3章：借伞还伞
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.
第二天，雨过天晴，空气清新，叶子上闪烁着水滴。白素贞无法停止思考湖边的那个年轻人。她坐在临时住所的窗边，那把纸伞靠在墙上。
"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."
“姐姐，你盯着那把伞看了一个小时了，”小青斜靠在门口打趣道。“如果你那么喜欢它，我们为什么不去寻找主人呢？毕竟他给了我们他的地址。”
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."
白素贞微微脸红。“我们应该及时归还它，小青。再留着它就不礼貌了。而且，我想正式感谢他的好意。”
Xiaoqing grinned knowingly. "Of course, 'properly'. Let's go then! I'm curious to see where this honest young man lives."
小青心领神会地笑了。“当然，是‘正式’。那我们走吧！我也很好奇这个诚实的年轻人住在哪里。”
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.
她们穿过杭州繁忙的街道，直到来到市中心附近的一间整洁的小房子。当她们敲门时，许仙打开了门，在他认出她们的那一刻，脸上充满了惊喜。
"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."
“白女士！还有小青小姐！”他惊呼道，赶紧请她们进屋。“我没想到你们这么快就来了。请进，喝点茶吧。”
"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."
“我们是来还您的伞的，许先生，”白素贞说道，优雅地鞠了一躬把伞递还给他。“您昨天的善举帮我们解决了不少麻烦。我们真的很感激。”
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."
许仙给客人们倒茶，手因为激动而微微颤抖。“真的没什么。我很高兴能帮上忙。请坐一会儿，我很想听听你们旅行的故事。”
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.
在交谈中，白素贞发现自己更加被许仙温柔的灵魂和谦逊的性格所吸引。他谈到了他与药物的工作以及他帮助病人的愿望。他说的每一个字都加强了她对他非凡品质的感觉。
"You speak with such passion about your work," Bai Suzhen observed. "It is a noble profession to heal others."
“你谈论你的工作时如此充满激情，”白素贞观察道。“治病救人是一项高尚的职业。”
"It is all I have ever wanted to do," Xu Xian replied. "But I still have much to learn."
“这是我一直想做的事，”许仙回答道。“但我还有很多要学习的地方。”
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.
在她们离开前，小青聪明地建议她们在天气好时再次在西湖见面欣赏风景。许仙热切地同意了，想到能有更多时间与神秘而美丽的白女士相处，他的心跳加快了。当姐妹俩走远时，小青低声说：“我想他已经中了你的魔咒了，姐姐——而且不是魔法的那种！”白素贞只是笑了笑，她的心比一千年来任何时候都要轻快。