We now turn our attention to our OTP, Ji Bai and Xu Xu, for 2 short stories. This 1st story (in 2 parts) answers the very important question – just how did Ji Bai propose? As usual, the two of them understand each other perfectly . . .
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Flowers will Bloom in Spring
It’s so wonderfully sweet to propose and receive a marriage certificate!
Ji Bai & Xu Xu Short Story Part 1.1
The Record of the Marriage ProposalAfter a month, the dust finally settled on the Lin Qingyan case. By that time, Xu Xu had been pregnant for six months.
Ji Bai began to mull over his plans for the fourth marriage proposal.
Originally, Ji Bai did not believe in gods, Buddha or fate. However, while having lunch with Zhao Han one day, he mentioned that he had attempted to propose three times, only to have his proposals interrupted by a "corpse" every time before he could even utter a word. (In his second attempt, Xu Xu had said she did not want to get married, but Ji Bai naturally did not tell Zhao Han about this.)
Zhao Han looked somewhat shocked and blurted out, "Chief! You need a change of fortune, some kind of lucky break!"
Ji Bai looked at him with raised eyebrows and asked, "How do I bring about this change of fortune?"
After thinking for a while, Zhao Han's eyes lit up. "Let's do it this way! This weekend, Man Man and I will be going to Luo Han Temple to eat vegetarian food. The temple is known to be very generous in granting wishes. Bring Xu Xu with you to chant." His expression turned solemn as he added, "Chief! To believe is better than not to believe!"
Ji Bai considered for a moment, then smiled faintly and nodded.
It was the weekend. Zhao Han and Man Man led Ji Bai and Xu Xu into the temple. They saw tall trees and beautiful flowers, a verdant brick courtyard, and the light smoke of incense wafting by.
Joss sticks were arrayed in the empty space on the right of the Buddha. A monk sat behind them at a table on which scented sachets were neatly placed.
"Those are wish talismans," Man Man said. "You have to get one!"
The scented sachet was quite exquisite. The brocade cloth had a fish pattern on it, and was intertwined with golden thread. Inside the sachet was a slip of sandalwood-infused paper, to write wishes on.
Xu Xu was unable to bend over due to her big belly. So, she patted Ji Bai and indicated that he should turn around. Pressing the paper firmly on his back, she concentrated intently on writing her wish:
"To grow old together."
With his back towards her, Ji Bai's handsome face was calm and unruffled, although the corners of his mouth slowly lifted in laughter.
When she had finished writing, Ji Bai looked around and asked, "What did you write?" Xu Xu quickly folded up the paper and said with a deadpan expression, "Didn't you hear what Man Man said? That once you have voiced your wish, it will not be fulfilled? Have you finished writing yours?"
Ji Bai chuckled quietly to himself as he took the pen from her and quickly scribbled his own wish on the paper, before putting it into the embroidered sachet.
Luo Han Temple was well-known for having quite a few statues of Buddha. Zhao Han and Man Man walked around happily for a while before paying their respects to a statue of *Guanyin. Ji Bai and Xu Xu strolled to the main hall. As it was still early, there was hardly anyone there. A tall, gold-painted statue of Buddha loomed imposingly in the hall. The atmosphere was infused with a solemnity that seemed boundless.
*TN – Goddess of Mercy
Xu Xu asked Ji Bai, "Help me pay my respects."
Ji Bai held her arm as she slowly knelt down on the prayer mat in the middle of the hall. Xu Xu put her palms together and closed her eyes as she prayed silently: First wish – that Dad, Older Brother and Third Brother will be healthy. Second wish – that this child will be born without problems, and will grow up in good health. Third wish – that Lin City will have fewer murder cases and big cases this year. Well, it seems as if I have no other wishes.
Ji Bai stood at one side, looking down at her fair, delicate face.
The temple's main hall was so deeply calm and silent, it was as if even the sunlight had decided to keep a careful distance away, only showing itself in a soft glint on the ground outside. Fragrant incense wafted through the air, while from some unknown location behind the temple, the sound of dripping water could be heard. At that moment, time seemed suspended. Only the two of them existed as they paused in front of the Buddha seeking the fulfilment of their heartfelt wishes.
As for his wish, surely it was . . .
After paying her respects, Xu Xu stood up. Ji Bai then knelt down and performed the usual 3 bows and 9 kowtows, closed his eyes while bringing his palms together, and was silent for a while.
When he opened his eyes, Xu Xu figured it was time to go. However, who knew, he did not get up, but instead looked up at her and said, "Xu Xu, I have just asked Buddha to grant a wish."
Xu Xu was slow to react, and only said, "Hmm?"
Ji Bai continued in a leisurely manner, "Everyone says that the Buddha at Luo Han Temple is most benevolent. Why don't we test it out, and see if my wish can be immediately fulfilled?"
Xu Xu looked down at his tall, muscular body, and his clean-cut, handsome face. She felt a sharp pang of emotion, almost as if someone had tapped her heart lightly, and she found that she could not control the little smile that slowly came to her lips.
At this moment, Ji Bai had moved his body so that he was kneeling only on one knee. He faced her, and lifted her hand to gently kiss it. His deep black eyes were quietly gazing into hers.
"Marry me, Xu Xu. I will love you all my life."
Buddha above, let her be married to me, all my life.
Xu Xu's nose wrinkled and her eyes pricked with sudden tears. Waving her hand with the diamond engagement ring in front of his face, she asked, "Why on earth are you asking the Buddha to grant something that you have every confidence of achieving? The ring . . . I have never taken it off."
Ji Bai's smile suddenly deepened. His deep black, handsome eyes suddenly gained an additional lustrous sheen which was incredibly moving.
"Oh." He got up and looked at her. The laughter in his eyes caused them to deepen until they were like pools of black ink.
Xu Xu also laughed, her cheeks flushing. Ji Bai was profoundly shaken. He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. Gazing at her, he kissed it repeatedly. Xu Xu found that her hand was being kissed to death and tried to snatch her hand back, only to have him hold it even tighter.
At this point, Ji Bai knelt down once again and made obeisance to the Buddha. Then, hugging her, he strode out of the hall.
The courtyard had filled up with people by then, and the sunlight was so bright and warm that it made their insides feel soft. Xu Xu leaned into his embrace and smilingly asked, "What did you just ask the Buddha for?"
Ji Bai had originally intended to wish that his child would be born peacefully. However, on hearing her question, he smiled mischievously and said, "Didn't you say that there was no need to wish for something I knew would definitely be fulfilled? I changed my wish."
Ji Bai stared intently at her, then lowered his head and whispered into her ear, "Since you have agreed to marry me, we must definitely celebrate tonight. We have not been intimate for a very long time. Since you're pregnant, we can't do XXOO, but we can still do XX, and can also do OO . . ." (T/N: XXOO refers to sex… )
Xu Xu instantly felt her face heat up. She pushed him away, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry. Dumbfounded, she asked, "Did you really think of these desires in front of the Buddha?"
Ji Bai grinned at her and took his time to reply, "Appetite and lust are only natural*. Buddha won't fault me. I've caught so many criminals that he will only bless and protect me so that I can accomplish my small, insignificant wish."
*食色性也 (shí sè xìng yě) – appetite and lust are only natural, a saying by Mencius (孟子), a Chinese Confucian philosopher.
When they got home that night, Ji Bai went off to shower, while Xu Xu sat alone in the study. She took out her Residence Permit*, and put it together tidily with the one he had earlier prepared.
*户口 – (hù kǒu) Residence Permit. Every Chinese citizen has a residence permit it. It is the Chinese govt's way of controlling population movement e.g. when people from the rural and less developed provinces move to the cities for work. We think Ji Bai might have changed his residence from Beijing to Lin City. Thanks to Librismuse for the information!
In a state of bliss, Xu Xu walked into the living room, only to see an embroidered sachet on the floor under the coat rack.
Both of their coats were hanging on the rack, so she didn't know whose sachet it was. Acting on impulse, Xu Xu picked it up and opened it to read the contents: "To grow old together".
Ah, it was hers.
She was about to put it in her pocket, when she suddenly stopped and opened it for another look.
The writing on the faintly yellow note was energetic and bold – clearly, it was Ji Bai's.
Xu Xu retrieved her own embroidered sachet from her pocket. When the two notes were placed side by side, she could not help but laugh.
Such telepathy! If I don't marry you, it would be totally unreasonable.
While Xu Xu was lost in thought, Ji Bai had already finished showering. His lower body was only swathed in a towel, and he bounded energetically into the bedroom.
He leaned against the headboard with his hands behind his head and stretched his slender body sinuously. In a carefree and relaxed manner, he hollered, "Wife! Come here quickly and fulfil your promise!"
Xu Xu laughed quietly and carefully put the two sachets away. With her hands behind her back, she sauntered leisurely to the bedroom. "I'm coming."
Translators: shl, miumiu
TL Checker: Tranzgeek
Proofreaders: Librismuse, Calculusfanatic