Chapter 3
The courtyard was quiet. The wind blew from afar, stirring the camphor tree in front of the temple. Its green leaves, so green that it would take two adults holding hands to embrace them, rustled in the wind.
A few eternal lamps burned in the quiet Buddhist hall. The dim candlelight burned in the gloom, illuminating the mottled scrolls of Buddhist images on the walls. A white jade statue of Guanyin sat on the altar, her brows lowered, her eyes downcast, a compassionate expression. In candlesticks on either side, red candles burned quietly, wax dripping down their shafts. Yang Ye, dressed in a plain long dress, knelt on the cushion in front of the altar. She clasped her hands together, her fingertips touching, her palms warm.
From the window on the left side of the Buddhist hall, maple tree branches stretched out in the dusk, the few green leaves swaying on the branches as if caressed by the evening breeze. The sky was also dyed a light color, and the clouds floating in the twilight were outlined by the light color. From a distance, it seemed so quiet and long.
Yang Ye kowtowed three times to the white jade Guanyin in front of him, lowered his brows and chanted with a focused expression.
"Where is the madam?" Xue Shangyang came in hurriedly from outside. He took off his thick suit jacket as he walked and handed it to the butler who came over.
The housekeeper took the dress and said, "Madam is in the Buddhist hall."
Xue Shangyang stopped dead in his tracks when he heard that. He turned around and looked at the housekeeper in surprise, "Is there such a place at home?"
"It was used by the old lady in the past. After she returned home, the room was left empty and usually no one went there. The lady happened to see it while strolling around the yard a few days ago and thought it was a quiet place, so she ordered someone to clean it up. She has been going there often these days to meditate and worship Buddha."
Xue Shangyang frowned slightly, "She stayed all day?"
“Yes, I went there after breakfast.”
"Did you ever come out in the middle?"
“Come out for lunch”
"Where is the Buddhist temple?" Xue Shangyang walked quickly.
"In the backyard, near the small house on the east side." The housekeeper followed Xue Shangyang and pointed in the direction.
He walked through the long corridor and into the backyard garden, where several old trees swayed in the wind. The air seemed to be filled with a faint scent of sandalwood. He walked down two steps and his eyes fell on the unremarkable little house in the distance. The door was ajar, and he could vaguely see the dim candlelight from inside.
Xue Shangyang stood at the doorway. He didn't enter immediately. Instead, his gaze swept through the narrow crack in the doorway, scanning the room until it finally stopped at Yang Ye. She knelt on a mat, her frail figure gleaming in the candlelight. Seeing her, Xue Shangyang felt a surge of mixed emotions: confusion, worry, and an inexplicable sense of heartache and regret.
He raised his hand and pushed open the door.
As if sensing someone coming in through the door, Yang Ye closed her eyes, moved her lips up and down, and chanted softly, "When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva practiced the profound Prajna Paramita, he saw that the five aggregates are empty..."
"Zhao Zhao," he called softly, his voice very light, afraid of disturbing her.
Yang Ye opened his eyes and looked up to see the statue of Guanyin Buddha in front of him. His cloudy and blurry eyes gradually became clear.
"Why don't you open the window?" Xue Shangyang walked in and asked in a normal voice. His leather shoes made a dull sound as he stepped on the ground. "The incense in the room is so strong, don't you feel it?"
Yang Ye stood up and stood silently beside the futon. She said softly, "I'm used to it. Besides, if I open the window, the wind will blow out the candle."
Xue Shangyang strode over and pushed open the sealed window. A cool evening breeze instantly poured into the Buddhist hall. The wind that entered the room stirred the scrolls on the altar and dispersed the strong sandalwood scent that had been choking the air. The candle flame swayed in the wind, flickering, but it didn't go out. Instead, the breeze made it burn even brighter.
Xue Shangyang turned around, raised his eyebrows and looked at Yang Ye and said, "The candle is not extinguished."
He walked over again and stood in front of Yang Ye. "What did you say just now? It sounds so confusing."
"I'm reciting scriptures." Yang Ye lowered his eyes, a little reserved.
Xue Shangyang was surprised by the "chanting scriptures". "What era is it now? Why do you still believe in these things?"
"People are separated and lies are everywhere. I see nothing I can believe in, so I can only trust in gods and Buddhas," Yang Ye said, turning to look at the white jade Guanyin statue on the altar.
The Bodhisattva lowers his eyebrows and listens to the requests of all living beings.
"Believe in yourself," Xue Shangyang blurted out, "If people have to believe in something while they are alive, then instead of believing in those false gods and Buddhas, it is better to believe in yourself."
Yang Ye's temples suddenly throbbed. She turned back to face Xue Shangyang, who was so close. His cold features were so profound in the dim candlelight. He must be the person she knew best in her life, the one she should trust the most. Just as her mother had told her the night before her wedding, a woman should obey her husband, and the husband should be the head of the wife. But as Yang Ye looked at him, she felt a sense of wariness and distance, no trust at all.
Her lips moved, and she gave a bitter smile. Her eyes were still lowered, as if she was deliberately avoiding his gaze. Her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible. "I don't even want to believe it myself."
"Then trust me," Xue Shangyang said, his tone filled with unquestionable determination. He took a step forward and reached out to hold Yang Ye's shoulders, with some force. "What you need to do is to speak out what you want and tell others, instead of hiding in the temple like you are now, keeping everything to yourself. Zhao Zhao, we are married, and I will always be by your side. You may still be wary of me now, but one day I will enter your heart and make you truly trust me."
Yang Ye's expression was stunned. She looked at Xue Shangyang in disbelief, thinking that she had misheard. Seeing her stunned expression, Xue Shangyang smiled seriously. He slowly lowered the hand that was holding her shoulder, took her slightly hot hand, and clasped their fingers together, "Let's go out for a walk and buy you some new clothes."
Yang Ye hesitated briefly, and she subconsciously turned around to look at the Guanyin statue on the altar.
"Wait," she called out to Xue Shangyang who was about to take her away, "I'll go put this down."
She took off the agarwood Buddhist beads from her wrist and put them into the wooden box beside her. She returned to the cushion and kowtowed devoutly to the statue of Guanyin.
Xue Shangyang saw her series of movements, each step was so familiar, each move was so disciplined, "Who taught you all this?"
"My mother," Yang Ye replied.
"Old-fashioned, what are you asking for?"
"Seeking peace of mind and tranquility"
"I heard from the housekeeper that you have been in the Buddhist temple all day long. Is that not calm enough?" Xue Shangyang crossed his arms. If he were asked to stay here, he would not be able to stay even for a moment, let alone a whole day.
Yang Ye remained silent, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. Lately, her mind had been in turmoil. Many previously suppressed emotions, or perhaps even calm thoughts, were now swirling. It was like a torrential downpour, suffocating her. She couldn't articulate what those feelings were, but she clearly felt that she was different.
The dusky mist fell on the two of them. Xue Shangyang held Yang Ye's hand tightly. Compared with his calm and frank attitude, Yang Ye was a little cautious. He just followed Xue Shangyang step by step.
Around the corner of the alley, Xue Shangyang took her to a tailor shop. Several rolls of brightly colored silk satin hung at the door. The owner, wearing a navy blue gown, had just come in to see off the previous group of customers. He seemed to know Xue Shangyang very well. He had only just spotted him out of the corner of his eye and hurried over, a smile plastered on his face, asking in surprise, "Why are you here today, Master Xue?"
Xue Shangyang held Yang Ye's hand, brought him to his side, and said to the boss: "My wife, you have ready-made clothes, right?"
The boss then noticed that there was someone standing nearby. She hadn't said a word since she arrived, and she kept her head down, as if deliberately trying to minimize her presence and avoid being noticed. She was wearing a plain, outdated long coat, and she looked thin. Someone who didn't know her could have mistaken her for Xue Shangyang's servant or driver. But once he knew her identity, the boss immediately put on a smile, walked up to Yang Ye, and said apologetically, "It's Madam Xue. I was so blind that I didn't recognize you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Yang Ye whispered, and she waved her hand slightly.
"What style do you like, ma'am?" The boss walked to the counter and took down several cheongsams of excellent style and quality. "I'm not exaggerating, I have the most complete range of clothes and styles here."
A businessman is good at talking, and he can't stop talking when it comes to himself. Yang Ye just smiled and didn't say much.
Her eyes swept over the two satin cheongsams and a pink and white dress that the boss had just placed on the table. To be honest, except for the dress on her wedding day, she had always worn those light-colored long dresses, which covered her from head to toe, loose and free of formal corsets and wraps. She actually found those long dresses quite comfortable, so seeing these cheongsams with their exquisite cuts and styles made her hesitate.
Xue Shangyang noticed Yang Ye's hesitation and thought she had looked too many times and couldn't make a good choice. He personally picked out a tortoiseshell pink and white satin cheongsam with double embroidered roses, and said, "Try it on."
Yang Ye had actually been looking at the dress. Aside from the waistband, it seemed more comfortable than the other two cheongsams. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Xue Shangyang had already gone to fetch the cheongsam. Yang Ye took the dress and examined it from head to toe. The silk fabric felt soft to the touch. She frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked uncertainly, "Do you really want to try it?"
Xue Shangyang's eyes were full of anticipation, "Well, this color suits you"
This was the first time he brought her out, and now he had such a look of surprise and anticipation. Yang Ye didn't want to spoil his fun, so he held the clothes and walked behind the curtain helplessly.
The soft fabric of the cheongsam perfectly outlined her slender waist, revealing her graceful figure in a single grasp. The slightly open neckline revealed a small expanse of fair skin, adding a touch of elegance and casualness. Yang Ye turned around, carefully examining herself in the mirror. The rose pattern on the cheongsam appeared and disappeared with her movements.
She lifted the curtain, and Xue Shangyang was stunned for a moment when he saw her come out. He stared at Yang Ye with his eyes fixed on him, unwilling to look away for a moment.
He moved his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't.
"Is it strange?" Seeing Xue Shangyang's dazed look, Yang Ye couldn't help but feel nervous, and there was trepidation in his tone of questioning.
"No." Xue Shangyang finally woke up from his dream and realized his loss of composure. He raised his hands in a panic and scratched his hair a few times, trying to hide the waves in his heart. His face showed a smile again, full of sincerity and admiration. He said seriously, "You are very beautiful, very good-looking."
As soon as he said that, his eyes couldn't help but wander to Yang Ye, as if he couldn't see enough.
Xue Shangyang handed the money to the boss, but the boss refused to take it. Xue Shangyang smiled and said, "Then put it on Zheng Ming's account and go to him to settle the bill at the end of the month."
The boss thanked them repeatedly and walked them out. As the car drove away, Yang Ye accidentally glanced at the rearview mirror and saw the boss still standing at the door of the shop, waving.
Yang Ye turned his head and looked at Xue Shangyang who was driving. He asked tentatively, "Are you familiar with the boss here?"
Xue Shangyang's attention was still on the path ahead. He answered casually, "Well, I've been here a few times before to help Zheng Yue get clothes."
Yang Ye asked again: "Who is Zheng Yue?"
"Zheng Ming's sister," he said concisely.
"Oh," Yang Ye responded and fell silent in his seat again.
After leaving the tailor shop, he drove to a jewelry store that he seemed to visit frequently.
The shop's light was soft, and jewelry was displayed on shelves. Xue Shangyang walked in and moved between the counters, carefully selecting small items such as earrings and bracelets. Across from him, Yang Ye's eyes were drawn to the silver hairpins displayed nearby. Xue Shangyang quickly selected what he wanted and asked the shop owner to wrap it up. Looking up, he saw Yang Ye, staring blankly at a plain silver hairpin.
Most women her age favored brightly colored or unique jewelry. She was different, preferring simple, plain pieces, much like herself: clean and unassuming. Xue Shangyang picked up the silver hairpin. On the simple silver ornament, only the tip had a blooming plum blossom outlined with thread, its petals dotted with a few tiny turquoise stones.
"Like?" Xue Shangyang walked to her side.
Yang Ye didn't answer.
He took the hairpin and walked behind Yang Ye, gently pushing aside the strand of hair hidden behind her ear. His warm fingers brushed against her cold earlobe, and Yang Ye's body stiffened, but she didn't shy away. Xue Shangyang held the silver hairpin in his hand and slowly inserted it into her bun.
He walked back and saw Yang Ye's face was already a little red, and smiled and said: "It suits you very well"
After taking the things the boss had packed, he held Yang Ye's hand tightly and got back into the car. As the car drove further and further away, the blush and heat on his face gradually faded. Yang Ye's hand on his knee moved, and then he asked him, "Where are you taking me?"
Xue Shangyang turned around and said, "It's a friend's birthday party, everyone there is acquaintance, I want to take you to meet them."
Yang Ye wasn't very familiar with the area, so naturally, she had no idea where Xue Shangyang had driven the car. She only knew that Xue Shangyang had been driving for a long time, from when he had just left, when there was still a hint of sunset, until it was completely dark. He stopped the car and honked the horn, as if calling for someone to open the door. Looking up, she saw him parked in front of a courtyard house facing the street. A moment later, the door opened, and a young woman emerged.
The lights from the courtyard shone through, and Yang Ye saw the woman. She wore a Western-style feather hat, a pink and white dress, a white velvet scarf around her neck, and light-colored leather shoes. Yang Ye opened the car door and got out. He took a closer look at the woman, realizing she had long curly hair, a rose bouquet on her chest, and a pretty face with a lively demeanor.
She ran to Xue Shangyang and called out cheerfully, "Brother Shangyang"
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