The atmosphere created in this chapter is so wonderful, but such a difficult one to translate. It’s chapters like these that make me wonder why I chose this novel. :p (By the way, this is the halfway mark of the main story, excluding epilogues.)
I love when Shi Yi surprises Zhousheng Chen with the little things about her.
Chapter 9.1 – How Can Love be Unraveled? (1)
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While Shi Yi had still been alone in the hotel, she had already discovered that Zhousheng Chen’s day-to-day necessities and clothing were also in this particular hotel suite. In other words, he was not intending for them to stay in separate rooms anymore. During the day, she had not really thought anything of this, but when the two of them returned to the hotel after dinner, she started to become restless and unsettled. Fortunately, it was still early and Mei Xing and his assistants were present, so her thoughts did not jump directly to tonight’s time alone with him.
The conversations between the men were somewhat solemn.
Listening to their conversation, she could only understand a smattering of what they were discussing, so instead, she asked him lightly, “Can I make some tea for you?”
Zhousheng Chen smiled, “Is this boring to listen to?”
The corner of her lips turned up. “No, I’ve just noticed that you like tea and I happen to know how to make tea.”
Her voice was rather soft, and subtle veiled feelings could be heard in it, telling him that what she actually wanted was to make him happy. Zhousheng Chen had originally intended to ask her to wait for a few moments for he would be finishing soon, but hearing her say this in such a manner, he suppressed his words. “You have learned the art of tea?”
Shi Yi smiled but did not answer.
Their dialogue attracted the attention of Mei Xing, and he looked at Shi Yi with interest. “I suspect, Zhousheng, that your wife does not just know how to steep tea. Maybe she will give us an even bigger surprise.”
Afraid that he would tease her and give her a hard time, Zhousheng pointed his finger at Mei Xing. “Alright now, you are not allowed to use her as the target of your jokes.”
“I’m not, ah. I just have this feeling that your wife might like tea culture very much.” Mei Xing looked at Shi Yi. “Shi Yi, I, too, really like to drink tea. What’s more, so long as you can execute the method you choose, I can provide you with the tea utensils.”
Shi Yi understood that this man was talking about the different methods of drinking tea throughout the eras.
Those truly were not difficult for her.
She was not a person who liked to showoff. Perhaps it was because Zhousheng Chen was by her side and the one challenging her was his good friend, but she did not want to concede. “I have read Lu Yu’s ‘Classic of Tea[1]’, and I enjoy studying the various methods of tea preparation. If Mr. Mei, you would like give it a try, it would not be difficult task for me to do.”
Mei Xing was very pleased. “How about cooking tea[2]?”
Shi Yi burst out in a laugh. “Let’s forget about that –– putting in seasonings like scallions, ginger, chinese dates, orange peel, dogwood leaves, and mint and heating it to a rolling boil for an extended period of time. It’s not a problem for me to prepare some tea using this method, but I’m afraid you guys wouldn’t drink it.”
With a grin, Mei Xing persuaded, “Just give it a try. It won’t be a big deal.”
Shi Yi thought about that taste, and while she was still hesitating slightly, Zhousheng Chen gave her a gentle pat on her arm. “You can ignore him. Just steeped tea will be fine.”
“Eh?” Mei Xing wagged his hand. “There’s actually a knowledgeable person here right now. How could we waste this chance? Since cooking tea would not be good, I will send someone right now to bring some tea cakes[3] and the tea ware and utensils. We will taste your wife’s boiled tea[4].”
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Mei Xing quickly sent an assistant to retrieve the tea ware and tea cakes.
Because of this unexpected suggestion, their conversation topic had turned to tea. Shi Yi sat, and as she listened to their casual discussions on their previous experiences related to tea, the images that were emerging in her mind gradually grew more distinct.
He of the past had once sat leisurely in his study, his graceful hands preparing tea by boiling.
Readying the tea cake, selecting the water, preparing the flame, waiting upon the water, roasting the tea cake, grinding the tea leaves, sifting the ground tea, boiling the tea, and pouring. She had observed him closely, not wanting to miss any gesture, but it had been simply to pass the time. She had watched, he had worked. She had not found it boring in the least.
And now, in this moment, as she did the same, she did not feel agitated or impatient either.
On the contrary, she even enjoyed this long process, where she took what he had once taught her and presented it back to him.
Mei Xing was a person who loved tea, so much so that he had even prepared four sets of tea ware. And Shi Yi was truly someone who understood tea. From selecting the tea ware in the beginning, to waiting by the flame for the proper water temperature, to ensuring the open flame in which the tea would be toasted was appropriate –– all of these were like an artistic performance. Initially, Mei Xing and Zhousheng Chen would exchange a few words, but in the end, both men were watching Shi Yi.
The person within that beautiful artistic scene, however, was engrossed only with doing what she needed to do.
The fragrant aroma of tea wafted over to them, but it merely was an embellishment, bringing color to the scene and making it even more delightful.
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Zhousheng Chen was also watching her intently.
He did not understand the thoughts and moods of women, and he even more so did not understand Shi Yi, even though she was already his wife. Why would a girl like her, at twenty-six years of age, still have had no previous romantic relationship? He did not believe in any of those insubstantial explanations such as fate or predestined affinity between two people. But now, only those words could be used to explain the feelings she had for him.
And what did he feel for her?
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Before Mei Xing took his leave, he did not at all hide the admiration he had for Shi Yi.
She felt somewhat awkward by his praises and threw frequent looks at Zhousheng Chen, using her eyes to appeal for help. The latter understood her unspoken plea and casually reached over to pat Mei Xing on the shoulder without speaking a word. The communication between men did not require words. Such was the case for this particular moment.
With a faint smile, Mei Xing picked up his suit jacket and left without looking back.
The door latched shut with a click, leaving the two of them alone with one another.
Shi Yi glanced at him. “You two have quite a mutual understanding.”
“I have known him since I was five or six,” Zhousheng Chen chuckled. “He has always been this way. Every time he sees a pretty girl, he likes to talk a bit more. You don’t need to mind him.”
A pretty girl?
Shi Yi seemed to find this description rather strange. In principle, she should not merely be “a pretty girl” but also his wife, even though their relationship right now still remained in a stage more akin to boyfriend-girlfriend.
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Zhousheng Chen walked into the bedroom, pulled out some clean clothes, and, out of habit, undid several buttons of his shirt. Shortly, though, as if he suddenly remembered something, he hastily buttoned-up two of those buttons again and strode into the bathroom. When the sound of running water echoed out from within, Shi Yi finally remembered that tonight, he would be sleeping in the same room as her, on the same bed.
She did not know what she should do, so she sat down on the couch in the living room.
If they were going to sleep together, then… they should be…
She quietly exhaled a breath.
Before long, he had stepped out of the bathroom again. His clothing was neat and proper, giving the impression he was about to go out. “Wait a short while before you go to wash up. I will ask someone to clean up inside first.” As he said this, he had already walked into the bedroom.
“It’s alright…” Shi Yi stood up, intending on going to get some clean clothes for herself, and saw that he had grabbed a black jacket and was slipping it on while he walked out from the room. Finding this odd, she asked, “You’re heading out?”
“Mm.” Zhousheng Chen told her, “There are a few matters at the laboratory that require a long conference call.”
He spoke very quickly and then, with a natural motion, he glanced at his watch.
“Will you still come back tonight?”
“Yes, just that it will be very late.” He let out a little laugh. “I had some tea just now, so I should not feel tired.”
After briefly informing her of his plans, he left the hotel.
To say she was not disappointed would have been a lie, but she also felt relieved. Although she had somewhat mentally prepared herself, she still felt that there was something lacking between the two of them. In the “pleasures between a fish and water”[5][acts of intimacy], the foremost requirement was that there was a comfortable, harmonious relationship, like that of fish and water, between the two before the “pleasure” could naturally happen, right?
She had travelled such a great distance today and also strolled through the better part of Bremen with him, so after a hot shower, her feeling of exhaustion became apparent. As she sat on the bed in her pajamas, she could tell that these bed linens were not the ones the hotel provided to the general public as they were especially soft.
Very shortly after laying down on the bed, she fell asleep.
Because subconsciously she was waiting for him, her sleep was light. Upon hearing a noise in the room, she quickly awakened, but her head still felt rather groggy. She opened her eyes and saw that the sky was already starting to show a hazy light. Zhousheng Chen was leaning against the couch and was planning to lay down there to catch up on some sleep. The room was dim, and she could not see his face.
“What time is it?” Shi Yi suddenly spoke up.
He paused, and he raised his watch to take a glance. “5:47.”
“Come up on the bed and sleep for a little bit……” she invited in a low voice. “It’s tiring to the body to sleep on the couch.”
Zhousheng Chen paused again. He set his suit jacket on the couch, walked over to the other side of the bed, and lay down next to her. The bed was very spacious. She could sense he was lying there very stiffly, and she could not hold back a little smile. She rolled over quickly, covered him with the blanket, and then took advantage of the chance to put her hand on his waist. Possibly because her mind was still dazed with fatigue, she was behaving more freely than usual. In a slight teasing tone, she said to him, “Zhousheng Chen, is sleeping on the same bed as your wife really that difficult for you?”
“No, I simply did not want to wake you just now.” His voice was also rather low.
“I’m already awake now.”
He chuckled, “You’re not going to sleep anymore?”
“I still am,” Shi Yi answered honestly. “Because you weren’t back yet, I didn’t sleep very well. Now my head feels all dizzy and heavy, and I still want to sleep.”
“Then sleep.” He stretched out an arm and pulled her into his embrace. “I don’t have a meeting until this afternoon. I can sleep here with you a little longer.”
She laid her cheek against his chest, separated by only the thin fabric of his shirt as she listened to him describe his conclusion from his logical train of thought, but her mind strayed to a different thought. This was her first time sleeping in his embrace, and even though he was wearing his button-up shirt and pants, she was in pajamas…
They lay there like this in silence for a while. She could feel her heart was starting to beat unsteadily and could not help shifting her body slightly.
“Can’t fall asleep?” Zhousheng Chen detected her movements and looked down at her. “Or just used to sleeping alone?”
……
She decided to change the subject.
“Today… your friend praised me many times. You still haven’t said anything.”
Her voice carried a touch of disappointment.
Zhousheng Chen was slightly puzzled but then quickly understood. “I am not very good at praising people, but you are always able to bring me pleasant surprises. So many, in fact, that at times, I do not know what I should say.”
Her lips turned up slightly in a smile, and she prodded softly, “Then what are you going to do for me in return?”
“Do in return?” He thought for a moment. “Why don’t you tell me, what do you have in mind?”
“You are in charge of putting me back to sleep.”
“Sure.” He did not mind. “Normally, what do you do to help yourself fall asleep?”
“Listen to music… Or listen to poetry. I’ll be listening, and then after a while, I’ll gradually fall asleep.”
Zhousheng Chen was silent for some time.
She closed her eyes, waiting for him to give her a nice surprise.
“Let’s do poetry, then. I will recite slowly some that are tea-related.”
With an “mm,” Shi Yi added, “May I request some that I want to hear? You don’t have to recite the entire poem, just a line or two will be good enough.”
“Yes.” This was Zhousheng Chen’s first discovery of a more difficult side to Shi Yi, but he also found it very adorable.
“Bai Juyi[6]?”
“He wrote more than two thousand poems, and more than sixty of those are tea-related…”
Shi Yi cut him off amusedly, “Whatever you feel like reciting will be fine.”
So serious. If he wasn’t paying attention, even by just a little, he would slip back into that role of the strict, precise-thinking scientist…… Seriously…
Zhousheng Chen did not continue thinking too much into it and chose one at will to respond to her request.
“Clean is the white porcelain bowl, blazing is the red charcoal of the tea brazier.
Fragrant tea is beneath the foam, rising like floating flowers in the fish-eye boil[7].
Beautiful in color when poured into its vessel, its fragrant aroma still lingering after being swallowed.[8]”
风炉. Tea brazier, sometimes called tea stove. Originated in Tang dynasty as a heat source for the boiled tea method, with three legs, two “ears” (rings on the side) (Image credit)
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Shi Yi did not speak, so he chose another three or four poems.
“Mm…” She seemed pleased and continued, “Su Shi[9].”
“Live [flowing] water also requires live fire to boil. From the fishing rock I draw from the clear, deep river.
The large ladle gathers the moon’s reflection into the vessel, the small ladle dividing some of the river into the bottle.
The milky white foam rolls with the tea leaves within. Then suddenly it makes the rustle sound, like wind, of pouring.
So difficult for the uninspired mind to refrain at only three bowls. Seated, listening to the lonesome city’s long and short beats of the night watches…[10]”
In the beginning, she would state some names for him, but afterwards when she grew tired, he would select some at will and recite them to her.
From Li Bai[11] to Liu Yuxi[12] and then to some other poets who were not very famous. It was not a difficult chore for him to recite as he called the poems up from his memory. This was the first time he discovered that his excellent memory could be used to do something so amusing.
Shi Yi comfortably listened, not speaking anymore.
She knew that he did not understand the significance of this to her. Even though the poems were different, she had once been coaxed to sleep in the same way before. Accompanied by the sound of Zhousheng Chen’s voice, which he had deliberately slowed and lowered, her consciousness gradually became fuzzy. His eyes were closed as he continued to recite for her, his speech becoming slower and slower until at last it stopped.
Inside the room, it was quiet.
Because of their closeness, he seemed to be able to hear the sound of her steady breathing.
Zhousheng Chen opened his eyes and patiently observed her for a while. Once he had confirmed that she was indeed deep in slumber, he closed his eyes again and allowed himself to truly drift off to sleep.
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[1] During the Tang Dynasty, 陆羽 Lu Yu wrote his monumental book,茶经 “Cha Jing” [The Classic of Tea], which became the first definitive work in the world written on tea. It documented in a literary language everything from the history of tea to picking/preparing tea leaves to the tea ware and utensils to how to properly “boil” and drink the tea.
[2] 煮茶 “zhu cha.” Literally means “to cook/boil tea.” To distinguish it from the “boiled tea” method, mentioned later, I will call this “cooked tea” method. (Let me preface this by saying, I am by no means learned in tea, and please forgive any errors there may be. Just wanted to provide some background to all of you so you’re not scratching your heads on what’s going on.) Prior to the Tang dynasty, tea drinking, although popular, could be considered less refined, and tea was drank as a way of quenching thirst, in large quantities, and sometimes, for medicinal purposes. In the earliest form of the cooked tea method, fresh tea leaves were placed into water and boiled and then drank, almost like a vegetable broth. Only in the time of the Tang dynasty did tea start to be dried first. During the Tang dynasty, cooking tea would also add additional ingredients such as salt, scallions (green onion), ginger, mint, orange peel etc., boiled at a rolling boil for quite some time, all the while skimming the scum off the top and ladling up the boiling tea and then immediately returning the tea back into the boiling pot. The ingredients of this type of tea would be eaten as well. This is what Mei Xing and Shi Yi are referring to by “cooking tea.”
[3] Tea leaves that are compressed into a brick or cake-like form. (Also called tea bricks.)
[4] 煎茶 “jian cha.” The “boiled tea” method, which flourished in the Tang dynasty. According to Lu Yu, the author of The Classic of Tea, tea made by the “cooked tea” way with ingredients such as ginger, scallions, etc was like waste water. In The Classic of Tea, it describes very clearly the steps of properly boiling tea. The tea cake is toasted over an open flame, then wrapped in paper and cooled. After it is completely cooled, the tea is ground until it is about as fine as rice grain. The ground tea is added to water and boiled, being careful not to overboil, and when ready, it is then poured out into a tea bowl. Everything is prescribed very specifically in The Classic of Tea, from what fuel should be used for the fire to what size of bubbles should be maintained in the water as it boils to how to pour it into a tea bowl, etc, etc.
[5] 鱼水之欢 “yu shui zhi huan.” Literally, “the pleasures between a fish and water.” Originally, this idiom was used simply to describe a type of relationship between two things or people which was as harmonious as fish and water – natural and comfortable. Later, in literature, it started to be used as a metaphor for the pleasure of sexual intimacy between a man and a woman, and now, this idiom is basically used to refer to sexual intercourse.
[6]白居易. Bai Juyi was a government official of the Tang dynasty and also a renowned poet. His poetry covered a wide variety of topics and took many differnet forms, but his style is known for its simple and easy to understand language.
[7]鱼眼沸 “yu yan fei.” Lu Yi stated in his Classic of Tea that the water should be kept at “second boil” where at the edge of the pot, there is a continuous string of bubbles that are the size of fish eyes. Smaller than this, it is under-boiled and greater than this, like a rolling boil, would be overboiled.
[8] From Bai Juyi’s 睡后茶兴忆杨同州 “A Tea After a Sleep, Suddenly Remembering Yang Tongzhou.”
[9] 苏轼 Su Shi. An important figure during the Song dynasty. He was a rare, all-round talented man in literature and arts and is also recognized as one of the most outstanding persons in these things in Chinese history. He was a writer, poet, calligrapher, painter, etc. You may have heard him referred to as 苏东波 Su Dongbo/Su Dongpo/Su Tungpo.
[10] This is Su Shi’s entire poem, 汲江煎茶 “Ji Jiang Jian Cha” [Draw from the River to Boil Tea].
[11]李白 Li Bai is sometimes heralded as the greatest Chinese poet of all time. He was born in the Tang dynasty and is known as the “Immortal Poet.”
[12]刘禹锡 Liu Yuxi was a Tang dynasty poet, philosopher, and writer of essays.
This story was translated with the express permission of the author for hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com only. All forms of reproduction, redistribution, or re-posting are not authorized. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, the copy is unauthorized and has been taken without consent of the translator.
Additional Comments:
Just like the scene of Shi Yi painting, I am captured by this picture of her, preparing tea as an art form while her mind is filled with images of her past life. Zhousheng Chen and Mei Xing are obviously entranced by her in that moment as well, and I can just imagine the peaceful silence as they watched her carry out this art.<>Please read this from the actual site of posting, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. Thanks!
This chapter is filled with details of tea culture and poetry. Hopefully, the huge number of footnotes didn’t scare you off. They’re more for your information so you can understand the art form that tea can be, and realize how captivating Shi Yi would have been in that moment. This chapter “feels” so ancient. All those details create such a wonderful, tranquil feeling. (Don’t you want to be cuddled like that, in that type of atmosphere?)
Plus, I love how Shi Yi teased Zhousheng Chen. LOL.
Completed:
1 of 1 Prologue
28 of 56 Main story segments
0 of 3 Epilogues
Fanatical 
June 24, 2015 at 8:51 am
OMG I love how she teased him too!! Lol! I get the feeling that I would be rereading this story several times 🙂
June 27, 2015 at 2:10 am
I can just imagine Zhousheng Chen lying there straight as a board on the bed when Shi Yi teases him. He must have felt so awkward. Haha. This is a story that I have re-read many times and especially certain scenes. 🙂
June 24, 2015 at 8:57 am
Thank you for the update Hoju. Appreciate it. Hope you are feeling better now
June 27, 2015 at 2:10 am
You’re welcome. So close. Darn lingering cough. Thank you for the well wishes. 🙂
June 24, 2015 at 9:02 am
So serenity sweet 😍
Thank you so much for this chapter 😘
June 27, 2015 at 2:10 am
Ah, serenity is a nice word. Not candy sweet, just peaceful, tranquil, serenity sweet. ❤
June 24, 2015 at 9:16 am
Thank you Hoju for a warm and fuzzy read on a winter morning.
I hope your cough are all better now. 😀
June 27, 2015 at 2:15 am
You’re on the opposite side of the morning from me. It’s a hot summer day over here. 🙂 Unfortunately, the cough is lingering, but I got lazy with keeping up with the natural remedies this week, so it came back stronger again. Back to apples, onions, honey, ginger, and everything you guys all recommended. 🙂
June 24, 2015 at 9:34 am
Thank you…i love this story very much…love reading your notes as well…
June 27, 2015 at 2:18 am
You’re welcome. I’m glad you love the story as well as my backend babblings. 🙂
June 24, 2015 at 11:16 am
It has a sublime feel, not sweet but seepingly romantic, not that kind of romantic korean dramas are known for, but such tender seduction and affection thats hard to be described by words but by actions and moments. Classic.
Im convinced that SY did not love ZC for who he is at first but who he was in their past life. They have the same soul, but technically, they are still different persons. I know that she sincerely love him but it’s also because he is the reincarnation of her shifu and they have the same bones. For some reason, it makes me sad for ZC. She is still living in the past as well as the present, and i wonder how he will feel once he knew how she fell inlove with him. I dont take it againt SY at all, its not her fault she remembers and that they are fated in this life and not on their past life, but their situation is kind of bizarre, it would be so sad if their past life may bring misunderstandings but it will be an unclosed issue if won’t be tackled. Or i might just be thinking too much. Have a lovely day!
June 25, 2015 at 12:36 am
Actually, I agree with what you said, cathdeary. I just wasn’t able to express it the way you were able to, so cuddles to you. I’m not completely comfortable that when she sees present ZSC, she thinks of past ZSC. How does she explain in the future the reason she ran after him? I don’t know if I would have found it really romantic if my husband later revealed that he appoarched me because we were lovers reincarnated. Does he love me because of me? Or does he love me because of our past?
June 25, 2015 at 3:21 pm
I would be hurt and will hesitate too if that happens. I will most likely feel jealous and worse, insecure over someone that no longer exists, even if that person used to be me, if i were in that situation. But well, ZC is awesome, im sure he will handle it well, good thing we’re not him. ￣ω￣
June 25, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Firstly, thank you for the interesting discussion. I love hearing people’s thoughts on the story.
Yes, Shi Yi’s initial draw to Zhousheng Chen and her reason for agreeing to engagement in the first place were strictly because of her love for the man in their past life. She did not know anything about this man, even when they were in Xi’an or when she accepted his proposal to try out engagement, besides the fact that he was a scientist and the reincarnation of the man she loved in a previous life. So, kind of akin to being sizzlingly attracted to someone at first sight that you want to get to know him.
But, in the previous life, I’m convinced the reason Eleven loved Xiao Nanchen Prince was not because he took care of her or gave her the warmth that she needed, but first and foremost, because of the man he was on the inside — his honour, his heart. In essence, she loved his character.
In this present life, Shi Yi seeks him out and finds him, but if for some reason, reincarnation had turned him into someone different in character, do you think she would still love him? She herself said, she is getting to know him. Eleven knew Xiao Nanchen Prince; Shi Yi still needs to learn about Zhousheng Chen, but the thing is, his *character* has not changed from his previous life. This character — his beautiful bones — is as much a part of present day Zhousheng Chen as it was a part of Xiao Nanchen Prince. So in essence, as Shi Yi learns more about him, she knows that she loves this man. Maybe she missed the “falling” part of becoming in love, but it is love nonetheless.
Have you noticed, the memories are triggered because Zhousheng Chen can evoke the same feeling as his previous incarnation did? It’s not someone with a similar personality saying things that reminds her of her true love, it’s her true love in another form but not knowing so giving her the exact same feelings she once had because what is important has never changed. It still is him. Things may have faded away and he may have different interests (though not drastically), a somewhat different personality, etc. but his values, morals, passions, character — his beautiful bones — are the same.
I, personally don’t have any problems with her saying in the future, “I sought you out because I knew you were the same person I had once loved in a previous life. As I got to know you in this life, I realized the essence of who you were, the very reason I had once loved you, never changed. The core of who you are is what I have always loved and will forever continue to love.”
And now, I pose to you, given Shi Yi’s personality and why Eleven had loved Zhousheng Chen, if in this life, he had lost his moral virtue, was evil, or even just a lazy bum, do you think she would be so blinded she would still love him?
June 24, 2015 at 11:51 am
i got cheesy everytime i finished reading this novel. im an anti-cheesy-thing but here i am, enjoying this couple so much. huaaaaa.. what i suppose to do now??? being cheesy in every new chapter, lols. but i love it. hihi..
thank you hoju!
June 27, 2015 at 2:39 am
Haha. Really? You find this cheesy? I find Toupai cheesier than Zhousheng Chen. This one feels more realistic to me. (Well, kind of. I don’t recite Chinese poetry, but for Shi Yi, it feels perfectly natural.)
June 24, 2015 at 1:46 pm
I’m sure I’ll be re-reading this novel once it’s finished. I’m so enjoying every chapter translated by you! Thank you!
June 27, 2015 at 2:41 am
It definitely will feel different, probably more tied together and less slow when you read it all in one go. Thanks for faithfully following and commenting. 🙂
June 24, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Hm…. somehow felt that I need to comment. 💗Love the fuzzy and sweet moment.
Thanks for translating. 😻
June 27, 2015 at 2:49 am
Feel free to comment any time you want. 🙂 This is one of many favourite moments. It’s not even overly sweet or romantic, just warm and peaceful. What a snuggle. ❤
June 24, 2015 at 3:36 pm
But I think Shi Yi loves present ZSC. In the past, she didn’t even have the chance to express her love. So, she’s presenting now which could confuse ZSC.
June 27, 2015 at 2:51 am
For sure, I believe she loves present Zhousheng Chen as well. She may have come to him in the airport and Xi’an only because he was Xiao Nanchen Prince’s reincarnation, but as she is getting to know him, she realizes they truly are the same person, not just in spirit but in values, morals, etc… i.e. his beautiful bones. I wrote a huge long response up above if you’re interested. 😉
June 25, 2015 at 9:09 am
Thank you so much …I never write any comment before but this time I couldn’t hold my gratitude anymore to you for your hardworking and kind heart to translate this beautiful story and other stories. I know that you and other translators are doing this out of courtesy so may all the blessings in this world be always with you guys 🙂
June 27, 2015 at 2:52 am
Thank you for coming out to make the comment. 🙂 I love hearing from readers and always love to discuss. I can speak for other translators and say that comments are wonderful encouragement for us to keep going.
Thank you for reading!
June 25, 2015 at 1:53 pm
I’m reminded of the saying that love should be kept at a slow simmer with all the poetic imagery of tea preparation in this chapter. I love reading all of your footnotes as well. It’s also interesting to see the poems and idioms that the author chooses and then to hunt back through the text of the novel to see how their themes are drawn out in the plot as well.
Thank you for the translation!
June 27, 2015 at 4:07 am
I like that. Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen’s relationship is indeed a slow simmer. It’s not at a roiling boil where you can see things being tossed about and even potentially spilled over, nor is it just soaking in tepid water where nothing is happening. The slow simmer draws out the flavour, increasing intensity with time, slowly but surely. 😉
Ah, you and I are kindred spirits. As you can probably tell, I tend to analyze as well. I can sense that MBFB has so carefully thought through everything that she puts into the novel and I love going back to find the little nuances.
June 25, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Thanks for the chapter!
June 27, 2015 at 4:07 am
You’re welcome! 🙂
June 26, 2015 at 10:25 pm
Hello, this is my first comment on this site. I started to read the chapters last night and was awake till 3 AM. This story is absolutely beautiful! Even if romance is slow, the characters and their subtle actions…. Wow. I already know this will be one of those stories that I will be re-reading many times over. I love reading, but this is my first chinese reading! Thank you so much for your translations and your time! Looking forward to (and stalking the site for) your next update! 😀
June 27, 2015 at 4:40 am
Hi Alina, and welcome! I will let Zhousheng Chen and Shi Yi bear the responsibility of having kept you from getting your beauty sleep. 😉
The thing about this story is, even though the romance is slow, it doesn’t stall. There is always progress in their relationship. And yes, if you’ve read my comments, you will know how much I love all the beautiful, subtle details.
Looking forward to discussing more with you. 🙂 While you are most certainly welcome to stalk, I also post on the same days, same times, every week. 😉 But stalk away because peanuts has stuff she posts through the week, too. 😉
June 27, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Haha, yup somehow these two have completely taken away my sleep! But it wouldn’t be fair to lay all the blame on them. I have def. been busy with reading all the diff. stories in the site. Seriously I am having an absolute blast reading the other stories. Wow…. I am just glad my exams were last week. If I had found this site a week earlier, I m sure I would have failed my exams! 😁
June 27, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Thanks for this wonderful chapter! I feel all fuzzy and warm inside XD may I meet a cute scientist like him hehe
July 1, 2015 at 1:16 am
You’re welcome. 🙂 I think we all want a Zbousheng Chen, but unfortunately, his type isn’t very common.
June 28, 2015 at 10:16 am
Thanks hoju for the chapter. I read your comment on cathdeary and happymilieu chat. It’s help me alot to understand SY. It’s like reading another of your additional comments. 👍
for ZSC and SY what a unigue OTP. Recite poem for her to be able to sleep….
I don’t think we can find another ZSC in this real life 😃
July 1, 2015 at 1:19 am
You’re welcome, Lily. I translate because I’m dying for people to discuss my favourite stories with me. 🙂 Thanks for reading my long rambling.
Some people like bedtime stories, Shi Yi likes poetry. And she found a guy who could help her fall asleep. I know his voice is supposed to be pretty ordinary, but somehow, I imagine it to be comforting and warm.
Unfortunately, no. That’s why reading about him makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, 🙂
June 28, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Thank you for the chapter.
July 1, 2015 at 1:36 am
New reader! Thank you for reading. 🙂
June 29, 2015 at 3:12 am
Lovely story!
July 1, 2015 at 1:36 am
Welcome to the story. 🙂 Glad you are liking it!
October 22, 2016 at 4:11 am
Aiya. This chapter is so good. From Shi Yi’s tea preparation to Zhousheng Chen’s tea-related poems. They are all heartwarming.
Thanks a lot for the translation (and the footnotes hehe), hoju~
March 29, 2017 at 9:11 pm
I keep swooning. Seriously. I love poetry, and I love how indulgent ZSC is to SY’s whims. T_T So sweet.
Thank you so much for the hard work you put into translating this story. The notes are very helpful!
April 1, 2017 at 9:33 am
I think the poetry is such an integral part of the story. It’s not random poetry tossed in here and there. Poetry is essential to who Shi Yi was and is, and I feel each poem was chosen carefully. I love the atmosphere the poetry creates, an ancient feel despite the modern setting.
I’m glad the notes are helpful. Thank you for reading them. 🙂
April 29, 2017 at 8:33 am
OMG OMG i feel like my heart cant take it anymore hahahaha…. the way they interact make my heart melt and warm at the same time. Thx so much hoju for translate this book. You really talented with words, its atmosphere between them two can float in my mind clearly.
Also thx for the footnote, after all you just save my day so i cant understand fully for this culture and history. 😙😙😙😘😘
May 3, 2017 at 6:47 am
There is such a peaceful atmosphere in this relationship, despite the absolute wacky family background and stuff going on.
Glad the footnotes have helped. 🙂
May 3, 2017 at 2:41 pm
truly relationship goal !!
May 6, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Tell me if you ever find a Zhousheng Chen. 😉