Qixi Celebration
七夕贺文 by 梅路艾姆2007
Synopsis:
A couple ties a red ribbon to a blessings tree.
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Translated by Tsubaki.
This short story was posted on weibo to celebrate the Double Seventh Festival, the Qixi Festival (七夕), known as Chinese Valentine's Day. The characters in this story are references to Jin Yong’s Smiling Proud Wanderer. However, the events themselves are unrelated to the plot. Like the author’s Little Guard, this is a short and sweet story.
For more information visit Novel Updates.
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This year was the first year of Yang Lianting and Dongfang Bubai’s relationship. His Excellency,[1] the Cult Master, had spent the entire first half of his life fighting for fame and fortune, and had never been interested in this festival of love. But Yang Lianting, who had lived a life of familial bliss and blessings since childhood, could not bear not to go. Every Qixi Festival, his parents would take him into town to visit the temple fair. The small town at the foot of Blackwood Cliff, which was subordinate to the Sun Moon Holy Cult, was bustling with life. There were too many acquaintances, so it wasn’t suitable for dating.[2]
This was the first time Yang Lianting and Dongfang Bubai went on a date together, so he brought his family’s[3] cult master to Luoyang ahead of time. During today’s Qixi Festival the streets were filled with people going to and fro. In the early evening when the lanterns were first lit, the streets stretching for tens of li[4] were filled with the hustle and bustle of countless people taking a stroll. The brilliant light of the fireworks shone in a warm and gentle light. The swaying lanterns’ bright yellow light created a single mesmerizing image that extended as far as the horizon. The sound of hawkers selling their wares rose and fell in succession, descendants of high officials and nobility flew past as they rode on their large horses with heads held high, maidens in the prime of their youth leisurely walked toward the city center half-covered by veiled hats[5] while holding onto their sisters or sweethearts like holding a pipa.[6] In groups of twos and threes they chatted and laughed, walked past like a brief fragrant breeze. No one took note of the two men walking past with their ten fingers entwined.
Dongfang Bubai had lived on Blackwood Cliff for a long time, though he had often gone down the cliff to complete his missions when he was young, every time he had descended the cliff he would narrowly escape danger, with nine deaths and one life.[7] He had not kept an eye on such bustling events. So, he looked forward to the noisy tide of people and the lively atmosphere a lot and let Yang Lianting pull him along as they crammed through the crowds of people regardless of all.
“Dongfang, the Shaolin Temple[8] just ahead has a century-old blessings tree.[9] During the Qixi Festival couples tie red ribbons on the tree. The higher they tie the ribbon, the more they are in love.” Strolling through the streets, Yang Lianting kept on talking to Dongfang Bubai about the scenery by the wayside.
“Lian di,[10] you know an awful lot about these matters of love and affection.”
Yang Lianting felt the strength of the hold around his hand suddenly increase. In his mind, he secretly had a good laugh as he sensed Dongfang Bubai’s desire for possessiveness once again. He opened his mouth to explain, “Beneath that tree my parents tied their lives together; when I was little we would take a trip down memory lane[11] every year during the Qixi Festival. Back then I thought ‘In the future, I’ll also bring the one who’ll accompany me for a lifetime to this place.’” Yang Lianting raised their clasped hands, ten fingers entwined, to his lips and softly kissed them, with an earnest expression in his eyes as he looked at Dongfang Bubai. “Then, I’d tie a red ribbon higher than my dad’s.”
His sudden bout of childishness amused Dongfang Bubai, “Lian di, ours must be the highest!” The two of them walked into the Temple to buy a red ribbon then headed for the blessings tree.
“Lian di, where’s the ribbon your father tied?”
Yang Lianting pointed toward a tall tree branch, “It’s that one.”
“Is your father taller than you, Lian di?” Dongfang Bubai compared the heights.
“Yes he is; that’s as far as he can reach when he lifts me over his head.”
“Hmm.”
“Lian di, write something nice on the ribbon for me, I’ll tie it to the tree.”
Yang Lianting listened to his request and nicely wrote his well wishes[12] on the piece of red silk and handed it to him, only to see the person fly upward with a light tap of his toes. Dongfang Bubai’s body abruptly rose into the air, as if he were blown away by a gust of wind. His vibrant red robes and the densely tied strands of red satin, tied to the tall banyan tree, danced in the breeze. For a moment, the temple fair bustling with noise and excitement turned peacefully quiet, everyone’s eyes were drawn to him.
Until the little monk standing beneath the banyan tree, from whom they had bought the red ribbon, cried out in alarm, turned around and ran away.
Dongfang Bubai tied their strand of red silk to the treetop’s tallest branch, then flew back down to Yang Lianting. He looked at the foolish man before him then took a step forward to hold his hand. “Lian di, this year ours is tied the highest.”
“Hmm? …yes, it is. Oh right, let’s quickly leave!” Thinking of the eye-catching move of his family’s cult master from a moment ago, Yang Lianting hurriedly left with Dongfang Bubai without delay. “The little monk that ran away just now must’ve called for someone over. During this kind of festival, it’s prohibited to use martial arts in public.”
“Oh, it’s not like that herd of bald donkeys[13] are capable enough to restrain us here, right?” Dongfang Bubai pulled him along and signaled him to walk slower.
“This is my first Qixi Festival with you, Cult Master. Why bother to make trouble?” Yang Lianting pulled Dongfang Bubai into a deserted alley.
The person by his side abruptly pushed him against the wall with a bout of strength, red lips blocking the question he was about to ask. Rough and heavy gasps for breath sounded. Yang Lianting felt a little dizzy from their kiss, he held the back of his neck and pushed it toward himself, the person embracing him tightened his hold around his lower back and firmly confined him in his arms. There was nearly no gap between the two, the sound of their heartbeats clearly resounding.
After their kiss, Yang Lianting looked at the beloved in his embrace with a smile, beneath the clear and cold moonlight he looked beautiful.
“Lian di, if you don’t have any other plans for tonight, then return to Wuyun[14] together with me.” The final few words were whispered in his ear with a heated breath of air, the heat melting his heart.
Cough. “...then let’s head back.” Yang Lianting evened his frantic heartbeat, then eagerly pulled Dongfang Bubai towards the street to their small courtyard.
[1] Dàrén (大人), arch. form of address for a person of higher rank such as a ruler or noble.
[2] Lit. to arrange a romantic date, to make an engagement with friends (约会).
[3] Lit. his/my family’s person (自家), fig. family member.
[4] A li (里) is equivalent to 500 m and known as the Chinese mile.
[7] Lit. nine deaths and one life (九死一生), fig. a narrow escape / a slim chance at survival.
[8] The Shaolin Temple is a Buddhist monastery famous for its kung fu monks, it is part of the righteous path of the martial arts community unlike the evil cult.
[9] Fig. wishing tree, lit. to pray for blessings tree (祈福树). It is believed that if a paper or ribbon is tied to the tree’s branches, the wish it signifies will come true. Image
[10] Lian di (莲弟) lit. means Little Brother Lotus.
[11] Fig. go down memory lane or to revisit a place one has visited before (故地重游).
[12] Fig. well wishes (寄语), usually words sent to others expressing wishes or expectations for the future.
[13] Bald donkey (秃驴) is a derogatory term for a Buddhist monk.
