When A Snail Falls In Love

Chapter 51.2

The night slowly deepened. The entire room was bathed in warm light. Ji Bai was taking a shower, while Xu Xu lay on the bed, supporting her chin in her hands, looking out of the window to the quiet, star-lit night.

She heard footsteps behind her, the bed sank a little, and warmth slowly enveloped her.

"Do you like it?" Ji Bai's deep tones resonated at her ear.

When Xu Xu looked down, she saw that he was holding a translucent green jade bangle.

She lifted her head to look at him: "A love token?"

Ji Bai chuckled: "Uhm". He lifted her hand and placed the bangle on it. The bangle was elegant, and would not easily be dislodged. The delicately clear jade, and her pale, snow white hands, were well suited for each other.

"My grandfather gave it to me. Wear it when we visit him later."

Xu Xu was startled by this revelation. It would seem that this bangle had been intended for Ji Bai's future wife.

"This is too valuable. Isn't it inappropriate to give it to me now?"

Ji Bai understood what was going through her mind. Their relationship was barely a few months old. If this bangle were to be taken as the present given to the Ji family daughter-in-law on first meeting her, it would really be too early. (I don't think I've translated the sense of this correctly)given by Ji family to the daughter-in-law

Yet, on the one hand, he had met her father today, and he felt it was necessary to give her some indication of his intent. However, on the other hand . . .

No matter what happened in the future, regardless of whether they could really be each other's life partner as they hoped, his whole-hearted wish, was that this bangle, which had accompanied him for almost 30 years, would belong to the woman in front of him.

Even more so, the possibility of the two of them holding hands to a ripe old age was extremely high. He could almost say with certainty that there were no obstacles to that conclusion.

Thus, he replied carelessly (casually): "What era do you think we live in? Don't think so much. You've already said, this is a love token. Take care of it."

When he put it that way, Xu Xu stopped trying to decline his gift. It was just that, looking at the beautiful, sleek jade bangle**, she thought: what could she give him as a love token? What could possibly appropriately express her feelings for him? It was a headache ah.

(this is funny; 珠圆玉润 is actually meant to be taken metaphorically, to refer to excellent singing or polished writing – here, I assume it's literal!)

——

Monday night was the department's celebration dinner, with a special ceremony to commend Ji Bai and Xu Xu's contributions in Myanmar.

It was early evening, the lights were already lit. The spacious banquet hall bustled with the noise of hundreds of people talking and laughing in dozens of tables. Ji Bai and Xu Xu were sitting at the head table with the provincial and municipal leaders. Most of the time, Ji Bai was the second person to answer questions by the leadership, thereby blocking the other colleagues' attempts to propose a toast.

When Liu Ting came in, he saw Ji Bai flushed with success and deliberately teased him, "Ji Bai, you should restrict yourself to three cups today. When I asked Xu Xu, who rushed to stop her? Turns out you've fallen for this little girl."

The leaders all laughed. Ji Bai willingly took the punishment. He answered with a laugh: "I would like to thank Liu Ting for mediating (announcing?) on behalf of us." Liu Ting was bemused. He laughed, shook his head and said, "Come on! If you've fallen for her, who can steal her away? Xu Xu is a good girl, you should be happy, ok?"