Four-Faced Buddha [To My Shore] - Chap 115
Chapter 115 Extra: The Bodhisattva
‘s Fall August in Bangkok is unadorned and hot.
As dusk settles, Maha Chai Road bustles with people, and stoves blaze. The chef stirs the kuey teow in the wok, wiping away a bead of sweat that almost seeps into his eye.
You Shulang, sitting in a corner facing the street, flips through the menu and points to the picture of “Thai Fried Kuey Teow” at the waiter with a pen tucked behind his ear. He hasn’t memorized the pronunciation yet, and even if he did, he’d be too embarrassed to say it.
You Shulang and Fan Xiao have been to this restaurant many times; the ingredients are fresh, the taste authentic, and it’s a glimpse into the unadorned, somewhat crowded, yet flavorful Bangkok.
Today, Fan Xiao isn’t here.
Because of his business in Thailand, Fan Xiao travels between China and Thailand multiple times a year. He occasionally takes You Shulang along, but usually chooses the cooler season for comfort. Now, in the rainy season, it’s humid and sweltering, yet Fan Xiao is incredibly obedient both in and out of bed. After a few days of pleading, he finally managed to get You Shulang, who still had work to do, out with him.
The restaurant was packed, and You Shulang’s dinner seemed to be a while away. He opened his OA system on his phone, intending to handle some work.
Before he even opened the work software, a message notification swiped down from the top of the screen—it was from Fan Xiao. He hadn’t shown up all day; apparently, there was an important project that needed to be pushed forward.
Opening the message, he saw a location tracking. Just as You Shulang zoomed in on the map, the waiter placed a freshly cooked plate of fried rice noodles on the table.
The rising steam enveloped the screen, obscuring a patch of blue. You Shulang frowned slightly, pushed the plate away, and made out the sea on the map.
He immediately called back, and the call was answered a moment later.
“Fan Xiao, are you at the beach?”
“In Pattaya.” Fan Xiao’s voice held a smile. “Shu Lang, I miss you, I want to see you.”
The deliberately lighthearted tone was masked by the sound of the crashing waves. You Shu Lang picked up the phone, got up, took out Thai baht to pay, and quickly slipped past the bustling crowd, saying in a low voice, “Wait for me.”
The drive from Bangkok to Pattaya only took an hour and a half. As the taxi driver dragged out his long “tsk tsk,” You Shu Lang left a few more bills on the dashboard as a tip.
Halfway through the journey, he saw the sea.
Because of Fan Xiao, You Shu Lang hadn’t seen the sea for two years. It was late at night, the seawater as black as ink, constantly churning the fine sand on the shore.
You Shu Lang subconsciously touched his neck, remembering the time years ago when he and Fan Xiao went to a seaside city for a meeting, and Fan Xiao’s shockingly hot tears fell on his neck. What had he said then?
“Shulang, do you know why I added your name to the business trip list? Because… when I’m scared, I hope you’re there.”
You Shulang turned his gaze away from the sea and urged the driver again in broken Thai, “กรุณารีบหน่อย (Hurry up).”
The drop-off point was a hotel’s private beach.
Unlike the public areas, it was almost deathly quiet, except for the sound of the waves.
Every few coconut trees along the coastal path, there was a dim streetlamp, its faint light barely managing to illuminate the tall figure standing on the beach from the darkness.
“Fan Xiao,” You Shulang whispered.
The distance was too great for his voice to carry, but Fan Xiao seemed to sense it and turned his head.
His posture was somewhat stiff, and You Shulang couldn’t see the expression on his face. The thick night blended into the seawater; there was no lighthouse, and not even a glimmer of light could be found on the waves.
The opaque warehouse, the heavily curtained room, and the gloomy, silent seawater twisted and churned behind Fan Xiao, like an insatiable monster yearning to devour every heavy soul.
The handsome man stepped onto the beach, walking towards the edge of the abyss, where his lover stood.
As he drew closer, You Shulang saw the fervor in Fan Xiao’s eyes, like a child eagerly awaiting home, finally hearing the call. Just as
You Shulang reached out, cool fingers wrapped around his. Fan Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and embraced the newcomer.
The damp, salty sea breeze tousled Fan Xiao’s hair, then brushed against You Shulang’s, carrying the scent of wild roses. A gentle kiss pressed against the taut veins behind Fan Xiao’s ear. You Shulang asked, “Why are you at the beach?”
The waves dampened the nearby beach. Fan Xiao avoided the dark watermarks, shifting his gaze slightly back to create distance between himself and You Shulang. “I have something to show you.”
Before You Shulang could ask, a series of lights illuminated the beach behind Fan Xiao, leading towards the massive cliff.
You Shulang raised an eyebrow, rubbing his cold fingertips. “What’s going on?”
Fan Xiao remained silent, pulling You Shulang along the light-lit path. The waves continued to crash, occasionally crashing to Fan Xiao’s feet, instantly stiffening his limbs and causing him to breathe heavily, all of which eventually transformed into the coldness of You Shulang’s hand.
You Shulang pulled Fan Xiao to his other side, just like years ago at the meeting in the seaside city, a mere body length separating them for protection—still seeming foolish and useless.
Yet, he saw a slight relaxation on Fan Xiao’s face. You Shulang’s palm was gently scraped twice, a gesture of thanks from the man.
At the end of the illuminated strip stood a massive cliff overlooking the sea, weathered and battered by waves, yet still as solid as a rock.
The sea breeze forced a detour, and You Shulang followed it, pausing abruptly.
Behind the cliff stood a small archway, entwined with unassuming wild roses. In the dark, gloomy night, only this delicately lit archway seemed to offer a respite from the desolation.
You Shulang approached the archway, smiling, and asked, “Is this the project you’re pushing forward today, the thing you wanted to show me?”
The graceful roses and the sea breeze gently ruffled You Shulang’s hair. He turned back in the shimmering light, his eyes reflecting all the worldly attachments Fan Xiao craved.
Following You Shulang’s footprints on the sand to the archway, facing the sea, Fan Xiao slowly lowered himself, kneeling on one knee.
A plain platinum ring, placed in a velvet box, was held up before You Shulang. For the first time, Fan Xiao’s voice rose above the sound of the waves, clear and slow, as he asked, “You Shulang, same-sex marriage is legal in Thailand now. Are you…
willing to spend the rest of your life with me?” The question, echoing Fan Xiao’s voice, was followed by a distant, melodious tune, carried by the damp sea breeze, becoming soft and languid.
You Shulang stared at Fan Xiao kneeling before him, speechless for a long time. He was astonished, never having imagined that two men needed to exchange such solemn and devout vows.
His gaze swept over the ring, and You Shulang’s thumb touched his bare ring finger. Then, he lowered his hand and pulled a cigarette from his pocket.
“You’ve booked this entire beach?” Only after receiving an affirmative answer did he put the cigarette in his mouth, lighting it with his palm half-closed. The white smoke trailing from his lips was quickly carried away by the sea breeze and dissipated into the night.
The night was deep, and the embers of the cigarette glowed brightly. “Why propose here?” You Shulang asked.
“Because I’m most authentic when I’m facing fear,” Fan Xiao replied, avoiding the sea and focusing only on the fine sand before him. “Weakness is despicable; I can’t hide anything.”
He pulled the cigarette between You Shulang’s fingers close to his face, using its faint light to illuminate himself. “I hope you can face the most authentic me and make the right judgment for you.”
The sea breeze wasn’t gentle, but it carried the warmth of a tropical rainy season. You Shulang was silent for a moment, then withdrew his hand, which had been held, and suddenly his tone turned cold: “Can’t see the ring? Hold it higher.”
Fan Xiao’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze burning. He raised his arm and pushed the velvet box up further.
You Shulang, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked at the ring and asked, “Who’s the husband now that we’re married?”
Fan Xiao smiled. “Of course, it’s Director You.”
He took off his cigarette, lowered his eyes, and exhaled smoke. You Shulang’s voice was somewhat nonchalant. “Say it to me.”
Fan Xiao grasped You Shulang’s wrist, which was hanging by his side, with his other hand. Meeting his gaze, he spoke clearly and shamelessly, each word distinct and distinct. “Husband, marry me, please.”
Fan Xiao was good at using coquetry and always managed to get what he wanted. But today, You Shulang was unmoved. He bent down slightly to look at him. “Will you be obedient?”
“Yes, for a lifetime…”
“Think it over before you speak.” You Shulang looked away, gazing at the dark sea. “A lifetime… is a long time.”
“Long, yet not long.” Fan Xiao pushed the velvet box up a little more. “It’s nothing more than a day and a night, or day and night.”
The waves gently surged, and the love song reached its most tender melody. Their eyes met, and You Shulang raised his hand—the one without the cigarette—slowly forward, but it went past the velvet gift box, lifting Fan Xiao’s chin. “I remember when I first met President Fan, you weren’t very good at speaking Chinese, often failing to express yourself clearly. Now you can speak so well?”
Fan Xiao gently rubbed his hand against You Shulang’s. “I’ve been influenced by my surroundings; it’s all thanks to Director You’s excellent teaching.”
The restraint on his chin turned into a gentle caress on his cheek. You Shulang leaned down and kissed Fan Xiao’s lips. The weather was sultry, but he seemed to tremble slightly. “Fan Xiao,” his voice, still choked by the love song, choked slightly, “I’ll take it seriously, so don’t…”
“I’m not joking.” The faint, bitter scent of tobacco lingered on You Shulang’s lips as Fan Xiao’s expression turned solemn. “All beings are content with the ten evils, but my sins are far greater. I want to drag the Bodhisattva who teaches and guides people into the five defilements, to be locked with me in this world of three evils and five realms, day and night.”
You Shulang lowered his eyes, staring intently at Fan Xiao, before finally uttering, “I know you’re bad.” He added, “Mr. Fan, you’re missing a sentence.”
“What?”
“Say you love me.”
Fan Xiao suddenly stood up and kissed You Shulang, but before the passionate words could leave his lips, his shoulder was forcefully pressed down.
“Say it on your knees.”
One knee remained on the ground as Fan Xiao raised the velvet box in his hand, his eyes filled with his Bodhisattva: “You Shulang, I love you. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
“I do.”
From then on, the Bodhisattva fell into sin, dedicating the rest of his life to guiding only one person.
Author’s Note:
Episode 12 of the radio drama was too bitter, so I’m sharing some sweetness with everyone and myself tonight. Marriage in Thailand requires at least one party to be a Thai citizen, but Fan Xiao’s contribution was significant, so I made a special exception.
