章 87: In A Pair

When Shui Xian opened his eyes in the morning, the first thing he did was turn his head to the other side but as usual, he didn't find his wife sleeping beside him. She was awake earlier than him yet again.

Suddenly, the events of last night flashed through his mind. It had been intense than their first time since she was being so proactive. And that's why he was really surprised that even after all that vigorous exercise she didn't want to sleep in. Even he felt like he wanted to laze around in bed for a little longer.

The bathroom door opened and Raelle appeared before his eyes with a bathrobe tied around her. She looked at Shui Xian and greeted him, "Good morning, Hubby!" He replied to her as he sat up and leaned against the headboard lazily. However, his eyes kept following her around as he was trying to find any signs of fatigue on her face but wasn't able to.

But apart from fatigue, he got to see something even more interesting. For instance, those red marks that were littered everywhere below her neck.

"What are you looking at?" asked Raelle when she noticed him looking at her so intently.

"I'm just wondering," he replied. "How do you manage to look so energetic and fresh every morning?"

"Because I'm awesome!" she said to him making him smile at her. She took out her outfit for the day before she dried her hair. Meanwhile, Shui Xian still hadn't moved from the bed. He was constantly following her movements.

Shui Xian had to agree that she was awesome. He couldn't deny it. At least, her stamina was super awesome. Did he feel tired because he was getting old? Shui Xian instantly shook his head to shake off this thought out of his mind. Even though he was older than her that didn't mean he was THAT old.

But he really needed to do something to match her energetic self.

After she dried her hair, she suddenly recalled something and left everything right where it was before hurriedly going back to the bed and crouched down to get the gift box that she had left there last night.

"You didn't open it last night?" asked Shui Xian when he noticed what she was up to.

"I was going to," began Raelle. "But you distracted me."

"I did?" he pointed at himself and Raelle plainly nodded her head. "Okay," was all he could say in return to her. If she said he distracted her, then that must be the case. He knew if he tried to say otherwise, she'd still end up making him believe that he was the reason for her distraction. So, he decided not to waste time on that pointless argument. He'd just take it as a compliment that he was able to distract Raelle Xiang from something.

Raelle opened the box and the very first thing that greeted her was a red envelope that had a blessing written on it as follows, 'May fragrant flowers bloom and full moon shine over your life together.'

"What does it mean?" she questioned.

Shui Xian noticed her confusion and beckoned her, "Come here." Raelle came to stand beside him and he held her wrist as he pulled her down making her sit right beside him. He placed his chin on her shoulder naturally and looked at the red envelope. "She's blessing us to have a happy married life."

Raelle looked at those words then her eyes moved towards the side of his face that was now very close because of how he was almost leaning on her.

"There is something else as well," said Shui Xian and took the small rectangular box within. As he opened it, he smiled, "This is hand carved." Seeing how she was blinking at him confusion again, he elaborated, "This is a pair of Mandarin Ducks. We can hang it in our room." Shui Xian was impressed by the delicate and petite pair of jade Mandarin Ducks. He could easily tell that someone had made this with love.

"Why?" she questioned.

"Mandarin Ducks are a long treasured Feng Shui symbol of uniquely complimentary love in our tradition and are also known to mate for life." Raelle listened to him with all her attention. His voice could be heard right beside her ear and everytime he opened his mouth, his breath would hit her neck. "It's a belief that their loving energy attracts suitable romantic partners into your life or enhances and inspires the current partnerships."

"Does it even work? Is there a scientific proof that this thing works?"

Shui Xian placed his hand on her head as he said, "Not everything needs to be scientifically proven. Some beliefs come from the heart and what makes those beliefs strong is the faith."

"I didn't understand a thing," she retorted. "But it sounds like it's a good thing. So, where should we hang it?"

Shui Xian rubbed her head, "Anywhere you want." Shui Xian picked up the last thing from the gift box and said, "Hyson's mother has put some serious thought into this gift."

"Isn't it just a pair of chopsticks?" Raelle asked as she looked at the pair of chopsticks in his hand. Shui Xian shook his head at her and rotated the chopsticks. Raelle's eyes caught sight of something and she said out, "Oh, our names are engraved on it. And the date of our marriage registration as well."

Shui Xian's eyes softened, "Exactly! These are custom made chopsticks. In fact, chopsticks represents happiness. Practically, these represents that she is giving us happiness." Shui Xian felt really touched by these seemingly simple but extremely meaningful gifts. It showed how much Hyson's mom had put thought into it all.

After all, even she'd know that Raelle didn't lack anything in her life. So, instead of giving anything materialistic, she chose to go with something meaningful.

"Also, let's not forget that chopsticks always come in a pair. Just like husband and wife. Now, tell me if we lose one chopstick, can you eat with the other alone?" Raelle shook her head in reply and he went on, "That's how husband and wife can't go without each other. They have to work in perfect harmony."

Raelle nodded her head thoughtfully, "That means you and I also come in a pair."

Shui Xian's lips pressed against the back of her neck as he replied, "Yes, we do."