by Lucy Yam
If he weren’t Summer’s guest, Nobul thought, he would throw that man with pale skin and yellow hair into the lake. How dared he touch his Snow like that! His Snow? Goddess! What had gotten into him? He wasn’t serious about her, was he? The thought annoyed him. He had tamed her the other night after the dance, and had almost had her there in the dressing room. She had surprised him with that passion that he had awoken. And she had confused him. She had urged him to go to her and called him Prince. And he didn’t like the sound of it. She made him feel that she was a female tourist coming to seek pleasure. And he wouldn’t mind if she were one of them indeed. But she wasn’t, at least not to him. He simply didn’t want to be her prince of one night pleasure. The night after the dance he didn’t sleep a wink. Her eyes, her snowy breasts with rosy tips were all he could see when he closed his eyes. Her silky folds were all he could feel. And his erection lasted all night. Knowing he had to get away in order to sort things out, he called his assistant in Chengdu in dawn and told him to send a helicopter over.
They stopped by various villages. Most of them were tourism-free and thus mostly pristine and charming. The two professors took pictures and spoke to people they saw on their way. Sometimes they even knocked on the doors and made requests to see the interior of the houses.
When they were visiting a Han family’s house, the hosts, an elderly couple in their seventies, invited them to lunch with them. They accepted the invitation gladly. So there they were, seven of them sat around a small round table, having lunch with only one entrée: fried green peppers with pork. The peppers were from their garden and they were very spicy. When the dish was still being cooked Dr. Lewis was already coughing and rubbing his nose. He didn’t dare to try and limited his choice to the plate of picked cabbages.
Sharon didn’t really like spicy food, but was urged by the hosts to try. She got choked as soon as she swallowed the peppers. Dr. Lewis, who was sitting next to her, patted her, “Are you ok?”
“Yes I am.” Sharon said after she had drunk some water, “It’s delicious, but too spicy for me.”
Dr. Lewis finished eating before others. He started to
talk again. “Spicy food is good for your circulation according to Chinese medicine theory. Is that right, Dr. Yang?”
Charlene translated the sentence to Dr. Yang, who nodded and responded in English, “Right, right. And I’m puzzled that people in this regions have mild temperature.”
“I think he means temperament.” Charlene said to Dr. Lewis, who was struggling to understand the comment.
“Maybe it’s the religion.” Dr. Lewis said after a
moment’s consideration, “Buddhist teaching calms you. Doesn’t it?”
Sharon wanted to suggest that it was perhaps because of the cold and humid climate in the region, but decided that Buddhism was just as good a reason.
“Anyway, I think Sharon should get used to eating peppers,” Dr. Lewis continued as he smiled at her, “since they give you such a nice complexion.”
At these words Sharon became self conscious of her cheeks, which began to flush even more, under the burning eyes of Nobul.
About four in the afternoon they got to Water Town and went into a lake-side café that was made of a log house with tinted glasses, and had a rustic yet urbane look. They waited for the arrival of the expected group of anthropologists.
“Let me suggest a great topic for you, Charlene.” Dr. Lewis said, after gulping down some beer, “romance love.”
His suggestion had everyone’s attention. Dr. Yang blinked. Nobul inclined his head as he looked at the American.
“Romantic love had evolved to ensure the care of a male to his offspring. In a Moso society a man is not obligated to take care of his children, so romantic love is rendered useless.”
Dr. Lewis paused after he had said that, and waited for the reaction from his audience. But there was silence for a long time, and he asked Charlene impatiently, “What do you think of my suggestion, Charlene?”
“You’re saying that,” Charlene lowered her voice after glancing at Nobul warily, “the Moso do not have a notion of romantic love?”
“That is indeed my hypothesis!” Dr. Lewis nodded in affirmation.
“Oh, I’m not sure about that,” Charlene mumbled, “In fact there are many Moso legends on romantic love. For example, Goddess Gemu was a romantic goddess….”
“Oh it might be just a story to promote tourism. Ask this guy! Ask him whether he knows what romantic love is, or whether he has experienced it!” Dr. Lewis said, confidant that the answers would be as he had expected.
Sharon looked at Nobul nervously as Dr. Lewis was urging Charlene. The assertion had sounded nothing but an insult on the Moso and the confrontation would only humiliate him further.
Charlene was hesitating when Sharon said to Dr. Lewis, “Oh please, let’s forget theories and enjoy the moment of serenity.”
But Dr. Lewis was excited by his speculation, “Why, it’s just a harmless question. It won’t hurt for people who don’t know what it is.”
Sensing her sister’s dilemma and the darkening face of Nobul, Sharon said bravely, “I’m sure they experience love. Fifty years ago the chief of Moso fell in love with the picture of the daughter of an army captain and crossed mountains and plains to propose marriage to her…”
“Oh those were just legends.” Dr. Lewis interrupted, “I want to hear what the Moso say.”
“You want to know? I will tell you,” Nobul spoke slowly and clearly in English as Dr. Lewis’ face turned from pink to crimson and his mouth fell open. “Why I didn’t know you could speak…”
Nobul ignored him and went on, “You’re right. Moso do not believe in love. Love is a useless emotion. If you ask Naruma, the eldest person in the village and she will tell you that love is a disease like the syphilis.”
Sharon was shocked by his haughty response. How could he speak of love in such a contemptuous way? Clearly he was lying! The other day when he was telling her the romance between his grandparents his eyes were full of respect and piety! It must have been his reaction to Dr. Lewis’ humiliating speculation. She knew how sensitive the Moso was to an outsider’s judgment on his culture.
But Lewis didn’t get it or pretended he didn’t. He smiled and said to everyone, “Did you hear that?”
Sharon was about to tell him to shut up when a group walked towards the café, and Charlene shouted with relief, “There they are.”
A group of four people, three students including a Chinese and two Americans, entered the café.
“Becky! How are you? I’ve missed you!” Charlene gave one of the American girl a big hug. Becky was from University of Washington and they had met at a conference last year.
“Me too. How is your vertigo? Are you feeling better?”
“Yes I’m much better. Thanks. But too bad I couldn’t go to the conference.”
“I know. I learned about so many interesting researches. This region is the paradise for anthropologists!”
When Charlene decided to stay the night in Water Town with the others, Sharon strongly opposed. For one thing, she worried about her sister. Besides she wanted to avoid going back with Nobul alone. But Charlene insisted, saying that it was a rare chance to be with her friends outside the U.S., and she wanted to chat with Betty. Dr. Lewis took it as an opportunity to encourage Sharon to stay with them. But Sharon knew that she wouldn’t be able to tolerate him a moment longer, so she let Charlene have her way.
At sunset Charlene walked her sister and Nobul to the dock.
Nobul said to Charlene, “Just give us a call. Either me or Urcher can pick you up.”
“It’s all right. I’ll hire a boat instead.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Sharon asked Charlene before they split.
“I’m positive, sister.” Charlene pulled Sharon aside, “are you all right, though?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. You don’t seem to
be yourself today. You haven’t spoken a word to Nobul…”
That was the trouble of having an anthropologist sister. You couldn’t escape her observant eye.
“Don’t you worry about me.” Sharon said nonchalantly, “enjoy your evening.”
When Sharon was about to walk towards the boat, Dr. Lewis, who had been talking with one of the students, ran to her, “Sharon, don’t tell me you’re really leaving?”
“Actually I am.” Sharon smiled politely.
“No you’re not!” Dr. Lewis put his hand on her arm, “We’ve just met! Spend the night with us! We’ll go Moso dance together!”
Sharon was trying to think of a reason to refuse when Nobul grabbed Dr. Lewis’ wrist, removed it from her arm, and said to him coldly, “She doesn’t know how to dance.” Then he put his arm tightly around Sharon’s shoulder and led her to the boat.
“Sharon!” Dr. Lewis shouted in her back, “Email me when you’re back to the States.”
“Sure!” Sharon rolled her eyes.
As soon as they were on the boat Sharon shook off Nobul’s arm. “Let go of me,” she protested while rubbing her shoulder, “it hurts.”
The muscles on his face were tense when he said, “Perhaps you would rather be in the paws of that yellow-haired wolf.” Then he went to the cabin without another word.
Sharon sat stiffly on the bench, expecting worse storms from him. Remembering the insulting remarks of Dr. Lewis, she felt sorry for the Moso. The American professor deserved a beating for that, not just for judging a person’s culture so arrogantly, but also for treating love as a dispensable object so logically and theoretically. She wanted to say comforting words to Nobul but was afraid that he wouldn’t appreciate her effort. After all, she had wounded the pride of the Moso, no, his ego somewhat, by her intimate gesture with Dr. Lewis throughout the day. If only she hadn’t allowed herself to give away to the tyranny of revenge. She resented the fact that he had seduced her and left her in the middle of burning desire. She wanted to prove to him that what had happened between them the other night didn’t mean much to her at all. She was trying to teach the Prince a lesson, to show him that she wasn’t his prey. The memory of that night again sparked her resentment, and erased much of the sympathy she had felt earlier for Nobul. No, she would not say nice words to him. Let him suffer. After all, he himself was as arrogant a man as Dr. Lewis. And she couldn’t stand either of them! Half nervous and half excited, she lifted her chin and embraced herself for a storm.
Against her expectation, the Prince didn’t say a single word to her on their way back. In fact he stayed as far from her as possible. Whether he was steering or not, he stayed in the cabin with his back towards her, without even a glance at her. Sharon felt uncomfortable as the boat got into the center of the lake. She would prefer that he shout at her rather than torturing her with unbearable silence.
Nobul grasped the steering wheel tightly even though steering wasn’t necessary at all. He did that only because he did not want to put his hands on his passenger’s snowy neck and throttle her. Oh, how she had provoked him with her coquettish behavior towards that insolent beast with yellow hair! He knew she had done it deliberately. He knew she was out of character. But he couldn’t help but let himself fall under her manipulation. This is insane. He muttered under the sound of the motor. He had never let a woman taking control over his head and body like this. The force this woman held against him was powerful. Just the thought of her sitting few feet behind and possibly observing him with her alluring almond eyes sent a jet of heat down his spine. With the irresistible desire of crushing her under him on this thin surface, he ground his teeth and forced himself not to look at her.
Sharon was prepared to play dumb show with him towards the end but when the boat moored into the shore of Empress Island she cried, “What are you doing? You’re supposed to take me to Shangri-la.”
“I changed my plan. We’re going to spend the night here.”
“What do you mean? You changed your plan…?”
“Yes. I’ve got something to figure out.” He stopped the engine and went to her.
“Well, you can figure it out yourself. I’m getting out of here.” She reached for the key in his hand, “Give me that. I can operate the boat.”
He swung his hand back first and then put the key into his pocket. “I’m not used to taking orders. Besides,” He lifted her chin with his fingers and let her hat fall. “You’re the matter that I want to figure out.”
“I don’t…” Her voice was muffled as his lips, hot and hard, pressed onto hers, bruising, sucking, probing.
Sharon resisted. She wiggled and squirmed, but only stirred herself more in the movement. When his hand reached the flesh of her back she moaned and her lips parted.
It was a long and consuming kiss, burning with the fuel accumulated ever since the night of the dance, composed of longing and spiced with jealousy. By the time he let go of her, she felt dizzy and was gasping for air.
Nobul leapt onto a rock on shore and reached out his hand. His smile was triumphant.
Sharon resented that smile. “I’m not going.”
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her off the boat, “Yes you’re.”
She struggled, “I’m not staying here.”
“Why not?” he said with a sardonic smile, “Are you afraid of me?”
“Afraid of you? Why should I?” She lifted her chin and faced him. Meeting his deep brown eyes stirred her instantly, but she inhaled deeply to calm her agitation.
“Afraid that you’ll lose control of yourself,” he bent and whispered to her ear, “like you did the other night.”
Her breasts swelled in the memories that his hot breath had awoken.
“I won’t let you seduce me again.” She said as calmly as she could while breathing heavily.
“Oh really?” He stroked the taut point through the thin linen, “I will show you that a Moso can make love, even though he might not understand the concept of love.”
She shivered in his deliberate strokes. His usual smoky scent had an extra flavor, an intense maleness that was melting her fast.
She wanted desperately to break free but her body wouldn’t listen. And her mouth was the only part of her that would follow her mind. “If you don’t believe in love, then you can’t call it ‘making love.’”
He looked wounded, but soon relaxed the knot between his dense brows, and said scornfully, “all right, call it coupling then. Show me you don’t like it.”
His hands moved slowly from her nape to her throat, making her lips dry. Involuntarily her tongue ran over to wet her lips. When she was aware of that improper gesture it was already too late. He had claimed her lips and was ransacking every sensor of her mouth with that devastating tongue of his. When she opened her eyes in a daze, his lips curved with cruel satisfaction as he watched her. Reaching up from under her dress, he stroke her buttock first, then her back, and going higher, he cupped her breast. Trembling with desire, she sighed and closed her eyes as he teased her nipple and made it harden. There was no use to deny the physical attraction she felt for him. She met his eyes in despair.
Nobul’s hand froze. He was hurt when he saw the pain written on her face. Withdrawing his hand from her body, he pushed her away. “Perhaps you prefer making love with someone who speaks of love in theory only.” He said coldly.
Humiliated, and burned with desire, she clenched her teeth and said, “Yes. I prefer a sophisticated man.”
He gave her a cold and hard look before he turned and went up the path to the hill top.
Sharon clenched her fists as the big man disappeared into the woods. He did it to her again, aroused her and abandoned her, and she had allowed him to do it to her!
What was she going to do? She didn’t know. All she knew was that she couldn’t stand a minute longer with this intolerable man, who would be a scorching iron in one moment and a cold steel the next, who would stamp on her pride and wound her feelings as if they were h
orse dung. Perhaps some boats would come by and she could hitch a ride. She looked around and saw no boat on the lake. Of course, it was approaching the end of the day and the villagers had finished work and gone home.
Sharon walked along the shore and got to the other side of the hill for a broader view on the lake. The sun had set completely but she could still detect the mountain where the hotel stood by. She could swim back to Shangri-La! She thought suddenly. It was a wild idea but at that moment it seemed like her only choice and she considered it seriously. She was a good swimmer and she knew her way. But she didn’t have her swimsuit. She could just swim in her tank-top and panty. Both are black and the tank-top was stretch-fit. And in this time no one would see her anyway. There wasn’t any other guest in the hotel so she could just sneak into her room once she got out of the lake…Oh, but what if someone had checked in during the day? She thought about the choice of going back to the motorboat and wait for Nobul. No! She wouldn’t go back there. She wouldn’t want to see that cruel man again in her life! She had spent the last few days thinking about him, wanting him, and the only thing he did was to deride her! Was she nothing but an object to satisfy his ego? And just what gave him the right to treat her like that? The fact that she had lost her head momentarily didn’t mean that she was his captive! Enraged by her own thoughts, she stood up, took off the dress and hid it behind the bush. Then she walked into the water.