“Bamboo leaves clear heat, ease irritability, promote fluid production, and quench thirst,” He Su Ye explained earnestly. “The rolled tips of bamboo leaves are particularly effective for clearing heart fire and unblocking channels. They can be used alongside honeysuckle, forsythia, and mint. In Chinese medicine, there are also other forms of bamboo, like light bamboo leaves, bamboo sap, and bamboo shavings, which all have therapeutic uses.”
“No wonder the tea tasted so fragrant—it even clears heat!” As a breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, the leaf in Shen Xi Fan’s hand was swept away. She laughed, “Fallen leaves return to their roots.”
“‘Fallen leaves return to their roots…’” He Su Ye repeated softly, savoring the words. He gently took her hand. “Am I right to think there’s a deeper meaning behind what you’re saying?”
Shen Xi Fan grinned playfully, enunciating each word. “Yes, I mean exactly what you’re thinking.”
As they exited the temple, they saw several stalls set up along the back wall, with a crowd gathered around them. Intrigued, Shen Xi Fan insisted on pulling He Su Ye over to take a look.
It turned out to be a fortune-telling setup by wandering soothsayers. In one corner, a group of girls was excitedly chatting with a young woman, presumably the stall owner. She was holding a divination stick and, upon seeing them, called out cheerfully,
“Yue Lao’s love divination! I only do three readings a day, and since today’s free, the last one will go to them!”
Disappointed sighs rippled through the crowd, but they stepped aside to let Shen Xi Fan and He Su Ye through.
Shen Xi Fan hesitated, half-jokingly asking,
“Are doctors atheists? He Su Ye, what if I draw a bad fortune?”
The young woman smiled.
“Listen to all sides, and you’ll be enlightened. Believe too much in one thing, and you’ll be misled. Besides, everything has two sides—don’t take it too seriously.”
Still uncertain, Shen Xi Fan drew a stick. When she read the four characters etched on it—De Qi Su Zai (which roughly translates to “attain what you desire”)—she looked confused and handed it to the fortune-teller.
The young woman’s eyes widened in admiration.
“Supreme luck!” she exclaimed.
The surrounding girls looked on with envy as the fortune-teller explained,
“‘Attain what you desire.’ It praises a marriage that is perfectly harmonious and timely. When such an extraordinary opportunity comes, don’t hesitate—seize it without delay. Any hesitation, and it might slip away. But don’t regret what you cannot recover.”
The cryptic words left Shen Xi Fan bewildered, while He Su Ye turned away to hide his laughter. The young woman tossed the stick into her bag, waved goodbye, and cheerfully announced,
“That’s all for today! I do three readings daily starting at 4 PM—come back again!”
Still unconvinced, Shen Xi Fan muttered, “How accurate can this be? It didn’t seem very professional.”
Someone nearby interjected, “How is it not accurate? She’s so popular she only does three readings a day. A friend recommended her to me, but I’ve been coming here for three days and still haven’t had my turn.”
She turned to He Su Ye with a look of uncertainty, seeking his opinion. His bright eyes met hers as he smiled and nodded.
“I think it was spot on.”
“Fine, it must be accurate then,” she thought, suppressing a smile.
Back at He Su Ye’s house, Shen Xi Fan busied herself with preparing dinner while He Su Ye reviewed He Shou Zheng’s homework in the study.
Taking advantage of a quiet moment, He Shou Zheng leaned over conspiratorially.
“Uncle, why were you holding hands with Sister Shen today? And with only one good hand! That must’ve been tough!”
Without even glancing up, He Su Ye replied,
“The plural of ‘glass’ adds ‘-es,’ and you misspelled ‘visit.’ You’ve been very distracted lately, little rascal.”
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