A few days later, Shen Xi Fan was packing her luggage at home. Her mother hovered, fussing.
“Take as much as you can with you. Everything in the U.S. is expensive. You’ll need dollars, and ten yuan here is only worth one over there!”
Shen Xi Fan nodded repeatedly, carefully tucking the prescriptions into her most important book. She thought of her appointment with He Su Ye that afternoon to visit Huatai Temple for a blessing charm and couldn’t resist taking the prescriptions out again to examine them.
His handwriting was definitely practiced. His signature was elegant yet steady, bold yet restrained—just like the man himself.
She lay on the floor, resting her head on her suitcase, giggling foolishly at the three characters of his name.
“I really don’t want to leave. What should I do?”
But this dream of hers wasn’t something she could give up so easily.
Deep down, she knew this better than anyone. She also knew that He Su Ye understood, which was why he was willing to watch her go.
When Shen Xi Fan arrived at Huatai Temple, a familiar figure was already waiting by the gate. Even with a cast on his left arm, which looked a bit odd, He Su Ye’s calm demeanor made it seem as if he didn’t care at all.
She suddenly remembered that every time they made plans, he would always arrive before her—without exception.
When had he started being so used to waiting?
Meeting his smiling gaze, she couldn’t help but smile back. A warm, gentle feeling flowed through her heart. She reached out her hand.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go in.”
That afternoon, there were fewer visitors burning incense and praying at the temple. As they stepped into the main hall, a young monk greeted them with palms pressed together.
“The Master requests the two patrons to follow me to the rear courtyard.”
Shen Xi Fan looked confused and tugged on He Su Ye’s hand quietly.
“What’s going on? I’m not ready to talk to a high monk. I don’t understand a word of Buddhist philosophy!”
He Su Ye chuckled.
“They’re not asking you to have a conversation. The blessing charm needs to be consecrated. My family knows the abbot here.”
She exhaled in relief.
“One temple for one god. When I go to the U.S., I guess I’ll need God’s blessing instead.”
“You cheeky little girl,” He Su Ye teased indulgently. “Just don’t go saying anything silly later, alright?”
Throughout the process, Shen Xi Fan didn’t pay much attention to what He Su Ye and the abbot discussed or what the consecration involved. What did catch her attention was the tea they drank.
It was unlike any tea she’d had before. The pale green tea, tinged with a faint yellow hue, was served in a white porcelain cup adorned with blue floral patterns. It had a subtle bamboo fragrance—refreshing and soothing.
This tea was perfect for the slightly warm afternoon, inviting slow savoring. The ancient temple, surrounded by towering pines and green bamboo, echoed with the sound of bells, lending the tea an air of mystery—devout, serene, and calming.
As they left the rear courtyard, Shen Xi Fan couldn’t help but ask,
“What kind of tea was that? How did it have a bamboo fragrance?”
“Did you like it?” He Su Ye smiled as he gently brushed a fallen leaf from her shoulder. “Let’s take a walk in the bamboo grove.”
The entire grove was imbued with a faint, sweet aroma. The fallen sheaths and bamboo leaves on the ground formed a green carpet, warm and soft, which crunched slightly underfoot with each step.
Shen Xi Fan took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance around her. “This scent is just like the tea we had earlier—subtle yet lingering. I love it!”
He Su Ye smiled, extending his hand toward her. In his palm lay a small bamboo leaf.
“The tea you drank earlier was made from bamboo leaves. Bamboo leaves are also used in traditional Chinese medicine, although those are in raw form. I’m not sure about how they’re used for tea, though.”
Curious, she took the leaf and inspected it. “It’s a medicinal herb? What’s it used for?”
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