Clutching the bag of medicine, she smiled foolishly, her heart torn with questions: Am I overthinking this? He Su Ye always seems so kind and composed. How much do I truly matter to him?
Unable to hold back, she sent him a message, casually asking when he’d return. But even after waiting a long time, there was no reply. She put her phone on vibrate and, without realizing it, drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, her phone was still empty of messages, and so was her heart. Disheartened, she buried her head in her arms and let out a long sigh.
The feeling of longing, so unfamiliar, poured out uncontrollably.
She went to a temple to burn incense. Her mother called it “fulfilling a vow.” Before leaving, she prayed for peace.
Wandering through the temple courtyard, she admired the exquisite architecture, the finely crafted statues, and the vibrant murals. The ancient music seemed to wash over her soul, and she walked softly, reverently.
Elderly visitors prayed for their children’s safety, middle-aged women for their children’s academic success and husbands’ health. As for Shen Xi Fan, she prayed for her parents’ wellbeing—and for He Su Ye’s safe and swift return.
In the end, she couldn’t resist and made a call to him.
At that moment, Shen Xi Fan was in the bamboo grove behind the temple, where bamboo was far more plentiful than trees. The dense, verdant stalks swayed gently, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Elderly visitors meditated nearby, and Shen Xi Fan spoke in a light, soft tone, though her delight was impossible to hide.
On the other end, it sounded lively—she could hear the rushing of wind and the hum of people’s voices. Curious, she asked, “He Su Ye, what’s going on over there? Why is it so noisy?”
A clear, resonant voice answered, “I’m holding my phone with my shoulder while talking to you. Both my hands are full of needles—I’m treating a patient with arthritis. It’s been years for them, and with this damp weather and strong winds, it feels like a storm is coming.”
Feeling apologetic, Shen Xi Fan asked, “Am I disturbing you? Should I hang up?”
“It’s fine. Where are you right now?”
“Huatai Temple. There’s a large bamboo grove behind it, and the air here is wonderful. My mom said I should visit before I leave to fulfill a vow and pray for peace. By the way, when are you coming back?”
“In about three days. Have you gotten a peace talisman yet? The ones consecrated by the abbot here are said to be very effective.”
“I didn’t know about that! No, I haven’t.”
“No rush. When I get back, we’ll go together, alright?”
Her heart raced. “Alright. Oh, by the way, I sent you a message yesterday, but you didn’t reply. Why not?”
He sounded surprised. “When was this? I didn’t get anything. The signal here is terrible—you have to keep moving just to make it work.”
Shen Xi Fan laughed. “Come back soon. I’ll wait for you.” Then, realizing how ambiguous her words sounded, she quickly added, “I mean… I’ll wait for you so we can go get the peace talisman together.”
He chuckled softly. “I understand.”
After hanging up, she leaned against a bamboo stalk and smiled to herself. Tiny bamboo leaves drifted down as the temple’s resounding bell echoed through the air. Pressing her palms together, she closed her eyes, calmed her heart, and offered a sincere prayer.
On her way back, she received a call from Lin Yi Shen, inviting her to meet.
Lin Yi Shen appeared as energetic as ever, greeting her with a smile and saying, “I quit my job.”
She choked on her tea and burst into a fit of coughing. Wide-eyed, she stared at him in disbelief. “You quit? Are you joking? Senior, don’t tell me you’re chasing after me in some kind of relentless pursuit!”
Raising an eyebrow, Lin Yi Shen replied, “If that’s not shocking enough, let me give you another piece of news.”
“Go ahead,” Shen Xi Fan said, setting her cup down. “I promise not to drink tea this time.”
“I quit to study abroad. The main reason is… I’ve realized I more than just like you. Sorry about that.”
Her mind went blank for a moment before she mumbled as though in a daze, “I can say no, right?”
Lin Yi Shen smiled, his eyes narrowing. “Of course. We value equality and democracy, after all. But here’s the catch—I’m going to your school. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Business Administration.”
She laughed. “Anyway, welcome. But sorry!”
Because the person I like is someone else.
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