Chapter 1 N - Reunion

"Goodbye, Chu Beiling." Standing on the cliff, Xing Yu slowly backed away. "We'll never see each other again."

It seemed that if Xing Yu took another step back, he would fall off the cliff—

"No..." Chu Beiling lunged forward instantly, trying to grab him, but she was a step too slow and missed, causing Xing Yu to fall off the cliff.

He tried to jump down and grab Xing Yu, but the ground shook violently, stopping him in place.

"Xing Yu." Chu Beiling woke up instantly, belatedly realizing that she was on a plane back to China.

He dreamed about him again.

Chu Beiling's breathing gradually became heavier, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. He reached into his pocket with trembling hands, took out a medicine box, stared at the vortioxetine in the box, but ultimately did not take it.

He knew that after taking this medicine, the suffocating feeling of panic would gradually subside, but at the same time, his thoughts would slowly solidify, and he would become empty and numb, like a walking corpse, losing all emotional perception.

Chu Beiling didn't want it to be like this.

He would rather endure the continued pain than forget Xing Yu.

Chu Beiling took a deep breath, intending to continue sleeping, returning to the dream before Xing Yu jumped off the cliff, and to pull Xing Yu out of the abyss.

The airplane announcement came over my ear: "Your flight will land at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in fifteen minutes. Please fasten your seatbelts and stow your tray tables..."

Chu Beiling glanced out the window; the plane was probably approaching, and the buildings below were already clearly visible.

Looks like I can't sleep.

Zhu Qing'an, who was traveling with him, was awakened by Chu Beiling's noise. She turned to look at him and asked, "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Sorry to wake you." Chu Beiling unscrewed the mineral water bottle and took a sip. The bottle was still covered with a thin layer of mist. Perhaps because he had drunk ice water, his voice was even colder than before.

"It's nothing," Zhu Qing'an sat up straight and glanced at her watch. "Anyway, we'll be there soon."

Zhu Qing'an stared at Chu Beiling's pale face and asked, "Would you like a flight attendant to bring you a cup of hot water?"

The palpitations persisted, and Chu Beiling took two more sips of ice water, saying calmly, "No need, I'm fine."

Zhu Qing'an said worriedly, "If you feel unwell, say so immediately. Don't force yourself to be strong."

Chu Beiling nodded, glancing out the window. Below him was the familiar Qiantang River, and not far away was West Lake. From his perspective, West Lake looked like a pig lying down.

Staring at the West Lake pig, Chu Beiling smiled inexplicably, then suppressed her smile and dared not look any longer.

Fifteen minutes later, the plane landed.

Early December in Hangzhou is damp and cold, and it has just rained. The biting wind chills you to the bone, and there is no escaping it. This is unlike Singapore, which is hot and humid all year round and full of the vitality of tropical rainforest.

Hangzhou is a city that experiences rain for 200 days a year, like a delicate ink painting, always carrying the gentleness and tranquility unique to the Jiangnan region.

Zhu Qing'an couldn't stand it anymore and pulled her collar up to the top: "It's so cold. Isn't Hangzhou in Jiangnan, in the south? Why is it so cold?"

Having been away for ten years, Chu Beiling was still getting used to the magical attacks of Hangzhou: "Hangzhou is damp and cold, go back and wear more clothes."

Zhu Qing'an regretted it a little: "I should have listened to you and brought more warm clothes."

Chu Beiling: "Let's go to the mall to buy it later."

Zhu Qing'an was almost frozen to death, and her reactions were much slower; it took her a long time to nod.

The two walked out of the airport together and headed to the hotel they had booked. Chu Beiling looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar scenery outside the window, and a bitter and sour feeling crept into her heart.

Ten years have passed. Hangzhou is still Hangzhou, but it's not the same Hangzhou it was 14 years ago.

The changes are really significant.

The meeting with Chu Meng to discuss cooperation was scheduled for two days later. After settling into the hotel, Chu Beiling planned to go back to Zhanongkou for a visit.

Just as I was getting ready to leave, there was a knock on the door.

Chu Beiling went to open the door. "What's wrong?"

Zhu Qing'an said, "Bei Ling, your hometown isn't here. Take me sightseeing. I've heard that Lingyin Temple, West Lake, and Leifeng Pagoda are particularly famous, but I'm not very familiar with them. Will you be my tour guide?"

After thinking for a moment, Chu Beiling finally went out with Zhu Qing'an.

They went to Lingyin Temple first. There was no time limit for West Lake; they could go anytime and didn't need to worry about the time. Another reason was that Chu Beiling wanted to go later, or even not go at all.

I used to stroll around West Lake whenever I had nothing to do. I have so many memories there, both good and bad.

And the cruel and painful memories that were painful for him.

After visiting all the main halls of Lingyin Temple, Chu Beiling bought a red prayer ribbon at the Buddhist supplies shop and wrote in a flowing style: "Xing Yu, may you have peace, joy, and happiness forever, and enjoy all the world's splendor."

The red ribbon wishing for peace and happiness was hung on the green trellis by volunteers.

Watching the red ribbon swaying in the wind, Chu Beiling chuckled, and for some reason, tears welled up in her eyes.

Zhu Qing'an asked, puzzled, "Bei Ling, what are you laughing at all?"

His nose stung, but Chu Beiling suppressed his emotions, not wanting Zhu Qing'an to notice anything amiss, and said in a hoarse voice, "I was thinking of something interesting."

Zhu Qing'an asked curiously, "How interesting?"

Chu Beiling smiled faintly but remained silent, not intending to answer.

As they left Lingyin Temple, a light drizzle began to fall from the gloomy sky. Since they hadn't brought umbrellas, they bought two transparent ones from a nearby shop.

Afterwards, Chu Beiling led Zhu Qing'an to the place where they could take the sightseeing electric car.

There were already quite a few people waiting at the parking spot.

Zhu Qing'an asked, "Are we going to West Lake?"

Chu Beiling shook his head, then glanced at Zhu Qing'an: "Faxi Temple."

Zhu Qing'an, a Singaporean of Chinese descent, had only heard of Lingyin Temple and not much of Faxi Temple. When it was mentioned, she suddenly remembered, "I did some research before coming here. I heard that it's especially effective for praying for marriage, is that true?"

Lingyin Temple has always been a popular place of worship, and many people both at home and abroad know about it. Faxi Temple is known for its effectiveness in helping people find love, and in recent years, this has spread on the internet, making people aware of the existence of such a temple.

In fact, He has always been there.

Chu Beiling nodded: "Mm."

"Then I need to go and see when my destined partner will arrive." Zhu Qing'an longed for marriage and especially looked forward to getting married and walking hand in hand with someone for life.

However, what he found novel was: "Bei Ling, you're actually going to pray for a marriage match? I thought you had absolutely no interest in romance."

Zhu Qing'an had known Chu Beiling for six or seven years, during which time Chu Beiling had gone through several relationships, while Chu Beiling had never had one; his "keep away" attitude was written all over his face.

Many people in the company and various partners had their eyes on this gentle yet aloof prince, and those who dared to pursue him relentlessly were all ruthlessly rejected.

Zhu Qing'an had always been curious about what kind of person could catch the eye of the Ice Prince.

Chu Beiling seemed somewhat lost in thought: "Interested."

But I'm only interested in one person.

Zhu Qing'an didn't hear clearly: "What?"

Just then, the sightseeing electric vehicle stopped in front of them, and Chu Beiling raised his chin: "The vehicle is here."

The topic was diverted.

The two of them boarded the sightseeing electric vehicle to Faxi Temple with the waiting crowd. After scanning the payment code, the driver drove the sightseeing vehicle along the Shangtianzhu Trail to Faxi Temple once everyone was on board.

Ignoring the eager glances that the other passengers on the bus occasionally cast at him, Chu Beiling quietly admired the surrounding mountains and rivers.

It was raining, and the surroundings were shrouded in a light mist. The air was filled with the sweet scent of grass and trees. I could hear birds chirping on some branch, and the wind was gentle.

Everything around me was damp and healing.

Everyone knows that praying for marriage at Faxi Temple is very effective, so Chu Beiling decided to give it a try.

If he and Xing Yu are still destined to be together.

He prayed to meet Xing Yu again and to form a bond with him.

An hour and a half ago, Xing Yu parked his car in the parking lot, got out, and walked towards Faxi Temple.

Just as he stepped through the entrance gate, a phone call came in. Xing Yu folded his umbrella and answered it.

“The person in charge of ECho in Singapore has arrived in Hangzhou, and I’ve arranged to meet them in a couple of days,” Xu Tunan said.

Xing Yu: "Understood."

"By the way, what are your plans for your birthday this year? You're not going to skip it again?" A tour guide with a few tourists walked by, introducing the history of Faxi Temple. Xu Tunan heard the tour guide's voice and exclaimed, "You went to Faxi Temple again?!"

"Okay." Xing Yu took the three sticks of incense handed to him by the volunteer and swiped his citizen card to enter the temple.

Xu Tunan advised again, "Chu Beiling has been in Singapore for ten years and hasn't returned to China even once. He has no idea if he will ever come back. Are you really going to wait a lifetime?"

Xing Yu: "I didn't wait for him, I just..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Tunan interrupted, "You didn't wait for him; you just got used to it year after year."

Xing Yu said, "I won't be coming next year."

Xu Tunan said helplessly, "You say the same thing every year."

Xing Yu says every year that he won't come for his birthday next year, but he always shows up at Faxi Temple on time for his birthday. Year after year, this year is already the tenth year.

Xing Yu emphasized, "I really won't be coming to next year's birthday celebration."

Xu Tunan was skeptical. "Fine, fine, you definitely won't go next year." He figured Xing Yu would definitely prove him wrong.

Xing Yu was too lazy to argue with him: "That's all for now, bye."

"I really won't!" Xu Tunan would ask this question every year on his birthday, unwilling to give up.

Xing Yu sighed helplessly, "You ask me every year, don't you get tired of it!"

Xu Tunan: "It's not tiring. Asking won't cost you anything. Maybe you'll change your mind this year."

However, he could understand why Xing Yu never celebrated his birthday after that. No one could forget the birthday celebration Chu Beiling gave Xing Yu when he was seventeen. The legend still circulates in Xigao to this day.

After that comparison, no matter how I celebrate, all my birthdays pale in comparison.

After a pause, Xu Tunan said what he had been wanting to say all along: "Xing Yu, Faxi Temple only helps those with affinity. It's been ten years and it's been completely useless."

He took a deep breath, but still didn't say that Chu Beiling wasn't your destined partner. Instead, he said, "Go meet new people and move on."

Meeting the right person at the wrong time is simply a matter of not being meant to be.

Xing Yu happened to walk to the main hall.

The surrounding area was bustling with worshippers, some taking photos, some lighting incense, and some kneeling on prayer cushions with their hands clasped together—

Everyone else traveled in groups, but Xing Yu, alone and earnest, seemed like a silhouette isolated from the world.

At this moment, the sound of a bell came from the main hall, followed by the sound of monks chanting sutras in the temple, and the drizzle gradually intensified.

Xu Tunan's words, "The Buddha does not save those without affinity," were momentarily apt.

Xing Yu: "Hu Tutu, if you're free, go draw and make plans. The original artwork design for the otome game you collaborated on with Xingyao was rejected, and you still haven't given me the revised version. Also, the animation project proposal for the collaboration with ECho—you haven't given me either of those."

Of all my high school classmates, only Xing Yu still calls him that, and he only does so when he refuses to answer a question.

Xu Tunan immediately shut up after receiving the hint, hung up the phone, and went to work on the plan to monitor his subordinates.

Xing Yu put his phone in his pocket and lit the three sticks of incense he had taken from the doorway. He hadn't noticed while on the phone that the incense was wet from the rain and wasn't easy to light.

It took him a little while to light it.

Like many other worshippers, Xing Yu made his wish and then inserted three sticks of incense into the incense burner.

The huge incense burner in front of the hall emitted wisps of smoke, and the scent of sandalwood wafted over him. He lit the amulet he had obtained last year and threw it into the incense burner.

After watching the protective charm burn out, Xing Yu went around to the back of the main hall and climbed up the wooden corridor on the left.

Behind the main hall on the right side of the corridor, there is a platform with a trellis supporting it. Red prayer strips and colorful prayer flags flutter gently in the drizzle.

Someone is hanging up a prayer banner.

Xing Yu hung one up, just like in previous years.

The red prayer strip that read, "May Chu Beiling be safe, joyful, and forever successful," was instantly soaked and swayed in the rain.

Xing Yu stared at it for a while, then turned around and walked back up the wooden corridor to the highest point of Faxi Temple. He found a spot with a great view, sat down, and took out his iPad to start sketching.

In the distance, amidst layers of thin mist, yellow walls and green tiles stand tall above the clouds, and many tourists brave the heavy rain to take photos at popular spots.

The rain grew heavier and heavier, the rainwater sliding down the gray tiles, turning into layers of water curtains, the sound of flowing water echoing in my ears.

Xing Yu drew the view from the highest point into the layers, and in the center of the composition, the people who were originally standing at the popular tourist spot were replaced by the image of Chu Beiling from his memory.

Xing Yu sometimes fantasizes about what Chu Beiling will look like ten years from now. Will he be sunny and energetic, or will he have shed his boyish naiveté and become a mature and steady man, or will he have a temperament somewhere between a boy and a mature man?

Unfortunately, no one could tell him the answer.

Xu Tunan can glean from what others have seen about the changes in the person he secretly loves at different stages.

Xing Yu, on the other hand, didn't even have the right to spy on Chu Beiling.

Xing Yu reached out and covered the image of Chu Beiling in the picture, lost in memories, staring at it with a smile for who knows how long—

The laughter of several high school students approaching in the distance startled the birds on the branches, pulling him back to reality.

After a sudden pause, Xing Yu signed the date in the lower right corner of the layer: "Chu Beiling, 27 years old, December 7, 2024, left at Faxi Temple."

With time running out and things finished, Xing Yu got up and began packing his things, preparing to head downstairs.

Chu Beiling and Zhu Qing'an strolled all the way to the highest point, and after walking around there, they prepared to descend the mountain.

Zhu Qing'an suddenly remembered: "At Lingyin Temple, what kind of card did some people swipe when they entered? Can I get one too?"

He will likely be staying in Hangzhou permanently from now on, and since his family is a Buddhist family, he wants to visit often.

Chu Beiling: "Citizen Card".

Zhu Qing'an remembered that Chu Beiling was from Hangzhou. "Then why didn't you swipe your card to enter?"

"You need to pay social security; otherwise, it's useless." Chu Beiling had been away from Hangzhou for ten years and hadn't paid social security for ten years, so his citizen card was unusable. He could only buy a ticket to enter, just like Zhu Qing'an.

"Then I probably can't do it." Zhu Qing'an nodded knowingly, but it didn't matter; he could just buy a ticket and come in.

After comforting herself, she said, "Wait for me, I'm going to take some pictures."

"Go ahead and take the picture!" Chu Beiling nodded slightly.

Zhu Qing'an took out his phone to take a picture, while Chu Beiling waited patiently for him.

Xing Yu suddenly turned around, just as Chu Beiling happened to glance over.

In an instant, the sound of chanting filled the mountains, and everything came to a standstill.

They both froze in shock.