Rewind to the morning

...

The early morning at Hanyue Temple is peaceful and serene.

The three of them walked up the stone steps, through a small forest, and then...

A hint of unease flashed in Chu Wuyang's eyes, and she unconsciously stopped in her tracks.

Yang Jinchu noticed her unusual behavior immediately, frowned slightly, and reached out to take her hand.

But he paused in mid-air, and finally just said in a low voice:

"It's okay, just keep walking."

Hearing his calm voice, Chu Wuyang felt as if she had been soothed.

She nodded slightly, bit her lip, and continued walking forward.

When passing by that area,

She kept her head down the whole time.

Until it was confirmed that the place was no longer as I remembered it,

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

“A small fire occurred here a few years ago, and the temple was later rebuilt.”

Yang Jinchu noticed the confusion in her eyes and explained softly,

"The koi pond has been filled in and replaced with these flowers and plants."

Chu Wuyang paused for a moment, concealing her emotions, and nodded slightly.

Follow him toward the main hall.

Chu Wuyang exclaimed in surprise:

"Did you prepare this?"

Inside the main hall, the chanting of sutras was deep and melodious, and the smoke of incense rose gently, clearly indicating a pre-prepared blessing ceremony.

Yang Jinchu nodded.

Chu Wuyang glanced at Yang Jinchu.

Yet, an indescribable sense of gratitude welled up within me.

The three arrived at the ritual area and, following the monk's instructions, knelt before the prayer mat.

The master presiding over the ceremony looked solemn. He first picked up a bowl of purified water, dipped a willow branch in the water, and gently sprinkled it on them while chanting Sanskrit mantras to remove bad luck and purify their bodies and minds.

Then, the master dipped a cinnabar brush in cinnabar and wrote incantations for peace and blessings on the talisman paper.

He handed the talisman to Chu Wuyang.

She personally placed it into the incense burner to burn.

Yang Jinchu and Wen Ying watched quietly from the side. Following their master's guidance, they lit three incense sticks in front of the wooden table, lit the incense candles one by one, and prayed devoutly with their hands clasped together.

The incense smoke rose gently, carrying a faint sandalwood scent, which accentuated the solemn figures of the three people with their heads bowed and eyes closed.

The prayer ceremony has ended.

Chu Wuyang inadvertently glimpsed Yang Jinchu writing many "Peace and Blessing" characters on the talisman paper.

Every stroke was done with utmost care, prompting me to jokingly remark:

"Brother Jinchu, are there really that many people who need our blessings?"

Yang Jinchu paused, holding the cinnabar brush, and replied in a low voice:

"Yes, I always feel that no matter how many prayers I offer, it's never enough."

His tone was calm, yet it carried a subtle, almost imperceptible heaviness.

After the blessing ceremony,

Chu Wuyang and Wen Ying stood up.

But Yang Jinchu remained kneeling on the prayer mat, hands clasped together, his expression respectful and solemn.

He seemed to be chanting something in a low voice.

Chu Wuyang stood aside and waited for a while. Seeing that he didn't get up for a long time, she hesitated for a moment and then called out softly:

"Brother Jinchu, is it okay now?"

Yang Jinchu slowly opened his eyes, turned his head and glanced at her.

A faint smile played on his lips, but it couldn't hide the melancholy in his eyes.

His voice was low and soft, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps answering:

"If you feel guilty, kneeling for a longer time might make you feel better."

Chu Wuyang was slightly taken aback, looking at him as if she understood but not quite.

A moment later,

She didn't ask any more questions.

The abbot approached, clasped his hands together, and said kindly:

“Benefactor Yang, your annual donation of incense money is a great act of merit. Hanyue Temple has been able to continue thanks to your kindness.”

Yang Jinchu nodded in response:

"It's just a small token of my appreciation, nothing to brag about."

The abbot smiled slightly and continued:

"It's cold today, and the temple has prepared a vegetarian meal. Why don't you stay for a meal?"

Upon hearing the words "vegetarian meal," a hint of nostalgia flashed across Chu Wuyang's eyes. Yang Jinchu, seeing this, softly said to her:

"Let's have a vegetarian meal and see if it still tastes the same as before."

Chu Wuyang was slightly taken aback, and replied in a low voice:

"good."

His tone carried an undisguised anticipation.

The three followed the monk toward the dining hall.

Chu Wuyang looked around; the smoke from the incense was curling, but there were no other worshippers, making it exceptionally quiet and deserted.

She asked in confusion:

"Why haven't I seen anyone else during the Lunar New Year?"

Yang Jin paused for a moment, then said in a low voice:

“My grandmother donated a lot of money to the temple during her lifetime and was also familiar with the abbot. So every year on this day, the temple will specially chant sutras and pray for my grandmother.”

Chu Wuyang was stunned, her heart sank, and she murmured:

"So that's how it is. This is my first time here since my grandmother passed away..."

As Chu Wuyang bowed her head and clasped her hands in prayer, Yang Jinchu whispered:

"It's alright, I can come with you if you want to come again." He paused, then added softly.

"If you'd like."

Chu Wuyang seemed not to hear, turned around and walked towards the dining hall first.

Wen Ying, who was behind her, heard it clearly and lowered her head slightly...

During the meal, a young chef came in and asked:

"Should we prepare rooms for the three of you to rest?"

"want"

"don't want"

Chu Wuyang and Yang Jinchu answered almost simultaneously.

Chu Wuyang looked at Yang Jinchu in surprise:

"Brother Jin Chu, are you going to stay overnight?"

Yang Jinchu nodded:

"It's the same every year."

Chu Wuyang lowered her head, feeling even more guilty.

She actually wanted to stay and keep her grandmother company, but then she remembered her promise to that person not to let them stay overnight…

She picked up her phone, raised an eyebrow, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes—there were no incoming calls or text messages.

Just then, the young chef added:

"The weather is bad tonight; it will snow and close the roads."

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