The wind by Erhai Lake was getting stronger and stronger, making Coach Ma's linen jacket whistle loudly; as for me, I stood beside him the whole time, wanting to persuade him again, but knowing full well that I couldn't change his mind.

Coach Ma is a particularly strange person in this world. Although he doesn't talk much, he has an extremely strong sense of self, so he easily struggles with himself... But I hope that going to Jizu Mountain to become a monk is not the result of his struggle with himself... If that's the case, then it's too darkly humorous!

Anyway, I feel that the world where I am with Buddha is not as good as the colorful world I am in... because I like wine and meat, and I like beautiful girls, but these things are not allowed in the world of Buddha.

Facing the howling sea breeze, I tucked my neck into my clothes and lit a Yuxi cigarette.

I finally spoke to Coach Ma, saying, "I know I can't persuade you, but I still hope you'll think it over carefully... What will happen to Bai Lu if you really become a nun?"

"She'd be better off with anyone than with me..."

"Look at what you're saying... Well, she's already with you, and besides, she hasn't said she's not doing well."

Coach Ma remained silent.

I took another cigarette from the pack and said to him, "Have one. If you really become a monk, you won't be able to smoke anymore."

Coach Ma finally took it from my hand, then I lit it for him and said, "There are thousands of places in the country where you can become a monk, why stay in Dali?"

"It begins where it ends."

"Really? I feel like you're not ready yet."

"It's settled."

"So when are you going to tell Bai Lu?"

"In the next few days."

I nodded, then exclaimed, "You're really something else! You're sleeping next to Bai Lu, but your mind is on Buddha! Is that disrespectful to Buddha or to Bai Lu?"

I finally sat down next to Coach Ma, looking at the lights shining from Haidong, it was like seeing the sunlight. I felt particularly sad, and it was only at this moment that I truly missed the time when Coach Ma and I decorated the small bar together.

In those days, we could work shirtless all day long, even if it was tiring. But as long as we sat on this rock, drinking a few cups while looking at Erhai Lake and the sunset, we were happy and content. Because at those times, I felt that my efforts had been rewarded. The reward didn't have to be tangible; the happiness and contentment after a hard day's work could count as such.

Back then, we were so easily satisfied, and many things happened in the open. But now, we always talk at night, gather at night, and make decisions at night.

I wondered again, why is there such a difference?

Perhaps it was because of Yang Sisi back then; she was like sunshine, illuminating a patch of our sky… Everyone liked her, like liking an angel with wings. If we, the people who ran the inn together, were a team, then that team truly couldn't do without a girl like Yang Sisi. She brought a lot of fun things to liven up the atmosphere.

In that instant, I also felt guilty. I didn't know if she had moved on from the regret I had caused her... but I really hoped she was happy, the kind of pure happiness.

...

Coach Ma said he was going to see an old friend, so he left Longkan before me, leaving me alone to face the distant and profound Erhai Lake... At that moment, I really wanted to be alone and quiet.

Chen Jin called again, saying that he and Ping Ge had met two very heavy-drinking foreign women at a bar, and they wanted me to come and save the day.

I have no respect for them. They can't even drink with someone, yet they're still eyeing that person's big breasts. That's just a sign of incompetence, so I won't embarrass myself by associating with them. I think sitting quietly by Erhai Lake for a while is better than anything else.

I took out my phone and sent Ye Zhi a message: "Are you asleep? If not, chat with me for a while."

"What should we talk about?"

“I’m sitting by Erhai Lake, it’s very quiet.”

"What about Ma Jiuyi?"

"No, at Longkan Wharf."

"Why did you go over there?"

"I accompanied Coach Ma to come and take a look..."

After sending that message, I immediately followed up with another: "I have something to tell you... I suddenly really want to buy a house in Dali, by the sea, so I can see Erhai Lake every day when I open the window, and there has to be a small garden in the back of the house, filled with marguerites..."

Ye Zhi did not reply in time.

I sent another message, asking, "Do you think I'm just dreaming?"

"No, I just went to wash my face... If you want to buy it, then go ahead."

"I can't afford it... I'm just dreaming."

"If you really want it, I can contact my friends and ask them to give me an insider price... or we can split it in half."

"No, things that can be easily achieved aren't really dreams..."

About ten minutes later, Ye Zhi replied to the message: "Michael, if there really was such a house, would you wait for me inside forever?"

I'm a bit sensitive, so I immediately asked, "Why do I have to wait?... I don't like waiting, especially not waiting all the time."

"We see each other very little and spend most of our time waiting for each other, and there's no way to change this situation for the time being."

"Have you never thought that one day we might settle down in Dali and live together?"

“I’ve thought about it, but I can’t leave Shanghai like you did.”

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