Huiming nodded and led him into another path. Along the way, they encountered several young monks who bowed to Huiming and then greeted Qin Yan behind them with their hands clasped together.

At the end of the Longevity Staircase is a ginkgo tree. The tall and ancient ginkgo tree is full of golden leaves, which are scattered all over the ground and shimmer in the sunlight. The staircase is covered by leaves and looks like flat ground, but in fact the steps are half again as high as the steps leading up the mountain.

Huiming sat on a futon next to the ginkgo tree. He sat upright and then put his hands together and began to chant scriptures. There were only the two of them there.

He had never heard of such a large ginkgo tree at Qianling Temple, so ancient and untouched by visitors.

“Fate is wondrous and beyond words; you may ask for it, benefactor.” Huiming finished speaking and then closed his eyes again.

Qin Yan knelt down amidst the fallen ginkgo leaves, clasped his hands together above his head, and bowed deeply, taking one step and then kowtowing once. In that golden expanse of hope, he prayed for the heavens to have mercy on Yun Nuan's arduous perseverance over the past ten years.

"May Yun Nuan live a long and healthy life." His deep voice was firm, he didn't care how high the steps were, he didn't care how important dignity was, he didn't care about the golden fields and the silent mountains, he didn't care if blood flowed from his bruised forehead.

His voice was still hoarse, and his words remained unchanged. He climbed ten steps with unwavering devotion. His face was taut, and stray hairs covered his wounds. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Her life was filled with immense suffering; she never truly lived a good life. She was kinder and braver than most people in the world. She treated everyone with sincerity, and even when she was sick, she never made a fuss. But I wish she could have been a little more assertive and not been afraid of burdening others. She never tasted the sweetness of the world, but she experienced all the bitterness."

She is braver than me, and she is never afraid of death. I dragged her into this world to suffer. If there is any punishment, it should fall on me, the wicked one.

She is the best person in the world. May Heaven have mercy on her and bless Yun Nuan to live a long and healthy life! Her bitter voice choked with sobs, and she kowtowed heavily once more before clenching her hands tightly as she stood up.

Huiming behind him was long gone, leaving him alone in the courtyard. Ginkgo leaves fell softly, covering the places he had pressed down, and the so-called traces vanished in an instant.

He stood tall and elegant beneath the ginkgo tree. His gaze swept around the courtyard—red walls, green tiles, golden trees. A vivid scene unfolded, the sunlight overhead dazzling, yet a sense of unease inexplicably welled up within him.

A desolate wall, trees with fallen leaves that no one knows about, a courtyard, he looked down the steps from where he had just come up.

The silence was broken by his phone ringing. His heart pounded. It was Aunt Lan calling. His hand holding the phone trembled unsteadily.

"Hello, Aunt Lan."

On the other end came Aunt Lan's distraught voice, crying, "Mr. Qin, Nuannuan has vomited blood and fainted! What should we do? Please come back quickly!"

Qin Yan's body swayed unsteadily; he stumbled awkwardly, then headed straight for the mountain gate, a heavy gloom emanating from him, his teeth clenched. He looked like a storm was brewing.

Master Huiming watched his departing figure, then clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha."

Yun Nuan seemed to hear the distant tolling of bells. She clutched her chest, her heartbeat becoming irregular. A sharp pain began to throb in her heart again.

She went downstairs to the glass greenhouse, which she hadn't really looked at properly since it was built. She picked up the watering can and watered the plants. Back inside, she carefully examined everything. If she hadn't noticed, she would have seen two framed photos next to the television, both of them of her, taken by Qin Yan. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought the house belonged to her.

The second floor was where Aunt Yun and the others lived, and the third floor was where she and Qin Yan lived. After taking a look around, she smiled with satisfaction.

Everything here is starting to feel more and more like home. Aunt Lan is busy preparing dinner, and Yun Nuan is standing at the kitchen door watching her.

Aunt Lan is a very, very good person. So good that when I met her for the first time, my eyes were filled with affection and tenderness.

She stepped forward and hugged the other person from behind, smiling as she spoke.

"Aunt Lan's cooking skills are so good, it's a pity that you've been making medicinal meals for me all this time. From now on, you can really show off your skills. Qin Yan likes to eat fish, all kinds of fish, Aunt Lan, don't forget that."

Aunt Lan turned around and tapped her head in reply.

"Silly girl, it's you who likes to eat fish. Mr. Qin doesn't have any dishes he likes. He only likes to eat fish because you like it, and he remembers that you really like seafood."

Yun Nuan tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled shyly, "It seems so, okay. Qin Yan is really hard to understand, Aunt Lan, you'll have to put in more effort in the future."

Aunt Lan was washing vegetables, chatting with her as if they were old friends.

"Mr. Qin, I don't need to bother with you. These capable people like to maintain their mystery, unlike our Nuannuan who is so easy to talk to and so easy to take care of. She's not picky about food at all, so sweet."

"They're not easy to raise," she muttered to herself, but her voice was so soft that Aunt Lan didn't hear her.

Timing it perfectly, she slowly walked out, speaking as she went.

"Aunt Lan, you'll probably have a hard time tonight."

Aunt Lan was still unaware of what had happened, and smiled gently, saying, "What trouble is there? I'd be overjoyed if Nuannuan ate more tonight."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Nuan, who had reached the door, reached out to hold onto the door frame, then coughed up blood and fell to the ground, unable to stand.

Aunt Lan wiped her hands and turned around to see her slumped on the ground. The bright, glaring color frightened her, and she screamed in alarm.

"Warm and cozy!"

Even the bodyguards, who had witnessed her having many episodes, were still distressed by the sight and immediately called an ambulance to take her to the hospital. Aunt Lan quickly called Qin Yan.

"Wasn't the surgery scheduled for the day after tomorrow? How could this happen? Oh my god, what should we do?!" Aunt Lan was completely disoriented; she was incoherent and unable to remain calm.

Qin Yan rushed down the mountain to the hospital as quickly as possible. On the way, he contacted the attending physician to make preparations, and the surgeon arrived even before him.

"The patient's condition is very bad, we may need to perform surgery sooner rather than later." The doctor's last words caused the people waiting at the door to cover their mouths and weep silently.

With Qin Yan not arriving, they had no idea what to do.

The driver dared not utter a sound, and a tense atmosphere enveloped the people in the back seat. Qin Yan's hands trembled as he clenched them together until he bit his lips until the soft flesh inside broke, tasting the metallic flavor. He pressed his hand to his lips, biting unconsciously, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness and confusion, but more so with suppressed sorrow.

Why, why won't you let her go! He bit his hand hard, veins bulging, as if he were being crushed.