Unspoken warmth
Since returning from the south of the Yangtze River, I have settled in Erxian Mountain for nearly half a year. It is early summer now, the mountains are lush with vegetation, the streams are gurgling, and there is vitality everywhere.
That afternoon, I was playing the qin beneath an ancient pine tree in the courtyard. The melodious sound, harmoniously blending with the pine's rustling waves, startled a few tits, which fluttered away from the branches. When the song ended, soft applause echoed behind me.
Looking back, I saw Yiqing standing in the corridor without me noticing when. His blue shirt fluttered in the wind, and there was a faint smile between his eyebrows.
"The music is becoming more ethereal." He walked closer slowly. "It seems that these days of quiet meditation have greatly improved your state of mind."
I put down my pipa and stood up to greet him: "It is the tranquility of the mountains that allows one to naturally calm their minds."
He sat down on the stone bench and motioned for me to do the same. Sunlight filtered through the pine needles, casting dappled spots of light on his shoulders.
"The other day, Master spoke to me about your spiritual practice." He picked up the teapot on the stone table and poured me a cup of tea. "He said your mind is clear and you have a connection with the Tao. With time, your achievements will be limitless."
I took the teacup, my fingertips accidentally touching his, and I paused slightly. Since returning from Jiangnan, such unintentional touches have become more and more frequent, and each time they do, they cause subtle ripples in my heart.
"It's thanks to Master and the Taoist Priest... for their good teachings." I lowered my eyes and took a sip of tea to hide my slightly hot cheeks.
He looked at me quietly, his eyes gentle. "Now that we're away from the hustle and bustle of society, there's no need for us to be so formal as master and disciple. Just call me Yiqing."
I looked up, meeting his deep eyes. Though his words were simple, their meaning was crystal clear. From "Mr. Gongsun" to "Master Daoist," and then to simply addressing him by his name, the change was a tacit understanding we all shared.
"Okay, Yiqing." I called out the name softly, as if a warm current was flowing through my heart.
The corners of his lips curled up slightly, a faint smile that softened his otherwise cold face. He picked up the teapot and filled it with tea for me. His movements were natural and smooth, as if he had done it a thousand times before.
"There's a lot of miasma in the mountains in summer. I've prepared some Qingxin Pills. Take them with you." He pulled a small white jade bottle from his sleeve and handed it to me. "Take one pill a day to ward off miasma."
I took the jade bottle. It was warm to the touch, and still had the faint scent of pine from his sleeve. "Thank you for your trouble."
"As I should." He spoke calmly, his gaze lingering on my face. "You seem to be looking better than a few days ago, but did you sleep well at night?"
Such meticulous care warmed my heart: "Well, maybe I've gotten used to the silence of the mountains and am no longer as easily awake as I was at first."
"That's good." He nodded. "If there's anything you're not used to, just tell me."
We sat like this under the pine trees, chatting idly about everything from our spiritual experiences to interesting experiences in the mountains, and occasionally reminiscing about the past. The atmosphere was warm and natural, as if we had been together like this for a long time.
As the sun was setting, he stood up and said, "I'm going to the alchemy room to check on the newly refined elixir. You rest now."
I nodded and watched his figure in flowing blue robe disappear at the corner of the corridor, with an indescribable warmth lingering in my heart.
These days were ordinary yet fulfilling. He treated me differently, no longer with the strict etiquette of a master and disciple, but more like the tacit understanding of a close friend. Every glance, every casual touch, held an inexplicable feeling.
That evening after class, I met him in the corridor. The moonlight was just right, making his figure look slender.
"I was just looking for you." He stopped when he saw me. "Tomorrow I'm going to the back mountains to collect herbs. Do you want to come with me?"
"Of course I'll go," I agreed quickly. "It's a good opportunity for me to learn some medicinal herbs."
A hint of smile flashed across his eyes: "Then I'll wait for you at the courtyard gate at noon tomorrow."
"Okay." I replied softly, and as I passed by him, my sleeves brushed against his, bringing a gust of fresh air.
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. His handsome figure under the moonlight, and his eyes that were always filled with inquiry and tenderness, kept appearing in my mind.
The next morning, I woke up early, washed, and dressed in a simple, light blue dress. When I arrived at the courtyard gate, he was already waiting, still in his blue cloth robe, but standing taller than ever.
"Let's go." When he saw me coming, he turned around and led the way with a leisurely pace.
In the mountains of early summer, the morning dew had not yet dried, and the birds were singing crisply. He walked ahead, looking back from time to time, and when he encountered a difficult section of the road, he would naturally lend a hand to help.
"Be careful of the moss." In front of a slippery stone step, he turned around and extended his hand to me.
I looked at that bony hand, hesitated for a moment, then placed my own hand on it. His palm was slightly cool but strong, holding me steady as I stepped over the stone steps. Once I had steadied myself, he didn't let go immediately. Instead, he gently closed his fingers and held my hand in his palm.
I was slightly startled and looked up at him. But he looked calm, as if this was the most natural thing, and continued walking with me.
His palm gradually grew warm, blending with my body temperature. This intimate contact made my heart beat faster, but I couldn't bear to pull my hand away.
"Look over there." He suddenly stopped and pointed to a small purple flower in full bloom not far away. "That's gentian, a good herb for clearing away heat and detoxifying."
I looked in the direction he pointed, but I was a little absent-minded, with all my attention on our clasped hands.
"Do you remember?" He asked me with his head down, his breath brushing against my ear.
"I remember, I remember." I replied softly, feeling my ears slightly hot.
He seemed to sense my embarrassment, and with a low laugh, he finally let go of my hand. "The road ahead is smooth, so be careful."
I nodded and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but there was a sense of inexplicable loss in my heart.
That day, he taught me to identify over ten medicinal herbs, patiently explaining their properties. I listened intently, but my eyes kept drifting to his focused profile.
As the sun set, we returned home with a full load. Back outside Zixu Temple, he suddenly took out a lavender gentian from his medicine basket and gently pinned it to my temple.
"This flower suits you very well." He looked at it for a moment with admiration in his eyes.
I raised my hand and gently stroked the flowers beside my temples, feeling sweet in my heart: "Thank you."
"We have to go to Dongfeng to collect herbs tomorrow. Would you like to go with us?" He looked at me with a gentle gaze.
"Of course I would." I answered without hesitation.
He smiled, a smile that was especially warm in the afterglow of the setting sun: "See you tomorrow then."
I watched his back as he turned and left. The gentian flowers on his temples emitted a faint fragrance, just like my mood at the moment.
Back in the room, I looked in the mirror. My cheeks were slightly flushed, and my eyes were filled with unconcealed joy. I gently removed the gentian and carefully placed it among the books I often read.
That night, I slept exceptionally soundly. In my dream, I seemed to be back in the mountains today, with him holding my hand and walking with me through the flowers.
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