"Hey!" Liuli called out when she saw that he seemed stunned.
Shi Chan snapped out of his daze, his cheeks suddenly turning red. He quickly took two steps back, bowed, and chanted, "Amitabha!"
Liuli was taken aback, then burst out laughing, shaking her head and saying, "What's wrong with you, little monk?"
She turned around, took two steps, sat down with her back against the big tree, and waved with a smile, saying, "Little monk, come and sit down, keep me company for a while."
Disturbed by some unknown emotion, Shi Chan was somewhat flustered and only wanted to leave as soon as possible. So he bowed and said, "Please forgive me, young lady, this humble monk really should take his leave!"
"No!" Liuli pouted and said loudly, "You can't leave. If you say you want to leave again, believe me, I'll tie you up here and keep you company while I talk to you."
Feeling helpless, Shi Chan sighed softly, sat down cross-legged, clasped his hands together in front of his chest, and said helplessly, "Alright then, may I ask what the young lady wishes to say?"
"Hmm..." Liuli pondered for a moment, then asked in a clear voice, "What would you say?"
Shi Chan lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then looked up and honestly said, "To be honest, young lady, all I know is how to preach."
Feeling utterly bored, but thinking that something was better than nothing, Liuli said listlessly, "Alright then, you can tell me some scriptures."
"yes."
Shi Chan nodded, straightened his expression, and began to earnestly expound the scriptures. The scriptures were difficult and profound, and Liuli could not understand them at all. But she was unwilling to let Shi Chan go so easily, so she forced herself to listen to his sermon. Before long, she felt her eyelids getting heavier and heavier, and she could not open them at all. Her head was also moving uncontrollably, and she slowly fell into a deep sleep.
After speaking for a while, Shi Chan looked up and saw Liuli leaning against a big tree, her head bowed low, her soft hair cascading down to cover her small face, looking as if...she was asleep.
Shi Chan was taken aback, then shook his head and smiled bitterly. He called out softly, "Miss Liuli...Miss?"
Liuli barely opened her eyes a crack, glanced up at him, mumbled a vague "hmm," then leaned her head back and rested her little face against the tree, falling asleep.
Shi Chan stood up and looked down. She was sleeping peacefully. Her usually mischievous eyes were closed, making her face less alluring and more gentle. Her mouth was slightly open, her breathing was steady, and her sleeping face was as peaceful as a baby's.
Shi Chan's eyes softened, and he clasped his hands together, saying softly, "Amitabha, now that you are asleep, I should take my leave... I just hope you won't blame me for leaving without saying goodbye..."
He gave Liuli a deep look, then turned and left.
The straw sandals rustled softly underfoot as they stepped on the fallen leaves. Shi Chan walked quite a distance before turning back to look. There she was, still sleeping peacefully against the tree, the gentle breeze ruffling her long, soft hair.
That one glance was quietly etched into the depths of his heart, becoming a gentle nightmare that haunted him for many years to come, one he could never forget.
--
She slept exceptionally soundly, and Liuli slept until dusk, when she was suddenly awakened when her head tilted and she almost fell to the ground, vaguely calling out, "Little monk..."
But when she looked around in a blur, there was no trace of Shi Chan.
Liuli rubbed her sleepy eyes and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Little monk?"
She leaned against a nearby tree to her feet, turned around to look, but there was no one in sight. Liuli frowned immediately, displeased, and said, "You little monk, you dared to lull me to sleep and then run off! Humph, don't let me see you again, or I'll make you pay!"
She raged for a while, then looked up and saw that it was getting late, so she could only turn around and leave dejectedly.
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