Ask your heart
When Gu Sidu returned, a sumptuous meal was laid out in his home, unlike usual. Gu Sidu quickly became suspicious; was this lavish meal prepared specifically for him?
He doesn't seem to have anything going on lately.
In that instant, Gu Sidu went through every terrible thing he could think of.
He remembered that he hadn't done anything wrong, except for fooling around with his wife a few times and acting recklessly a few times.
With a nervous heart, Gu Sidu stepped into the room and smiled gently at Jiang Yufan: "Why has Madam hosted a banquet today?"
“You’re back,” Jiang Yufan smiled at Gu Sidu. “I was just about to send someone to look for you.”
“I don’t need to look for it, I’ll do it myself,” Gu Sidu said ingratiatingly as he approached Jiang Yufan. “It’s just that the food is too lavish, and I’m a little scared.”
"I'm in a good mood today and would like to have a drink with you and chat about life and the world. It seems like we haven't talked in a long time." Jiang Yufan invited Gu Sidu to sit down. She really didn't mean anything by it. She and Gu Sidu rarely had the chance to drink together like this. The last time was when Gu Sidu was feeling down and worried about his future.
Although Gu Sidu was in a difficult situation at that time, his drunken chat that night was still unforgettable for Jiang Yufan. Jiang Yufan asked everyone to leave, closed the door, and left only the two of them in the room. The window was slightly open, and the bright moon could be seen in the sky. The room was filled with the aroma of wine and food. Jiang Yufan had already poured a glass of wine for Gu Sidu and handed it to him.
Gu Sidu used to have many worries, but now he felt no sadness at all. Since that was the case, he should drink to his heart's content. He took the wine and clinked glasses with Jiang Yufan: "Alright, let's drink until we're drunk tonight!"
"We have to drink until we drop? That's a bit much, isn't it?" Jiang Yufan thought of Gu Sidu's extremely low alcohol tolerance and added, "But we don't have to get too drunk. A little bit is fine too."
Gu Sidu was no longer listening to any of this. He pulled his chair closer, and the two of them were pressed together. Gu Sidu said, "Madam, did you hide something from me again today? Did you meet someone you shouldn't have?"
"How did you know?" Jiang Yufan asked in surprise. "Could it be that you also possess extraordinary abilities?"
“It’s quite obvious. You said you saw Jiang Yurong a few days ago. I guess that bad guy must be trying to cause you trouble again, which is why you’re acting so strangely.” Gu Sidu was good at investigating. He swirled his wine glass and clinked it with Jiang Yufan’s.
"Tell me, what did Jiang Yurong say today?"
"It's nothing. He was spoiled since he was a child. After experiencing a change in his life, he just wanted to find someone who could protect and help him."
"So you're expected to give everything for him?" Gu Sidu seemed to have known all along. He wasn't surprised and didn't let Jiang Yufan continue.
How did you know?
Gu Sidu smiled and said, "I not only know these things, but I also know that you gave him a large sum of money to help him settle his assets, but he is not ambitious and feels that it is not enough. He can use up all the money, but he is unwilling to work hard himself."
"You investigated him?" Jiang Yufan was taken aback.
"Yes, ever since you told me about this, I've been secretly observing him. I want to see if he'll do anything to you, like a leech sticking to you."
Gu Sidu was worried. He saw Jiang Yurong take the money, choose the most expensive clothes for herself, and eat a lot of good wine and food, spending all the money. That's when he knew what was going on.
In Jiang Yurong's eyes, that money meant nothing; it was just enough for him to squander on one meal. And that squandering wasn't because he could afford so much money, but because that was all the silver he had.
"And what about you, Gu Sidu, what do you think?"
In terms of blood ties, Jiang Yufan would not acknowledge Jiang Yurong, but if he were an ordinary child without parents, it wouldn't be unreasonable to find him a place to go.
Gu Sidu said, "Madam, if you are unwilling to acknowledge him, then he is not your brother, and it is not your responsibility to take care of him. Madam, if he can't make a living on his own, then that is his own business. If you have compassion and find him a place to live, he will probably still pester you in the future."
"Since we're going to sever ties with the Jiang family, let's do it thoroughly."
That makes sense. Jiang Yufan nodded, and the last shred of goodwill that had crossed her mind was slowly suppressed. She clinked glasses with Gu Sidu: "I think after today, he should be able to guess who I am. The name is similar, and it seems familiar."
"It's good for him to know. He always wanted to see what you looked like, and now that he has, his dream has come true, and he has no regrets in this life." Gu Sidu's cheeks were already a little flushed. He opened his arms and let Jiang Yufan lean in, then hugged her tightly.
"My wife must live a good life, make him envious and jealous, and let him see you living an even better life because you deserve it." Gu Sidu still couldn't let go of the pain from those ten scars in his heart. If they were to compete, Gu Sidu hoped that Jiang Yurong could witness firsthand the glorious path that Jiang Yufan had forged on her own.
Jiang Yufan smiled, knowing Gu Sidu's thoughts: "I just had a little bit of kindness in my heart just now. Now that I think about it, I've given you everything I could and done everything I could. I also know that if I soften my heart again, I will give him another chance."
“Gu Sidu, I think maybe it’s the will of Heaven. These days I’ve been thinking about it carefully, and I always see a sea, and I can see many people rowing boats, not knowing where they are going. I used to be one of them. I can’t see my surroundings clearly, I just feel like I have to row and row, but I’ve found that even if I don’t row, and I don’t think about anything, I can still reach the other side.”
"Where is that?" Gu Sidu rested his head on Jiang Yufan's head, his voice already somewhat unsteady, showing signs of intoxication.
Unaware, Jiang Yufan hugged Gu Sidu tightly around the waist, saying, "That's a sea of suffering."
"It's not bitter, it won't be bitter in the future," Gu Sidu replied, seemingly unrelated to the question.
Jiang Yufan turned to look at Gu Sidu. Sure enough, the drunkenness had come late, but it had finally arrived. She didn't say anything more, but simply closed her eyes and quietly held Gu Sidu's body. She looked out the window, watching the wind rustle the leaves of the trees in the courtyard.
What a beautiful night! With my love by my side and no worries weighing on my mind, this is the best time. Jiang Yufan knew that Gu Sidu couldn't hear her, so she whispered in his ear, "I've overcome all the sad things in this world, and Daoyun has found the life he wants. Gu Sidu, I'm so happy to have met you. It would be so good to live like this for the rest of my life."
"Gu Sidu, thank you for everything."
If Gu Sidu were awake, Jiang Yufan wouldn't have felt comfortable saying these things; she was still a little shy about saying them in front of him. Being drunk has its advantages, though. Now, Jiang Yufan wanted to help Gu Sidu up, but she was worried—Gu Sidu was too heavy, and she wasn't sure if she could lift him.
Just then, Jiang Yufan felt the force on her body lessen considerably. This shouldn't be happening. Jiang Yufan was about to turn around when she was hugged first. It was Gu Sidu. Gu Sidu wasn't drunk.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Why aren't you drunk?" Gu Sidu chuckled softly. He flipped Jiang Yufan over and pinned her to the table. He lowered his head and rubbed his nose against Jiang Yufan's.
"I am drunk, but not completely drunk. I heard what Madam said to me while she was holding me." The words he vaguely heard became a sobering remedy for Gu Sidu, allowing him to see his beloved speaking those sweet words as soon as he opened his eyes.
He has no more resentment in this life, and he doesn't need to ask for anything anymore.
Gu Sidu's eyes grew clearer and clearer. He said, "Bodhisattva, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one. I think it was love at first sight for me."
“The Bodhisattva said so much, and I would also like to tell the Bodhisattva my true feelings. At first, I respected the Bodhisattva and thought that the Bodhisattva might really have the ability. But after staying by the Bodhisattva’s side, I saw through many things in the world. All the desires in life will pass away. The tighter you hold on, the easier it is to let go. On the contrary, you have to reach out and open your hands to get everything.”
Gu Sidu stretched out his hand and said to Jiang Yufan, "I have been through life and death with the Bodhisattva. I was saddened by the Bodhisattva's misfortune and almost lost the Bodhisattva. It is hard to find a true friend in life and it is hard to open one's heart again. The Bodhisattva needs me to accompany him in his suffering in this life, and my understanding was also revealed by the Bodhisattva. We are the ones who help each other."
"It's not just about getting through that hardship, but also about spending the rest of our lives together."
Gu Sidu was good at sweet talk. He lowered his lips and slowly kissed Jiang Yufan's lips. The aroma of wine filled the air, and the two of them were once again intoxicated. In any case, it was a beautiful day, and they had nothing to do tomorrow, so they could be silly and reckless.
As their eyes met, and they were about to kiss, Jiang Yufan suddenly remembered something. She gently pushed Gu Sidu away and said, "So you've always had a high alcohol tolerance, and you were just lying to me!"
"Also, why don't you let anyone touch you? Is that just to coax me into applying the medicine?"
Jiang Yufan sensed something was wrong and wanted to ask, but Gu Sidu just smiled, gently lifting Jiang Yufan's chin and tenderly sucking on her lips. He lingered, saying, "Bodhisattva, the past cannot be changed, what matters is the present."
"We fell in love and got married."
Regardless, they held each other's hands tightly, never to let go again. In this vast world, even the lonely had found their perfect match. As Gu Sidu undressed, he deliberately placed the two jade pendants together on the bedside table; the exquisitely matched pair of pendants seemed to foreshadow their future happiness.
There may be people secretly watching in the future, and there may be many troubles, but I'm not afraid of any of that. Having my loved one by my side gives me the courage to face anything. Life is for ourselves to live. In the sea of suffering, some people are immersed in it, while others have already turned back.
Turning back is the only way to reach the shore. No matter what you've been through or what kind of life you've led, the most important thing is to strive to live the life you want and firmly believe in what you believe in.
Only then can one cross the sea of suffering.
All suffering can only be overcome by oneself. When Jiang Yufan had an epiphany, she made a wish: she hoped that there would be a power to overcome all suffering and give everyone in the world hope to live.
Whether she is a true Bodhisattva or not is no longer important; what matters is the unwavering faith burning within her heart.
As long as this thought remains, the world will always be beautiful, and the law of cause and effect will never be late.
Accumulating merit and waiting for blessings—this is the Bodhisattva image that resides deep in people's hearts.
With lowered brows and compassionate eyes, what he looks upon in the world is not a bodhisattva, but the unwavering kindness within his own heart.
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