Flying Snow
Jiang Yufan hadn't been out for a long time, and Gu Sidu, who was on duty every day, always just passed by and never really looked at the city's scenery. This trip was a good way to relax. It was freezing cold outside, and if you went out, you would need to wear warm clothes. Daoyun was about to get some when Gu Sidu had already brought them out from inside the house.
The extremely precious mink fur cloak was bought by Gu Sidu at a considerable price. He originally intended to give it to the Bodhisattva these days, but various things delayed him, so the cloak had been kept at the Gu residence. It was just in time to use it when he went out today.
Gu Sidu stood beside Jiang Yufan and draped the fur over her shoulders. The warmth flowed into Jiang Yufan's body. Jiang Yufan stroked the fur and said, "This must have cost a lot of money, Gu Sidu. You've spent so much on me again."
“Spending money on the Bodhisattva is nothing. That money is just a number, and it will only gather dust in my storeroom. But if it is used on the Bodhisattva, it will keep him warm. Why not?” Gu Sidu had his reasons. He was also wearing a cloak, which matched Jiang Yufan’s. It was clear that he had carefully prepared two cloaks.
Daoyun hugged his sword tightly to the side.
"Miss Daoyun, don't worry, I've prepared a garment for you as well." The servant presented the prepared clothes to Daoyun, and Daoyun's expression softened considerably, barely letting Gu Sidu go.
Although wearing such a luxurious cloak at the temple gate is inappropriate, there are no true bodhisattvas here today, only people caught up in the mundane world, so there's no question of what's appropriate or inappropriate.
Gu Sidu extended his hand, waiting for Jiang Yufan to place it in his palm. Today, he and Jiang Yufan were just ordinary young masters and ladies from ordinary families. They were going out to enjoy the beautiful winter scenery, which was the most romantic thing in the world. Apart from that, there was nothing else to worry about.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Yufan decided to place her hand in Gu Sidu's palm. The icy fingertips condensed the falling snowflakes, which drifted into Gu Sidu's skin, causing his blood to surge. Gu Sidu used his strength to pull Jiang Yufan directly into his arms.
Caught off guard, Jiang Yufan looked up and heard Gu Sidu say, "Bodhisattva, your hands are so cold, you need someone to hold them tight."
"That person has to be me."
Jiang Yufan blushed and hurriedly lowered her head. Gu Sidu seemed different now; she didn't dare look him in the eye. She wondered how Gu Sidu could have said those words. Her wrist throbbed slightly. She tried to look away, but Gu Sidu's body felt frighteningly hot. However, Gu Sidu held her wrist protectively in his arms.
Gu Sidu cherished Jiang Yufan so much, even more so than Jiang Yufan's parents.
At that moment, snowflakes were falling from the sky.
"It's snowing," Daoyun said, stretching out his hand as if to keep the snow in his palm. "Buddha Maiden, shall we go somewhere to relax and take a walk?"
When Daoyun turned around, he saw the Buddhist nun being protected in Gu Sidu's arms. The scene looked just like a talented man and a beautiful woman in the secular world, as if they had come to Chenxiang Temple to pray for peace.
If it weren't for those disturbances and annoying entanglements, the Buddhist nun would probably be living such a happy life. Daoyun didn't disturb her, but quietly guarded this harmonious scene.
Gu Sidu had an idea. He said, "A new restaurant recently opened near the Gu residence. It's quite elegant and refined, with proper singing and dancing performances. What's most special is that there are riverside rooms upstairs, perfect for enjoying the snow and overlooking half of the capital. It won't be too cold inside either, and the food is excellent. It can even nourish the Bodhisattva."
“Okay, let’s go there.” Jiang Yufan nodded to Gu Sidu.
The Gu family's carriage was already prepared. At this moment, Daoyun opened the curtain for Jiang Yufan, allowing Gu Sidu and the Buddhist nun to sit inside the carriage, heading towards the restaurant that Gu Sidu had mentioned.
Even after getting into the carriage, Jiang Yufan was still thinking about Daoyun getting cold outside. She opened the curtain and asked, "Why don't you get in too? It's warm inside the carriage."
"I won't go up. You and Lord Gu can have a good talk inside. I'm not cold," Dao Yun said, still wearing a warm cloak. She raised the sword in her hand. "If anything happens while I'm outside, I can protect you in time."
Jiang Yufan handed the hot water bottle to Daoyun, then lowered the curtain and sat down in the carriage.
The carriage wasn't particularly large, nor was it particularly small; one could even drink tea and chat inside. Just as Jiang Yufan shrank back, Gu Sidu had already handed her a cup of hot tea: "Bodhisattva, please have some hot tea."
The warmth from the cup warmed Jiang Yufan's hands, and it also reminded her of what Madam Jiang and Gu Sidu had said before she left. She looked at Gu Sidu and said, "Lord Gu, you don't need to take what you just heard to heart."
"What?"
"Just take Madam Jiang's words about entrusting me with something as nonsense. My future is my own business, and it has nothing to do with you." Jiang Yufan didn't want Gu Sidu to bear responsibilities that he didn't have to.
Gu Sidu's own life was not easy either; he had not obtained what he wanted.
As soon as Jiang Yufan finished speaking, Gu Sidu said, "It's alright, I'm willing to give everything for the Bodhisattva."
"Do you still remember what you asked for?" Jiang Yufan looked at Gu Sidu's resolute expression and kindly reminded him, "After I settle this matter, don't stay at Chenxiang Temple. Go back to your own residence. If you still want to achieve fame and success, you should spend some time thinking about these things."
Life is not just about fleeting romantic love. Gu Sidu's trust in Jiang Yufan was merely shrouded in the light of a bodhisattva and a heart full of pity, but it was not a love that could be entrusted to someone.
"Why does the Bodhisattva always reject me?" Gu Sidu didn't understand. Jiang Yufan always pushed him away. "I don't know what I did wrong, and I don't know what I should do to make the Bodhisattva like me more."
"Why do you want me to like you?" Jiang Yufan couldn't understand what Gu Sidu could possibly like about her. Her life was a mess. Even if she displayed supernatural powers and could grant wishes to people in the mortal world, it was all thanks to others. She was a fake bodhisattva. She had told Gu Sidu all this long ago, but Gu Sidu wouldn't listen. Why was he so insistent?
Aside from all that, what else about her could Gu Sidu possibly like?
This question caused Gu Sidu to stare at Jiang Yufan for a long time without saying a word.
“Lord Gu,” Jiang Yufan continued, “the affection you have for me may be because I am a Bodhisattva. You feel close to me because of these halos, and that I am your destiny. But you have also seen that I can’t do anything and I can’t do anything. Even my own parents want to abandon me.”
"Put aside all pity, Gu Sidu, look at me. Am I the kind of person you like?"
Gu Sidu's silence wasn't because he didn't know his own heart, but because he didn't know how to speak. He was amazed the moment he saw Jiang Yufan. It was as if only he and Jiang Yufan remained in the world, and when he looked up, he seemed to see the compassionate face of a Bodhisattva shining all her gaze upon him.
At that time, Gu Sidu felt that Jiang Yufan was a ray of holy light, someone who came to save and illuminate him.
Later, Jiang Yufan confronted him, revealing that he wasn't a true bodhisattva. Gu Sidu didn't feel deceived or betrayed. His failures in his career were beyond human control, the consequence of wielding power, and the corruption of human nature—things bodhisattvas couldn't control. He didn't feel that Jiang Yufan had deceived him.
The hundred taels of silver he spent made Gu Sidu understand this principle: Jiang Yufan was right, Buddha doesn't save people, praying to Buddha is useless, Buddha can't help anyone. But throughout all his countless disappointments, Jiang Yufan was by his side. Jiang Yufan knew the ending, but she was still willing to waste all her efforts on Gu Sidu.
When he looked up to admire the moon, Gu Sidu had secretly turned his head to look at Jiang Yufan many times. During his years in the Gu family, Gu Sidu had long placed his heart on Jiang Yufan. Even if Jiang Yufan was a fake bodhisattva, she was a woman he truly loved.
That's why he became greedy, wanted to pursue Jiang Yufan, and wanted to protect her.
He didn't know where his feelings came from; perhaps they were intertwined like countless threads, like the crisscrossing veins. Gu Sidu would never let go of Jiang Yufan's hand. He knew he liked Jiang Yufan, but it wasn't because he felt sorry for her, nor because he wanted a bright future for her. He simply liked Jiang Yufan as a person, and he wanted to understand all of her.
But Jiang Yufan didn't understand his heart.
Jiang Yufan had been soaking in a jar of icy water for too long. Everyone she encountered was asking for something from her, wanting to get benefits from her. She had also become a cold-hearted person.
But it's okay, Gu Sidu will warm her up.
As they were about to disembark from the carriage, Gu Sidu spoke: "Bodhisattva, I have always known my heart. I love you. If it weren't for you, Bodhisattva, I would not have married any other woman in this life. But I also know your concerns. You can do whatever you want. It doesn't matter if you don't like me, but I will always stay by your side. You don't need to feel guilty. Just look at me occasionally."
"That's all I ask for."
Gu Sidu also said, "Once this matter is settled, I will work hard. When I am promoted one day, I will still find you a very good place to settle down. The Bodhisattva does not need to stay in Chenxiang Temple. I will let the Bodhisattva live the life that he should have lived."
However, this is very unfair to Gu Sidu, who has given so much.
Jiang Yufan shook her head: "Gu Sidu, I don't want to owe you anything."
Gu Sidu said, "That's how it is when you like someone; there's no such thing as owing or not owing anything."
Gu Sidu alighted from the carriage first, turned around, and handed his hand to Jiang Yufan, giving her a faint smile. He blocked all paths; only by grabbing his hand could Jiang Yufan get off the carriage. Jiang Yufan had no way to escape.
Helpless, Jiang Yufan looked at the innocent-looking Gu Sidu and had no choice but to give Gu Sidu her hand and let Gu Sidu hold it tightly.
Jiang Yufan felt a sense of solid ground beneath her feet. She looked up and saw snowflakes fluttering in the capital, like a pure white dream. In this dream, everything was silent and without worries. At the center of this dream, Jiang Yufan saw a pair of gentle eyes like Gu Sidu's.
She saw it clearly: in those eyes, there was only herself.
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