Shen Zhi Qiu gently pulled Lu Jia along, and the two knelt devoutly before the Buddha statue. Their hands were clasped together, palms facing each other, fingertips trembling slightly, revealing their inner piety and reverence. Shen Zhi Qiu's forehead touched the cold ground, feeling the tranquility and solemnity emanating from the Buddhist holy site.
At this sacred moment, Shen Zhi Qiu's heart was filled with gratitude and prayer. She closed her eyes and began to express her gratitude to Buddha, "Thank you, Buddha, for your protection, which has made my wishes come true..." Her voice was soft yet firm, and every word revealed her reverence and gratitude to Buddha.
After Shen Zhi Qiu finished kneeling and bowing, she slowly stood up. Just then, the sound of footsteps approaching broke the surrounding silence. She turned around and saw the kind-faced, white-bearded master walking slowly towards her. The master's appearance filled Shen Zhi Qiu with an inexplicable sense of warmth.
"Benefactor, it's been a long time." The white-bearded master bowed to Shen Zhi Qiu, smiling as he stroked his beard. His voice was gentle and kind, as if he could see through people's hearts.
“Master, yes, that’s why I’ve come today specifically to fulfill my vow.” Shen Zhi Qiu bowed deeply, expressing her respect for the master. She continued, “Last time, Master, you said that if there was still some karmic connection left, the person I prayed for would definitely return to my side. Indeed, just as you said, the person I prayed for Buddha’s blessing has returned to my side.” She knew that it was Buddha’s protection and the master’s guidance that allowed her to find her long-lost lover. She would forever remember this kindness.
After listening, the white-bearded master nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Excellent, excellent! Your sincerity and the Buddha's protection are indeed invincible. It is because your karmic connection has not yet ended that the Buddha has blessed you with your wish fulfilled. May your karmic connection last a long and happy life."
“Master, there is one more thing I wish to do today.” Shen Zhi Qiu’s smile carried a hint of solemnity and anticipation. She paused, then continued, “I wish to donate some money for incense offerings to thank Buddha.” Her voice was firm and sincere, as if this were her deepest and most heartfelt wish.
Upon hearing this, the white-bearded master clasped his hands together and bowed to Shen Zhi Qiu. "Thank you, benefactor. Please follow me." With that, he turned and walked deeper into the temple. Shen Zhi Qiu followed closely behind.
The atmosphere inside the temple was solemn and serene, with wisps of incense smoke and the sound of Buddhist chants. Exquisite thangkas and Buddha images hung on the surrounding walls, each one brimming with mystery and solemnity. Shen Zhi Qiu's heart was filled with reverence for the Buddha.
Finally, the master led Shen Zhi Qiu to a spacious and brightly lit hall. A pair of tall stone lions stood at the entrance, majestic and solemn. Upon reaching the temple's donation box, the master stopped, clasped his hands together, bowed deeply to the Buddha statue, and then slowly turned to Shen Zhi Qiu, indicating that she could make a donation.
Shen Zhi Qiu devoutly dropped a check into the donation box.
After finishing everything, Shen Zhi Qiu and Lu Jia slowly walked down the mountain. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and dappled their bodies. Shen Zhi Qiu gently held Lu Jia's hand, feeling an immense sense of security and happiness that she cherished.
“I didn’t know you were a Buddhist,” Lu Jia broke the silence, his voice filled with surprise and curiosity.
Shen Zhi Qiu smiled. "Actually, I didn't believe in these things before. I always thought of myself as a complete atheist and didn't believe in them." She paused and continued, "But during the time you were missing, I started to believe in everything. I just wanted to grab onto everything I could and pray that they would bless you to come back healthy and safe."
Her voice trembled slightly, but it was full of determination and conviction. "I thought to myself, if you could come back, I would do anything, let alone make you kneel and kowtow three times and kowtow nine times to climb the mountain. I know you don't believe in these things, and you may think what I did today is a bit inexplicable. But I still want to believe that the Buddha has also protected you."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jia felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He stopped and took Shen Zhi Qiu's hand, saying emotionally, "I don't think you're being unreasonable, Zhi Qiu. I know you've done a lot for me, and I'm very grateful and touched." His eyes were filled with love and gratitude.
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhi Qiu's eyes glistened with tears of happiness.
"It's all my fault. I couldn't regain my memory sooner and return to your side sooner, causing you so much suffering." Lu Jia's voice was choked with emotion, filled with self-blame and guilt.
Shen Zhi Qiu gently shook her head. "No, Lu Jia, don't say that. It's enough that you came back safely. I know you suffered a lot during this time. But now, it's all over."
The two looked at each other and smiled, their hearts filled with happiness and contentment.
Watching the two slowly walk down, Wei Qiao stubbed out his cigarette, his face full of a relieved smile.
"Let's go to one more place, then we can go home," Shen Zhi Qiu instructed Wei Qiao to drive, and said to Lu Jia with a smile.
"Do we have to go to another place to fulfill our vow?" Lu Jia joked with a smile.
"Mm." Shen Zhi Qiu nodded.
Lu Jia frowned in surprise. He never expected that Shen Zhi Qiu had gone to more than one place to pray to Buddha.
The mountain road winds and twists, and the vehicle moves slowly along this narrow, winding path, each step taken with utmost care. To the left are towering mountains that pierce the clouds, their exposed rocks of various shapes resembling works of art meticulously sculpted by nature. To the right are bottomless cliffs, with the occasional clump of tenacious vegetation growing from the crevices, adding a touch of life to this desolate place.
“We’ve arrived, Miss.” Wei Qiao turned to look at Shen Zhi Qiu and said.
Shen Zhi Qiu pushed open the car door and got out.
“Young Miss, I’ve already asked the villagers nearby. Making offerings at Baiyun Valley doesn’t require climbing the mountain anymore. It’s too steep, and every year there are frequent incidents of people falling off the cliff while trying to pray there. So, those who survive don’t need to go up the mountain to make offerings. Buddha will feel your sincerity,” Wei Qiao hurriedly explained as she chased after him.
"Yes, don't worry, I won't go up again. It's a place where you're almost guaranteed to die. The older sister who brought me here already told me. I just need to kneel down at the foot of the mountain," Shen Zhi Qiu said gratefully.
Hearing their conversation, Lu Jia felt as if his heart was being squeezed tightly, making it hard for him to breathe. It turned out this wasn't just a simple matter of worshipping Buddha; Shen Zhi Qiu had risked her life.
Seeing Shen Zhi Qiu kneel down devoutly on the ground, Lu Jia, with red eyes, also knelt down.
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