chance encounter
Chu Yiran stood at the entrance of the activity room, watching the man who once looked down upon the world and made all living beings tremble, now kneeling and crawling on the children's mats in a sorry state, with a little devil riding on his back, excitedly shouting "Giddy up!"
The scene was so surreal that the stark contrast made him unable to hold back, and a soft laugh escaped from his lips.
It's truly... absurd yet wonderful.
That face, which once could silence the court with just a cold glance, now bore a look of helpless embarrassment.
A long-suppressed fear and resentment from a past life were strangely diluted, replaced by an almost absurd sense of ease. It turns out this face can also show such an expression.
Su Jing looked up at the sound and caught the lingering smile on Chu Yiran's face, as well as the complex emotions that flashed across his bright eyes.
He quickly changed his mind and immediately followed suit, squeezing out a look of weakness and grievance on his face after being "tortured," looking pitifully at Chu Yiran as if he had been greatly bullied.
"Linlin, have you had enough fun? Daddy's back hurts a little..."
Chu Yiran subconsciously stepped forward and gently coaxed Linlin, "Linlin, be good, come down first, okay? Xiao Jing's dad is tired, let's let him rest for a bit." He reached out and picked up the little guy who was still reluctant to leave from Su Jing's back.
Su Jing remained kneeling, raised her head, and reached out her hand to Chu Yiran, her tone carrying a hint of shameless dependence: "Teacher Chu, could you help me up? My legs are a little numb..."
Chu Yiran hesitated for a moment, looking at the hand extended in front of him. The Su Jing before him was different from the cold-blooded and cruel emperor of his past life in his memory, and also different from the person who had been so indifferent and distant to him before. In the end, he still extended his hand.
However, the moment their hands clasped, a cunning glint flashed in Su Jing's eyes, and he suddenly exerted force with his wrist, pulling Chu Yiran down abruptly!
"Ouch—!" Caught off guard, Chu Yiran lost her balance and cried out in surprise as she was pulled forward by a clever force.
The expected painful fall didn't happen; instead, he landed on a soft mat, and a warm, large hand gently protected the back of his head. What made his mind go blank was that Su Jing's face was inches away, their warm breaths almost mingling, their noses nearly touching.
Their eyes met, and he clearly saw his own reflection in Su Jing's deep eyes, as well as the triumphant smile in the other's eyes, a smile that carried a certain indescribable emotion.
"Sorry, my hand slipped," Su Jing said softly, her voice lacking sincerity and sounding more like a feather brushing against my eardrum.
At this distance, from this angle, on this face… Chu Yiran’s heart skipped a beat, as if gripped by an invisible hand. In an instant, time and space seemed to shift, suddenly overlapping with dangerous scenes from his past life where he was forced to look up at someone and their breaths mingled, sending a shiver down his spine. Yet, he was also confused by the different look in the eyes of the person before him.
"What...what are you guys doing?"
Lin Wanxing and Dean Du stood at the door looking at them with some doubt on their faces, while Linlin stared back and forth between them with her round eyes.
Chu Yiran reacted as if he had been burned, abruptly pushing Su Jing away and quickly standing up.
Su Jing stood up nonchalantly, dusted off his clothes as if nothing had happened, and then said gently to the dean, "Dean, I'll have my assistant Wei Zi pick up Xi Xi and Lin Lin tomorrow to go to Jiangcheng for a few days. My parents will take care of them, so don't worry."
Dean Du smiled and agreed, then repeatedly thanked Su Jing for her care. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three said goodbye to the dean.
On the way back to the hotel, Chu Yiran leaned against the car window, watching the city nightscape rushing past, his mind in turmoil. Su Jing's recent behavior had been somewhat unusual. The previous aloofness and subtle hostility seemed to have vanished, replaced by... an almost deliberate closeness? Why? What was he trying to do? Chu Yiran couldn't figure it out; his mind was filled with Su Jing's subtly smiling expression from earlier, which only added to his unease.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and the filming location changed to a relatively remote valley near Shancheng, where they captured the natural scenery. During breaks in filming, Lin Wanxing and Chu Yiran walked along a slightly steep path while rehearsing their lines. The loose stones underfoot caused them to stumble at the same time!
"Watch out!" Su Jing's low shout came.
Almost instinctively, Chu Yiran felt a tightening around his waist as a steady force pulled him away from the edge of danger and held him firmly.
Lin Wanxing, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. She swayed quite a bit and almost fell, but luckily a staff member nearby caught her in time. After regaining her balance, she looked at Su Jing and Chu Yiran standing close by and couldn't help but complain, hands on her hips, "Hey! Su Jing! Isn't anyone going to do something about me? You're so biased!"
Chu Yiran jumped out of Su Jing's arms as if she had been electrocuted.
Su Jing's hand hung awkwardly in the air. Finally, he clenched his fist, coughed lightly, and said to Lin Wanxing, "Aren't you alright too?"
"Hmph—" Lin Wanxing pouted.
Chu Yiran wanted to say something, but suddenly, his gaze inadvertently swept across the path on the other side of the valley, and the next second, his pupils suddenly contracted!
A group of people dressed in blue Taoist robes and with their hair in topknots were walking slowly by. The old Taoist priest at the head of the group had a dignified and otherworldly air about him. His kind eyes and brows exuded an undeniable air of authority. That was none other than his master from his previous life, Taoist Master Jingyang of Taixu Temple!
Although the clothing was no different from modern clothes, Chu Yiran would never mistake his appearance and demeanor!
Overwhelmed by shock and excitement, all his doubts about Su Jing vanished. He almost instinctively rushed in that direction, forgetting all about the ongoing filming.
"Master..." he murmured, his foot already stepping forward.
"Teacher Chu!" Su Jing reacted quickly, grabbing his arm, which was trembling slightly with excitement, with unwavering force. He first apologized to the puzzled director and staff, "Director, I'm sorry, we saw an acquaintance and went to say hello. We'll be right back."
Then he lowered his voice and said quickly and steadily in Chu Yiran's ear, "Don't worry, I'll go with you." His voice had a strange soothing power, and the hand holding Chu Yiran's arm was firm and warm.
Chu Yiran took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but his gaze remained fixed on the receding blue figure. He let Su Jing half-support and half-lead him as he quickly chased after the figure.
He pushed through the sparse bushes, his gaze fixed on the figure in blue, and his voice trembled uncontrollably as he blurted out, "Master—"
The pedestrians stopped upon hearing the sound. The old Taoist priest at the head of the group slowly turned around—his white hair and youthful face, his clear and bright eyes seemed to reflect people's hearts, exactly like the mentor in his memory who had led him into the Taixu Temple, taught him magic, and imparted wisdom to him.
A young Taoist priest immediately stepped forward, his brows furrowed, and stood in front of Chu Yiran, his tone wary: "Two benevolent sirs, may I ask what brings you here? Our master is currently in seclusion and traveling."
Master Jingyang gently raised his hand, stopping his disciple. His gaze fell peacefully on Chu Yiran's face, his eyes as deep as an ancient well, yet devoid of any familiar fluctuations, displaying only the gentleness and aloofness one would show to a stranger: "Amitabha. Young friend, do you recognize this humble Daoist?"
Chu Yiran was struck as if by a heavy blow; his pent-up excitement was instantly frozen by that unfamiliar gaze. His eyes reddened, tears welling up, which he forced back. He took a deep breath and barely managed to steady his voice: "This junior... this junior once visited Nantang Mountain, but unfortunately heard that the Daoist Master was abroad lecturing and was unable to meet him. Today, we meet by chance, and I am overjoyed. Please forgive any abruptness, Daoist Master."
He bowed slightly, his posture extremely humble, but his heart was filled with a bittersweet sense of bewilderment.
So, the masters in this world are the same, just different people with the same face...
Upon hearing this, Master Jingyang smiled slightly, lightly brushed his whisk, and exuded an otherworldly aura: "I see. Young friend, you are so young yet you have such a heart for the Dao, very good, very good." His tone was appreciative, yet he still maintained a just-right distance.
A disciple beside him whispered a reminder: "Master, it's getting late, we should set off."
Chu Yiran was anxious and quickly asked, "Daoist Master! Then... then may I often visit Nantang Mountain to seek your guidance in the future?"
Master Jingyang nodded, his smile kind and gentle: "The mountain gate is always open; those with affinity may come."
Chu Yiran felt slightly relieved, but also a little disappointed. He suppressed his surging emotions, cupped his hands, and prepared to take his leave: "Thank you, Daoist Master. I will not disturb your cultivation any longer. This junior will take his leave."
He and Su Jing turned around together, and after taking only two steps, they suddenly heard the clear and peaceful voice of Daoist Jingyang behind them, like the gentle tolling of an ancient bell, striking their hearts: "Two benevolent masters, please wait."
The two stopped in their tracks.
Master Jingyang's voice carried a hint of etherealness as he slowly asked, "Do you two... believe in past lives and reincarnation?"
Chu Yiran was startled and turned around abruptly. His heart almost jumped out of his throat as he looked at Master Jingyang in disbelief.
Before he could speak, Su Jing beside him spoke first, his voice low and firm, carrying an indescribable complex emotion: "I believe you."
Su Jing's gaze was fixed on Daoist Jingyang, his voice slightly hoarse: "A long time ago, someone told me that I had committed too many killings in my previous life and that my sins were too heavy..." At this point, he swallowed hard and looked at Chu Yiran, "So I have been trying to make amends and repent."
Master Jingyang stroked his beard, his voice clear and peaceful, “A willingness to make amends is the first stirring of good intentions. Well said.” He then gently shifted his tone, as if sweeping away the dust from one’s heart: “Cause and effect, the cycle of reincarnation, is mysterious and unpredictable, yet it also involves opportunity and fortune. The past is like fleeting clouds, remembered but not chased; the future is like a galaxy, glimpsed but unattainable. Only the present moment, this instant, the people before you, the events before you, are truly real.”
His gaze seemed to sweep over the two of them again, intentionally or unintentionally, as he spoke earnestly: "Do not dwell on past pains and imprison yourself in them; nor should you worry about the long future, which will only add to your troubles. Cherish what you have now, savor the present moment, and you will not have lived in vain..."
Before the echoes of those wise and insightful words had even faded, the aura of that otherworldly, sage-like figure suddenly shifted.
Suddenly, the old Taoist priest smacked his lips, his brows furrowed slightly, and he revealed an expression that was quite incongruous with his age and status—almost childlike. He turned to his solemn-faced young apprentice beside him and complained, "Oh dear, after talking so much, my mouth is dry and I'm very thirsty!"
The young Taoist priest was clearly used to his master's unconventional ways. He showed a hint of helplessness on his face, but still respectfully rummaged through the cloth bag he was carrying and finally pulled out a bottle of iced Coca-Cola!
"Master, please drink less of this. The doctor said to be careful with your teeth..." the young Taoist priest whispered in admonition.
Master Jingyang seemed not to hear, and eagerly took it, tilting his head back to gulp down a large mouthful.
"Burp—" He let out a small, satisfied burp, swirling the bottle in his hand and muttering, "Modern society is great! There's nothing better in the world right now. Who invented this little contraption? It tastes so good..."
"I'm off! See you again someday!"
After saying that, he turned and left, carrying his whisk in one hand and clutching the bottle of cola like a precious treasure in the other.
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