After Ye Wanwan passed away, Shen Yi single-handedly organized the funeral, and the weather was clear and sunny on that day.
Shen Yi stood in front of the tombstone without shedding a tear, not because he didn’t care about Ye Wanwan, but because he cared too much.
Ye Wanwan couldn’t put his mind at rest even until the end, and he promised her he would take good care of himself, live well, and he wouldn’t break his promise.
After the funeral, Shen Yi kept his promise to Ye Wanwan by eating and sleeping well, but he would only realize she was gone when he subconsciously searched for her.
Every corner of the villa was filled with Ye Wanwan’s presence, even the air carried her scent.
Shen Yi wanted to be well, but only he knew how desolate his heart truly was.
How could she be so naive, not here at all, how could he possibly live well?
Once everything was arranged, Shen Yi talked to Shen Wenzhou about his plan to go to Yunling Mountain.
He thought Zhouzhou might stop him, but Shen Yi was determined, so regardless of what Zhouzhou said, he had to go.
Surprisingly, Zhouzhou didn’t oppose him at all and straightforwardly agreed.
The next day.
Today was a workday, but Shen Wenzhou didn’t go to the company because he agreed to take Shen Yi to Yunling Mountain.
To prevent Little Xingxing from coming ho unable to find anyone, Shen Yi told Little Xingxing about his trip before leaving.
Perhaps because of Ye Wanwan’s incident leaving a deep impression, upon hearing Shen Yi might take a long ti to return, Little Xingxing imdiately hugged him, "Grandpa, don’t go!"
Little Xingxing hugged Shen Yi tightly, her mouth pouting and eyes welling with tears.
"Be good, Xingxing, Grandpa is just doing so things away from ho. If you miss Grandpa, you can ssage him, and when Grandpa is free, he’ll bring Xingxing along to play."
Speaking softly, Shen Yi looked at Xingxing’s brow and eyes resembling Ye Wanwan, and couldn’t help reminiscing.
"Really?" Little Xingxing sniffled, asking.
"Of course it’s true."
"Alright then." Little Xingxing was afraid her Grandpa would leave like Grandma forever, but knowing he wouldn’t, she felt relieved.
After Little Xingxing went to kindergarten, Shen Wenzhou drove Shen Yi toward Yunling Mountain.
Throughout the journey, neither spoke until near Ling’an Temple, when Shen Wenzhou said, "Take good care of yourself and call anyti if anything happens."
"Mm." Shen Yi nodded slightly.
After a mont of silence, Shen Yi continued, "Take care of yourself too."
"I will." Shen Wenzhou also nodded in agreent.
The car soon stopped outside Ling’an Temple, despite the years, its appearance unchanged, often with doors firmly shut, giving an impression of no one within.
"I’m leaving." Shen Yi said, unbuckling his seatbelt.
When Shen Yi was about to open the car door, Shen Wenzhou couldn’t help but call out, "Dad!"
Shen Yi paused, turning to look at Shen Wenzhou, "What’s the matter?"
Shen Wenzhou’s lips moved before speaking hoarsely, "Dad, I rember everything you said, rest assured, I’ll take good care of myself."
Even though he said it before, Shen Wenzhou couldn’t help but repeat it again; perhaps, he felt so words unspoken might lack the opportunity later.
Upon reflection, nothing seed particularly necessary, except ensuring mutual peace of mind.
Looking at Shen Wenzhou, Shen Yi suddenly smiled gently, "Zhouzhou, I’m very happy you think this way, your mom would be happy too."
"Mm." Shen Wenzhou smiled in response.
Shen Yi walked to Ling’an Temple’s entrance to knock, while Shen Wenzhou stayed in the car, watching the temple doors open then his father enter.
Shen Wenzhou couldn’t quite identify his current emotions—there was reluctance but no grief.
For he knew, this was already a good outco.
For them to have such happiness, was already hard-earned.
...
After Master Wangchen left, only the young monk remained at the temple, though now no longer young, he remained pure.
Assistant Chen once offered to help the young monk leave and arrange for him to attend school or work, ensuring his life would be problem-free.
Yet, the young monk refused.
He didn’t wish to leave Ling’an Temple and was willing to stay there for life.
Though Assistant Chen couldn’t fully understand, he chose to support the monk, who has stayed at Ling’an Temple for decades.
The young monk welcod Shen Yi’s arrival, still as he once was, more joyful when accompanied.
Shen Yi and the young monk spent their days praying, chanting, cooking, washing, farming, and gardening together.
Occasionally, Shen Yi would leave for a few hours to et with Shen Wenzhou’s family or Ye Chaochao.
Thus, Shen Yi spent an entire year at the temple.
Shen Yi’s departure was sudden; they had just finished a al with Shen Wenzhou’s family of three and Ye Chaochao’s couple.
Returning to the temple, he visited Ye Wanwan’s Rebirth Plaque, softly speaking at length about how well Zhouzhou and Chaochao were doing.
Noted how Little Xingxing resembled her increasingly, especially her eyes, seemingly cast from the sa mold as Ye Wanwan’s.
Then he rambled about the flowers in the garden growing well, even ntioning the recent weather.
Until there was nothing left unsaid, Shen Yi gazed at the Rebirth Plaque, sighed faintly before whispering, "Wanwan, I miss you."
All prior words were re preludes, the last statent mattered most—his yearning for Ye Wanwan.
He promised Ye Wanwan that even if he was alone, he would care well for himself, sworn to keep his word.
Yet, he couldn’t control his longing for Ye Wanwan.
He truly really missed her!
Realizing his potential departure, Shen Yi felt no fear, instead curving his lips into a relieved smile.
Finally, he reached this day; at last, he could find his Wanwan!
——Completed on 2023.09.30
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