Die Landschaft ist wie ein Gemälde

Kapitel 41

"Everyone has desires." As he said this, a sudden fire ignited in his eyes, which vanished in an instant.

I was stunned and didn't reply for a long time.

"There are no saints in this world. If I ever make a mistake or do something to wrong you in the future, I hope you can forgive me..."

I don't understand what those words mean, at least not at this moment.

Apple is not in any danger, but she needs to rest.

I gave her a week off and came to the hospital every day after class to bring her food and talk to her. The hospital food always tasted like soda water, and I was worried she wouldn't like it. But she's recovering well; her swearing hasn't diminished at all: "Damn it, once I can run and jump again, I'll definitely go back and kick that little slut to death!"

Section 108: A Thick Fog of Mystery (6)

Seeing her flailing about like that, I was really worried for her: "Just calm down! I'm afraid you'll tear open the stitches!"

Just then, the doctor came in and said to me, "Bed number six, your surgery fee hasn't been paid in full yet."

"Oh!" I replied, feeling dejected. Mingyang hadn't transferred the money. Although he had initially agreed readily, I told him I would pay him back slowly, and then the call was disconnected. He seemed angry that I was treating him like an outsider.

Apple said to me, "Ruoxi, call my dad and ask him to send me some money."

I can't tell her that her father has run into financial problems at his workplace and is under investigation by the provincial discipline inspection commission. I just called this morning to inquire about the situation, and Apple's mother repeatedly begged me not to tell her daughter. Her living expenses have been completely spent on the Jeep. I want to help her as much as I can, but I can't let her know, otherwise this sudden shock will only make things worse and be too much of a blow for her.

"Don't worry! I've called your dad, and he'll transfer the money soon." I said to her with a smile, but I was still unsure. What exactly was Mingyang up to?

I asked the doctor to leave the ward and cautiously discussed with him, "Could you give me a few more days? I'll definitely find a way..."

Just then, a familiar face appeared over the doctor's shoulder—Mingyang?!

I stood there, stunned, my lips parted but I couldn't utter a word.

He was walking towards us from the opposite direction, carrying a black suitcase.

I stammered out a few words: "You...how did you get here?"

The doctor turned around inexplicably and saw a handsome, sunny face.

Mingyang smiled and said to the doctor, "I'll cover her expenses."

After he paid the fee, he turned around and smiled brightly: "What, are you unhappy? I finally managed to get a few days off!"

"Doesn't our business in Europe depend on you? You've just run off so irresponsibly, you've definitely left the burden to the forest."

He chuckled and said, "You really know me."

"So willful," I said critically, gesturing with my chin. "Still acting like a child!"

He sneered at me arrogantly, "You're no different! You're just a kid!"

I rolled my eyes at him, and he nonchalantly cheered, "Come on! Go see your friend."

"Wow!" Apple squealed excitedly as soon as she saw Mingyang. "The legendary male lead has finally appeared!"

"Yes! Yes! That's right!" He nodded repeatedly, without any politeness.

I quickly went to cover Apple's mouth, "Don't talk nonsense!"

"Why not?" she said loudly on purpose, as if afraid that earthlings wouldn't hear her.

"That's right, that's right!" Mingyang nodded vigorously, without hesitation. "Look, I rushed over to see you as soon as I arrived. I haven't even put my luggage in the hotel yet." As he spoke, he reached for a cigarette.

I quickly turned off the phone: "This is a hospital!"

"Oh! I forgot! Sorry." He waved to Apple. "I'll go outside to smoke." Then he went out.

After he walked away, Apple asked me, "Tell me honestly, where did that handsome guy come from?"

My face flushed red as I said, "It fell from the sky."

"That's Lin Daiyu." She wasn't buying it.

"That's right, the Mingyang I told you about last time."

"Oh!" she nodded. "He really came from the sky. Fairy Zixia's prince charming has appeared. He is wearing golden armor and riding on colorful clouds to pick you up."

"Get lost!" I smacked her on the head. "You've been watching too much 'A Chinese Odyssey'!"

"Sigh!" she sighed again, "Why can't I ever meet a handsome guy? The ones I meet aren't handsome either, and they're not nice people either..."

I hugged her and said, "Stop talking, think about happy things."

"Is there anything fun to do here?" Mingyang walked in from outside, clamoring to explore the ancient city. But he looked travel-worn; wasn't he tired?

"The only place to play here is the North Tower. I don't think there's anything else that's fun," Apple winked at me.

I understand her intention. Nowadays, tourist attractions all have one thing in common: they are crowded like a swarm of wasps. Only the North Pagoda is quiet. It is a place where monks rest in seclusion. The ancient temple with its dim lamps is lonely and desolate, and few people go to disturb it.

"Alright then! Shall we go for a walk at the North Tower tomorrow?" Mingyang asked me.

Apple urged me to nod quickly.

"But...who will take care of you if I leave?"

“I’m not disabled, I can still eat and drink! Don’t worry about me, besides, I have Mo Yan to keep me in line. That guy has a better conscience than the Jeep.”

"Who is Mo Yan?" Even the lion, who was dozing, opened one eye halfway and suddenly asked.

Apple's words came out too quickly to be stopped: "Even a fool could see he's your rival in love!"

Section 109: A Thick Fog (7)

The North Tower felt very desolate when I went there in the morning.

The lonely tower has slumbered in this ancient temple for five hundred years, its mottled walls telling tales of the past. We were just two of the few tourists among them.

"Why is it so quiet here?" Mingyang asked me.

"It's too austere; even the monks who chant sutras might have run away."

The fallen leaves, withered and lifeless, lay listlessly on the ground after a light rain last night, like slaves with limp backs. A chill lingered in the air, carrying the scent of sand and dust carried on the breeze from the Yellow River.

The white bricks and stones were covered with yellowish-green moss, and a damp, musty smell wafted out.

"Little Crow".

"Um?"

"I miss you a little." As he said this, the north wind was howling, making one's heart pound wildly.

"Mmm." My ears felt a little hot.

"I have something to give you."

"No, thank you. You've already given me a very expensive watch." I raised my wrist.

“But Di Luo also gave you a string of Buddhist prayer beads, so I want to give you one more than him.”

Is there any comparison? Kids are just kids!

He said to himself, "Giving jewelry to girls is so tacky. I made this for you instead." He took out a small wooden carving from his pocket. On the diamond-shaped wooden base, there was a bright eye, its pupils seemingly able to speak, lifelike and almost leaping out of the frame.

"Whose eyes are these?" I asked him. "The eyelashes are so long."

What's yours is mine too.

"A ghost eye?"

"I guess so!" He tied a dark brown braided rope around my wrist and put the eye on my wrist, looking smug.

"What are you looking at?" I asked him.

"Now both of these hands are mine."

Wearing a watch on the left hand and a chain on the right, so that's what it means!

"I don't want it anymore." I want to remove it.

"Dare?" He tightened his thumb slightly, and my hands were firmly bound. "If it's mine, there's no way it can run away. Once you've taken it, it's for life."

“You’re so domineering!” I blew into his eyes.

The north wind howled even more merrily.

"Little crow, I have something to tell you."

"Speak!"

“I saw something by your friend’s bedside yesterday. Do you know what it was?”

"Hmm." I nodded. I had lost the string of prayer beads, and the ghost was haunting me again. "She's been following me for a long time."

“You have to be careful!” he said worriedly. “When I saw her, she was lying behind you, like a hunchback with a protruding back.”

My heart skipped a beat, and the back of my neck instantly stiffened.

"She's so clever, always following me, yet never letting me see her easily." I felt cold, a chill that went straight to my bones.

Do you know who she is?

I nodded, then shook my head.

We need to get rid of her!

How should I deliver it?

"You need to know the cause of her death."

I feel like I know, but I also feel like I don't. If we piece together the fragments of Xiao Yuan's memories that I've seen, perhaps we should go somewhere to investigate.

"Mingyang, would you like to go somewhere with me?"

"where?"

"There's a mental hospital in the northern suburbs. I'd like to go there and take a look."

He held my hand and said, "Okay."

Just as we were about to leave the North Pagoda, an old monk emerged from behind the ancient pagoda. He was holding prayer beads in his hand and chanting scriptures as he slowly walked past us.

Buddhist prayer beads?

A thought flashed before my eyes: the beads had disappeared after I took Apple to the hospital. Should I find them? They might bring me good fortune in times of trouble. Before going to the mental hospital to find out what happened, we decided to go back to Apple's place to look for the beads.

Section 110: Approaching the Truth (1)

Getting Closer to the Truth

He bumped into Mo Yan for the first time downstairs at the hospital.