Six hundred years

Chapter 3

Even worse happened. On this night of the waning moon, I encountered the black whirlwind, the most dreaded thing for anyone traveling in the desert. The flying sand and gravel seemed intent on sweeping everything away. I quickly lay down on the ground, feeling a series of sharp, piercing pains on my back. I struggled to crawl under the belly of a camel, which at that moment seemed exceptionally brave and composed. Its survival instinct had long since taught it how to face anything. I secretly rejoiced.

The fierce storm finally passed, but fate hadn't given up testing me. I could feel faint sounds all around me, and then I saw vast stretches of sand flowing like water with a beautiful rhythm. Before I could even appreciate this rare and deadly spectacle, the challenge of life was once again before me. I had encountered quicksand again!

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [11]: I tried to relax and not struggle. I watched as the camel was swallowed up. I was filled with sorrow. It had saved my life and shared drinks with me, but now I was powerless to help it. The sand was sliding down faster and faster, creating a huge suction force that was about to pull me into the bottomless abyss. I almost resigned myself to my fate.

"Caught!" A shout came from not far away, and a long leather whip flew down beside me. I instinctively grabbed it tightly, and a strong force came through the whip. I gathered my energy in my dantian and flew out of the quicksand area with that force.

I landed heavily on the sand, and the real feeling of being back with something to lean on made me look back at the quicksand one last time. A man behind me said, "What, still scared?"

I felt rather impolite. I quickly turned around and saw a ragged man from the Western Regions standing in front of me. He smiled and said, "You should thank the black whirlwind just now. It was it that swept me here and happened to save you."

I immediately took a liking to this forthright and valiant man from the Western Regions. "Many thanks to you for saving my life, brother. I am Yuan Shiwo."

“My name is Gaida. Not Gaida!” he laughed self-deprecatingly. “I come from Kashgar in the Western Regions, and I trade silk. This whole business deal was ruined by this damned storm. It’s my own fault for being so greedy for the journey; I deserve to run into this mess. Brother, you’re from the Central Plains, aren’t you? How come you’ve come here alone?”

"To be honest, my brother, I've come for the legendary Golden Lotus of Dry Land."

"Golden Lotus of Dry Land?" He scrutinized me closely. "Golden Lotus of Dry Land has miraculous effects that can bring the dead back to life. Does anyone in your family need it, brother? But do you know how many people lose their lives in the desert every year because of it?"

"I am not after its miraculous effects; this matter is related to the mystery of my origins."

After I explained my general connection with the dryland lotus to Gaida, this open-minded man from the Western Regions said, "That's wonderful! I've heard a story about the dryland lotus. Southeast of Kashgar, there's a remote and sparsely populated Taklamakan Desert. Legend has it that in the heart of this desert lies an oasis, where our Hui people's deity is worshipped. Every ten years, our people make a pilgrimage there, and if they are fortunate enough, the deity will appear and guide them. One year, my ancestor went there with a group of elders, but they lost their way deep in the desert. They wandered for nearly three months, unable to find the deity or even the way back. Just when they were about to lose all will to live, suddenly..." A sacred paradise appeared. The tribespeople were overjoyed and rushed forward, but those who ran the fastest vanished just before reaching the oasis. The ancestors, running slower, saw the fate of those ahead and became suspicious, yet they couldn't stop running. They kept running, but they couldn't reach it. Just then, a fragrant scent awakened them from their illusion. They were saved. It is said that what they saw was merely a trap set by a desert spirit. The fragrance that saved them came from the golden lotus blooming in an unknown place in the desert. The ancestors followed the scent, which grew stronger and stronger, but unfortunately, they had run out of water and food, so they had to hurry to find their way back.

Later, they went several more times, but to no avail.

Hearing this news, I was overjoyed. It was far better than having no clues at all. After many days of hard work, we finally had a clear direction. "Brother Gai, I have a favor to ask."

"Please speak freely."

“I wish to accompany Brother Gai back to Kashgar temporarily. I want to visit those who participated in that pilgrimage and explore the path to the Golden Lotus of the Dry Land.”

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The road to Kashgar was very smooth. While crossing the Taklamakan Desert, I stood there for a long time, thinking, "I'll be there, you wait!"

Kashgar is a rare and prosperous region in the Western Regions. Here, abundant natural resources ensure that the Hui and Uyghur people live a prosperous life.

Gaida's house was very comfortable. After I took the most pleasant bath of my life, Gaida led me into his room and sat me down. He took out a huge wine jar and said, "Brother Yuan, come, put aside your worries tonight and enjoy yourself. We'll drink until we drop. Tomorrow I'll take you to visit those old men."

Having said that, he easily lifted the neck of the wine jar with one hand and slapped the bottom of the jar with the other, sending a stream of wine shooting like a sword into the bowl in front of us. I secretly cheered, and the rich aroma of the wine instantly filled the surroundings, making us feel refreshed.

"Okay, let's do it!"

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"Brother, is that you back?" The curtain was suddenly lifted, and a Hui girl ran in excitedly. She exclaimed, "I could smell the wine from afar! I knew it was you, you drunkard, back!" She put down her basket and fiddled with her leather hat. "Brother, how did the business go? You were gone so long!"

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [12]: Gaida said with a smile, "Crazy girl, stop making trouble. There are customers here, so don't worry about business."

Upon hearing this, the woman seemed to have been struck by a pressure point and immediately fell silent. She said coquettishly, "Brother, why didn't you say you had a guest earlier? You've embarrassed me."

Gaida smiled without saying a word. The girl tossed her braids, the feather in her small hat fluttering in the wind, making her quite beautiful. She said, "This guest seems to be from the Central Plains, having traveled a long way. Could it be that the aroma of wine from the Western Regions has attracted you?"

"Silly girl, do you think all your brother's guests are drunkards? Please excuse my rudeness, Brother Yuan. This is my younger sister, Gaiman."

Gaiman had already snatched the wine bowl from Gaida, holding it flat against her chest, and said, "It was my fault for being ignorant and saying the wrong thing. I'm offering this bowl to our guest who has come from afar." She stretched her neck, and the bowl was already empty. Before I could even raise my bowl, she leaped up, turned, and moved her basket over—a basket full of fresh grapes. She placed the full basket on the table, saying, "This afternoon, the eagle kept singing merrily. I thought there must be something joyous happening at home today, so I specially went to the vineyard to pick the best and sweetest grapes. By the way, the eagle did a great job today; I'm going to reward my little darling!"

I chuckled to myself; it was the first time I'd ever heard someone call an eagle "Little Darling." Gaiman said, "I'll go and bring it here, and reward it with some wine!"

"

She rushed out and rushed back, carrying a tiny canary on her fingertip. It turned out that this was the eagle she had been calling for.

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(ix) A Glimmer of Hope in Despair

The nights in the Western Regions are exceptionally long, and I got up early, excitedly standing in the courtyard, looking at the sky, waiting for dawn. Finally, a sliver of light appeared on the horizon.

"Brother Yuan, you're awake already?" Gaida's still-sleepy voice sounded from behind.

"Yes, I can hardly sleep when I think about how the mystery in my heart will finally have a chance to be solved."

"Okay, let's fill our stomachs and then we'll set off."

"Let's go? Bro, where are you going again? I want to go too!" Gaiman shouted as he ran out.

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“Take me with you, didn’t you! You had to be so mysterious. If you had just said you were looking for the whereabouts of the Dry Land Golden Lotus, you wouldn’t have been running around like this.” Gaiman walked ahead triumphantly.

“Yeah, you’re the best!” Gadda replied irritably.

"Miss Man, please take us to your uncle who knows the truth." "I'll take you, but you have to agree to one condition."

"Okay, I promise." I stopped Gadda's outburst with a pleading look.

Gaiman whirled around: "I know the people of Middle-earth are just like us, they keep their promises the most. I trust you! The condition is that you take me with you to find the Dry Land Lotus. Oh, and you have to bring my eagle too!"

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The three of us, along with a little canary—Eagle—finally embarked on our journey to the Taklamakan Desert. While camels couldn't match the speed of horses, my experience in the sand city gave me ample reason to trust them. Along the way, Gaida's rich experience and Gaiman's innocent charm transformed what was initially a perilous and uncertain journey into one filled with laughter and joy.

Traveling eastward, we soon entered the heart of the desert. Gaida pointed south and said, "According to Chief Tian, they saw the strange phenomenon in this direction back then. The holy land that the demon conjured should have appeared over there."

“But nothing has appeared yet. Could it be that the demon Ena thinks we don’t have enough people and doesn’t want to go to all this trouble?” Gaiman said, fiddling with his braids.

“Brother Gai, now that we’re here, I believe there will be clues. I will…” Gai’s face immediately turned red. Magpie Bridge Fairy replied [13]: “How can that be? Since we’ve become brothers, helping you solve the mystery of your origins is my responsibility! If you continue to say that, it means you don’t consider me a brother!”

“That’s right, Brother Yuan, if you keep being so distant, even the eagle will get angry!” Gaiman brought the eagle close to my nose, and the little guy’s bright black eyes stared at me, as if he really was angry.

I had no choice but to compromise. However, an ominous feeling crept into my heart, growing stronger and stronger until it became impossible to dispel.

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I've lost count of how many sunrises and sunsets I've witnessed, only the moon waxing and waning, waning and waxing again. Our food supplies are almost gone, and the little eagle's song is growing weaker. We've still found nothing. Although we're all somewhat discouraged, none of us utter a word about turning back. I feel a pang of self-reproach for dragging him and his sister down with me. But I can't give up on this only clue that could unravel all the mysteries. I also know that if I don't leave, they will never go; this is the pure and kind nature of the people of the Western Regions.

I can only keep my gratitude in my heart.

The very day I decided to utter the words "Let's go back," the eagle's song rang out once more. It flapped its small wings and took flight. Gaiman chased after it, until she reached a sand dune as large as a mountain. She stopped, and the eagle landed on the feather tucked into her hat. They stood there for a moment. Suddenly, Gaiman burst into joyful shouts: "Brother! Brother Yuan! We found it! We found it!"

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What appeared beneath our feet was not a trap set by the legendary demon, but a genuine, authentic oasis paradise. In the center of the oasis stood a strangely shaped rock, at the foot of which a clear river shimmered with alluring light.

Gaida solemnly pointed to the rock and said, "That is our Hui people's sacred site." He and Gaiman solemnly and silently worshipped the sacred site for a long time.

As Gaida and I soaked in the flowing river, Gaiman lay on the grass humming a folk song. Her voice soared over the oasis, over the desert, over the sky, and into my heart. I glanced at her; she was teasing the "eagle" with the grass, her innocent face tugging at my heartstrings. I immediately thought of the woman who had died unjustly, my beloved. I looked away, silently cursing myself.

Suddenly, Gaida pointed upstream behind me, his eyes widening. I turned around, and a fragrance that had haunted my dreams floated over from the water. My head spun, and I quickly splashed river water on my head. But the dizziness only worsened, and I could barely think straight. I submerged my head in the water, which brought me some relief.

I slowly raised my head from the water, and before me were countless golden flowers drifting down from upstream, a sight of unparalleled beauty.

They emitted the same scent I had smelled on the night I lost my memory in front of my father's coffin. I struggled to control my mind; at this crucial moment, I must not collapse.

Faced with the unexpected sight of a river brimming with wildflowers, which she had been searching for in vain, Gaiman jumped into the river, playing and shouting, "Golden lotuses! So many golden lotuses!" I could no longer share in her joy. My soul seemed to be pulled further and further into the water by an invisible force, drifting away, and my thoughts became increasingly hazy. I slowly glided into the water and felt Gaida's hand pull me back, saying something anxiously.

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(x) Regret in the Sea of Love

Outside the window, countless people dressed in blue and white striped clothing were playing around, while some young women in white hats and robes were busily trying to stop the bizarre behavior of those tearing at each other or stuffing mud into their mouths. I stared blankly at their farce, unable to think or do anything.

“Number 16, you’ve been very good today, so quiet and not making a fuss. What are you looking at?” A woman, also wearing a white hat and a white robe, walked up to me and looked out the window. “Hehe, are you looking at them? As long as you behave and don’t overturn the medicine tray, don’t cut the nurses’ long hair with scissors, and don’t set fire to anything red, we won’t tie you up.”

"You can be like them too," she thought for a moment, then chuckled to herself, "but that seems too difficult for you."

I didn't understand what she was saying. I tried to think, but my head ached terribly. I couldn't control my thoughts; I could only mechanically watch as the woman beside me pierced my arm with something and then pulled it out. She pushed away a metal shelf full of bottles and jars. The room fell silent again.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [14]: Another woman pushed open the door and came in. She went straight to me, squatted down, and kept saying something with tears in her eyes. She stroked my face with her hand and then put my hand on her face. My hands were wet with tears.

My understanding gradually cleared. I heard what she was saying, as if she were telling a strange story. A man was causing trouble in a bar, harassing other female customers, smashing a security guard with a bottle, and setting a woman's long hair on fire with a lighter. Later, the man was taken to the police station, where he became even more arrogant, frantically tearing down a red banner hanging on the wall. The police called a doctor, who diagnosed him with manic-depressive disorder. I understood the story and laughed. This man really should be locked up in a mental hospital for treatment to prevent him from disturbing the peace.

However, I think I've encountered this kind of drunken situation before. I remember handling it very well. The security guard politely led me into the restroom, gave me a chance to explain, and then... And then, what happened to me?

I can't remember, I can't remember at all. I shook my head frantically, as if trying to shake the memory out of my mind.

"Siyuan, what's wrong? Are you in pain? You've had another attack. Just bear with it, I'll go call the doctor right away!"

Siyuan, is Siyuan my name? That's right, my name is Tan Siyuan. I'm a prodigy in the IT world, admired by everyone. But how did I end up here? Why can't I move my hands? I looked down and saw myself dressed in a psychiatric gown, firmly strapped to a chair. How could this be? Could I be the person in the story?

I looked up, wanting to ask for help, and saw Ellu rushing out. Ellu, she was still so strong, unharmed! Harmed? How could I associate that word with her? What happened to me?

I shouted, "Elu, quickly untie these ropes!"

Ailu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at me in disbelief: "Siyuan, you called me? You recognize me now! You can call me now!"

She rushed over to me and hugged me tightly: "Siyuan, your condition is finally improving! That's wonderful!"

"Get me out of this damn chair right now!"

"I, I..." Ailu looked worried, rubbing her hands together as if she were having a fierce internal struggle. "I can't do that yet. I'll call the doctor to come and see you first. I can't be sure if your condition has stabilized or if you need further observation."

"Let me go! I'm fine. I want to leave!" I shouted in a low voice, afraid to raise my voice for fear of alerting the medical staff, otherwise I wouldn't be able to leave.

Ailu said, "Look at you, you're getting irritable again. You have no idea how terrifying you are when you have an episode!"

"Do you love me?" I used my last resort.

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With Ailu's help, I successfully left the mental hospital.

That night, in my own little world, we loved passionately and for a long time, as if releasing all the pent-up passion, pain, worry, and troubles of the past few days… Ellu lay in my arms, tracing circles on my chest with her index finger. I lowered my head and kissed her hair, “Thank you, really.”

"What are you thanking me for?" she asked, looking up at me.

"So many things have happened these days, it seems like bad luck has been following me. But you, only you, have always stayed by my side, taking care of me..." "Stop talking, as your girlfriend, if I don't think about you, who else should I think about? Even if you're a scoundrel, I'll accept it..." I interrupted her heartfelt confession with my words.

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A loud crash came from the kitchen. I sat up and examined the room, which was dimly lit by the wall lamp.

"What's wrong?" Ailu asked sleepily.

"Stay here, I'll go check!" I grabbed a vase from the bedside table and headed straight for the kitchen. I turned on the light and saw the microwave smoking, billowing black smoke. It had burned out. I put the vase down and used a wooden spoon to try and unplug it. A spark flew, and the room went dark. I jumped in fright. Just then, a brief scream came from the bedroom. I rushed over, and in the darkness, I knocked over the vase. Shards of glass pierced my foot. I didn't care, ignoring the pain. When I rushed into the bedroom, I saw Ailu lying on her back on the bed, her face pale in the moonlight, her hands hanging limply from the edge of the bed…※※※※※※※※※※ I waited anxiously outside the emergency room, praying incessantly—God, Buddha, Ashoka, every god I could know. At that moment, I finally understood how much I loved the woman lying on the operating table. She was so understanding, quietly fulfilling her duties as a girlfriend. She was always there for me when I needed her, and she would leave when I was working, without disturbing or questioning me. When I was sick, she took meticulous care of me, never holding grudges against me. But what had I done for her? I had never given her my whole heart. I was lost in my own world, and I didn't even know her blood type, leaving me speechless when the doctor asked. The doctor's strange look made me realize how little I had given Ailu. I felt deeply guilty. I hoped she would recover and give me a chance to atone. I would repay her with all my love.

Finally, the doctor came out, and I rushed over and asked, "How is she?"

He sighed: "Her situation is very special. There are no signs of injury on her body, nor is there a serious medical history. We can't find the cause of this sudden symptom. We can only do our best to control her condition and prevent it from worsening, and carefully look for treatment options."

I stood there, frozen in place, my mind blank for a moment. No! I can't lose her; heaven can't take away my chance to love her!