In the short span of twenty-odd years, Yi Jinbai has seen far too much and has long since figured out many things.
Shen Xian seemed to be convinced, and even thought it made some sense. "Maybe."
Having said everything he needed to say, Shen Xian stood up to leave.
"Teacher Shen, thank you. People like you, who are both extremely rational and extremely emotional and can do everything well, are extremely rare. So, ordinary and foolish people like us always disappoint people."
Yi Jinbai stood up and looked at Shen Xian. She had a premonition that they might not see each other often in the future, so it was better to say what she needed to say.
In Yi Jinbai's mind, Shen Xian was indeed a near-perfect person. Universal artists, due to their special nature, all have an extreme sensibility and are too immersed in the spiritual world. Therefore, they always have all sorts of strange and quirky habits that the world cannot understand. Most of them also have difficulty taking care of themselves and even lack the ability to live independently, making it difficult for them to get by.
But Shen Xian is different. He can reach the pinnacle of art in multiple fields. At the same time, he has his own business empire and a normal life. Although he sometimes acts like he has a split personality in his artistic creation and life, this cannot deny Shen Xian's excellence and uniqueness. This is also the reason why Yi Jinbai used to admire him so much.
Shen Xian simply shook his head at Yi Jinbai's self-deprecation, "It's not a matter of disappointment or not. Isn't there a saying that everyone has their own destiny?"
Yi Jinbai smiled and saw Shen Xian out.
“By the way,” Shen Xian stopped after taking a few steps, looking at Yi Jinbai beside him, “I’ve been in the country long enough and I’ll be leaving soon. Before I go, I think I should tell you about this. I heard about Jiang Shuiyun’s favor from my brother, and I’ve accepted it. Now we’re even.”
Yi Jinbai remembered when Shen Yunyi had said those words to him before, and nodded. Although he was a little reluctant, this was for the best.
After seeing Shen Xian off, Yi Jinbai returned and saw Jiang Shuiyun leaning against the second-floor railing. He immediately understood what was going on, quickly ran upstairs, and, feeling justified, pinched Jiang Shuiyun's cheek. "You were told not to eavesdrop, but you still did. You're naughty."
Jiang Shuiyun held Yi Jinbai's hand, feeling very happy. If she hadn't eavesdropped, wouldn't all the words Yi Jinbai said have been wasted?
A note from the author:
Second update, good morning.
Chapter 81
"Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Jiang Shuiyun also had her own concerns. When she first considered things for Yi Jinbai, she also thought about sending Yi Jinbai abroad for further studies. However, Gao Zhouzhou happened to appear and release singles and albums for Yi Jinbai, so she changed her mind.
“Of course not,” Yi Jinbai said, interlacing his fingers with Jiang Shuiyun’s and linking his arm with hers. “Behind every choice lies a path. I know very well that what I have now is what I want. How could I regret it?”
Jiang Shuiyun felt relieved and ruffled Yi Jinbai's hair. "Come on, let's go downstairs and eat something delicious. I bought you a lot. Try them one by one."
"We can't finish it, wouldn't that be such a waste?"
Yi Jinbai followed Jiang Shuiyun downstairs.
"Don't waste any. I bought a lot of different kinds, but I had them divided into many small portions. I had Lei Yu distribute them all. You can try them one by one later. If you like any of them, buy more next time."
Jiang Shuiyun was never stingy or wasteful. Lei Yu and the others had always protected her, so she naturally wouldn't forget them when buying her some food.
Yi Jinbai and Jiang Shuiyun sat in the restaurant. On the table were boxes of all sizes, filled with all kinds of food, each one different and making one's mouth water.
After taking a big bite of strawberry cream, Yi Jinbai squinted his eyes contentedly, his mood brightening. He immediately put the remaining one into Jiang Shuiyun's mouth, and the two of them ate with great relish.
Yi Jinbai opened her mouth and ate the fruit that Jiang Shuiyun handed her. She turned her head to look at Jiang Shuiyun and became more and more certain that she and Shen Xian were not on the same path. On the peak of music, Shen Xian's goal was to reach the summit and then see the view from the top. Perhaps Yi Jinbai had thought so before, which is why she idolized Shen Xian. But now she had changed her mind.
Meeting Jiang Shuiyun made Yi Jinbai realize that the view from the mountaintop might not be the best. Taking things one step at a time and following one's heart is the state he desires most.
Whether or not she can become a top figure is not something Yi Jinbai strives for. She focuses more on whether she can create what she wants to create and enjoy the process. Perhaps not many people will appreciate it, but that doesn't matter. As long as she is satisfied, that's enough.
Yi Jinbai felt at ease and reached out to grasp Jiang Shuiyun's wrist beside him. "If I never become a household name as a musician, will you be disappointed in me?"
Jiang Shuiyun, who was drinking water, raised her eyebrows, looked at Yi Jinbai, and reached out to touch her forehead. "You don't have a fever. What nonsense are you talking about? Why should I be disappointed?"
Yi Jinbai chuckled and took Jiang Shuiyun's hand away. "Then don't you think I'm not good enough for you?"
"Why are you talking nonsense? What, you're not thinking of going back on your word and leaving with that Shen Xian, are you?"
Jiang Shuiyun was a little surprised and uncertain by Yi Jinbai's questions. Why did he say such things?
"I won't go back on my word. I'm just afraid that one day you will." Yi Jinbai already knew the answer from Jiang Shuiyun's reaction, and he smiled as he hugged her.
Jiang Shuiyun patted Yi Jinbai's back gently and laughed, "Don't worry, I don't have any other flaws, I'm just stubborn. Once I've made up my mind, I'll never change it. And let me tell you, it's too late for you to back out now. I won't let you go."
Yi Jinbai and Jiang Shuiyun, that's enough.
With everything here mostly settled, Jiang Shuiyun and Yi Jinbai are about to head to H City. Although the event will be a day later, it doesn't matter. It's a good opportunity for the two of them to wander around and have some fun. Last time, they didn't have a chance to explore this famous tourist city more thoroughly.
"There's a temple to the God of Love here, Jinbai, shall we go in and take a look?"
Jiang Shuiyun drove the car, and the two wandered around aimlessly. A quick glance at the navigation showed Jiang Shuiyun a landmark, which she enthusiastically pointed out to Yi Jinbai.
Yi Jinbai was looking at the river embankment outside when he heard the voice and turned around to look. "We're already together. The Temple of the Matchmaker is for praying for marriage. What should we pray for when we go in?"
"Of course, I want to grow old together, and have them tie a red thread between us, that would be more secure, so we'll never be separated in this life. That's what I saw in the introduction."
In Jiang Shuiyun's previous life, technology reigned supreme, and there were few stories about gods and immortals. It was only after coming to this world that she began to understand these things, and the more she learned, the more interesting she found them. Now that she had come across one, she had to go in and take a look.
Seeing Jiang Shuiyun's enthusiastic expression, Yi Jinbai nodded and let her go. Anyway, they were just out having fun, so it didn't matter where they went.
Jiang Shuiyun drove the car and parked it in the parking lot halfway up the mountain. It was still a distance from the temple, and they would have to walk up themselves.
Wearing masks and hats, Jiang Shuiyun led Yi Jinbai up the mountain. Lei Yu and the others, dressed in plain clothes, were hidden in the crowd, ready to protect the two of them at any time.
There were quite a few people here, going up and down the mountain, coming and going. Some were in groups, some were alone, and most of them were young people. Jiang Shuiyun also saw an elderly couple with white hair walking hand in hand down the mountain. They were composed and chatting with each other. They were wearing red bracelets on their hands.
Jiang Shuiyun shook Yi Jinbai's hand and looked at the elderly couple. "Jinbai, when our hair turns white, let's do the same thing and come back again."
Yi Jinbai nodded, and they just passed by the elderly couple.
"Snap!"
The sound of a camera shutter came from not far away. Jiang Shuiyun turned around and saw Lei Yu restraining a person carrying a camera.
"What happened?"
Jiang Shuiyun and Yi Jinbai walked over quickly. Lei Yu made very little noise, and they pulled him behind a tree by the roadside so that no one would notice.
"Who are you? I'm just a photography enthusiast, I really..."
The man was clearly panicked, and without being asked, he gave a rambling, incoherent account.
“Professor,” Lei Yu interrupted the man, “he just took pictures of you.”
Jiang Shuiyun looked at the man and told Lei Yu to let him go. "Friend, I'm sorry, could you please delete our photos?"
"Professor Jiang...?" As they got closer, the man saw Jiang Shuiyun's features clearly and became quite excited. He nodded at Jiang Shuiyun and immediately handed over the camera he had used to take the photos. "I'm sorry, Professor Jiang, I'll delete them right away."
"Wait a moment," Yi Jinbai stopped the person from deleting the photos, then glanced back at the departing elderly couple. "Excuse me, were those the elderly couple you just photographed?"
"Yes, we have them all." The man handed the camera to Yi Jinbai.
The photo shows a staircase leading up a mountain. On one side are the backs of Yi Jinbai and Jiang Shuiyun, and on the other side are two elderly people with white hair, passing each other. On either side of the path are massive mountain gates, and on the stone pillars flanking the gates are two sentences inscribed—
Black hair enters the mountains, white hair returns to secular life. How many years have passed in this fleeting world, all but a dream of Nanke.
It's clear that this person has excellent photography skills; the composition is superb, and the photos are exceptionally beautiful.
The man scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, "I just couldn't resist taking a picture because you guys were so in tune with the occasion."
Jiang Shuiyun noticed Yi Jinbai's interest and looked at the man, "Can we buy this photo?"
"Of course!"
After buying the photos and handling the aftermath, Jiang Shuiyun and Yi Jinbai continued their ascent. Before long, they saw the temple on the mountaintop.
The mountain isn't very high, and the terrain is gentle at the bottom, but the summit is quite steep, and the entire summit is occupied by a temple. Standing in front of the ancient and solemn temple, the old paint on the walls, washed by rain over the years, has lost its bright red color, but has gained a deeper, more mellow hue.
Inside, the incense was burning brightly and people were coming and going, but there was hardly any litter, and only a few fallen leaves were scattered on the smooth stone path.
Upon entering the temple, the tall clay statues of deities, with their kind eyes and lowered gazes, looked down upon the world, exuding benevolence and holiness.
Jiang Shuiyun was engrossed in watching when Yi Jinbai tugged at her sleeve, and the two knelt on the prayer mat, vowing to grow old together.
After making a wish and offering incense, Jiang Shuiyun helped Yi Jinbai to his feet and they strolled out of the temple. They walked around the main hall and found a narrow, thorny path beside it, where one had to be careful to pass alone.
"Let's not go over there. Who knows what's behind it?"
Yi Jinbai was pulled inside by Jiang Shuiyun, who reminded him with some concern.
"Let's go take a look."
Jiang Shuiyun was eager to explore such mysterious places, her spirit of exploration was too strong.
Yi Jinbai was a little nervous and tightened his grip on Jiang Shuiyun's hand. The two walked slowly, the long and winding path stretching into the distance, as if they would walk on forever.
"Snap!"
"What?!"
Yi Jinbai was startled by the sudden noise. Jiang Shuiyun turned around and put her arm around Yi Jinbai. "It's nothing, I stepped on a branch. We seem to be..."
As she spoke, Jiang Shuiyun led Yi Jinbai two more steps forward, and in an instant, the view ahead opened up.
Ahead lay an empty space, with only a single ancient tree in the middle, its roots intertwined. Red ribbons fluttered gently in the wind, revealing pairs of names that were faintly visible. Many more red ribbons lay on the ground.
"My God," Yi Jinbai exclaimed, somewhat shocked as he saw the scene before him, "How old is this tree?"
"have no idea."
Jiang Shuiyun looked around and saw no signs, no explanations, and not even the red ribbons that usually hang there. She was somewhat disappointed. "It turns out that everyone else brings their own red ribbons when they come here. We forgot to bring ours."
"It's alright, we'll just take a look and leave."
Yi Jinbai comforted Jiang Shuiyun, walked to the tree, looked up at the red silk covering the tree and the names on it.
"Shuiyun, come here, look here," Yi Jinbai suddenly seemed to have discovered something and excitedly waved to Jiang Shuiyun.
Jiang Shuiyun came over and saw a red ribbon on the ground with two names written on it. Her eyes lit up. "Suiyu, my teacher's name. What a coincidence..."
After saying that, Jiang Shuiyun belatedly looked at Yi Jinbai, realizing that she hadn't told him the teacher's name.
Yi Jinbai was equally shocked. "Sui Yu? Your teacher's name?"
"No... what else?" Jiang Shuiyun looked at Yi Jinbai, completely bewildered.
"I asked you to come and see, this Sui Yu is my old dean's name, what a coincidence?"
Yi Jinbai bent down to pick up the red silk, her heart pounding wildly, as if something was about to surface.
Jiang Shuiyun also realized something, and went over to take a look. She frowned slightly. "Sui Yu, Yi Yunmu, but the teacher doesn't have a partner, and neither does that old dean, right?"
Yi Jinbai nodded, "But there should be very few people with the same name. The old dean said that her name has a very bad meaning."
"My teacher said the same thing."
Jiang Shuiyun glanced at the red silk again, then looked at Yi Jinbai with a solemn expression. The melody, the name, the words spoken—there were just too many coincidences.