Chapter 203: Wishes

When Chu Yi received the medical report, his hands were trembling; he recognized the mundane words on it, yet pieced together, they formed the tragedy of Ling Wu, and he stood stunned for a long time, unable to speak.

No wonder he couldn't smell cigarette smoke on Ling Wu; it was medicine.

——"I smoke when I'm under a lot of pressure."

In truth, it was the helplessness felt during every episode; Ling Wu, such a proud and strong-willed person...

It was as if the strength had been drained from Chu Yi's body; he simply could not fathom how Ling Wu had survived such agony as Mental Dissociation, and the dull ache in his heart rang out like the rhythmic beating of a drum.

His nasal cavity gradually filled with a sour, stinging sensation.

He had originally thought that someone like Ling Wu was infinitely glorious; Chu Yi had grown up in filth and suffering, so he was better able to empathize.

Chu Yi made a phone call to Ling Wu.

"Hello?"

Chu Yi called his name: "Ling Wu, it's me."

His voice was no different from usual, still magnetic and pleasant, only the trailing note was uneven, carrying a hint of bitterness, like the rind of a pomelo.

Ling Wu: "Chu Yi, what's wrong?"

Chu Yi's fingers holding the report curled: "Are you free? You promised to reserve half a day for me earlier."

"Right now?"

Chu Yi stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the buildings of Beidu City outlined by the sunlight with a metallic texture and flowing luster: "Yes, I want to see you right now."

Ling Wu had nothing to do at the moment; he was quite free: "Then where shall we meet?"

"Are you not at home?" Chu Yi guessed after hearing him say that, then made a decision: "Send me the address, I'll drive over to pick you up."

Ling Wu clearly hadn't said he wasn't at home yet, but Chu Yi seemed to share a telepathic connection with him; a hint of a smile appeared on his face: "Alright, I'll send you the location, tell me when you're almost nearby."

"I'll come down early to wait for you."

Chu Yi's eyes looking at the screen were gentle: "Alright, see you in a bit."

Yin Huaiyu had heard their entire conversation; he tugged at the hem of Ling Wu's trousers: "Are you going out?"

Ling Wu looked down at him: "Mm."

Yin Huaiyu seemed to have been triggered; those peach-blossom eyes were deep and dark, the possessiveness in his bones not yet worn away, wanting to question him but worried that Ling Wu would think he wasn't being obedient: "Then... then when will you be back?"

"Can you come back earlier?"

This attitude of a pet relying on its owner made Ling Wu feel it was quite interesting; he leaned down slightly, looking at the somewhat delirious Yin Huaiyu, and said with ambiguous meaning: "Perhaps..."

Ling Wu finished speaking and left without the slightest hesitation.

Yin Huaiyu watched the closed door, unable to hear any sound, and was gradually swallowed by a long and suffocating despair; his reaction time seemed to have been extended, and he roared in pain: "Don't go, Ling Wu... don't leave me alone."

I really can't take it.

I really can't take it!

Ling Wu hadn't told Yin Huaiyu an exact time of return, so he fearfully guessed: a few hours, or a few days?

What if he never comes back?

He didn't know when it started, but his temperament had been shaved of its edges by a strong, sharp blade and ground smooth; Yin Huaiyu certainly knew this wasn't him.

He hadn't been like this before.

He wanted to resist, but he couldn't and didn't dare.

If he didn't listen, he would be thrown back into that dark, lightless room, and Ling Wu would look at him coldly, without bestowing a shred of warmth or care.

The light from the basement's hanging bulb was dim and yellow; Yin Huaiyu had temporarily lost Ling Wu, so he crawled to the side of the bed, pulled the desk lamp into his body, and rested his face against it.

Why did it become like this?

Yin Huaiyu's body was extremely exhausted, as if his flesh and bones had been torn apart alive; the place where his leg was severed didn't hurt much anymore after being treated, but looking at this empty basement, it was like a demon opening its abyss-like maw.

And since he was in such a place, the final outcome could only be to be swallowed and crushed.

His mind was a blank slate, making it difficult to think deeply.

Just like a week ago, Yin Huaiyu had vowed with certainty and unyielding defiance that he didn't believe he couldn't escape, but now that it had come to this, when he saw that door, he didn't think of escape, but of powerlessness—a deep sense of powerlessness swept over his entire body.

When this kind of imprisonment that destroys one's personality hasn't happened to oneself, one can certainly point fingers from a high horse, saying it isn't that scary.

Once it's one's own turn, it's hard to even last a week.

This is humanity.

A fickle and contradictory creature.

He was drowning in a rushing river, and Ling Wu was the piece of driftwood he could rely on.

Scenes from a movie flashed through Yin Huaiyu's mind, frame by frame: from family discord, verbal abuse, and physical violence, to his mother falling to her death; his heart could no longer be calm, and only when Ling Wu began to appear in the scenes did it gradually slow down...

For things to have progressed to this point, it is truly absurd.

"Ling Wu."

"Ling Wu..."

Yin Huaiyu muttered to himself, as if hallucinating.

Ling Wu had fallen asleep in Chu Yi's car; when he opened his eyes, the car had stopped in a place he hadn't expected, and the sound of bells echoed in his ears.

It was clearly meant to calm the mind and settle the spirit.

But Ling Wu looked from the foot of the mountain toward the temple at the summit, his thin figure appearing tiny against the backdrop of the high mountain, like a grain of sand...

It was Chanxin Si.

Chu Yi stood by his side, not noticing his expression, his gaze extending upward along the bluestone steps: "Chanxin Si is the most efficacious temple in Beidu City."

"Ling Wu, is there anything you want to pray for?"

The two of them stepped onto the stairs.

With different moods.

Seeing those flying eaves and arched beams, red walls and dark tiles again, his state of mind was completely different from the first time he came; it was very subtle...

Having killed so many people, to still dare to come to a pure place of Buddhism.

Ling Wu stepped on the bluestone stairs, his eyes unable to see the Bodhi tree, his beige scarf lifted high by the wind, like prayer ribbons hung up and rising with the breeze; the hem of his clothes fluttered, brushing against Chu Yi's.

He thought of this person, Yin Cilan, and the contempt and disdain in his eyes were nearly overflowing.

Ling Wu: "I hear that when it comes to making wishes, sincerity is what makes them work."

"That's right, sincerity makes them work." Chu Yi straightened his scarf and walked side by side with him, standing before the Guanyin Treasure Hall: "Ling Wu, offer a bow; what if it actually works?"

In truth, Chu Yi had not believed in such things before.

Ling Wu could not bring himself to bend his knees before the gods and Buddhas filling the hall.

Everything he wanted to do and everything he desired could only be obtained by relying on himself.

Chu Yi did not force him.

Ling Wu put his hands into his pockets and stood at the entrance of the Guanyin Treasure Hall; watching Chu Yi kneel on the prayer mat, he tilted his body slightly and saw a familiar face.

The young monk pressed his palms together, looking at him with kind eyes: "Why does this benefactor not go inside to offer a bow?"

Ling Wu recognized him at a glance: "......."

"Little Master, you said this to me last time."

The young monk looked closely: "My eyes were clumsy; anyone who has seen the benefactor's appearance should never forget it."

Ling Wu merely smiled at him.

The young monk looked into the Guanyin Treasure Hall at the figure bowing piously: "Is that benefactor here with you?"

Chu Yi knelt on the prayer mat with a straight back; he looked up, small and insignificant, at the gilded, compassionate statue of the Bodhisattva, then closed his eyes, pressed his palms together, cast aside distracting thoughts, and spoke with a pious and respectful voice: "Bodhisattva above, your believer Chu Yi has someone he likes very much."

"First wish: may they be safe and healthy!"

"Second wish: may they be smooth and worry-free!"

"Third wish: may they get what they desire!"

Ling Wu felt a chill on his face and looked up to see that it was snowing again in Beidu City, making the temple appear even more solemn and grave; he hid his chin in his scarf and followed the young monk's gaze.

Across the curtain of snow, Ling Wu saw a sense of conviction in Chu Yi for no reason; just as he had said, sincerity makes wishes work, so no matter what wishes he made, they would surely come true...

Some people do not believe in gods and Buddhas.

Some people kowtow and pray to gods and Buddhas to protect you so you may be smooth and worry-free.

Just at this moment.

Chu Yi stood up and looked back; their gazes met across the frost and snow, the light and shadows mottled, and the world seemed to have been pressed on pause like a movie; at this moment, the east wind brushed their faces, and those snowflakes swept past Ling Wu's side, flying into the Guanyin Treasure Hall as if they had consciousness, covering Chu Yi all over.

The young monk said: "Oh, right, benefactor."

"There was still a part of the story I told you last time that I hadn't finished."

"When Yangjumolu entered the city to beg for alms, those who had suffered because of his past evil deeds saw him wearing monk's robes and were filled with anger, cursing and beating him, throwing tiles and stones at him, leaving him covered in wounds and dripping with blood."

"He returned to the monastery and told the Buddha about this, and the Buddha said to him: 'Do not harbor resentment; treat them with compassion. By enduring this karmic retribution, your sins will be eliminated'."

A snowflake landed on the back of the young monk's hand; his eyes were powerful, and he looked firmly at Ling Wu, speaking only to him: "Only through compassion and wisdom can one truly be liberated."

Ling Wu was startled, and he pressed his palms together: "Thank you."

"I understand."

The young monk returned the gesture, gave him one last meaningful look, and walked away through the snow, heading deep into the ancient temple.

Chu Yi came out of the Guanyin Treasure Hall and brushed the snowflakes off Ling Wu's shoulders with his hand; he looked at the youth's nose, frozen red: "What did that monk say to you just now?"

The stone weighing on his heart was lifted, and Ling Wu felt light all over, his steps brisk: "He told me a story."

Chu Yi, however, no longer cared what the story was; he asked: "Ling Wu, are you cold?"

"The wind is strong on the mountain; let's go down quickly."

Ling Wu nodded: "Okay."

He did not know that in this snowy weather, every wish Chu Yi made had to do with him.