In the early morning, Li Nanke had breakfast cooked by his wife and headed to Meng Xiaotu's home in the face of a slight chill. The approaching day was dimly lighted in the sky.
On the rocks on the hillside, there are no familiar figures from the past.
Meng Xiaotu, who usually stayed in bed, was already up.
"Grandma is sick."
The girl's eyes were red and she was holding the freshly cooked medicinal soup in her hand.
The hot steam made the girl's cute little face a little hazy, and the tears on her face were clearly visible in the haze.
Li Nanke entered the house.
Grandma Meng lay quietly on the bed, her eyes slightly closed, and she looked older than before.
At this moment, she was like an oil lamp that had burned to the end.
In fact, her body could no longer support her.
I just persisted with the last trace of obsession in my heart. Now that the obsession is gone, my body and spirit can finally relax.
But I thought again, what should I do if Brother Bei suddenly comes back?
He must be very sad when he sees me marrying someone else, so I might as well wait a little longer, wait a little longer... If I really can't wait, I'll get married.
Two people who meet in different time and space can finally be together.
The young monk stopped cleaning and looked up.
The medicine prescribed by Luo Qianqiu was very effective, and she took it herself. By the next day, Grandma Meng's energy had improved a lot and she could get out of bed and walk.
In order to surprise her grandma, Meng Xiaotu planned to put the decorations for the wedding room in her house.
The hand he held yesterday, although a little rough, was very slender and full of youthful vitality. However, just one day later, what he held in his hand was a love that had grown old after forty-eight years of waiting.
Grandma, when I get married, you have to prepare a dowry for me. It needs to be a lot. You can’t let the smart lady laugh at you.
The three of them frowned and looked sad.
The woman looked unhappy.
The dishes are exquisite.
Although she was mentally prepared, Meng Xiaotu cried when she heard the sentence of "death".
Because she has never seen her grandma smile so carefree, no longer persistent, no longer waiting, relieved of all the burdens in her heart, enjoying the last happiness in life.
The old man didn't respond. The rays of light that spilled into the room fell on her wrinkled face, as if she was bathed in radiance.
But everyone knows that this is just the final reflection.
"Ah, what an unfortunate coincidence."
She glanced at the exquisite food placed separately next to her and pouted: "You are so partial, grandma."
"Crybaby!"
I just waited and waited, hoping that Brother Bei would come back one day.
Is there really love between him and the eldest princess?
Is love in dreams considered love?
This kind of illusory love makes Li Nanke feel very unreliable. Once he accepts it, he is afraid that one day the woman will become sober again and eventually cause a tragedy.
Unconsciously, he dragged his legs, which weighed as much as a thousand pounds, to the door of the house, but still did not dare to go in.
The red rope was blown into the sky.
He took out a small box and opened it gently. Inside was a beautifully made ring.
At this time, the little baby girl suddenly stretched out her chubby pink hands and grabbed the red rope on the monk's wrist, as if she had seen a beloved toy, her expression full of curiosity.
There were also drops of tears falling in the bowl.
Luo Qianqiu smiled and stopped asking, walking silently with her husband.
Li Nanke hugged the woman from behind and asked softly.
A respectful man's voice sounded.
From here, you can see the entire Cloud City.
A middle-aged man flips his sleeves.
Immediately afterwards, a retroreflective meteor flew up into the sky in the black sky, exploded with a sudden burst of youthfulness.
Even Ye Yaoyao and the eldest princess Bai Ruyue came.
Finally, the man couldn't stand his wife's nagging, and said angrily: "Didn't you see that the monk was very unfamiliar? He must be a newcomer. He looks like a noble man and is very spiritual. He might become a monk in the temple in the future.
Abbot."
The girl was talking to herself, even if the old man never responded, she didn't stop.
But now, he feels that his old lover is still so beautiful.
The red rope floats and floats.
"The more childish ones are yet to come."
In front of them was a middle-aged couple and a young man with a loyal and honest face, who looked like he was dressed as a nearby villager.
The familiar taste of food brought back memories of the girl's childhood.
Perhaps God was infected by his emotions, and pieces of snowflakes silently flowed down from the leaden sky.
It melted as soon as it fell to the ground.
Meng Xiaotu said to Li Nanke, "But I don't know what's wrong with today's rice. It's very salty..."
He looked at the ground absentmindedly, motionless.
Luo Qianqiu pretended to be dissatisfied and pursed her lips.
In my eyes, I will always see that lively girl with dark cheeks.
This news frightened Luo Qianqiu.
Disappeared without a trace.
But he doesn't care.
At this moment, he seemed to have vomited out his soul.
The figures of the two people kept overlapping and overlapping, and they kept pulling towards the two time and space.
Then one after another fireworks bloomed one after another.
The young monk shook his head.
I don’t seem to remember you, I don’t remember anything. It’s already very early, so I don’t expect you to come back.
Secondly, senior sister Yan Yunfang suddenly came to her and said that the senior sister was here.
Just like the old Grandma Meng.
Pushed the man down.
The woman who left the monastery was still complaining about her husband.
A look of disappointment suddenly appeared on the woman's face, and she quickly asked, "Then when will he come back?"
First of all, Luo Qianqiu didn't care.
Only if you don’t see it, you won’t love it.
Those magic fortune tellers you spend money to find are not as good as the highly respected abbot. Moreover, you can pray for blessings from the abbot and keep your children safe throughout their lives.
The passing time warned her more than once that they might never meet again, but she never listened until her time was running out and she was getting weaker.
"You'll know when you go there."
The old man slowly opened his slack eyelids, looked at Li Nanke, and asked weakly: "Where is Brother Bei?"
The middle-aged woman stabbed her son with her arm.
Was he locked up by his family because he wanted to marry me?
"But I am already your wife."
It's not that she wants to hide it deliberately, some things can be buried underground forever without mentioning them.
"Marry again."
When he walked out of the small courtyard, he saw Bai Buai squatting in the corner outside the fence.
"Both."
Until the red rope slowly slipped from the shoulder...
"You...why do you have to wait...why do you have to wait?! Why are you so stupid!"
"The little monk's name is "No"."
The yard became quiet.
"So smart, grandma..."
Bai Buai is not tired of his aging lover.
Touching the two people's names specially engraved on the surface of the ring, the corners of Luo Qianqiu's eyes were a little moist, and she smiled lightly.
"Then...then I'll jump down from here." Li Nanke stood at the edge of the top of the tower.
In an instant, the two of them seemed to be back on Phoenix Mountain again, when the girl was making faces while taunting him.
Looking at the blooming fireworks, Luo Qianqiu's eyes were full of tenderness, but she smiled and said: "It's so childish."
He could not tolerate that the eldest princess would eventually marry another man, let alone being close to the opposite sex.
When Grandma Meng said these words, she always had a smile on her face without any emotional fluctuations.
This playboy who used to be rebellious and dissolute suddenly became much more mature and calm.
The middle-aged woman was holding a little baby in her arms.
How can a young monk compare with the abbot?
He talked to Grandma Meng and watched the sunset with her.
Although he knew that this would attract criticism and cause anger in the family.
The lonely figure of the monk is like a harp with broken strings, playing silent and sad notes in silence.
Grandma, would you please cook me some braised pork in the future? I’m not afraid of getting fat. Someone will want me anyway.
The baby wrapped in swaddling clothes only showed a pink and tender face, and its pure gem-like eyes looked at the monk curiously.
The old man's eyes were soft and he said with a smile: "You said you would come back, so I waited and waited because I believed Brother Bei wouldn't lie to me. If I didn't wait any longer, he would be so sad."
However, the next second, a delicate white hand pressed on his chest.
"I don't know."
But it was a strange little girl who came to offer incense and was playing with her companions, laughing and grimacing.
Li Nanke called softly.
There are simple meals on the table.
She has never had a good impression of the imperial court. The worst she can do is to live in seclusion with her husband in disguise. Anyway, her husband doesn't want to work in the Night Patrol Department.
Bai Buai also laughed, her face covered with tears.
The woman did not dare to disobey her husband at this moment. She looked at the red string held by the baby in her hand, blinked and suddenly said: "This little red string is something that the master wears with him. It must have Buddha nature on it. If it really comes true in the future,
It’s a big deal if you don’t meet the abbot and the holy monk.”
Looking at the food on the table and Meng Xiaotu devouring it, he was a little dazed.
Although Ye Yaoyao has a lonely personality, she also knows that living in Li Nanke is a problem.
Bai Buai finally couldn't suppress her emotions and burst into tears.
There were a few times when I thought about getting married, Brother Bei might have forgotten about me.
Li Nanke sat in front of the bed and looked at the old man silently.
He thought they would meet again one day soon, but he forgot that time is the biggest enemy.
——
"Wow, it smells so good."
grandmother……"
On the tops of the dense trees, the last trace of the afterglow gradually dissipated and faded...
A bright smile broke out on the old man's face.
The man gritted his teeth and prepared to jump.
There are mushrooms, cauliflower, and braised pork that she once loved most...these were things her grandma used to make for her.
Li Nanke stood in front of the woman, with his back to the fireworks.
"impossible."
He gently knocked his forehead against the cold wall.
He sat in front of the bed and looked at the old man who was unfamiliar but could vaguely recognize the appearance of a young girl. He seemed to be gazing at the happy memories that had not faded away not long ago.
Coming outside, facing Meng Xiaotu's nervous and expectant eyes, Luo Qianqiu said softly:
"Grandma can't hold on for a few more days. Her health has actually given out for a long time. It's a miracle that she can survive until now. I can only prescribe some medicine to make her feel better..."
"Brother Bei."
call out!
Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the night sky.
After half a stick of incense, Li Nanke took the woman to the top floor of a pagoda.
Li Nanke and Luo Qianqiu were walking on the moonlit path, with their fingers intertwined, and the gentle snowflakes intertwined into an endless beautiful snow curtain between the sky and the earth.
Looking at the unfamiliar building, Luo Qianqiu asked curiously.
The monk stared blankly at the old red rope in his palm, with a slight smile on his lips.
Suddenly, a crisp sound came from far away.
No one knows where he went.
"Uh...you will catch me, right."
During this period, Bai Buai was always with me.
But he was unwilling to accept it.
The figures of the two people kept appearing in front of my eyes...
…………
Li Nanke understood what the girl was worried about, so he just patted her on the shoulder and left this small room that was so stuffy that it was almost hard to breathe.
When he was about to land, he was gently caught by a hand.
The woman laughed twice and said to her husband: "Then let's come back to Abbot Yongming tomorrow morning."
The man shed tears, held the old man's hand tightly and pressed it against his forehead.
But slowly, your voice and your appearance began to blur to me.
I remember Shuangshuang once said that when they meet again, she will cook delicious meals for him.
It feels like she is just telling a story.
Li Nanke felt a little weak.
The man's heart suddenly tightened, as if he had been stung by a poisonous bee, and his sobbing sounds were dull.
Grandma Meng smiled softly, her old voice filled with relief and satisfaction.
"What if I don't agree?"
Not many people came to attend the funeral. There were Leng Siyuan and his wife, colleagues who had a good relationship with Meng Xiaotu, Shangguan Guan, Luo Qianqiu, Leng Xinnan...
She was about to leave, but Luo Qianqiu persuaded her to stop.
These light words seemed to twist Bai Buai's heart so hard that he couldn't breathe.
Bang!
A handful of flames flew into the sky.
The wind roared in his ears, and the unprepared fall made Li Nanke almost scream out in fear. He wanted to take Hongyu out of his arms, but remembered that he didn't take that thing tonight.
That lively and kind girl, that kind old lady who hit him on the head with a cane, that sharp-tongued little village girl, that old naughty boy who deliberately played a prank on his granddaughter...
Seeing this scene, Luo Qianqiu showed no other emotions.
Fight!
Li Nanke silently looked at the old man with his eyes closed peacefully on the chair, his expression gloomy.
"Look, I told you that you are a crybaby, but you still don't believe me." Grandma Meng said with a smile.
Or maybe...
Li Nanke still maintained a mysterious smile.
The man finally walked into the house.
The young monk in the snow was not annoyed and continued to sweep patiently, even if he kept sweeping.
The woman looked embarrassed.
"You don't have the face, but I want the face."
She still remembers it after all these years.
"How about it? It's pretty," Li Nanke said proudly.
"I originally wanted Abbot Yongming to help me name the child, but now it's all in vain." The young man sighed, "Why don't you spend some money to find a fortune teller to name the child."
The girl stared blankly for a while, then sat on the chair again, looked at the rice and said with a smile: "Grandma, I won't wait for them. I'll eat first. I'm going to be hungry after running for a long time."
Full of grief, he became like a naked autumn grass, his whole body swaying feebly.
The light in the monk's eyes gradually extinguished and then cooled down.
Meng Xiaotu saw the two of them and waved quickly, "Sit down and eat, it's delicious. If you don't eat it when it's cold, grandma will be very angry later. I was beaten by her when I was a child..."
Perhaps sensing the man's arrival, Grandma Meng opened her eyes.
As soon as her wrist was loosened, the red rope was pulled away by the little baby girl.
Luo Qianqiu's bright eyes reflected the man's figure and the fireworks in the sky, but the smile on her face gradually faded, she shook her head and said, "I don't believe it."
Li Nanke gently put the ring on the woman's slender white finger and said softly: "Qianqiu, marry me."
"I'm sorry, Master, this... this child..."
Before the man could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the woman's elbow.
"Then what? You're not going to take me here to have a good time, right?"
The middle-aged man wanted to say something else, but the woman dragged him away.
"I'll find my wife and ask her to prescribe some medicine."
"Master, is Abbot Yongming here?" the woman next to her asked with a smile.
Because Ye Yaoyao had injured the Dragon Guard before, and because Li Nanke could enter the Phoenix Mountain filled with red mist, the Dragon Guard decided to send people to arrest Li Nanke.
Fortunately, Bai Ruyue never came to him, giving the man breathing space to think.
The woman was frightened when she saw this and wanted to help the monk get the red rope back from her granddaughter. However, the baby's little hands were tightly clenched and she began to cry.
Because he was worried about the eldest princess.
Fallen leaves fell one after another, falling to the ground with the coolness of snowflakes.
"This is……"
Looking at the sad and desperate girl, Li Nanke hesitated for a moment, and finally hugged the girl in front of his wife to comfort her.
At the funeral, Meng Xiaotu burst into tears.
Although life is counting down.
Li Nanke smiled and said nothing, took out a signal-emitting device and pulled the tail rope.
Seeing this expression, Li Nanke already understood.
Just waiting and waiting, no one wants me anymore. Because I am getting older and ugly.
However, the eldest princess stopped him midway and a dispute broke out.
…
Li Nanke looked down at the 100-meter-high sky, his back already soaked with sweat. He breathed a sigh of relief, turned to the woman and smiled: "I'll just say husband——"
There is also a separate meal.
Luo Qianqiu stared at him steadily without saying a word.
But I don't know where to find you.
Crybaby.
He stood absentmindedly for a while, then came to the table like a zombie.
As soon as she stepped into the house, the girl smelled the aroma of rice.
The middle-aged man looked at the monk's handsome face and suddenly asked: "Master, could you help me name my granddaughter? Her birthday is -"
The woman immediately regretted her behavior just now and said nonchalantly: "How about we go back and ask him for a name for his granddaughter?"
Li Nanke put his arms around the woman's slender waist. As soon as he stepped out, he hesitated and said, "You are good at lightness, take us to the top of the tower."
Amidst the bells of the ancient temple, a red rope stained with snowflakes gently fell on the shoulders of a young monk...
Li Nanke returned home and explained the situation to his wife Luo Qianqiu.
The man had no choice but to shut his mouth.
The houses and trees are inlaid with a golden edge of light, like silhouettes with clear contrast between light and dark.
Bai Buai and Li Nanke, who went to the store to pick up wedding dresses, haven't come back yet.
What seemed like a short separation to him, but to a woman, was an endless wait.
The old man took a few sips of the medicinal soup, then closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The old man stretched out his other hand and smoothed the man's messy hair. His voice was as soft as a dandelion carrying memories, his eyes flashed with tears, and he sighed:
"Actually, there was a time when I didn't want to wait anymore.
Compared to the excitement of meeting for the first time, Grandma Meng was very calm at this time.
In this case, the girl really needs comfort.
————
When the woman saw that the head of the house was angry, she did not dare to say anything more.
Luo Qianqiu opened her mouth slightly.
"Brother Bei, I've finally waited for you."
The woman was confused.
The young monk clasped his hands together, bowed, and said in a gentle and apologetic voice: "The abbot went out not long ago and is not in the temple."
Grandma, we bought you a new dress. It looks very good. You will definitely like it when they bring it back later.
Luo Qianqiu sighed secretly. Sister Leng, sister Leng, you still failed to watch your husband.
I thought, since no one wants me, I can only wait. I just looked at the Phoenix Mountain, thinking about our previous scenes, your appearance, your voice...
The girl's face was covered with tears.
The woman frowned and thought carefully.
Could it be that this is an opportunity given by God?
But Li Nanke is in a lot of troubles.
The middle-aged man looked at the unfamiliar monk and asked respectfully: "May I ask the master's name?"
Li Nanke covered her with a quilt and said softly: "Is he still looking?"
Calmly, it was as if she was asking about a strange friend who had nothing to do with her in her memory.
Bai Buai gently held the old man's hand, stroking the back of his hand as rough as old pine bark with his fingers.
After thinking about it, I suddenly felt that the monk did have a temperament that was different from ordinary people, with a bit of nobility.
"You are here, grandma has cooked delicious food."
After a while, Li Nanke and Bai Buai came to the door.
When he came, Bai Buai was still curled up there.
Seeing her husband's proud expression, she felt angry and funny, "I dare to bring you here just because -"
Bai Buai's voice roared out from his chest, choked with sobs.
The reason why he rejected the other party's courtship was not only because of the other party's identity, but also because of his psychological resentment.
But what else can I do except wait?
…
After all, that was the wife he had spent his whole life with in his dream.
It is like a homeless person, being pulled by the rootless wind, floating over trees and across rivers...
The man's hair was disheveled, his eyes were sunken with dark circles, and his whole body was full of haggard and tiredness. He was like an abandoned dog, which made people pity him.
The courtyard was quiet.
Li Nanke reached out to touch the other person, but stopped when his fingers were about to fall on his shoulders. Finally, he sighed and turned around to leave.
Luo Qianqiu smiled softly, hugging the man despite his embarrassed expression, her lotus-petal-like toes poked out of the skirt, and with a slight click, flew to the top of the tower.
The sky was gloomy, and the dark clouds that kept coming seemed to bury all the good moods.
The leaves continuously fall from the birch trees, rearranging their patterns wherever they sweep.
The young monk lowered his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
The girl's joking complaints did not receive a response from the old man.
As she spoke, she forcibly pulled the red rope out of the child's hand and tied it around the baby girl's wrist.
These days, everyone has a tacit understanding to leave all time and space to Bai Buai and Meng Shuangshuang.
——
Due to Bai Ruyue's status, Long Guard could only give up temporarily, but he had already reported the matter, and it is estimated that the real trouble will come next.
A story that no longer belongs to you.
The monk looked neither sad nor happy, silently sweeping the withered yellow leaves on the ground. The rustling of fallen leaves and snow seemed to blend in with the chanting in the temple, creating a silence.
"You're so smart, you should eat too."
"Shuangshuang will always wear this red string from now on to protect her forever."
"If you don't eat, I'll finish it."
After carefully checking Grandma Meng's physical condition, Luo Qianqiu's beautiful eyes showed a sad look.
Thinking of the monk calling "Shuang Shuang" just now, the middle-aged man hesitated for a while and said with a calm expression: "Just call this girl Shuang Shuang."
I hate myself for asking a woman to promise to wait.
She looked at the man beside the bed, but she still didn't show much excitement. Only tears fell from the corners of her eyes, sliding down along the wrinkles.
Grandma Meng’s cemetery was chosen at the foot of Fenghuang Mountain.
Meng Xiaotu didn't care. She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the cold rice. While eating, she said, "Grandma, are you hungry? Let's eat together."
The red wedding dress looked bright red under the afterglow of the setting sun, seeming to burn memories of the past.
"It'll be ready soon."
The shadows of the trees beside the road danced with the wind in the night, making a rustling sound and blending in with the shadows of the two people.
Li Nanke has never been so entangled.
In the past, he only valued a woman's good-looking skin. He believed that without a good-looking skin, a woman would no longer have any attraction for a man who loves her to pay for her.
It was as if there were countless sharp knives hidden in that small room. Once you entered, you would be stabbed to pieces.
Because they are never playing themselves, but playing others.
only……
Luo Qianqiu put down what she was doing, picked up the medicine box and followed her husband to Grandma Meng's house.
The red sun sets in the west, and the sunset fills the sky.
I can only continue to wait..."
In her world, time seems to pass very slowly and very quickly.
He knelt on the ground, stretched his neck and poured out all his grief. Tears, snot and saliva flowed to the ground in strings. He even began to retching.
The night was dark, and the stars and moon gave off a cold and faint light.
In order to make up for his promise, Bai Buai discussed with Li Nanke and Meng Xiaotu, and decided to make a wedding dress for Meng Shuangshuang and go find the eight-legged sedan chair.
He wanted to say something, but he couldn't say a word. He felt like there was a hard lump in his throat.
The old man remained silent, just like this silent room.
Meng Xiaotu's beautiful eyes shone, and she picked up a piece of braised pork and stuffed it into her mouth, "Grandma, it's been a long time since I've eaten the braised pork you made, and it's still so delicious."
The monk looked at the shallow marks on his wrist and looked up at the snowflakes falling like goose feathers. There was a hint of relief on his face and he smiled and said: "It doesn't matter."
After the funeral, Li Nanke opened the box that the old man had kept for 48 years, took out the old red rope, and carefully placed it on the tombstone.
The snow in October is very soft and seems to be warm.
She looked back at her grandma and said, "Grandma, how about I take you to make a sedan tomorrow morning? It will be fun."
When the old man heard this, a smile appeared in his deeply sunken eyes. He waved his hand gently and said softly: "Tell him not to look for him. He will easily get lost."
She could only hope silently and grow older.
After everyone left, a gust of wind blew——
She did not beg doctors to save her relatives like others. Because she understood that whenever there was a glimmer of hope, Luo Qianqiu would do his best to save her.
Not far away, Bai Buai stared blankly, his eyes blank.
Meng Xiaotu stuffed the end of a chopstick and said, "I have a big appetite, and these dishes are not enough to fill half of my stomach.
Seeing the smile that was always on her grandma's face, Meng Xiaotu was very happy.
The monk's expression changed and he wanted to stop him.
I'm wondering if Brother Bei won't come?
"Does it look good?"
Yellow light, red light, purple light, sometimes like golden chrysanthemums in full bloom, sometimes like colorful butterflies fluttering, or bright fire trees... reflecting the woman's dreamy and clear pupils.
Li Nanke nodded.
Luo Qianqiu did not tell her husband about this matter.
Of course, what she was afraid of was not the gentle mistress, but the cold and ruthless master.
The monk turned his head subconsciously.
Grandma Meng's spirit seems to be getting better and better.
After that, he bowed and continued to clean the fallen leaves.
Snapped!
The box with the wedding dress in Bai Buai's hand fell to the ground.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Both!"
One moment, one moment...
Now that the other party says there is no hope, that means there is really no hope.
But as soon as he leaned out halfway, the woman grabbed his arm.
Time always slips away quietly inadvertently, and five days passed in a flash.
Master's Wife usually rarely leaves the Spiritual Valley. She came back suddenly this time and didn't know what happened. She left Ye Yaoyao here so that she could have a helper if Master came to visit.
He never dared to take a step forward and face her.
He hated himself so much.
Maybe he was drinking alone to relieve his sorrows, or maybe he returned to the capital and chose to stay away from this sad place.
In the past, he could get it but not love it; now he loves it but can't get it.
On the rocking chair, Grandma Meng, wearing an apron, sat quietly, resting with her eyes closed, peaceful and kind.
He silently ate the meal set aside for him alone.
"Grandmaster."
The petals are falling like rain.
Just when the man was desperate, a pair of soft lotus arms hugged his waist.
It didn't slowly fall until in front of an ancient temple in the mountains.
Li Nanke and Shangguan Guan helped arrange everything.
But Li Nanke had no time to take care of this.
"good."
Grandma Meng's life is coming to an end.
"Ms. sir, I agree to marry you."
Luo Qianqiu raised her moist, affectionate eyes and kissed the man's lips.
——
[Author's note: I'm too lazy to divide the chapters into chapters, so let's do a big chapter at once. The summary of the third volume will be posted tomorrow or tonight]