When they arrived halfway up the mountain, Han Muzi’s back was coated with a thin film of sweat even though it had been a freezing winter.
When Han Muzi and Yan came, they had rocked up in hats, scarves and gloves, but removed it when they took a rest halfway. Just as Yan tried to remove her jacket, Xiao Su stopped her. “Don’t take it off. Your body’s just heating up and the temperature is still the same. If you remove your jacket, you may catch a cold afterward.”
After being stopped by him, Yan twitched her nose in displeasure. “But I’m feeling so hot. How can I cool myself down without removing this jacket?”
Xiao Su took two towels from his bag and pointed them to a direction. “There is a washroom right there. You and Young Lady Ye can go inside to wipe off your sweat first before taking a rest.”
Han Muzi received the towel from his hands with a smile. “Thank you.” I must say that Xiao Su really is a considerate person. He has even thought of all these beforehand. The more she looked at him, the more she felt that he was a nice person. Yan can be careless sometimes, but Xiao Su should be able to take good care of her. What a pity.
After the two of them were done with wiping the sweat off their backs, they returned to discover that Xiao Su waited for them with some hot water. “I was not sure about both of your conditions earlier, but it is better to drink some hot water so that you two would not catch a cold.”
When Han Muzi received the glass of hot water, she had a profound look at him. This man really is attentive. “Thank you.”
Yan drank the hot water slowly when she saw the tourists and pilgrims around them. Then, she sighed, “I thought that I worked hard enough and I even felt impressed with myself while coming up, but I never expected to see so many people at the halfway point. Will there be many people when we reach the top?”
Han Muzi pressed her lips and smiled. “Maybe. After all, there should be a lot of sincere people trying to offer their prayers.”
After resting for about half an hour, the two of them regained most of their strength and continued their journey upward. As they got closer to the top, Han Muzi felt that her strength was depleting at a faster rate. Their rests became longer and their persistence was shortened. She thought, If I am pregnant for another few more months, I really won’t be able to climb this much.
About 5pm, the three of them finally made it to the top. Actually, they weren’t supposed to arrive this late, but Han Muzi and Yan were tired along the way and needed extra breaks. Those breaks had consumed a large chunk of their time.
“If you don’t know how to pray when we go in later, follow me and do not run around the place,” Han Muzi reminded Yan before they entered to burn incense.
Many people came to Lingyun Mountain to burn incense and everyone was exceptionally serious and stern. Everyone was devoid of smiles or emotions and remained serious. When it came to Han Muzi’s turn, she kneeled down to pray in a serious manner while Yan imitated her.
Han Muzi asked, “Have you drawn a lot for divine guidance before? Do you know how to do it?”
Yan nodded instinctively. “I do.” Luo Huimei drew a lot whenever she brought Yan to burn incense, voicing out all of her prayers before drawing a lot.
“That’s good then.” Han Muzi closed her eyes when she drew the lots by gently shaking the tube in her hands. A while later, a random lot jumped out of the tube as if it was given a new life. She picked up the lot and looked at it, remembering the number listed on it. She then placed it back into the tube before bowing and offering her thanks.
When it was Yan’s turn, she became a bit nervous. The moment she heard that Han Muzi was coming here, Yan tagged along because she felt that she had something to pray for inside her heart. She knew perfectly about the thing that she wanted to pray for, but when it finally came to drawing lots for divine guidance, she suddenly felt ridiculous. Will God answer my prayers? No… Will God help me achieve such a ridiculous dream? Furthermore, I have already decided to let go of him, so why did I come just for him?
“What are you in a daze for?” Han Muzi gave her a gentle push as Yan stood blankly.
Yan regained her senses and kneeled down to pray. Then, she held up the tube. I’ll try not to be ridiculous. Your devotee, Zhou Xiaoyan… She continuously repeated her name because she didn’t know what to say afterward. Her heart and mind were in a state of mess while she continued to shake the tube.
Swish—
Unexpectedly, she lost her grip at that time, so the lots in the tube scattered all over the ground. She was taken aback as she widened her eyes, staring shockingly at the unforeseen incident in front of her.
Han Muzi was also shocked while standing aside. She was surprised that something like this happened in a sudden, and therefore, quickly kneeled over to help Yan to store all the lots before shooting a look. “Be serious.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry…” Yan repeated her apologies. Then, she put down the lots and prayed. She took a deep breath to calm her nervous heart. Your devotee, Zhou Xiaoyan… About ten seconds later, a lot fell to the ground. She picked it up and remembered the number before rising to her full height and handing the tube over to the next person.
As soon as they exited the temple, Han Muzi gave her a worrying look. “What is it with you? You seem restless.”
“I am fine. My hands suddenly trembled just now…”
Han Muzi pressed her lips. She glanced at Yan’s pale face, but didn’t delve deep into the matter after that. Everyone has a secret that they don’t want to reveal. It’s the same for everyone, so why should I ask her about it?
An old monk was the person deciphering the lots. He wore a robe and looked like a man who attained immortality. Han Muzi allowed him to decipher her lot first. The old monk took out the deciphered lot for her before looking at it carefully. “Benefactor, this is an excellent lot. As long as your heart is in it, you can overcome any hurdle.”
Listening to him, Han Muzi’s eyes brightened as she smiled slightly. Then, she bowed to the old monk. “Thank you, master.”
“How about this benefactor?” The old monk redirected his attention toward the restless Yan beside Han Muzi.
Yan regained her senses and lifted her lips to tell him her lot. My lot doesn’t seem… too good. Sure enough, after the old monk found her lot, his voice became deeper. “This lot…”
Yan bit on her lower lip—her lot was an awful lot. Suddenly, the old monk changed his tone. “Benefactor, you do not need to worry too much. It all depends on yourself. You are the one who decides your own fate.”
Yan felt that the old monk tried to comfort her, which upset her. However, she refused to waste his good intention, so she forced a smile out while bowing to the old monk. “Thank you, master. I will keep that in mind.”
It all depends on yourself. You are the one who decides your own fate. Yan always believed in these words. As long as she was determined on what she wanted in life, she knew she’d achieve it one day—yet, it would not always work on everything.
