Chapter 24
Su Louzhi quickly got caught up in the fun.
Ji Kailan started her off with the gentlest courses, gradually increasing the difficulty. After each one, he'd ask if she wanted to try the next. When she nodded, he'd shield her as she climbed; when she hesitated, he'd say there was no rush, they could take it slow.
Before she knew it, she'd completed several of Senba Flying's courses.
When she finally snapped back to reality, she realized Jiang Yi had long since run off with Liu Mengting—the two were currently shrieking as they slid down some high zip line. As for Qin Qingyan and Shen Boyang, they'd somehow ended up together too, waiting in line for something on the other side.
Su Louzhi watched the pair's backs and thought: is this when their feelings start to heat up?
They were having so much fun that lunchtime slipped by before they knew it.
Study committee members He Xin and Jiang Feng stepped forward to gather everyone and led the group to a lawn.
Quite a few people were already picnicking on the grass, picnic blankets spread out in twos and threes, soaking up the sun while they ate.
The two committee members had reminded everyone earlier that lunch was self-provided, so everyone had brought food. The six of them spread their picnic blankets together and laid out what they'd packed—sandwiches, rice balls, fruit, snacks... a full spread.
They sat in a circle, chatting as they ate, the warm sunlight resting on their shoulders. A breeze occasionally drifted by, carrying the scent of grass. Su Louzhi took a bite of her sandwich and thought: days like this are really something.
After eating, the committee members called everyone to the next stop: Peach Blossom Spring.
As the name suggested, the place was full of peach trees. Though it wasn't the season for peach blossoms, the sea of green with the occasional late bloom scattered here and there was still beautiful enough to make your heart ache.
The group took photos of each other—solo shots, group shots—having a wonderful time.
Su Louzhi was dragged into several pictures by her three roommates, then pulled aside by Ji Kailan for a few more. Looking at the new photos in her phone's album, she couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The last stop was Baofeng Temple.
This temple was famous, especially for its massive Guanyin statue, said to be very effective for granting wishes. Every day, numerous people made the trip specifically to pay homage.
The two committee members announced free time—those who wanted to worship Guanyin could go on their own, and those who didn't want to climb the steps could wander the area nearby.
The moment the words left their mouths, everyone scattered.
"I'm going to pay my respects!" Jiang Yi raised her hand first. "We don't get a chance like this often—I have to make a wish!"
The others chimed in agreement.
So the six of them started climbing the long stone steps together.
There were plenty of worshippers, but the line moved in an orderly fashion. When it was Su Louzhi's turn, she took three sticks of incense, lit them from the eternal flame beside the burner, held them between her left index and middle fingers with her left hand over her right, thumb against the base, and raised them to her brow. ①
She closed her eyes and silently recited: Guanyin Bodhisattva, your disciple Su Louzhi, from another world. Today I pray to you: may Qin Qingyan and Shen Boyang's relationship go smoothly and last forever. May Ji Kailan be healthy and have good fortune in all things. May Jiang Yi and Liu Mengting have boundless futures and stay safe after graduation.
After reciting these three wishes, she suddenly froze—she'd actually forgotten to make a wish for herself.
She quickly added: and for myself... may I experience the beauty of this world every single day.
With the silent prayer done, she quieted her mind for three seconds, slowly opened her eyes, bowed three times in each of the four directions clockwise, and finally placed the incense into the burner.
She'd just finished and was about to rise—
"Benefactor."
A smiling voice sounded at her ear.
Su Louzhi was startled and turned her head.
It was a kind-faced old monk in a kasaya, beaming at her.
"For making wishes," the abbot said slowly, "it's best not to exceed three."
Su Louzhi froze. She quickly lowered her head to type: 【Then... what should I do if I've exceeded three? Will it affect the people I wished for?】
The abbot glanced at her raised phone, his expression unchanged, still smiling. "It won't harm those you wished for." He paused, his smile deepening. "It's just that some interest will be collected from you."
Su Louzhi immediately sighed in relief—as long as it didn't hurt others, that was fine.
She bowed to the abbot and continued typing: 【Thank you.】
The abbot waved his hand, a gentle, meaningful look in his eyes.
"Your wishes," he said, "will all come true."
Su Louzhi bowed once more before turning to leave.