Yang Zhao and Chen Mingsheng went to the nearest Bodhisattva Peak at noon.
In fact, although it is the off-season now, Yang Zhao feels that late autumn is really a good time to travel. The weather is neither too cold nor too hot, and it is neither dry nor wet, and the climate is very acceptable.
Bodhisattva Ding is the name of the Manchu language, which means the place where Manjusri Bodhisattva lives. Yang Zhao explained to Chen Mingsheng as he walked. They put their luggage in the house and traveled in a simple pack, carrying only a small bag.
Yang Zhao pointed to the mountain in front of him and said, "This is Vulture Peak, and the Bodhisattva is on top of it."
She had fewer things to carry, and it was easier to support Chen Mingsheng, and her arm was directly on Chen Mingsheng's.
When they came to the foot of Bodhisattva Mountain, Yang Zhao looked at the long steps and fell silent.
She felt as if she had forgotten to think about something.
However, Chen Mingsheng still looked like that. He stood on the edge of the steps and went up two steps with the support of the stone pillars. He turned around and saw Yang Zhao in a daze, and said, "Is there anything to introduce here?"
Yang Zhao came back to his senses, followed up, and said, "It's nothing, there are one hundred and eight stone steps, many monasteries have them."
Chen Mingsheng looked down at the road and walked up step by step.
Yang Zhao said: "According to Buddhism, going to this place is to step on one hundred and eight kinds of troubles in the world."
Chen Ming was overjoyed, and said with a smile: "Then I can only step on fifty-four?"
Yang Zhao looked at Chen Mingsheng, took a deep breath, and said flatly, "It doesn't seem to be calculated that way."
There are other climbers around them, and most of the few tour groups are elderly people.
After climbing a third of the way, Yang Zhao said to Chen Mingsheng, "Sit down and have a rest."
Chen Mingsheng looked at her sideways, "I'm not tired."
Yang Zhao said, "I'm tired."
She pulled Chen Mingsheng to sit down on the edge of the steps. The stone steps were cool, and some sweat disappeared. Yang Zhao took out a bottle of water from his small bag and handed it to Chen Mingsheng.
Chen Mingsheng took a sip.
Yang Zhao saw Chen Mingsheng looking down the steps. Yang Zhao looked over, it was a lama. Wearing a scarlet robe and cassock, with one arm bare, on the long steps, bowing his head.
Chen Mingsheng said, "Tell me, what is he begging for?"
"I don't know." Yang Zhao said, "In Tibetan Buddhism, kowtow is mainly for praying for wisdom, and it is a way of practice. I heard that many lamas kowtow millions of times in their lifetime.
Chen Mingsheng looked at the man kneeling on the stone steps, and said in a low voice: "A million times..." He smiled faintly, and said, "Do you think they will forget their wishes when they kowtow to the end?"
Yang Zhao paused and said, "I'm not them, I don't know."
Chen Mingsheng turned to look at her and said, "Do you have a wish when you come here?"
Yang Zhao looked into Chen Mingsheng's eyes, and his eyes seemed to be stained with the coolness of Mount Wutai.
Yang Zhao was a little confused.
There must be such a moment, Yang Zhao thought, there must be such a moment, which became a symbol in their communication. After that moment, every move, every word, every gaze of this man has a deeper meaning.
The hidden meaning made Yang Zhao dare not open his mouth casually.
After a while, Yang Zhaocai said—
"Yes." She looked into Chen Mingsheng's dark eyes and said, "I have a wish."
Chen Mingsheng smiled and said, "If you have any wishes, tell me."
Yang Zhao said: "This wish is for the Bodhisattva, you cannot listen to it."
Chen Mingsheng said: "The Bodhisattva is so magnanimous, he probably won't mind."
Yang Zhao raised his hand, pushed Chen Mingsheng, then stood up and said, "Let's go."
This time, they climbed to the top in one go.
Chen Mingsheng didn't change his face, Yang Zhao was a little out of breath. She supported a stone pillar on one side and sat on a stool to rest.
There were some resting tourists around. An old man sat opposite Chen Mingsheng, looked at his legs, and then raised his hand to give him a thumbs up.
Chen Mingsheng: "..." He nodded awkwardly at the old man. Yang Zhao looked at him with a smile on the side.
Chen Mingsheng turned his head and whispered to Yang Zhao, "What are you laughing at?"
Yang Zhao said, "You don't mind laughing?"
Chen Mingsheng took her hand and said with a smile on his face, "Why don't I care if you laugh at me."
The old man on the opposite side said: "Little couple, haha."
Yang Zhao felt Chen Mingsheng's hand pause slightly, she raised her eyes to look at him, raised the corner of her mouth, and said, "What's wrong?"
There was a rare provocation in her gaze, Chen Mingsheng looked at her thoughtfully for a while, then turned his head away with a defeated smile.
Yang Zhao squeezed his hand, but Chen Mingsheng didn't speak.
"It's such a good relationship." The old man commented.
Yang Zhao smiled at the old man, and said lightly, "Thank you."
When she turned her head to see Chen Mingsheng again, she felt a little helpless in his smile.
The layout and sculptures of the main halls of Bodhisattva Peak all have a strong Lamaism color. In the main hall, Pilu Buddha, Anituo Buddha and Medicine Buddha are enshrined in the back, and the statue of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect of Lamaism, is enshrined in the front.
Yang Zhao prepared some change, and put some in each merit box.
Yang Zhao was very interested in Buddha statues and Tibetan paintings, and stood there staring at them for a long time. Chen Mingsheng said: "I'm going to smoke a cigarette outside the temple, take your time."
Yang Zhao turned his head and said, "You don't like watching it?"
Chen Mingsheng smiled and said, "I don't believe this."
Yang Zhao looked at him curiously and said, "Then what do you believe?"
Chen Mingsheng paused, thought for a moment, and then said, "It seems... I don't seem to believe anything."
Yang Zhao also seemed to have expected this answer, and said to him, "You go, I'll be here soon."
"Um."
Chen Mingsheng went outside to smoke.
Bodhisattva Ding is a very simple and simple temple, every towering tree tells the story of this temple, and the blue stones condense into small drops of water with moist water vapor.
Chen Mingsheng leaned on a row of stone pillars and watched from afar the tourists standing in front of the Manjusri Hall waiting to kowtow and burn incense.
Perhaps a place like a monastery really has a special power that slows down the wind, slows down the flight of birds, and slows down time.
Chen Mingsheng does not believe in Buddhism.
He recalled his previous life, recalled the most tense, impatient, and breathless moments, and he didn't seem to have asked the Buddha for blessing.
At that time, what was he thinking.
Chen Mingsheng lowered his head silently, halfway through the memory, he suddenly laughed out loud. He shook his head and put the cigarette in his mouth.
What are you thinking
Of course I want to survive.
The wind blew gently, and Yang Zhao stopped in front of a small side room.
Behind the Bodhisattva roof, there is a courtyard in which several Buddha statues are enshrined in the form of small rooms. Yang Zhao stopped in front of a room that did not raise his eyes.
Inside the house is a gray concrete floor and concrete walls. On a simple table frame, there is a small statue of a Bodhisattva.
The statue of the Bodhisattva is old, the color is not very clear, and a thin layer of dust has fallen on it.
It's very remote here, there's no one there, and it's very quiet.
Standing in front of the Bodhisattva statue, Yang Zhao slowly raised his hands, folded his palms together, closed his eyes, and lowered his head slightly.
When Chen Mingsheng finished smoking and came back to look for Yang Zhao, he saw this scene - in the corner of the temple, there was a woman in simple clothes, bowing her head in front of a small statue of Bodhisattva, praying for blessings.
Chen Mingsheng stopped at that moment, he didn't move forward, and he didn't call her out.
He thought selfishly, wishing Yang Zhao could stand a little longer.
He had a feeling that the person in Yang Zhao's mind must be him.
Chen Mingsheng is very clear that he does not believe in Buddhism. But now, he was a little doubtful again. Because when that woman prayed for him in front of the Bodhisattva, he clearly had a feeling of being blessed.
That feeling made him want to cry.
So this became the most important scene in Chen Mingsheng's life. Every tree, every weed, every brick and tile in this picture has become his most precious memory.
Chen Mingsheng hugged Yang Zhao from behind.
Yang Zhao didn't move.
Chen Mingsheng said: "You are not frightened at all."
Yang Zhao said flatly, "I asked about your smell."
Chen Mingsheng smiled and said, "What are you asking for?"
Yang Zhao said, "I've said it all. I said it to the Bodhisattva. I can't tell you."
"Okay." Chen Mingsheng didn't ask much, pinched Yang Zhao's chin, raised her head, and kissed her tenderly on her lips.
There was still a strong smell of tobacco on his body. Yang Zhao calmed down in the warm kiss and said, "Pay attention to the occasion, this is a temple."
"Oh..." Chen Mingsheng raised his head and said to the Bodhisattva statue, "I'm sorry."
Yang Zhao: "..."
She pulled Chen Mingsheng outside and said as she walked, "I think it was a wrong decision to bring you here."
Chen Mingsheng said: "No, I like this."
Yang Zhao was taken aback, Chen Mingsheng seldom expressed his likes and dislikes so clearly. She walked a little slower and said, "Like this?"
"Yeah." Chen Mingsheng looked at the front, Yang Zhao kept tilting his head to see his expression, Chen Mingsheng turned around and said, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Yang Zhao and Chen Mingsheng went down the mountain from the back door of Bodhisattva Peak.
The steps at the back of the mountain were much steeper than those at the front. Yang Zhao looked down and said, "Be careful."
Chen Mingsheng held the crutch in his hand, leaned on the side, and jumped down step by step.
Many of the steps were missing, and Yang Zhao looked on in fear. "Don't worry, just be steady."
"It's okay..." Chen Mingsheng said to Yang Zhao helplessly, "When did you see me fall?"
Yang Zhao looked at him, "Experimental Middle School, you will fall if I don't help you."
Chen Mingsheng just asked casually, but he didn't expect Yang Zhao to pick it up so quickly. He touched his nose and said, "Didn't you fall..."
Yang Zhao said: "It's still flat ground, it's different from this one, why don't you fall off here and see?"
Chen Mingsheng pursed his lips.
Yang Zhao said, "Give me the crutches, you are steady."
Chen Mingsheng didn't dare to answer any more, handed the crutches to Yang Zhao, and slowly went down the steps next to him by himself.
It was already afternoon by the time they finished their stroll from Bodhisattva Peak.
Yang Zhao said, "We'll see the Great White Pagoda tomorrow, and we'll have dinner first."
The mountain road from the lower square to Bodhisattva Peak was full of restaurants and snack bars. Yang Zhao and Chen Mingsheng went to that street and chose a home-cooked restaurant for dinner.
After ordering, the waiter asked, "What can I order for drinks?"
Yang Zhao subconsciously wanted to ask for a bottle of mineral water, but Chen Mingsheng said first, "Bring me two bottles of beer."
Yang Zhao turned his head, "Chen Mingsheng?"
Chen Mingsheng: "Huh?"
The waiter said, "Anything else?"
Chen Mingsheng turned his head, "No more."
After the waiter went down, Yang Zhao said to Chen Mingsheng, "Why do you want to drink?"
Chen Mingsheng looked at his hands and said, "Anyway, there's nothing wrong."
Yang Zhao thinks about it, that's right, traveling is meant to relax, and it's normal to drink some wine. She said to the waiter, "Excuse me, miss, I want two more bottles."
Chen Mingsheng: "..."
Yang Zhao looked at him and said, "I'll drink with you."
Chen Mingsheng pursed his lips and smiled, "Okay."
As a result, after the food was served, neither of them ate much. Chen Mingsheng looked at Yang Zhao and said, "Why don't you eat?"
Yang Zhao said, "If you eat too much, you won't be able to drink."
Chen Mingsheng smiled and said: "It's not a task, what do you have to do after drinking, I'll drink what you can't drink."
Yang Zhao looked at Chen Mingsheng and said, "From what you're saying, it seems that I think I'm much worse than you at drinking."
Chen Mingsheng squeezed the chopsticks in his hand, but did not speak.
But without speaking, he has fully expressed his views.
Yang Zhao leaned on the back of the chair, folded his arms, looked at Chen Mingsheng with a sneer, and said, "Mr. Chen, sometimes I feel that you are a little machismo."
Chen Mingsheng looked at Yang Zhao, whose head was slightly raised and his eyes were as cold as ice, he shook his head from the bottom of his heart, and said, "No." After he thought about it, he added, "Don't dare."
Yang Zhao said: "My undergraduate study was in Russia."
Chen Mingsheng was taken aback. Yang Zhao hadn't mentioned her past affairs to him yet, so he smiled and said, "Really, it seems that not many people go there to study abroad. You—"
Halfway through his speech, Yang Zhao stopped in front of him with a palm.
She put her five fingers together, and the lines on her palm were clean and clear.
"I'm not telling you about my idea of studying abroad, Chen Mingsheng." Yang Zhao withdrew his hand and said, "Almost all people in Russia are addicted to alcohol. I said this to tell you that I also finished my undergraduate course surrounded by a bunch of alcoholics. Yes. If you think my drinking is child's play, you're wrong."
Chen Mingsheng nodded slowly, "Yes."
When the beer was served, Yang Zhao put his two bottles in front of him. Seeing her posture, Chen Mingsheng felt something was wrong.
"How about..." Chen Mingsheng said, "Let's stop drinking."
Yang Zhao turned his head, "Why?"
Chen Mingsheng couldn't tell the reason.
Yang Zhao understood on her own, and said, "Are you trying to save face for me? No need." Yang Zhao opened both bottles of wine with a bottle opener. I can't drink you."
Chen Mingsheng reluctantly opened two bottles of wine, the two clinked glasses and drank them all in one gulp.
Chen Mingsheng took a bite of food for Yang Zhao and said, "Don't drink too fast, eat something first."
Yang Zhao picked out a plate of fried peanuts and ate them. After a while, he poured another cup.
Chen Mingsheng said, "Drink slowly, drink slowly."
As a result, they drank a total of nine bottles of wine that night. Yang Zhao knelt down when he drank the fourth bottle, and Chen Mingsheng drank the remaining half bottle.
After finishing the drink, he specially ordered another bottle, drank it all in one gulp, arranged the empty wine bottles in two piles, four on one side and five on the other, and took a special photo to leave evidence, so that he can compare himself with this one tomorrow morning woman theory.
When he helped Yang Zhao out, it was already getting dark.
The clerk came over and asked him if he needed help, but Chen Mingsheng declined. Leaning on crutches with his right hand and supporting Yang Zhao with his left hand, he walked with difficulty to the place where he lived.
In fact, it was called support, and it was basically carried. Chen Mingsheng put his hand on her waist and lifted her up the steps vigorously.
Chen Mingsheng looked down at his legs and laughed out of exhaustion.
"Hey, Miss Yang, didn't you say that you finished your studies surrounded by drunkards?" Chen Mingsheng panted heavily, hugged her and leaned against the side of the road to rest.
He couldn't help but think back to the past, he very much hoped that he could hug her and return to the room to rest easily.
But he can't do it now.
But he still held her. When Chen Mingsheng thought of this, his arms tightened. He looked up and saw the moon rising in the sky. Perhaps it was the effect of alcohol, Chen Mingsheng felt that his sense of touch was more sensitive, and the woman in his arms was so warm and real.
It was so warm that he didn't want to let go of his hand for a second.
After finally returning to the room, Chen Mingsheng put Yang Zhao on the bed and closed the door.
The room fell silent again.
Chen Mingsheng didn't turn on the light, he just looked at the sleeping Yang Zhao under the faint moonlight outside.
He leaned down gently and kissed her.
He touched her soft chest, he licked her white and tender neck.
The smell of alcohol on Yang Zhao's body and the faint scent of perfume filled his nostrils, and Chen Mingsheng felt that he was also drunk.
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something, and slowly raised his head.
Yang Zhao woke up and looked at him with his eyes open.
Her eyes were a little fascinated, with cold waves, and a smile on her face, a charming and gentle smile.
Chen Mingsheng was a little fascinated.
Holding his head with both hands, with a slight force, the tips of their noses touched.
Chen Mingsheng hugged her tremblingly.
"Yang Zhao..." Chen Mingsheng called her name in a hoarse voice.
Yang Zhao replied softly, "Yes."
Chen Mingsheng's heart was submerged by the huge vortex, and his arms were so hard, it was like holding a piece of life-saving driftwood.
"Will you..." he said.
He didn't finish speaking, Yang Zhao waited for him quietly.
Chen Mingsheng was breathing heavily, and the smell of alcohol, tobacco and women surrounded him. He thought of many, many things, what he wanted to remember, what he didn't want to remember, all flooded into his mind.
[You remember this day, Mom gave you this name, so that you can remember this day forever.]
[I don't know why you came to the police academy! But since you are here, you have to obey the rules!]
[You think about it, before you make a decision, I can give you time, give you freedom, and let you think fully. But once the decision is made, I will not allow you to go back on your word.]
[To do, or not to do.]
...
[Boy, you are not bad, what's your name? - My name is Jiang Ming. The river of the Yangtze River, the name of the name.]
Those chaotic fragments were entangled together, tearing Chen Mingsheng's mind to pieces. And when everything shattered, at the last moment, everything condensed again.
They condense into one picture.
In the corner of the empty temple, a woman quietly bowed her head to the Bodhisattva.
Chen Mingsheng's heart just calmed down like that.
Is there... Chen Mingsheng thought, is there, even for a moment, I belong to myself.
"Yang Zhao." In the dark room, Chen Mingsheng said in a low voice, "I want to marry you."
Time is quiet, the mountains and forests are quiet, but the Bodhisattvas in the three thousand worlds are whispering.
Chen Mingsheng raised his head and saw the moonlight shining on Yang Zhao's face. Under the cold, silvery moonlight, Yang Zhao had a peaceful smile on his face.
Chen Mingsheng said hoarsely, "Please say something..."
"What do you want me to say?" Yang Zhao said.
Chen Mingsheng lowered his head, clenched his teeth, and was speechless.
Yang Zhao sat up slowly, pushed Chen Mingsheng's shoulder, and let him lie on the bed. Her peripheral vision glanced out of the window, and the White Pagoda could no longer be seen clearly, but she still smiled faintly at it and said, "You are really clever..."
Chen Mingsheng looked at her quietly.
Yang Zhao turned his face and kissed Chen Mingsheng lightly on the forehead.
She kissed him often, but this was the first time she kissed his forehead.
After the kiss, Yang Zhao sat up, looked down at him, and smiled like a little girl:
"Chen Mingsheng, love at first sight is a gift from God. Tonight, my love will blossom and bear fruit."