Chapter 21.2 - Pinellia ternata 半夏
A clear and crisp voice came from the other end, “I’m holding the phone while talking to you right now, and both my hands are occupied with needles. This patient has had arthritis for years, and it’s damp here with strong winds. It seems like it’s going to rain soon.”
Shen Xifan felt a bit embarrassed. “Am I interrupting you? Should I hang up?”
“No worries. Where are you right now?”
“Hua Tai Temple. There’s a large bamboo forest behind it, the air is great. My mom said I should come here to fulfill a vow and pray for safety. By the way, when are you coming back?”
“Three days from now. Have you gotten the safety talisman? The ones here, blessed by the abbot, are very effective.”
“I didn’t even know there was such a thing! No, I haven’t gotten one yet.”
“Don’t worry. Wait for me to come back, and we can go together.”
Her heart started beating rapidly. “Okay, by the way, I sent you a message yesterday, but you didn’t reply. Why?”
He Suye was surprised. “When? I didn’t get it. The signal here is terrible, you have to move around to get any reception.”
Shen Xifan chuckled. “Hurry back, I’ll wait for you.” Then she realized how ambiguous that sounded, so she quickly added, “I mean… I mean, I’ll wait for you to come back so we can get the safety talisman.”
He Suye laughed lightly, “I understand.”
After hanging up, she leaned against a bamboo tree and smiled softly. Bamboo leaves fluttered down occasionally, and the temple’s bell rang loudly in the distance. She clasped her hands together, calmed her mind, and prayed sincerely.
On the way back, she received a call from Lin Yishen, asking to meet.
Lin Yishen still looked as energetic as ever. With a smile, he told her, “I quit my job.”
A sip of tea went down the wrong way, and she coughed violently. Shen Xifan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You… quit your job? Are you joking? Senior Brother, you’re not seriously following me, are you?”
Lin Yishen raised an eyebrow. “If this news isn’t shocking enough, then I have another one for you.”
Shen Xifan nodded, “I promise I won’t drink tea this time.”
He smiled, “Well, I quit to go study abroad. The main reason is, I think I like you a lot more than just a little. I’m sorry.”
Shen Xifan stood there stunned, then like she was in a dream, she muttered, “I can refuse, right?”
He squinted and smiled, “Of course, we value equality and democracy. But unfortunately, I also go to your school, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Business Administration.”
She smiled, “Anyway, welcome, but… sorry!”
— Because my heart belongs to someone else.
illa: YESS YOU GO GIRL! Our Shen Xifan has finally figured out who her heart belongs to
