He invited monks to bless Chen Jing, with sounds of wooden fish and chanting in the house.
He went to the temple, something he used to scoff at, now believing deeply. Climbing from the bottom step to the top on his knees, his knees were bloody and torn, but he didn’t care.
Guo’er could barely speak, coughing and vomiting blood. Jiang Donglin stayed by her side, telling her jokes to make her laugh.
At this time, Jiang Donglin’s long-dead older brother Jiang Dongqi emerged, accusing Guo’er and questioning her purpose for infiltrating the Jiang family, even suggesting he throw her out.
It seemed he wanted to die, and because of Guo’er’s illness, Jiang Donglin, now focused on kindness, would soon grant him his wish.
///
On the last day of the month, Chen Jing was particularly spirited.
Her face was rosy, her eyes sparkling, her lips red. Seeing him approach, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
A deep kiss.
Jiang Donglin held back tears, obediently responding.
After the kiss ended, Chen Jing kissed the corner of his mouth, her voice soft: “Dongling.”
“Mm.”
“After I die, don’t be too sad.”
“Mm.” He choked back tears.
Chen Jing smiled slightly, softly asking: “Do you like me?”
Jiang Dongling nodded repeatedly. He liked her so much.
“That’s good.” Chen Jing slowly closed her eyes, her voice light as a whisper: “If you like me, then try to live on, live for my share too…”
Tears dropped down, Jiang Dongling cried silently and collapsed, tightly hugging her breathless body, feeling the entire world had turned to darkness.
With a crying voice, he said aggrievedly: “You’re so heartless.”
Heartless to abandon him, not even giving him the right to accompany her in death. But what could he do… no matter how heartless she was, he loved her so much he would die in her place…
“Guoer…”
Chen Jing’s soul left her body, floating behind Jiang Dongling, quietly watching his uncontrollable crying. After a long while, she curved her lips in happiness. She had bet correctly. The moment she “died”, the second flower petal in her mind had immediately turned red, clearly indicating she had completed the mission in this world.
