One group squeezed in, followed by another, and then yet another.
The entire main hall was packed with noise and activity, tour guides’ voices rising everywhere as they introduced the sights.
......
“The Medicine Buddha is said to be the goddess who oversees the dispensing of medicine and the healing of the sick. Legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Muxuan, a plague ravaged the land, leaving the people to suffer terribly. The Medicine Goddess descended into the mortal world in the form of the healer Zhu Qingyu, defeated the plague, and advised Emperor Muxuan to establish Huizhi Temple, bringing medical care to the common people. Her merit was immeasurable.”
“It is also said that the Medicine Goddess left behind two medical texts, *Treatise on All Illnesses* and *Record of Materia Medica*, greatly advancing the development of medicine in our country. Both books were passed down into modern times, but unfortunately were lost amid the wars of the modern era. Only fragmentary copies have been discovered in certain archaeological excavations.”
“Qingyun Temple was first built during the reign of Emperor Muxuan. The emperor ordered its construction to commemorate the Medicine Goddess’s great deeds. As you can all see, compared with ordinary Buddhist statues, this jade statue’s features are sculpted more like those of a human than a Buddha. According to legend, it was carved in the likeness of the Medicine Goddess herself.”
“Of course, some experts have also suggested that the statue’s lifelike appearance may partly be due to the craftsmen excessively idealizing the Medicine Goddess. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that it is a treasure of the history of sculpture.”
......
The security guard spotted Gu Zhao in front of the jade Buddha and called out:
“All visitors, please remain outside the barrier and observe in a civilized manner. Please observe in a civilized manner! Hey, why aren’t you moving? I’m talking to you! The big brother carrying the baby—set a good example for the little one and come on out!”
Still reeling from the shocking scene before him, Gu Zhao silently carried Gu Heng out of the main hall under the security guard’s watchful eye and stood beneath the eaves.
Outside the hall, an even greater tide of people in bizarre clothing surged toward him.
Sparse snowflakes began drifting down from the sky. As the snowfall started, some people hurried toward the main hall.
Gu Zhao’s expression remained calm. He merely tightened his hold on Gu Heng, adjusted her hood, and walked several steps farther out, worried that someone might bump into her.
But inside, his mind was already caught in a raging storm, and he could barely breathe.
An absurd thought had surfaced in his mind.
Could this place possibly be the very place she had told him about—their world?
Could Qingyun Street be here?
Could she possibly be here?
Amid the surging crowd, Gu Zhao wanted to find someone to ask. Yet with so many people around, he had no idea whom to approach. Then a young woman appeared before him, wearing a cloak, her hair coiled up and adorned with hair ornaments.
Approaching a young woman he did not know and striking up a conversation would obviously seem rather presumptuous.
But compared with everyone else, she seemed far more likely to have useful information. Gu Zhao carried Gu Heng toward her.
Nana was a small-time livestreamer who specialized in imitation makeup and live broadcasts from real-life settings. She was holding up her phone as she streamed:
“I’m your host, Nana. Today, Nana is taking everyone on a tour of Qingyun Temple. Wow! Thank you, Sister Hui, for the rocket gift! Love you! You want to see the handsome guy behind me? Handsome guy—where?”
Nana turned around and, sure enough, saw a tall, strikingly handsome young man dressed in exquisite period attire standing behind her with a child in his arms.
She looked Gu Zhao up and down, her eyes filled with envy.
“Wow! Teacher, which character are you dressed as? Your costume, makeup, and styling are amazing!”
Gu Zhao seized the opportunity to ask:
“Excuse me for the interruption, young lady, but might you know how to get to Qingyun Street?”
Nana had just come up from Qingyun Street and replied enthusiastically:
“Teacher, Qingyun Street is right at the foot of the mountain! Just take the cable car down, and you’ll be there once you leave the scenic area. Oh, you don’t know where to catch the cable car? I’ll take you there! It’s no trouble, really. My fans love watching handsome guys. Look, there are suddenly so many more people in my livestream. If I follow you, I might even get some extra traffic.”
……
Qingyun Street, Zhu Family Clinic.
Yuan Hui came in wearing high heels, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and her phone in the other. Laughing like a goose, she pushed the clinic door open with her body and strode inside.
Zhu Qingyu was sitting by the window with her laptop, working on her thesis. When she saw snowflakes clinging to Yuan Hui’s hair and clothes, she set down the computer and went to greet her.
“Is the snow getting heavier? Sister Hui, why didn’t you bring an umbrella?”
Yuan Hui was still laughing as she handed over the flowers.
“Qingyu, congratulations on becoming a department director! Where’s your brother?”
Zhu Qingyu took the flowers and went to find a vase.
“Thank you, Sister Hui. My brother’s in the kitchen helping Dad cook. Shall I call him?”
Yuan Hui sat down on the sofa and waved her over.
“No, no, don’t bother. I’m terribly busy myself right now. I was watching a livestream just now and came across a Jade-Faced General. His looks, his costume, his bearing—he’s truly a heaven-chosen nobleman from ancient times. Our circle is desperately short of someone like him. I’ve been in this industry for years, and I’ve never seen anyone who wore ancient nobleman’s clothing so naturally. And get this—he actually paid for the cable-car ride with silver coins! It was unbelievable. I’ll show you. Want to see?”
Zhu Qingyu put the flowers in water, picked up her laptop again, and sat down beside Yuan Hui.
“I’ll pass. I’m busy too. I need to get this paper submitted.”
And so, the two women sat side by side: one watching the livestream, the other working on her thesis.
Not wanting to disturb Zhu Qingyu, Yuan Hui put on her earphones. But as she watched, she began laughing again.
Perhaps he had heard Yuan Hui’s laughter, because Zhu Qingfeng emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron.
“You’re here? Come taste the spicy diced rabbit—it’s your favorite.”
Yuan Hui cheered, tossed her phone aside, and ran over.
The earphone cable came unplugged, and the sound from the phone suddenly spilled out.
“Teacher, this is Qingyun Street.”
“Thank you.”
It was only two words, but the moment that familiar yet distant voice reached her ears, Zhu Qingyu was struck as if by lightning. In disbelief, she turned toward Yuan Hui’s phone.
On the screen, Vice Minister Gu seemed to be looking for something as he held Gu Heng in his arms. Then, through the camera, he looked over.
“Zhu Family Clinic… Oh, I see the sign.”
Gu Zhao!
Gu Heng!
Zhu Qingyu abandoned her computer. She didn’t even have time to change her shoes or put on a coat. Still wearing her fluffy house slippers and pajamas, she dashed outside.
At the far end of the street, Gu Zhao was walking toward her step by step, carrying Gu Heng in his arms.
When he saw Zhu Qingyu, Gu Zhao smiled.
“Lord Zhu.”
Gu Heng opened his arms and called out joyfully:
“Mommy!”
Zhu Qingyu ran straight toward them and threw herself into Gu Zhao’s arms.
“Vice Minister Gu!”
The snow began falling harder, filling the sky as it drifted down in thick, swirling flurries.
In Sichuan, on the day of the Beginning of Winter, a heavy snow had suddenly fallen.
They had met amid the wind and snow—and, amid the wind and snow, they were reunited.
……
