I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Chatting About Heartfelt Matters

The second day’s itinerary was to hike the mountain, connect with nature, and visit the temple to pray for peace. Early in the morning, everyone gathered neatly in the first-floor living room, carrying their own food as they set off for the mountaintop.

A group of energetic young people walking up the mountain path naturally drew glances from other hikers. Usually, those who came here to escape the summer heat were mostly elderly, and even if younger people did show up, they preferred to stay indoors. So seeing such a vibrant group of youth made the hearts of many onlookers feel young again.

Yue Xi walked quietly at the back, occasionally taking a few photos or turning to look at the path they had come from. The lush greenery seemed to whisper stories that had been passed down through the ages—a poetic gift from nature. Yi Luo and Sarah walked affectionately up front. Sarah had her arm around Yi Luo like a real sister, the two of them whispering and giggling as they went. Liu Le held Lu Man’s hand, and the two were laughing and chatting. Whenever they saw a small animal dart by, they would call everyone over in excitement. Ning Ran, meanwhile, walked beside Ji Yi, quietly but without awkwardness.

Ji Yi turned to glance at Yue Xi, and a sudden sense of trust welled up in her heart. Perhaps this was the inexplicable bond between people—the beauty of fate.

When they reached the summit, Yue Xi was struck by a feeling of insignificance. In this vast world, a person was so small, so incomplete. Only when they found someone who resonated with their heart could they feel whole. Just like this moment—Yi Luo by her side—her heart finally felt full.

On the other side of the summit stood Ziyun Temple. Moss climbed up the corners of its walls, inscriptions marked the ancient temple that had stood for centuries, and rising incense curled gracefully into the air. The deep, resonant chimes of the temple bell added layers of tranquility and spirituality to the peaceful forest. Entering the temple gates meant stepping into a realm of Buddhism. Though the temple was crowded, the atmosphere remained silent and respectful. Perhaps it was the solemn surroundings that moved people—everyone prayed sincerely, for their families, for themselves.

“What did you pray for~?” Liu Le looked at Ji Yi, who was kneeling on the cushion with a look of solemn sincerity that Liu Le had never seen before, and she was curious.

Ji Yi remained silent until she had completed her rituals and exited the main hall. Only then did she say, “The Buddha said, ‘It is unspeakable.’”

Liu Le had felt slightly annoyed when Ji Yi ignored her at first, but that annoyance evaporated with Ji Yi’s cryptic answer. “Phew… you take longer to speak than the Tang Monk…”

“No false speech,” Ji Yi replied, turning back with her palms pressed together. “Amitabha.”

“Ugh…” Liu Le nearly choked on her own breath, her face turning red from holding it in.

Lu Man quickly patted her back to help her breathe properly. The two of them bustled out of the main hall and ran off toward the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Praying for academic success was still the top priority!

“Yi Luo once told me,” Yue Xi said, seeing Ji Yi staring blankly at the temple gate, “that among your friends, you seem the most nonchalant, but you’re actually the one who thinks about others the most.”

“Did she?” Ji Yi didn’t look back, but she thought of someone—someone who had said the same thing before. She let a faint smile appear.

“She said you’re quiet, but there’s a lot going on inside you,” Yue Xi smiled. “You just haven’t met the person who can unlock your heart yet.”

“Yi Luo said that?” Ji Yi chuckled. Yi Luo was one of the most understanding friends she’d ever had. Besides that person, only Yi Luo understood her so well.

“Yeah. Just like how she always knows what I’m thinking.” Yue Xi looked toward the familiar silhouette inside the Guanyin Hall and said softly, “She’s the only person besides my sister who understands me so well. It’s like she lives in my heart. Nothing gets past her.”

“She lives in your heart, all right.” Ji Yi replied with certainty and a twinkle of mischief. “Otherwise, how could she know you so well?”

Yue Xi caught the teasing but didn’t mind. “What about you? My gut tells me—you’ve got a story.”

“Oh, that terrifying woman’s sixth sense…” Ji Yi adjusted her glasses. Though she wasn’t very close to Yue Xi, a voice inside kept urging her to speak—as if saying the words aloud could bring that person back. She paused. “There’s someone I want to forget but can’t. And I don’t want to remember either. Like a thorn stuck in my heart.”

“Where is she now?” Yue Xi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “It’s a girl, right?”

“Yeah.” Ji Yi gave a helpless smile. “She probably went abroad. I hurt her pretty badly. She probably never wants to see me again.”

“Well, you never know.” Yue Xi wagged her finger playfully. “Her name’s Xu You, isn’t it~?”

Ji Yi nearly dropped her glasses in shock. She quickly adjusted them, trying to play it cool.

“Yi Luo told me,” Yue Xi crossed her arms, clearly enjoying Ji Yi’s panic. Xu You had underestimated how much of an impact she had left.

“Huh?” Ji Yi was stunned. How could Yi Luo possibly know? That all happened in middle school. Unless… Xu You also knew Yi Luo? No way. Impossible.

“Don’t believe me?” Yue Xi smirked. “Ask her yourself then~”

“Trying to trick me~” Ji Yi finally came to her senses. Yue Xi had to be bluffing—she was the one who had been abroad, she must have met Xu You.

“Can’t fool you, huh? Xu You was right—you’re smart.” Yue Xi looked up at the tree branches filled with red prayer ribbons. She really was fated to cross paths with those two.

“You met her? Where?” Ji Yi couldn’t understand herself—wasn’t she the one who ended it? And now here she was, acting like this… Maybe love wasn’t something you could just walk away from.

“She wants to see you but doesn’t dare come back.” Yue Xi held out her hand, watching Ji Yi’s expression. Clearly, she wasn’t as indifferent as she thought. Maybe even Ji Yi herself didn’t understand her own heart. “Give me your phone.”

“What for~?” Ji Yi guarded her pocket warily.

“I’ll give you her number. What you do with it is up to you.” Yue Xi fished Ji Yi’s phone from her pocket. “Mission complete.”

“What mission?” Yi Luo asked, noticing that Yue Xi and Ji Yi had been standing under the tree for a while. Since when were they so chatty?

“I’ll tell you later.” Yue Xi stuffed the phone back into Ji Yi’s pocket. “Done—her phone, QQ, and email are all in there. I’ve done my part.” Then she pulled Yi Luo close and tapped her nose. “If her wish comes true, she has to come back and return the favor.”

“Then you’ll have to go with me~” Yi Luo clung to Yue Xi’s arm, resting her cheek on her shoulder.

“Of course. To the ends of the earth.” Yue Xi gently stroked Yi Luo’s hair—it felt like silk between her fingers.

Ji Yi stood there, watching the glowing pair. She was reminded of the sweetness she once had. But in the end, it was she who let go.

“What did you wish for?” Ning Ran came over to her lover, her voice soft as silk.

“I prayed that you’d stay healthy,” Sarah tucked a stray strand of hair behind Ning Ran’s ear, gazing into her pure black eyes. “I want you by my side for the rest of my life.”

Ning Ran was deeply moved. How did she ever deserve someone so wonderful—someone who gave up a life of luxury just to stay with her in this small city? She held Sarah’s hand and vowed, “I promise you, I’ll be yours for the rest of my life.”

Sarah tightened her grip. “Bodhisattva will bless us. And also Xiao Xi and Xiao Luo.”

Ning Ran looked over at Yue Xi and Yi Luo under the tree and nodded.

“See how noble and selfless I am? I wished for all of us to do well in school, live happily, and stay healthy~” Lu Man swung her little satchel proudly as she announced to the group.

“Thank you, thank you~” Yue Xi bowed jokingly in thanks.

“Me too! I wished for peace and success for everyone~” Liu Le added, squeezing in.

“Thank you too~” Yue Xi bowed again. “On behalf of the Party and the people, I thank you for your devotion to nurturing the nation’s future pillars.”

“Go on~” Liu Le laughed and gave Yue Xi a playful shove.

The group left Ziyun Temple laughing and chatting. Their next stop was the Ziyun Bamboo Forest.

Even before they got close, they could already hear the rustling melody of wind blowing through the bamboo. Patches of green swayed gently with the breeze, and a fresh earthy scent unique to bamboo filled the air. The path beneath their feet became softer, cushioned by layers of fallen bamboo leaves from the spring.

Everyone fell quiet, walking slowly through the bamboo grove and soaking in its serene beauty. They imagined the ancient scholars who had once found inspiration in these woods.

Deep in the grove stood a vintage-style tavern made entirely of bamboo—fences, tables, chairs, even the cups. Yue Xi loved the minimalist style—it held a sense of timeless culture.

There was also a small shop selling handmade souvenirs. The clerk explained that all items were made by a famous local artisan.

Yue Xi was instantly drawn to a purple bamboo flute. Its cool body pressed against her palm, and the smooth texture made her reluctant to let go.

Yi Luo noticed the childlike gleam in her eyes—just like when she was little. Without a word, she paid for it and then sat outside sipping tea as if nothing happened.

Ning Ran bought a pair of intricately carved bamboo couple charms—simple in appearance, but she liked the delicate hollowed patterns. She quickly handed one to Sarah.

Sarah chose a set of bamboo cups, imagining how beautiful they’d look at home.

Ji Yi picked a bamboo bookmark—thin and light, but sturdy. Just like the spot Xu You held in her heart: not big, but unshakably firm. She sighed softly, almost inaudibly, as she walked back toward the tavern.

Liu Le and Lu Man each picked out a bamboo scroll. Liu Le’s was “Zheng Feng: Zi Jin” and Lu Man’s was the opening of the Tao Te Ching.

Yue Xi was just about to pay when the clerk smiled and said, “The young lady earlier already paid for it.” That “young lady” was Yi Luo.

“Thank you.” Yue Xi sat beside Yi Luo, resting her head on her shoulder.

“From now on, you just play the flute for me,” Yi Luo smiled. “I did it for myself.”

“Yes ma’am~ What would you like to hear?” Yue Xi took out the free flute membrane from the shop, moistened it with tea, and applied it carefully—since she had no other material on hand.

“Whoa~” Lu Man had been engrossed in her scroll, but when she looked up, she saw Yue Xi already raising the flute to her lips.

“Anything you want.” Yi Luo watched Yue Xi, wondering how many surprises she still had hidden.

Ning Ran smiled gently, fastening the couple charm to Sarah’s keys.

Ji Yi and Liu Le sat nearby. Any lingering drowsiness vanished like it had been jolted out of them.

The soft flute melody drifted through the bamboo forest, gently stroking everyone’s ears. The notes seemed to dance across their hearts, making them shiver involuntarily. Listening to music in a bamboo grove—truly one of life’s great pleasures.

When the tune ended, everyone remained lost in the moment.

“Longing for You,” Ji Yi murmured. It was Xu You’s favorite song. Back then, she hadn’t understood the meaning, treating it like any other piece. She had even missed the sorrow in Xu You’s eyes.

“Yes, Longing for You.” Yue Xi gave her a meaningful glance.

“When did you learn it?” Yi Luo refilled Yue Xi’s cup.

Yue Xi took a sip and licked her dry lips. “A friend with a story taught me. It’s the only tune I know. I was drawn in by her flute. She was about our age, but more melancholic than anyone I’d met. She once said, ‘Longing for You means loving someone for a lifetime.’”

No one noticed Ji Yi’s face go pale. In her mind, she saw Xu You’s tearful eyes. Why was she so foolish? Why did Xu You still think of her when she’d hurt her so deeply?

“She said she didn’t want much—just to love quietly. But that person wouldn’t even give her that right.” Yue Xi said the words deliberately, looking Ji Yi in the eye.

Ji Yi raised her gaze, hearing Xu You’s voice echo in her mind: “Yi… I just want to be by your side. Please don’t push me away. Okay?”

Lu Man, sensing something, shook her head while sipping tea. She hadn’t expected Ji Yi to have a story like this. “Ahh… my future husband, where are you~?”

Liu Le smacked Lu Man on the head. “It’s summer, not spring—what are you daydreaming about?”

“Don’t bother me~ Let me imagine him: tall, handsome, radiant…” Lu Man cupped her face, eyes dreamy.

“Hehe,” Sarah laughed, amused by Lu Man’s antics. She turned to Liu Le. “What about you?”

“Me?” Liu Le pointed at herself.

“Yeah, haven’t you ever liked someone?” Sarah had come to love these sweet, sincere girls. The difference between Eastern and Western cultures fascinated her, and she was growing fonder of the hidden depth in her partner’s culture.

“I…” Liu Le glanced around at the familiar faces. Everyone knew each other so well—no point in being shy. Besides, Yue Xi’s sister and Sarah were both easy to talk to. After an internal struggle, she blushed and said, “I like the top student in our grade.”

“Oh~ the guy from Class 8, Zhang Chu, right~?” Lu Man rolled up her scroll and grinned. “No wonder you always ‘accidentally’ detour past Class 8. Haha! Now I get it.”

“Zhang Chu,” Yi Luo echoed. “Sounds familiar… He might’ve been in the same testing room as me. Wears glasses, short hair, kind of clean and neat?”

“Yeah, that’s him.” Ji Yi joined the conversation. “He’s decent looking, very polite. A lot of girls like him.”

“Sigh…” Liu Le let out a long sigh. “I only like him a tiny bit…”

“Yeah right~” Lu Man looked at her. “You look like you’re suffering from heartbreak already~”

“If you like him, go for it~” Ning Ran offered directly.

“But his grades are so good… I’m afraid…” Liu Le looked at her friends. “I’m afraid I’ll distract him…”

“Awwww~” Lu Man covered her mouth. “And you say it’s just a little crush—you’re in deep!”

“Well, it’s up to you,” Yi Luo shrugged. “If you like him, go for it. If not, someone else might snatch him up.”

“Ugh…”

The group debated for ages without a resolution. Finally, Lu Man looked at Liu Le and said solemnly, “Let’s just leave it to fate.” Thus ended their emotional afternoon talk.