The five-and-a-half-year-old fourth-generation i3 had finally retired with honor. Setting up the new computer proved more troublesome than expected. Yesterday, I worked on it until after two in the morning, and this afternoon I discovered problems with my writing and office software, fiddling with them until past eight—so there would only be one update today. I'd see if there was a chance to make it up later.
The cold wind rustled, and the woods sighed.
The lamps and candles in Locust Green Nunnery had long since been extinguished, blending into the surrounding night. Yet on the rugged little path before the temple gate, a solitary figure approached, lantern in hand.
When she reached the gate, she shifted the lantern to her left hand and raised her fingers to knock. But those pale, gleaming fingertips simply could not fall upon the door.
Just then, sobbing suddenly erupted from the Meditation Room on the left. The heart-wrenching cries completely extinguished her intention of knocking.
She slowly lowered her right hand and sighed soundlessly, preparing to turn and leave.
But at that moment, candlelight suddenly drifted out from the Meditation Room, followed by Miao Yu's voice. "Is that little sister Xiuyan outside?"
Xing Xiuyan halted, turning back instinctively. The wooden gate parted to either side, revealing a round, greenish object.
As she stared in confusion, the edge of that greenish thing trembled, and an arm as delicate as carved jade emerged. It pushed the gate fully open as its owner called, "What are you standing out there for? Hurry inside."
Recognizing Miao Yu's voice, Xing Xiuyan stepped forward with her lantern. Only then did she see that the greenish object was actually a brocade quilt wrapped around Miao Yu.
The reason it appeared so round was that Miao Yu held a two-year-old girl