Work Came Calling

Si You made two wishes: lasting love and peace.

May their love last, and may they both be safe.

The temple keeper accepted them with a smile. "That is the limit of what people in this world can ask for."

Si You smiled too. "A sincere heart makes wishes come true."

Jiang Tingxu folded up his wish paper so not a single word was exposed. The temple keeper could not see it and did not ask, simply helping him place it among the offerings.

After leaving the Prayer Hall, Si You could not hold back any longer. He caught up to Jiang Tingxu and asked, "What did you wish for?"

"It won't come true if I say it out loud."

Si You did not press him. "All right."

Jiang Tingxu gazed at the clear blue sky. There were only two words on that wish paper: Stay.

No matter where Si You had come from, Jiang Tingxu wanted him to stay here and go nowhere else.

Not far away, Fang Jin stood beneath a tree draped in red ribbons, his expression calm.

Once Lu Jiatang came out, the four of them caught the temple's vegetarian meal. Five yuan per serving, with rice, tofu, greens, and even a rather good savory red bean soup.

"No wonder you never recovered properly." Si You ate as he murmured, "When you needed nutrition the most, you were here eating vegetarian food."

Fang Jin pretended not to hear him.

A burst of rowdy chatter sounded outside. Judging by the noise, it was a group of young people. Si You and Jiang Tingxu both pulled out sunglasses and masks at the same time. Si You wolfed down his last bite and put his on neatly.

Fang Jin lowered his voice. "It can't be that much of a