Novel schedule on pause, Rain ran awaaaaaay ! See you next week, to resume some series !!

BMN : Chapter 50

 

Sunlight woke Xianquan Town, and Jin Yi awoke to the sound of carriages and horses. When he opened the door, he saw Fang Fan in the courtyard, tending to the trees and fragrant grasses. With his head slightly lowered, his long hair covered his face, and his movements were gentle and meticulous. Jin Yi felt as if Fang Fan were one with the plants, bathing in the morning light, revealing his most beautiful form.

 

At that moment, despite being in a bustling town, all Jin Yi could perceive was the peaceful courtyard, a world unto itself.

 

After finishing his tasks, Fang Fan turned to Jin Yi and asked, “You’ll be returning to the camp after breakfast, right?”

 

The question seemed more like a polite inquiry or perhaps a subtle dismissal.

 

Jin Yi replied, “Yes, I’ll be leaving shortly.”

 

Fang Fan nodded, saying nothing more, and went inside, hiding his expression from Jin Yi’s view.

 

After breakfast, Jin Yi indeed left, but instead of returning to the camp, he walked around Xianquan Town and rented a small house, not far from Fang’s clinic.

 

From then on, Fang Fan encountered Jin Yi several times daily—sometimes on the street or near market stalls, sometimes in places where he had once strolled with Jin Yi, or when Jin Yi came to buy herbs for cooling tea or to bring fresh vegetables, practical yet not extravagant gifts.

 

Jin Yi’s intentions were clear, but Fang Fan only responded politely, never rejecting but also never showing affection.

 

Jin Yi didn’t know how long it would take to open a heart that had been closed. Though Fang Fan seemed calm and never outright rejected him, Jin Yi knew that Fang Fan was treating him as a mere acquaintance. Having once experienced Fang Fan’s warmth and intimacy, Jin Yi understood the difference and felt the distance between them. However, despite occasional moments of doubt, he remained confident and determined, believing that he could not let go. To him, Fang Fan was as important as protecting the country.

 

Sometimes, Fang Fan would accept Jin Yi’s kindness and return it with a small gesture, like a bag of candied fruits to enjoy with cooling tea. Such simple actions were great encouragement to Jin Yi.

 

As time passed and autumn deepened, the day for Jin Yi to assume his new post approached.

 

The town had seen little rain all summer, but it began to rain just as Jin Yi prepared to leave.

 

The rain quieted the whole town; the streets were empty, and most people stayed indoors. Only a few hurried along or took shelter under eaves. The rain drowned out all the noise.

 

Jin Yi went to bid Fang Fan farewell, umbrella in hand.

 

The gate to Fang’s clinic was slightly ajar. Knowing that his knock might not be heard inside, Jin Yi pushed it open and walked through the courtyard to the main room, where the door was also ajar. Voices inside suggested a patient consultation. Jin Yi set his umbrella aside and waited silently outside. Being a martial artist with keen senses, he could hear the conversation inside despite the rain.

 

The patient, an older woman, asked Fang Fan, “Doctor Fang, I know my face can’t be fully restored. I’ve gotten used to it over the years, but now I’ve found a companion in my old age. He doesn’t mind, but I’m embarrassed. Could you see if there’s anything you can do to make it a little better? Just enough to make it less frightening.”

 

There was a brief silence before Fang Fan responded, “Aunt Xu, your scars are old, and it’s impossible to completely heal them. But I have a formula left by my father. I’ll prepare the medicine, and you can pick it up in a couple of days. Apply it to the scars morning and night after washing your face. If you persist for a few months, there should be some improvement.”

 

Aunt Xu thanked him and left. As she opened the door, she saw Jin Yi outside, lowered her head, donned her hat, and walked into the rain.

 

Jin Yi entered the room. Fang Fan, seeing him, looked puzzled and asked, “Is there something you need?” Perhaps it was the rain, but Fang Fan seemed softer than usual, his question devoid of the usual coldness.

 

Jin Yi replied, “The woman just now… I saw her. Who could have had such deep hatred to inflict such harm?”

 

As a doctor, Fang Fan was generally obliged to maintain patient confidentiality. But knowing Jin Yi and believing that Aunt Xu wouldn’t mind, he decided to answer. “Aunt Xu disfigured herself with broken porcelain. Back when the border was unstable, Xixia soldiers often invaded, looting and burning. The townspeople were rooted in their land and couldn’t easily leave. Aunt Xu was beautiful, and to avoid falling into the hands of invaders, she scarred herself. She often tells the neighbors how grateful she is to you, General Jin, for bringing peace to Xianquan Town.”

 

Jin Yi smiled softly, not because of the truth in Fang Fan’s words but because of the rare warmth in his tone.

 

Fang Fan continued, “After disfiguring herself, Aunt Xu avoided being violated but never married. Now, after a lifetime of loneliness, she’s finally found someone to spend her remaining years with. I’m genuinely happy for her. Unfortunately, doctors can’t erase all past pains and scars, only fade them slightly.”

 

Jin Yi shook his head, “You shouldn’t regret it. Some wounds are too deep to be completely erased. But as long as she can live well in the future, even with these scars, she can find solace in the past. She’s looking forward now, and that’s good.”

 

Fang Fan smiled faintly, “You’re right.”

 

As a doctor, healing others is challenging enough; healing oneself is even harder. In recent times, memories long buried within Fang Fan had resurfaced, bringing with them feelings of joy and sorrow. He had thought he could remain detached, but in moments of reflection, he felt the loneliness, grievance, and wistfulness. He was, after all, human, unable to forget and detach from worldly emotions.

 

He wondered, could this person, praised as a hero by Aunt Xu and many others, be the one to help him look beyond past pains and move forward?

 

Fang Fan was lost in thought when he suddenly felt a gentle embrace, warm and comforting.

 

“You once asked if my broad shoulders and chest could be a place for you to rest your life. I promised you then, but I’ve yet to fulfill that promise. I think I still have a chance to keep it. There’s a long life ahead—let me make it come true, okay?”

 

The words were deep and filled with emotion. Fang Fan wanted to push Jin Yi away, but, inexplicably, he couldn’t move. He let the warmth of the embrace, the thunderous heartbeat, and a tear dampen his cheek.

 

After a long while, Fang Fan stepped away from the embrace. Jin Yi’s eyes were slightly red, but there were no more tears. His gaze was still intense, waiting for Fang Fan’s response.

 

Fang Fan slowly spoke, “Right now, I don’t know. We’ll see… in the future.”

 

With that, Jin Yi departed for the military camp, leaving with a response that gave him some peace of mind. He did not give up the house in Xianquan Town, planning to return whenever he had the time.

 

Upon arriving at the camp, Jin Yi handed over his duties to Jiang Yisun, who was preparing to return to the capital to search for Yan Le, who had gone missing. Jiang Yisun had taken a year’s leave from the court.

 

A few days later, as Jiang Yisun left, the soldiers gathered to see him off. Fang Fan also came, and this time, when Jiang Yisun called him “Brother Ming,” he responded. Jiang Yisun hugged him tightly, then released him under Jin Yi’s watchful eye.

 

At the farewell feast, Fang Fan played a tune on the qin, a composition he had made based on Su Zizhan’s famous poem “Shui Diao Ge Tou.” As he played, he sang the lyrics, repeating them three times. In the end, all the soldiers joined him in singing:

 

“… I hope people live long, I hope people live long, and share the beauty of the moon together from afar!”

 

Several days later, Jiang Yisun wrote to say he had found Yan Le, who was now practicing meditation at a mountain temple. Jiang Yisun told Fang Fan not to worry about them, saying they would reunite when Yan Le was ready to leave the mountains and return to the world.

 

By then, it was late autumn in Liangzhou. The already desolate desert and gobi were even more barren. But perhaps because of his changed mindset, Fang Fan found that “autumn surpasses spring.”

 

Returning from the camp after delivering medicine, he rode the fine horse given to him by Jin Yi. Looking at the boundless blue sky and drifting clouds, he took a deep breath, feeling as if he had released all the years of pent-up emotions.

 

He thought, perhaps he could look forward now. The path behind was hazy, but the future was bright. The road ahead was long, and he spurred his horse forward, galloping toward it.

 

Another year passed, from winter to summer. The largest rain in the town last year had come at the end of summer, but this year, it came at the beginning.

 

Jin Yi found himself with some free time and returned to Xianquan Town. The house he had rented before was vacated, and now he stayed at Fang’s clinic.

 

The rain fell softly throughout the night, bringing with it a peaceful dream.

 

The next morning, Jin Yi woke early but didn’t see Fang Fan beside him. He looked around and found Fang Fan by the window, reaching out to catch the water droplets on the leaves. Jin Yi got up and walked over, standing behind Fang Fan and holding him. “It rained last night, but I didn’t hear it.”

 

Fang Fan didn’t mock him for his lack of alertness as a general, instead quoting, “Diligently, the rain fell last night at three o’clock, bringing a day of coolness to this floating life.”

 

Last night’s rain may have left the ground muddy and messy, but with the rain cleared, it was a pleasant summer day.


Author’s Note:

The phrase “The true nature is non-different, without delusion or confusion, observing every thought with prajna” is from “The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch: Gradual and Sudden Enlightenment.”

This story has now concluded. Thank you for reading until the end!


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LicoLico
LicoLico
23 days ago

Agsdhfg, I want to cry a tears of joy! ( ´༎ຶㅂ༎ຶ`)
Thank You for the new chapter (。・ω・。)ノ♡

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