Maybe because he’s hoping for a good result.
On his way back to school, Duan Ye, who used to not believe in Gods or Buddhas, did several helpful things within his capacity. While on the bus, he voluntarily offered his seat to a worker who looked tired and was yawning on their way to work. When someone didn’t have change for the fare, he took out coins from his pocket and paid for them. Even after getting off the bus, he approached visitors from outside the town who were carrying bags and patiently helped them with directions. He was even asked about the notable attractions and affordable restaurants and hotels in Ningcheng, and he answered each question one by one… The whole process took nearly twenty minutes…
At school, not only Zhao Zheng and Guo Shichao noticed Duan Ye’s unusually patient behavior today.
Zhou Ji also felt the same.
In the past, when he talked to Duan Ye, he would say ten sentences and maybe only get three or four responses. But today, every time he asked a question, Duan Ye would answer.
Zhou Ji pretended to look at the sky and jokingly said, “It’s strange. Did the sun rise from the west today?”
Zhao Zheng and Guo Shichao suppressed their laughter.
Duan Ye clenched his fist slightly while sitting at his desk.
He had already spoken those words in front of the Buddha. For at least the next few days, until her art exam was over, he had to be more disciplined so that the Buddha could see his sincerity.
After laughing, Guo Shichao lowered his voice and said to Zhao Zheng and Zhou Ji, “I think Brother Duan is accumulating good karma for Sister Mo. She’s about to take the art exam in the provincial capital.”
Zhou Ji: “…”
He touched his head and looked puzzled, saying, “Does this work?”
Guo Shichao replied, “It’s not a matter of whether it works or not. He’s also anxious and needs to do something to relieve the tension.”
Zhao Zheng sighed and said, “My Brother Duan is so passionate.”
Zhou Ji pondered for a moment, observing and considering. If Jiang Yumo passes the art exam… then before the college entrance exam, he must also accumulate some good karma for Ning Zhiyu.
But then again, does this really work?
Regardless of whether it works or not, Duan Ye still did it.
Tomorrow, Jiang Yumo would be going to the provincial capital with her parents. Duan Ye waited until the end of the evening self-study session before hurriedly going to her apartment building to find her. Jiang Yumo hadn’t come to school all day today, and the teachers knew she had an exam and had given her a few days off.
Jiang Yumo received a message and silently, cautiously, snuck out of the door.
It was early January, and the night temperature was extremely low.
The weather forecast had mentioned that there might be sleet in the next few days. The biting cold wind seemed to penetrate one’s bones. Jiang Yumo shivered as she came out of the residential building. Before she could react, Duan Ye had already placed a hot water bottle he had prepared into her arms.
It seems like he hopes this hot water bottle can replace him and bring her warmth.
Jiang Yumo held the hot water bottle and looked at him, a hint of joy in her eyebrows. “Why did you come so late?”
Duan Ye nodded and unzipped his down jacket.
There was a pocket inside his down jacket, and he gently took out a yellow amulet from it and handed it to her.
Jiang Yumo took it with doubt in her mind. The amulet still had his body temperature, warm to the touch. She held it and asked, “What is this?”
Duan Ye replied in a warm voice, “It’s an amulet from Yongfu Temple. I heard it’s quite effective. Keep it with you.”
At this point, he ran out of words.
He didn’t know whether he should say, ‘May it bless you to pass your art exam.’ He worried that saying that would put pressure on her, so he hesitated and finally said, “It’s an amulet for safety. Be careful in the provincial capital.”
“Oh, it’s an amulet for safety.”
Jiang Yumo treasured the talisman even more and put it in her pocket, still carrying Duan Ye’s warmth. She looked up and smiled, “Don’t worry, I will carry it with me every day.”
“Will you come back the same day after the exam?” Duan Ye asked her.
“No, it might be a day or two later,” Jiang Yumo remembered something and became extremely happy. “I haven’t told you yet. My Mom bought a new house in the provincial capital, and these days there are some formalities to take care of. My parents said that after I finish the exam, I can go and see the new house. Of course, it’s still under construction…”
Duan Ye was slightly surprised, “Uncle and Aunt bought a house?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yumo said cheerfully, “I wanted to tell you earlier, but I kept forgetting. My Aunt also bought one for my cousin. They are all in the same community, but not in the same building. The elders said that this way we can take care of each other in the future.”
Duan Ye was happy for Jiang Yumo too.
But he thought of something and asked her, “Have you decided to stay in the provincial capital in the future?”
In the future…
For now, all they could think of was attending university in the provincial capital.
Jiang Yumo hesitated, “I’m not sure either. I’ll see what schools I can choose when the time comes.”
Duan Ye nodded slightly.
“It’s getting late,” Duan Ye looked at her, “I hope everything goes well. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay!”
Jiang Yumo turned and walked towards the residential building. Before she could reach the first step on the stairs, she turned around again and mustered up the courage to run towards him. He was still waiting for her in the same place.
He was worried that she might fall, so he reached out his hand to catch her.
“Duan Ye, thank you!” Jiang Yumo’s eyes sparkled as if all the stars that had disappeared from the sky tonight were in her eyes. “You don’t know, but I was really nervous all this time. But when I saw you today, it’s amazing, I suddenly wasn’t so nervous anymore.”
Because she knew that whether she did well or not in the exam, there was someone waiting for her in Ningcheng.
Duan Ye looked at her with deep eyes and extended his hand. He really wanted to touch her cheek, but in the end, he restrained himself and gently placed his palm on her head, calmly tidying up her hair that had been blown by the cold wind. “Don’t worry.”
—I’ll wait for you here.
Jiang Yumo returned home with a heart full of joy that was about to overflow.
Before she could savor this kind of feeling, she saw her mother, Ms. Chen, sitting in the living room waiting for her.