007, Enlightenment, Encounter

“Ahem, Dahuo, come in!” The man cleared his throat to steady his wavering emotions.

At once, a burly, broad-shouldered man with the simple attire of a farmer walked in, his honest face creased in a wide, good-natured grin. “Gao Shen, here’s your breakfast!” he declared cheerfully.

Dahuo quickly carried a large iron bowl over and set it on the cabinet beside the man’s bed for his convenience. Still grinning, he said, “Eat it while it’s hot! If you need anything, just call out. I’ll head back for my meal now.”

“Dahuo, when you go out, please close the door behind you,” the man replied calmly, not asking his usual questions.

“Huh? Even during the day?” Dahuo asked in confusion. Normally, the door was left open so he could keep an eye on things outside. Why the change today?

“Yes, I’d like to rest quietly today,” the man answered in a low voice. If one looked closely, they’d notice his body was unnaturally stiff, betraying a hint of discomfort.

Hidden beneath the blanket, Jing Qingxin pressed herself close to the man’s body, remaining absolutely still to avoid arousing suspicion. She gripped her jade pendant, her heart filled with confusion and curiosity: How was she supposed to return? This time, she’d stayed much longer than during her last traversal. Did it require some kind of incantation? Last time, it seemed she’d been startled by the man’s suddenly opened eyes, then everything went hazy and she’d been swept away.

Dahuo scratched his head and replied honestly, “Oh, alright.”

He then stepped out and closed the door behind him as requested, before leaving.

Once the man sensed Dahuo’s footsteps recede, he whispered, “He’s gone. You can come out now.”

“Ugh, I was about to suffocate!” Jing Qingxin poked her head out, wiping the fine beads of sweat from her brow and gasping for breath. If she’d stayed hidden a moment longer, she would have thrown off the quilt. The thick medicinal scent trapped under the covers was nearly unbearable.

Since inheriting the “Liuguang Brocade” at the age of ten, Jing Qingxin had tended flower beds and herb gardens, growing up surrounded by flora and medicinal plants. Under her mother’s guidance, coupled with her own readings and keen senses, she’d become exceptionally familiar with herbs and flowers, able to identify them by their scent alone.

Thus, it wasn’t the mere aroma of medicine that bothered her; rather, she could tell from the mingled scents that poor-quality herbs had been used, mixed together in a strange way. Good medicine always carried a faint, pleasant fragrance. The smell alone revealed just how inferior the ingredients were.

“So, where exactly are you injured?” Jing Qingxin asked, recalling the question that had puzzled her during her previous visit.

“Ahem… Let’s talk after you come out!” the man replied, clearly uncomfortable. His legs beneath the quilt were clad only in loose shorts. Though not indecent, the proximity was awkward.

Realizing she was still huddled under the covers, Jing Qingxin hurried out, once again climbing over him to sit at the bedside. She ran her fingers through her tousled hair and then, sitting upright, said, “I just checked—your jade pendant and mine are identical in quality and color, only the patterns differ. It looks like the designs could fit together, forming a pair. I’m pretty sure these matching pendants are the reason I’m able to travel through time to this place.”

The man picked up the jade, surprise flickering in his heart. After wearing it for so many years, who would have thought it possessed such mystical powers? That at least explained the sudden appearance of this strange woman; otherwise, he could find no reasonable explanation for her odd behavior and appearance.

“This jade has been passed down in my family. You’re saying it can transport people through time? But I’ve worn it for over a decade and nothing strange has ever happened,” he said, puzzled.

“Some jades have been passed down since ancient times, making them akin to magical artifacts inscribed with arrays. They require a fated opportunity or a blood-bond to activate,” Jing Qingxin explained honestly, repeating what she’d learned from books.

“Are people in your era all that impressive?” The man’s expression was one of genuine astonishment.

Such a miraculous pendant would cause an uproar in this day and age. Yet she spoke of it so casually, as if it were commonplace. He couldn’t help but marvel—would the world sixty years from now truly be so advanced and wondrous? But here and now, many still struggled to fill their bellies.

Seeing the surprise flash in his eyes, yet noticing his earnest curiosity, Jing Qingxin couldn’t help but laugh softly. She found his seriousness rather endearing.

“Yes, very impressive! Far more so than you can imagine,” she replied in a deliberately solemn tone, feigning gravity.

“That’s wonderful!” the man exclaimed, moved by the thought. It meant that the efforts of the people today would bear fruit, that the country would grow ever stronger. Their sacrifices were worth it, and he looked forward to seeing such a powerful nation and people.

Jing Qingxin, watching his sincere amazement, smiled and said, “The living conditions in the future are indeed much better, and technology is highly advanced. But many aspects of culture and tradition are lost, along with things unique to your era.”

Meeting his questioning gaze, she continued, “There’s no need for you to know more. It’s a long story, and you’ll understand in time. Also, this pendant isn’t a common object in my time. My family had a special encounter to obtain it. I’ll tell you the details if we get another chance.”

“I see,” the man replied, feeling a bit more at ease. If such things were commonplace, that future would truly be beyond belief.

“Your name is Gao Shen? I think I heard that man call you that just now,” Jing Qingxin asked, her lips curving in amusement.

He nodded. “Yes, Gao as in tall, Shen as in deep.”

“What an interesting name! Are you really as profound as your name suggests?” she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

A faint smile touched Gao Shen’s lips—subtle, but unmistakable. For some reason, hearing this woman softly murmur his name sent a curious thrill through his heart.

“Hey, you still haven’t answered me—where are you injured?” Jing Qingxin suddenly recalled her question, which had been sidetracked earlier.