Zhang Jinqing crouched outside the temple's back door, watching Hui Jingyi concentrate on holding a game piece…
Zhang Jinqing crouched outside the temple's back door, watching Hui Jingyi concentrate on holding a game piece.
"Got it!" With a flick of her hand, Hui Jingyi eliminated Zhang Jinqing's last piece.
"Aren't you nuns supposed to be compassionate? That was harsh."
Hui Jingyi chanted a Buddha's name. "Even the Buddha has a wrathful form, let alone us monastics."
Temples are places of quiet cultivation; daily life was usually still. Copying sutras, chanting sutras—days were like coiled incense, burning the same way each time.
But after meeting Zhang Jinqing, Hui Jingyi's life began to change.
Zhang Jinqing would stride through the temple gate carrying a Mo Blade, greeting every young nun warmly.
She eagerly helped the sisters in the infirmary chop wood, assisted the nun gathering herbs in sorting medicines.
She would sneak into the scripture hall, holding a nameless kitten while reciting difficult sutras together.
She would wield a broom with such vigor, sweeping the courtyard's snow clean.
She was like a heedless puppy, charging into the temple's serene night, borrowing a strand of dawn glow from the eastern clouds.
"Jingyi, when are you free? Let's go to the market!"
"Jingyi, what was that thing you recited last time? It made me doze off. Recite it again?"
"Jingyi, I found this really fun thing called Piaoyao Battleboard. Wanna try?"
"Jingyi..."
So noisy. Hui Jingyi smiled. "Be quiet. You'll wake the Buddha."
"The Buddha won't mind if he wakes." "The Buddha is a good Buddha. People are good people."
"Really good people."