Chapter 3

Yǔn Lèiyuè’s POV:

After I left the temple, the cold autumn wind hit me in the face, sobering me a little. Usually, I would leave immediately after visiting the temple, but today... I don’t know why, I just don’t want to leave so quickly. Maybe—maybe the Abbot’s words really did leave a quiet impression on me. I looked at the silently standing maple trees in front of me and decided to take the most secluded pathway.

As I was walking between the vibrant crimson-gold maple trees, a soft melody struck me. I stopped and listened attentively, trying to find the source of the sound. As I followed it, the melody became clearer. The enchanting sound seemed to be coming from a violin. There was a feeling of longing in the melody, making its listeners fall into a quagmire of melancholy and nostalgia. It had the power to bring to light the deepest wounds of a person, then caress them with a soothing touch, healing from the core. I wondered who possessed the power to manipulate emotions in such a hauntingly beautiful way as I continued searching for the player.

My steps came to a sudden halt as I was stunned into silence. The Abbot’s words echoed in my mind, and my breath caught in my chest. For a moment, I almost forgot how to breathe. Maybe this is the destiny the Abbot was talking about. Maybe—maybe this is my destiny.

Under the shade of a maple tree, she was sitting, leaning against the trunk. Her head rested on the base of the violin, supported by her shoulder. Her hair, as dark as the night sky, cascaded down her back and over her right shoulder. The stark contrast between her jet-black hair and her pale white skin added a layer of beauty to her already captivating presence. But more beautiful than her external appearance was the way her eyes were closed, as if sinking deep into her consciousness, while her right hand gracefully guided the bow across the violin strings, creating that spellbinding melody. Her existence melted into the backdrop of the red maple leaves, enhancing the terrain behind her.

The Jingcui Lake rippled beside her because of the falling leaves, and reflecting her image only added more tranquility to the already serene atmosphere.

Suddenly, the music stopped. My breath hitched as I saw her open her eyes. Those dark eyes, like midnight pools, were deep and profound, drawing me into the quiet mystery they held.

“Are you going to keep staring, Mr.?” she asked, looking me in the gaze. I wanted to answer affirmatively but quickly stopped myself. I thought that for the first time in my life I was going to make a fool of myself, but I couldn't... just not in front of her.

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Yín Yùhuán’s POV:

Once I took the south pathway, I ended up traveling until I reached a pond, which I suppose is the Jingcui Lake. The calm autumn pond adorned with golden-red autumn leaves seemed like a portal to another world—a world more fascinating than ours. The undulating water of the lake caused my reflection to sway as well. I took a moment to admire the splendor of the natural world, my heart calmer than ever.

After a while, I took off the violin case hanging down my back and sat down beside the lake, leaning against the tree behind me. I took the violin out of the case, and the bow in my hand stuck close to the strings of the violin as I adjusted its position. I slid the bow across the strings smoothly, and a forlorn melody reverberated, letting me sink into a world of my own.

I lost track of time until I felt a presence, my instincts telling me that I was not alone. As I opened my eyes, I saw a man dressed in a white shirt looking at me in a daze. He flinched a little when I opened my eyes, but then his Phoenix gaze seemed to stare deep into my eyes, making my heart tremble slightly. I composed myself and then asked him, “Are you going to keep staring, Mr.?”

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