"You are the empire's best special agent, having served the organization bravely for many years and made outstanding contributions. The organization will never forget you…."
"The money has been transferred to your personal account. Enjoy the rest of your life!"
...
"Yu'er, you are the only love of my life, and I am willing to give my life for you."
"Yu'er, don't you think staying on the island is too boring? Let's go to Switzerland and have fun skiing. I've heard it's a great place for that."
"Yu'er, don't blame me. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too many secrets. Only the dead can keep secrets forever."
...
The snow-covered ski slopes were a dazzling white as far as the eye could see.
Twenty armed men stood at the ready, their only target a lone woman on the slope.
"Bang, bang, bang!" Gunshots echoed around the valley, scaring away countless birds.
Blood bloomed like Red Plum Blossoms on the snowy ground, reaching breathtaking beauty.
...
"Tap, tap, tap" - the wooden fish's monotonous sound, the distant fragrance of sandalwood providing a sense of peace.
Master Wu Xin opened the door to the temple, and amidst the freezing cold, a bundled baby had been abandoned at the door.
Master Wu Xin picked up the baby. She was so beautiful, with fair skin and bright eyes. When she saw the baby's eyes, she was momentarily surprised. They were a pair of infant's eyes, pure and innocent, yet with something extra.
"All forms are illusionary; let go or hold on with a single thought."
Master Wu Xin placed her hands over the baby's eyes. "Bodhi has no tree; the mirror has no stand. From now on, your name will be Ming Jing. I hope you cultivate your character and let go soon."
Life in the temple was simple and austere. Ming Jing grew from an infant to a young girl, showing exceptional talent in understanding the Buddha's teachings and developing a calm temperament. Her senior and junior sisters in the temple loved her, but her Master had always been particularly strict with her, as if her accomplishments were never enough in her Master's eyes.
As her Master was on her deathbed, Ming Jing knelt by her side. Her Master's body was frail, but her gaze remained sharp.
"In this life, you must cultivate diligently, never allowing yourself a moment's laziness. Do not leave the mountain until your inner demons are vanquished."
...
Ming Jing slowly opened her eyes, the pale dawn light representing the very last moments of darkness.
She slowly sat up and found herself on an unknown island, lying on the beach.
Her memories from last night came to her in a flash - she had just saved Zhu Xiangxiang when a massive wave pulled her away. Human power could seem insignificant in the face of nature, and she must have been washed ashore by the waves.
She suddenly spotted a yacht by the shore and saw a tall, thin figure dragging wooden logs out of the trees.
The figure approached, his face obscured by the backlighting, revealing a noble-looking man when he came closer.
Jiang Jinchen!
Jiang Jinchen glanced at her, set up the logs, and retrieved a suitcase from the yacht. He lit the fire with a lighter.
Ming Jing silently went and sat down. Jiang Jinchen looked at her several times before she finally realized something was wrong and touched her head…
Her wig had fallen off at some point, leaving her bald.
Thanks to years of cultivation, Ming Jing had long since left behind worldly desires and felt no embarrassment.
As long as she wasn't embarrassed, the embarrassment would belong to others.
Jiang Jinchen couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "Your hair…."
No other girl would be so careless with her hair, except for this one. Her cool demeanor was truly something to behold.
"I just left the temple."
"Huh?" Jiang Jinchen was confused, momentarily unable to grasp the meaning of her words.
Once he understood, even the normally stoic Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but twitch his facial muscles as he took a serious look at the girl in front of him.
She was truly too thin. Her tiny face was probably smaller than his palm, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, lush eyelashes curled, a small and delicate nose, and cold pale lips. Every detail was exquisite.
When she looked up at him, it seemed as if the vast galaxy was contained within her eyes, embracing everything yet indifferent to it all.
Jiang Jinchen's heart shuddered, and he hurriedly shifted his gaze, his heart pounding rapidly.
He quietly clenched his fingers and stole another glance. The girl stared at the dancing flames as they illuminated her blushing face, revealing a hint of rare delicacy.
He couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen to become a nun, and why she had decided to return to the secular world. What kind of family did she come from, and what kind of person was she?
Unknowingly, the sky had brightened, and the sea had returned to calm.
Ming Jing stood up and looked around. She noted the sky and raised her hand. The sea breeze blew across her fingers as she closed her eyes to silently feel it.
Jiang Jinchen's gaze couldn't help but follow her direction.
Ming Jing opened her eyes and said softly, "We are on an island 200 kilometers west of the harbor."
Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but ask, "How do you know that?"
"I paid attention in geography class." She then headed towards the yacht.
Jiang Jinchen knew that understanding the monsoons could help determine direction at sea, but he hadn't expected this level of practical application.
He hurried to catch up with her. Ming Jing jumped onto the yacht and reached for the wheel, only to withdraw her hand nonchalantly and ask, "Do you know how to drive a yacht?"
Jiang Jinchen immediately replied, "I do. I'll drive."
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Jinchen said, "Before I came, I asked Charles Gao to call the police. Let's wait for the rescue team to arrive."
Ming Jing stared into the distance, "If you want to wait for death, stay."
Jiang Jinchen was usually decisive, but for some reason, he always submitted to her unconsciously.
However, to be honest, Jiang Jinchen's yachting skills were lacking, almost capsizing the boat. In order to not reveal too much, Ming Jing had to endure the rocking as she gave directions.
Jiang Jinchen grew more adept at driving the yacht, and soon they were sailing smoothly. The two of them, alone on the open sea, made for a beautiful image.
Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but look at the girl standing by his side. The howling wind dashed against her beautiful face, revealing a hint of determination in the rising sun.
"Watch out!" Ming Jing seized the wheel and steered to the side, narrowly avoiding a huge shark that passed by their yacht. Had they reacted any later, the consequences would have been disastrous.
"I'm sorry." Jiang Jinchen felt slightly ashamed and focused on driving the yacht without any further distractions.
The place where her fingers had touched him grew warm, her temperature as cool as snow…
"Damn, we're running out of fuel." Jiang Jinchen frowned at the lit indicator.
Ming Jing calmly said, "Slow down our speed. The rescue boat should be nearby."
As she predicted, a shadow appeared on the distant horizon - it was the rescue yacht.
Even someone as cold as Jiang Jinchen couldn't help but grin.
Only Ming Jing remained calm from beginning to end.
Was she truly able to maintain equanimity or had she been in control of everything all along?
As the rescue yacht approached, Jiang Jinchen removed his coat and draped it over Ming Jing's head.