The lotus is a symbol of purity in Taoism.
It was the typical weather of May and June. Finding a lotus bloom wasn't much of a challenge, even in Texas. However, to find it late at night required some effort. By the time Joseph arrived, it was already past eleven in the morning the next day.
His car sped into the yard, and Joseph hastily rushed out, leaving the car door open. He bolted up the stairs and pushed open the wooden door. There on the living room couch lay Lisa, just as she was when he had left the day before. But Jason was nowhere to be seen.
"Lisa—" Joseph called out as he rushed to the couch. He placed the lotus he had brought on the couch and grasped Lisa's hand. It was soft and warm. This gave him some relief; Lisa still had a chance. But where was Jason?
He looked around and couldn't help but call out again, "Lisa—"
As soon as the words left his lips, the door next to the living room opened, and Jason walked out. He was grinning and said, "I got a bit hungry waiting for you. How about trying something I cooked up? It's just a simple fried rice dish. I'm not a great cook, you know."
"No, no, thanks. Lisa..."
"Lisa is fine, don't worry. You got the lotus... I saw." Jason walked over, picked up the lotus flower, and nodded at Joseph, "Leave the rest to me."
Joseph nodded wordlessly and stepped back. He watched as Jason turned and walked to the kitchen. When he came back, he held a sharp, white knife, likely used for cutting meat.
"Dear God, what are you doing?" Joseph's expression turned grim as he watched Jason approach Lisa with the knife in hand. "What are you planning to do?"
Jason looked at him and nodded, "Yes, exactly what you're thinking. I plan to make an incision in Lisa's chest and then... you know, like a surgical procedure. Lisa's heart is no longer usable. I have to replace it with this..." He held up the lotus bloom.
Joseph turned a shade paler. He gritted his teeth and asked, "What will be the consequences?"
Jason frowned and sighed, "Yes, there will be one consequence: she might... live for a very long time. Do you know why a tree can live for many years?"
Joseph couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity of the question considering the circumstances, "What does the age of a tree have to do with Lisa?"
"Because they both share the same heart!" Jason gave a cryptic smile, "Sometimes, the world you see isn't as straightforward as it seems. Perhaps legends are the real world, and the reality could be diverse. Why should we obsess over what's real and what's not?"
"I know... What do you plan to do now?" Joseph didn't want to waste time on this nonsense. He wanted Jason to finish whatever he was doing so he could see his lively daughter again.
"Alright, then... I'll get started. Are you sure you want to watch?" Jason asked, spreading his hands, "Many people can't stomach this process... just like why doctors don't let family members into the operating room."
Joseph hesitated but eventually nodded.
He wasn't entirely confident or comfortable leaving. He wanted to witness the moment of his daughter's resurrection. Jason simply shrugged, picked up the meat knife, and walked to Lisa's side. He gently unbuttoned her clothing, revealing her developed and pure white chest.
But none of this stirred any feelings within Jason. Truth be told, he never prioritized carnal desires; he was indifferent to it. Still stuck in this world, unsure whether it was his original world or another, he found it hard to distinguish between reality and illusion.
The tip of the knife made contact with the soft skin below her collarbone, causing a slight indentation. Joseph's heart pounded as if the knife was touching his own skin. Before he could catch his breath, the knife suddenly pierced the skin. The skin sprang back, and the knife disappeared into Lisa's body.
"God..." He suddenly regretted his decision to stay. The sight of the knife slowly piercing his daughter was like tearing his heart apart. He moaned silently, "God... forgive me for my mistakes, if there's any punishment, let it fall on me..."
As he silently prayed, the meat knife had already deeply penetrated the muscles below Lisa's collarbone. The blade swiftly cut open Lisa's left chest. But shockingly, Lisa's body was warm, and there was no blood. Not even a trace of congealed blood, which was medically impossible.
Joseph tried to control his emotions as he watched Jason remove a bright red heart from the open chest and place it on the floor beside him... Yes, on the floor. He wanted to reach out to hold it but was stopped by Jason, "You better not touch it, I'll take care of it."
As he said this, he reached out to pick up the lotus bloom. As he gently caressed the lotus, Joseph witnessed the most extraordinary sight. The ordinary lotus turned extraordinarily white, as if a faint halo surrounded it.
Jason ignored Joseph's astonished gaze. He held the lotus and carefully placed it inside Lisa's open chest. The moment he inserted it, all the halo retracted into Lisa's body. In an instant, Jason covered Lisa's wound with one hand.
By the time the stunned Joseph recovered, Jason had already buttoned up Lisa's clothes. He turned to Joseph and said, "I'll place her heart in a peachwood box. Also... take it back and bury it in your backyard, make sure to bury it deep..."
With that, Jason turned around and left, leaving Joseph behind. Chapter 7: The Awakening
Joseph quickly moved next to Lisa and squatted down, holding her hand. Her skin was as warm and delicate as ever. Yet, she hadn't stirred or shown any signs of awakening, causing a stir of anxiety within him. He was about to call for Jason when he felt something—a very subtle sensation.
Yes, it was very subtle.
He could feel the pulse in Lisa's hand. This slight sensation filled his heart with immense joy, and without hesitation, he placed his hand on Lisa's chest.
"Thump, thump, thump..." A strong heartbeat resonated under his touch.
"Oh, God—" he exclaimed. The miraculous event left him speechless, overwhelmed with joy and excitement. All he could do was keep repeating, "God."
"Joseph...you don't need to thank God." Jason's voice echoed from the side, a wooden box in his hand. He walked over, picked up the heart from the floor and placed it in the box, then patted Joseph on the shoulder. "Remember my words, bury this wooden box in your backyard. Get it deep!"
"I know, I know, God... No, Jason, I don't know how to express my gratitude." Joseph stuttered out his words of appreciation. "I owe you..."
"You owe me nothing. Our meeting was a result of fate and karma planted over a decade ago." Jason laughed, shaking his head. "In Taoism, we value the concepts of karma and fate."
Joseph nodded vigorously. Having witnessed Jason's miracles, he knew the man was extraordinary. Even if Jason was a sorcerer, he was a trustworthy one. Jason had said he followed Taoism, an idea Joseph didn't fully understand but believed to be magical.
As his overwhelming joy gradually calmed down, Joseph looked at Lisa. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, her chest rising and falling with each breath. But there was no sign of her waking up.
"Lisa, she..." Joseph glanced at Lisa, then back at Jason.
"Once you've buried the box, she'll awaken. Also..." Jason looked at Lisa, "Take good care of that tree. Its fate is linked with Lisa's. As long as the tree lives, Lisa will live."
"I understand!" Joseph didn't care how long Lisa would live. As long as she woke up now, he would be content. He quickly rose, took the box from Jason, and bolted out of the room.
Yes, he had to hurry, faster and faster. He couldn't wait to see Lisa awake, giving him a warm smile. He rushed out, jumped into his car, and drove off as quickly as he could.
"Bury it deep!" Joseph muttered to himself. In his backyard, he dug a large, deep hole and lovingly placed the wooden box inside. He glanced at it one last time before carefully covering it with the dug-up earth.
He hadn't seen the tree Jason had mentioned, but that didn't matter. He would ask Jason about it when he got back. For now, the most important thing was to see if Lisa had finally awakened.