"Wow, you said what?" Jian Yumei laughed, not understanding why Lin Li would say that.
"I said, what happened between you two back then that's still lingering to this day?" Lin Li said.
Jian Yumei was speechless.
"I don't know either. I've told you everything I know! What I don't know, I still don't know!" Jian Yumei said.
"You're speaking like it's a tongue twister!" Lin Li laughed.
"Hehe!" Jian Yumei chuckled.
"Now that the temple is gone, let's just rest against these rocks!" Lin Li smiled.
"Alright, that's all we can do!" Jian Yumei said.
There happened to be some large rocks on the hillside, and Jian Yumei and Lin Li rested against them, each closing their eyes to rest.
Jian Yumei meditated while resting, entering a state of forgetfulness of self and surroundings.
When the sunlight shone on the earth, Jian Yumei opened his eyes.
He smelled a fragrance in the air.
Lin Li had already woken up early and caught a wild rabbit in the woods, which she was currently roasting.
"Sister, you're up early!" Jian Yumei smiled.
"Hehe, you've had a harder time than me. I did less, so I can rest less!" Lin Li laughed.
"Sister, I've noticed you're particularly... what's the word? Ah, yes, domestic!" Jian Yumei said.
Lin Li blushed. "Do you have to put it like that? That term sounds like it's describing someone's wife!"
"Oh, I see. I won't use it randomly next time!" Jian Yumei thought, trying not to burst into laughter.
"Can't you just say, 'I like you being domestic'?" Lin Li said coyly.
"Haha, okay, I like you being domestic, happy?" Jian Yumei burst into laughter.
"Hehe, look at you laughing like a fool! If I hadn't said that, I wouldn't have given you this!" Lin Li said as she handed the roasted rabbit to Jian Yumei.
"Wow, it's hot!" Jian Yumei took the roasted rabbit from Lin Li's makeshift skewer.
"Sister, how did you catch this rabbit? Tell me, was there anything interesting?" Jian Yumei asked.
"You don't know? When I woke up this morning, I just opened my eyes and saw it. It was searching around, probably looking for food. Well, I also needed to find something to eat, so I quietly moved closer. When it turned its back on me, I got up quietly. I approached it, and when it noticed me, it started running like crazy. You know, my lightness skills are pretty good. I chased after it. At first, I wanted to compete with it, but when it entered the woods, I followed. I saw a tree hollow, and when it was about to enter, I quickly threw a dart. And there you have it, it became my prey!" Lin Li said proudly.
"Sister, you're awesome! You shine brightly!" Jian Yumei laughed.
"Hehe, I think so too!" Lin Li chuckled.
"Why don't you be a little more modest?" Jian Yumei laughed.
"With someone as formidable as you constantly praising me, how can I not be awesome and shining? If anyone disagrees, you'll take care of them, and then I can proudly say, 'Hmph, even my bodyguard can't beat you, let alone challenge me!'" Lin Li said seriously.
"Hahaha!" Jian Yumei burst into laughter.
"By the way, sister, don't you like shooting? Why aren't you shooting?" Jian Yumei asked.
"Just to let you sleep a bit longer! Humph, look how good I am to you!" Lin Li pouted.
"Hehe, thanks, sister. If you keep pouting like that, I might just give you a kiss!" Jian Yumei teased.
"You dare! Lately, you've become more and more flirtatious. I wonder what you've encountered!" Lin Li pretended to be angry.
Jian Yumei blushed as he looked at the rabbit in his hand.
"Sister, here, take half. It's not too hot now, you can eat it!" Jian Yumei said.
"You're trying to change the subject! Let's eat. I'm hungry anyway. You eat more!" Lin Li said, then split her rabbit in half and gave it to Jian Yumei.
Jian Yumei felt warmth in his heart.
Looking at his sister beside him, he felt inexplicably happy.
After finishing the rabbit, they prepared to continue their journey.
"Last night felt like a dream!" Jian Yumei said.
"Maybe you'll encounter it again. Stay calm. I don't know if I should have interrupted you last night, but what if it was a trap, a dangerous one for you? I remember you and Master discussing your father, saying that his death was a trap. I hope you won't fall into the same trap again!" Lin Li said.
Jian Yumei pondered for a moment. "I think I'll be careful."
"Alright, let's go then, to Henan, to that big tomb!" Lin Li said.
"Let's go!" Jian Yumei spurred his horse, and Black General dashed forward.
Lin Li's Red Hare horse followed suit.
Dust flew on the ancient road.
Soon, they left the fields behind them.
On the banks of the Yi River outside Luoyang City lies the famous Longmen Grottoes.
The large Buddhas there smiled at the world, but in the current world, there were continuous wars and people's lives were in distress. Most of the people passing by did not have a good mood.
Some people who came here, although they came out of admiration, still couldn't hide the worried look on their faces.
But life had to go on. Those small merchants and vendors were still busy, constantly hawking their goods, whether it was food or souvenirs related to the big Buddhas.
At this moment, a man and a woman walked over.
These two people are Lin Li and Jian Yumei. After several days of traveling, they finally arrived in Luoyang City. As soon as they arrived, they rested for a while and then decided to go out for a walk.
The Longmen Grottoes are the most famous attraction outside Luoyang City, and of course, they would visit here.
"Junior Brother, this place is so impressive! So many big Buddhas!" Lin Li said.
"Yes, these big Buddhas were built from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty. They're magnificent, aren't they? The most famous one is the Vairocana Buddha, which is said to be modeled after the appearance of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty!" Jian Yumei said.
"But why did the Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties build so many big Buddhas?" Lin Li asked.
"Maybe every dynasty hoped that the big Buddhas would bless their dynasty to rule the world forever!" Jian Yumei said, then sighed.
"Why are you sighing, Junior Brother?" Lin Li asked.
"Nothing! Hehe!" Jian Yumei thought to himself that perhaps he was thinking of the distant Western Xia Kingdom. The rise and fall of kingdoms were merciless. The Northern Wei and the great Tang Dynasty had disappeared, and the Western Xia had also vanished into the depths of history. Only some remnants of dreams remained, always reminding him of that place.
"So, Sister, let's go and visit these big Buddhas! I find them very spectacular and awe-inspiring!" Jian Yumei said.
"Okay, let's take a look one by one!" Lin Li said.
At this time, a group of ragged children saw the two of them approaching and crowded around them.
They reached out their hands. "Big brother, big sister, please give us some money to buy food. Thank you, thank you!"
Seeing these children, Jian Yumei felt a pang of sadness. He said to Lin Li, "They should be at the age to study at home, but now they can only beg here!"
"Yes, alas, these are troubled times. Junior Brother, I didn't know before when I was at home, but after coming out, I really feel sorry for the people in the world! I will try to save money in the future, not demand everything to be perfect, and help them with the money I save!" Lin Li said.
"Well, Sister, you're becoming more and more respectable!" Jian Yumei teased his sister, perhaps to lighten the mood.
"Of course I am!" Lin Li laughed and then talked to the children.
"Where are your homes? Where do you live?" Lin Li asked.
"We are all from outside counties. There's no food in our homes. The adults have fled everywhere, and many people's parents have already starved to death! We are children. Sometimes people pity us and give us some food, and that's how we survive!" one child said.
"Ah, the years of famine! You're children who have survived under famine conditions!" Lin Li said.
At this moment, Jian Yumei saw someone not far away, someone who looked quite funny.