"No..." Liu Hui let out a heart-rending scream.

Liu Hui couldn't immediately accept the reality of Shu Yan leaving him. He was flustered, desperately clutching Shu Yan's hand, trying to recapture that electric spark between them. Alas, only an icy coldness transmitted from her skin; the thrilling jolt was gone forever.

Seeing Shu Yan pass so suddenly, everyone in the room was overcome with sorrow. Shu Yan's parents collapsed onto the floor, utterly bereft, while Liu Hui's mother and father carefully helped support them.

Liu Hui turned sharply to his father and shouted, "Dad, tell me, Yan Yan just fell asleep." Seeing his father remain silent, he roared, "Dad, hurry up and say it! Say Yan Yan is just sleeping..."

Liu Hui's father, noticing his son's distressed state, said worriedly, "Son, you can't be like this. Yan Yan was a good girl, but she is gone now. You have to face reality..."

"No, she hasn't gone. She's right here; I can feel her. Dad, why are you lying to me..." Liu Hui roared at his father in anger.

"Son, you need to calm down. There are still many things waiting for you to handle!" Liu Hui's mother rushed to comfort him as she saw him sinking into extreme emotion.

"Hmph, you're all lying to me. My Yan Yan is fine; she's right beside me, I can feel her. I want to be with her forever..." Liu Hui shouted loudly, but suddenly the room spun violently, and his body, already severely weakened from days of strain, finally gave out, and he fainted.

When Liu Hui awoke again, it was already the next morning. He lay still in the [bed/room], silently watching the ceiling, tears streaming down his face.

After some time, Liu Hui finally got out of bed and walked into Shu Yan's room. Shu Yan lay on the [bed/cot], her face covered with a white cloth. Her parents sat helplessly on chairs, gazing silently at their daughter. In just one night, the hair of Shu Yan's parents had turned completely white.

Liu Hui had finally calmed down completely; a decision had formed in his heart. He spoke to Shu Yan's parents, "Dad, Mom, Shu Yan is gone. You two must try to restrain your grief."

Shu Yan's father remained silent, but her mother spoke, "Xiao Hui, we are old now and lack the strength to arrange Yan Yan's funeral. Please take care of everything concerning Yan Yan."

Liu Hui replied, "Please rest assured, both of you. Everything about Yan Yan is entrusted to me."

Shu Yan's father suddenly asked, "Xiao Hui, where is that place in Shuzhou that Yan Yan mentioned last?"

Liu Hui explained, "That place is in a remote mountainous area within a famous Taoist scenic spot in Shuzhou."

Shu Yan's father sighed, "Since Yan Yan loved that place so much, bury her there."

Shu Yan's mother scolded him, "You heartless man! To bury our daughter so far away, what if she misses home and can't return?"

Shu Yan's father countered, "Didn't you hear Yan Yan's last words? I think she wanted to be buried there after death too, but she only kept quiet for fear of troubling us."

Shu Yan's mother stopped speaking then, only weeping silently.

Shu Yan's father continued, "Xiao Hui, my daughter has always been afraid of fire since she was little, so absolutely no cremation. I want her to truly see the beauty of that place, not just become a pile of ashes before going there."

Liu Hui nodded, "Please don't worry, elders; I will handle everything perfectly."

Shu Yan's parents could hold on no longer and retreated to their room to rest. Liu Hui began sorting through Shu Yan's belongings. He carefully took out the diaries and video discs from the iron box Shu Yan cherished most, arranging them in order. Then, he retrieved the memory card from the video Shu Yan shot last, wrapped these items together with moisture-proof cloth strips, and placed them gently beside Shu Yan.

Liu Hui had considered looking through the contents of Shu Yan's diaries and discs, but he remembered what Shu Yan had once said—that no one could look at her diaries or discs without her permission. Therefore, Liu Hui prepared to place these items beside her, to keep her company forever.

Liu Hui slowly lifted the white cloth covering Shu Yan's face and gazed gently at her features. After her death, although her face was still bloody, the torment was gone from her expression. Perhaps, for her, this was a form of peace.

Liu Hui gently stroked Shu Yan's face, recalling the happiness and joy they once shared. He could almost see her smiling image before his eyes. But the coldness under his hand was a stark reminder that Shu Yan was truly gone, separated from him by an impassable gulf. Thinking of this, Liu Hui could only weep uncontrollably.

At this moment, the news of Shu Yan's death had spread. Friends and relatives began arriving to pay respects, and the sound of firecrackers echoed in the courtyard. Chu Chu also rushed to Shu Yan's home, and upon seeing the body, she couldn't help but collapse onto Shu Yan, weeping uncontrollably.

Liu Hui asked his parents and Chu Chu to help watch over Shu Yan's body while he left to purchase some equipment. Returning home, he used an arc welder to fuse several thick steel plates into a seamless, airtight box. He carefully placed Shu Yan's diaries and video discs inside, added some desiccant material, and then completely sealed the box with the welder. He then welded several more layers of steel plate around the outside of this sealed container, striving to ensure that the contents would not corrode over the passage of time.

Having finished this, Liu Hui went to the black market near the East Gate of Chuzhou, spending ten thousand yuan to hire an illicit transport truck and two drivers. He then selected a high-quality coffin from a funeral parlor, which the black vehicle transported back to Shu Yan's home.

Shu Yan's family and friends were already mourning in the main hall. When the mourners left that evening, Liu Hui began the process of cleaning Shu Yan's body. Her limbs had stiffened, offering no reaction to his ministrations. The thought of Shu Yan’s former liveliness now replaced by cold rigidity brought tears to Liu Hui's eyes.

After cleaning her body, Liu Hui dressed Shu Yan in her favorite pale yellow dress and made some simple preparations to her appearance. When he finished, he called over her parents and his own.

Everyone gathered for a final period of mourning. Then, Liu Hui placed Shu Yan inside the coffin. Together with his father and the black truck drivers, they lifted the coffin onto the waiting vehicle.

They then boarded the truck, which sped away from Chuzhou toward Shuzhou under the cover of night. Fearing interception or trouble if Shu Yan's body were discovered on the road, Liu Hui, guided by an acquaintance, bribed the highway toll station staff, driving the black vehicle directly onto the expressway.

The two drivers took turns piloting the truck. Aside from brief stops to rest midway, they drove continuously throughout the entire night. They finally arrived at the mountainous Taoist scenic area in Shuzhou shortly after one o'clock the next afternoon.

Liu Hui got out of the car and hired four robust local mountain men in the nearby wilderness, paying them four thousand yuan. These men bypassed the scenic pathways, carrying Shu Yan's coffin deeper into the area. Then, relying on his astonishing memory, Liu Hui accurately traced the mountain path he and Shu Yan had found before. The men carried the coffin, guided by Liu Hui, heading toward the gorge platform. Shu Yan's parents, aided by Liu Hui's parents, followed closely behind.

After three hours of arduous trekking, Shu Yan's coffin was finally brought to the gorge platform by the four mountain men. Upon receiving their payment, the men immediately departed; they had no desire to spend any more time near a corpse.

Once the four were gone, only the five of them remained: Liu Hui, his parents, and Shu Yan's parents. Their hearts were heavy with grief, leaving no room to appreciate the beautiful scenery around them.

After a brief rest, Liu Hui picked up a shovel he had brought and began digging the grave on the platform. Liu Hui's father took another shovel and helped excavate. They worked without speaking, digging with all their might. Shu Yan's father, weak and unable to help, could only sit beside the coffin, weeping continuously.

Liu Hui and his father dug for two hours until dusk began to settle. They had finally unearthed a grave large enough to hold Shu Yan's coffin. Liu Hui sat down to rest briefly, then, with his father, they lifted the coffin into the burial pit. He opened the lid, revealing Shu Yan inside.

"Yan Yan..." Upon seeing her appearance, Shu Yan's parents burst into overwhelming sorrow, crying out to heaven and earth in their agony. Liu Hui's parents stood nearby, their eyes red.

Liu Hui appeared much calmer. He stroked Shu Yan's face one last time, then placed the sealed iron box containing her diaries and discs into her arms. After looking at her a few final times, he hardened his resolve, closed the coffin lid, and nailed it shut.

Seeing Liu Hui nail the lid closed, Shu Yan's parents cried out again in renewed grief. Liu Hui and his father then used the shovels to fill the excavated soil back into the pit, finally mounding the earth into a grave mound on the platform.

Liu Hui took a tombstone he had prepared from a bag nearby and erected it before the grave. Inscribed upon it were the words: "Tomb of Beloved Wife Shu Yan—Erected by Liu Hui of Bashan!"

With these tasks completed, the sky had turned completely black, and everyone was utterly exhausted. They noted the local topography, planning to leave and return the next day to finalize things. However, Liu Hui smiled and said he would remain here to keep Shu Yan company, asking them all to go back first and not worry about him.

Liu Hui's mother paused, a possibility dawning on her instantly. She anxiously said, "Xiao Hui, what are you planning? Don't do anything reckless."

Liu Hui laughed, "I promised Yan Yan here that if she passed, I would dig a pit right beside her and stay with her forever. Now that my duties are done, it is time for me to make my own choice."

Liu Hui's father was greatly shocked, saying, "Foolish son, what are you thinking of doing?"

Liu Hui suddenly kowtowed several times to his own parents, then to Shu Yan's parents, saying, "Yan Yan has left me, and I have lost all will to live. I have decided to follow her. Please do not try to stop me."

Liu Hui's father roared in anger, delivering a hard slap that knocked Liu Hui to the ground, cursing, "You scoundrel, how can you be so selfish? If you go with Yan Yan, what will become of your mother and me? What about Shu Yan's parents? Are you just going to abandon us like this?"

Liu Hui remained on the ground where he fell, saying nothing, his eyes dull and lifeless.

Shu Yan's father also surfaced from his stupor and pleaded, "Xiao Hui, don't do anything foolish! I believe that the spirit of Yan Yan in heaven would not want you to do this."

Liu Hui laughed, "You don't need to persuade me. My mind is made up. No matter what you say, it won't change my resolve to follow Yan Yan."

Liu Hui's mother pleaded, "Son, why don't you come down the mountain with us first? We can discuss what happens later, alright?"

Liu Hui shook his head, "I will not leave this place. Yan Yan is here. I know she is afraid of darkness and loneliness, so I must stay here and keep her company, never leaving her."

Seeing that delaying tactics had failed and Liu Hui's attitude was firm, his mother was at a loss. The momentary peace their hearts had found was violently unsettled again by Liu Hui's sudden decision. But no matter how much they urged him, Liu Hui remained unresponsive, wholly focused on seeking death.

Seeing that Liu Hui was in such an extreme state, his parents dared not leave him. Shu Yan's parents, who were very fond of Liu Hui, also did not want him to commit suicide for Shu Yan, so they stayed on the platform to keep him company.

Thus, the four of them continuously tried to reason with Liu Hui, but he simply lay before Shu Yan's grave without reaction. As time passed, the death wish in his eyes grew stronger; even without taking extreme action, it seemed he would soon follow Shu Yan.

Liu Hui's condition left his parents helpless, unsure what to do, and since they were far from any town, they couldn't even get a phone signal. They found themselves trapped in a desperate situation. By the next morning, Liu Hui's face was ashen, looking as if he might not last much longer.

Liu Hui's mother had persuaded him all night and was now hoarse and unable to speak. Seeing her son's condition now, she wept with increased distress.

The sun slowly rose, casting bright crimson rays, when suddenly, a loud Buddhist chant rang out from nearby: "Amitabha!"

Everyone started, looking toward a nearby treetop where a monk in yellow robes stood. This monk had drooping white eyebrows and a compassionate expression—clearly a venerable master of great attainment.

Liu Hui's mother gasped, then bowed deeply to the old monk, saying, "Master, please show mercy and save my child."

The old monk stood atop the tree, gazing at the distant mountain range, and murmured, "A great catastrophe is imminent between heaven and earth, yet I have no means to save the common people from fire and water. How then shall I face the Buddha?"

Seeing the old monk paying no mind, speaking only to the distant mountains, Liu Hui's mother shouted again, "Master, please show mercy and save my child!"

The old monk finally turned his gaze toward Liu Hui's mother and said, "Amitabha. My humble monastic name is Zhiguang. May I ask the benefactor what difficulty troubles you?"

Shu Yan's father recognized the monk's name and quickly asked, "Master, are you the Zen Master Zhiguang from Guiyuan Temple in Chuzhou?"

The old monk pressed his palms together: "Indeed. This humble monk is Zhiguang of Guiyuan Temple."

Shu Yan's father muttered, "It seems this is fate. When my Yan Yan was gravely ill, we could not find the Zen Master, and now he suddenly appears."

Liu Hui's mother explained, "Zen Master, my son's beloved passed away, and he has lost all joy in life, wishing only to follow her. I beg the Zen Master to save my child's life."

Zhiguang turned his gaze to Liu Hui, lying on the ground. His eyes held a palpable intensity, and as he looked, Liu Hui felt as if the monk had seen right through him.

Zhiguang withdrew his gaze and said, "This benefactor is beset by sorrow too deep to resolve and is set on death. I possess no easy solution."

Liu Hui's father, seeing that Zen Master Zhiguang appeared to be a truly enlightened master and recognizing the severity of Liu Hui's current state, felt a spark of hope. He, too, knelt down, pleading, "Please, Zen Master, lend your aid and save my son's life."

Even Shu Yan's parents looked at Zhiguang with hope. Zhiguang looked once more at Liu Hui, then at the distant peaks, and sighed, "I could not avert the coming great disaster, so I shall save the person before me. This shall somewhat alleviate the guilt in my own heart."

Liu Hui's parents were overjoyed, repeatedly kowtowing. Zhiguang floated down from the tree, landing lightly before Liu Hui, scrutinizing him closely. Liu Hui, his heart turned to ash, closed his eyes, ignoring Zhiguang.

"Master, how is my son's condition?" Liu Hui's mother asked anxiously.

Zhiguang closed his eyes, and after a moment, replied, "Your son's heart has been wounded by the death of his beloved, causing his vital spirit to sever. His life force is fading rapidly."

Zhiguang's words shocked everyone. He continued, "To reconnect this benefactor's vital pulse is not difficult for me. The true problem is the knot in his heart, which is hard to undo, unless..."

Liu Hui's mother immediately asked, "Zen Master, unless what?"

Zen Master Zhiguang pressed his palms together and stated, "Unless this humble monk intervenes to seal away all memories within your son's mind concerning his beloved. Only when he is free from this crushing sorrow can he truly recover."

Liu Hui's mother and father exchanged a meaningful look, then glanced at Liu Hui, who lay on the ground, utterly devoid of spirit. They decided, "Then please, Master, proceed to seal this memory from our son and save his life."

Zen Master Zhiguang bent down and pointed a finger at the center of Liu Hui's brow. Instantly, Liu Hui felt as if all his secrets had been laid bare by the monk. Startled, he knew this monk truly possessed the ability to seal memories. Panic flooded him, and he shouted, "Vile monk, stop immediately! You are a man of the cloth; worldly affairs concern you not. Why are you forcefully interfering?"

Zen Master Zhiguang withdrew his hand and stood up, addressing Liu Hui's parents, "The condition within your son is indeed extremely perilous. If his memories are not sealed immediately, he is unlikely to survive past noon today."

Liu Hui's parents said in unison, "Please, Master, act quickly."

Liu Hui raged, "Vile monk, if you dare lay a hand on me, I swear I will never let you off in the future!"

Seeing Zen Master Zhiguang hesitate slightly, Liu Hui's parents quickly added, "Master, have no reservations. If our son bears resentment, let him direct it toward us."

Shu Yan's parents, witnessing Liu Hui's danger, also implored Zen Master Zhiguang to act immediately to extend Liu Hui's life.

Zen Master Zhiguang bent down again, looking at Liu Hui with compassionate eyes, and said, "Young benefactor, the deceased is gone; you must learn to bear your grief. For the sake of your parents and those who care for you, and for the sake of the departed, you must rally."

Liu Hui cursed loudly, "Vile monk, I don't need your meddling! What does a monk know of our pain and joy?"

Zen Master Zhiguang pressed his palms together, recited a Buddhist invocation, and then, with lightning speed, his right middle finger darted toward Liu Hui's brow. Liu Hui, merely a mortal, could not evade the Zen Master's finger and was struck squarely on the brow.

Zhiguang's potent spiritual energy entered Liu Hui's body. In an instant, he understood the root of Liu Hui's affliction. After a brief consideration, he employed a secret Buddhist art, beginning to seal Liu Hui's memories of Shu Yan.

Struck on the brow, Liu Hui was rendered immobile. He felt Zhiguang's spiritual energy permeate his core, and his memories of Shu Yan began to vanish bit by bit. Panic seized Liu Hui, but he could not speak; he could only watch as Shu Yan slowly faded from his mind.

In Liu Hui's memory, the moments he shared with Shu Yan rapidly dissolved, like a videotape rewinding. The memory of Shu Yan's death vanished, the memory of her illness disappeared, the memory of their trip to Shuzhou vanished, and the cherished memories of their happy romance faded away...

Liu Hui watched the thing he held dearest vanish piece by piece, a fire raging in his chest. Though his lips were sealed, his eyes bulged until they began to bleed, his features contorted into an expression so horrific it chilled his parents and Shu Yan’s parents to the bone.

The very electric thrill that had sparked when he first met Shu Yan in the aftermath of the car crash evaporated from Liu Hui’s mind. At that final moment of loss, a world-shattering cry ripped from his throat—"No..."—before he plunged into absolute darkness.

When Liu Hui next opened his eyes, he found himself seated in a car, his parents guarding him on either side.

He offered them a weak, apologetic smile. “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry. Working alone at the factory in Chuzhou, the change in climate made me malnourished. Now I’m putting you both through the trouble of fetching me home.”

Yet, his parents’ faces were etched with alarm. While they soothed him, assuring him that everything would be fine once they returned to Bashan, they kept casting terrified glances out the window.

Curiously, Liu Hui asked, “Mom, what are you looking at?”

His mother, still trembling, managed to reply, “Son, a massive, catastrophic earthquake just struck Shuzhou Province. Luckily, we just managed to evade it…”

Liu Hui paused. They were currently en route from Chuzhou to Bashan; they shouldn't have been anywhere near Shuzhou to encounter its mega-quake. Still, the joy of their reunion settled over him, pushing the strange, intrusive question out of his mind for the moment.

……

Thanks to the reader: Huan Mo‰ for the generous donation! RO