Chapter 374: Looking at the Stars Together

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Under the starry sky, Lu Zhiyuan and Gu Ci sat on the rocky hill, gazing at the stars. A shooting star streaked across the night sky, followed by three more, and Gu Ci’s eyes lit up as she couldn’t help but make a wish.

Lu Zhiyuan turned his head to look at the girl bathed in moonlight, and suddenly remembered their first life together. Gu Ci and he had sat on a rooftop, stargazing, and had also witnessed a shooting star. Gu Ci had made a wish that night.

“What did you wish for?” Lu Zhiyuan asked. In the moonlight, the girl’s face was incredibly gentle, just the way he liked it.

Gu Ci smirked playfully. “I’m not telling you!”

“If you were to tell me, perhaps I could fulfill your heart’s desire.”

Gu Ci pondered with her head propped up for a while. The evening breeze rustled her hairband, and Lu Zhiyuan could catch the scent of her evening jasmine perfume. There was a vast garden of evening jasmine in the temple, and it was Gu Ci’s favorite place.

Gu Ci finally spoke, “I hope that Lu Zhiyuan can be free, without constraints.” Perhaps it was from that moment that he fell for the girl. He had been sent to the temple at a young age, spending his days studying rituals, music, and responsibilities. He had transformed from a mischievous and lively child into a reserved and solemn priest.

Every day, he knelt in the temple, listening to the wishes of others and conveying them to the priests.

Some sought love, others wealth, some harmony in their families, and some success in their careers. He had known from a young age that people’s hearts were selfish, and the most selfless wishes he heard were from parents praying for their children.

One day, he heard his own mother’s prayer, and her wish was for him.

His mother prayed for his well-being in the temple, for him to succeed without making any mistakes that would lead to his expulsion. He was overjoyed, knowing that there were people at home who cared for him, and it warmed his heart.

One day, his eldest brother got married, and he requested a favor to return home and visit. The priest smiled and granted his request. Lu Zhiyuan prepared gifts with excitement, eager to see his family. He thought they would welcome him with open arms, share their longing and the pain of separation. However, his parents and siblings rejected him at the door. They misunderstood, thinking he had done something wrong and had been expelled from the temple. They refused to acknowledge him, forcing him to go back and plead for mercy, hoping he would remain in the temple for life.

That year, Lu Zhiyuan was twelve years old.

He was confused, heartbroken, and felt like his heart had turned to ashes. He had clearly heard his mother praying for his health and safety, so why didn’t they want to recognize him? With a cart full of gifts, he was left outside their home.

His mother explained that she had prayed for his health and safety so that he would stay in the temple forever.

Because of Lu Zhiyuan, their family’s fortunes had turned around. They had once been impoverished farmers, but now, everyone flattered them, and the government provided them with privileges. His elder brother had secured a good job, his parents received care, and his younger siblings all had promising futures.

They all had a bright future, but he was trapped in darkness.

In the temple, he lived in solitude year-round, with no one to accompany him. When he fell ill, there was no one to care for him. When he was hungry, there was no one to bring him food. If he had something to say, he could only confide in the flowers and plants, and he had to be emotionless and desireless, like a wooden figure.

That was Lu Zhiyuan’s first time returning home, and it was also his last. From that moment on, he never thought about his family again, nor did he have any delusions.

Even when he heard his mother praying for his safety and success again, he remained indifferent.

Lu Zhiyuan loathed the temple; it was his lifelong demon. He tried every way to escape but was left battered and unsuccessful. He yearned to explore the world beyond the temple’s confines, to escape this confined space.

No one had ever asked for his wishes; his life had been decided for him.

He despised this imprisoned life.

It wasn’t until Gu Ci fell into his garden like a shooting star.

He had heard thousands of wishes, and everyone had their own selfish desires, but for the first time, he heard someone selflessly wishing for his freedom. He had never even told Gu Ci that he loathed this place and yearned for escape.

Yet, Gu Ci understood him.

Lu Zhiyuan recalled the past and smiled softly. The vivid image of the girl from his memories overlapped with the one before him. He asked, “Cici, what did you wish for?”

“I don’t want to tell you!”

“Tell me, and maybe 1 can help you fulfill your wish.”

Gu Ci pondered for a moment and smiled gently, “If your story is true, then I wish… you can gain your freedom.”

Don’t be trapped in the past like I was in my previous life, unable to break free. Only those who have experienced it can truly understand the pain. If his story was true.

Lu Zhiyuan had also been trapped by his past for centuries, unable to break free.

Lu Zhiyuan was taken aback, and the emotions he had suppressed fiercely burned inside him like a volcano, erupting. Even if he had suppressed a glacier, it couldn’t contain this intense heat. He clenched his teeth tightly and suddenly averted his gaze, unable to meet Gu Ci’s passionate eyes.

Centuries had passed, but the stars in the sky remained the same.

And she was still herself!

Gu Ci watched him suppress his emotions and restrain himself, not saying anything more. She just looked up at the starry sky. It was truly pitiful; she had been through so much, but if a shooting star could fulfill only one wish, she had wished for Lu Zhiyuan.

She only wanted to wish for Lu Zhiyuan.

“I think it’s getting late. Let’s go home,” Lu Zhiyuan said in a hoarse voice.

“Okay,” Gu Ci replied, no longer saying anything.

Meanwhile, in another place, Jiang Jia’s master, Jiang Junlin, had just come out of the bathroom and found someone sitting in his bedroom.

Ji Chi had his legs crossed, leaning arrogantly on Jiang Junlin’s bedroom sofa. His coat was casually draped nearby, and he appeared at ease. Jiang Junlin’s room had a cool and minimalist style, with gray and white tones, simple yet not minimalistic. The room was also scented with soothing sandalwood.

Jiang Junlin was momentarily stunned. An hour ago, Zhang Qiang had informed him that Ji Chi was outside. He had known Ji Chi had been waiting for him that night, so he had told Zhang Qiang to leave him alone.

He hadn’t expected Ji Chi to actually climb through the window.

Neither of them spoke. Ji Chi seemed to be waiting for Jiang Junlin to kick him out. This was Jiang Junlin’s home, and his parents, grandparents, and everyone else were downstairs. Any commotion might alert them.

Jiang Junlin also didn’t want to climb through windows. On the night he had returned, Ji Chi had waited outside all night, wanting to see him. Jiang Junlin had known, but he also knew that once they met, they would have to discuss their separation.

He didn’t want to, and he resisted, procrastinating like an ostrich, day after day.

Today was the Lantern Festival, and his eagerness to see Ji Chi finally overwhelmed the pain in his heart. Jiang Junlin had not contacted Ji Chi during this time. Was he preparing to cut ties completely?

Jiang Junlin stared at the familiar yet overly handsome face of Ji Chi, then suddenly approached and leaned down.

Ji Chi’s heart raced, and his body and heart both warmed as Jiang Junlin reached a hand into his thick hair.

They were like two wild beasts, constantly biting and devouring each other, engaged in a fight to the death. They wanted to consume each other’s bones and blood, and the fireworks outside couldn’t drown out the pounding of their hearts in the room..