Volume One: The Scroll of Fresh Rain Chapter Thirty: Indulgence in Pleasure

The temple was silent, yet Jojo, gazing up at the statue of the deity, suddenly seemed to hear something. A glimmer of excitement and joy flashed in her eyes, and she unconsciously stepped forward. But after a while, the light in her eyes began to fade, little by little, until it was wholly extinguished. In the end, it became a darkness of sorrow that seemed to engulf her, leaving her unable to breathe. Jojo slowly closed her eyes.

"Brother God, if possible, Jojo wishes for one last answer..."

...

"Jojo, where are you?"

Ye Mingke searched frantically, sweeping through forests and hills, one after another. Night had fallen, and the townsfolk who had come out to help had gradually returned home. Only Tao Yao, Aunt Long, Jojo's uncle and aunt remained, continuing their search through the woods—but still, there was nothing. She could not be found.

Bracing himself against a tree in the woods to catch his breath, Ye Mingke, agitated, fearful, and furious, punched the tree with such force that it toppled. Ignoring the blood streaming from his hand, he leapt onto another tree, searching at breakneck speed.

"Jojo. Jojo."

He called out again and again in the darkness of the deep forest, his voice tinged with a choking emotion he didn't even realize.

What had he been doing all this time? Training—training. Because of training, he had neglected so much. If he had gone to look for her the moment he realized she wasn't at the academy? If he hadn't waited till late afternoon after training to notice her disappearance? If he had spent more time with her, understood her better?

Would she not have gone missing? Would he know where she was? Would he have found her already?

Or... would he never find her again?

How much time had he truly spent with her over the years?

Ever since he had declined her invitations a few times due to lack of time, she had considerately stopped bothering him. Yet every time he sought her out, she was always there, always had time for him.

She never ate lunch at the academy, always running back to town just to chat with him while he ate. Her grades in natural studies were always the best, because she knew he wanted to learn about nature.

She had done so much for him—but what had he done for her?

Was there still time for him to do anything for her?

She was such a gentle and timid girl, surely she was terrified, alone in the forest at night. But why—why was he still unable to find her?

Dawn was breaking, the sky tinged with pale light, yet Mingke, who had spent a sleepless night searching through the woods, still could not find her.

"Jojo. Jojo."

Ye Mingke's voice was hoarse and nearly gone. He watched the sun rise above the horizon, yet his world felt darker than ever.

Just as despair crept into his heart, Tao Yao's voice called his name from nearby.

Ye Mingke's spirit stirred; he called out in response and hurried over, soon spotting Tao Yao, whose face was equally weary.

"Did you find Jojo?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes. Her uncle found her. They're on their way home now."

"That's good, that's good."

Hearing Jojo had been found, Ye Mingke, exhausted after a sleepless night, collapsed on the ground in relief.

...

"Are you alright, Mingke?" Tao Yao asked urgently.

"I'm fine—just tired."

Ye Mingke lay on the ground, utterly spent, his nerves still tense, thoughts swirling with lingering fear, sudden relief, and persistent guilt.

He realized he couldn't always find her. If no one else had found her this time, what would he have done?

...

After a brief rest to catch his breath, Ye Mingke quickly returned to the town, knocking on the door of the dyehouse.

Jojo's aunt opened the door, her eyes red-rimmed, and let them inside.

Jojo had just finished washing and changing, sitting on her bed with her long wet hair draped over her shoulders, her face pale. She smiled at Mingke and Tao Yao as they entered.

At the sight of Jojo, Ye Mingke's heart finally settled. Staring at her beautiful, smiling face, he thought it was the loveliest smile he had ever seen.

He walked to her bedside, wanting to take her hand, but saw the fine scars on her fingers.

"It must hurt," he said softly.

"Not really. Most are just scratches from the grass while finding my way," Jojo shook her head, still smiling at him.

"Where did you go?" he asked, gazing into her hazy, beautiful eyes.

"I..." Jojo lowered her head and spoke softly, "I'm sorry. I left early, just wanted to take a walk in the hills, but I got lost."

She raised her head, smiling apologetically. "You know, I'm not familiar with the paths in the woods."

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry." She tilted her head slightly, smiling peacefully at him.

She kept smiling, her smile gentle and beautiful. She wanted everyone who loved her to know she was alright.

"In the future, wherever you want to go, make sure to take me with you. I'll always be by your side," Ye Mingke looked earnestly into her eyes.

"Then... if one day Jojo disappears, or becomes someone else, will you come looking for me, Mingke? Will you be able to find me?"

"Don't be afraid, Jojo. No matter where you are, or what you become, I'll find you," Ye Mingke promised, smiling with conviction.

"Alright."

Jojo lowered her gaze, her smile blooming like a lotus in clear water. She seemed to truly believe every word the boy said, every promise he made.

"Then, Mingke..." Jojo suddenly raised her face, wanting to say something, but hesitated, biting her lip. "Will you walk with me through the town again? Just like... the first time we sneaked out together."

She recalled the scene from five years ago, when the boy carried her over the wall, a gentle smile at the corner of her eyes and brows.

"Of course," Ye Mingke replied without hesitation. It was the first thing she had asked of him in years, and he would never refuse her again.

"But... you need to recover first, then we can go," he said, worried as he looked at her pale face.

"I'm fine, let's go tomorrow," Jojo replied cheerfully.

But though she said she was fine, that afternoon she developed a fever that lasted several days. The journey had left her mind and body burdened too heavily.

Ye Mingke shortened his training and moved some sessions to late at night, freeing up time to stay with her.

Jojo obediently drank her medicine and rested, but whenever he was around, she refused to sleep. Even if they weren't talking, she watched him silently with a smile.

...

A few days later, Jojo's fever temporarily subsided and her spirits improved. She began pestering Mingke to take her out for another walk around the town.

Ye Mingke didn't want to disappoint her, but he was still worried about her health, torn between concern and her wishes.

"Take the girl out for a walk, let her clear her mind," her uncle said quietly from the doorway, taking a deep drag from his pipe before tapping it on the ground and leaving.

Jojo's uncle and aunt had watched Mingke's arrival these past days, neither refusing nor interfering.

"Let's go out. But you need to dress warmly, best wrap yourself up like a dumpling!" Ye Mingke teased, grinning.

"I won't!" Jojo shook her head like a rattle in protest.

She looked at the new shoots on the ivy outside the window and spoke softly, "It's spring now, isn't it?"

"I want to dress beautifully."

She turned back to Mingke, her smile bright and radiant, so much so that Mingke suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

At fifteen, Jojo was the most beautiful girl in the world.

Years later, Mingke would recall again and again the moment Jojo pushed open the door to step outside.

The daylight fell like water upon her face—pale, yet delicate and lovely. Her hazy, beautiful eyes held the most dazzling light.

She ran toward him from the other side of the door, her white dress fluttering in the wind like a lotus, just as she had leapt onto his back without hesitation that day as a little girl.

But Jojo was no longer a little girl. She ran up to him, stopped, smiled, and gracefully reached out her hand.

He took her slender hand.

Looking back, Mingke always regretted his own dullness. All the signs had been clear that day.

Jojo was unusually lively, pulling him everywhere in the town, her eyes filled with longing and passion as she greedily took in every sight.

The town's tower, its ancient well, its ruined temple, its hills, its great banyan tree.

She smiled, grasped his hand, and hurried along, as though chasing after something.

Yet he only worried about her health, always lagging behind, urging her to slow down. He never realized she was not only chasing something, but also being chased; she dared not slow her steps.

This spring came earlier than in previous years. The cold, dry winter wind was gone, replaced by the warm, moist breeze of spring.

The once silent, desolate town was awakened by the spring wind, green shoots appearing everywhere.

Ivy sprouted new leaves on old walls, willows sent forth tender buds by the roadside, the earth was green again.

Running madly with Jojo, Mingke saw no signs her body was failing, and gradually he relaxed, joining her in the wild dash, intoxicated by the town's early spring breeze.

After all, this spring was so beautiful.

After all, the person beside him was so beautiful.

But Jojo's wild running slowed as they neared the Blue Creek. She pulled Mingke along, step by step, to the creek's bank, climbing with him onto the familiar great stone.

Jojo suddenly quieted, gazing silently at the flowing waters, softly speaking to Mingke,

"Mingke, remember the Blue Creek."