CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: IF THERE IS ANYTHING ETERNAL

Saturday.

Blue skies and white clouds, a clear expanse as far as the eye could see.

Qin Guanglin, with a backpack neither too big nor too small, cheerfully arrived at Luo City University’s entrance to wait for someone.

He had initially wanted to take his drawing board along and maybe sketch a few pictures, but while leaving, he reconsidered, removed it from the bag, and placed it back. This trip was for fun, and they should indulge fully—drawing could wait, there was no rush.

The most important thing was for the two of them to enjoy a few days of happiness together.

In the blink of an eye, He Fang was already behind him, dressed in a white tracksuit, her ponytail swishing with vitality, tugging a small suitcase and hopping toward him, she grabbed his hand.

"Let’s go."

"I’ll carry it for you," Qin Guanglin said as he took the small suitcase from her hand.

The suitcase looked small and felt light, probably just containing a few changes of clothes.

He Fang pecked him on the cheek, "Boyfriend power max, reward!"

"Rewards come this easy?" Qin Guanglin was surprised. "What else? Bring them all out for me to carry."

"No more."

He Fang, brimming with energy, skipped ahead, her ponytail bouncing along, "When I’m in a good mood, you get rewards. I’m good to you, right?"

"Wait a second, it feels like we’re forgetting something?" Qin Guanglin pulled her back.

He Fang pondered for a moment and then leaned her face closer, "Here."

She had become more proactive now, a testament to her careful guidance over the days.

With a peck on her collagen-filled cheeks, Qin Guanglin then shook her hand contentedly, "All right, let’s go."

How could you argue with such a cute girlfriend? He realized he had been overthinking that day. Even if there was a real conflict, he would have to pamper and spoil her, as he couldn’t bear to quarrel with her.

After a half-hour bus ride to the bus station, they had to switch to a long-haul bus for another four hours to reach the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. The distance wasn’t too near but wasn’t too far either; anyway, it was impossible to climb the mountain the same day. A round trip would waste two days just traveling.

"We bring immortals to Zhongnan Mountain with our visit," Qin Guanglin remarked from the back row of the long-distance bus.

"Sweet talker, but no reward for that. Here, take this."

He Fang fumbled in her small bag, pulled out earphones, plugged them into her phone, and handed one end to Qin Guanglin while she put in the other.

"Let’s consider this a reward." Qin Guanglin, delighted, stuffed the earphones into his ears.

Sharing a song like this made him feel blissful; it was the joy of sharing, the happiness of being able to do anything and experience everything together.

This, he guessed, was what love felt like—sweet, where doing just about anything could bring joy.

"Do you know why they say ’seeking immortals in Zhongnan’?" He Fang suddenly asked.

Qin Guanglin pondered for a moment, hesitatingly said, "Maybe... there are immortals on the mountain?"

"Yes, there are immortals," He Fang nodded affirmatively, "but not the immortals you are thinking of."

"What kind of immortals?" Qin Guanglin asked.

He was not a believer in gods or spirits, which didn’t mean he denied their existence; rather, whether it was Buddha, immortals, or ghosts, their existence seemed irrelevant. Gods don’t save people, ghosts don’t harm them, bowing your head in prayer doesn’t guarantee divine protection, and they don’t haunt you without reason.

Only people themselves can save them, and only people themselves can harm them.

He Fang rested her head on his shoulder and said leisurely, "There are many hermits on Zhongnan Mountain. They live far from the urban bustle, neighbors with the fresh breezes and mountain ranges, indifferent to the clamor of the mortal world, leading secluded lives in the mountains... By the way, have you read ’Konggu Youlan’?"

"I’ve heard of it, but never read it," Guanglin understood a bit. Was ’immortal’ referring to these people?

She laughed lightly, "That book could be called ’Seeking Immortal Record.’ It’s about the process of finding these recluses. Among these hermits, there are monks and Taoists, as well as ordinary people pursuing tranquility. There are many elderly, but also young people. Isn’t living with the mountains what being an immortal is all about?"

After thinking carefully, Guanglin had to admit she made sense and nodded, "From a certain perspective, they indeed have become immortals."

The ancients always said that having no desires made them resilient, not competing meant winning. By letting go of everything, they had everything—since they desired little, they were easily satisfied. Living the life they wanted, with no further pursuits, wasn’t that perfection?

In He Fang’s voice, there was a hint of longing, "Picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountain, how do you find that life?"

"Do you like rural life?" Guanglin felt good about her description, "We can try it out and see if it’s really that good."

"I like the idea, but let’s not try it," He Fang shook her head. "It sounds good, but living it would be too hard—having to farm and chop wood, carry water."

She knew the difference between idealism and reality, understood what she wanted. Some things were fine to contemplate leisurely, but actual engagement might shatter the beautiful illusion.

"No need, you just practice your cultivation daily," Guanglin stroked her hand and smiled. "I’ll handle the water and wood, fetch dew for you to drink, and when you become immortal, take me along for the flight."

"Do I even need to cultivate when I’m already an immortal?"

"Hehe, yes, you’re truly an immortal," Guanglin couldn’t help but kiss her cheek. "You know so much; I wouldn’t have known any of this without you."

He too had visited Zhongnan Mountain as a kid, just following his family to look around without ever understanding these things or knowing about such people.

"Teacher He naturally knows a lot," He Fang responded as if it were obvious. Whenever Guanglin complimented her, she would proudly tilt her head up and strike that Teacher He pose.

"Are you here to find them this time?"

"Just strolling around. It’d be great to meet them, but it’s also fine if we don’t. Mainly, I just wanted to go out and have fun with you."

"Then let’s spend a few more days playing, see if we can meet one or two hermits," Guanglin felt sweet inside from her words.

He Fang pursed her lips in a smile, silent, pulling his big hand to rest on her thigh, tracing circles in his palm.

Feeling the tickle in his palm, Guanglin looked down at her, feeling increasingly fascinated by how wonderful being together was.

Joy, satisfaction, pleasure... all positive emotions mixed together, echoing wave after wave in his heart. Everything else became unimportant, focused only on savoring the beauty of the moment, a feeling that was addicting.

"What song is this?" Guanglin suddenly asked.

He Fang listened carefully for a moment before replying, "Chantelle Duncan - Forever."

"It’s quite pleasant to listen to," he commented, the fresh melodious tune easily relaxing.

"It’s a theme song from a movie," He Fang explained briefly and then hummed along softly with the music.

"Nothing lasts forever But maybe some things do Forever is the way I feel for you... Do you understand what it means?"

After pondering it in his heart a few times, Guanglin tried to translate, "There’s no forever, but maybe there’s always, forever is a feeling?"

"Close enough, but more accurately it should be..."

"Hold on," Guanglin interrupted her, pondering again.

"Nothing is eternal, but maybe there are exceptions, and that would be my love for you."

"Spot on, you deserve a reward!"