Hidden in the bustling market of East Gate Shuncheng North Lane, Dongyue Temple guarded a precious patch of coolness in the blazing summer heat.

The gatekeeper, upon seeing Chen Hesheng, quickly stepped down and supported Chen Hesheng’s other arm.

“Master Chen, you scared me to death yesterday. Why aren’t you resting properly in the hospital?”

Chen Hesheng patted his stiff right leg and smiled, “Minor ailment. Can’t lie still in the hospital.”

As he spoke, he tried to step up the stairs, but his right leg had no strength.

He had to turn sideways, step up with his left leg first, then laboriously move his right leg up.

Qin Lie, supporting Chen Hesheng and feeling his struggle, simply squatted down and carried Chen Hesheng on his back.

Chen Hesheng chuckled with emotion, “Youth is wonderful. When I was your age, I’d climb mountain cliffs carrying bedrolls, pots and pans, as nimble as could be.”

Chen Xi followed behind them, saying coolly, “You’re amazing. You could probably walk on walls and roofs, too.”

Chen Hesheng looked back at Chen Xi with a proud expression, “Don’t you disbelieve it. When we were young restoring the Western Thousand Buddha Caves, without some wall-walking skills, you really couldn’t get into those cave chambers on sheer cliffs.”

“We had to carry tools and all our living necessities into the caves, staying for months at a time.”

The gatekeeper clicked his tongue in admiration, escorting Chen Hesheng into the temple.

He looked at Chen Xi and smiled, “Is this your daughter? She has some resemblance to you around the eyes.”

Chen Hesheng nodded, “As soon as she heard something happened to me, she rushed over last night. Such a small matter, hardly worth the trip.”

The gatekeeper: “You’re wrong to say that. The child is filial – you’re blessed.”

He looked toward Qin Lie, “This must be your son-in-law? What a fine-looking young man.”

Chen Hesheng suddenly laughed heartily and patted Qin Lie’s shoulder.

“Young man, could we have such a fate?”

Qin Lie: “…”

He suddenly felt that, compared to Chen Hesheng, Chen Xi could practically be considered part of the graceful school.

He looked at Chen Xi expressionlessly, meeting her indescribable gaze.

Their eyes met briefly before separating. Chen Xi looked up at the main hall standing under the clear sky.

Five large bays surrounded by galleries on all sides.

Under the eaves and bracket sets were vermilion pillars carved with relief sculptures of two dragons playing with a pearl and luxuriant flowers.

She asked, “Dad, which hall are you restoring murals in?”

Chen Hesheng pointed to the main hall in the courtyard, “Right here.”

He waved to the gatekeeper, “I’ll get busy now. We’ll have tea together when there’s time.”

The gatekeeper nodded with a smile, “Take your time.”

Then he slowly strolled back toward the temple entrance.

Qin Lie walked into the main hall and set Chen Hesheng down. Chen Xi followed them in.

The light inside the hall was dim. Outside was blazing sun, but inside it was quite cool.

Qin Lie adjusted to the lighting and gradually made out the murals painted on three walls of the hall.

Very old, very dark colors.

This was his most immediate first impression, and beyond that, he felt nothing else.

But Chen Xi was instantly unsettled. She looked around at the surrounding murals, simply dazzled.

She exclaimed in amazement, “I never imagined Xi’an had such complete murals. Dad, it must take a very long time to restore all of these.”

Chen Hesheng nodded, slowly surveying the ancient, mottled murals on the walls.

His gaze was practically tender and affectionate.

Qin Lie looked at the murals again more seriously, but still felt nothing.

Even the murals in the Mogao Caves hadn’t touched his heart.

In front of the east wall of the hall stood a small lift, with space at the top for two or three people.

On top were a small folding stool, a bunch of bottles and jars, and a work lamp.

Chen Hesheng slowly walked to the base of the lift and smiled at the two young people supporting him on either side, “You two, get me up on that ladder.”

Chen Xi’s brow twitched, about to object, when she met Qin Lie’s gaze.

His face showed no expression, but his eyes held a trace of appreciation.

That bit of brightness in the dimness was like a shining star against the deep night sky.

Chen Xi’s mind suddenly flashed to them riding a motorcycle together on a cold rainy night, racing wildly on the empty national highway, and them racing cars in the middle of the night in the deserted desert, chasing freely.

They did dangerous things together, their blood boiling together.

Chen Xi suddenly realized he understood her madness, and also understood Chen Hesheng’s madness.

His world was vast and boundless, able to accommodate unbridled galloping and wanton passionate obsession.

Chen Xi suddenly couldn’t bring herself to object anymore.

She understood Chen Hesheng’s stubbornness. Otherwise, how could she harbor no resentment about the paternal love and companionship missing from her upbringing?

The two said nothing, yet seemed to have reached an agreement in an instant.

Qin Lie squatted down and carried Chen Hesheng on his back again, gripping the lift’s handrail with one hand and nimbly climbing up.

He carefully turned around and placed Chen Hesheng on the lift platform.

Chen Xi followed up and helped Chen Hesheng sit on the folding stool.

Qin Lie came up last and secured the safety rail.

Chen Hesheng rubbed his right leg and smiled, “Let’s begin.”

He picked up an extremely fine knife from the toolbox, leaned close to the bulging wall surface, and began carefully clearing out the moldy material bit by bit.

Chen Xi crouched beside Chen Hesheng while Qin Lie stood behind them.

Both silently watched Chen Hesheng carefully treat the bulging wall surface.

Half an hour passed without notice, and only a tiny amount had been cleared.

Chen Xi: “Take a break.”

Chen Hesheng was concentrating intently on the wall surface, his movements careful and precise. He gave a faint “mm” but didn’t stop his work.

Chen Xi waited a while, then couldn’t help saying, “Dad, after all these years, why haven’t you taken on another apprentice?”

Chen Hesheng continued working silently. After a long while, he carefully lifted the small blade.

He examined the mural carefully to ensure it was secure before speaking.

“It’s too difficult. Few young people are willing to do this work now. Even your Uncle Ma, such a steady person, couldn’t persist.”

Chen Xi sighed softly, thinking of Ma Kechang’s breakdown at Teacher Wang’s hospital room door, unable to feel any blame toward him.

Chen Hesheng fell silent, looking at the flowing mountains, rocks, and trees in the mural.

Every stroke and line, every grass and tree that captivated his heart.

After a moment, he sighed regretfully, “These traces of history will disappear someday.”

Chen Xi knew Chen Hesheng’s longtime concern and comforted him, “Not necessarily.”

Chen Hesheng asked with interest, “How not necessarily?”

Chen Xi suddenly thought of Qin Lie’s VR gallery and blurted out:

“Aren’t there digital technologies now? Mogao Caves has a digital exhibition hall too.”

“Maybe someday these murals can be preserved in another way, and never fade.”

Chen Hesheng looked forward to this prospect and nodded excitedly.

“Good, good. Then I’ll help these murals wait for that day.”

Listening to the father and daughter’s conversation, Qin Lie felt as if a ray of sunlight had shone into some corner of his heart, ice and snow quietly melting, flowing into a thin, warm stream.

Chen Hesheng suddenly looked toward Qin Lie and beckoned him with a smile.

“You young people aren’t interested in these old, worn things. Come, let me tell you about the mysteries here.”

Qin Lie crouched down and listened quietly.

Chen Hesheng pointed to the mural on the wall, “Look at this one. Through this round window, you can see a man sleeping, a woman sitting by the bed, and someone riding clouds in mid-air.”

“This is a little story. Young people today love reading fantasy novels – ancient people had fantasy stories too.”

He spoke happily, the joy almost overflowing from his eyes.

“Look at this courtyard, this house. Through the window, you can see the furnishings inside, the furniture, and people’s clothing and appearance – it’s all about ancient people’s lives.”

He looked at Qin Lie, his gaze having a clarity and brightness rare for someone his age.

“Isn’t it very interesting?”

Qin Lie smiled and gave a gentle “mm.”

Looking at the paintings on the wall, he suddenly felt they were quite interesting indeed.

In the afternoon, Chen Hesheng returned to the ward to rest, with Chen Mei watching over him.

Chen Xi had nothing to do and accompanied Qin Lie out.

The two silently took the elevator to the first floor of the inpatient building. Chen Xi stood in the bustling lobby and smiled at Qin Lie.

“Thank you for today.”

Qin Lie nodded and looked toward the blazing sunlight at the lobby entrance.

“I’m leaving.”

He said flatly.

Chen Xi made an “mm” sound.

Qin Lie turned and walked a few steps toward the entrance, then suddenly stopped and looked back to see Chen Xi still standing in the same spot.

He was silent for a moment, then asked Chen Xi, “Want to go to the gaming expo?”

At the exhibition center, at Dawn’s booth, Wang Danyang was sitting at the computer studying the preview video Qin Lie had brought yesterday.

Zhou Ning, beside him, suddenly shook his arm vigorously.

Wang Danyang looked at Zhou Ning, “What’s wrong?”

Zhou Ning stared wide-eyed, pointing toward the exhibition hall entrance in amazement.

Her eyes were already large, and staring like this created an almost alarming effect.

Wang Danyang quickly looked in the direction she was pointing and was instantly stunned.

He saw Qin Lie walking into the exhibition hall with a tall, slender girl beside him.

When the two approached, Wang Danyang suddenly recognized the girl next to Qin Lie.

He jumped up, so surprised his eyes nearly popped out.

He pointed at Chen Xi and stammered, “It’s you! The bag snatcher, that… the designer Old Qin hired?”

Chen Xi smiled at Wang Danyang, “Yes, the bag snatcher.”

Zhou Ning tilted her head to study the two and asked with an ambiguous smile, “How did you two end up together?”

Chen Xi: “I happened to be in Xi’an, so I came to take a look.”

Wang Danyang immediately said enthusiastically, “Let Old Qin show you around. This exhibition is quite interesting.”

He winked ambiguously at Qin Lie, and Zhou Ning also wore a gossipy expression.

Qin Lie ignored their eye-rolling and said flatly to Chen Xi, “Let’s go look around.”

Chen Xi nodded and waved at Wang Danyang and Zhou Ning with a smile.

After the two left, the Dawn employees who had been silently eating popcorn exploded into discussion.

Chen Xi and Qin Lie were completely oblivious, gradually walking away under the gaze of the crowd of onlookers.

This was Chen Xi’s first time at a gaming and animation expo, and everything seemed wonderfully fresh to her.

Cosers in various costumes were everywhere, along with all kinds of gaming merchandise. Chen Xi could only recognize a few.

Two cosers walked toward them. Chen Xi stared for a while, then excitedly said to Qin Lie, “Those are Tunnel characters, right?”

Qin Lie nodded, “Next year, when you come to the gaming expo, you’ll see characters you designed.”

Chen Xi suddenly felt a bit excited about that prospect.

The two walked and looked around, reaching the second hall.

From far away, they could see a booth surrounded by crowds, attracting almost all the attention in that exhibition hall.

Chen Xi looked up at the logo on the booth – two prominent capital English letters: “FW.”

Chen Xi suddenly glanced at Qin Lie and saw that his expression was normal, with no reaction.

Chen Xi remembered accidentally overhearing Qin Lie’s conversation with that tourist that day.

Her curiosity was piqued, and she followed the crowded masses toward FW’s booth.

The two reached the outer edge of the crowd and saw that FW’s booth was a small stage.

Though small, the lighting effects were very cool.

On stage was a broad-shouldered, long-legged handsome guy with highlighted hair casually tied back, wearing a light coffee-colored shirt and form-fitting jeans wrapping his long legs.

He held a glittering electric bass, and as soon as he opened his mouth, his soaring voice instantly ignited the watching crowd.

Carefree and unrestrained, so handsome it made breathing difficult.

Chen Xi couldn’t help exclaiming, “So handsome.”

Qin Lie smiled lightly and said nothing.

The singer on stage was radiant, and almost no one noticed a distinguished young man standing in the corner of the stage with a confident smile, operating equipment.

The young man occasionally looked up at the watching crowd. Suddenly, his gaze met Qin Lie’s in the audience.

Chen Xi was like a starstruck fan. In the singer’s magnetic voice, she found the handsome guy on stage increasingly luminous, with dazzling light.

Gradually, her eyes grew wider and her expression more astonished.

She suddenly looked at Qin Lie incredulously, “He’s not real?”

Qin Lie nodded, “This is a virtual idol.”

Chen Xi marveled, “It’s too realistic.”

When the song ended, the handsome guy on stage realistically braced his knees and panted a few times, then straightened up and made a stylish bow to the audience below.

Even knowing it was fake, a group of girls still screamed excitedly.

The handsome guy panted into the microphone, “What do you want to hear next?”

The watching crowd called out songs they wanted to hear – all kinds of requests.

Chen Xi watched the excited audience around her with interest, getting excited herself.

Soon, music started on stage, and the deceptively real singer began singing into the microphone.

The music was fiery, the singer’s voice passionate and bold.

“Thousand-degree temperature waves surge from you.”

“Everyone says I’m too wild, laughs at my unruliness.”

“Daring to give true feelings – how is that contemptible?”

“Wild embrace.”

“Kisses that need no rest…”

Chen Xi found the song very energizing. She turned her head and saw that he seemed to be humming along quietly with the rhythm.

She asked Qin Lie, “What’s this song called?”

Qin Lie glanced at her, lowered his eyelids slightly, and a trace of an ambiguous smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

“Dare. To. Do. Dare. To. Love.”

Chen Xi was stunned and suddenly looked away, her ears inexplicably warming up.

Both their thoughts were pulled toward that sweltering night at the desert music festival.

Hormones surged in the air as they abandoned all restraint and went wild for a night.

Zhou Ning suddenly dragged Wang Danyang over and said loudly, “Qin Lie, that’s not right! You’ve always known this song is mine and Danyang’s love song.”

Zhou Ning stood beside Chen Xi, looked toward the stage, seemed to think of something, and wore a meaningful smile.

“This song is called Dare Love Dare Do, sung by George Lam.”

Chen Xi sensed the subtle implication in Zhou Ning’s voice, and her face suddenly burned.

She glanced casually at Qin Lie and saw him looking meaningfully at her with eyes that seemed to smile but didn’t quite smile.

So was he hinting that he dared to do and also dared to love?