Chapter 26
Those words filled my heart with a surge of bitterness.
After a long pause, I said, “Benjamin, you won’t die.”
“If you don’t die, I’ll stay with you forever, okay?”
That night, I drove Benjamin through the campus paths we used to walk together.
We also went to the restaurant we often visited.
The owner of the noodle shop and his assistant have liked each other for years, but neither ever gives an inch in their banter.
That’s why they still haven’t gotten together all this time.
Benjamin and I once made a bet―he swore they’d never make it.
Yet now, a bright red notice announcing their wedding hangs on the shop door.
Students have scribbled heartfelt blessings across the announcement.
I think what makes this world warm
are these unexpected moments that catch us off guard.
The next day, Benjamin finally took his medicine, and his health showed slight improvement.
So I visited the cathedral.
0.00%
27
27
%
109
M
01.48
Chapter 26
288 Vouchers
I wanted to convince him to have the surgery, and to get him a protective amulet.
Standing before the statue with incense curling through the air, I bowed with hands pressed together in prayer.
Arriving at the wishing tree, I discovered its branches draped entirely with wishes dedicated to me-
[“May Elizabeth enjoy health and peace.“]
[“May Elizabeth live free from illness and misfortune, blessed with lifelong happiness.“]
[“May Elizabeth find success in all endeavors…“]
THE
These bore Benjamin‘ handwriting.
Had he come here before?
W NW X Y Z
Just as I stood stunned, a monk carrying a broom passed by.
Noticing my confusion, he paused to explain: “This wishing tree was personally planted by a believer. Every wish hanging here was
handwritten by him.”
“This humble monk can see that Miss Elizabeth held extraordinary significance to that gentleman.”
My eyes welled up instantly.
Could it be that my bone cancer remains dormant precisely because his sincere devotion moved the heavens?
26.16%
O
227
#bib
01.48
@
N
109
I touched the yellowed prayer slips and bowed slightly to the young monk.
“Young master, there’s a puzzle in my heart.”
“Why would something irreversible be reversed?”
Just then, a monk in red and yellow robes passed by, and the young monk saluted: “Master Adrian Smith.”
Adrian smiled slightly with knowing eyes.
“Elizabeth, the cycle of cause and effect follows its own destiny.”
“If the irreversible gets reversed, either the cause changed, or someone bore your consequences.”
This struck me like lightning.
My bone cancer came from my father’s genes, yet he died from it too- proof my genes hadn’t changed.
But Benjamin’s dilated cardiomyopathy progressed rapidly. Even after hospital evaluations and consultations with top national experts, no effective treatment could be found.”
It could only be because he bore my consequences.
Right now, my heart felt like a thousand worms were gnawing at it.
The old man looked up at the sky, now overcast and sunless, reminding me: “Rain approaches, believer. Best you head back.”
My heartache was unbearable.
5435%
27
22
2
109/LI
01 48
Chapter 26
288 Vouchers
Yet as the old man’s figure began fading away, I rushed forward to stop him.
“Adrian, if this is my destined end, then I alone should face it. Being granted a second chance at life is blessing enough.”
“I shouldn’t let others bear my consequences.”
If my survival meant someone else dying for me, I’d rather refuse such an existence.
I refuse to live forever shackled by guilt.
But the elder merely responded placidly: “This old man understandeth not what thou speakest.”
“If destiny is altered, believer, there is no longer reversible.”
84.57%
