Visa On Arrival Chapter 7

Brocken Phenomenon

The aroma of food wafted toward her, the dining table packed to the brim.

The steamed tilapia was topped with shredded green onions and ginger, drizzled with peanut oil and soy sauce that released a fragrance sharp enough to pierce the senses.

The sauce on the sweet and sour ribs was thick enough to pull into threads.

The cola chicken wings were reduced perfectly, the glaze thick and glistening.

The garlic sautéed bok choy carried a pungent, appetizing aroma.

Poached shrimp were arranged in a bright red circle, with a small dish of chili soy sauce placed in the center.

Try this shrimp. Chen Rong placed a shrimp into Qi Ranyue’s bowl.

This is too delicious… Your cooking is amazing! Qi Ranyue said indistinctly, her cheeks bulging.

Qi Ranyue picked up a piece of fish and sighed sincerely again. Seriously, I’m telling you, whoever marries you will be so lucky. Just thinking about it makes me a little jealous of him.

After speaking, she gave her a playful wink.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, Qi Ranyue teased her with a hint of mischief in her voice. Unfortunately, I’m not a man. If I were, I’d drop to one knee immediately and beg you to marry me and be my wife. Oh man, just thinking about it makes life seem perfect. It would be such a treat.

Well, maybe in the next life. Tsk, there’s no way in this life. In the next life, I’ll definitely reincarnate properly and be a man. After she finished, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Chen Rong was also amused but didn’t respond. She lowered her head and gently moved the shrimp in her bowl with her chopsticks.

That imperceptible bitterness was hidden behind her lowered eyelids, tucked away in a silent sigh, and buried in a corner where Qi Ranyue couldn’t see.

Yue, about that…

I want to discuss something with you.

The two spoke at the same time.

Chen Rong paused for a moment. You go first.

Alright, Qi Ranyue continued. I want to go to a temple for Zen meditation to get rid of some bad luck and find some peace of mind.

Lately, she had been particularly unlucky. Getting trapped in the amusement park, falling ill with a fever, multiple instances of public embarrassment, and arguments with her family…

Actually, what bothered her even more were the things in her heart that she couldn’t and shouldn’t say. Her chest felt stuffy and heavy, weighing her down until she could hardly breathe.

Uh… and to adjust my state of mind. I haven’t been sleeping well these past few days, it’s so annoying. Qi Ranyue leaned her face close to her, pointed at her dark circles, and said in a pitiful tone, Look!

Qi Ranyue’s face was less than a palm’s width away, so close that Chen Rong could smell the faint scent of laundry detergent on her. She gripped her chopsticks tightly and held her breath. A blush crept up her cheeks, the tips of her ears felt hot, and her heart beat a little faster and heavier than usual.

Uh… it… it is a bit. She turned her face away, suddenly stuttering. Then… then just go.

But, I, want, to, go, with, you. Qi Ranyue said each word slowly, her tone clearly carrying a hint of acting spoiled.

Chen Rong didn’t reply immediately. The tip of her chopsticks tapped the food in her bowl as if she were thinking. After a while, she slowly raised her head and looked at her. For how many days? Where is the location? I need to make arrangements.

The smile on Qi Ranyue’s face couldn’t be hidden. She looked at her triumphantly; if she had a tail, it would probably be wagging by now.

Chen Rong realized that Qi Ranyue had known from the start she would agree, certain that she wouldn’t refuse.

We leave tomorrow. Four days and three nights. It’s in the neighboring province, just a short flight away.

… Chen Rong opened her mouth but said nothing more.

Chen Rong dragged her suitcase downstairs, where Qi Ranyue had parked the car early to wait for her.

Why are you here so early? Chen Rong opened the passenger door, and a rush of cool morning air followed her inside.

You haven’t had breakfast yet, right? Chen Rong handed a paper bag to her.

Wow, my darling Rongrong, why are you so good to me! Not only did you agree to come with me, but you even prepared breakfast.

Eat first, it’ll get cold soon.

Mhm, Qi Ranyue hummed in response.

After checking their luggage and boarding the plane, Qi Ranyue found her window seat and sat down.

Because she had woken up so early, Qi Ranyue was already starting to feel drowsy.

The clouds outside were very white and the sky was very blue. The plane flew above the cloud layer, as steady as if it were standing still.

The sunlight from the window shone in, hitting her long, thick eyelashes and casting a small shadow.

Her head rested gently on Chen Rong’s shoulder.

Chen Rong felt Qi Ranyue’s breath right by her ear, light and steady. She suddenly felt that this flight could last a lot longer.

After an unknown amount of time, the weight on her shoulder suddenly lightened.

Are we almost there? She looked out the window, mumbling with her eyes half-open.

Rongrong, look over there! Qi Ranyue pointed out the window excitedly.

Following her direction, Chen Rong saw a rainbow halo floating in the sea of clouds ten thousand meters in the air. The shadow of the plane was embedded right in the center, moving with the aircraft while the halo remained.

When sunlight shines from a low angle behind and passes through countless uniform small water droplets in the clouds, diffraction and scattering occur. Combined with the plane being at the right height above the clouds, the plane’s shadow is projected onto the cloud screen, perfectly overlapping with the refracted colored halo.

This phenomenon is called the Brocken phenomenon, also known as the Aerial Buddha’s Light. It isn’t a metaphysical miracle but a solid optical phenomenon.

Do you know what this is? Qi Ranyue looked out the window and shared her knowledge. This is the Brocken phenomenon. I read about it in a book once. It requires the perfect alignment of time and place to see. We are truly so lucky.

Baby! How are there so many surprises when I’m with you? You’re simply my lucky star. Qi Ranyue turned her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her, pinching her thumb and index finger together to blow her a little kiss.

The plane passed through an air current and bumped slightly.

Chen Rong’s heart bumped along with it.

Chen Rong looked at her and said nothing, but the corners of her mouth slowly curved upward as she turned her gaze back to the window.

The temple was situated on a mountain.

Entering the temple and passing through the stone archway inscribed with the temple’s name, the path beneath their feet was paved with bluestone slabs.

Rounding the corridor, they reached the courtyard in front of the meditation hall. The bamboo in the corners was a vibrant emerald green, and an old pine tree with gnarled branches spread out a thick canopy of green shade. As the sunlight filtered down, the blue bricks on the ground were dappled with shifting spots of gold.

According to the temple rules, on the first day of arrival, one must offer the first incense, also known as burning the first incense.

Passing through a narrow alley, they arrived at Huizhao Court, where the meditation guests stayed. It was a very simple and ancient building.

A large yellow dog wagged its tail at them. They heard it was raised by the temple and was particularly friendly and enthusiastic.

Their room was at the end of the corridor. It was a large tatami room, clean and tidy, with the most pleasant surprise being a small private courtyard.

After putting away their luggage, they went to the main hall. The light inside was dim and the atmosphere was silent, making it the perfect time to light incense.

Holding the incense with both hands and raising it to their brows, each silently made a wish in their heart. They inserted the incense into the burner and performed three prostrations on the kneeling mats.

After offering the incense, they walked slowly around the temple grounds.

Next was the incense ceremony class, but since there was still some time before it started, they sat side by side outside the room listening to the cicadas.

The incense ceremony was actually incense sealing—pressing incense powder into a specific shape before lighting it. The master demonstrated it once and then let them try it themselves.

When watching the master do it, it seemed very simple.

But when they tried it themselves, it required immense patience. Qi Ranyue spent nearly an hour on just one step.

Chen Rong raised her hand to press her aching neck and shoulders, slowly tilting her chin toward each shoulder to stretch her tight muscles.

One had to use a tool to press the incense ash until it was perfectly flat without a single scratch. Sitting there, one had to be focused, and the body could not wobble.

After half an hour, both of their legs were numb, and their eyes were sore and dry.

But as time passed, Chen Rong’s body adjusted. The messy thoughts in her mind slowly vanished as she focused entirely on the movements of her hands. The incense ash became smoother and smoother without her realizing it, eventually earning the master’s approval.

The final step was pouring the incense powder into the seal mold, carefully filling every gap.

Once it was finished, Qi Ranyue quickly took out her phone and snapped a photo, her face full of the joy of success.

Chen Rong carefully lifted the mold, revealing a perfect auspicious cloud pattern.

Qi Ranyue took a photo of her as well. I’ll send it to you later!

Satisfied, the two went to have dinner.

The dining area was behind the courtyard where they stayed.

They still used old-fashioned stoves fueled by firewood for cooking. Dinner consisted of vegetarian noodles with entirely vegetarian toppings.

Whether it was because they were hungry from the incense sealing or exhausted from the journey, they ate the bowl of noodles with great relish.

Since the temple did not allow leftovers, Chen Rong finished all the noodles Qi Ranyue couldn’t finish.

They finished dinner early at 5:30 PM. On the way back to their room, the sky was still in its twilight hour. As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened, but the mountain air grew cooler and more refreshing.

Chen Rong sat in the courtyard, quietly watching Qi Ranyue play with a cat. Her heart felt a peace she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

At 7:30 PM sharp, they went to the meditation room for sutra copying. Before starting, a young monk led them in a chant.

During the entire process of sutra copying, no one spoke. It was pin-drop silent, even quieter than a university library study room.

Between the incense sealing and the sutra copying, Qi Ranyue’s hands were tired and numb. Chen Rong sat quietly in front of her, gently rubbing her palms.

By the time they returned to their room, the sky was completely dark, with only a few lanterns lighting the courtyard.

It was only 8:30 PM; they never went to bed this early back at school.

They hadn’t brought much for this trip—just some changes of clothes, pajamas, and skincare products.

There was no air conditioning in the room, only a fan. The morning temperature would be about eight degrees lower than it was now. The two chatted in the room for a while, but as it grew colder, Qi Ranyue put on a jacket.

Lying on the tatami, the faint sandalwood scent of the body wash lingered on them, as if they were instantly transported back to the meditation room from the afternoon.

Insects still chirped outside the window, but their hearts were clear and quiet.

The warm yellow lamp by the bed remained lit.

Qi Ranyue was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, and she pulled Chen Rong down to sleep early.