After trekking over five kilometers, without rest Lin Yu glanced at his watch. Past noon. At this pace, Dinghui Temple still lay three to four hours ahead.
His stomach rumbled. Sighing, he settled by the roadside, slipped off his shoes, and tilted them to dislodge two grains of sand before putting them back on. He pulled out a plain steamed bun, took a bite, stretched his neck, and swallowed.
Damn it. He'd forgotten water.
With no choice but to endure his thirst, he pressed on.
A few minutes later, he hitched a ride on a farm vehicle, which carried him about fifteen to twenty kilometers, before their paths diverged. Dropped off, he resumed his journey on foot.
By the time Lin Yu reached the weathered gates of Dinghui Temple, where he'd grown up, the sun hung low, nearing four in the evening.
Jiang Ming and Ming Hui, usually at school, had returned at Xuan Ce's request. They'd arrived by Didi, a Chinese ride-hailing service, and were waiting for him.
Spotting Lin Yu's weary, trudging figure in the distance, Jiang Ming hurried over. Without a word, he tugged the backpack from Lin Yu's shoulder, chiding, "Brother, why didn't you call? I have money! I earned two thousand yuan delivering during winter break. Why walk all this way?"
At 1.78 meters, Jiang Ming towered over Lin Yu, appearing more like the elder brother. The contrast starkly revealed the toll of Lin Yu's years with the Lin family.
At school, Jiang Ming used his formal name, a surname left with his birth date and father's name when he was abandoned at the temple.
Ming Hui, waiting anxiously, stepped forward as Lin Yu approached. Her eyes were red-rimmed. She threw her arms around him, voice breaking. "Brother, don't go back to that house. We were happy as a family. Their wealth means nothing to us."
"Stay" she pleaded, trembling. "Huihui can earn money now. I tutored last month and made over four thousand yuan. It's enough to fund Master's doctor visits."
At school, she went by Ming Hui, her surname drawn from the swaddling cloth she was found in.
Lin Yu ruffled her hair, eyes warm. "Huihui's earning money already? That's incredible." He exhaled softly. "It's your brother who's been useless… I've let you down."
A gentle cough interrupted.
Xuan Ce approached, his smile kind. "Yu'er, you're back. We're a family, this hardship is nothing."
"Fate guides all," he said. "It brings people together and parts them. No need to dwell. Now, enough standing around. I knew you were coming, so I bought eggs, flour and about one kilogram of minced meat. Tonight, we're making dumplings."
Though a vegetarian monk, Xuan Ce never minded Lin Yu and his siblings eating meat.
Enveloped by their small family's unshakable warmth, the three followed Xuan Ce into the temple.
Dinghui Temple was modest, with a main hall, two side halls, and seven or eight wing rooms. Once, three or four monks lived there, but two returned to secular life, and another joined a larger monastery. Now, only Xuan Ce remained.
The temple's incense offerings barely covered utilities. A small stipend from the Bureau of Culture and Education had once helped, but it had mysteriously ceased. To support himself and the children, Xuan Ce took on part-time work.
In the kitchen, Xuan Ce had prepared fillings, minced meat and vegetables. The siblings ate meat-filled dumplings, while Xuan Ce savored his vegetarian ones.
Within half an hour, steaming plates were ready.
By tradition, Ming Hui received the first plate, followed by Jiang Ming, Lin Yu, and finally Xuan Ce. Today, however, Ming Hui insisted Lin Yu take the first bowl.
Under her stubborn gaze and everyone's expectant eyes, Lin Yu relented. He picked up a dumpling and bit into it.
The familiar taste of home, infused with family warmth, melted years of cold solitude. The weight in his heart lightened.
"Is it good, Brother?" Ming Hui asked, chin propped on her hands, eyes bright with anticipation.
Lin Yu nearly bit his tongue in his haste to answer. "Delicious."
This was living. At the Lin family's, he'd merely survived.
He'd felt like a fly trapped in a glass case, able to see light but never touch it.
"I mixed the filling myself," Ming Hui said, tilting her head proudly.
Lin Yu smiled. "You're a master chef in the making."
Soon, Jiang Ming and Ming Hui's dumplings arrived. Xuan Ce set out vinegar, minced garlic, and sesame oil, then settled with his vegetarian bowl. He watched them eat, his warm smile content, as if their joy nourished him.
After dinner, Lin Yu rose to clear the table, but Jiang Ming pushed him back down firmly.
"I'll do it," Jiang Ming said, tone with no room for an argument. "Rest. I need to talk to you later."
Lin Yu complied, watching Jiang Ming clear dishes, Ming Hui sweep, and Xuan Ce wash up.
When the kitchen was tidy, Lin Yu stepped into the courtyard. He sat on the wooden bench by the incense burner, gazing at the vast night sky.
Jiang Ming joined him, sitting in silence for a long moment. Then, quietly, he asked, "Brother, do you think there are gods in the sky?"
Lin Yu chuckled. "Probably not. Being a god sounds dull, no family, no desires, no struggles. Worst of all, you can't die. That's its own suffering."
Jiang Ming shifted his gaze to Lin Yu's face. "Brother… you don't have to say it, but I know they hit you."
Lin Yu patted his shoulder. "It's nothing. Minor injuries. Didn't we all get spanked as kids? It's over."
"That's different," Jiang Ming muttered, anger simmering. "You're not a kid. You're sixteen. Why? We were fine. Why did they take you back just to treat you like this? To beat you? What kind of people do that?"
His fists clenched. "When you left, you were taller than me. Now look at you. You haven't grown, you're thinner than when you lived here."
His voice trembled with frustration, then hardened. "I've decided. When I grow up, I'll be an official."
Lin Yu blinked, startled. "An official? Why?"
"No reason," Jiang Ming said, eyes steely. "Look at you. Look at Master. In this world, the poor fear the rich, and the rich fear power. I won't let us be bullied anymore."
His voice dropped. "You don't know, but after the Bureau cut our funding, Master and I went to reason with them. Their faces… ugh. Talking about it makes me angry."
"One day, I'll make them beg me."
His fists tightened, resolve carved into his face.
Lin Yu patted his hand gently. "Dreams are good, but don't choose a path with no return. Work hard, and leave the rest to fate."
Jiang Ming fell silent, then glanced at Ming Hui, half-hidden behind the bushes. He stood, patted Lin Yu's shoulder, and said, "That girl hasn't seen you in half a year. She wants to talk. I'll leave you to her. I've got homework."
As he turned, Lin Yu called, "Wait."
Jiang Ming paused.
"I got you sneakers," Lin Yu said, pulling them out. "Size forty. They should fit."
Jiang Ming held them against his feet, laughing. "Brother, look at my feet, then yours, do youthink they're the same size?"
Still, he clutched the shoes tightly. "Thanks, Brother. I'm heading back."