Chapter 319 - Extra Chapter - End of Text

Xiao Jiang Dusheng looked up through teary eyes and saw a dark-skinned young man standing in front of her.

He was about twenty years old, with a worn-out coarse cloth bundle slung over his shoulder, looking travel-worn as if he had traveled a long way.

The man had thick eyebrows and small but bright eyes. He was squatting down, looking at her curiously.

Hmm, this person isn't very good-looking, and looks a bit rustic.

Xiao Jiang was heartbroken and didn't have a good impression of this stranger who suddenly appeared. She pouted, turned her head away, and didn't want to talk to him.

Seeing this, the man was not angry at all; instead, he grinned, revealing a set of not-so-perfect but very white teeth.

"Enough, enough. I, Wang Dazhuang, roam the world, upholding justice and chivalry. I won't stoop to the level of a crying child."

As he spoke, he rummaged through the old cloth bag.

Soon, he took out a small oil paper package, carefully opened it, and inside lay a few pine nut candies that smelled sweet.

In the remote mountains where resources are scarce and even common sugar is hard to come by, this is clearly a rare treat.

He picked up the largest and plumpest one and held it up to Xiao Jiang Dusheng, whose tear stains were still wet, a hearty smile on his dark face:

"Here, stop crying, have a candy to sweeten your mouth. I went to several villages to get this, and I was originally going to keep it to cheer myself up. You're lucky today, you got a good deal."

Pine nut candy…

Jiang Dusheng was stunned.

Her master treated her very well, carefully teaching her to read, recite scriptures, cultivate herself, and understand principles, but he never bought her such snacks.

It wasn't that the master was stingy, but rather that the temple was poor.

The sweet aroma wafted into my nose, carrying the warmth of everyday life.

Jiang Dusheng's crying stopped without her realizing it. She blinked her big eyes, which were still wet with tears, looked at the candy, then at the man's cheerful smile, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out and took the candy.

The sugar melted instantly in my mouth, its sweetness blending with the aroma of roasted pine nuts, dispelling the bitterness and resentment in my heart.

Her eyes suddenly lit up, as if stars had fallen into them.

Jiang Dusheng looked up, trying to put on a serious expression, and said to the man in a solemn tone:

"Could I have another one? I'll grant you a wish, and it's very effective."

She learned this from the storybooks she secretly read in the temple; in those tales of wandering knights, the wise men who received favors would always grant people wishes.

She felt that these words were very powerful and suitable for exchanging for a second candy.

The man was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter at the precocious words of the little adult.

"Little brat, so young, yet so good at bluffing! Fine!"

He was very generous, taking out another piece of candy and placing it in Jiang Dusheng's outstretched palm:

"Here's another one, consider it... buying one of your wishes! Although I don't know what to wish for right now, I'll save it for now!"

The man watched as Jiang Dusheng clutched the candy tightly, then burst into laughter through his tears. His face, still streaked with tears, seemed to have cleared up after the storm. Satisfied, he stood up and dusted himself off.

"Alright, you've had your candy. Stop crying. It's getting dark, hurry home so your parents don't worry."

He naturally mistook Jiang Dusheng for a child from a nearby village and said, "As for me, I still have to keep going! I'm off!"

After saying that, he neatly wrapped up the remaining candy, stuffed it back into his bundle, slung it over his shoulder, waved to Jiang Dusheng, turned around, and strode down the mountain path.

Jiang Dusheng watched his retreating figure, then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out, "What's your name?"

Wang Dazhuang turned around upon hearing this, the setting sun casting a golden glow on his silhouette. He smiled and waved, his voice carried on the wind:

"I do good deeds anonymously! I remain true to myself and my name is Wang Dazhuang!"

Xiao Jiang Dusheng stood there, the sweet taste of the candy melting in her mouth, clutching another candy in her hand, gazing at the direction where he had disappeared for a long time.

A mountain breeze carries the sound of bells from a distant temple.

She looked down at the pine nut candy lying in her palm, carefully wrapped it up, put it in her bosom, and patted it.

Then, she turned around and started walking in the direction of her master.

My stomach doesn't seem so hungry anymore, and I don't seem so sad anymore.

"What's wrong?" Xie Jinchen's deep voice rang in his ears, pulling Jiang Dusheng back to reality from his memories.

He put his arm around her shoulder, noticing her momentary daze.

Jiang Dusheng blinked, and the trace of bewilderment and melancholy in his eyes caused by memories quickly faded away, turning into a clear gaze.

She looked up at him and smiled. "It's nothing. I just suddenly had a craving for pine nut candy."

Seeing that her expression had returned to normal, and there was even a rare hint of craving in her eyes, Xie Jinchen couldn't help but chuckle and took her hand:

"What's so difficult about that? I'll go with you to buy some. I heard there's a new candy shop in the West Market; the craftsmanship comes from Qingzhou, and their pine nut candy is especially good."

The two walked hand in hand out of the courtyard and through the corridors of the mansion.

When the servants saw this from afar, they all retreated silently.

Xie Jinchen waved away the servants who wanted to follow, and walked slowly out of the mansion with Jiang Dusheng, just like the most ordinary couple.

The moonlight and lamplight stretched their shadows long, making them lean against each other.

At the end of the long street, the newly opened candy shop was lit with warm lights.

Even before you get close, an enticing sweet aroma wafts through the air, a blend of the caramelized scent of roasted pine nuts and the subtle sweetness of maltose.

Upon closer inspection, the shop was small but clean and tidy.

Behind the counter, the master chef was skillfully stir-frying on a smooth stone slab with a specially made copper spatula, filling the air with a sweet aroma.

"Honorable guests, are you looking to buy some candy? Our shop's newest pine nut candy is fresh out of the oven and is incredibly fragrant and crispy." The old master chef stopped what he was doing when he saw customers arrive, greeting them with a smile and a friendly expression.

Xie Jinchen looked at Jiang Dusheng.

Jiang Dusheng stepped forward, his gaze falling on the golden-yellow sugar cubes, and nodded: "I'll take these. Please wrap some up."

"Alright!" The experienced craftsman quickly weighed the item, wrapped it in paper, and handed it over.

Xie Jinchen paid the money.

Jiang Dusheng took it, opened the oil paper package, pinched off a piece, and put it in his mouth.

The familiar sweet aroma melts in your mouth, even richer than the taste you remember.

She squinted her eyes contentedly and offered one to Xie Jinchen's lips.

Xie Jinchen took a piece from her hand and ate it as well. The sweetness filled the air, and a smile appeared in his eyes. He said softly, "Not bad."

The two walked side by side on their way back home. Jiang Dusheng held the bag of pine nut candy, occasionally picking up a piece and eating it slowly.

She suddenly spoke softly, "Xie Jinchen, when I was little in the mountains, I also ate pine nut candy that someone gave me. It was very sweet."

Xie Jinchen paused slightly and turned to look at her.

Under the moonlight, her profile was serene, with a glimmer of light in her eyes.

Xie Jinchen didn't ask who it was, but simply pulled her closer and said gently, "I'll come with you whenever you want to eat it in the future."

Jiang Dusheng leaned against him and softly hummed in agreement.

Cause and effect cycle, arising and ceasing due to conditions.

With this, the book's earthly ties are temporarily severed, and the mirror reflects the clear sky.

May all who see or hear this find peace of mind within their own karma, see their true nature, be pure and bright, and be free and radiant.

—End of article—