At dawn, as the sky began to lighten, morning chants had just concluded in the main hall of Sikong Temple.
Xiao Mo packed up his medicine kit, preparing to descend the mountain to practice medicine.
"Senior Brother, are you heading down the mountain?"
As Xiao Mo passed through the front hall, Xujing, who was sweeping fallen leaves and incense ash, looked up. He clutched his broom and asked curiously.
"Mhm." Xiao Mo gently patted Xujing's shaved head. "The Abbot is busy annotating some Buddhist Scripture these days and has no time to go down the mountain," he said in a warm tone, "so I'm going in his stead to practice medicine."
"So, Senior Brother… are you going with that pretty lady?" Xujing asked again.
Xiao Mo froze for a moment, then chuckled. "How did you know, you little rascal? Did the Abbot tell you?"
"Not at all." Xujing lifted his head proudly. "I guessed."
But soon, the pride in his eyes vanished, replaced by a hint of worry.
