Jianyu and Lianhua

As the fisherman was about to continue speaking, a young woman approached from the village, her face lit with a warm smile. "There you are, Jianyu," she called, her voice cheerful. "Lunch is ready, and I've been looking all over for you."

Jianyu, the fisherman, turned to her with a grin. "Ah, Lianhua, you found me. I was just sharing some thoughts with this young man."

Lianhua's eyes brightened when she saw Xiao. "Hello there," she greeted him warmly. "Would you like to join us for lunch? We always make plenty, and it would be nice to have some company."

Xiao hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Thank you. That sounds nice."

Lianhua led them back to a small, cozy house near the river. Inside, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, and Xiao's stomach rumbled in response.

The table was set with simple yet inviting dishes: steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and a fragrant fish stew that made his mouth water.

"Sit, please," Lianhua said, motioning to a wooden bench. "It's not fancy, but we hope you'll enjoy it."

Xiao sat down, and Jianyu took a seat next to him, serving bowls of rice and ladling stew for each of them. "Thank you for your kindness," Xiao said, feeling a warmth that wasn't just from the food.

Lianhua smiled as she served herself. "It's no trouble at all. We love having guests, especially someone new to the village."

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. Xiao learned that Jianyu and Lianhua had lived in Fenglin Village for many years.

They shared stories of the village's festivals, the simple joys of daily life, and the occasional gossip about their neighbors.

It was a normal, human interaction, a stark contrast to the mystical encounters he'd had so far.

"Do you have family back home?" Lianhua asked, her tone gentle and curious.

Xiao nodded, his heart aching a little. "Yes, I have my father and my… friend, Mei. I miss them a lot."

Lianhua reached out and patted his hand. "You'll see them again, I'm sure of it. Sometimes, we have to be apart from the ones we love, but it makes the time we have together all the more precious."

Jianyu nodded in agreement. "She's right. And in the meantime, you have us. We're all like one big family here in Fenglin Village."

Xiao smiled, feeling a bit of his anxiety melt away. "Thank you. It's nice to feel welcomed."

After lunch, Lianhua insisted on packing some food for Xiao to take with him. "Just in case you get hungry later," she said with a wink. "And you're always welcome here."

As they finished their meal, Xiao's curiosity got the better of him. "Jianyu, if you don't mind me asking, how long have you and Lianhua been here in Fenglin Village?"

Jianyu looked thoughtful for a moment. "Oh, it's been many years now. Time flows differently here, but it feels like an eternity in the most peaceful way."

Xiao glanced between Jianyu and Lianhua, noticing the stark difference in their appearances. "I couldn't help but notice... you seem much older than Lianhua. How is that possible?"

Lianhua exchanged a glance with Jianyu before responding. "It's a long story, but I'll try to explain. I passed away when I was quite young, and my soul ended up here in search of the next life. But my love for Jianyu didn't allow me to move on to the next step. I was scared to leave him behind, so I stayed."

Jianyu took her hand and continued. "I, on the other hand, lived a full life in the mortal world. When I finally passed away, I made the same journey and found myself here in this village. To my amazement and joy, Lianhua was here waiting for me. It was as if fate had brought us back together."

Xiao's eyes widened in wonder. "That's incredible. So, you're reunited now?"

Lianhua nodded, smiling warmly. "Yes, we are. We're not guardians or anything like that. We're just souls who are unwilling to move on. Epiphany, being the kind benefactor he is, allows us to stay here, just like many of the other villagers."

Jianyu added, "We spend our days living peacefully, enjoying each other's company and the simplicity of village life. It's not much, but it's enough for us."

Xiao felt a sense of awe and a deep appreciation for their story. "Thank you for sharing that with me. It's a beautiful story of love and fate."

Lianhua patted his hand again. "Thank you for listening, Xiao. And remember, you're always welcome here. We're all like one big family."

Xiao nodded, feeling a renewed sense of warmth and belonging. As he left their cozy home, he couldn't help but reflect on the extraordinary tales and the simple kindness he had experienced in Fenglin Village.

Still, one question lingered in his mind. Turning back to Jianyu, he asked, "I've been wondering… everyone here looks so normal, like living people. Why don't I see any souls or spirits?"

Jianyu exchanged a knowing look with Lianhua before speaking. "It's because of the place where this village is located," he began. "You see, Fenglin Village is situated on the edge of the ethereal boundary, a mystical threshold between the mortal realm and the afterlife."

Lianhua continued, her eyes gleaming with a hint of ancient knowledge. "When souls manage to reach here, they attain a mortal body while they are in the village. It's said that this place is blessed by the Jade Emperor himself, a sanctuary where weary souls can find respite."

Jianyu nodded. "According to legend, the Jade Emperor wanted to create a haven where souls could experience the joys of life once more before moving on to the next stage of their journey. It's a place where the lines between life and death blur, allowing us to live as we did in our mortal days."

Xiao's eyes widened with fascination. "So, everyone here... they all have their bodies back?"

Lianhua smiled. "Yes, it's a gift of this sacred place. Here, we can eat, sleep, laugh, and feel as if we were still alive. It gives us the strength to carry on and, eventually, to gather the courage to move on when we're ready."

Xiao felt a deep sense of wonder and gratitude. "Thank you for explaining. This place is truly remarkable."

Jianyu smiled warmly at him. "Remember, Xiao, you are always welcome here. You are part of our family now."

With a final wave, Jianyu took Xiao back to the riverbank. 

The fisherman climbed into his boat, ready to continue fishing for the day. "Take care, Xiao," he called out, his voice carrying a note of contentment. "May your journey be filled with peace and discovery."

Xiao watched Jianyu row away, feeling a weird sense of contentment. As he walked along the river, he couldn't help but reflect on the extraordinary tales and the simple kindness he had experienced today.