Love and choices across time and space

Li Yifeng felt his head spin, his soul as if being pulled by an invisible force, instantly falling into a deep tunnel of time and space. He was surrounded by a dazzling array of lights, interweaving and flowing like a dream, making him dizzy and unable to tell the direction.

After an unknown amount of time, the light gradually faded, and he finally set foot on solid ground. However, the scene before him left him stunned.

He found himself standing on a broad, bustling street, lined with quaint buildings, their soaring eaves and brackets, vermilion-lacquered doors and windows, and carved beams and painted rafters—a breathtaking sight. Pavilions and shops were scattered in an orderly fashion, flags fluttering, and signs abounded in dazzling displays. The streets were bustling with pedestrians, dressed in opulent ancient costumes, some riding horses, some in sedan chairs, and some walking. Most men wore futou (a traditional Chinese headdress), long gowns or robes, belts at the waist, and black boots. The women wore their hair in various styles, adorned with gold and jade hairpins, and wore brightly colored ruqun (skirts), their skirts fluttering in the wind, like a flowing scroll.

Li Yifeng looked down at himself and realized he'd unknowingly changed into Tang Dynasty attire. He wore a moon-white gown intricately embroidered with cloud patterns, a blue belt tied around his waist, and a warm jade pendant dangling from it. His hair was pulled up high in a bun, adorned with a wooden hairpin. But at this moment, he had no time to admire his attire; confusion and fear filled his heart.

"Where the hell is this? How did I end up here?" he muttered to himself, his voice trembling. His eyes were filled with panic, his brow furrowed, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He tried to catch passersby and ask them, but his eager and flustered movements only alerted them. Seeing his strange expression and odd movements, passersby cast strange glances at him and hurriedly avoided him, as if he were a plague.

"Brother, may I ask where this is?" Li Yifeng asked, grabbing a middle-aged man in a brown robe. His voice was a little sharp with nervousness. He clutched the man's sleeves tightly with both hands, his eyes filled with expectation and a plea for help.

The middle-aged man looked him up and down, a hint of doubt and vigilance in his eyes. He frowned, shook off Li Yifeng's hand, and said, "This is Chang'an City. Are you crazy, young man?" After saying this, he hurried away without looking back, leaving Li Yifeng staring blankly at his retreating figure.

Li Yifeng reluctantly let go of his hand, watching the middle-aged man's retreating figure, feeling incredibly lonely and helpless. He felt like a lost lamb, lost in the bustling city of Chang'an. His steps were unsteady, his eyes were wandering, and he walked aimlessly on the street.

Suddenly, a melodious bell chime pierced his reverie. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a magnificent temple in the distance. Towering trees, lush and green, surrounded the temple, creating a cool, refreshing shade. The temple's gates stood open, and inside, incense curled upward. Devotees came in and out, their faces filled with reverence.

Li Yifeng involuntarily walked toward the temple, each step feeling heavy. His heart beat rapidly, as if he had found a glimmer of hope in the sound of the bell. The temple steps were paved with bluestone, shallowly dented by the passage of time. He ascended the steps slowly, the soles of his shoes making a soft sound as they scraped against the bluestone.

Entering the temple, he saw a massive Buddha statue sitting solemnly in the hall. The statue stood several feet tall, its body gleaming with golden light. Its eyes were slightly closed, and a compassionate smile graced its lips. Before the statue stood an offering table laden with flowers, fruit, and incense. Amidst the lingering smoke of incense, the statue appeared even more mysterious and solemn.

Li Yifeng slowly knelt before the Buddha statue. His knees touched the cold ground, yet he felt no pain. He clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and prayed silently, "Buddha, please help me figure out what's going on and return to my original world." His voice was low and sincere, filled with fear of the unknown and a longing to return home. Tears welled up in his eyes, slid down his cheeks, and dripped onto the ground.

Just then, an elderly monk in a cassock slowly approached. He had a kind face, eyebrows as white as snow, and eyes that were clear and profound. His steps were light and steady, as if each contained boundless wisdom and compassion. In his hand, he held a string of Buddhist beads, gently plucking them, producing a clear, ringing sound.

"Donor, you look so lost, I'm sure you have a lot of questions in your mind." The old monk's voice was low and kind, like a clear mountain spring, slowly flowing into Li Yifeng's heart. His eyes fell gently on Li Yifeng, with a power that could see into people's hearts.

Li Yifeng quickly stood up, saluted to the old monk and said, "Master, I don't know why I came here. I am very anxious and hope you can give me some advice." His eyes were full of expectation and help, and there was a hint of crying in his voice.

The old monk smiled slightly and said softly, "Everything has its cause and effect. Since you are here, please accept it. The prosperous Tang Dynasty has its own wonders, which you will slowly experience." The old monk's voice was calm and gentle, as if it had a soothing power. He raised his hand and gently patted Li Yifeng's shoulder.

Li Yifeng frowned and said anxiously, "Master, I really want to go back. My family is waiting for me." There was a hint of despair in his voice and his eyes were full of pleading.

The old monk shook his head and said, "It cannot be forced until the fate comes. You may as well live in Chang'an for a while. Perhaps when the time comes, you will find a way to go back." There was a firmness and indifference in the old monk's eyes.

Li Yifeng nodded helplessly. Although he was still confused, he could only accept this reality for the time being. "Thank you for your guidance, Master." He bowed deeply to the old monk, then turned and left the temple.

After leaving the temple, Li Yifeng walked down the street when his stomach growled. "Gurgle..." The sound was especially clear in the bustling streets. He felt around and realized he had no money.

"What should I do? Am I going to starve to death in this Tang Dynasty?" He groaned inwardly. He looked at the fragrant food stalls on the roadside, swallowing his saliva, but could only walk away helplessly. His steps became heavier and heavier, as if every step required a huge effort.

Just when he was at his wit's end, the owner of a tavern saw his miserable state and took pity on him. The owner was a burly middle-aged man with a round face and a kind smile. He wore a dark blue robe and a white apron tied around his waist.

"Young man, you look like you're in trouble. Come and help me in my shop. I'll give you something to eat," the boss said loudly, his voice loud and generous. His eyes were full of sympathy and kindness.

Li Yifeng felt as if he had found a lifeline and quickly thanked him, "Thank you, boss! You're such a kind person!" A grateful smile appeared on his face, and a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes. He quickly walked up to the boss and bowed deeply.

Following the owner into the tavern, I found it bustling with activity. Groups of guests gathered around tables, drinking and chatting, their laughter and chatter unceasing. The waiters bustled about, serving tea and water, creating a lively atmosphere. The rich aroma of wine and food filled the air, and paintings and calligraphy hung on the walls, adding a touch of cultural flair.

The boss pointed to a table and said, "Clean up this table first, and then help greet the guests." The boss's voice was still clearly audible in the noisy environment.

Li Yifeng nodded and immediately began to clean up. Although his movements were a little clumsy, he was very serious. He first put the dishes on the table onto the tray, then wiped the table carefully with a rag, leaving no corner untouched. In a short while, the table was clean.

Next, he began to greet customers, imitating the waiter's manner. "Sir, what would you like to order?" His voice was a little stiff, but his attitude was very warm. He bowed slightly, a flattering smile on his face.

At first, the guests were a little skeptical, but seeing his sincerity, they stopped caring. A guest in a silk robe said, "Give me a pot of wine and a few of our signature dishes." Li Yifeng quickly replied, "Okay, sir, please wait a moment!" and quickly handed the menu to the kitchen.

During the service, Li Yifeng chatted with the guests. He tried hard to adapt to the language and communication style of the Tang Dynasty. Although he sometimes said something wrong, the guests just smiled and let it go.

As night fell, Chang'an City was ablaze with lights. Lanterns hung in the streets and alleys, illuminating the entire city. The tavern was overflowing with customers, and Li Yifeng was bustling with activity. He shuttled between tables and chairs, carrying a tray, sweat beading on his forehead, but he dared not slack off for even a moment.

Finally, the tavern closed. The owner took Li Yifeng to a small room behind the tavern and said, "You can sleep here tonight and continue to help tomorrow." Although the room was simple, it was very tidy, with a wooden bed and a shabby cabinet.

Li Yifeng burst into tears of gratitude: "Thank you, boss. I will always remember your great kindness in my heart." Tears flashed in his eyes and his voice was full of gratitude.

The boss waved his hand and left with a smile.

Li Yifeng lay on his simple bed, gazing out the window at the starry sky, his mind racing. Moonlight streamed through the window onto his face, illuminating his exhausted and lost expression. "Now that I'm here, I'll make the best of it. Perhaps I can truly find a place of my own in the Tang Dynasty." He silently resolved to adapt to this unfamiliar environment.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto Li Yifeng's face. He stretched, then stood up and began a new day. He put on the same clothes he had worn yesterday. Although they were a bit worn, they were very clean and tidy.

At the tavern, he worked even harder. Not only did he greet customers, he also helped wash dishes, sweep the floor, and do everything in between. His diligence and sincerity gradually earned the respect of the boss and the other employees. The boss would often praise him, "You work really hard!" The employees would also joke with him during breaks, which made him feel a little warm.

That day, a young man in elegant clothes came to the tavern. Li Yifeng greeted him warmly: "Young Master, please come in." His face was filled with smiles, and his eyes revealed respect.

The young master glanced at him and smiled slightly: "You are quite smart, man." The young master was wearing a purple brocade robe, with a beautiful jade hanging around his waist and a folding fan in his hand, looking very elegant.

Li Yifeng smiled and said, "Thank you for your compliment, sir. What would you like to eat?" He bent down slightly, waiting for the young master's answer.

The young master ordered a few dishes and a pot of wine. Li Yifeng quickly handed the menu to the kitchen and poured tea for the young master. During the service, Li Yifeng and the young master started chatting.

It turned out that this young man was the son of a wealthy merchant in Chang'an City and often came to this tavern for dinner. His name was Zhao Yuxuan, and he was handsome and had an extraordinary temperament.

The young master was intrigued by Li Yifeng's story and found it quite novel when he recounted his journey through time. "Your experience is truly unheard of. Perhaps this is an opportunity gifted to you by heaven," the young master said, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Li Yifeng said with a wry smile: "Sir, you are joking. I just hope to return to my hometown as soon as possible." His eyes revealed deep longing and helplessness.

The young master thought for a moment and said, "I do know some people in Chang'an City. Perhaps I can help you find out if there is a way to return home."

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Yifeng's eyes: "That's great, thank you sir!" Hope rekindled in his heart, as if he saw a ray of light in the darkness.

As the days passed, Li Yifeng gradually made some friends in Chang'an City. Some of them were scholars, some were businessmen, and some were knights-errant.

Literati often gathered in taverns to recite poems and discuss the past and present. Listening in, Li Yifeng gradually developed an interest in poetry and songs. He began to ask them for advice, learning the techniques of writing poetry and lyrics.

Merchants and peddlers told him about the prosperous business and the various aspects of life in Chang'an. Li Yifeng learned from them the prices and market conditions of various commodities and also learned how to bargain.

The chivalrous men took him to practice martial arts together to strengthen his body and taught him some self-defense skills. Although Li Yifeng was thin, he had a strong will and practiced hard.

Through his interactions with them, Li Yifeng's understanding of the Tang Dynasty deepened. He began studying its culture and etiquette, reading poetry and songs, and practicing calligraphy and painting. He discovered that in the process, he had developed a special affection for the Tang Dynasty.

However, every time when the night was quiet, he would still think of his family and the familiar world, his heart filled with longing and concern. But he knew that he had to survive in the Tang Dynasty first before he could have a chance to find a way back.