When he said “tragedy,” he heard Chunxiu giggle.

“That’s just a facade. You don’t have to worry about it at all. In Yun Village, all misfortunes conceal blessings. Director, you are a lucky star.”

While they were talking, the weasel and the chicken disappeared without a trace. Though the director searched carefully, the blood on the ground could no longer be found. He heard Chunxiu say good night to him.

The director returned to the herb storage room and lay down, his chest heaving. A moment ago he had exchanged a glance with the weasel, and now he understood its meaning.

Passion did not keep him awake; he fell asleep in the midst of it. In his dream he composed a nursery rhyme about a weasel and a chicken, and sang it until tears came to his eyes.

“I finally met with the old director,” Mrs. Yi said to her husband. “I couldn’t see him, but I felt clearly that he was beside me. This is a blessing for our Yun Village.”

“The director doesn’t want to be dead. He wants to be a guardian of his students. Our Yun Village is becoming more and more prosperous. Our future is inspiring,” her husband responded.

While the director was wandering about on the raised path between the fields, the young man Gray and his wife came up to him. They looked very happy. Their baskets were full of herbs. The director realized that he wasn’t glowing now, so they couldn’t see him.

“When I walked up the hill, my heart was murky, and I felt as if I were moving about in the dark. By the time I came down the hill, I felt refreshed. Through the branches of the big pine trees, I saw the stone bridge next to the old market. The woman, I mean the herb farmer, appeared on the bridge for just one second.”

As Spoon spoke, the director dodged to one side and let her pass. The director was very happy to overhear Spoon talking to Gray, for this told him that Chunxiu now had one more student.

“You’ll see her again and again all your life. She’s been waiting for you in the same place for years, and now you’ve finally seen her.” Gray laughed heartily.

“So do I love her, or do I love you?”

“You love both. Aren’t I she?”

“Oh, I forgot. See how silly I am. Just now, when I saw Sedum aizoon on the hill, I immediately remembered that she had once told me how to recognize this herb!”

The young couple walked away. The director saw smoke rising behind them, but he wasn’t worried. The smoke would invade their bodies, but it wouldn’t kill them. The cuckoo cried. The director felt a tingling in his chest, and then he saw the light. He was the one who was shining. He heard cheers in the distance. The people of Yun Village were cheering him on.

“Director, sir, now everyone has recognized you! Take good care of yourself!” Chunxiu said.