"Did you see it clearly?" Lin Jianyi asked.
Xu Wuyi took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Lin Jianyi.
"Thank you, Teacher Lin."
Lin Jianyi nodded slightly, saying no more.
The snow had stopped at some unknown point. The small courtyard was completely silent, save for the occasional soft RUSTLE of snow slipping from the branches of the ancient pine. The two cups of tea on the stone table had long gone cold, a thin layer of ice forming on the surface.
Lin Jianyi put down his teacup, his gaze falling upon Xu Wuyi. His eyes remained as calm as water, but upon closer inspection, a trace of imperceptible fluctuation hid deep within them.
"Your Heart Image has changed." Lin Jianyi spoke slowly. His tone was a flat statement, as if he were merely noting that today's snow was heavier than yesterday's.
Xu Wuyi nodded. "Yes. I didn't expect that this questioning of the heart would cause such a fundamental change in my Heart Image."
