“Is it true that Jueyu shifu is no longer with us?”
Yahui nodded.
“Did she really have a heart attack induced by the tug-of-war competitions?”
Yahui gazed at Imam Tian for a moment, then nodded again.
“In that case, they should notify the school, or the National Religion Association and the United Front Work Department. Not only must the center pause its religion classes, but Director Gong might also be punished. Because of this incident, this religious training center might even have to close down altogether.”
Yahui gave Tian Dongqing a pleading look, like a baby begging her elder brother for something. She continued like this for a while, and then for a beat longer, until eventually Tian Dongqing’s tone softened.
“So, you really want to leave Xining?”
Yahui grunted in assent.
“Then come join us here.” As soon as Tian Dongqing said this, he clarified, “I don’t mean for you to convert to Islam. Rather, I just mean for you to join us here, where you would be with others. Allah would treat you very well.”
Moved, Yahui nonetheless shook her head. “I want to buy an apartment in Beijing. I’ll invite my new shifu and the Bodhisattva to come from Qinghai Lake and live in Beijing.”
Tian Dongqing asked, “Do you still believe in Buddhism?”
“I want to become a layperson.”
They were both silent for a while, until Tian Dongqing repeated the same thing that Shuiyue shifu had said: “That’s fine. If you buy an apartment in Beijing, then I’ll always have somewhere to stay when I come to visit.”