Sharing Dreams with My Bestie's Cousin-Chapter 69 - Improper relationship
Chapter 69: Improper relationship
Chapter 69: Improper relationship
“I’m afraid you might not be used to these dishes,” she explained specifically.
Shang Hexing said, “Whatever you arrange is good.”
Wen Zhi, considering Shang Hexing’s distinguished identity, deliberately wiped the wooden stool with a paper towel before he sat down. He noticed this and stopped her with a wave of his hand, “When you’re out, you don’t worry about these things.”
Wen Zhi then asked, “Would you like some water? The kettle is outside the Vegetarian Hall, communal, I’ll go get some.”
Her eagerness was evident in her words yet she remained very distant and courteous, pushing their relationship further apart.
Shang Hexing gazed at her for a moment before finally saying, “You’re troubling yourself.”
“It’s no big deal.”
Wen Zhi brought in a cup of hot water in a disposable cup, lingering outside on purpose for a while. By the time she came in, the noodle dish was already placed in front of Shang Hexing.
He hadn’t started eating and looked up at her, “Did you have to wait in line?”
Wen Zhi obviously hesitated for a moment before answering solemnly, “Yes, there are many pilgrims today, so I waited a while.”
Shang Hexing suddenly said, “When I came out just now, I saw you squatting by the kettle. You must have something on your mind?”
Wen Zhi: “…” So he had caught her red-handed.
Shang Hexing looked up, his dark pupils reflecting her silhouette, “If you don’t mind, would you share your troubles with me, perhaps?”
Wen Zhi: “… I’d rather not.”
She couldn’t tell if it was just her impression, but Shang Hexing’s face seemed to show anger. What was he angry about? Angry at her distant courtesy? Or because she lingered outside?
She was puzzled, but she didn’t ask.
Because it was inappropriate to ask.
“I won’t hide it from Mr. Shang, I do have some troubles, but since they are troubles, naturally I prefer to keep them to myself,” Wen Zhi said with a cheerful smile, acting as if nothing was the matter, “Moreover, I am used to dealing with them myself, there’s no need for anyone to help me solve my problems. So, I won’t bother Mr. Shang with them.”
After finishing, she placed the hot water beside him and turned to leave the Vegetarian Hall.
Shang Hexing looked down at the bowl of noodles in front of him, not feeling hungry, but he still managed to eat.
…
Wen Zhi continued back to sweeping the courtyard. When Kong Ci was away, she had to finish the chores, otherwise Kong Ci would be very busy.
Little did she expect to come back and find Kong Ci standing next to the broom she had left, waiting for her: “You’re back.”
Wen Zhi immediately said, “I’m not slacking off, I was leading a pilgrim to the Vegetarian Hall.”
“I know, I saw you,” Kong Ci asked further, “Do you know that pilgrim?”
Wen Zhi shook her head without a second thought, “No.”
Kong Ci put his hands together in prayer, “My lady, to be true to others is not only beneficial to them but even more so to oneself.”
Wen Zhi turned her face away, “I don’t understand.”
Kong Ci stared at Wen Zhi for a good while before saying earnestly, “You don’t look illiterate, unless I’m mistaken.”
Wen Zhi: “…”!
It had to be said, Kong Ci was naturally meant to be in the Buddhist order, adept at reading faces, and insightful in comprehending and discerning the true nature of things—it seemed he could see right through anything.
Even now, he seemed to see right through her thoughts, and with a stern little face, he told her, “Master Huijue said that because I’m young and untouched by worldly ways and earthly dust, I can look straight into people’s hearts and discern side issues, seeing through right and wrong.”
Wen Zhi listened, bemused.
Kong Ci also said, “I can also see that your relationship with him is not proper.”
“…” Wen Zhi calmly corrected him, “You mean ‘not normal.'”
What improper relationship?!?
Kong Ci seriously thought about it and said, “Right, not normal.”
Wen Zhi said, “My relationship with him is very normal. You’re so young; don’t make wild guesses. Eating more vegetarian food to grow taller is what’s most important.”
Kong Ci threw the broom at Wen Zhi, hands clasped behind his back, and strutted past her, “You’re also responsible for sweeping the steps outside the gate.”
Wen Zhi, leaning on the broom, asked, “Are you angry?”
Kong Ci admonished, “Miss, confront your own heart, but also mind your tongue, for trouble comes from careless speech.”
Wen Zhi wore a bitter expression, “How many steps are there outside the courtyard?”
Kong Ci replied, “Count them yourself.”
Wen Zhi: “…”
Next, Wen Zhi swept the steps while carefully counting them. There were fifty-three in total. By the time she finished, her back ached, and she was quite exhausted.
Returning to the yard outside the Dormitory House, Wen Zhi walked and rubbed her shoulders at the same time. Then she suddenly stopped, her hand ceasing its motion.
In the yard, there was a stone table set up especially for Pilgrims, with two wooden chairs beside it.
And now, Shang Hexing, who should have left the temple after finishing his vegetarian meal, was sitting on one of the wooden chairs next to the stone table. On the table, there was a pot of clear tea and two lidded cups, the aroma pleasant and inviting. He sat alone, looking down and flipping through a copy of the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, as if he had found it somewhere in the temple. He was silent and focused, his noble aura unmistakable.
Wen Zhi approached, “Mr. Shang, why are you at the Dormitory House?”
Shang Hexing didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured to her, “Sit.”
After hesitating for a few seconds and not yet sitting down, Shang Hexing knew she was in a complex mood and asked her before changing the subject, “Is the tea to your liking?”
Wen Zhi nodded.
Shang Hexing, freeing a hand, picked up the pot of clear tea and poured her a cup. He pushed it in front of her and said, “You’ve worked hard.”
“What?” she asked, puzzled.
Shang Hexing questioned her, “Master Kong Ci had you sweep the steps of the front courtyard, fifty-three of them. Isn’t that exhausting enough?”
Wen Zhi was at a loss for words. He knew about that too?!
“The tea isn’t strong,” he gestured for her to drink.
But Wen Zhi didn’t drink; instead, she needed to clarify, “Did you come to see me?”
Shang Hexing slightly lifted his chin and nodded toward the direction behind her. Wen Zhi turned around; that direction was precisely where Meng Fan had stayed in the Dormitory House.
Today, after Meng Fan had left, a managing monk immediately sent someone to tidy up that room for another Pilgrim.
Wen Zhi was not slow-witted and instantly understood; only, she still found it somewhat hard to believe. “Mr. Shang is the Pilgrim in the Dormitory House opposite?”
Shang Hexing gazed at her, “Do you mind?”
Wen Zhi took a deep breath, “The Dormitory House is not my private residence. I have no reason to mind.”
However, she didn’t understand and leaned forward, hands braced on the stone table, to ask him, “Mr. Shang, weren’t you on a business trip? Why did you suddenly come to stay at the temple?”
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Shang Hexing’s eyes held a smile, “You knew I was on a business trip?”
Wen Zhi honestly said, “I didn’t know at first, but I heard Meng Fan mention it by chance.”
Shang Hexing remarked, “She seems to tell you everything.”
Seeing the conversation drifting again, Wen Zhi once again directed the question to him, “Why did Mr. Shang come to the temple?”
“Don’t believe I came to offer incense and make a wish?” he asked.
“I don’t believe it,” Wen Zhi shook her head, very sincerely.
Shang Hexing locked his gaze on Wen Zhi’s eyes and spoke softly, “Then why don’t you boldly guess why I came here.”
Wen Zhi’s heart pounded, instinctively avoiding his gaze, “I can’t guess…”
“For you,” he suddenly said.
It was an unguarded and frank admission that made Wen Zhi’s heart flutter.
Seeing her reaction, Shang Hexing asked her in a faint voice, “Did I scare you?”
Wen Zhi stood up straight, her face returning to normal, “In the temple, Mr. Shang, it’s better not to joke around.”
“This is no joke,” he said as he placed the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, which hadn’t left his hand, on the stone table. “If you mind, we can go outside to talk.”
Wen Zhi was taken aback.
He extended his hand to her, his eyes and eyebrows as if veiled with enticement, asking her word by word, “Will you go outside with me?”
