As Jiang Cong spoke, Chen Er's heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile and said, "Really? Then I wish you could find relief soon, so you don't have to worry day and night."
Jiang Cong helplessly patted Chen Er on the shoulder. He knew Chen Er had misunderstood him. The strange undertone in her words was almost palpable.
"I don't mean anything else. I'm just a bit upset. Don't take it to heart," Jiang Cong said. He couldn't tell Chen Er what he was worried about. If it turned out to be false, it would surely leave a rift between them.
However, if it was true, he only hoped that he would be the only one to know, and then point out the right choice for Chen Er.
Chen Er composed herself and tried to get rid of the distracting thoughts in her mind. Finally, a relieved smile appeared on her plain - faced little face.
Since they were here, they might as well accept it. What was meant to come would come. Chen Er comforted herself like this.
"Are we going to stay in the side room here tonight?" Chen Er walked further inside. The scent of sandalwood wafted towards them, bringing great mental pleasure.
"We'll only stay for one night. We'll go down the mountain tomorrow. The fair in the market at the foot of the mountain is about to start. I think you'll like such a lively scene," Jiang Cong said, with one hand in his pocket and the other around Chen Er's slender shoulder.
Today, Chen Er was wearing a light - green dress, looking even more youthful and lively, especially when she tilted her head and smiled at him.
"Amitabha. Please follow me this way, benefactors," the young novice monk saw Chen Er and Jiang Cong and stepped forward to lead the way.
The heavy carved wooden door was pushed open. The furnishings in the side room were very simple and could be seen at a glance. It looked extremely quiet.
Only...
Chen Er pointed to the quilt on the bed and asked, "There's only one side room and one quilt?"
The young novice monk scratched his bald head and replied simply, "Yes. What's wrong? Is it strange?"
Chen Er's expression instantly became hard to describe. Although she wasn't a conservative person and didn't mind sharing a bed with Jiang Cong, they had just established their relationship. This pace was a bit too fast.
The young novice monk, who looked about twelve or thirteen years old, looked at Chen Er curiously, waiting for her to continue.
Jiang Cong just smiled and said nothing. He didn't intend to come to Chen Er's rescue.
Chen Er silently glared at Jiang Cong for "not saving her" and patiently explained, "This big brother and I are just a couple. We can't stay together."
As she spoke, she pointed at Jiang Cong seriously, afraid that the young novice monk wouldn't believe her.
The young novice monk asked, "Don't you like this big brother?"
Chen Er received a dangerous look from Jiang Cong and quickly replied, "I do. But..."
The young novice monk asked again, dropping a bombshell, "People who like each other should sleep together. Any relationship without the intention of marriage is just playing around. So, are you a hooligan, sister?"
Chen Er shook her head.
Hearing this, the young novice monk showed a standard eight - tooth smile with cute little tiger teeth. "So, you like the big brother, and the big brother likes you too. People in love don't have to care about the worldly rules."
Chen Er was rendered speechless by the young novice monk and was completely defeated. Arguing with a child was like a scholar meeting a soldier - there was no way to reason.
Chen Er made a last - ditch effort. "Is there really no extra side room?"
The young novice monk spread his hands and shook his head matter - of - factly. "There is, but you're a couple. It's a waste to sleep separately. Well, I have to go chant scriptures. Goodbye, benefactors."
Chen Er only managed to grab the young novice monk's gray robe as he flashed past her. Then there were only Jiang Cong and Chen Er in the side room, staring at each other.
After a mental struggle, Chen Er was like a heroic martyr as she said to Jiang Cong, "Okay, just one bed then. Anyway, you're good - looking. I'm not at a loss."
Jiang Cong was amused by Chen Er's fallacy. It seemed the little girl was disliking him. Like a big bad wolf being disliked, he slowly reached out his "claws" and pounced on Little Red Riding Hood.
Chen Er was about to say something else when Jiang Cong kissed her to silence her. Sweetness twined between them.
At this moment, the young novice monk who had returned walked into the side room. Seeing Jiang Cong and Chen Er kissing, he immediately covered his eyes with his hands. "Sin, sin. Benefactors, I'm here to remind you that this is a pure Buddhist land. Don't make too much noise at night."
Chen Er suddenly pushed Jiang Cong away. Her ears were so red that it seemed blood would drip from them.
Jiang Cong looked unpleasant. He gave the young novice monk a cold look. "Got it. Anything else?"
At this moment, the young novice monk was just an eyesore in Jiang Cong's eyes.
However, the young novice monk was still unaware. He calmly put his hands together and bowed. "It's time for dinner."
Jiang Cong: "..." You can leave.
After the young novice monk left, Chen Er almost returned to normal. But the beautiful sight of her blushing face just now was unforgettable for Jiang Cong.
The vegetarian food in the temple was very light but also delicious. It was perfect for getting rid of excess fat.
But the consequence was that Chen Er's stomach growled in the middle of the night. In the darkness, this feeling became even more obvious.
Jiang Cong was lying beside Chen Er. Hearing the growling of her stomach, he said with an obvious smile in his voice, "Hungry?"
Chen Er was embarrassed. She simply turned over, turned her back to Jiang Cong, buried her head in the pillow, and muttered, "No..."
Jiang Cong got out of bed and turned on the light. Chen Er couldn't adapt to the sudden brightness for a moment. She squinted her eyes and asked, "What's wrong? Are you going to the toilet?"
Jiang Cong didn't answer Chen Er's question. Considering that Chen Er was a girl and they were alone together, something might happen, so Jiang Cong had been sleeping fully dressed.
Now, Jiang Cong opened the door and walked straight out.
The sound of cicadas came clearly, and there were also whispers. Chen Er got up from the bed and listened attentively to the movement outside.
After a long time, Jiang Cong came in with a tray. Chen Er took a closer look and saw that there were steaming noodles on the table.
Overwhelmed by hunger, smelling the aroma of the food in the air, Chen Er rushed to the table impatiently. She picked up the chopsticks and stuffed the noodles into her mouth without caring about the heat.
"These noodles are so chewy. Did the young novice monk make them?" Chen Er asked while slurping the noodles.
"Do you think that's possible?" Jiang Cong looked extremely disdainful, with an expression of "Can't you tell?" on his face.
Chen Er bit off a strand of noodles in surprise. "Don't tell me you made them. Didn't the young novice monk say we're not allowed to make noise at night? Wouldn't there be a sound when you went to the kitchen?"
Jiang Cong took out a tissue and wiped off the ash on his fingers that he had accidentally got from the pot. "So I made them in the dark. You should cherish my hard work."