"Wow, I'm really touched. You've been so diligent just to make sure I can fill my stomach. I really feel unworthy." Chen Er was always good at using her silver tongue. Now that Jiang Cong had thought so much about her, she spared no effort in singing his praises.
"The portion of this bowl of noodles is just right. You won't have indigestion even if you finish it all." Jiang Cong was worried that Chen Er would eat without restraint when hungry, so he carefully measured the amount while cooking.
"Um... um..." Chen Er replied vaguely, and quickly polished off the noodles.
Jiang Cong put the tray and bowl back in the kitchen. By the time he finished tidying up, Chen Er had already climbed back into bed and fallen into a sweet slumber with her eyes closed.
As soon as Jiang Cong entered the room, he heard the even breathing from the inner chamber. He lightened his movements and tiptoed to the bedside to tuck the quilt in for Chen Er.
Just as Jiang Cong was about to close his eyes, Chen Er's leg swung right onto his body, and her little hand also moved restlessly. If Jiang Cong wasn't sure that Chen Er was really asleep, he would almost suspect that she did it on purpose.
Jiang Cong tried hard to calm his breathing and suppress the strange feeling from his body. Chen Er murmured in her sleep, looking content, which made Jiang Cong both love and hate her.
That night, Chen Er slept soundly without dreams, while Jiang Cong endured the unique and sweet torture that Chen Er had brought to him alone.
The next day.
The chickens raised in the temple started crowing very early. Just as Jiang Cong was starting to feel sleepy and closed his eyes, he was woken up by the rustling sounds outside.
Jiang Cong turned his head and saw that Chen Er was still sleeping, showing no sign of waking up. Having lost his drowsiness, he simply got up. After a quick wash, he went to the place where the monks in the temple held their morning chanting.
Jiang Cong stood outside the door and didn't rush in. For Buddhists, this was a pious cause. If he barged in rashly, it would be disrespectful even if the abbot didn't say anything.
After the morning chanting ended, the monks got up one by one and filed out of the main hall in an orderly manner. The abbot, Wang Kong, opened his eyes as if sensing something and gave Jiang Cong an understanding smile. "Did you sleep well last night, benefactor?"
Only then did Jiang Cong enter the hall and kneel on the cushion next to the abbot. He said gently, "It was okay. However, there's something I don't understand. I hope you can give me some guidance."
Wang Kong recited a Buddhist mantra and stretched out his hand, signaling Jiang Cong to continue.
Jiang Cong glanced in the direction of the wing - room where Chen Er was. He began, "The Buddha said that it's difficult to be born in the world and to obtain a human body; it's also difficult to meet the Buddha and develop faith; and it's even more difficult to endure what's unbearable. Originally, I thought I could endure all the unbearable things in this world. But now I find that after meeting that person, my heart has involuntarily deviated."
Wang Kong gently stroked his beard with a calm expression. "Amitabha. In the mortal world, if everything is seen through, what's the point? Sometimes, there are countless worldly troubles. Benefactor, you don't have to be so hard on yourself. Just follow your initial thoughts."
Jiang Cong had an epiphany and understood the abbot's cryptic message. "I understand. Thank you, Abbot Wang Kong, for your guidance."
Before Jiang Cong left, Wang Kong gave him another admonition. "Great joys and great sorrows are predestined. If you try to change them forcefully, you'll hurt both yourself and others."
Jiang Cong looked back. Wang Kong had closed his eyes, looking serene and detached.
By the time Jiang Cong returned to the wing - room, Chen Er had already gotten up.
"You're back? Where did you go?" Chen Er rubbed her messy hair and asked sleepily.
"I went to ask the master for advice. I just came back." Jiang Cong reached out to tidy Chen Er's hair, and then said indulgently, "Hurry up and wash up. We'll leave after breakfast."
"Leave?" Chen Er was like a lazy cat, letting Jiang Cong stroke her. Hearing that they were leaving, she asked in surprise.
Jiang Cong nodded. Seeing that Chen Er seemed reluctant to leave, he tentatively asked, "You don't want to leave?"
It wasn't that Chen Er didn't want to leave. She always had a vague premonition in her heart that something was about to happen. Staying here, she felt that her impetuous heart had calmed down.
But she couldn't tell Jiang Cong about that premonition. Chen Er rolled her eyes a few times and put on a coquettish smile. "I don't want to leave. The bus ride was so tiring. My back aches."
Rarely did Chen Er talk to Jiang Cong in such a coquettish tone. Jiang Cong made a concession. "Okay, we'll leave tomorrow. You can stay one more day today."
Chen Er smiled brightly. The sun shone through the window on her face, and even the tiny fluff on it could be seen.
Jiang Cong's heart skipped a beat. He lifted Chen Er's chin and was about to kiss her when Chen Er covered her mouth as if facing a great enemy and took several steps back, putting some distance between them.
"No, I haven't brushed my teeth. I don't want to!" Seeing Jiang Cong's somewhat stunned look, Chen Er still covered her mouth and explained sullenly.
"I don't mind." Jiang Cong had the idea of teasing Chen Er. He stepped forward aggressively until their noses touched, and they stared into each other's eyes.
Chen Er: "..." Thanks a lot!
Chen Er resolutely pushed Jiang Cong away, with a million swear words running through her mind.
In the temple, Chen Er felt that her whole life rhythm had slowed down. She leisurely sat on the steps in front of the wing - room, basking in the sun.
A white cat jumped down from a corner of the eaves and curled up at Chen Er's feet.
Girls all liked furry things, and Chen Er was no exception. She picked up the furry ball at her feet and affectionately rubbed her face against the white cat's.
When Jiang Cong came out, he saw this scene. The white cat was lazily lying on Chen Er's chest, and its blue eyes were even more crystal - clear under the refraction of the sun.
"Don't just pick up such animals. They're likely to have parasites." Jiang Cong seriously took the cat out of Chen Er's arms and put it on the ground.
He would never admit that he was jealous of this cat.
Chen Er looked at the departing white cat with regret. Then she turned her head, propped her chin up, and said boredly, "So what shall we do? We can't just sit here and soak up the sun all day, can we?"
Jiang Cong raised his eyebrows and countered, "Who said this morning that they wanted to stay one more day? Why can't you hold your horses now?"
Chen Er coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment. "I... I was just impulsive. I overestimated my self - control. It seems that I'm destined to be a worldly person, only able to enjoy the prosperity of the world and unable to be detached and desireless."
Towards the end, perhaps influenced by the atmosphere in the temple, the words Chen Er said carried a bit of Buddhist wisdom.
Jiang Cong neither agreed nor disagreed. He continued along with Chen Er's words, "All my desires and longings come from you. If you want to be in the mortal world, I'll accompany you. If you want to be detached from it, I'll also accompany you to the end."