Chapter 94
After dinner, the group chatted for a while. Su Bin brought up the plan to visit the Lingyin Temple the next day and turned to Allen, asking, “Do you have any religious beliefs? Can you visit temples?” Su Bin wasn’t sure if Allen might have any reservations due to his grandfather being a monk.
Allen replied, “It’s fine. I followed my father’s Christianity when I was young, but now I’m an atheist.”
Jin Fei was surprised, “I thought most Westerners believe in God.”
Allen explained, “Indeed, most families have a belief in God. Children are usually required to attend church with their parents before they understand things. It becomes a habit, a form of religious inheritance. However, many scientists later turn to atheism.”
Jin Fei rubbed his chin, “To be honest, going to temples and such is also a form of tradition for us. My family goes to temples every Chinese New Year to have the abbot perform rituals for business success and good weather in the coming year. I’m used to it. Whenever things don’t go well, I feel like I have to visit a temple to feel more at ease.”
Su Bin asked Jin Fei, “What’s bothering you?”
Jin Fei grumbled, “Damn it, I lost around three hundred thousand in gold trading recently!”
Su Bin: “…” The world of the rich is hard to understand, orz…
Jin Fei took a sip of beer, thinking that even his targeted potential brother-in-law had been snatched away by someone else. He felt the need to go to the temple!
Looking at the time, it was already close to 10 PM. The three of them decided to head back to the hotel after arranging to meet at the Lingyin Temple entrance early the next morning.
Seeing Jin Fei leaving with Lina, Su Bin whispered to Allen, “Is Jin Fei taking Lina to spend the night?”
Walking along the lake embankment, Allen held Su Bin’s hand and said matter-of-factly, “They’re a couple.”
Su Bin asked, “Do you think Jin Fei is serious?”
Allen responded, “Probably not.”
Su Bin exclaimed indignantly, “Jin Fei is such a scumbag!”
Allen replied calmly, “They’re adults.”
Su Bin clenched his fist, “They just met and already…”
Allen glanced at him, “Are you envious?” Envious that I didn’t devour you on our first meeting?
Su Bin denied, “I’m not!” I’m envious of Jin Fei… his ability to pick up girls!
Allen tightened his grip on Su Bin’s hand, “It’s okay. If you want, we can also do that tonight.”
Su Bin hurriedly refused, “N-No, I can’t. I have to wake up early tomorrow!” Why does Allen always misunderstand him like this?
Allen chuckled, “Alright, then tomorrow night. We can sleep in the day after tomorrow.”
Su Bin: “…”
Back at the hotel, Su Bin was still curious about Jin Fei. He couldn’t resist sending him a message, “Lina looks pretty innocent. Where did you find her?”
Jin Fei replied, “Hahaha, big brother has his ways~ 😎”
Su Bin asked, “What ways? Seriously, is picking up girls that easy?”
Jin Fei responded, “I have a secret.”
Su Bin asked, “What secret?”
Jin Fei thought, you’ve already got Allen, and here you are gossiping about picking up girls. Watch out, your man might kill you… But he still shared his secret without reservation, “If she’s pure and innocent, show her the bustling world. If she’s been through ups and downs, take her on a merry-go-round.”
Su Bin commented, “All these methods boil down to having money.”
Jin Fei affirmed, “That’s a must.”
Su Bin sighed, “…”
Jin Fei added, “Tomorrow morning, Lina is joining us to the Lingyin Temple. Goodnight.”
Su Bin’s imagination ran wild. He couldn’t help but send another message to confirm, “Are you and Lina getting intimate?” ——Even though being with Allen was very comfortable, he couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful that he hadn’t experienced that with a woman during his twenty years as a straight guy.
Two minutes later, Jin Fei responded, “Damn it! Not suitable for minors! Go to sleep! Little virgin!”
“…” Su Bin was struck by that remark and was unable to counter it. He felt uncomfortable rolling around on the bed.
After taking a shower, Su Bin was embraced by Allen for a long time. Before going to sleep, he was half-asleep when Allen kissed him and requested several times, “I belong to you.”
Setting the alarm for seven o’clock the next morning, Su Bin hurriedly got ready and left the hotel with Allen. They took a taxi to the Lingyin Temple, but Jin Fei and Lina were nowhere in sight.
Su Bin asked Allen for some change and bought breakfast from a nearby stall. As he returned, he saw Allen standing in front of the temple’s English introduction sign. His profile looked as handsome as a sculpture, though his skin was slightly pale due to the cold.
Su Bin handed Allen cups of red bean porridge, listening as Allen said, “This temple has a beautiful name.”
“Wow, it really does…” Su Bin had never paid attention to it before, but after Allen mentioned it, he realized.
—Temple of the Soul’s Retreat, Lingyin Temple.
“My grandfather’s home is near the Fuyun Ancient Village not far from here. I used to come here often. I even knew the gatekeeper at Lingyin Temple back then. I suppose they’ve changed by now…”
Allen raised his hand to naturally wipe away the oil stains from the corner of Su Bin’s mouth and smiled, “Let’s visit your grandfather’s place later.”
Su Bin said, “Sure…”
Just as they were speaking, Jin Fei and Lina arrived. Jin Fei was still groggy, obviously not fully awake, while Lina seemed full of energy. Her curly hair cascaded down, giving her an elegant and charming appearance.
“What are you guys eating? I want some too!” Jin Fei flared his nostrils excitedly. “It seems like there’s a smell of braised chicken legs!”
Su Bin corrected him, “It’s braised eggs! There’s no braised chicken legs at the temple entrance!”
Jin Fei took out a hundred yuan bill from his wallet and handed it to Lina, “Go buy me five braised eggs!”
Watching this scene, Su Bin couldn’t help but think of his own actions earlier when he asked Allen for money to buy breakfast. He felt a bit embarrassed… sob… it seemed like he really was being taken care of!
Lina not only bought braised eggs but also tofu skewers, vegetarian zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and four bottles of mineral water. She took two bottles and handed one to Su Bin, indicating for him to share it with Allen.
Su Bin noticed that Lina didn’t return the remaining money to Jin Fei. Reflecting on his own action of returning the leftover thirteen yuan to Allen after buying breakfast, he suddenly felt a bit foolish — no~ he needed to find a chance to start a little savings fund! QAQ
Inside the temple, Jin Fei immediately shed his nonchalant expression, purchasing the best incense and candles. He devoutly visited the Arhat Hall and the Grand Hall, lighting incense and candles at each location. Lina followed alongside, lighting candles for Jin Fei.
Su Bin was influenced by the atmosphere and followed suit, praying — Buddha, bless my studies and career to go smoothly… Buddha, please take away the people who have harmed me… No, Buddha, bless me to let go of the past quickly… Buddha, protect Allen’s health and well-being, but not too much restraint… Well, Buddha, maybe I shouldn’t be asking for such things, orz…
Allen never prayed throughout, not even with a symbolic gesture of folded hands. However, his expression was solemn, showing respect for the unfamiliar culture. Occasionally, he’d look around with a curious gaze, observing the temple’s architecture and the intricate Buddha sculptures.
After Su Bin finished praying, Allen asked him, “What did you wish for?”
Su Bin replied, “Uh, just asked for smooth sailing…”
Allen smiled at him, thinking that he could have asked him for that.
After leaving the temple, they took an internal shuttle to Fuyun Ancient Village and took a stroll. Jin Fei exclaimed, “So your grandfather’s home is in this feng shui treasure trove!” He pointed to an antique sign across from the village and said, “That’s Anman Fuyun Hotel.”
Su Bin looked at the promotional picture of the hotel’s effects and sighed, “It’s so beautiful!” He hadn’t been here for years, so he wasn’t aware of the development.
Jin Fei said, “It will open next year.”
Standing nearby, Allen said to Su Bin, “We’ll stay here when we come back in the future. It’s close to your grandfather’s place.” — And close to my grandfather’s place too.
Leaving Fuyun Ancient Village, they circumvented Feilai Peak and had a vegetarian meal at a nearby restaurant. After a short rest, they continued their journey on foot along the Zhongfa Road.
Surrounded by trees and the cold weather, their warm breaths turned into mist that dissipated in the air. Treading on the worn green stone road, they ascended steps and arrived at the Sansheng Hall.
“Wow! Darling, there’s a Three Lifetimes Stone here. Let’s make a wish for us to be together for three lifetimes!” Jin Fei dramatically grabbed Lina’s hand and rushed in.
Su Bin watched them speechlessly, privately complaining. Weren’t they a chance encounter? Yet here they were, making wishes!
“What’s this place?” Allen was puzzled.
Su Bin was also unsure and hadn’t paid much attention to the legend of the Three Lifetimes Stone. He quickly read the introduction by the entrance and said, “Huh!”
Allen asked, “What’s wrong?”
Su Bin replied, “The story of the Three Lifetimes Stone is about two men!”
Allen was intrigued, “What story? Tell me.”
Su Bin provided a simple translation in English for Allen, “It seems that during the Tang Dynasty, a nobleman’s son named Li Yuan fell on hard times and ended up at the Huilin Monastery. He formed a close bond with the abbot, Yuan Guan. They were inseparable, spending nights together in deep conversation. Later, they planned a trip, one preferring a water route and the other a mountain route. Unable to agree, Yuan Guan compromised and took the water route, which turned out to be a path of no return… Yuan Guan saw it as fate, wrote a farewell letter in advance, and before dying, promised Li Yuan three lifetimes of encounters.”
Finishing the story, Su Bin wasn’t sure if he was overthinking it, but he felt that the two characters in the story seemed to have a “brothers in arms” vibe, especially considering one was a monk and the other a layman. Their relationship seemed restrained and complicated…
Unexpectedly, after Allen heard the story, he held Su Bin’s hand and walked inside, saying, “Let’s make a wish too.”
Su Bin: “…” Making a wish is fine, but why are you holding my hand? It could lead to misunderstandings! QAQ
Afterward, Jin Fei suggested they go to a nearby tea house for a break. Su Bin thought to himself that even the wealthy Jin Fei wanted tea? Were they not just trying to appear cultured?
However, after Jin Fei entered the tea house, he immediately struck up a conversation with the owner about different teas like Jin Jun Mei, Yin Jun Mei, and Da Hong Pao. His knowledge and eloquence were impressive, and he sounded quite knowledgeable.
Su Bin gradually started to see Jin Fei in a new light — he wasn’t just good at picking up girls!
Although they intended to have a brief rest, they ended up sitting there all afternoon. With a cup of clear tea and the passage of time, the sounds of the flowing water outside the tea house seemed to wash away all distractions.
As Su Bin contemplated, he seemed to grasp a few life lessons… He had such good friends now, along with Allen who protected him (Master?), so why get caught up in the past? It was time to let go and focus on living his life well.