Chapter 145: Chapter 145

The next morning, Shen Jianian dragged her achy body up to Tanfu Temple for the third time.

She didn’t see the abbot there, so she toured around the temple, retraced her steps down the stone path through the bamboo grove, and found the courtyard where the abbot lived.

Unlike the last time, this time the courtyard door was wide open.

Shen Jianian didn’t go in; she stood outside.

The abbot was drawing water from the well in the courtyard, with an iron bucket tied to a rope, thrown into the well. After a while, he pulled up a bucket of water, poured it into a large barrel, and carried it to the vegetable garden, scooping it up with a wooden ladle to water the greens and melon seedlings.

Shen Jianian quietly waited for a moment. When the abbot paused to catch his breath, she raised her hand and knocked on the door: "Venerable Abbot, I have something I’d like to ask you."

The abbot had seen her long ago but pretended not to notice, busying himself with his tasks.

Without permission, Shen Jianian didn’t step inside, obediently waiting outside, occasionally calling out, to let the abbot know she was still there.

The abbot finished watering several plots, placed the empty bucket by the well, and saw Shen Jianian still standing outside the door.

A shadow fell under the eaves, but she didn’t seek comfort in the shade, instead standing under the sun. The weather had been nice lately, with bright sunshine almost blindingly glaring.

The abbot sighed; there are so many lovesick fools in this world.

"Come in," the abbot turned around and walked to the corridor.

There was a short wooden table and two cushions under the porch; on the table were a teapot, four upside-down teacups, a bound Buddhist Scripture, and a bamboo tube.

Shen Jianian hesitated for a moment, thinking she’d misheard, but seeing the abbot gesture for her to come in, joy flickered in her eyes, and she quickly stepped over the threshold.

She crossed the courtyard and approached the abbot.

Without pleasantries, she directly stated her purpose: "Venerable Abbot, I’ve come concerning that gentleman from the day before yesterday. You mentioned he might have a life-threatening future; is there a way to avert it?"

The abbot didn’t answer her question, instead pushing the bamboo tube towards her: "Let me give you a reading."

Shen Jianian was unsure of his intention but didn’t ask further. She squatted down, placed her right knee on the cushion, held the bamboo tube with both hands, and shook it about ten times.

A bamboo stick fell out, landing on the wooden table with a clear sound.

The abbot picked up the bamboo stick, silently examining it for a while.

Shen Jianian watched the kind and composed face of the abbot, unable to discern his emotions. Her heart grew anxious, prompting her to ask, "What’s wrong?"

The abbot returned the bamboo stick, remaining silent for a long time.

Shen Jianian felt increasingly unsure, as if something was blocking her throat.

The abbot originally didn’t want to meddle, but seeing the lady was persistent, he didn’t have the heart to let her leave disappointed. He picked up the Buddhist Scripture on the table and handed it to her: "Take this and calmly copy it for seven days."

Shen Jianian held the scripture like a treasure but was still uncertain: "Will that resolve it?"

The abbot offered no more details, pointing outside: "You should go back."

Though Shen Jianian felt confused, she understood she’d intruded enough and didn’t speak further. Following his cue, she stood up, ready to leave, but turned to ask, "Does the temple offer rooms for worshippers?"

There was no place better than a temple to find peace of mind.

Understanding her intent, the abbot gave a kindly smile, like an elder to a junior, still pointing outside: "Ask the little monk outside."

Shen Jianian bowed to him, apologized for the disturbance, and turned to leave the courtyard.

She found a little monk and inquired, discovering they did provide rooms, though not for free, requiring rent.

Shen Jianian understood; after all, temples also have expenses and aren’t charitable organizations.

She willingly paid the rent and a week’s meal fee. The little monk led her to a quiet courtyard, allowing her to choose her preferred room.

After a stroll, Shen Jianian settled on a room to the east, opened the door, and went inside. In the morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the floating dust in the air. The furnishings were simple yet adequate: a wooden bed by the window with clean bedding, a wooden table close to the bed that could serve as a makeshift nightstand, and a wardrobe.

The bathroom was outside, shared by all the rooms in the courtyard.

No one occupied the other rooms at the moment, so there was no inconvenience.

Shen Jianian wasn’t a stranger to hardship; she was seeking a retreat to reflect on certain matters. This place was just right.

Sure of her stay, she called the driver at the foot of the mountain, asking him to return to Yunding Palace Villa to fetch some items for her.

Then she called Cheng Jin, asking her to pack a week’s worth of clothes and daily items in a suitcase, ready for the driver’s pickup.

When Cheng Jin learned Shen Jianian wanted to stay at Tanfu Temple for a week, she didn’t think much of it, assuming it was for the scenic allure, much like tourists favoring charming inns.

Having arranged everything, Shen Jianian settled down to copy the Buddhist Scripture.

At noon, a little monk brought her a vegetarian meal. The dishes — greens, tofu, and fresh bamboo shoots from the back mountain — were mild and free of pungent spices but tasty nonetheless.

After lunch and a short rest, Shen Jianian sat at the wooden table, dipped her brush in ink, and continued copying the scripture.

The abbot hadn’t specified how many copies to make, but she intended to write as many as possible.

Around nine in the evening, after washing up, Shen Jianian lay in bed.

Cheng Jin, thoughtful as always, had taken into account the cooler night temperatures around the forested and mountainous Tanfu Temple. Besides clothes and toiletries, she had packed a thick blanket, which the driver had brought along too, keeping Shen Jianian warm.

Turning to face the window, her cheek cushioned by her palm, Shen Jianian listened to the rustling leaves and chirping insects while gazing at the moon through the pane.

Perhaps it was her imagination, but the sky seemed especially dark here, and the stars and moon extraordinarily bright.

In theory, being in an unfamiliar place might provoke fear, but Shen Jianian felt inexplicably calm.

Her phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence.

Even before looking at it, she guessed it was Fu Jichen calling, and sure enough, his name appeared on the screen.

Shen Jianian’s lips curved into a smile as she answered the call.

"It’s early, so you should still be awake?" Fu Jichen asked.

With Switzerland six hours behind China, it was still daytime for him. Remembering this, Shen Jianian asked, "Aren’t you busy? You still have time to call me."

"I’m not busy all the time; there’s always time to call you," Fu Jichen’s voice was gentle and amused.

He emphasized "to call you," not just "time to call," subtly indicating that for her, he would always make time — a privilege no one else had.

Shen Jianian felt as if her heart was dipped in honey, sweet and content.

After a quiet moment, she asked, "It’s about three in the afternoon there, right? Have you had lunch?"

"Yes, around one-thirty," he replied.

Fu Jichen chuckled, "Beef, pasta, black coffee, and some bread with cheese and ham. You’d probably like it, but I didn’t, so I passed."

Then, Fu Jichen asked what she ate.

Seemingly forgetting, Shen Jianian lay on her back, recalling her simple dinner: "Broccoli, mushroom slices, radish ball and vegetable soup."

Fu Jichen noted, "Eating so plainly?"

Shen Jianian merely affirmed it with a hum, offering no more explanation.

They chatted idly until someone called for Fu Jichen on the other end, bringing the call to an end.

Throughout the week, they spoke daily, sometimes for as little as three to five minutes, other times for half an hour. Fu Jichen boarded the return flight still unaware that Shen Jianian was staying at Tanfu Temple.

He assumed she’d spend the week away from Yan Qiusheng’s place, at home reading and practicing the piano. However, upon returning to Yunding Palace Villa, eager to see her, he found she wasn’t home.

Informed by Cheng Jin, Shen Jianian had left for Tanfu Temple a week ago and hadn’t returned.

Craving her presence, Fu Jichen headed out immediately.

Qu Mo was about to finish work when he suddenly received instructions from his boss to visit Tanfu Temple. It was the first time he questioned an order: "Now?"

Fu Jichen pinched the bridge of his nose, uttering a mere two words: "Right now."