He: "Rongcheng University."
I sat up straight, full of energy.
Me: "I thought you graduated from Taoist College."
He: "I once wanted to enroll in The China Taoist College."
I responded with an "oh," probably because his family didn't agree.
Zhou Heng should have theoretically entered the Taoist College, but he actually graduated from a regular university, which surprised me.
I originally thought he didn't want to talk much about his family, and after a few seconds of silence, he continued in a gentle tone, "I went to middle school and high school at a school near Lingya Mountain, and my university was also nearby. But I lived in Guanli, so I grew up near Qingyun Temple." It seemed that he and his family were indeed estranged, and I didn't want to inquire further about the reasons. He had mentioned that everyone who came to Qingyun Temple had their own story. I asked, "So did you chant and practice every day in college?"
He smiled and said, "Cultivation is about perseverance in oneself, of course."
I asked, "Don't your classmates think you're very unconventional?"
He replied, "That's why they make fun of me as Master Zhou. What's interesting is that they often ask me to help them with fortune-telling."
Zhou Heng always has a smile on his face, but I am very interested in what he says.
I asked, "So are you accurate?"
He replied, "It's not about being accurate or not, just believe and don't be superstitious."
Me: "What do they all count as?"
Him: "For boys, it's about chasing girls, whether there's fate, and whether they'll break up. And there's something even more interesting - before exams, they always ask me to read their fortune. Even worse, they ask me to draw a talisman to make the girl they love fall for them."
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt and asked, "Did you draw it?"
He shook his head, smiling brightly, "I don't know how to make that kind of talisman."
"So, when I asked you for a talisman to drive people away last time, you were at a loss?" I couldn't help but think of the random phone call I made to him that night.
He replied, "Yes, I was at a loss at the time. What kind of talisman is that? To drive away ghosts, I can draw it, but to drive away people, I really can't."
I burst into laughter and said, "Zhou Heng is such an interesting person, completely different from the stiff image of a Taoist priest I had imagined. We hardly stopped along the way and chatted about many funny stories from his college days.
The car stopped outside the residential area, and I bid farewell to Zhou Heng with joy, saying, " Master, I really had a great time today."
Zhou Heng stood under the streetlight, bathed in its glow. He already had a touch of elegance, and in the hazy light, he seemed even more otherworldly. He smiled lightly and said, "If I have caused you any trouble, then it is my fault."
Me: "No, Master, really."
He nodded, pursed his lips, and gestured for me to go in quickly.
After saying goodbye to him, I entered the residential area. When I turned back, I saw him still sitting in the car, not leaving. The window was rolled down, and he smiled at me.
I waved goodbye once again, turned around, and quickly entered the residential area. In the warm atmosphere of the the Chiang family, I still felt the distance between Zhou Heng and them. This may be a knot in Zhou Heng's heart, as well as a pain in Mrs. Jiang's heart.
In the office, sitting at my desk, staring at the computer, my eyes felt a bit dry, so I got up to put in some eye drops and prepared to take a break.
The rest area was intentionally left empty by Du Yuwei, who is a conscientious boss, at least knowing to provide benefits for the employees.
Sitting on the sofa, holding a cup, looking at the sunlight outside shining through the pale yellow ginkgo leaves onto the mottled window sill, I couldn't help but think of Zhou Heng under the sunlight in the Guanli.
"Xiao Meng." Suddenly, Yao Yao popped up, startling me out of my daze.
She sat down next to me, smiling as she grabbed my arm. "You promised to accompany me this weekend, no backing out."
I was initially taken aback, but then I remembered that I had promised to accompany her to Qingyun Temple to burn incense this weekend.
She seems to be in a good mood these past two days. I wonder if she made up with her boyfriend.
"I just want to make a decision. Last night, we ended the cold war. He admitted defeat and agreed to consider marriage." Yao Yao had a shy look on her face, it seems she really has the idea of getting married.
Me: "Okay, what time are we leaving tomorrow morning?"
Yao Yao is especially happy and immediately says, "8 o'clock."
I helplessly smile and say, "I won't be able to sleep in this weekend again."
"Oh, you are my best friend. As a thank you, I'll treat you to a big meal, okay?"
I nod and say, "This is almost there."
"Count me in," Du Yuwei suddenly appears from behind, sitting down with a big smile on his face, and shamelessly says, "I know a place, it's great, with a romantic atmosphere and excellent food..."
Yao Yao and I exchange a smile, stand up together, pretending not to have seen or heard him speak.
I linked arms with Yao Yao and asked, "Darling, should we drive or take the train tomorrow?"
Yao Yao replied, "Either is fine."
I said, "Let's take the high-speed train. You've been working so hard, it's your rare day off, so let's not drive."
Yao Yao: "We'll book the train tickets later, okay?"
Du Yuwei was dumbfounded, standing there, shouting at our backs, "The boss hasn't finished speaking, you guys are so disrespectful."
Yao Yao clicked her tongue twice, "Aren't you afraid of getting your salary deducted?"
"I shrugged, 'I'm such a hardworking and dedicated employee, he wouldn't be so petty.' Yao Yao nodded in agreement. I concluded, 'He just mentioned that place, I wonder if it's where he's meeting a beautiful young lady.'"
"Big boss is quite generous when pursuing girls."
I glanced at Du Yuwei, who had completely forgotten his frustration and was now chatting with the HR manager. Seeing his smiling face, I couldn't help but think that he's always showing off his charm.
I and Yao Yao took the high-speed train early on Saturday morning, and it was already past 10 o'clock when we arrived at Qingyun Temple. Yao Yao was interested in Zhou Heng's work as a Taoist and asked about it all the way.
"What did you talk to Master Zhou about? He wouldn't be lecturing you on scriptures, would he?"
I gave her a look, " Master Zhou wouldn't be as boring as you."
Yao Yao caught up to me and grabbed my arm, "So, does Master Zhou really have accurate fortune-telling? Will my dreams come true this time? And also, I..."
Yao Yao made countless assumptions that I couldn't possibly answer, expressing great hope for this trip to Qingyun Temple. I looked at her excited expression and couldn't help but feel uneasy. Has Yao Yao really made plans for married life in her hoped-for marriage?
Unconsciously chatting with Yao Yao, we had already arrived at Taoist temple. Yao Yao sighed, "It's so peaceful here, I can't help but want to pay my respects to the Bodhisattva."
She climbed the stone steps three at a time, and I followed behind, wondering if I would run into Zhou Heng, as he might not be on duty today.
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