The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism
chapter-456

"It should be a woman, right?" mumbled Fangzheng.

At that moment, he heard music in his ears.

The clock above the window sill goes tick-tock

Outside the window, the rain goes pitter-patter

I watch

the guitar covered in dust

but the string of love has loosened.

in the vase.

I'm that weeping lily

…

"Master, what song is that? It's quite nice… But it sounds a little melancholic," asked Red Boy out of curiosity.

Fangzheng looked up and saw a balcony on the third flour. There was a pot of lilies, and the windows were open. White curtains were fluttering gently in the wind. Hanging from the window was a wind chime that tinkled in the wind as though it was an accompaniment to the song.

The music stopped before the song finished. It was unknown what had happened inside the room.

"Master, I was asking you a question. What song is that?" asked Red Boy

"Weeping Lily. I heard it back when I was still in school. Probably no one listens to it these days…" Fangzheng seldom listened to pop music now. He also did not know how many people still listened to the music that was contemporary in his younger days. Perhaps there were still many people who reminisced the good old days.

Fangzheng shook his head. The song made him recall a lot about the past. He recalled the days when he was schooling as people scribbled on paper with their pens, or the symbols written on the blackboard that taxed his mind. He also recalled how he used to secretly glance at girls…

"Weeping Lily? It sounds really melancholic. Whatever, I'm not going to think about it," Red Boy mumbled.

At that moment, there was a sudden exclamation from upstairs. "Ah! Be careful!"

Pa!

Fangzheng felt something smash into his head before mud and porcelain fragments fell. Finally, a flower dropped on him as Fangzheng grabbed it in his hand. The petals shook but did not fall off.

"Sorry! Sorry!" A girl's exclamation sounded from upstairs.

Fangzheng wiped away the soil on his bald head as he looked up to see a tomboyish girl mumbling nervously before she shrank back.

"That can't be! She showed her face and she still hopes to run? Doesn't she know that a monk may run but his temple can't?" exclaimed Red Boy.

Dong!

Fangzheng rapped Red Boy on the head. What was this brat saying? They were the monks, alright?

Red Boy said in dissatisfaction, "Master, it doesn't matter if my words are crude. I'm speaking the truth. What kind of person is she? She actually shrank back when her flower pot fell to hit you. She didn't even say a word."

"Who didn't say a word?" At that moment a panting female voice sounded. Following that, a girl with a long ponytail ran over. The outer corners of her eyes inclined upwards, she had thin lips, and her figure appeared somewhat stout. Her entire person looked energetic as though she was brimming with energy. She wore jeans and a t-shirt, making her look quite androgynous.

"You did it?" Red Boy pointed at the flower pot on the ground in front of Fangzheng as he asked.

The girl blushed. "It was me. Eh, I'm sorry. Are you fine?" The girl's face turned even redder when she saw Fangzheng. She also secretly heaved a sigh of relief. She was already very thankful that the flower pot did not kill someone. She was also extremely intrigued. What was up with the monk's head? He was completely fine despite being hit by a flower pot that fell from the third floor…

"Amitabha. Patron, don't worry. This Penniless Monk is fine." Fangzheng was indeed alright. He would be fine with the White Lunar Monk Robe even if a missile fell on him, much less a flower pot. Since he was fine, why put her in a difficult position?

However Red Boy wasn't happy. "What do you mean fine? My master was hit—"

"Then what do you want?" The girl also realized that the elder monk was more obliging. It was the doll-like kid that was harder to deal with.

Red Boy thought as he said, "Take care of our meals at the very least, right?"

Fangzheng was just about to reprimand Red Boy when he found that what Red Boy said was quite reasonable. It was almost noon, and if they had no one to take care of their meals, they would only end up starving on the streets.

The girl was taken aback before she laughed. "I was wondering what you would ask! Sure, I'll take care of your meals. Alright?"

Red Boy gave a smug smile, but he still shot a glance at Fangzheng. Fangzheng said with a bitter smile, "Patron, This Penniless Monk's disciple is a little disobedient. Please don't take it to heart." Fangzheng was a little embarrassed to ask for food directly. He absolutely rejected the thought of him doing so.

Red Boy immediately felt deflated. He realized that his actions were akin to washing a pig, only a waste of both water and soap when his master was in question! He had already set it up nicely for his master, but everything was for naught.

However the girl smiled. "It's fine. But I have to treat you to a meal. By the way, can I ask a question?"

Fangzheng asked, "Patron, what do you wish to ask?"

"Are you real monks?" The girl's large eyes shimmered. She was clearly curious.

Fangzheng nodded. "Amitabha."

"Isn't that obvious? If my master isn't a monk, then there are no monks in the world," said Red Boy matter-of-factly. Even a Child of Wealth under Bodhisattva like him had been thrown to Fangzheng for disciplinary matters. Could such a monk be fake?

But at that moment, it sounded like a joke to the girl. She thought nothing of it, writing it off as a child's blabbering. However she was certain that the monk in front of her was a monk. She was filled with curiosity as she clapped. "Alright, let's go. I'll treat you to a good meal!"

"Uh, aren't we going to your place to eat?" Red Boy was puzzled. The girl's home was upstairs, so why were they heading out?

The girl said with a blushed face, "Well… I don't know how to cook."

"What about your parents?" pressed Red Boy.

"They aren't around. It would be simple if they were." The girl shook her head wryly.

However Fangzheng could see a sly look in the girl's eyes. Clearly she was lying, but that wasn't important. Fangzheng did not need to go to her place for a meal.

They went to have lunch at a tiny restaurant. Fangzheng and Red Boy each had a bowl of clear noodle soup. The girl sat by the side in astonishment as her eyes kept darting around. Her thoughts were a mystery. From time to time, she would furtively look at Fangzheng and Red Boy.

She realized that the two did not disdain the food at all. In fact, they ate happily. They even finished the soup and did not waste a single drop.

Fangzheng stood out, for his every action exuded a Zen-like sensation. He seemed imperturbable, and his actions were neither fast nor slow. It felt comforting to look at him. It was as though it wasn't a person sitting there, but a tree, grass, or mountain. He was natural, as though he was meant to sit there. He did not seem to stand out. It left one feeling at peace and calm. It was very soothing.

After the meal, Fangzheng pressed his palms together. "Amitabha. Thank you, Patron."

"You're welcome. It's only right for me to do so." The girl quickly waved her hands before she asked, "Are you real monks?"

Fangzheng: "…"

Red Boy rolled his eyes.