At high noon, no monks could be seen on the back mountain of Lingwu Temple. Only a patch of lush green vegetables lay listlessly basking in the sun.
Jiang Zhan stood in the open wilderness, looking around. He quickly spotted a well not far from the vegetable patch.
He walked over briskly, leaned on the cool well wall to gather his courage, and peered inside.
The well was deep and dark, its contents unclear.
Jiang Zhan sniffed hard.
He couldn’t smell anything unusual.
His gaze fell on the well frame.
Perhaps he should draw up a bucket of water to examine?
Jiang Zhan reached for the handle but suddenly jumped and turned around.
A young monk stood not far behind him.
Jiang Zhan’s back went cold, but he plastered an amiable smile on his face. “Master, you startled me by standing behind me.”
The young monk pressed his palms together and bowed to Jiang Zhan, asking, “Why is the benefactor here? Our back mountain is not open to visitors.”
“Oh, is that so?” Jiang Zhan inconspicuously took a few steps to the side, widening the distance between himself and the young monk. “I had your temple’s famous vegetable soup for lunch. It was so delicious, it left my mouth watering. I asked a monk about it, and he said the wild vegetables used in the soup must be grown on your temple’s back mountain and watered from a special well to achieve that flavor.”
Jiang Zhan remained inwardly cautious, but his expression remained natural. “Master, you see, I have no other hobbies except for good food. After hearing what that monk said, I couldn’t help but come here to see what these wild vegetables look like and taste the well water. That way, I might be able to buy some when I return home.”
The young monk smiled. “These wild vegetables were transplanted here by our master uncle from deep in the mountains years ago. They’re not sold elsewhere, I’m afraid the benefactor will be disappointed.”
Jiang Zhan indeed looked greatly disappointed. “Is that so? It seems if I want to taste this again, I’ll have to return to your esteemed temple.”
The young monk looked even more pleased. “Many benefactors come to offer incense every few days. Besides the temple’s efficacious incense, it’s also for this soup.”
Jiang Zhan’s anxiety eased by half.
If there were truly something unspeakable in the well-connected to this monk, he shouldn’t be so complacent.
This was good; at least for now, there was no worry about wanting to silence each other.
With these thoughts, Jiang Zhan relaxed further and casually struck up a conversation with the young monk. “It’s the hottest part of the day. Why isn’t Master resting well and instead coming here?”
The exceptionally handsome youth’s face bore a likable smile, undoubtedly very appealing. The young monk couldn’t help but complain, “These wild vegetables are most delicate. At this time, they need watering…”
Jiang Zhan chuckled upon hearing this.
So this young monk was also being picked on, and assigned to do such hard labor.
“Benefactor should leave soon. This humble monk needs to work now.” The young monk walked towards the well, skillfully turning the handle.
A creaking sound came as he drew up a bucket of water.
Jiang Zhan couldn’t help but crane his neck to look.
“Benefactor?”
“Master, it’s so hot, and you’re drawing water alone. How tiring! I’m free anyway, let me help you water the vegetables.”
“How can that be?” The young monk lifted the water bucket and walked towards the vegetable patch.
Jiang Zhan persisted, following him. “Please don’t refuse, Master. This is my sincere offering to Buddha. Perhaps seeing my sincerity, Buddha will grant my wishes soon.”
Hearing this, the young monk couldn’t refuse and nodded.
Amitabha, may Buddha bear witness, he wasn’t lazy.
The water drawn from the dark well was surprisingly clear, with no detectable odor.
After watering about eighty percent of the vegetable patch, Second Young Master Jiang, exhausted beyond measure, sat on the ground panting, all dignity forgotten.
He wanted to have a good talk about life with Fourth Sister.
“Thank you for your help today, benefactor. Please go rest now.”
Seeing Jiang Zhan still wanting to push himself, the young monk smiled, “Benefactor’s face is about to peel from the sun.”
Jiang Zhan: “…”
Seeing that he truly hadn’t found anything unusual, Jiang Zhan dusted himself off and stood up. “Then I’ll take my leave. By the way, may I know Master’s name?”
The young monk pressed his palms together towards Jiang Zhan. “Amitabha, this humble monk is Si Kong.”
“Master Si Kong, may we meet again if fate allows.” Jiang Zhan smiled and cupped his hands in farewell, though he knew in his heart such pleasantries were mere formalities. Once he left Lingwu Temple, he would surely have no more interactions with the people here.
“Farewell.” The young monk watched Jiang Zhan leave, then sat at the edge of the field to rest for a while before walking back to the well.
He had come earlier than usual today, and with the help of the enthusiastic benefactor, he could soon return to rest.
The young monk, having regained his strength after resting, quickly drew up another bucket of water. This time, however, he didn’t immediately carry the water back. Instead, he stared at the bucket with a shocked expression.
In the bucket, about three-quarters full, the well water remained clear, but there was something extra.
It was a shoe.
How could a shoe be drawn up from the well?
The young monk’s expression became uncertain and fearful as he considered a possibility.
Could it be that one of the senior monks had fallen in?
No, that couldn’t be right. During morning prayers, no one had been reported missing—
The young monk set down the bucket and took a heavy step forward, leaning over the well to peer down.
“Si Kong, what are you looking at?” A familiar voice came from behind, sending chills down the young monk’s spine.
…
Jiang Zhan quietly left the back mountain, only to find Jiang Si waiting nearby with Yu Jin.
Jiang Zhan smiled as he approached them. “Oh? Fourth Sister, you’ve already finished your midday rest?”
“Where did Second Brother go?” Jiang Si asked with a stern face.
“Just wandering around.” Jiang Zhan looked up at the sky, changing the subject, “How did you two end up together?”
“We met by chance and saw Second Brother Jiang doing a good deed, so we didn’t disturb you,” Yu Jin said.
Jiang Zhan was greatly embarrassed. “Oh, you both saw that?”
“Let’s talk after we leave this place. It’s past noon, and people will start coming this way soon,” Jiang Si said sternly.
The three returned to the guest room. Jiang Zhan gulped down a pot of water before stopping. “Fourth Sister, what are you unhappy about?”
Jiang Si raised an eyebrow. “Second Brother still has the nerve to ask? Running off alone to someone else’s back mountain, aren’t you afraid of an accident?”
Before Jiang Zhan could respond, Yu Jin chuckled softly.
This girl was truly a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Who was it that followed a drunk man in the middle of the night?
However — this probably proved how important Jiang Zhan was to her.
Concern breeds anxiety.
Yu Jin glanced at the wronged-looking Jiang Zhan, suddenly feeling a twinge of jealousy.
“Fourth Sister doesn’t know, but after you left, the ghost appeared in my dream! But there was nothing unusual on the back mountain. The monk and I took turns drawing dozens of buckets of water, and we didn’t even find a bird feather.”
“Then Second Brother shouldn’t worry about these things anymore. When it cools down a bit, let’s leave.”
Jiang Zhan could only nod.
But outside, the sun was still glaring, even as the temple bells began to ring.