CHAPTER 215: 194: ENCOUNTERING BUGUI IN THE TEMPLE WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THE OLD FRIEND

The moment Xu Fan heard these words from behind the two, his eyes flickered imperceptibly.

He patted Jin Yunzhi’s shoulder and leaned close to his ear, speaking softly, "Follow me when we pray later, and be a bit more earnest, okay?"

"Is it really that effective?" Jin Yunzhi asked, seeing his serious demeanor, instinctively straightening his own face.

"Very effective."

"Alright, got it."

"Good." Xu Fan gently ruffled his hair, his expression tinged with an indecipherable mix of joy and anticipation.

The Guanyin Hall was crowded with worshippers, and the striking looks of the four immediately attracted the attention of these devotees.

Fortunately, most of them were accompanied by their partners, and for the minority who were alone, the presence of the Bodhisattva seemed to keep them from approaching and disturbing the group.

This did grant them some tranquility, though the incessant glances from all directions were somewhat vexing.

"Brother Fan." While waiting in line for their turn to kneel and pray, Jin Yunzhi tugged at the hem of his clothes, his tone filled with mild frustration. "I don’t know what to wish for anymore."

Earlier, when praying to the other Bodhisattvas below, he had already voiced all his wishes, leaving him at a loss this time.

"Then wish that we can always be together." Xu Fan suggested cautiously, his gaze fixed on him.

Afraid to miss even the tiniest shift in his expression.

Jin Yunzhi pondered for a moment, his grape-like eyes lighting up. "Alright, then I’ll wish to always be with Brother Fan, my sister, Brother Wei, and Xu Linchuan!"

Xu Fan: "..."

Yu Zhi and Shi Wei, overhearing this conversation: "..."

The two turned their heads and, surprisingly in sync, expressed silent sympathy toward Xu Fan, letting out a soft sigh.

Xu Fan awkwardly coughed before coaxing, "Xu Linchuan isn’t here, just mentioning his name won’t help. Little Zhi and the others will make their wishes themselves."

"So I can only wish for me and you?" Jin Yunzhi raised his brows, a faint trace of confusion in his gaze.

Something felt off to him, though he couldn’t pinpoint what.

Xu Fan, feeling slightly guilty, answered softly, then glanced at him with a hurt expression. "You don’t want to?"

"No." Jin Yunzhi gripped his sleeve tightly, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. "I think it’s wonderful, I don’t mind at all."

"Alright, remember to be serious later."

"Got it, sincerity is key, I’ll definitely be earnest."

Having been completely led by Xu Fan, Jin Yunzhi remained blissfully unaware that he’d fallen right into his plan.

A plan that would bind them together for a lifetime.

The people ahead of them in line dwindled, and within minutes it was Yu Zhi and Shi Wei’s turn.

Hand in hand, they walked toward the steps, knelt devoutly on the prayer cushions with hands clasped reverently, eyes closed, and made their heartfelt wishes before the Guanyin statue.

When they finished praying, they exchanged a knowing smile, embedding all their emotions for one another into that single shared moment.

"Zhizhi, what did you wish for?" Shi Wei wrapped the small girl in his arms under the ginkgo tree nearby.

He held her from behind, his chin resting atop her soft head.

Yu Zhi pressed her lips together. "I can’t say. If I say it, it won’t come true."

"Was it all about us?" Shi Wei tilted his head and planted a kiss on her smooth cheek.

His low voice was rich with tender warmth.

Such an intimate posture drew repeated glances from passersby. Under their gaze, the girl’s cheeks flushed noticeably pink.

She turned and buried her head in his chest, murmuring softly, "Yes, just us."

If it’s about love, how could anyone else be involved?

Shi Wei chuckled lightly, his slightly upturned peach blossom eyes brimming with scattered sunlight.

He gently stroked the girl’s dark, silky hair, his fingertips curling around a strand. "Zhizhi, shall we go get a peace charm later?"

"Can we do that here?"

"We can, I’ve made one before."

Yu Zhi tilted her head upward, staring at him unblinkingly. Her butterfly-wing-like lashes fluttered softly. "Did you make it for yourself? Or...?"

The girl’s gaze was calm, but her lashes, trembling twice per second, betrayed her emotions.

"What are you thinking? It was for Shi Yin." Shi Wei tapped her forehead lightly in mock frustration.

This little one was even starting to overthink things now.

"I wasn’t thinking anything." Yu Zhi leaned her neck back to avoid his touch, but her cheeks turned redder.

This time, though, it wasn’t from embarrassment—it was from irritation.

A gentle breeze swept through, carrying ginkgo leaves down as they paved a trail of green along the path.

The warm sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shades against the ground.

The girl stopped walking, crouching under the shimmering scatter of light to pick up a perfectly intact fallen leaf. She held it out to the man. "For you."

"Thank you, darling." Shi Wei kissed her forehead, curling his lips into a smile as he carefully tucked the ginkgo leaf into his coat pocket.

A man who had never wanted for anything since childhood now found joy and satisfaction in a simple, ubiquitous ginkgo leaf.

This scene stirred something in Xu Fan—not envy, but a sense of relief. Relief that Shi Wei had finally found the warmth and happiness he had long yearned for.

"Brother Fan, I want one too." The tugging at his sleeve and the soft, sweet voice brought Xu Fan back to his senses.

When he looked at the boy in front of him, he suddenly felt that the beautiful scenery behind him couldn’t compare to the captivating look in this boy’s eyes.

"Brother Fan?" Jin Yunzhi noticed him staring and quickly patted his own cheek.

Had some incense ash gotten on his face again?

"Alright, I’ll go get one for you." Xu Fan pinched his cheek before Jin Yunzhi could swat it away, then hurried over to a pile of fallen leaves nearby.

After picking through them for a while, he finally selected one that was relatively flawless and intact.

Thrilled to receive the same thing as Yu Zhi, Jin Yunzhi couldn’t contain his excitement. He waved the leaf around endlessly, showing it off to Shi Wei like a child.

After they’d had their fun, the group prepared to head down the mountain to request peace charms. But before stepping off the stairs, they were stopped.

A teenage monk dressed in robes greeted them with Buddhist etiquette. "Excuse me, fellow visitors, the elder of our temple has requested an audience."

Behind the Guanyin Hall in a small courtyard, a young man dressed in flowing white sat by a table, fiddling with a teapot and porcelain cups.

His features were handsome, and though he had renounced worldly affairs, his charisma was impossible to conceal. If not for the serene air of detachment emanating from him, one might not have immediately realized he was a monk.

"You’ve arrived; sit down." Bugui casually poured several cups of tea and placed them on the stone seats before the table, gesturing for them to take a seat.

"Why did you summon us?" Yu Zhi couldn’t stop staring at him from the moment they walked in.

It wasn’t out of curiosity—there was just an inexplicable familiarity about him, almost as if they’d known each other for a long time.