Chapter 578

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Qianqian rushed into the temple like a gust of wind, at an astonishing speed.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the temple was solemn and dignified; Ouyang Chengren was kneeling on a cushion, his figure appearing somewhat frail and lonely.

Beside Ouyang Chengren stood an old monk, his face benevolent, draped in a kasaya, fingering prayer beads as he slowly spoke: "Young Master, your worldly ties are not yet severed; are you sure you want to become a monk?"

The old monk's voice echoed in the temple, as if carrying a power that made one ponder deeply.

Behind the old monk stood a little novice, his hands holding a tray upon which lay a pair of scissors; the scissors flashed with a cold glint under the sunlight.

Ouyang Chengren raised his head, looking at the old monk, his gaze firm and resolute as he spoke: "Abbot, trouble you then; this disciple has nothing left to cling to, and only wishes to spend the rest of his life accompanied by green lamps and ancient Buddhas, to finish out this life."

However, just as Ouyang Chengren's words had not yet finished, a figure flashed into the temple like lightning with a "whoosh."

This figure was precisely Qianqian; she stood there panting, her gaze fixed tightly on Ouyang Chengren kneeling on the cushion.

"What are you doing? What can't you think through that you want to become a monk?" Qianqian's voice carried a trace of anxiety and bewilderment.

She walked quickly to Ouyang Chengren's side, reaching out to pull him up, but discovered she could not budge him in the slightest.

Ouyang Chengren turned his head, looking at Qianqian; the flame originally burning in his eyes seemed to leap for an instant, but then, as if doused by a basin of cold water, it became dim and lightless.

"Qianqian, I've already decided; you don't need to stop me." Ouyang Chengren's voice was calm and cold, as if he had already lost all passion for this world.

Qianqian's face was full of skepticism; she simply didn't believe it! So, without the slightest hesitation, she spoke: "I just don't believe it!" Then, she mustered all her strength and gave a fierce yank. However, despite using every ounce of strength, Ouyang Chengren still did not move a fraction.

Ouyang Chengren was like a mountain, standing there steady and unmoving; no matter how Qianqian exerted herself, he did not move in the slightest.

Qianqian was somewhat unwilling to accept this; she gritted her teeth again, using even greater force to pull. But just as she was about to succeed, her hand suddenly slipped, her whole body lost balance, and like a kite with its string cut, she fell straight backward.

Seeing Qianqian about to fall to the ground, Ouyang Chengren did not hesitate in the slightest; he leapt up like lightning, swiftly stretching out both arms, and caught the falling Qianqian in one grasp.

The crook of Ouyang Chengren's arm was as solid and strong as steel, tightly encircling Qianqian's waist, giving her an inexplicable sense of security.

Her gaze subconsciously fell on Ouyang Chengren's face, and Ouyang Chengren just happened to be looking at her. In that moment their eyes met, time seemed to freeze.

However, it was merely a split second of eye contact; Ouyang Chengren's face suddenly turned red like a ripe apple, flushing in a "whoosh."

He felt his arm as if it had been roasted by fire, scorching hot. He steadied Qianqian in some fluster, then hurriedly hid his hands behind his back, as if afraid someone would see his discomfiture.

The Abbot at the side witnessed all this; he smiled and spoke: "Young Master, why not consider it a bit more? This old monk will not disturb you further." Finishing his words, he turned with the little novice, preparing to leave.

Seeing this, Ouyang Chengren hurriedly spoke: "Abbot, I..." However, his words were not yet finished when Qianqian stepped forward and covered his mouth with her hand.

Qianqian, face full of smiles, called out to the Abbot: "Old Monk, thank you! We're not becoming monks!" Her voice was clear and melodious, like an oriole in spring.

However, the old monk merely waved his hand slightly, not even turning back to look at them, and simply walked away on his own.

Ouyang Chengren suddenly felt a soft little hand on his mouth — that was Qianqian's hand. He froze all at once, completely forgetting how to react.

Qianqian seemed to also realize her action was somewhat improper; she jerked her hand back as if electrocuted, then lowered it somewhat awkwardly.

Her palm still retained Ouyang Chengren's warmth; that warm sensation seemed to still be burning in her palm, making her palm grow faintly hot.

To conceal her discomfiture, Qianqian hastily changed the subject, asking: "Why would you want to become a monk?"

Ouyang Chengren was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "My first half of life was lived for the Xishang Kingdom; now the Xishang Kingdom no longer exists, I have lost the country I needed to protect, and also lost all the wealth I accumulated in my first half of life.

The current me no longer has any goal worth striving for, so I only want to stay in this temple, chant sutras and pray for blessings, and pass the second half of my life in peace."

Qianqian looked at Ouyang Chengren with a face full of skepticism, asking in puzzlement: "If you spend your second half of life in a temple, it's cold and desolate there; what's so good about it? Don't you want to find a gentle and kind woman to marry, and have a cute child belonging to the two of you, a family of three living happily together?"

Ouyang Chengren felt a stab of pain in his heart; he couldn't help but retort: "What if that woman isn't the one I like? Am I supposed to just make do and pass the rest of my life like that?"

Qianqian said dismissively: "Then just go find someone you like."

Ouyang Chengren gave a bitter smile and shook his head, saying helplessly: "But the person I like doesn't like me. And her status is so high that the current me is already far, far unworthy of her."

Qianqian stared wide-eyed, urgently saying: "You haven't even asked her, how do you know she doesn't like you? You can't make this kind of decision based solely on your own guesswork!

You choosing to become a monk now is not only irresponsible to yourself, it's also irresponsible to her. And what status, what identity — how would two people who truly love each other care about these things?"

Ouyang Chengren was silent for a while, slowly saying: "But age is also a problem..."

"Are you seventy or eighty, or have you already reached a decrepit age? How big a difference can age make? If you truly love her deeply, you should work hard to train your body and live a few more years!

How can you give up your second half of life so easily? Don't you feel doing this would make you very miserable?

And have you asked her feelings? Would she not feel pain because of your giving up? You doing this is really too selfish!

Just as dark night quietly arrived, they happened to hear these two people's fierce quarrel. Seeing this, Anye silently hid in the shadows. And Wangchen, arriving a step later, likewise silently chose to withdraw three leagues.