novelhk Chapter 308: Smart or Stupid?
Chapter 308: Smart or Stupid?
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at Pei Yan's disheveled appearance, her eyebrows furrowed, and she began to criticize him with a face full of disgust.
"Pei Yan, look at you! You're so handsome, with striking eyebrows and bright eyes, but who would have thought you'd be so clumsy playing with two tiny bees! I've explained it so clearly, how come you're still so confused?"
Pei Yan's face was filled with helplessness and embarrassment, and sweat kept sliding down his forehead. He explained with a wry smile.
"Xiao Xiao, I've really tried my best to learn, but this game is like an unsolvable problem for me. My brain just can't process it right now. Maybe I really don't have any talent in this area. I'm really sorry."
Fang Xiaoxiao put her hands on her hips, stomped her feet in anger, glared at Pei Yan with her beautiful eyes, and said irritably.
"Ugh, you're driving me crazy! Fine, fine, I'm not wasting any more time with you, I'm not playing this stupid game anymore. Just listen to me, let's monitor the Flower Monk's every move and see what kind of tricks he's up to."
Pei Yan seemed to have been granted a pardon, and with a great sense of relief, he hurriedly nodded in response like a chick pecking at rice.
"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say. As long as we stop worrying about this headache-inducing game, anything is fine."
When Fang Xiaoxiao saw that Pei Yan had agreed to her decision, her face immediately lit up with a happy smile, like spring flowers blooming, and her bright eyes were full of joy.
She patted Pei Yan's shoulder cheerfully and said.
"Pei Yan, I'm so happy that you think this way!"
Immediately afterwards, she volunteered and said eagerly.
"Then I'll go and keep an eye on the situation with Monk Hua. You wait for me here."
Before she could finish speaking, she moved as nimbly as a kitten, tiptoeing towards the direction of the Flower Monk.
Fang Xiaoxiao cautiously hid behind a thick pillar, peeking out half her head and staring intently at the Flower Monk.
The monk was sitting cross-legged on a worn-out prayer mat, his hands clasped together, his eyes slightly closed, and his face solemn and dignified.
His deep, magnetic voice slowly rose into the air.
“Dear benefactors, in this life, everyone is subject to cause and effect and reincarnation. Good causes lead to good results, and bad causes lead to bad results. We should be compassionate and do good deeds so that we can accumulate merit and escape the sea of suffering.”
The Flower Monk spoke eloquently and fluently, expounding on the principles of Buddhist scriptures.
He sometimes quotes classical texts, telling ancient Buddhist stories; at other times, he explains profound Buddhist principles in simple and easy-to-understand language.
"Just as saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda, in our lives, even showing compassion to an ant is a baptism for our souls."
Hua Ruyan listened with rapt attention, her beautiful face filled with mindless adoration.
Her eyes were wide open, staring unblinkingly at the monk, as if every word he uttered was a truth fallen from the heavens.
She nodded from time to time, softly echoing her sentiments.
“What you say is absolutely right, Master. I have learned a lot.”
Her old servant was extremely devout, his hands clasped together in front of his chest, his body slightly leaning forward, the wrinkles on his face appearing even more pronounced with his focus.
A resolute light shone in his cloudy eyes, as if he had been completely convinced by the monk's words.
Fang Xiaoxiao hid behind a pillar, her eyes fixed on the Flower Monk.
The monk put on a sanctimonious act, clasping his hands together and reciting Buddhist scriptures incessantly. His pretentious demeanor made Fang Xiaoxiao secretly sneer.
"Hmph, only a fool would believe that!"
The monk spoke with great enthusiasm, spitting as he spoke, offering one sage's pleas for people to do good after another.
Hua Ruyan listened with a face full of admiration, and her old servant was so devout that he almost prostrated himself before her.
However, Fang Xiaoxiao keenly noticed something amiss.
During the monk's sermon, he would occasionally glance out the window without paper, his eyes revealing a hint of barely perceptible tension and vigilance.
Although he quickly looked away and continued to pretend to be focused on preaching, Fang Xiaoxiao still caught this subtle movement.
Fang Xiaoxin's heart tightened involuntarily.
"This monk is definitely up to something. There must be some unspeakable secret hidden behind his seemingly serious sermons."
Fang Xiaoxiao observed the monk intently for a few more moments, and his mysterious demeanor made her increasingly suspicious.
She pursed her lips, turned around quietly, and silently returned to Pei Yan's side like a nimble kitten.
Her breathing was still a little rapid, her cheeks were slightly flushed from nervousness, and her eyes were flashing with anxiety and vigilance.
She eagerly leaned close to Pei Yan's ear, her voice extremely low and trembling as she spoke.
"Pei Yan, let me tell you, I noticed that monk was acting very strangely just now. He was preaching with great enthusiasm, but his eyes kept sneaking glances out the window without any paper covering. He was acting suspiciously; there's definitely something wrong with him!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Yan's previously relaxed body instantly tensed up.
His brows furrowed tightly, and his eyes widened in surprise and wariness.
Without saying a word, he quickly leaned out of the window and glanced out several times, both quickly and cautiously.
Apart from the occasional gust of wind that caused the branches to sway, there was nothing unusual happening outside the window.
Pei Yan slowly turned around, his expression solemn, his gaze fixed firmly on Fang Xiaoxiao.
He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound calm.
"Xiao Xiao, don't panic. You've been working hard for so long. Take a rest for a while. I'll keep an eye on Monk Hua from now on. I promise I'll notice any movement immediately."
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes were full of worry, but after hesitating for a moment, she nodded and said.
"Alright then, Pei Yan, you must be careful and don't overlook any clues."
After finishing his sermon, the Flower Monk deliberately let out a long sigh, pretending to be weak and exhausted, and said listlessly.
"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk has exhausted too much energy in preaching to you, and now I feel parched and my throat is about to burst into flames."
Upon hearing this, Hua Ruyan's face immediately filled with concern, looking as nervous as if she had made a grave mistake.
She turned her head urgently and hurriedly gestured to the old servant beside her.
"Quickly, hurry up and get the water bottle out so the master can moisten his throat."
The old servant quickly and obsequiously agreed, hurriedly taking out the water bottle from his bundle, holding it with both hands, and respectfully handing it to the monk.
Hua Ruyan looked completely devout, her eyes practically regarding the monk as a living Buddha descended to earth, and she addressed him in a coquettish voice as "Master."