2 Buddhism (2/2)
He was pointing directly at Meng Qi and Zhen Hui.
Meng Qi's heart beated fiercely. This was the first time Xuan Zang stepped in and made a decision for him. Was it because Zhen Ying and Zhen Guan had something special about them, and could they possibly help him out?
”Haha, you don't have to be so polite to me for me do you a favor, Brother Xuan Zang. This is a piece of cake!” Xuan Xin agreed without hesitation.
Xuan Ku gave Xuan Zang a glance, but didn't say anything about it. Rather, he said seriously to Meng Qi, Zhen Hui, and the other acolytes, ”The reason I assigned you to the Chores Yard was that each of you have your own problems. If you can solve them by yourselves, and cultivate your temperament through the process, then you may have the chance to join the Warrior-monk Yard, the Dharma Yard, or even the Bodhi Yard.”
”However, if you continue to rely on trickery and if you continue to be lazy and unwilling to strive, or if you cannot calm down your temperament and are not willing to endure hardship, then I am not going to hide it for you. I will notify the Commandment Yard to give you your deserved punishments.”
He didn't hide his thoughts at all and said them aloud to show that he was completely candid and honest. This made Xuan Xin, who was standing on the side, a little bit embarrassed.
”Yes, Uncle Xuan Ku,” the acolytes all answered together.
After watching Xuan Ku and Xuan Zang leave, Xuan Xin stretched his body and his fat shook up and down with his movement. ”Finally they are gone! It's always the scariest thing to see that iron-faced devil.”
”This guy…” Meng Qi pretended to look steadily forward, and followed the waggling Xuan Xin into the meditation room.
”Zhen Ying, Zhen Guan, these are your fellow junior apprentices Zhen Ding and Zhen Hui.” Xuan Xin pointed at Meng Qi and Zhen Hui and then left the room with the other acolytes.
Inside the meditation room, there was a large bed that could fit around seven to eight people, and it was also the only thing in the room.
On the bed, there were two gray-robe monks, one sitting and one lying down. They were both around the age of 20. The monk that was lying on the bed had a dull expression and stared blankly into space without saying anything. While the monk that was sitting on the bed said icily with a deep frown on his face, ”You can put your luggage under the bed. If you want water, go to the water tank in the yard and get it yourself.”
”Hi, may I have your name please?” Glancing at the dull Zhen Hui, Meng Qi decided that he should rely on himself to establish a good relationship with his roommates.
The person answered coldly, ”Zhen Guan.”
After giving the short answer, he didn't speak again. Nor did he give Meng Qi and Zhen Hui another look. Meng Qi felt frustrated that the numerous topics he had thought about, which were to help him establish a closer relationship with his roommates, were now useless.
On the other hand, Zhen Ying closed his eyes and continued to sleep.
”What kind of people are these!” Meng Qi complained silently, but he put on a fake smile and said to Zhen Hui, ”Brother Zhen Hui, I am Zhen Ding. From now on you can call me big brother.”
”Ok, big brother.” Zhen Hui didn't find it difficult to say at all.
”This dull little guy is the best!” Meng Qi thought, feeling much better now. He decided to behave like a big brother and help Zhen Hui. ”Little brother, yes I will just call you little brother. Come on, let's put on our monk clothes first.”
Even though there were other people in the room, Meng Qi didn't feel uncomfortable because when he was in the university dorm, he always wore nothing other than his underwear to enjoy the coolness. He quickly removed his clothes and put on his monk garments.
On one hand, he thankfully appreciated the ease it took to put on the garments, which helped him to avoid seeming ridiculous. On the other hand, he started to check the clothes that he originally had been wearing.
The clothes were of delicate workmanship and had soft textures. Even though Meng Qi didn't know much about clothes, he knew that these clothes must be worth a lot. In addition to the expensive clothes, he also had a jade pendant on his waist, and a small jade Buddha pendant on his neck that clung to his chest. The jade was cool and made him feel very comfortable.
Meng Qi carefully observed the thumb-sized jade Buddha. It had a face that was full of mercy and benevolence, and looked like as if it was a real person. Apparently, it was also of extraordinary workmanship. Furthermore, its surface was fine and smooth and it made Meng Qi's hand felt gentle and cool.
”According to the horse-faced man, this pendant was given by a no-name old monk to me as a gift. Since the duke or whoever that was didn't take it away from me, it might not be just an ordinary pendant. I'd better carry it with me wherever I go.” Putting the jade Buddha back around his neck, Meng Qi hid it inside his clothes. Then he packed up his original clothes and the pendant he had on his waist, and put it under the part of the large bed that he had chosen to sleep on.
Suddenly, the seemingly asleep Zhen Ying abruptly sat up, quickly put on his shoes, and ran out the door. Meng Qi was a little shocked by his actions and didn't know what had happened.
”It's dinner time,” Zhen Guan said coldly and walked out as well.
”What kind of people are these!” Meng Qi complained again. He turned to Zhen Hui and said, ”Little brother, are you ready? It's dinner time!”
”Yes, I'm ready!” The second Zhen Hui dropped those words, he ran to the door like a rabbit. It seemed like he couldn't endure his hunger anymore.
”…” Meng Qi was speechless. Maybe he was the only normal person here.
Zhen Hui stopped by the door, turned around and asked Meng Qi with a face full of confusion, ”Big brother, aren't you coming?”
”At least you have some sort of conscience and know that you should wait for me!” Meng Qi thought to himself. He answered somewhat jokingly, ”Well, I am not as hungry as you guys are.”
”Look at you. All of you are like reincarnation of devils that had starved to death in your previous lives!”
Zhen Hui was no longer confused and nodded earnestly, ”Ok, big brother. I will go first then.”
He whipped around and rushed towards the cafeteria.
”Hey! I was just joking! You didn't need to take it seriously…” Meng Qi was shocked with his mouth hanging half-open.
It took him a few seconds to react and after which, he shouted, ”Hey! Little brother! Wait for me!”
Suddenly, a burst of sadness overwhelmed him. ”In other time-travel stories, people always had little sisters. Why do I only have a little brother? And it's also foreseeable that in the future I won't have any little sisters either…”