The Young Monk Descending the Mountain with the Master

"Master, where are we going?"

The young and tender voice was as soft and dependent as a bird in the misty mountain.

"We're going down the mountain."

A clear and melodious voice answered her.

"Why are we going down the mountain? "

"We're going down the mountain to find your father."

The voice got closer and closer and a long white figure appeared through the mist, as if walking on clouds.

The man was dressed in a flowing white monk's robe, with a refined and out-of-the-world appearance. His thin lips curved into a perfect arc, and his narrow phoenix eyes looked at the little girl with a hint of an indulgent smile.

A white monk's robe, a celestial being out of the world.

"Master, why do we need to find my dad? Are you coming with me?"

The little girl spoke with her bare and shiny little head, wearing the same crescent white monk's robe as the man. However, it looked more cute and lovely on her tender and snowy skin.

Upon hearing the soft questioning, Ji Yuan let out a barely noticeable sigh. He halted his steps and squatted down to meet the little girl's gaze.

With distinct joints like white jade, his hand rubbed her bare head.

"Ruan Ruan, do you remember what Master said? All the little monks of Bai Lin Temple have to go out for practice when they grow up, and you have grown up now. So, Master is taking you down the mountain for you to gain some experience."

"Master also has something to attend to and will be away for a long time. During this time, the Master may not be able to accompany you. So, you have to find your fathers. When you have found them all, Master will come back to find you, okay?"

Looking at Ruan Ruan with a bewildered expression, Ji Yuan felt a pang in his heart. He didn't want to leave this little one he had raised himself, but...

Ji Yuan's eyes dimmed slightly. His elder brother had an accident and his parents had aged a lot overnight. He couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Therefore, he had to go back to deal with the matter.

But he was afraid to bring Ruan Ruan along with him as there might be a danger. So, he could only let Ruan Ruan go and find her father.

Thinking of Ruan Ruan's father, he was still a little worried.

"Ruan Ruan, if you don't like any of your fathers, just call Master. I will arrange for someone to take you to my home. But I won't be at home, and you may have to be alone for a while. I will come to find you soon."

He hugged Ruan Ruan's small body, and Ruan Ruan, with red eyes, sniffled and wiped her nose with her soft little hand.

"Okay, if Ruan Ruan sees their photos frequently and remembers what they look like, she can recognize them when she sees them. If...if they don't like Ruan Ruan, then Ruan Ruan won't bother with them."

"How could that be?" Ji Yuan smiled and hugged the little monk, pinching her nose with his index finger.

"We are so obedient and lovely. Who wouldn't like us?"

"Ah...ah..."

The little wolf pup following them all along howled when it was ignored for too long and tugged at Ji Yuan's robe.

Ruan Ruan looked at the milk-humming little wolf pup and burst into laughter, her black and white eyes even more clear and lively, a little snot bubble popped out of her nose with a "pop".

Feeling embarrassed, Ruan Ruan buried her little face in Ji Yuan's shoulder.

Ji Yuan laughed lightly, and the two of them continued to walk down the mountain, with the occasional milk-sounding howl mixed in.

Ji Yuan took Ruan Ruan to a small mountain village where he found out that Mu Shen had a project there and would come over to inspect it in a few days.

Looking at the small village, Ji Yuan held Ruan Ruan's hand tighter.

The villagers outside also noticed their presence immediately. Ji Yuan was too otherworldly, both in appearance and temperament, and some of the elderly people bowed with folded hands and chanted Amitabha Buddha as soon as they saw him.

"Where did the monk come from?" An elderly woman quickly came over, looking at Ji Yuan with a respectful attitude.

The old woman was already quite religious and, at this moment, saw Ji Yuan dressed in a white monk's robe with a face that didn't look like it belonged to this world, and with a temperament that seemed to ascend to heaven at any moment. She treated him like a celestial being.

Others also gathered around, but for some reason, they didn't dare to get too close, but they didn't want to leave either. They just watched Ji Yuan and Ruan Ruan from a distance.

Ji Yuan had a serene expression on his face and a smile on his lips.

"Amitabha Buddha. My disciple and I are travelling here. May I ask if you could provide us with lodging for a few days, kind sir/madam? Please don't worry, I will pay the rent myself."

The old woman shook her head repeatedly. "No, no. This master and little disciple can come with me. I happen to have an extra room available as long as you don't mind its simplicity."

Ji Yuan nodded and followed the old woman with Ruan Ruan to her home. Of course, in the end, Ji Yuan insisted on paying the rent.

After a simple cleanup, Ruan Ruan's stomach growled.

Ji Yuan chuckled lightly, and Ruan Ruan blushed shyly.

"Master, don't laugh at Ruan Ruan." Her soft voice carried a hint of coquettish.

"Okay, I won't laugh at you. What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."

"Vegetable buns!" Ruan Ruan's eyes lit up at Ji Yuan's words, and she said crisply what she wanted to eat.

"You." Ji Yuan laughed and lightly scratched her nose. He got up and left.

Ruan Ruan's eyes curved into two cute little crescents, and her black and white eyes continued to follow Ji Yuan's figure.

She followed behind Ji Yuan like a little tail, bouncing along.

Ji Yuan loved good food and making it himself. His cooking skills were excellent, at least in the old woman's eyes. This handsome-looking master made dishes that were truly fragrant and delicious. The old woman had never tasted such delicious and well-seasoned food before, even though it was all vegetarian.

"Madam, I borrowed your kitchen. If you don't mind, please feel free to eat the rest of the food."

The old woman was excited and waved her hands repeatedly.

"I don't mind at all, thank you so much, master."

Ji Yuan nodded and took the food he made for himself and Ruan Ruan upstairs.

After finishing their meal, Ruan Ruan stood on a small stool, rolled up her sleeves, revealing a chubby and snowy-white little arm, and began washing dishes with a solemn expression.