The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Salted Fish said, “Master, you have been feeling very melancholic these few days.”

“Yea…”

The two fell silent once again. As the night deepened, the street lamps turned dim. Fangzheng walked alone on the streets, making the buildings appear lonely… From time to time, he would look at the stars in the sky. The loneliness in his eyes suddenly dissipated. Fangzheng mumbled, “No matter what people say, I believe that they are looking at me.”

Salted Fish was baffled. They? Who are they? Zen Master One Finger? Or was it Fangzheng’s parents?

After walking for a long time…

“Master…” Salted Fish suddenly said.

Fangzheng said weakly, “Speak.”

Salted Fish said, “Master, let’s return to the mountain.”

Fangzheng said in surprise, “Don’t you like being off the mountain?”

Salted Fish said, “I’m afraid I’ll starve to death at the foot of the mountain… I’m fine, but I’m mainly afraid you’ll pass away. It’s not easy for me, a fish, to bury you.”

Fangzheng: “…”

Salted Fish said, “Master, I didn’t understand why Eldest Senior Brother didn’t wish to go down the mountain with you in the past. Now I understand. Eldest Senior Brother is wise…”

Fangzheng: “…”

Salted Fish said, “Master…”

“Shut up!”

Salted Fish: “Growl…”

Fangzheng said, “Don’t speak! Not even strange sounds.”

Salted Fish said aggrievedly, “Master, the stomach is growling. Although it’s part of me, I can’t control it.”

Fangzheng: “…”

Salted Fish said, “Master, aren’t you hungry?”

Fangzheng said, “I get used to it. Take your time to get used to it.”

Salted Fish: “…”

Fangzheng had no idea how long he walked. He just kept walking, not because he wanted to, but he sadly realized that as long as he stopped, he would let his imagination run wild. Then, he would feel hungry…

It was unknown how long he had been walking. At that moment, Fangzheng saw a tiny figure sitting by a staircase at an Internet cafe’s entrance. The person kept wiping his eyes as though they were crying.

Fangzheng leaned over out of curiosity and did not step forward. He stood by the side and watched silently.

It was a girl who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old. After crying for a while, she realized that someone was looking at her. She looked up in shock. She probably never expected a monk to appear beside her.

Fangzheng smiled at the girl. His smile was gentle, as warm as the sunlight in winter.

The girl seemed to sense Fangzheng’s kindness. She did not say a word and continued crying.

Helpless, Fangzheng could only come to the girl’s side and sit down. After some thought, he cried as well.

The girl was taken aback as she looked at Fangzheng in puzzlement. “Why are you crying?”

Fangzheng returned with a question. “Then why are you crying?”

The girl replied, “W… What has my crying got to do with you?”

Fangzheng added, “That’s right. What has my crying got to do with you?”

When the girl heard that, she immediately got angry. She frowned and harrumphed before turning around to return to the Internet cafe. However, she ultimately hesitated.

When Fangzheng saw this, he asked, “You wish to enter?”

The girl shook her head…

Fangzheng was puzzled. “Then what are you doing?”

The girl lowered her head and said, “I don’t have money. If I go in, I am afraid that I will be despised. However, this is the only place where you can spend the night free.”

Fangzheng’s eyes lit up when he heard that. “This Penniless Monk doesn’t have any money too. Why don’t we scrounge some free sleep together?”

The girl’s eyes lit up when she heard that. Sometimes, people feared doing tiny bad deeds alone, but would have the courage if they had an accomplice. It even felt a little exciting. Furthermore, the girl believed that scrounging some free sleep at an Internet cafe with the monk was better than staying outside. There were surveillance cameras in the Internet cafe, so the monk wouldn’t dare do anything to her…

That’s right. The girl didn’t exclude Fangzheng from being a pervert just because of a smile. Instead, she officially included him into a list of perverts…

After entering the Internet cafe, the girl felt a little awkward. Clearly, she was not a child who often came to an Internet cafe…

Fangzheng shook his head when he saw this. Although it wasn’t his first time, it had been a long time since he had come to one. However, anything that needed shame was nothing to Fangzheng.

Therefore, Fangzheng led the way and entered the Internet cafe. He found a deserted area and found a chair to sit down.

When the two came in, the cafe staff wanted to ask if they wanted a machine. But when she saw the monk dressed in tattered clothes, she immediately shook her head and gave up.

Instead, another cafe staff member ran over and asked the store manager. The fat manager looked up at Fangzheng and the girl and shook his head. “If there’s a seat, let them sit down. Watch them. Don’t let them spoil the machines or steal things.”

Upon hearing these words, the staff did not say anything and did whatever she needed to do.

Fangzheng sat on the chair and closed his eyes as though he had fallen asleep.

When the girl saw this, she moved far away. There were many people there, so she felt safer.

Minutes later, the girl shifted back…

Fangzheng opened his eyes slightly and smiled. “Patron, why are you back again? Aren’t you afraid of This Penniless Monk?”

The girl blushed and frowned. “There’s a group of people playing games over there and they smoke… I can’t stand it. Besides, there are so many people here. I’m not afraid of you…”

Fangzheng was rendered speechless when he heard that. Not afraid? Why did you run so far if you weren’t afraid?

Fangzheng ignored her and continued sleeping with his eyes closed.

The girl sat by Fangzheng’s side and wished to sleep as well. However, no matter how she tossed and turned, she couldn’t fall asleep… Finally, the girl couldn’t take it anymore. She looked to her left and right, and it seemed like Fangzheng was the only person she was most familiar with. Furthermore, Fangzheng had indeed not done anything to her from the beginning to the end. Instead, he helped her sneak into an Internet cafe and rest peacefully.

Now, when she carefully observed Fangzheng again, she suddenly felt that the monk had nice features. He wasn’t ugly at all and was rather handsome. Although his monk robes were tattered and there were many patches, his robes were clean! They were even cleaner than her clothes!

Upon seeing this, her impression of the monk in front of her improved.

“Patron, why are you staring at This Penniless Monk? Aren’t you sleepy? Aren’t you tired?” Fangzheng slowly opened his eyes and asked.

“You’re not asleep?” the girl asked in embarrassment.

Fangzheng sighed. “Can you sleep when someone is staring at you like that?”

The girl said, “I’m sorry, why don’t you sleep for a while more? If you can’t sleep, can you chat with me?”

This was what Fangzheng wanted. He nodded slightly and said, “Forget it, let’s chat for a while. Patron, how should I address you?”

The girl said, “My name is Su Cancan. What about you?”

“This Penniless Monk is Fangzheng.”

“Pfft…” The girl could not help but laugh. “Are you kidding me? You are Fangzheng? Abbot Fangzheng has long ascended. Are you monks so vain? Do you like to pass off as others?”

Fangzheng felt helpless. How could he be faulted when she didn’t believe the truth?

Fangzheng smiled and didn’t explain. Instead, he asked, “Patron, This Penniless Monk saw you sitting at the entrance of the Internet cafe crying. Why were you crying? Is there something you are unhappy about? Why don’t you tell This Penniless Monk and make This Penniless Monk happy?”