“We are not acquainted.” Lin Wan’er smiled faintly: “I merely saw that your temple was closed for repairs, and Master Jingqing had come to Japan. I felt that the person I was looking for might be here, so I came to have a look. If it is convenient for you, have someone tell them that Lin Wan’er humbly requests to meet them.”
Kong Yin nodded and said: “To be honest, Miss, among their group, I only know Master Jingqing. The others live in a separate courtyard in the temple, rarely go out, and never interact with us. However, it seems Master Jingqing is not the leader of the group either. The true leader should be in seclusion in that courtyard. Miss, please wait a moment. I shall inform Master Jingqing right away and ask him to pass on the message.”
Lin Wan’er said: “You are old and frail, do not trouble yourself. I shall go find that young novice from earlier and have him relay the message.”
Kong Yin smiled and pulled out his mobile phone from under the cushion, saying: “Miss need not worry. I shall call Master Jingqing.”
Lin Wan’er was taken aback, then covered her mouth and giggled, reaching out to stroke his bald head with a smile: “Zhengping, seeing you again feels just like over a hundred years ago. I had quite forgotten that it is now the modern age.”
Kong Yin smiled like a child: “But in Zhengping’s heart, the days back then, living with the other brothers and sisters by the Miss’s side, those were the most beautiful times of my life.”
Lin Wan’er sighed: “Time flies. Of all those children from before, only you remain now, I suppose?”
Tears streamed down Kong Yin’s face as he sighed: “Yes, Miss, only I remain. I never thought that before I die, I would still have the chance to see you.”
With that, he could not help but sob again.
Lin Wan’er laughed: “Come now, stop crying. Among all the children back then, you were always the one who cried the most. I never imagined that at over a hundred years old, you would still be such a crybaby. From the moment I saw you until now, I have lost count of how many times you have cried.”
Kong Yin hurriedly wiped away his tears and murmured: “I have made a fool of myself before the Miss…”
To shift the awkwardness, he quickly picked up the phone and asked Lin Wan’er: “By the way, Miss, what should I say to Master Jingqing?”
Lin Wan’er smiled faintly: “Just say that your family’s Miss wishes to meet the head of their household. If they would honour us, please come to the main hall for a chat.”
“Very well, Miss.” Without a second thought, Kong Yin called Master Jingqing immediately.
Jingqing was not surprised by his call and answered respectfully: “Greetings, Venerable Kong Yin.”
Venerable Kong Yin said: “Master Jingqing, my family’s Miss wishes to meet the head of your household. Would you honour us by coming to the main hall?”
Jingqing looked at An Chengxi before him. An Chengxi nodded slightly.
Thus, he said to Kong Yin: “Please convey to your family’s Miss that we shall come at once.”
After hanging up, he asked An Chengxi: “Madam, shall I accompany you there?”
An Chengxi stood up and said with a smile: “Let us all go together. She dared to come alone to Kyoto at such great risk. What have we left to hold back?”
Tang Sihai and Sister Sun exchanged a glance. Without a word, they both stood up silently.
Thereafter, the four of them headed together towards the main hall.
In the main hall, Lin Wan’er sat upright and proper. For a girl who looked only sixteen or seventeen, sitting so rigidly with such a solemn expression created a somewhat incongruous scene.
Though Kong Yin had a thousand words he wished to say to Lin Wan’er, he knew in his heart that his Miss had important matters to attend to, so he sat quietly by the side without speaking.
Soon, footsteps approached. Lin Wan’er raised her eyes slightly and looked towards the entrance of the main hall.
Though she remained quite composed, she was also very curious about who this person was: the one who could discern everything from behind the scenes and even orchestrate from afar.
Moreover, she knew full well that when the other party had arranged for someone to meet her at Qingzhao Nunnery back then, it proved that she was out in the open to them. They must certainly know her identity and background.
Now, at last, the time had come for everyone to be open and honest!
