Seeing that An Chengxi’s mind was made up, the other three said no more.
Although everyone was greatly shocked and annoyed to have been found here by Lin Wan’er, Lin Wan’er was a friend rather than an enemy after all, and posed no threat at least.
An Chengxi cleared away the fragments on the tea tray again, fetched a new cup, and said: “All right, everyone, no need to be downhearted. It is normal to be inferior in skill or wisdom, especially against an elder like Lin Wan’er. Let us all sit down and wait patiently.”
The three nodded one after another and sat down again.
At this moment, Lin Wan’er had already stepped into the entrance of the main hall courtyard.
The Venerable Kong Yin, weakened by exhaustion and overcome with emotion, was leaning on the door frame, craning his neck in eager anticipation. When he saw Lin Wan’er striding in, his wrinkled face instantly lit up with a childlike smile.
Lin Wan’er saw him too, and at the same time put away the girlish smile she had worn all along, replacing it with a smile that was affectionate yet retained its dignity.
As she walked, she took off her mask and used both hands to undo her twin tails. In the process of quickening her pace, her hands deftly and neatly tied her long hair back into a high ponytail.
At this moment, a sharp glint appeared in Lin Wan’er’s eyes.
In an instant, her aura changed completely, as if she had become another person.
Kong Yin, trembling, tried to step out of the main hall to greet her. Lin Wan’er, having tied her hair, merely extended her right hand slightly towards him with her palm facing him, and Kong Yin understood that she wanted him to wait in place.
Thus, he halted his steps, supporting himself with both hands on the door frame. Tears had already burst forth like a dam breaking, blurring Lin Wan’er’s figure in his vision.
Lin Wan’er quickened her pace and strode towards Kong Yin. When she reached him, he let go of the door frame with trembling hands and was about to kneel shakily, murmuring through sobs: “Miss… Zhengping pays respects to the Miss…”
Lin Wan’er reached out to support him and asked with a smile: “Zhengping, it has been a century since we last met. How have you been?”
Kong Yin’s emotions lost control in an instant, and he broke down in childlike wails: “Well… well… Miss… Zhengping is all well. Thanks to your blessings, I have lived to this day and have the chance to see you once more… Miss… how have you been these years?”
Seeing him cry so bitterly, Lin Wan’er felt a pang of sorrow inevitably, but she still maintained that affectionate smile and said softly: “I have been quite well too, as you can see, still the same as before.”
With that, Lin Wan’er supported him and said: “You are getting on in years, do not keep standing here, and do not get too agitated. Let me help you inside to sit and talk.”
Kong Yin choked out: “Zhengping dares not trouble the Miss. Zhengping can still walk on his own.”
Lin Wan’er smiled gently and said: “Still as stubborn as you were as a child.”
Though she said this, Lin Wan’er still gently supported him to the cushion in the centre of the main hall and sat down.
Kong Yin was nearing the end of his days, his movements slow and weary, but excitement was hard to conceal on his face. He wiped away his tears with his cassock and only then could he clearly see Lin Wan’er before him. He sighed: “Miss, you truly have not changed a bit in all these years.”
Lin Wan’er laughed heartily: “My five-hundred-year lifespan has not yet reached four hundred years. In a few more decades, I shall still look like this.”
Kong Yin sighed: “The Miss has had a hard time these years.”
Lin Wan’er laughed: “Having so many extra years to wander the world compared to ordinary people, it is only right to endure some hardships.”
Kong Yin nodded: “The Miss is as open-minded as ever.”
Only then did he remember to ask further: “Miss… how did you come to Japan? I recall you once said that after the Sino-Japanese War, Japan’s militarism had disappointed you greatly, and you would never return here in the future… Now that you have come back, have you run into some trouble?”
Lin Wan’er shook her head and said: “I came here to meet one of the distinguished guests in your temple.”
“My distinguished guest?!” Kong Yin was stunned for a moment, then asked her: “Miss, do you know Master Jingqing and the others?”
