Kyoto kisses her

Chapter 73 Good things are coming
Su Ruoyun and Ms. Ming did not stay in the cheongsam shop for long. After arranging a time with the tailor to pick up the clothes, they left.

The two Hongqi cars returned to their starting point just as they had arrived.

Su Ruoyun followed Ms. Ming back to the family compound. As the birthday banquet approached, the Su family became increasingly busy, needing to confirm everything from the number of tables and people to the specific guest list and seating arrangements.

Even Su Ruoyun was not exempt. Although several elders were busy taking care of things, she still had to help out with the arrangements.

On the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, Madam Su led her family members to the temple to offer incense and pray for blessings. Leaving aside the men in their seats, even Su Mingyan and Su Jiayi were 'escorted' up the mountain.

The old lady came from a war-torn battlefield. In her youth, she carried explosives to blow up bunkers. She was fearless and never believed in Buddhism. However, as she grew older, she unconsciously developed a little bit of superstition and reverence for Buddhism.

A black Hongqi sedan, surrounded by several Audis, set off from the compound and drove straight to the temple, where the convoy stopped in front of the temple's main gate.

The temple is majestic and the ancient temple is serene. Above the mountain gate, a plaque hangs high with black characters on a gold background.

In front of the temple, the abbot, dressed in a yellow and red robe, stood solemnly with the monks, waiting for a long time.

Seeing the guard open the car door, the abbot stepped forward, holding prayer beads in his hands, bowed slightly, and raised his hand in greeting, "Madam."

Grandma Su returned the greeting with her hands clasped together: "Venerable Huimiao."

The group slowly ascended the steps and entered the main hall.

The weather was fine today, with a clear sky and gentle breeze. Ancient trees towered in the temple grounds, their branches intertwined, blocking out the noise of the world and the glaring sunlight, creating a unique tranquility. The flowers and plants in the flowerbeds added a touch of elegance and peace to this solemn place. Occasionally, you could see a few young monks dressed in simple robes, holding brooms and diligently sweeping the ground.

Inside the main hall, Su Ruoyun stood behind Ming Manrong, and everyone stood in order as the monks respectfully handed over candles and incense.

Light the candles first, then the incense.

The two candles burned brightly, their wicks flaming high. Touched by the flames, the incense sticks emitted wisps of smoke that seemed to possess a spirit, drifting leisurely towards the sky in a narrow slit.

Su Ruoyun closed her eyes, raised her hands to her brows, listened to the prayers of the old lady Su, and then bowed slightly, looking devout.

The aroma of cooking and sandalwood filled the hall. As was customary, the abbot began to preach, his words filled with Buddhist principles and Zen wisdom, profound and difficult to understand. The younger generation was not interested and stepped out of the Mahavira Hall in unison.

Su Jiayi stood with his hands in his pockets. He was used to being lazy and showed no restraint even in the temple. He leaned against the vermilion gate, his nonchalant attitude clashing with the solemn atmosphere around him. Having spent four or five years in the military region, he naturally didn't believe in these unfounded things at all.

Su Mingyan was much more serious, his black overcoat neatly wrapped around his body, but he still wore an expensive steel watch on his wrist. He was tall and elegant. In contrast, Chen Xiangjin wore a white shirt, black trousers, and a suit jacket, looking like a gentleman with a serious and stern face.

Three men followed behind the older and younger sisters.

Chen Xiangwei had never been to Fafo Temple before, and her eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation as she looked around with great interest: "Cousin, do you believe in Buddhism?"

It's difficult to generalize about whether one believes or not.

"Chinese people believe in Buddhism, which is different from Western believers. Chinese people believe in relying on themselves first and doing things well before seeking Buddha's protection. Western believers, on the other hand, mostly place all their hopes on Jesus and rely on prayer to seek guidance." Su Zhanyu came from the Su family in Beijing and was extremely strict with her brother and sister in terms of language and culture. Even in Hong Kong, they must never forget their cultural roots.

Chen Xiangwei tilted her head, a flash of inspiration coming to her mind, and she thought of the proverb: "Man proposes, God disposes."

"Yes, that's the truth."

Su Ruoyun and Chen Xiangwei stepped out of the threshold hand in hand, and the group of five strolled around the temple.

Walking along the path, past layers of bamboo shadows, a gentle breeze caresses the pagoda, and the bells on the eaves tinkle, their ethereal and clear sounds like sacred chants, gradually bringing peace to one's mind. Standing here, one feels as if one has entered a realm of profound mystery and wonder.

The five people didn't mind and sat down directly on the ground, scattered across a few steps.

Chen Xiangjin glanced at the ground, which was covered with a thin layer of dust. She lowered her eyes, looked at her own sharp, custom-made suit, sniffed, and looked somewhat disgusted. When no one was looking, she quietly took a handkerchief from her pocket and placed it on the steps.

He nodded and then sat down with satisfaction.

Su Ruoyun couldn't stay still. She casually walked to the nearby ancient jar, casually dipped her slender fingers into the jar, plucked a blooming lotus flower, placed the pink petals in her hand, and gently twirled the petals with great interest.

Seeing this, Su Jiayi's lips curled up slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He deliberately tried to scare her, his voice low and deep: "You dare to pick flowers in the temple? Aren't you really afraid that Buddha will come looking for you in the middle of the night to punish you?"

Upon hearing this, Su Ruoyun paused abruptly, the water lily in her hand trembled slightly, and she turned to look at Su Jiayi, hesitatingly saying, "I don't think so."

She looked terrified.

Just as Su Mingyan found it amusing and was about to speak, a gentle voice interrupted from the side, drawing everyone's attention: "Buddha is compassionate and will not care about this lotus flower that Miss Su picked, moreover..."

A monk dressed in a gray-black robe stood beside the pagoda, his eyes smiling and his face kind. He paused slightly as he spoke, “Buddhism teaches that everything has its cause and effect, and the water lily being picked by Miss Su is, in the eyes of Buddhism, just a minor episode caused by fate. How could we take it to heart?”

"A master is indeed a master." Su Ruoyun solemnly put her hands together, bowed to her master, and then turned around and gave Su Jiayi a smug look.

Seeing this, the master's smile deepened.

Su Jiayi shook his head and smiled helplessly.

An hour later, when Madam Su came out of the main hall, the group rested briefly in the meditation room, finding cushions and wooden stools to sit on for a while.

The meditation room is located deep within the temple grounds, surrounded by tranquility. Occasionally, a gentle breeze will blow by, bringing a refreshing coolness that calms the mind.

Grandma Su twirled her prayer beads, her eyes closed as if she were dozing, when she suddenly blurted out, "Master Huimiao said that good things are coming to our family soon."

"Cough, cough, cough—" Su Ruoyun was enjoying the mung bean soup specially brewed by the temple to quench her thirst when she suddenly heard these words. The soup choked her nose and she coughed uncontrollably.

(End of this chapter)