A top star in the Chinese entertainment industry, but also a Taoist priest.

"However—" Chen Shouyi changed the subject, "You should go back soon, as I have recently gone down the mountain and there is no one left in the temple."

"Ah? Daoist Master, you're not home?!" A series of hurried footsteps came from across the street, followed by Bai Mengyan's panting voice.

"I'm almost there—phew—oh no, the gate's locked tight! Huh? There's a note here!"

The note was written by Shouzhuo and pasted on the door: "Going out on business, return date uncertain, contact me via WeChat if needed."

The handwriting was crooked and messy, lacking any Taoist spirit.

Hearing her heavy breathing, Chen Shouyi said helplessly:

"We also need to eat, so going out is naturally to earn money for offerings. I don't want to be a poor Taoist priest forever."

Bai Mengyan chuckled at his words, but then sighed:

"I'm exhausted. There's not even a place to rest. I came here to fulfill my vow, but it was all for nothing."

Upon hearing that she was fulfilling a vow, Chen Shouyi thought for a moment and then said:

"Well, it's not like there's nowhere to rest. Look in the bushes near the gate; there's a rock there, and the key is underneath it. Go in and rest for a bit."

"Huh? You left the key in the bushes? Your Taoist temple is incredibly careless!"

"My temple is the only one within a ten-mile radius; even thieves wouldn't bother climbing up here."

"Hehe, that's true!"

Soon, a rustling sound of rummaging came from the other end of the phone, followed by the clinking of keys, and then Bai Mengyan's delighted cry:

"Found it!"

"Thank you," he said.

"After you go in," Chen Shouyi interrupted her, his tone calm, "there's incense on the table in the main hall. After you've finished paying your respects to the ancestral master, remember to scan the QR code on the table. Thank you, benefactor."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a stomp of the foot.

"I'm not sweeping!" Bai Mengyan unlocked the door and strode inside. "Didn't you say yourself that we can't let worldly things defile the ancestral master's purity!"

Chen Shouyi remained unfazed: "That was a misunderstanding on my part. Recently, I've noticed that our patriarch has been living in seclusion for too long and is also eager to be exposed to the worldly winds."

What he said wasn't entirely nonsense.

Since the system was activated, he upgraded all the incense offerings to the ancestral master, and even put up a standee with a QR code for receiving payments in the main hall, with the words "Help as you wish, may blessings be boundless" written next to it.

When Shouzhuo first saw it, his lips twitched for a long time: "Master, this... would the Ancestral Master be happy about this?"

Chen Shouyi patted him on the shoulder: "If our patriarch were content to be worshipped and left to gather dust, that wouldn't be the way of nature. Keep up with the times, understand?"

Shouzhuo didn't dare say he understood, but he also didn't dare ask any more questions.

Bai Mengyan was completely speechless for a long time before finally saying:

"...Okay then."

But she still obediently walked into the main hall, took out three incense sticks from the table, lit them, bowed three times to the memorial tablets of Laozi and Yin Xi, and then took out her mobile phone to scan the QR code.

A "beep" sound.

One thousand yuan.

"I already gave it to you," Bai Mengyan's voice regained its energy. "Don't say I wasn't sincere."

"Amitabha Buddha, thank you, Benefactor Bai." Chen Shouyi grinned, his smile much more sincere than before.

"You may go to the west side hall to rest for a while. The tea on the table there is clean; pour yourself some. Go back when you've rested enough."

"Okay, I got it."

Footsteps echoed through the courtyard, heading towards the west wing hall. Bai Mengyan spoke as she walked, her voice now tinged with renewed excitement:

"But Master, you were absolutely right! You told me to wait for the right opportunity, and just two days later, someone actually contacted me! A few days ago, a director who makes short films contacted me and asked me to play the female lead!"

Chen Shouyi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Short film?

He wasn't aware of that. He had always assumed Bai Mengyan transitioned directly from modeling to acting in TV dramas; he hadn't realized there was a short film involved.

It seems she didn't start acting in TV dramas right after entering the industry; she used short films as a stepping stone.

"You kept telling me to wait and wait, I thought it would be a long time."

Bai Mengyan was clearly a little smug: "I didn't expect it to be so fast! Daoist Master, don't you think I'm incredibly lucky?"

Chen Shouyi smiled and continued, following her lead:

Opportunities are like flowers blooming in their own time. Some wait three years, some wait three months. It's not a matter of speed, it's just that your time has come.

"You've taken good care of your health beforehand, so you'll be able to seize opportunities when they arise. If you were still looking as weak as before, the director's first impression of you would be off by three points."

Bai Mengyan hummed in agreement twice, unusually refraining from interrupting.

"So it's not that I calculated it accurately," Chen Shouyi said calmly. "You prepared everything you needed to. I just helped you open the door a crack."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Then Bai Mengyan's voice became a little more serious: "Daoist Master, thank you so much."

Just as Chen Shouyi was about to say "You're welcome," Bai Mengyan's next words came:

"Then can you calculate it for me again? Will my short film be a hit?"

"...Benefactor, I am a Taoist priest, not a turtle in a wishing well."

"Goose, goose, goose, goose—"

After laughing enough, Bai Mengyan realized she hadn't gotten down to business yet:

"By the way, Master, I'm going to Jinling to report for duty tomorrow, so I thought I'd come find you as soon as possible today. But you're not here yet."

"Nanjing?"

"Yes, the short film is being shot over there."

Chen Shouyi nodded, though Bai Mengyan couldn't see it.

"Sincerity moves mountains. You have come all the way up the mountain today to fulfill your vow. The Taoist Ancestor and the Patriarch have seen your sincerity and will protect you on your journey."

"Really!" Bai Mengyan's voice suddenly rose. "That's wonderful!"

The two chatted for a few more minutes. Bai Mengyan said she would rest in the side hall for a while and have some water before heading down the mountain. Chen Shouyi reminded her to put the key back in its original place and close the door properly before hanging up the phone.

He had just put his phone down when there was a knock on the door.

"Master."

Shouzhuo's voice came from outside the door.

"Come in."

Shouzhuo pushed open the door and came in, carrying two bowls of porridge and a plate of steamed buns.

"Director Zhao just came by and said he'd take you to the film set after we finish breakfast. I've brought your breakfast over; please eat it while it's hot."

Chen Shouyi took the bowl of porridge, took a sip, and found the temperature to be just right.

Where is Zhao Mingyuan?

"They're waiting downstairs. They said there's no rush and you can take your time eating."

Chen Shouyi nodded, finished his porridge in a few gulps, ate a few steamed buns, and got up to go to the bathroom to wash up.

Ten minutes later, the master and apprentice left the room and took the elevator downstairs.

In the lobby, Zhao Mingyuan was sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, scrolling through his phone. When he saw Chen Shouyi come out, he immediately stood up, his face beaming with smiles.

"Good morning, Daoist Master! How was your rest?"

"It's acceptable." Chen Shouyi nodded slightly.

"That's good, that's good!" Zhao Mingyuan stepped aside to lead the way. "The car is waiting outside. Shall we head to the film set first?"

Chen Shouyi stepped out, with Shouzhuo following behind carrying a large bag.

Hengdian was already bustling in the early morning. You could see many extras in costumes riding electric bikes and occasionally a few vans slowly driving by.

The three got into the car, and the Buick GL8 drove out of the parking lot of the China World Trade Center and onto the main road.

Zhao Mingyuan, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced back at Chen Shouyi and said with a smile:

"Master, let me take you to the tent over at the Qingming Riverside Scene first. That's the main tent for our 'Qingqiu Fox.' Teacher Li Xianchang is already waiting there, saying he wants to ask you for some pointers."