The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

The third day, fourth day, fifth day…

After a week, Liu Daifen met another sweeper while sweeping the streets in the morning. The other sweeper was an old man with white hair. He was in a good mood and greeted her when he saw her. “Daifen, today’s payday, right? Haha… I heard there will be a raise. We are going to get an increment of tens of yuan. I counted that we should be able to get eighteen hundred yuan this month. Heh heh… If we scrimp a little, we should be able to save a few hundred every month.”

However, these words sounded like thunder in Li Haopeng’s ears! Such hard work for a month only earned his mother eighteen hundred yuan? He had tipped the streamer a thousand a round… Recalling the fifty thousand he had tipped and how the elderly man mentioned how it was possible to save a few hundred every month if they scrimped, how long would it take to save fifty thousand yuan?

Li Haopeng was no fool. He was already in sixth-grade. He knew how to do basic arithmetic. If one saved four hundred a month, that meant forty-eight hundred a year. Fifty thousand yuan… how long would it take for her mother to save fifty thousand, if he ignored the money that his father previously saved? It would take more than ten years! But how long did he take to spend that much? Minutes!

Li Haopeng felt his brain turn abuzz. He felt flustered as he looked at his mother who continued sweeping the streets and then reflecting on himself.

Without even realizing it, tears streamed down his cheeks. He did not realize that he had already regained control of his body. In a daze, he walked towards Liu Daifen who was chatting while sweeping the streets. Then, under the stunned look in her eyes, he knelt to the ground with a plop. He hoarsely shouted, “Mom! I was wrong! I was really wrong…”

At that instant, Liu Daifen was completely unsure what to do. She felt that the sun had risen early today. Furthermore, it was a day with clear skies…

“Clear skies!” Fangzheng opened the doors to his monastery as he watched the sun rise in the east while smiling.

“Abbot, you seem to be in a good mood today,” commented Monkey while he swept the yard.

Fangzheng chuckled, “That’s right, but someone is probably feeling terrible.” With that said, Fangzheng’s cell phone rang.

“Venerable Fangzheng, I’m going to go bankrupt…” Although Zhu Lin said that, her voice sounded excited. She had heeded Fangzheng’s words and headed south as much as she could. She happened to meet the CEO of the website, the female entrepreneur, Sister Qing! They chatted for a long while and took to each other at once. Sister Qing wanted to promote her and even signed a contract with her. She was paid a fixed salary for her royalties and it was a very high amount. It started from the millions! It would be a joke if she was not happy about that.

Fangzheng chuckled, “Then don’t go bankrupt. Why don’t you return what This Penniless Monk said to you?”

“No! Master, it’s my fault. About that, when do I transfer the money over? I’ve been asking you for the past few days but you were in no rush. That child’s mother is definitely anxious.” Zhu Lin quickly capitulated. Fangzheng had given her advice twice since she knew him. The first one saved her life and the second one progressed her career. How would she dare offend such a living Buddha?

“That is the outcome of the merit you accrued and the kindness you have done. This Penniless Monk only guided you towards good luck. As for money, you can return it now. As for how you want to return it, that I will leave to your imagination. This Penniless Monk is not good at such things… Alright, it’s breakfast time. Bye bye.”

On the other side, Zhu Lin stamped her foot in anger. “I don’t even have an address. How am I to return the money? Darn this scummy master…”

Although she grumbled, Zhu Lin quickly took action. She knew in the past that doing good deeds calmed one’s mind but now, knowing that doing good brought her good luck, there was no reason for her not to. After some thought, Zhu Lin recalled how the mother was a sweeper in Songwu County. Then, she would likely find Liu Daifen quickly if she went to the cleaning center. She immediately took action…

When Liu Daifen receive the fifty thousand yuan, she pushed it back.

Zhu Lin was stunned. “Auntie, what are you doing?”

“You are a good child. This is rightfully yours. Although this is a lot of money, it’s nothing compared to my son. He has grown up from this experience. I have something to look forward to now. Isn’t it just fifty thousand yuan? I’m still young. I can earn more!” said Liu Daifen in exuberance.

Zhu Lin smiled wryly, “Auntie, do I look like I’m very old? If you can earn, why can’t I? Take this money. If not, I’ll be cursed to death by others. I might even lose my fans. I would suffer a greater loss that way. Please do me a favor by accepting it.”

Zhu Lin was eloquent and successfully persuaded Liu Daifen. She made it seem like it would only bring her harm if Liu Daifen did not accept the money. Liu Daifen had no choice but to accept it. However, she knew that the girl in front of her was a good person. She thanked her profusely.

Even when Zhu Lin walked far off, she realized that Liu Daifen was still standing there waving at her when she turned her head back.

That day, Zhu Lin said on her live stream, “I realize that being a good person feels much better than finding a boyfriend! Although I have never had a boyfriend…”

Fangzheng smiled in satisfaction when he received the news from Zhu Lin.

“Congratulations for doing another good deed,” said the System.

“Congratulations without rewards is the act of a hooligan.”

System: “@#$%…”

As One Finger Monastery’s reputation increased, more and more visitors came to the monastery to offer incense. Fangzheng also received more and more incense money daily. After all, not everyone donated a yuan or two.

In the evening, Fangzheng looked at the money laid out on his bed as his eyes curled into a smile.

“Does it look good?” asked the System.

Fangzheng nodded. “Yea.”

“Are you done looking at them?”

“Not yet.”

“Then, keep looking at them. It’s only temporary after all.”

Fangzheng’s face turned ashen. “System, can you be quiet if I do not call for you? If you talk like that, you’re asking for a beating”

“Oh, then try hitting me.”

Fangzheng looked up into the sky and yelled, “I’ll give you a beating one day!”

With that said, Fangzheng put away the large number of fifty-cent coins, one yuan and five yuan bills into a closet. There was nothing he could do after all. He did not have a safe and there was no bank on the mountain. He could only put the money there.

After having dinner, he closed the monastery’s door and sat underneath the bodhi tree. He took out his cell phone and enjoyed the moment of peace. The sky tainted the clouds pink like fire. Under the sunlight, the entire monastery seemed to be covered in a layer of gold. It was gorgeous.

Fangzheng casually browsed through the recent news, comments and scriptures. His days passed by leisurely.

But then there was a knock on his monastery’s door.

Fangzheng knitted his brows and got up to open the door. He saw an elderly man standing outside, sweat drops rolling down his forehead. He looked breathless and had clearly rushed up here.

Fangzheng pressed his palms together. “Amitabha. Patron, is there something?”

The elder smiled wryly, “Venerable Fangzheng, I was introduced by Tan Juguo. My name is Shi Dazhu and I’m from the neighboring village. I heard that you are well-versed in the Buddhist Dharma and are able to help answer questions. I came here to seek an answer.”