The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Chen Wei rolled his eyes at Wang Kun. “Who’s your bro? He’s a monk. You should call him master. Master, is this dog for sale?”

Fangzheng thought Chen Wei knew better at first, but the moment he finished his sentence, it was obvious he was a layman when it came to Buddhism. Fangzheng pressed his palms together. “Amitabha, this dog is not for sale.”

Wang Kun and Chen Wei had only asked in passing. They really liked Lone Wolf, but they could do nothing about it if Fangzheng was not selling.

However the duo were unwilling to let the matter rest. Wang Kun came up with an idea as he asked, “Monk, where do you live?”

Chen Wei immediately understood what Wang Kun’s intent was. “Master, which monastery do you cultivate at?”

Fangzheng shook his head slightly. “This Penniless Monk is on a cultivation tour and temporarily doesn’t have a place to stay.”

“That’s great then! Come to my place! My parents are out. I’m the only one home,” exclaimed Wang Kun immediately.

Chen Wei had wanted to say the same thing, but his parents were home, so he could not extend an invitation that easily. Fangzheng looked at Wang Kun. Although the kid was inviting him, he was stealing glances at Lone Wolf. To put it simply, Wang Kun was inviting Lone Wolf!

In his heart, Fangzheng smiled bitterly. Having acted as a master all this while, he had to rely on Lone Wolf to get some room and boarding.

However this was better than starving. Fangzheng pressed his palms together. “Amitabha. Thank you, Patron.”

“It’s nothing! Well, we still have one more self-study period. Wait for me!” Wang Kun waved his hand generously. At that moment, the bell rang again. Wang Kun and Chen Wei, as well as the other curious students ran back to class.

Fangzheng did not leave and instead waited at the entrance with Lone Wolf. After all, he had nowhere to go.

At that moment, the guard came over again. “Let me remind you. Don’t you do something nasty. Tsk.”

Fangzheng was rendered speechless. The guard clearly heard Wang Kun invite him to stay at his place and was afraid that he was a bad person that would harm Wang Kun.

Fangzheng could not be bothered to retort. After all, his heart was in the right place.

Not long later the evening self-study classes ended. Wang Kun was nearly the first person to run out. Chen Wei followed closely behind. However, as they ran, they were looking at each other angrily like they were quarreling. However deep in their eyes was a deep friendship. It was not a real quarrel.

“Master, let’s go home!” After Wang Kun said that, he smugly flicked his head at Chen Wei.

Chen Wei harrumphed and did not say a word. He walked in another direction but would turn his head from time to time to look at Lone Wolf. How could anyone not like a dog that could play basketball? Who wouldn’t find it miraculous?

Wang Kun felt extremely pleased with himself as he walked back. From time to time, he would touch Lone Wolf. Lone Wolf would lean close to Fangzheng because of all the touching, but having a thick skin, Wang Kun would immediately follow closely and continue touching…

Lone Wolf looked up unhappily at Fangzheng. “Master, this guy is molesting me. Aren’t you going to do something about it?”

Fangzheng smiled without a word. Lone Wolf understood that Fangzheng was using his virginity to exchange for food. He immediately felt speechless and filled with tears. He considered not leaving the mountain with Fangzheng in the future.

Wang Kun’s house was not very far from the school. It was also not very far from the basketball court they had played on during the day. However, his compound was a lot better. There was even a tiny villa compound. Clearly Wang Kun came from quite a well off family.

After Wang Kun informed the guard on duty, he led Fangzheng into his residential compound.

After entering, Fangzheng could not help but ask, “Patron, this compound of yours looks pretty good. Why did you go to the basketball court in the day instead?”

Wang Kun said with a bitter smile, “There’s no other choice. Basketball courts are quite scarce nowadays. In the past, my residential compound did have one, but the court was demolished and refurbished into an activity center for the elderly, children and for people to walk their dogs. There are fewer and fewer basketball courts now. As for school… I don’t really mind it, but many students do not dare to play basketball carefreely during our afternoon break. After all, many diligent students want to use the time to study. And with the teachers around, some students try to leave a good impression on the teachers by showing off their diligence. As more and more people started doing so, it eventually became a trend. Now afternoons are not for playing, but for studying!

If we were to play basketball at this time, it would seem like we are dawdling! In fact, school only starts at one, but because of them, just entry into school requires self-study. No one wishes to give their class a bad impression, so if one wants to play basketball carefreely, it can only be done outside school.

Of course, there’s another reason. The school only has one basketball court. With so many people eyeing it, it’s hard to get a spot. Typically, a group of students will each occupy half a court, or a group will just take turns shooting their basketballs at the hoop. Tell me, how are we to occupy the entire basketball court that way?”

Fangzheng was taken aback. He had really witnessed such a situation before. He instantly understood Wang Kun and company’s reasons. It was extremely important to have a court on which they would not be disturbed when having a match.

As they spoke, Wang Kun had already brought Fangzheng into his residential compound. His house was not a villa but an apartment in a seven-storey building. He lived on the third floor and when they entered, it revealed a house without extravagant decorations. It was bright and simply furnished.

“Come on in. I’m the only one at home for the time being. There’s food in the fridge. Feel free to take any of it. I’ll go make dinner.” As Wang Kun spoke, he threw his school bag to the side and walked into the kitchen.

Fangzheng was surprised. From the school guard’s conversation, it was not difficult to tell that Wang Kun was not considered a good child in the eyes of teachers. However Fangzheng realized after interacting with Wang Kun for some time that he was not a bad child. Wang Kun’s pursuits were very different from most students’. He did not like studying but liked playing basketball. He had used the time others used to study on basketball. Thus he was seen as a troublemaker in the eyes of his teachers and schoolmates. For them, he was an example of a bad child.

Fangzheng asked out of curiosity, “You know how to cook?”

“Of course. My parents often go on business trips. They are gone for half a month at a time, sometimes even for a month or two. I have been making my own meals since I was ten. I can’t get used to eating from eateries. Master, is there anything you can’t eat?” asked Wang Kun.

Fangzheng nodded. “Yes. Just giving This Penniless Monk some rice would do.”

“How can I? You are my guest. I have some vegetables. I’ll fry some vegetables for you.” Wang Kun shook his head. Wang Kun did not appear like a student when at home. Fangzheng felt he was more like a mature adult.

The vegetables were quickly fried and Wang Kun placed a huge bowl of food on the ground. Lone Wolf immediately ignored the two and enjoyed his food.

Wang Kun sat at the table to eat with Fangzheng, looking at Lone Wolf from time to time. He asked out of curiosity, “Master, this dog of yours is really intelligent. How did you train it?”

Fangzheng smiled. “Animals are intelligent. If you communicate with them through your heart, they will understand.”

Wang Kun said with a bitter laugh, “That sounds like fantasy.”

“Then let’s put it simply. Treat him well sincerely, and he will treat you well sincerely. If you want to teach him something, all you need is to sincerely teach him. The myriad beings in the world all have sentience. They are far more intelligent than you can imagine.”