Hu Li called out to each of them in turn.
Then, she turned around to face Yao Shiming and the others, introducing, “These are my brothers—Eldest Brother Lin Xuanfeng, Second Brother Lin Xuanyu, Third Brother Lin Xuanlei, and Fourth Brother Lin Xuandian.”
Before she could finish her words, a broad hand landed on her head, gently ruffling her hair. Lin Xuanfeng’s expression was tinged with affection, “Xiao Li, it’s been years since I saw you, and you’ve grown so tall.”
“Don’t touch my head.” Hu Li mumbled, trying to shake her head free, but the big hand stayed put. Instead, the coat draped over her shoulders slipped off, though another big hand caught it just in time.
“Whose is this?” Second Brother Lin Xuandian held up the black-and-white checkered coat, his gaze sweeping across the group, half smiling.
“It’s mine.”
A hand shot up nervously—Yao Shiming answered, somewhat tense.
Lin Xuandian nodded slightly and said nothing more, but gave Yao Shiming a meaningful look before returning the checkered coat.
Yao Shiming couldn’t help but shiver, feeling a few icy, scrutinizing, appraising, and guarded gazes sweep over his entire body.
“All right, brothers, these are just my regular classmates. They’re just here to hang out at my place.”
“Oh, right, where’s Dad? Didn’t he get struck by lightning? Is he still lying in bed? Take me to see him.”
Hu Li took a couple steps forward, placing herself between Yao Shiming and the Lin brothers.
Seeing this, the others exchanged glances, and their smiles at Yao Shiming grew even more “kind.”
In the end, it was Lin Xuanlei who stepped forward, though his gaze didn’t fall on Yao Shiming, but instead on Jiang Chi and Ji Yuennian.
“Venerable guests, please follow me. I’ll take you to your rooms in the monastery.”
“As for this guest…”
Lin Xuanyu took the initiative, placing a hand on Yao Shiming’s shoulder. He wore a “kind and amiable” smile, yet somehow, it sent a chill down Yao Shiming’s spine.
“This guest, please come with me. Lately we’ve had too many visitors, and not enough guest rooms. But don’t worry—we have a special place just for guests like you.”
*****
Inside the guest room, after arranging for her luggage delivery, Ji Yuennian heaved her hiking backpack onto the table, then lay back on the bed, stretching out comfortably.
She picked up her phone, crossed one leg over the other, and started playing, muttering, “Can’t believe I get to stay a few nights for free just because of connections. I checked—getting a room here is nearly impossible! This hiking trip is so worth it!”
As she spoke, she glanced over at the man by the bed, absorbed in a novel, and silently ridiculed him. The former model student and school heartthrob, now addicted to web novels, unable to pull himself out.
“Oh, right.” A glint flashed in Ji Yuennian’s beautiful eyes. She lightly nudged the man with her delicate foot to get his attention.
“Jiang Chi, don’t you think there’s something off between Old Hu and Old Yao?” she asked curiously, not caring whether Jiang Chi replied or not, and continued on her own.
“It’s not just them. The new student in our dorm and Luo Yikang have something weird between them, too. Didn’t I tell you before? Ever since this semester started, I’ve felt like our dorm—”
The big sister prattled on, voicing her doubts, a frown creasing her brow.
Jiang Chi glanced at her delicate face, seeing the innocent cluelessness in her eyes that was as clear and naive as a college student’s, and couldn’t help but shake his head.
Even an outsider like him could see there was something going on between those two, yet Ji Yuennian still hadn’t caught on? Aren’t women supposed to be more perceptive? Ji Yuennian was already a full-fledged big sister, yet her nerves were still as blunt as ever.
Just as Jiang Chi was inwardly complaining, on the other side, Hu Li, under the persistent questioning of her four brothers, was at a loss for words. Her little face was flushed red with anxiety.
“He’s really not your boyfriend?” The four brothers asked in unison, their tones full of doubt and playful teasing.
“He’s really not.” Hu Li was almost in tears, covering her cheeks with her hands. “Brothers, stop asking. I’m a guy, I couldn’t possibly have a boyfriend.”
“If you’re not a guy in the future, that’ll solve it.” One of the brothers spoke up, prompting the other three to nod repeatedly in agreement.
The four looked at the “sister” before them, nearly in tears, and thought of that somewhat timid but still resilient little boy they’d sent to the woodshed. They had to admit, from a certain perspective, the two were a natural pair.
But then, thinking about their family’s soon-to-be little piglet about to be led away by some bookish boy, their hearts were filled with mixed feelings.
No, they could forgo the bride price, but they absolutely had to test the other’s character!
The four exchanged glances, instantly understanding one another.
Hu Li, having regained her composure from the interrogation, rolled her eyes, peered over at the bedroom door blocked by her brothers, and feigned concern to change the subject: “By the way, brothers, how’s Dad? He got struck by lightning. Is he able to get out of bed now?”
At these words, the four knew they shouldn’t push any further. Lin Xuandian smiled and took over the conversation, “Looks like you really care about Dad, Xiao Li. When you left home, it was just out of anger.”
“Come on, as if I care about him.” Hu Li pouted.
“I just came back to divide up the inheritance. He was the one who told me to get lost, and I remember that perfectly.”
She turned to her eldest brother, Lin Xuanfeng.
“Eldest Brother, tell me, how is Dad? I’m ready…uh, ready for the inheritance.”
Lin Xuanfeng stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, “Dad, he…”
Boom!
A thunderous explosion rang out, brilliant light illuminating much of the mountaintop, startling many guests from their sleep!
Following the sound, Hu Li looked over. In the night, thick smoke rose from the alchemy room. A figure dashed out, then hurried back in with a bucket of water, shouting about “my immortal pills” and the like.
Seeing this, the four brothers—Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning—exchanged glances, reading the helplessness in each other’s eyes.
Their father, Lin Zhengdao.
A lover of mysticism, a madman for alchemy!
So obsessed he’d lost himself, almost as if possessed. He even abandoned his wife and children. That was why Hu Li ran away from home back then.
“Dad’s fine,” seeing Hu Li’s puzzled look, Second Brother Lin Xuanyu spread his hands and explained.
“He didn’t get struck by lightning?”
“He did, but he’s totally fine.”
Lin Xuanyu sighed.
“Still the same as ever. Fortune-telling and preaching by day, locked up in the alchemy room at night. Every now and then, the whole room explodes!”
*****
The next day.
The sun had climbed high, dawn’s rays breaking through.
Ji Yuennian awoke to find Jiang Chi gone, with only the shallow dents and residual warmth on the bed to show he’d just left.
She got up, got dressed, washed up simply, and rubbed her slightly dark circles.
Last night, she’d been drifting off to sleep when a sudden explosion jolted her awake. After that, she couldn’t get back to sleep, so out of boredom, she stayed up all night gaming, grinding away until 4:00 a.m. before feeling the slightest bit tired.
She patted her face with warm water, chewed on a chocolate bar for energy, then pushed open the guest room door and stepped out.
As soon as she exited, a thick incense aroma assaulted her nose, mingled with countless voices in prayer. Following the sound, she looked toward the distant incense-filled temple—Shenshao Monastery.
Three grand, swirling characters were written on the main plaque at the front, gleaming with golden light. People were coming and going. Giant incense sticks as tall as adults stood on either side, while the round table in the center displayed incense burners and offerings, the curling smoke drifting up and lending the place an aura of sacred solemnity.
“Venerable guest, would you care for a divination?”