Hours slipped by just like that. Yiran tried to approach several monks present in there, hoping one of them might help her find Master Baiyun, but didn't work, all of them were occupied with something.
"Are you looking for someone?"
Yiran turned her head— It was Chen Zeyan who was standing behind her.
Yiran blinked, unsure how to react. She was just about to come up with sone random excuse but Chen Zeyan interrupted softly.
"I thought you might be searching for someone," he said calmly. "You've been approaching every monk you spot."
Yiran went speechless.Her lips parted, but no words came out.
How long… has he been observing me?...
"Oh—it's nothing! I just… um… wasn't feeling very well and I was trying to find the restroom," Yiran said while avoiding his eyes.her voice a little shaky.
Damn… why was she even lying?...
Right..It's not like she could ask, "Hey, do you know some Master Baiyun who can predict future and do magic!." the one I technically haven't met yet in this life?
Yiran mentally facepalmed, it's better to lie.
Chen Zeyan looked at her deeply. He could tell she wasn't being honest, she probably didn't even realize that every time she lie, she would avoided eye contact. It was pretty obvious.
"It's in that way," he said calmly, pointing to the path behind her.
"Uh—what?" Yiran blinked, clearly confused.
"The restroom," Chen Zeyan replied slowly.
"Do you want me to lead you there?"
His tone was polite, as if he actually believed her lame excuse,and ready to help her. But she was pretty sure he didn't, like who'll believe that, but she choose to act along with it.
"No, it's alright. I'm fine. Really—no need to trouble yourself," she said, then hurried off in the direction he'd indicated, if a vicious ghost were chasing her.
Watching Liu Yiran half-run, half-walking retreat, Chen Zeyan found it quite amusing. 'Am I really that scary?' he wondered.
He could tell she was hiding something, but since she didn't want to talk about it, he didn't press it further.
The moment she stepped outside, she spotted a young monk who watering the plants.
She approached him quickly, "Hello… I'm the daughter-in-law of the Chen family. May I speak with you for a moment?" Yiran asked straightly.
The young monk lifted his gaze to her and offered a slow, acknowledging nod.
"I'm looking for someone… could you tell me where he might be? He's a monk here. He said his name was Baiyun—Master Baiyun. That's… honestly all I know,"Yiran said, little unsure.
The young monk's brows knit together in confusion.clearly puzzled."Master Baiyun?" He stopped for a moment as if searching his memory.
"Madam Chen, I'm afraid I don't understand. There's no one here with that name."
"What?!" Yiran exclaimed, before taking a breath to steady herself. "There's really no one by that name? But I met him—in the backyard, near the pond. He was fishing. Outsiders wouldn't be allowed to do that… right?."
The young monk furrowed his brows. "Fishing… in the Bìhún Pond? Madam Chen, are you certain about that?."
Seeing the young monk's expression, which was certainly not good, Yiran's memories drifted to her past life where she had first seen him. Yes, he had been fishing there—that much was certain. She looked at the young monk and said, "Yes, I'm sure about that."
"Then he absolutely isn't from this temple. Maybe he just trespassed," the young monk said, there is slight agitation in his voice. "Bìhún is sacred pond. No one is allowed to fish there. The koi in that pond are specially kept by senior monk."
"Really?!" Yiran went speechless.The master she was looking for was about to become a wanted person in the temple.
"Madam, is he still there?" the young monk asked, looking ready to catch a criminal.
"No… I haven't been able to find him, that's why I'm asking," Yiran said.
"Ah… that's right." The young monk touched his bald head, a hint of embarrassment in his gesture. "Can you describe his features? Maybe we can find him," he added, his eyes looked at Yiran expectantly, like he was really want to find a sinner.
Liu Yiran looked at him dumbfounded. 'I'm not trying to catch him, okay!.with a sigh she said vaguely.
"He's just an old man like really old with a bald head and a long white beard,"
The young monk looked troubled, All the old monks here look like that.
Seeing his expression, Yiran tried to recall more details. "He was wearing a grey, worn-out long robe… that's all I remember," she said.
The young monk blinked. "Alright, madam. Thank you for the information. I'll report this to the elder," he said gratefully.
"Ah… okay… um… then I'll get going. Thank you."
Yiran said,in her mind she scolding herself. 'Damn… did I just cause trouble for Master Baiyun?, Ugh, I really should've kept my tongue in check.'
She lowered her gaze and without waiting his reply she quitly slipped away.
Yiran hurried into the prayer room and settled beside Grandma Chen.
The older woman immediately caught the her flustered expression.
"Xiao Ran, are you okay?" she asked softly.
"Yes, Grandma… I was just a little lost on the way," she said with a small smile.
Grandma Chen nodded slightly and turned toward the altar.
In the heart of the capital city, the soft melody of a piano drifted through the grand hall with pale pastel colored decor. A beautiful young lady sat before the enormous black and white piano, her white dress flowing around her, making her appear even more delicate and petite.
But suddenly,her fingers stumbled. The notes clashed harshly, she slowly pulled her fingers away from the keys, and drifted into daze.
From behind her, a gentle yet cold voice echoed through the hall, "You seem distracted."
The handsome face of Ling Yichen came into view as he entered the hall.
The voice snaped her from the daze.
"Brother Yichen!" turning her head the young lady called out excitedly, her gloomy face eventually lighting up.She was none other than Li Xinyi.
She ran over to him, breathless with excitement, and stood in front of him."When did you come back? You didn't even tell me," she said, her voice turning adorably spoiled.
Ling Yichen's eyes softened as he looked at the lovely girl before him.
Yesterday. I had some matters to take care of so I couldn't let you know," he replied, expression didn't change much but his tone become warm.
"Hmmm… if you give me a gift good enough to pacify me, then I'll forgive you.She said, as flashing him a mischievous smile.
Seeing the little girl before him smiling like a little fox, Ling Yichen's lips unconsciously curved upward.
He reached into his pocket, took out a small wooden box,and gently placed it before her.
"I already prepared the bribe. Here—take a look."
Li Xinyi's lashes fluttered as she took the wooden box with gentle hands, slowly lifting the lid.
"This… it's so beautiful," Li Xinyi whispered, her eyes sparkling like stars. The pendant before her almost took her breath away—its deep purple red stone at the center make it look like divine.
"It's Alexandrite," Ling Yichen said gently, "and it changes color in sunlight."