Chapter 499 – Haohao’s story (2)
Ning Jinchen thought it was very strange. Yan Buba was obviously a very stingy person. Why would he marry a woman that spent money like it was water? From what he had seen so far, Yan Buba’s brow was furrowed every day, and yet, he never considered divorcing his wife.
These two people weren’t compatible at all. Why were they together?
As he was reciting a series of Buddhist questions, in a moment of carelessness, he ended up saying aloud his own question.
“It’s because my dad loves my mom, ah.” An exquisite little girl popped out. She was wearing a light yellow dress. Looking at him like she was the adult and he was the child, she said, “Big brother, if you don’t even understand that, then you’re too stupid!”
Love?
Ning Jinchen raised his eyebrows and looked at the little girl in front of him. He stretched his hand out and picked her up. “What’s love?”
Shocked by his actions, the little girl gaped. After freezing in surprise for a long time, she finally said, “Love means you’ll be with someone for a long time.”
Ning Jinchen furrowed his brow. There was no mention of love in Buddhism, that’s why he didn’t understand. Love meant being together?
Blushing, the little girl said, “Big brother, if you keep holding me like this, then you’ll have to marry me!”
Marry her? Ning Jinchen immediately let go. A monk naturally couldn’t get married.
However, as soon as he let go, the little girl rolled off his knees like a ball. Sitting on the ground, she looked at him as if she had been wronged and said, “You’re a bad person!”
Ning Jinchen’s heart slightly softened. He smiled.
As soon as he smiled, the little girl no longer though he was a bad person. All bad people had ugly appearances. This big brother looked so beautiful. He had to be a good person.
—
Ning Jinchen like doing business, and he even declined the official’s position that Marquis Moyu had personally arranged for him. Instead, he stayed in the rice shop and learned from Yan Buba. Every day, during break time, he would sit on a large stone in the back courtyard and read Buddhist scriptures.
“What are you reading?” The little girl was here again.
Her name was Yan Shengqian. She was named by Yan Buba, and her nickname was Qian-er. Because of this name, Madam Yan had argued with her husband and returned to her maiden home a few times. Finally, she had given up because of lack of results, and Yan Shengqian’s name was set.
(T/N: Poor kid, her name literally means saving money.)
Ning Jinchen stopped reading and answered, “I’m reading Buddha Said. It’s a Buddhist book.”
“What does it say?” Qian-er curiously blinked. “Read it aloud for me.”
Ning Jinchen closed his eyes and recited, “Buddha said, “Don’t be angry, don’t be stupid, and don’t be greedy. Idealism, fulfill one’s desire, forget yourself…”
These were very senseless scriptures. Only a monk would be able to understand them. The teenager in front of her was dressed in beautiful robes. He was clearly a rich, young master in the mortal world. And yet, he insisted on reciting and reading these dull words.
What was even more frightening, was that Yan Shengqian, who usually loved to play, actually really enjoyed listening to him.
—
Ning Jinchen was very amazing. While studying about Buddhism and universal compassion, he used what he learned from Yan Buba to gain a monopoly of the grain market. He lowered the price of grain and drove the newly open rice stores out of business. All of the profits from this undertaking entered Ji Man’s pocket.
Ji Man felt extremely moved. Looking at the son in front of her, she wanted to smack a kiss on his cheek. He was too thoughtful.
Although her son was perfectly fine and had talented tricks, something felt off. For some unknown reason, it felt as if he existed outside the mortal world. It was as if he had just returned home to save the masses, but would be leaving them eventually.
Ji Man felt a bit panicky. She couldn’t resist asking him, “Are you going to leave?”
Ning Jinchen smiled. “Mother, you don’t need to worry. It doesn’t matter where this son is. It’s all the same.”
He would go down the same path no matter what, but he wanted to pay back his mortal world debts first.
Ji Man put down her worries. She went back and considered whether or not she should arrange a marriage for him. This would thoroughly tie him to the mundane world. However, Ning Yuxuan stopped her.
“Our son has his own ideas of happiness. Why are you meddling so much?”
Ji Man shrugged and gave up on the idea. She hadn’t seen Haohao in so long and was anxiously thinking of ways to make it up to him. But, she was worried that she would do something to shoot herself in the food. She might as well let him do whatever he wanted.
—
As the days passed by, Ning Jinchen continued to read Buddhist scriptures and Yan Shenqian would come over to listen to him.
“Buddha said, “Don’t desire, don’t demand, and don’t long for something. Reject the illusions, expose the truth, and gain understanding.”
Yan Shengqian pouted and said, “Buddha seems to be deceiving people.”
“Hmm?” He opened his eyes.
“If you have no desires and demand nothing, will you really gain enlightenment?” Yan Shengqian was unconvinced. “Isn’t wanting to gain enlightenment a desire too?”
Ning Jinchen froze in surprise. He patted Yan Shengqian’s head. “Huh, you have intelligence too.”
Yan Shengqian angrily slapped his hand away. “Stop reading it. Come climb a tree with me? Dad won’t let me go out by myself. I feel bored to death!”
Ning Jinchen shook his head. “A female shouldn’t climb trees.”
“Does Buddha differentiate between men and women?” Yan Shengqian crossed her arms. “Didn’t you say all living life is equal?”
Ning Jinchen was speechless. While he was stunned, the little girl pulled him out of the courtyard.
There was a large tree on the side of the road. Both of them climbed up. Sitting on a branch and looking down, Yan Shengqian was obviously happy. “What’s the use in reciting Buddhist scriptures all day? You should experience and see things for yourself. That’s better for understanding than just reading.”
Ning Jinchen pursed his lips and didn’t say a word. He slightly sighed.
A wedding procession to bring home a bride was passing below them. There was the lively sound of instruments being played. The groom at the head of the procession was dressed in wedding attire. He looked extremely handsome.
Yan Shengqian glanced at the teenager next to her and secretly blushed.
