"Secretary Tan, this … I … When I came, this place … Aiyah, I can't explain it." Yang Ping looked at the brand new temple in front of him. He also knew that it was pointless to say anything. Facts spoke louder than words.
Wang Yougui said, "Uncle Tan, don't blame Yang Ping. I believe this kid was slacking back then and definitely did not come up the mountain. He only got someone to come down and take the government documents before returning. Let's not talk about him lying. I remember that when I came to One Finger Temple a year ago, it was indeed dilapidated. Over the past year, I haven't seen anyone bring bricks up the mountain to repair the temple. How did this temple get renovated? "
Tan Juguo frowned as he shook his head. "I don't know. Let's go ask."
Wang Yougui and Yang Ping had no objections as they followed.
On the way, Wang Yougui said, "Uncle Tan, One Finger is no longer around. Now, One Finger Temple only has that young monk, Fangzheng, left, right? I remember that he was in our village's primary school back then. Later on, you were the one who sent him to middle school and high school, right? "
Tan Juguo's eyes flashed with a look of reminiscence as he nodded slightly. "That's right. Back then, that child was just that little. Now, he has become abbot. Heh heh. Time sure flies. "
As they spoke, the trio arrived in front of One Finger Temple's entrance. When they looked up and saw the golden plaque, the trio subconsciously felt a sense of respect. All their restless thoughts vanished, leaving only a sense of calmness. They also felt a sense of solemnity. It made the trio subconsciously lower their voices.
In the north, especially in the rural areas, the population was sparse. In order to facilitate communication, the villagers would shout from a young age. Therefore, their voices were rather loud. Over time, it became a habit that could not be changed.
But at that moment, the trio had subconsciously lowered their voices. By the time they reacted, they were truly astonished.
At that moment, One Finger Temple's door was already open. The trio naturally walked in easily. The moment they entered, they saw the bodhi tree in the yard. When they saw the dead tree come back to life and then sprout in the cold late autumn, the trio immediately felt like they had seen a ghost.
"Uncle Tan, the last time I came, this tree was almost completely dried up. It was completely dead. Why did it sprout? This … "Yang Ping said with a tremble.
"Look at you! This is a temple, not the gates of hell. If there is, it would be the manifestation of Buddha. There are no demons or ghosts. What are you afraid of? "Tan Juguo reprimanded.
Only then did Yang Ping return to his senses. He smiled bitterly and said, "I just think it's too strange."
"What's so strange about it? The last time you came here was a few years ago. What's so strange about the changes?" Wang Yougui snorted.
Yang Ping had a bitter expression on his face. Regardless of whether Wang Yougui and Tan Juguo believed him or not, he knew very well that he had really been here a few days ago! What he saw was just as he had said, a scene of broken bricks and rotten tiles, and a withered old tree. In just a few days, such a huge change had occurred. He really felt a little strange and scared.
"Eh? What fragrance is it? "Right at this moment, Tan Juguo suddenly took two deep breaths and asked.
"It smells so good! It smelled like rice, but it was different! It's much more fragrant than the rice in our fields. Just smelling it makes my stomach growl, "Wang Yougui said as he rubbed his tummy.
"It seems to be coming from the backyard. Let's go take a look." Yang Ping's wild thoughts vanished as he took in the fragrance. He pointed at the tiny door leading to the backyard and shouted.
"Let's go take a look." Tan Juguo nodded as the trio immediately filed in.
As for trespassing on private property without meeting the owner, they had never considered it. In the northern villages, visiting relatives was done in such a manner. They did not steal or rob anyone's house and just entered openly. However, they typically did not enter the house directly. Instead, they would shout to inform the owner that they were here.
However, when the trio entered the backyard, the fragrance of the rice intensified. The fragrance inundated their olfactory senses, making them salivate. They subconsciously licked their lips and gently opened and closed their mouths as though they could eat it. If not for their stomachs grumbling in protest at the fragrance, the trio probably would not have realized that they were hungry. They would have thought that they had already eaten.
Fangzheng's kitchen was in a corner. The moment the trio entered, they saw Fangzheng busy in the kitchen through the window.
"Fangzheng! Fangzheng! "Yang Ping was the first to shout.
At that moment, Fangzheng was soaking some wild vegetables in soy sauce in preparation for his meal. Suddenly, he heard someone call him from outside. He looked up and exclaimed, "Accountant Yang? Uncle Wang, Grandpa Tan? Why are you here? "
"What do you mean why are we here? Punk, you caused such a commotion on the mountain. How can we not come to take a look? "Wang Yougui said with a chuckle.
Fangzheng walked out of the kitchen and wanted to find two stools. However, he was depressed to realize that there was nothing he could sit on at home.
Wang Yougui scolded him jokingly, "Enough, stop looking. I don't think this tiny temple of yours has anything to entertain us. Stop looking for stools. We are all family. We don't need to be particular about the things that city people have. Just sit on the ground. "
With that said, Wang Yougui sat on the ground. Tan Juguo sat down as well. Although Yang Ping was a little unwilling, he still wiped a rock beside him and sat down.
When Fangzheng saw this, he also sat on the ground. He rubbed his bald head and asked despite knowing the answer, "What's the commotion?"
"Punk, not bad, huh? After not coming up the mountain for a year, you actually renovated One Finger Temple. Not bad! "Wang Yougui said with a chuckle.
Fangzheng grinned and did not say a word. Instead, he looked at Yang Ping.
Yang Ping said angrily, "Fangzheng, tell the village chief and secretary that I came a few days ago. Did I even personally hand you the government documents?"
Fangzheng wished to lie, but lying would violate the precepts. All he could do was nod and say, "Yes."
The moment that was said, Wang Yougui and Tan Juguo were stunned. They originally believed that Yang Ping had been lazy and did not come up the mountain. But now that Yang Ping had come up the mountain, could what he said … be true? The two of them looked at each other and saw the suspicion in each other's eyes.
Yang Ping said again, "Fangzheng, let me ask you. A few days ago, was your temple very dilapidated?"
Fangzheng continued nodding, "Yes."
Yang Ping immediately looked up at Wang Yougui and Tan Juguo as though he was saying, "Look! I'm not lying, right? "
Wang Yougui frowned and said, "Fangzheng, tell Uncle what's going on. This place was still dilapidated a few days ago. How did it get renovated in a few days? I didn't see any construction teams come up the past few days either. "
Tan Juguo added, "Indeed. Kid, this matter of yours is a little unbelievable."
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