Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: Mysterious
Chapter 108: Mysterious
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Upon entering, Wen Nian noticed the absence of a Buddha statue in plain sight. However, a lingering fragrance of sandalwood, often associated with the temple hall, permeated the air. She surmised that the temple hall might be arranged in another room.
Wei Ming took a seat on the sofa, his hand trembling as he held a glass of water. Just as the water approached the brink of overflowing, he extended it towards Wen Nian.
As Wen Nian accepted the cup with both hands, she couldn’t help but notice the string of prayer beads held by Wei Ming. Expressing her gratitude, she initiated a conversation, drawing upon the few details her father had shared about Wei Ming. With a warm smile, she remarked, “How have you been, Uncle Wei, in recent years? My father often mentions how he misses fishing with you and admits he can’t compare to your skills. Even after all these years, he still wants to challenge you again, just to see if time has affected your abilities.”
Wei Ming’s somber countenance remained largely impassive, though a noticeable softening could be discerned. “I haven’t been fishing in many years, so it’s only natural that my skills might have declined,” he replied. “The old man told me that you and your brother have been achieving impressive results.”
Wen Nian smiled with a hint of embarrassment. “My brother has excellent grades, but my grades has dropped so much.”
When Wei Ming heard this, he revealed a faint smile. “It’s alright. Take your time and learn. Do what you have to do.”
Wen Nian found the conversation to be somewhat peculiar, but they continued chatting for a little while longer. Just as she was about to delve deeper into testing Wei Ming, something or someone interrupted their interaction, causing her to be abruptly dismissed or chased away.
Wei Ming rose from his seat and positioned himself at the doorway. The kindness he had displayed earlier seemed to have evaporated, reverting him to his initial demeanor upon their encounter. “It’s getting late. You should leave now. I’ve heard that your engagement with Wei Xiao has been cancelled. Since it’s of no use, refrain from visiting the Wei family again.”
Observing the situation, Wen Nian reluctantly stood up. As she approached the door, she glanced back at the emotionless Wei Ming and bid him a farewell in a soft tone, “Goodbye, Uncle Wei.”
Just as Wen Nian exited the room, the door abruptly slammed shut behind her with a loud bang.
Having encountered Wei Ming, Wen Nian couldn’t help but perceive the Wei family as even more enigmatic. She gazed back at the isolated building, sensing its stark divergence from what she had imagined the Wei family to be. However, she realized that remaining there wouldn’t provide her with any further insights. With a sigh, she made the decision to turn away and leave the premises of the Wei family.
Shen Jun had anticipated having to wait for an hour or two, but to his surprise, he noticed Wen Nian getting into the car and glanced at the time, realizing that only 30 minutes had passed. Perplexed, he asked, “Why are you back so quickly?”
Wen Nian responded in a daze, “I was just taking a walk.”
Shen Jun observed Wen Nian, who appeared lost in her thoughts, and grew concerned. “I sense that you’re not in a good mood. What happened?”
Wen Nian glanced at Shen Jun, finding solace in the idea of confiding in someone. “Typically, people who follow a vegetarian diet and engage in Buddhist practices abstain from alcohol. However, when someone embraces both aspects, it does seem contradictory. What are your thoughts on this?”
Upon hearing the question, Shen Jun furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment. “Whether it’s chanting Buddha or drinking, both of these activities share a commonality. They serve as means to escape from reality, as there are numerous helplessness and challenges in life that cannot be easily altered. In such situations, individuals may turn to Buddhism to seek solace and spiritual support, or they may resort to alcohol to numb themselves and temporarily forget their troubles.”
Wen Nian repeated the phrase “escape from reality” in a contemplative manner, as if reflecting upon its meaning.
After careful consideration, Wen Nian found the speculation about escaping reality to be plausible. She reasoned that Wei Ming’s departure from the Wei family’s center of power following his wife’s death might not solely be driven by the desire to avoid the painful memories associated with her passing. Her father had described Wei Ming as a cheerful person who enjoyed making friends, suggesting that he would not choose such a passive means of escape.
Wen Nian shared the sentiment that there were likely multiple factors at play, stacked together, which exceeded her current understanding. These unknown elements could have contributed to Wei Ming’s current state of being.
As Wen Nian recalled the mention of her father’s friendship with Wei Ming, she noticed a fleeting nostalgic expression flicker across his face. Despite his words discouraging her from visiting the Wei family again, her intuition suggested that Wei Ming’s intentions were rooted in goodwill.
If Wei Ming represented kindness, then this meant that the Wei family had malicious intentions towards her.
While Wen Nian did not obtain any clear information this time, she was certain, through Wei Ming, that the Wei family had unquestionably engaged in some activity that Wei Ming knew about but was reluctant to acknowledge. Wen Nian decided to make a thorough mental note of it, as it could potentially serve as a crucial factor in dismantling the Wei family in the future.
Wen Nian gazed at the illuminated Wei family’s main building in the distance, lost in contemplation. Suddenly, an icy sensation enveloped her, causing her to instinctively turn around. To her surprise, Shen Jun stood mere inches away from her, his presence looming ominously.
As their eyes locked, a subtle change in the air between them caused their breaths to involuntarily grow shallower.
In that moment, Wen Nian noticed a flicker of amusement in Shen Jun’s eyes. He extended his hand and secured the seatbelt on her seat. “I pretended not to hear you when we were talking earlier. I took care of it myself,” he confessed with a smile.
As warmth surged through her cheeks, Wen Nian couldn’t determine if it was due to the excessive heat from the heater. She glanced at the captivating visage before her, his intense gaze igniting a fire within her. Unable to contain her flustered reaction, she extended her hand and gently pushed him away, trying to regain her composure..