This humble Taoist priest wants to take the college entrance exam.

Chapter 42 Sister Wanyin, give me your right hand (Bonus chapter of 5000 words)
After finishing the sweet soup, the siblings and the cat all breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Shi'an took the bowl and chopsticks from Li Wanyin to wash the dishes.

"It's okay, it's okay, I can wash it myself."

“I’ll do it. Sister Wanyin made the sweet soup, so I’ll clean it up. It’s fair.”

There weren't many dishes for the two of them. Chen Shi'an bent down to wash the dishes by the sink, and at the same time, he took the pots and spoons that had been used on the countertop to wash them as well. Finally, he wiped the countertop with a rag.

Li Wanyin watched from the doorway as he skillfully tidied the kitchen. His expert demeanor was quite different from the age he appeared to be in his high school uniform.

"Shi'an, you should be able to cook, right?"

"Yes, when we're up in the mountains, I'm usually the one who does the cooking."

"How old were you when you started cooking?"

"I think I started cooking when I was four or five years old, when I could reach the stove by standing on a stool."

"So small!!"

Chen Shi'an smiled. It was all because his master was lazy and good at deceiving people. He said that before learning alchemy, one should first learn to cook to lay a foundation. How could one refine pills if one couldn't even cook properly?
"How old were you when you started learning to cook, Sister Wanyin?" Chen Shi'an asked, turning around.

"Hmm, she should be thirteen or fourteen years old. She started learning during the summer vacation."

The two had only been chatting for a short while when Chen Shi'an had already tidied up the kitchen. Li Wanyin was amazed by his speed, even though he seemed to be in a 'unhurried' manner.

Seeing Chen Shi'an walk out, she moved aside by the doorway. She was in no hurry to go back to her room since she had just finished eating. Mainly, she got along very well with him and wanted to chat with him.

After graduating and leaving campus, I felt inexplicably lonely. At work, I only interacted with colleagues or customers, and there was no one I could communicate with like a normal friend.

She was still doing her part-time job distributing flyers today, and she had probably met at least a hundred or two hundred people. She had been talking to the same things until her throat was dry, but she still felt like she hadn't spoken to anyone all day. Only at this moment, when she was under the same roof with Chen Shi'an at night, did she really feel like she was talking and communicating with someone.

The television was on in the living room, and the sound from it became the background noise of the house.

There's no television on the mountain. We had one when I was a child, but it was struck by lightning while Chen Shi'an was practicing his lightning-summoning technique, and we haven't had a television since.

Chen Shi'an glanced at the TV and asked curiously, "Was Sister Wanyin watching TV just now?"

“I didn’t watch it. I just watched a show when I got back, and then Shimo was watching it. I tried to turn off the TV, but it wouldn’t let me, so I left it on.”

"Meow."

Even if Shimo doesn't watch TV, Li Wanyin, who is alone in the house, often turns on the TV as background noise, even if it wastes a little electricity, at least she won't feel uneasy in the quiet.

Li Wanyin sat down on the sofa. The black cat was no longer so shy. As long as she didn't reach out to touch it, it didn't mind giving her a little of its territory.

She watched TV for a while, then turned to see Chen Shi'an preparing to go to the balcony to collect the laundry, and reminded him:

"I just brought in the clothes you washed yesterday. There was a lot of dew last night, and I also washed some clothes. I was worried that the clothes I hung out to dry would get wet, so I brought them all in first. They're on the chair."

"Okay, Sister Xie Wanyin."

Chen Shi'an looked in the direction she was pointing. The Taoist robe and school uniform he had washed yesterday had been neatly put away by her and placed on the chair with the backrest. They weren't folded in a special way, but they weren't messy either.

"Is your school uniform dry yet? I checked when I woke up this morning, and it's still damp. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold wearing this?"

"It's okay, just shake it and it'll dry."

"Just don't catch a cold."

Li Wanyin laughed when she heard this. Naturally, she didn't believe him when he said that the clothes would dry after a few shakes. Back in school, the boys in her class were all like that. They wouldn't change their clothes even when they got wet in the rain, and they wouldn't put on an extra layer of clothing even when they were shivering in the cold. Yet, they were all quite resilient! Unlike girls, who would experience all sorts of uncomfortable symptoms when they got their period.

"Has Sister Wanyin taken a shower?"

"I've already washed, you can wash now."

"Okay, I'll go take a shower first."

Chen Shi'an could tell that Li Wanyin wanted to chat with him, but he had been in class until almost 10 o'clock and hadn't even taken a shower yet. With his Dao heart firmly set on, he decided to finish what he needed to do first.

The bathroom door closed, and the room became quiet, with only the sound of the television remaining.

Li Wanyin originally planned to go back to her room, but seeing that Shimo was still watching TV with his eyes glued to the screen, she pulled over a cushion and hugged it to keep the cat company while watching TV.

Occasionally, I'll pick up my phone to reply to messages, mostly from good friends from my school days. We'll ask each other how we're doing and vent about our companies or bosses.

Like her, most of her friends haven't found jobs yet, and those few who have are not doing very well.

[I'm so fed up! This idiot boss didn't give any instructions earlier or later, and now it's already 10 PM before he sends me a document to compile, saying it's needed for a meeting tomorrow morning. Girls, what do you think? Should I reply to him?]
[What the hell! It's already 10 o'clock, isn't it normal for you to be asleep!]
[Where's Jiayun? Could she really be so foolish as to get up and rush to finish some documents?]
[Ahhh! He called me! He called three times!]
That's really terrible...
I don't want to work here anymore, I'm quitting tomorrow.
Why don't you just bear with it? You're the only one among us who's found a job. If you don't take it, how will you pay your rent next month?
Sisters, I'm leaving Yunqi to go back to my hometown the day after tomorrow. Anyone free to grab a bite to eat together these next couple of days?
[Luqi, are you going back to your hometown?]
[Yeah, my dad wants me to work at my uncle's factory for a while, as an office clerk, 2800 a month. Let's grab a bite sometime, how about tomorrow night? Hot pot, my treat!]
[Of course, I'm fine with it]
[Where's Wanyin? Is Wanyin very busy lately? She hasn't been active in the group much. @Xiaohuiyin]
In fact, Li Wanyin had been reading all the chats in the group, but since graduation, the atmosphere of the chats was no longer as relaxed and cheerful as before, and was mostly filled with negative energy and complaints.

Li Wanyin wasn't the kind of girl who complained about her fate.

Ever since the year her family suffered its misfortune, she knew that complaining was useless, but since everyone was talking about it, she didn't know what to say. She couldn't help others with their difficulties, and she didn't want to talk about her own. Gradually, she went from being a frequent chatterbox to a silent nobody.

Little Echo: [I can!]
Li Wanyin finally popped up.

[What has Wanyin been up to lately? Is she still in Yunqi? Has she found a job yet? @Xiaohuiyin]
Little Echo: [Not yet...]
Little Echo: [I'm currently doing a part-time job as a temporary measure]
Do you remember that senior, Ou, who used to have a crush on you? He recently contacted me again asking for your contact information. His family is rich, and I heard he's a junior manager now.
[Ah! That "Candle Guy"? He's been out of school for a year, and he still can't forget Wanyin?]
[Haha, Candle Bro...]
Little Echo: [Covering her mouth, stop talking] *10
This was one of the few funny things that the girls in the dorm could remember for a lifetime. The reason they called Senior Ou "Candle Bro" was because he foolishly arranged heart-shaped candles under the girls' dormitory to confess his feelings to Li Wanyin. Li Wanyin didn't like him to begin with, and she disliked such ostentation even more. It's unclear which strategist gave Candle Bro the terrible idea, but after shouting for ages under the girls' dormitory, he failed to get Li Wanyin to come down, but instead managed to get the dorm supervisor to come down. Then Candle Bro took out his phone to message Li Wanyin, only to find that he had already been blocked.

Even now, Li Wanyin still feels a chill and embarrassment when she mentions it.

Chen Shi'an was right yesterday. The reason she still doesn't have a boyfriend isn't because no one is pursuing her, but because she doesn't want to date.

[Wanyin, you're not really planning to stay single forever, are you?]
I used to think being single was great, but now I'm planning to find someone. Even if I don't spend their money, at least we can support each other.
[Luqi, you're in a relationship!]
My mom introduced me to a blind date, and this trip back to my hometown was basically just for the blind date... It's a bit of a hassle.
[Holy crap! You're going on a blind date too?!]
[Oh? Jiayun, you're in a relationship too!]
[What could possibly be wrong with me! I was just a little surprised. Where's Wanyin? Weren't we asking about Wanyin? @LittleEcho]
[A master of using a shield]
[Wanyin, should we still give Senior Ou his contact information? He's actually a really nice guy, just a bit clueless. @Xiaohuiyin]
Just as Li Wanyin was about to continue diving, she quickly replied: [No, no joke, please don't, I'm not thinking about that right now.]
So what are you thinking about now?
[Make money, make money, make money! Make lots and lots of money! When I become a rich woman, wouldn't it be great if I supported a young and handsome male high school student? [Get rich][Making a fortune][Panda head smoking Zhonghua cigarettes]]
After Li Wanyin posted that message, the atmosphere in the girls' group finally calmed down, with everyone shouting things like, "[I want to make money][I want to be a rich woman][I want male models]!"
Li Wanyin quietly went underwater again, and when she looked up again, the bathroom door was open.

Chen Shi'an came out after taking a shower, holding a towel in one hand and his freshly washed school uniform, shorts, socks, and other clothes on the other. His hair was still slightly damp, which he naturally brushed up to reveal his clean forehead.

Chen Shi'an has great skin. It's not super fair, but it's very clean. There aren't any pimples or marks on his face. Especially right now, after taking a shower, he looks very refreshing. He wears an ordinary retro t-shirt and somehow manages to make it look fashionable, youthful, and rugged.

Sensing a gaze, Chen Shi'an turned his head and saw Li Wanyin looking at him.

Their eyes met, and Li Wanyin subtly looked away, her gaze fixed on the television, and asked casually, "Have you finished showering?"

"Um, does Sister Wanyin need to use the restroom?"

"No, that's not it... You hand-washed your clothes?"

"Yes."

Chen Shi'an walked past the TV, took the clean clothes and went to the balcony to hang them out to dry. "There aren't many anyway, it'll be quick to wash them."

"Then I really should allocate more of my utility bill to you..."

"No need, we live together now, so it's not a big deal."

Chen Shi'an looked up and saw only her hand-washed and dried underwear hanging on the balcony. She knew that she had probably left the other clothes for two or three days before washing them all together in the washing machine.

"Sister Wanyin washes clothes every two or three days, while I wash them every day. So we actually use about the same amount of water and electricity."

"Alright then..." Chen Shi'an's magnanimity made Li Wanyin feel embarrassed that she was holding a grudge against him, even though she was the one holding a grudge against him.

If only I had money… Like I was bragging in the group chat just now, if she became a rich woman and supported him… Ugh! How could I have taken something I just said so casually to heart! Ugh!

A poor roommate suffers from everything!

Li Wanyin quickly changed the subject.

"Shi'an, how did you feel in class today? Are you able to keep up with so many things missing?"

"I can't keep up with the other subjects except for Chinese. But my teachers and classmates have given me a lot of help. I'll start by slowly catching up from the basics of junior high school."

While hanging up the clothes, Chen Shi'an said, "Wanyin, how about you? How was work today? I was thinking of cooking some noodles for you this morning, but since you weren't awake yet, I only cooked some for me and Fei Mo."

"It's okay, it's okay. You have to rush to class, I'll take care of breakfast myself. As for work... well, it's so-so. I've been sending out orders for two days now, and the results are gradually getting worse. But today I brought two customers into the store to eat and spend money, so I earned an extra twenty yuan in commission!"

Chen Shi'an turned around and saw that she looked very happy.

"Wow, that's amazing! I didn't know there was a commission involved."

"Yes, but it depends on luck; it only counts if you bring it into the store on the spot."

“My master once said that the hardest thing in the mortal world is making money. Sister Wanyin is already very capable of making money on her own. I have never made money before.”

Li Wanyin chuckled and said, "How can I say I've made money? You're still studying. You'll definitely earn more than me after you graduate."

"They say rich monks and poor Taoist priests, I don't think I'll make any money."

Chen Shi'an spoke casually, as he had no real concept of making or spending money. Even if he had no money in his pocket, he wouldn't feel anxious.

After all, his master had never emphasized money to him since he was a child. However, studying in the city did require money, and he was also in debt. He would occasionally think about these things. Now that he was experiencing the world, how to make a living was always an unavoidable topic.

"So how do you Taoist priests make money?" Li Wanyin asked curiously.

Chen Shi'an had already finished hanging up the clothes. He sat down on the sofa, picked up the lazy cat, placed it on his lap, and kneaded it like dough. While pouring a glass of water, he slowly and deliberately replied:

"Generally, it's incense money, and then there's praying for the person seeking blessings, performing rituals, fortune telling, and feng shui consultations, or selling some self-made ritual implements or talismans, etc. My master isn't good at business, and the Taoist temple is very poor, unlike some large Taoist temples that are good at managing their businesses."

"You can read faces too!"

"Yes."

Li Wanyin was quite surprised. Although she did not believe in these things and would never spend money to have her fortune told, Chen Shi'an was her roommate and was now sitting next to her. Hearing this, the older sister also became interested.

"Then, could you tell my fortune?"

"sure."

Chen Shi'an turned to look at her, "What does Sister Wanyin want to see?"

"Hmm...good fortune!"

"Let me take a look."

Both of them were sitting on the sofa. Li Wanyin supported herself on the edge of the sofa with both hands and turned to face Chen Shi'an.

Chen Shi'an and the black cat lying on his lap both turned their gazes to her pretty face.

The woman in front of me was only in her early twenties. Her skin was as moist as warm jade soaked in a mountain spring, and her delicate features were so perfect that there was not a single flaw.

When she smiled, her eyebrows lifted slightly, revealing a hint of liveliness; when her beautiful almond-shaped eyes met his, she seemed a little shy and wanted to look away, but she suppressed it and met Chen Shi'an's gaze directly.

Chen Shi'an watched with exceptional focus.

The long silence made Li Wanyin feel as if she was playing a game of "statues" with him.

In the end, she couldn't hold back as long as the young Taoist priest, and couldn't help but 'pfft' and cover her mouth to laugh.

"So, so, what did you figure out?"

"Sister Wanyin has a beautiful face."

Chen Shi'an withdrew his gaze, first praising her with a smile, then looking at her seriously again, and continued, "A full and bright forehead and a clear and deep philtrum indicate abundant wealth; furthermore, a straight and high nose bridge is an auspicious sign for the wealth palace."

"A smooth, rounded jawline indicates stable wealth, a broad mind, and the ease with which one receives help from benefactors..."

"Sister Wanyin, give me your right hand, let me read your palm."

"Give."

Li Wanyin was delighted to hear this and immediately smiled and extended her right hand.

"You can read palms?"

"Yes, combining hand and face reading makes it more accurate."

After Chen Shi'an finished speaking, he gently pinched her fingertips, making her palm open in a standard position, and carefully examined the palm lines.

Although Li Wanyin did not live a life of luxury like other rich girls, her hands were still delicate and beautiful.

Her fingertips had a natural curve, her nails were neatly trimmed and had a faint pinkish-white sheen, and her knuckles were perfectly rounded without being overly slender, yet exuding a natural gentleness. The skin on her wrists was thin and translucent, with faint blue veins visible, just like her personality, carrying an innate warmth and gentleness.

"How is it? How is it?" When he held her fingertips, Li Wanyin felt her heart beat faster for no reason, even though their hands didn't touch much.

"The money line is clear and broad."

Chen Shi'an released her fingertips, looked up and smiled, "It seems that Sister Wanyin will not only have a wealthy family in the future, but will also be able to make a name for herself. She is a rare person with a great fortune and prosperity."

"You, you're not that old, how come you're so good at sweet-talking people~!" Li Wanyin's cheeks were slightly flushed, and her tone was full of laughter.

"I'm telling the truth."

"Really?"

"real."

"Hehe~"

Li Wanyin couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes sparkling like silver. Chen Shi'an's words made her so happy, and all the gloom she had felt all day vanished.

All boys' high schools are definitely better! They're good-looking, considerate, and have nice voices!

When she really makes a fortune in the future, she wants to support someone like Chen Shi'an...

Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!
(5000-word bonus chapter. I feel like I'll exceed the word count limit during the new book period soon. I guess I'm not destined to get rich... Anyway, I still hope everyone will support me, please keep reading, and please vote for me!)

(End of this chapter)