A Farm Girl: Three Acres of Fertile Land Can Be Exchanged for a Country

Seeing that she didn't speak, Wenxin assumed she didn't like it and said again:

"There aren't many clothes in the temple, and even fewer cotton-padded coats. These two sets are the only ones left. Wear them if you want, or don't... it's up to you."

His voice was a deliberately suppressed indifference; his tone was flat and his face was expressionless.

The sycamore tree was so grateful that it would never complain. But as the days grew colder, the old cotton-padded coat wasn't very warm, and how could it possibly get through the winter in such clothes?

Wutong stood up with the clothes in her hand, shoved them into Wenxin's hand, and said:

"Can I ask you for a favor?"

Wenxin raised her eyelids: "What is it?"

"Could you take care of Duan Fufeng for a few days? I want to go down the mountain before it snows to buy some things I need for winter."

The most important thing is to buy them a few sets of cotton-padded clothes so that they can stay warm this winter.

Wenxin shook her head upon hearing this and pushed her clothes back towards the room.

"There's nothing in the temple that you need to buy."

Wutong, quick-witted, came up with another excuse.

“I’m not just buying things, I also need to send letters. This time I’ll go down the mountain to see Li Deming, tell him about the situation at the temple, and ask him to help me send the letter to Chuanzhou.”

She spoke with reason and evidence, but deep down I just didn't want to agree.

A flock of geese flew across the pale blue sky. He looked up slightly and said coldly, "I have no relation to the King of Southern Xinjiang and have no obligation to take care of him. Besides, if you never return, what should we do with him? Keeping him is a waste of food and effort. Killing him would also violate the precepts of a monk."

Wutong was speechless, not expecting that this was what he was worried about.

How could she leave and never come back? Doesn't he know her well enough...?

However, after what happened last time, it's understandable that Wenxin has doubts about her.

It's all her fault for meeting him in the first place, which led to this unhappy and tragic relationship.

"okay, I get it……"

Wutong responded softly, then lowered her head and prepared to leave. But she had only taken three steps when Wenxin's voice came from behind her.

“I won’t stay to take care of him, but I can go with you.”

Wutong turned around in surprise, stared at him for a long time, and then shook her head immediately after regaining her senses.

"No need, no need, I can manage on my own, you don't need to make another trip."

Going down the mountain isn't exactly a pleasant experience either, with so much walking involved. And if you encounter unusual weather, like a strong wind or heavy snow, it can be quite a hassle.

He asked himself, "Either you don't go, or you come with me."

Wutong stared blankly at him, "Wenxin..."

The other party showed no sign of changing their mind, clearly having made up their mind. Wutong watched for a while, then decided that waiting around wasn't going to work and she needed to make a decision as soon as possible.

"What will happen to Duan Fufeng if you come with me?"

Wenxin definitely didn't want to discuss issues related to him, but this issue had to be resolved before they went down the mountain.

“He can be taken care of by his master,” Wenxin replied.

Wutong frowned and asked, "Would he agree?"

Xu Yun had considered offering his help for a long time before reluctantly agreeing, and only did so after Wen Xin took out the jade pendant. Now, however, he was willing to take the initiative to care for Duan Fufeng.

Wutong thought it was impossible from the bottom of her heart, but Wenxin proved her right with her actions—it was possible.

After making their decision, the two went to the Buddhist hall to find Xuyun.

Wutong continued washing clothes, her eyes...

I kept my eyes fixed on the direction of the Buddhist hall, afraid of missing anything.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the door to the Buddhist hall opened, and Xu Yun walked out, carrying a dark brown wooden box in his hand.

Wutong quickly dried her hands and went to greet him, "Master, is there anything you need me to do?"

Xu Yun handed over the wooden box, "Wash this set of knives, dry them, and bring them back, along with a cloth."

Knife?

What did Xu Yun do with the knife?

When he returned to the Buddhist hall, Wutong carried the wooden box to the water's edge, opened the lid, and her heart skipped a beat.

It's a razor.

She used to shave herself with a buzz cut and was very familiar with this kind of razor. Xu Yun was also very professional, keeping all kinds of razors for different purposes, each one sharpened to a smooth edge, but they hadn't been used for so long that they were covered in a layer of dust.

For ordinary people, getting a haircut is just a haircut, nothing special. But for monks, getting a haircut is called "shaving the head" or "ordination."

Xu Yun himself is bald, so he doesn't need to. The only thing left to shave... is his own heart.

Is he going to shave Wenxin's head? Who suggested it first? Is the price Wenxin pays for taking care of Duan Fufeng to be shaved head?

Wenxin's long hair is so beautiful, Wutong is reluctant to part with it, holding the props, she doesn't know whether she should wash it or not.

Perhaps because they had waited too long, the door to the Buddhist hall opened once again, and this time Wenxin emerged.

Seeing Wutong holding the wooden box, he knew what she was thinking and said calmly:

“There’s nothing to regret. Since I’ve already decided to stay, it’s only a matter of time before I’m ordained. Today is just bringing it forward.”

Even so, Wutong, holding the box, was still extremely sad.

"I don't love you, so you don't need to be so good to me."

Wen Xin's eyes flickered, she pursed her lips, and then said:

“I’m not doing this for you. My master said that those who cultivate Buddhism should serve the people, the country, and all sentient beings. Right now, I have sentient beings in my heart, and you are just one of them.”

Wutong didn't know whether his words were sincere or not, she only knew that his mind was made up, and no amount of persuasion would be of any use, let alone that she had the right to try.

Silently opening the box, she washed the knife with well water, carefully dried it with a cloth, and then handed it over along with a clean cloth.

Wenxin took him away without saying a word, and returned to the Buddhist hall.

Wutong stood outside the Buddhist hall, wanting to go in but not daring to. He only saw Wenxin kneeling on the prayer mat, and Xuyun, dressed in a clean white robe, came out from behind, took the knife from Wenxin's hand, and cut the hair tie in his hair.

The moment the hair tie snapped, her cloud-like black hair cascaded down, smooth and glossy, covering Wenxin's entire back.

His face was made even whiter and more flawless by the contrast, and he knelt motionless, expressionless.

The Buddha statues in the temple reflected his image, as if a faint halo emanated from him.

Xu Yun picked up a strand of hair, cut it three inches from the root, and neatly cut it off, placing it into a specially prepared box.

"All that comes and goes is but three thousand strands of afflictions. Today I help you purify your six senses, so that in the future you may serve the Buddha with a peaceful mind. Without hindrance or fear, far from deluded dreams, you may ultimately attain Nirvana."

Wenxin held the box, while Xuyun repeatedly slashed with his knife. Black hair fell in cascades, quickly covering the ground.

It was a perfectly normal scene, but Wutong felt a lump in her throat and covered her mouth to keep from crying.

Her questioning of her heart...

Now she has personally pushed it even further away.

What will become of them? Will they gradually grow distant and indifferent, and eventually never see each other again?

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