Is he like Shen Chang, that heartless and ungrateful man?

Chi Yan didn't think these were kind words at all. He almost gritted his teeth and said, "Shen Tangning, say it again?"

She suddenly realized what he had misunderstood and quickly explained, "I didn't mean you're like my father, but... you give me the feeling of being with a dad."

Oh no, it seems like the more I try to explain, the worse it gets.

really.

Chi Yan was extremely displeased: "Tsk, do I look that old?"

Shen Tangning simply shut her mouth. Seeing that there was a faint sweat on his forehead, she wiped it with her sleeve and said apologetically, "Why don't you put me down?"

Chi Yan immediately felt looked down upon and gave a soft snort:

"Stay put and let me show you the Second Young Master's strength!"

Upon arriving at Putuo Temple, Shen Tangning went inside to pay her respects, with Chi Yan following behind.

After she finished praying, a young novice monk came out of the meditation room and called out to her, "Please wait, female benefactor. Master Kongji invites you to come and talk with him."

Shen Tangning was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously glanced at Chi Yan, who frowned and said without thinking, "I'll go with her."

The young novice looked troubled and hesitantly explained, "Master Kongji only invited this female benefactor. You can wait outside."

Chi Yan raised an eyebrow, his tone displeased: "What do you mean, sexism?"

Shen Tangning coughed lightly, hesitated for a moment, then raised her hand and patted him: "It should be fine. Just wait outside. I'll call you if anything happens."

He was eventually persuaded, though his expression remained somewhat gloomy.

Shen Tangning smiled helplessly, looked at the little monk, and nodded slightly: "Please trouble the little master to lead the way."

The other person led her to the outside of a meditation room: "Master Kongji is inside, please come in."

She looked at the bright yellow curtain, concealed her thoughts, and stepped inside.

"Master Kongji".

A kind-faced, white-haired old man sat on the prayer mat. Kong Ji opened his eyes, looked over, and smiled: "Please sit down, benefactor."

Those eyes held a kind of insightful wisdom that came from experiencing the vicissitudes of life, which inexplicably convinced her, and she felt a little at ease.

She sat down opposite him, and after studying him for a moment, she hesitated to speak. He seemed to notice her doubt and said with a smile, "Benefactor, we have met once before."

She paused slightly, trying to recall the face in her mind, but couldn't make a single clue.

Kongji reminded her: "The Eldest Princess."

Shen Tangning suddenly realized, her eyes widening slightly: "You were there that day...?"

She met the princess here. She deliberately said something during the worship to attract the princess's attention, but she did not expect that there were other people with the princess that day.

Kongji nodded kindly, his expression meaningful: "I have a deep impression of you, benefactor."

She was unusually embarrassed, and her brows furrowed unconsciously: "But how did you know I would come today?"

"I don't know, so I'm waiting here." Kong Ji smiled at her, his eyes peaceful and wise, and she couldn't help but feel calm as well.

"I've been having frequent dreams lately, and some of the things in my dreams are puzzling to me. I wonder if you could help me understand them?"

"The time is not yet right," Kongji said, raising his hand to push a box over. "Take the incense inside, benefactor, and light it every night before going to sleep. It can resolve the confusion in your heart."

Shen Tangning opened the box and looked inside, somewhat skeptical, but ultimately accepted it: "Thank you, Master."

She didn't believe in unsolicited kindness, so she tentatively asked, "I can't accept favors without doing them. How about I donate some money to your temple for incense?"

The silent reply was quite interesting. He didn't refuse outright or offer any high-sounding excuses, but instead said, "It's wonderful that you have such a kind intention."

As Shen Tangning left, she was still somewhat absent-minded. She casually added some silver notes to the donation box and turned to look for Chi Yan.