Just as he reached the wooden stairs and was about to step onto the first step, Liuli rushed out of the house like a gust of wind, her little face beaming with a genuinely happy smile, as bright as the midday sun.
Liuli ran down the wooden steps and suddenly bumped into Shichan's arms.
Shi Chan was taken aback.
Liuli hugged Shichan tightly, her smiling face framed by closed eyes, with a hint of tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. Her voice was low and unusually gentle as she said, "Shichan, I love it here. I really love it here. This will be our home from now on, our... home."
Shi Chan's heart softened, instantly overflowing with tenderness. He turned and hugged Liuli, saying gently, "Liuli, I also love this place, I love our home."
The human and the fox stood embracing each other in front of the wooden building, freely enjoying the peaceful and warm atmosphere.
After a long silence, Shi Chan suddenly spoke, saying softly, "Liuli, don't wait until Bodhi Temple sprouts, we..."
Suddenly, a voice from afar interrupted Shi Chan's words, calling out, "Bailing! Liuli!"
After releasing Liuli, Shichan exchanged a glance with her, and then they both looked out of the courtyard.
Li Shen was leading a gray-robed monk slowly towards them.
Upon seeing the gray-robed monk, Shi Chan trembled, and Liu Li's expression changed.
At this moment, Li Shen turned to look at the gray-robed monk and asked, "Master Shili, do you know that Bailing is the person you are looking for?"
Upon seeing Shi Chan, Shi Li breathed a sigh of relief. He clasped his hands together in a Buddhist salute to Li Shen and said, "Indeed, thank you, benefactor. Please go on with your business, benefactor. This humble monk will have a few words with Shi... Bai Ling."
The two had now walked to within a dozen or so feet of the wooden building. Li Shen returned the greeting to Shi Li, then turned to look at Shi Chan in the courtyard and called out, "Bailing, Master Shi Li has something to discuss with you!"
Shi Chan's body stiffened, and he was completely unconscious in answering.
Li Shen didn't wait for him; he said goodbye to Shi Li and left.
Shi Li walked step by step toward the small building, and looked at Shi Chan in his coarse clothes from afar, shaking his head and sighing softly.
Shi Chan stared blankly at Shi Li, who was getting closer and closer, his eyes filled with worry.
Soon, Shi Li walked in through the half-open gate and stopped about ten feet in front of Shi Chan and Liu Li. His face was somber, and he said softly, "Bailing, what a good name."
Shi Chan suddenly came to his senses. He stepped forward and stood in front of Liuli, and whispered to Shi Li, "Master, Senior Brother... why are you here?"
Shi Li shook his head and said, "Since you have returned to secular life and taken a secular name, you are no longer a disciple of my Bodhi Temple. You are no longer a Buddhist disciple, so there is no need for you to call me senior brother anymore. I cannot accept the title of senior brother from you."
Shi Chan's face fell, but he stubbornly asked, "What brings you here, Senior Brother?"
Shi Li no longer pursued the matter of his address. His expression remained somber as he said calmly, "The abbot still can't let you go. He sent the temple's disciples to search for you throughout the Central Plains, just to ask if you have any intention of returning to the temple."
A hint of tension appeared on Liuli's face. She lowered her eyes and looked at the ground, but her hand unconsciously rose up and grabbed Shichan's arm, tightening its grip little by little until her knuckles turned white.
Shi Chan felt the pain in his arm and also sensed Liu Li's anxiety. He was eager to reassure her, and without a moment's hesitation, he shook his head apologetically and said, "Please ask Brother Shi Li to tell Brother Shi Ning that I have failed to live up to his expectations and have no intention of returning to the temple."
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