Chapter 16 Temple Meals
The harvest really brings joy, and Bai Mengmeng's mood also becomes cheerful.
Within two days of returning home, she couldn't wait to go into the garden, taking a basket and scissors, and start picking fruits.
The tomatoes were so big and numerous that they almost crushed the branches. Most of them were green, but there were a few red ones, which were cut off by Bai Mengmeng with scissors.
It may not seem like many, but together they fill up half a basket.
In addition, cowpeas and cucumbers can also be picked at this time. Green leafy vegetables such as cabbage and water spinach also need to be harvested as soon as possible while they are fresh and tender.
I was so busy that I forgot about time. When I finished, there was a huge pile of fruits on the ground.
The picked vegetables are crispy, tender and juicy at first glance, and look very delicious. Even if you haven't tasted them yet, you know that they are definitely delicious.
Bai Mengmeng was naturally happy, but at the same time, she was also a little worried.
For her, having too many vegetables is good, but they cannot be kept for too long and must be eaten as quickly as possible. So it seems that she has to open the farm stay as soon as possible.
However, based on the previous passenger flow, it seems that not much will be consumed.
Bai Mengmeng changed her mind and realized that she was going to Phoenix Temple anyway, so she might as well bring some to the monks in the temple.
In the past, the last weekend of every month was the day when the monks of Phoenix Temple would beg for alms. The old men and women in the neighborhood, as well as some volunteers, would often bring food and some daily necessities to Phoenix Temple for donation.
Bai Mengmeng acted decisively and immediately selected some vegetables of better quality and put them in her pocket. Carrying a sack full of vegetables, she came to Fenghuang Temple.
Because it was not meal time, the temple seemed a bit quiet. Although there was no entrance fee, there were not many tourists.
Bai Mengmeng walked forward, thought for a moment, and whispered, "Master, can I make some alms today? I brought some vegetables that I want to donate to you."
Bai Mengmeng was greeted by a young novice monk. He looked at the sack full of vegetables, clasped his hands together, and said with gratitude: "Thank you, benefactor. Please follow me."
It turns out that you have to fight for it before donating. The notebook is densely filled with the names of donors, and which person donated how much money on a certain day of a certain month of a certain year.
The number can be as many as several thousand or tens of thousands, or as few as dozens or hundreds.
Bai Mengmeng suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"I won't write my name. I didn't donate any money. It's just some homemade vegetables I grew myself. It's really not worth mentioning."
The young novice monk patiently explained, "It's not the value of the gift, but the intention behind it. If the donor gives sincerely, he or she will naturally be qualified. Just write it down, and we will remember this merit."
Seeing that Xiao Shaming had already written the date and indicated that the donation was a bag of vegetables and fruits, she had no choice but to pick up a pen and write the name of Qiongye Restaurant on it.
Regardless, it's still a bit awkward to use my own name.
After finishing writing, the young monk turned around and took out a peace amulet from under the main hall.
Bai Mengmeng was a little happy. She originally thought she would have to spend money to buy it, but she didn't expect the other party to give it to her for free.
Bai Mengmeng quickly put the amulet away and expressed her gratitude sincerely: "Thank you, Master. I just wanted to ask for a amulet this time."
Turning around and looking around, she found that there seemed to be no place to put the bag of fruits and vegetables she had given. It looked rather out of place, so she couldn't help but ask, "Where should I put this bag of fruits and vegetables?"
The young monk quickly shook his head: "I dare not trouble you, benefactor. I will just send it to the kitchen."
After saying that, the little monk carried a bag of vegetables, fruits and wanted to go to the kitchen.
After trying two or three times, he still couldn't move it. His face immediately turned red and he looked very embarrassed.
When he saw the girl carry it in easily, he never expected it to be so heavy.
Bai Mengmeng smiled and walked forward: "I'm quite strong, so I'll do it. There are a lot of things in here, so they are particularly heavy."
The little monk could only take his hand back, thank him repeatedly, and lead Bai Mengmeng to the dining hall.
The two passed through a bamboo forest and after turning a corner, they saw a round archway.
On both sides are rooms for people to live in. Next to the archway hangs a sign that reads "No Admission for Outsiders". It is obviously the style of a kitchen. This should be the other side and is not usually open to the public.
Bai Mengmeng stopped in a hurry and hesitated for a moment. Further ahead was the area where the monks usually lived. When she saw the woman, she didn't know if she would disturb others if she went in.
Seeing Bai Mengmeng stop, the young monk explained in a low voice, "It's okay. There are many believers living in the rooms on both sides, and we have volunteers here. It won't be a problem if you come in with me."
It was Bai Mengmeng's first time to come to the temple's kitchen. It was very spacious, swept clean, and things were neatly arranged.
No wonder so many people like to eat vegetarian noodles in the temple. Just the kitchen looks so refreshing.
The kitchen used a traditional stove. There was a big monk standing next to it, who looked chubby and was cooking noodles. There were men and women of different ages next to him. Because they were wearing volunteer uniforms and were helping to pick vegetables, Bai Mengmeng guessed that they might be volunteers.
The young master helped put down the vegetables and fruits and said loudly, "Master Zhengyuan, the female donor donated a lot of vegetables to us."
The fat monk nodded, walked over, opened the sack, took out two tomatoes, examined them for a moment, and nodded seriously: "These tomatoes are very beautiful. Are they grown at home?"
Bai Mengmeng originally wanted to leave, but when she saw the fat monk asking questions, she turned around and nodded: "I planted these, and I just picked them from the field."
Because of her talent, the quality of these vegetables is very good. The fat monk looked at the juicy vegetables and praised her repeatedly, saying that she is a good hand at growing vegetables.
The two were chatting when Bai Mengmeng's stomach suddenly growled.
She was suddenly embarrassed. She had hurriedly picked vegetables in the morning and then ran here to give alms. It was past mealtime and she hadn't had breakfast yet.
The fat monk was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, benefactor."
After saying that, he took the noodles out of the pot and scooped a spoonful of topping with a spoon.
Bai Mengmeng could see clearly that it was a spoonful full of pickled mustard greens, bamboo shoots and diced mushrooms.
Putting the noodles on the small table, the fat monk pulled Bai Mengmeng to sit down and said in a gentle tone: "Driver, haven't you had breakfast yet? Why not try the noodles I made." The fat monk had a kind face and it was hard to refuse. Besides, the vegetarian noodles of Fenghuang Temple were indeed very famous. Bai Mengmeng had been curious about it before, but she never had the chance.
Now that the other party invited her to eat noodles, she didn't act pretentiously and just picked up the chopsticks and took a bite.
Of course, before eating noodles, you must drink the soup first. The soup in the noodles looks very clear. After you put it in your mouth, it is full of freshness and fragrance, which immediately stimulates your taste buds.
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