Chapter 89 The situation suddenly changed
Forgive my ignorance at the time, as this was the first time I had heard of this kind of business. However, as someone considered a quasi-master, I couldn't ask him directly what "taking charge of a temple" meant.
I was "fake squatting" in the bathroom.
A search on Baidu for "temple guarantee" yielded explanations that completely overturned my "three guarantees." Some capital groups have poured vast sums of money into abandoned or unpopular temples, bringing in so-called eminent monks and great masters, and creating myths to attract followers.
To put it bluntly, I don't know whether Chen Yousheng believes in Buddhism, but he definitely believes in money. I don't know whether the monks are of high moral character, but they are definitely puppets of the capital group, there is no doubt about that.
As a fortune teller, of course, I can't intervene in these social issues. I can only answer Lao Xiao's specific question.
Maybe I stayed in the bathroom too long, because he stood up from his seat, rubbed his hands, and walked around the room. He only sat back down after seeing me come out.
Lao Xiao rubbed his hands and said, "Whether I will go or not, nothing has been decided yet. I am just beating the drum and wishing you a happy new year. Since you are here, I will ask you to help me with the test.
I said, "Old rules."
He wrote the word "bao" on the paper.
He had just finished writing when suddenly, outside, firecrackers blasted loudly, followed by fireworks shooting up into the sky, lighting it up, and the clamor of gongs and drums. It was getting closer. Old Xiao and I were both curious and ran out. It turned out to be the local fire dragon lantern, dancing towards us. Every household was setting off firecrackers and fireworks were used to greet the lanterns.
Lao Xiao and I returned to the tea room.
Lao Xiao looked at me, waiting for my answer.
I pounded my fist on the coffee table and said in a loud voice, "Okay, you can go."
Lao Xiao looked at me and said, "Teacher Wan, please tell me in detail."
I said happily, "This word 'bao' is quite appropriate for the season. Because, in our fortune-telling technique, there is a method that does not require analyzing this word.
“No need for analysis?”
"Hmm. This method is called 'Xuanguan Anhe' (Secret Combination of the Mysterious Gates). For example, if you want to have a baby, you write a random word, and suddenly, a boy runs in from outside. He doesn't come early, and he doesn't come late, but when you ask whether it's a boy or a girl, he comes. I won't use this word anymore; I'm sure it'll be a boy."
For example, if you want to go out and earn money, and you want to predict whether you can earn money, then my neighbor comes to give me money, no matter what the reason is, whether it is to pay off a debt or to ask me to buy something for me. This character does not predict the result, because he does not come earlier or later, but at this time.
I'm certain you can make money. This method is called 'Xuanguan Anhe' (secret combination), which is predetermined in the dark. Do you understand?"
Lao Xiao smiled: "Sir, I understand."
I then explained to him:
"As soon as you wrote the character 'bao', firecrackers rang out outside, salutes were launched into the sky, dragon lanterns danced, and it was extremely festive. This is called the secret harmony of the entrance hall.
Let's analyze this character again. You're talking about a temple, and the hallmark of a temple is incense. Adding the character "火" (fire) to the character "包" (package) creates the character "炮" (cannon). This character also alludes to the lively entrance hall mentioned earlier.
Fireworks replace the old year, spring breezes bring warmth to Tusu, and as the sun shines brightly in every household, people always replace old charms with new ones. I give this poem to you, replacing old charms with new ones. It means you are leaving your old job for a new one. I wish you all the best.
After hearing my analysis, Lao Xiao's face lit up with joy. He gave me a thumbs up and said, "Why are you able to make money? It's because you can analyze things clearly and convincingly. Unlike Blind Mo over there, when you ask him why, he just says, 'I figured it out.'"
I said with a fierce face: "Old Xiao, it's because of you that I'm so detailed. For others, I'm also the second Blind Mo."
Lao Xiao smiled so hard that his gums showed.
Finally, he leaned forward and asked, "What are the precautions?"
I teased him deliberately: "There aren't many things to pay attention to. Just don't take a bath for three years."
His eyes widened, his face confused, and he asked, "Why?"
I frowned: "The character 'bao' with three water drops is 'pao'. If you take a bath, all the money you earn will be 'washed away'."
He stared at me closely and asked seriously again, "Can I just sponge bath instead of shower?"
I couldn't hold back my laughter any longer and spat out the tea in my mouth all over his face.
As I burst out laughing, he finally understood: "I was too serious. I didn't expect your last sentence to be a joke."
I said, "Lao Xiao, I'm not kidding. Money is involved in the bath. Think about it carefully. Between friends, stop when you're done."
Lao Xiao's face flushed and then paled. Then he stood up and clasped his hands together: "Master, I have received your kind words. Looking back on the past, my enthusiasm remains unchanged. Looking forward to the future, my confidence is a hundred times greater. Lao Xiao bids farewell."
His every move restored the heroic spirit he once had when he traveled the world.
At the door, we shook hands tightly.
He took three steps back, bowed again, then turned around resolutely. Then, his car merged into the endless sea of cars.
After sitting in the tea room for ten minutes, Shao Youxiang arrived.
We sat down, I offered cigarettes and made tea. After pouring him half a cup, I smiled and said, "You've only been away for a few months and you're back. You've worked hard."
He shook his head and sighed, "Is it for the old lady? The custom here is that relatives must come to the house to offer sacrifices in the first year after a family member passes away. My cousin is in prison, so I have to take charge of the family. So, I rushed back before the New Year. I was so busy that I didn't finish until this morning."
I gave him a thumbs-up: "You are truly chivalrous, manly, and have a strong sense of family responsibility."
He seemed quite calm and said, "It's what I should do."
After saying that, he opened a black briefcase, took out a pair of jade bracelets and gave them to me.
I declined, saying, "Last time, you gave me a bracelet. Speaking of which, I did something for the old lady, so it's only right."
He sighed, "A journey of a thousand miles tests a horse's strength; time reveals a person's true character. This old saying is so true. At that time, there were really few people who attended the event. But you did your best. Moreover, when the old lady slept in that place, her spirit appeared. My niece-in-law gave birth to a baby at the end of the year."
I still want to refuse.
He simply stood up and said, "I know you're busy, and I'm a bit busy too. Don't sit here any longer. This bracelet is perfect for your old mother. It's called an emerald."
It was already 8:20 in the evening when Shao Youxiang left.
I called my brother-in-law to come and move things, but he said he was playing cards with my parents.
I had no choice but to carry it up there myself one trip at a time.
My mother looked at me several times, her face full of joy, and said, "So you're moving things. Then your brother-in-law will stop playing cards and help you move. Don't tell me anything."
My sister said, "Dad, Mom, you are old, you should go to bed early." After saying that, she actually put down the cards.
My mother's face was full of gloom.
I was very tactful and gave my mother a look. She followed me straight into her bedroom.
I lowered my voice and said, "These are two bracelets a friend of mine gave you. They're quite valuable. Please keep them and don't show them to anyone."
She nodded.
I said, "Then I'll go to Youranju."
As soon as I sat down at Youranju, my brother-in-law called me and asked, "Shanhong, did you give Mom a pair of bracelets?"
I was shocked and told her not to show it to anyone, but she understood "anyone" to mean outsiders. She thought it was okay to show off at home.
I hurriedly asked, "What's the matter?"
"You need to talk to Mom. She wasn't careful with her words and it irritated your sister. Your sister and I discussed buying a small second-hand house for Mom and Dad so we can live separately."
I felt humiliated and ashamed. As their son, I should have been responsible for their living arrangements. I had failed in my duty.
I said, "Brother-in-law, I will discuss this matter with my sister tomorrow."
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