Xia Xin heard these words and, for some reason, felt an inexplicable tightness in his heart. He always felt that Jiangli’s words had deeper meanings. He forced a smile and said, "Ancestor, why... Why do you speak as if you could leave at any time... Anyway, there’s still plenty of time, I can learn slowly, it should be enough, right? Even if not, I still have you, ancestor. Even if I’m always useless, it doesn’t matter..."
Jiangli glanced at him after hearing this and gave him a white look.
"So lacking in ambition. You’re an adult, and there are countless other things to do, yet you insist on playing the fool."
She paused, her tone becoming more somber.
"Moreover, I don’t know how long I will stay here; I might indeed disappear at any moment. In the future, you’ll have to hold up the legacy of Jiaoyang Temple by yourself. Otherwise, why do you think I keep teaching you?"
Xia Xin was stunned, "Ancestor, what do you mean by that? Didn’t you just return? Aren’t you going to stay for good?"
Jiangli fell silent, glancing out the window.
The sunlight dazzling.
After a moment, she spoke again, "I returned because I have things I need to do. Once they’re done, I’ll leave. Even if I don’t go, Xia Xin, you must also strive on your own. You can’t always rely on me. Understand?"
Xia Xin looked into Jiangli’s eyes.
Her eyes were misty, as if always veiled in a thick fog, impenetrable, yet suddenly seeming desolate.
Xia Xin suddenly had the feeling that Jiangli might indeed leave at any moment.
He became nervous and uneasy.
Such matters were never his to decide.
Xia Xin wanted to do something, to persuade the ancestor.
But he suddenly remembered that Jiangli’s comings and goings were never within his control.
A gloom settled heavy in Xia Xin’s heart.
It was like a cloudy sky about to rain, oppressive, irritable, leaving no peace.
But, he couldn’t say anything.
Jiangli didn’t bother with further idle talk either.
Fu’er, who had been silently listening to their conversation on the side, stole a glance at Jiangli, his eyes drooping, flashing a faint dark light.
The two people waited in Jiaoyang Temple for about an hour.
Then Fu Shiyan and Shang Junxiao arrived at Jiaoyang Temple.
Xia Xin knew they would come, and since the atmosphere in the side hall was too suffocating just now, he went out and waited at the entrance.
When he saw Fu Shiyan and Shang Junxiao get out of the car, Xia Xin stood up, "President Fu."
Fu Shiyan approached, "Did Lili ask you to wait for us here?"
Xia Xin hesitated, feeling inexplicably as if Fu Shiyan was anticipating something.
He instinctively denied it, "No, it’s just that I heard President Fu would be coming, so I waited here. The Abbot is inside waiting for you, shall we go inside?"
Fu Shiyan, upon hearing this, nodded slightly, his expression unchanged.
There was no sign of disappointment.
This, in turn, left Xia Xin somewhat disappointed.
Xia Xin inwardly sneered and made a welcoming gesture, guiding Fu Shiyan and Shang Junxiao towards the side hall.
"Ancestor, President Fu is here."
Jiangli and Fu’er were sitting in the side hall.
Upon hearing Xia Xin’s voice, Jiangli looked up.
Seeing Fu Shiyan enter, she dispensed with excessive pleasantries, "We’ve been waiting for President Fu. The tea is ready; have a drink first, and then shall we go the site?"
Fu Shiyan came over with a gentle smile, "An invitation from Lili is an honor I cannot refuse."
He sat down directly across from Jiangli.
Xia Xin and Shang Junxiao also approached.
Shang Junxiao sat down next to Fu Shiyan.
Seeing this, Xia Xin went behind Jiangli and took a seat by the window.
Jiangli poured each of them a cup of water and gestured for them to drink.
Then, she turned to Shang Junxiao and asked, "I hear the person who committed suicide was a friend of Mr. Shang?"