Xia Xin held his cellphone and hurried out to buy breakfast.
Jiangli went back to the room to wash and change into a set of ordinary short sleeves and long pants. As she came out, she saw Fu’er emerging from the rear meditation room.
Upon seeing Jiangli, Fu’er approached and said, "Ancestor, just now I heard Xia Xin’s shouts. What happened? Where’s the lad?"
"He’s gone to buy breakfast." Jiangli spoke as she walked towards the main hall. "Today, Xia Xin and I might have to go out again. Just keep watching over Jiaoyang Temple as usual and properly receive the pilgrims."
Fu’er, familiar with these tasks, nodded, "I understand, Ancestor. Don’t worry; I’ll handle it. There definitely won’t be any problems."
Jiangli nodded, entered the main hall, picked up a few sticks of incense from the altar beside her, lit them, and then bowed before the patriarch’s portrait.
Fu’er followed, picked up incense sticks, and offered them to the patriarch.
Knowing she definitely wouldn’t have time for morning rituals today, after lighting the incense, Jiangli then went to the side hall to wait for Xia Xin’s return.
Fu’er, following behind her, hadn’t even entered the side hall when she heard a knock on the door.
Smelling the scent of strangers, Fu’er called into the side hall, "Ancestor, it seems we have pilgrims."
Jiangli’s voice came from inside, "You take care of it. Tell them I’m not here, and don’t let them into the side hall."
Fu’er acknowledged with a yes and walked over to open the main gate, where she saw several people standing outside, all dressed solemnly, clearly having come specifically to offer incense.
Among them were a few familiar faces, who greeted Fu’er with a smile upon seeing her, "Master Fu, has the Abbot returned today?"
Fu’er was about to say no.
Then someone from the side added, "We saw the Abbot’s live broadcast yesterday and especially came to seek an audience with the Abbot."
The words Fu’er had intended to say had to be changed, "Unfortunately, you’re too late; the Abbot was invited out early this morning and isn’t at the temple. However, I am a disciple of the Abbot. If it’s a small matter, just tell me, and I can take care of it just the same."
Despite Fu’er’s words, the visitors were still somewhat disappointed.
Seeing their disappointed expressions, Fu’er maintained a strained but polite smile.
However, inwardly he was questioning his life. Did he not look like a master?
Fortunately, the visitors quickly came to their senses.
Having come all this way, not to offer incense before leaving would look insincere.
The visitors quickly returned to their cheerful demeanor, greeted Fu’er, and entered to offer incense.
Fu’er politely attended to them.
Not long after Fu’er began receiving the pilgrims, Xia Xin returned.
Carrying breakfast, he ran all the way back and was about to ask where the Ancestor was when he saw Fu’er at the entrance of the main hall.
Fu’er hastily signaled to him with his eyes.
Xia Xin’s words stopped abruptly, and after exchanging a knowing glance with Fu’er, he quickly rushed into the side hall with the breakfast.
Jiangli was inside the side hall drawing talismans.
Hearing the footsteps, without lifting her head, she said, "Back already? Got any news?"
Xia Xin, slightly out of breath, approached and replied, "Yes, Ancestor. Zhong Lanyi sent me a message; she discussed with her father and they’ve decided to invite us over to take a look and asked us to come as soon as possible."
As Jiangli finished the last stroke of her talisman, she put away several talismans before asking, "Go there now? Aren’t the police conducting an investigation?"
"The police have already investigated the scene, and it seems they have taken away all potential evidence and surveillance recordings, including the body," Xia Xin explained. "So Zhong Lanyi wants us to go now, before the police, to have a quick look."
They needed to avoid bumping into the police, it would be difficult to explain afterward.