Uncle Zhang quickly arrived, and after getting into the car, he turned around and asked, "Where does the gentleman wish to go? Are you heading to the company?"
"No," Shen Yi shook his head, "I’m going to Yunling Mountain."
"Yunling Mountain?" Uncle Zhang paused for a moment, perplexed as he had never been there, and then he remembered the place.
Uncle Zhang was somewhat puzzled. What could Shen be doing heading to a place like that so early in the morning?
Despite his curiosity, Uncle Zhang did not ask more. He found Yunling Mountain on the navigation system and drove away from the villa.
Shen Yi did not mention that he was going to Ling’an Temple because it couldn’t be found on the navigation system. After all, the temple was located halfway up the mountain; he intended to ask Uncle Zhang to stop upon seeing it.
On the way to Yunling Mountain, Shen Yi was dealing with some work, as he had not been visiting the company much lately.
The injury on his shoulder was one reason; he also had the particular desire to stay at home and keep Ye Wanwan company.
It was only now that he understood why he felt uncontrollably anxious whenever he left Ye Wanwan, as if he could never rest easy.
Only by Ye Wanwan’s side could he fully relax.
Looking back, it must have been a stress response left over from his past life.
He feared that in his absence, Ye Wanwan might harm herself, and he dreaded even more the thought of returning to find a cold, lifeless body.
When the car reached halfway up the mountain, on seeing the gates of the tightly closed temple, Shen Yi said, "Stop here."
"Here?" Uncle Zhang was confused but had already instinctively hit the brakes, stopping a little past the front of the temple.
"Yes, I’ll step inside for a bit. Uncle Zhang, you can wait for me out here," Shen Yi said as he opened the car door and stepped out.
Uncle Zhang looked back, still wearing a confused expression. What business did his employer have here, disembarking at a temple?
Shen Yi walked straight toward the temple. As before, the large doors were tightly shut. Standing outside, he knocked forcefully on the door and then waited quietly.
After about a minute at the entrance, the heavy door was pulled open on one side, revealing once again that clean-shaven head.
The young monk, upon seeing Shen Yi, showed a delighted smile, "The benefactor has returned!"
After speaking, the young monk looked behind Shen Yi but did not see anyone else.
Shen Yi was taken aback and then apologized, "Assistant Chen didn’t come today."
After saying this, Shen Yi added, "I’ll speak to him later."
"Oh, there’s no need to trouble yourself. It’s just that both times you’ve come, that brother was with you," the young monk said, somewhat embarrassed.
"You’re here to see the master, aren’t you? Please come in quickly," the young monk hurriedly stepped aside.
Shen Yi gave him a slight bow and then stepped into the temple.
"Master is in front of the Buddha reciting sutras," the young monk said while leading the way.
Upon reaching the entrance of the main hall, the young monk added, "I need to tend to the fields, so Benefactor Shen, please go in and find the master on your own."
"Thank you," Shen Yi said with another bow, and the young monk turned to leave.
Once the young monk had turned away, Shen Yi looked toward Master Wangchen, who was in front of the Buddha reciting sutras in the main hall.
Shen Yi stepped inside without disturbing Master Wangchen, took three sticks of incense and lit them, offering them at the Buddha’s altar. He then kneeled down devoutly to pay homage to the Buddha.