Song Han still wearing his priest robes and says: “Uh …… the other day I heard Old K lost his job and has nothing to eat. He told me before the temple provides free porridge and water to pilgrims. So he will probably go to the temple to scrounge for food. If we go directly there, we should be able to find him…… ”
I nod: “Okay!”
Lin Wan Er is petrified like a beautiful sculpture: “A beggar… beggar … Zhan Long Studio really is full of exotic weirdos……”
Song Han grins: Piece of cake ……”
Instantly I feel that I just lost all of my face.
……
In the Audi TT, we return to the West Lake district. Since the temple’s not too far away, we park the car in a nearby parking lot and walk into the temple.
Since today’s not a weekend, there aren’t that many tourists. In the distance, at the end of a long line, are large pots from which a few monks are handing out porridge. Even a hundred meters away we can still smell the plain rice porridge aroma.
“Old K’s over there!” Song Han points after scoping out the place.
Lin Wan Er and I immediately look over and sure enough standing there in the crowd is a man with short hair, wearing a plaid shirt. He’s about 1.85 m with a rough and famished look. While rubbing his hands, he grumbles: “So hungry. No food for three days. Finally, I’ll be able to eat a decent meal……”
Before Song Hang can go over to say hello, Lin Wan Er stops him: “Wait, not yet. First, let’s observe. I want to see the quality of a member of Zhan Long Studio…..”
I want to say something but one look at Lin Wan Er’s curious little face and I hold back.
……
“Sir, give me another bowl please!” The Old K said patting his stomach.
That young monk gives him another bowl. After he finishes it in one gulp: “Master of compassion, please another bowl……”
The monk gives him another bowl and Old K finishes it again: “I am a compassionate Buddhist……”
We look from afar as Old K drinks 9 bowls one after the other. I see Lin Wan Er’s face looking a little purple from watching this. She looks at me and says: “Originally I thought you ate like a slob, but compared to him, your table manners are reserved…”
I look down at my collar: “Of course, I’m an intellectual……”
“Yeah right…..”
……
After drinking the 9th bowl Old K looked like he wanted to keep eating but he got his bag and went to the back. Inside, several senior monks were sitting there listening and offering advice to the pilgrims. This is also free today.
“Pa!”
Old K sits down in the chair and begins to cry. The monk smiles invitingly and Old K says: “Monk, I have recently been especially depressed. I’ve had difficulty sleeping soundly every night. Even if I find work I’ll always just get fired and sometimes I even have suicidal thoughts. Sir, what’s the clear path for me?!”
The smiling Buddhist looks at Old K: “Young man, I can understand your feelings. Come take this cup ……”
Old K hesitates but takes the cup from the hands of the monk. The monk then picks up the kettle next to him and begins to pour into the cup while saying: “Your mind is like this glass of water. Seemingly it’s never full. But once the water overflows you will naturally know when to put it down. This is also true in life. If you know how to put it down then you’ll be at ease…… ”
Water overflows down the cup and splashes on Old K’s hands.
“Eh……”
Old K feels pain and is seemingly disillusioned. He jerks his hand and the mug falls to floor: “I understand what you said, but …… but ……”
Suddenly making a fist, Old K starts violently beating the bald monk. As he hits him, Old K curses: “Bastard. You burned my hand. You burned my hand!!”
……
“Hua!”
I rush to Old K’s side and grab his hand: “Well I’ll be damned. Old K, you bastard!”
“What the heck?! Who dares…”
Old K turns and finds only me. Suddenly the anger in his eyes is swept away. With eyes red with tears, he rushes over and hugs me shouting: “Damn, Xiao Yao, is that really you!?! I’ve missed you…… ”
I shake myself free from Old K’s tough bear hug. Floating my way back to Lin Wan Er’s side, I sternly say: “Old K, the reason why I found you today is because I want to rebuilt Zhan Long Studio and recreate our gaming dream!”
Old K says with a hint of despair: “But the game helmet’s so expensive …… Wait, isn’t that Song Han over there? Hurry up and come here to give me a hug……”
Song Han hugs him and with an impressively painless face: “No problem the helmet’s taken care of!”
“Nice! Then I’ll do it. If I can have a bite to eat then I’ll be fine!” Old K is ecstatic.