Chapter Two: The Unintentional Listener

Chen Tianyu was wandering nonchalantly in the side hall, quietly admiring several small altars. Here stood a beaming Laughing Buddha, flanked by two guardian children, both offerings and incense as abundant as ever. As he strolled slowly, he sometimes bowed with apparent devotion, all the while stealing glances at Li, the temple caretaker, observing his every move.

Li was bent over, writing something, his body trembling slightly.

After about ten minutes, Chen Tianyu saw nothing particularly unusual and decided to leave. As luck would have it, just as he reached the door connecting the side hall, a tall, burly man barged in, nearly colliding with him. The man reeked of stale liquor from the night before, his beard unkempt, face flushed red—likely from years of drinking—and moved with rough, careless gestures. Even after bumping into Chen, he merely grumbled something under his breath, which Chen did not catch, nor did he intend to pursue the matter.

What surprised him, though, was that Li seemed suddenly invigorated, hastening to greet the burly fellow, clutching his arm as if seeing a lifesaver, though grumbling all the while: “Where on earth have you been? Only now do you return, reeking of alcohol again! Can’t you drink a little less? This just delays important business...”

The burly man, who was none other than the junior monk Luo Ming, retorted impatiently, “Nag, nag, nag. What important matters could there be today? Just this little temple, you’re always so on edge.” His tone was full of disdain, as if the work here wasn’t his livelihood.

“What kind of talk is that?” Li was both angry and helpless. Seeing a few more worshippers entering the side hall, he restrained his temper, though he still clung to Luo Ming’s arm. “I’m not young anymore, how much longer can I manage? Soon enough, the temple’s fortunes will rest on your shoulders. You need to show some initiative...”

Luo Ming, seeing the pitiable expression on Li’s face, grew even more irritable. He’d had a losing streak at gambling the previous night and was flat broke, itching for an outlet for his frustration. Just then, an unfamiliar and unwitting worshipper approached of his own accord.

“Excuse me, brother, may I ask you something?” the man asked with a cheerful smile.

Luo Ming glanced at him sideways and snapped, “Brother? Do I look older than you?”

Chen Tianyu smiled slightly at the remark—it was rather endearing. Unperturbed, he replied, “I didn’t see your face clearly just now; perhaps I really am a few years older. Since that’s the case, could you be a bit more polite?”

Luo Ming couldn’t help but belch, a foul waft of last night’s liquor escaping, and said coldly, “If you want to burn incense, burn it. Don’t come here to bring me bad luck.”

Li was actually growing impatient as well, so unlike previous days, he didn’t step in to smooth things over. He, too, wanted to send Chen Tianyu off quickly so he could discuss more pressing matters.

Chen Tianyu had an idea. Still smiling, he said, “I’ve already offered my incense. But recently, my family needs someone to conduct a ritual—would you be interested?”

Hearing mention of a job, and sizing up the man before him, who didn’t look particularly poor, Luo Ming’s attitude softened. “Where is this ritual? How many days? Is it a wedding or a funeral?” He was direct.

Chen Tianyu pondered briefly. “It’s in Li Village. In the next few days, but the exact date isn’t set yet...”

Luo Ming was a bit disappointed but didn’t flare up. “If it’s not set, what are you so anxious about? Just come find me when you have a date.”

Chen Tianyu decided to probe further, deliberately raising his voice: “I just don’t know—when the time comes, should I find the old gentleman or you? That’s why I’m asking.”

Luo Ming grew anxious, glancing at Li before replying, “Either is fine. My shifu will have to be there, too. Just contact me if you need anything.”

Li said nothing; he didn’t want to interject.

Chen Tianyu nodded, understanding. His small talk was merely to test the relationship between the two. Seeing that there was nothing more to glean, he politely excused himself and left the side hall.

However, he remained in the main hall, where he could still observe the goings-on inside. He lingered nearby, seating himself on a long wooden bench closest to the door leading to the side hall.

His hearing was exceptionally sharp; the conversation inside the side hall did not escape him.

---

At that moment, the side hall was empty.

“Something big has happened...” Li strained to keep his voice low, though he was so anxious he was almost out of breath.

Luo Ming glanced at him impatiently and grumbled loudly, “Who died?”—his temper as fiery as ever.

Li, exasperated, replied, “Keep your voice down... No one died.”

Luo Ming grabbed Li’s large tea mug from the table, gulped down a mouthful—the tea was stale, with the same sour taste as his breath—and spat out a few leaves onto the floor.

His stomach settled a bit. “If no one died, what’s got you so worked up?”

“Hush!” Li tried to steady his nerves. “It’s worse than a death. We can’t go on like this; we’re finished.”

Luo Ming shot him a sidelong look, still confused. “Have you lost your mind, old man? Speak plainly.”

Li began to lose his temper, unconsciously raising his voice. “The Bodhisattva is gone! You reckless fool...”

“Gone? The Bodhisattva...” Luo Ming sobered instantly; he wasn’t truly stupid. The words caught in his throat.

He abruptly lowered his voice, though it was still quite audible—at least to Chen Tianyu’s keen ears.

“Who took the Bodhisattva?” Luo Ming was baffled, hoping against hope.

Seeing his disciple’s bravado collapse, Li snapped, “Taken? More like stolen!” He ground his teeth in anger.

Panic set in for Luo Ming—this was his “bread and butter.”

“Who would dare... The villagers will kill the thief, won’t they?” Luo Ming blurted out.

Now it was Li’s turn to rage. “Do you even know who the thief is? All you do is talk about beating people. I think you’ll be the first to get it!”

Luo Ming deflated completely, guilt in his voice. “I wasn’t even here; you were the one watching the temple... So, old man, what do we do?”

Li shot him a look. “You ask me? I should be asking you!” He suddenly thought of something. “Could it be your drinking buddies? Maybe they dragged you off to drink for a reason...” It wasn’t an unreasonable suspicion.

Luo Ming smacked his lips, rubbing his face. “My friends? They’re all from the village, too. Who would dare do something so disrespectful?”

Li, being experienced, said, “You never know. There’s a few in Yuan Village who are always up to no good.”

“Petty thieves, sure, but would they dare touch this? Aren’t they afraid of being struck by lightning? But, wait a minute, old man,” Luo Ming regained some composure. “The Bodhisattva is at least still being worshipped here in the temple. What’s the point of stealing it? Take it home and worship it there?”

Li cuffed him on the head. “Blockhead!”

As a seasoned master, he’d often fooled this brawny but simple-minded apprentice. In the remote countryside, superstitions ran deep; reverence for the gods was ingrained in everyone. The golden Buddha statue might be lifeless, but to nearly all the villagers, it was a living god.

Li was actually a man of some experience. He knew the truth of the matter, but he was in no hurry to share his suspicions with Luo Ming. The boy was hopeless!

He changed tack. “You really make me angry, but I do have an idea.”

Luo Ming perked up. “What is it?”

Li’s eyes darted. “Lean in, I’ll tell you...”

---

Chen Tianyu didn’t catch what Li whispered, but he’d grasped the gist. As a staunch atheist, he found the two men a bit melodramatic, but having lived in the countryside, he understood their feelings.

He chuckled inwardly. It was just a clay idol, after all. Perhaps he was being overly vigilant, given his professional instincts.

Chen Tianyu rose and left the temple. Just then, Li Yiting returned. Catching sight of his fourth brother, he smiled. “Well, man of leisure, did you make any grand discoveries?”

Chen Tianyu shook his head. “Nothing major.” In a low voice, he told Li Yiting about the theft of the Guanyin statue.

Unexpectedly, Li Yiting’s face changed, an anxious look appearing. “How could something like this happen? It’s lawless...”

Chen Tianyu was a little surprised. “I thought you didn’t believe in this sort of thing.” Yiting was a bona fide detective; by rights, he should be even more of a materialist.

Li Yiting frowned. “You don’t know our village. This could be a real problem...”

Chen Tianyu was curious. “So, are you planning to get involved?”

Li Yiting considered for a moment, then gestured toward the temple. “What are they planning to do?”

Chen Tianyu replied, “From the look of it, they already have a plan.”

Li Yiting seemed to relax, then suddenly laughed. “Don’t be surprised, Fourth Brother. I grew up here. I may not believe in gods or ghosts, but I’m used to the customs. Don’t laugh at me.” He paused. “If I remember right, this temple has stood for centuries. I never imagined something like this could happen. You probably can’t fathom the villagers’ devotion, or perhaps it’s a kind of habitual reverence...”

Chen Tianyu nodded. “Everyone needs something to lean on. It doesn’t have to be superstition.”

Li Yiting patted his shoulder in gratitude.

“Let’s go. We haven’t reached my house yet.”

Chen Tianyu was surprised. “So you’re really not going to get involved?”

Li Yiting walked on in silence, then finally said, “If I’m really needed, Uncle will come to find me.”