Standing Next To You-Chapter 448: Visiting the Temple again

The four years that had passed hadn’t brought much change to the mountains. The long stairs to the peak were still there, winding up the steep path.

As someone who had walked that arduous trail before, Bei Sangyun knew all too well how exhausting and time-consuming it was to reach the summit on foot.

This time, she had no intention of repeating that experience. She directed the helicopter to fly over to the peak of the mountain. She was even prepared to jump down using a fast-roping technique if no suitable landing spot could be found.

But as she looked below, she spotted a large, flat, cemented area not far from the temple. Since she hadn’t explored much beyond the temple during her last visit, she hadn’t realized there was actually a helipad nearby.

Bei Sangyun: "....."

So, all this time, she could have flown directly to the top and skipped the stairs? Neither Head Master Fei nor the old monk had mentioned this. She’d climbed those endless steps when the helicopter could have taken her straight to the peak?

The helicopter slowly descended and landed on the flat surface. The loud whir of the propellers drew the attention of the monks living at the temple, and soon enough, several of them emerged to see who had taken the shortcut instead of climbing the stairs.

Bei Sangyun stepped out and was greeted by the sight of several bald monks, most of them young and curiously observing her.

Bei Sangyun: "....."

How had the temple acquired so many monks? The last time she visited, aside from the old monk, she hadn’t seen anyone. It seemed that in the four years since, the temple had recruited a new generation of devoted young monks. Or perhaps the large donations she had made over the years as part of their deal had drawn them here.

Bei Sangyun approached one of the monks and asked about the old monk.

"The Abbot mentioned that a woman might come looking for him. It must be you. He is currently meditating in his room. I can take you there, but whether he opens the door will depend on him."

Bei Sangyun nodded, not surprised that the old monk had anticipated her arrival.

She was led into the temple, down the familiar corridors she had walked before. They arrived at a closed door, and the young monk bowed in front of it.

"Abbot, the guest you mentioned is here to see you."

There was no response from the other side. The young monk turned to Bei Sangyun.

"We cannot disturb the Abbot while he is meditating. We’ll have to wait outside until he allows us to enter. Are you willing to wait?"

Bei Sangyun glanced at the door. The old man knew how to make her wait. She sighed. "I’ll wait."

What was waiting a few hours when she was so close to getting her answers?

The young monk left her to wait by the door.

However, Bei Sangyun underestimated the old monk’s audacity. The sun had set, and still, there was no response from inside the room.

Bei Sangyun stood up, her face darkening with frustration. She grabbed the arm of a passing young monk.

"Hey, are you sure the Abbot is still alive in there? Maybe we should check if he’s still breathing."

The young monk: "....."

The young monk merely told her to be patient and wait a little longer. Dinner was about to be served, and surely the old monk would emerge to lead the ’Five Reflections’ prayer for his juniors before the meal.

Bei Sangyun took a deep breath and reluctantly sat down in front of the door again.

Finally, an hour later, the door creaked open, and the old monk, whom she hadn’t seen in four years, appeared.

The old monk looked startled at her face, so close behind the door.

Bei Sangyun crossed her arms. "Old monk, you kept me waiting long enough. Surely, you have an answer for me now?"

The old monk: "...."

He touched his stomach, clearly hungry. "Let me eat first, and then we’ll discuss it."

Bei Sangyun raised an angry brow, her patience thinning. "I thought monks were devoted men, above the temptations of the world, like food. Aren’t you supposed to prioritize your faith and spiritual duties?"

The old monk shook his head. "I’m still human. I need food to have the energy to perform the ritual for you."

Bei Sangyun clicked her tongue but had no choice but to wait again.

She stood near the door, watching as the monks sat at a long table for their meal. There were numerous prayers before and after they ate, prolonging the process even further.

Finally, when the prayers concluded and the old monk rose from his seat, Bei Sangyun immediately followed him.

But when they reached the door of his room, the old monk turned to her and said, "It’s not the right time. We can’t perform the ritual today."

Bei Sangyun: "...."

Her face darkened, and the old monk added, "The alignment of the moon, sun, and earth will happen in four months. Didn’t you study astronomy?"

Bei Sangyun: "...."

The old monk waved her off, "I’ve told you many times to be patient. Come back in four months."

Bei Sangyun took a deep breath, feeling her temper rise. Her frustration boiled over.

"You kept me waiting just to say this?"

"You’ve waited four years; what’s wrong with four more months?"

"He’ll move on by then! Who knows if in four months, he’ll find someone and completely forget about me?" The anxiousness and urgency she had kept buried was now spilling out.

The old monk sighed, "Then perhaps that’s for the best. You two aren’t meant to be. It’s better to move on."

"No," Bei Sangyun’s fist clenched. "You’ve been single your whole life. How would you understand what I feel? It’s like my heart’s been ripped out, and my world stopped the moment we parted. Without him, what’s the point of coming back?"

She fought back tears, her chest tightening. The thought of them not being meant for each other was unbearable. If they weren’t destined to meet, they never should have crossed paths in the first place.

"I’ve been patient because I want him back. So please... do the ritual for me. I’ll wait another four months, but this will be the last time. Or else..." Her voice grew cold, unshed tears glistening in her eyes, "I’ll destroy this temple with my own hands."

The old monk: "...."

...

As the helicopter rose into the sky, the old monk and several younger monks watched it disappear on the horizon.

"Teacher, why didn’t you tell her?" the young monk who had guided Bei Sangyun asked quietly.

The old monk sighed, "What would be the point of telling her? It would only bring her more pain. It’s better she doesn’t know and keeps her distance."

The young monk sighed as well, "She’s right though. You’ve been single all your life, so how could you know how she feels?"

The old monk: "...."

Why did people keep rubbing salt in his wounds?

"Wait, did you have relationships before?"

"I did. I had several relationships before I shaved my head and joined the monastery."

The old monk, who had been single all his life: "...."