The Wuliang Daoist Temple is currently facing difficulties.
Following Sima Boyong's cessation of business in the town at the foot of the mountain, including the school and the tourism company, the temple has been reduced to its state from twenty to thirty years ago. Without any income, it can only survive on the offerings and fortune-telling revenue from the few visitors who come to worship.
After all, when Sima Boyong returned to the sect, he not only repaired the sect's buildings but also constructed many new houses, making the Wuliang Daoist Temple look brand new. Life was no longer as difficult and impoverished as before, which attracted so many young disciples to the mountain.
Therefore, now, without Wan Yunting having to publicly expel those disciples, they would naturally leave on their own if they continued to stay and endure the hardship, those disciples who were not truly dedicated to the temple would leave.
"Shiniang, take this bank card!"
Then, Wan Yunting took out a bank card, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Yang Jingyi, who was sitting in front of him. He said, "I know the temple has daily expenses. Take this money and be responsible for the daily expenses. If it's not enough, tell me later."
Looking at the bank card before her, Yang Jingyi was somewhat surprised. She looked up directly at Wan Yunting and asked, "How much money is in here?"
"Not much, about a hundred million," Wan Yunting said with a smile, shaking his head.
With a 'clack', Wu Weizi, who was holding a cup of water, dropped it on the table in shock upon hearing his words. The water spilled onto the bank card. He quickly rolled up his sleeves and wiped away the water, then turned his head to look at Wan Yunting in surprise, "A hundred million..."
Even Yang Jingyi was stunned. She stared blankly at the bank card. Even when Sima Boyong returned and renovated and built new houses, he spent at most a few million.
He even offered five million to his senior brother, Duan Wuyu, but Duan Wuyu refused, not accepting Sima Boyong's money.
Now, Wan Yunting was giving her a hundred million for the temple's daily expenses, which simply terrified Yang Jingyi. She pushed the bank card back, "No, no, this is too much money, I can't accept it..."
"Take it, Shiniang. The temple has many expenses," Wan Yunting pushed the bank card back again.
But Yang Jingyi shook her head and pushed it back again, "No, our temple's daily expenses are not high. It's just for everyone's food, drink, and basic needs. It doesn't cost much. You're giving too much."
"Yes, yes..." Wu Weizi beside her chimed in. Having lived for most of his life, he had never seen so much money.
"It's not a lot of money, Shiniang, Uncle. Just take it..."
"No, we really can't take it. How about you give a little less, like a hundred thousand or so..."
"Enough, you two!"
Suddenly, Chang Wude, with his seasoned hands, slapped the table, pressing down the bank card that they were pushing back and forth, and moved it to Yang Jingyi and Wu Weizi's side. He said, "Take it. This kid has plenty of money, don't be polite with him."
"This..."
Looking at the bank card pushed over by Chang Wude, Yang Jingyi and Wu Weizi exchanged glances. Wan Yunting smiled, "Uncle, Shiniang, while I was away from the sect, you two elders worked hard to take care of it."
Wan Yunting gave this money because he wanted to fulfill his responsibility as the abbot. He would be leaving in a few days and didn't know when he would return. He could only entrust Yang Jingyi and Wu Weizi.
"Alright."
Hearing this, Yang Jingyi finally accepted the bank card, and Wan Yunting told her the password...
For the next period, Wan Yunting spent his days practicing and wandering around the temple...
To test the remaining thirty disciples, he, Yang Jingyi, and Wu Weizi held a sect meeting. They clearly explained the difficulties the sect was facing and the disruption of its economic sources, which immediately made those disciples restless.
That afternoon, a few more disciples left the mountain without permission, without even saying goodbye.
Wan Yunting and Yang Jingyi did not stop them, letting those disciples leave. For disciples who did not genuinely join the Wuliang Daoist Temple, there was no need to keep them; they would only waste food...
Soon, it was time for Wan Yunting to leave. Today was December 3rd, and the Lan Ting Award National Calligraphy Competition was on the 6th. He had to rush to Shaoxing City to meet Gu Luotang and Fang Guowen.
"Are you and Nuolan really staying a few more days before returning to Huadu City?"
As Wan Yunting was packing, he looked at Chang Wude and Kang Nuolan at the door. They were not going with him to Shaoxing City and planned to stay a few more days before returning to Huadu City together.
"Otherwise, do you want to take your master to Shaoxing City to drink old yellow wine?" Chang Wude glanced at him and said, as he was peeling peanuts and eating them.
"Forget it, the road is too far. I won't take you, lest your old bones can't handle it."
Wan Yunting picked up his luggage bag and checked if anything was left behind. Chang Wude immediately threw the peanut shells in his hand at him, "Brat, who are you calling old bones? Believe it or not, I'll break all your bones."
Wan Yunting dodged a few times and turned back to grin at him, "Just kidding. How dare I fight with you, elder."
"Hmph, disrespectful. Hurry up and pack and get out," Chang Wude gave him an old look and turned to leave.
Seeing that nothing was left behind, Wan Yunting carried his luggage bag out and smiled at Kang Nuolan, "Then you stay a few more days and learn martial arts properly."
Kang Nuolan nodded without saying anything and followed Wan Yunting out of the residence. Immediately, they saw Yang Jingyi with her daughter Duan Yingying, senior sister Zhi Shan Xu Lingwei and Li Zihang, as well as disciples like Qi Wu and Feng Yuxiu.
Wu Weizi also came with disciple Xue Xinghe to see him off, "Xiao Wan, are you really not staying a few more days before leaving?"
Wan Yunting smiled and shook his head at him, "No, Uncle. I have things to do. I have to leave today."
"Then Abbot Senior Brother, when will you return?" Li Zihang asked. He now called Wan Yunting Senior Brother.
Wan Yunting looked at him, Yang Jingyi, and Xu Lingwei, and said with a smile, "As long as I have time, I will come back to the temple to visit you. Of course, if Shiniang and Uncle have anything, just contact me by phone."
"Okay..." Wu Weizi and Yang Jingyi nodded, and could only do so. "Then we'll see you off..."
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded, walking with everyone towards the front courtyard of the temple. Along the way, Wu Weizi and Yang Jingyi instructed him to visit the sect more often in the future, and Wan Yunting agreed.
After all, he was now the abbot, and he naturally had to bear the future responsibilities of the sect...
Walking out of the main gate of the Wuliang Daoist Temple and arriving at the archway, Wan Yunting turned back and smiled at Yang Jingyi and Wu Weizi, "Shiniang, Uncle, please stay here. I bid you farewell."
"Alright, have a safe journey." Wu Weizi said. Yang Jingyi also nodded, and then her daughter Duan Yingying shouted at Wan Yunting, "Hey, you're really not marrying me?"
This question made Wan Yunting laugh and say playfully, "Okay, I'll marry you when I get back!"
"You..." Duan Yingying's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she said angrily, "I mean, you can't marry me, and I won't marry you. Can't you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yingying, don't be rude," Yang Jingyi said with a stern face, scolding her daughter.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
Wan Yunting didn't want to tease the girl any longer. He bowed politely to Yang Jingyi and Wu Weizi and said with a smile, "Farewell. Next time I return to the sect, I will call you in advance."
"Hmm, take care..."
Then, Wu Weizi and Yang Jingyi nodded to Chang Wude and the others. Li Zihang followed them down the mountain to see Wan Yunting off to the car...
A car was arranged to wait at the foot of Wuliang Mountain. Wan Yunting arrived at ten in the morning. After instructing Li Zihang, he got into the car and left. He first went to Buxida County, where Wan Yunting had already booked a train ticket to Golmud City. His flight was the next morning.
He arrived at the county town at noon and took the train directly. The train ran leisurely all afternoon, arriving at Golmud City at seven in the evening. He checked into a hotel to rest. Just as he finished showering, he received a call from Gu Luotang, who asked, "Yunting Ge, when will you arrive in Shaoxing City?"
"Hmm, I'll take a flight tomorrow, and I should arrive around noon or afternoon. Are you still in Huadu City?" Wan Yunting said on the phone while drying his hair with one hand.
"We are still at home, but I have also booked a flight for tomorrow, and I should arrive in Shaoxing City around the same time as you."
At this time, in her boudoir at home, Gu Luotang was packing her clothes with Qi Miaomiao. They had to catch a flight tomorrow morning...
Wan Yunting said with a smile, "Okay, then we'll meet in Shaoxing City."
"Okay, then Yunting Ge, you should rest. You've been on a train all day today." Gu Luotang said with a gentle smile.
"Hmm, you too. I miss you."
Wan Yunting didn't forget to show off at the end, which made Gu Luotang's pretty face blush. She glanced at Qi Miaomiao, who was packing her things, and then whispered shyly to Wan Yunting on the phone, "I miss you too..."
Wan Yunting laughed and said, "Then that's it for now. See you tomorrow."
"Okay, bye-bye."
After they finished speaking, they hung up the phone. Gu Luotang was extremely excited and thrilled at the thought of seeing the man tomorrow.
"Senior Sister, look how happy you are."
Qi Miaomiao rolled her almond-shaped eyes and pouted, "Why don't you go alone? I don't want to go and be force-fed dog food."
Seeing Qi Miaomiao pouting unhappily, Gu Luotang went up and pulled her, laughing, "Miaomiao, you're just making fun of me."
"Sigh." Qi Miaomiao shook her head helplessly and said, "Women in love are truly enviable..."
Gu Luotang also said with a smile, "Then why don't you hurry up and find a boyfriend?"
Qi Miaomiao pouted and said, "I want to, but the man I like already has a girlfriend."
Gu Luotang's autumn eyes lit up, and she pulled her, asking, "Miaomiao, when did you start liking someone?"
"Yes." Qi Miaomiao turned her head and smiled mischievously, deliberately saying, "The man I like is Yunting Ge. It's a pity you beat me to it!"
"Ah, you..." Hearing that this girl also liked Yunting Ge, Gu Luotang showed a surprised expression, believing it to be true.
"Hehehe, I'm just teasing you, Senior Sister..." Qi Miaomiao burst into laughter and said, "Senior Sister, how could I snatch the man you like?"
Gu Luotang playfully patted Qi Miaomiao's fragrant shoulder with embarrassment, "You wicked girl, you're always joking with me..."
Qi Miaomiao giggled, but in her heart, she felt helpless because she did indeed like Wan Yunting.
As for an excellent man like Wan Yunting, which girl would not like him? But Qi Miaomiao knew that Gu Luotang liked Wan Yunting very much, so it was not good for her to compete with her senior sister for a man...