Chapter Eighty Decision

  After hearing Chen Chufan's words, which were firm to the point of being arrogant, Secretary Han didn't say anything else and let Chen Chufan leave. Perhaps the young man's determination moved Secretary Han, in any case, he finally said, "Alright, I'll wait for you to come to my house to propose!"

  The conversation with Han Xiaoxi's father made Chen Chufan make a decision, which was to plan his life properly. Since he had put down the cruel words, he had to do it, otherwise he would become a joke himself.

  Chen Chufan understood what Han Xiaoxi's father meant. The so-called future plans, the so-called ability to take care of Han Xiaoxi, were just about one's own future status and wealth, whether they could meet his requirements. Having experienced a failed romance, Chen Chufan realized that this world was actually quite realistic. If he couldn't even support himself in the future, why would others trust him with their precious daughter?

  Then Chen Chufan made a decision to seize the opportunity to go abroad. In 2000, an overseas returnee student was still very popular. What's more, he was an excellent overseas student with a good brain and a strong body!

  But before leaving, there were still things he had to take care of! Thinking of this, Chen Chufan's face turned gloomy.

  Looking at Xiao Xi's pale face and tightly wrapped small arm, it would be a lie to say that he didn't feel heartache! Although the girl hadn't shown any signs of suffering in front of him, Chen Chufan knew that she must be feeling unwell at this moment.

  In such hot weather, just the fact that she can't take a bath is enough to make a girl who loves cleanliness suffer. Moreover, she who usually likes lively places is being confined in a small sickroom. Not to mention that Han Xiaohui will be grounded by her family, he has heard countless times from Han Xiaohui about how she struggled hard to fight for the right to live on campus.

  Everyone who participates in this matter will pay a price, which is the silent promise that Chen Chufan made to Han Xiaoxi deep in his heart.

  Having thought it through, he decided to take action. Chen Chufan casually found a phone booth and went in. However, he first chose to call his family.

  "Hey, who is it!" A thick male voice pierced into Chen Chufan's ear.

  "Dad, it's me, Fanfan!"

  "Oh, what's up? Is it because you're running out of money?"

  "No, there's something I want to discuss with you all at home! I met a professor who appreciates me and is willing to recommend me for overseas studies. I'd like to ask if you support it or not!"

  "Studying abroad? Which country would you go to? But you're a history major, what's the point of studying abroad? Go learn foreign history?" Chen's father asked in puzzlement. Indeed, Chen Chufan's major didn't really require studying abroad.

  "Huh?" His father's words really left Chen Chufan speechless. Family members didn't know what he had been through recently. How to explain this? After organizing his thoughts, Chen Chufan explained: "It's like this, I took music as an elective in school and the professor found that I have a talent for music, so he suggested I go study in America."

  "Musical talent? Oh, your professor has a good eye for it, you've been crying like singing since you were little." Chen's father said matter-of-factly.

  Chen Chufan was sweating profusely, but he admired his father for being able to get in touch with him. It was a good thing that he had managed to bluff his way through. So, putting on a thick face, he said: "Exactly! That's why I'm calling to ask for your opinions."

  "Well, did your teacher say whether it's free or self-funded? About how much money does our family need to pay?" Father's voice was somewhat embarrassed.

  "Dad, don't worry about the expenses at home, there's a sponsor! However, we need to sign a contract, and if I really achieve something in the future, I'll have to serve them first!" Chen Chufan explained.

  "That's a government-funded scholarship, great opportunity! You mustn't miss it, your family will support you!" Chen's father sounded delighted, after all in that era, being able to study abroad with government funding was indeed a prestigious thing.

  "Alright, Dad, I'll hang up first! I need to give them a reply, and we can discuss the details when I get home!" With his father's support, Chen Chufan didn't explain in detail, but he felt more at ease.

  "Okay! Hang up, I'll go tell your mom the good news!"

  After Father hung up the phone, Chen Chufan dialed Liu Ayi's number.

  "Hello, who is it?" The phone connected, and Liu Yi's voice came from the other end.

  "Aunt Liu, hello! I'm Chen Chufan. About the studying abroad thing you told me last time, I've made up my mind! I want to go!" Chen Chufan said straightforwardly.

  "Alright! You be at the club at 3 o'clock sharp that afternoon, we'll discuss it in detail!" Liu Ayi said resolutely.

  "Alright, see you this afternoon!"

  "Well, goodbye!"

  Two phone calls, less than three minutes, yet they decided his future fate. Chen Chufan even felt a bit absurd. He shook his head, as if that would shake off the absurd feeling.

  Out of the phone booth, Chen Chufan boarded the bus heading to Guiyuan Temple.

  Qiguoyuan Temple was because he thought the old monk's face was very useful, and he planned to go get a few more. Wang Mingtao's words gave him a lot of inspiration, that if he did everything he wanted to do, it might cause a lot of trouble. So it's best to prepare in advance.

  He thought it was simple, he wanted to get justice for his unmarried wife and try not to get himself into trouble, so he needed to save face. In the short term, his own face didn't work, so he had to borrow some face. Secretary Han had face, but he was Han Xiaohui's father, and out of a young man's petty psychology, he didn't want to go borrow it.

  So he could only borrow the prestige of the old monk. Moreover, he had a kind of intuition that the old monk liked him very much, so he was willing to lend him face.

  Lost the old monk's business card, Chen Chufan had no choice but to buy a ticket and head straight to the back courtyard of the Huiyuan Temple where the old monk usually meditated.

  Long Fanghai is drinking tea.

  There's no exquisite tea set, just a teapot, a cup, and the abbot drinks it with relish. Chen Chufan's arrival was somewhat unexpected to Abbot Longyuan, but he was quite pleased. The monk believed in fate, since he acknowledged that he had a connection with this little guy, of course, he would find the young man pleasing no matter how he looked at him.

  "Little donor, what brings you to see me again today?" Master Longyuan handed Chen Chufan a cup and asked while pouring tea for him.

  "To be honest with you, Master, I want to exorcise demons and protect the Tao, but unfortunately, I am alone and lack strength, so I have come to seek your help!" Chen Chufan also got straight to the point.

  When he heard Chen Chufan's words, Master Longyuan's hand shook as he poured tea, and a lot of tea leaves spilled onto the table.

  Master Longyuan put down the teapot and said with a bitter face: "Young Master Shi, you're joking again. In this vast world, which school of magic or Taoism do you belong to?"

  Chen Chufan blinked his eyes and continued, "The Buddha is merciful and compassionate. When it's necessary to punish evil and promote good, isn't punishing evil just like eliminating demons? And promoting good isn't that the way to protect the Buddhist faith? Did I say something wrong?"

  Master Longyuan couldn't help but laugh and cry as he looked at the young man with a serious expression. Was this guy seriously discussing Buddhist philosophy with him? Or was he talking about martial arts? Did he still think that in the Return to Origin Temple, there were mysterious martial arts masters like Sweeping Monk? What era was this, where monks still had to punish evil and promote good, exorcise demons and protect the Tao?

  The monk didn't know the cause and effect, of course, felt very absurd.

  "The little donor's words are not wrong, but now there are police to punish evil and the government to promote good. As a Buddhist, I should just keep myself clean and pure, what's the point of getting involved in these things? Besides, monks only know how to recite scriptures, they don't understand martial arts."

  Chen Chufan knew that Master Hongyuan had misunderstood his meaning, but he didn't rush to explain. Instead, he opened his mouth to argue: "Self-cultivation and purity? Master, this is the Taoist idea of non-action! It's unacceptable! As a Buddhist master, you're using Taoist ideas to deceive me, a young monk. If this gets out, who will still come to worship at this temple? In the future, all the incense offerings will probably go to the Three Pure Ones instead. When those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas go hungry, it'll be your fault!"

  "Amitabha Buddha, the young donor's words are heavy!" The old monk was covered in black lines. This little guy is really sharp-tongued and quick-witted, his casual remark could lead to a big fuss, making the monk quite helpless. As a Buddhist master who believed that "above the head there are gods", he didn't dare speak recklessly like this lazy young Buddha. So despite being well-versed in scriptures, the monk was at a loss for words and could only chant a Buddha's name, trying to gloss over the situation.

  The monk wanted to gloss over it, but the young man began to press him step by step. "What? Is what the kid said not true?"

  "Little donor, just say what you want to say, don't tease the monk here anymore." Master Longyuan said helplessly.

  Having heard Master Longyuan say so, Chen Chufan also stopped beating around the bush and said: "It's probably just that!"

  At the moment, Chen Chufan didn't hide from the monk either. He simply told the old monk about his experience last night and his thoughts, but he concealed the transaction with Chen Suo and the subsequent events. Finally, the young man concluded with a sense of justice: "That's what happened, I want to learn from that living Buddha who punishes evil and promotes good, and let those bad people understand what it means to be punished in this life."

  Master Longyuan stared at the young man with a serious expression, listening to him speak as if he was considering the fate of the world, yet it was all just a pretext for personal revenge. What a thick-skinned person! Despite feeling this way, the monk still tried to reason with him: "Young donor, as the saying goes, 'an eye for an eye...'

  "Master Longyuan, don't say that! I'm not seeking revenge for myself! If we don't teach these evil people a lesson, how many more innocent civilians will suffer?! So this matter, I must take care of it!" Chen Chufan said resolutely, as if he were a true heroic knight of old.

  "The little donor, what do you want me to help you with? Just say it straight out. If I can help, I will. But let's make one thing clear: I have no magical powers to subdue dragons or tame tigers, so I really don't know what I can do for you!" Master Longyuan said in exasperation.