Chapter 60: Adopt 60

Gu Jiao had never been so bamboozled in her life, and particularly by a doughy little dumpling.

“You clearly stated that you wouldn’t go down the mountain with me, monks should practice honesty!”

“That was just the past me, and now the current me is completely unconnected! Now, I promise to go down the mountain with you!”

Gu Jiao: Is that even allowed?

The little monk dashed into the house, “Master! Someone wants to adopt me!”

Gu Jiao: Hold on, I’m pretty sure those weren’t my exact words!

“Who might that be?” asked the kindly abbot.

The little monk pointed at Gu Jiao, “Her!”

Gu Jiao, who had just stepped into the meditation room was stunned, “…..”

“Ah, so it’s the young Gu, Amitabha.” The abbot raised his palm in a Buddhist greeting to Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao cleared her throat, saying, “Master, what I actually meant was…”

The abbot gave her a gentle smile. “Young Gu, I understand your intentions. You needn’t worry. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Gu Jiao heaved a silent sigh of relief. Thank goodness the abbot understood.

The abbot gravely said, “The child is actually a student of my junior brother. Normally, you’d need his okay first. But I am aware of the kind of person you are, young Gu. Therefore, I can make the decision for him.”

Gu Jiao was confused. “Wait, what? What decision did you make?”

“Now, Little Monk, you must obey young Gu once you leave the mountain. Do you understand?” said the abbot to the little monk.

With a nod of his head, the little monk replied, “Yes, I understand, Master!”

Gu Jiao: “… Does it always go down as straightforwardly as this?”

Gu Jiao said, “I believe we should ask the opinion of others as well. For instance, what his fellow disciples think…”

Bam!

A chair was moved into the room.

“Here, Little Monk, this is your favorite bamboo chair. Your big brother has gifted it to you. Remember your big brother once you’re down the hill!”

Thud!

A spinning top was shoved into the little monk’s hands.

“Here, Little Monk, this is your favorite top. Brother Two has given it to you. Don’t forget Brother Two!”

Subsequently, each of the disciples brought farewell gifts with such speed, as if worried Gu Jiao might change her mind if they were too slow.

Gu Jiao had to resist a grin. What on earth did this little monk do to turn his fellow disciples into such a frenzied mess…

Was there still time to change my mind?

Gu Jiao came up here to buy the mountain, but she ended up with an extra charge on her way down.

The abbot cracked a smile and said, “Buy one get one free!”

Gu Jiao: I don’t feel like I’ve profited in any way!

—

Today was Xiao Liulang’s big day.

Regardless of his personal feelings, he had made the enormous transition from being the last in Class Beta to being the first in the county examination.

If it had been a top student from the Upper Division who made the first rank, the celebration would not have been such a big deal.

Frankly speaking, the leap was too big.

Hence, Xiao Liulang was the center of attention at the Academy for the whole day. According to Uncle Luo, some folks had gone to the village to spread the good news. By now, every villager must know.

Sure enough, as soon as he reached his front door, he saw people crowding in and outside his house.

Country folks love a bustling scene. They would gather around whenever anything happened in any household.

Xiao Liulang took a deep breath, preparing for the onslaught of chatter from his fellow villagers. But something unexpected happened.

The village folks were so densely packed, he couldn’t get into his house. So, he tapped on the shoulder of a woman in the front: “Miss Zhao, I need to get inside.”

“What for?” Miss Zhao asked, with a dismissive shrug.

“It’s me, Liulang,” he said.

Miss Zhao quickly glanced at him, “Oh, it’s Liulang. You’re back.”

Having spoken, she turned back to concentrate on whatever was happening inside, ignoring Xiao Liulang.

Xiao Liulang was a little taken aback.

Weren’t you all here for me? Why the indifference?

Xiao Liulang tried to call out to a few others, but all of them seemed too busy to pay him any attention. He was puzzled. If they weren’t here for him, why were they crowded in front of his house?

It was only after he struggled to make his way onto the doorway stopped by the sight.

There in his drawing room was a midget of a monk!

The little monk was obediently sitting on a small stool beside his grandmother, looking innocent and adorable.

The villagers had never seen such a tiny monk before, both cute and good-looking. It was quite a novelty!

Xiao Liulang’s spotlight, his moment of glory, had been usurped by a little monk! Who could he complain about this to?

It wasn’t until dusk when the villagers started to trickle away, leaving Xiao Liulang in the dark. Particularly when Gu Jiao came out with a bowl of vegetables and the little one flung himself at her, his face grew even darker.

“Tell me, what really happened?” He looked questioningly at his grandmother and Gu Jiao.

Grandma rolling her sunflower seeds in her mouth said, “Don’t look at me, I didn’t bring him home!”

After taking a pause, Gu Jiao then spoke, “What if I told you that he came with the mountain I bought? Would you believe me?”

Xiao Liulang: “…”

“Jingkong, go wash your hands in the backyard. I’ve already fetched the water for you.” Gu Jiao promptly sent the little monk away and recited the events to Xiao Liulang, excluding, of course, the part where she got manipulated by the little one. It was a bit embarrassing and something she would never admit to, “… He was just too pitiful, so I brought him home.”

Xiao Liulang eyed Gu Jiao suspiciously. He felt like she wasn’t someone this benevolent, “Are you sure you’re not the one who was conned?”

Gu Jiao’s eyes widened in defiance, “Definitely not! He’s just a few years old, how could he possibly con me? I’m not that dim!”

Xiao Liulang was doubtful.

Gu Jiao quickly tried to change the subject, “If you don’t like it…”

Xiao Liulang cut her off, “It’s okay. As long as you’re happy.”

They weren’t a real couple. She was at liberty to foster as many children as she wanted.

Gu Jiao stepped into the kitchen to serve the meal.

Jingkong returned to the main room after washing his hands. He walked toward Xiao Liulang and examined him top to bottom before asking earnestly, “Are you my dad?”

Xiao Liulang balked, “Did she claim you as her son?”

Jingkong shook his head, “Not really. Jiaojiao said it was up to me. So I’m asking you, do you want to be my dad or something else?”

Xiao Liulang casually said, “I don’t have a son as big as you.”

Jingkong corrected him very solemnly, “I’m not big, I’m only six!”

Xiao Liulang chuckled, “Really? You seem more like three to me.”

Jingkong looked down, feeling cheated by a few extra years, “…”

Jingkong tilted his head thoughtfully, “So, you want to be my big brother?”

Before Xiao Liulang could answer, Jingkong agreed thoughtfully, nodding his head, “Alright then, nothing tastes better than dumplings, and nothing is more fun than…”

Xiao Liulang shuddered, “Shut up!”

What a mischievous little monk!!!