Chapter 10

Chen Luchuan first glanced at his sign, the 489th Arhat, sitting quietly in a dignified manner, with both hands embracing his knees, exuding an aura of solemn tranquility.

Feng Rong's words "bad luck" were not loud, yet not small either. Lin Yue, walking in the front row, naturally heard it. Chen Luchuan noticed her expression momentarily freeze, and feeling somewhat awkward himself, he discreetly released Feng Rong's hand and stepped forward, saying in a clear voice: "Uncle Lin, Aunt He, Happy New Year"

The four individuals went to offer incense, donated for the incense, and had just exited the Great Hero Hall when they unexpectedly collided with another group of people. Feng Rong focused her gaze and, in an instant, her expression changed; she let out a huff through her nose and pulled her son's arm, saying, "What bad luck."

Lin Liming stepped forward to calm the situation, "Alright, alright, it's the New Year, everyone should settle down. In front of the Buddha, we must refrain from anger and resentment."

Ding Luxi smiled faintly and tucked the sign that read "It is never too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost; a sudden realization can prevent reincarnation" into her pocket, saying, "Fortunately, I do not believe in these things"

Lin Yue was displeased with He Shan's sweeping generalization, "My company ranks among the top in the national internet industry. Chen Luchuan is a senior program developer, earning three times my salary. Even if you and Aunt Feng do not get along, she is still more capable than I am."

Lin Yuedun paused for a moment and said, "I am speaking frankly. Your discord with Aunt Feng is a matter between you two; do not involve me and Chen Luchuan."

Lin Yue was pondering the identity of Ding Luxi, who was silent beside her, when she suddenly paused, unconsciously reached out to smooth her hair, and smiled as she said: "Happy New Year"

Feng Rong was surprised, "You work for the same company as her?"

Chen Luchuan was pondering over the fortune slip when Feng Rong approached and snatched it from his hand. "Oh, Luchuan, this fortune is excellent. Listen to this: 'The moon wanes and the clouds part to reunite, the rain nourishes the blossoms, making their colors more vibrant. After three years, the peach blossoms return, yet the scenery is even more delightful than before.' With references to blossoms and peach flowers, your marriage prospects this year are surely promising."

After a prolonged stalemate, He Shan, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly spoke up: "Call your third aunt and ask when they will arrive"

Feng Rong and He Shan have always been like fire and water, and as a result, when they met this time, before the battle even began, their own children had already caused a scene, which immediately infuriated them. However, the two fathers remained rational, each taking responsibility, and then they both found a cigarette, engaging in polite small talk.

Chen Luchuan sent her a red envelope

On Lin Yue's side, things were no better than for Chen Luchuan. He Shan, upon hearing that Lin Yue and Chen Luchuan worked at the same company, mocked, "So it turns out that the last time Feng Rong was boasting about how impressive her son’s job was, it was actually at your company."

Feng Rong noticed Ding Luxi frowning slightly beside her and asked, "Luxi, how is yours? What’s the situation?"

At that moment, Lin Yue's phone vibrated in her hand. She caught a glimpse of the name highlighted in the notification bar above, startled, and hurriedly clicked to open it

Lin Yue sighed and said, "I did not argue with you. Whether you like it or not, from now on, Chen Luchuan will be my colleague, and we will need to cooperate regularly. I cannot let a personal grudge of yours cause a rift between us."

After leaving Guiyuan Temple, Lin Liming drove home

Chen Luchuan was momentarily taken aback, not expecting to encounter Lin Yue here. Today, she wore a double-breasted wine-red wool coat, and her fair complexion was framed by a scarf, enhancing her radiant appearance

Lin Yue also smiled, "I actually received two, given by my parents"

On the first day of the New Year, as is customary, I first went to Guiyuan Temple to pray and light incense while counting the Arhats. Chen Luchuan does not believe in these superstitions; he merely regards them as a New Year tradition, seeking a bit of good fortune. One's life and fortune cannot be fully expressed in a single fortune slip, but Buddhism encourages people to do good deeds, and the messages on the slips are all enlightening truths. Following them can never be wrong.

That would be extremely distressing... Are you in the same department as her? Perhaps you could discuss it with your supervisor and consider changing positions.

It is merely a New Year greeting when colleagues meet.

Well

He Shan's expression darkened, "Did you eat firecrackers today? It's the first day of the New Year and you're already arguing with me"

Chen Luchuan helplessly said, "Mom, she is not a flood or a ferocious beast."

She naturally sought a romantic relationship, yet this oracle did not align with her desires. However, the last two lines were quite intriguing. She silently recited them several times, committing the words "A hair's breadth can travel a thousand miles, within a single thought from morning to night" to memory

After finishing the incense offering, the family of three went to the Luohan Hall to count the Arhats. Lin Yue counted the two hundred and forty-second Arhat, the revered Tiduojia. The inscription read: "In the joyous encounter of a prosperous era, one is bathed in the spring breeze, with willows, pines, and cypresses all differing. Good and evil, measured by the slightest margin, can travel a thousand miles, all contained within the thoughts of morning and evening."

Well

Lin Yue smiled helplessly and said, "Then I will go in."

Chen Luchuan merely smiled

We need to talk more, He Shan elongated her voice: "Lin Yue, what are you still standing there for!"

A family emerged from Luohantang, having received a divination slip. Today, the weather is clear and bright, and the incense offerings at Guiyuan Temple are flourishing, with a steady stream of visitors, yet it remains tranquil.

Lin Yue nodded, lowered his head, and walked past him, following He Shan and Lin Liming into the Great Hero Hall

He Shan glanced at Lin Yue and said, "Are you speaking on his behalf?"

Lin Yue's finger twitched, and he exclaimed "Oh" before quickly exiting WeChat and pulling up the number of his third aunt, Tao Meiqin

Why didn't you say so earlier

Chen Luchuan smiled

Chen Luchuan stepped forward, his gaze resting on Lin Yue's face, and he said to her alone: "Happy New Year"

Chen Luchuan glanced over, withdrew his gaze, only to find Feng Rong staring at her in a peculiar manner

Do you want your father to pick you up

Surprised yet natural, Chen Luchuan let out a laugh, "No, I have no bonus to take since I am working."

Lin Yue was taken aback and hurriedly extended New Year greetings to Feng Rong and Chen Zushi

Lin Yue's heart was pounding as she nervously glanced forward, only to find herself feeling ridiculous: how could Lin Liming and He Shan possibly see her, and even if they did, what difference would it make?

Chen Luchuan nodded and said, "Alright, see you at the company"

He Shan made a sound of "hm"

Feng Rong pulled his arm and said, "How did you start talking to this girl?"

Feng Rong pouted and said, "Then you should not get too close to that girl. You have seen what kind of person her mother is; we are not on the same path as them."

Her finger hovered over the phone screen for a moment, then she clicked to approve the request, and the page immediately redirected, "You have added Chen Luchuan, and you can start chatting now"

Chen Luchuan felt annoyed, slightly furrowing his brows, and did not continue the conversation.

Arriving after finishing at around 4 PM

Lin Yue took out his phone to pass the time. Upon opening WeChat, he noticed a new message, which was a friend request from Chen Luchuan.

Third Uncle drove over directly

This sentence seems to possess a certain magic, tempting her to repeatedly want to type something in the dialogue box. However, her fingers appear to be unresponsive, hovering there, unable to press down for a long time

The two fell silent for a moment, then spoke simultaneously: "Have you received the red envelope?"

Then during this period, you must be seeing her every day

Feng Rong hurriedly said: "Pah, pah, pah, children speak without restraint! How can one say such things in front of the Buddha"