Chapter 156: Stealing Business From Qinghui Temple
The discussion in the Gossip Field was still ongoing, and because Xuan Xia’s previous remarks were dug up, the discussion escalated even further.
“So does she really have a Taoist Temple? I thought she was just losing it at the time.”
“No… I was thinking, have all of you here personally seen her property certificate? This is really one sentence at the start, and then it’s all up to you to cover for her. You’re all fans, right? Fans aren’t supposed to come to the Gossip Field.”
“Fans? You should check how many fans she actually has. I think it’s more like her Internet Trolls.”
“I think so too! She must know she got roasted last time she posted it, so she hurried to cover for it and establish her persona. She sure has the skills, actually managing to sneak into this dharma assembly.”
“No way? These days plenty of people establish rich second-generation personas, but would anyone really establish a persona of having a Taoist Temple at home?”
“What’s so strange about that? These days for traffic, what wouldn’t people do?”
“I’m a bit curious now, does that make her a member of the religious order?”
“If she’s really a Daoist Priest, doesn’t that mean she can’t date? No dating, just focusing on career… What if I suddenly want to be her fan? No need to worry about a house collapse from dating.”
“If you put it that way upstairs, it doesn’t seem impossible.”
“Upstairs upstairs has a unique insight. Nothing else to say, thumbs up for you.”
“You guys upstairs, are you okay???”
……
“Family, do you know what I just saw when I turned on the TV? Yanjing TV, midday news, reported on the Qinghui Temple dharma assembly. The report said Qinghui Temple participated along with other Taoism figures, and then in the camera shot, Xuan Xia really appeared!!”
The gossip onlookers immediately went “oh ho” all around.
“So she really is a Taoism figure?”
“If she doesn’t actually produce a family temple or set up a Taoist Temple, is it hard to wrap this up?”
“Wait and see, in a bit there’ll definitely be a press release praising her and establishing her persona. If there’s no press release, I’ll live broadcast doing a handstand drinking milk!”
“What to do? Although I believe she’ll definitely release a press release, I want to see the handstand drinking milk even more.”
Before the Gossip Field reached a conclusion, the lurking Marketing Accounts had already gathered useful materials and diligently started working as Porters.
To earn more traffic, of course they spoke in the most controversial way possible.
Thus, Xuan Xia was once again hotly discussed on the Marketing Accounts.
However, Xuan Xia was unaware of the online public opinion development, let alone expecting it.
After the dharma assembly ended in the afternoon, Xuan Xia formally visited Qinghui Temple’s Temple Master Chang Zhendong with Daoist Master Qin.
–
When receiving guests, Chang Zhendong had already changed out of the ritual robe he wore while hosting the dharma assembly. If she hadn’t known he was Qinghui Temple’s Temple Master, Xuan Xia would have taken him for an ordinary Daoist Priest.
However, Chang Zhendong was very enthusiastic when he saw the two of them. “Little Qin, it’s been a long time since we last met.”
“Temple Master Chang.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Chang Zhendong pointed at Xuan Xia with a smile and asked, “Is this the new Wine Server from your Changsheng Temple?”
At the founding of Taoism by the patriarch, twenty-four dioceses were established, and the highest leader in charge of governance was called the “Wine Server”.
Chang Zhendong was clearly joking with this title at the moment.
Daoist Master Qin knew Temple Master Chang was just joking with no other intent, so he smiled and replied, “Yes. This is Xuan Xia.”
Chang Zhendong looked Xuan Xia over with a beaming smile.
“Temple Master Chang, I’ve heard so much about you.” Xuan Xia returned a polite smile. She had already sized up this Temple Master for a long time during the dharma assembly earlier.
Chang Zhendong nodded with a smile. “I’ll call you Little Xia then. Calling you Little Xuan feels weird.”
Temple Master Chang also had friendship with Xuan Xia’s Great Grandfather. Daoist Master Qin was used to calling him that, so suddenly calling her Little Xuan did feel awkward.
Xuan Xia had thought of this too, so she immediately said, “Of course, Temple Master Chang, feel free.”
Temple Master Chang then casually started calling her “Little Xia”.
As a result, Temple Master Chang’s next sentence was, “Little Xia, your talismans are drawn very well.”
Huh?
Xuan Xia instinctively looked toward Daoist Master Qin.
She strongly suspected Daoist Master Qin had told Temple Master Chang about her drawing talismans.
But Daoist Master Qin’s expression also carried a bit of confusion as he asked, “How did you know, Temple Master Chang?”
Chang Zhendong let out a hearty laugh. “It’s fate too.”
Then he explained to the two of them. The day before yesterday, a Devotee happened to bring a friend to the temple. The friend took out an amulet for Chang Zhendong to identify, saying it was received at a dinner party.
Because he didn’t understand it, and with the principle of caution toward others, the friend wanted Chang Zhendong to check if it was a real amulet or some heterodox thing.
After Chang Zhendong took it, the first thing he naturally saw was the “Changsheng Temple” three characters hot-stamped on the talisman cover, but what truly impressed him was after opening it.
The talisman flowed like clouds and water, in one continuous stroke. One glance showed deep skill.
If he didn’t recognize the talisman handwriting of the two people in Changsheng Temple, he might have thought it was the work of one of them.
Afterward, he inquired in detail about the appearance of the person who gave the friend the amulet. After asking, he already had his suspicions, and now seeing Xuan Xia, it naturally matched up.
After hearing Chang Zhendong’s explanation, Xuan Xia felt a bit embarrassed and immediately glanced at Daoist Master Qin.
Daoist Master Qin really had foresight.
Had she poached business right to Qinghui Temple’s doorstep?
If she wasn’t mistaken, the person Chang Zhendong mentioned was probably the brand manager from her endorsement a couple days ago, Ding Lu.
No wonder when Ding Lu received her talisman, Xuan Xia felt Ding Lu’s expression was a bit off.
Turns out she suspected her talisman wasn’t a good one!
Xuan Xia felt it necessary to explain. “At the time, the atmosphere was right, so I gave it to her. I just wanted to create some good karma.”
“Very good, very good.” Chang Zhendong agreed with her words and continued, “Creating good karma is exactly right. That’s what I told that Devotee too.”
emmm……
Daoist Master Qin spoke up at this time too. “I see.”
Right after, Chang Zhendong said mysteriously, “You have this good karma, that’s a good thing.”
Before Xuan Xia could grasp the hint in his words, Chang Zhendong extended the topic the next second and asked her again, “Little Xia, you draw talismans so well, have you never thought of formally entering the Dao? We at Qinghui Temple really need talents like you!”
“…”
Xuan Xia: “No, no, I have work.”
But Chang Zhendong had a different view. “Hey, having work means you can job-hop. I think this job suits you better, and it would give you more room to shine. Don’t you think?”
Xuan Xia: “…”
What’s up with these elders? Old Master Cui previously asked if she was inheriting her Great Grandfather’s mantle, and now Temple Master Chang was directly offering her a job?
“Temple Master Chang, don’t joke.” Daoist Master Qin couldn’t listen anymore.
“Alright, alright, then let’s have more contact. There’s plenty of time in the future, right?” Chang Zhendong, considering Daoist Master Qin, couldn’t persuade further and could only say this.
Xuan Xia: “…”
Daoist Master Qin: “…”
……
Temple Master Chang indeed stopped mentioning having Xuan Xia enter the Dao and join Qinghui Temple, but he changed angles and gave Xuan Xia a full introduction to their Qinghui Temple.
Next, he even introduced her to quite a few Daoist Masters from Qinghui Temple, under the guise of friendly exchange.
However, Xuan Xia also got to see that Qinghui Temple lived up to being Yanjing City’s largest temple; there were really a lot of Daoist Priests cultivating there!
She didn’t know when their Changsheng Temple could reach such a scale.
After Temple Master Chang learned more about Xuan Xia and found out her current work was as an Artist, he immediately suggested taking a photo together, saying it would be hung on the temple’s display wall.
Xuan Xia had seen that display wall when she first arrived; it was full of big shots.
However, Xuan Xia didn’t refuse Temple Master Chang’s suggestion and cooperated for the photo.
Temple Master Chang was satisfied, grinning from ear to ear the whole time.
By this time, it was about time for the vegetarian meal. Xuan Xia stayed with Daoist Master Qin until after the meal, then bid farewell to Temple Master Chang and ended the trip to Qinghui Temple.
When seeing them off, Temple Master Chang specially said to Xuan Xia, “If there’s anything in the future, feel free to come to Qinghui Temple.”
He originally wanted to add “Qinghui Temple’s doors are always open to you,” but before saying it, Temple Master Chang glanced at Daoist Master Qin first and held it back.
“Okay. Then I’ll thank you in advance, Temple Master Chang.”
–
On the way down the mountain, Xuan Xia and Daoist Master Qin chatted about Temple Master Chang.
Toward the end of the chat, Xuan Xia changed the subject. “Daoist Master Qin, you should head back to the temple tomorrow too, right?”
Daoist Master Qin looked at her without a word.
Xuan Xia said, “What’s up, Daoist Master Qin, have you gone native here?”
Perhaps the words “gone native” touched him, and Daoist Master Qin smiled with narrowed eyes.
But Xuan Xia didn’t think she said anything wrong. “You can’t keep letting Uncle Zhong and Brother Lu hold down the fort. Especially Uncle Zhong.”
Daoist Master Qin pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, “You record the variety show once a week now? Isn’t it almost time again?”
Xuan Xia thought for a bit. “Yes. In the next few days.”
As she spoke, she remembered she hadn’t checked her mobile phone all day and didn’t know if anyone was looking for her.
Turns out someone was looking.
Quite a few, in fact.
Ji Ziyao alone had called her four times, and Yang Wanxiu had called three times too.
Besides that, there were some messages from “friends in the industry”.
Actually just from Zhou Shiqing, An Qi, Jiang Feng, and others.
She skimmed them roughly; without exception, they all asked how she ended up at Qinghui Temple for the dharma assembly. An Qi said more, even telling her she made the news.
Qinghui Temple’s dharma assembly today not only made the midday news but also got a special news report in the evening news.
And in all the news scenes used, Xuan Xia’s figure appeared without exception.
Besides that, Jiang Feng told her all his scenes in Jiao Yue Chronicle had wrapped, and he was back in Yanjing today, asking when she was free to grab dinner.
Dinner invite?
Xuan Xia replied to him first, saying she’d be recording the variety show in the next couple days, so dinner should wait until after recording when she was back.
Then she replied to An Qi and the others. After that, she called Ji Ziyao back.
She could already guess that Ji Ziyao calling her must be about this.
Sure enough, as soon as Ji Ziyao picked up, his first words were, “Did you take vows?”
Xuan Xia immediately got a black line. “I can’t let go of the mortal world; how could I take vows.”
“Then what were you doing at Qinghui Temple today?”
“Attending the ceremony.” Xuan Xia said, “I heard I made the news. Aren’t you proud of me?”
Where Xuan Xia couldn’t see, Ji Ziyao rolled his eyes hard.
“Did the news announce your full name? If I remember right, the news said Taoism figures, please Taoism figures. How many viewers do you think know there’s actually a female star in the scene? How many would recognize you and know your name?”
Blame me for not being famous?
But Xuan Xia couldn’t argue; she really wasn’t famous.
She could only change the subject and ask Ji Ziyao, “You called me so many times just to ask about this? Can’t I have personal hobbies or personal matters?”
Ji Ziyao stubbornly said, “I’m just notifying you to go to Jiangshi the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“Also, the K family shampoo materials are being shot in Jiangshi too. We’ll stay three days this time; arrive a day early to shoot materials first.”
“Oh oh.”
“That’s it.” Ji Ziyao paused, then asked with concern, “You on your way home now?”
Xuan Xia said, “On the way home.”
“Alright.” Ji Ziyao was relieved and didn’t forget to remind, “Come to the company tomorrow.”
“Okay okay okay.” Xuan Xia agreed readily.
Ever since that incident a couple days ago, Xuan Xia could feel Ji Ziyao had been uneasy about her these past few days.
She could only cooperate a bit.
Only then did Ji Ziyao end the call reassured.
Putting down her mobile phone, Xuan Xia looked back at Daoist Master Qin. Just like Ji Ziyao worrying about her, she was still worried about Daoist Master Qin too.
She held back for a bit but couldn’t resist bringing up the old matter again. “Actually, that rumor isn’t quite what you told me, right, Daoist Master Qin?”
“Hm?” Daoist Master Qin looked over and met her gaze for a while.
In the end, after the eye contact, Daoist Master Qin smiled somewhat helplessly and lowered his eyes.
A moment later, he raised his eyes again and softly reassured her, “Really nothing.”
But this time he was indeed willing to come clean. “It’s just related to my family. Me staying in Ningzhou puts certain people at ease.” In short, certain people were afraid he’d get restless and become a Daoist Priest.
Now Xuan Xia instantly connected all the pieces she knew.
Yes! That fit!
She immediately declared, “As your Boss, I require you to head back to Ningzhou first thing tomorrow morning. You must go!”
Daoist Master Qin: “…”
After a silence, Daoist Master Qin wanted to speak, but Xuan Xia cut him off. “No negotiation!”
“…” Daoist Master Qin rubbed his forehead and shook his head.
The other two Bodyguards watching the show secretly laughed.
Although Xuan Xia had fully asserted her Boss authority, Daoist Master Qin still insisted on explaining, “It really doesn’t matter. Certain people probably already know the things I’m busy with aren’t cause for their worry.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been left in peace until now.
After hearing this, Xuan Xia took a long time before commenting, almost evaluatively, “Your family is very complicated.”
Daoist Master Qin faintly acknowledged it.
Then the two didn’t speak again.
All the way until parting at home, Xuan Xia raised her Boss identity again. “Head back to Ningzhou first thing tomorrow morning. Don’t make me say it twice.”
Then she said to Li Xinze and the others, “Send Daoist Master Qin back to Ningzhou tomorrow morning. Don’t make me say it twice!”
Li Xinze and Li Fu exchanged a glance and immediately defected. “Got it, Boss.”
Xuan Xia: “Fine fine fine, Daoist Master Qin doesn’t want you anymore; I’ll hire you from now on.”
Daoist Master Qin: “…” Poaching his people right in front of him, nice.
