Rona Muir smiled as she introduced, "This is Lucas Lin, a minor actor from the lower ranks."
Lucas Lin, a low-tier actor, rubbed his nose and lowered his stance: "Hello, Master."
"He's the head priest here, Master Ethan Yi, who never accepts incense money. Because of his stubbornness, he often offends his peers. If not for his seniority and reputation, he'd probably be ostracized." Rona Muir mercilessly exposed Master Ethan Yi's situation: "That's why he's so poor now, he has to grow his own vegetables to survive. Luckily, the government gives him a little funding every year, or else he probably couldn't even afford steamed buns!"
It wasn't the first time Lucas Lin had witnessed Rona Muir's sharp tongue, but hearing her tease such a respected priest—wasn't that a bit bold?
Sure enough, Master Ethan Yi glared at Rona Muir and said, "You and your snarky mouth! What book are you planning to air out for me this time?"
"Let's skip airing out books today," Rona Muir pointed at the tea. "I'm here for tea. Besides, looks like it'll rain tomorrow—not good for airing anything. How about I donate some mothballs so your treasures don't get eaten up by bugs?"
Master Ethan Yi waved his hand, "Forget it, donate whatever you want. Come on, let's go to my room for tea. I've got some good stuff there."
"Alright!" Rona Muir didn’t stand on ceremony, grabbed Lucas Lin, and cheerfully followed Master Ethan Yi to his room.
Master Ethan Yi's room was just as humble as the rest of the place.
Lucas Lin obediently followed behind Rona Muir, and Master Ethan Yi couldn't help but glance at him a couple of times.
Lucas Lin, facing Master Ethan Yi's scrutiny, gave a slightly flattering smile.
Master Ethan Yi had his young disciple serve tea again, and Rona Muir tugged at the disciple, saying, "Your master is working you hard again, isn't he?"
"Sister Rona," the young disciple replied, blushing, "Master is very kind."
Rona Muir didn't tease him further, let go of the disciple, and said to Master Ethan Yi, "He's still just a kid."
"As a Daoist disciple, you must endure hardship and monotony," Master Ethan Yi said calmly. "These days, we live in peaceful times—there's food, clothes, and a roof over our heads. What more could you ask for?"
Thinking about Master Ethan Yi's temperament, Rona Muir decided to keep quiet.
If anyone had the right to say such things, it was Master Ethan Yi.
Back in the day, Master Ethan Yi’s own master and elder brother were the ones who risked their lives, shedding blood to defend the country’s dignity.
He was the youngest disciple, and the only one his master sent away for safety.
In the end, everyone at the temple was lost, leaving him as the sole survivor.
That's why Master Ethan Yi was so highly respected.
But he could never let go of what happened, so he kept living simply—to remind himself of his master and brother’s sacrifice.
Rona Muir could only sigh at that.
Well, the young Daoist was better off with Master Ethan Yi—at least he wouldn’t pick up any bad habits.
Rona Muir picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "Hmm?"
"Did you taste it?" Master Ethan Yi smiled at Rona Muir.
Rona Muir said, "Isn't this Yun Family Reserve Tea?"
Master Ethan Yi laughed, "Trust your picky palate—you figured it out right away."
Rona Muir smiled, "This is rare! For you to splurge on such expensive tea, the sun must be rising in the west."
"I didn’t buy it, the Yun Family sent it." Master Ethan Yi glanced at Lucas Lin—just a casual look, but Lucas immediately understood.
Lucas Lin stood up and apologized to the two of them, "I'm going to use the restroom—could you tell me how to get there?"
Rona Muir didn’t think much of it and pointed casually, "Go out, turn left, then right—you’ll find it in the inner courtyard."
"Okay." Lucas Lin turned and left.
"Not many people get to stay by your side," Master Ethan Yi said.
Rona Muir quickly responded, "Hey, he’s just a kid. Don’t jump to conclusions, Master. Even if Peter Pingshan and I have our issues, our marriage is still solid."
Someone completely forgot who was shouting about divorce at the hotel a few days ago.
"Glad to hear it." Master Ethan Yi nodded, "But that young man has a bit of romance in his eyes—you shouldn’t get too close to him."
Master Ethan Yi really treated Rona Muir like his own junior—otherwise, he wouldn’t say so much.
"I know," Rona Muir nodded.
Of course she knew!
She’d seen Zoey Chow personally bring Lucas Lin over, hadn’t she?
She wasn’t trying to support a minor celebrity—she just thought the boy was decent, that’s all.
"I’m over eighty, you know. I don’t really care much about worldly matters anymore," Master Ethan Yi said slowly.
"Eighty? No way! You look barely over fifty," Rona Muir quickly flattered.
Master Ethan Yi really was well-preserved; he looked about sixty, but saying fifty was pushing it.
"Cheeky," Master Ethan Yi replied, not getting into details. "As long as you know what you’re doing. That kid is smart—if you can pull him out of the muck, that’s a good deed."
Rona Muir had nothing to hide from Master Ethan Yi. She nodded, "I know, that’s exactly my plan. I think the kid is good at heart, so I don’t want him to go astray. I’m hoping to help him get back on track."
Master Ethan Yi nodded with satisfaction. "That’s good."
Outside the window, Lucas Lin heard their conversation and felt his heart tremble.
Did Rona Muir really not look down on him?
She actually wanted to help him out?
Did she really not know why he was getting close to her?
Whenever Lucas Lin thought about Zoey Chow’s reason for making him approach Rona Muir, he couldn’t help but struggle.
What should he do?
Should he follow Zoey Chow’s plan and steal Rona Muir’s target?
Or should he betray Zoey Chow and prove himself to Rona Muir?
Lucas Lin couldn’t bear to listen any longer and hurried away.
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As Lucas Lin left, Master Ethan Yi glanced nonchalantly at the window, then looked away.
Young people always seem to stray so easily.
But if you change in time, you can still be saved.
Completely unaware, Rona Muir finished her tea and finally asked, "By the way, you never said—what were you doing at the Yun Family?"
"Grandma Yun invited me over," Master Ethan Yi said thoughtfully. "Back when the Yun Family resisted the Japanese invaders, our Daoist order was closely allied. I’ve always had a bit of a connection with Grandma Yun. A few days ago, she sent me a letter—she said the next astrologer of the Yun Family is about to be born. She couldn’t interpret her own omens, so she asked me to help confirm it."
Rona Muir was instantly interested. "Whose child is it?"
"That I can’t say for now," Master Ethan Yi smiled. "Don’t go poking around."
"Still, the Yun Family’s disaster is finally over. For the next few centuries, things will only get better," Master Ethan Yi said. "Our Daoist order and the Yun Family are like lips and teeth—closely linked. Seeing them recover, I’m truly happy for them."
Rona Muir nodded, "We’ll all know soon enough anyway."
Master Ethan Yi poured Rona Muir another cup of tea. "Alright, I won’t keep you any longer."
"Seriously?" Rona Muir wailed, "I just got here and you’re kicking me out!"
"Didn’t you say it’ll rain tomorrow?" Master Ethan Yi said calmly. "I need to get ready—chop some firewood, buy more rice, just in case the rain blocks the door."
Rona Muir instantly lost her temper. "Alright, alright, you’re the boss. Or I could just call someone to deliver it! It’s just you and that little Daoist here—one old, one young—how are you supposed to get anything done?"
Master Ethan Yi just smiled and said nothing.
Rona Muir didn’t bother arguing. She made a call right then, and soon a car arrived with everything she’d requested.
Rona Muir waited in the courtyard for Lucas Lin.
Lucas Lin saw her and hurried over, pretending he didn’t know anything. "Are we leaving now?" he asked.
Rona Muir glanced at the sky. "I really jinxed it—looks like it’s about to rain. Let’s go. We’ve had our tea and our chat; time for the next stop."
"Okay," Lucas Lin replied obediently as always.
As they left the temple, Lucas Lin instinctively glanced back at the Daoist order.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Master Ethan Yi saw right through him.
That man was inexplicably frightening.
As expected, the sky quickly turned gloomy.
By evening, the rain was pouring down in torrents.
Seeing the weather, Rona Muir figured there was no way to go out and have fun, so she could only drive Lucas Lin back.
Lucas Lin didn’t get out of the car. He said to Rona Muir, “Rona, you’re not busy tonight anyway. Why don’t you just stay over?”
Actually, there was a hint of testing in his words.
Rona Muir wasn’t stupid.
She instantly caught Lucas Lin’s meaning.
She didn’t hold back—she ruffled Lucas Lin’s hair and said, “What’s with all the crazy thoughts? Do you think I’m Zoey Chow? Give you an endorsement and then sleep with you? You wish!”
Lucas Lin chuckled softly.
Honestly, he wouldn’t mind being taken advantage of.
As long as the one taking advantage was Rona Muir, he’d be more than happy.
“No, that’s not it.” Lucas Lin quickly changed his tune: “The rain’s too heavy, my assistant and manager are stuck on the road. They said they probably won’t make it tonight. I’m all alone, and honestly, I’m a little scared.”
Rona Muir looked at him in surprise.
Lucas Lin went on, “Anyway, I’ve got plenty of rooms, lots of space. If you don’t mind, I’ll give you my master bedroom. I really am a little scared… Don’t laugh, but when I was little, my parents got divorced. The day my mom left, it rained just like tonight. Whenever it rains, I can’t help but think of that night—me crying and chasing her in the rain.”
Rona Muir’s heart immediately softened. “That must have been really hard for you, huh?”
“It was,” Lucas Lin replied quietly. “That’s why I like dating women a few years older than me. I guess it’s a bit of a mother complex. That’s why I ended up with Miss Chow.”