"I don't know how to perform an 'enlightenment'," Lin Fan chuckled, "It's just a small trick."
As he spoke, he activated his dantian, circulating his purple qi. With the influx of purple qi, the jade bracelet he held between his palms suddenly blazed with a green light. Yu Suxin's eyes widened, staring in stunned silence at the miraculous scene before her. Zheng Yue's expression was also frozen in disbelief. She scrutinized Lin Fan's hands and forearms intently, finding no hint of any trickery.
Zheng Yue's mind reeled. What was happening? Why could his hands emit light? No, it must be some sort of magic trick, perhaps involving a tiny light bulb. Having never believed in ghosts or spirits since childhood, this was her only explanation.
Yu Suxin, however, was different. She gazed fixedly at Lin Fan's hands. The circular jade bracelet now resembled a halo, clearly visible. This was no illusion or trickery! This Master Lin truly possessed supernatural abilities! Yu Suxin's breathing quickened, her gaze towards Lin Fan filled with reverence.
Perhaps due to the difference in material, Zheng Yue's jade bracelet was remarkably adept at absorbing the purple qi. It continued to do so for a full minute before seeming satisfied. Lin Fan opened his eyes and separated his palms. The jade bracelet lay in his palm, emitting a faint, mystical glow. Lin Fan was surprised by how effective it was. He quickly covered it with his left hand, and only after the light dimmed several dozen seconds later did he hand it to Zheng Yue.
"Here."
"Aren't you going to thank Master Lin!" Yu Suxin's voice was brimming with excitement, as if she wanted to prostrate herself before Lin Fan.
Zheng Yue gazed blankly at her bracelet. At first glance, it seemed no different from before, yet she felt an inexplicable sense of change. "Thank you," she finally said.
"You're too kind, it was just a small favor," Lin Fan replied with a smile.
Yu Suxin grasped Lin Fan's arm, her voice trembling with emotion, "Master Lin, thank you for your kindness. Amitabha, may the Bodhisattva bless you with peace and fortune throughout your life."
"Mom, he doesn't believe in Buddhism," Zheng Yue said, deliberately contradicting her mother as she happily placed the bracelet back on her fair wrist.
"You little chatterbox!" Yu Suxin scolded fiercely.
"Xiao Fan, are you full? Should I take you back to rest? You must be tired," Zheng Yue said, fearful that her mother would offer Lin Fan some grand gift.
"I'm full," Lin Fan nodded and stood up.
"Auntie, thank you for your hospitality. Your cooking is as delicious as my sister-in-law's," Lin Fan said. Yu Suxin beamed, having heard from her daughter that Lin Fan only lived with his widowed sister-in-law. This was high praise indeed.
The two left the house one after another, Zheng Yue walking ahead with a subdued expression. Lin Fan, not being familiar with her, followed quietly behind. His gaze inadvertently fell upon her curves, and he quickly averted his eyes, not daring to look further.
"I'm sorry, my mom can be like that. I hope you weren't too embarrassed," Zheng Yue said, her mood low. Her gaze drifted aimlessly, settling on the lush tropical plants in the distance.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about," Lin Fan said, hesitating in the hazy night.
Zheng Yue turned to him, asking, "Is there something you want to say?"
"Actually..." Lin Fan scratched his head, a moment of hesitation followed by a sigh. "If I told you that your mother doesn't believe in Buddhism at all, would you believe me?"
"What did you say?!" Zheng Yue exclaimed, her mouth falling open in astonishment, as if she had heard something utterly fantastical. "You... If you're saying this to save face for me, or to comfort me, you really don't need to." Since Zheng Yue could remember, her mother had been devoutly praying day in and day out, without fail. "My mom is my mom. Whether she believes in Buddhism or not, she's still my mother." Zheng Yue's tone was firm, and she cast a slightly resentful glance at Lin Fan.
"It was my fault for speaking out," Lin Fan lowered his head, falling silent. As an outsider, he might have indeed overstepped. Seeing his genuine expression, Zheng Yue asked curiously, "Why would you say that?"
"Do you really want to know?" Lin Fan became more cautious. Yu Suxin had kept this secret for so long, undoubtedly for a reason. His meddling might do more harm than good.
"Speak!" Zheng Yue raised her voice. Her curiosity had been piqued, and if Lin Fan didn't give her a clear explanation, she wouldn't let it rest.
Lin Fan glanced around, ensuring no one was listening, then lowered his voice. "I'm just acting on my own initiative, sharing what I've observed. Once it leaves my mouth and enters your ears, it has nothing to do with me."
"Fine," Zheng Yue nodded. "Why all the preamble?"
"When your mother mentioned Buddha and invited me to discuss metaphysics, she seemed very excited, didn't she?" Lin Fan asked.
"Yes, that's her only hobby," Zheng Yue replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice. This was stating the obvious, wasn't it?
"She was faking it," Lin Fan said earnestly. "Perhaps that's not the right way to put it. How should I describe it?" He scratched his head. "It's more like, even she believes it to be true, but... the heart cannot lie." As he spoke, he pointed to his chest. Zheng Yue was stunned, her expression filled with bewilderment.
"Also, your mother has a peculiar habit when reciting Buddhist chants," Lin Fan recalled Yu Suxin's lips moving. "She's likely muttering to herself, 'Praying for my daughter'."
"What did you say?" Zheng Yue's body trembled violently.
"From my observations," Lin Fan looked into Zheng Yue's eyes, "in your mother's heart, you are far more important than any Buddhist teachings or metaphysics. If she had to make a choice, she would undoubtedly choose you without hesitation."
Zheng Yue was lost in thought for a long time. She recalled her childhood, when her aunts from the first and second branches openly humiliated her mother. Her mother always endured it silently, saying, "As long as you devoutly follow the Buddhist teachings, everything will get better."
... Countless memories flooded her mind like a tidal wave. She had never told anyone that she had once hated her mother in her heart. She hated her mother for being weak and incapable, for being so submissive. And now Lin Fan was telling her that her mother didn't believe in Buddhism at all! And that every time her mother chanted Buddha's name, she would silently add, "Praying for my daughter!"
Zheng Yue's soul was profoundly shaken, leaving her speechless for a long time. What else could her mother have been doing this for? Yes, her mother only wanted her daughter to live a good life. The intentions of the first and second branches were utterly malicious. If her mother showed any inclination towards vying for power, any plot or scheme could be unleashed immediately.
No wonder! No wonder her father never favored her, and her mother saw it as a trivial matter.
"Let me calm down first," Zheng Yue waved her hands repeatedly, her thoughts in disarray. Things she had believed deeply since childhood had been overturned, leaving her mind in a chaotic state. Lin Fan understood her feelings and stood silently to the side, waiting for her to regain her composure.