Matthew Kings couldn’t forcefully enter the church, so he had to find an alternative approach. The priest hesitated for a moment and understood that Matthew Kings intended to make a substantial donation. Unable to refuse, he said, “Please wait a moment, I will go inside and consult with the abbot.”
“Thank you,” Matthew Kings replied calmly. The priest turned and entered the main hall, while Miguel Lynch and Caleb Shaw, who stood at the door, looked at Matthew Kings and gave him a thumbs up.
“Quick thinking.”
“Great idea, I didn’t even consider it,” Caleb Shaw sighed and admired the grand church. He couldn’t help but appreciate, “The air on the mountaintop is refreshing, with lush green mountains and clear waters. Becoming a monk could be seen as a form of enjoyment.”
Miguel Lynch couldn’t help but retort, “I support you. Drew happens to need a companion.”
Matthew Kings raised an eyebrow and glanced at Caleb Shaw, “How could he bear to leave Abby Wright, that Little Roni?”
“Hahaha, Matthew is right,” Miguel Lynch laughed. As they laughed, they couldn’t help but sigh, “Love is a complicated thing. You see, Drew used to be so cheerful, but now he wants to become a monk. Sigh…”
An indescribable bitterness filled their hearts. Before long, the priest led a monk in a kasaya out. The monk had a face that showed the marks of life, with white eyebrows and a kind and friendly expression.
He walked to the door and bowed to the three of them, “I am Ven. Shi Qing, the abbot of the Church of Heavenly Yew. May I inquire as to why you have come and what brings you here?”
The three of them also clasped their hands together and respectfully bowed.
Matthew Kings said, “My wife is a Buddhist. She made a wish at the Church of Heavenly Yew before, and it was granted. She told me to donate some money to your temple as a gesture of goodwill and to contribute to the church’s restoration.”
“Hahaha, this gentleman is truly virtuous. Please, follow me inside,” Ven. Shi Qing gestured and led Matthew Kings, Miguel Lynch, and Caleb Shaw into the main hall.
After entering the main hall, the compassionate abbot took them on a tour and shared the history of the Cloud Platform Monastery.
The three of them patiently listened to the abbot’s explanations, and in the end, Matthew Kings donated two million yuan for the renovation of the Cloud Platform Monastery.
Once everything was settled, Matthew Kings finally got to the point, “Ven. Shi Qing, my friend Skyler Robins…”
“Who now goes by the name Duanchen,” Miguel Lynch reminded from the side.
Matthew Kings immediately adjusted his tone, “Yes. My friend’s name is Skyler Robins. He came to this temple three days ago to become a monk. The priest earlier mentioned that he is inside the temple, practicing meditation, and his Buddhist name is ‘Duan Chen’. I wonder if it’s possible to meet him?”
Master Shi Qing nodded, “Follow me.”
He led the three of them through the Heavenly Kings Hall and arrived at the back of the church, where they saw Skyler Robins sitting cross-legged on a yellow cushion, dressed in a monk’s robe. Master Shi Qing gestured for them to enter and then turned and left.
The three of them ascended the steps, entered the temple, and stood behind Skyler Robins, observing him bow his head and recite scriptures. The friends felt a heaviness in their hearts and found the scene before them deeply moving.
“Drew?”
Matthew Kings called out and approached, “Did you not consider us as friends? Why didn’t you inform us?”
“Hmph, in his heart, Ben is the only friend he cares about, not us,” Miguel Lynch put his hands in his coat pockets, sounding displeased.
“Drew, you were too impulsive,” Caleb Shaw sighed with regret. Skyler Robins, who was reciting the scriptures, paused for a moment, slowly closed the book, and without turning his head, said, “There is no ‘Drew’ here, only Duan Chen.”
“You…”
