Chapter 11: The Wealthy Little Monk

“Damn!” The moment Dai Jin opened the door, all three people inside the room, including Ling Tian, were stunned.

“You’re Shi Xiaocai?” Dai Jin was the first to recover. The newcomer turned out to be a young monk, barely in his teens.

“Amitabha. I am indeed Shi Xiaocai. Greetings, fellow roommates.” Shi Xiaocai pressed his palms together and greeted everyone in the room.

“With all that bling, you call yourself ‘Little Wealth’? More like ‘Great Wealth’! How much gold is in just one of those beads?” By now, Yuan Bao had also left his game and come over. The group helped Shi Xiaocai with his luggage, gathering around him, all thoroughly intrigued.

No wonder Yuan Bao was drawn over—Shi Xiaocai was already unusual enough as a monk, but he also wore a string of 108 golden prayer beads around his neck, eighteen smaller beads on his wrist, and was draped in a golden kasaya. On closer inspection, the kasaya was actually woven from gold threads interlaced with red silk, decorated with diamonds and various gemstones, dazzling even compared to the legendary brocade cassock of the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang. In his hands, Shi Xiaocai carried a golden alms bowl. Tang Sanzang’s was made of purple gold, which is harder and shinier than regular gold, but gold is still more expensive.

“Brother, you haven’t let me down! You have more gold on you than I do. You really are my long-lost brother.” As Dai Jin spoke, he hugged Shi Xiaocai tightly. At last, a kindred spirit—how rare!

“Amitabha. Meeting is fate. It seems we are destined to share this bond,” replied the young monk, unfailingly courteous, gentle-tempered, and friendly to them all.

“A monk in university? And you’re majoring in finance? Aren’t monks supposed to renounce worldly things?” Yuan Bao voiced the question on everyone’s mind, curiosity in his eyes. Ling Tian, too, found it all extremely amusing—what an interesting new roommate, and such an eye-catching one at that!

“I’m Shi Xiaolong’s junior. My master was the first monk in China to earn an MBA. It’s only natural I should study here. Modern temples keep pace with the times. After you graduate, you can become monks too. Here, let me show you a recruitment notice I saw on the way.”

Shi Xiaocai produced a sheet of paper, which read:

Recruiting Monks for Xinchang Great Buddha Temple

Salary: 4,000 a month, 8-hour workday, meals and lodging provided. For offsite services, hourly travel allowances are paid. After three years, salary rises to 7,000 and above. Abbot earns over 30,000 per month (tax-free). No interference in personal life outside work hours.

Requirements: Male, bachelor’s degree or higher (master’s preferred). Electronic engineering/communications majors preferred. CET-6 English proficiency. Scholarship winners with all three required certificates preferred. Preference for Buddhists; those of other faiths welcome to convert. Ability to recite Buddhist scriptures such as the Diamond Sutra and Lotus Sutra a plus.

Benefits: Resident monk positions in branch temples nationwide. One-year internship. Monthly stipend of 10,000, with performance bonuses based on incense offerings. After internship, eligible to learn two of the 72 Shaolin skills from the abbot, with the option to pick up to three and required to master at least one.

Interview Location: Second Floor, Xinchang Hotel. Time: June 22, 9 am to 12 pm.

“Damn! Senior brother, please accept my formal respects!” Yuan Bao made a show of bowing to Shi Xiaocai. The offer was just too tempting—not just the high salary, but the chance to master Shaolin techniques.

“That’s not a Shaolin recruitment notice, just another temple’s. No need to call me senior brother. After graduation, just go straight to the interview.” Shi Xiaocai smiled gently and helped Yuan Bao up.

“Shi Xiaocai, are all monks from Shaolin as lavish as you?” Ling Tian, dazzled by Shi Xiaocai’s golden glow, felt a little disconcerted. This guy was sure to steal his thunder in the future. Hopefully, he wouldn’t steal his girlfriend too—anyone who tried, brother or not, would be an enemy!

“No, not at all. I am the reincarnation of the Dragon-Subduing Arhat, so my status is a little different. My current practice is the Golden Arhat Body, and these adornments aid my cultivation.” Shi Xiaocai hastened to explain, not wanting to be misunderstood.

“Gold is good! My name is Dai Jin—Jin means gold. You cultivate the Golden Body. We’re roommates now—let’s get closer! Tonight, the meal’s on me. Yuan Bao, Ling Tian, get ready, let’s go!”

Dai Jin was a true tycoon, always eager to treat. Even though Ling Tian’s name didn’t have any reference to wealth and he wore no gold or silver, Dai Jin still counted him as a brother.

That night, the group went to the best restaurant near campus. Shi Xiaocai didn’t drink, explaining that he only indulged in wealth among the traditional vices—alcohol, lust, wealth, and temper—strictly observing the rest for the sake of his practice. This put Ling Tian at ease; at least this guy wouldn’t be competing for women.

Of course, when men drink, talk inevitably turns to women. All except Shi Xiaocai drank and chatted about girls.

“I’m telling you, money is all it takes. That’s my experience,” Dai Jin boasted, showing off his gold watch and ring.

“Oh, please! You just talk big! Two beauties just walked in—why don’t you try chasing them?” Yuan Bao pointed toward the entrance, and both Ling Tian and Shi Xiaocai followed his gaze.

Two girls entered, side by side. The one in front was petite, with delicate features, a slightly rounded, adorable face, her hair in two buns with straight bangs, and large eyes.

The girl behind was tall, with long chestnut hair softly curled at the ends, strikingly beautiful, her skin flawless and fair, eyes bright as stars, exuding a natural air of nobility.

“Damn! You’re trying to get me killed? That tall girl is our campus queen, Lin Youya! No way I can chase her, though her friend up front is cute—I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”

When Dai Jin saw it was Lin Youya and her friend, he rapped Yuan Bao on the head with a chopstick. There was hardly a soul in Jianghai University—or even the whole city—who didn’t know how unattainable Lin Youya was. Even the provincial governor’s son had struck out with her.

“So that’s the legendary Lin Youya? She really is on another level. No wonder she’s destined to be my wife.” At the sight of Lin Youya, Ling Tian’s spirits soared.

“Come off it! You brag even more than I do. You, thinking Lin Youya will be your wife? Even the governor’s son couldn’t win her over. She won’t spare a glance for me, and I’m in her class—she hasn’t noticed me in half a year, so there’s no way she’ll look at you.”

Dai Jin shot Ling Tian a look of utter disdain on hearing him call Lin Youya his wife.