Chapter 13: Form Is Emptiness, Emptiness Is Form

"Are you out of your mind? Have I met you before?" Before Song Xiaomei could say a word, Lin Youya was already flustered. Where did this lunatic come from?

"This is our first time meeting," Ling Tian replied unhurriedly.

"And the first time we meet, you claim to be my husband? You really are insane!" Lin Youya was furious. Though this man was passably handsome, his dressing was ordinary and he had no special aura, yet he dared to call himself her husband!

"Wife, don’t be upset. Xiaomei and Shi Xiaocai are also meeting for the first time, and she says she’s Shi Xiaocai’s girlfriend. This is fate. My cousin will understand us, right, cousin?" Ling Tian winked at Song Xiaomei, the meaning clear: they should help each other. He would help Song Xiaomei win over Shi Xiaocai, and she would help him with Lin Youya.

"Yes, yes, I understand very well. I’m happy to meet my brother-in-law," Song Xiaomei shamelessly betrayed Lin Youya, nearly driving her mad with anger.

"I’m leaving. Xiaomei, are you coming?" Lin Youya couldn’t take it anymore, stood up, and headed for the door, treating Ling Tian as a madman and her cousin as equally crazy.

"Cousin, I want to spend more time with Shi Xiaocai. You go ahead!" Song Xiaomei had no intention of leaving so easily. She was determined to win over the little monk.

"Wife, let me walk you out!" Ling Tian saw the beauty leaving and hurried after her, but Lin Youya gave him no chance. She went straight to her Porsche sports car, drove off, and left Ling Tian frustrated. Though Ling Tian had the ability to catch up, he restrained himself; there was plenty of time, no need to hurry.

"Brother-in-law, don’t worry. I’ve already recognized your status on behalf of our family. In fact, since cousin hasn’t been dating, Auntie is quite anxious. You’re so handsome, Auntie will surely agree." Song Xiaomei poured Ling Tian a glass of wine as she spoke.

"Heh, I also represent our dormitory in approving you and Shi Xiaocai. Now, you’re both my dear siblings—if anyone bullies you, just tell your brother-in-law." The more Ling Tian looked at Song Xiaomei, the more he liked her. Having such a lively little sister wasn’t bad at all.

"Amitabha, Ling Tian, you’re selling me out like this?" Shi Xiaocai looked at Ling Tian, furious. This guy was making things worse—he’d been worrying about how to shake off Song Xiaomei, and now Ling Tian had acknowledged her as his sister-in-law.

"Heh, I’m not selling you out—you did it yourself. After all, you accepted several tens of thousands from Xiaomei just now, didn’t you?" Ling Tian pointed at Shi Xiaocai’s backpack.

"That was charity, not payment for selling myself," Shi Xiaocai hurried to explain.

"Husband, since you’ve taken my money, you belong to me. Don’t be shy—give this money to Buddha, and consider it me redeeming you from the monastery. If it’s not enough, I’ll keep paying." Song Xiaomei spoke with grand generosity, pulling out a card. When they saw its level, it turned out to be a black gold card.

The black gold card starts with a limit of five million, with no upper bound. It’s called the ‘Aladdin’s Lamp’—with it, you can overdraft as much as you want, have luxury cars, yachts, and private jets at your service. Anything you can imagine, this little card can accomplish. Its holders are extraordinary—even those on the Hurun Wealth List may not possess it, as it’s a privilege reserved for the super-rich.

To qualify, you must be on the Hurun Wealth List or a member of the China Jockey Club, with annual spending over two million—not counting purchases of cars or homes. Even with all qualifications met, you can’t simply apply for the black gold card—it requires a recommendation letter from a branch manager of ICBC, and privacy is extremely high.

Ling Tian actually owned one too, forcibly given to him by his father yesterday. Though the Ling family never made any rich lists, their true strength far surpassed those so-called tycoons, but they preferred to stay low-key. Only in daily life did his mother enjoy high-profile displays and a touch of extravagance.

"Black gold card! Shi Xiaocai, you’ve hit the jackpot! My dad tried to get one recently and failed—the bank wouldn’t process it. Yet Song Xiaomei has one; she’s a true rich beauty! No wonder she’s not interested in me—she’s wealthier than I am!" Dai Jin nearly drooled at the card.

"I support you too. Xiaomei is beautiful and adorable. Song Xiaomei and Shi Xiaocai—your names match perfectly." Seeing Ling Tian and Dai Jin both support the couple, Yuan Bao voiced his approval as well. He mischievously wanted to see a monk break his vows—a scene usually found in novels, but he was eager to witness it in real life.

"Amitabha, this humble monk has chosen his friends poorly. Song Xiaomei, here’s your money back—please spare me. My body is pledged to the Buddhist path; all desires and poisons are mere illusions." Shi Xiaocai took the money out of his bag and placed it on the table.

"Hmph! This is my dowry. Since you’ve already accepted it, there’s no reason to return it. I don’t want the money—I want you!"

With that, Song Xiaomei planted a kiss on Shi Xiaocai’s handsome face, then stood up and walked out, leaving Shi Xiaocai and the others stunned, the black gold card and several tens of thousands still on the table, vanishing through the door.

"Incredible! Even more gutsy than me!" Ling Tian was full of admiration for Song Xiaomei. He’d wanted to kiss Lin Youya just now but hadn’t dared; yet Song Xiaomei kissed Shi Xiaocai, a monk, without hesitation. If she could disregard all taboos, what was he afraid of? At worst, he’d get slapped. Next time he fancied a beauty, he’d have to be bolder.

"Why don’t I have such luck?" Yuan Bao sighed with envy, jealous of Shi Xiaocai’s fortune in both wealth and romance.

"Shi Xiaocai, does this count as breaking the precept of lust?" Dai Jin asked, puzzled.

"Amitabha!" Shi Xiaocai’s face flushed red. He ignored them, unable to calm his heart. Song Xiaomei’s soft lips and sweet scent lingered by his side, disturbing his tranquil mind more and more.

"Contemplating the Bodhisattva who perceives freedom, practicing deep wisdom, seeing that the five aggregates are all empty and crossing all suffering. Shariputra, form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness are also so..."

As Ling Tian and the others watched in astonishment, Shi Xiaocai began reciting scripture. Clearly, the little monk was truly rattled. Seeing him so absorbed, Ling Tian and his friends continued their meal and conversation, laughing and drinking. But when they heard "form is emptiness, emptiness is form," Ling Tian burst out laughing, spraying his wine. The monk reciting that verse after being forcefully kissed—it was perfectly fitting!