Chapter 10. I Could Not Help but Kiss

Song Xifeng's exclamation startled everyone. Since arriving in Qingshui Town, he had maintained a calm and wise demeanor, but this sudden outburst completely shattered that image.

Officer Lao Xu, puzzled, said, "What’s wrong with you, Captain Song? You nearly scared me to death!"

Chen Yun chimed in with a laugh, "I guess he saw a celestial monk. Captain Song, your status as the flower of Qingshui is in jeopardy; your spirit has taken a hit."

Song Xifeng was now very excited and shocked. If he weren't wearing a police uniform and didn't have to maintain his image as a public servant, he would have rushed out to take another look.

Even though he could confirm that the person with that appearance and demeanor was indeed Luo Qingshu, he still couldn’t believe it was really him.

Wasn’t it just like seeing a ghost?

"That is Luo Qingshu; I absolutely won't mistake him. Have you forgotten? I once bragged that I was his classmate." Although Luo Qingshu had only been around for a month before going abroad for studies, he had become so famous that almost everyone knew him. If it weren't for the power of the Luo family, the school would have used Luo Qingshu for publicity to attract quality students every year.

Luo Qingshu was the super comparison group for these rich second-generation students who were academically poor—someone their parents wouldn’t dare compare them to.

"Absolutely him!" Song Xifeng sat back down at his desk, gulping down a large mouthful of cold tea to calm himself.

Chen Yun doubted her ears. "Luo Qingshu? Captain Song, are you talking about the one I’m thinking of?"

Other colleagues gathered around, "Captain Song, you’re not going crazy, are you?"

Among the five officers, two were locals and two were from out of town, but none were unfamiliar with the name Luo Qingshu. It had been too sensational back in the day, and even after five years, mentioning his name still resonated loudly.

Song Xifeng understood why everyone looked at him as if he were crazy. This genius youth, who had driven the entire Haihe and even the nation wild, had passed away five years ago due to a diagnosis of stomach cancer, with treatment proving ineffective.

He was a prodigy who had skipped grades, earning a PhD in Biological Sciences from a world-renowned university at nineteen, teaching at the same university at twenty-one, winning numerous talent competitions, and being fervently admired by countless youths. Yet, at the age of twenty-two, he was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer by multiple hospitals and vanished from the public eye.

Some called him a god.

Some revered him as an idol.

Others predicted that if he hadn’t died, he would have made groundbreaking achievements in the field of biological sciences.

While he might not be known nationwide or worldwide, in the Haihe area, Luo Qingshu was undoubtedly a legendary figure that inspired fervor.

This idolized genius, who had been declared dead, had unexpectedly appeared before him after five years!

And in the guise of a wandering monk!

Song Xifeng couldn't remain calm.

The others still found it hard to believe. Chen Yun reacted the fastest, immediately searching for Luo Qingshu's name on her phone. Even after five years, she could still find many photos of Luo Qingshu standing on award stages or giving academic lectures.

After examining the photos, she recalled the master's celestial appearance from earlier and gasped. She indeed saw the four characters "琴棋书画" (music, chess, calligraphy, and painting) in the popular science section!

Luo Qingshu held dual degrees in physics and chemistry and made significant contributions to biotechnology, but after graduating, he became a professor in the philosophy department at CQT...

Chen Yun certainly knew this person. Five years ago, when she was nineteen, she had heard about the idol genius's stomach cancer and wanted to apply to medical school. Later, when she learned that he had passed away, she and her classmates had mourned for a long time.

To find out he was still alive made her both happy and excited!

"Could it be that he just looks like him...?" "Maybe it’s a passionate fan cosplaying..."

"Impossible," Song Xifeng firmly denied. "With that kind of appearance and demeanor, even if it were a resemblance, no amount of plastic surgery or cloning could replicate it."

Chen Yun nodded in agreement. Although the master had a more ethereal and detached demeanor, still resembling a monk, it was undoubtedly Luo Qingshu himself. She hadn’t recognized him earlier, partly because she was busy with the case and partly because she had only seen photos before, never imagining that such a dazzling person would appear in Qingshui Town in this manner.

Especially since he was someone who had 'passed away' five years ago.

Now that Song Xifeng mentioned it, she could completely confirm it.

The other colleagues also gathered to take a look, and after confirming, the entire police station erupted in excitement. If it weren’t for the need to keep the public’s information confidential, everyone would have rushed out to discuss it with friends and spread the news!

That was Luo Qingshu! Besides his extraordinary talent, his family's wealth was also eye-catching.

The Luo family had been a more established wealthy family than the Su family. However, after the tragic car accident that took the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Lu, and after Luo Qingshu was diagnosed with stomach cancer, the Luo family gradually declined. Their wealth was donated to charity, and they had disappeared from public view over the years.

Who didn’t lament the heavens for being jealous of such talent? Who didn’t sigh in regret?

"To think he’s still alive, living as a monk..."

Song Xifeng also thought of the little monk who was following Luo Qingshu. That little monk was truly exceptionally wise and sensible.

If the little monk's master was Luo Qingshu, then it all made sense. A genius professor's student, even if told now that the little monk could go to university, Song Xifeng wouldn’t find it surprising...

It was said that when the Su family fully ventured into the field of artificial intelligence, they encountered difficulties. Thousands of researchers spent two years without breaking through a bottleneck. Luo Qingshu took it over and solved it in just two weeks. The Su family not only avoided bankruptcy but also made a remarkable comeback, securing their position as leaders in artificial intelligence and becoming a top wealthy family with assets worth hundreds of billions.

There were countless legends about Luo Qingshu.

If the outside world knew that Luo Qingshu was still alive, it would undoubtedly cause a huge stir!

In the dead of night, uncovering such a secret, the officers in the police station were completely awake, their fatigue swept away. They were too excited, huddling together to discuss Luo Qingshu's past.

Song Xifeng was also very excited but still focused on the task at hand. He sent all the officers to interrogate the suspects: Gu Zhiming, Lin Shuixiang, and Lin San, who had also been brought to the police station. The officers took turns interrogating them, determined to uncover all the bad deeds these three had committed, especially the past crimes of child trafficking. They needed to find out as soon as possible, as Gu Chaosheng's life was at stake. The sooner they discovered the truth, the sooner they could send him back to his biological parents.

The police station was bustling with activity while outside, heavy snow continued to fall.

It was already past three in the morning. On New Year's Eve, there were hardly any taxis on the road. The police station was not far from the Shanshui Courtyard, just two or three kilometers away, so the master and disciple decided to walk home.

The sound of their feet crunching on the snow was almost hypnotic. The little monk was very tired from the day’s activities, having sweated a lot, and soon began to feel sleepy. His small body swayed like a weeble, taking uneven steps.

Luo Qingshu directly picked him up, wrapping his large sleeves around the little monk's body. His usually cold voice was low and warm, "Sleep well; your master will carry you home."

Mingjing nestled against her master's shoulder, her eyelids feeling heavy, as if they were two magnets drawn together, desperately trying to stick together. Yet, she still firmly shook her head.

The little one, soft and small, rested her head in the crook of his shoulder, looking obedient and endearing.

Luo Qingshu rubbed his chin against the little monk's head and softly said, "After I wash the mark on your head, when your hair grows out, you will be just like the other children."

Mingjing propped herself up, touched the honor mark on her head, and widened her eyes. "But Master, if I have hair, I won't be a disciple of Buddhism anymore."

The little one’s eyes were bright and pure, as clean as the clear sky after rain in the Qinling Mountains, extremely beautiful.

Luo Qingshu responded, "It's the same as eating meat. The food passes through the body, but the Buddha remains in the heart. The body needs nourishment, so you can eat meat while chanting scriptures. If you need hair, then grow it; the Buddha won’t blame you."

So that’s how it is; Master is still angry at Gu Zhiming.

Mingjing sighed like a little adult and said in her baby voice, "Amitabha, the ancestors said that beauty and ugliness are just skin deep, and appearances are merely how the world sees us. If I were to care about a single insult, how could I ever promote Qingling Temple? A calm heart brings peace; Master, you are being too attached..."

She was small, and her head was small, yet when she spoke about principles, she had a whole set of reasoning. Luo Qingshu couldn’t help but laugh at her words. He didn’t insist on anything; after all, the ointment was ready. Once the little one grew a bit more, she would naturally understand the importance of hair.

After the sound of firecrackers faded, the streets became quiet, with only the soft sound of falling snow making the world even more serene. Luo Qingshu wrapped his large monk robe around her, blocking out the wind and snow, making it feel like they were nestled under the warm sun of spring.

Luo Qingshu softly said, "Now, put your arms in."

Mingjing obediently slipped her arms into her master’s embrace, feeling completely enveloped, even warmer, and drowsy.

She was very sleepy but didn’t want to fall asleep. Because her master was going to fetch scriptures tomorrow, and it was already three in the morning, there were only five hours left.

She wanted to cry, wishing she could throw a tantrum like other human children and ask her master to take her along, but her master had already said it wasn’t convenient to bring her this time. If she cried, her master would worry.

Tears welled up, but Mingjing held them back, remaining still.

Luo Qingshu noticed the dampness on his shoulder and felt a pang of reluctance in his heart. If he hadn’t had this adorable little one by his side for the past five years, even if he had a life, it would have been a mere existence, drifting through days like a walking corpse.

Luo Qingshu carried the child home, placing the little one on the bed. He prepared warm water to wash her hands and face, and after that, he tucked her in, softly saying, "Mingjing, it's time to sleep. It’s very late." After all the commotion of the day, the little one should be very tired.

Mingjing, with tears in her eyes, tightly held her little wooden fish in her hands and nodded, "Master, good night."

Luo Qingshu turned off the bedside lamp, helplessly saying, "Now you can sleep. No more acting cute with your master; I’m tired too." The little monk was so adorable and clingy that he could hardly maintain his strict master image.

She had just accidentally cried again. Not being the strong little beast she usually was, Mingjing’s face turned red as she nestled into her master’s embrace, one hand holding the photo and the other tugging at the knot of his monk robe, obediently closing her eyes. However, just as she was about to fall asleep, she opened her eyes to check that the person holding her was still there before closing them again. She repeated this several times until her breathing gradually evened out.

Luo Qingshu knew the little monk wouldn’t be able to hold on for long, so he didn’t mind her. Sure enough, within a few minutes, the little one fell into a deep sleep.

The little one had a very regular routine, going to bed at nine-thirty and waking up at five-thirty. After such a tiring day, and having gone to bed late, once she fell asleep, she would sleep soundly.

With dawn not far off, Luo Qingshu closed his eyes to rest. He didn’t disturb the little monk, leaving a note and confirming with Su Shiyang that he would personally come to pick her up, arriving in forty minutes at Qingshui Town, before heading out with his luggage.