Eric Bennett carefully examined the thumb-sized jade Buddha. He saw that “it” had a face full of compassion, lifelike and vivid, clearly the work of a master craftsman. At the same time, “it” felt smooth to the touch, both warm and cool at once.

“According to Uncle Horse-face, this jade Buddha was given by some nameless old monk? But since that marquis didn’t take it away, it’s probably not an ordinary item. Better to keep it close.” Eric Bennett hung the jade Buddha pendant back around his neck, hiding it against his chest, then tidied up the jade pendant, clothes, and other belongings, placing them under the bunk he had chosen.

At this moment, David, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly sat up and quickly put on his shoes and went out, leaving Eric Bennett stunned and confused about what was happening.

“It’s time for dinner.” Henry said coldly, also getting off the bunk and heading for the door.

What kind of people are these two! Eric Bennett cursed inwardly again, then turned to Ethan and said, “Little junior brother, are you ready? It’s time for dinner!”

“Ready!” As soon as Ethan finished speaking, his small figure darted to the door like a rabbit, as if he couldn’t wait any longer.

“……” Eric Bennett was instantly embarrassed. Am I the only normal one here?

Ethan suddenly stopped at the door, turned back to look at Eric Bennett, his face full of confusion: “Senior brother, aren’t you coming?”

At least you have some conscience, knowing to wait for me! Eric Bennett thought to himself, then half-jokingly replied, “I’m not as hungry as you guys.”

Look at you all, like starving ghosts reincarnated!

Ethan’s confusion vanished, and he nodded seriously: “Senior brother, then I’ll go first.”

He turned and dashed off.

Hey! I was just joking, you don’t have to take it seriously… Eric Bennett’s mouth hung open, moved a few times, then he shouted loudly, “Hey, little junior brother, wait for me!”

Suddenly, a wave of melancholy swept over him. Other people have little junior sisters, but why do I only have little junior brothers? And it’s foreseeable that I won’t have any junior sisters in the future, either.

Chapter 3 Raising My Head to Gaze at the Bright Moon

The dining hall of the chores courtyard was simple and old, with wooden tables and benches, and a green lamp illuminating the faces.

You don’t know until you see it—Eric Bennett only realized after entering the dining hall that there were a good fifty or sixty chores monks. At this rate, the total number of monks in Shaolin must be in the thousands.

Amidst a sea of gray monk robes, no one paid attention to newcomers like Eric Bennett and the other little novices. Each sat on a bench, waiting for the duty monks to bring in the food boxes.

“Little junior brother, sit here.” Eric Bennett, carrying a big secret and in a strange place, was lucky to have the silly and dazed Ethan for company. With the mindset of an adult, he took good care of Ethan, which also helped ease his own unease.

Ethan’s expression was always very serious, showing no sign of shyness. He sat across from Eric Bennett with composure, his gaze fixed on the nearby food boxes.

“Could this kid have been starved silly before?” Eric Bennett muttered quietly, suspecting that Ethan might be lacking in intelligence, otherwise he wouldn’t be so wooden.

The duty monks finally arrived at Eric Bennett’s table carrying the food boxes. When the lids were opened, a delicious aroma wafted out, making its way straight to the heart.

“Smells amazing!” Eric Bennett couldn’t help but exclaim, wondering to himself, “Is Shaolin’s ‘chef’ really that good, or am I just too hungry?”

The chores monk bent down and took the dishes out of the food box one by one, placing them on the table. Eric Bennett looked closely and was instantly stunned—this, this seemed to be meat?

In the plain sea bowl at the center, those plump, oily chunks had to be meat, right?

But this is a monastery!

Not quite believing it, Eric Bennett picked up his chopsticks, intending to try a piece. But in a flash, chopsticks shot out from all directions, and the suspected meat in the bowl was reduced by a whole layer. The chores monks at this table were all experts at grabbing food.

Watching Ethan biting into the meat, his mouth covered in oil, Eric Bennett became even more certain of his guess. While marveling at their speed, he grabbed a piece and stuffed it into his own mouth.

Rich but not greasy, it melted in his mouth, the texture was superb—truly a delicacy!

But damn it, it really is meat!

Eric Bennett felt that only a curse could express his feelings right now—partly to cheer for his taste buds, partly to vent his disbelief.

“Hey, little junior brother.” Eric Bennett called to Ethan in a low voice.

Ethan’s chopsticks moved like lightning, his mouth never stopping, his delicate face full of concentration: “Hmm?”

“This is meat!” Eric Bennett felt obliged to remind his little junior brother not to fall into a trap and break the precepts.

Ethan nodded earnestly, mumbling, “It’s meat.”

I wasn’t asking you… Eric Bennett felt that communicating with Ethan was a bit difficult.

At this moment, someone nearby said coldly, “‘Before enlightenment,’ only pungent foods are forbidden.”

“Isn’t ‘pungent’ just meat?” Eric Bennett reflexively asked, only then realizing that his “roommate” Henry was sitting beside him.

Henry didn’t stop eating, and said with a hint of mockery, “Looks like you’re a young master from a noble family, yet you don’t even know what ‘pungent’ means?”