Chapter 68
The group trudged along the winding mountain road, utterly exhausted, until finally, the faint sound of chanting and the distant toll of a bell drifted toward them.
“Up ahead is the Temple of Severed Affections.”
A local villager, invited by the production team, explained to them, “This is a privately built temple. Most of the monks here once suffered heartbreak. Disgusted with human emotions, they voluntarily founded this temple—to cut ties with the world, to sever love and affection.”
Looking ahead, they saw rows of temples and meditation halls nestled in the mountains, with green tiles and red bricks, exuding an ancient, rustic charm.
“The environment looks pretty nice,” Xu Shuangrong said happily, turning to Liu Woxing with a smile. “I thought it would be some kind of harsh ascetic practice, but it seems different from what we imagined.”
Liu Woxing chuckled in agreement.
[What a beautiful temple, it looks so comfortable to live here]
[The mountain environment feels like a hidden paradise]
[When they suddenly said they were going to a temple, I thought Director Niu was pulling a stunt, but it turns out he just wanted to take the guests out to relax?]
[Really? I don’t buy it]
Director Niu only smiled without saying a word.
Naïve. Too naïve.
This was the result of an entire night of research—digging through countless normal temples to finally find the one that was abnormal.
The poor guests had yet to realize the consequences of angering the director.
Ahead of them lay nothing less than hell.
The villager led them to the temple gates.
Xu Shuangrong politely stepped forward and knocked. “Excuse me, is anyone there?”
Creaaak—
The heavy stone door opened. Standing inside was a woman in monk’s robes, seemingly in her thirties, with a kindly face.
Xu Shuangrong flashed her usual warm smile, “Greetings, Master. We are the cast of the dating show coming to stay today.”
But the nun merely cast her a faint glance, eyes filled with detachment and lack of desire.
“Oh.”
The awkwardness was palpable. Xu Shuangrong’s eager smile stiffened slightly.
Xie Mi instinctively quipped: “Mm-tune.”
The nun’s sharp gaze instantly turned toward her, exuding immense pressure.
Everyone instinctively held their breath, not daring to speak.
[Omo omo, the monks here don’t seem easy to get along with. Look at Xie Mi trying to joke around—she’s doomed]
[Hahaha waiting for Xie Mi to get punished]
The nun stared expressionlessly at Xie Mi, then slowly said: “Mm-oh.”
Xie Mi: “Mm-tune.”
Nun: “Mm-tired.”
Xie Mi: “Out of key.”
[?]
[Wait… they actually kept the wordplay going!!!]
[Old Xie really brings chaos everywhere, now even the monks are infected]
[Clearly the mountain signal is strong—they’re doing a whole freestyle here]
Just as the two seemed about to finish a whole improvised rap battle, Director Niu hurriedly cut in, “Greetings, Master. May I ask how we should address you?”
The nun finally withdrew her gaze, her eyes darkening as she looked at him.
“My dharma name is ‘Man-Slayer.’ Call me Master Man-Slayer.”
Qiu Chengye perked up confidently. “Oh, I know that one! Don’t girls wear ‘man-slayer makeup’ and lipstick shades called ‘man-slayer red’? It means irresistible to men, right?”
The next second, a broomstick swept across his neck. Master Man-Slayer’s gaze turned glacial.
“It means killing men. Literally.”
Qiu Chengye’s legs went weak, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Brother Kitty’s name wasn’t for nothing.
The villager whispered an explanation, “Master Man-Slayer’s first boyfriend cheated on her. Her second boyfriend came out as gay. The third was already married. The fourth fled from the wedding. Since then, she’s hated men with all her heart. That’s why she took this name.”
Qiu Chengye ground his teeth. “Next time, can’t you say this earlier?!”
[Redefining ‘man-slayer’ right here]
[Her love life was so tragic—betrayed by men again and again, yet she didn’t kill any, just named herself Man-Slayer. She’s practically merciful]
[Wait… is this temple real? This can’t just be a script, right? Hahaha]
[Our Brother Qiu Chenye is as cowardly as ever today]
Director Niu nodded in satisfaction.
So the rumors were true—this temple really was full of ruthless people.
“Follow me.”
Master Man-Slayer led the way with a blank expression, “Since you’ll be staying for three days, you must strictly abide by our rules. Violate them, and bear the consequences yourself.”
“Wh—what are the… rules?” Xiao Jingxi asked.
After a night’s rest, his mouth bandages were removed, though his tongue was still numb, making his words slurred.
His roommate Yu Jinzhe kindly translated: “He asked what the rules are.”
“Rule number one: Sever affections!”
Master Man-Slayer’s sharp gaze swept over them, “The distance between men and women must not be less than five meters. No eye contact. No physical touch. No conversation exceeding three sentences!”
Qiu Chengye laughed. “Ridiculous! We’re filming a dating show, and you forbid male and female guests from interacting? Are you kidding me?”
As a playboy, spending all day with only men was basically a death sentence.
Master Man-Slayer’s eyes turned colder, “I don’t care what show you’re filming. In our temple, you obey our rules. Otherwise—face the consequences.”
Qiu Chengye scoffed. “Consequences, consequences—I’d like to see what you can do to me.”
He reached out to grab Liu Woxing’s hand.
Inside, Liu Woxing cursed a thousand times, but for the sake of her image, she forced a polite smile.
Just as his hand was about to touch her—
“Swift Rabbit Strike!”
A nimble male monk suddenly appeared, kicking Qiu Chengye flying. Then, flipping him over on the ground, he joined his index and middle fingers and—
“Thousand Years of Death!!”
Everyone’s bodies stiffened in shock.
“AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!”
Qiu Chengye’s scream echoed through the entire valley.
[Holy crap Brother Qiu’s poor chrysanthemum!!!]
[Bro, maybe rephrase that??]
[Ahhhh my own backside clenched watching that]
[The pain… too much pain]
The experienced cameramen instantly tilted the camera upward at the first sign of danger, avoiding the risk of the livestream being banned.
Director Niu and the male staff all clutched their own behinds as they retreated—yet with gratified smiles.
Yes! Coming to the Temple of Severed Affections was the right move!
Ding—
“The Abstinence Test officially begins.”
The livestream rang with narration only the audience could hear:
“For three days and two nights, the male and female guests will live in the Temple of Severed Affections. During this time, all interaction between male and female guests is strictly forbidden.”
“Will they show withdrawal symptoms—become restless, irritable, emotionally unstable?”
“Stay tuned.”
[Ohohoho so this was Director Niu’s plan all along]
[What do we do, I’m excited too. They’re always together—separating them on purpose might spark new emotions!]
[Distance makes the heart grow fonder—Director Niu, I admit you’re a genius]
