When Charlie inquired whether Stephen Thompson had visited the temple, Stephen was taken aback.


    He was uncertain about Charlie’s intention behind the question—did he know where Stephen had been, or was he aware of the person Stephen was meeting?<fne4bc> For more chapters visit Find~Novel</fne4bc>


    But Stephen was quick-witted. Instead of concealing his surprise, he responded with genuine astonishment, “Master, how did you know?” Charlie nonchntly replied, “You smell like incense.”


    In that moment, realization dawned on Stephen, and a sense of relief washed over him.


    Though he felt relieved, he masked it with a smile and said, “I visited Yonghe Temple this afternoon. I had some free time, so I decided to pay my respects.”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Charlie nodded, his mind free of any doubts.


    Within the Wade family, Stephen Thompson held the highest status among all its members. As the housekeeper, he enjoyed a considerable degree of freedom, so it wasn’t unusual for him to take time to offer incense and worship.


    Charlie didn’t delve deeply into Stephen’s reasons for visiting the temple. After all, for many Chinese, visiting temples is as routine as church attendance is for Europeans and Americans.


    Thus, Charlie smoothly shifted the conversation to another topic.


    Meanwhile, Lin Wan’er shot a few curious nces at Stephen Thompson.


    Although she didn’t pick up on anything overtly unusual, she couldn’t help but feel that Stephen’s demeanor and appearance were more aligned with that of a staunch atheist, making his temple visit seem somewhat out of character.


    Furthermore, based on her understanding of Buddhism, she knew that while many who follow Tantric Tibetan Buddhism are devout, they often have a strong utilitarian approach, primarily seeking wealth and power. This utilitarianism is amon trait among many celebrities who believe in Tibetan Buddhism.


    In Lin Wan’er’s eyes, Stephen didn’t fit the mold of someone driven by such utilitarian motives, which struck her as odd.


    However, Lin Wan’er was just a regr person, not a deity, so while she found it strange, she couldn’t draw any deeper conclusions from just a fewments.


    At that moment, Lord Wade turned to Charlie and asked, “Charlie, how long do you n to stay in Eastcliff this time?”


    Charlie replied honestly, “I haven’t made up my mind yet. The earliest I might leave is tomorrow afternoon. I want to visit Lingshan in the morning to pay homage to my parents.”


    Lord Wade expressed surprise, saying, “So soon? It’s rare for you to be here; why not stay a few more days?”


    Charlie waved his hand dismissively, “That’s not really an option. To be frank, my main purpose for being here is to see if I can find any insights or guidance from my parents’ belongings. I n to take my time walking the paths they traveled in their youth and visiting the ces they loved.”


    Lord Wade nodded, a sigh escaping him, “Your parents were always mysterious, and many things were beyond my understanding. Since you’re determined to uncover the truth, your grandfather supports you.” He then added, “Your parents’ room and study have remained untouched for the past twenty years. I’ve kept everything just as it was. Stephen has always been in charge of their upkeep. After dinner, you can go in and have a look. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Stephen.”


    …


    At this moment, at Yonghe Pce.


    This well-known temple was now closed to all visitors.


    Lydia (Ava), Charlie’s mother, stood in the courtyard, inhaling the rich scent of incense wafting through the temple, gazing at the bright moon overhead, her heart filled with mixed emotions.


    All she could think about was her son, Charlie, whom she hadn’t seen in two decades.


    At this very moment, the distance between Yonghe Temple and the old Wade family residence was only one or two kilometers, a mere ten-minute drive from the temple to the doorstep of the Wade family home.