Are You Addicted? (Volume 3). The Post-Honeymoon Phase.(18+)

Episode 54

They say religion can draw you close into God's protecting embrace, or push you away from him. The farthest, the better. Finding yourself committing endless sins just for the sake of it. It all depends on how the significant people in your childhood presented it to you. If they forced a certain belief down your throat and used it in order to advance their evil goals and ruin your life with it. Then, you lose all chance to ever believe, let alone keep the faith. Your heart and soul hurting for years, and your mind screwed up for life.

That's how Liu viewed anything spiritual. So, it was understandable to the group, why he was not thrilled to hit the next tourist site on the list.

There it stood. Under the clear blue sky, bathing in profusion of lively watered green. Planting its concrete roots in the depth of the sea underneath, escorted by a vast steady bridge. Ringing its bells for all to hear and see.

The Haedong Yonggung temple.

Gu Yang dragged them there solely for the landscape. God forbid he would actually visit the site for its spiritual value and significance. "Every religion I know threw us, gays, under the bus. Thus, I will forever believe in none."

And for once, the group actually agreed with him. All but Yang Meng.

They toured around the magnificent site, taking pictures. They found a vacant corner, and sat on the grass to play a competitive game of chess. Their visit ended in a local restaurant nearby.

As the sun's glorious rays faded into the ocean, they paid the bill and ambled toward the exit. Right then, Yang Meng's stare fell on the lengthy line of people the public began to form. He walked up to the last one in line. "Excuse me, what are you all lining up for?"

"Didn't you hear? There is this association of monks, seven of them. We call them: 'The saint monks.' For five bucks, they will pray for you, bless you, and tell you your future. Usually, they visit here once a year. But now, they dropped by here out of the blue."

"Why are they called 'saints'?" Yang Meng got curious.

"Because they spent the last twenty years in holiness. Associating, thinking and doing only holly, kind and helpful deeds."

"Ahh." His amazed eyes opened wide. He grabbed a spot behind the man, and peered back at the group. "Come on, line up behind me. Only five bucks and we will find out our future. This is so much fun."

"Fun?" Gu Yang fired blunt ridicule. "Sounds like a scam to me. These bozos in line are definitely getting played. And even if not, I don't believe in this bullshit anyways."

"No, thank you." Gu Hai agreed. "There is no need for me to know my future. I am the one creating it."

Liu kept quiet. What can he say? Just the thought of anything religious made him gagged. Let alone facing a monk, a saint monk no less. He will have to hold himself back from throwing up. When it comes to a religious experience, his childhood was more than enough. Some will argue it was too much. Too much toxicity, too much evil. All in the masquerade of God.

And Yang Meng, he knew all of it. he heard the full story. He had to, back when he asked Liu to be his boyfriend. He had to listen in order to extract that desirable Yes. And he also very much wanted to. Therefore, he didn't dare ask Liu to join him in line.

"It's okay honey." Liu patted his nape. "I will wait and hear our future with you."

"You don't have to..."

"I know, but I want to. If going in there alone make your face fall to the ground. Does this trip worth anything?"

And that's why I insisted you will be my boyfriend. Liu bambino. Taking this terrifying risk with you turns out to be totally worth it.