Chapter 14

"Beep Beep Lu" — Robin's phone rang.

Robin glanced at the caller ID.

Robin: "Haha, speak of the devil, it's the recruitment office. I have to answer it, don't interrupt me." — happily

Kent: "Got it, I won't say a word, go ahead."

Robin: "Hello? ... Yeah, it's me, Robin ... Oh ... What? Failed the political review? Are you sure? I don't have any tattoos or gang affiliations, and I've never been involved in any criminal activities like hooliganism, prostitution, gambling, drug use, theft, robbery, or fraud. Could you please review it again carefully? ... Yes, I support the government's policies, adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles, love my country, love the people, and love the people's army. I have a progressive mindset, a clear history, a proper conduct, and a good moral character. I abide by laws and regulations, and my current behavior is excellent. I am determined to dedicate myself to protecting the country and the people's peaceful labor. ... There are no members of any banned organizations like the Tibetan independence movement, Xinjiang independence movement, Cantonese independence movement, Shanghai independence movement, Manchukuo, or the Qing Dynasty restoration in my deceased family members. They supported the government's policies, had a clear history, and no major issues. ... I have never been disciplined at school. ... Participated in religious organizations and activities? You must be mistaken; I have no religious beliefs. ... What? You have video evidence? ... Wait, let me explain. ... Hello? Hello? Hello? Damn, they hung up." — stunned

Kent: "I didn't expect you to have religious beliefs, and you were caught spreading the gospel?"

Robin: "Spreading the gospel? What a joke. God is so dark, he makes volunteers do all the work. Could I even do that?"

Kent: "Then what did you do?"

Robin: "Last summer, I worked at a temple ... but I was a fake monk! I just pretended to be a monk during rituals, walked around, hummed a few lines, and helped with the atmosphere. I earned my money honestly. I didn't use the Buddha's name to deceive people. How could I fail the political review?" — confused

I (narrator): "Who told you to have a queue, no, a big bald head, and get recorded? They had to catch you."

@

Kent: "I wondered why you shaved your head last summer. When I asked, you didn't say why. I thought you just messed up while cutting your own hair to save money."

Robin: "I didn't expect that even the path to military service would be blocked. Why am I so unlucky? What did I do to deserve this punishment? ... Could this be the Buddha's will, showing me that pursuing my dreams isn't the way to atone for my sins, and that I should become a monk, leave the secular world, and cleanse my sins?" — dazed

Kent: "Don't jump to conclusions ... " — very anxious

Robin: "You don't know, I have committed great sins. This could really be the Buddha's message. When I was a child ... " — with a sob

Kent: "Did you step on ants or lift girls' skirts when you were a kid? Don't be ridiculous. How can you be sure this is the Buddha's will? Could it be a coincidence? Could it be a test from God?" — trying to dissuade Robin from becoming a monk, speaking incoherently

Robin: "What the hell, a test from God? Are you wishing me bad luck?" — startled, his previous dejection gone

I (narrator): "What are you so afraid of?"

@

Kent: "What do you mean?" — confused

Robin: "What do you mean? Don't you know how twisted God's tests can be?" — tense

Kent: "I don't know, how twisted?"

Robin: "According to the Bible, there was a guy named Job who was chosen by God. God wanted to test Job's loyalty, so he sent Satan to bring all kinds of disasters upon him. Despite following God's teachings and not committing any sins, Job lost all his family and possessions. That wasn't enough; then he was afflicted with a severe skin disease, his body was covered in sores, and he almost died. If my misfortunes are really a test from God, I've only completed the first step. Next, I'll get sick, and the symptoms sound like AIDS. How can I not be afraid?" — terrified

Kent: "That's twisted. As the saying goes, even the emperor's sword doesn't cut the innocent. God had Satan do these heinous deeds just to test someone's loyalty? What a God, what a sole deity, I spit!" — feeling indignant

I (narrator): "Hahaha, are you thinking of your own experiences?"

@

Kent: "What did that Job do after these twisted tests? Did he destroy the church? Expose God's ugly face to the ignorant masses? Or did he convert to Islam?"

Robin: "According to the Bible, he boldly questioned God and confronted him."

Kent: "Good for him, what happened next?"

Robin: "Next? God didn't answer directly but explained poetically. Job humbly acknowledged God's wisdom and power, deeply regretted his harsh words to God, and continued to firmly believe in God."

Kent: "What a fool! (interrupting angrily) He was fooled by a few sweet words, just like those fools who were wrongfully purged and executed by the organization, shouting 'Long live the organization' before they died. They were sold and helped count the money. ... Wait, didn't you say you never worked in a church? How do you know all this?" — sensing something was off

Robin: "Sigh, don't mention it. I was a rookie back then. After working for God, I found out it was volunteer work, and I wasn't paid." — deeply regretful

I (narrator): "So you turned to the Buddha? ... Yes, the Buddha said that monks chanting sutras for deliverance should be paid. (See Journey to the West)"

@

Kent: "You seem to have recovered and can think clearly now. I'll tell you, no one is always down on their luck. Try your luck at this casting call. Who knows, you might get in."

Robin: "What for? Even if it's a real casting call, I'm not from the arts department, I don't know how to act, and I'm not familiar with recording or photography equipment. Even if I get in, I'll just be a gofer, an extra, or a stunt double, far from my dreams."

Kent: "That's not certain. Maybe the director will see your unique potential and give you the task of saving the Earth."

Robin: "Don't joke with me. With so many actors, the director won't notice me. I shouldn't have any illusions."

Kent: "After all this talk, are you going or not?" — angry

Robin: "I'll go. I don't have any other interviews right now, so I'll treat this as a way to pass the time. If it turns out to be a scam, I'll report it to the police to prevent more people from being deceived. After all, my dream is to be a superhero who fights evil."

I (narrator): "Superhero? You can become one just by going to an interview."

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