Ning An's Wild Wish System

”Brother Sect Leader, why is the police phone number 110?”

”Why is the fire department’s number 119? And the ambulance number 120?”

Over at Changchun Temple, the little science class is online again.

Ning An took a sip of tea and said with a smile, ”Does anyone have a Lu Ban ruler at home? Post a photo.”

To be honest, the netizens are quite resourceful.

Aside from finding a girlfriend, they can get hold of any quirky picture.

Very quickly, dazzling photos of Lu Ban rulers appeared in the livestream.

Ning An casually clicked on one image and, pointing to the ruler, said softly, ”Look, on the Lu Ban ruler, 110 centimeters corresponds to ’official’, 119 centimeters to ’fire’, and 120 centimeters to ’sickness’.”

”What do you think, is this a coincidence or intentional?”

Upon hearing this, the viewers in the livestream were in an uproar.

”Wow! The country tells us not to be superstitious, but didn’t say we can’t believe. So that’s how it is!”

”Mother Yang tells us not to be superstitious and then turns around and sends Mazu an ID card, hahaha.”

”I get it; even though we don’t publish Cultivation Secret Techniques, Lu Yu has already released a Cultivation Realm, I have realized!”

”Actually, the launch date of Chang’e 6 also had its significance. The launch was on May 3rd, which according to the lunar calendar was a good day for travel, and the date it reached the moon to collect samples, June 2nd, was also a good day for travel and construction.”

”...”

Watching everyone chat enthusiastically, Ning An was also intrigued and continued smiling:

”Have you noticed that in many big hospitals, there are either Bagua diagrams on the floor or chess boards? Do you know why?”

The viewers in the livestream were taken aback. They’ve seen these things but didn’t know what they were for.

”Take the chess board, for example. In hospitals with such boards, it’s usually black 13, white 12. Impermanence plays black, doctors play white, and the next move is a white piece.”

”As long as it’s placed in the upper right corner, the entire game comes to life, and in this lifetime, it’s called in the chess patterns the ’Miracle Recovery’, winning from death’s half-son!”

”It implies a victory over the Grim Reaper!”

As Ning An dragged out his words, intending to show off, he broke character upon seeing the comments in the chat.

”I get it! Brother Sect Leader’s point is clear, black 13 white 12, if doctors play white, it means when you go to the hospital, not a single piece can be missing!”

”I don’t know about this chess board, I just think that Bagua diagram is more like the hospital fearing the patients might die and come back as vengeful ghosts, so they put such a thing there for that reason.”

”Hey, hey, hey, even though Brother Sect Leader’s reasoning makes sense, I think your explanation is even more convincing!”

”Where are you all from? Do all hospitals have this? Why is it that when I visit our local hospital, there’s a ’Prosperity Welcomes’ sign at the door?”

”...”

Looking at these comments, Ning An, though slightly defensive about his displayed knowledge being scrutinized, was also deeply moved.

If it weren’t for hospitals today being more about seeking profit rather than curing the sick, how would people mock like this?

Though Ning An thought this, he refrained from sharing his opinion and continued providing information:

”You might think ancient Taoist metaphysics is useless now, but on the contrary, many things you are familiar with have traces of metaphysics.”

”Take hospitals as an example—why are surgery rooms always on the third floor? Because it’s believed that ’three creates all things, life goes on and on’.”

”Emergency doctors wear green because green represents wood, which signifies growth and smoothness, offers hope for life.”

”Outpatient doctors wear white coats because white is metal, which radiates and doesn’t absorb disease energy, but rather ends it.”

”Some hospital clocks run a few minutes slow, symbolizing the extra time that could save critically ill patients.”

”Most hospitals don’t have a fourth floor; they usually label it as 3A or 3B, and rooms don’t have number 4, aiming to eliminate bad omens.”

”And frequently, people joke that night-shift nurses hate dragon fruits the most. That’s because red dragon fruits are considered fiery. Think about it, who naturally wants a hospital to be booming?”

Smacking his lips, Ning An paused appropriately, hitting just the right note.

Many things are seen superficially by ordinary people, often following along with others without knowing why or not bothering to question it.

Whether it’s superstition or metaphysics, they dismiss it all with a single stroke.

Perhaps they were born in the wrong era; during the time when even Confucius’ teachings were dismissed, they might have had more room to shine.

Just as Ning An was pondering this thought, a voice called out from outside the temple.

”Is anyone there?”

Hearing this, Ning An was slightly stunned.

After all, it was already getting late; it’s rare for someone to visit to make a wish at this hour.

With a creaky sound, a middle-aged female professional in a business suit appeared in Ning An’s sight.

”Is this Ning An the Little Daoist? I’m here to make a wish.”

Looking at Ning An, whose attractiveness was just as it was on the phone screen, Hua Jiaojiao couldn’t help but admire him.

So handsome!

”Alright, this way, layperson please.”

Ning An stood up and nodded, leading her towards the Wishing Hall.

As usual, before making a wish, Ning An gave a few reminders.

”First, offer incense at the incense burner, then go inside the hall and make your wish to the Patriarch.”

”Though there are no specific rules, the Little Daoist suggests that when making a wish, one should do what they can afford. If it is meant to be yours, it will be; if not, don’t force it.”

Hua Jiaojiao nodded and said with a smile, ”Understood, my wish is simple, Little Daoist, don’t worry.”