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Thump—
The reverberation of the temple bell echoed through the main hall.
Chi Yueshan knelt quietly on the prayer mat, her hands clasped together as she gazed at the statues of gods and buddhas.
After a long silence, she prostrated herself and bowed deeply.
She had no religious faith, but she couldn't help but wonder, what if it actually worked?
Chi Yueshan silently chanted her wishes in her heart.
'First, I wish for my lord to live a thousand years.'
(TL: First, I wish for my lord to live a thousand years (一愿郎君千岁): This is a line from a famous Tang Dynasty poem by Feng Yansi. It’s part of a three-part wish for a long-lasting marriage and eternal love.)
Second, I wish for my own body to always remain healthy.
Third, I wish to be like the swallows on the beam, seeing each other every year.
(TL: Swallows on the beam (梁上燕): Another poetic reference to a couple living together in harmony, like swallows nesting in the eaves of a house.)
After finishing the chant, she suddenly found it funny.
The monks here don't even get married; could she really pray for a good match in a place like this?
And so, Chi Yueshan clasped her hands together again.
"This doesn't count, this doesn't count. Let me start over."
Originally, Chi Yueshan had wanted Lu Xing to come with her.
Unfortunately, when Lu Xing heard there was no God of Wealth temple on the mountain, he was too lazy to move a muscle. He had even boldly declared that the only god he would worship in this life was the God of Wealth.
'Fine.'
After thinking it over, Chi Yueshan realized she really only had one wish.
She took a red prayer ribbon, wrote her wish upon it, and walked toward the massive tree covered in people's beautiful expectations for the future.
As the gentle breeze blew, the red ribbons fluttered like dancing flames.
Chi Yueshan looked down at the ribbon in her hand. On it was written only a single line:
[I hope Lu Xing's exams go well and that he is forever happy]
As she tied the ribbon to the tree and turned to leave, she spotted a girl standing nearby with a blank expression.
The girl also held a prayer ribbon in her hand.
She was so striking that Chi Yueshan couldn't help but steal a few extra glances.
The girl looked over. Though she didn't speak, her eyes were filled with a quiet confusion.
Chi Yueshan immediately offered an awkward explanation. "Little sister, I'm not a bad person. I just thought you were very pretty and couldn't help but look."
Wei Qingyu nodded lightly. "It's okay."
Phew—
Chi Yueshan let out a sigh of relief.
She didn't want to be mistaken for some weird adult by such a beautiful young girl!
"Did you come here by yourself?"
Wei Qingyu held her prayer ribbon, walked toward the tree, and gave a slow nod.
Chi Yueshan had never met such a taciturn child before.
Normally, she wouldn't bother talking to someone so unresponsive, but the girl’s beauty was more than enough to make up for her lack of words.
Under the fluttering red ribbons, the dark-haired girl silently tied her own wish to the trunk.
As a worker in the literary and arts field, Chi Yueshan had a natural love for all things aesthetic.
In other words, Chi Yueshan was a total "face-con."
The scene before her was incredibly beautiful.
A moment later, Wei Qingyu finished. Her ribbon fluttered in the wind, displaying her simple wish:
[May everything go smoothly]
Suddenly, Wei Qingyu’s strength seemed to fail her. Her face turned pale as she fumbled to sit on a nearby stone bench.
"Low blood sugar? Here, have something to eat."
A bar of chocolate was held out to her.
Wei Qingyu looked up weakly and saw the strange older sister from before.
Even though this sister was very beautiful...
Wei Qingyu truly couldn't understand why she was wearing such an ill-fitting, oversized T-shirt and men's shorts.
Her brain was protesting the fashion choice, but she didn't have the energy to dwell on it. She took the chocolate.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing."
Chi Yueshan sat down on the bench beside her, squinting at the endless stream of people coming to the tree to make their wishes.
After a moment, the girl spoke again.
"Thank you. How much was the chocolate? I'll transfer the money to you."
Chi Yueshan turned her head, stared at the girl's exquisite face, and said with a grin.
"You're good-looking. It’s on the house."
"Little sister, what's your name?"
"Wei Qingyu."
What a unique name, Chi Yueshan thought.
She moved a bit closer to Wei Qingyu and said with a smile.
"Little Yu, you shouldn't just take food from strangers next time."
'Too close.'
Wei Qingyu subconsciously leaned back.
Chi Yueshan didn't mind; instead, she reached out and patted the girl's head.
"Alright, big sister has to go. Goodbye."
Having successfully teased the little sister, Chi Yueshan was in a great mood as she happily headed down the mountain.
Watching her go, Wei Qingyu remained calm and silent.
She had seen Chi Yueshan’s name on the internet before, which was the only reason she had dared to eat the food provided.
The power struggles of a massive family were exhausting.
She had to manage company affairs, deal with Wei Wenhai, and handle Wei Wei.
She was so tired.
Wei Qingyu lowered her head, looking like a fragile pile of bones that could be crushed at any moment.
Back when Lu Xing was still with her, he had mentioned where his hometown was. He thought she wasn't listening, but she had remembered every word.
In the midst of the endless fighting, she had thought of what he said.
And so, without telling anyone, she had come here.
Wei Qingyu had no real hope of actually seeing Lu Xing...
Well.
Maybe just a little bit of hope.
Unfortunately, it hadn't come true.
"Miss."
Two bodyguards in plain clothes appeared before her.
"Let's go."
Wei Qingyu stood up silently and took one last look at the tree carrying countless wishes.
This was her stolen time.
Thankfully, it was almost over.
Will you wait for me a little longer?
...
"What are you doing here?"
At the foot of the mountain, Chi Yueshan looked at Lu Xing with surprise.
Didn't he say he wasn't coming?
What, do you have a secret crush on your big sister?
Lu Xing said lazily, "Stop talking nonsense. The forecast says it's going to rain. Grandma asked me to pick you up because she was afraid you'd be washed away."
Chi Yueshan asked a soul-searching question. "You don't even have a driver's license, do you?"
"Who said I came by car?" Lu Xing patted a large, red electric three-wheeler beside him. "Charged by the second."
Chi Yueshan: ...
Good, good, good.
She had never ridden such a cheap and ridiculous means of transportation in her life.
Swish.
A Rolls-Royce sped past the three-wheeler. Lu Xing cursed the driver for not following the traffic rules.
Chi Yueshan suddenly wanted to laugh, and she did—loudly.
"What are you laughing at?"
Lu Xing thought she was losing her mind again.
How could Chi Yueshan tell him she was laughing because when he cursed, he looked exactly like an overprotective brother?
Instead, she said:
"I'm laughing because when I was making a wish, I met a little girl with low blood sugar."
"Could I just stand by and do nothing?"
"So I immediately 'drew my sword' and helped her out. I gave her some chocolate, and she praised me for being a pretty sister."
"Do you understand the value of being called 'pretty sister' by a little beauty?"
For a woman, being praised by another beautiful woman is an honor you can savor for a long time.
It's like a man being told "You're amazing" by another man.
It's a special kind of validation among peers.
Lu Xing understood and replied sarcastically, "You sound like a weird older sister."
"How am I a weird older sister? That little girl really liked me! She even told me her name." Chi Yueshan immediately retorted, trying to prove her popularity. "It's a particularly, particularly cute name—Wei Qingyu."
Clang!
The three-wheeler jolted violently. Chi Yueshan gasped and gripped the handrail.
"You have to look at the road when you're driving, brother!"
Lu Xing snapped back to his senses and said with feigned disdain, "You should be secretly happy I'm even giving you a ride."
'Wei Qingyu...'
Why would Wei Qingyu be here?
Was it just a common name, or was it really her?
Lu Xing didn't know.
But if it was her... what was she doing here?
...
...