“Yeah, there’s one here that’s been worshipped since the Tang Dynasty. It’s known to be quite miraculous, granting blessings for marriages, careers, or whatever you wish for. Since you two are a couple, it might be nice to pay a visit. But if you don’t believe in it, just ignore what I said, hahaha!”
Ruan Jiujiu had never been one to believe in spirits or deities. She considered herself an atheist. Yet, she had experienced the absurdity of crossing into another world, making it impossible for her to completely dismiss the idea that there might be something more to this world than met the eye.
It was truly amazing to think that just a year ago, she was living alone in a small city, believing she would forever be alone in this world. And now…
Her hand was still held by Cheng Jun. Their fingertips touched, entwining together. Cheng Jun held her hand tightly, showing no intention of letting go.
“Perfect, we’ve arrived at the temple. Let’s go take a look,” Ruan Jiujiu suggested.
Everything that had happened today was so extraordinary that Ruan Jiujiu just wanted to pray for herself and Cheng Jun, hoping for smoother days ahead and that Cheng Jun would be spared from any misfortunes.
Cheng Jun, holding a paper bag of snacks in one hand and Ruan Jiujiu’s hand in the other, turned to look at her upon hearing her words.
His usually drooping eyelids were fixed on Ruan Jiujiu, leaving her a little bewildered. Just as she was about to ask, Cheng Jun said, “Never mind.”
Ruan Jiujiu pleaded, “We’re passing by, let’s just go in. I haven’t been to a temple in a long time. Will you accompany me, please?”
Cheng Jun remained silent for a few seconds but eventually couldn’t refuse her.
“Okay.”
On the way, Cheng Jun not only refrained from eating the snacks, but he also remained silent. Although it wasn’t unusual for them to walk in silence, Ruan Jiujiu couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward this time.
The reason for her discomfort came from Cheng Jun’s unusual atmosphere. He exuded a low-pressure aura, making the air feel heavy and stifling.
Ruan Jiujiu turned her face towards him. Cheng Jun had a handsome side profile, with a sharp jawline, a delicate and straight nose, and when he pressed his lips together, they formed a straight line, giving him an unapproachable demeanor.
“What’s wrong?” Ruan Jiujiu asked. “Don’t you like temples?”
Cheng Jun replied, “It’s not that.”
“Then why do you look so unhappy? Hungry?”
Ruan Jiujiu could only think of food-related reasons.
“Probably,” Cheng Jun replied.
Ruan Jiujiu breathed a sigh of relief. “I knew it! After we’re done at the temple, let’s find a restaurant to have a big meal. I remember there’s a good Hangzhou-style restaurant nearby.”
Cheng Jun made a noncommittal sound and appeared indifferent to the prospect of good food.
Ruan Jiujiu’s attention had already shifted.
They walked through a small path in the woods, and at the end of the stone-brick path stood a temple.
The temple was in a secluded location, surrounded by silence. Occasionally, worshippers walked around, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
The temple wasn’t large and seemed to have some age to it, with its walls showing signs of weathering and peeling paint, giving it a somewhat dilapidated appearance. However, the steps in front of the temple were spotlessly clean and dust-free.
Ruan Jiujiu unconsciously lowered her voice. “Let’s go inside.”
Ruan Jiujiu took a step forward but was stopped by Cheng Jun, who grabbed her arm.
“Let’s forget about it,” he said.
“What?” Ruan Jiujiu couldn’t understand what Cheng Jun was thinking.
She said with a puzzled expression, “Fine, if you really don’t like temples, I’ll go inside to pray. You can stay here.”
“In that case, I’ll go in too,” Cheng Jun said.
Ruan Jiujiu: “…”
Wasn’t he just playing with her feelings?
Cheng Jun’s thoughts were inscrutable to Ruan Jiujiu.
Seeing him unwilling to speak, Ruan Jiujiu didn’t have the means to pry his mouth open. So, she had no choice but to take Cheng Jun inside the temple.
Even temples have embraced modernity these days. Ruan Jiujiu had been concerned that she might not have change for offerings, but a handsome young monk quickly produced a QR code for payment and said, “You can scan this.”
Ruan Jiujiu, feeling both amused and exasperated, scanned the QR code to make her payment.
Throughout the process, Cheng Jun held onto Ruan Jiujiu’s wrist as if he were afraid she might run away.
The young monk watched them with a faint smile, making Ruan Jiujiu feel a bit embarrassed.
“Let go of my hand; this doesn’t look right,” she said.
Cheng Jun hesitated briefly, then released her hand. However, just as they crossed the threshold, he tugged on Ruan Jiujiu’s sleeve.
Puzzled, Ruan Jiujiu looked at him. Cheng Jun had a neutral expression and spoke in his usual calm tone, “It’s nothing.”
…It didn’t seem like there was nothing at all.
It wasn’t a convenient time for conversation, so Ruan Jiujiu suppressed her confusion.
She offered incense and knelt before the altar. This was the most devout moment she had experienced in her life.
Ruan Jiujiu placed her hands together, closed her eyes, and silently recited her wishes.
She thought Cheng Jun would pray alongside her, but to her surprise, he kept his gaze fixed on her, his nerves seemingly on edge as he stood close by.
Ruan Jiujiu admitted she was quite greedy with her wishes. She hoped for Cheng Jun’s safety, wished for their friends, such as Tu Nan, to find love and enter happy marriages, wished for her father to live a long and healthy life, and hoped for Gu You and his late wife to find happiness in the afterlife. She had made many wishes but had forgotten to include herself.
When Ruan Jiujiu slowly opened her eyes, she was met with a pair of pitch-black eyes – Cheng Jun’s.
Ruan Jiujiu was startled. “Why are you so close to me?”
“I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
Cheng Jun asked, “Can the offerings be eaten?”
Ruan Jiujiu: “Of course not!”
She quickly pulled Cheng Jun out of the temple, and they hurriedly left, drawing the attention of the few worshippers. Ruan Jiujiu told Cheng Jun to put on his sunglasses; it was better to be cautious when out and about.
“You still haven’t explained why you acted so strangely just now,” she said.
Ruan Jiujiu looked utterly perplexed. “What are you thinking, anyway?”
Before Cheng Jun could respond, a figure slowly approached them. He appeared quite old, exuding an air of wisdom and spirituality. The elderly gentleman smiled at them.
“Miss, would you like to have your fortune told today? I sense something intriguing about you.”
Ruan Jiujiu waved her hand dismissively. “No fortune-telling, thank you.”
If her fortune were to be truly told, this fortune-teller would probably run away in fear.
“Miss, there are faint dark clouds hovering over your brow, have you not been sleeping well lately? It seems like something unusual is clinging to you. You need to ward off evil spirits. I have some protective talismans here, and you…”
The fortune-teller was speaking while retrieving a talisman from his pocket when Cheng Jun’s reaction was quicker than Ruan Jiujiu’s. He reached over Ruan Jiujiu and grabbed the fortune-teller’s arm.
With his back turned to Ruan Jiujiu, she couldn’t see Cheng Jun’s expression. He stood rigidly, took off his sunglasses, and held the fortune-teller’s hand, unmoving, even his tone was deliberately slow. “She doesn’t want it, so you can take it back.”
Ruan Jiujiu couldn’t help but be surprised.
Cheng Jun was actually angry?
All because of a fortune-teller trying to scam them?
She clearly saw the fortune-teller force an awkward smile, revealing shiny golden teeth, and the creases on his face could have trapped a fly.
Facing Cheng Jun, the fortune-teller seemed a bit jittery and instinctively put the talisman back into his pocket.
“Alright, alright… I’m sorry, I won’t bother you!”
After apologizing, the fortune-teller promptly fled, displaying surprising agility that didn’t match his elderly appearance.
Ruan Jiujiu stood behind Cheng Jun, thoroughly confused.
“Hey, did you take the wrong medicine today? Why are you so unhappy and acting all fierce…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Cheng Jun turned around and hugged her.
His arm wrapped around her back, making her press close to his chest.
With her cheek against Cheng Jun’s clothes, Ruan Jiujiu’s heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks blushed.
“What’s wrong with you, anyway?”
Her vigor quickly softened.
Cheng Jun’s face was buried in her shoulder.
For a long time, he spoke in a muffled voice, “Don’t leave.”
“I definitely won’t leave. When did I say I was going to leave?”
Ruan Jiujiu found it amusing.
How did Cheng Jun deduce that she was going to leave just because she came to pray to the gods today?
Ruan Jiujiu was puzzled but still patted his back gently to comfort him.
Cheng Jun held her for a long time, and Ruan Jiujiu could almost feel the accusing glances of the elderly people who had come to light incense.
Although they weren’t inside the temple, it still seemed inappropriate in the temple courtyard.
Feeling embarrassed, Ruan Jiujiu gestured to Cheng Jun to release his arm so they could leave this place quickly.
Cheng Jun was reluctant and only let go after a while.
The two of them gazed at each other, creating an atmosphere filled with ambiguity and tenderness.
Then…
Ruan Jiujiu witnessed a bright red lipstick mark on Cheng Jun’s light gray hoodie.
Ruan Jiujiu: “…”
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