Chapter 101: Temple Fair (2/2)

Shen Lingyao felt annoyed as soon as she heard about Huang Hao and glared fiercely at Zhao Qingfeng.

Zhao Qingfeng quickly explained, “Yaoyao, do you remember what Zhang Manman said in class?”

“It was about your first experience.”

“She mentioned a parent of a drowning child who has been searching for their benefactor in the newspapers.”

“I’m telling you, that person is Huang Hao. He was the rescuer.”

Shen Lingyao’s brow furrowed instantly.

Really?

Huang Hao was known as a troublemaker, always borrowing money at the school gates, with a bad reputation.

Him?

Could he save someone?

Zhao Qingfeng nodded, “Yes, I was surprised too. Initially, I planned to use him as a pawn, but as you know, saving a life is more meritorious than creating a seven-tier pagoda. Maybe his bad deeds and good deeds could cancel each other out.”

Shen Lingyao fell silent.

A prodigal who returns is more precious than gold.

If Huang Hao could truly reform, it wouldn’t hurt to give him a chance.

Just as she was thinking,

Qingfeng’s mother suddenly shouted from the kitchen, “Little Feng, Yaoyao, it’s the first day of the month. There’s a temple fair at Bishan, why don’t you two go? The university entrance exam is coming up; pray for success.”

As the university entrance exam approached, Qingfeng’s mother grew more anxious.

Praying, to her, was a way to console the soul and calm the mind.

“Sure, sure!”

With a slight scheme in mind, Shen Lingyao dragged Zhao Qingfeng out, “Brother Qingfeng, hurry up, accompany this princess to make a special wish!”

They went downstairs, caught a tricycle, and headed straight for Bishan Temple.

Bishan Temple was located in the northern part of the county, seven or eight kilometers from the center.

Every year, several grand temple fairs were held here on fixed dates.

There were many folk activities at the fair,

such as Yangge dance, modern dance, lion dance, and traditional ethnic floral meetings, among others.

But these activities weren’t the main attraction. The most popular were touching the stone monkey and hitting the money eye.

In front of the Great Buddha Hall at Bishan Temple, under an arched stone carving, there was a stone monkey statue. The locals believed that on the day of the temple fair, deities descended to earth. Touching the stone monkey could dispel diseases and disasters, and prolong life.

Therefore, on the day of the fair, people competed to touch it.

Behind the Great Buddha Hall, there was a small bridge called Qingfeng Bridge.

Below the bridge, a large copper coin the size of a fist was hung, with a small copper bell inside the coin hole, engraved with the words “Bell Rings for Good Fortune.” It was said that hitting the bell with a coin could make wishes come true.

So, every temple fair, Qingfeng Bridge was crowded with people throwing coins after crossing, all praying for a sign of good luck.

“Brother Qingfeng, slow down, you’re squishing me, ouch, that hurts!”

The fair was crowded. Shen Lingyao followed closely behind Zhao Qingfeng, but before they could climb the steps to the temple, she was stepped on by a heavy-set woman.

The woman, weighing over 200 pounds, had a strong step. Hearing the cry, she quickly apologized, “Young lady, I’m sorry, are you okay?”

It wasn’t too painful, just a bit of a limp.

Zhao Qingfeng felt terribly sorry and wanted to scold the heavy-set woman, but she had already squeezed out of the crowd. He looked at Shen Lingyao and pretended to blame, “Look how clumsy you are, getting stepped on just walking. I knew I shouldn’t have come out with you. Here, hold my arm tightly, don’t twist your ankle completely, lest you blame me later for not taking good care of you!”

“No way!”

Shen Lingyao pouted, looking aggrieved, “Trying to take advantage of me, dream on! Kneel down, carry me up the steps, since you didn’t protect me well, I’ll wear you out!”

Huh?

Such luck!

Zhao Qingfeng secretly delighted, turned around, and bowed, “As you command, my sedan chair is ready, Your Highness, please be seated!”

Shen Lingyao blushed, lying on Zhao Qingfeng’s back, grabbing his ears, “Off we go, to the mountain. Any instability, and you’ll face the execution ground at noon!”

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