Chapter Index
    Chapter 27: Lucky Bag, For Me?

    The sky cleared after the rain, and early in the morning, sounds of people moving and laughing came from outside. Shen Yan and Xu Jing had just stepped out when they ran into Liu Xibai, who was sweeping the courtyard, right around the corner.

    His back looked excessively thin, even more so than Xu Jing’s, but unlike yesterday, Liu Xibai in the sunlight finally had a touch of humanity. He patiently piled up the fallen leaves into a small mountain, sometimes squatting, sometimes standing, finally not in that lifeless state.

    Wiping away sweat, Liu Xibai noticed the two teenagers standing not far away, so he stopped what he was doing and greeted them with his palms together.

    Not caring if there was a response, he immediately turned around and continued sweeping.

    Although the mountain was high, the road was smooth and even. The two chatted along the way, not feeling tired. At this time, there was an old man in front of them. Although he was old and his temples were white, his legs were very nimble, and he was as energetic as if he had inexhaustible strength.

    The old man stopped only when he was about to reach the top of the mountain. He was empty-handed, carrying nothing, just hunching over and resting his legs.

    When Shen Yan passed by, he handed over the bottle of mineral water in his hand.

    The old man wanted to decline, but perhaps because he was really thirsty, he took it. It was just a bottle of water, but after drinking it, he held Shen Yan’s hand and thanked him several times. In the end, he insisted on taking money out of his pocket, refusing to be refused. Seeing this, Xu Jing took two steps forward and made up a reason to pull him away.

    Afraid that the old man would catch up, the two ran breathlessly. Xu Jing bent down a little, and his pert nose was covered with a thin layer of sweat. When Shen Yan took off his jacket, he happened to see a few plump beads of sweat sliding down the loose neckline, disappearing into that fair skin, vaguely visible, like an unknowable mysterious realm.

    His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he looked away somewhat unnaturally.

    “Aren’t you good at retorting me? Why couldn’t you say anything just now?” Xu Jing said, while trying to catch his breath.

    “Because I respect the old and love the young,” Shen Yan retorted. “Are you young?”

    Xu Jing slowly straightened up, and taking advantage of Shen Yan’s inattention, suddenly raised his hand and put him in a headlock. His eyes narrowed slightly as he threatened, “Hmm? Who’s young?”

    Caught off guard, the other staggered back a couple of steps. He fumbled, grabbing Xu Jing’s wrist, trying to pull it down, but because they were in the sun, they were close to each other, their breaths intertwined, and with the scene from just now lingering in his mind, Shen Yan felt even hotter. He smiled and changed his tune, “I am, I am.”

    Xu Jing snorted lightly and slowly let go.

    The layout at the top of the mountain was completely different from that at the foot of the mountain. Here, it was as beautiful as a paradise. They found a floor plan on the ground and discovered that the real temple was at the very front. Monks were constantly going in and out, and the bustling crowd was heading that way, indicating that the incense was very prosperous.

    Outside the temple, there were also many vendors. Some had fortune-telling stalls, and the people standing nearby formed several circles. Others were selling food, with steaming hot air rising from the spicy hot pot, its fragrance traveling far and wide. Xu Jing was squeezed by the crowd and didn’t know where to go. Then, a child suddenly darted out from behind, causing him to stagger two steps. Fortunately, Shen Yan was quick to support him, preventing any serious consequences.

    However, the candied hawthorn in the child’s hand fell to the ground and was crushed by someone. The child’s eyes widened, and he was on the verge of tears, pulling at the parents who hurriedly ran up, feeling extremely aggrieved.

    Xu Jing couldn’t help but laugh, softly. In such a noisy environment, that slight upturn at the end of his tone ultimately entered someone’s ears, creating an indescribable feeling.

    “Want to go take a look?” Xu Jing pointed to the area on the side where intermittent applause was coming from.

    Shen Yan snapped back to reality and nodded.

    The sound of laughter never ceased. They walked closer and discovered that the crowd was surrounding an old gentleman who was sitting in front of a wooden table with a cattail fan in hand, with white hair and a white beard, looking very storied.

    “Master, tell us another one,” a middle-aged man in the front row excitedly cheered. “We don’t mind taking the time.”

    “Yeah, yeah, I ran all the way here just to hear you tell it in person.”

    Voices rose and fell, and their enthusiasm also piqued Xu Jing’s curiosity.

    “I’m going to the restroom.”

    The calm tone stood out. Upon hearing it, Xu Jing couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, but he still responded, “Okay.”

    The old gentleman stroked his beard, his laughter was weathered and strong, and he soon began to narrate in a slow and measured tone.

    “Legend has it that the tree behind the temple used to be a fox demon. This fox cultivated for many years and became a spirit, with snow-white fur and a bell hanging around its neck, and it could easily transform into human form. Later, somehow, the fox demon fell in love with a young master from a noble family, but unfortunately, the natural order and human ethics dictated that humans and demons cannot be together.” The old gentleman sighed and bent down to take out paper and a brush from the bag on the ground.

    A few minutes later, Xu Jing was watching intently when he suddenly noticed a touch of red in his line of sight. The candied hawthorn was exquisitely made, small and delicate, and very festive. And further down, there were two slender fingers pressing on the bottom of the bamboo stick.

    He was stunned, his mind not processing what he was seeing.

    Seeing that the other person hadn’t responded for a long time, Shen Yan lightly coughed, covering his lips, and pushed the candied hawthorn forward a little more.

    Xu Jing’s eyelashes fluttered, and as if intentionally confirming it again, he hesitated and said, “For me?”

    “Just passing by, bought it casually.”

    “…”

    Xu Jing said “Oh” and turned his head away without taking it.

    The people on the side were quietly complaining about why the old gentleman stopped drawing halfway through the story, especially those who had spoken earlier, craning their necks and being very active.

    “Don’t be anxious, don’t be anxious.” The old gentleman placed the brush in his hand on the inkstone, and then shook the rice paper on the table twice. The people in the back simultaneously stood on tiptoes, only to see a small fox drawn on it. Although not many lines were used to outline it, it had all the spirit it should have, looking lifelike.

    “The two were destined to clash. The young master was originally strong and healthy, but after a serious illness, he never recovered. The little fox demon was very reluctant in her heart, and reluctantly had to run to the King of Hell’s palace and made a deal with him, offering herself.” The old gentleman stroked his white beard and sighed, “Gods and demons can use their lives to exchange for a hundred years of life for mortals. Once the agreement of offering oneself is signed, they can only be buried underground forever, with no chance of seeing the light of day again.”

    After the story was finished, the surroundings were silent for a full half minute. Xu Jing’s ears heard this, but his mind was thinking about something else.

    Was his reaction just now a little too cold? After all, the other person meant well.

    But before this thought could end, Xu Jing felt something being forcefully stuffed into his mouth. He subconsciously stuck out his tongue and licked it.

    A little sticky, a little sweet.

    Shen Yan placed the candied hawthorn in Xu Jing’s hand, then pulled him out of the crowd.

    The long-lost sweetness reminded Xu Jing of his childhood. Back then, he especially liked to eat sweets, and after a long time, he got several cavities. After starting kindergarten, he had to go to the dentist every now and then. Perhaps because this memory from his childhood was too miserable, Xu Jing didn’t like eating sweets anymore after he grew up.

    Could it be that this person saw that he had paid a little more attention to that little boy just now, and thought that he liked to eat them, so he went out of his way to buy them?

    Xu Jing pursed his lips, the sweet and sour taste of the candied hawthorn still lingering on the tip of his tongue. For some reason, his heart also seemed to have collapsed a little, beating a little faster.

    After a moment, Xu Jing asked, “Where are we going?”

    Shen Yan smiled, “To see the tree that the fox turned into.”

    “…”

    Whether it was man-made or by heaven’s will, this legendary tree did grow well. It towered into the clouds, with lush foliage. It was also covered with bells tied with red ropes. When the wind blew, it swayed with countless lucky bags, making clanging sounds.

    The line to receive the lucky bags wound around several times. Xu Jing was getting a little impatient trying to find the end when he saw the person in front of him take out two things from their pocket.

    Shen Yan raised his head and said, “Got them from Liu Xibai.” He had more to say, but he suddenly stopped, then reached out his index finger and gently touched the corner of his mouth, a hint of a smile in his eyes as he looked over.

    Xu Jing had a bad feeling. He reached out and touched his mouth, only to find some crumbs on his fingertip, probably accidentally stuck there while eating. It wouldn’t have been a big deal, but Shen Yan’s teasing look made him feel inexplicably embarrassed.

    There weren’t many people writing. There were pens and ink on the table. Shen Yan and Xu Jing walked to a corner, and when their eyes met, the action of taking the pen slowed down at the same time. Xu Jing had the unfinished candied hawthorn in his mouth, and after opening the pen cap with one hand, he turned to the side.

    What wish did he have?

    Xu Jing thought for a long time, unable to put his pen down. Then, there was a gaze, unintentional but directly crashing into the corner of his eye, as if forcibly opening up new territory in that blank area. His breath hitched slightly, letting the taste in his mouth spread continuously. After a long while, he lowered himself.

    Regular script, orderly, neat, and clear. Anyone could easily see it at a glance.

    Black characters on white paper, concise and to the point.

    “I hope he gets what he wishes for.”

    Although he didn’t personally wish for Shen Yan to find that person, if that would make the person in front of him happier, Xu Jing thought that his own thoughts didn’t matter.

    Xu Jing quickly hid the paper in the lucky bag. When he tied it tightly, the fingertips that were pressing on it, touching the handwriting, were still hot.

    Many people chose to hang their lucky bags in the highest place, saying that this made it easiest to achieve their wishes, but they tacitly chose the middle position. Shen Yan was tall, so the lucky bag he hung was above Xu Jing’s, but it was also the closest.

    The wish-making finally came to an end.

    Shen Yan turned his head and said, “Let’s go?”

    Xu Jing responded with an “Mmm.”

    The lucky bags all looked the same. He figured that they wouldn’t be able to tell whose was whose afterward, but that was fine. While he knew Shen Yan’s wish, the other person would never know what he had written inside.

    He was slightly ahead, carrying a secret that no one else knew.

    The sun set in the west, lengthening the shadows of the departing teenagers, gradually going further and further away, as if they had never been here.

    Only a night breeze suddenly blew, and the bells swayed ceaselessly, the sounds they made crisp and melodious, echoing everywhere. And on those all-looking-the-same lucky bags, there were two whose bottom surfaces were embroidered with beautiful traditional Chinese characters.

    The two red strings, one above and one below, rippled with subtle movements, unknowingly tangling and intertwining, making it difficult to untie them again.

    Note