Chapter 73: Ghost
After the dragon boat race, it is time for the dragons to return home. The staff will pack up the boats and the audience will go to watch other activities. In addition to the classic dragon boat race, the organizers also arranged other entertainment performances by the river.
The dragon head returned to the temple, the boat body was returned to the preservation place, and some of them were also going to the Folk Museum. Tan Chunying finished the closing ceremony, and someone invited her to go to the Folk Museum together.
"Teacher Tan, why don't we go take a look at the antiques in your house?" an old acquaintance joked, "After donating the instruments, didn't you often go there to give free explanations? Aren't you afraid of seeing something wasted?"
——After all, Chu Wu’s situation is much better now than before, and the value of those magic weapons has also greatly increased. It is inevitable that some people wonder whether Tan Chunying regrets donating them.
Tan Chunying laughed a few times, "There is more and more work to do, so of course I don't have time to go there often. We should look forward to the future and not dwell on the past." She paused, "Of course, it's a pity, but it's still a pity-"
She looked back and saw her son still squatting by the river, wrapping the red cloth around the dragon boat. Kong Xuan was still holding the bamboo pole with the red ornaments on it, not letting it go. He looked lost in thought, and no one knew what he was thinking.
According to the old rules, the reward money would be draped on the dragon boat, from head to tail, including the oars. While Tan Xiao was wrapping it, he could hear the boat girl's cheerful voice: "Spiritual Master, wrap it tighter! It looks good!"
Tan Xiao couldn't help but smile. He finished wrapping the red cloth around the front part, and a voice rang out beside him: "Young men, this is for you too."
He turned around and saw a white-haired old lady. She was holding her granddaughter in one hand and a piece of red cloth in the other.
In the past, the red ribbons did not have to be hung on the pole. In most cases, they were handed over personally by friends and relatives.
The little girl couldn't wait to say to the rowers who were resting nearby: "That's amazing. I want to row a dragon boat, too. When I get back to school, I'm going to tell my classmates what I saw today, and I'm also going to write an essay."
The rowers were no longer in a possessed state, but listening to the children's words, they thought that the dragon boat ghosts must have heard it as well.
"You don't have to worry about writing now?" The old lady said to her granddaughter with a smile, and then whispered to Tan Xiao: "Before I came, someone advised me not to bring red cloth. Now no one wraps red cloth on the dragon boat." After all, even the reward of red cloth has been changed to winning the championship, "But I still brought one, just in case?"
The old lady didn't expect that today there was not only a performance of grabbing the red cloth, but also that after the competition, when other performers were already packing up and leaving, the boy was still clinging to the red cloth, which was obviously not part of the performance. It should be that the elderly in his family told him to do this, so the old lady couldn't help but come over and give out the red cloth that she thought she would never have the chance to give out.
"Thank you." Tan Xiao took the red cloth and continued to wrap it around more parts of the dragon boat. He stroked the hull and seemed to be able to feel the excitement in the boat girl's heart.
Some of the dispersing audience noticed this scene.
"Xiao Tan!" Tan Xiao heard someone calling him. From the person sitting in the wheelchair next to him, he could tell that it should be Teacher Zhu's father.
Zhu's father actually requisitioned his wife's red silk scarf and held it up to the crowd on the stairs: "This is my reward, wrap it around your neck!"
Tan Xiao stood up and wanted to catch it, but there was quite a distance between them, and if he threw it, it would probably be blown away by the wind.
"Hey, please help that classmate." Zhu's father said to Kong Xuan.
"Ah?" Kong Xuan was still distracted. He was called and it took him two seconds to react. "You mean?"
Father Zhu nodded.
"..." Kong Xuan pondered for a moment. This was the teacher's father. Was he also among those who respected teachers? He stretched out the long bamboo pole, picked up the red silk scarf that Zhu's father held high, and then took it back.
"Hahahahahahaha!" Tan Xiao laughed and took the silk scarf and wrapped it around Hong.
This became a hot topic. Old audience members who knew about it wanted to join in the fun, while those who didn’t thought it was some kind of blessing ceremony and tried to throw their red ties or even red hats over, saying, “Hey, young man, pick one!”
——Those who were far away all shouted to Kong Xuan to extend the bamboo pole over so that they could hang themselves on it.
Kong Xuan was disturbed and couldn't concentrate on his own thoughts. He frowned and said, "... Stop shouting!!"
Tan Xiao was not sure whether to laugh or cry as he received a lot of " red gifts", all of which were hung on the dragon boat and the wooden oars. The rowers raised the wooden oars with red fluttering on them to salute again. These reds were of different materials, deep and light, large and small in area, and some were not pure red.
They were draped over the dragon boat, almost covering its original color.
"It's so beautiful." The old lady touched the faucet before taking the child away.
The dragon boat held its head high and floated red in the warm morning sun, and the water surface reflected the light like broken diamonds, which was extremely dazzling, as if it was the glory covered for it.
…
Nanchu City held the Dragon Boat Race to attract tourists, but even the organizers did not expect that the final effect would be unexpectedly good. The live broadcast room became popular during the race, and there were many positive discussions afterwards, which can be said to be a great success.
What triggered all this was a program they added on at the last minute.
Topic: Who watched the Nanchu Dragon Boat Race that just ended?
Content: I saw their local promotion and accidentally clicked in, but couldn't get out. Nanchu City, you know what I want to see, [Mao Maotou Dragon Boat.jpg] [Tan Xiao Beating the Drum.jpg] [Tan Xiao Grabbing the Red.jpg] [Kong Xuan Fishing the Dragon Boat.jpg]
When I opened it, I saw a handsome guy playing drums. How could I leave? Nanchu, I caught you this time. I even watched the replay, and it was a great show. Let me show you from the beginning. [Picture] This is before the game. I found a wizard to perform a ritual. It can be said to be relatively traditional from here, but it starts to be magical later.
Please enjoy: "Traditional Dragon Boat" [Maomaotou Dragon Boat.jpg]
The whole audience shouted in unison. And it was said that all the rowers were from local government offices...
But then the twist came! [GIF] I finally captured it when I was crossing! Flying boat!
1L: Sitting in the front row, I was also in the live broadcast room today, and I was stunned by what I saw. No one told me that dragon boat racing could be so powerful!
2L: ? ? What's going on in the animated picture? Why is the dragon boat jumping over the hurdles (not
3L: People from Nanchu, who taught you to row a dragon boat like this! Mao Maotou and Feizhou, I think you want to be deified!
4L: This Nanchu person said that it was the first time he saw the flying boat move. Today, he was forced by his family elder to join in the fun. He was bored at first, but his jaw dropped when he saw that scene. My elder was very excited and kept talking about the past. He also said that they had heard about the flying boat move at that time, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. He praised the organizer for their hard work this time. He also disliked the cat head before.
The author: The other participating teams are all elite soldiers from various districts and counties, with old, middle-aged and young people all participating. I saw that their expressions were also very excited, and they were scared by the office team! Here is a picture [Picture]
10L: Laughing to death, hahahaha, all with the same face: Fortunately they are not participating in the competition. So how did the office clerk team get trained to be like this? It's really a mystery. Are they really all clerical staff?
Original poster: Really, they are all engaged in religious and cultural research. The only exception is the extremely young drummer, who is said to be the son of the wizard who performed the opening ritual.
25L: ! ! I recognized the drummer's face and the key word Chu Wu. Isn't this my brother who I have tasted the stage of time and again? Brother, how come you can always make a big noise? !
26L: Wow, people from Nanchu are reporting in. The official competition that follows will also be very exciting. Let me show you our authentic dragon heads with a long history. These are usually kept in the temple and will be taken out and connected during the competition.
27L: Yes, it was also very exciting. I was really shocked by the traditional performances. No wonder people in the past were so obsessed with dragon boat racing. In Chu, there is even a saying that the Dragon Boat Festival is as important as the Chinese New Year. It was not simply because there were fewer entertainment activities back then than now, but because it was really good to watch!
28L: Now more and more young people are returning to their hometowns. I hope the dragon boat race in Nanchu can continue. Come on!
The OP: It was a big commotion... Look at the final fight for the red ribbon. First, the boatman, [picture] I don't know if he has practiced martial arts in the office for several years, held the pole and flew to grab the red ribbon. [GIF] Then the dragon boat fishing brother deliberately teased him, and the Chu Wu brother stomped his feet and grabbed the medal in one go... Who understands how I felt at that time?
34L: The feeling touched my heart all of a sudden.
35L: Does anyone have a comment? No one said I was going to start a rumor. What kind of youthful love is this? The dragon boat fisherman’s expression after his medal was snatched away was completely overwhelmed. You are fishing for dragon boats here, and your heart is being fished away.
36L: Could someone please remind him not to look so loving?
37L: So funny, I don’t blame passers-by for spreading rumors, it really feels like a romance, there’s even a background story here [School Anniversary Stage.jpg]
38L: Thank you, I got it!
…
"I bumped into it, I bumped into it, I really bumped into it!" It was Monday again, and when Yu Zhenzhen saw Tan Xiao and Kong Xuan coming to school together, she cried.
"What are you cracking again? Crunching melon seeds, squad leader." Tan Xiao put down his schoolbag and asked.
"Of course I'm knocking on you guys." Yu Zhenzhen said with a playful smile, "Normally, rabbits don't knock on grass near their burrows, but weren't you two deliberately pushing my head during the dragon boat race? I was watching the video with my friend at the time, and she asked me if the two of them were a couple. I said that was premature love, and I liked it."
Kong Xuan and Tan Xiao were both putting away their schoolbags. Given their seating arrangements, it was normal for them to bump shoulders and hands. But today, their elbows bumped into each other, and Kong Xuan bounced away.
"Uh." Yu Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment, then said awkwardly, "Are you so worried about me getting ahead? You're even trying to avoid suspicion."
"It's just static electricity." Kong Xuan seemed calm and skillful, using his knowledge of physics as an excuse.
...Why hide? Kong Xuan was also puzzled by his abrupt action.
Before the dragon boat race, it was common for Kong Xuan to hold Tan Xiao's hand and cast spells. He was also used to and even liked Tan Xiao's little touches on him, although he never let Tan Xiao know that he liked them.
But after the dragon boat race, Kong Xuan's reaction was too much. When he was squeezed with Tan Xiao again, his heart would beat wildly, and the places where he was touched would feel numb. He was even a little embarrassed to shake Tan Xiao's hand. Even when he was riding his bicycle back, he was embarrassed to let his shadow overlap with Tan Xiao's shadow...
After all, something has been revealed in an instant with the flow of thoughts.
He had accepted his own speculation in a very short time, and even had a feeling of sudden enlightenment.
Kong Xuan glanced at Tan Xiao secretly. Would Tan Xiao think that I was angry?
Fortunately, Tan Xiao was not sad. He just said to Zhenzhen, "Squad leader, why are you pretending? In fact, you have been knocking for a long time."
Yu Zhenzhen: "...You saw through me."
"I know. I thought you two were happily married at the school celebration last semester and you even threw a bouquet to me." Lin Yang turned around and said seriously.
It was rare for Kong Xuan not to despise Lin Yang, but he felt it was a bit difficult to agree with him, so he just continued to watch Tan Xiao's reaction.
Tan Xiao: "Ah, yes, yes, yes."
Kong Xuan: “…”
I don't know why, but when he continued to agree, Kong Xuan's mood calmed down. Why is Tan Xiao so calm? Is it because he has no intention at all? He didn't recognize me for the whole semester!
After Kong Xuan withdrew his gaze, Tan Xiao also looked at Kong Xuan and felt relieved. Fortunately, he did not get angry out of shame. Kong Que could not stand the teasing.
"Class monitor, the end of the semester is coming soon. Take your card and calculate my grades. See if I can get a high score at the end of the semester." Lin Yang actively participates in superstitious activities at the end of each semester. Before, he asked Tan Xiao to chant for him, and now he is seeking Yu Zhenzhen's Western metaphysics. "If it doesn't work, let Tan Xiao do a ritual for me."
"Our family's cooking methods have clear price tags." Tan Xiao said promptly.
Yu Zhenzhen also took out her own tarot cards. After so much study, her skills are much better than when Kong Xuan first transferred here.
A classmate nearby heard it and leaned over to say, "Hey, no, what on earth can you tell with tarot cards? Why do I feel like it's usually played by people with love in their minds?"
"Nonsense! They can tell everything. Academics, wealth, health, big and small things, they can all be told. I even had one to see if there were any ghosts in my house." Yu Zhenzhen wanted to use the tarot cards because during the Chinese New Year, she always felt like she had strange dreams and felt confused after waking up, so she used the tarot cards to tell her fortune.
"What's the result of the divination? Is there a ghost in your family?" Tan Xiao became a little curious when he heard it.
"No. I guess I just had a nightmare." Yu Zhenzhen touched her nose.
Tan Xiao thought it was normal that there was no ghost. You asked if there was a ghost, but the one that appeared in your house was a monster...
"Then you can count Xiaozai as one first. I want to know the nature of their family's profession and whether there will be ghosts visiting their home often." Lin Yang immediately instigated.
"Sure." Yu Zhenzhen immediately took out the mini tarot cards she carried with her, shuffled them and spread them out, "Tan Xiao, you take the card."
Tan Xiao thought about it and really drew out a set of cards.
"Let me see..." Yu Zhenzhen took a look at the cards. "The first card represents yes! The second card means quantity. There is only one male ghost. The third card shows that the ghost is always around you. Wow, does this mean that there is a ghost haunting you?!"
Tan Xiao looked at Kong Xuan. Hmm, how can this not be considered a ghost?
Kong Xuan: “…………”
Tan Xiao secretly winked at him with his right eye. Well, the squad leader’s calculation was quite accurate.
Kong Xuan's heart thumped, and his mood, which had originally fallen, soared to the sky again. He suddenly wanted to talk, so he deliberately didn't look at Tan Xiao and said to Zhenzhen: "Did you interpret the cards correctly? Does he look like he is being harassed?"
It's ridiculous. How can a person being stalked look so energetic and adorable?
Tan Xiao was able to recognize him at a glance during the scam, which shows that he is quite smart. After all, he is not an ordinary ghost.
Lin Yang also shook his head and said, "That's right, monitor, you still need to practice. Xiaozi's test scores are so impressive, it doesn't look like he's been haunted by ghosts."
Yu Zhenzhen was also a little confused, so she drew another card to help explain, "No, this card means it's harmless or even good for you, but doesn't that contradict the idea of pestering you? Otherwise, it means your ancestors are following you?"
"Pfft, the more you calculate, the more outrageous it gets." Lin Yang consoled him, "Luckily you're only in high school, so we won't do this anymore."
Yu Zhenzhen put away the cards and sighed: "Should I learn some fortune-telling?"
As more and more classmates arrived, the topic of discussion among the students around them all turned to this year's college entrance examination, and the topic did not stop until the morning self-study bell rang.
Around the Dragon Boat Festival, this year's college entrance examination results have been released one after another, which are the results of the previous year's seniors. The current students are inevitably paying attention to it, feeling uneasy, not knowing what their fate will be next year.
"My cousin is one grade older than me. Her scores came out today and she didn't get into her dream school. She sent me a voice message crying."
"My neighbor's brother is the same. He doesn't even reply. I guess he didn't do well in the exam."
"There was a senior who had a good time and was happy. She posted her score. She performed well and her score was higher than usual!"
"Ahhh, I'm so nervous. It's obviously not our turn yet, but when I think about the fact that we will have to do the same thing next year...oh my god, my face is numb."
"I clearly found time to play games when I got home yesterday, but today I suddenly can't laugh anymore. In two months we will be seniors in high school, woo woo."
Class 3 was no exception and was caught up in a discussion about the college entrance examination results.
Kong Xuan had always known about the college entrance examination, and had even been threatened by Tan Xiao to be careful about repeating the exam, but today's discussion made him understand what would happen from a more realistic perspective.
It turns out that it’s not enough to just graduate safely and reach the passing score.
There are many levels above the score line, and the admission line of each school is different. If the gap is too big, it will be difficult to study in the same school.
Many students have already chosen their favorite schools, each with its own preferences. In order to achieve their goals, they will devote themselves to reviewing more intensively every month in their senior year.
The college entrance examination is for the future, but Kong Xuan has no worries about the future, only the rules from his mother. At this moment, he was surrounded by different emotions, and a thought suddenly arose in his mind:
I should also have higher goals instead of just fulfilling my mother's requirement of passing the exam.
After all, Tan Xiao...
Kong Xuan looked at Tan Xiao, who seemed unaffected and was still calmly sorting out his books. Of course, Tan Xiao's grades were very good, so it should be no problem for him to get into his target school.
Ji Huiming came to the class and heard everyone making a lot of noise during the morning self-study session. He didn't get angry, but just said, "Why, are you all discussing grades? People have been feeling uneasy these past few days."
Looking at the faces with different expressions, many of which were anxious and confused, Ji Huiming held up the podium and said: "You can be said to be the senior high school students, and the pressure on everyone will only increase. Senior high school is short and will pass in the blink of an eye. It cannot be wasted, but it is also long enough for you to continue to polish until you become the best version of yourself.
"No matter what, this last year will be very hard and difficult. I suggest that everyone find their own spiritual sustenance and think about what can support you through this year? Whether it is hobbies, family, or friends, maybe you have a dream college life, maybe you want to be worthy of yourself, or maybe you hope to be admitted to the same university as your friends, or even, you look forward to having a love relationship openly after adulthood?"
When Ji Huiming said this, a tacit laughter broke out in the class. Although premature love is prohibited, everyone's heart has not been moved a few times.
Spiritual sustenance?
What Kong Xuan was most familiar with about this word was that throughout the long history of mankind, religious beliefs had developed, and a considerable number of people took this as their spiritual sustenance and support.
I hope the gods can save me, bless me, and protect me.
Therefore, as a deity, Kong Xuan is usually the one who is entrusted with things.
I have something to look forward to, and I have hope in the days ahead. It should be...
Kong Xuan looked at the hand that reached across the desk and took his eraser. Without looking at the owner's face, he knew that he must have smiled quickly and then continued to study at his desk. The movement of lowering his head would cause his hair to cover part of his cheek, and from a higher angle he could see his dark eyelashes trembling slightly.
——It should be sent to him.
