Chapter 78 Ancient Temple
In "The Howling of Ghosts and Wolves", Tan Xiao helped Kong Xuan fill out the form to apply for borrowing the chariot license plate for review. Since this was related to Kong Xuan's studies, the 404 Office opened a green channel for Kong Xuan to approve it.
However, because of Kong Xuan's current identity, it is actually under Tan Xiao's name.
Before leaving, Xiong Ku said to Zhan Che Pai: "Just wait, those who do evil will eventually die."
Chariot: “…”
This snake is crazy.
"When will the cycle of revenge end?" Tan Xiao said leisurely.
With this card that can solve any problem, Kong Xuan's review went much easier and he passed the final exam of this semester with ease.
After the exam, everyone returned to their classrooms to put their desks and chairs back in place, and the teacher routinely gave a few pointers on what to pay attention to during the holiday.
"You are already so old, I won't say much about not swimming in the river." Ji Huiming said. Every year, we always hear about accidents caused by wild swimming. Their school is relatively good. "You are all about to be senior high school students. I think everyone understands... But don't be too greedy, just focus on the key points."
It's basically the same old stuff.
Ji Huiming even went out of his way to talk to Kong Xuan alone, "I heard that your target school is... the same as Tan Xiao's?"
Tan Xiao always had clear goals and had decided early on that he wanted to be admitted to Quedong University, a famous science and engineering university. Kong Xuan, who had been trying to get into the field recently, did not hide the fact that he also wanted to be admitted to Quedong University.
I don't know who told Ji Huiming that when the seats were being arranged, Kong Xuan was surrounded by class leaders, so anyone could be there.
Kong Xuan raised his chin: "Not bad. It seems like we are the only two in the class."
There was a hint of pride in his tone. They are the same.
Ji Huiming: “…”
Ji Huiming feels that there is a lot to complain about. Do you know why only you two have the same goal?
He admitted that Kong Xuan's progress was great, but there was still a score gap compared to Tan Xiao, who was playing steadily and had an increasingly obvious advantage. It was precisely because he saw Kong Xuan's efforts that he wanted to remind Kong Xuan not to be too eager to eat a big fat man in one bite.
"How much difference was there in your total score in the last exam? At least it was around 100 points..." Ji Huiming didn't remember the details very well. "I know many examples show that scores can be improved a lot in the senior year of high school, but you don't have to set your goals too high at the beginning. You have to eat one bite at a time."
"It doesn't matter that much. I can still get extra points then." Kong Xuan recalled and smiled again with emotion.
"Why can you get extra points?" Ji Huiming thought for a long time, but he couldn't think of any policy that could take care of Kong Xuan. Why was he standing there with such a touched look on his face?
"I can't tell you now." Kong Xuan also wanted to say it, but the case would not be closed until the 404 Office caught the sniper. The matter had not been finalized yet, so how could he tell Ji Huiming.
Ji Huiming: “…”
Ji Huiming: "Don't you want to be a magician? That goal..."
It would be fine if we don't mention this. Who wants to be a magician? Kong Xuan interrupted him: "Teacher, didn't you say that you should find a spiritual sustenance? Why are you advising me?"
Ji Huiming was stunned.
So Kong Xuan has been working so hard recently because he wants to get into the same school as his good friend? Looking at Kong Xuan's expression, he couldn't say any words of persuasion.
Everyone’s situation is different. Maybe for Kong Xuan, he doesn’t need to improve step by step. Only by looking at the farthest point can he be most motivated.
"Then you should work hard!" Ji Huiming thought about it and said, "I will give you some information about Quedong when the time comes."
When Kong Xuan heard this, he also said solemnly: "Thank you, Master."
Ji Huiming: “…”
You... Ji Huiming looked at him with amusement and was amused. However, he really felt unprecedented respect from Kong Xuan's joking words, which seemed to be more effective than giving Kong Xuan magic props. It seemed that Kong Xuan still had ideals.
After Kong Xuan went back, Tan Xiao was still talking to Lin Yang. They stopped and looked at him, "What did the teacher want to talk to you about?"
Kong Xuan said easily: "He knew I wanted to apply to Quedong, so he encouraged me and said he would send me the information."
Lin Yang: “…Really?”
Kong Xuan said unhappily: "What do you mean by doubting? Do you think I can't pass the exam?"
"No." Lin Yang cried out in injustice, "I thought the teacher wanted to talk to you about why you always sit next to Tan Xiao recently. Look how much you squeeze our Xiaozai. It's enough for me to become a paper man!" He has suffered this before!
Kong Xuan: “……!”
Kong Xuan secretly glanced at Tan Xiao and was slightly surprised.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, he was embarrassed for a while, and would even bounce away when he met Tan Xiao. But knowing that Tan Xiao was also trying to help him get extra points, he couldn't help himself and wanted to get close to Tan Xiao, taking the opportunity to turn the pages of a book or take a pen. But he felt that he was doing it very covertly, how could even a mortal like Lin Yang see it!
"We're just discussing the questions together." Tan Xiao coughed and glanced at Lin Yang.
Although Xiaozi's eyes were kind, Lin Yang felt a little cold for some reason, as if he shouldn't say...
"Um," Lin Yang quickly changed the subject, "Do you have any plans for the summer vacation?"
In the past, Tan Xiao would go out with Tan Chunying during the summer vacation, or make appointments with classmates, especially since his birthday was during the summer vacation. This year is different, and Tan Xiao estimated that he would not go far away. "If I don't go out, I will probably only relax a little on my birthday."
"I'm just going out for three days. I'll be back soon after having my last meal." Lin Yang looked at the date, "Remember to call me on your birthday!"
…
Tan Xiao’s birthday happened during the hottest period in Nanchu.
In the self-built courtyard, the doors and windows of the second floor were closed, and the cool air from the air conditioner was escaping from the crack of the door. Kong Xuan and Tan Xiao were sitting side by side at the desk doing their summer homework. In front of Kong Xuan was a card, with one of the Sphinxes on it on duty and the other resting with its legs up in the air.
This was originally a single desk, and it was made quite large. With two people sitting together, it seemed a little crowded , but neither of them said anything.
Even because Kong Xuan's body was cold, Tan Xiao felt quite relieved. His arms stretched out from under his short-sleeved shirt were a little chilly, and he couldn't tell whether it was because of the air-conditioning or because he was close to Kong Xuan.
There were two neatly arranged homeworks on the desk. After finishing the test paper, Tan Xiao would put it in the middle. After Kong Xuan finished, he also put it next to Tan Xiao, symmetrically and tightly attached, and it felt like he had taken another step towards him.
"Do you want to take a break?" Tan Xiao finished writing a test paper, put down his pen and stretched his wrists.
Kong Xuan wanted to say that he was not tired and would continue writing, but after thinking about it, he stopped writing and said casually, "Didn't the teacher say last time that if you write for a long time, you should look at the green color?"
"Yes." Tan Xiao said, "Then stand up and take a look."
Look at the plants in the distance outside.
Kong Xuan stretched out his foot to stop him.
this……
Tan Xiao felt his leg being hooked and touched, but before he could doubt too much, Kong Xuan had turned back into a green peacock with one of his claws still raised.
Tan Xiao: “…Hahahahaha!!”
Kong Xuan was puzzled. What was he laughing at? Didn’t he want to see green? Wasn’t the green green pleasing to the eyes?
Tan Xiao couldn't help but touch it with his feet. He lowered his paw back to the ground, and touched his tail. Not to mention that the green color was really beautiful and smooth.
Kong Xuan's head lifted up as he stroked her. He had an idea and hesitated whether to say it. But when he saw Tan Xiao's fingers moving among the feathers, he couldn't help but asked casually, "Do you like it?"
He deliberately omitted the subject in an ambiguous manner, as if he had mixed in his own little thoughts, hoping to get an answer that would make him secretly happy.
Tan Xiao paused, his fingers slowly sliding over the tip of the feather. He looked at the tutoring card on the table and said, "Looks good. I..."
"Tan Xiao?" Tan Chunying took half a chilled watermelon and went upstairs and knocked on the door.
Tan Xiao and Kong Xuan looked at each other, and Kong Xuan immediately used his wings to grab his homework, and they disappeared into the air together.
The next second, Tan Chunying pushed the door open and said, "Take a break and eat some fruit." She didn't even cut it, but just stuck a spoon into the half watermelon, believing that her son could finish it.
"Okay, thanks mom."
Tan Xiaocai took the fruit and heard Tan Chunying say, "I have a feeling that I heard the voice of your classmate Kong Xuan just now."
"..."Tan Xiao raised his eyes and saw Tan Chunying's face full of doubt and a little bit nervous. Kong Xuan just disappeared a few seconds ago. Tan Chunying wouldn't think anything was wrong, right?
"I'm chatting with him on the phone." Tan Xiao said calmly.
"Then you two have a good relationship, why don't you invite him for your birthday?" Tan Chunying was a little weak and couldn't use the air conditioner for too long, so she felt a little uncomfortable in this season. "It's been too hot recently, why don't you stay at the farm for a while? Besides, it's your birthday soon, so you can invite your classmates and friends over for those two days, and you can all enjoy the natural breeze together, which will cool you down and protect your eyes."
"Sure." Tan Xiao thought that was not bad.
"Then you can send a voice message to your classmates now." Tan Chunying said, "You two were just chatting about Kong Xuan."
She rarely saw her son getting along so well with his classmates.
"Okay." Tan Xiao awkwardly raised his phone and sent a voice message to Kong Xuan on WeChat. He was not very skilled. "Kong Xuan, I plan to go to a holiday farm for my birthday. Are you free to come over and play?"
Tan Chunying listened to the tone of his voice and said, "It sounds like you guys are not that familiar with each other."
Tan Xiao: "..."
Of course, if Tan Chunying came over and looked through his phone, she would find that this was even the first message he sent to Kong Xuan on WeChat!
“Buzz.”
A vibration sound was heard.
Tan Xiao and Tan Chunying looked at each other strangely.
Tan Chunying: "What's that sound?"
Tan Xiao: ...It’s Kong Xuan’s cell phone!
Shit, Kong Xuan left his phone outside.
I didn't expect that even though Kong Xuan blocked all the groups, someone would still send him private messages. This has never happened before.
With the sensitivity of a parent, Tan Chunying turned over Tan Xiao's bed and found an old mobile phone under the quilt. She also recognized that it was an old mobile phone that was unused in the family.
Before I could turn over to look, Tan Xiao rushed over, "Mom!"
He took the phone in a panic and held his breath for a few seconds, "This is my backup phone and my secondary phone..."
In what situation would you need a backup phone and a trumpet? Tan Xiao is not someone who is addicted to games. Tan Chunying looked at Tan Xiao for a few seconds and suddenly realized: "You are in love!"
Maybe it’s an online romance!
Tan Xiao: "..."
At this moment, even Tan Xiao didn't know what to say (make up).
"Is it because the pressure of senior year is too great?" Tan Chunying saw Tan Xiao speechless and felt that her guess was almost right. She thought carefully, "Well, I'm not unreasonable. I always thought you were very sensible. I believe you can handle this matter properly, right? Don't bring your phone with you when you go to the farm. Even if you tell your mother that you have thought it through and feel that it will not affect your studies after you come back, I will agree with you."
Tan Xiao was afraid to dwell on this topic, so Tan Chunying wanted to see the phone to confirm it. She closed her eyes and said, "Okay."
Tan Chunying was relieved, and felt that she was still quite capable of handling teenage issues. "Well, you two should think about it calmly. I'll be leaving first... Oh, by the way, how about you and Kong Xuan staying in the same room?"
Tan Xiao: “…………OK.”
…
The holiday farm that Tan Chunying mentioned was opened by a friend of hers, but it was her first time here. She only heard that the temperature here was a little lower than in the city. After coming here, it was indeed true, with a comfortable natural breeze. The farm grows a lot of vegetables and fruits, and there is a large lotus pond. There are also camping facilities outdoors, barbecues, open-air movies, open-air KTV, etc., everything is available.
His classmate Kong Xuan came here by bus early in the morning and said that there were no adults at home.
"You didn't bring your phone, did you?" Tan Chunying confirmed that Tan Xiao didn't bring his online dating phone. "That's right, you should stay with Xiao Kong for the next few days. If you get tired of reading, you can go pick some fruit."
Tan Xiao was already numb: "Oh..."
Xiao Kong was in high spirits: "Okay!"
Tan Chunying has gone to play mahjong with her old friends.
The double room that Tan Xiao and Kong Xuan were assigned to was on the first floor. In addition to the door, the room on the first floor also had a glass door leading directly to the outdoor lawn, which could be opened for ventilation and was very comfortable.
"Come on, Xiao Tan, don't think it's too simple. We live in the countryside. You can tell me if you need anything." The staff knew that he was Sister Tan's child, so they spoke more like friends. She glanced at Kong Xuan. Tan Xiao, this classmate, was dressed in noble manner. Looking at his expression, she always felt that he was someone who would find fault with the accommodation conditions.
Before Tan Xiao could say anything, Kong Xuan exclaimed in amazement: "Wow."
Tan Xiao: "..."
"?" The staff member felt upset, thinking Kong Xuan was mocking him. "What, what's wrong? Don't you like this room? It's too small?"
"No, the layout is very good." Kong Xuan looked around with satisfaction. His bed and Tan Xiao's bed were next to each other, with only a small bedside table in between. He couldn't help but say, "I want to decorate my room like this too."
The staff member said blankly: "...Oh, you like the pastoral style, right?" Oh my god, why is this customer so unexpectedly kind, even to her feeling that it was too much.
"Who would put two beds in his or her bedroom after renovating it?" Tan Xiao also said with a smile, thanked the staff, and put down his luggage.
Sitting by the window and doing homework is indeed more pleasant than doing it in an air-conditioned room.
In the afternoon, the classmates invited by Tan Xiao arrived one after another. There were not many classmates he had a good relationship with, only six or seven people in total, including Lin Yang and Yu Zhenzhen.
When Lin Yang showed up, everyone was shocked. "Why do you... look like someone who is fleeing?"
Lin Yang looked three shades darker than before the holiday. He was completely dark. He smiled, revealing two rows of big white teeth. "I went to the beach to play."
This is what Lin Yang called his last meal. He had been having fun at the beach for three days and his skin was peeled off.
Except for Lin Yang, the others were similar to Tan Xiao. They stayed at home to do their homework during the holidays. Yu Zhenzhen even stepped out of the house for the first time. "My parents told me not to bring books with me. I should see more greenery before going back..."
"It seems that the squad leader is having a bit of fun at home." Lin Yang chuckled, and was restless as soon as he arrived. "When I just got off the car, I chatted with a villager here. He said there is a thousand-year-old temple next to it. Should we go and have a look?"
"A thousand-year-old temple?" The other students asked doubtfully, "Is it true?"
"Go ask the people at the farm." Lin Yang found a staff member and asked. The staff here were basically hired local villagers. When he mentioned that there was an ancient temple, the other party nodded.
"Of course, I heard that in the past, scholars who went to Beijing to take the imperial examinations would stay in the Siming Temple. One scholar encountered a fox spirit and helped the fox spirit to pass the thunder tribulation. Later, the scholar passed the imperial examination and was wanted by a rich merchant. He found out that the bride was the fox spirit." The staff member told a very familiar and old-fashioned story, and then said, "Our Siming Temple is very effective. You can go and see it."
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. This story is a bit old-fashioned...
But there was nothing to do anyway. The ancient temple was right next to the village. Lin Yang asked for directions and then took the lead and rushed out like a wild monkey.
"Will the God of Destiny bless you to be rich?"
"Hehehe, this is the choice between making progress and going to school, choosing incense."
"So, between eight million and a large sum of money, which one would you choose?"
A group of young people chatted in the sun that was no longer so hot after noon while walking from the holiday farm to the thousand-year-old temple that the villagers talked about. It was indeed not far away. About ten minutes away from the village, you can see an old small building with slightly peeling walls, standing alone in the weeds. If it weren't for the raised eaves, Lin Yang wouldn't dare to recognize it.
"...This is a bit small." Lin Yang was speechless. This was very different from the temple he had imagined. The thousand-year-old temple he imagined would naturally be a magnificent building like the one in the scenic area, and one could spend at least half an hour to visit it.
The so-called thousand-year-old temple before them was only so small. No wonder they had never heard of it.
"You think too much. Most ancient temples in villages are only this big." Tan Xiao didn't find it strange. There were even simpler ones. In many places in Chu, every village had a temple. Without a temple, there was no village. However, it was impossible for all of them to be built into the magnificent temples that Lin Yang imagined.
"So are you still going to see it?"
"Just take a look, now that we are here..."
When I walked around to the front, I saw "Kitchen God Temple" written on it. The door was open, so naturally there was no one guarding the temple.
In the past, people worshipped the Kitchen God at home, so there were few separate temples for the Kitchen God, or they worshipped him together with the City God Temple. However, Tan Xiao knew that there were many Kitchen God temples in the capital, and this one in the village was probably because there were many people in the village engaged in the food industry - until now, there have been many farmhouse restaurants and local cuisine restaurants.
"Isn't it the Siming Temple? Why is it the Kitchen God Temple?" Yu Zhenzhen didn't understand, and everyone looked at Tan Xiao tacitly.
"The Kitchen God's title means "Master of the East Kitchen." Tan Xiao explained.
"Well, let's go in and pray. God of Kitchen may bless me with a good appetite ." Lin Yang glanced at Kong Xuan, "Haha, Kong Xuan, you should pray too. You and Tan Xiao never eat in the cafeteria at noon. God of Kitchen may bless you to always have a good takeaway shop."
Kong Xuan raised his eyebrows and said nothing.
The group filed into the small Kitchen God Temple.
Although the sparrow is small, it has all the organs. The only difference is that the Kitchen God does not sit alone in the Kitchen God Temple.
Behind the altar in the temple, there stands an old statue of Kitchen God. Next to him is the Kitchen God's wife, and on his left and right are attendants, boys, etc. It is a family portrait, just like the "Big Kitchen God" hanging in their school kitchen.
I always feel that the roof is too cramped. Lin Yang looked up and felt that the head of the Kitchen God statue was almost touching the beams of the house, and there was no room for wiggle room. Or maybe the statue was too big. In short, it didn't look very harmonious.
However, Lin Yang just thought about it in his heart and didn't dare to say it out loud. Although it was a small temple, he still had a sense of awe.
"It does look quite old, I don't know if it's a thousand years old or not."
Lin Yang saw Tan Xiao also admiring the sculptures in the temple. He was standing in front of the left side of the Kitchen God statue and looking down at something. He also stretched his neck curiously to take a look. It turned out to be a statue of a boy holding a rice spoon under the Kitchen God's seat. Wow, a pretty cute child laborer.
"Hey, wait, this boy..."
The boy seemed to be holding a spoon in one hand and making a hand gesture with the other. Lin Yang moved closer to take a closer look and saw that his thumb and index finger were interlaced, and the other three fingers were bent... What hand gesture? Isn't this a heart shape? !
"Who am I going to act cute for? Hahahahaha. I don't know if this temple has been there for a thousand years, but there must be no statue of a boy here, right?"
